Aim: To synthesize the species distribution modelling (SDM) literature to inform which variables have been used in MaxEnt models for different taxa and to quantify how frequently they have been ...important for species' distributions. Location: Global. Methods: We conducted a quantitative synthesis analysing the contribution of over 400 distinct environmental variables to 2040 MaxEnt SDMs for nearly 1900 species representing over 300 families. Environmental variables were grouped into 24 related factors and results were analysed by examining the frequency with which variables were found to be most important, the mean contribution of each variable (at various taxonomic levels), and using TrueSkill™, a Bayesian skill rating system. Results: Precipitation, temperature, bathymetry, distance to water and habitat patch characteristics were the most important variables overall. Precipitation and temperature were analysed most frequently and one of these variables was often the most important predictor in the model (nearly 80% of models, when tested). Notably, distance to water was the most important variable in the highest proportion of models in which it was tested (42% of 225 models). For terrestrial species, precipitation, temperature and distance to water had the highest overall contributions, whereas for aquatic species, bathymetry, precipitation and temperature were most important. Main conclusions: Over all MaxEnt models published, the ability to discriminate occurrence from reference sites was high (average AUC = 0.92). Much of this discriminatory ability was due to temperature and precipitation variables. Further, variability (temperature) and extremes (minimum precipitation) were the most predictive. More generally, the most commonly tested variables were not always the most predictive, with, for instance, 'distance to water' infrequently tested, but found to be very important when it was. Thus, the results from this study summarize the MaxEnt SDM literature, and can aid in variable selection by identifying underutilized, but potentially important variables, which could be incorporated in future modelling efforts.
The impact of inflammation suppressor pathways on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) evolution remains poorly understood. Human genetic evidence suggests involvement of the cardinal anti-inflammatory cytokine, ...interleukin-10 (IL10). We crossed the APP/PS1 mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis with a mouse deficient in Il10 (APP/PS1+Il10−/−). Quantitative in silico 3D modeling revealed activated Aβ phagocytic microglia in APP/PS1+Il10−/− mice that restricted cerebral amyloidosis. Genome-wide RNA sequencing of APP/PS1+Il10−/− brains showed selective modulation of innate immune genes that drive neuroinflammation. Il10 deficiency preserved synaptic integrity and mitigated cognitive disturbance in APP/PS1 mice. In vitro knockdown of microglial Il10-Stat3 signaling endorsed Aβ phagocytosis, while exogenous IL-10 had the converse effect. Il10 deficiency also partially overcame inhibition of microglial Aβ uptake by human Apolipoprotein E. Finally, the IL-10 signaling pathway was abnormally elevated in AD patient brains. Our results suggest that “rebalancing” innate immunity by blocking the IL-10 anti-inflammatory response may be therapeutically relevant for AD.
•Il10 deficiency promotes Alzheimer’s β-amyloid clearance in APP/PS1 mice•Il10 deficiency mitigates synaptic and cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice•Innate immunity is “rebalanced” in Il10 deficient APP/PS1 mouse brains•Blocking IL-10 may be therapeutically relevant for Alzheimer’s disease
In this issue, Guillot-Sestier et al. demonstrate that inhibiting IL-10 signaling, a key anti-inflammatory pathway, alters microglial activation in favor of cerebral Aβ phagocytosis. These results highlight that rebalancing cerebral innate immunity may be therapeutically relevant for Alzheimer’s disease.
Individual reports suggest that the central nervous system (CNS) contains multiple immune cell types with diverse roles in tissue homeostasis, immune defense, and neurological diseases. It has been ...challenging to map leukocytes across the entire brain, and in particular in pathology, where phenotypic changes and influx of blood-derived cells prevent a clear distinction between reactive leukocyte populations. Here, we applied high-dimensional single-cell mass and fluorescence cytometry, in parallel with genetic fate mapping systems, to identify, locate, and characterize multiple distinct immune populations within the mammalian CNS. Using this approach, we revealed that microglia, several subsets of border-associated macrophages and dendritic cells coexist in the CNS at steady state and exhibit disease-specific transformations in the immune microenvironment during aging and in models of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Together, these data and the described framework provide a resource for the study of disease mechanisms, potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in CNS disease.
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•High-dimensional cytometry reveals diverse immune cells in the steady-state CNS•CD38 and MHCII distinguish CNS border-associated macrophage (BAM) subsets•A subset of microglia responds to aging and neurodegeneration•All microglia are homogenously affected in neuroinflammatory disease
It has been challenging to map leukocytes in the brain, particularly during pathology. Mrdjen et al. combine high-dimensional single-cell cytometry with fate mapping to capture the immune landscape of the brain. They identify different subsets of myeloid cells and the phenotypic changes in CNS immune cells during aging and in models of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Abstract Statement of problem Fluorophlogopite glass ceramic (FGC) is a biocompatible, etchable, and millable ceramic with fluoride releasing property. However, its mechanical properties and ...reliability compared with other machinable ceramics remain undetermined. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the mechanical properties of 3 commercially available millable ceramic materials, IPS e.max CAD, Vitablocs Mark II, and Vita Enamic, with an experimental FGC. Material and methods Each type of ceramic block was sectioned into beams (n=15) of standard dimensions of 2×2×15 mm. Before mechanical testing, specimens of the IPS e.max CAD group were further fired for final crystallization. Flexural strength was determined by the 3-point bend test with a universal loading machine at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. Hardness was determined with a hardness tester with 5 Vickers hardness indentations (n=5) using a 1.96 N load and a dwell time of 15 seconds. Selected surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Data were analyzed by the 1-way ANOVA test and Weibull analysis (α=.05). Weibull parameters, including the Weibull modulus (m) as well as the characteristic strength at 63.2% (η) and 10.0% (B10), were obtained. Results A significant difference in flexural strength ( P <.001) was found among groups, with IPS e.max CAD (341.88 ±40.25 MPa)>Vita Enamic (145.95 ±12.65 MPa)>Vitablocs Mark II (106.67 ±18.50 MPa), and FGC (117.61 ±7.62 MPa). The Weibull modulus ranged from 6.93 to 18.34, with FGC showing the highest Weibull modulus among the 4 materials. The Weibull plot revealed that IPS e.max CAD>Vita Enamic>FGC>Vitablocs Mark II for the characteristic strength at both 63.2% (η) and 10.0% (B10). Significant difference in Vickers hardness among groups ( P <.001) was found with IPS e.max CAD (731.63 ±30.64 HV )>Vitablocs Mark II (594.74 ±25.22 HV )>Vita Enamic (372.29 ±51.23 HV )>FGC (153.74 ±23.62 HV ). Conclusions The flexural strength and Vickers hardness of IPS e.max CAD were significantly higher than those of the 3 materials tested. The FGC’s flexural strength was comparable with Vitablocs Mark II. The FGC’s Weibull modulus was the highest, while its Vickers hardness was the lowest among the materials tested.
Recently, disordered photonic media and random textured surfaces have attracted increasing attention as strong light diffusers with broadband and wide-angle properties. We report the experimental ...realization of an isotropic complete photonic band gap (PBG) in a 2D disordered dielectric structure. This structure is designed by a constrained optimization method, which combines advantages of both isotropy due to disorder and controlled scattering properties due to low-density fluctuations (hyperuniformity) and uniform local topology. Our experiments use a modular design composed of Al ₂O ₃ walls and cylinders arranged in a hyperuniform disordered network. We observe a complete PBG in the microwave region, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, and show that the intrinsic isotropy of this unique class of PBG materials enables remarkable design freedom, including the realization of waveguides with arbitrary bending angles impossible in photonic crystals. This experimental verification of a complete PBG and realization of functional defects in this unique class of materials demonstrate their potential as building blocks for precise manipulation of photons in planar optical microcircuits and has implications for disordered acoustic and electronic band gap materials.
This paper addresses the problem of interpolating missing color components at the output of a Bayer color filter array (CFA), a process known as demosaicking. A luma-chroma demultiplexing algorithm ...is presented in detail, using a least-squares design methodology for the required bandpass filters. A systematic study of objective demosaicking performance and system complexity is carried out, and several system configurations are recommended. The method is compared with other benchmark algorithms in terms of CPSNR and S-CIELAB ΔE * objective quality measures and demosaicking speed. It was found to provide excellent performance and the best quality-speed tradeoff among the methods studied.
Avian influenza viruses occasionally infect and adapt to mammals, including humans. Swine are often described as "mixing vessels," being susceptible to both avian- and human-origin viruses, which ...allows the emergence of novel reassortants, such as the precursor to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. ANP32 proteins are host factors that act as influenza virus polymerase cofactors. In this study, we describe how swine ANP32A, uniquely among the mammalian ANP32 proteins tested, supports the activity of avian-origin influenza virus polymerases and avian influenza virus replication. We further show that after the swine-origin influenza virus emerged in humans and caused the 2009 pandemic, it evolved polymerase gene mutations that enabled it to more efficiently use human ANP32 proteins. We map the enhanced proviral activity of swine ANP32A to a pair of amino acids, 106 and 156, in the leucine-rich repeat and central domains and show these mutations enhance binding to influenza virus trimeric polymerase. These findings help elucidate the molecular basis for the mixing vessel trait of swine and further our understanding of the evolution and ecology of viruses in this host.
Avian influenza viruses can jump from wild birds and poultry into mammalian species such as humans or swine, but they only continue to transmit if they accumulate mammalian adapting mutations. Pigs appear uniquely susceptible to both avian and human strains of influenza and are often described as virus "mixing vessels." In this study, we describe how a host factor responsible for regulating virus replication, ANP32A, is different between swine and humans. Swine ANP32A allows a greater range of influenza viruses, specifically those from birds, to replicate. It does this by binding the virus polymerase more tightly than the human version of the protein. This work helps to explain the unique properties of swine as mixing vessels.
When pets become pests Lockwood, Julie L; Welbourne, Dustin J; Romagosa, Christina M ...
Frontiers in ecology and the environment,
August 2019, Volume:
17, Issue:
6
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The annual trade in exotic vertebrates as pets is a multi-billion-dollar global business. Thousands of species, and tens of millions of individual animals, are shipped both internationally and within ...countries to satisfy this demand. Most research on the exotic pet trade has focused on its contribution to native biodiversity loss and disease spread. Here, we synthesize information across taxa and research disciplines to document the exotic pet trade’s contribution to vertebrate biological invasions. We show recent and substantial worldwide growth in the number of non-native animal populations introduced via this invasion pathway, which demonstrates a strong potential to increase the number of invasive animals in the future. Key to addressing the invasion threat of exotic pets is learning more about the socioeconomic forces that drive the massive growth in the exotic pet market and the socioecological factors that underlie pet release by owners. These factors likely vary according to cultural pet-keeping traditions across regions and whether purchases were legal or illegal. These gaps in our understanding of the exotic pet trade must be addressed in order to implement effective policy solutions.
We review and synthesize information on invasions of nonnative forest insects and diseases in the United States, including their ecological and economic impacts, pathways of arrival, distribution ...within the United States, and policy options for reducing future invasions. Nonnative insects have accumulated in United States forests at a rate of
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