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To investigate the community structure and diversity of gut microflora and their function in body mass regulation, as well as the effects of various locations on gut microbiota and Cricetulus longicaudatus body mass regulation at various elevations. We examined the diversity, abundance, and community structure of the gut microbiota of long-tailed dwarf hamsters from eight regions in Shanxi province during summer using 16S rDNA sequencing technology and analyzed the relationships between these microbiota and environmental variables as well as morphological indicators. The results revealed Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as the dominant phyla at the phylum level, with Lactobacillus emerging as the predominant genus. We observed differences of gut microflora between different areas, and this diversity is affected by altitude. The high-altitude areas individuals had lower β diversity of gut microbiota than the low-altitude area. Moreover, the body and skull indexes of long-tailed dwarf hamsters also changed with altitude. The result presented in this study indicated that the body size of long-tailed dwarf hamsters conforms to Bergmann's law. And Providencia had significant correlation with body size. Finally, functional analysis of the gut microbiota showed changes in metabolic function that depended on elevation, and collinear network analysis showed how the gut microbiota interacts with each other. All of these results suggest that long-tailed hamsters are different depending on their altitude, with altitude being the main factor affecting both the structure of microbes and the way their metabolism works. This study shows that altitude has a big effect on the gut microbiota and phenotypic traits of long-tailed hamsters. It also shows how well this species can adapt to changes in altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change vulnerability is the biggest threat to ecosystems and economies of the world. Hence, this study aims to assess the vulnerability to climate variability adaptation strategies of rural households in Begemdir District, Northwest Ethiopia. In this study, the cross-sectional research design was used to gain a wider and better understanding of vulnerability to climate variability. Both primary and secondary data were used to triangulate the study to maintain validity. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 sample households from the study area. Moreover, climatic data, such as rainfall and temperature data were collected from meteorological stations. The data gathered from primary data sources analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Finally, a logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors that affecting households' decisions to climate adaptation strategies in the study area. The results of the study reveal that the overall IPCC-LVI score is 0.49, and the perceived rainfall has decreased over the last decade. This implies livelihoods of the households are vulnerable to climate variability and low adaptive capacity. The age, sex, education level, extension services, land size, credit access, access to climatic information, access to credit, and extension services affected significantly (p < 0.05) households' vulnerability to climate variability in the study area. Thus, the local governments, policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and farming communities need to consider these variables to realize climate change adaptation strategies in the study area. Moreover, higher focus should be given to enhancing education, expanding access to credit, increasing land management support, as well as strengthening extension services to build long-term sustainable climate-resilient practices and mitigate the impacts of climate change vulnerability to households in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the rapid optimization and evolution of various neural networks, the control problem of robotic arms in the area of automation control has gradually received more attention. Methods: To improve the control performance of robotic arms under complex dynamic models, this study proposes an adaptive affective radial basis function network control strategy. Firstly, the kinematic and dynamic mathematical models of the tendon driven robotic arm are constructed. Then, by integrating the affective computing model and the radial basis function network, an adaptive affective radial basis function network control algorithm is constructed. Results and Discussion: The research results indicate that the designed algorithm significantly outperforms the other two compared algorithms in terms of control accuracy and stability. In benchmark performance testing, the designed algorithm has a error accuracy of up to 0.97 and a steady state of up to 0.95. In the simulation results, the maximum torque change of the designed algorithm is only 3.8 Nm, which is much lower than other algorithms. In addition, the control error fluctuation range of this algorithm is between −0.001 and 0.001, almost close to zero error. This study provides a new optimization strategy for precise control of tendon driven robotic arms, and also opens up new avenues for the application of artificial intelligence technology in complex nonlinear system control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pangolin is one of the most endangered mammals with many peculiar characteristics, yet the understanding of its sensory systems is still superficial. Studying the genomic basis of adaptation and evolution of pangolin's sensory system is expected to provide further potential assistance for their conservation in the future. Results: In this study, we performed a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis to explore the signature of sensory adaptation and evolution in pangolins. By comparing with the aardvark, Cape golden mole, and short-beaked echidna, 124 and 152 expanded gene families were detected in the genome of the Chinese and Malayan pangolins, respectively. The enrichment analyses showed olfactory-related genomic convergence among five concerned mammals. We found 769 and 733 intact OR genes, and 704 and 475 OR pseudogenes in the Chinese and Malayan pangolin species, respectively. Compared to other mammals, far more intact members of OR6 and OR14 were identified in pangolins, particularly for four genes with large copy numbers (OR6C2, OR14A2, OR14C36, and OR14L1). On the genome-wide scale, 1,523, 1,887, 1,110, and 2,732 genes were detected under positive selection (PSGs), intensified selection (ISGs), rapid evolution (REGs), and relaxed selection (RSGs) in pangolins. GO terms associated with visual perception were enriched in PSGs, ISGs, and REGs. Those related to rhythm and sound perception were enriched in both ISGs and REGs, ear development and morphogenesis were enriched in ISGs, and mechanical stimulus and temperature adaptation were enriched in RSGs. The convergence of two vision-related PSGs (OPN4 and ATXN7), with more than one parallel substituted site, was detected among five concerned mammals. Additionally, the absence of intact genes of PKD1L3, PKD2L1, and TAS1R2 and just six single-copy TAS2Rs (TAS2R1, TAS2R4, TAS2R7, TAS2R38, TAS2R40, and TAS2R46) were found in pangolins. Interestingly, we found two large insertions in TAS1R3, distributed in the N-terminal ectodomain, just in pangolins. Conclusions: We found new features related to the adaptation and evolution of pangolin-specific sensory characteristics across the genome. These are expected to provide valuable and useful genome-wide genetic information for the future breeding and conservation of pangolins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses explicitly on transformation and analyzes how it can be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively in a case study region in western Germany. It addresses blue, critical, and green infrastructures in a region that was affected by the 2021 floods in Europe. Together with regional actors, co-creative solutions for developing adaptation strategies and infrastructure planning will be developed. Using and combining different conceptual models and applying them to the project region as well as to human infrastructure highlights the different types of change and transformation. This also shows the complexity of such an overall assessment, which needs to include a lot of diverse actors and disciplines. The project's first results are overviews of national and cross-regional changes to infrastructures and administrative structures after the 2021 floods in Germany and at the district level. The interim results reveal that more needs and plans exist than real, measurable transformations and that certain transformations stem from planning long before the floods in 2021. Maps and land use potentials are presented that provide overviews of regional differences in flood, drought, and wildfire exposure and capacities for nature-based solutions. Both the conceptual models developed in this study as well as the application examples could be useful for other researchers and administrative bodies to measure transformation to climate change and other stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Desertification is the most severe environmental problem in arid and semi-arid regions and has caused great economic loss every year. However, artificial sand fixation barriers function on sand fixation for only 10–20 years. Searching for a native species with long-term sand fixation effect and strong environmental adaptive capacity, and low water consumption is needed. In this study, we investigated the environmental adaption and sand fixation effect of a grass from Poaceae family (Psammochloa villosa) that is indigenous to the desert of Northwest China. Results The results showed that P. villosa has a streamlined leaf form, strong mechanical strength, and flexibility to adapt to wind. Leaf curling of P. villosa under drought decreased water loss rate through decreased evaporation area to adapt to drought. Significant negative relationship between adventitious root length and horizontal root burial depth indicates that adventitious roots help P. villosa absorb water and nutrients from soil under shallow sand burial condition, which enables P. villosa to adapt to different sand burial conditions. P. villosa fixed sand dunes through the distribution of the population at the top of the dune and the vertical relationship between the direction of windblown sand and the direction of growth of P. villosa, which stopped the expansion of the dune. Conclusions Growth characteristics of wind and drought tolerant leaf traits and adventitious roots under sand burial indicate that P. villosa is well adapted to dry sandy desert conditions and burial by sand. The distribution of the P. villosa population on the sand dune is a “brake” on its expansion. These findings provide new insight for active sand dune fixation and desertification control using native grass in the desertified regions.

Global climate change has caused rapid temperature changes in marine environments. Understanding how marine organisms respond to temperature changes can help predict their richness of future biodiversity. In this study, we examined the gene expression levels and the difference in the pathways that are responsive to acute temperature stress in low- and high-latitude populations of the shore swimming crab, Charybdis japonica. The two populations of C. japonica were exposed to low- and high-temperature stresses (15°C and 28°C) and used for transcriptome sequencing. Genetic regulatory ability changes were compared to determine the diverse response of the two crab populations to temperature change. The gene expression levels and functional enrichment analysis showed that the low-latitude crab regulated more genes (938) that were mainly enriched in DNA replication and metabolic pathways, whereas the high-latitude crab regulated less genes (309) that were mainly enriched in genetic information processing at low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the low-latitude crab regulated less genes (33) that were mainly enriched in genetic information processing, whereas the high-latitude crab regulated more genes (280) that were mainly enriched in signal transduction and cellular process at high-temperature stress. These results implied that the low-latitude population was more resilient to high-temperature stress, while the high-latitude population was more resilient to low-temperature stress. This study enhances our understanding of how different geographic C. japonica populations respond to varying temperature environments in their living zone, which could be helpful for predicting future biodiversity trends of intertidal crustaceans under global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Desertification is the most severe environmental problem in arid and semi-arid regions and has caused great economic loss every year. However, artificial sand fixation barriers function on sand fixation for only 10–20 years. Searching for a native species with long-term sand fixation effect and strong environmental adaptive capacity, and low water consumption is needed. In this study, we investigated the environmental adaption and sand fixation effect of a grass from Poaceae family (Psammochloa villosa) that is indigenous to the desert of Northwest China. Results: The results showed that P. villosa has a streamlined leaf form, strong mechanical strength, and flexibility to adapt to wind. Leaf curling of P. villosa under drought decreased water loss rate through decreased evaporation area to adapt to drought. Significant negative relationship between adventitious root length and horizontal root burial depth indicates that adventitious roots help P. villosa absorb water and nutrients from soil under shallow sand burial condition, which enables P. villosa to adapt to different sand burial conditions. P. villosa fixed sand dunes through the distribution of the population at the top of the dune and the vertical relationship between the direction of windblown sand and the direction of growth of P. villosa, which stopped the expansion of the dune. Conclusions: Growth characteristics of wind and drought tolerant leaf traits and adventitious roots under sand burial indicate that P. villosa is well adapted to dry sandy desert conditions and burial by sand. The distribution of the P. villosa population on the sand dune is a "brake" on its expansion. These findings provide new insight for active sand dune fixation and desertification control using native grass in the desertified regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiome of animals is affected by external environmental factors and can assist them in adapting to changing environments effectively. Consequently, elucidating the gut microbes of animals under different environmental conditions can provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of their adaptations to environmental change, with a particular focus on animals in extreme environments. In this study, we compared the structural and functional differences of the gut microbiome of grazing yaks between the summer and winter seasons through metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The results indicated that the composition and function of microbes changed significantly. The study demonstrated an increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) in winter, this process facilitated the adaptation of yaks to the consumption of low‐nutrient forages in the winter. Furthermore, the network structure exhibited greater complexity in the winter. Forage nutrition exhibited a significant seasonal variation, with a notable impact on the gut microbiota. The metagenomic analysis revealed an increase in the abundance of enzymes related to amino acid metabolism, axillary activity, and mucin degradation in the winter. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the gut microbiome of grazing yaks exhibits several adaptive characteristics that facilitate better nutrient accessibility and acid the host in acclimating to the harsh winter conditions. Furthermore, our study offers novel insights into the mechanisms of highland animal adaptation to external environments from the perspective of the gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates effective onboarding practices in the cruise industry, examining the interplay between onboarding, hospitality and seafaring occupations due to limited existing research. Using an exploratory mixed-method approach, the researchers employed insider and outsider perspectives to critically analyse employee challenges and company onboarding practices. The research, conducted through qualitative surveys and semi-structured interviews with purposive sampling, reveals that while companies generally provide a welcoming environment, there is a need for improvement in meeting expectations and providing detailed, structured information. The findings emphasise the importance of enhancing these areas to boost new crew members' preparedness, confidence and satisfaction. Additionally, data highlights the critical role of managing expectations and satisfaction during preboarding, underlining the significant impact of effective communication on employee retention in this unique industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a profitable grain crop for Australian growers. However, weeds remain a major constraint for its production. Chemical herbicides are used for weed control, but this tactic also leads to the evolution of herbicide resistance in different weed species. The suppression of weeds by crop interference (competition and allelopathic) mechanisms has been receiving significant attention. Here, the weed suppressive ability and associated functional traits and stability of four selected canola genotypes (PAK85388-502, AV-OPAL, AV-GARNET, and BAROSSA) were examined at different locations in NSW, Australia. The results showed that there were significant effects of canola genotypes and of genotypes by crop density interaction on weed growth. Among the tested genotypes, PAK85388-502 and AV-OPAL were the most weed suppressive and, at a plant density of 10 plants/m2, they reduced the weed biomass of wild radish, shepherd's purse, and annual ryegrass by more than 80%. No significant differences were found in the primary root lengths among canola varieties; however, plants of the most weed-suppressive genotype PAK8538-502 exhibited a 35% increase in lateral root number relative to plants of the less weed-suppressive genotype BAROSSA. The analysis of variance revealed a significant influence of genotypes with PAK85388-502 and AV-OPAL performing the best across all the research sites. Results showed that canola genotypes PAK85388-502 and AV-OPAL were more weed suppressive than AV-GARNET and BAROSSA and may release specific bioactive compounds in their surroundings to suppress neighboring weeds. This study provides valuable information that could be utilised in breeding programs to select weed-suppressive varieties of canola in Australia. Thus, lateral root number could be a potential target trait for weed-suppressive varieties. Additionally, other root architecture traits may contribute to the underground allelopathic interaction to provide a competitive advantage to the crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dry eye disease includes a large variety of different ocular surface diseases. What all have in common is the resulting lubrication deficiency. Although the pathophysiology is multicausal, the common nominator is the threat of normal ocular surface balance and homeostasis. In homeostasis, the close link and interconnection of cellular basic mechanisms is essential for the functionality of the ocular surface. Any challenge threatening homeostasis implies cell stress. The ability of the ocular surfaces (conjunctiva and cornea) to cope and adapt to the resulting stress load decides over the ability to regain homeostasis or to drift to an altered stage of balance, recently identified as allostasis. This review outlines the importance of cellular stress as a key hub of the vicious circle and the importance of the integrated stress response system. Basic considerations for cellular recovery and the potential re-establishment of homeostasis are discussed. Disturbance or insufficiency of the tear film challenges the regulatory systems of the ocular surfaces. The reaction of the surfaces includes temporary mechanisms engaged in the preservation of homeostasis. However, strong or persisting challenges can lead to the potential exhaustion of the coping capacity. This again activates the vicious circle with chronic inflammation and autocatalytic deterioration. Hence, the factors challenging the homeostasis should be addressed in time. Amongst them are a varying osmolarity, constant presence of small lesions at the epithelium, acidification, attrition with mechanical irritation, and onset of pain and discomfort. Each of them and, especially when occurring simultaneously, impose stress on the coping mechanisms and lead to a stress response. Many stressors can culminate, leading to an exhaustion of the coping capacity, outrunning normal resilience. Reaching the limits of stress tolerance leads to the manifestation of a lubrication deficiency as the disease we refer to as dry eye disease (DED). To postpone its manifestation, the avoidance or amelioration of stress factors is one key option. In DED, this is the target of lubrication therapy, substituting the missing tear film or its components. The latter options include the management of secondary sequelae such as the inflammation and activation of reparative cascades. Preventive measures include the enhancement in resilience, recovery velocity, and recovery potential. The capacity to handle the external load factors is the key issue. The aim is to guard homeostasis and to prevent intercellular stress responses from being launched, triggering and invigorating the vicious circle. Considering the dilemma of the surface to have to cope with increased time of exposure to stress, with simultaneously decreasing time for cellular recovery, it illustrates the importance of the vicious circle as a hub for ocular surface stress. The resulting imbalance triggers a continuous deterioration of the ocular surface condition. After an initial phase of the reaction and adaption of the ocular surface to the surrounding challenges, the normal coping capacity will be exhausted. This is the time when the integrated stress response (ISR), a protector for cellular survival, will inevitably be activated, and cellular changes such as altered translation and ribosome pausing are initiated. Once activated, this will slow down any recovery, in a phase where apoptosis is imminent. Premature senescence of cells may also occur. The process of prematurization due to permanent stress exposures contributes to the risk for constant deterioration. The illustrated flow of events in the development of DED outlines that the ability to cope, and to recover, has limited resources in the cells at the ocular surface. The reduction in and amelioration of stress hence should be one of the key targets of therapy and begin early. Here, lubrication optimization as well as causal treatment such as the correction of anatomical anomalies (leading to anatomical dry eye) should be a prime intent of any therapy. The features of cellular stress as a key hub for the vicious circle will be outlined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the community structure and diversity of gut microflora and their function in body mass regulation, as well as the effects of various locations on gut microbiota and Cricetulus longicaudatus body mass regulation at various elevations. We examined the diversity, abundance, and community structure of the gut microbiota of long-tailed dwarf hamsters from eight regions in Shanxi province during summer using 16S rDNA sequencing technology and analyzed the relationships between these microbiota and environmental variables as well as morphological indicators. The results revealed Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as the dominant phyla at the phylum level, with Lactobacillus emerging as the predominant genus. We observed differences of gut microflora between different areas, and this diversity is affected by altitude. The high-altitude areas individuals had lower β diversity of gut microbiota than the low-altitude area. Moreover, the body and skull indexes of long-tailed dwarf hamsters also changed with altitude. The result presented in this study indicated that the body size of long-tailed dwarf hamsters conforms to Bergmann's law. And Providencia had significant correlation with body size. Finally, functional analysis of the gut microbiota showed changes in metabolic function that depended on elevation, and collinear network analysis showed how the gut microbiota interacts with each other. All of these results suggest that long-tailed hamsters are different depending on their altitude, with altitude being the main factor affecting both the structure of microbes and the way their metabolism works. This study shows that altitude has a big effect on the gut microbiota and phenotypic traits of long-tailed hamsters. It also shows how well this species can adapt to changes in altitude.

When working with older children (ages 9-12) in a drama studio environment (extracurricular theatre and drama education with performative outcomes), keeping everyone present is both an exciting and challenging task. The process towards a performance can encompass several techniques and methods during the creative process, as well as on stage, in three core areas: 1. Impro and Process Drama; 2. Mentoring; 3. Language and Literature. Presence and co-presence occur as a result of focus, accepting, and building which are characteristic of improvisational theatre and process drama techniques that are used to keep students engaged and on task. Students address issues from an autobiographical and collaborative perspective, allowing them to play a part through improvised personal responses. The mentoring is present both outside and inside the play as mentors guide their students, assume some of the roles, and provide a meaningful framework and direction of the play. Fairy tales and well-known literary texts can be used as starting points; they are adapted and transformed on the spot. This results in a creative, spontaneous, and natural use of language that keeps the players present and alert throughout. This paper presents the examples from the Zagreb Youth Theatre (ZKM) Drama Studio's final production "A Bunch of Forest Fairies" (June 2023) which contains elements of Impro, process drama (uncharacteristically performed on stage), inside and outside mentoring (super mentoring), and fairy tale elements that are transformed in a new socio-cultural context. Such an approach enables the players to perform the same play repetitively with the same intensity and presence as the first time, allowing them to re-explore relationships, expressions, and texts in a new and meaningful way.

A new species of the family Mantispidae (Neuroptera) from Vietnam is described. Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. shows a unique colour pattern, which is distinctive within the genus. The colouration and morphology of both sexes of the new species are described in detail and illustrated. The naming of the new species is linked to a popular citizen-science event in choosing the name for this species (and three other species from different undescribed species by taxonomists of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractal evolution is apparently effective in selectively preserving environmentally resilient traits for more than 80 million years in Streptotrichaceae (Bryophyta). An analysis simulated maximum destruction of ancestral traits in that large lineage. The constraints enforced were the preservation of newest ancestral traits, and all immediate descendant species obtained different new traits. Maximum character state changes in ancestral traits were 16 percent of all possible traits in any one sub-lineage, or 73 percent total of the entire lineage. Results showed, however, that only four ancestral traits were permanently eliminated in any one lineage or sub-lineage. A lineage maintains maximum biodiversity of temporally and regionally survival-effective traits at minimum expense to resilience across a geologic time of 88 million years for the group studied. Similar processes generating an extant punctuated equilibrium as bursts of about four descendants per genus and one genus per 1–2 epochs are possible in other living groups given similar emergent processes. The mechanism is considered complexity-related, the lineage being a self-organized emergent phenomenon strongly maintained in the ecosphere by natural selection on fractal genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orientation: Authentic leadership (AL) is a well-defined construct and measured by instruments mostly developed and validated in the United States and Europe. Research purpose: To validate an adapted version of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) within the South African context. Motivation for the study: Instruments are often used without the necessary research on validity, thus disregarding the context in which it is utilised. It is emphasised by many scholars that inferences derived from the scores obtained from instruments need to be validated and instruments be adapted accordingly for a specific context, in this case, South Africa. Research approach/design and method: This article is based on the results of three separate studies conducted over 3 years. The research was approached from a quantitative positivist paradigm, utilising a cross-sectional design and survey method. The sample consisted of 5515 participants, with 60 respondents from 93 organisations across both the private and public sectors. The analysis includes item screening, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, determination of convergent validity and invariance analysis across the two sectors. Main findings: The results yielded a one-factor solution (compared to the original four-factor model), with all 16 items loading on the unidimensional factor. This one-factor model was reliable, valid and invariant regarding the private and public sectors used in this study. Practical/managerial implications: The practical value is an AL questionnaire adapted and validated for the South African context. Contribution/value-add: The validated ALQ can be used with confidence by organisations regardless of sector, researchers and academics.

IntroductionWith the rapid optimization and evolution of various neural networks, the control problem of robotic arms in the area of automation control has gradually received more attention.MethodsTo improve the control performance of robotic arms under complex dynamic models, this study proposes an adaptive affective radial basis function network control strategy. Firstly, the kinematic and dynamic mathematical models of the tendon driven robotic arm are constructed. Then, by integrating the affective computing model and the radial basis function network, an adaptive affective radial basis function network control algorithm is constructed.Results and DiscussionThe research results indicate that the designed algorithm significantly outperforms the other two compared algorithms in terms of control accuracy and stability. In benchmark performance testing, the designed algorithm has a error accuracy of up to 0.97 and a steady state of up to 0.95. In the simulation results, the maximum torque change of the designed algorithm is only 3.8 Nm, which is much lower than other algorithms. In addition, the control error fluctuation range of this algorithm is between −0.001 and 0.001, almost close to zero error. This study provides a new optimization strategy for precise control of tendon driven robotic arms, and also opens up new avenues for the application of artificial intelligence technology in complex nonlinear system control.

Global climate change has caused rapid temperature changes in marine environments. Understanding how marine organisms respond to temperature changes can help predict their richness of future biodiversity. In this study, we examined the gene expression levels and the difference in the pathways that are responsive to acute temperature stress in low- and high-latitude populations of the shore swimming crab, Charybdis japonica. The two populations of C. japonica were exposed to low- and high-temperature stresses (15°C and 28°C) and used for transcriptome sequencing. Genetic regulatory ability changes were compared to determine the diverse response of the two crab populations to temperature change. The gene expression levels and functional enrichment analysis showed that the low-latitude crab regulated more genes (938) that were mainly enriched in DNA replication and metabolic pathways, whereas the high-latitude crab regulated less genes (309) that were mainly enriched in genetic information processing at low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the low-latitude crab regulated less genes (33) that were mainly enriched in genetic information processing, whereas the high-latitude crab regulated more genes (280) that were mainly enriched in signal transduction and cellular process at high-temperature stress. These results implied that the low-latitude population was more resilient to high-temperature stress, while the high-latitude population was more resilient to low-temperature stress. This study enhances our understanding of how different geographic C. japonica populations respond to varying temperature environments in their living zone, which could be helpful for predicting future biodiversity trends of intertidal crustaceans under global climate change.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic control strategies disrupted the smooth delivery of essential health services (EHS) globally. Limited evidence exists on the health systems lens approach to analyzing the challenges encountered in maintaining EHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the health system challenges encountered and document the mitigation strategies and adaptations made across geopolitical zones (GPZs) in Nigeria. Methods The national qualitative survey of key actors across the six GPZs in Nigeria involved ten states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which were selected based on resilience, COVID-19 burden and security considerations. A pre-tested key informant guide was used to collect data on service utilization, changes in service utilization, reasons for changes in primary health centres’ (PHCs) service volumes, challenges experienced by health facilities in maintaining EHS, mitigation strategies implemented and adaptations to service delivery. Emerging sub-themes were categorized under the appropriate pillars of the health system. Results A total of 22 respondents were interviewed. The challenges experienced in maintaining EHS cut across the pillars of the health systems including: Human resources shortage, shortages in the supply of personal protective equipments, fear of contracting COVID-19 among health workers misconception, ignorance, socio-cultural issues, lockdown/transportation and lack of equipment/waiting area (. The mitigation strategies included improved political will to fund health service projects, leading to improved accessibility, affordability, and supply of consumables. The health workforce was motivated by employing, redeploying, training, and incentivizing. Service delivery was reorganized by rescheduling appointments and prioritizing some EHS such as maternal and childcare. Sustainable systems adaptations included IPC and telehealth infrastructure, training and capacity building, virtual meetings and community groups set up for sensitization and engagement. Conclusion The mitigation strategies and adaptations implemented were important contributors to EHS recovery especially in the high resilience LGAs and have implications for future epidemic preparedness plans.

This study investigates effective onboarding practices in the cruise industry, examining the interplay between onboarding, hospitality and seafaring occupations due to limited existing research. Using an exploratory mixed-method approach, the researchers employed insider and outsider perspectives to critically analyse employee challenges and company onboarding practices. The research, conducted through qualitative surveys and semi-structured interviews with purposive sampling, reveals that while companies generally provide a welcoming environment, there is a need for improvement in meeting expectations and providing detailed, structured information. The findings emphasise the importance of enhancing these areas to boost new crew members’ preparedness, confidence and satisfaction. Additionally, data highlights the critical role of managing expectations and satisfaction during preboarding, underlining the significant impact of effective communication on employee retention in this unique industry.

Artificial intelligence has been involved in several domains. Despite the advantages of using artificial intelligence techniques, some crucial limitations prevent them from being implemented in specific domains and locations. The accuracy, poor quality of gathered data, and processing time are considered major concerns in implementing machine learning techniques, certainly in low-end smart devices. This paper aims to introduce a novel pre-treatment technique dedicated to image text detection that uses the images' pixel divergence and similarity to reduce the image size. Mitigating the image size while keeping its features improves the model training time with an acceptable accuracy rate. The mitigation is reached by gathering similar image pixels in one pixel based on calculated values of the standard deviation σ, where we consider that two pixels are similar if they have approximately the same σ values. The work proposes a new pipeline approach that reduces the size of the image in the input and intermediate layers of a deep learning model based on merged pixels using standard deviation values instead of the whole image. The experimental results prove that this technique significantly improves the performance of existing text detection methods, particularly in challenging scenarios such as using low-end IoT devices that offer low contrast or noisy backgrounds. Compared with other techniques, the proposed technique can potentially be exploited for text detection in IoT-gathered multimedia data with reasonable accuracy in a short computation time. Evaluation of the MSRA-TD500 dataset demonstrates the remarkable performance of our approach, Standard Deviation Network (σNet), with precision and recall values of 93.8% and 85.6%, respectively, that outperform recent research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As wildlife protection continue to strengthen, research on the gut microbiota of wildlife is increasing. Carrying out conservation and research on endangered species in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau plays an important role in global biodiversity conservation. This study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples to investigate the composition, function, and changes of the gut microbiota of bharal in different environments, seasons, and genders. The results showed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla and UCG-005, Bacteroides, UCG-010 were the dominant genera of bharal. In the wild, the abundance of Firmicutes increased which was conducive to the decomposition and utilization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and carbohydrate. Due to the variety of food types and nutrition in different seasons, the composition and function of gut microbiota were obviously different between genders. Compared with zoo, higher alpha diversity, a more complex gut microbiota network structure, and stronger metabolic function were conducive bharal to adapting to the wild environment. In the zoo, captive bharals were fed foods rich in high fat and protein, which increased the abundance of Bacteroidota and reduced the alpha diversity of gut microbiota. A fixed diet unified the gut microbiota between genders of bharal. It is very important to pay attention to the impact of captive environments and maintain the native gut microbiota of wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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English abstract: In this article, I will demonstrate how feasts and festivals serve as effective analytical tools to comprehend the diversity within the Hindu tradition. I will use the two festivals: Holī and Dīvalī as examples. Additionally, I aim to explore whether the historical anchors of a festival, or multiple anchors, have significance for the interpretative potential associated with the festival today. I will particularly focus on whether the festival is strongly or weakly tied to one or more myths and whether it has a tribal/early archaic or archaic origin. I will also investigate if certain festivals within the Hindu tradition seem more adaptable to new contexts outside of India than other. Dansk resume: I denne artikel vil jeg demonstrere, hvordan fester og festivaler er et godt analyseredskab til at forstå den hinduistiske tradition i sin mangfoldighed, men også til at undersøge, om festens historiske forankringspunkt eller forankringspunkter har betydning for det fortolkningspotentiale, man kan knytte til festen i dag. Her vil jeg særligt tage udgangspunkt i de to fester Holī og Dīvalī. Et analytisk omdrejningspunkt er, om festen knytter sig stærkt eller svagt til en eller flere myter, og om den har et tribalt/tidlig arkaisk eller et arkaisk ophav. Jeg vil også undersøge om visse fester inden for den hinduistiske er mere adaptiv til nye sammenhænge uden for Indien end andre. Keywords: Holī; Divāli; adaption; mythological strong, mythological weak

Dan Zhu,1– 3 Zhi Qi,1,4 Aili Wang,1,2 Yongqing Zhang,1 Haiping Yu3 1School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200082, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pediatric, Shanghai United Family Healthcare, Shanghai, 200050, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Nursing, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Neurology, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Haiping Yu, Department of Nursing, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 1800, Yuntai Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200120, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 18964538997, Fax +86 021 22163939, Email pingping670@sina.comPurpose: The quick aphasia battery (QAB) was designed to evaluate language disorder from multi-dimension efficiently, which had been translated into several languages but lacked in Chinese. This study conducted cross-cultural adaption for the Chinese version and verified its psychometric properties.Material and Methods: First, the Chinese Version of quick aphasia battery (CQAB) was adapted following WHO literature guidelines with steps of forward translation, expert panel, back-translation, pre-test, and interview, then develop the final version. Second, the psychometric properties tests were conducted in 128 post-stroke patients to identify if aphasia happens and verify the validity and reliability of CQAB.Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the CQAB is 0.962, test–retest reliability 0.849, and inter-rater reliability 0.998. Content validity 0.917, KMO 0.861, exploratory factor analysis extracted 2 factors named “language understanding” and “language program”, cumulative variance contribution rate is 91.588% > 50%. Calibration association validity 0.977. Sensitivity 0.977, specificity 0.932, with the optimal cutoff point is 8.86.Conclusion: The study supported CQAB, which adapted following standardized guidelines, is reliable and effective to assess language impairment in post-stroke patients.Keywords: adaption, cross-cultural, post-stroke, reliability, validity

Abstract Background Black girls are disproportionately impacted by HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), underscoring the urgent need for innovative strategies to enhance the adoption and maintenance of HIV/STI prevention efforts. Historically, Black male caregivers have been left out of girls’ programming, and little guidance exists to inform intervention development for Black girls and their male caregivers. Engaging Black male caregivers in Black girls’ sexual and reproductive health may reduce sexual risk-taking and improve the sustainability of preventative behaviors. Objective This paper describes the formative phases, processes, and methods used to adapt an evidence-based mother-daughter sexual and reproductive health intervention for Black girls 9–18 years old and their male caregivers. Methods We used the ADAPT-ITT model to tailor IMARA for Black girls and their male caregivers. Diverse qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, and theater testing) were used throughout the adaption process. Results Findings support using the ADAPT-ITT model to tailor an evidence-based HIV/STI intervention for Black girls and their Black male caregivers. Findings highlight the importance of community engagement and the use of qualitative methods to demonstrate the acceptability and feasibility of the adapted intervention. Key lessons learned are reviewed. Conclusions Adapting evidence-based interventions to incorporate Black girls and their Black male caregivers should be driven by a relevant theoretical framework that aligns with the target population(s). Adapting the intervention in partnership with the community has been shown to improve acceptability and feasibility as it is responsive to community needs. Using a systematic process like the ADAPT-ITT model will ensure that the new program is ready for efficacy trials.

Abstract Background Children exposed to household challenges (i.e., parental substance use, incarceration, and mental illness) are among the groups most vulnerable to sexual risk-taking in adolescence. These behaviors have been associated with a range of negative outcomes later in life, including substance abuse, low educational attainment, and incarceration. Adapting an evidence-based intervention (EBI) to be suitable for this population is one strategy to address the needs of this group. Methods In this study, we describe the use of the Intervention Mapping for Adaption (IM-Adapt) framework to adapt an evidence-based, sexual health intervention (Focus on Youth with Informed Children and Parents). We describe the actions taken at each step of the IM-Adapt process which are to assess needs, search for EBIs, assess fit and plan adaptions, make adaptions, plan for implementation and plan for evaluation. Results Key changes of the adapted intervention include the incorporation of trauma-informed principles and gender inclusive language, standardization of the session length, and modernization of the content to be more appropriate for our priority population. Conclusions The adapted intervention shows promise toward meeting the behavioral health needs of Black youth exposed to household challenges. Our process and approach can serve as a model for researchers and practitioners aiming to extend the reach of EBIs.

The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss how learning is experienced by young, newly arrived immigrants in Germany. In particular, it addresses the connection between their experiences and the expectations of the German education system, as well as the connection between different kinds of learning experiences (formal and informal) in the context of adolescence. Adolescence is understood as an intergenerationally shaped psycho-social space of developmental opportunities. It is always affected and formed by aspects of social inequality such as milieu, gender, and race. Research shows that when migration takes place during adolescence, young people must cope with a “doubled transformation requirement” (King and Schwab). This paper discusses whether adolescent immigrants face even more transformation requirements—again, interwoven with learning—than two. Based on cases taken from two qualitative-interview-study samples, I reconstruct how coping strategies in terms of psycho-social development can be associated with different kinds of learning. Finally, I emphasise the responsibility of formal education as a supportive framework and stabilising factor for child and adolescent immigrants after they reach Germany.

Fractal evolution is apparently effective in selectively preserving environmentally resilient traits for more than 80 million years in Streptotrichaceae (Bryophyta). An analysis simulated maximum destruction of ancestral traits in that large lineage. The constraints enforced were the preservation of newest ancestral traits, and all immediate descendant species obtained different new traits. Maximum character state changes in ancestral traits were 16 percent of all possible traits in any one sub-lineage, or 73 percent total of the entire lineage. Results showed, however, that only four ancestral traits were permanently eliminated in any one lineage or sub-lineage. A lineage maintains maximum biodiversity of temporally and regionally survival-effective traits at minimum expense to resilience across a geologic time of 88 million years for the group studied. Similar processes generating an extant punctuated equilibrium as bursts of about four descendants per genus and one genus per 1–2 epochs are possible in other living groups given similar emergent processes. The mechanism is considered complexity-related, the lineage being a self-organized emergent phenomenon strongly maintained in the ecosphere by natural selection on fractal genera.

This article explores the challenges and strategies involved in breeding sheep that are better adapted to harsh environments, with a particular focus on climate change. It emphasizes the importance of considering adaptability to challenging environments in sheep breeding and the need to address genotype by environment interaction. The article discusses the specific challenges and opportunities in sheep breeding, particularly in extensive systems, and highlights the potential for using new phenotypes and reaction norm analysis to improve genetic selection for traits related to environmental stressors. It also discusses the potential of technologies such as digital phenotyping and genomic selection, although further development and investment are required. The article concludes by discussing the challenges of implementing these strategies in commercial breeding programs, particularly in South Africa, and suggests that incentivized participation and certification initiatives may help overcome these challenges. Overall, a combination of genetic selection, technological advancements, and environmental interventions is needed to improve the resilience and fitness of sheep in the face of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

Many museums offer educational programs encouraging visitors to "interact" with the subjects in a meaningful way. Students' visit to a museum can be an effective means of introducing them to important science concepts through contact with actual specimens. As part of a properly designed educational program, students' contact with realia can be an invaluable aid to engaging their interest and achieving corresponding learning goals. The present paper details a research project relating to the concept of evolutionary adaption. A worksheet was developed requiring students to work collaboratively during a museum visit to complete activities progressively leading them to the target goals of correlating: (i) the structure of certain physical features of birds with their function and (ii) the structure and function of those features with their respective habitats. The final worksheet activity was an open-ended assessment task aiming to identify the level of learning students had achieved from participating in the program. The results were statistically analyzed and indicated that students had grasped the concept of structure and function of specific traits and their importance to basic survival, but they had not been able to correlate the adaptation with other challenges presented by the habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss how learning is experienced by young, newly arrived immigrants in Germany. In particular, it addresses the connection between their experiences and the expectations of the German education system, as well as the connection between different kinds of learning experiences (formal and informal) in the context of adolescence. Adolescence is understood as an intergenerationally shaped psycho-social space of developmental opportunities. It is always affected and formed by aspects of social inequality such as milieu, gender, and race. Research shows that when migration takes place during adolescence, young people must cope with a "doubled transformation requirement" (King and Schwab). This paper discusses whether adolescent immigrants face even more transformation requirements—again, interwoven with learning—than two. Based on cases taken from two qualitative-interview-study samples, I reconstruct how coping strategies in terms of psycho-social development can be associated with different kinds of learning. Finally, I emphasise the responsibility of formal education as a supportive framework and stabilising factor for child and adolescent immigrants after they reach Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chilodonella uncinata is an aerobic ciliate capable of switching between being free-living and parasitic on fish fins and gills, causing tissue damage and host mortality. It is widely used as a model organism for genetic studies, but its mitochondrial metabolism has never been studied. Therefore, we aimed to describe the morphological features and metabolic characteristics of its mitochondria. Methods Fluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphology of mitochondria. Single-cell transcriptome data of C. uncinata were annotated by the Clusters of Orthologous Genes (COG) database. Meanwhile, the metabolic pathways were constructed based on the transcriptomes. The phylogenetic analysis was also made based on the sequenced cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene. Results Mitochondria were stained red using Mito-tracker Red staining and were stained slightly blue by DAPI dye. The cristae and double membrane structures of the mitochondria were observed by TEM. Besides, many lipid droplets were evenly distributed around the macronucleus. A total of 2594 unigenes were assigned to 23 functional classifications of COG. Mitochondrial metabolic pathways were depicted. The mitochondria contained enzymes for the complete tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and cytochrome-based electron transport chain (ETC), but only partial enzymes involved in the iron-sulfur clusters (ISCs). Conclusions Our results showed that C. uncinata possess typical mitochondria. Stored lipid droplets inside mitochondria may be the energy storage of C. uncinata that helps its transmission from a free-living to a parasitic lifestyle. These findings also have improved our knowledge of the mitochondrial metabolism of C. uncinata and increased the volume of molecular data for future studies of this facultative parasite. Graphical Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human commensal bacteria colonizing the human body, especially the nasal cavity. The nasal carriage can be a source of S. aureus bacteremia. However, the bacterial factors contributing to nasal colonization are not completely understood. By analysing S. aureus strains from the nasal cavity of the children, young adults, and seniors, we found that the low activity of the SaeRS two-component system (TCS) is an important determinant for S. aureus to colonize in seniors. The senior group isolates of S. aureus showed a rather distinct sequence type composition as compared with other age group isolates. The senior group isolates showed not only a lower gene carriage of enterotoxins a, c, and q but also lower hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Of regulators affecting hemolysin production (i.e. agr, saeRS, rot, rsp, and sarS), only the SaeRS TCS showed an age-dependent decrease of activity. The decreased virulence and better colonization ability of the senior group isolates of S. aureus were confirmed in the mouse model. The senior group isolates showed the lowest survival and the best adhesion and colonizing ability. Also, the senior nasal secretions supported S. aureus survival better than the child and young adult nasal secretions. These results indicated that the senior nasal cavity favours colonization of S. aureus with higher adhesion and lower virulence, to which the reduced SaeRS TCS activity contributes. Taken together, our results illustrate an example of bacterial adaptation to the changing host environment.

Pleurotus placentodes (PPL) and Pleurotus cystidiosus (PCY) are economically valuable species. PPL grows on conifers, while PCY grows on broad-leaved trees. To reveal the genetic mechanism behind PPL’s adaptability to conifers, we performed de novo genome sequencing and comparative analysis of PPL and PCY. We determined the size of the genomes for PPL and PCY to be 36.12 and 42.74 Mb, respectively, and found that they contain 10,851 and 15,673 protein-coding genes, accounting for 59.34% and 53.70% of their respective genome sizes. Evolution analysis showed PPL was closely related to P. ostreatus with the divergence time of 62.7 MYA, while PCY was distantly related to other Pleurotus species with the divergence time of 111.7 MYA. Comparative analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZYmes) in PPL and PCY showed that the increase number of CAZYmes related to pectin and cellulose degradation (e.g., AA9, PL1) in PPL may be important for the degradation and colonization of conifers. In addition, geraniol degradation and peroxisome pathways identified by comparative genomes should be another factors for PPL’s tolerance to conifer substrate. Our research provides valuable genomes for Pleurotus species and sheds light on the genetic mechanism of PPL’s conifer adaptability, which could aid in breeding new Pleurotus varieties for coniferous utilization.

Introduction: Throughout history, Jewish communities have been exposed to collectively experienced traumatic events. Little is known about the role that the community plays in the impact of these traumatic events on Jewish diaspora people. This scoping review aims to map the concepts of the resilience of Jewish communities in the diaspora and to identify factors that influence this resilience. Methods: We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Database searches yielded 2,564 articles. Sixteen met all inclusion criteria. The analysis was guided by eight review questions. Results: Community resilience of the Jewish diaspora was often described in terms of coping with disaster and struggling with acculturation. A clear definition of community resilience of the Jewish diaspora was lacking. Social and religious factors, strong organizations, education, and communication increased community resilience. Barriers to the resilience of Jewish communities in the diaspora included the interaction with the hosting country and other communities, characteristics of the community itself, and psychological and cultural issues. Discussion: Key gaps in the literature included the absence of quantitative measures of community resilience and the lack of descriptions of how community resilience affects individuals' health-related quality of life. Future studies on the interaction between community resilience and health-related individual resilience are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematically using standard patient-reported measures (PRMs) in clinical routines is trending. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) has developed condition-specific standard sets of patient-centred measures, one of which is the Pregnancy and Childbirth Standard (PCB) set, where standard PRMs are included. There is limited knowledge on the use of ICHOM PCB set-included PRMs (ICHOM-PCB-PRMs) in routine care. This study investigates women's perspectives on the future implementation of standard ICHOM-PCB-PRMs in routine maternity care in Finland. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Pregnant and postpartum women were asked to evaluate each ICHOM-PCB-PRM in several dimensions, e.g., importance and quality of questions, and to provide their views on future implementation in terms of benefits, difficulties, and practices. With the predefined topics and themes, deductive analysis was applied. Ethical committee approval (HUS 220/880/2015) and research permissions were obtained. Results: 22 women participated. Participants felt that most of the ICHOM-PCB-PRMs were important, relevant, understandable, and appropriately designed, and agreed that some changes in ICHOM-PCB-PRMs were needed, e.g., adding other important measures, changing the wording, and adding open-ended questions. Women would be hesitant to answer questions honestly if follow-up actions were unclear. Most "outcome" measures could be asked repeatedly as maternal health status changes over time, and "experience" measures could be asked separately for different service providers. Disagreements regarding data collection at birth were observed. PRMs were regarded as a way for women to express their thoughts and feelings. Our participants were concerned about the possible consequences of negatively answering the PREMs questions and the availability of follow-up care. Participants expected that they could answer short and easy questions digitally before appointments, and that instructions and follow-up actions based on their answers should be available. Conclusion: ICHOM-PCB-PRMs could be applicable in Finnish maternity care, but some modifications may be required. Careful consideration is needed regarding how and when PRMs questions are asked for eliciting more accurate and honest answers and minimizing women feeling judged, embarrassed, or offended. Follow-ups should be available according to women's responses and needs. This study provides insights on the adoption and implementation of standard PRMs in routine maternity care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial communities have been identified as the primary inhabitants of Arctic forefields. However, the metabolic potential of microbial communities in these newly exposed soils remains underexplored due to limited access. Here, we sampled the very edge of the glacial forefield in Svalbard and performed the 16S rRNA genes and metagenomic analysis to illustrate the ecosystem characteristics. Burkholderiales and Micrococcales were the dominant bacterial groups at the initial stage of soil development of glacial forefields. 214 metagenome-assembled genomes were recovered from glacier forefield microbiome datasets, including only 2 belonging to archaea. Analysis of these metagenome-assembled genomes revealed that 41% of assembled genomes had the genetic potential to use nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors. Metabolic pathway reconstruction for these microbes suggested versatility for sulfide and thiosulfate oxidation, H2 and CO utilization, and CO2 fixation. Our results indicate the importance of anaerobic processes in elemental cycling in the glacial forefields. Besides, a range of genes related to adaption to low temperature and other stresses were detected, which revealed the presence of diverse mechanisms of adaption to the extreme environment of Svalbard. This research provides ecological insight into the initial stage of the soil developed during the retreating of glaciers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software and information systems have become a core competency for every business in this connected world. Any enhancement in software delivery and operations will tremendously impact businesses and society. Sustainable software development is one of the key focus areas for software organizations. The application of intelligent automation leveraging artificial intelligence and cloud computing to deliver continuous value from software is in its nascent stage across the industry and is evolving rapidly. The advent of agile methodologies with DevOps has increased software quality and accelerated its delivery. Numerous software organizations have adopted DevOps to develop and operate their software systems and improve efficiency. Software organizations try to implement DevOps activities by taking advantage of various expert services. The adoption of DevOps by software organizations is beset with multiple challenges. These issues can be overcome by understanding and structurally addressing the pain points. This paper presents the preliminary analysis of the interviews with the relevant stakeholders. Ground truths were established and applied to evaluate various machine learning algorithms to compare their accuracy and test our hypothesis. This study aims to help researchers and practitioners understand the adoption of DevOps and the contexts in which the DevOps practices are viable. The experimental results will show that machine learning can predict an organization's readiness to adopt DevOps.

Background: Black girls are disproportionately impacted by HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), underscoring the urgent need for innovative strategies to enhance the adoption and maintenance of HIV/STI prevention efforts. Historically, Black male caregivers have been left out of girls' programming, and little guidance exists to inform intervention development for Black girls and their male caregivers. Engaging Black male caregivers in Black girls' sexual and reproductive health may reduce sexual risk-taking and improve the sustainability of preventative behaviors. Objective: This paper describes the formative phases, processes, and methods used to adapt an evidence-based mother-daughter sexual and reproductive health intervention for Black girls 9–18 years old and their male caregivers. Methods: We used the ADAPT-ITT model to tailor IMARA for Black girls and their male caregivers. Diverse qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, and theater testing) were used throughout the adaption process. Results: Findings support using the ADAPT-ITT model to tailor an evidence-based HIV/STI intervention for Black girls and their Black male caregivers. Findings highlight the importance of community engagement and the use of qualitative methods to demonstrate the acceptability and feasibility of the adapted intervention. Key lessons learned are reviewed. Conclusions: Adapting evidence-based interventions to incorporate Black girls and their Black male caregivers should be driven by a relevant theoretical framework that aligns with the target population(s). Adapting the intervention in partnership with the community has been shown to improve acceptability and feasibility as it is responsive to community needs. Using a systematic process like the ADAPT-ITT model will ensure that the new program is ready for efficacy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between environmental sensations and acceptance in the indoor environment has yet to be fully explored or quantified. This study is the first in the literature that examines these relationships in thermal comfort, indoor air quality, aural comfort, visual comfort, and overall indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Using a regional IEQ database, the relationship between occupants' sensation and acceptance of individual environmental aspects was investigated. The results suggest that building occupants had high tolerances towards indoor air quality and aural and visual discomforts, while cold sensations tended to elicit environmental discomfort. Furthermore, the study developed machine learning models with imbalanced data treatment to predict overall IEQ acceptance based on both sensation and acceptance of individual IEQ domains. These models accounted for the influence of environmental adaptation and tolerance on overall IEQ satisfaction determination. They accurately predicted unseen data, indicating high model generalizability and robustness. Overall, the study has practical implications for improving building performance and provides insights to better understand the relationship between environmental sensations and occupants' acceptance, which should be considered in building design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysobacter species have attracted increasing attention in recent years due to their capacities to produce diverse secondary metabolites against phytopathogens. In this research, we analyzed the genomic and transcriptomic patterns of Lysobacter capsici CK09. Our data showed that L. capsici CK09 harbored various contact-independent biocontrol traits, such as fungal cell wall lytic enzymes and HSAF/WAP-8294A2 biosynthesis, as well as several contact-dependent machineries, including type 2/4/6 secretion systems. Additionally, a variety of hydrolytic enzymes, particularly extracellular enzymes, were found in the L. capsici CK09 genome and predicted to improve its adaption in soil. Furthermore, several systems, including type 4 pili, type 3 secretion system and polysaccharide biosynthesis, can provide a selective advantage to L. capsici CK09, enabling the species to live on the surface in soil. The expression of these genes was then confirmed via transcriptomic analysis, indicating the activities of these genes. Collectively, our research provides a comprehensive understanding of the biocontrol potential and soil adaption of L. capsici CK09 and implies the potential of this strain for application in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplexus is a type of mating behavior among toads that is essential for successful external fertilization. Most studies have primarily focused on the behavioral diversity of amplexus, and less is known regarding the metabolic changes occurring in amplectant males. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic profiles of amplectant Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans) males in the breeding period (BP group) and the resting males in the non-breeding period (NP group). A metabolomic analysis was conducted on the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), an essential forelimb muscle responsible for clasping during courtship. A total of 66 differential metabolites were identified between the BP and NP groups, including 18 amino acids, 12 carbohydrates, and 8 lipids, and they were classified into 9 categories. Among these differential metabolites, 13 amino acids, 11 carbohydrates, and 7 lipids were significantly upregulated in the BP group compared to the NP group. In addition, a KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analysis identified 17 significant metabolic pathways, including ABC transporters, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, and fructose and mannose metabolism. These results suggest that amplectant male toads are metabolically more active than those during the non-breeding period, and this metabolic adaptation increases the likelihood of reproductive success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Serious and entertainment game designers strive to create engaging, immersive, and often, challenging games. This task involves modifying game mechanics or environments to create experiences with differing levels of challenge to meet player skill. The balance between different game mechanics or environments, and the differing levels of challenge they pose, is typically understood through iterative testing. Balance and challenge becomes increasingly important in serious games and simulation training as these games commonly need to be engaging and impart learning content. Overburdening players' cognitive capacity with either too much gameplay challenge or learning content may reduce the educational effectiveness of the game. Aim.: In this research, we develop a game-based driving simulation with different gameplay tasks to explore the impact of different types of challenges and game aesthetics on real-time cognitive load and task performance, which may inform serious game design. We also test the validity of a game-embedded real-time cognitive load measuring method. Method: A total of 31 participants undertook the driving simulation experiment under three different aesthetic conditions using a within-subject experimental design. Cognitive load was measured using three different methods, and performance was measured via in-game metrics. Additionally, demographic and engagement surveys were also completed. Results: Player performance and cognitive load respond differently to different types of challenge, and an appropriate level of game challenge can lower cognitive load. The embedded cognitive load measure was validated as an effective method for evaluating real-time cognitive load during gameplay. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the validity of a dual measure approach for future adaptive serious games and simulation training environments combining performance and cognitive load. An easy to implement, and robust, in-game measure for cognitive load has been validated in real-world conditions. From these results, a system for dynamic difficulty adjustment is proposed tailored towards serious games and simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children exposed to household challenges (i.e., parental substance use, incarceration, and mental illness) are among the groups most vulnerable to sexual risk-taking in adolescence. These behaviors have been associated with a range of negative outcomes later in life, including substance abuse, low educational attainment, and incarceration. Adapting an evidence-based intervention (EBI) to be suitable for this population is one strategy to address the needs of this group. Methods: In this study, we describe the use of the Intervention Mapping for Adaption (IM-Adapt) framework to adapt an evidence-based, sexual health intervention (Focus on Youth with Informed Children and Parents). We describe the actions taken at each step of the IM-Adapt process which are to assess needs, search for EBIs, assess fit and plan adaptions, make adaptions, plan for implementation and plan for evaluation. Results: Key changes of the adapted intervention include the incorporation of trauma-informed principles and gender inclusive language, standardization of the session length, and modernization of the content to be more appropriate for our priority population. Conclusions: The adapted intervention shows promise toward meeting the behavioral health needs of Black youth exposed to household challenges. Our process and approach can serve as a model for researchers and practitioners aiming to extend the reach of EBIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThroughout history, Jewish communities have been exposed to collectively experienced traumatic events. Little is known about the role that the community plays in the impact of these traumatic events on Jewish diaspora people. This scoping review aims to map the concepts of the resilience of Jewish communities in the diaspora and to identify factors that influence this resilience.MethodsWe followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Database searches yielded 2,564 articles. Sixteen met all inclusion criteria. The analysis was guided by eight review questions.ResultsCommunity resilience of the Jewish diaspora was often described in terms of coping with disaster and struggling with acculturation. A clear definition of community resilience of the Jewish diaspora was lacking. Social and religious factors, strong organizations, education, and communication increased community resilience. Barriers to the resilience of Jewish communities in the diaspora included the interaction with the hosting country and other communities, characteristics of the community itself, and psychological and cultural issues.DiscussionKey gaps in the literature included the absence of quantitative measures of community resilience and the lack of descriptions of how community resilience affects individuals’ health-related quality of life. Future studies on the interaction between community resilience and health-related individual resilience are warranted.