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Forensic Science International. Genetics Nov 2023The airborne fraction of soil (dust) is both ubiquitous in nature and contains localised biological and chemical signatures, making it a potential medium for forensic...
The secret hidden in dust: Assessing the potential to use biological and chemical properties of the airborne fraction of soil for provenance assignment and forensic casework.
The airborne fraction of soil (dust) is both ubiquitous in nature and contains localised biological and chemical signatures, making it a potential medium for forensic intelligence. Metabarcoding of dust can yield biological communities unique to the site of interest, similarly, geochemical analyses can uncover elements and minerals within dust that can be matched to a geographic location. Combining these analyses presents multiple lines of evidence as to the origin of dust collected from items of interest. In this work, we investigated whether bacterial and fungal communities in dust change through time and whether they are comparable to soil samples of the same site. We integrated dust metabarcoding into a framework amenable to forensic casework, (i.e., using calibrated log-likelihood ratios) to predict the origin of dust samples using models constructed from both dust samples and soil samples from the same site. Furthermore, we tested whether both metabarcoding and geochemical/mineralogical analyses could be conducted on a single swabbed sample, for situations where sampling is limited. We found both analyses could generate results from a single swabbed sample and found biological and chemical signatures unique to sites. However, we did find significant variation within sites, where this did not always correlate with time but was a random effect of sampling. This variation within sites was not greater than between sites and so did not influence site discrimination. When modelling bacterial and fungal diversity using calibrated log-likelihood ratios, we found samples were correctly predicted using dust 67% and 56% of the time and using soil 56% and 22% of the time for bacteria and fungi communities respectively. Incorrect predictions were related to within site variability, highlighting limitations to assigning dust provenance using metabarcoding of soil.
Topics: Humans; Dust; Soil; Forensic Medicine
PubMed: 37659257
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102931 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Forest genetic conservation is typically species-specific and does not integrate interspecific interaction and community structure. It mainly focuses on the theories of... (Review)
Review
Forest genetic conservation is typically species-specific and does not integrate interspecific interaction and community structure. It mainly focuses on the theories of population and quantitative genetics. This approach depicts the intraspecific patterns of population genetic structure derived from genetic markers and the genetic differentiation of adaptive quantitative traits in provenance trials. However, it neglects possible interspecific interaction in natural forests and overlooks natural hybridization or subspeciation. We propose that the genetic diversity of a given species in a forest community is shaped by both intraspecific population and interspecific community evolutionary processes, and expand the traditional forest genetic conservation concept under the community ecology framework. We show that a community-specific phylogeny derived from molecular markers would allow us to explore the genetic mechanisms of a tree species interacting with other resident species. It would also facilitate the exploration of a species' ecological role in forest community assembly and the taxonomic relationship of the species with other species specific to its resident forest community. Phylogenetic β-diversity would assess the similarities and differences of a tree species across communities regarding ecological function, the strength of selection pressure, and the nature and extent of its interaction with other species. Our forest genetic conservation proposal that integrates intraspecific population and interspecific community genetic variations is suitable for conserving a taxonomic species complex and maintaining its evolutionary potential in natural forests. This provides complementary information to conventional population and quantitative genetics-based conservation strategies.
PubMed: 38337968
DOI: 10.3390/plants13030435 -
BMC Plant Biology Dec 2023Capparis spinosa L. is a typical desert plant that is resistant to high temperatures and drought, and at the same time is rich in medicinal and food values. The...
BACKGROUND
Capparis spinosa L. is a typical desert plant that is resistant to high temperatures and drought, and at the same time is rich in medicinal and food values. The objective of this study is to explore the variations in nutrient composition, morphological characteristics, and SDS-PAGE patterns of caper seeds from different provenances, aiming to provide insights for the selection of superior seed provenances.
RESULTS
In this experiment, there were significant differences in the morphological characteristics and major nutritional components of caper seeds from different provenances. Seeds from the YKL (Karayagaqi Township, Yining County) and YKG (G218, KashiTown, Yining County) regions were larger in size compared to seeds from other regions. Among the four measured nutritional components, crude fat had the highest content, especially in the YKL and YKG region. The results of correlation analysis showed that crude fat was negatively correlated with soluble sugar and soluble protein but significantly positively correlated with starch content. As longitude increased from east to west, the morphological characteristics gradually increased. Based on the principal component analysis of all the parameters of the seeds, the eight provenances could be classified into three groups. HM (Hami), TGS (S202, Gaochang District, Turpan), HYW (Wubao Town, Yizhou District, Hami), TQQ (Qiquanhu Town, Turpan), and TLF (Turpan) were a group with higher soluble protein, soluble sugar, and water content. YKL and YKG were in one group, which had larger seed grains with high crude fat and starch content. AKS (Aksu) was in a separate group. The protein fractions from seeds of eight regions were extracted using Osborne fractionation method, it was found that glutelin content was the highest, while albumin content was the lowest. After these proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, the electrophoretic patterns showed that the protein molecular weights were relatively small, and there were differences in protein bands among different provenances.
CONCLUSION
According to the PCA results, the eight seed provenances could be divided into three groups. There were both geographically distant ones clustered into one group, and those close to each other were also divided into one group. There were differences in seed morphology, nutrient content and SDS-PAGE profiles among the different seed sources. This difference might be caused by a combination of geographic and climatic factors. In addition, YKL and YKG were roughly selected as good seed provenances, which provided a theoretical basis for the development of C. spinosa L. germplasm resources.
Topics: Capparis; Seeds; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Sugars; Starch
PubMed: 38072942
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04620-1 -
Learning Health Systems Jan 2024Open and practical exchange, dissemination, and reuse of specimens and data have become a fundamental requirement for life sciences research. The quality of the data...
Open and practical exchange, dissemination, and reuse of specimens and data have become a fundamental requirement for life sciences research. The quality of the data obtained and thus the findings and knowledge derived is thus significantly influenced by the quality of the samples, the experimental methods, and the data analysis. Therefore, a comprehensive and precise documentation of the pre-analytical conditions, the analytical procedures, and the data processing are essential to be able to assess the validity of the research results. With the increasing importance of the exchange, reuse, and sharing of data and samples, procedures are required that enable cross-organizational documentation, traceability, and non-repudiation. At present, this information on the provenance of samples and data is mostly either sparse, incomplete, or incoherent. Since there is no uniform framework, this information is usually only provided within the organization and not interoperably. At the same time, the collection and sharing of biological and environmental specimens increasingly require definition and documentation of benefit sharing and compliance to regulatory requirements rather than consideration of pure scientific needs. In this publication, we present an ongoing standardization effort to provide trustworthy machine-actionable documentation of the data lineage and specimens. We would like to invite experts from the biotechnology and biomedical fields to further contribute to the standard.
PubMed: 38249839
DOI: 10.1002/lrh2.10365 -
SLAS Technology Jun 2024Laboratory management automation is essential for achieving interoperability in the domain of experimental research and accelerating scientific discovery. The...
Laboratory management automation is essential for achieving interoperability in the domain of experimental research and accelerating scientific discovery. The integration of resources and the sharing of knowledge across organisations enable scientific discoveries to be accelerated by increasing the productivity of laboratories, optimising funding efficiency, and addressing emerging global challenges. This paper presents a novel framework for digitalising and automating the administration of research laboratories through The World Avatar, an all-encompassing dynamic knowledge graph. This Digital Laboratory Framework serves as a flexible tool, enabling users to efficiently leverage data from diverse systems and formats without being confined to a specific software or protocol. Establishing dedicated ontologies and agents and combining them with technologies such as QR codes, RFID tags, and mobile apps, enabled us to develop modular applications that tackle some key challenges related to lab management. Here, we showcase an automated tracking and intervention system for explosive chemicals as well as an easy-to-use mobile application for asset management and information retrieval. Implementing these, we have achieved semantic linking of BIM and BMS data with laboratory inventory and chemical knowledge. Our approach can capture the crucial data points and reduce inventory processing time. All data provenance is recorded following the FAIR principles, ensuring its accessibility and interoperability.
Topics: Automation, Laboratory; Laboratories; Information Storage and Retrieval
PubMed: 38703999
DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100135 -
Marine Pollution Bulletin Nov 2023This paper reports the contents of six heavy metals and particle sizes in the surface sediments of 120 sampling stations in the southern North Yellow Sea to reveal heavy...
This paper reports the contents of six heavy metals and particle sizes in the surface sediments of 120 sampling stations in the southern North Yellow Sea to reveal heavy metal distribution characteristics, contamination assessment, and sources. Cu and Cr enrichments were mainly found in coastal areas with high mud content (silt and clay). However, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg were enriched in Weihai Bay and Dongpu Bay, which have denser populations, estuaries, and shipyards. The geoaccumulation index and principal component analysis showed that Cu and Cr contamination was low, and the sources were mainly natural processes. In addition, Zn and Cd pollution in the nearshore area was moderate, and its provenance was natural processes and human activity. However, most areas exhibited Pb and Hg contamination due to waterborne traffic and industries, including shipbuilding and gold mining.
Topics: Humans; Cadmium; Lead; Environmental Monitoring; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Geologic Sediments; Metals, Heavy; Mercury; China; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 37793271
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115577 -
PloS One 2023Since predynastic times, baboons (Papio hamadryas and Papio anubis) were important in ancient Egypt for ritual and religious purposes. These species did not occur...
Since predynastic times, baboons (Papio hamadryas and Papio anubis) were important in ancient Egypt for ritual and religious purposes. These species did not occur naturally in Egypt and therefore had to be imported, but little is known about their exact provenance and the conditions in which they were kept through time. Here, we analyse the skeletal remains of a collection of baboon mummies coming from Thebes (Egypt), representing a minimum of 36 individuals, from a palaeopathological and demographic point of view. The pathological cases are described, figured where relevant, and the discussion attempts to understand their aetiology. The prevalence of the different types of deformations and pathologies is compared with that of other captive baboon populations from more or less contemporary (Tuna el-Gebel and Saqqara) or older (predynastic Hierakonpolis) sites. This is combined with observations on the age and sex distribution and the proportion of hamadryas and anubis baboons to draw conclusions about the conditions of keeping, possible breeding on-site, provenance of the animals and the trade routes used for import. As in Tuna el-Gebel and Saqqara, the baboons from Gabbanat el-Qurud suffered from numerous metabolic diseases due to chronic lack of sunlight and an unbalanced diet. This and the demographic data suggest that there was a local breeding population derived from animals captured downstream from the Sudanese Nile Valley (for anubis) and from the Horn of Africa or the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula (for hamadryas). A new series of radiocarbon dates is provided, placing the baboons from Gabbanat el-Qurud between the end of the Third Intermediate Period and the beginning of the Late Period.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Papio; Papio hamadryas; Egypt; Plant Breeding; Papio anubis; Demography
PubMed: 38055690
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294934 -
Science Advances Sep 2023NOAA Open Data Dissemination (NODD) makes NOAA environmental data publicly and freely available on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure (Azure), and Google Cloud...
NOAA Open Data Dissemination (NODD) makes NOAA environmental data publicly and freely available on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure (Azure), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These data can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection and span key datasets across the Earth system including satellite imagery, radar, weather models and observations, ocean databases, and climate data records. Since its inception, NODD has grown to provide public access to more than 24 PB of NOAA data and can support billions of requests and petabytes of access daily. Stakeholders routinely access more than 5 PB of NODD data every month. NODD continues to grow to support open petabyte-scale Earth system data science in the cloud by onboarding additional NOAA data and exploring performant data formats. Here, we document how this program works with a focus on provenance, key datasets, and use. We also highlight how to access these data with the goal of accelerating use of NOAA resources in the cloud.
PubMed: 37729405
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0032 -
Australasian Emergency Care Dec 2023This article explores the impact of mental health issues on paramedics in Australia, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, caused by their exposure to high levels... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This article explores the impact of mental health issues on paramedics in Australia, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, caused by their exposure to high levels of stress. The prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is higher among paramedics than any other occupation, and this could be a cause for concern, especially for undergraduate student paramedics. The article examines the need to build resilience among student paramedics to help them handle the trauma they may experience during clinical placement.
METHODS
This study conducted a two-step process to review literature and university handbooks to determine the level of education provided to paramedic students on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and resilience during clinical placement, due to the lack of research in this area. The first step involved a search for relevant articles, while the second step involved a search of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website to identify paramedicine programs and a manual evaluation of each undergraduate pre-registration paramedicine curriculum in Australia.
RESULTS
This study conducted a systematic search of national and international literature and Australian undergraduate pre-registration paramedicine programs to identify any studies pertaining to the education of paramedic students in resilience and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The search found that only 15 (5.95 %) of the 252 reviewed subjects had reference to mental health, resilience or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with only 4 (1.59 %) of them discussing these topics in preparation for clinical practice. The study highlights the lack of emphasis on student paramedic self-care as an essential underpinning for clinical placement preparation in the curriculum.
CONCLUSION
This literature review concludes that appropriate training and support, teaching resilience, and promoting self-care are crucial in preparing paramedic students for the emotional and psychological demands of their work. Equipping students with these tools and resources can improve their mental health and well-being and enhance their ability to provide high-quality care to patients. Promoting self-care as a core value in the profession is essential in creating a culture that supports paramedics in maintaining their own mental health and well-being.
Topics: Humans; Paramedics; Mental Health; Australia; Emergency Medical Technicians; Students
PubMed: 37208241
DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2023.05.002 -
ArXiv Aug 2023Neuroscience research has expanded dramatically over the past 30 years by advancing standardization and tool development to support rigor and transparency. Consequently,...
Neuroscience research has expanded dramatically over the past 30 years by advancing standardization and tool development to support rigor and transparency. Consequently, the complexity of the data pipeline has also increased, hindering access to FAIR data analysis to portions of the worldwide research community. was developed to reduce these burdens and democratize modern neuroscience research across institutions and career levels. Using community software and hardware infrastructure, the platform provides open-source data standardization, management, visualization, and processing and simplifies the data pipeline. brainlife.io automatically tracks the provenance history of thousands of data objects, supporting simplicity, efficiency, and transparency in neuroscience research. Here brainlife.io's technology and data services are described and evaluated for validity, reliability, reproducibility, replicability, and scientific utility. Using data from 4 modalities and 3,200 participants, we demonstrate that brainlife.io's services produce outputs that adhere to best practices in modern neuroscience research.
PubMed: 37332566
DOI: No ID Found