Carbon sequestration in forests is of great interest due to concerns about global climate change.Carbon storage rates depend on ecosystem fluxes（photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration）,typically quantified as net ...Carbon sequestration in forests is of great interest due to concerns about global climate change.Carbon storage rates depend on ecosystem fluxes（photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration）,typically quantified as net ecosystem exchange（NEE）.Methods to estimate forest NEE without intensive site sampling are needed to accurately assess rates of carbon sequestration at stand-level and larger scales.We produced spatially-explicit estimates of NEE for 9 770 ha of slash pine（Pinus elliottii） plantations in North-Central Florida for a single year by coupling remote sensing-based estimates of leaf area index（LAI） with a process-based growth simulation model.LAI estimates produced from a neural-network modeling of ground plot and Landsat TM satellite data had a mean of 1.06（range 0-3.93,including forest edges）.Using the neural network LAI values as inputs,the slash pine simulation model（SPM2） estimates of NEE ranged from-5.52 to 11.06 Mg·ha^-1·a^-1with a mean of 3.47 Mg·ha^-1·a^-1Total carbon storage for the year was 33920 t,or about 3.5 tons per hectare.Both estimated LAI and NEE were highly sensitive to fertilization.展开更多
Fecal samples from 277 goats on eleven farms in Florida were examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of the multiple species of Eimeria that infect goats in this region. The number of oocysts per gram of fe...Fecal samples from 277 goats on eleven farms in Florida were examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of the multiple species of Eimeria that infect goats in this region. The number of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) was determined by the modified McMaster technique. Species identification was done following sporulation. Eimeria oocysts were found in 97% of the fecal samples. Goats less than one year of age shed significantly more oocysts than goats greater than one year of age (P < 0.01). Goats of the Nubian breed had the highest OPG counts when compared to Boer, Boer-Spanish crosses, and Saanen breeds. Nine Eimeria spp. were identified. Eimeria arloingi (91%), E. ninakohlyakimovae (82%) and E. alijevi (79%) were the most prevalent species. Other species present were E. caprina (60%), E. christenseni (60%), E. hirci (46%), E. caprovina (29%), E. aspheronica (15%), and E. jolchijevi (9%).展开更多
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT) has been widely used throughout the world to model crop growth and nutrient uptake in various types of soils.A greenhouse experiment was performed to validate the process equat...The Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT) has been widely used throughout the world to model crop growth and nutrient uptake in various types of soils.A greenhouse experiment was performed to validate the process equations embedded in SWAT for describing the growth and nutrient uptake of tomatoes in south Florida.The scaled growth curve of greenhouse-grown tomatoes was in close agreement with the theoretical model for field conditions,with the scaling factors being the maximum canopy height and the potential heat units.Similarly,the scaled leaf area index(LAI) growth curve and the scaled root depth curve for greenhousegrown tomatoes agreed with the SWAT functions,with the scaling factors being the maximum LAI and maximum root depth.The greenhouse experiment confirmed that the growth of biomass is a linear function of the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation.The fractions of nutrients in the plant biomass under greenhouse conditions were found to be on the order of 60% of those fractions observed in the field.Values of the initial P distribution(0.2 mg kg -1),initial ratio of mineral stable P to mineral active P(50:1),and initial ratio of humic N to humic P(2.4:1) were determined from soil measurements and can be used for field simulations.The conventional saturation-excess model for soil-water percolation was used to predict the movement of water in the top 10 cm of the greenhouse containers and the results agreed well with measurements.展开更多
The applicability, transferability, and scalability of visible/near-infrared(VNIR)-derived soil total carbon(TC) models are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to: i) compare models of three mul...The applicability, transferability, and scalability of visible/near-infrared(VNIR)-derived soil total carbon(TC) models are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to: i) compare models of three multivariate statistical methods, partial least squares regression(PLSR), support vector machine(SVM), and random forest methods, to predict soil logarithm-transformed TC(logTC) using five fields(local scale) and a pooled(regional-scale) VNIR spectral dataset(a total of 560 TC spectral datasets), ii)assess the model transferability among fields, and iii) evaluate their up-and downscaling behaviors in Florida, USA. The transferability and up-and downscaling of the models were limited by the following factors: i) the spectral data domain, ii) soil attribute domain,iii) methods that describe the internal model structure of VNIR-TC relationships, and iv) environmental domain space of attributes that control soil carbon dynamics. All soil logTC models showed excellent performance based on all three methods with R^2> 0.86,bias < 0.01%, root mean squared error(RMSE) = 0.09%, residual predication deviation(RPD) > 2.70%, and ratio of prediction error to interquartile range(RPIQ) > 4.54. The PLSR method performed substantially better than the SVM method to scale and transfer the TC models. This could be attributed to the tendency of SVM to overfit models, while the asset of the PLSR method was its robustness when the models were validated with independent datasets, transferred, and/or scaled. The upscaled soil TC models performed somewhat better in terms of model fit(R2), RPD, and RPIQ, whereas the downscaled models showed less bias and smaller RMSE based on PLSR. We found no universal trend indicating which of the four limiting factors mentioned above had the most impact that constrained the transferability and scalability of the models. Given that several factors can impinge on the empirically derived soil spectral prediction models, as demonstrated by this study, more focus on their applicability and scalability is needed.展开更多
Florida, along with Hawaii, has among the two worst invasive species problems in the USA, and the state is espe-cially susceptible to establishment by alien reptiles. Besides the large numbers of established non-nativ...Florida, along with Hawaii, has among the two worst invasive species problems in the USA, and the state is espe-cially susceptible to establishment by alien reptiles. Besides the large numbers of established non-native reptile species in Florida, many of these species present novel difficulties for management, or have other characteristics making effective management ex-tremely challenging. Moreover, initiation of management action requires more than recognition by experts that a potentially harmful species has become established. It also requires the political will along with concomitant resources and appropriate per-sonnel to develop effective methods and apply them. We review the situation in Florida, including assessment of risk for estab- lishment, and we use a subset of prominent species to illustrate in more detail the array of invasive reptile species circumstances in Florida, including routes of introduction, impacts, and potential and implemented management actions. These examples not only highlight the severity of the invasive reptile problems in the state, but they also show the diversity in resolve and response towards them and the motivating factors [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 599-612, 2011].展开更多
Tomato packers often struggle to find ways to reuse the large volumes of wastewater generated during the tomato cleaning and sanitizing processes due to high transportation costs for off-site disposal and strict surfa...Tomato packers often struggle to find ways to reuse the large volumes of wastewater generated during the tomato cleaning and sanitizing processes due to high transportation costs for off-site disposal and strict surface water discharge regulations in Florida. Information about the composition of tomato packinghouse wastewater and the likely sources of major wastewater constituents might provide insights to develop environmentally sustainable practices for wastewater reuse. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of wastewater generated in tomato packinghouses. The wastewater samples were collected for 6 to 8 hours from dump tanks of two representative packinghouses at 30 minute intervals after start-up of packing operations during May-June 2009. Results showed that wastewater had high electrical conductivity (1.3 - 2.8 dS·m–1) and chloride (255 - 1125 mg·L–1) due to the use of chlorine as a sanitizer in the packinghouses. Concentrations of total phosphorus (P, 2.8 - 5.7 mg·L–1) and copper (Cu, 1.9 - 2.2 mg·L–1) in wastewater were elevated due to tomato cleaning and sanitizing. To reduce P and Cu concentrations, treatment or blending of wastewater may be needed before discharging wastewater to surface waters. Concentrations of P, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and manganese were much higher in packinghouse 1 as compared to packinghouse 2 wastewater, probably due to the greater contact time of tomatoes with the dump tank water. Whereas concentrations of Cu were similar in both packinghouses wastewater. Greater concentrations of chemical constituents in the wastewater suggest that residues of pesticides, insecticides, and/or foliar-applied micronutrients on tomatoes may be the likely external sources of most constituents (especially P, Cu, and Zn) in wastewater.展开更多
The arrangement of supplemental feed, water, shelter, and their concurrent interactions with topographic features may influence the distribution of animals and their simultaneous use of pasture’s resources. The effec...The arrangement of supplemental feed, water, shelter, and their concurrent interactions with topographic features may influence the distribution of animals and their simultaneous use of pasture’s resources. The effects of grazing and/or congregation management that control phosphorus cycling and distribution have not been sufficiently evaluated. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine whether cattle congregation sites typical on most Florida ranches, repre-sented by water troughs and shaded areas, are more phosphorus-rich and may contribute more soluble phosphorus to surface water run-off and groundwater than other pasture locations;and 2) to assess the regional distribution of Mehlich-1 extractable soil phosphorus (MP) across congregation-grazing zones of forage-based pastures with cow-calf operations in Florida. Soil samples were collected at increasing distance from congregations structures (water troughs and shades) in established (>10 yr), grazed beef cattle pastures located in three Florida regions. Samples were col-lected in the fall and spring of 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively;following a radial (every 90 degrees) sampling pat-terns away from the center of the congregation structures. Averaged across years, MP and soil phosphorus saturation in the congregation zones were comparable (p ≤ 0.05) with MP values and soil phosphorus saturation in the grazing zones at all three Florida regions. Average MP at all three pasture locations did not exceed the crop requirement threshold of 50 mg P kg–1 and the water quality protection threshold of 150 mg P kg–1, suggesting that congregation zones in beef cattle pastures at all three regions of Florida are not phosphorus-rich.展开更多
Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is a bacterial disease of citrus and results in peel blemishes rendering fresh fruit unsalable. Xcc is most active in warm, wet Florida summers where tiss...Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is a bacterial disease of citrus and results in peel blemishes rendering fresh fruit unsalable. Xcc is most active in warm, wet Florida summers where tissues are infected during periods of active growth. Melanose, caused by Diaporthe citri, is common in citrus producing countries, but, like canker, is only important for fresh market fruit. To control canker and melanose, Florida growers spray trees with copper formulations (Cu), but these sprays are removed by strong rains and intense radiation of Florida summers. A study was undertaken in FL commercial grapefruit groves in 2009 and 2010 to assess the efficiency of a spray combining copper with a specially formulated, hydrating wax (WashGard?) (WG). Using a 21-day spray schedule for the season, fruit were sprayed with WG + Cu, Cu and Control (no spray). Fruit from trees sprayed with WG + Cu had approximately 10 and17% more canker free fruit in 2009 and 2010 respectively compared to trees sprayed with copper alone. Compared to control trees the canker free fruit incidence was increased by ≈10% in 2009 and 57% in 2010. For melanose there was 40% more disease free fruit (treated) over fruit from trees with no treatment in 2009 and approximately 20% more in 2010. Controlling infection with this spray significantly reduces citrus canker and melanose, increasing the percentage of marketable fruit.展开更多
Biostimulants are shown to increase crop production.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of individual biostimulants on tomato('Phoenix')growth and yield.Five biostimulants:CP_(1),CP_(2),BS,CP_(...Biostimulants are shown to increase crop production.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of individual biostimulants on tomato('Phoenix')growth and yield.Five biostimulants:CP_(1),CP_(2),BS,CP_(2)+BS,Competitor,and Water(control)were foliar applied at three different stages:pre-blooming,fruit setting,and color changing.The concentration of calcium(Ca),potassium(K),magnesium(Mg),and phosphorus(P)in leaves and roots were also determined.The results showed that plants treated with biostimulants had greater concentrations of Ca,K,Mg,and P compared to those treated with water only.Competitor and CP_(2)+BS significantly increased yield,plant height,and stem diameter by 76%and 41%,42%and 34%,and 29%and 24%.Likewise,leaf greenness,net photosynthetic rate(Pn),relative water content(RWC),nitrate level in petiole sap,and fruit quality(citric acid,malic acid,tartaric acid,soluble solid concentration,and fruit firmness)were also improved by Competitor.In addition,enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase(NR)and nitrite reductase(NiR)were significantly increased by biostimulants compared to the control.Statistically,Competitor and CP_(2)+BS showed the greatest augmentation in plant height,stem diameter,leaf greenness,PN,RWC,nitrate level in petiole sap,and fruit yield and quality.Similarly,Competitor-treated plants also increased NR,NiR,leaf Ca,leaf K,leaf Mg,and leaf P by 34%,70%,22%,26%,27%,and 45%,respectively.Based on the findings of this study,application of Competitor or CP2+BS showed promising results and may be used as a BMP tool for tomato production in Florida.展开更多
In this editorial,we comment on a recent article by Chen et al,that addressed the effect of intraoperative injection of esketamine on postoperative analgesia and postoperative rehabilitation after cesarean section.Poo...In this editorial,we comment on a recent article by Chen et al,that addressed the effect of intraoperative injection of esketamine on postoperative analgesia and postoperative rehabilitation after cesarean section.Poor management of postcesarean pain is associated with decreased maternal care for the baby,longer hospitalization,and higher risk of developing postpartum depression.Esketamine is a more potent S-enantiomer of ketamine which has shown promising analgesic and antidepressant properties for managing post-cesarean pain and depression in clinical studies.However,due to its potential adverse effects on the neurological and hemodynamic status of patients,it is recommended that its usage in low doses should be limited to cesarean candidates experiencing unbearable pain.Before any recommendation for routine perioperative use of esketamine,more standardized clinical trials are needed to strengthen our existing knowledge of its effectiveness in reducing postpartum pain and depression.展开更多
Hypophosphatasia(HPP)is a rare metabolic bone disorder often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia due to overlapping symptoms such as chronic pain,fatigue,and muscle weakness.This diagnostic error disproportionately affects w...Hypophosphatasia(HPP)is a rare metabolic bone disorder often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia due to overlapping symptoms such as chronic pain,fatigue,and muscle weakness.This diagnostic error disproportionately affects women and can result in significant psychological distress due to repeated dismissal of symptoms.Despite low serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP)being a key biochemical clue to HPP,it is frequently overlooked in standard diagnostic evaluations.Consequen-tly,many patients endure years of ineffective treatment,invalidation,and worse-ning psychiatric outcomes.This editorial emphasizes the need for greater clinical vigilance in distinguishing HPP from fibromyalgia,particularly when features such as chronic pain,premature tooth loss,and persistently low ALP are present.Gender biases in pain diagnosis further compound this problem,leading to gr-eater misdiagnosis rates among women and contributing to the erosion of trust in medical care.The psychiatric consequences of diagnostic delays are substantial,with affected individuals experiencing elevated rates of depression,anxiety,and emotional distress.Greater recognition of low ALP as a meaningful diagnostic clue may enhance diagnostic accuracy,improve patient outcomes,and reduce the psychological toll of misdiagnosis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Over 150000 new diagnoses of colorectal cancer(CRC)are diagnosed yearly,and 1 in 5 patients have distant metastases on diagnosis.Previous estimates approximate that brain metastases(BM)occur in 0.6%to 3.2%o...BACKGROUND Over 150000 new diagnoses of colorectal cancer(CRC)are diagnosed yearly,and 1 in 5 patients have distant metastases on diagnosis.Previous estimates approximate that brain metastases(BM)occur in 0.6%to 3.2%of patients with CRC.AIM To describe the updated literature about the incidence and risk factors of BM in CRC as well as their treatment with surgery,chemotherapy,and radiation.METHODS We systematically searched the literature published between January 1,2010 and April 1,2025 in PubMed,Cochrane,Scopus,and EMBASE.All studies about BM from CRC were included.Studies only containing information about the treatment of primary CRC or primary brain tumors were not included.Articles were categorized and described as incidence,surgery,chemotherapy,or radiation to provide an overview of the state of research on BM from CRC.RESULTS Our primary search resulted in 1648 articles that were eventually screened to 147.These articles were analyzed to provide the state of current literature on incidence and risk factors of BM from CRC as well as how these metastases are treated with chemotherapy,radiation,and surgery.CONCLUSION Prognosis is influenced by tumor burden,performance status,and emerging molecular markers.Stereotactic radiotherapy and surgical resection provide favorable outcomes for select patients,whereas chemotherapy and immunotherapy remain areas of limited evidence.Continued research is needed to identify highrisk patients and optimize multidisciplinary treatment approaches.展开更多
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury can lead to long-term disability,but current imaging methods are limited in predicting outcomes.Rapid diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)has shown promise,yet its clinical utility remains under...BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury can lead to long-term disability,but current imaging methods are limited in predicting outcomes.Rapid diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)has shown promise,yet its clinical utility remains underexplored.AIM To evaluate the potential applications of a short DTI sequence,incorporated into a cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)protocol,for characterizing a range of symptomatic spinal cord pathologies.We propose that cervical spine tractography can provide essential diagnostic information beyond what is currently available from conventional MRI.METHODS We utilized a quick DTI sequence to create tractography models of the cervical spinal cord in four patients with distinct pathologies of various etiologies:Cord contusion,metastasis,myelopathy,and multiple sclerosis.We used DSI Studio software for post-processing of tractography cases.Fiber tract findings for each pathology case were compared to five control cases from the same scanner by looking for individual differences in white matter tract integrity based on the fractional anisotropy(FA)and mean diffusivity(MD)of the regions of interest from controls.These correlated with clinical presentations and conventional MRI findings.RESULTS Control cases showed consistent and intact tract patterns with stable FA and MD values.In pathological cases,abnormalities in fiber orientation and tract continuity correlated with clinical symptoms and lesion locations.CONCLUSION The tractography models can provide additional information on white matter disruption that was not discernible on standard MRI sequences.However,its clinical use remains limited due to the need for specialized imaging protocols and complex post-processing,restricting its use to mostly academic settings.展开更多
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs),the most prevalent mesenchymal tumors,often have poor outcomes due to high recurrence rates.However,the specific risk factors for GISTs,particularly those concerning the innate i...Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs),the most prevalent mesenchymal tumors,often have poor outcomes due to high recurrence rates.However,the specific risk factors for GISTs,particularly those concerning the innate immune-inflammatory response,remain poorly understood.This editorial highlights key prognostic factors that impact GIST progression and prognosis,while discussing the findings of a recent study that investigated the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory markers:systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophil/lym-phocyte ratio,platelet/lymphocyte ratio,and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio,on recurrence-free survival in GIST patients.This editorial examines strategies to enhance the clinical applicability of the nomogram developed in the study,ensuring its effectiveness for robust implementation.Future directions outlined in the editorial stress the importance of integrating molecular insights,including KIT and PDGFRA mutations,tumor staging,and mitotic rates to refine predictive models.The editorial also underscores the value of multi-center studies to enhance the generalizability and clinical relevance of these approaches.By bridging inflammatory biomarkers with genetic and clinicopathologic factors,a more comprehensive understanding of GIST pathophysiology can be developed,paving the way for improved management strategies and patient outcomes.This perspective serves as a call to action for continued research into the interplay between genetic mutations,inflammatory marker modulation,and GIST progression,aiming to expand the scope of personalized oncology through a deeper understanding of GIST progression.展开更多
Solving the Dirac equation has played an important role in many areas of fundamental physics.In this work,we present the Dirac equation solver DiracSVT,which solves the Dirac equation with scalar,vector,and tensor nuc...Solving the Dirac equation has played an important role in many areas of fundamental physics.In this work,we present the Dirac equation solver DiracSVT,which solves the Dirac equation with scalar,vector,and tensor nuclear potentials in spherical coordinate space.The shooting method was used with a Runge–Kutta 4 integration scheme.The potentials are parameterized in a Woods–Saxon form,which reproduce well the known single-particle states around all doubly magic nuclei and can be applied to study the shell evolution of exotic nuclei.The code can be easily extended to the study of other systems,including atomic,hadron,and molecular physics.展开更多
The euglenatides are a family of hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptides produced by the unicellular algae Euglena gracilis.These compounds have antiproliferative activity against fungal pathogensand mammalian cancer ...The euglenatides are a family of hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptides produced by the unicellular algae Euglena gracilis.These compounds have antiproliferative activity against fungal pathogensand mammalian cancer cell lines.Analysis of E.gracilis extracts revealed that the algae produce not only the euglenatides,but also a corresponding family of analogs that have the same molecular weights as the euglenatides,but are lacking the characteristic triene chromophore.In comparison to the euglenatides,the activity of these analogs is greatly reduced in a mammalian cytotoxicity assay,indicating that the triene is critical to the biological activity of the euglenatides.展开更多
This manuscript comments on the article published in a recent issue of World Journal of Psychology.We emphasize the potential of combining Epirubicin(EPI)chemotherapy with mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs)to optim...This manuscript comments on the article published in a recent issue of World Journal of Psychology.We emphasize the potential of combining Epirubicin(EPI)chemotherapy with mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs)to optimize cancer care for urinary system tumors.The long-term use EPI is associated with depression and in short-term has shown side effects such as fatigue,nausea,and occasional abdominal pain,which can impact patient adherence.MBIs address the psychological burdens,such as depression and anxiety,that accompany cancer treatment,enhancing emotional well-being,immune function,and treatment adherence.Integration of MBIs alongside EPI offers improved clinical outcomes by lowering stress and reducing side effects,ultimately supporting both psychological and physical recovery.This comprehensive care model can potentially promote long-term health and quality of life for cancer patients.展开更多
Acute kidney injury(AKI)is common in patients with liver failure,and for a significant subset it is severe enough to require kidney replacement therapy(KRT).Patients with liver failure have distinct clinical character...Acute kidney injury(AKI)is common in patients with liver failure,and for a significant subset it is severe enough to require kidney replacement therapy(KRT).Patients with liver failure have distinct clinical characteristics(e.g.,cardiocirculatory dysfunction and a tendency to bleed)that mandate customization of their overall care including KRT.Herein,we provide an overview of AKI in liver failure,discuss the basic pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome,including the often-underemphasized role of the heart in its clinical manifestations,and the current therapies afforded to these patients.We also discuss the general aspects of KRT and how they apply to patients with liver failure(e.g.,preference for continuous renal replacement therapy and the need for regional,instead of systemic,anticoagulation).Moreover,we discuss hyperammonemia,an emerging non-renal indication of KRT in this patient population,and provide recommendations on how this therapy may be applied in this setting.展开更多
Postpartum depression(PPD)is a severe mental health disorder affecting 10%to 15%of postpartum women worldwide.Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that has been identified as a significant factor for ...Postpartum depression(PPD)is a severe mental health disorder affecting 10%to 15%of postpartum women worldwide.Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that has been identified as a significant factor for PPD due to its vascular dysfunction,systemic inflammation and neurobiological alterations.The neuroinflammatory mechanisms common to both pre-eclampsia and PPD,that contribute to depressive symptoms include elevated proinflammatory cytokines(interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-alpha),activation of the kynurenine pathway,and oxidative stress.To critically evaluate Wu et al's study,which investigates blood pressure variability(BPV)and gestational body mass index(BMI)as independent predictors of PPD.To integrate recent findings on the metabolic and cardiovascular links between depression,pre-eclampsia,and postpartum mental health outcomes.Pre-pregnancy BMI is found to be a stronger predictor of PPD than gestational weight gain.A vascular-neuropsychiatric connection has been indicated in pre-eclamptic women,indicating a significant correlation between BPV and depressive postpartum symptoms.There is increased susceptibility to depression due to neuroinflammation contributed by blood pressure fluctuations and metabolic dysregulation.The incidence of PPD could be reduced by early identification and intervention for BP fluctuations.Early detection and intervention in high-risk pregnancies should be conducted through public health strategies that prioritize awareness,education,and accessibility to mental health care.展开更多
In this commentary,we respond to Zhao et al’s recent paper which focuses on mechanisms underlying insomnia sufferers’engagement with acupuncture.Insomnia,a prevalent condition characterized by difficulty falling asl...In this commentary,we respond to Zhao et al’s recent paper which focuses on mechanisms underlying insomnia sufferers’engagement with acupuncture.Insomnia,a prevalent condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and poor sleep quality,is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease,diabetes,and psychiatric illness.Acupuncture,a method involving the therapeutic placement of needles,has been widely accepted as a treatment for insomnia with minimal side effects.In fact,clinical trials suggest auricular acupuncture may improve sleep duration more than cognitive behavioral therapy.However,responses to acupuncture vary.Some patients find it extremely beneficial,while others view it as a routine treatment—or avoid it altogether due to needle phobia.Patient engagement is influenced by cultural beliefs,encouragement,motivation,prior experiences,and recommendations from peers or clinicians.Trust in the physician and testimonials from recovered patients are particularly important facilitators.Looking ahead,a holistic approach-integrating acupuncture with meditation,pranayama,yoga,and other restorative practices-may enhance treatment effectiveness and help patients achieve restorative sleep.展开更多
基金supported by the United States Forest Service and the Forest Biology Research Cooperative at the University of Florida
文摘Carbon sequestration in forests is of great interest due to concerns about global climate change.Carbon storage rates depend on ecosystem fluxes（photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration）,typically quantified as net ecosystem exchange（NEE）.Methods to estimate forest NEE without intensive site sampling are needed to accurately assess rates of carbon sequestration at stand-level and larger scales.We produced spatially-explicit estimates of NEE for 9 770 ha of slash pine（Pinus elliottii） plantations in North-Central Florida for a single year by coupling remote sensing-based estimates of leaf area index（LAI） with a process-based growth simulation model.LAI estimates produced from a neural-network modeling of ground plot and Landsat TM satellite data had a mean of 1.06（range 0-3.93,including forest edges）.Using the neural network LAI values as inputs,the slash pine simulation model（SPM2） estimates of NEE ranged from-5.52 to 11.06 Mg·ha^-1·a^-1with a mean of 3.47 Mg·ha^-1·a^-1Total carbon storage for the year was 33920 t,or about 3.5 tons per hectare.Both estimated LAI and NEE were highly sensitive to fertilization.
文摘Fecal samples from 277 goats on eleven farms in Florida were examined to determine the prevalence and intensity of the multiple species of Eimeria that infect goats in this region. The number of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) was determined by the modified McMaster technique. Species identification was done following sporulation. Eimeria oocysts were found in 97% of the fecal samples. Goats less than one year of age shed significantly more oocysts than goats greater than one year of age (P < 0.01). Goats of the Nubian breed had the highest OPG counts when compared to Boer, Boer-Spanish crosses, and Saanen breeds. Nine Eimeria spp. were identified. Eimeria arloingi (91%), E. ninakohlyakimovae (82%) and E. alijevi (79%) were the most prevalent species. Other species present were E. caprina (60%), E. christenseni (60%), E. hirci (46%), E. caprovina (29%), E. aspheronica (15%), and E. jolchijevi (9%).
文摘The Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT) has been widely used throughout the world to model crop growth and nutrient uptake in various types of soils.A greenhouse experiment was performed to validate the process equations embedded in SWAT for describing the growth and nutrient uptake of tomatoes in south Florida.The scaled growth curve of greenhouse-grown tomatoes was in close agreement with the theoretical model for field conditions,with the scaling factors being the maximum canopy height and the potential heat units.Similarly,the scaled leaf area index(LAI) growth curve and the scaled root depth curve for greenhousegrown tomatoes agreed with the SWAT functions,with the scaling factors being the maximum LAI and maximum root depth.The greenhouse experiment confirmed that the growth of biomass is a linear function of the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation.The fractions of nutrients in the plant biomass under greenhouse conditions were found to be on the order of 60% of those fractions observed in the field.Values of the initial P distribution(0.2 mg kg -1),initial ratio of mineral stable P to mineral active P(50:1),and initial ratio of humic N to humic P(2.4:1) were determined from soil measurements and can be used for field simulations.The conventional saturation-excess model for soil-water percolation was used to predict the movement of water in the top 10 cm of the greenhouse containers and the results agreed well with measurements.
基金supported by the Pedometrics, Landscape Analysis, and GIS Laboratory, Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, USA
文摘The applicability, transferability, and scalability of visible/near-infrared(VNIR)-derived soil total carbon(TC) models are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to: i) compare models of three multivariate statistical methods, partial least squares regression(PLSR), support vector machine(SVM), and random forest methods, to predict soil logarithm-transformed TC(logTC) using five fields(local scale) and a pooled(regional-scale) VNIR spectral dataset(a total of 560 TC spectral datasets), ii)assess the model transferability among fields, and iii) evaluate their up-and downscaling behaviors in Florida, USA. The transferability and up-and downscaling of the models were limited by the following factors: i) the spectral data domain, ii) soil attribute domain,iii) methods that describe the internal model structure of VNIR-TC relationships, and iv) environmental domain space of attributes that control soil carbon dynamics. All soil logTC models showed excellent performance based on all three methods with R^2> 0.86,bias < 0.01%, root mean squared error(RMSE) = 0.09%, residual predication deviation(RPD) > 2.70%, and ratio of prediction error to interquartile range(RPIQ) > 4.54. The PLSR method performed substantially better than the SVM method to scale and transfer the TC models. This could be attributed to the tendency of SVM to overfit models, while the asset of the PLSR method was its robustness when the models were validated with independent datasets, transferred, and/or scaled. The upscaled soil TC models performed somewhat better in terms of model fit(R2), RPD, and RPIQ, whereas the downscaled models showed less bias and smaller RMSE based on PLSR. We found no universal trend indicating which of the four limiting factors mentioned above had the most impact that constrained the transferability and scalability of the models. Given that several factors can impinge on the empirically derived soil spectral prediction models, as demonstrated by this study, more focus on their applicability and scalability is needed.
文摘Florida, along with Hawaii, has among the two worst invasive species problems in the USA, and the state is espe-cially susceptible to establishment by alien reptiles. Besides the large numbers of established non-native reptile species in Florida, many of these species present novel difficulties for management, or have other characteristics making effective management ex-tremely challenging. Moreover, initiation of management action requires more than recognition by experts that a potentially harmful species has become established. It also requires the political will along with concomitant resources and appropriate per-sonnel to develop effective methods and apply them. We review the situation in Florida, including assessment of risk for estab- lishment, and we use a subset of prominent species to illustrate in more detail the array of invasive reptile species circumstances in Florida, including routes of introduction, impacts, and potential and implemented management actions. These examples not only highlight the severity of the invasive reptile problems in the state, but they also show the diversity in resolve and response towards them and the motivating factors [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 599-612, 2011].
文摘Tomato packers often struggle to find ways to reuse the large volumes of wastewater generated during the tomato cleaning and sanitizing processes due to high transportation costs for off-site disposal and strict surface water discharge regulations in Florida. Information about the composition of tomato packinghouse wastewater and the likely sources of major wastewater constituents might provide insights to develop environmentally sustainable practices for wastewater reuse. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of wastewater generated in tomato packinghouses. The wastewater samples were collected for 6 to 8 hours from dump tanks of two representative packinghouses at 30 minute intervals after start-up of packing operations during May-June 2009. Results showed that wastewater had high electrical conductivity (1.3 - 2.8 dS·m–1) and chloride (255 - 1125 mg·L–1) due to the use of chlorine as a sanitizer in the packinghouses. Concentrations of total phosphorus (P, 2.8 - 5.7 mg·L–1) and copper (Cu, 1.9 - 2.2 mg·L–1) in wastewater were elevated due to tomato cleaning and sanitizing. To reduce P and Cu concentrations, treatment or blending of wastewater may be needed before discharging wastewater to surface waters. Concentrations of P, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and manganese were much higher in packinghouse 1 as compared to packinghouse 2 wastewater, probably due to the greater contact time of tomatoes with the dump tank water. Whereas concentrations of Cu were similar in both packinghouses wastewater. Greater concentrations of chemical constituents in the wastewater suggest that residues of pesticides, insecticides, and/or foliar-applied micronutrients on tomatoes may be the likely external sources of most constituents (especially P, Cu, and Zn) in wastewater.
文摘The arrangement of supplemental feed, water, shelter, and their concurrent interactions with topographic features may influence the distribution of animals and their simultaneous use of pasture’s resources. The effects of grazing and/or congregation management that control phosphorus cycling and distribution have not been sufficiently evaluated. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine whether cattle congregation sites typical on most Florida ranches, repre-sented by water troughs and shaded areas, are more phosphorus-rich and may contribute more soluble phosphorus to surface water run-off and groundwater than other pasture locations;and 2) to assess the regional distribution of Mehlich-1 extractable soil phosphorus (MP) across congregation-grazing zones of forage-based pastures with cow-calf operations in Florida. Soil samples were collected at increasing distance from congregations structures (water troughs and shades) in established (>10 yr), grazed beef cattle pastures located in three Florida regions. Samples were col-lected in the fall and spring of 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively;following a radial (every 90 degrees) sampling pat-terns away from the center of the congregation structures. Averaged across years, MP and soil phosphorus saturation in the congregation zones were comparable (p ≤ 0.05) with MP values and soil phosphorus saturation in the grazing zones at all three Florida regions. Average MP at all three pasture locations did not exceed the crop requirement threshold of 50 mg P kg–1 and the water quality protection threshold of 150 mg P kg–1, suggesting that congregation zones in beef cattle pastures at all three regions of Florida are not phosphorus-rich.
文摘Citrus canker, caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), is a bacterial disease of citrus and results in peel blemishes rendering fresh fruit unsalable. Xcc is most active in warm, wet Florida summers where tissues are infected during periods of active growth. Melanose, caused by Diaporthe citri, is common in citrus producing countries, but, like canker, is only important for fresh market fruit. To control canker and melanose, Florida growers spray trees with copper formulations (Cu), but these sprays are removed by strong rains and intense radiation of Florida summers. A study was undertaken in FL commercial grapefruit groves in 2009 and 2010 to assess the efficiency of a spray combining copper with a specially formulated, hydrating wax (WashGard?) (WG). Using a 21-day spray schedule for the season, fruit were sprayed with WG + Cu, Cu and Control (no spray). Fruit from trees sprayed with WG + Cu had approximately 10 and17% more canker free fruit in 2009 and 2010 respectively compared to trees sprayed with copper alone. Compared to control trees the canker free fruit incidence was increased by ≈10% in 2009 and 57% in 2010. For melanose there was 40% more disease free fruit (treated) over fruit from trees with no treatment in 2009 and approximately 20% more in 2010. Controlling infection with this spray significantly reduces citrus canker and melanose, increasing the percentage of marketable fruit.
文摘Biostimulants are shown to increase crop production.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of individual biostimulants on tomato('Phoenix')growth and yield.Five biostimulants:CP_(1),CP_(2),BS,CP_(2)+BS,Competitor,and Water(control)were foliar applied at three different stages:pre-blooming,fruit setting,and color changing.The concentration of calcium(Ca),potassium(K),magnesium(Mg),and phosphorus(P)in leaves and roots were also determined.The results showed that plants treated with biostimulants had greater concentrations of Ca,K,Mg,and P compared to those treated with water only.Competitor and CP_(2)+BS significantly increased yield,plant height,and stem diameter by 76%and 41%,42%and 34%,and 29%and 24%.Likewise,leaf greenness,net photosynthetic rate(Pn),relative water content(RWC),nitrate level in petiole sap,and fruit quality(citric acid,malic acid,tartaric acid,soluble solid concentration,and fruit firmness)were also improved by Competitor.In addition,enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase(NR)and nitrite reductase(NiR)were significantly increased by biostimulants compared to the control.Statistically,Competitor and CP_(2)+BS showed the greatest augmentation in plant height,stem diameter,leaf greenness,PN,RWC,nitrate level in petiole sap,and fruit yield and quality.Similarly,Competitor-treated plants also increased NR,NiR,leaf Ca,leaf K,leaf Mg,and leaf P by 34%,70%,22%,26%,27%,and 45%,respectively.Based on the findings of this study,application of Competitor or CP2+BS showed promising results and may be used as a BMP tool for tomato production in Florida.
文摘In this editorial,we comment on a recent article by Chen et al,that addressed the effect of intraoperative injection of esketamine on postoperative analgesia and postoperative rehabilitation after cesarean section.Poor management of postcesarean pain is associated with decreased maternal care for the baby,longer hospitalization,and higher risk of developing postpartum depression.Esketamine is a more potent S-enantiomer of ketamine which has shown promising analgesic and antidepressant properties for managing post-cesarean pain and depression in clinical studies.However,due to its potential adverse effects on the neurological and hemodynamic status of patients,it is recommended that its usage in low doses should be limited to cesarean candidates experiencing unbearable pain.Before any recommendation for routine perioperative use of esketamine,more standardized clinical trials are needed to strengthen our existing knowledge of its effectiveness in reducing postpartum pain and depression.
文摘Hypophosphatasia(HPP)is a rare metabolic bone disorder often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia due to overlapping symptoms such as chronic pain,fatigue,and muscle weakness.This diagnostic error disproportionately affects women and can result in significant psychological distress due to repeated dismissal of symptoms.Despite low serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP)being a key biochemical clue to HPP,it is frequently overlooked in standard diagnostic evaluations.Consequen-tly,many patients endure years of ineffective treatment,invalidation,and worse-ning psychiatric outcomes.This editorial emphasizes the need for greater clinical vigilance in distinguishing HPP from fibromyalgia,particularly when features such as chronic pain,premature tooth loss,and persistently low ALP are present.Gender biases in pain diagnosis further compound this problem,leading to gr-eater misdiagnosis rates among women and contributing to the erosion of trust in medical care.The psychiatric consequences of diagnostic delays are substantial,with affected individuals experiencing elevated rates of depression,anxiety,and emotional distress.Greater recognition of low ALP as a meaningful diagnostic clue may enhance diagnostic accuracy,improve patient outcomes,and reduce the psychological toll of misdiagnosis.
文摘BACKGROUND Over 150000 new diagnoses of colorectal cancer(CRC)are diagnosed yearly,and 1 in 5 patients have distant metastases on diagnosis.Previous estimates approximate that brain metastases(BM)occur in 0.6%to 3.2%of patients with CRC.AIM To describe the updated literature about the incidence and risk factors of BM in CRC as well as their treatment with surgery,chemotherapy,and radiation.METHODS We systematically searched the literature published between January 1,2010 and April 1,2025 in PubMed,Cochrane,Scopus,and EMBASE.All studies about BM from CRC were included.Studies only containing information about the treatment of primary CRC or primary brain tumors were not included.Articles were categorized and described as incidence,surgery,chemotherapy,or radiation to provide an overview of the state of research on BM from CRC.RESULTS Our primary search resulted in 1648 articles that were eventually screened to 147.These articles were analyzed to provide the state of current literature on incidence and risk factors of BM from CRC as well as how these metastases are treated with chemotherapy,radiation,and surgery.CONCLUSION Prognosis is influenced by tumor burden,performance status,and emerging molecular markers.Stereotactic radiotherapy and surgical resection provide favorable outcomes for select patients,whereas chemotherapy and immunotherapy remain areas of limited evidence.Continued research is needed to identify highrisk patients and optimize multidisciplinary treatment approaches.
文摘BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury can lead to long-term disability,but current imaging methods are limited in predicting outcomes.Rapid diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)has shown promise,yet its clinical utility remains underexplored.AIM To evaluate the potential applications of a short DTI sequence,incorporated into a cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)protocol,for characterizing a range of symptomatic spinal cord pathologies.We propose that cervical spine tractography can provide essential diagnostic information beyond what is currently available from conventional MRI.METHODS We utilized a quick DTI sequence to create tractography models of the cervical spinal cord in four patients with distinct pathologies of various etiologies:Cord contusion,metastasis,myelopathy,and multiple sclerosis.We used DSI Studio software for post-processing of tractography cases.Fiber tract findings for each pathology case were compared to five control cases from the same scanner by looking for individual differences in white matter tract integrity based on the fractional anisotropy(FA)and mean diffusivity(MD)of the regions of interest from controls.These correlated with clinical presentations and conventional MRI findings.RESULTS Control cases showed consistent and intact tract patterns with stable FA and MD values.In pathological cases,abnormalities in fiber orientation and tract continuity correlated with clinical symptoms and lesion locations.CONCLUSION The tractography models can provide additional information on white matter disruption that was not discernible on standard MRI sequences.However,its clinical use remains limited due to the need for specialized imaging protocols and complex post-processing,restricting its use to mostly academic settings.
文摘Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs),the most prevalent mesenchymal tumors,often have poor outcomes due to high recurrence rates.However,the specific risk factors for GISTs,particularly those concerning the innate immune-inflammatory response,remain poorly understood.This editorial highlights key prognostic factors that impact GIST progression and prognosis,while discussing the findings of a recent study that investigated the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory markers:systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophil/lym-phocyte ratio,platelet/lymphocyte ratio,and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio,on recurrence-free survival in GIST patients.This editorial examines strategies to enhance the clinical applicability of the nomogram developed in the study,ensuring its effectiveness for robust implementation.Future directions outlined in the editorial stress the importance of integrating molecular insights,including KIT and PDGFRA mutations,tumor staging,and mitotic rates to refine predictive models.The editorial also underscores the value of multi-center studies to enhance the generalizability and clinical relevance of these approaches.By bridging inflammatory biomarkers with genetic and clinicopathologic factors,a more comprehensive understanding of GIST pathophysiology can be developed,paving the way for improved management strategies and patient outcomes.This perspective serves as a call to action for continued research into the interplay between genetic mutations,inflammatory marker modulation,and GIST progression,aiming to expand the scope of personalized oncology through a deeper understanding of GIST progression.
文摘Solving the Dirac equation has played an important role in many areas of fundamental physics.In this work,we present the Dirac equation solver DiracSVT,which solves the Dirac equation with scalar,vector,and tensor nuclear potentials in spherical coordinate space.The shooting method was used with a Runge–Kutta 4 integration scheme.The potentials are parameterized in a Woods–Saxon form,which reproduce well the known single-particle states around all doubly magic nuclei and can be applied to study the shell evolution of exotic nuclei.The code can be easily extended to the study of other systems,including atomic,hadron,and molecular physics.
基金supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health(R35 GM144076 to R.A.B.).
文摘The euglenatides are a family of hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptides produced by the unicellular algae Euglena gracilis.These compounds have antiproliferative activity against fungal pathogensand mammalian cancer cell lines.Analysis of E.gracilis extracts revealed that the algae produce not only the euglenatides,but also a corresponding family of analogs that have the same molecular weights as the euglenatides,but are lacking the characteristic triene chromophore.In comparison to the euglenatides,the activity of these analogs is greatly reduced in a mammalian cytotoxicity assay,indicating that the triene is critical to the biological activity of the euglenatides.
文摘This manuscript comments on the article published in a recent issue of World Journal of Psychology.We emphasize the potential of combining Epirubicin(EPI)chemotherapy with mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs)to optimize cancer care for urinary system tumors.The long-term use EPI is associated with depression and in short-term has shown side effects such as fatigue,nausea,and occasional abdominal pain,which can impact patient adherence.MBIs address the psychological burdens,such as depression and anxiety,that accompany cancer treatment,enhancing emotional well-being,immune function,and treatment adherence.Integration of MBIs alongside EPI offers improved clinical outcomes by lowering stress and reducing side effects,ultimately supporting both psychological and physical recovery.This comprehensive care model can potentially promote long-term health and quality of life for cancer patients.
文摘Acute kidney injury(AKI)is common in patients with liver failure,and for a significant subset it is severe enough to require kidney replacement therapy(KRT).Patients with liver failure have distinct clinical characteristics(e.g.,cardiocirculatory dysfunction and a tendency to bleed)that mandate customization of their overall care including KRT.Herein,we provide an overview of AKI in liver failure,discuss the basic pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome,including the often-underemphasized role of the heart in its clinical manifestations,and the current therapies afforded to these patients.We also discuss the general aspects of KRT and how they apply to patients with liver failure(e.g.,preference for continuous renal replacement therapy and the need for regional,instead of systemic,anticoagulation).Moreover,we discuss hyperammonemia,an emerging non-renal indication of KRT in this patient population,and provide recommendations on how this therapy may be applied in this setting.
文摘Postpartum depression(PPD)is a severe mental health disorder affecting 10%to 15%of postpartum women worldwide.Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that has been identified as a significant factor for PPD due to its vascular dysfunction,systemic inflammation and neurobiological alterations.The neuroinflammatory mechanisms common to both pre-eclampsia and PPD,that contribute to depressive symptoms include elevated proinflammatory cytokines(interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-alpha),activation of the kynurenine pathway,and oxidative stress.To critically evaluate Wu et al's study,which investigates blood pressure variability(BPV)and gestational body mass index(BMI)as independent predictors of PPD.To integrate recent findings on the metabolic and cardiovascular links between depression,pre-eclampsia,and postpartum mental health outcomes.Pre-pregnancy BMI is found to be a stronger predictor of PPD than gestational weight gain.A vascular-neuropsychiatric connection has been indicated in pre-eclamptic women,indicating a significant correlation between BPV and depressive postpartum symptoms.There is increased susceptibility to depression due to neuroinflammation contributed by blood pressure fluctuations and metabolic dysregulation.The incidence of PPD could be reduced by early identification and intervention for BP fluctuations.Early detection and intervention in high-risk pregnancies should be conducted through public health strategies that prioritize awareness,education,and accessibility to mental health care.
文摘In this commentary,we respond to Zhao et al’s recent paper which focuses on mechanisms underlying insomnia sufferers’engagement with acupuncture.Insomnia,a prevalent condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep and poor sleep quality,is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease,diabetes,and psychiatric illness.Acupuncture,a method involving the therapeutic placement of needles,has been widely accepted as a treatment for insomnia with minimal side effects.In fact,clinical trials suggest auricular acupuncture may improve sleep duration more than cognitive behavioral therapy.However,responses to acupuncture vary.Some patients find it extremely beneficial,while others view it as a routine treatment—or avoid it altogether due to needle phobia.Patient engagement is influenced by cultural beliefs,encouragement,motivation,prior experiences,and recommendations from peers or clinicians.Trust in the physician and testimonials from recovered patients are particularly important facilitators.Looking ahead,a holistic approach-integrating acupuncture with meditation,pranayama,yoga,and other restorative practices-may enhance treatment effectiveness and help patients achieve restorative sleep.
