We investigated the impact of forest fires on species richness and β-diversity of a zooplankton resting egg bank in a high-altitude temporary pond in the Neotropical region. We hypothesized that (i) species richness and (ii) total β-diversity (βtotal) would be higher before forest fires than during and after fire; (iii) βtotal would be driven by species replacement (βrepl) before and after fires; and (iv) during fires, βtotal would be mainly driven by richness differences (βrich). We used historical data from studies conducted in the same pond in 2014 and 2018 (i.e., before the fires), together with experimental hatching simulations during (2024) and after (2025) fire. Zooplankton species richness was higher before the fires. However, total β-diversity was highest during the fire period and was driven by richness differences, revealing a marked loss of species. Our findings indicate that forest fires acted as an environmental filter, reducing zooplankton viability and diversity and promoting species loss, thereby highlighting the negative effects of forest fire events and their implications for the future structure of communities. Predicted scenarios of increasing temperatures and higher fire frequency in tropical regions may modulate the establishment and selection of zooplankton species in temporary aquatic ecosystems.
To evaluate the interaction between body perception and body image satisfaction on dietary intake among Brazilian adolescents. Dietary intake was assessed based on the weekly frequency of consumption, classified as healthy (beans, fruits, and vegetables) or unhealthy (soft drinks, sweets, and meals eaten outside the home), and categorized as regular (≥ 5 days/week) or irregular (0–4 days/week). Body perception was grouped into three categories (very thin/thin, normal, and very overweight/overweight), and body satisfaction into two (satisfied and dissatisfied), both obtained through self-report. An interaction analysis was performed to estimate the associations between body perception, body satisfaction, and dietary intake. A total of 106,447 students were evaluated. In the interaction analysis, adolescents with normal body perception but dissatisfied with their image had higher odds of irregular consumption of healthy foods (OR = 1.4; 95
We study a class of nonlocal Kirchhoff-type problems involving the fractional p -Laplacian and critical Sobolev growth. The equation includes a Kirchhoff term M(t) = a + t^m , with a ≥ 0 and m > 0 , and is posed on a bounded domain with Lipschitz boundary. Using variational methods, Krasnoselskii’s genus theory, and a fractional concentration-compactness principle, we prove the existence of infinitely many weak solutions in both the non-degenerate ( a > 0 ) and degenerate ( a = 0 ) cases.
Studies have shown that geopolitical risk affects renewable energy production. However, existing indices do not capture the specific geopolitical tensions and uncertainties arising from conflicts between the two major economies of the current century. This study uses an index that captures U.S.-China geopolitical tensions (UCT) and analyzes its influence on renewable energy production. This is the first study to employ a GVAR model to examine the relationship between U.S.-China geopolitical tensions and renewable energy production at a global level. Using time series models from February 1999 to December 2022, the study finds that UCT shocks reduce renewable energy production, with effects lasting four months. Additionally, a higher Partisan Conflict Index (PCI) supports renewable energy production, while increased financial volatility (VIX) negatively impacts it. Variance decomposition reveals that renewable energy production is primarily influenced by financial volatility, followed by UCT and PCI. Cointegration analysis indicates that UCT and PCI are positively associated with renewable energy production, whereas Climate Policy Uncertainty (CPU) reduces it. These analyses focused primarily on the U.S., while an additional model was adopted to account for other countries. The GVAR model was employed to analyze spillover effects and regional differences, showing that UCT influences renewable energy production in other economies, highlighting spillover effects. Regional patterns emerged: CPU primarily impacts European countries, UCT affects Asian countries, and PCI influences the U.K., suggesting heterogeneities. These findings underscore that U.S.-China geopolitical tensions may negatively affect renewable energy production, emphasizing the need for governments to consider countervailing policies.
BACKGROUND:Flow diverters (FDs) are increasingly used off-label for distal cerebral aneurysms (DCAs), those located at or beyond the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) A2, middle cerebral artery M2, and posterior cerebral artery P2 segments. However, data on their safety and efficacy remain limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes current evidence on FD treatment for DCAs. METHODS:A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including studies with ≥5 patients reporting FD treatment of DCAs. Efficacy outcomes included adequate and complete aneurysm occlusion and retreatment rates. Safety outcomes included good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-2), procedure-related morbidity, mortality, complications, in-stent stenosis, and covered branch occlusion at follow-up. Pooled analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were conducted using a random-effects model. RESULTS:Eighteen studies (441 patients, 70% women; mean age: 57.2±13.6 years) with 445 DCAs were included. Most aneurysms were unruptured (93.7%) and located in the ACA territory (78.4%). Adequate and complete occlusion at last follow-up were 90% (95% CI, 86 to 95) and 79% (95% CI, 74 to 85), respectively. The retreatment rate was 1.6% (95% CI, 0.2 to 3). Good functional outcome was achieved in 97% (95% CI, 95 to 99). Procedure-related complications occurred in 9% (95% CI, 5 to 13), with morbidity and mortality of 1.5% and 0.6%, respectively. In-stent stenosis and covered branch occlusion rates were 3% (95% CI, 0 to 8) and 5.5% (95% CI, 2 to 9), respectively. CONCLUSION:FDs appear to be safe and effective for DCAs, with high occlusion rates and low retreatment and complication rates.
