Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) play a vital role in IoT-based healthcare, yet their dynamic conditions and resource constraints pose significant challenges to efficient data clustering and energy management. Traditional clustering methods, such as DBSCAN with static parameters, often fail to adapt to these challenges, leading to suboptimal network performance. WBANs networks face challenges such as a large number of nodes, limited energy resources, and diverse data types, which impact data clustering and energy optimization. This paper proposes a novel approach that enhances DBSCAN with a fuzzy system to dynamically optimize its parameters (Epsilon and MinPts) based on real-time inputs like node speed and RSSI. By adapting to varying network conditions, the proposed method achieves superior clustering accuracy, energy efficiency, and stability compared to conventional techniques. Simulations demonstrate significant improvements in network lifetime and cluster quality, making this approach a promising solution for real-time health monitoring in resource-constrained WBANs. For example, the proposed approach exhibits significant superiority in cluster stability, with improvements of 80% over Classical DBSCAN, 28.57% over PSO Clustering, 38.46% over LEACH, and 20% over PEGASIS.
- Keywords
- DBSCAN, Dynamic clustering, Fuzzy system, Internet of things, Wireless body area networks,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Urea stands as a vital industrial material with notable applications in energy and agriculture. However, the Haber-Bosch synthesis process, characterized by high energy consumption and emissions, poses significant challenges. Electrocatalytic C-N coupling offers a promising alternative but is constrained by the scarcity of efficient catalysts. In this work, Cr4/Ti2CO2 is emerged as an optimal candidate with a remarkable low overpotential of 0.29 V and a kinetic energy barrier of 0.40 eV. A comprehensive investigation into the influence of electrochemical potential on C-N coupling revealed that the d orbitals of active sites in different chemical environments within the clusters led to distinct hybridization mechanisms with the π* orbitals of adsorbed N2, which is defined as Mixed Cooperative Orbital Hybridization Mechanism. Specifically, the synergistic activation of the N≡N bond by the d(x2-y2) of top atom and the d-band center of bottom atoms determined the critical step C-N coupling energy barrier under electrode potential regulation. Additionally, Cr4/Ti2CO2 demonstrated optimal catalytic activity at a potential of 0.40 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) under acidic conditions (pH 0). These findings not only rationalize the design of an efficient electrocatalyst for urea synthesis but also elucidates the electronic mechanisms underlying potential-dependent catalytic activity.
- Keywords
- C–N coupling, cluster modified MXene, density functional theory, potential‐dependent catalytic activity, urea synthesis,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Annual killifishes of the genus Nothobranchius are widespread across East Africa, with a particularly high biodiversity in lowland Tanzania. While they are typically found in ephemeral pools, the pools vary greatly in size, connectivity and inundation patterns. It was previously suggested that main river channels formed significant barriers to Nothobranchius dispersal. Here, we study the distribution of genetic lineages in an equatorial part of their range where main river channels that may act as barriers occur and closely related lineages frequently coexist in secondary contact zones. We used single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) dataset from double-digest restriction site-associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to investigate how genetic diversity is structured in Nothobranchius species from the coastal lowlands of Tanzania. Our analyses resolved some uncertain phylogenetic relationships within the N. melanospilus and N. guentheri species groups and placed N. flammicomantis outside the Coastal clade. Rather than a shared intraspecific genetic diversity pattern across four coexisting and widely distributed species, we found highly diverse patterns of intra-specific genetic structure among N. eggersi, N. janpapi, N. melanospilus and N. ocellatus. Populations of Nothobranchius species from the humid coastal lowlands of Tanzania are therefore structured, but not constrained by barriers formed by river channels or by basins - in contrast to Nothobranchius species from the dry part of their distribution. Some of the genetic relationships determined call for a re-evaluation of taxonomic delimitations.
- Keywords
- Diversification, Freshwater fish, Gene flow, Phylogenomics, Population structure, Temporary pools,
- MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide MeSH
- Metagenomics MeSH
- Genetics, Population * MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Tanzania MeSH
Trees can differ enormously in their crown architectural traits, such as the scaling relationships between tree height, crown width and stem diameter. Yet despite the importance of crown architecture in shaping the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems, we lack a complete picture of what drives this incredible diversity in crown shapes. Using data from 374,888 globally distributed trees, we explore how climate, disturbance, competition, functional traits, and evolutionary history constrain the height and crown width scaling relationships of 1914 tree species. We find that variation in height-diameter scaling relationships is primarily controlled by water availability and light competition. Conversely, crown width is predominantly shaped by exposure to wind and fire, while also covarying with functional traits related to mechanical stability and photosynthesis. Additionally, we identify several plant lineages with highly distinctive stem and crown forms, such as the exceedingly slender dipterocarps of Southeast Asia, or the extremely wide crowns of legume trees in African savannas. Our study charts the global spectrum of tree crown architecture and pinpoints the processes that shape the 3D structure of woody ecosystems.
Modern humans arrived in Europe more than 45,000 years ago, overlapping at least 5,000 years with Neanderthals1-4. Limited genomic data from these early modern humans have shown that at least two genetically distinct groups inhabited Europe, represented by Zlatý kůň, Czechia3 and Bacho Kiro, Bulgaria2. Here we deepen our understanding of early modern humans by analysing one high-coverage genome and five low-coverage genomes from approximately 45,000-year-old remains from Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany4, and a further high-coverage genome from Zlatý kůň. We show that distant familial relationships link the Ranis and Zlatý kůň individuals and that they were part of the same small, isolated population that represents the deepest known split from the Out-of-Africa lineage. Ranis genomes harbour Neanderthal segments that originate from a single admixture event shared with all non-Africans that we date to approximately 45,000-49,000 years ago. This implies that ancestors of all non-Africans sequenced so far resided in a common population at this time, and further suggests that modern human remains older than 50,000 years from outside Africa represent different non-African populations.
- MeSH
- Biological Evolution * MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Human Genetics MeSH
- Genome, Human * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Neanderthals * genetics classification MeSH
- DNA, Ancient analysis MeSH
- Fossils MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
- Germany MeSH
- Names of Substances
- DNA, Ancient MeSH
Molecular dynamics simulations serve as a prevalent approach for investigating the dynamic behaviour of proteins and protein-ligand complexes. Due to its versatility and speed, GROMACS stands out as a commonly utilized software platform for executing molecular dynamics simulations. However, its effective utilization requires substantial expertise in configuring, executing, and interpreting molecular dynamics trajectories. Existing automation tools are constrained in their capability to conduct simulations for large sets of compounds with minimal user intervention, or in their ability to distribute simulations across multiple servers. To address these challenges, we developed a Python-based tool that streamlines all phases of molecular dynamics simulations, encompassing preparation, execution, and analysis. This tool minimizes the required knowledge for users engaging in molecular dynamics simulations and can efficiently operate across multiple servers within a network or a cluster. Notably, the tool not only automates trajectory simulation but also facilitates the computation of free binding energies for protein-ligand complexes and generates interaction fingerprints across the trajectory. Our study demonstrated the applicability of this tool on several benchmark datasets. Additionally, we provided recommendations for end-users to effectively utilize the tool.Scientific contributionThe developed tool, StreaMD, is applicable to different systems (proteins, ligands and their complexes including co-factors) and requires a little user knowledge to setup and run molecular dynamics simulations. Other features of StreaMD are seamless integration with calculation of MM-GBSA/PBSA binding free energies and protein-ligand interaction fingerprints, and running of simulations within distributed environments. All these will facilitate routine and massive molecular dynamics simulations.
- Keywords
- Distributed simulations, GROMACS, High-throughput molecular dynamics, Molecular dynamics,
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
With ongoing global warming, increasing water deficits promote physiological stress on forest ecosystems with negative impacts on tree growth, vitality, and survival. How individual tree species will react to increased drought stress is therefore a key research question to address for carbon accounting and the development of climate change mitigation strategies. Recent tree-ring studies have shown that trees at higher latitudes will benefit from warmer temperatures, yet this is likely highly species-dependent and less well-known for more temperate tree species. Using a unique pan-European tree-ring network of 26,430 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees from 2118 sites, we applied a linear mixed-effects modeling framework to (i) explain variation in climate-dependent growth and (ii) project growth for the near future (2021-2050) across the entire distribution of beech. We modeled the spatial pattern of radial growth responses to annually varying climate as a function of mean climate conditions (mean annual temperature, mean annual climatic water balance, and continentality). Over the calibration period (1952-2011), the model yielded high regional explanatory power (R2 = 0.38-0.72). Considering a moderate climate change scenario (CMIP6 SSP2-4.5), beech growth is projected to decrease in the future across most of its distribution range. In particular, projected growth decreases by 12%-18% (interquartile range) in northwestern Central Europe and by 11%-21% in the Mediterranean region. In contrast, climate-driven growth increases are limited to around 13% of the current occurrence, where the historical mean annual temperature was below ~6°C. More specifically, the model predicts a 3%-24% growth increase in the high-elevation clusters of the Alps and Carpathian Arc. Notably, we find little potential for future growth increases (-10 to +2%) at the poleward leading edge in southern Scandinavia. Because in this region beech growth is found to be primarily water-limited, a northward shift in its distributional range will be constrained by water availability.
- Keywords
- Fagus sylvatica, climate change, climate sensitivity, drought, growth projection, leading edge, trailing edge, tree rings,
- MeSH
- Fagus * growth & development physiology MeSH
- Climate Change * MeSH
- Forests MeSH
- Droughts MeSH
- Temperature MeSH
- Water metabolism MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Water MeSH
We use community phylogenetics to elucidate the community assembly mechanisms for Geometridae moths (Lepidoptera) collected along a complete rainforest elevational gradient (200-3700 m a.s.l) on Mount Wilhelm in Papua New Guinea. A constrained phylogeny based on COI barcodes for 604 species was used to analyse 1390 species x elevation occurrences at eight elevational sites separated by 500 m elevation increments. We obtained Nearest Relatedness Index (NRI), Nearest Taxon Index (NTI) and Standardised Effect Size of Faith's Phylogenetic Diversity (SES.PD) and regressed these on temperature, plant species richness and predator abundance as key abiotic and biotic predictors. We also quantified beta diversity in the moth communities between elevations using the Phylogenetic Sorensen index. Overall, geometrid communities exhibited phylogenetic clustering, suggesting environmental filters, particularly at higher elevations at and above 2200 m a.s.l and no evidence of overdispersion. NRI, NTI and SES.PD showed no consistent trends with elevation or the studied biotic and abiotic variables. Change in community structure was driven by turnover of phylogenetic beta-diversity, except for the highest 2700-3200 m elevations, which were characterised by nested subsets of lower elevation communities. Overall, the elevational signal of geometrid phylogeny was weak-moderate. Additional insect community phylogeny studies are needed to understand this pattern.
- MeSH
- Biodiversity * MeSH
- Rainforest * MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Moths * genetics physiology classification MeSH
- Altitude * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Papua New Guinea MeSH
Mammalian genes were long thought to be constrained within somatic cells in most cell types. This concept was challenged recently when cellular organelles including mitochondria were shown to move between mammalian cells in culture via cytoplasmic bridges. Recent research in animals indicates transfer of mitochondria in cancer and during lung injury in vivo, with considerable functional consequences. Since these pioneering discoveries, many studies have confirmed horizontal mitochondrial transfer (HMT) in vivo, and its functional characteristics and consequences have been described. Additional support for this phenomenon has come from phylogenetic studies. Apparently, mitochondrial trafficking between cells occurs more frequently than previously thought and contributes to diverse processes including bioenergetic crosstalk and homeostasis, disease treatment and recovery, and development of resistance to cancer therapy. Here we highlight current knowledge of HMT between cells, focusing primarily on in vivo systems, and contend that this process is not only (patho)physiologically relevant, but also can be exploited for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
- MeSH
- Energy Metabolism MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Mitochondria * metabolism MeSH
- Neoplasms * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Mammals MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Comment MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Genome size varies 2400-fold across plants, influencing their evolution through changes in cell size and cell division rates which impact plants' environmental stress tolerance. Repetitive element expansion explains much genome size diversity, and the processes structuring repeat 'communities' are analogous to those structuring ecological communities. However, which environmental stressors influence repeat community dynamics has not yet been examined from an ecological perspective. We measured genome size and leveraged climatic data for 91% of genera within the ecologically diverse palm family (Arecaceae). We then generated genomic repeat profiles for 141 palm species, and analysed repeats using phylogenetically informed linear models to explore relationships between repeat dynamics and environmental factors. We show that palm genome size and repeat 'community' composition are best explained by aridity. Specifically, Ty3-gypsy and TIR elements were more abundant in palm species from wetter environments, which generally had larger genomes, suggesting amplification. By contrast, Ty1-copia and LINE elements were more abundant in drier environments. Our results suggest that water stress inhibits repeat expansion through selection on upper genome size limits. However, elements that may associate with stress-response genes (e.g. Ty1-copia) have amplified in arid-adapted palm species. Overall, we provide novel evidence of climate influencing the assembly of repeat 'communities'.
- Keywords
- Arecaceae (palms), adaptation, ecology, genome size, phylogenetic regression, plant evolution, trait evolution, transposable elements,
- MeSH
- Arecaceae * genetics MeSH
- Genome Size MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genome, Plant MeSH
- Evolution, Molecular MeSH
- Retroelements * MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Retroelements * MeSH
