The Simulation of Stratospheric Water Vapor over the Asian Summer Monsoon Region in CESM1(WACCM) Models

Two successive bidirectional leaders propagated in triggered lightning channel

A stepped leader propagated along the previous return-stroke channel in triggered lightning. After the stepped leader decayed, the first bidirectional leader went through the process of initiation, propagation and dissipation. Then the second bidirectional leader initiated at the termination of the decayed first bidirectional leader and propagated toward the ground, generating the fourth return-stroke. The observations were synchronously performed through a high-speed camera and electromagnetic field measurements. The first bidirectional leader was characterized by similar average upward and downward velocities of 0.76 × 10⁶ m/s and 0.67 × 10⁶ m/s. The velocity of the upward positive leader of the first bidirectional leader was noticeably fluctuated, ranging 0.39 × 10⁶–1.78 × 10⁶ m/s. The second bidirectional leader was characterized by a sustainable propagating upward end with an average velocity of 1.82 × 10⁶ m/s. The velocity fluctuation trend of the upward end depends on the neutralization amount of the residual negative charge and the positive charge in UPL.

Modeling Current and Future Distribution of Epicauta Dejean (Meloinae, Epicautini) under Changing Climate Conditions in America

Epicauta Dejean is one of the largest genera within Meloidae, with approximately 400 species identified to date. In this work, I applied the maximum entropy algorithm (Maxent) to predict the current and future distribution of this genus in America. A total of 12,130 points and 19 bioclimatic variables were used to model its potential distribution area under current and future climate scenarios. Maxent showed high prediction performance, and 7 out of the 19 variables used were found to be the most influential on the current and future distribution of Epicauta. It also allowed to predict the distribution of Epicauta in geographical areas where different bioclimatic criteria are combined. These areas belong to several provinces of the Nearctic, Neotropical regions and the Mexican and South American transition zones. Maxent also revealed that in North America, the current and future potential distribution of Epicauta is located within 38°N 97°W, while in South America, it is further south, within 25°S 60°W. According to this, it can be concluded that its greatest diversity is circumscribed to temperate and semi-arid regions, and that the tropical habitats of middle America have apparently served as effective barriers to faunal exchange since the intercontinental connection that occurred four million years ago until now. The findings from the present study provide a theoretical basis to better understand the distribution patterns of Epicauta spp. under changing climate conditions.

The potential use of Drosophila as an in vivo model organism for COVID-19-related research: a review

The world urgently needs effective antiviral approaches against emerging viruses, as shown by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has become an exponentially growing health crisis. Scientists from diverse backgrounds have directed their efforts towards identifying key features of SARS-CoV-2 and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 infection. Reports of more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2 also raise concerns over the possibility of an explosive trajectory of the pandemic, so scientific attention should focus on developing new weapons to help win the fight against coronaviruses that may undergo further mutations in the future. Drosophila melanogaster offers a powerful and potential in vivo model that can significantly increase the efficiency of drug screening for viral and bacterial infections. Thanks to its genes with functional human homologs, Drosophila could play a significant role in such gene-editing studies geared towards designing vaccines and antiviral drugs for COVID-19. It can also help rectify current drawbacks of CRISPR-based therapeutics like off-target effects and delivery issues, representing another momentous step forward in healthcare. Here I present an overview of recent literature and the current state of knowledge, explaining how it can open up new avenues for Drosophila in our battle against infectious diseases.