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Parental knowledge is often the result of parents soliciting information from their child and their child's disclosure of that information. Although child disclosure is most closely (and negatively) associated with behavior problems in adolescence, it is not yet known whether this is also the case in childhood. The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal associations between child disclosure, parental solicitation, and behavior problems in Grades 1 to 4 in a Canadian sample, taking into account intra-individual stability, the child's gender, and socioeconomic status. The mothers and teachers of 911 children (62.7% boys) completed questionnaires in Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) showed that behavior problems in Grade 2 predicted an increase in parental solicitation in Grade 3. In contrast, behavior problems in Grade 3 predicted a decrease in parental solicitation in Grade 4. No cross-lagged association with child disclosure was observed. Although these results differ from those reported in adolescence, they suggest that middle childhood is a sensitive period for parent–child communication and behavior problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first political casualties of crises are often opposition parties. In such times, there is a tendency to rally around leadership and value collective solidarity above all partisan considerations. We use data from parliamentary speeches, media interventions, and a series of interviews with key Quebec provincial parliamentarians to test whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the strategies of opposition critics in the context of a Westminster system. Focusing on the Quebec Legislative Assembly – but hoping to shed light on other comparable contexts – we observe a shift from critical toward rather propositional interventions, especially during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, while there does not seem to be a differentiated strategy between the parliamentary and media interventions of opposition critics. Finally, if the reduction in personal attacks we expected is supported by the analysis of media interventions, this pattern diverges in parliament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate whether Regional Climate Models (RCM)-simulations and their driving dataset (ERA-Interim) can reproduce the spatial pattern of the temporal correlation between the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and four Climate Extreme Indices –CDD, CWD, Rx1, and Rx5– over Mexico from 1980 to 2012. First the ERA-Interim dataset’s ability to reproduce the PDO index time series were assessed. Next, both ERA-Interim and four ERA-Interin-driven RCM simulations (CRCM5-0.22, CRCM5-0.44, RCA4-0.5, and RegCM4-7-0.25) were evaluated for their representation of the average monthly accumulated precipitation and the seasonal spatial patterns of the climate extreme indices. Finally, the study assessed how well ERA-Interim and RCM simulations reproduced the spatial pattern of the temporal correlation between the PDO and climate extreme indices. The findings indicate that ERA-Interim effectively reproduces the PDO. Both ERA-Interim and RCM simulations capture the main features of monthly accumulated precipitation, although some overestimation occurs in summer and spring. The CRCM5 and RCA simulations perform better in reproducing the seasonal spatial patterns of the climate extreme indices. Spatial correlation patterns, with statistical significance, were found during the two driest seasons in Mexico, winter and spring, and mainly relate to moisture conditions in the north-west part of the country (spring) and in the northern central part of the country (winter). Given the location of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain range, the spring moisture conditions could also be associated with orography. The ERA-Interim dataset as well as the two CRCM5 simulations generally perform best at reproducing the observed correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between ENSO and precipitation patterns has been extensively studied. However, whether RCM simulations and their driving data can reproduce this link remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the ability of ERA-Interim-driven RCM simulations to replicate the spatial patterns of the temporal correlation between ENSO and Climate Extreme Indices (CEI) -CDD, CWD, Rx1, and Rx5- over Mexico from 1980 to 2012. First, the accuracy of ENSO reproduction with ERA-Interim was assessed. Second, RCM simulations’ performance in reproducing the CEIs was evaluated. Finally, the replication of the spatial pattern of temporal correlation between ENSO and CEIs and its statistical significance were analyzed. The findings reveal that ERA-Interim can accurately reproduce the ENSO index. Both ERA-Interim and the simulations are capable of replicating CEIs spatial representation throughout the study period, although they tend to overestimate the maximum and minimum values. Both ERA-Interim and the simulations reproduce the observed humidity conditions in Mexico, characterized by a dry north and wet south. Among the CRCM5 simulations, the 0.22 resolution shows the best agreement with the CDD and CWD indices, while the 0.44 resolution aligns best with the Rx1 and Rx5 indices. Moreover, ERA-Interim and RCA4 simulation show better agreement in reproducing the correlation of ENSO calculated with ERA-Interim and CDD, while the CRCM5 0.22 simulation shows this for CWD. The seasonal CEIs correlation with ENSO was best represented by both CRCM5 simulations for summer in the CDD and CWD indices, whereas just the RegCM4-7 simulation was unable to reproduce this link in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work studied the influence of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract (AE) on growth, digestive enzymes, mucus immune status, liver antioxidant capacity, and health in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). For that, Nile tilapia was allocated into four groups and fed for 56 days on 0 (group T0), 100 (group T1), 150 (group T2), and 200 (group T3) mg of AE/kg feed. After the growth trial, fish were exposed to a heat stress challenge (over heat) and immune response, antioxidant enzymes, and stress factors which were measured pre and post-heat stress. Growth, feed efficiency, and protease, trypsin, and amylase activities significantly increased in fish fed the AE-supplemented diets. All measured mucus immune- (excepting alternative complement activity, ACH50) and liver antioxidant- and health-related enzymes and stress factors were negatively affected by the heat stress challenge. Dietary AE supplementation led to an increase in mucus total immunoglobulin, lysozyme, and ACH50 before and after heat stress. Independently of the heat stress, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities increased in fish fed diets T2 and T3, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased. Liver alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, glucose, and cortisol content were decreased in fish fed AE-supplemented diets, both before and after heat stress. A significant interaction between diets and heat stress was observed only in mucus lysozyme, liver MDA, GPx, and AST. Prior to being subjected to heat stress, the expression of IL-1b, lysozyme, GPx, and CAT exhibited significant upregulation compared to the fish fed control diet (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of AE in tilapia diets has the ability to boost growth performance, digestive and antioxidant enzymes activity, immune status, hepatic function, and mitigate stress in tissue prior and post-exposure to heat stress, and it can add to fish diet to achieve aquaculture sustainability and fish well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host manipulation mechanisms remain poorly understood. We summarize recent studies using -omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics) to explore alteration in gene expression in hosts infected by manipulative parasites. To guide future research, we highlight the common pattern of neuromodulation, as well as other diverse combinations of functions targeted across different host manipulation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Parasites have a rich and long natural history among biological entities, and it has been suggested that parasites are one of the most significant factors in the evolution of their hosts. However, it has been emphasized less frequently how co‐evolution has undoubtedly also shaped the paths of parasites. It may seem safe to assume that specific differences among the array of potential hosts for particular parasites have restricted and diversified their evolutionary pathways and strategies for survival. Nevertheless, if one looks closely enough at host and parasite, one finds commonalities, both in terms of host defences and parasite strategies to out‐manoeuvre them. While such analyses have been the source of numerous reviews, they are generally limited to interactions between, at most, one kingdom of parasite with two kingdoms of host (e.g. similarities in animal and plant host responses against fungi). With the aim of extending this view, we herein critically evaluate the similarities and differences across all four eukaryotic host kingdoms (plants, animals, fungi, and protists) and their parasites. In doing so, we show that hosts tend to share common strategies for defence, including both physical and behavioural barriers, and highly evolved immune responses, in particular innate immunity. Parasites have, similarly, evolved convergent strategies to counter these defences, including mechanisms of active penetration, and evading the host's innate and/or adaptive immune responses. Moreover, just as hosts have evolved behaviours to avoid parasites, many parasites have adaptations to manipulate host phenotype, physiologically, reproductively, and in terms of behaviour. Many of these strategies overlap in the host and parasite, even across wide phylogenetic expanses. That said, specific differences in host physiology and immune responses often necessitate different adaptations for parasites exploiting fundamentally different hosts. Taken together, this review facilitates hypothesis‐driven investigations of parasite–host interactions that transcend the traditional kingdom‐based research fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Parasitic infections can impact the hosts' microbiomes and may interact with the evolution of hosts and parasites. • We assessed the effect of acanthocephalans and cestodes on the bacterial communities of a single amphipod species. • Parasitic infections more strongly affected the amphipods' bacterial communities than other microbiome-modulating factors. • While cestodes had a smaller microbiota impact, acanthocephalans reduced bacterial diversity and abundance in amphipods. • Some bacteria were detected in all infected amphipods, and may be relevant to the evolution of host-parasite interactions. The fast technological advances of molecular tools have enabled us to uncover a new dimension hidden within parasites and their hosts: their microbiomes. Increasingly, parasitologists characterise host microbiome changes in the face of parasitic infections, revealing the potential of these microscopic fast-evolving entities to influence host-parasite interactions. However, most of the changes in host microbiomes seem to depend on the host and parasite species in question. Furthermore, we should understand the relative role of parasitic infections as microbiome modulators when compared with other microbiome-impacting factors (e.g., host size, age, sex). Here, we characterised the microbiome of a single intermediate host species infected by two parasites belonging to different phyla: the acanthocephalan Plagiorhynchus allisonae and a dilepidid cestode, both infecting Transorchestia serrulata amphipods collected simultaneously from the same locality. We used the v4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA prokaryotic gene to identify the hemolymph bacterial community of uninfected, acanthocephalan-infected, and cestode-infected amphipods, as well as the bacteria in the amphipods' immediate environment and in the parasites infecting them. Our results show that parasitic infections were more strongly associated with differences in host bacterial community richness than amphipod size, presence of amphipod eggs in female amphipods, and even parasite load. Amphipods infected by acanthocephalans had the most divergent bacterial community, with a marked decrease in alpha diversity compared with cestode-infected and uninfected hosts. In accordance with the species-specific nature of microbiome changes in parasitic infections, we found unique microbial taxa associating with hosts infected by each parasite species, as well as taxa only shared between a parasite species and their infected hosts. However, there were some bacterial taxa detected in all parasitised amphipods (regardless of the parasite species), but not in uninfected amphipods or the environment. We propose that shared bacteria associated with all hosts parasitised by distantly related helminths may be important either in helping host defences or parasites' success, and could thus interact with host-parasite evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anthropocene is seeing the human footprint rapidly spreading to all of Earth's ecosystems. The fast‐changing biotic and abiotic conditions experienced by all organisms are exerting new and strong selective pressures, and there is a growing list of examples of human‐induced evolution in response to anthropogenic impacts. No organism is exempt from these novel selective pressures. Here, we synthesise current knowledge on human‐induced evolution in eukaryotic parasites of animals, and present a multidisciplinary framework for its study and monitoring. Parasites generally have short generation times and huge fecundity, features that predispose them for rapid evolution. We begin by reviewing evidence that parasites often have substantial standing genetic variation, and examples of their rapid evolution both under conditions of livestock production and in serial passage experiments. We then present a two‐step conceptual overview of the causal chain linking anthropogenic impacts to parasite evolution. First, we review the major anthropogenic factors impacting parasites, and identify the selective pressures they exert on parasites through increased mortality of either infective stages or adult parasites, or through changes in host density, quality or immunity. Second, we discuss what new phenotypic traits are likely to be favoured by the new selective pressures resulting from altered parasite mortality or host changes; we focus mostly on parasite virulence and basic life‐history traits, as these most directly influence the transmission success of parasites and the pathology they induce. To illustrate the kinds of evolutionary changes in parasites anticipated in the Anthropocene, we present a few scenarios, either already documented or hypothetical but plausible, involving parasite taxa in livestock, aquaculture and natural systems. Finally, we offer several approaches for investigations and real‐time monitoring of rapid, human‐induced evolution in parasites, ranging from controlled experiments to the use of state‐of‐the‐art genomic tools. The implications of fast‐evolving parasites in the Anthropocene for disease emergence and the dynamics of infections in domestic animals and wildlife are concerning. Broader recognition that it is not only the conditions for parasite transmission that are changing, but the parasites themselves, is needed to meet better the challenges ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of scientific knowledge and the diversification of research directions over time show striking similarities with the evolutionary history of living organisms. The rise and fall of subdisciplines within ecological and evolutionary parasitology capture the temporal changes in their respective success, with some subdisciplines appearing headed toward extinction. Relationships among subdisciplines within ecological and evolutionary parasitology can be mapped as a phylogenetic tree, illustrating the branching diversification of the field in the past few decades. The historical analysis of the growth of research in this broad area of parasitology leads to reflections about its future, and how the past can inform choices of optimal strategies for the continued expansion of our knowledge. The growth of scientific knowledge is often likened to the evolution and diversification of life: new disciplines branch off older ones, and subsequently prosper or decline in a manner reminiscent of the expansion or extinction of diverse lineages of organisms. Based on a parallel between evolutionary diversification and knowledge growth, I examine the expansion of subdisciplines within 'ecological and evolutionary parasitology'. Bibliometric data are used to map the rise and fall of subdisciplines over time, capturing historical trends over the past several decades. This historical overview is followed by a critical consideration of its practical applications for decision-making, ranging from rational funding allocation among subdisciplines to whether the collective planning of future research directions is a desirable option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let (X,\tau) be a Polish space with Borel probability measure \mu, and G a locally finite one-ended Borel graph on X. We show that G admits a Borel one-ended spanning tree generically. If G is induced by a free Borel action of an amenable (resp., polynomial growth) group then we show the same result \mu-a.e. (resp., everywhere). Our results generalize recent work of Timár, as well as of Conley, Gaboriau, Marks, and Tucker-Drob, who proved this in the probability measure preserving setting. We apply our theorem to find Borel orientations in even-degree graphs and measurable and Baire measurable perfect matchings in regular bipartite graphs, refining theorems that were previously only known to hold for measure preserving graphs. In particular, we prove that bipartite one-ended d-regular Borel graphs admit Baire measurable perfect matchings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenovirus (HAdV)-based oncolytic vectors, which are designed to preferentially replicate in and kill cancer cells, have shown modest efficacy in human clinical trials in part due to poor viral distribution throughout the tumor mass. Previously, we showed that expression of the p14 fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) fusogenic protein could enhance oncolytic HAdV efficacy and reduce tumor growth rate in a human xenograft mouse model of cancer. We now explore whether co-expression of the adenovirus death protein (ADP) with p14 FAST protein could synergize to further enhance oncolytic vector efficacy. ADP is naturally encoded within the early region 3 (E3) of HAdV, a region which is frequently removed from HAdV-based vectors, and functions to enhance cell lysis and progeny release. We evaluated a variety of approaches to achieve optimal expression of the two proteins, the most efficient method being insertion of an expression cassette within the E3 deletion, consisting of the coding sequences for p14 FAST protein and ADP separated by a self-cleaving peptide derived from the porcine teschovirus-1 (P2A). However, the quantities of p14 FAST protein and ADP produced from this vector were reduced approximately 10-fold compared to a similar vector-expressing only p14 FAST protein and wildtype HAdV, respectively. Compared to our original oncolytic vector-expressing p14 FAST protein alone, reduced expression of p14 FAST protein and ADP from the P2A construct reduced cell-cell fusion, vector spread, and cell-killing activity in human A549 adenocarcinoma cells in culture. These studies show that a self-cleaving peptide can be used to express two different transgenes in an armed oncolytic HAdV vector, but also highlight the challenges in maintaining adequate transgene expression when modifying vector design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of burnout and poor mental health are at all-time highs among working U.S. adults. Simultaneously, failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is among the top characteristics of an unhealthy work culture and has contributed to high rates of employee attrition. Though many organizations across multiple sectors have made pledges to prioritize employee health and invest in DEI in recent years, few have explicitly addressed these two issues as interconnected. The link between the workplace as a determinant of mental and physical health is well-established. Several studies demonstrate that experiencing discrimination in the workplace is associated with detrimental physical and mental health outcomes. Additionally, the way work is structured directly and indirectly contributes to employee health inequities. In this commentary, we make the connection between employee health and organizational DEI and propose guiding principles to synchronize DEI and employee health initiatives in the workplace. These include: investing in DEI as a cornerstone for developing a healthy workforce for all; recognizing differences in employee experiences, needs, and their connection to health; prioritizing systemic approaches to promote employee health and organizational DEI. Embedding employee health and DEI efforts into broader organizational strategy is a crucial step towards fostering equitable practices that promote inclusive work environments and positive employee well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constraints on phenotypic evolution can lead to patterns of convergent evolution, by limiting the "pool" of potential phenotypes in the face of endogenous (functional, developmental) or exogenous (competition, predation) selective pressures. Evaluation of convergence depends on integrating ecological and morphological data within a robust, comparative phylogenetic context. The staggering diversity of teleost fishes offers a multitude of lineages adapted for similar ecological roles and, therefore, offers numerous replicated evolutionary experiments for exploring phenotypic convergence. However, our understanding of fish feeding systems has been primarily shaped by marine species, with the monolithic exception of freshwater cichlids. Here we use piranhas and pacus (Serrasalmidae) to explore the evolution of different feeding ecologies and their morphological proxies in Neotropical freshwater environments. Specifically, we explore whether convergence is more widespread among plant-eating fishes, arising from strong constraints on phenotypic evolution in herbivores. Using osteological micro-computed tomographic imaging (μCT), we describe the major axes of morphological variation in pacus and piranhas, regarding their diet and feeding behaviors. Next, we evaluated whether herbivorous niches are less labile than other dietary guilds and whether herbivorous species' phenotypes evolve at a slower evolutionary rate than other taxa. We then assess how convergent herbivorous taxa are, using three different suites of morphological characters (dental, jaw, and abdominal morphometrics). Ecologically, herbivory is not a dead end, exhibiting similar observed transition rates as those between carnivores and omnivores. However, we documented widespread convergence in herbivores and that herbivores have slower rates of phenotypic evolution than carnivores. Most instances of convergence are found in herbivorous taxa, specifically in frugivores and folivores. Moreover, instances of "complete" convergence, indicated by positive convergence metrics observed in more than one morphometric dataset, were only found in herbivores. Herbivores do appear to evolve under constrained circumstances, but this has not limited their ecological ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothetical and experimental models of unbound fraction have been proposed to facilitate predicting the hepatic clearance (CL H) of drugs from values of intrinsic clearance for the unbound drug (CL int-in vitro-unbound) and the well-stirred model (WSM). The hypothetical model (fu -adjusted) is adjusting the unbound fractions determined in plasma in vitro to estimate the maximum unbound fractions at the hepatocytes if each drug-protein complex in plasma becomes fully dissociated at the membrane by any albumin (ALB)-facilitated hepatic uptake mechanism. The model of fu -adjusted is also adjusting the unbound fraction for a pH gradient effect across the membrane. Alternatively, the new experimental model (fu -dynamic) measures the unbound fractions resulting to the dynamic dissociation kinetics from proteins in the presence of plasma and a liver enzyme in an in vitro assay. The objective of this study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of previous CL H predictions made with these unbound fractions in a companion manuscript. Furthermore, a new dataset on transporter substrates was also included in this study. Finally, the physiological basis of fu -adjusted has been redefined to extend its applicability with more drugs. In this case, there are lower concentrations of binding proteins in liver versus plasma that could also explain the higher unbound fractions for that organ. The outcomes associated to additional analyses pointed out that fu -adjusted , again, generally provided the most accurate predictions of CL H because fu -dynamic has generated superior biases of underpredictions or overpredictions. For slowly metabolized drugs bound to ALB, fu -dynamic was definitively less accurate than fu -adjusted. For other drug properties, fu -dynamic fared better but it was still not generally more accurate than fu -adjusted. Furthermore, experimental values of fu -dynamic were sometimes incoherent. For example, drugs bound to alpha-acid glycoprotein (AGP) did not follow the principle of fu -dynamic (i.e. , values of fu -dynamic did not correlate with values of CL int-in vitro-unbound) by contrast to those drugs bound to ALB. Therefore, the current experimental setting for fu -dynamic might be unsuitable in some circumstances. Overall, this study confirmed that calculated values of fu -adjusted were as accurate as experimental values of fu -dynamic and can even be more accurate. A guidance on which unbound fraction to use in the WSM is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social animals make behavioural decisions based on local habitat and conspecifics, as well as memorized past experience (i.e. 'familiarity') with habitat and conspecifics. Here, we develop a conceptual and empirical understanding of how spatial and social familiarity fit within the spatial–social interface—a novel framework integrating the spatial and social components of animal behaviour. We conducted a multi-scale analysis of the movements of GPS-collared plains bison (Bison bison, n = 66) residing in and around Yellowstone National Park, USA. We found that both spatial and social familiarity mediate how individuals respond to their spatial and social environments. For instance, individuals with high spatial familiarity rely on their own knowledge as opposed to their conspecifics, and individuals with high social familiarity rely more strongly on the movement of conspecifics to guide their own movement. We also found that fine-scale spatial and social phenotypes often scale up to broad-scale phenotypes. For instance, bison that select more strongly to align with their nearest neighbour have larger home ranges. By integrating spatial and social familiarity into the spatial–social interface, we demonstrate the utility of the interface for testing hypotheses, while also highlighting the pervasive importance of cognitive mechanisms in animal behaviour. This article is part of the theme issue 'The spatial–social interface: a theoretical and empirical integration'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social dimension of interactive products covers all aspects of our relationships with others that are impacted by owning and using such products. Although social features are making their way into a growing number of interactive products, there is a lack of an evaluation tool to capture the social dimension of the user experience (UX). This study addressed this shortcoming by developing and validating new social scales based on the UEQ + framework. We developed four social scales to encompass various aspects within the social dimension. For scale development, 229 participants rated their UX with products having social aspects. Exploratory factor analysis allowed us to identify four sub-dimensions (Identification, Social interaction, Social stimulation, and Social acceptance), each evaluated with four items. For scale validation, 450 participants evaluated the UX of three product categories, using the new social scales, AttrakDiff, and the six UX dimensions of UEQ+. Results of MANOVA showed that the social scales discriminated the three categories (F (8, 560) = 20.68, p < 0.001, Pillai's trace = 0.456). The four social scales developed in this study can be combined with other UX dimensions of the UEQ + modular framework to provide a comprehensive overview of user interaction with products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two key epidemiological parameters, prevalence and mean intensity of infection, together capture the abundance of macroparasite populations, the strength of density-dependent effects they experience, their potential impact on host population dynamics and the selective pressures they exert on their hosts. Yet, the drivers of the extensive variation observed in prevalence and mean intensity of infection, even among related parasite taxa infecting related hosts, remain mostly unknown. We performed phylogenetically grounded Bayesian modelling across hundreds of amphibian populations to test the effects of various predictors of prevalence and intensity of infection by six families of helminth parasites. We focused on the potential effects of key host traits and environmental factors pertinent to focal host populations, i.e. the local diversity of the amphibian community and local climatic variables. Our analyses revealed several important determinants of prevalence or intensity of infection in various parasite families, but none applying to all families. Our study uncovered no universal driver of parasite infection levels, even among parasite taxa from the same phylum, or with similar life cycles and transmission modes. Although local variables not considered here may have effects extending across taxa, our findings suggest the need for a taxon-specific approach in any attempt to predict disease dynamics and impacts in the face of environmental and climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global illumination computation in real time has been an objective for Computer Graphics since its inception. Unfortunately, its implementation has challenged up to now the most advanced hardware and software solutions. We propose a real‐time voxel‐based global illumination solution for a single light bounce that handles static and dynamic objects with diffuse materials under a dynamic light source. The combination of ray tracing and voxelization on the GPU offers scalability and performance. Our divide‐and‐win approach, which ray traces separately static and dynamic objects, reduces the re‐computation load with updates of any number of dynamic objects. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, allowing the real‐time display of global illumination effects, including colour bleeding and indirect shadows, for complex scenes containing millions of polygons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasite infections are increasingly reported to change the microbiome of the parasitized hosts, while parasites bring their own microbes to what can be a multi-dimensional interaction. For instance, a recent hypothesis suggests that the microbial communities harboured by parasites may play a role in the well-documented ability of many parasites to manipulate host phenotype, and explain why the degree to which host phenotype is altered varies among conspecific parasites. Here, we explored whether the microbiomes of both hosts and parasites are associated with variation in host manipulation by parasites. Using colour quantification methods applied to digital images, we investigated colour variation among uninfected Transorchestia serrulata amphipods, as well as amphipods infected with Plagiorhynchus allisonae acanthocephalans and with a dilepidid cestode. We then characterized the bacteriota of amphipod hosts and of their parasites, looking for correlations between host phenotype and the bacterial taxa associated with hosts and parasites. We found large variation in amphipod colours, and weak support for a direct impact of parasites on the colour of their hosts. Conversely, and most interestingly, the parasite's bacteriota was more strongly correlated with colour variation among their amphipod hosts, with potential impact of amphipod-associated bacteria as well. Some bacterial taxa found associated with amphipods and parasites may have the ability to synthesize pigments, and we propose they may interact with colour determination in the amphipods. This study provides correlational support for an association between the parasite's microbiome and the evolution of host manipulation by parasites and host–parasite interactions more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the social clock and statistical norms, a transition into sexual activity after age 18 years is considered late. This longitudinal study examines whether late sexual transition is related to delays in the achievement of developmental tasks and lower psychological well-being in emerging adulthood for heterosexual individuals. A sample of 300 participants (61.3% women) was assessed annually from age 15 to 22 years and again at age 25, of which 43 reported sexual intercourse at age 19 or older or remained virgins in emerging adulthood. Results indicate that late sexual transition, particularly for men, is prospectively associated with still being at school, working fewer hours per week, being single and having no kids at age 25. It is also positively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, lower self-esteem, and lower happiness. This study enriches the understanding of slower developmental trajectories and the associations between late sexual transition and subsequent trajectories in emerging adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With touchscreens being installed in aircraft flight decks, reach-and-turbulence-related challenges arise. Using the ISO 9241-411 multidirectional selection task (a 2D Fitts' task), we quantified the impact of vibration on touchscreen target selection throughput (a performance score combining both speed and accuracy) and error rate in a cockpit layout. 24 participants completed the task under 2 vibration levels (helicopter level flight versus static), 2 hand support methods (using the thumb, while holding onto the screen's edge, versus using the index finger freehand), 4 touchscreen types (two avionic and two consumer touchscreens), 2 touchscreen positions (main instrument panel versus pedestal), and 4 target sizes (0.8, 1, 1.5 and 2 cm). We found average throughput values of 6.5 bits per second (bps) in static conditions, versus 5.7 bps under vibration, and average error rates of 10.3% in static conditions, versus 16.6% under vibration. Similar to prior work, we found an exponential increase in error rate with decreasing target size. Larger target sizes helped mitigate the impact of vibration. We did not find evidence of a benefit to anchoring the hand on the touchscreen's bezel edge, compared to the freehand baseline, under vibration or static conditions. Under vibration, the pedestal outperformed the main instrument panel position, with higher throughput and lower error rate. In static conditions, the two positions performed similarly. This work contributes to vibration mitigation methods when interacting with touchscreens in the aviation context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To obtain a better understanding of the factors which complicate or facilitate the adjustment of caregivers after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in older adults. Research Method: At 4, 8, and 12 months post-TBI (mild to severe), 65 caregivers answered two open-ended questions regarding facilitators and challenges linked to the injury of their loved one. A thematic analysis was performed. Results: Participants mentioned almost as many facilitators as challenges at each time point. Among the facilitators, we found the following themes: receiving social support, having access to rehabilitation, improvement of the injured loved one's health condition, returning to live at home, having access to home services, feeling useful, effective communication, and having time for oneself. The challenges identified were: health issues in the injured loved one, psychological impact on the caregiver, assuming a new role, relationship strain, and decrease in activities and outings. Conclusions: During the first year following TBI in older adults, caregivers were able to identify several facilitators despite the presence of challenging factors, suggesting effective coping and resilience. This knowledge can guide potential caregivers in their adaptation after TBI in an older adult, and we propose a simple tool to support this process. Impact and Implications: Caregivers should be supported in their adjustment to challenges brought about by brain injury in older age. Caregivers can leverage several facilitators, namely using or finding social support, accessing rehabilitation and home support services, and communicating effectively with their injured loved one. We propose a concrete tool (for professionals or families) to allow the examination of both challenges and facilitators and to explore solutions in order to facilitate caregivers' adjustment. This tool could be used at different time points postinjury to support their adjustment and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The well-stirred model (WSM) is commonly used to predict the hepatic clearance in vivo (CL H) of drugs. The necessary intrinsic clearance of the unbound drug (CL int-in vitro-unbound) is generated in the in vitro assays in the presence of microsomes or hepatocytes but in the absence of plasma proteins. The value of CL int-in vitro-unbound can be extrapolated with the fraction unbound determined in vitro in plasma (fu p) only if the fraction unbound in vivo in liver is the same. However, this approach resulted to a systematic underprediction bias of CL H. With the goal of reducing this bias, two new models of fraction unbound were published in this journal. These models estimate the binding kinetics of the rates of association and dissociation of the drug-protein complex and propose that more dissociation in the liver compared to plasma will increase the fraction unbound available for the metabolism. Consequently, these two models generated higher values of fraction unbound, implying a lower underprediction bias of CL H with the WSM. The first model was developed by Poulin et al. and is referring to the value of fu p that is adjusted (fu -adjusted) to quantify the effect of a full dissociation of the drug-protein complex at the hepatocyte membrane in accordance with the theory of the albumin-facilitated hepatic uptake. A second model was developed by Yan et al. who presented a dynamic fraction unbound (fu -dynamic) measuring the real dissociation kinetics of the drug-protein complex with a new in vitro assay in the presence and absence of a recombinant liver enzyme in plasma. Therefore, the objective of this study was to make the first comparative assessment between these two models. The results indicate that, in general, the WSM combined with the values of fu -adjusted was the most accurate approach for predicting CL H. The WSM combined with the values of fu -dynamic has underperformed particularly with the acidic and neutral drugs binding to the albumin and presenting a low metabolic turnover in vitro. Therefore, the new in vitro assay for fu -dynamic gave an underprediction bias of CL H for these drug properties. However, the values of fu -adjusted are significantly higher than those values of fu -dynamic , and, this resulted to no underprediction bias, which is reinforcing the theory of the ALB-facilitated hepatic uptake. For the other neutral and acidic drugs, the models of fu -dynamic and fu -adjusted are in closer agreement. Finally, for the basic drugs, the models of fu -adjusted and fu -dynamic as well as a third model only considering a pH gradient effect on fu p are almost accurately equivalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Method Results Conclusion Does experiencing adversity engender kindness, and if so, for whom? Two studies tested the hypothesis that adversity predicts increased pro‐social outcomes, and that this relationship is strongest for individuals who view others as good and trustworthy, or benevolent.In Study 1, a cross‐sectional survey design was utilized, and in Study 2 a longitudinal survey was conducted.In Study 1 (N = 359), the number of lifetime adverse life events was associated with increased volunteering, empathic concern, and self‐reported altruism. The association of adversity and altruism was stronger for those with greater benevolence beliefs. In Study 2 (N = 1157), benevolence beliefs were assessed, and in subsequent years, adverse life events were reported. The number of past‐year adverse life events predicted more volunteering and charitable involvement, but only among people with high benevolence beliefs.Exposure to adversity may be associated with increased pro‐social behavior among those with higher benevolence beliefs. In part, this could be due to benevolence beliefs increasing the expectation that one's efforts will be appreciated and reciprocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article examines the extant literature on animism and anthropomorphism in infants and young children. A substantial body of work indicates that both infants and young children have a broad concept of what constitutes a sentient agent and react to inanimate objects as they do to people in the same context. The literature has also revealed a developmental pattern in which anthropomorphism decreases with age, but social robots appear to be an exception to this pattern. Additionally, the review shows that children attribute psychological properties to social robots less so than people but still anthropomorphize them. Importantly, some research suggests that anthropomorphism of social robots is dependent upon their morphology and human‐like behaviors. The extent to which children anthropomorphize robots is dependent on their exposure to them and the presence of human‐like features. Based on the existing literature, we conclude that in infancy, a large range of inanimate objects (e.g., boxes, geometric figures) that display animate motion patterns trigger the same behaviors observed in child‐adult interactions, suggesting some implicit form of anthropomorphism. The review concludes that additional research is needed to understand what infants and children judge as social agents and how the perception of inanimate agents changes over the lifespan. As exposure to robots and virtual assistants increases, future research must focus on better understanding the full impact that regular interactions with such partners will have on children's anthropomorphizing. This article is categorized under:Psychology > LearningCognitive Biology > Cognitive DevelopmentComputer Science and Robotics > Robotics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the User Experience (UX) with systems, products and services is now considered an indispensable part of success in the market. Users' expectations have increased in such a way that mere usability is no longer sufficient. While numerous UX subjective evaluation tools exist, there is little guidance on how to select or use these tools. Therefore, there is a need to provide a critical state of the art on the topic of subjective evaluation tools and the UX dimensions covered. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review on UX subjective evaluation tools and the UX dimensions covering the period of 2010–2021 with an initial sample of 3831 publications, 325 of which were selected for the final analysis, to provide researchers and practitioners with the recent changes in the field of UX. Results showed that 104 different tools are available for UX evaluation, they can be classified as general or domain-specific, applicable for a wide variety of products and in total covering more than 300 UX dimensions. Our categorization of UX dimensions under 13 main dimensions (e.g. usability, utility, hedonic, emotion, sensory, etc.) showed that the informational, social, cognitive and physical dimensions appeared to be less frequently present in current tools. We argue that these four dimensions deserve more space in UX tools. Having a high number of UX evaluation tools can be confusing for evaluators, and they need some guidance for selecting and combining tools. Modularity is the emerging trend in the development of UX evaluation questionnaires (e.g. meCUE, UEQ+), bringing the benefits of being thorough, flexible, easy to use, low-cost and rapid, while avoiding overlapping of dimensions and providing comparability through the use of a similar format and rating scale. Finally, the need for having a comprehensive evaluation tool requires updating the set of included dimensions to accommodate for new generations of products and technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All organisms require the ability to engage in either sexual or asexual reproduction in order to ensure their own survival. In aquaculture, when one sex outgrows the other faster, farmers use hormones to stimulate growth. Furthermore, the production of fish based on sexual dimorphism is predominantly executed through the utilization of estrogens and androgens. Environmentally, these compounds may pollute the ecosystem and cause endocrine system alterations that cause harmful effects; thus, they must be handled carefully to assure environmental, biological, and food safety. Phytoestrogens as natural non-steroidal phenolic plant chemicals that resemble 17-β-estradiol, could be employed as a safe alternative source of natural estrogens. The phytoestrogens have many biological effects due to their ability to compete with estrogen receptors, but they may negatively affect fish production, reproduction, and behaviors under controlled conditions. Thus, the current literature emphasizes on the beneficial effects of phytoestrogens on aquatic animal performance, behaviors, and some reproductive features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Parasites play a fundamental role in shaping ecological communities and influencing trophic interactions. Understanding the factors that drive parasite impacts on community structure and stability (i.e. resilience to disturbances) is crucial for predicting disease dynamics and implementing effective conservation strategies. In this study, using avian malaria and malaria‐like parasites as a model system, we investigated the relationship between specificity, community stability and parasite vulnerability and their association with host diversity and climate. Location: Global. Time period: 2009–2023. Major taxa studied: Avian malaria and malaria‐like parasites. Methods: By compiling occurrence data from a global avian haemosporidian parasite database (MalAvi), we constructed a comprehensive dataset encompassing 60 communities. We utilized a phylogenetic model approach to predict missing host–parasite interactions, enhancing the accuracy of our analyses. Network analyses based on bipartite interactions provided measures of network specificity, stability, modularity, parasite competition and vulnerability to extinction. Results: We found that the high network specificity reduced community stability and decreased competition among parasites. Furthermore, we found that parasite vulnerability decreased with increasing community stability, highlighting the importance of community stability in host–parasite interactions for long‐term parasite persistence. When exploring the influence of local host diversity and climate conditions on host–parasite community stability, we demonstrated that increasing host biodiversity and precipitation reduces parasite competition. Conversely, higher temperature raises competition among parasites. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying parasite impacts on communities and the interplay between specificity, community stability and environmental factors. Further, we reveal the role of climate in shaping host–parasite interactions. By unravelling the complexities of parasite‐mediated interactions, our research substantially improves the current knowledge of the importance of specificity as a modulator of interactions in bipartite networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organized activities can provide a conducive context for various social processes that may prevent internalizing problems. Some types of organized activities, such as team sports, seem particularly favorable to these positive experiences. The aim of this 4‐year longitudinal study is to describe the changes in the feeling of social integration into the organized activity peer group and to examine whether this social process predicts depressive symptoms in adolescence. Team sports also are proposed to promote a high sense of social integration. A total of 292 adolescents (62% female) were followed annually from ages 14 to 17. The type of main organized activity practiced and the feeling of social integration into the activity peer group was measured each year. Depressive symptoms were self‐reported at the beginning and end of this period. Latent growth analyses showed that social integration into the organized activity peer group was high and decreasing during adolescence. Social integration was higher in team sports compared to individual sports and non‐sport activities as a whole. Finally, a high and sustained level of social integration during adolescence was associated with a low level of depressive symptoms at the end of adolescence, controlling for important covariates. These results suggest that organized activities, particularly team sports, provide a favorable context for developing a feeling of social integration, and that this may protect against depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental fatigue is common in society, but its effects on force production capacities remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue on maximal force production, rate of force development-scaling factor (RFD-SF), and force steadiness during handgrip contractions. Fourteen participants performed two randomized sessions, during which they either carried out a cognitively demanding task (i.e., a visual attention task) or a cognitively nondemanding task (i.e., documentary watching for 62 min). The mental fatigue was evaluated subjectively and objectively (performances and electroencephalography). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, RFD-SF, and force steadiness (i.e., force coefficient of variation at submaximal intensities; 25, 50, and 75% of MVC) were recorded before and after both tasks. The feeling of mental fatigue was much higher after completing the cognitively demanding task than after documentary watching (p <.001). During the cognitively demanding task, mental fatigue was evidenced by increased errors, missed trials, and decreased N100 amplitude over time. While no effect was reported on force steadiness, both tasks induced a decrease in MVC (p =.040), a force RFD-SF lower slope (p =.011), and a reduction in the coefficient of determination (p =.011). Nevertheless, these effects were not explicitly linked to mental fatigue since they appeared both after the mentally fatiguing task and after watching the documentary. The study highlights the importance of considering cognitive engagement and mental load when optimizing motor performance to mitigate adverse effects and improve force production capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic studies of nematodes have been dominated by Caenorhabditis elegans as a model species. A lack of genomic resources has limited the expansion of genetic research to other groups of nematodes. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of a mermithid nematode, Mermis nigrescens. Mermithidae are insect parasitic nematodes with hosts including a wide range of terrestrial arthropods. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the whole genome of M. nigrescens using nanopore long reads and 10X Chromium link reads. The assembly is 524 Mb in size consisting of 867 scaffolds. The N50 value is 2.42 Mb, and half of the assembly is in the 30 longest scaffolds. The assembly BUSCO score from the eukaryotic database (eukaryota_odb10) indicates that the genome is 86.7% complete and 5.1% partial. The genome has a high level of heterozygosity (6.6%) with a repeat content of 83.98%. mRNA-seq reads from different sized nematodes (≤2 cm, 3.5–7 cm, and >7 cm body length) representing different developmental stages were also generated and used for the genome annotation. Using ab initio and evidence-based gene model predictions, 12,313 protein-coding genes and 24,186 mRNAs were annotated. These genomic resources will help researchers investigate the various aspects of the biology and host–parasite interactions of mermithid nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-mainstream rock music preferences, like goth, are linked to psychological difficulties in adolescence and emerging adulthood. This study explored the persistence of these difficulties into adulthood, while considering gender moderation. From ages 15 to 22, 364 participants (59% female) annually indicated their preference for goth music. Their mental health and well-being were evaluated at age 30 and at ages 13–14 as a control. A latent class growth analysis on their goth preference revealed two trajectories: lower (non-fans; 77%) and higher (fans; 23%). Gender moderation analysis showed that only males on the higher trajectory reported lower well-being and poorer mental health at age 30. Male goth music fans, most likely attracted to this cultural expression of their difficulties, may face increased psychological challenges as adults due to societal gender norms and growing marginalization. This study indeed suggests that an extended affinity for goth music during adolescence and emerging adulthood indicates long-term psychological adjustment challenges among adult male fans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: The latitudinal biodiversity gradient; i.e., the increase in biodiversity towards the equator, is one of the most prominent biodiversity patterns. Nevertheless, many questions remain to be answered about the influence of multiple environmental factors on the latitudinal biodiversity gradient, especially for mosses, and the functional diversity of mosses and vascular plants. This study aims at evaluating the influence of latitude, climate, environmental variables, and habitat types (bog vs fen) on taxonomic and functional diversity (α‐diversity and β‐diversity) and the composition of vascular plant and moss species. Location: 49° N to 55° N in Northwestern Quebec, Canada. Taxon: Mosses, vascular plants. Methods: We used a database containing 376 phytosociological plots (400 m2) sampled in boreal peatlands located along a 600‐km latitudinal gradient. We evaluated changes in α‐diversity and β‐diversity in response to latitude, longitude, climate, and local abiotic variables for both taxonomic groups using linear mixed effect models. We evaluated the effects of these variables on taxonomic and functional composition using variance partitioning by redundancy analysis. Results: Moss diversity increased with latitude, although the effects were masked by environmental variables, whereas vascular plant diversity decreased with latitude in fens and did not vary with latitude in bogs. We observed a decrease in taxonomic and functional uniqueness with latitude. Moss and vascular plant taxonomic and functional composition were primarily structured by contrasting local conditions in bogs and fens, whereas climatic variations along the latitudinal gradient played a secondary role. Conclusions: Our results highlight the contrasting biodiversity patterns in both peatland types and the importance of local habitat conditions in structuring vascular plant and moss diversity. These patterns varied depending on the diversity indicator used, as α‐ and β‐diversity and functional and taxonomic diversity were often decoupled. Future studies should therefore include more than one diversity indicator and consider the differences between ecosystems and taxon groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal changes in environmental conditions drive phenology, i.e., the annual timing of biological events ranging from the individual to the ecosystem. Phenological patterns and successional abundance cycles have been particularly well studied in temperate freshwater systems, showing strong and predictable synchrony with seasonal changes. However, seasonal successional changes in the abundance of parasites or their infection levels in aquatic hosts have not yet been shown to follow universal patterns. Here, using a compilation of several hundred estimates of spring-to-summer changes in infection by trematodes in their intermediate and definitive hosts, spanning multiple species and habitats, we test for general patterns of seasonal (temperature) driven changes in infection levels. The data include almost as many decreases in infection levels from spring to summer as there are increases, across different host types. Our results reveal that the magnitude of the spring-to-summer change in temperature had a weak positive effect on the concurrent change in prevalence of infection in first intermediate hosts, but no effect on the change in prevalence or abundance of infection in second intermediate or definitive hosts. This was true across habitat types and host taxa, indicating no universal effect of seasonal temperature increase on trematode infections. This surprising variation across systems suggests a predominance of idiosyncratic and species-specific responses in trematode infection levels, at odds with any clear phenological or successional pattern. We discuss possible reasons for the minimal and variable effect of seasonal temperature regimes, and emphasise the challenges this poses for predicting ecosystem responses to future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of thermal modification on the flexural properties, transverse fracture energy, and hardness of western hemlock, a material which is finding increasing applications in construction. Flexure tests on specimens featuring longitudinal and transverse grains showed that thermal modification at 167 °C leads to less statistical variability compared to unmodified samples. Additionally, thermal modification leads to a decrease in the transverse flexural strength. On the other hand, the fracture and Janka hardness tests revealed a more pronounced brittleness of the thermally modified samples. In fact, the total mode I fracture energy of modified single-edge notch bending samples was about 47% lower for radial–longitudinal systems and 60% lower for tangential–longitudinal systems. Similarly, the average Janka hardness in the tangential and transverse planes was 8.5% and 9.4% lower in the modified specimens, respectively. The results presented in this work show that thermal modification can have a significant effect on the fracturing behavior of western hemlock and its energy dissipation capabilities. For design, this must be taken into serious consideration as these properties significantly influence the damage tolerance of this wood in the presence of stress concentrations such as those induced in bolted joints and cut outs. Fracture energy and hardness are also strongly correlated to ballistic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-vitro models are available in the literature for predicting the volume of distribution at steady-state (Vd ss) of drugs. The mechanistic model refers to the tissue composition-based model (TCM), which includes important factors that govern Vd ss such as drug physiochemistry and physiological data. The recognized TCM published by Rodgers and Rowland (TCM-RR) and a subsequent adjustment made by Simulations Plus Inc. (TCM-SP) have been shown to be generally less accurate with neutral compared to ionized drugs. Therefore, improving these models for neutral drugs becomes necessary. The objective of this study was to propose a new TCM for improving the prediction of Vd ss for neutral drugs. The new TCM included two modifications of the published models (i) accentuate the effect of the blood-to-plasma ratio (BPR) that should cover permeated molecules across the biomembranes, which is lacking in these models for neutral compounds, and (ii) use a different approach to estimate the binding in tissues. The new TCM was validated with a large dataset of 202 commercial and proprietary compounds including preclinical and clinical data. All scenario datasets were predicted more accurately with the TCM-New, whereas all statistical parameters indicate that the TCM-New showed significant improvements in terms of accuracy over the TCM-RR and TCM-SP. Predictions of Vd ss were frequently more accurate for the TCM-new with 83% within twofold error versus only 50% for the TCM-RR. And more than 95% of the predictions were within threefold error and patient interindividual differences can be predicted with the TCM-New, greatly exceeding the accuracy of the published models. Overall, the new TCM incorporating BPR significantly improved the Vd ss predictions in animals and humans for neutral drugs, and, hence, has the potential to better support the drug discovery and facilitate the first-in-human predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase Ib/II oncology trials, despite their small sample sizes, aim to provide information for optimal internal company decision‐making concerning novel drug development. Hybrid controls (a combination of the current control arm and controls from one or more sources of historical trial data [HTD]) can be used to increase statistical precision. Here we assess combining two sources of Roche HTD to construct a hybrid control in targeted therapy for decision‐making via an extensive simulation study. Our simulations are based on the real data of one of the experimental arms and the control arm of the MORPHEUS‐UC Phase Ib/II study and two Roche HTD for atezolizumab monotherapy. We consider potential complications such as model misspecification, unmeasured confounding, different sample sizes of current treatment groups, and heterogeneity among the three trials. We evaluate two frequentist methods (with both Cox and Weibull accelerated failure time [AFT] models) and three different commensurate priors in Bayesian dynamic borrowing (with a Weibull AFT model), and modifications within each of those, when estimating the effect of treatment on survival outcomes and measures of effect such as marginal hazard ratios. We assess the performance of these methods in different settings and the potential of generalizations to supplement decisions in early‐phase oncology trials. The results show that the proposed joint frequentist methods and noninformative priors within Bayesian dynamic borrowing with no adjustment on covariates are preferred, especially when treatment effects across the three trials are heterogeneous. For generalization of hybrid control methods in such settings, we recommend more simulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aggregation of macroparasites is nearly universal among parasite-host associations. • The commonly used measures of parasite aggregation do not each measure the same thing. • We tested how the meanings of aggregation measures differ using simulations. • We composed a User's Guide to aggregation measures based on their properties. • This work provides needed guidance and corrections for the study of aggregation. Aggregation of macroparasites among hosts is nearly universal among parasite-host associations. Researchers testing hypotheses on origins of parasite aggregation and its importance to parasite and host population ecology have used different measures of aggregation that are not necessarily measuring the same thing, potentially clouding our understanding of underlying epidemiological processes. We highlight these differences in meanings by exploring properties and interrelationships of six common measures of parasite aggregation, and provide a "user's guide" to inform researchers' decisions regarding their application. We compared the mathematical expressions of the different measures of aggregation, and ran two series of simulations and analyses. The first simulations tested the effect of random removals of parasites on aggregation levels under different conditions, while the second explored interrelationships between the measures, as well as between other individual parasitological sample measures (i.e. mean abundance, prevalence) and aggregation. Results of simulations and analyses showed that the six measures of aggregation could be separated readily into three groups: the variance-to-mean ratio (VMR) together with mean crowding, patchiness with k of the negative binomial, and Poulin's D with Hoover's index. These three pairs of measures showed differing responses to random parasite removals and differing relations with mean abundance and/or prevalence, highlighting that metrics capture different variation in other sample measures and different attributes of aggregation. We used results of our simulations and analyses, and a literature review, to list the properties, advantages, and disadvantages of each aggregation metric. We provide a comprehensive exploration of what is assessed by each metric, as a guide to metric choice. We implore researchers to provide enough information such that aggregation measures from each group are reported or can be readily calculated. Such steps are needed to allow large-scale analyses of variation in degrees of aggregation within and among parasite-host associations, to uncover epidemiological processes shaping parasite distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weighting climate models has recently become a more accepted approach. However, it remains a topic of ongoing discussion, especially for analyses needed at regional scales, such as hydrological assessments. Various studies have evaluated the weighting approaches for climate simulations. Yet, few case studies have assessed the impacts of weighting climate models on streamflow projections. Additionally, the methodological and location limitations of previous studies make it difficult to extrapolate their conclusions over regions with contrasting hydroclimatic regimes, highlighting the need for further studies. Thus, this study evaluates the effects of different climate model’s weighting approaches on hydrological projections over hydrologically diverse basins. An ensemble of 24 global climate model (GCM) simulations coupled with a lumped hydrological model is used over 20 North American basins to generate 24 GCM-driven streamflow projections. Six unequal-weighting approaches, comprising temperature-, precipitation-, and streamflow-based criteria, were evaluated using an out-of-sample approach during the 1976–2005 reference period. Moreover, the unequal-weighting approaches were compared against the equal-weighting approach over the 1976–2005, 2041–2070, and 2070–2099 periods. The out-of-sample assessment showed that unequally weighted ensembles can improve the mean hydrograph representation under historical conditions compared to the common equal-weighting approach. In addition, results revealed that unequally weighting climate models not only impacted the magnitude and climate change signal, but also reduced the model response uncertainty spread of hydrological projections, particularly over rain-dominated basins. These results underline the need to further evaluate the adequacy of equally weighting climate models, especially for variables with generally larger uncertainty at regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low levels of physical activity (PA) are reported in South Asian pregnant women. This scoping review summarizes culturally tailored strategies in prenatal PA studies for South Asian women and identifies barriers and facilitators. A search strategy was developed with the keywords "Physical Activity" AND Pregnant AND "South Asian" and was carried out on Medline, SportDiscus, EMBASE, Web of Science and Proquest Theses and Dissertations. Primary research studies were included. Forty-six studies were included of which 40 were from South Asian countries. No interventions were identified outside of South Asian countries. Offering material in different languages was the most common tailoring strategy. Reported barriers were possible social norms favouring inactivity, lack of awareness on safe exercises, and physical symptoms (e.g., fatigue). Facilitators included social support and relief from physical symptoms. Future PA interventions for South Asian pregnant women should account for population-specific barriers and facilitators to increase PA initiation and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, healthcare organizations utilize helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), which are well-established and integral to trauma and emergency medical transport. HEMS expedites critical resources to trauma patients at the initial scene of the accident, which typically falls outside of the effective service area of ground transportation. Methods: This is a single-center study of trauma registry data, inclusive years July 1, 2016, to September 26, 2021. The inclusion criteria were all adult ICU patients (≥18 years) traveling by air. An initial bivariate analysis was used to describe differences in HEMS vs rendezvous (ground + HEMS) mode of arrival. A multivariate linear regression was calculated to predict elapsed transport times on predictor variables to determine the clinical impact of prolonged transport times. Results: There were 242 patients identified in the analysis, with 87 (36%) traveling by HEMS and 155 (64%) traveling by rendezvous. A significant regression equation was found (F(29,198) = 2.39, P < .01), with an R2 of .26. As the transport time increased by 10.67 minutes, the shock index ratio (SIR) increased by one unit (P = .04). Conversely, for each unit increase in Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS), flight time decreased by 1.03 minutes (P < .01). Rendezvous transport times were on average eight minutes longer than HEMS alone (P < .01). Conclusions: Those with prolonged travel times were likely to travel by rendezvous with presentation of lower GCS and higher SIR upon arrival, despite equivocal injury patterns and severity. This research highlights the need for a helicopter auto-launch program to expedite helicopter travel times in distant locations to the only Level I trauma center in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impacts of artificial light at night on wildlife are well documented, yet specific effects on parasitism in aquatic systems are largely unknown. Circadian patterns in animal physiology and behaviour are light-driven, as is host-searching by many infective stages. This can be impacted by artificial light at night. Attraction of hosts and infective stages to light sources can result in aggregations that promote direct infection by infective stages and high levels of trophic transmission. I hypothesise that temporal fluctuations in infection risk disappear as day–night differences in lighting are reduced, that areas exposed to light at night act as hotspots of transmission, and that altered photoperiod exerts strong selective pressures. Known effects of light on host–parasite interactions must be considered when designing measures to reduce the impact of artificial light on wildlife. With growing human populations living along freshwater shores and marine coastlines, aquatic ecosystems are experiencing rising levels of light pollution. Through its effects on hosts and parasites, anthropogenic light at night can disrupt host–parasite interactions evolved under a normal photoperiod. Yet its impact on aquatic parasites has been ignored to date. Here, I discuss the direct effects of light on the physiology and behaviour of parasite infective stages and their hosts. I argue that night-time lights can change the spatiotemporal dynamics of infection risk and drive the rapid evolution of parasites. I then highlight knowledge gaps and how impacts on parasitic diseases should be incorporated into the design of measures aimed at mitigating the impact of anthropogenic light on wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Billions of users around the world use mobile applications and computer software to achieve their professional and personal goals. This situation drives User Experience (UX) researchers and practitioners to assess the importance of UX dimensions across different products, to facilitate the design, development and evaluation of new products. To that end, this study surveyed a group of 200 end users and 8 UX experts from Canada to document the importance of 21 UX dimensions for 15 software product categories. The results confirmed that the importance of UX dimensions varies between product categories. Comparing the findings to those of similar studies conducted in Germany and Indonesia revealed that, while culture influences the rating of UX dimensions, the importance of UX dimensions is still determined by the product category. Comparisons between the importance ratings of UX dimensions between end users and experts and within end users were not significant in 77% and 97% of cases, respectively. Results showed that task-based product categories rely more on pragmatic dimensions (i.e. functionality and usability) while leisure-based products value hedonic dimensions (i.e. pleasure) as well. This study benefits researchers and practitioners by enabling them to select the most important UX dimensions for evaluating their products. CCS CONCEPTS: • Human-centered computing • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) • HCI design and evaluation methods. Additional Keywords and Phrases: User experience, UX dimension, UX evaluation, culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal behaviour is shaped by the ability to identify risks and profitably balance the levels of risks encountered with the payoffs experienced. Anthropogenic disturbances like roads generate novel risks and opportunities that wildlife must accurately perceive and respond to. Basic concepts in predator–prey ecology are often used to understand responses of animals to roads (e.g. increased vigilance, selection for cover in their vicinity). However, prey often display complex behaviours such as modulating space use given varying risks and rewards, and it is unclear if such dynamic balancing is used by animals in the context of road crossings.We tested whether animals dynamically balance risks and rewards relative to roads using extensive field‐based and GPS collar data from elk in Yoho National Park (British Columbia, Canada), where a major highway completely bisects their range during most of the year.We analysed elk behaviour by combining hidden Markov movement models with a step‐selection function framework. Rewards were indexed by a dynamic map of available forage biomass, and risks were indexed by road crossings and traffic volumes.We found that elk generally selected intermediate and high forage biomass, and avoided crossing the road. Most of the time, elk modulated their behaviour given varying risks and rewards. When crossing the highway compared with not crossing, elk selected for greater forage biomass and this selection was stronger as the number of highway crossings increased. However, with traffic volume, elk only balanced foraging rewards when they crossed a single time during a travel sequence.Using a road ecology system, we empirically tested an important component of predator–prey ecology—the ability to dynamically modulate behaviour in response to varying levels of risks and rewards. Such a test articulates how decision‐making processes that consider the spatiotemporal variation in risks and rewards allow animals to successfully and profitably navigate busy roads. Applying well‐developed concepts in predator–prey theory helps understand how animals respond to anthropogenic disturbances and anticipate the adaptive capacity for individuals and populations to adjust to rapidly changing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brownlee Reservoir is a mercury (Hg)-impaired hydroelectric reservoir that exhibits dynamic hydrological and geochemical conditions and is located within the Hells Canyon Complex in Idaho, USA. Methylmercury (MeHg) contamination in fish is a concern in the reservoir. While MeHg production has historically been attributed to sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea, microorganisms carrying the hgcA gene are taxonomically and metabolically diverse and the major biogeochemical cycles driving mercury (Hg) methylation are not well understood. In this study, Hg speciation and redox-active compounds were measured throughout Brownlee Reservoir across the stratified period in four consecutive years (2016–2019) to identify the location where and redox conditions under which MeHg is produced. Metagenomic sequencing was performed on a subset of samples to characterize the microbial community with hgcA and identify possible links between biogeochemical cycles and MeHg production. Biogeochemical profiles suggested in situ water column Hg methylation was the major source of MeHg. These profiles, combined with genome-resolved metagenomics focused on hgcA-carrying microbes, indicated that MeHg production occurs in this system under nitrate- or manganese-reducing conditions, which were previously thought to preclude Hg-methylation. Using this multidisciplinary approach, we identified the cascading effects of interannual variability in hydrology on the redox status, microbial metabolic strategies, abundance and metabolic diversity of Hg methylators, and ultimately MeHg concentrations throughout the reservoir. This work expands the known conditions conducive to producing MeHg and suggests that the Hg-methylation mitigation efforts by nitrate or manganese amendment may be unsuccessful in some locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium commonly occurs in hospitalized adults. Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can co-occur with delirium, and can be recognized and managed by clinicians using recommendations found in methodological guiding statements called Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). The specific aims of this review were to: [1] synthesize CPG recommendations for the diagnosis and management of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in adults with delirium in acute care; and [2] identify recent published literature in addition to those identified and reported in a 2017 review on delirium CPG recommendations and quality. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and 21 sites on the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies listed in the Health Grey Matters Lite tool were searched from inception to February 12, 2021. Selected CPGs focused on delirium in acute care, were endorsed by an international scientific society or governmental organization, and contained at least one recommendation for the diagnosis or management of delirium. Two reviewers independently extracted data in duplicate and independently assessed CPG quality using the AGREE-II tool. Narrative synthesis of CPG recommendations was conducted. Results: Title and abstract screening was completed on 7611 records. Full-text review was performed on 197 CPGs. The final review included 27 CPGs of which 7 (26%) provided recommendations for anxiety (4/7, 57%), depression (5/7, 71%), and PTSD (1/7, 14%) in delirium. Twenty CPGs provided recommendations for delirium only (e.g., assess patient regularly, avoid use of benzodiazepines). Recommendations for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders with delirium included using evidence-based diagnostic criteria and standardized screening tools. Recommendations for the management of psychiatric disorders with delirium included pharmacological (e.g., anxiolytics, antidepressants) and non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., promoting patient orientation using clocks). Guideline quality varied: the lowest was Applicability (mean = 36%); the highest Clarity of Presentation (mean = 76%). Conclusions: There are few available evidence-based CPGs to facilitate appropriate diagnosis and management of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in patients with delirium in acute care. Future guideline developers should incorporate evidence-based recommendations on the diagnosis and management of these psychiatric disorders in delirium. Systematic review registration: Registration number: PROSPERO (CRD42021237056) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model parasite species, whose entire life cycle can be completed in the laboratory and maintained for multiple generations, have played a fundamental role in our understanding of host–parasite interactions. Yet, keeping parasites in laboratory conditions may expose them to unnatural evolutionary pressures, and using laboratory cultures for research is therefore not without limitations. Using 2 widely-used model helminth species, the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta and the nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus , I illustrate the caution needed when interpreting experimental results on model species. I first review more than 1200 experimental studies published on these species in the past 4 decades, to determine which research areas they have contributed to. This is followed by an examination of the institutional laboratory cultures that have provided the parasites used in these studies. Some of these have persisted for decades and accounted for a substantial proportion of published studies, whereas others have been short-lived. Using information provided by the curators of active cultures, I summarize data on their origins and maintenance conditions. Finally, I discuss how laboratory cultures may have been subject to the influence of evolutionary genetic processes, such as founder effects, genetic drift and inbreeding. I also address the possibility that serial passage through laboratory hosts across multiple generations has exerted artificial selection on several parasite traits, resulting in genetic and phenotypic divergence among laboratory cultures, and between these cultures and natural parasite populations. I conclude with recommendations for the continued usage of laboratory helminth cultures aimed at maximizing their important contribution to parasitological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents can actively seek knowledge (solicitation) or receive information provided willingly by the child (disclosure). In adolescence, disclosure is the main source of parental knowledge, but its importance may take root earlier in the course of development. We examined: 1) the factor structure of an instrument adapted for middle childhood measuring maternal perception of knowledge, solicitation, and children's self‐disclosure; 2) changes in these dimensions over middle childhood; and 3) the respective contribution of solicitation and disclosure to parental knowledge. The mothers of 793 elementary school students (61.5% boys, 80.2% Canadian‐born) completed a questionnaire annually from Grades 1 to 4. Multilevel confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the instrument's structure at all time points. Growth curve analyses showed that mothers' perception of knowledge slightly declined from Grades 1 to 4. With respect to mothers' perceived parental solicitation and child disclosure, gender interactions emerged. Solicitation declined for girls but remained stable for boys, while disclosure declined for girls but increased for boys over time. In addition, mothers' perception ofdisclosure and solicitation are both main sources of maternal knowledge regardless of age and gender in middle childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1) To examine access and adherence to the Berlin (2016) recommendations for resuming physical and intellectual activities after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) (including an exploration of barriers and facilitators). 2) To assess post-mTBI symptoms in relation to recommendation adherence. 73 participants who sustained a mTBI completed an online survey with questions about access and adherence to recommendations and validated measures of symptoms. Almost all participants had received recommendations from a health professional after their mTBI. Two thirds of recommendations reported had at least moderate correspondence with the Berlin (2016) recommendations. The vast majority of participants reported weak or partial adherence to these recommendations and only 15.7% reported complete adherence. Overall, adherence to recommendations explained a significant portion of the variance in the severity and number of unresolved post-mTBI symptoms. The most common barriers were: being in a critical period for school or work, pressure to return to work or school, screen use, and presence of symptoms. Sustained efforts are required to disseminate appropriate recommendations after mTBI. Clinicians should support patients in eliminating barriers to recommendation adherence, as greater adherence may facilitate recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]