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The Global Forest Fire Emissions Prediction System (GFFEPS) is a model that estimates biomass burning in near-real time for global air quality forecasting. The model uses a bottom-up approach, based on remotely sensed hotspot locations, and global databases linking burned area per hotspot to ecosystem-type classification at a 1 km resolution. Unlike other global fire emissions models, GFFEPS provides dynamic estimates of fuel consumption, fire behaviour and fire growth based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System, plant phenology as calculated from daily global weather and burned-area estimates using near-real-time Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite-detected hotspots and historical burned-area statistics. Combining forecasts of daily fire weather and hourly meteorological conditions with a global land classification, GFFEPS produces fuel consumption and emission predictions in 3 h time steps (in contrast to non-dynamic models that use fixed consumption rates and require a collection of burned area to make post-burn estimates of emissions). GFFEPS has been designed for use in operational forecasting applications as well as historical simulations for which data are available. A study was conducted showing GFFEPS predictions through a 6-year period (2015–2020). Regional annual total smoke emissions, burned area and total fuel consumption per unit area as predicted by GFFEPS were generated to assess model performance over multiple years and regions. The model's fuel consumption per unit area results clearly distinguished regions dominated by grassland (Africa) from those dominated by forests (boreal regions) and showed high variability in regions affected by El Niño and deforestation. GFFEPS carbon emissions and burned area were then compared to other global wildfire emissions models, including the Global Fire Assimilation System (GFAS), the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4.1s) and the Fire INventory from NCAR (FINN 1.5 and 2.5). GFFEPS estimated values lower than GFAS and GFED (80 % and 74 %) and had values similar to FINN 1.5 (97 %). This was largely due to the impact of fuel moisture on consumption rates as captured by the dynamic weather modelling. Model evaluation efforts to date are described – an ongoing effort is underway to further validate the model, with further developments and improvements expected in the future.

Emissions from biomass burning are a significant source of air pollution, which can adversely impact air quality and ecosystems thousands of kilometres downwind. These emissions can be estimated by a bottom-up approach that relies on fuel consumed and standardized emission factors. Emissions are also commonly derived with a top-down approach, using satellite-observed fire radiative power (FRP) as a proxy for fuel consumption. Biomass burning emissions can also be estimated directly from satellite trace gas observations, including carbon monoxide (CO). Here, we explore the potential of satellite-derived CO emission rates from biomass burning and provide new insights into the understanding of satellite-derived fire CO emissions globally, with respect to differences in regions and vegetation type. Specifically, we use the TROPOMI (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument) high-spatial-resolution satellite datasets to derive burning CO emissions directly for individual fires between 2019 and 2021 globally. Using synthetic data (with known emissions), we show that the direct emission estimate methodology has a 34 % uncertainty for deriving CO emissions (and a total uncertainty of 44 % including wind and CO column uncertainty). From the TROPOMI-derived CO emissions, we derive biome-specific emission coefficients (emissions relative to FRP) by combining the direct emission estimates and the satellite-observed FRP from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS). These emission coefficients are used to establish annual top-down CO emission inventories from biomass burning, showing that Southern Hemisphere Africa has the highest CO biomass burning emissions (over 25 % of global total of 300–390 Mt(CO) yr−1 between 2003–2021), and almost 25 % of global CO biomass burning emissions are from broadleaved evergreen tree fires. A comprehensive comparison between direct estimates, top-down and bottom-up approaches, provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each method: FINN2.5 has higher CO emissions, by a factor between 2 and 5, than all other inventories assessed in this study. Trends over the past 2 decades are examined for different regions around the globe, showing that global CO biomass burning emissions have, on the whole, decreased (by 5.1 to 8.7 Mt(CO) yr−1), where some regions experience increased and others decreased emissions.

SUMMARY: Intestinal Salmonella colonization of chickens represents one of the most important food safety hazards. Mitigating this problem is challenging since Salmonella is a commensal in poultry. In this study, we assessed the ability of proprietary zinc-amino acid and manganese-amino acid complexes to reduce Salmonella colonization and shedding in commercial broilers receiving such trace minerals in the finisher diet. Broilers were orally challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium on 5 occasions between d 1 and d 20 of age. After confirming that the chicks were shedding Salmonella in the feces on d 22, broiler chicks were fed a standard diet containing: proprietary zinc-amino acid complexes; proprietary zinc- plus manganese-amino acids complexes; ZnSO4 + MnSO4; ZnSO4; or no additional supplements. Fecal samples were obtained on 4 occasions and were subjected to enumeration of Salmonella. Birds were euthanized on d 42 and ceca were removed for enumeration of Salmonella. Salmonella fecal shedding and cecal colonization were significantly decreased in broilers fed Zn-amino acid complexes, when compared to broilers fed Control diets. Feed efficiency and body weight gain were greater in broilers fed proprietary Zn-amino acid complexes or proprietary Zn- plus Mn-amino acids complexes compared to birds fed the Control or ZnSO4 + MnSO4 diets. Furthermore, real-time quantitative RT-PCR-based studies revealed enhanced expression of various cytokines, chemokines, tight junction proteins, and beta-defensins in birds fed the higher dose of the Zn-amino acid complexes. Thus, it appears that the Zn- and Mn-amino acid complexes reduce Salmonella carriage and improve feed efficiency possibly by optimizing the innate immune response to Salmonella and by improving gastrointestinal epithelial barrier.

Abstract Aims High-quality evidence is lacking for the impact on healthcare utilisation of short-stay alternatives to psychiatric inpatient services for people experiencing acute and/or complex mental health crises (known in England as psychiatric decision units [PDUs]). We assessed the extent to which changes in psychiatric hospital and emergency department (ED) activity were explained by implementation of PDUs in England using a quasi-experimental approach. Methods We conducted an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis of weekly aggregated data pre- and post-PDU implementation in one rural and two urban sites using segmented regression, adjusting for temporal and seasonal trends. Primary outcomes were changes in the number of voluntary inpatient admissions to (acute) adult psychiatric wards and number of ED adult mental health-related attendances in the 24 months post-PDU implementation compared to that in the 24 months pre-PDU implementation. Results The two PDUs (one urban and one rural) with longer (average) stays and high staff-to-patient ratios observed post-PDU decreases in the pattern of weekly voluntary psychiatric admissions relative to pre-PDU trend (Rural: −0.45%/week, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.78%, −0.12%; Urban: −0.49%/week, 95% CI = −0.73%, −0.25%); PDU implementation in each was associated with an estimated 35–38% reduction in total voluntary admissions in the post-PDU period. The (urban) PDU with the highest throughput, lowest staff-to-patient ratio and shortest average stay observed a 20% (−20.4%, CI = −29.7%, −10.0%) level reduction in mental health-related ED attendances post-PDU, although there was little impact on long-term trend. Pooled analyses across sites indicated a significant reduction in the number of voluntary admissions following PDU implementation (−16.6%, 95% CI = −23.9%, −8.5%) but no significant (long-term) trend change (−0.20%/week, 95% CI = −0.74%, 0.34%) and no short- (−2.8%, 95% CI = −19.3%, 17.0%) or long-term (0.08%/week, 95% CI = −0.13, 0.28%) effects on mental health-related ED attendances. Findings were largely unchanged in secondary (ITS) analyses that considered the introduction of other service initiatives in the study period. Conclusions The introduction of PDUs was associated with an immediate reduction of voluntary psychiatric inpatient admissions. The extent to which PDUs change long-term trends of voluntary psychiatric admissions or impact on psychiatric presentations at ED may be linked to their configuration. PDUs with a large capacity, short length of stay and low staff-to-patient ratio can positively impact ED mental health presentations, while PDUs with longer length of stay and higher staff-to-patient ratios have potential to reduce voluntary psychiatric admissions over an extended period. Taken as a whole, our analyses suggest that when establishing a PDU, consideration of the primary crisis-care need that underlies the creation of the unit is key.

Knowledge of microparticle geometry is essential for accurate calculation of ice core volume-related dust metrics (mass, flux, and particle size distributions) and subsequent paleoclimate interpretations, yet particle shape data remain sparse in Antarctica. Here we present 41 discrete particle shape measurements, volume calculations, and calibrated continuous particle time series spanning 50–16 ka from the South Pole Ice Core (SPC14) to assess particle shape characteristics and variability. We used FlowCAM, a dynamic particle imaging instrument, to measure aspect ratios (width divided by length) of microparticles. We then compared those results to Coulter counter measurements on the same set of samples as well as high-resolution laser-based (Abakus) data collected from SPC14 during continuous flow analysis. The 41 discrete samples were collected during three periods of millennial-scale climate variability: Heinrich Stadial 1 (18–16 ka, n=6; ∼250 years per sample), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (27–18 ka, n=19; ∼460 years per sample), and during both Heinrich Stadial 4 (42–36 ka, n=8; ∼620 years per sample) and Heinrich Stadial 5 (50–46 ka, n=8; ∼440 years per sample). Using FlowCAM measurements, we calculated different particle size distributions (PSDs) for spherical and ellipsoidal volume estimates. Our calculated volumes were then compared to published Abakus calibration techniques. We found that Abakus-derived PSDs calculated assuming ellipsoidal, rather than spherical, particle shapes provide a more accurate representation of PSDs measured by Coulter counter, reducing Abakus to Coulter counter flux and mass ratios from 1.82 (spherical assumption) to 0.79 and 1.20 (ellipsoidal assumptions; 1 being a perfect match). Coarser particles (>5.0 µm diameter) show greater variation in measured aspect ratios than finer particles ( µm). While fine particle volumes can be accurately estimated using the spherical assumption, applying the same assumption to coarse particles has a large effect on inferred particle volumes. Temporally, coarse and fine particle aspect ratios do not significantly change within or among the three time periods (p value >0.05), suggesting that long-range transport of dust is likely dominated by clay minerals and other elongated minerals.

Abstract Objective To identify sociodemographic factors and health conditions associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Participants were recruited via investigator networks and an online panel provider with an established nationwide panel of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Those interested were invited to complete a survey that included an assessment of wellbeing using a visual analogue scale. Data was collected from October–November 2019 and August–September 2020. Exploratory analyses were conducted to ascertain factors associated with self-rated wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Results Having more than enough money to last until next pay day, full-time employment, completion of grade 12, having a partner, and living with others were significantly associated with higher wellbeing among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. A self-reported history of depression, anxiety, other mental health conditions, heart disease, or disability were associated with lower self-rated wellbeing scores. Our findings indicate a need for further investigation among these socioeconomic and patient groups to identify how to improve and support the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

We first validate the performance of the Portable Optical Particle Spectrometer (POPS), a small light-weight and high sensitivity optical particle counter, against a reference scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) for a month-long deployment in an environment dominated by biomass burning aerosols. Subsequently, we examine any biases introduced by operating the POPS on a quadcopter drone, a DJI Matrice 200 V2. We report the root mean square difference (RMSD) and mean absolute difference (MAD) in particle number concentrations (PNCs) when mounted on the UAV and operating on the ground and when hovering at 10 m. When wind speeds are low (less than 2.6 m s−1), we find only modest differences in the RMSDs and MADs of 5 % and 3 % when operating at 10 m altitude. When wind speeds are between 2.6 and 7.7 m s−1 the RMSDs and MADs increase to 26.2 % and 19.1 %, respectively, when operating at 10 m altitude. No statistical difference in PNCs was detected when operating on the UAV in either ascent or descent. We also find size distributions of aerosols in the accumulation mode (defined by diameter, d, where 0.1 ≤ d ≤ 1 µm) are relatively consistent between measurements at the surface and measurements at 10 m altitude, while differences in the coarse mode (here defined by d > 1 µm) are universally larger. Our results suggest that the impact of the UAV rotors on the POPS PNCs are small at low wind speeds, but when operating under a higher wind speed of up to 7.6 m s−1, larger discrepancies occur. In addition, it appears that the POPS measures sub-micron aerosol particles more accurately than super-micron aerosol particles when airborne on the UAV. These measurements lay the foundations for determining the magnitude of potential errors that might be introduced into measured aerosol particle size distributions and concentrations owing to the turbulence created by the rotors on the UAV.

The influence of both anthropogenic and forest-fire emissions, and their subsequent chemical and physical processing, on the accuracy of weather and air-quality forecasts, was studied using a high-resolution, online coupled air-quality model. Simulations were carried out for the period 4 July through 5 August 2019, at 2.5 km horizontal grid cell size, over a 2250×3425 km2 domain covering western Canada and USA, prior to the use of the forecast system as part of the FIREX-AQ ensemble forecast. Several large forest fires took place in the Canadian portion of the domain during the study period. A feature of the implementation was the incorporation of a new online version of the Canadian Forest Fire Emissions Prediction System (CFFEPSv4.0). This inclusion of thermodynamic forest-fire plume-rise calculations directly into the online air-quality model allowed us to simulate the interactions between forest-fire plume development and weather. Incorporating feedbacks resulted in weather forecast performance that exceeded or matched the no-feedback forecast, at greater than 90 % confidence, at most times and heights in the atmosphere. The feedback forecast outperformed the feedback forecast at 35 out of 48 statistical evaluation scores, for PM2.5, NO2, and O3. Relative to the climatological cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and aerosol optical properties used in the no-feedback simulations, the online coupled model's aerosol indirect and direct effects were shown to result in feedback loops characterized by decreased surface temperatures in regions affected by forest-fire plumes, decreases in stability within the smoke plume, increases in stability further aloft, and increased lower troposphere cloud droplet and raindrop number densities. The aerosol direct and indirect effect reduced oceanic cloud droplet number densities and increased oceanic raindrop number densities, relative to the no-feedback climatological simulation. The aerosol direct and indirect effects were responsible for changes to the near-surface PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations at greater than the 90 % confidence level near the forest fires, with O3 changes remaining below the 90 % confidence level. The simulations show that incorporating aerosol direct and indirect effect feedbacks can significantly improve the accuracy of weather and air-quality forecasts and that forest-fire plume-rise calculations within an online coupled model change the predicted fire plume dispersion and emissions, the latter through changing the meteorology driving fire intensity and fuel consumption.

Field-measured soil respiration (RS, the soil-to-atmosphere CO2 flux) observations were compiled into a global soil respiration database (SRDB) a decade ago, a resource that has been widely used by the biogeochemistry community to advance our understanding of RS dynamics. Novel carbon cycle science questions require updated and augmented global information with better interoperability among datasets. Here, we restructured and updated the global RS database to version SRDB-V5. The updated version has all previous fields revised for consistency and simplicity, and it has several new fields to include ancillary information (e.g., RS measurement time, collar insertion depth, collar area). The new SRDB-V5 includes published papers through 2017 (800 independent studies), where total observations increased from 6633 in SRDB-V4 to 10 366 in SRDB-V5. The SRDB-V5 features more RS data published in the Russian and Chinese scientific literature and has an improved global spatio-temporal coverage and improved global climate space representation. We also restructured the database so that it has stronger interoperability with other datasets related to carbon cycle science. For instance, linking SRDB-V5 with an hourly timescale global soil respiration database (HGRsD) and a community database for continuous soil respiration (COSORE) enables researchers to explore new questions. The updated SRDB-V5 aims to be a data framework for the scientific community to share seasonal to annual field RS measurements, and it provides opportunities for the biogeochemistry community to better understand the spatial and temporal variability in RS, its components, and the overall carbon cycle. The database can be downloaded at https://github.com/bpbond/srdb and will be made available in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC). All data and code to reproduce the results in this study can be found at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3876443 (Jian and Bond-Lamberty, 2020).

Abstract Background The UK mental health system is stretched to breaking point. Individuals presenting with mental health problems wait longer at the ED than those presenting with physical concerns and finding a bed when needed is difficult – 91% of psychiatric wards are operating at above the recommended occupancy rate. To address the pressure, a new type of facility – psychiatric decision units (also known as mental health decision units) – have been introduced in some areas. These are short-stay facilities, available upon referral, targeted to help individuals who may be able to avoid an inpatient admission or lengthy ED visit. To advance knowledge about the effectiveness of this service for this purpose, we will examine the effect of the service on the mental health crisis care pathway over a 4-year time period; the 2 years proceeding and following the introduction of the service. We use aggregate service level data of key indicators of the performance of this pathway. Methods Data from four mental health Trusts in England will be analysed using an interrupted time series (ITS) design with the primary outcomes of the rate of (i) ED psychiatric presentations and (ii) voluntary admissions to mental health wards. This will be supplemented with a synthetic control study with the same primary outcomes, in which a comparable control group is generated for each outcome using a donor pool of suitable National Health Service Trusts in England. The methods are well suited to an evaluation of an intervention at a service delivery level targeting population-level health outcome and the randomisation or ‘trialability’ of the intervention is limited. The synthetic control study controls for national trends over time, increasing our confidence in the results. The study has been designed and will be carried out with the involvement of service users and carers. Discussion This will be the first formal evaluation of psychiatric decision units in England. The analysis will provide estimates of the effect of the decision units on a number of important service use indicators, providing much-needed information for those designing service pathways. Trial registration primary registry: isrctn.com Identifying number: ISRCTN77588384 Link: Date of registration in primary registry: 27/02/2020. Primary sponsor St George’s, University of London, Cramner Road, Tooting, SW17 ORE. Primary contact: Joe Montebello.

(1) Molinia caerulea occurs in peatland vegetation communities. However, under certain environmental and management conditions it may overwhelm the typical peatland vegetation, compromising ecosystem services including carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration and storage. Improved understanding of the effects of M. caerulea on CO2 fluxes in peatland ecosystems will better inform landscape management. (2) Photosynthesis at a PPFD of 600 μmol m 2 s-1 (PG600), ecosystem respiration and partitioned (heterotrophic and autotrophic) below-ground respiration were calculated from closed-chamber measurements collected over the 2012–2014 growing seasons within two drained M. caerulea dominated peatland catchments in Exmoor National Park, southwest England. (3) All CO2 fluxes peaked in mid-summer, in association with increased soil temperature and vegetation growth. During wetter periods, below-ground autotrophic respiration and PG600 significantly decreased (p = 0.028 and p = 0.002), conversely heterotrophic respiration increased insignificantly (p = 0.081). An empirically derived net ecosystem exchange model estimated the growing season of 2012 to have been a smaller CO2 sink in carbon equivalents ( 126 ± 243 g m 2) than subsequent growing seasons ( 146 ± 310 and 234 ± 325 g m-2) due to lower photosynthetic rates during a cool, wet summer (2012). (4) Management aimed at preserving the carbon store and increasing carbon sequestration through raising water tables may reduce photosynthesis and increase heterotrophic respiration unless the dominance of M. caerulea is reduced and Sphagnum spp. cover increased.

Abstract Background Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) are any form of medicine, practice, treatment, product, technology, knowledge system or ceremony outside of conventional medical practice that aims to prevent and/or treat illness and/or promote well-being. Alongside conventional cancer treatments, T&CM usage is increasing; with 19% of indigenous Australians with cancer reporting using T&CM. There is limited evidence surrounding T&CM use and disclosure by indigenous patients. Our aim was to explore healthcare providers’ views about usage, disclosure/non-disclosure of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients. Methods Semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 18 healthcare providers, including three indigenous providers, at a large urban hospital providing care to Indigenous cancer patients were conducted to explore providers’ experiences and attitudes towards T&CM use by Indigenous cancer patients. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used to thematically analyse the data. Results Analysis revealed six themes: concern about risk; no ‘real’ benefits; perception of T&CM and conventional medicine as antithetical; barriers to disclosure; ‘patients’ choice’ a double-edged sword; and providers’ lack of knowledge about T&CM. Healthcare providers perceived discord between T&CM and conventional medicine. Most lacked knowledge of T&CM, and had concerns around negative-interactions with conventional treatments. They considered T&CM outside their role, citing this as reasoning for their lack of knowledge. Indigenous healthcare providers had greater understanding and openness towards T&CM. Conclusions Given the potential usage of T&CM by Indigenous cancer patients, providers need a more comprehensive understanding of T&CM in order to inform discussion and facilitate effective disclosure on this topic. If indigenous Australians with cancer feel that cancer care providers are unreceptive to discussing T&CM, patient care risks being compromised; particularly given the potential for negative interactions between T&CM and conventional cancer treatments. Fostering health care interactions where indigenous patients feel comfortable to discuss T&CM usage should be a priority for all cancer care services.

Biomass burning activities can produce large quantities of smoke and result in adverse air quality conditions in regional environments. In Canada, the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) operational FireWork (v1.0) air quality forecast system incorporates near-real-time biomass burning emissions to forecast smoke plumes from fire events. The system is based on the ECCC operational Regional Air Quality Deterministic Prediction System (RAQDPS) augmented with near-real-time wildfire emissions using inputs from the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS). Recent improvements to the representation of fire behaviour and fire emissions have been incorporated into the CFS Canadian Forest Fire Emissions Prediction System (CFFEPS) v2.03. This is a bottom-up system linked to CWFIS in which hourly changes in biomass fuel consumption are parameterized with hourly forecasted meteorology at fire locations. CFFEPS has now also been connected to FireWork. In addition, a plume-rise parameterization based on fire-energy thermodynamics is used to define the smoke injection height and the distribution of emissions within a model vertical column. The new system, FireWork v2.0 (FireWork–CFFEPS), has been evaluated over North America for July–September 2017 and June–August 2018, which are both periods when western Canada experienced historical levels of fire activity with poor air quality conditions in several cities as well as other fires affecting northern Canada and Ontario. Forecast results were evaluated against hourly surface measurements for the three pollutant species used to calculate the Canadian Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), namely PM2.5, O3, and NO2, and benchmarked against the operational FireWork v1.0 system (FireWork-Ops). This comparison shows improved forecast performance and predictive skills for the FireWork–CFFEPS system. Modelled fire-plume injection heights from CFFEPS based on fire-energy thermodynamics show higher plume injection heights and larger variability. The changes in predicted fire emissions and injection height reduced the consistent over-predictions of PM2.5 and O3 seen in FireWork-Ops. On the other hand, there were minimal fire emission contributions to surface NO2, and results from FireWork–CFFEPS do not degrade NO2 forecast skill compared to the RAQDPS. Model performance statistics are slightly better for Canada than for the US, with lower errors and biases. The new system is still unable to capture the hourly variability of the observed values for PM2.5, but it captured the observed hourly variability for O3 concentration adequately. FireWork–CFFEPS also improves upon FireWork-Ops categorical scores for forecasting the occurrence of elevated air pollutant concentrations in terms of false alarm ratio (FAR) and critical success index (CSI).

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is recognised as a global public health problem, more prevalent in older persons and associated with multiple co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are common aetiologies for CKD, but IgA glomerulonephritis, membranous glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease are also common causes of CKD. Main body Conventional biomarkers for CKD involving the use of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from four variables (serum creatinine, age, gender and ethnicity) are recommended by clinical guidelines for the evaluation, classification, and stratification of CKD. However, these clinical biomarkers present some limitations, especially for early stages of CKD, elderly individuals, extreme body mass index values (serum creatinine), or are influenced by inflammation, steroid treatment and thyroid dysfunction (serum cystatin C). There is therefore a need to identify additional non-invasive biomarkers that are useful in clinical practice to help improve CKD diagnosis, inform prognosis and guide therapeutic management. Conclusion CKD is a multifactorial disease with associated genetic and environmental risk factors. Hence, many studies have employed genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches to identify biomarkers for kidney disease. In this review, we have summarised the most important studies in humans investigating genomic biomarkers for CKD in the last decade. Several genes, including UMOD, SHROOM3 and ELMO1 have been strongly associated with renal diseases, and some of their traits, such as eGFR and serum creatinine. The role of epigenetic and transcriptomic biomarkers in CKD and related diseases is still unclear. The combination of multiple biomarkers into classifiers, including genomic, and/or epigenomic, may give a more complete picture of kidney diseases.

A field project was conducted to observe and measure smoke plumes from wildland fires in Alberta. This study used handheld inclinometer measurements and photos taken at lookout towers in the province. Observations of 222 plumes were collected from 21 lookout towers over a 6-year period from 2010 to 2015. Observers reported the equilibrium and maximum plume heights based on the plumes' final levelling heights and the maximum lofting heights, respectively. Observations were tabulated at the end of each year and matched to reported fires. Fire sizes at assessment times and forest fuel types were reported by the province. Fire weather conditions were obtained from the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS). Assessed fire sizes were adjusted to the appropriate size at plume observation time using elliptical fire-growth projections. Though a logical method to collect plume observations in principle, many unanticipated issues were uncovered as the project developed. Instrument limitations and environmental conditions presented challenges to the investigators, whereas human error and the subjectivity of observations affected data quality. Despite these problems, the data set showed that responses to fire behaviour conditions were consistent with the physical processes leading to plume rise. The Alberta smoke plume observation study data can be found on the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System datamart (Natural Resources Canada, 2018) at http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/datamart.

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of plasma cells in the blood. Here, the authors establish the landscape of fusion genes within this disease, identifying novel recurrent fusion genes that impact survival and may drive disease progression.

Therapies for cancer have traditionally been assessed with metrics such as the response rate, hazard ratio, or median survival. Such metrics have value in measuring the outcomes of conventional therapies, but may not be the most appropriate for new therapies. Immuno-oncology therapies offer a new approach to treating cancer by stimulating patients' immune systems to fight cancer. The value of these novel therapies has so far been assessed with traditional metrics, but the different ways in which immuno-oncology therapies work can mean the full value is not captured. Immuno-oncology therapies can produce longer survival times but this effect can be delayed or even preceded by an apparent phase of progression, which median survival or response rates may not reflect. This paper discusses a range of traditional and alternative metrics and their benefits or disadvantages in measuring the effects of immuno-oncology therapies, using examples of several novel drugs as case studies.

Resolving the spatial and temporal dynamics of gross primary productivity (GPP) of terrestrial ecosystems across different scales remains a challenge. Remote sensing is regarded as the solution to upscale point observations conducted at the ecosystem level, using the eddy covariance (EC) technique, to the landscape and global levels. In addition to traditional vegetation indices, the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the emission of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), now measurable from space, provide a new range of opportunities to monitor the global carbon cycle using remote sensing. However, the scale mismatch between EC observations and the much coarser satellite-derived data complicate the integration of the two sources of data. The solution is to establish a network of in situ spectral measurements that can act as a bridge between EC measurements and remote-sensing data. In situ spectral measurements have already been conducted for many years at EC sites, but using variable instrumentation, setups, and measurement standards. In Europe in particular, in situ spectral measurements remain highly heterogeneous. The goal of EUROSPEC Cost Action ES0930 was to promote the development of common measuring protocols and new instruments towards establishing best practices and standardization of these measurements. In this review we describe the background and main tradeoffs of in situ spectral measurements, review the main results of EUROSPEC Cost Action, and discuss the future challenges and opportunities of in situ spectral measurements for improved estimation of local and global estimates of GPP over terrestrial ecosystems.

This study tracks local vegetation change in West Cornwall (South West England) within regional context, using historic herbarium (pre-1900) and recent vegetation records (post-1900). The focus centres on species lost from the region over the past century. For this study we used a collection of herbarium records published in 1909 (Davey’s “Flora of Cornwall”) and contemporary records from the “New Atlas of British and Irish Flora” downloaded from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), online database. Both data sets were spatially analysed using ArcGIS in order to detect local scale species loss. Our results showed that species loss was highest in the south (11 plant species), compared to the loss from middle areas (6 plant species) and in the northern area (8 plant species) of West Cornwall. Results on species change at the local scale were different to the changes that are happening at the national scale. Loss from West Cornwall was detected for two plant species, Mountain Melick (Melica nutans) and Field Eryngo (Eryngium campestare). These key results amplify the importance of local scale research and conservation in order to protect ecosystems functioning, genetic diversity, ecosystem services and regional identity.

Remote sensing technologies such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) can now provide accurate spatial data for describing topographic patterns in landscapes and mapping the fine geometric detail of complex structures. Interdisciplinary studies using such data for characterising heritage sites are now widespread, but it is less common for data derived from these technologies to be used in an operational setting to 'engage' local people with the idea of future change. Three- dimensional landscape models using TLS and LIDAR are a powerful way of communicating climate change to lay audiences on a local level and the use of multi-scale spatial data can help to show the anticipated impacts of climate change at heritage sites. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a project designed to produce a photorealistic geospatial model of the historic quayside at Cotehele Quay, Cornwall, UK. Our central aim was to generate a spatially accurate and visually realistic three-dimensional model of the site for use in local engagement strategies. TLS and LIDAR data were collected and processed to produce a three-dimensional model. The key image processing stages included: registration to a national co-ordinate system, meshing using 3D reshaper and visualisation creation in 3DS Max. The resulting model will permit spatial consideration of the impact of management strategies at the site. The over-arching application of this method beyond the study site will provide a platform for discussion that addresses the needs of site managers and the expectations of local communities.

Two methods have been described to recover oocytes from equine follicles in excised ovaries: aspiration and scraping. Aim of this work was to develop an effective method for collecting equine oocytes using Tuohy needle and comparing this technique to aspiration and scraping, with or without tunica albuginea removal. This hollow hypodermic needle, usually employed for inserting epidural catheters, is designed with a slightly curved tip, shaped similar to a small curette. In unpeeled ovaries, the recovery rates of Tuohy needle group was higher (𝑃

The mechanical response of connections in fire is largely based on material strength degradation and the interactions between the various components of the connection. In order to predict connection performance in fire, temperature profiles must initially be established in order to evaluate the material strength degradation over time. This paper examines two current methods for predicting connection temperatures: The percentage method, where connection temperatures are calculated as a percentage of the adjacent beam lower-flange, mid-span temperatures; and the lumped capacitance method, based on the lumped mass of the connection. Results from the percentage method do not correlate well with experimental results, whereas the lumped capacitance method shows much better agreement with average connection temperatures. A 3D finite element heat transfer model was also created in Abaqus, and showed good correlation with experimental results.

Abstract Subjective feelings are thought to arise from conceptual and bodily states. We examine whether the valence of feelings may also be decoded directly from objective ecological statistics of the visual environment. We train a visual valence (VV) machine learning model of low-level image statistics on nearly 8000 emotionally charged photographs. The VV model predicts human valence ratings of images and transfers even more robustly to abstract paintings. In human observers, limiting conceptual analysis of images enhances VV contributions to valence experience, increasing correspondence with machine perception of valence. In the brain, VV resides in lower to mid-level visual regions, where neural activity submitted to deep generative networks synthesizes new images containing positive versus negative VV. There are distinct modes of valence experience, one derived indirectly from meaning, and the other embedded in ecological statistics, affording direct perception of subjective valence as an apparent objective property of the external world.

Abstract We have developed a population-level method for dietary assessment using low-cost wearable cameras. Our approach, EgoDiet, employs an egocentric vision-based pipeline to learn portion sizes, addressing the shortcomings of traditional self-reported dietary methods. To evaluate the functionality of this method, field studies were conducted in London (Study A) and Ghana (Study B) among populations of Ghanaian and Kenyan origin. In Study A, EgoDiet’s estimations were contrasted with dietitians’ assessments, revealing a performance with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 31.9% for portion size estimation, compared to 40.1% for estimates made by dietitians. We further evaluated our approach in Study B, comparing its performance to the traditional 24-Hour Dietary Recall (24HR). Our approach demonstrated a MAPE of 28.0%, showing a reduction in error when contrasted with the 24HR, which exhibited a MAPE of 32.5%. This improvement highlights the potential of using passive camera technology to serve as an alternative to the traditional dietary assessment methods.

Abstract Frequent interspecies transmission of human influenza A viruses (FLUAV) to pigs contrasts with the limited subset that establishes in swine. While hemagglutinin mutations are recognized for their role in cross-species transmission, the contribution of neuraminidase remains understudied. Here, the NA’s role in FLUAV adaptation was investigated using a swine-adapted H3N2 reassortant virus with human-derived HA and NA segments. Adaptation in pigs resulted in mutations in both HA (A138S) and NA (D113A). The D113A mutation abolished calcium (Ca2+) binding in the low-affinity Ca2+-binding pocket of NA, enhancing enzymatic activity and thermostability under Ca2+-depleted conditions, mirroring swine-origin FLUAV NA behavior. Structural analysis predicts that swine-adapted H3N2 viruses lack Ca2+ binding in this pocket. Further, residue 93 in NA (G93 in human, N93 in swine) also influences Ca2+ binding and impacts NA activity and thermostability, even when D113 is present. These findings demonstrate that mutations in influenza A virus surface proteins alter evolutionary trajectories following interspecies transmission and reveal distinct mechanisms modulating NA activity during FLUAV adaptation, highlighting the importance of Ca2+ binding in the low-affinity calcium-binding pocket.

ABSTRACT Existing genetic classification systems for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus type 2 (PRRSV-2), such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms and sub-lineages, are unreliable indicators of close genetic relatedness or lack sufficient resolution for epidemiological monitoring routinely conducted by veterinarians. Here, we outline a fine-scale classification system for PRRSV-2 genetic variants in the United States. Based on >25,000 U.S. open reading frame 5 (ORF5) sequences, sub-lineages were divided into genetic variants using a clustering algorithm. Through classifying new sequences every 3 months and systematically identifying new variants across 8 years, we demonstrated that prospective implementation of the variant classification system produced robust, reproducible results across time and can dynamically accommodate new genetic diversity arising from virus evolution. From 2015 to 2023, 118 variants were identified, with ~48 active variants per year, of which 26 were common (detected >50 times). Mean within-variant genetic distance was 2.4% (max: 4.8%). The mean distance to the closest related variant was 4.9%. A routinely updated webtool (https://stemma.shinyapps.io/PRRSLoom-variants/) was developed and is publicly available for end users to assign newly generated sequences to a variant ID. This classification system relies on U.S. sequences from 2015 onward; further efforts are required to extend this system to older or international sequences. Finally, we demonstrate how variant classification can better discriminate between previous and new strains on a farm, determine possible sources of new introductions into a farm/system, and track emerging variants regionally. Adoption of this classification system will enhance PRRSV-2 epidemiological monitoring, research, and communication, and improve industry responses to emerging genetic variants.IMPORTANCEThe development and implementation of a fine-scale classification system for PRRSV-2 genetic variants represent a significant advancement for monitoring PRRSV-2 occurrence in the swine industry. Based on systematically applied criteria for variant identification using national-scale sequence data, this system addresses the shortcomings of existing classification methods by offering higher resolution and adaptability to capture emerging variants. This system provides a stable and reproducible method for classifying PRRSV-2 variants, facilitated by a freely available and regularly updated webtool for use by veterinarians and diagnostic labs. Although currently based on U.S. PRRSV-2 ORF5 sequences, this system can be expanded to include sequences from other countries, paving the way for a standardized global classification system. By enabling accurate and improved discrimination of PRRSV-2 genetic variants, this classification system significantly enhances the ability to monitor, research, and respond to PRRSV-2 outbreaks, ultimately supporting better management and control strategies in the swine industry.

Background: The number of people migrating globally has drastically increased in the last two decades and continues to rise. Although adult migrants are typically in better health than the population they migrate to, the evidence regarding migrant children's health, and especially their mental health, is mixed. Objectives: To assess whether the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt differs between first- and second-generation immigrant youth, compared to non-immigrants, and whether other sociodemographic factors moderate any associations. Methods: We analyzed a subsample of youth aged 15–17 years from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth – a national, representative, cross-sectional survey. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis, with past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as outcomes and migrant status as exposure. We also investigated whether sociodemographic factors (including sex, family income, parental divorce) moderated these associations using interaction terms. Results: Second-generation immigrants had almost twice the risk of first-generation immigrants and non-immigrants of having attempted suicide (OR 1.68, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.63). The association between second-generation immigrant status and suicide attempt was stronger among those not from low-income households (OR 2.04, 95%CI: 1.30, 3.21) and those with divorced parents (OR 5.19, 95%CI: 1.41, 19.12). The association between second-generation immigrant status and suicidal ideation was stronger among males (OR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.07) and those with divorced parents (OR 4.13, 95%CI 1.40, 12.14). Additionally, some effects among first-generation immigrants varied by time since arrival. Relevance: The healthy immigrant effect with respect to suicidality does not appear to pass from the first-generation to the second-generation. The magnitude of effect among second generation immigrant youth varies according to other sociodemographic factors.

Abstract The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory detected nineteen human-to-swine reverse zoonoses of the 2022–2023 human seasonal H3N2 between November 2022 and November 2023. Cases from seven U.S. locations were detected: 3 Colorado, 1 Illinois, 1 Indiana, 2 Missouri, 7 North Carolina, 1 Ohio, and 1 Pennsylvania. One additional case was detected in Mexico and two cases were identified from Chile. Case samples were comprised of 4 nasal swabs and 15 oral fluids. Virus was successfully isolated from two of four nasal swab samples, but isolation from oral fluids was unsuccessful. The swine detections of H3 human viruses were classified to one of two human-seasonal H3 clades, 3C.2a1b.2a.2b and 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.1. Phylogenetic inference indicated at minimum 7 reverse zoonotic events occurred, with possible swine-to-swine transmission following the initial spillover. Twelve neuraminidase genes were sequenced, and nine were classified as human-seasonal H3N2 lineage: the remaining were endemic swine IAV NA genes from the N2.2002B, N2.1998, or the N1.Classical lineage, suggesting reassortment. The two viral isolates obtained from nasal swab samples were sequenced and were entirely human-lineage viruses. Seven swine samples with human seasonal H3 were sequenced and revealed co-detections with H1 1A.3.3.3 (gamma), with internal gene segments from both the triple reassortant internal gene (TRIG) and pandemic 2009 lineages. Serologic investigation of samples from swine production systems provided evidence for infection with human seasonal H3N2. One farm in the United States and four farms in Mexico had concurrent virologic evidence. The swine-isolated 3C.2a1b.2a.2b H3N2 was antigenically distinct from endemic 1990.4.A, 2010.1, and 2010.2 swine H3N2 lineages, but retained antigenic similarity to a recent human seasonal H3N2 (A/Darwin/6/2021). Pigs experimentally inoculated with a representative isolate demonstrated replication in the nose and lungs and minimal to mild macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions, but primary pigs did not transmit the virus to indirect contacts. If sustained in the pig population, this human seasonal H3 would represent the first new lineage detected in pigs the 2020 decade and present an emerging threat to swine health and production.

Normal aging has been associated with increased arterial transit time (ATT) and reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, age-related patterns of ATT and CBF and their relationship remain unclear. This is partly due to the lengthy scan times required for ATT measurements, which caused previous age-related CBF studies to not fully account for transit time. In this work, we aimed to elucidate age-related ATT and ATT-corrected CBF patterns. We examined 131 healthy subjects aged 19 to 82 years old using two pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) MRI scans: one to measure fast low-resolution ATT maps with five post-labeling delays and the other to measure high-resolution perfusion-weighted maps with a single post-labeling delay. Both ATT and perfusion-weighed maps were applied with vessel suppression. We found that ATT increases with age in the frontal, temporoparietal, and occipital regions, with a more pronounced elongation in males compared to females in the middle temporal gyrus. ATT-corrected CBF decreases with age in several brain regions, including the anterior cingulate, insula, posterior cingulate, angular, precuneus, supramarginal, frontal, parietal, superior and middle temporal, occipital, and cerebellar regions, while remaining stable in the inferior temporal and subcortical regions. In contrast, without ATT correction, we detected artifactual decreases in the inferior temporal and precentral regions. These findings suggest that ATT provides valuable and independent insights into microvascular deficits and should be incorporated into CBF measurements for studies involving aging populations.

Abstract Influenza A viruses in swine have considerable genetic diversity and continue to pose a pandemic threat to humans due to a potential lack of population level immunity. Here we describe a pipeline to characterize and triage influenza viruses for their pandemic risk and examine the pandemic potential of two widespread swine origin viruses. Our analysis reveals that a panel of human sera collected from healthy adults in 2020 has no cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against a α-H1 clade strain (α-swH1N2) but do against a γ-H1 clade strain. The α-swH1N2 virus replicates efficiently in human airway cultures and exhibits phenotypic signatures similar to the human H1N1 pandemic strain from 2009 (H1N1pdm09). Furthermore, α-swH1N2 is capable of efficient airborne transmission to both naïve ferrets and ferrets with prior seasonal influenza immunity. Ferrets with H1N1pdm09 pre-existing immunity show reduced α-swH1N2 viral shedding and less severe disease signs. Despite this, H1N1pdm09-immune ferrets that became infected via the air can still onward transmit α-swH1N2 with an efficiency of 50%. These results indicate that this α-swH1N2 strain has a higher pandemic potential, but a moderate level of impact since there is reduced replication fitness and pathology in animals with prior immunity.

As wildfire increases in the western United States, so do postfire debris-flow hazards. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed two separate models to estimate (1) rainfall intensity thresholds for postfire debris-flow initiation and (2) debris-flow volumes. However, the information necessary to test the accuracy of these models is seldom available. Here, we studied how well these models performed over a 2-year period in the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire burn perimeter in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA, through the development of a debris-flow response inventory. The study area had the advantage of a network of 11 rain gauges for rainfall intensity measurements and repeat lidar data for volume estimates. Our observations showed that 89 % of observed debris flows in the first year postfire were triggered by rainfall rates higher than the fire-wide rainfall threshold produced by the current USGS operational model (M1). No debris flows were observed in the second year postfire, despite eight rainstorms with intensities higher than the modeled rainfall threshold. We found that the operational model for debris-flow initiation rainfall thresholds works well in this region during the first year but may be too conservative in year 2 due to vegetation recovery and sediment depletion. However, rainfall thresholds in the second year can be improved by using updated remote sensing imagery to recalculate the debris-flow initiation likelihood with the M1 model. The current volume model overestimates for this region by a median value of 4.4 times. However, the offset between the model estimates and observations is approximately linear, and the volumes from the Grizzly Creek debris flows had a similar magnitude to historic postfire debris flows in the region. Consequently, the current volume model could be adjusted with a regional correction factor.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have potential to cross species barriers and cause pandemics. Since 2022, HPAI A(H5N1) belonging to the goose/Guangdong 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin phylogenetic clade have infected poultry, wild birds, and mammals across North America. Continued circulation in birds and infection of multiple mammalian species with strains possessing adaptation mutations increase the risk for infection and subsequent reassortment with influenza A viruses endemic in swine. We assessed the susceptibility of swine to avian and mammalian HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strains using a pathogenesis and transmission model. All strains replicated in the lung of pigs and caused lesions consistent with influenza A infection. However, viral replication in the nasal cavity and transmission was only observed with mammalian isolates. Mammalian adaptation and reassortment may increase the risk for incursion and transmission of HPAI viruses in feral, backyard, or commercial swine.

BackgroundShared plate eating (SPE), defined as two or more individuals eating directly from the same plate or bowl, is a common household food consumption practice in many Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Examination of household engagement in SPE remains largely unexplored, highlighting a gap in research when interpreting dietary information obtained from these settings. The dearth of research into SPE can be attributed to the inherent limitations of traditional dietary assessment methods which constrain their usability in settings where SPE is common.ObjectiveIn this expository narrative, we describe what SPE is when it is practiced in an LMIC such as Ghana; and also compare the frequency of SPE versus individual plate eating (IPE) by different household members in rural and urban households using a wearable camera (Automatic Ingestion Monitor version 2: AIM-2).MethodsPurposive convenience sampling was employed to recruit and enroll 30 households each from an urban and a rural community (n = 60 households) in Ghana. The AIM-2 was worn on eyeglass frames for 3 days by selected household members. The AIM-2, when worn, automatically collects images to capture food consumption in participants’ environments, thus enabling passive capture of household SPE dynamics.ResultsA higher percentage of SPE occasions was observed for rural (96.7%) compared to urban (36.7%) households (p

Disease management and epidemiological investigations of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-type 2 (PRRSV-2) often rely on grouping together highly related sequences. In the USA, the last five years have seen a major shift within the swine industry when classifying PRRSV-2, beginning to move away from RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphisms)-typing and adopting the use of phylogenetic lineage-based classification. However, lineages and sub-lineages are large and genetically diverse, making them insufficient for identifying new and emerging variants. Thus, within the lineage system, a dynamic fine-scale classification scheme is needed to provide better resolution on the relatedness of PRRSV-2 viruses to inform disease management and monitoring efforts and facilitate research and communication surrounding circulating PRRSV viruses. Here, we compare fine-scale systems for classifying PRRSV-2 variants (i.e., genetic clusters of closely related ORF5 sequences at finer scales than sub-lineage) using a database of 28,730 sequences from 2010 to 2021, representing >55% of the U.S. pig population. In total, we compared 140 approaches that differed in their tree-building method, criteria, and thresholds for defining variants within phylogenetic trees. Three approaches resulted in variant classifications that were reproducible and robust even when the input data or input phylogenies were changed. For these approaches, the average genetic distance among sequences belonging to the same variant was 2.1–2.5%, and the genetic divergence between variants was 2.5–2.7%. Machine learning classification algorithms were trained to assign new sequences to an existing variant with >95% accuracy, which shows that newly generated sequences can be assigned to a variant without repeating the phylogenetic and clustering analyses. Finally, we identified 73 sequence-clusters (dated

The multi-decade housing crisis has emerged as a critical aspect of both the ability of individuals to remain housed within the community as well as a critical health concern that impacts the long-term well-being through the presence or absence of both physical space and facilities in the home. We employ national state-level data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and aggregated measures from the Annual Disability Statistics Compendium to analyze six housing metrics—complete kitchen and plumbing access, overcrowding, housing cost burden, old housing, and poor housing. Using a lagged time-series regression analysis, we found the prevalence of cost burdened households in 2022 when accounting for individual and compounding housing metrics, and housing types, from 2019 to 2022, across community-living adults by disability status. Ultimately, we demonstrate that the carryover effects of housing issues is a greater contributor to housing cost burden than concurrent housing issues. This compounding and multi-faceted crisis further demonstrates that housing conditions and affordability need to be considered primary factors in the study and support of people with disabilities. Additionally, there is an urgent need for inclusive housing policies that address the challenges faced by disabled individuals to promote equitable access to sustainable, quality housing as a fundamental component of public health.

This study evaluated influenza A virus (IAV) detection and genetic diversity over time, specifically at the human–swine interface in breeding and nursery farms. Active surveillance was performed monthly in five swine farms in the Midwest United States targeting the employees, the prewean piglets at sow farms, and the same cohort of piglets in downstream nurseries. In addition, information was collected at enrollment for each employee and farm to assess production management practices, IAV vaccination status, diagnostic procedures, and biosecurity. Farm employee and swine samples were screened by IAV reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-rtPCR), followed by IAV subtyping RT-rtPCR and whole genome sequencing on PCR-positive samples. This study showed higher positivity of IAV RNA detection in nursery pigs compared to prewean pigs, and more whole genome sequences were also obtained in the nursery phase. Surveillance of farm employees revealed two detections of H3N2 representing the 2022–2023 human IAV season, confirming the presence of influenza in farm employees while present at work, and thus highlighting the importance of biosecurity measures at the human–swine interface. This study highlights the importance of routine active surveillance to understand the dynamics of IAV at the farm level in both farm employees and swine.

Objective: To better understand the microbial profile of complicated parapneumonic effusions and empyema, and to evaluate whether antimicrobial selection would differ if guided by targeted metagenomic sequencing (tMGS) vs conventional cultures (CCs) alone. Patients and Methods: We analyzed the pleural fluid of a cohort of 47 patients undergoing thoracentesis from January 1, 2017 to August 31, 2019, to characterize their microbial profile. All samples underwent 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene polymerase chain reaction, followed by tMGS. Results: Pleural space infection was deemed clinically present in 20 of the 47 (43%) participants. Of those, n=7 (35%) had positive pleural fluid cultures and n=14 (70%) had positive tMGS results. The organisms identified by tMGS were concordant with CCs; however, tMGS detected additional bacterial species over CCs alone. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species were the most common organisms identified, with Streptococcus intermedius/constellatus identified in 5 patients. Polymicrobial infections were found in 6 of the 20 patients, with anaerobes being the most common organisms identified in these cases. Conclusion: Streptococci and staphylococci were the most common organisms identified in infected pleural fluid. Anaerobes were common in polymicrobial infections. When compared with CCs, tMGS had higher sensitivity than CCs. Targeted metagenomic sequencing identified additional organisms, not identified by CCs, with associated potential management implications.

This paper presents results from the Smart Healthy Campus 2.0 study/smartphone app, developed and used to collect mental health-related lifestyle data from 86 Canadian undergraduates January-August 2021. Objectives of the study were to 1) address the absence of longitudinal mental health overview and lifestyle-related data from Canadian undergraduate students, and 2) to identify associations between these self-reported mental health overviews (questionnaires) and lifestyle-related measures (from smartphone digital measures). This was a longitudinal repeat measures study conducted over 40 weeks. A 9-item mental health questionnaire was accessible once daily in the app. Two variants of this mental health questionnaire existed; the first was a weekly variant, available each Monday or until a participant responded during the week. The second was a daily variant available after the weekly variant. 6518 digital measure samples and 1722 questionnaire responses were collected. Mixed models were fit for responses to the two questionnaire variants and 12 phone digital measures (e.g. GPS, step counts). The daily questionnaire had positive associations with floors walked, installed apps, and campus proximity, while having negative associations with uptime, and daily calendar events. Daily depression had a positive association with uptime. Daily resilience appeared to have a slight positive association with campus proximity. The weekly questionnaire variant had positive associations with device idling and installed apps, and negative associations with floors walked, calendar events, and campus proximity. Physical activity, weekly, had a negative association with uptime, and a positive association with calendar events and device idling. These lifestyle indicators that associated with student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest directions for new mental health-related interventions (digital or otherwise) and further efforts in mental health surveillance under comparable circumstances.

BackgroundThe association between chronic oral diseases and other major systemic health conditions, commonly referred to as the oral-systemic health connection, has been previously studied with several underlying common risk factors and pathways linking both groups of diseases. Psychosocial factors contribute to an increased susceptibility to chronic oral and non-oral diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of psychosocial stress in chronic oral and systemic diseases.MethodsA search strategy was built and a literature search was conducted using four databases (CINAHL, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO). A combination of search terms related to psychosocial stress, systemic disease, and oral conditions were used. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included human adults (aged 18 years and older), included psychosocial factors as an exposure measure, and outcome measures of both an oral and systemic condition. Only English-language articles were considered. Pilot testing of the data extraction form and calibration were conducted and data were extracted independently by one researcher.ResultsA total of fifteen articles out of eighty full-text articles screened were determined to be eligible for inclusion in this review. Periodontal disease was the most commonly studied oral disease, measured in 53% of included articles, with the most commonly studied systemic diseases being of mental health conditions (40%) and diabetes (47%). Psychosocial stress was measured using a range of psychometric indicators and/or biomarkers, including perceived stress, individual behaviours, childhood adversity, and cortisol. In total, fourteen studies found a positive association between measures of psychosocial stress and oral-systemic health.ConclusionPsychosocial stress may be a common contributor to both chronic oral and non-oral diseases.

Qualitative research has increasingly been utilising visual methods such as drawing to collect richer insights from participants of all ages and backgrounds. This article demonstrates the methodological potential of a structured arts based workshop that included a data walk, a drawing session, and a reflective peace wall. We reflect on the suitability and value of this approach to support young people’s learning about peace, to collect insights on what peace means to them, and how they envision their contribution to a peaceful world. This project was done with 12–18-year-old students in three schools in Glasgow, Scotland. We found that a structured approach allowed students to understand and express what positive peace means and to see themselves as agents of change. Three key methodological insights are offered: ways the approach addresses a crisis of praxis in peace education research, how research methods can gain congruence with democratic concepts in of peace education, and normative validity established through the voice of young people. This article contributes to the literature on arts based and creative methodologies and offers a novel model of peace education research inclusive of multiple ways of knowing and more democratic methods.

Abstract As customer reviews are becoming increasingly valued in the hotel industry, hotel managers are actively responding to customer reviews, and many researchers are investigating the effects of managerial responses. Previous studies, however, have mainly focused on open communication that takes place on social platforms or online travel agency (OTA) websites. Considerations about interaction contexts and specific response styles are also lacking. These limitations raise research questions, such as whether private interactions between managers and customers would be effective, whether the effect would differ between dissatisfied and satisfied customers, and what role the authenticity of managerial responses would play in these interactions. To address these questions, we investigated the effect of private managerial interactions. The effect of a managerial apology on customers’ future satisfaction, the effect of a managerial “thank you” on customers’ future electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and the moderating effect of response style (i.e., personalization and length) were examined. We analyzed data from a customer satisfaction survey in which customers leave feedback after their stay and hotel managers respond to each customer personally via email. Our results reveal that a private managerial apology increases customers’ future satisfaction only when it is long or personalized. A private managerial “thank you” positively affects customers’ eWOM in the next period. This research provides empirical evidence for the effect of private managerial interactions, extending the existing discussions on the effect of managerial responses to the private digital communication context. This research contributes to the research areas of managerial response, service recovery, and digital communications.

Influenza A virus (FLUAV) infects a wide range of hosts and human-to-swine spillover events are frequently reported. However, only a few of these human viruses have become established in pigs and the host barriers and molecular mechanisms driving adaptation to the swine host remain poorly understood. We previously found that infection of pigs with a 2:6 reassortant virus (hVIC/11) containing the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene segments from the human strain A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2) and internal gene segments of an endemic swine strain (sOH/04) resulted in a fixed amino acid substitution in the HA (A138S, mature H3 HA numbering). In silico analysis revealed that S138 became predominant among swine H3N2 virus sequences deposited in public databases, while 138A predominates in human isolates. To understand the role of the HA A138S substitution in the adaptation of a human-origin FLUAV HA to swine, we infected pigs with the hVIC/11A138S mutant and analyzed pathogenesis and transmission compared to hVIC/11 and sOH/04. Our results showed that the hVIC/11A138S virus had an intermediary pathogenesis between hVIC/11 and sOH/04. The hVIC/11A138S infected the upper respiratory tract, right caudal, and both cranial lobes while hVIC/11 was only detected in nose and trachea samples. Viruses induced a distinct expression pattern of various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8, TNF-α, and IFN-β. Flow cytometric analysis of lung samples revealed a significant reduction of porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) in hVIC/11A138S-infected pigs compared to hVIC/11 while a MHCIIlowCD163neg population was increased. The hVIC/11A138S showed a higher affinity for PAMs than hVIC/11, noted as an increase of infected PAMs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and showed no differences in the percentage of HA-positive PAMs compared to sOH/04. This increased infection of PAMs led to an increase of granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation but a reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in the sOH/04-infected group. Analysis using the PAM cell line 3D4/21 revealed that the A138S substitution improved replication and apoptosis induction in this cell type compared to hVIC/11 but at lower levels than sOH/04. Overall, our study indicates that adaptation of human viruses to the swine host involves an increased affinity for the lower respiratory tract and alveolar macrophages.

Background Pediatric out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (POHCA) is associated with significant mortality and poor neurological outcomes. We aimed to describe the association between sociodemographic factors and POHCA risk in Ontario, Canada. Methods and Results We conducted a province‐wide case–control study at ICES, where patient records are linked across administrative databases. The case group included children (aged 1 day to 17 years) who experienced an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest between 2004 and 2020. Controls were matched up to 1:4 on age, sex, index date, and key comorbidities. We used conditional logistic regression to measure the association between sociodemographic indicators and POHCA risk. The case and control groups included 1826 and 7254 children, respectively. Children living in areas with the highest levels of material deprivation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.35 [95% CI, 1.94–2.85]) and dependency (aOR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.01–1.48]) had a higher odds of POHCA, relative to children living in regions with the lowest levels of material deprivation and dependency, respectively. Children living in neighborhoods with the lowest levels of ethnic diversity had a higher odds of POHCA (aOR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.30–2.01]), relative to children living in neighborhoods with the highest levels of ethnic diversity. The odds of POHCA were lower in immigrants (aOR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.47–0.95]), relative to the general population. Northern urban residence was associated with a higher odds of POHCA (aOR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.13–1.87]), relative to southern urban residence. Conclusions Children living in neighborhoods with high levels of marginalization may have an elevated risk of experiencing POHCA. These findings highlight the importance of addressing disparities through targeted prevention and intervention efforts.

Abstract A strong correlation between NOS2 and COX2 tumor expression and poor clinical outcomes in ER breast cancer has been established. However, the mechanisms of tumor induction of these enzymes are unclear. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed correlations between NOS2 and COX2 expression and Th1 cytokines. Herein, single-cell RNAseq analysis of TNBC cells shows potent NOS2 and COX2 induction by IFNγ combined with IL1β or TNFα. Given that IFNγ is secreted by cytolytic lymphocytes, which improve clinical outcomes, this role of IFNγ presents a dichotomy. To explore this conundrum, tumor NOS2, COX2, and CD8+ T cells were spatially analyzed in aggressive ER–, TNBC, and HER2 + breast tumors. High expression and clustering of NOS2-expressing tumor cells occurred at the tumor/stroma interface in the presence of stroma-restricted CD8+ T cells. High expression and clustering of COX2-expressing tumor cells extended into immune desert regions in the tumor core where CD8+ T cell penetration was limited or absent. Moreover, high NOS2-expressing tumor cells were proximal to areas with increased satellitosis, suggestive of cell clusters with a higher metastatic potential. Further in vitro experiments revealed that IFNγ + IL1β/TNFα increased the elongation and migration of treated tumor cells. This spatial analysis of the tumor microenvironment provides important insight into distinct neighborhoods where stroma-restricted CD8+ T cells exist proximal to NOS2-expressing tumor niches that could have increased metastatic potential.

Abstract Human presence exerts complex effects on the ecology of species, which has implications for biodiversity persistence in protected areas experiencing increasing human recreation levels. However, the difficulty of separating the effect on species of human presence from other environmental or disturbance gradients remains a challenge. The cessation of human activity that occurred with COVID-19 restrictions provides a ‘natural experiment’ to better understand the influence of human presence on wildlife. Here, we use a COVID-19 closure within a heavily visited and highly protected national park (Glacier National Park, MT, USA) to examine how ‘low-impact’ recreational hiking affects the spatiotemporal ecology of a diverse mammal community. Based on data collected from camera traps when the park was closed and then subsequently open to recreation, we found consistent negative responses to human recreation across most of our assemblage of 24 species, with fewer detections, reduced site use, and decreased daytime activity. Our results suggest that the dual mandates of national parks and protected areas to conserve biodiversity and promote recreation have potential to be in conflict, even for presumably innocuous recreational activities. There is an urgent need to understand the fitness consequences of these spatiotemporal changes to inform management decisions in protected areas.