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Objectives. To examine the impact of school shootings on indicators of adolescent school safety in the United States. Methods. We linked 2009–2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data on 211 236 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years from 24 school districts with data on high school shootings from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. We conducted 2-way fixed-effects logistic regression models to assess the impact of shootings on self-report of 3 indicators of school safety: avoiding school because of feeling unsafe, carrying a weapon at school, and being threatened or injured with a weapon at school. Results. High school shootings were associated with adolescents having 20% greater odds of avoiding school because of feeling unsafe (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11, 1.29) than those who had not. Findings were slightly attenuated in sensitivity analyses that tested exposure to shootings at any school in the district or state. High school shootings were associated with a statistically nonsignificant (P = .08) elevated risk of carrying a weapon at school (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.25). Conclusions. The negative ramifications of school shootings extend far beyond the event itself to adolescents’ concerns about school safety. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(4):438–441. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307206 )

BackgroundDiagnostic testing for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) started in 2013 in Palestine. We aimed to describe the diagnostic, genetic and clinical spectrum of the Palestinian PCD population.MethodsIndividuals with symptoms suggestive of PCD were opportunistically considered for diagnostic testing: nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or PCD genetic panel or whole-exome testing. Clinical characteristics of those with a positive diagnosis were collected close to testing including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) Global Lung Index z-scores and body mass index z-scores.Results68 individuals had a definite positive PCD diagnosis, 31 confirmed by genetic and TEM results, 23 by TEM results alone, and 14 by genetic variants alone. 45 individuals from 40 families had 17 clinically actionable variants and four had variants of unknown significance in 14 PCD genes. CCDC39,DNAH11andDNAAF11were the most commonly mutated genes. 100% of variants were homozygous. Patients had a median age of 10.0 years at diagnosis, were highly consanguineous (93%) and 100% were of Arabic descent. Clinical features included persistent wet cough (99%), neonatal respiratory distress (84%) and situs inversus (43%). Lung function at diagnosis was already impaired (FEV1z-score median −1.90 (−5.0–1.32)) and growth was mostly within the normal range (z-score mean −0.36 (−3.03–2.57). 19% individuals had finger clubbing.ConclusionsDespite limited local resources in Palestine, detailed geno- and phenotyping forms the basis of one of the largest national PCD populations globally. There was notable familial homozygosity within the context of significant population heterogeneity.

The source and significance of pulmonary silicate crystals in animals and people are poorly understood. To estimate the prevalence and characterize the pulmonary crystalline material in animals from St. Kitts, tissue samples from dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, mongooses, and monkeys were examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM/EDXA), and x-ray diffraction. Crystalline material was seen in 201 of 259 (77.6%) lung samples as perivascular and interstitial accumulations of heterogeneous crystalline particulate material, free or within macrophages (silicate-laden macrophages [SLMs]), mostly lacking evidence of chronic inflammation or fibrosis. The crystalline material was birefringent, basophilic on acid-fast, and composed of silicas on SEM/EDXA. Mongooses (100%) and monkeys (98%) had the highest prevalence of SLM, followed by cattle and chickens. Lesions were graded on a 3-point scale based on the histologic location and extent of silicates and SLM and were significantly more severe in mongooses (median = 3) than in monkeys (median = 2), dogs (median = 2), and chickens (median = 1). On EDXA, the crystalline material from lungs, air, and topsoil was composed of silicon, oxygen, aluminum, and iron, with a particulate matter size between 2.5 and 10 µm. We hypothesize Saharan dust, volcanic ash, topsoil, and rock quarry dust are potential sources of siliceous dust inhalation and SLM accumulations lacking chronic inflammation (silicosis); dust generation may be potentiated by road vehicle or wind suspension. Future investigations are warranted on the role of silicate inhalation and respiratory comorbidities in people, with monkeys, mongooses, or chickens serving as possible sentinels for exposure.

BackgroundIn the original clinical trials evaluating intralesional collagenase Clostridium histolyticum for Peyronie disease (PD), treatment protocols were limited to 8 injections.AimWe sought to describe our single-center experience with the use of multiple rounds (>8 injections) of intralesional collagenase in patients with PD.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with PD receiving intralesional collagenase injections at our institution from October 2015 through December 2020. Some patients who completed 1 round of treatment elected to undergo additional rounds (16 or 24 injections) based on persistent curvature and presence of penile plaque. Clinical improvement was defined as a 20% reduction in penile curvature from the start of a given round of treatment to the end of that round of treatment. We measured erect penile curvature before and after each round and collected demographics, medical and surgical history, curvature outcomes, and treatment-related adverse events.OutcomeThe primary outcome was the reduction in penile curvature after multiple rounds of treatment with intralesional collagenase injections in patients with PD.ResultsA total of 330 patients underwent intralesional collagenase injections for PD, of whom 229 completed at least 8 injections and underwent pre- and posttreatment erect penile goniometry. An overall 42.8% (98/229), 38.6% (22/57), and 12.5% (1/8) of patients achieved clinical improvement after 1 round of therapy (8 injections), 2 rounds (16 injections), and 3 rounds (24 injections), respectively. Mean degree and mean percentage improvement of penile curvature for the start and end of each round of treatment were 8.3° and 16.4% (after 1 round), 7.2° and 16.8% (after 2 rounds), and 3.3° and 8.1% (after 3 rounds). Bruising was the most common complication, with an incidence of at least 50% in each round.Clinical ImplicationsKnowledge of patient responses to multiple rounds of intralesional collagenase injections may help guide physicians in management and counseling of patients regarding PD treatment options.Strengths and LimitationsThis is the first study to evaluate multiple rounds (>8 injections) of intralesional collagenase for PD. Limitations include retrospective analysis and smaller sample size among patients undergoing 3 rounds (24 injections).ConclusionFor patients who did not achieve clinical improvement after 1 round of treatment, an additional round may be beneficial. However, no real improvement was observed for patients undergoing a third round.

OBJECTIVE In this study, the authors report on their experience with the surgical treatment of young adults with idiopathic scoliosis (YAdISs) who did not have surgical treatment in adolescence but did require intervention after skeletal maturity. METHODS The medical records of YAdISs between 18 and 40 years of age who had been surgically treated at two institutions between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Pre- and postoperative clinical and radiographic information was gathered and compared at 2 years after treatment. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients (9 male, 19 female) with a median age of 25 years (range 18–40 years) met the study inclusion criteria. Five patients (18%) had postoperative complications, including 2 deep venous thromboses, 1 ileus, and 2 reoperations, one for implant failure and the other for pseudarthrosis. The mean maximum coronal curve angle improved from 43° ± 12° to 17° ± 8° (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, or thoracic kyphosis (p > 0.05). There was no relationship between the amount of correction obtained and patient age (p = 0.46). Significant improvements in the Oswestry Disability Index (31 vs 24, p = 0.02), visual analog scale score for both back pain (6.0 vs 4.0, p = 0.01) and leg pain (2.6 vs 1.1, p = 0.02), and self-image score (Δ1.1, p < 0.001) were seen. CONCLUSIONS YAdISs can present with pain, deformity progression, and/or appearance dissatisfaction because of their scoliosis despite successful nonoperative management during adolescence. Once the scoliosis becomes symptomatic, surgical correction can result in significant clinical and radiographic improvements at the 2-year follow-up with a relatively low complication rate compared to that for other types of adult spinal deformity.

This paper describes multidimensional modeling of ablation heat transfer with a focus on ablative insulation materials used in rocket motor nozzles. Phenomenology is discussed, and detailed three-dimensional math models are presented along with a finite element solution strategy. Implementation into a computer program named Hero is described, including a description of the parallel processing capability that enables computational support for large finite element models. A validation case is presented using measurement data from booster motors of the space shuttle program. The validation results are quantified in terms of the probabilistic propensity for misprediction of the char depth at varying levels. The validation results show a trend toward the overprediction of char depth by around 4%. The standard deviation of percent misprediction is shown to be between 6 and 16%, depending on boundary condition fidelity. This suggests that accuracy to three standard deviations can be expected to fall in the range of 18–48% for ablation modeling in rocket nozzles. This paper provides an important reference for multidimensional ablation heat transfer analysis and quantification of related modeling uncertainty.

Sociological research on social movements and politics holds that advocacy organizations are typically trusted to be authentic agents of their constituents. At the same time, however, businesses and other outside interests often engage in covert “astroturfing” strategies in which they ventriloquize claims through apparently independent grassroots associations (but which are entirely funded and staffed to benefit the sponsor). These widespread and deceptive strategies may harm trust in advocacy groups overall, extending beyond those revealed to be involved, through a mechanism of categorical stigmatization. This study is the first to test how revealed covert patronage may “poison the well” for all advocacy groups, with implications for how social movements and other advocacy causes suffer harm from illegitimate political practices by other organizations. The authors carried out two survey-experiments in which a local advocacy organization was revealed to be operating, respectively, as a “front” for either a corporation or think tank; in each experiment, conditions varied depending upon whether the sponsor was presented as highly reputable, low reputation, or with no specified reputation. In both experiments, astroturfing led to significant declines in trust in advocacy groups overall. We highlight implications for theory and research on social movements, organizational theory, and political processes.

There is a surprising lack of evidence documenting the volumetric symmetry of the bony orbit. This paper establishes reference values for orbital volume (OV) and symmetry in the 25 - 40 year old caucasian population. Secondarily, this paper sets a landmark for the tolerances in OV that can be expected when reconstructing the bony defects which may occur from trauma. A standardised method of quantitative OV measurement was developed using CT sinus examinations acquired for indications unrelated to orbital trauma. Sex, ethnicity, age, right and left OV were recorded. Data for 100 patients was obtained (50 male, 50 female). Mean left OV was 23.1cm

James Walker, John Lee and Stephen Broadberry synthesise and analyse ancient sources to address three fascinating questions: What can Domesday Book tell us about medieval England and Wales? How can we estimate medieval populations? What was the size of the medieval economy?

Thoracic disk herniation is rare and difficult to treat. The minimally invasive lateral retropleural approach to the thoracic spine enables the surgeon to decompress the neural elements and minimize thecal sac manipulation through direct visualization with less exposure-related morbidity.To provide a detailed step-by-step overview of the minimally invasive retropleural approach for thoracic diskectomies, including preoperative planning through postoperative care as practiced at our institution.Lateral retropleural thoracic diskectomies performed at a single institution from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020, were reviewed. Clinical and outcome data were collected and analyzed. The retropleural approach was divided into several components: relevant anatomy, indications and contraindications, preoperative setup, exposure and approach, diskectomy, and closure and postoperative care.Twelve patients were treated during the study interval. Their average (SD) age was 44.2 (9.5) years; 10 of 12 were men. Eleven patients presented with thoracic myelopathy. The level treated ranged from T6-7 to T12-L1. Disk herniations were calcified in 10 of 12 patients. These lesions were approached from the left side in 7 of 12 patients. Six patients had complications, none of which were neurological. Chest tubes were placed for pleural violation, pneumothorax, or hemothorax in 3 patients. Two patients experienced postoperative abdominal pseudohernia. Neurological symptoms were stable or improved in all patients. The median (IQR) Nurick scale improved from 3.0 (2.0-3.0) preoperatively to 1.0 (0-3.0) ( P = .026) postoperatively.Lateral retropleural diskectomy enables safe, efficient resection of most thoracic disks while minimizing patient morbidity.

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is useful during spinal cord operations, but whether IONM is necessary for posterior cervical surgeries for degenerative conditions is unknown. We evaluated the utility of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring as a tool for predicting new postoperative neurologic deficits during posterior decompression and fusion for degenerative cervical spine conditions.We retrospectively reviewed posterior cervical operations performed at our institute over a 4-year period. Patients with postoperative neurologic deficits were identified, and a detailed analysis performed to ascertain whether SSEP or MEP monitoring accurately predicted the onset of new postoperative deficits.Overall, 498 patients were included in the analysis (median age 66 years; range: 22-93 years). SSEP monitoring was performed in all patients, and both SSEP and MEP monitoring were performed in 121 patients (24%). Twenty-one patients (4.2%) had new postoperative neurologic deficits. SSEP had significantly higher specificity (90%) but lower sensitivity (33%) than MEP (74% specificity [P = 0.008], 50% sensitivity [P = 0.01]) for detecting neurologic compromise intraoperatively. For SSEP, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) in detecting intraoperative changes that translated to new postoperative neurological deficits were 12% and 97%, respectively, whereas for MEP, the PPV and NPV were 6% (P = 0.009) and 98% (P = 0.20), respectively.IONM during posterior cervical operations for degenerative conditions of the spine is not reliable at predicting new postoperative neurologic deficits in patients treated for degenerative conditions, but may provide peace of mind to the surgeon intraoperatively when no abnormalities are detected.

The Main Köpetdag fault (MKDF) of Turkmenistan is one of the longest (≈500 km) and the most rapidly straining (9.1 ± 1.3 mm/yr) faults of the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone, and yet, in contrast to adjacent parts of Turkmenistan and Iran, it has little in the way of observed seismicity. Field observations indicate a fresh paleorupture along an ≈100 km long section of the MKDF with abundant streams offset across it. We use WorldView-2 optical satellite imagery to measure geomorphic offsets and compile them into a cumulative offset probability density (COPD) function. The COPD yields two peaks in offset density at 7.5 ± 1.5 and 12.5 ± 1.5 m, when considering the highest and the lowest quality measurements, whereas the medium-quality measurements present a single peak at 9 ± 3 m. We are unable to separate peaks into distinct events when exploring the contributions of offset measurements along strike that have significant variability. The paleorupture displaces archaeological remains, including extensive field boundaries of likely medieval age, and a paleoseismic trench brackets the age of the most recent displacement at 600–800 yr B.P. From our measurements of displacement, we estimate that the most recent paleoearthquake had a moment magnitude (Mw) 7.6 ± 0.4 and yet is missing from earthquake records in nearby Iran, indicating that the paucity of historical earthquakes in Turkmenistan may be misleading. The Baharly, Döwgala, and Gökdepe segments of the MKDF, which extend eastward toward Aşgabat, do not show fresh surface expression. Infrared-stimulated luminescence ages of 3.4 ± 0.5 and 2.5 ± 0.2 ka from a river-cutting exposure along the Baharly segment predate the most recent paleorupture. We conclude that individual segments of the MKDF are capable of rupturing in major (Mw>7.0) earthquakes, with ends of individual ruptures possibly controlled by segment boundaries. The occurrence of major earthquakes and rapid slip rate suggests that the MKDF constitutes a hazard to a populated region of Turkmenistan and northeast Iran.

Much of our understanding regarding geographic issues in transplantation is based on statistical techniques that do not formally account for geography and is based on obsolete boundaries such as donation service area.We applied spatial epidemiological techniques to analyze liver-related mortality and access to liver transplant services at the county level using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 2010 to 2018.There was a significant negative spatial correlation between transplant rates and liver-related mortality at the county level (Moran's I, -0.319; P = 0.001). Significant clusters were identified with high transplant rates and low liver-related mortality. Counties in geographic clusters with high ratios of liver transplants to liver-related deaths had more liver transplant centers within 150 nautical miles (6.7 versus 3.6 centers; P 0.001) compared with all other counties, as did counties in geographic clusters with high ratios of waitlist additions to liver-related deaths (8.5 versus 2.5 centers; P 0.001). The spatial correlation between waitlist mortality and overall liver-related mortality was positive (Moran's I, 0.060; P = 0.001) but weaker. Several areas with high waitlist mortality had some of the lowest overall liver-related mortality in the country.These data suggest that high waitlist mortality and allocation model for end-stage liver disease do not necessarily correlate with decreased access to transplant, whereas local transplant center density is associated with better access to waitlisting and transplant.

OBJECTIVE Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) used at the lumbosacral junction provides arthrodesis for several indications. The anterior approach allows restoration of lumbar lordosis, an important goal of surgery. With hyperlordotic ALIF implants, several options may be employed to obtain the desired amount of lordosis. In this study, the authors compared the degree of radiographic lordosis achieved with lordotic and hyperlordotic ALIF implants at the L5–S1 segment. METHODS All patients undergoing L5–S1 ALIF from 2 institutions over a 4-year interval were included. Patients < 18 years of age or those with any posterior decompression or osteotomy were excluded. ALIF implants in the lordotic group had 8° or 12° of inherent lordosis, whereas implants in the hyperlordotic group had 20° or 30° of lordosis. Upright standing radiographs were used to determine all radiographic parameters, including lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, disc space lordosis, and disc space height. Separate analyses were performed for patients who underwent single-segment fixation at L5–S1 and for the overall cohort. RESULTS A total of 204 patients were included (hyperlordotic group, 93 [45.6%]; lordotic group, 111 [54.4%]). Single-segment ALIF at L5–S1 was performed in 74 patients (hyperlordotic group, 27 [36.5%]; lordotic group, 47 [63.5%]). The overall mean ± SD age was 61.9 ± 12.3 years; 58.3% of patients (n = 119) were women. The mean number of total segments fused was 3.2 ± 2.6. Overall, 66.7% (n = 136) of patients had supine surgery and 33.3% (n = 68) had lateral surgery. Supine positioning was significantly more common in the hyperlordotic group than in the lordotic group (83.9% [78/93] vs 52.3% [58/111], p < 0.001). After adjusting for differences in surgical positioning, the change in lumbar lordosis was significantly greater for hyperlordotic versus lordotic implants (3.6° ± 7.5° vs 0.4° ± 7.5°, p = 0.048) in patients with single-level fusion. For patients receiving hyperlordotic versus lordotic implants, changes were also significantly greater for segmental lordosis (12.4° ± 7.5° vs 8.4° ± 4.9°, p = 0.03) and disc space lordosis (15.3° ± 5.4° vs 9.3° ± 5.8°, p < 0.001) after single-level fusion at L5–S1. The change in disc space height was similar for these 2 groups (p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS Hyperlordotic implants provided a greater degree of overall lumbar lordosis restoration as well as L5–S1 segmental and disc space lordosis restoration than lordotic implants. The change in disc space height was similar. Differences in lateral and supine positioning did not affect these parameters.

SUMMARY The Main Köpetdag Fault (MKDF) is a predominantly right-lateral strike-slip fault that dissects the northern edge of the Köpetdag mountains of Turkmenistan and Iran. The fault represents the northernmost expression of deformation from the Arabia–Eurasia collision to the east of the Caspian Sea, and plays an important role facilitating the motion of the South Caspian Basin (SCB). Despite the kinematic significance of the MKDF, previous geodetic measurements of the slip-rate across the fault have been highly variable, with a recent geological slip-rate supporting evidence for rapid motion across the fault. To resolve this ambiguity, we derive Sentinel-1 InSAR time-series in both the ascending and descending LOS (line-of-sight) to measure interseismic motion across the MKDF. This implements a processing strategy for the correction and performance analysis of tropospheric models from GACOS (Generic Atmospheric Correction Online Service), which suggests a 25–40 per cent underestimation in the amplitude of the tropospheric path delay in this region. Modelling the rate of fault-parallel motion across the MKDF and combining this with a geological slip-rate constrains 9 ± 2 mm yr–1 right-lateral motion, along with a shallow locking depth of ≈6 km. The LOS time-series resolves path delays of greater than 1 mm yr–1 in both LOS geometries to the north of the MKDF, aligned with mapped frontal thrust scarps to the north of the MKDF. Modelling this as uplift from deformation across these frontal thrusts estimates 4 ± 2 mm yr–1 of shortening across the fault system. This implies that convergence measured with GNSS within the East Caspian Lowlands is partitioned across frontal thrusts to the north of the MKDF. Revising an Iran–Eurasia–SCB velocity triangle suggests that motion along the conjugate MKDF and Shahroud fault zones is representative of the motion of the SCB, which is moving at 10 ± 2 mm yr–1 in a direction of 330° ± 10° relative to Eurasia.

Students that wish to participate in organized intercollegiate sports programs in college face two options, club sports or varsity sports. Although both options allow for students to compete against students from other institutions, the structure and experiences of both programs is drastically different. This study aims to compare club athletes and varsity athletes on their perceptions of their coach's behaviors and the influence those behaviors have on sportsmanship development, and to identify the differences between the two sport types and the social development outcomes that are commonly associated with sports participation. The results of this study show that the assessed coaching behaviors were more predictive within varsity athletes than club athletes, and that club athletes rated wanting to develop a new skill and be physically active as more important in their participation than it was for varsity athletes.

While considerable attention has been devoted to the repertoires of social movements, we know considerably less about how the repertoires of industry groups evolve as those industries face movement-driven contention. This is particularly important for environmental movements, which regularly target industries seen as contributing to environmental harms and risks. Focusing on contention surrounding hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), we compare the repertoires of the two central industry associations promoting fracking in the Marcellus Shale region of the United States: one that is more transgressive and likely to counter-attack activists (Energy in Depth) and one that is more conventional and likely to tout the industry’s economic benefits (Marcellus Shale Coalition). We examine the tone and topical content of each of these industry groups’ communications between 2009 and 2019. We examine a number of specific features of industry groups’ communications: whether they use a more positive or negative tone, and the extent to which their communications address activism, government regulation, jobs/economy, and climate change. We find that the more transgressive association focuses far more directly on countering activism, both in the timing and content of communications. Both engage with government roughly evenly, and each engages with the politics of climate change in unique ways. We develop insights for our understanding of how targets strategically respond to environmental activism, and how industry groups develop a meta-level division of labor to engage multiple audiences.

Raw data and heat maps for metabolomics of cell lines and tumors.

Aquaporin-7 is required for breast tumor burden, metastasis, and metabolic reprogramming.

Supplemental Methods

Supplementary Table Legends

The complex yet interrelated connections between cancer metabolism, gene expression, and oncogenic driver genes have the potential to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets with prognostic and therapeutic value. Here we effectively integrated metabolomics and gene expression data from breast cancer mouse models through a novel unbiased correlation-based network analysis. This approach identified 35 metabolite and 34 gene hubs with the most network correlations. These hubs have prognostic value and are likely integral to tumor metabolism and breast cancer. The gene hub Aquaporin-7 (Aqp7), a water and glycerol channel, was identified as a novel regulator of breast cancer. AQP7 was prognostic of overall survival in patients with breast cancer. In mouse breast cancer models, reduced expression of Aqp7 caused reduced primary tumor burden and lung metastasis. Metabolomics and complex lipid profiling of cells and tumors with reduced Aqp7 revealed significantly altered lipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and urea/arginine metabolism compared with controls. These data identify AQP7 as a critical regulator of metabolic and signaling responses to environmental cellular stresses in breast cancer, highlighting AQP7 as a potential cancer-specific therapeutic vulnerability.Significance:Aquaporin-7 is identified as a critical regulator of nutrient availability and signaling that responds to cellular stresses, making it an attractive therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Aquaporin-7 deficiency regulates breast cancer phenotypes.

List of hubs and raw data for network analysis.

Aquaporin-7 dependent analysis of metabolomics and complex lipid profiling in cell lines and tumors.

Prognostic values of metabolite and gene hubs on patient survival.

Environmental concerns are driving interests in post-petroleum synthetic textiles produced from microbial and fungal sources. Bacterial cellulose is a promising sustainable leather alternative, on account of its material properties, low infrastructure needs and biodegradability. However, for alternative textiles like bacterial cellulose to be fully sustainable, alternative ways to dye textiles need to be developed alongside alternative production methods. To address this, we here use genetic engineering ofKomagataeibacter rhaeticusto create a bacterial strain that grows self-dyeing bacterial cellulose. Dark black pigmentation robust to material use is achieved through melanin biosynthesis in the bacteria from recombinant tyrosinase expression. Melanated bacterial cellulose production can be scaled up for the construction of prototype fashion products, and we illustrate the potential of combining engineered self-dyeing with tools from synthetic biology, via the optogenetic patterning of gene expression in cellulose-producing bacteria. With this work, we demonstrate that combining genetic engineering with current and future methods of textile biofabrication has the potential to create a new class of textiles.

Invasion of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi across the Horn of Africa threatens control efforts across the continent, particularly in urban settings where the vector is able to proliferate. Malaria transmission is primarily determined by the abundance of dominant vectors, which often varies seasonally with rainfall. However, it remains unclear how An. stephensi abundance changes throughout the year, despite this being a crucial input to surveillance and control activities. We collate longitudinal catch data from across its endemic range to better understand the vector’s seasonal dynamics and explore the implications of this seasonality for malaria surveillance and control across the Horn of Africa. Our analyses reveal pronounced variation in seasonal dynamics, the timing and nature of which are poorly predicted by rainfall patterns. Instead, they are associated with temperature and patterns of land use; frequently differing between rural and urban settings. Our results show that timing entomological surveys to coincide with rainy periods is unlikely to improve the likelihood of detecting An. stephensi. Integrating these results into a malaria transmission model, we show that timing indoor residual spraying campaigns to coincide with peak rainfall offers little improvement in reducing disease burden compared to starting in a random month. Our results suggest that unlike other malaria vectors in Africa, rainfall may be a poor guide to predicting the timing of peaks in An. stephensi -driven malaria transmission. This highlights the urgent need for longitudinal entomological monitoring of the vector in its new environments given recent invasion and potential spread across the continent.

This paper describes a variational data assimilation algorithm based on the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) wave spectrum model. The approach allows single-point wave spectrum observations to be used to estimate the wave field for a nearshore region under stationary conditions, assuming a spatially uniform incident wave spectrum at the offshore boundary. The assimilated data are in the form of Fourier directional coefficients, the standard output from operational wave buoys, and are used directly by incorporating the relationship between directional spectrum and the Fourier coefficients into the formulation. The algorithm was tested on data from nearshore buoys deployed off the coast of North Carolina in May 2012, and the estimated wave field is compared to both the input data and independent observation data. The results compare favorably to the independent data with overall RMS errors of 10%–20% for significant wave height, about half a second for mean wave period, and as much as three to four SWAN spectral grid cells for mean direction. Overall, the results show that the algorithm can be effectively used to estimate the offshore boundary spectrum and accurately reproduce wave conditions in the domain.

In the skin-healing field, porcine models are regarded as a useful analogue for human skin due to their numerous anatomical and physiological similarities. Despite the widespread use of porcine models in skin healing studies, the initial origin, recruitment and transition of fibroblasts to matrix-secreting contractile myofibroblasts are not well defined for this model. In this review, we discuss the merit of the pig as an animal for studying myofibroblast origin, as well as the challenges associated with assessing their contributions to skin healing. Although a variety of wound types (incisional, partial thickness, full thickness, burns) have been investigated in pigs in attempts to mimic diverse injuries in humans, direct comparison of human healing profiles with regards to myofibroblasts shows evident differences. Following injury in porcine models, which often employ juvenile animals, myofibroblasts are described in the developing granulation tissue at 4 days, peaking at Days 7-14, and persisting at 60 days post-wounding, although variations are evident depending on the specific pig breed. In human wounds, the presence of myofibroblasts is variable and does not correlate with the age of the wound or clinical contraction. Our comparison of porcine myofibroblast-mediated healing processes with those in humans suggests that further validation of the pig model is essential. Moreover, we identify several limitations evident in experimental design that need to be better controlled, and standardisation of methodologies would be beneficial for the comparison and interpretation of results. In particular, we discuss anatomical location of the wounds, their size and depth, as well as the healing microenvironment (wet vs. moist vs. dry) in pigs and how this could influence myofibroblast recruitment. In summary, although a widespread model used in the skin healing field, further research is required to validate pigs as a useful analogue for human healing with regards to myofibroblasts.

The emplacement of large igneous provinces (LIPs) has been linked to catastrophic mass extinctions in Earth's history, but some LIPs are only associated with less severe oceanic anoxic events, and others have negligible environmental effects. Although it is widely accepted that massive magma outpouring can affect the environment through volatile degassing, it remains debated what controls the severity of environmental crises. Here, we demonstrate that the second-most-voluminous Phanerozoic LIP, the Kerguelen LIP, may have contributed to the early Aptian oceanic anoxic event 1a, a global event previously believed to have been caused by the Ontong Java LIP. Geochronological data show that the earliest eruptions of the Kerguelen LIP preceded the onset of oceanic anoxic event 1a by at least ∼5 million years. Analyses of CO