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We consider the weighted completion time minimization problem for capacitated parallel machines, which is a fundamental problem in modern cloud computing environments. In our setting, the processed jobs may be of varying duration, require different resources, and be of unequal importance (weight). Each server (machine) can process multiple concurrent jobs up to its capacity. We study heuristic approaches with provable approximation guarantees and offer an algorithm that prioritizes the jobs with the smallest volume-by-weight ratio. We bound the algorithm's approximation ratio using a decreasing function of the ratio between the highest resource demand of any job and the server's capacity. Thereafter, we create a hybrid, constant approximation algorithm for two or more machines. We also develop a constant approximation algorithm for the case of a single machine. Via a numerical study and a mixed-integer linear program of the problem, we demonstrate the performance of the suggested algorithm with respect to the optimal solutions and alternative scheduling methods. We show that the suggested scheduling method can be applied to both offline and online problems that may arise in real-world settings. This research is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to propose a polynomial-time algorithm with a constant approximation ratio for minimizing the weighted sum of job completion times for capacitated parallel machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young diagrams are fundamental combinatorial objects in representation theory and algebraic geometry. Many constructions that rely on these objects depend on variations of a straightening process that expresses a filling of a Young diagram as a sum of semistandard tableaux subject to certain relations. This paper solves the long standing open problem of giving a non-iterative formula for straightening a filling. We apply our formula to give a complete generalization of a theorem of Gonciulea and Lakshmibai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general structure for space-time that preserves the classical notion of absolute time, and to which we refer as Proto-Galilean space-time, is presented. In this setting, space-time is modeled as a general fiber bundle over the time axis. The motion of a particle is a section of the fiber bundle. A recent framework for continuum mechanics, where configurations are represented by sections of a fiber bundle over the body manifold, is used to formulate the dynamics of a particle and the dynamics of a continuous body in a Proto-Galilean space-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Deep learning is a powerful tool for exploring large datasets and discovering new patterns. This work presents an account of a metric learning-based deep convolutional neural network (CNN) applied to an archaeological dataset. The proposed account speaks of three stages: training, testing/validating, and community detection. Several thousand artefact images, ranging from the Lower Palaeolithic period (1.4 million years ago) to the Late Islamic period (fourteenth century AD), were used to train the model (i.e., the CNN), to discern artefacts by site and period. After training, it attained a comparable accuracy to archaeologists in various periods. In order to test the model, it was called to identify new query images according to similarities with known (training) images. Validation blinding experiments showed that while archaeologists performed as well as the model within their field of expertise, they fell behind concerning other periods. Lastly, a community detection algorithm based on the confusion matrix data was used to discern affiliations across sites. A case-study on Levantine Natufian artefacts demonstrated the algorithm’s capacity to discern meaningful connections. As such, the model has the potential to reveal yet unknown patterns in archaeological data.

Purpose: The incidence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is higher in Eastern Europeans and Middle Easterners. This study aimed to establish consensus among experts in this geographical area on the management of DDH before walking age. Methods: Fourteen experienced orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in a four-round online consensus panel by the Delphi method. The questionnaire included 31 statements concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DDH before walking age. Results: Consensus was established for 26 (84%) of 31 statements. Hip ultrasonography is the proper diagnostic tool under six months in DDH; universal newborn hip screening between three and six weeks is necessary; positive family history, breech presentation, female gender, and postnatal swaddling are the most important risk factors; Ortolani, Barlow tests, and limitation of abduction are the most important clinical findings; Pavlik harness is the first bracing preference; some Graf type IIa hips and all Graf type IIb and worse hips need abduction bracing treatment; the uppermost age limit for closed and open reductions is 12 months and 12–24 months, respectively; anatomic reduction is essential in closed and open reductions, postoperative MRI or CT is not always indicated; anterior approach open reduction is better than medial approach open reduction; forceful reduction and extreme positioning of the hips (> 60° hip abduction) are the two significant risk factors for osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Conclusion: The findings of the present study may be useful for clinicians because a practical reference, based on the opinions of the multinational expert panel, but may not be applicable to all settings is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism pressure on the Red Sea ecosystem have posed significant threats to numerous endemic species, including the Ghost Crab Ocypode saratan, which is exclusively found along a small stretch of beach in the Eilat/Aqaba Red Sea Gulf. Due to the limited understanding of their ecology, we investigated how tourism impacts the behavior of this species. Employing a natural setup, we compared burrow dimensions, pyramid structures, and density across three distinct beach sections subjected to varying levels of human interference. Access to a secluded beach, referred to as "No Man's Land," provided a crucial control for our study. This facilitated a comparative analysis of ghost crab activity among beaches experiencing differing levels of human disturbances: (1) a tourist beach characterized by continual high disturbance, (2) a naval beach subject to moderate and sporadic disturbances, and (3) the isolated "no man's land" beach devoid of human presence. Our observations revealed notable differences in ghost crab density among the three beaches. Furthermore, we observed that on the secluded beach, larger individuals tended to establish burrows farther from the waterline and construct taller sand pyramids. Given the significance of sexual selection processes, their conservation becomes imperative for the survival and potential expansion of the ghost crab population across the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. We propose a straight-forward and cost-effective strategy: the designation of short, secluded beach enclaves along this gulf. We believe that this approach will mitigate adverse impacts of tourisms while simultaneously benefiting various sandy beach species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts in projectile technology potentially document human evolutionary milestones, such as adaptations for different environments and settlement dynamics. A relatively direct proxy for projectile technology is projectile impact marks (PIM) on archaeological bones. Increasing awareness and publication of experimental data sets have recently led to more identifications of PIM in various contexts, but diagnosing PIM from other types of bone-surface modifications, quantifying them, and inferring point size and material from the bone lesions need more substantiation. Here, we focus on PIM created by osseous projectiles, asking whether these could be effectively identified and separated from lithic-tipped weapons. We further discuss the basic question raised by recent PIM research in zooarchaeology: why PIM evidence is so rare in archaeofaunal assemblages (compared to other human-induced marks), even when they are explicitly sought. We present the experimental results of shooting two ungulate carcasses with bone and antler points, replicating those used in the early Upper Paleolithic of western Eurasia. Half of our hits resulted in PIM, confirming that this modification may have been originally abundant. However, we found that the probability of a skeletal element to be modified with PIM negatively correlates with its preservation potential, and that much of the produced bone damage would not be identifiable in a typical Paleolithic faunal assemblage. This quantification problem still leaves room for an insightful qualitative study of PIM. We complement previous research in presenting several diagnostic marks that retain preservation potential and may be used to suggest osseous, rather than lithic, projectile technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumor (BGCT) is a rare disease, occasionally considered to be more aggressive than unilateral germ cell tumors (GCT) in some reports. Among BGCT, a synchronous disease might be diagnosed at a higher stage than a metachronous disease, resulting in lower cancer-specific survival. Hence, our study aimed to perform a comparative analysis between unilateral testicular GCT, bilateral synchronous GCT, and bilateral metachronous GCT, aiming to verify the possibility that BGCT is diagnosed with a higher stage and may require more aggressive management. Material and methods: In our multicenter retrospective study we reviewed medical records of 40 patients with BGCT (24 metachronous and 16 synchronous). Clinical characteristics, pathological features of the primary and secondary tumors, adjuvant treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy)and sperm quality were evaluated as well as cancer-specific survival and overall survival. A cohort of one-to-one matched patients with unilateral GCT were used to determine risk factors for developing BGCT. Results: Patients with BGCT were slightly younger compared to those with unilateral GCT and had more advanced disease. Despite similar T-stage distribution between the two groups, nodal involvement was nearly twofold more frequent in patients with BGCT disease (42% vs 22%, p = 0.056). Additionally, although similar histological subtypes distribution at presentation among the two groups, the synchronous disease was diagnosed with a higher local T-stage (OR = 3.4), higher proportions of patients with elevated serum BHCG levels, and more frequent nodal involvement (OR = 2.2). This was later translated into an 18% higher disease-specific mortality rate. The median time to develop a contralateral tumor was 92 months. Pathological local T-stage (T2–T3) of the primary tumor predicted a shorter time interval to a diagnosis of a second contralateral tumor (HR 0.92, P < 0.05). Conclusion: BGCT presents at a younger age and potentially with more advanced disease. Synchronous BGCT is diagnosed at a later stage compared to metachronous BGCT and has higher disease-specific mortality. Metachronous tumors might have a long time interval for the development of a contralateral neoplasm. The main predictor of developing an early metachronous disease is a high primary T stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Pregabalin is steadily gaining popularity worldwide, with epidemiological studies indicating an increase in labeled, off-labeled, and recreational uses. In Israel, pregabalin prescriptions are not regulated by the controlled substances legislations, prompting a need to examine its usage trends for potential policy adjustments. The objective of this study was to assess trends in pregabalin prescribing during a 10-year period, to characterize demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals prescribed pregabalin, and to identify risk factors associated with high-intensity pregabalin use. Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal study examined trends in pregabalin prescribing from 2010 to 2019 based on data extracted from the Clalit Health Services (CHS) electronic database. Annual pregabalin prescribing rate was calculated individually for each reporting year. A univariable analysis was conducted to compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of pregabalin users in 2019 with those in 2010. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess dose-related patterns by specific demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Pregabalin prescription rate more than doubled over 10 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, p = 0.001], reaching 7.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.18–7.28] prescriptions per 100 CHS members in 2019. The highest prescription rates were observed among the elderly population (13.2 and 24.1 prescriptions per 100 CHS members for those aged 55–74 and over 75 years old, respectively). Same-year administration of pregabalin with opioids, benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs was common; however, the percentage of patients using these drugs together declined in 2019 compared with 2010 (p < 0.001). Males, patients with low socioeconomic status, patients aged 35–54 years, and those who consumed opioids, benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs received higher pregabalin doses. Conclusion: Pregabalin use has increased significantly in the Israeli adult-based CHS population, consistent with worldwide data. A growing use over time may indicate overprescription. More studies are needed on misuse patterns to identify populations most susceptible to high-dose and high-intensity pregabalin use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a forthcoming powerful high-luminosity facility, represents an exciting opportunity to explore new physics. In this article, we study the potential of the EIC to probe the coupling between axion-like particles (ALPs) and photons in coherent scattering. The ALPs can be produced via photon fusion and decay back to two photons inside the EIC detector. In a prompt-decay search, we find that the EIC can set the most stringent bound for ma ≲ 20 GeV and probe the effective scales Λ ≲ 105 GeV. In a displaced-vertex search, which requires adopting an EM calorimeter technology that provides directionality, the EIC could probe ALPs with ma ≲ 1 GeV at effective scales Λ ≲ 107 GeV. Combining the two search strategies, the EIC can probe a significant portion of unexplored parameter space in the 0.2 < ma < 20 GeV mass range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), including skin picking and hair pulling, are common behavioral problems with a lifetime prevalence of up to 5.5%. Extant research indicates that the best treatment approach for BFRBs is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but many of those who struggle with BFRBs are either reluctant to seek treatment or lack access to a therapist with sufficient expertise and experience. Methods: This paper presents preliminary data on the efficacy of two internet-based, therapist-assisted programs designed to treat hair pulling (TrichStop) and skin picking (SkinPick). The programs consist of evidence-based CBT components, including psychoeducation, Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We examined changes in self-reported symptom severity of participants in the two programs between February 2019 and December 2022 who had completed at least two assessments (840 participants in SkinPick and 583 participants in TrichStop). Results: Both programs resulted in a considerable reduction in symptom severity, with large effect sizes according to the conventional interpretation of Cohen's d. Improvement in symptoms was progressive over time, and overall improvement correlated with the number of sessions each participant has completed. Conclusions: This preliminary study, which is based on a large sample of participants, indicates that the two programs significantly reduce the severity of skin picking and hair pulling. The study has several limitations, including the lack of a control group, reliance on self-report based on partial scales, and paucity of demographic data, which should be addressed in future controlled studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, reports on responses to death and dying individuals in non-human animals have been increasing. Here, we report the case of a striped hyena who refrained from eating a juvenile conspecific carcass in its territory. We inferred that the juvenile was an offspring of the individual. Although the hyena discovered the carcass several days before any other conspecific, other than maintaining vigilance over it and sniffing it repeatedly, it did not consume it; only an unfamiliar hyena did so. This is the first documentation of thanatological behavior in striped hyenas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lack of specificity exists on whether likely homebuyers utilize home energy efficiency information in future home searches. This study addresses this gap using a visual choice experiment to sample 1538 intended homebuyers in the USA, and the preference for home attributes through a simplified real estate website. Each home presented on the website featured six attributes: price, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, square footage, number of days on the market, energy efficiency, and a photo — each relative to participants’ initial specification of location, preferred price, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. The respondents were assigned to one of six experimental conditions where energy information was provided as (i) estimated annual energy costs, (ii) home energy score (number only), (iii) home energy score along a continuum, (iv) estimated annual energy costs and energy score along a continuum, (v) home energy scores provided for only above average homes, and (vi) no energy information provided (control). We find that homebuyers are more likely to select energy efficient homes when presented with any form of energy efficiency information, with conditions that include home energy scores providing the greatest increase in energy efficiency. Furthermore, this preference for energy efficiency information persists even under less-than-ideal home searches. The preference for energy efficient homes is influenced by type of home and region with detached homebuyers and homebuyers in the Midwest US Census region more likely to select homes featuring higher energy efficiency scores. Finally, we find that rural homebuyers are more likely to prefer energy efficient homes over urban homebuyers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tumor relapse as a consequence of chemotherapy resistance is a major clinical challenge in advanced stage breast tumors. To identify processes associated with poor clinical outcome, we took a mass spectrometry‐based proteomic approach and analyzed a breast cancer cohort of 113 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded samples. Proteomic profiling of matched tumors before and after chemotherapy, and tumor‐adjacent normal tissue, all from the same patients, allowed us to define eight patterns of protein level changes, two of which correlate to better chemotherapy response. Supervised analysis identified two proteins of proline biosynthesis pathway, PYCR1 and ALDH18A1, that were significantly associated with resistance to treatment based on pattern dominance. Weighted gene correlation network analysis of post‐treatment samples revealed that these proteins are associated with tumor relapse and affect patient survival. Functional analysis showed that knockdown of PYCR1 reduced invasion and migration capabilities of breast cancer cell lines. PYCR1 knockout significantly reduced tumor burden and increased drug sensitivity of orthotopically injected ER‐positive tumor in vivo, thus emphasizing the role of PYCR1 in resistance to chemotherapy.

The fetal heart rate (FHR) signal is used to assess the well-being of a fetus during labor. Manual interpretation of the FHR is subject to high inter- and intra-observer variability, leading to inconsistent clinical decision-making. The baseline of the FHR signal is crucial for its interpretation. An automated method for baseline determination may reduce interpretation variability. Based on this claim, we present the Auto-Regressed Double-Sided Improved Asymmetric Least Squares (ARDSIAsLS) method as a baseline calculation algorithm designed to imitate expert obstetrician baseline determination. As the FHR signal is prone to a high rate of missing data, a step of gap interpolation in a physiological manner was implemented in the algorithm. The baseline of the interpolated signal was determined using a weighted algorithm of two improved asymmetric least squares smoothing models and an improved symmetric least squares smoothing model. The algorithm was validated against a ground truth determined from annotations of six expert obstetricians. FHR baseline calculation performance of the ARDSIAsLS method yielded a mean absolute error of 2.54 bpm, a max absolute error of 5.22 bpm, and a root mean square error of 2.89 bpm. In a comparison between the algorithm and 11 previously published methods, the algorithm outperformed them all. Notably, the algorithm was non-inferior to expert annotations. Automating the baseline FHR determination process may help reduce practitioner discordance and aid decision-making in the delivery room. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The humoral response after the fourth dose of a mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 has not been adequately described in elderly recipients, particularly those not exposed previously to SARS-CoV-2. Serum anti-RBD IgG levels (Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay) and neutralizing capacities (spike SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus Wuhan and Omicron BA.1 variant) were measured after the third and fourth doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine among 46 elderly residents (median age 85 years [IQR 81; 89]) of an assisted living facility. Among participants never infected by SARS-CoV-2, the mean serum IgG levels against RBD (2025 BAU/ml), 99 days after the fourth vaccine, was as high as 76 days after the third vaccine (1987 BAU/ml), and significantly higher (p = 0.030) when the latter were corrected for elapsed time. Neutralizing antibody levels against the historical Wuhan strain were significantly higher (Mean 1046 vs 1573; p = 0.002) and broader (against Omicron) (Mean 170 vs 375; p = 0.018), following the fourth vaccine. The six individuals with an Omicron breakthrough infection mounted strong immune responses for anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant indicating that the fourth vaccine dose did not prevent a specific adaptation of the immune response. These findings point out the value of continued vaccine boosting in the elderly population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morgagni hernias account for less than 5% of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. They are characteristically retrosternal and bilateral, with right-sided predominance. An association between Trisomy 21 and diaphragmatic hernias resembling Morgagni hernia has been reported, but the effect of cardiac surgery on its formation has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a higher incidence of anterior diaphragmatic hernias in children with Trisomy 21 after cardiac surgery. We compared the prevalence of anterior diaphragmatic hernias in 92 patients with Trisomy 21 who underwent cardiac surgery with its prevalence in 100 children without Trisomy 21 who underwent cardiac surgery. All available CXRs of all children underwent revision for the presence of an anterior diaphragmatic hernia by a pediatric radiologist. Within the study group, four cases of an anterior diaphragmatic hernia were detected, all upon presentation to the emergency room due to breathing difficulties. No cases of an anterior diaphragmatic hernia were found in the control group (P = 0.0094). Conclusions: A high index of suspicion for an anterior diaphragmatic hernia should be maintained in children with Trisomy 21 who have undergone cardiac surgery and present with breathing difficulty. If CXR findings are uncertain, UGI series and\or CT should be performed. In light of our findings, the surgical technique has been modified in patients with DS in our medical center. What is Known: • Several studies reported an association between Trisomy 21 and diaphragmatic hernia resembling Morgagni hernia, but the effect of cardiac surgery on its formation has not been investigated. What is New: • There is a higher incidence of anterior diaphragmatic hernia resembling a Morgagni hernia in children with Trisomy 21 after cardiac surgery. • A high index of suspicion for an anterior diaphragmatic hernia should be maintained in children with Trisomy 21 who have undergone cardiac surgery and present with breathing difficulty. If CXR findings are uncertain, UGI series and\or CT should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a life‐threatening disorder whose genetic basis is heterogeneous and mostly unknown. Five Arab Christian infants, aged 4–30 months from four families, were diagnosed with DCM associated with mild skin, teeth, and hair abnormalities. All passed away before age 3. A homozygous sequence variation creating a premature stop codon at PPP1R13L encoding the iASPP protein was identified in three infants and in the mother of the other two. Patients’ fibroblasts and PPP1R13L‐knocked down human fibroblasts presented higher expression levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes in response to lipopolysaccharide, as well as Ppp1r13l‐knocked down murine cardiomyocytes and hearts of Ppp1r13l‐deficient mice. The hypersensitivity to lipopolysaccharide was NF‐κB‐dependent, and its inducible binding activity to promoters of pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes was elevated in patients’ fibroblasts. RNA sequencing of Ppp1r13l‐knocked down murine cardiomyocytes and of hearts derived from different stages of DCM development in Ppp1r13l‐deficient mice revealed the crucial role of iASPP in dampening cardiac inflammatory response. Our results determined PPP1R13L as the gene underlying a novel autosomal‐recessive cardio‐cutaneous syndrome in humans and strongly suggest that the fatal DCM during infancy is a consequence of failure to regulate transcriptional pathways necessary for tuning cardiac threshold response to common inflammatory stressors.

A Schubert variety in the complete flag manifold G L n / B is Levi-spherical if the action of a Borel subgroup in a Levi subgroup of a standard parabolic has an open dense orbit. We give a combinatorial classification of these Schubert varieties. This establishes a conjecture of the latter two authors, and a new formulation in terms of standard Coxeter elements. Our proof uses and contributes to the theory of key polynomials (type A Demazure module characters). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advanced use of complex tools is considered a primary characteristic of human evolution and technological advancement. However, questions remain regarding whether humans possess unique underlying brain networks that support advanced tool-using abilities. Specifically, previous studies have demonstrated the presence of a structurally and functionally unique region in the left anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG), that is consistently active during tool use action observation. This region has been proposed as a primary hub for integrating semantic and technical information to form action plans with tools. However, it is still largely unknown how tool use motor learning affects left aSMG activation or connectivity with other brain regions. To address this, participants with little experience using chopsticks observed an experimenter using chopsticks to perform a novel task while undergoing two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. Between the scans, participants underwent four weeks of behavioral training where they learned to use chopsticks and achieve proficiency in the observed task. Results demonstrated a significant change in effective connectivity between the left aSMG and the left anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS), a region involved in object affordances and planning grasping actions. These findings suggest that during unfamiliar tool use, the left aSMG integrates semantic and technical information to communicate with regions involved with grasp selection, such as the aIPS. This communication then allows appropriate grasps to be planned based on the physical properties of the objects involved and their potential interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key polynomials, defined by Lascoux–Schützenberger, are characters for the Demazure modules of type A. We classify multiplicity-free key polynomials. The proof uses two combinatorial models for key polynomials. The first is due to Kohnert. The second is in terms of Searles' rule for the quasi-key polynomials of Assaf–Searles. Our argument proves a sufficient condition for a quasi-key polynomial to be multiplicity-free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmonic slot waveguides provide extreme light confinement with the benefits of having naturally present electrodes for switching and high thermal conductivity of the metal layers to remove excess heat. Past works relied on numerical computation for these structures, which is time-consuming and lacks physical insight. Here, we present an analytical model of plasmonic slot waveguides to determine the modal properties based on single-mode matching to continuum. The model is accurate to within 3% of rigorous numerical simulations. The theory allows for rapid design and provides physical insight into mode propagation in plasmonic slot waveguides for information processing, optical manipulation, and sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is considered "Near Threatened" globally and "Vulnerable" in the Middle East. In Israel, the species has experienced extreme population fluctuations owing to poisoning campaigns during the British Mandate (1918–1948) which were also further exacerbated by the Israeli authorities in the mid-twentieth century. We collated data from the archives of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for the past 47 years to elucidate the temporal and geographic trends of this species. During this period we found a 68% increase in population and the estimated density is at present 2.1 individuals/100km2. This is significantly higher than all previous estimates for Israel. It appears that the major factors contributing to their phenomenal increase in number are the increase in prey availability because of the intensification of human development, preying on Bedouin livestock, the extinction of the leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), and the hunting of wild boars (Sus scorfa) and other agricultural pests in some parts of the country. Reasons should also be sought in increasing people's awareness as well as in advanced technological capabilities that have allowed an improved observation and reporting system. Future studies need to understand the effects of the large concentrations of striped hyenas on the spatial distribution and temporal activity of other sympatric wildlife to ensure the continued persistence of the wildlife guilds in the Israeli nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having a beard is an independent predictor of difficult ventilation by face mask. This study evaluates the efficacy of a novel intra-oral Bag-Valve-Guedel Adaptor (BVGA) in anaesthetized bearded patients. Patients with ASA score 1–2, scheduled for elective surgery, were recruited for this prospective, crossover trial. Beard length was categorized as < 0.5 cm, 0.5–1 cm, 1–5 cm, or > 5 cm. Patients were ventilated by attending anesthesiologists using the BVGA and a facemask (both with a Guedel oral airway). End-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and expiratory tidal volume (TV) were recorded as was the number of hands required for the procedure. The primary outcome was the difference between BVGA and Facemask. Sixty-one patients were enrolled. Of these, 38 had beards, and 23 were without beards or with beards < 0.5 cm length. In bearded patients, ventilation with the BVGA was superior to the face mask by EtCO2 and non-inferior by TV (BVGA-vs-Mask, mean [95% CI]: EtCO2 [mmHg], 33.0 [31.6, 34.3]-vs-27.2 [25.5, 28.8], p < 0.001; TV [ml∙kg−1 IBW], 8.1 [7.4, 8.9]-vs-6.9 [6.0, 7.7], p = 0.11). The BVGA was found to be superior to the face mask by EtCO2 across all beard lengths (p ≤ 0.001), but by TV only for the longest beard group (p = 0.009). After securing the BVGA, ventilation was possible without hands in 74% of the cases — clearly impossible with the facemask (p ≤ 0.001). The BVGA is more effective and more convenient than the facemask in anaesthetized bearded patients. A follow-up study is underway to test whether replacing the face mask with the BVGA will improve effectiveness and ease of pre-intubation field ventilation by less-experienced, first responders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery of depleted fish stocks is an important goal for fisheries management and crucial to sustain important ecosystem functions as well as global food security. Successful recovery requires adjusting fishing mortality to stock productivity but can be prevented or inhibited by additional anthropogenic impacts such as climate change. Despite management measures to recover fish stocks being in place in legislations such as the European Union´s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), recovery can be hindered by the occurrence of regime shift dynamics. Such non-linear discontinuous dynamics imply tipping points and bear the characteristics of abrupt change, hysteresis and non-stationary functional relationships. We here used the recent reform of the CFP as a natural experiment to investigate the existence of regime shift dynamics and its potential effects on the recovery potential on six strongly fished or even depleted commercial fish stocks in the North Sea. Using a set of statistical approaches we show that regime shift dynamics exist in all six fish stocks as a response to changes in fishing pressure and temperature. Our results furthermore demonstrate the context-dependence of such dynamics and hence the ability of management measures to rebuild depleted fish stocks, leading to either failed recovery or positive tipping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion channels of the DEG/ENaC family share a similar structure but serve strikingly diverse biological functions, such as Na+ reabsorption, mechanosensing, proton-sensing, chemosensing and cell-cell communication via neuropeptides. This functional diversity raises the question of the ancient function of DEG/ENaCs. Using an extensive phylogenetic analysis across many different animal groups, we found a surprising diversity of DEG/ENaCs already in Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, hydroids and jellyfish). Using a combination of gene expression analysis, electrophysiological and functional studies combined with pharmacological inhibition as well as genetic knockout in the model cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, we reveal an unanticipated role for a proton-sensitive DEG/ENaC in discharge of N. vectensis cnidocytes, the stinging cells typifying all cnidarians. Our study supports the view that DEG/ENaCs are versatile channels that have been co-opted for diverse functions since their early occurrence in animals and that respond to simple and ancient stimuli, such as omnipresent protons.Phylogenetic analyses demonstrate a remarkable variety of the degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel (DEG/ENaC) superfamily in Cnidaria and discern an unexpected role for a proton-sensitive DEG/ENaC in N. vectensis cnidocyte discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a scheme for speeding up the generation of steady-state entanglement of two interacting qubits by coupling them with an engineered dissipative ancilla. The coupling strength between the target qubits and the ancilla is tailored by state-based Lyapunov control, which vanishes gradually along with the increasing of the fidelity of steady state. The negativity is adopted to measure the bipartite entanglement, which would not be enhanced by such Lyapunov control. In order to speed up and enhance the bipartite entanglement, we further use the non-vanishing engineered coupling. Numerical simulations indicate that the scheme is robust against the fluctuations of the coupling strength and immune to the system parametric errors. The study shows promising performance of speeding up dissipative generation of quantum states with Lyapunov control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Journal classification into subject categories is an important aspect in scholarly research evaluation as well as in bibliometric analysis. However, this classification is not standardized, resulting in several different journal subject classification systems. In this study, we adopt a logical set theory-based definition of irregularities within a given classification system and discrepancies between systems and investigate their prevalence in the two most widely used indexing services of Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus. In both systems, we identify unusually sized categories, high overlap and incohesiveness between categories. In addition, across the two systems, journals are systematically classified to a different number of categories and most categories in either system are not adequately represented in the other system. Our findings suggest that these irregularities and discrepancies are, in fact, non-anecdotal and thus cannot be easily disregarded. Consequently, potentially misguided and/or inconsistent outcomes may be encountered when relying on these subject classification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let L be any standard Levi subgroup which acts by left multiplication on a Schubert variety X(w) in the Grassmannian. We give a complete classification of the pairs L and X(w), where X(w) is a spherical variety for the action of L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the value of pre-labor maternal and fetal sonographic variables to predict an unplanned operative delivery.Methods: In this prospective study, nulliparous women were recruited at 37.0-42.0 weeks of gestation. Sonographic measurements included estimated fetal weight, maternal pubic arch angle, and the angle of progression. We performed a descriptive and comparative analysis between two outcome groups: spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) and unplanned operative delivery (UOD) (vacuum-assisted, forceps-assisted and cesarean deliveries). Multivariate logistic regression with ROC analysis was used to create discriminatory models for UOD.Results: Among 234 patients in the study group, 175 had a spontaneous vaginal delivery and 59 an unplanned operative delivery. Maternal height and pubic arch angle (PAA) significantly correlated with UOD. Analysis of Maximum Likelihood Estimates revealed a multivariate model for the prediction of UOD, including the parameters of maternal age, maternal height, sonographic PAA, angle of progression (AOP), and estimated fetal weight, with an area under the curve of 0.7118.Conclusion: Sonographic parameters representing maternal pelvic configuration (PAA) and maternal-fetal interface (AOP) improve the prediction ability of pre-labor models for a UOD. These data may aid the obstetrician in the counseling process before delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propagation of an epidemic across a spatial network of communities is described by a variant of the SIR model accompanied by an intercommunity infectivity matrix. This matrix is estimated from fluxes between communities, obtained from cell-phone tracking data recorded in the USA between March 2020 and February 2021. We apply this model to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by fitting just one global parameter representing the frequency of interaction between individuals. We find that the predicted infections agree reasonably well with the reported cases. We clearly see the effect of "shelter-in-place" policies introduced at the onset of the pandemic. Interestingly, a model with uniform transmission rates produces similar results, suggesting that the epidemic transmission was deeply influenced by air travel. We then study the effect of alternative mitigation policies, in particular restricting long-range travel. We find that this policy is successful in decreasing the epidemic size and slowing down the spread, but less effective than the shelter-in-place policy. This policy can result in a pulled wave of infections. We express its velocity and characterize the shape of the traveling front as a function of the epidemiological parameters. Finally, we discuss a policy of selectively constraining travel based on an edge-betweenness criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical resistance usually originates from lattice imperfections. However, even a perfect lattice has a fundamental resistance limit, given by the Landauer1 conductance caused by a finite number of propagating electron modes. This resistance, shown by Sharvin2 to appear at the contacts of electronic devices, sets the ultimate conduction limit of non-interacting electrons. Recent years have seen growing evidence of hydrodynamic electronic phenomena3–18, prompting recent theories19,20 to ask whether an electronic fluid can radically break the fundamental Landauer–Sharvin limit. Here, we use single-electron-transistor imaging of electronic flow in high-mobility graphene Corbino disk devices to answer this question. First, by imaging ballistic flows at liquid-helium temperatures, we observe a Landauer–Sharvin resistance that does not appear at the contacts but is instead distributed throughout the bulk. This underpins the phase-space origin of this resistance—as emerging from spatial gradients in the number of conduction modes. At elevated temperatures, by identifying and accounting for electron–phonon scattering, we show the details of the purely hydrodynamic flow. Strikingly, we find that electron hydrodynamics eliminates the bulk Landauer–Sharvin resistance. Finally, by imaging spiralling magneto-hydrodynamic Corbino flows, we show the key emergent length scale predicted by hydrodynamic theories—the Gurzhi length. These observations demonstrate that electronic fluids can dramatically transcend the fundamental limitations of ballistic electrons, with important implications for fundamental science and future technologies.At elevated temperatures, electron hydrodynamics efficiently eliminate the ‘bulk Landauer–Sharvin’ resistance, demonstrating that hydrodynamics can dramatically modify the well-established rules obeyed by ballistic electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon the development of a therapeutic, a successful response to a global pandemic relies on efficient worldwide distribution, a process constrained by our global shipping network. Most existing strategies seek to maximize the outflow of the therapeutics, hence optimizing for rapid dissemination. Here we find that this intuitive approach is, in fact, counterproductive. The reason is that by focusing strictly on the quantity of disseminated therapeutics, these strategies disregard the way in which this quantity distributes across destinations. Most crucially—they overlook the interplay of the therapeutic spreading patterns with those of the pathogens. This results in a discrepancy between supply and demand, that prohibits efficient mitigation even under optimal conditions of superfluous flow. To solve this, we design a dissemination strategy that naturally follows the predicted spreading patterns of the pathogens, optimizing not just for supply volume, but also for its congruency with the anticipated demand. Specifically, we show that epidemics spread relatively uniformly across all destinations, prompting us to introduce an equality constraint into our dissemination that prioritizes supply homogeneity. This strategy may, at times, slow down the supply rate in certain locations, however, thanks to its egalitarian nature, which mimics the flow of the pathogens, it provides a dramatic leap in overall mitigation efficiency, potentially saving more lives with orders of magnitude less resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finite density effects can destabilize the metastable vacua in relaxion models. Focusing on stars as nucleation seeds, we derive the conditions that lead to the formation and runaway of a relaxion bubble of a lower energy minimum than in vacuum. The resulting late-time phase transition in the universe allows us to set new constraints on the parameter space of relaxion models. We also find that similar instabilities can be triggered by the large electromagnetic fields around rotating neutron stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the phenomenological implications of the recent W mass measurement by the CDF collaboration, which exhibits tension with the standard model (SM) electroweak fit. Performing the fit to the electroweak observables within the SM effective field theory, we find that the new physics that contributes either to the determination of the electroweak vacuum expectation value, or to the oblique parameters, can improve the agreement with data. The best description is obtained from a fit where flavor universality is not required in the new physics operators, with 2 to 3 σ indications for several nonzero Wilson coefficients. We point out that top partners with order TeV masses could lead to the observed shift in the W mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated osteoclast (OC) activity is a major contributor to inflammatory bone loss (IBL) during chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the specific OC precursors (OCPs) responding to inflammatory cues and the underlying mechanisms leading to IBL are poorly understood. We identified two distinct OCP subsets: Ly6ChiCD11bhi inflammatory OCPs (iOCPs) induced during chronic inflammation, and homeostatic Ly6ChiCD11blo OCPs (hOCPs) which remained unchanged. Functional and proteomic characterization revealed that while iOCPs were rare and displayed low osteoclastogenic potential under normal conditions, they expanded during chronic inflammation and generated OCs with enhanced activity. In contrast, hOCPs were abundant and manifested high osteoclastogenic potential under normal conditions but generated OCs with low activity and were unresponsive to the inflammatory environment. Osteoclasts derived from iOCPs expressed higher levels of resorptive and metabolic proteins than those generated from hOCPs, highlighting that different osteoclast populations are formed by distinct precursors. We further identified the TNF-α and S100A8/A9 proteins as key regulators that control the iOCP response during chronic inflammation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the response of iOCPs but not that of hOCPs was abrogated in tnf-α−/− mice, in correlation with attenuated IBL. Our findings suggest a central role for iOCPs in IBL induction. iOCPs can serve as potential biomarkers for IBL detection and possibly as new therapeutic targets to combat IBL in a wide range of inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The open-air Epipalaeolithic (Geometric Kebaran) site of Neve David (Mount Carmel, Israel) has played an important role in reconstructing scenarios of sedentarization in the Levant since its initial excavation in the 1980s, and has been seen as heralding later Natufian socioeconomic adaptations. However, little was known about the site’s formation processes and spatial organization, hindering the testing of this view. Employing new field data from Neve David, we present a combined macro- and microscopic analyses of the spatial and temporal distribution of lithics, faunal remains, phytoliths and wood ash, interpreted with the aid of ethnoarchaeological data and comparison to other Palaeolithic sites in the region. Post-depositional disturbance seems to be minimal at Neve David and we therefore suggest that the spatial distribution of the finds mostly represents human use of space. Throughout the thick sequence of occupation episodes, distinct division of space and well-preserved trampled occupation surfaces are generally lacking. We suggest that this pattern represents reduced mobility, as prolonged human activity blurs the primary depositional signal of the activity remains. The density of the finds generally increases in the upper layers of the site. Accordingly, we hypothesize that at the beginning of activity, the duration of occupation was longer and only later in the sequence of events was there an increase in group size. Our findings further highlight the position of the Geometric Kebaran as a pivotal stage in understanding the gap between the preceding highly mobile societies and the succeeding sedentary and demographically-larger Natufian societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climatic processes have driven an expansion of arid environments, as well as the human populations that depend on these biomes. Human habitation can influence desert ecosystems directly through changes in land use and indirectly through the introduction of alien species that compete with locally adapted fauna. Native species can respond to these processes by spatial or temporal avoidance. Ruppell's fox is a desert-adapted species inhabiting flat, rocky arid areas that feeds mainly on invertebrates and rodents. We used location data and step selection functions to study the space use of a population in southern Israel. We hypothesized that Ruppell's fox movement would be influenced by topography due to preference for creeks, where insects and rodents are available, and by human infrastructure as the presence of humans, vehicles and associated animals may induce a fear effect on native species. Ruppell's fox habitat selection was seasonal. During the dry season, foxes showed preference for flatter areas and creek bottoms and avoided paved roads. During the rainy season, foxes avoided less- trafficked dirt roads. These patterns were likely a consequence of increased territoriality due to denning in the colder season and reduced availability of insects in the dry season. Avoidance of paved and dirt roads may be explained by fear of human presence and perception of risk due to the use of linear features by larger carnivores, such as wolves and red foxes. Our results suggest that current protected, remote and uninhabited areas have an elevated value for the persistence of Ruppell's fox populations. We recommend limitation of vehicle movement within current reserves and continued monitoring of population trends for this little studied carnivore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the on-shell version of the Higgs mechanism in effective theories (EFTs) containing particles of different spins, focusing on contact terms as a simple starting point. We derive the massive contact terms and their coefficients from the massless amplitudes of the EFT above the symmetry breaking scale, by covariantizing the massless contact terms under the massive little group. In the little-group-covariant massive-spinor formalism, this notationally amounts to bolding spinor labels. Mass-suppressed contributions to the contact-term coefficients arise from higher-point contact terms with additional soft Higgs legs. We apply this procedure to obtain massive four-point amplitudes featuring scalars, spin 1/2 fermions and vectors, in the standard-model EFT. The subleading helicity-flipped components of each massive contact term, which are dictated by little-group covariance, are associated with the residues of factorizable massless amplitudes. Extra “frozen” Higgses emitted from each leg of a massless contact term supply the additional light-like momentum component, needed to form a massive leg of the same polarization. As another application, we derive various components of massive three-point amplitudes from massless amplitudes with up to three additional Higgses, in a standard-model-like toy model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chaotic dynamics is typically characterized by the emergence of strange attractors with their fractal or multifractal structure. On the other hand, chaotic synchronization is a unique emergent self-organization phenomenon in nature. Classically, synchronization was characterized in terms of macroscopic parameters, such as the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents. Recently, however, we attempted a microscopic description of synchronization, called topological synchronization, and showed that chaotic synchronization is, in fact, a continuous process that starts in low-density areas of the attractor. Here we analyze the relation between the two emergent phenomena by shifting the descriptive level of topological synchronization to account for the multifractal nature of the visited attractors. Namely, we measure the generalized dimension of the system and monitor how it changes while increasing the coupling strength. We show that during the gradual process of topological adjustment in phase space, the multifractal structures of each strange attractor of the two coupled oscillators continuously converge, taking a similar form, until complete topological synchronization ensues. According to our results, chaotic synchronization has a specific trait in various systems, from continuous systems and discrete maps to high dimensional systems: synchronization initiates from the sparse areas of the attractor, and it creates what we termed as the 'zipper effect', a distinctive pattern in the multifractal structure of the system that reveals the microscopic buildup of the synchronization process. Topological synchronization offers, therefore, a more detailed microscopic description of chaotic synchronization and reveals new information about the process even in cases of high mismatch parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of loss on the plasmonic resonances in metal–insulator–metal slits is analyzed, particularly the significant effect of loss on the reflection phase. The reflection is calculated analytically using single mode matching theory with the unconjugated form of the orthogonality relation. This theoretical calculation agrees well with comprehensive simulations, but differs substantially from the conjugated orthogonality result, as was used in past analytical works. This reflection phase has a large impact on the plasmonic resonance wavelengths, which are calculated using a Fabry–Pérot theory and compared with past experiment and finite-difference time-domain simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choroid plexus secretes cerebrospinal fluid and is critical for the development and function of the brain. In the telencephalon, the choroid plexus epithelium arises from the Wnt- expressing cortical hem. Canonical Wnt signaling pathway molecules such as nuclear β-CATENIN are expressed in the mouse and human embryonic choroid plexus epithelium indicating that this pathway is active. Point mutations in human β-CATENIN are known to result in the constitutive activation of canonical Wnt signaling. In a mouse model that recapitulates this perturbation, we report a loss of choroid plexus epithelial identity and an apparent transformation of this tissue to a neuronal identity. Aspects of this phenomenon are recapitulated in human embryonic stem cell derived organoids. The choroid plexus is also disrupted when β-Catenin is conditionally inactivated. Together, our results indicate that canonical Wnt signaling is required in a precise and regulated manner for normal choroid plexus development in the mammalian brain. The cerebrospinal fluid-secreting choroid plexus needs a balanced level of canonical Wnt signaling. Here the authors show that if this signaling is over-activated, the choroid plexus loses its properties and function, and transforms to a neuronal identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of combining the technique of early pushing and extended second stage on the mode of delivery, as well as adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Study design: This retrospective data analysis included all women delivering in a single tertiary medical center through 2015–2020. In January 2017 the protocol of second-stage management was changed to a combination of extended second stage (i.e., addition of an extra-hour to the traditional Friedman cutoffs), as well as early pushing (i.e., initiation of active pushing within the first 30 min of full dilatation). We compared delivery outcomes in women reaching full dilatation during January 2015–December 2016, vs. January 2017–July 2020. Results: Of the 15,792 parturients, 10,418 (66.0%) were managed using the "new" protocol. No difference was found in terms of baseline characteristics, except for higher rates of neuraxial analgesia (72.8% vs. 70.4%, p = 0.002) and induction of labor (22.4% vs. 17.8%, p < 0.0001) during the new protocol period. In subgroup analysis by parity and neuraxial analgesia, no change was noted in the rate of cesarean deliveries. A significant increase in spontaneous vaginal deliveries (SVD) in favor of the "new" protocol was noted, except for multiparous women with no analgesia. In addition, in primiparous women with neuraxial analgesia, a decrease in vacuum deliveries was noted. In secondary outcome analysis, a significant increase in postpartum hemorrhage and a decrease in umbilical base excess values was noted in women with neuraxial analgesia, both primi- and multiparous. Discussion: Early pushing along with extension of the second stage was associated with higher rate of SVD, at the expense of increased risk for maternal postpartum hemorrhage. Thus, combination of these two techniques must be practiced with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report two separate observations of adult male common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) killing and feeding upon second-year (SY) conspecifics in Israel. On 22 January 2022, while touring the Givat Et Nature Reserve, we observed an SY kestrel locked in aerial combat with an adult. They landed with the SY on his back, who was killed by decapitation by the adult, who continued to feed on the breast muscle. Earlier, on 24 January 2013, in the area of the Latrun Junction, two males were seen in flight with their talons locked together and screeching at each other. Eventually, they crash-landed with the adult on the top and pecking at the SY conspecific. They remained in this position for more than 30 min with the adult plucking the breast feathers of the SY who struggled incessantly but was unable to escape the hold of the adult and eventually succumbed to the injuries. The adult subsequently fed from the breast muscle of the SY. Although avian cannibalism is known in several Falco spp., this is the first reported for the common kestrel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ufmylation is a post-translational modification essential for regulating key cellular processes. A three-enzyme cascade involving E1, E2 and E3 is required for UFM1 attachment to target proteins. How UBA5 (E1) and UFC1 (E2) cooperatively activate and transfer UFM1 is still unclear. Here, we present the crystal structure of UFC1 bound to the C-terminus of UBA5, revealing how UBA5 interacts with UFC1 via a short linear sequence, not observed in other E1-E2 complexes. We find that UBA5 has a region outside the adenylation domain that is dispensable for UFC1 binding but critical for UFM1 transfer. This region moves next to UFC1's active site Cys and compensates for a missing loop in UFC1, which exists in other E2s and is needed for the transfer. Overall, our findings advance the understanding of UFM1's conjugation machinery and may serve as a basis for the development of ufmylation inhibitors. Ufmylation is a well-established ubiquitin-like protein modification, but its mechanism is largely unclear. Here, the authors present a crystal structure of the ufmylation-specific E1-E2 complex, revealing differences to the ubiquitination machinery and mechanistic details of the ufmylation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]