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Knowledge about the size of environmental DNA (eDNA) and eDNA‐bearing particles in aquatic environments is integral to efficient and sensitive analyses. To explore the influence of environmental factors on eDNA particle size distribution (PSD), we manipulated fish communities across nine experimental ponds, which led to differences in a suite of environmental covariates (biochemical oxygen demand, chlorophyll a concentration, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and turbidity) over 5 months. At the end of the experiment, we serially filtered water samples from each pond through 5 filter sizes (20, 10, 5, 1, and 0.2 µm) followed by eDNA precipitation. We used quantitative PCR to determine the proportion of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) or bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and H. nobilis) eDNA captured within each size fraction. Based on eDNA concentrations recorded at each size fraction, we parameterized a Weibull distribution to describe the eDNA PSD of each species in each pond. Likelihood ratio tests suggested that PSD did not differ between species but did differ across ponds. Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that the specific environmental factors with the greatest influence on PSD differed depending on the pore size of the filter used for capture. Notably, positive associations with chlorophyll and turbidity were most important for predicting capture with a 10‐µm filter, suggesting that eDNA is sticky, and the presence of relatively large particles such as algal cells or other suspended sediments can dramatically alter eDNA PSD. Therefore, we advocate that researchers and managers consider analysis of eDNA PSD within their study systems to optimize eDNA capture efficiencies and increase detection probabilities across variable biotic and abiotic conditions. Furthermore, reporting eDNA PSD evaluations across more diverse systems has the potential to reveal broader patterns of eDNA capture efficiency and improve research and natural resource management with eDNA applications.

Acquiring fundamental knowledge of properties of actinide-based materials is a necessary step to create new possibilities for addressing the current challenges in the nuclear energy and nuclear waste sectors. In this report, we established a photophysics-electronics correlation for actinide-containing metal-organic frameworks (An-MOFs) as a function of excitation wavelength, for the first time. A stepwise approach for dynamically modulating electronic properties was applied for the first time towards actinide-based heterometallic MOFs through integration of photochromic linkers. Optical cycling, modeling of density of states near the Fermi edge, conductivity measurements, and photoisomerization kinetics were employed to shed light on the process of tailoring optoelectronic properties of An-MOFs. Furthermore, the first photochromic MOF-based field-effect transistor, in which the field-effect response could be changed through light exposure, was constructed. As a demonstration, the change in current upon light exposure was sufficient to operate a two-LED fail-safe indicator circuit.

Large, macrocyclic peptides can achieve surprisingly high membrane permeability, although the properties that govern permeability in this chemical space are only beginning to come into focus. We generated two libraries of cyclic decapeptides with stable, cross-β conformations, and found that peptoid substitutions within the β-turns of the macrocycle preserved the rigidity of the parent scaffold, whereas peptoid substitutions in the opposing β-strands led to “chameleonic” species that were rigid in nonpolar media but highly flexible in water. Both rigid and chameleonic compounds showed high permeability over a wide lipophilicity range, with peak permeabilities differing significantly depending on scaffold rigidity. Our findings indicate that modulating lipophilicity can be used to engineer favorable ADME properties into both rigid and flexible macrocyclic peptides, and that scaffold rigidity can be used to tune optimal lipophilicity.

Introduction The authors provide an updated, systematic and comprehensive summary of the literature concerning management of the N0 neck in patients for whom primary irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx has been unsuccessful and salvage surgery in the form of total laryngectomy (TL) advocated. Methods Bibliographic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane, PubMed and Embase were searched from inception to April 2019, with no language restrictions. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Risk of bias was defined using the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Outcome measures were defined as the impact of END on locoregional control, complication rate, disease-specific and overall survival (DSS and OS). Results The primary search identified 19 eligible articles, comprising 1353 patients, (1552 ENDs). The overall risk of occult metastases was 14% (9% of ENDs). The relative risk (RR) of developing complications was 1.29 when END was performed, compared to observation of the neck (CI 0.86-1.92). Contrariwise, patients in whom the neck was managed with neck dissection had a decreased risk of developing regional recurrence (RR 0.62, CI 0.35-1.08). There was no statistically significant variation between DSS and OS between END and neck observation groups, respectively. Summary END during salvage TL may reduce the rate of regional recurrence, but not at the expense of improving DSS or OS. Rates of occult metastases, regional recurrence and "cure" through salvage neck dissection are not equivalent. Significant bias in all collated manuscripts should encourage the reader to interpret conclusions with caution. Patients should be fully involved in the decision-making process and their performance status and co-morbidities taken carefully into account when deciding to increase the extent of surgery, which we believe should remain limited to TL in the majority of cases.

The study of marginal liver transplant outcomes, including post-transplant length of stay (LOS), is necessary for determining the practicality of their use. 50,155 patients who received transplants from 2012 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed with data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariable Cox regression. Six different definitions were used to classify an allograft as being marginal: 90th percentile Donor Risk Index allografts, donation after cardiac death donors, national share donors, donors over 70, donors with >30% macrovesicular steatosis, or 90th percentile Discard Risk Index donors. 24% (n = 12,124) of subjects received marginal allografts. Average LOS was 15.6 days among those who received standard allografts. Among those who received marginal allografts, LOS was found to be highest in those who received 90th percentile Donor Risk Index allografts at 15.6 days, and lowest in those who received donation after cardiac death allografts at 12.7 days. Apart from fatty livers (95% CI 0.86 - 0.98), marginal allografts were not associated with a prolonged LOS. We conclude that accounting for experience and recipient matching, transplant centers may be more aggressive in their use of extended criteria donors with limited fear of increasing LOS and its associated costs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Few options are available for cytomegalovirus (CMV) treatment in transplant recipients resistant, refractory, or intolerant to approved agents. Letermovir (LET) is approved for prophylaxis in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, but little is known about efficacy in CMV infection. We conducted an observational study to determine the patterns of use and outcome of LET treatment of CMV infection in transplant recipients.Patients who received LET for treatment of CMV infection were identified at 13 transplant centers. Demographic and outcome data were collected.Twenty-seven solid organ and 21 HCT recipients (one dual) from 13 medical centers were included. Forty-five of 47 (94%) were treated with other agents prior to LET, and 57% had a history of prior CMV disease. Seventy-seven percent were intolerant to other antivirals; 32% were started on LET because of resistance concerns. Among 37 patients with viral load 1000 international units (IU)/ml at LET initiation, two experienced 1 log rise in viral load by week 12, and no deaths were attributed to CMV. Ten patients had viral load 1000 IU/ml at LET initiation, and six of 10 (60%) had a CMV viral load 1000 IU/ml at completion of therapy or last known value. LET was discontinued in two patients for an adverse event.Patients treated with LET with viral load 1000 IU/ml had good virologic outcomes. Outcomes were mixed when LET was initiated at higher viral loads. Further studies on combination therapy or alternative LET dosing are needed.

The hyperdiverse order Coleoptera comprises a staggering ~25% of known species on Earth. Despite recent breakthroughs in next generation sequencing, there remains a limited representation of beetle diversity in assembled genomes. Most notably, the ground beetle family Carabidae, comprising more than 40,000 described species, has not been studied in a comparative genomics framework using whole genome data. Here we generate a high-quality genome assembly for Nebria riversi, to examine sources of novelty in the genome evolution of beetles, as well as genetic changes associated with specialization to high-elevation alpine habitats. In particular, this genome resource provides a foundation for expanding comparative molecular research into mechanisms of insect cold adaptation. Comparison to other beetles shows a strong signature of genome compaction, with N. riversi possessing a relatively small genome (~147 Mb) compared to other beetles, with associated reductions in repeat element content and intron length. Small genome size is not, however, associated with fewer protein-coding genes, and an analysis of gene family diversity shows significant expansions of genes associated with cellular membranes and membrane transport, as well as protein phosphorylation and muscle filament structure. Finally, our genomic analyses show that these high-elevation beetles have endosymbiotic Spiroplasma, with several metabolic pathways (e.g., propanoate biosynthesis) that might complement N. riversi, although its role as a beneficial symbiont or as a reproductive parasite remains equivocal.

© 2019 Australian HR Institute Although still in its early stages, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR), which involves a broad range of artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning technologies, will fundamentally change the way many of us work and relate to one another. Driven by technology, this transformation presents a range of challenges, as well as opportunities, where we might expect Human Resource (HR) professionals would lead the way. However, little is currently known in relation to how prepared HR professionals in Australia are to ready their organisations for this new era of work and associated resourcing. Consequently, this paper goes some way towards closing that gap. Specifically, the study reported here sets out to explore the levels of preparedness amongst Australian HRM professionals for the impact of the FIR on organisations, workplaces, jobs and skills, as well as on their own professional roles and competencies. The study utilised a sequential mixed methods research design with two phases, the first was qualitative focus groups (n = 5) followed by a quantitative online survey of selected senior HR practitioners (n = 150). The findings indicate that, while most believe that FIR technologies might be useful for their organisations and assist with improving job performance, increasing productivity and making jobs easier for employees, contrarily many did not intend to use them in the foreseeable future. Marginal support was also evident in relation to the potential contributions of FIR technologies to HR process enhancement and overall HR effectiveness. Most respondents were also not impressed with the lack of current Australian government FIR strategies and policies.