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Aim: Forest pathogens, insect pests and parasitic plants are among the most important disturbance agents in forested ecosystems. Understanding where pests occur and where they might occur in the future will be important for understanding their impacts on host trees, and planning for future pest outbreaks. Location: North America. Taxon: Insect pests, pathogens and parasitic plants of forest trees. Methods: Here, we develop and implement a framework to predict the contemporary distributions of 26 pest species that accounts for climate, host abundance and, for non‐native species, their spread on the landscape. Results: We show that pest distributions can be predicted primarily by climatic variables. The abundance of individual host trees had only minor explanatory power, but the summed total of host abundance frequently had greater importance—suggesting forest composition and the relative frequency of hosts and non‐hosts place strong limits on pest distributions. Non‐native pests were strongly impacted by the distance from their original discovery location in North America, which tended to interact with climate variables—suggesting most non‐native pests are not yet at equilibrium with their potential climatic ranges in North America. Main Conclusions: This work helps to clarify the generalised controls on pest distributions and provide a framework for predicting pest distributions in future climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is unequally distributed across space and time, with inputs to terrestrial ecosystems impacted by industry regulations and variations in human activity. Soil carbon (C) content normally controls the fraction of mineralized N that is nitrified (ƒnitrified), affecting N bioavailability for plants and microbes. However, it is unknown whether N deposition has modified the relationships among soil C, net N mineralization, and net nitrification. To test whether N deposition alters the relationship between soil C and net N transformations, we collected soils from coniferous and deciduous forests, grasslands, and residential yards in 14 regions across the contiguous United States that vary in N deposition rates. We quantified rates of net nitrification and N mineralization, soil chemistry (soil C, N, and pH), and microbial biomass and function (as beta‐glucosidase (BG) and N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity) across these regions. Following expectations, soil C was a driver of ƒnitrified across regions, whereby increasing soil C resulted in a decline in net nitrification and ƒnitrified. The ƒnitrified value increased with lower microbial enzymatic investment in N acquisition (increasing BG:NAG ratio) and lower active microbial biomass, providing some evidence that heterotrophic microbial N demand controls the ammonium pool for nitrifiers. However, higher total N deposition increased ƒnitrified, including for high soil C sites predicted to have low ƒnitrified, which decreased the role of soil C as a predictor of ƒnitrified. Notably, the drop in contemporary atmospheric N deposition rates during the 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic did not weaken the effect of N deposition on relationships between soil C and ƒnitrified. Our results suggest that N deposition can disrupt the relationship between soil C and net N transformations, with this change potentially explained by weaker microbial competition for N. Therefore, past N inputs and soil C should be used together to predict N dynamics across terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Neurochemicals of interest quantified by MRS are often composites of overlapping signals. At higher field strengths (i.e., 7T), there is better separation of these signals. As the availability of higher field strengths is increasing, it is important to re‐evaluate the separability of overlapping metabolite signals. Methods: This study compares the ability of stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM‐8; TE = 8 ms), short‐TE semi‐LASER (sLASER‐34; TE = 34 ms), and long‐TE semi‐LASER (sLASER‐105; TE = 105 ms) acquisitions to separate the commonly acquired neurochemicals at 7T (Glx, consisting of glutamate and glutamine; total N‐acetyl aspartate, consisting of N‐acetyl aspartate and N‐acetylaspartylglutamate; total creatine, consisting of creatine and phosphocreatine; and total choline, consisting of choline, phosphocholine, and glycerophosphocholine). Results: sLASER‐34 produced the lowest fit errors for most neurochemicals; however, STEAM‐8 had better within‐subject reproducibility and required fewer subjects to detect a change between groups. However, this is dependent on the neurochemical of interest. Conclusion: We recommend short‐TE STEAM for separation of most standard neurochemicals at 7T over short‐TE or long‐TE sLASER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenomenological researchers are obliged to grasp the epistemological and ontological differences between the Husserlian and Heideggerian branches of phenomenology to avoid misappropriating phenomenological terms or mischaracterizing study design. To that end, we spell out the key differences between both phenomenological traditions as background for describing the indelible role that the researcher's background assumptions, or fore‐structure, play in interpretive studies. We draw on our four studies to illustrate how we traversed the hermeneutic circle to disclose, challenge, and refine the personal, cultural, clinical, and scientific assumptions hidden in our fore‐structures. Our reflections highlight how understanding evolves, not by bracketing or disengaging ourselves from the phenomena we study, but by engaging in an open dialog that seeks understanding as lived by patients and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relativistic and the ultra‐relativistic outer radiation belt electron response to the Periodic Density Structures (PDS) in the solar wind. We have studied four intervals between 0000 UT and 1500 UT during 17 January 2013 interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) sheath event following the passage of an interplanetary shock (IP) on 16 January, at 2240 UT. Earlier studies limited to geosynchronous orbit have shown that PDS induce Ultra‐Low‐Frequency (ULF) oscillations in the magnetosphere and modulate energetic electron intensities. Our study shows for the first time, using pitch angle resolved electron intensity measurements, that PDS modulate relativistic and ultra‐relativistic electron intensities in the heart of the radiation belts (L ≈ 4). We find that the modulation of electron intensities occur at frequencies close to those of interplanetary PDS. Furthermore, electron intensity modulations occur over a wide range of energy (≈200 keV to 4 MeV) and pitch angles (≈20–120°). This event study suggests that relativistic and ultra‐relativistic electron intensity modulations driven by PDS may be largely energy and pitch angle independent. Key Points: Periodic Density Structures (PDS) modulate the relativistic electrons in the heart of the radiation beltsEnergetic electron modulation occurs over a wide range of energy and pitch angleThese modulations in both PDSs and electron intensities are in the Ultra‐Low‐Frequency (ULF) range [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the cognitive outcomes of individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and the impact of disease-modifying therapies on cognitive function. The study found that individuals with SCA demonstrated significant impairment in executive function, language, and composite assessments of cognition compared to demographically similar controls. Despite recent advancements in therapies, cognitive impairment, particularly in executive function, remains a challenge for individuals with SCA. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize long-term cognitive outcomes in SCA. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the recommendation to rename the species Ziphius cavirostris, commonly known as Cuvier's beaked whale, to the goose-beaked whale. The authors argue that the current name perpetuates harm due to Georges Cuvier's involvement in scientific racism and misogyny. They highlight Cuvier's role in creating and disseminating scientific racism, as well as his exploitation of Saartjie Baartman, a Khoisan woman. The authors call for the marine mammal science community to discontinue the use of Cuvier's name and to reconsider all eponymous names of marine mammal species, in order to create a more inclusive and respectful field. [Extracted from the article]

Species interactions shape native plant communities, influencing both composition and ecosystem processes, with invasion by non‐native species threatening these dynamic relationships, native species, and function. The consequences of invasive plants in particular may stretch across taxa to impact plant, insect, and soil microbial communities directly and indirectly, with consequences for ecological functioning. In northern mixed‐grass prairies in the United States, invasion by two annual brome grasses, Bromus arvensis and B. tectorum, negatively impacts rangeland plants; however, the simultaneous effects on insects and soil microbes (bacteria and archaea), and the implications for ecological function, have received less attention. Here, using observational field studies conducted at two mixed‐grass prairie sites in Montana and Wyoming, we assessed the relationships between plants, insects, and soil microbes across gradients of invasion by B. arvensis and B. tectorum. Overall, we found differences in plant and insect communities and functional groups with increasing invasion abundance for both brome species. However, associations between invasion and the soil microbial community were species specific, as we only saw these relationships under B. tectorum invasion, implying B. tectorum may have more substantial consequences for rangeland management. While invasion by annual bromes may cause changes in certain plant and insect functional groups, such as C4 perennial grasses and certain insect herbivores, soil microbial functional groups may be less impacted, especially under B. arvensis invasion. This work sheds light on the need to explore changes in natural communities across taxa and to all invasive species, as ecosystem effects are likely to be contingent upon both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue short‐cracks in Mg alloys display complex growth behavior due to high plastic anisotropy and crack path dependence on local microstructural features. In this study, the three‐dimensional crystallography of short‐crack paths in Mg alloy WE43 was characterized by mapping near‐field high‐energy X‐ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) reconstructed grain maps to high‐resolution X‐ray CT reconstructions of the fracture surfaces in the crack initiation and short‐crack growth regions of six ultrasonic fatigue specimens. Crack–grain–boundary intersections were analyzed at 81 locations across the six crack paths. The basal intragranular, non‐basal intragranular, or intergranular character of short‐crack growth following each boundary intersection was correlated to crystallographic and geometric parameters of the trailing and leading grains, three‐dimensional grain boundary plane, and advancing crack front. The results indicate that crack paths are dependent on the combined crystallographic and geometric character of the local microstructure, and crack path prediction can be improved by use of dimensionality reduction on subsets of high‐linear‐correlation microstructural parameters. Highlights: Three‐dimensional short‐crack growth was characterized with near‐field HEDM and X‐ray CT.Intragranular crack growth character correlates to favorable alignment for slip activity.Intergranular crack growth displays low association to local crystallography.Short‐crack path predictions can be improved through PCA of microstructural parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructurally small fatigue‐crack growth in polycrystalline materials is highly three‐dimensional due to sensitivity to local microstructural features (e.g., grains). One requirement for modeling microstructurally sensitive crack propagation is establishing the criteria that govern crack evolution, including crack deflection. Here, a high‐fidelity finite‐element modeling framework is used to assess the performance and validity of various crack‐growth criteria, including slip‐based metrics (e.g., fatigue‐indicator parameters), as potential criteria for predicting three‐dimensional crack paths in polycrystalline materials. The modeling framework represents cracks as geometrically explicit discontinuities and involves voxel‐based remeshing, mesh‐gradation control, and a crystal‐plasticity constitutive model. The predictions are compared to experimental measurements of WE43 magnesium samples subject to fatigue loading, for which three‐dimensional grain structures and fatigue‐crack surfaces were measured post‐mortem using near‐field high‐energy x‐ray diffraction microscopy and x‐ray computed tomography. Findings from this work are expected to improve the predictive capabilities of simulations involving microstructurally small fatigue‐crack growth in polycrystalline materials. Highlights: The performance of potential crack‐deflection criteria are assessed for 3D short‐crack paths.The predictions are compared to experimental measurements of fatigue‐failed WE43 magnesium samples.Blind predictions based on FIP distributions were most sensitive to the local microstructure.These findings expected to improve the predictive capabilities of short‐crack simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses a framework that combines LatCrit theory, racist nativism, and liberating pedagogy of praxis (LPP) to examine how a community youth program's LPP practices countered the racist nativism Latinx youth experience in their high school. LPP practices challenged racist nativism by creating a space where Latinx youth faced each other in circles to engage in authentic collective intergenerational dialogue about lived experiences of racist nativism, which cultivated solidarity and a call to action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) is a parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually‐transmitted infection. Neutrophils are found at the site of infection, and can rapidly kill the parasite in vitro, using trogocytosis. However, the specific molecular players in neutrophil killing of Tv are unknown. Here, we show that complement proteins play a role in Tv killing by human neutrophil‐like cells (NLCs). Using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated NLCs deficient in each of three complement receptors (CRs) known to be expressed on human neutrophils: CR1, CR3, and CR4. Using in vitro trogocytosis assays, we found that CR3, but not CR1 or CR4 is required for maximum trogocytosis of the parasite by NLCs, with NLCs lacking CR3 demonstrating ~40% reduction in trogocytosis, on average. We also observed a reduction in NLC killing of Tv in CR3 knockout, but not CR1 or CR4 knockout NLCs. On average, NLCs lacking CR3 had ~50% reduction in killing activity. We also used a parallel approach of pre‐incubating NLCs with blocking antibodies against CR3, which similarly reduced NLC killing of parasites. These data support a model in which Tv is opsonized by the complement protein iC3b, and bound by neutrophil CR3 receptor, to facilitate trogocytic killing of the parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide. Infection induces a rapid dissemination of parasites throughout the body followed by the formation of lifelong cysts within neurons of the host brain. Both stages require a dynamic immune response comprised of both innate and adaptive cells. Neutrophils are a primary responding cell to acute infection and have been observed in the brain during murine chronic infection. Previous studies investigating human neutrophils found that invasion by Toxoplasma tachyzoites inhibits apoptosis of neutrophils, prolonging their survival under inflammatory conditions. Here, we demonstrate the differentiation of two distinct subsets following exposure of human neutrophil‐like‐cells (HNLC) to Toxoplasma cysts. In vitro stimulation and imaging studies show cyst‐specific induction of cytokines and cyst clearance by HNLCs. Further testing demonstrates that aged HNLCs perform less phagocytosis of cysts compared to non‐aged HNLCs. In conclusion, this study identifies a novel response of HNLCs to Toxoplasma cysts and may indicate a role for neutrophils in the clearance of cysts during human infection with Toxoplasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the majority of the world's sedimentary basins are located along passive continental margins, the link between their stratigraphy and time architecture has not been fully investigated in three dimensions. Here, using a 3D numerical forward stratigraphic model, we report a previously unidentified trend: an increase in temporal completeness from the shelf to the upper slope and a reduction towards the basin floor. Sedimentation rates from our results are consistent with those measured from a global dataset; our results are also consistent with a chronostratigraphically well‐constrained subsurface example: the Eocene of the Santos Basin, offshore Brazil. Because our results reproduce both globally and locally observed time‐preservation trends, we suggest the use of such models to inform time architecture in the context of surface and subsurface accumulations. Applying these concepts will not only provide a spatiotemporal framework for passive‐margin settings but will provide a more complete understanding of the inherently incomplete geological record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to describe enteral nutrition (EN) delivery in patients receiving postpyloric EN (PPEN) vs gastric EN (GEN). Methods: Single‐center retrospective study including patients aged <21 years admitted to an intensive care unit in a pediatric quaternary care hospital for ≧48 h who received PPEN or GEN as a first approach, as guided by a nutrition algorithm. PPEN patients were 1:1 propensity score matched to GEN patients on demographics, clinical characteristics, and disease severity. Days to EN initiation from admission, percentage of EN adequacy (delivered EN volume/prescribed EN volume) on days 1–3 and 7 after EN initiation, and time to achieving 60% of prescribed EN volume were compared between the two groups using Wilcoxon Mann‐Whitney tests and a Cox proportional hazards model. Data are presented as median (IQR1, IQR3). Results: Forty‐six PPEN and 46 GEN patients were matched. Median time to EN initiation was 3.25 (2, 6.8) days for PPEN and 4.15 (1.5, 7.1) days for GEN (P = 0.6). Percentage of EN adequacy was greater for PPEN than GEN patients (day 1 PPEN 59.4% [18.8, 87.5] vs GEN 21.1% [7.8, 62.8], day 2 PPEN 54.3% [16.7, 95.8] vs GEN 24% [5.4, 56.7], day 3 PPEN 65.4% [14.7, 100] vs GEN 16% [0, 64.6], day 7 PPEN 77.8% [11.1, 100] vs GEN 13.8% [0, 74.5]; P < 0.05). PPEN patients had greater likelihood of achieving 60% of their prescribed EN volume than GEN patients (hazard ratio 1.84, 95% CI 1.07–3.15; P = 0.028). Conclusion: PPEN was associated with greater EN delivery compared with GEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a Commentary on Shigyo et al. (2024); 243: 2146–2156. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of children sustain a concussion annually. Concussion disrupts cellular signaling and neural pathways within the brain but the resulting metabolic disruptions are not well characterized. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can examine key brain metabolites (e.g., N‐acetyl Aspartate (tNAA), glutamate (Glx), creatine (tCr), choline (tCho), and myo‐Inositol (mI)) to better understand these disruptions. In this study, we used MRS to examine differences in brain metabolites between children and adolescents with concussion versus orthopedic injury. Children and adolescents with concussion (n = 361) or orthopedic injury (OI) (n = 184) aged 8 to 17 years were recruited from five emergency departments across Canada. MRS data were collected from the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L‐DLPFC) using point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) at 3 T at a mean of 12 days post‐injury (median 10 days post‐injury, range 2–33 days). Univariate analyses for each metabolite found no statistically significant metabolite differences between groups. Within each analysis, several covariates were statistically significant. Follow‐up analyses designed to account for possible confounding factors including age, site, scanner, vendor, time since injury, and tissue type (and interactions as appropriate) did not find any metabolite group differences. In the largest sample of pediatric concussion studied with MRS to date, we found no metabolite differences between concussion and OI groups in the L‐DLPFC. We suggest that at 2 weeks post‐injury in a general pediatric concussion population, brain metabolites in the L‐DLPFC are not specifically affected by brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EXAFS provides the capability to interrogate nanoparticle (NP) structure in atomistic detail without relying on long‐range crystallinity. There is a limitation in that EXAFS provides averaged structural information, making it difficult to separate a small amount of heterogeneous structure from bulk. In this work, models were developed to extract surface‐specific information from conventional EXAFS measurements collected on UO2 NPs of varying size. Specifically, the surface terminating species of UO2 NPs was determined from comparison of coordination numbers with geometric models while the origin of static disorder was interrogated from user‐defined simulations. Results show that the degree of oxygenation on the NP surface does not significantly deviate from bulk surface and that static disorder is highly enhanced in NP surface layers but cannot be attributed to surface relaxation effects alone. The approach described herein has the potential to be adapted to a range of inorganic NP systems to interrogate surface structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of surface water is assumed by many wildlife managers to be important to desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). Yet scientific evidence suggests bighorn sheep populations can sometimes fulfill their water requirements from forage alone. To investigate how water use changes with environmental conditions, we analyzed the surface water use and movement patterns of 4 desert bighorn populations across a range of meteorological conditions in the Mojave Desert in California, USA. We compared ground‐based weather data to the daily use of surface water sources for 65 known individuals, and examined the movement patterns of 18 of these individuals with global positioning system collars in relation to visitation to surface water sources. Maximum daily temperature most closely predicted the percent of bighorn visiting water daily, with visitation increasing approximately 30% between 30°C and 40°C. Individual animals switched from a tortuous foraging movement to directed movement when accessing surface water. Day length, maximum daily temperature, minimum daily temperature, solar radiation, and the interaction between day length and minimum temperature explained the distance desert bighorn were located from the nearest water source. Our results indicate that local meteorological conditions are important determinants of desert bighorn surface water use, and that managers should monitor water sources when the maximum daily temperature exceeds 35°C. Individual animals meet their water requirements with surface water under hot and dry conditions, likely because it is temporally or energetically efficient given their other resource needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noting that 43 days is the minimum drifting time of the kelp rafts, the simulations confirmed that possible regions of origin could have been northern Tasmania (i.e., which have the nearest known populations of giant kelp), Wilsons Promontory, or somewhere along the pathway of the simulated particles. Keywords: barnacle; dispersal; Lepas; Macrocystis; wrack EN barnacle dispersal Lepas Macrocystis wrack 1 6 6 10/06/22 20221001 NES 221001 On 9 August 2020, two local marine naturalists (authors W. Marshall-Grey and J. Rankin) on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia noticed a significant amount of a large unfamiliar kelp washed up on a local beach. Giant kelp rafts wash ashore 450 km from the nearest populations and against the dominant ocean current Based on a general trajectory from northern Tasmanian to southern New South Wales, the maximum putative distance covered by the kelp rafts was ~600 km, which over 43 days equates to a drift speed of ~0.16 m/s. This is similar to other drift speed estimates for floating kelp rafts (~0.20 m/s, Fraser et al., 2010). [Extracted from the article]

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Online racial discrimination and race‐related traumatic events online have been linked to psychological distress in Black youth. The current study builds on extant literature by examining associations among online racial discrimination, traumatic events online, and trauma symptoms of discrimination, after controlling for gender identity and ethnic–racial setting of college in a sample of 245 Black youth. Additionally, this study examines the potential moderating effects of gender identity. This study is the first to examine the associations among online racial discrimination, traumatic events online, and trauma symptoms specific to racial discrimination. Path modeling revealed positive associations among online racial discrimination, traumatic events online, and trauma symptoms of discrimination. No significant differences in models were found by gender identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lianas (woody vines) are abundant and diverse, particularly in tropical ecosystems. Lianas use trees for structural support to reach the forest canopy, often putting leaves above their host tree. Thus they are major parts of many forest canopies. Yet, relatively little is known about distributions of lianas in tropical forest canopies, because studying those canopies is challenging. This knowledge gap is urgent to address because lianas compete strongly with trees, reduce forest carbon uptake and are thought to be increasing, at least in the Neotropics.Lianas can be difficult to study using traditional field methods. Their pliable stems often twist and loop through the understorey, making it difficult to assess their structure and biomass, and the sizes and locations of their crowns. Furthermore, liana stems are commonly omitted from standard field surveys. Remote sensing of lianas can help overcome some of these obstacles and can provide critical insights into liana ecology, but to date there has been no systematic assessment of that contribution.We review progress in studying liana ecology using ground‐based, airborne and space‐borne remote sensing in four key areas: (i) spatial and temporal distributions, (ii) structure and biomass, (iii) responses to environmental conditions and (iv) diversity. This demonstrates the great potential of remote sensing for rapid advances in our knowledge and understanding of liana ecology. We then look ahead, to the possibilities offered by new and future advances. We specifically consider the data requirements, the role of technological advances and the types of methods and experimental designs that should be prioritised.Synthesis. The particular characteristics of the liana growth form make lianas difficult to study by ground‐based field methods. However, remote sensing is well suited to collecting data on lianas. Our review shows that remote sensing is an emerging tool for the study of lianas, and will continue to improve with recent developments in sensor and platform technology. It is surprising, therefore, how little liana ecology research has utilised remote sensing to date—this should rapidly change if urgent knowledge gaps are to be addressed. In short, liana ecology needs remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For women with breast cancer in whom multiple Oncotype DX® Recurrence Scores (RS) are obtained, RS concordance utilizing current NCCN recommendations has not been evaluated. Patients with two or more RS were identified. RS were stratified by NCCN guidelines and compared for concordance. Twenty‐four patients were evaluated. RS concordance varied by tumor type: 100% in the same tumor, 91.7% in multiple ipsilateral tumors, 71.4% in contralateral tumors, and 66.7% in in‐breast recurrent tumors. RS concordance for multiple assays in the same patient is not high enough to omit Oncotype DX® testing for each tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify factors that facilitate participation in shared governance and attendance at unit meetings. Background: Shared governance and unit meetings are crucial for education and communication. Current literature explores barriers to participation and attendance; however, removal of barriers may be insufficient to bring about behaviour change in nurses. Method: Secondary analysis of data from 511 clinical nurses, who worked at one of nine facilities within one large health care system in the Midwest United States, was used to address our aim. Results: Shared governance participants and unit meeting attendees were most satisfied with nursing as a career and more likely to be optimistic that nurses could change things, than non‐participants and non‐attendees, and this difference was statistically significant (p <.05). The organizational variable most associated with participation and attendance dealt with paid time‐off to attend meetings. Personal reasons for participation and attendance were the opportunity to express opinions and to hear opinions of others. Conclusion: Organizations should encourage nurses to express their opinions and ensure that nurses are paid for the time spent participating in meetings. Implications for nursing management: While some variables cannot be controlled by organizations, nursing leadership can provide opportunities for nurses to become more active and participate in decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Plants often associate with specialized decomposer communities that increase plant litter breakdown, a phenomenon that is known as the 'home‐field advantage' (HFA). Although the concept of HFA has long considered only the role of the soil microbial community, explicit consideration of the role of the microbial community on the foliage before litter fall (i.e. the phyllosphere community) may help us to better understand HFA. We investigated the occurrence of HFA in the presence vs absence of phyllosphere communities and found that HFA effects were smaller when phyllosphere communities were removed. We propose that priority effects and interactions between phyllosphere and soil organisms can help explain the positive effects of the phyllosphere at home, and suggest a path forward for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tigers (Panthera tigris spp.) are endangered in the wild; ensuring sustainable insurance populations requires careful planning within zoological collections. In captive situations, contraceptives are often used to control breeding and ensure genetically viable populations that contain manageable numbers of animals; reversible contraceptives are ideal because they offer flexibility for breeding management. Historically, synthetic progestins, such as melengestrol acetate implants, were used in female tigers, but these are associated with an increased risk of reproductive pathology and subsequent infertility. Recent management advice to ex‐situ collections has been to transition to the use of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists, such as deslorelin acetate implants, which do not appear to have a similar risk of reproductive pathology but are associated with highly variable reversal times in exotic felids. Using data from 917 contraceptive records in female tigers captured by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Reproductive Management Center and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Reproductive Management Group's joint Contraception Database and from supplementary surveys, this study reviews the changing use of contraceptives in captive female tigers. The aim was to describe the historical and current use of contraceptives and provide a comprehensive assessment on the use of deslorelin implants, including data on product protocols, efficacy, pathology, and reversibility. This study determined that current dose, frequency, reversibility, and anatomical placement sites of deslorelin implants are highly variable, indicating that specific, readily available, unified, evidence‐based recommendations on the use of deslorelin would be useful for future contraceptive use in managed tiger populations. Research Highlights: Deslorelin acetate appears to be safe, effective and reversible in female tigers.Deslorelin acetate is associated with little pathology.Time between deslorelin acetate treatment and return to fertility is highly variable in female tigers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population viability analysis (PVA) utilizes simulation models to project the genetic and demographic trajectories of populations over time. One benefit to using PVA to assist in ex situ population planning is the ability to compare outcomes from multiple management scenarios. Reproductive viability analysis (RVA), used to identify biological and reproductive characteristics of animals in breeding pairs that correlate with successful reproduction, is also beneficial, informing population managers on best practices for population planning. Our objectives were to: (1) compare genetic and demographic predictions for the managed North American ex situ fennec fox population from two PVA programs: Vortex and ZooRisk; (2) show how RVA results can be incorporated into PVAs in Vortex and how that affects PVA projections; and (3) perform a sensitivity analysis to investigate how uncertainty in the influence of factors on the reproductive success of fennec fox pairs affects variation in population projections. In this study, the relative and average genetic and demographic predictions were generally the same across both software programs when given similar inputs. The inclusion of factors that influence breeding success (RVA) in the PVA models resulted in a lower probability of extinction, less inbreeding accumulation, and slower loss of genetic diversity, due to an overall higher rate of reproductive success. The uncertainty in the negative effects of increasing female and male age, and the positive effect of female parity on reproductive success had the greatest effect on projected genetic diversity and inbreeding. Our study demonstrates that Vortex is capable of projecting the viability of ex situ populations with flexibility, and has the ability to incorporate complexity and uncertainty into population parameters. It also reveals that adjusting ex situ population management, more specifically the consideration of factors affecting reproductive success to create breeding pairs with a higher probability of success, will improve population sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and is essential to the balance of cortical excitation and inhibition. Reductions in GABA are proposed to result in an overly excitatory cortex that may cause, or contribute to, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study employed a cross‐sectional design to explore GABA+ differences in ASD and the impact of age, comparing 4–12 year olds with ASD (N = 24) to typically developing children (N = 35). GABA+ concentration was measured using edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the left parietal lobe. This study used a mixed model to investigate group differences between children with ASD and typically developing children. There was a significant difference in GABA+ levels between the groups, a significant effect of age and interaction between age and diagnostic group. The ASD group showed an association between GABA+ and age, with GABA+ levels gradually increasing with age (r = 0.59, p = 0.003). Typically developing children did not show age‐related change in GABA+ concentration (r = 0.09, p = 0.60). By the age of 9, children with ASD showed GABA+ levels that were comparable to their typically developing peers. This study suggests that children with ASD have initially lower levels of GABA+ in the left parietal lobe compared to typically developing children, and that these initially lower levels of GABA+ increase with age in ASD within this region. It is suggested that this developmental shift of GABA+ levels within the left parietal lobe provides a possible explanation for the previously found reductions in childhood that does not persist in adults. Lay Summary: This study measured levels of GABA in the left parietal lobe using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children with ASD and typically developing children. GABA levels were initially lower in the ASD group, and increased with age, while GABA did not change with age in the typically developing group. This suggests that alterations in GABA signaling may be associated with ASD in childhood. Autism Res 2021, 14: 859–872. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once an MRS dataset has been acquired, several important steps must be taken to obtain the desired metabolite concentration measures. First, the data must be preprocessed to prepare them for analysis. Next, the intensity of the metabolite signal(s) of interest must be estimated. Finally, the measured metabolite signal intensities must be converted into scaled concentration units employing a quantitative reference signal to allow meaningful interpretation. In this paper, we review these three main steps in the post‐acquisition workflow of a single‐voxel MRS experiment (preprocessing, analysis and quantification) and provide recommendations for best practices at each step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo quantification of glutamate (Glu) and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) using MRS is often achieved using two separate sequences: a short‐echo point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) acquisition for Glu and a Mescher‐Garwood PRESS (MEGA‐PRESS) acquisition for GABA. The purpose of this study was to examine the agreement of Glu and Glx (the combined signal of glutamate + glutamine) quantified from two different GABA‐edited MEGA‐PRESS acquisitions (GABA plus macromolecules, GABA+, TE = 68 ms, and macromolecule suppressed, MMSup, TE = 80 ms) with Glu and Glx quantified from a short‐echo PRESS (PRESS‐35, TE = 35 ms) acquisition. Fifteen healthy male volunteers underwent a single scan session, in which data were acquired using the three acquisitions (GABA+, MMSup and PRESS‐35) in both the sensorimotor and anterior cingulate cortices using a voxel size of 3 × 3 × 3 cm3. Glx and Glu were quantified from the MEGA‐PRESS data using both the OFF sub‐spectra and the difference (DIFF) spectra. Agreement was assessed using correlation analyses, Bland–Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficients. Glx quantified from the OFF sub‐spectra from both the GABA+ and MMSup acquisitions showed poor agreement with PRESS‐35 in both brain regions. In the sensorimotor cortex, Glu quantified from the OFF sub‐spectra of GABA+ showed moderate agreement with PRESS‐35 data, but this finding was not replicated in the anterior cingulate cortex. Glx and Glu quantified using the DIFF spectra of either MEGA‐PRESS sequence were in poor agreement with the PRESS‐35 data in both brain regions. In conclusion, Glx and Glu measured from MEGA‐PRESS data generally showed poor agreement with Glx and Glu measured using PRESS‐35. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study analyzing relativistic and ultra relativistic electron energization and the evolution of pitch angle distributions using data from the Van Allen Probes. We study the connection between energization and isotropization to determine if there is a coherence across storms and across energies. Pitch angle distributions are fit with a J0sinnθ function, and the variable "n" is characterized as the pitch angle index and tracked over time. Our results show that consistently across all storms with ultra relativistic electron energization, electron distributions are most anisotropic within around a day of Dstmin and become more isotropic in the following week. Also, each consecutively higher energy channel is associated with higher anisotropy after storm main phase. Changes in the pitch angle index are reflected in each energy channel; when 1.8 MeV electron pitch angle distributions increase (or decrease) in pitch angle index, so do the other energy channels. We show that the peak anisotropies differ between coronal mass ejection (CME)- and corotating interaction region (CIR)-driven storms and measure the relaxation rate as the anisotropy falls after the storm. The isotropization rate in pitch angle index for CME-driven storms is -0.15 ± 0.02 day-1 at 1.8 MeV, -0.30 ± 0.01 day-1 at 3.4 MeV, and -0.39 ± 0.02 day-1 at 5.2 MeV. For CIRdriven storms, the isotropization rates are -0.10 ± 0.01 day-1 for 1.8 MeV, -0.13 ± 0.02 day-1 for 3.4 MeV, and -0.11 ± 0.02 day-1 for 5.2 MeV. This study shows that there is a global coherence across energies and that storm type may play a role in the evolution of electron pitch angle distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation strategies for crocodilians often include captive breeding to create stable assurance populations. Evaluating adrenal and gonadal hormone patterns can provide animal managers with data to more effectively monitor animal welfare and reproductive status. This study evaluated the effects of season (breeding, nesting, or off), sex (male and female), and reproductive status of females (egg‐laying/housed with a male or non‐laying/housed solo) on concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM), fecal androgen metabolite (FAM), and fecal progestogen metabolite (FPM) in seven Cuban crocodiles, Crocodylus rhombifer, at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park. Overall, seasonal changes in FGM and FPM concentrations were only observed in egg‐laying females; FGM and FPM concentrations were both higher during the nesting season compared to the breeding and off seasons. Seasonal changes in FAM concentrations were only observed in males; males had higher FAM concentrations during the breeding and nesting seasons compared to the off season. Future studies investigating the use of fecal hormone metabolites in crocodilians are necessary to understand differences between individuals and species, to further elucidate the interactions between hormones and environmental factors, such as social housing, and to develop long‐term datasets for the management of this species. Research Highlights: Fecal hormone metabolite assays were validated for Cuban crocodiles based on biological relevance (sex and reproductive status) and seasonal patterns in reproductive hormones similar to those documented in the blood plasma of other crocodilians.Acute stress responses assessed via glucocorticoids are likely attenuated in feces in crocodilians due to steroid pooling and infrequent defecation, but long‐term (seasonal) changes are observable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated possible female‐related causes for inconsistent success among reproductive pairs in the zoo‐based red wolf (Canis rufus) population. Females (n = 13) at seven institutions were assessed for evidence of ovulation and normal reproductive cycles through the measurement of estradiol and progesterone metabolite excretion in feces. Fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were also measured. Factors potentially affecting FCM and/or estrous cyclicity were recorded, including exhibit status (on vs. off), reproductive history (proven vs. unproven), copulatory behaviors (ties observed: yes or no), pregnancy/parturition (pups or no pups produced), and translocation before the observed breeding season (yes or no). No differences were observed in baseline FCM between females housed on versus off‐exhibit (p =.46) or between females producing pups and those who did not (p =.19). Baseline FCM were significantly lower among females observed in copulatory ties compared to females never observed in a tie (p =.04), and tended to be higher in females translocated before the breeding season compared to females in existing reproductive pairs (p =.11), and among historically unproven females compared to proven females (p =.11). All females evaluated had an endocrine profile indicative of ovulation and among the four females translocated to be paired with a new male before the breeding season, two had successful pregnancies, producing litters. Therefore, despite observed differences in baseline FCM among factors, estrous cyclicity and reproductive success are unaffected by translocation for the formation of new reproductive pairs in the zoo‐based red wolf population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is native to 6 of the 8 Channel Islands of California, USA. The species experienced a population decline in the 1990s but recovered after predatory golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) were relocated and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), a main food source for the eagles, were removed. As part of an ongoing conservation program, the National Park Service conducts yearly health surveys on foxes residing on Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands. In this study, we document non‐invasive measures of stress and nutritional status from fecal samples collected during surveys from 2009 to 2015. We collected samples defecated in traps overnight or during handling and measured concentrations of glucocorticoid (GC) and triiodothyronine (T3) metabolites using validated assays. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the relationships between hormones, season, island, age class, sex, body condition, reproductive status, and ectoparasite presence. Overall, males had marginally lower fecal T3 concentrations than females. Concentrations of both hormones positively correlated with body condition. Fecal GC production varied seasonally; concentrations were highest from December to February and declined through the summer and fall. During summer, younger females and those with signs of recent reproduction had higher fecal GC concentrations than older females or those without evidence of reproduction. Fecal T3 concentrations did not vary in relation to season, age, or reproductive status, but on San Miguel Island were positively correlated with ectoparasite presence. There were no other significant differences between islands. Our results provide hormone data for island foxes and demonstrate that production varies in relation to seasonal and biological factors. These reference data will serve as a comparison for future health surveys and allow managers to identify factors associated with increased stress or reduced nutritional state. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. Fecal glucocorticoid and triiodothyronine concentrations measured in this study will assist management of island foxes by serving as reference data for future monitoring. Comparing hormone concentrations and patterns documented here to those measured during future surveys will allow managers to identify factors that negatively affect island fox health by increasing stress or reducing nutritional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of occult breast carcinoma and significant breast disease in clinically and radiologically unremarkable breast reduction specimens and prophylactic mastectomies. A retrospective search using specimen type codes was performed in the computerized histopathology archive from April 2007 to April 2016. The pathology results of 505 patients were analyzed (782 specimens). A total of 267 patients underwent simple reduction mammoplasties (10 unilateral), 20 had bilateral prophylactic mastectomies and 218 undertook contralateral symmetrizing or prophylactic mastectomy surgery following a history of breast cancer. Overall, normal (unremarkable) breast tissue was found in 42.6% of patients (n = 215), benign tissue (nonproliferative/proliferative disease without atypia) in 51.1% (n = 258), significant disease (LCIS/proliferative disease with atypia) in 5.5% (n = 28), and malignant disease (invasive/ductal carcinoma in situ) in 0.8% (n = 4). The incidence of significant breast pathology was statistically higher (P value <.0001) in prophylactic mastectomies (12.4%) compared to reduction mammoplasties (2.3%). There was however no significant increase in the incidence of malignancy between prophylactic mastectomies (1.2%) and reduction mammoplasties (0.6%). Even though the clear majority of resected tissue in reduction mammoplasties and prophylactic mastectomies is benign, our findings support the continued need for histological examination of these specimens for occult carcinoma and precursor lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequence and assembly of human genomes using long‐read sequencing technologies has revolutionized our understanding of structural variation and genome organization. We compared the accuracy, continuity, and gene annotation of genome assemblies generated from either high‐fidelity (HiFi) or continuous long‐read (CLR) datasets from the same complete hydatidiform mole human genome. We find that the HiFi sequence data assemble an additional 10% of duplicated regions and more accurately represent the structure of tandem repeats, as validated with orthogonal analyses. As a result, an additional 5 Mbp of pericentromeric sequences are recovered in the HiFi assembly, resulting in a 2.5‐fold increase in the NG50 within 1 Mbp of the centromere (HiFi 480.6 kbp, CLR 191.5 kbp). Additionally, the HiFi genome assembly was generated in significantly less time with fewer computational resources than the CLR assembly. Although the HiFi assembly has significantly improved continuity and accuracy in many complex regions of the genome, it still falls short of the assembly of centromeric DNA and the largest regions of segmental duplication using existing assemblers. Despite these shortcomings, our results suggest that HiFi may be the most effective standalone technology for de novo assembly of human genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Exercise in patients with hypertension can be accompanied by an abnormal cardiovascular response that includes attenuated blood flow and an augmented pressor response.Endothelin‐1, a very potent vasoconstrictor, is a key modulator of blood flow and pressure during in health and has been implicated as a potential cause of the dysfunction in hypertension.We assessed the role of endothelin‐1, acting through endothelin A (ETA) receptors, in modulating the central and peripheral cardiovascular responses to exercise in patients with hypertension via local antagonism of these receptors during exercise.ETA receptor antagonism markedly increased leg blood flow, vascular conductance, oxygen delivery, and oxygen consumption during exercise; interestingly, these changes occurred in the presence of reduced leg perfusion pressure, indicating that these augmentations were driven by changes in vascular resistance.These data indicate that ETA receptor antagonism could be a viable therapeutic approach to improve blood flow during exercise in hypertension. Patients with hypertension can exhibit impaired muscle blood flow and exaggerated increases in blood pressure during exercise. While endothelin (ET)‐1 plays a role in regulating blood flow and pressure during exercise in health, little is known about the role of ET‐1 in the cardiovascular response to exercise in hypertension. Therefore, eight volunteers diagnosed with hypertension were studied during exercise with either saline or BQ‐123 (ETA receptor antagonist) infusion following a 2‐week withdrawal of anti‐hypertensive medications. The common femoral artery and vein were catheterized for drug infusion, blood collection and blood pressure measurements, and leg blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasound. Patients exercised at both absolute (0, 5, 10, 15 W) and relative (40, 60, 80% peak power) intensities. BQ‐123 increased blood flow at rest (79 ± 87 ml/min; P = 0.03) and augmented the exercise‐induced hyperaemia at most intensities (80% saline: Δ3818±1222 vs. BQ‐123: Δ4812±1469 ml/min; P = 0.001). BQ‐123 reduced leg MAP at rest (−8 ± 4 mmHg; P < 0.001) and lower intensities (0–10 W; P < 0.05). Systemic diastolic blood pressure was reduced (0 W, 40%; P < 0.05), but systemic MAP was defended by an increased cardiac output. The exercise pressor response (ΔMAP) did not differ between conditions (80% saline: 25 ± 10, BQ‐123: 30 ± 7 mmHg; P = 0.17). Thus, ET‐1, acting through the ETA receptors, contributes to the control of blood pressure at rest and lower intensity exercise in these patients. Furthermore, the finding that ET‐1 constrains the blood flow response to exercise suggests that ETA receptor antagonism could be a therapeutic approach to improve blood flow during exercise in hypertension. Key points: Exercise in patients with hypertension can be accompanied by an abnormal cardiovascular response that includes attenuated blood flow and an augmented pressor response.Endothelin‐1, a very potent vasoconstrictor, is a key modulator of blood flow and pressure during in health and has been implicated as a potential cause of the dysfunction in hypertension.We assessed the role of endothelin‐1, acting through endothelin A (ETA) receptors, in modulating the central and peripheral cardiovascular responses to exercise in patients with hypertension via local antagonism of these receptors during exercise.ETA receptor antagonism markedly increased leg blood flow, vascular conductance, oxygen delivery, and oxygen consumption during exercise; interestingly, these changes occurred in the presence of reduced leg perfusion pressure, indicating that these augmentations were driven by changes in vascular resistance.These data indicate that ETA receptor antagonism could be a viable therapeutic approach to improve blood flow during exercise in hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This article provides an overview of how the interdisciplinary field of disaster studies contributes to the social sciences. Methods: The following themes are explored in relation to the articles contained in the special issue: disasters are social and political phenomena that generate policy change, disasters reflect and affect democratic governance, and disasters reveal shared experience and collective identity. Results: Disaster studies bridge the social sciences theoretically and methodologically. Given the scope of disaster impacts—across social, political, economic, ecological, and infrastructure spheres—and the policy response they garner involving public, private, and civic actors, they offer a lens by which to see society and politics in a way that no other critical events can. Conclusion: Disaster studies offer important applications of social science theories and concepts that expand the field, broaden our reach as social scientists, and deepen our understanding of fundamental social processes and behaviors in meaningful ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article explores how the Millennial Generation identity—the shared values and experiences of young adults (born between 1980 and 1997)—affects political polarization of climate change belief, specifically how it mediates the relationship between party affiliation and educational attainment. Method: To test this, an interaction between Millennial*Republican*education is estimated, using data from an original national survey administered in 2015. Results: Millennials are more likely to believe in the evidence of climate change and its anthropogenic causes than older adults of their same party affiliation. Unlike older adults, the most educated Millennials are not the most likely to adhere to political party stance; rather, it is among the least educated Millennials that party sorting is most evident. Conclusion: The Millennial Generation identity is meaningful for understanding political attitudes. Important distinctions exist between Millennials and older adults in the evaluation of climate change opinion and related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of biodiversity hot spots is necessary for developing conservation strategies. The south‐eastern U.S.A. harbours high aquatic biodiversity; however, this diversity is threatened as a result of anthropogenic activities. We report patterns of fish and mussel biodiversity, locate hotspots of diversity and endemism, and identify gaps in protection of these hotspots.Maxent was used to generate species distribution models for native fish and mussel species in river basins throughout east Texas. Stacked species distribution models were used to assess spatial patterns of biodiversity and examine the concordance between fish and mussel hotspots. A Geographic Approach to Planning analysis was used to identify areas of high conservation concern.Predicted geographical variation in species richness of mussels corresponds to patterns shown in fish; however, there was discordance among endemicity hotspots between the two taxa. Because overall endemicity was low in both groups, species richness is likely to be the more informative measure of biodiversity at these regional scales.While hotspots represent a small percentage of the study area, almost all richness and endemicity hotspots (>95%) in east Texas occur outside of protected areas. The results of this study suggest that protected areas designated based on terrestrial habitat may fail to protect aquatic biodiversity. Studies such as this provide a baseline for development of conservation and management strategies for protection of regional freshwater biodiversity, while also suggesting that designating conservation lands should include consideration of both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]