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Although previously close to extirpation in the southeastern United States, American black bear (Ursus americanus) abundance and distribution have increased with habitat management and harvest regulation. The north Georgia black bear population, the most abundant and widely distributed in the state, is currently being exposed to pressures from increasing anthropogenic disturbances, such as recreation and vehicle traffic. We evaluated the effects of environmental factors and anthropogenic activity on habitat use of black bears within a wildlife management area open to public recreation. We used detection/non‐detection data from camera surveys conducted at 448 locations from April to December 2023 to fit hierarchical single‐species occupancy models. Black bear detection was best explained by Julian date, its quadratic effect, and weekly human activity index. Detection increased through the spring, peaked in June, and declined throughout late summer and fall. In contrast to detection, occupancy was not affected by seasonal differences in black bear activity. Occupancy increased with increasing elevation, distance to water, and distance to high‐use recreation areas. The spatial distribution of food resources likely contributed to the observed black bear occupancy pattern related to elevation and distance to water, while human disturbance in the study area also influenced black bear occupancy. Thus, our results suggest that in a landscape open to public recreation, black bear occupancy was driven by a combination of environmental and anthropogenic factors. Identifying patterns of occupancy at a scale typical of management provides important information for managing black bear populations throughout the large, connected network of national forests in the Appalachian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐term studies are critical for ecological understanding, but they are underutilized as inclusive opportunities for training ecologists. We use our perspective from the Año Nuevo elephant seal programme along with surveys from community members to propose that long‐term studies could be better leveraged to promote inclusive education and professional development in ecology. Drawing on our experiences as mentors and mentees, we demonstrate how long‐term studies can use their resources, including rich data, robust logistics and extensive professional networks, to improve recruitment and retention of diverse groups of trainees. However, practices such as unpaid labour and unclear expectations limit the utility of these resources for diversifying ecology. We discuss how we have structured our long‐term study to create more inclusive and equitable training opportunities. Acknowledging these transformations required substantial resources, we highlight funding sources and organizational partnerships that can promote investment in long‐term studies for broadening participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Endophytic plant‐microbe interactions range from mutualistic relationships that confer important ecological and agricultural traits to neutral or quasi‐parasitic relationships. In contrast to root‐associated endophytes, the role of environmental and host‐related factors in the acquisition of leaf endophyte communities at broad spatial and phylogenetic scales remains sparsely studied. We assessed endofoliar diversity to test the hypothesis that membership in these microbial communities is driven primarily by abiotic environment and host phylogeny. Methods: We used a broad geographic coverage of North America in the genus Heuchera L. (Saxifragaceae), representing 32 species and varieties across 161 populations. Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized using 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing, respectively, and standard diversity metrics were calculated. We assembled environmental predictors for microbial diversity at collection sites, including latitude, elevation, temperature, precipitation, and soil parameters. Results: Assembly patterns differed between bacterial and fungal endophytes. Host phylogeny was significantly associated with bacteria, while geographic distance was the best predictor of fungal community composition. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity were consistent across sites and species, with only fungi showing a response to aridity and precipitation for some metrics. Unlike what has been observed with root‐associated microbial communities, in this system microbes show no relationship with pH or other soil factors. Conclusions: Overall, this work improves our understanding of the large‐scale patterns of diversity and community composition in leaf endophytes and highlights the relative significance of environmental and host‐related factors in driving different microbial communities within the leaf microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: AI‐based CT sinus analysis may have advantages over visual based systems, for example, Lund–Mackay score.Here, we show multi‐institutional validation of an AI algorithm using novel OMC classification.Significant, robust correlations are seen between algorithm outputs and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety and depression are prevalent among autistic adolescents and may be difficult to accurately diagnose and treat given various factors (e.g., diagnostic overshadowing, heterogeneity). Therefore, efforts to examine transdiagnostic factors (i.e., distress tolerance, behavioral activation) may afford more parsimonious means for assessment and treatment. To our knowledge, there has been little research on distress tolerance, behavioral activation, and depressive and anxiety symptoms in autistic adolescents to guide diagnostic practices and treatment planning. In the current study, we examined the interrelationships between these transdiagnostic factors and depressive and anxiety symptoms using ratings from 100 verbally fluent autistic adolescents without intellectual disability (Mage = 13.70, SDage = 2.23, Range: 11:00–17:11 years) and 100 of their caregivers. Many adolescents reported male sex assigned at birth (61%), cisgender (87%), not Hispanic/Latinx (90%), and White (80%) identities. A series of correlational analyses were employed to examine associations between these constructs from youth and caregiver perspectives, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore the mediating roles of distress tolerance and behavioral activation. Preliminary results show that low distress tolerance and behavioral activation were associated with more severe internalizing symptoms per self‐ and caregiver‐report. Some differences by rater emerged, which highlight the importance of multi‐informant ratings in autism. Results from mediation analyses may show that behavioral activation may be more salient to assessments and treatment planning for depression than distress tolerance, while distress tolerance may be important for both anxiety and depression; however, findings are preliminary given the cross‐sectional nature of the data. Findings suggest that these transdiagnostic concepts may be important to individualizing treatment approaches, including the timing of certain approaches, for anxiety and/or depression in autistic adolescents. Lay Summary: Anxiety and depression are common among autistic adolescents and may be difficult to accurately diagnose and treat. Therefore, efforts to examine transdiagnostic factors (i.e., shared traits across mental health conditions), such as distress tolerance and behavioral activation, may afford more parsimonious means for assessment and treatment. In the current study, we examined the interrelationships between distress tolerance, behavioral activation, and depressive and anxiety symptoms using ratings from 100 autistic adolescents (11:00–17:11 years) and 100 of their caregivers. Results show that low distress tolerance and behavioral activation were associated with more severe anxiety and depressive symptoms per self‐ and caregiver‐report. Findings also show that behavioral activation may be more relevant to treatment planning for depression than distress tolerance, while distress tolerance may be important for both anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defensive traits are hypothesized to benefit prey by reducing predation risk from a focal predator but come at a cost to the fitness of the prey. Variation in the expression of defensive traits is seen among individuals within the same population, and in the same individual in response to changes in the environment (i.e., phenotypically plastic responses). It is the relative magnitude of the cost and benefit of the defensive trait that underlies the defensive trait expression and its consequences to the community. However, whereas the cost has received much attention in ecological research, the benefit is seldom examined. Even in a defensive trait as extensively studied as vigilance, there are few studies of the purported benefit of the behavior, namely that vigilance enhances survival. We examined whether prey vigilance increased survival and quantified that benefit in a natural system, with white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) experiencing unmanipulated levels of predation risk from Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). Deer that spent more time vigilant (as measured by head position using camera trap data) had a higher probability of survival. Indeed, an individual deer that was vigilant 75% of the time was more than three times as likely to be killed by panthers over the course of a year than a deer that was vigilant 95% of the time. Our results therefore show that within‐population variation in the expression of a defensive trait has profound consequences for the benefit it confers. Our results provide empirical evidence supporting a long‐held but seldom‐tested hypothesis, that vigilance is a behavior that reduces the probability of predation and quantifies the benefit of this defensive trait. Our work furthers an understanding of the net effects of a trait on prey fitness and predator–prey interactions, within‐population variation in traits, and predation risk effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome has a well‐documented relationship with host fitness, physiology, and behavior. However, most of what is known comes from captive animals where diets and environments are more homogeneous or controlled. Studies in wild populations that experience dynamic environments and have natural life history variation are less common but are key to understanding the drivers of variation in the gut microbiome. Here we examine a wild population of yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer), an obligate winter hibernator, to quantify multivariate associations between host‐associated factors (e.g., age, sex, environmental harshness, and social behavior) and gut microbial composition. Across 5 years and 143 individuals, we found that males had a higher relative abundance of microbes associated with mass gain and cellulose digestion, which suggests a metabolic investment in mass gain (such as phylum Firmicutes and family Lachnospiraceae). By contrast, females had higher relative abundances of microbes associated with inflammation and metabolism (from microbial groups such as Tenericutes and Ruminococcus), possibly reflecting the importance of lactation and offspring investment. Post hoc analyses of lactating females showed a negative relationship with the abundance of microbes associated with mass gain but a positive relationship with microbes associated with metabolic energy, suggesting a trade‐off between investment in pups and maternal mass gain. Older animals also had reduced Proteobacteria relative abundance, a phylum associated with reduced inflammation. Results demonstrate that sex and age‐based traits, not sociality or environmental harshness, are associated with microbe‐mediated metabolism and inflammation in a wild, hibernating mammal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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New approaches are needed to resolve persistent geographic gaps and biases in paleofire research. Most sedimentary paleofire research relies on lake and peat sediments. We present an unconventional sedimentary charcoal record preserved in a modern, post‐bomb bat guano deposit and compare its accumulation to historical fire data. We find strong correlations between charcoal accumulation rates (CHAR) and non‐winter prescribed burns. CHAR in bat guano is more strongly correlated with prescribed fire than wildfire or total area burned, likely due to bats seeking out areas burned by prescribed fire for better foraging opportunities and/or bats avoiding wildfire. We attribute the CHAR in guano being a better recorder of area burned during non‐winter months to winter bat hibernation. Our analyses show that charcoal preserved in bat guano is a reliable paleofire proxy system, which has important implications for the paleofire field and encourages future research using bat guano as a viable archive. Plain Language Summary: Charcoal preserved in sediments can be used to reconstruct fire history. The bulk of these studies focus on traditional sediments (e.g., lakes, peats). We try this out with bat guano, a very unconventional sediment system. By comparing charcoal preserved in guano with historical fire maps, we show that guano charcoal reliably reconstructs fire history. But, it is even better at reconstructing non‐winter fire (due to bat hibernation during the winter) and prescribed fire (due to bats avoiding wildfire and seeking out prescribed fire areas). Our work is an important first step to show that charcoal in bat guano is a reliable method. It also opens new doors for understanding fire history more broadly, due to the seasonal and behavioral uniqueness of bats. Key Points: Fire history is recorded by charcoal in bat guanoBat guano can differentiate human‐set fires from wildfiresBat behavior governs seasonal lens of guano as fire recorder [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To perform a meta‐analysis comparing real‐world medication adherence to sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) versus glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs). Materials and Methods: A systematic search of Medline and Embase was conducted through October 2023. To meet inclusion criteria, articles had to be published in full text form and directly compare medication adherence to SGLT2is versus GLP‐1RAs in adults. Only studies evaluating real‐world data and utilizing the proportion of days covered (PDC) to measure adherence were included. Non‐adherence, defined as the proportion of patients with a PDC <80%, was the primary outcome. A subgroup analysis evaluating results among studies conducted in the United States was performed. Results: We identified eight studies evaluating 205 103 patients for inclusion. The most common country from which the data was derived was the United States (n = 5 studies). Upon meta‐analysis, we observed no difference in non‐adherence (i.e. PDC <80%) to SGLT2is versus GLP‐1RAs (relative risk = 0.86; 95% confidence interval = 0.72–1.02). In the analysis, including only US studies, SGLT2i use was associated with a 23% lower risk of non‐adherence compared with GLP‐1RA use (relative risk = 0.77; 95% confidence interval = 0.72–0.82). Conclusions: In this meta‐analysis of eight studies that included approximately 200 000 patients, there was no difference in adherence to SGLT2is versus GLP‐1RAs. However, SGLT2i use was associated with higher adherence when the analysis was limited to US studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Mixed‐data models incorporating remote antenna detections from PIT‐tagged fish together with physical capture data (mixed data) can improve precision of mark–recapture abundance estimates, particularly for spawning fish. However, if the entire population is not available for physical capture during the mark–recapture sampling period, abundance estimates will be biased low. Our objectives were to examine bias and precision of two modeling approaches and develop a simple diagnostic to determine whether the entire population was sampled. Methods: We use a simulation modeling approach to compare specified abundances with abundance estimates from closed‐capture models using mixed data (the mixed‐data approach) and using only marked (e.g., PIT‐tagged) individuals divided by the proportion of individuals that are marked (proportional approach). We use the difference in bias between the two models as our diagnostic of whether a population was randomly sampled. We then applied our diagnostic to two case studies: a spawning population of adfluvial June Sucker Chasmistes liorus in Utah Lake, Utah, 2008–2020, and a spawning population of Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus in the Imnaha River, a tributary of the Snake River, Oregon, 2013–2020. Result: Simulation experiments revealed that the mixed‐data approach became increasingly negatively biased as the proportion of the population that was unavailable for physical capture increased, yet the proportional approach remained unbiased. Abundance estimates from the proportional approach averaged approximately 6× greater for June Sucker and 2× greater for Bull Trout compared to the mixed‐data approach, suggesting a proportion of the population was not available for physical capture in both case studies. Conclusion: Understanding the magnitude of bias in abundance estimates is particularly important for the management of imperiled species that are subject to recovery plans. Comparing estimates using the unbiased proportional approach that we described here with those from a mixed‐data approach when PIT tag detection data are used to estimate abundance is a straightforward method to evaluate bias in these estimates. Impact statementEstimates of population abundance can be biased low when remote detections of marked (e.g., PIT‐tagged) fish and physical capture data are used in closed‐capture population models because not all fish are available for physical capture. Estimating population abundance of marked fish divided by the proportion of marked fish is a method for identifying and correcting this bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: EPX activity has been correlated with eCRS diagnosis and baseline disease severity.Herein, EPX activity is shown to correlate with post‐operative antibiotic and steroid use in CRS.EPX activity has potential to act as a prognostic biomarker of CRS disease severity and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Aims: The precise relationship between molecular mimicry and tissue‐specific autoimmunity is unknown. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presenting cell‐CD4+ T‐cell receptor complex interactions are necessary for adaptive immunity. This study aimed to determine the role of endoneurial endothelial cell MHC class II in autoimmune polyneuropathy. Methods: Cryopreserved Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) patient sural nerve biopsies and sciatic nerves from the severe murine experimental autoimmune neuritis (sm‐EAN) GBS model were studied. Cultured conditional ready MHC Class II antigen A‐alpha chain (H2‐Aa) embryonic stem cells were used to generate H2‐Aaflox/+ C57BL/6 mice. Mice were backcrossed and intercrossed to the SJL background to generate H2‐Aaflox/flox SJL mice, bred with hemizygous Tamoxifen‐inducible von Willebrand factor Cre recombinase (vWF‐iCre/+) SJL mice to generate H2‐Aaflox/flox; vWF‐iCre/+ mice to study microvascular endothelial cell adaptive immune responses. Sm‐EAN was induced in Tamoxifen‐treated H2‐Aaflox/flox; vWF‐iCre/+, H2‐Aaflox/flox; +/+, H2‐Aa+/+; vWF‐iCre/+ and untreated H2‐Aaflox/flox; vWF‐iCre/+ adult female SJL mice. Neurobehavioral, electrophysiological and histopathological assessments were performed at predefined time points. Results: Endoneurial endothelial cell MHC class II expression was observed in normal and inflamed human and mouse peripheral nerves. Tamoxifen‐treated H2‐Aaflox/flox; vWF‐iCre/+ mice were resistant to sm‐EAN despite extensive MHC class II expression in lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tissues. Discussion: A conditional MHC class II knockout mouse to study cell‐ and time‐dependent adaptive immune responses in vivo was developed. Initial studies show microvascular endothelial cell MHC class II expression is necessary for peripheral nerve specific autoimmunity, as advocated by human in vitro adaptive immunity and ex vivo transplant rejection studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) echocardiography is the main noninvasive method used to evaluate cardiac function in animal models of myocardial infarction (MI). However, 2DUS echocardiography does not capture regional differences in cardiac contractility since it relies on planar images to estimate left ventricular (LV) geometry and global function. Thus, the current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed 4‐dimensional ultrasound (4DUS) method in detecting cardiac functional differences between two models of MI, permanent ligation (PL), and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. We found that only 4DUS was able to detect LV global functional differences between the two models and that 4DUS‐derived surface area strain accurately detected infarcted regions within the myocardium that correlated well with histological infarct size analysis. We also found that 4DUS‐derived strain, which includes circumferential, longitudinal, and surface area strain, correlated with the peak positive of the first derivative of left ventricular pressure (+dP/dtmax). In conclusion, 4DUS strain echocardiography effectively assesses myocardial mechanics following experimentally induced ischemia in rats and accurately estimates infarct size as early as 1 day after injury. 4DUS also correlates well with +dP/dtmax, a widely used marker of cardiac contractility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Demographic and health factors are known to predict vaping. Less is known about psychological predictors of vaping uptake, particularly among non‐smoking adults using longitudinal designs. We aimed to model how psychological factors related to personality and mental health predicted the likelihood of vaping uptake over time in non‐smoking adults ages 18+ using longitudinal data. Methods: Longitudinal regression models utilised data from the 2018–2020 waves of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study to assess how the Big Five personality traits, mental distress and self‐control predicted who began vaping over time among non‐users (non‐vapers and non‐smokers), controlling for gender, age, ethnicity and economic deprivation. Results: Analyses included 36,309 adults overall (ages 18 to 99; M = 51.0). The number of non‐users who transitioned into current vaping was small (transitioned from 2018 to 2019, n = 147; 0.48%; 2019 to 2020, n = 189, 0.63%). Fully adjusted models showed that adults with higher mental distress (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.88), lower self‐control (aOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.69–0.89) and higher extraversion (aOR 1.09; 95% CI 1.06–1.13) were more likely to begin vaping at the next time point compared to adults who remained non‐users. Higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness also predicted vaping uptake in initial models, but inclusion of mental distress and self‐control superseded these traits. Discussion and Conclusions: Psychological factors related to mental distress, impulse control and sociability predicted who was more likely to begin vaping as non‐smoking adults. Harm prevention interventions could target these factors to reduce vaping uptake in non‐smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Must reasons be able to feature in our deliberation? Proponents of a deliberative constraint on reasons endorse an affirmative answer to this question. Deliberative constraints enjoy broad appeal and have been deployed as premises in support of a variety of controversial philosophical positions. Yet, despite their uses, deliberative constraints have not received systematic philosophical attention. This entry aims to fill this gap in the literature. First, I sketch what's at stake in the debate over whether a deliberative constraint is true. Then, I offer a taxonomy of the different versions of a deliberative constraint. Finally, I assess some of the arguments for and against a deliberative constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes NielsenIQ household scanner data, exploring the environmental motivation behind organic food consumption using single‐use plastics spending as a proxy for environmental concern. To investigate the relationship between the two environmental behaviors, organic food and single‐use plastic, the study utilizes the instrumental variable approach to account for the potential endogeneity in revealed preference data. Results show a significant negative association between single‐use plastic and organic food purchases, underscoring environmental concern as one of the motives for choosing organic foods. The findings indicate that organic food marketing should emphasize environmental benefits to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to silence the 2S albumin genes in peanuts, which are known to be potent allergens. The researchers successfully edited the genes using a multiplex gene editing strategy and confirmed the elimination of the allergenic proteins through protein analysis. However, further testing is needed to determine if the edited peanuts have reduced allergenicity. The study was supported by Ukko, Inc. and the data supporting the findings are available in the supplementary material of the article. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The combination of apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) status, odor identification, and odor familiarity predicts conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: To further understand olfactory disturbances and AD risk, ApoE ε4 carrier (mean age 76.38 ± 5.21) and ε4 non‐carrier (mean age 76.8 ± 3.35) adults were given odor familiarity and identification tests and performed an odor identification task during fMRI scanning. Five task‐related functional networks were detected using independent components analysis. Main and interaction effects of mean odor familiarity ratings, odor identification scores, and ε4 status on network activation and task‐modulation of network functional connectivity (FC) during correct and incorrect odor identification (hits and misses), controlling for age and sex, were explored using multiple linear regression. Results: Findings suggested that sensory‐olfactory network activation was positively associated with odor identification scores in ε4 carriers with intact odor familiarity. The FC of sensory‐olfactory, multisensory‐semantic integration, and occipitoparietal networks was altered in ε4 carriers with poorer odor familiarity and identification. In ε4 carriers with poorer familiarity, connectivity between superior frontal areas and the sensory‐olfactory network was negatively associated with odor identification scores. Conclusions: The results contribute to the clarification of the neurocognitive structure of odor identification processing and suggest that poorer odor familiarity and identification in ε4 carriers may signal multi‐network dysfunction. Odor familiarity and identification assessment in ε4 carriers may contribute to the predictive value of risk for MCI and AD due to the breakdown of sensory‐cognitive network integration. Additional research on olfactory processing in those at risk for AD is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic yield of trio whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) in fetuses with various congenital malformations referred to a tertiary center for prenatal diagnosis. Methods: In this prospective study, 50 pregnancies with different congenital malformations, negative for trisomies and causative copy‐number variants, were analyzed further with fetal–parental trio WGS analysis. Parents were eligible for inclusion if they accepted further investigation following the detection of isolated or multiple malformations on prenatal ultrasound. Cases with isolated increased nuchal translucency, gamete donation or multiple pregnancy were excluded. WGS with the Illumina Inc. 30× polymerase‐chain‐reaction‐free short‐read sequencing included analysis of single‐nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions, structural variants, short tandem repeats and copy‐number identification of SMN1 and SMN2 genes. Results: A molecular diagnosis was achieved in 13/50 (26%) cases. Causative sequence variants were identified in 12 genes: FGFR3 (n = 2), ACTA1 (n = 1), CDH2 (n = 1), COL1A2 (n = 1), DHCR7 (n = 1), EYA1 (n = 1), FBXO11 (n = 1), FRAS1 (n = 1), L1CAM (n = 1), OFD1 (n = 1), PDHA1 (n = 1) and SOX9 (n = 1). The phenotypes of the cases were divided into different groups, with the following diagnostic yields: skeletal malformation (4/9 (44%)), multisystem malformation (3/7 (43%)), central nervous system malformation (5/15 (33%)) and thoracic malformation (1/10 (10%)). Additionally, two cases carried variants that were considered potentially clinically relevant, even though they were assessed as variants of uncertain significance, according to the guidelines provided by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Overall, we identified a causative or potentially clinically relevant variant in 15/50 (30%) cases. Conclusions: We demonstrate a diagnostic yield of 26% with clinical WGS in prenatally detected congenital malformations. This study emphasizes the benefits that WGS can bring to the diagnosis of fetal structural anomalies. It is important to note that causative chromosomal aberrations were excluded from our cohort before WGS. As chromosomal aberrations are a well‐known cause of prenatally detected congenital malformations, future studies using WGS as a primary diagnostic test, including assessment of chromosomal aberrations, may show that the detection rate exceeds the diagnostic yield of this study. WGS can add clinically relevant information, explaining the underlying cause of the fetal anomaly, which will provide information concerning the specific prognosis of the condition, as well as estimate the risk of recurrence. A genetic diagnosis can also provide more reproductive choice for future pregnancies. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Linked article: There is a comment on this article by Vivanti et al. Click here to view the Correspondence. Linked article: There is a comment on this article by Wei and Li. Click here to view the Correspondence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional demand response is a proven and effective tool to address peak energy demand. In this model, consumers respond to a call for action by the electric grid operator. It is an effective—but blunt—instrument and one that will continue to play an important role in responding to times when the grid is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stream restoration programs employ beaver‐related restoration techniques, including beaver translocations and installation of beaver dam analogs (BDA), to create complex in‐stream habitat. We investigated whether BDA installations improved the probability of translocated beavers surviving and colonizing a section of a degraded desert river. We translocated beavers fitted with tracking devices to the Price River, Utah, United States, for 2 years before and after BDAs were installed. We monitored survival and site fidelity of beavers to estimate apparent survival (φ), using model selection to evaluate models with BDA, flow, and other factors hypothesized to relate to apparent survival. We found similar apparent survival 8 weeks post‐release of pre‐BDA (φ = 0.50 ± 0.08 SE) and post‐BDA beavers (φ = 0.41 ± 0.06 SE). There were 15 predator‐caused mortalities and 39 beavers emigrated out of the study site. Top models indicated apparent survival was negatively related to mean flow. Of the 70 BDAs constructed, beaver activity was detected on only two structures and the number of intact natural dams decreased due to monsoon floods. Our results suggest BDAs may not improve survival and site fidelity of translocated beavers in desert river systems. Instead, the dynamic flow of desert rivers and negative relationship between flow and apparent survival suggest the timing of release may be an important consideration for successful beaver translocation. Additional research is needed to understand how habitat, food availability, individual behavior, and resident conspecifics influence beaver translocation success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding suicide risk is critical for supporting prevention. A growing body of evidence shows autistic people are at greater risk for multiple suicide‐related outcomes than non‐autistic people. This commentary is in response to an observed pattern of miscommunication in scientific and community spaces about autistic females having higher risk of suicide. However, it is not always clear who they are being compared with in these statements. To address this confusion, we summarize the current population‐based evidence on autistic suicide risk, highlighting findings related to sex similarities and differences, which actually indicates comparable rates of suicide death among autistic males and females, and mixed findings related to sex differences in risk of other suicidal behaviors. We call for greater clarity in suicide risk communication moving forward focused on outcomes, measurement, sampling methods, and comparison groups to reflect accurate conclusions about existing evidence. Further research is needed about the full range of suicide‐related outcomes for autistic people, including a greater understanding of sex differences as well as potential gender differences to include transgender and nonbinary autistic people. However, studies of sex and gender differences should not overshadow the compelling need for efforts to understand and address the elevated risk of suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and death among autistic people across sex and gender boundaries. Lay Summary: It is important to understand and address the elevated risk of suicide among the autistic population. Some studies have looked at sex differences and the most consistent finding is that autistic males and females have similar risk of dying by suicide. To give accurate information about research findings, communication should always be clear about the suicide outcomes, measurement, sampling methods, and comparison groups that were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral hepatitis, alcohol‐related liver disease (ARLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in many countries. In Australia, given the access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy since 2016, a temporal change in HCC aetiology was hypothesized. This study evaluated the temporal change in the aetiology and characteristics of HCC in New South Wales (NSW). Methods: Patients diagnosed with HCC, admitted to three public hospitals in NSW between 2008 and 2021, were included in the analyses. We assessed the annual frequency of each HCC aetiology and the distribution of HCC characteristics in participants. Results: Among 1370 patients, the most common HCC etiologies were HCV (n = 483, 35%), ARLD (n = 452, 33%), NAFLD (n = 347, 25%) and hepatitis B virus (n = 301, 22%). The proportion of HCV‐related HCC was the highest in 2011–2016 (41%) and significantly declined to 30% in 2017–2021 (odds ratio [OR], 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.35–0.79]; P = 0.002). The proportion of HCC diagnosed at an early stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage O/A) increased from 41% in 2008–2009 to 56% in 2020–2021 (OR per annum, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.02–1.08]; P = 0.002), and the proportion of patients receiving potentially curative HCC management increased from 29% in 2008–2009 to 41% in 2020–2021 (OR per annum, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.03–1.10]; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The contribution of HCV to HCC burden has been decreasing in the DAA era, suggesting the role of HCV elimination in decreasing HCC risk. Increasing frequency of less advanced HCC at diagnosis over time suggests improved HCC surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) are not considered a source of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), PFAS concentrate in treatment residuals relative to their source water concentrations. Regulatory actions considered for PFAS‐impacted residuals could affect the cost and viability of conventional residual management practices. This study estimated the annual quantity of residuals generated in the United States and presents a framework for understanding how PFAS may concentrate in these residual streams. Findings of this work indicate that PFAS may substantially impact DWTP residuals management, especially coagulation and softening solids, at concentration factors greater than 100 and spent adsorbents at PFAS concentration factors greater than 10,000. If potential regulatory actions were to apply to coagulation and softening residuals, those regulations must consider impacts on disposal of more than 420,000,000 wet tons of at‐risk DWTP residuals which are generated annually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Hemispatial neglect is characterized by a reduced awareness to stimuli on the contralateral side. Current literature suggesting that damage to the right parietal lobe and attention networks may cause hemispatial neglect is conflicting and can be improved by investigating a connectomic model of the "neglect system" and the anatomical specificity of regions involved in it. Methods: A meta‐analysis of voxel‐based morphometry magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of hemispatial neglect was used to identify regions associated with neglect. We applied parcellation schemes to these regions and performed diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) tractography to determine their connectivity. By overlaying neglect areas and maps of the attention networks, we studied the relationship between them. Results: The meta‐analysis generated a list of 13 right hemisphere parcellations. These 13 neglect‐related parcellations were predominantly linked by the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) throughout a fronto‐parietal‐temporal network. We found that the dorsal and ventral attention networks showed partial overlap with the neglect system and included various other higher‐order networks. Conclusions: We provide an anatomically specific connectomic model of the neurobehavioral substrates underlying hemispatial neglect. Our model suggests a fronto‐parietal‐temporal network linked via the SLF supports the functions impaired in neglect and implicates various higher‐order networks which are not limited to the attention networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of composites has seen a surge in the adoption of machine learning techniques due to their ability to achieve once unattainable goals. Presently, machine learning research in composites primarily centers around predicting composite properties or optimizing microstructures to attain specific properties. This paper presents a data‐driven approach to predict the complete architecture of composites. A multi‐output machine learning model, based on conventional XGBoost algorithms, is developed to comprehend the intricate correlation between composite architecture and elastic wave propagation in them. The machine learning model uses input elastic wave signals collected at one face of the composite cube, induced by an actuator on the opposite face of the cube, as features. The composition labels are 3D matrices that represent the architectures of the composite cubes. The results show that the architecture of composites can be predicted using a short period of elastic wave travel through the composites, with up to 96% accuracy. This method can be readily adapted and implemented for any industry application requiring the determination of the architecture of unknown composites without destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arid sagebrush landscape of the Gunnison Basin, Colorado is home to the federally threatened Gunnison sage‐grouse (GUSG; Centrocercus minimus) and is expected to become hotter and drier with a changing climate. Wet meadows within the sagebrush ecosystem are a critical lifeline for wildlife and livestock, particularly during drought years, yet they occupy less than 2% of the landscape. Our objective was to enhance wet meadow drought resiliency by slowing the water down, reconnecting floodplains, and increasing wetland vegetation. Indirectly we also aimed to enhance GUSG habitat and improve rangeland condition. Between 2012 and 2020, we constructed nearly 900 low‐tech restoration structures (Zeedyk structures), across seven drainageways with wet meadows. Six of these years were drought years. We used a before‐after‐control‐impact design to assess vegetation response. Vegetation data were collected on 135 randomly selected treated and 30 control transects. We found that 75% of ephemeral units and all of perennial units achieved or surpassed the wetland plant cover management goal of a 4% yearly increase. This led to an average enhancement of 40% in wetland plant cover in the treated drainageways. There was a significant positive difference between treated and control transects in 50% of the drainageways, regardless of hydroperiod status. The low‐tech restoration structures were effective at rewetting perennial and ephemeral wet meadows within the arid landscape, even during a megadrought, and reduced non‐native invasive weeds in all but one of the treated units. Forbs and grasses critical to sage‐grouse and important to livestock operations increased in 67% of the units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidural anesthesia helps manage pain during different surgeries. Nonetheless, the precise placement of the epidural needle remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a probe based on polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) to enhance the epidural anesthesia needle placement. The probe was tested on six porcine spinal samples. The multimodal imaging guidance used the OCT intensity mode and three distinct PS‐OCT modes: (1) phase retardation, (2) optic axis, and (3) degree of polarization uniformity (DOPU). Each mode enabled the classification of different epidural tissues through distinct imaging characteristics. To further streamline the tissue recognition procedure, convolutional neural network (CNN) were used to autonomously identify the tissue types within the probe's field of view. ResNet50 models were developed for all four imaging modes. DOPU imaging was found to provide the highest cross‐testing accuracy of 91.53%. These results showed the improved precision by PS‐OCT in guiding epidural anesthesia needle placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emission factors (EFs) are crucial in understanding the effects of wildfire emissions on air quality. We examined the variability of EFs of three wildfires (Nethker, Castle, and 204 Cow) during the 2019 Western US wildfire season using the Aerodyne Mobile Laboratory (AML) and compared them to previous studies. The AML sampling captured the high degree of variability present in wildfires, and we report results for a range of combustion conditions that is more extensive than previous field and laboratory studies. For instance, we captured emissions from freshly started flaming fuels and we report rare EF measurements at very high modified combustion efficiencies (MCEs); MCEs >0.9. Differences in emissions between AML‐observed wildfires were attributed to burning state/MCE rather than fuel type. A comparison of EFs versus MCE was made and linear fits were compared to previous observations to reveal important differences that incorporate these high MCEs. For some species, there remains an EF dependence on MCE at these high values, while others reach a minimum value and exhibit either no or a weak dependence above it. EF differences were found for many of the studied compounds when comparing ground‐based and airborne observations, with generally greater airborne EFs possibly due to photochemical oxidation. The largest differences were from monoterpenes and acetaldehyde. Comparisons were made between AML‐observed wildfires, aircraft observations, and the values in literature for EFs and emission ratios, with mixed agreement due to the high degree of variability caused by differences in MCE. Differences in MCE drove the diurnal EF differences. Plain Language Summary: An emissions factor is a parameter that relates the quantity of a pollutant released to the atmosphere with an activity associated with the release of that pollutant and is usually expressed as the weight of pollutant divided by a unit weight associated with a polluting activity (e.g., grams of particulate emitted per kilogram of coal burned). They are used in developing national, regional, state, and local emissions inventories for air quality management decisions and in developing emissions control strategies. This work measured emission factors of pollutants emitted during the 2019 Western US wildfire season at three specific fire sites using the Aerodyne Mobile Laboratory and compares them to measurements using aircraft and other previous measurements. The measurements from aircraft seemed to be larger in most cases and changes may be due to chemical reactions in the atmosphere. The agreements between measurements using different platforms were mixed owing to the differences in the burning condition (smoldering or flaming fires). Key Points: Ground‐based observations during the FIREX 2019 field campaign have captured the highly heterogeneous nature of wildfire emissionsThe EFs dependence on MCE leads to several new trends at high MCEs; that are compared with previous laboratory and field studiesA comparison between ground‐based and airborne observations for the Western US shows significant differences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the detection of cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) in dolphin feces and its potential application for live cetacean health monitoring. The study found that the virus could be detected in fecal samples up to a dilution of 1:1,000 in simulated seawater, suggesting that viral shedding through feces may occur in cetaceans. The use of fecal samples as a non-invasive method to detect CeMV in live cetaceans could provide valuable information for understanding disease threats to protected species. The article also highlights the challenges and limitations of studying gastrointestinal diseases in cetaceans and the potential for fecal sample analysis as a diagnostic tool for assessing cetacean health. [Extracted from the article]

We document the presence of bobcats (Lynx rufus) that demonstrate melanism in the Greater Everglades. The South Florida landscape is driven by a myriad of disturbance regimes particularly that of short fire intervals. We monitored 180 camera traps for 3 years and obtained 9503 photographs of bobcats 25 (<0.5%) of these detections included melanistic individuals. Our observations and historical accounts suggest melanism is a phenotype that persists, albeit it at an exceedingly low frequency, in bobcats in the region. While we do not know if the expression of melanism conferred a fitness benefit in our system, the vegetation structure that was characterized by frequently burned uplands and low‐light and densely vegetated swamps produced conditions that may render a benefit from melanism through enhanced crypsis. The investigation of rare phenomenon in ecology is important yet difficult within a given field study, but reporting novel observations, like melanism in bobcats, allows for science to gain insight across studies that would not be otherwise possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal bone osteomas comprise 0.1–1% of benign tumors involving the skull, the majority of which arise in the external auditory canal. More rarely, they can arise from the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. These generally present as a slow growing skull base lesion that can cause cosmetic deformity, headache, and/or hearing loss. Here, we report a case of extracanalicular mastoid osteoma uniquely presenting with posterior fossa and cerebellar compression with associated dizziness and imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: There is little RCT evidence that brief interventions improve treatment seeking in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) or treatment seeking reduces alcohol use. The aim was to test the efficacy of a brief intervention to increase treatment seeking in treatment naïve adults with severe AUD and measure its effects on alcohol use. Design: Parallel group, non‐pharmacologic RCT with intervention (n = 197) and active control (n = 203) conditions, with blinded assessors conducting follow‐ups at 1, 3 and 6 months. Setting: Online recruitment in a 17‐county region of upstate New York, USA. Participants: Inclusion criteria consisted of ages ≥18 years, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score ≥16, exceeds recommended limits for alcohol use and no history of AUD treatment. n = 400; 50% female; 79% white; mean age, 40.7; mean education, 14.6 years. Intervention and comparator: One‐session telephone‐delivered interventions: Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy for Treatment Seeking (CBT‐TS; intervention), review of a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism pamphlet on AUD treatment (control). Measurements Self‐report of any AUD treatment use over 3 months (primary outcome) and two standard measures of alcohol use over 6 months (secondary outcomes). Findings Intent‐to‐treat analyses were used. Assessment follow‐up rates were ≥93%. Any alcohol‐related treatment use over 3‐month follow‐up was obtained by 38 (19%) intervention participants and 36 (18%) control participants, a non‐significant difference, χ2 [1] = 0.16, P = 0.689. Secondary analysis showed a significant interaction term between sex and intervention assignment (β = −1.197, P = 0.027). The interaction suggested CBT‐TS was effective in men (22% vs 13%), although the evidence was somewhat weak (P = 0.071), and it was not effective in women (17% vs 24%). Conclusions: A one‐session cognitive‐behavioral therapy intervention to increase treatment seeking in treatment naïve adults with severe alcohol use disorder did not increase treatment seeking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aimed to investigate otolaryngologists' knowledge, trust, acceptance, and concerns with clinical applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Methods: This study used mixed methods with survey and semistructured interviews. Survey was e‐mailed to American Rhinologic Society members, of which a volunteer sample of 86 members responded. Nineteen otolaryngologists were purposefully recruited and interviewed until thematic saturation was achieved. Results: Seventy‐six respondents (10% response rate) completed the majority of the survey: 49% worked in academic settings and 43% completed residency 10 or fewer years ago. Of 19 interviewees, 58% worked in academic settings, and 47% completed residency 10 or fewer years ago. Familiarity: Only 8% of survey respondents reported having AI training in residency, although 72% had familiarity with general AI concepts; 0 interviewees had personal experience with AI in clinical settings. Expected uses: Of the surveyed otolaryngologists, 82% would use an AI‐based clinical decision aid and 74% were comfortable with AI proposing treatment recommendations. However, only 44% of participants would trust AI to identify malignancy and 53% to interpret radiographic images. Interviewees trusted AI for simple tasks, such as labeling septal deviation, more than complex ones, such as identifying tumors. Factors influencing AI adoption: 89% of survey participants would use AI if it improved patient satisfaction, 78% would be willing to use AI if experts and studies validated the technologies, and 73% would only use AI if it increased efficiency. Sixty‐one percent of survey respondents expected AI incorporation into clinical practice within 5 years. Interviewees emphasized that AI adoption depends on its similarity to their clinical judgment and to expert opinion. Concerns included nuanced or complex cases, poor design or accuracy, and the personal nature of physician‐patient relationships. Conclusion: Few physicians have experience with AI technologies but expect rapid adoption in the clinic, highlighting the urgent need for clinical education and research. Otolaryngologists are most receptive to AI "augmenting" physician expertise and administrative capacity, with respect for physician autonomy and maintaining relationships with patients. Level of Evidence: Level VI, descriptive or qualitative study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have become a popular tool utilised across global oceans to achieve a variety of conservation goals. Because the reasons for MPA implementation can differ, it is imperative that resource managers design and execute management strategies that allow them to effectively assess MPA performance relative to the goals they set.We compared three MPA monitoring techniques commonly utilised to survey groundfish populations across different depth strata of temperate rocky reef habitat: underwater visual census (0–20 m), scientific hook and line fishing (10–50 m) and baited remote underwater video (30–100 m). We compared the strength and direction of standardised metrics, including response ratios, diversity indices and community structure, examining results through the lens of MPA performance.While each of our monitoring techniques detected similar MPA effects on groundfish biomass and density aggregated across species, MPA effects for individual species varied across methods.Each technique was shown to survey distinct groundfish community assemblages with varying levels of species diversity and richness.Synthesis and applications. While each technique was found to measure similar general trends in marine protected area (MPA) performance over time, we found compelling evidence that the utilization of multiple techniques allows managers to create the most comprehensive, effective and inclusive MPA monitoring regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence is a developmental period during which youth experience vulnerability to psychopathology. To build the foundation for a parsimonious psychopathology risk calculator while capturing the complexity and dynamic nature of the environment, the current study aimed to identify distinct risk and resilience profiles with a wide range of environmental factors guided by Bronfenbrenner's biopsychosocial ecological system theory. The association between the early‐mid childhood risk profiles and psychopathology in adolescence were examined. Moreover, the predictive utility of early childhood irritability was evaluated in addition to the risk profiles. Methods: The data from Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study a nation‐wide longitudinal study, were used in the latent profile analyses to identify the risk profiles with family, school, and neighborhood characteristics from 3 to 9 years old. To capture the socio‐environmental and cultural nuances, we extracted three subsamples, including Black/African American (n = 2587), Hispanic/Latinx (n = 1577), and White (n = 776) for separate analyses. Risk profile memberships were used to predict adolescence psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, attention deficits, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder symptoms. The predictive utility of early childhood irritability above and beyond environmental risk profiles was evaluated using stepwise regression. Results: Three risk profiles were identified in the Hispanic/Latinx and Black/African American subsamples, while four profiles were identified in White subsample. Almost all risk profile membership predicted both internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, while some profiles are predictive of externalizing symptoms only. Higher level of irritability predicted higher symptomatology in all five mental health outcomes above and beyond the environmental profiles. Conclusions: Distinct risk and resilience profiles primarily driven by parent and family characteristics were identified for all three major race/ethnicity groups. Our findings lay the foundation for a more efficient multi‐tiered information gathering process in mental health clinical settings to aid the decision making for intervention and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Venous invasion (VI) is a powerful yet under‐reported prognostic factor in colorectal cancer (CRC). Efforts to improve its detection have largely focused upon histological assessment, with less attention paid to tissue‐sampling strategies. This study aimed to prospectively determine the number of tumour blocks required to optimise VI detection in CRC resections. In addition, the relationship between linear spiculation (LS) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI) was investigated. Methods and results: A standardised tissue sampling protocol was developed and applied prospectively to 217 CRC resections [AJCC 8th edition, stage 1 (n = 32); stage 2 (n = 84); stage 3 (n = 87); stage 4 (n = 14); and post‐neoadjuvant therapy (n = 46)]. Elastin stains were performed on all tumour blocks. VI was identified in 55% of cases (EMVI = 37%; IMVI alone = 18%). The sensitivity of VI detection increased with increasing numbers of tumour blocks submitted [one block (35%), three blocks (66%), five blocks (84%), six blocks (95%) and seven blocks (97%)]. Similar findings were observed for EMVI [one block (35%), three blocks (73%), five blocks (89%), six blocks (96%) and seven blocks (96%)]. LS was identified macroscopically in 22% of specimens. In cases where no neoadjuvant therapy had been given, EMVI was significantly associated with LS (71% in LS+ cases versus 29% in LS– cases; P < 0.001). In addition, tumour blocks targeting LS were associated with a fivefold higher rate of EMVI compared with blocks that did not (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the impact of tissue sampling and quality of gross examination on VI detection and may inform practices in future CRC protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]