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Emerging evidence suggests that autobiographical memory (ABM) is altered in Huntington's disease (HD). While these impairments are typically attributed to frontostriatal dysfunction, the neural substrates of ABM impairment in HD remain unexplored. To this end, we assessed ABM in 30 participants with genetically confirmed HD (18 premanifest, 12 manifest) and 24 age‐matched healthy controls. Participants completed the Autobiographical Interview to assess free and probed ABM recall and underwent structural brain imaging. Whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was used to explore voxel‐wise associations between ABM performance and grey matter intensity (False Discovery Rate corrected at q = 0.05). Relative to controls, HD participants displayed significantly less detailed ABM retrieval across free and probed recall conditions, irrespective of disease stage. Recall performance did not differ significantly between manifest and premanifest HD groups. VBM analyses indicated that poorer ABM performance was associated with atrophy of a distributed cortico‐subcortical network. Key regions implicated irrespective of ABM condition included the bilateral occipital cortex, left precuneus, right parahippocampal gyrus and right caudate nucleus. In addition, probed ABM recall was associated with the superior and inferior frontal gyri, frontal pole, right hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, paracingulate gyrus and cerebellum. Overall, our findings indicate that ABM impairments in HD reflect the progressive degeneration of a distributed cortico‐subcortical brain network comprising medial temporal, frontal, striatal and posterior parietal cortices. Our findings advance our understanding of the neurocognitive profile of HD, providing an important foundation for future interventions to support memory function in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When water resources are limited, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants adapt in part through adjustments in carbon allocation strategies, often evident in the leaves within the canopy. The dynamics of leaf carbon accumulation provide insights into how the plant partitions and uses carbon resources, a key aspect of optimizing crop productivity. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of leaf carbon accumulation in two cotton cultivars (Phytogen [PHY] 350 and Stoneville [ST] 5707) across spatial and temporal scales under two different levels of irrigation (low: 178 mm year−1, high: 356 mm year−1) in 2020 and 2021. For each cultivar and irrigation treatment, an increase in leaf mass occurred primarily at the bottom of the canopy early in the season, followed by additional leaf production in the middle of the plant as the season progressed. Irrigation reduction resulted in a canopy with reduced radiation interception, less leaf shading in the lower canopy, and thicker leaves. In contrast, more irrigation created canopies with a larger effective leaf area, increasing total light interception despite increased shading at the canopy base. Additionally, leaf carbon allocation is synchronized with fruit carbon demand at the onset of the first bloom stage for an early‐maturing cultivar. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between water availability, radiation intensity within the canopy, and leaf carbon dynamics, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the plant's overall performance in resource‐constrained environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Whether gemination or fusion, double teeth are rare worldwide, including Africa based on few published data. New cases from the continent are tallied, and anomalies potentially associated with double teeth are identified. These findings should interest a range of dental researchers. Methods: The presence of double teeth was recorded in 97 modern and premodern North and sub‐Saharan African samples (5631 inds.). They and coexistent anomalies are described relative to published examples. Prevalence was estimated as possible, using a Poisson model for 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Three maxillary double teeth were identified: a primary left lateral incisor in a Nubian child (1938–1756 BC), permanent left central incisor in an adult Egyptian (3650–3500 BC), and permanent right central incisor in a modern (19th century) adult from Guinea. Each co‐occurs, respectively, with a talon cusp, peg lateral incisor and, in the latter individual, second premolar crown variation with rotation, and third molar dens evaginatus. Double tooth prevalence is 0.048% (CI 0.001%–0.270%), with regional variation, in premodern, and 0.000% in modern North Africans. It is 0.000% for premodern and 0.048% for modern sub‐Saharan Africans (0.008%–1.714%). Conclusions: The double incisors are comparable to other global examples, indicative of common developmental processes during odontogenesis. Prevalence is lower than published modern rates, to suggest some exceptionality in Africans as reported earlier for other dental variants. Finally, though circumstantial, double teeth and accompanying anomalies may share an etiology. Continuing research overall, and in Africa specifically, will promote an improved understanding of double teeth formation and expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has underscored the negative effects on students of the abrupt shift to online delivery of education due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Positive education applies the principles of positive psychology to education, which highlights the importance of students' well‐being and fosters holistic development. This study investigated whether students' well‐being at the start of the semester can predict their academic engagement mid‐way through the semester. We collected data on students' well‐being and academic engagement in two waves; first, at the beginning of the semester (Time 1) and then 3 months in the semester (Time 2). We tested the students' general well‐being and the positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment (PERMA) elements at Time 1 with their academic engagement in terms of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive facets at Time 2. Our results show that general well‐being at Time positively predicts their total academic engagement and all engagement facets. However, among the PERMA elements, the Meaning element is not correlated with students' engagement or any of its facets. We also tested whether there was a significant change in student well‐being and engagement from the start of the semester and midway through. We found that there is a significant small increase in well‐being and engagement. Our findings suggest the importance of well‐being as a potentially positive resource for students where students with better well‐being tend to be more academically engaged. Educational institutions may consider fostering student well‐being in their goals to improve the academic success of students. Practitioner points: Generally, students beginning the semester with better well‐being tend to have higher engagement in school midway through the semester.All PERMA model elements, except for meaning, are associated with student engagement semester.At the outset to midway through the semester, students had increased positive emotions, engagement, relationships, and accomplishment, and increases in behavioral and emotional engagement in school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the threat of climate change and associated heatwaves grows, we need to understand how natural populations will respond. Inter‐generational non‐genetic inheritance may play a key role in rapid adaptation, but whether such mechanisms are truly adaptive and sufficient to protect wild populations is unclear. The contribution of paternal effects in particular is not fully understood, even though the male reproductive system may be highly sensitive to heatwaves. We used the zebrafish Danio rerio to investigate the effects of heatwaves on male fertility and assess potential adaptive benefits to their offspring in a number of large‐scale heatwave experiments. Heatwave conditions had negative effects on male fertility by reducing gamete quality and fertilisation success, and we found indications of an adaptive effect on hatching in offspring produced by heatwave‐exposed males. Our findings highlight the importance of including male and female fertility when determining species ability to cope with extreme conditions and suggest that parental effects provide limited adaptive benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the changes in functional capacity with disease progression in a well‐characterised cohort of patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) presentations. METHODS: We recruited 126 behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), 40 progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA), 64 semantic dementia (SD), 45 logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA), and 115 AD patients. Functional capacity was measured annually over ∼7 years using the Disability Assessment for Dementia. RESULTS: Linear mixed effects models revealed the bvFTD group demonstrated disproportionate functional impairment at baseline and over the study period. Functional capacity among the other syndromes showed a more uniform pattern of decline, with less severe functional impairment at baseline and ∼7%–10% mean annual decline. Baseline correlations indicated different mechanisms supporting basic and complex functional proficiency among the groups. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate distinct functional profiles across dementia syndromes with disease progression. Identifying progression milestones across syndromes will improve clinical management. Highlights: bvFTD shows severe functional impairment at baseline and over time.PNFA, SD, LPA, AD: less severe baseline functional impairment; more uniform decline.General cognition is related to IADLs, but not BADLs, in all groups.Behavioural disturbances relate to IADLs and BADLs in bvFTD and SD.Behavioural‐ADL relations are more mixed in PNFA, LPA, and AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Donor leucocyte survival following red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, known as transfusion‐associated microchimerism (TAM), can occur in some patients. In Australia, despite the introduction of leucocyte filtration (leucodepletion) during RBC manufacture, TAM has been detected in adult trauma patients. However, the incidence of TAM in Australian pediatric patients has not been analyzed. Methods: Patients aged 0–16 years were recruited across two cohorts. Retrospective participants had RBC transfusion between January 1, 2002 and November 15, 2017 and prospective participants received RBC transfusion between December 1, 2016 and November 25, 2020. Twelve bi‐allelic insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms were used to detect microchimerism amplification patterns using real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Results: Of the retrospective cohort (n = 40), six patients showed amplification of InDel sequences indicating potential microchimerism. For three patients, minor InDel sequences were detected using RT‐PCR only, two patients had minor InDel amplification using ddPCR only, and one patient had minor InDel amplification that was confirmed using both techniques. Amplification of minor sequences occurred in three patients who had received a bone marrow transplant in addition to RBC transfusion. In the prospective cohort (n = 25), no InDel amplification indicating potential microchimerism was detected using RT‐PCR. Discussion: Cell‐based therapies had been administered in three patients where microchimerism amplification patterns were detected. Three patients have microchimerism that may be attributed to RBC transfusion. In prospective patients, who received leucodepleted and gamma‐irradiated RBC units, no potential microchimerism amplification were detected. ddPCR may be a suitable technique for TAM analysis but requires further evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sleep disturbance is common among individuals with eating disorders (EDs), with approximately 50% of patients with EDs reporting sleep disturbance. Sleep problems may promote, exacerbate, or maintain ED symptoms through a variety of hypothesized mechanisms, such as impaired executive function, increased negative affect, and disruptions to appetitive rhythms. Although research investigating the role of sleep in EDs is growing, the current literature suffers from methodological limitations and inconsistencies, which reduce our ability to translate findings to improve clinical practice. The purpose of this forum is to propose a coordinated approach to more seamlessly integrate sleep research into ED research with particular emphasis on best practices in the definition and assessment of sleep characteristics. Methods: In this article, we will describe the current status of sleep‐related research and relevant gaps within ED research practices, define key sleep characteristics, and review common assessment strategies for these sleep characteristics. Throughout the forum, we also discuss study design considerations and recommendations for future research aiming to integrate sleep research into ED research. Results/Discussion: Given the potential role of sleep in ED maintenance and treatment, it is important to build upon preliminary findings using a rigorous and systematic approach. Moving forward as a field necessitates a common lens through which future research on sleep and EDs may be conducted, communicated, and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The causes for delays during the COVID19 pandemic and their impact on head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosis and staging are not well described. Methods: Two cohorts were defined a priori for review and analysis—a Pre‐Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2019) and a Pandemic cohort (June 1 to December 31, 2020). Delays were categorized as COVID‐19 related or not, and as clinician, patient, or policy related. Results: A total of 638 HNC patients were identified including 327 in the Pre‐Pandemic Cohort and 311 in the Pandemic Cohort. Patients in the Pandemic cohort had more N2‐N3 category (41% vs. 33%, p = 0.03), T3‐T4 category (63% vs. 50%, p = 0.002), and stage III‐IV (71% vs. 58%, p < 0.001) disease. Several intervals in the diagnosis to treatment pathway were significantly longer in the pandemic cohort as compared to the Pre‐Pandemic cohort. Among the pandemic cohort, 146 (47%) experienced a delay, with 112 related to the COVID‐19 pandemic; 80 (71%) were clinician related, 15 (13%) were patient related, and 17 (15%) were policy related. Conclusions: Patients in the Pandemic cohort had higher stage disease at diagnosis and longer intervals along the diagnostic pathway, with COVID‐19 related clinician factors being the most common cause of delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a basin‐specific comprehensive flood record using publicly available data for the James River Basin, Virginia. Using mixed surface analysis maps (NOAA, NWS), historical hurricane records (IBTrACS, HURDAT2), and flood and river gauge records (NWS, USGS), a database is created for analysis. Related to creating this database, a novel classification of six unique weather systems (non‐tropical and tropical) responsible for flooding is presented. The analysis includes Two‐Way tables with observed marginal and joint probabilities in various potential flood, storm, and regional combinations. Results show 233 tropical systems passed within the 500‐km study area, with 12.4%, or 29 systems of those systems causing flooding within the basin. An additional 713 events were non‐tropical, composing the majority of flood sources in the basin. Non‐tropical systems are responsible for 84% of the worst floods recorded, leading to an increased frequency of 6% yearly since 1941 and nearly 770% between 2014 and 2018. The findings of this study will be the basis for assessing land use and population patterns in the area, along with a future compound flooding model for the lower James River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study presents biological affinities between the last hunter‐fisher‐gatherers and first food‐producing societies from the Nile Valley. We investigate odontometric and dental tissue proportion changes between these populations from the Middle Nile Valley and acknowledge the biological processes behind them. Materials and Methods: Dental remains of 329 individuals from Nubia and Central Sudan that date from the Late Pleistocene to the mid‐Holocene are studied. Using 3D imaging techniques, we investigated outer and inner metric aspects of upper central incisors, and first and second upper molars. Results: Late Paleolithic and Mesolithic foragers display homogeneous crown dimensions, dental tissue proportions, and enamel thickness distribution. This contrasts with Neolithic trends for significant differences from earlier samples on inner and outer aspects. Finally, within the Neolithic sample differences are found between Nubian and Central Sudanese sites. Discussion: Substantial dental variation appears to have occurred around 6000 bce in the Nile Valley, coinciding with the emergence of food‐producing societies in the region. Archeological and biological records suggest little differences in dietary habits and dental health during this transition. Furthermore, the substantial variations identified here would have happened in an extremely short time, a few centuries at most. This does not support in situ diet‐related adaptation. Rather, we suggest these data are consistent with some level of population discontinuity between the Mesolithic and Neolithic samples considered here. Complex settlement processes could also explain the differences between Nubia and Central Sudan, and with previous results based on nonmetric traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Accurate prediction of hospital length of stay (LOS) following surgical management of oral cavity cancer (OCC) may be associated with improved patient counseling, hospital resource utilization and cost. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of statistical models, a machine learning (ML) model, and The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (ACS‐NSQIP) calculator in predicting LOS following surgery for OCC. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multicenter database study was performed at two major academic head and neck cancer centers. Patients with OCC who underwent major free flap reconstructive surgery between January 2008 and June 2019 surgery were selected. Data were pooled and split into training and validation datasets. Statistical and ML models were developed, and performance was evaluated by comparing predicted and actual LOS using correlation coefficient values and percent accuracy. Results: Totally 837 patients were selected with mean patient age being 62.5 ± 11.7 [SD] years and 67% being male. The ML model demonstrated the best accuracy (validation correlation 0.48, 4‐day accuracy 70%), compared with the statistical models: multivariate analysis (0.45, 67%) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (0.42, 70%). All were superior to the ACS‐NSQIP calculator's performance (0.23, 59%). Conclusion: We developed statistical and ML models that predicted LOS following major free flap reconstructive surgery for OCC. Our models demonstrated superior predictive performance to the ACS‐NSQIP calculator. The ML model identified several novel predictors of LOS. These models must be validated in other institutions before being used in clinical practice. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:3664–3672, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: There are limited data to evaluate hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) in non‐Hispanic Black (hereafter Black) or non‐Hispanic White (hereafter White) individuals without previous hHF. Our goal was to evaluate the risk of hHF among Black versus White patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who were initially prescribed empagliflozin using real‐world data. Methods: This multicentre retrospective cohort study included participants aged ≥18 years who had T2DM, were either Black or White, had no previous hHF, and were prescribed empagliflozin between August 2014 and December 2019. Our primary outcome was time to first hHF after the initial prescription of empagliflozin. A propensity‐score (PS)‐weighted analysis was performed to balance characteristics by race. The inverse probability treatment weighting method based on PS was used to make treatment comparisons. To compare Black with White, a PS‐weighted Cox's cause‐specific hazards model was used. Results: In total, 8789 participants were eligible for inclusion (Black = 3216 vs. White = 5573). The Black cohort was significantly younger, had a higher proportion of females, and had a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease, hypertension and diabetic retinopathy, while the White cohort had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease. After adjustment for confounding factors such as age, gender, coronary artery disease, hypertension and diabetic retinopathy, the hazard ratio for first‐time hHF was not significantly different between the two racial groups [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.09 (0.84‐1.42), p =.52]. Conclusion: This study showed no significant difference in incident hHF among Black versus White individuals with T2DM following a prescription for empagliflozin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The relative merits of inpatient or day‐treatment for adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) are unknown. The DAISIES trial aimed to establish the non‐inferiority of a stepped‐care day patient treatment (DPT) approach versus inpatient treatment as usual (IP‐TAU) for improving body mass index (BMI) at 12 months in adults with AN. The trial was terminated due to poor recruitment. This paper presents outcomes and investigates the reasons behind the trial's failure. Method: Fifteen patients with AN (of 53 approached) participated and were followed‐up to 6 or 12 months. Summary statistics were calculated due to low sample size, and qualitative data concerning treatment experiences were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: At baseline, participants in both trial arms rated stepped‐care DPT as more acceptable. At 12 months, participants' BMIs had increased in both trial arms. Qualitative analysis highlighted valued and challenging aspects of care across settings. Only 6/12 sites opened for recruitment. Among patients approached, the most common reason for declining participation was their treatment preference (n = 12/38). Conclusions: No conclusions can be drawn concerning the effectiveness of IP‐TAU and stepped‐care DPT, but the latter was perceived more positively. Patient‐related, service‐related and systemic factors (COVID‐19) contributed to the trial's failure. Lessons learnt can inform future studies. Highlights: Patient‐related (e.g., treatment preferences) and service‐related (e.g., reduced service capacity) alongside wider systemic (e.g., increased emergency admissions due to COVID‐19) factors seem to have contributed to the failure of the DAISIES trial.Patients and carers identified valued aspects for both inpatient (e.g., weight gain) and day‐patient (e.g., greater link to home environment) treatment settings, but day‐patient treatment was perceived as a more holistic and collaborative approach, and thus as more positive.Although randomised controlled studies investigating intensive treatments for severe anorexia nervosa are important and necessary, alternative study designs should be explored to overcome implementation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The purpose of this study was to compare computer‐assisted mandibular plating to conventional plating using quantitative metrics. Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo mandibular reconstruction were randomized to three‐dimensional modelling for preoperative plate bending or intraoperative freehand bending. Preoperative and postoperative head and neck computed tomography scans were obtained to generate computer models of the reconstruction. The overall plate surface contact area, mean plate‐to‐bone distance, degree of conformance, and position of the condylar head within the glenoid fossa between pre‐ and post‐operative scans were calculated. Results: Twenty patients were included with a mean age of 57.8 years (standard deviation [SD] = 13.6). The mean follow‐up time was 9.8 months (range = 1.6–22.3). Reconstruction was performed with fibular (25%) or scapular free flaps (75%). The percentage of surface contact between the reconstructive plate and mandible was improved with three‐dimensional models compared to freehand bending (93.9 ± 7.7% vs. 78.0 ± 19.9%, p = 0.04). There was improved overall plate‐to‐bone distance (3D model: 0.7 ± 0.31 mm vs. conventional: 1.3 ± 0.8 mm, p = 0.06). Total intraoperative time was non‐significantly decreased with the use of a model (3D model: 726.5 ± 89.1 min vs. conventional: 757.3 ± 84.1 min, p = 0.44). There were no differences in condylar head position or postoperative complications. Conclusion: Computer‐assisted mandibular plating can be used to improve the accuracy of plate contouring. Level of Evidence: 2 Laryngoscope, 134:2182–2186, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth with intellectual disabilities experience disparities in physical activity and diet quality. Physical and food literacy are hypothesised to support adoption of healthy lifestyles; however, few such interventions have been developed for this population. Method: Participants with intellectual disabilities ages 12–16 years were recruited for a 12‐week online sports skills and nutrition education intervention. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy were assessed by attendance, satisfaction, and pre‐post measures of motor skills, perceived competence and motivation for physical activity, classifying foods, making healthy choices, and food consumption. Results: Six teens participated in the program and attended 87.5% of the sessions. Satisfaction data suggested that the program was well‐received by both teens and parents. Trends toward improvements on physical activity and nutrition outcome measures were observed. Conclusions: Preliminary data from this pilot study suggest that physical and food literacy in youth with intellectual disabilities can be improved, which in turn may contribute to the adoption of healthy lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We transplanted six solid organs from three hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐positive donors during 2018–2023. Recipients were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 4–12 weeks, with all six achieving sustained virological response without significant adverse events. As occurs in other jurisdictions, solid organ transplants from HCR PCR‐positive donors can be safely utilised in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of Lebbeus Woods's formative years were spent on the 'flat, treeless plain' at the University of Illinois School of Architecture and at various home and studio addresses in Urbana‐Champaign. Architectural historian Sharon Irish describes the dynamic setting of this urban stage and Woods's personal and professional preoccupations of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare early outcomes of de novo LCPT (once‐daily extended‐release tacrolimus) to IR TAC (twice‐daily immediate‐release tacrolimus) in a predominantly African American (AA) adult kidney transplant population. Methods: This is a single center, retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two cohorts: IR TAC (administered between January 1, 2017, and January 31, 2019) and LCPT (administered between February 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020). Primary endpoints were changes in tacrolimus trough levels (ng/mL) and estimated glomerular filtration rate up to 12 months post‐transplantation. Clinical endpoints included graft survival, delayed graft function, biopsy‐proven rejection, CMV viremia, and BK. A propensity score weighted generalized linear mixed effects model was used for analysis. Results: The rate of change in tacrolimus levels was significantly higher in the LCPT cohort compared to the IR TAC cohort at 14 days post‐discharge (.2455 ng/mL per day vs..1073 ng/mL, respectively; p <.001). Subsequently, the LCPT cohort had a slightly higher rate of decline (–.015 ng/mL per day vs. –.010 ng/mL with IR TAC; p =.0894) up to 12 months post‐discharge. Although eGFR was similar between the two cohorts at 12 months post‐transplant, the rate of increase was slower in the LCPT cohort (.1371 mL/min per day vs..1852 mL/min per day, p =.0314). No significant differences were found in graft survival, DGF, BPAR, CMV, or BK infection. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that despite higher early trough levels with immediate post‐transplant LCPT use, clinical outcomes are comparable to IR TAC at one‐year post‐transplant. Notably, LCPT use does not increase the incidence of DGF and that this formulation of CNI can be used as first line therapy post‐transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rigid and inflexible behaviours are common in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), manifesting in compulsive pursuit of specific interests, routines, and rituals. Paradoxically, these changes occur alongside profound motivational disturbances including apathy and anhedonia. While posited to be related, no study to date has explored the link between motivational changes and behavioural rigidity in FTD. Methods: Carer ratings for 71 FTD participants (26 semantic dementia [SD], 45 behavioural variant [bvFTD]) were obtained on the Dimensional Apathy Scale (apathy), the Snaith‐Hamilton Pleasure Scale (hedonic tone) and the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory–Revised (CBI‐R; behavioural changes). A rigidity index was created from existing items on the CBI‐R. Whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometry was used to explore associations between rigidity and grey matter intensity in the combined FTD group. Results: Behavioural rigidity was significantly related to apathy severity (r = 0.57) and decreased hedonic tone (r = −0.36) in the combined FTD group. Multiple linear regression revealed a significant diagnosis × hedonic tone interaction (β = −1.40), whereby lower hedonic tone predicted rigidity in SD (r = −0.65) but not in bvFTD (r = −0.18). In contrast, the relationship between rigidity and apathy did not differ between the groups (β = −0.42). At the neural level, rigidity correlated with degeneration of predominantly right‐sided frontostriatal structures including, notably, the nucleus accumbens. Conclusions: As the first study to demonstrate a link between motivational changes and behavioural rigidity in FTD, our findings have important clinical implications. By identifying candidate mechanisms of behavioural rigidity, our findings can inform targeted interventions to manage inflexible patterns of thought and behaviour in daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caring for a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with psychological distress and found to be a traumatic experience. This can have an impact on patient and family outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether self‐blame cognitions contribute to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of young people with AN. Methods: A cross‐sectional design was used. One hundred and twenty‐three parents of young people with AN completed a range of questionnaires assessing self‐blame cognitions and PTSD symptoms. Results: Overall, levels of self‐blame cognitions were significantly higher in those experiencing higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to low levels. Additionally, levels of self‐blame cognitions significantly predicted PTSD symptoms over and above demographic factors and illness severity, accounting for 22% of unique variance in PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: The findings suggest that negative appraisals regarding self‐blame for their child's eating disorder contributed to the potential maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Parents presenting with thoughts of self‐blame would benefit from further support to reduce these feelings and, subsequently, reduce carer distress. Highlights: Self‐blame cognitions and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were prevalent in parents of young people with Anorexia Nervosa.Self‐blame cognitions were more prevalent in parents experiencing high PTSD symptoms compared to those who do not. This relationship remained after controlling for subjective and objective threat of death and parental history of trauma, indicating the significant, independent role of self‐blame in the maintenance on PTSD symptoms.Self‐blame predicted 22% of PTSD symptoms, over and above demographic factors associated with PTSD, parental trauma history, and objective and subjective threat of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Plant cells and organs grow into a remarkable diversity of shapes, as directed by cell walls composed primarily of polysaccharides such as cellulose and multiple structurally distinct pectins. The properties of the cell wall that allow for precise control of morphogenesis are distinct from those of the individual polysaccharide components. For example, cellulose, the primary determinant of cell morphology, is a chiral macromolecule that can self‐assemble in vitro into larger‐scale structures of consistent chirality, and yet most plant cells do not display consistent chirality in their growth. One interesting exception is the Arabidopsis thaliana rhm1 mutant, which has decreased levels of the pectin rhamnogalacturonan‐I and causes conical petal epidermal cells to grow with a left‐handed helical twist. Here, we show that in rhm1 the cellulose is bundled into large macrofibrils, unlike the evenly distributed microfibrils of the wild type. This cellulose bundling becomes increasingly severe over time, consistent with cellulose being synthesized normally and then self‐associating into macrofibrils. We also show that in the wild type, cellulose is oriented transversely, whereas in rhm1 mutants, the cellulose forms right‐handed helices that can account for the helical morphology of the petal cells. Our results indicate that when the composition of pectin is altered, cellulose can form cellular‐scale chiral structures in vivo, analogous to the helicoids formed in vitro by cellulose nano‐crystals. We propose that an important emergent property of the interplay between rhamnogalacturonan‐I and cellulose is to permit the assembly of nonbundled cellulose structures, providing plants flexibility to orient cellulose and direct morphogenesis. Significance Statement: Some plants exhibit a striking pattern of growth with helically twisted cells and organs, but most plants do not display such chirality, despite the presence in their cell walls of chiral macromolecules. We show that the composition of pectin, a mix of multiple cell wall polysaccharides, determines whether or not cellulose assembles into helical structures that subsequently impart chirality to cells and organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alongside these outreach clinics, projects ran transplant education sessions for patients, communities, and health staff. Providing local, culturally relevant education to potential transplant patients led to better understanding of the complicated workup and transplant process, creating the opportunity for more patients to engage with workup while enhancing understanding of local processes. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To understand practice patterns and identify care gaps within a large‐scale depression screening program for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This was a population‐based study of adults diagnosed with a HNC between January 2007 and October 2020. Each patient was observed from time of first symptom assessment until end of study date, or death. The exposure of interest was a positive depressive symptom screen on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Outcomes of interest included psychiatry/psychology assessment, social work referral, or palliative care assessment. Cause specific hazard models with a time‐varying exposure were used to investigate the exposure‐outcome relationships. Results: Of 14,054 patients with HNC, 9016 (64.2%) reported depressive symptoms on at least one ESAS assessment. Within 60 days of first reporting depressive symptoms, 223 (2.7%) received a psychiatry assessment, 646 (7.9%) a social work referral, and 1131 (13.9%) a palliative care assessment. Rates of psychiatry/psychology assessment (HR 3.15 [95% CI 2.67–3.72]), social work referral (HR 1.83 [95% CI 1.64–2.02]), and palliative care assessment (HR 2.34 [95% CI 2.19–2.50]) were higher for those screening positive for depression. Certain patient populations were less likely to receive an assessment including the elderly, rural residents, and those without a prior psychiatric history. Conclusion: A high proportion of head and neck patients report depressive symptoms, though this triggers a referral in a small number of cases. These data highlight areas for improvement in depression screening care pathways. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:2638–2646, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The DAISIES trial, comparing inpatient and stepped‐care day patient treatment for adults with severe anorexia nervosa was prematurely terminated in March 2022 due to poor recruitment. This qualitative study seeks to understand the difficulties faced during the trial by investigating stakeholders' views on and experiences of its implementation. Method: Semi‐structured interview and focus group transcripts, and trial management and oversight group meeting minutes from May 2020‐June 2022 were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants were 47 clinicians and co‐investigators involved with the DAISIES trial. The Non‐Adoption, Abandonment, Scale‐up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework was applied to the interpretive themes to classify barriers and facilitators to implementation. Results: Five themes were identified: incompatible participation interests; changing standard practice; concerns around clinical management; systemic capacity and capability issues; and Covid‐19 disrupting implementation. Applying the NASSS framework indicated the greatest implementation challenges to arise with the adopters (e.g. patients, clinicians), the organisational systems (e.g. service capacity), and the wider socio‐political context (e.g. Covid‐19 closing services). Conclusions: Our findings emphasise the top‐down impact of systemic‐level research implementation challenges. The impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic accentuated pre‐existing organisational barriers to trial implementation within intensive eating disorder services, further limiting the capacity for research. Highlights: The paper highlights the particular challenges to research implementation that arise within an NHS intensive service context.Applying an implementation science framework to the interpretive themes indicated that challenges to implementation spanned the individual to the systemic level, with the latter posing greater barriers and impacting implementation success in other areas.The results suggest that future research into intensive treatment needs to better accommodate patient preferences and emphasise clinician‐researcher relationships and the alignment of clinical and research teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant genetic resources (PGR) underpin the security of global agriculture. Rapid global climate change presents formidable challenges for ex situ and in situ PGR management programs that operate over extended timeframes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) maintains more than 605,000 PGR accessions representing over 16,300 plant species in 20 genebank locations. These PGR are maintained in cold storage as seeds and vegetative tissues that must be periodically regenerated; or as actively growing plants in fields, greenhouses, screenhouses, and in vitro; or in some cases within in situ reserves. The complicated relationships between crops and their growth environments present unique challenges regarding PGR maintenance under a changing climate. Here we present potential effects of climate change on ex situ PGR maintenance and reproductive success, pollinators and beneficial insects, pathogens and pests, infrastructure considerations, and wild populations within NPGS in situ reserves. We provide a novel tool that summarizes past US temperature and precipitation data alongside future climate projections to guide ongoing planning for the effects of climate change for NPGS genebanks throughout the United States. A series of case studies exemplify instances where climate change has already impacted NPGS PGR management. Ongoing improvements to NPGS PGR management in response to climate change require continued observations of the current effects, careful and innovative planning, and creative approaches to ensure that PGR are successfully conserved for future generations. Core Ideas: Plant genetic resources (PGR) are crucial for continued crop improvement that underpins global food security.Climate change can threaten PGR safeguarded by the USDA‐ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS).Approaches developed by the NPGS to adapt its PGR management operations to climate change are reviewed.The new NPGS Climate Futures Application delivers key estimates for future climatic conditions at NPGS locations.The NPGS's PGR management operations can adjust to climate change using current experience and those estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Predicting progression to kidney failure for patients with chronic kidney disease is essential for patient and clinicians' management decisions, patient prognosis, and service planning. The Tangri et al Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) was developed to predict the outcome of kidney failure. The KFRE has not been independently validated in an Australian Cohort. Methods: Using data linkage of the Tasmanian Chronic Kidney Disease study (CKD. TASlink) and the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), we externally validated the KFRE. We validated the 4, 6, and 8-variable KFRE at both 2 and 5 years. We assessed model fit (goodness of fit), discrimination (Harell's C statistic), and calibration (observed vs predicted survival). Results: There were 18 170 in the cohort with 12 861 participants with 2 years and 8182 with 5 years outcomes. Of these 2607 people died and 285 progressed to kidney replacement therapy. The KFRE has excellent discrimination with C statistics of 0.96-0.98 at 2 years and 0.95-0.96 at 5 years. The calibration was adequate with well-performing Brier scores (0.004-0.01 at 2 years, 0.01-0.03 at 5 years) however the calibration curves, whilst adequate, indicate that predicted outcomes are systematically worse than observed. Conclusion: This external validation study demonstrates the KFRE performs well in an Australian population and can be used by clinicians and service planners for individualised risk prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and early survival among newly diagnosed cancer patients. Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study used linked administrative datasets from Ontario, Canada. Adults (=18 years) who received a cancer diagnosis between March 15 and December 31, 2020, were included in a pandemic cohort, while those diagnosed during the same dates in 2018/2019 were included in a pre-pandemic cohort. All patients were followed for one full year after the date of diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess survival in relation to the pandemic, patient characteristics at diagnosis, and the modality of first cancer treatment as a time-varying covariate. Interaction terms were explored to measure the pandemic association with survival for each cancer type. Results: Among 179,746 patients, 53,387 (29.7%) were in the pandemic cohort and 37,741 (21.0%) died over the first post-diagnosis year. No association between the pandemic and survival was found when adjusting for patient characteristics at diagnosis (HR 0.99 [95% CI 0.96-1.01]), while marginally better survival was found for the pandemic cohort when the modality of treatment was additionally considered (HR 0.97 [95% CI 0.95-0.99]). When examining each cancer type, only a new melanoma diagnosis was associated with a worse survival in the pandemic cohort (HR 1.25 [95% CI 1.05-1.49]). Conclusions: Among patients able to receive a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic, one-year overall survival was not different than those diagnosed in the previous 2 years. This study highlights the complex nature of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the association between surgeons thyroidectomy case volume and disease‐free survival (DFS) for patients with well‐differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). A secondary objective was to assess a surgeon volume cutoff to optimize outcomes in those with WDTC. We hypothesized that surgeon volume will be an important predictor of DFS in patients with WDTC after adjusting for hospital volume and sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: In this retrospective population‐based cohort study, we identified WDTC patients in Ontario, Canada, who underwent thyroidectomy confirmed by both hospital‐level and surgeon‐level administrative data between 1993 and 2017 (N = 37,233). Surgeon and hospital volumes were calculated based on number of cases performed in the year prior by the physician and at an institution performing each case, respectively and divided into quartiles. A multilevel hierarchical Cox regression model was used to estimate the effect of volume on DFS. Results: A crude model without patient or treatment characteristics demonstrated that both higher surgeon volume quartiles (p < 0.001) and higher hospital volume quartiles (p < 0.001) were associated with DFS. After controlling for clustering and patient/treatment covariates and hospital volume, moderately low (18–39/year) and low (0–17/year) volume surgeons (hazard ratios [HR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.39 and HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17–1.53 respectively) remained an independent statistically significant negative predictor of DFS. Conclusion: Both high‐volume surgeons and hospitals are predictors of better DFS in patients with WDTC. DFS is higher among surgeons performing more than 40 thyroidectomies a year. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:S1–S15, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autobiographical memory represents a defining feature of human cognition, enabling us to vividly re‐experience salient events from the personal past. By mentally traversing different temporal contexts, humans can maintain an enduring sense of who we are as individuals, as well as envisaging our future goals and behaviors. The relative ease with which we engage in these endeavors, however, belies the remarkable complexity of the autobiographical memory system. Dementia syndromes offer compelling insights into the cognitive neuroarchitecture of autobiographical memory in the face of progressive neural insult to large‐scale brain networks. Importantly, the atrophy profiles of many neurodegenerative disorders follow coordinated and predictable trajectories, affecting key regions implicated in episodic and semantic memory. A wealth of evidence suggests that autobiographical memory disruption is a transdiagnostic feature of dementia, yet this impairment takes many forms and arises due to differential neurocognitive disturbances. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on autobiographical memory in typical and atypical presentations of Alzheimer's disease, as well as younger‐onset dementia syndromes such as frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. I will demonstrate how the systematic study of autobiographical memory across dementia syndromes can constrain and inform our fundamental understanding of memory function and, in turn, stimulate new directions in how we conceptualize and assess these cognitive capacities. Consideration will further be given to clinical implications of autobiographical memory dysfunction with a view to developing targeted interventions to better support the person living with dementia. This article is categorized under:Psychology > MemoryNeuroscience > Clinical NeurosciencePsychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The Australian estimated post‐transplant survival (EPTS‐AU) prediction score was developed by re‐fitting the United States of America EPTS, without diabetes, to the Australian and New Zealand kidney transplant population over 2002–2013. The EPTS‐AU score incorporates age, previous transplantation and time on dialysis. Diabetes was excluded from the score, as this was not previously recorded in the Australian allocation system. In May 2021, the EPTS‐AU prediction score was incorporated into the Australian kidney allocation algorithm to optimize utility for recipients (maximized benefit). We aimed to temporally validate the EPTS‐AU prediction score to ensure it can be used for this purpose. Methods: Using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry, we included adult recipients of deceased donor kidney‐only transplants between 2014 and 2021. We constructed Cox models for patient survival. We assessed validation using measures of model fit (Akaike information criterion and misspecification), discrimination (Harrell's C statistic and Kaplan–Meier curves), and calibration (observed vs. predicted survival). Results: Six thousand four hundred and two recipients were included in the analysis. The EPTS‐AU had moderate discrimination with a C statistic of 0.69 (95% CI 0.67, 0.71), and clear delineation between Kaplan–Meier's survival curves of EPTS‐AU. The EPTS was well calibrated with the predicted survivals equating with the observed survival outcomes for all prognostic groups. Conclusions: The EPTS‐AU performs reasonably well in choosing between recipients (discrimination) and to predict a recipient's survival (calibration). Reassuringly, the score is functioning as intended to predict post‐transplant survival for recipients as part of the national allocation algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds zones are bounded geographic areas to guide seed sourcing for landscape scale restoration. Yet seed zones based on plant adaptative traits are lacking for most restoration species. Sulfur‐flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum Torr) includes herbs, subshrubs, and shrubs adapted to a range of ecological regions within North America. Its widespread occurrence and diversity make it a suitable model species to explore seed zone development based on evolutionary plant adaptations. Within a common garden, 69 populations from diverse seed sources and 13 taxonomic varieties were evaluated for 17 phenological, morphological, and production traits in 2016 and 2017. Analyses of variance showed taxonomic varieties and seed source locations differed for all plant traits. Linear correlation revealed source locations with warmer mean temperature and more precipitation generally had later phenology, larger umbels, more leaf area, higher leaf dry weight, and more seed and shoot dry weight production. Canonical correlation strongly linked seed source climates at source locations with plant traits evaluated in the common garden, suggesting climate‐driven adaptive evolution. Canonical variates 1 and 2, explaining 60% of the variation, were used to develop regression models that predicted their values from climate variables across the study area. Using geographic information technology these were mapped into 12 seed zones representing 1.31 million km2 in the Western United States. These zones were designed to provide guidance to practitioners when sourcing sulfur‐flower buckwheat for restoration projects. We expect this methodology can be successfully applied to other species to develop seed zones based on adaptive evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decisions about solid organ transplantation are complex. Patient decision aids (PDAs) enhance traditional education, by improving knowledge and supporting patients to align their values with treatments. There are increasing numbers of transplantation PDAs, however, it is unclear whether these are effective. We conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the impact of PDA use in transplantation. Methods: We searched the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases from database inception to October 26, 2020. We included primary studies of solid organ transplantation PDAs defined by the International Patient Decision Aids Standards. All comparators and reported outcomes were included. Mean difference in knowledge (before vs. after) was standardized on a 100‐point scale. Pooled‐effect for PDAs was calculated and compared to the standard of care for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta‐analyzed using random effects. Analysis of all other outcomes was limited due to heterogeneity (PROSPERO registration, CRD42020215940). Results: Seven thousand four hundred and sixty‐three studies were screened, 163 underwent full‐text review, and 15 studies with 4278 participants were included. Nine studies were RCTs. Seven RCTs assessed knowledge; all demonstrated increased knowledge with PDA use (mean difference, 8.01;95%CI 4.69–11.34, p <.00001). There were many other outcomes, including behavior and acceptability, but these were too heterogenous and infrequently assessed for meaningful synthesis. Conclusions: This review found that PDAs increase knowledge compared to standard education, though the effect size is small. PDAs are mostly considered acceptable; however, it is difficult to determine whether they improve other decision‐making components due to the limited evidence about non‐knowledge‐based outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a clinically defined syndrome characterized by impairment in higher‐order visual processing due to neurodegeneration of posterior brain regions (occipito‐parietal and occipito‐temporal areas). Previous findings have reported broader cognitive impairment profiles, but their association with neural correlates remains unclear. In this project we aimed to use principal component analysis to explore the relationship between various cognitive dimensions and FDG‐PET hypometabolism in PCA patients. Method: We included 59 patients with a clinical diagnosis of PCA (with supporting radiological evidence) from the Memory and Aging Center database at the University of California in San Francisco (Table 1). The sample consisted of 64.4% females, mean age was 63.0 ± 7.6, and mean MMSE was 20.7 ± 5.6 at the diagnostic visit. Participants underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment; these scores were subsequently entered into an orthogonally‐rotated principal component analysis. In a subset of patients with FDG‐PET (N = 24), associations between the emergent cognitive components and whole‐brain hypometabolism were examined to explore neural correlates of cognitive heterogeneity. Result: Five components explained 72% of overall performance variation in PCA patients: episodic memory, visuospatial function, working memory, verbal generation, and naming/depression (Figure 1). Labels were assigned base on the primary area of greatest cognitive dysfunction. Visualization of component scores suggested systematic performance variation within the PCA sample. The mean metabolism map showed, as expected, predominant hypometabolism in occipito‐parietal and occipito‐temporal regions (Figure 2A). Voxel‐wise correlations revealed that hypometabolism in distinct frontoparietal regions underpinned episodic memory and visuospatial (inferior/superior parietal lobes), working memory and verbal generation (superior/middle frontal gyrus) performance (Figure 2B). Conclusion: PCA is a cognitively heterogeneous syndrome, where patients can show varying levels of cognitive deficits across episodic and working memory, executive functions, language and affect, over and above canonical visuospatial impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect declines are a global issue with significant ecological and economic ramifications. Yet, we have a poor understanding of the genomic impact these losses can have. Genome‐wide data from historical specimens have the potential to provide baselines of population genetic measures to study population change, with natural history collections representing large repositories of such specimens. However, an initial challenge in conducting historical DNA data analyses is to understand how molecular preservation varies between specimens.Here, we highlight how Next‐Generation Sequencing methods developed for studying archaeological samples can be applied to determine DNA preservation from only a single leg taken from entomological museum specimens, some of which are more than a century old. An analysis of genome‐wide data from a set of 113 red‐tailed bumblebee Bombus lapidarius specimens, from five British museum collections, was used to quantify DNA preservation over time. Additionally, to improve our analysis and further enable future research, we generated a novel assembly of the red‐tailed bumblebee genome.Our approach shows that museum entomological specimens are comprised of short DNA fragments with mean lengths below 100 base pairs (BP), suggesting a rapid and large‐scale post‐mortem reduction in DNA fragment size. After this initial decline, however, we find a relatively consistent rate of DNA decay in our dataset, and estimate a mean reduction in fragment length of 1.9 bp per decade. The proportion of quality filtered reads mapping to our assembled reference genome was around 50%, and decreased by 1.1% per decade.We demonstrate that historical insects have significant potential to act as sources of DNA to create valuable genetic baselines. The relatively consistent rate of DNA degradation, both across collections and through time, mean that population‐level analyses—for example for conservation or evolutionary studies—are entirely feasible, as long as the degraded nature of DNA is accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney donor allocation can occasionally be difficult in Australia given a small population spread over vast distances. Therefore, between 2017 and 2019 our service allowed transplantation from deceased donors into local (same‐state) preemptive recipients, only if no well‐matched dialysis‐dependent transplant waitlist recipient was available. Transplantation using this novel allocation pathway was associated with good clinical and immunological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real‐time tsunami prediction is necessary for tsunami forecasting. Although tsunami forecasting based on a precomputed tsunami simulation database is fast, it is difficult to respond to earthquakes that are not in the database. As the computation speed increases, various alternatives based on physics‐based models have been proposed. However, physics‐based models still require several minutes to simulate tsunamis and can have numerical stability issues that potentially make them unreliable for use in forecasting—particularly in the case of near‐field tsunamis. This paper presents a data‐driven model called the tsunami runup response function for finite faults (TRRF‐FF) model that can predict alongshore near‐field tsunami runup distribution from heterogeneous earthquake slip distribution in less than a second. Once the TRRF‐FF model is trained and calibrated based on a discrete set of tsunami simulations, the TRRF‐FF model can predict alongshore tsunami runup distribution from any combination of finite fault parameters. The TRRF‐FF model treats the leading‐order contribution and the residual part of the alongshore tsunami runup distribution separately. The interaction between finite faults is modeled based on the leading‐order alongshore tsunami runup distribution. We validated the TRRF‐FF modeling approach with more than 200 synthetic tsunami scenarios in eastern Japan. We further explored the performance of the TRRF‐FF model by applying it to the 2011 Tohoku (Japan) tsunami event. The results show that the TRRF‐FF model is more flexible, occupies much less storage space than a precomputed tsunami simulation database, and is more rapid and reliable than real‐time physics‐based numerical simulation. Plain Language Summary: Timely tsunami warning is important to save lives and property. Existing physics‐based models require a lot of time to predict tsunamis. For this reason, many countries rely on a precomputed tsunami simulation database for tsunami warning. However, such databases do not include all possible tsunami scenarios, because in the real world there is almost an infinite number of possible tsunamigenic‐earthquakes. The present study introduces a new data‐driven model that can rapidly predict the maximum onshore tsunami height along the coast from the earthquake information. Once the model is trained based on physics‐based model simulations, the new model can be applied to any possible tsunami scenario. This new model captures the leading‐order contribution and the residual part of the alongshore tsunami runup distribution separately. This new model can account for complex large earthquakes with different land movements depending on location. We tested this new model using artificial earthquake scenarios as well as the historic Japan earthquake from 2011. The results show that the new model can handle wider variety of scenarios than the traditional database approach, and the new model takes up less storage space. Moreover, the new model is more rapid and reliable than a physics‐based model. Key Points: A rapid data‐driven model is proposed that can predict tsunami runup distribution from heterogeneous earthquake slip distributionThe data‐driven model is validated based on synthetic tsunami scenarios and the 2011 Tohoku tsunamiThis model has potential for supporting real‐time tsunami forecasting [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary management plays an important role in patients with kidney failure. Current dietary habits of Australians and New Zealanders (ANZ) and Malaysians with chronic kidney disease (CKD Stage 4–5) have not been adequately investigated. We report the dietary habits of people with advanced CKD and their adherence to country‐specific dietary guidelines. Methods: Participants with CKD Stage 4–5, enrolled in the Omega‐3 Fatty Acids (Fish oils) and Aspirin in Vascular access Outcomes in Renal Disease (FAVOURED) trial, completed a lifestyle questionnaire at baseline on their dietary intake. Results: Of 567 participants, 538 (ANZ, n = 386; Malaysian, n = 152; mean ± SD age 54.8 ± 14.3 years, 64% male) completed the questionnaire. Dietary fruit and vegetable intakes were higher in ANZ participants; 49% (n = 189) consumed ≥2 serves day–1 of fruit and 61% (n = 235) ate ≥2 serves day–1 of vegetables compared to 24% (n = 36) and 34% (n = 52) of Malaysians, respectively (p < 0.0001). Only 4% (n = 15) of ANZ participants met Australian Dietary recommendations of two fruit and five vegetable serves day–1. Fish consumption was higher in Malaysians with 83% (n = 126) consuming ≥2 serves week–1 compared to 21% (n = 81) of ANZ participants (p < 0.001). Red meat intake was higher in ANZ participants; however, chicken consumption was similar; 48% (n = 185) consumed >2 chicken serves week–1 and 65% (n = 251) ate >2 serves week–1 of red meat compared to 43% (n = 65) and 15% (n = 23) of Malaysians, respectively. Conclusions: Significant regional variation in dietary intake for fruit, vegetables and animal protein is described that likely reflects cultural and economic differences. Barriers to meeting recommended dietary intakes require further investigation. Key Points: Dietary management plays an important role in the management of patients with kidney failure.Current dietary habits of Australians, New Zealanders and Malaysians with advanced chronic kidney disease have not been adequately investigated.Dietary fruit and vegetable intakes were significantly higher in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) participants then Malaysian participants.Fish consumption was higher in Malaysians compared to ANZ participants.The significant regional variation in dietary intake for fruit, vegetables and animal protein likely reflects cultural and economic differences.Dietary intakes of both fruit and vegetables were inadequate by national recommendations but similar to the general population in both the ANZ and Malaysia cohorts.Barriers to meeting recommended dietary intakes require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational technologies have the potential to expand access to education to a wider range of people, including those currently without access to high‐quality learning opportunities. However, this promise is largely unfulfilled (see S. Protopsaltis and S. Baum, Does online education live up to its promise? A look at the evidence and implications for federal policy, 2019, Center for Educational Policy Evaluation). Although technology can remove some barriers, it can also have the opposite effect, creating new inequalities. This meta‐synthesis summarises the main findings from current research that documents both structural and instructional barriers; and proposes research‐supported best practices in online course design and instruction in order to promote greater student satisfaction and success. Context and implicationsRationale for this studyOnline and blended education has the potential to expand educational opportunities for diverse learners; unfortunately, some aspects of online and blended learning environments can be disadvantageous to certain learners, and instructors need to keep this in mind.Why the new findings matterThis review summarises the best research‐supported design principles for equitable online learning environments.Implications for practitionersWe discuss first structural issues: environmental, technical and social factors that practically impede access to equitable online learning for many learners (for example, inadequate access to WiFi connectivity). Our main focus in the paper, however, are instructional impediments and specific strategies for addressing them: these are organised under strategies for course design and organisation; strategies for course content; strategies for more social presence and interaction; and strategies for more instructor presence and connection with students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative clinical syndrome characterised by a progressive decline in speech and language functions. Deficits in behaviour, mood and functional capacity are reported in PPA but are less well understood. This study examined the PPA variants' profiles on these domains at initial presentation and over time and evaluated their relations to overall cognitive ability. Behaviour, mood and functional capacity were measured annually (over ~6 years) in 145 individuals diagnosed with PPA (41 logopenic [lv‐PPA], 44 non‐fluent [nfv‐PPA] and 60 semantic variants [sv‐PPA]) using the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory‐Revised (CBI‐R) carer questionnaire. Overall cognition was assessed annually with the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III. Distinct profiles were observed across PPA syndromes. Notably, sv‐PPA carers reported greater behavioural, eating and motivational disturbances than the other PPA variants throughout the disease course. Reported memory problems were also greater in sv‐PPA and lv‐PPA than in nfv‐PPA across all time points. These disturbances occurred in the context of the sv‐PPA group demonstrating a slower rate of cognitive decline than the lv‐PPA group and a parallel rate to that found in the nfv‐PPA group. Associations between overall cognition and the CBI‐R domains were trivial at baseline assessment; however, distinct profiles emerged when mapping each syndrome's overall cognitive decline with their behavioural, mood and functional trajectories. Our findings demonstrate that the evolving behaviour, mood and functional capacity profiles of the PPA variants are distinct and extend beyond the primary disorder of language. These findings have important implications for clinical management and caregiver education in PPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The heterogeneity of cognitive and behavioural disturbances in frontotemporal dementia–motor neuron disease (FTD‐MND), and clinical differences between FTD‐MND and FTD subtypes, have been illustrated cross‐sectionally. This study aimed to examine the FTD‐MND disease trajectory by comparing clinical features of FTD‐MND and the behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) longitudinally. Methods: Neuropsychological and disease severity assessments were conducted in a cohort of FTD‐MND (baseline, n = 42; follow‐up, n = 18) and bvFTD (baseline, n = 116; follow‐up, n = 111) using a longitudinal, case–control design. Age‐, sex‐, and education‐matched controls (n = 52) were recruited. Predictors of clinical progression were analyzed. Voxel‐based morphometry analysis was undertaken to investigate the progression of brain atrophy. Results: At baseline, FTD‐MND was characterized by semantic and general cognition deficits, whereas bvFTD had greater behavioural disturbances. General cognition and language deteriorated in FTD‐MND when followed longitudinally. Language deficits at baseline predicted cognitive deterioration and disease progression and correlated with progressive atrophy of language regions. Further deterioration in behaviour was evident in bvFTD over time. The rate of disease progression (i.e., general cognition, semantic association, and disease severity) was significantly faster in FTD‐MND than in bvFTD. Conclusions: FTD‐MND and bvFTD appear to have distinct disease trajectories, with more rapid progression in FTD‐MND. Language impairments should be closely monitored in FTD‐MND as potential predictors of cognitive deterioration and disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Nurture Early for Optimal Nutrition (NEON) study is a multiphase project that aims to optimize feeding, care and dental hygiene practices in South Asian children <2 years in East London, United Kingdom. The multiphase project uses a participatory learning and action (PLA) approach facilitated by a multilingual community facilitator. In this paper, we elaborate on the process and results of the Intervention Development Phase in the context of the wider NEON programme. Methods: Qualitative community‐based participatory intervention codevelopment and adaptation. Setting: Community centres in East London and online (Zoom) meetings and workshops. Participants: In total, 32 participants registered to participate in the Intervention Development Phase. Four Intervention Development workshops were held, attended by 25, 17, 20 and 20 participants, respectively. Results: Collaboratively, a culturally sensitive NEON intervention package was developed consisting of (1) PLA group facilitator manual, (2) picture cards detailing recommended and nonrecommended feeding, care and dental hygiene practices with facilitators/barriers to uptake as well as solutions to address these, (3) healthy infant cultural recipes, (4) participatory Community Asset Maps and (5) list of resources and services supporting infant feeding, care and dental hygiene practices. Conclusion: The Intervention Development Phase of the NEON programme demonstrates the value of a collaborative approach between researchers, community facilitators and the target population when developing public health interventions. We recommend that interventions to promote infant feeding, care and dental hygiene practices should be codeveloped with communities. Recognizing and taking into account both social and cultural norms may be of particular value for infants from ethnically diverse communities to develop interventions that are both effective in and accepted by these communities. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement: Considerable efforts were placed on Patient/Participant and Public Involvement and Engagement. Five community facilitators were identified, each of which represented one ethnic/language group: (i) Bangladeshi/Bengali and Sylheti, (ii) Pakistani/Urdu, (iii) Indian/Gujrati, (iv) Indian/Punjabi and (v) Sri Lankan/Tamil. The community facilitators were engaged in every step of the study, from the initial drafting of the protocol and study design to the Intervention Development and refinement of the NEON toolkit, as well as the publication and dissemination of the study findings. More specifically, their role in the Intervention Development Phase of the NEON programme was to: 1.Support the development of the study protocol, information sheets and ethics application.2.Ensure any documents intended for community members are clear, appropriate and sensitively worded.3.Develop strategies to troubleshoot any logistical challenges of project delivery, for example, recruitment shortfalls.4.Contribute to the writing of academic papers, in particular reviewing and revising drafts.5.Develop plain language summaries and assist in dissemination activities, for example, updates on relevant websites.6.Contribute to the development of the NEON intervention toolkit and recruitment of the community members.7.Attend and contribute to Intervention Development workshops, ensuring the participant's voices were the focus of the discussion and workshop outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric HfxZr1–xO2 (HZO) is typically achieved by crystallization of an amorphous thin film via rapid thermal processing (RTP) at time scales of seconds to minutes. For integration on III–V semiconductors, this approach can severely degrade the sensitive HZO/III–V interface. To evaluate whether a reduced thermal budget can improve the interface quality, millisecond duration thermal anneals are utilized using a flash lamp annealer (FLA) on HZO/InAs capacitors. Through thorough electrical characterization such as polarization hysteresis, endurance, and capacitance‐voltage measurements, as well as synchrotron‐based chemical interface characterization, the FLA and RTP treatments are compared and the FLA results are found in lower interface defect density and higher endurance, but also have generally lower remanent polarization (Pr) compared to RTP. Additionally, ways to achieve high Pr and low interface defect density using multiple lower energy flashes, as well as by pre‐crystallization during the ALD growth step are investigated. Using FLA, Pr exceeding 20 µC cm−2 is achieved, with extended endurance properties compared to RTP treatment and a considerably decreased defect density, indicative of a higher quality HZO/InAs interface. This work presents valuable insight into the successful integration of ferroelectric HZO on low thermal budget III–V semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guar [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] is an alternative crop in the Southern High Plains that thrives in semi‐arid regions, due to its low water input requirements. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at New Deal, TX, to evaluate the response of guar ('Matador') to four levels of deficit irrigation (DI; extreme, 51 mm; severe, 127 mm; moderate, 203 mm; and mild, 279 mm). Soil moisture extraction patterns, plant height, leaf area index, yield components, seed yield, harvest index (HI), agronomic water use efficiency (AWUE), and irrigation WUE (IWUE) were measured among the irrigation levels. In both years, guar grown under extreme and severe DI extracted a major portion of the water from the 50‐to‐100‐cm soil depth. Water deficit reduced plant height, leaf area index, and number of pods per plant in both years. However, the IWUE and 1,000‐seed weight increased with reduced irrigation. There were no significant differences in seed yield, HI, and AWUE among treatments as a result of a tradeoff between increased seed weight with low pod production under lower DI treatments and increased pod production with low seed weight under higher DI treatments. Guar extracted water deeper in the soil and produced adequate numbers of pods per plant in balance with the source organ capacity to allocate resources toward optimal seed development. Our research offers valuable information about root exploration and development of larger seeds as compensatory mechanisms that can be further explored to improve the adaptability of guar under water‐restricted production conditions. Core Ideas: Guar requires low water input for optimal growth and productivity in semi‐arid regions.Seed weight adjustment and increased root exploration drive the water‐deficit adaptability of guar.Under reduced irrigation, guar tends to produce larger seeds rather than more seeds per pod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of insecticide resistance provide insights into the capacity of populations to show rapid evolutionary responses to contemporary selection. Malaria control remains heavily dependent on pyrethroid insecticides, primarily in long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs). Resistance in the major malaria vectors has increased in concert with the expansion of LLIN distributions. Identifying genetic mechanisms underlying high‐level resistance is crucial for the development and deployment of resistance‐breaking tools. Using the Anopheles gambiae 1000 genomes (Ag1000g) data we identified a very recent selective sweep in mosquitoes from Uganda which localized to a cluster of cytochrome P450 genes. Further interrogation revealed a haplotype involving a trio of mutations, a nonsynonymous point mutation in Cyp6p4 (I236M), an upstream insertion of a partial Zanzibar‐like transposable element (TE) and a duplication of the Cyp6aa1 gene. The mutations appear to have originated recently in An. gambiae from the Kenya‐Uganda border, with stepwise replacement of the double‐mutant (Zanzibar‐like TE and Cyp6p4‐236 M) with the triple‐mutant haplotype (including Cyp6aa1 duplication), which has spread into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. The triple‐mutant haplotype is strongly associated with increased expression of genes able to metabolize pyrethroids and is strongly predictive of resistance to pyrethroids most notably deltamethrin. Importantly, there was increased mortality in mosquitoes carrying the triple‐mutation when exposed to nets cotreated with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Frequencies of the triple‐mutant haplotype remain spatially variable within countries, suggesting an effective marker system to guide deployment decisions for limited supplies of PBO‐pyrethroid cotreated LLINs across African countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]