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ABSTRACT Aim Location Time Period Major Taxa Studied Methods Results Main Conclusions Understanding the spatial structuring of ecological communities involves considering the interplay between evolutionary history and environmental factors. This study investigates how the phylogenetic structure of Canidae influences the geographical distribution and trait patterns of lineages globally, and how these patterns relate to Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules.Americas, Africa, Eurasia.12 million years ago—present.Canidae.Using distribution data and phylogenetic information for 37 Canidae species, we analysed key ecological, functional and evolutionary variables. We applied phylogenetic fuzzy‐weighting via principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure (PCPS) and variance partitioning analysis (VPA) to assess the contributions of phylogenetic structure and environmental factors to trait variation among species.Our results revealed distinct global patterns in body size, body weight, range size, habitat use and evolutionary distinctiveness among lineages. We also identified the shared contributions of phylogenetic structure and temperature to trait variation using variance partitioning analysis. The PCPS axes highlighted the influence of phylogenetic relationships on Canidae assemblages, particularly in South America.Importantly, the study challenges the applicability of Bergmann's and Rapoport's rules across continents. The unique diversification history of Canidae in South America and Africa and their diverse environmental conditions likely contribute to the observed trait patterns that make both continents so distinguished when compared to North America and Eurasia. Our findings underscore the need to incorporate phylogenetic information in models assessing trait variation across geographic scales for unbiased estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Demand for new antidepressants has resulted in a re‐evaluation of the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs. Several tryptamines found in psilocybin‐containing "magic" mushrooms share chemical similarities with psilocybin. Early work suggests they may share biological targets. However, few studies have explored their pharmacological and behavioural effects. Experimental Approach: We compared baeocystin, norbaeocystin and aeruginascin with psilocybin to determine if they are metabolized by the same enzymes, similarly penetrate the blood–brain barrier, serve as ligands for similar receptors and modulate behaviour in rodents similarly. We also assessed the stability and optimal storage and handling conditions for each compound. Key Results: In vitro enzyme kinetics assays found that all compounds had nearly identical rates of dephosphorylation via alkaline phosphatase and metabolism by monoamine oxidase. Further, we found that only the dephosphorylated products of baeocystin and norbaeocystin crossed a blood–brain barrier mimetic to a similar degree as the dephosphorylated form of psilocybin, psilocin. The dephosphorylated form of norbaeocystin was found to activate the 5‐HT2A receptor with similar efficacy to psilocin and norpsilocin in in vitro cell imaging assays. Behaviourally, only psilocybin induced head twitch responses in rats, a marker of 5‐HT2A‐mediated psychedelic effects and hallucinogenic potential. However, like psilocybin, norbaeocystin improved outcomes in the forced swim test. All compounds caused minimal changes to metrics of renal and hepatic health, suggesting innocuous safety profiles. Conclusions and Implications: Collectively, this work suggests that other naturally occurring tryptamines, especially norbaeocystin, may share overlapping therapeutic potential with psilocybin, but without causing hallucinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a model for the thermal evolution of asteroids that experience catastrophic fragmentation and reassembly into a gravitational aggregate. The three stage model comprises the initial radiogenic heating, fragmentation and cooling, and reassembly into a porous gravitational aggregate. The heat loss during catastrophic fragmentation is largely determined by the production of small particles that equilibrate thermally with ambient space. To determine this heat loss we combine a power‐law for the cumulative fragment mass distribution with analytic solutions for conductive cooling. To keep the model deterministic we fragment the parent body and reassemble the gravitational aggregate in shells ordered in decreasing volume. We use the resulting model to show that catastrophic fragmentation can lead to significant heat loss despite the short reassembly times (e.g., ≤ ${\le} $1 year), due to the production of many small fragments. Despite the heat loss during fragmentation, the reassembled gravitational aggregate will retain more heat than the undisturbed parent body in the long term, due to the formation of an insulating megaregolith. Applied to the H‐chondrite parent body, our model can reproduce both the fast cooling rates at high temperatures and slow cooling rates at low temperature. Plain Language Summary: Ordinary chondrites are the most common rocky meteorites. Their parent body is generally assumed to follow the so‐called onion shell model where internal heating by radioactive decay warms up the interior and leads to concentric shells of different rock types. This model fits a large number of observations, for example, that these asteroids cooled very slowly at low temperatures. Recently, this quiet evolution has been challenged by the observation of very fast cooling rates from the peak temperature experienced by these asteroids. This requires that the asteroid is broken up into a large number of pieces by a collision with another asteroid. The fragments resulting from the collision can then cool rapidly as they are exposed to cold ambient space. A majority of these fragments must then assemble into a gravitational aggregate. The gravitational aggregate cools very slowly because it is insulated by a thick coat of rubble. Here, we develop a simple model to investigate the main consequences of fragmentation and reassembly into a gravitational aggregate for the thermal evolution of asteroids. Our results show that this is a viable model for the H‐chondrite parent body, consistent with both fast cooling at high temperature and slow cooling at low temperature. Key Points: Model quantifies the conductive heat loss due to asteroid catastrophic fragmentation as function to fragmentation level and reassembly timeDespite energy loss during fragmentation the formation of a low conductivity gravitational aggregate leads to long term energy retentionAsteroid fragmentation with reassembly can reproduce both fast cooling at high temperature and slow cooling at low temperature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmortem human subject (PMHS) studies are essential to brain injury research in motor vehicle safety. However, postmortem deterioration reduces the similarity between postmortem test results and in vivo response in material testing of brain tissue and in biomechanical testing of the whole head. This pilot study explores the effect of potential preservatives on brain tissue breakdown to identify promising preservatives that warrant further investigation. To identify preservatives with potential to slow postmortem degradation, samples from an initial PMHS were refrigerated at 10°C to qualitatively compare tissue breakdown from 58 to 152 h postmortem after storage in candidate solutions. On brain tissue samples from a second PMHS, compressive stiffness was measured on six samples immediately after harvest for comparison to the stiffness of 23 samples that were stored at 10°C in candidate solutions for 24 h after harvest. The candidate solutions were artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) without preservatives; ACSF with a combination of antibiotics and antifungal agents; ACSF with added sodium bicarbonate; and ACSF with both the antibiotic/antifungal combination and sodium bicarbonate. Results were analyzed using multiple linear regression of specimen stiffness on harvest lobe and storage solution to investigate potential differences in tissue stiffness. Qualitative evaluation suggested that samples stored in a solution that contained both the antibiotic/antifungal combination and sodium bicarbonate exhibited less evidence of tissue breakdown than the samples stored without preservatives or with only one of those preservatives. In compression testing, samples tested immediately after harvest were significantly stiffer than samples tested after 24 h of storage at 10°C in ACSF (difference: −0.27 N/mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.50, −0.05) or ACSF with antibiotics/antifungal agents (difference: −0.32 N/mm, 95% CI: −0.59, −0.04), controlling for harvest lobe. In contrast, the stiffness of samples tested after storage in either solution containing sodium bicarbonate was not significantly different from the stiffness of samples tested at harvest. There was no significant overall difference in the mean tissue stiffness between samples from the frontal and parietal lobes, controlling for storage solution. Given the importance of PMHS studies to brain injury research, any strategy that shows promise for helping to maintain in vivo brain material properties has the potential to improve understanding of brain injury mechanisms and tolerance to head injury and warrants further investigation. These pilot study results suggest that sodium bicarbonate has the potential to reduce the deterioration of brain tissue in biomechanical testing. The results motivate further evaluation of sodium bicarbonate as a preservative for biomechanical testing using additional test subjects, more comprehensive material testing, and evaluation under a broader set of test conditions including in whole‐head testing. The effect of antibiotics and antifungal agents on brain tissue stiffness was minimal but may have been limited by the cold storage conditions in this study. Further exploration of the potential for microbial agents to preserve tissue postmortem would benefit from evaluation of the effects of storage temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesquiterpene lactones (SL) represent a class of secondary metabolites found in the Asteraceae family, notable for their unique structures. The SL α‐santonin (1) and its derivatives are worthy of mention due to their diverse biological properties. Additionally, 4H‐chromenes and 4H‐chromones are appealing frameworks holding the capability to be used as structural motifs for new drugs. Furthermore, unambiguous structural elucidation is crucial for developing novel compounds for diverse applications. In this context, it is common to find in the literature molecules erroneously assigned. Therefore, the use of quantum mechanical calculations to simulate NMR chemical shifts has emerged as a valuable strategy. In this work, we conceived the synthesis of two halogenated 4H‐chromenediones derived from photosantonic acid (2), a photoproduct arising from irradiation of α‐santonin (1) in the ultraviolet region. The structure of the chlorinated and brominated products was determined by NMR analysis, with the aid of quantum mechanical calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311 + G(2d,p)//M062x/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory. All analyses were in agreement and led to the assignment of the brominated 4H‐chromene‐2,7‐dione as (3S,3aS,5aR,9bS)‐5a‐(2‐bromopropan‐2‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐3,3a,5,5a,8,9b‐hexahydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐f]chromene‐2,7‐dione (11b) and of the chlorinated 4H‐chromene‐2,7‐dione as (3S,3aS,5aR,9bS)‐5a‐(2‐chloropropan‐2‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐3,3a,5,5a,8,9b‐hexahydro‐4H‐furo[2,3‐f]chromene‐2,7‐dione (12b). The diastereoselectivities of the reactions were explained based on products and intermediates formation energy calculated using B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) as the level of theory. Structures 11b and 12b were identified as the thermodynamic and kinetic products of the reaction among all candidates. Consequently, the strategy utilized in this study is robust and successfully illustrates the use of quantum mechanical calculations in the structural elucidation of new compounds with potential applications as novel drugs or products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current knowledge about the impacts of urbanisation on bird assemblages is based on evidence from studies partly or wholly undertaken in the breeding season. In comparison, the non‐breeding season remains little studied, despite the fact that winter conditions at higher latitudes are changing more rapidly than other seasons. During the non‐breeding season, cities may attract or retain bird species because they offer milder conditions or better feeding opportunities than surrounding habitats. However, the range of climatic, ecological and anthropogenic mechanisms shaping different facets of urban bird diversity in the non‐breeding season are poorly understood. We explored these mechanisms using structural equation modelling to assess how urbanisation affects the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of avian assemblages sampled worldwide in the non‐breeding season. We found that minimum temperature, elevation, urban area and city age played a critical role in determining taxonomic diversity while a range of factors—including productivity, precipitation, elevation, distance to coasts and rivers, socio‐economic (as a proxy of human facilitation) and road density—each contributed to patterns of phylogenetic and functional diversity. The structure and function of urban bird assemblages appear to be predominantly shaped by temperature, productivity and city age, with effects of these factors differing across seasons. Our results underline the importance of considering multiple hypotheses, including seasonal effects, when evaluating the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposure to irradiation from high‐energy particles alters the reflectance properties of asteroid surfaces and is referred to as space weathering. This process leads to an increase in spectral slope in visible and near‐infrared wavelengths. However, changes in the regolith particle size, which can vary dramatically among the asteroid population, are known to influence the spectral properties of meteorites and asteroids. In this context, we investigate the changes in spectral slope and absorption band depths of fresh and irradiated ordinary chondrite meteorites to quantitatively compare the effects of space weathering and grain size variations. To do so, we develop and employ the Spectral Analysis for Asteroid Reflectance Investigation routine that calculates the band parameters of reflectance spectra. We then formulate a parameter called the Space Weathering Index (SWI) that is designed to encapsulate spectral changes due to space weathering. We find that the SWI is strongly dependent on the spectral slope which complicates the interpretation of asteroid spectra in the context of grain size variations and space weathering. We also show that a second parameter, the Band Depth Index, is indicative of petrologic type. Finally, we use a linear discriminant analysis to classify asteroid reflectance spectra into H, L, LL, and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spacecraft missions to asteroids have revealed surfaces that have variations in albedo and spectral properties. Such variations are also detected across the asteroid population with ground‐based observations, and are controlled by the physical characteristics of the regolith and by processes such as space weathering. Here, we investigate how space weathering and regolith grain size influence the spectra of ordinary chondrite‐like asteroids observed from ground‐based spectroscopy. The estimation of diagnostic band parameters from asteroid visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectra allow us to estimate the degree of space weathering and their compositions, using results from an accompanying study (MacLennan et al., 2024). We use grain size estimations gleaned from the thermal inertia to show that regolith particle size differences have similar effect as space weathering on asteroid spectra. Finally, we quantify changes in spectral slope and band depth among asteroids using the space weathering index developed by MacLennan et al (2024), and reassess the importance of previously‐proposed surface freshening mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global storm‐resolving models (GSRMs) that can explicitly resolve some of deep convection are now being integrated for climate timescales. GSRMs are able to simulate more realistic precipitation distributions relative to traditional Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) models. In this study, we present results from two‐year‐long integrations of a GSRM developed at Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, eXperimental System for High‐resolution prediction on Earth‐to‐Local Domains (X‐SHiELD), for the response of precipitation to sea surface temperature warming and an isolated increase in CO2 and compare it to CMIP6 models. At leading order, X‐SHiELD's response is within the range of the CMIP6 models. However, a close examination of the precipitation distribution response reveals that X‐SHiELD has a different response at lower percentiles and the response of the extreme events are at the lower end of the range of CMIP6 models. A regional decomposition reveals that the difference is most pronounced for midlatitude land, where X‐SHiELD shows a lower increase at intermediate percentiles and drying at lower percentiles. Plain Language Summary: The main tool to investigate and make projections of the response of the climate system to warming is global climate models. These models usually have ∼100 km horizontal resolution and as a result need parameterizations in order to account for small‐scale processes. These parameterizations are a large source of uncertainty. Advancements in computational capabilities and technology allow us to run global models with high enough resolutions, called global storm‐resolving models (GSRMs), that some important small‐scale processes are explicitly resolved. In this study, we use two‐year‐long integrations of an atmosphere GSRM in present‐day and warmer climates and compare the precipitation response to more traditional global climate models. We find that the precipitation response of the GSRM lies within the range of the traditional models, except for the low percentiles of precipitation. A closer examination indicates that the main source of differences between the GSRM and traditional models occurs in midlatitude land regions, where the GSRM predicts more extensive drying of low precipitation percentiles compared to the traditional models. The GSRM also has an increase in precipitation extremes with warming that is somewhat weaker than that of traditional global climate models. Key Points: We compare precipitation changes between Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) models and eXperimental System for High‐resolution prediction on Earth‐to‐Local Domains (X‐SHiELD), a global storm resolving model developed at Geophysical Fluid Dynamics LaboratoryX‐SHiELD response is mostly within the range of CMIP6 models, except for more drying of low precipitation percentilesX‐SHiELD precipitation distribution changes over midlatitude land differs significantly from the CMIP6 models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course and to redefine an optimized algorithm for OE cases until epithetic restoration. Methods: Indication, defect type according to Kesting, reconstructive technique, incidence of postoperative complications and peri‐implantitis, patients' quality of life, timing of periorbital implant insertion, incidence of and interval to implant loss, and time until epithetic restoration were analyzed in 43 patients. Results: A significant correlation was detected between wound dehiscence and defect type. Out of 24 patients, 7 were implanted secondarily with a median time interval of 399 days (270–2015) after OE. Eleven out of 83 placed implants were lost in 8 patients with a median time interval of 586 days (264–4485) after insertion. The majority of epithesis carriers had no or few restrictions in their quality of life. Conclusions: We recommend our modified treatment algorithm to further improve and shorten the clinical course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lunar surface evolves over time due to space weathering, and the visible–near‐infrared spectra of more mature (i.e., heavily weathered) soils are lower in reflectance and steeper in spectral slope (i.e., darker and redder) than their immature counterparts. These spectral changes have traditionally been attributed to the space‐weathered rims of soil grains (and particularly nanophase iron therein). However, understudied thus far is the spectral role of agglutinates—the agglomerates of mineral and lithic fragments, nanophase iron, and glass that are formed by micrometeoroid impacts and are ubiquitous in mature lunar soils. We separated agglutinates and non‐agglutinates from six lunar soils of varying maturity and composition, primarily from the 125–250 μm size fraction, and measured their visible–near‐infrared reflectance spectra. For each soil, the agglutinate spectra are darker, redder, and have weaker absorption bands than the corresponding non‐agglutinate and unsorted soil spectra. Moreover, greater soil maturity corresponds to darker agglutinate spectra with weaker absorption bands. These findings suggest that agglutinates (rather than solely the space‐weathered rims) play an important role in both the darkening and reddening of mature soils—at least for the size fractions examined here. Comparisons with analog soils suggest that high nanophase iron abundance in agglutinates is likely responsible for their low reflectance and spectrally red slope. Additional studies of agglutinates are needed both to more comprehensively characterize their spectral properties (across size fractions and in mixing with non‐agglutinates) and to assess the relative roles of agglutinates and rims in weathering‐associated spectral changes. Plain Language Summary: In the scientific study of the Moon, one key focus is surface processes: how do the physical and chemical properties of the Moon's surface change over time due to weathering (e.g., bombardment by micrometeoroids and by particles from the Sun)? Such investigations provide valuable insights into the Moon's history (such as the ages of impact craters) that are often deduced from measurements of reflected light; as a soil is weathered, it reflects light differently, which manifests visually as a progressive darkening of the soil. This phenomenon had primarily been attributed to weathering‐associated development of rims on individual soil grains, but in this work we explored an alternative cause: soil particles known as agglutinates (misshapen, vesicular agglomerates of mineral fragments, iron, and glass that form due to weathering processes). We isolated agglutinates of six soil samples from the Moon and measured how they reflect light. We find that they reflect light in patterns reminiscent of how the Moon's surface behaves when weathered. These findings suggest that agglutinates play a more important role than previously thought in determining the light‐reflecting properties of the Moon's surface, thus warranting a greater and more nuanced consideration in future studies of how the Moon's surface changes over time. Key Points: We measured the reflectance spectra of agglutinates and non‐agglutinates separated from six lunar soils of varying composition and maturitySpectral comparisons suggest that spectral reddening of mature soils is expressed mainly via agglutinates (for the size fractions measured)These findings reframe our understanding of the relative spectral roles of agglutinates and soil grain rims in weathered lunar soils [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on skull and mandible alterations in Amazon river dolphins, specifically focusing on the genus Inia spp. The researchers examined 105 specimens and identified various morphological, traumatic, and pathological alterations. The most common alterations observed were the presence of a third condyle and rostrum deviation. Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in the occurrence of these alterations based on sex, sexual maturity, or habitat. The study also identified cases of prognathism, brachygnathism, fractures, and pathological changes such as osteomyelitis and osteoarthritis. The researchers suggest that further research is needed to understand the causes and implications of these skull alterations. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Identifying and eliminating racial health care disparities is a public health priority. However, data evaluating race differences in emergency department (ED) chest pain care are limited. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T to Optimize Chest Pain Risk Stratification (STOP‐CP) cohort, which prospectively enrolled adults with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome without ST‐elevation from eight EDs in the United States from 2017 to 2018. Race was self‐reported by patients and abstracted from health records. Rates of 30‐day noninvasive testing (NIT), cardiac catheterization, revascularization, and adjudicated cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) were determined. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between race and 30‐day outcomes with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Results: Among 1454 participants, 42.3% (615/1454) were non‐White. At 30 days NIT occurred in 31.4% (457/1454), cardiac catheterization in 13.5% (197/1454), revascularization in 6.0% (87/1454), and cardiac death or MI in 13.1% (190/1454). Among Whites versus non‐Whites, NIT occurred in 33.8% (284/839) versus 28.1% (173/615; odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.96) and catheterization in 15.9% (133/839) versus 10.4% (64/615; OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45–0.84). After covariates were adjusted for, non‐White race remained associated with decreased 30‐day NIT (adjusted OR [aOR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.56–0.90) and cardiac catheterization (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.88). Revascularization occurred in 6.9% (58/839) of Whites versus 4.7% (29/615) of non‐Whites (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.42–1.04). Cardiac death or MI at 30 days occurred in 14.2% of Whites (119/839) versus 11.5% (71/615) of non‐Whites (OR 0.79 95% CI 0.57–1.08). After adjustment there was still no association between race and 30‐day revascularization (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.45–1.20) or cardiac death or MI (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.50–1.09). Conclusions: In this U.S. cohort, non‐White patients were less likely to receive NIT and cardiac catheterization compared to Whites but had similar rates of revascularization and cardiac death or MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for refractory neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Study Design and Results: bTUNED (bladder and TranscUtaneous tibial Nerve stimulation for nEurogenic lower urinary tract Dysfunction) is an international multicentre, sham‐controlled, double‐blind RCT investigating the efficacy and safety of TTNS. The primary outcome is success of TTNS, defined as improvements in key bladder diary variables at study end compared to baseline values. The focus of the treatment is defined by the Self‐Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are the effect of TTNS on urodynamic, neurophysiological, and bowel function outcome measures, as well as the safety of TTNS. Conclusions: A total of 240 patients with refractory NLUTD will be included and randomized 1:1 into the verum or sham TTNS group from March 2020 until August 2026. TTNS will be performed twice a week for 30 min during 6 weeks. The patients will attend baseline assessments, 12 treatment visits and follow‐up assessments at the study end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed understanding of the mechanisms enabling or limiting the impacts of invasive generalist predators is needed. Harmonia axyridis is an invasive generalist coccinellid predator that may have destabilised coccinellid communities worldwide and is an excellent candidate for investigating invasion dynamics.We evaluated four hypotheses: (1) Nine years after being detected in Central Brazil, Ha. axyridis has dominated the coccinellid community. This is facilitated by (2) its broader aphid prey range than the other aphidophagous coccinellids, (3) its superiority as an asymmetrical intraguild predator, and (4) the invasibility of the present coccinellid community.We sampled the invertebrate communities associated with six organic vegetable farms in Brazil during 2017 and 2018, conducted a feeding trial to measure prey niche breadth and overlap, and estimated intra‐ and interspecific interaction strengths corresponding to first‐order Lotka‐Volterra parameters to evaluate the strength of intraguild predation and create a community matrix.We found (1) Ha. axyridis comprised ≤8.3% of the coccinellid community. (2) Hi. convergens had the broadest prey niche and dominated the prey niche of Ha. axyridis. (3) We could not determine from the population data if Ha. axyridis was the dominant intraguild predator because its density was too low and constant. (4) The community matrix indicated that the present‐day coccinellid community was stable.We conclude Ha. axyridis has not become invasive in Central Brazil, in part because it does not have the broadest prey niche breadth and the present coccinellid community is stable to the present perturbation of Ha. axyridis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mobile‐assisted language learning (MALL) has long been advocated to promote students' language study outcomes. However, little is known about how using instant messaging applications (an example of MALL) affect student motivation, language anxiety, and actual achievement. Objectives: To help close this gap, we have conducted a quasi‐experimental study, in which we have used self‐determination theory to test a mediational process model, in an effort to understand the psychological mechanisms that underlie the effect of instant messaging applications on student outcomes. Methods: Two groups of Saudi undergraduate students (N = 447) were recruited to participate in the study. Participants under the experimental condition were invited to engage in language‐related tasks with their teacher outside of class through the WhatsApp application, whereas participants under the control condition received standard teaching. We applied partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) to test our model. Results and Conclusions: The results of the PLS‐SEM showed that the total effects of using instant messaging applications on autonomous motivation and L2 achievement were significant but that language anxiety was influenced only indirectly and negatively through language achievement. Also, the PLS‐SEM showed that our results have strong predcitive power indicating support for external validity. Implications: Our results show that instant messaging applications can be used to facilitate interest and achievement and to decrease anxiety. Furthermore, we are contributing to L2 methodological literature by using applications of PLS‐SEM in experimental designs that can help researchers and practitioners of motivational processes. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Using WhatsApp and more broadly instant messaging applications are conceived to be motivating in language teaching contextStudies indicate students are inclined toward using these applications in language learningResearch shows that using WhatsApp is easy to apply for language teaching purposes What this paper adds: The study examined the effect of using WhatsApp on language learners' motivation, achievement, and language anxietyA pre‐ and post‐test approach with experimental and control condition has been used to evaluate the effect more accuratelyThe study employs Self‐determination Theory as a theoretical framework for testing a motivational process modelResults show that using WhatsApp predicted the outcomes directly and indirectly Implications for practice and/or policy: WhatsApp can significantly encourage university students to better learning of the language skills especially in times where face‐to‐face communication is limitedWhatsApp is conditioned by the guidance of instructors, their ongoing formative and summative assessmentWhatsApp appears to allow students enjoy their learning process due to the opportunities for collaborative work and constant exchange of content [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sitting at the crossroads of weather and climate, the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) is considered a primary source of subseasonal predictability. Despite its importance, numerical models struggle with MJO prediction as its convection moves through the complex Maritime Continent (MC) environment. Motivated by the ongoing effort to improve MJO prediction, we use the System for High‐resolution prediction on Earth‐to‐Local Domains (SHiELD) model to run two sets of forecasts, one with and one without a nested grid over the MC. By efficiently leveraging high‐resolution grid spacing, the nested grid reduces amplitude and phase errors and extends the model's predictive skill by about 10 days. These enhancements are tied to improvements in predicted zonal wind from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, facilitated by westerly wind bias reduction in the nested grid. Results from this study suggest that minimizing circulation biases over the MC can lead to substantial advancements in skillful MJO prediction. Plain Language Summary: The Madden‐Julian Oscillation, a large‐scale system that moves west to east from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean over the course of 2–3 months, exerts significant influence on atmospheric circulation worldwide. Nestled somewhere between near‐term weather and long‐term climate, accurate prediction of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation can be used to extend forecasts into the subseasonal, or 3–4 weeks range. In this study the global‐scale System for High‐resolution prediction on Earth‐to‐Local Domains model is used to run two sets of forecasts, one with and one without an advanced grid integrated into the global model over and around Indonesia. This region, known as the Maritime Continent, is a troublesome area for Madden‐Julian Oscillation prediction in numerical models due to its complex environment, which makes it a prime target for the advanced grid. Integrating the advanced grid into the forecasts is shown to extend the skill of Madden‐Julian Oscillation predictions by about 10 days and improve their accuracy. These enhancements are tied to a better representation of the wind field in the advanced grid area, which suggests that substantial advancements in predicting the Madden‐Julian Oscillation can be made by simply minimizing circulation biases over the Maritime Continent in numerical models. Key Points: Integrating a nested grid over the Maritime Continent (MC) in SHiELD extends Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) prediction skill by about 10 days with enhanced reliabilityPositive impacts imparted by the two‐way nested grid on the MJO extend beyond the confines of the nested regionAn improved representation of the mean circulation over the MC in the nested grid contributes to substantial advancements in MJO prediction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxypyranoflavylium (HPF) cations are synthetic analogs possessing the same basic chromophore as the pyranoanthocyanins that form during the maturation of red wine. HPF cations absorb strongly in the visible spectral region, and most are fluorescent, triplet‐sensitize singlet oxygen formation in solution and are strong photooxidants, properties that are desirable in a sensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The results of this study demonstrate that several simple HPF dyes can indeed function as PDT sensitizers. Of the eight HPF cations investigated in this work, four were phototoxic to a human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa) at the 1–10 μmol dm−3 level, while only one of the eight compounds showed noticeable cytotoxicity in the dark. Neither a Type I nor a Type II mechanism can adequately rationalize the differences in phototoxicity of the compounds. Colocalization experiments with the most phototoxic compound demonstrated the affinity of the dye for both the mitochondria and lysosomes of HeLa cells. The fact that relatively modest structural differences, e.g., the exchange of an electron‐donating substituent for an electron‐withdrawing substituent, can cause profound differences in the phototoxicity, together with the relatively facile synthesis of substituted HPF cations, makes them interesting candidates for further evaluation as PDT sensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Algorithm Selection Problem (ASP) considers the use of previous knowledge regarding problem features and algorithm performance to recommend the best strategy to solve a previously unseen problem. In the application context, the usual ASP for optimization considers recommending the best heuristics, whenever it faces a new similar problem instance, also known as the Per-Instance ASP. Although ASP for heuristic recommendation is not new, selecting heuristics and also their parameters, or the Per-instance Algorithm Configuration Problem, is still considered a challenging task. This paper investigates the use of meta-learning to recommend six different stochastic local searches and their parameters to solve several instances of permutation flowshop problems. The proposed approach uses several problem features, including fitness landscape metrics, builds the performance database using irace, and trains different multi-label recommendation models on a data set with more than 6000 flowshop problem instances. Experiments show that decision tree-based machine learning models achieve good performance, and the quality of the recommendations is capable of outperforming the state-of-the-art algorithm with tuned configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxypyranoflavylium (HPF) cations are synthetic analogs possessing the same basic chromophore as the pyranoanthocyanins that form during the maturation of red wine. HPF cations absorb strongly in the visible spectral region, and most are fluorescent, triplet‐sensitize singlet oxygen formation in solution and are strong photooxidants, properties that are desirable in a sensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The results of this study demonstrate that several simple HPF dyes can indeed function as PDT sensitizers. Of the eight HPF cations investigated in this work, four were phototoxic to a human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line (HeLa) at the 1–10 μmol dm−3 level, while only one of the eight compounds showed noticeable cytotoxicity in the dark. Neither a Type I nor a Type II mechanism can adequately rationalize the differences in phototoxicity of the compounds. Colocalization experiments with the most phototoxic compound demonstrated the affinity of the dye for both the mitochondria and lysosomes of HeLa cells. The fact that relatively modest structural differences, e.g., the exchange of an electron‐donating substituent for an electron‐withdrawing substituent, can cause profound differences in the phototoxicity, together with the relatively facile synthesis of substituted HPF cations, makes them interesting candidates for further evaluation as PDT sensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary population synthesis provides a direct way of studying the effects of different choices of binary evolution models and initial parameter distributions on present‐day compact binary merger populations, which can then be compared to empirical properties such as observed merger rates. Samples of zero‐age main sequence binaries to be evolved by such codes are typically generated from a universal initial mass function (IMF) and simple, uniform, distributions for orbital period P, mass ratio q, and eccentricity e. More recently, however, mounting observational evidence has suggested the non‐universality of the IMF and the existence of correlations between binary parameters. In this study, we implement a metallicity‐ and redshift‐dependent IMF alongside correlated distributions for P, q, and e to generate representative populations of binaries at varying redshifts, which are then evolved with the COMPAS code in order to study the variations in merger rates and overall population properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of objects between 2 and 5 M⊙ in the joint mass distribution of compact objects has been termed "mass gap" and attributed to the characteristics of the supernova mechanism at their birth. However, recent observations show that a number of candidates reported to lie inside the "gap" may fill it, and the paucity may be the result of small number statistics. We quantify in this work the individual candidates and evaluate the joint probability of a mass gap. Our results show that a mass gap is not present, to a very high confidence level. It remains to be seen if a relative paucity of objects ensues and how this population can be related to the formation processes, which may include neutron star mergers, collapse of a neutron star to a black hole and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Strange Quark Matter (SQM) hypothesis states that at extreme pressure and density conditions, a new ground state of matter would arise, in which half of the down quarks become strange quarks. If true, it would mean that at least the core of neutron stars is made of SQM. In this hypothesis, SQM would be released in the interstellar medium when two of these objects merge. It is estimated that 10−2M⊙$$ {10}^{-2}{M}_{\odot } $$ of SQM would be released this way. This matter will undergo a sequence of processes that should result in a fraction of the released SQM becoming heavy nuclei through the r‐process. In this work, we are interested in characterizing the fragmentation of SQM, with the novelty of keeping track of the quark configuration of the fragmented matter. This is accomplished by developing a methodology to estimate the energy of each fragment as the sum of its constituent quarks, the Coulomb interaction among the quarks and fragments' momenta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raptor communities are negatively impacted by urbanization. However, some species can thrive in urban areas. Raptor species traits that favour their presence in urban areas have been scarcely studied. Moreover, phylogenetic relatedness may be a factor promoting raptor occurrence in urban areas. In this study, we use data gathered through citizen science in Argentina to analyse the phylogenetic signal and the drivers that correlate with raptor presence in urban settings. The mean percentage urban cover for the records of each species was considered as an index of raptor occurrence in urban areas. A total of 55 species were analysed, which accounted for 90% of the diurnal raptors of Argentina. Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus, Pearl Kite Gampsonyx swainsonii and Chimango Caracara Milvago chimango had the highest urban index. Raptor occurrence in urban areas had a marginal phylogenetic signal, indicating a tendency for more closely related species to have similar tolerances to urbanization. The index of raptor occurrence in urban areas was highest for the most common species of non‐urban areas, and was not related to traits such as body mass, diet, nesting site and migratory behaviour. Our results highlight the importance of citizen science projects in data gathering at large geographical scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Videolaryngoscopes improve tracheal intubation in adult patients, but we currently do not know whether they are similarly beneficial for children. We designed this ranking systematic review to compare individual video and direct laryngoscopes for efficacy and safety of orotracheal intubation in children. Methods: We searched PubMed and five other databases on January 27, 2021. We included randomized clinical trials with patients aged ≤18 years, comparing different laryngoscopes for the outcomes: failed first intubation attempt; failed intubation within two attempts; failed intubation; glottic view; time for intubation; complications. In addition, we assessed the quality of evidence according to GRADE recommendations. Results: We included 46 studies in the meta‐analyses. Videolaryngoscopy reduced the risk of failed first intubation attempt (RR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.31–0.61; p =.001) and failed intubation within two attempts (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.33–0.33; p <.001) in children aged <1 year. Videolaryngoscopy also reduced the risk of major complications in both children aged <1 year (RR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12–0.96; p =.046) and children aged 0–18 years (RR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.25–0.65; p =.002). We did not find significant difference between videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy for time to intubation in children aged <1 year (MD = −0.95 s; 95% CI: −5.45 to 3.57 s; p =.681), and children aged 0–18 years (MD = 1.65 s; 95% CI: −1.00 to 4.30 s; p =.222). Different videolaryngoscopes were associated with different performance metrics within this meta‐analysis. The overall quality of the evidence ranged from low to very low. Conclusion: Videolaryngoscopes reduce the risk of failed first intubation attempts and major complications in children compared to direct laryngoscopes. However, not all videolaryngoscopes have the same performance metrics, and more data is needed to clarify which device may be better in different clinical scenarios. Additionally, care must be taken while interpreting our results and rankings due to the available evidence's low or very low quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bretherton et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021MS002794) demonstrated a successful approach for using machine learning (ML) to help a coarse‐resolution global atmosphere model with real geography (a ∼200 km version of NOAA's FV3GFS) evolve more like a fine‐resolution model, at the scales resolved by both. This study extends that work for application in multiple climates and multi‐year ML‐corrected simulations. Here four fine‐resolution (∼25 km) 2 year reference simulations are run using FV3GFS with climatological sea surface temperatures perturbed uniformly by −4, 0, +4, and +8 K. A data set of state‐dependent corrective tendencies is then derived through nudging the ∼200 km model to the coarsened state of the fine‐resolution simulations in each climate. Along with the surface radiative fluxes, the corrective tendencies of temperature and specific humidity are machine‐learned as functions of the column state. ML predictions for the fluxes and corrective tendencies are applied in 5.25 years ∼200 km resolution simulations in each climate, and improve the spatial pattern errors of land precipitation by 8%–28% and land surface temperature by 19%–25% across the four climates. The ML has a neutral impact on the pattern error of oceanic precipitation. Plain Language Summary: Previous work demonstrated how to use machine learning to help a computationally efficient coarse‐grid climate model behave like a more realistic, but expensive, fine‐grid reference simulation that we could only afford to run for 40 days. The machine learning was interpreted as correcting errors in the representation of uncertain small‐scale cloud, precipitation, and turbulence processes on the model simulations. By using a fine‐grid model with a grid spacing eight times as large as our previous reference that runs tens of times faster, we extend that approach to multi‐year coarse‐grid simulations of a range of climates, both warmer and colder than the present day. Different random starting guesses ("seeds") lead to slightly different machine learning corrections even with exactly the same training protocol. When applied interactively in 1 year coarse‐grid simulations, the machine learning corrections consistently improve the time‐mean pattern of rainfall and surface temperature over land versus fine‐grid reference simulations in each of the climates we trained against. These machine learning models can be used successfully to enhance the accuracy of 5 year simulations in all climates. Key Points: Machine learning models trained from coarsened fine‐grid outputs correct the evolution of a coarse‐grid model in four climatesAblating upper level inputs and outputs of machine learning models robustly stabilizes multi‐year simulationsTrained models reduce rainfall and surface temperature errors over land in 5 year simulations in each climate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capuchins are omnivorous neotropical primates that can survive in urban forests by supplementing their diet with human foods. However, few studies have analyzed the impact of these resources on their diet diversity and feeding seasonality. We aimed to assess the patterns of foraging, feeding, and diet diversity of urban capuchins (Sapajus sp.) that live in a tiny urban forest in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where humans frequently feed them. We predicted that forest degradation and human foods could decrease diet diversity, though capuchins may, conversely, reduce their selectivity and expand their food repertoire. We followed the animals from dawn to dusk between May 2018 and April 2019 to list and quantify the species and items consumed. We used diversity indexes and cluster analysis to understand similarities and differences in the diet composition over the study period. We recorded 58 plant species (being 14 exotics) consumed by the monkeys, and nonconventional items, with low diet diversity overall. The diet consisted mainly of plants (69.8%), animal matter (20.6%), and processed foods (9.5%). Capuchins consumed more food from the anthropic environment (57.5%) than from the forest (42.4%), while their food from the forest included more invertebrates (47.8%) than fruits (40%). The cluster analysis showed two main groups of feeding months, in accordance with the seasons of high and low food production in local forests. Monkeys did not vary the frequencies of foraging or feeding between seasons, probably due to the omnipresent availability of human foods. Despite the high consumption of human foods, capuchins responded to the seasonality of the forest, expanding their feeding diversity in the drier period. Future studies should analyze the correspondence between food consumption and local phenology, as well as the potential role of capuchins as seed dispersers in this depauperate community. Research Highlights: Urban capuchins consumed human foods at a higher rate than foods from the forest, to the extent that they can be classified as dependent on the anthropic environment. Their diet was less diversified and, opportunistically, less selective. However, the diet still responds to forest phenology and resources.Exotic plants, shrubs, herbs, and vines represented a considerable portion of the diet of urban capuchins, and the majority of the exotics and plants from orchards were consumed in the drier period, suggesting their roles as fallback foods. However, the constant human food supply may be buffering seasonal effects on their diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glider observations show a subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM) at the base of the seasonal pycnocline in the North Sea during stable summer conditions. A colocated peak in the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy suggests the presence of active turbulence that potentially generates a nutrient flux to fuel the SCM. A one‐dimensional turbulence closure model is used to investigate the dynamics behind this local maximum in turbulent dissipation at the base of the pycnocline (PCB) as well as its associated nutrient fluxes. Based on a number of increasingly idealized forcing setups of the model, we are able to draw the following conclusions: (a) only turbulence generated inside the stratified PCB is able to entrain a tracer (e.g., nutrients) from the bottom mixed layer into the SCM region; (b) surface wind forcing only plays a secondary role during stable summer conditions; (c) interfacial shear from the tide accounts for the majority of turbulence production at the PCB; (d) in stable summer conditions, the strength of the turbulent diapycnal fluxes at the PCB is set by the strength of the anticyclonic component of the tidal currents. Plain Language Summary: Many midlatitude shelf seas are vertically stratified in summer, where a warm surface layer sits on top of a cold, dense bottom layer. Both of these layers are unproductive environments for phytoplankton—the bottom layer is light limited, and the surface layer is nutrient‐limited. However, abundant phytoplankton is observed directly at the interface between surface and bottom layers. In order to sustain this phytoplankton, nutrient‐rich bottom water needs to be mixed with interface water. While both wind and tides are major causes for mixing in the coastal ocean, we find that the tides alone provide sufficient stirring at the right place to potentially act as an effective fuel pump for the phytoplankton. Interestingly, it is not the strength of the tides alone that counts, rather the sense of rotation of the tidal currents; rotation opposite to the Earth's spin causes more stirring than rotation along with it. Key Points: Turbulence and chlorophyll both peak at the base of the pycnocline on a mid‐latitude shelfLocally generated turbulence at the pycnocline base is a fuel pump for the subsurface chlorophyll maximumAmplitude and polarity of the M2 tide govern the local generation of turbulence at the pycnocline base [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In primates, urine washing (UW) is a behavior in which individuals intentionally deposit urine on their bodies. Social and nonsocial hypotheses have been proposed to explain the adaptive function of this behavior. For capuchins, different functions have been assigned for UW, suggesting it as a flexible behavior, but studies have been mainly in captivity. However, no investigations have been performed in urban environments, where these animals can modify their behavior. Our goal was to study UW in a semi‐provisioned group of an introduced unknown robust capuchin species (Sapajus sp.) living in a tiny urban fragment in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where they have contact with humans. We assessed the influence of social (sexual, agonistic, and anointing behaviors) and environmental (temperature, relative air humidity, height of the monkeys in the trees, number of people present in the fragment, and human‐monkey interactions) variables, the influence of behavior before and after UW, and the influence of sex‐age classes, on the frequency of UW. We observed 75 records of UW in 300 h of observations, where urine was mostly deposited on hands and passed on to feet (95%). There were no significant differences in the frequency of the behavior between sex‐age classes nor in the behaviors before and after UW. Around 50% of UW took place in the late morning and we found no correlation between UW and temperature, relative air humidity, nor the heights of the monkeys in the trees. However, we found a significant association between UW and the daily number of people in the fragment, but not between UW and human‐monkey interactions, anointing, agonisms, and sexual behavior. Our study increases the scope of UW flexibility by identifying the presence of visitors affecting the occurrence of this behavior. We discussed different possibilities through which people could influence the capuchins to display UW. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Urine washing (UW) observed in urban robust capuchins is positively associated with the number of people observed inside the forest, increasing the scope of the flexibility of UW by including people as influencers of the display of this behavior in capuchins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between headache, myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and awake bruxism (AB). Background: Bruxism seems to act as a risk factor for TMD and its associated comorbidities, such as headaches. Methods: In total, 406 medical records of individuals who sought care at a university dental clinic were screened. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was used to assess and diagnose TMD, as well as to obtain self‐reports of AB and headache. Results: The sample consisted of 307 medical records. About 72.5% (221/305) of the sample reported having headaches, and 67.4% (180/267) and 68.4% (210/307) were diagnosed with AB and TMD, respectively. Individuals who reported having AB (odds ratio [OR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–4.7) and who were diagnosed with myofascial TMD (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.15–5.5) were more likely to have had headaches in the past 6 months when compared with patients without myofascial TMD and bruxism. Also, individuals who self‐reported headache were 2.27 times (95% CI, 1.09–4.7) more likely to have AB and 2.45 times (95% CI, 1.13–5.34) more likely to have myofascial pain than individuals without headaches. Conclusions: Individuals with myofascial TMD, headaches, or AB were more likely to have at least one of the other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biggest world tailing dam rupture occurred in Brazil in 2015, releasing approximately 32 million m3 of iron tailings in the Doce River watershed, along its 660 km trajectory, reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This disaster significantly altered water and soil properties, increasing the soil metal contents, mainly iron concentration. Little is known about the concentration of toxic elements in plants grown in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens stands out as the most cultivated grass in the affected areas and is widely used for cattle grazing. This study verified the metal contents in soils and in samples of B. decumbens grown in the initial pathway of the debris flow. It was noted that the tailing deposition altered the substrate chemically, increasing Fe by 181% and reducing Zn soil contents by 188%. However, the metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. In addition, the results suggest that the natural geological characteristics of the region also influenced the metal contents in plants since those plants grown in nonaffected areas also showed high metal concentrations. The impacted area soils had a slightly basic pH, which can reduce the metal availability. Considering that, in the future, these soils would return to their natural acid state, the metal contents in plants grown in the affected regions could probably increase. Thus, long‐term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:528–538. © 2021 SETAC KEY POINTS: The tailing deposition chemically altered the substrate, increasing Fe and reducing Zn contents. The metal contents in the forage grass were below the toxic limit for cattle feed. Long‐term studies are needed to ensure the food safety of the forage production in these areas. Brachiaria decumbens has developed mechanisms and adaptive strategies to cope with high soil metal contents, so it can limit absorption and/or accumulation of toxic elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates variations in petrophysical properties within a mixed alluvial to lacustrine carbonate system (Miocene, Madrid Basin, Central Spain). The transition from alluvial environments to lake margins settings displays a shift from alluvial, siliciclastic red sandstones and mudstones to palustrine–lacustrine mudstones to packstones. Fluctuations in lake‐water level enabled land plants to occupy the lake margins during periods of low lake levels. The palustrine carbonates include features like pseudo‐microkarst, nodular and mottled limestones; the lacustrine deposits include enlarged root cavities, desiccation cracks and channel bodies. Scarce fresh water biota comprises charophytes, gastropods and ostracods. The sediments possess high natural, irregular varying, gamma‐ray values at the alluvial–lacustrine transition, and low, but constant values at full lacustrine sites. Acoustic properties agree with lithological variations within individual facies. Porosity is the most important parameter influencing P‐wave and S‐wave velocities. The scatter in the velocity–porosity relationship links to the porosity type; macro‐porosity or microporosity. The wide range of pore types and pore sizes results in a weak porosity to permeability relationship for the carbonate‐dominated rocks with low permeability for microporous and high permeability for macro‐porous carbonates. The sandstones (probably only inhibiting interparticle porosity), and to a lesser extent the sandy wackestones to packstones, show quite a strong relationship between porosity and permeability. Elastic properties of mixed alluvial–lacustrine deposits (this study) and marine deposits (literature data) overlap as variations in pore structures and porosity values are similar. Only 16% of the marine and lacustrine carbonate sediments display Equivalent Pore Aspect Ratio values above 0.2. In travertine deposits, 83% of the samples exceed Equivalent Pore Aspect Ratio values above 0.2, which highlights that travertine deposits are dominated by larger Equivalent Pore Aspect Ratios compared to lacustrine and marine carbonate deposits. Travertines display other rock frameworks with different pore types, pore distribution and amount of porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesquiterpene lactones are found in plants of Asteraceae family, and endoperoxides are known for their antimalarial activity. Structural elucidation is a relevant aspect; however, it is not uncommon to find incorrect or incomplete structural assignments in the literature. Calculations based in quantum mechanics are frequently used to compute 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts, and after comparing with the experimental data, the correct structure is established from diverse candidates. Targeting the synthesis of bioactive compounds, we envisaged the synthesis of a novel endoperoxide from the natural sesquiterpene lactone α‐santonin (2). Photochemical transformation of α‐santonin (2) to mazdasantonin (4) followed by photooxidation catalyzed by rose bengal afforded the novel endoperoxide 5. This new endoperoxide contains five stereogenic centers and is analogous to the antimalarial agent artemisinin (1). The relative configuration of the stereogenic centers of the endoperoxide were established by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses and confirmed by theoretical calculations. All approaches were in complete agreement, and the structure of mazdasantonin endoperoxide was established as (3S,3aS,5aS,8R,9bS)‐3,6,6‐trimethyl‐3,3a,4,5,8,9b‐hexahydro‐2H‐5a,8‐epidioxynaphtho[1,2‐b]furan‐2,7(6H)‐dione. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Urbanization buffers the seasonality of climate conditions and food availability and, therefore, may cause a seasonal homogenization of animal communities. However, the global effect of urbanization on the seasonal dynamics of animal communities remains unexplored. Our aim was to study the multi‐continental relationship between urbanization and the seasonal change in bird composition and explore the influence of climatic factors on the urban‐induced reduction of seasonality of bird composition. Location: Multi‐continental. Taxon: Birds. Methods: We performed a literature review and a meta‐analysis. The risk ratio effect size (here referred to as urban seasonality index, USI) was used, considering the number of species seen either in the breeding (spring and/or summer) or the non‐breeding (autumn and/or winter) season, and the number of species seen during both seasons between urban and less urbanized sites. Low USI values indicated a decrease in the seasonal change in bird composition in urban areas. A total of 38 USIs were obtained from 34 cities of six continents. Results: Multi‐continentally, there are fewer differences in bird composition between seasons in urban than in less urbanized areas, indicating seasonal homogenization due to urbanization. The USI decreased in areas with the lowest maximum temperature and the highest latitude, suggesting the highest decrease in the seasonality of bird composition in urban areas located in regions near the poles and with high seasonal change in temperature. Moreover, studies in the Northern Hemisphere and those that compared suburban versus natural and urban versus rural habitats had a significant decrease in seasonality of bird community in urban areas. Main conclusions: Urbanization induces a seasonal homogenization of bird composition, and this impact seems more pronounced in temperate areas with broad annual temperature range, and located in the Northern Hemisphere. Results indicate that efforts to restore seasonal dynamics in habitats and resources should be made in urban areas of temperate regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) often have tragic repercussions. Although many reports of neurological complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection exist, none of them are of patients on hemodialysis, who have a fivefold greater risk of stroke than the general population. In this report, we emphasize the importance of being vigilant for mild stroke in high risk populations—such as patients on hemodialysis—with COVID‐19, since these conditions have overlapping symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani and A. grandis, severely affects potato crops around the world, and few management options apart from intensive fungicide use are available. In this work, we tested whether biocontrol treatments with different species of the mycoparasitic fungus Clonostachys could reduce early blight severity on the foliage of pot‐grown potatoes of cultivar Ágata, and affect the survival and sporulation of the causal pathogen A. grandis. Twenty isolates from five Clonostachys species were screened in a preliminary biocontrol trial, and nine of them were selected and tested further in two confirmation trials. Treatments with three isolates from three species (C. chloroleuca, C. pseudochroleuca, C. rhizophaga) resulted in a significant reduction in disease severity in both confirmation trials, with control efficacy ranging from 88.7% to 92.9% in the first trial, and from 83.1% to 84.7% in the second trial. All Clonostachys isolates used in the confirmation trials survived on potato leaf tissues for at least 15 days, and resumed growth when subjected to high humidity, resulting in mycoparasitic overgrowth and significant reduction of the pathogen sporulation. Our results provide evidence that different species of Clonostachys, not only the ubiquitous C. rosea, are sources of useful candidates for the biocontrol of potato early blight and possibly other plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasingly radical surgery combined with neo-adjuvant radiotherapy present a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. The study objective was to review outcomes of Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous (VRAM) flap-based perineal reconstruction following resectional surgery for pelvic malignancies. Methods: Single-centre retrospective analysis of patients undergoing immediate VRAM flap reconstruction of a perineal/pelvic defect for pelvic malignancy between July 2009 and November 2017. Primary outcome was perineal morbidity (surgical site infection (SSI), flap loss or dehiscence and perineal hernia). Secondary outcomes were length of stay and donor site morbidity (SSI, full-thickness dehiscence and incisional hernia). Results: A total of 178 patients (96 females) were included. Median age was 67 years (range 28–88). The majority were performed for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (n = 122; 68.5%) and 136 (76.4%) patients had received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Four patients had complete flap loss (2.3%), and 40 had perineal dehiscence (22.5%); however, only, 18 patients required a return to theatre during the admission for perineal-related complications (10.1%). Abdominal dehiscence occurred in six patients (3.4%). Median length of post-operative stay was 15 days (6–131). Sixty-day mortality rate was 1.1%. SSI at the midline and perineum occurred in 34 (19.1%) and 38 patients (21.3%), respectively. At 90-day post-operatively, 75.6% of perineal wounds were healed. During a median follow-up of 44.5 months, twelve, eleven and 39 patients were diagnosed with perineal, midline and parastomal hernias, respectively (6.9%, 6.2% and 21.9%). Conclusions: It is important to have accurate knowledge of perineal and donor-site morbidity rates to allow an informed consent process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild robust capuchins (Sapajus spp.) are omnivorous neotropical primates that live in relatively large groups in extensive home and daily ranges with activity budgets dominated by traveling, foraging, and object manipulation, meaning that enclosed spaces can result in significant deprivation. Space restriction, manipulation by caretakers, and the chronic presence of visitors, can disrupt the animals' welfare, altering their normal activities and inducing stress behaviors. We aimed to study the behavioral repertoire, activity budget, and frequency of stress behaviors (stereotypes and self‐directed behaviors) between two captive groups of robust capuchins in a public zoo in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, to understand how much their behavioral homeostasis has been affected. More specifically, we assessed the effect of environmental variables (temperature, relative air humidity, number of visitors, and food management) and sex on the frequency of stress behaviors. Capuchins showed a high frequency of stress behaviors, which represented around 10% of their activity budget (though the frequencies were unevenly distributed among the individuals), and traveling was positively correlated with stereotypes. We found that high relative air humidity appears to induce more stereotypes, high numbers of visitors appear to increase self‐directed and vigilance behaviors and reduce stereotypes, food management can increase both kinds of stress behaviors, and females demonstrated more frequent stress behaviors than males, but individual variation may play a role. Capuchins in the group with a greater space restriction showed more stereotypes, while those in the group with more individuals showed more self‐directed behaviors. Our study shows that the stress behaviors performed by the capuchins are complex and it is difficult to determine a single cause, because many traits could be involved. Despite that, this study enlightens us to direct some approaches to help these animals to meet their ecological and social needs, mitigating their stress. Research Highlights: Captive robust capuchins of a zoo demonstrated high frequencies of stress behaviors, but the frequencies are unevenly distributed among the individuals.The frequencies of traveling and stereotypes were positively correlated.High numbers of visitors increased vigilance, self‐directed behaviors, and reduced stereotypes.High relative air humidity induced more stereotypes, andFood management may be responsible for a higher frequency of both kinds of stress behaviors.Females engaged in stress behaviors more frequently than males, though individual idiosyncrasies may play a role.Capuchins in the group with greater space restriction exhibited more stereotypes, and those in the group with more individuals exhibited more self‐directed behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at reducing hardware complexity and power consumption of multicarrier‐based broadband transceivers, this contribution discusses and analyzes the implementation of clustered‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)‐based transceiver in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device. In this sense, several OFDM schemes covering baseband and passband data communications are implemented. The hardware resource utilization and power consumption related to each scheme, after being implemented in the FPGA device, are discussed and compared. Numerical results show that the OFDM scheme based on P(·)‐II and Q(·)‐III, which is a modified version of the hermitian symmetric (HS)‐OFDM scheme, which performs both baseband and passband data communications, demands the lowest hardware resource utilization and power consumption, reducing to 1/3 the hardware resource utilization. As a result, P(·)‐II and Q(·)‐III constitute an interesting candidate for implementing new generations of high data rate, low hardware resource utilization, and low‐power consumption clustered‐OFDM‐based transceivers for broadband data communication. Last but not least, numerical results show that the controllers used to integrate all components of a clustered‐OFDM‐based transceiver can demand sizeable hardware resource utilization and power consumption and, therefore, they have to be carefully designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To explore the optimal data sampling scheme and the pharmacokinetic (PK) target exposure on which dose computation is based in the model‐based therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) practice of vancomycin in intensive care (ICU) patients. Methods: We simulated concentration data for 1 day following four sampling schemes, Cmin, Cmax + Cmin, Cmax + Cmid‐interval + Cmin, and rich sampling where a sample was drawn every hour within a dose interval. The datasets were used for Bayesian estimation to obtain PK parameters, which were used to compute the doses for the next day based on five PK target exposures: AUC24 = 400, 500, and 600 mg·h/L and Cmin = 15 and 20 mg/L. We then simulated data for the next day, adopting the computed doses, and repeated the above procedure for 7 days. Thereafter, we calculated the percentage error and the normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of estimated against "true" PK parameters, and the percentage of optimal treatment (POT), defined as the percentage of patients who met 400 ≤ AUC24 ≤ 600 mg·h/L and Cmin ≤ 20 mg/L. Results: PK parameters were unbiasedly estimated in all investigated scenarios and the 6‐day average NRMSE were 32.5%/38.5% (CL/V, where CL is clearance and V is volume of distribution) in the trough sampling scheme and 27.3%/26.5% (CL/V) in the rich sampling scheme. Regarding POT, the sampling scheme had marginal influence, while target exposure showed clear impacts that the maximum POT of 71.5% was reached when doses were computed based on AUC24 = 500 mg·h/L. Conclusions: For model‐based TDM of vancomycin in ICU patients, sampling more frequently than taking only trough samples adds no value and dosing based on AUC24 = 500 mg·h/L lead to the best POT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow baroclinic fronts are observed in the surface mixed layer (SML) of the Baltic Sea following an autumn storm. The fronts are subjected to hydrodynamic instabilities that lead to submesoscale and turbulent motions while restratifying the SML. We describe observations from an ocean glider that combines currents, stratification, and turbulence microstructure in a high horizontal resolution (150–300 m) to analyze such fronts. The observations show that SML turbulence is strongly modulated by frontal activity, acting as both source and sink for turbulent kinetic energy. In particular, a direct route to turbulent dissipation within the front is linked to shear instability caused by elevated nongeostrophic shear. The turbulent dissipation of frontal kinetic energy is large enough that it could be a significant influence in the evolution of the front and demonstrates that small‐scale turbulence can act as a significant sink of submesoscale kinetic energy. Key Points: An autonomous ocean glider observed turbulence, currents, and stratification in surface mixed layer submesoscale fronts following a stormSubmesoscale fronts provide both a damping and generation of surface mixed layer turbulenceShear instability within the front could represent a significant energy transfer in frontal evolution [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]