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When plants die, neighbours escape competition. Living conspecifics could disproportionately benefit because they are freed from negative intraspecific processes; however, if the negative effects of past conspecific neighbours persist, other species might be advantaged, and diversity might be maintained through legacy effects. We examined legacy effects in a mapped forest by modelling the survival of 37,212 trees of 23 species using four neighbourhood properties: living conspecific, living heterospecific, legacy conspecific (dead conspecifics) and legacy heterospecific densities. Legacy conspecific effects proved nearly four times stronger than living conspecific effects; changes in annual survival associated with legacy conspecific density were 1.5% greater than living conspecific effects. Over 90% of species were negatively impacted by legacy conspecific density, compared to 47% by living conspecific density. Our results emphasize that legacies of trees alter community dynamics, revealing that prior research may have underestimated the strength of density dependent interactions by not considering legacy effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of DR in elderly people living with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Individuals >80 years, in the Swedish National Diabetes Register (NDR) between 2008 and 2017, were included. Prevalence and incidence were calculated and stratified by age. Estimates were assessed by longitudinal binary logistic regression models. Results: One hundred forty‐one thousand, one hundred fifty‐eight individuals with type 2 diabetes were included, median age 83 years, 53.3% females and with a median HbA1c 52 mmol/mol. The DR prevalence was stable at 336.2 cases/1000 patients in 2008 (95% CI, 330.2–342.3), with no significant changes during the 10‐year period. Crude DR incidence rate: 88.5 cases/1000 patient years (95% CI, 87.6–89.4). The incidence rate was lower at higher ages. The effect of age on incident DR varied by sex, with females having an increasingly higher risk than males from 83 years of age, OR 1.25 (1.11–1.42) at age 90 years. The risk of incident DR with longer diabetes duration increased more rapidly at worse glycaemic control. Conclusion: The growing population of elderly with type 2 diabetes shows a stable proportion of DR and proposes an increased need for DR screening and eye care. Established risk factors for DR, such as diabetes duration and level of glycaemic control, are also important in the elderly; however, age and sex should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate body composition changes with weight cycling (WC) among adult C57BL/6J mice with diet‐induced obesity. Methods: A total of 555 single‐housed mice were fed a high‐fat diet ad libitum (AL) from 8 to 43 weeks of age. The 200 heaviest mice of each sex were randomized to the following four groups: ever obese (EO, continued AL feeding); obese weight loser (OWL, calorie‐restricted); obese weight loser moderate (OWLM, body weight halfway between EO and OWL); and WC (diet restricted to OWL followed by AL refeeding cycles). Body weight and composition data were collected. Linear regression was used to calculate residuals between predicted and observed fat mass. Linear mixed models were used to compare diet groups. Results: Although weight loss and regain resulted in changes in body weight and composition, fat mass, body weight, and relative body fat were not significantly greater for the WC group compared with the EO group. During long‐term calorie restriction, males (but not females) in the OWLM group remained relatively fatter than the EO group. Conclusions: WC did not increase body weight or relative fat mass for middle‐aged, high‐fat diet‐fed adult mice. However, long‐term moderate calorie restriction resulted in lower body weight but greater "relative" fat in male mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the concept of kingship as a political economy of social subjugation, where one person is king because others see themselves as subjects. It explores the relationship between awe and dread in the accumulation of wealth by monarchs, using examples from the British monarchy. The author argues that the British Royal Family plays a role in global wealth inequalities and that their economic power is intertwined with their symbolic status. The article concludes that monarchy perpetuates social inequality and that addressing global inequalities requires the abolition of monarchy. [Extracted from the article]

N,N'‐dimethyl‐4,4'bipyridinium dichloride (Paraquat) is a potent herbicide used widely in agriculture. We report the effects of an ingestion of paraquat by a 28 year old male with cystic fibrosis and the diagnostic and management challenges this posed in both the acute and longer term setting. We describe the effects of direct paraquat toxicity on the lung tissue secondary to aspiration and review the long‐term sequelae of paraquat, namely osteonecrosis. Our case is the first to describe osteonecrosis of the knee in the context of paraquat toxicity. Survival following ingestion remains poor with a high associated mortality. However, timely treatment with NAC and immunosuppression may impact on survival. In those patients who do survive the acute phase post ingestion, follow‐up over years may be required to detect the long‐term effects of paraquat on bone health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata) is a significant food and cash crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Mungbean production and consumer demand have increased substantially over the last two decades, owing to its agronomic, nutritional and economic benefits. Despite increased breeding efforts and the expansion of mungbean production in various agro‐climatic regions, further production is hindered by low yield and variability, which is partly attributed to the impacts of abiotic stress. Abiotic stress impacts on the physiology, morphology and reproductive ability of mungbean which influences yield. Exposure to abiotic stresses at the reproductive stage is considered the most critical for yield production. In this review, we evaluate how abiotic stress impacts mungbean growth and productivity when occurring during the reproductive stage and traits that may confer adaptation. We present the limitations of current research including limited number of genotypes, lack of field experiments and detailed experimental information. We highlight the opportunities to exploit new tools and technologies, such as high‐throughput phenotyping platforms, gene editing, and genomic selection, to accelerate breeding efforts to develop more resilient mungbean cultivars for today and tomorrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Technology; Chronic disease; Prevention and control; Datasets as topic EN Technology Chronic disease Prevention and control Datasets as topic 384 388 5 05/17/23 20230515 NES 230515 Smartwatches can count every step towards a predict-prevent health care system, but clinical regulation is the first leap Australia is struggling with the ever-increasing burden of chronic disease. As health care professionals, we can further our understanding of smartwatch use in chronic disease through further research using real world data - with the ultimate goal of improving autonomy and health outcomes for consumers. [Extracted from the article]

Sustaining sports-related head impacts has been reported to result in neurological changes that potentially lead to later-life neurological disease. Advanced neuroimaging techniques have been used to detect subtle neurological effects resulting from head impacts, even after a single competitive season. The current study used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess changes in functional connectivity of the frontoparietal network, a brain network responsible for executive functioning, in collegiate club ice hockey players over one season. Each player was scanned before and after the season and wore accelerometers to measure head impacts at practices and home games throughout the season. We examined pre- to post-season differences in connectivity within the frontoparietal and default mode networks, as well as the relationship between the total number of head impacts sustained and changes in connectivity. We found a significant interaction between network region of interest and time point (p =.016), in which connectivity between the left and right posterior parietal cortex seed regions increased over the season (p <.01). Number of impacts had a significant effect on frontoparietal network connectivity, such that more impacts were related to greater connectivity differences over the season (p =.042). Overall, functional connectivity increased in ice hockey athletes over a season between regions involved in executive functioning, and sensory integration, in particular. Furthermore, those who sustained more impacts had the greatest changes in connectivity. Consistent with prior findings in resting-state sports-related head impact literature, these findings have been suggested to represent brain injury. Highlights Functional connectivity of the frontoparietal network significantly increased between the pre- and post-season, which may be a compensatory mechanism driven by neural tissue injury caused by repetitive head impacts. Changes in frontoparietal network connectivity are related to head impact exposure, measured as the number of head impacts sustained in a single season. Functional connectivity of the default mode network did not change over an ice hockey season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interventions for animal lifespan extension like caloric restriction (CR) have identified physiologic and biochemical pathways related to hunger and energy‐sensing status as possible contributors, but mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Prior studies using ghrelin agonists show greater food intake but no effect on lifespan in rodent models. This experiment in male C57BL/6J mice tested the influence of ghrelin agonism for perceived hunger, in the absence of CR, on longevity. Mice aged 4 weeks were allowed to acclimate for 2 weeks prior to being assigned (N = 60/group). Prior to lights off daily (12:12 cycle), animals were fed a ghrelin agonist pill (LY444711; Eli Lilly) or a placebo control (Ctrl) until death. Treatment (GhrAg) animals were pair‐fed daily based on the group mean food intake consumed by Ctrl (ad libitum feeding) the prior week. Results indicate an increased lifespan effect (log‐rank p = 0.0032) for GhrAg versus placebo Ctrl, which weighed significantly more than GhrAg (adjusted for baseline weight). Further studies are needed to determine the full scope of effects of this ghrelin agonist, either directly via increased ghrelin receptor signaling or indirectly via other hypothalamic, systemic, or tissue‐specific mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lithium, a mood stabilizer, is known to exhibit neuroprotective effects in animal models and may have anti‐dementia effects. Aims: We used data from Scottish Mental Survey 1932, a population‐based cohort study, to investigate the association between lithium in drinking water and dementia rate in humans. Method: Lithium levels in drinking water from 285 sampling sites across Scotland dating from 2014 were obtained from the sole public water provider (Scottish Water). Dementia and non dementia cases were identified from cohort data by electronic health records until 2012, and linked to postcode. Results: The mean lithium level at all sampling sites was 1.45 μg/L (SD 1.83, range 0.5– 18.2) and was 1.26 (SD 0.63, range 0.55–9.19) for sites matched to participant data. Of 37,597 study members, 3605 developed dementia until June 2012. Lithium levels were positively associated with the risk of dementia in women (highest in second quartile, HR 1.17, 95%CI 1.04–1.32), but there was no relationship in men (highest in second quartile, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.81–1.12). The pattern of association was explored further by decile, and in females there was an association between lithium level and increased dementia risk compared to the lowest decile (0.55–0.68 μg/L) in all deciles except the highest, corresponding with lithium levels 0.68–2.1 μg/L. Conclusions: Lithium levels in drinking water are very low across Scotland which limited detection of potential effect. Our results do not support an association between extremely low levels of lithium and later dementia risk. We found a trend to increased risk in females at lithium levels below but not above 2.1 μg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fog is a major hazard in wintertime over India, particularly in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains, leading to significant impacts for transport and human health. Using 3‐hourly surface observations, from 69 sites across India, all fog and dense fog events between 2000 and 2020 are identified. For each event, the main fog formation mechanism is objectively categorized using a classification algorithm, distinguishing between radiation, advection, evaporation, precipitation or cloud‐base lowering fog types. In contrast to the findings of other international studies, radiation fog dominates as the most common fog type at the vast majority of locations in India, accounting for 68.1% of all fog events and 70.0% of dense fog events. Statistically significant positive trends are seen in the frequency of all fog events at Delhi, Lucknow and Patna, in the Indo‐Gangetic plains, between 1997/1998 and 2018/2019, dominated by comparable statistically significant positive trends in radiation fogs. Western disturbances (WD) are often linked to the formation of fog in India. Using a climatology of WDs, we show that 46.9% of radiation fog onsets in Delhi in December and January, the primary fog months, happened in conjunction with an active WD event. Conversely, only 32.3% of WDs during these same months coincided with the onset of a radiation fog event. WD‐related radiation fog events are shown to cluster into three distinct groups, with WD centres located to the northwest (51.4% of cases), southwest (13.3%) and east (35.2%) of Delhi. Each cluster is shown to have coherent and distinct near‐surface characteristics which are conducive to fog formation. Trends in WD frequency cannot fully account for the observed trends in fog events. We argue that the fog trends are more likely the result of a complex interaction between urban expansion and the associated rapid change in aerosol loading, resulting in impacts on radiation balance, microphysics and heat‐island processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In response to a surge of drug overdoses involving polysubstance use among Atlanta service industry workers that resulted in the deaths of five people in the Atlanta area in the summer of 2021, a local community of harm reductionists and nurses organized opioid education and naloxone distribution (OEND) training sessions specifically customized for service industry workers in Atlanta. After the sessions, the nurses and harm reductionists asked attendants to participate in a study concerning their response to overdoses. The reason nurses and harm reductionists conducted the study was to determine the efficacy of OEND training adapted for those working in the service industries as well as to evaluate and possibly modify the training sessions for future use. This pre‐post study examined if and how participants' knowledge and attitudes toward an opioid‐involved overdose changed after engaging with the OEND training. If the study determined that the sessions were successful in teaching service industry workers how to mitigate the immediate and devastating effects of overdose, we recommend expanding and implementing both adaptable training sessions like the OEND training referenced, as well as accompanying studies to improve the training sessions' effectiveness. Design: The pre‐post study used convenience sampling to recruit participants in emergent OEND training. Participants completed an abbreviated version the Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale (OOAS) which measured how, and to what degree, they changed their attitudes towards overdoses and their responses to them. Participants also completed an abbreviated version of the Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) which measured how effectively the OEND increased their knowledge when it came to properly responding to an overdose, which included implementing naloxone as part of immediate rehabilitation treatment. Paired nonparametric tests assessed changes in participants' OOAS/OOKS scores. Results: A total of 161 individuals attended, and 72 consented to be in the study. The sample predominately consisted of white (76.4%) and female (66.7%) adults whose age averaged 34.3 years. Attitude and knowledge score improvements were statistically significant: approximately 11 points (p <.001) and 3 points (p <.001), respectively. Conclusions: This rapidly implemented training was associated with improving attitudes and knowledge about responding to an opioid‐involved overdose. We recommend expanding the scope of studies like these in order to develop and examine effective, dynamic, and targeted OEND training tailored towards specific community groups and situations, such as polysubstance overdose among service industry workers. As the opioid epidemic worsens, it is critical to equip community members themselves with the skills and tools to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses as a frontline prevention to overdose deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for people with bronchiectasis. Various education topics are included in these programmes, but the content is largely guided by the needs of people with other respiratory conditions. Objectives: With the education topics applicable to people with bronchiectasis unclear, we aimed to explore the perspective of adults with this condition on relevant educational topics in a pulmonary rehabilitation context. Methods: Participants from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry were invited to undertake a semi‐structured interview. Interview transcripts were coded independently, with themes established by consensus (two researchers). Results: Twenty‐one people participated. The major themes were greater clarity on the underlying cause of bronchiectasis and prognosis. Most sought knowledge about self‐management strategies and treatments to address extra‐pulmonary symptoms. Participants requested more information on physiotherapy options and the role of exercise and physical activity outside of pulmonary rehabilitation. Preferences were mixed for the education delivery model. Conclusions: We have identified unmet educational topics of interest for people with bronchiectasis. Our study provides a framework for education topics desired by adults with bronchiectasis within a pulmonary rehabilitation setting. The topics identified will guide development of an education curriculum for pulmonary rehabilitation that is more fit‐for‐purpose for people with bronchiectasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental objective of modern zoos is promoting pro‐environmental behaviors. This study experimentally assessed the contribution of zoo rangers (staff employed to engage visitors) in delivering a behavior change campaign promoting sustainable palm oil use. The campaign was delivered in a dedicated area in a walk‐through animal exhibit, with rangers either "present" or "absent" in the campaign space. Questionnaires assessing awareness, knowledge, and purchasing intentions were completed by 1032 visitors. Two analyses were conducted: (1) comparing the impact of ranger presence versus absence (to assess the overall impact of having rangers present regardless of whether they talked to visitors) and (2) comparing the impact of talking to a ranger against demographically matched individuals visiting when rangers were absent (to assess the specific impact of talking to a ranger). Visitors who talked to rangers were more aware of palm oil, had more knowledge, and greater intentions of purchasing sustainable palm oil. However, as only one‐quarter of visitors talked to a ranger, fewer differences were found comparing ranger presence versus absence. These findings suggest that rangers can be instrumental in communicating complex conservation issues and delivering zoo‐based behavior change campaigns, but their impact is limited by low engagement rates. Highlights: Visitors who talked to rangers had more knowledge of palm oil, higher intentions to buy products containing sustainable palm oil, and greater campaign enjoyment Rangers may contribute to the success of zoo‐based behavior change campaigns [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study highlights the importance of a detailed representation of urban processes in numerical weather prediction models and emphasizes the need for accurate urban morphology data for improving the near‐surface weather prediction over Delhi, a tropical Indian city. The Met Office Reading Urban Surface Exchange Scheme (MORUSES), a two‐tile urban energy‐budget parameterization scheme, is introduced in a high‐resolution (330‐m) model of Delhi. A new empirical relationship is established for the MORUSES scheme from the local urban morphology of Delhi. The performance is evaluated using both the newly developed empirical relationships (MORUSES‐IND) and the existing empirical relationships for the MORUSES scheme (MORUSES‐LON) against the default one‐tile configuration (BEST‐1t) for clear and foggy events and validations are performed against ground observations. MORUSES‐IND exhibits a significant improvement in the diurnal evolution of the wind speed in terms of amplitude and phase, compared with the other two configurations. Screen temperature (Tscreen$$ {T}_{\mathrm{screen}} $$) simulations using MORUSES‐IND reduce the warm bias, especially during the evening and night hours. The root‐mean‐square error of Tscreen$$ {T}_{\mathrm{screen}} $$ is reduced up to 29% using MORUSES‐IND for both synoptic conditions. The diurnal cycle of surface‐energy fluxes is reproduced well using MORUSES‐IND. The net longwave fluxes are underestimated in the model and biases are more significant during foggy events, partly due to the misrepresentation of fog. An urban cool island (UCI) effect is observed in the early morning hours during clear‐sky conditions, but it is not evident on foggy days. Compared with BEST‐1t, MORUSES‐IND represents the impact of urbanization more realistically, which is reflected in the reduction of the urban heat island and UCI in both synoptic conditions. Future works would improve the coupling between the urban surface energy budget and anthropogenic aerosols by introducing MORUSES‐IND in a chemistry aerosol framework model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) in a series of consecutive patients with clefts involving the alveolus.Design and Setting: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive operations performed between June 2011 and September 2016 by a single surgeon at a single United Kingdom cleft center.Participants: A total of 160 patients with a cleft/s involving the alveolus, inclusive of syndromic patients and those with atypical facial clefts.Interventions: A standard protocol involved an oral hygiene program, pre-surgical orthodontics where necessary and autologous bone grafting from the iliac crest.Main Outcome Measure(s): The Kindelan bone-fill index was used to evaluate success using occlusal radiographs. Weighted Cohen's kappa coefficient was used as a measure of intra- and inter-rater agreement. Fisher's exact test was used to examine the effects of type of cleft, pre-surgical orthodontics or age at time of SABG on radiographic outcome.Results: There were 200 SABGs assessed. Mean age at time of SABG was 9.1 years old (SD 1.1) with 99% (n = 198) of grafts deemed successful. There were two failures where re-graft was performed successfully during the study period. A grade 1 outcome was achieved for 92.5% (n = 185) of grafts and this did not appear to be affected by type of cleft (P = .290), pre-surgical orthodontics (P = .380) or age at time of SABG (P = .081).Conclusions: The high success rate reported in this study supports the favorable outcomes of a high-volume cleft surgeon. These findings can be used for comparative audit with similar units providing cleft care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is uncertainty whether unipolar mania is a discrete sub‐type of bipolar disorder. Disrupted rest/activity rhythms are a key feature of bipolar disorder (BD) but have not been well characterised in unipolar mania/hypomania (UM). We compared subjective and objective rest/activity patterns, demographic and mental health outcomes across BD, UM and control groups. Methods: UK residents aged 37–73 years were recruited into UK Biobank from 2006 to 2010. BD, UM and control groups were identified via a mental health questionnaire. Demographic, mental health and subjective sleep outcomes were self‐reported. Accelerometery data were available for a subset of participants, and objective measures of sleep and activity were derived. Results: A greater proportion of males met UM criteria, and more females were in the BD group. Both BD and UM groups had poor mental health outcomes vs. controls. Objectively measured activity differed between all three groups: UM had highest levels of activity and BD lowest. The UM group had shorter sleep duration compared to controls. Subjective rest/activity measures showed that both mood disorder groups (compared to controls) had later chronotype preference, more disturbed sleep and increased difficulty getting up in the morning. However, the UM group were more likely to report an early chronotype compared to BD and control groups. Conclusions: BD and UM share features in common, but key differences support the proposition that UM may be a distinct and more clinically homogenous disorder. UM was characterised by a higher proportion of males, early chronotype, increased activity and shorter sleep duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of dietary macronutrients in the control of growth, body composition, health, and longevity has received renewed attention. The protein leverage hypothesis proposes an inverse relationship between dietary protein levels and obesity development (low protein promoting high obesity), although the majority of laboratory studies have utilized a design modulating the protein amount within a single dietary protein source composition. We investigated whether varying the levels of dietary protein amount and sources would have impacts on growth and body composition using the Zebrafish Danio rerio model. At 28 d postfertilization, Zebrafish were fed 1 of 12 dietary treatments for 12 weeks. Diets contained different protein sources (fish protein hydrolysate [FPH], soy protein isolate [SOY], casein [CAS], or a mixture of all three sources including wheat gluten [MIX]). Sources were formulated at three protein concentrations (18, 33, or 48% as fed, substituted with wheat starch for caloric balance). Body length, height, and weight were measured over time and at termination. Contributions of macronutrients to growth and body fat outcomes were estimated by LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression. Male and female length, height, and weight increased significantly in response to increasing dietary protein. Male and female fish fed SOY or FPH had the highest amount of body lipid at all protein concentrations relative to those fed CAS or MIX. Relative body lipid was highest in fish that were fed the lowest protein concentration. These data suggest an important role of macronutrient balances, including dietary protein amount and source, in relation to the protein: energy (carbohydrate and lipid) ratio on growth and body composition outcomes. These outcomes may ultimately reflect metabolic alterations that can lead to confounding interpretations of health and disease status. Furthermore, these data reinforce the need to consider and report dietary composition in establishing rigorous and reproducible nutritional guidelines for Zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data management is the key to the success of all projects and research. The ability to safely store, manipulate, and decipher data in real time is invaluable. Currently data management standards in public health are non-existent. Since the invention of computers real-time data retrieval and analysis has been possible but underutilized by researchers in the field. Historically, most small research studies and field-based projects have utilized spreadsheets for data management, which often proves problematic as the project grows. However, a viable and superior alternative exists in relational databases, such as REDCap. Relational databases allow for easier concatenation of multiple legacy datasets, facilitate data entry with surveys that incorporate branching logic, and allow for real time data entry in the field without the need for WIFI. Methods: One example of a public health project being transitioned from spreadsheet data management to a relational database is the Farmworker Family Health Program based out of the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health & Social Responsibility at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. The data management transition from spreadsheets to REDCap has provided the team with unique insight into the data that has been collected in the 30 years the program has been running. Conclusion: Through this case study, we identify the need for and recommend that those in public health nursing utilize relational databases when collecting data during research studies or as electronic medical records for field clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the effect of altering anesthetic oxygen protocols on measurements of cerebral perfusion and metabolism in the rodent brain. Methods: Seven rats were anesthetized and underwent serial MRI scans with hyperpolarized [1–13C]pyruvate and perfusion weighted imaging. The anesthetic carrier gas protocol used varied from 100:0% to 90:10% to 60:40% O2:N2O. Spectra were quantified with AMARES and perfusion imaging was processed using model‐free deconvolution. A 1‐way ANOVA was used to compare results across groups, with pairwise t tests performed with correction for multiple comparisons. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed between O2% and MR measurements. Results: There was a significant increase in bicarbonate:total 13C carbon and bicarbonate:13C pyruvate when moving between 100:0 to 90:10 and 100:0 to 60:40 O2:N2O % (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.019 ± 0.005 and 0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02, respectively) and (0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.08 ± 0.02, respectively). There was a significant difference in 13C pyruvate time to peak when moving between 100:0 to 90:10 and 100:0 to 60:40 O2:N2O % (13 ± 2 vs. 10 ± 1 and 13 ± 2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.5 s, respectively) as well as significant differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) between gas protocols. Significant correlations between bicarbonate:13C pyruvate and gas protocol (ρ = −0.47), mean transit time and gas protocol (ρ = 0.41) and 13C pyruvate time‐to‐peak and cerebral blood flow (ρ = −0.54) were also observed. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the detection and quantification of cerebral metabolism and perfusion is dependent on the oxygen protocol used in the anesthetized rodent brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Splenectomy is an effective intervention in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Attempts to define pre‐clinical predictors of platelet response to splenectomy are inconsistent. Based on international studies defining the likelihood of platelet response using platelet sequestration, patients with relapsed/refractory ITP being considered for splenectomy at a regional Australian hospital were assessed with 111indium‐labelled autologous platelet sequestration (ILAPS) studies. Aims: To audit the use of ILAPS in an Australian setting and define its role in predicting response to splenectomy. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients referred for an ILAPS study at a regional hospital was performed. Results for each patient were expressed as an 'R' value (spleen/ liver uptake ratio) to quantify the platelet sequestration pattern and outcome post‐splenectomy, based on platelet counts. Results: A total of 45 patients was identified: 13 underwent splenectomy and 32 were medically managed. Patients with favourable ILAPS scans (pure or predominant splenic sequestration) demonstrated a superior response post‐splenectomy (100% overall response rate (ORR); 83.5% complete remission (CR)) compared with those with unfavourable ILAPS scans (mixed or pure hepatic sequestration) (71.4% ORR; 57.1% CR) over 12 months. Conclusions: The use of ILAPS in the Australian setting is feasible and this experience confirms larger international studies demonstrating its utility as a predictor of response to splenectomy in ITP. An unfavourable ILAPS scan could be considered a negative predictor of response prompting consideration for other emerging ITP treatments such as thrombopoietin‐receptor agonists or B‐cell depleting therapy such as Rituximab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) examine the relationship between the number of head impacts sustained in a season of men's collegiate club ice hockey and behavioral traits of aggression and sensation seeking, and (2) explore the neural correlates of these behaviors using neuroimaging. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Participants (n = 18) completed baseline surveys to quantify self‐reported aggression and sensation‐seeking tendencies. Aggression related to playing style was quantified through penalty minutes accrued during a season. Participants wore head impact sensors throughout a season to quantify the number of head impacts sustained. Participants (n = 15) also completed baseline anatomical and magnetic elastography neuroimaging scans to measure brain volumetric and viscoelastic properties. Pearson correlation analyses were performed to examine relationships between (1) impacts, aggression, and sensation seeking, and (2) impacts, aggression, and sensation seeking and brain volume, stiffness, and damping ratio, as an exploratory analysis. Results: Number of head impacts sustained was significantly related to the number of penalty minutes accrued, normalized to number of games played (r =.62, p <.01). Our secondary, exploratory analysis revealed that number of impacts, sensation seeking, and aggression were related to stiffness or damping ratio of the thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and frontal cortex, but not volume. Conclusions: A more aggressive playing style was related to an increased number of head impacts sustained, which may provide evidence for future studies of head impact prevention. Further, magnetic resonance elastography may aid to monitor behavior or head impact exposure. Researchers should continue to examine this relationship and consider targeting behavioral modification programs of aggression to decrease head impact exposure in ice hockey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Situational judgement tests (SJTs) have been widely adopted, internationally, into medical selection. It was hoped that such assessments could identify candidates likely to exhibit future professional behaviours. Understanding how performance on such tests may predict the risk of disciplinary action during medical school would provide evidence for the validity of such SJTs within student selection. It would also inform the implementation of such tests within student recruitment. Methods: This cohort study used data for 6910 medical students from 36 UK medical schools who sat the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) SJT in 2013. The relationship between SJT scores at application and the risk of subsequent disciplinary action during their studies was modelled. The incremental ability of the SJT scores to predict the risk of disciplinary action, above that already provided by UCAT cognitive test scores and secondary (high) school achievement, was also evaluated in 5535 of the students with information available on this latter metric. Results: Two hundred and ten (3.05%) of the students in the cohort experienced disciplinary action. The risk of disciplinary action reduced with increasing performance on the admissions SJT (odds ratio (OR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69 to 0.92, p = 0.002). This effect remained similar after adjusting for cognitive performance and prior academic attainment (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.92, p = 0.004). The overall estimated effect‐size was small (Cohen's d = 0.08) and no evidence of 'threshold' effects were observed for the SJT scores and risk of disciplinary action. Conclusions: Performance on admissions SJTs can, at least modestly, incrementally predict the risk of subsequent disciplinary action, supporting their use in this context. However, for this SJT and outcome, there did not seem a distinct threshold score above which the risk of disciplinary action disproportionately increased. This should be considered when using the scores within medical selection. Performance on an admissions Situational Judgment Test is reported to predict risk of formal disciplinary action in medical students with implications for how such tests should be used to improve medical professionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Janzen–Connell effects (JCEs), specialised predation of seeds and seedlings near conspecific trees, are hypothesised to maintain species richness. While previous studies show JCEs can maintain high richness relative to neutral communities, recent theoretical work indicates JCEs may weakly inhibit competitive exclusion when species exhibit interspecific fitness variation. However, recent models make somewhat restrictive assumptions about the functional form of specialised predation—that JCEs occur at a fixed rate when offspring are within a fixed distance of a conspecific tree. Using a theoretical model, I show that the functional form of JCEs largely impacts their ability to maintain coexistence. If predation pressure increases additively with adult tree density and decays exponentially with distance, JCEs maintain considerably higher species richness than predicted by recent models. Loosely parameterising the model with data from a Panamanian tree community, I elucidate the conditions under which JCEs are capable of maintaining high species richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and IgG4‐related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4‐SC) are chronic fibro‐inflammatory immune‐mediated hepatobiliary conditions that are challenging to distinguish in a clinical setting. Accurate non‐invasive biomarkers for discriminating PSC and IgG4‐SC are important to ensure a correct diagnosis, prompt therapy and adequate cancer surveillance. Methods: We performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based metabolomic profiling using serum samples collected prospectively from patients with PSC (n = 100), IgG4‐SC (n = 23) and healthy controls (HC; n = 16). Results: Multivariate analysis of the serum metabolome discriminated PSC from IgG4‐SC with greater accuracy (AUC 0.95 [95%CI 0.90–0.98]) than IgG4 titre (AUC 0.87 [95%CI 0.79–0.94]). When inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was excluded as a comorbid condition (IgG4‐SC n = 20, PSC n = 22), the diagnostic AUC increased to 1.0, suggesting that the metabolome differences identified are not a result of the increased prevalence of IBD in PSC relative to IgG4‐SC patients. Serum lactate (p <.0001), glucose (p <.01) and glutamine (p <.01) metabolites were increased in IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) and IgG4‐SC individuals compared to PSC, whereas mobile choline (p <.05), 3‐hydroxybutyric acid (p <.01) and ‐CH3 lipoprotein resonances (p <.01) were decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, serum metabolomic profiling has the potential to be incorporated as a diagnostic criterion, independent of IgG4 titre, to improve the diagnosis of IgG4‐RD and help distinguish IgG4‐SC from PSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane synaptic vesicle protein that regulates vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies reveal that the levels of SV2A are decreased in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other brain disorders. Whether changes in SV2A PET signal are caused by a loss of synapses or a loss of SV2A protein is unclear and an impediment to developing novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of this study is to determine the biological underpinnings of reduced SV2A signal in individuals with AD. Method: We examined post‐mortem brain samples from the entorhinal cortex (EC) and cerebellum (CBM) in AD patients and age‐ and sex‐matched controls without neurological conditions (EC n = 19 AD, 15 controls; CBM n = 11 AD, 12 controls). We explored differences in synaptic density and synaptic ultrastructure using array tomography and electron microscopy, and analyzed data using linear mixed‐effects models (with post‐hoc Tukey comparisons) and Spearman correlations. Result: SV2A puncta density measured with array tomography in both brain regions strongly correlates with synaptophysin puncta density, the gold standard marker for synapse density in post‐mortem brain tissue (ñ = 0.87 EC, ñ = 0.72 CBM, p<0.001 both regions). We observed lower SV2A puncta density in AD cases compared to controls in EC (p = 0.001), slightly higher SV2A puncta density in AD in CBM (p = 0.02), and no difference in the proportion of synaptophysin puncta labelled with SV2A in AD vs control (p = 0.37). Electron microscopy revealed immunogold labelled SV2A protein localized specifically to presynaptic vesicles and no difference in the number of immuno‐gold labelled SV2A particles per synapse. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the loss of SV2A PET signal reported in vivo in patients with AD is likely caused by a loss of synapses and not the loss of SV2A protein within remaining synapses. These findings indicate that changes in SV2A PET signal are due to synaptic loss and that strategies for reversing synaptic loss or associated neuropathophysiological effects may be important to the treatment of AD and other synaptopathies. This work is part of the SV2A PET Project, a program of the FNIH Biomarker Consortium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD) include changes in mood, activity, energy, sleep, and appetite. Since many of these processes are regulated by circadian function, circadian rhythm disturbance has been examined as a biological feature underlying BD. The International Society for Bipolar Disorders Chronobiology Task Force (CTF) was commissioned to review evidence for neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms pertinent to BD. Method: Drawing upon expertise in animal models, biomarkers, physiology, and behavior, CTF analyzed the relevant cross‐disciplinary literature to precisely frame the discussion around circadian rhythm disruption in BD, highlight key findings, and for the first time integrate findings across levels of analysis to develop an internally consistent, coherent theoretical framework. Results: Evidence from multiple sources implicates the circadian system in mood regulation, with corresponding associations with BD diagnoses and mood‐related traits reported across genetic, cellular, physiological, and behavioral domains. However, circadian disruption does not appear to be specific to BD and is present across a variety of high‐risk, prodromal, and syndromic psychiatric disorders. Substantial variability and ambiguity among the definitions, concepts and assumptions underlying the research have limited replication and the emergence of consensus findings. Conclusions: Future research in circadian rhythms and its role in BD is warranted. Well‐powered studies that carefully define associations between BD‐related and chronobiologically‐related constructs, and integrate across levels of analysis will be most illuminating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the level and quality of value‐at‐risk (VaR) disclosure at Australian banks. We find that Australian banks have increased disclosure about their VaR recently, reaching a level post‐crisis that is similar to other regulatory jurisdictions. We find that the actual VaR estimates produced by banks are generally rejected by standard backtesting procedures. During quiet periods bank VaRs are too high, while during high volatility stress periods bank VaRs are too low. We are able to reject the null hypothesis that the daily VaRs for two banks are the 1st percentile using a quantile regression‐based test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological theory suggests there is a positive association between risk perception and protective behavior. Empirical research has, however, found mixed support for the positive link between risk perception and protective behavior. One explanation for the inconsistent link is the way in which risk perception has been conceptualized and/or operationalized in past research. Specifically, few studies acknowledge differences in hazard severity and how it might affect risk perception and protective behavior. Past research has also tended to overlook the importance of emotional appraisal in relation to perceived hazard consequences. To address these inconsistencies in past research, 337 people living in a cyclone‐prone location were recruited to participate in an online study. In this study, respondents were randomly presented with one of five hypothetical cyclone scenarios, which differed in objective severity. Respondents were also presented with a survey, which assessed risk perception, protective action perceptions (or coping appraisal), and intentions to perform short‐term protective behaviors. As hypothesized, risk perception significantly increased preparedness intentions when controlling for hazard severity, hazard probability, and protective action perceptions. Moreover, the degree to which respondents associated negative emotions with predicted damage was also a relatively strong predictor of preparedness intentions. Overall, the findings support the theoretical link between risk perception and protective behavior and provide a new method of assessing risk perception in cross‐sectional research. On a practical level, the results suggest that increasing risk perception should promote protective behavior in response to natural hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fall‐established cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop has potential to provide weed suppression in fields that will be planted with corn (Zea mays L.) and/or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], reducing the selection pressure for herbicide resistance as part of an integrated weed management approach. However, biomass from an overwintering cover crop can be limited in areas with prolonged cool‐spring growing conditions, like in the Upper Midwest region of the United States. This study was conducted to determine if a cereal rye cover crop grown in Wisconsin and terminated at the time of crop planting could provide effective levels of early‐season weed suppression in corn–soybean systems practicing no‐till soil management. Cover crop biomass, weed biomass, and weed density were assessed at two Wisconsin locations (eight site‐crop‐years total; four site‐years of each corn and soybean) in 2019 and 2020. Cereal rye biomass production at the time of crop planting ranged from 290–1,480 kg ha–1. Overall, no‐till management with a cover crop reduced weed density by 31% and reduced weed biomass by 61% compared with no‐till without a cover crop. These results indicate that the use of a cereal rye cover crop in the Upper Midwest has potential to reduce the exclusive reliance on spring burndown herbicides in no‐till, but limited spring cover crop biomass in this region may diminish the weed‐suppressive effects from this management practice compared with other parts of the United States where higher amounts of cover crop biomass can be achieved at crop planting time. Core Ideas: Fall‐planted cereal rye biomass produced was <1,500 kg ha−1 for late‐May termination.Cereal rye cover crop terminated in late May reduced weed density and biomass.Little cover crop biomass production may limit weed suppression in Wisconsin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides is an important component of sustainable long-term weed management programs in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 11 PRE herbicides on residual weed control in soybean. Field experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Arlington and Lancaster, WI. Herbicide treatments consisted of imazethapyr, chlorimuron-ethyl, and cloransulam-methyl (acetolactate synthase [ALS] inhibitors), metribuzin (photosystem II [PSII] inhibitor), sulfentrazone, flumioxazin, and saflufenacil (protoporphyrinogen oxidase [PPO] inhibitors), acetochlor, S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, and pyroxasulfone (very long-chain fatty acid [VLCFA] inhibitors), and a nontreated control. Predominant weed species included common lambsquarters, [Chenopodium album (L.)], common purslane [Portulaca oleracea (L.)], common ragweed [Ambrosia artemisiifolia (L.)], giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer], and yellow foxtail [Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.]. Visual weed control was assessed by species and weed biomass across species 65 days after treatment (DAT). The PRE herbicide efficacy varied across site-years due to the different weed species present at each site. The ALS inhibitors controlled common purslane and common lambsquarters ≥95% 65 DAT at Arlington and Lancaster in 2018 but controlled waterhemp <50% at Lancaster in 2018 and 2019. The PPO inhibitors controlled waterhemp >90% 65 DAT at Lancaster in 2018 and 2019. The VLCFA inhibitors controlled common purslane, common lambsquarters, foxtail species, and waterhemp ≥70% 65 DAT across siteyears but ≤30% common ragweed control at Arlington in 2019. Results showcase the importance of knowing the weed species composition in the seedbank within each field; this can assist growers and crop advisers with selection of the appropriate effective PRE herbicide(s) that matches the weed species composition in each individual field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a ketone ester (KE)-supplemented diet on energy expenditure (EE) and adiposity in mice housed at 23 °C versus thermoneutrality (30 °C), in which sympathetic nervous system activity is diminished.Methods: Thirty-two 10-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n = 8 per group): 30% KE diet + 23 °C (KE23), control (CON) diet + 23 °C (CON23), 30% KE diet + 30 °C (KE30), or CON diet + 30 °C (CON30). CON mice were pair-fed to the average intake of mice consuming the KE diet (ad libitum) for 8 weeks. Body composition and components of energy balance were measured at completion of the study.Results: CON23 (mean ± SD, 26.0 ± 1.6 g) and CON30 (29.7 ± 1.4 g) mice weighed more than KE groups (P < 0.03 for both) and were also different from each other (CON23 vs. CON30, P < 0.01). However, KE23 (23.4 ± 2.7 g) and KE30 (23.1 ± 1.9 g) mice were not different in body weight. As expected, food intake at 30 °C (2.0 ± 0.3 g/d) was lower than at 23 °C (2.6 ± 0.3 g/d, P < 0.01). Diet did not influence resting and total EE, but mice housed at 30 °C had lower EE compared with mice at 23 °C (P < 0.01).Conclusions: Dietary KEs attenuate body weight gain at standard (23 °C) and thermoneutral (30 °C) housing temperatures, and this effect is not mediated by increased EE under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surgical manipulations of adipose tissue by removal, or partial lipectomy, have demonstrated body fat compensation and recovered body weight, suggesting that the body is able to resist changes to body composition. However, the mechanisms underlying these observations are not well understood. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an update on what is currently known about the regulation of energetics and body fat after surgical manipulations of adipose tissue in small mammals.Methods: PubMed and Scopus were searched to identify 64 eligible studies. Outcome measures included body fat, body weight, food intake, and circulating biomarkers.Results: Surgeries performed included lipectomy (72%) or transplantation (12%) in mice (35%), rats (35%), and other small mammals. Findings suggested that lipectomy did not have consistent long-term effects on reducing body weight and fat because regain occurred within 12 to 14 weeks post surgery. Hence, biological feedback mechanisms act to resist long-term changes of body weight or fat. Furthermore, whether this weight and fat regain occurred because of "passive" and "active" regulation under the "set point" or "settling point" theories cannot fully be discerned because of limitations in study designs and data collected.Conclusions: The regulation of energetics and body fat are complex and dynamic processes that require further studies of the interplay of genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no published data on Australian adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patient outcomes post bronchial arterial embolisation (BAE). We report 20 years of experience of BAE at a major Australian tertiary adult CF centre, where 46 patients underwent 100 BAE during this period. Mortality rate was comparable to previous studies (4% per year) and most who died had repeat BAE requirements. A higher proportion (9 out of 45) of patients were transplanted compared to previous publications. Repeat BAE was common and significantly higher in patients already on tranexamic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To provide an example of a tweet analysis for nurse researchers using Twitter in their research. Design: A content analysis using tweets about "heat illness + health." Methods: Tweets were pulled from Twitter's application programming interface with premium access using Postman and the key words "heat illness + health." All data cleaning and analysis was performed in R Version 3.5.2, and the tweet set was analyzed for term frequency, sentiment, and topic modeling. Principal R packages included LDAvis, tidytext, tm, and zyuzhet. Results: 6,317 tweets were analyzed with a date range of April 6, 2009, to December 30, 2019. The most common terms in the tweets were heat (n = 4,532), illness (n = 4,085), and health (n = 2,257). Sentiment analysis showed that the majority of tweets (55%) had a negative sentiment. Topic modeling showed that there were three topics within the tweet set: increasing impact, prevention and safety, and symptoms. Conclusions: Twitter can be a useful tool for nursing researchers, serving as a viable adjunct to current research methodologies. This practical example has facilitated a deeper understanding of the social media representation of heat illness and health that can be applied to other research. Clinical Relevance: Twitter serves as a tool for collecting health information for multiple groups, ranging from clinicians and researchers to patients. By utilizing the plethora of data that comes from the platform, we can work towards developing theories and interventions related to numerous health conditions and phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As global temperatures rise, increasing numbers of individuals will work in hot environments. Interventions to protect their health are critical, as are reliable methods to measure the physiological strain experienced from heat exposure. The physiological strain index (PSI) is a measure of heat strain that relies on heart rate and core temperature but is challenging to calculate in a real‐world occupational setting. Methods: We modified the PSI for use in field settings where resting temperature and heart rate are not available and used the modified physiological strain index (mPSI) to describe risk factors for high heat strain (mPSI ≥ 7) experienced by agricultural workers in Florida during the summers of 2015 through 2017. mPSI was calculated for 221 workers, yielding 465 days of data. Results: A higher heat index (β = 0.185; 95% CI: 0.064, 0.307) and higher levels of physical activity at work (0.033; 95% CI: 0.017, 0.050) were associated with a higher maximum mPSI. More years worked in US agriculture (−0.041; 95% CI: −0.061, −0.020) were protective against a higher maximum mPSI. Out of 23 workdays that a participant experienced a maximum mPSI ≥ 7, 22 were also classified as strained by at least one other measure of high heat strain (core temperature [Tc] >38.5°C, sustained heart rate >(180 − age), and mean heart rate > 115 bpm). Conclusions: This study provides critical information on risk factors for elevated heat strain for agricultural workers and suggests a practical approach for using PSI in field‐based settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Despite the known health benefits of weight loss among persons with obesity, observational studies have reported that cycles of weight loss and regain, or weight cycling, are associated with increased mortality. To study whether weight loss must be sustained to achieve health and longevity benefits, we performed a randomized controlled feeding study of weight cycling in mice.Methods: In early adult life, obese mice were randomized to ad libitum feeding to sustain obesity, calorie restriction to achieve a "normal" or intermediate body weight, or weight cycling (repeated episodes of calorie restriction and ad libitum refeeding). Body weight, body composition, and food intake were followed longitudinally until death. A subsample of mice was collected from each group for determination of adipose cell size, serum analytes, and gene expression.Results: Weight loss significantly reduced adipose mass and adipocyte size in both sexes, whereas weight cycling animals regained body fat and cell size during refeeding. Sustained weight loss resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in mortality compared with ad libitum feeding.Conclusions: Weight cycling significantly increased life-span relative to remaining with obesity and had a similar benefit to sustained modest weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Dietary fructans may worsen gastrointestinal symptoms in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aim: To determine whether gut microbiome composition and function are associated with childhood IBS fructan‐induced symptoms. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 38 children aged 7‐17 years with paediatric Rome III IBS, who previously completied a double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled crossover (fructan vs maltodextrin) trial. Fructan sensitivity was defined as an increase of ≥30% in abdominal pain frequency during the fructan diet. Gut microbial composition was determined via 16Sv4 rDNA sequencing. LEfSe evaluated taxonomic composition differences. Tax4Fun2 predicted microbial fructan metabolic pathways. Results: At baseline, 17 fructan‐sensitive (vs 21 fructan‐tolerant) subjects had lower alpha diversity (q < 0.05) and were enriched in the genus Holdermania. In contrast, fructan‐tolerant subjects were enriched in 14 genera from the class Clostridia. During the fructan diet, fructan‐sensitive (vs tolerant) subjects were enriched in both Agathobacter (P = 0.02) and Cyanobacteria (P = 0.0001). In contrast, fructan‐tolerant subjects were enriched in three genera from the Clostridia class. Comparing the fructan vs maltodextrin diet, fructan‐sensitive subjects had a significantly increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.02) while fructan‐tolerant subjects had increased Anaerostipes (P = 0.03) during the fructan diet. Only fructan‐sensitive subjects had a trend towards increased predicted β‐fructofuranosidase during the fructan vs maltodextrin diet. Conclusions: Fructan‐sensitive children with IBS have distinct gut microbiome signatures. These microbiome signatures differ both at baseline and in response to a fructan challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerical weather prediction (NWP) of fog remains a challenge, with accurate forecasts relying on the representation of many interacting physical processes. The recent Local And Non-local Fog EXperiment (LANFEX) has generated a detailed observational dataset, creating a unique opportunity to assess the NWP of fog events. We evaluate the performance of operational and research configurations of the Met Office Unified Model (MetUM) with three horizontal grid lengths, 1.5 km and 333 and 100 m, in simulating four LANFEX case studies. In general, the subkilometre (sub-km) scale versions of MetUM are in better agreement with the observations; however, there are a number of systematic model deficiencies. MetUM produces valleys that are too warm and hills that are too cold, leading to valleys that do not have enough fog and hills that have too much. A large sensitivity to soil temperature was identified from a set of parametrisation sensitivity experiments. In all the case studies, the model erroneously transfers heat too readily through the soil to the surface, preventing fog formation. Sensitivity tests show that the specification of the soil thermal conductivity parametrisation can lead to up to a 5-hr change in fog onset time. Overall, the sub-km models demonstrate promise, but they have a high sensitivity to surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze the predictors of health care utilization among respondents to the National Agricultural Worker Survey. Specifically, we hypothesized that English proficiency would predict utilization of health care services within the last 2 years. Methods: Using the 2015–2016 National Agricultural Worker Survey, we performed a secondary data analysis to analyze the predictors of health care utilization within the last 2 years in the United States' agricultural worker population. Data were cleaned and analyzed using decision tree analysis, which produced a classification tree model that was trained on 90% of the data and validated on 10%. Results: Exposure to English was not a predictor of health care utilization in our classification tree. The first major partition that predicted utilization was insurance status. Additional partitions were on age, gender, hypertension diagnosis, and public aid. Conclusions: By partitioning on insurance status and use of public aid, the decision tree provided evidence that systemic factors are key determinants of health care utilization in the agricultural worker community. This highlights the importance of agencies that connect agricultural workers with resources that provide insurance and improve access to health care. This is especially important given that agricultural workers are one of the highest risk groups for occupational injury or death in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flowering in perennial species is directed via complex signalling pathways that adjust to developmental regulations and environmental cues. Synchronized flowering in certain environments is a prerequisite to commercial seed production, and so the elucidation of the genetic architecture of flowering time in Miscanthus and switchgrass could aid breeding in these underdeveloped species. In this context, we assessed a mapping population in Miscanthus and two ecologically diverse switchgrass mapping populations over 3 years from planting. Multiple flowering time quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified in both species. Remarkably, the most significant Miscanthus and switchgrass QTL proved to be syntenic, located on linkage groups 4 and 2, with logarithm of odds scores of 17.05 and 21.8 respectively. These QTL regions contained three flowering time transcription factors: Squamosa Promoter‐binding protein‐Like, MADS‐box SEPELLATA2 and gibberellin‐responsive bHLH137. The former is emerging as a key component of the age‐related flowering time pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bedaquiline [systematic name: 1‐(6‐bromo‐2‐methoxyquinolin‐3‐yl)‐4‐(dimethylamino)‐2‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐1‐phenylbutan‐2‐ol, C32H31BrN2O2] is one of two important new drugs for the treatment of drug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB). It is marketed in the US as its fumarate salt {systematic name: [4‐(6‐bromo‐2‐methoxyquinolin‐3‐yl)‐3‐hydroxy‐3‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐4‐phenylbutyl]dimethylazanium 3‐carboxyprop‐2‐enoate, C32H32BrN2O2+·C4H3O4−}, and about a dozen other salts of bedaquiline have been described in patent literature, but none have so far been structurally described. In a first communication, we present the crystal structure of bedaquilinium fumarate and of two new benzoate salts, as well as that of a degradation product of the reaction of bedaquilinium fumarate with sodium ethoxide, 3‐benzyl‐6‐bromo‐2‐methoxyquinoline, C17H14BrNO. The fumarate and benzoate salts both feature cations monoprotonated at the dimethylamino group. The much less basic quinoline N atom remains unprotonated. Both salts feature a 1:1 cation‐to‐anion ratio, with the fumarate being present as monoanionic hydrofumarate. The conformations of the cations are compared to that of free base bedaquiline and with each other. The flexible backbone of the bedaquiline structure leads to a landscape of conformations with little commonalities between the bedaquiline entities in the various structures. The conformations are distinctively different for the two independent molecules of the free base, the two independent molecules of the hydrofumarate salt, and the one unique cation of the benzoate salt. Packing of the salts is dominated by hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen‐bonding motifs, as well as the larger hydrogen‐bonded entities within the salts, are quite similar for the salts, despite the vastly differing conformations of the cations, and both the hydrofumarate and the benzoate structure feature chains of hydrogen‐bonded anions that are surrounded by and hydrogen bonded to the larger bedaquilinium cations, leading to infinite broad ribbons of anions, cations, and (for the benzoate salt) water molecules. The benzoate salt was isolated in two forms: as a 1.17‐hydrate (C32H32BrN2O2+·C7H5O2−·1.166H2O), obtained from acetone or propanol solution, with one fully occupied water molecule tightly integrated into the hydrogen‐bonding network of anions and cations, and one partially occupied water molecule [refined occupancy 16.6 (7)%], only loosely hydrogen bonded to the quinoline N atom. The second form is an acetonitrile solvate (C32H32BrN2O2+·C7H5O2−·0.742CH3CN·H2O), in which the partially occupied water molecule is replaced by a 74.2 (7)%‐occupied acetonitrile molecule. The partial occupancy induces disorder for the benzoate phenyl ring. The acetonitrile solvate is unstable in atmosphere and converts into a form not distinguishable by powder XRD from the 1.17‐hydrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the most comprehensive analysis of the election of black state legislators in the American South. We start with the election of Leroy Johnson to the Georgia Senate in 1962, the first African American to win a state legislative seat in the modern South. We also document the election of all subsequent African Americans who were the first to enter their southern state legislative chambers. Next, we assess the factors influencing the election of southern black state legislators from the 1970s through 2015. Because of notable long‐term changes to the southern electorate and alterations in the racial composition of legislative districts, there has been substantial variation in the likelihood of electing black lawmakers. Our final analysis highlights the undeniable reality and broader significance that the increasing share of southern African American state legislators has occurred at the same time that Republican representation has grown at a greater rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southeastern Nigeria, several interconnected processes of social change are combining to delay parenthood. Most of the demographic and social sciences literature examining the postponement of parenthood has paid primary attention to women. To address this gap, this article foregrounds the changing social landscape of masculinity as a significant context within which to situate these demographic changes. At the core of Nigerian men's perceptions, decisions, and behaviors with regard to delaying fatherhood is a fundamental contradiction, one that seems to be common in many settings—at least many African settings—of contemporary demographic transition. The contradiction is that while the postponement of parenthood is associated historically with positive social and economic indicators, when Nigerian men articulate their rationales for delaying fatherhood (and marriage) they commonly describe feelings of uncertainty connected to a sense of struggle and deprivation. This article connects men's anxieties about—and delays embarking on—marriage and parenthood to their experiences of economic uncertainty, and specifically to the perceived need for money as the foundation for successful reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A year‐long bioretention container study in Maryland, USA, measured the relationship between three plant species (Eutrochium dubium, Iris versicolor, and Juncus effusus) and N (NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, total nitrogen [TN], total dissolved nitrogen [TDN], dissolved organic nitrogen, particulate organic nitrogen [PON]) and total phosphorus (TP) removal from synthetic stormwater. Statistically significant removal was only found for NO3- and TP. Plant‐independent NO3- removal occurred 9 months after planting, and then changed to removal only by the least‐densely planted Juncus treatment. Removal in higher‐density Juncus plantings was suspected to be limited by preferential pathways created by high root density. Juncus' low‐density NO3- removal success correlates with its high growth rate, root mass and length, and large biomass, matching previous literature. TP removal was plant‐independent. Shoot harvesting of one plant of each species after 1 year would remove 0.61 g N. Of the plant species in this study, Juncus effusus is most highly recommended for bioretention for its nutrient removal dynamics and year‐round green aesthetics. Practitioner Points: Only the one‐Juncus density treatment had significant NO3- removal.All Juncus treatments as well as non‐Juncus treatments prevented the PON, TN, or TDN export seen in the No‐plants control.TP removal was plant‐independent.Juncus had the greatest biomass increase and biomass N. Shoots contain the majority of biomass N for each plant species.Juncus and Iris had high survivorship. Joe Pye had low survivorship. These, and all other study results, need field‐scale verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the cross-sectional and prospective associations between depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and participation in breast and cervical screening in the UK.Methods: Women in the UK Biobank cohort with complete data who were eligible for breast cancer screening (aged 50-70 years, N = 143 461) and/or cervical screening (<65 years, N = 141 753) at baseline recruitment (2006-2010) and those with follow-up data (2014-2019) were identified (N = 11 050 and N = 9780 for breast and cervical screening). Depressive symptoms and neuroticism were self-reported at baseline (range 0-12 with higher scores reflecting greater severity). Primary outcomes were reporting being up to date with breast and cervical screening. For prospective analyses, patterns of screening participation from baseline to follow-up were identified. Logistic regression was used to analyse associations, adjusted for potential confounding factors.Results: More severe depressive symptoms were associated with reduced likelihood of breast (OR = 0.960, 95% CI: 0.950,0.970) and cervical (OR = 0.958, 95% CI: 0.950,0.966) screening participation, in cross-sectional analyses. Higher neuroticism scores were associated with reduced cervical screening participation, but the opposite was found for breast cancer screening. Examination of individual neuroticism items revealed that anxiety and worry were associated with increased breast screening. At follow-up, higher baseline depressive symptoms were related to decreased cervical screening (OR = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.913,0.999), but not with breast screening.Conclusions: More severe depressive symptoms may be a barrier for breast and cervical screening and could be an indicator for more proactive strategies to improve uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The visible light‐promoted intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of N‐allylcinnamamines and N‐allylcinnamamides in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2(dtbpy)]PF6 is reported. Low energy visible light and a high triplet energy iridium‐photosensitizer were efficient at promoting the cycloaddition reaction of N‐allylcinnamamides and N‐allylcinnamamines to the corresponding aryl‐3‐azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptanones and aryl‐3‐azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes, respectively, with high diastereoselectivity and under mild conditions. Azabicyclic fused rings have been employed as surrogates for piperidine motifs in drug discovery. Functional groups useful for deployment and/or elaboration in drug discovery campaigns were all shown to be tolerated, including halides, CF3, cyanide, ester, acetamide, acetate, CH3O, pyridyl, furan, carbamate, tosyl, benzyl, and benzoate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nomograms are graphical calculating devices used to predict risk of malignant transformation (MT) or response to treatment during cancer management. To date, a nomogram has not been used to predict clinical outcome during oral potentially malignant disorder (PMD) treatment. The aim of this study was to create a nomogram for use by clinicians to predict the probability of MT, thereby facilitating accurate assessment of risk and objective decision-making during individual patient management.Methods: Clinico-pathological data from a previously treated cohort of 590 newly presenting PMD patients were reviewed and clinical outcomes categorized as disease free, persistent PMD or MT. Multiple logistic regression was used to predict the probability of MT in the cohort using age, gender, lesion type, site and incision biopsy histopathological diagnoses. Internal validation and calibration of the model was performed using the bootstrap method (n = 1000), and bias-corrected indices of model performance were computed.Results: Potentially malignant disorders were predominantly leukoplakias (79%), presenting most frequently at floor of mouth and lateral tongue sites (51%); 99 patients (17%) developed oral squamous cell carcinoma during the study period. The nomogram performed well when MT predictions were compared with patient outcome data, demonstrating good bias-corrected discrimination and calibration (Dxy  = 0.58; C = 0.790), with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity 63%, and a positive predictive value of 32% and negative predictive value 96%.Conclusion: The "Newcastle Nomogram" has been developed to predict the probability of MT in PMD, based on an internally validated statistical model. Based upon readily available and patient-specific clinico-pathological data, it provides clinicians with a pragmatic diagrammatic aid for clinical decision-making during diagnosis and management of PMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]