Search

Recent evidence suggests that individuals differ in foraging tactics and this variation is often linked to an individual's behavioural type (BT). Yet, while foraging typically comprises a series of search and handling steps, empirical investigations have rarely considered BT‐dependent effects across multiple stages of the foraging process, particularly in natural settings.In our long‐term sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) study system, individuals exhibit behavioural consistency in boldness (measured as an individual's willingness to approach a novel food item in the presence of a threat) and aggressiveness (measured as an individual's response to an 'attack' by a conspecific dummy). These BTs are only weakly correlated and have previously been shown to have interactive effects on lizard space use and movement, suggesting that they could also affect lizard foraging performance, particularly in their search behaviour for food.To investigate how lizards' BTs affect their foraging process in the wild, we supplemented food in 123 patches across a 120‐ha study site with three food abundance treatments (high, low and no‐food controls). Patches were replenished twice a week over the species' entire spring activity season and feeding behaviours were quantified with camera traps at these patches. We tracked lizards using GPS to determine their home range (HR) size and repeatedly assayed their aggressiveness and boldness in designated assays.We hypothesised that bolder lizards would be more efficient foragers while aggressive ones would be less attentive to the quality of foraging patches. We found an interactive BT effect on overall foraging performance. Individuals that were both bold and aggressive ate the highest number of food items from the foraging array. Further dissection of the foraging process showed that aggressive lizards in general ate the fewest food items in part because they visited foraging patches less regularly, and because they discriminated less between high and low‐quality patches when revisiting them. Bolder lizards, in contrast, ate more tomatoes because they visited foraging patches more regularly, and ate a higher proportion of the available tomatoes at patches during visits.Our study demonstrates that BTs can interact to affect different search and handling components of the foraging process, leading to within‐population variation in foraging success. Given that individual differences in foraging and movement will influence social and ecological interactions, our results highlight the potential role of BT's in shaping individual fitness strategies and population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is increasing focus on the development of high‐quality simulation models for medical education. Cadaveric models, although considered more realistic, may be difficult to obtain and costly. The advent of three‐dimensional (3D) printing has offered a low‐cost, reliable, and reproducible alternative. This study sought to compare the utility of 3D‐printed to cadaveric models for training in transcutaneous injection laryngoplasty (TIL). Methods: A simulation course with a cross‐over design was employed. Video laryngoscopes were utilized for both the 3D and cadaveric models to assess the accuracy of injection into the vocal fold. Pre‐procedure and post‐procedure surveys were administered to evaluate understanding and comfort level on a Likert scale of 1–10. Each model was also rated on a 1–5 Likert scale for self‐efficacy, fidelity, and educational value. Results: Pre‐ and post‐survey data were completed by 15 otolaryngology residents and medical students. Mean pre‐seminar understanding and comfort level were 3.7 and 2.2, respectively, compared to 6.9 and 5.9 (p <.05) following use of the 3D model and 6.4 and 4.7 (p <.05) following use of the cadaver model. When comparing 3D and cadaveric models, no significant differences were observed regarding self‐efficacy, fidelity, and educational value. Conclusion: There was a similar mean increase in understanding and comfort following use of the 3D and cadaveric models. 3D‐printing can provide an excellent adjunct to, and eventually a potential replacement for hands‐on cadaveric training in medical education, particularly for TIL. Level of Evidence: Level III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro heat exchangers improve heat and mass transfer compared to conventional heat exchangers, enabling more energy‐efficient applications. However, their sensitivity to fouling limits broader industrial application. This approach presents a combined investigation of fouling and cleaning in microscale heat exchangers using two test rigs. Individual sets of analysis methods are developed to improve the understanding of heat and mass transfer on the microscale. In addition to known methods, such as pressure loss analysis, newly developed and established image analysis techniques are used to monitor fouling and cleaning. Based on the presented methods, it is possible to predict the initial position of thermally induced fouling and to demonstrate the applicability of automated cleaning on the microscale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many European cropped soils have high soil test P (STP) values in the top soil because of P accumulation over many years of fertilizer application. This should allow to save P fertilizer applications for some years without STP values decreasing to a level that might negatively impact crop yield. However, the way STP develops under omitted P fertilizer application is not well understood. We examined STP development under omitted P fertilizer application for timeframes between 7 and 46 years on 96 unfertilized treatments (P0 treatments) of 43 European long‐term P field experiments, using five different STP methods. For comparability, values obtained by different STP methods were converted to Olsen‐P concentrations. We fitted exponential decay curves to Olsen‐P data of each P0 treatment defined by initial Olsen‐P values (Olsen‐Pi), rates of decrease (k) and asymptotes (A), reflecting minimum obtainable STP. Subsequently, we analysed whether the variables most commonly recorded in experiments, are sufficient to explain the variation in model parameters, these variables being P export, clay content, Corg and pH as well as average annual temperature and precipitation. We found that out of our predictor variables, soil clay content, precipitation and temperature were showing the most prominent effects on the parameters Olsen‐Pi, A or k. However, the amount of variation explained by the considered variables was too low to potentially facilitate a prediction of STP decrease, and various P0 treatments showed no clear Olsen‐P decrease or unexpectedly high asymptotes. This hints at a strong influence of the P sorption capacity of the soil with often high potential for replenishment from less available P pools. In connection with P introduction from the subsoil or possibly from surrounding plots, the extension of timeframes of omitted P fertilizer application without reaching critical STP values for crop production, might be explainable. Corresponding effects could not be analysed because of lack of data for most P0 treatments, calling for the additional determination of, for example, the maximum P sorption capacity, total P and subsoil P in future experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa is a subcutaneous infusion of levodopa/carbidopa prodrugs. Objectives: Assess correlations between sleep and efficacy from interim data of a phase 3 trial of foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (NCT03781167). Methods: Pearson correlations between sleep (Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale‐2 [PDSS‐2]) and quality of life (QoL; Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐39), motor experiences of daily living (m‐EDL; Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Scale Part II), and "Off"/"On" times were calculated for baseline and week 26 improvements. Regression analyses were adjusted for baseline PDSS‐2 score. Results: Baseline sleep correlated moderately with QoL (r = 0.44, P < 0.001) and weakly with m‐EDL (r = 0.28; P < 0.001). Sleep improvement weakly correlated with improved "Off" time (r = 0.37; P < 0.001) and QoL (r = 0.36; P < 0.001). Regression analyses demonstrated significant positive associations for improved sleep, "Off" time, QoL, and m‐EDL. Conclusions: Improved sleep with foslevodopa/foscarbidopa was associated with improved QoL and "Off" time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfite intoxication is the hallmark of four ultrarare disorders that are caused by impaired sulfite oxidase activity due to genetic defects in the synthesis of the molybdenum cofactor or of the apoenzyme sulfite oxidase. Delays on the diagnosis of these disorders are common and have been caused by their unspecific presentation of acute neonatal encephalopathy with high early mortality, followed by the evolution of dystonic cerebral palsy and also by the lack of easily available and reliable diagnostic tests. There is significant variation in survival and in the quality of symptomatic management of affected children. One of the four disorders, molybdenum cofactor deficiency type A (MoCD‐A) has recently become amenable to causal treatment with synthetic cPMP (fosdenopterin). The evidence base for the rational use of cPMP is very limited. This prompted the formulation of these clinical guidelines to facilitate diagnosis and support the management of patients. The guidelines were developed by experts in diagnosis and treatment of sulfite intoxication disorders. It reflects expert consensus opinion and evidence from a systematic literature search. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in FBXO7 have been discovered to be associated with an atypical parkinsonism. We report here a new homozygous missense mutation in a paediatric patient that causes an L250P substitution in the dimerisation domain of Fbxo7. This alteration selectively ablates the Fbxo7‐PI31 interaction and causes a significant reduction in Fbxo7 and PI31 levels in patient cells. Consistent with their association with proteasomes, patient fibroblasts have reduced proteasome activity and proteasome subunits. We also show PI31 interacts with the MiD49/51 fission adaptor proteins, and unexpectedly, PI31 acts to facilitate SCFFbxo7‐mediated ubiquitination of MiD49. The L250P mutation reduces the SCFFbxo7 ligase‐mediated ubiquitination of a subset of its known substrates. Although MiD49/51 expression was reduced in patient cells, there was no effect on the mitochondrial network. However, patient cells show reduced levels of mitochondrial function and mitophagy, higher levels of ROS and are less viable under stress. Our study demonstrates that Fbxo7 and PI31 regulate proteasomes and mitochondria and reveals a new function for PI31 in enhancing the SCFFbxo7 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4D printing has emerged as a powerful strategy capable of revolutionizing additive manufacturing by enabling objects to dynamically transform overtime on demand. Despite significant progress, the full potential remains unrealized, particularly in the utilization of dynamic covalent chemistry. This study introduces a new approach using a multifunctional cross‐linker with alkoxyamine functionalities for 4D printing. Digital light processing (DLP) is employed for high‐resolution printing of complex objects. Leveraging alkoxyamine bonds' dynamic and living characteristics, the printed structures can be further modified through nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) using styrene and nitroxide exchange reactions (NER). The resulting "living" printed structures exhibit the unique ability to undergo both "growth" and "degrowth", dynamically adapting their size as well as the reduced Young's Modulus across a wide range (770 kPa–1.2 GPa). The chain extension by NMP and softening by NER are carefully characterized by IR and EPR spectroscopy. The presented approach opens avenues for the development of 4D printed structures with complex adaptive systems, showcasing enormous potential in a wide range of fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vergence‐Accommodation Conflicts (VAC) occur in neareye displays when the binocular disparity of the 3D rendered content (vergence) does not match the display focal distance (accommodation). VAC has been shown to reduce perceptual image quality, cognitive performance, and oculomotor coordination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of VAC on visual performance in augmented reality (AR). Specifically, we quantified the impact of AR VAC on the 'Time to Focus' (TTF); when the user switches focus between real world content and worldlocked AR rendered content. Our results show that TTF increases exponentially with VAC. The increase is more pronounced at closer vergence distances in displays with focal distance of 1 D or longer. Finally, we showed that VAC may have a differential effect across age groups; specifically, older users may be affected more in closer focal and longer vergence distances 186‐189. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light‐based 3D printing has received significant attention due to several advantages including high printing speed and resolution. Along with the development of new technologies, material design is key for the next generation of light‐based 3D printing. Conventional printable polymeric materials, also known as photopolymers or photoresins, often lead to thermosets–polymer networks cross‐linked by permanent covalent bonds which bring limited adaptability and restricted reprocessability. Dynamic bonds that can reversibly break and reform enable network rearrangement, thereby offering unprecedented properties to the materials such as adaptability, self‐healing, and recycling capabilities. Hence, introducing dynamic bonds into materials for light‐based 3D printing is a promising strategy to further expand and meet the diverse application scenarios of 3D printed multi‐functional materials and moreover meet more demanding sustainable and nature‐inspired design considerations (e.g., adaptability and self‐healing). Herein, an overview of recent advances in dynamic photopolymers for light‐based 3D printing, aiming to bridge these two promising research fields is presented. Importantly, the current challenges are also analyzed and perspectives for further developing dynamic photopolymers for light‐based 3D printing and their potential applications are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vergence‐accommodation conflicts (VAC) occur in near‐eye displays when the binocular disparity of the 3D rendered content (vergence) does not match the display focal distance (accommodation). VAC has been shown to reduce perceptual image quality, cognitive performance, and oculomotor coordination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of VAC on visual performance in augmented reality (AR). Specifically, we quantified the impact of AR VAC on the 'Time to Focus' (TTF); when the user switches focus between real‐world content and world‐locked AR‐rendered content. Our results show that TTF increases exponentially with VAC. The increase is more pronounced at closer vergence distances in displays with a focal distance of 1 D or longer. Finally, we showed that VAC may have a differential effect across age groups; specifically, older users may be affected more in closer focal and longer vergence distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant power of quercetin‐3‐O‐glucuronide (miquelianin) has been studied, at the density functional level of theory, in both lipid‐like and aqueous environments. In the aqueous phase, the computed pKa equilibria allowed the identification of the neutral and charged species present in solution that can react with the ⋅OOH radical. The Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT), Single Electron Transfer (SET) and Radical Adduct Formation (RAF) mechanisms were considered, and the individual, total and fraction corrected rate constants were obtained. Potential non‐covalent inhibition of Mpro from SARS‐CoV‐2 by miquelianin has been also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EuroChoices is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Many young adult female cancer survivors need to use reproductive medicine, surrogacy, or adoption to have a child. This study pilot tested Roadmap to Parenthood, a web-based, self-guided decision aid and planning tool for family building after cancer (disease agnostic). Methods: A single-arm pilot study tested feasibility, acceptability, and obtained effect size estimates of the Roadmap tool. Participants, recruited via hospital-based and social media strategies, completed a baseline survey (T1), accessed the Roadmap tool (website), then completed surveys at one- and 3-months (T2 and T3, respectively). Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated with rates of eligibility, enrollment, and survey completion, and feedback. Pairwise t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA evaluated usage effects. Effect size estimates were calculated. Results: Participants (N = 98) averaged 31 years old (SD = 5.61); 71% were nulliparous. Enrollment rate was 73%, T1-T2 completion rate was 80%, and 93% accessed the website. From T1-T2, participants reported improvements in decisional conflict (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.85), unmet information needs (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.70), self-efficacy (p = 0.003; Cohen's d = 0.40), and self-efficacy for managing negative emotions (p = 0.03; Cohen's d = 0.29); effects were sustained at T3. There was no change in reproductive distress (p = 0.22). By T3, 94% reported increased consideration of preparatory actions and 20%-61% completed such actions. Conclusions: The Roadmap intervention was feasible to conduct, acceptable to users, and led to improvements in key psychosocial outcomes. Future directions will test intervention efficacy in a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample and over a longer period. A web-based tool may help women make decisions about family building after cancer and prepare for potential challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printing technologies have matured to produce complex structures, still they are often limited to static materials. Introducing alkoxyamine bonds into 3D printed structures offers unprecedented possibilities for post‐synthetic modification through nitroxide exchange reaction and nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. This study provides a comprehensive molecular and macroscopic characterization of 3D‐printed alkoxyamine‐containing dynamic covalent adaptable networks. The study provides new insights into their dynamic structural and mechanical alterations, making them promising candidates for advanced applications ranging from biomedical engineering to flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated highly mature sedimentary rocks exposed along both sides of the Fram Strait in the northern North Atlantic using apatite fission track and (U‐Th)/He thermochronology to obtain information on the thermal imprint of rifting and continental breakup processes along a sheared margin. Our data showed that the conjugate margins experienced several heating episodes, which we explain as resulting from heat transfer along segments of the De Geer Fracture Zone, a large continental transform system which connected magmatic centers north and south of the Fram Strait. Heating occurred prior to and during the Eurekan intraplate orogeny, which occupied the position of the present‐day Fram Strait during the Eocene. Heat transfer may have caused or contributed to lithospheric weak zones, which focussed deformation during intraplate orogeny. Movements along the transform fault system continued during the Oligocene, after the end of the Eurekan Orogeny, causing further structural weakening of pre‐existing fault zones. These were exploited during the final continental breakup leading to the opening of the Fram Strait. No unambiguous thermal signature associated with this latest stage of breakup was detected. Our data underline recent studies on the importance of structural inheritance and continental transform faults for the prolonged and complex processes of continental rifting and breakup. Key Points: Thermal anomalies along the Fram Strait are related to tectonic processes from Late Cretaceous rifting to Miocene continental breakupThe De Geer Fracture Zone influenced the thermal evolution and structural weakening of the crust, which contributed to the Eurekan orogenyStructural inheritance and transform faults influence continental rifting and the development of continental margins [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable agricultural soil management practices are key to restore, maintain and improve soil health. The European Joint Programme for SOIL (EJP SOIL) has identified twelve main soil challenges in Europe. To assess the potential and eventually increase the adoption of soil‐improving management practices, it is necessary to know (i) the current levels of adoption of the practices, (ii) socio‐technical barriers influencing their adoption, and (iii) their bio‐physical limits. This study compiled an inventory of soil‐improving management practices relevant to European conditions, and used a survey among soil scientists to assess the levels of adoption of these practices in Europe. In total, 53 soil management practices were identified that address one or several of the soil challenges. The adoption of most practices was low or spatially heterogeneous across Europe, highlighting region‐specific limitations to sustainable soil management. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the importance of socio‐technical aspects of adoption. Using conservation agriculture as an example, factors that can hinder adoption included the availability of knowledge and adequate machinery, financial risks, and farming traditions. Through a modelling approach, 54% of arable land in Europe was found to be suitable for cover cropping, indicating that the adoption of soil management practices is frequently limited by climatic constraints. We propose a region‐specific approach that recognizes the importance of identifying and overcoming socio‐technical barriers, and by acknowledging bio‐physical limits that may be expanded by innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover crops (CC) offer numerous benefits to agroecosystems, particularly in the realm of soil organic carbon (SOC) accrual and loss mitigation. However, uncertainties persist regarding the extent to which CCs, in co‐occurrence with environmental factors, influence SOC responses and associated C pools. We therefore performed a weighted meta‐analysis on the effects of CCs on the mineral‐associated organic carbon (MAOC), the particulate organic carbon (POC) and the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) pool compared to no CC cultivation in arable cropland. Our study summarized global research of comparable management, with a focus on climatic zones representative of Europe, such as arid, temperate and boreal climates. In this meta‐analysis, we included 71 independent studies from 61 articles published between 1990 and June 2023 in several scientific and grey literature databases. Sensitivity analysis was conducted and did not identify any significant publication bias. The results revealed that CCs had an overall statistically significant positive effect on SOC pools, increasing MAOC by 4.8% (95% CI: 0.6%–9.4%, n = 16), POC by 23.2% (95% CI: 13.9%–34.4%, n = 39) and MBC by 20.2% (95% CI: 11.7%–30.7%, n = 30) in the top soil, compared to no CC cultivation. Thereby, CCs feed into the stable as well as the more labile C pools. The effect of CCs on MAOC was dependent on soil clay content and initial SOC concentration, whereas POC was influenced by moderators such as CC peak biomass and experiment duration. For MBC, for example, clay content, crop rotation duration and tillage depth were identified as important drivers. Based on our results on the effects of CCs on SOC pools and significant moderators, we identified several research needs. A pressing need for additional experiments exploring the effects of CCs on SOC pools was found, with a particular focus on MAOC and POC. Further, we emphasize the necessity for conducting European studies spanning the north–south gradient. In conclusion, our results show that CC cultivation is a key strategy to promote C accrual in different SOC pools. Additionally, this meta‐analysis provides new insights into the state of knowledge regarding SOC pool changes influenced by CCs, offering quantitative summary results and shedding light on the sources of heterogeneity affecting these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical investigation of emvododstat for the treatment of solid tumors was halted after two patients who were heavily treated with other anticancer therapies experienced drug‐induced liver failure. However, preclinical investigations supported that emvododstat at lower doses might be effective in treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and against severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 as a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor. Therefore, a quantitative systems toxicology model, DILIsym, was used to predict liver safety of the proposed dosing of emvododstat in AML clinical trials. In vitro mechanistic toxicity data of emvododstat and its desmethyl metabolite were integrated with in vivo exposure within DILIsym to predict hepatotoxicity responses in a simulated human population. DILIsym simulations predicted alanine aminotransferase elevations observed in prior emvododstat clinical trials in patients with solid tumors, but not in the prospective AML clinical trial with the proposed dosing regimens. Exposure predictions based on physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling suggested that reduced doses of emvododstat would produce clinical exposures that would be efficacious to treat AML. In the AML clinical trial, only eight patients experienced aminotransferase elevations, all of which were mild (grade 1), all resolving within a short period of time, and no patient showed symptoms of hepatotoxicity, confirming the prospective prediction of liver safety. Overall, retrospective DILIsym simulations adequately predicted the liver safety liabilities of emvododstat in solid tumor trials and prospective simulations predicted the liver safety of reduced doses in an AML clinical trial. The modeling was critical to enabling regulatory approval to proceed with the AML clinical trial wherein the predicted liver safety was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is limited research examining the biopsychosocial impact of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) on patients. This study aims to assess individuals' experiences, fears, and concerns associated with CVS and the impact of CVS on their daily lives. Methods: We employed social netnography to analyze publicly available posts related to CVS that were identified from six US online forums and Twitter. A randomly selected sub‐cohort of posts per pre‐defined criteria was first qualitatively analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Then, machine learning topic modeling was applied to explore themes in an unsupervised manner for the entire corpus of posts. Afterward, findings from the qualitative and quantitative approaches were integrated to generate a thematic network. Results: Based on the 39,179 collected posts, seven domain themes were identified. Overall, 41.4% of the posts were related to "biopsychosocial burden" of CVS, including physical impact, psychological impact, and social impact. In 22.3% of posts, individuals shared their experience of "interactions with the healthcare system", and 14.2% of posts were related to "perceived CVS triggers." Individuals also shared "solutions to alleviate their symptoms" and "mental health needs" in 10.2% and 8.8% of posts, respectively. Finally, 6.1% of the posts were about "seeking/sharing support" with others. Discussion: This is the first social netnography study to describe the in‐depth experiences of individuals living with CVS and the marked impact on their physical, mental, and social health. The study also highlights the unmet need for effective therapies, both pharmacological and non‐pharmacological, to alleviate the biopsychosocial impact of CVS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drier and hotter conditions linked with anthropogenic climate change can increase wildfire frequency and severity, influencing terrestrial and aquatic carbon cycles at broad spatial and temporal scales. The impacts of wildfire are complex and dependent on several factors that may increase terrestrial deposition and the influx of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from plants into nearby aquatic systems, resulting in the darkening of water color. We tested the effects of plant biomass quantity and its interaction with fire (burned vs. unburned plant biomass) on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and degradation (biological vs. photochemical) and DOM composition in 400 L freshwater ponds using a gradient experimental design. DOC concentration increased nonlinearly with plant biomass loading in both treatments, with overall higher concentrations (>56 mg/L) in the unburned treatment shortly after plant addition. We also observed nonlinear trends in fluorescence and UV‐visible absorbance spectroscopic indices as a function of fire treatment and plant biomass, such as greater humification and specific UV absorbance at 254 nm (a proxy for aromatic DOM) over time. DOM humification occurred gradually over time with less humification in the burned treatment compared to the unburned treatment. Both burned and unburned biomass released noncolored, low molecular weight carbon compounds that were rapidly consumed by microbes. DOC decomposition exhibited a unimodal relationship with plant biomass, with microbes contributing more to DOC loss than photodegradation at intermediate biomass levels (100–300 g). Our findings demonstrate that the quantity of plant biomass leads to nonlinear responses in the dynamics and composition of DOM in experimental ponds that are altered by fire, indicating how disturbances interactively affect DOM processing and its role in aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire can lead to transitions between forest and grassland ecosystems and trigger positive feedbacks to climate warming by releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. Climate change is projected to increase the prevalence and severity of wildfires. However, fire effects on the fate and impact of terrestrial organic matter (i.e., terrestrial subsidies) in aquatic ecosystems are unclear. Here, we performed a gradient design experiment in freshwater pond mesocosms adding 15 different amounts of burned or unburned plant detritus and tracking the chronology of detritus effects at 10, 31, 59, and 89 days. We show terrestrial subsidies had time‐ and mass‐dependent, non‐linear impacts on ecosystem function that influenced dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ecosystem metabolism (net primary production and respiration), greenhouse gas concentrations (carbon dioxide [CO2], methane [CH4]), and trophic transfer. These impacts were shifted by fire treatment. Burning increased the elemental concentration of detritus (increasing %N, %P, %K), with cascading effects on ecosystem function. Mesocosms receiving burned detritus had lower [DOC] and [CO2] and higher dissolved oxygen (DO) through Day 59. Fire magnified the effects of plant detritus on aquatic ecosystem metabolism by stimulating photosynthesis and respiration at intermediate detritus‐loading through Day 89. The effect of loading on DO was similar for burned and unburned treatments (Day 10); however, burned‐detritus in the highest loading treatments led to sustained hypoxia (through Day 31), and long‐term destabilization of ecosystem metabolism through Day 89. In addition, fire affected trophic transfer by increasing autochthonous nitrogen source utilization and reducing the incorporation of 15N‐labeled detritus into plankton biomass, thereby reducing the flux of terrestrial subsidies to higher trophic levels. Our results indicate fire chemically transforms plant detritus and alters the role of aquatic ecosystems in processing and storing carbon. Wildfire may therefore induce shifts in ecosystem functions that cross the boundary between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate eye growth of children wearing spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL), slightly aspherical lenslets (SAL) and single‐vision lenses (SVL) compared to eye growth patterns in non‐myopes in Wenzhou, China. Methods: The randomised trial had 170 myopic children (aged 8–13 years) randomly assigned to the HAL, SAL or SVL group. Normal eye growth was examined using 700 non‐myopic schoolchildren (aged 7–9 years) in the Wenzhou Medical University‐Essilor Progression and Onset of Myopia (WEPrOM) cohort study using logistic function models. Slow, normal and fast eye growth was defined as range of values <25th, 25th–75th and >75th percentiles, respectively. Results: The predicted upper limits of slow eye growth (25th percentile) among non‐myopes aged 7–10 years and 11–13 years were 0.20–0.13 and 0.08–0.01 mm (after 2‐year period; 0.37–0.33 and 0.29–0.14 mm), respectively, while the upper limits of normal eye growth (75th percentile) were 0.32–0.31 and 0.28–0.10 mm (after 2‐year period; 0.58–0.55 and 0.50–0.24 mm), respectively. The 2‐year trial had 157 children, 96 of whom wore their lenses full time (everyday ≥12 h/day). The mean 2‐year axial length change for HAL, SAL and SVL was 0.34, 0.51 and 0.69 mm (0.28, 0.46 and 0.69 mm in full‐time wear), respectively. Slow eye growth was found in 35%, 17% and 2% (44%, 29% and 3% in full‐time wear); normal eye growth in 35%, 26% and 12% (44%, 32% and 9% in full‐time wear) and fast eye growth in 30%, 57% and 86% (12%, 39% and 88% in full‐time wear), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The eye growth pattern in approximately 90% wearing HAL full time (compared with about 10% wearing SVL full time) was similar or slower than that of non‐myopic children both after 1‐ and 2‐year periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mid-term (MTEs, 5-20 years) and long-term (LTEs, 20+ years) field experiments are key sources of information to design future climate-smart agriculture. Within the European Joint Program SOIL (EJP SOIL), we built the EJP SOIL-MTE/LTE metadataset that contains metadata from 240 MTEs/LTEs across Europe. Metadata collected included precise descriptions of the treatments (combination of factors such as tillage, crop type/rotation, amendments/fertilizers, grazing and pest/weed management), soil and crop measurements and pedo-climatic information. Using different figures and dashboards, an overview of those MTEs/LTEs is presented and specific research themes (tillage systems, residue management, amendment type and cover crops) are further analysed within their pedo-climatic context. An interactive web portal developed in collaboration with the BonaRes project (https://lte.bonares.de), enables users to explore the metadataset and find relevant MTEs/LTEs for specific combinations of practices (e.g. all MTEs/LTEs that investigate cover crops on a Cambisol in no-tillage system). Finally, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the metadataset was carried out to highlight the potential contribution of MTEs/LTEs to a harmonized European soil observation and monitoring approach. We propose that the metadataset could be elaborated with metadata from other existing MTEs/LTEs in Europe or even worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Autism Behavior Coding System (ABCS) was developed to help evaluating the effectiveness of early intensive interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The video‐based ABCS assesses eight core autistic behavioral variables during therapist‐child interaction using standardized quantitative criteria, four behaviors according to their frequency of occurrence, four according to their duration. The present study focuses (1) on the correspondence of ABCS scores with scores on two standard clinical instruments (the ADOS‐2 and an ASD‐adaptation of the Children's Global Assessment Scale, DD‐CGAS), (2) on the sensitivity to change of ABCS scores by the end of an intensive 18 days intervention period (EIP) and (c) on the predictability of short‐ and longer‐term changes in social and repetitive behaviors from ABCS scores at baseline and EIP. Data from 51 children (42 M, 9 F; median age 45 months) followed over 1 year were available. There were significant correlations at baseline between several ABCS scores and ADOS‐2 as well as DD‐CGAS scores. Correlations at EIP between some ABCS and DD‐CGAS scores were highly significant. Four ABCS scores reflected significant changes from baseline to EIP. Several baseline ABCS scores were predictive of DD‐CGAS and ADOS‐2 scores at EIP and Year 1. However, associations between ABCS score changes from baseline to EIP and the clinical scale changes by Year 1 were not significant. It is concluded that several ABCS scores have adequate clinical validity and sensitivity to change. The short‐term changes in ABCS scores and their relationship to longer‐term clinical changes need further study. Lay Summary: The Autism Behavior Coding System (ABCS) is a video‐based rating instrument for assessing clinically meaningful changes occurring during therapeutic interventions with autistic young children. The current study shows that ABCS ratings made by an assessor at baseline and after 18 days of an intensive therapeutic intervention correspond well to overall results obtained by means of two other, established clinical scales. However, ABCS scores are more detailed and more sensitive to change than those obtained with the other methods. ABCS scores may also be useful for predicting outcomes of intensive therapeutic interventions, but more work will be needed to make this approach practical and useful for routine clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate finance has turned into a field where researchers produce what seem like a constant flow of disconnected papers. Theories are never confirmed or refuted. At best, empirical papers confirm models without a realistic alternative to refute. The problem is that today's models are either static or have firms that never interact directly with other firms. Most industries are oligopolies. For firms in these industries the competition's actions in the product market are likely of paramount importance. If corporate finance is going to progress, we need papers with testable dynamic oligopoly models. Models where firms compete directly with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy recovery and energy storage of the prototype of a novel heat exchanger and energy generation system Due to the effects of the advancing climate change and the resulting demands for a climate‐neutral building stock, it is of great importance to be able to cover a large part of the energy demand by using renewable energies. To this end, a new type of heat storage and energy generation system for buildings is being developed as part of a research project, which aims to generate and store energy in self‐sufficient "energy piles". The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate a first prototype, which was developed and experimentally investigated in the course of the project. The investigation focused on energy generation, energy storage and the duration of discharge of the new system. It was shown that the energy production of the prototype works well and is comparable to existing solar thermal collectors. However, with the support of a building simulation, it was shown that the energy storage is not sufficient to economically cover the entire useful energy demand for the thermal conditioning of an example building by the energy pile. The investigations show that the prototype has great potential, but that further development is necessary to make it an economical option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) can accelerate expression and high‐throughput analysis of complex proteins with functionally relevant post‐translational modifications (PTMs). However, low yields and difficulties scaling such systems have prevented their widespread adoption in protein research and manufacturing. Here, we provide detailed demonstrations for the capabilities of a CFPS system derived from Nicotiana tabacum BY‐2 cell culture (BY‐2 lysate; BYL). BYL is able to express diverse, functional proteins at high yields in 48 h, complete with native disulfide bonds and N‐glycosylation. An optimized version of the technology is commercialized as ALiCE® and advances in scaling of BYL production methodologies now allow scaling of eukaryotic CFPS reactions. We show linear, lossless scale‐up of batch mode protein expression from 100 µL microtiter plates to 10 and 100 mL volumes in Erlenmeyer flasks, culminating in preliminary data from a litre‐scale reaction in a rocking‐type bioreactor. Together, scaling across a 20,000x range is achieved without impacting product yields. Production of multimeric virus‐like particles from the BYL cytosolic fraction were then shown, followed by functional expression of multiple classes of complex, difficult‐to‐express proteins using the native microsomes of the BYL CFPS. Specifically: a dimeric enzyme; a monoclonal antibody; the SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor‐binding domain; a human growth factor; and a G protein‐coupled receptor membrane protein. Functional binding and activity are demonstrated, together with in‐depth PTM characterization of purified proteins through disulfide bond and N‐glycan analysis. Taken together, BYL is a promising end‐to‐end R&D to manufacturing platform with the potential to significantly reduce the time‐to‐market for high value proteins and biologics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing programmable materials, whose mechanical properties can be adapted on demand, is highly desired for their application in areas ranging from robotics, to biomedicine, or microfluidics. Herein, the inclusion of dynamic and living bonds, such as alkoxyamines, in a printable formulation suitable for two‐photon 3D laser printing is exploited. On one hand, taking advantage of the dynamic covalent character of alkoxyamines, the nitroxide exchange reaction is investigated. As a consequence, a reduction of the Young´s Modulus by 50%, is measured by nanoindentation. On the other hand, due to its "living" characteristic, the chain extension becomes possible via nitroxide mediated polymerization. In particular, living nitroxide mediated polymerization of styrene results not only in a dramatic increase of the volume (≈8 times) of the 3D printed microstructure but also an increase of the Young's Modulus by two orders of magnitude (from 14 MPa to 2.7 GPa), while maintaining the shape including fine structural details. Thus, the approach introduces a new dimension by enabling to create microstructures with dynamically tunable size and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface engineering of metal–organic framework nanoparticles (MOF NPs), and enabling their post‐synthetic modulation that facilitates the formation of bio‐interfaces has tremendous potential for diverse applications including therapeutics, imaging, biosensing, and drug‐delivery systems. Despite the progress in MOF NPs synthesis, colloidal stability and homogeneous dispersity—a desirable property for biotechnological applications, stands as a critical obstacle and remains a challenging task. In this report, dynamic surfaces modification of MOF NPs with polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer is described using grafting‐from PEGylation by employing nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) and inserting arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) peptides on the surface via a nitroxide exchange reaction (NER). The dynamic modification strategy enables tailoring PEG‐grafted MOF NPs of the type UiO‐66‐NH2 with improved colloidal stability, and high dispersity, while the morphology and lattice crystallinity are strictly preserved. The interaction of PEG‐grafted MOF NPs with human serum albumin (HSA) protein under physiological conditions is studied. The PEG‐grafted colloidal MOF NPs adsorb less HSA protein than the uncoated ones. Therefore, the described approach increases the scope of bio‐relevant applications of colloidal MOF NPs by reducing nonspecific interactions using NMP based PEGylation, while preserving the possibility to introduce targeting moieties via NER for specific interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment can disrupt the full spectrum of physical, social, emotional, and functional quality of life. But existing psychological treatments are focused primarily on specific psychological symptoms as opposed to improving the overall patient experience. We studied the feasibility and efficacy of a novel digital intervention targeting patient mindsets—core assumptions about the nature and meaning of illness—designed to improve overall health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in newly diagnosed cancer patients undergoing treatment with curative intent. Methods: Recently diagnosed (≤150 days) adult patients with non‐metastatic cancers undergoing systemic treatment (N = 361) were recruited from across the United States to participate in this decentralized clinical trial. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive the Cancer Mindset Intervention (CMI) or Treatment as Usual (TAU). Participants in the CMI group completed seven online modules over 10 weeks (2.5 h total) targeting mindsets about cancer and the body. The primary outcome was overall HRQoL, and secondary outcomes were coping behaviors and symptom distress. Results: Patients in the CMI group reported significant (p < 0.001) improvements in adaptive mindsets about cancer and the body over time. Compared with the TAU condition, the CMI group reported significant improvements in overall HRQoL (B = 0.60; 95% CI 0.34–0.85; p < 0.001), increased engagement in adaptive coping behaviors (B = 0.03; 95% CI 0.02–0.04; p < 0.001), and reduced distress from physical symptoms (B = −0.29; 95% CI −0.44 to −0.14; p < 0.01). Effect sizes of these changes ranged from d = 0.42–d = 0.54. Conclusion: A brief mindset‐focused digital intervention was effective at improving physical, social, emotional, and functional HRQoL, increasing adaptive coping behaviors, and reducing physical symptom distress in newly diagnosed cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is necessary to gain insights into adherence to healthcare in people with severe haemophilia (PwSH), especially during the transition from paediatric to adult care, which is an important phase in lives of young people with childhood chronic disease. This adherence can be considered as a marker of successful transition. Objectives: The main objective of the quantitative phase of the TRANSHEMO project was to compare the adherence to healthcare between adolescents and young adults (YAs) with severe haemophilia. The secondary objective was to identify the determinants (facilitators and barriers) of this adherence and associations between these determinants. Methods: A multicentre, observational, cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2017–2019 on PwSH aged between 14 and 17 years (adolescents) or between 20 and 29 years (YAs), included in the FranceCoag registry and having completed the questionnaires. The adherence to healthcare (treatment regimens and clinical follow‐up) was compared between adolescents and YAs using the chi‐squared test. The determinants of this adherence were analysed by structural equation modelling. Results: There were 277 participants, 107 adolescents, and 170 YAs. The rate of adolescents adhering to healthcare was 82.2%, while the rate of YAs was 61.2% (p <.001). The barriers to the adherence to healthcare were being YA, having repeated at least one school grade and presenting mental health concerns. Conclusion: Adolescents had better adherence to healthcare than YAs. According to the determinants enlightened in this project, targeted supportive strategies and adapted therapeutic education programs can be developed for young PwSH to facilitate their adherence to healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission has set targets for a reduction in nutrient losses by at least 50% and a reduction in fertiliser use by at least 20% by 2030 while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility. Within the mandate of the European Joint Programme EJP Soil 'Towards climate‐smart sustainable management of agricultural soils', the objective of this study was to assess current fertilisation practices across Europe and discuss the potential for harmonisation of fertilisation methodologies as a strategy to reduce nutrient loss and overall fertiliser use. A stocktake study of current methods of delivering fertilisation advice took place across 23 European countries. The stocktake was in the form of a questionnaire, comprising 46 questions. Information was gathered on a large range of factors, including soil analysis methods, along with soil, crop and climatic factors taken into consideration within fertilisation calculations. The questionnaire was completed by experts, who are involved in compiling fertilisation recommendations within their country. Substantial differences exist in the content, format and delivery of fertilisation guidelines across Europe. The barriers, constraints and potential benefits of a harmonised approach to fertilisation across Europe are discussed. The general consensus from all participating countries was that harmonisation of fertilisation guidelines should be increased, but it was unclear in what format this could be achieved. Shared learning in the delivery and format of fertilisation guidelines and mechanisms to adhere to environmental legislation were viewed as being beneficial. However, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to harmonise all soil test data and fertilisation methodologies at EU level due to diverse soil types and agro‐ecosystem influences. Nevertheless, increased future collaboration, especially between neighbouring countries within the same environmental zone, was seen as potentially very beneficial. This study is unique in providing current detail on fertilisation practices across European countries in a side‐by‐side comparison. The gathered data can provide a baseline for the development of scientifically based EU policy targets for nutrient loss and soil fertility evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous, nanostructured particles ensure the wetting of electrolyte up to the particle core and shortened diffusion paths, which is relevant not only for lithium‐ion batteries but also for postlithium systems like sodium‐ion batteries. The porous structure leads to a high C‐rate capability. However, compared to conventional compact NCM, porous NCM shows a reduced adhesion force but no or only slight negative influence on C‐rate capability by binder migration at higher drying rates. Herein, a multilayer concept is used to increase the adhesion force with equal or better electrochemical performance compared to single‐layer electrodes. Compact particles of high volumetric energy density and porous particles with high C‐rate capability are combined in a simultaneously coated multilayer electrode. Multilayers with compact NCM toward the current collector and porous NCM with reduced binder content toward the separator side show an about 16‐times higher adhesion force at lower drying rate and an about ten‐times higher adhesion force at increased drying rate compared to electrodes produced of porous NCM only. The specific discharge capacity of the multilayers is increased by 88% at the lower and 67% at the higher drying rate for a discharge rate of 3C compared to a single layer with compact NCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protosteloid amoebae are a paraphyletic assemblage of amoeboid protists found exclusively in the eukaryotic assemblage Amoebozoa. These amoebae can facultatively form a dispersal structure known as a fruiting body, or more specifically, a sporocarp, from a single amoeboid cell. Sporocarps consist of one to a few spores atop a noncellular stalk. Protosteloid amoebae are known in two out of three well‐established major assemblages of Amoebozoa. Amoebae with a protosteloid life cycle are known in the major Amoebozoa lineages Discosea and Evosea but not in Tubulinea. To date, only one genus, which is monotypic, lacks sequence data and, therefore, remains phylogenetically homeless. To further clarify the evolutionary milieu of sporocarpic fruiting we used single‐cell transcriptomics to obtain data from individual sporocarps of isolates of the protosteloid amoeba Microglomus paxillus. Our phylogenomic analyses using 229 protein coding markers suggest that M. paxillus is a member of the Discosea lineage of Amoebozoa most closely related to Mycamoeba gemmipara. Due to the hypervariable nature of the SSU rRNA sequence we were unable to further resolve the phylogenetic position of M. paxillus in taxon rich datasets using only this marker. Regardless, our results widen the known distribution of sporocarpy in Discosea and stimulate the debate between a single or multiple origins of sporocarpic fruiting in Amoebozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Patients that are taking Ayurvedic supplements have an increased risk of heavy metal toxicity. Lead, arsenic, and mercury are frequently identified in these supplements and can cause clinically significant toxicity. Clinicians should screen patients routinely for use of non‐pharmaceutical medications and supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warming‐driven growth of tall woody vegetation in the Arctic has the potential to accelerate climate change through multiple positive feedbacks. Local‐scale evidence suggests that large herbivores limit this vegetation shift, but there is uncertainty at larger, regional scales whether current herbivory pressure is a major top‐down control on ecosystem structure and functioning. Across a 67,000 km2 region of the Yamal Peninsula in West Siberia, we integrated satellite remote sensing with a novel data set mapping the migrations of herds comprising 151,000 domesticated reindeer. Where reindeer numbers varied over space, higher reindeer herbivory pressure was consistently linked with lower coverage of tall woody vegetation. Within areas dominated by this vegetation type, productivity and climate were increasingly decoupled where reindeer density was higher. Our spaceborne fingerprint detection suggests that large herbivores, at current population densities, counteract Arctic vegetation responses to climate change over large spatial scales. Plain Language Summary: Large herbivores influence tundra vegetation via their grazing, trampling, and nutrient inputs from feces and urine. However, the extent of these impacts remains unclear as we seek to understand and predict the responses of Arctic ecosystems to climate change. Using maps that we developed that record the annual summertime movements of herds comprising 151,000 domesticated reindeer managed by indigenous Nenets herders, we assessed whether reindeer had an effect on vegetation productivity and composition across a 67,000 km2 region of the Yamal Peninsula in West Siberia, an area about the size of the Republic of Ireland. Analyses of satellite data comparing areas with varying reindeer density consistently showed that higher reindeer herbivory pressure was limiting the coverage of tall woody vegetation and its expansion in response to warming. This effect had not been observed previously at such a large spatial scale and was significant enough to be detected from space. Our findings demonstrate that reindeer have a substantial impact on ecosystem structure and functioning, which likely has implications for the carbon cycle and energy balance within the Arctic and beyond. Key Points: Integrating maps of migrations of indigenous‐managed reindeer herds with remote sensing enabled analysis of large‐scale herbivory impactsAreas on the Yamal Peninsula with higher reindeer herbivory pressure consistently had lower coverage of tall woody vegetationThe productivity of tall woody vegetation was less sensitive to climate variability where reindeer density was higher [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocks exposed along both sides of the Smith Sound in Ellesmere Island and NW Greenland record the tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the whole Phanerozoic, including two periods of mountain building—the Palaeozoic Ellesmerian Orogeny and the Palaeogene Eurekan Orogeny—and the formation of two major sedimentary basins, the Franklinian and the Sverdrup Basins. We used geo‐ and thermochronology and apatite chemistry data to unravel this evolution. Apatite fission track and (U‐Th)/He dates vary strongly from >600 to <100 Ma. We present internally consistent thermal history models, which allow to explain the data variations by a unitized exhumation and burial history. Our models suggest that the cratonic areas were buried beneath a several km‐thick succession of Franklinian Basin deposits. During the Ellesmerian Orogeny, the craton acted as sediment source, as also suggested by the composition of apatite and by U‐Pb ages of zircon contained in Devonian foreland sediments. The Ellesmerian foreland was buried by up to 4–5 km thick strata on top of the preserved sedimentary rocks. During the Triassic, the Sverdrup Basin strongly widened and extended at least ∼370 km further toward the east, as compared with previous reconstructions of the basin based on the preservation of Triassic deposits. Thermal history modeling suggests Late Cretaceous to early Cenozoic reheating, which may be caused by deposition associated with the Eurekan Orogeny and/or enhanced heat flow associated with continental breakup. Our data also show that low‐temperature thermochronology is not suitable for resolving potential strike‐slip movements along the Wegener Fault. Key Points: We show that varying thermochronology data from the Arctic can be explained by a common erosion and sedimentation historyWe reconstruct the nowadays vanished sedimentary cover on top of the present‐day exposures of Ellesmere Island and GreenlandWe provide estimates for burial and exhumation in response to Ellesmerian and Eurekan tectonics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human populations and ecosystems are extensively exposed to pesticides. Most nations lack the capacity to control pesticide contamination and have limited availability of pesticide use information. Ecuador is a country with intense pesticide use with high exposure risks to humans and the environment, although relative or combined risks are not well understood. Here, we analyzed the distribution of application rates in Ecuador and identified regions of concern because of high potential exposure. We used a geospatial analysis to identify grid cells (∼8 km × 8 km) where the highest pesticide application rates and density of human populations overlap. Furthermore, we identified other regions of concern based on the number of amphibian species as an indicator of ecosystem integrity and the location of natural protected areas. We found that 28% of Ecuador's population dwelled in areas with high pesticide application rate. We identified an area of ∼512 km2 in the Amazon region where high application rates, large human settlements, and a high number of amphibian species overlapped. Additionally, we distinguished clusters of pesticide application rates and human populations that intersected with natural protected areas. Ecuador exemplifies how pesticides are disproportionately applied in areas with the potential to affect human health and ecosystems' integrity. Global estimates of population dwelling, pesticide application rates, and environmental factors are key in prioritizing locations to conduct further exposure assessments. The modular and scalable nature of the geospatial tools we developed can be expanded and adapted to other regions of the world where data on pesticide use are limited. Plain Language Summary: Pesticide exposures are a concerning issue that threatens ecosystem integrity and human health. However, most countries cannot assess, monitor, and control pesticide contamination. We studied this threat in Ecuador, a country with one of the highest application rates of pesticides worldwide, an export‐bound agricultural industry, a large population at risk, remarkable biodiversity, and a limited understanding of the nationwide extent of pesticide contamination. We assessed the geographic distribution of pesticide application rates and identified regions where the potential risk of exposure to human populations and ecosystems requires detailed exposure assessments. Using publicly available global data sets that locate human populations, biodiversity, natural parks, and pesticide use rates, we mapped areas where high levels of pesticide use and high density of human population overlap. We also assessed areas where natural parks and amphibian species may be threatened. Around 28% of Ecuador's population lived in areas with a high pesticide application rate. We found widespread intensive use of pesticides in Ecuador in regions that overlap with human populations and ecosystems at risk of exposure. The methods developed relied on open‐source software and publicly available data. Thus, our approach can be applied to other regions where data on pesticide use are limited. Key Points: Close to 30% of the population in Ecuador lives in areas with high pesticide application ratesHigh pesticide use areas create risks for human populations, biodiversity and protected ecosystems within national parksThe accessible, modular, and scalable methods developed facilitate reproducing population‐level assessments across the world [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial and social behaviour are fundamental aspects of an animal's biology, and their social and spatial environments are indelibly linked through mutual causes and shared consequences. We define the 'spatial–social interface' as intersection of social and spatial aspects of individuals' phenotypes and environments. Behavioural variation at the spatial–social interface has implications for ecological and evolutionary processes including pathogen transmission, population dynamics, and the evolution of social systems. We link spatial and social processes through a foundation of shared theory, vocabulary, and methods. We provide examples and future directions for the integration of spatial and social behaviour and environments. We introduce key concepts and approaches that either implicitly or explicitly integrate social and spatial processes, for example, graph theory, density‐dependent habitat selection, and niche specialization. Finally, we discuss how movement ecology helps link the spatial–social interface. Our review integrates social and spatial behavioural ecology and identifies testable hypotheses at the spatial–social interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social relationships among animals emerge from interactions in multiple ecological and social situations. However, we seldom ask how each situation contributes to the global structure of a population, and whether different situations contribute different information about social relationships and the position of individuals within the social fabric. Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) interact socially in multiple situations, including communal roosting, joint flights, and co‐feeding. These social interactions can influence population‐level outcomes, such as disease transmission and information sharing that determine survival and response to changes. We examined the unique contribution of each social and ecological situation to the social structure of the population and individuals' positions within the overall social network using high‐resolution GPS tracking. We found that the number of individuals each vulture interacted with (degree) was best predicted by diurnal interactions—both during flights and on the ground (such as when feeding). However, the strength of social bonds, that is, the number of interactions an individual had (strength), was best predicted by interactions on the ground—both during the day (e.g., while feeding) and at night (e.g., while roosting) but not by interactions while flying. Thus, social situations differ in their impact on the relationships that individuals form. By incorporating the ecological situations in which social interactions occur we gain a more complete view of how social relationships are formed and which situations are important for different types of interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been steadily increasing use of bilateral mastectomy (BMX) in the treatment of primary breast cancer (BC). In this study, we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the influence of emotion regulation on the decision of newly diagnosed BC patients to choose BMX rather than non‐BMX treatments. Methods: We recruited 123 women with unilateral BC, 61 of whom received BMX and 62 of whom received non‐BMX treatments, and 39 healthy controls. While participants were in the fMRI scanner, we showed them BC‐related and non‐BC‐negative images. In one condition, they were instructed to watch the images naturally. In another, they were instructed to regulate their negative emotion. We compared the fMRI signal during these conditions throughout the brain. Results: With non‐BC‐negative images as the baseline, BC patients showed greater self‐reported reactivity and neural reactivity to BC‐related images in brain regions associated with self‐reflection than did controls. Among the BC patients, the BMX group showed weaker activation in prefrontal emotion regulation brain regions during emotion regulation than did the non‐BMX group. Conclusions: BC patients are understandably emotionally hyper‐reactive to BC‐related stimuli and those who ultimately received BMX experience more difficulty in regulating BC‐related negative emotion than non‐BMX BC patients. These findings offer neuropsychological evidence that difficulty in managing anxiety related to the possibility of cancer recurrence is a factor in surgical treatment decision‐making and may be an intervention target with the goal of strengthening the management of cancer‐related anxiety by nonsurgical means. Trial Registration: NCT03050463. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe our center's experience with the identification and treatment of retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R‐CPD), a syndrome involving the inability to belch previously described by only one institution. Additionally, because all patients initially learned of their condition and sought treatment as a result of social media posts, we queried their source and comfort with this form of medical referral. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent botulism toxin injection into the cricopharyngeus muscle for treatment of R‐CPD from 2019 to 2022. Demographic data, most common symptoms at presentation, and response to treatment and complications were documented. Post‐treatment questionnaires were reviewed. Results: A total of 85 patients were identified. Mean age at surgery was 27 years. There were 54 (63.5%) females and 31 (36.5%) males. The inability to burp (98.8%), bloating (92.9%), gurgling noises (31.8%), and excessive flatulence (21.2%) were the most common symptoms. The minimum units of botox utilized were 25, whereas the maximum was 100. The majority of patients (88.2%) had a successful response at initial follow‐up visit. The most common complication was mild dysphagia (30.6%), which was transient for all patients. Most patients learned of our practice through social media, with only one patient being referred by a medical provider. Conclusions: The majority of patients in our cohort were young and female. The inability to burp and bloating were the most common presenting symptoms. Social media was the primary source of referral. Our institution favors 80–100 units for an effective response. Laryngoscope, 133:1081–1085, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drying of electrodes represents a critical process step in the production of lithium‐ion batteries. In this process step, unfavorably adjusted drying conditions can result in deteriorated electrode properties. Furthermore, the process speed is restricted by limited heat and mass transfer in purely convective drying. To counteract those effects, energy input by near‐infrared (NIR) radiation is a promising approach. Herein, analytical considerations are carried out to demonstrate the suitability of infrared radiation with regard to achievable electrode temperatures and drying rates. In an experimental approach, aqueous processed graphite anodes are dried with an NIR module, varying the power and the amount of convection for different experiments. The temperature profiles of the electrodes and the drying rates are measured and analyzed, and the electrodes are subsequently characterized using adhesion measurements. The results obtained show that energy input by NIR radiation during the drying of electrodes can lead to an increased drying speed, electrode temperature during drying, and adhesion force of the dry electrode. These findings indicate that the binder distribution during NIR drying is advantageous in terms of electrode adhesion, compared with convectively dried electrodes produced at comparable drying rates, positioning the process promisingly with regard to high throughput rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and reducing edge elevations at the lateral edges are crucial aspects to reduce reject rates during electrode production for lithium‐ion batteries (LIB). Herein, different process conditions to reduce edge elevations at the lateral edges of water‐based, shear‐thinning coatings in the production of LIB electrodes are presented. The reduction of edge elevations is transferred from state‐of‐the‐art electrodes to high‐capacity electrodes. The developed process configuration greatly reduces reject caused by cutting off the edge areas in the industrial roll‐to‐roll process for electrode production. Compared with state‐of‐the art electrodes, the reject rate for high‐capacity electrode production is significantly higher because the edge geometry in crossweb direction of the electrodes is wider. An optimization can be achieved by a combined adjustment of the coating gap and the slot‐die angle to the substrate (angle of attack) to affect the pressure field in the coating bead. Therefore, a systematic investigation and optimization of these process parameters are presented. In addition, the investigation of the process stability of the coating is required. Based on this optimization, a reduction of edge elevations for high‐capacity electrode coatings (5 mAh cm−2) of 69% and ultrathick high‐capacity electrode coatings (7 mAh cm−2) of 48% is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]