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Abstract Currently liver transplantation is the only treatment option for liver disease, but organ availability cannot meet patient demand. Alternative regenerative therapies, including cell transplantation, aim to modulate the injured microenvironment from inflammation and scarring towards regeneration. The complexity of the liver injury response makes it challenging to identify suitable therapeutic targets when relying on experimental approaches alone. Therefore, we adopted a combined in vivo-in silico approach and developed an ordinary differential equation model of acute liver disease able to predict the host response to injury and potential interventions. The Mdm2fl/fl mouse model of senescence-driven liver injury was used to generate a quantitative dynamic characterisation of the key cellular players (macrophages, endothelial cells, myofibroblasts) and extra cellular matrix involved in liver injury. This was qualitatively captured by the mathematical model. The mathematical model was then used to predict injury outcomes in response to milder and more severe levels of senescence-induced liver injury and validated with experimental in vivo data. In silico experiments using the validated model were then performed to interrogate potential approaches to enhance regeneration. These predicted that increasing the rate of macrophage phenotypic switch or increasing the number of pro-regenerative macrophages in the system will accelerate the rate of senescent cell clearance and resolution. These results showcase the potential benefits of mechanistic mathematical modelling for capturing the dynamics of complex biological systems and identifying therapeutic interventions that may enhance our understanding of injury-repair mechanisms and reduce translational bottlenecks.

Abstract Background Telemedicine allows delivery of healthcare to occur between parties that are not in the same location. As telemedicine users are not co-present, effective communication methods are crucial to the delivery and reception of information. The aim of this study was to explore perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and patients on the interactional components of telemedicine consultations. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with telemedicine users; 15 GPs and nine patients self-selected from a larger telemedicine study. Participants were asked about their preparation for telemedicine consultations, conducting telemedicine consultations and post-consultation activities. Deidentified transcripts from the interviews were analysed thematically. Results GPs and patients discussed factors they used to decide whether a consultation would be best conducted by telemedicine or in-person; the condition to be discussed, the existing doctor-patient relationship and whether physical examination was required. Participants also described how they prepared for their telemedicine consultations, gathering relevant documents, and reading previous notes. Participants described strategies they employed to optimise the telemedicine interaction; improving conversational flow and building rapport, as well as difficulties they experienced when trying to provide and receive care via telemedicine. Conclusions Patient factors including health literacy and familiarity with technology affect the transfer of information shared during telemedicine consultations and consideration of these factors when choosing patients for telemedicine is required. Many GPs and patients have innate communication skills to effectively deliver and receive care through telemedicine. However, they may not be aware of these subconscious techniques to use to optimise telemedicine consultations. Communication training could be delivered to increase conversational flow, build rapport, and establish safety netting.

The present study explored the public conceptualization of creativity on Twitter through co-listed hashtags associated with #creativity in a million tweets. Exploratory Graph Analysis was used to identify a network of semantic clusters, and a pre-trained language model yielded the sentiment of the underlying tweets. The semantic clusters reflect well-known everyday creative domains focused on visual and digital arts, storytelling, and handicraft. Other clusters paid tribute to the role of mind-sets, teams, and imagination, feature business and innovation, and stress the importance of creativity for mental health. In addition, we compared the resulting network to one of #innovation, which had a higher prevalence of technological clusters relating to areas of digital transformation. Both networks are vastly positive, suggesting that the exhibition of potential and success outweighs tweeting about obstacles and failure. Our study provides a bottom-up socio-cultural snapshot of lay conceptualizations of creativity, highlighting commonalities and differences with theorized conceptualizations.

The Virtual Palaeosciences (ViPs) project is a collaborative initiative bringing palaeoscientists together to locate, access and share online educational resources (OERs). It began as a response to the 2020 shift to online learning when the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed field and lab work. We outline the development and initial outcomes of the project and consider future directions post-pandemic. Our initial focus was to create a searchable list of OERs (now numbers 600+). The project has also promoted co-operation across institutions and created new collaborations. It became clear that even experienced and teaching-focused educators were anxious about how to incorporate virtual materials and develop alternatives to field and laboratory work and deliver their intended learning outcomes. ViPs aim to become a "hub" for palaeoscience teaching resources. While some face-to-face teaching has returned in Higher Education, the benefits of online elements have become clear to students and educators alike. Therefore, following the pandemic, an increasing shift towards a blended delivery with greater use of OERs in palaeoscience and other disciplines is likely. Longer term, the ViPs project also seeks to increase inclusive, accessible education in the palaeosciences through the digital enhancement of provision, by supporting both users and creators of virtual teaching materials.

Dynamical response of water exposed to x-rays is of utmost importance in a wealth of science areas. We exposed isolated water isotopologues to short x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser and detected momenta of all produced ions in coincidence. By combining experimental results and theoretical modeling, we identify significant structural dynamics with characteristic isotope effects in H2O2+, D2O2+, and HDO2+, such as asymmetric bond elongation and bond-angle opening, leading to two-body or three-body fragmentation on a timescale of a few femtoseconds. A method to disentangle the sequences of events taking place upon the consecutive absorption of two x-ray photons is described. The obtained deep look into structural properties and dynamics of dissociating water isotopologues provides essential insights into the underlying mechanisms.

University athletes have a limited time (usually four years) of eligibility to perform for their institutions. The dynamic nature of university athletics in the United States results in a continuous influx of newcomers to the various teams. Furthermore, athletes with diverse cultural backgrounds have to adapt to the team culture to be able to perform at their highest level. Considering that, the integration of new athletes is a process that happens on a large scale at the beginning of every season and can have an impact on their performance throughout the season and beyond. Delineating the tactics coaches employ to facilitate this process warrants considerable attention. In this study, the authors focused on the onboarding process of newcomer university athletes who have a significant difference between their culture and the team culture. The authors paid special attention to the university athlete's perception of the ability of their coach to structure the onboarding process. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to develop a valid and reliable instrument to measure athlete perceptions of tactics used by their coach during the onboarding process of newcomers into university athletics, based on Churchill (1979) and DeVellis’ (2016) scale development procedures.

ABSTRACTWork plays a central role in many men’s lives and can be a major contributor to mental health. The current study aim was to examine the prevalence and nature of Canadian men’s mental health challenges at work, including diverse indicators of mental health and workplace characteristics. Participants (N = 451) were men (M = 49.97 years; SD = 14.99) employed in British Columbia, Canada, who were recruited via a market research online panel. Questionnaires were used to collect men’s mental health data (e.g. depression, loneliness), work-related health (e.g. burnout, bullying), and workplace performance (e.g. presentism, absenteeism). Findings revealed high rates of hazardous drinking (36%), depression (22%), suicidal/self-injury ideation (18%), and anxiety (14%). Many participants reported that they frequently experienced occupational burnout, and 18% reported that personal problems significantly impaired their work. Of concern, approximately 53% indicated that they keep feelings to themselves and 45% reported that they would prefer not to talk about their problems. Important factors related to mental health symptoms were identified (e.g. age, distress concealment, male-dominated workplace). These findings highlight the need for policy makers and employers to take immediate action to address men’s mental health challenges by developing initiatives that promote men’s mental health in the workplace.

Review of the influence of the extraction and purification process on the characteristics and properties of locust bean gum. The carob tree is a species cultivated for its seeds in Mediterranean countries. These seeds contain an endosperm rich in galactomannans, which are used by the food industry for their texturing properties. After harvesting, the seeds pass through a decutilation and a degermination process. Cleaned endosperms are then milled to give crude locust bean gum. The purification step consists of solubilization of the flour followed by precipitation of the galactomannans. Purification influences the characteristics of the resulting gum. The solubilization temperature is the parameter that has the greatest effect on the final characteristics of the product. Depending on whether the solubilization temperature is hot or cold, galactomannans with different structural characteristics (and thus with very different physical properties in aqueous solutions) will be selected.

Abstract It has been shown that noise emissions from HV overhead line conductors can be reduced under rain conditions by making their surfaces superhydrophobic. The working environment makes ensuring the longevity of any treatment a major challenge. The degradation of various superhydrophobic surfaces generated by applying a superhydrophobic coating and patterning microscale channels is assessed under an AC electric field (18 kV/cm) with continuous water spray. By examining the droplet distribution on the surfaces during the degradation and the surface roughness before and after degradation, the authors demonstrate that no water droplets were found on the microscale patterned surface, but droplets were formed on the coated surface after degradation. The surface roughness reduction of the coated surface and microscale patterned surface was 29.8% and 11.3%, respectively, indicating that the microscale patterned surface has better durability than the superhydrophobic coating under the AC electric stress.

Abstract Background Understanding the cause vs consequence relationship of gut inflammation and microbial dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) requires a reproducible mouse model of human-microbiota-driven experimental colitis. Results Our study demonstrated that human fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) transfer efficiency is an underappreciated source of experimental variability in human microbiota-associated (HMA) mice. Pooled human IBD patient fecal microbiota engrafted germ-free (GF) mice with low amplicon sequence variant (ASV)-level transfer efficiency, resulting in high recipient-to-recipient variation of microbiota composition and colitis severity in HMA Il-10 −/− mice. In contrast, mouse-to-mouse transfer of mouse-adapted human IBD patient microbiota transferred with high efficiency and low compositional variability resulting in highly consistent and reproducible colitis phenotypes in recipient Il-10 −/− mice. Engraftment of human-to-mouse FMT stochastically varied with individual transplantation events more than mouse-adapted FMT. Human-to-mouse FMT caused a population bottleneck with reassembly of microbiota composition that was host inflammatory environment specific. Mouse-adaptation in the inflamed Il-10 −/− host reassembled a more aggressive microbiota that induced more severe colitis in serial transplant to Il-10 −/− mice than the distinct microbiota reassembled in non-inflamed WT hosts. Conclusions Our findings support a model of IBD pathogenesis in which host inflammation promotes aggressive resident bacteria, which further drives a feed-forward process of dysbiosis exacerbated by gut inflammation. This model implies that effective management of IBD requires treating both the dysregulated host immune response and aggressive inflammation-driven microbiota. We propose that our mouse-adapted human microbiota model is an optimized, reproducible, and rigorous system to study human microbiome-driven disease phenotypes, which may be generalized to mouse models of other human microbiota-modulated diseases, including metabolic syndrome/obesity, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Video Abstract

Abstract Background Understanding connections between biodiversity and ecosystem services can be enhanced by shifting focus from species richness to functional trait-based approaches, that when paired with comparative phylogenetic methods can provide even deeper insights. We investigated the functional ecology and phylogenetic diversity of pollination services provided by hymenopteran insects visiting apple flowers in orchards surrounded by either ‘natural’ or ‘disturbed’ landscapes in New South Wales, Australia. We assessed whether morphological and behavioural traits (hairiness, body size, glossa length, pollen load purity, and probability of loose pollen) exhibited non-random phylogenetic patterns. Then, explored whether bees, the primary pollinators in this system, filled unique or overlapping functional entities (FEs). For each landscape, we calculated phylogenetic diversity and used FEs to assess functional richness, evenness, and diversion. Results A phylogenomic matrix based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs; 1,382,620 bp from 1,969 loci) was used to infer a fully-resolved and well-supported maximum likelihood phylogeny for 48 hymenopteran morphospecies. There was no significant difference in species richness between landscape categories. Pollinator communities at natural sites had higher phylogenetic complexity (X = 2.37) and functional divergence (x̄ = 0.74 ± 0.02 s.e.) than disturbed sites (X = 1.65 and x̄ = 0.6 ± 0.01 s.e.). Hairiness showed significant phylogenetic clustering (K = 0.94), whereas body size, glossa length, and loose pollen showed weaker non-random phylogenetic patterns (K between 0.3–0.5). Pollen load purity showed no association with phylogeny. The assemblage of 17 bee morphospecies comprised nine FEs: eight FEs consisted of native bees with three containing 65% of all native bee taxa. The introduced honey bee (Apis mellifera) occupied a unique FE, likely due to its different evolutionary history. Both landscape types supported six FEs each with three overlapping: two native bee FEs and the honey bee FE. Conclusions Bee hairiness was the only functional trait to exhibit demonstrable phylogenetic signal. Despite differences in species richness, and functional and phylogenetic diversity between orchard landscape types, both maintained equal bee FE numbers. While no native bee taxon was analogous to the honey bee FE, four native bee FEs shared the same hairiness level as honey bees. Health threats to honey bee populations in Australia will likely disrupt pollination services to apple, and other pollination-dependent food crops, given the low level of functional redundancy within the investigated pollinator assemblages.

Background: Preeclampsia has remained an important public health problem in the developing world where it is associated with a five-fold increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: We set out to compare neonatal outcomes between women with preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancy. We also sought to evaluate factors associated with poor outcome in the neonates. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled 90 women (45 with preeclampsia and 45 with normal pregnancy) after 20 weeks gestation. Maternal socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained at enrolment and delivery using questionnaire. Neonatal anthropometric and physiologic data was obtained at delivery and used for classifying the birth weight according to the WHO classification. APGAR score was used to evaluate the presence of birth asphyxia. We defined poor outcome as the presence of at least one of low birth weight, prematurity, birth asphyxia and need for admission. SPSS version 25 was used in all analysis. Significance testing was set at p=0.05. Results: The women with preeclampsia were significantly heavier at booking (BMI 29.0±6.9 Kg/ m2 vs 25.0±5.2. p=0.005), have higher mean booking systolic blood pressure (122.±22.6 mmHg vs 111.5±12.7mmHg, p=0.003) and diastolic blood pressure (79. 8 ± 1 4 . 3 mm Hgv s 68.8±9.0mmHg, p = 0.001). Neonates of women with preeclampsia were significantly more premature (m e a n g e s t a t i o n a l a g e = 3 6 . 8 ± 3 . 2 w e e k s v s 38.7±2.0weeks, p=0.001) and lighter (mean birth weight =2,529±817.5g vs 3,079.2±527.4g, p. 0.001 Overall, 22 (49.4%) of the neonates of women with preeclampsia had significantly poor outcome compared with 12(27.4%) of the neonates of women with normal pregnancy (p=0.01). Univariate logistic analysis showed only being a male neonate, maternal preeclampsia and admission in index pregnancy were significantly associated with poor outcome. Multivariable logistic regression showed only being a male neonate to be 3 times more likely to have a poor outcome (Wald=5.34. OR=3.2, p=0.02) Conclusions: Intrauterine exposure to preeclampsia is associated with poor neonatal outcomes especially in males

Abstract Inherited retinopathies are devastating diseases that in most cases lack treatment options. Disease-modifying therapies that mitigate pathophysiology regardless of the underlying genetic lesion are desirable due to the diversity of mutations found in such diseases. We tested a systems pharmacology-based strategy that suppresses intracellular cAMP and Ca2+ activity via G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) modulation using tamsulosin, metoprolol, and bromocriptine coadministration. The treatment improves cone photoreceptor function and slows degeneration in Pde6βrd10 and RhoP23H/WT retinitis pigmentosa mice. Cone degeneration is modestly mitigated after a 7-month-long drug infusion in PDE6A-/- dogs. The treatment also improves rod pathway function in an Rpe65-/- mouse model of Leber congenital amaurosis but does not protect from cone degeneration. RNA-sequencing analyses indicate improved metabolic function in drug-treated Rpe65-/- and rd10 mice. Our data show that catecholaminergic GPCR drug combinations that modify second messenger levels via multiple receptor actions provide a potential disease-modifying therapy against retinal degeneration.

Statement of the problem. The article discusses the manifestations and consequences of such conflicts, in particular their impact on the Pechenihy Reservoir. The study of the problem of water clashes and its exhaustive justification is an important step in the development of effective strategies for managing water resources and preventing the negative consequences of conflicts. Despite the generally defined interpretation of water conflicts, the term should be considered more thoroughly as a phenomenon, based on its duality, because such conflicts can be provoked by different reasons, and therefore their course and consequences may differ. The study of the problem of water clashes and its exhaustive justification is an important step in the development of effective strategies for managing water resources and preventing the negative consequences of conflicts. The study of the problems of water conflicts with the example of the Pechenihy reservoir is due to the novelty of the problem faced by this reservoir. For the first time, the Pechenihy reservoir witnessed large-scale hostilities and, accordingly, for the first time in the history of its existence, faced the devastating consequences of the war. A comprehensive characterization of the reservoir as a center of local water skirmish is necessary, especially in the context of determining the manifestations and classifications of water conflicts. The aim of the work is to set out the causes, classifications and consequences of water conflicts that arise in the context of the use of water resources based on the example of the Pechenihy reservoir. The article aims at a comprehensive analysis of the impact of these conflicts on the geo-ecological and social spheres. Methods. In addition to general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization, geographical methods of research were used. A special place was occupied by the methods of space hydrology (deciphering aerospace images of the reservoir). The applied method of system analysis helped to identify and clearly classify the situation around the studied reservoir as a local water conflict with the identification of the problem and the way of its course. Results. The study substantiates the phenomenon of water conflicts, highlighting their dual nature as both geo-ecological and social issues, exacerbated by military operations. The hydrological and technical characteristics of the Pechenihy reservoir were examined, revealing significant geo- and hydroecological problems due to nearby combat activities. The study provides a first-time analysis of local water conflict events from the onset of the Russian invasion to the Kharkiv counteroffensive, classifying the conflict around the Pechenihy reservoir as armed, with water serving as both a victim and weapon. The novelty of this article is manifested in an in-depth study of the specifics of hydroecological conflicts in the conditions of long-term hostilities around the Pechenihy reservoir, followed by a comprehensive analysis of the geoecological and social aspects of this problem.

Abstract Background The unprecedented increase in telehealth use due to COVID-19 has changed general practitioners’ (GP) and patients’ engagement in healthcare. There is limited specific advice for effective communication when using telehealth. Examining telehealth use in practice in conjunction with perspectives on telehealth as they relate to communication allows opportunities to produce evidence-based guidance for optimal use of telehealth, while also offering practitioners the opportunity to reflect on elements of their communicative practice common to both styles of consultation. The objective of this research was to develop evidence-based resources to support effective, person-centred communication when GPs and patients use telehealth. This included examination of interactional practices of recorded telehealth consultations, exploration of GP and patient perspectives relating to telehealth, and identifying priorities for guidance informed by these analyses as well as participant co-design. Methods This study involved recording telehealth consultations (n = 42), conducting patient surveys (n = 153), and interviewing patients (n = 9) and GPs (n = 15). These were examined using interaction analytic methods, quantitative analysis, and thematic analyses, to create a robust, integrated picture of telehealth practice and perspectives. The process of research translation involved a co-design approach, engaging with providers, patients, and policy makers to facilitate development of evidence-based principles that focus on supporting effective communication when using telehealth. Results Three key themes relating to communication in telehealth were identified across the different analyses. These were relationship building, conversational flow, and safety netting. The draft best practice principles drawn from these themes were modified based on co-design feedback into five Best Practice Principles for Communication between GPs and Patients using Telehealth. Conclusions Effective communication is supported through relationship building and attention to conversational flow in telehealth consultations, which in turn allows for safety netting to occur. In telehealth, GPs and patients recognise that not being co-present changes the consultation and use both intuitive and strategic interactional adjustments to support their exchange. The mixed-method examination of experiences through both a detailed analysis of telehealth consultations in practice and comparative exploration of GP and patient perspectives enabled the identification of principles that can support effective communication when using telehealth. Co-design helped ensure these principles are ready for implementation into practice.