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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) that affects approximately 4% of males and 1% of females in the United States. While causes of ASD are multi-factorial, single rare genetic variants contribute to around 20% of cases. Here, we report a case series of seven unrelated probands (6 males, 1 female) with ASD or another variable NDD phenotype attributed to de novo heterozygous loss of function or missense variants in the gene LARP1 (La ribonucleoprotein 1). LARP1 encodes an RNA-binding protein that post-transcriptionally regulates the stability and translation of thousands of mRNAs, including those regulating cellular metabolism and metabolic plasticity. Using lymphocytes collected and immortalized from an index proband who carries a truncating variant in one allele of LARP1, we demonstrated that lower cellular levels of LARP1 protein cause reduced rates of aerobic respiration and glycolysis. As expression of LARP1 increases during neurodevelopment, with higher levels in neurons and astrocytes, we propose that LARP1 haploinsufficiency contributes to ASD or related NDDs through attenuated metabolic activity in the developing fetal brain.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2, comparing them according to successive waves, and to identify prognostic factors for morbidity and mortality. Materials and methods This single-center retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted from March 10, 2020, to October 17, 2021. All adult patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia presenting acute respiratory failure were included. COVID 19 diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR testing of respiratory specimens. The primary endpoint was ICU mortality. Secondary endpoints were the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) or bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Results Over the study period, 437 patients were included of whom 282 (65%) patients were ventilated for 9 [5;20] days. Among the studied population, 38% were treated for one or more episodes of VAP, and 22 (5%) for bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. ICU mortality was 26% in the first wave, then fell and stabilized at around 10% in subsequent waves (p = 0.02). Increased age, Charlson index, SOFA score and lactatemia on admission were predictive of mortality. Survival at 90 days was 85% (95% CI 82–88) and was unaffected by the presence of VAP. However, the occurrence of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis increased mortality to 36%. Conclusion In this study, we observed mortality in the lower range of those previously reported. Risk factors for mortality mainly included age and previous comorbidities. The prognosis of these critically ill Covid 19 patients improved over the four waves, underlining the likely beneficial effect of vaccination and dexamethasone.

Abstract Background Peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pECMO) has become the first-line device in refractory cardiogenic shock (rCS). Some pECMO complications can preclude any bridging strategies and a peripheral-to-central ECMO (cECMO) switch can be considered as a bridge-to-decision. We conducted this study to appraise the in-hospital survival and the bridging strategies in patients undergoing peripheral-to-central ECMO switch. Methods This retrospective monocenter study included patients admitted to a ECMO-dedicated intensive care unit from February 2006 to January 2023. Patients with rCS requiring pECMO switched to cECMO were included. Patients were not included when the cECMO was the first mechanical circulatory support. Results Eighty patients, with a median [IQR25-75] age of 44 [29–53] years at admission and a female-to-male sex ratio of 0.6 were included in the study. Refractory pulmonary edema was the main switching reason. Thirty patients (38%) were successfully bridged to: heart transplantation (n = 16/80, 20%), recovery (n = 10/80, 12%) and ventricle assist device (VAD, n = 4/30, 5%) while the others died on cECMO (n = 50/80, 62%). The most frequent complications were the need for renal replacement therapy (76%), hemothorax or tamponade (48%), need for surgical revision (34%), mediastinitis (28%), and stroke (28%). The in-hospital and one-year survival rates were 31% and 27% respectively. Myocardial infarction as the cause of the rCS was the only variable independently associated with in-hospital mortality (HR 2.5 [1.3–4.9], p = 0.009). Conclusions The switch from a failing pECMO support to a cECMO as a bridge-to-decision is a possible strategy for a very selected population of young patients with a realistic chance of heart function recovery or heart transplantation. In this setting, cECMO allows patients triage preventing from wasting expensive and limited resources.

Abstract Background Dairy cattle breeds are populations of limited effective size, subject to recurrent outbreaks of recessive defects that are commonly studied using positional cloning. However, this strategy, based on the observation of animals with characteristic features, may overlook a number of conditions, such as immune or metabolic genetic disorders, which may be confused with pathologies of environmental etiology. Results We present a data mining framework specifically designed to detect recessive defects in livestock that have been previously missed due to a lack of specific signs, incomplete penetrance, or incomplete linkage disequilibrium. This approach leverages the massive data generated by genomic selection. Its basic principle is to compare the observed and expected numbers of homozygotes for sliding haplotypes in animals with different life histories. Within three cattle breeds, we report 33 new loci responsible for increased risk of juvenile mortality and present a series of validations based on large-scale genotyping, clinical examination, and functional studies for candidate variants affecting the NOA1, RFC5, and ITGB7 genes. In particular, we describe disorders associated with NOA1 and RFC5 mutations for the first time in vertebrates. Conclusions The discovery of these many new defects will help to characterize the genetic basis of inbreeding depression, while their management will improve animal welfare and reduce losses to the industry.

Abstract Population monitoring programmes typically rely on sampling because it is impossible to survey all the sites within the study area. In such a situation, the general recommendation to obtain unbiased estimates of population trends is to select monitoring sites using probability sampling. However, site selection not based on probability sampling, such as selecting sites with the largest abundance of individuals at the beginning of the monitoring programme, is common in practice. Nevertheless, these methods carry the risk of obtaining biased trend estimates. Using simulations, McClure & Rolek (2023) investigated whether three non‐probability sampling site selection methods can yield unbiased trend estimates under some specific conditions. For two of these methods, that is selecting high quality sites and selecting sites known to be occupied, the authors conclude that there is a major risk of obtaining biased trend estimates. For the third method, that is selecting sites with the largest initial abundance, they found conditions in which unbiased estimates can be obtained. They conclude that the general recommendation to use probability sampling should be revised. Here, we show that the authors' results, although perfectly correct, do not invalidate this recommendation. First, we point out that the authors made strong assumptions about the populations' functioning in their simulations, especially that inter‐annual variance in abundance is similar for all sites, which is unlikely in most real populations. We show through simple simulations that even slightly relaxing this assumption invalidates the authors' results. We also point out that for most of the hypotheses made by the authors, it is generally not known at the beginning of a study whether they will be respected. Furthermore, the authors did not provide evidence that selecting sites based on high initial abundance leads to more precise trend estimates than probability sampling methods. Therefore, neither the benefits nor the risks of this method are known. We conclude that until evidence is provided that abundance‐based site selection improves estimate precision and the situations in which it provides unbiased estimates are clearly identified, using probability sampling should remain the rule.

ABSTRACT Background and purpose Around 30% of patients with epilepsy show drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). While cannabidiol has demonstrated efficacy as an adjunctive treatment in Dravet syndrome (DS), Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), and epilepsy related to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), its more global effectiveness in adult patients with DRE apart from these three specific contexts needs to be clarified. Methods We conducted a retrospective study at the epilepsy unit of Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital. Patients initiating pharmaceutical cannabidiol treatment and followed for at least 1 year were included. Patients were categorized into “authorized” (LGS, DS, or TSC) and “off‐label” groups. Cannabidiol effectiveness and tolerance were compared between groups, and characteristics of responders (patients with >50% reduction in seizure frequency) in the off‐label group were examined. Results Ninety‐one patients, followed by a median duration of 24 months, were included. A total of 35.2% of the patients were in the authorized group. No significant differences were observed in responder rates between groups (31.3% vs. 35.6%, p = 0.85) and retention rates at 1 year (75.0% vs. 74.6%, p = 0.97). Sleepiness was more commonly reported in the authorized group (50.0% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.01), with no other significant differences. Among off‐label patients (n = 59), clobazam co‐prescription was more prevalent in responders (71.4% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.002). Conclusion Our findings suggest that cannabidiol may benefit all adult patients with DRE, particularly those already receiving clobazam. Randomized controlled trials are warranted in off‐label patients to validate these observational findings.

Since the first plans to develop offshore wind farms (OWFs), concerns have been raised about the impacts on marine megafauna. Today, it is required to assess these impacts over the whole lifecycle of the OWF. Before construction, initial assessments are often conducted by visual surveys, but subsequent monitoring over the lifecycle of the OWF has to be digital due to safety requirements, leading to challenges in data comparability. The aim of this study was to attempt to establish generalizable intercalibration factors for this transition between visual and digital monitoring methods. To this end, intercalibration surveys were conducted at five different sites and at different times of the year within a site, using both visual monitoring at low-altitude and digital monitoring at both low and high altitudes. We tested the potential for intercalibration of the results based on the ratio of abundance estimated from data collected by the different methods. We explored factors such as the species under study and site-specific conditions that may influence intercalibration. We computed more than 100 intercalibration factors and found that, on average, abundance estimates from digital methods were higher than those from visual methods and that flight altitude for digital monitoring did not significantly influence abundance estimates. Aside from divergent abundance estimates depending on monitoring method, the findings also revealed significant heterogeneity, only one-third of which was explained by contextual factors such as taxonomy or the sea conditions. This outcome presents a pessimistic outlook on the prospect for the intercalibration of results between an initial assessment carried out with visual observations and subsequent monitoring with digital methods after OWF construction and until decommissioning. The high heterogeneity prevents seamless transferability of intercalibration factors and highlights the importance of local context.

A series of highly emissive inert and chiral CrIII complexes displaying positive and negative circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) within the near-infrared (NIR) region at room temperature have been prepared and characterized to decipher the effect of ligand substitution on the photophysical properties, more specifically on the chiroptical properties. The helical homoleptic [Cr(dqp-R)2]3+ (dqp = 2,6-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine; R = Ph, ≡-Ph, DMA, ≡-DMA (DMA = N,N-dimethylaniline)) and heteroleptic [Cr(dqp)(L)]3+ (L = 4-methoxy-2,6-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine (dqp-OMe) or L = N2,N6-dimethyl-N2,N6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-diamine (ddpd)) molecular rubies were synthesized as racemic mixtures and then resolved and isolated into their respective pure PP and MM enantiomeric forms by chiral stationary phase HPLC. The corresponding enantiomers show two opposite polarized emission bands within the 700–780 nm range corresponding to the characteristic metal-centered Cr(2E’→4A2) and Cr(2T1’→4A2) transitions with large glum ranging from 0.14 to 0.20 for the former transition. In summary, this study reports the rational use of different ligands on CrIII and their effect on the chiroptical properties of the complexes.

Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) that affects approximately 4% of males and 1% of females in the United States. While causes of ASD are multi-factorial, single rare genetic variants contribute to around 20% of cases. Here, we report a case series of seven unrelated probands (6 males, 1 female) with ASD or another variable NDD phenotype attributed to de novo heterozygous loss of function or missense variants in the gene LARP1 (La ribonucleoprotein 1). LARP1 encodes an RNA-binding protein that post-transcriptionally regulates the stability and translation of thousands of mRNAs, including those regulating cellular metabolism and metabolic plasticity. Using lymphocytes collected and immortalized from an index proband who carries a truncating variant in one allele of LARP1, we demonstrated that lower cellular levels of LARP1 protein cause reduced rates of aerobic respiration and glycolysis. As expression of LARP1 increases during neurodevelopment, with higher levels in neurons and astrocytes, we propose that LARP1 haploinsufficiency contributes to ASD or related NDDs through attenuated metabolic activity in the developing fetal brain.

Abstract Background Linear models that are commonly used to predict breeding values in livestock species consider paternal influence solely as a genetic effect. However, emerging evidence in several species suggests the potential effect of non-genetic semen-mediated paternal effects on offspring phenotype. This study contributes to such research by analyzing the extent of non-genetic paternal effects on the performance of Holstein, Montbéliarde, and Normande dairy cows. Insemination data, including semen Batch Identifier (BI, a combination of bull identification and collection date), was associated with various traits measured in cows born from the insemination. These traits encompassed stature, milk production (milk, fat, and protein yields), udder health (somatic cell score and clinical mastitis), and female fertility (conception rates of heifers and cows). We estimated (1) the effects of age at collection and heat stress during spermatogenesis, and (2) the variance components associated with BI or Weekly aggregated BI (WBI). Results Overall, the non-genetic paternal effect estimates were small and of limited biological importance. However, while heat stress during spermatogenesis did not show significant associations with any of the traits studied in daughters, we observed significant effects of bull age at semen collection on the udder health of daughters. Indeed, cows born from bulls collected after 1500 days of age had higher somatic cell scores compared to those born from bulls collected at a younger age (less than 400 days old) in both Holstein and Normande breeds (+ 3% and + 5% of the phenotypic mean, respectively). In addition, across all breeds and traits analyzed, the estimates of non-genetic paternal variance were consistently low, representing on average 0.13% and 0.09% of the phenotypic variance for BI and WBI, respectively (ranging from 0 to 0.7%). These estimates did not significantly differ from zero, except for milk production traits (milk, fat, and protein yields) in the Holstein breed and protein yield in the Montbéliarde breed when WBI was considered. Conclusions Our findings indicate that non-genetic paternal information transmitted through semen does not substantially influence the offspring phenotype in dairy cattle breeds for routinely measured traits. This lack of substantial impact may be attributed to limited transmission or minimal exposure of elite bulls to adverse conditions.

Abstract Background Nine male and eight female calves born to a Normande artificial insemination bull named “Ly” were referred to the French National Observatory of Bovine Abnormalities for multiple fractures, shortened gestation, and stillbirth or perinatal mortality. Results Using Illumina BovineSNP50 array genotypes from affected calves and 84 half-sib controls, the associated locus was mapped to a 6.5-Mb interval on chromosome 19, assuming autosomal inheritance with germline mosaicism. Subsequent comparison of the whole-genome sequences of one case and 5116 control genomes, followed by genotyping in the affected pedigree, identified a de novo missense substitution within the NC1 domain of the COL1A1 gene (Chr19 g.36,473,965G > A; p.D1412N) as unique candidate variant. Interestingly, the affected residue was completely conserved among 243 vertebrate orthologs, and the same substitution in humans has been reported to cause type II osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a connective tissue disorder that is characterized primarily by bone deformity and fragility. Moreover, three COL1A1 mutations have been described to cause the same syndrome in cattle. Necropsy, computed tomography, radiology, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of type II OI, further supporting the causality of this variant. In addition, a detailed analysis of gestation length and perinatal mortality in 1387 offspring of Ly and more than 160,000 progeny of 63 control bulls allowed us to statistically confirm in a large pedigree the association between type II OI and preterm delivery, which is probably due to premature rupture of fetal membranes and has been reported in several isolated cases of type II OI in humans and cattle. Finally, analysis of perinatal mortality rates and segregation distortion supported a low level of germ cell mosaicism in Ly, with an estimate of 4.5% to 7.7% of mutant sperm and thus 63 to 107 affected calves born. These numbers contrast with the 17 cases reported and raise concerns about the underreporting of congenital defects to heredo-surveillance platforms, even for textbook genetic syndromes. Conclusions In conclusion, we describe a large animal model for a recurrent substitution in COL1A1 that is responsible for type II OI in humans. More generally, this study highlights the utility of such datasets and large half-sib families available in livestock species to characterize sporadic genetic defects.

Abstract Infectious diseases can cause considerable mortality in vertebrate populations, especially when a new pathogen emerges. Quantifying the impact of diseases on wild populations and dissecting the underlying mechanisms requires longitudinal individual monitoring combining demographic and epidemiologic data. Such longitudinal population studies are rare. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is one of the main causes of the decline in European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations. A new genotype of RHD virus (RHDV), called RHDV2 or GI.2, emerged in 2010, posing a new threat to previously weakened populations, particularly as this virus can infect individuals already immune to classical RHDV strains. Taking advantage of intensive monitoring from 2009 to 2014 by physical captures and microchip detections of a semi‐captive population of rabbits, we finely assessed the demographic impact of an initial RHDV2 outbreak that occurred in the population and identified the most affected demographic parameters. A multi‐event modeling analysis revealed decreased survival in both juveniles and adults in 2011 and 2012, suggesting an RHDV2 outbreak for two consecutive years. The short‐term survival benefit of vaccination against classical RHDV strains only during these years, and the recovery of carcasses with RHDV2 detection, supported this hypothesis. Variations in population vaccination coverage also explain the difference in adult survival between the two years of the outbreak. And the transient protective effect of vaccination could explain the prolonged duration of the outbreak. A brief episode of myxomatosis in 2011 seems to have had only a limited impact on the population. During outbreak years, in individuals not recently vaccinated, monthly juvenile survival crashed (0.55), and annual adult survival was three times lower than in normal years (0.21 vs. 0.69). The combination of successive juvenile and adult survival estimates for unvaccinated rabbits during the outbreak years resulted in a very low recruitment rate in the breeding population. Finally, RHDV2 outbreaks appear to have caused mortalities comparable to those caused by older classical RHDV strains and may have a strong demographic impact on wild populations of European rabbit. This work highlights the importance of long‐term observational and experimental studies to better understand the impact of epidemics on animal populations.

IntroductionDespite significant advancements in understanding the biochemical, anatomical, and functional impacts of vestibular lesions, developing standardized and effective rehabilitation strategies for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies remains a challenge. Chronic vestibular disorders, characterized by permanent or recurrent imbalances and blurred vision or oscillopsia, present significant complexity in non-pharmacological management. The complex interaction between peripheral vestibular damage and its impact on the central nervous system (CNS) raises questions about neuroplasticity and vestibular compensation capacity. Although fundamental research has examined the consequences of lesions on the vestibular system, the effect of a chronic peripheral vestibular error signal (VES) on the CNS remains underexplored. The VES refers to the discrepancy between sensory expectations and perceptions of the vestibular system has been clarified through recent engineering studies. This deeper understanding of VES is crucial not only for vestibular physiology and pathology but also for designing effective measures and methods of vestibular rehabilitation, shedding light on the importance of compensation mechanisms and sensory integration.MethodsThis retrospective study, targeting patients with chronic unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy unresponsive to standard treatments, sought to exclude any interference from pre-existing conditions. Participants were evaluated before and after a integrative vestibular exploratory and rehabilitation program through questionnaires, posturographic tests, and videonystagmography.ResultsThe results indicate significant improvements in postural stability and quality of life, demonstrating positive modulation of the CNS and an improvement of vestibular compensation.DiscussionSuccessful vestibular rehabilitation likely requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates the latest insights into neuroplasticity and sensory integration, tailored to the specific needs and clinical progression of each patient. Focusing on compensating for the VES and enhancing sensory-perceptual-motor integration, this approach aims not just to tailor interventions but also to reinforce coherence among the vestibular, visual, and neurological systems, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic vestibular disorders.

BackgroundChildren’s mental health, including their well-being, is a major public health concern, as the burden of related disorders may last throughout one’s life. Although epidemiological mental health surveillance systems for children and adolescents have been implemented in several countries, they are sorely lacking in France. ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the first step of the implementation of a novel surveillance system in France called Enabee (Etude nationale sur le bien-être des enfants), which focuses on the issue of mental health in children. The system aims to (1) describe the temporal trends in the population-based prevalence of the main mental health disorders and well-being in children aged 3 to 11 years, (2) explore their major determinants, and (3) assess mental health care use by this population. To do this, Enabee will rely on results from a recurrent national cross-sectional homonymous study. This paper presents the protocol for the first edition of this study (called Enabee 2022), as well as initial results regarding participation. MethodsEnabee 2022 is a national cross-sectional study that was implemented in French schools in 2022. It used a probabilistic, multistage, stratified, and balanced sampling plan as follows: first, schools were randomly drawn and stratified according to the type of school. Up to 4 classes per school were then randomly drawn, and finally, all the pupils within each class were selected. The study covered children from preschool and kindergarten (aged 3 to 6 years, US grading system) to fifth grade (aged 6 to 11 years). Children from first to fifth grades provided a self-assessment of their mental health using 2 validated self-administered questionnaires: the Dominic Interactive (DI) and the KINDL. Parents and teachers completed a web-based questionnaire, including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parents also answered additional questions about their parenting attitudes; their own mental health; known social, economic, and environmental determinants of mental health in children; and their child’s life habits. Health, education, and family stakeholders were involved in designing and implementing the study as part of a large consultation group. ResultsData were collected from May 2, 2022, to July 31, 2022, in 399 schools across metropolitan France. Teachers completed questionnaires for 5721 pupils in preschool and kindergarten and for 15,263 pupils from first to fifth grades. Parents completed questionnaires for 3785 children in preschool and kindergarten and for 9227 children from first to fifth grades. Finally, 15,206 children from first to fifth grades completed the self-administered questionnaire. ConclusionsEnabee 2022 constitutes the first milestone in the development of a novel national epidemiological surveillance system, paving the way for improved children’s mental health policies in France.

Bis(1-butyl-1-methypyrrolidinium) perthiodicarbonate was obtained by the reaction of carbon disulfide with 1-butyl-1-methypyrrolidinium acetate ([BmPyrro][Ac]) in the liquid phase. Structural characterization of this original complex was achieved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C2S6·2C9H20N, consisted of two crystallographically 1-methyl-1-butyl pyrrolidinium cations and one perthiodicarbonate anion. The complex C2S6·2C9H20N crystallized in the monoclinic space group, C 2/c, and possessed the following cell parameters: a = 16.0970(10) Å, b = 14.7140(9) Å, c = 12.3280(8) Å, α = 90°, β = 112.3730(12)°, γ = 90°, V = 2700.11 Å3, and Z = 8, Z’ = 0.5.

Abstract Movement is a key behaviour to better understand how individuals respond to their environment. Movement behaviours are affected by both extrinsic factors that individuals face, such as weather conditions, and intrinsic factors, such as sex and experience. Because of the energy costs it entails, movement behaviours can have direct consequences on an individual's demographic parameters—and ultimately on population dynamics. However, the relationship between extrinsic factors, intrinsic factors, daily movement behaviour and demographic parameters such as breeding performance is poorly known, in particular for central place forager territorial species. We investigated here the link between movement behaviours and breeding performance of the French population of Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), a territorial and sedentary long‐lived raptor, and how this link may depend on extrinsic and intrinsic factors. By using data from annual monitoring of breeding performance for the population and GPS tracking of 48 individuals (26 males and 22 females), we found that the breeding performance of this population was mainly driven by whether a new individual was recruited into the territory, and only slightly by weather conditions. Movement behaviours (proportion of time in flight, range of movement and straightness of trajectories) showed large between‐individual variation. Those behaviours were related with weather conditions (wind and rainfall) at a daily scale, as well as with individual's experience. We found only one significant correlation between movements and breeding performance: male Bonelli's eagles spending more time flying during chick‐rearing phase had lower productivity. Movement behaviours and breeding performance were also indirectly linked through individual's experience, with more experienced birds having better breeding success and a shorter range of movement and spent less time in flight. This suggests that experienced individuals progressively acquire knowledge of their breeding territory, are more efficient in finding prey, and adapt their foraging strategies to weather conditions to minimise energy costs, allowing them higher breeding performance.

Effective conservation management of wildlife species depends on understanding their space and habitat use. Telemetry has become the primary source of data for information on how species use space and habitats. However, animals can be difficult to capture, leading to limited sample sizes and thus low quality inferences. As some individuals may be easier to capture than others, it may be tempting to use them to make inferences about the studied population as a whole. Juvenile birds, in contrast to adults, are easy to capture while they are still in the nest. However, there are few studies on when and how they might serve to obtain a representative characterization of the habitat or space use of adults. This study investigated this by using GPS‐tracking data of 35 adult/juvenile dyads of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos, with the juvenile and adult in a dyad sharing the same home‐range. We assessed juvenile‐to‐adult home‐range overlap and also compared their relative use of habitats within that space. We also analysed how these metrics evolved throughout the post‐fledging dependence period (PFDP). During this period, juvenile‐to‐adult similarity was more than 80% for the entire home‐range, whereas it was lower for the core area (approximately 60%). Habitat‐use similarity was high, at approximately 90% for both the home‐range and core area, both in land‐cover and topography. The similarity increased following the improvement of juvenile flight skills over a period of two months, to the extent that two months after fledging and until the end of the PFDP, habitat and space use of juveniles can be used to infer the home‐range and habitat requirements of adults. It would be valuable to study this ‘adult‐by‐juvenile replacement' approach in other species to determine whether it could be generalized, notably for species with a shorter dependence period or more complex social interactions.

Societal Impact Statement Recognizing Loudetia‐dominated grasslands were widespread prior to human colonization highlights that open ecosystems were and continue to be an important component of Madagascar's biodiversity. A better understanding of the plant species that form grassland ecosystems is necessary for effective land management strategies that support livelihoods, but substantial financial and logistical barriers exist to implementing conservation genetic studies using contemporary genomic tools. Some challenges for population genetic analyses of non‐model polyploids lacking reference genomes can be ameliorated by developing computational resources that leverage a cost‐effective data generation strategy that requires no prior genetic knowledge of the target species. This may benefit conservation programs with small operating budgets while reducing uncertainty compared to status quo microsatellite assays. Summary The extent of Madagascar's grasslands prior to human colonization is unresolved. We used population genetic analyses of a broadly dominant C4 fire‐adapted grass, Loudetia simplex, as a proxy for estimating grassland change through time. We carefully examined the utility of target‐enrichment data for population genetics to make recommendations for conservation genetics. We explored the potential of estimating individual ploidy levels from target‐enrichment data and how assumptions about ploidy could affect analyses. We developed a novel bioinformatic pipeline to estimate ploidy and genotypes from target‐enrichment data. We estimated standard population genetic summary statistics in addition to species trees and population structure. Extended Bayesian skyline plots provided estimates of population size through time for empirical and simulated data. All Malagasy L. simplex individuals sampled in this study formed a clade and possibly indicated an ancestral Central Highland distribution of 800 m in altitude and above. Demographic models suggested grassland expansions occurred prior to the Last Interglacial Period and supported extensive grasslands prior to human colonization. Though there are limitations to target‐enrichment data for population genetic studies, we find that analyses of population structure are reliable. Genetic variation in L. simplex supports widespread grasslands in Madagascar prior to the more recent periods of notable paleoclimatic change. However, the methods explored here could not differentiate between paleoclimatic change near the Last Glacial Maximum and anthropogenic effects. Target‐enrichment data can be a valuable tool for analyses of population structure in the absence a reference genome.

Abstract Aerial images obtained by drones are increasingly used for ecological research such as wildlife monitoring. Yet detectability issues resulting from animal activity or visibility are rarely considered, although these may lead to biased population size and trend estimates. In this study, we investigated detectability in a census of Malagasy pond heron Ardeola idae colonies on the island of Mayotte. We conducted repeated drone flights over breeding colonies in mangrove habitats during two breeding seasons. We then identified individuals and nests in the images and fitted closed capture-recapture models on nest-detection histories. We observed seasonal variation in the relative abundance of individuals, and intra-daily variation in the relative abundance of individuals—especially immature birds—affecting the availability of nests for detection. The detection probability of nests estimated by capture–recapture varied between 0.58 and 0.74 depending on flyover days and decreased 25% from early to late morning. A simulation showed that three flyovers are necessary to detect a 5–6% decline in colonies of 50 to 200 nests. These results indicate that the detectability of nests of forest-canopy breeding species from airborne imagery can vary over space and time; we recommend the use of capture-recapture methods to control for this bias.

Abstract Several African mammals exhibit a phylogeographic pattern where closely related taxa are split between West/Central and East/Southern Africa, but their evolutionary relationships and histories remain controversial. Bushpigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) and red river hogs (P. porcus) are recognised as separate species due to morphological distinctions, a perceived lack of interbreeding at contact, and putatively old divergence times, but historically, they were considered conspecific. Moreover, the presence of Malagasy bushpigs as the sole large terrestrial mammal shared with the African mainland raises intriguing questions about its origin and arrival in Madagascar. Analyses of 67 whole genomes revealed a genetic continuum between the two species, with putative signatures of historical gene flow, variable F ST values, and a recent divergence time (

In a recent paper, Farfán et al. (2023) suggested that a population of griffon vultures in Málaga province (southern Spain) have gradually become habituated to the presence of wind turbines, and even actively avoid them, thus reducing the risk of collision. We believe, however, that their general conclusion that vultures have left the study area of impact immediately after construction of the windfarm, and have gradually recolonized the area, while avoiding collisions by passing alongside or above the wind turbines, is not supported by the results presented. Below we raise three key points explaining why the conclusions of Farfán et al. (2023) are flawed.

Abstract Acute kidneys injuries (AKIs) have been described in marathon and trail running. The currently available data allows assessment of before/after comparisons but does not allow an analysis of what happens during the race. A multidisciplinary assessment protocol was performed during the first trail of Clécy (Normandy France) in November 2021. This allowed an initial assay to be carried out, then at the end of each of the 6 loops of 26 km, and finally after 24 h of recovery. The race extends over 156 km in hilly terrain and 6000 m of elevation gain (D+). The level of impairment according to the RIFLE classification was defined for each runner at each assay. Fifty‐five runners were at the start, and the per protocol analysis involved 36 runners (27 men and 9 women, 26 finishers). Fifteen (41.7%) of the riders presented at least one result corresponding to a “RIFLE risk” level. After 24 h of rest, only one runner still had a “RIFLE Risk”. The distance around the marathon seems to be the moment of greatest risk. For the first time, we find an association between this renal risk and the probability of abandonment. Many runners are vulnerable to kidney damage during long‐duration exercise, which is why it's important to limit risk situations, such as the use of potentially toxic drugs or hydration disorders. The consumption of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs) before or during an ultra‐distance race should therefore be prohibited. Attention should be paid to hydration disorders.

Abstract Migration movements connect breeding and non-breeding bird populations over the year. Such links, referred to as migratory connectivity, have important implications for migratory population dynamics as they dictate the consequences of localised events for the whole population network. This calls for concerted efforts to understand migration processes for large-scale conservation. Over the last 20 years, the toolbox to investigate connectivity patterns has expanded and studies now consider migratory connectivity over a broader range of species and contexts. Here, we summarise recent developments in analysing migratory connectivity, focusing on strategies and challenges to pooling various types of data to both optimise and broaden the scope of connectivity studies. We find that the different approaches used to investigate migratory connectivity still have complementary strengths and weaknesses, whether in terms of cost, spatial and temporal resolution, or challenges in obtaining large sample sizes or connectivity estimates. Certain recent developments offer particularly promising prospects: robust quantitative models for banding data, improved precision of geolocators and accessibility of telemetry tracking systems, and increasingly precise probabilistic assignments based on genomic markers or large-scale isoscapes. In parallel, studies have proposed various ways to combine the information of different datasets, from simply comparing the connectivity patterns they draw to formally integrating their analyses. Such data combinations have proven to be more accurate in estimating connectivity patterns, particularly for integrated approaches that offer promising flexibility. Given the diversity of available tools, future studies would benefit from a rigorous comparative evaluation of the different methodologies to guide data collection to complete migration atlases: where and when should data be collected during the migratory cycle to best describe connectivity patterns? Which data are most favourable to combine, and under what conditions? Are there methods for combining data that are better than others? Can combination methods be improved by adjusting the contribution of the various data in the models? How can we fully integrate connectivity with demographic and environmental data? Data integration shows strong potential to deepen our understanding of migratory connectivity as a dynamic ecological process, especially if the gaps can be bridged between connectivity, population and environmental models.

Abstract Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a versatile material platform for a wide range of applications. However, the development of practical devices is constrained by their inherently low mechanical stability. The synthesis of MOFs in a monolithic morphology represents a viable way for the transition of these materials from laboratory research to real-world applications. For the design of MOF-based devices, the mechanical characterization of such materials cannot be overlooked. In this regard, stress-strain relationships represent the most valuable tool for assessing the mechanical response of materials. Here, we use flat punch nanoindentation, micropillar compression and Raman microspectroscopy to investigate the stress-strain behaviour of MOF monoliths. A pseudo-plastic flow is observed under indentation, where the confining pressure prevents unstable crack propagation. Material flow is accommodated by grain boundary sliding, with occasional stepwise cracking to accommodate excessive stress building up. Micropillar compression reveals a brittle failure of ZIF-8, while plastic flow is observed for MIL-68.