Search

This study examines the structures, energies, and IR vibrational spectra of the sulfur dioxide–water SO2(H2O) complexes by employing coupled cluster theory CCSD(T) with Dunning style correlation consistent type basis sets aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z (n = D, T, Q, 5). Complete basis set (CBS) extrapolations have been carried out to predict binding energies for two isomers of the SO2(H2O) complex: a stacked global minimum (1A) structure and a hydrogen-bonded local minimum (1B) structure. The CCSD(T)/CBS extrapolation predicts an intermolecular S–O distance rS⋯O = 2.827 Å for the stacked isomer, which is in excellent agreement with an experimental measurement of 2.824 Å [K. Matsumura et al., J. Chem. Phys., 91, 5887 (1989)]. The CCSD(T)/CBS binding energy for the stacked dimer 1A and hydrogen-bonded form 1B is De = −4.37 kcal/mol and De = −2.40 kcal/mol, respectively. This study also employs anharmonic VPT2 MP2/aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z level corrections to CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z vibrational frequencies in both forms of SO2(H2O). The anharmonic CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z OH stretching frequencies in the stacked structure 1A are 3743 cm−1 (ν3) and 3647 cm−1 (ν1), and these align well with the recorded IR spectroscopic values of 3745 and 3643 cm−1, respectively [C. Wang et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 13, 5654 (2022)]. If we combine CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z De values with VPT2 vibrational frequencies, we obtain a new CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z anharmonic dissociation energy D0 = −3.48 kcal/mol for 1A and D0 = −1.74 kcal/mol for 1B. In summary, the results presented here demonstrate that the application of CCSD(T) calculations with aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z basis sets and CBS extrapolations is critical in probing the structure and IR spectroscopic properties of the sulfur dioxide–water complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acetal-linked dimeric phthalocyanine has been synthesised and immobilised on the surface of gold nanobipyramids. The resulting nanocomposite serves as a highly sensitive probe for intracellular pH through its acid-responsive fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering signals. The phthalocyanine units released in the acidic intracellular environment can also effectively eliminate the cancer cells upon light irradiation, rendering this simple fabricated nanosystem a bimodal and bifunctional theranostic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typified by LiTMP and TMPMgCl.LiCl, (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide), s‐block metal amides have found widespread applications in arene deprotonative metalation. On the contrary, transition metal amides lack sufficient basicity to activate these substrates. Breaking new ground in this field, here we present the synthesis and full characterisation of earth‐abundant transition metals M(TMP)2 (M=Fe, Co). Uncovering a new reactivity profile towards fluoroarenes, these amide complexes can promote direct M−H exchange processes regioselectively using one or two of their basic amide arms. Remarkably, even when using a perfluorinated substrate, selective C‐H metalation occurs leaving C−F bonds intact. Their kinetic basicity can be boosted by LiCl or NBu4Cl additives which enables formation of kinetically activated ate species. Combining spectroscopic and structural studies with DFT calculations, mechanistic insights have been gained on how these low polarity metalation processes take place. M(TMP)2 can also be used to access ferrocene and cobaltocene by direct deprotonation of cyclopentadiene and undergo efficient CO2 insertion of both amide groups under mild reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typified by LiTMP and TMPMgCl.LiCl, (TMP=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide), s‐block metal amides have found widespread applications in arene deprotonative metalation. On the contrary, transition metal amides lack sufficient basicity to activate these substrates. Breaking new ground in this field, here we present the synthesis and full characterisation of earth‐abundant transition metals M(TMP)2 (M=Fe, Co). Uncovering a new reactivity profile towards fluoroarenes, these amide complexes can promote direct M−H exchange processes regioselectively using one or two of their basic amide arms. Remarkably, even when using a perfluorinated substrate, selective C‐H metalation occurs leaving C−F bonds intact. Their kinetic basicity can be boosted by LiCl or NBu4Cl additives which enables formation of kinetically activated ate species. Combining spectroscopic and structural studies with DFT calculations, mechanistic insights have been gained on how these low polarity metalation processes take place. M(TMP)2 can also be used to access ferrocene and cobaltocene by direct deprotonation of cyclopentadiene and undergo efficient CO2 insertion of both amide groups under mild reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐employed individuals faced numerous challenges amid the global health and economic crisis that was the COVID‐19 pandemic. Similarly, rural and urban workers faced different challenges during the pandemic. This rural–urban disparity further complicates the impacts of self‐employment and exacerbates inequalities resulting from gender, race, ethnicity, or immigration status. This study examines the economic consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic across these categories in the United States using Current Population Survey data from May 2020 to May 2022. Comparing the wage and self‐employment sectors across rural and urban areas, I examine the effects of individual, business, and geographic characteristics on the probability of work stoppages due to the health crisis. The analysis reveals that recovery from the pandemic was delayed among the self‐employed, while additional education and full‐time employment status can reduce work interruptions for these workers, as does working in select industries. Findings suggest that rural and urban minorities are more likely to face pandemic‐related work disruptions, with key differences between formal and informal self‐employment sectors. Specifically, self‐employed Asians/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans were more adversely affected in rural areas. The study concludes with several policy and program recommendations to assist vulnerable workers, especially in the rural self‐employment sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife, including fish, cephalopods, and shellfish. Taiwan is surrounded by oceans that offer a rich range of seafood. Taiwanese residents can easily acquire seafood as a source of dietary protein. A recent research project by Greenpeace shows that the Taiwanese eat 16,000 microplastic particles per year. There is concern regarding microplastic physical and chemical toxicity, which poses potential health risks to the local community via food chains. Thus, monitoring microplastic contamination in seafood is imperative to provide helpful information for the government and local communities. Efforts should be taken to reduce microplastic pollution at the source to minimize potential effects on ecological and health safety. This review article emphasizes the urgent need for further research on microplastic pollution in Taiwan, highlights the potential challenges to mitigate this emerging environmental threat, and analyzes food safety hazards as well as microplastic contamination in seafood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived stigma (PS) adversely impacts psychosocial and disease outcomes in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD), and those with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may be at risk for PS given inaccurate assumptions about the origin of their diagnosis. The aims of the current study are to describe the frequency of PS in patients with AIH, compare rates of PS in AIH to rates of PS in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and CLD, and examine demographic correlates of PS. 262 adults with AIH (95% female, Mage = 51.53 years) completed online questionnaires on demographics, disease information, and PS. 54–68% reported PS with themes of selective disclosure, non-disclosure, or hiding diagnosis. PS was higher in those with AIH compared to those with PBC, but lower than those with various CLD. Age was inversely related to PS. Given the results, provider screening of PS and integration of clinical health psychologists may be helpful for identifying PS in patients with AIH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pitch variations (tone productions) have been reported as a measure to differentiate Cantonese-speaking children with and without childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This study aims to examine fundamental frequency (F0) changes within syllables and the effects of syllable structure, lexical status, and syllable positions on F0 in Cantonese-speaking preschool children with and without CAS. Method: Six children with CAS, six children with non-CAS speech sound disorder plus language disorder (S&LD), 22 children with speech sound disorder only (SSD), and 63 children with typical speech-language development (TD) performed the tone sequencing task (TST). Growth curve analysis was employed to analyze and compare the F0 values within syllables with three Cantonese tones (high level, high rising, and low falling). The analysis considered the effects of syllable structure (vowel and consonant–vowel), lexical status (word and nonword), and syllable position (initial, medial, and final) on F0, as well as comparisons within and between groups. Results: Within each group, the effects of syllable structure and position on F0 values were found with different patterns. Between-group comparisons showed that the CAS group had reduced F0 contrasts. The CAS group could be differentiated from the control groups based on interactions of F0 with syllable structure and position, but not lexical status. The dissimilarity of F0 values detected between the CAS and SSD/TD groups was more prominent than that observed between the CAS and S&LD groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Cantonese-speaking children with CAS had difficulty in varying F0 within syllables as compared to those without CAS, suggesting pitch variation difficulty and language-specific impairment profiles in CAS. Future investigations of objective measures for identifying Cantonese speakers with CAS and cross-linguistic investigations using growth curve analysis and the TST are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growing visibility of the asexual community across the globe, little is known about how individuals on the asexual spectrum navigate their (a)sexual experiences. Asexual individuals may be highly vulnerable to sexual violence victimization due to prejudice against their lack of sexual attraction. Perpetrators may seek to pressure asexual individuals into sexual activities by invalidating their asexuality or manipulating their need for emotional intimacy. Such non-consensual sexual acts or behaviors may have a profound impact on asexual individuals. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexual violence victimization and its relationship with substance use among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The data for this study were derived from a global sample of 8,752 individuals on the asexual spectrum from the Ace Community Survey. The results indicated that 67.4% of the participants had experienced at least one form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime. Experiences of sexual violence were related to more frequent engagement in substance use over the past year. Additionally, the results showed that compared with asexual individuals, graysexual and demisexual individuals were more likely to experience sexual violence, which was linked to substance use. Given the widespread prevalence and detrimental effects of sexual violence victimization, it is important to integrate asexual perspectives into prevention and intervention efforts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about affirmative consent and boundaries. The study also offers significant implications for trauma-informed care, public education, and social policies that address the unique needs and experiences of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life balance is a new and important concept in occupational therapy. New measurements are needed to assess and evaluate life balance and interventions aimed to achieve this concept. This article describes the test-retest reliability of three life balance measures: the Activity Calculator (AC), Activity Card Sort (ACS-NL(18-64)) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11-NL). Data collection took place among 50 participants with neuromuscular diseases: facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD, n = 25) or mitochondrial myopathy (MM, n = 25). The AC, the ACS-NL(18–64) and the OBQ11-NL were assessed twice with an interval of one week. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC-agreement) were applied to examine test-retest reliability. The ICC of the AC-average total day score was.95 (95% CI.91-.97), whereas the ICC of the weights allocated to each activity was 0.80 (95% CI.77–0.82). The ICC of the ACS-NL(18–64) percentage retained activities was 0.92 (95% CI 0.86 − 0.96) and the ICC of the importance score per activity was-.76 (95% CI. 0.68–0.89). The ICC of the OBQ11-NL total score was.76 (95% CI 0.62–0.86). All three tools showed good to excellent test-retest reliability in a sample of patients with FSHD or MM, which is promising for its use in clinical practice and research. The AC, ACS-NL(18–64) and the OBQ11-NL are promising, reliable measures of life balance in patients with neuromuscular diseases. The development of three new instruments for life balance enlarges the possibility for health professionals to measure life balance in clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the book "Music in Twentieth-Century Oxford: New Directions" by Robin Darwall-Smith and Susan Wollenberg. The book explores the history of music in Oxford during the 20th century, focusing on the role of enthusiastic amateur music-making and the social significance of music in the collegiate spirit of Oxford's women's colleges. It also highlights the professionalization of university music in Oxford, the transformation of college choirs into world-class ensembles, and the academic development of music in the University. However, the article criticizes the book for its exclusion of non-classical music activities and its lack of interpretation and analysis. [Extracted from the article]

A small group of youth and emerging adults deals with severe and enduring mental health problems (SEMHP). Current mental health care struggles to recognize and treat this group timely and adequately, leaving these youth between the cracks of the system. A first step to improve care for this group is to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of youth with SEMHP. Therefore, this study aimed at reviewing current literature about this target group and what is known so far about their characteristics. We included 39 studies with a focus on youth aged 12–25 years with SEMHP. After critical appraisal, a content analysis and in-depth thematic analysis were conducted. According to the included studies, youth with SEMHP were characterized by severe distress and recurrent comorbid mental health problems, with pervasive suicidality. Further, underlying trauma, family conflicts, peer rejection, deep feelings of hopelessness, and psychosocial malfunctioning characterized SEMHP. It was described that for youth with SEMHP a pervasive pattern of dysfunction in multiple domains is present leading to a detrimental impact. Subsequently, this pattern exerts a reciprocal influence on the mental health problems, causing a vicious circle further worsening SEMHP. Our findings emphasize the need for a holistic approach and to look beyond the traditional classification system in order to meet the needs of these youth with wide-ranging comorbid mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, isolated and non-isolated boost converters are used for solar photovoltaic systems (SPV). These converters have limitations such as low voltage gain, less voltage ripples, temperature dependence, high voltage stress across the switches, and being bulky in size. Besides, the solar PV system also has non-linear characteristics between I–V and P–V, and the energy yield potential is affected by partial shading phenomena. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is being added to the SPV system to get the maximum output power under steady and dynamic climate conditions. Although the conventional MPPT has drawbacks such as less accuracy in predicting the MPP under partial shading conditions, low tracking speed, and more ripples, Hence, the research proposes a stackable single switch boost converter (SSBC) with a Cuckoo search MPPT controller for the SPV system. The efficiency of the proposed circuit topology has been compared with conventional boost converters with various MPPTs. Subsequently, the accuracy of tracking true MPPT by CSO is compared with that of PSO and FPNA. The results show, that the CMPPT with CBC has produced more ripples, whereas the BMPPT with SSBC produces ripple-free power under steady conditions. It is also observed that SSBC with BMPPT produces more power than SSBC with TMPPT. The efficiency of SSBC with BMPPT is better than other combinations. Finally, a prototype model has been developed and verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct assessments of executive functions (EFs) are increasingly used in research and clinical settings, with a central assumption that they assess "universal" underlying skills. Their use is spreading globally, raising questions about the cultural appropriateness of assessments devised in Western industrialized countries. We selectively reviewed multidisciplinary evidence and theory to identify sets of cultural preferences that may be at odds with the implicit assumptions of EF assessments. These preferences relate to motivation and compliance; cultural expectations for interpersonal engagement; contextualized vs. academic thinking; cultural notions of speed and time; the willingness to be silly, be incorrect, or do the opposite; and subject-matter familiarity. In each case, we discuss how the cultural preference may be incompatible with the assumptions of assessments, and how future research and practice can address the issue. Many of the cultural preferences discussed differ between interdependent and independent cultures and between schooled and unschooled populations. Adapting testing protocols to these cultural preferences in different contexts will be important for expanding our scientific understanding of EF from the narrow slice of the human population that has participated in the research to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative precipitation forecasting in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models is contingent upon physicals parameterization schemes. However, uncertainties abound due to limited knowledge of the precipitating processes, leading to degraded forecasting skills. In light of this, our study explores the application of a Swin‐Transformer based deep learning (DL) model as a supplementary tool for enhancing the mapping trajectory between the NWP fundamental variables and the most downstream variable precipitation. Constrained by the observational satellite precipitation product from NOAA CPC Morphing Technique (CMORPH), the DL model serves as the post‐processing tool that can better resolve the precipitation patterns compared to solely based on NWP estimation. Compared to the baseline Weather Research and Forecasting simulation, the DL post‐processing effectively extracts features over meteorological variables, leading to improved precipitation skill scores of 21.7%, 60.5%, and 45.5% for light rain, moderate rain, and heavy rain, respectively, on an hourly basis. We also evaluate two case studies under different driven synoptic conditions and show promising results in estimating heavy precipitation during strong convective precipitation events. Overall, the proposed DL model can provide a vital reference for capturing precipitation‐triggering mechanisms and enhancing precipitation forecasting skills. Additionally, we discuss the sensitivities of the fundamental meteorological variables used in this study, training strategies, and performance limitations. Plain Language Summary: Numerical weather prediction models depend on certain empirical formulations known as parameterizations to estimate precipitation. However, these methods often fall short due to the intricate dynamics of rainfall, which involves numerous small‐scale interactions that these models are unable to fully capture. To counteract these limitations, our study deploys a form of machine learning known as deep learning (DL) to predict precipitation. This DL model utilizes fundamental weather variables derived from NWP models to make its estimations, serving as a remedy for the inherent weaknesses of traditional models caused by the uncertainties in their parameterization schemes. The implementation of our DL model resulted in a significant enhancement in rainfall prediction accuracy, particularly in the case of extreme precipitation events. This suggests that the application of machine learning strategies could be a promising approach to improve the reliability of rainfall forecasts, a crucial element for effective weather prediction and water resource management. Key Points: We employ a transformer based deep learning model to improve the accuracy of precipitation estimation in numerical weather prediction modelsVarious training strategies were implemented to manage the highly skewed precipitation data leading to improvements in heavy rainfall eventsEvaluation conducted with multiple metrics including skill score, quantile and spatial distribution as well as two case studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on creation and development of the video game collection at the University of Alberta Library, which was established to support new courses in computer game development. Topics include collaborative process for initial game selection, the ongoing acquisition strategy through pre-publication orders, and the challenges of integrating video games into an academic library.

The introduction of adjuvant systemic treatment for patients with high-risk melanomas necessitates accurate staging of disease. However, inconsistencies in outcomes exist between disease stages as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (8th edition). We aimed to develop a tool to predict patient-specific outcomes in people with melanoma rather than grouping patients according to disease stage. Patients older than 13 years with confirmed primary melanoma who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) between Oct 29, 1997, and Nov 11, 2013, at four European melanoma centres (based in Berlin, Germany; Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and Warsaw, Poland) were included in the development cohort. Potential predictors of recurrence-free and melanoma-specific survival assessed were sex, age, presence of ulceration, primary tumour location, histological subtype, Breslow thickness, sentinel node status, number of sentinel nodes removed, maximum diameter of the largest sentinel node metastasis, and Dewar classification. A prognostic model and nomogram were developed to predict 5-year recurrence-free survival on a continuous scale in patients with stage pT1b or higher melanomas. This model was also calibrated to predict melanoma-specific survival. Model performance was assessed by discrimination (area under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC]) and calibration. External validation was done in a cohort of patients with primary melanomas who underwent SLNB between Jan 30, 1997, and Dec 12, 2013, at the Melanoma Institute Australia (Sydney, NSW, Australia). The development cohort consisted of 4071 patients, of whom 2075 (51%) were female and 1996 (49%) were male. 889 (22%) had sentinel node-positive disease and 3182 (78%) had sentinel node-negative disease. The validation cohort comprised 4822 patients, of whom 1965 (41%) were female and 2857 (59%) were male. 891 (18%) had sentinel node-positive disease and 3931 (82%) had sentinel node-negative disease. Median follow-up was 4·8 years (IQR 2·3–7·8) in the development cohort and 5·0 years (2·2–8·9) in the validation cohort. In the development cohort, 5-year recurrence-free survival was 73·5% (95% CI 72·0–75·1) and 5-year melanoma-specific survival was 86·5% (85·3–87·8). In the validation cohort, the corresponding estimates were 66·1% (64·6–67·7) and 83·3% (82·0–84·6), respectively. The final model contained six prognostic factors: sentinel node status, Breslow thickness, presence of ulceration, age at SLNB, primary tumour location, and maximum diameter of the largest sentinel node metastasis. In the development cohort, for the model's prediction of recurrence-free survival, the AUC was 0·80 (95% CI 0·78–0·81); for prediction of melanoma-specific survival, the AUC was 0·81 (0·79–0·84). External validation showed good calibration for both outcomes, with AUCs of 0·73 (0·71–0·75) and 0·76 (0·74–0·78), respectively. Our prediction model and nomogram accurately predicted patient-specific risk probabilities for 5-year recurrence-free and melanoma-specific survival. These tools could have important implications for clinical decision making when considering adjuvant treatments in patients with high-risk melanomas. Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the countryside, where intensive rural development and rising property values have been observed since the late 1970s, the preservation and meaning of traditional dwellings have emerged as crucial considerations in shaping Hong Kong's countryside conservation policy. The focus of this paper is on the conservation of temples, as we are drawn to these structures not only for their architectural merit but also for their role as public buildings within the countryside. Consequently, their cultural significance is heavily influenced by the stakeholders they are associated with, distinguishing them from other types of dwellings. This paper examines the coastal landscape of South Lantau, which includes several villages with distinct traditions that have undergone significant transformations since the 1960s. Located at the southwest edge of Hong Kong, Lantau Island had a rural lifestyle that was relatively undisturbed before WWII because of the difficulty in accessing the island. However, in response to the large people influx from China's mainland after 1949, the Hong Kong government introduced the Lantau Development Plan in 1953, mainly to open up new sources of freshwater resources for Hong Kong Island. The construction of South Lantau Road in 1955 and Shek Pik Reservoir in 1957 gradually led to the decline of agricultural activities in South Lantau and the population exodus of local villagers, resulting in a rupture to regional traditions. In multilineage communities such as the villages on South Lantau, worship of a common deity provides a vital source of social bonding, particularly for an area long beset by typhoons, piracy and banditry. Local people pray for safety and prosperity through collective rituals and celebratory activities. Therefore, temples are not only religious establishments but also embody the sense of social solidarity among villagers on South Lantau. Through the case study of three rural villages on South Lantau, this paper examines how temples play an important role in the continuity of the communal network amid repercussions from the postwar disruption of traditional rural life. Significantly, this pilot study also draws attention to the functions of temples in their historical context. It emphasises the importance of recognising and re-evaluating these buildings for cultural enhancement as part of community engagement. This study provides valuable insights for future conservation efforts for religious buildings in the countryside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there are different types of Renewable Energy Resources (RESs) available in nature which are wind, tidal, fuel cell, and solar. The wind, tidal, and solar power systems give discontinuous power supply which is not suitable for the present automotive systems. Here, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Stack (PEMFS) is used for supplying the power to the electrical vehicle systems. The features of fuel stack networks are very quick static response, plus low atmospheric pollution. Also, this type of power supply system consists of high flexibility and more reliability. However, the fuel stack drawback is a nonlinear power supply nature. As a result, the functioning point of the fuel stack varies from one position to another position on the V-I curve of the fuel stack. Here, the first objective of the work is the development of the Grey Wolf Optimization Technique (GWOT) involving a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) for finding the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the fuel stack. This hybrid GWOT-FLC controller stabilizes the source power under various operating temperature conditions of the fuel stack. However, the fuel stack supplies very little output voltage which is improved by introducing the Single Switch Universal Supply Voltage Boost Converter (SSUSVBC) in the second objective. The features of this proposed DC-DC converter are fewer voltage distortions of the fuel stack output voltage, high voltage conversion ratio, and low-level voltage stress on switches. The fuel stack integrated SSUSVBC is analyzed by selecting the MATLAB/Simulink window. Also, the proposed DC-DC converter is tested by utilizing the programmable DC source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclobutanes are attracting a growing interest in medicinal chemistry because of their unique structure and potentially advantageous pharmacological properties. Specifically, 1,3‐disubstituted cyclobutanes have been explored as conformationally restricted propyl isosteres in drug development. In this study, a concise two‐diversification‐point library of 3‐amino‐3‐[(arenesulfonyl)methyl]cyclobutanols was synthesized through a hyperbaric [2+2] cycloaddition reaction between sulfonyl allenes and benzyl vinyl ether as the key step. Three different sulfonyl allenes were used for synthesizing the core structures that were further derivatized by the addition of up to seven amines. The amino groups were incorporated in a moderate to excellent diastereoselectivity through conjugate addition to the four‐membered‐ring scaffolds. Overall, this synthesis process demonstrates the potential for further chemical expansion and fragment growth in drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syntheses of pyrimidinone derivatives by the Biginelli reaction in N-methylpyridinium methyl sulfate [mPyrMeSO4] as an ionic liquid medium have been reported. This protocol provides a highly efficient and selective route for the synthesis of structurally diverse pyrimidinones under milder reaction conditions. The proposed conditions tolerate differently substituted aldehydes and ketones and afford products in synthetically useful yields. Furthermore, camphor, benzil, benzoin, and ethyl acetoacetate were utilized for the Biginelli reaction for the first time, and the resulting pyrimidinones were obtained in excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Oral linezolid is often used as alternative therapy for intravenous vancomycin. According to the current guidelines, no dose adjustment has to be made in case of renal impairment. Nevertheless, in our hospital we have seen several patients with renal impairment who developed linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia when linezolid was taken in the standard dose. In this case series and review we want to emphasize the necessity of reviewing the Dutch and international guidelines. Methods: We describe five cases with renal impairment that developed linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia in our hospital. A PubMed literature review was conducted to identify other cases and find the optimal dosing regimen for these patients. Results: Our cases join a long list of cases and available literature about linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with renal impairment. Less linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was found, both in our cases and in the literature, after dose reduction of 50%. High linezolid trough concentrations were associated with a higher risk of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia. Besides renal impairment, other risk factors for developing linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia were also identified, such as low body weight, high daily dose/kg, higher age, longer duration of therapy, low baseline count, malignity, low-dose aspirin and interacting co-medication. Conclusion: Re-evaluation of the current dose advice is necessary. We advocate for a standard dose reduction to 50% after 2 days of standard dosing for all patients with an estimated glomerular filtration of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Besides this, therapeutic drug monitoring and thrombocytes monitoring may be executed weekly when patients have renal impairment or other risk factors for developing linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of sleep disorders. Despite its prevalence, it remains difficult to define, detect, and address. The difficulties surrounding sleepiness have been linked to an ambiguous conceptualization, a large variety of scales and measures, and the overlap with other constructs, such as fatigue. The present study aims to investigate patients' descriptions of sleepiness-related daytime complaints and their phenomenology. We performed semi-directed interviews with patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (N = 15) or narcolepsy (N = 5). The interviewers took care of utilizing the participants' terminology when describing daytime complaints related to their sleep disorder. Various aspects of the daytime complaints were investigated, such as their description and temporality. The transcribed content was thematically analyzed using an eclectic coding system, yielding five themes. The participants used different interchangeable descriptors (tired, sleepy, fatigued, exhausted) to express their daytime complaints. They enriched their description with indexes of magnitude (ranging from 'not especially' to 'most gigantic, extreme'), oppositions to other states (using antipodes like energy, alertness, wakefulness, or rest), and indications of fluctuations over the day. Interestingly, the participants often used metaphors to express their experiences and their struggles. The lived experiences of the patients were found to not always align with common self-reported monitoring tools of sleepiness and to relate only in part with current conceptions. In practice, it is important to probe daytime complaints, such as daytime sleepiness, with a broader consideration, for example, by exploring antipodes, consequences, and time-of-day fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries and in sub-Saharan Africa where most malaria cases and deaths occur. The resistance of malaria parasites to most anti-malaria drugs, coupled with the high cost and the toxic effects of some drugs has posed a challenge for the search of new effective anti-malarial compounds of low cost. The study aims to determine the antiplasmodial activity of Curcuma longa against Plasmodium berghei in rodents. A total of 110 Swiss albino mice weighing 18-30 grams were used for the study: 35 for the toxicity test and 75 for the antimalarial study. For each test, 25 mice were inoculated with drug-sensitive Nk65 Plasmodium berghei and divided into five groups of five animals each and each group was administered one of the following: 120mg/kg of ethanol extract, 120mg/kg water extract, 120mg/kg nHexane extracts of C. longa, 1.2mg/kg of pyrimethamine or 5mg/kg of Chloroquine (positive control) and 0.2mls of normal saline (negative control). The lethal dose concentration was above 1500mg/kg and the extracts showed significant (P<0.05) antimalarial activity with the highest percentage inhibition (67.49%) recorded in the group treated with ethanol in the curative test, followed by the group given water in the suppressive test with (65.03%) and nHexane in the prophylactic test with percentage inhibition of 64.98%. There was a slight difference in the antimalarial activities of the extracts of different solvents which all had lower activities compared with the standard drugs (Chloroquine administered at 5mg/kg or pyrimethamine, 1.2mg/kg/day) but no total clearance of the parasite was recorded. C. longa possesses considerable antiplasmodial activity, which can be exploited in malaria therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates static and dynamical quark star properties within a D 3 - D 7 holographic model. We solve the Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations for the quark matter equation of state obtained from the brane configuration. We determine the mass-radius diagram for a range of model parameters and compare with recent NICER observational data for the pulsars PSR J 0030 + 0451 and PSR J 0740 + 6620. Motivated by the GW170817 event detected by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration, we also calculate the tidal deformability parameter obtained for each component of the binary star system. We show that quark stars composed of flavor-independent quark matter derived from the D 3 - D 7 holographic model are not able to satisfy simultaneously the LIGO-Virgo and NICER astrophysical bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of awake brain surgery is to perform a maximum resection on the one hand, and to preserve cognitive functions, quality of life and personal autonomy on the other hand. Historically, language and sensorimotor functions were most frequently monitored. Over the years other cognitive functions, including music, have entered the operation theatre. Cases about monitoring musical abilities during awake brain surgery are emerging, and a systematic method how to monitor music would be the next step. According to the IDEAL framework for surgical innovations our study aims to present future recommendation based on a systematic literature search (PRISMA) in combination with lessons learned from three case reports from our own clinical practice with professional musicians (n = 3). We plead for structured procedures including individual tailored tasks. By embracing these recommendations, we can both improve clinical care and unravel music functions in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing frequency and severity of UK wildfires, attributed in part to the effects of climate change, highlights the critical role of fuel moisture content (FMC) of live and dead vegetation in shaping wildfire behaviour. However, current models used to assess wildfire danger do not perform well in shrub-type fuels such as Calluna vulgaris, requiring in part an improved understanding of fuel moisture dynamics on diurnal and seasonal scales. To this end, 554 samples of upper live Calluna canopy, live Calluna stems, upper dead Calluna canopy, dead Calluna stems, moss, litter and organic layer (top 5 cm of organic material above mineral soil) were sampled hourly between 10:00 and 18:00 on seven days from March-August. Using a novel statistical method for investigating diurnal patterns, we found distinctive diurnal and seasonal trends in FMC for all fuel layers. Notably, significant diurnal patterns were evident in dead Calluna across nearly all sampled months, while diurnal trends in live Calluna canopy were pronounced in March, June, and August, coinciding with the peak occurrence of UK wildfires. In addition, the moisture content of moss and litter was found to fluctuate above and below their relative ignition thresholds throughout the day on some sampling days. These findings underscore the impact of diurnal FMC variations on wildfire danger during early spring and late summer in Calluna dominated peatlands and the need to consider such fluctuations in management and fire suppression strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) technology advancements are primarily aimed at decarbonizing and enhancing the resiliency of the energy grid. Incorporating SPV is one of the ways to achieve the goal of energy efficiency. Because of the nonlinearity, modeling of SPV is a very difficult process. Identification of variables in a lumped electric circuit model is required for accurate modeling of the SPV system. This paper presents a new state-of-the-art control technique based on human artefacts dubbed Drone Squadron Optimization for estimating 15 parameters of a three-diode equivalent model solar PV system. The suggested method simulates a nonlinear relationship between the P–V and I–V performance curves, lowering the difference between experimental and calculated data. To evaluate the adaptive performance in every climatic state, two different test cases with commercial PV cells, RTC France and photo watt-201, are used. The proposed method provides a more accurate parameter estimate. To validate the recommended approach's performance, the data are compared to the results of the most recent and powerful methodologies in the literature. For the RTC and PWP Photo Watt Cell, the DSO technique has the lowest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 6.7776 × 10–4 and 0.002310324 × 10–4, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to highlight the effects of chicken dumping trade on South African local commercial chicken farming industry. The high cost of farming in South African has risen and this has created a fertile ground for overseas countries where chicken production costs are low to intensify their exports to South Africa for their excess chicken products at a lower price. South African chicken farmers are already facing domestic challenges which includes high-cost feed, high cost of importing chicken lines and resources to produce the meat chicken. A local single fertilised Ross 308 / Cobb 500 Fertile egg cost at least R2.50 ($0.12), whereas international, local breeders source these genetic lines at over a $1 an egg. Locally, there is persistent drought, chicken diseases, high electricity cost and electricity shortages (load shedding). These challenges inevitably raise costs of chicken production in South Africa whereas the US, Brazil and EU countries farming industries are highly subsidised and experience no high electricity costs or load shedding. In perspective, imported chicken from Brazil cost R9 per kg as compared to locally produced chicken at R25 per kg. To mitigate the chicken dumping trade, the South African government imposed legally sound chicken import tariffs of up to 62 %, however in August of 2022, the government suspended these tariffs due to rising food costs in the hope that the cheap dumped chicken would provide a relief to the financially stressed consumers. This move has raffled feathers within the local chicken farming sector which is struggling to sustain their farms due to stiff competition with the low-priced chicken, predominantly from Brazil and the US. More chicken farms in South Africa are shedding jobs. As of 2023, the poultry industry in South Africa employs an estimated total of 70,000 people, and others are questioning the sustainability of their enterprises going forward if the chicken dumping in the country is not controlled via stringent legislation that include appropriate dumping tariffs. This article suggests that both the chicken farming industry, the chicken importers and the government should hold regular dialogs to get common ground before the majority of local chicken farmers close shops due to chicken dumping. The regular engagements between the government and the chicken industry could avoid seemingly unilateral suspension of import tariffs. Subsidies that could absorb some of the operation cost, as is the case with US or Brazilian farmers should be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and aggressive liver malignancy. The interplay between bile acids (BAs) and the gut microbiota has emerged as a critical factor in HCC development and progression. Under normal conditions, BA metabolism is tightly regulated through a bidirectional interplay between gut microorganisms and BAs. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in BA metabolism, and BAs are endogenous signaling molecules that help maintain liver and intestinal homeostasis. Of note, dysbiotic changes in the gut microbiota during pathogenesis and cancer development can disrupt BA homeostasis, thereby leading to liver inflammation and fibrosis, and ultimately contributing to HCC development. Therefore, understanding the intricate interplay between BAs and the gut microbiota is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms underlying hepatocarcinogenesis. In this review, we comprehensively explore the roles and functions of BA metabolism, with a focus on the interactions between BAs and gut microorganisms in HCC. Additionally, therapeutic strategies targeting BA metabolism and the gut microbiota are discussed, including the use of BA agonists/antagonists, probiotic/prebiotic and dietary interventions, fecal microbiota transplantation, and engineered bacteria. In summary, understanding the complex BA-microbiota crosstalk can provide valuable insights into HCC development and facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for liver malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate projections of climate change and associated extreme events under differing emission scenarios are linked to realistic representations of the temporal variability of the atmosphere at a variety of time scales, for example, annual, seasonal, synoptic, and daily. Here a new method is employed to explicitly quantify a model's ability to accurately represent covariance at and between differing time scales. From our global‐scale analysis, on average, raw Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models misrepresent temporal variances at differing time scales for maximum temperature (tasmax) by a considerable margin, particularly at 183‐, 92‐ and 46‐day time scales. To ameliorate such variability errors, we propose a novel Time Variability Correction (TVC) method that corrects temporal covariances while preserving the essential time‐event sequence of the model simulations. We adopt a model‐as‐truth framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the TVC method under future forcing conditions when applied to daily tasmax simulations from 23 CMIP6 models for 1% of the global grid cells. TVC‐corrected temperatures generally show improved matching of temporal variance and lag correlations in the out‐of‐sample projection period compared to simple mean‐corrected projections. By imparting more realistic temporal‐correlations to model series, TVC is expected to improve the projections of extreme events associated with persistent heat, such as heatwaves. Applying TVC to future temperature projections using actual observations significantly increases the temperature variance in most middle to high latitude land regions in the Northern Hemisphere, while decreasing it in most low to middle latitude land regions, compared to simple mean‐corrected projections. Plain Language Summary: Climate change projections are often used to estimate future weather and climate conditions under differing emission scenarios. Accurate projections are required to usefully inform decision making and long‐term planning. In this work, we propose a novel statistical technique to (a) quantify time series variance errors at a range of time scales, such as annual, seasonal, synoptic and so on; (b) correct these errors. By implementing the first step, we find that the time variability of the daily maximum temperature is poorly represented across a range of time scales in raw Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models. These variability errors are then corrected in the second step. After applying the new technique to the global cases, we demonstrate that it is a powerful tool to improve variance and time‐lag correlation attributes of model simulations. Key Points: Time series variability within and across time scales is quantified based on backward looking time averages of differing lengthsCoupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 models grossly misrepresent temporal variances of maximum temperatures at differing time scales, particularly seasonal time scalesThis new Time Variability Correction method significantly improves the temporal variability and autocorrelation of model time series [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductions in soil moisture due to prolonged episodes of drought can potentially affect whole forest ecosystems, including soil microorganisms and their functions. We investigated how the composition of soil microbial communities is affected by prolonged episodes of water limitation. In a mesocosm experiment with Scots pine saplings and natural forest soil maintained at different levels of soil water content over 2 years, we assessed shifts in prokaryotic and fungal communities and related these to changes in plant development and soil properties. Prolonged water limitation induced progressive changes in soil microbial community composition. The dissimilarity between prokaryotic communities at different levels of water limitation increased over time regardless of the recurrent seasons, while fungal communities were less affected by prolonged water limitation. Under low soil water contents, desiccation‐tolerant groups outcompeted less adapted, and the lifestyle of prokaryotic taxa shifted from copiotrophic to oligotrophic. While the abundance of saprotrophic and ligninolytic groups increased alongside an accumulation of dead plant material, the abundance of symbiotic and nutrient‐cycling taxa decreased, likely impairing the development of the trees. Overall, prolonged episodes of drought appeared to continuously alter the structure of microbial communities, pointing to a potential loss of critical functions provided by the soil microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgeon‐specific outcome reporting provides an opportunity for quality assurance and improved surgical results. It is becoming increasingly prevalent and remains contentious amongst surgeons. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the extent to which published literature supports the concept that feedback of surgeon‐level outcomes reduces morbidity and/or mortality. No systematic reviews have previously been completed on this subject. Methods: Medline and Embase were systematically searched for studies published prior to the 1st of January 2022. Feedback was defined as a summary of clinical performance over a specified period of time provided in written, electronic or verbal format. Studies were required to provide surgeon‐specific feedback to multiple individual consultant surgeons with the primary purpose being to determine if feedback improved outcomes. Primary outcome(s) needed to relate to surgical outcomes as opposed to process measures only. All surgical specialties and procedures were eligible for inclusion. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review, traversing a wide range of specialties and procedures. Sixteen were non‐randominsed and one randomized. Fifteen were before and after studies. The balance of the non‐randomized studies support the concept that provision of surgeon‐specific feedback can improve surgical outcomes, while the single randomized study suggests feedback may not be effective. Conclusions: This systematic review supports the use of surgeon‐level feedback to improve outcomes. The strength of this finding is limited by reliance on before and after studies, further randomized studies on this subject would be insightful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food insecurity is a public health issue for many regions globally, and especially Indigenous communities. We propose food budget ratio (FBR)—the ratio of food spending to after-tax income—as an affordability metric that better aligns with health equity over traditional price-focused metrics. Existing census and inflation monitoring programs render FBR an accessible tool for future affordability research. Methods: Public census and food pricing datasets from 2011 to 2021 were analyzed to evaluate food affordability for a cohort of 121 remote Indigenous communities in Canada (n = 80,354 persons as of March 2021). Trends in population-weighted versus community-weighted averages, inflation-adjusted mean price of the Revised Northern Food Basket (RNFB), and distributions of FBR, per-capita price of food, and per-capita after-tax income were calculated and compared to Canada at large. Results: Population-weighted versus community-weighted mean price of the RNFB differed by < 5% for most points in time, peaking at 17%. Mean raw price of the RNFB was relatively stable, while mean inflation-adjusted price of the RNFB decreased 19%. Mean and standard deviation in FBR trended downwards from (0.40; 0.21) in 2011 to (0.25; 0.10) in 2021, while the mean for Canada held stable at 0.10 ± 0.01. Mean and standard deviation in inflation-adjusted per-capita price of food fell from ($5,621; $493) to ($4,510; $243), while the Canada-wide mean rose from $2,189 to $2,567; values for per-capita after-tax income increased from ($17,384; $7,816) to ($21,661; $9,707), while the Canada-wide mean remained between $24,443 and $26,006. Current Nutrition North Canada (NNC) subsidy rates correlate closely with distance to nearest transportation hub (σXY = 0.68 to 0.70) whereas food pricing, after-tax income, and FBR correlate poorly with distance (σXY = -0.22 to 0.03). Conclusions: The FBR approach yields greater insights on food affordability compared to price-based results, while using readily available public datasets. Whereas 19% reductions in RNFB per-capita food price were observed, FBR decreased 63% yet remained 2.5 times the Canada-wide FBR. The reduction in FBR was driven both by the reduced price of food and a 25% increase in after-tax income. It is recommended that NNC consider FBR for performance measurement and setting subsidy rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mucosal antibodies play a critical role in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections or reinfections by blocking the interaction of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on the cell surface. In this study, we investigated the difference between the mucosal antibody response after primary infection and vaccination. Methods We assessed longitudinal changes in the quantity and capacity of nasal antibodies to neutralize the interaction of RBD with the ACE2 receptor using the spike protein and RBD from ancestral SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan-Hu-1), as well as the RBD from the Delta and Omicron variants. Results Significantly higher mucosal IgA concentrations were detected postinfection vs postvaccination, while vaccination induced higher IgG concentrations. However, ACE2-inhibiting activity did not differ between the cohorts. Regarding whether IgA or IgG drove ACE2 inhibition, infection-induced binding inhibition was driven by both isotypes, while postvaccination binding inhibition was mainly driven by IgG. Conclusions Our study provides new insights into the relationship between antibody isotypes and neutralization by using a sensitive and high-throughput ACE2 binding inhibition assay. Key differences are highlighted between vaccination and infection at the mucosal level, showing that despite differences in the response quantity, postinfection and postvaccination ACE2 binding inhibition capacity did not differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The existing evidence base indicates increased interest in knowledge translation (KT), or, the dissemination of research to ensure uptake and impact. Given this definition, this study aimed to review existing scholarship on knowledge translation (KT) of health research to people living with disabilities (PLWD), and assess the current state of accessibility of health knowledge for people living with disabilities. Methods: Given existing heterogeneity in literature as well as a number of varying definitions for both disability and knowledge translation, a reflexive, three-phase approach was utilized to improve methodological soundness. Phase I recognizes that existing review-style studies have been conducted on disability-KT. An existing systematic review on KT specific to the field of rehabilitation and physical medicine was analyzed to assess potential best practices towards inclusivity and accessibility for people living with disability. Phase II used the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR) database as an information-source with high-specificity to disability-health KT. Phase III sought to rapidly assess the current landscape of systematic reviews relevant to disability-health KT, with four systematic reviews meeting the inclusion criteria across Cochrane, Psycinfo, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Results: The current landscape of disability-health KT is primarily targeted at health professionals who serve PLWD. PLWD are included in KT, mostly as key informants, or as study participants in KT-studies designed as health interventions. Multiple systematic reviews on disability-health KT exist, presenting vastly different foci which prevent assessment of best practices. Conclusions: KT efforts are abundant and can be seen across health research related to disabilities, generating considerable literature and systematic reviews. With regards to meeting the public health objective of equalizing and enhancing access to health knowledge, future knowledge translation efforts intending to provide PLWD with up-to-date health research can be of significant value. Key messages: - Knowledge translation emerges as the most prominently used terminology to describe research dissemination; yet, its use in a search strategy often identifies studies in which people living with disabilities as sources of knowledge as opposed to recipients of knowledge - Intentional strategies to provide equitable access to health information for people living with disabilities can be multi-phase and highly complex if the study is not structured as a health intervention - The existing landscape of systematic review on disability-KT may emphasize evaluation of the effectiveness of KT; future studies on best practices for equitable access to health research can be of significant value [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use the new QUIJOTE-MFI wide survey (11, 13, 17, and 19 GHz) to produce spectral energy distributions (SEDs), on an angular scale of 1°, of the supernova remnants (SNRs) CTB 80, Cygnus Loop, HB 21, CTA 1, Tycho, and HB 9. We provide new measurements of the polarized synchrotron radiation in the microwave range. The intensity and polarization SEDs are obtained and modelled by combining QUIJOTE-MFI maps with ancillary data. In intensity, we confirm the curved spectra of CTB 80 and HB 21 with a break frequency νb at 2.0 |$^{+1.2}_{-0.5}$| and 5.0 |$^{+1.2}_{-1.0}$|  GHz, respectively; and spectral indices above the break of |$-0.6^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$| and |$-0.86^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$|⁠. We provide constraints on the Anomalous Microwave Emission, suggesting that it is negligible towards these SNRs. From a simultaneous intensity and polarization fit, we recover synchrotron spectral indices as flat as −0.24, and the whole sample has a mean and scatter of −0.44 ± 0.12. The polarization fractions have a mean and scatter of 6.1 ± 1.9 per cent. When combining our results with the measurements from other QUIJOTE (Q-U-I JOint TEnerife CMB experiment) studies of SNRs, we find that radio spectral indices are flatter for mature SNRs, and particularly flatter for CTB 80 (⁠|$-0.24^{+0.07}_{-0.06}$|⁠) and HB 21 (⁠|$-0.34^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$|⁠). In addition, the evolution of the spectral indices against the SNRs age is modelled with a power-law function, providing an exponent −0.07 ± 0.03 and amplitude −0.49 ± 0.02 (at 10 kyr), which are conservative with respect to previous studies of our Galaxy and the Large Magellanic Cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with emotion regulation (ER), impacting their empathic skills and relationships. ADHD medication might not be as effective for ER issues as for ADHD symptoms. Microdosing (MD) psychedelics has shown promise for ADHD treatment and previous studies reported social-emotional benefits. Two online prospective studies investigatedMDeffects on ER and empathy in adults with severe ADHD symptoms across three assessments: baseline, two-, and four-week post-initiation. Study 1 examined adults initiating MD on their own (n = 233, n = 64, and n = 44) and found positive effects on ER (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and aspects of empathy (perspective-taking and personal distress). Study 2, including a control group and an ADHD symptom scale, compared individuals onlyMD(n = 180, n = 50, and n = 38) to individuals using conventional ADHD medication (n = 37, n = 27, and n = 28). After 4 weeks, ADHD symptoms were lower in the MD group. Only improvements in expressive suppression persisted after adding the control group. This study indicates the positive effects of MD psychedelics onADHD symptoms and ER in adults with severe ADHD symptoms while lacking evidence for effects on empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative splicing (AS) is a crucial mechanism for regulating gene expression and isoform diversity in eukaryotes. However, the analysis and visualization of AS events from RNA sequencing data remains challenging. Most tools require a certain level of computer literacy and the available means of visualizing AS events, such as coverage and sashimi plots, have limitations and can be misleading. To address these issues, we present SpliceWiz , an R package with an interactive Shiny interface that allows easy and efficient AS analysis and visualization at scale. A novel normalization algorithm is implemented to aggregate splicing levels within sample groups, thereby allowing group differences in splicing levels to be accurately visualized. The tool also offers downstream gene ontology enrichment analysis, highlighting ASEs belonging to functional pathways of interest. SpliceWiz is optimized for speed and efficiency and introduces a new file format for coverage data storage that is more efficient than BigWig. Alignment files are processed orders of magnitude faster than other R-based AS analysis tools and on par with command-line tools. Overall, SpliceWiz streamlines AS analysis, enabling reliable identification of functionally relevant AS events for further characterization. SpliceWiz is a Bioconductor package and is also available on GitHub (https://github.com/alexchwong/SpliceWiz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]