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Key points Intrinsic cardiac neurons (ICNs) play a crucial role in the proper functioning of the heart; yet a paucity of data pertaining to human ICNs exist. We took a multidisciplinary approach to complete a detailed cellular comparison of the structure and function of ICNs from mice, pigs and humans. Immunohistochemistry of whole and sectioned ganglia, transmission electron microscopy, intracellular microelectrode recording and dye filling for quantitative morphometry were used to define the neurophysiology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of these neurons across species. The densely packed, smaller ICNs of mouse lacked dendrites, formed axosomatic connections and had high synaptic efficacy constituting an obligatory synapse. At pig ICNs, a convergence of subthreshold cholinergic inputs onto extensive dendritic arbors supported greater summation and integration of synaptic input. Human ICNs were tonically firing, with synaptic stimulation evoking large suprathreshold EPSPs like mouse, and subthreshold potentials like pig. Ultrastructural examination of synaptic terminals revealed conserved architecture, yet small clear vesicles were larger in pigs and humans. The presence and localization of ganglionic neuropeptides was distinct, with abundant vasoactive intestinal polypeptide observed in human but not pig or mouse ganglia, and little substance P or calcitonin gene‐related peptide in pig ganglia. Action potential waveforms were similar, but human ICNs had larger after‐hyperpolarizations. Intrinsic excitability differed; 95% of human neurons were tonic, all pig neurons were phasic, and both phasic and tonic phenotypes were observed in mouse. In combination, this publicly accessible, multimodal atlas of ICNs from mice, pigs and humans identifies similarities and differences in the evolution of ICNs. Intrinsic cardiac neurons (ICNs) are essential to the regulation of cardiac function. We investigated the neurochemistry, morphology, ultrastructure, membrane physiology and synaptic transmission of ICNs from donated human hearts in parallel with identical studies of ICNs from mice and pigs to create a publicly accessible cellular atlas detailing the structure and function of these neurons across species. In addition to presenting foundational data on human ICNs, this comparative study identifies both conserved and derived attributes of these neurons within mammals. The findings have significant implications for understanding the regulation of cardiac autonomic function in humans and may greatly influence strategies for neuromodulation in conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing for vitamin D deficiency remains a high-volume clinical assay, much of which is done using mass spectrometry-based methods to alleviate challenges in selectivity associated with immunoassays. Ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) has been proposed as a rapid alternative to traditional LC-MS/MS methods, but understanding the structural ensemble that contributes to the ion mobility behavior of this molecular class is critical. Herein we demonstrate the first application of high-resolution Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) IM separations of several groups of isomeric vitamin D metabolites. Despite previous IM studies of these molecules, the high resolving power of SLIM (Rp ∼ 200) has revealed additional conformations for several of the compounds. The highly similar collision cross sections (CCS), some differing by as little as 0.7%, precluded adequate characterization with low-resolution IM techniques where, in some cases, wider than expected peak widths and/or subtle shoulders may have hinted at their presence. Importantly, these newly resolved peaks often provided a unique mobility that could be used to separate isomers and provides potential for their use in quantification. Lastly, the contribution of isotopic labeling to arrival time distribution for commonly used 13C- and deuterium-labeled internal standards was explored. Minor shifts of ∼0.2–0.3% were observed, and in some instances these shifts were specific to the conformer being measured (i.e., "closed" vs "open"). Accounting for these shifts is important during raw data extraction to ensure reproducible peak area integration, which will be a critical consideration in future quantitative applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient mitigation for nuclear power plants is essential for safe operation. The fourth industrial revolution brings with it the potential for data-based predictive maintenance and identifying remaining time of life for degrading components. An improvement to predictive maintenance would be to address continued operation with faulty components between the time of identification and eventual replacement. The ability to perform data analysis and contemporary digital control systems allows for data-driven control system actions. A methodology is developed herein to train a neural network that can map desired system performance and current plant component capability to control system settings. Simulations of plant transients were recorded and used to train a neural network. This neural network was tested with different target performance goals. The results show that the trained neural network recommended settings that affected the control system response so as to meet the target performance goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N‐dihydrogalactochitosan (GC) is an immune stimulant/adjuvant. Synthesized from chitosan and galactose, GC is a new chemical entity that significantly enhances the immune‐stimulating properties of its parental material, chitosan, making it a promising therapeutic agent. When used in combination with antigenic material, GC stimulates innate and adaptive antitumor and antiviral immunities. However, its mechanism has not been fully investigated. Herein it is demonstrated that GC drives type I IFN activation in antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). More importantly, GC drives alternative STING pathways, leading to inflammatory cell death that enhances dendritic cell (DC) activation. GC‐activated DCs trigger a variety of nucleic acid sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) pathways and IL‐1β production via the activation of the inflammasome. In vivo, GC induces a potent response of type I IFNs and upregulates genes associated with STING signaling within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, intratumoral delivery of GC reduces the numbers of M2‐like macrophages and increases M1‐like macrophages residing within the TME, while subsequently increasing the number of activated DCs. This findings demonstrate that GC acts as a multimodal immune stimulant via STING to generate a broad type I IFN response. This uniquely broad response holds therapeutic promise in generating enhanced antitumor and antiviral immunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptothrix ochracea creates distinctive iron-mineralized mats that carpet streams and wetlands. Easily recognized by its iron-mineralized sheaths, L. ochracea was one of the first microorganisms described in the 1800s. Yet it has never been isolated and does not have a complete genome sequence available, so key questions about its physiology remain unresolved. It is debated whether iron oxidation can be used for energy or growth and if L. ochracea is an autotroph, heterotroph, or mixotroph. To address these issues, we sampled L. ochracea-rich mats from three of its typical environments (a stream, wetlands, and a drainage channel) and reconstructed nine high-quality genomes of L. ochracea from metagenomes. These genomes contain iron oxidase genes cyc2 and mtoA, showing that L. ochracea has the potential to conserve energy from iron oxidation. Sox genes confer potential to oxidize sulfur for energy. There are genes for both carbon fixation (RuBisCO) and utilization of sugars and organic acids (acetate, lactate, and formate). In silico stoichiometric metabolic models further demonstrated the potential for growth using sugars and organic acids. Metatranscriptomes showed a high expression of genes for iron oxidation; aerobic respiration; and utilization of lactate, acetate, and sugars, as well as RuBisCO, supporting mixotrophic growth in the environment. In summary, our results suggest that L. ochracea has substantial metabolic flexibility. It is adapted to iron-rich, organic carbon-containing wetland niches, where it can thrive as a mixotrophic iron oxidizer by utilizing both iron oxidation and organics for energy generation and both inorganic and organic carbon for cell and sheath production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many drylands, both long‐ and short‐term drought conditions can accentuate landscape heterogeneity at both temporal (e.g., role of seasonal patterns) and spatial (e.g., patchy plant cover) scales. Furthermore, short‐term drought conditions occurring over one season can exacerbate long‐term, multidecadal droughts or aridification, by limiting soil water recharge, decreasing plant growth, and altering biogeochemical cycles. Here, we examine how experimentally altered seasonal precipitation regimes in a mixed shrub grassland on the Colorado Plateau impact soil moisture, vegetation, and carbon and nitrogen cycling. The experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2019, during a regional multidecadal drought event, and consisted of three precipitation treatments, which were implemented with removable drought shelters intercepting ~66% of incoming precipitation including: control (ambient precipitation conditions, no shelter), warm season drought (sheltered April–October), and cool season drought (sheltered November–March). To track changes in vegetation, we measured biomass of the dominant shrub, Ephedra viridis, and estimated perennial plant and ground cover in the spring and the fall. Soil moisture dynamics suggested that warm season experimental drought had longer and more consistent drought legacy effects (occurring two out of the four drought cycles) than either cool season drought or ambient conditions, even during the driest years. We also found that E. viridis biomass remained consistent across treatments, while bunchgrass cover declined by 25% by 2019 across all treatments, with the earliest declines noticeable in the warm season drought plots. Extractable dissolved inorganic nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen concentrations appeared sensitive to seasonal drought conditions, with dissolved inorganic nitrogen increasing and microbial biomass nitrogen decreasing with reduced soil volumetric water content. Carbon stocks were not sensitive to drought but were greater under E. viridis patches. Additionally, we found that under E. viridis, there was a negative relationship between dissolved inorganic nitrogen and microbial biomass nitrogen, suggesting that drought‐induced increases in dissolved inorganic nitrogen may be due to declines in nitrogen uptake from microbes and plants alike. This work suggests that perennial grass plant–soil feedbacks are more vulnerable to both short‐term (seasonal) and long‐term (multiyear) drought events than shrubs, which can impact the future trajectory of dryland mixed shrub grassland ecosystems as drought frequency and intensity will likely continue to increase with ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-cell immunoglobin and mucin domain protein-1 (TIM-1) mediates entry of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) into some mammalian cells through the interaction with envelope phospholipids. While this interaction enhances entry, TIM-1 has been shown to tether newly formed HIV and Ebola virus particles, limiting their efficient release. In this study, we investigate the ability of surface receptors such as TIM-1 to sequester newly budded virions on the surface of infected cells. We established a luminescence reporter system to produce chikungunya viral particles that integrate nano-luciferase and easily quantify viral particles. We found that TIM-1 on the surface of host cells significantly reduced CHIKV release efficiency in comparison to other entry factors. Removal of cell surface TIM-1 through direct cellular knock-out or altering the cellular lipid distribution enhanced CHIKV release. Over the course of infection, CHIKV was able to counteract the tethering effect by gradually decreasing the surface levels of TIM-1 in a process mediated by the nonstructural protein 2. This study highlights the importance of phosphatidylserine receptors in mediating not only the entry of CHIKV but also its release and could aid in developing cell lines capable of enhanced vaccine production. IMPORTANCE Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an enveloped alphavirus transmitted by the bites of infectious mosquitoes. Infection with CHIKV results in the development of fever, joint pain, and arthralgia that can become chronic and last for months after infection. Prevention of this disease is still highly focused on vector control strategies. In December 2023, a new live attenuated vaccine against CHIKV was approved by the FDA. We aimed to study the cellular factors involved in CHIKV release, to better understand CHIKV’s ability to efficiently infect and spread among a wide variety of cell lines. We found that TIM-1 receptors can significantly abrogate CHIKV’s ability to efficiently exit infected cells. This information can be beneficial for maximizing viral particle production in laboratory settings and during vaccine manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with intellectual disabilities are at heightened risk for traumatization, though underserved due to silos of care, diagnostic overshadowing, and lack of adapted treatment. Trauma‐Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF‐CBT), an evidence‐based childhood trauma therapy, is described with recommended adaptations for use with children who have intellectual disabilities. Method: We present a suggested theoretical and clinical guide for treating children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. We explicate key functional domains of intellectual disabilities—comprehension, executive functions, and generalization—as the basis for tailoring the treatment model. Results: Therapy recommendations are organized into a heuristic 'matrix' of resources and adaptations to TF‐CBT components, based on clinical experience and research literature, illustrated with composite case vignettes. Conclusion: Children with intellectual disabilities are a uniquely vulnerable population historically excluded from clinical trauma interventions and research but can respond to adapted care. Considerations for future research and dissemination are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While often showing associative memory deficits, there may be instances when older adults selectively remember important associative information. We presented younger and older adults with children they would be hypothetically babysitting, and each child had three preferences: a food they like, a food they dislike, and a food they are allergic to and must avoid. In Experiment 1, all foods associated with each child were simultaneously presented while in Experiments 2 and 3, participants self-regulated their study of the different preferences for each child. We were interested in whether people, particularly older adults who often display associative memory impairments, can prioritize the most important information with consequences for forgetting (i.e., allergies), especially with increased task experience. Overall, compared with younger adults, older adults were better at selectively studying and recalling the children's allergies relative to the other preferences, and these patterns increased with task experience. Together, the present results suggest that both younger and older adults can employ strategies that enhance the recall of important information, illustrating responsible remembering. Specifically, both younger and older adults can learn to self-assess and prioritize the information that they need to remember, and despite memory deficits, older adults can learn to employ strategies that enhance the recall of important information, using metacognition and goal-directed remembering to engage in responsible remembering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a key role in the adaptive immune system of vertebrates, and is known to influence mate choice in many species. In birds, the MHC has been extensively examined but mainly in galliforms and passerines while other taxa that represent specific ecological and evolutionary life-histories, like seabirds, are underexamined. Here, we characterized diversity of MHC Class II B exon 2 in a colonial pelagic seabird, the Little Auk (or Dovekie Alle alle). We further examined whether MHC variation could be maintained through balancing selection and disassortative mating. We found high polymorphism at the genotyped MHC fragment, characterizing 99 distinct alleles across 140 individuals from three populations. The alleles frequencies exhibited a similar skewed distribution in both sexes, with the four most commonly occurring alleles representing approximately 35% of allelic variation. The results of a Bayesian site-by-site selection analysis suggest evidence of balancing selection and no direct evidence for MHC-dependent disassortative mating preferences in the Little Auk. The latter result might be attributed to the high overall polymorphism of the examined fragment, which itself may be maintained by the large population size of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens at the point of interchange between scholarly communities? We examine this question by investigating the case of growing ties between historical sociology and ethnography, two social scientific methods that once seemed to have little in common. Drawing on methodological writings by ethnographers and original interviews with practicing historical sociologists, we argue that these ties have been shaped by structural and methodological homologies between the two disciplines. Structurally, ethnography and historical sociology are similarly positioned in sociology more broadly, as enterprises with sometimes-tense relationships with dominant assumptions of the social sciences. Methodologically, both ethnographers and historical sociologists face the challenges of bounding the research process, navigating access to data, analyzing and retaining data while "in the field," and overcoming cultural distance between themselves and the worlds they are studying. Taken together, these findings extend work in the sociology of science and knowledge and suggest some key conditions for intellectual efflorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The jewel scarab Chrysina gloriosa is one of the most charismatic beetles in the United States and is found from the mountains of West Texas to the Southeastern Arizona sky islands. This species is highly sought by professional and amateur collectors worldwide due to its gleaming metallic coloration. However, the impact of the large-scale collection of this beetle on its populations is unknown, and there is a limited amount of genetic information available to make informed decisions about its conservation. As a first step, we present the genome of C. gloriosa , which we reconstructed using a single female specimen sampled from our ongoing effort to document population connectivity and the demographic history of this beetle. Using a combination of long-read sequencing and Omni-C data, we reconstructed the C. gloriosa genome at a near-chromosome level. Our genome assembly consisted of 454 scaffolds spanning 642 MB, with the 10 largest scaffolds capturing 98% of the genome. The scaffold N50 was 72 MB, and the BUSCO score was 95.5%. This genome assembly will be an essential tool to accelerate understanding C. gloriosa biology and help make informed decisions for the conservation of Chrysina and other species with similar distributions in this region. This genome assembly will further serve as a community resource for comparative genomic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of foraging behaviour is crucial for understanding several ecological and adaptive processes, as well as for developing conservation measures. While extensive research has been completed on birds and mammals, few studies have been conducted on the learning capabilities of amphibians, particularly those pertaining to foraging behaviour. Amphibians may detect potential prey through distinct sensory systems including visual detection, chemoreception, and mechanoreception. In this study, we tested whether fire salamander larvae shift their prey recognition depending on the prey stimulus typology. We performed behavioural assays to better understand the roles of visual and chemical cues in prey recognition and how a continuative visual stimulus may change behavioural patterns. For this assessment, larvae from different habitats (cave and stream) were reared under laboratory conditions and fed while exposed to accompanying sensory stimuli. Their responses to visual and olfactory cues were measured before and after rearing. Both visual and chemical cues significantly affected the time of approach to the stimulus. The period of rearing significantly interacted with the time of approach for both cues. After rearing, when visual cues occurred, the time of approach was much lower than before rearing. These findings provide a basis for further studies on the role of plasticity in the predator–prey interactions of fire salamander larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore the lessons learned from a pharmacy technician apprentice program by the Cleveland Clinic School of Pharmacy Technology in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic department of pharmacy. Topics discussed include the beginning of the apprentice program as a pilot program in 2019, barriers to the program's growth, and the challenges faced by the apprentices.

People often engage in the selective remembering of valuable or important information, whether strategic and/or automatic. We examined potential age-related differences in the automatic processing of value during encoding on later remembering by presenting participants with words paired with point values (range: 1–10 twice or 1–20) to remember for a later test. On the first three lists, participants were told that they would receive the points associated with each word if they recalled it on the test (their goal was to maximize their score). On the last three lists, we told participants that all words were worth the same number of points if recalled on the tests, thus making the point value paired with each word meaningless. Results revealed that selective memory may be impaired in older adults using procedures with larger value ranges. Additionally, we demonstrated that the automatic effects of value may have a greater effect on younger adults relative to older adults, but there may be instances where older adults also exhibit these automatic effects. Finally, strategic and automatic processes may not be related within each learner, suggesting that these processes may rely on different cognitive mechanisms. This indicates that these processes could be underpinned by distinct cognitive mechanisms: strategic processes might engage higher-level cognitive operations like imagery, while automatic processes appear to be more perceptually driven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The physical, paper-based Georgia TB Reference Guide has served as the clinical reference handbook on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic and treatment guidelines for the state of Georgia in the United States. Supported by the Georgia Department of Public Health, the production of the 112-page palm-sized booklet was previously led by a team of Georgia-based TB experts at Emory University and printed every three-five years with updates to clinical management guidelines and TB consult contact information. However, the costs associated with editorial printing combined with delays in updating a static printed booklet with revised guidance hampered the utility of the tool. Considering the barriers with paper-based production and based on the beneficial use of apps to support the dissemination of clinical management guidance in other settings, the booklet was converted into a mobile application. This paper describes the process of developing a mobile app version of the Georgia TB Reference Guide in an easy-to-update and readily available format. Methods: We employed a user-centered design approach to develop the app, including a series of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. Participants included a mix of state officials and local TB experts. First, initial foundational interviews were conducted to conceptualize current utilization practices of both the paper and PDF versions of the tool. Second, the findings from the initial interviews were organized thematically and informed the design of the app, which was then beta tested by a round of previously unsampled TB experts as well as a re-sample from the initial interviews. Third, the designs were coded into developmental phases and beta tested among users of the current Georgia TB Reference Guide. Fourth, the app was published and downloaded by a pre-selected group of local users who provided answers to a follow-up survey after using the app for one month. Fifth, user growth, self-reported demographics, and app usage between February and July 2022 were recorded through automatic data metrics built into the app. Results: The paper copy Georgia TB Reference Guide usage themes included commonly referenced content, navigation paths, and desired features and content. The themes were converted into features and designs such as prioritizing commonly reviewed topics and guide customization with bookmarks and notes. Iterations of the designs were driven by feedback from TB experts and included home page featured content, improving content readability, and improving the search feature. The follow-up survey revealed a 90% preference for the app over the paper version of the guide. In the six months following the app's release, the app was downloaded by 281 individuals in the United States. The majority of downloads were in Georgia and the app also expanded organically to 19 other states. Conclusion: The experience of converting the Georgia TB Reference Guide offers specific and effective steps to converting a medical reference guide into a mobile application tool that is readily available, easy to use, and easy to update. The organic dissemination of the app beyond the state of Georgia's borders within the first six months of app launch underscores desire among TB healthcare professionals for high-quality digital reference content outside the state. This experience offers clear outlines for replication in other contexts and demonstrates the utility of similar mobile medical reference tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) of the lower thoracic spinal cord has been shown to partially restore volitional movement in patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (cSCI). Combining eSCS with intensive locomotor training improves motor function, including standing and stepping, but many patients with cSCI suffer from long-standing muscle atrophy and loss of bone mineral density, which may prohibit safe implementation. Safe, accessible, and effective avenues for pairing neuromodulation with activity-based therapy remain unexplored. Cycling is one such option that can be utilized as an eSCS therapy given its low-risk and low–weight-bearing requirement. We investigated the feasibility and kinematics of motor-assisted and passive cycle-based therapy for cSCI patients with epidural spinal cord stimulation. Seven participants who underwent spinal cord stimulation surgery in the Epidural Stimulation After Neurologic Damage (E-STAND) trial (NCT03026816) participated in a cycling task using the motor assist MOTOmed Muvi 300. A factorial design was used such that participants were asked to cycle with and without conscious effort with and without stimulation. We used mixed effects models assessing maximum power output and time pedaling unassisted to evaluate the interaction between stimulation and conscious effort. Cycling was well-tolerated and we observed no adverse events, including in participants up to 17 years post–initial injury and up to 58 years old. All participants were found to be able to pedal without motor assist, which primarily occurred when stimulation and effort were applied together (p = 0.001). Additionally, the combination of stimulation and intention was significantly associated with higher maximum power production (p < 0.0001) and distance pedaled (p = 0.0001). No association was found between volitional movement and participant factors: age, time since injury, and spinal cord atrophy. With stimulation and conscious effort, all participants were able to achieve active cycling without motor assistance. Thus, our stationary cycling factorial study design demonstrated volitional movement restoration with eSCS in a diverse study population of cSCI participants. Further, motor-assist cycling was well-tolerated without any adverse events. Cycling has the potential to be a safe research assessment and physical therapy modality for cSCI patients utilizing eSCS who have a high risk of injury with weight bearing exercise. The cycling modality in this study was demonstrated to be a straightforward assessment of motor function and safe for all participants regardless of age or time since initial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential screening is a complex process in chronic pain conditions. There is significant uncertainty that surrounds the pathophysiology of many chronic pain syndromes that may lead to misdiagnosis and treatment failures. Such differential screening is even more challenging where there is regional overlapping from surrounding tissues. This case report chronicles the differential screening and treatment of a patient with sternocleidomastoid syndrome (SCMS) originally diagnosed as Eagle's syndrome (ES). A 55-year-old woman, referred to a physical therapist (PT) by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) physician with the diagnosis of ES. The patient complained of yearlong left-sided otalgia, blurred vision, excessive lacrimation, dysphagia, hyperesthesia on the left side of the face, unilateral temporal headaches, and both left mandibular and anterior neck pain. The PT examination revealed the patient did not exhibit hallmark findings for clinical confirmation of ES and instead demonstrated multiple signs consistent with SCMS. Manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises resolved the patient's year-long chronic symptoms within 6 sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy and among the most common malignancies in young adults and requires a unique pattern of healthcare utilization including an acute/emergent presentation and an intensive initial 8 months of therapy followed by two years of outpatient treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive global disruptions in healthcare use and delivery. This report aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, diagnosis and continued management of childhood and young adult ALL in regard to utilization and cost of care among commercially insured individuals in the United States. Results: Utilizing a commercial insurance claims database, 529 pediatric and young adult patients were identified who were diagnosed with ALL between January 2016 and March 2021. New diagnoses were evaluated by era and demographics. Utilization was measured by COVID-related era as number of inpatient and outpatient encounters, inpatient days, and cumulative cost during the initial 8 months of therapy. None of these cost or utilization factors changed significantly during or shortly after the pandemic. These findings reinforce that the necessary care for pediatric and young adult ALL was unwavering despite the massive shifts in the healthcare system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides a valuable benchmark as we further examine the factors that influence the pandemic's impact on health equity and access to care, especially in vulnerable pediatric and young adult populations. This is the first investigation of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization and cost of care in pediatric and young adult cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMicrofinance organizations in Bangladesh often direct microloans to women, due in part to women’s high repayment rates. Questions remain about how microfinance institutions are addressing – or enabling – economic coercion of women taking out loans. In-depth interviews with 25 men and 24 women examined how the structure of microcredit programs, and men’s reactions to such structures, enabled or challenged women’s economic agency. We found that loan access and control was gendered, that loans were socially disruptive and engendered shame among men and women, and that this social disruption and shame was managed through practices of concealment. Interviews revealed that inequitable gender structures governing microloan administration are impeding gender transformative experiences with microloans. The results of this study illustrate the importance of considering structural and normative elements of gender systems to understand women’s experiences of economic agency and coercion around microloans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this clinical tutorial, we describe the implementation of interventions provided to struggling writers using telepractice as the method of service delivery. The intervention of focus in this article was provided by graduate students who received advanced training in supporting writing to elementary school children with and without learning disabilities. The protocols developed for this study were framed by a theoretical framework for writing (K. D. Ritchey et al., 2016) and based on current best evidence for supporting struggling writers (e.g., A. L. Poch et al., 2022; S. Graham & D. Perin, 2007). In short, we lifted from the research literature available best practices for writing interventions and adapted these for telepractice with elementary-age schoolchildren identified as struggling writers. As part of this clinical tutorial, four different case studies are provided that illustrate how the intervention was adapted to meet individual student needs. Clinical implications for adapting interventions delivered via telepractice for struggling writers are provided alongside future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:The objectives of this retrospective study were to analyze telehealth utilization for two specialty care practices: oral medicine (OM) and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) during the first 2 years of the pandemic, its impact as a new treatment modality and on participating providers, as well as identify the type of patient visit that most readily adopted telehealth. Methods:Retrospective study of patients who sought specialty services, OM and OMFS, at an outpatient clinic in a university health system setting between March 1, 2019, and February 28, 2022. Source data were obtained from Epic, an electronic medical record application. Data were graphed using Tableau and Microsoft Excel software. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing chi-squared test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results:OMFS utilized telehealth 12% of the time, and OM 8% of the time. The majority (87%) of telehealth visits were for return patients (RPs). Compared with the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of telehealth visits in the second year (p = 0.0001). As of August 2022, new patient (NP) telehealth encounters have largely returned to prepandemic levels (0–1.5%), whereas RP telehealth visits remained at an average level of 11.4% (9.4–12.4%). Surveyed providers consider telehealth as an effective complement to in-person care and will continue its use (4.2/5 Likert scale). Conclusions:Telehealth has become a viable pathway of care for OM and OMFS who previously did not utilize the remote platform to deliver healthcare. As a new treatment modality, telehealth is perceived as impactful in increasing access to specialty care by participating providers. NP visits are now almost completely in person, but telehealth continues for RPs. Ongoing demand for telehealth highlights urgency to develop appropriate standards and effective remote diagnostic/monitoring tools to maximize telehealth's capability to leverage finite health care resources and increase access to specialty care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the academic context, mentoring is a positive and ongoing relationship between a professor and student that fosters academic growth and accomplishment. Thus, mentors are crucial for graduate students in both masters and doctoral programs. Currently, there is a lack of research regarding mentorship, especially when it involves common obstacles that a student may experience such as academic rejection, the pressure to publish scholarly work, and career conversations post-graduate school. Academic rejection refers to the act of receiving a rejection for a scholarly task such as a rejection notice for a manuscript, award, grant, or even employment. Accordingly, the current study aims to qualitatively explore academic rejection, the pressure to publish, and career conversations post-graduate school using a convenience sample of 75 current faculty members who are appointed to a criminology and criminal justice department at a university or college. Themes related to academic rejection, the pressure to publish, and career conversations are discussed, as well as the implications of these themes are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age often indicates phenotypic quality, ecological experience or social status in animals. Consequently, behavioural signals in territorial animals that accurately convey age to potential mates or rivals might provide useful information for both signaller and receiver about the likelihood of aggression. We tested whether male territorial yodels convey information about age in the common loon, Gavia immer. Using a sample of male loons of known age, we found that the dominant frequency of Fintro3, a dominant syllable in the beginning sequence of a male yodel, increases strongly with age, but we were unable to replicate an earlier finding linking Fintro3 to body mass. We hypothesize that older male loons, which yodel more often than young males, might do so as a means to advertise their age and higher likelihood of aggression to potential rivals. • We tested whether male yodels convey information about age in common loons. • Dominant frequency of a dominant syllable (Fintro3) in male yodels increased with age. • Fintro3 was found previously to decrease with body mass, but not in our study. • Age may have a more significant effect on yodel acoustics than body mass. • Older males may yodel more often to advertise their age and likelihood of aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is our current research perspective on models providing insight into statistical mechanics. It is necessarily personal, emphasizing our own interest in simulation as it developed from the National Laboratories’ work to the worldwide explosion of computation of today. We contrast the past and present in atomistic simulations, emphasizing those simple models that best achieve reproducibility and promote understanding. Few-body models with pair forces have led to today’s “realistic” simulations with billions of atoms and molecules. Rapid advances in computer technology have led to change. Theoretical formalisms have largely been replaced by simulations incorporating ingenious algorithm development. We choose to study particularly simple, yet relevant, models directed toward understanding general principles. Simplicity remains a worthy goal, as does relevance. We discuss hard-particle virial series, melting, thermostatted oscillators with and without heat conduction, chaotic dynamics, fractals, the connection of Lyapunov spectra to thermodynamics, and finally simple linear maps. Along the way, we mention directions in which additional modeling could provide more clarity and yet more interesting developments in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Adult skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that give rise to chondrocytes, osteocytes, and stromal cells as progeny have been shown to contribute to cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). Understanding extrinsic and intrinsic regulators of SSC fate and function can therefore identify putative candidate factors to enhance cartilage regeneration. This study explores how the DNA hydroxymethylase Tet1 regulates SSC function in OA. Methods. We investigated the differences in the SSC lineage tree and differentiation potential in neonatal and adult Tet1+/+ and Tet1−/− mice with and without injury and upon OA induction and progression. Using RNA sequencing, the transcriptomic differences between SSCs and bone cartilage stroma progenitor cells (BCSPs) were identified in Tet1+/+ mice and Tet1−/− mice. Results. Loss of Tet1 skewed the SSC lineage tree by expanding the SSC pool and enhanced the chondrogenic potential of SSCs and BCSPs. Tet1 inhibition led to enhanced chondrogenesis in human SSCs and chondroprogenitors isolated from human cartilage. Importantly, TET1 inhibition in vivo in late stages of a mouse model of OA led to increased cartilage regeneration. Transcriptomic analyses of SSCs and BCSPs lacking Tet1 revealed pathway alterations in transforming growth factor β signaling, melatonin degradation, and cartilage development–associated genes. Lastly, we report that use of the hormone melatonin can dampen inflammation and improve cartilage health. Conclusion. Although Tet1 is a broad epigenetic regulator, melatonin can mimic the inhibition ability of TET1 to enhance the chondrogenic ability of SSCs. Melatonin administration has the potential to be an attractive stem cell– based therapy for cartilage regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens at the point of interchange between scholarly communities? We examine this question by investigating the case of growing ties between historical sociology and ethnography, two social scientific methods that once seemed to have little in common. Drawing on methodological writings by ethnographers and original interviews with practicing historical sociologists, we argue that these ties have been shaped by structural and methodological homologies between the two disciplines. Structurally, ethnography and historical sociology are similarly positioned in sociology more broadly, as enterprises with sometimes-tense relationships with dominant assumptions of the social sciences. Methodologically, both ethnographers and historical sociologists face the challenges of bounding the research process, navigating access to data, analyzing and retaining data while "in the field," and overcoming cultural distance between themselves and the worlds they are studying. Taken together, these findings extend work in the sociology of science and knowledge and suggest some key conditions for intellectual efflorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable forecasts are key to decisions in areas ranging from supply chain management to capacity planning in service industries. It is encouraging then that recent decades have seen dramatic advances in forecasting methods which have the potential to significantly increase forecast accuracy and improve operational and financial performance. However, despite their benefits, we have evidence that many organizations have failed to take up systematic forecasting methods. In this paper, we provide an overview of recent advances in forecasting and then use a combination of survey data and in-depth semi-structured interviews with forecasters to investigate reasons for the low rate of adoption. Finally, we identify pathways that could lead to the greater and more widespread use of systematic forecasting methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emitting conspicuous signals into the environment to attract mates comes with the increased risk of interception by eavesdropping enemies. As a defence, a commonly described strategy is for signallers to group together in leks, diluting each individual's risk. Lekking systems are often highly social settings in which competing males dynamically alter their signalling behaviour to attract mates. Thus, signalling at the lek requires navigating fluctuations in risk, competition and reproductive opportunities. Here, we investigate how behavioural defence strategies directed at an eavesdropping enemy have cascading effects across the communication network. We investigated these behaviours in the túngara frog (Engystomops pustulosus), examining how a calling male's swatting defence directed at frog-biting midges indirectly affects the calling behaviour of his rival. We found that the rival responds to swat-induced water ripples by increasing his call rate and complexity. Then, performing phonotaxis experiments, we found that eavesdropping fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus) do not exhibit a preference for a swatting male compared to his rival, but females strongly prefer the rival male. Defences to minimize attacks from eavesdroppers thus shift the mate competition landscape in favour of rival males. By modulating the attractiveness of signalling prey to female receivers, we posit that eavesdropping micropredators likely have an unappreciated impact on the ecology and evolution of sexual communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rates of mental health problems and disorders in children and youth have been increasing for at least three decades, and these have escalated due to the pandemic and multiple other societal stressors. It is increasingly recognized that students and families frequently struggle to receive needed care through traditional locations such as specialty mental health centers. Upstream mental health promotion and prevention strategies are gaining support as a public health approach to supporting overall population well-being, better utilizing a limited specialty workforce, and reducing illness. Based on these recognitions, there has been a progressive and escalating movement toward the delivery of mental health support to children and youth "where they are," with a prominent and more ecologically valid environment being schools. This paper will provide a brief review of the escalating mental health needs of children and youth, advantages of school mental health (SMH) programs in better meeting these needs, example model SMH programs from the United States and Canada, and national and international SMH centers/networks. We conclude with strategies for further propelling the global advancement of the SMH field through interconnected practice, policy, and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Proteasomes are highly complex, macromolecular, protein-degrading machines that execute the controlled elimination of intracellular proteins. Proteasome-dependent protein degradation governs numerous essential cellular processes that regulate cell and circadian cycles, transcription, growth, and development, and execute the efficient removal of abnormal, denatured, and misfolded polypeptides and proteins. Immunoproteasomes represent a highly specialized proteasomal variant that degrades proteins in cells exposed to oxidative stress and proinflammatory stimuli. Immunoproteasomes are significantly elevated in immune cell types and generate oligopeptides that are exhibited on the tumor complexed with MHC class I molecules to facilitate surveillance mechanisms that eradicate cancer cells. Immunoproteasomes represent actionable therapeutic targets that can be pharmacologically manipulated to treat cancer and infectious diseases, as well as proteinopathies characterized by the pathologic accumulation of toxic, proteinaceous aggregates. The majority of T-cell responses involve proteasome-dependent protein degradation and the downstream presentation of oligopeptide products complexed with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (MHC-I) molecules to peptide-restricted CD8+ T-cells. However, evasion of host immunity is a cancer hallmark that is achieved by disruption of host antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Consequently, mechanisms of immune evasion promote cancer growth and survival as well as de novo and acquired resistance to immunotherapy. A multitude of cell signaling pathways modulate the APM and MHC-I-dependent antigen presentation. Pharmacologics that specifically target and modulate proteasome structure and activity represent a novel emerging strategy to improve the treatment of cancers and other diseases characterized by aberrant protein accumulation. FDA-approved pharmacologics that selectively activate proteasomes and/or immunoproteasomes can be repositioned to overcome the current bottlenecks that hinder drug development to enhance antigen presentation, modulate the immunopeptidome, and enhance the cytotoxic activity of endogenous or engineered T-cells. Strategies to enhance antigen presentation may also improve the antitumor activity of T-cell immunotherapies, checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. Proteasomes represent actionable therapeutic targets to treat difficult-to-treat infectious processes and neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the unwanted accrual of insoluble, deleterious, and potentially toxic proteins. Taken together, we highlight the breadth and magnitude of the proteasome and the immense potential to amplify and unmask the immunopeptidomic landscape to improve the treatment of a spectrum of human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth (PTB), defined as birth before 37 wk gestation, is associated with hypertension, diabetes, inadequate prenatal care, unemployment or poverty, and metal exposure. Indigenous individuals are more likely to have maternal risk factors associated with PTB compared with other populations in the United States; however, the role of environmental metals on PTB among pregnant Indigenous women remains uncertain. Previous research identified associations between PTB and individual metals, but there is limited investigation on metal mixtures and this birth outcome. OBJECTIVES: We used a mixtures analysis framework to investigate the association between metal mixtures and PTB among pregnant Indigenous women from the Navajo Birth Cohort Study (NBCS). METHODS: Maternal urine and blood samples were collected at the time of study enrollment and analyzed for metals by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry. Bayesian Profile Regression was used to identify subgroups (clusters) of individuals with similar patterns of coexposure and to model association with PTB. RESULTS: Results indicated six subgroups of maternal participants with distinct exposure profiles, including one group with low exposure to all metals and one group with total arsenic, cadmium, lead, and uranium concentrations exceeding representative concentrations calculated from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Compared with the reference group (i.e., the lowest exposure subgroup), the subgroup with the highest overall exposure had a relative risk of PTB of 2.9 times (95% credible interval: 1.1, 6.1). Exposures in this subgroup were also higher overall than NHANES median values for women 14–45 years of age. DISCUSSION: Given the wide range of exposures and elevated PTB risk for the most exposed subgroups in a relatively small study, follow-up investigation is recommended to evaluate associations between metal mixture profiles and other birth outcomes and to test hypothesized mechanisms of action for PTB and oxidative stress caused by environmental metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifetal gestations are at increased risk for structural anomalies relative to singletons. Determination of chorionicity is critical, as the risk is highest for monochorionic pregnancies. In a singleton gestation, counseling is structured around optimization of fetal outcomes and careful consideration of the patient's choices in management decisions. However, in multifetal gestations affected by a fetal anomaly, complex counseling with consideration for the pregnancy as a whole is necessary. We review the incidence of structural anomalies in twins and highlight unique considerations including selective termination for discordant anomalies. We emphasize the role of shared decision making between provider and patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussion of gentrification is ubiquitous in cities around the world. And while criticism of it is common, there is still considerable contestation over whether gentrification is unjust. Political theorists have recently turned their attention to the normative evaluation of gentrification, especially the displacement of long-term residents from neighbourhoods experiencing redevelopment and reinvestment. Two important limitations in this recent work are, first, a narrow focus on the link between gentrification and displacement, and second, the injustice of gentrification has been evaluated in light of abstract ideals of justice divorced from the lived experience of its harms. Although the emerging literature usefully identifies some of the harms of gentrification, it fails to recognise the full extent of the injustice of gentrification. To address these limitations, I argue the normative evaluation of gentrification should start with a conceptualisation of the problem grounded in the experience of its negative effects. Further, employing a more comprehensive conceptualisation of gentrification's negative effects reveals it to be a distinctive and encompassing urban injustice better understood by examining how gentrification is defined by harmful inequalities of political power, leading to exploitation, dispossession, displacement, marginalisation, and violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leatherback egg clutches typically experience lower hatching success (~50%) than those of other sea turtle species (>70%). The majority of embryonic death (>50%) occurs at early stages of development, possibly because embryos fail to break preovipositional embryonic arrest after oviposition. The embryonic arrest is maintained by hypoxia in the oviduct and following oviposition increased availability of oxygen is the trigger that breaks arrest in all turtle species studied to date. We conducted an ex situ incubator experiment and an in situ hatchery experiment to examine the influence of oxygen availability on hatching success and hatchling traits in leatherbacks. After oviposition, eggs (n = 1005) were incubated in either normoxia (21% O2), hyperoxia (32%–42% O2) for 5 days, or hypoxia (1% O2) for 3 or 5 days. As with other turtles, hypoxic incubation maintained embryos in arrest, equivalent to the time spent in hypoxia. However, extending arrest for 5 days resulted in greater early‐stage death and a significant decrease in hatching success (4% 5‐day hypoxia vs. 72% normoxia). Eggs placed in incubators had greater hatching success than those placed into hatchery nests (67% vs. 47%, respectively). We found no impact of hyperoxia on the stage of embryonic death, hatching success, hatchling phenotype, exercise performance, or early dispersal. Our findings indicate that delayed nesting and the subsequent extension of embryonic arrest may negatively impact embryonic development and therefore the reproductive success of leatherbacks. They also indicate that incubation under hyperoxic conditions is unlikely to be a useful method to improve hatching success in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum involves placement of retrosternal support (Nuss) bars. Hardware removal has been rarely associated with life-threatening hemorrhage from the heart, aorta, internal mammary arteries, and/or lung. There is no accepted standard intraoperative monitoring technique used during removal. We hypothesized that the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during Nuss bar removal would enhance safety of the procedure and be cost-effective. Methods: IRB-approved retrospective review of patients who underwent Nuss bar removal with intraoperative TEE monitoring over a 4-year period, from March 2013 to May 2017, was completed. Bar removal procedures were performed supine, under general anesthesia. TEE images were monitored and any distortion of the cardiac silhouette, new pericardial effusion, and/or cardiac arrhythmias would be considered evidence of possible bar adherence, triggering possible conversion to sternotomy or thoracotomy. Results: In total, 87 consecutive patients, mean age of 20 years, were identified. Bars had been in place for a mean of 30 months. Average procedure time was 67 minutes. No patients experienced arrhythmias, cardiac injury, or significant hemorrhage during removal. TEE gave excellent visualization of the cardiac silhouette and pericardium in all cases. No patient required insertion of an arterial line, a postoperative chest X-ray, or overnight hospitalization. Patients were discharged from the recovery room an average of 89 minutes postprocedure. Conclusion: TEE offers a minimally invasive safe way to visualize the pericardium and its contents during Nuss bar removal. Significant cardiac/mediastinal injuries should be immediately visible. The use of TEE is cost-effective and allows safe discharge the day of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is the ninth most common cancer worldwide and in the US the fourth most common cancer, with ~82,000 new cases (~62,000 men) diagnosed annually leading to ~17,000 deaths/year (~12,000 men). While early-stage cases exhibit more favorable outcomes, the emergence of drug resistance and distant metastasis reduces median overall survival (OS) to 12–15 months. The development of modern genetic and molecular assays to detect high-risk mutations has improved the detection of high-risk disease. Recently, immune therapies have been developed; these demonstrate markedly improved OS rates compared to treatment with chemotherapy alone. However, challenges persist and there remains an urgent, unmet need to develop and advance novel molecular and therapeutic strategies that prevent or overcome drug resistance, to improve patient outcome. Here, we provide an overview of the etiology, diagnostic approach and emerging therapeutic strategies for improving UCC patient quality of life and OS. Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC, bladder cancer, BC) remains a difficult-to-treat malignancy with a rising incidence worldwide. In the U.S., UCC is the sixth most incident neoplasm and ~90% of diagnoses are made in those >55 years of age; it is ~four times more commonly observed in men than women. The most important risk factor for developing BC is tobacco smoking, which accounts for ~50% of cases, followed by occupational exposure to aromatic amines and ionizing radiation. The standard of care for advanced UCC includes platinum-based chemotherapy and programmed cell death (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors, administered as frontline, second-line, or maintenance therapy. UCC remains generally incurable and is associated with intrinsic and acquired drug and immune resistance. UCC is lethal in the metastatic state and characterized by genomic instability, high PD-L1 expression, DNA damage-response mutations, and a high tumor mutational burden. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) achieve long-term durable responses in other cancers, their ability to achieve similar results with metastatic UCC (mUCC) is not as well-defined. Here, we discuss therapies to improve UCC management and how comprehensive tumor profiling can identify actionable biomarkers and eventually fulfill the promise of precision medicine for UCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Conversation treatment for people with aphasia (PwA) can lead to significant changes in language impairment and quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the greater use of telepractice treatment delivery. However, there is little evidence regarding the efficacy of telepractice conversation groups. This study investigated the effects of telepractice group conversation treatment on standardized measures of language function and socially oriented/ patient-reported outcomes compared to in-person and no-treatment control data. Method: This study used a mixed within- and between-groups design (repeated measure/pre–post treatment), with a single-subject delayed treatment design (Shadish & Rindskopf, 2007) to establish baseline, pretreatment, and posttreatment periods for the telepractice group. Telepractice results pre- and posttreatment were compared with historical in-person and no-treatment control data obtained from a larger randomized control trial (RCT) from DeDe et al. (2019). The historical comparison data were a subset of RCT participants from the same location and included six in-person participants and seven no-treatment control group participants. Results: Results of standardized testing conducted at baseline, pretreatment, and posttreatment intervals revealed significant improvement from pre- to posttreatment on repetition and picture description tasks for the telepractice group, and significant improvement from pre- to posttreatment on the Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure, total number of relevant utterances, and percentage of complete utterances for the in-person conversation group. No significant differences were observed in the no-treatment groups. Conclusions: In contrast to the no-treatment condition, both the in-person and telepractice conditions showed the benefits of conversation group treatment. The in-person treatment condition showed improvements in a wider number of outcome measures than the telepractice condition. Overall, the results prompt further research regarding telepractice group conversation treatment for PwA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective: To identify stress management practices and examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being among male and female physician assistant (PA) students. Participants: Participants included 1,239 students from nine PA programs who matriculated pre-pandemic, acute pandemic, or post-acute pandemic. Methods: Measures included questions about stress management practices and validated instruments assessing perceived stress, life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility. Data were analyzed for differences based on year and gender. Results: Exercise (91.6%), yoga (54.6%), meditation (34.3%), and journaling (32.5%) were commonly reported stress reduction practices. Newly matriculated PA students adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic differently based on gender. Pre-pandemic, men and women reported similar levels of perceived stress and psychological flexibility, but female students reported higher life satisfaction. Post-acute pandemic, however, female students reported higher perceived stress and lower psychological flexibility. Conclusions: Wellness resources may be strengthened by approaches that account for differences based on gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armor is a multipurpose set of structures that has evolved independently at least 30 times in fishes. In addition to providing protection, armor can manipulate flow, increase camouflage, and be sexually dimorphic. There are potential tradeoffs in armor function: increased impact resistance may come at the cost of maneuvering ability; and ornate armor may offer visual or protective advantages, but could incur excess drag. Pacific spiny lumpsuckers (Eumicrotremus orbis) are covered in rows of odontic, cone-shaped armor whorls, protecting the fish from wave driven impacts and the threat of predation. We are interested in measuring the effects of lumpsucker armor on the hydrodynamic forces on the fish. Bigger lumpsuckers have larger and more complex armor, which may incur a greater hydrodynamic cost. In addition to their protective armor, lumpsuckers have evolved a ventral adhesive disc, allowing them to remain stationary in their environment. We hypothesize a tradeoff between the armor and adhesion: little fish prioritize suction, while big fish prioritize protection. Using micro-CT, we compared armor volume to disc area over lumpsucker development and built 3D models to measure changes in drag over ontogeny. We found that drag and drag coefficients decrease with greater armor coverage and vary consistently with orientation. Adhesive disc area is isometric but safety factor increases with size, allowing larger fish to remain attached in higher flows than smaller fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food-related emotional expectancies influence food intake, yet little is known about their determinants. The present study objectives were to experimentally test how food advertisements affect food-related emotional expectancies in adults and whether effects differed by individual levels of "food addiction" symptoms. Participants (n = 718; Mage = 35.88, 36.8% with food addiction) were randomly assigned to watch video advertisements for highly processed foods, minimally processed foods, both food groups, or cellphones (control). Participants completed an attention check and questionnaires including the Anticipated Effects of Food Scale. Main effects of condition were non-significant. In participants with fewer symptoms of food addiction, watching video advertisements for highly processed foods increased expectancies that one would feel positive emotions while eating those foods, B (SE) = 0.40(0.16), p = 0.016, 95% CI (0.08, 0.72), ΔR 2 = 0.03. Highly processed food advertisements may affect food-related emotional expectancies in adults who have not previously formed strong expectancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy is a well-established curative treatment for localized prostate cancer. Radiotherapy dose escalation is associated with lower rates of biochemical and local failure. Moreover, dose escalation with a high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost has been correlated with low toxicity rates. This study aimed to review toxicities, biochemical, and local control rates of patients treated with a single fraction 15 Gy HDR-BT boost followed by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Data was retrospectively collected from 179 consecutive prostate cancer patients who underwent treatment with HDR-BT boost and EBRT from February 2014 until February 2020 at a single tertiary cancer. All patients underwent HDR-BT at the study institution and 112 (62,5%) EBRT at the institution. All procedures were performed with the patient under general anesthesia, guided by transrectal ultrasound, using 10 to 18 needles. Axial images of the prostate were captured into the treatment planning system, and subsequent contours and intraoperative planning were performed. Standard dosimetry constraints of the institution were adhered to. External beam radiation therapy was administered in 15 to 25 fractions, with total doses ranging from 3750 to 4600 cGy. Pelvic nodal inclusion was at the discretion of the Radiation Oncologist. Data collection involved a review of electronic medical records for each patient, with staging based on NCCN Version 1.2024 Prostate Guidelines and clinical notes assessed for toxicity analyses graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Following treatment, patients were either discharged to a regional cancer center or regularly monitored for 4-5 years before discharge to a primary care practitioner. PSA levels were monitored every six months for the first two years, then annually until the completion of 5 years. Biochemical failure was defined as a nadir PSA level plus 2.0 ng/ml according to the Phoenix criterion, with local failures confirmed through prostate biopsy and disease progression in any event of local failure, nodal, or distant metastasis. 179 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 3 years. The distribution of risk groups was as follows: favorable intermediate risk (FIR) (13.2%), unfavorable intermediate risk (UIR) (57.1%), high risk (HR) (25.4%), and very high risk (VHR) (2.6%). 95 patients (52.2%) had cT1, 67 (36.8%) had cT2, 15 (8.2%) had cT3 disease. The median baseline PSA was 9 ng/mL (IQR: 6.19 - 15.45), with a median prostate volume of 37 cc (IQR: 29.75 - 46.25) and six cores (IQR: 4 - 9) involved with prostate cancer. Sixty-six percent of patients received hormonal therapy, with a median duration of 6 months. Urinary toxicity occurred in 23% of the patients, with 19.8% experiencing grade 1 or 2 toxicity and 3.2% experiencing grade 3. There were no urinary or gastrointestinal toxicities graded as 4 or 5. Only one patient developed urinary retention after the HDR-BT procedure, requiring the insertion of a urinary catheter. Out of 179 patients, 26 (14,5%) experienced biochemical recurrence. The crude rate of biochemical relapse per risk category was 12%, 14%, 28%, and 20% for FIR, UIR, HR, and VHR prostate cancer patients, respectively. Disease progression was observed in 18 of the 26 biochemical failures for an overall rate of 10% in the cohort (18/179), with the following locations of disease progression: 5.0% (9 patients) developed local failure, 3.3% (6 patients) had distant metastasis, and 1.6% (3 patients) had nodal metastasis. In this large single institutional study, 15 Gy HDR-BT boost plus EBRT resulted in favorable biochemical recurrence rates and local failure across various risk categories. The incidence of urinary retention post brachytherapy and urinary and gastrointestinal G3+ toxicity was very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]