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The diatom Paralia guyana is a tychoplanktonic microalgal species that represents one of the early diverging diatoms. P. guyana can thrive in both planktonic and benthic habitats, making a significant contribution to the occurrence of red tide events. Although a dozen diatom genomes have been sequenced, the identity of the early diverging diatoms remains elusive. The understanding of the evolutionary clades and mechanisms of ecological adaptation in P. guyana is limited by the absence of a high-quality genome assembly. In this study, the first high-quality genome assembly for the early diverging diatom P. guyana was established using PacBio single molecular sequencing. The assembled genome has a size of 558.85 Mb, making it the largest diatom genome on record, with a contig N50 size of 26.06 Mb. A total of 27,121 protein-coding genes were predicted in the P. guyana genome, of which 22,904 predicted genes (84.45%) were functionally annotated. This data and analysis provide innovative genomic resources for tychoplanktonic microalgal species and shed light on the evolutionary origins of diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In the marine environment, seaweeds (i.e. marine macroalgae) provide a wide range of ecological services and economic benefits. Like land plants, seaweeds do not provide these services in isolation, rather they rely on their associated microbial communities, which together with the host form the seaweed holobiont. However, there is a poor understanding of the mechanisms shaping these complex seaweed–microbe interactions, and of the evolutionary processes underlying these interactions. Here, we identify the current research challenges and opportunities in the field of seaweed holobiont biology. We argue that identifying the key microbial partners, knowing how they are recruited, and understanding their specific function and their relevance across all seaweed life history stages are among the knowledge gaps that are particularly important to address, especially in the context of the environmental challenges threatening seaweeds. We further discuss future approaches to study seaweed holobionts, and how we can apply the holobiont concept to natural or engineered seaweed ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycled aggregate concrete contributes to the recovery of construction and demolition waste, which is a growing societal concern. The technical feasibility of recycled aggregate concrete has been extensively tested and validated and the revisions of codes are already including clauses for recycled aggregate concrete specification and design. However, there are still doubts regarding its structural behavior. This article assesses the suitability of Eurocode 2 design clauses for concrete elements under compression when used for recycled aggregate concrete design. This is done through the analysis of model uncertainties that are estimated from a database collected from laboratory experiments on columns. Both the current version of Eurocode 2 (with and without taking confinement into account) and the upcoming (second generation) Eurocode 2 are considered. A database was collected with clearly defined criteria and includes coarse recycled aggregates produced from concrete waste, since columns made with other types of recycled aggregates are scarcely tested and do not represent the current status for structural recycled aggregate concrete design and production. The statistics of the model uncertainty for natural and recycled concrete columns were compared and it was observed that the mean model uncertainty tends to decrease slightly when recycled aggregates are used. However, a preliminary assessment of whether a partial factor for recycled aggregate concrete compression design should be used concluded that this partial factor is not necessary to ensure reliable design and the design of columns may be carried out using the same formulae used for conventional concrete. The format proposed may be used for other resistance models, provided that the partial factor is calibrated for each resistance model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure is a central concept of the health and behavioural sciences needed to study the influence of the environment on the health and behaviour of people within a spatial context. While an increasing number of studies measure different forms of exposure, including the influence of air quality, noise, and crime, the influence of land cover on physical activity, or of the urban environment on food intake, we lack a common conceptual model of environmental exposure that captures its main structure across all this variety. Against the background of such a model, it becomes possible not only to systematically compare different methodological approaches but also to better link and align the content of the vast amount of scientific publications on this topic in a systematic way. For example, an important methodical distinction is between studies that model exposure as an exclusive outcome of some activity versus ones where the environment acts as a direct independent cause (active vs. passive exposure). Here, we propose an information ontology design pattern that can be used to define exposure and to model its variants. It is built around causal relations between concepts including persons, activities, concentrations, exposures, environments and health risks. We formally define environmental stressors and variants of exposure using Description Logic (DL), which allows automatic inference from the RDF-encoded content of a paper. Furthermore, concepts can be linked with data models and modelling methods used in a study. To test the pattern, we translated competency questions into SPARQL queries and ran them over RDF-encoded content. Results show how study characteristics can be classified and summarized in a manner that reflects important methodical differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an introduction to the pedagogical possibilities for early childhood education. It emphasizes the importance of the early childhood period in developing children's foundational educational and academic skills. The document includes a range of articles that focus on different aspects of early pedagogy, including mathematics education, emergent writing skills, online writing with parental support, music education, attention functioning, pedagogical competence, Waldorf education, inclusive STEAM pedagogy, and early literacy learning spaces in home environments. The articles provide insights into effective pedagogical strategies and interventions to support children's learning and development in these areas. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) is an important legume crop cultivated in over 30 countries worldwide. We developed a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome of adzuki bean cultivar Jingnong6 by combining PacBio Sequel long‐read sequencing with short‐read and Hi‐C technologies. The assembled genome covers 97.8% of the adzuki bean genome with a contig N50 of approximately 16 Mb and a total of 32 738 protein‐coding genes. We also generated a comprehensive genome variation map of adzuki bean by whole‐genome resequencing (WGRS) of 322 diverse adzuki beans accessions including both wild and cultivated. Furthermore, we have conducted comparative genomics and a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on key agricultural traits to investigate the evolution and domestication. GWAS identified several candidate genes, including VaCycA3;1, VaHB15, VaANR1 and VaBm, that exhibited significant associations with domestication traits. Furthermore, we conducted functional analyses on the roles of VaANR1 and VaBm in regulating seed coat colour. We provided evidence for the highest genetic diversity of wild adzuki (Vigna angularis var. nipponensis) in China with the presence of the most original wild adzuki bean, and the occurrence of domestication process facilitating transition from wild to cultigen. The present study elucidates the genetic basis of adzuki bean domestication traits and provides crucial genomic resources to support future breeding efforts in adzuki bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel indicator for chaotic quantum scattering processes, the scattering form factor (ScFF). It is based on mapping the locations of peaks in the scattering amplitude to random matrix eigenvalues, and computing the analog of the spectral form factor (SFF). We compute the spectral and scattering form factors of several non-chaotic systems. We determine the ScFF associated with the phase shifts of the leaky torus, closely related to the distribution of the zeros of Riemann zeta function. We compute the ScFF for the decay amplitude of a highly excited string states into two tachyons. We show that it displays the universal features expected from random matrix theory - a decline, a ramp and a plateau - and is in general agreement with the Gaussian unitary ensemble. It also shows some new features, owning to the special structure of the string amplitude, including a “bump” before the ramp associated with gaps in the average eigenvalue density. The “bump” is removed for highly excited string states with an appropriate state dependent unfolding. We also discuss the SFF for the Gaussian β-ensemble, writing an interpolation between the known results of the Gaussian orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic ensembles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing, particularly satellite-based, can play a valuable role in monitoring areas prone to geohazards. The high spatial and temporal coverage provided by satellite data can be used to reconstruct past events and continuously monitor sensitive areas for potential hazards. This paper presents a range of techniques and methods that were applied for in-depth analysis and utilization of Earth observation data, with a particular emphasis on: (1) detecting mining subsidence, where a novel approach is proposed by combining an improved U-Net model and Interferometry Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology. The results showed that the Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) U-Net model performed better than the U-Net (baseline) model in terms of Mean Intersection over Union (MIoU) and Intersection over Union (IoU) indicators; (2) monitoring water conservancy and hydropower engineering. The Xiaolangdi multipurpose dam complex was monitored using Small BAsline Subsets (SBAS) InSAR method on Sentinel-1 time series data and four small regions with high deformation rates were identified on the slope of the reservoir bank on the north side. The dam body also showed obvious deformation with a velocity exceeding 60 mm/a; (3) the evaluation of the potential of InSAR results to integrate monitoring and warning systems for valuable heritage and architectural preservation. The overall outcome of these methods showed that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques in combination with InSAR data leads to more efficient analysis and interpretation, resulting in improved accuracy and prompt identification of potential hazards; and (4) finally, this study also presents a method for detecting landslides in mountainous regions, using optical imagery. The new temporal landslide detection method is evaluated over a 7-year analysis period and unlike conventional bi-temporal change detection methods, this approach does not depend on any prior-knowledge and can potentially detect landslides over extended periods of time such as decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare periodontal parameters of splinted posterior teeth versus control teeth over ten years of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and to assess the survival rate of splints. Material and methods: Retrospective data of 372 SPT-patients was screened for splints (composite/fiberglass-reinforced composite) in the posterior (molars/premolars) which were inserted at least ten years before due to increased tooth mobility. For each splinted tooth (test), a corresponding control tooth had to be present at the first SPT-session after splint insertion (T1). Data was assessed at T1 and ten years later (T2). Possible influencing covariates for splint survival (mobility degree/Eichner class) were tested by Cox regression. The change in clinical attachment level (ΔCAL), probing pocket depth (ΔPPD) and the testing of possible influencing covariates was analyzed by using mixed linear regression. Results: Twenty-four patients (32 splints, 58 splinted teeth) were included. Ten test and two control teeth were lost. No differences were observed between ΔCAL and ΔPPD of test teeth compared to control teeth (ΔCAL -0.38 ± 1.90 vs. 0.20 ± 1.27 mm; ΔPPD -0.17 ± 1.18 vs. 0.10 ± 1.05 mm). Twenty-two splints fractured during the observation period (survival-rate: 31%). Mobility degree and Eichner class did not influence time until fracture. Conclusions: Splinting of periodontally compromised and mobile posterior teeth does not have any disadvantage regarding the clinical periodontal situation when regular SPT is applied. However, splint fractures occur very often. Clinical relevance: Splinting of posterior teeth is a treatment option in addition to active periodontal therapy when patients are disturbed by tooth mobility but splints have a high susceptibility to fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic biology dictates the data-driven engineering of biocatalysis, cellular functions, and organism behavior. Integral to synthetic biology is the aspiration to efficiently find, access, interoperate, and reuse high-quality data on genotype-phenotype relationships of native and engineered biosystems under FAIR principles, and from this facilitate forward-engineering strategies. However, biology is complex at the regulatory level, and noisy at the operational level, thus necessitating systematic and diligent data handling at all levels of the design, build, and test phases in order to maximize learning in the iterative design-build-test-learn engineering cycle. To enable user-friendly simulation, organization, and guidance for the engineering of biosystems, we have developed an open-source python-based computer-aided design and analysis platform operating under a literate programming user-interface hosted on Github. The platform is called teemi and is fully compliant with FAIR principles. In this study we apply teemi for i) designing and simulating bioengineering, ii) integrating and analyzing multivariate datasets, and iii) machine-learning for predictive engineering of metabolic pathway designs for production of a key precursor to medicinal alkaloids in yeast. The teemi platform is publicly available at PyPi and GitHub. Author summary: Bioengineering holds fantastic perspectives and is poised to change how we produce foods, materials, and medicines. However, rapid progress is limited by a lack of mechanistic knowledge in even the simplest model organisms, such as bacteria and yeast. Thus, to compensate, we often have to construct and study a large number of engineered cells and select the cells with the greatest potential for the given objective function. The targeted construction of engineered cells is often described as an iterative process of design, build, test, and learn (the DBTL cycle). Literate programming is a paradigm that encourages the combination of text and computer code with the potential to describe all workflows covered by the DBTL cycle. The purpose of the present work is to give a first estimate of the extent to which we can accelerate the individual steps in the DBTL cycle by using end-to-end literate programming workflows. To achieve this, we established an open-source platform called teemi, and used it to optimize production of a key precursor to medicinal alkaloids in yeast. We expect that teemi will enable higher DBTL throughput with fewer errors, better integration of IT tools with laboratory resources, and more effective knowledge capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy utilizing a high-finesse optical cavity enables high precision trace analysis of gas molecules. In particular, optical detection of radiocarbon (14C) based on cavity ringdown spectroscopy using a quantum cascade laser (QCL) is gaining attention as an alternative to accelerator mass spectrometry. This paper reports a compact-packaged narrow-linewidth QCL system utilizing resonant optical feedback from an external V-shaped cavity. Based on frequency noise analysis, the derived laser linewidth is 44 kHz for 100 μs integration time with the capability to perform seamless frequency scanning around 10 GHz. We installed this laser system within a table-top cavity ringdown spectrometer for 14CO2. A single-shot detection limit of 1.2 × 10−9 cm−1 Hz−1/2 leading to a detectable abundance evaluated from a noise analysis of 0.2 in fraction modern 14C for a 10-s averaging time was achieved. This capability of rapid analysis for 14CO2 is suitable for various applications requiring trace 14C analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fast-paced team sports, anticipation is one important element in defense strategies. The primary objective of this study was to examine the recommendation for action and use of defensive gaze strategies by defensive players in basketball. Four national-level expert-basketball coaches were interviewed and a field study with mobile eye-tracking devices was conducted on 16 expert and 16 novice players defending in a one-on-one situation. Differences in relative fixation times between experts and novices were elaborated for the predetermined gaze zones-head, ball, torso, and feet-as given by the expert coaches. This was done for three phases of the movement sequence: receiving, dribbling, and shooting. The results of the interviews with expert coaches indicated that the existing coaching doctrine instructs players to look at the torso of an opponent to avoid being vulnerable to fakes. Surprisingly, our findings with the players showed a discrepancy in the evaluated gaze behavior of the experts and novices. For the receiving and dribbling phase, experts mainly fixated their gaze on the head while novices focused on the ball. For the final shooting phase, both the groups mainly fixated their gaze on the ball. Fixating the gaze on the ball or head makes the player potentially vulnerable to deceptive movements, as video-based research has shown. Expert coaches also indicated that peripheral vision is of importance to defenders, contradicting the existing assumption in the literature that focusing on the task-relevant areas is key for anticipation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetogenic gas fermentation is increasingly studied as a promising technology to upcycle carbon‐rich waste gasses. Currently the product range is limited, and production yields, rates and titres for a number of interesting products do not allow for economically viable processes. By pairing process modelling and host‐agnostic metabolic modelling, we compare fermentation conditions and various products to optimise the processes. The models were then used in a simulation of an industrial‐scale bubble column reactor. We find that increased temperatures favour gas transfer rates, particularly for the valuable and limiting H2, while furthermore predicting an optimal feed composition of 9:1 mol H2 to mol CO2. Metabolically, the increased non‐growth associated maintenance requirements of thermophiles favours the formation of catabolic products. To assess the expansion of the product portfolio beyond acetate, both a product volatility analysis and a metabolic pathway model were implemented. In‐situ recovery of volatile products is shown to be within range for acetone but challenging due to the extensive evaporation of water, while the direct production of more valuable compounds by acetogens is metabolically unfavourable compared to acetate and ethanol. We discuss alternative approaches to overcome these challenges to utilise acetogenic CO2 fixation to produce a wider range of carbon negative chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies observed, despite an anti-hyperlipidaemic effect, a positive impact of fibrates on septic conditions. This study evaluates the effects of gemfibrozil on microcirculatory variables, mitochondrial function, and lipid peroxidation levels with regard to its potential role as an indicator for oxidative stress in the colon and liver under control and septic conditions and dependencies on PPARα-mediated mechanisms of action. With the approval of the local ethics committee, 120 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. Sham and septic animals were treated with a vehicle, gemfibrozil (30 and 100 mg/kg BW), GW 6471 (1 mg/kg BW, PPARα inhibitor), or a combination of both drugs. Sepsis was induced via the colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) model. Then, 24 h post sham or CASP surgery, a re-laparotomy was performed. Measures of vital parameters (heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and microcirculation (µHbO2)) were recorded for 90 min. Mitochondrial respirometry and assessment of lipid peroxidation via a malondialdehyde (MDA) assay were performed on colon and liver tissues. In the untreated sham animals, microcirculation remained stable, while pre-treatment with gemfibrozil showed significant decreases in the microcirculatory oxygenation of the colon. In the CASP animals, µHbO2 levels in the colon and the liver were significantly decreased 90 min after laparotomy. Pre-treatment with gemfibrozil prevented the microcirculatory aberrations in both organs. Gemfibrozil did not affect mitochondrial function and lipid peroxidation levels in the sham or CASP animals. Gemfibrozil treatment influences microcirculation depending on the underlying condition. Gemfibrozil prevents sepsis-induced microcirculatory aberrances in the colon and liver PPARα-independently. In non-septic animals, gemfibrozil impairs the microcirculatory variables in the colon without affecting those in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: B3-lesions of the breast are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Recent studies show a low upgrade rate into malignancy after subsequent open surgical excision (OE) of most B3-lesions when proven by vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB). However, there is a lack of long-term follow-up data after VAB of high-risk lesions. The primary aim of this study was to demonstrate whether follow-up of B3 lesions is a beneficial and reliable alternative to OE in terms of long-term outcome. The secondary aim was to identify patient and lesion characteristics of B3 lesions for which OE is still necessary. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study was conducted at 8 Swiss breast centers between 2010 and 2019. A total of 278 women (mean age: 53.5 ± 10.7 years) with 286 B3-lesions who had observation only and who had at least 24 months of follow-up were included. Any event during follow-up (ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS], invasive cancer, new B3-lesion) was systematically recorded. Data from women who had an event during follow-up were compared with those who did not. The results for the different B3 lesions were analyzed using the t test and Fisher's exact test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The median follow-up interval was 59 months (range: 24–143 months) with 52% (148/286) having a follow-up of more than 5 years. During follow-up, in 42 women, 44 suspicious lesions occurred, with 36.4% (16/44) being invasive cancer and 6.8% (3/44) being DCIS. Thus, 6.6% (19/286) of all women developed malignancy during follow-up after a median follow-up interval of 6.5 years (range: 31–119 months). The initial histology of the B3 lesion influenced the subsequent occurrence of a malignant lesion during follow-up (p < 0.038). The highest malignancy-developing rate was observed in atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) (24%, 19/79), while all other B3-lesions had malignant findings ipsi- and contralateral between 0% and 6%. The results were not influenced by the VAB method (Mx-, US-, magnetic resonance imaging-guided), the radiological characteristics of the lesion, or the age or menopausal status of the patient (p > 0.12). Conclusion: With a low risk of <6% of developing malignancy, VAB followed by long-term follow-up is a safe alternative to OE for most B3-lesions. A higher malignancy rate only occurred in ADH (24%). Based on our results, radiological follow-up should be bilateral, preferable using the technique of initial diagnosis. As we observed a late peak (6–7 years) of breast malignancies after B3-lesions, follow-up should be continued for a longer period (>10 years). Knowledge of these long-term outcome results will be helpful in making treatment decisions and determining the optimal radiological follow-up interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasting of wastewater treatment plant inflow dynamics constitutes an enabler technology for wastewater treatment process optimization using model predictive control. However, accurate inflow prediction is still challenging, especially for strong rainfall events, where complex system dynamics and missing information on future rainfall represent limiting factors. We propose a seasonal probabilistic time series model for modeling the short‐term wastewater inflow accurately while providing quantification of forecast uncertainty. To ensure suitability for practical implementation, the unconstrained parameters of the predictive distribution are modeled as linear functions of the input variables in the framework of Generalized Additive Models for Location Scale and Shape. Non‐linear effects are approximated by Rectified Linear Units, accounting for buffering within the sewer network and flow‐dependent catchment response time. In addition to water level measurements from within the sewer network and rain rate measurements, rain forecasts are incorporated as exogenous regressors, where historical rain forecasts are used for model calibration. The model performance is evaluated on historical data from a German wastewater treatment plant using deterministic and probabilistic scoring rules. We benchmark against an autoregressive time series model and a long short‐term memory artificial neural network. Our results show that the proposed model unites the benefits of high prediction accuracy of the neural network and enhanced intelligibility of the autoregressive model, but accurate real‐time rain forecasts are mandatory for successful real‐world implementation. Plain Language Summary: The wastewater treatment process accounts for a large proportion of a wastewater treatment plant's energy consumption. Here, an accurate prediction of future wastewater inflow is an important tool for the optimization of energy efficiency. The potential for optimization is particularly large for rain events. However, especially in such situations, inflow prediction is most challenging. We developed a specialized computer algorithm for inflow prediction that utilizes weather forecasts in order to produce reliable inflow predictions in such situations. The developed algorithm is a machine learning model that learns the knowledge needed to perform accurate predictions from historical data. Although capable machine learning models are generally complex, we aimed to design the algorithm in such a way that it is understandable and hence trustworthy for practitioners so that it can easily be used in real‐world application. We tested the algorithm and our results show that it is possible to generate precise wastewater inflow predictions, but very accurate and quickly available weather forecasts are mandatory, which is an interesting objective for further research. Key Points: We propose a model for probabilistic wastewater treatment plant inflow prediction utilizing rain forecast data to handle rain eventsNon‐linear dynamics within the sewer system are approximated in a linear framework using rectified linear unitsOur results indicate similar performance to less intelligible non‐linear models, but rain forecast accuracy constitutes a limitation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored young children's (2–8 years old) daily activities during the first lockdown with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (spring/2020, T1) and a year later (spring/2021, T2) from a cross-cultural perspective. It describes parent–child literacy and digital activities in Bulgaria, Israel, and Spain. Participating parents (747 in T1 and 432 in T2) answered online questionnaires about the frequency of parent–child literacy activities (alphabetic, book reading, and play) and digital activities (joint activities, selecting content, scaffolding) and the child's screen time. The findings indicated moderate parent–child literacy and digital activities during the time points. A series of ANCOVAs revealed differences between time periods and cultures beyond the demographic measures (child's age, parent's education and age, and family size). During the first lockdown, parent–child joint digital activities and the child's screen time were higher than a year later. A year later, parents were more involved in book reading, literacy play activities, and scaffolding their children's use of digital devices. Interactions between the period and culture showed that Bulgarian and Spanish parents were more involved in their children's literacy and digital activities than Israeli parents. Spanish children had more independent screen time than Bulgarian and Israeli children. Associations between literacy and digital activities implied a consistent parenting style across the activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning has recently been introduced in the context of droplet microfluidics to simplify the process of droplet formation, which is usually controlled by a variety of parameters. However, the studies introduced so far have mainly focused on droplet size control using water and mineral oil in microfluidic devices fabricated using soft lithography or rapid prototyping. This approach negated the applicability of machine learning results to other types of fluids more relevant to biomedical applications, while also preventing users that do not have access to microfluidic fabrication facilities to take advantage of previous findings. There are a number of different algorithms that could be used as part of a data driven approach, and no clear comparison has been previously offered among multiple machine learning architectures with respect to the predictions of flow rate values and generation rate. We here employed machine learning to predict the experimental parameters required for droplet generation in three commercialized microfluidic flow-focusing devices using phosphate buffer saline and biocompatible fluorinated oil as dispersed and continuous liquid phases, respectively. We compared three different machine learning architectures and established the one leading to more accurate predictions. We also compared the predictions with a new set of experiments performed at a different day to account for experimental variability. Finally, we provided a proof of concept related to algae encapsulation and designed a simple app that can be used to generate accurate predictions for a given droplet size and generation rate across the three commercial devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revised their estimate of the toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA) and, as a result, have recommended reducing the tolerable daily intake (TDI) by 20 000-fold. This would essentially ban the use of BPA in food packaging such as can liners, plastic food containers, and in consumer products. To come to this conclusion, EFSA used a systematic approach according to a pre-established protocol and included all guideline and nonguideline studies in their analysis. They found that Th-17 immune cells increased with very low exposure to BPA and used this endpoint to revise the TDI to be human health protective. A number of regulatory agencies including the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have written formal disagreements with several elements of EFSA's proposal. The European Commission will now decide whether to accept EFSA's recommendation over the objections of EMA. If the Commission accepts EFSA's recommendation, it will be a landmark action using knowledge acquired through independent scientific studies focused on biomarkers of chronic disease to protect human health. The goal of this Perspective is to clearly articulate the monumental nature of this debate and decision and to explain what is at stake. Our perspective is that the weight of evidence clearly supports EFSA's proposal to reduce the TDI by 20 000-fold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the long‐term stability of attachment gain in infrabony defects (IBDs) 10 years after regenerative treatment with an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) alone. Materials and Methods: Two centres (Frankfurt [F] and Heidelberg [HD]) invited patients for re‐examination 120 ± 12 months after regenerative therapy. Re‐examination included clinical examination (periodontal probing depths (PPD), vertical clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), plaque control record, gingival bleeding index and periodontal risk assessment) and review of patient charts (number of supportive periodontal care [SPC] visits). Results: Both centres included 52 patients (29 female; median baseline age: 52.0 years; lower/upper quartile: 45.0/58.8 years; eight smokers), each contributing one IBD. Nine teeth were lost. For the remaining 43 teeth, regenerative therapy showed significant CAL gain after 1 year (3.0; 2.0/4.4 mm; p <.001) and 10 years (3.0; 1.5/4.1 mm; p <.001) during which CAL remained stable (−0.5; −1.0/1.0 mm; p = 1.000) after an average SPC of 9 years. Mixed‐model regression analyses revealed a positive association of CAL gain from 1 to 10 years with CAL 12 months post operation (logistic: p =.01) as well as a higher probability for CAL loss with an increasing vertical extent of a three‐walled defect component (linear: p =.008). Cox proportional hazard analysis showed a positive association between PlI after 12 months and tooth loss (p =.046). Conclusion: Regenerative therapy of IBDs showed stable results over 9 years. CAL gain is associated with CAL after 12 months and decreasing initial defect depth in a three‐walled defect morphology. Tooth loss is associated with PlI 12 months post operation. Clinical trial number: DRKS00021148 (URL: https://drks.de). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast time‐to‐market, increased efficiency, and flexibility of production processes are major motivators for the development of integrated, continuous apparatuses with short changeover times. Following this trend, the modular belt crystallizer was developed and characterized in lab scale with the model system sucrose‐water. Based on the promising results, the plant concept was upscaled and commissioned in industrial environment. The results are presented within the scope of this work. Starting from small seed crystals in solution, it was possible to grow, separate, and dry product particles. Further, the conducted experiments demonstrated that it is feasible to transfer the results from laboratory to pilot scale, which in turn enables accelerated process design as well as development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the first implementation of a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) in an axion dark matter search. The operation of the JTWPA for a period of about two weeks achieved sensitivity to axion-like particle dark matter with axion–photon couplings above 10−13 Ge V−1 over a narrow range of axion masses centered around 19.84 µeV by tuning the resonant frequency of the cavity over the frequency range of 4796.7–4799.5 MHz. The JTWPA was operated in the insert of the axion dark matter experiment as part of an independent receiver chain that was attached to a 0.56-l cavity. The ability of the JTWPA to deliver high gain over a wide (3 GHz) bandwidth has engendered interest from those aiming to perform broadband axion searches, a longstanding goal in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has had a major impact on education, with many children attending school online for more than a year. To understand the implications of online learning for U.S. teachers (Study 1; N = 49) and families (Study 2; N = 189) of elementary school students, we administered a survey in spring 2021, about one year into the pandemic. Participants answered questions about the instructional modality and format, challenges managing instruction, and children's attention and learning. Comparing virtual to in-person instruction (pre-COVID-19) showed: (1) teachers reported the quantity of virtual instruction was less than in-person instruction and children were more off-task; (2) parents reported greater stress managing virtual instruction with fewer than half the children completing online lessons independently; and (3) parents reported that children exhibited mild-frustration during both virtual and in-person instruction, but children enjoyed learning in-person more. Understanding teachers' and families' experiences with virtual instruction will help elucidate potential factors contributing to pandemic-related learning losses, enabling more targeted support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As access to digital devices has grown, children in the United States are increasingly making use of digital devices at home. This paper reports two studies with data from two samples, one collected in 2017 and one in 2022, documenting how families of elementary-aged children make use of digital devices at home to support their children's learning in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Of particular interest was whether parents have reported an increased use of digital devices since COVID-19. Data were collected both times via an online questionnaire, in which parents described their child's access to devices, amount of use, subject-specific use, and their own confidence and beliefs about device use. Most children made use of digital devices to support learning, but the extent of use varied by subject. Children's reported use of digital devices and parents' confidence assisting their children's learning with such devices reportedly increased from pre- to post-COVID. These findings can inform the efforts of researchers exploring the use of digital devices as a tool in the home learning environment and educators working with families already making use of these devices at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of a 53-year old male with a giant aneurysm of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the left arm, which was created several years ago due to renal failure secondary to Alport's syndrome. The AVF had not been used for over 38 years after successful renal transplantation at the age of 15. In the following, the patient underwent a regular follow-up with regularly visits by physicians and/or a nephrologist. A growth of the unused AVF over time was noticed, but surgical resection was not performed or recommended. Finally, the patient presented in our clinic with a severe hyperdynamic AVF aneurysm, so that we decided to treat the aneurysmal AVF surgically including exclusion the arteriovenous anastomose and reconstruction of the left arm vessels. Conclusion: Closure of arteriovenous fistula should be considered in patients who underwent successful renal transplantation to avoid potential complications that may result from the presence of unused fistula especially, in patients who are predisposed to aneurysm formation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-pandemic, the international education marketplace was expanding rapidly along with cross-border educational mobilities. Researchers have explored the adaptions of international students to study destinations, notably within an acculturation framework. However, researchers have given less attention to adapting to life in the country of origin that international students encounter as returnees. It is commonplace for returning graduates to transition from higher education to employment. Despite such challenges, few studies have investigated how international students reintegrate into the job markets of their home countries. In this paper, we discuss the current state of relevant research on acculturation and reacculturation and provide a foundation for future research. Finally, theoretical and practical contributions in the field of counselling and guidance are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Normal and the Pathological is a remarkable book by Georges Canguilhem, originally published almost 80 years ago. It should play a much more important role in medical education and in the study and praxis of biology because of its rich and relevant approach to the knowledge of organisms. Indeed, only organisms can go through sickness and health; these states are axiological categories as they represent values. However, when it was published, the molecular biology revolution introduced the idea of genetic program and that organisms would be a kind of computer. This concept combined the naive 19th-century physicalism with the metaphor of programs and signals borrowed from mathematical theories of information. As a consequence, the main concepts of biology, such as teleology, agency and normativity--the latter, a central concept in Canguilhem's thought--were abandoned by biologists and medical doctors. Over the last 20 years, the failure of ideas guiding the molecular biology revolution allowed for the growth of organicism, a tradition committed to the autonomy of biology and its irreducibility to physics and chemistry. These developments encouraged theoretical biologists and philosophers to re-examine the aforementioned biological concepts rejected by reductionism. Their critical work produced versions of these concepts that are now compatible with notions of scientific causality, and therefore, an opportunity to present Canguilhem's work to new generations of biologists and physicians. Canguilhem's work advances the understanding of biological entities by introducing the axiological notion of individuality, the concept of organismal "normativity" (i.e. the capacity of organisms to create their own norms) and, related to these two concepts, the organism's propensity to make mistakes--an exclusive property of biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converging lines of evidence suggest that an imbalance between excitation and inhibition is present in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of schizophrenia (SCZ). Gamma-aminobutyric-acid (GABA) and, to a lesser extent, glutamate (Glu) abnormalities were reported in the DLPFC of SCZ patients, especially on the right hemisphere, by post-mortem studies. However, in vivo evidence of GABA, Glu, and Glu/GABA DLPFC abnormalities, particularly on the right side and the early stages of illness, is limited. In this preliminary study, we utilized 7-Tesla magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to investigate bilateral Glu/Creatine (Cre), GABA/Cre, and Glu/GABA in the DLPFC of sixteen first episode schizophrenia (FES), seventeen clinical high risk (CHR), and twenty-six healthy comparison (HC) subjects. FES and CHR had abnormal GABA/Cre and Glu/GABA in the right DLPFC (rDLPFC) compared with HC participants, while no differences were observed in the left DLPFC (lDLPFC) among the three groups. Furthermore, HC had higher Glu/GABA in rDLPFC compared to lDLPFC (R > L), whereas the opposite relationship (R < L) was observed in the DLPFC Glu/GABA of FES patients. Altogether, these findings indicate that GABA/Cre and Glu/GABA DLPFC alterations are present before illness manifestation and worsen in FES patients, thus representing a putative early pathophysiological biomarker for SCZ and related psychotic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider an Euler fluid coupled to external electromagnetism. We prove that the Hopfion fluid-electromagnetic knot, carrying fluid and electromagnetic (EM) helicities, solves the fluid dynamical equations as well as the Abanov Wiegmann (AW) equations for helicities, which are inspired by the axial-current anomaly of a Dirac fermion. We also find a nontrivial knot solution with truly interacting fluid and electromagnetic fields. The key ingredients of these phenomena are the EM and fluid helicities. An EM dual system, with a magnetically charged fluid, is proposed and the analogs of the AW equations are written down. We consider a fluid coupled to a nonlinear generalizations for electromagnetism. The Hopfions are shown to be solutions of the generalized equations. We write down the formalism of fluids in 2+1 dimensions, and we dimensionally reduce the 3+1 dimensional solutions. We determine the EM knotted solutions, from which we derive the fluid knots, by applying special conformal transformations with imaginary parameters on un-knotted null constant EM fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact cavity ring-down spectrometer aimed at the detection of trace amounts of radiocarbon (14C) in biomedical samples is demonstrated. Rapid sampling, as required for large scale studies, is made possible by modifications to a CHNS elemental analyzer. After conversion of the carbon content of a sample into CO2, spectral analysis using a high-finesse cavity in conjunction with a quantum cascade laser system reveals the ratio of 14CO2 in relation to the stable isotopologues of 12C and 13C. Cooling and temperature stabilization of the cavity is achieved by a combination of liquid cooling and thermo-electric elements. The system is studied in terms of reproducibility, linearity, and sensitivity as well as contamination and memory effects of the sampling process. While the performance of the system is still limited mainly due to etaloning and other systematic effects, first spectra of biomedical samples, such as urine and feces, have been analyzed at 14C concentration levels above ten times natural abundance. Results are compared with those from a traditional liquid scintillation counter system. Possibilities for improvement of the sensitivity are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]