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Introduction: Teachers' self-efficacy is considered to be an essential personal resource which underlies the successful implementation of inclusion. The development of self-efficacy is supposedly linked to four main sources: Mastery and vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological and affective states. Notwithstanding the importance of high self-efficacy beliefs, only few studies consider the impact of the individual sources on inclusion-related efficacy beliefs and thereby point out possible ways to promote teachers' self-efficacy. Methods: Therefore, we investigated the effect of the assumed four sources on the basis of a sample of N = 355 teachers that work in 'inclusive' primary schools. Results: Results from structural equation modeling highlight the importance of the supposed predictors of self-efficacy and in particular of teachers' own experiences. Self-efficacy in turn proved to be a significant predictor of teachers' willingness to implement inclusive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Compared to other cervical localizations, masses of the nuchal region are rare in the clinical practice of otolaryngologists. This study presents the relevant etiologies of nuchal tumors. Patients and Methods: This study included 61 cases (5.3%) from 1,150 consecutive cervical biopsies/neck tumor excisions between 2010 and 2022. Lipomatosis or Madelung fat neck diagnoses were excluded. Results: Seventy-seven percent of the biopsies included lymph node tissue. Among the patients, 26 were female and 35 were male. The average diameter of the tumors was 3.5 cm (1.5-9 cm). Of the 33 non-malignant formations (54%, 42.3 years), lymphadenopathy (e.g., toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis) was found in 58% of cases. Lipomas were most common among benign tumors (8 out of 14). Malignant tumors (46%, 63.4 years) included lymphomas (10 cases, 6 recurrences) and metastases (18 cases). The metastases were predominantly squamous cell carcinomas of the pharynx (9 cases, 5 recurrences) and the skin (7 cases, 4 recurrences), as well as two cases of adenocarcinomas from the lung and pancreas. Conclusion: Indications of the malignant genesis of a nuchal mass include older patient age and a history of carcinomas in the head and neck region. In carcinomas of the posterior and parietal scalp and neck skin, the nuchal region should be included in the staging and follow-up examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hospitalization and discharge in older patients are critical and clinical pharmacists have shown to ameliorate risks. Our objective was to assess their benefit as part of the geriatric team regarding rehospitalizations and related outcomes after discharge focusing on general practitioners' decision to continue or change discharge medication (GPD). Methods: Prospective implementation study with 6-month follow-up in an acute geriatric clinic. Patients ≥70 years with comorbidities, impairments, and a current drug therapy were consecutively assigned to three groups: control group (CG), implementation group (IG), and wash-out group (WG). CG only received medication reconciliation (MR) at admission; IG and their hospital physicians received a pharmaceutical counseling and medication management; during WG, pharmaceutical counseling except for MR was discontinued. We used a negative-binomial model to calculate rehospitalizations and days spent at home as well as a recurrent events survival model to investigate recurrent rehospitalizations. Results: One hundred thirty-two patients (mean age 82 years, 76 women [57.6%]) finished the project. In most of the models for rehospitalizations, a positive GPD led to fewer events. We also found an effect of pharmaceutical counseling on rehospitalizations and recurrent rehospitalizations in the CG versus WG but not in the CG versus IG models. 95.3% of medication recommendations by the pharmacist in the clinic setting were accepted. While the number of positive GPDs in CG was low (38%), pharmaceutical counseling directly to the GP in IG led to a higher number of positive GPDs (60%). Discussion: Although rehospitalizations were not directly reduced by our intervention in the CG versus IG, the pharmacist's acceptance rate in the hospital was very high and a positive GPD led to fewer rehospitalization in most models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: CLCN4 variations have recently been identified as a genetic cause of X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aims to broaden the phenotypic spectrum of CLCN4-related condition and correlate it with functional consequences of CLCN4 variants. Methods: We described 13 individuals with CLCN4-related neurodevelopmental disorder. We analyzed the functional consequence of the unreported variants using heterologous expression, biochemistry, confocal fluorescent microscopy, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and minigene splicing assay. Results: We identified five novel (p.R41W, p.L348V, p.G480R, p.R603W, c.1576 + 5G > A) and three known (p.T203I, p.V275M, p.A555V) pathogenic CLCN4 variants in 13 Chinese patients. The p.V275M variant is found at high frequency and seen in four unrelated individuals. All had global developmental delay (GDD)/intellectual disability (ID). Seizures were present in eight individuals, and 62.5% of them developed refractory epilepsy. Five individuals without seizures showed moderate to severe GDD/ID. Developmental delay precedes seizure onset in most patients. The variants p.R41W, p.L348V, and p.R603W compromise the anion/exchange function of ClC-4. p.R41W partially impairs ClC-3/ClC-4 association. p.G480R reduces ClC-4 expression levels and impairs the heterodimerization with ClC-3. The c.1576 + 5G > A variant causes 22 bp deletion of exon 10. Conclusions: We further define and broaden the clinical and mutational spectrum of CLCN4-related neurodevelopmental conditions. The p.V275M variant may be a potential hotspot CLCN4 variant in Chinese patients. The five novel variants cause loss of function of ClC-4. Transport dysfunction, protein instability, intracellular trafficking defect, or failure of ClC-4 to oligomerize may contribute to the pathophysiological events leading to CLCN4-related neurodevelopmental disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In national and international surveys, life satisfaction is often measured by a single item. However, there is a lot of debate in survey research about whether rating scales should be ordered in an ascending order (from negative to positive) or a descending order (from positive to negative). We investigate the effect of scale orientation by randomly assigning both versions in an online survey (N = 3,138). The average reported life satisfaction is 0.7 points lower when the descending version of an 11-point scale is used, as compared to the ascending scale (p < 0.001). We further test the construct validity by correlating each version of the response scales with other measures related to life satisfaction (e.g. happiness, depressive mood, and physical health). Generally speaking, the correlations of the ascending scale are significantly stronger as compared to the descending scale, indicating higher validity. Moreover, we investigate the impact of horizontal versus vertical presentations of the 11-point life satisfaction answer scale. Our results indicate that there are no statistically significant differences between horizontally and vertically presented response scales. We conclude that the order of response scales should be chosen carefully, as it affects the measurement of life satisfaction. Overall, our results suggest using an ascending life satisfaction scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was launched after re-analyzing teacher narratives from an earlier study; the narratives were reflections on environmental education practices. The analysis involved using a framework that relates Habits of Mind to educational theories. An unsurprising outcome was finding Habits of Mind associated with mindfulness and constructivism. An unanticipated finding was to learn how incremental learning theory explains why teachers strive to include environmental education in their lessons. Although there has been environmental research related to growth and fixed mindsets, more studies in environmental education are needed to explore how incremental learning theory plays a role in the decisions and actions of exemplary environmental educators. Therefore, to begin this exploration, a new study was conducted using the framework to analyze interviews with ten currently practicing teachers. The findings give insights into the following Habits of Mind associated with incremental beliefs: wonderment and awe, continuous learning, striving for accuracy, risk-taking, and persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron-rich pyridines with π donor groups at the para position play an important role as nucleophiles in organocatalysis, but their ligand properties and utilization in coordination chemistry have received little attention. Herein, we report the synthesis of two electron-rich pyridines 1 and 2 bearing N-heterocyclic imine groups at the para position and explore their coordination chemistry. Experimental and computational methods were used to assess the donor ability of the new pyridines showing that they are stronger donors than aminopyridines and guanidinyl pyridines, and that the nature of the N-heterocyclic backbone has a strong influence on the pyridine donor strength. Coordination compounds with Lewis acids including the CO2, SO2, BCl3 and PdII ions were synthesized and characterized. Despite the ambident character of the new pyridines, coordination preferentially occurs at the pyridine-N atom. Methyl transfer experiments reveal that 1 and 2 can act as demethylation reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Blätter für Deutsche und Internationale Politik is the property of Blaetter Verlagsgesellschaft mbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficiency of diode laser-activated bleaching systems for color change of teeth. 75 extracted teeth were studied in five different bleaching protocols. Group 1: diode laser 445 nm, 320 µm fiber, 0.5W, continuous wave mode, dose 53 J/cm2. Group 2: diode laser 970 nm, 320 µm fiber, 1W, continuous wave mode, dose 106.10 J/cm2. Group 3: diode laser 940 nm, bleaching handpiece, 7W, continuous wave mode, dose 105 J/cm2. Group 4: diode laser 940 nm, 300 µm fiber, 2W, continuous wave mode, dose 47.16 J/cm2. Group 5: bleaching process without laser activation. In groups 1, 2 and 5, teeth were bleached with Perfect Bleach Office + and in groups 3 and 4, LaserWhite20 bleaching gel was used. Tooth color was determined immediately after the bleaching process using a spectrophotometer. Color change data on the CIE L * a * b* system was analyzed statistically by the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test. All bleaching procedures resulted in a change of color. All laser groups (∆E * ab > 3) have statistically larger ∆E * ab values than the control group (∆E * ab = 0.73) (p < 0.05). The diode laser 445 nm has the largest ∆E * ab value (∆E * ab = 4.65) and results in a significantly higher color difference than all other groups. In terms of color score difference in VITA Shades, all laser-activated groups lead to a lightening effect while the control group leads to only a slight lightening effect. The diode laser 445 nm produced the greatest color difference. Laser-activated bleaching is more effective than conventional bleaching without light activation. The diode laser 445 nm performs best in this in vitro study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which weeds in arable land are useful to pollinators depends in part on the temporal pattern of flowering and insect flight activity. We compiled citizen science data on 54 bees and hoverflies typical of agricultural areas in southern Sweden, as well as 24 flowering weed species classified as pollinator‐friendly in the sense that they provide nectar and/or pollen to pollinators. The flight periods of the bees and hoverflies varied greatly, but there were also some consistent differences between the four groups studied. The first group to fly were the early flying solitary bees (7 species), followed by the social bees (18 species). In contrast, other solitary bees (11 species) and hoverflies (22 species) flew later in the summer. Solitary bees had the shortest flight periods, while social bees and hoverflies had longer flight periods. Flowering of weed species also varied greatly between species, with weeds classified as winter annuals (e.g., germinating in autumn) starting early together with germination generalists (species that can germinate in both autumn and spring). Summer annuals (spring germinators) and perennials started flowering about a month later. Germination generalists had a much longer flowering period than the others. Weekly pollinator records were in most cases significantly explained by weed records. Apart from early flying solitary bees, all models showed strong positive relationships. The overall best explanatory variable was the total number of weeds, with a weight assigned to each species based on its potential as a nectar/pollen source. This suggests that agricultural weeds in Sweden provide a continuous potential supply of nectar and pollen throughout the flight season of most pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an early-onset neurodegenerative disorder with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Verbal fluency is regularly used as a sensitive measure of language ability, semantic memory, and executive functioning, but qualitative changes in verbal fluency in FTD are currently overlooked. This retrospective study examined qualitative, linguistic features of verbal fluency in 137 patients with behavioral variant (bv)FTD (n = 50), or primary progressive aphasia (PPA) [25 non-fluent variant (nfvPPA), 27 semantic variant (svPPA), and 34 logopenic variant (lvPPA)] and 25 control participants. Between-group differences in clustering, switching, lexical frequency (LF), age of acquisition (AoA), neighborhood density (ND), and word length (WL) were examined in the category and letter fluency with analysis of variance adjusted for age, sex, and the total number of words. Associations with other cognitive functions were explored with linear regression analysis. The results showed that the verbal fluency performance of patients with svPPA could be distinguished from controls and other patient groups by fewer and smaller clusters, more switches, higher LF, and lower AoA (all p < 0.05). Patients with lvPPA specifically produced words with higher ND than the other patient groups (p < 0.05). Patients with bvFTD produced longer words than the PPA groups (p < 0.05). Clustering, switching, LF, AoA, and ND—but not WL—were differentially predicted by measures of language, memory, and executive functioning (range standardized regression coefficient 0.25–0.41). In addition to the total number of words, qualitative linguistic features differ between subtypes of FTD. These features provide additional information on lexical processing and semantic memory that may aid the differential diagnosis of FTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the point class and Todd class in the Chow ring of a moduli space of quiver representations, building on a result of Ellingsrud–Strømme. This, together with the presentation of the Chow ring by the second author, makes it possible to compute integrals on quiver moduli. To do so, we construct a canonical morphism of universal representations in great generality, and along the way point out its relation to the Kodaira–Spencer morphism. We illustrate the results by computing some invariants of some "small" Kronecker moduli spaces. We also prove that the first non-trivial (6-dimensional) Kronecker moduli space is isomorphic to the zero locus of a general section of |$\mathcal{Q}^{\vee }(1)$| on |$\textrm{Gr}(2,8)$|⁠. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Food insecurity is a major public health concern, especially for refugee families. Despite the growing population of refugee families in the USA and the harmful effects on youth's health and well-being, there are limited qualitative studies exploring food insecurity among US refugee adolescents. The use of community-based participatory research and photovoice can highlight the strength of gathering and sharing underrepresented and disadvantaged group experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand adolescent refugee's food insecurity perspectives and experiences, with a nutrition and food access focus. Three main themes and nine subthemes emerged around the role that food security plays in a healthy, thriving community. The main themes included food must be more accessible in school; importance of food access in one's community; and food access and creating a vibrant community. Implications regarding how to apply these results with community and school-based food programs are discussed. Design/methodology/approach: This study followed a phenomenological research approach to understand the experiences of refugee youth and what constitutes healthy food access in a community. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis to ensure that data saturation was met (Guest et al., 2006). Findings: The thematic analysis of the photovoice methodological approach revealed three main themes and nine subthemes around the role that food security plays in a healthy and thriving community. These themes are as follows: food must be more accessible in school; importance of food access in one's community; and food access and creating a vibrant community. Research limitations/implications: Funding resources limited the duration of meeting in which we could meet and discuss the photo's students were taking. Second, consistent with phenomenological studies, the sample size was small. However, common sample size for studies using a phenomenological approach ranged from 5 to 25 (Creswell et al., 2007), which is in alignment with this study. Next, while participants did receive training in the SHOWeD method, the photography training was limited to only one hour. Despite the limited training, participants felt they had sufficient knowledge and skills to take the necessary pictures. Practical implications: This study provides important policy implications for school-based food programs, such as food pantries and free or reduced school meals, and how it plays an important role in refugee youth's well-being and education. Based on feedback from the study participants, many school-based food programs were considered not available or easily accessible, and that youth and their families were often unaware of programs available to them. This study revealed the important role schools can play in ensuring food security among refugee youth and their families as well as for refugee youth to reach their full potential equitably. Originality/value: This study used a creative research approach that integrates photovoice as a means to elevate the voices of a marginalized populations. This approach has been identified as one of the most culturally appropriate method when working with refugee children and youth (Pieloch et al., 2016). Second, the study included having multiple meetings, that recruited from previously established partnerships. This form of community building and activism elevates participants voices (Catalani and Minkler, 2009). Finally, this study used a cycle of photography and discussion and held a final public photo exhibition for both the participant's community and its influential leaders (Catalani and Minkler, 2009; Evans-Agnew and Rosemberg, 2016). The results of this study have important policy implications for schools and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of real-time, repeated sampling methods to study behavior in natural contexts, highlighting a recent dyadic daily diary study of bereaved parents. Topics include the effects of daily diary completion on grief and anxiety in bereaved individuals, the potential benefits of self-monitoring and response shifts, and the impact of assessing daily symptoms on understanding and improving mental health through behavioral activation.

To date, several types of airway stents are available to treat central airway obstructions. However, the ideal stent that can overcome anatomical, mechanical and microbiological issues is still awaited. In addition, therapeutic effect and self-elimination of these stents are desirable properties, which pose an additional challenge for development and manufacturing. We aimed to create a prototype bioresorbable tracheal stent with acceptable clinical tolerance, fit and biocompatibility, that could be tested in a rabbit model and in the future be further optimized to enable drug-elution and ensure local therapeutic effect. Twenty-one New Zealand White Rabbits received five different types of bioresorbable tracheal stents, 3D-printed from poly(D,L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) metacrylates. Various configurations were tested for their functionality and improved until the best performing prototype could undergo detailed in vivo assessment, regarding clinical tolerance, migration and biocompatibility. Previously tested types of 3D printed stents in our preliminary study required improvement due to several problems, mainly related to breakage, unreliable stability and/or migration within the trachea. Abandoned or refined pre-prototypes were not analyzed in a comparative way. The final best performing prototype stent (GSP2 (Group Stent Prototype 2), n = 8) allowed a transoral application mode and showed good clinical tolerance, minimal migration and acceptable biocompatibility. The good performance of stent type GSP2 was attributed to the helix-shaped surface structure, which was therefore regarded as a key-feature. This prototype stent offers the possibility for further research in a large animal model to confirm the promising data and assess other properties such as bioresorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are new nicotine products for oral consumption. They can contain very high nicotine amounts that have not been addressed with clinical studies yet. Thus, nicotine delivery, effects on craving, and side effects were assessed using pouches with up to 30 mg nicotine. In this single-center, five-arm, crossover study, 15 regular cigarette smokers consumed tobacco-free nicotine pouches from different brands with 6, 20, and 30 mg for 20 min. Comparators were nicotine-free pouches and tobacco cigarettes. At baseline and predefined time points over a study period of 240 min, plasma nicotine concentrations, effects on cigarette craving, and side effects were assessed. Cardiovascular parameters including arterial stiffness were measured using a MobilOGraph. Consumption of 30 mg nicotine pouches has led to a higher nicotine uptake compared with the cigarette (Cmax: 29.4 vs 15.2 ng/mL; AUC: 45.7 vs 22.1 ng/mL × h). Nicotine uptake in the acute phase was rapid during use of the 30 mg pouch and cigarette. Extraction rate of nicotine differed between pouches. Use of all products has reduced acute cigarette craving, even the nicotine-free pouch. During consumption of the cigarette and the pouches with 20 and 30 mg, heart rate increased about 27, 12, and 25 bpm, respectively. Parameters for arterial stiffness were elevated and all pouches have induced mouth irritations. The pouches with 30 mg nicotine had overall the strongest side effects and may induce addiction. As craving was also reduced by products with less nicotine, it is questionable whether such high nicotine contents should be allowed on the market. A limit of nicotine content is warranted. The nicotine release rate varies across products and needs to be known to estimate the nicotine delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cross-Strait Law Review is the property of Angle Publishing Co., Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cover crops are an effective way to reduce soil erosion and promote soil health. However, in North Dakota and other northern climates where corn (Zea mays L.) is an important commodity crop, killing frosts generally occur before harvest, leaving little opportunity for cover crop planting. By interseeding cover crops into corn during the growing season, the cover crops are given a longer period to establish. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact cover crops interseeded into wide‐row (60‐inch) corn have on soil water content and corn productivity. Two experimental sites were established in 2020 near Leonard and Rutland, ND. Both sites were organized into randomized complete block designs, with three cover crop treatments in Leonard (n = 9) and four cover crop treatments in Rutland (n = 16). Cover crops were no‐till drilled into the corn at the V4 growth stage. The cover crop treatments were diverse mixes developed to either provide pollinator habitat, overwinter, or winter‐kill. Throughout the growing season, soil gravimetric water content and cover crop biomass was monitored. At the end of the growing season, dry cover crop biomass ranged from 189 to 1445 lb ac−1. The presence and type of interseeded cover crops did not have a statistically significant effect on soil water content or corn yield. It is suspected the above average precipitation during the month of July led to adequate amounts of soil water for the entirety of the cover crop growing season, limiting the difference between treatments. Plain Language Summary: Northern climate corn farmers face challenges with soil erosion and need to improve soil health. Planting cover crops can help, but short growing seasons in places like North Dakota makes it difficult. One way to establish cover crops in areas with short growing seasons is interseeding—planting the cover crop between rows of corn as it grows. Corn is typically planted with a 30‐inch row spacing, which provides full canopy cover and shading of the soil surface, which limits the growth of interseeded cover crops. Increasing the row‐width to 60 inches allows more sunlight to reach the cover crop. This study was carried out at two sites in North Dakota and showed interseeding cover crops into 60‐inch corn did not significantly affect soil moisture or corn yield. This insight can guide farmers in making informed decisions about sustainable farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transfer: Zeitschrift für Kommunikation & Markenmanagement is the property of Deutsche Werbewissenschaftliche Gesellschaft and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although several promising approaches for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL) have been approved recently, it remains unclear which patients will ultimately achieve long‐term responses. Circulating tumor (ct)DNA sequencing has emerged as a valuable tool to assess minimal residual disease (MRD). Correlations between MRD and outcomes have been shown in previously untreated DLBCL, but data on the repeated assessment of MRD in the dynamic course of rrDLBCL is limited. Here, we present an approach leveraging cost‐ and time‐sensitivity of digital droplet (dd)PCR to repeatedly assess MRD in rrDLBCL and present proof‐of‐principle for its ability to predict outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CLCN4-related disorder is a rare X-linked neurodevelopmental condition with a pathogenic mechanism yet to be elucidated. CLCN4 encodes the vesicular 2Cl−/H+ exchanger ClC-4, and CLCN4 pathogenic variants frequently result in altered ClC-4 transport activity. The precise cellular and molecular function of ClC-4 remains unknown; however, together with ClC-3, ClC-4 is thought to have a role in the ion homeostasis of endosomes and intracellular trafficking. We reviewed our research database for patients with CLCN4 variants and epilepsy, and performed thorough phenotyping. We examined the functional properties of the variants in mammalian cells using patch-clamp electrophysiology, protein biochemistry, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Three male patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy were identified, with differing phenotypes. Patients #1 and #2 had normal growth parameters and normal-appearing brains on MRI, while patient #3 had microcephaly, microsomia, complete agenesis of the corpus callosum and cerebellar and brainstem hypoplasia. The p.(Gly342Arg) variant of patient #1 significantly impaired ClC-4's heterodimerization capability with ClC-3 and suppressed anion currents. The p.(Ile549Leu) variant of patient #2 and p.(Asp89Asn) variant of patient #3 both shift the voltage dependency of transport activation by 20 mV to more hyperpolarizing potentials, relative to the wild-type, with p.(Asp89Asn) favouring higher transport activity. We concluded that p.(Gly342Arg) carried by patient #1 and the p.(Ile549Leu) expressed by patient #2 impair ClC-4 transport function, while the p.(Asp89Asn) variant results in a gain-of-transport function; all three variants result in epilepsy and global developmental impairment, but with differences in epilepsy presentation, growth parameters, and presence or absence of brain malformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resting-state alpha brain rhythms provide a foundation for basic as well as higher-order brain processes. Research suggests atypical maturation of the peak frequency of resting-state alpha activity (= PAF) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined resting-state alpha activity in young school-aged children, obtaining magnetoencephalographic (MEG) eyes-closed resting-state data from 47 typically developing (TD) males and 45 ASD males 6.0 to 9.3 years old. Results confirmed a higher PAF in ASD versus TD, and demonstrated that alpha power differences between groups were linked to the shift of PAF in ASD. Additionally, a higher PAF was associated with better cognitive performance in TD but not ASD. Finding thus suggested functional consequences of group differences in resting-state alpha activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mornings are salient times for disrupted affect that may be impacted by prior sleep. The current study extends work linking sleep disruptions with negative affect by examining how nightly changes in sleep duration, timing, and quality relative to a person's average impact morning affect. We further tested whether depression severity moderated the relationship between nightly variations in sleep and morning affect. This is a secondary analysis of participants ages 18–65 years with varying levels of depression (N = 91) who wore an Actiwatch for 3–17 days (n = 73) while reporting morning affect using a visual analogue scale. Multilevel models tested the previous night's sleep duration, timing, or quality as a predictor of morning affect. Sleep measures were group‐mean centred to account for nightly variation in participants' sleep. A cross‐level interaction between depression severity and nightly sleep was entered. Sleeping longer (b = 0.1; p < 0.001) and later (b = 1.8; p = 0.01) than usual were both associated with better morning mood. There was a significant interaction between nightly actigraphic sleep duration and depression severity on morning affect (b = 0.003; p = 0.003). Participants with higher depression severity reported worse affect upon waking after sleeping less than their usual. In comparison, sleeping less than usual did not affect morning affect ratings for participants with lower depression. A similar interaction was found for sleep quality (b = 0.02; p < 0.001). There was no interaction for midsleep timing. Sleeping less than usual impacted morning affect in individuals with greater depression, potentially suggesting a pathway by which sleep disturbances perpetuate depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An epidemic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) began in North America in the winter of 2021. The introduced Eurasian H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus subsequently reassorted with North American avian influenza strains. This postmortem study describes the lesions and influenza A virus antigen distribution in 3 species of raptors, including bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, n = 6), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis, n = 9), and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus, n = 8), naturally infected with this virus strain based on positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing results from oropharyngeal swabs. The birds presented with severe neurologic signs and either died or were euthanized because of the severity of their clinical signs and suspected influenza virus infection. Gross lesions were uncommon and included forebrain hemorrhages in 2 eagles, myocarditis in 1 hawk, and multifocal pancreatic necrosis in 3 owls. Histological lesions were common and included encephalitis, myocarditis, multifocal pancreas necrosis, multifocal adrenal necrosis, histiocytic splenitis, and anterior uveitis in decreasing frequency. Influenza A viral antigen was detected in brain, heart, pancreas, adrenal gland, kidney, spleen, liver, and eye. In conclusion, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and great horned owls infected with the HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b virus strain and showing neurological signs of illness may develop severe or fatal disease with histologically detectable lesions in the brain that are frequently positive for viral antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ongoing, severe outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has been circulating in wild and domestic bird populations throughout the world, reaching North America in 2021. This HPAI outbreak has exhibited unique characteristics when compared to previous outbreaks. The global distribution of disease, prolonged duration, extensive number of species and individual wild birds affected, and the large impact on the global poultry industry have all exceeded historical impacts of previous outbreaks in North America. In this study, we describe the results of HPAI surveillance conducted at The Raptor Center, a wildlife rehabilitation hospital at University of Minnesota (Saint Paul, MN, U.S.A.), from March 28th–December 31, 2022. All wild raptors admitted to the facility were tested for avian influenza viruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. All non-negative samples were submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories for confirmatory HPAI testing and genetic sequencing. During the study period, 996 individual birds representing 20 different species were tested for avian influenza, and 213 birds were confirmed HPAI positive. Highly pathogenic avian influenza surveillance conducted at The Raptor Center contributed 75% of the HPAI positive raptor detections within the state of Minnesota, located within the Mississippi flyway, significantly augmenting state wildlife surveillance efforts. The viral genotypes observed in birds sampled at The Raptor Center were representative of what was seen in wild bird surveillance within the Mississippi flyway during the same time frame. Wildlife rehabilitation centers provide an opportune situation to augment disease surveillance at the human, wildlife and domestic animal interface during ongoing infectious disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the current cosmetics industry, bleaching is often associated with lasers. However, such treatment also harbors risks. Tooth death is observed at pulpal temperature increases ≥5.6 °C. Therefore, it seems important to investigate the effects of using different lasers. The aim of this study was to determine pulpal temperature increases at different laser parameters during bleaching by modeling a realistic environment and to compare the temperature recording using a thermocouple and thermal camera. The authors assumed that there are laser settings for the lasers used at which the pulpal temperature increases are <5.6 °C and that the temperature recordings with thermocouples and thermal cameras differ only minimally. Methods Human teeth were used, which were extracted for dental reasons. During experiment, teeth were bleached conventionally and by laser activation at 940 nm, 445 nm, and 970 nm. The temperature in the pulp was recorded using thermocouples. In a second setup, longitudinally halved teeth were bleached, while the temperature in the pulp was recorded with a thermocouple and thermal camera. Descriptive statistics were used. The significance level is 0.05. Results In addition to conventional bleaching, temperature increases <5.6 °C were observed for bleaching at 940 nm 1.5 W, at 445 nm 0.3 W, and at 970 nm 0.5 W. For bleaching procedures using 940 nm 7 W, 940 nm 2 W, 445 nm 0.5 W, and 970 nm 1 W, the temperature increase was ≥5.6 °C. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the maximum temperature increases (°C) between all groups. Temperature recordings using a thermocouple and thermal camera differed by about 2.3 °C. The working hypotheses were confirmed. Conclusion With laser bleaching, attention must be paid to the type of laser, its power, and the time in order to avoid excessive overheating of the dental pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases are influenced by interactions between host and pathogen, and the number of infected hosts is rarely homogenous across the landscape. Areas with elevated pathogen prevalence can maintain a high force of infection and may indicate areas with disease impacts on host populations. However, isolating the ecological processes that result in increases in infection prevalence and intensity remains a challenge. Here we elucidate the contribution of pathogen clade and host species in disease hotspots caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the pathogen responsible for snake fungal disease, in 21 species of snakes infected with multiple pathogen strains across 10 countries in Europe. We found isolated areas of disease hotspots in a landscape where infections were otherwise low. O. ophidiicola clade had important effects on transmission, and areas with multiple pathogen clades had higher host infection prevalence. Snake species further influenced infection, with most positive detections coming from species within the Natrix genus. Our results suggest that both host and pathogen identity are essential components contributing to increased pathogen prevalence. A large-scale study in Europe elucidating the contribution of pathogen clade and host species in disease hotspots caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, the pathogen responsible for snake fungal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören ist schwierig. Noch schwieriger ist es, ohne Nikotinersatztherapie rauchfrei zu bleiben. In den letzten Jahren wurden verschiedene Alternativprodukte auf den Markt gebracht, darunter auch erhitzte Tabakerzeugnisse (HTP). In dieser Studie haben wir die akuten Auswirkungen des Konsums von IQOSTM und gloTM (2 HTP) auf die Funktion der kleinen Atemwege und die arterielle Steifigkeit in einem Head-to-Head-Design untersucht, im Vergleich mit brennenden Zigaretten, nikotinfreien E-Zigaretten und einer Scheinrauchergruppe. 17 gesunde Gelegenheitsraucher wurden in eine zentrale 5-armige Crossover-Studie eingeschlossen. Die Parameter der Funktion der kleinen Atemwege und der Hämodynamik wurden zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten vor und nach dem Konsum mit dem Mobil-O-GraphTM (I.E.M., Stolberg, Deutschland) und dem TremoFlo® c-100 (THORASYS Thoracic Medical Systems Inc., Montreal, QC, Kanada) gemessen. Sowohl die Obstruktion der kleinen Atemwege als auch der Widerstand waren nach dem Konsum von Zigaretten und Tabakersatzprodukten signifikant erhöht. Alle nikotinhaltigen Produkte führten zu einem ähnlichen signifikanten Anstieg des Blutdrucks und der arteriellen Steifigkeit. Die hämodynamischen Parameter waren auch nach dem Konsum von nikotinfreien E-Zigaretten erhöht, aber der Anstieg war kürzer und schwächer als bei nikotinhaltigen Produkten. Wir kommen zu dem Schluss, dass HTP akute schädliche Auswirkungen auf die Funktion der kleinen Atemwege haben, die möglicherweise größer sind als die Auswirkungen brennender Zigaretten, obwohl die Gründe dafür noch nicht geklärt sind. Wie andere nikotinhaltige Produkte führen auch HTP zu einer akuten nikotinbedingten Erhöhung der arteriellen Steifigkeit und des kardiovaskulären Stresses, ähnlich wie bei brennenden Zigaretten, was diese Produkte mit einem erhöhten kardiovaskulären Risiko in Verbindung bringt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the development of the long‐term relative poverty rate in Europe. We use European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data (EU‐SILC) for 26 European countries between 2009 and 2018. In addition to describing the development of long‐term poverty, we also analyse the drivers of poverty on the country level via fixed effects panel regression analysis. We are particularly interested in how economic growth, employment rates, social expenditure, and short‐term poverty rates are related to long‐term poverty. Overall, the results show that long‐term poverty has increased in 13 out of 26 countries, but was unchanged or decreased in 13 countries. Gross domestic product growth is not related to the development of long‐term poverty. However, we find that male employment and social welfare expenditure reduce poverty rates. Furthermore, short‐term poverty is negatively associated with long‐term poverty. Hence, short‐term poverty and long‐term poverty rather substitute than complement each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instructional quality is a central element in the context of teaching and learning. However, there is still a lack of clarity on what is meant by good inclusive education. In the present study, N = 24 primary school teachers from Germany were interviewed about their understanding of good inclusive teaching. The results of the qualitative study reveal that there are several factors, which are seen as essential for the quality of inclusive education. The features of good inclusive teaching mentioned by the primary school teachers especially refer to differentiation and individualisation. Furthermore, the interviewed teachers emphasise the support of community and a positive learning climate as important characteristics of good inclusive teaching. The findings of this study also reveal that for some of the teachers, there seems to be no difference between good inclusive teaching and good regular teaching. Other mentioned features for the quality of inclusive education refer to team teaching and the availability of specific framework conditions such as personnel or spatial resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that a semi-stable moduli space of representations of an acyclic quiver can be identified with two GIT quotients by reductive groups. One of a quiver Grassmannian of a projective representation, the other of a quiver Grassmannian of an injective representation. This recovers as special cases the classical Gelfand–MacPherson correspondence and its generalization by Hu and Kim to bipartite quivers, as well as the Zelevinsky map for a quiver of Dynkin type A with the linear orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Waste by-products such as pot ale are abundantly produced during the whisky distillation process and are conventionally used as livestock feed, however a significant proportion continues to require land and sea disposal. Here, the novel potential of whisky by-products as antioxidant and antibacterial agents was investigated. Methods: The total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of waste by-products from whisky distillation were evaluated using FC and DPPH assays. Their DNA protective properties were assessed with gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxicity and cell protective effects of pot ale, in addition to its antibacterial activity, were also studied in this work. Results: Pot ale demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity of the by-products tested and could reduce DNA damage by 52% at 0.5 mg/mL. Furthermore, pot ale was non-toxic in a neuroblastoma cell line up to 5 mg/mL and protected against the toxic effects of two inducers of oxidative stress (rotenone and hydrogen peroxide) by up to 1.25-fold. Pot ale also showed potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 25 µg/mL and 1.56 µg/mL respectively. Conclusion: This work provides the first evidence of the potential of whisky by-products as antioxidants and antimicrobials with no adverse effects in cells, thereby promoting a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients across Europe face inequity regarding access to anticancer medicines. While access is typically evaluated through reimbursement status or sales data, patients can receive first access through early access programs (EAPs) or off‐label use. This study aims to assess the time to patient access at the hospital level, considering different indications and countries. (Pre‐)registered access to six innovative medicines (Olaparib, Niraparib, Ipilimumab, Osimeritinib, Nivolumab and Ibritunib) was measured using a cross‐sectional survey. First patient access to medicines and indications were collected using the hospital databases. Nineteen hospitals from Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and France participated. Analysis showed that some hospitals achieved patient access before national reimbursement, primarily through EAPs. The average time from EMA‐approval to patient access for these medicines was 2.1 years (Range: −0.9‐7.1 years). Hospitals in Italy and France had faster access compared to Hungary and Belgium. Variation was also found within countries, with specialized hospitals (x̄: −0.9 years; SD: 2.0) more likely to provide patient access prior to national reimbursement than general hospitals (x̄: 0.4 years; SD: 2.9). Contextual differences were observed, with EAPs or off‐label use being more prevalent in Switzerland than Hungary. Recent EMA‐approved indications and drug combinations reached patients at a later stage. Substantial variation in patient access time was observed between and within countries. Improving pricing and reimbursement timelines, fostering collaboration between national health authorities and market authorization holders, and implementing nationally harmonized, data‐generating EAPs can enhance timely and equitable patient access to innovative cancer treatments in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the demand and cultivation of two‐row malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) increases in the Northern Great Plains, updated nitrogen (N) recommendations are increasingly necessary. Not only does N play a role in grain yield, but it also impacts grain malting characteristics, including protein and kernel plump. To determine the impacts N rate and availability have on two‐row malting barley, two experimental sites were established in eastern North Dakota during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. Treatments consisted of five fertilizer rates from 0 to 180 kg N ha−1 and two malting barley cultivars. Soil samples to be analyzed for nitrate‐N were taken prior to planting and N credit estimates from the previous crop were considered to determine the total known available nitrogen (TKAN) in the soil. It was determined there was a strong relationship between N rate and grain yield along with a strong positive correlation between N rate and grain protein. No significant interactions between N rate and kernel plump were noted. When the relationship between relative grain yield and TKAN was modeled using a best‐fit regression, maximum yield was attained at 210 kg TKAN ha−1 with a grain protein of 128 g kg−1, meeting malting quality requirements. When factoring in grain value and cost of urea fertilizer, the TKAN range needed to produce the crop at the highest profitability was lower than TKAN of maximum yield, ranging from 89 to 190 kg TKAN ha−1. Core Ideas: Plant‐available nitrogen (N) is a driver of both yield and grain protein content of two‐row malting barley.Economic optimum N rates for two‐row malting barley promote farmer profitability and grain quality.Total N application rates can be reduced by focusing on net profitability rather than maximum yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a new cash crop grown in north central and northwestern North Dakota (ND). Soils and climate in these new soybean areas differ from current fertilizer guidelines. A three-year study to evaluate soybean fertility best management practices was initiated in the spring of 2016 and concluded in 2018. Each year had two sites and twelve treatments. One site was acidic (pH < 6.2) and the other was alkaline (pH > 7.2). Both site treatments were: untreated check, inoculated with rhizobia (Bradyrhizobium japonicum L.), broadcast urea (55 kg ha−1), broadcast MAP (110 kg ha−1), In-furrow 10-34-0 (28 L ha−1), in-furrow 6-24-6 (28 L ha−1), foliar 3-18-18 (28 L ha−1) at V5 and R2, and foliar 3-18-18 (28 L ha−1) with sulfate (1.1 kg ha−1) at V5 and R2. The acidic site had two treatments of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) waste lime (4411 kg ha−1 and 8821 kg ha−1). The alkaline site received treatments of iron ortho-ortho-EDDHA (7.1 L ha−1), and naked ortho-ortho-EDDHA (7.1 L ha−1). An in-furrow treatment of cobalt (2.9 kg cobalt-sulfate ha−1) was added in 2018. Fertilizer treatments did not impact soybean yield, protein content and oil content at the 0.05 significance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapies for the treatment of pain and inflammation continue to pose a global challenge, emphasizing the significant impact of pain on patients' quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of 4-(Phenylselanyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (4-PSCO) on pain-associated proteins through computational molecular docking tests. A new pharmaceutical formulation based on polymeric nanocapsules was developed and characterized. The potential toxicity of 4-PSCO was assessed using Caenorhabditis elegans and Swiss mice, and its pharmacological actions through acute nociception and inflammation tests were also assessed. Our results demonstrated that 4-PSCO, in its free form, exhibited high affinity for the selected receptors, including p38 MAP kinase, peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Janus kinase 2, toll-like receptor 4, and nuclear factor-kappa β. Both free and nanoencapsulated 4-PSCO showed no toxicity in nematodes and mice. Parameters related to oxidative stress and plasma markers showed no significant change. Both treatments demonstrated antinociceptive and anti-edematogenic effects in the glutamate and hot plate tests. The nanoencapsulated form exhibited a more prolonged effect, reducing mechanical hypersensitivity in an inflammatory pain model. These findings underscore the promising potential of 4-PSCO as an alternative for the development of more effective and safer drugs for the treatment of pain and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]