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Context: Fire-adapted species have evolved to exploit resources in heterogenous landscapes that presumably maximize energy acquisition and minimize energetic expenditure. However, limited empirical work exists demonstrating the explicit energetic mechanisms that drive such adaptive responses to fire across diverse landscapes. Objectives: The California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) appears to benefit from landscape heterogeneity and preferentially uses smaller patches of severely burned forest, a behavior that has been hypothesized as adaptive. Here, we investigate empirical support for this hypothesis. Methods: We leveraged high-resolution GPS tracking and nest video monitoring to examine the hunting success, movement, and nest provisioning of 34 spotted owls in the Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino Mountains, California across burned and unburned landscapes. Results: Regardless of time since fire, individuals avoided foraging directly within moderately or severely burned patches. 1 to 2 years post-fire, individuals had more success capturing prey in unburned forest, and the energy individuals spent moving increased with the proportion of high-severity fire and decreased with the proportion unburned forest. Multiple years after a fire, individuals had more success capturing prey, spent less energy moving, and provisioned more energy to nests in landscapes with more low-severity fire. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that spotted owls are adapted to fire-prone landscapes and that disturbance events within this region’s natural range of variation can ultimately promote hunting and provisioning. As fires deviate from regional norms across the globe, the negative impacts of fire may become more extreme and long-term benefits of fire may degrade for animals in fire-prone landscapes. Examining the mechanistic impacts of disturbance can allow us to better understand animal responses to rapidly changing landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a morphologically based approach is used for the in situ characterization of 3D growth rates of facetted crystals from the solution phase. Crystal images of single crystals of the β‐form of l‐glutamic acid are captured in situ during their growth at a relative supersaturation of 1.05 using transmission optical microscopy. The crystal growth rates estimated for both the {101} capping and {021} prismatic faces through image processing are consistent with those determined using reflection light mode [Jiang, Ma, Hazlehurst, Ilett, Jackson, Hogg & Roberts (2024). Cryst. Growth Des.24, 3277–3288]. The growth rate in the {010} face is, for the first time, estimated from the shadow widths of the {021} prismatic faces and found to be typically about half that of the {021} prismatic faces. Analysis of the 3D shape during growth reveals that the initial needle‐like crystal morphology develops during the growth process to become more tabular, associated with the Zingg factor evolving from 2.9 to 1.7 (>1). The change in relative solution supersaturation during the growth process is estimated from calculations of the crystal volume, offering an alternative approach to determine this dynamically from visual observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter diapause in insects is commonly terminated through cold exposure, which, like vernalization in plants, prevents development before spring arrives. Currently, quantitative understanding of the temperature dependence of diapause termination is limited, likely because diapause phenotypes are generally cryptic to human eyes. We introduce a methodology to tackle this challenge. By consecutively moving butterfly pupae of the species Pieris napi from several different cold conditions to 20 °C, we show that diapause termination proceeds as a temperature-dependent rate process, with maximal rates at relatively cold temperatures and low rates at warm and extremely cold temperatures. Further, we show that the resulting thermal reaction norm can predict P. napi diapause termination timing under variable temperatures. Last, we show that once diapause is terminated in P. napi, subsequent development follows a typical thermal performance curve, with a maximal development rate at around 31 °C and a minimum at around 2 °C. The sequence of these thermally distinct processes (diapause termination and postdiapause development) facilitates synchronous spring eclosion in nature; cold microclimates where diapause progresses quickly do not promote fast postdiapause development, allowing individuals in warmer winter microclimates to catch up, and vice versa. The unveiling of diapause termination as one temperature-dependent rate process among others promotes a parsimonious, quantitative, and predictive model, wherein winter diapause functions both as an adaptation against premature development during fall and winter and for synchrony in spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the solution environment on the solution crystallisation of the conformational polymorphic forms I and II of tolfenamic acid is assessed through integration of multi-scale (molecular, cluster and crystallographic) modelling with polymorphic screening using polythermal crystallisation as a function of solvent selection. Solid-state analysis reveals the contrasting crystal chemistry with the strongest synthon involving hydrogen bonding synthons and π–π van der Waals interactions for forms I and II, respectively. Analysis of the molecular conformational energies reveals molecular structures for forms I and II to be very close which is matched by their calculated lattice energies. Crystallisation as a function of both solute concentration and solution cooling rate reveals form II to be mostly more preferred than form I. The higher stability of the form II conformer together with its easier conformational adjustment during the formation of form II crystals, is consistent with its greater crystallisability compared to the more stable form I. Solute concentration analysis of the relative stabilities of the two forms as a function of their sizes reveals that smaller cluster sizes are required to stabilise the crystal structure for form I with respect to form II. Polymorphic screening as a function of solvent confirms the predicted poor crystallisability of form I whose crystallisation is preferred at higher initial solute concentrations and lower cooling rates in polar solvents but less so for the more apolar solvent toluene, the latter being consistent with π–π solute/solvent interactions promoting the formation of hydrogen bonded solute/solute synthons at the expense of π–π interactions. Modelling work correlates well with the observed crystallisation behaviour, highlighting the importance of understanding solvent selection and solution state structure at the molecular-scale level for directing polymorphic outcomes, as confirmed by the higher crystallisability of the metastable form II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kelp and other habitat-forming seaweeds in the intertidal zone are exposed to a suite of environmental factors, including temperature and hydrodynamic forces, that can influence their growth, survival, and ecological function. Relatively little is known about the interactive effect of temperature and hydrodynamic forces on kelp, especially the effect of cold stress on biomechanical resistance to hydrodynamic forces. We used the intertidal kelp Egregia menziesii to investigate how freezing in air during a low tide changes the kelp's resistance to breaking from hydrodynamic forces. We conducted a laboratory experiment to test how short-term freezing, mimicking a brief low-tide freezing event, affected the kelp's mechanical properties. We also characterized daily minimum winter temperatures in an intertidal E. menziesii population on San Juan Island, WA, near the center of the species' geographic range. In the laboratory, acute freezing events decreased the strength and toughness of kelp tissue by 8–20% (change in medians). During low tides in the field, we documented sub-zero temperatures, snow, and low canopy cover (compared to summer surveys). These results suggest that freezing can contribute to frond breakage and decreased canopy cover in intertidal kelp. Further work is needed to understand whether freezing and the biomechanical performance in cold temperatures influence the fitness and ecological function of kelp and whether this will change as winter conditions, such as freezing events and storms, change in frequency and intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In their simulation study, Garcia‐Costoya et al. (2023) conclude that evolutionary constraints might aid populations facing climate change. However, we are concerned that this conclusion is largely a consequence of the simulated temperature variation being too small, and, most importantly, that uneven limitations to standing variation disadvantage unconstrained populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine determinants of tofacitinib discontinuation due to voluntary (i.e. patient-driven) or involuntary reasons (i.e. protocol mandated) in long-term extension (LTE) studies of patients with RA to inform clinical practice, clinical study execution and data capture. Methods This post hoc analysis used pooled data from patients receiving tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily (BID) in LTE studies. Outcomes included time to voluntary/involuntary discontinuation (and baseline predictors), including by geographic region. Exposure-adjusted event rates (EAERs) were calculated for adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs) and discontinuations due to AEs/SAEs. Results Of 4967 patients, 2463 (49.6%) discontinued [1552/4967 (31.2%) voluntarily, 911/4967 (18.3%) involuntarily] and 55 (1.1%) died over the course of 9.5 years. When involuntary discontinuation was present as a competing risk for voluntary discontinuation, patients who stayed on combination therapy and with higher patient-assessed pain were significantly more likely to discontinue for voluntary reasons (P  <   0.05). Older patients, those enrolled in Asia, Europe or Latin America (vs USA or Canada) or with RF+/anti-CCP+ status were significantly less likely to discontinue for voluntary reasons (P  <   0.05). Small numeric differences in disease activity were observed between geographic regions in patients who discontinued or completed the studies. EAERs were generally higher for tofacitinib 10 vs 5 mg BID, irrespective of discontinuation reason. Conclusion The factors associated with voluntary/involuntary discontinuation of tofacitinib suggest that treatment persistence in RA studies is partly predictable, which may be reflected in clinical practice. Applying these results may improve our understanding of attrition and inform future study design/execution. Trial registrations ClinicalTrials.gov (http://clinicaltrials.gov): NCT00413699 and NCT00661661. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Functional Ecology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Predator populations are imperiled globally, due in part to changing habitat and trophic interactions. Theoretical and laboratory studies suggest that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges acting as source habitats can benefit both predator and prey populations, although the importance of heterogeneity in natural systems is uncertain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that landscape heterogeneity mediates predator–prey interactions between the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)—a mature forest species—and one of its principal prey, the dusky‐footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes)—a younger forest species—to the benefit of both. We did so by combining estimates of woodrat density and survival from live trapping and very high frequency tracking with direct observations of prey deliveries to dependent young by owls in both heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges. Woodrat abundance was ~2.5 times higher in owl home ranges (14.12 km2) featuring greater heterogeneity in vegetation types (1805.0 ± 50.2 SE) compared to those dominated by mature forest (727.3 ± 51.9 SE), in large part because of high densities in young forests appearing to act as sources promoting woodrat densities in nearby mature forests. Woodrat mortality rates were low across vegetation types and did not differ between heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges, yet all observed predation by owls occurred within mature forests, suggesting young forests may act as woodrat refuges. Owls exhibited a type 1 functional response, consuming ~2.5 times more woodrats in heterogeneous (31.1/month ± 5.2 SE) versus homogeneous (12.7/month ± 3.7 SE) home ranges. While consumption of smaller‐bodied alternative prey partially compensated for lower woodrat consumption in homogeneous home ranges, owls nevertheless consumed 30% more biomass in heterogeneous home ranges—approximately equivalent to the energetic needs of producing one additional offspring. Thus, a mosaic of vegetation types including young forest patches increased woodrat abundance and availability that, in turn, provided energetic and potentially reproductive benefits to mature forest‐associated spotted owls. More broadly, our findings provide strong empirical evidence that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges can benefit both predator and prey populations. As anthropogenic activities continue to homogenize landscapes globally, promoting heterogeneous systems with prey refuges may benefit imperiled predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The concept of landscape heterogeneity is central to species conservation; yet understanding the processes by which heterogeneity affects species can be challenging in practice. Complex and sometimes difficult-to-measure responses of species may reflect the outcome of life-history trade-offs shaped by different landscape properties. Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that a mosaic of forest stand types affected hunting and breeding success for California spotted owls (Strix occidentailis occidentalis). Methods: We integrated high-temporal-resolution GPS tags, video monitoring of nest sites, long-term assessments of reproductive status, and high-resolution remotely sensed vegetation data in a mixed-ownership landscape in the Sierra Nevada, California to test our hypothesis. Results: Spotted owls made shorter nocturnal movements in homogenous territories with large areas of medium-aged forest apparently because this forest type allowed direct movement paths to foraging sites. However, spotted owls delivered prey at a higher rate to nest sites when they had more forest edge in their territory, which presumably provided greater access to large-bodied woodrat (Neotoma spp.) prey. Further, spotted owl reproductive output was relatively high in heterogenous territories containing a mix of mature and open forest. Conclusions: The benefits heterogenous forests provide to hunting success appeared to outweigh costs associated with additional commuting distance to foraging sites and provided potential fitness benefits to spotted owls. We suggest that the effects of landscape heterogeneity can vary not only among, but also within, species and can reflect the outcome of trade-offs among different life history activities. Understanding the effects of landscape properties on biological communities will benefit from additional empirical and mechanistic studies of individual species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterizing neutron activation of stainless steel is a critical task for many applications, and yet little activation data is available for this alloy. To address the need, a series of neutron activation experiments have been performed using the Flattop critical assembly at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center. Several experimental conditions were probed for complete understanding of the neutron environment, including foil composition and position within the assembly. The experimental results reported here will aid in the production of stainless steel benchmarks for a range of nuclear data applications including those used in nuclear forensics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volumetric muscle loss overwhelms skeletal muscle's ordinarily capable regenerative machinery, resulting in severe functional deficits that have defied clinical repair strategies. In this manuscript we pair the early in vivo functional response induced by differing volumetric muscle loss tissue engineering repair strategies that are broadly representative of those explored by the field (scaffold alone, cells alone, or scaffold + cells) to the transcriptomic response induced by each intervention. We demonstrate that an implant strategy comprising allogeneic decellularized skeletal muscle scaffolds seeded with autologous minced muscle cellular paste (scaffold + cells) mediates a pattern of increased expression for several genes known to play roles in axon guidance and peripheral neuroregeneration, as well as several other key genes related to inflammation, phagocytosis, and extracellular matrix regulation. The upregulation of several key genes in the presence of both implant components suggests a unique synergy between scaffolding and cells in the early period following intervention that is not seen when either scaffolds or cells are used in isolation; a finding that invites further exploration of the interactions that could have a positive impact on the treatment of volumetric muscle loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To move from the gap between industry and academia, educators must review and change instructional content to meet industry demands. By addressing the industry imperative for leadership skills, this exploratory study evaluates the most prominent leadership style among faculty who implement leadership pedagogy in the classroom. The researchers surveyed hospitality management faculty through an online survey. The majority of respondents identified as transformational leaders, indicating leadership integration as highly important. The two most frequently integrated instruction methods were student-led discussions and delegation of group tasks. No significant relationship existed between methods of leadership integration and leadership style. Findings from this research contribute how educational leaders influence leadership skills and competency integration in classroom instruction. Recommendations included conducting further studies of hospitality management educators' leadership styles, enhanced statistical tests to build significant results to methods of transformation leadership in classroom instruction, and effective leadership training for hospitality management educators and administrators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ritonavir has been reported in seven crystal forms notably form I, II, IIIb and IV, as well as a hydrate, an L -tyrosine co-crystal and a formamide solvate. A new form is reported here with a novel quaternary structure with ritonavir as an oxalate salt, oxalic acid co-crystal and acetone solvate in a 1 : 1 : 0.5 : 0.5 stoichiometry. The new oxalate salt form (CCDC deposition number 2009282), was co-crystallised with oxalic acid from a supersaturated acetone solution, and exhibits a polar monoclinic crystal structure with a blocky needle-like crystal habit. The molecular conformation of ritonavir for the new form shows significant differences with respect to the well-characterised form I, II and IIIb polymorphs. Its crystallography is characterised by a 2-fold screw axis along the b axis, in a structure that exhibits multiple hydrogen bonds formed between amide–ureido, oxalate–oxalic acid and amide–amide groups in a layered intermolecular packing structure. Intermolecular stacking of the benzene and thiazole rings takes place along the crystallographic a axis with the needle axis growth of the crystals being likely to be governed by these interactions. The oxalate salt form co-crystal is found to have the characteristic conformations of the N-methyl urea and carbamate groups being in a trans and trans conformation respectively, as is the case for the recently discovered form IIIb, but in distinct contrast to cis and trans for form I, and trans and cis for form II. This may suggest that a cis and cis conformation for another new form may be feasible. The recovery of the form IV crystals at the lower concentrations of oxalic acid is perhaps indicative of its close similarity with the new oxalate salt co-crystal solvate form presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic molecular crystals contain long-range dispersion interactions that can be challenging for solid-state methods such as density functional theory (DFT) to capture, and in some industrial sectors are overlooked in favor of classical methods to calculate atomistic properties. Hence, this publication addresses the critical question of whether dispersion corrected DFT calculations for organic crystals can reproduce the structural and energetic trends seen from experiment, i.e., whether the calculations can now be said to be truly "on-trend." In this work, we assess the performance of three of the latest dispersion-corrected DFT methods, in calculating the long-range, dispersion energy: the pairwise methods of D3(0) and D3(BJ) and the many-body dispersion method, MBD@rsSCS. We calculate the energetics and optimized structures of two homologous series of organic molecular crystals, namely, carboxylic acids and amino acids. We also use a classical force field method (using COMPASS II) and compare all results to experimental data where possible. The mean absolute error in lattice energies is 9.59 and 343.85 kJ/mol (COMPASS II), 10.17 and 16.23 kJ/mol (MBD@rsSCS), 10.57 and 18.76 kJ/mol [D3(0)], and 8.52 and 14.66 kJ/mol [D3(BJ)] for the carboxylic acids and amino acids, respectively. MBD@rsSCS produces structural and energetic trends that most closely match experimental trends, performing the most consistently across the two series and competing favorably with COMPASS II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Development of a quantitative model and associated workflow for predicting the mechanical deformation properties (plastic deformation or cleavage fracture) of organic single crystals from their crystallographic structures using molecular and crystallographic modelling. Methods: Intermolecular synthons, hydrogen bonding, crystal morphology and surface chemistry are modelled using empirical force fields with the data integrated into the analysis of lattice deformation as computed using a statistical approach. Results: The approach developed comprises three main components. Firstly, the identification of the likely direction of deformation based on lattice unit cell geometry; secondly, the identification of likely lattice planes for deformation through the calculation of the strength and stereochemistry of interplanar intermolecular interactions, surface plane rugosity and surface energy; thirdly, identification of potential crystal planes for cleavage fracture by assessing intermolecular bonding anisotropy. Pentaerythritol is predicted to fracture by brittle cleavage on the {001} lattice planes by strong in-plane hydrogen-bond interactions in the <110>, whereas pentaerythritol tetranitrate is predicted to deform by plastic deformation through the slip system {110} < 001>, with both predictions being in excellent agreement with known experimental data. Conclusion: A crystallographic framework and associated workflow for predicting the mechanical deformation of molecular crystals is developed through quantitative assessment of lattice energetics, crystal surface chemistry and crystal defects. The potential for the de novo prediction of the mechanical deformation of pharmaceutical materials using this approach is highlighted for its potential importance in the design of formulated drug products process as needed for manufacture by direct compression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ornithological Applications is the property of Oxford University Press / USA 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.)

Invasive species are a primary threat to biodiversity and are challenging to manage once populations become established in previously unoccupied areas. But removing them is further complicated when invasions occur in continental, mixed‐ownership systems. We demonstrate a rare conservation success: the regional‐scale removal of an invasive predator – the barred owl (Strix varia) – to benefit the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis) in California. Barred owl site occupancy declined sixfold, from 0.19 to 0.03, following 1 year of removals, and site extinction (0.92) far exceeded colonization (0.02). Spotted owls recolonized 56% of formerly occupied territories within 1 year, contrasting starkly with removals conducted after barred owls achieved high densities in the Pacific Northwest. Our study therefore averted the otherwise likely extirpation of California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) by barred owl competition. Collectively, leveraging technological advances in population monitoring, early intervention, targeting defensible biogeographic areas, and fostering public–private partnerships will reduce invasive species‐driven extinction of native fauna in continental systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental crystal science underpinning the industrial crystallisation of organic materials is reviewed from molecular, intermolecular (synthonic) and crystallographic perspectives. The main aspects that differentiate the crystal growth of these materials from more conventional commercial crystal growth of large single crystals and epitaxial layers for micro-electronic applications are highlighted. Building up on key concepts of intermolecular forces, crystallisation and crystal chemistry, the factors that govern the bulk structure, equilibrium external morphology and hence surface chemistry of crystals are reviewed. The non-equilibrium case of solution-phase crystallisation builds upon this, dealing with the core aspects of solubility, solution metastability, and hence crystallisability and how supersaturation relates to molecular assembly through the nucleation process and the subsequent faceting of the nuclei through the growth process into well-defined polyhedral crystalline forms. The practical implications are brought into sharp focus through a number of case-study examples whereby the crystallisation process can be engineered to produce crystals with pre- desired physico-chemical properties, notably crystal size, crystal structure, crystal morphology, purity and agglomerability. Abbreviations: 0D: Zero-dimension; 1D: One-dimension; 2D: Two-dimension; 3D: Three-dimension; ADDoPT: Advanced Digital Design Transforming Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacture; AE: Attachment energy; AFM: Atomic force microscopic; AIDS: Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome; API: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient; ATR-FTIR: Attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared; B&S: Birth & Spread; BCF: Burton-Cabrera-Frank; BFDH: Bravais–Friedel–Donnay–Harker; Bud: Budesonide; CCDC: Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre; CSD: Crystal size distribution; DSC: Differential scanning calorimetry; EPSRC: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; EtOH: Ethanol; F: Flat faces; FP: Fluticasone propionate; FTIR: Fourier transform infrared; H-bonding: Hydrogen bonding; IN: Instantaneous nucleation; ISSCG-17: The 17th International Summer School on Crystal Growth; K: Kink faces; KBHR: Kashchiev – Borissova – Hammond – Roberts; KJR: Kevin J Roberts; LGA: L-glutamic acid; MCS: Manufacturing Classification System; MSG: Monosodium glutamate; MSZW: Metastable zone width; NA: Nornizar Anuar; PABA: Para-amino benzoic acid; PBC: Periodic Bond Chain; PN: Progressive nucleation; PXRD: Powder x-ray diffraction; R&D: Research and Development; RIG: Rough interface growth; ROY: Red-Orange-Yellow; S: Stepped faces; SB: Salbutamol; SDS: Sodium dodecyl sulphate; UiTM: Universiti Teknologi MARA; UV-Vis: Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy; XRD: X-ray diffraction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Para amino benzoic acid (PABA) has two well-characterised α- and β-polymorphic forms and, whilst both crystallise in the monoclinic space group P21/n, they have quite different crystal chemistry and crystallisability behaviour. Previous work has shown that the molecular conformation deformation energy in the crystalline state is higher for the β-form than for the α-form and that the lattice energy for the former converges more slowly than for the latter overall. This suggests that not only is there a higher barrier to crystallisation for the β-form but also that low solution supersaturations might be needed for it to preferentially nucleate. Additionally, solute cluster propensity and solute solvation energetic analysis highlight the importance of an aqueous solvation environment in inhibiting the α-form's strong OH⋯O carboxylic acid hydrogen bond (H-bond) dimer. Despite this, the detailed molecular-scale pathway from solvated molecules to 3D crystallographic structure still remains unclear, most notably regarding how the nucleation process is activated and how, as a result, this mediates the preferential formation of either of the two polymorphic forms. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations coupled with FTIR studies and intermolecular synthon analysis address this issue through characterisation of the propensity of the incipient bulk synthons that are important in the crystallisation of the two polymorphic forms within the solution state. MD molecular trajectory analysis within crystallisation solutions reveals a greater propensity for OH⋯O synthons (both single H-bonds and homodimers) typical of the α-form and NH⋯O synthons found in both the α- and β-forms when compared to aqueous solution but much lower propensities for the β-form's "fingerprinting" OH⋯N and π–π stacking synthons. In contrast, data from the aqueous solution environment reveals a much greater propensity for the β-form's π–π interaction synthons. IR dilution studies in acetonitrile in the carbonyl region reveal the presence of two C＝O vibrational stretching bands, whose relative intensities vary as a function of solution dilution. These were assigned to the solvated PABA monomer and a COOH dimer of PABA. Similar data in ethanol shows a main C＝O stretching band with a shoulder peak suggesting a similar monomer vs. dimer speciation may exist in this solvent. The IR data is consistent with the organic solvent MD data, albeit the corresponding analysis for the aqueous solution was precluded due to the latter's strong OH vibrational mode which restricted validation in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Moral aspects of food are gaining increased attention from scholars due to growing complexity of the food system. The foodservice system is a complex arrangement of stakeholders, yet has not benefited from similar scholarly attention on the moral facets. This gap is of significance given that the foodservice system has increased in importance with the larger proportion of food consumed in foodservice environments. This paper aims to focus on the foodservice system with the goal of applying moral perspectives associated with the theoretical discussion on the principles of food ethics. Design/methodology/approach: Food ethics is described within the theoretical framework of three principles, namely, autonomy, justice and well-being. These ethical principles are reviewed in context of the foodservice system comprised of food distribution (supply chains), preparation (foodservice establishments) and consumption (consumer demand). The review also includes international perspectives on foodservice system ethics to assess relativism (versus universalism) of moral issues. Findings: As the foodservice system increases in complexity, greater discussion is needed on the ethics of this system. This study observes that ignoring ethical principles can negatively impact the ability of consumers, businesses and communities to make informed choices, and on their well-being. Alternatively, a focus on understanding the role of food ethics can provide an anchor for research, practice and policy development to strengthen the foodservice system. While these moral principles are universal truths, they will require relative introspection globally, based on local experiences. Originality/value: This paper presents a moral principle-based description of food ethics that incorporates the various components of the expanding foodservice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snow insulates the soil from air temperature, decreasing winter cold stress and altering energy use for organisms that overwinter in the soil. As climate change alters snowpack and air temperatures, it is critical to account for the role of snow in modulating vulnerability to winter climate change. Along elevational gradients in snowy mountains, snow cover increases but air temperature decreases, and it is unknown how these opposing gradients impact performance and fitness of organisms overwintering in the soil. We developed experimentally validated ecophysiological models of cold and energy stress over the past decade for the montane leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis, along five replicated elevational transects in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Cold stress peaks at mid‐elevations, while high elevations are buffered by persistent snow cover, even in dry years. While protective against cold, snow increases energy stress for overwintering beetles, particularly at low elevations, potentially leading to mortality or energetic tradeoffs. Declining snowpack will predominantly impact mid‐elevation populations by increasing cold exposure, while high elevation habitats may provide refugia as drier winters become more common. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of biuret, a degradation impurity, on the crystallisability, nucleation, growth and morphology of urea, is examined as a function of supersaturation in ethanolic solutions, through a combination of polythermal turbidometry assessment and optical microscopy measurements, complemented by molecular modelling. The inclusion of a small amount of impurity is found to increase the stability of supersaturated solutions through widening the metastable zone width. Polythermal analysis of crystallisation and dissolution on‐sets as a function of cooling and heating rate, respectively, is found to be concentration‐dependent associated with both the pure and doped systems, with the nucleation mechanism changing from progressive to instantaneous with increasing solute concentration. The addition of biuret significantly increases nucleation rate when compared to the pure system, from 9.2–20.5 to 9.3–67.7 nm−3 s−1, along with a decrease in the critical nucleus size, as would be consistent with the impurity promoting nucleation i. e. resulting in more nuclei and smaller crystals. The crystal habit of urea in ethanolic solutions is found to be dominated by the prismatic {110} faces, and smaller polar {111} capping faces. The mean crystal growth rates of these faces are found to increase with respect to supersaturation, with the {111} faces exhibiting a greater level of increase than {110}, consistent with stronger solvent binding which restricts the growth of the {110} face. The addition of biuret is found to have a greater effect on retarding the growth of {111} compared to {110}, resulting in a more compact and equant morphology. These results are rationalised with computational visualisation and modelling of the surface chemistry of the crystal habit planes together with the energetics of the impurity binding to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ornithological Applications is the property of Oxford University Press / USA 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 design of industrial crystallization processes usually employs laboratory‐scale experimental data which must be correlated with the full‐scale process for effective technology transfer. In this context, the measured growth rates of single crystals of ibuprofen in stagnant ethanolic solutions are compared with data recorded for a population of crystals crystallized in an agitated 7‐mL reactor. The single crystal growth rates are found to be rather close to those determined in the agitated reactor, with both being also in good agreement with previously published data at the 750‐mL scale, suggesting that studies on single crystals can have utility for the purpose of crystallization process design and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Application of multi-scale modelling workflows to characterise polymorphism in ritonavir with regard to its stability, bioavailability and processing. Methods: Molecular conformation, polarizability and stability are examined using quantum mechanics (QM). Intermolecular synthons, hydrogen bonding, crystal morphology and surface chemistry are modelled using empirical force fields. Results: The form I conformation is more stable and polarized with more efficient intermolecular packing, lower void space and higher density, however its shielded hydroxyl is only a hydrogen bond donor. In contrast, the hydroxyl in the more open but less stable and polarized form II conformation is both a donor and acceptor resulting in stronger hydrogen bonding and a more stable crystal structure but one that is less dense. Both forms have strong 1D networks of hydrogen bonds and the differences in packing energies are partially offset in form II by its conformational deformation energy difference with respect to form I. The lattice energies converge at shorter distances for form I, consistent with its preferential crystallization at high supersaturation. Both forms exhibit a needle/lath-like crystal habit with slower growing hydrophobic side and faster growing hydrophilic capping habit faces with aspect ratios increasing from polar-protic, polar-aprotic and non-polar solvents, respectively. Surface energies are higher for form II than form I and increase with solvent polarity. The higher deformation, lattice and surface energies of form II are consistent with its lower solubility and hence bioavailability. Conclusion: Inter-relationship between molecular, solid-state and surface structures of the polymorphic forms of ritonavir are quantified in relation to their physical-chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay between the solution chemistry and crystallisability of eicosane in mixed toluene : acetone solutions is examined over the full compositional range from pure toluene to pure acetone, using a combination of polythermal crystallisation experiments and molecular modelling. Enthalpies of dissolution and mixing, as well as metastable zone widths increase with increasing acetone content, up to a mol fraction of 0.85 acetone, followed by a decrease in values to pure acetone solutions. Nucleation is found to occur via an instantaneous pathway for the pure solvent systems and also when toluene is in excess, in contrast to solutions where acetone is in excess, which are found to nucleate progressively. Rationalisation through molecular modelling highlights likely changes in the solution structure, whereby eicosane can be expected to be preferentially solvated by toluene, with this solvated cluster being surrounded by a 'cage' of acetone molecules. This proposed structure is consistent with a model whereby solute diffusion and hence clustering is hindered when acetone is in excess, decreasing the crystallisability of the solution and effecting a change in the mechanism of nucleation. However, above a critical acetone composition, the potential for complete toluene solvation is restricted and easier crystallisation is enabled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain ecosystems contain strong elevational gradients in climate and vegetation that shape species distributions and the structure of animal communities. Nevertheless, studies of habitat selection for individual species rarely account for such gradients that often result in species being managed uniformly across their range, which may not improve conservation as intended. Therefore, we characterized variation in nocturnal habitat selection by 18 GPS‐tagged California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) along a 1400‐m elevational gradient in the Sierra Nevada, California. We characterized three‐dimensional forest structure with light detection and ranging data that we used in mixed‐effects resource‐ and step‐selection analyses of owl habitat selection. At lower elevations, owls selected stands with shorter trees, sites closer to hard edges between tall forests and open areas, sites with less diversity in forest seral types and sites with more ridge and southwest aspects. In contrast, owls at higher elevations selected the opposite. Within public forests that had taller trees and within their home range core (45% kernel density estimate of GPS points) areas, owls selected forests with less and more canopy cover at low and high elevations, respectively. Outside of their core areas, owls selected areas with fewer and more tall trees at low and high elevations, respectively. These findings may be explained by elevational gradients in prey distribution and variation in owl diet because owls consume more woodrats (Neotoma spp; earlier seral species) at lower elevations and more flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus; older forest species) at higher elevations. Thus, at low elevations and in areas unlikely to support nesting, spotted owls could benefit from management that promotes woodrat habitat by encouraging oak regeneration and creating small brushy openings within forests with shorter (younger) trees. Conversely, at higher elevations, (1) enhancing flying squirrel habitat by promoting large trees and denser canopy on mesic sites and (2) managing for greater cover type diversity on southwest‐facing slopes and ridgetops is more likely to improve foraging habitat quality for spotted owls. The patterns of owl selection over elevational gradients has not been explicitly considered in most habitat management plans but clearly would improve management throughout mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Landscape and climatic change are promoting range shifts, potentially leading to competition and hybridization between formerly isolated species. However, density‐dependent interactions can impede the timely identification of associated conservation problems. The barred owl's expansion into the spotted owl's range provides a natural experiment to test for density dependence in niche overlap and hybridization in the early versus late stages of a biological invasion, thus illuminating an important biogeographical process. Location: Pacific Northwest, USA to the northern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Methods: In the northern Sierra Nevada, where barred owl density was low, we quantified niche overlap between barred owls and spotted owls along three axes (landscape‐scale habitat selection based on passive acoustic survey data, foraging habitat selection measured with GPS tag data, and diet measured with stable isotopes) and assessed hybridization with phenotypic data. We then compared our findings to studies on these species from the Pacific Northwest, where barred owl density is high. Results: In the Sierra Nevada, overlap in landscape‐scale habitat selection was low (spotted owl sites also occupied by barred owls: 21%), overlap in foraging habitat selection and diet was high (Pianka's niche overlap: 0.802; stable isotope ellipse overlap: 0.52), and hybridization was common (hybrid:barred owl ratio: 0.364). In the Pacific Northwest, niche overlap was high (barred owl occupancy of spotted owl territories: 40%–95%, Pianka's niche overlap of foraging habitat selection and diet: 0.809 and 0.429) and hybridization was rare (hybrid:barred ratio: 0.061). Main conclusions: Foraging habitat selection and diet were density‐independent and therefore predictive of the competitive exclusion of spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest that has resulted from the barred owl invasion. Landscape‐scale monitoring programmes capable of yielding systematic data on multiple species can offer an early warning of biological invasions; however, individual‐level traits such as foraging habitat selection may influence the population processes that can determine the outcome of those invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental understanding of the behaviour of polycrystalline materials, including pharmaceuticals, is vital for control of their physicochemical and crystalline properties, which in turn has the potential to improve drug product development for example. In this work, attenuation X-ray computed tomography (CT) and diffraction contrast tomography (DCT) are combined with molecular modelling to understand the powder packing behaviour and crystal interactions of the organic cubic compound hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine). It is the first application of DCT to polycrystalline organic materials. The crystal morphology is predicted through synthonic modelling, with fully 3D-resolved confirmation of the crystallography of the external {110} facets, edges and corner directions by DCT. Analysis of the powder-bed reveals agglomerate structures and orientational texture, with its chemical origins energetically predicted to be face-to-face in accordance with the experimental data. Finally, measurements of crystal & crystallite interactions provide evidence for different mechanisms of powder bed agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man Push Cart (2005) USA Director Ramin Bahrani Runtime 87 minutes Blu-ray USA, 2021 Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region A) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to present a comprehensive view on the associations among polychronicity, job satisfaction, work engagement, and turnover intention within a restaurant context. Using a sample of 252 servers in full-service restaurants, structural equation modeling results found that polychronicity positively linked with job satisfaction, work engagement, and turnover intention. An indirect effect from polychronicity to job satisfaction to turnover intention was found. Results can assist restaurant managers in selecting candidates that best fit their organization. It will also assist employees in determining which career path best matches their personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to use the theory of planned behavior to compare beliefs about three food safety practices between two groups of school nutrition employees: those who absolutely intended to practice each behavior versus those who did not. A questionnaire was used for data collection, and 3,850 surveys were mailed to 163 participating school districts. Data from 408 usable surveys were analyzed, for a response rate of 10.6%. For each of the three behaviors, participants with less than absolute intentions were less likely to think that following proper practices in each of the three behaviors would decrease the chance that students would get sick, would ensure high food quality, and would keep students satisfied. For the three behaviors, people important to employees, such as the school nutrition director and supervisor, were identified by lower intenders as not being as supportive of their food safety efforts when compared with the beliefs among absolute intenders. In all instances, absolute intenders perceived stronger lack of control (i.e., a lower score) than did lower intenders. This study provides a theory-based investigation of how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls affect food safety behaviors in the school nutrition environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleation kinetics of the alpha form of p‐aminobenzoic acid from ethanolic and aqueous solutions is examined through a comparative examination of temperature‐jump and anti‐solvent drown‐out isothermal crystallization methodologies. Analysis of the data reveals the measured induction times, and the calculated effective interfacial tensions as a function of the supersaturation show broadly equivalent behavior for the aqueous‐ethanol mixed‐solvent drown‐out and temperature‐jump ethanol solution systems, confirming the comparability of the two methodologies. The results also demonstrate poorer agreement with the temperature‐jump pure aqueous system, highlighting the importance of the strength of solvation/desolvation as the key rate‐limiting process for the overall nucleation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that food served in ethnic restaurants is frequently associated with foodborne outbreaks. Few studies have used the Social Cognitive Theory to predict food safety behaviors, especially in independent ethnic restaurants. This study aimed to determine whether self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectations, and environmental determinants are predictive of self-reported food safety behaviors through examining the behavioral intentions of food handlers in independent Chinese and Mexican restaurants. A questionnaire was developed and self-administered. It was translated to Chinese and Spanish and backtranslated to English to ensure accuracy. A multistage random sampling technique was utilized to collect data onsite, targeting a minimum of 250 food handlers from independent Mexican and Chinese restaurants. A total of 204 food handlers responded; 201 responses were usable, for a response rate of 80.4%. Multiple regression and mediation analyses were used to analyze the data. Only self-regulation, environmental determinants, and outcome expectations were statistically significant predictors of food safety behavioral intentions. Behavioral intentions were a significant mediator of the relationships between all predictors and self-reported food safety behaviors. The findings suggest that self-regulation, outcome expectations, and environmental factors in the form of equipment and supplies can promote positive food safety behaviors through behavioral intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flight of nocturnal insects may be limited by cool nighttime environmental temperatures. We used laboratory and field experiments to explore the thermal basis of nocturnal flight in wing‐polymorphic Gryllus lineaticeps crickets consisting of long‐winged (LW), flight‐capable morphs and short‐winged (SW), flight‐incapable morphs. These crickets are a model for life history evolution and loss of flight, but their thermal requirements for flight have been unknown. We hypothesized that LW crickets achieve warm body temperatures required for flight through a combination of behavioural thermoregulation, producing heat endogenously (either by initiating muscular thermogenesis or increasing resting metabolic rate) and minimizing heat loss (by circulatory adjustments or insulation).Summer evening air temperatures in the field gradually declined from 25 to 18°C during the hours of nighttime cricket activity. Laboratory LW crickets did not fly at a body temperature of 18°C, and 60% flew at 25°C. In an experimental thermal gradient, spontaneous flight did not occur until body temperature exceeded 35°C, confirming that nocturnal field air temperature limits flight in this species.In a thermal gradient, LW crickets preferred higher temperatures (~36°C) than SW crickets (~32.5°C). In the field, all crickets were warmer than air temperature but considerably cooler than their preferred temperatures. LW crickets had higher field body temperatures (24.3°C) than SW crickets (22.3°C). LW crickets spontaneously initiated muscular thermogenesis through wing vibrations, increasing body temperature to a pre‐flight maximum of 35°C. Muscular thermogenesis was limited below 25°C. LW crickets cooled more slowly and had higher metabolic rates than SW crickets.We conclude that LW crickets prepare to fly on cool nights by gaining heat from warm substrates, activating endogenous muscular thermogenesis and reducing their cooling rate. These mechanisms are absent or less pronounced in SW crickets. The overall thermoregulatory strategy we report represents a previously unrecognized component of insect dispersal polymorphism. We suggest that thermal constraints on nocturnal flight may have contributed to evolutionary loss of flight in other insect groups. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coordination between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes is critical to metabolic processes underlying animals' ability to adapt to local environments, yet consequences of mitonuclear interactions have rarely been investigated in populations where individuals with divergent mitochondrial and nuclear genomes naturally interbreed. Genetic variation in the leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis was assessed along a latitudinal thermal gradient in California's Sierra Nevada. Variation at mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) and the nuclear gene phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) shows concordance and was significantly greater along a 65 km transect than 10 other loci. STRUCTURE analyses using neutral loci identified a southern and northern subpopulation, which interbreed in the central drainage Bishop Creek. COII and PGI were used as indicators of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic variation in field and laboratory experiments conducted on beetles from this admixed population. Fecundity, larval development rate, running speed and male mating frequency were higher for beetles with geographically "matched" than "mismatched" mitonuclear genotypes. Effects of mitonuclear mismatch were largest for individuals with northern nuclear genotypes possessing southern mitochondria and were most pronounced after heat treatment or at high elevation. These findings suggest that mitonuclear incompatibility diminishes performance and reproductive success in nature, effects that could intensify at environmental extremes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a terahertz metamaterial absorber with five absorption bands that can be used in the areas of sensing, imaging, and detecting is investigated. The absorber structure contains four quarter‐sectional circular rings and a cross in a square ring layer, a dielectric layer, and ground metal layer. Simulation results display that the absorber with such configuration possesses five distinct high absorption peaks at 0.7, 1.6, 2.32, 2.63, and 3.15 THz and show polarization‐insensitive property due to its 4‐fold symmetric property. The physical origins of the absorber characteristics are attributed to dipolar and hexapolar resonances of the patterned metallic arrays on the top layer, as established by analyzing the electrical field density. In addition to, structural parameters' influences on the absorption bands are also studied and the results indicate that total absorption bands and coefficients can be effectively altered by changing the structural parameters and configurations, which is beneficial for its practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed inter-molecular (synthonic) analysis of terbutaline sulfate, an ionic addition salt for inhalation drug formulation, is related to its crystal morphology, and through this to the surface chemistry of the habit faces and surface energy of the whole crystal. Coulombic interactions between the terbutaline cations and sulfate anions contribute 85% of the lattice energy, hydrogen bonding and dispersion interactions contribute 15%. Morphological prediction identifies a plate-like morphology composed of the forms {010}, {100}, {001} and {11¯0} in good agreement with crystals grown from solution. Synthonic modelling of the intermolecular interactions, on a crystal face (hkl)-specific basis, reveals that the surface interactions on the forms with less, relative surface area: {100}, {001} and {11¯0} manifest a greater surface energy, associated, notably, with a greater proportion of polar interactions at these surfaces compared to the morphological dominant {010} surfaces. The predicted total surface energies and their dispersive contributions are found to be in good agreement with those measured at high surface coverage using inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The modelling approach is complementary to IGC, as it enables surface sites of lower energy to be probed, that would require experimentally unachievable surface coverages. The utility of synthonic modelling, in understanding the surface properties of pharmaceutical materials, is highlighted through a workflow-based pathway for digital drug product design encompassing molecule structure, intermolecular packing, crystal morphology, surface energy and formulation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The microanalytical community has an outstanding need for platinum group element (PGE) reference materials, particularly for trace element analysis by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICPMS). National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) glasses contain Rh, Pd, and Pt, but lack Ru, Os, and Ir. Synthesis of silicate PGE standards has proven difficult due the tendency of PGEs to form metallic nuggets. Methods: Additive manufacturing methods were used to produce PGE standards with a silica matrix. Monodispersed submicron PGE‐doped Stöber particles were used as feedstock materials for electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Two‐cm‐sized samples produced by EPD were subsequently densified by thermal processing. The homogeneity of PGEs was tested using LA‐ICPMS and concentrations were measured by laser ablation and solution ICPMS. Results: The PGE concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 3 μg/g. The inhomogeneity was at the 3% RSD level for Ru, Rh, Ir, and Os throughout and 5% for Pt and Pd in the interior of the samples. Based on LA‐ICPMS analyses, the interiors of the two samples have near identical concentrations in PGEs. Conclusions: The samples fabricated in this study represent the most complete and homogeneous PGE standards produced with a silicate matrix. The ability to produce multiple samples with the same composition provides opportunities for validating methods, monitoring long‐term reproducibility, and facilitating interlaboratory comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the stage of B cell development at which a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)–associated DNA methylation signature originates in African American (AA) and European American (EA) subjects, and to assess whether epigenetic defects in B cell development patterns could be predictive of SLE status in individual and mixed immune cell populations. Methods: B cells from AA patients (n = 31) and EA patients (n = 49) with or without SLE were sorted using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting into 5 B cell subsets. DNA methylation, measured at ~460,000 CpG sites, was interrogated in each subset. Enrichment analysis of transcription factor interaction at SLE‐associated methylation sites was performed. A random forests algorithm was used to identify an epigenetic signature of SLE in the B cell subsets, which was then validated in an independent cohort of AA and EA patients and healthy controls. Results: Regression analysis across all B cell stages resulted in identification of 60 CpGs that reached genome‐wide significance for SLE‐associated methylation differences (P ≤ 1.07 × 10−7). Interrogation of ethnicity‐specific CpGs associated with SLE revealed a hypomethylated pattern that was enriched for interferon (IFN)–regulated genes and binding of EBF1 in AA patients (each P < 0.001). AA patients with SLE could be distinguished from healthy controls when the predictive model developed with the transitional B cell subset was applied to other B cell subsets (mean receiver operating characteristic [ROC] area under the curve [AUC] 0.98), and when applied to CD19+ pan–B cells (mean ROC AUC 0.95) and CD4+ pan–T cells (mean ROC AUC 0.97) from the independent validation cohort. Conclusion: These results indicate that SLE‐specific methylation patterns are ethnicity dependent. A pattern of epigenetic changes near IFN‐regulated genes early in B cell development is a hallmark of SLE in AA female subjects. EBF1 binding sites are highly enriched for significant methylation changes, implying that this may be a potential regulator of SLE‐associated epigenetic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]