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The mountainous topography of the Armenian Highlands and the South Caucasus accentuates the importance of valleys as areas of habitation and as conduits among these interspersed settlement areas. The Vedi River Valley of Armenia, located along the southeastern edge of the Ararat Plateau (Plain), serves as one such important transportation route in and through these highland areas. At the center of the mouth of this valley sits the prominent Vedi Fortress, ideally situated for defense of this route and landscape. The site was first fortified during the Late Bronze Age, perhaps during the centralization of power by a local polity contained within the valley. Burned down and abandoned at the end of the Iron Age I, the fortress would then see varied reuse through several later periods given its prominent location and proximity to other local power centers. Of particular importance is its refortification during the Early Medieval (Late Antique) period, when Armenia was under Sasanian Persian suzerainty. This article presents the results of archaeological fieldwork in this valley and at the fortress, followed by a discussion of the landscape’s fortification and refortification during these two periods. The Vedi River Valley provides a case study for examining control, mobility, and the negotiation of local and remote power within the specific contained landscape of a river valley in mountainous terrain.

At the first interim analysis of the KEYNOTE-671 trial, adding perioperative pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved event-free survival in participants with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report overall survival and health-related quality of life outcomes from the second interim analysis.

AbstractBackground:A substantial proportion of patients undergoing hemodialysis carry Staphylococcus aureusin their noses, and carriers are at increased risk of S. aureusbloodstream infections. Our pragmatic clinical trial implemented nasal povidone-iodine (PVI) decolonization for the prevention of bloodstream infections in the novel setting of hemodialysis units.Objective:We aimed to identify pragmatic strategies for implementing PVI decolonization among patients in outpatient hemodialysis units.Design:Qualitative descriptive study.Setting:Outpatient hemodialysis units affiliated with five US academic medical centers. Units varied in size, patient demographics, and geographic location.Interviewees:Sixty-six interviewees including nurses, hemodialysis technicians, research coordinators, and other personnel.Methods:We conducted interviews with personnel affiliated with all five academic medical centers and conducted thematic analysis of transcripts.Results:Hemodialysis units had varied success with patient recruitment, but interviewees reported that patients and healthcare personnel (HCP) found PVI decolonization acceptable and feasible. Leadership support, HCP engagement, and tailored patient-focused tools or strategies facilitated patient engagement and PVI implementation. Interviewees reported both patients and HCP sometimes underestimated patients’ infection risks and experienced infection-prevention fatigue. Other HCP barriers included limited staffing and poor staff engagement. Patient barriers included high health burdens, language barriers, memory issues, and lack of social support.Conclusion:Our qualitative study suggests that PVI decolonization would be acceptable to patients and clinical personnel, and implementation is feasible for outpatient hemodialysis units. Hemodialysis units could facilitate implementation by engaging unit leaders, patients and personnel, and developing education for patients about their infection risk.

Hop powdery mildew (PM) (Podosphaera macularis) causes substantial losses if left uncontrolled. Most resistant hop cultivars possess qualitative resistance based on R‐genes. One cultivar, Comet, has uncharacterized resistance that may be polygenic. This study focused on identifying genomic regions controlling PM resistance in Comet and ascertaining putative genetic mechanisms behind such resistance. A cross between Comet and susceptible male, USDA 64035M, was made. Offspring were screened for resistance under greenhouse conditions and genotyped using genotyping‐by‐sequencing. Genome‐wide analysis using mixed linear model analysis along with quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using either composite interval mapping or stepwise regression analyses was performed to identify QTLs. All analyses identified a region on chromosome 6 covering positions 308–314 Mb on the physical map. Analysis of the putative genes within this region identified 140 genes with 27 plant resistance‐like genes found in nine clusters. Six sulfur‐rich protein genes with homology to patatins, thionins, and agglutinins were identified in two clusters. Two glucan‐endo‐1,3‐beta‐glucosidase genes were identified bordering different R‐gene clusters. Finally, putative upregulators of transcription and stress‐response genes were identified. The 10 most highly associated single‐nucleotide polymorphisms for PM resistance were subsequently developed as KASP markers. The combination of R‐gene clusters, sulfur‐rich proteins, endo‐1,3‐beta‐glucosidase genes, and stress‐response genes may be responsible for resistance to PM in the cultivar Comet. Unique resistance to powdery mildew in hops is linked to a 5‐Mb region on chromosome 6.Clusters of R‐genes may result in durable resistance to powdery mildew.Sulfur‐rich proteins typically associated with insect resistance may play roles in plant resistance too.

A previous case study reported periimplantitis and concomitant perigraftitis of a second implant placed at a site that had alveolar ridge preservation three decades earlier. Infection at the site persisted 4 months after implant removal by flapless implant reversal. A flap was subsequently reflected, the grafted bone was removed, and a second alveolar ridge preservation was performed with a freeze‐dried bone allograft. The publication reported infection resolved, and the site healed uneventfully. However, it is unknown if placement of another implant at the site would be successful. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings at surgical reentry and outcome of the third implant. Eleven months after the second alveolar ridge preservation, the site was reentered. The bone graft was found to be partially soft tissue encapsulated. All encapsulated graft materials and soft tissue were removed. An implant was placed, and the alveolar defect was grafted with a demineralized bone allograft. Seventeen months after implant placement, a buccal free gingival graft was performed during which the crestal bone adjacent to the implant was found to be hard and corticated. The implant was deemed to be osseointegrated and restored after soft tissue healing. Twenty‐five months after implant placement, the third implant remained functional and asymptomatic with the peri‐implant bone exhibiting normal trabeculation. Implant therapy can be successful following treatment and resolution of perigraftitis. Perigraftitis may play a contributing role in the biologic complications of implants that have been placed into grafted bone.Perigraftitis may be successfully resolved by completely removing all grafted bone.Once perigraftitis has been eliminated, an implant may be successfully placed. Perigraftitis may play a contributing role in the biologic complications of implants that have been placed into grafted bone. Perigraftitis may be successfully resolved by completely removing all grafted bone. Once perigraftitis has been eliminated, an implant may be successfully placed.

In addition to the benefits of a diverse faculty, many institutions are under pressure from students and administrators to increase the number of faculty from historically excluded backgrounds. Despite increases in the numbers of engineering PhD earners from these groups, the percentages of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino tenure‐track faculty have not increased, and the percentage of women remains low. The purpose of this study is to identify how experiences in graduate school encourage or deter PhD earners from historically excluded groups in pursuing an engineering academic career. We conducted 20 semi‐structured interviews with engineering PhD students and recent graduates, with half of participants interested and half disinterested in pursuing an academic career after graduation. Three key factors emerged as strongly influential on participants' desire to pursue an academic career: their relationship with their advisor, their perception of their advisor's work–life balance, and their perception of the culture of academia. Participants extrapolated their experiences in graduate school to their imagined lives as faculty. The results illuminate the reasons why engineering PhD earners from historically underrepresented groups remain in or leave the academic career pathway after graduate school. The findings of this study have important implications for how graduate students' and postdoc's relationships with their advisors as well as perceptions of their advisors' work–life balances and the culture of academia affect future faculty. We make recommendations on what students, faculty, and administrators can do to create a more inclusive environment to encourage students from historically excluded groups to consider academic careers.

Nanoplastics pollution, a growing environmental threat, adversely affects ecosystems and human health. The challenge in extracting and detecting nanoplastics from environmental matrices lies in their minuscule sizes, varied shapes, and low concentration. We demonstrate an efficient approach employing hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs) for the liquid/liquid extraction of polystyrene (PS) beads (nominally sized 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 μm), a stand-in for nanoplastics, from both fresh and saline water. Of ten different HDES systems evaluated, those described by 1:2 molar ratios of tetrabutylammonium bromide ([N4444]Br):decanoic acid or tetraoctylammonium bromide ([N8888]Br):decanoic acid as well as 1:1 thymol:menthol showed exceptional efficiency, achieving nearly complete removal (a mean extraction efficiency of 98.4%) of nanoplastics in a single pass across a range of nanoplastic sizes from 100 to 1000 nm. The HDES comprising 1:2 [N4444]Br:decanoic acid exhibits a high extraction capacity, effectively capturing at least 17.2 wt % of PS. Crucially, the extractive fluids comprise benign components, and the hydrophobicity of these HDESs helps to prevent water phase contamination, showcasing their potential as a sustainable solution to the nanoplastics problem.

After surgery for a broken ankle, patients are usually instructed to avoid walking for 6 weeks (delayed weight-bearing). Walking 2 weeks after surgery (early weight-bearing) might be a safe and preferable rehabilitation strategy. This study aimed to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of an early weight-bearing strategy compared with a delayed weight-bearing strategy.

Multiple studies have documented various factors that influence or determine forensic pathologist classification of manner of death. There do not appear to be any published studies on manner of death classification specifically regarding arrest-related deaths (ARDs). The goal of this study was to consider a large body of cases of nonfirearm ARDs to analyze the homicide classification with regards to numerous decedent and practitioner (medical examiner/coroner [ME/C]) variables. We analyzed 1145 US autopsy reports from the years 2006–2020, inclusive, and considered decedent variables of age, ethnicity, height, weight, body mass index, toxicology, and mention of a conducted electrical weapon and ME/C influence variables of gender, country region, and year. We found that the homicide classification likelihood increased by a factor of 1.04–1.05 per year, 1.34–1.37 for a female medical examiner, and 1.4–1.5 going from Southern states to Western states. There is an increasing trend for ME/C to label nonfirearm ARDs as homicides in the United States. The homicide classification is more common in Western states and less common in Southern states, and it was more common with a female ME/C.

Using cadaveric material to teach veterinary students poses many challenges. However, little research exists on the contribution of this traditional approach to student learning. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate student perceptions of cadaver-based anatomy classes in a vertically integrated veterinary curriculum at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. Likert-scale statements and free-text boxes were used in a questionnaire distributed to second-year veterinary students (response rate 59%, 61/103). The same questionnaire was subsequently distributed to the same cohort 2 years later, in the students' fourth year of study (response rate 68%, 67/98). Students agreed that cadaver-based activities aid their learning, and they particularly value opportunities to develop practical skills while learning anatomy. There are few changes in perception as undergraduates progress to clinical years of teaching. Students perceive anatomy to be important, and feel that their learning has prepared them for clinical placements. This study emphasizes the importance of using cadaveric materials effectively in anatomy teaching and, in particular, using clinical skills training to enhance the anatomy curriculum.

Question asked in a preschool/primary teacher PD session on read‐alouds: “After our Family Night presentation on home read‐alouds, we got so many questions from families and caretakers. How can we give follow‐up support?” This teaching guide suggests three simple ideas for supporting parent home‐read‐alouds with preschool, kindergarten, and first‐grade students.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe used a survey to evaluate the perceptions of nurses and nursing students on robotic technology for nursing care before and after reviewing an educational video that included examples of medical, care, and healthcare service robotic technology. We found that the perception of robotic technology was innately favorable and became more favorable after the video. It is beneficial for engineers to incorporate nurses’ frontline knowledge into the design process from the beginning, while functional changes can be implemented since nurses comprise the largest group of healthcare professionals in hospitals and are the end users of technological devices. Educating nurses in state-of-the-art technology specific to what designers are developing can enable them to provide relevant insight. Designers and engineers can use this insight to create user-friendly, effective technology that improves not only patient care but also nurse job satisfaction.

Background: Educational attainment has been linked to reduced risk of health problems such as obesity, but research suggests that this effect may be weaker for non-Hispanic Black individuals compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, a pattern known as minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs). Objectives: This study is aimed at examining the differential association between educational attainment and sustained high body mass index (BMI) among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White middle-aged and older adults in the USA. Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) spanning 1992–2016, we analyzed a national sample of 35,110 individuals, including 7766 non-Hispanic Black and 27,344 non-Hispanic White individuals. We used logistic regression models to examine the relationship between educational attainment, race, and sustained high BMI, while controlling for age, sex, and marital status at baseline. Results: Approximately 30.6% of the sample (n= 10,727) had sustained high BMI, while 69.4% (n= 24,383) had sustained low BMI over the period of follow-up. Higher levels of educational attainment were associated with a lower risk of sustained high BMI. We also found, however, that the protective effects of education against sustained high BMI were weaker for non-Hispanic Blacks compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the protective effects of educational attainment against sustained high BMI may be more robust for non-Hispanic Whites than for non-Hispanic Blacks. Further research should explore whether these results are found in other racial and ethnic minorities and whether potential life history experiences may contribute to these disparities.

Children born before 28 weeks’ gestation are at increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Urine biomarkers may shed light on mechanistic pathways and improve the ability to forecast CKD. We evaluated whether urinary biomarkers in neonates of low gestational age (GA) are associated with a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time.

A series of cocrystals of halogen bond donors 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (p-F4DIB) and tetraiodoethylene (TIE) with five aromatic heterocyclic diazine mono-N-oxides based on pyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, quinoxaline, phenazine, and pyrimidine as halogen bonding acceptors were studied. Structural analysis of the mono-N-oxides allows comparison of the competitive occurrence of N···I vs O···I interactions and the relative strength and directionality of these two types of interactions. Of the aromatic heterocyclic diazine mono-N-oxide organoiodine cocrystals examined, six exhibited 1:1 stoichiometry, forming chains that utilized both N···I and O···I interactions. Two cocrystals presented 1:1 stoichiometry with exclusive O···I interactions. Two cocrystals displayed a 2:1 stoichiometry─one characterized solely by O···I interactions and the other solely by N···I interactions. We have also compared these interactions to those present in the corresponding diazines, some of which we report here and some which have been previously reported. In addition, a computational analysis using density functional theory (M062X/def2-SVPD) was performed on these two systems and has been compared to the experimental results. The calculated complex formation energies were, on average, 4.7 kJ/mol lower for the I···O halogen bonding interaction as compared to the corresponding N···I interaction. The average I···O interaction distances were calculated to be 0.15 Å shorter than the corresponding I···N interactions.

We examine whether cigarettes serve as substitutes for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among ENDS users and demonstrate methodological extensions of data from a cross‐price purchase task to inform policies and interventions. During a clinical laboratory study, n= 19 exclusive ENDS users and n= 17 dual cigarette/ENDS users completed a cross‐price purchase task with cigarettes available at a fixed price while prices of own‐brand ENDS increased. We estimated cross‐price elasticity using linear models to examine substitutability. We defined five additional outcomes: nonzero cross‐price intensity (purchasing cigarettes if ENDS were free), constant null demand (not purchasing cigarettes at any ENDS price), cross‐product crossover point (first price where participants purchased more cigarettes than ENDS), dual‐demand score (percentage of prices where both products were purchased), and dual‐use break point (minimum relative price to force complete substitution). The cross‐price elasticity results indicated that cigarettes could serve as substitutes for ENDS among ENDS users on average, but this average effect masked substantial heterogeneity in profiles of demand (here, a measure of the drug's reinforcement potential). Policies and regulations that increase ENDS prices appear unlikely to steer most exclusive ENDS users toward cigarette use, as most would not purchase cigarettes at any ENDS price, but they could prompt some dual users to substitute cigarettes completely while others remain dual users. This heterogeneity in consumer responses suggests additional indices of cross‐product demand are useful to characterize the anticipated and unanticipated effects of tobacco price policies more fully.

The article discusses the merger of the USFL and the XFL to create a new football league called the United Football League (UFL). The UFL consists of three former rival leagues and is set to kick off in March. The article provides information on the teams and divisions of the USFL and XFL, as well as their previous seasons and championship games. It also briefly mentions the history of the original USFL and XFL leagues. The article concludes by mentioning the United Football League (UFL), which began play in 2009 but faced financial troubles and ultimately folded after four seasons. [Extracted from the article]

Smart textiles that use specialized polymers, chemical additives, or electronics to react with their environment are changing textile technology. Standardizing e-textiles or "wearables" has been promising for monitoring and communicating data, promoting health and safety, and improving athletic training. However, the complexity of developing test methods and standards for electronic components and textile standards for comfort, breathability, stretch, durability, and washability has been a challenge. Efforts are being made to develop these standards, with organizations like IPC and the Smart Textile Alliance working on test methods and guidelines. The development of standards and supply chains will help promote the growth of smart textile companies and ensure reliable and affordable products for consumers. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Coastal Rail Trail in Solana Beach, which is part of a larger 44-mile trail extending from Oceanside to San Diego. Currently, five sections of the trail are open, including the one in Solana Beach. The Solana Beach section of the trail is landscaped and features public art, offering a well-kept garden-like atmosphere. The trail is suitable for walking, running, biking, and even walking dogs. It is easily accessible by taking the train or Coaster to the Solana Beach Station. The article also mentions the diverse plant life along the trail, including succulents, drought-tolerant plants, and various blooming plants. Visitors can find more information, including a map and parking suggestions, on the website provided. [Extracted from the article]

LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) are mature non‐emissive display technologies. Both conventional LCoS and DLP use global illumination so that the whole display panel is illuminated regardless of the content. Therefore,it has challenges of high power consumption, low contrast ratio and so on. In this paper, we proposed a zonal illuminated LCoS and DLP systems, which greatly improve the contrast ratio and reduce the gray box artifacts. In addition, it saves >3x power consumption for typical sparse AR content.

We present an algorithm for the prediction of the incoming passengers at the airport’s security checkpoint with a resolution of 15 min for 2 weeks following the day of the prediction. This is characterized not only for its performance but also from its explainability in the outcomes. The algorithm has been integrated successfully at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for daily passenger predictions, which ultimately equipped the airport managers with information to perform a data-driven deployment of the necessary airport resources. These range from tailored Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer schedules and staff allocation to surveillance and supervision tasks. Some of the indirect consequences of this technology are congestion avoidance, the improvement of overall security at the airport facilities, the reduction of the waiting times, and the enhancement of the passenger experience.

Raised peatlands, or bogs, are gently mounded landforms that are composed entirely of organic matter1–4and store the most carbon per area of any terrestrial ecosystem5. The shapes of bogs are critically important because their domed morphology4,6,7accounts for much of the carbon that bogs store and determines how they will respond to interventions8,9to stop greenhouse gas emissions and fires after anthropogenic drainage10–13. However, a general theory to infer the morphology of bogs is still lacking4,6,7. Here we show that an equation based on the processes universal to bogs explains their morphology across biomes, from Alaska, through the tropics, to New Zealand. In contrast to earlier models of bog morphology that attempted to describe only long-term equilibrium shapes4,6,7and were, therefore, inapplicable to most bogs14–16, our approach makes no such assumption and makes it possible to infer full shapes of bogs from a sample of elevations, such as a single elevation transect. Our findings provide a foundation for quantitative inference about the morphology, hydrology and carbon storage of bogs through Earth’s history, as well as a basis for planning natural climate solutions by rewetting damaged bogs around the world.

Dual-income couples, where both partners in a romantic couple are employed, comprise a considerable portion of the workforce. Both partners can carry strain from paid work into the home, and the spillover-crossover model posits that individuals carry strain from one domain into another, affecting their well-being (i.e., spillover) and their partner’s well-being (i.e., crossover). Here, we present a meta-analysis examining the influence of actor’s and partner’s work-family conflict on their own and their partner’s marital satisfaction. We apply the actor-partner interdependence model to meta-analysis, demonstrating a methodologically robust synthesis of dyadic data. This novel approach allows us to rigorously test spillover-crossover theory and contribute to the scholarship on dual-income couples by providing a more holistic, field-wide summary of the relationships between work-family conflict and marital satisfaction. Results suggest that dual-income couples’ work-family conflict has a significant impact on their own and their partner’s marital satisfaction; spillover and crossover occurring between actor and partner work-family conflict explains variance in both actor and partner marital satisfaction. Our study provides methodological evidence to support the inclusion of dyadic data in meta-analysis, as well as expands our understanding of spillover and crossover in dual-income couples. Suggestions for future research and practice are presented.

Interracial relationships are becoming increasingly common in the United States, yet the physical health status of individuals in interracial relationships is not well understood. Using 18 years of pooled data from the National Health Interview Study (2001–2018) (N= 264, 891), we compared the odds of having multiple chronic conditions (MCC) among adults in interracial and same-race unions. We anticipate that individuals in interracial relationships may be at higher risk of MCC than individuals in same-race relationships due to increased exposure to stressors associated with crossing racial boundaries. Findings indicate that the implications of interracial relationships on MCC depended on the racial composition of the couple. We found that White-Black couples had higher odds of MCC than both White-White and Black-Black couples, but Asian-Black and Hispanic-Black couples did not differ from their same-race couple counterparts, indicating a pronounced and unique health disadvantage for White adults paired with Black adults. We also found that Asian-White and Hispanic-White couples had higher odds of MCC relative to their same-race counterparts. In addition, minority-minority couples generally did not differ from their same-race minority couple counterparts in terms of MCC. The results of the study provide new insights into how the racial composition of interracial unions impacts health and how a closer proximity to Whiteness may be a health risk for some minority groups.

The development of surface-immobilized molecular redox catalysts is an emerging research field with promising applications in sustainable chemistry. In electrocatalysis, paramagnetic species are often key intermediates in the mechanistic cycle but are inherently difficult to detect and follow by conventional in situ techniques. We report a new method, operando film-electrochemical electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (FE-EPR), which enables mechanistic studies of surface-immobilized electrocatalysts. This technique enables radicals formed during redox reactions to be followed in real time under flow conditions, at room temperature and in aqueous solution. Detailed insight into surface-immobilized catalysts, as exemplified here through alcohol oxidation catalysis by a surface-immobilized nitroxide, is possible by detecting active-site paramagnetic species sensitively and quantitatively operando, thereby enabling resolution of the reaction kinetics. Our finding that the surface electron-transfer rate, which is of the same order of magnitude as the rate of catalysis (accessible from operando FE-EPR), limits catalytic efficiency has implications for the future design of better surface-immobilized catalysts.

Background: Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided (EUS) gastrojejunostomy (GJ) has emerged as an alternative option to surgical palliation and endoscopic duodenal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Although early success rates are commonly reported with the technique, there is a paucity of data regarding the long-term efficacy of this approach. In this study, we investigated long-term outcomes in patients that underwent EUS-guided GJ for palliation of periampullary malignancies. Methods: From a total of 192 studies that were reviewed, 6 studies with a follow-up time frame of a minimum of 5 months were analyzed, totaling 238 patients. Outcome variables included technical success rate, clinical success rate, adverse events, symptom recurrence, and re-intervention rates. Results: The cohort of 238 patients had a technical success rate of 93.7% and a clinical success rate of 92.9%. A total of 25 patients (10.5%) experienced adverse events associated with EUS-GJ. A total of 14 patients (5.9%) experienced recurrence of GOO symptoms within 5 months. A total of 14 patients (5.9%) underwent re-intervention with the first 5 months. Conclusions: This systematic review shows that data are scarce regarding long-term effectiveness of EUS-guided GJ. Even though early success rates have been reported, further studies are needed to focus on long-term efficacy of this approach. Until such studies become available, surgical palliation should continue to be the treatment of choice for patients with malignant GOO with a prolonged life expectancy.

Research examining associations between frequent cannabis use in adolescence and brain-behavior outcomes has increased substantially over the past 2 decades. This review attempts to synthesize the state of evidence in this area of research while acknowledging challenges in interpretation. Although there is converging evidence that ongoing, frequent cannabis use in adolescence is associated with small reductions in cognitive functioning, there is still significant debate regarding the persistence of reductions after a period of abstinence. Similarly, there is controversy regarding the replicability of structural and functional neuroimaging findings related to frequent cannabis use in adolescence. Larger studies with informative designs are needed.