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Wetlands around the world face unprecedented threats, including from invasive species. In North America, the invasive cattail hybrid Typha x glauca dominates wetlands around the Laurentian Great Lakes; more recently it was found in high abundance across the central and eastern Prairie Pothole Region, an area that includes one of the world's largest wetland complexes. Surveys of the Typha hybrid zone have so far been largely conducted in areas where hybrids are well established, and it therefore remains unclear whether the range expansion of this invasive hybrid occurs after the establishment of its maternal species, T. angustifolia. We surveyed 50 wetlands in the western PPR and found that while 75% of plants were native T. latifolia, the second most common group was F1 hybrids, which had greater abundance and occupancy than T. angustifolia despite the fact that T. angustifolia produces relatively few hybrid seeds; our findings therefore highlight the importance of long-distance dispersal for this hybrid range expansion. The distribution of hybrids combined with the paucity of non-F1 hybrids suggest that the western PPR represents a leading edge of the range expansion by invasive T. × glauca. Our results show that T. × glauca has the capacity for continued range expansion that does not rely on the presence of T. angustifolia, and the impacts of this range expansion should be monitored because of its potential to impede ecosystem services and reduce local biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the most impactful invasive plants are hybrids that exhibit heterosis and outperform their parent species. Heterosis can result from multiple genetic processes, and may also be more likely when parental populations are inbred. However, although outcrossing between relatives and self-fertilization both occur in many widespread plants, no study to our knowledge has investigated whether inbreeding in parental populations could help to explain heterosis in hybrid plants that have displaced their parent species. In the wetlands of southeastern Canada there is a widespread Typha (cattail) hybrid zone in which native T. latifolia (broad-leafed cattail) interbreeds with introduced T. angustifolia (narrow-leafed cattail) to produce the invasive hybrid T. × glauca. Typha reproduce through self-fertilization, outcrossing, and clonal propagation. Heterosis has been identified in T. × glauca by comparing proxy fitness measures between hybrids and parent species, but these studies did not consider the potential importance of inbreeding in parental populations. Because F1 hybrids have higher heterozygosity than their parent species, the self-fertilized offspring of hybrids should have higher heterozygosity than the self-fertilized offspring of parent species; the latter should therefore be more inbred, and potentially more susceptible to inbreeding depression (ID). We tested the hypothesis that self-fertilization leads to greater ID in the offspring of T. latifolia and T. angustifolia compared to the offspring of F1 T. × glauca. We conducted common-garden and wetland experiments using seeds from hand-pollinated plants sourced from natural populations, and quantified several fitness-related metrics in the offspring of self-fertilized versus outcrossed parent species and hybrids. Our experiments provided no evidence that inbreeding leads to ID in self-fertilized T. angustifolia, T. latifolia or T. × glauca in either a common garden or a natural wetland, and thus show that heterosis in a widespread invasive hybrid does not rely on comparisons with inbred parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanides in the trivalent oxidation state are typically described using an ionic picture that leads to localized magnetic moments. The hierarchical energy scales associated with trivalent lanthanides produce desirable properties for e.g., molecular magnetism, quantum materials, and quantum transduction. Here, we show that this traditional ionic paradigm breaks down for praseodymium in the tetravalent oxidation state. Synthetic, spectroscopic, and theoretical tools deployed on several solid-state Pr4+-oxides uncover the unusual participation of 4f orbitals in bonding and the anomalous hybridization of the 4f1 configuration with ligand valence electrons, analogous to transition metals. The competition between crystal-field and spin-orbit-coupling interactions fundamentally transforms the spin-orbital magnetism of Pr4+, which departs from the Jeff = 1/2 limit and resembles that of high-valent actinides. Our results show that Pr4+ ions are in a class on their own, where the hierarchy of single-ion energy scales can be tailored to explore new correlated phenomena in quantum materials. Trivalent lanthanides are typically described using an ionic picture that leads to localized magnetic moments. Here authors show that the "textbook" description of lanthanides fails for Pr4+ ions where the hierarchy of single-ion energy scales can be tailored to explore correlated phenomena in quantum materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RENiO3 is a negative charge transfer energy system and exhibits a temperature-driven metal-insulator transition (MIT), which is also accompanied by a bond disproportionation (BD) transition. In order to explore how hole doping affects the BD transition, we have investigated the electronic structure of single-crystalline thin films of Nd1−xCaxNiO3 by synchrotron based experiments and ab-initio calculations. Here we show that for a small value of x, the doped holes are localized on one or more Ni sites around the dopant Ca2+ ions, while the BD state for the rest of the lattice remains intact. The effective charge transfer energy (Δ) increases with Ca concentration and the formation of BD phase is not favored above a critical x, suppressing the insulating phase. Our present study firmly demonstrates that the appearance of BD mode is essential for the MIT of the RENiO3 series. The metal-insulator transition is well-known phenomenon in condensed-matter physics but the mechanisms driving the insulating state can vary from system to system and so understanding the underlying physics is complex. Here, the authors investigate electronic structure of single crystalline, Ca-doped NdNiO3 using synchrotron measurements and DFT calculations, illuminating the importance of bond disproportionation in the observed properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plant management can support the restoration of native plant communities. Glyphosate-based herbicides are commonly used for management because glyphosate does not persist at toxic concentrations in water and soil; however, glyphosate can accumulate in the tissues of treated plants. This study investigated whether glyphosate-treated plants can release glyphosate in their leachate, and if so, whether leachate from glyphosate-treated versus untreated plants affects the germination and seedling growth of native plants. We sprayed industry-standard concentrations of glyphosate (Roundup WeatherMAX®) on two macrophyte taxa that are invasive in North America: Phragmites australis and Typha × glauca. Nine weeks after spraying, we submerged sprayed and unsprayed plant tissues in water to create leachate. We quantified glyphosate and the degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in leachate over 21 days, and assessed the effects of leachate from sprayed and unsprayed plants on the germination and growth of two co-occurring native macrophytes, Typha latifolia and Ammannia robusta. Leachate from both treated invasive plant taxa contained glyphosate and AMPA, with P. australis leaching more glyphosate on average than T. × glauca. Typha latifolia germination and growth was stimulated by leachate with and without glyphosate. Ammannia robusta exhibited mixed responses, with some indication that leachate and glyphosate residues exert temporary inhibitory effects. Our study demonstrated that glyphosate-sprayed plants can release glyphosate into the environment, but negative impacts from this leachate on the germination and growth of at least some native macrophytes are short-term (< 10 days). Nevertheless, early-stage growth can be important to successful establishment, and we therefore recommend that invasive plant managers consider species-specific effects of both glyphosate and leachate when planning restoration activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent findings, in vitro and in silico, are strengthening the idea of a simpler, earlier stage of genetically encoded proteins which used amino acids produced by prebiotic chemistry. These findings motivate a re-examination of prior work which has identified unusual properties of the set of twenty amino acids found within the full genetic code, while leaving it unclear whether similar patterns also characterize the subset of prebiotically plausible amino acids. We have suggested previously that this ambiguity may result from the low number of amino acids recognized by the definition of prebiotic plausibility used for the analysis. Here, we test this hypothesis using significantly updated data for organic material detected within meteorites, which contain several coded and non-coded amino acids absent from prior studies. In addition to confirming the well-established idea that "late" arriving amino acids expanded the chemistry space encoded by genetic material, we find that a prebiotically plausible subset of coded amino acids generally emulates the patterns found in the full set of 20, namely an exceptionally broad and even distribution of volumes and an exceptionally even distribution of hydrophobicities (quantified as logP) over a narrow range. However, the strength of this pattern varies depending on both the size and composition the library used to create a background (null model) for a random alphabet, and the precise definition of exactly which amino acids were present in a simpler, earlier code. Findings support the idea that a small sample size of amino acids caused previous ambiguous results, and further improvements in meteorite analysis, and/or prebiotic simulations will further clarify the nature and extent of unusual properties. We discuss the case of sulfur-containing amino acids as a specific and clear example and conclude by reviewing the potential impact of better understanding the chemical "logic" of a smaller forerunner to the standard amino acid alphabet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by interactions between bacterial infection and host response. Nutrition education plays an important role in preventing oral health diseases and related problems. The present research will assess oral hygiene practices, nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to added sugars, within the context of periodontal disease in low-income women. Methods: A pre-validated Dental Nutrition Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors questionnaire was distributed among 220 low-income women. Periodontal disease was measured using clinical attachment loss and probing pocket depth. One-way ANOVA, linear, and multivariate logistic regression were utilized for analysis. Results: Linear regression analysis exhibited significant positive associations of knowledge with attitude (r = 0.190, P = 0.000), and behavior (r = 0.298, P = 0.000), as well as attitude with behavior (r = 0.542, P = 0.000) of the low-income women. Women who scored higher on knowledge subscale were less likely to be in stage 2 [OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.008–0.582, P = 0.002] and 3 [OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.009–0.916, P = 0.021], as compared to the lower stage. Those who scored higher on the attitude and behavior subscales were less likely to be in stage 2 [OR = 0.191, 95% CI: 0.066-.0559, P = 0.003 vs OR = 0.501, 95% CI: 0.172–1.461, P = 0.046] and 3 [OR = 0.178, 95% CI: 0.051–0.620, P = 0.007 vs OR = 0.215, 95% CI: 0.062–0.744, P = 0.015] than in stage 1. Conclusions: Significant limited dental nutrition attitude, belief, and behavior regarding periodontal disease were observed. Health care professionals and dentists should provide nutrition counseling about periodontal disease during health care delivery visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young precocial birds benefit from staying close to both their mother and their siblings, while prioritising adults, which provide better care. Which features of the stimuli are used by young birds to prioritise approach and eventually attachment to adults over siblings is unknown. We started to address this question in newly hatched domestic chicks (Gallus gallus), focusing on their spontaneous preferences for visual features that systematically vary between adult and juvenile chickens, and that had previously been identified as attractive: size (larger in adults than in juveniles) and colour (darker and redder in adults than in juveniles). Overall, chicks at their first visual experience, that had never seen a conspecific beforehand, were most attracted to the red and large stimuli (two adult features) and spent more time in close proximity with red stimuli than with yellow stimuli. When tested with red large versus small objects (Exp. 1), chicks preferred the large shape. When tested with yellow large and small objects (Exp. 2), chicks did not show a preference. Chicks had a stronger preference for large red stimuli (vs. small yellow objects) than for small red stimuli (vs. a large yellow object) (Exp. 3). These results suggest that the combination of size and colour form the predisposition that helps chicks to spontaneously discriminate between adult and juvenile features from the first stages of life, in the absence of previous experience, exhibiting a preference to approach stimuli with features associated with the presence of adult conspecifics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resonant elastic X-ray scattering (REXS) offers a unique tool to investigate solid-state systems providing spatial knowledge from diffraction combined with electronic information through the enhanced absorption process, allowing the probing of magnetic, charge, spin, and orbital degrees of spatial order together with electronic structure. A new promising application of REXS is to elucidate the chiral structure of electrical polarization emergent in a ferroelectric oxide superlattice in which the polarization vectors in the REXS amplitude are implicitly described through an anisotropic tensor corresponding to the quadrupole moment. Here, we present a detailed theoretical framework and analysis to quantitatively analyze the experimental results of Ti L-edge REXS of a polar vortex array formed in a PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattice. Based on this theoretical framework, REXS for polar chiral structures can become a useful tool similar to x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS), enabling a comprehensive study of both electric and magnetic REXS on the chiral structures. The polar chiral texture of the vortex or skyrmion structure in ferroelectric oxide PbTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattice attracts attention. Here, the authors report a theoretical framework to probe emergent chirality of electrical polarization textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America has experienced extreme changes in wetland habitat due to proliferation of invasive plants. Typha × glauca is a highly competitive hybrid between native T. latifolia and non-native T. angustifolia, and it is likely the predominant taxon in PPR wetlands. Genetics-based studies are limited, and distributions are poorly known for the first-generation (F1) hybrid and advanced-generation hybrids from F1 mating. Information pertaining to the distribution of T. × glauca could benefit efforts to understand the mechanisms of its spread and to develop management strategies to limit hybrid expansion and preserve progenitors. We used microsatellite markers of field-collected tissue samples from 131 wetlands spread over approximately 350,000 km2 in the PPR to assess the distribution of hybrid T. × glauca relative to its parental species and to examine the prevalence of F1 hybrids and advanced-generation hybrids. Typha × glauca was found in over 80% of wetlands throughout the PPR, compared to 26 and 18% of wetlands with T. latifolia and T. angustifolia, respectively. Advanced-generation hybrids were more common than F1 hybrids, suggesting that hybridization is not a recent phenomenon. Hybrids were significantly taller than T. latifolia, indicating heterosis. Only 7% of sampled individual genets were pure T. latifolia. These results suggest that T. × glauca is pervasive throughout the PPR and may spread independently of both parents. In addition, limited prevalence of native T. latifolia indicates the need for active management to preserve the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2019, an estimated 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) globally with approximately 2.4 million living within the United States. Those living with HBV require years if not decades of regular monitoring to prevent liver complications from occurring. The aim of this study was to explore the working conceptual framework of health related quality of life (HRQL) for those living with chronic HBV through qualitative analysis. Methods: Data were collected by in-depth telephone interviews conducted in 2019 using purposeful sampling as part of a disease understanding assessment on the HBV patient experience within the United States. A directed content analysis approach was utilized by creation of a codebook to guide the organization of data, codes were developed by review of the literature (a priori) and through line-by-line reading of a subsample of queries. All transcripts were analyzed by at least two members of the study team and intercoder reliability was assessed using Dedoose software. Findings: A sample of 19 individuals living with chronic HBV were included within this study. Themes identified from transcripts noted the significant overlap between the reported experience of HBV and constructs within the HRQL model. The psychological impact of chronic HBV on study participants' HRQL overall was considerable and contributed to depression, anxiety, homelessness, drug use, and incarceration. Conclusion: Our analysis supports the hypothesis that HBV impacts HRQL and often negatively affects emotional health. Our findings suggest that it would be beneficial to include HRQL assessment in the medical management of HBV, so that interventions can focus on reducing the burden of disease and improving quality of life for those living with HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species can significantly impact native wildlife by structurally altering habitats and access to resources. Understanding how native species respond to habitat modification by invasive species can inform effective habitat restoration, avoiding inadvertent harm to species at risk. The invasive graminoids Phragmites australis australis (hereafter Phragmites) and Typha × glauca are increasingly dominating Nearctic wetlands, often outcompeting native vegetation. Previous research suggests that turtles may avoid invasive Phragmites when moving through their home ranges, but the mechanisms driving avoidance are unclear. We tested two hypotheses that could explain avoidance of invaded habitat: (1) that stands of invasive macrophytes (Phragmites and Typha x glauca) impede movement, and (2) that they provide inadequate thermal conditions for turtles. We quantified active-season movements of E. blandingii (n = 14, 1328 relocations) and spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata; n = 12, 2295 relocations) in a coastal wetland in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Neither hypothesis was supported by the data. Phragmites and mixed-species Typha stands occurred within the home ranges of mature, active E. blandingii and C. guttata, and were used similarly to most other available habitats, regardless of macrophyte stem density. Turtles using stands of invasive macrophytes did not experience restricted movements or cooler shell temperatures compared to other wetland habitat types. Control of invasive macrophytes can restore habitat heterogeneity and benefit native wetland species. However, such restoration work should be informed by the presence of at-risk turtles, as heavy machinery used for control or removal may injure turtles that use these stands as habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States (U.S.), up to 2.2 million individuals have been chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Many nail salon workers are at risk for HBV as they are coming from high-risk and traditionally underserved communities. To understand barriers and knowledge associated with HBV in the Vietnamese nail salon community, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to qualitatively assess the health needs for the prevention of HBV among Vietnamese nail salon workers in Philadelphia through focus groups and interviews (N = 19). Results revealed several themes that highlight barriers within the Vietnamese nail community. Major themes were the lack of knowledge related to hepatitis B, including significant misconceptions related to symptoms, and how hepatitis B is transmitted and prevented. There were also several barriers to health care access within the Vietnamese nail community including the cost of health care, long work hours, lack of insurance and lack of understanding of current community resources. Additionally, discrimination and stigma related to those infected with hepatitis B emerged as a theme from this data. Those interviewed also noted that the nail training and licensing they received did not highlight hepatitis B and other infectious diseases that can be spread within the nail salon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) is an intriguing transport phenomenon occurring typically in ferromagnets as a consequence of broken time reversal symmetry and spin-orbit interaction. It can be caused by two microscopically distinct mechanisms, namely, by skew or side-jump scattering due to chiral features of the disorder scattering, or by an intrinsic contribution directly linked to the topological properties of the Bloch states. Here we show that the AHE can be artificially engineered in materials in which it is originally absent by combining the effects of symmetry breaking, spin orbit interaction and proximity-induced magnetism. In particular, we find a strikingly large AHE that emerges at the interface between a ferromagnetic manganite (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3) and a semimetallic iridate (SrIrO3). It is intrinsic and originates in the proximity-induced magnetism present in the narrow bands of strong spin-orbit coupling material SrIrO3, which yields values of anomalous Hall conductivity and Hall angle as high as those observed in bulk transition-metal ferromagnets. These results demonstrate the interplay between correlated electron physics and topological phenomena at interfaces between 3d ferromagnets and strong spin-orbit coupling 5d oxides and trace an exciting path towards future topological spintronics at oxide interfaces. The anomalous Hall effect (AHE) occurs in ferromagnets caused by intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Here, Yoo et al. report large anomalous Hall conductivity and Hall angle at the interface between a ferromagnet La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and a semimetallic SrIrO3, due to the interplay between correlated physics and topological phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a significant research tool for biological and medical research with major advancements achieved from nanoparticle (Np) applications in biosensing and biotherapeutics. For laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS) to be chosen by researchers for Np colloid production, the process must effectively compete with chemical synthesis in terms of produced colloid quality and productivity while taking advantage of LASiS benefits in terms of its 'green-synthesis' and single-step functionalisation abilities. In this work, a newly developed integrated LASiS Np manufacturing system is presented including a Np flow reactor design, an at-line Np size monitoring via 180° dynamic light scattering, and a UV-Vis spectroscopy system used to estimate colloid concentration and stability. The experimental outcomes are discussed in terms of Np productivity and quality via these at-line measurements from the UV-Vis and DLS systems. The developed instrument was validated via off-line SiNps DLS, UV-Vis and morphology tests via TEM. Ultra-high quality and nanoparticle fabrication rate efficiency was achieved and is reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of whether some cases of interstitial cystitis may have an infectious etiology has been debated for some time. Previous studies have looked for the presence of certain specific viruses, but generally did not use the types of sensitive and unbiased approaches that are currently available. As part of the MAPP (Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain) Research Network, we examined urine specimens from interstitial cystitis patients who provided specimens over time and also reported various symptoms at the time of urine collection. We first performed next-generation sequencing to look for the presence of viruses in urines, and detected two human polyomaviruses that are known to be excreted into urine, BKPyV and JCPyV. We were especially interested in BKPyV because it is a known cause of another bladder disease, hemorrhagic cystitis, in bone marrow transplant recipients. Further analysis of individual samples indicates a trend toward higher excretion of polyomaviruses in patients experiencing increased symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viable microorganisms collected from the Earth's upper atmosphere are mysterious considering the intensely biocidal ultraviolet (UV) light conditions dominating rarefied air. Historically, most investigations examining the relationship between bioaerosols and UV conditions in the upper atmosphere have relied upon model-generated data. To address the shortage of in situ UV measurements in the upper troposphere and lower/middle stratosphere, we flew a meteorological balloon equipped with a UV radiometer and other core environmental sensors. The balloon payload launched from Illinois, USA, on October 6, 2018, and acquired UVA (315–400 nm) + UVB (280–315 nm) measurements for ~ 2 h up to 30.9 km. Above the atmospheric boundary layer, UVA + UVB values registered around 6 mW cm−2, results that were largely consistent with Tropospheric Ultraviolet–Visible model predictions. Performed in a low-cost, reusable manner with commercially available instruments, we show that reliable UV flux data can be acquired with meteorological balloon payload systems. This short communication provides relevant UVA + UVB results for aerobiology and astrobiology studies evaluating the survivability of microorganisms in the upper atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typha is an iconic wetland plant found worldwide. Hybridization and anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in large increases in Typha abundance in wetland ecosystems throughout North America at a cost to native floral and faunal biodiversity. As demonstrated by three regional case studies, Typha is capable of rapidly colonizing habitats and forming monodominant vegetation stands due to traits such as robust size, rapid growth rate, and rhizomatic expansion. Increased nutrient inputs into wetlands and altered hydrologic regimes are among the principal anthropogenic drivers of Typha invasion. Typha is associated with a wide range of negative ecological impacts to wetland and agricultural systems, but also is linked with a variety of ecosystem services such as bioremediation and provisioning of biomass, as well as an assortment of traditional cultural uses. Numerous physical, chemical, and hydrologic control methods are used to manage invasive Typha, but results are inconsistent and multiple methods and repeated treatments often are required. While this review focuses on invasive Typha in North America, the literature cited comes from research on Typha and other invasive species from around the world. As such, many of the underlying concepts in this review are relevant to invasive species in other wetland ecosystems worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening patients admitted with stroke symptoms for risk of aspiration is often the responsibility of registered nurses (RNs). Simulation technology has become a widely used evidence-based form of training for healthcare professionals. The purpose of this study was to determine if the use of medical simulation mannequins as a training component is feasible when training and evaluating nurses administering swallowing screenings to stroke patients. A total of 32 RNs were divided into one of two training groups: didactic training only or didactic training plus simulation. Acquisition of skills was assessed immediately post-training and compared between the groups revealing significant differences between simulation group and didactic-only group for interpretation (p = 0.01) and administration (p = 0.05) accuracies. Following training to 100 % accuracy for post-training baseline competency, maintenance of skills across participants was assessed three more times over 6 weeks with the third follow-up screening completed with a standardized patient (live patient actor). While interpretation performance at each subsequent trial never equaled the baseline 100 % post-training accuracy (p = 0.001), steady improvement in performance was observed with each follow-up assessment. For screening administration, no significant differences in skills were evident between post-training baseline competency and the 6-week follow-up (p = 0.269) further confirming improvement in skills over time. Extension of screening administration and interpretation skills to the standardized patient was evident. Findings indicate that simulation training using medical mannequins can be used to train and evaluate nurses for obtainment and maintenance of swallowing screening competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupling of ordered electronic phases with lattice, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom are of central interest in strongly correlated systems. Their interplay has been intensively studied from femtosecond to picosecond time scales, while their dynamics beyond nanoseconds are usually assumed to follow lattice cooling. Here, we report an unusual slowing down of the recovery of an electronic phase across a first-order phase transition. Following optical excitation, the recovery time of both transient optical reflectivity and X-ray diffraction intensity from the charge-ordered superstructure in a La1/3Sr2/3FeO3 thin film increases by orders of magnitude as the sample temperature approaches the phase transition temperature. In this regime, the recovery time becomes much longer than the lattice cooling time. The combined experimental and theoretical investigation shows that the slowing down of electronic recovery corresponds to the pseudo-critical dynamics that originates from magnetic interactions close to a weakly first-order phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in resource-poor settings are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. GBMSM living in these settings may face unique barriers to HIV prevention, including legal barriers and increased sexuality-based stigma. It is therefore imperative to tailor HIV prevention and care resources to recognize the lived realities of GBMSM in these settings. Central to this is the accurate measurement of sexuality-based stigma. However, there is wide inconsistency in how sexuality-based stigma is measured among GBMSM in resource-poor settings. This paper reviews recent studies of sexuality-based stigma among GBMSM in resource-poor settings, finding great variability in measurements. The results of the review call for greater attention to the development of contextually and culturally specific measures of sexuality-based stigma for GBMSM living in resource-poor settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen defect control has long been considered an important route to functionalizing complex oxide films. However, the nature of oxygen defects in thin films is often not investigated beyond basic redox chemistry. One of the model examples for oxygen-defect studies is the layered Ruddlesden-Popper phase La2-xSrxCuO4-δ (LSCO), in which the superconducting transition temperature is highly sensitive to epitaxial strain. However, previous observations of strain-superconductivity coupling in LSCO thin films were mainly understood in terms of elastic contributions to mechanical buckling, with minimal consideration of kinetic or thermodynamic factors. Here, we report that the oxygen nonstoichiometry commonly reported for strained cuprates is mediated by the strain-modified surface exchange kinetics, rather than reduced thermodynamic oxygen formation energies. Remarkably, tensile-strained LSCO shows nearly an order of magnitude faster oxygen exchange rate than a compressively strained film, providing a strategy for developing highperformance energy materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing materials to function in harsh environments, such as conductive aqueous media, is a problem of broad interest to a range of technologies, including energy, ocean monitoring and biological applications. The main challenge is to retain the stability and morphology of the material as it interacts dynamically with the surrounding environment. Materials that respond to mild stimuli through collective phase transitions and amplify signals could open up new avenues for sensing. Here we present the discovery of an electric-field-driven, water-mediated reversible phase change in a perovskite-structured nickelate, SmNiO3. This prototypical strongly correlated quantum material is stable in salt water, does not corrode, and allows exchange of protons with the surrounding water at ambient temperature, with the concurrent modification in electrical resistance and optical properties being capable of multi-modal readout. Besides operating both as thermistors and pH sensors, devices made of this material can detect sub-volt electric potentials in salt water. We postulate that such devices could be used in oceanic environments for monitoring electrical signals from various maritime vessels and sea creatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting multiferroic BiFeO3 thin films in spintronic devices requires deterministic and robust control of both internal magnetoelectric coupling in BiFeO3, as well as exchange coupling of its antiferromagnetic order to a ferromagnetic overlayer. Previous reports utilized approaches based on multi-step ferroelectric switching with multiple ferroelectric domains. Because domain walls can be responsible for fatigue, contain localized charges intrinsically or via defects, and present problems for device reproducibility and scaling, an alternative approach using a monodomain magnetoelectric state with single-step switching is desirable. Here we demonstrate room temperature, deterministic and robust, exchange coupling between monodomain BiFeO3 films and Co overlayer that is intrinsic (i.e., not dependent on domain walls). Direct coupling between BiFeO3 antiferromagnetic order and Co magnetization is observed, with ~ 90° in-plane Co moment rotation upon single-step switching that is reproducible for hundreds of cycles. This has important consequences for practical, low power non-volatile magnetoelectric devices utilizing BiFeO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattails ( Typha spp.) are common and abundant in wetlands around the world, and can be invasive. Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia are two widely distributed species that in North America produce the invasive hybrid T. × glauca, of which T. angustifolia is the maternal parent. A recent study identified polyphyly in T. angustifolia resulting from core and divergent chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) lineages. We used a combination of chloroplast and nuclear genetic data to test two hypotheses: (1) T. angustifolia with the divergent cpDNA lineage represents a cryptic species and (2) divergent cpDNA T. angustifolia haplotypes predominate in areas where T. × glauca is invasive. Our data reject the hypothesis of a cryptic species, and we suggest that the divergent lineage arose in T. angustifolia following historical hybridization and introgression . Typha × glauca may therefore be a three-way hybrid involving T. latifolia, T. angustifolia, and an introgressed cpDNA lineage from an unidentified congener. The divergent cpDNA T. angustifolia haplotype is widespread across areas where T. × glauca is invasive, but is also found in areas where T. × glauca is maintained at very low frequencies; therefore, cpDNA lineages cannot be the sole explanation for T. × glauca invasiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of child soldiers is a problem of the ages, and there are no positive signs that it is abating. The difference now is that, with the development of modern weapons technology, children can be involved in large scale and horrific acts during conflicts. The circumstances surrounding the use of children to wage war will vary from situation to situation. Yet, it has been suggested that many people seem to have a 'single focussed' view of what child soldiers look like, what their motivations are, and why they are engaged in activities associated with conflict. This article reflects on the recent views expressed by Mark A. Drumbl, who argues that we should 'reimagine' child soldiers, and offers some further views as to how this issue should best be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Youth Transition Project was designed to provide youth with mental health and addiction issues with individualized transitional care plans as they transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Over an 18-month period, a total of 127 (59.1%) youth were transitioned and seen by an AMHS provider, 41 (19.1%) remained on a waitlist for services and 47 (21.8%) canceled services. The average time to transition was 110 days (SD = 100). Youth exhibited a wide range of diagnoses; 100% of the population was identified as having serious psychiatric problems. Findings demonstrate that the Youth Transition Project has been successful in promoting continuity of care by transitioning youth seamlessly from youth to adult services. Inconsistencies in wait times and service delivery suggest that further model development is needed to enhance the long-term sustainability of the Youth Transition Project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although cattails ( Typha spp.) are important components of wetlands around the world, the three most widespread species ( T. angustifolia, T. domingensis, T. latifolia) are becoming increasingly dominant. We used global phylogenetic and phylogeographic assessments to test the hypotheses that each species has experienced multiple introductions of divergent lineages into North America and that commercial retailers are aiding long-distance dispersal. Our analyses identified T. angustifolia as a paraphyletic species with a highly divergent lineage. We found evidence for at least one introduced T. angustifolia lineage in wild populations and garden centres of North America. Although potentially complicated by incomplete lineage sorting, our data suggest dispersal of T. domingensis between Europe and Australia, and further investigation should assess a possible introduction of a non-native T. domingensis lineage into North America. T. latifolia has experienced bidirectional dispersal between North America and Europe, and a sample of T. latifolia purchased in a Canadian garden centre was an Asian lineage. Interspecific hybridization and novel intraspecific admixture have been repeatedly implicated in biological invasions, including invasions by the hybrid cattail Typha × glauca, and future work should focus on the potential contributions of non-native lineages to regional patterns of invasion by Typha spp. in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of peripheral populations is potentially important to the future adaptive capacity of species, although may be difficult to predict. A large number of species-at-risk in Canada are at the northern edge of their distribution, and many of these live in fragmented habitat. We used nuclear and chloroplast markers to assess patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation within and among populations of Canadian Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber tree), an endangered species in Canada that extends as far north as the fragmented Carolinian forest in southern Ontario. We also compared the genetic composition of Canadian M. acuminata to populations sampled throughout its central distribution in the USA. We found a high proportion of shared microsatellite alleles, plus a single cpDNA haplotype, distributed throughout the entire M. acuminata range. We also found that despite occupying fragmented habitat at their range periphery, Canadian populations showed little reduction in genetic diversity relative to the USA populations, and we attribute this to effective historical dispersal in a long-lived, polyploid species. However, a combination of private alleles, genetic substructuring, and lower levels of genetic diversity in seedlings compared to mature trees, suggests that current levels of gene flow are relatively low among Canadian populations. Therefore, despite high levels of genetic diversity in Canadian M. acuminata, managers should be aware that without intervention, populations will likely become increasingly isolated and experience a reduction in genetic diversity which in turn may threaten their long-term survival in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Appropriate surveillance intervals for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is one of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 2014 physician quality reporting system measures. Appropriateness of surveillance intervals will continue to be monitored closely, particularly as reimbursements become tied to quality measures.Aims: Quantify and identify predictors for guideline-concordant surveillance recommendations after adenoma polypectomy.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who had colonoscopy with polypectomy at a safety-net health system between June 2011 and December 2013. Surveillance recommendations shorter and longer than guideline recommendations were defined as potential overuse and underuse. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify correlates of guideline-concordant surveillance recommendations, overuse, and underuse.Results: Among 1,822 patients with polypectomy, 1,329 had ≥1 adenoma. Surveillance interval recommendations were guideline-concordant in 1,410 (77.4%) patients, potential overuse in 263 (14.4%), potential underuse in 85 (4.7%), and missing in 64 (3.5%) patients. Predictors of guideline-concordant recommendations in multivariate analyses included age >65 years (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02-1.80), incomplete resection (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.41-9.09), and good/excellent prep quality (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.72-2.86). Underuse recommendations were more likely in patients with ≥3 adenomas; overuse recommendations were more likely in patients with high-grade dysplasia or fair prep quality and less likely in those with piecemeal resection, ≥3 adenomas, age >65, or Hispanic ethnicity.Conclusions: Surveillance recommendations are not concordant with guidelines in one of four cases. Interventions to improve prep quality and guideline concordance of surveillance recommendations can improve cost-effectiveness of CRC screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]