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Breast cancer is the primary cause of cancer‐related death in women worldwide. Breast cancer subtypes are characterized by different gene expression patterns, which drive their prognostic factors and therapeutic options. Among them, triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the deadliest due to its aggressiveness, high rate of early recurrence and distant metastases, and limited therapeutic options. Despite the recent approval of monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) or its ligand (PD‐L1) for the treatment of TNBC patients with a locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic tumor expressing PD‐L1, their response rate is very modest. It is reported that polymeric nanoparticle (NP)‐based cancer vaccines, co‐entrapping tumor‐associated antigens, Toll‐like receptor ligands and small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 by dendritic cells, sensitized TNBC to the agonist immune checkpoint OX40, inhibiting tumor growth and increasing overall survival. This anti‐tumor immune‐mediated effect is also observed in a luminal type of mammary cancer similar to human disease. Therefore, these synergistic anticancer effects of αOX40 and the antigen‐specific adaptive immunity induced by nanovaccine‐mediated TGF‐β silencing may guide the development of novel combination regimens able to improve the response rate to this aggressive tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic discourse on food justice and sustainable food consumption needs to be informed by empirical contributions and heterogenous conceptualisations from diverse parts of the world. This paper broadens the dialogue with a variety of voices and knowledges, rooting itself not only in the specific political and social context, but also the discursive and epistemic traditions of Brazil, which stand in dialogue with international discourses. Firstly, an analysis is offered of the multi‐stakeholder process that since the mid‐1990s shaped the discourse, theorisation and policy making on food justice and sustainable food consumption in Brazil. Emerging from this process were globally leading Brazilian policy initiatives such as Zero Hunger, the School Feeding Program, the progressive Food Guide, and co‐crafted concepts such as comida de verdade. The institutional architecture for this discourse, the National Food Council and regular conferences, were dismantled in 2019 after a change in government. Secondly, the paper presents data from 30 interviews with key stakeholders from civil society, policy, business, media and celebrity influencers, conducted at the time of the dissolution. Three key subdiscourses on sustainable food consumption emerge: access, with an emphasis on right to food; health; and re‐conhecimento, a term we use to articulate the confluence of multiple knowledges and consciousnesses, including an insistence on the cultural role of food. Throughout the interviews, co‐crafted concepts and phrases emerging from the multistakeholder process reverberated. The paper argues that the multi‐stakeholder process resulted not just in a coherent shared discourse, concepts and policy during a period of conducive policy environment, but also in collective resilience. The invisible edifice of shared ideas and commitments around this public issue is still intact and may be reactivated in future. In times of increased political polarisation, not just in Brazil, this is an important argument for investing in such long‐term multi‐stakeholder dialogue processes. This paper analyses the distinct multi‐stakeholder process which shaped the discourse, theorisation and policy making on food justice and sustainable food consumption in Brazil. It presents data from 30 interviews with key stakeholders, from which three sub‐discourses emerge: access; health; and re‐conhecimento. The paper argues that although the multi‐stakeholder forums crafting this discourse were dismantled in 2019 after a change in government, the process of co‐crafting has resulted in key concepts and a shared vision which demonstrate collective epistemic resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a perspective on principles and care pathways for caries management in children. Topics discussed include advances in the science of cariology, evidence-based care pathway for caries management, prevention and restorative strategies, caries risk/susceptibility assessment, shared decision-making in oral healthcare, and active surveillance as part of restorative dental care, advances in clinical caries management for children, improvements for oral health systems.

Global climatic and palaeogeographical changes generated a siliciclastic–carbonate system with high organic matter accumulations in a shallow sea during the lower Permian in Western Gondwana. The 60 m thick mixed siliciclastic–carbonate succession (Irati Formation and the base of the Serra Alta Formation) from the Paraná Basin represents a singular record of the interplay between carbonate production and siliciclastic input, providing a window of opportunity to integrate large‐scale depositional architecture with facies and geochemical analyses. The detailed study of cores supported by outcrop columnar sections revealed a siliciclastic‐dominated, retrogradational to aggradational facies, and a carbonate‐dominated, mixed aggradational to progradational facies composing three depositional sequences that record an outer‐ramp and mid to upper‐ramp. An integrated approach based on the description of facies and microfacies, organic geochemistry and mineralogical composition, indicated high‐frequency palaeoenvironmental changes during the evolution of this restricted basin. Climate changes, resulting in humid and dry phases, produced ideal conditions for high organic matter production and dolomite formation. The high organic matter production (humid phases) in addition to the restricted condition was responsible for the anoxic bottom waters that were widespread due to the low angle and homoclinal platform. Nutrient‐rich freshwater inflows in the anoxic and hypersaline restricted basin created a density‐stratified water column causing low‐salinity surface and anoxic bottom water, which allowed planktonic life, typical of lakes, such Botryococcus braunii, to flourish in the photic zone and sulphur bacteria to populate below the chemocline. Microbial activity induced primary dolomite precipitation (dry phases) and widespread formation of synsedimentary dolostone. Freshwater inflow and marine incursions are reflected in the organic matter accumulation (kerogen types I and II, respectively), generating bituminous shale with high total organic carbon (5 to 27 wt.%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry comprises technologies that transform synthetic or natural fibers into yarn, cloth, and felt for manufacturing clothing, upholstery, and household linens. The major public health threat in tropical and subtropical countries is mosquito‐borne malaria. Nowadays, the demand for insect repellent‐based textiles is continuously rising, as they are used for protection against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The present work reviews studies on the fabrication of insect repellent containing electrospun polymeric nanofibers as principal tools for protecting people against mosquito bites. Electrospinning technology is a remarkably facile technique for fabricating polymeric nanofiber devices. The technique is outlined and elucidated. The performance of insect repellent‐based polymeric nanofibers against mosquitoes is carefully reported and comprehensively reviewed in‐depth. Furthermore, the progress made on the mathematical modeling of the release rate of repellents through polymeric nanofiber devices is reviewed. The reviewed studies demonstrate that repellents can be released slowly from electrospun nanofibers, increasing the product's protection period against insects. The reviewed works suggest that electrospinning technology has led to an effective and facile methodology for fabricating functional nanofiber textiles with insect repellent. The reviewed studies showed that product‐based repellents can be effective not only against malaria but also against other mosquito‐borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate‐driven ocean warming has decreased dissolved oxygen (DO) levels (ocean deoxygenation) leading to expansions of hypoxic zones, which will affect the movements, behaviour, physiology and distributions of marine animals. However, the precise responses of animals to low DO remains poorly understood because movements and activity levels are seldom recorded alongside instantaneous DO in situ.We describe a new animal‐attached (dissolved oxygen measuring, DOME) archival tag with an optical oxygen sensor for recording DO, in addition to sensors for temperature and depth, a triaxial accelerometer for fine‐scale movements and activity, and a GPS for tag recovery. All sensors were integrated on a single electronic board.Calibration tests demonstrated small mean difference between DOME tag and factory‐calibrated DO sensors (mean relative error of 5%). No temporal drift occurred over a test period three times longer than the maximum deployment time. Deployments on four blue sharks (Prionace glauca) in the central North Atlantic Ocean showed regular vertical oscillations from the surface to a maximum of 404 m. Profiles from diving sharks recorded DO concentrations ranging from 217 to 272 μmol L−1, temperatures between 13°C and 23°C, and identified an oxygen maximum at ~45 m depth, all of which were consistent with ship‐based measurements. Interestingly, the percentage of time sharks spent burst swimming was greater in the top 85 m compared to deeper depths, potentially because of higher prey availability in the surface layer.The DOME tag described blue shark fine‐scale movements and activity levels in relation to accurately measured in situ DO and temperature, with the potential to offer new insights of animal performance in low oxygen environments. Development of a tag with physico‐chemical and movement sensors on a single electronic board is a first step towards satellite relay of these data over broader spatiotemporal scales (months over thousands of kilometres) to determine direct and indirect responses of marine animals to heatwave and deoxygenation events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti‐Spike IgG antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2, which are elicited by vaccination and infection, are correlates of protection against infection with pre‐Omicron variants. Whether this association can be generalized to infections with Omicron variants is unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 8457 blood donors in Tyrol, Austria, analyzing 15,340 anti‐Spike IgG antibody measurements from March 2021 to December 2022 assessed by Abbott SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG II chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Using a Bayesian joint model, we estimated antibody trajectories and adjusted hazard ratios for incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infection ascertained by self‐report or seroconversion of anti‐Nucleocapsid antibodies. At the time of their earliest available anti‐Spike IgG antibody measurement (median November 23, 2021), participants had a median age of 46.0 years (IQR 32.8–55.2), with 45.3% being female, 41.3% having a prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and 75.5% having received at least one dose of a COVID‐19 vaccine. Among 6159 participants with endpoint data, 3700 incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infections with predominantly Omicron sublineages were recorded over a median of 8.8 months (IQR 5.7–12.4). The age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio for SARS‐CoV‐2 associated with having twice the anti‐Spike IgG antibody titer was 0.875 (95% credible interval 0.868–0.881) overall, 0.842 (0.827–0.856) during 2021, and 0.884 (0.877–0.891) during 2022 (all p < 0.001). The associations were similar in females and males (Pinteraction = 0.673) and across age (Pinteraction = 0.590). Higher anti‐Spike IgG antibody titers were associated with reduced risk of incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infection across the entire observation period. While the magnitude of association was slightly weakened in the Omicron era, anti‐Spike IgG antibody continues to be a suitable correlate of protection against newer SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using seven indicator traits, we investigated the genetic basis of bull fertility and predicted gene interactions from SNP associations. We used percent normal sperm as the key phenotype for the association weight matrix–partial correlation information theory (AWM‐PCIT) approach. Beyond a simple list of candidate genes, AWM‐PCIT predicts significant gene interactions and associations for the selected traits. These interactions formed a network of 537 genes: 38 genes were transcription cofactors, and 41 genes were transcription factors. The network displayed two distinct clusters, one with 294 genes and another with 243 genes. The network is enriched in fertility‐associated pathways: steroid biosynthesis, p53 signalling, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Enrichment analysis also highlighted gene ontology terms associated with 'regulation of neurotransmitter secretion' and 'chromatin formation'. Our network recapitulates some genes previously implicated in another network built with lower‐density genotypes. Sequence‐level data also highlights additional candidate genes relevant to bull fertility, such as FOXO4, FOXP3, GATA1, CYP27B1, and EBP. A trio of regulatory genes—KDM5C, LRRK2, and PME—was deemed core to the network because of their overarching connections. This trio probably influences bull fertility through their interaction with genes, both known and unknown as to their role in male fertility. Future studies may target the trio and their target genes to enrich our understanding of male fertility further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to develop and validate predictive models that assess the risk of leprosy development among contacts, contributing to an enhanced understanding of disease occurrence in this population. Methods: A cohort of 600 contacts of people with leprosy treated at the National Reference Center for Leprosy and Health Dermatology at the Federal University of Uberlândia (CREDESH/HC‐UFU) was followed up between 2002 and 2022. The database was divided into two parts: two‐third to construct the disease risk score and one‐third to validate this score. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to construct the disease score. Results: Of the four models constructed, model 3, which included the variables anti‐phenolic glycolipid I immunoglobulin M positive, absence of Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine scar and age ≥60 years, was considered the best for identifying a higher risk of illness, with a specificity of 89.2%, a positive predictive value of 60% and an accuracy of 78%. Conclusions: Risk prediction models can contribute to the management of leprosy contacts and the systematisation of contact surveillance protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With technological advancements, much data is being captured by sensors, smartphones, wearable devices, and so forth. These vast datasets are stored in data centres and utilized to forge data‐driven models for the condition monitoring of infrastructures and systems through future data mining tasks. However, these datasets often surpass the processing capabilities of traditional information systems and methodologies due to their significant size. Additionally, not all samples within these datasets contribute valuable information during the model training phase, leading to inefficiencies. The processing and training of Machine Learning algorithms become time‐consuming, and storing all the data demands excessive space, contributing to the Big Data challenge. In this paper, we propose two novel techniques to reduce large time‐series datasets into more compact versions without undermining the predictive performance of the resulting models. These methods also aim to decrease the time required for training the models and the storage space needed for the condensed datasets. We evaluated our techniques on five public datasets, employing three Machine Learning algorithms: Holt‐Winters, SARIMA, and LSTM. The outcomes indicate that for most of the datasets examined, our techniques maintain, and in several instances enhance, the forecasting accuracy of the models. Moreover, we significantly reduced the time required to train the Machine Learning algorithms employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heating magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with AC (Alternating Current) magnetic fields has received significant attention in recent years, particularly for biomedical uses. However, most studies focus on characterizing the heat release, overlooking the fact that the MNPs in the viscous cell environment constitute a dynamic magnetic colloid whose configuration may evolve over time, particularly if a driving force as the AC field is applied. Aiming to shed light on this matter, in this workthe dynamics of the colloid structure during hyperthermia experiments are studied. By combining various experimental and theoretical tools, it is concluded that the AC field may drive the formation of aligned structures, and the impact that such structures may have on the associated heating is assessed. Remarkably, the results show that those field‐driven structures are highly unstable for small particle sizes, rapidly disassembling upon field removal. Moreover, an analogous behavior in vitro is found, with the AC magnetic field also promoting a reversible alignment of vesicles containing the MNPs within the cells. The results suggest that the observed alignment, both of MNPs and intracellular vesicles, may be a common phenomenon in usual hyperthermia experiments, but unnoticed because of the intrinsic unstable nature of the aligned structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of selective area growth (SAG) in a mature semi‐insulating buried heterostructure (SIBH) platform for the realization of photonic integrated circuits on monolithic InP has been demonstrated. A thorough determination of the relations between quantum well thickness, transition energies, and mask geometries is performed on dedicated wafers by means of extensive micro‐X‐Ray diffraction and microphotoluminescence measurements. Based on those results, SAG is used to grow, with a single epitaxy step, AlGaInAs multiple quantum wells heterostructures, to tailor the active regions of Fabry–Pérot and distributed feedback (DFB) lasers emitting in the O‐Band. SIBH DFB lasers are realized, exhibiting threshold currents < 7.2 mA (at 25 °C), and emitting over 100‐nm spectral range in the O‐Band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radar systems are a topic of great interest, especially due to their extensive range of applications and ability to operate in all weather conditions. Modern radars have high requirements such as its resolution, accuracy and robustness, depending on the application. Noise Radar Technology (NRT) has the upper hand when compared to conventional radar technology in several characteristics. Its robustness to jamming, low Mutual Interference and low probability of intercept are good examples of these advantages. However, its signal processing is more complex than that associated to a conventional radar. Artificial Intelligence (AI)‐based signal processing is getting increasing attention from the research community. However, there is yet not much research on these methods for noise radar signal processing. The aim of the authors is to provide general information regarding the research performed on radar systems using AI and draw conclusions about the future of AI in noise radar. The authors introduce the use of AI‐based algorithms for NRT and provide results for its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migrant students tend to underperform in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and are less likely to pursue higher education in STEM when compared with their nonmigrant peers. Given the substantial increase in migration, this disparity has been a central concern in science education in many European countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an innovative science outreach program that brings together migrant students and STEM professionals with the same linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The program consists of one‐off workshops that follow an inquiry‐based approach and include hands‐on activities and science communication in the students' heritage language. Using surveys with adapted scales and open‐ended questions, we applied a randomized block design with waitlist control groups and repeated measures. Eighty‐three Portuguese‐speaking migrant students aged 6–17 years participated in the workshops in Germany and the United Kingdom. Results indicate that both the students and STEM professionals evaluated the program positively and that students who participated in the workshops tended to demonstrate an increase in their attainment value for science and an increase in their self‐concept of ability for the heritage language 4 weeks after the intervention when compared with students in the control condition. These effects were particularly pronounced for students with low prior motivation to study science or speak the heritage language. Our results thus show that it is possible to foster migrant students' attainment value for science and increase their self‐concept of ability regarding the heritage language through a brief science outreach intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new methodology for sensitivity analysis evaluation, fast and with high precision of the electric potential distribution near the transmission lines (TL's). The TL is modeled by the finite element method and the sensitivity of the cable positions is obtained using the adjoint method. The sensitivity of the objective function during the optimization process by using methods based on gradient information is obtained by using the adjoint method. The exact sensitivity obtained by the adjoint method concerning the numeric model of the TL's results in new geometries of the bundles conductors with high surge impedance loading. These geometries are not possible to get using analytic models. The sensitivities of a large number of conductors by phase are obtained with high precision and very low computational cost using adjoint sensitivities, which are independent of the number of design variables. The central finite difference method is used to calculate the sensitivities and to validate the adjoint method. With this methodology, the FEM model of the TL can be used during the optimization process without compromising the required computational processing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Archean Superior craton was formed by the assemblage of continental and oceanic terranes at ∼2.6 Ga. The craton is surrounded by multiple Proterozoic mobile belts, including the Paleoproterozoic Trans‐Hudson Orogen which brought together the Superior and Rae/Hearne cratons at ∼1.9–1.8 Ga. Despite numerous studies on Precambrian lithospheric formation and evolution, the deep thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and its surroundings remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the upper mantle beneath the region from the surface to 400 km depth by jointly inverting Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion data, elevation, geoid height and surface heat flow, using a probabilistic inversion to obtain a (pseudo‐)3D model of composition, density and temperature. The lithospheric structure is dominated by thick cratonic roots (>300 km) beneath the eastern and western arms of the Superior craton, with a chemically depleted signature (Mg# > 92.5), consistent with independent results from mantle xenoliths. Beneath the surrounding Proterozoic and Phanerozoic orogens, the Mid‐continent Rift and Hudson Strait, we observe a relatively thinner lithosphere and more fertile composition, indicating that these regions have undergone lithospheric modification and erosion. Our model supports the hypothesis that the core of the Superior craton is well‐preserved and has evaded lithospheric destruction and refertilization. We propose three factors playing a critical role in the craton's stability: (a) the presence of a mid‐lithospheric discontinuity, (b) the correct isopycnic conditions to sustain a strength contrast between the craton and the surrounding mantle, and (c) the presence of weaker mobile belts around the craton. Plain Language Summary: We introduce a new model of the temperature and composition of the Superior Craton, a stable and ancient (>2.5 billion years old) geological formation, and its neighboring areas, by using an advanced and novel imaging technique. The central aim of the study is to use the present‐day structure (from the surface to 400 km depth) to understand how the craton's lithosphere (the rigid outer layer of the Earth) has evolved over time, and how its deep roots have persisted over billions of years of geological processes. The Superior Craton displays well‐preserved cores with a distinct chemical composition beneath its eastern and western arms, which likely contribute to its long‐term preservation. Isopycnicity (a state of density equilibrium) within the lithosphere is a likely controller of long‐term stability. Additionally, the presence of layering in the lithosphere and weaker structures (e.g., mountain belts, rifts, hotspot tracks) surrounding the edges of the craton emerge as critical factors contributing to the resilience and endurance of the Superior Craton's lithosphere. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the mechanisms governing the evolution and stability of cratonic regions. Key Points: First integrated multi‐observable probabilistic thermochemical model of the lithosphere beneath the Superior craton and environsThe Superior craton shows well‐preserved depleted cores beneath its eastern and western armsLong‐term craton stability is likely controlled by isopycnicity, and the presence of mid‐lithospheric discontinuities and mobile belts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic thermoelectrics (TEs), in which voltage generation is based on ion migration, are suitable for applications based on their low cost, high flexibility, high ionic conductivity, and wide range of Seebeck coefficients. This work reports on the development of ionic TE materials based on the poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), Poly(VDF‐co‐TrFE), as host polymer blended with different contents of the ionic liquid, IL, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [EMIM][TFSI]. The morphology, physico‐chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the samples are evaluated together with the TE response. It is demonstrated that the IL acts as a nucleating agent for polymer crystallization. The mechanical properties and ionic conductivity values are dependent on the IL content. A high room temperature ionic conductivity of 0.008 S cm−1 is obtained for the sample with 60 wt% of [EMIM][TFSI] IL. The TE properties depend on both IL content and device topology‐vertical or planar‐the largest generated voltage range being obtained for the planar topology and the sample with 10 wt% of IL content, characterized by a Seebeck coefficient of 1.2 mV K−1. Based on the obtained maximum power density of 4.9 µW m−2, these materials are suitable for a new generation of TE devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation behaviors of the encapsulant and the imbedded additives significantly determine the reliability of solar modules. Nevertheless, a link between the degradation of the encapsulant, including the additive interactions, and the longevity of the overall module is rarely established until now. Herein, mini‐modules containing ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) as encapsulant are subject to damp heat (DH) or ultraviolet (UV) weathering based on IEC 61215. Macroscopically, the degradation under both weathering types characterized by I–V measurements and electroluminescence (EL) measurements is diverging in dependence on the used stressor. Using electron paramagnetic resonance and orbitrap mass spectrometry, it is shown that deacetylation of the EVA occurs significantly for both types of weathering. In the case of DH, however, the mechanism of action of the UV stabilizer is hindered, so that strong encapsulant degradation is observed despite a lower energy input in comparison with UV. Furthermore, the produced acetic acid under DH weathering leads to the observed reduction in EL, an increase in series resistance, and, a reduction of the performance of the modules. The work carried out shows that the degradation of the solar modules is strongly dependent on the behavior of the UV stabilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited research on female football players, especially related to their physical and cognitive performance under different climactic conditions. We analyzed the impact of a hot environmental temperature on physical performance and anticipation in elite female football players during a fatigue‐inducing intermittent protocol. Elite female players (n = 21) performed the countermovement jump (CMJ) and responded to filmed sequences of offensive play under two distinct environmental temperatures (i.e., mild environment temperature‐ 20°C and 30% rh versus hot environment temperature‐ 38°C and 80% rh), interspersed by 1‐week interval. Linear mixed models were used. CMJ performance declined following the intermittent protocol on both temperature conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant main effects for protocol on CMJ speed (m/s) (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12), CMJ power (p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.11), and CMJ Heightmax (p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.12). After performing the intermittent protocol, exposure to a hot temperature caused a greater decline in anticipation accuracy (mild temperature = 64.41% vs. hot temperature = 53.44%; p < 0.001). Our study shows impaired performance in elite female football players following an intermittent protocol under hot compared with mild environmental conditions. We report decreased performance in both CMJ and anticipation performance under hotter conditions. The results reveal that exposure to hot temperatures had a negative effect on the accuracy of their anticipatory behaviors. We consider the implication of the work for research and training interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there have been several reports of the presence of toxic proteins in cultivated or wild plant species, which are implicated in plant defense mechanisms. The existence of these proteins raises the possibility of biotechnological applications originating from the development of new techniques to combat diseases caused by fungi. In this context, there are chitin‐binding proteins. Chitin is an essential component of the fungal cell wall, so chitin‐binding proteins are important in controlling fungal growth. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize and evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of peptides with chitin binding properties isolated from Capsicum annuum seeds on the growth of the genus Candida. Initially, proteins were extracted in phosphate pH 5.4, and a chitin column was equilibrated with sodium acetate (0.08 M, pH 4.5), where 50 mg of the peptide‐rich heated fraction from each species was applied. Subsequently, the retained material was eluted with 0.1 M HCl. Tricine SDS–PAGE was used to visualize the peptides. After chromatography, two fractions, F1 (not retained in the chitin column) and F2 (retained in the chitin column, named Ca‐F2), were obtained. Electrophoresis showed major protein bands between 3 and 14 kDa. Electrophoresis from chitin affinity chromatography also showed major bands between 3 and 14 kDa, especially for Ca‐F2 retained in the column. One peptide obtained from the F2 fraction was identified by mass spectrometry and showed similarity to seed 2S albumin, named Ca‐Alb2S. Ca‐F2 inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. tropicalis, was not toxic to mammalian cells and still had a high survival rate when tested in vivo on Galleria mellonella larvae. This is the first report of chitin‐binding peptides isolated from Capsicum seeds through an affinity column and their biological activities. These studies are at an early stage; therefore, other tests are needed to study the mechanism of action of the fraction, since the findings indicate great potential for the development of new antifungal molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a disruptive impact on how people work and collaborate across all global economic sectors, including software business. While remote working is not new for software engineers, forced WFH situations come with both limitations and opportunities. As the 'new normal' for working might be based on the current state of Work‐from‐home (WFH), it is useful to understand what has happened and learn from that. Objective: This study aims to gain insights into how their WFH arrangement impacts project management and software engineering. We are also interested in exploring these impacts in different contexts, such as startups and established companies. Method: We conducted a global‐scale, cross‐sectional survey during the spring and summer 2021. Our results are based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of 297 valid responses. Results: We characterize the profile of WFH in both spatial and temporal aspects, together with a set of common collaborative tools and coordination and control mechanisms. We revealed some areas of project management that are relatively more challenging during WFH situations, such as coordination, communication and project planning. We also revealed a mixed picture of the perceived impact of WFH on different software engineering activities. Conclusion: WFH is a situational phenomenon which can have both negative and positive impact on software teams. For practitioners, we suggest a unified approach to consider the context of WFH, collaborative tools, associated coordination and control approaches and a process that resolve those aspects that are sensitive to physical interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical exploration and closure of the tunica albuginea is the recommended treatment for penile fractures. The recovery of sexual function is the main result that surgeons and patients pursue. Objective: We sought to evaluate the sexual health effects of a surgically corrected penile fracture. Secondarily, we sought to identify risk factors that may influence long‐term sexual function and their effects on genital body image satisfaction. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical correction of penile fractures between 2007 and 2022 in a tertiary center was performed. Lesion characteristics, weeks until the resumption of sexual activity, and post‐operative sexual function were recorded. The presence of glans hypoesthesia, penile deformation, penile nodule palpation, and self‐satisfaction with body image were assessed. Results: Sixty‐nine patients with a mean age of 42.30 ± 12.98 years and a median follow‐up of 70 (20–134) months were identified. Sexual intercourse was recorded as a percentage. Penile deformation was the most common complication, appearing in 14.5% of patients, erectile dysfunction in 5.8%, penile nodules in 4.3%, and glans hypoesthesia in 2.9%. The median post‐operative International Index of Erectile Function‐5 was 24 (21.5–24). Self‐satisfaction with body image had a median of 9 and was negatively associated with bilateral lesions and penile deformation. Discussion and conclusion: Distal fractures could be linked to erectile dysfunction and glans hypoesthesia. Surgical correction of penile fractures shows positive functional and self‐reported outcomes, and the potential andrological complications rarely necessitate specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Paediatric obstructive sleep disordered breathing (OSDB) has a considerable impact on cardiovascular physiology, but the consequences on children's basal metabolism and response to exercise are far from being known. The objective was to propose model estimations for paediatric OSDB metabolism at rest and during exercise. A retrospective case–control analysis of data from children submitted to otorhinolaryngology surgery was performed. The heart rate (HR) was measured, while oxygen consumption (VO2) and energy expenditure (EE) at rest and during exercise were obtained using predictive equations. The results for the patients with OSDB were compared with controls. A total of 1256 children were included. A total of 449 (35.7%) had OSDB. The patients with OSDB showed a significantly higher resting heart rate (94.55 ± 15.061 bpm in OSDB vs. 92.41 ± 15.332 bpm in no‐OSDB, p = 0.041). The children with OSDB showed a higher VO2 at rest (13.49 ± 6.02 mL min−1kg−1 in OSDB vs. 11.55 ± 6.83 mL min−1kg−1 in no‐OSDB, p = 0.004) and a higher EE at rest (67.5 ± 30.10 cal min−1kg−1 in OSDB vs. 57.8 + 34.15 cal min−1kg−1 in no‐OSDB, p = 0.004). At maximal exercise, patients with OSDB showed a lower VO2max (33.25 ± 5.82 mL min−1kg−1 in OSDB vs. 34.28 ± 6.71 in no‐OSDB, p = 0.008) and a lower EE (166.3 ± 29.11 cal min−1kg−1 in OSDB vs. 171.4 ± 33.53 cal min−1kg−1 in no‐OSDB, p = 0.008). The VO2/EE increment with exercise (Δ VO2 and Δ EE) was lower in OSDB for all exercise intensities (p = 0.009). This model unveils the effect of paediatric OSDB on resting and exercise metabolism. Our findings support the higher basal metabolic rates, poorer fitness performance, and cardiovascular impairment found in children with OSDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The receiver function technique is widely used to image crustal structure using P‐to‐S converted phases at the Moho discontinuity. However, the presence of sedimentary layer generates additional P‐to‐S conversions and reverberations, which can overprint the Moho phases and pose problems in imaging crustal structure with standard receiver function techniques. We introduce a robust two‐step method that uses H‐κ stacking to determine average thickness and Vp/Vs of the sedimentary layer, followed by waveform‐fitting of the observed receiver function to constrain the average crustal thickness and sub‐sediment Vp/Vs. We tested the method using both synthetic data and real‐data from stations located on sedimentary layers in the Netherlands and USA. We show that the new method outperforms other common approaches in retrieving accurate Moho depth and sub‐sediment Vp/Vs estimates, even in cases where the Moho phases are completely overprinted by large‐amplitude phases related to sedimentary layers. Plain Language Summary: We propose a two‐step method for modeling crustal structure using receiver functions from stations overlying sedimentary layers. In the first step, the sediment layer thickness and velocity ratio (Vp/Vs) are derived from depth versus Vp/Vs stacking of receiver functions. In the second step, the crust‐mantle interface (Moho) depth and sub‐sediment Vp/Vs are derived from the waveform‐fitting grid search of the observed receiver functions with synthetic ones. We tested this method using synthetic receiver functions and real‐data from stations in the Netherlands and USA. The new method works well in retrieving Moho depth and sub‐sediment Vp/Vs, even in cases where the Moho signals are completely obscured by signals from the sediment layer. Key Points: New approach for modeling receiver functions for stations overlying a sedimentary layerThe approach is effective even when Moho phases are completely overprinted by positive or negative amplitudes from the sedimentary layerSynthetic tests and real‐data applications show the advantages of the developed approach over common methods for addressing sediment impact [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild ungulates are increasing in several regions of the world, recolonizing the empty niche left by previous livestock systems. Due to their important role as ecosystem engineers, wild ungulates can modify and change vegetation structure, as well as modulate soil ecological processes, affecting the remaining components of communities and posing new management challenges. Several studies have evaluated the effects of wild ungulates on other guilds, but the results are taxonomically biased. Thus, our goal is to synthesise the overall effects of wild ungulates on smaller mammals on a broad scale.Due to the complexity of assessing these impacts throughout the ecological network, we focused on mammals since they occupy different trophic levels and are key taxa in food webs. We conducted a review of the documented effects of wild ungulates on the guild's abundance of mammals with less than 10 kg, which revealed a gap in the literature regarding how higher trophic levels respond to wild ungulate disturbances. Using a hierarchical meta‐analytic approach, we assessed, on a subset of articles, whether the presence of wild ungulates affects the guild of small mammals and whether these effects were associated with biome, wild ungulates' body mass and foraging strategy, and small mammals' body mass.A quantitative meta‐analysis was possible only for small mammals (Rodentia/Soricomorpha/Macroscelidea <1 kg) and revealed that their abundance tended to decrease with increasing abundance of wild ungulates. The magnitude of this impact, however, was modulated by body mass, being greater for larger small mammals than for smaller ones.The impacts of wild ungulates might result in changes in the abundance of small mammals through direct and indirect pathways. Our results motivate a more holistic evaluation of rewilding projects and the correct assessment of the effects concerning wild ungulates' reintroductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing breeding phenology is a commonly observed response to climate warming among bird species, potentially in response to shifts in the phenology of key resources. However, for migratory birds breeding at high latitudes, their capacity to breed earlier may be constrained by the time available between arrival on the breeding grounds and nesting, especially for later‐arriving individuals. This may have consequences for productivity, as early laying is often linked to higher breeding success, particularly in such seasonal environments. We investigated how migratory arrival timing influences subsequent timing of breeding, in particular whether the time between arrival and laying (arrival–laying gap) varies with arrival date, and if later‐arriving individuals are able to catch up with early‐arriving conspecifics. We tracked individual Icelandic Black‐tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica with GPS and PTT tags for one to two complete breeding seasons between 2013 and 2022. After arrival in Iceland, most Godwits visited their breeding territory within 5 days, though this interval was longer for earlier‐arriving birds. The total gap between arrival and laying was also longer for earlier‐arriving birds, such that laying date did not vary significantly with arrival date. These results suggest that, despite individual consistency in migratory phenology, subsequent timing of nesting is probably influenced by other factors, such as mate arrival timing and/or annual variation in environmental conditions. Regular pre‐nesting visits to the breeding territory may indicate that Godwits are able to monitor such factors closely and to nest early when conditions allow, but a larger sample of individuals and years is needed to assess whether early‐arriving individuals contribute disproportionately to population‐level advances in breeding phenology. Widespread tracking with high temporal and spatial resolution helps improve our understanding of phenological variation during the breeding season and its consequences for productivity and variation in juvenile phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of exercise training (ET) on the heart of aortic stenosis (AS) rats are controversial and the mechanisms involved in alterations induced by ET have been poorly clarified. In this study, we analyzed the myocardial proteome to identify proteins modulated by moderate‐intensity aerobic ET in rats with chronic supravalvular AS. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sedentary control (C‐Sed), exercised control (C‐Ex), sedentary aortic stenosis (AS‐Sed), and exercised AS (AS‐Ex). ET consisted of five treadmill running sessions per week for 16 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis and Goodman tests. Results were discussed at a significance level of 5%. At the end of the experiment, AS‐Ex rats had higher functional capacity, lower blood lactate concentration, and better cardiac structural and left ventricular (LV) functional parameters than the AS‐Sed. Myocardial proteome analysis showed that AS‐Sed had higher relative protein abundance related to the glycolytic pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation, and lower relative protein abundance related to beta‐oxidation than C‐Sed. AS‐Ex had higher abundance of one protein related to mitochondrial biogenesis and lower relative protein abundance associated with oxidative stress and inflammation than AS‐Sed. Proteomic data were validated for proteins related to lipid and glycolytic metabolism. Chronic pressure overload changes the abundance of myocardial proteins that are mainly involved in lipid and glycolytic energy metabolism in rats. Moderate‐intensity aerobic training attenuates changes in proteins related to oxidative stress and inflammation and increases the COX4I1 protein, related to mitochondrial biogenesis. Protein changes are combined with improved functional capacity, cardiac remodeling, and LV function in AS rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EFSA organised a scientific colloquium in May 2023 to (i) identify sectors in the agri‐food system relevant to cell culture‐derived foods and food ingredients, (ii) review the state of the art of relevant concepts, technologies, and derived products, and to (iii) discuss emerging safety and methodological aspects and their impact on EFSA's risk assessment approaches. The colloquium included an opening plenary session with internationally renowned experts who set the scene with presentations on the current state of cell culture‐derived foods, including foods derived from precision fermentation. Subsequent discussions were organised in three break‐out sessions, each aimed at exploring one the following areas: a) "Food safety hazards associated to cell culture‐derived foods of animal or plant origin, b) New developments in engineered microbial cell factories: considerations for their safety assessment, and c) Development needs for the safety assessment of food ingredients derived from precision fermentation. A group of international experts discussed in a round table format, issues and questions from the audience related to "risk assessment of cell culture‐derived foods and food ingredients: priorities and challenges". The following represent the overall key points, or "take‐home messages" from the scientific colloquium clustered in 1) safety and technological issues as noted in the "key outcomes" of the break‐out sessions, 2) regulatory aspects including EFSA guidance documents, and 3) engagement and collaboration needs addressed to EFSA and all stakeholders. The next steps of EFSA should include to consider safety‐ and production‐related aspects of cell culture‐derived foods and food ingredients in an eventual update of the EFSA Novel Food Guidance, increased EFSA communication activities around cell culture‐derived foods, precision fermentation and food ingredients in general, continued engagement of EFSA (staff) in the scientific discussions at scientific events and to explore possibilities how EFSA could provide increased support for this innovative food sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the presence of site fidelity, or philopatry, in blue sharks. While blue sharks are typically known for their wide-ranging movements, this study documents the repeated sightings of two blue sharks at a specific location in the Azores archipelago. The sharks were attracted to the area by local dive operators who regularly provide food. These findings challenge the belief that blue sharks are strictly oceanic wanderers and suggest that they may exhibit some form of site fidelity to predictable feeding areas. The study emphasizes the importance of citizen science and collaboration between scientists and the diving industry in gathering valuable information for the management and conservation of marine migratory species. However, further research using longer-term satellite telemetry is necessary to gain a better understanding of the behavioral ecology of these sharks and its implications for their management and conservation. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the circulation of the DENV-1 genotype V during a nonepidemic period in the Ribeirão Preto region of São Paulo State, Brazil. The study highlights the importance of genomic surveillance for dengue virus (DENV) and the challenges associated with monitoring and predicting the emergence of different DENV genotypes. The researchers collected plasma samples from 20 patients suspected of DENV infection and found that two samples were positive for DENV-1. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of two DENV-1 clades circulating in the region. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance to detect emerging DENV genotypes and implement proactive measures to control and prevent DENV transmission. [Extracted from the article]

The mechanical behaviour of adhesively bonded point‐fixings, in the scope of glazing systems, are usually investigated by non‐linear finite element analysis (FEA). The accuracy of the finite element model depends on the availability of suitable experimental data, used to calibrate the material models that describe the appropriate behaviour of the adhesive material. This paper presents and discusses the outputs of an experimental campaign focused on characterizing the mechanical properties on bulk material of the structural adhesive Sikasil® SG‐500, a bi‐component structural silicone. The results of the experimental campaign are used to calibrate material models for finite element analysis. The best‐performing hyperplastic material models for the state of stresses analysed in this paper, are selected and presented, intended to be used by designers and engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of documenting pharmacist interventions (PIs) has been endorsed by many hospital pharmacists' societies and organizations worldwide. Current systems for recording PIs have been developed to generate data on better patient and healthcare outcomes, but harmonization and transferability are apparently minimal. The present work aims to provide a descriptive and comprehensive overview of the currently utilized PI documentation and classification tools contributing to increased evidence systematization. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Studies from 2008, after the release of the Basel Statements, were included if interventions were made by hospital or clinical pharmacists in a global hospital setting. Publications quality assessment was accomplished using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A total of 26 studies were included. Three studies did not refer to the documentation/classification method, 10 used an in‐house developed documentation/classification method, seven used externally developed documentation/classification tools and six described method validation or translation. Evidence confirmed that most documentation/classification systems are designed in‐house, but external development and validation of PI systems to be used in hospital practice is gradually increasing. Reports on validated PI documentation/classification tools that are being used in hospital clinical practice are limited, including in countries with advanced hospital pharmacy practice. Needs and gaps in practice were identified. Further research should be conducted to understand why using validated documentation/classification methods is not a disseminated practice, knowing patients' and organizational advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local sales tax bases are determined by factors including businesses, residential populations, and nonresidential visitors. This paper capitalizes on the COVID‐19 pandemic, using the sudden absence of in‐commuters, tourists, and college students to estimate the contributions these populations have on the sales tax base in North Carolina's 100 counties. The findings suggest that losing one in‐commuter results in a loss of roughly $1000 a month in taxable sales. Similarly, the loss of one hotel night booking results in a loss in taxable sales of approximately $525. This translates, for the median county, to exporting 17% to in‐commuters and 12% to tourists. The impact on the loss of a residential college student is less clear. Key Takeaways: Nonresidents, such as commuters, tourists, and college students, are important components to many local governments' sales tax base.A single in‐commuter is estimated to contribute approximately $1000 to the local sales tax base, which translates to about 17% of the tax base for the median county in our sample.The contribution to local sales for a hotel night stay, our proxy for tourism, is estimated to be approximately $525 to the local sales tax base, which translates to about 12% of the tax base for the median county in our sample.We do not find evidence that college students contribute meaningfully to the local sales tax base.This paper informs policy conversations around tax leakage, revenue‐raising capacity, and the benefits and costs of local sales taxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Budget scholars have long theorized the impact of citizen engagement in the budget process. However, there is a void in the literature on modern types of engagement such as online budget simulations. Basic questions like what governments can do to increase the level of engagement and what effects such changes have on outcomes remain unanswered. Using a behavioral public budget and finance framework, we designed and tested an experiment with a local government budget simulation and varied the starting condition between balance, surplus, and deficit to assess the impact of starting condition on relevant outcomes of engagement and budgetary preferences. Results show that two measures of engagement and most budget preferences were influenced by the starting condition. Field‐in‐lab experiments like this one have the potential to further develop behavioral budget theory and be used to test online government platforms that are used by governments for engagement and many other purposes. Key Takeaways: Even though there may be political reasons for starting a budget simulation in balance, starting budget simulations in a deficit or a surplus increases engagement as measured by the number of changes in the budget simulation.Starting a simulation in deficit decreases the number of people that complete the simulation.Starting a budget in surplus leads to higher ending balances.Both deficit and surplus starting conditions changed budgetary preferences relative to starting a budget in balance.These results lend insight into how even modest changes can influence multiple outcomes, and the model provides a framework for future research and practice on behavioral interventions in simulations and engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An evolving haemophilia treatment landscape provides new possibilities for previously unattainable lifestyles. Aim: We sought to understand how people with haemophilia (PwH) and their caregivers value the potential benefits of novel prophylactic treatments. We conducted a discrete‐choice experiment (DCE) to quantify preferences for features of haemophilia treatments among adults and caregivers of children with haemophilia. A best‐worst scaling (BWS) exercise measured the perceived burden of treatment administration features. Methods: A cross‐sectional, web‐based survey was administered to male adults (≥18 years) and caregivers of male children (≤17 years) living with haemophilia in the United States. Respondents evaluated eight pairs of hypothetical haemophilia treatment profiles defined by six attributes in the DCE and 15 features in the BWS. Results: In the DCE, both adults with haemophilia (n = 151) and caregivers (n = 151) prioritised avoiding the risk of developing inhibitor/ anti‐drug antibodies and treatments that allowed for a more active life. They placed a lower priority on reducing the number of spontaneous bleeding episodes, route and frequency of administration, and avoiding the risk of hospitalisation due to adverse events. The BWS documented the burdensomeness of IV infusions and medications that require mixing and refrigeration. Conclusion: PwH and caregivers prefer treatments that enable a more active lifestyle with a lower risk of inhibitor development. Both groups valued the ability to lead an active life over reducing spontaneous bleeding, with caregivers placing the most weight on this attribute. As new treatments expand possibilities, healthcare professionals and PwH should continue to share decision‐making, incorporating clinical judgment and individual preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses how the characteristics of recipient countries shape individual support for international redistribution in Europe. Whilst a growing body of research has looked into the determinants of support for international redistribution, we argue that individuals may not be willing to redistribute in equal measure to any foreign country. We use data from a survey asking respondents in 14 European countries whether they think their governments should provide financial help to 35 [European Union (EU) and non‐EU] foreign countries in the event of a major crisis. We show that individuals are more likely to support helping foreign countries that speak the same language, are geographically close, have deeper trade links, are poorer than their own and are also EU members. Individuals who are more sceptical towards international redistribution are more likely to discriminate amongst foreign countries in their support for redistribution across borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermochemical structure of the lithosphere controls melting mechanisms in the mantle, as well as the location of volcanism and ore deposits. Obtaining reliable images of the lithosphere structure, and its complex interactions with the asthenosphere, requires the joint inversion of multiple data sets and their associated uncertainties. In particular, the combination of seismic velocity and electrical conductivity, along with proxies for bulk composition and elusive minor phases, represents a crucial step toward fully understanding large‐scale lithospheric structure and melting processes. We apply a novel probabilistic approach for joint inversions of 3D magnetotelluric and seismic data to image the lithosphere beneath southeast Australia. The results show a highly heterogeneous lithosphere with deep conductivity anomalies that correlate with the location of Cenozoic volcanism. In regions where the conductivities have been at odds with sub‐lithospheric temperatures and seismic velocities, we observe that the joint inversion provides conductivity values consistent with other observations. The results reveal a strong relationship between metasomatized regions in the mantle and (a) boundaries of geological provinces, elucidating the subduction‐accretion process in the region; (b) distribution of leucitite and basaltic magmatism; (c) independent geochemical data, and (d) a series of lithospheric steps which constitute areas prone to generating small‐scale instabilities in the asthenosphere. This scenario suggests that shear‐driven upwelling and edge‐driven convection are the primary mechanisms for melting in eastern Australia, contrary to the conventional notion of mantle plume activity. Our study presents an integrated lithospheric model for southeastern Australia and provides valuable insight into the mechanisms driving surface geological processes. Plain Language Summary: The lithosphere is the Earth's outermost rigid layer and the focus of important geological processes, such as earthquakes, volcanism, and mineralization. The location of these processes often coincides with deep discontinuities in the lithosphere. Imaging the structure of the lithosphere using geophysical techniques is crucial to fully understand the nature of these processes. The most reliable images of the lithosphere are obtained by joint analysis of two or more geophysical data sets. In particular, the combination of magnetotellurics (an electromagnetic technique) and seismic data holds great potential because of their complementary sensitivity to the Earth's properties. Furthermore, our understanding of the variability of the lithospheric structure is enhanced by combining this joint analysis with a probabilistic approach. This is because probabilistic methods provide a large number of models that can explain the data. Given the substantial data coverage in southeast Australia, we use a new probabilistic approach for the joint analysis of magnetotelluric and seismic data to image the lithospheric structure beneath this region. Our results show a complex lithosphere in line with the location of volcanism and the tectonic history of the region. The lithospheric composition derived from the models provides significant insights into melt production in the area. Key Points: We apply a novel approach for joint probabilistic inversions of 3D magnetotelluric and seismic dataWe use the new method to image the lithosphere‐asthenosphere system beneath southeastern of AustraliaThe imaged lithospheric structure provides insights on metasomatism and melt production in the region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ dysfunction, including pulmonary function impairment, plays a key role in the choice of conditioning chemotherapy before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto‐HSCT). Replacement of BCNU/carmustine as part of BEAM (BCNU/carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) conditioning protocol by thiotepa (TEAM) reduces pulmonary toxicity while maintaining efficacy. We retrospectively analyzed the association of clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and organ function with outcomes after conditioning with BEAM or TEAM. Three hundred ninety‐six patients undergoing auto‐HSCT (n = 333 with BEAM; n = 63 with TEAM) at our institution between 2008 and 2021 were included in this study. In the multivariate analysis, CO‐diffusion capacity corrected for hemoglobin (DLCOcSB) ≤ 60% of predicted, progressive disease (PD) before auto‐HSCT, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) ≤ 80%, HCT‐CI score ≥ 4, and cardiac disease before auto‐HSCT were associated with decreased overall survival (OS) in patients treated with BEAM. In contrast, only PD before auto‐HSCT was identified in patients treated with TEAM. Patients conditioned with BEAM and DLCOcSB ≤ 60% had higher non‐relapse mortality, including pulmonary cause of death. In summary, we have identified clinical and pulmonary risk factors associated with worse outcomes in patients conditioned with BEAM compared to TEAM. Our data suggest TEAM conditioning as a valid alternative for patients with comorbidities, including pulmonary dysfunction and/or poorer performance scores, before auto‐HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the use of isonitriles as alkyl radical precursors in light‐mediated hydro‐ and deuterodeamination reactions. The reaction is scalable, shows broad functional group compatibility and potential to be used in late‐stage functionalization. Importantly, the method is general for Cα‐primary, Cα‐secondary and Cα‐tertiary alkyl isonitriles. For most examples, high yields were obtained through direct visible‐light irradiation of the isonitrile in the presence of a silyl radical precursor. Interestingly, in the presence of an organic photocatalyst (4CzIPN) a dramatic acceleration was observed. In‐depth mechanistic studies using UV/Vis absorption, steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy suggest that the excited state of 4CzIPN can engage in a single‐electron transfer with the isonitrile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Successful management of canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is challenging and effective pet owner education is crucial to successful outcomes. However, there are limited proven educational strategies in this area. Our goal was to create an effective and engaging educational tool for owners of dogs with cAD. Hypothesis: Video‐based education efficacy would be comparable to traditional verbal delivery. Secondary objectives included assessing client perception of the intervention, and determining if there were clinical benefits for the dogs and improved client adherence to treatment. Subjects: Twenty‐nine dogs with cAD and their owners were recruited from a teaching hospital of a European veterinary medicine faculty. Materials and Methods: In this 8 week, prospective, randomised controlled study, clients in the control group (CG, n = 13) received verbal education and those in the intervention group (IG, n = 16) watched a video. Client knowledge was assessed at Day (D)0 and D56. Treatment adherence and perceived utility and appeal ratings were measured at D56. Clinical progress was assessed at D0 and D56 using CADESI‐04 and PVAS10. Results: The differences found in the means of cAD knowledge score, clinical outcomes, utility and appeal ratings and owners' adherence score between groups were not statistically significant. A significant association between the outcome and the intervention group concerning education success [CG, six of 13 (46.15%); IG, 15 of 16 (93.75%)] was found (p = 0.01). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Video‐based instructions positively impacted owners' education and demonstrated their potential as a valuable tool. The authors believe that video‐based education could be a time‐efficient alternative for initial cAD education in veterinary clinics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case study of a 45-year-old man who was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis after experiencing low-impact vertebral and costal fractures. The patient had no identifiable secondary cause for the condition and no family history of osteoporosis. Treatment was initiated with teriparatide, calcium, and vitamin D supplementation, and a regular exercise program. The article emphasizes that osteoporosis is not exclusive to women and highlights the importance of early screening and treatment in men to prevent recurrent fractures and functional impairments. [Extracted from the article]

This systematic review (SR) aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of different types of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) often used in regenerative treatments. An electronic search was performed in four databases and in Gray literature for articles published until January, 2023. The eligibility criteria comprised in vitro studies that evaluated the antimicrobial effect of different types of PRF. For the analysis of the risk of bias within studies, the modified OHAT (Office of Health Assessment and Translation) tool was used. For the evaluation of the results, a qualitative critical analysis was carried out in the synthesis of the results of the primary studies. Sixteen studies published between 2013 and 2021 were included in this SR. The antimicrobial effects of PRF variations (PRF, injectable PRF [I‐PRF], PRF with silver nanoparticles [agNP‐PRF], and horizontal PRF [H‐PRF]), were analyzed against 16 types of bacteria from the oral, periodontal, and endodontic environments. All types of PRF showed significant antimicrobial action, with the antibacterial efficacy being more expressive than the fungal one. The I‐PRF, H‐PRF, and agNP‐PRF subtypes improve antimicrobial activity. According to the OHAT analysis, no study was classified as having a high risk of bias. Evidence suggests that PRF variations have significant antimicrobial activity, with bacterial action being greater than fungal. Evolutions such as I‐PRF, H‐PRF, and agNP‐PRF improve antimicrobial activity. Future studies analyzing the clinical effect of these platelets are fundamental. This SR was registered in INPLASY under number INPLASY202340016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The approach to vascular malformations in the face is a challenging step for professionals involved in the treatment of these anomalies. The objective is to describe a rare case of extensive vascular malformation in the face in an adult patient who had previously undergone several unsuccessful treatments during childhood and adolescence. Materials and Methods: A 46‐year‐old female patient reported an aesthetic discomfort in her face due to an increase in the volume of the upper lip and recurrent spontaneous bleeding in the oral cavity. On oral clinical evaluation, a blue‐purple colour, firm consistency on palpation, extension into the oral cavity, and moderate mobility of the incisors in the right hemimaxilla were observed. Angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and cone beam computed tomography were performed to verify the lesion's anatomical limits and hemodynamic properties. Four injections of sclerotherapy with an injection of 5% monoethanolamine oleate foam were performed. Results: A significant reduction in the extent of vascular malformation was noted. At the moment, the patient had 3 years of follow‐up. She is extremely satisfied with the aesthetic result, and has had no episode of spontaneous bleeding or other complications. Conclusions: The request for new imaging exams allowed the characterization and precise delimitation of the vascular malformation, guiding the use of a minimally invasive technique using the injection of monoethanolamine oleate foam, providing an effective and satisfactory result for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of large igneous provinces (LIPs) has been widely believed to be linked to mantle plume activity. However, how the plume modifies the overlying lithosphere, particularly its compositional structure, remains uncertain. Here, we characterize the deep thermochemical structure beneath the Emeishan LIP (ELIP), which is a well‐known Permian plume‐related LIP in China, by taking a multi‐observable probabilistic inversion. Our results find a clear correlation between the lithospheric composition with the ELIP's concentric zones. We infer that the fertile feature of the lithospheric mantle in the ELIP's inner zone was caused by the plume‐derived fertile magmas which infiltrated into and chemically refertilized the ambient depleted lithosphere. This plume‐modified lithospheric compositional structure is likely to be preserved after the plume event, while the present lithospheric thermal structure has been mainly influenced by the subsequent thermal‐tectonic activity. Our results improve our understanding of the physicochemical interactions between the lithosphere and ancient plume. Plain Language Summary: Gaining insights into the nature of large igneous provinces (LIPs) helps understand mass extinction and climate change in the past, since the outpouring of large accumulations of igneous rocks associated with LIPs could alter ancient climates and environments. Here, we focus on a well‐known plume‐related LIP during the Permian in China, Emeishan LIP (ELIP), to construct its deep thermochemical structure based on a multi‐observable probabilistic inversion method. Our results suggest that the bulk fertile feature (not depleted by melt extraction) of the lithospheric mantle in the vicinity of the ELIP's inner zone was caused by the plume‐derived fertile magmas which infiltrated into the ambient depleted (deficient in minerals extracted by partial melting of the rock) lithospheric mantle and chemically refertilized it by melt‐rock interaction. However, the imaged thermal structure shows a large ongoing asthenospheric upwelling and small‐scale thermal convection, implying that the present‐day lithospheric thickness has been mainly influenced by the subsequent tectonic events. Our results improve the understanding of the physicochemical interactions between the lithosphere and ancient plume and contribute to the knowledge of the nature of LIPs. Key Points: Image the thermochemical structure beneath the Emeishan Large Igneous Province via novel joint inversionsReveal plume refertilization of the lithosphere beneath the Emeishan Large Igneous Province's inner zoneImage complex mantle circulation patterns beneath the Emeishan Large Igneous Province region [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note concerns the problem of k$$ k $$‐hop connectivity in a network of mobile agents, which is achieved if any pair of agents can communicate with each other through a link of k−1$$ k-1 $$ or fewer intermediate nodes. We propose linear constraints involving binary optimization variables to ensure k$$ k $$‐hop connectivity. Such constraints are then integrated into a mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) trajectory planning model. Simulation results illustrate the application of the proposed method and the effect of varying k$$ k $$ in the context of a mission involving the visitation of multiple targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A role of IL‐10 is down‐regulating T‐cell responses to schistosome antigens. Since SmATPDases can be correlated to modulation of the immune response, we evaluated the expression of enzymes in S. mansoni eggs. Faecal samples were collected from 40 infected individuals to detect coding regions of the SmATPDases. The cytokines were measured in supernatants of PBMC. The analysis was performed by the global median determination and set up high producers (HP) of cytokines. Six individuals expressed SmATPDase1, six expressed SmATPDase2 and six expressed both enzymes. The group who expressed only SmATPDase1 showed a high frequency of IFN‐γ, TNF IL‐4 HP; individuals who expressed only SmATPDase2 showed a high frequency of IFN‐γ, IL‐6 and IL‐4 HP; and individuals who expressed both enzymes showed a high frequency of IL‐10 HP. The comparison of the IFN‐γ/IL‐10 ratio presented higher indices in the group who had SmATPDase 2 expression than those who had the expression of both enzymes. The positive correlation between infection intensity and IL‐10 levels remained only in the positive SmATPDase group. The IL‐10 is the only cytokine induced by the expression of both enzymes. Our data suggest that the expression of both enzymes seems to be a factor that modulates the host immune response by inducing high IL‐10 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full‐thickness cutaneous trauma, due to the lack of dermis, leads to difficulty in epithelialization by keratinocytes, developing a fibrotic scar, with less elasticity than the original skin, which may have disorders in predisposed individuals, resulting in hypertrophic scar and keloids. Biomedical materials have excellent characteristics, such as good biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, which can temporarily replace traditional materials used as primary dressings. In this work, we developed two dermal matrices based on Nile tilapia collagen, with (M_GAG) and without (M) glycosaminoglycans, using a sugarcane polymer membrane as a matrix support. To assess the molecular mechanisms driving wound healing, we performed qualitative proteomic analysis on the wound bed in an in vivo study involving immunocompetent murine models at 14 and 21 days post‐full‐thickness skin injury. Gene Ontology and Pathway analysis revealed that both skins were markedly represented by modulation of the immune system, emphasizing controlling the acute inflammation response at 14 and 21 days post‐injury. Furthermore, both groups showed significant enrichment of pathways related to RNA and protein metabolism, suggesting an increase in protein synthesis required for tissue repair and proper wound closure. Other pathways, such as keratinization and vitamin D3 metabolism, were also enriched in the groups treated with M matrix. Finally, both matrices improved wound healing in a full post‐thick skin lesion. However, our preliminary molecular data reveals that the collagen‐mediated healing matrix lacking glycosaminoglycan (M) exhibited a phenotype more favorable to tissue repair, making it more suitable for use before skin grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]