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This study uses dual‐labeled (13C and 15N) stable isotope applications to examine microbial uptake and short‐term processing of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from organic and inorganic compounds in subtropical intertidal sediment. Four treatment applications were applied: (1) algal dissolved organic matter (DOM), (2) amino acid mixture, (3) glucose and NH4+$$ {\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+} $$, and (4) NaHCO3 and NH4+$$ {\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+} $$ to assess bioavailability effects on processing (1 vs. 2) and short‐term processing for OM fixed via microphytobenthos only (pennate diatom dominated) (4) vs. material taken up by the entire microbial community (3) across 24 h. 13C from algal‐DOM was preferentially used by the microbial community vs. 15N. At 24 h more 13C from algal‐DOM remained in microbial biomass indicating use of labeled precursor molecules to form biomass. Conversely, 13C from the amino acid treatment was not incorporated into biomass and was either rapidly respired to DIC or discarded as the in situ microbial community preferentially used and retained 15N from amino acids. Short‐term export of 13C as CO2 from glucose was lower than from microphytobenthos‐C, while retention of 15N from NH4+$$ {\mathrm{NH}}_4^{+} $$ was similar between treatments (3 and 4) despite doubling the application N concentration, suggesting potentially higher glucose‐stimulated 15N export via nitrification–denitrification that was not confirmed via flux measurements in this study. Despite careful site selection for similar tidal exposure and sediment types among the three estuaries, the uptake and processing of labeled substrate varied substantially between replicates and sites which challenged traditional statistical analysis. Disproportionate processing of substrates occurring in sediment hotspots of microbial activity can cause variability spanning orders of magnitude which was found to be widespread through comparison of our results against 19 previous studies in intertidal settings. Development of robust analytical techniques to handle variability from abiotic and biotic factors will allow greater clarity surrounding in situ biogeochemical processing in intertidal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient delivery systems based on biopolymers offer new solutions to enhance food security by boosting crop yield and quality while decreasing agrochemical input and mitigating environmental impact. Herein, a novel Pickering emulsion fabrication method that utilizes antibody‐functionalized silk fibroin to enhance foliar adhesion upon application for efficient agrochemicals delivery is reported. Silk fibroin microparticles (SFMPs) stabilize both nonpolar and polar oil‐in‐water Pickering emulsions, revealing the cooperative function of both oil phase polarity and aqueous media pH in stabilization, where phytohormones addition influenced the stability and oil‐water contact angle. Phytohormone‐containing Pickering emulsions are functionalized with anti‐pectic polysaccharide (alpha‐1,5‐arabinan) antibody labeled SFMPs through adsorption, to enhance droplet adhesion to leaf cuticle surface. As a proof‐of‐concept, Pickering emulsion containing 0.1 mM jasmonic acid (JA) is applied to Arabidopsis thaliana via foliar spraying. Following washing, treatment with antibody‐functionalized Pickering emulsion increased trichome numbers on young leaves by 20% and 3%, when compared to nonencapsulated JA and nonfunctionalized emulsions, respectively. The functionalized Pickering emulsion stabilized by SFMPs exhibited no plant toxicity and biodegraded 50 wt.% in 7 days, catalyzed by Streptomyces griseus protease. Results highlight the potential of SFMP‐stabilized oleic acid‐in‐water Pickering emulsion as a sustainable and biodegradable solution to precisely deliver agrochemicals through foliar spray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine three important issues in the practical use of state‐of‐the‐art facial landmark detectors and show how a combination of specific architectural modifications can directly improve their accuracy and temporal stability. First, many facial landmark detectors require a face normalization step as a pre‐process, often accomplished by a separately trained neural network that crops and resizes the face in the input image. There is no guarantee that this pre‐trained network performs optimal face normalization for the task of landmark detection. Thus, we instead analyse the use of a spatial transformer network that is trained alongside the landmark detector in an unsupervised manner, jointly learning an optimal face normalization and landmark detection by a single neural network. Second, we show that modifying the output head of the landmark predictor to infer landmarks in a canonical 3D space rather than directly in 2D can further improve accuracy. To convert the predicted 3D landmarks into screen‐space, we additionally predict the camera intrinsics and head pose from the input image. As a side benefit, this allows to predict the 3D face shape from a given image only using 2D landmarks as supervision, which is useful in determining landmark visibility among other things. Third, when training a landmark detector on multiple datasets at the same time, annotation inconsistencies across datasets forces the network to produce a sub‐optimal average. We propose to add a semantic correction network to address this issue. This additional lightweight neural network is trained alongside the landmark detector, without requiring any additional supervision. While the insights of this paper can be applied to most common landmark detectors, we specifically target a recently proposed continuous 2D landmark detector to demonstrate how each of our additions leads to meaningful improvements over the state‐of‐the‐art on standard benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of synthetic selective membranes that separate materials of similar sizes, charges, and/or polarities remains a difficult challenge, and looking towards biology provides inspiration for new designs. In this work, a series of cholera toxin binding peptides (CTBPs) are identified, spanning a range of binding inhibitions, and integrated into chemically cross‐linked cholera toxin binding gels (CTBGs) via thiol‐Michael polycondensation reactions. All gels demonstrate rheological profiles consistent with elastic solids. The CTBGs are probed via small‐angle neutron scattering and exhibit a correlation length, ξ, smaller than most proteins (1.3–2.5 nm). Thus, an effective entropic mesh is formed to block non‐targeted proteins. However, the CTBGs have a dynamic mesh size, Ξ, that is larger than cholera toxin (CT) to allow the transport of target proteins. The CTBGs with the highest binding inhibitions both show high selectivity and permeation of CT, rejecting all other tested proteins. In total, two new highly selective CTBGs are synthesized and validated for use in cholera toxin remediation. Together, this platform demonstrates the wide applicability of selectively‐diffusive materials for difficult separations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood collection from donors on testosterone therapy (TT) is restricted to red blood cell (RBC) concentrates to avoid patient exposure to supraphysiological testosterone (T). The objective of this study was to identify TT‐related changes in RBC characteristics relevant to transfusion effectiveness in patients. Study Design: This was a two‐part study with cohorts of patients and blood donors on TT. In part 1, we conducted longitudinal evaluation of RBCs collected before and at three time points after initiation of T. RBC assays included storage and oxidative hemolysis, membrane deformability (elongation index), and oximetry. In part 2, we evaluated the fate of transfused RBCs from TT donors in immunodeficient mice and by retrospective analyses of NIH's vein‐to‐vein databases. Results: TT increased oxidative hemolysis (1.45‐fold change) and decreased RBC membrane deformability. Plasma free testosterone was positively correlated with oxidative hemolysis (r =.552) and negatively correlated with the elongation index (r = −.472). Stored and gamma‐irradiated RBCs from TT donors had lower posttransfusion recovery in mice compared to controls (41.6 ± 12 vs. 55.3 ± 20.5%). Recipients of RBCs from male donors taking T had 25% lower hemoglobin increments compared to recipients of RBCs from non‐TT male donors, and had increased incidence (OR, 1.80) of requiring additional RBC transfusions within 48 h of the index transfusion event. Conclusions: TT is associated with altered RBC characteristics and transfusion effectiveness. These results suggest that clinical utilization of TT RBCs may be less effective in recipients who benefit from longer RBC survival, such as chronically transfused patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre‐Late Wisconsinan, post‐Illinoian, till sheet has long been recognized in north‐central Iowa, but has not been formally recognized or defined until now. Early researchers referred to these deposits as the 'Tazewell', and the term 'Sheldon Creek' was more recently used informally by the Iowa Geological Survey in guidebooks and reports. Recent mapping has extended the eastern margin significantly past previous interpretations. The Sheldon Creek Formation has similar lithologic characteristics to the overlying Alden Member of the Dows Formation, and the two units are distinguished mainly by stratigraphic position. Differentiation from underlying Pre‐Illinoian till units is accomplished using lithology, primarily matrix grain‐size and sand fraction lithology. A suite of 22 radiocarbon ages indicate two distinct, separate groupings within the Sheldon Creek data. These data strongly suggest ice advanced south to 42° N twice, once during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and again during late MIS 3 or possibly early MIS 2. The presence of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in northern Iowa during MIS 3 has significant implications for ice sheet reconstructions during this interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to describe fluid cognition and its correlates among individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Participants (n = 199) were recruited from a population‐based cohort for a single study visit (October 2019 to May 2022). Fluid cognition was measured via the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Fluid Cognition Battery (including episodic memory, working memory, attention and inhibitory control, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility domains) and expressed as age‐corrected standard scores (mean 100, SD 15). Potential impairment was defined as a standard score >1.5 SD below the mean. Descriptive statistics were calculated and associations of various participant characteristics with the potential fluid cognition impairment were assessed with multivariable logistic regression. Results: Participants' mean age was 46.1 years; most were female (87.4%), Black (86.4%), and non‐Hispanic (95.0%). The mean overall fluid cognition score was 87.2; of the individual domains, the participants' mean score was lowest on attention and inhibitory control (82.0). Working status (odds ratio [OR] 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14–0.64) and higher self‐reported physical functioning (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28–0.75) and physical performance (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59–0.87) were associated with lower odds of fluid cognition impairment; lower educational attainment was associated with higher odds (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.67–8.75). Self‐reported forgetfulness, neuropsychiatric damage, and depressive symptoms were not statistically significantly associated with potential impairment. Conclusion: Fluid cognition and, particularly, attention and inhibitory control were low in those with SLE relative to the general US population. Working status, higher physical functioning and performance, and higher educational attainment were associated with lower prevalence of potential impairment. Future work is needed to develop and implement interventions to help support cognition in individuals with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The antiparasitic effect of peracetic acid (PAA) was evaluated against an infestation of the protozoan Trichodina spp. in naturally infected juvenile domestic seventh‐generation (F7) Striped Bass Morone saxatilis. Methods: Replicated treatments (n = 3) consisted of 1 and 2 mg/L PAA and a control; treatments were applied every other day for three treatments (30‐min static exposure). Infestation intensity was enumerated 20–24 h after each treatment by counting the number of Trichodina present in a wet mount of excised gill tissue. Result: Neither treatment rate was able to completely eradicate the parasite; however, 2 mg/L PAA resulted in a statistically significant reduction, which equated to 75% reduction of observed parasites. Conclusion: The 2‐mg/L PAA treatment regimen in the present study is proposed as a safe, environmentally friendly, and effective method for reducing the intensity of Trichodina infestations in Striped Bass. Impact statementDefining new treatment regimens for common aquaculture parasites is beneficial to the industry. Emphasis on environmentally friendly chemicals is also good for the industry. Improving animal welfare can be achieved by reducing parasites in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyze relationships between Medicaid automatic enrollment for child Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and health insurance coverage during transitions. Data Sources and Study Setting: Medical Expenditure Panel Study, 2000–2020 and National Survey for Children with Special Health Care Needs, 2001–2010. Study Design: Leveraging variation in SSI‐Medicaid automatic enrollment status across regions and over time, we estimate a regression model to quantify associations between automatic enrollment and insurance coverage. We validate our findings in the NS‐CSHCN. Data Collection: Our sample includes children receiving SSI for a disability. We also analyze a subsample of children newly enrolled in SSI. Principal Findings: Automatic enrollment is associated with a statistically significant increase in insurance coverage. Expanding automatic enrollment to all states is associated with increases in Medicaid enrollment of 3% (CI 0.9%–6.7%) among all SSI children and 7% (CI 1.1%–13.9%) among children newly enrolled in SSI. We find similar decreases in uninsurance. Analysis in the NS‐CSHCN replicates these findings. Conclusions: Medicaid automatic enrollment policies are associated with increased insurance coverage for SSI children, particularly those transitioning into the program. Medicaid policy defaults could play an important role in reducing administrative burdens to improve children's coverage and access to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Precision medicine, sometimes referred to as personalized medicine, is rapidly changing the possibilities for how people will engage health care in the near future. As technology to support precision medicine exponentially develops, there is an urgent need to proactively improve our understanding of precision medicine and pose important research questions (RQs) related to its inclusion in the education and training of future emergency physicians. Methods: A seven‐step process was employed to develop a research agenda exploring the intersection of precision and emergency medicine education/training. A literature search of articles about precision medicine was conducted first, which informed the creation of future four scenarios in which trainees and practicing physicians regularly discuss and incorporate precision medicine tools into their discussions and work. Based on these futurist narratives, potential education RQs were generated by an expert panel. A total of 59 initial questions were subsequently categorized and refined to a priority list through a nominal group voting method. The top/priority questions were presented at the 2023 SAEM Consensus Conference on Precision Medicine, Austin, Texas, for further input. Results: Eight high‐value education RQs were developed, reflecting a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities for precision medicine education in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to emergency medicine. These questions contend with topics such as most effective pedagogical methods; intended resulting outcomes and behaviors; the generational differences between practicing emergency physicians, educators, and future trainees; and the desires and expectations of patients. Conclusions: Emergency medicine and emergency physicians must be prepared to understand precision medicine and incorporate this information into their "toolbox" of thinking, problem solving, and communication with patients and colleagues. This research agenda on how best to educate future emergency physicians in the use of personalized data to provide optimal health care is the focus of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling realistic human skin with pores and wrinkles down to the milli‐ and micrometer resolution is a challenging task. Prior work showed that such micro geometry can be efficiently generated through simulation methods, or in specialized cases via 3D scanning of real skin. Simulation methods allow to highly customize the wrinkles on the face, but can lead to a synthetic look. Scanning methods can lead to a more organic look for the micro details, however these methods are only applicable to small skin patches due to the required image resolution. In this work we aim to overcome the gap between synthetic simulation and real skin scanning, by proposing a method that can be applied to large skin regions (e.g. an entire face) with the controllability of simulation and the organic look of real micro details. Our method is based on style transfer at its core, where we use scanned displacement maps of real skin patches as style images and displacement maps from an artist‐friendly simulation method as content images. We build a library of displacement maps as style images by employing a simplified scanning setup that can capture high‐resolution patches of real skin. To create the content component for the style transfer and to facilitate parameter‐tuning for the simulation, we design a library of preset parameter values depicting different skin types, and present a new method to fit the simulation parameters to scanned skin patches. This allows fully‐automatic parameter generation, interpolation and stylization across entire faces. We evaluate our method by generating realistic skin micro details for various subjects of different ages and genders, and demonstrate that our approach achieves a more organic and natural look than simulation alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of repeated copper sulfate (CuSO4) treatments on the growth and survival of juvenile Walleye Sander vitreus. Methods: Culture tanks were treated with 0 or 0.76 mg/L CuSO4 every other day for five exposures, then were not treated for 14 consecutive days; this regimen was repeated for a total of 10 exposures over the course of 50 days. Copper sulfate treatments had a half‐life of about 60 min. The study was conducted in flow‐through well water at ≈1.5 L/m and 23.8°C. Result: The resulting survival data for CuSO4 treated and nontreated fish was 96% and 85% survival, respectively, and not statically different. There was no difference in weight, with treated weighing 25.3 g compared to 25.2 g for nontreated control fish. Both groups had weight increases of over 400% during the study. Neither group differed in length, with treated fish reaching a mean length of 14.6 cm and nontreated reaching a mean length of 14.5 cm. Conclusion: The results indicate that repeated CuSO4 treatments had no effect on Walleye growth or survival. Impact statementCopper sulfate has a long history of use in aquaculture. While it is no secret that copper toxicity or other deleterious effects can happen, if used appropriately copper sulfate can be one of the most useful chemicals in aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the burden and correlates of poor physical performance in a diverse cohort of individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: In this single‐visit study of 446 individuals with SLE from a population‐based metropolitan Atlanta cohort, we measured physical performance via the Short Physical Performance Battery (score range 0–12; intermediate‐low [<10] vs high [≥10]). We also collected demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables and examined the associations (adjusted odds ratios [aORs]) of intermediate‐low versus high physical performance with these characteristics via multivariable logistic regression. Results: We found that more than half (59.6%) of our participants had poorer (intermediate‐low) overall physical performance. Only 7% of the cohort received the maximum score on the lower body strength task versus 90% and 76% receiving the maximum scores on balance and gait speed tasks. Current employment status (aOR 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–1.05) and higher cognitive functioning (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42–0.77) were strongly associated with lower odds of intermediate‐low physical performance. Higher body mass index (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.56), disease activity (aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.27–1.98), and disease burden (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08–1.77) were associated with poorer performance, as were higher depressive symptoms, perceived stress scores, and lower educational attainment (not statistically significant). Conclusion: In our population‐based, primarily Black cohort, we found that individuals with SLE commonly had poor physical performance. We identified both SLE‐ and non‐SLE–specific factors that could help clinicians identify those most at risk for poor physical performance and intervene to improve, maintain, and support physical performance among those with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While single‐shot late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is useful for imaging patients with arrhythmia and/or dyspnea, it produces low spatial resolution. One approach to improve spatial resolution is to accelerate data acquisition using compressed sensing (CS). Our previous work described a single‐shot, multi‐inversion time (TI) LGE pulse sequence using radial k‐space sampling and CS, but over‐regularization resulted in significant image blurring that muted the benefits of data acceleration. The purpose of the present study was to improve the spatial resolution of the single‐shot, multi‐TI LGE pulse sequence by incorporating view sharing (VS) and k‐space weighted contrast (KWIC) filtering into a GRASP‐Pro reconstruction. In 24 patients (mean age = 61 ± 16 years; 9/15 females/males), we compared the performance of our improved multi‐TI LGE and standard multi‐TI LGE, where clinical standard LGE was used as a reference. Two clinical raters independently graded multi‐TI images and clinical LGE images visually on a five‐point Likert scale (1, nondiagnostic; 3, clinically acceptable; 5, best) for three categories: the conspicuity of myocardium or scar, artifact, and noise. The summed visual score (SVS) was defined as the sum of the three scores. Myocardial scar volume was quantified using the full‐width at half‐maximum method. The SVS was not significantly different between clinical breath‐holding LGE (median 13.5, IQR 1.3) and multi‐TI LGE (median 12.5, IQR 1.6) (P = 0.068). The myocardial scar volumes measured from clinical standard LGE and multi‐TI LGE were strongly correlated (coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.99) and in good agreement (mean difference = 0.11%, lower limit of the agreement = −2.13%, upper limit of the agreement = 2.34%). The inter‐rater agreement in myocardial scar volume quantification was strong (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.79). The incorporation of VS and KWIC into GRASP‐Pro improved spatial resolution. Our improved 25‐fold accelerated, single‐shot LGE sequence produces clinically acceptable image quality, multi‐TI reconstruction, and accurate myocardial scar volume quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, neutrophilic inflammatory skin disease characterized by episodes of widespread eruption of sterile, macroscopic pustules that can be accompanied by systemic inflammation and symptoms. A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis were conducted to determine the impact of GPP on patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient‐reported severity of symptoms and to compare its impact to patients with plaque psoriasis (plaque PsO). Searches were undertaken in Embase, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from 1 January 2002 to 15 September 2022. Screening was carried out by two reviewers independently. Outcome measures included generic (e.g. EQ‐5D, SF‐36) and dermatology‐specific (e.g. DLQI) clinical outcome assessments, and other relevant patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) (e.g. severity of pain measured by a numerical rating scale). Overall, 20 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion, of which seven also had data for plaque PsO. The DLQI was the most frequently reported outcome measure (16 out of 20 studies). When reported, mean DLQI (SD) scores varied from 5.7 (1.2) to 15.8 (9.6) across the studies, indicating a moderate to very large effect on HRQoL; the wide range of scores and large SDs were explained by the small population sizes (n ≤ 12 for all studies except two). Similar ranges and large SDs were also observed for other measures within individual studies. However, in general, people with GPP reported a greater impact of their skin condition on HRQoL, when compared to people with plaque PsO (i.e. higher DLQI scores) and higher severity for itch, pain and fatigue. This systematic review highlighted the need for studies with a larger population size, a better understanding of the impact of cutaneous and extracutaneous symptoms and comorbidities on HRQoL during and between GPP flares, and outcome measures specifically tailored to the unique symptoms and the natural course/history of GPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal‐sourced hydrogels, such as collagen, are widely used as extracellular‐matrix (ECM) mimics in tissue engineering but are plagued with problems of reproducibility, immunogenicity, and contamination. Synthetic, chemically defined hydrogels can avoid such issues. Despite the abundance of collagen in the ECM, synthetic collagen hydrogels are extremely rare due to design challenges brought on by the triple‐helical structure of collagen. Sticky‐ended symmetric self‐assembly (SESSA) overcomes these challenges by maximizing interactions between the strands of the triple helix, allowing the assembly of collagen‐mimetic peptides (CMPs) into robust synthetic collagen nanofibers. This optimization, however, also minimizes interfiber contacts. In this work, symmetric association states for the SESSA of short CMPs to probe their increased propensity for interfiber association are modelled. It is found that 33‐residue CMPs not only self‐assemble through sticky ends, but also form hydrogels. These self‐assemblies behave with remarkable consistency across multiple scales and present a clear link between their triple‐helical architecture and the properties of their hydrogels. The results show that SESSA is an effective and robust design methodology that enables the rational design of synthetic collagen hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement is the most common enteral access for long‐term feeding. The aim of our study is to assess the feasibility and safety of immediate PEG tube use after initial placement. Methods: We conducted a single‐center retrospective cohort study between August 2006 and August 2016. Prior to August 2011, tube feedings were delayed for ≥4 h after initial PEG placement, compared with immediate use (<1 h) after August 2011. Primary outcomes were complication rates within 30 days of placement. Secondary outcomes were impact of morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and need for repeat PEG placement. Results: Our study included 1296 patients during the 10‐year period, of which 704 underwent delayed use and 592 underwent immediate use (744 inpatient and 552 outpatient). There were no significant differences between the delayed‐use and immediate‐use PEG with regard to complications (3.4% vs 4.4%; P = 0.76). Subgroup analysis also reflected no significant differences in complications between inpatient and outpatient groups. For inpatients, there were no substantial differences in inpatient mortality (3.9% vs 3.3%; P = 0.70), mortality within 30 days of discharge (13.8% vs 13.1%; P = 0.15), readmissions (38.2% vs 34.3%; P = 0.23), repeat PEG placement (0.7% vs 1.5%; P = 0.46), and length of stay (13.3 vs 13.9 days; P = 0.99). Conclusion: Patients who received immediate enteral nutrition after PEG tube placement did not have any increased complications, morbidity, or mortality; and it is just as safe when compared with patients who received delayed feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) activity has been associated with automaticity and flow in motor execution. Studies have revealed that neurofeedback training (NFT) of the SMR can improve sports performance; however, few studies have adequately explored the effects of a single session of such NFT or examined the possible mechanisms underlying these effects on sports performance. This study recruited 44 professional golfers to address these gaps in the literature. A crossover design was employed to determine the order of the participation in the NFT and no‐training control conditions. The participants were asked to perform 60 10‐foot putts while electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded before and after the tasks. In pre‐and post‐tests, visual analog scales were used to assess the psychological states associated with SMR activities including the levels of attention engagement, conscious motor control, and physical relaxation. The results revealed that a single NFT session effectively increased SMR power and improved putting performance compared with the control condition. The subjective assessments also revealed that the participants reported lower attention engagement, less conscious control of the motor details and were more relaxed in the putting task, suggesting that SMR NFT promoted effortless and quiescent mental states during motor preparation for a putting task. This study aligns with theoretical hypotheses and extends current knowledge by revealing that a single session of SMR NFT can effectively enhance SMR power and improve putting performance in professional golfers. It also provides preliminary evidence of the possible underlying mechanisms that drive the effect of SMR NFT on putting performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are often mechanically exfoliated on mica and examined under ambient conditions. It is known that above a certain relative humidity, a molecularly thin layer of water intercalates between the mica and the TMDC. Herein, the effect of molecularly thin liquid layers on the optical spectra of MoS2 and WS2 exfoliated on dry mica and exposed to the vapors of water, ethanol, and tetrahydrofuran (THF) is investigated. Photoluminescence and differential reflectance (ΔR/R) spectra on the TMDCs on dry mica show dominant trion emission due to n‐doping. Intercalation of water removes charge doping and results in purely neutral exciton emission, while an ethanol layer, which can be reversibly exchanged with water, does not completely suppress charge. Similarly, THF intercalates between TMDC and mica, as shown by atomic force microscopy, but it does not suppress the charging of mica. In MoS2 bi‐ and trilayers, an intercalated water layer leads to a near doubling of the intensity of the indirect band transition. The described charging/discharging of TMDCs by molecular thin liquid layers can provide important clues to better control the optical properties of TMDCs under environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major challenges faced by humans often require large‐scale cooperation for communal benefits. We examined what motivates such cooperation in the context of social distancing and mask wearing to reduce the transmission intensity of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19). We hypothesized that collectivism, a cultural variable characterizing the extent that individuals see themselves in relation to others, contributes to people's willingness to engage in these behaviors. Consistent with preregistered predictions, across three studies (n = 2864), including a U.S. nationally representative sample, collectivist orientation was positively associated with intentions, positive beliefs, norm perceptions, and policy support for the preventive behaviors. Further, at a country level, more collectivist countries showed lower growth rates in both COVID‐19 confirmed cases and deaths. Together, these studies demonstrate the role of collectivism in reducing COVID‐19 transmission, and highlight the value of considering culture in public health policies and communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong‐binding host–guest pairings in aqueous media have potential as "supramolecular glues" in biomedical techniques, complementing the widely‐used (strept)avidin‐biotin combination. We have previously found that squaraine dyes are bound very strongly by tetralactam macrocycles possessing anthracenyl units as cavity walls. Here we show that replacing the anthracenes with pentacyclic 5,7,12,14‐tetrahydro‐5,7,12,14‐tetraoxapentacene (TOP) units generates receptors which bind squaraines with increased affinities (around Ka=1010 m−1) and improved selectivities. Binding can be followed through changes to squaraine fluorescence and absorbance. The TOP units are easy to prepare and potentially variable, while the TOP‐based receptor shows improved photostability, both in itself and in complex with squaraines. The results suggest that this system could prove valuable in the further development of practical "synthavidin" chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials capable of dynamically and reversibly altering their emission are relevant for numerous optical applications. Here, the anisotropic morphology‐directed light emission from fluorescent Janus emulsion droplets, an intrinsically chemo‐responsive material platform, is investigated. Informed by experimental observations of morphology‐dependent optical confinement of internally emitted light within the higher refractive index phases, ray‐tracing is used to predict and fine‐tune the droplets' optical properties and their ability to concentrate light. Theoretical prediction and closely matching experimental results show that the collection of incident light and the confinement of emitted light in the internal droplet phase due to total internal reflection both contribute to the droplets' anisotropic light emission profile. A novel ratiometric dual‐angle fluorescence detection approach that exploits the gravitational alignment of the droplets is implemented to quantify the morphology‐dependent large‐scale chemically‐induced modulation of the anisotropic emission of droplet layers. Relevant emulsion design parameters are systematically examined to enhance the signal‐to‐noise ratio, and a second emitter is co‐compartmentalized inside the droplets to amplify the anisotropic light confinement via an absorption–emission cascade. Preferential excitation of dyes in proximity to the internal droplet interface enhances the collected light intensity, demonstrating that dye‐loaded Janus emulsion droplets function as stimuli‐responsive, tunable, fluorescent optical elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocular 3D face reconstruction is a wide‐spread topic, and existing approaches tackle the problem either through fast neural network inference or offline iterative reconstruction of face geometry. In either case carefully‐designed energy functions are minimized, commonly including loss terms like a photometric loss, a landmark reprojection loss, and others. In this work we propose a new loss function for monocular face capture, inspired by how humans would perceive the quality of a 3D face reconstruction given a particular image. It is widely known that shading provides a strong indicator for 3D shape in the human visual system. As such, our new 'perceptual' shape loss aims to judge the quality of a 3D face estimate using only shading cues. Our loss is implemented as a discriminator‐style neural network that takes an input face image and a shaded render of the geometry estimate, and then predicts a score that perceptually evaluates how well the shaded render matches the given image. This 'critic' network operates on the RGB image and geometry render alone, without requiring an estimate of the albedo or illumination in the scene. Furthermore, our loss operates entirely in image space and is thus agnostic to mesh topology. We show how our new perceptual shape loss can be combined with traditional energy terms for monocular 3D face optimization and deep neural network regression, improving upon current state‐of‐the‐art results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal neurons (PNs) of the lateral superior olive nucleus (LSO) are an important component of mammalian brainstem circuits that compare activity between the two ears and extract intensity and timing differences used for sound localization. There are two LSO PN transmitter types, glycinergic and glutamatergic, which also have different ascending projection patterns to the inferior colliculus (IC). Glycinergic LSO PNs project ipsilaterally while glutamatergic one's projections vary in laterality by species. In animals with good low‐frequency hearing (<3 kHz) such as cats and gerbils, glutamatergic LSO PNs have both ipsilateral and contralateral projections; however, rats that lack this ability only have the contralateral pathway. Additionally, in gerbils, the glutamatergic ipsilateral projecting LSO PNs are biased to the low‐frequency limb of the LSO suggesting this pathway may be an adaptation for low‐frequency hearing. To further test this premise, we examined the distribution and IC projection pattern of LSO PNs in another high‐frequency specialized species using mice by combining in situ hybridization and retrograde tracer injections. We observed no overlap between glycinergic and glutamatergic LSO PNs confirming they are distinct cell populations in mice as well. We found that mice also lack the ipsilateral glutamatergic projection from LSO to IC and that their LSO PN types do not exhibit pronounced tonotopic biases. These data provide insights into the cellular organization of the superior olivary complex and its output to higher processing centers that may underlie functional segregation of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence and clinical characteristics of different etiologies of peripheral edema in dogs are unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine the prevalence of different etiologies of peripheral edema, describe clinical characteristics that vary among etiologies, and report survival times. Animals: Five hundred twenty‐seven dogs with peripheral edema. Methods: Retrospective medical record review. Differences in clinical variables among etiology groups were assessed by Kruskal‐Wallis testing with post hoc pairwise Dunn's testing and Chi‐square testing with Monte Carlo simulation. Results: The most common etiologies of peripheral edema in dogs were vasculitis (n = 193, 37%), lymphatic/venous obstruction (LVO; 114, 22%), and hypoalbuminemia (94, 18%). Right‐sided congestive heart failure (R‐CHF) was uncommon (25, 5%). Edema was localized in 377 (72%) dogs and generalized in 142 (27%) dogs, and hypoalbuminemia was more likely to cause generalized edema compared to LVO or vasculitis (P <.0001). Concurrent abdominal effusion (155, 29%) was more common than pleural (77, 15%) or pericardial (12, 2%) effusion. Abdominal and pleural effusion occurred more commonly in dogs with hypoalbuminemia or R‐CHF compared to LVO or vasculitis (P <.0001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Distribution of edema, concurrent cavitary effusions, and clinicopathological data can help predict the underlying etiology of peripheral edema in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Laws liberalizing access to medical marijuana are associated with reduced opioid analgesic use among adults, but little is known about the impact of such policies on adolescents and young adults. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used 2005 to 2014 claims from MarketScan® Commercial database, which covers all 50 states and Washington D.C. The sample included 195,204 adolescent and young adult patients (aged 12–25) who underwent one of 13 surgical procedures. Results: Of the 195,204 patients, 4.8% had prolonged opioid use. Several factors were associated with a higher likelihood of prolonged opioid use, including being female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.33), longer hospital stay (aOR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.06), greater days of index opioid supply (8–14 days: aOR, 1.39, 95% CI, 1.33–1.45; greater than 14 days: aOR, 2.42, 95% CI, 2.26–2.59), rural residence (aOR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.14), and cholecystectomy (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08–1.25). There was not a significant association of medical marijuana dispensary laws on prolonged opioid use (aOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.81–1.18). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: Medical marijuana has been suggested as a substitute for opioids, but our results focusing on adolescents and young adults provide new evidence that this particularly vulnerable population does not exhibit reductions in prolonged use of opioids after surgery when they have legal access to medical marijuana. These findings are the first to demonstrate potentially important age differences in sustained use of opioids, and point to the need for prescriber oversight and management with this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Wendler's glottoplasty (WG) is a pitch‐elevating surgery performed by laryngologists providing gender‐affirming care. The surgery creates an anterior glottic web that could theoretically cause airway concerns, either perioperatively or at the time of future procedures; such concerns are not well‐described in the literature. We seek to assess surgeon opinions on airway concerns regarding WG. Method: A survey of laryngologists assessing opinions on airway considerations in glottoplasty. Results: A total of 19 physicians responded, representing approximately 193 surgeries. 52.6% performed glottoplasty and the remainder responded based on experience with anterior glottic webs. Two perioperative airway complications were reported, both mild stridor that did not prevent same‐day discharge. No long‐term sequela was reported. All surveyed laryngologists endorsed an altered general anesthetic approach for future procedures, with 73.7% advocating for use of a smaller endotracheal tube. 72.2% did not have "major concerns" about future intubations, and only 5.3% thought the immediate risk of airway compromise was a "real concern." 91.9% counsel their patients routinely but briefly on airway concerns. Open‐ended comments conveyed themes of concern for post‐operative disruption of the web more than of airway compromise. Conclusion: Because glottoplasty is performed in the anterior glottis and does not significantly impact airway patency, the risk of serious airway complications appears to be minimal. Laryngologists believe future intubations require a modified approach with a smaller tube, partly due to concern for glottic web trauma. Based on this pilot study, the topic deserves greater work to standardize care and anesthetic alterations for patients with WG. Level of Evidence: 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel graph‐based simulation approach for generating micro wrinkle geometry on human skin, which can easily scale up to the micro‐meter range and millions of wrinkles. The simulation first samples pores on the skin and treats them as nodes in a graph. These nodes are then connected and the resulting edges become candidate wrinkles. An iterative optimization inspired by pedestrian trail formation is then used to assign weights to those edges, i.e., to carve out the wrinkles. Finally, we convert the graph to a detailed skin displacement map using novel shape functions implemented in graphics shaders. Our simulation and displacement map creation steps expose fine controls over the appearance at real‐time framerates suitable for interactive exploration and design. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the generated wrinkles by enhancing state‐of‐art 3D reconstructions of real human subjects with simulated micro wrinkles, and furthermore propose an artist‐driven design flow for adding micro wrinkles to fictional characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Patients in methadone medication treatment for opioid use disorder (M‐MOUD) typically have a complex history of opioid use, often in combination with other drugs. It is unknown how frequently M‐MOUD patients experience persistent substance or polysubstance use. We measured trends in illicit substance use in a large, multistate population of M‐MOUD patients and persistence of substance use in the first year of treatment. Design: Retrospective cohort study of United States (US) M‐MOUD patients from 2017 to 2021, focused on urine drug specimens provided for testing to Millennium Health, a third‐party laboratory. Specimens were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the average trends in positivity during time in treatment. Setting: Specimens were obtained from clinics in 10 US states that provided at least 300 unique patients during the study period (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Virginia and Washington). Participants: Patients with opioid use disorder receiving M‐MOUD (n = 16 386). Measurements Positivity rates for heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Findings From 2017 to 2021, yearly crude positivity rates for first collected specimens increased for fentanyl (13.1%–53.0%, P < 0.001), methamphetamine (10.6%–27.2%, P < 0.001) and cocaine (13.8%–19.5%, P < 0.001); for heroin positivity did not significantly change (6.9%–6.5%, P = 0.74). In regression models estimating patient trajectories from week 1 to week 52, marginal fentanyl positivity declined from 21.8% to 17.1% (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.78, P < 0.001) and heroin positivity declined from 8.4% to 4.3% (IRR = 0.51, P < 0.001), but positivity for methamphetamine and cocaine did not significantly change, remaining at an average of 17.7% (IRR = 0.98, P = 0.53) and 9.2% (IRR = 0.96, P = 0.36), respectively. Conclusions: Between 2017 and 2021, United States patients presenting to opioid treatment programs increasingly tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Methadone medication treatment for opioid use disorder appears to remain an effective intervention for reducing illicit opioid use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heptamethine cyanine dyes enable deep tissue fluorescence imaging in the near infrared (NIR) window. Small molecule conjugates of the benchmark dye ZW800‐1 have been tested in humans. However, long‐term imaging protocols using ZW800‐1 conjugates are limited by their instability, primarily because the chemically labile C4′‐O‐aryl linker is susceptible to cleavage by biological nucleophiles. Here, we report a modular synthetic method that produces novel doubly strapped zwitterionic heptamethine cyanine dyes, including a structural analogue of ZW800‐1, with greatly enhanced dye stability. NIR‐I and NIR‐II versions of these doubly strapped dyes can be conjugated to proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, without causing undesired fluorophore degradation or dye stacking on the protein surface. The fluorescent antibody conjugates show excellent tumor‐targeting specificity in a xenograft mouse tumor model. The enhanced stability provided by doubly strapped molecular design will enable new classes of in vivo NIR fluorescence imaging experiments with possible translation to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally cued hatching has been well‐documented in amphibians in response to a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors. The hatching of terrestrial amphibian eggs in response to flooding may be basal within the group, but amphibian lineages in tropical Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa have not received as much attention as their Neotropical counterparts. We investigated submergence‐induced hatching in Feihyla hansenae, a Rhacophorid tree frog with terrestrial eggs. We quantified natural rates of clutch submergence at our study site in Thailand. Using submergence experiments, we found that embryos are capable of hatching early to escape flooding, and that failure to hatch results in mortality. Among the embryos that were able to hatch early, only the earliest, youngest hatchlings experienced a trade‐off in body size that persisted for 6 days, while later, older hatchlings were not significantly smaller than spontaneous hatchlings under control conditions. By incorporating our natural and experimental data into Monte Carlo methods to simulate and compare survival probabilities with and without hatching plasticity, we found an overall 3.1% increase in submergence survival due to hatching plasticity. Our findings support the idea that flooding‐induced hatching is widespread across amphibians with terrestrial eggs and highlight the importance of researching understudied tropical regions. As climate change is projected to affect rainfall patterns, the ability of embryos to escape abiotic egg‐stage threats may be an indicator of species' ability to flexibly navigate a changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 4D Flow MRI is a quantitative imaging technique to evaluate blood flow patterns; however, it is unclear how compressed sensing (CS) acceleration would impact aortic hemodynamic quantification in type B aortic dissection (TBAD). Purpose: To investigate CS‐accelerated 4D Flow MRI performance compared to GRAPP‐accelerated 4D Flow MRI (GRAPPA) to evaluate aortic hemodynamics in TBAD. Study Type: Prospective. Population: Twelve TBAD patients, two volunteers. Field Strength/Sequence: 1.5T, 3D time‐resolved cine phase‐contrast gradient echo sequence. Assessment: GRAPPA (acceleration factor [R] = 2) and two CS‐accelerated (R = 7.7 [CS7.7] and 10.2 [CS10.2]) 4D Flow MRI scans were acquired twice for interscan reproducibility assessment. Voxelwise kinetic energy (KE), peak velocity (PV), forward flow (FF), reverse flow (RF), and stasis were calculated. Plane‐based mid‐lumen flows were quantified. Imaging times were recorded. Tests: Repeated measures analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients (r), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: The KE and FF in true lumen (TL) and PV in false lumen (FL) did not show difference among three acquisition types (P = 0.818, 0.065, 0.284 respectively). The PV and stasis in TL were higher, KE, FF, and RF in FL were lower, and stasis was higher in GRAPPA compared to CS7.7 and CS10.2. The RF was lower in GRAPPA compared to CS10.2. The correlation coefficients were strong in TL (r = [0.781–0.986]), and low to strong in FL (r = [0.347–0.948]). The ICC levels demonstrated moderate to excellent interscan reproducibility (0.732–0.989). The FF and net flow in mid‐descending aorta TL were significantly different between CS7.7 and CS10.2. Conclusion: CS‐accelerated 4D Flow MRI has potential for clinical utilization with shorter scan times in TBAD. Our results suggest similar hemodynamic trends between acceleration types, but CS‐acceleration impacts KE, FF, RF, and stasis more in FL. Evidence Level: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of copper sulfate pentahydrate (herein, designated CuSO4) for fungus control on fish embryos is extremely effective and economical for farmers in waters with moderate or high alkalinity/hardness; however, fry toxicity in low alkalinity/hardness waters is a concern. The present study determined the acute toxicity of CuSO4 to Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in naturally soft water (42 mg/L alkalinity [as CaCO3], 41 mg/L hardness [as CaCO3]). Median lethal concentration (LC50) values at 24 h were 3.97 mg/L CuSO4 for yolk‐sac fry and 5.24 mg/L CuSO4 for swim‐up fry. Most importantly for farmers, the no observed effect concentration (NOEC; the highest concentration tested to not cause fry mortality) was 0.625 mg/L CuSO4 for both stages of fry. Regarding the safe use of CuSO4 for fungus control on Largemouth Bass embryos, this research was done to demonstrate CuSO4 toxicity to Largemouth Bass fry in soft water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a novel stimuli‐responsive fluorescent material platform that relies on an evocation of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)‐based surfactants localized at one hemisphere of biphasic micro‐scale Janus emulsion droplets. Dynamic alterations in the available interfacial area were evoked through surfactant‐induced dynamic changes of the internal droplet morphology that can be modulated as a function of the balance of interfacial tensions of the droplet constituent phases. Thus, by analogy with a Langmuir–Blodgett trough that enables selective concentration of surfactants at a liquid–gas interface, we demonstrate here a method for controllable modulation of the available interfacial area of surfactant‐functionalized liquid–liquid interfaces. We show that a morphology‐dependent alteration of the interfacial area can be used to evoke an optical signal, by selectively assembling synthesized TPE‐based surfactants on the respective droplet interfaces. A trigger‐induced increase in the concentration of TPE‐based surfactants at the liquid–liquid interfaces results in an evocation of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE), inducing an up to 3.9‐fold increase in the measured emission intensity of the droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychomotor efficiency is achieved by expert performers who exhibit refined attentional strategies and efficient motor program execution. Further understanding of the psychomotor efficiency hypothesis requires examination of the co‐activation of key electroencephalographic (EEG) indices, including frontal theta (Fθ) power, left temporal alpha (T3α) power, the sensory‐motor rhythm (SMR), and frontocentral alpha power (FCα). This study examined the relationship between these selected neural processes and the odds of successful cognitive‐motor performance. EEG indices of successful and failed putts observed in twenty‐seven skilled golfers were subjected to mixed‐effects logistic regression analysis. The results revealed that concurrent elevations of Fθ and T3α were associated with increased odds of successful performance. The co‐activation from motoric processes indicated by SMR and FCα also elevated the odds. Overall, the findings emphasize that refined attention allocation and effective motor program processing are essential cognitive features of superior cognitive‐motor performance for skilled golfers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of remote electrical neuromodulation (REN), used every other day, for the prevention of migraine. Background: Preventive treatment is key to managing migraine, but it is often underutilized. REN, a non‐pharmacological acute treatment for migraine, was evaluated as a method of migraine prevention in patients with episodic and chronic migraine. Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multi‐center trial, with 1:1 ratio. The study consisted of a 4‐week baseline observation phase, and an 8‐week double‐blind intervention phase in which participants used either REN or a placebo stimulation every other day. Throughout the study, participants reported their symptoms daily, via an electronic diary. Results: Two hundred forty‐eight participants were randomized (128 active, 120 placebo), of which 179 qualified for the modified intention‐to‐treat (mITT) analysis (95 active; 84 placebo). REN was superior to placebo in the primary endpoint, change in mean number of migraine days per month from baseline, with mean reduction of 4.0 ± SD of 4.0 days (1.3 ± 4.0 in placebo, therapeutic gain = 2.7 [confidence interval −3.9 to −1.5], p < 0.001). The significance was maintained when analyzing the episodic (−3.2 ± 3.4 vs. −1.0 ± 3.6, p = 0.003) and chronic (−4.7 ± 4.4 vs. −1.6 ± 4.4, p = 0.001) migraine subgroups separately. REN was also superior to placebo in reduction of moderate/severe headache days (3.8 ± 3.9 vs. 2.2 ± 3.6, p = 0.005), reduction of headache days of all severities (4.5 ± 4.1 vs. 1.8 ± 4.6, p < 0.001), percentage of patients achieving 50% reduction in moderate/severe headache days (51.6% [49/95] vs. 35.7% [30/84], p = 0.033), and reduction in days of acute medication intake (3.5 ± 4.1 vs. 1.4 ± 4.3, p = 0.001). Similar results were obtained in the ITT analysis. No serious device‐related adverse events were reported in any group. Conclusion: Applied every other day, REN is effective and safe for the prevention of migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New δ34Spy (pyrite) and δ34SCAS (carbonate‐associated sulfate) across the Llandovery‐Wenlock boundary (∼432 Ma) provide evidence for the expansion of reduced marine environments during the Ireviken Biogeochemical Event. This event consists of a major positive carbon isotope excursion, increased biotic turnover, and other major perturbations and changes within biogeochemical cycles. This interval of time has been hypothesized to coincide with an expansion of reducing marine environments that caused increased organic carbon burial and led to the Ireviken positive carbon isotope excursion (ICIE). Previous high‐resolution carbon isotope work in the Altajme core from Gotland, Sweden provides the highest resolution record of the ICIE yet documented and provides an ideal expanded stratigraphic section to study this event. Local expansion of reduced marine environments within the deeper shelf setting of the Altajme core is indicated by a positive shift in δ34Spy values and increase in pyrite sulfur concentrations at the onset of the ICIE. These data are indicative of increased microbial sulfate reduction within this portion of the Baltic Basin. Combined with new δ34SCAS data from this core, as well as additional data from distant basins, the new data presented here suggest a global expansion of reduced environments led to an increase in organic carbon burial and the ICIE. Plain Language Summary: New sulfur isotope data from the Silurian Period (∼432 Myr ago) provide evidence of low‐oxygen marine environments during a major extinction event and global carbon cycle perturbation known as the Ireviken Biogeochemical Event (IBE). The high‐resolution data presented here build upon recent data generated from a ∼300 m long drill core recovered from the Swedish island of Gotland that records this important ancient global change event in one of the thickest and most complete stratigraphic sections available anywhere in the world. Our new high‐resolution record, combined with data from other areas across the globe, demonstrate that there was likely a global expansion of low‐oxygen environments in the oceans at the very onset of this biogeochemical event that played an important role in both the extinction event as well as the global carbon cycle perturbation. Key Points: New high‐resolution sulfur isotope data show the expansion of reducing environments during the onset of the Ireviken Biogeochemical EventReducing environment expansion began prior to the onset of Ireviken positive carbon isotope excursionCompilation of data from Laurentia and Baltica suggest this may have been a global redox event [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trinity River in northern California was adjusting to unregulated flood and mining impacts when it was dammed and flow regulation began in 1960. We examine the subsequent evolution of the river's alluvial channel through 60 years of increases in regulated mainstem flow regimes in an unconfined and confined valley where Rush and Indian creeks respectively join the river 6.9 and 26.7 river kilometres from Lewiston Dam. The resulting capacity of the tributary junctions for rearing Chinook salmon fry in the current flow regime is evaluated with an empirical model developed for the Trinity River. Results indicate that morphologic changes at Indian Creek were relatively minor after damming because mainstem flows were restricted to a narrow channel in comparison to the channel at Rush Creek. Conversely, active channel and bar areas significantly declined at Rush Creek because the mainstem sediment supply was more severely reduced by flow regulation that enabled riparian vegetation to colonize the expansive alluvial surfaces that were present. These changes reduced instream habitat, suggesting salmon populations in large valleys may be at higher risk below dams than in smaller valleys where the reduced flow is confined to an already narrow channel. However, the relatively wide and unconfined valley responded more positively to increases in flow and sediment through the regulatory periods to yield significantly higher capacities for rearing Chinook fry. Therefore, while unconfined reaches may be particularly susceptible to change when a river is dammed, they may also provide the greatest opportunity for restoration of salmon populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attributing nitrogen export to specific land use within heterogeneous catchments remains a challenge due to the spatio‐temporal variability in conditions influencing the mobilization and fate of nitrogen species. This study demonstrates that the measurement of dual stable isotopes of nitrate, taken along with routine tributary measurement of nitrogen in nitrate (NO3−‐N) and ammonium (NH4+‐N), aids in apportioning sources of the overall nitrogen load during wet periods. An inverse modeling technique was developed to estimate the land use‐specific export rates of NO3−‐N and NH4+‐N from the Caboolture River Catchment in Queensland, Australia. Measurements of nitrogen in streamflow at 51 locations during six sampling campaigns (May 2012 to April 2013) were made along with catchment geospatial data that was used to disaggregate sub‐catchments into six land use fractions. A hydrological model was applied to compute the runoff from each fraction and water routing through the stream network. This data was used within a nitrogen mixing model with inclusion δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3. The land uses specific export rate was computed inversely as the posterior of a Bayesian interference applied to the model. During higher rainfall periods when export rates were highest, the main land use exporting nitrogen was wetland (110 g/ha/day NO3−‐N, 27 g/ha/day NH4+‐N) resulted from mineralization and nitrification of organic N, followed by urban (16 g/ha/day NO3−‐N, 2.3 g/ha/day NH4+‐N). The advantage of using the dual isotopes in conjunction with the nitrogen concentration data was demonstrated by reduced uncertainty in the computed rates during the higher rainfall periods, relative to calculations without δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3. Plain Language Summary: Attributing nitrogen export to specific land use types within heterogeneous catchments is difficult. This paper demonstrates the use of an inverse modeling technique, dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration data, a dual stable isotope measurement data, and geospatial data to estimate the land use‐specific export rates of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from six land use types in the Caboolture River Catchment in Queensland, Australia. The results show that during higher rainfall periods when export rates were highest, the main source of nitrogen was found to be wetland (110 g/ha/day NO3−‐N and 27 g/ha/day NH4+‐N), followed by urban (16 g/ha/day NO3‐N and 2.3 g/ha/day NH4+‐N). Key Points: An inverse modeling technique was developed to estimate the land use‐specific export rate of nitrogen using isotopes signaturesThe model was embedded within a Bayesian framework to assess the predictive uncertainty with and without inclusion of dual isotopes of nitrateDuring wet periods, when nitrogen export rates were highest, the predictive uncertainty was reduced when the model included dual isotopes of nitrate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face swapping is the process of applying a source actor's appearance to a target actor's performance in a video. This is a challenging visual effect that has seen increasing demand in film and television production. Recent work has shown that data‐driven methods based on deep learning can produce compelling effects at production quality in a fraction of the time required for a traditional 3D pipeline. However, the dominant approach operates only on 2D imagery without reference to the underlying facial geometry or texture, resulting in poor generalization under novel viewpoints and little artistic control. Methods that do incorporate geometry rely on pre‐learned facial priors that do not adapt well to particular geometric features of the source and target faces. We approach the problem of face swapping from the perspective of learning simultaneous convolutional facial autoencoders for the source and target identities, using a shared encoder network with identity‐specific decoders. The key novelty in our approach is that each decoder first lifts the latent code into a 3D representation, comprising a dynamic face texture and a deformable 3D face shape, before projecting this 3D face back onto the input image using a differentiable renderer. The coupled autoencoders are trained only on videos of the source and target identities, without requiring 3D supervision. By leveraging the learned 3D geometry and texture, our method achieves face swapping with higher quality than when using off‐the‐shelf monocular 3D face reconstruction, and overall lower FID score than state‐of‐the‐art 2D methods. Furthermore, our 3D representation allows for efficient artistic control over the result, which can be hard to achieve with existing 2D approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the fruits that add diversity and nutrition to our diet are wholly or partially dependent upon flower‐visiting insects. For example, apples (Malus spp.) are self‐incompatible and therefore rely on insect pollinators for fruit development and seed production. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are often migrated into these orchards when the apples are in bloom. While previous studies have focused on the impact of honey bees to fruit orchards, fewer studies have examined the reciprocal relationship of the orchards to honey bees, particularly if the bees are in the orchard for the entire foraging season, not just during bloom. Here we investigated the foraging dynamics of honey bees in apple orchards in Virginia for two full foraging seasons (April–October, 2018–2019). We decoded, mapped, and analyzed the waggle dances (n = 3710) made by returning foragers, which communicate the distance and direction from the hive to valuable resources, usually nectar or pollen. We found that bees foraged locally at <2 km throughout the season in both 2018 and 2019, with some long‐range recruitment of up to 11 km. Contrary to our expectations, apple blooms did not drive honey bee foraging. We determined in our calculations of percent (%) foraging that honey bees recruit more to the apple orchards after the bloom than during the bloom (29.4% vs. 18.6% in 2018 and 28.5% vs. 21.4% in 2019, respectively). Interestingly, honey bees recruited more to forests while the apples bloomed (36.9% and 25.7% in 2018 and 2019, respectively). Lastly, our odds ratio analysis, which includes a distance correction, indicates the honey bees were more than twice as likely to recruit to apple orchards in June, which is after the bloom, than in April or May, which is during the bloom. Our ground truthing revealed that post‐bloom apple orchards provided foraging opportunities on the growing understory of red and white clover (Trifolium spp.) and plantain (Plantago spp.). These data might therefore have important implications for best management practice decisions for bees located in fruit orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gadobutrol (GB) and gadoterate meglumine (GM) are contrast agents used for contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA). Supraaortic vasculature (SAV) CEMRAs are used to evaluate stroke risk and neurologic symptoms. There is a need to compare the SAV CEMRA image quality obtained with GB and GM. Purpose: To intra‐individually compare MRA images obtained with equimolar GB and GM at 1.5 T in the SAV. Study Type: Prospective, crossover. Population: Twenty‐eight subjects (54 ± 13 years; 17 female). Field Strength/Sequence: 1.5 T; three‐dimensional (3D) gradient recalled echo. Assessment: Quantitative image quality was measured by normalized signal intensity (SIn) [SIn = SI blood/SD blood] and contrast ratio (CR) [CR = SI blood/SI muscle], determined by an observer (JWC) with 1 year of vascular imaging experience. Three radiologists (AS, PA, and MU) with (5, 5, and 6 years of) vascular imaging experience evaluated image quality by Likert‐scale ratings (of image impression, wall conspicuity, and artifact absence). Statistical Tests: SIn and CR were compared with paired t‐tests or Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests and Bland–Altman plots. Qualitative ratings were compared with Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Results: No significant difference in SIn was found between GB and GM. CRs with GB were significantly higher than GM at the right common carotid (6.9 ± 2.5 vs. 4.8 ± 1), left internal carotid (7.3 ± 2 vs. 4.4 ± 1.2), right internal carotid (7.7 ± 2.2 vs. 5 ± 1.1), and left vertebral (6.6 ± 2.2 vs. 4.5 ± 1.1) arteries. Bland–Altman plots showed relatively greater differences between GB and GM at higher CRs and SIns. GM showed significantly higher artifact than GB (3.56 ± 0.52 vs. 3.36 ± 0.46) and significantly lower overall image quality (10.73 ± 1.45 vs. 11.26 ± 1.58) at the left vertebral artery. Data Conclusion: At 1.5 T and equimolar demonstration, GB (0.1 mL/kg, i.e., 0.1 mmol/kg) showed higher CRs in the SAV compared to GM (0.2 mL/kg, i.e., 0.1 mmol/kg) at most vessels. Subjective image quality was not significantly different between the two agents for most vessels. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuaries play an important role in regulating nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes to the atmosphere, but little is known about how catchment land‐use changes influence benthic N2O cycling. We measured seasonal benthic N2O fluxes and constructed N2O budgets in three sub‐tropical estuaries draining catchments with contrasting levels of land‐use intensity. Benthic habitats were a net N2O sink in the minimally impacted Noosa River Estuary (−287 nmol m−2 h−1) and a net source of N2O in the highly impacted Brisbane River Estuary (126 nmol m−2 h−1). Vegetated habitats can act as an important sink of N2O with uptakes of −286 and −35 nmol m−2 h−1 in the Noosa and Maroochy River Estuaries, respectively. Benthic N2O fluxes were significantly correlated with benthic NO3− fluxes, suggesting NO3− availability was an important control on benthic N2O fluxes. Combining benthic flux data with surface water N2O emissions measurements showed that increased benthic N2O fluxes helped drive increasing water–air N2O emissions over the land‐use intensity gradient. Overall, our results show that land‐use driven changes to both the diversity and sediment composition of benthic habitats play an important role in regulating N2O dynamics in estuarine ecosystems. This highlights that both sediment quality and nitrogen loading need to be considered in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the coastal ecosystems. Plain Language Summary: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the third most important long‐lived greenhouse gas that accumulates in the atmosphere. Increasing land‐use intensities such as intensifying agricultural production and coastal urbanization deposit large amounts of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) into estuarine ecosystems, which in‐turn increases estuarine N2O production. To date most studies have focused on the impacts of land‐use change on water column N2O emissions, or benthic N2O cycling, with very few looking at both compartments simultaneously. In this study, we measured benthic N2O fluxes together with water–air N2O fluxes in three sub‐tropical estuaries across a land‐use gradient. We find that benthic sediments can uptake N2O under low land‐use intensity, while increased land‐use intensity can switch benthic sediments from net consumers to produces of N2O, potentially accelerating whole‐estuary N2O emissions. This is an important finding as benthic sediments play an important functional link between estuarine ecosystems. Key Points: Estuary sediments switch from sinks to sources of N2O with increasing land‐use intensityVegetated coastal habitats can act as a sink of N2ONO3− availability was the important control on benthic N2O fluxes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine an optimal saturation‐recovery time (TS) for minimizing the underestimation of arterial input function (AIF) in quantitative cardiac perfusion MRI without multiple gadolinium injections per subject. Methods: We scanned 18 subjects (mean age = 59 ± 14 years, 9/9 males/females) to acquire resting perfusion data and 1 additional subject (age = 38 years, male) to obtain stress‐rest perfusion data using a 5‐fold accelerated pulse sequence with radial k‐space sampling and applied k‐space weighted image contrast (KWIC) filters on the same k‐space data to retrospectively reconstruct five AIF images with effective TS ranging from 10 to 21.2 ms (2.8 ms steps). Undersampled images were reconstructed using a compressed sensing framework with temporal‐total‐variation and temporal‐principal‐component as 2 orthogonal sparsifying transforms. The image processing steps included, same motion correction across five different AIF images, signal normalization by the proton‐density‐weighted‐image, signal‐to‐T1 conversion using a Bloch equation, T1‐to‐gadolinium‐concentration conversion assuming fast water exchange, T2* correction to the AIF, and gadolinium‐concentration to myocardial blood flow (MBF) conversion based on a Fermi model. Results: Among five TS values, the shortest TS (10 ms) produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher peak AIF and lower resting MBF (13.73 mM, 0.73 mL g−1 min−1) than 12.8 ms (11.24 mM, 0.89 mL g−1 min−1), 15.6 ms (9.56 mM, 1.05 mL g−1 min−1), 18.4 ms (8.55 mM, 1.17 mL g−1 min−1), and 21.2 ms (7.95 mM, 1.27 mL g−1 min−1). Similarly, shorter TS reduced underestimation of AIF (or overestimation of MBF) for both during stress and at rest, but this effect was canceled in myocardial‐perfusion‐reserve (MPR). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that TS of 10 ms reduces the underestimation of AIF and, hence, the overestimation of MBF compared with longer TS values (12.8‐21.2 ms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]