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BACKGROUND: Cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB, Psylliodes chrysocephala L.) is a major pest of oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L.) in the UK and low availability of effective chemical control has increased the need for integrated pest management approaches. The risk of OSR to lodging is strongly related to stem strength, however, the impact of CSFB larval tunnelling on stem strength and subsequent risk to stem lodging is unknown. The study investigated this by applying the Generalised Crop Lodging Model to conventionally grown OSR crops scored for varying levels of CSFB larval tunnelling. Lodging risk mitigation strategies including plant growth regulators (PGR) and varying nitrogen regimes were tested under high CSFB larval pressure. RESULTS: Stems of OSR plants were categorised by the proportion of visual damage (< 5%; 5–25%; 26–50%; 51–75%; 75–100%). Stems of 26–50% damage had significantly lower breaking strengths and diameters compared to plants that scored < 5%, with the associated reduction in stem failure windspeed equivalent to an order of magnitude increase in the risk of a lodging event occurring in the UK. PGR use reduced plant height and subsequently lodging risk variably across the sites. CONCLUSION: Estimating the proportion of stem tunnelling alongside larval pressure may be a useful tool in considering the contribution of CSFB pressure to lodging risk. The research demonstrates that the use of canopy management principles to optimise canopy size through nitrogen management and PGR use may help offset increased lodging risk caused by CSFB tunnelling. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal electrophysiology is a non‐invasive method used in research and clinical practices to study the electrical activity of the brain, heart, nerves, and muscles. However, electrode/tissue interlayer materials such as ionically conducting pastes can negatively affect recordings by introducing lateral electrode‐to‐electrode ionic crosstalk and reducing spatial resolution. To overcome this issue, biocompatible, anisotropic‐conducting interlayer composites (ACI) that establish an electrically anisotropic interface with the skin are developed, enabling the application of dense cutaneous sensor arrays. High‐density, conformable electrodes are also microfabricated that adhere to the ACI and follow the curvilinear surface of the skin. The results show that ACI significantly enhances the spatial resolution of epidermal electromyography (EMG) recording compared to conductive paste, permitting the acquisition of single muscle action potentials with distinct spatial profiles. The high‐density EMG in developing mice, non‐human primates, and humans is validated. Overall, high spatial‐resolution epidermal electrophysiology enabled by ACI has the potential to advance clinical diagnostics of motor system disorders and enhance data quality for human‐computer interface applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Current European Union and United Kingdom legislation prohibits the use of neonicotinoid insecticidal seed treatments in oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus). This ban, and the reduction in efficacy of pyrethroid insecticide sprays due to resistance, has exacerbated pest pressure from the cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) in winter OSR. We quantified the direct impact of P. chrysocephala injury on the productivity of OSR. Leaf area was removed from young plants to simulate differing intensities of adult feeding injury alone or in combination with varying larval infestation levels. RESULTS: OSR can compensate for up to 90% leaf area loss at early growth stages, with no meaningful effect on yield. Significant impacts were observed with high infestations of more than five larvae per plant; plants were shorter, produced fewer flowers and pods, with fewer seeds per pod which had lower oil content and higher glucosinolate content. Such effects were not recorded when five larvae or fewer were present. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the yield‐limiting potential of the larval stages of P. chrysocephala but suggest that the current action thresholds which trigger insecticide application for both adult and larval stages (25% leaf area loss and five larvae/plant, respectively) are potentially too low as they are below the physiological injury level where plants can fully compensate for damage. Further research in field conditions is needed to define physiological thresholds more accurately as disparity may result in insecticide applications that are unnecessary to protect yield and may in turn exacerbate the development and spread of insecticide resistance in P. chrysocephala. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a key node in the cortico‐limbic‐striatal circuitry that influences decision‐making guided by the relative value of outcomes. Midbrain dopamine from either the ventral tegmental area (VTA) or the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) has the potential to modulate OFC neurons; however, it is unknown at what concentrations these terminals release dopamine. Male and female adult dopamine transporter (DAT)IRES‐Cre–tdTomato mice were injected with AAV2/8‐EF1a‐DIO‐eYFP into either the DRN or the VTA or the retrograde label cholera toxin B (CTB) 488 in the medial or lateral OFC. We quantified co‐expression of CTB 488 or enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) with tdTomato fluorescence in VTA or DRN and eYFP fibre density in the medial or lateral OFC. Both VTA and DRN dopamine neurons project to either the medial OFC or the lateral OFC, with greater expression of fibres in the medial OFC. Using fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry, we detected optogenetically evoked dopamine from channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2)‐expressing VTA or DRN dopamine terminals in either the medial OFC or the lateral OFC. We assessed if optical stimulation of dopamine from the VTA or the DRN onto the medial OFC could alter layer V pyramidal neuronal firing; however, we did not observe a change in firing at stimulation parameters that evoked dopamine release from either projection even though bath application of dopamine with the monoamine transporter inhibitor, nomifensine, decreased firing. In summary, dopaminergic neurons from the VTA or the DRN project to the OFC and release submicromolar dopamine in the medial and lateral OFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As organizations gravitate to group‐based structures, the problem of improving performance through judicious selection of group members has preoccupied scientists and managers alike. However, which individual attributes best predict group performance remains poorly understood. Here, we describe a preregistered experiment in which we simultaneously manipulated four widely studied attributes of group compositions: skill level, skill diversity, social perceptiveness, and cognitive style diversity. We find that while the average skill level of group members, skill diversity, and social perceptiveness are significant predictors of group performance, skill level dominates all other factors combined. Additionally, we explore the relationship between patterns of collaborative behavior and performance outcomes and find that any potential gains in solution quality from additional communication between the group members are outweighed by the overhead time cost, leading to lower overall efficiency. However, groups exhibiting more "turn‐taking" behavior are considerably faster and thus more efficient. Finally, contrary to our expectation, we find that group compositional factors (i.e., skill level and social perceptiveness) are not associated with the amount of communication between group members nor turn‐taking dynamics. In a pre‐registered experiment, we compare the effects of four widely studied attributes of group composition and find the group's average skill level, their skill diversity, and their social perceptiveness to be significant predictors of collective performance, with the predictive power of average skill level dominating other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing pressure on school curricula has meant crystals and the science of crystallography have been cut from or made optional for many educational programs. This omission is a serious disservice to the history and understanding of modern sciences, given that crystallography underpins many of the greatest advancements in science over the past century, is a critical component of many modern research papers and patents, and has 29 Nobel Prizes awarded in the field. This contribution describes a simple activity to target classroom and public engagement with crystallography, using marshmallows or equivalent sweets/candy to represent atoms and cocktail sticks to represent bonds, together with examples of how crystals are studied and how they are useful. Though it has a simple basis, this activity can be extended in numerous ways to reflect the aims of the demonstrator, and a few of these are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the association between body mass and hypotension during general anaesthesia in dogs undergoing surgical and diagnostic procedures within a referral hospital. Materials and Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the anaesthetic records of 1789 dogs was performed. Data on signalment, anaesthetic protocol and physiological variables, including mean arterial pressure, were collected. A multivariable generalised linear model was used to identify associations between explanatory variables, including body mass, and hypotension. Results: In the population studied, increasing body mass (per 10 kg) was significantly associated with decreasing odds of hypotension (odds ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval: 0.60 to 0.77). Additional variables associated with a decreased odds of hypotension were pre‐anaesthetic medication with alpha‐2 agonists (odds ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.82) and increased body temperature (per 1°C) during general anaesthesia (odds ratio 0.77; 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 0.88). Brachycephaly (odds ratio 1.72; 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 2.38), ASA physical status classification >3 (odds ratio 2.03; 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 3.56), undergoing a surgical procedure (versus diagnostic) (odds ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.23) and bradycardia (odds ratio 1.37; 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.80) were independently associated with increased odds of hypotension. Clinical significance: Dogs of lower body mass and brachycephalic breeds may be at higher risk of hypotension during general anaesthesia or alternatively represent subpopulations in which accurate blood pressure measurement presents a greater challenge. Monitoring blood pressure accurately in these groups requires particular attention and provisions for treating hypotension should be readily accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic semiconductors are a family of pi‐conjugated compounds used in many applications, such as displays, bioelectronics, and thermoelectrics. However, their susceptibility to processing‐induced contamination is not well understood. Here, it is shown that many organic electronic devices reported so far may have been unintentionally contaminated, thus affecting their performance, water uptake, and thin film properties. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to detect and quantify contaminants originating from the glovebox atmosphere and common laboratory consumables used during device fabrication. Importantly, this in‐depth understanding of the sources of contamination allows the establishment of clean fabrication protocols, and the fabrication of organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with improved performance and stability. This study highlights the role of unintentional contaminants in organic electronic devices, and demonstrates that certain stringent processing conditions need to be met to avoid scientific misinterpretation, ensure device reproducibility, and facilitate performance stability. The experimental procedures and conditions used herein are typical of those used by many groups in the field of solution‐processed organic semiconductors. Therefore, the insights gained into the effects of contamination are likely to be broadly applicable to studies, not just of OFETs, but also of other devices based on these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of supraglacial debris covers is often conceptualised as the formation of a surface lag by melt‐out of englacial debris from slow‐moving ice, where complexity arises from feedback between debris thickness and sub‐debris ice melt. Here, we examine the origin of a debris cover from the perspective of debris provenance and changing tributary supply in a high‐elevation compound valley glacier. Geochemical analysis of 11 major elements in 21 debris samples from six tributaries of Khumbu Glacier (Nepal) shows unambiguous statistical differentiation of debris sources reflecting lithological differences between tributary catchments. Twenty‐four samples from transects across the ablation area are partitioned according to their source areas using the FR2000 sediment unmixing model. We estimate the age of ice at each transect using a higher order ice flow model. The results show greater proportions of debris from lateral tributaries in downglacier locations that have experienced longer flowline histories. More recently, ice from the Main Himalayan Divide (Western Cwm) has become relatively more important. This suggests a change in the state of the lower glacier's structure depending on the relative ice discharges of lateral and divide sources. Ice flux from lower elevation tributaries was more important probably prior to a weakening of the Indian Summer Monsoon at around 1420 CE. The lower elevation tributaries lie within the range of late Holocene equilibrium line altitude variation and therefore respond most sensitively to climatic drivers of the glacier's flow structure. Negative glacier mass balance since around 1900 CE caused tributary glaciers to detach and high‐elevation catchments to re‐establish as the dominant ice source to Khumbu Glacier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The dopamine D5 receptor (D5R) shows high expression in cortical regions, yet the role of the receptor in learning and memory remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of prefrontal cortical (PFC) D5R knockdown in rats on learning and memory and assessed the role of the D5R in the regulation of neuronal oscillatory activity and glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK‐3β), processes integral to cognitive function. Materials and Methods: Using an adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vector, male rats were infused with shRNA to the D5R bilaterally into the PFC. Local field potential recordings were taken from freely moving animals and spectral power and coherence were evaluated in, and between, the PFC, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), hippocampus (HIP), and thalamus. Animals were then assessed in object recognition, object location, and object in place tasks. The activity of PFC GSK‐3β, a downstream effector of the D5R, was evaluated. Results: AAV‐mediated knockdown of the D5R in the PFC induced learning and memory deficits. These changes were accompanied by elevations in PFC, OFC, and HIP theta spectral power and PFC‐OFC coherence, reduced PFC‐thalamus gamma coherence, and increased PFC GSK‐3β activity. Conclusion: This work demonstrates a role for PFC D5Rs in the regulation of neuronal oscillatory activity and learning and memory. As elevated GSK‐3β activity has been implicated in numerous disorders of cognitive dysfunction, this work also highlights the potential of the D5R as a novel therapeutic target via suppression of GSK‐3β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body condition is an important proxy for the overall health and energetic status of fishes. The classically used Fulton's condition factor requires length and mass measurements, but mass can be difficult to obtain in large species. Girth measurements can replace mass for wild pelagic sharks. However, girth‐calculated condition has not been validated against Fulton's condition factor intraspecifically, across ontogeny or reproduction, or in a controlled setting. We used the epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum), because they are amenable to captive reproduction, to track fine‐scale body condition changes across life stages, oviparous reproduction and between condition indices. We measured four girths, total length and mass of 16 captive epaulette sharks across 1 year and tracked female reproduction daily. We also collected length and mass data from an additional 72 wild‐caught sharks and 155 sharks from five previous studies and two public aquaria to examine the relationship between length and mass for this species. Even though data were derived from a variety of sources, a predictable length–mass relationship (R2 = 0.990) was achievable, indicating that combining data from a variety of sources could help overcome knowledge gaps regarding basic life history characteristics. We also found that condition factor decreased during early life stages, then increased again into adulthood, with predictable changes across the female reproductive cycle. Finally, we determined that both Fulton's and girth condition analyses were comparable. Outcomes from this study uniquely provide body condition changes across the complete life history, including fine‐scale female reproductive stages, and validate the use of girths as a nonlethal whole‐organism energetic assessment for fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinically relevant models that enable certain tasks such as calibration of medical imaging devices or techniques, device validation, training healthcare professionals, and more are vital to research throughout the medical field and are referred to as phantoms. Phantoms range in complexity from a vile of water to complex designs that emulate in vivo properties. Purpose: Specific phantoms that model the lungs have focused on replication of tissue properties but lack replication of the anatomy. This limits the use across multiple imaging modalities and for device testing when anatomical considerations as well as tissue properties are needed. This work reports a lung phantom design utilizing materials that accurately mimic the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) properties of in vivo lungs and includes relevant anatomical equivalence. Methods: The tissue mimicking materials were selected based on published studies of the materials, through qualitative comparisons of the materials with ultrasound imaging, and quantitative MRI relaxation values. A PVC ribcage was used as the structural support. The muscle/fat combined layer and the skin layer were constructed with various types of silicone with graphite powder added as a scattering agent where appropriate. Lung tissue was mimicked with silicone foam. The pleural layer was replicated by the interface between the muscle/fat layer and the lung tissue layer, requiring no additional material. Results: The design was validated by accurately mimicking the distinct tissue layers expected with in vivo lung ultrasound while maintaining tissue‐mimicking relaxation values in MRI as compared to reported values. Comparisons between the muscle/fat material and in vivo muscle/fat tissue demonstrated a 1.9% difference in T1 relaxation and a 19.8% difference in T2 relaxation. Conclusions: Qualitative US and quantitative MRI analysis verified the proposed lung phantom design for accurate modeling of the human lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment is a significant social problem that responds to neighborhood conditions, including disorder and support. Using administrative sources with the census response rate and geocoded nonprofit tax forms in a cross‐sectional ecological design (N = 443), this article explores two understudied supportive factors in neighborhoods: aggregate social capital and nonprofit organizations. A series of Poisson models show aggregate social capital and nonprofit density are negatively related to child maltreatment rates, while the relationship between social capital and child maltreatment rates varies by the number of nonprofits present in the neighborhood. The results provide new insights into the ecology of child maltreatment and illustrate the importance of norms and formal organizations when addressing collective action problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the proliferation of scanning hardware and photogrammetry software, three-dimensional models of animals have become an increasingly important tool in the study of biology (Adamczak et al., [1]; Irschick et al., [16], [17]). We also calculated the mass of our model whale based on a density of 1,000 kg/m SP 3 sp (blue whales can be positively or negatively buoyant depending on the season [Moore et al., [25]] and therefore we assumed a density close to that of seawater), and compared it to the measured masses of 24-25 m long blue whales (Lockyer, [23]). This analysis highlights the importance of the posable armature: due to the dynamic nature of blue whale movement and the dearth of available photographs, finding anatomically neutral images of blue whales is very difficult. We also used images from cameras mounted on the backs of feeding blue whales (Goldbogen et al., [10]) and photos of whales from our photo-id catalog. [Extracted from the article]

In vitro models of the human colon have been used extensively in understanding the human gut microbiome (GM) and evaluating how internal and external factors affect the residing bacterial populations. Such models have been shown to be highly predictive of in vivo outcomes and have a number of advantages over animal models. The complexity required by in vitro models to closely mimic the physiology of the colon poses practical limits on their scalability. The scalable Mini Gut (MiGut) platform presented in this paper allows considerable expansion of model replicates and enables complex study design, without compromising on in vivo reflectiveness as is often the case with other model systems. MiGut has been benchmarked against a validated gut model in a demanding 9‐week study. MiGut showed excellent repeatability between model replicates and results were consistent with those of the benchmark system. The novel technology presented in this paper makes it conceivable that tens of models could be run simultaneously, allowing complex microbiome‐xenobiotic interactions to be explored in far greater detail, with minimal added resources or complexity. This platform expands the capacity to generate clinically relevant data to support our understanding of the cause‐effect relationships that govern the GM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Multi‐Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) genotyping scheme was developed for the epidemiological study of Moritella viscosa, which causes 'winter ulcer' predominantly in sea‐reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). The assay involves multiplex PCR amplification of six Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) loci, followed by capillary electrophoresis and data interpretation. A collection of 747 spatiotemporally diverse M. viscosa isolates from nine fish species was analysed, the majority from farmed Norwegian salmon. MLVA distributed 76% of the isolates across three major clonal complexes (CC1, CC2 and CC3), with the remaining forming minor clusters and singletons. While 90% of the salmon isolates belong to either CC1, CC2 or CC3, only 20% of the isolates recovered from other fish species do so, indicating a considerable degree of host specificity. We further highlight a series of 'clonal shifts' amongst Norwegian salmon isolates over the 35‐year sampling period, with CC1 showing exclusive predominance prior to the emergence of CC2, which was later supplanted by CC3, before the recent re‐emergence of CC1. Apparently, these shifts have rapidly swept the entire Norwegian coastline and conceivably, as suggested by typing of a small number of non‐Norwegian isolates, the Northeast Atlantic region as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of Graves' disease (GD) in women of childbearing potential has multiple specific complexities. Many factors are involved, which differ at the various stages from preconception, conception, first trimester, later pregnancy, postpartum and lactation, with both maternal and foetal considerations. The incidence and significance of the risks incurred from antithyroid drugs (ATDs) in pregnancy have been re‐evaluated recently and must be balanced against the risks of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism during childbearing years. Contraception is advised until hyperthyroidism is controlled. ATD cessation should be considered in those who are well controlled on low dose therapy before conception and in early pregnancy. Advice on iodine supplementation does not generally differ in those with GD. Radioiodine (RAI) is contraindicated from 6 months preconception until completion of breastfeeding. In all women who have a history of GD, monitoring of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) is strongly recommended during pregnancy, and if elevated, foetal monitoring and assessment of thyroid function in the neonate are required. Of note, RAI increases TRAb for up to a year, making this treatment option even less attractive in this patient group. A small amount of ATD is transferred into breast milk but low doses are safe during lactation. Routine periodic thyroid function testing is recommended in remission to detect postpartum GD recurrence. We present our approach to the Clinical Question 'How to manage GD in women of childbearing potential?' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound dehiscence, oftentimes a result of the poor tensile strength of early healing wounds, is a significant threat to the post‐operative patient, potentially causing life‐threatening complications. Vanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, has been shown to alter the organisation of deposited collagen in healing wounds and significantly improve the tensile strength of incisional wounds in rats. In this study, we sought to explore the effects of locally administered vanadate on tensile strength and collagen organisation in both the early and remodelling phases of excisional wound healing in a murine model. Wild‐type mice underwent stented excisional wounding on their dorsal skin and were divided equally into three treatment conditions: vanadate injection, saline injection control and an untreated control. Tensile strength testing, in vivo suction Cutometer analysis, gross wound measurements and histologic analysis were performed during healing, immediately upon wound closure, and after 4 weeks of remodelling. We found that vanadate treatment significantly increased the tensile strength of wounds and their stiffness relative to control wounds, both immediately upon healing and into the remodelling phase. Histologic analysis revealed that these biomechanical changes were likely the result of increased collagen deposition and an altered collagen organisation composed of thicker and distinctly organised collagen bundles. Given the risk that dehiscence poses to all operative patients, vanadate presents an interesting therapeutic avenue to improve the strength of post‐operative wounds and unstable chronic wounds to reduce the risk of dehiscence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precommercial thinning aims to reduce the density of immature stands to stimulate growth of well‐spaced crop trees of preferred species and free from defects and disease. The chronic persistence of Armillaria, Laminated and Tomentosus root diseases in coniferous forests of British Columbia, Canada may offset potential gains in timber yield of commercially important tree species by creating stumps that the fungi utilize as an energy source to infect neighbouring trees. In juvenile plantations and naturally regenerated stands in six biogeoclimatic (BEC) zones with evidence of root disease caused by Armillaria ostoyae (8 sites), Coniferiporia sulphurascens (2 sites) or Onnia tomentosa (1 site), five of ten 20 m square plots per site were randomly selected for thinning to British Columbia Ministry of Forests specifications. Crop tree diameter at breast height and mortality from all causes were recorded at establishment and periodically thereafter up to 19 years post‐thinning. Logistic regression analysis of mortality rates showed significant differences among root disease pathogens, between planted and natural stands, and among ecological zones. Yet over all sites, differences between thinned and control plots were not significant. At the final assessment, crop tree basal area was higher in thinned than in control plots at 10 of 11 sites. Root disease, including infected and dead trees and other lethal biotic and abiotic agents, reduced potential yield in both treatments (thinned and control). At several Armillaria sites, mortality was slightly to substantially higher in thinned than in control plots, suggesting that thinning can increase the amount and potential of inoculum which may continue to adversely impact productivity of those stands. Recommendations for silvicultural management of the three root diseases are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to the literature on assessment centre (AC) measurement structure by evaluating whether dimension, exercise or mixed‐model theoretical perspectives are supported by reliability outcomes. In a large‐scale study (Ncandidates = 2917) utilizing Bayesian generalizability theory, we tested reliability estimates configured to conform to dimension, exercise or mixed‐model perspectives. Our findings reveal that reliability outcomes for AC ratings greatly depend on the measurement intentions of the researcher. When this intent aligned with the traditional dimension perspective, we found evidence that reliability was unacceptably low (mean reliability =.38, SD =.15). However, when the intent aligned with the exercise perspective, we found evidence that reliability exceeded acceptable criteria (mean reliability =.91, SD =.09). The addition of dimension‐ to exercise‐related effects to reflect a mixed‐model perspective did not make an appreciable difference to reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Fluid therapy is an important component of equine practice. The choice of intravenous catheter is likely to impact fluid flow rates, which is of relevance in clinical cases. Objectives: (i) To assess fluid flow rates through five different equine catheters; (ii) to evaluate the impact of height on fluid flow rates and (iii) to compare agreement of flow rates achieved through identical catheters. Study design: In vitro experimental study. Methods: Flow rates were measured through five different equine catheters (2 × 14, 13, 12 and 10‐gauge) at 150 and 200 cm from ground level. Each catheter was attached to a standardised fluid administration system, time taken to reach 1000 g of fluids was measured. Three catheters were used to assess the agreement between identical catheters. Statistical analysis: (i) one‐way ANOVA assessed whether catheter type influenced flow rate and a post‐hoc Tukey's test compared mean flow rates with all other flow rates; (ii) two‐way ANOVA assessed whether height and catheter type influenced the flow rate. Finally, (iii) an intraclass correlation assessed how closely flow rates from identical catheters resembled each other. Results: (i) The fastest mean flow rates were achieved through the 10‐gauge catheter at 150 (14.1 L/h) and 200 cm (17.8 L/h). (ii) Mean flow rates through all five catheters increased by a range of 25.4–28.6% at 200 vs. 150 cm. (iii) There was excellent agreement between mean fluid rates through identical catheters (intraclass correlation 0.994–0.998). Main limitations: Flow rates achievable in vivo are likely to be lower. We used water which may have a different viscosity compared with fluids used commonly in equine practice. Conclusions: Fluid flow rates can be increased using wider bore catheters and increasing the height of the fluid bag. There is excellent agreement between fluid flow rates through identical catheters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a man with severe Guillain‐Barré syndrome who developed a persistent tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) following prolonged tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. Following tracheostomy decannulation, the TCF had a deleterious effect on non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation efficacy and ability to effectively clear airway secretions due to air leaking from the patent stoma. This case highlights a non‐surgical approach to TCF management that is not well‐described in the literature and presents an alternative management option for cohorts of patients in which the risk associated with surgical interventions may be undesirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To produce a best practice consensus guideline for the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion using formal consensus methodology. Materials and Methods: A panel of 16 expert urologists, representing adult, paediatric, general and andrological urology used the RAND Corporation / University of California, Los Angeles (RAND/UCLA) Appropriateness Consensus Methodology to score a 184‐statement pre‐meeting questionnaire on the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. The collated responses were presented at a face‐to‐face online meeting and each item was rescored anonymously after a group discussion, facilitated by an independent chair with expertise in consensus methodology. Items were scored for agreement and consensus and the items scored with consensus were used to derive a set of best practice guidelines. Results: Statements scored with consensus increased from Round 1 (122/184, 66.3%) to Round 2 (149/200, 74.5%). Recommendations were generated in 10 categories: consent; assessment under anaesthetic; initial incision; intra‐operative decision making; fixation; medical photography; closure; operation note; logistics; and follow‐up after scrotal exploration. Our statements assume that the decision to operate has already been made. Key recommendations in the consent process included discussion of the possibility of orchidectomy and the possibility of subsequent infection of the affected testis or wound requiring antibiotic therapy. If after the examination under anaesthesia, the index of suspicion of testicular torsion is lower than previously thought, then the surgeon should still proceed to scrotal exploration as planned. A flow chart guiding decision making dependent on intra‐operative findings has been designed. If no torsion is present on exploration and bell clapper deformity is absent, the testis should not be fixed. When fixing a testis using sutures, a three‐ or four‐point method is acceptable and non‐absorbable sutures are preferred. Conclusions: We have produced consensus recommendations to inform best practice in the conduct of scrotal exploration for suspected testicular torsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neighborhood effects research often employs aggregate data at small geographic areas to understand neighborhood processes. This article investigates whether empirical applications of neighborhood effects research benefit from a measurement error perspective. Methods: The article situates neighborhood effects research in a measurement error framework and then details a Bayesian methodology capable of addressing measurement concerns. We compare the proposed model to conventional linear models on crime data from Detroit, Michigan, as well as two simulated examples that closely mirror the sampling process. Results: The Detroit data example shows that the proposed model makes substantial differences to parameters of interest and reduces the mean squared error. The simulations confirm the benefit of the proposed model, regularly recovering parameters and conveying uncertainty where conventional linear models fail. Conclusion: A measurement error perspective can improve estimation for data aggregated at small geographic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion (TFIL) is a rare idiopathic tumour, usually occurring in the head and neck. Though it is histologically benign, clinically and radiographically it appears malignant. It is suspected to be part of a wider spectrum of entities called inflammatory pseudotumours. The aetiology is unknown and little evidence and consensus exists regarding the most appropriate management. This report documents the case of a now 72‐year‐old male with complex medical and psycho‐social problems who originally presented complaining of left‐sided facial swelling and pain. He underwent numerous investigations over the 9‐year period since his initial presentation in 2011. Following reference to all aspects of the clinical presentation with the histological and radiographic findings and exclusion of more common diagnoses, the diagnosis of a tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion was proffered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a number of genetically diverse Yersinia ruckeri strains are present in Norwegian aquaculture environments, most if not all outbreaks of yersiniosis in Atlantic salmon in Norway are associated with a single specific genetic lineage of serotype O1, termed clonal complex 1. To investigate the presence and spread of virulent and putatively avirulent strains in Norwegian salmon farms, PCR assays specific for Y. ruckeri (species level) and Y. ruckeri clonal complex 1 were developed. Following extensive screening of water and biofilm, the widespread prevalence of putatively avirulent Y. ruckeri strains was confirmed in freshwater salmon hatcheries, while Y. ruckeri clonal complex 1 was found in fewer farms. The formalin‐killed bacterin yersiniosis vaccine was detected in environmental samples by both PCR assays for several weeks post‐vaccination. It is thus important to interpret results from recently vaccinated fish with great care. Moreover, field studies and laboratory trials confirmed that stressful management procedures may result in increased shedding of Y. ruckeri by sub‐clinically infected fish. Analysis of sea water sampled throughout thermal delousing procedures proved effective for detection of Y. ruckeri in sub‐clinically infected populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic response of large mountain glaciers to climatic forcing operates over timescales of several centuries and therefore understanding how these glaciers change requires observations of their behavior through the Holocene. We used Be‐10 exposure‐age dating and geomorphological mapping to constrain the evolution of glaciers in the Khumbu Valley in the Everest region of Nepal. Khumbu and Lobuche Glaciers are surrounded by high‐relief lateral and terminal moraines from which seven glacial stages were identified and dated to 7.4 ± 0.2, 5.0 ± 0.3, 3.9 ± 0.1, 2.8 ± 0.2, 1.3 ± 0.1, 0.9 ± 0.02, and 0.6 ± 0.16 ka. These stages correlate to each of the seven latest Holocene regional glacial stages identified across the monsoon‐influenced Himalaya, demonstrating that a coherent record of high elevation terrestrial palaeoclimate change can be extracted from dynamic mountain landscapes. The time‐constrained moraine complex represents a catchment‐wide denudation rate of 0.8–1.4 mm a−1 over the last 8 kyr. The geometry of the ablation area of Khumbu Glacier changed around 4 ka from a broad, shallow ice tongue to become narrower and thicker as restricted by the topographic barrier of the terminal moraine complex. Plain Language Summary: Satellite observations indicate that glaciers in the monsoon‐influenced Himalaya are changing rapidly in response to climate change. However, understanding why glaciers are changing requires observing glacier behavior over longer timescales using the glacial geological record. We mapped the geometry and measured the ages of ice‐marginal moraines built by two adjacent glaciers in the Everest region of Nepal. The moraines represent a complete record of glacier expansion during cold periods in the monsoon‐influenced Himalayan region over the last 8,000 years. Moraines formed by the large Khumbu Glacier and the smaller, steeper Lobuche Glacier also reveal differences in how these glaciers have changed since the last Ice Age. The results are useful to understand how monsoon‐influenced Himalayan glaciers respond to climate change, and to improve projections of their future behavior. Key Points: Ice‐marginal moraines in the upper Khumbu Valley represent a complete record of regional glacier change between 7.4 ka and the present dayMoraine building modified the response of Khumbu Glacier to climate change after 8 kaHolocene moraine volume indicates a catchment‐wide denudation rate of 0.8–1.4 mm per year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain aneurysms can be treated with embolic coils using minimally invasive approaches. It is advantageous to modulate the biologic response of platinum embolic coils. Our previous studies demonstrated that shape memory polymer (SMP) foam coated embolization coils (FCC) devices demonstrate enhanced healing responses in animal models compared with standard bare platinum coil (BPC) devices. Macrophages are the most prevalent immune cell type that coordinate the greater immune response to implanted materials. Hence, we hypothesized that the highly porous SMP foam coatings on embolic coils activate a pro‐regenerative healing phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the number and type of infiltrating macrophages in FCC or BPC devices implanted in a rabbit elastase aneurysm model. FCC devices elicited a great number of infiltration macrophages, skewed significantly to a pro‐regenerative M2‐like phenotype 90 days following implantation. We devised an in vitro assay, where monocyte‐derived macrophages were placed in close association with FCC or BPC devices for 6–72 h. Macrophages encountering SMP FCC‐devices demonstrated highly mixed activation phenotypes at 6 h, heavily skewing toward an M2‐like phenotype by 72 h, compared with macrophages encountering BPC devices. Macrophage activation was evaluated using gene expression analysis, and secreted cytokine evaluation. Together, our results demonstrate that FCC devices promoted a pro‐regenerative macrophage activation phenotype, compared with BPC devices. Our in vitro findings corroborate with in vivo observations that SMP‐based modification of embolic coils can promote better healing of the aneurysm site, by sustaining a pro‐healing macrophage phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice‐marginal lakes can affect glacier dynamics but are ignored in studies of the evolution of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) and of peripheral mountain glaciers and ice caps (PGICs). Here we show that lakes occupy 10% of the GrIS ice margin and occur on 5% of PGICs. Ice velocity at the GrIS margin is enhanced by ∼ 25% at lakes versus on land. Mean ice discharge into lakes is ∼4.9 Gt.yr, which is ∼1% of ice discharged through marine termini. We locate thousands of subglacial overdeepenings within which 7,404 km2 of future lakes could form, all of which will be ice‐marginal at some time. Future lakes in the west and east will be restricted to the margin of the GrIS and within alpine valleys, respectively. This status and possible future leads us to contend that lakes should be incorporated into projections of Greenland ice loss. Plain Language Summary: Lakes forming on the edges of glaciers can affect ice dynamics but are not included within numerical models of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) or of peripheral mountain glaciers and ice caps (PGICs). We show that lakes presently occupy 10% of the GrIS ice margin and occur on 5% of PGICs. We determine that ice is typically moving 25% faster in the vicinity of lakes than at land margins. We estimate that ice discharge into lakes is ∼4.9 Gt.yr, which is 1% of that through marine glaciers. We identify thousands of depressions in the landscape that could hold future lakes as glaciers retreat from them. Overall, understanding of lake evolution should be incorporated into projections of Greenland ice loss and runoff. Key Points: Lakes occupy 10% of the ice margin and vary between 2% and 26% by regionIce velocity is ∼25% greater into lakes compared to onto land and total ice discharge into lakes is ∼4.9 Gt.yr−1Thousands of overdeepenings have potential to host more and larger lakes in the future but not all will be ice‐marginal simultaneously [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐motile strains of Yersinia ruckeri, known as Y. ruckeri biotype 2, now dominate amongst clinical isolates retrieved from rainbow trout internationally. Due to an acute increase in the number of yersiniosis cases in Norway in recent years, followed by introduction of widespread intraperitoneal vaccination against the disease, an investigation on the prevalence of Y. ruckeri biotype 2 in Norwegian aquaculture was conducted. We biotyped 263 Y. ruckeri isolates recovered from diseased salmonids in Norway between 1985 and 2020. A total of seven biotype 2 isolates were identified, four of which were collected between 1985 and 1987, and three of which belong to the current epizootic clone, isolated from two different sea‐farms in 2017. Whole‐genome sequencing revealed single non‐synonymous nucleotide polymorphisms in the flagellar genes flhC in isolates from the 1980s, and in fliP in isolates from 2017. In both variants, motility was restored both by complementation with wild‐type alleles in trans and via spontaneous mutation‐driven reversion following prolonged incubation on motility agar. While biotype 2 strains do not yet seem to have become broadly established in Norwegian aquaculture, the seven isolates described here serve to document a further two independent cases of Y. ruckeri biotype 2 emergence in salmonid aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Research Article Quantifying the impact of Psylliodes chrysocephala injury on the productivity of oilseed rape by Duncan J Coston et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7860. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin conditions associated with Tenacibaculum spp. constitute a significant threat to the health and welfare of sea‐farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Norway. Fifteen presumptive tenacibaculosis outbreaks distributed along the Norwegian coast during the late winter and spring of 2018 were investigated. Bacteriological culture confirmed the presence of Tenacibaculum spp. Seventy‐six isolates cultured from individual fish were selected and subjected to whole‐genome sequencing and MALDI‐TOF MS analysis. Average nucleotide identity and MALDI‐TOF analyses confirmed the presence of T. finnmarkense and T. dicentrarchi, with further division of T. finnmarkense into genomovars (gv.) finnmarkense and ulcerans. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) and single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses identified the presence of a genetically conserved cluster of gv. finnmarkense isolates against a background of relatively genetically diverse gv. finnmarkense and gv. ulcerans isolates in 13 of the 15 studied cases. This clustering strongly suggests a link between T. finnmarkense gv. finnmarkense and development of clinical tenacibaculosis in sea‐farmed Norwegian salmon in the late winter and spring. Analysis of 25 Tenacibaculum isolates collected during the spring of 2019 from similar cases identified a similar distribution of genotypes. Low water temperatures were common to all cases, and most incidences involved relatively small fish shortly after sea transfer, suggesting that these fish are particularly predisposed to Tenacibaculum infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of land‐atmosphere interactions under a clear sky and low cumulus cloud conditions are common from long‐term observatories like at the southern great plains. How well the relationships and responses of surface radiative and turbulent heat fluxes determined from these investigations hold for more heterogeneous surfaces in other climate regimes, however, is uncertain. In this study, detailed observations of the surface energy budget and daytime boundary layer properties are analyzed using measurements from the Chequamegon Heterogenous Ecosystem Energy‐Balance Study Enabled by a High‐Density Extensive Array of Detectors 2019 (CHEESEHEAD19) field campaign, July‐October 2019, across a heterogeneous forested landscape of northern Wisconsin. A cloud regime framework is employed to classify consecutive periods of clear skies from lower atmosphere stratiform and cumulus clouds. A seasonal transition from low cumulus to low stratiform periods occurred, together with a diurnal pattern in cloudy or clear sky period dominance. Radiative forcing was highly dependent on sky conditions, leading to changes in the redistribution efficiency of radiative energy by the surface turbulent heat fluxes. During CHEESEHEAD19, small Bowen ratios dominated with daytime latent heat fluxes three times as large as sensible heat fluxes for all sky conditions studied; the forested region, therefore, falls within an energy‐limited regime. The depth of the daytime mixed layer depended upon the sky condition and thermodynamic setting; deeper mixed layers occurred during periods of low cumulus and not clear skies. Profiles of vertical velocity were found to have enhanced variance under low cumulus compared to clear sky periods, suggesting potential for cloud feedbacks on boundary layer structure and surface energy fluxes. Plain Language Summary: This study investigates how different cloud regimes influence the exchange of energy at Earth's surface over a highly heterogeneous forested landscape in northern Wisconsin. Clouds directly modify the solar and infrared radiation reaching the surface. In turn, the modifications to radiation affect how turbulence near the surface is generated and its magnitude. The net result of these energy fluxes determines the warming and cooling processes at the surface, with direct implications on the development of local weather systems. From the observations in northern Wisconsin, an apparent partition in energy fluxes between two commonly observed lower atmosphere cloud types is found. A seasonal pattern in the occurrence of these cloud types was observed. Because of these cloud‐specific preferences, turbulence generated near the surface was larger during the first half of the 3‐month field campaign. Enhanced surface fluxes supported a deeper boundary layer for the shallow cumulus cloud conditions compared to overcast conditions. These fluxes were even larger than periods when skies were clear; however clear sky conditions were most frequent during the morning when surface energy fluxes were generally increasing with time during this development stage of the convective mixed layer. Turbulent fluxes associated with evaporation at the surface dominated over dry fluxes, regardless of the overhead sky conditions. These findings represent important differences to heavily study climatological regions where grasslands make up the primary surface characteristics. Key Points: Detailed surface energy fluxes and boundary layer structure responses to three boundary layer sky conditions are examined: low stratiform, low cumulus, clearTurbulent and radiative flux relationships were separable by cloud regime; latent fluxes dominated over sensible fluxes by a factor of 3 (low Bowen ratios dominated)Boundary layers were deeper during low cumulus compared to clear sky periods; surface‐atmosphere interactions are complex over the heterogenous forest landscape [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape (OSR) is the second largest source of vegetable oil globally and the most important biofuel feedstock in the European Union (EU) but the production of this important crop is threatened by a small insect, Psylliodes chrysocephala – the cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). The EU ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments and resistance of CSFB to pyrethroid insecticides have left farmers with limited control options resulting in drastic reductions in production. Integrated pest management (IPM) may offer a solution. We review the lifecycle of CSFB and the current options available, or in the research pipeline, for the eight IPM principles of the EU Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (Directive‐2009/128/EC). A full IPM strategy for CSFB barely exists. Although there are a range of preventative measures, these require scientific validation; critically, resistant/tolerant OSR cultivars are not yet available. Existing monitoring methods are time‐consuming and there are no commercial models to enable decision support based on predictions of migration timing or population size. Available thresholds are not based on physiological tolerances of the plant making it hard to adapt them to changing market prices for the crop and costs of control. Non‐synthetic alternatives tested and registered for use against CSFB are lacking, making resistance management impossible. CSFB control is therefore dependent upon conservation biocontrol. Natural enemies of CSFB are present, but quantification of their effects is needed and habitat management strategies to exploit their potential. Although some EU countries have local initiatives to reduce insecticide use and encourage use of 'greener' alternatives, there is no formal process for ranking these and little information available to help farmers make choices. We summarize the main knowledge gaps and future research needed to improve measures for CSFB control and to facilitate development of a full IPM strategy for this pest and sustainable oilseeds production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Risk factors for asymptomatic echocardiographic abnormalities that predict symptomatic heart failure (HF) may provide insight into early mechanisms of HF pathogenesis. We examined risk factors associated with asymptomatic echocardiographic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities, separately and in combination, and interactions between risk factors, in the prospective community‐based SCReening Evaluation of the Evolution of New HF (SCREEN‐HF) Study cohort of 3190 participants at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods and results: Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 60 years with one or more of hypertension, diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, abnormal heart rhythm, cerebrovascular disease, or renal impairment. Exclusion criteria were known HF, ejection fraction < 50%, or >mild valve abnormality. Structural, systolic, and diastolic echocardiographic abnormalities were defined according to the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study criteria, and risk factors for asymptomatic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities were identified using logistic regression analysis. In multivariable analysis, increased body mass index (BMI), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug therapy, and alcohol intake were risk factors for isolated structural abnormality, whereas male gender, increased heart rate, atrial fibrillation (AF), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor therapy, and obstructive sleep apnoea were associated with a lower risk. Moreover, male gender, smoking, increased systolic blood pressure, and physical inactivity were risk factors for isolated systolic abnormality, whereas increased pulse pressure and antihypertensive therapy were associated with a lower risk. Furthermore, increased age, blood pressure, amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide level, and warfarin therapy (associated with AF) were risk factors for isolated diastolic abnormality, whereas increased heart rate and triglyceride level (associated with BMI) were associated with a lower risk. The association of increased heart rate with lower risk of structural and diastolic abnormalities was independent of β‐blocker therapy. Interactions between risk factors differed for structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities. Conclusions: The different risk factors for asymptomatic structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities that predict symptomatic HF, and the interactions between risk factors, illustrate how these structural, systolic, and diastolic abnormalities represent unique trajectories that lead to symptomatic HF. Improved understanding of these trajectories may assist in the design of HF prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disease strongly associated with thyroid disease, principally Graves disease. It can range from mild disease requiring observation or symptomatic treatments only, through to sight‐threatening disease requiring major drug therapy and orbital surgery. Severity is graded by the NOSPECS system and activity by the clinical activity score (CAS) to assist in treatment selection. Non‐surgical management can extend from observation alone to minor therapy such as oral selenium, then glucocorticoid therapy, cyclosporin, mycophenolate, rituximab, immunoglobulin, teprotumumab, and orbital radiotherapy. High‐dose intravenous methylprednisolone therapy is used in active vision‐threatening disease with early use of tarsorrhaphy and orbital decompression. Inactive but moderate to severe disease may be treated by orbital decompression, strabismus and eyelid surgery. Systematic assessment and management by both an endocrinologist and ophthalmologist to achieve and maintain euthyroidism and select and sequence treatments according to activity and severity of thyroid eye disease gives the best results for quality of life and vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peruvian glaciers are important contributors to dry season runoff for agriculture and hydropower, but they are at risk of disappearing due to climate change. We applied a physically based, energy balance melt model at five on‐glacier sites within the Peruvian Cordilleras Blanca and Vilcanota. Net shortwave radiation dominates the energy balance, and despite this flux being higher in the dry season, melt rates are lower due to losses from net longwave radiation and the latent heat flux. The sensible heat flux is a relatively small contributor to melt energy. At three of the sites the wet season snowpack was discontinuous, forming and melting within a daily to weekly timescale, and resulting in highly variable melt rates closely related to precipitation dynamics. Cold air temperatures due to a strong La Niña year at Shallap Glacier (Cordillera Blanca) resulted in a continuous wet season snowpack, significantly reducing wet season ablation. Sublimation was most important at the highest site in the accumulation zone of the Quelccaya Ice Cap (Cordillera Vilcanota), accounting for 81% of ablation, compared to 2%–4% for the other sites. Air temperature and precipitation inputs were perturbed to investigate the climate sensitivity of the five glaciers. At the lower sites warmer air temperatures resulted in a switch from snowfall to rain, so that ablation was increased via the decrease in albedo and increase in net shortwave radiation. At the top of Quelccaya Ice Cap warming caused melting to replace sublimation so that ablation increased nonlinearly with air temperature. Key Points: Net shortwave radiation dominates the energy balance, although it is offset by dry season net longwave radiation and the latent heat fluxSites in the ablation area show a discontinuous wet season snowpack and wet season ablation is driven by precipitation dynamicsThe ablation response to warming is nonlinear due to reduced percentage snowfall and sublimation switching to melt at high elevations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare respiratory syndrome, which can be challenging to diagnose given its non‐specific presentation and imaging findings. While most primary cases of PAP have an autoimmune basis, the triggers for the disease are uncertain with occupational factors increasingly thought to be important. We report the unusual complication of pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothoraces following endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspirate in the setting of PAP. We discuss the possible physiological mechanisms of this complication, which appears to be more common in conditions with reduced lung compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conodonts are an extinct group of early vertebrates. Articulated fossils of their feeding apparatus ('natural assemblages') are rare, and preserved soft tissues vanishingly so. Here, a primitive conodont with preserved soft tissues is redescribed from the Waukesha Lagerstätte of Wisconsin, USA. Although the feeding apparatus of derived prioniodontid conodonts is well understood, together with the homologies between taxa, the same is not true of more primitive conodonts that have apparatuses composed entirely of coniform elements. The new data provide insights into the long‐term problem of determining homology across different types of conodont feeding apparatus. The Waukesha Panderodus preserves an almost complete apparatus, consisting of two parallel rows of elements that occluded across the sagittal plane. A pair of M elements lies at the rostral end of the apparatus, with four pairs of S elements located immediately caudal to them. Three pairs of P elements are identified at the caudal end of the apparatus, for the first time in a primitive conodont with coniform elements. A symmetrical S0 element is located on the midline between the M–S and P suites and provides the key for establishing homology with more derived ramiform–pectiniform apparatuses. The exceptional preservation reveals cartilaginous supports for the elements that inserted into their basal cavities. The trunk of the animal is poorly preserved but was dorsoventrally flattened in life with transverse myomeres containing muscle fibrils. Overall, the specimen shows that Panderodus was a macrophagous feeder and provides an insight into the functional anatomy of early vertebrate predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preclinical studies suggest mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles (MSC‐EVs) reduce inflammation and improve organ function in lung diseases; however, an objective analysis of all available data is needed prior to translation. Using rigorous meta‐research methods, we determined the effectiveness of MSC‐EVs for preclinical respiratory diseases and identified experimental conditions that may further refine this therapy. A systematic search of MEDLINE/Embase identified 1167 records. After screening, 52 articles were included for data extraction and evaluated for risk of bias and quality of reporting in study design. A random effects meta‐analysis was conducted for acute lung injury (ALI; N = 23), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; N = 8) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; N = 7). Subgroup analyses identified EV methods/characteristics that may be associated with improved efficacy. Data is presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) or risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). For ALI, MSC‐EVs markedly reduced lung injury (SMD ‐4.33, CI ‐5.73 to ‐2.92), vascular permeability (SMD ‐2.43, CI ‐3.05 to ‐1.82), and mortality (RR 0.39, CI 0.22 to 0.68). Small EVs were more consistently effective than large EVs whereas no differences were observed between tissue sources, immunocompatibility or isolation techniques. For BPD, alveolarization was improved by MSC‐EVs (SMD ‐1.45, CI ‐2.08 to ‐0.82) with small EVs more consistently beneficial then small/large EVs. In PAH, right ventricular systolic pressure (SMD ‐4.16, CI ‐5.68 to ‐2.64) and hypertrophy (SMD ‐2.80, CI ‐3.68 to ‐1.91) were significantly attenuated by EVs. In BPD and PAH, EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation demonstrated therapeutic benefit whereas tangential flow filtration (N = 2) displayed minimal efficacy. Lastly, risk of bias and quality of reporting for experimental design were consistently unclear across all studies. Our findings demonstrate clear potential of MSC‐EVs to be developed as therapy for acute and chronic lung diseases. However, greater transparency in research design and direct comparisons of isolation technique and EV subtypes are needed to generate robust evidence to guide clinical translation. Protocol Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020145334 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatially fractionated ultra‐high‐dose‐rate beams used during microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) have been shown to increase the differential response between normal and tumour tissue. Quality assurance of MRT requires a dosimeter that possesses tissue equivalence, high radiation tolerance and spatial resolution. This is currently an unsolved challenge. This work explored the use of a 500 nm thick organic semiconductor for MRT dosimetry on the Imaging and Medical Beamline at the Australian Synchrotron. Three beam filters were used to irradiate the device with peak energies of 48, 76 and 88 keV with respective dose rates of 3668, 500 and 209 Gy s−1. The response of the device stabilized to 30% efficiency after an irradiation dose of 30 kGy, with a 0.5% variation at doses of 35 kGy and higher. The calibration factor after pre‐irradiation was determined to be 1.02 ± 0.005 µGy per count across all three X‐ray energy spectra, demonstrating the unique advantage of using tissue‐equivalent materials for dosimetry. The percentage depth dose curve was within ±5% of the PTW microDiamond detector. The broad beam was fractionated into 50 microbeams (50 µm FHWM and 400 µm centre‐to‐centre distance). For each beam filter, the FWHMs of all 50 microbeams were measured to be 51 ± 1.4, 53 ± 1.4 and 69 ± 1.9 µm, for the highest to lowest dose rate, respectively. The variation in response suggested the photodetector possessed dose‐rate dependence. However, its ability to reconstruct the microbeam profile was affected by the presence of additional dose peaks adjacent to the one generated by the X‐ray microbeam. Geant4 simulations proved that the additional peaks were due to optical photons generated in the barrier film coupled to the sensitive volume. The simulations also confirmed that the amplitude of the additional peak in comparison with the microbeam decreased for spectra with lower peak energies, as observed in the experimental data. The material packaging can be optimized during fabrication by solution processing onto a flexible substrate with a non‐fluorescent barrier film. With these improvements, organic photodetectors show promising prospects as a cost‐effective high spatial resolution tissue‐equivalent flexible dosimeter for synchrotron radiation fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained mass loss from Himalayan glaciers is causing supraglacial debris to expand and thicken, with the expectation that thicker debris will suppress ablation and extend glacier longevity. However, debris‐covered glaciers are losing mass at similar rates to clean‐ice glaciers in High Mountain Asia. This rapid mass loss is attributed to the combined effects of; (a) low or reversed mass balance gradients across debris‐covered glacier tongues, (b) differential ablation processes that locally enhance ablation within the debris‐covered section of the glacier, for example, at ice cliffs and supraglacial ponds, and (c) a decrease in ice flux from the accumulation area in response to climatic warming. Adding meter‐scale spatial variations in supraglacial debris thickness to an ice‐flow model of Khumbu Glacier, Nepal, increased mass loss by 47% relative to simulations assuming a continuous debris layer over a 31‐year period (1984–2015 CE) but overestimated the reduction in ice flux. Therefore, we investigated if simulating the effects of dynamic detachment of the upper active glacier from the debris‐covered tongue would give a better representation of glacier behavior, as suggested by observations of change in glacier dynamics and structure indicating that this process occurred during the last 100 years. Observed glacier change was reproduced more reliably in simulations of the active, rather than entire, glacier extent, indicating that Khumbu Glacier has passed a dynamic tipping point by dynamically detaching from the heavily debris‐covered tongue that contains 20% of the former ice volume. Plain Language Summary: Glaciers in the Himalaya are shrinking rapidly in response to ongoing climate change. Many of these glaciers are covered with thick layers of rock debris that insulate the ice surface from atmospheric warming. Recent observations suggest that, contrary to expectations, debris‐covered glaciers are losing mass at similar rates to clean‐ice glaciers. We explore the processes driving the rapid loss of ice from a debris‐covered glacier using a glacier model with a novel representation of sub‐debris melt. Our model shows that the rapid ice loss from Khumbu Glacier, Nepal, since 1984 cannot be explained solely by accounting for variations in debris thickness and the presence of ice cliffs and ponds across the glacier surface. Instead, the glacier has passed a dynamic tipping point in the last 100 years where the upper active glacier no longer provides ice to the stagnant debris‐covered tongue. We expect that Khumbu Glacier will pass another tipping point in the next 100 years and detach completely from the debris‐covered tongue at the base of the icefall as the active glacier shrinks in response to climate change. Key Points: Debris‐covered glaciers are losing mass at a similar rate to clean‐ice glaciers in High Mountain AsiaParameterizing differential ablation in an ice‐flow model increases net mass loss from Khumbu Glacier by 29%–47%Dynamic detachment of the upper active glacier from the stagnant debris‐covered tongue after 1900 CE could have accelerated recent mass loss [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin‐wave based technologies that use collective oscillation of electrons termed magnons have been proposed for future computing landscapes due to their low energy consumption and high data transfer speeds. Magnonic crystals, materials with magnetic properties periodically varied in space, are central to such technologies. However, they are currently limited by the lithography techniques used for the magnetic patterning. To address this issue, bottom‐up self‐assembly using polymer templates to order magnetic cargo is presented. In this work, block copolymer micelles are used as templates to direct the organization of polyoxometalate (POM) molecules into organized assemblies. The structural organization of these assemblies is evaluated using microscopy and scattering techniques. The organized POM assemblies are demonstrated to modulate spin‐waves excited in permalloy thin films. This work demonstrates the first use of a bottom‐up approach to realize the fabrication of a magnonic assembly at the nanoscale. It further paves the way to achieve magnon‐mediated self‐assembled computing architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]