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Estimating the abundance of unmarked animal populations from acoustic data is challenging due to the inability to identify individuals and the need to adjust for observation biases including detectability (false negatives), species misclassification (false positives), and sampling exposure. Acoustic surveys conducted along mobile transects were designed to avoid counting individuals more than once, where raw counts are commonly treated as an index of abundance. More recently, false‐positive abundance models have been developed to estimate abundance while accounting for imperfect detection and misclassification. We adapted these methods to model summertime abundance and trends of three species of bats at multiple spatial scales using acoustic recordings collected along mobile transects by partners of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) from 2012 to 2020. This multiscale modeling spanned individual transect routes, larger NABat grid cells (10 km × 10 km), and across the entire extent of modeled species ranges. We estimated relationships between species abundances and a suite of abiotic and biotic predictors (landcover types, climatological variables, physiographic diversity, building density, and the impacts of white‐nose syndrome [WNS]) and found varying levels of support between species. We present clear evidence of substantial declines in populations of tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), declines that corresponded in space and time with the progression of WNS, a devastating disease of hibernating bats. In contrast, our analysis revealed that similar population‐wide declines probably have not occurred in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), a species known to be less affected by WNS. This study provides the first abundance‐based species distribution predictions and population trends for bats in their summer ranges in North America. These models will probably be applicable to assessing wildlife populations in other monitoring programs where acoustic data are used or where false‐negative and false‐positive detections are present. Finally, our abundance framework (as a spatial point pattern process) can serve as a foundation from which more sophisticated integrated species distribution models that incorporate additional streams of monitoring data (e.g., stationary acoustics, captures) can be developed for North American bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Spinosyns are a group of naturally occurring and semi‐synthetic insecticides with widespread utility in agriculture, including organic production systems. One example is spinetoram (Delegate), which is the only registered insecticide in New York State (for control of Drosophila melanogaster in vineyards) to which vinegar flies have not yet evolved high levels of resistance. However, low levels of resistance have been found in vineyard populations of D. melanogaster, and a highly resistant strain was obtained after only five selections (in the laboratory). We identified the nAChR α6 mutation (G275A) responsible for the resistance and developed a rapid, high‐throughput assay for resistance. RESULTS: Surveys of collections made in 2023 show low levels of the resistance allele in four populations. A correlation was observed between vineyard use of spinetoram and frequency of the resistance allele, but not between county‐wide use of spinosyns and frequency of the resistance allele. CONCLUSIONS: One of the sites we monitored was previously surveyed in 2019 and the frequency of the resistance allele detected in 2023 had increased. Implications of these findings to resistance management of D. melanogaster are discussed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are farrowing crates and why are they controversial? Are memories of welfare improvements 25 years ago preventing UK farmers from moving away from the crating of sows for as long as five weeks at a time? Have farrowing crates, which were first introduced more than half a century ago, had their day? If so, what might replace them? Josh Loeb investigates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media is widely used globally by patients, families of patients, health professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders who seek and share information related to cancer. Despite many benefits of social media for cancer care and research, there is also a substantial risk of exposure to misinformation, or inaccurate information about cancer. Types of misinformation vary from inaccurate information about cancer risk factors or unproven treatment options to conspiracy theories and public relations articles or advertisements appearing as reliable medical content. Many characteristics of social media networks—such as their extensive use and the relative ease it allows to share information quickly—facilitate the spread of misinformation. Research shows that inaccurate and misleading health‐related posts on social media often get more views and engagement (e.g., likes, shares) from users compared with accurate information. Exposure to misinformation can have downstream implications for health‐related attitudes and behaviors. However, combatting misinformation is a complex process that requires engagement from media platforms, scientific and health experts, governmental organizations, and the general public. Cancer experts, for example, should actively combat misinformation in real time and should disseminate evidence‐based content on social media. Health professionals should give information prescriptions to patients and families and support health literacy. Patients and families should vet the quality of cancer information before acting upon it (e.g., by using publicly available checklists) and seek recommended resources from health care providers and trusted organizations. Future multidisciplinary research is needed to identify optimal ways of building resilience and combating misinformation across social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome‐scale biological studies conducted in the post‐genomic era have revealed that two‐thirds of human genes do not encode proteins. Most functional non‐coding RNA transcripts in humans are products of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) genes, an abundant but still poorly understood class of human genes. As a result of their fundamental and multitasking regulatory roles, lncRNAs are associated with a wide range of human diseases, including neurological disorders. Approximately 40% of lncRNAs are specifically expressed in the brain, and many of them exhibit distinct spatiotemporal patterns of expression. Comparative genomics approaches have determined that 65%–75% of human lncRNA genes are primate‐specific and hence can be posited as a contributing potential cause of the higher‐order complexity of primates, including human, brains relative to those of other mammals. Although lncRNAs present important mechanistic examples of epileptogenic functions, the human/primate specificity of lncRNAs questions their relevance in rodent models. Here, we present an in‐depth review that supports the contention that human lncRNAs are direct contributors to the etiology and pathogenesis of human epilepsy, as a means to accelerate the integration of lncRNAs into clinical practice as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Meta‐analytically, the major finding of our review is the commonality of lncRNAs in epilepsy and cancer pathogenesis through mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐related pathways. In addition, neuroinflammation may be a relevant part of the common pathophysiology of cancer and epilepsy. LncRNAs affect neuroinflammation‐related signaling pathways such as nuclear factor kappa‐ light‐ chain‐ enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), Notch, and phosphatidylinositol 3‐ kinase/ protein kinase B (Akt) (PI3K/AKT), with the NF‐κB pathway being the most common. Besides the controversy over lncRNA research in non‐primate models, whether neuroinflammation is triggered by injury and/or central nervous system (CNS) toxicity during epilepsy modeling in animals or is a direct consequence of epilepsy pathophysiology needs to be considered meticulously in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To achieve epidemic control of infectious diseases, engaging higher‐burden populations with accessible diagnostic services is critical. HIV self‐testing (HIVST) is a promising option. Methods: We implemented an online HIVST programme for key populations across India. Eligible clients were 18 years or older, self‐reported a negative or unknown HIV status and reported not taking antiretroviral therapy. Clients who reported a prior HIV diagnosis were not eligible to receive an HIVST kit. HIVST clients received kits via courier or in person at pre‐determined pick‐up points supported by trained counselling staff. Virtual counsellors engaged clients online and by phone and offered support to register, access, and complete HIVST free of cost. Virtual counsellors supported clients to report results and engage with follow‐up services. Follow‐up included linking clients with a positive result to confirmatory testing and HIV care services. We assessed programmatic data across HIV continuum outcomes and conducted a qualitative evaluation through interviews with purposively sampled clients. Results: Between 30 June 2021 and 30 September 2022, 5324 clients ordered an HIVST kit (76% men, 13% women, 7% transgender people, 4% unknown gender). Of the 4282 clients reporting results (94% of those who received a kit), 6% screened positive, among whom 72% (n = 184) completed confirmatory testing. Themes from 41 client interviews included satisfaction about the convenience and privacy of services and the discreet nature of kit delivery. Respondents were drawn to the convenience of HIVST and appreciated gaining courage and comfort throughout the process from virtual counsellor support. For respondents who screened positive, challenges to care linkage included fearing judgemental questions from public providers and wanting more time before starting treatment. Clients shared concerns about kit accuracy and suggested that instructional materials be provided with more diverse language options. Conclusions: Web‐based HIVST services with tailored support appeared to facilitate HIV service access and engagement of harder‐to‐reach populations across India. Assistance from a community‐oriented counsellor proved important to overcome literacy barriers and mistrust in order to support the HIVST process and service linkage. Learnings can inform global efforts to improve the critical step of diagnosis in achieving epidemic control for HIV and other infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant‐based diets have many health benefits, including a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer, and greater environmental sustainability. However, less is known regarding the impact of plant‐based diets on quality of life among individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. The authors' objective was to examine the relationship between plant‐based diet indices postdiagnosis with quality of life. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 3505 participants in the Health Professionals Follow‐Up Study (1986–2016) with nonmetastatic prostate cancer. Food‐frequency questionnaires were used to calculate overall and healthful plant‐based diet indices. Quality‐of‐life scores were calculated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations over time between plant‐based diet indices and quality‐of‐life domains (sexual functioning, urinary irritation/obstruction, urinary incontinence, bowel functioning, hormonal/vitality), adjusted for demographics, oncologic history, body mass index, caloric intake, health‐related behaviors, and comorbidities. Results: The median age at prostate cancer diagnosis was 68 years; 48% of patients underwent radical prostatectomy, and 35% received radiation as primary therapy. The median time from diagnosis/treatment to first the quality‐of‐life questionnaire was 7.0 years. A higher plant‐based diet index was associated with better scores for sexual function, urinary irritation/obstruction, urinary incontinence, and hormonal/vitality. Consuming more healthful plant‐based foods was also associated with better sexual and bowel function, as well as urinary incontinence and hormonal/vitality scores in the age‐adjusted analysis, but not in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions: This prospective study provides supportive evidence that greater consumption of healthful plant‐based foods is associated with modestly higher scores in quality‐of‐life domains among patients with prostate cancer. Plant‐based diets have many health benefits, including a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer and greater environmental sustainability. In this prospective cohort study that included 3505 participants in the Health Professionals Follow‐Up Study, greater consumption of healthful plant‐based foods was associated with modestly higher scores in quality‐of‐life domains among patients with prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People living with HIV (PWH) have been shown to bear a higher burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to shared routes and risk factors for transmission. Populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) are at an increased risk of both being infected with HBV and HIV, that places them at higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Using weighted and adjusted multilevel logistic regression, we characterized the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among MSM living with HIV across 12 Indian cities from 2012 to 2013. Overall, the prevalence of HBsAg was 8% (range across cities: 0.5%–19%). Being between the ages of 25–34, and 35–44 increased the odds of having chronic HBV infection compared to MSM 24 years or younger. Daily or seasonal employment and being unemployed increased the odds of HBsAg prevalence compared to those with monthly or weekly wages. Sexual risk behaviours such as having had sex with both men and women in the prior 6 months and history of sex work increased the odds of having HBV. Ever having insertive sex with a man or hijra (assigned male at birth, currently identifies as female/nonbinary) was negatively associated with HBV. Despite the existence of efficacious vaccines, HBV continues to have high prevalence among PWHs. Programmes to increase early screening, vaccinations and HBV literacy are urgently needed. Integrating HBV and HIV programmes for MSM populations could be critical in addressing this dual burden and improving outcomes for both infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paediatric critical care (PCC) physicians must perform several emergent procedures independently and competently—requiring transition from novice to competent over a 3‐year fellowship. However, skill acquisition is not uniform. Individualised training, adapted to the unique experiences and requirements of each trainee, may enhance competency. Approach: An individualised, longitudinal critical procedure course was initiated at a large academic paediatric medical centre in July 2022 for PCC fellows (n = 5). The course, informed by procedural performance profiles (P3) generated through real‐time clinical assessments in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), was split into three phases: (1) an Initial Simulation Bootcamp—a 2‐day introductory session; (2) Quarterly Structured Booster Sessions (QSBS)—spaced repetition of deliberate practice training individualised to each fellow; and (3) an Annual Refresher Training—a core skills and advanced technique training day. Evaluation: Fellows began with minimal experience, which formed their initial P3s. Ninety‐two percent (166/180) of bedside procedures received real‐time feedback, enabling longitudinal P3 modification, which identified focus areas for the QSBS. The sessions were well attended and received. Eighty‐nine percent (QSBS #1 5/5, QSBS #2 3/4) of respondents reflected positively on the course's impact on procedural understanding. The course was perceived as more effective than traditional modalities, except bedside training. Implication: Implementation of a spaced repetition, deliberate practice course informed by longitudinally tracked real‐life performance data is feasible for educators and preferred by trainees. This educational construct can be applied to other clinical skills, bringing precision medicine approach to training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As equine vet Linda Belton takes the reins of the RCVS, becoming its 13th female president, Josh Loeb and Chaira Himmer chat to her about her plans for her presidential year, her views on professional regulation and her overseas work with Brooke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqua satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 1‐km observations are collocated with Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) fields of view taken during July 2008 afternoon satellite passes over the equatorial western Pacific Ocean. Radiation simulations are compared with collocated CERES observations to better understand the sensitivity of computed fluxes to two ice cloud broadband radiation parameterization schemes and inferred ice cloud characteristics. In particular, the radiation computational schemes and ice cloud property retrievals are based on two respective ice particle models, the MODIS Collection 6 (MC6) aggregate model and a more microphysically consistent two‐habit model (THM). The simulation results show that both MC6 and THM overestimate the shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) cloud radiative effects at the top of the atmosphere, as compared to the CERES observations; the difference between the MC6 and THM‐based ice cloud retrievals is too small to compensate for the differences between the two model‐based radiation schemes. Therefore, the present finding suggests that broadband radiative simulations are more sensitive to the radiation parameterization scheme than to the input cloud properties retrieved using the corresponding ice cloud particle optical property model. Plain Language Summary: Clouds can reflect the shortwave (SW) radiation energy coming from the sun back to space and absorb the longwave (LW) radiation energy emitted by the Earth and hence modulate the climate of the planet by changing the vertical distribution of radiative heating/cooling in the atmosphere. Satellite observations have been used to derive global cloud properties and radiation energy at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). An ice cloud optical property model is needed both in converting satellite signals over ice cloud scenes to cloud properties and computing radiation energy vertical distributions under ice cloud conditions. This study tests two widely‐used ice cloud optical property models. The results show that radiation energy budget at the TOA computations are more sensitive to the selected ice cloud optical property model in the computational scheme rather than the selected ice cloud optical property model in deriving the ice cloud properties input to the computational scheme. If the influence of horizontal radiation energy transfer is considered in the computational scheme, both the simulated outgoing solar SW and terrestrial LW radiation energies are reduced. Key Points: Ice cloud properties inferred from passive‐sensor observations based on rough aggregate and mixture ice particle models are consistentRough aggregate and mixture ice particle models overestimate shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) ice cloud radiative effects (CREs)Horizontal radiative transfer decreases SW CRE but increases LW CRE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea‐level rise (SLR) projections by Earth System Models (ESMs) depend on ice sheet surface mass balances. Accurate, global atmosphere reanalyses would be ideal for providing equilibrated ice sheet model initial conditions in fully coupled ESM simulations. Here we present the first evaluation of 1980–1990 global reanalysis precipitation over Greenland and Antarctica that uses independent observations of net accumulation rates derived from shallow ice cores. Precipitation distributions from both the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecast's Reanalysis (ERA5) and the Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA‐2) are highly correlated with contemporaneous co‐located net accumulation rates from Greenland (r2 > 0.95) and West Antarctica (r2 > 0.7). Three other commonly used reanalyses (WFDE5, CRUNCEP, and GSWP3) exhibit significantly weaker correlations on one or both ice sheets. Our findings imply that ESMs should use ERA5 or MERRA‐2 in data‐forced simulations to validate ice sheet model dynamics and precondition firn for SLR projections. Plain Language Summary: Because they assimilate observational data into self‐consistent models, atmospheric reanalyses are generally considered the best products for estimating the historical evolution of Earth's atmosphere. For this reason, their surface fields commonly provide land surface models with input data to study the impacts of climate change. To determine which reanalysis data set provides the best input data over Greenland and Antarctica, we compare precipitation from five reanalysis data sets to ice core measurements. We find that two reanalysis data sets provide accurate long‐term precipitation fields over Greenland, indicating their utility for ice sheet studies. Overall, we suggest the application of specific reanalysis data sets to improve future studies of sea‐level rise from ice sheets. Key Points: Net accumulation measured in shallow ice cores, adjusted for sublimation/deposition, constrains climatological precipitation over ice sheetsERA5 and MERRA‐2 precipitation fields over Greenland are highly correlated (r2 > 0.95) with in situ measurements of net accumulationOther widely used reanalyses (WFDE5, CRUNCEP, and GSWP3) are unfit for studies of ice sheet surface mass balance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bactrocera dorsalis, oriental fruit fly (OFF), is one of the most destructive agricultural pests. Although bait sprays can effectively control OFF, resistance development has been a concern. We evaluated the oviposition deterrent activity of coconut free fatty acids (CFFA), a mixture of eight coconut oil‐derived fatty acids known to repel hematophagous insects and deter their feeding and oviposition, against OFF females. RESULTS: In laboratory 72‐h two‐choice assays using guava‐juice infused‐agar as an oviposition substrate, CFFA deterred OFF oviposition in a dose‐dependent manner with the greatest reduction of 87% at 20 mg dose compared to the control. When the eight CFFA components were tested individually, four compounds (caprylic, capric, oleic, and linoleic acids) significantly reduced OFF oviposition ('negative‐compounds'), two (lauric and myristic acids) had no effect ('neutral‐compounds'), and two (palmitic and stearic acids) stimulated OFF oviposition ('positive‐compounds'). In two‐choice tests, the 'negative‐compounds' blend failed to elicit the same level of oviposition reduction as CFFA at equivalent concentrations found in CFFA. Adding the two 'neutral‐compounds' recovered the oviposition deterrence similar to CFFA. Subsequent subtraction tests showed that four 'negative‐compounds' plus lauric acid was as effective as CFFA in reducing OFF oviposition in guava‐juice agar. This five‐component key‐deterrent blend also reduced OFF oviposition by 95 and 72% on papaya and tomato fruit, respectively. CONCLUSION: CFFA acts as an oviposition deterrent for OFF. Given that CFFA compounds are generally regarded as safe for humans and the environment, CFFA and its bioactive components have potential use in behavioral control strategies against OFF. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we contemplate the future of forest landscapes under changing climate conditions and land‐use demands, there is increasing value in studying historic forest conditions and how these landscapes have changed following past disturbances. Historic landscape paintings are a potential source of data on preindustrial forests with highly detailed, full‐color depictions of overstory and understory environments. They display key details about forest community composition, microhabitat features, and structural complexity from a time well before the advent of color photography. Despite these paintings' potential, their scientific applications have been impeded by questions of validity. How truly accurate are the images portrayed in these paintings? How much of an image is an artist's manipulation of a scene to best illustrate an allegory or romanticized view of nature? Following an established assessment model from historical ecology for evaluating resource validity, we demonstrate how scholarship on art history can be integrated with ecological understanding of forest landscapes to follow this model and address these questions of image veracity in 19th century American art. Further, to illustrate the potential use of these historic images in ecological studies, we present in a case study assessing microhabitat features of 10 different paintings. While this paper explores 19th century landscape art broadly, we focus our art historical review in particular on Asher Durand, a prolific and influential artist associated with the so‐called "Hudson River School" in the mid‐1800s. Durand left clear records about his perspectives on accurately depicting nature, and from a review of images and writings of Durand, we find support for the potential use of many of his paintings and sketches in historic forest ecology research. However, we also identify important caveats regarding potential ecological interpretations from these images. More broadly, because 19th century landscape paintings are not always directly transcriptive, and because regional art cultures differed in the 1800s, we cannot within this paper speak about landscape image veracity across all 19th century landscape art. However, in following established methods in historical ecology and integrating tools from art history research, we show that one can identify accurate historic landscape paintings for application in scientific studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Parent Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (PEDE‐Q), developed to improve eating disorder (ED) assessment among youth by including parents as informants. Methods: A multi‐site, transdiagnostic sample of 355 adolescents with EDs completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE‐Q) and their parents completed the PEDE‐Q. Results: The internal consistencies of the PEDE‐Q subscales were on par with established EDE‐Q ranges (.73 to.90), both when examined using the original four‐factor EDE‐Q subscales and the seven‐item, three‐factor subscales of the brief EDE‐Q. Statistically significant medium‐ to large‐sized correlations and poor to moderate levels of agreement were found between the corresponding EDE‐Q and PEDE‐Q subscales. Receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the PEDE‐Q had a statistically significant area under the curve (AUC) to maximize sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing full‐syndrome AN, whereas the EDE‐Q did not. Based on chi‐square analyses, the PEDE‐Q identified a statistically significantly greater number of AN cases than the EDE‐Q. The EDE‐Q yielded a BN diagnosis more frequently than the PEDE‐Q, although this difference was not statistically significant. Discussion: Results suggest that the PEDE‐Q has good psychometric properties and provides incremental information that can aid in the assessment and diagnosis of adolescents with EDs, particularly those with AN. Public significance: There exist complex challenges to identifying clinically significant eating disorders among youth. The PEDE‐Q is a questionnaire measure that improves eating disorder assessment among children and adolescents by asking parents to report on the symptoms and behaviors they have observed in their child and that youth may not fully disclose. The PEDE‐Q can aid in the diagnosis of adolescents with eating disorders, particularly those with anorexia nervosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Josh Loeb discusses a new report from UK Pet Food, which looks into obesity in pets, and highlights a 'huge disconnect' between the views of vets and pet owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With dog attacks on livestock on the rise, Josh Loeb discusses a new DNA test that could help identify the dog responsible or rule out an innocent one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the inaugural Guinea Pig Welfare Forum in September, Josh Loeb discusses the behavioural sensation known as 'popcorning' and what it may mean from a welfare perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the quality of information about erectile dysfunction (ED) provided by artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. The study evaluated the responses of four commonly used chatbots to frequently searched queries about ED. The results showed that the chatbots generally provided accurate information with high-quality citations from reputable sources. However, the content was often difficult to understand and lacked visual aids. The study suggests that while AI chatbots can be a valuable source of information, improvements are needed to enhance readability and actionability for average healthcare consumers. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To determine the prenatal detection rate (PDR) of congenital heart disease (CHD) in Arizona as well as describe various factors that may influence detection rates. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and Phoenix Children's Fetal Cardiology databases. We included all cases of CHD requiring surgery <1 year of age between 2013 and 2018. A total of 1137 patients met the criteria, and various demographic, socioeconomic, and patient outcome data were collected. Results: The overall PDR was 58% with an improving detection rate over the course of our study, with the final year having a PDR of 67%. Over time, PDR improved in urban communities, but this was not seen in rural communities. Rural address, public insurance, and Native American ethnicity were associated with lower PDR. Postnatal outcomes, including Apgars, initial pH, and lactate, did not differ with the presence of a prenatal diagnosis. Diagnoses typically identified with the outflow tract and 3‐vessel views on the fetal echocardiogram were less likely to be detected prenatally. Conclusions: The PDR of CHD continues to improve with evolving technologies and guidelines. We highlight a discrepancy between urban, rural, and Native American populations. Additionally, by supplying descriptors of missed diagnosis and associated echocardiography views, we hope to provide data for future interventions. Key points: What is already known about this topic? The national average prenatal detection rate (PDR) of congenital heart disease is only about 50%Factors associated with lower PDR include younger maternal age, less education, and further distance to the nearest hospital What this study adds? Residence in a rural community, public insurance, and Native American ethnicity were associated with lower PDRImprovements in the PDR over the course of the study were driven by the urban population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Treatment delays in combination with general social distancing practices to reduce transmission may have negative impacts on the mental health of women with breast cancer who may need more social and emotional support. We sought to elucidate the psychosocial effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic among women with and without breast cancer in New York City. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among women aged 18+ across the spectrum of breast health care at New York Presbyterian (NYP)‐Weill Cornell, NYP‐Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and NYP‐Queens. Women were contacted between June and October 2021 to assess their self‐reported depression, stress, and anxiety during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We compared women who were recently diagnosed, those with a history of breast cancer, and women without cancer whose other health visits were delayed during the pandemic. Results: There were 85 women who completed the survey. Breast cancer survivors (42%) were the least likely to report a delay in care due to COVID compared to breast cancer patients who were recently diagnosed (67%) and women without cancer (67%). Compared to women without cancer and breast cancer survivors, women recently diagnosed with breast cancer reported higher levels of anxiety and depression with a statistically significant difference in perceived stress. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to identify and risk‐stratify patients facing a new breast cancer diagnosis in and around the COVID‐19 pandemic who may benefit from additional resources to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic and a breast cancer diagnosis on psychosocial health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethnic and racial disparities have recently been observed both in treatment‐related toxicities and rates of long‐lasting cure in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALLy), the most common pediatric malignancy. Despite significant improvements in overall survival in the recent past, a large number of children die from aggressive disease. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of 274 pediatric ALL/ALLy patients within Montefiore Health System from 2004 to 2021 to determine differences in all‐cause mortality within the Pediatric Hematologic Malignancies Cohort using Cox Proportional Hazard regression modeling, adjusted for age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, administration of intensive chemotherapy, preferred language, maximum glucose, and hypertension. Results: Among our 274 patients, 132 were Hispanic, 54 Non‐Hispanic Black, and 25 Non‐Hispanic White, with 25 identified as "Non‐Hispanic Other," including Asian, Arabic, and Other. Hispanic patients were 78% less likely to die (HR 0.22; 95% CI 0.07, 0.73) when compared with Non‐Hispanic Black individuals. Spanish speakers were 2.91 times more likely to die compared with those who spoke English (HR 2.91; 95% CI 1.08, 7.82). Among those English speakers, the diagnosis of hypertension and Hispanic ethnicity significantly impacted the risk of death, while these factors did not impact survival in Spanish speakers. High‐risk cytogenetics did not impact survival. Conclusions: Hispanic children with ALL/ALLy have improved survival outcomes compared with Non‐Hispanic Blacks. Additionally, Spanish language preference was strongly associated with poorer survival, a novel finding that should be validated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined development of emotional support competence within close friendships across adolescence. A sample of 184 adolescents (53% girls, 47% boys; 58% White, 29% Black, 14% other identity groups) participated in seven waves of multimethod assessments with their best friends and romantic partners from age 13 to 24. Latent change score models identified coupled predictions over time from emotional support competence to increasing friendship quality and decreasing support received from friends. Friend‐rated emotional support competence in adolescence predicted supportiveness in adult romantic relationships, over and above supportiveness in adolescent romantic relationships. Teen friendships may set the stage for developing emotional support capacities that progress across time and relationships into adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schleider et al. (2023, International Journal of Eating Disorders, current issue) propose multiple applications of single‐session intervention (SSI) models to the eating disorders (EDs) intervention spectrum. In this commentary, we propose extending the potential of SSIs to target parents as agents of change for youth with restrictive EDs, particularly anorexia nervosa (AN). Directing SSIs to parents of children with AN can circumvent psychological barriers to care while capitalizing on the unique level of motivation in a parent to protect a child and advance their capacity to thrive. Key design components of effective SSIs map well onto the core principles of family‐based treatment (FBT), which can be distilled to inform the development of SSIs for parents of youth at risk or exhibiting emerging or diagnostic AN. The participatory action research framework highlighted by Schleider et al. (2023) speaks to the importance of developing SSIs using co‐design methodologies with parents. Doing so reflects the FBT principle of parent empowerment, acknowledges the research on parental self‐efficacy as a mediator of FBT, and recognizes parents as both key stakeholders in the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent EDs, and as the intended recipients of the SSIs created for this population. Public Significance: Schleider et al. (2023, International Journal of Eating Disorders, current issue) propose multiple applications of single‐session intervention (SSI) models to eating disorders (EDs). In this commentary, we extend the potential of SSIs to target parents as agents of change for youth with restrictive EDs. Parent‐focused SSIs can circumvent psychological barriers to care while capitalizing on the unique level of motivation in a parent to advance their child's capacity to thrive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Drosophila melanogaster is a pest in vineyards because of its role in sour rot disease. Insecticides are commonly used, particularly late in the season, to control D. melanogaster and thus sour rot. Use of insecticides in vineyards and neighboring fruit production systems has led to the evolution of insecticide resistance in D. melanogaster, which is now widespread to commonly used insecticides like zeta‐cypermethrin and malathion. Implementation of resistance management strategies is facilitated by an understanding of the mechanisms and genetics underlying the resistance. RESULTS: Starting with a vineyard‐collected strain of D. melanogaster (NY18), we selected for a strain that was 1100‐fold resistant to zeta‐cypermethrin and one that was 40‐fold resistant to malathion. Resistance was inherited as an incompletely dominant trait for zeta‐cypermethrin. Resistance to malathion was inherited differently between reciprocal crosses. Insecticide bioassays using insecticide synergists found resistance to zeta‐cypermethrin was partly suppressible with either piperonyl butoxide or S,S,S‐tributylphosphorotrithionate, while resistance to malathion was unchanged by the synergists and mutations in Ace associated with the resistance were found. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to zeta‐cypermethrin is most likely due to enhanced detoxification, while the results with malathion were associated with two Ace alleles. How the newly selected strains can facilitate diagnostic tools for the identification of the mutations causing the resistance is discussed. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Spherical harmonic (SH) expansion is a useful tool to study any variable that has valid values at all latitudes and longitudes. The variable can be quantified as a sum of different spherical harmonic components, which are the spherical harmonic functions multiplied by their expansion coefficients. We find that the SH components of cloud radiative effect (CRE) have correlations with El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Hadley Circulation (HC). In particular, the expansion degree 2 (l=2 $l=2$) SH power spectrum component anomaly of CRE is strongly correlated with ENSO. The two dipole patterns appearing in the l=2 $l=2$ SH component anomaly map can be reasonably explained by a known mechanism of ENSO's impact on cloud properties. The l=3 $l=3$ and l=5 $l=5$ SH power spectrum components are correlated with HC intensity, whereas the l=6 $l=6$ and l=8 $l=8$ components are correlated with HC latitudinal widths. In ENSO warm and cold phases, the HC‐correlated SH components have opposite anomalies, which suggests the impact of ENSO on HC. This study illustrates that the SH expansion technique provides a different perspective to study the impacts of large‐scale atmospheric circulation on global cloud properties and radiative effects. Plain Language Summary: Clouds are a critical atmospheric constituent in regulating earth's energy budget (controlling the global temperature) by reflecting incident sunlight (a cooling effect), and emitting radiation to the ground (warming below clouds) and to space. The net warming or cooling effect of these factors is called the cloud radiative effect (CRE). The CRE varies with ordinary climate oscillations such as the well‐known El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and may amplify or partly suppress long‐term global warming depending on whether cloud cover diminishes or increases. This study tests a way to summarize global cloud property variations, observed in great detail by satellites, in terms of various two‐dimensional characteristic patterns defined by the spherical harmonic functions. For example, ENSO variations can be clearly observed in one of the characteristic patterns of CRE changes. Key Points: Spherical harmonic functions can be used to accurately depict global cloud propertiesDegree 2 spherical harmonic component anomaly of cloud radiative effect is correlated with El Niño‐Southern OscillationDegrees 3 to 8 spherical harmonic components of cloud radiative effect are correlated with Hadley Circulation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Josh Loeb discusses new research suggesting that a small adjustment to stable design could improve welfare for horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In polar regions, blowing snow (BLSN) can play a substantial role in regional thermodynamics and radiation properties. The extent of the impact depends upon the depth of the BLSN layer, a property that is difficult to measure and not well understood. The West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) Field Campaign saw the deployment of a large suite of observational instruments to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, allowing for in‐depth investigation of BLSN. During the year of the campaign, BLSN occurred ∼7.4% of the time. In this study, additional remote sensing observations are used to supplement an existing ceilometer‐based BLSN characterization algorithm creating a multi‐instrument (MI) depth estimation algorithm to yield layer depths with more certainty. Backscatter coefficient and linear depolarization ratios from the micropulse and high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) are incorporated along with color ratio derived from HSRL backscatter and Ka‐band radar reflectivity observations. This provided estimates of BLSN depth that were less impacted by noise/artifacts in any one set of observations. When applied to the data from AWARE, the MI algorithm yielded an average depth of 168.2 m with ∼60% of plumes less than 200 m in depth. Events occurring with precipitation saw the most value in the additional instruments, with the suite of observations allowing for more separation of BLSN particles from fallstreaks. Plain Language Summary: This study used multiple lidar and radar instruments to identify the height of blowing snow (BLSN) layers at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. This information can be used to evaluate and improve BLSN models which have had minimal verification above ground. Results of this study compare well to prior studies, however, the suite of instruments demonstrate that agreement is partially due to compensating errors within single instrument (ceilometer) studies. Key Points: Inclusion of additional lidars and radar improve estimates of blowing snow layer heightsCeilometer only algorithms are prone to offsetting height errors due to extinction and fallstreaksFuture in situ observations are paramount to improving and validating this experimental algorithm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) aboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aqua satellite has been operating since September 2002. Its information content, superb instrument performance, and dense sampling pattern make the AIRS radiances an invaluable data set for climate studies. The trends of global‐mean, nadir‐view, clear‐sky AIRS radiances from 2003 to 2020 are studied here, together with the counterparts of synthetic radiances based on two reanalyzes, European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis V5 (ECMWF ERA5) and NASA Goddard Earth Observing System V5.4.1 (GEOS‐5.4.1; a reanalysis product without assimilation of hyperspectral radiances such as AIRS). The AIRS observation shows statistically significant negative trends in most of its CO2 channels, positive but non‐significant trends in the channels over the window regions, and statistically significant positive trends in some of its H2O channels. The best agreements between observed and simulated radiance trends are seen over the CO2 tropospheric channels, while the observed and simulated trends over the CO2 stratospheric channels are opposite. ERA5 results largely agree with the AIRS observation over the H2O channels. The comparison in the H2O channels helps reveal a data continuity issue in the GEOS‐5.4.1. Contributions from individual variables to the radiance trends are also assessed by performing separate simulations. This study provides the first synopsis of the global‐mean trend of AIRS radiances over all its thermal‐IR channels. Plain Language Summary: Using 18 years of satellite hyperspectral observations, we depict, for the first time, a synopsis of the trend of global‐mean, clear‐sky infrared radiances from ∼6 to ∼16 μm. Statistically significant trends are seen in the carbon dioxide and water vapor absorption bands but not over the infrared window region. The physical explanations of such trends are discussed and supported with simulation sensitivity studies. Such observed trends, channel‐by‐channel, are also compared with those derived from synthetic radiances based on reanalysis data sets. Discrepancies between observed and reanalysis‐based trends are also discussed. Key Points: The 18‐year trends of global‐mean, clear‐sky radiances at all Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) thermal‐infrared channels are analyzedAIRS observation shows statistically significant negative trends in most of its CO2 channels and positive trends in some of its H2O channelsThe best agreements between observations and reanalysis are seen over the CO2 tropospheric channels [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been hypothesized to protect against COVID‐19, but previous observational studies of men with prostate cancer on ADT have been inconsistent regarding mortality risk from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Using data from the Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe), we identified a cohort of 114 547 men with prevalent prostate cancer on the start of follow‐up in February 2020, and followed them until 16 December 2020 to evaluate the association between ADT and time to test positive for COVID‐19. Among men testing positive for COVID‐19, we used regression analyses to estimate the association between ADT and risk of COVID‐19‐related hospital admission/death from any cause within 30 days of the positive test. In total, 1695 men with prostate cancer tested positive for COVID‐19. In crude analyses, exposure to ADT was associated with a 3‐fold increased risk of both testing positive for COVID‐19 infection and subsequent hospital admission/death. Adjustment for age, comorbidity and prostate cancer risk category substantially attenuated the associations: HR 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1‐1.5) for testing positive for COVID‐19, and OR 1.4 (95% CI: 1.0‐1.9) for risk of subsequent hospital admission/death. In conclusion, although these results suggest increased risks of a positive COVID‐19 test, and COVID‐19‐related hospital admission/death in men on ADT, these findings are likely explained by confounding by old age, cancer‐associated morbidity and other comorbidities being more prevalent in men on ADT, rather than a direct effect of the therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Currently, there is no convincing evidence that the grade of follicular lymphoma (FL) impacts patient outcome. We correlated grades in 33 925 patients with nodal FL during 1992–2018 in the SEER database with disease‐specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Patients with FL grade 3 had lower DSS and OS as compared to FL grades 1–2. During 1992–2005, the 10‐year DSS for patients with FL grades 3 and grades 1–2 were 68.6%, and 71.4%, respectively, and in 2006–2018, they were 77.7% and 82.6%, respectively. The 10‐year OS estimates in 1992–2005 were 49.9% and 54.2% for grade 3 and grades 1–2 respectively, and in 2006–2018, they were 59.1% and 63.5% for grade 3 and grades 1–2, respectively. After adjustment for stage and age, the hazard ratios for death due to FL and death from any cause for patients with FL grade 3 during 1992–2005 were 1.09 (1.02–1.16) and 1.07 (1.02–1.12), respectively, compared to FL grades 1–2; and during 2006–2018, the hazard ratios for death due to FL and death from any cause for patients with FL grade 3 were 1.34 (1.22–1.45) and 1.16 (1.10–1.23), respectively compared to FL grades 1–2. The grade of FL is an important determinant of disease biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]