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The South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) is an under‐sampled ocean where the influence of environmental drivers on copepod body size is poorly understood. This study investigated the body size distribution of copepods from 13°S to 64°S to test Bergmann's rule, which predicts the occurrence of smaller organisms in warmer areas. We hypothesized that additional influence of oceanographic features strengthens this pattern. Zooplankton were sampled during the austral summer from the chlorophyll maximum depth up to the surface, at approximately 100 m depth, using a 200‐μm net. The samples were analyzed using the ZooScan imaging system and were classified using the Ecotaxa tool. We estimated copepod family abundance, biomass, and size structure, and their relationships with environmental variables were assessed through generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). Although most copepods increased in size at higher latitudes, not all families followed Bergmann's rule. Small adults of Clausocalanidae, Paracalanidae, Corycaeidae, and Oncaeidae contributed mostly in the Brazil Current (BC), while Calanidae copepodites disproportionately contributed to overall biomass, and Oithonidae adults were the most abundant in high latitudes. Copepod abundance or biomass hotspots were present in the southern limit of the warm BC, at the Subtropical Confluence Zone, and in the subantarctic waters at the Drake passage. Our results suggest that oceanographic features strengthen latitudinal body size relationships due to food availability, and the importance of different life history strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible vegetable oils are sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, necessary for a balanced diet capable of providing elements that act on the energetic, structural, and hormonal composition of humans. The growing consumption of these foods has encouraged the search for techniques capable of characterizing their compositions and transformations when subjected to industrial processes or during domestic use. We propose to analyze the transformations undergone by edible vegetable oils originating from different plants due to thermal oxidation. For this, dynamic viscosity, oxidative stability index, fatty acid profile, and infrared spectra determined before and after being subjected to thermal oxidation. The results from infrared spectroscopy were improved through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Among other results, it was possible to establish correlations between the FTIR spectra, dynamic viscosity, and the profile of fatty acids, allowing the prediction of the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) after thermal oxidation by measuring the spectrum of samples before the thermal oxidation process. Furthermore, it is observed that the dynamic viscosity is strongly altered by thermal oxidation, which is directly related to the decrease in PUFA content. The results obtained can be used to predict quality factors of edible vegetable oils, helping to choose the right type of oil for each industrial or domestic process. Practical Applications: This research holds significant practical implications, particularly in detecting adulteration and fraud of edible vegetable oils. The developed method uses physicochemical properties and infrared spectroscopy with principal component analysis to characterize oils and to determine the oil stability index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let X$X$ and Y$Y$ be complex Banach spaces with BX$B_X$ denoting the open unit ball of X$X$. This paper studies various aspects of the holomorphic Lipschitz spaceHL0(BX,Y)$\mathcal {H}L_0(B_X,Y)$, endowed with the Lipschitz norm. This space consists of the functions in the intersection of the sets Lip0(BX,Y)$\operatorname{Lip}_0(B_X,Y)$ of Lipschitz mappings and H∞(BX,Y)$\mathcal {H}^\infty (B_X,Y)$ of bounded holomorphic mappings, from BX$B_X$ to Y$Y$. Thanks to the Dixmier–Ng theorem, HL0(BX,C)$\mathcal {H}L_0(B_X, \mathbb {C})$ is indeed a dual space, whose predual G0(BX)$\mathcal {G}_0(B_X)$ shares linearization properties with both the Lipschitz‐free space and Dineen–Mujica predual of H∞(BX)$\mathcal {H}^\infty (B_X)$. We explore the similarities and differences between these spaces, and combine techniques to study the properties of the space of holomorphic Lipschitz functions. In particular, we get that G0(BX)$\mathcal {G}_0(B_X)$ contains a 1‐complemented subspace isometric to X$X$ and that G0(X)$\mathcal {G}_0(X)$ has the (metric) approximation property whenever X$X$ has it. We also analyze when G0(BX)$\mathcal {G}_0(B_X)$ is a subspace of G0(BY)$\mathcal {G}_0(B_Y)$, and we obtain an analog of Godefroy's characterization of functionals with a unique norm preserving extension in the holomorphic Lipschitz context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Key Results Conclusions and Inferences Diarrhea is commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis, and other gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Spontaneously occurring idiopathic chronic diarrhea is frequent in rhesus macaques, but has not been used as a model for the investigation of diarrhea or its treatment. We characterized this condition and present preliminary data demonstrating that left vagal nerve stimulation provides relief.Stool consistency scores were followed for up to 12 years. Inflammation was assessed by plasma C‐reactive protein, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, measured by positron emission tomography (PET), multiplex T cell localization, endoscopy and histology. The vagus was stimulated for 9 weeks in conscious macaques, using fully implanted electrodes, under wireless control.Macaques exhibited recurrent periods of diarrhea for up to 12 years, and signs of inflammation: elevated plasma C‐reactive protein, increased bowel FDG uptake and increased mucosal T helper1 T‐cells. The colon and distal ileum were endoscopically normal, and histology revealed mild colonic inflammation. Application of vagal nerve stimulation to conscious macaques (10 Hz, 30 s every 3 h; 24 h a day for 9 weeks) significantly reduced severity of diarrhea and also reduced inflammation, as measured by FDG uptake and C‐reactive protein.These macaques exhibit spontaneously occurring diarrhea with intestinal inflammation that can be reduced by VNS. The data demonstrate the utility of this naturally occurring primate model to study the physiology and treatments for chronic diarrhea and the neural control circuits influencing diarrhea and inflammation that are not accessible in human subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of 11 synthetic 4‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarins by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) on a quadrupole‐time‐of flight (Q‐TOF) hybrid mass spectrometer. We have also estimated thermochemical data for the protonated coumarins (precursor ion A) and product ion structures by computational chemistry at a B3LYP level of theory to establish the ion structures and to rationalize the fragmentation pathways. The most abundant ions in the product ion spectra of coumarins 1–11 resulted from C8H8O2, CO2, C4H4O3, C8H10O3, C8H8O2, and CH3OH eliminations through retro‐Diels–Alder (RDA) reactions, remote hydrogen rearrangements (β‐eliminations), and β‐lactone ring contraction. Although the investigated coumarins shared most of the fragmentation pathways, formation of a benzylic product ion and its corresponding tropylium ion was diagnostic of the substituents at ring C. The thermochemical data revealed that the nature and position of the substituents at ring C played a key role in the formation of this product ion and determined its relative intensity in the product ion spectrum. The results of this study contribute to knowledge of the gas‐phase ion chemistry of this important class of organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide (ZnO) was surface treated using argon plasma at 5 and 15 min, using maleic anhydride (MA) in solid state as the functionalizing agent. The samples were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that ZnO surface modification occurs through two main routes: the decomposition of MA and the plasma‐induced formation of C–Zn bonds, with 15 min being the most favorable time span. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ZnO were processed in an internal chamber mixer, which was coupled with a torque rheometer and characterized by the Melt Flow Index. Composites containing treated ZnO present fluidity indices closer to those of pure PLA, indicating the functionalization contribution to control the degradation of the polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robust synthesis of evidence to support treatment recommendations for preschoolers with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is lacking. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to review currently available evidence to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of stimulants for preschool children with ADHD. Methods: We searched electronic databases (CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed) from the database inception to March, 2022; and clinical trial registries through WHO ICTRP from the database inception to July, 2022, and selected double‐blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared stimulants against placebo for the treatment of preschoolers (age ≤ 7 years) with ADHD. Change in ADHD symptom severity was the primary outcome (efficacy) and all‐cause dropout rates (acceptability) was the secondary outcome. Data were pooled with random‐effects models weighted by the inverse of the variance. Risk of bias of individual studies were assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022348597). Results: Five RCTs (three methylphenidate immediate‐release, one methylphenidate extended‐release, and one lisdexamfetamine) were included. The analysis of efficacy was based on 489 participants. Meta‐analysis of change in ADHD symptom severity demonstrated a significant effect in favor of stimulants over placebo (standardized mean difference = −0.59; 95% CI −0.77, −0.41; p < 0.0001). There was no evidence of heterogeneity but some concerns about publication bias. Regardless, the confidence of evidence was considered moderate. For acceptability, stimulants did not lead to an increased rate of all‐cause discontinuation rates in comparison to placebo (OR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.15, 2.37; p = 0.45) but the confidence of estimate was very low. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that stimulants are efficacious in reducing ADHD symptoms among preschool children. Clinicians should consider the use of stimulants when making treatment recommendations for preschoolers with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hydrogen sulfide is a signaling molecule in plants that regulates essential biological processes through protein persulfidation. However, little is known about sulfide‐mediated regulation in relation to photorespiration.Here, we performed label‐free quantitative proteomic analysis and observed a high impact on protein persulfidation levels when plants grown under nonphotorespiratory conditions were transferred to air, with 98.7% of the identified proteins being more persulfidated under suppressed photorespiration. Interestingly, a higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected under nonphotorespiratory conditions.Analysis of the effect of sulfide on aspects associated with non‐ or photorespiratory growth conditions has demonstrated that it protects plants grown under suppressed photorespiration. Thus, sulfide amends the imbalance of carbon/nitrogen and restores ATP levels to concentrations like those of air‐grown plants; balances the high level of ROS in plants under nonphotorespiratory conditions to reach a cellular redox state similar to that in air‐grown plants; and regulates stomatal closure, to decrease the high guard cell ROS levels and induce stomatal aperture. In this way, sulfide signals the CO2‐dependent stomata movement, in the opposite direction of the established abscisic acid‐dependent movement.Our findings suggest that the high persulfidation level under suppressed photorespiration reveals an essential role of sulfide signaling under these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotics in agriculture faces several challenges, such as the unstructured characteristics of the environments, variability of luminosity conditions for perception systems, and vast field extensions. To implement autonomous navigation systems in these conditions, robots should be able to operate during large periods and travel long trajectories. For this reason, it is essential that simultaneous localization and mapping algorithms can perform in large‐scale and long‐term operating conditions. One of the main challenges for these methods is maintaining low memory resources while mapping extensive environments. This work tackles this issue, proposing a localization and mapping approach called VineSLAM that uses a topological mapping architecture to manage the memory resources required by the algorithm. This topological map is a graph‐based structure where each node is agnostic to the type of data stored, enabling the creation of a multilayer mapping procedure. Also, a localization algorithm is implemented, which interacts with the topological map to perform access and search operations. Results show that our approach is aligned with the state‐of‐the‐art regarding localization precision, being able to compute the robot pose in long and challenging trajectories in agriculture. In addition, we prove that the topological approach innovates the state‐of‐the‐art memory management. The proposed algorithm requires less memory than the other benchmarked algorithms, and can maintain a constant memory allocation during the entire operation. This consists of a significant innovation, since our approach opens the possibility for the deployment of complex 3D SLAM algorithms in real‐world applications without scale restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the melting conditions and furnaces used to the obtained final colors has always been a question raised when investigating formulations and recipes of historical glasses. The focus of the present work is the reproduction of three recipes of red enamel glass of the manuscript by Neri, L'arte vetraria (1612) following the translation and comments by Kunckel's in Ars Vitraria Experimentalis (1679). The reproductions include the production of each individual compound of the selected recipes following instructions, and the final glass production in electric and wood‐fire furnaces to assess the effect of different melting conditions. A multianalytical approach was used to fully characterize the produced samples allowing the study of the enamel chemical composition, color, crystals formations, and thermal properties. The results indicate that no significant color differences may be attributed to the melting conditions. However, it revealed that the samples produced in the electric furnace at 1200°C present a high crystallinity degree and the formation of white crystals at room temperature in a short period of time. The formation of crystals on glass is critical, and historically, to avoid it, these recipes must have been made at temperatures between 1050 and 1100°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a novel variant of the value‐based additive data envelopment analysis model. It conducts a comprehensive robustness analysis of efficiency outcomes for all feasible input and output weights using mathematical programming and the Monte Carlo simulation. We also introduce the original procedures for selecting a common vector of weights and an approach for investigating the stability of results in a multiscenario setting. The presented framework is applied to evaluate the performance of emergency department physicians using data from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. Our focus is on the physicians' performance when dealing with groups of patients' complaints related to abdominal pain and constipation, fever, extremity injury, head injury, and laceration/puncture. The obtained results emphasize the strong dependence of the physicians' performances on the selected weight vectors. However, they prove helpful in pointing out overall good performers who can serve as universal benchmarks or niche performers being markedly better in providing care to a given complaint group. They also offer a basis for developing an improvement plan for the underperforming physicians, identifying the priorities for a practice‐oriented model, and recognizing the most challenging patients' complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oncostatic effects of melatonin correlate with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, but how melatonin induces this ROS generation is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the two seemingly opposing actions of melatonin regarding its relationship with free radicals. We analyzed the effects of melatonin on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Cal‐27 and SCC‐9), which were treated with 0.5 or 1 mM melatonin. We further examined the potential effects of melatonin to induce ROS and apoptosis in Cal‐27 xenograft mice. Here we report that melatonin mediates apoptosis in head and neck cancer by driving mitochondrial reverse electron transport (RET) to induce ROS production. Melatonin‐induced changes in tumoral metabolism led to increased mitochondrial activity, which, in turn, induced ROS‐dependent mitochondrial uncoupling. Interestingly, mitochondrial complex inhibitors, including rotenone, abolished the ROS elevation indicating that melatonin increased ROS generation via RET. Melatonin also increased membrane potential and CoQ10H2/CoQ10 ratio to elevate mitochondrial ROS production, which are essential conditions for RET. We found that genetic manipulation of cancer cells with alternative oxidase, which transfers electrons from QH2 to oxygen, inhibited melatonin‐induced ROS generation, and apoptosis. RET restored the melatonin‐induced oncostatic effect, highlighting the importance of RET as the site of ROS production. These results illustrate that RET and ROS production are crucial factors in melatonin's effects in cancer cells and establish the dual effect of melatonin in protecting normal cells and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international public health emergency related to COVID‐19 caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus has altered several production and registration criteria for sanitary products, including alcohol‐based hand sanitizers. In this work, we investigate the concentration of alcohol in sanitizers presented in gel form applying the principal component regression method on measurements using Infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. The chemometric calibration is performed using isopropanol or ethanol as active agents, and the method is used to characterize several commercial samples. Furthermore, the results of the prediction of alcohol concentration, obtained by applying the principal component regression and partial least squares methods, in the spectroscopic techniques, were compared with each other and with the results provided by nuclear magnetic resonance. Our results show that spectroscopic techniques coupled with principal component regression are fast, low‐cost, and safe tools for the determination of alcohol concentration, regardless the gelling agent used. The association between chemometrics and spectroscopy in the determination of alcohol in sanitizing products in the form of a gel allows for a quick, low‐cost measurement without subjective treatment of the spectroscopic analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of biologically active 2‐substituted benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles was developed using Zn(L‐Pro)2 as catalyst in ethanol at room temperature in an aerobic oxidative cyclization reaction involving o‐phenylenediamine and 2‐aminothiophenol with various substituted aldehydes. This process offers a quick and eco‐friendly way to synthesize a variety of pharmacologically important benzothiazoles and benzimidazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Whether parental age, i.e., paternal or maternal, at childbirth is associated with the risk of bipolar disorder (BD) in offspring remains unclear. We conducted a meta‐analysis of observational studies to address this gap. Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science were searched up to June 2021. Studies investigating the associations between parental age at childbirth (exposure) and the risk of BD in offspring (outcome) were eligible for inclusion in our study. Paternal and maternal age were examined separately. Odds ratio (OR) was used as the effect size index. Data were pooled through random‐effects meta‐analyses. Results: Seven studies involving 3,183,539 participants and 23,253 individuals with BD were included in our meta‐analyses. Meta‐analyses indicated an increased risk of BD in the offspring of the older paternal age groups (35–44 years old [k = 5; OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.05, 1.14; p < 0.0001] and ≥45 years old [k = 5; OR = 1.44; 95% CI 1.19, 1.14; p = 0.0001]) in comparison with the reference category (25–34 years old). Meta‐analysis also indicated an increased risk of BD in the offspring of the older maternal age group (≥40 years old [k = 3; OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.10, 1.31; p < 0.0001]) in comparison with the reference category (20–29 years old). Conclusions: Advanced paternal and maternal age were both associated with an increased risk of BD in offspring. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms behind this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors may be an effective therapy for chronic tic disorders (CTD), including Tourette syndrome (TS), but there has not been a meta‐analysis compiling available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability of VMAT2 inhibitors for CTD/TS. PubMed, CENTRAL, and Embase were searched for double‐blinded RCTs of VMAT2 inhibitors versus placebo for the treatment of CTD/TS. Change in tic severity measured by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (efficacy) and rates of discontinuation attributed to adverse effects (tolerability) or all causes (acceptability) were extracted closest to 12 weeks. Mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR) were the effect size indexes for efficacy and acceptability/tolerability, respectively. Data were pooled through random‐effects meta‐analysis weighted by inverse variance. Five RCTs involving eight comparisons were included. Meta‐analysis found a nonsignificant effect on efficacy (k = 8; N = 583; MD = −0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.93 to 0.50; P = 0.24), and there was certainty that the true effect is nonclinically meaningful (high quality of evidence). Meta‐analysis found decreased tolerability (k = 7; N = 626; OR = 2.67; 95% CI, 1.21–5.92; P = 0.01) and decreased acceptability (k = 8; N = 626; OR = 1.90; 95% CI, 1.14–3.18; P = 0.01), although those comparisons were limited because of the relatively small number of events across trials. Meta‐analyses did not support the efficacy of VMAT2 inhibitors in the short‐term treatment of tic disorders and suggested no clinically meaningful effect of these agents on tic symptoms. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pesticides can be noxious to non‐target beneficial arthropods and their negative effects have been recently recognized even at low doses. The predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) plays an important role in controlling insect pests in solanaceous crops, but its concurrent herbivory often poses relevant concerns for tomato production. Although insecticide side effects on N. tenuis have been previously studied, little is known on the potential implications of neurotoxic chemicals at low concentrations. We assessed the baseline toxicity of three neurotoxic insecticides (lambda‐cyhalothrin, spinosad and chlorpyrifos) on N. tenuis by topical contact exposure. The behavioral and reproduction capacity of the predator was then investigated upon exposure to three estimated low‐lethal concentrations (LC1, LC10 and LC30). RESULTS: Predator survival varied among insecticides and concentrations, with LC30/label rate ratios ranging from 8.45% to 65.40% for spinosad and lambda‐cyhalothrin, respectively. All insecticides reduced the fertility of N. tenuis females at all estimated low‐lethal concentrations. Chlorpyrifos seriously compromised predator orientation towards a host plant even at LC1, while the same effect was observed for lambda‐cyhalothrin and spinosad solely at LC30. Lambda‐cyhalothrin (at all concentrations) and chlorpyrifos (at LC10 and LC30) also affected the time taken by N. tenuis females to make a choice. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that all three insecticides can be detrimental to N. tenuis and should be avoided when presence of the predator is desirable. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research investigating the overlap between attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (henceforth, autism) symptoms in population samples have relied on latent variable modeling in which averaged scores representing dimensions were derived from observed symptoms. There are no studies evaluating how ADHD and autism symptoms interact at the level of individual symptom items. Methods: We aimed to address this gap by performing a network analysis on data from a school survey of children aged 6–17 years old (N = 7,405). ADHD and autism symptoms were measured via parent‐report on the Swanson, Nolan, Pelham‐IV questionnaire and the Childhood Autism Spectrum test, respectively. Results: A relatively low interconnectivity between ADHD and autism symptoms was found with only 10.06% of possible connections (edges) between one ADHD and one autism symptoms different than zero. Associations between ADHD and autism symptoms were significantly weaker than those between two symptoms pertaining to the same construct. Select ADHD symptoms, particularly those presenting in social contexts (e.g. 'talks excessively', 'does not wait turn'), showed moderate‐to‐strong associations with autism symptoms, but some were considered redundant to autism symptoms. Conclusions: The present findings indicate that individual ADHD and autism symptoms are largely segregated in accordance with diagnostic boundaries corresponding to these conditions in children and adolescents from the community. These findings could improve our clinical conceptualization of ADHD and autism and guide advancements in diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: To demonstrate that a group of patients who are not considered candidates for organ preservation can achieve organ preservation through neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery and to determine if there are differences regarding organ preservation, disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) after comparing such group with another one undergoing standard treatment. Methods: Patients with laryngeal cancer were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups. Group A included patients who were initially treated with supracricoid laryngectomy. Group B included patients with T3N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma with arytenoid fixation. Patients were offered neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Both groups underwent bilateral selective neck dissection of lymph nodes (II–V) and intentional search of the Delphian lymph nodes. Results: Thirty‐four patients were assigned to group A of surgery alone, and 16 patients were included in group B of induction chemotherapy. No statistical differences were found regarding sex, tumor localization, histological diagnosis, TNM staging, recurrence, or organ preservation. DFS, OS, and CSS at 60 months were the same in both groups. No statistical differences were found when comparing induction versus noninduction groups according to the T‐stage in DFS, OS, and CSS. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy allows to perform conservative surgery in patients with poor functional prognosis or who are not good candidates for organ preservation at first. We could perform safe surgery, and there was no more recurrence. Hence DFS is not modified (i.e., there was no more recurrence); consequently, OS and CSS are not affected. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus supracricoid partial laryngectomy‐cricohyoidoepiglottopexy is an oncologically safe procedure that preserves basic functions such as breathing, phonation, and swallowing. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:156–162, 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural circuits at the brainstem involved in the central generation of the motor patterns of respiration and cardiorespiratory chemoreflexes organize as cell assemblies connected by chemical and electrical synapses. However, the role played by the electrical connectivity mainly mediated by connexin36 (Cx36), which expression reaches peak value during the postnatal period, is still unknown. To address this issue, we analyzed here the respiratory phenotype of a mouse strain devoid constitutively of Cx36 at P14. Male Cx36‐knockout mice at rest showed respiratory instability of variable degree, including a periodic Cheyne–Stokes breathing. Moreover, mice lacking Cx36 exhibited exacerbated chemoreflexes to normoxic and hypoxic hypercapnia characterized by a stronger inspiratory/expiratory coupling due to an increased sensitivity to CO2. Deletion of Cx36 also impaired the generation of the recurrent episodes of transient bradycardia (ETBs) evoked during hypercapnic chemoreflexes; these EBTs constituted a powerful mechanism of cardiorespiratory coupling capable of improving alveolar gaseous exchange under hypoxic hypercapnia conditions. Approximately half of the homo‐ and heterozygous Cx36KO, but none WT, mice succumbed by respiratory arrest when submitted to hypoxia‐hypercapnia, the principal exogenous stressor causing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The early suppression of EBTs, which worsened arterial O2 saturation, and the generation of a paroxysmal generalized clonic‐tonic activity, which provoked the transition from eupneic to gasping respiration, were the critical events causing sudden death in the Cx36KO mice. These results indicate that Cx36 expression plays a pivotal role in respiratory control, cardiorespiratory coordination, and protection against SIDS at the postnatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangroves provide fundamental ecosystem services; however, the growing impact of human activities has resulted in increased pollution pressure, such as chemical contaminants. The redox processes are major biogeochemical players in the fate of contaminants. We investigate the effects of the redox environment on As(V) and Cr(VI) adsorbed on goethite (i.e., Fe(III)‐oxide) over 40 days of incubation in columns containing mangrove soil subjected to seawater saturation cycles. Our spectroscopic data highlighted a less Fe(III)‐ordered arrangement on goethite over time; As(V) is strongly bound to goethite, which delayed until 20 days its remobilization and reduction to As(III). After 40 days, the goethite held ∼50% of the initial As, but it was 15% as As(III). On the other hand, Cr(VI) was desorbed almost completely in less than 10 days, and the residual Cr ions bound to goethite were almost totally converted to Cr(III). Our study stresses the importance of individual time‐dependence in evaluating chemical speciation changes among potential toxic elements in wetland systems, such as mangroves and artificial wetlands designed to water treatment or soil remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two compounds from citrus peel, tangeretin (TAN) and 3′,4′,3,5,6,7,8‐heptamethoxyflavone (HMF), were investigated for their abilities to repair metabolic damages caused by an high‐fat diet (HFD) in C57BL/6J mice. In the first 4 weeks, mice were fed either a standard diet (11% kcal from fat) for the control group, or a HFD (45% kcal from fat) to establish obesity in three experimental groups. In the following 4 weeks, two groups receiving the HFD were supplemented with either TAN or HMF at daily doses of 100 mg/kg body weight, while the two remaining groups continued to receive the standard healthy diet or the nonsupplemented HFD. Four weeks of supplementation with TAN and HMF resulted in intermediate levels of blood serum glucose, leptin, resistin, and insulin resistance compared with the healthy control and the nonsupplemented HFD groups. Blood serum peroxidation (TBARS) levels were significantly lower in the TAN and HMF groups compared with the nonsupplemented HFD group. Several differences occurred in the physiological effects of HMF versus TAN. TAN, but not HMF, reduced adipocyte size in the mice with pre‐existent obesity, while HMF, but not TAN, decreased fat accumulation in the liver and also significantly increased the levels of an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, IL‐10. In an analysis of the metabolites of TAN and HMF, several main classes occurred, including a new set of methylglucuronide conjugates. It is suggested that contrasts between the observed physiological effects of TAN and HMF may be attributable to the differences in numbers and chemical structures of TAN and HMF metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaseous molecules, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO), are crucial players in cellular and (patho)physiological processes in biological systems. The biological functions of these gaseous molecules, which were first discovered and identified as gasotransmitters in animals, have received unprecedented attention from plant scientists in recent decades. Researchers have arrived at the consensus that H2S is synthesized endogenously and serves as a signaling molecule throughout the plant life cycle. However, the mechanisms of H2S action in redox biology is still largely unexplored. This review highlights what we currently know about the characteristics and biosynthesis of H2S in plants. Additionally, we summarize the role of H2S in plant resistance to abiotic stress. Moreover, we propose and discuss possible redox‐dependent mechanisms by which H2S regulates plant physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline is synthetized on carbon fiber through electrolytic plasma applied in an acid monomer solution, without an oxidant. Pulsed‐plasma carbon fiber surface treatment is performed with two 1.0 kV pulses for 1 µs with an 200 µs off period. Different treatment times and ultrasound presence, to create microbubbles that can help plasma formation, are tested. The ultrasonic bath is not effective to produce higher quantities of polymer. Furthermore, the film formed on the carbon fiber is chemically characterized through treatment in a basic solution followed by immersion in NMP, and through FT‐IR and XPS. The presence of nitrogen in the carbon fiber surface and the characteristic FT‐IR bands of delocalized electrons indicate that the electrolytic plasma treatment is efficient to synthesize polyaniline in its conducting form. Electrochemical activity is accessed by cyclic voltammetry, indicating the formation of electrodes with good reversibility and stability, thereby suitable for supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) represents one of the greatest threats to agricultural crops. Chemical control is the primary tool used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. However, release of the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) on tomato plants is a highly recommended control tactic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial borax plus citrus oil (BCO) product against B. tabaci in the presence and absence of N. tenuis. The synthetic insecticide lambda‐cyhalothrin was used as a positive control. We also evaluated the sublethal effects of BCO on the behavior and predation rate of N. tenuis. Results: Our results demonstrated that BCO, alone and at its maximum recommended field rate for B. tabaci, was not effective in controlling the pest under laboratory conditions. Application of BCO simultaneous with N. tenuis release did not reduce the increase in the B. tabaci population. Effective control of B. tabaci was achieved using only N. tenuis. However, synthetic lambda‐cyhalothrin pyrethroid, used here as a control, caused high pest mortality and led to on‐site extinction of N. tenuis, which did not occur for insects exposed to BCO. Lambda‐cyhalothrin and BCO significantly affected the foraging behavior of N. tenuis, reducing the predation rate, especially following exposure to lambda‐cyhalothrin. Conclusion: The insecticide lambda‐cyhalothrin achieved satisfactory results in suppressing B. tabaci, but was harmful to N. tenuis. Additionally, lambda‐cyhalothrin and BCO affected predator behavior. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile compounds (VCs) emitted by the fungal phytopathogen Penicillium aurantiogriseum promote root growth and developmental changes in Arabidopsis. Here we characterised the metabolic and molecular responses of roots to fungal volatiles. Proteomic analyses revealed that these compounds reduce the levels of aquaporins, the iron carrier IRT1 and apoplastic peroxidases. Fungal VCs also increased the levels of enzymes involved in the production of mevalonate (MVA)‐derived isoprenoids, nitrogen assimilation and conversion of methionine to ethylene and cyanide. Consistently, fungal VC‐treated roots accumulated high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), MVA‐derived cytokinins, ethylene, cyanide and long‐distance nitrogen transport amino acids. qRT‐PCR analyses showed that many proteins differentially expressed by fungal VCs are encoded by VC non‐responsive genes. Expression patterns of hormone reporters and developmental characterisation of mutants provided evidence for the involvement of cyanide scavenging and enhanced auxin, ethylene, cytokinin and H2O2 signalling in the root architecture changes promoted by fungal VCs. Our findings show that VCs from P. aurantiogriseum modify root metabolism and architecture, and improve nutrient and water use efficiencies through transcriptionally and non‐transcriptionally regulated proteome resetting mechanisms. Some of these mechanisms are subject to long‐distance regulation by photosynthesis and differ from those triggered by VCs emitted by beneficial microorganisms. Here we show that volatile compounds (VCs) from the fungal phytopathogen Penicillium aurantiogriseum modify root metabolism and architecture, and enhance nutrient and water use efficiencies by means of transcriptionally and non‐transcriptionally regulated proteome resetting mechanisms that involve cyanide scavenging, hormone and ROS signalling. Some of these mechanisms are subject to long‐distance regulation by photosynthesis and differ from those involved in the response to VCs from beneficial microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to contribute to the rediscovery of old technologies in the art of stained‐glass painting with grisaille, a dark color paint, used to create contours and shadows, produced by mixing ground lead‐based glass with coloring agents such as iron and copper. The reproduction of selected recipes belonging to five different treatises, dated from the 10th to the 19th century was designed to study the evolution of the composition and production technology of this historical paint and the repercussions of this development on the thermal compatibility of the grisailles with the glass substrates.The results indicate that the raw materials and the production methods remained roughly the same throughout the centuries. However, the chemical composition of the lead‐based glass and the source of colorants (burned metals were replaced by ochre's and earths in the 19th century) did change. These modifications impacted on the morphology of the grisailles paint layers towards a greater homogeneity. The results also reveal low thermal compatibility between these two materials, associated with both the composition and the morphology of the grisaille. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the macroscopic properties of porcelain tableware fired in a microwave furnace with six magnetrons (each with a nominal power of 900 W) operating at the frequency of 2.45 GHz. The dependence of firing temperature on physical properties such as shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, bulk density, and impact resistance was analyzed. Emphasis is on the differences in the macroscopic properties of microwave and conventionally (gas and electric) fired porcelain. Batches were fired from room temperature up to above the optimum firing temperature (1380°C). Results show similar macroscopic properties for both firing methods, microwave heating required lower firing temperatures (between 1300°C and 1350°C), and shorter processing times (about 70 minutes). The main differences between microwave and electric firing methods occur in a temperature band of 300°C above the porcelain eutectic temperature (close to 1000°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber fabric was treated with radiofrequency plasma in a N2/H2 gas mixture to create functional groups with –NHx or –N, thus promoting conditions for polyaniline (PAni) grafting. The morphology and chemical structure of PAni on the carbon fiber surface were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, showing strong interactions between the PAni and the carbon fiber, especially for the 5‐min plasma‐treated substrate. The electrochemical activity of electrodes consisting of carbon fiber fabric and PAni was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which showed fast polarization response and lower charge transfer resistance for electrodes with better interactions between the PAni and the carbon fiber substrate, indicating the occurrence of grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition among trees is an important driver of community structure and dynamics in tropical forests. Neighboring trees may impact an individual tree's growth rate and probability of mortality, but large‐scale geographic and environmental variation in these competitive effects has yet to be evaluated across the tropical forest biome. We quantified effects of competition on tree‐level basal area growth and mortality for trees ≥10‐cm diameter across 151 ~1‐ha plots in mature tropical forests in Amazonia and tropical Africa by developing nonlinear models that accounted for wood density, tree size, and neighborhood crowding. Using these models, we assessed how water availability (i.e., climatic water deficit) and soil fertility influenced the predicted plot‐level strength of competition (i.e., the extent to which growth is reduced, or mortality is increased, by competition across all individual trees). On both continents, tree basal area growth decreased with wood density and increased with tree size. Growth decreased with neighborhood crowding, which suggests that competition is important. Tree mortality decreased with wood density and generally increased with tree size, but was apparently unaffected by neighborhood crowding. Across plots, variation in the plot‐level strength of competition was most strongly related to plot basal area (i.e., the sum of the basal area of all trees in a plot), with greater reductions in growth occurring in forests with high basal area, but in Amazonia, the strength of competition also varied with plot‐level wood density. In Amazonia, the strength of competition increased with water availability because of the greater basal area of wetter forests, but was only weakly related to soil fertility. In Africa, competition was weakly related to soil fertility and invariant across the shorter water availability gradient. Overall, our results suggest that competition influences the structure and dynamics of tropical forests primarily through effects on individual tree growth rather than mortality and that the strength of competition largely depends on environment‐mediated variation in basal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GLO:FQU/01apr20:cobi13405-fig-0002.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): Vulnerability of 993 Brazilian protected areas (PAs) to climate change relative to (a) number of areas within Brazilian ecological regions, (b) number of areas among PA objectives, (c) area among ecological regions, and (d) area among PA objectives. The ecosystem maintenance pathway (low resilience and low exposure to climate change) should be used alone in only 3 PAs that are highly affected by human activity, mainly in inland Atlantic Forest, and used in combination with refugia pathway in 92 PAs also located mostly in the Atlantic Forest. A more comprehensive consideration of climate change impacts on flora and fauna inside PAs through a method that unifies process-based and niche modeling could be a next step to assess PA climate change risks. The integrity of Brazil's remaining native vegetation within and outside these PAs is imperiled as long as knowledge of the effects of climate change on species distribution and on the community- and ecosystem-level responses to climate change remains superficial (Dawson et al. [6]; Settele et al. [45]). [Extracted from the article]

We model a dynamic duopoly in which firms can potentially drive their rivals from the market. For some parameter values, the Cournot equilibrium outcome cannot be sustained in an infinitely repeated setting. In those cases, there is a Markov perfect equilibrium in mixed strategies in which one firm, eventually, will exit the market with probability one. Producer surplus in the maximum collusive outcome is greater under bankruptcy consideration, because the outcome that maximizes joint profits is skewed in favor of the more efficient firm. Consumer surplus and social welfare also increase in many cases, although those effects are generally ambiguous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) produced through the activity of l‐cysteine desulfhydrase (DES1) is an important gaseous signaling molecule in plants that could participate in abscisic acid (ABA)‐induced stomatal closure. However, the coupling of the DES1/H2S signaling pathways to guard cell movement has not been thoroughly elucidated. The results presented here provide genetic evidence for a physiologically relevant signaling pathway that governs guard cell in situ DES1/H2S function in stomatal closure. We discovered that ABA‐activated DES1 produces H2S in guard cells. The impaired guard cell ABA phenotype of the des1 mutant can be fully complemented when DES1/H2S function has been specifically rescued in guard cells and epidermal cells, but not mesophyll cells. This research further characterized DES1/H2S function in the regulation of LONG HYPOCOTYL1 (HY1, a member of the heme oxygenase family) signaling. ABA‐induced DES1 expression and H2S production are hyper‐activated in the hy1 mutant, both of which can be fully abolished by the addition of H2S scavenger. Impaired guard cell ABA phenotype of des1/hy1 can be restored by H2S donors. Taken together, this research indicated that guard cell in situ DES1 function is involved in ABA‐induced stomatal closure, which also acts as a pivotal hub in regulating HY1 signaling. A physiologically relevant signaling pathway that underlies guard cell in situ l‐cysteine desulfhydrase function and hydrogen sulfide production in the modulation of ABA‐induced stomata closure was discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Interactions between fungal endophytes and their host plants present useful systems for identifying important factors affecting assembly of host‐associated microbiomes. Here we investigated the role of secondary chemistry in mediating host affinity of asymptomatic foliar endophytic fungi using Psychotria spp. and Theobroma cacao (cacao) as hosts. Methods: First, we surveyed endophytic communities in Psychotria species in a natural common garden using culture‐based methods. Then we compared differences in endophytic community composition with differences in foliar secondary chemistry in the same host species, determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Finally, we tested how inoculation with live and heat‐killed endophytes affected the cacao chemical profile. Results: Despite sharing a common environment and source pool for endophyte spores, different Psychotria host species harbored strikingly different endophytic communities that reflected intrinsic differences in their leaf chemical profiles. In T. cacao, inoculation with live and heat‐killed endophytes produced distinct cacao chemical profiles not found in uninoculated plants or pure fungal cultures, suggesting that endophytes, like pathogens, induce changes in secondary chemical profiles of their host plant. Conclusions: Collectively our results suggest at least two potential processes: (1) Plant secondary chemistry influences assembly and composition of fungal endophytic communities, and (2) host colonization by endophytes subsequently induces changes in the host chemical landscape. We propose a series of testable predictions based on the possibility that reciprocal chemical interactions are a general property of plant–endophyte interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: There is much discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Some data suggest the greater the likelihood of success, the lower the risks of TOLAC. Our goal was to identify clinical and demographic variables associated with a failed TOLAC, available at admission for spontaneous labor and until 3 h later, with the aim of building two scores for risk of failed TOLAC. Methods: This is a nested case–control study with live births to women with one previous cesarean, in a public Brazilian teaching hospital. Preterm, induction, noncephalic presentations, twins, fetal malformations were excluded. Cases were failed TOLAC, and controls, the successful TOLAC. It was accessed the association of the cases with 20 variables (P < 0.05). Associated variables were tested in multivariate analysis to build the scores, which were internally validated. Results: We included 260 TOLAC, 42 cases and 218 controls. We found 11 variables associated with failed TOLAC. In the score to be applied at admission, we included hypertension, fundal height, previous vaginal birth and dilatation at admission. In the second score hypertension, fundal height at admission, membrane status and difference in dilatation 3 h after admission. Both scores presented good performance in the receiver‐operator curve (areas under curve: 0.73 and 0.84, respectively). Both scores were translated into nomograms for clinical use. Conclusion: Two scores were built for risk of failed TOLAC, to be applied at admission and 3 h later. We believe that choosing the more favorable cases makes risks of TOLAC lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving and restoring biodiversity are compelling challenges in the face of deforestation and fragmentation of tropical forests. Establishing restoration plantings that act as stepping‐stone corridors for animals and develop into forest islets is one way we can reconnect forest fragments split by active agricultural landscapes. However, this strategy's success is contingent on dispersal agents attracted from the forests that vary greatly in their dispersal services, diet, and mobility. Dispersal agents capable of traversing the agricultural matrix that also provide high‐quality and high‐quantity seed dispersal are often a small subset of the present fauna. They also tend to be large‐bodied birds with broad diets (e.g. toucans). This subset of dispersal agents (here termed "effective restoration agents") plays a key role in driving succession in restoration plantings. Their absence or low numbers can compromise the strategy of using plantings to enhance connectivity in landscapes fragmented by crops, orchards, or extensive pastures. In this event, additional intervention may be required to attract other dispersal agents that would otherwise not disperse seeds at or play a significant role in restoration plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this issue, Rodrigues et al. (2020) present a systematic review with meta‐analyses that reports the efficacy of five treatments for children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in the context of autism spectrum disorder – (a) methylphenidate; (b) atomoxetine; (c) guanfacine; (d) aripiprazole; and (e) risperidone. In this commentary, we highlight the contrast between the scarce evidence base of treatment for ADHD in the context of autism and other subpopulations, such as tic disorders and intellectual disability, and the extensive evidence base of treatment for ADHD in general. The commentary weighs about the conundrum clinicians face of whether to rely on the limited evidence base of treatment for ADHD in subpopulation, or to derive conclusions from the larger body of evidence of treatment for ADHD in general. The commentary also discusses potential avenues for future research to address this clinical problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead‐free Bi2O3–TiO2–Nd2O3 system and its potential application for microwave devices applications were studied. The samples were synthesized using the melt quenching method. According to the X‐Ray Diffraction analysis, the samples are polycrystalline with three different crystal phases. Measurements of the dielectric complex permittivity function were made at 2.7 GHz, using a resonant cavity and the small perturbation theory. The values of the dielectric permittivity of the prepared materials were compared with the commercial ones, and we conclude that these new lead‐free materials have a good potential to replace lead‐containing devices for microwave frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we present a comprehensive framework for multiattribute group decision making considering that neither information about individual preferences nor the importance of individual decision makers for the group is available in exact form. We study several different forms of incomplete preference information, including a ranking of attribute weights, ranking of values of alternatives in each attribute, and ranking of value differences. Our approach is based on relative volumes in parameter space and allows for probabilistic statements about different results, including optimality or quasi‐optimality of alternatives, or relations between alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical properties of new borate‐based glasses in the system La2O3‐Gd2O3‐PbO‐MnO2‐B2O3, prepared by the melt‐quenching technique, were investigated. All of these glasses have a fixed content of B2O3 (%mol = 30). The electrical measurements were carried out by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz, and temperatures from 100 to 400°C, below the glass temperature. The AC conductivity increases with temperature according to the Arrhenius law, with a single activation energy. The structural and thermal properties of the glasses were investigated by performing infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. The dependence of the various electrical parameters as a function of the glass composition and temperature was discussed. Evaluations of models and theory of the relaxation mechanisms were predominantly made through comparison with experimental data and a set of phenomenological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]