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Marine heatwaves (MHWs) caused by multiple phenomena with days to months duration are increasingly common disturbances in ocean ecosystems. We investigated the impacts of MHWs on pelagic communities using spatially resolved time‐series of multiple trophic levels from the Southern California Current Ecosystem. Indices of phytoplankton biomass mostly declined during MHWs because of reduced nutrient supply (excepting Prochlorococcus) and were generally more sensitive to marine heatwave intensity than duration. By contrast, mesozooplankton (as estimated by zooplankton displacement volume) were somewhat more strongly correlated with MHW duration than intensity. Zooplankton anomalies were also positively correlated with fucoxanthin (diatom) anomalies, highlighting possible bottom‐up influences during MHWs. Mobile consumers (forage fish) showed more complex responses, with fish egg abundance declining during MHWs but not correlating with any MHW characteristics. Our findings provide partial evidence of how MHW characteristics can shape variable ecological responses due to the differing life spans and behaviours of different trophic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent multicenter, multivendor MRI‐based R2* vs. liver iron concentration (LIC) calibrations (i.e., MCMV calibrations) may facilitate broad clinical dissemination of R2*‐based LIC quantification. However, these calibrations are based on a centralized offline R2* reconstruction, and their applicability with vendor‐provided R2* maps is unclear. Purpose: To determine R2* ranges of agreement between the centralized and three MRI vendors' R2* reconstructions. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Two hundred and seven subjects (mean age 37.6 ± 19.6 years; 117 male) with known or suspected iron overload from four academic medical centers. Field Strength/Sequence: Standardized multiecho spoiled gradient echo sequence at 1.5 T and 3.0 T for R2* mapping and a multiple spin‐echo sequence at 1.5 T for LIC quantification. MRI vendors: GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, and Siemens Healthineers. Assessment: R2* maps were generated using both the centralized and vendor reconstructions, and ranges of agreement were determined. R2*‐LIC linear calibrations were determined for each site, field strength, and reconstruction and compared with the MCMV calibrations. Statistical Tests: Bland–Altman analysis to determine ranges of agreement. Linear regression, analysis of covariance F tests, and Tukey's multiple comparison testing to assess reproducibility of calibrations across sites and vendors. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The upper limits of R2* ranges of agreement were approximately 500, 375, and 330 s−1 for GE, Philips, and Siemens reconstructions, respectively, at 1.5 T and approximately 700 and 800 s−1 for GE and Philips, respectively, at 3.0 T. Within the R2* ranges of agreement, vendor R2*‐LIC calibrations demonstrated high reproducibility (no significant differences between slopes or intercepts; P ≥ 0.06) and agreed with the MCMV calibrations (overlapping 95% confidence intervals). Data Conclusion: Based on the determined upper limits, R2* measurements obtained from vendor‐provided R2* maps may be reliably and practically used to quantify LIC less than approximately 8–13 mg/g using the MCMV calibrations and similar acquisition parameters as this study. Evidence Level: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of QSM of the liver via single breath‐hold chemical shift–encoded MRI at both 1.5 T and 3 T in a multicenter, multivendor study in subjects with iron overload. Methods: This prospective study included four academic medical centers with three different MRI vendors at 1.5 T and 3 T. Subjects with known or suspected liver iron overload underwent multi‐echo spoiled gradient‐recalled‐echo scans at each field strength. A subset received repeatability testing at either 1.5 T or 3 T. Susceptibility and R2*$$ {\mathrm{R}}_2^{\ast } $$ maps were reconstructed from the multi‐echo images and analyzed at a single center. QSM‐measured susceptibility was compared with R2*$$ {\mathrm{R}}_2^{\ast } $$ and a commercial R2‐based liver iron concentration method across centers and field strengths using linear regression and F‐tests on the intercept and slope. Field‐strength reproducibility and test/retest repeatability were evaluated using Bland–Altman analysis. Results: A total of 155/80 data sets (test/retest) were available at 1.5 T, and 159/70 data sets (test/retest) were available at 3 T. Calibrations across sites were reproducible, with some variability (e.g., susceptibility slope with liver iron concentration ranged from 0.102 to 0.123 g/[mg·$$ \cdotp $$ppm] across centers at 1.5 T). Field strength reproducibility was good (concordance correlation coefficient = 0.862), and test/retest repeatability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.951). Conclusion: QSM as an imaging biomarker of liver iron overload is feasible and repeatable across centers and MR vendors. It may be complementary with R2*$$ {\mathrm{R}}_2^{\ast } $$ as they are obtained from the same acquisition. Although good reproducibility was observed, liver QSM may benefit from standardization of acquisition parameters. Overall, QSM is a promising method for liver iron quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The certificate of vision impairment has an important role in enabling access to support for people with vision impairment (VI) and the provision of epidemiological data regarding sight loss. However, the rates of certification may not accurately reflect the number of people living with certifiable VI. Methods: Observational data from a national primary care low vision rehabilitation service between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the certification status of patients with certifiable VI. For patients with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and best‐corrected visual acuity of 6/60 or worse, logistic regression was undertaken to assess the effects of patient characteristics on certification status. Results: For patients with AMD and certifiable levels of visual acuity, 41.00% (n = 426) were not certified. The reported certification was 60.09% (n = 256) and 58.24% (n = 357) for neovascular AMD and atrophic AMD, respectively. Existing patients of the service were 3.87 times more likely to be certified than new patients (OR 3.87, 95% CI 2.7–5.4). Increasing age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.004–1.038) and decreasing visual acuity (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.50–0.78) were associated with an increased likelihood of certification. Conclusion: A significant number of patients live with certifiable vision impairment but do not access certification. Policy changes in Wales now enable patients with bilateral atrophic AMD to access certification within the primary care setting. Given the unmet need, consideration should be given to primary care certification in the rest of the UK, and in Wales, the potential to expand the scope of conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background of rapid increases in food imports, high food import prices have become an important issue for China. This paper first establishes the theoretical relationship between per capita income and import price, then uses a panel data fixed effect model and an instrumental variable estimation based on highly disaggregated firm‐level import data from the General Administration of Customs to analyze food import prices. This paper studies the impact of China's per capita income on the food import price and the key role of imported food quality in price formation for imported food in China. The study finds that the increase in per capita income has a significant, positive influence on the price of imported food in China, but this positive impact on the price is due to quality upgrading. The results suggest that while the increase of per capita income in China has generally pushed up import food prices, it has been mainly due to imports of higher‐quality food. There is no evidence that Chinese consumers are being fleeced by foreign exporting country or are seeking expensive products to flaunt their wealth. Chinese consumers are upgrading their diet with higher‐quality food imports. [EconLit Citations: F13, F14, Q17, Q18]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) dominates Earth's atmosphere (78% N2) but occurs in trace abundances in silicate minerals, making it a sensitive tracer of recycled surface materials into the mantle. The mechanisms controlling N transfer between terrestrial reservoirs remain uncertain because low N abundances in mineral‐hosted fluid inclusions (FIs) are difficult to measure. Using new techniques, we analyzed N and He isotope compositions and abundances in olivine‐ and pyroxene‐hosted FIs from arc volcanoes in Southern Chile, Cascadia, Central America, and the Southern Marianas. These measurements enable an estimate of the global flux of N outgassing from arcs (4.0 × 1010 mol/yr). This suggests that Earth is currently in a state of net N ingassing, with roughly half of subducted N returned to the mantle. Additionally, the N outgassing flux of individual arcs correlates with the thickness of subducting pelagic sediment, suggesting that N cycling in the modern solid Earth is largely controlled by sediment subduction. Plain Language Summary: Nitrogen (N) largely behaves like an inert gas, and so it is substantially more concentrated at Earth's surface than in Earth's deep interior. Over geologic time, N can be transported between the solid Earth and the surface, and its concentration can change in both of these settings. Volcanic gases transport N from the interior to the surface, while some surface N returns into the solid Earth via plate subduction. Here, we present measurements of N and helium (He) gas trapped within crystals in volcanic rocks to determine how much N is transported to the surface through volcanism associated with plate subduction. We find that the amount of N returning to the surface through volcanism is less than estimates of how much N is transported into the solid Earth, suggesting that, overall, N is being returned to the planet's deep interior. Additionally, we observe that the amount of oceanic sediment that is subducted correlates with the amount of N that comes out of volcanoes, making it the primary carrier of N into the solid Earth. Key Points: Arc lavas yield fluxes of 4.0 × 1010 mol N/yr, similar to estimates from volcanic arc gases, likely resulting in net mantle ingassing of NNitrogen isotopes and N‐He mixing models highlight that small contributions of sediment dominate volcanic arc N budgetsSubducted sediment thickness correlates with N2/3He ratios, and likely controls arc N fluxes rather than slab parameters or thermal state [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive longitudinal biomarker data are increasingly common in scientific studies that seek temporally granular understanding of the role of behavioral and physiological factors in relation to outcomes of interest. Intensive longitudinal biomarker data, such as those obtained from wearable devices, are often obtained at a high frequency typically resulting in several hundred to thousand observations per individual measured over minutes, hours, or days. Often in longitudinal studies, the primary focus is on relating the means of biomarker trajectories to an outcome, and the variances are treated as nuisance parameters, although they may also be informative for the outcomes. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model to jointly model a cross‐sectional outcome and the intensive longitudinal biomarkers. To model the variability of biomarkers and deal with the high intensity of data, we develop subject‐level cubic B‐splines and allow the sharing of information across individuals for both the residual variability and the random effects variability. Then different levels of variability are extracted and incorporated into an outcome submodel for inferential and predictive purposes. We demonstrate the utility of the proposed model via an application involving bio‐monitoring of hertz‐level heart rate information from a study on social stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the synthesis of a new family of diimine–dioxime acenaphthene cobalt complexes a novel cis coordination mode was observed for (DABn)Co(Py)Br (4), along with the expected trans coordination mode for [(DAEn)Co(L)2]BPh4 (2). The new coordination mode for this class of compounds is fully characterized. We explore the influence of linker length, ligand protonation, and supporting ligands on the preference for the cis vs. trans coordination mode using experimental and computational methods. Increased flexibility, increased acidity, and large supporting ligands all support the preference for the cis coordination mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Method Results Conclusions In the CBT model of anorexia nervosa, emaciation is assumed to occur because individuals over‐value their weight and shape. However, current BMI (for adolescents, BMI z‐score) may be relevant to psychopathology beyond its relation with weight concern. We explored the relations between BMI/z‐BMI and attempts to change one's eating and/or weight (restraint and eating concern) before and after controlling for weight concern among individuals with AN or atypical AN (AAN).Participants were 1666 female residential patients with AN or AAN. For those below age 21, we examined the relations between z‐BMI and EDE‐Q Restraint and Eating Concern when Weight Concern was and was not controlled. For adults, we conducted the same analyses using BMI.BMI and z‐BMI were positively related to weight concern, restraint, and eating concern. When controlling for weight concern, the positive relationships between z‐BMI and both restraint and eating concern became significant negative relationships. This pattern also emerged among adults, though the negative relationship between BMI and restraint did not reach significance.In AN‐spectrum disorders, (1) BMI/z‐BMI was related to weight/eating concerns despite substantial weight loss and (2) when weight concern was controlled, these relationships between BMI/z‐BMI and restraint/eating concerns were largely reversed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While immune function is known to play a mechanistic role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), whether immune proteins in peripheral circulation influence the rate of amyloid‐b (Aβ) progression remains unknown. Method: Using the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA; n = 196; mean follow‐up: 5 years/4 scans), we identified immune‐related proteins in plasma (candidate proteins) related to rates of change in cortical Aβ levels, as measured by 11C‐PiB PET. Along with identifying genetic variants that contributed to candidate protein associations, characterizing their relationships with tau‐PET and changes in ADRD biomarkers (Aβ42/40, NfL, GFAP, pTau‐181), and assessing their expression patterns in human microglia, we leveraged data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study to determine if changes in candidate protein levels precede Ab = β onset (n = 272), and whether they predict 20‐year dementia risk during mid‐life (n = 11,596) and 8‐year dementia risk during late‐life (n = 4,288). Result: 32 immunological proteins in plasma (out of 942) were associated with cortical Ab = β accumulation (Figure 1A). Longitudinal changes in a subset of candidate proteins also predicted cortical Aβ accumulation (Figure 1B), and the mid‐ to late‐life trajectory of one protein, CAT, was associated with late‐life Aβ‐positive status in ARIC (Figure 1C). Genetic variants associated with the plasma abundance of CAT and two additional candidate proteins (CD36 and KRT19) predicted rates of Aβ accumulation (Figure 2A‐F). In addition to associations with other AD‐related phenotypes (tau‐PET, plasma AD biomarker changes) (Figure 2G‐H), we showed that 31% of candidate proteins were related to mid‐life (20‐year) or late‐life (8‐year) dementia risk in ARIC (Figure 2I). Single‐cell RNA‐seq showed a prominent dysregulation of candidate protein expression in homeostatic, interferon‐response and disease‐associated human microglia subtypes (Figure 3A). Candidate proteins were enriched for biological processes implicated in AD (Figure 3B), susceptible to regulation by key pro‐inflammatory cytokines (Figure 3C), displayed robust protein‐interaction networks, showed differential expression in AD brains (especially neurovascular cell types), were externally validated, and are targets of existing therapeutics (Figure 3D). Conclusion: Findings provide insights into how immune proteins in peripheral circulation influence the rate of Aβ accumulation, and identify specific peripheral immune mediators that may contribute to the progression of AD pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of ground‐nesting ducks in the marshes of Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah has drastically decreased in the past few decades. One potential cause for this decline is the increase in climate extremes caused by global warming. From 2019 through 2023, GSL marshes experienced 1 year of historic spring rainfall (2019), 2 years of historic droughts (2021 and 2022), and 1 year of record snowfall (2023). We used this time period to test the hypothesis that climate extremes impact both the number of duck nests and their fate (i.e., successful, depredated, or abandoned). We counted 563 nests of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera), 168 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), and 220 gadwalls (Mareca strepera). Nest numbers varied among years and were positively correlated with the amount of spring rainfall (April and May). Clutch sizes differed among years and were lowest during the drought years. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were the major predators of nests. The percentage of all duck nests that were depredated varied among years and increased from 40% and 46% during the 2 wet years to 75% and 90% during the 2 drought years. The percentage of nests that were successful varied among years and were highest during the wet years. The yearly percentage of successful nests was negatively correlated with the abundance of all predators and positively correlated with snowfall because few skunks and raccoons survived the winter of 2023 with its heavy snowfall. Daily survival rates (x¯$$ \overline{x} $$ = 0.93), were similar among duck species, but varied among years; DSRs were lowest during the drought years (0.86 and 0.92) and highest during the wet years (0.96 for both years). Our results suggest that climate extremes will have an adverse impact on both the number of duck nests and the percentage of them that are successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has suggested that employees who take leave from work experience backlash – with some authors describing backlash to deviations from gendered norms and others to deviations from an 'Ideal Worker Norm' (IWN). In this study, we investigate the degree to which backlash against leave‐takers is explained by these two separate, but related, paths, and whether individual (gender of leave‐taker) or organizational (family‐friendly vs. competitive culture) moderators mitigate such effects. Using a pre‐registered experimental design, and our newly validated Ideal Worker Evaluation measure and evaluations of agency and communion to capture perceived deviation from the norms, we find significant indirect effects of leave‐taking on backlash via the IWN path and the agency portion of the gendered path, but not via the communion portion of the gendered path. We also find that family‐friendly organizational cultures partially mitigate the effect of leave‐taking on backlash, but predominately via the IWN path and not the gendered norms path. Whereas gender of the leave‐taker was found to affect backlash via the gendered norms path (and not the IWN path), but only for the agency using the proscribed operationalization of 'dominance'. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prescription medications are an essential element of military amputation care programs. Objectives: To analyze (1) outpatient prescription medications following combat‐related amputations, (2) longitudinal changes in prescription activity during the first year postinjury, and (3) patient characteristics associated with prescription medications. Design: Retrospective study of military casualty records and outpatient prescription medications. Clinicians identified 13 medication categories based on American Hospital Formulary Service classifications. Setting: Military amputation rehabilitation program. Patients: 1651 service members who sustained major limb amputations during 2001–2017. Main Outcomes Measures: Prescription medication category, days' supply, opioid dosage. Results: During the first year postinjury, patients averaged 65 outpatient prescriptions (new or refills, SD = 43.3) and 8 (SD = 1.9) of 13 medication categories. Nearly all patients (99%) had opioid prescriptions averaging high dosages with variation by patient characteristics and postinjury time. At least 84% of patients had prescriptions for one or more central nervous system, gastrointestinal, psychotherapeutic, immune/anti‐infective and/or nonopioid analgesic medications. Prescriptions declined from the first (92%) to fourth (73%) quarter postinjury. Many patients had prescription opioids (51%), central nervous system medications (43%), or psychotherapeutic medications (32%) during the fourth quarter. In regression models, multiple factors including White race/ethnicity (relative risk [RR] = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.06–1.28], p =.001), injury severity, traumatic brain injury, upper limb amputation (RR = 0.90; CI: [0.83–0.99], p =.020), multiple amputation (RR = 1.12 CI: [1.03–1.22], p =.008), phantom limb syndrome, chronic pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder were significantly associated with prescriptions (p's <.05). Conclusions: Amputation care providers manage a high volume and wide range of prescription medications including multiple central nervous system drugs. The results show significant variation in prescription practices by patient characteristics and time postinjury. These findings can help optimize the benefits and reduce the risks of prescription medications and indicate areas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new polymer has been explored as a cathode host for lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs). Sulfurized polybutadiene materials were synthesized by a single‐step, scalable, and easily tailored heat treatment method. The optimized synthesis process allows for high sulfur loadings of up to 50 wt %. Thermogravimetric analysis‐mass spectrometry (TGA‐MS) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies confirm that the sulfur is covalently bound to the polymeric backbone, which overcomes the otherwise common capacity‐fading polysulfide shuttle effect of lithium‐sulfur (LSBs) batteries. The absence of free elemental sulfur in the synthesized active materials allows for a stable capacity of up to 1200 mAh g−1 at a rate of C/20. The porous polymer networks reduce the pulverization of the cathode during cycling, resulting in long‐term cycling stability of 1500 continuous galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) cycles. Capacity contribution studies depict that at a scan rate of 1 mV s−1, the sulfurized polybutadiene cathode‐based cells have 65 % capacitive and 35 % diffusive contribution of the total charge stored. A comprehensive study on Li‐ion storage with capacity contribution and diffusion studies of polysulfide shuttle‐free sulfurized polybutadiene cathode material for LSBs is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Adolescent mental ill‐health is a common international challenge affecting both high‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries. The Republic of the Philippines enacted its first mental health law in 2019, underlining the importance of the promotion of adolescent mental health education in schools. In Japan, course instructions about mental ill‐health were formulated in a Course of Study that reflects governmental curriculum guidelines. Embedded since 2022, the Course of Study aimed to promote an understanding of current issues of adolescent health. The National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Japan has been sharing experience of promoting public health practices and advancing medical technology in low‐ and middle‐income countries, especially in the Western Pacific region. This paper describes the development process and content of these resources by an interdisciplinary team from Japan and the Philippines. Methods: The interdisciplinary team created an embedded mental health education programme using animated videos for the Philippine school curriculum to improve mental health literacy in adolescents. Results: Two six‐minute animated videos of age‐relevant stories were created. The animation scenarios illustrate: 1) mental health problems and recovery; and 2) major symptoms of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Each animated video presents several items for discussion among students and/or teachers, both in class and online for students unable to attend school. Conclusion: Our efforts may provide good opportunities for enhancing adolescents' mental health activities in the Philippines. In the following steps, we should investigate the effectiveness of school‐based MHL using these animated videos with rigorous evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify sex differences in ntrahepatocellular (HCL) and intramyocardial lipids (MYCL) and cardiac function in participants with different grades of glucometabolic impairment and different BMI strata. Methods: Data from 503 individuals from 17 clinical experimental studies were analyzed. HCL and MYCL were assessed with 3T and 7T scanners by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cardiac function was measured with a 3T scanner using electrocardiogram‐gated TrueFISP sequences. Participants were classified as having normoglycemia, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. Three‐way ANCOVA with post hoc simple effects analyses was used for statistical assessment. Results: Consistent increases of HCL with BMI and deterioration of glucose metabolism, especially in female individuals, were detected. MYCL increased with BMI and glucose impairment in female individuals, but not in male individuals. Sex differences were found in cardiac function loss, with significant effects found among male individuals with worsening glucose metabolism. Myocardial mass and volume of the ventricle were higher in male individuals in all groups. This sex difference narrowed with increasing BMI and with progressing dysglycemia. Conclusions: Sex differences in HCL and MYCL may be associated with a higher cardiovascular disease risk observed in female individuals progressing to diabetes. Further studies are needed to elucidate possible sex differences with advancing glucometabolic impairment and obesity and their potential impact on cardiovascular outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The global burden of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (GBTC) has been on the rise, making it a major public health concern. We aim to comprehensively analyze sex disparities in the temporal trends of GBTC incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) regionally and globally from 2010 to 2019. Methods: Age‐standardized rates of GBTC incidence, death, and DALYs were analyzed utilizing the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. Results: From 2010 to 2019, the estimated annual percent change (APC) of the age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age‐standardized disability‐adjusted life years (ASDALYs) due to GBTC globally decreased in both sexes (males, APC: −0.80%; APC: −1.00%) and (females, APC: −0.89%; APC: −0.96%). At the same time, age‐standardized death rates (ASDRs) decreased only in males (APC: −0.82%) and remained stable in females. By regions, ASIRs and ASDR increased in both sexes only in Southeast Asia (SEA) but decreased in the other regions. All regions had decreased ASDALYs except for an increase in ASDALYs for females only in the SEA region (APC: 0.41%), and males have a stable trend. Conclusions: Our study reveals substantial geographic variance in the burden of GBTC, specifically in the SEA region. Therefore, localized interventional methodologies must be undertaken to effectively address this global burden from GBTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circuit influences on the midbrain dopamine system are crucial to adaptive behavior and cognition. Recent developments in the study of neuropeptide systems have enabled high‐resolution investigations of the intersection of neuromodulatory signals with basal ganglia circuitry, identifying the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) endogenous opioid peptide system as a prospective regulator of striatal dopamine signaling. Using a prepronociceptin‐Cre reporter mouse line, we characterized highly selective striosomal patterning of Pnoc mRNA expression in mouse dorsal striatum, reflecting the early developmental expression of Pnoc. In the ventral striatum, Pnoc expression in the nucleus accumbens core was grouped in clusters akin to the distribution found in striosomes. We found that PnoctdTomato reporter cells largely comprise a population of dopamine receptor D1 (Drd1) expressing medium spiny projection neurons localized in dorsal striosomes, known to be unique among striatal projection neurons for their direct innervation of midbrain dopamine neurons. These findings provide a new understanding of the intersection of the N/OFQ system among basal ganglia circuits with particular implications for developmental regulation or wiring of striato‐nigral circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires in the western United States (US) have been demonstrated to affect water quality, including dissolved organic carbon (DOC), in streams. Elevated post‐wildfire DOC concentration poses a potential risk to drinking water treatment systems. In‐stream measurements of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM), a proxy for DOC, have shown potential to detect dynamic changes in DOC. High frequency monitoring of water temperature, turbidity, and fDOM was used in conjunction with discrete sampling during targeted storm events and at fixed intervals to estimate DOC in five western US streams following wildfires in 2020 and 2021 with the objective to characterise and compare responses to wildfire among sites. The elevated turbidity conditions typical after wildfire presented a challenge to fDOM measurements and there was a need to identify appropriate turbidity corrections at burned sites. A combination of established and novel methods corrected fDOM concentrations for turbidity effects up to 800 Formazin nephelometric units (FNU). Pre‐wildfire high frequency water quality data in adjacent burned and unburned watersheds allowed for separation of climate effects on DOC at one of the sites. Hydrology, climate and landcover were more important drivers of post‐wildfire DOC yield than wildfire characteristics. Seasonal patterns of DOC were unchanged by wildfire in snowmelt‐driven watersheds. Large, transient spikes in DOC concentration following frontal and convective storms were observed post‐wildfire at all burned sites, but not at the unburned site. These spikes often exceeded operational thresholds for drinking water treatment. This study highlights the ability to develop high frequency DOC estimates in surface waters up to 800 FNU using fDOM sensors and targeted storm sampling and emphasises the value of high frequency pre‐wildfire data in adjacent burned and unburned watersheds for separating climate and wildfire effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: A multi‐omic approach was used to explore proteins and networks hypothetically important for establishing filament dimorphisms in heterostylous Turnera subulata (Sm.) as an exploratory method to identify genes for future empirical research. Methods: Mass spectrometry (MS) was used to identify differentially expressed proteins and differentially phosphorylated peptides in the developing filaments between the L‐ and S‐morphs. RNAseq was used to generate a co‐expression network of the developing filaments, MS data were mapped to the co‐expression network to identify hypothetical relationships between the S‐gene responsible for filament dimorphisms and differentially expressed proteins. Results: Mapping all MS identified proteins to a co‐expression network of the S‐morph's developing filaments identified several clusters containing SPH1 and other differentially expressed or phosphorylated proteins. Co‐expression analysis clustered CDKG2, a protein that induces endoreduplication, and SPH1—suggesting a shared biological function. MS analysis suggests that the protein is present and phosphorylated only in the S‐morph, and thus active only in the S‐morph. A series of CDKG2 regulators, including ATM1, and cell cycle regulators also correlated with the presence of reciprocal herkogamy, supporting our interest in the protein. Conclusions: This work has built a foundation for future empirical work, specifically supporting the role of CDKG2 and ATM1 in promoting filament elongation in response to SPH1 perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored clinical outcomes among adolescents in juvenile drug court (JDC) by ethnoracial or gender identity, economic security, and mental health problems. Self‐report and drug testing data were obtained through a randomized control trial (RCT) with 101 adolescents in JDC at four time points (i.e., baseline, 3‐month immediate post, 6‐month follow‐up, and 12‐month follow‐up). Participants who identified as an adolescent girl and who were identified as having a mental health disorder demonstrated significant increases in talking about HIV 12 months after completing the intervention. Sexual risk behaviors increased for girls, Black, and Latine youth and decreased among adolescents with mental health problems. Marijuana use did not differ over time by identity. Programing that targets risk behaviors, including substance use and seemingly unrelated risk behaviors like risky sexual behavior, is warranted in addition to mental health services to improve health outcomes of adolescents with a history of juvenile legal system involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive impairment affects around 19% of community‐dwelling older adults in the United States. Pharmacists can play a significant role in identifying and deprescribing cognitive‐impairing medications through cognitive‐focused medication reviews or as part of comprehensive medication management. Multiple tools exist to help pharmacists and other practitioners identify these medications, yet a comprehensive description of these tools has not been undertaken. We searched EBSCO MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycInfo from inception to August 4, 2023, using search terms relative to medications and cognition. Studies were included if they detailed a tool to assess the cognitive burden of a medication regimen. Abstracts and full texts were screened independently and in duplicate. Any disagreements at the level of full‐text screening were resolved by consensus. Eligible studies underwent data extraction by two authors independently and in duplicate using a data extraction form. Our search identified 13 126 articles of which only four tools were initially included. Additionally, we identified seven articles from the reference lists of excluded review articles for a final inclusion count of 11 tools. Articles were published between 2001 and 2017. Nine of 11 tools (82%) were focused solely on anticholinergic medications, while only one tool indicated a clinically relevant cutoff value and alternative medication recommendations. While there are many tools to assess the cognitive burden from medications, many are limited by the development date, focus on anticholinergic medications, or lack clinically useful information. Further research is needed to develop more comprehensive, up‐to‐date, and readily implementable tools that clinical pharmacists can utilize to assess medication‐induced cognitive risks. Such as tool could be applied by pharmacists in many settings to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the scaling rules describing ecological patterns across time and space is a central challenge in ecology. Taylor's law of fluctuation scaling, which states that the variance of a population's size or density is proportional to a positive power of the mean size or density, has been widely observed in population dynamics and characterizes variability in multiple scientific domains. However, it is unclear if this phenomenon accurately describes ecological patterns across many orders of magnitude in time, and therefore links otherwise disparate observations. Here, we use water clarity observations from 10,531 days of high‐frequency measurements in 35 globally distributed lakes, and lower‐frequency measurements over multiple decades from 6342 lakes to test this unknown. We focus on water clarity as an integrative ecological characteristic that responds to both biotic and abiotic drivers. We provide the first documentation that variations in ecological measurements across diverse sites and temporal scales exhibit variance patterns consistent with Taylor's law, and that model coefficients increase in a predictable yet non‐linear manner with decreasing observation frequency. This discovery effectively links high‐frequency sensor network observations with long‐term historical monitoring records, thereby affording new opportunities to understand and predict ecological dynamics on time scales from days to decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central uplift area of Araguainha impact structure (Brazil) includes a quartzite pebble‐ and cobble‐bearing stratigraphic facies that have been profoundly affected by impact processes. These quartzite clasts have been studied previously for their planar deformation features (PDFs), but not with regard to their noteworthy transverse fractures. Petrographic study of transverse fractures within seven selected impact‐affected cobbles from the conglomeratic fluvial facies of the target Devonian Furnas Formation (near the central uplift of Araguainha impact structure) has revealed that there is a micro‐breccia within these transverse fractures, and this micro‐breccia originated by comminution of the host cobble. Further, the transverse fractures in these cobbles have different styles (well‐defined, poorly defined, complex, and diffuse) and are evidently post‐shock, brittle deformation features. We suggest that a late compression‐stage process, perhaps collapse of the central peak, may be responsible for the development of these transverse fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysregulation of DNA methylation is associated with human disease, particularly cancer, and the assessment of aberrant methylation patterns holds great promise for clinical diagnostics. However, DNA polymerases do not effectively discriminate between processing 5‐methylcytosine (5 mC) and unmethylated cytosine, resulting in the silencing of methylation information during amplification or sequencing. As a result, current detection methods require multi‐step DNA conversion treatments or careful analysis of sequencing data to decipher individual 5 mC bases. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel DNA polymerase‐mediated 5 mC detection approach. Here, we describe the engineering of a thermostable DNA polymerase variant derived from Thermus aquaticus with altered fidelity towards 5 mC. Using a screening‐based evolutionary approach, we have identified a DNA polymerase that exhibits increased misincorporation towards 5 mC during DNA synthesis. This DNA polymerase generates mutation signatures at methylated CpG sites, allowing direct detection of 5 mC by reading an increased error rate after sequencing without prior treatment of the sample DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary Tomato is a major global crop. However, its production is limited by Botrytis cinerea. Due to the toxicity of postharvest pesticide application, alternative control methods such as priming are being investigated. Plants were treated with β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) at two developmental stages and resistance against B. cinerea was tested in fruit tissue and in progenies. DNA methylation and RNA sequencing were conducted to characterise the (epi)genetic changes associated with long‐lasting resistance. Grafting experiments were done to assess the systemic nature of this signal, which was further characterised by small RNA (sRNA) sequencing of scions. Only BABA‐treated seedlings displayed induced resistance (IR). DNA methylation analysis revealed seedling‐specific changes, which occurred in the context of lower basal methylation. BABA‐IR was found to be transmissible from primed rootstock to grafted unprimed scions. In these scions, we identified a subset of mobile 24 nt sRNAs associated with genes showing primed expression during infection in fruit. Our results demonstrate the functional association of a systemic signal with long‐lasting IR and priming. Through integrated omics approaches, we have identified markers of long‐lasting priming in tomato fruit which could also serve as targets for durable resistance in other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali metal borohydrides present a rich source of energy dense materials of boron and hydrogen, however their potential in propellants has been hitherto untapped. Potassium borohydride is a promising fuel with high gravimetric energy density and relatively low sensitivity to air and moisture. Problems arise due to the dehydrogenation of the borohydride on heating with minimal energy release. Common methods to extract both boron and hydrogen by means of borane species involve direct reaction of boron trifluoride species with alkali borohydrides. However, these methods face storage and safety issues due to rapid release of diborane on mixing the reactants. We propose a method of diborane release through controlled release of boron trifluoride by means of a tetrafluoroborate based ionic liquid. The trifluoride is released from the ionic liquid at elevated temperatures and enables safe mixture of the reactants at room temperature. It was found that the reaction between borohydride and boron trifluoride proceeds well above room temperature with potassium borohydride releasing diborane and potassium fluoride. The reaction pathway shows a primary reaction releasing diborane and potassium fluoride and a second less energy efficient step leading to the formation of potassium tetrafluoroborate. A 3D printed propellant formulation was also tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and contributes to impaired functioning, diminished quality of life, and poorer HIV outcomes. Common cooccurring conditions such as chronic pain may be associated with negative outcomes both directly and through its influence on unhealthy drinking itself. However, there is relatively little known about how pain influences unhealthy drinking among PLWH over time. The current study examined whether pain was associated with indices of unhealthy alcohol use, namely heavy drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) assessed 12 months later. Methods: The study sample (n = 207) was from the Boston Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (ARCH) Cohort, a prospective cohort of PLWH with a history of illicit substance or unhealthy alcohol use. We conducted logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between pain and both heavy drinking and AUD status (DSM‐5 criteria) (yes/no) over time. In secondary analyses, we examined whether pain was associated with greater AUD severity and whether pain interference was associated with heavy drinking and AUD outcomes. Results: We found that pain at baseline was associated with greater odds of AUD [aOR = 2.29 (95% CI: 1.13, 4.64), p = 0.02] but not heavy drinking [aOR = 0.91 (95% CI: 0.44, 1.88), p = 0.79] at 12 months. Pain was also associated with more severe AUD. Analyses of pain interference showed similar results. Conclusions: Pain is prospectively associated with higher odds of AUD among PLWH with a substance/unhealthy alcohol use history. Providers should routinely address pain among PLWH to improve AUD outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As clinicians involved in the care of patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs), we—and many colleagues—have the impression that social media are adversely shaping the nature, presentation, and ability to manage these disorders, especially at the severe end of the DGBI clinical spectrum. We turned to the research literature to see if these clinical impressions were corroborated but found it virtually nonexistent. Social media have rapidly become a ubiquitous, pervasive part of the lives of most people on the planet. Although they bring many benefits, they are also replete with health misinformation, reinforcement of abnormal sick‐role behavior, and undermining of the legitimacy of psychological care. We first set out four reasons for concern about social media and DGBIs, particularly severe DGBIs. These reasons stem from phenomena described in medical fields outside DGBIs, but there is no reason to think DGBIs should be exempt from such phenomena. We then present the results of a literature search, which yielded only eight disparate recent empirical studies. We review these studies, which, although not uninformative, reveal a field in its infancy. We set out implications, most urgently multidisciplinary research directly addressing the role of social media and evaluation of interventions to mitigate its ill effects. Gastroenterological clinicians involved in DGBI care and research need to collaborate with experts in social media research, which is a very rapidly evolving, specialized field. Although knowledge is at an early stage, there are implications for specialist practice, education and training, and DGBI service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An established body of research over many decades has identified the importance of both bulk‐water and pipe scale surface microenvironment buffering to meet distribution system pH targets and reduce corrosivity toward metallic piping and components. Buffer intensity quantifies the ability of water to resist pH changes, and the greater the buffer intensity, the more resistant the water is to pH changes. To provide a practical tool for exploring buffer intensity, a buffer intensity simulator (BIS) was implemented in open‐source R code, incorporating typical chemical species (e.g., carbonate and orthophosphate) that contribute to drinking water buffer intensity along with temperature and ionic strength impacts. The BIS was verified against a parallel spreadsheet implementation and is publicly available at https://github.com/USEPA/BIS. Simulations were conducted to illustrate impacts related to buffer intensity using three practical scenarios: carbonate buffering in drinking waters, temperature impacts, and free ammonia presence from chloramine use and/or source water presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus remain problematic for Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush restoration in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Fisheries assessments would benefit from knowledge of spatial–temporal patterns of Sea Lamprey parasitism on Lake Trout; however, such patterns are challenging to estimate from wounding rates on caught Lake Trout. Electronic tags have been used to identify distinct fish behaviors (e.g., foraging or spawning) using measurements of acceleration or heart rate. We hypothesized that Sea Lamprey attachment would elicit changes in the heart rate and swimming behavior of Lake Trout. Here, we determined whether tagging devices could record these changes and whether we could accurately predict lamprey attachment on Lake Trout using these recordings. Methods: Adult Lake Trout (n = 34) were implanted with acceleration and heart rate tags and then were subjected to Sea Lamprey parasitism within a laboratory setting. Approximately 70 different acceleration and heart rate metrics were collected and tried as predictors of lamprey attachment. The top variables were used to train random forest models and then tried on test data sets. The accuracy of these models was then validated using a jackknife approach. Result: Metrics related to body orientation and heart rate were identified as the best predictors of Sea Lamprey attachment. The best models predicted lamprey attachments with high accuracy; however, individual‐level jackknife tests resulted in less accurate cross‐individual prediction and regularly predicted false negatives. These findings may be related to individual variance in the Lake Trout response to attachment, but there was evidence that the shifting of tags after implantation impacted predictive performance, which could be remedied with adjustments during implantation. Conclusions: Our study highlights the potential to use tagging devices for quantifying Sea Lamprey attachments on Lake Trout in the wild. Further development appears necessary; however, once improved, these predictive models have the potential to generate field‐based estimates of Sea Lamprey attack rates on Lake Trout. Impact statementThere is a need for direct field observations of Sea Lamprey attack rates on Lake Trout to determine spatial–temporal patterns of parasitism and to help guide Sea Lamprey control and Lake Trout restoration efforts. Here, we determine whether measurements of heart rate and acceleration recorded from implantable tagging devices (biologgers) can be used to detect Sea Lamprey attachment on Lake Trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) may serve as a novel pharmacotherapy for substance use and substance craving in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), possibly through its potential to regulate glutamate. Though prior meta‐analyses generally support NAC's efficacy in reducing symptoms of craving, individual trials have found mixed results. The aims of this updated meta‐analysis were to (1) examine the efficacy of NAC in treating symptoms of craving in individuals with SUD and (2) explore subgroup differences, risk of bias and publication bias across trials. Database searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were conducted in June and July of 2023 to identify relevant randomized control trials (RCTs). The meta‐analysis consisted of 9 trials which analysed data from a total of 623 participants. The most targeted substance in the clinical trials was alcohol (3/9; 33.3%), followed by tobacco (2/9; 22.2%) and multiple substances (2/9; 22.2%). Meta‐analysis, subgroup analyses and leave‐one‐out analyses were conducted to examine the treatment effect on craving symptoms and adverse events (AEs). Risk of bias assessments, Egger's tests and funnel plot tests were conducted to examine the risk of bias and publication bias. NAC did not significantly outperform placebo in reducing symptoms of craving in the meta‐analysis (SMD = 0.189, 95% CI = −0.015–0.393). Heterogeneity was very high in the meta‐analysis (99.26%), indicating that findings may have been influenced by clinical or methodological differences in the study protocols. Additionally, results indicate that there may be publication bias present. Overall, our findings are contrary to those of prior meta‐analyses, suggesting a limited impact of NAC on substance craving. However, the high heterogeneity and presence of publication bias identified warrants cautious interpretation of the meta‐analytic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetland methane (CH4) fluxes are highly variable over spatial and temporal scales due to variations in CH4 production, oxidation, and transport. While some aspects of temporal variability in CH4 fluxes are well documented, diel variability is poorly constrained, and studies report conflicting findings, making it difficult to generalize. Topographic, geochemical, hydroclimatic, and vegetative variability can result in characteristically different "patches" that likely influence differences in diel patterns. We investigated diel patterns of CH4 fluxes from a large seasonal‐mineral soil wetland in Maryland (USA) across three functionally unique patches: two with vegetation (emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation) and one without (open water) during the summer of 2021. To explore the relationships between vegetation, environmental conditions, and flux patterns, we also measured physiochemical variables (air and water temperature, pH, relative humidity, PAR, dissolved oxygen, and water depth). To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing diel variability using chambers across such distinct vegetation patch types. We found that diel patterns were strongly linked to patch types: CH4 fluxes from the emergent vegetation did not display a consistent diel pattern, while fluxes from the submerged vegetation and no vegetation patches frequently peaked at 13:00 and 05:00, respectively. These differences could be a direct result of vegetation impact on production, oxidation, and/or transport of CH4 or on conditions covarying with patch type. This study contributes to the growing understanding of how CH4 fluxes vary spatially over diel cycles and emphasizes the importance of considering spatially varying diel patterns when estimating fluxes. Plain Language Summary: Methane (CH4) emissions from wetlands are known to vary over space and time, to be largely controlled by vegetation, and exhibit strong seasonal patterns. Yet daily patterns are not well characterized due to the limited number of studies and to difficulties in obtaining nighttime measurements. To address this, we investigated CH4 flux patterns over day and night cycles in patches characterized by emergent, submerged, or no vegetation in a temperate freshwater herbaceous wetland. We show that daily patterns of CH4 emissions are strongly linked to the type of vegetation present but the mechanistic influence of plants on production and consumption is unclear. This work contributes to the growing understanding of how CH4 varies within wetland landscapes over time. Key Points: Vegetation presence and type can control day and nighttime methane (CH4) fluxesPatterns in CH4 flux over diel cycles and across vegetation patch types vary such that a single daily measurement may not adequately capture variability of diel fluxesVegetation function that facilitates both production and oxidation of CH4 can lead to unpredictable diel patterns in CH4 flux [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressures to address climate change are eroding the privileged role coal has held in China throughout its modernization. Phasing down coal requires a suite of supply‐ and demand‐side tools to both reduce production (and therefore, maintain sufficiently high prices) and shift to coal alternatives across diverse consumption sectors. This review outlines contours of the coming coal transition by documenting coal's rise in modern China, its status in key debates of today's energy system, and the range of modeling scenarios of coal's future to mid‐century. In addition, through an analysis of current efforts and impacts in four transition policy areas—supply‐side, demand‐side, employment and social impacts, and stranded assets and fiscal revenues—it identifies gaps and future recommendations. Emerging scholarship on enhancing political feasibility and fostering a "just transition" needs to move beyond global cases and address highly localized and temporally bound impacts. This article is categorized under:The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Future of Global EnergyPolicy and Governance > National Climate Change Policy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is the most common diabetic complication. Logically, regulation of blood glucose should reverse dysfunction, but the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study found strict control ineffective. However, it is possible that strict control may prevent DBD if initiated before symptoms appear. We examine the effect of early glucose control on development of DBD in the female diabetic Akita mouse (Type 1) and test the potential of inhibiting/deleting NLRP3 as adjunct therapy to glucose control. Materials and Methods: Female Akita mice were bred NLRP3+/+ or NLRP3−/−. At 6 weeks of age, diabetics received either no glucose control or insulin pellets (s.c., Linshin) designed to poorly or strictly control blood glucose. At Week 15, blood glucose (glucometer), the extravasation potential of bladder (an indirect measurement of inflammation) and bladder function (urodynamics) were assessed. Results: Blood glucose of diabetics was reduced in poorly controlled and strongly reduced in strictly controlled groups. Levels were not affected by deletion of NLRP3. Evans blue dye extravasation correlated with glucose control and was eliminated in the NLRP3−/− groups. Urodynamics found markers of overactivity in diabetics which was improved in the poorly controlled group and eliminated in the strictly controlled group. In the NLRP3−/− mice, no bladder dysfunction developed, regardless of glucose control. Conclusions: Early‐initiated strict glycemic control and NLRP3 elimination can effectively prevent DBD, suggesting hyperglycemia acts through NLRP3‐induced inflammation to trigger DBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health production function of the canonical health‐capital model is generalized to allow the state of health to affect the total and marginal products of health investment. If the total and marginal products of health investment are nonincreasing functions of the state of health, then the solution of the generalized model is locally qualitatively identical to that of the canonical model. Moreover, and in contrast to the canonical model, the generalized model is able to rationalize the cycling of the state of health and health investment observed in some individuals. The necessary conditions on the health production function for cyclical behavior are identified as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Structural epilepsies can manifest months or years after the occurrence of an initial epileptogenic insult, making them amenable for secondary prevention. However, development of preventive treatments has been challenged by a lack of biomarkers for identifying the subset of individuals with the highest risk of epilepsy after the epileptogenic insult. Methods: Four different rat models of epileptogenesis were investigated to identify differentially expressed circulating microRNA (miRNA) and isomiR profiles as biomarkers for epileptogenesis. Plasma samples were collected on day 2 and day 9 during the latency period from animals that did or did not develop epilepsy during long‐term video‐electroencephalographic monitoring. miRNAs and isomiRs were identified and measured in an unsupervised manner, using a genome‐wide small RNA sequencing platform. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the performance of putative biomarkers. Results: Two days after an epileptogenic insult, alterations in the levels of several plasma miRNAs and isomiRs predicted epileptogenesis in a model‐specific manner. One miRNA, miR‐3085, showed good sensitivity (but low specificity) as a prognostic biomarker for epileptogenesis in all four models (area under the curve =.729, sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 64%, p <.05). Significance: Identified plasma miRNAs and isomiRs are mostly etiology‐specific rather than common prognostic biomarkers of epileptogenesis. These data imply that in preclinical and clinical studies, it may be necessary to identify specific biomarkers for different epilepsy etiologies. Importantly, circulating miRNAs like miR‐3085 with high negative predictive value for epileptogenesis in different etiologies could be useful candidates for initial screening purposes of epileptogenesis risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insomnia commonly co‐occurs with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and predicts poorer outcomes for those with AUD. Insomnia and AUD are individually associated with increases in systemic inflammation. Insomnia and inflammation both serve as risk factors for relapse in AUD. However, little is known about the relationship between insomnia and systemic inflammation in individuals with AUD. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between the severity of insomnia symptoms and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in a sample of treatment‐seeking individuals with an AUD. Methods: This secondary analysis included 101 (61M/40F) individuals with an AUD. Participants were categorized into groups based on their scores on the Insomnia Severity Index: no insomnia (n = 47), subthreshold insomnia (n = 37), and clinical insomnia (n = 17). Participants provided blood samples to measure plasma levels of four peripheral markers of inflammation (IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and CRP). Inflammatory marker levels were compared between groups. Interactive effects of sex and AUD severity were examined. Results: There was a significant main effect of insomnia group on log IL‐8 levels (F = 6.52, p = 0.002), such that individuals with AUD and clinical insomnia had higher log IL‐8 levels compared to both the no insomnia and subthreshold insomnia groups (ps ≤ 0.05). Sex and AUD severity interacted with this relationship, such that men with clinical insomnia and AUD and individuals with severe AUD had higher log IL‐8 levels. There were no significant effects of insomnia on IL‐6, TNF‐α, or CRP levels. Conclusion: The present study identified a specific elevation in IL‐8 levels in individuals with an AUD and clinical insomnia that was not identified in other markers of peripheral inflammation (IL‐6, TNF‐α, CRP). Sex and AUD severity interacted with insomnia symptoms, indicating that those with clinical insomnia and severe AUD or male sex may be the most vulnerable to the inflammatory consequences associated with AUD and clinical insomnia symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on two cases of testicular sclerosing stromal tumors (SSTs) that show GLI1 gene alterations. SSTs are neoplasms that were first described in the ovary in 1973 and are characterized by lobulated microscopic appearance. The patients in these cases were aged 35 and 65 years and presented with testicular masses. The tumors demonstrated large areas of hypocellular myxoid/oedematous stroma with scattered hypercellular areas. Both tumors expressed nuclear GLI1. The article suggests that these findings support the existence of rare SSTs in the testis and their potential pathogenesis related to ovarian SSTs. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: A dual‐source CT system can be operated in a high‐pitch helical mode to provide a temporal resolution of 66 ms, which reduces motion artifacts in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). It can also be operated in a multi‐energy (ME) mode to provide iodine maps, beneficial in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE). No energy‐integrating detector (EID) CT can perform simultaneous ME and high‐pitch acquisition. This phantom study aimed to evaluate the ability of a photon‐counting‐detector (PCD) CT to perform simultaneous high‐pitch and ME imaging for CTPA. Methods: A motion phantom was used to mimic the respiratory motion. Two tubes filled with iodine with intravascular thrombus mimicked by injecting glue within the tubes were placed along with 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL iodine samples, on a motion phantom at 20 and 30 revolutions per minute. Separate high‐pitch and ME EID‐CT scans and a single high‐pitch ME PCD scan were acquired and virtual monoenergetic images and iodine maps reconstructed. Percent thrombus occlusion was measured and compared between static and moving images. Results: When there was motion, EID‐CT ME suffered from significant motion artifacts. The measured iodine concentrations with PCD‐CT in high‐pitch ME were more stable when there was a motion, with a lower standard deviation than EID‐CT in ME mode. The estimated percent thrombus occlusion dropped significantly with applied motion on EID‐CT, while PCD‐CT high‐pitch ME mode showed good agreement between measurements on static or moving images. Conclusion: PCD‐CT with combined ME and high‐pitch mode facilitates simultaneous accurate iodine quantification and assessment of intravascular occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary selection in nature has led to hierarchical structuring as a fundamental optimization strategy for biological structures, maximizing functional performance while minimizing resource usage. Precise hierarchical organization of natural materials over a wide range of length scales gives rise to unique synergistic properties that could not be achieved by single components. Despite the clear advantages offered by hierarchically structuring matter, mastering hierarchical control based on the current synthetic toolbox is still a challenge. In this review, some recent advancements in the fabrication of hierarchical metal organic framework (MOF) materials are highlighted and the advantages that arise due to different kinds of MOF hierarchy are critically analyzed. The special focus of the review lies in highlighting the applications where MOF hierarchical materials can be most impactful and describing characterization techniques currently at the disposal of scientists for the precise characterization of MOF hierarchical structures across all length scales. Finally, the intent is to inspire reticular chemists to master hierarchical control of MOF materials so as to fully utilize the advantages MOFs offer for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite Medicare coverage, financial hardship is a prevalent issue among those diagnosed with cancer at age 65 years and older, particularly among those belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group. Sociodemographic, clinical, and area‐level factors may mediate this relationship; however, no studies have assessed the extent to which these factors contribute to the racial/ethnic disparities in financial hardship. Methods: Surveys assessing financial hardship were completed by 721 White (84%) or Black (16%) patients (aged 65 years and older) who were diagnosed with breast (34%), prostate (27%), lung (17%), or colorectal (14%) cancer or lymphoma (9%) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham between 2000 and 2019. Financial hardship included material, psychological, and behavioral domains. Nonlinear Blinder–Oaxaca effect decomposition methods were used to evaluate the extent to which individual and area‐level factors contribute to racial disparities in financial hardship. Results: Black patients reported lower income (65% vs. 34% earning <$50,000) and greater scores on the Area Deprivation Index (median, 93.0 vs. 55.0). Black patients reported significantly higher rates of overall (39% vs. 18%), material (29% vs. 11%), and psychological (27% vs. 11%) hardship compared with White patients. Overall, the observed characteristics explained 51% of racial differences in financial hardship among cancer survivors, primarily because of differences in income (23%) and area deprivation (11%). Conclusions: The current results identify primary contributors to racial disparities in financial hardship among older cancer survivors, which can be used to develop targeted interventions and allocate resources to those at greatest risk for financial hardship. Racial disparities in financial hardship among older cancer survivors are attributable to the downstream effects of structural racism. Interventions aimed at reducing the Black–White disparity in financial hardship should be targeted toward factors associated with historical racial discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, free‐standing composites consisting of 90 wt% nanoenergetic mesoparticles are fabricated and their combustion characteristics are investigated. The findings reveal that the integrity of the mesoparticles remains intact during the printing process and a reduction in sintering is observed for the composite of mesoparticles compared to the physical mixture. However, the composite of mesoparticles exhibits noncontinuous and oscillating propagation behavior at a steady frequency of ≈5 Hz. This is attributed to insufficient heat feedback from the flame to the unburnt material. To address this issue, carbon fiber (C.F.) is introduced into the composite to enhance heat feedback to the reaction front by intercepting hot agglomerates near the burning surface. Incorporating C.F. leads to steady propagation of the composite. Agglomerate residence time and characteristic heat transfer time analysis near the burning surface indicate that while the composite without C.F. has agglomerate residence time on the same order of magnitude as the characteristic heat transfer time, the composite with C.F. has significantly increased overall agglomerate residence time compared to the characteristic heat transfer time. This confirms the enhanced heat feedback through C.F. inclusion. This study demonstrates the crucial role of heat feedback in the combustion behavior of energetic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]