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During summer 2023 Canada experienced its most intense wildfire season on record. Smoke plumes from these fires advected across the United States (U.S.) Upper Midwest, producing regional scale surface enhancements of PM2.5 and ozone, as recorded by the U.S. surface monitoring network. These events are notable because they occurred early in the fire season (May 15‐June 30), and they produced the highest regional‐scale surface ozone levels ever recorded across the northern tier of the U.S. during early (May–June) or late (July‐August) summer. Specifically, the Upper Midwest 50th ozone percentile was greater than in any other year since 1995, when the ozone monitoring network had sufficient coverage to assess regional‐scale ozone levels; the 90th percentile was the highest since 2002. Satellite and aircraft measurements demonstrate the availability of ozone precursors and ozone production within the smoke plumes. Plain Language Summary: Ozone is a trace gas in the atmosphere that acts as an important greenhouse gas, and high concentrations near Earth's surface are a form of air pollution, detrimental to human health and vegetation productivity. Ozone is formed by sunlight reacting with precursor gases, such as those emitted by fossil fuel combustion. Wildfires are also an important source of ozone precursor gases. During summer 2023 Canada experienced its most intense wildfire season on record. Smoke from these fires impacted the U.S. Upper Midwest during May–June 2023, leading to regional scale surface enhancements of fine particulate matter and ozone. These unusual early season fires produced the highest regional‐scale surface ozone levels ever recorded across the northern U.S. Mid‐latitude wildfires have increased as the planet warms, and their frequency is expected to increase further with continued climate change. This analysis suggests that extreme ozone pollution episodes associated with wildfires could also increase in the future. Key Points: During summer 2023 Canada experienced its most intense wildfire season on recordSmoke from these fires impacted the United States (U.S.) Upper Midwest during May–June, leading to regional scale surface enhancements of PM2.5 and ozoneThese unusual early season fires produced the highest regional‐scale surface ozone levels ever recorded across the northern United States [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emotional intelligence (EI) of physicians significantly impacts their personal well‐being and professional success with broad implications in health care. A focused training on EI is often lacking in medical curricula. We sought to understand the impact of improvisation training on clinicians' EI. Approach: Four online medical improv workshops were offered to a diverse group of physicians with varied levels of practice experience including medicine‐paediatric residents, paediatric educators, practising paediatricians and internal/family medicine clinicians. The improv training was thoughtfully curated and remained consistent for all four cohorts, lasting 2 h. Self‐reported EI scales (pre and post) were captured using an online survey tool. The overall EI score and the scores of three EI components were compared before and after training. Evaluation: Out of 64 participants, 41 participants (64%) completed both the pre‐ and post‐surveys and were included in the final analysis. Participant's pre‐training score (mean:123.9, range: 121.1–126.7) was compared to their post‐training score (mean:128.9, range: 126.3–131.3). The t tests comparing EI scores showed that compared to pre‐intervention, participants on average scored 4.9 points higher (95% CI: 3.1–6.7; p < 0.01) on the overall scale, 2.2 points higher (95% CI: 1.2–3.2; p < 0.01) on the appraisal score, 1.4 points higher (95% CI: 0.8–2.0; p < 0.01) on the regulation score and 1.2 points higher (95% CI: 0.4–2.1; p = 0.01) on the utilisation score. Implications: Improv training is an innovative method to fill the crucial gap in EI curricula. There was a statistically significant improvement in average score for clinicians' EI after a pilot improv training programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Longitudinal studies are subject to nonresponse when individuals fail to provide data for entire waves or particular questions of the survey. We compare approaches to nonresponse bias analysis (NRBA) in longitudinal studies and illustrate them on the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011 (ECLS‐K:2011). Wave nonresponse with attrition often yields a monotone missingness pattern, and the missingness mechanism can be missing at random (MAR) or missing not at random (MNAR). We discuss weighting, multiple imputation (MI), incomplete data modelling and Bayesian approaches to NRBA for monotone patterns. Weighting adjustments can be effective when the constructed weights are correlated with the survey outcome of interest. MI allows for variables with missing values to be included in the imputation model, yielding potentially less biased and more efficient estimates. We add offsets in the MAR results to provide sensitivity analyses to assess MNAR deviations. We conduct NRBA for descriptive summaries and analytic model estimates in the ECLS‐K:2011 application. The strength of evidence about our NRBA depends on the strength of the relationship between the fully observed variables and the key survey outcomes, so the key to a successful NRBA is to include strong predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Materials and Methods Results Conclusion This study aims to inform about the clinical image, diagnostic possibilities, and treatment options for cats and dogs diagnosed with ocular encephalitozoonosis.Medical records of 7 dogs and 75 cats with ocular encephalitozoonosis presented at the Clinical Unit of Ophthalmology of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna between 08/2006 and 02/2022 have been compiled. Diagnosis was based on the presence of cataracts and positive antibody titer against Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Patient history, details on the characteristics of the cataracts, level of antibody titers, and the treatment regimen were summarized, as are the results of histological stainings of surgical samples to determine the presence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, as well as PCR analyses to identify its sub‐strains.Our analysis of the clinical data shows that focal cortical anterior cataracts often associated with anterior uveitis and lesions in the fundus are the most prevalent manifestation of ocular encephalitozoonosis in cats and dogs.Serological testing and PCR analysis of lens material are the most important diagnostic tools. Timely phacoemulsification with adjuvant anti‐inflammatory and antiparasitic medication is the most promising therapy for Encephalitozoon cuniculi‐induced cataracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our experimental researches began in 1976 in Oltrepo Pavese, one of the most important seed-wheat growing environment in the Padana Valley. Wheat rust epidemiology, on the cv San Pastore, was studied in relation to the following climatic conditions: temperature and rain. Therefore, after having illustrated the modalities of observation and survey of the three rusts, we studied the infection behaviour on plants in field and hence the infection behaviour on the single leaves. In the end, knowing, by statistical analysis, the relations between infections and climatic parameters, it was possible to define as follows. By comparing the three rusts infections in our environment, we noted that San Pastore wheat has been more affected by Puccinia striiformis West., with maximum infection points of 26,4% on the leaves. We noted the greater development of this infection from the fourth to the sixth observation, in correspondence with average values of T° max rising from 23,7° to 26,4° in the same period, precipitations varied with a daily average from 3,0 to 1,7 mm. Both P. striiformis and P. recondita Rob. ex Desm. appeared when the average of the T° max was 20,6 °C, and in lack of rain. P. recondita had a development rising from the fourth to the sixth observation showing, with regard to P. striiformis, lower demands of humidity and relatively greater demands of temperature; in fact, it reached a maximum point of infection of 26,4% on the leaves, assuming a more gradual development than P. striiformis. P. graminis Pers. appeared much later, as it needs higher T max, followed by rains. Indeed, it appeared with average T° max of 23,8 CC and with average daily rains of 0,4 mm, rising above all at the sixth observation with 26,4 °C and 1,7 mm, respectively. So, we can affirm that the actual experimental investigations point out and confirm what has been already met by other Authors, that is: a) among the three rusts considered, P. striiformis and ... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively little work has focused on why we are motivated to learn words. In adults, recent experiments have shown that intrinsic reward signals accompany successful word learning from context. In addition, the experience of reward facilitated long‐term memory for words. In adolescence, developmental changes are seen in reward and motivation systems as well as in reading and language systems. Here, in the face of this developmental change, we ask whether adolescents experience reward from word learning, and how the reward and memory benefit seen in adults is modulated by age. We used a naturalistic reading paradigm, which involved extracting novel word meanings from sentence context without the need for explicit feedback. By exploring ratings of enjoyment during the learning phase, as well as recognition memory for words a day later, we assessed whether adolescents show the same reward and learning patterns as adults. We tested 345 children between the ages of 10–18 (N > 84 in each 2‐year age‐band) using this paradigm. We found evidence for our first prediction: children aged 10–18 report greater enjoyment for successful word learning. However, we did not find evidence for age‐related change in this developmental period, or memory benefits. This work gives us greater insight into the process of language acquisition and sets the stage for further investigations of intrinsic reward in typical and atypical development. Research Highlights: We constantly learn words from context, even in the absence of explicit rewards or feedback.In adults, intrinsic reward experienced during word learning is linked to a dopaminergic circuit in the brain, which also fuels enhancements in memory for words.We find adolescents also report enhanced reward or enjoyment when they successfully learn words from sentence context.The relationship between reward and learning is maintained between the ages of 10 and 18.Unlike in adults, we did not observe ensuing memory benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of emotion regulation skills‐focused (ERSF) interventions to reduce pain intensity and improve psychological outcomes for people with chronic pain and to narratively report on safety and intervention compliance. Methods: Six databases and four registries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to 29 April 2022. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed according to the Grading, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Meta‐analyses for eight studies (902 participants) assessed pain intensity (primary outcome), emotion regulation, affect, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and pain interference (secondary outcomes), at two time points when available, post‐intervention (closest to intervention end) and follow‐up (the first measurement after the post‐intervention assessment). Results: Compared to TAU, pain intensity improved post‐intervention (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −10.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] [−17.55, −2.56]) and at follow‐up (WMD = −11.38; 95% CI [−13.55, −9.21]). Emotion regulation improved post‐intervention (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.57; 95% CI [0.14, 1.01]), and depressive symptoms improved at follow‐up (SMD = −0.45; 95% CI [−0.66, −0.24]). Compared to active comparators, anxiety symptoms improved favouring the comparator post‐intervention (SMD = 0.10; 95% CI [0.03, 0.18]), and compared to CBT, pain interference improved post‐intervention (SMD = −0.37; 95% CI [−0.69, −0.04]). Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Significance: The findings provide evidence that ERSF interventions reduce pain intensity for people with chronic pain compared to usual treatment. These interventions are at least as beneficial to reduce pain intensity as the current gold standard psychological intervention, CBT. However, the limited number of studies and certainty of evidence mean further high‐quality RCTs are warranted. Additionally, further research is needed to identify whether ERSF interventions may be more beneficial for specific chronic pain conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores the field of nanobiotechnology, focusing on the design, characterisation, and potential dermal applications of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs). ZnO and FeO NPs exhibit distinctive properties that are valuable in dermato‐cosmetic applications and transdermal drug delivery. This study investigates Cannabidiol (CBD) as a capping agent for MONPs synthesis. Employing microwave‐assisted techniques, MONPs were synthesised using either CBD or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as capping agents. The TEM, SEM, FTIR, and XRD characterisation results confirmed the successful formation of CBD‐capped ZnO and FeO NPs exhibiting an average particle size of 90 and 76 nm, respectively. The cytotoxicity of CBD‐capped MONPs was evaluated on HaCaT cells over a concentration range of 100 to 6.25 μg/mL, which revealed that CBD‐capped ZnO NPs exerted a cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells (IC50 85.34±1.17 μg/mL). In contrast, CBD‐capped FeO NPs and PVP‐capped MONPs exhibited negligible cytotoxicity (IC50 >100 μg/mL). TEM analysis revealed a noticeable structural alteration of ZnO NPs in the supplemented cell culture medium, which could contribute to enhanced NP uptake, thereby explaining the more pronounced cytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs. Therefore, the disparity in cytotoxic responses can be attributed to the protein coating adhering to the NPs surface in a biological medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasms depends on the accurate quantification of plasma cells, traditionally done by immunohistochemical CD138 staining of bone marrow biopsies. Currently, there is no fully satisfactory reference method for this quantification. In our previous study, we compared the commonly used overview estimation method (method A) with a novel method for counting plasma cells in three representative areas (method B). Results showed comparable concordance parameters between the two methods. In this follow‐up study, we compared the previously evaluated methods with a digital analysis method (method C) that uses artificial intelligence in open‐source software, QuPath. Methods: Archived CD138 immunohistochemically stained trephine sections of bone marrow samples used in our previous study were used (n = 33). Reviewers selected three representative areas on each sample by taking images with a light microscope and camera. Digital analysis was performed using the positive cell detection function in QuPath. The entire process was repeated by each reviewer to test intraobserver concordance (concordance correlation coefficient [CCC]) in addition to interobserver concordance (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]). Results: Intraobserver concordance of method C showed strong agreement for all reviewers with the lowest CCC = 0.854. Interobserver concordance for method C using ICC was 0.909 and 0.949. This showed high interobserver agreement with significant differences between method C and previously assessed method A (ICC = 0.793 and 0.713) and method B (ICC = 0.657 and 0.658). Conclusion: We were able to successfully count CD138‐positive plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies using artificial intelligence. This method is superior to both manual counting and overview estimation, regardless of tumour load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While climate warming is widely predicted to reduce body size of ectotherms, evidence for this trend is mixed. Body size depends not only on temperature but also on other factors, such as food quality and intraspecific competition. Because temperature trends or other long‐term environmental factors may affect population size and food sources, attributing trends in average body size to temperature requires the separation of potentially confounding effects. We evaluated trends in the body size of the midge Tanytarsus gracilentus and potential drivers (water temperature, population size, and food quality) between 1977 and 2015 at Lake Mývatn, Iceland. Although temperatures increased at Mývatn over this period, there was only a slight (non‐significant) decrease in midge adult body size, contrary to theoretical expectations. Using a state‐space model including multiple predictors, body size was negatively associated with both water temperature and midge population abundance, and it was positively associated with 13C enrichment of midges (an indicator of favorable food conditions). The magnitude of these effects were similar, such that simultaneous changes in temperature, abundance, and carbon stable isotopic signature could counteract each other in the long‐term body size trend. Our results illustrate how multiple factors, all of which could be influenced by global change, interact to affect average ectotherm body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laboratory results are frequently abnormal in pregnant mothers. Abnormalities usually relate to pregnancy or associated complications. Hematological abnormalities and age in pregnancy may increase the likelihood for transfusion and mortality. Study Design and Methods: Hematological profiles and transfusion history of pregnant mothers presenting to a tertiary hospital, were evaluated over 2 years. Age, anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were assessed for transfusion likelihood. Iron deficiency and coagulation were assessed in transfused patients. Anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and transfusion were assessed for mortality likelihood. Results: There were 12,889 pregnant mothers included. Mothers <19‐years‐old had the highest prevalence of anemia (31.5%) and proportion of transfusions (19%). The transfusion likelihood was increased in mothers with anemia (odds ratios [OR] = 6.41; confidence intervals at 95% [95% CI] 5.46–7.71), leukocytosis (OR = 2.35; 95% CI 2.00–2.76) or thrombocytopenia (OR = 2.71; 95% CI 2.21–3.33). Mothers with prolonged prothrombin times received twice as many blood products as their normal counterparts (p =.03) and those with iron deficiency anemia five times more blood products (p <.001). Increased likelihood for mortality was seen in patients with anemia (OR = 4.15, 95% CI 2.03–8.49), leukocytosis (OR = 2.68; 95% CI 1.19–6.04) and those receiving blood transfusion (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.75–7.47). Discussion: Adolescence, anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia expose mothers to a high risk for transfusion and/or mortality. These risk factors should promptly trigger management and referral of patients. Presenting hematological profiles are strong predictors of maternal outcome and transfusion risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Vegetation change such as woody encroachment is characterised by changing species interactions, and processes such as competition and facilitation may be inferred from patterns of association between juveniles and mature individuals of different species. Our aim was to apply and evaluate association rules analysis (ARA), a rule‐based data‐mining technique more commonly known as market basket analysis, as a novel tool to examine the associations between woody species in different demographic stages along a thicket encroachment gradient. Location: The research was conducted in a subtropical thicket–savanna mosaic (730 mm mean annual rainfall) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods: We used a space‐for‐time substitution approach and sampled woody plants in different size classes at sites representing early, intermediate and late stages of encroachment. All individuals were recorded as occurring singly or in unique clumps. We used ARA to determine which associations between species in different size classes were common overall, and more common than expected, at each of the three encroachment stages. Results: The most important association rules indicated that Vachellia karroo recruited singly and in large numbers in open grassland and, once mature, provided nucleation sites for a small suite of species dominated by Scutia myrtina. In the later stages, multiple diverse associations were found in increasingly large clumps. Conclusions: Our sampling approach and ARA proved useful for characterising common species‐size class associations, illuminating changing species interactions and recruitment patterns along a thicket clump formation sequence. In studies of vegetation change, ARA can complement multivariate analyses of species composition to reveal specific associations, and it can provide a less laborious alternative to point‐pattern analysis for elucidating spatial associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used diverse methods to characterize the role of avian lateral spiriform nucleus (SpL) in basal ganglia motor function. Connectivity analysis showed that SpL receives input from globus pallidus (GP), and the intrapeduncular nucleus (INP) located ventromedial to GP, whose neurons express numerous striatal markers. SpL‐projecting GP neurons were large and aspiny, while SpL‐projecting INP neurons were medium sized and spiny. Connectivity analysis further showed that SpL receives inputs from subthalamic nucleus (STN) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), and that the SNr also receives inputs from GP, INP, and STN. Neurochemical analysis showed that SpL neurons express ENK, GAD, and a variety of pallidal neuron markers, and receive GABAergic terminals, some of which also contain DARPP32, consistent with GP pallidal and INP striatal inputs. Connectivity and neurochemical analysis showed that the SpL input to tectum prominently ends on GABAA receptor‐enriched tectobulbar neurons. Behavioral studies showed that lesions of SpL impair visuomotor behaviors involving tracking and pecking moving targets. Our results suggest that SpL modulates brainstem‐projecting tectobulbar neurons in a manner comparable to the demonstrated influence of GP internus on motor thalamus and of SNr on tectobulbar neurons in mammals. Given published data in amphibians and reptiles, it seems likely the SpL circuit represents a major direct pathway‐type circuit by which the basal ganglia exerts its motor influence in nonmammalian tetrapods. The present studies also show that avian striatum is divided into three spatially segregated territories with differing connectivity, a medial striato‐nigral territory, a dorsolateral striato‐GP territory, and the ventrolateral INP motor territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a blended methodology—conventional tests of 'Thirlwall's law' combined with an in‐depth growth narrative approach and unit root tests—to identify the dominant balance‐of‐payments adjustment mechanism in the Zambian economy over the period 1956–2017. Consistent with Thirlwall's growth law, the main results identify income changes as the dominant balance‐of‐payments adjustment mechanism, rather than relative price changes. The three‐regime export demand function further reflects the vulnerability of the Zambian economy to unexpected busts in the world copper market, and highlights the need for effective industrial policies to create a more diversified economy into higher value‐added manufactures. The analysis also demonstrates that the results are robust to some of the main criticisms that have been levelled against Thirlwall's original growth law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Verification of blood collection tubes is essential for clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to assess performance of candidate tubes from four alternative suppliers for routine diagnostic haematology testing during an impending global shortage of blood collection tubes. Methods: A multicentre verification study was performed in Cape Town, South Africa. Blood from 300 healthy volunteers was collected into K2EDTA and sodium citrate tubes of BD Vacutainer® comparator tubes and one of four candidate tubes (Vacucare, Vacuette®, V‐TUBE™ and Vacutest®). A technical verification was performed, which included tube physical properties and safety. Routine haematology testing was performed for clinical verification. Results: Vacucare tubes did not have a fill‐line indicator, Vacuette® tubes had external blood contamination on the caps post‐venesection and Vacutest® tubes had hard rubber stoppers. K2EDTA tubes of Vacuette®, Vacucare and Vacutest® performed similarly to the comparator. Unacceptable constant bias was seen for PT in Vacucare (95% CI −2.38 to −0.10), Vacutest® (95% CI −1.91 to −0.49) and Vacuette® (95% CI 0.10–1.84) tubes and for aPTT in Vacuette® (95% CI 0.22–2.00) and V‐TUBE™ (95% CI −2.88 to −0.44). Unacceptable %bias was seen for aPTT in Vacucare (95% CI 2.78–4.59) and Vacutest® tubes (95% CI 2.53–3.82; desirable ±2.30), and in V‐TUBE™ for mean cell volume (95% CI 1.15–1.47, desirable ±0.95%) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (95% CI −1.65 to −0.93, desirable ±0.43%). Conclusion: Blood collection tubes introduce variability to routine haematology results. We recommend that laboratories use one brand of tube. Verification of new candidate tubes should be performed to ensure consistency and reliable reporting of results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progeny of four 4th generation Sydney rock oysterSaccostrea glomerata(Gould, 1850) breeding lines that were selected for fast growth were compared in a 3-year farming experiment. Oysters of the most improved breeding line (line 2) reached market size (≥50-g whole weight) 15 months earlier than non-selected control oysters (3 years and 5 months). The average reduction in time to market size for oysters of all four breeding lines was 12.5 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the morphology and volume of Meibomian glands (MG) of dogs with microCT before and after partial tarsal plate excision (PTPE), cryotherapy, and laser therapy. Procedure: MicroCT scans were made of 12 upper lids (ULs) and lower lids (LLs) of 12 dogs. After undergoing PTPE, 10 ULs and LLs were scanned again, and one UL and one LL was scanned after laser therapy and one UL and one LL after cryotherapy. Results: The length of the area containing MGs did not change pre‐ and post‐PTPE, and cryo‐ or laser therapy. The mean number of MGs in the ULs and LLs was 30.50 and 29.42, respectively, and did not change during the procedures. The average length of one individual MG was 2.60 mm. The mean volume of MGs in the 10 ULs and LLs pre‐PTPE was 21.45 and 17.2 mm3, respectively, and 12.84 and 11.25 mm3 in the UL and LL after PTPE, respectively. The mean volume of MGs decreased from 29.78 mm3 precryotherapy to 28.91 mm3 post‐treatment and in the lower eyelid from 22.87 to 22.4 mm3 after cryotherapy. The mean volume of MGs in the UL and LL before laser therapy was 8.95 and 6.78 mm3, respectively, and after 9.25 and 6.38 mm3, respectively. Conclusion: MicroCT is a valuable tool to determine the morphology and the volume of MGs and to demonstrate changes that occur after PTPE, laser‐, and cryotherapy. There is no need for additional preparation, such as staining, of the specimen prior to scanning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of People & Nature is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rare diseases often result in delays in diagnosis. It is important to recognize conditions that have features of both inborn errors of immunity and predispose to myeloid neoplasia. Here we report a patient with GATA2 deficiency that presented with disseminated non‐tuberculous mycobacterial infection and pancytopenia secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiences with books before age three predict children's motivation to read (Bus et al., 1995), and can support the development of vocabulary, communication, and symbolic skills (Scarborough, 2001). Sharing books with infants and toddlers is different than reading aloud to older children. For example, it is important to attend more closely to infants' eye gaze and to support toddlers to respond with gestures. This article presents 10 research‐based practices for book‐sharing with infants and toddlers to foster love of reading and emergent literacy skills. For each practice, we provide examples with preverbal infants and newly verbal toddlers. We encourage teachers of reading to use these practices in their interactions with infants and toddlers and to use their role as literacy leaders to share the practices with childcare providers, families, and others who work with this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first year of life, children begin to develop preferences for their own racial group over others. To interrupt the development of these and other biases during infancy and toddlerhood, educators can use books to promote anti‐racist and anti‐bias thinking and behaviors in children, while also supporting children's emergent literacy. This article presents criteria for educators to consider as they curate a collection of developmentally appropriate books for infant/toddler classroom libraries. In doing so, educators can expose children to positive representations of others and cultivate respect for children and their communities. We offer practical information about how educators can use these books to promote anti‐racist and anti‐bias education during the first years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 1990, NSW Fisheries initiated a mass selection programme in Port Stephens, NSW, with the aim of breeding faster growing Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould 1850). After two generations of selection, an average weight for age advantage of 18% (range 14–23% per breeding line) was achieved. This equates to a reduction of 3 months in the time taken to reach market size. Experiments are planned to determine how much of this 3 months advantage is additive to the 6 months advantage this laboratory has already obtained using triploid S. glomerata. A parallel set of S. glomerata breeding lines was established on the Georges River, NSW, to include selection for resistance to the protistan parasite Mikrocytos roughleyi, the causal agent of winter mortality. The programme was disrupted by the outbreak of QX disease Marteilia sydneyi, another protistan parasite, in 1994. In 1997, the breeding programme was reorganized and expanded. New lines were bred from oysters that had survived both QX and winter mortality. After one generation, a small improvement in resistance to QX has been recorded; however, the exposure of further generations to M. sydneyi will be required to confirm an increase in resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profile of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, lixisenatide, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in pediatric individuals. Materials and Methods: In this Phase 1, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group, ascending repeated dose study (NCT02803918), participants aged ≥10 and < 18 years were randomized 3:1 to receive once‐daily lixisenatide in 2‐week increments of 5, 10, and 20 μg (n = 18) or placebo (n = 5) for 6 weeks. Results: Mean lixisenatide concentrations generally increased with increasing doses irrespective of anti‐drug antibody (ADA) status; however, mean lixisenatide concentrations and inter‐subject variability were higher for participants with positive ADA status. Improvements in fasting plasma glucose, post‐prandial glucose, AUC0–4.5, HbA1c, and body weight were observed with lixisenatide. Overall, the safety profile was consistent with the known profile in adults, with no unexpected side effects and no treatment‐emergent adverse events resulting in death or discontinuation. The most common events in the lixisenatide group were vomiting (11.1%) and nausea (11.1%). No symptomatic hypoglycemia was reported in either group. No clinically significant hematologic, biochemical or vital sign abnormalities were observed. Conclusions: Mean lixisenatide concentrations generally increased with increasing dose, irrespective of ADA status. Lixisenatide was associated with improved glycemic control and a trend in body weight reduction compared with placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of repeated lixisenatide doses of up to 20 μg per day in children and adolescents with T2D was reflective of the established safety profile of lixisenatide in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare and aggressive malignancy of mature T-cells. Limited epidemiological studies have shown that there is substantial variation in age at diagnosis and subtype distribution between different geographical regions. This is the first epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa. Methods. A national epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa was performed. All new cases of ATLL from 2009 to 2019 were identified by laboratory database search in public and private health care sectors. Demographic and diagnostic data were obtained, and the cases were subtyped according to the Shimoyama classification. Results. There were 31 patients with ATLL over the 10-year period, with an incidence of 0.06 per 100000 population. The male to female ratio was 1 : 1 and the median age at diagnosis was 37 years. Acute ATLL was the most commonly seen subtype in South Africa. Conclusion. In this, the first epidemiological study of ATLL in South Africa, we demonstrate that ATLL is a rare disease, that acute ATLL is the most commonly diagnosed subtype, and that ATLL is likely under diagnosed. Patients present at a considerably younger age than the reported age in other nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A breeding program for Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) has been selecting oysters for resistance to QX disease ( Marteilia sydneyi) and winter mortality ( Bonamia roughleyi) for three generations at three sites in Georges River, New South Wales, Australia. The experimental sites are located at the upper, middle and lower reaches of oyster growing areas in the estuary. QX disease mainly occurs in the middle and upper reaches and is most severe at the latter. Winter mortality on the other hand occurs mainly at the lower and middle reaches and is most severe at the former. Progeny of third-generation Sydney rock oyster breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to both QX disease and winter mortality against a non-selected control. Line 1, selected for QX disease resistance at the upper estuary site, had excellent resistance to one season of exposure to disease, but suffered high mortality during the second season of exposure. However, these oysters had already reached market size of 50 g whole weight, with low mortality at 2 years of age, before the second episode of QX disease. Line 2 showed good improvement in resistance to both diseases, whereas Line 3, was the most resistant to winter mortality. Selection for resistance to QX disease did not appear to confer resistance to winter mortality and the converse also applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Establishing an immunohistochemical approach for semi‐quantitative assessment of the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in equine, canine, and feline corneas. Procedures: Healthy corneas of horses, dogs, and cats, euthanized because of a fatal disease or an unrecoverable trauma unrelated to and without a history of ophthalmic disease were formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded, and determined to be pathomorphologically healthy by light microscopy. Automated immunohistochemistry was performed using primary antibodies against IgG, biotin‐conjugated secondary antibodies, and streptavidin‐peroxidase, as well as diaminobenzidine for visualization. After counterstaining with hematoxylin, epithelium, stroma, Descemet´s membrane (DM), and endothelium were semi‐quantitatively scored for the presence of IgG on a 4‐grade scale (0 = no, 1 = faint, 2 = medium, 3 = strong staining) by light microscopy. Results: Corneal specimens of 20 horses (40 eyes) with a median age of 15.5 years (range 2–31 years), 12 dogs (21 eyes) with a median age of 10.0 years (range 4–16), and 13 cats (24 eyes) with a median age of 10.0 years (range 2–18) were included in the study. Different sexes and breeds were represented. In all corneas (100%), significant medium signal intensity in the stroma was observed. Variable immunosignal was obtained in epithelium, DM, and endothelium. Conclusion: This method reproducibly allows for the detection of IgG in healthy equine, canine, and feline corneas, particularly stroma. Semi‐quantitative results evidence medium presence of IgG in the corneal stroma. Further research is needed to evaluate IgG presence in diseased corneas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree diversity exerts a strong influence on consumer communities, but most work has involved single time point measurements over short time periods. Describing temporal variation associated with diversity effects over longer time periods is necessary to fully understand the effects of tree diversity on ecological function.We conducted a year‐long study in an experimental system in southern Mexico assessing the effects of tree diversity on the abundance and diversity of foraging birds. To this end, we recorded bird visitation patterns in 32 tree plots (21 × 21 m; 12 tree species monocultures, 20 four‐species polycultures) every 45 days (n = 8 surveys) and for each plot estimated bird abundance, richness, functional diversity (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD). In each case, we reported temporal (intra‐annual) variation in the magnitude of tree diversity effects, and calculated the temporal stability of these bird responses.Across surveys, tree diversity noticeably affected bird responses, demonstrated by significantly higher abundance (43%), richness (32%), PD (25%) and FD (25%) of birds visiting polyculture plots compared to monoculture plots, as well as a distinct species composition between plot types. We also found intra‐annual variation in tree diversity effects on these response variables, ranging from surveys for which the diversity effect was not significant to surveys where a significant 80% increase (e.g. for bird FD and PD) was observed in polyculture relative to monoculture plots. Notably, tree diversity increased the stability of all bird responses, with polycultures having a greater stability abundance (18%), richness (38%), PD (32%), and FD (35%) of birds visiting tree species polycultures compared to monocultures.These results show that tree diversity not only increases bird visitation to plots, but also stabilizes bird habitat usage over time in ways that could implicate insurance‐related mechanisms. Such findings are highly relevant for understanding the long‐term effects of plant diversity on vertebrates and the persistence of bird‐related ecosystem functions. More work is needed to unveil the ecological mechanisms behind temporal variation in vertebrate responses to tree diversity and their consequences for community structure and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sydney rock oyster breeding programme began in 1990 and initially focused on faster growth and resistance to winter mortality disease ( WM, Bonamia roughleyi) before including QX disease ( QX, Marteilia sydneyi) resistance in 1997. Four generations of oysters have now been exposed to these diseases at three sites in the Georges River, NSW, Australia (Lime Kiln Bar, LKB; Woolooware Bay, WB; and, Quibray Bay, QB). Non-selected control oysters and lines developed at each site (Line 1 - LKB, Line 2 - WB, Line 3 - QB) were placed at the three sites alongside a new QX-resistant line (Line 4) bred from QX survivors in other NSW estuaries. Line 1 oysters grew to a marketable size (>50 g) in two years with minimal losses following QX disease outbreaks: 28% mortality compared with 97% in controls. Losses in Line 3 oysters selected for WM resistance at QB were reduced by more than half (23% versus 52%). Line 2 performed best at WB, but this line showed excellent resistance to QX at LKB and WM at QB, indicating that breeding for resistance to both diseases is effective. However, selection of oysters for QX did not confer resistance to WM and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although studies generally find evidence of a Phillips curve‐type relationship in South Africa, uncertainty remains about the relevance of the model over a relatively long sample period, and whether conventional output gap measures are suitable proxies for demand pressure. This paper reviews research which shows that the Phillips curve model prevails over an extended sample, provided that the benchmark specifications include major structural changes in the balance‐of‐payments and labour market, and account for shifts in the root causes of inflation. When this is done, a linear specification with an output gap in levels correctly predicts the non‐trended inflation pattern over the period 1971(Q1)–1984(Q4), whereas a piecewise concave curve with an output gap in growth rates accurately forecasts the decelerating inflation pattern during 1986(Q1)–2001(Q2). A novel feature of the concave model is that it remains statistically robust and structurally stable when it is estimated until 2015(Q4). The concave model imparts a disinflationary bias, which suggests that monetary policy should be more expansionary during downswing phases of the business cycle and neutral during upswing phases. The analysis also considers how the shape of the Phillips curve might change if the balance‐of‐payments constraint on demand is relaxed in a significant way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Children with aerodigestive disorders often have many of the reported risk factors for development of perioperative respiratory adverse events. This study sought to evaluate the incidence of such events in this group of patients undergoing general anesthesia for "triple endoscopy" (flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, rigid laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy) and to identify any patient‐specific or procedure‐specific risk factors associated with higher incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of children 18 years or younger who underwent triple endoscopy as part of an aerodigestive evaluation. Data collected from medical records included: preoperative polysomnography, symptoms of acute respiratory illness, medical comorbidities, demographics, postoperative hospital or intensive care unit admission, and all respiratory events and interventions in the perioperative period. Patient‐specific and procedure‐specific factors were investigated via univariate analysis for any correlations with perioperative respiratory adverse events. Results: Of the 122 patients undergoing triple endoscopy, 69 (57%) experienced a perioperative respiratory adverse event. We found no difference in the incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events among children with documented lung disease compared with those with no lung disease (OR: 0.89, p =.8 95% CI: 0.43, 1.8), and no significant difference between those children who had a respiratory illness at the time of surgery, 1–2 weeks prior, 3–4 weeks prior, and those with no preceding respiratory illness. A higher percentage of males had a perioperative respiratory adverse event, compared with females (OR: 2.7, p =.01 95% CI: 1.3, 5.09). Conclusion: Patients undergoing triple endoscopy for evaluation of aerodigestive disorders at our institution experienced perioperative respiratory adverse events at a rate of 57%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the discussions of Laura Parish of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council and Adi Nell of Medivet at the BVA Congress at the London Vet Show on November 22, 2013, regarding practices in the improvement of work-life balance of veterinaries and employees. Nell discusses important aspects to feel valued an employee such as dealing with protection of psychological contract. Parish discusses professional time management from employees' point of view.

Focuses on the methodology of economists Martin Hollis and Edward Nell on economic theory. Comments on the Positivist account of testing; Use of knowledge on economic agents; Assertion on the role of distribution theory on the facts of conflict.

Triploid Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas farmed in Port Stephens, NSW had an exceptionally fast growth rate and reached a whole weight of 55 g in 13 months versus 20 months for diploids. Mortality of the triploids (24.5±2.94%) was significantly lower ( P<0.05) than that of the diploids (40.0±2.26%) over the duration of the experiment (July 2002–February 2004). Unfortunately, this advantage was offset by discoloration of the meats of the triploids when they were in better condition than the diploids over summer (October 2003–March 2004). However, discoloration of meat of triploids had cleared up by April 2004 and neither did they suffer this problem from April–September 2003. The triploids also had a lower peak condition than the diploids. Oysters in peak meat condition, i.e. spawning condition, are preferred for the half shell trade in Australia and in this study, there was at least a six-month period prior to discoloration, when the triploids were large enough and had sufficient meat condition for marketing on the half shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect and safety of topical anti‐human vascular endothelial growth factor bevacizumab in dogs with persistent corneal vascularization. Animals studied: Prospective case series of 15 adult dogs (20 eyes). Procedures: Dogs received 0.25% bevacizumab eye drops BID for 28 days. Follow‐ups were scheduled 28 days and 6–7 months after treatment start. Macroscopic findings were scored for conjunctival hyperemia, chemosis, ocular discharge, corneal edema, vascularization, and pigmentation. Vascularized area was assessed by analyzing photographs using an imaging software. Results: The treatment response was variable. Some cases showed a marked reduction in vascularized area and edema, while other eyes had subtle signs of improvement. Vascularization score decreased from 1.5 to 1.1 and vascularized area was reduced by 48.8% after 28 days. A thinning of vessels, consolidation of areal bleedings into fine vascular networks, decrease in distal vessel branching, and a change from blurry vascularized beds into demarcated thin vessels were observed. One dog developed a SCCED 6 months after the last bevacizumab administration. Two dogs died 4 and 4.5 months after the last bevacizumab administration, aged 16 and 12 years, respectively. In all events, a causal relationship is unlikely but cannot be ruled out with certainty. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that topical 0.25% bevacizumab may be an effective treatment option for corneal vascularization in dogs. Further long‐term placebo‐controlled studies with larger patient cohorts are recommended to provide scientific evidence of efficacy and to investigate dosage, safety, possible use as a single treatment, and routes of administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transplantation of minor salivary glands (MSGs) to the conjunctiva is a treatment option for patients suffering from dry eye disease. As there is not enough information about labial and buccal MSGs in dogs, the aim of this study was to provide evidence of the presence of these glands and to investigate their spatial arrangement and excretory ducts. Methods: The oral mucosa of the lower lip of 4 dogs and the whole lower jaw of 1 dog were used for histological and microCT analysis. Presence, number, volumes and the tissue depth of MSGs were assessed. Results: Histological analysis showed that compact tubulo‐acinar glands were located in the submucosal connective tissue. MicroCT images revealed that 9 to 21 MSGs were arranged in a single row at the level of the dental alveolae. The volume of the MSGs increased from rostral to caudal and the total volume of glandular tissue per animal ranged from 35.01 mm3 to 549.43 mm3. The mean tissue depth of MSGs ranged from 0.57 mm to 1.37 mm (upper surface of glands) and between 1.43 mm and 3.09 mm (lower surface of the glands). Excretory ducts left the dorsal part of the glands and ran in dorso‐rostral direction. Conclusions: The location, number and volume of the labial and buccal MSGs in the dog could be detected and described using microCT scans and histology. The present results can provide valuable information for future transplantation of labial MSGs as therapeutic measure against keratoconjunctivitis sicca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strong for Surgery (S4S) is a public health campaign focused on optimizing patient health prior to surgery by identifying evidence-based modifiable risk factors. The potential impact of S4S bundled risk factors on outcomes after major surgery has not been previously studied. This study tested the hypothesis that a higher number of S4S risk factors is associated with an escalating risk of complications and mortality after major elective surgery in the VA population. Methods: The Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) database was queried for patients who underwent major non-emergent general, thoracic, vascular, urologic, and orthopedic surgeries between the years 2008 and 2015. Patients with complete data pertaining to S4S risk factors, specifically preoperative smoking status, HbA1c level, and serum albumin level, were stratified by number of positive risk factors, and perioperative outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 31,285 patients comprised the study group, with 16,630 (53.2%) patients having no S4S risk factors (S4S0), 12,323 (39.4%) having one (S4S1), 2,186 (7.0%) having two (S4S2), and 146 (0.5%) having three (S4S3). In the S4S1 group, 60.3% were actively smoking, 35.2% had HbA1c > 7, and 4.4% had serum albumin < 3. In the S4S2 group, 87.8% were smokers, 84.8% had HbA1c > 7, and 27.4% had albumin < 3. Major complications, reoperations, length of stay, and 30-day mortality increased progressively from S4S0 to S4S3 groups. S4S3 had the greatest adjusted mortality risk (adjusted odds radio [AOR] 2.56, p = 0.04) followed by S4S2 (AOR 1.58, p = 0.02) and S4S1 (AOR 1.34, p = 0.02). Conclusion: In the VA population, patients who had all three S4S risk factors, namely active smoking, suboptimal nutritional status, and poor glycemic control, had the greatest risk of postoperative mortality compared to patients with fewer S4S risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simple view of reading is commonly presented to educators in professional development about the science of reading. The simple view is a useful tool for conveying the undeniable importance—in fact, the necessity—of both decoding and linguistic comprehension for reading. Research in the 35 years since the theory was proposed has revealed additional understandings about reading. In this article, we synthesize research documenting three of these advances: (1) Reading difficulties have a number of causes, not all of which fall under decoding and/or listening comprehension as posited in the simple view; (2) rather than influencing reading solely independently, as conceived in the simple view, decoding and listening comprehension (or in terms more commonly used in reference to the simple view today, word recognition and language comprehension) overlap in important ways; and (3) there are many contributors to reading not named in the simple view, such as active, self‐regulatory processes, that play a substantial role in reading. We point to research showing that instruction aligned with these advances can improve students' reading. We present a theory, which we call the active view of reading, that is an expansion of the simple view and can be used to convey these important advances to current and future educators. We discuss the need to lift up updated theories and models to guide practitioners' work in supporting students' reading development in classrooms and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of research offer important understandings about the nature of comprehension and its development. Drawing on both classic and contemporary research, in this article, we identify some key understandings about reading comprehension processes and instruction, including these: Comprehension instruction should begin early, teaching word‐reading and bridging skills (including graphophonological semantic cognitive flexibility, morphological awareness, and reading fluency) supports reading comprehension development, reading comprehension is not automatic even when fluency is strong, teaching text structures and features fosters reading comprehension development, comprehension processes vary by what and why we are reading, comprehension strategy instruction improves comprehension, vocabulary and knowledge building support reading comprehension development, supporting engagement with text (volume reading, discussion and analysis of text, and writing) fosters comprehension development, and instructional practices that kindle reading motivation improve comprehension. We present a visual depiction of this model, emphasizing the layered nature of impactful comprehension instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is a strategic public health measure designed to reduce the adverse effects of many infectious diseases. Although national recommendations exist for vaccine administration across the life span, immunization rates are affected by barriers to vaccine access and hesitancy in vaccine acceptance. Midwives and women's health clinicians are optimally poised to assess their client's vaccination status and provide vaccinations during clinical encounters. In order to address client concerns about vaccine safety and administration, each clinician is expected to be knowledgeable about vaccine benefits, recommendations, side effects, and potential adverse reactions. Socioeconomic factors, social policies, and historic and continued experiences related to racism have been identified as barriers to ready access to vaccinations and vaccine acceptance. Midwives can act as leaders within their practice sites and communities through participation in projects that reduce barriers to vaccine access and uptake. Community vaccine outreach programs and relationship‐based care can increase vaccine uptake through improved health literacy and associated behavioral changes including greater vaccine acceptance. This article focuses on identifying barriers to vaccine uptake and describing harm reduction measures designed to improve uptake of vaccines. A variety of leadership activities are discussed that can improve clinicians' understanding of their role in optimizing vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the book "Ethnic Amsterdam: Immigrants and Urban Change in the Twentieth Century" edited by Liza Nell and Jan Rath.