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Organic compounds with potential antioxidant activity have attracted special attention of researchers and they have been widely studied in several areas, including pharmacology and medicinal chemistry. In this context, electrochemistry through cyclic voltammetry becomes a fast and efficient tool for the characterization of the antioxidant potential of these compounds. Herein, a study was carried out on the electrochemical behavior of seleno‐dihydropyrimidinones and chloro‐dihydropyrimidinones via cyclic voltammetry in the presence of acetonitrile. By employing this approach, the characterization of the oxidation processes and the determination of antioxidant activities of the target molecules was disclosed. It was also proposed a comparison of the results obtained with the antioxidant activity of the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical. Among the evaluated compounds, four molecules exhibited significant antioxidant capacities which were efficiently detected by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical assay and by cyclic voltammetry when measuring the charges transferred until 0.9 V vs Fc+/Fc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of offshore floating photovoltaic systems (FPVs), this paper explores the use of bifacial photovoltaic modules installed in the vertical position. The energy harvested from the rear face of vertically configured bifacial PV modules compensates for the reduced production at the front face of the module, and this demonstrates the potential of bifacial technology for offshore applications. By comparison, most existing horizontally tilted bifacial FPV systems gain only a small benefit in production from the rear face of the module due to the minimum radiation received, and what also must be taken into consideration is the negative effect of significant soiling owing to the low tilt angle of the PV modules. Hence, to overcome these drawbacks, we have developed the innovative "PVSail" concept, which explores the deployment of vertical FPV systems on floats, buoys, or poles/minipiles. Floating vertical bifacial PV systems (VBPVs) have huge potential to harness all the energy generation capabilities enhance by reflected light, especially from snow‐covered surfaces in northern regions. Our analysis considers a patented mooring and vertical PV system that allows the VBPV structure to align with the prevailing wind direction to shed wind loads, and our numerical analysis explores the potential of VBPV applied to Catania in Italy and Nigg Bay in the United Kingdom. Our analysis study has revealed that across an azimuth angle range (0°–180°), vertical bifacial modules experience roughly a 9% decrease in energy yield at Catania and about a 5% energy yield gain in higher latitude regions like Nigg Bay. Additionally, increasing the latitude of the installation location of VBPV reduces the energy yield sensitivity to the orientation, that is, azimuth angle. The PVSail concept opens the door to novel deployment possibilities in offshore renewable energy projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Biallelic mutations in PRDX3 have been linked to autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia type 32. In this study, which aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on this rare disease, we identified two unrelated patients with mutations in PRDX3. We explored the impact of PRDX3 mutation in patient skin fibroblasts and the role of the gene in neurodevelopment. Methods: We performed trio exome sequencing that identified mutations in PRDX3 in two unrelated patients. We also performed functional studies in patient skin fibroblasts and generated a "crispant" zebrafish (Danio rerio) model to investigate the role of the gene during nervous system development. Results: Our study reports two additional patients. Patient 1 is a 19‐year‐old male who showed a novel homozygous c.525_535delGTTAGAAGGTT (p. Leu176TrpfsTer11) mutation as the genetic cause of cerebellar ataxia. Patient 2 is a 20‐year‐old male who was found to present the known c.425C>G/p. Ala142Gly variant in compound heterozygosity with the p. Leu176TrpfsTer11 one. While the fibroblast model failed to recapitulate the pathological features associated with PRDX3 loss of function, our functional characterization of the prdx3 zebrafish model revealed motor defects, increased susceptibility to reactive oxygen species‐triggered apoptosis, and an impaired oxygen consumption rate. Conclusions: We identified a new variant, thereby expanding the genetic spectrum of PRDX3‐related disease. We developed a novel zebrafish model to investigate the consequences of prdx3 depletion on neurodevelopment and thus offered a potential new tool for identifying new treatment opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature and humidity are studied in the context of seasonal infections in temperate and tropical zones, but the relationship between viral trends and climate variables in temperate subtropical zones remains underexplored. Our retrospective study analyzes respiratory pathogen incidence and its correlation with climate data in a subtropical zone. Retrospective observational study at Moinhos de Vento Hospital, South Brazil, aiming to assess seasonal trends in respiratory pathogens, correlating them with climate data. The study included patients of all ages from various healthcare settings, with data collected between April 2022 and July 2023. Biological samples were analyzed for 24 pathogens using polymerase chain reaction and hybridization techniques; demographic variables were also collected. The data was analyzed descriptively and graphically. Spearman tests and Poisson regression were used as correlation tests. Tests were clustered according to all pathogens, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), influenza viruses, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Between April 2022 and July 2023, 3329 tests showed a 71.6% positivity rate. Rhinovirus and RSV predominated, exhibiting seasonal patterns. Temperature was inversely correlated with the viruses, notably rhinovirus, but SARS‐CoV‐2 was positively correlated. Air humidity was positively correlated with all pathogens, RSV, rhinovirus, and atmospheric pressure with all pathogens and rhinovirus. Our results showed statistically significant correlations, with modest effect sizes. Our study did not evaluate causation effects. Despite the correlation between climate and respiratory pathogens, our work suggests additional factors influencing transmission dynamics. Our findings underscore the complex interplay between climate and respiratory infections in subtropical climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gymnurid rays are found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions around the world, where they are associated with sandy or muddy bottoms in coastal areas, being easily distinguished from other rays by the width of the disc. In recent years, the systematics of this family have been revised extensively. However, there has been no comprehensive molecular review of the family based on an adequate sample of species and localities, which may have obscured the presence of distinct evolutionary lineages. The present study was based on samples of 12 of the 13 valid species of the genus Gymnura, which were used for a multilocus reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the family Gymnuridae. Our results indicate the existence of several cryptic gymnurid lineages, within the species Gymnura micrura, Gymnura lessae, Gymnura altavela, and Gymnura poecilura. Also, we indicate that only half of the species that compose the genus are known, as well their conservation status. The analyses also indicate that the gymnurids originated during the Paleocene, with events of dispersal and vicariance occurring through the formation of oceanographic barriers, and species diversification peaking during the Oligocene and Miocene. The results of the present study reinforce the need for a comprehensive revision of the systematics of the family, in particular, the widely distributed species that are considered valid taxa, but may, in fact, represent different cryptic species. The inadequate classification of this cryptic diversity may have negative implications for the development of effective conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advantages like biocompatibility, biodegradability and tunability allowed the exploitation of peptides and peptidomimetics as versatile therapeutic or diagnostic agents. Because of their selectivity towards transmembrane receptors or cell membranes, peptides have also been identified as suitable molecules able to deliver in vivo macromolecules, proteins or nucleic acids. However, after the identification of the homodimer diphenylalanine (FF) as an aggregative motif inside the Aβ1–42 polypeptide, short and ultrashort peptides have been studied as building blocks for the fabrication of supramolecular, ordered nanostructures for applications in biotechnological, biomedical and industrial fields. In this perspective, many hybrid molecules that combine FF with other chemical entities have been synthesized and characterized. Two novel hybrid derivatives (tFaF and cFgF), in which the FF homodimer is alternated with the peptide‐nucleic acid (PNA) heterodimer "g‐c" (guanine‐cytosine) or "a‐t" (adenine‐thymine) and their dimeric forms (tFaF)2 and (cFgF)2 were synthesized. The structural characterization performed by circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence spectroscopies highlighted the capability of all the FF‐PNA derivatives to self‐assemble into β‐sheet structures. As a consequence of this supramolecular organization, the resulting aggregates also exhibit optoelectronic properties already reported for other similar nanostructures. This photoemissive behavior is promising for their potential applications in bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tremor disorders remain as clinical diagnoses and the rate of misdiagnosis between the commonest non‐parkinsonian tremors is relatively high. Objectives: To compare the clinical features of Essential Tremor without other features (pure ET), ET plus soft dystonic signs (ET + DS), and tremor combined with dystonia (TwD). Methods: We compared the clinical features of patients with pure ET, ET + DS, and TwD enrolled in The ITAlian tremor Network (TITAN). Linear regression models were performed to determine factors associated with health status and quality of life. Results: Three‐hundred‐eighty‐three patients were included. Sex distribution was significantly different between the groups with males being more represented in pure ET and females in TwD. The initial site of tremor was different between the groups with about 40% of TwD having head tremor and ET + DS unilateral upper limb tremor at onset. This pattern mirrored the distribution of overt dystonia and soft dystonic signs at examination. Sensory trick, task‐specificity, and position‐dependence were more common, but not exclusive, to TwD. Pure ET patients showed the lowest degree of alcohol responsiveness and ET + DS the highest. Midline tremor was more commonly encountered and more severe in TwD than in the other groups. Regression analyses demonstrated that tremor severity, sex, age, and to a lesser degree the variable "group", independently predicted health status and quality of life, suggesting the existence of other determinants beyond tremor. Conclusions: Pure ET and TwD manifest with a phenotypic overlap, which calls for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers. ET + DS shared features with both syndromes, suggesting intra‐group heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Discovered 160 years ago, the Muge archaeological sites in Portugal yield the most significant documentation of human skeletons from the Mesolithic period in Western Europe (8200–7100 cal B.P.). However, sediment weight has caused significant postmortem alterations that have limited previous studies. Paleoimaging techniques were applied to overcome these limitations and provide previously inaccessible information. Thirteen crania from Moita do Sebastião (one of the Muge shell middens) were CT scanned for virtual reconstruction and morphological analysis. Meticulous examination of 2D and 3D images revealed bone changes not visible to the naked eye and unrelated to postmortem alterations. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was carried out identifying various pathological conditions including epidermoid or dermoid cysts, intraosseous hemangioma, and a possible case of anemia. These “hidden pathologies” offer new insights into the health status of one of Europe's last hunter–gatherer populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) represented a major public health concern. Growing evidence shows that plasma of COVID‐19 patients contains large numbers of circulating extracellular vesicles (cEVs) that correlate with disease severity and recovery. In this study, we sought to characterize the longitudinal cEV signature in critically ill COVID‐19 patients during hospitalization and its relation to mortality risk.cEVs were quantitatively and phenotypically analysed in hospitalized non‐surviving COVID‐19 patients at baseline (n = 42) and before exitus (n = 40) and in 40 healthy volunteers as a reference group by high sensitivity nano flow cytometry using specific markers for parental cell sources and activation.Levels of cEV subtypes differed between patients with severe COVID‐19 and healthy subjects, specifically those from platelets and endothelial, inflammatory and viral infected cells, which associate to high mortality risk. In the longitudinal analysis from baseline to the time point immediately preceding death, no changes were found for platelet, pan‐leukocyte, and lung epithelial cell‐shed cEVs, while endothelial cell releases of EVs (eEVs) significantly differed. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2‐positive eEVs were significantly increased before death compared to admission whereas endoglin and E‐selectin‐containing eEVs did not change. Conversely, lymphocyte (ℓEV), monocyte, macrophage, pericyte and progenitor cell‐derived cEVs displayed significant reductions before exitus. Noteworthy, levels of CD45+/CD3+‐ℓEVs were significantly associated to the patient's survival time.An evolving cEV profile able to discriminate prompt risk of death during hospitalization has been defined suggesting a role for circulating and vascular cell‐derived EVs in COVID‐19 pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation Purpose Approach and methods Findings Policy implications When collecting evidence from the field, the quality of the data determines the reliability of the analysis. When data are collected in the field by enumerators, the latter's performance needs to be monitored to avoid errant behaviour that could compromise data quality.We show how paradata on the process of data collection itself can improve enumerator performance, using a household survey in India as a case study.We conducted action research to improve data quality in the India Working Study conducted in early 2020 in Karnataka and Rajasthan. We designed indicators (flags) from the paradata to mark potential deviant enumerator behaviour in the early stages of the survey. Flagged enumerators were contacted by supervisors who provided constructive feedback. We then measured the performance of the flagged enumerators over the remainder of the survey.We were able to benchmark specific groups of enumerators facing similar field conditions, namely location and gender of respondents. This allowed us to compare enumerators to a subset of their peers, rather than the entire set of enumerators.Our feedback improved enumerator behaviour in the field: flagged enumerators subsequently spent more time on a core module of the questionnaire.In any survey, two objectives compete: completing a fixed number of interviews per day to reduce costs versus enumerators spending enough time with each respondent to collect meaningful data. To strike a balance between these competing demands, we recommend tracking three paradata indicators: count of completed interviews; average time per completed interview; and ratio of completed to initiated interviews.We recommend using paradata to improve the quality of data when surveying, thereby reducing standard errors for estimates based on the data and leading to more reliable analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialkoxymethane (DAM) ethers, so‐called oxymethylene ethers (OMEs), are compounds constituted by a CH2‐unit bound to two identical alkoxy substituents. These compounds have showcased interesting technological applications as fuel additives or fuels, as a consequence of their interesting properties such as their low vapor pressure, high viscosity, cetane number and oxygen content. Moreover, they are also employed as environmentally‐benign solvents and bulk compounds useful in fine‐chemical industry. In addition, DAM ethers are considered formaldehyde surrogates. Industrially, dimethoxymethane (DMM) is still produced via two‐step protocol involving toxic formaldehyde that consists of a first step of methanol oxidation (Formox process). Hence, the development of more sustainable protocols for their synthesis is highly desired. Among the different strategies reported for DAM synthesis, its production from CO2/H2 and alcohols constitutes a practical, green and attractive alternative route. In this concept, a careful discussion of the developed catalytic protocols for synthesizing DAM from CO2/H2 or formic acid/H2 and alcohols/diols will be summarized. A special emphasis will be performed on the reaction mechanisms involved and the catalyst nature design and characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Conclusion We aimed to characterise and compare individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), in a real‐world setting.Anthropometric and clinical data from 36 959 people with diabetes diagnosed at age 30–70 years enrolled in the prospective diabetes patients follow‐up (DPV) registry from 1995 to 2022 were analysed cross‐sectionally at diagnosis and follow‐up (≥6 months after diagnosis). LADA was defined as clinical diagnosis of T2D, positivity of ≥1 islet autoantibody and an insulin‐free interval of ≥6 months upon diabetes diagnosis.At diagnosis, age, body mass index, waist circumference, C‐peptide and HbA1c in people with LADA (n = 747) fell in between individuals with T1D (n = 940) and T2D (n = 35 272) (all p‐values < 0.01). At follow‐up, after adjusting for age, sex and diabetes duration, the prevalence of dyslipidemia and hypertension was the highest in people with LADA (90.6%, 77.7%) compared to people with T2D (81.8%, 60.4%) and T1D (75.7%, 39.7%) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) was higher in LADA (44.2%), than in T1D (19.9%) (p < 0.01). The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was higher in individuals with LADA (55.1%) than in T2D (43.9%) and T1D (42.1%) (p < 0.05). Coverage of treatment for hypertension and dyslipidemia were 22.4% and 15.0% in T1D, 63.0% and 36.6% in LADA and 29.4% and 18.2% in T2D.People with LADA had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension) and cardiovascular complications (DKD and peripheral neuropathy), suggesting that people with LADA are at need for improved recognition and care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1970s, Italian pediatric oncologists have collaborated through the Italian Association for Pediatric Hematology Oncology (AIEOP) network using a common centralized system for the registration of childhood cancer, known as Model 1.01 (Mod. 1.01). In this study, we report on recruitment trends, extra‐regional migration and changes in outcome over time in the Italian population of children (0–14 years) and adolescents (15–19 years) registered and treated within the national AIEOP network in the period between 1989 and 2017. In almost 30 years, a cohort of 43,564 patients with a neoplasia diagnosis was registered in Mod. 1.01. The analysis of national extra‐regional migration showed that patients tend to migrate from the South to the North and, to a lesser extent, to the Center of the country. During the study period, migration apparently decreased, especially for lymphohematopoietic diseases, whereas it remained substantial for solid tumors. Our data showed a progressive and significant increase in the cumulative survival 5 years after diagnosis since the 1990s, reaching almost 84% for all patients diagnosed in the last decade. Survival rates of Mod. 1.01 patients are similar to those provided by the main national and international reports showing childhood cancer surveillance estimates. The AIEOP Mod 1.01 has proved to be an invaluable tool from both an epidemiological and a health policy point of view, allowing us, in this study, to examine the survival experience of the largest cohort of Italian pediatric cancer patients with a very long follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's steadily growing population and global heating due to climate change are a threat to food security. To meet this challenge, novel technologies are needed to increase crop production in a sustainable way. In this work, the use of luminescent down‐shifting (LDS) materials based on molecular Eu3+‐containing polyoxotitanates for plant growth enhancement is investigated. Using a systematic design strategy to optimize down‐shifting properties, conversion of the ultraviolet spectral range to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is achieved with quantum yields as high as 68%. The prototype Eu3+‐compound can be incorporated into water‐based acrylic varnish that can be spray‐coated onto existing greenhouses. Comparing coated with uncoated greenhouses, basil plants produce 9% more leaf dry weight per plant, and a highly significant 10% increase in individual leaf dry weight. The coating reduces the amount of transmitted PAR by 8% but has advantageous effects on diffuse radiation and in reducing the internal mean temperature. Although there is some uncertainty as to the contribution of down‐shifting, with the bulk of the increase probably being due to higher diffused light and the reduction in maximum daily temperatures, this study establishes a model for the design of LDS paints for real‐world agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to create artificial enzymes that capitalize on pnictogen bonding, a σ‐hole interaction that is essentially absent in biocatalysis. For this purpose, stibine catalysts were equipped with a biotin derivative and combined with streptavidin mutants to identify an efficient transfer hydrogenation catalyst for the reduction of a fluorogenic quinoline substrate. Increased catalytic activity from wild‐type streptavidin to the best mutants coincides with the depth of the σ hole on the Sb(V) center, and the emergence of saturation kinetic behavior. Michaelis–Menten analysis reveals transition‐state recognition in the low micromolar range, more than three orders of magnitude stronger than the millimolar substrate recognition. Carboxylates preferred by the best mutants contribute to transition‐state recognition by hydrogen‐bonded ion pairing and anion‐π interactions with the emerging pyridinium product. The emergence of challenging stereoselectivity in aqueous systems further emphasizes compatibility of pnictogen bonding with higher order systems catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To identify a subgroup of mothers at high risk of preterm delivery, defined by empirical classes of multimorbidity and recurrence across three consecutive births. Methods: The data were extracted from the perinatal data collection (PDC) of all inpatient live births (n = 435 912) occurring in the Australian state of Queensland between January 2009 and December 2015. Within this data, a total of 7714 primiparous mothers delivered three consecutive singleton live births (total births = 23 142), and comprise the sample for all analyses. Results: The LCA indicated a four‐class solution fit the data best at each time point, including (i) a 'normative' or healthy class with little morbidity (including >80% of the sample at each birth); (ii) a preterm, high morbidity class (<2% of the sample); (ii) a delivery morbidity class (4–8% of the sample); and (iii) preterm, low morbidity class (5–6% of the sample). Each group exhibited unique and consistent associations with maternal and pregnancy‐related factors across births. After accounting for these factors, the high morbidity class and preterm, low morbidity class strongly predicted these same classes across consecutive births, and from birth 1 to birth 3 (second‐order transition). Conclusions: A small but highly morbid class of neonatal deliveries emerged, exhibiting strong continuity across consecutive births (odds ratios >10), independent of a range of maternal and pregnancy‐related factors. This group of women, if subject to further investigation, could provide valuable insight into the aetiology of prematurity and associated morbidity, perhaps providing information to improve birth outcomes among all women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In tropical wetlands, in addition to flooding, fire also contributes to the structure of biodiversity across environmental gradients. In fire‐prone ecosystems, flower‐rich fire refuges can be maintained by a seasonal patch‐burning mosaic. Here, we evaluate how a set of floral traits that influence and are related to the pollination systems of tree and non‐tree species varies in response to spatial patterns of fire frequency in a landscape with floodable and flood‐free areas. We classified the sampled species according to flower size, color, shape, symmetry, floral resource, type of pollination units, flowering duration, and anthesis time and compared them between floodable and flood‐free areas with high, moderate, or low fire frequency. We analyzed the functional richness in response to landscape metrics related to spatial patterns of fire frequency. The composition of floral traits of non‐tree species was stable, while tree species differed among fire frequency classes, especially in floodable areas. Many floral traits of tree species are ecological indicators, especially in floodable areas with high fire frequency. In contrast, among non‐tree species, only floral tissues as resources for pollinator were related to flood‐free areas with moderate/high fire frequency. The floral functional richness of the tree species positively linked with the modified Simpson diversity index, and for both trees and non‐trees, it negatively associated with the homogenization of the fire frequency (e.g., connectance based on probability that two adjacent sites belong to the same fire frequency class was negatively related to the functional richness of floral traits). These results demonstrate that homogenization of fire frequency in the landscape decreases the functional richness. Patches with different combinations of fire frequency and flood regime can support a shared set of floral traits besides those specifically related to a particular regime. The spatial heterogeneity of fire and flood patterns in wetlands needs to be preserved to support a higher diversity of pollination systems mediated by functional complementarity between the flowers of the tree and non‐tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most scientific facilities produce large amounts of heterogeneous data at a rapid pace. Managing users, instruments, reports and invoices presents additional challenges. To address these challenges, EMhub, a web platform designed to support the daily operations and record‐keeping of a scientific facility, has been introduced. EMhub enables the easy management of user information, instruments, bookings and projects. The application was initially developed to meet the needs of a cryoEM facility, but its functionality and adaptability have proven to be broad enough to be extended to other data‐generating centers. The expansion of EMHub is enabled by the modular nature of its core functionalities. The application allows external processes to be connected via a REST API, automating tasks such as folder creation, user and password generation, and the execution of real‐time data‐processing pipelines. EMhub has been used for several years at the Swedish National CryoEM Facility and has been installed in the CryoEM center at the Structural Biology Department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A fully automated single‐particle pipeline has been implemented for on‐the‐fly data processing and analysis. At St. Jude, the X‐Ray Crystallography Center and the Single‐Molecule Imaging Center have already expanded the platform to support their operational and data‐management workflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a superlinear elliptic boundary value problem involving the p$p$‐Laplacian operator, with changing sign weights. The problem has positive solutions bifurcating from the trivial solution set at the two principal eigenvalues of the corresponding linear weighted boundary value problem. Drabek's bifurcation result applies when the nonlinearity is of power growth. We extend Drabek's bifurcation result to slightly subcritical nonlinearities. Compactness in this setting is a delicate issue obtained via Orlicz spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: There is an unmet need for a reliable and reproducible non‐invasive measure of fatty liver content (FLC) for monitoring steatotic liver disease in clinical practice. Sonographic FLC assessment is qualitative and operator‐dependent, and the dynamic quantification range of algorithms based on a single ultrasound (US) parameter is unsatisfactory. This study aims to develop and validate a new multiparametric algorithm based on B‐mode images to quantify FLC using Magnetic Resonance (MR) values as standard reference. Methods: Patients with elevated liver enzymes and/or bright liver at US (N = 195) underwent FLC evaluation by MR and by US. Five US‐derived quantitative features [attenuation rate(AR), hepatic renal‐ratio(HR), diaphragm visualization(DV), hepatic‐portal‐vein‐ratio(HPV), portal‐vein‐wall(PVW)] were combined by mixed linear/exponential regression in a multiparametric model (Steatoscore2.0). One hundred and thirty‐four subjects were used for training and 61 for independent validations; score‐computation underwent an inter‐operator reproducibility analysis. Results: The model is based on a mixed linear/exponential combination of 3 US parameters (AR, HR, DV), modelled by 2 equations according to AR values. The computation of FLC by Steatoscore2.0 (mean ± std, 7.91% ± 8.69) and MR (mean ± std, 8.10% ± 10.31) is highly correlated with a low root mean square error in both training/validation cohorts, respectively (R = 0.92/0.86 and RMSE = 5.15/4.62, p <.001). Steatoscore2.0 identified patients with MR‐FLC≥5%/≥10% with sensitivity = 93.2%/89.4%, specificity = 86.1%/95.8%, AUROC = 0.958/0.975, respectively and correlated with MR (R = 0.92) significantly (p <.001) better than CAP (R = 0.73). Conclusions: Multiparametric Steatoscore2.0 measures FLC providing values highly comparable with MR. It is reliable, inexpensive, easy to use with any US equipment and qualifies to be tested in larger, prospective studies as new tool for the non‐invasive screening and monitoring of FLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Museo Campano (Capua, Italy), eight double‐relief silver coins belonging to southern Italian poleis and dated between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 3rd century BC were analysed. These coins are of great interest to historians and archaeologists because they provide extensive evidence on the monetary history and circulation of coins since the earliest times in the Campania region. Non‐invasive in situ analyses were performed using point XRF and MA‐XRF measurements and digital microscope photos. These coins were of high fineness. Data analysis methods using ROI imaging, deconvoluted maps, NMF (nonnegative matrix factorization), and k‐means were applied on the elemental maps to study the critical surface areas and to compare the effectiveness of different methods not commonly used for coins. These results combined with numismatic studies provided information on the historical context, the alloy used, and cases such as subaerati and restored coins. Important data were obtained on the currencies of the period under review, which will be useful to integrate with the analysis of further samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planes de Vida (Life Plans) are an initiative in Latin America connecting Indigenous self‐governance with a state vision of a good life for citizens. While Life Plans have been proposed since the mid‐1980s, these are often crafted with the vision and language of states in place of Indigenous ones. Informed by Indigenous Standpoint Theory and Napo Runa living ecologies, we use autoethnography, participant observation, and secondary text analysis to re‐orient the relationship between state and Indigenous planning, and to ask what Amazonian futures would be possible if they started from Indigenous (rather than state) planning. To explore this re‐orientation, we examine the case of the Kichwa organisation FOIN, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. We argue that Life Plans can be indigenised with Kichwa planning philosophies and model ways to centre Indigenous methodologies that can shape the transformational potential of such planning initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded GAA repeat in the first intron of the FXN gene. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze leukocyte telomeres length (LTL) in FRDA to verify the possible relationships between LTL and disease progression. We investigated LTL in a cohort of FRDA biallelic patients (n = 61), heterozygous (n = 29), and age‐matched healthy subjects (n = 87). Methods: LTL was measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction quantitative analysis (qPCR). Results: The results showed that before 35 years of age, leukocyte telomeres were longer in patients than in controls, whereas the reverse applies in patients above 36 years of age. Interestingly, LTL was greater than controls at any age in heterozygous subjects. This picture mirrors what has been previously observed in vitro in FRDA cultured fibroblasts, showing significantly longer telomeres at early passages because of activation of an alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)‐like mechanism, but showing accelerated telomere shortening as population doubling increases. GAA1 repeat length is positively correlated with the LTL and negatively correlated with the age at blood sampling. The relationship of LTL with clinical parameters (cardiomyopathy, diabetes, dependence on a wheelchair) was also analyzed. Significantly shorter leukocyte telomeres were associated with the presence of cardiomyopathy, but not with diabetes and the dependence on a wheelchair. Conclusions: Overall, the present study indicates that telomere length analysis in FRDA may be a relevant biomarker for following the stages of the disease. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation and development of innovative micro‐ and nanolasers using transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers as active materials is attracting considerable attention due to their unique electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. In this report, the fabrication of photonic‐defect microcavities that are self‐assembled and integrated into a dielectric distributed Bragg reflector structure that fully encapsulates a monolayer of tungsten diselenide (WSe2${\rm WSe}_2$) is detailed. The encapsulation process of the WSe2${\rm WSe}_2$ monolayer with hexagonal boron nitride generates air bubbles that induce parabolic photonic defects in the microcavity. These defects lead to a tight diameter‐dependent three‐dimensional optical confinement, which is confirmed by experimental studies and numerical simulations. In addition, a significant nonlinearity in the input‐output characteristics and excitation‐power‐dependent linewidth narrowing is observed in the resonators, indicating laser operation, which is verified by photon autocorrelation measurements. The photonic‐defect cavities are all formed on a single monolayer sample, suggesting potential advantages for multi‐wavelength emission photonic applications and facilitating TMDC‐based prestructured photonic‐defect microlasers for large‐scale fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medication‐associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is characterized by the presence of exposed bone or an intraoral or extraoral fistula in the maxillofacial region in patients with a history of treatment with anti‐resorptive and anti‐angiogenic drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, and without a history of radiotherapy or metastatic diseases in the area. Objective: The aim of this study is to report a case of a pathological mandibular fracture in an area of MRONJ in a patient diagnosed with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab. Case report: A 53‐year‐old male patient, an active smoker for 35 years, diagnosed with Crohn's disease, undergoing intravenous administration of infliximab 300 mg for 1 year and 3 months, with no previous history of anti‐angiogenic or anti‐resorptive medication, presenting with an extraoral fistula in the submandibular region for 4 months, with painful symptoms, diagnosed as MRONJ. He was initially treated conservatively, using antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), antibiotic therapy, and the PENTO protocol. However, the patient evolved with a pathological fracture in the mandibular parasymphysis, requiring surgical reconstruction. Final considerations: Pathological fracture of the mandible is a complication of MRONJ that compromises the patient's quality of life. The management of patients with MRONJ is complex and challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to shed light on the determinants of sustainable products' purchase intention, with a focus on sustainable beer. Specifically, three determinants related to the theory of planned behavior (i.e., perceived consumer effectiveness, social influence, and environmental concern) and two determinants related to the perceived value (i.e., green perceived utility and perceived quality) have been investigated. Five categories of environmentally sustainable beer have been considered: three referred to the types of ingredients (organic, local, and Italian) and two to the type of packaging (recycled and biodegradable). Furthermore, the effect of gender has been investigated for all the five above‐mentioned sustainable solutions. A survey has been conducted on 790 Italian consumers and structural equation modeling (SEM) has been employed for hypothesis testing. Results show that perceived quality, green perceived utility, and environmental concern influence the purchase intention of sustainable beer, regardless of the specific type of sustainable solution. Further, results highlight that gender does moderate the relationship between perceived quality and purchase intention only for two types of sustainable solutions (local ingredients and recycled packaging). Several implications for scholars, companies, and policymakers are drawn from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant part of the literature postulates the importance of economic factors and, in particular, market pressure as the main motivation for the adoption of environmental management systems, such as ISO 14001 (International Organization for Standardization). Most of these studies are based on questionnaire surveys assessing the perceptions or opinions of company managers. Few studies have investigated the relationship between the adoption of the standard and economic and financial performance using objective accounting data. This study aimed to test the link between ISO 14001 adoption and economic and financial performance using accounting data from 374 agrifood small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Spain during the period 2013 to 2015. The results showed that ISO 14001 contributes to improved commercial and marketing performance through a positive effect on turnover in domestic markets and especially in export markets. However, no positive relationship could be found between ISO14001 and company results or profits. Therefore, ISO 14001 can be considered more as a means of entering and developing sales, particularly in export markets, than a tool to enhance financial profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reports of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to phytonadione epoxide (PE) in cosmetics suggest that PE is as powerful a sensitiser as its parent compound phytonadione. Objective: To evaluate a case series of ACD to PE in Spain. Methods: We reviewed the records of 20 patients with ACD to cosmetics containing PE diagnosed across Spain between January 2019 and June 2023. Results: All 20 patients developed patch test (PT) or repeated open application test (ROAT) reactions to cosmetics containing PE. All involved women with eyelid eczema. PT or ROAT with PE preparations were positive in 17/20 (85%). PE at 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% in pet. was patch‐tested in 8/17, 14/17, 11/17 and 8/17 patients; being positive in 6/8 (75%), 13/14 (92.85%), 11/11 (100%) and 8/8 (100%), respectively. Conclusion: Regulators should, not only ban the specific dangerous cosmetic ingredients, but also consider to ban or keep under close surveillance those closely related products or derivatives that might potentially cause similar harmful effects. PTs with PE are suggested to be performed at a 5% concentration in pet. Higher concentrations (10% pet.) should be tested whenever PTs with 5% pet. PE are negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies have highlighted the role played by couple and parental relationships for children's psychosocial adjustment, especially in challenging situations, research on these two relationship domains has largely developed separately and mostly focussed on negative couple processes. However, Family Systems Theory highlights how these subsystems are interconnected, and studies inspired by this theoretical framework provide evidence of how the quality of the interparental relationship predicts the parent–child relationship. This study focussed on the association between two relational resources (dyadic coping and parent–child relationship quality) and children's emotional difficulties during the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Italy. Five hundred ninety‐one Italian parents filled in an online self‐report questionnaire. A path analysis model was estimated to test the mediating role of parent–child relationship quality in the association between partner positive dyadic coping and children's emotional difficulties. The findings showed both a direct effect and an indirect effect of partner positive dyadic coping on children's emotional difficulties, because parent–child relationship quality partially mediated this association. Enhancing parents' ability to cope together with stress and the quality of the parent–child relationship might contribute to decrease children's vulnerability to emotional difficulties in challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the distribution and factors associated with lack of knowledge about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among Brazilian adolescents.Cross‐sectional study using the 2019 National School Health Survey among 17,805 Brazilian students of public and private schools, aged 13–17 years. The outcome variable was "lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine" and the explanatory variables were sociodemographic, behaviors, knowledge, and health conditions. Logistic regression model was used to calculate Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Spatial analysis techniques were used to determine the formation of clusters in the federated units with similar proportions of adolescents who were unaware of the vaccine. The lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine was reported by 45.54% of Brazilian students. There was a higher chance of lack of knowledge having had sexual intercourse (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.20–1.70); attending public school (OR 1.72; 95%CI 1.47–2.02) and located in the Northeast Region (OR 1.35; 95%CI 1.08–1.69). The lower chance of lack of knowledge were female gender (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.35–0.48), higher maternal education (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.50–0.77) self‐rated health as Poor/very poor (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.49–0.86) and receiving contraceptive counseling (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.65–0.91). The proportion of lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine was higher with the formation of High–High spatial clusters in the states of Maranhão, Piauí, and Pernambuco. Sociodemographic, health, and behavioral conditions and knowledge of students, as well as school characteristics, were associated with lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine. A higher frequency of lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine among adolescents was found in the states of the Northeastern Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the influence of specialization, urbanization, and diversification externalities on the dynamics of tourism employment in Brazilian microregions. We use a dynamic panel data model for the 2006–2019 period. The location quotient, population density and the inverse of the Hirschman–Herfindahl index, proxies for specialization, urbanization, and diversification, respectively, positively affect tourism employment in the long run. Based on the estimated long‐run elasticities, the specialization externality produces the strongest influence on tourism employment after a permanent increase of one standard deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a sequential covalent immobilization of graphene oxide (GO) and hyaluronic acid (HA) is performed to obtain a biocompatible wear‐resistant nanocoating on the surface of the biomedical grade cobalt‐chrome (CoCr) alloy. Nanocoated CoCr surfaces were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3 g/L HA electrolyte. Tribocorrosion tests of the nanocoated CoCr surfaces were carried out in a pin on flat tribometer. The biological response of covalently HA/GO biofunctionalized CoCr surfaces with and without wear‐corrosion processes was studied through the analysis of the proteome of macrophages. Raman spectra revealed characteristic bands of GO and HA on the functionalized CoCr surfaces. The electrochemical response by EIS showed a stable and protective behavior over 23 days in the simulated biological environment. HA/GO covalently immobilized on CoCr alloy is able to protect the surface and reduce the wear volume released under tribocorrosion tests. Unsupervised classification analysis of the macrophage proteome via hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the covalent functionalization on CoCr enhances the macrophage biocompatibility in vitro. On the other hand, disruption of the HA/GO nanocoating by tribocorrosion processes induced a macrophage proteome which was differently clustered and was distantly located in the PCA space. In addition, tribocorrosion induced an increase in the percentage of upregulated and downregulated proteins in the macrophage proteome, revealing that disruption of the covalent nanocoating impacts the macrophage proteome. Although macrophage inflammation induced by tribocorrosion of HA/GO/CoCr surfaces is observed, it is ameliorated by the covalently grafting of HA, which provides immunomodulation by eliciting downregulations in characteristic pro‐inflammatory signaling involved in inflammation and aseptic loosening of CoCr joint arthroplasties. Covalent HA/GO nanocoating on CoCr provides potential applications for in vivo joint prostheses led a reduced metal‐induced inflammation and degradation by wear‐corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate is a nutrient and signal that regulates gene expression. The nitrate response has been extensively characterized at the organism, organ, and cell‐type‐specific levels, but intracellular mRNA dynamics remain unexplored. To characterize nuclear and cytoplasmic transcriptome dynamics in response to nitrate, we performed a time‐course expression analysis after nitrate treatment in isolated nuclei, cytoplasm, and whole roots. We identified 402 differentially localized transcripts (DLTs) in response to nitrate treatment. Induced DLT genes showed rapid and transient recruitment of the RNA polymerase II, together with an increase in the mRNA turnover rates. DLTs code for genes involved in metabolic processes, localization, and response to stimulus indicating DLTs include genes with relevant functions for the nitrate response that have not been previously identified. Using single‐molecule RNA FISH, we observed early nuclear accumulation of the NITRATE REDUCTASE 1 (NIA1) transcripts in their transcription sites. We found that transcription of NIA1, a gene showing delayed cytoplasmic accumulation, is rapidly and transiently activated; however, its transcripts become unstable when they reach the cytoplasm. Our study reveals the dynamic localization of mRNAs between the nucleus and cytoplasm as an emerging feature in the temporal control of gene expression in response to nitrate treatment in Arabidopsis roots. Summary statement: Transcriptome analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions in response to nitrate revealed transcripts with specific subcellular localization, revealing a novel layer of gene regulation. The dynamic interplay between mRNA localization, synthesis, and decay is crucial for the adaptive response of Arabidopsis roots to nitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper elementary grade students encounter increasingly complex texts with abundant morphologically complex words. Despite the positive effects of morphology‐based vocabulary instruction, emergent bilinguals with limited word reading skills may need additional support. Methods: This study investigated the effects of morphological analysis and morphophonemic analysis instruction on the orthographic and semantic learning of morphologically complex academic words. Fourth‐ and fifth‐grade Spanish–English bilingual students (N = 30) in the United States participated in two learning tasks. In learning task one, participants learned two sets of carefully matched derivational words under morphological and whole‐word learning conditions. In learning task two, the same participants learned two other sets of words under morphophonemic and whole‐word learning conditions. Each learning task included two learning sessions interweaved by meaning recall and spelling production assessments. Cross‐classified multilevel regression was used to assess the effects of intervention conditions, child and item predictors, as well as cross‐level interactions. Results: Findings showed no significant difference in meaning recall and spelling measures between morphological and whole‐word conditions. Students performed significantly better in the morphophonemic condition than in the whole‐word condition for both meaning and affix spelling outcomes. The effect of morphophonemic intervention over whole word condition was stronger for younger students and words of lower base frequencies. Student meaning and spelling performance was significantly predicted by their word reading skills. Conclusions: Morphophonemic analysis instruction enhances word meaning recall and spelling of complex derivative words. Highlights: What is already known about this topicUpper elementary emergent bilinguals experience challenges in comprehending complex texts largely due to their limited English vocabulary.Morphology‐focused interventions led to generally positive literacy gains among native English speakers and emergent bilinguals. What this paper addsCompared with whole‐word learning, morphophonemic analysis instruction enhanced word meaning recall and spelling of derivative words for bilinguals who were still developing word reading skills.Compared with the whole‐word learning approach, no advantage was observed for the morphology‐focused instruction on word meaning or spelling recall. Implications for theory, policy, or practiceMaking explicit linkages between word decoding and meaning enhances new word learning for emergent bilingual students.Emergent bilingual students with limited word reading skills benefit from additional phonological support in morphology instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion and composting of biowastes are vital pathways to recycle carbon and nutrients for agriculture. However, plastic contamination of soil amendments and fertilizers made from biowastes is a relevant source of (micro‐) plastics in (agricultural) ecosystems. To avoid this contamination, plastic containing biowastes could be pyrolyzed to eliminate the plastic, recycle most of the nutrients, and create carbon sinks when the resulting biochar is applied to soil. Literature suggests plastic elimination mainly by devolatilization at co‐pyrolysis temperatures of > 520°C. However, it is uncertain if the presence of plastic during biomass pyrolysis induces the formation of organic contaminants or has any other adverse effects on biochar properties. Here, we produced biochar from wood residues (WR) obtained from sieving of biowaste derived digestate. The plastic content was artificially enriched to 10%, and this mixture was pyrolyzed at 450°C and 600°C. Beech wood (BW) chips and the purified, that is, (macro‐) plastic‐free WR served as controls. All biochars produced were below limit values of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) regarding trace element content and organic contaminants. Under study conditions, pyrolysis of biowaste, even when contaminated with plastic, can produce a biochar suitable for agricultural use. However, thermogravimetric and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the WR + 10% plastics biochar suggested the presence of plastic residues at pyrolysis temperatures of 450°C. More research is needed to define minimum requirements for the pyrolysis of plastic containing biowaste and to cope with the automated identification and determination of plastic types in biowaste at large scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: There is uncertainty about the optimal videolaryngoscope for awake tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway. The use of channelled and unchannelled videolaryngoscopy has been reported, but there is a lack of evidence on which is the best option. Methods: We conducted a randomised clinical trial to compare the efficacy of the C‐MAC D‐Blade® vs. Airtraq® in adult patients (aged ≥ 18 y) scheduled for elective or emergency surgery under general anaesthesia with anticipated difficult airway who required awake tracheal intubation under local anaesthesia and conscious sedation. The primary endpoint was the first‐attempt tracheal intubation success rate. Secondary outcomes included the overall success rate; number of tracheal intubation attempts; Cormack and Lehane glottic view; level of difficulty (visual analogue score); patient discomfort (visual analogue score); and incidence of complications. Results: Ninety patients (70/90 male (78%); mean (SD) age 65 (12) y) with anticipated difficult airways were randomly allocated to C‐MAC D‐Blade or Airtraq videolaryngoscopy. First‐attempt successful tracheal intubation rate was higher in patients allocated to the C‐MAC D‐Blade group compared with those allocated to the Airtraq group (38/45 (84%) vs. 28/45 (62%), respectively; p = 0.006). The proportion of patients' tracheas that were intubated at the second and third attempt was 4/45 (9%) and 3/45 (7%) in those allocated to the C‐MAC D‐Blade group compared with 14/45 (31%) and 1/45 (2%) in those allocated to the Airtraq group (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in overall tracheal intubation success rate (C‐MAC D‐Blade group 45/45 (100%) vs. Airtraq group 43/45 (96%), p = 0.494). Discussion: In patients with anticipated difficult airway, first‐attempt awake tracheal intubation success rate was higher with the C‐MAC D‐Blade compared with Airtraq laryngoscopy. No difference was found between the two videolaryngoscopes in overall tracheal intubation success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overgrowth syndromes (OGS) comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders whose main characteristic is that the weight, height or the head circumference are above the 97th centile or 2–3 standard deviations above the mean for age, gender, and ethnic group. Several copy‐number variants (CNVs) have been associated with the development of OGS, such as the 5q35 microdeletion or the duplication of the 15q26.1‐qter, among many others. In this study, we have applied 850K SNP‐arrays to 112 patients and relatives with OGS from the Spanish OverGrowth Registry Initiative. We have identified CNVs associated with the disorder in nine individuals (8%). Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was performed in these nine samples in order to better understand these genomic imbalances. All the CNVs were detected by both techniques, settling that WGS is a useful tool for CNV detection. We have found six patients with genomic abnormalities associated with previously well‐established disorders and three patients with CNVs of unknown significance, which may be related to OGS, based on scientific literature. In this report, we describe these findings and comment on genes associated with OGS that are located within the CNV regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has been dedicated to exploring the potential reuse and creation of value‐added products from corn stover. Existing gaps in current research underscore the need for waste biorefineries that adhere to the principles of a circular bioeconomy to maximize the value of corn stover. This review uses bibliometric analysis from the past decade to examine the potential and pathways for converting corn stover into energy and value‐added products within the biorefinery framework. The data were processed using the Web of Science® database and analyzed with the VosViewer® bibliometric software's, Bibliometrix package in R and Gephi, generating keyword‐based maps. A total of 2557 experimental articles and 30 reviews on corn stover research were analyzed. The bibliometric study revealed that the primary research focuses on pretreatment technologies for converting corn stover into value‐added products, bioenergy and biofuels. The main technologies employed include acid, alkaline and enzymatic hydrolysis, as well as torrefaction anaerobic digestion and steam explosion. The pretreatment processes yield sugars, xylooligosaccharides and organic acids. Additionally, the studies explored the use of corn stover biochar for soil remediation and adsorption processes. This review aims to enhance the understanding of technological pathways explored in previous research, contributing to the evaluation of sustainable processes for utilizing corn stover byproducts. Ultimately, it promotes environmentally conscious agroindustry practices that align with circular economy principles and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibian survival is imperiled by increasing anthropogenic disturbance and insufficient conservation efforts. Spatial prioritization is an essential tool that allows for optimization of scarce conservation resources and the identification of protected area networks that will maintain their effectiveness in the future. This study focuses on amphibians in the Sierra Madre del Sur, a Mexican biogeographic province with high amphibian species richness and endemism. We aim to (i) assess the performance of the current protected area network and (ii) identify potential expansion areas of the current network, considering their persistence in time. Using occurrence data of 107 species, we estimated distributions with species distribution models and buffers. Species were weighted according to their national and international conservation status, and future land‐use change scenarios were incorporated to identify priority areas using Zonation software. Results revealed poor performance of the current protected areas network for amphibian conservation, failing to cover any of the top 2% of amphibian priority areas. Many protected areas fall outside the top 30% priority, indicating inadequate location of protected areas for amphibian conservation. However, minimal network expansions could significantly enhance protection for high‐risk species, particularly for the Plethodontidae family. Our study highlights the potential of systematic conservation planning in improving efficient amphibian conservation, even with minimal expansions of key areas. Finally, our findings provide important insights into amphibian conservation in a region with high levels of endemism that has often been neglected in terms of biodiversity conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The −N+(CH3)3 residue is present in acetylcholine (ACh) and in many of its analogues which are used as selective ACh agonist or antagonists for human therapy. The X‐ray structures of four ACh derivatives show the presence of short and linear contacts between the C atoms of −N+(CH3)3 groups and lone pair possessing atoms. These contacts can be rationalized as tetrel bonds (TtBs) thanks to their geometric features. Interrogation of the Protein Data Bank suggests that similar −N+−C⋅⋅⋅nucleophile contacts affect the details of the binding of ACh and its derivatives to proteins. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interaction plot, and natural bond orbital analyses consistently confirm that the −N+−C⋅⋅⋅nucleophile contacts observed in small molecule crystals and in substrate/protein complexes are attractive in nature and can be rationalized as TtBs. TtBs involving methyl groups of the −N+(CH3)3 moiety can be proposed as a new item in the palette of interactions allowing the compounds containing this pharmacophoric unit to bind to their target protein and/or to express their biological/pharmacological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nickel (Ni) nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using two methods: the hot‐injection method and a room temperature colloidal synthesis using dioctyl tartrate as a capping agent. Each approach yielded Ni nanoparticles with unique morphological and electronic properties. The distinct characteristics of these Ni nanoparticles make them promising candidates for unravelling structure/activity relationships, a crucial aspect in developing catalysts with enhanced selectivity. Furthermore, Ni nanoparticles synthesized via these methods were supported on both silica and activated charcoal, with variations in Ni loadings. We explored the impact of nanostructural characteristic of the Ni NPs as well as support effects on the selective hydrogenation of furfural. Using temperature programmed reduction, advanced X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and atom‐resolved electron microscopy techniques, we established comprehensive structure‐function relationships. Herein, we demonstrate that using a dioctyl tartrate route, foam‐like Ni nanostructures are obtained, yielding higher selectivity towards selective hydrogenation than commercial Ni/Al2O3 and a suppression of the acid‐base catalysed acetalization and etherification reactions. Furthermore, conversions similar to commercial Ni/Al2O3 are achieved using a lower Ni loading. These insights provide valuable guidance for the design of enhanced materials, contributing to the optimization of catalyst performance in selective hydrogenation processes. This research marks a significant step toward the development of more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Staphylococcus aureus can cause food poisoning and human infections and CC5 and CC398 are relevant lineages in the animal‐human interface. The objective was to determine the S. aureus prevalence in chicken‐derived food, and to study the diversity of lineages, and their antimicrobial resistance and virulence genotypes. Sixty poultry‐food samples were processed, and the S. aureus isolates obtained were characterised. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed and the presence of resistance/virulence genes, and avian mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was studied. Forty‐four non‐repetitive S. aureus isolates were obtained of 28/60 samples (46.7%), and 43 methicillin‐susceptible (MSSA) and one methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were detected. Five S. aureus isolates were multidrug‐resistant and 50% of isolates showed susceptibility to all tested antibiotics. Eighteen spa‐types, 11 sequence‐types and 8 clonal‐complexes were identified in the S. aureus collection. Three CC398 isolates (2 MSSA/1 MRSA) of spa‐type‐t1451 were detected, and MSSA‐CC398 isolates harboured the scn‐gene (absent in MRSA‐CC398). CC5 was the most frequent lineage identified (56.8%), all MSSA, and 56.7% of them contained avian‐MGEs. A high prevalence of avian‐adapted MSSA‐CC5 isolates was detected. Poultry meat has been shown to be a vehicle for CC398‐t1451 isolates, both MRSA and MSSA, showing characteristics of the animal and human clades, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension‐feeding bivalve molluscs are dominant benthic fauna in many near‐shore environments, with phytoplankton often being their main prey type. Feeding, which involves hydrosol filtration and mucociliary processes to capture particles and process them for digestion, occurs at low Reynolds numbers. Changes in water temperature have been shown to affect feeding processes of bivalves as a result of altered physiological processes or temperature‐dependent changes in kinematic viscosity of water. Most studies, however, have focused on feeding rates and have manipulated temperature under laboratory conditions. In this study, experiments were conducted using ambient seawater and acclimatized blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, to examine particle capture efficiency over a 1‐year period. During this period, water temperature decreased from ~18°C to 5°C with a concomitant increase in viscosity of ~41%. The capture of a wide variety of bacteria and phytoeukaryotes (0.8–8 μm), as well as two sizes of polystyrene microspheres (1 and 6 μm), was quantified to calculate capture efficiency. Data demonstrate that temperature, and the concomitant change in water viscosity, had no significant effect on capture efficiency. Cyanobacteria were captured at significantly higher rates than other bacteria of similar size. These results suggest that the laterofrontal cirri of blue mussels act as paddles rather than sieves because capture efficiency was constant over a range of viscosities and Reynolds numbers. Additionally, the efficient capture of some bacteria and smaller phytoeukaryotes by the mussels suggests that these plankters could play a larger role in the diet of M. edulis than previously considered. The ecological impact of these findings, especially regarding differences in capture efficiency of different bacterial cells, warrants further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we expand the computational investigation of selenium, which has previously been limited to metals such as Cu, Fe, Pd, Au, and Pt. Utilizing density functional theory calculations, we explore the adsorption and diffusion of selenium at a low‐coverage regime of 0.25 ML on a broader range of metal surfaces, including Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au. Our results reveal that selenium exhibits a distinct preference for three‐fold or four‐fold high‐coordination sites on most studied surfaces. We further analyze the minimum energy diffusion pathways, demonstrating that the energy barrier for selenium's surface diffusion varies significantly based on the orientation and nature of the metal surfaces. Specifically, on (100) surfaces, selenium exhibits the highest diffusion energy, ranging from 0.60 eV in Au(100) to 1.12 eV in Pd(100). The diffusion behavior on (110) and (211) surfaces is also elaborated, emphasizing the unique trends observed compared to previously studied elements like sulfur. Importantly, this study is a new reference for future computational analyses, filling existing gaps by providing comprehensive data on selenium adsorption on various face‐centered cubic metal surfaces not previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]