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Aim: Evaluate the additional burden of centralised neonatal care on families of extremely preterm infants cared for away from their planned hospital of birth. Methods: Retrospective cohort study using national data for infants 23+0 to 27+6 weeks of gestation admitted for neonatal care from 2011 to 2016. The number of transfers on the first day of life (potential maternal–infant separation), time away from the maternal booking hospital (BH) and distance from the maternal residence were quantified. Results: Of 14 719 included infants, 2803 (19%) underwent postnatal transfer on the first day of life. A total of 8622 (59%) infants were cared for away from their BH for a median of 39 days (interquartile range [IQR] 15–69), 30% spending >60 days away over a median of two episodes (range 1–12). Median return road travelling distances for parents to their local BH was 13 km (IQR 8–26), but this increased to 74 km (IQR 32–148) for those cared for in a non‐BH. Conclusion: Centralised neonatal care improves infant outcomes but introduces additional burdens on the families of extremely preterm infants cared for away from their BH. Additional support, including accommodation and financial aid, could help minimise the impact on these families, facilitate family integrated care and improve parental wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variability in environmental conditions is a strong determinant of animal migrations, but warming temperatures associated with climate change are anticipated to alter this phenomenon with unknown consequences.We used a 40‐year fishery‐independent survey to assess how a changing climate has altered the migration timing, duration and first‐year survival of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas).From 1982 to 2021, estuaries in the western Gulf of Mexico (Texas) experienced a mean increase of 1.55°C in autumn water temperatures, and delays in autumn cold fronts by ca. 0.5 days per year. Bull shark migrations in more northern estuaries concomitantly changed, with departures 25–36 days later in 2021 than in 1982. Later, migrations resulted in reduced overwintering durations by up to 81 days, and the relative abundance of post‐overwintering age 0–1 sharks increased by >50% during the 40‐year study period.Yet, reductions in prey availability were the most influential factor delaying migrations. Juvenile sharks remained in natal estuaries longer when prey were less abundant. Long‐term declines in prey reportedly occurred due to reduced spawning success associated with climate change based on published reports. Consequently, warming waters likely enabled and indirectly caused the observed changes in shark migratory behaviour.As water temperatures continue to rise, bull sharks in the north‐western Gulf of Mexico could forgo their winter migrations in the next 50–100 years based on current trends and physiological limits, thereby altering their ecological roles in estuarine ecosystems and recruitment into the adult population. It is unclear if estuarine food webs will be able to support changing residency patterns as climate change affects the spawning success of forage species.We expect these trends are not unique to the western Gulf of Mexico or bull sharks, and migratory patterns of predators in subtropical latitudes are similarly changing at a global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C‐terminally phosphorylated TAR DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP‐43) marks the proteinaceous inclusions that characterize a number of age‐related neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer's disease. TDP‐43 phosphorylation at S403/S404 and (especially) at S409/S410 is, in fact, accepted as a biomarker of proteinopathy. These residues are located within the low complexity domain (LCD), which also drives the protein's liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). The impact of phosphorylation at these LCD sites on phase separation of the protein is a topic of great interest, as these post‐translational modifications and LLPS are both implicated in proteinopathies. Here, we employed a combination of experimental and simulation‐based approaches to explore this question on a phosphomimetic model of the TDP‐43 LCD. Our turbidity and fluorescence microscopy data show that phosphomimetic Ser‐to‐Asp substitutions at residues S403, S404, S409 and S410 alter the LLPS behavior of TDP‐43 LCD. In particular, unlike the LLPS of unmodified protein, LLPS of the phosphomimetic variants displays a biphasic dependence on salt concentration. Through coarse‐grained modeling, we find that this biphasic salt dependence is derived from an altered mechanism of phase separation, in which LLPS‐driving short‐range intermolecular hydrophobic interactions are modulated by long‐range attractive electrostatic interactions. Overall, this in vitro and in silico study provides a physiochemical foundation for understanding the impact of pathologically relevant C‐terminal phosphorylation on the LLPS of TDP‐43 in a more complex cellular environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 3D discrete‐continuum model to simulate blood pressure in large microvascular tissues in the absence of known capillary network architecture. Our hybrid approach combines a 1D Poiseuille flow description for large, discrete arteriolar and venular networks coupled to a continuum‐based Darcy model, point sources of flux, for transport in the capillary bed. We evaluate our hybrid approach using a vascular network imaged from the mouse brain medulla/pons using multi‐fluorescence high‐resolution episcopic microscopy (MF‐HREM). We use the fully‐resolved vascular network to predict the hydraulic conductivity of the capillary network and generate a fully‐discrete pressure solution to benchmark against. Our results demonstrate that the discrete‐continuum methodology is a computationally feasible and effective tool for predicting blood pressure in real‐world microvascular tissues when capillary microvessels are poorly defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large terrestrial mammals increasingly rely on human‐modified landscapes as anthropogenic footprints expand. Land management activities such as timber harvest, agriculture, and roads can influence prey population dynamics by altering forage resources and predation risk via changes in habitat, but these effects are not well understood in regions with diverse and changing predator guilds. In northeastern Washington state, USA, white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are vulnerable to multiple carnivores, including recently returned gray wolves (Canis lupus), within a highly human‐modified landscape. To understand the factors governing predator–prey dynamics in a human context, we radio‐collared 280 white‐tailed deer, 33 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 50 cougars (Puma concolor), 28 coyotes (C. latrans), and 14 wolves between 2016 and 2021. We first estimated deer vital rates and used a stage‐structured matrix model to estimate their population growth rate. During the study, we observed a stable to declining deer population (lambda = 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.05), with 74% of Monte Carlo simulations indicating population decrease and 26% of simulations indicating population increase. We then fit Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate how predator exposure, use of human‐modified landscapes, and winter severity influenced deer survival and used these relationships to evaluate impacts on overall population growth. We found that the population growth rate was dually influenced by a negative direct effect of apex predators and a positive effect of timber harvest and agricultural areas. Cougars had a stronger effect on deer population dynamics than wolves, and mesopredators had little influence on the deer population growth rate. Areas of recent timber harvest had 55% more forage biomass than older forests, but horizontal visibility did not differ, suggesting that timber harvest did not influence predation risk. Although proximity to roads did not affect the overall population growth rate, vehicle collisions caused a substantial proportion of deer mortalities, and reducing these collisions could be a win–win for deer and humans. The influence of apex predators and forage indicates a dual limitation by top‐down and bottom‐up factors in this highly human‐modified system, suggesting that a reduction in apex predators would intensify density‐dependent regulation of the deer population owing to limited forage availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Olive oil, derived from the olive tree (Olea europaea L.), is used in cooking, cosmetics, and soap production. Due to its high value, some producers adulterate olive oil with cheaper edible oils or fraudulently mislabel oils as olive to increase profitability. Adulterated products can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and can lack compounds which contribute to the perceived health benefits of olive oil, and its corresponding premium price. Objective: There is a need for robust methods to rapidly authenticate olive oils. By utilising machine learning models trained on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of known olive oil and edible oils, samples can be classified as olive and authenticated. While high‐field NMRs are commonly used for their superior resolution and sensitivity, they are generally prohibitively expensive to purchase and operate for routine screening purposes. Low‐field benchtop NMR presents an affordable alternative. Methods: We compared the predictive performance of partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS‐DA) models trained on low‐field 60 MHz benchtop proton (1H) NMR and high‐field 400 MHz 1H NMR spectra. The data were acquired from a sample set consisting of 49 extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) and 45 other edible oils. Results: We demonstrate that PLS‐DA models trained on low‐field NMR spectra are highly predictive when classifying EVOOs from other oils and perform comparably to those trained on high‐field spectra. We demonstrated that variance was primarily driven by regions of the spectra arising from olefinic protons and ester protons from unsaturated fatty acids in models derived from data at both field strengths. This study compares the performance of partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS‐DA) models trained on low‐field (LF) and high‐field (HF) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra when distinguishing extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) from other edible oils. When predicting on an external dataset, LF NMR models were highly effective in classifying EVOO and had predictive performance comparable to HF models. These findings support LF NMR trained machine learning algorithms as a rapid, cost‐effective tool for EVOO authentication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of clinical factors together with FOXO1 fusion status in patients with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) to develop a predictive model for event‐free survival and provide a rationale for risk stratification in future trials. Methods: The authors used data from patients enrolled in the European Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 study (EpSSG RMS 2005; EudraCT number 2005‐000217‐35). The following baseline variables were considered for the multivariable model: age at diagnosis, sex, histology, primary tumor site, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies group, tumor size, nodal status, and FOXO1 fusion status. Main effects and significant second‐order interactions of candidate predictors were included in a multiple Cox proportional hazards regression model. A nomogram was generated for predicting 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) probabilities. Results: The EFS and overall survival rates at 5 years were 70.9% (95% confidence interval, 68.6%–73.1%) and 81.0% (95% confidence interval, 78.9%–82.8%), respectively. The multivariable model retained five prognostic factors, including age at diagnosis interacting with tumor size, tumor primary site, Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies clinical group, and FOXO1 fusion status. Based on each patient's total score in the nomogram, patients were stratified into four groups. The 5‐year EFS rates were 94.1%, 78.4%, 65.2%, and 52.1% in the low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, high‐risk, and very‐high‐risk groups, respectively, and the corresponding 5‐year overall survival rates were 97.2%, 91.5%, 74.3%, and 60.8%, respectively. Conclusions: The results presented here provide the rationale to modify the EpSSG stratification, with the most significant change represented by the replacement of histology with fusion status. This classification was adopted in the new international trial launched by the EpSSG. Traditional clinical factors, together with FOXO1 fusion status, in nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma were investigated to develop a predictive model for event‐free survival and provide a rationale for risk stratification in future trials. The most important result was the replacement of histology with fusion status, and this model was used for patient stratification in the new European Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group Frontline and Relapse Rhabdomyosarcoma trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04625907). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Rates of cannabis use continue to increase with sexual minority women (SMW) reporting greater use than heterosexual women. Along with these increasing trends, the routes of administration (ROA) for cannabis are evolving. The current study examined associations between cannabis ROA and frequency of use, as well as differences across sexual identity (heterosexual vs. SMW). Methods: Participants were 949 young adult (18–25 years old) women (29.8% SMW) who reported past month cannabis use and were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk. Number of cannabis use days and each ROA used (joint, pipe, blunt, bong, vape, edible, and ointment) in the past 30 days were measured. Analysis of covariance models examined if sexual identity moderated the association between each ROA and cannabis use frequency. Results: Among the full sample, joints were the most common ROA (78.6%); cannabis vaping was the most common noncombustible ROA (25.9%). SMW were more likely than heterosexual women to use each ROA except for joints. SMW who used pipes or edibles reported greater cannabis use frequency, compared to those who did not; there were no differences in frequency of use across ROA for heterosexual women. Discussion and Conclusions: SMW may use a greater variety of ROA, potentially increasing the harms associated with cannabis. Marketing strategies targeting the sexual minority community may increase the likelihood of using various cannabis ROA and subsequent use. Scientific Significance: Findings further our knowledge about how young adult women are using cannabis, and highlight how ROA may contribute to the disparities observed among SMW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the use of stable isotopes in studying fish biology. It focuses on four main themes: understanding isotopic discrimination patterns, determining energy distribution in fish communities, assessing the impact of human activity on fish foraging and fitness, and exploring nontraditional stable isotope systems. The article presents various studies that investigate these themes, including the influence of maternal provisioning on young fish tissues, the use of non-lethal tissues for analysis, and the effects of environmental factors on fish communities. It also discusses the implications of human disturbance on fish diet, habitat use, and overall fitness. The article emphasizes the importance of stable isotopes in understanding fish ecology and physiology in a changing world. Additionally, the document discusses the advancements in analytical technology that have made non-traditional isotope systems more accessible to fish biologists, such as Calcium and Zinc. It also highlights the potential of stable isotope analysis in uncovering the functional roles of ancient fish lineages. The document concludes by stating that the continued development of isotopic tools will contribute to the management and conservation of global fish populations. [Extracted from the article]

As rates of students using cannabis continue to rise, simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis (such that their effects overlap; commonly referred to as simultaneous alcohol and marijuana [SAM] use) is prevalent among college students who use both substances. Although research focusing on SAM use and related cognitions and consequences continues to grow, there are no common established measures, as approaches vary across studies. This narrative review identifies current methods for assessing SAM use and measures of SAM‐related consequences and cognitions (motives and expectancies) among college students, evaluates how they were developed, identifies gaps in the literature, and provides recommendations for future directions of assessment. We conclude that the assessment of SAM use is limited by difficulties in the assessment of cannabis quantity and potency. However, and the lack of a psychometrically validated measure of SAM consequences. However, measures of SAM motives and expectancies have been published with support from psychometric examinations such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance. Research is needed that incorporates qualitative approaches in the development of SAM use measures so that unique items specific to SAM use rather than single‐substance use can be identified. Additionally, validation of these measures is needed across different samples that vary demographically, such as by race and gender or sex. Future research should consider the development of a measure of protective behavioral strategies specific to SAM use to inform interventions that target the reduction of negative consequences of SAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe network structure and alignment across organizations in healthcare, public health, and social services sectors that serve pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder (SUD) in an urban and a rural community. Data Sources and Study Settings: Two community networks, one urban and one rural with each including a residential substance use treatment program, in Kentucky during 2021. Study Design: Social network analysis measured system collaboration and cross‐sector alignment between healthcare, public health, and social services organizations, applying the Framework for Aligning Sectors. To understand the alignment and structure of each network, we measured network density overall and between sectors, network centralization, and each organization's degree centrality and effective size. Data Collection/Extraction Methods: Computer‐assisted telephone interviews were conducted to document alignment around shared purpose, data, financing, and governance. Principal Findings: On average, overall and cross‐sector network densities in both communities were similar. However, alignment was highest for data sharing and financing in the urban community and for shared purpose and governance in the rural community. Cross‐sector partnerships involving healthcare organizations were more prevalent in the rural county (44% vs. 38% for healthcare/public health, 44% vs. 29% for healthcare/social services), but more prevalent for those involving public health/social services organizations in the urban county (42% vs. 24%). A single healthcare organization had the highest degree centrality (Mdn [IQR] = 26 [26–9.5]) and effective size (Mdn [IQR] = 15.9 [20.6–8.7]) within the rural county. Social services organizations held more central positions in the urban county (degree centrality Mdn [IQR] = 13 [14.8–9.5]; effective size Mdn [IQR] = 10.4 [11.4–7.9]). Conclusions: Cross‐sector alignment may strengthen local capacity for comprehensive SUD care for pregnant and parenting women. Healthcare organizations are key players in cross‐sector partnerships in the rural community, where one healthcare facility holds the central brokerage role. In contrast, public health agencies are key to cross‐sector collaboration with social services in the urban community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moving down a hillslope from ridge to valley, soil develops and becomes increasingly weathered. Downslope variation in clay content, organic matter, and porosity should produce concomitant changes in soil strength that influence slope stability and erosion. This has yet to be demonstrated, however, because in situ measurements of soil rheology are challenging and rare. Here we employ a robotic leg as a mechanically sensitive and time‐efficient penetrometer to map soil strength along a canonical temperate hillslope profile. We observe a systematic downslope weakening, and increasing heterogeneity, of soil strength associated with a transition from sand‐rich ridge materials to cohesive valley bottom soil aggregates. Weathering‐induced changes in soil composition lead to physically distinct mechanical behaviors in cohesive soils that depart from the behavior observed for sand. We also demonstrate the promise that legged robots may use their limbs to sense and improve mobility in complex environments, with implications for planetary exploration. Plain Language Summary: Our infrastructure and livelihoods are literally built on soil. The strength of soil governs its stability under disturbance—with impacts on agriculture, ecosystems and natural hazards. Soil strength is very sensitive to variations in composition including clay, organic material, and water content. This means that strength must be directly measured in the field, but such measurements are rare because existing techniques are expensive, time consuming, and require specialized equipment. We develop a robotic soil strength tester that mimics intrusion behavior of plants and animals, and that allows rapid and reliable measurements. We use this device to demonstrate that soil gradually softens along a natural hillside, as it becomes progressively enriched with clay and organic matter downslope. Our device is based on a robot leg, and represents a significant step toward the development of legged robots that are capable of mapping soil strength by walking. Key Points: Soil strength controls hillslope stability and erosion, but is difficult to measureA novel robotic soil rheometer reveals downslope soil weakeningWeakening results from increasing porosity associated with soil weathering [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Color polymorphism is an adaptive strategy in which a species exhibits multiple color phenotypes in a population. Often, phenotypes are variably suited to different environmental conditions which may buffer the population against variable conditions. Modern climate change is creating novel selective pressures for many species, especially in winter habitats. Few studies have quantified the benefits of polymorphism for allowing species to cope with climate‐induced environmental change, particularly for species with more cryptic differences between morphs. We investigated how color polymorphism mediates selective pressures in ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus, a winter‐adapted bird species of North American forests. Ruffed grouse display phenotypic variation in plumage color, ranging from red to gray. Over five winters (2015–2022), we monitored weather conditions, habitat use, and weekly survival for 94 grouse to test whether individuals had lower survival when phenotypically mismatched with snow cover (e.g. a gray bird on a snowless landscape or a red bird in snow). Grouse phenotypically mismatched with snow cover had lower survival, but only when winter survival rates were lowest. During winters of lower overall survival, red grouse exhibited higher survival during snow‐free periods, whereas gray grouse had higher survival when snow was present. We also found that open habitat negatively impacted survival, regardless of color. While the effect of phenotypic mismatch was variable among years, it was a stronger predictor of survival than land cover, suggesting that snow is an important habitat feature mediating overwinter survival. Our work offers an advancement in understanding how environmental variability affects geographic variation in and maintenance of multiple color phenotypes in seasonally‐snow covered environments. Our finding that interactions between color morph and snow cover are important for conferring winter survival provides further evidence that color polymorphism may serve as a buffer against rapidly changing conditions and a pathway for persistence of polymorphic species. Keywords: Bonasa umbellus, color polymorphism, phenotypic mismatch, ruffed grouse, winter ecology, Wisconsin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent spikes in interactions between humans and sharks in the New York Bight have sparked widespread reporting of possible causalities, many of which lack empirical support. Here we comment on the current state of knowledge regarding shark biology and management in New York waters emphasizing that the possible drivers of increased human–shark interactions are confounded by a lack of historical monitoring data. We outline several key research avenues that should be considered to ensure the safe and sustainable coexistence of humans, sharks, and their prey, in an era of accelerated environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has been linked to stress, anxiety, and depression among college students, with heightened distress tied to greater drinking for some individuals. Emerging research suggests that these associations may differ across race, but few studies use adequate samples to examine this, particularly among college students, an at‐risk population for both heavy drinking and mental distress. Specifically, pandemic‐related stressors and mental distress may be higher among Black students than White students. The current study examined: (1) whether mental distress cross‐sectionally mediates the association between pandemic‐specific stressors and drinking and (2) whether race (Black or White) moderates these associations. Methods: A cross‐sectional online survey of 400 college drinkers (43% White, 28% Black) in fall 2020 assessed pandemic‐related stressors (e.g., losing a job, contracting COVID‐19, changed living situation), mental distress (stress, anxiety, depression), and drinking (past‐month drinking, perceived changes since the start of the pandemic). Results: Cross‐sectional mediation models indicated that financial stressors and social distancing were linked to greater quantity and frequency of past‐month drinking through greater mental distress. For perceived changes in drinking, only financial stressors were linked to drinking greater quantities and drinking more often (compared to pre‐pandemic levels) via mental distress. Moderated mediation models among students identifying as White or Black revealed that changed living situation was a robust stressor across race. Financial stressors and social distancing were linked with greater distress only among White students, whereas essential worker status was a protective factor against distress only among Black students. Conclusions: Select stressors were linked to increased drinking through greater mental distress, with differential risks across Black versus White students. Findings suggest campus administrators should focus on connecting students with resources (e.g., counseling centers and health promotion offices) during times of distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundances of migratory shark species observed throughout the Mid‐Atlantic Bight (MAB) during productive summer months suggest that this region provides critical habitat and prey resources to these taxa. However, the principal prey assemblages sustaining migratory shark biomass in this region are poorly defined. We applied high‐throughput DNA metabarcoding to shark feces derived from cloacal swabs across nine species of Carcharhinid and Lamnid sharks to (1) quantify the contribution of broad taxa (e.g., invertebrates, fishes) supporting shark biomass during seasonal residency in the MAB and (2) determine whether the species displayed distinct dietary preference indicative of resource partitioning. DNA metabarcoding resulted in high taxonomic (species‐level) resolution of shark diets with actinopterygian and elasmobranch fishes as the dominant prey categories across the species. DNA metabarcoding identified several key prey groups consistent across shark taxa that are likely integral for sustaining their biomass in this region, including Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), and benthic elasmobranchs, including skates. Our results are consistent with previously published stomach content data for the shark species of similar size range in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, supporting the efficacy of cloacal swab DNA metabarcoding as a minimally invasive diet reconstruction technique. The high reliance of several shark species on Atlantic menhaden could imply wasp‐waist food‐web conditions during the summer months, whereby high abundances of forage fishes sustain a diverse suite of migratory sharks within a complex, seasonal food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The linoleic acid (LA)‐arachidonic acid (ARA)‐inflammatory axis suggests dietary LA lowering benefits health because it lowers ARA and ARA‐derived endocannabinoids (ECB). Dietary LA reduction increases concentrations of omega‐3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and DHA derived ECB. The aim of this study was to examine targeted reduction of dietary LA, with and without EPA and DHA, on plasma EPA and DHA and ECB (2‐arachidonoyl glycerol [2‐AG], anandamide [AEA], and docosahexaenoyl ethanolamide [DHA‐EA]). Healthy, pre‐menopausal women (n = 62, BMI 30 ± 3 kg/m2, age 35 ± 7 years; mean ± SD) were randomized to three 12‐week controlled diets: (1) high LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (H6L3); (2) low LA, low omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6L3); or (3) low LA, high omega‐3 EPA and DHA (L6H3). Baseline plasma fatty acids and ECB were similar between diets. Starting at 4 weeks, L6L3 and L6H3 lowered plasma LA compared to H6L3 (p < 0.001). While plasma ARA changed from baseline by 8% in L6L3 and −8% in L6H3, there were no group differences. After 4 weeks, plasma EPA and DHA increased from baseline in women on the L6H3 diet (ps < 0.001) and were different than the H6L3 and L6L3 diets. No differences were found between diets for AEA or 2‐AG, however, in L6L3 and L6H3, AEA increased by 14% (ps < 0.02). L6H3 resulted in 35% higher DHA‐EA (p = 0.013) whereas no changes were seen with the other diets. Lowering dietary LA did not result in the expected changes in fatty acids associated with the LA‐ARA inflammatory axis in women with overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying potential links between food web structure and animal body condition is fundamental for predicting the long‐term persistence of populations under rapidly changing environments. Northern lakes, and the cold‐water adapted species that inhabit them, are particularly vulnerable to a warming climate.We explored relationships among body condition and energy channel use in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and seasonal variation in food‐chain length in the Lake of Two Rivers, Ontario, Canada. Bayesian mixing models using carbon isotope values (δ13C) of essential amino acids showed that individuals utilising multiple energy channels had higher gonad mass, suggesting that dietary diversity has reproductive fitness benefits.Amino acid nitrogen isotope (δ15N) analysis revealed seasonal variation in food chain length, with extension of the food web during winter and spring and truncation of the food web during summer. Although these findings illustrate increased omnivory of lake trout during summer, there was no clear evidence that seasonal changes in food chain length had an impact on trout condition.These findings provide new insight into potential relationships between food web structure, energy flow and consumer condition in freshwater ecosystems, thereby revealing potential responses of species to shifting ecosystem states under intensifying climate change at high latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural flexibility is an important way in which animals respond to changing environmental conditions. During winter, snow cover is an important seasonal refuge that provides thermal insulation and protects overwintering species from predators. However, snow depth and quality can be highly variable throughout winter and it is unclear how species that use snow cover adjust their behaviour with changing winter conditions and in complex landscapes. During winter months, Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus spend a large portion of time roosting in trees, understorey and, in some cases, subnivean environments. Importantly, the ability to roost under snow has been associated with reduced stress levels and increased overwinter survival. Across three winters, we studied plasticity of roosting behaviour across a diversity of winter conditions and land‐cover types. In line with predictions, Grouse were more likely to use snow burrows when snow was deep and powdery, and experienced higher temperatures in snow roosts compared to other roost types. However, snow roosting behaviour did not vary strongly across land‐cover types, and Grouse were not more likely to use snow burrows at lower temperatures, potentially because snow roosting may serve to protect them from predators regardless of winter weather conditions. Both the snow conditions necessary for snow roosting and the occurrence of snow roosting behaviour were relatively rare during our 3‐year study (only 3% of all roosts were snow burrows). Loss of winter refugia due to warming winters and declining snow cover may limit the use of behavioural flexibility for winter‐adapted species to cope with environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robustly quantifying dietary resource use and trophic position using stable isotopes requires accurate trophic discrimination factors (TDF; Δ13C and Δ15N for carbon and nitrogen, respectively), defined as the isotopic difference between consumer and diet. Early TDF studies converged on values of around 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N but more recent work indicates that TDF values may be more nuanced, depending on taxa, tissues, trophic level and diets. Yet, the relative importance of these factors remains unclear.Focusing on vertebrates (birds, fish, herptiles and mammals), we conducted a literature review of 279 studies that estimated TDF values and used a Bayesian framework to determine how tissue type, trophic level and diet source influence variation in Δ13C and Δ15N. Additionally, we reviewed 358 trophic ecology studies to determine if studies accounted for these factors during their TDF selection process.For Δ13C, vertebrates showed consistent patterns among tissue types (likely influenced by amino acid composition) and between trophic levels and diet sources (likely a result of dietary protein content and metabolic routing). Comparatively, for Δ15N, vertebrates showed considerable variation among tissue types and trophic levels, likely due to differences in tissue synthesis and physiological capabilities. Overall, Δ13C ranged from −5.1‰ to 9.1‰ and Δ15N from −3.3‰ to 9.7‰, underscoring that 1.0‰ for Δ13C and 3.4‰ for Δ15N are not universally appropriate. Moreover, both Δ13C and Δ15N varied by more than 9‰ within a single species and tissue type, demonstrating that using TDF values from the same, or similar, species may not be appropriate if diet and trophic level are not considered.Despite the importance of diet source on TDF values, most trophic ecology studies did not account for it. Further, most fish studies relied on literature review values that failed to account for tissue type, trophic level and diet source. To aid ecologists in diet and trophic assessments of vertebrates, we used our meta‐analysis to model taxon‐specific TDF estimates (mean ± SD) for each tissue type, trophic level and diet source combination. These more refined TDF values should improve ecological assessments that use stable isotopes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Income and capital breeding represent opposing ends of a continuum of reproductive strategies. Quantifying nutrient allocation to reproduction is challenging, but recent advances in compound‐specific stable isotope analysis hold promise for tracing the source of individual compounds allocated to reproduction.Here, we describe a novel approach of using measured carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values of individual amino acids (AAs) in pectoral muscle of egg‐laying females and egg yolk as a useful tool to quantify the reliance on income versus capital breeding in migrating species. We used white‐fronted (Anser albifrons frontalis), lesser snow (A. caerulescens caerulescens) and black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) geese breeding in tundra ecosystems of northern Alaska as model organisms.All three species relied on mixed capital–income breeding strategies, but models based on AA isotope data estimated higher proportional contributions of endogenous resources to yolk synthesis compared to results based on bulk tissue isotope analyses.Tracing income versus capital nutrient allocation in migratory species at the compound level is a major advance from the current 'elemental' perspective obtained from bulk tissue stable isotope analyses. Our framework is applicable to all taxonomic groups, as long as there is a sufficient spatial or temporal isotopic gradient between resources obtained during the breeding and non‐breeding periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies describe poorer motor developmental motor outcomes post‐liver transplant (LT) in younger children. Limited studies examine physical function in older children and adolescents pre‐ and post‐LT. Methods: Retrospective review of standard of care physical function outcome measures pre‐ and 1‐year post‐LT in children ≥6 years at LT. Measures include: 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), grip strength, Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐2 (BOT‐2) components, Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ), and Paediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Association of medical variables with outcomes was explored. Results: The study cohort included 23 (8 male, median (interquartile range) age 11.67 (8.25, 13.92) years at LT) participants. Top two primary diagnoses included biliary atresia (30.4%) and fulminant hepatic failure (21.7%). At 1‐year post‐LT, over one‐third (36%) were overweight or obese. Compared with healthy norms, children had significantly lower pre‐LT PAQ scores (p =.002), pre‐ and post‐6MWT scores (p <.001) and post‐LT BOT‐2 strength and agility scores (p <.001). Pre‐LT, lower balance scores were associated with abdominal distention/ascites (p =.009) and splenomegaly (p =.017). Lower pre‐LT platelet count correlated with poorer balance (r =.532, p =.017) and lower strength and agility scores (r =.446, p =.043). Significant moderate inverse correlations were found between weight/body mass index z‐scores and BOT‐2 components. Post‐LT children continue to demonstrate decreased levels of motor proficiency and functional capacity but report less fatigue and increased physical activity. Conclusions: Older children and adolescents undergoing LT are at risk of decreased physical function, highlighting the need for pre‐ and post‐LT rehabilitation to optimize long term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This systematic review critically appraised and synthesized evidence from economic evaluations of interventions targeting childhood excess weight. We conducted systematic searches in 11 databases from inception to April 19, 2023. Studies were eligible if they evaluated interventions targeting children up to 18 years and the study intervention(s) targeted childhood excess weight or sought to improve diet or physical activity, regardless of the type of economic evaluation or the underpinning study design. We synthesized evidence using narrative synthesis methods. One‐hundred fifty‐one studies met the eligibility criteria and were classified into three groups based on the intervention approach: prevention‐only (13 studies), prevention and treatment (100 studies), and treatment‐only (38 studies). The predominant setting and study design differed considerably between the three groups of studies. However, compared with usual care, most interventions were deemed cost‐effective. The study participants' ages, sex, and socioeconomic status were crucial to intervention cost‐effectiveness. Interventions whose effects were projected beyond childhood, such as bariatric surgery, lower protein infant formula, and home‐based general practitioner consultations, tended to be cost‐effective. However, cost‐effectiveness was sensitive to the assumptions underlying the persistence and intensity of such effects. Our findings can inform future recommendations on the conduct of economic evaluations of interventions targeting childhood overweight and obesity, as well as practice and policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal migration is a physiologically demanding endeavour that animals prepare for by finding and storing energy. Species and populations vary in their tendencies to migrate and the energetic demands of migration likely determine the degree and type of preparation that different animals undergo.Birds fuel their migratory flight using stored fat. Previous work has suggested that in addition to being energetically dense, certain lipids like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be particularly efficient fuels that are preferentially mobilized for flight or serve may additional functions, such as modulating membrane fluidity or stimulating gene expression as ligands, during long‐distance migratory flight.Using a series of behavioural and metabolic experiments in a partial transplant aviary setting of Common Blackbirds (Turdus merula) populations that range from being fully migratory to partially migratory to sedentary, we asked how migratory restlessness (Zugunruhe), weight gain and oxidation of stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1n‐9), linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) and alpha linolenic acid (18:3n‐3; ALA) varied with migratory mode and season.We found no population‐level differences in the timing of Zugunruhe. However, before migration, a greater proportion of individuals from fully migratory populations exhibited weight gain and migratory restlessness, as well as increased oxidation of PUFAs. After Zugunruhe, only individuals from migratory populations showed reduced PUFA oxidation. All populations showed increased oxidation of saturated fat after Zugunruhe.Our results demonstrate that certain migratory traits, like the timing of Zugunruhe are expressed similarly across populations in response to local environmental conditions, while other traits, like lipid oxidation, can vary among populations. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Explore treatment response and effectiveness of virtual treatment for a paediatric eating disorder sample. Methods: Twenty patients and their families who received either virtual or in‐person family therapy were included in the study. Family therapy was informed by family‐based treatment (FBT) principles. Patients' weight restoration at 1, 3, and 6 months after starting treatment was examined. Independent sample t tests assessed group differences and a Fisher exact test was used to evaluate the association between treatment group and weight restoration. Results: Weight restoration did not significantly differ between treatment groups (virtual vs. in‐person) at any time point and there was no association between group and remission weight at 6 months. Conclusions: Study results are considered exploratory. Future research addressing study limitations is needed. Results suggest that paediatric eating disorder patients may benefit from family therapy delivered via a virtual platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The extinction risks of species are influenced by their geographical range sizes, as species with smaller ranges are more likely to go extinct following disturbance events. Theoretically, heterogeneous landscapes can maintain small‐ranged species, because they facilitate the coexistence of taxa that are each constrained to distinct abiotic conditions. However, we do not fully understand whether this process is more attributable to variation in habitat types (habitat heterogeneity) or physical elevations (topographic heterogeneity) across landscapes. Here, we compare the influences of habitat versus topographic heterogeneity on mammalian range sizes in Africa. Location: Africa. Taxon: Mammalia. Methods: We built a phylogenetic generalized least squares model to predict the range sizes of 1033 mammalian species from their functional traits and abiotic conditions. We assessed how the performance of the model changed when we incorporated measures of the local habitat and, separately, topographic heterogeneity that species experience. Results: Habitat and topographic heterogeneity are weakly correlated across Africa (ρ = 0.14). Habitat heterogeneity is inversely related to range size (model coefficient = −0.88). Incorporating habitat heterogeneity significantly decreased the model's AICc, increased its likelihood and increased the proportion of variance that is explained in the range sizes of species. Conversely, topographic heterogeneity is not significantly related to range size and had no impact on the model's AICc, likelihood or predictive performance. This contrast between habitat and topographic heterogeneity is particularly prevalent in carnivorous mammalian clades. Results at multiple spatial resolutions differed minimally. Main Conclusions: Our findings advance ecological theory by demonstrating that a landscape's variation in habitats, and not in elevations, relates inversely with mammalian range size and therefore facilitates the coexistence of small‐ranged mammals. Conservation efforts in regions of high habitat heterogeneity will be critical to prevent extinctions in Africa's biodiverse mammalian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endemic species and species with small ranges are ecologically and evolutionarily distinct and are vulnerable to extinction. Determining which abiotic and biotic factors structure patterns of endemism on continents can advance our understanding of global biogeographic processes, but spatial patterns of mammalian endemism have not yet been effectively predicted and reconstructed. Using novel null model techniques, we reconstruct trends in mammalian endemism and describe the isolated and combined effects of physiographic, ecological, and evolutionary factors on endemism. We calculated weighted endemism for global continental ecoregions and compared the spatial distribution of endemism to niche‐based, geographic null models of endemism. These null models distribute species randomly across continents, simulating their range sizes from their degree of climatic specialization. They isolate the effects of physiography (topography and climate) and species richness on endemism. We then ran linear and structural models to determine how topography and historical climate stability influence endemism. The highest rates of mammalian endemism were found in topographically rough, climatically stable ecoregions with many species. The null model that isolated physiography did not closely approximate the observed distribution of endemism (r2 =.09), whereas the null model that incorporated both physiography and species richness did (r2 =.59). The linear models demonstrate that topography and climatic stability both influenced endemism values, but that average climatic niche breadth was not highly correlated with endemism. Climate stability and topography both influence weighted endemism in mammals, but the spatial distribution of mammalian endemism is driven by a combination of physiography and species richness. Despite its relationship to individual range size, average climate niche breadth has only a weak influence on endemism. The results highlight the importance of historical biogeographic processes (e.g. centers of speciation) and geography in driving endemism patterns, and disentangle the mechanisms structuring species ranges worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of migratory taxa relies on the knowledge of their movements. Among them, ontogenetic habitat shift, from nurseries to adult habitats, is a behavioural trait shared across marine taxa allowing resource partitioning between life stages and reducing predation risk. As this movement is consistent over time, characterizing its timing is critical to implement efficient management plans, notably in coastal areas to mitigate the impact of fisheries on juvenile stocks.In the Mexican Pacific, habitat use of the smooth hammerhead shark (Sphyrna zygaena) is poorly described, while the species is heavily harvested. Given the large uncertainties associated with the timing of out‐migration from coastal nursery grounds to offshore waters prior to reproductive maturity, a more precise assessment of smooth hammerhead shark movements is needed.Photochemical degradation of mercury imparts mass‐independent isotope fractionation (Δ199Hg) which can be used to discriminate between neonate coastal shallow habitats and the offshore deep foraging patterns of late juveniles. Here, we present the application of muscle Δ199Hg as molecular clocks to predict the timing of ontogenetic habitat shifts by smooth hammerhead sharks, based on their isotopic compositions at the initial and arrival habitats and on muscle isotopic turnover rate.We observed decreases in Δ199Hg values with shark body length, reflecting increasing reliance on offshore mesopelagic prey with age. Coastal residency estimates indicated that smooth hammerhead sharks utilize coastal resources for 2 years prior to offshore migration, suggesting a prolonged residency in these ecosystems.Policy implications. This study demonstrates how mercury stable isotopes and isotopic clocks can be implemented as a complementary tool for stock management by predicting the timing of animal migration—a key aspect in the conservation of marine taxa. In the Mexican Pacific, fishing pressure on shark species occurs in coastal habitats depleting juvenile stocks. Consequently, management decision support tools are imperative for effectively maintaining early life stage population levels over time. The finding that smooth hammerhead sharks extensively rely on highly fished habitats for 2 years after parturition supports the relevance of establishing a size limit in coastal fisheries and demonstrates how the current temporal shark fishing closure could lack efficiency for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen delivery is viewed as tightly coupled to demand in exercise below critical power because increasing oxygen delivery does not increase VO2${V_{{O_2}}}$. However, whether the 'normal' adjustment of oxygen delivery to small muscle mass exercise in the heavy intensity domain is optimal for excitation–contraction coupling is currently unknown. In 20 participants (10 female), a remote skeletal muscle (i.e. tibialis anterior) metaboreflex was (Hyperperfusion condition) or was not (Control condition) activated for 4 min during both force of contraction (experimental model 1) and muscle activation‐targeted (experimental model 2) rhythmic forearm handgrip exercise. Analysis was completed on the combined data from both experimental models. After 30 s of remote skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation, mean arterial blood pressure, forearm blood flow and muscle oxygenation were increased and remained increased until metaboreflex discontinuation. While oxygen delivery was elevated, the muscle activation to force of contraction ratio was improved. Upon metaboreflex discontinuation, forearm oxygen delivery and the muscle activation and force of contraction ratio rapidly (within 30 s) returned to control levels. These findings demonstrate that (a) the metaboreflex was effective at increasing forearm muscle oxygen delivery and oxygenation, (b) the muscle activation to force of contraction ratio was improved with increased oxygen delivery, and (c) in the heavy exercise intensity domain, the normal matching of oxygen delivery to metabolic demand is not optimal for muscle excitation–contraction coupling. These results suggest that the nature of vasoregulation in exercising muscle is such that it does not support optimal perfusion for excitation–contraction coupling. Key points: Oxygen delivery is viewed as tightly coupled to demand in exercise below critical power because increasing oxygen delivery does not increase the rate of oxygen uptake.Whether the 'normal' adjustment of oxygen delivery in small muscle mass exercise below critical power is optimal for excitation–contraction coupling is not known.Here we show in humans that increasing oxygen delivery above 'normal' improves excitation–contraction coupling.These results suggest that, in the heavy exercise intensity domain, the 'normal' matching of oxygen delivery to metabolic demand is not optimal for muscle excitation–contraction coupling.Therefore, the nature of vasoregulation in exercising muscle is such that it does not support optimal perfusion for excitation–contraction coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings: What is the central question of this study?In electrically stimulated skeletal muscle, force production is downregulated when oxygen delivery is compromised and rapidly restored upon oxygen delivery restoration. Whether 'oxygen conforming' of force production occurs during voluntary muscle activation in humans and whether it is exercise intensity dependent remains unknown.What is the main finding and its importance?Here, we show in humans that force at a given voluntary muscle activation does conform to a decrease in oxygen delivery and recovers rapidly and completely with restoration of oxygen delivery. This oxygen‐conforming response of contraction force appears to happen only at higher intensities. In electrically stimulated skeletal muscle, force production is downregulated when oxygen delivery is compromised and rapidly restored upon restoration of oxygen delivery in the absence of cellular disturbance. Whether this 'oxygen‐conforming' response of force occurs and is exercise intensity dependent during stable voluntary muscle activation in humans is unknown. In 12 participants (six female), handgrip force, forearm muscle activation (EMG), muscle oxygenation and forearm blood flow (FBF) were measured during rhythmic handgrip exercise at forearm EMG achieving 50, 75 or 90% critical impulse (CI). Four minutes of brachial artery compression to reduce FBF by ∼60% (Hypoperfusion) or sham compression (adjacent to artery; Control) was performed during exercise. Sham compression had no effect. Hypoperfusion rapidly reduced muscle oxygenation at all exercise intensities, resulting in contraction force per muscle activation (force/EMG) progressively declining over 4 min by ∼16% at both 75 and 90% CI. No force/EMG decline occurred at 50% CI. Rapid restoration of muscle oxygenation after compression was closely followed by force/EMG such that it was not different from Control within 30 s for 90% CI and after 90 s for 75% CI. Our findings reveal that an oxygen‐conforming response does occur in voluntary exercising muscle in humans. Within the exercise modality and magnitude of fluctuation of oxygenation in this study, the oxygen‐conforming response appears to be exercise intensity dependent. Mechanisms responsible for this oxygen‐conforming response have implications for exercise tolerance and warrant investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a shame induction protocol on endothelial function. Fifteen participants (n = 7 men, n = 8 women) completed both a written shame induction protocol and a control protocol on twodifferent experimental days. Pre- and post-protocol we assessed: (1) endothelial function and arterial shear rate via a standard brachial artery reactive hyperaemia flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) test across two post-intervention time points (15 and 35min post); (2) perceived shame via the experiential shame scale (ESS); and (3) cortisol and soluble tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (sTNFaRII) through oral fluid analysis. Shame increased after the shame induction protocol (pre, 2.9 ± 0.6 vs. post, 3.7 ± 0.5, P < 0.001) but not the control protocol (pre, 3.0 ± 0.5 vs. post, 2.8 ± 0.5, P = 0.15; protocol by time interaction, P < 0.001). When all three time points were included in the analysis, %FMD did not change over time. Considering only the lowest post time point, %FMD decreased significantly in response to the shame protocol (pre, 4.8 ± 1.9 vs. post, 3.2 ± 1.6, P < 0.001) but not the control protocol (pre, 4.2 ± 1.8 vs. post, 3.8 ± 1.5, P = 0.45; protocol by time interaction, P=0.035). Covariation of the shear rate stimulus forFMD did not alter the FMD results. When including both the control and shame protocols, but not the shame protocol alone, increased shame was significantly associated with decreased FMD(r=-0.37, P<0.046). There were no significant time by protocol interaction effects for cortisol or sTNFaRII. In conclusion, temporary increases in shame might cause transient endothelial dysfunction which, if chronically repeated, could manifest as reduced vasoprotection against atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventing the negative impacts of major, intersectional social issues hinges on personal concern and willingness to take action. This research examines social comparison in the context of climate change, racial injustice, and COVID‐19 during Fall 2020. Participants in a U.S. university sample (n = 288), reported personal levels of concern and action and estimated peers' concern and action regarding these three issues. Participants estimated that they were more concerned than peers for all three issues and took more action than peers regarding COVID‐19 and climate change. Participants who reported higher levels of personal concern also estimated that they took greater action than peers (relative to participants who reported lower levels of concern). Exploratory analyses found that perceived personal control over social issues were associated with greater concern and action for racial injustice and climate change but not for COVID‐19. This indicates that issue‐specific features, including perceived controllability, may drive people to differently assess their experiences of distinct social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since early 2020, COVID‐19 has dominated headlines, claimed millions of lives, crippled global economies, overwhelmed health services, attracted multi‐disciplinary scientific attention and transformed our daily lives. Unsurprisingly, the Lifestyle Medicine field has not been immune to the pandemic's wide‐reaching influence. Although COVID‐19 highlighted the necessity of maintaining healthy behaviours, the associated lockdowns and social distancing measures challenged our ability to do so. Attempts to mitigate the spread of COVID‐19 may, therefore, have exacerbated the obesity pandemic and other diseases associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits. One hopes this devastating virus provides the impetus for policymakers, clinicians and patients to collaborate in tackling the diseases of modern life. This commentary explores how lifestyle‐correlated conditions (which are closely intertwined with socioeconomic factors) rendered much of the UK population vulnerable to COVID‐19 infection, morbidity and mortality. Subsequently, we consider the impact of lockdown measures on the accessibility of healthy living, focussing on eating behaviours, physical activity, relationships, sleep and substance abuse, as well as the social demographics particularly affected. Approaching the aftermath of this vicious cycle with optimism, we discuss why the post‐Covid era presents a unique opportunity for Lifestyle Medicine, as an evidence‐based approach to supporting patients to adopt and sustain healthy behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant communities are composed of complex phenotypes that not only differ among taxonomic groups and habitats but also change over time within a species. Restoration projects (e.g. translocations and reseeding) can introduce new functional variation in plants, which further diversifies phenotypes and complicates our ability to identify locally adaptive phenotypes for future restoration. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers one approach to detect the chemical phenotypes that differentiate plant species, populations, and phenological states of individual plants over time. We use sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) as a case study to test the accuracy by which NIRS can classify variation within taxonomy and phenology of a plant that is extensively managed and restored. Our results demonstrated that NIRS can accurately classify species of sagebrush within a study site (75–96%), populations of sagebrush within a subspecies (99%), annual phenology within a population (>99%), and seasonal phenology within individual plants (>97%). Low classification accuracy by NIRS in some sites may reflect heterogeneity associated with natural hybridization, translocation of nonlocal seed sources from past restoration, or complex gene‐by‐environment interactions. Advances in our ability to detect and interpret spectral signals from plants may improve both the selection of seed sources for targeted conservation and the capacity to monitor long‐term changes in vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A foundational assumption of trait‐based ecology is that individual performances should be predicted by its functional traits. However, the trait–performance relationships reported in literature were typically weak, probably due to the ignorance of interactions between traits and environments, intraspecific trait variability, and hard traits (directly linked to physiological processes of interest). We conducted an experiment of planting 900 seedlings of six tree species separately (one seedling per pot) along experimentally manipulated light and water gradients, monitored their survival and growth, and measured their morphological, photosynthetic, and hydraulic traits. Most trait–performance relationships depended on the environments, either marginally changing (weak trait × environment interaction) or even reversing (strong trait × environment interaction) along light or water gradients in our experiment. Such trait × environment interactions were more likely to be detected in growth models using individual‐level traits than models using species mean traits, but seedling growth was not better modeled with individual‐level traits than species mean traits. Additionally, none of the hard traits (photosynthetic and hydraulic traits) were better predictors than soft traits (morphological traits) modeling seedling growth and survival along light and water gradients. Our study highlights the necessities of considering trait × environment interactions when predicting response of plants to changing environments. The benefits of using individual‐level traits or hard traits to predict plant performance might be reduced or even canceled if their measurement errors are not well controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have explored the potential of tissue‐mimetic scaffolds in encouraging nerve regeneration. One of the major determinants of the regenerative success of cellular nerve repair constructs (NRCs) is the local microenvironment, particularly native low oxygen conditions which can affect implanted cell survival and functional performance. In vivo, cells reside in a range of environmental conditions due to the spatial gradients of nutrient concentrations that are established. Here we evaluate in vitro the differences in cellular behavior that such conditions induce, including key biological features such as oxygen metabolism, glucose consumption, cell death, and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion. Experimental measurements are used to devise and parameterize a mathematical model that describes the behavior of the cells. The proposed model effectively describes the interactions between cells and their microenvironment and could in the future be extended, allowing researchers to compare the behavior of different therapeutic cells. Such a combinatorial approach could be used to accelerate the clinical translation of NRCs by identifying which critical design features should be optimized when fabricating engineered nerve repair conduits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How intensely animals use habitat features depends on their functional properties (i.e., how the feature influences fitness) and the spatial and temporal scale considered. For herbivores, habitat use is expected to reflect the competing risks of starvation, predation, and thermal stress, but the relative influence of each functional property is expected to vary in space and time. We examined how a dietary and habitat specialist, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), used these functional properties of its sagebrush habitat—food quality, security, and thermal refuge—at two hierarchical spatial scales (microsite and patch) across two seasons (winter and summer). At the microsite and patch scales, we determined which plant functional traits predicted the number of bites (i.e., foraging) by pygmy rabbits and the number of their fecal pellets (i.e., general habitat use). Pygmy rabbits used microsites and patches more intensely that had higher crude protein and aerial concealment cover and were closer to burrows. Food quality was more influential when rabbits used microsites within patches. Security was more influential in winter than summer, and more at Cedar Gulch than Camas. However, the influence of functional properties depended on phytochemical and structural properties of sagebrush and was not spatiotemporally consistent. These results show function‐dependent habitat use that varied according to specific activities by a central‐place browsing herbivore. Making spatially explicit predictions of the relative value of habitat features that influence different types of habitat use (i.e., foraging, hiding, and thermoregulating) will improve how we predict patterns of habitat use by herbivores and how we monitor and manage functional traits within habitats for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal movement and resource use are essential considerations for effective environmental management, but they are challenging to quantify in expansive natural ecosystems such as oceans.We used a novel combination of fish tracking with expansive acoustic telemetry networks, stable isotope analysis and integrated modelling techniques to characterize the spatial and trophic ecology of a marine fish species, permit Trachinotus falcatus, and to address specific resource management needs in the Florida Keys.Tracking‐based movement patterns indicated that permit remained primarily within the designated fisheries management unit (92% of individuals), but they moved frequently among distinct habitat types and fisheries. Movement metrics from 109 individuals were integrated into Bayesian isotope mixing models, revealing variable reliance on seagrass‐ versus offshore/pelagic‐based energy channels amongst individuals. Variance was driven mainly by fish habitat use and home range size (km2).A telemetry‐based regional isoscape, informed by individual‐level estimates of resource use (% seagrass reliance; median = 70%, 29%–100% range), illustrated connectivity among habitats and fisheries. Specifically, seagrass flats were highly connected with the Florida reef tract, with frequent movements between these habitat types and a high reliance on seagrass‐based prey. There was a distinction between these fish and those occupying artificial reefs, with the latter showing high use of pelagic/offshore (i.e. planktonic) energy channels.Synthesis and applications. This study used a novel combination of telemetry, stable isotope analysis and integrated modelling techniques to identify two distinct ecotypes of a nearshore fish species, permit, in the Florida Keys. Of the two ecotypes, nearshore Florida Keys permit support multiple valuable fisheries; for these fish management should prioritize conservation of seagrass flats as a key permit food source, as well as fisheries protection measures at spawning sites on the Florida reef tract. This study highlights the capacity for integrated telemetry‐isotope models to provide key insights into animal ecology that has direct implications for applied environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypomelanosis refers to a suite of skin pigment abnormalities, including albinism, leucism and piebaldism. While documented across many vertebrate species, examples of hypomelanosis are rarely seen in chondrichthyans, with little insight into the potential effects on survival. Here, we report the first observation of abnormal skin pigmentation indicative of piebaldism in the Atlantic nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum, representing only the second reported case of skin aberrations for this species. This extremely rare observation is discussed in the broader context of fitness variation and long‐term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovery of novel drug delivery systems to the brain remains a key task for successful treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, the biodistribution of immunocyte‐based carriers, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte‐derived EVs are investigated in adult rhesus macaques using longitudinal PET/MRI imaging. 64Cu‐labeled drug carriers are introduced via different routes of administration: intraperitoneal (IP), intravenous (IV), or intrathecal (IT) injection. Whole body PET/MRI (or PET/CT) images are acquired at 1, 24, and 48 h post injection of 64Cu‐labeled drug carriers, and standardized uptake values (SUVmean and SUVmax) in the main organs are estimated. The brain retention for both types of carriers increases based on route of administration: IP < IV < IT. Importantly, a single IT injection of PBMCs produces higher brain retention compared to IT injection of EVs. In contrast, EVs show superior brain accumulation compared to the cells when administered via IP and IV routes, respectively. Finally, a comprehensive chemistry panel of blood samples demonstrates no cytotoxic effects of either carrier. Overall, living cells and EVs have a great potential to be used for drug delivery to the brain. When identifying the ideal drug carrier, the route of administration could make big differences in CNS drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi‐fluid models have recently been proposed as an approach to improving the representation of convection in weather and climate models. This is an attractive framework as it is fundamentally dynamical, removing some of the assumptions of mass‐flux convection schemes which are invalid at current model resolutions. However, it is still not understood how best to close the multi‐fluid equations for atmospheric convection. In this paper we develop a simple two‐fluid, single‐column model with one rising and one falling fluid. No further modelling of sub‐filter variability is included. We then apply this model to Rayleigh–Bénard convection, showing that, with minimal closures, the correct scaling of the heat flux (Nu) is predicted over six orders of magnitude of buoyancy forcing (Ra). This suggests that even a very simple two‐fluid model can accurately capture the dominant coherent overturning structures of convection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how species ranges shift as climates rapidly change informs us how to effectively conserve vulnerable species. Species distribution models (SDMs) are an important method for examining these range shifts. The tools for performing SDMs are ever improving. Here, we present the megaSDM R package. This package facilitates realistic spatiotemporal SDM analyses by incorporating dispersal probabilities, creating time‐step maps of range change dynamics and efficiently handling large datasets and computationally intensive environmental subsampling techniques. Provided a list of species and environmental data, megaSDM synthesizes GIS processing, subsampling methods, MaxEnt modelling, dispersal rate restrictions and additional statistical tools to create a variety of outputs for each species, time period and climate scenario requested. For each of these, megaSDM generates a series of distribution maps and outputs visual representations of statistical data. megaSDM offers several advantages over other commonly used SDM tools. First, many of the functions in megaSDM natively implement parallelization, enabling the package to handle large amounts of data efficiently without the need for additional coding. megaSDM also implements environmental subsampling of occurrences, making the technique broadly available in a way that was not possible before due to computational considerations. Uniquely, megaSDM generates maps showing the expansion and contraction of a species range across all considered time periods (time‐maps), and constrains both presence/absence and continuous suitability maps of species ranges according to species‐specific dispersal constraints. The user can then directly compare non‐dispersal and dispersal‐limited distribution predictions. This paper discusses the unique features and highlights of megaSDM, describes the structure of the package and demonstrates the package's features and the model flow through examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans have long been fascinated by the mysteries surrounding fish migrations and addressing these complex behaviors often requires large data sets. Biogeochemical tags, including trace elements and stable isotopes, are the most accessible biomarkers for tracking fish migrations. However, access to standardized biogeochemical tag data is rarely available for migratory fish, which limits our understanding of the evolutionary origins, drivers, timing, and corridors of migration. This precludes the development of conservation strategies and the implementation of management actions. Here, we present MFishBT, a global, open‐access database of Migratory Fish's Biogeochemical Tags. As of April 2023, the MFishBT contains biogeochemical records from 1,305 studies, of which 53% used element‐to‐calcium (E/Ca) ratios, 34% used isotopic ratios, and 13% used both. The database covers 17,413 field sampling locations (inland 47% vs. marine 53%) around the globe, comprising 490 migratory fish species of four classes, 44 orders/suborders, and 137 families. In total, 77 trace elements and 11 isotope systems were measured across various fish biological archives, including otoliths, scales, eye lenses, and vertebrae. E/Ca ratios were examined more frequently than isotopic ratios, led by Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca, and 87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, and δ18O. The MFishBT compiles 27,030, 16,222, and 2,481,714 records with biogeochemical data detected in the core, edge, and core‐to‐edge transects for biological archives of migratory fish. This is the most globally comprehensive open‐access database on biogeochemical tags in migratory fish to date, and can serve a variety of needs in scientific research, conservation, and management. We encourage researchers to add more data sets to this database in the future. This database is released for noncommercial use only. There are no copyright restrictions, and please cite this paper when using these data, or a subset of these data, for publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]