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Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is an important cellulosic biofuel grass native to North America. Rust, caused by Puccinia spp. is the most predominant disease of switchgrass and has the potential to impact biomass conversion. In this study, virulence patterns were determined on a set of 38 switchgrass genotypes for 14 single-spore rust isolates from 14 field samples collected in seven states. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation was also assessed in 720 sequenced cloned amplicons representing 654 base pairs of the elongation factor 1-α gene from the field samples. Five major haplotypes were identified differing by 11 out of the 39 SNP positions identified. STRUCTURE, Principal Coordinate Analysis, and phylogenetic analyses divided the rust population into two genetic clusters. Virginia and Georgia had the highest and lowest rust genetic diversity, respectively. Only nine accessions showed a differential disease response between the 14 isolates, allowing the identification of eight races, differing by 1–3 virulence factors. Overall, the results suggested clonal reproduction of the pathogen and a North–South differentiation via local adaptation. However, similar haplotypes and races were also recovered from several states, suggesting migration events, and highlighting the need to further investigate the switchgrass rust population structure and evolution in the USA.

BackgroundGenetic mutations underlying familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) were identified decades ago, but the field is still in search of transformative therapies for patients. While mouse models based on overexpression of mutated transgenes have yielded key insights in mechanisms of disease, those models are subject to artifacts, including random genetic integration of the transgene, ectopic expression and non-physiological protein levels. The genetic engineering of novel mouse models using knock-in approaches addresses some of those limitations. With mounting evidence of the role played by microglia in AD, high-dimensional approaches to phenotype microglia in those models are critical to refine our understanding of the immune response in the brain.MethodsWe engineered a novel App knock-in mouse model (AppSAA) using homologous recombination to introduce three disease-causing coding mutations (Swedish, Arctic and Austrian) to the mouse App gene. Amyloid-β pathology, neurodegeneration, glial responses, brain metabolism and behavioral phenotypes were characterized in heterozygous and homozygous AppSAA mice at different ages in brain and/ or biofluids. Wild type littermate mice were used as experimental controls. We used in situ imaging technologies to define the whole-brain distribution of amyloid plaques and compare it to other AD mouse models and human brain pathology. To further explore the microglial response to AD relevant pathology, we isolated microglia with fibrillar Aβ content from the brain and performed transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses and in vivo brain imaging to measure energy metabolism and microglial response. Finally, we also characterized the mice in various behavioral assays.ResultsLeveraging multi-omics approaches, we discovered profound alteration of diverse lipids and metabolites as well as an exacerbated disease-associated transcriptomic response in microglia with high intracellular Aβ content. The AppSAA knock-in mouse model recapitulates key pathological features of AD such as a progressive accumulation of parenchymal amyloid plaques and vascular amyloid deposits, altered astroglial and microglial responses and elevation of CSF markers of neurodegeneration. Those observations were associated with increased TSPO and FDG-PET brain signals and a hyperactivity phenotype as the animals aged.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate that fibrillar Aβ in microglia is associated with lipid dyshomeostasis consistent with lysosomal dysfunction and foam cell phenotypes as well as profound immuno-metabolic perturbations, opening new avenues to further investigate metabolic pathways at play in microglia responding to AD-relevant pathogenesis. The in-depth characterization of pathological hallmarks of AD in this novel and open-access mouse model should serve as a resource for the scientific community to investigate disease-relevant biology.

Although internationally there is a growing interest in strategic human resource management (SHRM) in the educational context, few studies explored SHRM in schools. This qualitative study explores if five common human resource management (HRM) practices (i.e. recruitment and selection, assignment, evaluation, rewards, and development) are aligned with schools' strategic planning and individual teacher needs. The analysis is based on 194 semi-structured interviews with school leaders and school team members in 24 schools in Flanders (Belgium). After a within-case analysis, a classification was made for each school for each HRM practice under investigation based on a classification scheme indicating the strategic focus per HRM practice. The cross-case analysis shows that for some HRM practices the alignment with school's strategic planning and individual teacher needs is identified in more schools (e.g. for 'professional development') than for other practices (e.g. for 'rewards'). The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of SHRM within the education sector and provide schools with tools to invest in SHRM.

Self-efficacy is a perceived judgment that one has the ability to execute a course of action that brings about a desired result. While a growing body of research demonstrates the importance of self-efficacy by school leaders, little is known about the different sources of principals' self-efficacy. This qualitative study investigates the relevance of Bandura's sources of self-efficacy and on potential additional sources. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with 23 primary school principals in Flanders (Belgium). The results reveal that mastery experiences prove to be the most powerful source of principal self-efficacy although they are mainly small successes and do not refer to extraordinary achievements or excellent results. This study also emphasizes the importance of verbal or social persuasion and gaining knowledge. Suggestions for further research, limitations and implications of this study are discussed.

Abstract Erythrocytosis or polycythemia refers to a true or apparent increase in hemoglobin or hematocrit. When no etiology of erythrocytosis is identified, people are diagnosed with “idiopathic erythrocytosis” (IE). The identification of new contributing genes has recently improved the diagnostic workup of IE. As such mutations within the SH2B3 gene, which codes for the LNK protein and negatively regulates the JAK‐STAT pathway, have been identified in cases diagnosed as IE. This reports describes the presence of a previously undescribed germline SH2B3 variant p.(Thr335ArgfsTer4) within IE and emphasizes the advantages of gene panel sequencing as second step in the diagnostic work‐up.

An often-overlooked aspect of biology is formed by the outliers of the protein length distribution, specifically those proteins with more than 5000 amino acids, which we refer to as huge proteins (HPs). By examining UniprotKB, we discovered more than 41 000 HPs throughout the tree of life, with the majority found in eukaryotes. Notably, the phyla with the highest propensity for HPs are Apicomplexa and Fornicata. Moreover, we observed that certain bacteria, such as Elusimicrobiota or Planctomycetota, have a higher tendency for encoding HPs, even more than the average eukaryote. To investigate if these macro-polypeptides represent "real" proteins, we explored several indirect metrics. Additionally, orthology analyses reveals thousands of clusters of homologous sequences of HPs, revealing functional groups related to key cellular processes such as cytoskeleton organization and functioning as chaperones or as E3-ubiquitin ligases in eukaryotes. In the case of bacteria, the major clusters have functions related to non-ribosomomal peptide synthesis/polyketide synthesis, followed by pathogen-host attachment or recognition surface proteins. Further exploration of the annotations for each HPs supported the previously identified functional groups. These findings underscore the need for further investigation of the cellular and ecological roles of these HPs and their potential impact on biology and biotechnology.

Caffeine consumption outcomes on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) including progression, survival and cognition remain poorly defined and may depend on its metabolization influenced by genetic variants. 378 ALS patients with a precise evaluation of their regular caffeine consumption were monitored as part of a prospective multicenter study. Demographic, clinical characteristics, functional disability as measured with revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R), cognitive deficits measured using Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS), survival and riluzole treatment were recorded. 282 patients were genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging different genes involved in caffeine intake and/or metabolism: CYP1A1 (rs2472297), CYP1A2 (rs762551), AHR (rs4410790), POR (rs17685), XDH (rs206860) and ADORA2A (rs5751876) genes. Association between caffeine consumption and ALSFRS-R, ALSFRS-R rate, ECAS and survival were statistically analyzed to determine the outcome of regular caffeine consumption on ALS disease progression and cognition. No association was observed between caffeine consumption and survival (p = 0.25), functional disability (ALSFRS-R; p = 0.27) or progression of ALS (p = 0.076). However, a significant association was found with higher caffeine consumption and better cognitive performance on ECAS scores in patients carrying the C/T and T/T genotypes at rs2472297 (p-het = 0.004). Our results support the safety of regular caffeine consumption on ALS disease progression and survival and also show its beneficial impact on cognitive performance in patients carrying the minor allele T of rs2472297, considered as fast metabolizers, that would set the ground for a new pharmacogenetic therapeutic strategy.

While pesticide use is subject to strict regulatory oversight worldwide, it remains a main concern for environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation. This is partly due to the current regulatory approach that relies on separate assessments for each single pesticide, crop use, and non-target organism group at local scales. Such assessments tend to overlook the combined effects of overall pesticide usage at larger spatial scales. Integrative landscape-based approaches are emerging, enabling the consideration of agricultural management, the environmental characteristics, and the combined effects of pesticides applied in a same or in different crops within an area. These developments offer the opportunity to deliver informative risk predictions relevant for different decision contexts including their connection to larger spatial scales and to combine environmental risks of pesticides, with those from other environmental stressors. We discuss the needs, challenges, opportunities and available tools for implementing landscape-based approaches for prospective and retrospective pesticide Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA). A set of “building blocks” that emerged from the discussions have been integrated into a conceptual framework. The framework includes elements to facilitate its implementation, in particular: flexibility to address the needs of relevant users and stakeholders; means to address the inherent complexity of environmental systems; connections to make use of and integrate data derived from monitoring programs; and options for validation and approaches to facilitate future use in a regulatory context. The conceptual model can be applied to existing ERA methodologies, facilitating its comparability, and highlighting interoperability drivers at landscape level. The benefits of landscape-based pesticide ERA extend beyond regulation. Linking and validating risk predictions with relevant environmental impacts under a solid science-based approach will support the setting of protection goals and the formulation of sustainable agricultural strategies. Moreover, landscape ERA offers a communication tool on realistic pesticide impacts in a multistressors environment for stakeholders and citizens.

Robotic devices have recently enhanced cochlear implantation by improving precision resulting in reduced intracochlear damage during electrode insertion. This study aimed to gain first insights into the expected dimensions of the cone-like workspace from the posterior tympanotomy towards the round window membrane.This retrospective chart review analyzed ten postoperative CT scans of adult patients who were implanted with a CI in the past ten years. The dimensions of the cone-like workspace were determined using four landmarks (P1–P4). In the anteroposterior range, P1 and P2 were defined on the edge of the bony layer over the facial nerve and chorda tympani nerve, respectively. In the inferosuperior range, P3 was defined on the bony edge of the incus buttress and P4 was obtained at a distance of 0.45 mm between the facial nerve and the chorda tympani nerve. After selecting the landmarks, the calculations of the dimensions of the surgical access space were done in a standardized coordinate system and presented using descriptive statistics.The cone-like space is limited by two maximal angles, α and β. The average angle α of 19.84 (±3.55) degrees defines the angle towards the round window membrane between P1 and P2. The second average angle β of 53.56 (±10.29) degrees defines the angle towards the round window membrane between P3 and P4. Based on the angles the mean anteroposterior range of 2.25 (±0.42) mm and mean inferosuperior range of 6.73 (±2.42) mm. The distance from the posterior tympanotomy to the round window membrane was estimated at 6.05 (±0.71) mm.These findings present data on the hypothetical maximum workspace in which a future robotically steered insertion tool can be positioned for an optimal automated electrode insertion. A larger sample size is necessary before generalizing these dimensions to a population. Further research including preoperative CT scans is needed for planning robotic-steered cochlear implantation.

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the 2022 post‐market environmental monitoring (PMEM) report on the cultivation of Cry1Ab‐expressing maize event MON 810. Overall, the 2022 PMEM report provides no evidence of adverse effects of maize MON 810 cultivation. It shows a high level of compliance with refuge requirements by Spanish and Portuguese farmers growing maize MON 810, but uncertainty remains on compliance in areas where the clustered surface of maize MON 810 farms exceeds 5 ha. There are no signs of practical resistance to Cry1Ab in the field in corn borer populations collected in north‐eastern Spain in 2022, although a decrease in Cry1Ab susceptibility in Mediterranean corn borer populations from this area cannot be excluded. Information retrieved through farmer questionnaires in Spain and from the scientific literature reveals no unanticipated adverse effects on human and animal health or the environment arising from the cultivation of maize MON 810. Uncertainties remain on whether ‘very highly’ and ‘extremely’ sensitive non‐target lepidoptera are potentially exposed to harmful amounts of MON 810 pollen. EFSA notes that several recommendations made in the frame of the assessment of previous PMEM reports remain unaddressed and identified additional shortcomings in the 2022 PMEM report that require further consideration by the consent holder in future annual PMEM reports. Particularly, EFSA emphasises the urgent need to increase the sensitivity of the insect resistance monitoring strategy and implement mitigation measures to ensure that the exposure of non‐target lepidoptera to maize MON 810 pollen is reduced to levels of no concern.

The present study focuses on how elementary-level student teachers reacted to difficulties during their first internship experience. More specifically, we analysed how their self-efficacy was affected by (a) their perception of failure during the internship, (b) the importance they assigned to their teacher self-aspect, and (c) the interaction between these two constructs. Using a quantitative design (N = 124), we measured their self-efficacy both before and after a 2-week internship. Results showed an overall increase in self-efficacy, but no such increase for participants with high teacher self-aspect who reported high failure experience, which indicated an amplifying moderation effect of teacher self-aspect in the relation between failure experience and change in self-efficacy. We discuss the profile of these "high-importance/high-failure" students and the support that can be given to them.

Abibliometric analysis is both a quantitative and a qualitative review of the scientific literature. A number of factors have been described to assess academic productivity using this model, in terms [...], Background: Little is known about the quality and impact of Canadian-produced research relative to that of other developed nations. The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of Canadian authors to the orthopedic literature globally and nationally as well as Canada's research productivity in orthopedics. We hypothesized that Canada ranks among the most impactful countries in terms of orthopedic research productivity. Methods: We performed a bibliometric analysis to identify articles published between 2001 and 2020 in the category of orthopedics. We identified Canada's global rank in terms of overall productivity and assessed the contributions of individual Canadian authors. We also examined the quality of publications as determined by category normalized citation impact (CNCI) and publication in the top quartile of journals (%Q1) in terms of impact factor. In addition, we calculated the percentage of Canadian publications that were in orthopedics. Results: We identified 10821 orthopedic publications from 2001 to 2020. Canada placed sixth globally in terms of productivity in orthopedic research. The annual productivity of Canadian orthopedic researchers increased over the study period by a factor of 3.2. In terms of research quality, with a %Q1 of 36.5% and a CNCI of 1.22, Canada outperformed Asian countries and the United States; the latter country had a %Q1 of 35.3% and a CNCI of 1.14 over the study period. Conclusion: The body of Canadian orthopedic literature has grown consistently over the past 20 years. Despite the overall leadership of the United States and other developed nations such as China and Japan, Canada ranks among the most influential countries in terms of the quality and quantity of orthopedic research. Contexte: On en sait peu sur la qualité et les retombées de la recherche menée au Canada par rapport à celles des autres pays industrialisés. Cette étude avait pour but de déterminer la contribution des auteurs canadiens à la littérature mondiale et nationale en orthopédie, et la productivité en recherche dans ce domaine au Canada. Selon notre hypothèse, le Canada se classe parmi les pays ayant le plus d'impact pour ce qui est de la productivité en recherche orthopédique. Méthodes: Nous avons procédé à une analyse bibliométrique pour recenser les articles en orthopédie publiés entre 2001 et 2020. Nous avons vérifié le classement mondial du Canada au plan de la productivité globale et évalué les contributions canadiennes individuelles. Nous avons aussi mesuré la qualité des publications à partir de l'impact normalisé des citations selon la discipline (INCD) et les publications se situant dans le quartile supérieur des revues (%Q1) pour le facteur d'impact. Nous avons aussi calculé le pourcentage des publications canadiennes concernant l'orthopédie. Résultats: Nous avons recensé 10821 publications en orthopédie entre 2001 et 2020. Le Canada s'est classé sixième au monde au plan de la productivité en recherche orthopédique. La productivité annuelle des chercheurs canadiens en orthopédie a augmenté au cours de la période de l'étude selon un facteur de 3,2. Au plan de la qualité de la recherche, avec un indice %Q1 de 36,5% et un INCD de 1,22, le Canada s'est mieux classé que les pays asiatiques et les Etats-Unis, ce dernier ayant obtenu un indice %Q1 de 35,3% et un INCD de 1,14 pour la période de l'étude. Conclusion: Au cours des 20 dernières années, le corpus canadien de littérature orthopédique a régulièrement augmenté. Malgré le leadership global exercé par les Etats-Unis et les autres pays industrialisés, comme la Chine et le Japon, le Canada se classe parmi les pays ayant le plus d'influence aux plans quantitatif et qualitatif en recherche orthopédique.

Purpose: Work-related stress is a significant occupational health issue. Stress cannot be viewed separately from the perceptual or interpretive act by the individual. Self-efficacy is a personal characteristic that explains a high proportion of variation in the performance of school principals. Design/methodology/approach: The current study examines if the COVID-pandemic is related to burnout among school principals. Additionally, the study analyzes if the self-efficacy of school principals plays a mediating role in the impact that the COVID-19 crisis had on their burnout level. To explore this, the authors used survey data of 981 Flemish school principals. Findings: The findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is related to feelings of burnout among Flemish school principals. In addition, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between the COVID-19 scale and the four core subscales of burnout: exhaustion, mental distance, emotional impairment and cognitive impairment. No mediating effect of self-efficacy was found for the secondary symptoms of burnout, psychological distress and psychosomatic complaints. Originality/value: This paper emphasizes the importance of school principal's self-efficacy experiences for crisis management. Implications for school leadership training and support are discussed.

The importance of strategic planning and human resource management (SHRM) for school effectiveness and improvement has been stressed. Yet, research shows that both are challenging aspects of school management. This qualitative study explores (a) the role of strategic planning in SHRM and (b) the link between SHRM and the factors that stimulate teachers' professional learning. Based on 194 semistructured interviews with school leaders and team members, a comparative analysis between excellent and moderate strategic schools was conducted. The results reveal that excellent strategic schools distinguish themselves through strategic planning that focuses on core aspects of students' learning and a working environment that is characterized by a highly motivated teacher team and various chances for teachers to learn from each other. The study provides an insight into how a "learning-focused" working environment can be enhanced by enacting a set of human resource practices.

In archaeological soil and sediment micromorphology, research is grounded in observations made with petrographic microscopes. These observations are recorded using standardised terms and microphotographs. The two-pillar database system allows a user-friendly recording of these observations with I-GEOARCHrec and the possibility to link these data to field pictures and microphotographs publicly available in I-GEOARCHive.

Abstract Bone marrow fibrosis (BMF) is a pathological feature of myelofibrosis, with higher grades associated with poor prognosis. Limited data exist on the association between outcomes and BMF changes. We present BMF data from Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor–naive patients from SIMPLIFY‐1 (NCT01969838), a double‐blind, randomized, phase 3 study of momelotinib vs ruxolitinib. Baseline and week 24 bone marrow biopsies were graded from 0 to 3 as per World Health Organization criteria. Other assessments included Total Symptom Score, spleen volume, transfusion independence status, and hemoglobin levels. Paired samples were available from 144 and 160 patients randomized to momelotinib and ruxolitinib. With momelotinib and ruxolitinib, transfusion independence was achieved by 87% and 44% of patients with BMF improvement of ≥1 grade and 76% and 56% of those with stable/worsening BMF; there was no association between BMF changes and transfusion independence for either arm (momelotinib, p = .350; ruxolitinib, p = .096). Regardless of BMF changes, hemoglobin levels also generally increased on momelotinib but decreased on ruxolitinib. In addition, no associations between BMF changes and spleen (momelotinib, p = .126; ruxolitinib, p = .407)/symptom (momelotinib, p = .617; ruxolitinib, p = .833) outcomes were noted, and no improvement in overall survival was observed with ≥1‐grade BMF improvement (momelotinib, p = .395; ruxolitinib, p = .407). These data suggest that the anemia benefit of momelotinib is not linked to BMF changes, and question the use of BMF assessment as a surrogate marker for clinical benefit with JAK inhibitors.