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Migratory fishes with periodic life history strategies are sensitive to river regulation. Populations of these fishes may persist in highly regulated rivers by using tributaries that provide access to intermittently connected spawning and early life stage habitat in floodplains. We analyzed system hydrology and associated movement of a long-lived periodic strategist, the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), in the Brazos River, Texas. We hypothesized that (1) flow regulation on the mainstem has resulted in the reduction of flood pulses, but tributaries have been less altered and (2) alligator gar migrate into tributaries during high flows and temperatures. Our analysis revealed that flood pulses were reduced in the mainstem but not in an adjacent, less regulated tributary where floodplain-inundating pulses now outnumber those in the mainstem. Using data from tagged fish, we derived statistical models predicting greater occurrence of alligator gar in tributaries when water temperature exceeded 25 [degrees]C and mainstem discharge exceeded 400 cubic meters per second. These results emphasize that movement into less regulated tributaries can mitigate impacts of river regulation on mainstem river populations of alligator gar. Key words: flow regime, movement ecology, periodic life history, river network, telemetry, Introduction Humans rely on rivers for water supplies, transportation, power generation, and fisheries (Karr and Chu 2000; Grill et al. 2019). Consequently, nearly all the world's rivers have been modified, [...]

This article re-contextualises applied drama practice in the wake of COVID-19, with a particular focus on cognitive diversity. From an inclusive perspective, it asks how encouraging self-expression helps to diversify the still often one-dimensional perception of people with learning disabilities in media reports. It thereby continues an on-going argument around empowered representation within disability drama and culture. The article traces arts practice that engaged a group of women with learning disabilities in reflections about the lockdown 2020. The practice section of the article documents three concrete examples from a workshop series with the members of Powerhouse, a group of women with learning disabilities from the East of London.

Metacognitive monitoring is a significant predictor of academic achievement and is assumed to be related to language competencies. Hence, it may explain academic performance differences between native and non-native speaking students. We compared metacognitive monitoring (in terms of resolution) between native and non-native speaking fourth graders (~ 10 year olds) in two studies. In Study 1, we matched 30 native and 30 non-native speakers and assessed their monitoring in the context of a paired-associates task, including a recognition test and confidence judgements. Study 1 revealed that recognition and monitoring did not differ between native and non-native speaking children. In Study 2, we matched 36 native and 36 non-native speakers and assessed their monitoring with the same paired-associates task. Additionally, we included a text comprehension task with open-ended questions and confidence judgments. We replicated the findings of Study 1, suggesting that recognition and monitoring do not necessarily differ between native and non-native speakers. However, native speaking students answered more open-ended questions correctly than non-native speaking students did. Nevertheless, the two groups did not differ in monitoring their answers to open-ended questions. Our results indicate that native and non-native speaking children may monitor their metacognitive resolution equally, independent of task performance and characteristics. In conclusion, metacognitive monitoring deficits may not be the primary source of the academic performance differences between native and non-native speaking students.

Laser-sheet compressed ultrafast photography (LS-CUP) is the world’s fastest (> 1010 fps) real-time planar imaging camera for nanosecond laser-particle dynamics and temperature studies in flames.

Abstract Background Molecular testing can detect actionable genomic alterations and tumor cell surface proteins in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, utilization remains suboptimal, representing missed treatment opportunities. This study aimed to identify challenges and potential solutions to obtaining percutaneous lung needle biopsy specimens for successful molecular testing in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods This interdisciplinary qualitative study included ten radiologists and four pathologists from academic and community settings across the United States who routinely perform and analyze percutaneous lung needle biopsies. Participants underwent semi-structured one-on-one interviews (Phase 1). Interview questionnaires were constructed based on a literature review of key lines of inquiry and conducted by professional market researchers using the theoretical domains framework. Primary barriers to molecular testing were identified using thematic analysis. Subsequently, multidisciplinary focus groups were convened to identify potential solutions (Phase 2). Results Four themes emerged as barriers to molecular testing and were matched to the clinical workflow: (1) biopsy request, (2) biopsy procedure, (3) specimen analysis, and (4) communication. The nineteen potential solutions included adding a “checkbox” to indicate molecular testing in the biopsy request, leveraging pre-procedural imaging to guide biopsies, conserving tissue through appropriate allocation strategies and next generation sequencing panels instead of sequential single-gene assays, instituting reflex-molecular testing upon NSCLC diagnosis, tracking and communicating biopsy outcomes at multidisciplinary tumor boards, and improving integration of radiologists and pathologists into oncology care teams. Conclusions Potential solutions exist to increase successful molecular testing of lung needle biopsy specimens in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Abstract Background Primary viral myocarditis associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov2) infection is a rare diagnosis. Case presentation We report the case of an unvaccinated, healthy patient with cardiogenic shock in the context of a COVID-19-associated myocarditis and therapy with simultaneous veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and percutaneous left ventricular decompression therapy with an Impella. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of therapeutic options for patients with COVID-19-associated myocarditis. Conclusions The majority of patients required a combination of two assist devices to achieve sufficient cardiac output until recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction. Due to the rapid onset of this fulminant cardiogenic shock immediate invasive bridging therapy in a specialized center was lifesaving.

Pectobacterium carotovorum is an important plant pathogen responsible for the destruction of crops through bacterial soft rot, which is modulated by oxygen (O2) concentration. A soluble globin coupled sensor protein, Pcc DgcO (also referred to as PccGCS) is one way through which P. carotovorum senses oxygen. DgcO contains a diguanylate cyclase output domain producing c-di-GMP. Synthesis of the bacterial second messenger c-di-GMP is increased upon oxygen binding to the sensory globin domain. This work seeks to understand regulation of function by DgcO at the transcript level. RNA sequencing and differential expression analysis revealed that the deletion of DgcO only affects transcript levels in cells grown under aerobic conditions. Differential expression analysis showed that DgcO deletion alters transcript levels for metal transporters. These results, followed by inductively coupled plasma—mass spectrometry showing decreased concentrations of six biologically relevant metals upon DgcO deletion, provide evidence that a globin coupled sensor can affect cellular metal content. These findings improve the understanding of the transcript level control of O2-dependent phenotypes in an important phytopathogen and establish a basis for further studies on c-di-GMP-dependent functions in P. carotovorum.

Basic behaviors, such as swallowing, speech, and emotional expressions are the result of a highly coordinated interplay between multiple muscles of the head. Control mechanisms of such highly tuned movements remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the neural components responsible for motor control of the facial, masticatory, and tongue muscles in humans using specific molecular markers (ChAT, MBP, NF, TH). Our findings showed that a higher number of motor axonal population is responsible for facial expressions and tongue movements, compared to muscles in the upper extremity. Sensory axons appear to be responsible for neural feedback from cutaneous mechanoreceptors to control the movement of facial muscles and the tongue. The newly discovered sympathetic axonal population in the facial nerve is hypothesized to be responsible for involuntary control of the muscle tone. These findings shed light on the pivotal role of high efferent input and rich somatosensory feedback in neuromuscular control of finely adjusted cranial systems.

Polymer matrices have limited abilities to dissociate lithium salts and transport ions, thus making most solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have extremely low ionic conductivities (10−7–10−5 S/cm) at 25 ℃. In this work, a high-energy electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation is applied to a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] SPE to improve the ionic conductivity. P(VDF-TrFE) easily shows pure all-trans (TTTT) conformation with all fluorine atoms located on one side of the carbon chain to provide an ion transport highway. E-beam irradiation keeps large amounts of TTTT conformation of P(VDF-TrFE) and produces –CF3 side groups, where the latter expands the interchain distance to split the large ferroelectric domains into nanosize to induce a unique relaxor ferroelectric behavior. This enhances the dielectric constant of the irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) from 15 to 20 and thus facilitates lithium salt dissociation. As a consequence, the ionic conductivity of the irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) SPE is increased from 5.8 × 10−5 to 1.6 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 ℃. The solid-state Li//Li symmetrical cell cycles for more than 3000 h at 25 ℃ without a short circuit. Furthermore, the solid-state LFP//Li cell cycles stably for more than 350 cycles with a capacity retention of around 91.3% at 1 C and 25 ℃. This study paves a new way to prepare high-performance SPEs by inducing high dielectric constants and abundant TTTT conformations through e-beam irradiation.