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We study the temporal variability of the wintertime Labrador Sea ice area. The driving factors of these intraseasonal and interannual variations are related to large scale atmospheric variability and cyclone variability both of which can be characterized by the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index. We observe negative trends in the maximum sea-ice area over the past 40 years, and a positive correlation between the AO index and Labrador Sea ice area. Using satellite-derived daily ice area along with reanalysis-derived cyclones, turbulent flux, wind, humidity, air and sea temperature fields, we delve into the physical coupling mechanisms by which cyclones influence the position of the ice edge in the Labrador Sea throughout the winter.

We successfully synthesized a novel hydrogel based on derivatives of natural α-amino acids: ornithine and cystine. To make ornithine attachable to the polymer chain, the δ-amino group was modified with an acryloyl group and the main monomer was obtained. From cystine, the cross-linker

A survey of epiphytic bryophytes and a study of microclimatic variation within a tree crown were conducted in lower montane rainforest at 2400 m in the Peruvian Yungas. A total of 129 species (87 hepatics, 1 hornwort and 41 mosses) were collected on 3 trees, using different methodologies. A single Weinmannia sp. host supported 110 species (77 hepatics, 1 hornwort and 32 mosses). Species with a wide distribution on the hosts made up 47% of the epiphytic assemblage, 22% were limited to the trunks and 31% occurred only in the crowns. The overall hepatic to moss ratio was 2.15:1. Mosses exhibited a narrower distributional range than hepatics. The greatest species richness and abundance was found on the large branches in the mid-crown. Species found in the mid-crown generally had a broader distribution on hosts than those found on the lower trunk or the outer crown. Classification and ordination analyses of the species and environmental data indicated the presence of 4 communities: an outer crown, a mid to mid-outer crown, an upper trunk and a lower trunk community. Species distribution on hosts in the present study appeared to be influenced by the intensity of radiation, particularly diffuse radiation, and relative humidity related to a moisture availability gradient. Temperature appeared least important. Six species were selected as potential microclimate change indicators. Variation in temperature, relative humidity, visible sky fraction, leaf area index and radiation intensity were measured throughout a single canopy a co-dominant Weinmannia sp. The opposing gradients of temperature and relative humidity displayed similar fluctuation patterns as found in lowland rainforest, although the range of the gradients was smaller, possibly due to greater atmospheric mixing facilitated by the more permeable canopy at the montane rainforest study site. Microclimate stability decreased with distance above the ground. The lower trunk micro-habitat was the most humid, coolest and least illuminated. The highest temperature and lowest relative humidity were recorded in the mid-outer crown, closely followed by the most irradiated crown periphery. The above canopy temperature remained cooler during the day than the tree crown. The lowest mean hourly temperature was recorded in the mid-crown, induced by rapid radiative cooling in the evening. The air above the canopy was warmer at night than any micro-habitat on the tree host. The study found 27 bryophytes species (5 mosses, 22 hepatics) not previously recorded for Peru. Recommendations for methodology in future bryophyte surveys in Peruvian lower montane rainforest are presented. Future studies must parallel more concerted efforts to raise the awareness of the local population about the ecological importance of bryophytes, particularly in cloud forests. Resumen Un estudio de briofitas epifitas y de la variaci‚àö‚â•n microclim‚àö¬8tica dentro de la copa de un ‚àö¬8rbol fueron conducidos en los bosques mas bajos de monta‚àö¬±a a 2400 m. en las Yungas peruanas. Un total de 129 especies (87 hep‚àö¬8ticas, 1 antocerota y 41 musgos) fueron recolectadas en 3 ‚àö¬8rboles, usando diferentes metodolog‚àö‚â†as. En un solo Weinmannia sp. se encontr‚àö‚â• 110 especies (77 hep‚àö¬8ticas, 1 antocerota y 32 musgos). Especies con una amplia distribuci‚àö‚â•n en los ‚àö¬8rboles contribuyeron 47% de epifitas, 22% fueron limitados a los troncos y 31% ocurrieron solo en las copas. La totalidad de tasa de hep‚àö¬8ticas a musgos fue 2.15:1. Los musgos mostraron un rango de distribuci‚àö‚â•n mas estrecho que las hep‚àö¬8ticas. La m‚àö¬8s grande riqueza y abundancia de especies fue encontrada en las ramas grandes de la media copa. Las especies encontradas en la media copa generalmente tuvieron una distribuci‚àö‚â•n mas ancha en los ‚àö¬8rboles que aquellos encontrados en el tronco bajo o en la copa exterior. Los an‚àö¬8lisis de clasificaci‚àö‚â•n y ordenaci‚àö‚â•n de las especies y data de medio ambiente indicaron la presencia de 4 comunidades: Copa exterior, de media copa a media copa exterior, parte superior del tronco y la comunidad de la parte baja del tronco. La distribuci‚àö‚â•n en los ‚àö¬8rboles del presente estudio pareci‚àö‚â• ser influenciada por la intensidad de radiaci‚àö‚â•n, particularmente radiaci‚àö‚â•n difusa y relativa humedad relacionada a la escala de disponibilidad de agua. La temperatura pareci‚àö‚â• menos importante. Seis especies fueron seleccionadas como indicadores potenciales del cambio de microclima. La variaci‚àö‚â•n de la temperatura, humedad relativa, fracci‚àö‚â•n visible de cielo, ‚àö‚â†ndice de la ‚àö¬8rea foliar e intensidad de radiaci‚àö‚â•n fueron medidos en todas partes de un co-dominante Weinmannia sp. Las escalas opuestas de temperatura y humedad relativa mostraron similar fluctuaci‚àö‚â•n como los encontrados en Selva Baja; sin embargo, el rango de las escalas fue m‚àö¬8s peque‚àö¬±o, posiblemente a causa de mejor combinaci‚àö‚â•n atmosferica facilitada por el dosel m‚àö¬8s abierto en bosque de monta‚àö¬±a elegido para el presente estudio. La estabilidad microclim‚àö¬8tica disminuyo con la distancia del suelo. El micro h‚àö¬8bitat en la parte baja del tronco fue el m‚àö¬8s h‚àö‚à´medo, m‚àö¬8s fresco y menos iluminado. La temperatura m‚àö¬8s alta y humedad relativa mas baja fueron registradas en la media copa exterior, cercanamente seguido por la periferia de la copa mas irradiada. La temperatura sobre el dosel permaneci‚àö‚â• m‚àö¬8s fresco durante el d‚àö‚â†a que la misma copa del ‚àö¬8rbol. El promedio de horario de la temperatura mas bajo fue registrado en la media copa, causado por el r‚àö¬8pido enfriamiento radiativo en la noche. El aire sobre el dosel fue mas caliente en la noche como en cualquier micro-h‚àö¬8bitat en el ‚àö¬8rbol. En el estudio se encontr‚àö‚â• 27 especies de briofitas (5 musgos, 22 hep‚àö¬8ticas) que no eran citados en el Per‚àö‚à´. Las recomendaciones para metodolog‚àö‚â†a en estudios futuros de briofitas en los bosques de monta‚àö¬±a baja peruana, son incluidas en el presente informe. Futuros estudios deben suceder paralelos a los esfuerzos concertados para la concientizaci‚àö‚â•n de la poblaci‚àö‚â•n sobre la importancia ecol‚àö‚â•gica de las briofitas, particularmente en los bosques nublados.

Background To describe the psychosocial response of the infertile population whose care was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey was administered to 117 infertile patients at our center who had their infertility treatment delayed due to suspension of care at our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey consisted of 52-question multiple-choice questions including the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) instruments. Characteristics of respondents who "agreed" (strongly agree and agree) that "delaying treatment has permanently impacted my chances at future conception" were compared with participants who "disagreed" (neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree) using Fischer's exact test. Results In total, 79.5% agreed that delaying treatment has permanently impacted their chances at future conception. There were no discernible demographic differences between patients who "agreed" versus "disagreed" with the above statement. The mean LOT-R score was 14.1 (5.1) with an optimism score of 6.8 (2.6) and a pessimism score of 7.3 (2.9). The mean HADS depression score was 5.4 (3.4) with 28.2% reporting scores in the borderline-abnormal to abnormal range. The mean HADS anxiety score was 9.0 (3.9) with 64.6% reporting scores in the borderline-abnormal to abnormal range. Nearly one third of respondents (36.8%) reported wanting to "expedite/be more aggressive with treatment," whereas only 5.1% wanted to postpone treatment. Conclusions Women undergoing ART during the COVID-19 pandemic express significant concern and signs of distress about how delays in care affect their future reproductive potential.

Background Obstructed Mullerian anomalies in adolescents can be grouped into complete outflow obstruction or unilateral outflow obstruction. The challenge with unilateral obstructions is that diagnosis can be delayed for weeks to years, as menstruation occurs normally through the patent side and thus obstruction is often not initially considered in the differential diagnosis. Cases In this case series, we present 3 unusual and challenging cases of unilateral Mullerian obstructions in adolescent female patients, along with strategies for diagnosis and management. Each case involves a unique variation of a recognized Mullerian anomaly that was initially misdiagnosed, leading to a significant delay in definitive diagnosis and treatment. Summary and Conclusion These cases highlight that even among the well-described Mullerian anomalies, there can be unusual variations. Patients who do not respond to initial management or who develop new symptoms should be further evaluated to confirm the correct diagnosis Tools that may be helpful in making the correct diagnosis include imaging studies that use contrast dye to better delineate cavities and their connections, magnetic resonance imaging with a radiologist experienced in Mullerian anomalies, and an examination under anesthesia. A definitive diagnosis is critical to the successful management of these conditions, and individualized management plans are required for each patient depending on their specific anomaly and their preferences for treatment.

With the rise of efficient and highly effective embryo cryopreservation techniques, the modern in vitro fertilization laboratory has unintentionally become a long-term storage facility for embryos and gametes. One challenge posed by long-term storage is the issue of unclaimed, effectively abandoned, cryopreserved embryos whose owners cannot be identified or are unable to provide a dispositional decision. Given the nuanced nature of dealing with human tissue, no straightforward solutions for managing this novel scenario have prevailed. In this article, we discuss the problem faced by physicians, clinics, and patients alike when faced with unclaimed cryopreserved embryos. We also review strategies for proactive prevention and resolution of conflicts that may arise when making dispositional decisions.

STUDY QUESTION Do the length of follicular phase estradiol exposure and the total length of the follicular phase affect pregnancy and live birth outcomes in natural frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles? SUMMARY ANSWER An estradiol level >100 pg/ml for ≤4 days including the LH surge day is associated with worse pregnancy and live birth outcomes; however, the total length of the follicular phase is not associated with pregnancy and live birth outcomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY An estradiol level that increases above 100 pg/ml and continues to increase is indicative of the selection and development of a dominant follicle. In programmed FET cycles, a limited duration of follicular phase estradiol of STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This retrospective cohort study included infertile patients in an academic hospital setting who underwent their first natural frozen autologous Day-5 embryo transfer cycle in our IVF clinic between 01 January 2013 and 31 December 2018. Donor oocyte and gestational carrier cycles were excluded. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The primary outcomes of this study were pregnancy and live birth rates. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the cohorts’ median number of days from the estradiol level of >100 pg/ml before the LH surge: Group 1 (≤4 days; n = 1052 patients) and Group 2 (>4 days; n = 839 patients). Additionally, patients were stratified into two groups based on the cohorts’ median cycle day of LH surge: Group 1 (follicular length ≤15 days; n = 1287 patients) and Group 2 (follicular length >15 days; n = 1071 patients). A subgroup analysis of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) embryo transfer cycles was performed. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted a priori for patient age, number of embryos transferred, and use of PGT-A, was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In the length of elevated estradiol analysis, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was statistically significantly lower in patients with an elevated estradiol to surge of ≤4 days (65.6%) compared to patients with an elevated estradiol to surge of >4 days (70.9%; OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.06–1.58)). The live birth rate per embryo transfer was also statistically significantly lower in patients with an elevated estradiol to surge of ≤4 days (46.6%) compared to patients with an elevated estradiol to surge of >4 days (52.0%; OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.02–1.48)). In the follicular phase length analysis, the pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was similar between patients with a follicular length of ≤15 days (65.4%) and patients with a follicular length of >15 days (69.0%; OR 1.12 (95% CI 0.94–1.33)): the live birth rate was also similar between groups (45.5% vs 51.5%, respectively; OR 1.14 (95% CI 0.97–1.35)). In all analyses, once a pregnancy was achieved, the length of the follicular phase or the length of elevated oestradiol >100 pg/ml no longer affected the pregnancy outcomes. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The retrospective design of this study is subject to possible selection bias in regard to which patients at our clinic were recommended to undergo a natural FET compared to a fresh embryo transfer or programmed FET. To decrease the heterogeneity of our study population, we only included patients who had blastocyst embryo transfers; therefore, it is unknown whether similar results would be observed in patients with cleavage-stage embryo transfers. The retrospective nature of the study design did not allow randomized to a specific ovarian stimulation or ovulation trigger protocol. However, all patients were managed with the standardized protocols at a single center, which strengthens the external validity of our results when compared to a study that only evaluates one specific stimulation protocol. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our observations provide cycle-level characteristics that can be applied during a natural FET cycle to help optimize embryo transfer success rates. Physicians should consider the parameter of number of days that oestradiol is >100 pg/ml prior to the LH surge when determining whether to proceed with embryo transfer in a natural cycle. This cycle-specific characteristic may also help to provide an explanation for some failed transfer cycles. Importantly, our findings should not be used to determine whether to recommend a natural or a programmed FET cycle for a patient, but rather, to identify natural FET cycles that are not optimal to proceed with embryo transfer STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No financial support, funding, or services were obtained for this study. The authors do not report any potential conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.