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We describe a nearly complete skull and mandible of a subadult of Euclastes wielandi, a pan-cheloniid turtle recently recovered at the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park at Rowan University in Mantua Township, New Jersey, which yields new information about the osteology, ontogeny, and intraspecific variation of this taxon. The specimen was collected from the earliest Danian Main Fossiliferous Layer (MFL) of the Hornerstown Formation. Although discovered immediately adjacent to remains of two pleurodires, Taphrosphys sulcatus and Bothremys sp., the skull and mandible can be definitively assigned to Pan-Cheloniidae based on its V-shaped basisphenoid and rod-like rostrum basisphenoidale. Among three pan-cheloniid taxa known from the MFL, the specimen is assigned to Eu. wielandi based on its low skull with dorsally-directed orbits, symphyseal swelling in the mandibular triturating surface, and high dorsum sellae. Comparisons with other specimens of Eu. wielandi and adults and juveniles of other pan-cheloniids revealed variations in the type and timing of cranial ontogenetic changes in the clade, as well as anatomical traits subject to intraspecific variation, such as the depth of the sella turcica, paths of the foramina nervi hypoglossi, and development of a precolumellar fossa. The relative contribution of the frontal to the orbital margin and precise path of the prefrontal-supraorbital scale sulcus are subject to individual variation in Eu. wielandi, as well as ontogenetic variation and bilateral asymmetry in other cryptodirans, signifying that the widespread use of frontal retraction in taxon diagnoses and as a phylogenetic character should be reconsidered. As in multiple other taxa, the mandibular triturating surface expands through growth in Eu. wielandi, demonstrating that increased durophagy with age was a common life strategy among Cryptodira.

The growing use of photosynthetic microorganisms for food and food-related applications is driving related biotechnology research forward. Increasing consumer acceptance, high sustainability, demand of eco-friendly sources for food, and considerable global economic concern are among the main factors to enhance the focus on the novel foods. In the cases of not toxic strains, photosynthetic microorganisms not only provide a source of sustainable nutrients but are also potentially healthy. Several published studies showed that microalgae are sources of accessible protein and fatty acids. More than 400 manuscripts were published per year in the last 4 years. Furthermore, industrial approaches utilizing these microorganisms are resulting in new jobs and services. This is in line with the global strategy for bioeconomy that aims to support sustainable development of bio-based sectors. Despite the recognized potential of the microalgal biomass value chain, significant knowledge gaps still exist especially regarding their optimized production and utilization. This review highlights the potential of microalgae and cyanobacteria for food and food-related applications as well as their market size. The chosen topics also include advanced production as mixed microbial communities, production of high-value biomolecules, photoproduction of terpenoid flavoring compounds, their utilization for sustainable agriculture, application as source of nutrients in space, and a comparison with heterotrophic microorganisms like yeast to better evaluate their advantages over existing nutrient sources. This comprehensive assessment should stimulate further interest in this highly relevant research topic.

Here, we have explored the involvement of innate lymphoid cells-type 1 (ILC1) in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA), because we found them to be significantly increased around lesional and non-lesional HFs of AA patients. To further explore these unexpected findings, we first co-cultured autologous circulating ILC1-like cells (ILC1lc) with healthy, but stressed, organ-cultured human scalp hair follicles (HFs). ILClc induced all hallmarks of AA ex vivo: they significantly promoted premature, apoptosis-driven HF regression (catagen), HF cytotoxicity/dystrophy, and most important for AA pathogenesis, the collapse of the HFs physiological immune privilege. NKG2D-blocking or IFNγ-neutralizing antibodies antagonized this. In vivo, intradermal injection of autologous activated, NKG2D+/IFNγ-secreting ILC1lc into healthy human scalp skin xenotransplanted onto SCID/beige mice sufficed to rapidly induce characteristic AA lesions. This provides the first evidence that ILC1lc, which are positive for the ILC1 phenotype and negative for the classical NK markers, suffice to induce AA in previously healthy human HFs ex vivo and in vivo, and further questions the conventional wisdom that AA is always an autoantigen-dependent, CD8 +T cell-driven autoimmune disease.

Introduction Approximately 10%–15% of acute strokes are spontaneous, nontraumatic intraparenchymal cerebral hemorrhage (IPH). Hypertension (HTN), amyloid angiopathy, or impaired coagulation cause most spontaneous IPHs, in which case the CTA is unlikely to identify an underlying vascular lesion. Prior investigators have identified clinical and non‐contrast CT (NCCT) features that increase the likelihood of identifying a vascular etiology for an IPH, including younger age (< 40–50), absence of hypertension, and presence of subarachnoid (SAH) or intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Findings from earlier studies of patients with IPH suggested that older age, HTN, together with certain locations (basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and pons) could reliably exclude IPH patients with underlying lesions. We aimed to assess the yield of CTA, a costly study with risks of radiation, contrast induced renal injury and death, in identifying vascular lesions in this group. Methods This retrospective study involved reviewing medical records of all patients admitted to Carilion RMH hospital for brain hemorrhage during the period 2008–2020, inclusive. Patients were considered if they were over 50 year of age, had HTN (and/or left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiograms or echocardiograpy) and IPH in the thalamus, basal ganglia, cerebellum or pons. Patients with SAH, lobar IPH, traumatic IPH, pure IVH, and patients with known vascular lesions were excluded. Imaging of all patients was reviewed with attention to finding CTAs showing vascular lesions that might have caused of the recent symptomatic IPH (arteriovenous malformations, aneurysms, venous anomalies and dural venous sinus thrombosis). Small saccular aneurysms at remote sites were not considered relevant, nor were intra‐ or extracranial stenoses. Results A total of (446) charts were reviewed, of which 143 met the inclusion criteria (94 males and 49 females). Family history was positive for cerebral aneurysm in one patient and Alzheimer’s with brain hemorrhage in another. Twenty‐six patients were on anticoagulation: 10 on NOAC, 14 on Warfarin (INR was < 2 in 8, 2–3 in 5, and >3 in only one patient). One was on subcutaneous heparin (PTT was 53). No other patient had major coagulation abnormalities; only 5 patients had platelets count < 100K, the lowest was 62K. CTA was negative for underlying vascular lesion at the site of bleeding in all 143 patients, confidence interval 2.6% using Confidence intervals for proportions, using Wilson’s method for proportions. Conclusions In patients over 50 year of age with evidence of hypertension, and ICH in the basal ganglia, thalamus, brain stem and cerebellum; the diagnostic yield of CTA is negligible. Performing this study routinely in the evaluation of these patient increases health care costs, and exposes patients to the risks of unnecessary radiation, contrast induced kidney injury and death. We recommend against the routine use of CTA in patients meeting the above criteria.

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a triad of motor, cognitive and psychological symptoms, leading to a gradual breakdown of communication skills. Few studies have investigated how people affected by HD and their professional caregivers, for example, medical doctors, physiotherapists and nurses, experience the patients' gradual loss of speech and language. Aims: To examine communication-related experiences of patients and professional caregivers. Experiences with speech therapy and the use of augmentative and alternative communication aids (AAC) were also investigated. Methods & Procedures: Seven individuals with HD and seven professional caregivers were interviewed individually, using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts were analysed using a conventional content analysis, and the results presented in three main categories. Outcomes & Results: Most individuals with HD were aware of having communication difficulties, struggling with understanding others as well as being understood. This was confirmed by professional caregivers, who also raised ethical issues encountered when patients struggled with communication. Both groups talked about external factors (such as noise or crowded social settings) as disrupting communication, and shared recommendations on how people in general, and speech and language therapists (SLTs) in particular, could optimize communication. Very few patients had received information about communication aids, and none was using AACs. Professional caregivers underlined the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations, including SLTs, in order to optimize care. Conclusions & Implications: Findings shed a light on everyday communication challenges faced by people with HD and their professional caregivers, and the lack of implementation of communication aids in this group. The dramatic impact of HD on patients' communication skills underscores the need to include SLTs in the follow-up of this patient group, ideally from the early stages of the disease, while the patient is still capable of voicing his/her own wishes and thoughts. Future research that explores how to optimize communication and implement the use of AACs for individuals with HD is needed.

The Poigny borehole near Provins (Seine-et-Marne) provides the most complete single pristine section through the Upper Cretaceous Chalk of the Paris Basin. A well preserved and diverse palynoflora including 236 species and subspecies of organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) is documented from the borehole, together with a high-resolution carbon-isotope curve (${\delta }^{13}$C$_{\mathrm{carb}}$) for the Coniacian–Campanian interval. Integration of the palynological and ${\delta }^{13}$C$_{\mathrm{carb}}$ data provides a basis for a chemostratigraphic and biostratigraphic correlation to England and Germany. Carbon isotope events (CIEs) are used to refine the placement of sub-stage boundaries in the core, and to calibrate and correlate distinctive palynological events with those from other European sections. Thirty-three palynological events in the upper Coniacian–Campanian, judged to be of biostratigraphic significance, are described. Palynological assemblages, the peridinioid/gonyaulacoid (P/G) dinocyst ratio and clay mineralogy are compared to depositional sequences and implicate sea-level as a major driver of palaeoenvironmental change.

Abstract In laboratory animal facilities, it is a common code of practice to house female mice in groups. However, some experimental conditions require to house them individually, even though social isolation may impair their well-being. Therefore, we introduced a separated pair housing system and investigated whether it can refine single housing of adult female C57BL/6JRj mice. Individually ventilated cages (IVC) were divided by perforated transparent walls to separate two mice within a cage. The cage divider allowed visual, acoustic, and olfactory contact between the mice but prevented interindividual body-contact or food sharing. Short- and long-term effects of the separated pair housing system on the well-being of the mice were compared with single and group housing using a range of behavioral and physiological parameters: Nest building behavior was assessed based on the complexity of nests, the burrowing performance was measured by the amount of food pellets removed from a bottle, and trait anxiety-related behavior was tested in the free exploratory paradigm. For the evaluation of the ease of handling, interaction with the experimenter's hand was monitored. Social interaction with unknown conspecifics and locomotor activity were investigated in a test arena. Moreover, body weight and stress hormone (metabolites) were measured in feces and hair. After the mice spent a day under the respective housing conditions, concentrations of fecal corticosterone metabolites were higher in separated pair-housed mice, and they built nests of a higher complexity when compared to single-housed mice. The latter effect was still observable eight weeks later. In week 8, separated pair-housed mice showed less locomotor activity in the social interaction arena compared to mice from the other housing systems, i.e., single and group housing. Regardless of the time of testing, pair housing improved the burrowing performance. Separated pair-housed mice were more difficult to catch than group-housed mice. Hair corticosterone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations changed with increasing age independently of the housing system. There were no effects of the housing systems on trait anxiety-related behavior in the free exploratory paradigm, voluntary interaction with the experimenter’s hand, and body weight. Overall, the transfer to the separated pair housing system caused short-term stress responses in female C57BL/6JRj mice. Long-term effects of separated pair housing were ambiguous. On one hand, separated pair housing increased nesting and burrowing behavior and may therefore be beneficial compared to single housing. But on the other hand, locomotor activity decreased. The study underlined that the effects of the housing conditions on physiological and behavioral parameters should be considered when analyzing and reporting animal experiments.

Plain language summary SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, has evolved into different variants, virus lineages with a slightly different genetic material. Here, we evaluated the introductions of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in a Brazilian city with the third-highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of São Paulo. Our analyses revealed several SARS-CoV-2 lineages first detected in the city, but after the introduction of the Gamma lineage, the majority of them were replaced by this variant that became the most common. At the same time, there was an increase in the number of infections, severe disease cases, and deaths, mainly in individuals under 70 years old, the age group that was not fully vaccinated at the time. Our findings further support the evidence that vaccination effectively decreases SARS-CoV-2 spread and transmission.

Large wildfires influence regional atmospheric composition, but chemical complexity challenges model predictions of downwind impacts. Here, we elucidate key connections within gas-phase photochemistry and assess novel chemical processes via a case study of the 2013 California Rim Fire plume. Airborne in situ observations, acquired during the NASA Studies of Emissions, Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) mission, illustrate the evolution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxidants, and reactive nitrogen over 12 h of atmospheric aging. Measurements show rapid formation of ozone and peroxyacyl nitrates (PNs), sustained peroxide production, and prolonged enhancements in oxygenated VOCs and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Observations and Lagrangian trajectories constrain a 0-D puff model that approximates plume photochemical history and provides a framework for evaluating process interactions. Simulations examine the effects of (1) previously unmeasured reactive VOCs identified in recent laboratory studies and (2) emissions and secondary production of nitrous acid (HONO). Inclusion of estimated unmeasured VOCs leads to a 250 % increase in OH reactivity and a 70 % increase in radical production via oxygenated VOC photolysis. HONO amplifies radical cycling and serves as a downwind NOx source, although impacts depend on how HONO is introduced. The addition of initial HONO (representing primary emissions) or particulate nitrate photolysis amplifies ozone production, while heterogeneous conversion of NO2 suppresses ozone formation. Analysis of radical initiation rates suggests that oxygenated VOC photolysis is a major radical source, exceeding HONO photolysis when averaged over the first 2 h of aging. Ozone production chemistry transitions from VOC sensitive to NOx sensitive within the first hour of plume aging, with both peroxide and organic nitrate formation contributing significantly to radical termination. To simulate smoke plume chemistry accurately, models should simultaneously account for the full reactive VOC pool and all relevant oxidant sources.

In wildlife populations, parasites often go unnoticed, as infected animals appear asymptomatic. However, these infections can subtly alter behaviour. Field evidence of how these subclinical infections induce changes in movement behaviour is scarce in free-ranging animals, yet it may be crucial for zoonotic disease surveillance. We used an ultra-high-resolution tracking system (ATLAS) to monitor the movements of 60 free-ranging swallows every 8 seconds across four breeding seasons, resulting in over 1 million localizations. About 40% of these swallows were naturally infected with haemosporidian parasites. Here, we show that infected individuals had reduced foraging ranges, foraged in lower quality habitats, and faced a lowered survival probability, with an average reduction of 7.4%, albeit with some variation between species and years. This study highlights the impact of subclinical infections on movement behaviour and survival, emphasizing the importance of considering infection status in movement ecology. Our findings provide insights into individual variations in behaviour and previously unobservable local parasite transmission dynamics. Subclinical infections in wild swallows reduce foraging ranges, alter habitat use, and decrease survival rates. A study using ultra-high-resolution tracking reveals overlooked impacts of infection on movement behaviour and links them to demography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of mobile applications helps improving self-management in adolescents with asthma. However, no evidence is available for children with preschool wheezing. In addition, we have no data on the reliability of medical history collected at visits. The first aim was to assess the feasibility of a smartphone app in the management of preschool wheezing; secondly we aimed to evaluate the reliability of anamnestic data collected during face-to-face medical interviews. Methods: Children with recurrent wheezing, age between 25 and 72 months, were randomly assigned to the intervention group, provided with a smartphone app for symptoms monitoring and asthma attack treatment, or to the control group, with a written action plan. At follow-up medical history was collected and the asthma control test and a clinical questionnaire were completed. App acceptability was also explored. Respiratory symptoms, medication and utilization of healthcare resources were collected. Plus, medical information obtained from the paper questionnaires was compared with data daily recorded by the app. Results: We enrolled 85 preschool children with recurrent wheezing: 43 assigned to the intervention and 42 to the control group. The average (SD) adherence to e-Diary compilation was 60 (15)%. The acceptance and usability of the intervention was favorable as 70% and 93% of participants in the intervention arm described the app as ''simple and intuitive" at Visit1 (after 3 months from enrollement) and Visit2 (3 months later than Visit1), respectively and 95% and 98% found it useful in symptoms management. There were no significant differences between the two groups in clinical outcomes. At Visit1, the cACT median score (IQR) was 23,5 (21–25) for the control group (42 patients) and 23 (21–24) for the intervention group (43 patients). At Visit2 (41 controls and 42 in the intervention group) it was 25 (24–25) and 24 (24–25), respectively. Secondary analysis of data from the intervention group showed higher incidence of daily symptoms recorded by the app in comparison with the paper questionnaire, suggesting that collection of retrospective medical history may not be completely reliable. Conclusions: The smartphone app is usable and acceptable by families of preschool wheezers. Future controlled trial are needed to prove an impact on clinical outcomes or its efficacy in a telemedicine program. Finally a daily questionnaire could provide physicians with a more reliable clinical picture as reflected better daily asthma symptoms than the written retrospective questionnaire filled at clinical visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The twin-roll casting (TRC) of light metal alloys, in particular aluminium and magnesium alloys, represents a promising technology for the production of lightweight components thanks to its short process chain and promising combinations of properties. In the production of strip products, TRC is susceptible to a number of defects due to the coupled process steps of casting and forming, which prevent its use for more complex alloy combinations in the field. In this review, the defects in TRC of light metal alloys will be summarized and discussed. In addition to a basic classification of the defect types and definition of these, the formation mechanisms and avoidance strategies will be discussed. Special focus is placed on centreline segregation defects and surface bleeds, which occur in a large number of investigations in the literature. Effective avoidance strategies are defect-specific, but are mostly due to the combination of the plant design of the TRC process, the TRC parameters or the use of alloying elements to influence the solidification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the growing interest in lightweight constructions, the continuous casting of nonferrous metals is continuously developing as a result of the cost-effectiveness of this process, which combines several stages of sheet production. Unfortunately, because of the characteristics of the process, the parameters in the roll gap, such as, for example, pressure and temperature, are unknown, significantly affects the understanding of the phenomena occurring in the material during rolling. Therefore, at IMF Freiberg, a sensor consisting of a piezo sensor and two thermocouples measuring the temperature at two different heights was mounted on the surface of the roll, making it possible to control the process parameters live during the TRC trial. The measurements were further supported by a digital twin in the form of a layer model, combining a viscous and solid region for each layer in a single tool. The computations in this tool are performed offline and the computation time is in the order of seconds, thus much less than that of the finite element method. Because the layer model measures the temperature of the magnesium strip, FEM simulations were used to validate measurements from thermocouples. Experimental results have been obtained that allow for a direct correlation between the development of the pressure and temperature and the length of the fully solidified LD part in the roll gap zone, which correlates directly with the effective total equivalent strain. Using the sensor and layer model, it is possible to train a digital twin that can be used for online estimation of the final strip properties obtained in the TRC process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Produce Safety Alliance was founded to provide standardized training on the Produce Safety Rule. An assessment of knowledge gained from Produce Safety Alliance grower trainings was conducted to identify topics needing additional educational support for the Washington State produce industry. Knowledge gain was assessed through a 25-question pretest (n = 152) and posttest (n = 138) conducted at 10 trainings in 2022. Overall, a significant 15.6% (four-point) improvement in knowledge was observed from the pre- to posttest. Module-specific changes varied from 1.4 to 22.3%. Despite significant knowledge gain, posttest correct response rates for the Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan modules were below 75%, highlighting the need for targeted resources. Knowledge changes for the 25 questions ranged from -2.7 to 49.6%, revealing that specific topics lack adequate understanding, despite satisfactory overall module knowledge. Recommendations include the development of tailored materials for the produce industry (e.g., fact sheets), as well as resources to help educators facilitate learning (e.g., hands-on activities). A thorough review of the pre- and posttests is crucial to ensure that the current assessment accurately gauges training effectiveness. Continuous assessment of food safety education programs is essential for guiding current and future educational initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Securing an accurate autism‐spectrum‐condition diagnosis, particularly among women, remains challenging for autistic adults. Building upon previous research highlighting the short‐story task (SST) as a promising tool for detecting fiction‐based mentalizing difficulties in autistic adults, this study expands its scope. We investigated the SST's discriminative capacity across three distinct groups: autistic individuals (n = 32), nonautistic individuals without mental health problems (n = 32), and nonautistic individuals with clinical depression (n = 30). All three groups differed significantly from each other in their SST mentalizing score with the nonautistic group having the highest scores, the nonautistic but depressed group having medium scores and the autistic group showing the lowest scores. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis reaffirmed the SST's efficacy as a discriminator. Moreover, a linear regression analysis identified the SST mentalizing score, the SST comprehension score, and the number of books read per month as significant predictors of autism‐spectrum‐condition diagnosis. These findings bolster the SST's potential as a valuable adjunct in autism diagnostics, highlighting its discriminatory ability across diverse samples. Lay Summary: Finding out if someone is autistic, especially if they are a woman, can be really difficult. A new test called the short‐story task seems to be a new promising diagnostic tool. The short‐story task looks at how well people understand the thoughts and feelings of nonautistic people within a story, and it seems to be good at telling the difference between autistic and nonautistic people. In our study, we looked at three groups of people: those who are autistic, those who are not autistic and without mental health problems, and those who are not autistic but suffer from depression. We found that the short‐story task was good at figuring out who was autistic, who was not and who had depression. We also found that how well someone did on the test, and how many books they read each month were all linked to whether they were autistic. This means that the short‐story task could be a useful tool for autism diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In classical radar imaging, such as in Earth remote sensing, electromagnetic waves are usually assumed to propagate in free space. However, in numerous applications, such as ground penetrating radar or non-destructive testing, this assumption no longer holds. When there is a multi-material background, the subsurface image reconstruction becomes considerably more complex. Imaging can be performed in the spatial domain or, equivalently, in the wavenumber domain (k-space). In subsurface imaging, to date, objects with a non-planar surface are commonly reconstructed in the spatial domain, by the Backprojection algorithm combined with ray tracing, which is computationally demanding. On the other hand, objects with a planar surface can be reconstructed more efficiently in k-space. However, many non-planar surfaces are partly planar. Therefore, in this paper, a novel concept is introduced that makes use of the efficient k-space-based reconstruction algorithms for partly planar scenarios, too. The proposed algorithm forms an image from superposing sub-images where as many image parts as possible are reconstructed in the wavenumber domain, and only as many as necessary are reconstructed in the spatial domain. For this, a segmentation scheme is developed to determine which parts of the image volume can be reconstructed in the wavenumber domain. The novel concept is verified by measurements, both from monostatic synthetic aperture radar data and multiple-input–multiple-output radar data. It is shown that the computational efficiency for imaging irregularly shaped geometries can be significantly augmented when applying the proposed concept.

Phospholipids (PLs) are widely used in the pharma industry and a better understanding of their behavior under different conditions is helpful for applications such as their use as medical transporters. The transition temperature Tm affects the lipid conformation and the interfacial tension between perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (PFP) and an aqueous suspension of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), as well as a mixture of these PLs with cholesterol. Interfacial tensions were measured with the Du Noüy ring at quasi-equilibrium; the area per molecule was calculated according to the Gibbsian approach and a time-dependent tension gradient. Results show that the time tε to reach quasi-equilibrium was shorter when the temperature was above Tm, indicating a faster adsorption process (tε,DPPC,36 °C = 48 h, tε,DPPC,48 °C = 24 h) for PL in the liquid crystalline state than in the gel state (T < Tm). In addition, concentration-dependent results of the interfacial tension revealed that above the respective Tm and at all concentrations c > 0.1 mM, the average minimum interfacial tension for DPPC and DSPC (14.1 mN/m and 15.3 mN/m) does not differ significantly between those two lipids. Equilibrium between monolayers and bilayers shows that for T < Tm, surface pressures ∏ ≈ 31 mN/m are reached while for T > Tm, ∏ ≈ 41 mN/m. Mixtures with cholesterol only reach ∏ ≤ 31 mN/m Tm, with no significant difference between the two PLs. The higher interfacial tension of the mixture indicates stabilization of the liposomal conformation in the aqueous phase by the addition of cholesterol. The high diffusion coefficients show that adsorption is mainly based on liposomes.