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Community and campus partners can benefit from place-based community engagement to enact a commitment to racial equity and community-driven decision-making. Racial equity is paramount in place-based community engagement. However, very little attention has been given to how whiteness in the ideological foundations of higher education shapes the work lives of professionals, faculty, and the collaborations they form to address community issues. Thus, the purpose of this case study is to foreground some paradoxes of whiteness-at-work (Yoon, 2012) in an informal place-based community engagement collaboration between the Center for Public Life at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa and members of the historic Greenwood community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We take a reflexive stance (Ozias & Pasque, 2019), examining our own experience to explore how Yoon's (2012) concept of whiteness-at-work serves as a tool for advancing the racial equity agenda of place-based community engagement. We conclude that whiteness-at-work provides a useful lens through which to begin explicitly surfacing ways in which place-based community engagement can reify and perpetuate white hegemony. This approach also provides a starting point for racial "justice-in-the-doing," the internal, interpersonal, and institutional work to disrupt hegemonic whiteness" (Yoon, 2022), in place-based community engagement that may move us further toward garnering the racial equity to which we aspire.

This study compared parenting across four non-Western cultures to test cross-cultural commonality and specificity principles in three aspects: measurement properties, parenting normativeness, and their associations with child outcomes. Both mothers and fathers (N = 1509 dyads) with preschool-aged children (M = 5.00 years; 48% girls) from urban areas of four countries (Malaysia, N = 372; China, N = 441; Turkey, N = 402; and Japan, N = 294) reported on four parenting constructs (authoritative, authoritarian, group harmony socialization, and intrusive control) and their sub-dimensions using modified culturally relevant measures. Teachers reported on children's internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behaviors. The commonality principle was supported by two sets of findings: (1) full measurement invariance was established for most parenting constructs and sub-dimensions, except that intrusive control only reached partial scalar invariance, and (2) no variations were found in associations between parenting and any child outcomes across cultures or parent gender at the construct level for all four parenting constructs and at the sub-dimensional level for authoritarian and intrusive control sub-dimensions. The specificity principle was supported by the other two sets of findings: (1) cross-cultural differences in parenting normativeness did not follow the pattern of economic development but yielded culture-specific patterns, and (2) at the sub-dimensional level, the authoritative parenting and group harmony socialization sub-dimensions were differently associated with child outcomes across cultures and/or parent gender. The findings suggested that examining specific dimensions rather than broad parenting constructs is necessary to reflect cultural specificities and nuances. Our study provided a culturally-invariant instrument and a three-step guide for future parenting research to examine cross-cultural commonalities/specificities.

The southwestern portions of the United States experience dust events frequently due to arid and semi-arid environments and close proximity to multiple deserts. On 26 February 2023, a dust event was initiated in New Mexico due to strong winds aloft mixing down to the surface. The dust intensified as it moved eastward into West Texas and developed into a dust storm (visibility km) for multiple locations. This study examined the meteorological characteristics of this dust storm using 28 meteorological stations and examined the impacts on PM2.5 and/or PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter and 10 µm) concentrations using 19 air quality stations. The dust event lasted up to ∼16 h; dust storm conditions lasted from 5 to 120 min. The highest wind speed and wind gust recorded during the dust episode were 27 and 37 m s−1, respectively. This dust had a strong impact on the air quality in the area, as very high PM values were recorded across the region, and nine of the PM stations exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) daily threshold. The maximum hourly PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations recorded were 518 and 9983 µg m−3, respectively. These concentrations at the peak of the dust were an order of magnitude higher than the minimum hourly PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations recorded on the dust day. The highest hourly PM10–PM2.5 concentration recorded was 760 ± 1000 µg m−3, while the lowest hourly PM2.5 / PM10 concentration measured was 0.05 ± 0.01.

Abstract Background To identify and to summarize challenges related to the informed consent process for research completed during humanitarian emergencies. Methods Using relevant search terms, a search of 5 databases was completed, without language, date, or study type restriction. Studies were screened for inclusion, with eligible studies being those that were relevant to the informed consent process for research studies completed in humanitarian emergencies. A Grounded Theory Analysis was completed to identify themes and subthemes. Results Review identified 30 relevant studies. We identified 11 challenges (lack of trust, therapeutic misconception, reduced capacity, security and privacy concerns, harmful research, power differential, literacy, language/local and cultural context, researcher burden and re-evaluation of ongoing trials) and 7 strategies (engage local research communities, use alternative to standard written consent process, modify traditional process of research ethics board review, dynamic consent, training of research staff, mandating transparency of commercial interests, and mandating reporting of informed consent process in all publications) to confront the challenges. These challenges and strategies were unique to the informed consent process in research conducted during humanitarian emergencies. Conclusions This scoping review identified an evidence-based guide for researchers and research ethics boards to perform ethical informed consent procedures in humanitarian emergencies. Trial Registration This trial was not registered as scoping reviews can not be registered as per updated PROSPERO guidelines.

Abstract The third trimester of human gestation is characterised by rapid increases in brain volume and cortical surface area. Recent studies have revealed a remarkable molecular diversity across the prenatal cortex but little is known about how this diversity translates into the differential rates of cortical expansion observed during gestation. We present a digital resource, μBrain, to facilitate knowledge translation between molecular and anatomical descriptions of the prenatal brain. Using μBrain, we evaluate the molecular signatures of preferentially-expanded cortical regions, quantified in utero using magnetic resonance imaging. Our findings demonstrate a spatial coupling between areal differences in the timing of neurogenesis and rates of neocortical expansion during gestation. We identify genes, upregulated from mid-gestation, that are highly expressed in rapidly expanding neocortex and implicated in genetic disorders with cognitive sequelae. The μBrain atlas provides a tool to comprehensively map early brain development across domains, model systems and resolution scales.

Abstract Background Cluster headache (CH) is a significant health concern due to its major socioeconomic consequences and most patients being refractory to conventional strategies. For treatment resistant CH, occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) is considered an effective treatment option. Whereas most patients do not adjust the amplitude of the ONS system, a subset changes the amplitude on a regular basis using their remote control, and are therefore referred to as ‘voltage tuners’. Anxiety and self-control are thought to be central themes to this behavior. Research on this voltage tuning behavior could provide new insights in the use of ONS as acute attack treatment. To date, voltage tuning has not been assessed for CH. Hence this is a unique study aiming to investigate the occurrence and efficacy of voltage tuning in patients with CH and ONS. Methods For this analysis, patients with CH who received ONS from 2020–2024, at our university medical center, were included. All patients underwent bilateral ONS implantation. Data on attack frequency, intensity and duration were collected retrospectively. Outcomes on the response, frequency, moment during the day, duration, rationale, sensation, average increase in amplitude, and efficacy of voltage tuning were collected with prospective interviews. Results Thirty-three patients (M = 20) (42 ± 12.7 years) were included in the current analysis. At 1y follow-up, an overall response rate of 70% (23/33) was found for ONS. In total, 48% (18/33) of patients were defined as voltage tuners. Voltage tuning was performed with an average increase in amplitude of 92 (20–360)%, a frequency of 1–20 times/month and duration of 20 minutes-48 hours. Sensations of voltage tuning were described as “tingling” and/or “pinching”. The rationale for voltage tuning in patients varied from prevention and ceasing to lowering the intensity and enhance control of CH attack. Conclusions Outcomes show that voltage tuning may cease and/or terminate CH attacks and therefore raise interests in the use of ONS as acute attack treatment for patients with resistant CH treated with ONS. Future research on the occurrence and potential of voltage tuning will provide valuable insights for achieving optimal efficacy of ONS and quality of life in patients with CH.

Surface organometallic chemistry has developed as an effective strategy for the rational design and synthesis of well-defined, single-site Pt-based heterogeneous catalysts. Given its high sensitivity to changes in electronic structure, 195Pt solid-state NMR spectroscopy offers a unique approach to investigate the chemical structure and local environment of Pt surface sites, providing invaluable insights for establishing structure-activity relationships. However, this approach is typically hindered by severe sensitivity issues, due to the low loading of Pt sites and the often-encountered large 195Pt chemical shift anisotropies. To overcome this limitation, 195Pt NMR signature of surface metal centers can be indirectly detected through protons. Indirect detection on 13C spins, has also been demonstrated to be feasible by combining isotopic labeling with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). Here, we extend this methodology to a supported Pt complex at natural abundance. The material was prepared by grafting (COD)PtMeOSi(OtBu)3 (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, Me = methyl and tBu = tert‑butyl) onto partially dehydroxylated silica. DNP enhanced two-dimensional through-bond 13C{195Pt} heteronuclear correlation experiments were successfully implemented at fast magic angle spinning. They enabled the detection of the 0.37 % NMR-responsive surface species, thereby showcasing the remarkable sensitivity of this approach and its broad applicability. Key bonding information was obtained by measuring the correlated 13C and 195Pt isotopic chemical shifts as well as 1J(13C-195Pt) coupling constants, confirming directly the coordination structure of the surface Pt sites.

Mesoscale organization of marine convective clouds into linear or clustered states is prevalent across the tropical and subtropical oceans, and its investigation served as a guiding focus for a series of process study flights conducted as part of the Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) during summer 2020, 2021, and 2022. These select ACTIVATE flights involved a novel strategy for coordinating two aircraft, with respective remote sensing and in situ sampling payloads, to probe regions of organized shallow convection for several hours. The main purpose of this measurement report is to summarize the aircraft sampling approach, describe the characteristics and evolution of the cases, and provide an overview of the datasets that can serve as a starting point for more detailed modeling and analysis studies. Six flights are described, involving a total of 80 dropsonde profiles that capture the environment surrounding clustered shallow convection. The flights include detailed observations of the vertical structure of cloud systems, comprising up to 20 in situ sampling levels. Four cases involved deepening convection rooted in the marine boundary layer that developed vertically to 2–5 km with varying precipitation amounts, while two cases captured more complex and developed cumulus congestus systems extending above 5 km. In addition to the thermodynamic and dynamic characterization afforded by dropsonde and in situ measurements, the datasets include cloud and aerosol microphysics, trace gas concentrations, aerosol and droplet composition, and cloud and aerosol remote sensing from high-spectral-resolution lidar and polarimetry.

Summary: The hippocampus and medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) form a cognitive map that facilitates spatial navigation. As part of this map, MEC grid cells fire in a repeating hexagonal pattern across an environment. This grid pattern relies on inputs from the medial septum (MS). The MS, and specifically GABAergic neurons, are essential for theta rhythm oscillations in the entorhinal-hippocampal network; however, the role of this population in grid cell function is unclear. To investigate this, we use optogenetics to inhibit MS-GABAergic neurons and observe that MS-GABAergic inhibition disrupts grid cell spatial periodicity. Grid cell spatial periodicity is disrupted during both optogenetic inhibition periods and short inter-stimulus intervals. In contrast, longer inter-stimulus intervals allow for the recovery of grid cell spatial firing. In addition, grid cell phase precession is also disrupted. These findings highlight the critical role of MS-GABAergic neurons in maintaining grid cell spatial and temporal coding in the MEC.

Abstract Membrane-enclosed organelles are defining features of eukaryotes in distinguishing these organisms from prokaryotes. Specification of distinct membranes is critical to assemble and maintain discrete compartments. Small GTPases and their regulators are the signaling molecules that drive membrane-modifying machineries to the desired location. These signaling molecules include Rab and Rag GTPases, roadblock and longin domain proteins, and TRAPPC3-like proteins. Here, we take a structural approach to assess the relatedness of these eukaryotic-like proteins in Asgard archaea, the closest known prokaryotic relatives to eukaryotes. We find that the Asgard archaea GTPase core domains closely resemble eukaryotic Rabs and Rags. Asgard archaea roadblock, longin and TRAPPC3 domain-containing proteins form dimers similar to those found in the eukaryotic TRAPP and Ragulator complexes. We conclude that the emergence of these protein architectures predated eukaryogenesis, however further adaptations occurred in proto-eukaryotes to allow these proteins to regulate distinct internal membranes.

Abstract High levels of proinflammatory cytokines induce neurotoxicity and catalyze inflammation-driven neurodegeneration, but the specific release mechanisms from microglia remain elusive. Here we show that secretory autophagy (SA), a non-lytic modality of autophagy for secretion of vesicular cargo, regulates neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegeneration via SKA2 and FKBP5 signaling. SKA2 inhibits SA-dependent IL-1β release by counteracting FKBP5 function. Hippocampal Ska2 knockdown in male mice hyperactivates SA resulting in neuroinflammation, subsequent neurodegeneration and complete hippocampal atrophy within six weeks. The hyperactivation of SA increases IL-1β release, contributing to an inflammatory feed-forward vicious cycle including NLRP3-inflammasome activation and Gasdermin D-mediated neurotoxicity, which ultimately drives neurodegeneration. Results from protein expression and co-immunoprecipitation analyses of male and female postmortem human brains demonstrate that SA is hyperactivated in Alzheimer’s disease. Overall, our findings suggest that SKA2-regulated, hyperactive SA facilitates neuroinflammation and is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, providing mechanistic insight into the biology of neuroinflammation.

IntroductionA growing body of literature is investigating the difficulties that some individuals encounter after psychedelic experiences. Existing research has explored the nature and predictors of these difficulties; however, a research gap exists in understanding how individuals endeavour to cope with such difficulties.MethodsThe current study collected data from an international cohort of 608 participants who reported experiencing difficulties that persisted for at least one day after a psychedelic experience. They provided written data on how they used coping strategies to alleviate these difficulties. The qualitative analysis of the written data on coping was conducted using Structured Tabular Thematic Analysis.ResultsA wide range of individual and social coping strategies were employed that were found helpful. The most common individual strategies were meditation and prayer, followed by self-educational activities such as reading and journaling. The most prevalent forms of social coping involved seeking support from friends or family members, followed by obtaining assistance from a therapist or coach. Features of social coping that were reported to be helpful included feeling heard/accepted, a non-judgemental attitude and sharing similar experiences.DiscussionOur findings hold potential for informing the design of therapeutic interventions and educational resources aimed at enhancing positive outcomes for those experiencing extended difficulties after psychedelic use.

The formation of amyloid filaments through templated seeding is believed to underlie the propagation of pathology in most human neurodegenerative diseases. A widely used model system to study this process is to seed amyloid filament formation in cultured cells using human brain extracts. Here, we report the electron cryo‐microscopy structures of tau filaments from undifferentiated seeded SH‐SY5Y cells that transiently expressed N‐terminally HA‐tagged 1N3R or 1N4R human tau, using brain extracts from individuals with Alzheimer's disease or corticobasal degeneration. Although the resulting filament structures differed from those of the brain seeds, some degrees of structural templating were observed. Studying templated seeding in cultured cells, and determining the structures of the resulting filaments, can thus provide insights into the cellular aspects underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

PurposeSleep in the hospital setting is understudied, with limited literature describing measurement of sleep quality. This study among older inpatients in an acute-care hospital describes sleep characteristics both objectively and subjectively, and explores the associations of sleep with hospital outcomes.Materials and methodsOlder patients (n = 112) at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital were enrolled from January 2016 to November 2017. Sleep prior to admission was measured subjectively [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], while sleep during hospitalization was measured subjectively (sleep diaries) and objectively (actigraphy, averaged over all nights). Outcomes measured included change in cognition during the hospital stay (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment), length of stay (LOS), discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), and re-admittance to a hospital within 30 days of discharge.ResultsThe participants were on average 68.7 ± 6.5 years old, predominately white (77%) and 55% women. Average PSQI was high (9.1 ± 4.2) indicating poor sleep quality prior to admission. Actigraphy was well-tolerated, with most (89%) having complete data. Sleep during the hospital stay was disturbed, with low levels of total sleep time (5.6 ± 2.0 h) and high levels of fragmentation (sleep efficiency 68.4 ± 15.0%). Sleep interruption was reported on 71% of sleep diaries, with the most common reasons being due to medical care [measurement of vitals (23%), staff interruptions (22%), blood draws (21%)]. Those with lower sleep efficiency had more cognitive decline upon discharge. Although underpowered, there was a suggestion of an association with poor sleep and the likelihood of being discharged to a SNF. Those with worse self-reported sleep quality (PSQI) prior to admission had a slightly longer LOS. No associations were seen with sleep quality and likelihood of readmission.ConclusionsCollection of objective and subjective sleep measures was feasible among hospitalized older adults. Disrupted sleep was common, and was potentially related to poor hospital outcomes. Our next steps will be to leverage these results to design and implement an intervention to improve sleep in hospitalized adults.

ABSTRACTA key challenge for mitigating poaching within protected areas is to understand the geospatial data that are collected by practitioners in protected areas and to characterize the ability to synthesize those data with landscape-level data to form a holistic picture of the movement patterns of humans and animals. Literature reviewed from the past 15 years on geospatial data collected by practitioners to mitigate wildlife poaching reveals a gap in our knowledge on how protected area practitioners make sense of geospatial data that are collected within protected areas. Geospatial data collected within protected areas provide an understanding of movement patterns of humans and animals, which can provide insight on best practices for poaching mitigation, to include where to emplace new geospatial sensors. We classify these data as device-based and human-generated, and their potential to provide geospatially referenced information that forms patterns of poaching activity. This article examines two primary types of geospatial data collected in protected areas, highlights the challenges associated with this data, and discusses knowledge gaps regarding how protected areas make sense of spatial data. We conclude with recommendations for future research on characterizing how geospatial data is represented in protected areas, and filling knowledge gaps on how protected area personnel use those data.

Abstract This paper presents simulation and measurement results of a 2–4 GHz octave bandwidth interference suppression circuit. The circuit accomplishes the function of a tunable frequency notch through an interferometer architecture. The relative delay in the interferometer paths is varied with GaN monolithic microwave integrated circuit tunable delay lines. The delay is adjusted by varying the drain voltage of cold‐FET connected high electron mobility transistors acting as varactors. Two types of periodically‐loaded delay lines are compared: a uniform and a tapered design. A simple theoretical study, relating the delays and amplitudes in the interferometer circuit branches, is developed to inform the design. Two interference suppression hybrid circuits are implemented, and measurements demonstrate a 25–40 dB notch across the 2.24–4 GHz range for the uniform delay line, and 2.32–4.13 GHz for the tapered design. The return loss for both designs remains below 10 dB. Measurements with two tones spaced 0.5 and 1 GHz for varying tone power are performed to quantify suppression. The circuit can handle an input power of 37 dBm and maintains performance with two simultaneous 25 dBm tones spaced 0.5 GHz apart. Linearity is characterised with 10 MHz two‐tone measurements, and the circuit demonstrates a 3rd‐order intercept input power larger than 30 dBm for control biases above −12 V.

Objectives This study explored cancer pain management practices and clinical care pathways used by healthcare professionals (HCPs) to understand the barriers and facilitators for standardised pain management in oncology outpatient services (OS).Design Data were collected using semistructured interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting Three NHS trusts with oncology OS in Northern England.Participants Twenty HCPs with varied roles (eg, oncologist and nurse) and experiences (eg, registrar and consultant) from different cancer site clinics (eg, breast and lung). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results HCPs discussed cancer pain management practices during consultation and supporting continuity of care beyond consultation. Key findings included : (1) HCPs’ level of clinical experience influenced pain assessments; (2) remote consulting impeded experienced HCPs to do detailed pain assessments; (3) diffusion of HCP responsibility to manage cancer pain; (4) nurses facilitated pain management support with patients and (5) continuity of care for pain management was constrained by the integration of multidisciplinary teams.Conclusions These data demonstrate HCP cancer pain management practices varied and were unstructured. Recommendations are made for a standardised cancer pain management intervention: (1) detailed evaluation of pain with a tailored self-management strategy; (2) implementation of a structured pain assessment that supports remote consultations, (3) pain assessment tool that can support both experienced and less experienced clinicians. These findings will inform the development of a cancer pain management tool to integrate within routine oncology OS.

Abstract Background Acoustic telemetry allows detailed observations of the movement behaviour of many species and as tags get smaller, smaller organisms may be tagged. The number of studies using acoustic telemetry to evaluate marine invertebrate movement is growing, but novel attachment methods include unknowns about the effects of tagging procedures on individual survival and behaviour. This study compared methods of tag attachment on green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) to determine the feasibility of using acoustic transmitters to track echinoid movement. Four tagging methods were compared in the lab and tag retention, urchin condition, and survival analysed. Two tagging methods (Dyneema® fishing line and T-bar tags) were evaluated in the field using an existing acoustic telemetry array. Urchins were tagged and the study area revisited one week and 2 months post-release by scuba divers to estimate movement and tag retention. Results The best methods in the lab, with high tag retention, survival, and minimal effects on urchin condition, were fishing line methods. T-bar tags, although showing high tag retention, caused significant mortality and had deleterious long-term effects on urchin condition and behaviour. After 2 months in the field, as in the lab, fishing line was a more effective tagging method. Urchins tagged with fishing line showed increased estimates of space occupancy compared to T-bar-tagged urchins and a single fishing-line tagged individual was found by divers in good health after 80 days. Combined, these laboratory and field results demonstrate the feasibility of using acoustic telemetry to observe urchin movement. Conclusions Results strongly suggest that surgical attachment methods that minimize injuries at the attachment site should be prioritized for echinoid tagging studies. Together, lab and field tests indicate that acoustic telemetry is a promising method to examine marine echinoid movement over ecologically relevant spatial and temporal scales.

Microwave heating of waste results in chemical breakdown that can lead to conversion of mixed waste materials to fuel. Heating waste mixtures with microwave energy rather than incineration results in faster breakdown and can therefore be more efficient. Here we address heating of small volumes of mixed food waste materials with widely differing and temperature-dependent electrical properties. Uniform heating is accomplished with mode mixing within a loaded cavity and by spatial power combining of solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs). We present a heating comparison of two circuit-combined and spatially-combined 2.45 GHz 70-W 65% efficient GaN SSPAs with controlled relative phase. The heating efficacy is shown to improve by volumetric combining inside the waste loading. The temperature changes in several locations and for several common waste materials and mixtures are investigated and compared to FEM electromagnetic simulations, as well as FDTD multi-physics simulations that incorporate thermal dependence of material properties. The approach is scalable in volume and power, demonstrated by a simulation comparison of the 1.4 L small cavity to a 5.2 L volume.

Objective To describe people with gout who were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and hospitalized and to characterize their outcomes. Methods Data on patients with gout hospitalized for COVID‐19 between March 12, 2020, and October 25, 2021, were extracted from the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographics, comorbidities, medication exposures, and COVID‐19 outcomes including oxygenation or ventilation support and death. Results One hundred sixty‐three patients with gout who developed COVID‐19 and were hospitalized were included. The mean age was 63 years, and 85% were male. The majority of the group lived in the Western Pacific Region (35%) and North America (18%). Nearly half (46%) had two or more comorbidities, with hypertension (56%), cardiovascular disease (28%), diabetes mellitus (26%), chronic kidney disease (25%), and obesity (23%) being the most common. Glucocorticoids and colchicine were used pre‐COVID‐19 in 11% and 12% of the cohort, respectively. Over two thirds (68%) of the cohort required supplemental oxygen or ventilatory support during hospitalization. COVID‐19‐related death was reported in 16% of the overall cohort, with 73% of deaths documented in people with two or more comorbidities. Conclusion This cohort of people with gout and COVID‐19 who were hospitalized had high frequencies of ventilatory support and death. This suggests that patients with gout who were hospitalized for COVID‐19 may be at risk of poor outcomes, perhaps related to known risk factors for poor outcomes, such as age and presence of comorbidity.

Abstract Marginal lands are an untapped source of agricultural potential, particularly regarding high‐yielding, low‐input bioenergy crops like Miscanthus × giganteus (Miscanthus). Miscanthus is of specific interest because it can be productive and sequester carbon in soil even under the stressful conditions present on some degraded lands. A key component of these abilities is the interaction of Miscanthus with its soil and root microbiome. Microbial functions depend on the nutrient status of soil, and hence are sensitive to fertilization regimes. Nevertheless, little is known about how fertilization strategies affect the partnership of Miscanthus with its microbial associates. Here, we tested the individual and interactive effects of nutrient addition and bioaugmentation (i.e., the addition of microbial communities) on Miscanthus performance and microbiome function in marginal soil. We found that the effect of nutrient addition on Miscanthus biomass yield depended on nutrient addition type (i.e., organic or inorganic nutrients) and whether bioaugmentation was also applied. Some microbial functions, like free‐living nitrogen fixation and carbon use efficiency, were sensitive to nutrient addition depending on whether bioaugmentation was also applied. On the other hand, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization of roots decreased with fertilization regardless of bioaugmentation. These results imply that managing microbial communities may regulate the effect of nutrient addition on plant–microbe interactions that in part determine system productivity and environmental impact.

Abstract Relationships between obesity and outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are complex. Previous work suggested obesity, occurring alongside PAH, may be associated with better survival. In our work, we suggest obesity prior to PAH development is associated with worse survival. This may add a novel temporal element to the “obesity‐paradox.”

Human milk provides bioactive compounds such as milk fat globules (MFGs), which promote brain development, modulate the immune system, and hold antimicrobial properties. To ensure microbiological safety, donor milk banks apply heat treatments. This study compares the effects of heat treatments and homogenization on MFG’s physicochemical properties, bioactivity, and bioavailability. Vat pasteurization (Vat-PT), retort (RTR), and ultra-high temperature (UHT) were performed with or without homogenization. UHT, RTR, and homogenization increased the colloidal dispersion of globules, as indicated by increased zeta potential. The RTR treatment completely inactivated xanthine oxidase activity (a marker of MFG bioactivity), whereas UHT reduced its activity by 93%. Interestingly, Vat-PT resulted in less damage, with 28% activity retention. Sialic acid, an important compound for brain health, was unaffected by processing. Importantly, homogenization increased the in vitro lipolysis of MFG, suggesting that this treatment could increase the digestibility of MFG. In terms of color, homogenization led to higher L* values, indicating increased whiteness due to finer dispersion of the fat and casein micelles (and thus greater light scattering), whereas UHT and RTR increased b* values associated with Maillard reactions. This study highlights the nuanced effects of processing conditions on MFG properties, emphasizing the retention of native characteristics in Vat-PT-treated human milk.

Abstract Objectives There is scant research about laboratory monitoring in people taking conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) for rheumatic disease. Our objective was to conduct a scoping study to assess the range of current attitudes and the variation in practice of laboratory monitoring of csDMARDs by rheumatologists and trainees. Methods Australian and overseas rheumatologists or trainees were invited through newsletter, Twitter and personal e-mail, to complete an anonymous online survey between 1 February and 22 March 2021. Questions focused on laboratory tests requested by csDMARD prescribed, frequency/pattern of monitoring, influence of additional factors and combination therapy, actions in response to abnormal tests, and attitudes to monitoring frequencies. Results were presented descriptively and analysed using linear and logistic regression. Results There were 221 valid responses. Most respondents were from Australia (n = 53, 35%) followed by the US (n = 39, 26%), with a slight preponderance of women (n = 84, 56%), ≥ 11 years in rheumatology practice (n = 83, 56%) and in mostly public practice (n = 79, 53%). Respondents had a wide variation in the frequency and scheduling of tests. In general, respondents reported increasing monitoring frequency if patients had numerous comorbidities or if both methotrexate and leflunomide were being taken concurrently. There was a wide variety of responses to abnormal monitoring results and 27 (40%) considered that in general, monitoring tests are performed too frequently. Conclusions The results demonstrated a wide variation in the frequency of testing, factors that should influence this, and what responses to abnormal test results are appropriate, indicates a likely lack of evidence and the need to define the risks, benefits and costs of different csDMARD monitoring regimens.

Objective Some patients with rheumatic diseases might be at higher risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We aimed to develop a prediction model for COVID‐19 ARDS in this population and to create a simple risk score calculator for use in clinical settings. Methods Data were derived from the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry from March 24, 2020, to May 12, 2021. Seven machine learning classifiers were trained on ARDS outcomes using 83 variables obtained at COVID‐19 diagnosis. Predictive performance was assessed in a US test set and was validated in patients from four countries with independent registries using area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. A simple risk score calculator was developed using a regression model incorporating the most influential predictors from the best performing classifier. Results The study included 8633 patients from 74 countries, of whom 523 (6%) had ARDS. Gradient boosting had the highest mean AUC (0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67‐0.88) and was considered the top performing classifier. Ten predictors were identified as key risk factors and were included in a regression model. The regression model that predicted ARDS with 71% (95% CI: 61%‐83%) sensitivity in the test set, and with sensitivities ranging from 61% to 80% in countries with independent registries, was used to develop the risk score calculator. Conclusion We were able to predict ARDS with good sensitivity using information readily available at COVID‐19 diagnosis. The proposed risk score calculator has the potential to guide risk stratification for treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, that have potential to reduce COVID‐19 disease progression.

Cloud processing is known to generate aerosol species such as sulfate and secondary organic aerosol, yet there is a scarcity of airborne data to examine this issue. The NASA Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) was designed to build an unprecedented dataset relevant to aerosol–cloud interactions with two coordinated aircraft over the northwestern Atlantic, with aerosol mass spectrometer data used from four deployments between 2020–2021 to contrast aerosol composition below, in (using a counterflow virtual impactor) and above boundary layer clouds. Consistent features in all time periods of the deployments (January–March, May–June, August–September) include the mass fraction of organics and relative amount of oxygenated organics (m/z 44) relative to total organics (f44) increasing in droplet residuals relative to below and above cloud. Detailed analysis comparing data below and in cloud suggests a possible role for in-cloud aqueous processing in explaining such results; an intriguing aspect though requiring more attention is that only approximately a quarter of the cloud cases (29 of 110) showed higher organic mass fractions either below or above cloud. Of those 29 cases, the majority (25) showed higher organic mass fraction below cloud base where the cloud processing signature is presumably more evident as compared to above cloud. These results are consistent with the few past studies analyzing droplet residuals pointing to higher organic enrichment than in adjacent cloud-free areas. The data findings are important as other datasets (e.g., reanalysis) suggest that sulfate is both more abundant than organics (in contrast to this work) and more closely related to drop number concentrations in the winter when aerosol–cloud interactions are strongest. Here we show that organics are more abundant than sulfate in the droplet residuals and that aerosol interaction with clouds potentially decreases particle hygroscopicity due to the increase in organic:sulfate ratio for droplet residuals relative to surrounding cloud-free air. These results are important in light of the growing importance of organics over the northwestern Atlantic in recent decades relative to sulfate owing to the success of regulatory activity over the eastern United States to cut sulfur dioxide emissions.

Standards serve a valuable function that enable efficiencies, technological advancement, and commerce. To date, there is little examination of the problems with standards, their implementations, and methodologies that could be introduced to improve utility and utilization. This is contrasted against the large inventory of standards that exist, and proliferation of standards. More available literature exists on standards wars that focus on attempts at market dominance, persistence of ‘legacy’ standards in light of newer and ‘better’ solutions, cases for and against multiple standards, and even legal cases regarding anti-competitive behavior leveraging dominance in particular standards. This, however, focuses more on the politics as opposed to presenting a more fundamental examination of the cause for the existing friction. Through applied linguistics, it becomes more apparent that differences in language, using Communities of Practice as a guide, can provide a dimension to standards development and implementation. Friction in standards arises when standards are viewed as broad and universally applicable versus being the expression of a specific Community of Practice, and therefore should be specifically and formally scoped using linguistic methods.

Objective Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) are an effective treatment for non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA). To be eligible, however, many authorities require patients with nr‐axSpA to show active sacroiliitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or an elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, possibly resulting in a perception that patients with nr‐axSpA without both factors have only low responses to TNFi treatment. We evaluated clinical responses to certolizumab pegol (CZP) in patients with nr‐axSpA stratified by baseline MRI/CRP status. Methods C‐axSpAnd was a phase 3, multicenter study on CZP in adult patients with active nr‐axSpA and objective signs of inflammation. This analysis assessed efficacy of CZP over the 52‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled period in patients stratified into subgroups based on the presence of active sacroiliitis on MRI and CRP level at baseline. Results CZP‐treated patients across all MRI/CRP subgroups achieved clinical responses greater than placebo. Across outcome measures, CZP‐treated MRI+/CRP+ patients demonstrated the greatest clinical responses, but substantial improvements were also observed in CZP‐treated MRI+/CRP− and MRI−/CRP+ patients. Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score Major Improvement response rates at week 52 among CZP‐treated patients (75.6% MRI+/CRP+; 47.5% MRI−/CRP+; and 29.7% MRI+/CRP−) were higher than rates in placebo groups (range: 3.9%‐12.5%). Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society 40% response, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and Bath Ankylosing Spondyloarthritis Functional Index had similar response patterns, although differences between the CZP‐treated MRI/CRP subgroups were smaller. Clinical responses among CZP‐treated patients were also observed in additional subgroups, including those with low Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada MRI sacroiliac joint inflammation scores and those with normal baseline CRP levels. Conclusion Our findings indicate that CZP treatment benefits patients with nr‐axSpA across MRI+/CRP+, MRI−/CRP+, and MRI+/CRP− subgroups.

Objective The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), has been variable. Here, we assess disease activity and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) through the pandemic in patients with AS. Methods In the open‐label extension (OLE) of the phase 2b BE AGILE study, patients with AS received 160 mg of subcutaneous bimekizumab every 4 weeks. We assessed Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C‐reactive protein (ASDAS‐CRP), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) scores in the OLE immediately before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic (September 2019 to April 2021). Results A total of 232 patients remained in the BE AGILE OLE and were included in this post hoc study at the start of the analysis period (September 1, 2019); 12 patients had a COVID‐19 treatment‐emergent adverse event, and no cases resulted in death. The number of missed bimekizumab doses due to COVID‐19 (11 doses) was minimal, and missed assessments remained low (≤5%) compared with the prepandemic period. Mean ASDAS‐CRP (1.8), BASDAI (2.4), and ASQoL scores (2.8) in the OLE were low at pre‐pandemic baseline and remained stable at 1.7 to 1.8, 2.2 to 2.4, and 2.0 to 2.8, respectively, across successive 3‐month periods immediately before and during the pandemic. ASDAS‐CRP, BASDAI, and ASQoL stability was consistent across major study countries. Conclusion Disease activity and HRQoL remained stable during the COVID‐19 pandemic in patients with AS receiving bimekizumab in the BE AGILE OLE, with no indication of negative effects on these outcomes.

Calcium-regulated actin filament assembly predates eukaryogenesis and was present in the last common ancestor of Asgard archaea Loki, Heim, and Thorarchaeota.

An ongoing question in understanding the evolution of the Himalayan-Tibetan orogeny is how much of the observed upper crustal shortening and crustal thickness is related to the Cenozoic collision between India and Asia vs earlier tectonic events along the southern margin of Asia. While the Pamir Mountains located at the western end of the orogen have been proposed to have experienced significant Cenozoic shortening, recent studies have interpreted upper crustal shortening to be primarily mid- to Late Cretaceous. To further understand the timing of upper crustal deformation in the Pamir, we investigated synorogenic clastic deposits within the footwall of the north-dipping Tanymas thrust fault along the suture between the Northern and Central Pamir terranes. Sandstones from these deposits were analyzed by detrital zircon U-Pb, zircon fission track, and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar analyses to assess the age and source of the detritus. Results show the deposits were sourced from the Northern Pamir (hanging wall of the Tanymas thrust) and provide an Early Cretaceous maximum deposition age of ∼130–120 Ma, interpreted to constrain their age and date motion on the Tanymas thrust fault as Early Cretaceous. Our results, integrated with previous studies, show Cretaceous deformation in the Pamir began in the Northern Pamir (∼140–110 Ma) before sweeping into the Southern Pamir in the mid- to Late Cretaceous (∼110–75 Ma). These results are consistent with previous interpretations of an Early Cretaceous phase of shallow- or flat-slab northward subduction followed by slab rollback and southward migration of deformation and magmatism in the mid- Cretaceous.