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Abstract Established invasive species represent one of the most harmful and challenging threats to native biodiversity, necessitating methods for Early Detection and Rapid Response. Cryptic invasions are particularly challenging and often require expensive and time-consuming molecular surveys which limits their usefulness for management. We present a novel application of the Fluidigm SNP-Type Assay to identify rare non-native alleles that significantly reduces the cost and time to generate diagnostic results. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method using experimental Fluidigm pools (99% accuracy) and sequence data (96% accuracy). We apply our novel methodology to an endangered population of California tiger salamanders in Sonoma County where two individual non-native tiger salamander hybrids have previously been detected since 2008. We screened 5805 larvae in 387 sample-pools containing 15 larvae each. We did not detect any non-native hybrids in the population, a result that was verified with sequence data, though we strongly recommend additional years of sampling to confirm hybrid absence. Our success with a challenging, large-genome amphibian suggests this method may be applied to any system, and would be particularly useful when it is necessary for conservation practitioners to rapidly identify rare taxa or genes of interest.

Major explosive volcanic eruptions impact the climate by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere and through feedback mechanisms in the climate system. The extent of the impact depends on the magnitude (aerosol mass loading) and the number or frequency of such eruptions. Multiple Antarctica ice core records of past volcanic eruptions reveal that the number (5) of major eruptions (volcanic sulfate deposition flux greater than 10 kg km−2) was the highest in the 13th century over the last two millennia. Signals of four of the five eruptions are dated to the second half of the century, indicating consecutive major eruptions capable of causing sustained climate impact via known feedback processes. The fact that signals of four corresponding eruptions have been found in a Greenland ice core indicates that four of the five 13th century eruptions were probably by volcanoes in the low latitudes (between 20° N and 20° S) with substantial aerosol mass loading. These eruptions in the low latitudes likely exerted the strongest volcanic impact on climate in the last two millennia.

Hyperactive comet activity typically becomes evident beyond the frost line (∼3–4 au) where it becomes too cold for water-ice to sublimate. If carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO _2 ) are the species that drive activity at sufficiently large distances, then detailed studies on the production rates of these species are extremely valuable to examine the formation of the solar system because these two species (beyond water) are next culpable for driving cometary activity. The NEOWISE reactivated mission operates at two imaging bandpasses, W 1 and W 2 at 3.4 μ m and 4.6 μ m, respectively, with the W 2 channel being fully capable of detecting CO and CO _2 at 4.67 μ m and 4.23 μ m in the same bandpass. It is extremely difficult to study CO _2 from the ground due to contamination in Earth’s atmosphere. We present our W 1 and W 2 photometry, dust measurements, and findings for comets C/2014 B1 (Schwartz), C/2017 K2 (Pan-STARRS), and C/2010 U3 (Boattini), hereafter, B1, K2, and U3, respectively. Our results assess CO and CO _2 gas production rates observed by NEOWISE. We have determined: (1) comets B1 and K2 have CO _2 and CO gas production rates of ∼10 ^27 and ∼10 ^29 molecules s ^−1 , respectively, if one assumes the excess emission is attributed to either all CO or all CO _2; (2) B1 and K2 are considered hyperactive in that their measured Af ρ dust production values are on the order of ≳10 ^3 cm; and (3) the CO and CO _2 production rates do not always follow the expected convention of increasing with decreased heliocentric distance, while B1 and K2 exhibit noticeable dust activity on their inbound leg orbits.

Research on memory reconsolidation has relied heavily on the use of Pavlovian auditory cued-fear conditioning. Here, an auditory cue (CS) is paired with a footshock (US) and the CS is later able to evoke a freezing response when presented alone. Some treatments, when administered to conditioned subjects immediately following a CS-alone (memory reactivation) trial, can attenuate the freezing they display on subsequent CS-alone (test) trials, in the absence of the treatment. This reduction in conditioned freezing is usually taken as evidence that the treatment disrupts post-reactivation reconsolidation of the memory trace representing the pairing of CS and US. We suggest an alternative interpretation that may account, either in whole or in part, for the attenuated freezing. The standard reconsolidation protocol (SRP) for auditory fear-conditioning has a design feature that results in second-order conditioning of fear to the test context, as this context is paired with the fear-evoking CS on the reactivation trial. Since freezing during the CS on the test will reflect the compound influence of contextual-fear and cued-fear, a post-reactivation treatment might attenuate freezing on the test by disrupting consolidation of second-order contextual-fear conditioning, even if it has little or no effect on the stability of the original cued-fear memory. This experiment confirmed that rats tested according to the SRP, in which the reactivation and test trials occur in the same context, freeze more on the test trial than rats that receive the reactivation and test trials in different contexts. This confound could lead to false-positive evidence of disrupted reconsolidation if it is not avoided or minimized, which can be accomplished with a modified protocol.

For future sustainable management of fisheries, we anticipate deeper and more diverse information will be needed. Future needs include not only biological data, but also information that can only come from fishers, such as real-time ‘early warning’ indicators of changes at sea, socio-economic data and fishing strategies. The fishing industry, in our experience, shows clear willingness to voluntarily contribute data and experiential knowledge, but there is little evidence that current institutional frameworks for science and management are receptive and equipped to accommodate such contributions. Current approaches to producing knowledge in support of fisheries management need critical re-evaluation, including the contributions that industry can make. Using examples from well-developed advisory systems in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we investigate evidence for three interrelated issues inhibiting systematic integration of voluntary industry contributions to science: (1) concerns about data quality; (2) beliefs about limitations in useability of unique fishers’ knowledge; and (3) perceptions about the impact of industry contributions on the integrity of science. We show that whilst these issues are real, they can be addressed. Entrenching effective science-industry research collaboration (SIRC) calls for action in three specific areas; (i) a move towards alternative modes of knowledge production; (ii) establishing appropriate quality assurance frameworks; and (iii) transitioning to facilitating governance structures. Attention must also be paid to the science-policy-stakeholder interface. Better definition of industry’s role in contributing to science will improve credibility and legitimacy of the scientific process, and of resulting management.

Claudia SP Fernandez,1 Melissa A Green,2 Cheryl C Noble,3 Kathleen Brandert,4 Katherine Donnald,5 Madison R Walker,1 Ellison Henry,1 Angela Rosenberg,5 Gaurav Dave,2 Giselle Corbie-Smith2 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2Center for Health Equity Research, UNC School of Medicine Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 3Private Evaluation Consultancy, Scotts Valley, CA, USA; 4Office of Public Health Practice and Department of Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; 5Inside Out Enneagram Consulting, Pittsboro, NC, USACorrespondence: Claudia SP FernandezDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 426 Rosenau Hall, 134 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USATel +1 919-843-5560Fax +1-919-966-0458Email Claudia_Fernandez@unc.eduIntroduction: Since the inception of distance-based teaching modalities, a debate has ensued over the quality of online versus in-person instruction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of teaching environments—including leadership development trainings for post-graduate learners—have been thrust into exploring the virtual learning environment more thoroughly. One three-year leadership development program for interdisciplinary healthcare professionals transitioned three simultaneous leadership intensives from in-person to online in the spring of 2020.Methods: Documented changes in overall training length, session length, and session format are described. Further, evaluative data were collected from participants at both retreats via post-session surveys. Ninety-three participants attended the 2019 retreat, and 92 participants attended the 2020 virtual retreat. Quantitative data of three rating questions per session are reported: 1) overall session satisfaction, 2) participants’ reported knowledge gain, and 3) participants’ reported ability gain. Qualitative data were obtained via two open-ended feedback questions per session.Results: In comparing pre/post scores for knowledge and ability, participants had meaningful (and in some cases higher) self-reported gains in knowledge and ability measures in the online environment, as compared to the in-person environment. Participants reported statistically significant gains in all sessions for both knowledge and ability. Qualitative data of participant feedback identified a number of positive themes similar across the in-person and virtual settings. Negative or constructive feedback of the virtual setting included time constraint issues (eg too much content in one session, a desire for more sessions overall), technical difficulties, and the loss of social connection and networking with fellow participants as compared to in-person trainings.Discussion: While meaningful shifts in knowledge and ability ratings indicate that the transition to successful online learning is possible, several disadvantages remain. The preparation time for both faculty and participants was considerable, there is a need to reduce overall content in each session due to time restraints, and participants indicated feeling the loss of one-on-one connections with their peers in the training. Lessons learned of transitioning leadership training from in-person to an online experience are highlighted.Keywords: leadership, training, virtual, clinical scholars, pandemic, workforce development

NMITE’s Master’s in Integrated Engineering (MEng) was created with a unique philosophy of integrating not only traditionally separate strands of engineering, but also of integrating engineering with other disciplines such as arts, humanities, and business. This broad and deep integration is made possible by adopting the principles and practices of problem-based learning (PBL) and embedding them within predetermined module challenges. In this way, each PBL challenge highlights and hones areas of engineering expertise and embeds liberal subjects whilst maintaining the integration intrinsic to the programme. Overall, this method supports the use of block learning with deep integration of employers and the community in the educational experience.

Calliandra portoricensis is a medicinal plant growing freely in Nigeria. It is used traditionally to treat tuberculosis, as an anthelmintic and an abortifacient. Phytochemical fractionation and screening of its root extracts has yielded a novel (5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4-oxo-1-chromanyl)-4-methoxy-p-benzoquinone (breverin)-substituted cassane diterpene, which was designated bokkosin. It was obtained from column chromatography of the ethyl acetate extract of the roots. The compound was characterized using IR, NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectral data. Promising antiparasitic activity was observed against the kinetoplastid parasite Trypanosoma brucei brucei, as well as moderate activity against Trypanosoma congolense and Leishmania mexicana and low toxicity in mammalian cells, with the best in vitro EC50 values against T. b. brucei (0.69 μg/mL against a standard laboratory strain, and its multi-drug resistant clone (0.33 μg/mL). The effect on T. b. brucei in culture was rapid and dose-dependent, leading to apparently irreversible growth arrest and cell death after an exposure of just 2 h at 2 × or 4 × EC50. The identification of bokkosin constitutes the first isolation of this class of compound from any natural source and establishes the compound as a potential trypanocide that, considering its novelty, should now be tested for activity against other microorganisms as well.

NMITE's Master's in Integrated Engineering (MEng) was created with a unique philosophy of integrating not only traditionally separate strands of engineering, but also of integrating engineering with other disciplines such as arts, humanities, and business. This broad and deep integration is made possible by adopting the principles and practices of problem-based learning (PBL) and embedding them within predetermined module challenges. In this way, each PBL challenge highlights and hones areas of engineering expertise and embeds liberal subjects whilst maintaining the integration intrinsic to the programme. Overall, this method supports the use of block learning with deep integration of employers and the community in the educational experience.

This study focused on the relationship of rapport between teachers and learners in the context of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation-Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) and learner autonomy. The concept of rapport and learner autonomy in the field of education is often untouched in varied contexts, including the CVIF-DLP which shows a systems approach to process-induced learning, specifically designed to train learners to learn autonomously or independently. In this approach, learners are only provided intervention whenever the need arises, allowing them to learn with little to no assistance of the teacher; thus, the development of rapport between teachers and learners might diminish, compared to a conventional teaching approach that is teacher-centered, where more rapport may be provided due to more interaction between teacher and learner. A correlational study was conducted among 174 learners by answering scales intended to measure rapport with their teacher and autonomous learning. The results revealed an overall moderate, positive, and very significant correlation across all groups. Therefore, rejecting the generalization of most learners in their adolescence has lower rapport with their teachers as they mature; moreover, autonomy-supportive attitudes might have been a foundation instilled among learners by their teachers in the approach. The conclusion led to mediating factors such as the teaching approach itself and a strong guidance program. This study recommends more studies on the CVIF-DLP teaching approach, its effect on learner autonomy, and a detailed description of the rapport among specific subject teachers for further in-depth understanding.

The emergence of planar meta‐lenses on flexible materials has profoundly impacted the long‐standing perception of diffractive optics. Despite their advantages, these lenses still face challenges in design and fabrication to obtain high focusing efficiency and resolving power. A nanofabrication technique is demonstrated based on photolithography and polyimide casting for realizing membrane‐based multilevel phase‐type Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) with high focusing efficiency. By employing advantageous techniques, these lenses with nanostructures are directly patterned into thin polyimide membranes. The computational and experimental results have indicated that the focusing efficiency of these nanostructures at the primary focus increases significantly with increasing the number of phase levels. Specifically, 16‐level phase lenses on a polyimide membrane can achieve a focusing efficiency of more than 91.6% of the input signal (9.5 times better than that of a conventional amplitude‐type FZP) and focus light into a diffraction‐limited spot together with very weak side‐lobes. Furthermore, these lenses exhibit considerably reduced unwanted diffraction orders and produce extremely low background signals. The potential impact of these lenses extends across various applications and techniques including microscopy, imaging, micro‐diffraction, remote sensing, and space flight instruments which require lightweight and flexible configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major explosive volcanic eruptions impact the climate by altering the radiative balance of the atmosphere and through feedback mechanisms in the climate system. The extent of the impact depends on the magnitude (aerosol mass loading) and the number or frequency of such eruptions. Multiple Antarctica ice core records of past volcanic eruptions reveal that the number (5) of major eruptions (volcanic sulfate deposition flux greater than 10 kg km−2) was the highest in the 13th century over the last two millennia. Signals of four of the five eruptions are dated to the second half of the century, indicating consecutive major eruptions capable of causing sustained climate impact via known feedback processes. The fact that signals of four corresponding eruptions have been found in a Greenland ice core indicates that four of the five 13th century eruptions were probably by volcanoes in the low latitudes (between 20° N and 20° S) with substantial aerosol mass loading. These eruptions in the low latitudes likely exerted the strongest volcanic impact on climate in the last two millennia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last glacial period exhibited abrupt Dansgaard-Oeschger climatic oscillations, evidence of which is preserved in a variety of Northern Hemisphere palaeoclimate archives. Ice cores show that Antarctica cooled during the warm phases of the Greenland Dansgaard-Oeschger cycle and vice versa, suggesting an interhemispheric redistribution of heat through a mechanism called the bipolar seesaw. Variations in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) strength are thought to have been important, but much uncertainty remains regarding the dynamics and trigger of these abrupt events. Key information is contained in the relative phasing of hemispheric climate variations, yet the large, poorly constrained difference between gas age and ice age and the relatively low resolution of methane records from Antarctic ice cores have so far precluded methane-based synchronization at the required sub-centennial precision. Here we use a recently drilled high-accumulation Antarctic ice core to show that, on average, abrupt Greenland warming leads the corresponding Antarctic cooling onset by 218 ± 92 years (2σ) for Dansgaard-Oeschger events, including the Bølling event; Greenland cooling leads the corresponding onset of Antarctic warming by 208 ± 96 years. Our results demonstrate a north-to-south directionality of the abrupt climatic signal, which is propagated to the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes by oceanic rather than atmospheric processes. The similar interpolar phasing of warming and cooling transitions suggests that the transfer time of the climatic signal is independent of the AMOC background state. Our findings confirm a central role for ocean circulation in the bipolar seesaw and provide clear criteria for assessing hypotheses and model simulations of Dansgaard-Oeschger dynamics.

Research on memory reconsolidation has relied heavily on the use of Pavlovian auditory cued-fear conditioning. Here, an auditory cue (CS) is paired with a footshock (US) and the CS is later able to evoke a freezing response when presented alone. Some treatments, when administered to conditioned subjects immediately following a CS-alone (memory reactivation) trial, can attenuate the freezing they display on subsequent CS-alone (test) trials, in the absence of the treatment. This reduction in conditioned freezing is usually taken as evidence that the treatment disrupts post-reactivation reconsolidation of the memory trace representing the pairing of CS and US. We suggest an alternative interpretation that may account, either in whole or in part, for the attenuated freezing. The standard reconsolidation protocol (SRP) for auditory fear-conditioning has a design feature that results in second-order conditioning of fear to the test context, as this context is paired with the fear-evoking CS on the reactivation trial. Since freezing during the CS on the test will reflect the compound influence of contextual-fear and cued-fear, a post-reactivation treatment might attenuate freezing on the test by disrupting consolidation of second-order contextual-fear conditioning, even if it has little or no effect on the stability of the original cued-fear memory. This experiment confirmed that rats tested according to the SRP, in which the reactivation and test trials occur in the same context, freeze more on the test trial than rats that receive the reactivation and test trials in different contexts. This confound could lead to false-positive evidence of disrupted reconsolidation if it is not avoided or minimized, which can be accomplished with a modified protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Many studies have described barriers to gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in Canada; however, few have explored why these barriers persist. To address this knowledge gap, we sought to describe documents related to public health insurance (Medicare) for GAS to identify the types of procedures covered, variations in coverage across provinces and territories, and changes in policy over time. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study using an environmental scan approach. We queried 23 government websites, the Google search engine, and an online legal database between July 2022 and April 2024 to gather gray literature documents related to GAS and Medicare. Variables from relevant documents were compiled to create a present, at-glance overview of GAS Medicare coverage for all provinces and territories and a timeline of policy changes across Canada. Results Eight provinces and three territories had documents or websites related to GAS Medicare coverage (85%). We identified 15 GAS procedures that were covered variably across Canada. Yukon (n = 14) covered the most types of GAS, while Quebec and Saskatchewan covered the least (n = 6). Mastectomy and genital surgeries were covered across Canada, but other GAS were rarely covered. Five provinces and territories provided coverage for travel-related costs. Our GAS Medicare timeline showed differential expansion of GAS coverage in Canada over the last 25 years. Conclusions We provide previously unreported information regarding GAS Medicare coverage in Canada. We hope our findings will help patients and healthcare providers navigate a complicated public healthcare system. We also highlight barriers within GAS Medicare documents and make recommendations to alleviate those barriers.