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Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of 3 approaches for communicating opioid risk during an emergency department visit for a common painful condition. Methods. This parallel, multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted at 6 geographically disparate emergency department sites in the United States. Participants included adult patients between 18 and 70 years of age presenting with kidney stone or musculoskeletal back pain. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 risk communication strategies: (1) a personalized probabilistic risk visual aid, (2) a visual aid and a video narrative, or 3) general risk information. The primary outcomes were accuracy of risk recall, reported opioid use, and treatment preference at time of discharge. Results. A total of 1301 participants were enrolled between June 2017 and August 2019. There was no difference in risk recall at 14 days between the narrative and probabilistic groups (43.7% vs 38.8%; absolute risk reduction = 4.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −2.98, 12.75). The narrative group had lower rates of preference for opioids at discharge than the general risk information group (25.9% vs 33.0%; difference = 7.1%; 95% CI = 0.64, 0.97). There were no differences in reported opioid use at 14 days between the narrative, probabilistic, and general risk groups (10.5%, 10.3%, and 13.3%, respectively; P = .44). Conclusions. An emergency medicine communication tool incorporating probabilistic risk and patient narratives was more effective than general information in mitigating preferences for opioids in the treatment of pain but was not more effective with respect to opioid use or risk recall. Trial Registration. Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT03134092. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S1):S45–S55. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306511 )

Birds are highly visually oriented and use plumage coloration as an important signalling trait in social communication. Hence, males and females may have different patterns of plumage coloration, a phenomenon known as sexual dichromatism. Because males tend to have more complex plumages, sexual dichromatism is usually attributed to female choice. However, plumage coloration is partly condition-dependent; therefore, other selective pressures affecting individuals' success may also drive the evolution of this trait. Here, we used tanagers as model organisms to study the relationships between dichromatism and plumage coloration complexity in tanagers with parasitism by haemosporidians, investment in reproduction and life-history traits. We screened blood samples from 2849 individual birds belonging to 52 tanager species to detect haemosporidian parasites. We used publicly available data for plumage coloration, bird phylogeny and life-history traits to run phylogenetic generalized least-square models of plumage dichromatism and complexity in male and female tanagers. We found that plumage dichromatism was more pronounced in bird species with a higher prevalence of haemosporidian parasites. Lastly, high plumage coloration complexity in female tanagers was associated with a longer incubation period. Our results indicate an association between haemosporidian parasites and plumage coloration suggesting that parasites impact mechanisms of sexual selection, increasing differences between the sexes, and social (non-sexual) selection, driving females to develop more complex coloration.

Migratory birds are implicated in dispersing haemosporidian parasites over great geographic distances. However, their role in sharing these vector-transmitted blood parasites with resident avian host species along their migration flyway is not well understood. We studied avian haemosporidian parasites in 10 localities where Chilean Elaenia, a long-distance Neotropical austral migrant species, spends part of its annual cycle to determine local parasite transmission among resident sympatric host species in the elaenia's distributional range across South America. We sampled 371 Chilean Elaenias and 1,818 birds representing 243 additional sympatric species from Brazilian wintering grounds to Argentinian breeding grounds. The 23 haemosporidian lineages found in Chilean Elaenias exhibited considerable variation in distribution, specialization, and turnover across the 10 avian communities in South America. Parasite lineage dissimilarity increased with geographic distance, and infection probability byParahaemoproteusdecreased in localities harbouring a more diverse haemosporidian fauna. Furthermore, blood smears from migrating Chilean Elaenias and local resident avian host species did not contain infective stages ofLeucocytozoon, suggesting that transmission did not take place in the Brazilian stopover site. Our analyses confirm that this Neotropical austral migrant connects avian host communities and transports haemosporidian parasites along its distributional range in South America. However, the lack of transmissive stages at stopover site and the infrequent parasite lineage sharing between migratory host populations and residents at breeding and wintering grounds suggest that Chilean Elaenias do not play a significant role in dispersing haemosporidian parasites, nor do they influence local transmission across South America.

In this article I extend Gilles Deleuze’s understanding of sense, as developed in Logic of Sense, by developing a metaphysics of problems. In doing this, we can appreciate the role Hume’s philosophy plays in Deleuze’s thought, and most importantly how we can understand sense in the context of making sense of life. With this perspective in place, we compare Deleuze’s project with Pierre Bourdieu’s and, finally, apply the notion of making sense to the history of the emergence of capitalism. With this discussion of the history of capitalism, we see how Deleuze draws from both Hume and Marx, or, in short, we sketch a Deleuzo-Humean political theory.

Potentiometric sensing is highly effective for diagnostic testing of many important ionic biomarkers. Outside of biological samples, ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) have been utilized for environmental and forensic analyses due to their high specificity and sensitivity. Unfortunately, many samples to be analyzed are solids (e.g., powders, soils, etc.), which require sample preparation steps prior to analysis. In this work, we describe the coupling of 3D printed ISEs with 3D printable hydrogels towards the ability to perform potentiometric analysis of solid samples. The hydrogel works as a sampling well, dissolving solid samples and allowing the ions to diffuse to the ISE for quantification. As a proof-of-concept demonstration we present the use of hydrogels to dissolve and transport tetrabutylammonium ions (TBA+), introduced to the hydrogel as a solid salt (TBA+Br-), through the hydrogel to the ISE. Solid sample analysis of TBA+ was achieved from 10 mM to 1 mM with a Nernstian response of 61 mV/Decade.

The Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886 is a large, globally distributed family of digeneans parasitic in intestines of their definitive hosts. Diplostomum and Tylodelphys spp. are broadly distributed, commonly reported, and the most often sequenced diplostomid genera. The majority of published DNA sequences from these genera originated from larval stages only, which typically cannot be identified to the species level based on morphology alone. We generated partial large ribosomal subunit (28S) rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mtDNA gene sequences from 14 species/species-level lineages of Diplostomum, six species/species-level lineages of Tylodelphys, two species/species-level lineages of Austrodiplostomum, one species previously assigned to Paralaria, two species/species-level lineages of Dolichorchis and one unknown diplostomid. Our DNA sequences of 11 species/species-level lineages of Diplostomum (all identified to species), four species/species-level lineages of Tylodelphys (all identified to species), Austrodiplostomum compactum, Paralaria alarioides and Dolichorchis lacombeensis originated from adult specimens. 28S sequences were used for phylogenetic inference to demonstrate the position of Paralaria alarioides and Dolichorchis spp. within the Diplostomoidea and study the interrelationships of Diplostomum, Tylodelphys and Austrodiplostomum. Our results demonstrate that two diplostomids from the North American river otter (P. alarioides and a likely undescribed taxon) belong within Diplostomum. Further, our results demonstrate the non-monophyly of Tylodelphys due to the position of Austrodiplostomum spp., based on our phylogenetic analyses and morphology. Furthermore, the results of phylogenetic analysis of 28S confirmed the status of Dolichorchis as a separate genus. The phylogenies suggest multiple definitive host-switching events (birds to otters and among major avian groups) and a New World origin of Diplostomum and Tylodelphys spp. Our DNA sequences from adult digeneans revealed identities of 10 previously published lineages of Diplostomum and Tylodelphys, which were previously identified to genus only. The novel DNA data from this work provide opportunities for future comparisons of larval diplostomines collected in ecological studies.

This technical note describes a method for fabricating ion-selective membranes (ISMs) for use in potentiometric sensing by using 3D printing technology. Here, we demonstrate the versatility of this approach by fabricating ISMs and investigating their performance in both liquid-contact and solid-contact ion-selective electrode (ISE) configurations. Using 3D printed ISMs resulted in highly stable (drift of ∼17 μV/h) and highly reproducible (

The aim of this study was to determine whether the first sensation of stretching (ROMFSS) may predict the maximum range of motion (ROMMAX) in male (N = 37) and female (N = 32) volunteer subjects, and to assess the reliability of the ROM perceived by subjects in relation to a pre-determined ROM (ROM50%). Subjects attempted three experimental sessions with 48 hours between sessions 1 and 2 and 28 days between sessions 1 and 3. Within each session, five trials were performed with isokinetic equipment to assess posterior thigh muscle flexibility. The results revealed a strong and significant correlation between ROMMAX and ROMFSS for both sexes, females (r = 0.96, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.92) and males (r = 0.91, p < 0.001; R2 = 0.82). The accuracy of the model verified by the standard error of estimate (SEE) was high in the equations proposed for both female (SEE = 4.53%) and male (SEE = 5.45%). Our results revealed that ROMFSS may predict the ROMMAX for both male and female subjects. The ROMFSS may contribute to the development of evaluation methods that do not subject the individuals to conditions that may include unnecessary risk of injury and is well suited to monitor the training process of stretching exercises with submaximal loads. Key points An individual’s tolerance to stretching can be considered a continuum marked by the first sensation of stretching and the maximum range of motion as the continuum’s end-points. The first sensation of stretching and the point representing halfway between the first sensation and maximal range of motion are reliable measures in young men and women. The first sensation of stretching may be a safe and useful predictor of maximal range of motion.

Host phylogenetic relatedness and ecological similarity are thought to contribute to parasite community assembly and infection rates. However, recent landscape level anthropogenic changes may disrupt host-parasite systems by impacting functional and phylogenetic diversity of host communities. We examined whether changes in host functional and phylogenetic diversity, forest cover, and minimum temperature influence the prevalence, diversity, and distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) across 18 avian communities in the Atlantic Forest. To explore spatial patterns in avian haemosporidian prevalence and taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, we surveyed 2241 individuals belonging to 233 avian species across a deforestation gradient. Mean prevalence and parasite diversity varied considerably across avian communities and parasites responded differently to host attributes and anthropogenic changes. Avian malaria prevalence (termed herein as an infection caused by Plasmodium parasites) was higher in deforested sites, and both Plasmodium prevalence and taxonomic diversity were negatively related to host functional diversity. Increased diversity of avian hosts increased local taxonomic diversity of Plasmodium lineages but decreased phylogenetic diversity of this parasite genus. Temperature and host phylogenetic diversity did not influence prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Variation in the diversity of avian host traits that promote parasite encounter and vector exposure (host functional diversity) partially explained the variation in avian malaria prevalence and diversity. Recent anthropogenic landscape transformation (reduced proportion of native forest cover) had a major influence on avian malaria occurrence across the Atlantic Forest. This suggests that, for Plasmodium, host phylogenetic diversity was not a biotic filter to parasite transmission as prevalence was largely explained by host ecological attributes and recent anthropogenic factors. Our results demonstrate that, similar to human malaria and other vector-transmitted pathogens, prevalence of avian malaria parasites will likely increase with deforestation.

Vector-borne parasites are important ecological drivers influencing life-history evolution in birds by increasing host mortality or susceptibility to new diseases. Therefore, understanding why vulnerability to infection varies within a host clade is a crucial task for conservation biology and for understanding macroecological life-history patterns. Here, we studied the relationship of avian life-history traits and climate on the prevalence ofPlasmodiumandParahaemoproteusparasites. We sampled 3569 individual birds belonging to 53 species of the family Thraupidae. Individuals were captured from 2007 to 2018 at 92 locations. We created 2 phylogenetic generalized least-squares models withPlasmodiumandParahaemoproteusprevalence as our response variables, and with the following predictor variables: climate PC1, climate PC2, body size, mixed-species flock participation, incubation period, migration, nest height, foraging height, forest cover, and diet. We found thatParahaemoproteusandPlasmodiumprevalence was higher in species inhabiting open habitats. Tanager species with longer incubation periods had higherParahaemoproteusprevalence as well, and we hypothesize that these longer incubation periods overlap with maximum vector abundances, resulting in a higher probability of infection among adult hosts during their incubation period and among chicks. Lastly, we found thatPlasmodiumprevalence was higher in species without migratory behaviour, with mixed-species flock participation, and with an omnivorous or animal-derived diet. We discuss the consequences of higher infection prevalence in relation to life-history traits in tanagers.

Studies contrasting parasite prevalence and host-parasite community structure between pristine and disturbed environments will improve our understanding of how deforestation affects disease transmission and parasite extinction. To determine how infection rates of a common and diverse group of avian blood parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) respond to changes in avian host composition after mining, we surveyed 25 bird communities from pristine forests (two forest types: plateau and hillside) and reforested sites in Northeast Amazonia. Infection rates and both parasite and avian host community structure exhibited considerable variation across the deforestation gradient. In opposition to the emerging pattern of lower avian haemosporidian prevalence in disturbed tropical forests in Africa, we show that secondary forests had higher haemosporidian prevalence in one of the largest mining areas of Amazonia. The dissimilarity displayed by bird communities may explain, in part, the higher prevalence of Haemoproteus in reforested areas owing to the tolerance of some bird species to open-canopy forest habitat. On the other hand, deforestation may cause local extinction of Plasmodium parasites due to the loss of their avian hosts that depend on closed-canopy primary forest habitats. Our results demonstrate that forest loss induced by anthropogenic changes can affect a host-parasite system and disturb both parasite transmission and diversity.

The Proterodiplostomidae Dubois, 1936 is a relatively small family of diplostomoidean digeneans parasitising the intestines of reptilian hosts associated with freshwater environments in tropical and subtropical regions. The greatest diversity of proterodiplostomids is found in crocodilians, although some parasitise snakes and turtles. According to the most recent revision, the Proterodiplostomidae included 17 genera within 5 subfamilies. Despite the complex taxonomic structure of the family, availability of testable morphology-based phylogenetic hypotheses and ancient hosts, molecular phylogenetic analyses of the group were practically lacking. Herein, we use novel DNA sequence data of the nuclear lsrRNA gene and mitochondrial cox1 gene from a broad range of proterodiplostomid taxa obtained from crocodilian, fish, and snake hosts on four continents to test the monophyly of the family and evaluate the present morphology-based classification system of the Proterodiplostomidae in comparison with the molecular phylogeny. This first detailed phylogeny for the Proterodiplostomidae challenges the current systematic framework. Combination of molecular phylogenetic data with examination of freshly collected quality specimens and re-evaluation of morphological criteria resulted in a number of systematic and nomenclatural changes along with a new phylogeny-based classification of the Proterodiplostomidae. As the result of our molecular and morphological analyses: (i) the current subfamily structure of the Proterodiplostomidae is abolished; (ii) three new genera, Paraproterodiplostomum n. g., Neocrocodilicola n. g. and Proteroduboisia n. g., are described and Pseudoneodiplostomoides Yamaguti, 1954 is restored and elevated from subgenus to genus level; (iii) two new species, Paraproterodiplostomum currani n. g., n. sp. and Archaeodiplostomum overstreeti n. sp., are described from the American alligator in Mississippi, USA. Comparison of the structure of terminal ducts of the reproductive system in all proterodiplostomid genera did not support the use of these structures for differentiation among subfamilies (or major clades) within the family, although they proved to be useful for distinguishing among genera and species. Our study includes the first report of proterodiplostomids from Australia and the first evidence of a snake acting as a paratenic host for a proterodiplostomid. A key to proterodiplostomid genera is provided. Questions of proterodiplostomid-host associations parasitic in crocodilians are discussed in connection with their historical biogeography. Our molecular phylogeny of the Proterodiplostomidae closely matches the current molecular phylogeny of crocodilians. Directions for future studies of the Proterodiplostomidae are outlined. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11230-020-09928-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Fiber-reinforced composites have become the material of choice for aerospace structures because of their favorable strength-to-weight ratio. Given the increasing amounts of counterfeit composite parts showing up in the complex aerospace supply chain, it is absolutely vital to track a composite part throughout its lifecycle-from production to usage and to disposal. Existing barcoding methods are invasive, affect the structural properties of composites, and/or are vulnerable to tampering. We describe a universal method to store information in fiber-reinforced composites based on solid-state in situ reduction leading to embedded nanoparticles with controlled morphologies. This simple, cost-effective, mild, surfactant-free, and one-step protocol for the fabrication of embedded platinum nanostructures leads to morphology-based barcodes for polymeric composites. We also describe a coding methodology wherein a 1 × 1 cm code can represent 3.4 billion parts to 95 trillion parts, depending on the resolution required along with access to morphology-based chemical encryption systems.

Introduction: Home hemodialysis remains underutilized despite observational data indicating more favorable outcomes with home compared with in‐center hemodialysis. The Tablo Hemodialysis system is designed to be easy to learn and use and to facilitate adoption of home hemodialysis. The objective of the current investigational device exemption (IDE) study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Tablo managed in‐center by health care professionals and in‐home by patients and/or caregivers. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, open‐label, crossover trial comparing in‐center and in‐home hemodialysis using Tablo. There were 4 treatment periods during which hemodialysis was prescribed 4 times per week: 1‐week Run‐In, 8‐week In‐Center, 4‐week Transition, and 8‐week In‐Home. The primary efficacy endpoint was weekly standard Kt/Vurea ≥ 2.1. The secondary efficacy endpoint was delivery of ultrafiltration (UF) within 10% of prescribed UF. We collected safety and usability data. Findings: Thirty participants enrolled and 28 completed all trial periods. Adherence to the protocol requirement of 4 treatments per week was 96% in‐center and 99% in‐home. The average prescribed and delivered session lengths were 3.4 hours for both the In‐Center and the In‐Home periods. The primary efficacy endpoint for the intention‐to‐treat cohort was achieved in 199/200 (99.5%) of measurements during the In‐Center period and 168/171 (98.3%) In‐Home. The average weekly standard Kt/Vurea was 2.8 in both periods. The secondary efficacy UF endpoint was achieved in the ITT cohort in 94% in both in‐center and in‐home. Two prespecified adverse events (AEs) occurred during the In‐Center period and 6 in the In‐Home period. None of the AEs were deemed by investigators as related to Tablo. The median resolution time of alarms was 8 seconds in‐center and 5 seconds in‐home. Conclusion: Primary and secondary efficacy and safety endpoints were achieved during both In‐Center and In‐Home trial periods. This study confirms that Tablo is safe and effective for home hemodialysis use.

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and validation of a paper-based diagnostic device for the rapid diagnosis of hypocalcemia in dairy cattle at the point-of-care (POC). The device incorporates a 3D printed calcium ion-selective membrane (ISM) as the sensing element for free—unbound—calcium in real bovine whole blood samples. With a linear response range of 100 mM to 97.7 μM, the sensor covers the clinically relevant concentrations of Ca2+ associated with both healthy cattle as well as those suffering from hypocalcemia. The components of the Ca2+ ion-selective electrodes were successfully translated to a paper-based device to provide a sensing platform that is simple to use, disposable, and low-cost, and is therefore well-situated for applications at the POC. The paper-based calcium sensor showed a Nernstian response between 10 mM and 100 μM and required only 12 μl of sample to perform a measurement, which can be accomplished in less than two minutes without the need for time-consuming separation steps. The performance of the paper-based Ca2+ sensor was validated using the commercially available epoc® Blood Analysis System, which provided results within 5% of the data obtained with 3D printed Ca2+-ISM integrated paper-based device.

Avian haemosporidians from the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus are vector transmitted parasites. A growing body of evidence suggests that variation in their prevalence within avian communities is correlated with a variety of avian ecological traits. Here, we examine the relationship between infection probability and diversity of haemosporidian lineages and avian host ecological traits (average body mass, foraging stratum, migratory behavior, and nest type). We used molecular methods to detect haemosporidian parasites in blood samples from 642 individual birds of 149 species surveyed at four localities in the Brazilian Pantanal. Based on cytochrome b sequences, we recovered 28 lineages of Plasmodium and 17 of Haemoproteus from 31 infected avian species. Variation in lineage diversity among bird species was not explained by avian ecological traits. Prevalence was heterogenous across avian hosts. Bird species that forage near the ground were less likely to be infected by Haemoproteus, whereas birds that build open cup nests were more likely infected by Haemoproteus. Furthermore, birds foraging in multiple strata were more likely to be infected by Plasmodium. Two other ecological traits, often related to host resistance (body mass and migratory behavior), did not predict infection probability among birds sampled in the Pantanal. Our results suggest that avian host traits are less important determinants of haemosporidian diversity in Pantanal than in other regions, but reinforces that host attributes, related to vector exposure, are to some extent important in modulating infection probability within an avian host assemblage.

Aim: Macroecological analyses provide valuable insights into factors that influence how parasites are distributed across space and among hosts. Amid large uncertainties that arise when generalizing from local and regional findings, hierarchical approaches applied to global datasets are required to determine whether drivers of parasite infection patterns vary across scales. We assessed global patterns of haemosporidian infections across a broad diversity of avian host clades and zoogeographical realms to depict hotspots of prevalence and to identify possible underlying drivers. Location: Global. Time period: 1994–2019. Major taxa studied: Avian haemosporidian parasites (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Parahaemoproteus). Methods: We amalgamated infection data from 53,669 individual birds representing 2,445 species world-wide. Spatio-phylogenetic hierarchical Bayesian models were built to disentangle potential landscape, climatic and biotic drivers of infection probability while accounting for spatial context and avian host phylogenetic relationships. Results: Idiosyncratic responses of the three most common haemosporidian genera to climate, habitat, host relatedness and host ecological traits indicated marked variation in host infection rates from local to global scales. Notably, host ecological drivers, such as migration distance for Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus, exhibited predominantly varying or even opposite effects on infection rates across regions, whereas climatic effects on infection rates were more consistent across realms. Moreover, infections in some low-prevalence realms were disproportionately concentrated in a few local hotspots, suggesting that regional-scale variation in habitat and microclimate might influence transmission, in addition to global drivers. Main conclusions: Our hierarchical global analysis supports regional-scale findings showing the synergistic effects of landscape, climate and host ecological traits on parasite transmission for a cosmopolitan and diverse group of avian parasites. Our results underscore the need to account for such interactions, in addition to possible variation in drivers across regions, to produce the robust inference required to predict changes in infection risk under future scenarios.

Crassiphialinae Sudarikov, 1960 is a large subfamily of the Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886 with a complex taxonomic history. It includes a diversity of species parasitic in the intestines of avian and mammalian definitive hosts worldwide. Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 is a large and broadly distributed crassiphialine genus notorious for its association with diseases in their fish second intermediate hosts. In this study, we generated partial 28S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mtDNA gene sequences of digeneans beloning to seven crassiphialine genera. The 28S sequences were used to study the interrelationships among crassiphialines and their placement among other major diplostomoidean lineages. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis and review of morphology does not support subfamilies currently recognized in the Diplostomidae; therefore, we abandon the current subfamily system of the Diplostomidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest the synonymy of Posthodiplostomum, Ornithodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 and Mesoophorodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 ; morphological study of our well-fixed adult specimens and review of literature revealed lack of consistent differences among the three genera. Thus, we synonymize Ornithodiplostomum and Mesoophorodiplostomum with Posthodiplostomum. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest an Old World origin of Posthodiplostomum followed by multiple dispersal events among biogeographic realms. Furthermore, our analyses indicate that the ancestors of these digeneans likely parasitized ardeid definitive hosts. Four new species of Posthodiplostomum collected from birds in the New World as well as one new species of Posthodiplostomoides Williams, 1969 from Uganda are described.

Purpose: In elite team handball, talent identification and selection of the best young players is a fundamental process in several national federations and clubs; however, literature addressing the specific game-based performance in team handball is almost nonexistent. Consequently, the aim of the study was to assess and compare the team-handball-specific game-based performance of elite male team handball players of different ages. Methods: Twelve under-23, 10 under-19, 10 under-17, and 10 under-15 elite male players performed the team-handball game-based performance test. During testing, oxygen uptake, heart rate, sprinting time in defense, offense, fast breaks, and fast retreats, as well as ball velocity and jump height in the jump shot, were measured. Results: Significant differences (P Conclusion: The results revealed that with increasing age, elite male team handball players are heavier and taller (body weight and height); faster (team-handball offense, defense, and fast break); jump higher and throw faster (in the team-handball jump shot); and perform better aerobically (absolute peak oxygen uptake). The better performance in the under-23 and under-19 players compared with male adult players competing in a lower National Federation league (not on top-elite level) demonstrates that highly specific game-based physical performance determines the potential for developing young male team handball players for competition at the top level.

PurposeTo compare patient/tumor characteristics and outcomes of Asians to Caucasian patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsAncillary data were pooled and analyzed from ten prospective randomized front-line Gynecologic Oncology Group clinical trials from 1996 to 2011. Demographic, clinicopathologic features, disease-specific and all-cause survival were analyzed.ResultsOf 7914 patients, 7641 were Caucasian and 273 Asian. When compared to Caucasians, Asians were younger at trial enrollment, had a better performance status, earlier-stage cancers (17.2% vs. 8.1% with stage I; p

There are well-known biological differences between women and men, especially in technical-coordinative variations that contribute to sex differences in performance of complex movements like the most important offensive action in volleyball, the spike jump. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-dependent performance and biomechanical characteristics in the volleyball spike jump. Thirty female and male sub-elite volleyball players were analysed while striking a stationary ball with maximal spike jump height. Twelve MX13 Vicon cameras with a cluster marker set, two AMTI force plates, surface EMG, and a Full-Body 3D model in Visual3D were used. Main findings include sex differences (

The electrochemical behavior of sulfur-containing compounds is of great importance in fields ranging from diagnostics to energy-storage and materials chemistry. For example, thiols (R-SH) are important components of many electrochemical sensors and are routinely used in materials applications as they are known to form well-ordered and reproducible monolayers (self-assembled monolayers, SAMs) on various metal surfaces. Sulfur compounds are also interesting from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics owing to the presence of multiple oxidation states, which has been exploited to study complex dynamic behavior in both chemical and electrochemical systems. In this work we explore the oscillatory behavior of 2-(dimethylamino)ethanethiol (DMAET), a known hydrolysis product of V-type nerve agents, on platinum electrodes. Interestingly, the electrochemical oxidation of DMAET leads to two distinct regions of oscillatory behavior. Probing the system with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), resulted in the classification of the DMAET system as an HN-NDR type oscillator. These results are compared to structurally similar thiol containing compounds towards the goal of elucidating general features which permit the evolution of dynamic behavior in thiol-based electrochemical systems.

Redox flow batteries are one of the prominent electrochemical energy storage devices with large-scale storage and high energy density.1 The highly reversible Zn/Zn2+ (-0.76 V vs. RHE) and Br-/Br2 (1.08 V vs. RHE) redox couple have been employed in Zn-Br2 flow batteries (1.84 V vs. RHE). However, the dendritic growth of Zn electrodeposits during the repetitive discharge process triggers an internal short-circuit between the anode and the cathode.1 Besides this, cross-diffusion of the highly soluble Br- (Br3 -) ion causes a severe self-discharge of the system and reduced cycle life.2 Additives and ion-selective membranes have been employed to mitigate these challenges for improved cycle life and coulombic efficiency in Zn-Br2 batteries.3 Here, we fabricate an aqueous Zn-Br2 static battery with internally contained and moderate magnetic fields, (~ 30, 40, 50 and 60 mT) at the anode and cathode by incorporating 1 mm thick Nd permanent magnets. A solid complex of tetrapropylammonium tribromide was supported on activated carbon and employed as the positive electrode. Introducing a magnetic field can generate the Lorentz force (acting on Br- and Zn2+ ions), and create a controllable magnetohydrodynamic mass transport during the charge-discharge processes. Among the various magnetic fields, ~50 mT resulted in the highest coulombic efficiency (99 % for 100 cycles) and suppressed Zn dendritic growth. To rationalize the effect of magnetic fields on the efficiency and cycle life, Raman analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (for the calculation of diffusion coefficient of Br- ion) are performed on the positive and negative electrodes of Zn-Br2 battery. References: (1) Z. Yuan, X. Liu, W. Xu, Y. Duan, H. Zhang, X. Li, Nat. Commun., 9 , 3731 (2018). (2) L. Gao, Z. Li, Y. Zou, S. Yin, P. Peng, Y. Shao, X. Liang, iScience, 23, 101348 (2020). (3) E. Sánchez-Díez, E. Ventosa, M. Guarnieri, A. Trovò, C. Flox, R. Marcilla, F. Soavi, P. Mazur, E. Aranzabe, R. Ferret, J . Power Sources, 481, 228804 (2021).

Potentiometry, the use of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), has been incorporated in many point-of-care (POC) applications due to its selectivity and sensitivity. Importantly, ISEs can be translated to low-cost POC devices (e.g., paper-based, thread-based, etc.), making them ideal candidates for commercial applications as they cover many of the guidelines established by the World Health Organization for successful diagnostics in low to middle income countries. Biosensors are an important class of diagnostic tools used to increase specificity and sensitivity for a particular analyte through the incorporation of molecular recognition elements, aptamers, enzymes, etc. Potentiometric enzymatic biosensors have previously been fabricated where an enzyme is immobilized into an ion-selective membrane (ISM) and used to convert important biomarkers into detectable ions for potentiometric sensing. Although this approach has been previously demonstrated using conventional PVC-based ISMs, the lack of mass production capabilities and the routinely high cost of individual membranes has hindered the advancement of deliverable POC devices for potentiometric biosensing. We recently reported a 3D printing protocol for the fabrication of ISMs, which was shown to reduce both the cost associated with sensor fabrication as well as the time. Herein we report on the advancement of 3D printing techniques to fabricate biosensing membranes for their use in POC applications.

Chloroquine is an important, and commonly prescribed, antimalarial drug which can lead to the development of retinopathy and potential blindness. This paper reports on the design and fabrication of a highly selective potentiometric sensor for chloroquine, demonstrating the first use of ionophore-doped ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for its detection. Several molecules, with known affinity for chloroquine, were investigated as potential ionophores for the chloroquine ISE. Incorporating melanin as the ionophore resulted in a linear detection range of 10 mM to 2.4 μM and a limit of detection of 630 nM. Importantly, the melanin-doped ISE resulted in an increased selectivity by several orders of magnitude compared to an ionophore-free ISE. This added selectivity allowed for detection of chloroquine without interference from other commonly prescribed antimalarials, hydroxychloroquine and quinine that have similar molecular structures. To determine the applicability of the melanin-doped ISE, chloroquine was successfully measured in human urine samples, and the results of the sensor were validated using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) protocol. To demonstrate the utility of the sensor, the components of the ISE were translated to a paper-based potentiometric device capable of detecting chloroquine between 10 mM and 100 μM, covering the biologically relevant range excreted in human urine.

Benzalkonium (BA+) chloride is one of the most common preservatives used in prescription-based and over-the-counter eye drops. Knowing the concentration of BA+ in eye drops is important for both quality control (at the pharmaceutical preparation stage) and human health (ocular toxicity has been linked to BA+ use). This paper describes the design and fabrication of a benzalkonium-selective potentiometric sensor for the determination of BA+ in ophthalmic solutions. The sensor is composed of a 3D-printed ion-selective membrane (ISM) that selectively measures BA+ in the presence of potentially interfering ions routinely found in ophthalmic formulations (i.e., Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and K+). The 3D printed BA+-ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) produced a Nernstian response of 55 mV/Decade across a range of 1.0 mM to 31.0 μM BA+ along with an LOD of 8 μM, which covers the relevant concentration range found in ophthalmic solutions. The 3D printed BA+-ISEs proved to be highly stable with an average drift of 205 μV/hr. Successful measurement of BA+ in diluted ophthalmic solutions was completed from 100–500 μM. The mass production capability afforded by 3D-printing offers a unique and intriguing fabrication protocol for developing low-cost sensors which could be incorporated quickly and seamlessly by pharmaceutical companies or community-based pharmacies.

This article describes the electrochemical reduction of bromate ions in strongly alkaline media on platinum electrodes. Bromates’ importance stems from its wide use in a variety of industrial processes, its incorporation into energy storage devices, as well as its known toxicity, which has led to it being designated as a human carcinogen. Interestingly, during the electro-reduction of bromate in alkaline solutions sustained oscillatory behavior was observed in both current and potential under both potentiostatic and galvanostatic control. Mechanistic characterization using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) lead to the discovery that the oscillatory behavior is driven by the presence of a negative differential resistance (NDR). The EIS measurements allowed for the classification of the bromate oscillator into the HN-NDR class, which was supported by potentiostatic oscillations emerging once sufficient external resistance was included into the system as well as oscillating under galvanostatic conditions. Through a systematic exploration of experimental conditions, the electrochemical bromate oscillator also displayed complexity in the form of mixed-mode oscillations as well as complex bursting patterns.

In elite adolescence ice hockey players, overall skating performance is an essential performance factor and should be measured adequately, whereas the relationship between on-ice and off-ice performance is not well known. Consequently, the aim of the study was to analyze (1) the differences in on-ice and off-ice performance in elite adolescent ice hockey players, and (2) the relationship between on-ice and off-ice performance in general separated into different age groups. Thirteen under-15, 18 under-17, and 19 under-20 elite male ice hockey players performed the specific overall skating performance test for ice hockey players (SOSPT). Additional tests included 30 m on-ice skating, off-ice skating and off-ice sprinting tests, the countermovement jump test (CMJ), the standing long jump test, the single-leg lateral jump test, and the single-leg lateral skating simulation jump test (Skate SIM). Significant differences (employing one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post-hoc test) between under-15, under-17, and under-20 players were found in body mass, height, leg length, CMJ height, standing long jump distance, single-leg lateral jumps from the left and right legs, Skate SIM time, off-ice sprinting time (0–6 m and 0–30 m), off-ice inline skating time (0–30 m), on-ice skating time (0–6 m and 0–30 m), and SOSPT time. Pearson Product-Moment correlation analysis revealed stronger correlations between SOSPT time and on-ice skating, off-ice skating, and off-ice sprinting and jump tests in the under-15 players compared to the under-17 and under-20 players. As expected with increasing age, elite male ice hockey players performed better in on-ice and off-ice performance tests. The stronger relationship between SOSPT performance and on-ice and off-ice performance in the younger compared to the older players revealed that general physical performance determined specific overall skating performance more often in youth players, whereas in junior und young adult players, an optimal skating technique is more important. These results should be considered in the selection process for young ice hockey players.

Determining the prevalence and local transmission dynamics of parasitic organisms are necessary to understand the ability of parasites to persist in host populations and disperse across regions, yet local transmission dynamics, diversity, and distribution of haemosporidian parasites remain poorly understood. We studied the prevalence, diversity, and distributions of avian haemosporidian parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon among resident and migratory birds in Serra do Mar, Brazil. Using 399 blood samples from 66 Atlantic Forest bird species, we determined the prevalence and molecular diversity of these pathogens across avian host species and described a new species of Haemoproteus. Our molecular and morphological study also revealed that migratory species were infected more than residents. However, vector infective stages (gametocytes) of Leucocytozoon spp., the most prevalent parasites found in the most abundant migrating host species in Serra do Mar (Elaenia albiceps), were not seen in blood films of local birds suggesting that this long-distance Austral migrant can disperse Leucocytozoon parasite lineages from Patagonia to the Atlantic Forest, but lineage sharing among resident species and local transmission cannot occur in this part of Brazil. Our study demonstrates that migratory species may harbor a higher diversity and prevalence of parasites than resident species, but transportation of some parasites by migratory hosts may not always affect local transmission.