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Terrestrial evapotranspiration is the second-largest component of the land water cycle, linking the water, energy, and carbon cycles and influencing the productivity and health of ecosystems. The dynamics of ET across a spectrum of spatiotemporal scales and their controls remain an active focus of research across different science disciplines. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of ET science across in situ measurements, partitioning of ET, and remote sensing, and discuss how different approaches complement one another based on their advantages and shortcomings. We aim to facilitate collaboration among a cross-disciplinary group of ET scientists to overcome the challenges identified in this paper and ultimately advance our integrated understanding of ET.

The sample mean in statistics is a concept of great importance, with its properties being extensively utilized in other areas, such as computer science. This research centers on the concept of the sample mean and its characteristics in a cohort of computer engineering students undertaking a required course in statistics at a university in the Netherlands. The objective of this study was to analyze students' comprehension of the fundamental structure, properties, and applications of the sample mean. A digital mini-course on sample mean was developed and employed with 97 students, who had the option to apply the concepts at their own pace. The action-process-object-schema (APOS) theoretical framework was utilized to analyze the interview responses of seven participants. The majority of participants were able to demonstrate an understanding of the Process conception of the sample mean, with only a minority demonstrating an understanding of the Object conception. The lack of comprehension of the sample mean hindered students' capacity to effectively utilize the associated applications and properties. These findings imply that educators should strive to ensure that students have a sound comprehension of the sample mean so that they are better equipped to work with related applications. Suggestions of this study and further research ideas are indicated.

Objective: Our study examined the impact of sex, ADHD subtype, and comorbid illnesses (depression/anxiety) on the timing of diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. Method: To analyze ADHD patients, four health databases were used to assess subtype, comorbid mood, and antidepressant or anxiolytic drug exposure. Analyses were stratified by sex and age. Standardized mean differences measured intergroup differences. Results: Females with ADHD were identified at older ages and had higher rates of depression and anxiety diagnoses and treatments before and after their initial ADHD diagnosis. Predominantly inattentive ADHD patients were diagnosed later and more likely to receive mood disorder diagnosis and treatment than hyperactive impulsive ADHD patients. Conclusions: Results suggest a more complex ADHD presentation in females, potentially causing late diagnosis and delayed treatment.

For several decades, the issue of human rights has been an instrument of Western pressure on China, and also serves as a pretext for foreign policy decisions (such as the imposition of sanctions). As part of its discursive policy, China has recently shifted from a defensive to an offensive position, including on the issue of human rights. This dynamic is considered in this study using the example of three issues that have been most actively discussed in Western discourse in recent years - Hong Kong, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and methods of combating COVID-19. The relevant discourse of China not only defended the right to its own development model, but also highlighted the shortcomings of Western systems. This discursive practice corresponds to the fundamental differences in the understanding of human rights in China and Europe, which are shown in the analysis of the provisions of the second chapter of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Constitution, the Charter of the European Union on Human Rights, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Despite the fact that European politicians see themselves as the main proponents of democratic rights and freedoms in the world, sociological surveys show a low level of satisfaction of respondents in the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France and Italy with how the principles of democracy are respected in their own countries, against the backdrop of deep dissatisfaction with their economic situation. Moreover, in many ways, Europe’s position does not seem to be principled, but opportunistic, since China’s position on the topics mentioned above has not changed, but now European criticism has practically switched to the “Taiwan issue.”

BackgroundPhthalate exposures are ubiquitous during pregnancy and may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in preterm birth.ObjectivesWe investigated race and ethnicity in the relationship between biomarkers of phthalate exposure and preterm birth by examining: a) how hypothetical reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in phthalate metabolites might reduce the probability of preterm birth; and b) exposure-response models stratified by race and ethnicity.MethodsWe pooled individual-level data on 6,045 pregnancies from 16 U.S. cohorts. We investigated covariate-adjusted differences in nine urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations by race and ethnicity [non-Hispanic White (White, 43%), non-Hispanic Black (Black, 13%), Hispanic/Latina (38%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (3%)]. Using g-computation, we estimated changes in the probability of preterm birth under hypothetical interventions to eliminate disparities in levels of urinary phthalate metabolites by proportionally lowering average concentrations in Black and Hispanic/Latina participants to be approximately equal to the averages in White participants. We also used race and ethnicity-stratified logistic regression to characterize associations between phthalate metabolites and preterm birth.ResultsIn comparison with concentrations among White participants, adjusted mean phthalate metabolite concentrations were consistently higher among Black and Hispanic/Latina participants by 23%-148% and 4%-94%, respectively. Asian/Pacific Islander participants had metabolite levels that were similar to those of White participants. Hypothetical interventions to reduce disparities in metabolite mixtures were associated with lower probabilities of preterm birth for Black [13% relative reduction; 95% confidence interval (CI): -34%, 8.6%] and Hispanic/Latina (9% relative reduction; 95% CI: -19%, 0.8%) participants. Odds ratios for preterm birth in association with phthalate metabolites demonstrated heterogeneity by race and ethnicity for two individual metabolites (mono-n-butyl and monoisobutyl phthalate), with positive associations that were larger in magnitude observed among Black or Hispanic/Latina participants.ConclusionsPhthalate metabolite concentrations differed substantially by race and ethnicity. Our results show hypothetical interventions to reduce population-level racial and ethnic disparities in biomarkers of phthalate exposure could potentially reduce the probability of preterm birth. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12831.

Background: HIV has been associated with cervical myelopathy, but it is unclear if HIV leads to earlier presentation of DCM and need for decompression surgery. Furthermore, long-term rates of postoperative complications and revision following decompression surgery have not been investigated in this patient population. The aim of this study was to identify the age of surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and investigate postoperative revision and complication rates. Methods: Patients who underwent decompression surgery for DCM were identified in a national database and stratified by preexisting diagnosis of HIV. Demographic characteristics were identified. The 2-year rates of revision surgery, 2-year rates of postoperative surgical complications, and 90-day rates of postoperative medical complications were calculated. Results: 1,014 patients with HIV and 153,974 patients without HIV were identified. The HIV group was younger at the time of decompression (53.6 ± 8.8; Non-HIV: 57.1 ± 11.0; p

The Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Think Tank XII was held on August 21st to 23rd. This year we showcased groundbreaking advancements in neuromodulation technology, focusing heavily on the novel uses of existing technology as well as next-generation technology. Our keynote speaker shared the vision of using neuro artificial intelligence to predict depression using brain electrophysiology. Innovative applications are currently being explored in stroke, disorders of consciousness, and sleep, while established treatments for movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease are being refined with adaptive stimulation. Neuromodulation is solidifying its role in treating psychiatric disorders such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms. We estimate that 300,000 leads have been implanted to date for neurologic and neuropsychiatric indications. Magnetoencephalography has provided insights into the post-DBS physiological changes. The field is also critically examining the ethical implications of implants, considering the long-term impacts on clinicians, patients, and manufacturers.

Background: Gestational pesticide exposure may negatively affect newborn outcomes. Prior results evaluating nonpersistent pesticides are inconsistent. Objective: To examine associations between gestational exposure to nonpersistent pesticides and newborn outcomes and identify critical windows of susceptibility. Study Design: In a Ghanaian pregnancy cohort, we measured select biomarkers of organophosphate, pyrethroid, and herbicide pesticides in repeated urine samples (1–5/participant). We developed a new model for assessing critical windows of vulnerability from irregularly-timed measurements of nonpersistent pesticides, leveraging strengths from multiple informant and distributed lag models. We estimated associations of biomarker concentrations with newborn anthropometrics and gestational length, adjusting for confounders and exploring effect modification by infant sex and placental malaria. Results: 1,211 pregnant women contributed 3,786 gestational urinary samples. In models assuming constant associations with exposures across pregnancy, in a given week a doubling of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (pyrethroid biomarker) was associated with a −15.8 g difference in birth weight (95 % CI:-28.1,-3.6), and a doubling of the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, herbicide biomarker) was associated with an 11.1 g increase in birth weight (95 % CI:1.0,21.1). In time-varying models, significant associations were identified for pyrethroid exposure measured between weeks 16–27, and for 2,4-D exposure measured during weeks 25–33. Organophosphates were not associated with birth weight. No associations were found for birth length or head circumference for any pesticide. In constant association models, a doubling of weekly 2,4-D was associated with a 0.05 week increase in gestational length (95 %CI:0.01,0.09); no associations were found with other biomarkers. Conclusions: We identified associations between gestational exposure to nonpersistent pesticides and both birth size and gestational length. Extending multiple informant models to account for the complex data structure allowed us to discern effects in opposing directions by distinct pesticide classes. While estimated effects for a given week were modest, prolonged or repeated exposures could result in larger cumulative impacts.

The article analyzed different concepts of the regulation of the artificial intelligence in the context of the competition between EU and China. In just the last few years artificial intelligence has evolved from academic research and futuristic discussions into the most dynamically developing practice. The speed and scale of implementation of this technology, and even more so, the prospects, are confusing an increasing number of people ‒ from politicians and businessmen to ordinary citizens and the developers of these AI systems themselves. As a result of a comparative interdisciplinary study of the approaches of the European Union and China to the topic of artificial intelligence, common and distinctive features that are determined by value differences have been identified. The main difference, according to the Europeans themselves, is ethics based on the European understanding of human rights. Modern China, challenging global primacy, is promoting its concept in this area. The examples of problems of ethics, competition, and security show the differences in the regulation of AI implementation processes, as well as the uncertainty that increasingly determines the actions of European politicians. This may contribute to an ideologically determined loss in competition in the field of artificial intelligence. It is possible that, despite solemn statements, Europe will have to use elements of the Chinese pragmatic approach to the problem.

Beta band oscillations in the sensorimotor cortex and subcortical structures, such as the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and internal pallidum (GPi), are closely linked to motor control. Recent research suggests that low-beta (14.5–23.5 Hz) and high-beta (23.5–35 Hz) cortico-STN coherence arise through distinct networks, possibly reflecting indirect and hyperdirect pathways. In this study, we sought to probe whether low- and high-beta coherence also exhibit different functional roles in facilitating and inhibiting movement. Twenty patients with Parkinson's disease who had deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted in either STN or GPi performed a classical go/nogo task while undergoing simultaneous magnetoencephalography and local field potentials recordings. Subjects' expectations were manipulated by presenting go- and nogo-trials with varying probabilities. We identified a lateral source in the sensorimotor cortex for low-beta coherence, as well as a medial source near the supplementary motor area for high-beta coherence. Task-related coherence time courses for these two sources revealed that low-beta coherence was more strongly implicated than high-beta coherence in the performance of go-trials. Accordingly, average pre-stimulus low-beta but not high-beta coherence or spectral power correlated with overall reaction time across subjects. High-beta coherence during unexpected nogo-trials was higher compared to expected nogo-trials at a relatively long latency of 3 s after stimulus presentation. Neither low- nor high-beta coherence showed a significant correlation with patients' symptom severity at baseline assessment. While low-beta cortico-subcortical coherence appears to be related to motor output, the role of high-beta coherence requires further investigation.

Assessing health outcomes associated with exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is important given their persistent and ubiquitous nature. PCBs are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, but the full range of potential noncancer health effects from exposure to PCBs has not been systematically summarized and evaluated. We used systematic review methods to identify and screen the literature using combined manual review and machine learning approaches. A protocol was developed that describes the literature search strategy and Populations, Exposures, Comparators, and Outcomes (PECO) criteria used to facilitate subsequent screening and categorization of literature into a systematic evidence map of PCB exposure and noncancer health endpoints across 15 organs/systems. A comprehensive literature search yielded 62,599 records. After electronic prioritization steps, 17,037 studies were manually screened at the title and abstract level. An additional 900 studies identified by experts or supplemental searches were also included. After full-text screening of 3889 references, 1586 studies met the PECO criteria. Relevant study details such as the endpoints assessed, exposure duration, and species were extracted into literature summary tables. This review compiles and organizes the human and mammalian studies from these tables into an evidence map for noncancer health endpoints and PCB mixture exposure to identify areas of robust research as well as areas of uncertainty that would benefit from future investigation. Summary data are available online as interactive visuals with downloadable metadata. Sufficient research is available to inform PCB hazard assessments for most organs/systems, but the amount of data to inform associations with specific endpoints differs. Furthermore, despite many years of research, sparse data exist for inhalation and dermal exposures, which are highly relevant human exposure routes. This evidence map provides a foundation for future systematic reviews and noncancer hazard assessments of PCB mixtures and for strategic planning of research to inform areas of greater uncertainty.