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Dürr-i meknūn (The hidden pearl) is one of the best-known and most frequently cited but least studied works of fifteenth-century Ottoman literature. An anonymously written encyclopedic work in Turkish, it covers a wide range of subjects, starting with the creation and ending with the day of judgment. Although no fifteenth-century copy has survived, the Dürr displays a close ideological and intertextual relationship with other well-known fifteenth-century Ottoman works that were the building blocks of an indigenous Ottoman religious, historical, political, and apocalyptic literature on which later generations relied. This article critically reviews the Dürr by situating it against the backdrop of the political context of the 1460s and early 1470s, informed by Sultan Meḥmed II's imperial policies seeking to unite the Islamic world under one rule and by the dire crusade threat menacing the Ottoman empire posed by Venice and its allies in 1472-73. I argue that the work was composed by a member of the scholarly elite to criticize Meḥmed's imperial ambitions and, most notably, his designs to conquer the Mamluk sultanate, which the Dürr identifies as a disastrous endeavor that would lead to the conquest of Islam by the Christians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectacular nature of non-wetting drops mainly arises from their extreme mobility, and quick-silver, for instance, was named after this property. There are two ways to make water non-wetting, and they both rely on texture: either we can roughen a hydrophobic solid, which makes drops looking like pearls, or we can texture the liquid with a hydrophobic powder that "isolates" the resulting marble from its substrate. We observe, here, races between pearls and marbles, and report two effects: (1) the static adhesion of the two objects is different in nature, which we interpret as a consequence of the way they meet their substrates; (2) when they move, pearls are generally quicker than marbles, which might arise from the dissimilarity of the liquid/air interface between these two kinds of globules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Research examining the connections between individual adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how groupings of interrelated adversities are linked with subsequent health is scarce, limiting our understanding of risk during a period of rapid expansion of ACE screening in clinical practice. The study objective was to conduct a psychometric analysis to derive latent domains of ACEs and related life events and assess the association between each domain and health outcome. METHODS: Participants (3 months-11 years) were recruited from the University of California San Francisco Benioffs Children Hospital Oakland Primary Care Clinic. Children were screened with the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) (n = 340), which assessed 17 total ACEs and related life events, including forms of abuse, household challenges, and social risks. Domains were constructed using confirmatory factor analysis and associations between the three identified domains and 14 health outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Three PEARLS domains were identified: Maltreatment (ω = 0.73, ɑ=0.87), Household Challenges (ω = 0.70, ɑ=0.82), and Social Context (ω = 0.55, ɑ=0.70). Measurement invariance was supported across both gender and screening format. All domains were associated with poorer general and behavioral health and stomachaches. Maltreatment and Social Context were additionally associated with eczema while only Social Context was associated with increased odds of reporting headaches and somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: In an underserved, urban west-coast pediatric population, the PEARLS found three adversity domains of Maltreatment, Household Challenges, and Social Context that all had an independent statistically significant association with poorer child health. The results provide a timely and more nuanced representation of risk that can inform clinical practice and policy using more targeted resources and interventions.

Penile pearls are artificial implants placed beneath the skin of a penis to provide enhanced sexual experience for the partner or present a stigma of a particular social subgroup (e.g., prisoner, member of a gang). This genital modification is usually encountered in men of low socioeconomic status and prisoners who might (self) implant improvised pearls under poor sanitary conditions. We have only recently started to encounter penile pearls on autopsy, incidentally. The aim of this study was to analyze our autopsy cases with penile pearls to assess the characteristics of these subjects regarding their socioeconomic status, history of imprisonment, substance abuse, as well as the characteristics of implants. Nineteen men were included. Most were born in the 1970s and 1980s, with only elementary/vocational school education (n = 10). Only five men graduated from high school. At least 14 were in prison at some point in life and 13 were unemployed. Ten men were unmarried. In 11 men, regular alcohol consumption was reported. 12 used illicit substances, most with a history of heroin injection. Penile pearls were improvised and made of rigid plastic in 10 men, eight were of soft silicone-like material, and one was of metal. A distinct characteristic was a ribbed contour of some implants. Although this genital modification seems to gain more attention outside of described vulnerable groups, it mostly remains limited to them in our region. It is most likely performed in improvised, non-professional, unsanitary conditions, probably in prisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of heavy metals on the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata from 5 sites along the coast of Alexandria, with focus on its ecological health and potential risks to human consumption. Pollution results showed that Abu-Qir had the highest Cu and Cd values. Montaza and Eastern Harbor had the highest Fe and Pb values, respectively. Statistically, differences in metal concentrations among study sites were significant (p < 0.05). Non-carcinogenic risk (TTHQ) of tested metals and carcinogenic ones of Cd and Pb showed "high risk" on human health by consuming pearl oysters. Morphometric measurements and condition indices were studied to assess growth patterns and health in relation to heavy metals exposure. Key findings showed detectable declines in size and condition index in Eastern Harbor, whereas Abu-Qir recorded the highest values. This condition index performance presented Abu-Qir, Mammora, and Miami as ideal locations for spat collection and oyster rearing, potentially enhancing Egyptian pearl farming. Average values of spatial proximate contents of pearl oyster showed that it was rich in proteins (33.07–58.52%) with low fat content (1.39–1.87%) and carbohydrates (9.72–17.63%). Biochemical composition of pearl oyster demonstrated its high nutritional value which supported its promotion as a functional food for human consumption. The calorie content of pearl oyster was less than 2 Kcal, making this species an alternative source of healthy food to reduce obesity. Regression analysis indicated that Cu, Cd, and Pb had significant effect on 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, calories, vitamins, and pigment content of the collected oysters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the challenges in identifying drilled keshi pearls, focusing on the complexities arising from advances in pearl drilling techniques. Topics include the need for advanced data analysis to distinguish natural pearls from non-bead cultured (NBC) pearls, the examination of a parcel of pearls represented as natural from a known source, and the use of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and real-time X-ray microradiography for analysis.

Between 2019 and 2020, the Gambier lagoon was instrumented over a period of 9 months with a large array of autonomous oceanographic instruments measuring temperature, pressure, and current. Two deployments were conducted from June to October 2019 (Leg1) and from late October 2019 to late February 2020 (Leg2). A total of 16 instrumented locations were spread across the lagoon and on the forereef. Physical parameters were measured to characterize the wave climate, tide and surges, lagoonal circulation, and spatial and vertical temperature variabilities. Those observations were part of the ANR-funded MANA project (2017–2022) and its derivatives that were aimed at improving knowledge of processes influencing the spat collection of Pinctada margaritifera oysters that are used for black pearl farming and production. This dataset was a prerequisite for the development of a high-resolution biophysical model on the Gambier lagoon that is aimed at understanding the connectivity of oyster larvae (Bruyère et al., 2023a). The sampling strategy focused on the northern region of the Gambier lagoon and especially on the sub-lagoon of Rikitea, which is a prime spat collection site. The dataset was post processed, quality controlled, and is archived in a dedicated repository with a permanent DOI via the SEANOE marine data platform (10.17882/94148, Andréfouët et al., 2023b). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to assess and analyse cooperative performance using PEARLS and a partial Balanced Scorecard (BSC) tool at savings and credit cooperatives (SCCs) in Eastern Indonesia.

Fossil pearls are rare but important palaeoecological indicators in proving the former presence of parasites. A single right valve of Hyotissa hyotis from the Pliocene of Sidi Brahim shows numerous blister pearls inside the adductor muscle imprint. At the same locality, numerous shells with smooth adductor scars and without any blisters, have been collected. The structures in the studied valve can be assigned to blister pearls with high confidence due to their similarity to other Cenozoic pearls from Austria. The blister pearls likely formed as a reaction to parasite infestation. It is possible that some parasites especially targeted areas associated with the adductor muscles in the oyster genus Hyotissa, because similar blister pearls have previously been described in a congeneric species, H. squarrosa, from the Miocene of Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic & Regional Studies/Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses had little experience providing care during a pandemic. This project aimed to identify Pearls (suggestions) to survive a pandemic as a nurse. Methods: A phenomenologic design was implemented. Narrative comments were analyzed using Braun & Clarke's Six Phases of Summative Concept Analysis. This paper focuses on responses to a secondary question of this design. Results: One hundred thirty-four professional nurses provided 150 Pearls; of these, 123 Pearls reflected a positive sentiment. The Pearls fit into four themes: take care of yourself and find a balance, work as a team, practice safety, and appreciate that this is a hard time. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic provides a valuable lesson for how nurses can survive future pandemics. Further research is warranted to investigate how useful the Pearls are for nurses in future pandemics and other crises threatening healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are one food source commonly consumed by the community and an important commodity with high economic value. Environmental issues, such as microplastics, have become a worldwide concern for its implications for aquatic organisms, especially oysters. This study aims to identify the microplastics and growth patterns of oysters in Aceh Province, Indonesia's north and east coasts. This study aims to determine which oysters are suitable for consumption and food health based on research locations along the east-north coast of Aceh Province. METHODS: The locations in this study include nine regencies/cities, which are directly facing the Malacca Straits. Microplastic isolation from oysters using 10 percent potassium hydroxide and incubation process were done to dissolve the organic materials. The growth pattern was analyzed to determine the growth rate of oysters at each study location. FINDINGS: The results of this study showed that oysters in all sampling locations were contaminated with microplastics, with a high prevalence of 48 percent found in Langsa, followed by Aceh Timur and Pidie each (40 percent), Banda Aceh (38 percent), Aceh Utara (32 percent), Aceh Besar and Bireun (30 percent), Lhokseumawe (12 percent), and Aceh Tamiang (8 percent). The analysis of the growth patterns revealed that the growth of oysters at each location was not optimal (b <3 or negative allometric). CONCLUSION: In 500 oyster samples collected, 139 were contaminated with microplastics. The most dominant type of microplastic contaminating oysters is fiber up to 170 particles, followed by films 28 particles, and fragments 19 particles. Negative allometric growth pattern might correlate with microplastics that contaminate the waters and enter the oyster's digestive organs. The results of this study reveal that oysters consumed by people have been contaminated with microplastics, so stakeholders must carry out socialization for early prevention to be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prerecorded video content in medical education has become more common. Increasingly accessible technology coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent need for distanced learning has greatly increased the interest in and need for high-quality video content. The use of short educational videos to augment other teaching methods has been shown to improve learners' experiences, knowledge retention, and understanding of content. Multiple studies have demonstrated that video education can be a highly effective tool for learning, particularly for hard-to-visualize processes and for procedural education. Videos allow learners to view content at their own pace and revisit materials on demand. In addition, well-designed videos can be repurposed by educators, ultimately reducing time needed to create high-quality educational content. Currently available technology allows educators to create high-quality videos at minimal cost and with a modest investment of time. This article details practical tips for creating high-yield educational videos.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as traumatic events occurring before age 18, such as maltreatment, life-threatening accidents, harsh migration experiences, or violence. Screening for ACEs includes asking questions about an individuals early exposure to these types of events. ACEs screenings have potential value in identifying children exposed to chronic and significant stress that produces elevated cortisol levels (i.e., toxic stress), and its associated physical and mental health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, asthma, ADHD, anxiety, and substance dependence. However, ACEs screenings are seldom used in primary care settings. The Surgeon General of California has addressed this care gap by introducing ACEs Aware, an ACEs screening fee-for-service healthcare policy signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Since January 2020, Medi-Cal, Californias Medicaid health care program, has reimbursed primary care providers for using the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life-events Screener (PEARLS) tool to screen children and adults for ACEs during wellness visits. To achieve the goals set by the ACEs Aware state policy, it is essential to develop and test implementation strategies that are informed by the values, priorities, and resources of clinical settings, healthcare professionals, and end-users. To address this need, we partnered with a system of federally qualified health centers in Southern California on a pilot study to facilitate the implementation of ACEs screenings in five community-based clinics. The health centers had broad ideas for an implementation strategy, as well as best practices to improve adoption of screenings, such as focusing on staff training to improve clinic workflow. This knowledge was incorporated into the development of an implementation strategy template, used at the outset of this study. We used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework to guide the study and inform a participatory planning process called Implementation Mapping. In this paper, we describe how Implementation Mapping was used to engage diverse stakeholders and guide them through a systematic process that resulted in the development of the implementation strategy. We also detail how the EPIS framework informed each Implementation Mapping Task and provide recommendations for developing implementation strategies using EPIS and Implementation Mapping in health-care settings.

Abstract Background Research examining the connections between individual adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how groupings of interrelated adversities are linked with subsequent health is scarce, limiting our understanding of risk during a period of rapid expansion of ACE screening in clinical practice. The study objective was to conduct a psychometric analysis to derive latent domains of ACEs and related life events and assess the association between each domain and health outcome. Methods Participants (3 months-11 years) were recruited from the University of California San Francisco Benioff’s Children Hospital Oakland Primary Care Clinic. Children were screened with the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) (n = 340), which assessed 17 total ACEs and related life events, including forms of abuse, household challenges, and social risks. Domains were constructed using confirmatory factor analysis and associations between the three identified domains and 14 health outcomes were assessed using multivariable linear and logistic regression models. Results Three PEARLS domains were identified: Maltreatment (ω = 0.73, ɑ=0.87), Household Challenges (ω = 0.70, ɑ=0.82), and Social Context (ω = 0.55, ɑ=0.70). Measurement invariance was supported across both gender and screening format. All domains were associated with poorer general and behavioral health and stomachaches. Maltreatment and Social Context were additionally associated with eczema while only Social Context was associated with increased odds of reporting headaches and somatic symptoms. Conclusion In an underserved, urban west-coast pediatric population, the PEARLS found three adversity domains of Maltreatment, Household Challenges, and Social Context that all had an independent statistically significant association with poorer child health. The results provide a timely and more nuanced representation of risk that can inform clinical practice and policy using more targeted resources and interventions.

This contribution aims to shed light on the conceptions through which natural resources were negotiated in an emerging colonial setting: the Jesuit missions in the region now known as Baja California in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The essay explores the polyvalence and contrasting perceptions of pearls as "resources" through letters, reports, accounts, and other bureaucratic records related to mission management, particularly in the region of Loreto. It argues that pearls were spiritual, political, and material expedients. Their different values were not commensurable yet were mutually dependent in the colonial project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2019 and 2020, the Gambier lagoon was instrumented over a period of 9 months with a large array of autonomous oceanographic instruments measuring temperature, pressure and current. Two deployments were conducted, respectively from June 2019 to October 2019 (Leg1) and from late October 2019 to late February 2020 (Leg2). A total of sixteen instrumented locations were spread across the lagoon and on the forereef. Physical parameters were measured to characterize the wave climate, tide and surges, lagoonal circulation, and spatial and vertical temperature variabilities. Those observations were part of the ANR-funded MANA project (2017-2022) and its derivatives that aimed to improve knowledge of processes influencing the spat collection of Pinctada margaritifera oysters that are used for black pearl farming and production. This data set was a prerequisite for the development of a high resolution biophysical model on Gambier lagoon which aims at tackling the connectivity oyster larvae. The sampling strategy focused on the northern region of Gambier lagoon and especially on the sub-lagoon of Rikitea which is a prime spat collection site. The data set was post processed, quality controlled and is archived in a dedicated repository with a permanent DOI into the SEANOE marine data platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional and oxygenated stream beds provide crucial habitat for multiple endangered stream taxa, including endangered freshwater mussels, fishes, and insect larvae. Stream bed restoration measures such as substrate raking are often applied to mitigate excess fine sediment introductions and stream bed colmation, yet such measures are controversial. In this study, we conducted a systematic experiment in which sites with stream bed raking and removal of macrophytes were monitored over two years and compared with before-treatment conditions and untreated reference sites in the Swedish Brånsån stream, which still contains a population of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera. The stream bed restoration resulted in improved habitat quality, as evident from decreased substrate compaction, increased redox potential, and oxygen supply into the stream bed. In contrast to previous studies in Central European catchments with more intensive agricultural catchment uses, the effects of the restoration measure were much longer, extending over two years. Consequently, stream bed raking and macrophyte removal can be considered a useful and more long-lasting restoration measure than currently assumed, especially in streams where excess input of fine sediment has already been mitigated, where catchment land use is rather extensive, and where near-natural flow regimes still prevail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of native mangrove oyster species of the genus Crassostrea in Brazil is a recurring issue for specialists. Studies have recognized the presence of two species in the littoral zone: C. rhizophorae and C. gasar. However, other names may be used, such as C. mangle for C. rhizophorae and C. brasiliana or C. tulipa for C.gasar. As in most oyster taxonomic studies, their identification requires genetic evaluation for the precise determination of taxa. Moreover, previous revisions have proposed some morphological traits by which each species could be precisely identified, leading to a series of debates about the best model for species identity. The aim of this study was to apply an integrative taxonomic approach to native Crassostrea mangrove oyster species on the Brazilian coast to assert the correct species names, delimitations, and concise descriptions. Molecular tracing of cultivated specimens, along with wild specimens of Crassostrea collected from the Brazilian coast, was used to confirm the morphological identity of the taxa. The wild specimens were tentatively identified as either C. gasar or C. rhizophorae based on previous morphological revisions. PCR-RFLP and DNA analyses of the mitochondrial 16S gene mitochondrial rDNA from wild specimens were used to confirm taxa and re-evaluate morphological boundaries and descriptions of the species. We confirmed two patterns in the RFLP and sequence analyses: C. gasar and C. rhizophorae. Conchological and anatomical evaluations of 1006 identified Crassostrea specimens confirmed the inherent polymorphism between the native species, preventing reliable identification of the species by morphology alone. A clear exception, however, is found for specimens whose shell height is greater than 110 mm with internal view of white-colored valves and without an umbonal cavity, fitting the description of C. paraibanensis , which belongs to C. gasar. C. brasiliana and C. mangle are synonyms of C. gasar and C. rhizophorae , respectively. C. tulipa represents a species disconnected from any described mangrove oyster species from Atlantic seas. Conchological and anatomical descriptions of both species were improved to include the variability encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2018 and 2022, four pearl farming Tuamotu atolls of French Polynesia were monitored with autonomous oceanographic instruments to measure the hydrodynamics of atoll lagoons and the oceanlagoon water exchanges. These surveys were conducted in the frame of ANR MANA (Management of Atolls) project and its extensions to additional sites. The overarching goal was to improve knowledge on the processes influencing the spat collection of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera, the oyster species used to produce black pearls. These data sets are also critical for the calibration and validation of 3D high spatial resolution hydrodynamic models used to study the oyster larval dispersal within lagoons. The observational strategies focused on the characterization of ocean/lagoon exchanges through passes and hoa (i.e., shallow reef flats), lagoon circulation, incident waves breaking on the forereef, water elevation inside lagoon as well as spatial temperature variability. Chronologically, the investigated atolls were first Raroia Atoll with 9 months measurements between May 2018 and March 2019 during which the MALIS1 and MALIS2 cruises on-board the R/V ALIS took place. It was followed by a 4-month deployment in Takapoto Atoll (November 2021 to March 2022). In late April 2022, Apataki Atoll was instrumented until end of July, followed by Takaroa measurements between July to October. Apataki (Leg2) and Takaroa Atoll were conjointly instrumented during the MALIS 3 oceanographic cruise. Altogether, those multi-atoll data bring a worldwide unique oceanographic atoll data set, useful to address local pearl farming questions but potentially beneficial for other fundamental and applied investigations. Each data set was post processed, quality controlled and converted in NetCDF format. Files are available in open source into dedicated repositories in the SEANOE marine data platform with permanent DOIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global use of pesticides brings uncertain risks to human and nontarget species via environmental matrix. Currently, various models for exposure risk assessment are developed and widely used to forecast the impact of pesticides on environmental organisms. In this study, five commonly used insecticides, seven herbicides and three fungicides were chosen to analyze the subsequent risks in groundwater in simulated scenarios using China-PEARL (Pesticide Emission Assessment at Regional and Local Scales) model. In addition, their exposure risks to soil organisms were characterized based on risk quotient (RQ) approach. The results indicated that 23.3% of the total 528 predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of pesticides and respective metabolites in groundwater from six Chinese simulated locations with ten crops were above 10 μg L−1. Furthermore, acceptable human risks of pesticides in groundwater were observed for all simulation scenarios (RQ < 1). Based on the derived PECs in soil short-term and long-term exposure simulation scenarios, all compounds were evaluated to be with acceptable risks to soil organisms, except that imidacloprid was estimated to be with unacceptable chronic risk (RQ = 27.5) to earthworms. Overall, the present findings provide an opportunity for a more-comprehensive understanding of exposure toxicity risks of pesticides leaching into groundwater and soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dubrovnik is one of the most visited destinations on the Adriatic coast. However, the large number of visits is affecting the heritage area of the city, and since the Old City of Dubrovnik have been under the UNESCO protection from 1979 it is important to achieve the balance between tourism and sustainability of the heritage site. The use of smart and open data can improve tourism flow management in cultural heritage sites. The aim of this article is to identify innovative solutions, with the support of new technologies and big data, in order to reduce negative impacts of tourism on cultural heritage sites. The set of indicators are defined and a holistic model is proposed to analyse these data and use them in sustainable management of cultural heritage cities. The newly developed smart holistic models are presented in the case of the City of Dubrovnik since it is largely dedicated to tourism. The analysis of tourist flows in the City of Dubrovnik has been done following a system of indicators developed by the Agency for sustainable Mediterranean cities and territories in the framework of Interreg Mediterranean project HERIT-DATA that consists of 21 indicators divided into 6 groups. A large number of tourists are affecting not only space and infrastructure, but also the life of residents. Therefore, it is of the greatest importance to manage tourism in a more holistic and sustainable way and to find the balance between tourism and its economic contributions and sustainability. The proposed set of indicators and a new smart holistic model will help policy makers, destination managers, cities and sites to anticipate and manage the tourism flows in a smarter way. The results of the analysis showed that the overtourism in Dubrovnik has still not affected the infrastructure and environmental conditions, but it greatly affects the residents of the city and their quality of life. Also, the smart solution for managing the tourism flows in the Old City of Dubrovnik already exists, in the form of Application for the prediction of the number of visitors, but it should be used in a way that helps better manage the tourist flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a snapshot of Indigenous Early Career Researchers in Australia derived from demographic information collected in the first stage of the 'Developing Indigenous Early Career Researchers' project. Analysis of the data to date has evidenced much diversity across this cohort. However, one commonality across all Indigenous Early Career Researchers was a commitment to the value and validity of Indigenous Ways of Knowing in the higher education sector. With the use of Tribal Critical Race Theory this paper explores the ways in which Indigenous Early Career Researchers disrupt Western-based academies and schools of thought and proposes that Indigenous Early Carer Researchers grow 'pearls' of experience and knowledge within the higher education sector that are essential to the development of a richer academy and stronger Indigenous communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Declines of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and its numerous ecological benefits have spurred oyster restoration initiatives. Successful restoration of a self-sustaining oyster population requires evaluating the temporal and spatial patterns of recruitment (settlement and survival) of oyster larvae in the target waterbody. Restoration of the Eastern oyster population in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs), USA, a shallow lagoonal estuary, is of interest to federal, state, and non-governmental, but the location and timing of natural recruitment is not known. Methods: We assessed the spatial and temporal variation in oyster larval recruitment throughout the MCBs using horizontal ceramic tiles and PVC plates. Newly settled oyster larvae (recruits) were monitored biweekly from June to September 2019 and 2020 at 12 sites in the MCBs and a comparison site in Wachapreague, Virginia. Water quality measurements collected included temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the most effective substrate and design for monitoring oyster recruitment, (2) the spatial and temporal distribution of oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, and (3) patterns in oyster larval recruitment that would be applicable to other lagoonal estuaries. Results: (1) Ceramic tiles were more effective than PVC plates for recruiting oyster larvae. (2) Peak settlement began during the period from late June through July, and oyster recruitment was greatest at sites closest to the Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets. (3) Areas near broodstock that have slow flushing rates to retain larvae may provide the best environments for recruitment of oysters to lagoonal estuaries. Discussion: As the first study on oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, our results provide insight into their spatial and temporal distribution, methods that can serve as a foundation for future recruitment studies in other lagoonal estuaries, and baseline data that can be used to inform stakeholders and evaluate the success of oyster restoration projects in MCBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over time, cosmetic procedures have continued to grow in popularity and patients seeking these procedures have expanded to include more patients with skin of color. However, not all cosmetic procedures are created equally and it is important to understand the nuances associated with treating darker skin types. This review aims to provide clinical pearls and pitfalls when performing the following procedures in skin of color: chemical peels, microneedling, injectables (botulinum toxin and fillers), and laser treatments. These procedures have been demonstrated to be safe in skin of color as long as certain precautions are taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with Parkinson's disease admitted to the hospital have unique presentations. This unique subset of patients requires a multidisciplinary approach with a knowledge-based care team that can demonstrate awareness of complications specific to Parkinson's disease to reduce critical care admissions, morbidity, and mortality. Early recognition of toxic exposures, medication withdrawals, or medication-induced symptoms can reduce morbidity and mortality. This review can assist in the critical assessment of new or exacerbating Parkinson's disease symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explain the performance of Brazilian credit unions, focusing on the institutions with the best segmentation level in the National Financial System (NFS). Originality/value: This study used a scenario not yet explored seeking to relate a homogeneous group of unions selected through the NFS segmentation framework and applying financial indexes standardized by the World Council of Credit Unions (Woccu), known as the PEARLS System, to fill, in a practical way, a gap regarding the perspective of identification of factors that impact the performance of Brazilian credit unions. Design/methodology/approach: The statistical technique of multiple linear regression was used, operationalized by the ordinary least squares (OLS) method on a balanced panel in the period from 2009 to 2018, modeled with three performance proxies and explained by the Pearls key indexes, with a sample of 81 unions. Findings: The main results showed that cooperatives have low rates of profitability and that it is necessary to increase investments in productive assets. Regarding performance, the net loan portfolio (E1) is directly and positively associated with profitability (ROA and ROE) and to the adjusted net equity growth (CPLA). However, default (A1) reflects a tendency to consume the net institutional capital (E9) and compromises the growth of these institutions. Moreover, the credit portfolio is indeed the most valuable asset and one of the most responsible factors for the performance of Brazilian credit unions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the impact of water temperature on pearl formation and the molecular mechanisms underlying this biomineralization process in the mussel Hyriopsis cumingii. In the laboratory experiment, recipient mussels received saibo grafts from donor mussels and then were cultivated at five temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 °C) for 1 month. We found that speed of pearl formation varied with water temperature: there was no visible pearl granules at 16 and 20 °C, tawny pearl granules were collected at 24 °C and lustrous pearl granules were collected at 28 and 32 °C. The expressions of several nacreous layer matrix protein genes (hic22, hic24, HcTyr Hc-upsalin and Hcperlucin) at 28 °C and 32 °C were peaked on day 28, and the expressions of other nacreous layer matrix protein genes (hic52 and hic74) on day 28 were significant higher than day 14. In the natural environment, pearl deposition rate also increased as water temperature rose, and the optimum range for pearl growth in H. cumingii was between 28.3 and 30.3 °C. Expression of the prismatic layer-related matrix protein genes hic31 and both prismatic and nacreous layer-related matrix protein gene silkmapin was significantly high in winter, and expressions of the nacreous layer-related matrix protein genes (hic24, hic74, HcTyr, Hc-upsalin and Hcperlucin) were always higher during higher temperature seasons compared with winter. These results indicate that high water temperature can speed up pearl formation and further regulate matrix protein secretion to accelerate pearl nacre deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of REUNIR: Revista de Administração, Contabilidade e Sustentabilidade is the property of REUNIR - Revista de Administracao, Contabilidade e Sustentabilidade and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A phenomenon of organic stones, today regarded as precious stones, namely pearls, is the fact that they have never gone out of fashion. Their enduring popularity has been exploited by the creators of artificial jewellery, which - like real pearls and their imitations - has accompanied humans since ancient times. The subject of this article is comments on the names of pearls and terms associated with pearls incorporated into "secondary jewels". In the Polish language one- and multi-word names have been preserved, among others for: a) different types of these (less frequently used) natural stones and their (more frequently used) artificial counterparts, b) morphic pearls, c) chromatic qualities of pearls, d) the quantity and quality of stones used, e) the type of framing of both organic and artificial stones, f) metal studded with pearls, g) the complementary properties of artificial and natural pearls, h) names that reflect the diversity of "secondary" jewellery "pearl" designations and details that co-create them. These names are further complemented by professional jewellers' terms related to pearls that enrich these artificial items of value. All the linguistic testimony or "linguistic data" presented in this proposal allows for the redefinition, verification, complementation, modification and thus expansion of the concept of artificial jewellery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAn estimated 15% of community-dwelling older adults have depressive symptoms in the U.S. The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) is an evidence-based program for managing late-life depression. PEARLS is a home/community-based collaborative care model delivered by community-based organizations to improve access to quality depression care. Trained staff actively screen for depression to improve recognition, teach problem-solving and activity planning skills for self-management, and connect participants to other supports and services as needed.MethodsThis study examined 2015–2021 data from 1,155 PEARLS participants across four states to assess PEARLS effectiveness to reduce depressive symptoms. The clinical outcomes were measured by the self-reported PHQ-9 instrument to assess changes in depressive symptoms scored as depression-related severity, clinical remission, and clinical response. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was fitted to examine changes in composite PHQ-9 scores from baseline to the final session. The model adjusted for participants’ age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, income level, marital status, number of chronic conditions, and number of PEARLS sessions attended. Cox proportional hazards regression models were conducted to estimate the hazard ratio for improvement of depressive symptoms (i.e., remission or response), while adjusting for the covariates.ResultsPHQ-9 scale scores significantly improved from baseline to their final sessions (mean difference = −5.67, SEM = 0.16, p

Data obtained with a Hall sensor magnetic field detector have been used to record the spectral components of the geomagnetic field. An analysis of the spectral characteristics of geomagnetic oscillations has shown that the variations identified in the vicinity of the strong magnetic storm on November 4, 2021, are oscillations of the "pearl" type, i.e., Pc1 biotropic geomagnetic pulsations. Pearls were also observed in the vicinity of some weak magnetic storms in 2021–2022, including in the absence of magnetic disturbances. At the same time, they were not observed during the passage of some strong magnetic storms. Thus, it is not entirely correct to state that the human body is adversely affected only in magnetically disturbed periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid and semi-arid sub-tropical regions of India, pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system is the most important system under irrigated conditions. However, it is very exhaustive cropping system and productivity of pearl millet-wheat system has become constant or marginally declined for the last three decades. The imbalanced use of fertilizers and high intensity farming activities declined the soil nutrient status and also deteriorate physical and biological properties of soil. Therefore, to maintain soil health and productivity, balanced fertilization based on soil testing is very essential. A study of balanced fertilization based on Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) approach was initiated in 2009 at Research Farm, CCSHAU, Hisar, with seven treatments viz. T1—control, T2—farm yard manure (FYM) @ 15 t ha−1, T3—recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus (RDN and P), T4—STCR with target yield (TY) 3.0 t ha−1, T5—STCR with TY 3.5 t ha−1, T6—integrated STCR with TY 3.0 t ha−1 + FYM and T7—integrated STCR with TY 3.5 t ha−1 + FYM. Integrated treatment (T7) recorded the highest crop grain and straw yield followed by chemical fertilizers alone (T3–T5) whereas lowest grain and straw yield was found in control (T1) after 10 cycles of pearl millet-wheat system. Application of FYM along with chemical fertilizers enhanced total N, P and K uptake by approximately 150, 192 and 150% respectively, over the control. However, soil organic carbon (SOC) and available nutrients were found maximum at early developmental stages and decreased at maturity. The long-term balanced nutrient management using STCR approach has improved soil nutrient status, SOC, pearl millet yield, nutrient uptake and use efficiency of fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces are the soil component in cities that interacts most closely with humans. This study investigated the residues of seven neonicotinoids (NEOs) in soils from urban green spaces within the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region and analyzed the correlation between the residue characteristics and the region's economic development. Notably, we introduced the Nemerow Index method, a comprehensive approach, to quantify the overall pollution level of NEOs in the soil of urban park green spaces and utilized this to assess the cumulative exposure probability risks for different populations in this scenario. We found that: (1) The soil of urban park green spaces exhibited varying degrees of NEOs contamination (Σ 7 NEOs: N.D.–137.31; 6.25 μg/kg), with imidacloprid and clothianidin constituting the highest proportions (89.46 % and 83.60 %); (2) The residual levels of NEOs in Children's Park were significantly higher than those in community parks within Guangzhou, with an average value of 13.30 μg/kg compared to 3.30 μg/kg; (3) The residual characteristics of NEOs exhibited a positive correlation with regional economic development; specifically, the per capita GDP well correlated with IMI RPF , a summation of seven NEOs in imidacloprid equivalents via relative potency factors (R2 =0.86). Regions with higher economic development typically exhibited elevated IMI RPF levels; (4) The fitted cumulative probability distributions for average daily exposure doses revealed that children's exposure was an order of magnitude higher than adults'. Despite this, the exposure risks for both groups remained within acceptable limits. [Display omitted] • First systematic NEOs soil study in parks. • Assessed health risks of NEOs to humans. • NEOs distribution compared in park soils. • Economic growth linked to pollution. • Nemerow index method applied to NEOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four populations of freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera were studied at lower sections of three river basins of the eastern part of the Onega Peninsula, Northern European Russia: the Bol'shaya Syarta, the Ust'-Yaren'ga and the Lopshen'ga (including Kamenny Stream). One of the populations from the Lopshen'ga River was discovered for the first time. Here we present preliminary data on the population status of M. margaritifera , its host fishes and glochidia infestation in the studied river basins. Living juvenile mussels and fishes infested by glochidia were recorded only in two waterbodies, i.e., the Bol'shaya Syarta and Ust'-Yaren'ga rivers. The pearl mussel population from the Bol'shaya Syarta River seems to represent the most prosperous among studied ones. The average density of visible mussels was small in the lower section of the river, but the proportion of young mussels was rather high (33.1 %) and intensity of glochidia infection reached 865 glochidia per fish. The highest average density was recorded in the pearl mussel population from the Kamenny Stream, Lopshen'ga River basin. However, only one juvenile mussel and none of host fishes infested by glochidia were recorded in this watercourse that may indicate the population aging and decrease of reproduction. Morphological analyses revealed significant differences between four studied populations of M. margaritifera towards the shell convexity index (SCI) and shell elongation index (SEI). In all studied basins, salmonid fishes were also infested by other parasites, mainly flatworms and their cysts. This factor may negatively impact the salmonid host fish populations that require monitoring of the current situation. The data obtained and future studies will allow to develop a system for protecting and monitoring of populations of a rare species such as the freshwater pearl mussel M. margaritifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although pearls are well known by most people, their medicinal value has not been popularized. This article collates the medicinal history of pearls over 2,000 years in China, including the application of pearls in the traditional medicine of China and their various preparations, as well as the progress of their chemical constituents, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical research. Pearls from three different sources are used as medical materiel by 9 nationalities and 251 prescription preparations in China. In addition, pearls contain various inorganic constituents, such as calcium carbonate, trace elements, and water, and organic constituents, such as amino acids. In terms of pharmacology, pearls have many effects such as calming, improving cognitive ability, being anti-epileptic, promoting bone growth and regeneration, promoting the proliferation and migration of human microvascular endothelial cells, protecting the heart, antihemolysis, and anti-oxidation. In terms of toxicology, pearls are safe to take for a long time without exerting obvious adverse reactions. In terms of clinical application, pearls have been used to treat many diseases and conditions, such as convulsions, epilepsy, palpitations, eye diseases, ulcer diseases, skin diseases, or skin lesions. This article provides a reference for the application and research of pearls in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as traumatic events occurring before age 18, such as maltreatment, life-threatening accidents, harsh migration experiences, or violence. Screening for ACEs includes asking questions about an individual's early exposure to these types of events. ACEs screenings have potential value in identifying children exposed to chronic and significant stress that produces elevated cortisol levels (i.e., toxic stress), and its associated physical and mental health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, asthma, ADHD, anxiety, and substance dependence. However, ACEs screenings are seldom used in primary care settings. The Surgeon General of California has addressed this care gap by introducing ACEs Aware, an ACEs screening fee-for-service healthcare policy signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Since January 2020, Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid health care program, has reimbursed primary care providers for using the Pediatric ACEs and Related Life-events Screener (PEARLS) tool to screen children and adults for ACEs during wellness visits. To achieve the goals set by the ACEs Aware state policy, it is essential to develop and test implementation strategies that are informed by the values, priorities, and resources of clinical settings, healthcare professionals, and end-users. To address this need, we partnered with a system of federally qualified health centers in Southern California on a pilot study to facilitate the implementation of ACEs screenings in five community-based clinics. The health centers had broad ideas for an implementation strategy, as well as best practices to improve adoption of screenings, such as focusing on staff training to improve clinic workflow. This knowledge was incorporated into the development of an implementation strategy template, used at the outset of this study. We used the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework to guide the study and inform a participatory planning process called Implementation Mapping. In this paper, we describe how Implementation Mapping was used to engage diverse stakeholders and guide them through a systematic process that resulted in the development of the implementation strategy. We also detail how the EPIS framework informed each Implementation Mapping Task and provide recommendations for developing implementation strategies using EPIS and Implementation Mapping in health-care settings.

The article is about the Pinna genus, which includes the species Pinna nobilis and Pinna rudis. These large bivalve mollusks are found in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, where they are known as "nacras" and "abanicos," respectively. They are filter-feeding organisms that remove organic matter from the water and serve as a substrate for other organisms. However, these species are threatened by human predation, pollution, and climate change. Additionally, Pinna nobilis is critically endangered due to the spread of a parasite. These mollusks are also known for their sea silk, which has been used to make high-quality garments since ancient times. Currently, in Sant'Antioco, in Sardinia, this material is legally harvested to support a traditional industry. [Extracted from the article]

Patients with Parkinson’s disease admitted to the hospital have unique presentations. This unique subset of patients requires a multidisciplinary approach with a knowledge-based care team that can demonstrate awareness of complications specific to Parkinson’s disease to reduce critical care admissions, morbidity, and mortality. Early recognition of toxic exposures, medication withdrawals, or medication-induced symptoms can reduce morbidity and mortality. This review can assist in the critical assessment of new or exacerbating Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Plastics get into the environment legally or illegally, and their amount is increasing continuously because their usage is constantly increasing. Microplastics (< 5 mm) have several morphological types: fragments can be formed by physical weathering of larger plastic objects; fibres usually originate from washing synthetic clothes; while pearls used in cosmetics get into the environment by means of communal waste. Our aim is to analyse the sedimentation pattern of microplastics on various floodplain forms along a natural meander of the Lower Tisza River, Hungary. The uppermost sediment layer (0-5 cm) of the floodplain forms contains 0-1800 microplastics/kg. The sediments of the swales (458-1300 particles/kg) and the point bar sediments (220-1600 particles/kg) are the most polluted, but the samples from the low-lying clay pits are also highly contaminated (818-880 particles/kg). The active point bar and the natural levee have lower levels of microplastic contamination (100-620 particles/kg). In the natural levee along the channel, microplastics are present to a depth of 50 cm (1753-4800 particles/kg), while in the distal parts of the floodplain only the upper 0-10 cm sediment layer is polluted. Plastic fibres are the most common plastic types in the samples, clearly indicating that they originate from treated or untreated wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]