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Phytoseiulus longipes is a predatory mite of Tetranychus evansi, which is an invasive pest in Africa and elsewhere. The introduction of this predator in Africa has considerable potential, but little is known about the compatibility of P. longipes with commonly used pesticides. Here, we examined lethal and sublethal effects of two pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin), two organophosphates (dimethoate and chlorpyrifos), one nicotinoid (imidacloprid), two acaricides (propargite and abamectin), two naturally derived pesticides (oxymatrine and azadirachtin), and one entomopathogenic fungal-based formulation (Hirsutella thompsonii) on P. longipes eggs and adults. The pesticides were sprayed at their maximum recommended concentrations. Topical exposures to azadirachtin, imidacloprid, propargite, abamectin, oxymatrine, and H. thompsonii significantly reduced the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ)of P. longipes. Pesticide lethal and sublethal effects on the predator were summarized in a reduction coefficient (Ex) for the classification based on IOBC toxicity categories. Results revealed that Azadirachtin and H. thompsonii were slightly harmful effects to adults. Imidacloprid, propargite, abamectin, and oxymatrine were moderately harmful to both eggs and adults. Residual persistence bioassays revealed that 4-day-old residue of azadirachtin had no harmful effect on the predator. Abamectin, oxymatrine, and H. thompsonii became harmless to it 10 days post-spraying, and propargite and imidacloprid were considered harmless after 20 days. Cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dimethoate, and chlorpyrifos were highly harmful to both eggs and adults, persistence remaining high even after 31 days of application. These findings provide valuable insights into decision-making when considering P. longipes for use in IPM programs.

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is receiving increased attention as a booster of seed germination and seedling vigor, and some studies have described use of PAW to manage crop pathogens. Here, we examined physicochemical properties of two PAWs (referred to as PAW 6.0 and 9.4 min with atmospheric plasma jet) and assessed “their indirect effects” (applied as supplementary irrigation) on host suitability of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Exposure of water to cold plasma significantly lowered pH and increased concentrations of H2O2, NO2−, and NO3−. Supplementary PAW irrigations elicited significant increases in leaf composition of several elements (N, P, K S, Ca, and Mg), leaf reflectance, plant size, and trichome densities (except non-glandular trichomes on the adaxial surface). Preference bioassays revealed significant avoidance of settling and reduced oviposition by two-spotted spider mites on leaf discs from PAW-irrigated plants compared to those from untreated control plants. Performance bioassays showed a significant decrease in two-spotted spider mite populations on PAW-irrigated plants. Results presented in this study provide comprehensive support to the hypothesis that indirect effects of supplementary PAW irrigation significantly reduce host plant suitability to two-spotted spider mites. PAW 6.0 may be slightly better than PAW 9.4, and this difference in performance is discussed in this study. Applications of PAW as supplementary irrigation are likely highly compatible with other IPM tactics and should be considered an innovative and sustainable component in twenty-first-century pest management.

Abstract In spatio-temporal plant monitoring, optical sensing (including hyperspectral imaging), is being deployed to, non-invasively, detect and diagnose plant responses to abiotic and biotic stressors. Early and accurate detection and diagnosis of stressors are key objectives. Level of radiometric repeatability of optical sensing data and ability to accurately detect and diagnose biotic stress are inversely correlated. Accordingly, it may be argued that one of the most significant frontiers and challenges regarding widespread adoption of optical sensing in plant research and crop production hinges on methods to maximize radiometric repeatability. In this study, we acquired hyperspectral optical sensing data at noon and midnight from soybean (Glycine max) and coleus wizard velvet red (Solenostemon scutellarioides) plants with/without experimentally infestation of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). We addressed three questions related to optimization of radiometric repeatability: (1) are reflectance-based plant responses affected by time of optical sensing? (2) if so, are plant responses to two-spotted spider mite infestations (biotic stressor) more pronounced at midnight versus at noon? (3) Is detection of biotic stress enhanced by spatial binning (smoothing) of hyperspectral imaging data? Results from this study provide insight into calculations of radiometric repeatability. Results strongly support claims that acquisition of optical sensing data to detect and characterize stress responses by plants to detect biotic stressors should be performed at night. Moreover, the combination of midnight imaging and spatial binning increased classification accuracies with 29% and 31% for soybean and coleus, respectively. Practical implications of these findings are discussed. Study results are relevant to virtually all applications of optical sensing to detect and diagnose abiotic and biotic stress responses by plants in both controlled environments and in outdoor crop production systems.

Abstract Cardiac rhythms are related to heart electrical activity, being the essential aspect of the cardiovascular physiology. Usually, these rhythms are represented by electrocardiograms (ECGs) that are useful to detect cardiac pathologies. Essentially, the heart activity starts in the sinoatrial node (SA) node, the natural pacemaker, propagating to the atrioventricular node (AV), and finally reaching the His-Purkinje complex (HP). This paper investigates the control of cardiac rhythms in order to induce normal rhythms from pathological responses. A mathematical model that presents close agreement with experimental measurements is employed to represent the heart functioning. The adopted model comprises a network of three nonlinear oscillators that represent each one of the cardiac nodes, connected by delayed couplings. The pathological behavior is induced by an external stimulus in the SA node. An adaptive controller is proposed acting in the SA node considering an strategy based on the signal obtained by the natural pacemaker and its regularization. The incorporation of adaptive compensation in a Lyapunov-based control scheme allows the compensation for the unknown dynamics. The controller ability to deal with interpatient variability is evaluated by assuming that the heart model is not available to the controller design, being used only in the simulator to assess the control performance. Results show that the adaptive term can reduce the control effort by around 3% while reducing the tracking error by 20%, when compared to the conventional feedback approach. Additionally, the controller can avoid abnormal rhythms, turning the ECG closer to the expected normal behavior and preventing critical cardiac responses. Therefore, this work demonstrates that an adaptive controller can be used to regulate the ECG signal without prior information about the system and disregarding inter- and intrapatient variability.

The main task of this work is the optimization of the manufacturing process of Al-alloy lattice cellular structures with rhombic cell, obtained with lost-PLA technique. It is an easy, environment sustainable and economical technique (both for infrastructure and operating costs) for the manufacturing of Al porous structure based on the 3D printing of PLA and replication process alternative to that based on expensive metal 3D printers. Plaster processing, PLA burnout and AA 6082 alloy casting conditions and parameters have been suitably tuned in order to get final samples with geometry and surface finishing conditions identical to the starting ones made in PLA. A good replication process has been implemented with a high repeatability rate and accurate surface finishing, comparable with that of the PLA printed objects. Morphological analysis on PLA and Al 6082 was conducted as well microstructural analysis and Vickers microhardness tests on Al alloy samples in the as-cast conditions. Metallography reveals the presence of AlFeSi and AlFeMnSi intermetallic phases at the cell boundaries and some coarse precipitates Mg2Si in the AA 6082 alloy. Microstructures and HV measured values are aligned with literature data for this alloy in the same (as-cast) conditions.

Management science has emerged as a field that has attracted much attention, and different management models are constantly being researched. As a result, scientists are frequently on the agenda and conducting in-depth studies to develop a better or more ideal management model. The primary purpose of this study is to create a valid and trustworthy seven-dimensional scale to introduce a new management model to the literature. The scale has a unique value in that it fully covers the seven sub-dimensions it takes and is performed for the first time. Consequently, a valid and reliable scale was developed based on Siyasetname, one of Nizamülmülk's works. After the analysis, it was confirmed that it was an appropriate descriptive scale consisting of 32 items and seven sub-dimensions. The goodness-of-fit values of the scale (CMIN/SD: 2.13, RMSEA: 0.065, CFI: 0.93, GFI: 0.82, NFI: 0.89, SRMR: 0.067) were within acceptable ranges. This scale creates an opportunity to compare the management models preferred today, which is important for determining suitable management models. The article ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical results and suggestions for future research.

BackgroundApproximately one-third of trauma-related deaths are due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly among young adults and elderly patients. Management strategies may vary across different age groups, potentially influencing short-term neurological outcomes. This study aims to investigate age-related disparities in treatment approaches and 3-month neurological outcomes among TBI patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study on TBI patients requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2024, in a tertiary University hospital. Patient demographics, major comorbidities, ICU admission parameters, interventions and ICU complications were collected. An unfavorable neurological outcome at 3 months (UO) was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 1–3. A high therapy intensity level (TIL) was defined as a TIL basic of 3–4. A multivariable logistic regression model and a Cox proportional Hazard Regression model were used to assess the association of age and TIL with neurological outcome and mortality. A sensitivity analysis on low TIL (0–2) and high TIL subgroups was also conducted.ResultsWe enrolled 604 TBI patients, of which 240 (40%) had UO. The highest prevalence of UO was found in patients aged ≥80 years (53/94, 56%), followed by patients aged 50–79 years (104/255, 41%). The age group 35–49 years had the lowest rate of UO (38/127, 30%). Older patients (age ≥ 80 years) received less frequently high TIL than others (p = 0.03). In the multivariable analysis, age ≥ 80 years [OR: 3.42 (95% CI 1.72–6.81)] was independently associated with UO, while age ≥ 80 years [HR 5.42 (95% CI 3.00–9.79)] and age 50–79 years [HR 2.03, (95% CI 1.19–3.48)] were independently associated with mortality. Although there was no interaction between age groups and TIL on outcome, an exploratory analysis showed that in the high TIL subgroup of patients, age had no independent impact on the outcome, whereas, in the low TIL group, age ≥ 80 years was independently associated with UO [OR: 3.65 (95% CI: 1.64–8.14)].ConclusionOlder age, especially in the setting of low intensity treatment, may impact short-term neurological outcome of traumatic brain-injured patients.

IntroductionThe serine/threonine kinase 17B (STK17B) is involved in setting the threshold for T cell activation and its absence sensitizes T cells to suboptimal stimuli. Consequently, STK17B represents an attractive potential target for cancer immunotherapy.MethodsTo assess the potential of STK17B as an immuno-oncology target, we developed potent and selective tool compounds from starting points in Blueprint Medicines Corporation's proprietary kinase inhibitor library. To characterize these molecules, enzyme and cellular assays for STK17A and STK17B were established to drive chemistry optimization. Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics profiling with tool inhibitors led to the identification of Ser19 on myosin light chain 2 as STK17B substrate, which is then developed into a flow cytometry-based pharmacodynamic readout of STK17B inhibition both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsIn a mouse T cell activation assay, STK17B inhibitors demonstrated the ability to enhance interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Similarly, treatment with STK17B inhibitors resulted in stronger cytokine secretion in human T cells activated using a T cell bispecific antibody. Subsequent chemistry optimization led to the identification of a highly selective and orally bioavailable tool compound, BLU7482. In vivo, STK17B inhibition led to dose-dependent modulation of myosin light chain 2 phosphorylation and enhanced priming of naïve T cells, as determined by upregulation of CD69, IL-2 and interferon-γ secretion. In line with increased T cell activation, treatment with STK17B inhibitor enhanced antitumor activity of anti–PD-L1 antibody in the MCA205 model.ConclusionsIn summary, we successfully identified and optimized STK17B kinase inhibitors which led to increased T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. This allowed us to evaluate the potential of STK17B inhibition as an approach for cancer immunotherapy.

RESUMO Introdução: Histologia é o estudo das células e dos tecidos biológicos que compõem os seres vivos. Apesar de sua fundamental importância, a histologia ainda é um campo de difícil compreensão para uma parcela considerável dos estudantes, e, por consequência, a aprendizagem de outras ciências correlatas também fica prejudicada. Objetivo: O presente estudo se dispôs a elaborar materiais didáticos de histologia, utilizá-los como facilitadores do processo ensino-aprendizagem e avaliar a percepção dos discentes da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina acerca das ferramentas desenvolvidas. Método: Os materiais didáticos elaborados foram: apostila, banco de imagens, banco de casos clínicos e banco de mapas mentais. Para elaborá-los, utilizou-se o software Microsoft PowerPoint 2019. A exceção a essa forma de criação se deu somente com o banco de mapas mentais, o qual foi produzido com o aplicativo de mapeamento mental MindMeisteir. Distribuíram-se os materiais aos discentes que avaliaram suas contribuições para o aprendizado em histologia por meio de um questionário anônimo no formato Likert. Os dados foram compilados em tabelas utilizando o Microsoft Excel 2019 e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva. Resultado: Os materiais desenvolvidos pelo projeto foram avaliados majoritariamente como “bons”. Quanto à frequência de uso dos materiais, obteve-se as seguintes respostas: “quase sempre” ou “sempre”. A tendência da maioria dos voluntários foi concordar completamente, para todos os documentos avaliados, de que houve um impacto positivo do material no entendimento de histologia. Conclusão: O desenvolvimento de materiais pelo projeto “Histologia sem Artefato” auxiliou na construção de conhecimento dos alunos na grande área de histologia.

Bone formation on implant surfaces occurs via distance and contact osteogenesis, with osseointegration influenced by the implant’s surface topography and coating. However, the traditional mechanisms of osseointegration around metal implant surfaces may not fully encompass the ultimate outcomes of using medical-grade polycaprolactone β-tricalcium phosphate calcium phosphate coated (mPCL-TCP-CaP) scaffolds for the reconstruction of large bone defects. Using histology, immunohistochemical (IHC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses our studies on large bone defects using mPCL-TCP-CaP scaffolds show osteogenic cells forming a fibrous connective matrix around these scaffolds. Despite extensive research, the in vivo mechanisms of osseointegration of CaP-coated mPCL-TCP-CaP scaffolds remain unclear. This study investigates the structural details and spatial organization of the mPCL-TCP-CaP scaffold’s interface, providing insights into the histodynamic processes involved in their osseointegration with CaP coatings.

The role of androgens and estrogens in cardiovascular disease is a subject of ongoing studies. Therefore, we aim to explore the association of testosterone (T), estradiol and their ratio with cardiovascular risk factors and severity of cardiac ischemia in male patients with acute coronary syndrome. (ACS) n = 72 and controls (n = 35) Lower values of both total and free T were found in the ACS group compared to controls (8.97 vs. 10.98 nmol/l, p = 0.001 for total T and 0.189 vs. 0.223 nmol/l, p = 0.006 for free T). Patients with myocardial infarction with ST-elevation had significantly lower T fractions compared to ACS without ST-elevation. The T to estradiol ratio was significantly lower in the ACS group compared to controls and is lowest in those with STEMI. Also, all testosterone fractions – free, bioavailable, and free T, are lower in patients with ACS compared to controls. Based on these observations a conclusion can be drawn that amore estrogenic environment is associated with ST-elevation and correlates with the severity of ACS in male patients.

ABSTRACTThe estimation of soil moisture (SM) utilizing the data from the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) has attracted significant interest in recent times. However, CYGNSS’ inherent capability of variable resolution has not been fully exploited, often resulting in a loss of detailed spatial information in the raw data. In this paper, a novel downscaling scheme tailored for CYGNSS data is introduced to yield a “self-adjusting adaptive resolution” SM product, which dynamically varies the resolution of SM estimates based on the available CYGNSS data resolution at different geographic locations. Initially, a direct quantitative relationship is established between the key CYGNSS parameters reflecting SM variations and the reference SM from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission with a coarse resolution of 36 km. This model is then applied to CYGNSS observations with resolutions down to 3 km to generate high-resolution, self-adjusting SM estimates that better conserve the fine-scale information linked to the original CYGNSS data. Extensive experimental results with error ratio diagrams show that the advanced geographically weighted regression (GWR)-based SM estimation method outperforms other competing estimation models and better retains localized spatial relationships and patterns. This study underscores the potential of CYGNSS as a novel and robust independent data source capable of delivering fine-resolution SM estimations by harnessing its unique multiresolution observational capability.

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand the practices developed by nurses in primary care in southern Brazil. Method: Qualitative study, with data collection via online interviews, conducted between October 2020 and May 2021, and recorded. 174 nurses from 24 municipalities in southern Brazil participated. Data analysis used inductive thematic analysis. Results: The activity that stood out among nurses was the nurse consultation, for all age groups and health conditions, especially when dealing with chronic disease, prenatal care, attention to women and children, mental health, home visits, and the management of the nursing team and the health unit. Final considerations: This study demonstrated that an excess of responsibilities associated to care and management, added to a lack of balance in the activities common to the team make it difficult for nurses to develop clinical practices.

Abstract Background Public contribution in research can lead to the design and conduct of more feasible and relevant research. However, our understanding of the acceptability and feasibility of public contribution and the evidence base regarding its impact in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is limited. Methods In this study protocol, we describe a mixed‐method examination of public contribution activities in the GuardiansCan project. The GuardiansCan project aims to respond to Tanzanian guardians' poor adherence to children's follow‐up care after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with the help of Mobile Health technology. We aim to: (1) involve guardians of children treated for ALL as Guardians Advisory Board (GAB) members in the managing and undertaking, analysis and interpretation, and dissemination phases of the GuardiansCan project; and (2) examine the acceptability, feasibility, and perceived impact of GAB members' contribution to the GuardiansCan project from the perspective of the GAB members and public contribution coordinators. We will recruit six to eight guardians of children treated for ALL to the GAB. We will hold workshops where GAB members contribute to all project phases. Using impact logs, we will record GAB workshop activities and the perceived impact of these activities. We will interview GAB members and public contribution coordinators 6 months after establishing the GAB, and at the end of each study within the project, to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and perceived impact of public contribution activities. Discussion We expect GAB contribution to increase project quality and relevance, and inform how to best embed public contribution in research in LMICs.

IntroductionDrought-induced embolism formation in conifers is associated with several tracheid and pit traits, which vary in parallel from stem apex to base. We tested whether this axial anatomical variability is associated with a progressive variation in embolism vulnerability along the stem from apex to base.MethodsWe assessed the tracheid hydraulic diameter (Dh), mean pit membrane area (PMA) and the xylem pressure at 50% loss of conductivity (P50) on longitudinal stem segments extracted at different distances from the stem apex (DFA) in a Picea abies and an Abies alba tree.ResultsIn both trees, Dh and PMA scaled with DFA0.2. P50 varied for more than 3 MPa from the treetop to the stem base, according to a scaling of -P50 with DFA-0.2. The largest Dh, PMA and P50 variation occurred for DFA

Artificial snake hibernacula are anthropogenic structures used by snakes in temperate zones to survive harsh winter conditions. Artificial hibernacula can be intentionally created for various purposes including herpetoculture, research, habitat enhancement and conservation, or to offset development impacts. Here we present a design for an artificial snake hibernaculum for research use that was convenient (manually installed) and cost-effective ($91 CAD ea.). The hibernaculum was made of HDPE and ABS plumbing hardware, and measured ∼160 cm long by ∼10 cm wide. Our design was multi-chambered, descended to the groundwater table, and was modelled after the burrowing crayfish burrows used as overwinter refugia by snakes in our study area. Installation was completed using a manual soil auger in areas with soil depths of ∼115 cm. Removable components would allow easy ingress and egress of snakes, and threaded caps would facilitate monitoring via borescope camera. Dataloggers were used in 4 unoccupied hibernacula during one hibernation period, and results demonstrated that hibernacula supported a low mean air temperature and a high mean relative humidity. The hibernacula also provided a substantial buffer against extreme outside temperature and humidity. Further testing may demonstrate the suitability of our hibernaculum design for herpetoculture or conservation purposes. • Installed using a manual soil auger in areas with soil depths of ∼115 cm • Removable components allow for safe and easy ingress/egress of wild-caught or captive-reared snakes • Removable cap and simplified shape facilitate health monitoring of snakes via borescope camera

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive level of teacher abuse, school burnout and school attachment for risky behaviors in adolescents, and to examine risky behaviors according to some demographic variables. Relational survey model was employed in the study. The study group consisted of 446 adolescents with an average age of 15.49 years studying in secondary schools. Personal information form, Risky Behaviors Scale, Teacher Emotional Abuse Scale, School Burnout Scale and School Attachment Scale for Adolescents were used to obtain demographic information about students. As for data analysis, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, Independent Samples t-Test and One-Way Variance Analysis were employed. As a result, it was found that teacher abuse and school burnout predicted adolescents' risky behaviors in a positively significant direction whereas school attachment predicted adolescents' risky behaviors in a negatively significant direction. It was revealed that the score averages taken from the total and sub-dimensions of risky behaviors differed significantly according to gender, grade level, academic average, perceived socioeconomic level and family structure variables. In addition, it was determined that suicidal tendencies did not differ based on gender, academic average and class level; antisocial behaviors and school dropout did not significantly differ according to the grade level.

In learning, errors are ubiquitous and inevitable. As these errors may signal otherwise latent cognitive processes, tutors--and students alike--can greatly benefit from the information they provide. In this paper, we introduce and evaluate the Systematic Error Tracing (SET) model that identifies the possible causes of systematically observed errors in domains where items are susceptible to most or all causes and errors can be explained by multiple causes. We apply the model to single-digit multiplication, a domain that is very suitable for the model, is well-studied, and allows us to analyze over 25,000 error responses from 335 learners. The model, derived from the Ising model popular in physics, makes use of a bigraph that links errors to causes. The error responses were taken from Math Garden, a computerized adaptive practice environment for arithmetic that is widely used in the Netherlands. We discuss and evaluate various model configurations with respect to the ranking of recommendations and calibration of probability estimates. The results show that the SET model outranks a majority vote baseline model when more than a single recommendation is considered. Finally, we contrast the SET model to similar approaches and discuss limitations and implications.

Global Navigation System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is a microwave remote sensing technology that enables Earth observation by receiving GNSS signals reflected from the Earth's surface. The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation is a satellite system that uses GNSS-R technology with high temporal resolution and has been a popular data source in soil moisture retrieval in recent years. However, the constant movement of GNSS transmitters and GNSS-R satellites results in potentially chaotic and random observations of the Earth's surface, with many unevenly distributed gaps in the observed data. In this paper, a gap-filling method based on spatial autocorrelation is proposed to interpolate the gaps within these observation datasets, with SM being estimated post-interpolation. The sample set for the model comprises points surrounding the interpolation target, with modeling conducted considering factors of spatial weighting to estimate values at the interpolation target. Different autocorrelation-based gap-filling methods using CYGNSS data can achieve good estimation accuracy, and the data coverage after interpolation is on average 1.8 times greater than before interpolation. The gap-filling method using XGBoost achieves the best performance and offers the highest accuracy in SM estimation, with an average correlation coefficient of 0.8445, and an average RMSE of 0.0457 m3/m3. The gap-filling approach can significantly enhance data coverage and facilitate the filling of daily gaps in CYGNSS data with all maintaining high SM estimation accuracy. The estimation of daily missing values using CYGNSS data can fully exploit the embedded surface features in the data's fine resolution and can provide high-resolution SM retrieval.

Introduction: Tooth eruption anomalies occur in both temporary and permanent teeth. They also affect all maxillary and mandibular teeth, in particular the incisors. Localization outside the maxilla is a rare phenomenon, with psychological, functional and above all aesthetic consequences. In traditional African society, mystical considerations can be evoked to explain it. The aim was to manage an ectopic permanent incisor located on the chin, in order to avoid the disturbances that can occur in children. Case presentation: This was an 11-year-old child whose lower permanent incisor had erupted outside the mandibular bone, in the cellular tissue of the chin arch, outside the chin and lower lip muscles. Treatment: it consisted of extraction of the affected tooth, followed by suturing of the wound and antibiotic therapy. This treatment not only restored aesthetics and function, but also prevented the marginalization of the young patient. Conclusion: This case study highlights the need for aesthetic, psychological and functional management to ensure the patient’s well-being and overall development.

Prolonged and/or intense drought leads to the deterioration of plant water balance, inducing embolism formation in the water conducting system, the xylem. The consequent loss of water transport capacity from roots to leaves (hydraulic failure) has been proposed as a main driver of plant mortality. Substantial inter- and intraspecific variation of resistance to embolism formation has been reported in plants. Hence, screening of different species/individuals is key to project the impact of future climate on ecosystems, while supporting breeding and reforestation. This review seeks to explain the mechanisms of water transport in plants and the phenomenon of embolism formation under drought stress by using concise and straightforward scholarly language. The main aim is to introduce non-expert readers (students, nonacademics, and academics from different scientific fields) to plant hydraulics and the controversial world of methods for measuring the vulnerability to embolism formation. To convey the message in full, we provide ranges of water potential values and widely used drought resistance indexes characterizing plants from different biomes. Various established methods used worldwide to monitor hydraulic efficiency under stress and measure hydraulic vulnerability by means of curves of different plant organs are introduced. Both classical widely used destructive methods and current non-destructive techniques, which have been gaining momentum in the last decade, are described. The main advantages and disadvantages of each method are briefly discussed to support decisions and selection of the most suitable method in experimental practice.

Acute brain injury (ABI) remains one of the leading causes of death and disability world-wide. Its treatment is challenging due to the heterogeneity of the mechanisms involved and the variability among individuals. This systematic review aims at evaluating the impact of anti-histone treatments on outcomes in ABI patients and experimental animals and defining the trend of nucleosome levels in biological samples post injury. We performed a search in Pubmed/Medline and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies involving humans or experimental settings with various causes of ABI. We formulated the search using the PICO method, considering ABI patients or animal models as population (P), comparing pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy targeting the nucleosome as Intervention (I) to standard of care or no treatment as Control (C). The outcome (O) was mortality or functional outcome in experimental animals and patients affected by ABI undergoing anti-NET treatments. We identified 28 studies from 1246 articles, of which 7 were experimental studies and 21 were human clinical studies. Among these studies, only four assessed the effect of anti-NET therapy on circulating markers. Three of them were preclinical and reported better outcome in the interventional arm compared to the control arm. All the studies observed a significant reduction in circulating NET-derived products. NETosis could be a target for new treatments. Monitoring NET markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid might predict mortality and long-term outcomes. However, longitudinal studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted to fully evaluate their potential, as current evidence is limited.

This study is a research conducted in the relational screening model aiming to examine the intermediary role of gender and income in the relationship between ego functions and resilience. The research was conducted with 251 participants who volunteered to participate among fourth-graders attending different undergraduate programs of a university. 49.8% of the participants were female, and 50.2% were male; the mean age was 23.6 years. The Resilience Scale for Adults and Ego Functions Assessment Scale were used as data collection tools in the research. Descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regression Analysis were used in the analysis of data. Consequently, while resilience did not differ significantly in terms of gender, evaluating the truth from ego functions were found higher in men, and stimulant threshold and judgment were found to be higher in women. While it was determined that ego functions predicted resilience at a significant level, the intermediary role of gender and income level was not found in the relationship between ego functions and resilience. Consequently, it may be useful to consider ego functions as a variable in improving the resilience of young individuals.

In this study, the model, developed to examine the role of social support in the relationship between adolescents' level of loss and grief and well-being, was tested. In this study, the descriptive research method was used, and its participants consisted of 216 adolescents who were high school students, in Turkey. Scales used in this study include Personal Information Form; Grief Scale; Five-Dimensional Well-Being Scale for Adolescents (EPOCH); Social Support Assessment Scale for Children and Adolescents (CASSS and Personal Information Form). The structural equation model was used to examine the mediator role of the social support in the association between grief and well-being among adolescents. It was found the hypothesized model fit the data well, and social support fully mediated in the association between grief and well-being. The high level of social support in the loss and mourning process of adolescents makes it easier to cope with grief and positively affects their well-beings. These results are important for focusing on adolescents who experience lost and grief, providing effective mental health services and demonstrating the importance of strengthening social support systems. Future studies with longitudinal follow-ups are suggested to explore actual causal relationships.