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Abstract Previous studies have documented natural infections of SARS-CoV-2 in various domestic and wild animals. More recently, studies have been published noting the susceptibility of members of the Cervidae family, and infections in both wild and captive cervid populations. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in mammalian wildlife within the state of Vermont. 739 nasal or throat samples were collected from wildlife throughout the state during the 2021 and 2022 harvest season. Data was collected from red and gray foxes (Vulpes vulples and Urocyon cineroargentus, respectively), fishers (Martes pennati), river otters (Lutra canadensis), coyotes (Canis lantrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus rufus), black bears (Ursus americanus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Samples were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 via quantitative RT-qPCR using the CDC N1/N2 primer set and/or the WHO-E gene primer set. Surprisingly, we initially detected a number of N1 and/or N2 positive samples with high cycle threshold values, though after conducting environmental swabbing of the laboratory and verifying with a second independent primer set (WHO-E) and PCR without reverse transcriptase, we showed that these were false positives due to plasmid contamination from a construct expressing the N gene in the general laboratory environment. Our final results indicate that no sampled wildlife were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and highlight the importance of physically separate locations for the processing of samples for surveillance and experiments that require the use of plasmid DNA containing the target RNA sequence. These negative findings are surprising, given that most published North America studies have found SARS-CoV-2 within their deer populations. The absence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in populations sampled here may provide insights in to the various environmental and anthropogenic factors that reduce spillover and spread in North American’s wildlife populations.

The main objective of this work has focused on extending the existing literature on the analysis of total factor productivity of the Health Care Centers (HCC) of the Community of Madrid (Spain) in the period 2015-2017, with two important contributions; the application and comparison of the Malmquist indices with two robust methodologies such as the Hicks-Moorsteen and Färe Primont indices which, except for error, have not been previously used in this sector and the regional scope, which has been scarcely analyzed. The main results reveal decreases in HC productivity due to the three proposed methodologies. These decreases range between 4.90% and 0.25% for the Färe-Primont and Hicks-Moorsteen indices respectively between 2015/17 in average terms. Convergence analyses confirm that this takes place in the case of the Malmquist and Hicks-Moorsteen proposals. || El objetivo principal de este trabajo se ha enfocado en extender la literatura existente sobre el análisis de la productividad total de los factores, de los Centros Sanitarios de la Comunidad de Madrid en el periodo 2015-2017, con dos importantes contribuciones, la aplicación y comparación de los índices de Malmquist con dos metodologías robustas, los índices de Hicks-Moorsteen y Färe Primont que salvo error no han sido previamente utilizadas en este sector y el ámbito regional, que ha sido escasamente analizado. Los principales resultados revelan disminuciones de la productividad de los CS por las tres metodologías propuestas. Estas disminuciones oscilan entre 4.90% y 0.25% para los índices de Färe-Primont y de Hicks-Moorsteen respectivamente entre 2015/17 en términos medios. Los análisis de convergencia confirman que esta tiene lugar en el caso de las propuestas de Malmquist y Hicks-Moorsteen.

Abstract A study was conducted in Oxnard, CA, from 2014 to 2015 to assess seasonal nitrogen (N) uptake, and 2018–2019 to assess the effect of fertilizer rates and types (calcium nitrate [CN9] and ammonium nitrate [AN20]) on yield of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars (Fronteras and a proprietary cultivar). The 2014–2015 study identified mainly two seasonal uptake rates: 0.59 and 1.30 kg ha–1 d–1 for early (October–February) and late season (March–June), respectively. The N fertilizer rates for the 2018–2019 study, derived from the 2014–2015 study, were defined as low (CN9‐L and AN20‐L; 132 kg ha–1 total applied), optimum (CN9‐O and AN20‐O; 233 kg ha–1 total applied), and high (CN9‐H and AN20‐H; 334 kg ha–1 total applied). Marketable yield for Fronteras plateaued at the optimum fertilizer rate, suggesting the average rate determined from the 2014–2015 study (equivalent to the optimum rate in the 2018–2019 study) achieved the highest yield for that cultivar. Marketable yield of the AN20 treatments for the proprietary cultivar was significantly greater than the CN9 treatments. Increasing N fertilizer rates resulted in greater aboveground vegetative biomass and consequent increased yield for both cultivars. The AN20 treatments resulted in 193–264% less nitrate found in the 30.5‐to‐61.0‐cm depth of soil than the CN9 treatments at crop termination, indicating significantly less nitrate‐leaching potential for fertilizers with greater proportion of N as ammonium. Assessing N uptake and tailoring fertilizer amounts and sources accordingly can maximize strawberry yield and minimize nitrate leaching.

The need for new clean energy sources for portable devices in biomedical, agro-food industry and environmental related sectors boosts scientists towards the development of new strategies for energy harvesting for their application in biodevices development. In this sense, enzymatic biofuel cells (BFCs) have gained much attention in the last years. This work faces the challenge of develop new generation of BFCs able to be adapted to remote and personal monitoring devices within the framework of wearable technologies. To this aim, one of the main challenges consists of the development of conductive and biocompatible electrodes, which constitute a challenge itself due to the non-conductive capabilities of most of the biocompatible supports. Additionally, bioelectrodes may achieve good mechanical properties and resilience in order to be suitable for the envisioned application, which involves exposure to deformation during long-term use. Furthermore, it is desirable that the systems developed are versatile enough to be adapted to miniaturized supports for new personal wearable devices development. In the present work, self-standing chitosan-carbon black membranes have been synthesized and modified with suitable enzymes for the assembly of an enzymatic glucose BFC. The membranes have been adapted to be integrated in miniaturized interdigitated gold electrodes as the step forward to miniaturized systems, modified with enzymes and metallic particles clusters and tested for energy harvesting from glucose solutions. The miniaturized system produces a power density of 0.64 µW/cm2 that is enhanced to 2.75 µW/cm2 in the presence of the metallic clusters, which constitute a 76% incensement. Such preliminary demonstrations highlight the good response of metals in bioelectrode configuration. However, energy harvesting real application of the developed miniaturized electrodes need still improvements but pave the way for the use of BFC as an energy source in wearable technologies due to their good mechanical, electrical and biocompatible properties.

Unlike most crop industries, there is a strongly held belief within the wine industry that increased vine age correlates with quality. Considering this perception could be explained by vine physiological differences, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vine age on phenology and gas exchange parameters. An interplanted, dry farmed, Zinfandel vineyard block under consistent management practices in the Central Coast of California was evaluated over two consecutive growing seasons. Treatments included Young vines (5 to 12 years old), Control (representative proportion of young to old vines in the block), and Old vines (40 to 60 years old). Phenology, leaf water potential, and gas exchange parameters were tracked. Results indicated a difference in phenological progression after berry set between Young and Old vines. Young vines progressed more slowly during berry formation and more rapidly during berry ripening, resulting in Young vines being harvested before Old vines due to variation in the timing of sugar accumulation. No differences in leaf water potential were found. Young vines had higher mid-day stomatal conductance and tended to have higher mid-day photosynthetic rates. The results of this study suggest vine age is a factor in phenological timing and growing season length.

Cancer encompasses a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth. In the 44 years following the signing of the National Cancer Act of 1971, multiple genetic and environmental factors have been identified as initiators of the disease. Considerable progress has been made in the treatment and detection of many forms of cancer, but despite this progress, it remains as the most lethal group of diseases worldwide (Stewart BW, Wild CP. World Cancer Report 2014. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2014). The barriers to developing new cancer therapies lie in the heterogeneity, adaptability, and physiological complexity of these diseases (Hanahan D, Weinberg RA. Hallmarks of cancer: the next generation. Cell 2011, 144, 646–647). To address these challenges, MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research has combined the strengths of both cancer biology and engineering to take a multidisciplinary, multi-investigator approach to cancer research. The insights and technologies developed by this approach are already bearing fruit, serving as an inspirational model for disease-focused research.

Introduction: Adherence to nutritional medical treatments is essential for attaining clinical benefits. Yet, the evidence regarding the impact of various factors on adherence to these treatments is limited, highlighting the need for strategies that facilitate early identification of prognostic adherence factors. Objectives: This study aims to identify factors that may influence adherence to nutritional medical treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted using a validated 25-item questionnaire targeted at specialists in Endocrinology, Nutrition, Rehabilitation, and Dysphagia. Results: A total of 296 health professionals participated, providing pertinent data for 614 patients with dysphagia and malnutrition during routine clinical practice in public hospitals. Several factors potentially impairing adherence were identified, such as a patient's lack of appetite, satiety, disinterest and fatigue. Texture was recognized as a facilitating factor in 96% of cases. A statistically significant correlation was found between the value patients place on the intake of oral nutrition supplements in their recovery process and their compliance with the prescribed doses. Conclusions: The results emphasize the importance of communicating with patients and caregivers about the necessity of complying with the prescribed nutritional regimen and its potential benefits. The analysis of habits also underlined the need to offer flexible, patient-tailored nutritional solutions to enhance treatment adherence.