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Tillage type and sentinel insect species affect the relative prevalence of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium robertsii, in soil

Because the use of synthetic agrochemicals is generally not allowed in organic crop production systems, growers rely on natural substances and processes, such as microbial control, to suppress insect pests. Reduced tillage practices are associated with beneficial soil organisms, such as entomopathogenic fungi, that can contribute to the natural control of insect pests. The impacts of management, such as tillage, in a cropping system can affect soil biota in the current season and can also persist over time as legacy effects. We investigated the in-season and legacy effects of soil management in four, three-year organic feed grain and forage production systems that varied in number and intensity of soil disturbances on the relative prevalence of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium robertsii. Employing sentinel bait assays with Tenebrio molitor and Galleria mellonella, we found that relative prevalence, measured as infection rate of sentinel insects, was lowest in systems utilizing a shallow high-speed disk (G. mellonella: 14%; T. molitor: 23%) in the current and previous seasons compared to systems that included inversion and non-inversion tillage (G. mellonella: 22%; T. molitor: 34%) or no-till planting (G. mellonella: 21%; T. molitor: 30%,). There was no difference in prevalence in systems that included the use of a high-speed disk compared to a perennial hay crop (G. mellonella: 16%; T. molitor: 28%). There were no negative legacy effects of inversion tillage on the prevalence of M. robertsii in subsequent crops. Sentinel assays with G. mellonella (19%) produced overall lower estimates of relative prevalence of M. robertsii than T. molitor (29%) but the association of relative prevalence with environmental variables was greater in assays with G. mellonella. We suggest that the use of occasional inversion tillage is not damaging to populations of M. robertsii in soil and that surveys using assays with multiple sentinel insect species will improve our ability to understand the effects of agricultural practices on entomopathogenic fungi.

Rabies transmitted from vampires to cattle: An overview

Rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease of global distribution that impacts human and animal health. In rural Latin America, rabies negatively impacts food security and the economy due to losses in livestock production. The common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus, is the main reservoir and transmitter of rabies virus (RABV) to domestic animals in Latin America. Desmodus rotundus RABV is known to impact the cattle industry, from small farmers to large corporations. We assessed the main patterns of rabies in cattle attributed to D. rotundus RABV across Latin America. Epidemiological data on rabies from Latin America were collected from the Pan American Health Organization spanning the 1970–2023 period. Analyses revealed an average of 450 outbreaks annually for the countries where D. rotundus is distributed, with at least 6 animals dying in each outbreak. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico were the Latin American countries with the highest number of rabies outbreaks during the study period and are the most affected countries in recent years. Findings suggest a re-emergence of bat-borne rabies in the region with more outbreaks reported in recent years, especially during the 2003–2020 period. Rabies outbreaks in cattle in the 2000–2020 period were significantly more frequent than in previous decades, with an increase in cross-species transmission after 2002. The size of outbreaks, however, was smaller in recent years, involving lower cattle mortality. Peru, El Salvador, and Brazil showed a strong association (R = 0.73, p = 0.01) between rabies incidence in D. rotundus (rates per million humans: 1.61, 0.94, and 1.09, respectively) and rabies outbreaks in cattle (rates per million cattle: 465.85, 351.01, and 48.22, respectively). A sustained, standardized, and widespread monitoring of D. rotundus demography and health could serve to inform an early warning system for the early detection of RABV and other bat-borne pathogens in Latin America. Current data can be used to forecast when, where, and in which intensity RABV outbreaks are more likely to occur in subtropical and tropical Latin America. A decrease in the size of outbreaks could suggest that strategies for epidemic management (e.g., education, early diagnosis, vaccination) have been effective. The increase in the number of outbreaks could suggest that the factors facilitating cross-species transmission could be on the rise.

The mediating role of core self-evaluation in the association between perceived peer relationship quality and loneliness in university students

This study investigated the mediating role of core self-evaluation (CSE) in the relationship between the perception of peer relationship quality and loneliness among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted with 462 university students (mean age: 20.7 ± 1.56 years; age range: 18 to 25 years) using the Peer Relationships Satisfaction Scale, Core Self-Evaluation Scale, and UCLA Loneliness Scale. The results revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived peer relationship quality and loneliness, as well as between CSE and loneliness. Core self-evaluation accounted for 36.23% of the total effect of peer relationship quality on loneliness. Additionally, female students reported higher levels of loneliness than male students, and students from rural areas experienced greater loneliness than their urban counterparts. The study concluded that fostering high-quality peer relationships and enhancing core self-evaluation could be effective strategies for reducing loneliness among university students.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and a possible variant in shelter cats

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of mild to severe acute respiratory disease that led to significant loss of human lives worldwide between 2019 and 2022. The virus has been detected in various animals including cats and dogs making it a major public health concern and a One Health issue. In this study, conjunctival and pharyngeal swabs (n = 350) and serum samples (n = 350) were collected between July and December 2020 from cats that were housed in an animal shelter and tested for the infection of SARS-CoV-2 using real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) that targeted the N1 and N2 genes, and a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus neutralization Test (sVNT), respectively. 203 (58%) swab samples were negative (N1 and N2 not detected), 2 (0.6%) were positive (N1 and N2 detected) and 145 (41%) were inconclusive (only N1 detected). Analysis of the N2 region and multiple sequence alignment revealed base-pair deletions and substitutions in the N2 probe binding region of the feline samples RNA extracts in comparison with the positive control and human SARS-CoV-2 sequences in the GenBank database. Substituting the N2 probe with a probe derived from the cat sample amplicon sequences, 123 of 127 (96.9%) of the N2 negative samples returned positive. All but one of the 350 serum samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibody. These observations indicated that although detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection was low in the samples tested, pet cats can harbor the virus and serve as potential source for virus spread that may lead to human infections. Additionally, cats may harbor a yet-to-be described virus that is somewhat related to SARS-CoV-2.

"No pain, no gain": Simulation-based learning in teacher education: The mediating role of simulation hindrances

Research on educational simulations has attempted to decipher the simulation-based learning (SBL) process by examining factors that facilitate and impede this process. In the current study, we examined the role of SBL participants’ hindrances, in particular their experience of anxiety or fear, which we view using the framework of leaving one’s comfort zone. Departure from one’s comfort zone has never been studied in the context of SBL in teacher education. A quantitative analysis of data collected via a questionnaire on Simulation Learning Outcomes in Teacher Education (SLOTE) revealed a model in which the hindrance variable potentially mediated all of the relationships between the background variables and the simulation learning outcomes (i.e., communication skills and collaborative learning insights). These results improve the theoretical understanding of the SBL process in this field and indicate ways to optimally utilize potential hindrances to plan and apply SBL for the purpose of learning.

Development and validation of the Health Segment Classification of Population Encompassed within Singapore (HealthSCOPES) framework

Introduction The population is heterogeneous with varying levels of healthcare needs. Clustering individuals into health segments with more homogeneous healthcare needs allows for better understanding and monitoring of health profiles in the population, which can support data-driven resource allocation. Methods Using the developed criteria, data from several of Singapore’s national administrative datasets were used to classify individuals into the various health segments. Cross-sectional analysis of healthcare utilization charges was conducted. Validation was done for the framework’s prognostic ability of clinically relevant outcomes measured in the following year. Results The framework is comprised of twelve segments classed within four broad groups. The segments comprising individuals with cancer, with transitional care needs, and in the last year of their lives had the highest mean per resident healthcare charges. The segments comprising adults and seniors with complex chronic conditions and with transitional care needs had the highest percentage of individuals historically diagnosed with obesity. The framework was able to distinguish varying tiers of healthcare utilization charges and relative risk of death in the following year. Discussion The framework was developed using a hybrid approach, with expert input and comprehensive national data that extended beyond the usual hospital patient population. The framework can be directly applied for use in program or policy design, evaluation, and cost-effectiveness analyses. Conclusion The HealthSCOPES framework was developed to segment the entire population in Singapore with similar healthcare needs.

July effect in hospitalized cirrhosis patients: A US nationwide study using difference-in-differences analysis

Background The July effect in US teaching hospitals has been studied with conflicting results. We aimed to evaluate the effect of physician turnover in July on the clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with cirrhosis. Methods We utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2016–2019) to identify patients hospitalized with cirrhosis and liver-related complications (variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, acute-on-chronic liver failure). We used difference-in-differences analysis to compare teaching and non-teaching hospital differences in mortality and length of stay (LOS) in May and July, and trends in outcomes in other months before and after July. Results We included 78,371 hospitalizations in teaching and 23,518 in non-teaching hospitals in May and July. Teaching hospital admissions had overall higher complication rates and mortality compared to non-teaching hospitals. We did not find a difference in mortality between teaching and non-teaching hospitals in all cirrhotic patients (adjusted odds ratio 1.01, 95%CI [0.88–1.16]) or in those with severe complications (0.87, [0.72–1.06]). There was greater LOS in July vs. May in teaching hospitals relative to non-teaching hospitals for all patients with cirrhosis (adjusted rate ratio 1.03, 95%CI [1.02–1.05]) and for those with severe complications (1.19, [1.17–1.21]). The months after July were associated with longer LOS in teaching hospitals, with the effect gradually diminishing over the subsequent months. Conclusions Our study suggests trainee turnover in July did not affect mortality, but lengthened hospital stays for patients with cirrhosis, highlighting the need for effective supervision of new trainees and strategies to mitigate operational disruptions for improved clinical management.

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with diet quality among low-income community health center patients with hypertension

Objective Identify the most important sociodemographic and behavioral factors related to the diet of low-income adults with hypertension in order to guide the development of a community health worker (CHW) healthy eating intervention for low-income populations with hypertension. Design In this cross-sectional analysis, dietary recalls were used to assess Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020) total (range: 0 to 100 [best diet quality]) and component scores and sodium intake. Self-reported sociodemographic and behavioral data were entered into a Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression model to determine the relative importance of factors related to diet quality. Setting Five community health centers in Boston, Massachusetts. Participants Adults (>20 years old) with a hypertension diagnosis. Results Participants (N = 291) were mostly female (65.0%), on Medicaid (82.8%), food insecure (59.5%), and Hispanic (52.2%). The mean (95% CI) HEI-2020 score was 63.0 (62.3, 65.7) Component scores were low for sodium and whole grains; mean (SE) sodium intake was 2676.9 (45.5) mg/day. The most important factors associated with lower HEI-2020 scores were: not having own housing, male gender, tobacco use, marijuana use, and skipping meals; the most important factors associated with higher HEI-2020 scores were Hispanic ethnicity and receipt of community food resources (5-fold cross-validated R 2 = 0.17). Conclusions In this population of low-income adults with hypertension, diet quality would be improved by reducing sodium and increasing whole grain intake. Healthy eating interventions among low-income populations should consider providing dietary guidance in the context of behavioral factors (e.g., meal skipping) and substance use (e.g., marijuana) and should address barriers to health eating through referral to community food resources (e.g., food pantries).

Measurement and evaluation of low-carbon tourism development on islands: A case study in Changdao, China

China’s island tourism is still in the exploratory stage, and the carbon emissions due to island tourism development are still prominent. This study assesses the development of low-carbon tourism on Changdao Island in China. We constructed an evaluation model for low-carbon tourism on islands based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response model, and the Entropy Weight Method-Analytical Hierarchy Process Method was combined with the weighting method to determine the index weights of ench evaluation-indicator. The annual changes in the development level of low-carbon tourism, the weights of the indicators, the characteristics of the scores, the low-carbon development mode, and key factors of island tourism were analyzed. The results of the study showed that the indicator “impact” was the most influential element of the island’s low-carbon tourism, and the ecological environment value was higher than that of the economic value. Moreover, energy saving and consumption reduction helped tourists to have a better experience, which further enabled island tourism to have a larger market size. The “response” also occupied a crucial position, where the weighted value of government planning was twice as high as that of corporate practice. The other elements were “pressure”, “state”, and “driving forces”, which showed that low carbon emissions are an important criterion for the island tourism environment and economic factors have the greatest effect in terms of the “driving forces”. The study evaluated the level of low-carbon development in island regionals across multiple dimensions, filled the literature gap, and provided a reference for the study of regional low-carbon and sustainable development of tourism.

A Hexavalent Tellurium-Based Chalcogen Bonding Catalysis Platform: High Catalytic Activity and Controlling of Selectivity

An enhanced Transformer framework with incremental learning for online stock price prediction

To address the limitations of existing stock price prediction models in handling real-time data streams—such as poor scalability, declining predictive performance due to dynamic changes in data distribution, and difficulties in accurately forecasting non-stationary stock prices—this paper proposes an incremental learning-based enhanced Transformer framework (IL-ETransformer) for online stock price prediction. This method leverages a multi-head self-attention mechanism to deeply explore the complex temporal dependencies between stock prices and feature factors. Additionally, a continual normalization mechanism is employed to stabilize the data stream, enhancing the model’s adaptability to dynamic changes. To ensure that the model retains prior knowledge while integrating new information, a time series elastic weight consolidation (TSEWC) algorithm is introduced to enable efficient incremental training with incoming data. Experiments conducted on five publicly available datasets demonstrate that the proposed method not only effectively captures the temporal information in the data but also fully exploits the correlations among multi-dimensional features, significantly improving stock price prediction accuracy. Notably, the method shows robust performance in coping with non-stationary and frequently changing financial market data.

Scale-up of Microdroplet Reactors for Efficient CO₂ Resource Utilization

Retrospective exploratory evaluation of individual pigs’ behaviour involved in tail biting during rearing and fattening

Tail biting is one of the biggest welfare problems in pigs. However, depending on the individuals involved (e.g., tail biter/victim), pigs seem to change their behaviour prior to tail biting events, which raises the possibility of early detection and thus prediction and prevention of tail biting. In this retrospective explorative study, we used datasets from four different studies with 9 trials of rearing (4 pens/trial with 24 pigs/pen) and fattening (8 pens/trial with 12 pigs/pen) that focused on the exploration behaviour of undocked pigs towards plant-based enrichment materials. From this dataset, we identified 8 pens from rearing (n = 192 pigs) and 6 pens from fattening (n = 72 pigs) in which individual tail biters were identified. From this dataset, we investigated whether any a priori behavioural changes in exploration or feeding could be identified with respect to tail biting. Furthermore, the effects of weight parameters from suckling to fattening were examined. Using linear mixed effects models, we found that exploration duration was linked to days prior to tail biting in rearing, depending on CatPig (category of pigs: biter, victim, neutral pig) (P = 0.001), in fattening independent of CatPig (P<0.0001), and by duration, amount and frequency of feed consumption in fattening (P<0.0001). Some weight parameters covaried with CatPig in rearing (weight-gain suckling: P = 0.0018; weaning weight: P = 0.019) and fattening (weaning weight: P = 0.07; start weight at fattening: P = 0.03; weight-gain rearing: P = 0.02). Suitable indicators for future early detection trials of tail biting could be exploration duration in rearing and fattening and feeding data in fattening. Moreover, weight parameters in rearing and fattening and exploration duration in rearing may be used to identify individual pigs that might become tail biters in an upcoming tail biting event. The retrospective explorative nature of our analysis revealed interesting patterns; however, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

What makes a city breastfeeding friendly? A qualitative analysis of interviews with breastfeeding women from Europe and Asia

Background The warm chain of support is the continuous enabling environment from the mother’s first contact with healthcare professionals during early pregnancy, birth and immediate post-partum period, her transition from healthcare facility to home, through to work and the community at large. A breastfeeding-friendly city should be able to support a breastfeeding journey across the warm chain. Objective To determine breastfeeding women’s perspective of an ideal breastfeeding-friendly city. Methods Between September 2021 and January 2022, twenty-two women who were breastfeeding or had ever breastfed in the last 5 years from Ireland and Malaysia were interviewed. A set of selection criteria was applied to ensure representation of a range of the characteristics known to be associated with breastfeeding success: diverse age groups, birth and breastfeeding experiences, culture and socioeconomical background. One-on-one semi-structured online interviews were conducted by the first author. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis framework. Results One overarching theme of breastfeeding at the front and centre of the city, and three major themes were developed: 1. mothers feel supported when breastfeeding is prioritised; 2. when breastfeeding is visible in the environment, it becomes normalized; 3. there is a need to have seamless breastfeeding support across the continuum of the warm chain, and at all levels of society. Conclusions The findings demonstrated the importance of prioritized, and continuous support throughout the breastfeeding journey. The hopes and aspirations of a breastfeeding-friendly city expressed here would be useful for cities to consider when developing or implementing breastfeeding support programmes as well as guide development of indicators of a breastfeeding-friendly city.

Drug-Drug interactions prediction calculations between cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants for discovering the potential co-medication risks

Predicting Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) enables cost reduction and time savings in the drug discovery process, while effectively screening and optimizing drugs. The intensification of societal aging and the increase in life stress have led to a growing number of patients suffering from both heart disease and depression. These patients often need to use cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants for polypharmacy, but potential DDIs may compromise treatment effectiveness and patient safety. To predict interactions between drugs used to treat these two diseases, we propose a method named Multi-Drug Features Learning with Drug Relation Regularization (MDFLDRR). First, we map feature vectors representing drugs in different feature spaces to the same. Second, we propose drug relation regularization to determine drug pair relationships in the interaction space. Experimental results demonstrate that MDFLDRR can be effectively applied to two DDI prediction goals: predicting unobserved interactions among drugs within the drug network and predicting interactions between drugs inside and outside the network. Publicly available evidence confirms that MDFLDRR can accurately identify DDIs between cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants. Lastly, by utilizing drug structure calculations, we ascertained the severity of newly discovered DDIs to mine the potential co-medication risks and aid in the smart management of pharmaceuticals.

How much time to figure out how to get where? Route planning and subjective stress under time pressure

From a daily commute to military operations in hostile territory and natural disaster responses, people frequently move from place to place. Cognition (e.g., wayfinding) occurs in conjunction with behavior (e.g., locomotion) to facilitate spatial navigation–intentional movement through space. People often use maps to plan routes, which is part of wayfinding. Time pressure is common during navigation, even during route planning, for example from time constraints (e.g., a deadline), waiting periods (e.g., technological problems), or imposed urgency (e.g., someone tells you to hurry up). Route planning requires knowing where to go, determining how to get there, and managing transient stressors that can influence performance. Across cognitive and behavioral domains, time pressure is often conceptualized as a stressor and examined with a single operationalization. As a result, we do not know to what extent time constraints, waiting periods, and imposed urgency independently or interactively a) contribute to the sense of subjective stress, and b) impact spatial performance. Our work addressed these knowledge gaps using a computerized spatial task that centrally involved planning and tracing routes on maps. We describe this new methodology for studying route planning and demonstrate experimental effects of urgency messaging on increased subjective stress and decreased time between map presentation and first click (planning time). When participants took longer to plan or drew longer routes, they reported greater subjective stress. Results carry implications for the design and implementation of time pressure manipulations, route planning in stressful conditions, and mitigating or optimizing stress effects on performance.

Trends in the levels, causes, and risk factors of maternal mortality in Pakistan: A comparative analysis of national surveys of 2007 and 2019

Background Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has decreased worldwide but Pakistan is still striving towards achieving the SDG targets for maternal health. This study highlights the trends in maternal mortality levels and risk factors in Pakistan between 2007 and 2019. Methods This study compares the results of secondary data analysis of the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey 2019 with the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2007. A nested case-control study was carved to compare maternal deaths with the women who survived a pregnancy, in the same sampling clusters during the same period. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for major risk factors of maternal mortality after adjusting for the women’s age, parity, education, and wealth quintile. Results In 2019, Pakistan’s MMR was 186 per 100,000 live births, registering a 33% decline from 2007 (rural 42% vs. urban 11%). The leading causes of maternal mortality were postpartum hemorrhage, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, postpartum infection, and post-abortion complications. Women > 35 years and those expecting their first child were more likely to die from childbirth, while those who had ever used family planning had a lower risk according to the data for both years. In 2007, a distance of > 40 kilometers to a hospital significantly increased the risk of mortality but this association was not significant in 2019. In 2019, women who died were more likely to receive antenatal care than those who survived (adjusted OR 9.3); this association was not significant in 2007. Conclusion The modest reduction in MMR can be attributed to improved access to maternal health services in rural areas with increased antenatal care and institutional deliveries. However, most maternal deaths were caused by poor accessibility to quality emergency obstetric care. Lack of family planning remains a major risk factor for high maternal mortality in Pakistan.

Supervised exercise-based rehabilitation for people with intermittent claudication–Study protocol for a Danish implementation process (StRiDE)

Introduction Intermittent claudication is a peripheral artery disease caused by arteriosclerosis. People with intermittent claudication experience leg cramping during walking, with relief of symptoms during rest. Evidence shows that by participating in supervised exercise therapy and smoking cessation programs, people with intermittent claudication can reduce those symptoms and improve health-related quality of life and maximal walking distance while minimizing the need for an operation. However, implementation of such health-promoting initiatives in clinical practice in Denmark and other countries is limited. This is a protocol presenting the implementation process of supervised exercise therapy and smoking cessation in a region of Denmark. Methods and analysis The implementation process is a collaboration between the municipalities in the Region of Zealand and the Department of Vascular Surgery at University Hospital Zealand. The study uses a convergent mixed-methods prospective clinical cohort design, and the theoretical frame of this implementation process follows the framework for Adapting an existing intervention to a new context (ADAPT). The process involves stakeholder engagement, ongoing evaluation through key performance indicators and relevant outcomes that will inform the implementation process across and within each municipality. Dissemination Dissemination will happen throughout the process through continued meetings with stakeholders and dissemination of performance indicators and outcome results obtained through a database. All information about the study and material will be freely available. The project is registred on Clinicalgov (NCT06299956).

Hypoxia-Initiated Supramolecular Free Radicals Induce Intracellular Polymerization for Precision Tumor Therapy

Changes in life satisfaction over six years in the general population: A longitudinal study with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)

Background Satisfaction with life is a key concept for most individuals. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for measuring general life satisfaction has been widely analyzed in terms of cross-sectional associations. However, the knowledge about long-term changes in life satisfaction and the associations between such changes and changes in other variables of physical and mental health is limited. Methods A community-based representative sample of the general population has been examined twice with a time interval of six years (n = 4,999), using the SWLS and several other scales. Results Over the six years, the mean SWLS score of the total sample remained nearly unchanged (M = 27.0, SD = 5.2, both at t1 and at t2). The test-retest correlation was rtt = 0.66 for the total sample, and there were only marginal differences in temporal stability between male and female respondents. Changes in the SWLS over the six years were correlated with changes in optimism (r = 0.23), mental health (r = 0.26), social functioning (r = 0.22), perceived social support (r = 0.21), anxiety (r = -0.30), and physical complaints (r = -0.18). These change score correlations were lower than the corresponding coefficients under the cross-sectional perspective. Measurement invariance across sex, age, and time was established. Conclusion The SWLS proved to be an appropriate tool for assessing changes in life satisfaction, and correlations between change scores of life satisfaction and health-related variables complement the knowledge about these associations from a cross-sectional perspective.