miR-100 and miR-125b Contribute to Enhanced 3D Growth and Invasiveness and can be Functionally Transferred to Silence Target Genes in Recipient Cells.

Extracellular communication via the transfer of vesicles and nanoparticles is now recognized to play an important role in tumor microenvironment interactions. Cancer cells upregulate and secrete abundant levels of miR-100 and miR-125b that can alter gene expression by both cell- and non-cell-autonomous mechanisms. We previously showed that these miRNAs activate Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) through noncanonical pairing with 5 negative regulators of Wnt signaling. To identify additional targets of miR-100 and miR-125b , we used bioinformatic approaches comparing multiple CRC cell lines, including knockout lines lacking one or both of these miRNAs. From an initial list of 96 potential mRNA targets, we tested 15 targets with 8 showing significant downregulation in the presence of miR-100 and miR-125b . Among these, Cingulin (CGN) and Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type-R (PTPRR) are downregulated in multiple cancers, consistent with regulation by increased levels of miR-100 and miR-125b. We also show that increased cellular levels of miR-100 and miR-125b enhance 3D growth and invasiveness in CRC and glioblastoma cell lines. Lastly, we demonstrate that extracellular transfer of miR-100 and miR-125b can silence both reporter and endogenous mRNA targets in recipient cells and also increase the invasiveness of recipient spheroid colonies when grown under 3D conditions in type I collagen.

More than Body Composition: A Darwinian Theory of Somatotype Applied to a DII Track and Field Outdoor Season.

This study presents somatotype data on a team sport with chronic and diverse sporting demands. The aims were to (1) characterize a somatotype profile for Division II (DII) track and field athletes (n=54) by sex, class, and events; (2) determine if somatotype changed across the season; (3) determine if changes differed based on class or sex; and, (4) assess potential differences in somatotype between sexes. Methods: Anthropometrics (height, weight, body composition, somatotype) were evaluated after a competitive indoor season and immediately before the outdoor conference championships (41 days). Body measurements were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis device, skinfold assessment, boney breadths, and limb girths. Descriptive statistics are provided as well as results from two-way ANOVAs which evaluate differences in actual and change scores across sex and class. Results: Our DII track and field athletes were primarily endomorphic (scores displayed as ENDO, MESO, ECTO, respectively). Males were found to be primarily ENDO-MESO somatotypes (4.7, 4.1, 3.0), while females were dominantly ENDO (7.7, 2.9, 2.9). Upperclass were more ENDO-MESO balanced compared with lowerclass (5.8, 3.8, 2.8 vs 6.0, 3.5, 3.0). When investigated based on sex, class level, and event, the groups were similar. There was no meaningful change to ECTO scores across the season for males or females. Female athletes improved ENDO scores (-0.89%) and males and females improved MESO scores (14.29% and 5.29%, respectively), indicating adaptations can be accomplished despite the chronic demands of a competitive season. Conclusion: Our research offers practitioners information about the potential changes they may expect across a competitive track and field season.

5-Fluorouracil Treatment Represses Pseudouridine-Containing Small RNA Export into Extracellular Vesicles.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used for chemotherapy for colorectal and other cancers for over 50 years. The prevailing view of its mechanism of action is inhibition of thymidine synthase leading to defects in DNA replication and repair. However, 5-FU is also incorporated into RNA causing toxicity due to defects in RNA metabolism, inhibition of pseudouridine modification, and altered ribosome function. Here, we examine the impact of 5-FU on the expression and export of small RNAs (sRNAs) into small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Moreover, we assess the role of 5-FU in regulation of post-transcriptional sRNA modifications (PTxM) using mass spectrometry approaches. EVs are secreted by all cells and contain a variety of proteins and RNAs that can function in cell-cell communication. PTxMs on cellular and extracellular sRNAs provide yet another layer of gene regulation. We found that treatment of the colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line DLD-1 with 5-FU led to surprising differential export of miRNA snRNA, and snoRNA transcripts. Strikingly, 5-FU treatment significantly decreased the levels of pseudouridine on both cellular and secreted EV sRNAs. In contrast, 5-FU exposure led to increased levels of cellular sRNAs containing a variety of methyl-modified bases. Our results suggest that 5-FU exposure leads to altered expression, base modifications, and mislocalization of EV base-modified sRNAs.

The Additional Effect of Training Above the Maximal Metabolic Steady State on VO2peak, Wpeak and Time-Trial Performance in Endurance-Trained Athletes: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Reality Check.

BACKGROUND: To improve sport performance, athletes use training regimens that include exercise below and above the maximal metabolic steady state (MMSS). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to determine the additional effect of training above MMSS on VO2peak, Wpeak and time-trial (TT) performance in endurance-trained athletes. METHODS: Studies were included in the review if they (i) were published in academic journals, (ii) were in English, (iii) were prospective, (iv) included trained participants, (v) had an intervention group that contained training above and below MMSS, (vi) had a comparator group that only performed training below MMSS, and (vii) reported results for VO2peak, Wpeak, or TT performance. Medline and SPORTDiscus were searched from inception until February 23, 2023. RESULTS: Fourteen studies that ranged from 2 to 12 weeks were included in the review. There were 171 recreational and 128 competitive endurance athletes. The mean age and VO2peak of participants ranged from 15 to 43 years and 38 to 68 mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively. The inclusion of training above MMSS led to a 2.5 mL·kg-1·min-1 (95% CI 1.4-3.6; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%) greater improvement in VO2peak. A minimum of 81 participants per group would be required to obtain sufficient power to determine a significant effect (SMD 0.44) for VO2peak. No intensity-specific effect was observed for Wpeak or TT performance, in part due to a smaller sample size. CONCLUSION: A single training meso-cycle that includes training above MMSS can improve VO2peak in endurance-trained athletes more than training only below MMSS. However, we do not have sufficient evidence to conclude that concurrent adaptation occurs for Wpeak or TT performance.

Neighborhood Deprivation and Severe Maternal Morbidity in a Medicaid Population.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have examined whether neighborhood deprivation is associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in already socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Little is known about to what extent neighborhood deprivation accounts for Black-White disparities in SMM. This study investigated these questions among a statewide Medicaid-insured population, a low-income population with heightened risk of SMM. METHODS: Data were from Michigan statewide linked birth records and Medicaid claims between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2019, and were analyzed between 2022 and 2023. Neighborhood deprivation was measured with the Area Deprivation Index at census block group and categorized as low, medium, or high deprivation. Multilevel logistic models were used to examine the association between neighborhood deprivation and SMM. Fairlie nonlinear decomposition was conducted to quantify the contribution of neighborhood deprivation to SMM racial disparity. RESULTS: People in the most deprived neighborhoods had higher odds of SMM than those in the least deprived neighborhoods (aOR [95% CI]: 1.27 [1.15, 1.40]). Such association was observed in Black (aOR [95% CI]: 1.34 [1.07, 1.67]) and White (aOR [95% CI]: 1.26 [1.12, 1.42]) racial subgroups. Decomposition showed that of 57.5 (cases per 10,000) explained disparity in SMM, neighborhood deprivation accounted for 23.1 (cases per 10,000; 95% CI: 16.3, 30.0) or two-fifths (40.2%) of the Black-White disparity. Analysis on SMM excluding blood transfusion showed consistent but weaker results. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood deprivation may be used as an effective tool to identify at-risk individuals within a low-income population. Community-engaged interventions aiming at improving neighborhood conditions may be helpful to reduce both SMM prevalence and racial inequity in SMM.

Comparing the reliability of muscle oxygen saturation with common performance and physiological markers across cycling exercise intensity.

Introduction: Wearable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements of muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) demonstrated good test-retest reliability at rest. We hypothesized SmO2 measured with the Moxy monitor at the vastus lateralis (VL) would demonstrate good reliability across intensities. For relative reliability, SmO2 will be lower than volume of oxygen consumption (V̇O2) and heart rate (HR), higher than concentration of blood lactate accumulation ([BLa]) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). We aimed to estimate the reliability of SmO2 and common physiological measures across exercise intensities, as well as to quantify within-participant agreement between sessions. Methods: Twenty-one trained cyclists completed two trials of an incremental multi-stage cycling test with 5 min constant workload steps starting at 1.0 watt per kg bodyweight (W·kg-1) and increasing by 0.5 W kg-1 per step, separated by 1 min passive recovery intervals until maximal task tolerance. SmO2, HR, V̇O2, [BLa], and RPE were recorded for each stage. Continuous measures were averaged over the final 60 s of each stage. Relative reliability at the lowest, median, and highest work stages was quantified as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Absolute reliability and within-subject agreement were quantified as standard error of the measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC). Results: Comparisons between trials showed no significant differences within each exercise intensity for all outcome variables. ICC for SmO2 was 0.81-0.90 across exercise intensity. ICC for HR, V̇O2, [BLa], and RPE were 0.87-0.92, 0.73-0.97, 0.44-0.74, 0.29-0.70, respectively. SEM (95% CI) for SmO2 was 5 (3-7), 6 (4-9), and 7 (5-10)%, and MDC was 12%, 16%, and 18%. Discussion: Our results demonstrate good-to-excellent test-retest reliability for SmO2 across intensity during an incremental multi-stage cycling test. V̇O2 and HR had excellent reliability, higher than SmO2. [BLa] and RPE had lower reliability than SmO2. Muscle oxygen saturation measured by wearable NIRS was found to have similar reliability to V̇O2 and HR, and higher than [BLa] and RPE across exercise intensity, suggesting that it is appropriate for everyday use as a non-invasive method of monitoring internal load alongside other metrics.

Open Payments Data Analysis of General and Fellowship-trained Surgeons Receiving Industry General Payments From 2016 to 2020: Payment Disparities and COVID-19 Pandemic Impact.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize industry nonresearch payments made to general and fellowship-trained surgeons between 2016 and 2020. BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments Data (OPD) reports industry payments made to physicians related to drugs and medical devices. General payments are those not associated with research. METHODS: OPD data were queried for general and fellowship-trained surgeons who received general payments from 2016 to 2020. Payments' nature, amount, company, covered product, and location were collected. Surgeons' demographics, subspecialty, and leadership roles in hospitals, societies, and editorial boards were evaluated. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2020, 44,700 general and fellowship-trained surgeons were paid $535,425,543 in 1,440,850 general payments. The median payment was $29.18. The most frequent payments were for food and beverage (76.6%) and travel and lodging (15.6%); however, the highest dollar payments were for consulting fees ($93,128,401; 17.4%), education ($88,404,531; 16.5%), royalty or license ($87,471,238; 16.3%), and travel and lodging ($66,333,149; 12.4%). Five companies made half of all payments ($265,654,522; 49.6%): Intuitive Surgical ($128,517,411; 24%), Boston Scientific ($48,094,570; 9%), Edwards Lifesciences ($41,835,544, 7.8%), Medtronic Vascular ($33,607,136; 6.3%), and W. L. Gore & Associates ($16,626,371; 3.1%). Medical devices comprised 74.7% of payments ($399,897,217), followed by drugs and biologicals ($33,945,300; 6.3%). Texas, California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania received the most payments; however, the top dollar payments were in California ($65,702,579; 12.3%), Michigan ($52,990,904, 9.9%), Texas ($39,362,131; 7.4%), Maryland ($37,611,959; 7%), and Florida ($33,417,093, 6.2%). General surgery received the highest total payments ($245,031,174; 45.8%), followed by thoracic surgery ($167,806,514; 31.3%) and vascular surgery ($60,781,266; 11.4%). A total of 10,361 surgeons were paid >$5000, of which 1614 were women (15.6%); in this group, men received higher payments than women (means, $53,446 vs $22,571; P <0.001) and thoracic surgeons received highest payments (mean, $76,381; NS, P =0.14). A total of 120 surgeons were paid >$500,000 ($203,011,672; 38%)-5 non-Hispanic White (NHW) women (4.2%) and 82 NHW (68.3%), 24 Asian (20%), 7 Hispanic (5.8%), and 2 Black (1.7%) men; in this group, men received higher payments than women (means, $1,735,570 vs $684,224), and NHW men received payments double those of other men (means, $2,049,554 vs $955,368; NS, P =0.087). Among these 120 highly paid surgeons (>$500,000), 55 held hospital and departmental leadership roles, 30 were leaders in surgical societies, 27 authored clinical guidelines, and 16 served on journal editorial boards. During COVID-19, 2020 experienced half the number of payments than the preceding 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: General and fellowship-trained surgeons received substantial industry nonresearch payments. The highest-paid recipients were men. Further work is warranted in assessing how race, gender, and leadership roles influence the nature of industry payments and surgical practice. A significant decline in payments was observed early during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effect of severe intensity bouts on muscle oxygen saturation responses in trained cyclists.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) quantifies muscle oxygenation (SmO2) during exercise. Muscle oxygenation response to self-paced, severe-intensity cycling remains unclear. Observing SmO2 can provide cycling professionals with the ability to assess muscular response, helping optimize decision-making. We aimed to describe the effect of self-paced severe intensity bouts on SmO2, measured noninvasively by a wearable NIRS sensor on the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle, and examine its reliability. We hypothesized a greater desaturation response with each bout, whereas, between trials, good reliability would be observed. Fourteen recreationally trained, and trained cyclists completed a ramp test to determine the power output (PO) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP). Athletes completed two subsequent visits of 50-minute sessions that included four severe-intensity bouts done at 5% above RCP PO. Muscle oxygenation in the VL was monitored using a wearable NIRS device. Measures included mean PO, heart-rate (HR), cadence, and SmO2 at bout onset, during work (work SmO2), and ΔSmO2. The bouts were compared using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. For significant differences, a Fisher's least square difference post-hoc analysis was used. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used using trial and bout as main factors. Intraclass correlations (ICC) were used to quantify relative reliability for mean work, and standard error of the measurement (SEM) was used to quantify absolute agreement of mean work SmO2. Both PO and cadence showed no effect of bout or trial. Heart-rate at bout 2 (168 ± 8 bpm) and 4 (170 ± 7 bpm) were higher than bout 1 (160 ± 6 bpm). Onset SmO2 (%) response significantly increased in the final two bouts of the session. Mean work SmO2 increased across bouts, with the highest value displayed in bout 4 (36 ± 22%). ΔSmO2 showed a smaller desaturation response during bout 4 (27 ± 10%) compared to bout 3 (31 ± 10%). Mean work SmO2 ICC showed good reliability (ICC = 0.87), and SEM was 12% (CI 9-15%). We concluded that a non-invasive, affordable, wearable NIRS sensor demonstrated the heterogeneous muscle oxygenation response during severe intensity cycling bouts with good reliability in trained cyclists.

MAP3K4 promotes fetal and placental growth by controlling the receptor tyrosine kinases IGF1R/IR and Akt signaling pathway.

Disruption of fetal growth results in severe consequences to human health, including increased fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as potential lifelong health problems. Molecular mechanisms promoting fetal growth represent potential therapeutic strategies to treat and/or prevent fetal growth restriction (FGR). Here, we identify a previously unknown role for the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP3K4) in promoting fetal and placental growth. We demonstrate that inactivation of MAP3K4 kinase activity causes FGR due in part to placental insufficiency. Significantly, MAP3K4 kinase-inactive mice display highly penetrant lethality prior to weaning and persistent growth reduction of surviving adults. Additionally, we elucidate molecular mechanisms by which MAP3K4 promotes growth through control of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), insulin receptor (IR), and Akt signaling pathway. Specifically, MAP3K4 kinase inactivation in trophoblast stem (TS) cells results in reduced IGF1R and IR expression and decreased Akt activation. We observe these changes in TS cells also occur in differentiated trophoblasts created through in vitro differentiation of cultured TS cells and in vivo in placental tissues formed by TS cells. Furthermore, we show that MAP3K4 controls this pathway by promoting Igf1r transcript expression in TS cells through activation of CREB-binding protein (CBP). In the MAP3K4 kinase-inactive TS cells, Igf1r transcripts are repressed because of reduced CBP activity and increased histone deacetylase 6 expression and activity. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for MAP3K4 in promoting fetal and placental growth by controlling the activity of the IGF1R/IR and Akt signaling pathway.

The Acute Effects of Exercising in Air Pollution: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The acute effects of air pollution (AP) exposure during physical activity have been studied. However, comprehensive systematic reviews are lacking, particularly regarding moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the acute health- and exercise-related effects of AP exposure during a bout of MVPA in healthy individuals. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, SPORTDiscus, Agricultural and Environmental Science Database, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform up to July 2020 without language or date restrictions. Studies including healthy subjects engaging in a bout of MVPA while exposed to one or more of the following air pollutants were eligible: particulate matter, black carbon, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, diesel exhaust, and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Main outcome measures were markers of pulmonary function, symptoms, cardiovascular function, cognitive function, systemic inflammation, and exercise response. The evidence was synthesized by vote counting based on direction of effect. RESULTS: In total, 53 studies were included in the systematic review. Studies employed a heterogeneous mix of exercise protocols, AP interventions, and measured outcomes. Pooled results suggest ozone exposure during MVPA has an adverse effect on pulmonary function (100% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88-100], p < 0.001; high-certainty evidence) and reported symptoms (88% [95% CI 69-96], p < 0.001; low-certainty evidence). The effect of exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, small engine exhaust, or diesel exhaust during MVPA on health- and exercise-related outcomes is uncertain because of insufficient evidence and the low to very low certainty of available evidence. DISCUSSION: The evidence is strongest for ozone, exposure to which generally induced a reduction in pulmonary function and increased symptoms during MVPA. The research related to other outcome domains remains inconclusive. Although long-term exposure to AP is proven to be hazardous, the evidence for healthy individuals to forgo MVPA during periods of high (non-ozone) pollution remains weak. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020188280) on 10 July 2020.

How limitations in energy access, poverty, and socioeconomic disparities compromise health interventions for outbreaks in urban settings.

Low-income households (LIHs) have experienced increased poverty and inaccess to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting their ability to adhere to health-protective behaviors. We use an epidemiological model to show how a households' inability to adopt social distancing, owing to constraints in utility and healthcare expenditure, can drastically impact the course of disease outbreaks in five urban U.S. counties. LIHs suffer greater burdens of disease and death than higher income households, while functioning as a consistent source of virus exposure for the entire community due to socioeconomic barriers to following public health guidelines. These impacts worsened when social distancing policy could not be imposed. Health interventions combining social distancing and LIH resource protection strategies (e.g., utility and healthcare access) were the most effective in limiting virus spread for all income levels. Policies need to address the multidimensionality of energy, housing, and healthcare access for future disaster management.

It's Complicated-Adolescent Grief in the Time of Covid-19.

Presently, there is a real possibility of a second pandemic occurring: a grief pandemic. There are estimated to be over 1 million children and young people experiencing bereavement because of Covid-19. Adolescent grief is unique due to bio-psycho-social factors such as increased risk-taking, identity-formation, and limited capacity for emotional regulation. In this article, we will argue that adolescents are at increased risk of developing complicated grief during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that it is vital that services are improved to recognize and address this need before secondary problems emerge, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Complicated grief in adolescents is widely underrecognized and often misdiagnosed as a range of mental health problems, addictions, and offending behavior. For example, 25% of <20 year olds who commit suicide have experienced childhood bereavement, whilst 41% of youth offenders have experienced childhood bereavement; this is in comparison with only 4% of the general population. Many of the broader risk factors for complicated grief were already increasing prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, including increased loneliness amongst young people, and the collapse of collective structures to help people manage grief. We propose that this pandemic could be a catalyst for mental health professionals to support and nurture the caring communities emerging in this time as an essential resource to prevent the onset of a grief pandemic.

Resilience of Tropical Ecosystems to Ocean Deoxygenation.

The impacts of ocean deoxygenation on biodiversity and ecosystem function are well established in temperate regions, and here we illustrate how the study of hypoxia in tropical ecosystems can offer insights of general importance. We first describe how mechanisms of resilience have developed in response to naturally occurring hypoxia across three tropical ecosystems: coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. We then suggest that the vulnerability of these systems to deoxygenation lies in interactions with other stressors that are increasing rapidly in the Anthropocene. Finally, we advocate for the adoption of a broader community- and ecosystem-level perspective that incorporates mutualisms, feedbacks, and mechanisms of self-rescue and recovery to develop a better predictive understanding of the effects of deoxygenation in coastal ecosystems.

Beyond technology adoption: Examining home energy management systems, energy burdens and climate change perceptions during COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed our lives. While the global impacts of the pandemic are shocking, the implications for energy burdens, climate policy, and energy efficiency are salient. This study examines income differences in the acceptance of and willingness to pay for home energy management systems during the COVID-19 pandemic among 632 residents in New York. Additionally, this study examines energy profiles, energy burdens, climate change issues, risk perceptions, and social-psychological factors. Compared with low-income households, our findings suggest that high-income households use more energy, have higher utility bills during quarantine mandates, perceive a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, and perceive climate change issues to be better than before. Low-income households, however, experience the highest energy burdens. Regarding HEMS acceptance, high-income households are more willing to adopt energy and well-being-promoting features of HEMS and more willing to pay a higher monthly fee for all the features than other income groups. Overall, participants were more willing to pay a higher price for the energy features than the well-being-promoting features. Low-income households indicate lower social norms, personal norms, and perceived behavioral control over adopting HEMS; they also perceive HEMS to be more difficult to use and less useful. Higher-income households express a higher trust in utilities than low-income households. Surprisingly, cost concerns, technology anxiety, and cybersecurity concerns relating to HEMS do not differ across income groups. This paper addresses the interactions among technology attributes and social-psychological and demographic factors, and provides policy implications and insights for future research.

Structure, development, and functional morphology of the cement gland of the giant danio, Devario malabaricus.

BACKGROUND: Aquatic species in several clades possess cement glands producing adhesive secretions of various strengths. In vertebrates, transient adhesive organs have been extensively studied in Xenopus laevis, other anurans, and in several fish species. However, the development of these structures is not fully understood. RESULTS: Here, we report on the development and functional morphology of the adhesive gland of a giant danio species, Devario malabaricus. We found that the gland is localized on the larval head, is composed of goblet-like secretory cells framed by basal, bordering, and intercalated apical epithelial cells, and is innervated by the trigeminal ganglion. The gland allows nonswimming larvae to adhere to various substrates. Its secretory cells differentiate by 12 hours postfertilization and begin to disappear in the second week of life. Exogenous retinoic acid disrupts the gland's patterning. More importantly, the single mature gland emerges from fusion of two differentiated secretory cells fields; this fusion is dependent on nonmuscle myosin II function. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our studies provide the first documentation of the embryonic development, structure, and function of the adhesive apparatus of a danioninae. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of a cement gland arising from convergence of two bilateral fields.

The effect of bone vibrator coupling method on the neonate auditory brainstem response.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three bone vibrator coupling methods on the neonate auditory brainstem response (ABR). DESIGN: A repeated measures design was employed. Three coupling techniques were utilised (i.e. hand-held, hand-held applied force gauge and elastic band). ABRs were evoked with a bone-conducted 30 dB nHL 4000 Hz CE-Chirp octave band stimulus. A temporal bone area supero-posterior auricular position for bone vibrator placement was utilised. STUDY SAMPLE: Twenty-six healthy full-term neonates participated. RESULTS: Replicated ABRs were recorded from all neonates for each coupling method. There was a statistically significant effect of coupling on wave V latency (p < 0.001) and amplitude (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the elastic band and the hand-held force gauge coupling for wave V latency and amplitude (p > 0.05). However, the hand-held coupling method produced significantly longer wave V latency and smaller amplitude versus the elastic band and hand-held force gauge (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bone vibrator coupling method affects the neonate ABR. Clinicians should be consistent with the choice of coupling while delivering controlled bone-conducted stimuli in ABR assessments in neonates and infants.

Density-dependence mediates coral assemblage structure.

Density dependence (DD) controls community recovery following widespread mortality, yet this principle rarely has been applied to coral assemblages. The reefs of Mo'orea, French Polynesia, provide the opportunity to study DD of coral population growth, because coral assemblages in this location responded to declines in abundance with high recruitment and an increase in cover during which recruitment of pocilloporid corals was inversely associated with density. This study tests for DD in this system, first, by describing the context within which it operates: coral cover changed from 46% in 2005, to <1% in 2010 following an outbreak of a corallivorous sea star and a cyclone, and then increased to 74% by 2017, in large part through inverse density-associated pocilloporid recruitment. Second, a test for DD of recruitment was conducted by decreasing Pocillopora spp. cover from 33% to 19%: one year later, the density of Pocillopora spp. recruits was 1.65-fold higher in the low vs. high cover treatment. Finally, the effects of DD were investigated by comparing simulated and empirical distributions of pocilloporid colonies: as predicted by DD, small colonies were randomly distributed, while large colonies were uniformly distributed. Together these results demonstrate DD of population regulation for Pocillopora spp. corals, thus revealing the potential importance of this ecological principle in determining the resilience of coral assemblages.

Heart Development, Coronary Vascularization and Ventricular Maturation in a Giant Danio (Devario malabaricus).

Giant danios (genus Devario), like zebrafish, are teleosts belonging to the danioninae subfamily of cyprinids. Adult giant danios are used in a variety of investigations aimed at understanding cellular and physiological processes, including heart regeneration. Despite their importance, little is known about development and growth in giant danios, or their cardiac and coronary vessels development. To address this scarcity of knowledge, we performed a systematic study of a giant danio (Devario malabaricus), focusing on its cardiac development, from the segmentation period to ten months post-fertilization. Using light and scanning electron microscopy, we documented that its cardiovascular development and maturation proceed along well defined dynamic and conserved morphogenic patterns. The overall size and cardiovascular expansion of this species was significantly impacted by environmental parameters such as rearing densities. The coronary vasculature began to emerge in the late larval stage. More importantly, we documented two possible loci of initiation of the coronary vasculature in this species, and compared the emergence of the coronaries to that of zebrafish and gourami. This is the first comprehensive study of the cardiac growth in a Devario species, and our findings serve as an important reference for further investigations of cardiac biology using this species.

Attractive toxic sugar baits for controlling mosquitoes: a qualitative study in Bagamoyo, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Malaria elimination is unlikely to be achieved without the implementation of new vector control interventions capable of complementing insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Attractive-toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) are considered a new vector control paradigm. They are technologically appropriate as they are simple and affordable to produce. ATSBs kill both female and male mosquitoes attracted to sugar feed on a sugary solution containing a mosquitocidal agent and may be used indoors or outdoors. This study explored the views and perceptions on ATSBs of community members from three Coastal Tanzanian communities. METHODS: Three communities were chosen to represent coastal urban, peri-urban and rural areas. Sensitization meetings were held with a total of sixty community members where ATSBs were presented and explained their mode of action. At the end of the meeting, one ATSB was given to each participant for a period of 2 weeks, after which they were invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs) to provide feedback on their experience. RESULTS: Over 50% of the participants preferred to use the bait indoors although they had been instructed to place it outdoors. Participants who used the ATSBs indoors reported fewer mosquitoes inside their homes, but were disappointed not to find the dead mosquitoes in the baits, although they had been informed that this was unlikely to happen. Most participants disliked the appearance of the bait and some thought it to be reminiscent of witchcraft. Neighbours that did not participate in the FGDs or sensitizations were sceptical of the baits. CONCLUSIONS: This study delivers insight on how communities in Coastal Tanzania are likely to perceive ATSBs and provides important information for future trials investigating the efficacy of ATSBs against malaria. This new vector control tool will require sensitization at community level regarding its mode of action in order to increase the acceptance and confidence in ATSBs for mosquito control given that most people are not familiar with the new paradigm. A few recommendations for product development and delivery are discussed.

Assessing Freshman Engineering Students' Understanding of Ethical Behavior.

Academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, is on the rise in colleges, particularly among engineering students. While students decide to engage in these behaviors for many different reasons, academic integrity training can help improve their understanding of ethical decision making. The two studies outlined in this paper assess the effectiveness of an online module in increasing academic integrity among first semester engineering students. Study 1 tested the effectiveness of an academic honesty tutorial by using a between groups design with a Time 1- and Time 2-test. An academic honesty quiz assessed participants' knowledge at both time points. Study 2, which incorporated an improved version of the module and quiz, utilized a between groups design with three assessment time points. The additional Time 3-test allowed researchers to test for retention of information. Results were analyzed using ANCOVA and t tests. In Study 1, the experimental group exhibited significant improvement on the plagiarism items, but not the total score. However, at Time 2 there was no significant difference between groups after controlling for Time 1 scores. In Study 2, between- and within-group analyses suggest there was a significant improvement in total scores, but not plagiarism scores, after exposure to the tutorial. Overall, the academic integrity module impacted participants as evidenced by changes in total score and on specific plagiarism items. Although future implementation of the tutorial and quiz would benefit from modifications to reduce ceiling effects and improve assessment of knowledge, the results suggest such tutorial may be one valuable element in a systems approach to improving the academic integrity of engineering students.