Genomics Reveals Distinct Evolutionary Lineages in Asian Elephants.

This study introduces, for the first time, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from predominantly wild-born Asian elephants currently housed in European zoos, covering the distribution range of Asian elephants. With this WGS data, we aim to validate the current designation of Asian elephant subspecies and address currently discussed ambiguities about their origin, particularly concerning Bornean and Sri Lankan elephants by analyzing population structure, determining divergence times, and exploring ancient and recent bottlenecks. Understanding the evolutionary history of the Asian elephant subspecies is essential for developing targeted conservation strategies and mitigating risks to their survival.

Spatio-Temporal Variation in Diet Among Age and Sex Cohorts of a Model Generalist Bird Species, the Great Tit : New Insights Revealed by DNA Metabarcoding.

Dietary variation among cohorts can have a major impact on how populations adapt to environmental variation. Although variation in diet between cohorts and across habitats has been studied in many taxa, this is not true for most birds, especially smaller generalist passerines whose feeding habits are predominantly cryptic. Here we used DNA metabarcoding with next-generation sequencing to assess spatio-temporal dietary variation among age and sex cohorts of the great tit , a model species in avian ecology.

Propene epoxidation with molecular oxygen: Advancements from nanoparticle to single-atom catalysts.

Propylene oxide plays a pivotal role as an organic synthesis intermediate, boasting extensive downstream applications and promising market prospects. Propene epoxidation via molecular oxygen has garnered considerable attention due to its cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, ease of operation, and straightforward product separation. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of recent advancements, ranging from nanoparticle to Single-atom catalysts (SACs), in the context of propene epoxidation using molecular oxygen.

Atomic-level cation occupation and magnetic properties of Ce-doped ZnFeO spinel ferrite.

Rare-earth doping has been proven to be an effective strategy for tailoring the magnetic properties of ferrites. In this study, we report a direct experimental observation of the precise occupation of cations in Ce-doped spinel ZnFeO ferrites. We demonstrate that divalent Zn cations and trivalent Fe cations respectively occupy all tetrahedral A sites and all octahedral B sites in ZnFeO nanofibers, which aligns well with the normal spinel structure.

Validation of the comprehensive assessment of acceptance and commitment therapy processes for youth: The CompACT-Y.

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic approach which aims to increase psychological flexibility. Higher psychological flexibility has been associated with reduced psychological distress, mental health symptoms and improvements in well-being and functioning. Reviews of ACT for children and young people (CYP) indicate it shows potential as an effective treatment for a range of difficulties, however a comprehensive measure of psychological flexibility processes does not exist for CYP.

Quality of vitamin K antagonist treatment during the last year of life.

Limited data exist on the quality of anticoagulation in patients approaching the end of life. This study evaluated vitamin K antagonist (VKA) anticoagulation control during the last year of life, using nationwide data from Statistics Netherlands, linked to anticoagulation clinics' data and the Netherlands Cancer Registry. We included prevalent VKA users who were hospitalized with a severe medical condition and died between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019.

Stabilization of 2D Raft Structures of Au Nanoclusters with up to 60 Atoms by a Carbon Support.

Herein, the stabilization of 2D single-atom high gold rafts containing up to ≈60 Au atoms on amorphous carbon, fabricated by sputtering of atoms and imaged by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, is demonstrated. These rafts deviate from the established cluster transition from 2D to 3D Au structural motifs in free clusters, which occurs in the region of 10-14 atoms. The experimental findings are supported by explicit ab initio calculations of Au ( = 3-147) clusters on graphene and the role of cluster-surface interactions in the stabilization of the 2D single-atom high Au cluster rafts on graphene is revealed.

Trajectories of mental health across the primary to secondary school transition.

Background: Adolescence is a period of profound developmental change during which the prevalence of mental health problems starts to increase. It also typically coincides with a school transition. Understanding mental health trajectories through school transition is important to inform interventions to support young people's mental health during this period.

Prognostic Models of Mortality Following First-Ever Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: There is a lack of population-based studies focusing on guideline-based prognostic models for stroke. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic model that predicts mortality following a first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: The study included 899 adult patients ( ≥ 18 years) with confirmed diagnosis of first-ever acute ischemic stroke enrolled in the Malaysian National Stroke Registry (NSR) from January 2009 to December 2019.

Evolution of amorphous ruthenium nanoclusters into stepped truncated nano-pyramids on graphitic surfaces boosts hydrogen production from ammonia.

Atomic-scale changes can significantly impact heterogeneous catalysis, yet their atomic mechanisms are challenging to establish using conventional analysis methods. By using identical location scanning transmission electron microscopy (IL-STEM), which provides quantitative information at the single-particle level, we investigated the mechanisms of atomic evolution of Ru nanoclusters during the ammonia decomposition reaction. Nanometre-sized disordered nanoclusters transform into truncated nano-pyramids with stepped edges, leading to increased hydrogen production from ammonia.

MHC-related protein 1-restricted recognition of cancer via a semi-invariant TCR-α chain.

The T cell antigen presentation platform MR1 consists of 6 allomorphs in humans that differ by no more than 5 amino acids. The principal function of this highly conserved molecule involves presenting microbial metabolites to the abundant mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell subset. Recent developments suggest that the role of MR1 extends to presenting antigens from cancer cells, a function dependent on the K43 residue in the MR1 antigen binding cleft.

Dealing With the Complexity of Effective Population Size in Conservation Practice.

Effective population size () is one of the most important parameters in evolutionary biology, as it is linked to the long-term survival capability of species. Therefore, greatly interests conservation geneticists, but it is also very relevant to policymakers, managers, and conservation practitioners. Molecular methods to estimate rely on various assumptions, including no immigration, panmixia, random sampling, absence of spatial genetic structure, and/or mutation-drift equilibrium.

Leadership training in emergency medicine: A national survey.

Background: Emergency medicine (EM) is a uniquely stressful environment in which leadership training could improve individual and team performance, patient outcomes, well-being, and EM career intentions. The primary aim was to evaluate EM-specific leadership training (EMLeaders) compared to no leadership training. A secondary comparison was with other forms of leadership training.

Are restricted and repetitive behaviours in two- and six-year-olds associated with emotional and behavioural difficulties?

Background: Restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour (RRBs) serve an adaptive role in development. Elevated levels of RRBs beyond the early years, however, are associated with poorer outcome in language, cognition, and wellbeing, and are seen across a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. This study aimed to characterize the association of distinct RRB subtypes at two and six years of age, with internalising and externalising difficulties in a community sample of children.

Modifiable protective factors for mental health resilience in the offspring of depressed parents: A high-risk longitudinal cohort spanning adolescence and adulthood.

Background: Several protective factors have been identified for mental health (MH) resilience in adolescent offspring of depressed parents. However, it is unclear if these effects persist into adulthood.

Methods: Depressed parents and their offspring ( = 188) from the Early Prediction of Adolescent Depression study were assessed four times (mean offspring ages 12.

Green innovation imperative for natural resource-driven sustainable economic recovery: Linking rights Structure, corporate social responsibility, and renewable energy contracts.

This study examines the complex relationships necessary for a sustainable economic recovery, focusing on the interplay between contracts for renewable energy, natural resource use, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and rights frameworks. Motivated by the increasing scrutiny of environmental practices, this research aims to highlight the need for sustainable business models during the transition to a more environmentally sensitive economy. The study area encompasses diverse sectors where CSR goals can be aligned with renewable energy project frameworks through natural resource utilization.

Healthcare professionals' views on psychological support for children and families affected by skin conditions in the UK: A qualitative study.

Background: Skin conditions can have a psychological impact on a child and their caregivers, however, support is not equally distributed between geographical regions in the United Kingdom (UK).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the experience of National Health Service (NHS) healthcare professionals (HCPs) of addressing the psychological needs of children with skin conditions and their families, and gain expert opinion as to how services need to further develop.

Design: HCPs were recruited to a qualitative study with an advert posted on social media.

Phosphonodiamidate prodrugs of phosphoantigens (ProPAgens) exhibit potent Vγ9/Vδ2 T cell activation and eradication of cancer cells.

The phosphoantigen ()-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP) is an established activator of Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells and stimulates downstream effector functions including cytotoxicity and cytokine production. In order to improve its drug-like properties, we herein report the design, synthesis, serum stability, metabolism, and biological evaluation of a new class of symmetrical phosphonodiamidate prodrugs of methylene and difluoromethylene monophosphonate derivatives of HMBPP. These prodrugs, termed phosphonodiamidate ProPAgens, were synthesized in good yields, exhibited excellent serum stability (>7 h), and their metabolism was shown to be initiated by carboxypeptidase Y.

The experiences of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a distressing psychological condition where an individual is preoccupied by a perceived issue with their appearance. Qualitative studies enable nuanced aspects of BDD phenomenology to be investigated. The current systematic review used thematic synthesis to integrate the findings from the extant qualitative studies.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of emPHasis-10: The health-related quality-of-life measure in pulmonary hypertension.

The emPHasis-10 is a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) unidimensional measure developed specifically for adults with pulmonary hypertension. The tool has excellent psychometric properties and is well used in research and clinical settings. Its factor structure has not been examined, which may help to identity a complimentary approach to using the measure to examine patient functioning.

ObsTIVA-UK: a service evaluation of obstetric total intravenous anaesthesia in the United Kingdom.

We conducted a prospective observational service evaluation across the United Kingdom on the use of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) for obstetric surgery between November 2022 and June 2023. The primary aim was to describe the incidence of TIVA for obstetric surgery within participating units, with secondary aims to describe maternal and neonatal postoperative recovery indicators. Of 184 maternity units in the United Kingdom, 30 (16%) contributed data to the service evaluation.