Our multi-center clinical study evaluated 19 common pathogens in 1,922 pharyngeal swab samples, comparing the diagnostic performance of PCR-QDFA with clinically routine qRT-PCR, while validating results using Sanger sequencing as the gold standard. Our statistical results showed that among the samples with single - pathogen infections (759 cases, 39.49%), the three most frequently detected pathogen types included 164 cases (8.53%) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV - 2), 92 cases (4.79%) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and 71 cases (3.69%) of respiratory adenovirus. Among the samples with co - infections of two or more pathogens (1479 cases, 76.95%), the five most frequently detected pathogen types were 422 cases (21.96%) of influenza A virus infection, 291 cases (15.14%) of influenza A (H1N1) virus, 113 cases (5.88%) of influenza A (H3N2) virus, 107 cases (5.57%) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and 67 cases (3.49%) of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. PCR - QDFA showed extremely high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (greater than 99%) for the 19 respiratory pathogens. The coincidence rate with qRT - PCR detection was greater than 99%, and PCR - QDFA outperformed qRT - PCR in terms of sensitivity and specificity detection.

[1]¿p#1 Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.; Asteraceae) is an economically significant agricultural product in Canada, with 70% of commercial production in peatlands (Histosols) in southern Quebec. Insecticide application has been the primary method for managing lettuce pests in Quebec however more sustainable strategies are needed to control lettuce pests effectively. In this context, conservation biological control is a highly promising alternative, involving the cultivation of flowering strips within the agricultural ecosystem to attract and support natural enemies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of alyssum (Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.; Brassicaceae) in attracting syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae), some of which are voracious predators of lettuce pests during their larval stage. A total of 1,934 specimens of 16 species were collected from annual flowering plants grown in three different lettuce farms in Quebec. The most abundant species was Toxomerus marginatus (Say), accounting for approximately 70% of the specimens. The second and third most abundant were Sphaerophoria philanthus Meigen and Allograpta obliqua (Say), corresponding to nearly 10.3% and 4.6% of the samples, respectively. All other species constituted less than 4% each. A group of 82 female specimens, initially identified as belonging to the Sphaerophoria philanthus/asymmetrica/abbreviata species complex, underwent Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) DNA sequence-based delimitation analyses, which suggested the presence of three molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs). Fourteen of the 16 identified species or MOTU are aphid predators at the larval stage. Our findings suggest that alyssum flowers can successfully attract natural aphid predators in lettuce fields in Quebec. This approach may help mitigate lettuce pest-related problems and decrease the dependence on insecticides in lettuce crops, promoting more sustainable pest management practices.

[1]¿p#1KEY CLINICAL MESSAGETumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) can be challenging due to underlying tumors being either unresectable or unidentifiable. Burosumab, an anti-FGF23 monoclonal antibody, has been proven to be effective in treating TIO but is currently not subsidized for this indication in Australia. Our experience suggests that burosumab should be considered a first-line treatment.

Objectives: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) not only causes lung damage but also induces renal damage, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Methods: Six rhesus macaques were divided into a control group and a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection group. Meanwhile, their kidneys were segmented into three regions: renal cortex (Cor), inner medulla (IM), and outer medulla (OM), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics and phosphoproteomic analysis were conducted. Next, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including differential analysis, functional enrichment, kinase prediction and drug target prediction in order to identify key molecules associated with COVID-19. Results: We established proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiles of Cor, OM and IM of rhesus macaque kidneys infected with SARS-CoV-2. Renal injury was observed in three regions, implicating various organelles and biological processes such as ribosomes, spliceosomes, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, IL-17 signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Additionally, varying intensities of inflammatory reactions, metabolic perturbations and fibrosis were evident in all regions. By utilizing DrugBank, we identified 21 FDA-approved drugs targeting predicted kinases as candidates for treatment. Minocycline, acetylcysteine, and fostamatinib have been used to treat COVID-19-associated kidney injury. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive dataset and atlas of proteomics and phosphoproteomics of SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaque kidneys.

Changes in biodiversity reflect processes acting at multiple spatial scales, including globally, among habitats and within communities. This complexity makes it difficult to analyse the mechanisms that change biodiversity over time. To resolve this, we propose a novel approach to partition temporal changes in biodiversity into contributions from selection at multiple scales. We apply this approach to study changes in the biodiversity of invertebrate herbivores from a large-scale, plant community experiment. Though the experiment was designed to foster distinct insect communities due to differences in host plants, our approach shows that selection among these treatments was a negligible facet of diversity change. Instead, the dominant source of community dynamics was rapid changes in the relative abundances of individual species. These shifts produced surprisingly small changes in biodiversity. More broadly our work highlights how total change in biodiversity across a biogeographic region can be partitioned into logically distinct mechanisms.

[1]¿p#1 The decline of forest ecosystems due to anthropogenic pressures directly threatens the wildlife that depends on them. These pressures extend even to protected areas, undermining their role as sanctuaries for animal species. Analyzing local knowledge and the vulnerability of wildlife species in the Aledjo Wildlife Reserve (AWR) in Togo can lead to improved research approaches and sustainable management strategies for this protected area. Semi-structured ethnozoological surveys, including individual interviews and focus group discussions, were conducted with 298 people living near the AWR. Data analysis was based on wildlife species use indices and a vulnerability index to assess usage impacts. A total of 50 species, grouped into 47 genera and 32 families, were recorded. The most diverse families were Bovidae (5 species), Cercopithecidae (4 species) and Muridae (4 species). The Importance Value-in-use Index (IVIUsp) indicates that the most valued species are the patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), the forest cobra (Naja melanoleuca) and the green mamba (Dendroaspis viridis). According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories, nine species are globally threatened. Fourteen (14) species are moderately vulnerable to local exploitation. Protecting the AWR ecosystems, which provide habitat and food resources for wildlife species, is crucial for their conservation.

A document by bahareh Abtahi-naeini. Click on the document to view its contents.

[1]¿p#1 This study examines how subtitles and image visualizations influence gaze behavior, working alliance, and behavior change intentions in virtual health conversations with ECAs. Visualizations refer to images on a 3D model TV and text on a virtual whiteboard, both reinforcing key content conveyed by the ECA. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: no subtitles or visualizations (Control), subtitles only (SUB), visualizations only (VIS), or both subtitles and visualizations (VISSUB). Structural equation path modeling showed that SUB and VIS individually reduced gaze toward the ECA, while VISSUB moderated this reduction, resulting in less gaze loss than the sum of either condition alone. Gaze behavior was positively associated with working alliance, and perceptions of enjoyment and appropriateness influenced engagement, which in turn predicted behavior change intentions. VIS was negatively associated with behavior change intentions, suggesting that excessive visual input may introduce cognitive trade-offs.

Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are important disease vectors with unique biology that makes them fascinating models to study the evolution of behaviour and its underlying neural circuits. They evolved blood-feeding in an independent event from mosquitoes, and unlike most insects, give birth to a single live offspring – rather than laying eggs. Given their impact on public health, they have been extensively studied with a strong focus on vector control. However, information on their sensory ecology and neurobiology are thinly spread across the literature. Here, we review over a hundred years of literature on tsetse sensory systems, including olfaction, vision, audition, taste, thermosensation, and mechanosensation, in the context of the behaviours they drive, including host-finding, blood-feeding and mating. We embed the available data within our more detailed understanding of the sensory systems of the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the Malaria mosquito Aedes aegypti. This sets the stage for future work on how tsetse find their hosts and reproduce, opening new avenues to understand how their sensory systems function and evolve, which in turn will inform better control strategies to reduce the burden of the diseases they transmit.

In the last decades, the use of camera traps for wildlife studies has increased significantly due to advancements in technology leading to cost reduction and improved reliability. They facilitate the study of wild animals in their natural environment in a minimally invasive manner, eliminating the need for researchers to remain in the field for long periods of time and to stay alert for extended hours. While their use is not too complex, data analysis often represents a bottleneck that demands considerable effort. When cameras are used to obtain videos, the first step upon retrieving information from them is to sort the videos, name them in a standardized manner, identify the content of each file, and label them to organize the information for subsequent data analysis. This process is laborious and repetitive, often leading to human errors that later hinder analysis. In this work an easy to use, customizable semi-automated video processing and tagging software is presented alongside camera trap data analysis from sites used by an endangered otter species (Lontra provocax) from Patagonia. With its use, we were able to process over three thousand video files in a short time, finding that in the area under study (Nahuel Huapi National Park) all otter sites were also used by american minks, some were visited frequently by foxes, domestic dogs and cats, while direct interactions between otters and other animals were never observed. In a particular site a detailed analysis provided data showing a nocturnal pattern of use for the site. When compared to manual data processing the semi-automated process improved efficiency, overall user experience, and reduced the cognitive load associated with manual tagging. The aim of this work was to develop a versatile and user-friendly yet powerful solution to the typical tasks associated with the analysis of camera trap videos.

With the growing global energy demand and the pressing need for a clean energy transition, supercapacitors (SCs) have demonstrated significant application potential in electric vehicles, wearable electronics, and renewable energy storage systems owing to their rapid charge-discharge capability, exceptional power density, and prolonged cycle life. The improvement of their overall performance fundamentally depends on the synergistic design of electrode materials and electrolyte systems, as well as the precise regulation of the electrode-electrolyte interface. This review focuses on the key components of supercapacitors, systematically reviewing the design strategies of high-performance electrode materials, outlining recent advances in novel electrolyte systems, and comprehensively discussing the critical roles of interfacial reinforcement and optimization in enhancing device energy density, power performance, and cycling stability. Furthermore, interfacial engineering strategies and innovations in device architecture are proposed to address interfacial degradation in flexible SCs under mechanical stress. Finally, key future research directions are highlighted, including the development of high-voltage and wide-temperature-range electrolyte systems, and the integrated advancement of multiscale in situ characterization techniques and theoretical modeling. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and innovative strategies for material design, contributing toward the realization of next-generation supercapacitors with enhanced energy density and reliability.

Animals must constantly balance the need to find resources with the risk of predation. Not only avoiding direct encounters with predators but also assessing the overall risk of their environment using cues, social information or habitat traits at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Although such multiscale understanding of the landscape of fear has been recognized, few studies have concomitantly measured how habitat traits at different scales affect risk perception (direct or indirect). Here, we conducted a set of field-based giving-up density experiments to study risk perception on white-naped jays living in semi-arid thorn forests in northeastern Brazil. We recorded data from 23 groups of jays, ranging from 2 to 15 individuals per group, exposed to simulated predators in areas with varying habitat complexity at both local and landscape scales. Overall, our findings support the hypotheses of risky times and habitat complexity risk mediation. White-naped jays exhibited reduced food consumption in the presence of a predator and displayed increased vigilance while consuming less food in more complex habitat patches with dense canopy cover in regenerated forest areas. Finaly, we found no evidence supporting the many-eyes hypothesis; larger groups of white-naped jays did not reduce vigilance. Instead, vigilance was influenced by habitat characteristics like canopy cover and the differences between managed and regenerated forests. These findings underscore the dependency of risk perception on habitat complexity across various scales, indicating that simplifying habitats may create a less fearful environment, thereby increasing prey vulnerability by diminishing antipredator behaviours.

[1]¿p#1 Interference from distractors can be reduced when they appear at locations or with features that occur frequently, suggesting that statistical learning enables the suppression of high-probability distractor locations and features. Recent studies have proposed that reduced interference in spatial statistic regularity arises not only from attentional suppression at high-probability positions but also from attentional capture at low-probability positions. However, it remains unclear whether feature-based statistical learning follows the same pattern—namely, attentional suppression of high-probability distractor features and attentional capture of low-probability distractor features. This study explored this possibility using both behavioral measures and event-related potentials (ERPs) by introducing an equal-probability baseline condition. The results showed that RTs to high-probability distractors were significantly shorter than low-probability distractors (Experiments1). Crucially, in Experiment 2, RTs to low-probability distractors showed no significant difference compared to equal-probability distractors, yet both were significantly longer than those for high-probability distractors. Consistent with these behavioral findings, ERP data from Experiment 2 further revealed reduced N2pc amplitudes for high-probability distractors relative to both low- and equal-probability distractors, with no amplitude difference between the latter two conditions. Furthermore, P3 amplitudes did not vary across conditions, suggesting that low-probability color singletons did not elicit a rarity effect. These findings indicate that the reduced interference associated with high-probability color distractors is primarily due to attentional suppression of the high-probability distractor feature itself, rather than attentional capture by low-probability distractor features. The implications of these findings for statistical learning and feature-based suppression mechanisms were discussed.

Speech-driven talking face video generation has attracted growing interest in recent research. While person-specific approaches yield high-fidelity results, they require extensive training data from each individual speaker. In contrast, general-purpose methods often struggle with accurate lip synchronization, identity preservation, and natural facial movements. To address these limitations, we propose a novel architecture that combines an alignment model with a rendering model. The rendering model synthesizes identity-consistent lip movements by leveraging facial landmarks derived from speech, a partially occluded target face, multi-reference lip features, and the input audio. Concurrently, the alignment model estimates optical flow using the occluded face and a static reference image, enabling precise alignment of facial poses and lip shapes. This collaborative design enhances the rendering process, resulting in more realistic and identity-preserving outputs. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method significantly improves lip synchronization and identity retention, establishing a new benchmark in talking face video generation.

This study examines how multimodal communication strategies (subtitles, visualizations, and their combination), affect memory retention, attitudes towards behavior change, and cognitive load during long conversations (+20 minutes) in immersive virtual reality (VR). Using embodied conversational agents (ECAs) to educate participants on diabetes and healthy eating, we found that all conditions effectively improved memory retention and behavior change attitudes. However, the combination of multimodal strategies increased cognitive load, suggesting a trade-off between engagement and cognitive demands. These findings highlight the potential of long VR conversations for healthcare education, while emphasizing the importance of balancing cognitive demands and exploring personalization for diverse users.

The growing demand for cooling is contributing to a global energy challenge, making it essential to improve the efficiency of cooling systems to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and operational costs. This study focuses on optimizing the Absorption Refrigeration Cycle (ARC) to enhance performance and minimize energy consumption. A novel system, the Diffuser Absorption Refrigeration Cycle (D-ARC), has been developed to achieve this objective. In this system, a diffuser is positioned between the evaporator and absorber, resulting in higher pressure in the absorber compared to the evaporator. This increased absorber pressure reduces the circulation ratio and boosts efficiency. The study determines the coefficient of performance (COP), exergetic coefficient of performance (ECOP), and circulation ratio (f) for the D-ARC system at various generator temperatures. These calculations consider both traditional working pairs (NH3/H2O) and different ionic liquid working pairs, including NH3/[EMIM][BF4], NH3/[DMIM][DMP], and NH3/[EMIM][ETSO4]. A comparative analysis of D-ARC, E-ARC, and ARC reveals that the D-ARC system achieves superior COP and ECOP values. The highest COP and ECOP values are observed with the working pair NH3/[EMIM][BF4] (COP: 0.85, ECOP: 0.35), whereas the lowest values are found with the NH3/H2O pair (COP: 0.63, ECOP: 0.26).

Background: Early intervention and prevention in youth mental health are essential, with up to 75% of mental illnesses emerging before the age of 25. Over the past two decades, enhanced primary care models, such as Jigsaw in Ireland, have been developed to provide accessible, evidence-based mental health support for young people aged 12–25 years. Understanding trends in service utilisation and factors influencing engagement is critical for optimising service delivery and ensuring equitable access to care. Objectives: This study examines (1) trends in service utilisation within Jigsaw between 2017 and 2022 and (2) factors associated with session attendance, considering demographic, services related and contextual influences. Methods: A secondary analysis of routine clinical data was conducted, including 23,227 young people aged 12–25 who accessed Jigsaw services from 2017-2022. Time series analyses assessed trends in service demand, presenting issues, and wait times. Negative binomial regression models evaluated predictors of session attendance. Results: A steady increase in referrals was found over time. Anxiety was the most consistent predictor of increased attendance across both age groups (12-16 and 17-25), while psychological distress predicted lower attendance in the older cohort. Wait times had a greater impact on the older group, and seasonal patterns were evident across both groups. Gender and referral source effects decreased with age. Conclusions: Findings underscore increasing demand for Jigsaw’s primary care youth mental health services and highlight key factors influencing attendance. Service planners should consider gender-sensitive engagement strategies, the role of referral pathways, and seasonal variations in demand when allocating resources. Addressing long waiting times and enhancing support for highly distressed young people may improve engagement and retention.

This study summarizes the nursing management of a patient with cerebral infarction and sacrococcygeal stage 2 pressure ulcer, focusing on the effectiveness of local oxygen therapy combined with human albumin. Patients are evaluated for the risk of pressure ulcers and nutritional deficiencies upon admission.We applied topical oxygen therapy combined with human albumin for dressing changes, during which the healing of pressure ulcers is assessed promptly.The pressure ulcer completely healed within one week, The new method of pressure ulcer care, which combines local oxygen therapy with human blood albumin, has been shown to shorten wound healing time, enhance nursing effectiveness, and provide a more efficient and feasible nursing technology for the clinical promotion of pressure ulcer management.