Elachiptera decipiens is cereal pest distributed in North America, Europe, and China. Its complete mitochondrial genome from Xinjiang, China was sequenced using next-generation sequencing technique. The 18,344 bp mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding gene sequences (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCG sequences at family level and COI gene sequences at subfamily level. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that E. decipiens is closely related to E. insignis. The complete mitogenome of E. decipiens would help understand Chloropidae evolution and develop rapid identification methods based on mitochondrial genes.

Abstract The frequency and severity of summertime synchronous extreme heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere are increasing with global warming, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human health. Understanding the spatiotemporal characteristics of these heat waves is therefore crucial. This study employs the event synchronization climate network method to objectively identify hotspot regions of synchronous extreme heat waves and their dominant synchronization patterns. It further explores the associated large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and soil moisture feedback processes. Results show that regions including most of Europe, the western Arabian Peninsula, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the western and southern parts of North America, as well as Greenland, are susceptible to synchronous heat waves. Notably, Southeast Asia and western North America show strong synchronization with the Caspian Sea, while East Asia and southern North America primarily synchronize with northern–central Europe. Southeast Asia–Caspian Sea and East Asia–northern–central Europe synchronization patterns are linked to wave-like anomalies suggestive of northwest–southeastward-propagating Rossby waves, whereas western North America–Caspian Sea and southern North America–central Europe synchronization patterns correspond to zonal wave trains. These circulation patterns feature concurrent anticyclonic anomalies over synchronized heat wave regions, favoring warming through adiabatic subsidence and increased solar radiation. Moreover, concurrent local soil moisture drying increases the likelihood of their co-occurrences by positive land–atmosphere feedback, which likely acts to intensify and prolong heat waves. These findings systematically map synchronous heat wave hotspots and synchronization patterns across the Northern Hemisphere, highlighting novel cross-latitudinal connections and establishing a foundation for future work to disentangle dynamic and thermodynamic influences. Significance Statement As global temperatures rise, extreme heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. This study reveals that heat waves are increasingly occurring simultaneously across distant regions, such as Europe, North America, and Asia. These synchronous heat waves pose serious risks to ecosystems, agriculture, economies, and human health. By using a novel climate network analysis, this study identifies regions most vulnerable to these synchronous heat wave events and the pathways through which they are linked. Understanding these patterns is crucial for predicting future heat waves, improving climate models, and helping societies to better prepare for the widespread impacts of extreme heat as the planet continues to warm.

Health Performance in North America: An International Comparative Review of Canada and the United States with Implications for Women's Health Equity.

Phylogenomic species delimitation reveals distinct pace and mode of lineage evolution in Amanita jacksonii.

Comparison of anticipated and detected drug contents in samples submitted to a statewide drug checking program in Maryland, USA.

Myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies (MSA/MAA) are important biomarkers used in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. To date, limited guidance exists on how testing should be undertaken or which MSA/MAA to include in a clinically justifiable 'myositis panel'. We aimed to investigate interlaboratory variability in 'myositis autoantibody testing' in terms of panel components, comparability of test results and approaches to reporting with a view to informing future guidelines. Twenty-four quality-control sera containing MSA/MAA were shared with 15 participating laboratories located in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. Laboratories evaluated the samples for MSA/MAA using their usual protocols. Raw data, alongside reported test results, were collated. Participating laboratories made use of a variety of commercial and in-house assays. Most used at least one commercial multiplex assay and each centre tested for between 14 and 33 autoantibody specificities. Near 100% concordance in the reported result was seen for almost half the samples analysed. As expected, negative results were reported where the previously identified autoantibody was not tested for, but also frequently with putative anti-OJ, anti-EJ and anti-TIF1γ samples. Of concern, the results obtained for anti-TIF1γ sera varied between laboratories using the same commercial assay. We have shown there is considerable variation in how myositis antibody testing is undertaken and the results obtained for key autoantibody specificities, which may impact on clinical decision-making. Dialogue between manufacturers, diagnostic laboratories and clinicians remains crucial and steps towards harmonisation between laboratories is urgently needed.

The genus Delphinium exemplifies the complexity of plant diversification in mountainous regions, where rapid speciation, hybridization, and morphological convergence frequently obscure species boundaries. The North American lineage Delphinium sect. Diedropetala has rapidly radiated across a range of ecological habitats, from alpine tundra to desert grasslands, forming an iconic component of western wild flower communities. Here, we present a genome-scale phylogeny of 34 taxa using ddRAD-seq data from 150 individuals sampled across their geographic ranges. Our results reveal strong phylogenetic structure corresponding to biogeographic regions, including several well-supported clades that cut across existing taxonomic subsections, emphasizing the need for taxonomic revision. Hybridization and introgression are widespread, occurring both within and between these regional clades. Most species are connected through a syngameon-like network of introgression, with few widespread species acting as central hubs. We describe six higher-level clade names and use an agent-based artificial intelligence analysis to identify morphological synapomorphies that align with our genomic findings. Our study demonstrates that geography and gene flow have played a dominant role in shaping the evolutionary history of Delphinium in North America, offering a framework for revising its taxonomy and informing future conservation efforts.

Mycoviruses, viruses infecting fungi, have been identified in several ascomycetes as single infections or mixed infections. These interactions with plant pathogenic fungi have been associated with hyper- or hypovirulence. This report focuses on single and mixed mycovirus infection of the plant pathogenic fungus Cryptostroma corticale, the causal agent of sooty bark disease (SBD) affecting maple trees in Europe and North America. In humans, exposure of C. corticale spores causes maple bark disease (MBD), causing hypersensitive pneumonitis and allergic asthma with viral-like symptoms. In this study, we identified four species of single-stranded, positive-sense (ss+) RNA mycoviruses that are phylogenetically diverse, including one Mitovirus: Cryptostroma corticale mitovirus 1 (CcMV1) and three Narnavirus species: Cryptostroma corticale narnavirus 1, 2, and 3 (CcNV1, 2, and 3). Notably, CcMV1 shows predicted secondary structures in both 5' and 3' UTRs, while CcNV1 and CcNV3 exhibited strong secondary structures at the 3' UTR. These four mycoviruses were prevalent in 45% (n=35) of the isolates tested, and growth assays of single infection and the most complex mixed infection showed faster radial expansion compared to a virus-free isolate. These findings reveal single and mixed mycoviruses infections in C. corticale differentially affecting fungal growth, with potential implications for SBD pathogenesis and human MBD risk.

Network analyses of cognitive performance in psychiatric disorders: A scoping review.

Prevalence of Babesia vulpes in shelter dogs from Texas, USA.

Cryotherapy medicolegal liability claims amongst physicians in North America (1988-2025).

A review of reported bushmaster (Lachesis spp.) bites in the Americas.

Pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation among Indigenous Peoples: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

During the Late Devonian, several anoxic pulses triggered severe biotic crises such as the Kellwasser Event, profoundly affecting marine ecosystems. These episodes are well-documented in the North American Seaway (NAS), in which accumulated thick deposits of dark-gray/black shales generally lacking biogenic structures. This study applies an ichnological approach to assessing the impact of anoxic pulses on macrobenthic tracemakers at five sites in the NAS (one from the Anadarko Basin, three from the Illinois Basin, and one from the Appalachian Basin). The study sections consist of dark-gray to black shale beds interbedded with light-gray to greenish shale layers. Ichnological analysis identified five ichnoassemblages dominated by: (1) Planolites , (2) Chondrites , (3) Planolites , Teichichnus , and Cylindrichnus , (4) Zoophycos , Chondrites , and Planolites , and (5) vertical spreiten -bearing structures along with Planolites , Teichichnus , and Cylindrichnus . In the NAS, Givetian deposits exhibit the highest ichnodiversity (Ichnoassemblage 5). Stratigraphically upwards, several anoxic pulses are recorded by laminated black shale deposits, correlated with globally-recorded biological crises (e.g., Rhinestreet, Kellwasser, Dasberg): lower Frasnian sediments exhibit alternating unbioturbated/laminated intervals and Ichnoassemblages 1a and 1b along with mottled textures, whereas the Famennian is characterized by more persistent anoxia interrupted by oxic intervals with Ichnoassemblage 4 or 1 and common mottled textures. In contrast, the Anadarko Basin shows only mottled textures alternating with laminated facies in the Frasnian-Famennian transition, followed by a persistent decline in biogenic structures during the Famennian (only sparse records of Ichnoassemblages 1a and 2). Notably, in inner areas of the NAS, oxic conditions were prevalent during the Upper Kellwasser Event, characterized by Ichnoassemblage 3. Our ichnological study, compared with the global record, indicates that Late Devonian anoxic pulses had a greater impact on open-marine settings than on the restricted areas of the NAS, highlighting that regional features heavily conditioned global effects of the Late Devonian biocrises, leading to highly variable patterns in benthic recovery and oxygenation dynamics. • Integrated ichnological and sedimentological study of Late Devonian biocrises. • Anoxia drove opportunistic tracemakers across most North American settings. • The inner Illinois Basin acted as a refuge, preserving higher ichnodiversity. • Open-marine settings show low ichnodiversity and only brief oxic windows. • Regional factors modulated global crises, buffering some benthic communities.

Chemoimmunotherapy with irinotecan, temozolomide, and dinutuximab (I/T/DIN) has emerged as first-line therapy for relapsed/refractory (r/r) high-risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) in North America. Topotecan and cyclophosphamide (T/C) are often used in combination with dinutuximab in the setting of lack of response, progression, or incomplete response following I/T/DIN, but efficacy and tolerability are unknown. Eligible patients received one or more cycles of T/C/DIN for r/r HRNB. Response was assessed using the 2017 International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria. Fifty-four patients with r/r HRNB were included. Patients received a median of four cycles of T/C/DIN (range = 1-16); 48 (89%) had previously received I/T/DIN. Twenty-three patients (42.6%) had an objective response (complete/partial/minor; OR) to T/C/DIN, 21 (38.9%) had stable disease, and 10 (18.5%) had progressive disease as best response. Among patients who previously received I/T/DIN, objective response rate (ORR) to T/C/DIN was 54% in those with prior OR to I/T/DIN and 23% in those without prior OR (adjusted odds ratio 4.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-17.75). Patients who had experienced on-therapy progression with I/T/DIN had a similar ORR to T/C/DIN compared to those who never progressed (38% vs. 41%, p = 1.0). Twenty-one patients (39%) required T/C/DIN dose modification-11 (52%) due to hematologic toxicity. Seven patients (13%) discontinued T/C/DIN due to toxicity. T/C/DIN is an effective regimen for patients with r/r HRNB, producing ORRs similar to prior reports in chemoimmunotherapy-naïve patients treated with I/T/DIN. Prior chemoimmunotherapy response may predict response to T/C/DIN, but even patients who progress while receiving I/T/DIN may benefit from the T/C/DIN combination.

• Understanding the population dynamics of a high-density ungulate is challenging. • We built an age/sex-structured population model for a moose population. • Our model successfully reproduced changes in abundance and demographic drivers. • We offered a way to build and calibrate complex population models with scarce data. • We identified mechanisms at play in a protected area without hunting and wolves. High-density populations can threaten the ecological integrity of ecosystems through cascading effects. In such cases, management practices must be guided by sufficient knowledge of the biological mechanisms at play. Simulation models are powerful tools for acquiring such knowledge. The moose ( Alces alces americana ) is a species that recently became overabundant in some areas of eastern North America, sometimes requiring specific management measures. While numerous models exist for moose population dynamics, few are adapted to high density populations like the one in Forillon National Park (Quebec, Canada), a protected area in which the moose's apical predator (grey wolf Canis lupus ) is absent. We developed a sex- and age-structured population model respecting these conditions that we parameterized using pattern-oriented modelling to help explain the changes in moose density observed over nearly 4 decades. The most plausible sequence of vital rates identified exhibited negative density dependence in survival, reproduction and dispersal. Predation by alternative predators, black bears ( Ursus americanus ) and coyotes ( Canis latrans ), caused substantial mortality of calves each year. Unlike elsewhere in northeastern North America, winter tick only had a slight effect on calf survival. Variations in the population’s sex ratio were mainly explained by sex-biased dispersal. Our study provides new insights concerning the dynamics of high-density ungulate populations in the absence of their apical predator, and our modelling approach helped reveal new methodological challenges and opportunities. We also present a comprehensive process to build and parameterize a complex population model using scarce data.

This letter uses sparse matrix statistics to highlight a structural gap between North American grid models and the synthetic cases commonly used in research. North American grids exhibit area-based modularity, characterized by dense intra-area links and limited inter-area connectivity. By contrast, synthetic grids often over-mesh across areas. Analysis shows that these surplus tie lines increase fills in the Jacobian factorization, which reduces realism and computational efficiency. The observations confirm that inter-area connectivity influences sparse matrix behavior. This work emphasizes the importance of incorporating modular structure into synthetic grid design.

Item response theory modeling and confirmatory factor analysis of the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM-24) with a North American sample.

Resilience of the sessile benthic community to rockweed harvest.

Grape ( Vitis spp.) is an economically and culturally significant crop grown in a wide array of climates, including cooler areas that regularly experience freezing temperatures. To better adapt grapes for cultivation in cooler climates, wild grape relatives and hybrids have been and continue to be used in breeding efforts. The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service maintains a collection of cultivated and wild cold-hardy grapes in Geneva, NY, USA. This collection contains more than one dozen species, mostly of North American origin, as well as an extensive set of hybrid breeding lines and cultivars. We demonstrate the genetic variation present in the collection using newly developed rhAmpSeq markers to explore phylogenetic relationships. Our findings match those of previous analyses that showed Eurasian species nested within the North American species, suggesting a North American origin of the Vitis genus. In addition, an analysis of ancestry and genetic distance suggested taxonomic identities of 18 previously unidentified accessions and 36 putatively misidentified accessions. The data presented here advance the understanding of the Vitis clade and provide support for ongoing research, conservation, and breeding efforts.