Protracted Time Research Articles

An International Comparison of Regulatory and Licensing for Solar Rooftop Household Electricity: A Case Study of Thailand, India, and Indonesia

Solar energy is one of the most abundant and ecologically benign renewable energy sources. Each country has different solar rooftop prospects and challenges, but the lessons learnt from one nation can help the others. To enable this transition, the energy regulatory system, including the licensing and permitting procedure and the subsidy mechanism, must be improved. In this study, the licensing process for solar rooftop residential electricity is examined in Thailand, India, and Indonesia, three distinct country contexts. The result showed that every case study had financial challenges due to high capital costs and protracted payback times. The government can provide financial assistance to lessen this obstacle. Countries that continue to employ bill-metering, such as Thailand, must switch to net-metering so that their residents can obtain energy justice and rights pertaining to power generation. In order to lessen the burden of obtaining later approval for the same, it should be recommended that residential structures and other commercial buildings come with a permit for solar installation as a part and parcel of the building construction.

Multi-view clustering via optimal transport algorithm

The surge in data with multiple views has propelled significant interest in the domain of multi-view clustering. Unlike conventional single-view data, multi-view data offers a more accurate representation of objects. However, the pivotal challenge remains in the effective categorization of data through feature extraction from multiple views within clustering tasks. Notably, prevailing multi-view clustering algorithms often emphasize the derivation of appropriate view weights, inadvertently sidestepping optimization intricacies. This approach frequently leads to protracted computational time due to the resource-intensive matrix multiplication operations involved in optimization, coupled with the necessity of weight allocation for diverse views. Addressing this, we propose an optimization framework founded on the optimal transport algorithm that operates independently of view weights. A paramount advantage of the optimal transport algorithm lies in its rapid convergence to a closed-form solution. This study diverges from the conventional focus on view weights and centers on the optimization process within clustering algorithms for resolving multi-view challenges. The introduced framework employing the optimal transport algorithm significantly mitigates computational complexity while handling multiple views. Rigorous experimentation duly substantiates the efficacy of the proposed framework in the realm of multi-view clustering. Across publicly available multi-view datasets, our framework exhibits superior performance over existing state-of-the-art algorithms.

A-47 Vestibular Symptoms and Recovery Time in Sport-Related Concussions among Collegiate Athletes

Abstract Purpose This study represents the initial phase in testing self-reported vestibular symptoms as potential predictive factors of protracted concussion recovery times among collegiate athletes. Methods Vestibular Symptoms Scale–Short Form (VSS-SF) was administered to 24 collegiate athletes (12 females, 12 males; ages=18-21) at baseline and post-injury. Participant data was grouped by number of days until symptom resolution post-concussion (1-10 days [N=13], 11-60 days [N=11]) and VSS-SF discrepancy scores (d-scores). To calculate d-scores, baseline scores were subtracted from post-injury scores for each athlete. Instances in which baseline scores were higher than post-injury were assigned a discrepancy score of 0. Concussion symptoms were documented using Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 5th Edition (SCAT-5). Results Results from an independent samples t-test demonstrated that VSS-SF d-scores were significantly higher among athletes with 11+ post-concussive recovery days (M=9.64, SD=10.21) compared to those with 1-10 recovery days (M=2.92, SD=3.77), t(22)=2.21, p=.019). Additionally, a simple regression revealed that d-scores significantly predicted recovery time and explained 23.9% of the variance (b=.44, R2=.24, p=.015). Interaction and mediation results will be presented and discussed. Conclusions Results suggest that changes in VSS-SF pre- and post-concussion can differentiate athletes with relatively short versus longer recovery time and predict length of concussion recovery. Further research with a larger number of participants appears warranted.

Time of dehairing alters pork quality development

Studies investigating the effect of scald time on pork quality are confounded with time of dehairing. To understand better pork quality development and two-toning in hams, twenty-four carcasses were assigned to an 8- or 16-min dwell time prior to the dehairing, with or without scalding (n = 6 per trt). Semimembranosus (SM) muscles were collected following dehairing and at 24 h postmortem. Protracted time to dehair improved ultimate pH (pHu; P < 0.005) and reduced (P < 0.05) color variation. One hundred forty-two carcasses were then subjected to protracted (control, 10-min) dwell times (15-min, or 20-min) in an industrial setting. Lightness was improved with 15-min dwell times compared to control, however 20-min dwell decreased the pHu (P < 0.001), increased lightness (P < 0.05), and percent purge (P < 0.001) in the SM. Also, lightness of the longissimus muscle (LM) increased (P < 0.001) with dwell time. These data show time to dehairing impacts pork quality development and suggest dehairing may be critical to quality development in a muscle-dependent manner.

Arrived, Yet In-between: Experiences of Iranian Asylum-Seeker Women Living with Insecure Residency in Australia

The plight of asylum seekers is a politically contested issue in Australia. Iranian women have been the largest number of asylum-seekers/Many have bridging visas without secure residency status. Prolonged insecure residency may contribute to less integration and psychological dysfunction. This study aimed to better understand the psychosocial ramifications of living with insecure residency among Iranian asylum-seeker women in the Australian community. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken between February and December 2015, with Iranian asylum-seeker women who had been living in Australia for 2–3 years. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Seventeen participants described their experiences and perspectives describing socio-economic ramifications and fear of deportation and feelings of hopelessness associated with their insecure residency status. Poor integration into Australian communities and high levels of psychosocial burdens were commonly described. Protracted protection visa processing time has negative effects on asylum seekers’ health. Policymakers should consider the psychosocial impact of restrictions attached to bridging visas. In addition to lifting barriers that slow the protection visa process, identifying the pre-resettlement skills of asylum seekers may facilitate better settlement and mental well-being.

Associations Between Midlife Menopausal Hormone Therapy Use, Incident Diabetes, and Late Life Memory in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study.

Prior research suggests a link between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use, memory function, and diabetes risk. The menopausal transition is a modifiable period to enhance long-term health and cognitive outcomes, although studies have been limited by short follow-up periods precluding a solid understanding of the lasting effects of MHT use on cognition. We examined the effects of midlife MHT use on subsequent diabetes incidence and late life memory performance in a large, same-aged, population-based cohort. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of MHT use on late life cognition would be partially mediated by reduced diabetes risk. 1,792 women from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) were included in analysis. We employed hierarchical linear regression, Cox regression, and causal mediation models to test the associations between MHT history, diabetes incidence, and late life cognitive performance. 1,088/1,792 women (60.7%) reported a history of midlife MHT use and 220/1,792 (12.3%) reported a history of diabetes. MHT use history was associated with better late life immediate recall (but not delayed recall), as well as a reduced risk of diabetes with protracted time to onset. Causal mediation models suggest that the beneficial effect of midlife MHT use on late life immediate recall were at least partially mediated by diabetes risk. Our data support a beneficial effect of MHT use on late life immediate recall (learning) that was partially mediated by protection against diabetes risk, supporting MHT use in midlife as protective against late life cognitive decline and adverse health outcomes.

PO-03-094 IMAGE INTEGRATION IN VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA (VT) ABLATION USING SENSE2 PROTOCOL MAPPING

We have previously developed the sense protocol functional substrate mapping technique for VT ablation. This involves targeting areas of decremental signal delay during single extra pacing at short coupling interval. However, functional substrate characterization can involve protracted mapping time. We incorporated the MRI and CT data using ADAS-3D software into the mapping workflow to integrate structural mapping information into the functional mapping substrate characterization to improve procedural efficiency. Cardiac MRI/CTs were performed on 33 patients with ischemia-related VT (group A). These were processed with the ADAS-3D software to characterize the extent of ventricular scars. Focused substrate maps were then performed in patients, guided by the extent of ADAS scar and corridors, looking at the scar substrate in intrinsic rhythm and then functional channels using single extra pacing from the RV apex. Following the delineation of functional channels pace mapping and entrainment mapping were used to confirm targets for ablation. Group A was then compared to a matched cohort who underwent sense protocol mapping without MRI (group B) and an institutional cohort who underwent conventional mapping and ablation using entrainment or pace mapping (group C). 33 patients (mean age 68 years; 31 male subjects, mean EF 32%) underwent ablation. Median procedure time was 175 minutes compared with 305 and 246 minutes in groups B and C(p=<0.001) Mean substrate mapping time was 17 mins vs 80 and 63 mins in groups B and C (p=<0.001). 85% of patients were free from symptomatic VT/ anti-tachycardia pacing or implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks at a median follow-up of 171 days. The mean VT burden was reduced from 22 events per patient in the six months pre-ablation to 1 event per patient in the median follow-up period of 171 days post-ablation (p=0.02). Sense2 protocol showed a reduced probability of device therapy compared with institutional and sense protocol (Log-rank p=0024 in the figure). The Sense2 protocol integrated structural MRI findings into functional signal ablation of VT. It shortened procedure times by enabling focused substrate maps to be performed without requiring complete geometry. Outcomes compare favourably with our previous data from sense protocol but with significantly shorter procedure times. There were improved outcomes compared to our institutional standard ablation cohort.

Metabolic set points of mammalian neurodevelopment

The human nervous system matures over a protracted developmental time frame relative to other species.What sets the pace of maturation has remained a mystery. In a recent publication in Science, Iwata etal. unearth critical contributions of mitochondrial metabolism in setting the pace of species-specific corticogenesis.

A Real-Time PCR Approach for Rapid Detection of Viable Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs.

Rapid and robust detection assays for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in shell eggs are essential to enable a quick testing turnaround time (TAT) at the earliest checkpoint and to ensure effective food safety control. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays provide a workaround for the protracted lead times associated with conventional Salmonella diagnostic testing. However, DNA-based analysis cannot reliably discriminate between signals from viable and dead bacteria. We developed a strategy based on an SE qPCR assay that can be integrated into system testing to accelerate the detection of viable SE in egg-enriched cultures and verify the yielded SE isolates. The specificity of the assay was evaluated against 89 Salmonella strains, and SE was accurately identified in every instance. To define the indicator for a viable bacteria readout, viable or heat-inactivated SE were spiked into shell egg contents to generate post-enriched, artificially contaminated cultures to establish the quantification cycle (Cq) for viable SE. Our study has demonstrated that this technique could potentially be applied to accurately identify viable SE during the screening stage of naturally contaminated shell eggs following enrichment to provide an early alert, and that it consistently identified the serotypes of SE isolates in a shorter time than conventional testing.

Carbon cycle during the late Aptian–early Albian OAE 1b: A focus on the Kilian–Paquier levels interval

The Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1b took place over a protracted time interval during the Aptian/Albian boundary interval, at the dawn of the mid-Cretaceous climatic optimum. OAE 1b is characterized by the occurrence of several sub-events recorded by organic matter-rich levels, which can be traced on regional-to-global scale. Previous studies have highlighted that the climax of the event occurred around the Kilian – Paquier interval, with this latter sub-event being the most extended and pronounced stratigraphic interval. Numerous studies on OAE 1b have however only focused on high-precision investigations of the Kilian and/or Paquier levels, leaving vast uncertainties about the environmental changes and their drivers during the entire OAE 1b, and hence also on the mechanisms leading to the formation of the sub-events themselves. In this study, we have performed a high-resolution multi-proxy analysis of the Briers section, a well-exposed section in the Blue Marls Formation of the SE France Vocontian Basin, continuously covering the Kilian – Paquier interval. Pyrolysis analyses show that most of the organic matter in this section is immature and of continental origin, averaging 1.5% TOC. The Kilian and Paquier levels are characterized by higher TOC values and a substantial increase in the amount of marine organic matter. Comparing TOC values with changes in Al or Ti concentration (proxies for continental weathering) and Hydrogen index (HI values, tracer for the type of organic matter) reveals that the background long-term change in TOC is linked to change in the continental organic matter delivery to the Vocontian Basin tied to changes in continental weathering rates. Sporadic increases in TOC values associated with the Kilian, HN 8, and Paquier levels, are most likely the result of short-lived events of increased marine primary productivity and organic matter preservation superimposed on the background influx of continental organic matter. A high-resolution bulk organic matter carbon isotope record shows that, apart from the Paquier level, all the fluctuations observed in the carbonate carbon isotope ratios are also mirrored in the organic matter record, although with higher amplitudes. This discrepancy in amplitude can be resolved by correcting the bulk organic matter carbon isotope record for fluctuations in the type of organic matter, demonstrating that both oceanic and atmospheric reservoirs were affected by similar carbon isotope fluctuations, which were hence of global extent. The abnormal bulk organic matter carbon isotope record of the Paquier level further confirms the large geographical expansion of unusual organic matter production and/or accumulation during this peculiar event. Overall, this study suggests that Milankovitch-paced (long eccentricity) changes in monsoonal activity and their effect on the accumulation of organic matter in continental wetlands best explains the rhythmic change in the global carbon isotope record across the OAE 1b interval.

Re-evaluation of the role of volatiles in the rupture of magma chambers and the triggering of crystal-rich eruptions

The role of volatile exsolution in triggering volcanic eruption is re-evaluated using numerical simulations of a growing and solidifying magma chamber. The modelled magma chamber is silicic, emplaced at about 2 Kbar, and H2O-saturated. The rate of volume additions to the chamber by the release of volatiles is controlled by cooling and solidification and is significantly lower than magma infilling rates. Thus, the increase in volume due to volatile exsolution is unlikely to be the primary cause of magma chamber failure unless the magma chamber is already on the brink of failure. However, the formation of buoyant H2O rich layers within the mush that surrounds the magma chamber makes the system gravitationally unstable. If the host rock is not permeable and volatiles accumulate, their buoyancy might overcome the strength of the wall resulting in dyke injection and possibly an eruption. Eruptions that are triggered or facilitated by volatiles exsolution are associated to the presence of mush in the chamber and are expected to be crystal-rich. Triggering of eruption by volatiles buoyancy explains the common occurrence of large ranges of crystals ages and protracted crystal residence times at low temperature.

Dynamic perspectives on education during the COVID-19 pandemic and implications for teacher well-being

Twenty teachers took part in bi-weekly interviews over the course of the 2020–2021 school year and again one year later during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparative findings on teachers’ experiences indicated varied circumstances and a wide array of perspectives on coping during this protracted and stressful time. While some teachers demonstrated flourishing and resilience, the majority experienced a tipping point toward burnout. A small group languished, relating indicators of burnout and post-traumatic stress. Given the dynamic findings, a continuum of awareness is suggested that might assist teachers and administrators in critically assessing the range and dimensions of coping exhibited during the pandemic or subsequent stressful periods of time. With information of this nature available, we propose that school organizations could be better informed to provide supports and resources and improve worklife balance and well-being of teachers.

Using patient flow analysis with real-time patient tracking to optimize radiation oncology consultation visits

PurposeClinical efficiency is a key component of the value-based care model and a driver of patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to identify and address inefficiencies at a high-volume radiation oncology clinic.Methods and materialsPatient flow analysis (PFA) was used to create process maps and optimize the workflow of consultation visits in a gastrointestinal radiation oncology clinic at a large academic cancer center. Metrics such as cycle times, waiting times, and rooming times were assessed by using a real-time patient status function in the electronic medical record for 556 consults and compared between before vs after implementation of the PFA recommendations.ResultsThe initial PFA revealed four inefficiencies: (1) protracted rooming time, (2) inefficient communications, (3) duplicated tasks, and (4) ambiguous clinical roles. We analyzed 485 consult-visits before the PFA and 71 after the PFA. The PFA recommendations led to reductions in overall median cycle time by 21% (91 min vs 72 min, p < 0.001), in cumulative waiting times by 64% (45 min vs 16 min; p < 0.001), which included waiting room time (14 min vs 5 min; p < 0.001) and wait for physician (20 min vs. 6 min; p < 0.001). Slightly less than one-quarter (22%) of consult visits before the PFA lasted > 2 h vs. 0% after implementation of the recommendations (p < 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of visits requiring < 1 h was 16% before PFA vs 34% afterward (p < 0.001).ConclusionsPFA can be used to identify clinical inefficiencies and optimize workflows in radiation oncology consultation clinics, and implementing their findings can significantly improve cycle times and waiting times. Potential downstream effects of these interventions include improved patient experience, decreased staff burnout, financial savings, and opportunities for expanding clinical capacity.

PHSPP04 Presentation Time: 3:00 PM: The Impact of Sublethal Damage Repair on Biological Dose for a Stepping-Source Brachytherapy Delivery in a Single-Fraction Prostate Treatment

<h3>Purpose</h3> Single-fraction (1-fx) ¹⁹²Ir prostate high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy prescriptions of 19-20 Gy were derived using the biologically effective dose (BED) calculation in its simplified traditional (BED_T) form, BED_T=nd(1+d/α/β). This form of BED, while extremely convenient, was an approximation predicated on instantaneous delivery and may not be an appropriate assumption in certain key scenarios: protracted delivery times (> 15 minutes), high dose/fx (> 5 Gy), late-reacting tissues (low α/β), and/or rapid sublethal damage repair half-time (< 2x delivery time). As these are all characteristic of 1-fx prostate HDR brachytherapy, the aim of this study was to examine the difference between BED_T and BED by development of a computational framework that can perform patient-specific high-resolution volumetric BED calculations that explicitly consider the effects of dose protraction and the unique temporal sequences arising from the stepping-source delivery. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> The Lea-Catcheside dose protraction factor, g, was calculated to modify the multi-track term of the linear-quadratic model, such that BED=nd(1+gd/α/β). BED_T corresponds to the special situation where g=1. For calculations, α/β=3.0 Gy and characteristic sublethal damage repair half-time of 0.27 hours were drawn from AAPM TG-137 radiobiological values, with assumed mono-exponential repair kinetics. For the stepping-source form of dose protraction factor, g_ss, a script was developed to sequentially calculate the dose rates as a function of time, for each voxel in the calculation grid, from all individual dwell positions based on position and angular orientation extracted from a plan DICOM file using an AAPM TG-43/43U dose-rate calculation methodology. Together with the temporal ordering of dwell positions extracted from DICOM, the script provided a matrix of g_ss values on a voxel-by-voxel basis with 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 mm³ resolution. A second form of the dose protraction factor g₀, a commonly-used factor in LDR brachytherapy, was also calculated which approximated the entire delivery as time-averaged uniform dose-rate. BED_T (g=1) was then compared to BED calculated with actual values of g₀ and g_ss values. <h3>Results</h3> The DICOM files from a previously-treated patient with representative dose characteristics were imported into our script: a prescription of 19 Gy in 1-fx, 140 active dwell positions in 17 channels, and delivery time of 2076.1 seconds based on 17500 U (4.3 Ci) source strength. An axial slice showing a color wash of the BED (Gy₃) ranging from 139.3-519.0 Gy₃ (physical dose: 19-38 Gy in 1-fx) is shown for g=1 (BED_T), g₀, and g_ss in Figure 1 which demonstrated significant differences. The nominal BED_T was 139.3 Gy, which was reduced by 31% using g₀ and, depending on location, reduced between 20-31% using g_ss. The portion of the PTV covered by 139.3 Gy₃ prescription was 95.9%, 59.6% and 65.7% using g=1 (BED_T), g₀, and g_ss, respectively. Using g=1 (BED_T), g₀, and g_ss, 90% of the PTV was covered by 159.4 Gy₃, 110.4 Gy₃, and 112.9 Gy₃, respectively. <h3>Conclusions</h3> A custom script, capable of recalculating BED on a voxel-by-voxel level with proper accounting of sublethal damage repair arising from protracted dose delivery was developed. Significant differences in BED (∼30%) were shown for 1-fx prostate HDR brachytherapy. Two other general trends emerged in this study: 1) g₀, while simple, provided a lower bound to volumetric g_ss values. 2) Voxels closer to an activated dwell position were more resistant to dose protraction effects in an effect we attribute to effective delivery time: the time in which the dose-rate was significantly elevated (>2 orders of magnitude).

Lymphomas mimicking neuroinflammatory diseases – A diagnostic conundrum worth revisiting

Purpose of reviewCentral nervous system (CNS) lymphomas (CNSLs) have varied clinical presentations which can mimic neuroinflammatory disease, leading to a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. Recent findingsThis report describes two patients who initially received a diagnosis of neuroinflammatory disorders but were refractory to treatment over a protracted time course. In both cases, biopsy revealed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) as the final diagnosis. SummaryThe analysis of these cases provides an opportunity for increased recognition of CNS lymphomas for earlier diagnosis and treatment. It also calls for increased clinical suspicion for CNSLs in such circumstances. And possibly the search for new biomarker development for identifying and tracking CNSLs.

Temporal origin of mouse claustrum and development of its cortical projections.

The claustrum is known for its extensive connectivity with many other forebrain regions, but its elongated shape and deep location have made further study difficult. We have sought to understand when mouse claustrum neurons are born, where they are located in developing brains, and when they develop their widespread connections to the cortex. We established that a well-characterized parvalbumin plexus, which identifies the claustrum in adults, is only present from postnatal day (P) 21. A myeloarchitectonic outline of the claustrum can be derived from a triangular fiber arrangement from P15. A dense patch of Nurr1+ cells is present at its core and is already evident at birth. Bromodeoxyuridine birth dating of forebrain progenitors reveals that the majority of claustrum neurons are born during a narrow time window centered on embryonic day 12.5, which is later than the adjacent subplate and endopiriform nucleus. Retrograde tracing revealed that claustrum projections to anterior cingulate (ACA) and retrosplenial cortex (RSP) follow distinct developmental trajectories. Claustrum-ACA connectivity matures rapidly and reaches adult-like innervation density by P10, whereas claustrum-RSP innervation emerges later over a protracted time window. This work establishes the timeline of claustrum development and provides a framework for understanding how the claustrum is built and develops its unique connectivity.

Implications of Accumulated Cold Time for US Kidney Transplantation Offer Acceptance.

Reducing discard is important for the US transplantation system because nearly 20% of the deceased donor kidneys are discarded. One cause for the discards is the avoidance of protracted cold ischemia times. Extended cold ischemia times at transplant are associated with additional risk of graft failure and patient mortality. A preference for local (within the same donor service area) or low-Kidney Donor Risk Index organs, the endogeneity of cold ischemia time during organ allocation, and the use of provisional offers all complicate the analysis of cold ischemia times' influence on kidney acceptance decision making. Using January 2018 to June 2019 Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, we modeled the probability of accepting an offer for a kidney after provisional acceptance. We use logistic regression that includes cold ischemia time, Kidney Donor Risk Index, and other covariates selected from literature. Endogeneity of cold ischemia time was treated by a two-stage instrumental variables approach. Logistic regression results for 3.33 million provisional acceptances from 12,369 donors and 108,313 candidates quantify trade-offs between cold ischemia time at the time of offer acceptance and donor-recipient characteristics. Overall, each additional 2 hours of cold ischemia time affected acceptance for nonlocal and local recipients (odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.73 to 0.77, odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.86 to 0.91; P<0.001). For Kidney Donor Risk Index >1.75 (Kidney Donor Profile Index >85) kidneys, an additional 2 hours of cold ischemia time for nonlocal and local recipients was associated with acceptance with odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.54 to 0.63 (nonlocal) and odds ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 0.7 (local); P<0.001. The effect of an additional 2 hours of cold ischemia time on acceptance of kidneys with Kidney Donor Risk Index ≤1.75 (Kidney Donor Profile Index ≤85) was less pronounced for nonlocal offers (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.80 to 0.85; P<0.001) and not significant for local offers. The acceptability of marginal organs was higher when placements were nearer to the donor and when cold ischemia time was shorter.

Reproduction, seasonal morphology, and juvenile growth in three Malagasy fruit bats.

The island nation of Madagascar is home to three endemic species of Old World fruit bat in the family Pteropodidae: Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascariensis, all three of which are IUCN Red Listed under some category of threat. Delineation of seasonal limits in the reproductive calendar for threatened mammals can inform conservation efforts by clarifying parameters used in population viability models, as well as elucidate understanding of the mechanisms underpinning pathogen persistence in host populations. Here, we define the seasonal limits of a staggered annual birth pulse across the three species of endemic Madagascar fruit bat, known reservoirs for viruses of high zoonotic potential. Our field studies indicate that this annual birth pulse takes place in September/October for P. rufus, November for E. dupreanum, and December for R. madagascariensis in central-eastern Madagascar where the bulk of our research was concentrated. Juvenile development periods vary across the three Malagasy pteropodids, resulting in near-synchronous weaning of pups for all species in late January-February at the height of the fruiting season for this region. We here document the size range in morphological traits for the three Malagasy fruit bat species, with P. rufus and E. dupreanum among the larger of pteropodids globally and R. madagascariensis among the smaller. All three species demonstrate subtle sexual dimorphism with males being larger than females. We explore seasonal variation in adult body condition by comparing observed body mass with body mass predicted by forearm length, demonstrating that pregnant females add weight during staggered gestation periods and males lose weight during the nutritionally deficit Malagasy winter. Finally, we quantify forearm, tibia, and ear length growth rates in juvenile bats, demonstrating both faster growth and more protracted development times for P. rufus as compared with E. dupreanum and R. madagascariensis. The longer development period for the already-threatened P. rufus further undermines the conservation status of this species as human hunting is particularly detrimental to population viability during reproductive periods. Our work highlights the importance of longitudinal field studies in collecting critical data for mammalian conservation efforts and human public health alike.

Implementation of exercise countermeasures during spaceflight and microgravity analogue studies: Developing countermeasure protocols for bedrest in older adults (BROA).

Significant progress has been made in the development of countermeasures to attenuate the negative consequences of prolonged exposure to microgravity on astronauts’ bodies. Deconditioning of several organ systems during flight includes losses to cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle mass, bone density and strength. Similar deconditioning also occurs during prolonged bedrest; any protracted time immobile or inactive, especially for unwell older adults (e.g., confined to hospital beds), can lead to similar detrimental health consequences. Due to limitations in physiological research in space, the six-degree head-down tilt bedrest protocol was developed as ground-based analogue to spaceflight. A variety of exercise countermeasures have been tested as interventions to limit detrimental changes and physiological deconditioning of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Space Agency recently provided funding for research focused on Understanding the Health Impact of Inactivity to study the efficacy of exercise countermeasures in a 14-day randomized clinical trial of six-degree head-down tilt bedrest study in older adults aged 55–65 years old (BROA). Here we will describe the development of a multi-modality countermeasure protocol for the BROA campaign that includes upper- and lower-body resistance exercise and head-down tilt cycle ergometry (high-intensity interval and continuous aerobic exercise training). We provide reasoning for the choice of these modalities following review of the latest available information on exercise as a countermeasure for inactivity and spaceflight-related deconditioning. In summary, this paper sets out to review up-to-date exercise countermeasure research from spaceflight and head-down bedrest studies, whilst providing support for the proposed research countermeasure protocols developed for the bedrest study in older adults.

Association of Sleep Disturbance With Neurocognition, Symptom Severity, and Recovery in Pediatric Concussion: A 10-Year Retrospective Analysis of a Tertiary Referral Concussion Clinic.

To investigate the relationship between sleep disturbance, neurocognition, symptom severity, and recovery in children and adolescents with concussion. Sex-related comparisons were also examined. Pediatric tertiary referral concussion clinic. Children and adolescents (aged 6-18 years; n = 554) diagnosed with concussion. Cross-sectional retrospective study. Assessment data were obtained from Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) Applications. Sleep disturbance was quantified using the sleep-related domains of the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) and self-report sleep duration. Sleep duration was categorized as short (<7 hours), intermediate (7-9 hours), and long (≥9 hours). Outcome measures included neurocognition, measured via composite scores of ImPACT cognitive domains (verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed, reaction time); symptom severity, using the PCSS; and concussion recovery time (days). Short sleep resulted in significantly poorer verbal memory ( P = .03), visual memory ( P = .02), and reaction time ( P = .01). Sleep disturbance was strongly associated with total symptom burden (ρ = 0.90, P < .001). Recovery time, median (interquartile range), was significantly prolonged with short sleep, 61 (30-136) days, compared with intermediate, 38 (21-72) days, and long, 34 (19-71) days, sleep ( P < .001). Overall, female participants demonstrated significantly longer recovery times than male participants (mean 91 ± 95 vs 58 ± 85 days, P < .001). Females exhibited similar concussion recovery times irrespective of reported sleep duration ( P = .95), whereas mean recovery time in males was significantly longer with short sleep (84 ± 82 days) than with intermediate (61 ± 106 days) and long (49 ± 62 days) sleep ( P < .001). Sleep disturbance following concussion poses as a promising modifiable risk factor to alleviate postinjury impairments, including cognitive deficits and symptom burden. Female children were found to experience more severe concussion symptoms and protracted recovery times than their male counterparts. Investigations into the factors that may contribute to sex-related differences following concussion are warranted.