Unpublished Data Research Articles

Testamentary Capacity Assessment Tool (TCAT): An update report

AbstractBackgroundTCAT is a recently developed short instrument (15 minutes are required for its administration), with good psychometric properties, specialized for the assessment of testamentary capacity (TC) in dementia. It assesses memory, perception of financial parameters and judgment. The present study reports all studies about TCAT.MethodPubmed database as well as unpublished data by the authors of the TCAT have been used.ResultAs of now, there are no other specialized TC assessment instruments with measured psychometric properties in the scientific literature. Unpublished data on amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) performance using the TCAT show no difference of aMCI in comparison to healthy adults at any part of the tool. Another unpublished study has examined the correlation between the three parts of TCAT and the expert opinion regarding TC in patients with dementia. It has shown that Part C “financial parameters” demonstrates the highest correlation with the expert opinion. Validation and standardization of the TCAT in the Greek population is under way. The preliminary results show that age, and not educational level or gender, predicts the performance in TCAT. Validation and normative data of the TCAT in an Italian population of 323 healthy adults is provided in a recent published study showing that it is useful as an adjuvant instrument for TC assessment in the elderly.ConclusionWhile the TCAT is a useful tool, more studies are needed in different cultures, both in healthy adults and cognitively impaired adults, for its standardized use in forensic and clinical settings.

HERBase: A collection of understorey herb vegetation plots from Amazonia

ABSTRACT Understorey herbs form a diverse and understudied plant assemblage in tropical forests. Although several studies and research teams have long been dedicated to the study of this conspicuous vegetation component in Amazonia, no effort to unify the data has been undertaken to date. In contrast to trees and other life forms for which major data compilations already exist, a unified database dedicated to herbs is still lacking. Part of the problem is in defining what is a herb and how to effectively sample herb assemblages. In this article, we describe the database HERBase, an exhaustive compilation of published and unpublished data on herb inventories in Amazonia. We also describe the structure, functioning, and guidelines for data curation and integration in HERBase. We were able to compile information from 1381 plots from all six Amazonian geographic regions. Based on this dataset, we describe and discuss sampling and knowledge gaps, priority areas for new collections, and recommend sampling protocols to facilitate data integration in the future. This novel database provides a unique biodiversity data repository on understorey herbs that will enable new studies on community ecology and biogeography.

Clinicopathological characteristics and outcome of very young breast cancer patients at a referral center in Iran.

e12568 Background: Although breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide, in women younger than 35 years old is uncommon and only accounts for 2% of breast cancer diagnosed in western countries. However, there is insufficient data on breast cancer in women younger than 35 years old in Iran. The aim of this study was to assess clinicopathological parameters in these very young breast cancer patients. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we have collected the demographic, clinical and histopathological data of women younger than 35 years diagnosed with BC who presented to our tertiary center from 2011 to 2017. Patients were followed at least for four years and the diseases-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Chi-square and multivariate regression tests were conducted to assess the association of mentioned variables. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 334 women with Breast Cancer younger than 35 years old were included in this study, of which 219 patients were between 31 to 35. The most common histopathologic type was hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative 41.6 %. HER2 positive (regardless of hormone receptor status) and triple negative were 30.1% and 24.6% of cases respectively. Grade1 was reported in 5% of cases, grade 2 and 3 were 50.9 % and 43.6% respectively. 16.9% of patients were presented in stage I, 44.4% stage II, 30.5% stage III and 8.2% had de novo metastatic disease. Of 68 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 29.4% had complete pathological response. Sixty five percent of 199 patients with hormone positive had received Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, this type of treatment significantly improved 4-year OS regardless of HER2 expression. Mean follow up was 71.5±26.6 months, 4-year DFS and OS were 66% and 80% respectively. Four-year overall survival was analyzed by stage, it was 100% for stage I, 89% stage II, 79% stage III, and 11% stage IV. The four-year OS corresponding to the subtypes was as follows; HR+/HER2- (89.5%), HR+/HER2+ (76.9%), HR-/HER2+ (73.3%) and TNBC (75.4%). Conclusions: Breast cancer occurring in very young women constituted 9.5% of all breast cancer cases treated at Shohada Hospital, Iran, and this high rate shows a significant correlation with unpublished data by Health ministry in 2016-2017. This high percentage is an alarm not only in breast clinics but also in early detection of breast cancer. In according to other published data, clinicopathological subtypes in our center was similar to other papers. The associations of subtypes with stage and grade, were significant.

Comment on: The Effect of Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections and Payer Coverage on Total Knee Arthroplasty Procedures: Evidence From Large US Claims Database.

Comment on: The Effect of Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injections and Payer Coverage on Total Knee Arthroplasty Procedures: Evidence From Large US Claims Database.

Commentary: Microbial keratitis and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in Central India.

The current issue of the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO) features an interesting article[1] on fungal predominance and increasing antibiotic resistance patterns in microbial keratitis occurring in central rural India. Microbial keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness, especially in agriculture-based economies. The causative organisms vary in geographical areas and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns also differ.[2] It is important to be aware of the common causative agents and their response to antibiotics in one’s place of practice. It may not be possible to have access to a microbiologist who has experience in processing small samples that are sent by ophthalmologists. We collected (unpublished) data on microbial keratitis in a microbiology laboratory in the northern part of India, especially in Delhi and the adjoining national capital region, for over three years from 2016 to 2019 (pre-COVID era). All samples were sent by various private practitioners and institutions to the microbiology laboratory. Cultures were inoculated from corneal scrapings of patients with infective keratitis by cornea specialists and sent to a microbiologist (NS) with a specialization in ocular microbiology. There were 466 bacterial isolates. Three hundred twenty-nine (70.6%) bacterial isolates were gram-positive cocci (GPC). Sensitivity patterns to the first line of treatment for GPCs were as follows: cefazoline (225 isolates, 68.3%), ciprofloxacin (203 isolates, 61.7%), ceftazidime (129 isolates, 39.2%), moxifloxacin (282 isolates, 85.7%), amikacin (295 isolates, 89.6%), amoxiclav (162 isolates, 49.2%), amoxicillin (198 isolates, 60.18%), chloramphenicol (236 isolates, 71.%), gatifloxacin (202 isolates, 61.3%), tobramycin (286 isolates, 86%), and vancomycin (285 isolates, 86.6%). Sensitivity patterns to the first line of treatment in gram-negative isolates (total 137) were amikacin (68 isolates, 49.27%), ciprofloxacin (95 isolates, 69.3%), gatifloxacin (41 isolates, 29.9%), moxifloxacin (79 isolates, 57.6%), tobramycin (91 isolates, 66.4%), and doxycycline (61 isolates, 44.5%). Sensitivity patterns to the second line of treatment included imipenem (60 isolates, 43.7%), piperacillin-tazobactam (73 isolates, 53.3%), colistin (72 isolates, 52.5%), and meropenem (68 isolates, 49.6%). Among gram-positive isolates, the most common organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus followed by diphtheroids, Bacillus species, Streptococcus pneumoniae, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, and, rarely, Staphylococcus aureus. Among gram-negative organisms, the most common was Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by other Pseudomonas species, Neisseria species, and very few Acinetobacter and Moraxella. In a study by Das et al.[3] published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 3981 corneal scrapings were processed in over eight years. Pathogens grew in culture in 1914 samples (48.1%). Bacteria grew in 60% of isolates. The most common gram-positive bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae (217/1125, 19.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (185/1125, 16.4%). Amongst the gram-negative bacteria, Pseudomonas species (99/219, 45.2%) was the most common. In a Korean study by Mun et al.,[4] a 10-year analysis of the microbiological profile and sensitivity of bacterial keratitis was done. Bacteria were isolated in 101 out of 129 samples (78.3%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (15.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.1%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.3%) were the most common isolates. All gram-positive isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, but methicillin resistance was found in 29.4% of CNS and 15.4% of Staphylococcus aureus. All gram-negative isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and carbapenem, and 11.5%, 3.3%, and 2.8% of gram-negative isolates were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin, respectively. Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in 10.3% of gram-positive isolates and 8.8% of gram-negative isolates. Yin et al.[5] evaluated tigecycline susceptibility testing of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii.[5] They compared the broth microdilution method (BMD), VITEK, and the modified Kirby–Bauer method. No major difference was found. The Kirby–Bauer method is simple, cheap, conventional, and accurate. Rapid identification methods (MALDITOF) have been introduced.[6] They are fast and identify proteins of pathogens, and we get the sensitivity and identification on the same day. The disadvantage is that it is not endowed with standardized protocols. It is expensive and maintenance cost is high. Comparison of culture and sensitivity patterns in different geographical areas may show similarities or, in some instances, several variabilities.[2,7,8] Fluoroquinolones are easily available and can treat infections caused by gram-positive and -negative organisms. They do not need fortification and reconstitution. But resistance to every generation of fluoroquinolones has developed over the years. It is important to know and document resistance patterns which keep changing now and then. The general ophthalmologist needs to be up-to-date on the most likely organisms in their geographical areas and the sensitivity patterns of those organisms so that infections can be controlled in their initial phases. The study published in IJO from central India has a small sample size but concurs with other Indian studies on the larger percentage of fungal infections compared to bacterial keratitis.[3,7] One important caveat is that the patterns can vary in the same geographical area in different periods and that it is the responsibility of the specialists in that area to continue updating the data.

Epic Fail? Try Again

We read with interest the manuscript titled “Failure of Crotalidae Immune F(ab’)2 Equine Antivenom to Achieve Control in a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake Envenomation” by Levine et al. The authors indicate that their patient “failed to respond adequately to F(ab’)2AV” because his initially unmeasurable platelet count reached a maximum of 102,000/μL at 56 hours after envenomation. We have several concerns with this conclusion. Adequate platelet response in the setting of venom-induced hemotoxicity is not universally defined. Although some patients may have complete reversal of thrombocytopenia after a single antivenom dose, others may have increasing platelet numbers but never achieve a platelet count of >150,000/μL. A 2011 study by Yin et al1Yin S. Kokko J. Lavonas E. et al.Factors associated with difficulty achieving initial control with crotalidae polyvalent immune fab antivenom in snakebite patients.Acad Emerg Med. 2011; 18: 46-52Crossref PubMed Scopus (21) Google Scholar suggested that it “may not be reasonable to attempt to completely control” thrombocytopenia. Antivenom may have been underdosed initially. F(ab’)2AV is dosed at 10 vials over 1 hour and repeated hourly until initial control is obtained, as evidenced by the halt of proximal swelling and improvement in laboratory markers. However, as above, there is no consensus on specific numeric goals.2Anavip [Package Insert]. Franklin, TN: Rare Disease Therapeutics, Inc.Google Scholar Although the patient received 10 vials initially, his next dose approximately 1 to 2 hours later was only 4 vials. He received the remaining 6 vials after approximately 9 hours. His platelet count continued to increase. The trend suggests that earlier administration may have prevented persistent thrombocytopenia. After viper envenomation, platelets may be sequestered, pro- and anti-aggregated, and destroyed through multiple mechanisms, leading to recurrent or refractory thrombocytopenia, which is difficult to predict in the absence of routine venomic studies on individual patients. This inability to reliably predict the mechanism of thrombocytopenia results in the inability to predict platelet response to antivenom.3Shen C. Liu M. Mackeigan D.T. et al.Viper venoms drive the macrophages and hepatocytes to sequester and clear platelets: novel mechanism and therapeutic strategy for venom-induced thrombocytopenia.Arch Toxicol. 2021; 95: 3589-3599Crossref PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar,4De Queiroz M.R. de Sousa B.B. da Cunha Pereira D.F. et al.The role of platelets in hemostasis and the effects of snake venom toxins on platelet function.Toxicon. 2017; 133: 33-47Crossref PubMed Scopus (45) Google Scholar Owing to platelet sequestration and aggregation, antivenom should quickly reverse thrombocytopenia. However, with platelet destruction or consumption, levels would not increase until the patient could synthesize more platelets de novo. This patient may have had ongoing platelet consumption to repair venom-induced tissue damage, yet the authors did not describe the progression of cytotoxicity. The lack of fibrinogen trend also makes the inference of ongoing venom effect problematic. Rattlesnake antivenom is best suited not to resolve thrombocytopenia but to reverse defibrination, so the significance of persistent thrombocytopenia in the absence of fibrinogen levels is unclear.5Dudley S. Smelski G. Massey D.J. et al.Fashionably late: A characterization of late coagulopathies in rattlesnake envenomations between Fab and F (ab’) 2 antivenoms.Toxicon. 2022; 212: 49-54Crossref Scopus (0) Google Scholar Twenty-three years of unpublished data from the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center shows that persistent thrombocytopenia after antivenom is common regardless of which of the two commercially available antivenoms is used (FabAV or F[ab’]2AV). Considering cases with thrombocytopenia during initial hospital stay, 197 of 556 (35.43%) FabAV patients and 39 of 107 (36.45%) F(ab’)2AV patients were discharged with a platelet count of < 150,000/μL. Some patients did not develop thrombocytopenia until after discharge. Among FabAV patients, 106 of 472 (22.46%) developed delayed thrombocytopenia compared with only 7 of 130 (5.38%) F(ab’)2AV patients. Similar rates of persistent thrombocytopenia in the inpatient setting suggest that destruction of platelets occurs in some patients regardless of antivenom manufacturer. The difference in delayed thrombocytopenia suggests that the longer half-life of F(ab’)2AV continues to protect against thrombocytopenia compared with FabAV. Finally, the authors did not provide an illustration of the patient’s overall clinical picture throughout his hospital stay, including progression of edema, pain, and coagulation factors. Isolated thrombocytopenia is not an indication to provide more antivenom as bleeding due to thrombocytopenia is unlikely if there is no defibrination. A patient with stabilization of other indicators, despite persistent thrombocytopenia, has had an adequate response to antivenom. As always in medicine, treat the patient, not the number.

See[ing] elegance in sensory biology: an interview with Piali Sengupta.

See[ing] elegance in sensory biology: an interview with Piali Sengupta.

Correction to: Repeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral Regurgitation.

HomeJournal of the American Heart AssociationVol. 12, No. 11Correction to: Repeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral Regurgitation Open AccessCorrectionPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toOpen AccessCorrectionPDF/EPUBCorrection to: Repeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral Regurgitation Originally published1 Jun 2023https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.122.027691Journal of the American Heart Association. 2023;12:e027691This article corrects the followingRepeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral RegurgitationOther version(s) of this articleYou are viewing the most recent version of this article. Previous versions: June 1, 2023: Ahead of Print In the article by Alon Shechter et al, “Repeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral Regurgitation,” which published online April 29, 2023 (J Am Heart Assoc. 2023;12:e028654. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.028654) and was included in the May 2, 2023 issue of the journal, a correction was needed.Due to a production error, the incorrect supplemental material file was published with this article. The correct supplement, containing Tables S1 through S14, has now been published with the article.The publisher regrets the error.The online version of the article has been updated and is available here: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.122.028654. eLetters(0)eLetters should relate to an article recently published in the journal and are not a forum for providing unpublished data. Comments are reviewed for appropriate use of tone and language. Comments are not peer-reviewed. Acceptable comments are posted to the journal website only. Comments are not published in an issue and are not indexed in PubMed. Comments should be no longer than 500 words and will only be posted online. References are limited to 10. Authors of the article cited in the comment will be invited to reply, as appropriate.Comments and feedback on AHA/ASA Scientific Statements and Guidelines should be directed to the AHA/ASA Manuscript Oversight Committee via its Correspondence page.Sign In to Submit a Response to This Article Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesRepeat Mitral Transcatheter Edge‐to‐Edge Repair for Recurrent Significant Mitral RegurgitationAlon Shechter, et al. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2023;12 June 6, 2023Vol 12, Issue 11 Article InformationMetrics Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley BlackwellThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.122.027691PMID: 37260030 Originally publishedJune 1, 2023 PDF download

The Holocene history of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and viticulture in France retraced from a large-scale archaeobotanical dataset

Grapevine and wine have deeply shaped the landscapes, economy and cultures of Europe and the Mediterranean. In France, it is considered that viticulture started in the south via contacts with Mediterranean populations (Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians), during the second half of the 1st millennium BCE, and spread further with the Romans. Wild grapevines were nevertheless present in various areas of the country all through the Holocene. No archaeological or historical source allows us to follow the history of grapevine and viticulture over the entire Holocene period and over the whole territory.In this paper we investigate the potential of archaeological plant macroremains (seed/fruits and wood) to trace the history of the vine on a large scale. We have assembled the largest possible database of published and unpublished archaeobotanical data, comprising 4449 site-phases for seed and fruits and 1356 site-phases for wood remains. In spite of taphonomic discrepancies and imbalances in the datasets, the different types of macroremains and modes of preservation produce consistent patterns. They provide the first comprehensive picture of the spread of grapevine, fluctuations in the economic role of viticulture and grape uses over time, although some periods and regions are less documented.Grapevine remains are regularly recorded from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age in most regions showing that human societies were already familiar with the wild plant and its fruits, especially in the Mediterranean. In this region, Vitis remains become considerably more frequent and numerous during the Iron Age, from around 500 BCE onwards, testifying to the rapid and strong implantation of viticulture. Grapevine macroremains confirm that the spread of viticulture outside the Mediterranean area occurred mainly during the Roman period. However, this expansion was limited and mainly focused on the South. The main expansion into the temperate zone took place during the Middle Ages. However, the more detailed fluctuations of viticulture, particularly in relation to climate oscillations are still difficult to follow. Pip remains are mainly associated with urban sites. This is a consequence of the actual consumption of grapes and may be evidence of a viticulture centered around urban areas.

Evaluation of a fully automated anatomical left atrial mapping pipeline enabled by artficial intelligence

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Dr. Fabbricatore and Dr Valeriano have been supported by a research grant provided by the Cardiopath PhD program (University of Naples Federico II) Background Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is increasingly performed globally for the treatment of atrial fibrillation [1]. Using a standardized and reproducible workflow, we previously reported an average procedure time of 76.1 ± 26.2 min [2]. Over the last few years, due to workflow optimization and new technological developments, we were able to reduce the skin-to-skin time towards 47.3 ± 7.1 min (unpublished data). Our workflow implements rotational angiography (RA) of the left atrium (LA), which is segmented manually, then converted to a 3D mesh and finally imported into the electroanatomical mapping system (EAM). A second 3D mesh is created by cutting the left bottom anterior part of the LA, including the left atrial appendage, in order to clearly visualize the ridge (Figure 1). Recently, we developed an integrated artificial intelligence (AI) pipeline to automate this process (Figure 2). OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the new AI-based fully automated anatomical mapping of the LA and the efficacy of the automated segmentation. Methods The last 50 PVI procedures that were manually segmented in our lab were processed once more using the AI pipeline. The efficiency of the AI pipeline was assessed by comparing the elapsed time, for both our current manual workflow and the AI pipeline, between the reconstruction of the computed tomography (CT) volume from the 2D RA and the moment both 3D meshes are imported into the EAM. The efficacy of the pipeline was analyzed by calculating the Dice coefficient between the manual and automated segmentation as well as by visually grading segmentation quality on a 4-point Likert scale (1: Bad,2: Sufficient, 3: Good, 4: Excellent) by an experienced cardiac electrophysiologist. Significance testing of timing and visual grading differences between both workflows was performed using a one-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Variables were summarized using median (Q1-Q3). Results The time to segment the LA, create the 3D meshes and import them into the EAM was significantly reduced from 560.0 (513.0–636.5) seconds to 52.0 (49.0–56.0) seconds for the manual and automated workflow respectively (p&amp;lt;0.0001). This reduction is equivalent to about 18% of the current skin-to-skin time for PVI in our lab. Furthermore, we reported a high Dice coefficient between the automated and manual segmentations valued at 0.928 (0.917–0.939). Finally, the subjective quality of the automated segmentation was superior compared to the manual segmentation, with respective values of 4 (3–4) and 3 (3–3.5) (p=0.006). Conclusion We developed an efficient and effective AI pipeline enabling fully automated anatomical mapping of the LA, potentially reducing our current PVI skin-to-skin time by 18%. The robustness of the AI segmentation model has been validated objectively (Dice coefficient) and subjectively. The efficacy of the AI cut model, the second model in the pipeline, remains to be verified.

Wearable devices: underrepresentation in the ageing society

Wearable devices: underrepresentation in the ageing society

How Monet became a millionaire: the importance of the artist’s account books

AbstractThis essay explores Monet’s rise to great wealth, drawing on evidence provided by the artist’s three account books, housed in the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Assimilating unpublished data, the essay charts Monet’s growing annual income as well as the increasing individual prices for his paintings. It argues for the central role of the artist’s serial painting process in his financial success. The essay examines the seminal contribution of Parisian dealers to Monet’s growing wealth, principally the dealer Paul Durand-Ruel. It also explores Monet’s willingness to work with a range of other dealers in order to raise his prices. The essay looks at the significant role of Monet’s collectors, and particularly the internationalization of his clientele, as a key factor in his success. Overall, it argues for Monet’s commercial acumen, and in general, his recognition of the importance of his own agency in the creation of his market.

Novel biallelic variants expand the phenotype of NAA20-related syndrome.

NAA20 is the catalytic subunit of the NatB complex, which is responsible for N-terminal acetylation of approximately 20% of the human proteome. Recently, pathogenic biallelic variants in NAA20 were associated with a novel neurodevelopmental disorder in five individuals with limited clinical information. We report two sisters harboring compound heterozygous variant (c.100C>T (p.Gln34Ter) and c.11T>C p.(Leu4Pro)) in the NAA20 gene, identified by exome sequencing. In vitro studies showed that the missense variant p.Leu4Pro resulted in a reduction of NAA20 catalytic activity due to weak coupling with the NatB auxiliary subunit. In addition, unpublished data of the previous families were reported, outlining the core phenotype of the NAA20-related disorder mostly characterized by cognitive impairment, microcephaly, ataxia, brain malformations, dysmorphism and variable occurrence of cardiac defect and epilepsy. Remarkably, our two patients featured epilepsy onset in adolescence suggesting this may be a part of syndrome evolution. Functional studies are needed to better understand the complexity of NAA20 variants pathogenesis as well as of other genes linked to N-terminal acetylation.

Long-term changes in the composition and distribution of the Hungarian bumble bee fauna (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus)

One of the most important pollinator taxa is Bombus (Hymenoptera, Apidae), the genus of bumble bees, since they are important, often specialized, pollinators of many plants. As a result of climate change, warming winters and changes in landscape structure, the distribution and frequency of Bombus species is constantly changing. To develop appropriate protection strategies, it is essential to monitor them and update the occurrence and threat status of the species. The last review of the distribution of Bombus species in Hungary was completed 20 years ago. Here we present updated distribution maps based on published data from the last 20 years together with unpublished data collected in 2018–2021. Based on the new data, we examine changes in the last two decades. In the case of 9 species further studies should be carried out to confirm the presence of stable populations, while 3 species are recommended for protection by law in Hungary. Seven species showed increasing frequency, B. argillaceus and B. haematurus.

The formation and aqueous alteration of CM2 chondrites and their relationship to CO3 chondrites: A fresh isotopic (O, Cd, Cr, Si, Te, Ti, and Zn) perspective from the Winchcombe CM2 fall

AbstractAs part of an integrated consortium study, we have undertaken O, Cd, Cr, Si, Te, Ti, and Zn whole rock isotopic measurements of the Winchcombe CM2 meteorite. δ66Zn values determined for two Winchcombe aliquots are +0.29 ± 0.05‰ (2SD) and +0.45 ± 0.05‰ (2SD). The difference between these analyses likely reflects sample heterogeneity. Zn isotope compositions for Winchcombe show excellent agreement with published CM2 data. δ114Cd for a single Winchcombe aliquot is +0.29 ± 0.04‰ (2SD), which is close to a previous result for Murchison. δ130Te values for three aliquots gave indistinguishable results, with a mean value of +0.62 ± 0.01‰ (2SD) and are essentially identical to published values for CM2s. ε53Cr and ε54Cr for Winchcombe are 0.319 ± 0.029 (2SE) and 0.775 ± 0.067 (2SE), respectively. Based on its Cr isotopic composition, Winchcombe plots close to other CM2 chondrites. ε50Ti and ε46Ti values for Winchcombe are 3.21 ± 0.09 (2SE) and 0.46 ± 0.08 (2SE), respectively, and are in line with recently published data for CM2s. The δ30Si composition of Winchcombe is −0.50 ± 0.06‰ (2SD, n = 11) and is essentially indistinguishable from measurements obtained on other CM2 chondrites. In conformity with petrographic observations, oxygen isotope analyses of both bulk and micromilled fractions from Winchcombe clearly demonstrate that its parent body experienced extensive aqueous alteration. The style of alteration exhibited by Winchcombe is consistent with relatively closed system processes. Analysis of different fractions within Winchcombe broadly support the view that, while different lithologies within an individual CM2 meteorite can be highly variable, each meteorite is characterized by a predominant alteration type. Mixing of different lithologies within a regolith environment to form cataclastic matrix is supported by oxygen isotope analysis of micromilled fractions from Winchcombe. Previously unpublished bulk oxygen isotope data for 12 CM2 chondrites, when combined with published data, define a well‐constrained regression line with a slope of 0.77. Winchcombe analyses define a more limited linear trend at the isotopically heavy, more aqueously altered, end of the slope 0.77 CM2 array. The CM2 slope 0.77 array intersects the oxygen isotope field of CO3 falls, indicating that the unaltered precursor material to the CMs was essentially identical in oxygen isotope composition to the CO3 falls. Our data are consistent with earlier suggestions that the main differences between the CO3s and CM2s reflect differing amounts of water ice that co‐accreted into their respective parent bodies, being high in the case of CM2s and low in the case of CO3s. The small difference in Si isotope compositions between the CM and CO meteorites can be explained by different proportions of matrix versus refractory silicates. CMs and COs may also be indistinguishable with respect to Ti and Cr isotopes; however, further analysis is required to test this possibility. The close relationship between CO3 and CM2 chondrites revealed by our data supports the emerging view that the snow line within protoplanetary disks marks an important zone of planetesimal accretion.

Development vs efficiency of Polish farms - trade-off or synergy effects?

he article aims to determine the nature of the relationship between farm development and its technical efficiency understood from the perspective of data envelopment analysis (DEA). The time scope of the analysis refers to the period 2004-2019. The empirical part of the article is based on the individual unpublished data for Polish farms conducting agricultural accounting according to Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). We employed a super-efficiency slack-based DEA model with variable returns to scale. This model enables us to compare and rank efficient farms as well as investigate the sources of farm (in)efficiency. We did not identify the substitution (trade-off) effect between farms` sustainability and efficiency. For level of technical efficiency and these differences were statistically significant. The main policy recommendation that can be derived from these results is that agricultural policy should support both efficiency improvements and progress toward higher sustainability.

A synthesis of concepts of resilience to inform operationalization of health systems resilience in recovery from disruptive public health events including COVID-19.

This article is part of the Research Topic 'Health Systems Recovery in the Context of COVID-19 and Protracted Conflict' Health systems resilience has become a ubiquitous concept as countries respond to and recover from crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war and conflict, natural disasters, and economic stressors inter alia. However, the operational scope and definition of health systems resilience to inform health systems recovery and the building back better agenda have not been elaborated in the literature and discourse to date. When widely used terms and their operational definitions appear nebulous or are not consistently used, it can perpetuate misalignment between stakeholders and investments. This can hinder progress in integrated approaches such as strengthening primary health care (PHC) and the essential public health functions (EPHFs) in health and allied sectors as well as hinder progress toward key global objectives such as recovering and sustaining progress toward universal health coverage (UHC), health security, healthier populations, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper represents a conceptual synthesis based on 45 documents drawn from peer-reviewed papers and gray literature sources and supplemented by unpublished data drawn from the extensive operational experience of the co-authors in the application of health systems resilience at country level. The results present a synthesis of global understanding of the concept of resilience in the context of health systems. We report on different aspects of health systems resilience and conclude by proposing a clear operational definition of health systems resilience that can be readily applied by different stakeholders to inform current global recovery and beyond.

Assessing the Diversity of Ant-Associated Silverfish (Insecta: Zygentoma) in Mediterranean Countries: The Most Important Hotspot for Lepismatidae in Western Palaearctic

The Mediterranean Basin is considered one of the most important hotspots of biodiversity in the European region. Many taxa exhibit high levels of speciation and endemicity in this area. This is the case of the myrmecophilous insects of the families Lepismatidae and Nicoletiidae (Insecta: Zygentoma) that are further assessed in this study using unpublished and bibliographic data. A complete checklist of all ant-associated silverfish occurring in the Mediterranean Basin is presented, together with an updated identification key and interesting new records for several countries. Considering all described Zygentoma species, the myrmecophilous silverfish of the Mediterranean area represent 28% of all ant-associated species of the world and about 35% of the studied area. Even with the scarce knowledge of Zygentoma in other biogeographic areas and with insufficient sampling in other continents, we conclude that the Mediterranean region, and neighbouring areas of the Western Palaearctic, represent the most important biodiversity hotspot of ant-associated Lepismatidae (about 30% of the myrmecophilous species of this family described in the world so far), while the highest diversity of myrmecophilous Atelurinae is linked to tropical regions.

Investigating older women as lead protagonists: an Australian case study of Stateless (2020)

ABSTRACT Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Program (2015–2023) addresses the underrepresentation of women in the screen industry. Older women continue to be less visible and stereotyped on screen which will be examined in this paper on the Australian television mini-series Stateless (Freeman and Moorhouse 2020). Stateless is an award-winning series commissioned and screened by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and acquired by Netflix. This case study will apply a framework comprised of five guiding principles to writing older women to analyse the portrayal of the two major female characters. The five principles are based on unpublished Honours research data addressing the representation of older women: as the lead protagonist; as authentic, capable, complex characters; in powerful leadership positions; depicted at work in an occupation in a non-traditional role; and as flawed imperfect characters. Lauzen’s 2021 Boxed In report highlights the underrepresentation of women forty and over on broadcast and streaming services. The case study reveals that the female protagonists in Stateless are two contrasting complex, authentic characters who actively pursue their respective goals.

A species-level trait dataset of bats in Europe and beyond

Knowledge of species’ functional traits is essential for understanding biodiversity patterns, predicting the impacts of global environmental changes, and assessing the efficiency of conservation measures. Bats are major components of mammalian diversity and occupy a variety of ecological niches and geographic distributions. However, an extensive compilation of their functional traits and ecological attributes is still missing. Here we present EuroBaTrait 1.0, the most comprehensive and up-to-date trait dataset covering 47 European bat species. The dataset includes data on 118 traits including genetic composition, physiology, morphology, acoustic signature, climatic associations, foraging habitat, roost type, diet, spatial behaviour, life history, pathogens, phenology, and distribution. We compiled the bat trait data obtained from three main sources: (i) a systematic literature and dataset search, (ii) unpublished data from European bat experts, and (iii) observations from large-scale monitoring programs. EuroBaTrait is designed to provide an important data source for comparative and trait-based analyses at the species or community level. The dataset also exposes knowledge gaps in species, geographic and trait coverage, highlighting priorities for future data collection.