Microplastic ingestion by an aquatic ciliate: Functional response, modulation, and reduced population growth.

Microplastic particles are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and are considered a major threat to the large range of heterotrophic organisms that involuntarily consume them. However, there is current uncertainty around the mechanisms underpinning microplastic uptake by aquatic consumers and the consequences for both the fate of the microplastics and the growth potential of consumer populations. We performed a feeding experiment, exposing a model freshwater ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis, to six different microplastic concentrations and measured microplastic uptake and population growth over the course of several generations.

Urological injuries complicating pregnancy-related hysterectomy: Analysis of risk factors and proposal to improve the quality of care.

Purpose: While strategies aimed at preventing urological injuries complicating hysterectomy for gynaecological indications and placenta accreta surgery have been proposed, a comprehensive model for pregnancy-related hysterectomy (PRH) is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for urological complications of obstetric hysterectomy, and to propose strategies to improve the quality of care.

Methods: This retrospective study of patients undergoing PRH was conducted in an academic centre between 2009 and 2022.

Non-surgical correction of an adult Class II high-angle with occlusal plane cant by four compromised permanent first molars extraction, preadjusted lingual appliance and miniscrews: A case report.

This case report describes a complex full-step asymmetrical Class II division 1 high-angle in an adult patient treated by extraction of compromised first molars with a preadjusted lingual appliance. Since the patient presented severe sagittal and vertical discrepancies combined with an Izard orthofrontal profile with upper lip protrusion, an extraction camouflage was performed with the twofold aim of obtaining ideal occlusal relationship and profile improvement, correcting occlusal plane cant by selective intrusion with interradicular miniscrews. Appropriate biomechanical strategies, including extraction choice and anchorage control during space closure, were needed to achieve the planned results.

Nose-clip use in semi-free ranging pigs reduces rooting without disrupting affiliative behaviour or causing prolonged stress.

Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) raised under natural conditions can show their complete behavioural repertoire. However, rooting behaviour can have a great impact on the environment. In the context of the promotion of farm animal welfare and environmental concerns, this study investigated the potential of nose-clips as a less invasive alternative to nose-rings for the management of rooting behaviour of free-ranging pigs.

Development, content validation and feasibility of a decision aid tool for the treatment of women with menopausal symptoms.

Introduction: Despite research supporting menopause hormonal therapy for menopausal women, its use continues to decline in most European countries and the United States. Experts highlighted the need for global assessment tools to assist clinicians in evaluating treatment for symptomatic menopausal women, which led to the development of the Menopause Treatment Tool, with separate versions for women and healthcare professionals. Both versions of the tool focus on menopausal symptoms, risk levels and suggested actions; the women's tool is administered prior to the consultation, while the clinician tool is administered by the clinician during the clinical consultation.

Automatic base-dose planning for a robust field junction in total marrow irradiation.

Purpose: Total marrow (lymph-node) irradiation (TMI/TMLI) is a radiotherapy technique irradiating the whole body of a patient. The limited couch travel range in modern linacs (130-150 cm) forces to split the TMI/TMLI delivery into two plans with opposite orientation. A dedicated field junction is necessary to achieve satisfactory target coverage in the overlapping region of the two plans.

Evidence for the independent evolution of a rectal complex within the beetle superfamily Scarabaeoidea.

Rectal or cryptonephridial complexes have evolved repeatedly in arthropods, including in beetles where they occur in ∼190,000 species of Cucujiformia + Bostrichoidea, and Lepidoptera where they occur in ∼160,000 species. Sections of the Malpighian/renal tubules coat the outer surface of the rectum, acting as powerful recycling systems of the gut contents, recovering water and specific solutes. There are hints that a rectal complex evolved independently within another beetle group, Scarabaeoidea.

Accounting for fascicle curvature affects muscle architecture characterization in dynamic conditions (isokinetic contractions).

Investigating muscle architecture in static and dynamic conditions is essential to understand muscle function and muscle adaptations. Muscle architecture analysis, primarily through extended field-of-view ultrasound imaging, offers high reliability at rest but faces limitations during dynamic conditions. Traditional methods often involve "best fitting" straight lines to track muscle fascicles, leading to possible errors, especially with longer fascicles or those with nonlinear paths.

Dynamic planning in hierarchical active inference.

By dynamic planning, we refer to the ability of the human brain to infer and impose motor trajectories related to cognitive decisions. A recent paradigm, active inference, brings fundamental insights into the adaptation of biological organisms, constantly striving to minimize prediction errors to restrict themselves to life-compatible states. Over the past years, many studies have shown how human and animal behaviors could be explained in terms of active inference - either as discrete decision-making or continuous motor control - inspiring innovative solutions in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Height self-selection of internal migrants in Italy in the second half of the twentieth century.

This paper examines internal migrant selection in Italy using individual height data from the 1951 and 1980 birth cohorts of military conscripts. Information on both place of birth and residence of conscripts allows us to compare migrants' heights to the height distributions of their non-migrant peers at the national level and to their populations of origin. Results suggest that migrants from southern Italy were negatively selected at the national level, while a positive selection in height emerged if compared to conscripts who remained in their macro-area of origin.

Potentialities and critical issues of liquid biopsy in clinical practice: An umbrella review.

Background: Liquid biopsy (LB) is a laboratory test performed on a fluid sample aiming at analyzing molecular data derived from circulating cells and related entities, or from nucleic acids. This umbrella review aims to map and evaluate the evidence supporting the use of LB in medicine across different medical specialities and conditions.

Methods: We searched three repositories from database inception up to October 1, 2023 and we included meta-analyses of observational studies reporting data on the use of LB, compared to gold standard, and its accuracy (area under the curve, AUC).

Long-term outcome and risk stratification in compensated advanced chronic liver disease after HCV-cure.

Background And Aims: Around 750,000 patients per year will be cured of HCV infection until 2030. Those with compensated advanced chronic liver disease remain at risk for hepatic decompensation and de novo HCC. Algorithms have been developed to stratify risk early after cure; however, data on long-term outcomes and the prognostic utility of these risk stratification algorithms at later time points are lacking.

Adjusting the Yo-Yo IRT-1 equation to estimate VO2max of sub-elite football referees: a gender-comparative study.

Background: To gain optimal positioning to make sure the game laws are applied in uniform way, the performance of field referee must be periodically evaluated to have constantly adequate training during a match and during the competitive season. Considering that field Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test-Level 1 is frequently employed in elite team sport players to estimate maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in field settings, the aim of this cross-sectional, gender-comparative study was to develop a new adjusted Yo-Yo-1 equation for estimating VO2max in football referees.

Methods: During off-season, 20 male (21.

Effectiveness of the handgrip test for assessing readiness in national level basketball players: a cohort study.

Background: Assessing player readiness is crucial in elite basketball. This study aims to provide a practical method for monitoring player readiness through the handgrip test and identify associations with wellness scales.

Methods: Fifteen players (age: 25.

Moderate anxiety may improve functional balance in older women with low muscle strength: a preliminary observation.

Background: Anxiety commonly affects older individuals with negative consequences on various physical and motor performances such as balance. When coupled with age-related muscular strength loss, the effects on the ability to perform daily tasks could be particularly detrimental, particularly in older women who are more susceptible to anxiety, muscular strength losses and falls. The study aimed to verify the effects of anxiety on balance performance in relation to muscular strength level in healthy older women.

Transition of Perovskite Solar Technologies to Being Flexible.

Perovskite technologies has taken giant steps on its advances in only a decade time, from fundamental science to device engineering. The possibility to exploit this technology on a thin flexible substrate gives an unbeatable power to weight ratio compares to similar photovoltaic systems, opening new possibilities and new integration concepts, going from building integrated and applied photovoltaics (BIPV, BAPV) to internet of things (IoT). In this perspective, the recent progress of perovskite solar technologies on flexible substrates are summarized, focusing on the challenges that researchers face upon using flexible substrates.

Self-inflicted oral-dental mutilations (SIODMs) in paediatric patients: a systematic review of case reports and case series.

Aim: Self-inflicted oral-dental mutilations (SIODMs) are the result of an intentional or unintentional action that leads to anatomical and functional damage to the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. In paediatric patients they can be associated with both organic and functional diseases. A systematic review was conducted aiming to consolidate and integrate the existing knowledge on SIODM in paediatric patients.

Vaginal delivery of the second twin: simulation to improve trainee knowledge and comfort.

Background: Vaginal delivery in twins is feasible but challenging. Successful vaginal delivery of a non-vertex second twin depends on knowledge of specific obstetrical maneuvers. Skill acquisition at the patient's bedside is difficult, making simulation training an integral part of obstetrics and gynecology residency programs.

Crystallization in load-controlled shearing flows of monosized spheres.

Identical, inelastic spheres crystallize when sheared between two parallel, bumpy planes under a constant load larger than a minimum value. We investigate the effect of the inter-particle friction coefficient of the sheared particles on the flow dynamics and the crystallization process with discrete element simulations. If the imposed load is about the minimum value to observe crystallization in frictionless spheres, adding small friction to the granular assembly results in a shear band adjacent to one of the planes and one crystallized region, where a plug flow is observed.

Upgrade of Weak σ-hole Bond Donors via Cr(CO)3 Complexation.

Molecular recognition mediated by s-hole interactions is enhanced as the electrostatic potential at the σ-hole becomes increasingly positive. Traditional methods to strengthen σ-hole donor ability of atoms such as halogens often involve covalent modifications, such as, introducing electron-withdrawing substituents (neutral or positively charged) or electrochemical oxidation. Metal coordination, a relatively underexplored approach, offers a promising alternative.

Evidence of dissemination of a -type integrative and conjugative element to , mediating acquisition of and other resistance determinants.

A strain positive for the metallo-beta-lactamase gene and resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was unexpectedly isolated from a surveillance rectal swab. The characterization of the strain revealed carriage of a 91 kb integrative and conjugative element (ICE) harboring several resistance determinants [, , , , ∆, , and ], closely related with a group of -type ICEs widespread among and other pseudomonads. Results highlighted the possible spreading of similar elements to , mediating the acquisition of relevant resistances.

Effect of Intrathecal Baclofen on Bladder Function in Patients With Severe Supraspinal Spasticity.

Introduction: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction is a prevalent condition characterized by impaired bladder control resulting from neurological conditions, for example, spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Detrusor overactivity is a typical symptom of central nervous system damage. A lesion affecting the pontine neural network typically results in loss of tonic inhibition exerted by the pontine micturition center and causes involuntary detrusor contractions.

Identification and treatment of false methane values produced by the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technology equipped on unmanned aerial vehicles.

Fugitive or diffuse methane emissions constitute an important source of damage to the environment, much greater even than CO2 both over a time span of 20 years and over a longer time span of 100. It is therefore of preeminent importance to undertake all the efforts necessary to implement new tools, protocols, and methods that contribute to the identification and measurement of these emissions to implement site-specific actions of mitigation, repair, and conscious management of the emitting plants. Among the remote sensing and leak detection technologies currently used, the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) method plays a relevant role.

Acts from the cracks: Representations and positions of the decolonial in the geopolitical (de)construction of power-entangled knowledge.

This paper examines the geopolitical implications of knowledge production in psychology through two studies that respond to the growing body of work on the 'Decolonisation of Knowledge' and the 'Decolonisation of Psychology' over the past two decades. By adopting a constructivist approach, particularly through the lens of Social Representation Theory (SRT), these studies explore the ways in which geopolitical contexts shape decolonial activism within psychological and scientific discourse. The first study sheds light on the lexical divergences in the construction of knowledge within the domains of psychology.