Data on vegetation across forest edges from the FERN (Forest Edge Research Network).

Many studies have focused on vegetation across forest edges to study impacts of edges created by human activities on forest structure and composition, or patterns of vegetation at inherent natural edges. Our objective was to create a database of plant-related variables across different types of edges from various studies (mainly from across Canada, but also in Brazil and Belize) to facilitate edge research. We compiled data on vegetation along more than 300 transects perpendicular to forest edges adjacent to clear-cuts, burned areas, bogs, lakes, barrens, insect disturbances, and riparian areas from 24 studies conducted over the past three decades.

Bayesian Models with Spatial Correlation Improve the Precision of EQ-5D-5L Value Sets.

Background: Health utilities from value sets for the EQ-5D-5L are commonly used in economic evaluations. We examined whether modeling spatial correlation among health states could improve the precision of the value sets.

Methods: Using data from 7 EQ-5D-5L valuation studies, we compared the predictive precision of the published linear model, a recently proposed cross-attribute level effects (CALE) model, and 2 Bayesian models with spatial correlation.

High numerical aperture imaging allows chirality measurement in individual collagen fibrils using polarization second harmonic generation microscopy.

Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is a commonly used technique to study the organization of collagen within tissues. However, individual collagen fibrils, which have diameters much smaller than the resolution of most optical systems, have not been extensively investigated. Here we probe the structure of individual collagen fibrils using polarization-resolved SHG (PSHG) microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

A systematic review on the impact of alcohol warning labels.

Findings on the effects of alcohol warning labels (AWLs) as a harm reduction tool have been mixed. This systematic review synthesized extant literature on the impact of AWLs on proxies of alcohol use. PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMED, and MEDLINE databases and reference lists of eligible articles.

Building a Disease Knowledge Graph.

Knowledge graphs have proven themselves as a robust tool in clinical applications to aid patient care and help identify treatments for new diseases. They have impacted many information retrieval systems in healthcare. In this study, we construct a disease knowledge graph using Neo4j (a knowledge graph tool) for a disease database to answer complex questions that are time-consuming and labour-intensive to be answered in the previous system.

Individual Differences in How Desirable People Think They Are as a Mate.

Mate value is an important concept in mate choice research although its operationalization and understanding are limited. Here, we reviewed and evaluated previously established conceptual and methodological approaches measuring mate value and presented original research using individual differences in how people view themselves as a face-valid proxy for mate value in long- and short-term contexts. In data from 41 nations (N = 3895, M = 24.

Planar bismuth triamides: a tunable platform for main group Lewis acidity and polymerization catalysis.

Geometric deformation in main group compounds can be used to elicit unique properties including strong Lewis acidity. Here we report on a family of bismuth(iii) complexes ( typically pyramidal structure for such compounds), which show a geometric Lewis acidity that can be further tuned by varying the steric and electronic features of the triamide ligand employed. The structural dynamism of the planar bismuth complexes was probed in both the solid and solution phase, revealing at least three distinct modes of intermolecular association.

An examination of the social perceptions and vaping preferences of young electronic nicotine delivery system users.

Background: Little research has been conducted on social aspects and preferences of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use among young ENDS users, and none have examined differences in these aspects and preferences by gender and tobacco use status.

Methods: A total of 558 young regular vapers (ages 16-24; vaped at least once a week for the last 3 months) from Nova Scotia were recruited to complete a demographic and vaping questionnaire. A 2 x 3 study design was used to compare participants on social aspects and vaping preferences based on gender (male or female) and tobacco use status (never, former, or current smoker).

Unethical behaviour in the military: The role of supervisor ethicality, ethical climate, and right-wing authoritarianism.

Using an anonymous self-report survey of 350 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, this study investigated the effect of perceptions of the ethicality of one's immediate supervisor (supervisor ethics), right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), and ethical climate on self-reported unethical behavior in the form of discrimination and obeying an unlawful command (past behavior, behavioral intentions). As well, we investigated how supervisor ethics and RWA interact when predicting unethical behavior, and whether ethical climate mediated the relation between supervisor ethics and self-reported unethical behavior. Unethical behavior depended on perceptions of the ethicality of one's supervisor and RWA.

Reduced duration mismatch negativity elicited by the multi-feature 'optimal' paradigm in early-phase psychosis.

Background: MMN and P3a are EEG-derived event related potentials that are thought to be prospective biomarkers for schizophrenia and, potentially, early-phase psychosis (EPP).

Methods: EPP (n = 12) and healthy control (HC; n = 35) participants listened to a multi-feature optimal paradigm with five deviant types (gap, duration, location, intensity, and frequency).

Results: There was a significant amplitude difference between the EPP and HC group with duration MMN (p = .

The Effect of Acupressure and Cryotherapy on the Pain of Patients on Hemodialysis During Arteriovenous Fistula Cannulation: A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.

Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures are used to reduce pain of patients on hemodialysis during an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, 39 patients randomly received acupressure and cryotherapy. In cryotherapy, an ice cube was used to massage the Hegu point in the hand without the fistula for 10 minutes before AVF cannulation.

Learning from their experiences: Strategies used by youth and young adult ex-vapers.

Introduction: The prevalence of vaping among youth and young adults (YYAs; 16-18 and 19-24 years old, respectively) is moderate worldwide. Existing vaping cessation evidence lacks input from ex-vapers with a history of regular use and substantial maintenance periods. This study noted cessation strategies, relapse triggers, and recommendations for quitting identified by ex-vapers and assessed differences in outcomes across age and gender groups.

Does paternal care influence mate preference? Male and female mating behavior in Threespine Stickleback ecotypes that differ markedly in parental care.

Reproductive isolation can occur due to divergence in sexual selection for particular traits. For example, differences in mate preference associated with body size can play an important role in divergence between groups. The importance of mate preference for population divergence may be influenced by other aspects of a mating system, such as the requirement for parental care.

EDPNet: An Encoding-Decoding Network with Pyramidal Representation for Semantic Image Segmentation.

This paper proposes an encoding-decoding network with a pyramidal representation module, which will be referred to as EDPNet, and is designed for efficient semantic image segmentation. On the one hand, during the encoding process of the proposed EDPNet, the enhancement of the Xception network, i.e.

Using Speed and Accuracy and the Simon Effect to Explore the Output Form of Inhibition of Return.

Inhibition of return (IOR) refers to slower responses to targets presented at previously cued locations. Contrasting target discrimination performance over various eye movement conditions has shown the level of activation of the reflexive oculomotor system determines the nature of the effect. Notably, an inhibitory effect of a cue nearer to the input end of the processing continuum is observed when the reflexive oculomotor system is actively suppressed, and an inhibitory effect nearer the output end of the processing continuum is observed when the reflexive oculomotor system is actively engaged.

Exploring the well-being of community pharmacy professionals, turnover intention and patient safety: Time to include operational responsibility.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic added significant occupational pressures on community pharmacists. The objective of this research project was to investigate the level of distress and burnout among community pharmacy professionals and its association with their retention within their occupation as well as patient safety outcomes.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 722 community pharmacy professionals from all Canadian provinces using an online survey, including scientifically validated measures.

Scientist Spotlights in Secondary Schools: Student Shifts in Multiple Measures Related to Science Identity after Receiving Written Assignments.

Based on theoretical frameworks of scientist stereotypes, possible selves, and science identity, written assignments were developed to teach science content through biographies and research of counter-stereotypical scientists-Scientist Spotlights (www.scientistspotlights.org).

Investigation into the structure of crystalline maltodextrin particles by second harmonic generation microscopy.

Crystalline maltodextrin particles (CMPs) were investigated using polarization-sensitive second harmonic generation (PSHG) microscopy to determine changes in their crystalline organization due to crystal type (A- and B-type) and hydration for application as starch model systems. Optimization of their synthesis resulted in intense SHG emission, exceeding maize starch granules. PSHG data showed that CMPs have a radial macrostructure with respect to their nucleation regions, fitted values of 2-6, and some similar hydration variations, mimicking starch granules and validating that CMPs may be used as a model system for improved understanding of the SHG properties and applications of starch granules.

Synthesis and crystal structures of halogenated oxathiazolones and an unexpected propanamide.

The known 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-ones with crystal structures reported in the Cambridge Structural Database are limited (13 to date) and this article expands the library to 15. In addition, convenient starting materials for the future exploration of 1,3,4-oxathiazol-2-ones are detailed. An unexpected halogenated propanamide has also been identified as a by-product of one reaction, presumably reacting with HCl generated in situ.

Disturbance of intermolecular forces: eutectics as a new tool for the preparation of vapor-phase deposition precursors.

The volatile bis(-butylimido)dichloromolybdenum(VI) compounds, (BuN)MoCl·dad (dad = 1,4-di--butyl-1,3-diazabutadiene) (1) and [(BuN)MoCl(-Cl)·(BuNH)] (2), form a eutectic, with a two to one composition ( = 0.33). A decrease of 40 °C in the melting temperature has been observed between the eutectic mixture and the pure compounds.

Single collagen fibrils isolated from high stress and low stress tendons show differing susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by the interstitial collagenase matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1).

Bovine forelimb flexor and extensor tendons serve as a model for examining high stress, energy storing and low stress, positional tendons, respectively. Previous research has shown structural differences between the collagen fibrils of these tissues. The nanoscale collagen fibrils of flexor tendons are smaller in size, more heavily crosslinked, and respond differently to mechanical loading.

The role of biofuels for sustainable MicrogridsF: A path towards carbon neutrality and the green economy.

Today, with the progress of technology, the world is facing an increasing growth in power consumption. Since the fuel of most power plants is supplied from fossil fuels, it has caused an increase in global fossil fuel consumption and environmental degradation. ّFurthermore, the volatility of fossil fuel prices and unstable energy security have prompted international organizations and governments to apply policies to restrict fossil fuel use and examine alternatives to fossil fuels.

The study of antecedent clinical manifestations of hypertensive heart disease in cohort of hypertension.

Hypertensive heart disease presents increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide, however, the data about its epidemics and its specific symptoms in hypertension patients is scarce. To assess the frequency and correlated symptoms of hypertensive heart disease, 800 hypertension patients were randomly recruited for this study per the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology. The diagnosis of heart disease and its typical symptoms (palpitation and angina) were analyzed for the frequency of hypertensive heart disease in hypertension cohort.

Environmental Factors Regulate Plant Secondary Metabolites.

Abiotic environmental stresses can alter plant metabolism, leading to inhibition or promotion of secondary metabolites. Although the crucial roles of these compounds in plant acclimation and defense are well known, their response to climate change is poorly understood. As the effects of climate change have been increasing, their regulatory aspects on plant secondary metabolism becomes increasingly important.

Effect of Si, Mn, Be and Sr Addition on the Tensile Properties of 6061 Type Alloys: Role of Aging Treatment.

The present study was performed on a 6061-type alloy to examine the effects of minor additions (Si, Mn, Be, Sr) of the type of precipitated Fe-based intermetallics, in terms of Fe/Si ratios. All alloys were grain refined (0.15%Ti in the form of Al-5%Ti-1%B) to minimize hot tearing during casting.