Statement in Support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for AGU GeoHealth Section.

This commentary presents the American Geophysical Union's GeoHealth section statement in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The GeoHealth section is an open community that represents diverse backgrounds in the geophysical, biological, and public health sciences that share a passion for research at the nexus of Earth and health sciences. The GeoHealth section will aim to advance our understanding of the interactions between the environment, human health, and well-being while supporting DEI topics.

Beyond Body Mass Index: Accurate Metabolic Disease-Risk Phenotyping With 3D Smartphone Application.

Objective: Smartphone applications (apps) with optical imaging capabilities are transforming the field of physical anthropometry; digital measurements of body size and shape in clinical settings are increasingly feasible. Currently available apps are usually designed around the capture of two-dimensional images that are then transformed with app software to three-dimensional (3D) avatars that can be used for digital anthropometry. The aim of the current study was to compare waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), four other circumferences (right/left upper arm, thigh) and WC/HC evaluated with a novel high-precision 3D smartphone app to ground-truth measurements made with a flexible tape by a trained anthropometrist.

Assessing abundance-suitability models to prioritize conservation areas for the dwarf caimans in South America.

Species-environment relationships have been extensively explored through species distribution models (SDM) and species abundance models (SAM), which have become key components to understand the spatial ecology and population dynamics directed at biodiversity conservation. Nonetheless, within the internal structure of species' ranges, habitat suitability and species abundance do not always show similar patterns, and using information derived from either SDM or SAM could be incomplete and mislead conservation efforts. We gauged support for the abundance-suitability relationship and used the combined information to prioritize the conservation of South American dwarf caimans ( and ).

Impact of COVID-19 infection on the in-hospital outcome of patients hospitalized for heart failure with comorbid atrial fibrillation: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2020.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) commonly coexist, resulting in adverse health and economic consequences such as declining ventricular function, heightened mortality, and reduced quality of life. However, limited information exists on the impact of COVID-19 on AF patients that hospitalized for HF.

Methods: We analyzed the 2020 U.

Vitamin D as a predictor of clinical response among patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Introduction: Cardiovascular and noncardiovascular comorbidities have been recognized as predictors of clinical response in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, data on vitamin D as a predictor of CRT response are conflicting.

Method: We identified studies from MEDLINE and Embase databases, searching from inception to May 2024, to investigate the association between 25-OH vitamin D levels before CRT implantation and outcomes.

Impact of COVID-19 infection among patients hospitalized for conventional pacemaker implantation: Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2020.

Introduction: The cardiac pacemaker is indicated for treating various types of bradyarrhythmia, providing lifelong cardiovascular benefits. Recent data showed that COVID-19 has impacted procedure numbers and led to adverse long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac pacemakers. However, the impact of COVID-19 infection on the in-hospital outcome of patients undergoing conventional pacemaker implantation remains unclear.

Rh(iii)-catalyzed building up of used heterocyclic cations: facile access to white-light-emitting materials.

The first example of rhodium-catalyzed nondirected C-H activation/annulation reactions for the construction of fused heterocyclic cations is reported herein with excellent regioselectivity. Deuterium-labeling experiments indicated that the C(sp)-H bond cleavage of the -methyl group might be the rate-limiting step during the reaction process. This protocol provides an opportunity to rapidly access highly π-conjugated fused heterocyclic cations, which opens up a new avenue for efficient screening of single-molecular white-light-emitting materials, pure red-light-emitting materials, and π-conjugated radical materials.

Combining spaceborne lidar from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation with local knowledge for monitoring fragmented tropical landscapes: A case study in the forest-agriculture interface of Ucayali, Peru.

Improving our ability to monitor fragmented tropical ecosystems is a critical step in supporting the stewardship of these complex landscapes. We investigated the structural characteristics of vegetation classes in Ucayali, Peru, employing a co-production approach. The vegetation classes included three agricultural classes (mature oil palm, monocrop cacao, and agroforestry cacao plantations) and three forest regeneration classes (mature lowland forest, secondary lowland forest, and young lowland vegetation regrowth).

Species distribution models predict genetic isolation of Hagen in Selys, 1853 (Odonata, Calopterygidae).

Understanding how past and current environmental conditions shape the demographic and genetic distributions of organisms facilitates our predictions of how future environmental patterns may affect populations. The Canyon Rubyspot damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: ) is an insect with a range distribution from Colombia to the arid southwestern United States, where it inhabits shaded mountain streams in the arid southwestern United States. Past spatial fragmentation of habitat and limited dispersal capacity of may cause population isolation and genetic differentiation, and projected climate change may exacerbate isolation by further restricting the species' distribution.

The effect of constitutive root isoprene emission on root phenotype and physiology under control and salt stress conditions.

Isoprene, a volatile hydrocarbon, is typically emitted from the leaves of many plant species. Given its well-known function in plant growth and defense aboveground, we examined its effects on root physiology. We used isoprene-emitting (IE) lines and a non-emitting (NE) line of Arabidopsis and investigated their performance by analyzing root phenotype, hormone levels, transcriptome, and metabolite profiles under both normal and salt stress conditions.

Probing the mechanism of guest-framework bonding interactions through a first-principles study on the structural and electronic properties of type-II clathrate A Si (A = Na, K, Rb; 0 ≤ ≤ 24) under pressure.

The role of noncovalent bonding, including multiatomic interactions (van der Waals-like forces) and ionic characteristics, in the intermetallic clathrate A Si (A = Na, K, Rb; 0 < ≤ 24) is qualitatively discussed. Using the local density approximation (LDA) to density functional theory (DFT), we investigated the effect of different guest filling and pressure parameters on the structural and electronic properties of these materials. In the context of the rigid-band model, we first noted that the competition between van der Waals-like multiatomic interactions and ionicity due to the extent of charge transfer responsible for guest-framework complexes accounts for the nonmonotonic structural response upon guest filling in A Si (0 ≤ ≤ 8), which is in good agreement with previous experimental findings as well as theoretical predictions.

Recombination rate variation shapes genomic variability of phylogeographic structure in a widespread North American songbird (Aves: Certhia americana).

The nonrandom distribution of chromosomal characteristics and functional elements-genomic architecture-impacts the relative strengths and impacts of population genetic processes across the genome. Due to this relationship, genomic architecture has the potential to shape variation in population genetic structure across the genome. Population genetic structure has been shown to vary across the genome in a variety of taxa, but this body of work has largely focused on pairwise population genomic comparisons between closely related taxa.

Fabrication and characterization of a novel magnetic nanostructure based on pectin-cellulose hydrogel for hyperthermia during cancer therapy.

Herein, a new magnetic nanobiocomposite based on a synthesized cross-linked pectin-cellulose hydrogel (cross-linked Pec-Cel hydrogel) substrate was designed and synthesized. The formation of the cross-linked Pec-Cel hydrogel with a calcium chloride agent and its magnetization process caused a new and efficient magnetic nanobiocomposite. Several spectral and analytical techniques, including FTIR, SEM, VSM, TGA, XRD, and EDX analyses, were performed to confirm and characterize the structural features of the magnetic cross-linked pectin-cellulose hydrogel nanobiocomposite (magnetic cross-linked Pec-Cel hydrogel nanobiocomposite).

New multiple-layered 3D polymers showing aggregation-induced emission and polarization.

An exceptional achiral and chiral multilayer 3D polymer has been created and controlled by uniform and distinct aromatic chromophore units that are multiply sandwiched by naphthyl berths. In order to put together this assembly, it was necessary to search for new catalytic Suzuki-Miyaura polycouplings among various catalytic systems, monomers, and catalysts. Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) was able to verify the presence of many framework layers.

Understanding ion-transfer reactions in silver electrodissolution and electrodeposition from first-principles calculations and experiments.

The electrified aqueous/metal interface is critical in controlling the performance of energy conversion and storage devices, but an atomistic understanding of even basic interfacial electrochemical reactions challenges both experiment and computation. We report a combined simulation and experimental study of (reversible) ion-transfer reactions involved in anodic Ag corrosion/deposition, a model system for interfacial electrochemical processes generating or consuming ions. With the explicit modeling of the electrode potential and a hybrid implicit-explicit solvation model, the density functional theory calculations produce free energy curves predicting thermodynamics, kinetics, partial charge profiles, and reaction trajectories.

Flood-irrigated agriculture mediates climate-induced wetland scarcity for summering sandhill cranes in western North America.

Information about species distributions is lacking in many regions of the world, forcing resource managers to answer complex ecological questions with incomplete data. Information gaps are compounded by climate change, driving ecological bottlenecks that can act as new demographic constraints on fauna. Here, we construct greater sandhill crane () summering range in western North America using movement data from 120 GPS-tagged individuals to determine how landscape composition shaped their distributions.

The ants of the Galápagos Islands (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): a historical overview, checklist, and identification key.

The Galápagos ant fauna has long been understudied, with the last taxonomic summary being published almost a century ago. Here, a comprehensive and updated overview of the known ant species of the Galápagos Islands is provided with updated species distributions. The list is based on an extensive review of literature, the identification of more than 382,000 specimens deposited in different entomological collections, and recent expeditions to the islands.

Cereal sprout-based food products: Industrial application, novel extraction, consumer acceptance, antioxidant potential, sensory evaluation, and health perspective.

Cereal grains are a good source of macronutrients and micronutrients that are required for metabolic activity in the human body. Sprouts have been studied to enhance the nutrient profile. Moreover, secondary metabolites are examined as green food engineering technology that is used in the pharmaceutical, functional ingredients, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Revision of the Neotropical water scavenger beetle genus Girón & Short (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae).

The water scavenger beetle genus Girón & Short, 2021 is revised using a combination of adult morphological and DNA sequence data. Thirty-eight new species are described: (Bolivia), (Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname), (Brazil), (Brazil), (Brazil, French Guiana, Peru), (Venezuela), (Ecuador, Venezuela), (Peru), (Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela), (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela), (Brazil), (Brazil), (Venezuela), (Brazil), (Brazil), (Ecuador, Peru), (Brazil), (Peru, Suriname, Venezuela), (Bolivia), (Brazil), (Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname), (Ecuador), (Brazil), (Venezuela), (Venezuela), (Venezuela), (Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname), (Brazil, Guyana, Suriname), (Peru), (Peru), (Guyana, Venezuela), (Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay), (Brazil), (Peru), (Bolivia, Peru), (Brazil), and (Venezuela), (Peru). One new synonym is proposed: (Short, 2005) was determined to be a junior subjective synonym of (Fernández, 1982).

Screening for problematic opioid use in the emergency department: Comparison of two screening measures.

Study Objective: Earlier intervention for opioid use disorder (OUD) may reduce long-term health implications. Emergency departments (EDs) in the United States treat millions with OUD annually who may not seek care elsewhere. Our objectives were (1) to compare two screening measures for OUD characterization in the ED and (2) to determine the proportion of ED patients screening positive for OUD and those who endorse other substance use to guide future screening programs.

Enantioselective synthesis of [1,1'-binaphthalene]-8,8'-diyl bis(diphenylphosphane) and its derivatives.

Two 8,8' disubstituted binaphthyl ligands have been designed and synthesized in 3.1% and 11.4% overall yield, respectively.

Dust Under the Radar: Rethinking How to Evaluate the Impacts of Dust Events on Air Quality in the United States.

Dust is an important and complex constituent of the atmospheric system, having significant impacts on the environment, climate, air quality, and human health. Although dust events are common across many regions of the United States, their impacts are not often prioritized in air quality mitigation strategies. We argue that there are at least three factors that result in underestimation of the social and environmental impact of dust events, making them receive less attention.

Identification and preliminary characterization of conserved uncharacterized proteins from , , and .

The rapid accumulation of sequenced plant genomes in the past decade has outpaced the still difficult problem of genome-wide protein-coding gene annotation. A substantial fraction of protein-coding genes in all plant genomes are poorly annotated or unannotated and remain functionally uncharacterized. We identified unannotated proteins in three model organisms representing distinct branches of the green lineage (Viridiplantae): (eudicot), (monocot), and (Chlorophyte alga).

Evaluating traumatic event scoring schemas for their predictive value to concurrent diagnostic profiles: Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network.

Background: To prospectively chart pathways of risk and resiliency following childhood trauma studies need to address three limitations of prior work: 1) recruit beyond social service/ treatment settings; 2) include broad spectrum of trauma types and 3) cast a broad longitudinal measurement framework of both clinical diagnoses and traumatic exposures. The Texas-Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN) is a multi-site collaboration that addresses these limitations. In this baseline-only report, we examined domains of trauma and evaluated the concurrent predictive validity of various traumatic event scoring schemas for clinical diagnoses.

High-Level Multireference Investigations on the Electronic States in Single-Vacancy (SV) Graphene Defects Using a Pyrene-SV Model.

The nonplanar character of graphene with a single carbon vacancy (SV) defect is investigated utilizing a pyrene-SV model system by way of complete-active-space self-consistent field theory (CASSCF) and multireference configuration interaction singles and doubles (MR-CISD) calculations. Planar structures were optimized with both methods, showing the B state to be the ground state with three energetically close states within an energy range of 1 eV. These planar structures constitute saddle points.