Attaining the target of <0.1% HBsAg positives in children aged <5 years in vaccinated populations by 2030 is a WHO indicator of hepatitis B elimination. We aimed to calculate the prevalence of HBsAg- and anti-HBc-positive children and adolescents in the low-prevalence country of Germany. In total, 3567 children and adolescents aged 3–17 years participated in a national population based cross-sectional study. Data were collected between 2014 and 2017 using questionnaires and health examinations, including blood samples. Applying a weighted analysis to account for survey design and participant characteristics, we calculated the HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence and described them by anti-HBs positivity. In total, 3007 participants had all three sero-markers measured. None were found HBsAg and anti-HBc positive. Seven (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1–0.8) were anti-HBc positive and HBsAg negative; six were also anti-HBs positive. All anti-HBc-positive participants were aged ≥7 years and three had no migration background. Four anti-HBc-positive participants had known vaccination status; three had been vaccinated according to national recommendations. This very low hepatitis B virus sero-prevalence among children and adolescents indicates that Germany is reaching some hepatitis B virus elimination targets. We recommend maintaining preventive measures, in particular a high vaccination coverage, in order to reach hepatitis B elimination.

Weed Risk Assessments (WRAs) aim to distinguish potentially invasive plants from non-invasive plants using traits such as the likelihood that the species will be introduced, establish, spread, and/or have negative impacts and (sometimes) whether it can be managed effectively. International standards for the criteria used to assess risk have been proposed to improve the sharing and transferability of WRA results. However, it is unclear whether existing WRAs follow these standards. Here, we compiled a global database of national-level and subnational-level (state/province) WRAs and evaluated their assessment criteria relative to an amended list of proposed minimum standards. We searched for WRAs in 240 countries and retrieved 20 unique assessments associated with 81 countries. The most comprehensive WRA was the “Guidelines for the Generic Ecological Impact Assessment of Alien Species” created by Norway, which satisfied 23 of 24 standards. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Pest Risk Analysis Framework and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Express Pest Risk Analysis were also comprehensive, fulfilling 21 of 24 standards. All national-level WRAs included a description of the focal species’ taxonomy, a description of risk assessment area, an assessment of the likelihood of spread of the focal species, and an assessment of the likelihood of impact of the focal species. Conversely, it was rare for WRAs to include a history of spread of the focal species or an evaluation of the possible effects of climate change. States/provinces showed a similar pattern (i.e., rarely discussed climate change), but also frequently lacked assessment of impact on ecosystem services and metrics of uncertainty. Many WRAs are shared between countries, but few are shared between states/provinces. Adopting similar WRA standards would allow policymakers and governing bodies to more effectively share information and results from completed WRAs, improving consistency of regulated plants across jurisdictional borders.

Thyroglobulin (Tg) has been considered a measure of iodine status, but there is no global guidance. This analysis examines the relationship between serum Tg and spot urinary iodine concentration (UIC) data to identify Tg concentrations that correspond to current WHO thresholds for population iodine status. We analysed data from 730 non-pregnant Guatemalan women aged 15–49 years who had both UIC and Tg measurements. Correlations were examined. Bootstrap stratified finite sampling with replacement was used to generate cluster k-medians of UIC (mUIC) and Tg (mTg) that served as the population unit of analyses. Non-linear restricted cubic spline regression dose–response curve functions and ordinary differential equations were then used to derive the Tg threshold corresponding to WHO definitions for UIC. Mean age was 30·2 (sd 9·3) years. mTg was 10·4 ng/ml (9·9, 10·8), and mUIC was 148·7 μg/l (139·1, 161·0). Correlations between spot UIC and Tg were NS at the individual level, but correlations based on population k-medians were significant (Spearman r = −0·21 to −0·06, each P < 0·0001) and demonstrated a U-shaped relationship according to WHO categories. Derived mTg cutoffs were 14·2 ng/ml predictive of UIC insufficiency, 10·2 ng/ml for UIC adequacy, 8·5 ng/ml for UIC above adequate and 10·8 ng/ml for UIC excess. The significant and graded mUIC–mTg correlations suggest that Tg concentrations predictive of UIC categories are obtainable for non-pregnant Guatemalan women aged 15–49 years. The newly derived mTg cutoff may be more discriminant at a lower spectrum of UIC in terms of identifying iodine-deficient women, more so than in the UIC excess category.

The unique reproductive strategies of botryllid ascidians, which include both asexual and sexual mechanisms as well as an extensive capacity for regeneration, contribute to their fast population growth and wide-ranging ecological effects. These colonial organisms have unique ecological adaptations and responses to environmental factors, yet comprehensive comparative studies on their environmental preferences remain scarce. We conducted an experimental study to explore the asexual reproduction and regeneration response of Botrylloides niger and Botryllus humilis colonies to varying salinity (36.5–39.5 PSU) and temperature (26 ± 1–30 ± 1°C) levels. Experimental findings highlighted species-specific preferences and stress responses: B. niger demonstrated higher tolerance to elevated salinity (39.5 PSU) with optimal growth rates at 26 ± 1–30 ± 1°C, whereas B. humilis displayed a preference for lower salinity and tendencies towards vascular budding at higher temperatures (30 ± 1°C). These observations suggest potential niche differentiation and ecological success, particularly in Mediterranean conditions, implying possible coexistence without intense competition in similar habitats. This research offers insights into the adaptive mechanisms of these ascidians, shedding light on their ecological roles and potential implications in coastal ecosystems amid changing environmental scenarios.

This study examines fodder quality traits of Hippophae salicifolia D. Don (Seabuckthorn) populations across the Western Himalayas of India, emphasizing their significance in domestication and sustainable utilization of indigenous fodder tree. In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand regions, foliage of H. salicifolia serves as essential winter forage for livestock and is incorporated into local tea formulations. Fifty female genotypes were selected for evaluation from ten distinct geographical locations. Analysis of variance highlighted significant variability among the populations, with Badya population demonstrating the highest leaf fresh weight. In contrast, the Kardang population exhibited optimal values of leaf dry weight and total ash content. Sansha population was characterized by the highest leaf dry matter, crude protein and nitrogen levels, whereas the Jankichatti population showed the highest crude fibre content, and Sissu had the highest nitrogen-free extract value. Significant positive correlations were identified between leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight (0.613), and between dry matter content and crude protein (0.458), indicating the potential to enhance these traits in breeding programs aimed at improving fodder quality. Accessions were grouped into two primary clusters, and leaf dry matter was the dominant factor influencing fodder quality variability, explaining 85.272% of the total variance. These findings will inform targeted breeding strategies and agricultural practices intended to augment the nutritional profile of this vital fodder resource. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of H. salicifolia as both a livestock forage and a viable component of agroforestry systems, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in the Western Himalayas.

Production efficiency of pasture-based livestock production systems is primarily driven by the level of pasture utilisation, and, as such, regular monitoring of herbage mass (HM) provides essential information to assist on-farm decision making. Unfortunately, this practice is seldom carried out on commercial farms, likely due to the time commitment required across the entire grass-growing season. Recent studies have shown, however, that even moderately inaccurate HM data can improve the system-side profitability compared to enterprises with no data, warranting further investigations into the trade-off between the accuracy and cost associated with HM measurements. Using a weekly multi-paddock dataset from the North Wyke Farm Platform research site in Devon, UK, this study evaluated the technical validity and labour-saving potential of a simplified ‘pasture walk’ protocol for rising plate meters, under which only data along the diagonal transect – rather than the industry-standard W-shaped pathways – of the paddock are collected. Across 234 temporal-paddock combinations, the mean absolute difference in HM estimates between diagonal and W-transects was 106 kg DM/ha, a scale far too small to alter sward or animal management. The presented statistical analysis, together with a supplementary spatial simulation experiment, supported the generality of the findings across the full grass-growing season. With a 51.2% reduction in labour time (1.2 min/ha rather than 2.5 min/ha) across paddocks of various sizes and shapes, the proposed method is likely to facilitate uptake of evidence-based grazing management amongst farmers who currently do not quantify HM at all.

A seven-way herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth accession (MSR2) was identified in AR. Herbicide programs providing season-long control of this problematic accession need to be investigated, especially within the current soybean portfolio. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different soybean herbicide programs for controlling seven-way-resistant Palmer amaranth accession, MSR2, emphasizing the contribution of residual herbicides to full-season suppression. Field experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 in Fayetteville, AR, in an area infested by MSR2. A total of 14 herbicide programs were tested, targeting available soybean technologies that enable glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, and 2,4-D. All herbicide programs had one or two postemergence herbicides applied at early postemergence (EPOST) and late postemergence (LPOST). Additionally, eight herbicide programs included residual herbicides at preemergence (PRE; S-metolachlor plus metribuzin) and EPOST (S-metolachlor). A nontreated control was included for comparison. Visible Palmer amaranth control (%) was assessed at LPOST and 2 weeks after LPOST (2 WA LPOST). Palmer amaranth plants were counted from two 0.25 m2 quadrats randomly marked at each evaluation, and the density reduction (%) was calculated compared to the nontreated control. Preplanned orthogonal contrasts were conducted to compare herbicide programs with or without residual herbicides. Overall, in both years, the highest MSR2 control at both evaluations was observed in the herbicide programs that included residuals at PRE and EPOST with postemergence treatments of 2,4-D or dicamba (single or mixed). For Palmer amaranth density, herbicide programs that relied on residuals at PRE and EPOST with sequential postemergence applications of 2,4-D plus glufosinate or dicamba plus glyphosate obtained higher reduction levels. Findings reveal that the addition of residual herbicides is crucial in controlling multiple-herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth biotypes, like MSR2. Herbicide programs based solely on postemergence applications were ineffective in controlling accession MSR2.

Biological control programmes often involve releasing natural enemies to control pests that are mobile, patchily distributed, or both. Determining the optimal dispersion of release points for biological control agents is challenging, particularly when knowledge of prey locations is imprecise or information on agent dispersal capacity is lacking. Chrysoperla rufilabris Burmeister (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a commercially available green lacewing species that is often released in the larval stage as an augmentative biological control in various agroecosystems. We characterised the dispersal capacity of C. rufilabris using approximately 5-minute laboratory assays and then used our laboratory data to simulate dispersal over increasing windows of time. Larvae crawled a median of 0.5 m per 5 minutes, corresponding to median (95% confidence interval) simulated dispersal distances (metres) of 2 (0.1–10.3), 12 (0.4–59.6), and 25 (2.2–107.1) within 1, 6, and 12 hours, respectively. Our simulations suggest that larval C. rufilabris should be physiologically capable of dispersing several metres in search of prey following their release, although field dispersal capacity and behaviour could differ markedly from our laboratory observations. These findings will help to inform the dispersion of release points and underscore the ability of larval lacewings to move long distances after shipment.

When studying extinct organisms, which phylogenetic methods are the most useful to determine patterns of evolutionary relationship? How well do current classifications reflect the patterns discovered? Using Athyridida (Upper Ordovician–Lower Jurassic) as a case study, we utilize parsimony, Bayesian Mk, asymmetrical rates, and fossilized birth–death process models, with and without character partitions, to compare results from different methods of inference, to test previous phylogenetic hypotheses and examine morphological character evolution in this long-lived group of extinct brachiopods. Because different phylogenetic methods utilize different models of evolution involving different sets of assumptions, they can result in different patterns of relationship, making it necessary to test multiple methods and then evaluate thoughtfully the various results obtained.

We discovered that the four main athyridide higher taxa we focus on largely maintain their coherence as clades in most of the analyses, but relationships among them vary substantially, with implications for the evolution of characters important in their classification. We were able to characterize in detail the athyridide external valve characters that are more variable than internal characters, quantifying the commonly held impression that internal features are more likely to be homologues and thus more reliable in identifying relationships than external characters. Because taxa in classifications are still frequently used as clade proxies in macroevolutionary studies, it is necessary to obtain and compare the most robust hypotheses of relationship among named taxa in order to evaluate both character homology and homoplasy and taxonomic fidelity to hypotheses of evolution.

Pregnant women are exposed to various contaminants through foods, with environmental toxicants and aflatoxin (AF) being among the major food contaminants. Therefore, this review was conducted for a better perspective on the AF exposure during pregnancy or infancy, highlighting how exposure through the mother (via placenta and breast milk) and directly through infant foods ultimately affects infant health. The literature suggests that AF exposure during pregnancy may lead to maternal anaemia, premature delivery, pregnancy loss or decreased number of live births. AF crosses through the placenta and also passes through breast milk. AF exposure during pregnancy may also lead to deleterious effects on the fetus or infants such as reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, impairment of linear or long bone growth and developmental delay such as small head circumference and reduced brain size, stillbirth or fetal death. It may also have an adverse effect on some organs and organ systems, causing aberrations such as neonatal jaundice and disrupting hormone synthesis. In the Indian context, there are limited clinical studies to assess the health effects of AF exposure during pregnancy. For the first time, we have made an attempt to estimate the AF exposure by calculating the AF estimated daily intake using the empirical formulae based on several reported studies. However, more research needs to be undertaken to understand the AF exposure outcomes during pregnancy. The data presented in this review warrant more clinical studies in India on maternal AF exposure to elucidate the birth outcomes and associated infant health outcomes.

Pterygotids were Paleozoic marine and marginal marine large apex predatory arthropods. However, their evolution remains poorly understood due to the scarcity of their fossils and the delicate nature of their exoskeletons. The well-studied Devonian Xiaxishancun Formation in Qujing City, Yunnan, China contains various Agnatha and three eurypterid species. Our study focuses on the eurypterid material assigned to Erettopterus qujingensis Ma et al., 2022 and Pterygotus wanggaii Ma et al., 2023. The two species were discovered from the same locality, both with individuals of different developmental stages (juveniles more common), suggesting that this area could represent a breeding site, in agreement with mass molt behavior and the occurrence of other pterygotids in shallow waters. Moreover, the coexistence of heavily armed Agnatha with Pterygotus wanggaii in the Xiaxishancun Formation, alongside their robust chelicerae, supports the hypothesis that some pterygotids were piscivorous. In addition, due to ambiguity of pterygotid cheliceral dentition nomenclature, we introduce a new framework to define the cheliceral denticle types of pterygotids based on their relative positions: TD, terminal denticle; MD, median denticle (including: MMD, modified MD, and OMD, ordinary MD); BD, basal denticle. A key diagnostic feature in the cheliceral denticles of E. qujingensis is established: movable finger ends in a curved TD, 3 MMD’s present, 9 OMDs between MMD1 and MMD2 (OMD4 and OMD8 slightly enlarged); fixed finger ends in an acute TD’, 3 MMD’s present (MMD’2 being the largest), 8 OMD’s between MMD’1 and MMD’2 (OMD’5 slightly enlarged), 15 OMD’s between MMD’2 and MMD’3 (OMD’1 and OMD’10-12 slightly enlarged). This cheliceral diagnosis distinguishes E. qujingensis from Pterygotus wanggaii by its distinct number of MMDs.