An adverse in utero experience negatively impacts perinatal growth in livestock. Maternal heat stress (HS) during gestation reduces placental growth and function. This progressive placental insufficiency ultimately leads to fetal growth restriction (FGR). Studies in chronically catheterized fetal sheep have shown that FGR fetuses exhibit hypoxemia, hypoglycemia, and lower anabolic hormone concentrations. Under hypoxic stress and nutrient deficiency, fetuses prioritize basal metabolic requirements over tissue accretion to support survival. Skeletal muscle is particularly vulnerable to HS-induced placental insufficiency due to its high energy demands and large contribution to total body mass. In FGR fetuses, skeletal muscle growth is reduced, evidenced by smaller myofiber size and mass, reduced satellite cell proliferation, and slower rate of protein synthesis. Disruptions in skeletal muscle growth are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including reduced pyruvate flux into the mitochondrial matrix and lower complex I activity in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This review summarizes current research on the mechanisms by which HS-induced placental insufficiency affects skeletal muscle growth in the fetus, with an emphasis on myogenesis, hypertrophy, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. The evidence presented is primarily drawn from experiments using chronically catheterized fetal sheep exposed to maternal HS during mid-gestation. Additionally, we explore emerging nutritional strategies aimed at enhancing skeletal muscle growth in animals with FGR. These strategies hold promise not only for improving reproductive efficiency in livestock affected by prenatal stress but also for their translational relevance to human pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency.

Among body measurements, body weight (BW) is one of the most important within the buffalo production system, due to its association with economic characteristics. In previous research, we have shown that body volume (BV) is an effective predictor of BW in lactating adult water buffalo. As there are no equations to predict BW through BV for growing dairy buffaloes (young animals), we hypothesized that equations should be developed to meet this need. BW, body length (BL) and heart girth (HG) data were collected in 160 growing dairy buffaloes raised in commercial farms in southern Mexico, with body volume (BV) then estimated from BL and HG. The ratio between BV and BW was determined by linear, quadratic and allometric equations. The goodness-of-fit of the regression models was evaluated using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the Bayesian information criterion (BIC), the coefficient of determination (R2), the mean square error (MSE) and the root MSE (RMSE). After this, the k-folds cross-validation was performed to indicate a better fit. Our results showed that the growing dairy buffaloes presented a BW of 256.6 ± 96.82 kg and a BV of 155.3 ± 74.87 dm3. High and positive correlation were observed among all variables studied. All parameters (R2, MSE, RMSE, AIC and BIC) used to evaluate the regression equations showed that the quadratic regression model was more effective than the linear and allometric models for estimating BW using BV. The criteria for evaluating and validating models showed that the quadratic model presented a better predictive performance. Based on these findings, we conclude that body volume data to estimate body weight of growing dairy buffaloes were best fitted using the quadratic regression model.

Background: Identifying white matter abnormalities after acute concussion is challenging due to variable microstructural changes and individual imaging limitations. Combining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) improves sensitivity to alterations. This study integrates neuroimaging and behavioural assessments to improve detection and characterization of abnormalities for clinical management. Methods: We recruited 12 recently concussed athletes (21 ± 2.1 years, 7 ± 4.6 days post-injury; 9 completed behavioural testing) and 24 controls. All participants underwent DTI and NODDI to assess white matter integrity. Kinematic performance was evaluated using the Kinarm exoskeleton robot’s Reverse Visually Guided Reaching (RVGR) task. Group differences in imaging and kinematic metrics were analyzed using permutation-based and parametric tests, controlling for age and sex. Results: Concussed athletes had elevated fractional anisotropy, reduced mean and radial diffusivity, and lower isotropic volume fraction in affected tracts. However, no group differences emerged in RVGR parameters, indicating intact sensorimotor function despite imaging abnormalities. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that acute concussion leads to measurable microstructural changes without corresponding functional deficits on a cognitive inhibition task. These findings highlight the clinical utility of neuroimaging for early and precise diagnosis, emphasizing its sensitivity over behavioural measures to detect subtle impairment for acute concussion management.

Background: Stroke therapies remain an area of ongoing research. Gene therapies offer a novel approach to repair tissue damage, particularly NeuroD1-mediated astrocyte-to-neuron conversion, which regenerates functional neurons after ischemic injury. Here, we applied NeuroD1 therapy in a non-human primates (NHPs) stroke model to evaluate its effects on corticospinal tract (CST) recovery and motor performance. Methods: Eight NHPs underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Fourteen days later, six animals received intracranial NeuroD1 treatment (three high-dose, three low-dose), while two received a control solution. Neurological and functional performance were assessed daily. MRI scans were performed at baseline and at 7, 30, 90, 120, and 240 days post-MCAO, with the bilateral CST reconstructed at each time point. All procedures followed Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines and were approved by Queen’s University’s Animal Use Subcommittee. Results: We found that NHPs receiving the control solution exhibited poorer motor recovery and minimal CST reconstruction. In contrast, those treated with a low dose of NeuroD1 demonstrated motor and functional recovery along with CST reconstruction. Notably, animals receiving the higher dose showed the most significant overall recovery including a greater CST integrity. Conclusions: NeuroD1 treatment promotes white matter tract restoration and facilitates motor recovery following stroke.

Background: Ischemic stroke often results in long-term motor impairments due to disrupted corticospinal pathways. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor mapping is a non-invasive technique used to assess corticospinal integrity by measuring motor evoked potentials (MEPs). This study investigates whether MEP amplitudes can predict impairment severity and functional performance in chronic stroke. Methods: Four non-human primates (NHPs) with chronic stroke (> six months) following transient right middle cerebral artery occlusion underwent TMS motor mapping using neuronavigation under ketamine anesthesia. Single pulses of TMS (50-70% of maximum stimulator output) were applied to the affected and contralesional primary motor cortices to elicit MEPs and assess cortical excitability. Intramuscular electromyography recorded muscle responses from the biceps, extensor digitorum longus, and abductor pollicis brevis. Neurological dysfunction was evaluated daily for three weeks using the NHP Stroke Scale, NHP Upper Extremity Motor Dysfunction Scale, and the primate Rankin Scale. Results: MEPs were present in NHP1, NHP3, and NHP4 but absent in NHP2. Stronger MEPs correlated with lower impairment severity and better functional performance, while NHP2 exhibited higher impairment and poorer performance. Conclusions: MEP presence and strength can serve as biomarkers of motor recovery potential, highlighting their role in assessing corticospinal integrity and functional outcomes.

This study investigated surface energy fluxes of the Huayna-Potosí Glacier in Bolivia to validate existing empirical melt estimates, including degree-day models and enhanced temperature-index models. A multilayer energy balance model of the snowpack was employed to estimate melt energy and analyze its correlation with meteorological variables. The energy balance analysis revealed that melt energy peaked in October and November, the period corresponding to the progressive development toward the core wet season. Most of the net radiation was consumed by the conductive heat flux into the snowpack or glacier ice, contributing to surface temperature increases. The remaining energy was used for melt. An analysis of diurnal variation indicated that atmospheric longwave radiation suppresses melt during the dry season while driving melt during the wet season. Variables such as specific humidity and relative humidity, which are related to atmospheric longwave radiation, emerged as primary controlling factors after solar radiation in estimating melt based on meteorological variables. This study highlights that a combination of solar radiation and specific humidity outperforms existing empirical melt models that depend exclusively on temperature or a combination of temperature and solar radiation.

Integrating trees and shrubs into agroecosystems increases soil nutrients and organic matter, which helps in the recovery of degraded tropical soils. However, selecting the most appropriate tree and shrub species as sources of nutrients and organic matter requires knowledge of their productive potential. The study aimed to evaluate litter productivity and nutrient input to the soil of three tropical silvopastoral fodder bank species. Litter input from Tithonia diversifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, and Moringa oleifera was quantified monthly for one year. We found that the litterfall amount was greatest (p < 0.05) from T. diversifolia (1.81 t ha–1 yr–1) compared to L. leucocephala (1.26 t ha–1 yr–1) and M. oleifera (118 t ha–1 yr–1). Indeed, T. diversifolia had a greater (p < 0.05) input of biomass from leaves (1.36 t ha–1 yr–1) compared to L. leucocephala (0.901 t ha–1 yr–1) and M. oleifera (0.869 t ha–1 yr–1). The highest biomass input (p < 0.05) occurred in September to the three species, T. diversifolia (0.516 t ha–1), L. leucocephala (0.243 t ha–1), and M. oleifera (0.233 t ha–1), and the lowest biomass input occurred in March. Furthermore, the greatest annual input of carbon (0.687 t ha–1 yr–1), nitrogen (0.030 t ha–1 yr–1), and phosphorus (0.006 t ha–1 yr–1) to the soil originated from T. diversifolia. Our study showed that T. diversifolia had the greatest capacity to produce biomass that potentially can reintroduce nutrients and contribute to the recovery process of degraded soil due to its high litter productivity, besides, a combination of these three species also improves soil nutrients in fodder banks when do not hauling forage for livestock, contributing to sustainability of system.

How, can the negative effects of partisan polarization on democratic attitudes be mitigated? Can polarized individuals be persuaded to choose democracy over party, that is, support a candidate from an opposing party who upholds democratic norms when their co-partisan candidate fails to do so? We tested the effect of an online civic education intervention conducted on over 41,000 individuals in thirty-three countries that was designed to promote the choice of ‘democracy’ by emphasizing the benefits of democratic versus autocratic regimes. The results are striking: exposure to civic education messages significantly dampens the negative effect of partisan polarization on anti-democratic co-partisan candidate choice. Civic education also has a small positive effect on polarization itself, with further exploration showing that this is the result of increased evaluations of parties that uphold democratic norms and practices, resulting in greater differences between democratic and anti-democratic parties.

The discipline of political science faces significant disparities in the representation and participation of underrepresented groups in graduate education, including first-generation college students, racial and ethnic minorities, and women. Underrepresentation has a wide variety of limiting effects, including a narrower range of questions being explored within the field. This article proposes a template for teaching and mentoring undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to enhance their opportunities in graduate programs. Specifically, it examines the Mobilization and Political Economy (MPE) Summer Program, an in-residence graduate pipeline program designed to equip participants to study and conduct research on political mobilization, social movements, and political economy. The MPE Summer Program aims to develop and sustain broad-scale collaborative infrastructures that prefigure reciprocal and equitable pathways to increase participation in the social sciences across the United States.

The nature and extent of interactions between the distant regions and cultures of Mesoamerica remain open to much debate. Close economic and political ties developed between Teotihuacan and the lowland Maya during the Early Classic period (AD 250–550), yet the relationship between these cultures continues to perplex scholars. This article presents an elaborately painted altar from an elite residential group at the lowland Maya centre of Tikal, Guatemala. Dating to the fifth century AD, the altar is unique in its display of Teotihuacan architectural and artistic forms, adding to evidence not only for cultural influence during this period, but also for an active Teotihuacan presence at Tikal.

We provide an assessment of the Infinity Two fusion pilot plant (FPP) baseline plasma physics design. Infinity Two is a four-field period, aspect ratio $A = 10$, quasi-isodynamic stellarator with improved confinement appealing to a max-$J$ approach, elevated plasma density and high magnetic fields ($ \langle B\rangle = 9$ T). Here $J$ denotes the second adiabatic invariant. At the envisioned operating point ($800$ MW deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion), the configuration has robust magnetic surfaces based on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium calculations and is stable to both local and global MHD instabilities. The configuration has excellent confinement properties with small neoclassical transport and low bootstrap current ($|I_{bootstrap}| \sim 2$ kA). Calculations of collisional alpha-particle confinement in a DT FPP scenario show small energy losses to the first wall (${\lt}1.5 \,\%$) and stable energetic particle/Alfvén eigenmodes at high ion density. Low turbulent transport is produced using a combination of density profile control consistent with pellet fueling and reduced stiffness to turbulent transport via three-dimensional shaping. Transport simulations with the T3D-GX-SFINCS code suite with self-consistent turbulent and neoclassical transport predict that the DT fusion power$P_{{fus}}=800$ MW operating point is attainable with high fusion gain ($Q=40$) at volume-averaged electron densities $n_e\approx 2 \times 10^{20}$ m$^{-3}$, below the Sudo density limit. Additional transport calculations show that an ignited ($Q=\infty$) solution is available at slightly higher density ($2.2 \times 10^{20}$ m$^{-3}$) with $P_{{fus}}=1.5$ GW. The magnetic configuration is defined by a magnetic coil set with sufficient room for an island divertor, shielding and blanket solutions with tritium breeding ratios (TBR) above unity. An optimistic estimate for the gas-cooled solid breeder designed helium-cooled pebble bed is TBR $\sim 1.3$. Infinity Two satisfies the physics requirements of a stellarator fusion pilot plant.

The selection, design and optimization of a suitable blanket configuration for an advanced high-field stellarator concept is seen as a key feasibility issue and has been incorporated as a vital and necessary part of the Infinity Two fusion pilot plant physics basis. The focus of this work was to identify a baseline blanket which can be rapidly deployed for Infinity Two while also maintaining flexibility and opportunities for higher performing concepts later in development. Results from this analysis indicate that gas-cooled solid breeder designs such as the helium-cooled pebble bed (HCPB) are the most promising concepts, primarily motivated by the neutronics performance at applicable blanket build depths, and the relatively mature technology basis. The lithium lead (PbLi) family of concepts, particularly the dual-cooled lithium lead, offer a compelling alternative to solid blanket concepts as they have synergistic developmental pathways while simultaneously mitigating much of the technical risk of those designs. Homogenized three-dimensional neutronics analysis of the Infinity Two configuration indicates that the HCPB achieves an adequate tritium breeding ratio (TBR) (1.30 which enables sufficient margin at low engineering fidelity), and near appropriate shielding of the magnets (average fast fluence of 1.3 ${\times}$ 10$^{18}$ n cm$^{-2}$ per full-power year). The thermal analysis indicates that reasonably high thermal efficiencies (greater than 30 %) are readily achievable with the HCPB paired with a simple Rankine cycle using reheat. Finally, the tritium fuel cycle analysis for Infinity Two shows viability, with anticipated operational inventories of less than one kilogram (approximately 675 g) and a required TBR (TBR$_{\textrm {req}}$) of less than 1.05 to maintain fuel self-sufficiency (approximately 1.023 for a driver blanket with no inventory doubling). Although further optimization and engineering design are still required, at the physics basis stage all initial targets have been met for the Infinity Two configuration.

Our analysis covers 122 scientific publications about health issues in free-ranging Neotropical ungulates produced between 1990 and 2022, with an emphasis on the epidemiology of infectious diseases and parasites. Most studies focus on parasitology (43.4%) and bacteriology (15.6%), while body condition (0.8%), toxicology (1.6%), virology (6.6%), and health assessments (6.6%) are less studied. Brocket deer (Mazama americana and M. gouazoubira), followed by peccaries (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari), and the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) were the most frequent species surveyed (61.4% of all publications). We detected considerably higher numbers of studies and health topics covered in Brazil (n = 64; 52.5% of the total) compared to other Latin American countries. We emphasize the need for further research focused on poorly known health aspects of Neotropical ungulates that have received little attention in the past, especially the Chacoan peccary (Catagonus wagneri), taruca deer (Hippocamelus antisensis), Northern pudu (Pudu mephistopheles), and the least known Mazama species. Ecotoxicology and pathology studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of agrochemicals and other human disturbances on Neotropical ungulate populations in the wild. We encourage further research on the human impacts and trends of change in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, parasites, and health status of Neotropical wild ungulate populations.

This study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying bilingual speech perception of competing phonological representations. A total of 57 participants were recruited, consisting of 30 English monolinguals and 27 Spanish-English bilinguals. Participants passively listened to stop consonants while watching movies in English and Spanish. Event-Related Potentials and sLORETA were used to measure and localize brain activity. Comparisons within bilinguals across language contexts examined whether language control mechanisms were activated, while comparisons between groups assessed differences in brain activation. The results showed that bilinguals exhibited stronger activation in the left frontal areas during the English context, indicating greater engagement of executive control mechanisms. Distinct activation patterns were found between bilinguals and monolinguals, suggesting that the Executive Control Network provides the flexibility to manage overlapping phonological representations. These findings offer insights into the cognitive and neural basis of bilingual language control and expand current models of second language acquisition.

This paper presents a multibeam dielectric rod antenna for mm-wave wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. The proposed solution utilizes its unique multibeam setup which allows the generation of adjustable beams simultaneously, without the need for an additional beamforming network. To enhance the compactness of the system, each Rexolite rod is fed through an annular slot etched on a Rogers RO4003. The generated beams are steered toward the desired directions by adjustment in the configuration of these rods. The final configuration consists of five rods that were fabricated and measured. In this configuration, a beam coverage between $-30^{\circ}$ and 30∘ can be obtained, while in the frequency of interest, a gain value above $12\,\mathrm{dBi}$ is achieved. With its adjustable configuration, the proposed solution can be adapted to different operating scenarios. Moreover, the low cost and flexibility of the solution make it a promising candidate for Radio Frequency Wireless Power Transfer (RF-WPT) Internet of things applications.