We present a 1000 km transect of phase-sensitive radar measurements of ice thickness, basal reflection strength, basal melting and ice-column deformation across the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS). Measurements were gathered at varying intervals in austral summer between 2015 and 2020, connecting the grounding line with the distant ice shelf front. We identified changing basal reflection strengths revealing a variety of basal conditions influenced by ice flow and by ice–ocean interaction at the ice base. Reflection strength is lower across the central RIS, while strong reflections in the near-front and near-grounding line regions correspond with higher basal melt rates, up to 0.47 ± 0.02 m a−1 in the north. Melting from atmospherically warmed surface water extends 150–170 km south of the RIS front. Melt rates up to 0.29 ± 0.03 m a−1 and 0.15 ± 0.03 m a−1 are observed near the grounding lines of the Whillans and Kamb Ice Stream, respectively. Although troublesome to compare directly, our surface-based observations generally agree with the basal melt pattern provided by satellite-based methods but provide a distinctly smoother pattern. Our work delivers a precise measurement of basal melt rates across the RIS, a rare insight that also provides an early 21st-century baseline.

Increased ultra-processed food (UPF) is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, with limitations in UPF evidence, and partial overlap between UK front-of-package labelling (FOPL) and degree of food processing, the value of food processing within dietary guidance is unclear. This study compared food and drink from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) database based on micronutrient content, Nova classification and FOPL. The aim was to examine the micronutrient contributions of UK food and drink to UK government dietary micronutrient recommendations for adult females and males, aged 19–64 years, based on the degree of food processing and FOPL. NDNS items were coded into minimally processed food (MPF), processed culinary ingredients, processed food (PF) and UPF, and FOPL traffic lights. MPF, PF and UPF provided similar average contributions per 100 g to micronutrient recommendations. Per 100 kcal, MPF provided the greatest average contribution (14·4 % (interquartile range (IQR): 8·2–28·1)), followed by PF (7·7 % (IQR: 4·6–10·9) and then UPF (5·8 % (IQR: 3·1–9·7)). After adjusting for healthy/unhealthy items (presence of 1+ red FOPL), MPF had higher odds of an above-average micronutrient contribution per 100 kcal than UPF (OR: 5·9 (95 % CI 4·9–7·2)) and PF (OR: 3·2 (95 % CI 2·4–4·2)). MPF were more likely to provide greater contributions to micronutrient recommendations than PF or UPF per 100 kcal. These findings suggest that UPF or PF diets are less likely to meet micronutrient recommendations than an energy-matched MPF diet. The results are important for understanding how consumers perceive the healthiness of products based on FOPL.

Research on nutraceutical and dietary interventions in psychiatry has grown substantially, but progress is hindered by methodological inconsistencies and limited reporting standards. To address this, the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research presents the first guidelines on clinical trial design, conduct, and reporting for future clinical trials in this area. Recommendations were developed using a Delphi process including eighteen researchers with considerable clinical trial expertise and experience in either methodology, nutraceutical, or dietary interventions in psychiatry. These guidelines provide forty-nine recommendations for clinical trial design and outcomes, five for trial reporting, and seven for future research priorities. The recommendations included in these guidelines are designed to inform both nutraceutical and dietary clinical trial interventions in Nutritional Psychiatry. Common themes include an emphasis on the importance of a multidisciplinary research team and integration of co-design processes into the conduct and design of clinical research, methods to improve transparency and replicability of trial outcomes, and measures to address common biases in nutrition trials. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for future research including examining a greater variety of nutraceutical and dietary interventions, scalable delivery models, effectiveness and implementation studies, and the need to investigate these interventions in the prevention and management of less studied psychiatric conditions (e.g. schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Recommendations included within these guidelines are intended to improve the rigor and clinical relevance of ongoing and future clinical trials in Nutritional Psychiatry.

Leader exemplification involves implicit and explicit claims of high moral values made by a leader. We employed a 2 × 3 experimental design with samples of 265 students in Study 1 and 142 working adults in Study 2 to examine the effects of leader exemplification (exemplification versus no exemplification) and ethical conduct (self-serving, self-sacrificial, and self-other focus) on perceived leader authenticity, trust in leader, and organizational advocacy. In Study 1, we found that exemplification produced elevated levels of perceived authenticity, trust, and advocacy in the form of employment and investment recommendations. We also showed that leader ethical conduct moderated this effect, as ratings were highest following a leader’s self-sacrificial conduct, lowest for self-serving conduct, and moderate for conduct reflecting self-other concerns. In Study 2, we replicated these findings for perceived authenticity and trust, but not organizational advocacy, which yielded mixed results. The leadership implications and future research directions are discussed.

The 17-subunit RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) synthesizes essential untranslated RNAs such as tRNAs and 5S rRNA. In yeast and vertebrates, subunit C82 forms a stable subcomplex with C34 and C31 that is necessary for promoter-specific transcription initiation. Little is known about RNAP III transcription in trypanosomatid parasites. To narrow this knowledge gap, we characterized the C82 subunit in Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major. Bioinformatic analyses showed that the 4 distinctive extended winged-helix (eWH) domains and the coiled-coil motif are present in C82 in these microorganisms. Nevertheless, C82 in trypanosomatids presents certain unique traits, including an exclusive loop within the eWH1 domain. We found that C82 localizes to the nucleus and binds to RNAP III-dependent genes in the insect stages of both parasites. Knock-down of C82 by RNA interference significantly reduced the levels of tRNAs and 5S rRNA and led to the death of procyclic forms of T. brucei. Tandem affinity purifications with both parasites allowed the identification of several C82-interacting partners, including C34 and some genus-specific putative regulators of transcription. However, the orthologue of C31 was not found in trypanosomatids. Interestingly, our data suggest a strong association of C82 with TFIIIC subunits in T. brucei, but not in L. major.

Sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) materials show enhanced reactivity and selectivity towards chlorinated solvents compared to non-sulfidated nZVI, thus they have a high potential for subsurface chlorinated solvent remediation. However, little is known about the possible toxic effects of S-nZVI towards microbial communities, which is of particular concern with regard to combined abiotic–biotic chlorinated solvent treatment scenarios. In this study, the toxicity of two different S-nZVI materials towards Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (S. MR-1) was examined under anaerobic and aerobic conditions using colony forming units (CFU) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements, and the results were then compared to identical exposures performed with non-sulfidated nZVI. In a second step, the toxicity of S-nZVI and nZVI materials was tested on the commercial bioremediation culture KB-1® and on an in-house trichloroethylene enrichment culture. Under aerobic conditions, S. MR-1 viability was less affected by S-nZVI materials compared to non-sulfidated nZVI materials (up to three times higher viability) and it was generally lower compared to anaerobic conditions where little difference in S. MR-1 viability was observed between the tested materials. In terms of the two dechlorinating cultures, they exhibited significantly higher ATP viability during anaerobic exposures to S-nZVI and nZVI materials. Particularly for KB-1®, which retained comparable ATP-viability after ~60 hours exposure as S. MR-1 after two hours. Moreover, the ATP viability of the mixed cultures was generally higher in S-nZVI exposures compared to nZVI exposures (up to three times higher viability). The observed viability patterns are explained by differences in the shell structure, chemistry and stability of the tested S-nZVI and nZVI materials towards corrosion, while the substantially enhanced resilience of KB-1® is argued to stem from its year-long cultivation in the presence of reduced FeS particulates.

Rift propagation, rather than basal melt, drives the destabilization and disintegration of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf. Since 2016, rifts have episodically advanced throughout the central ice-shelf area, with rapid propagation events occurring during austral spring. The ice shelf's speed has increased by ~70% during this period, transitioning from a rate of 1.65 m d−1 in 2019 to 2.85 m d−1 by early 2023 in the central area. The increase in longitudinal strain rates near the grounding zone has led to full-thickness rifts and melange-filled gaps since 2020. A recent sea-ice break out has accelerated retreat at the western calving front, effectively separating the ice shelf from what remained of its northwestern pinning point. Meanwhile, a distributed set of phase-sensitive radar measurements indicates that the basal melting rate is generally small, likely due to a widespread robust ocean stratification beneath the ice–ocean interface that suppresses basal melt despite the presence of substantial oceanic heat at depth. These observations in combination with damage modeling show that, while ocean forcing is responsible for triggering the current West Antarctic ice retreat, the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf is experiencing dynamic feedbacks over decadal timescales that are driving ice-shelf disintegration, now independent of basal melt.

A Palmer amaranth biotype (CT-Res) with resistance to glyphosate was recently confirmed in a pumpkin field in Connecticut. However, the underlying mechanisms conferring glyphosate resistance in this biotype is not known. The main objectives of this research were 1) to determine the effect of plant height (10, 20, and 30 cm) on glyphosate resistance levels in CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype, and 2) to investigate whether the target site–based mechanisms confer glyphosate resistance. To achieve these objectives, progeny seeds of the CT-Res biotype after two generations of recurrent selection with glyphosate (6,720 g ae ha−1) were used. Similarly, known glyphosate-susceptible Palmer amaranth biotypes from Kansas (KS-Sus) and Alabama (AL-Sus) were included. Results from greenhouse dose-response studies revealed that CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype had 69-, 64-, and 54-fold resistance to glyphosate as compared with the KS-Sus biotype when treated at heights of 10, 20, and 30 cm, respectively. Sequence analysis of the EPSPS gene revealed no point mutations at the Pro106 and Thr102 residues in the CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the CT-Res biotype had 33 to 111 relative copies of the EPSPS gene compared with the AL-Sus biotype. All these results suggest that the EPSPS gene amplification endows a high level of glyphosate resistance in the GR Palmer amaranth biotype from Connecticut. Because of the lack of control with glyphosate, growers should adopt the use of effective alternative preemergence and postemergence herbicides in conjunction with other cultural and mechanical tactics to mitigate the further spread of GR Palmer amaranth in Connecticut.

In the UK and Republic of Ireland, the European badger (Meles meles) is considered the most significant wildlife reservoir of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis, the cause of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). To expand options for bTB surveillance and disease control, the Animal and Plant Health Agency developed a bespoke physical restraint cage to facilitate collection of a small blood sample from a restrained, conscious badger in the field. A key step, prior to pursuing operational deployment of the novel restraint cage, was an assessment of the relative welfare impacts of the approach. We used an established welfare assessment model to elicit expert opinion during two workshops to compare the impacts of the restraint cage approach with the only current alternative for obtaining blood samples from badgers in the field, which involves administration of a general anaesthetic. Eleven panellists participated in the workshops, comprising experts in the fields of wildlife biology, animal welfare science, badger capture and sampling, and veterinary science. Both approaches were assessed to have negative welfare impacts, although in neither case were overall welfare scores higher than intermediate, never exceeding 5–6 out of a possible 8. Based on our assessments, the restraint cage approach is no worse for welfare compared to using general anaesthesia and possibly has a lower overall negative impact on badger welfare. Our results can be used to integrate consideration of badger welfare alongside other factors, including financial cost and efficiency, when selecting a field method for blood sampling free-living badgers.

UK front of package labelling (FOPL) informs consumers on the nutrient content of food. However, FOPL does not consider food processing, and with the UK government being urged to act on ultra-processed food (UPF), whether UPF should be added to FOPL is unclear. This study compared food and drink in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Intake24 database based on FOPL, nutrient content and NOVA classification, to understand whether UPF are covered by dietary recommendations for foods high in fat, salt and sugar. NDNS items were coded into minimally processed food (MPF), processed culinary ingredients, processed food and UPF according to the NOVA classification and FOPL traffic lights. UPF contained greater energy, fat, saturated fat (SF), total sugar (TS) and salt than MPF. UPF had a greater odds of containing red FOPL and an unhealthier overall FOPL score (OR:4·59 (95 % CI: 3·79, 5·57); OR:7·0 (95 % CI: 6·1, 8·2), respectively) and lower odds of containing green FOPL (OR:0·05 (95 % CI: 0·03, 0·10)), compared with MPFs. For items with no red FOPL, UPF still contained greater energy, fat, SF, TS and salt than MPF. However, several UPF have healthier FOPL scores. UPF had an unhealthier nutritional profile and FOPL score than MPF. For items with no red FOPL, UPF still had an unhealthier profile than MPF, with a higher energy density. Importantly, not all UPF were unhealthy according to FOPL. These results indicate partial overlap between FOPL, nutrient content and NOVA classification of UK food and drink products, with implications for UK food and drink labelling.

Energy consumption in buildings, both residential and commercial, accounts for approximately 40% of all energy usage in the United States, and similar numbers are being reported from countries around the world. This significant amount of energy is used to maintain a comfortable, secure, and productive environment for the occupants. So, it is crucial that energy consumption in buildings must be optimized, all the while maintaining satisfactory levels of occupant comfort, health, and safety. Machine learning (ML) has been proven to be an invaluable tool in deriving important insights from data and optimizing various systems. In this work, we review some of the most promising ways in which ML has been leveraged to make buildings smart and energy-efficient. For the convenience of readers, we provide a brief introduction to the relevant ML paradigms and the components and functioning of each smart building system we cover. Finally, we discuss the challenges faced while implementing machine learning algorithms in smart buildings and provide future avenues for research in this field.

Protected areas safeguard biodiversity of global ecological importance, even throughout armed conflicts. The International Law Commission's Principles on Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts propose that certain ecologically important areas could be designated as protected zones during armed conflicts. This article uses a geospatial analysis of armed conflicts and Key Biodiversity Areas and three case studies to inform recommendations on how the protection of ecologically important areas could be enhanced through visibility, local actors and international stakeholders as part of a broader interpretation of a protected zone.