Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is believed to be a critical prerequisite for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to investigate whether anti-EBV titres are elevated before the onset of MS symptoms in people with radiologically isolated syndrome (pwRIS) and to evaluate their association with markers of adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) titres were quantified in a cohort of 47 pwRIS and 24 healthy controls using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay. Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light protein (NfL) were measured using single-molecule array. MRI lesion metrics and the development of MS symptoms over time were also evaluated. Results: EBNA1 titres were higher pwRIS compared to healthy controls (p=0.038), while VCA titres were not (p=0.237). A positive correlation was observed between EBNA1 titres and plasma GFAP in pwRIS (p=0.005). Neither EBNA1 nor VCA titres correlated with NfL. MRI lesion measures and the development of MS symptoms did not show any significant relationship with EBNA1 or VCA titres. Conclusions: Eelevated EBNA1 titres are detectable prior to MS symptom onset and correlate with GFAP, a biomarker associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, their role in disease progression and clinical outcomes requires further investigation.

Background: Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is characterized by incidental MRI findings suggestive of multiple sclerosis in asymptomatic individuals. Emerging blood biomarkers, including neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chitinase 3-like 1 protein (CHI3L1) are promising tools for evaluating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 47 individuals with RIS who underwent MRI and plasma biomarker assessments. Plasma levels of CHI3L1, NfL, and GFAP were measured using highly sensitive assays. Correlations between biomarkers and MRI markers, including T1-black holes (BHs), central vein sign (CVS) positive lesions, paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs), choroid plexus volume (CPV), and thalamic and hippocampal volumes, were analyzed using linear regression. Results: Plasma CHI3L1 levels correlated with increased CPV (β = 0.347, p = 0.017) and reduced thalamic (β = -0.309, p = 0.035) and hippocampal (β = -0.535, p < 0.001) volumes. Plasma GFAP levels were associated with BHs, CVS, and PRLs, whereas plasma NfL showed no correlations with MRI measures. Conclusions: Plasma CHI3L1 correlates with subcortical grey matter atrophy and CPV increase in RIS, distinct from correlations observed with GFAP or NfL. This suggests that plasma CHI3L1 may reflect neurodegeneration and inflammation in RIS and provide insights into disease activity not captured by other biomarkers.

The First Large Absorption Survey in H i (FLASH) is a large-area radio survey for neutral hydrogen in and around galaxies in the intermediate redshift range $0.4\lt z\lt1.0$, using the 21-cm H i absorption line as a probe of cold neutral gas. The survey uses the ASKAP radio telescope and will cover 24,000 deg$^2$ of sky over the next five years. FLASH breaks new ground in two ways – it is the first large H i absorption survey to be carried out without any optical preselection of targets, and we use an automated Bayesian line-finding tool to search through large datasets and assign a statistical significance to potential line detections. Two Pilot Surveys, covering around 3000 deg$^2$ of sky, were carried out in 2019-22 to test and verify the strategy for the full FLASH survey. The processed data products from these Pilot Surveys (spectral-line cubes, continuum images, and catalogues) are public and available online. In this paper, we describe the FLASH spectral-line and continuum data products and discuss the quality of the H i spectra and the completeness of our automated line search. Finally, we present a set of 30 new H i absorption lines that were robustly detected in the Pilot Surveys, almost doubling the number of known H i absorption systems at $0.4\lt z\lt1$. The detected lines span a wide range in H i optical depth, including three lines with a peak optical depth $\tau\gt1$, and appear to be a mixture of intervening and associated systems. Interestingly, around two-thirds of the lines found in this untargeted sample are detected against sources with a peaked-spectrum radio continuum, which are only a minor (5–20%) fraction of the overall radio-source population. The detection rate for H i absorption lines in the Pilot Surveys (0.3 to 0.5 lines per 40 deg$^2$ ASKAP field) is a factor of two below the expected value. One possible reason for this is the presence of a range of spectral-line artefacts in the Pilot Survey data that have now been mitigated and are not expected to recur in the full FLASH survey. A future paper in this series will discuss the host galaxies of the H i absorption systems identified here.

Spirometra is a genus of zoonotic cestodes with an ambiguous species-level taxonomic history. Previously, Spirometra mansonoides was considered the only species present in North America. However, recent molecular data revealed the presence of at least three distinct species in the USA: Spirometra sp. 2 and 3, and Spirometra mansoni. This study aimed to elucidate the diversity and potential host associations of Spirometra species among companion animals in the USA. Samples (N = 302) were examined from at least 13 host species, including mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Sample types included eggs isolated from faeces (n = 222), adult specimens (n = 71) and plerocercoids (n = 9) from 18 different states and 2 territories across the USA. Extracted genomic DNA was subjected to PCR targeting a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Generated sequences (n = 136) were included in a phylogenetic analysis. Spirometra mansoni was detected in domestic cats (n = 76), dogs (n = 12), a White’s tree frog (n = 1), a Cuban knight anole (n = 1), a green iguana (n = 1) and a serval (n = 1) across 15 states and Puerto Rico. Spirometra sp. 2 was found only in dogs (n = 3) from Florida and Spirometra sp. 3 was found only in cats (n = 41) from 17 states. All plerocercoid samples were consistent with S. mansoni. The results confirm that at least three distinct Spirometra species are present and established in companion animals, such as dogs and cats, and likely are using various native and exotic species as paratenic hosts within the USA.

Objectives/Goals: The study’s goal is to investigate the role of PPAR-α on regulating blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal inflammation, and renal sodium reabsorption in mice on a 4% high-salt diet. Methods/Study Population: GFR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), inflammatory biomarkers (KIM-1, TIMP2, NGAL, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17), and renal sodium transporter expression (NKA, NHE3, NKCC2, NCC, ENaC, Aqp-2, and NHERF1) were measured in PPAR-α KO mice and wild-type controls treated with a 4% high-salt (HS) diet. Male C57BL6, B129S1, and PPAR-α KO mice (12 weeks old) will be treated with 4% HS diet for 28 days. Systolic blood pressure is measured by tail cuff. GFR is measured by transdermal FITC-Inulin radioactive fluorescence. Inflammatory biomarkers will be measured by cytokine array and western blot. Sodium transporter expression will be measured by western blot. Results/Anticipated Results: Baseline SBP was 146 ± 31 mmHg (C57), 140 ± 24 mmHg (B129), and 153 ± 23 mmHg (KO). After 21 days of normal (control diet) or treatment (HS diet), control systolic pressures were 139 ± 18 mmHg (C57), 107 ± 23 mmHg (B129) and 147 ± 34 mmHg (KO), while HS systolic pressures were 166 ± 23 mmHg (C57) and 119 ± 34 mmHg (B129). We are collecting blood pressure for the KO HS group. Baseline GFR was 1194 ± 140 µL/min/g (C57), 1167 ± 279 µL/min/g (B129), and 1191 ± 157 µL/min/g (KO). Discussion/Significance of Impact: We hypothesize significantly higher SBP, inflammatory marker expression, and renal sodium transporter expression in KO and B129 mice on a HS diet. We predict that PPAR-α expression in the kidney will be higher in C57 compared to B129. We predict that PPAR-α activity plays a vital role in reducing high-salt-induced hypertension and inflammatory markers.

Low birthweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. We hypothesised that differential associations between birthweight and clinical characteristics in persons with and without type 2 diabetes may provide novel insights into the role of birthweight in type 2 diabetes and its progression. We analysed UK Biobank data from 9,442 persons with and 254,446 without type 2 diabetes. Associations between birthweight, clinical traits, and genetic predisposition were assessed using adjusted linear and logistic regression, comparing the lowest and highest 25% of birthweight to the middle 50%. Each kg increase in birthweight was associated with higher BMI, waist, and hip circumference, with stronger effects in persons with versus without type 2 diabetes (BMI: 0.74 [0.58, 0.90] vs. 0.21 [0.18, 0.24] kg/m2; waist: 2.15 [1.78, 2.52] vs. 1.04 [0.98, 1.09] cm; hip: 1.65 [1.33, 1.97] vs. 1.04 [1.04, 1.09] cm). Family history of diabetes was associated with higher birthweight regardless of diabetes status, albeit with a twofold higher effect estimate in type 2 diabetes. Low birthweight was further associated with prior myocardial infarction regardless of type 2 diabetes status (OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.11, 1.60] for type 2 diabetes; 1.23 [95% CI 1.13, 1.33] without), and hypertension (OR 1.25 [1.23, 1.28] and stroke 1.24 [1.14, 1.34]) only among persons without type 2 diabetes. Differential associations between birthweight and cardiometabolic traits in persons with and without type 2 diabetes illuminate potential causal inferences reflecting the roles of pre- and postnatal environmental versus genetic aetiologies and disease mechanisms.

We present the first results from a new backend on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, the Commensal Realtime ASKAP Fast Transient COherent (CRACO) upgrade. CRACO records millisecond time resolution visibility data, and searches for dispersed fast transient signals including fast radio bursts (FRB), pulsars, and ultra-long period objects (ULPO). With the visibility data, CRACO can localise the transient events to arcsecond-level precision after the detection. Here, we describe the CRACO system and report the result from a sky survey carried out by CRACO at 110-ms resolution during its commissioning phase. During the survey, CRACO detected two FRBs (including one discovered solely with CRACO, FRB 20231027A), reported more precise localisations for four pulsars, discovered two new RRATs, and detected one known ULPO, GPM J1839 $-$10, through its sub-pulse structure. We present a sensitivity calibration of CRACO, finding that it achieves the expected sensitivity of 11.6 Jy ms to bursts of 110 ms duration or less. CRACO is currently running at a 13.8 ms time resolution and aims at a 1.7 ms time resolution before the end of 2024. The planned CRACO has an expected sensitivity of 1.5 Jy ms to bursts of 1.7 ms duration or less and can detect $10\times$ more FRBs than the current CRAFT incoherent sum system (i.e. 0.5 $-$2 localised FRBs per day), enabling us to better constrain the models for FRBs and use them as cosmological probes.

We investigate whether firm-level political connections affect the allocation of exemptions from tariffs imposed on $US 550 billion of Chinese goods imported to the United States annually beginning in 2018. Evidence points to politicians not only rewarding supporters but also punishing opponents: Past campaign contributions to the party controlling (in opposition to) the executive branch increase (decrease) approval likelihood. Our findings point to quid pro quo arrangements between politicians and firms, as opposed to the “information” channel linking political access to regulatory outcomes.

Two studies were conducted in 2022 and 2023 near Rocky Mount and Clayton, NC, to determine the optimal granular ammonium sulfate (AMS) rate and application timing for pyroxasulfone-coated AMS. In the rate study, AMS rates included 161, 214, 267, 321, 374, 428, and 481 kg ha−1, equivalent to 34, 45, 56, 67, 79, 90, and 101 kg N ha−1, respectively. All rates were coated with pyroxasulfone at 118 g ai ha−1 and topdressed onto 5- to 7-leaf cotton. In the timing study, pyroxasulfone (118 g ai ha−1) was coated on AMS and topdressed at 321 kg ha−1 (67 kg N ha−1) onto 5- to 7-leaf, 9- to 11-leaf, and first bloom cotton. In both studies, weed control and cotton tolerance to pyroxasulfone-coated AMS were compared to pyroxasulfone applied POST and POST-directed. The check in both studies received non-herbicide-treated AMS (321 kg ha−1). Before treatment applications, all plots (including the check) were maintained weed-free with glyphosate and glufosinate. In both studies, pyroxasulfone applied POST was most injurious (8% to 16%), while pyroxasulfone-coated AMS resulted in ≤4% injury. Additionally, no differences in cotton lint yield were observed in either study. With the exception of the lowest rate of AMS (161 kg ha−1; 79%), all AMS rates coated with pyroxasulfone controlled Palmer amaranth ≥83%, comparably to pyroxasulfone applied POST (92%) and POST-directed (89%). In the timing study, the application method did not affect Palmer amaranth control; however, applications made at the mid- and late timings outperformed early applications. These results indicate that pyroxasulfone-coated AMS can control Palmer amaranth comparably to pyroxasulfone applied POST and POST-directed, with minimal risk of cotton injury. However, the application timing could warrant additional treatment to achieve adequate late-season weed control.

It is important for the research produced by industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologists to be rigorous, relevant, and useful to organizations. However, I-O psychology research is often not used in practice. In this paper, we (both practitioners and academics) argue that engaged scholarship—a particular method of inclusive, collaborative research that incorporates multiple stakeholder perspectives throughout the research process—can help reduce this academic–practice gap and advance the impact of I-O psychology. To examine the current state of the field, we reviewed empirical evidence of the current prevalence of collaborative research by examining the number of articles that contain nonacademic authors across 14 key I-O psychology journals from 2018 to 2023. We then build on these findings by describing how engaged scholarship can be integrated throughout the research process and conclude with a call to action for I-O psychologists to conduct more collaborative research. Overall, our goal is to facilitate a fruitful conversation about the value of collaborative research that incorporates multiple stakeholder perspectives throughout the research process in hopes of reducing the academic–practice gap. We also aim to inspire action in the field to maintain and enhance the impact of I-O psychology on the future world of work.

Education can be viewed as a control theory problem in which students seek ongoing exogenous input—either through traditional classroom teaching or other alternative training resources—to minimize the discrepancies between their actual and target (reference) performance levels. Using illustrative data from $n=784$\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$$n=784$$\end{document} Dutch elementary school students as measured using the Math Garden, a web-based computer adaptive practice and monitoring system, we simulate and evaluate the outcomes of using off-line and finite memory linear quadratic controllers with constraintsto forecast students’ optimal training durations. By integrating population standards with each student’s own latent change information, we demonstrate that adoption of the control theory-guided, person- and time-specific training dosages could yield increased training benefits at reduced costs compared to students’ actual observed training durations, and a fixed-duration training scheme. The control theory approach also outperforms a linear scheme that provides training recommendations based on observed scores under noisy and the presence of missing data. Design-related issues such as ways to determine the penalty cost of input administration and the size of the control horizon window are addressed through a series of illustrative and empirically (Math Garden) motivated simulations.