There is increasing use of functional imaging data to understand the macro-connectome of the human brain. Of particular interest is the structure and function of intrinsic networks (regions exhibiting temporally coherent activity both at rest and while a task is being performed), which account for a significant portion of the variance in functional MRI data. While networks are typically estimated based on the temporal similarity between regions (based on temporal correlation, clustering methods, or independent component analysis [ICA]), some recent work has suggested that these intrinsic networks can be extracted from the inter-subject covariation among highly distilled features, such as amplitude maps reflecting regions modulated by a task or even coordinates extracted from large meta analytic studies. In this paper our goal was to explicitly compare the networks obtained from a first-level ICA (ICA on the spatio-temporal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data) to those from a second-level ICA (i.e., ICA on computed features rather than on the first-level fMRI data). Convergent results from simulations, task-fMRI data, and rest-fMRI data show that the second-level analysis is slightly noisier than the first-level analysis but yields strikingly similar patterns of intrinsic networks (spatial correlations as high as 0.85 for task data and 0.65 for rest data, well above the empirical null) and also preserves the relationship of these networks with other variables such as age (for example, default mode network regions tended to show decreased low frequency power for first-level analyses and decreased loading parameters for second-level analyses). In addition, the best-estimated second-level results are those which are the most strongly reflected in the input feature. In summary, the use of feature-based ICA appears to be a valid tool for extracting intrinsic networks. We believe it will become a useful and important approach in the study of the macro-connectome, particularly in the context of data fusion.

The purpose of this study is to analyze agricultural producers’ willingness to adopt regenerative cover crop practices in their operation and the effects of producer and farm characteristics on willingness to accept (WTA) values. The paper utilizes the double-bounded contingent valuation method to analyze survey responses submitted by producers and non-operating landowners in the Texas and Oklahoma portions of the Southern Great Plains. Results showed an average WTA of $26.38/acre for producers to adopt cover crops and that programs aimed at increasing adoption rates may require more substantial investment compared to those focused on continuity with current adopters.

Survival of CHD has significantly improved, but children with CHD remain susceptible to neurodevelopmental and psychosocial impairments. Our goal was to investigate the association between socio-demographic factors and psychosocial adaptation for future intervention. A retrospective cross-sectional study of an independent children’s hospital’s records was conducted. Psychosocial adaptation was measured by the Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory Psychosocial Impact score (range 0–50, higher score indicates greater psychosocial adaptation). Bivariate and regression analyses were performed to estimate relationships between Psychosocial Impact score and socio-demographic variables including Child Opportunity Index, family support, financial support, academic support, and extracurricular activities. A total of 159 patients were included. Compared to patients in high opportunity neighbourhoods, patients in low opportunity neighbourhoods had a 9.27 (95% confidence interval [−17.15, −1.40], p = 0.021) point lower Psychosocial Impact score, whereas patients in moderate opportunity neighbourhoods had a 15.30 (95% confidence interval [−25.38, −5.22], p = 0.003) point lower Psychosocial Impact score. Compared to patients with adequate family support, those with limited support had a 6.23 point (95% confidence interval [−11.82, −0.643], p = 0.029) lower Psychosocial Impact score. Patients in moderate opportunity neighbourhoods had a higher Psychosocial Impact score by 11.80 (95% confidence interval [1.68, 21.91], p = 0.022) when they also had adequate family support compared to those with limited family support. Our findings indicate that among children with CHD, psychosocial adaptation is significantly impacted by neighbourhood resources and family support structures. These findings identify possible modifiable and protective factors to improve psychosocial adaptation in this vulnerable population.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl was commercialized in 2018 to target barnyardgrass and aquatic or broadleaf weeds. Field studies were conducted from 2019 to 2021 in Stoneville, MS, to evaluate barnyardgrass control following a simulated failure of florpyrauxifen-benzyl or other common postemergence rice herbicides. In the first field study, florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied at 0 and 15 g ai ha–1 to rice at the two- to three-leaf stage to simulate a failed application targeting barnyardgrass. Sequential herbicide treatments included no herbicide and full rates of imazethapyr, quinclorac, bispyribac-Na, and cyhalofop applied 7 or 14 d after florpyrauxifen-benzyl treatment. The second field study was designed to evaluate barnyardgrass control with florpyrauxifen-benzyl following simulated failure of postemergence rice herbicides. Initial herbicide treatments included no herbicide and half rates of imazethapyr, quinclorac, bispyribac-Na, and propanil. Sequential applications at 7 or 14 d after the initial herbicide treatments included florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 0 and 30 g ai ha–1. Results from the first study indicated barnyardgrass control 21 d after final treatment (DAFT) was greater with sequential treatments at 7 compared with 14 d after initial treatment (DA-I) with no initial application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. Therefore, delaying sequential treatments until 14 d after initial florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 15 g ha–1 allowed barnyardgrass to become too large to control with other rice herbicides. Rough rice yield was reduced in plots where quinclorac application was delayed from 7 to 14 DA-I with no initial application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl. The second study suggested that florpyrauxifen-benzyl application should be delayed 14 d after a herbicide failure. Although no differences in barnyardgrass control 21 DAFT were detected whether florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied 7 or 14 DA-I of any herbicide utilized, >85% control was only achieved when florpyrauxifen-benzyl application was delayed 14 DA-I. These results demonstrate barnyardgrass control options following simulated failed applications of common rice herbicides.

The most common equine tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, has often been neglected amongst molecular investigations and has been faced with limited treatment options. However, the recent release of a transcriptome dataset has now provided opportunities for in-depth analysis of A. perfoliata protein expression. Here, global, and sub-proteomic approaches were utilized to provide a comprehensive characterization of the A. perfoliata soluble glutathione transferases (GST) (ApGST). Utilizing both bioinformatics and gel-based proteomics, GeLC and 2D-SDS PAGE, the A. perfoliata ‘GST-ome’ was observed to be dominated with Mu class GST representatives. In addition, both Sigma and Omega class GSTs were identified, albeit to a lesser extent and absent from affinity chromatography approaches. Moreover, 51 ApGSTs were localized across somatic (47 GSTs), extracellular vesicles (EVs) (Whole: 1 GST, Surface: 2 GSTs) and EV depleted excretory secretory product (ESP) (9 GSTs) proteomes. In related helminths, GSTs have shown promise as novel anthelmintic or vaccine targets for improved helminth control. Thus, provides potential targets for understanding A. perfoliata novel infection mechanisms, host–parasite relationships and anthelmintic treatments.

Data from a national survey of 348 U.S. sports field managers were used to examine the effects of participation in Cooperative Extension events on the adoption of turfgrass weed management practices. Of the respondents, 94% had attended at least one event in the previous 3 yr. Of this 94%, 97% reported adopting at least one practice as a result of knowledge gained at an Extension turfgrass event. Half of the respondents had adopted four or more practices; a third adopted five or more practices. Nonchemical, cultural practices were the most-adopted practices (65% of respondents). Multiple regression analysis was used to examine factors explaining practice adoption and Extension event attendance. Compared to attending one event, attending three events increased total adoption by an average of one practice. Attending four or more events increased total adoption by two practices. Attending four or more events (compared to one event) increased the odds of adopting six individual practices by 3- to 6-fold, depending on the practice. This suggests that practice adoption could be enhanced by encouraging repeat attendance among past Extension event attendees. Manager experience was a statistically significant predictor of the number of Extension events attended but a poor direct predictor of practice adoption. Experience does not appear to increase adoption directly, but indirectly, via its impact on Extension event attendance. In addition to questions about weed management generally, the survey asked questions specifically about annual bluegrass management. Respondents were asked to rank seven sources of information for their helpfulness in managing annual bluegrass. There was no single dominant information source, but Extension was ranked more than any other source as the most helpful (by 22% of the respondents) and was ranked among the top three by 53%, closely behind field representative/local distributor sources at 54%.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) has been a leader in weed science research covering topics ranging from the development and use of integrated weed management (IWM) tactics to basic mechanistic studies, including biotic resistance of desirable plant communities and herbicide resistance. ARS weed scientists have worked in agricultural and natural ecosystems, including agronomic and horticultural crops, pastures, forests, wild lands, aquatic habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas. Through strong partnerships with academia, state agencies, private industry, and numerous federal programs, ARS weed scientists have made contributions to discoveries in the newest fields of robotics and genetics, as well as the traditional and fundamental subjects of weed–crop competition and physiology and integration of weed control tactics and practices. Weed science at ARS is often overshadowed by other research topics; thus, few are aware of the long history of ARS weed science and its important contributions. This review is the result of a symposium held at the Weed Science Society of America’s 62nd Annual Meeting in 2022 that included 10 separate presentations in a virtual Weed Science Webinar Series. The overarching themes of management tactics (IWM, biological control, and automation), basic mechanisms (competition, invasive plant genetics, and herbicide resistance), and ecosystem impacts (invasive plant spread, climate change, conservation, and restoration) represent core ARS weed science research that is dynamic and efficacious and has been a significant component of the agency’s national and international efforts. This review highlights current studies and future directions that exemplify the science and collaborative relationships both within and outside ARS. Given the constraints of weeds and invasive plants on all aspects of food, feed, and fiber systems, there is an acknowledged need to face new challenges, including agriculture and natural resources sustainability, economic resilience and reliability, and societal health and well-being.

Despite becoming increasingly represented in academic departments, women scholars face a critical lack of support as they navigate demands pertaining to pregnancy, motherhood, and child caregiving. In addition, cultural norms surrounding how faculty and academic leaders discuss and talk about tenure, promotion, and career success have created pressure for women who wish to grow their family and care for their children, leading to questions about whether it is possible for these women to have a family and an academic career. This paper is a call to action for academia to build structures that support professors who are women as they navigate the complexities of pregnancy, the postpartum period, and the caregiving demands of their children. We specifically call on those of us in I-O psychology, management, and related departments to lead the way. In making this call, we first present the realistic, moral, and financial cases for why this issue needs to be at the forefront of discussions surrounding success in the academy. We then discuss how, in the U.S. and elsewhere, an absence of policies supporting women places two groups of academics—department heads (as the leaders of departments who have discretion outside of formal policies to make work better for women) and other faculty members (as potential allies both in the department and within our professional organizations)—in a critical position to enact support and change. We conclude with our boldest call—to make a cultural shift that shatters the assumption that having a family is not compatible with academic success. Combined, we seek to launch a discussion that leads directly to necessary and overdue changes in how women scholars are supported in academia.

Education of children about farm animal welfare could affect welfare standards, through influence on current and future purchasing of animal products, and improve general consideration for animals. Establishing success requires evaluation. Here, a farm animal educational event for 13 to 14 year-old schoolchildren, focusing on chicken biology, welfare and food labelling, was assessed. Alterations in knowledge, attitude and a proxy measure of behaviour towards animals and their welfare, key aspects expected to impact on animal welfare, were investigated using questionnaires. These key aspects were predicted to increase following event attendance and remain higher than in the non-attending control group three months later. Knowledge and positive behaviour towards specific poultry species increased significantly in attendees but, although remaining greater than pre-attendance, tended to diminish over time. Value afforded to animal life was unaffected by the event. Consideration of welfare needs was significantly greater overall in attendees than non-attendees, but appeared to be characteristic of children choosing to attend the event, rather than the event per se. Importance attributed to animal welfare followed a hierarchy from survival-relevant, eg freedom from hunger and thirst, to less critical needs, eg stimulation. The specific species under consideration had the most significant effect on attitudes; consistent with predictions based on perceptions of the animals’ ‘complexity’, cognitive ability, similarity to humans and use. Further investigation into the aetiology of attitude and potential barriers to attitude change is required to effect attitude change and determine whether attitude alteration could support maintenance of shifts in knowledge and behaviour.

This study explored the relationship between scientific context (SC), scientific reasoning (SR), and scientific behaviour (SB) across the environmental principles to show their significance as essential scientific competencies in the development of environmental programmes in the Philippine K-12 curriculum in a process where environmental education has a key role to play. One hundred and seventy-seven high school students from Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines were selected through the cluster purposive probabilistic sampling method. A descriptive normative survey method of research was employed in this study. The students’ SC had a high relationship with their SR, which is a direct indicator of SB. This was a sign that SC, SR, and SB all work together in a continuous way. Findings of this study will serve as baseline information for the framework of environmental education programmes through science, in the K-12 Philippine Science curriculum. So, when students learn things in the real world, they gain environmental effect, which is thought to be a key reason why people act in ways that are good for the environment and an important goal of environmental education.