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 (⟨B⟩ = 9 T). 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 (|Ibootstrap| ∼ 2 kA). Calculations of collisional alpha particle confinement in a DT FPP scenario show small energy losses to the first wall (< 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 Pfus = 800 MW operating point is attainable with high fusion gain (Q = 40) at volume-averaged electron densities ne ≈ 2×1020 m−3, below the Sudo density limit. Additional transport calculations show that an ignited (Q = ∞) solution is available at slightly higher density (2.2×1020 m−3) with Pfus = 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 ∼ 1.3. Infinity Two satisfies the physics requirements of a stellarator fusion pilot plant.

In this work, we present a detailed assessment of fusion-born alpha-particle confinement, their wall loads, and stability of Alfvén eigenmodes driven by these energetic particles in the Infinity Two Fusion Pilot Plant Baseline Plasma Design, a 4-field-period quasiisodynamic stellarator to operate in deuterium-tritium fusion conditions. Using the Monte-Carlo codes SIMPLE, ASCOT5, and KORC-T, we study the collisionless and collisional dynamics of guiding-center and full-orbit alpha-particles in the core plasma. We find that core energy losses to the wall are less than 4%. Our simulations shows that peak power loads on the wall of this configuration are around 2.5 MW/m2 and are spatially localized, toroidally, and poloidaly in the vicinity of x-points of the magnetic island chain n/m = 4/5 outside the plasma volume. Also, an exploratory analysis using various simplified walls shows that shaping and distance of the wall from the plasma volume can help reduce peak power loads. Our stability assessment of Alfvén eigenmodes using the STELLGAP and FAR3d codes shows the absence of unstable modes driven by alpha-particles in Infinity Two due to the relatively low alpha-particle beta at the envisioned 800 MW operating scenario.

The magneto-hydrodynamic equilibrium and stability properties of the Infinity Two Fusion Pilot Plant baseline plasma physics design are presented. The configuration is a four field period, aspect ratio A = 10 quasi-isodynamic stellarator optimized for excellent confinement at elevated density and high magnetic field B = 9 T. Magnetic surfaces exist in the plasma core in vacuum and retain good equilibrium surface integrity from vacuum to an operational β = 1.6%, the ratio of the volume average of the plasma and magnetic pressures, corresponding to 800 MW Deuterium-Tritium fusion operation. Neoclassical calculations show that a selfconsistent bootstrap current on the order of ∼ 1 kA slightly increases the rotational transform profile by less than 0.001. The configuration has a magnetic well across its entire radius. From vacuum to the operating point, the configuration exhibits good ballooning stability characteristics, exhibits good Mercier stability across most of its minor radius, and it is stable against global low-n MHD instabilities up to β = 3.2%.

Members of the genus Oncicola Travassos, 1916 are generalist parasites able to infect a broad spectrum of carnivorous hosts, such as marsupials, procyonids, felids, and canids, and are distributed globally. Adult specimens were collected from the intestines of three white-nosed coatis (N. narica), whereas cystacanths (larval form) were found in the body cavities of two amphibian species (paratenic hosts) in localities from northern and southeastern Mexico. Morphologically, both stages were identified as O. luehei (Travassos, 1917) on the basis of the following features: trunk cylindrical, narrow anteriorly, enlarging midbody, tapering gradually to narrow posteriorly; proboscis globular with six circular rows of hooks with six hooks each, decreasing in size posteriorly; neck short with sensory papilla; tubular lemnisci long, extending to the posterior region; protonephridia dendritic type; and eight cement glands, compact with a single giant nuclei. Sequences from cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 from mtDNA were aligned and compared with sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that adults and cystacanths formed a clade with two other isolates identified as Oncicola sp. and O. luehei from Mexico. The intraspecific genetic divergence among the isolates was low, ranging from 0.0% to 3.0%, indicating that the two stages of the life cycle belong to the same species. The haplotype network was inferred with 11 sequences and revealed a lack of shared haplotypes between populations, suggesting a reduced recombination rate and a high pattern of genetic variation among individuals. Finally, these new records of O. luehei increase the distribution range of O. luehei on both coasts of Mexico.

Despite a great effort made for almost 90 years, the diversity of freshwater fish trematodes in Mexico is still far from being fully known. The addition of molecular data to the description of trematode diversity in the last two decades added the potential to establish more robust species limits and a more accurate biodiversity estimation, but also led in some instances to the recognition of cryptic species complexes. Here, we used sequences of the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal gene (28S rRNA) as barcodes, and morphological data, to assess the diversity of freshwater fish trematodes from a lake within a tropical rainforest. Eighty freshwater fish specimens of eight species were studied, and 120 trematode specimens were collected. Morphologically, specimens were allocated into nine genera; molecular phylogenetic analyses along with sequence divergence data provided evidence for recognising 11 trematode taxa, six adults and five metacercariae; six of them were identified to species level. Geographical distribution and host association patterns are briefly discussed for each trematode taxa.

Members of the genus Maritrema Nicoll, 1907 include endoparasites of aquatic birds and mammals, distributed worldwide. Adult specimens were collected from the intestines of three bird species (the great black hawks, Buteogallus urubitinga Gmelin; laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla Linnaeus; and the willet, Tringa semipalmata Gmelin) in three localities along the Gulf of Mexico. Photogenophores were sequenced for the large subunit (LSU) from nuclear rDNA, and the new sequences were aligned with other microphalloid sequences available in GenBank. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses revealed three independent lineages, one corresponding to a previously described species, Maritrema corai Hernández-Orts, Pinacho-Pinacho, García-Varela & Kostadinova, 2016, and two representing two undescribed species. These two new species are described in the current study. Maritrema itzamnai n. sp. can be morphologically differentiated from its four congeneric species occurring in coastal areas of Mexico by having smaller oral (20–29 × 20–38 μm) and ventral (20–39 × 19–33 μm) suckers. In addition, Maritrema itzamnai n. sp. possess annular vitellarium instead of a horseshoe-shaped vitellarium. Maritrema kukulkanni n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeneric species reported from Mexico by possessing a larger oesophagus (44–117μm) and by having a vitellarium distributed in both the hindbody and forebody. Maritrema corai is the third species recorded in this study parasitizing the great black hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga); this represents a new host and locality record, expanding its distribution range from the Mexican Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

During the past 30 yr an impasse has developed in the discovery and commercialization of synthetic herbicides with new molecular targets and novel chemistries. Similarly, there has been little success with bioherbicides, both microbial and chemical. These bioherbicides are needed to combat fast-growing herbicide resistance and to fulfill the need for more environmentally and toxicologically safe herbicides. In response to this substantial and growing opportunity, numerous start-up companies are utilizing novel approaches to provide new tools for weed management. These diverse new tools broaden the scope of discovery, encompassing advanced computational, bioinformatic, and imaging platforms; plant genome–editing and targeted protein degradation technologies; and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)-based strategies. This review contains summaries of the presentations of 10 such companies that took part in a symposium held at the WSSA annual meeting in 2024. Four of the companies are developing microbial bioherbicides or natural product–based herbicides, and the other six are using advanced technologies, such as AI, to accelerate the discovery of herbicides with novel molecular target sites or to develop non-GMO, herbicide-resistant crops.

Scaphanocephalus is a small trematode genus belonging to the family Opistorchiidae. The genus currently contains only three species associated with marine fish as intermediate hosts and fish-eating birds as definitive hosts. Here, specimens of Scaphanocephalus were collected from the Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, and the White mullet, Mugil curema in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. We report for the first-time DNA sequences of adult specimens of Scaphanocephalus, particularly S. expansus, as well as a sequence of a different species sampled as metacercaria. Morphological comparisons of Scaphanocephalus expansus confirmed the identity of the adult specimens, with minor morphological variations; Scanning electron photomicrographs were included, and the species was re-described. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA sequences showed that Scaphanocephalus is monophyletic within Opisthorchiidae and consists of three independent lineages. Sequences of adults are identical to those of S. expansus. Instead, the sequence of the metacercaria sampled from the mesentery of Mugil curema nested with specimens reported as Scaphanocephalus sp. from a labrid fish in the Mediterranean Sea, herein named it as Scaphanocephalus sp. 2.

We report an outbreak of dermatitis associated with Ornithonysus bacoti and Liponyssoides sanguineus infestation in an acute ambulatory care setting. Healthcare workers developed dermatitis prior to the identification of the outbreak. A collaborative team effort resulted in complete eradication.

Members of the genus Strigea Abildgaard, 1790 are endoparasites of birds distributed worldwide. Adults of an undescribed species of the genus Strigea were collected from the intestines of two hawk species (Rupornis magnirostris and Accipiter coperii). Other species identified as Parastrigea macrobursa that were described in Argentina were also recovered from two hawk species (Buteogallus urubitinga and Buteogallus anthracinus) in three localities along the coasts of Mexico. Specimens of the two species were sequenced for three molecular markers, the internal transcribed spacers locus (ITS1-5.8S rDNA- ITS2) and the domains D1–D3 from the large subunit from nuclear ribosomal DNA and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 from mitochondrial DNA. The newly sequenced specimens were aligned with other strigeids sequences downloaded from GenBank. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses inferred with each molecular marker revealed that our specimens of Strigea sp. formed an independent lineage, which is recognized herein as a new species, Strigea magnirostris n. sp., representing the first species in Mexico and the 16th in the Neotropical region. Morphologically, the new species is distinguished from other congeneric species from the Americas by having an oral sucker with several papillae around it, well-developed pseudosuckers (118–248 μm), a tegument covered with tiny spines, a larger cone genital (193–361 × 296–637) and a larger copulatory bursa (247–531 × 468–784). Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. macrobursa is not closely related to other members of the genus Parastrigea and is nested within Strigea, suggesting that P. macrobursa should be transferred to Strigea to form Strigea macrobursa n. comb., expanding its distribution range from Mexico to Argentina. Finally, the analyses also revealed that the taxonomy and systematics of Strigea should be re-evaluated, combining morphological and molecular characteristics.

Adult specimens of Andracantha gravida (Alegret, 1941) were recorded from the intestines of the double-crested cormorant Nannopterum auritus (Lesson) (type host) and brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis L. in two localities from Mexico: Celestún, Yucatan (south-eastern) and Punta Piedra, Tamaulipas (north-eastern). The specimens of A. gravida are morphologically characterized by having a pipe-shaped body without swellings, the absence of small trunk spines between the two fields of spines on the foretrunk and a cylindrical proboscis with 14–16 rows of 10–12 hooks per row. Newly generated partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were generated from adult isolates of A. gravida from Mexico and compared with one sequence of A. gravida and with sequences of other polymorphid acanthocephalans available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods of the cox1 dataset placed all the species of Andracantha in a single clade, with weak support. The analyses of the cox1 dataset placed Andracantha sigma Presswell, García-Varela & Smales, 2018, as sister to the clade formed by A. gravida, Andracantha phalacrocoracis (Yamaguti, 1939), Andracantha leucocarboi Presswell, García-Varela & Smales, 2018 and an unidentified species of Andracantha from Japan. The newly generated cox1 sequences of A. gravida from piscivorous birds of Mexico formed a strongly supported clade with the published sequence of A. gravida from the double-crested cormorant from the south-eastern coast of Mexico. The intraspecific genetic divergence among isolates identified as A. gravida ranged from 0.0% to 2.2%. A cox1 haplotype network inferred with 14 sequences revealed the presence of nine haplotypes, two of which were shared between the populations of piscivorous birds from the north-eastern and south-eastern coasts of Mexico and seven of which were unique. The fixation index between the populations from north-eastern and south-eastern Mexico was low (0.06949), which suggests genetic flow. This can be explained by the migration patterns of the brown pelican and the double-crested cormorant along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032, an endospore-forming bacterial strain, was investigated to determine its methylation pattern (methylome) change, compared to ground control, after direct exposure to space conditions onboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 1.5 years. The resulting ISS-flown and non-flown strains were sequenced using the Nanopore MinION and an in-house method and pipeline to identify methylated positions in the genome. Our analysis indicated genomic variants and m6A methylation increased in the ISS-flown SAFR-032. To complement the broader omics investigation and explore phenotypic changes, ISS-flown and non-flown strains were compared in a series of laboratory-based chamber experiments using an X-ray irradiation source (doses applied at 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 Gy); results show a potentially higher survival fraction of ISS-flown DS2 at the two highest exposures. Taken together, results from this study document lasting changes to the genome by methylation, potentially triggered by conditions in spaceflight, with functional consequences for the resistance of bacteria to stressors expected on long-duration missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Previous studies attest that early bilinguals can modify their perceptual identification according to the fine-grained phonetic detail of the language they believe they are hearing. Following Gonzales et al. (2019), we replicate the double phonemic boundary effect in late learners (LBs) using conceptual-based cueing. We administered a forced choice identification task to 169 native English adult learners of Spanish in two sessions. In both sessions, participants identified the same /b/-/p/ voicing continuum, but language context was cued conceptually using the instructions. The data were analyzed using Bayesian multilevel regression. Learners categorized the continuum in a similar manner when they believed they were hearing English. However, when they believed they were hearing Spanish, “voiceless” responses increased as a function of L2 proficiency. This research demonstrates the double phonemic boundary effect can be conceptually cued in LBs and supports accounts positing selective activation of independent perception grammars in L2 learning.

Species of the allocreadiid genus Creptotrema are parasites of freshwater fishes in the Americas. Species in the genus possess one pair of muscular oral lobes on the oral sucker. Currently, the genus contains eight species, six distributed in South America, one in Middle America and one in North America. Genetic data are only available for the North American species, Creptotrema funduli, a parasite of fundulids originally described from Oneida Lake, New York State. In this study, we obtained 28S ribosomal DNA sequences of trematodes morphologically similar to Creptotrema agonostomi from the mountain mullet, Dajaus monticola, across a wide geographical range in Middle America. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that (1) the genus Creptotrema, as currently conceived, is not monophyletic; (2) the allocreadiids in mountain mullets should be re-allocated in the genus Pseudoparacreptotrema; and (3) the allocreadiid trematodes from D. monticola across Middle America represent four morphologically similar species, three of which can be distinguished genetically. These three new species are described herein using an integrative taxonomy approach. We contend that accurate estimates of species diversity and phylogenetic relationships among allocreadiids, and most likely other species of trematodes, necessarily require an integrative taxonomy approach that should consider at least DNA sequences and scanning electron microscopy.