Background: Some patients do poorly despite small infarcts after endovascular therapy(EVT) whilst others with large infarcts do well. We validated exploratory findings from the ESCAPE trial regarding factors associated with such discrepancies, in the ESCAPE-NA1 trial(NCT02930018). Methods: We identified “discrepant cases” with modified Rankin Scale(mRS)≥3 despite small follow-up infarct volume(FIV≤25th-percentile) on 24-hour CT/MRI or mRS≤2 despite large FIV(volume≥75th-percentile). We compared area-under-the-curve(AUC) of pre-specified logistic models containing (a)pre-treatment factors(age/cancer/vascular risk-factors) and (b)treatment-related/post-treatment factors(serious adverse events/SAEs) in identifying small-FIV/mRS≥3 and large-FIV/mRS≤2, with stepwise regression-derived models. Results: Among 1,091 patients, 42/287(14.6%) with FIV≤7mL(25th-percentile) had mRS≥3; 65/275(23.6%) with FIV≥92mL(75th-percentile) had mRS≤2. Pre-specified pre-treatment factors(age/cancer/vascular risk-factors) were associated with FIV≤7mL/mRS≥3; stepwise models selected similar variables(similar AUCs:0.92-0.93,p=0.42). SAEs(infarct-in-new-territory/recurrent stroke/pneumonia/heart failure) were strongly associated with FIV≤7mL/mRS≥3; stepwise models also identified onset-to-needle time and hemoglobin(24-hours) as treatment-related/post-treatment factors(similar AUCs:0.92-0.94,p=0.14). Younger age was associated with FIV≥92mL/mRS≤2; stepwise models also selected diabetes absence and baseline hemoglobin(similar AUCs:0.76-0.77,p=0.82). Absence of SAEs(stroke progression/pneumonia/intracerebral hemorrhage) was strongly associated with FIV≥92mL/mRS≤2; stepwise models also identified 24-hour hemoglobin, glucose, and BP(similar AUCs:0.79-0.80,p=0.030). Conclusions: FIV-mRS discrepancies are associated with pre-treatment factors like age/comorbidities; and post-treatment complications related to stroke evolution, secondary prevention, and post-acute care quality. Optimizing thrombolysis speed, BP, glucose, and hemoglobin are modifiable factors meriting further study.

Nucleobases are nitrogenous bases composed of monomers that are a major constituent of RNA and DNA, which are an essential part of any cellular life on the Earth. The search for nucleobases in the interstellar medium remains a major challenge, however, the recent detection of nucleobases in meteorite samples and laboratory synthesis in simulated analogue experiments have confirmed their abiotic origin and a possible route for their delivery to the Earth. Nevertheless, cellular life is based on the interacting network of complex structures, and there is substantial lack of information on the possible routes by which such ordered structures may be formed in the prebiotic environment. In the current study, we present the evidence for the synthesis of complex structures due to shock processing of nucleobases. The nucleobases were subjected to the reflected shock temperature of 3500–7000 K (estimated) and pressure of about 15–34 bar for over ~2 ms timescale. Under such extreme thermodynamic conditions, the nucleobases sample experiences superheating and subsequent cooling. Electron microscopic studies of shock processed residue show that nucleobases result in spontaneous formation of complex structures when subjected to extreme conditions of shock. These results suggest that impact shock processes might have contributed to the self-assembly of biologically relevant structures and the origin of life.

Early growth pattern is increasingly recognized as a determinant of later obesity. This study aimed to identify the association between weight gain in early life and anthropometry, adiposity, leptin, and fasting insulin levels in adolescence. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 366 school children aged 11–13 years. Weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Fat mass (FM) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood was drawn after a 12-h fast for insulin and leptin assay. Birth weight and weight at 6 months and at 18 months were extracted from Child Health Development Records. An increase in weight SD score (SDS) by ≥0.67 was defined as accelerated weight gain. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to predict anthropometry, adiposity, and metabolic outcomes using sex, pubertal status, accelerated weight gain as fixed factors; age, birth weight, and family income as fixed covariates, and school as a random factor. Children with accelerated weight gain between birth and 18 months had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) SDS, WC SDS, height SDS, %FM, fat mass index (FMI), fat free mass index (FFMI), and serum leptin levels in adolescence. Accelerated weight gain between 6 and 18 months was associated with higher BMI SDS, WC SDS, %FM, and FMI, but not with height SDS or FFMI. Accelerated weight gain at 0–6 months, in children with low birth weight, was associated with higher height SDS, BMI SDS, WC SDS, %FM, and FMI; in children with normal birth weight, it was associated with BMI SDS, WC SDS, height SDS, and FFMI, but not with %FM or FMI. Effects of accelerated weight gain in early life on anthropometry and adiposity in adolescence varied in different growth windows. Accelerated weight gain during 6–18 months was associated with higher FM rather than linear growth. Effects of accelerated weight gain between 0 and 6 months varied with birth weight.

Salmonella enterica serovar Wangata (S. Wangata) is an important cause of endemic salmonellosis in Australia, with human infections occurring from undefined sources. This investigation sought to examine possible environmental and zoonotic sources for human infections with S. Wangata in north-eastern New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The investigation adopted a One Health approach and was comprised of three complimentary components: a case–control study examining human risk factors; environmental and animal sampling; and genomic analysis of human, animal and environmental isolates. Forty-eight human S. Wangata cases were interviewed during a 6-month period from November 2016 to April 2017, together with 55 Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) controls and 130 neighbourhood controls. Indirect contact with bats/flying foxes (S. Typhimurium controls (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–6.48)) (neighbourhood controls (aOR 8.33, 95% CI 2.58–26.83)), wild frogs (aOR 3.65, 95% CI 1.32–10.07) and wild birds (aOR 6.93, 95% CI 2.29–21.00) were statistically associated with illness in multivariable analyses. S. Wangata was detected in dog faeces, wildlife scats and a compost specimen collected from the outdoor environments of cases’ residences. In addition, S. Wangata was detected in the faeces of wild birds and sea turtles in the investigation area. Genomic analysis revealed that S. Wangata isolates were relatively clonal. Our findings suggest that S. Wangata is present in the environment and may have a reservoir in wildlife populations in north-eastern NSW. Further investigation is required to better understand the occurrence of Salmonella in wildlife groups and to identify possible transmission pathways for human infections.

In a gas turbine, ingestion of hot gas into the high-pressure turbine disc cavities could cause metal overheat. To prevent this, cool air is taken from the compressor and ejected through the cavities. However, this sealing flow also reduces the overall efficiency, and a compromise has to be found between the level of ingestion tolerated and the losses. Recent advances made in applying Computational Fluid Dynamics to such configurations are presented, with the aim of better understanding the physical phenomena and providing reliable design tools. First, results showing the pumping effect of the rotating disc are presented, including the influence of flow instabilities observed in both computational and experimental results. Second, the influence of the main annulus pressure asymmetries are analysed on a simplified representation of an available experiment, showing the combined influence of asymmetries generated by vanes and struts. Finally, a rim seal geometry representative of aero-engine design is studied in comparison to experiment, exhibiting the coupled influence of the cavity instabilities and annulus asymmetries.

This article explores the origins of youth engagement in school, community and democracy. Specifically, it considers the role of psychosocial or non-cognitive abilities, like grit or perseverance. Using a novel original large-scale longitudinal survey of students linked to school administrative records and a variety of modeling techniques – including sibling, twin and individual fixed effects – the study finds that psychosocial abilities are a strong predictor of youth civic engagement. Gritty students miss less class time and are more engaged in their schools, are more politically efficacious, are more likely to intend to vote when they become eligible, and volunteer more. Our work highlights the value of psychosocial attributes in the political socialization of young people.

Emeleusite (Li2Na4Fe2IIISi12O30) is an orthorhombic (pseudohexagonal) mineral occurring as euhedra within a facies of a peralkaline trachyte dyke. The composition is: SiO2 70·75; TiO2 0·55; ZrO2 0·10; Al2O3 1·34; Fe2O3 12·13; MgO 0·10; MnO 0·03; Na2O 11·98; Li2O 2·78:99·76. The density is 2·775 g/cm3 (calculated) and 2·76(7) g/cm3 (determined); hardness 5–6. It is colourless, transparent, and has a glassy lustre. Emeleusite is biaxial negative with 2Va, varying from near-zero to c. 30° r » v. The refractive indices are α 1·596; β 1·597; y 1·597; with α ∥ b; β ∥ a; y ∥ c. Emeleusite can occur as interpenetration triplets with {110} as twin planes. The space group is Acam or Aba2 with a = 10·073±0·002 Å; b = 17·350±0·005 Å and c = 14·010±0·005 Å. Z = 4. Prominent powder diffraction lines are 7·001(5) 002, 4·352(10) 220, 040, 3·501(7) 004, 3·209(8) 311, and 3·090(7) 124. While the structure is as yet unknown it is suggested that it is an orthorhombic associate of the milarite group.

Recent findings highlight that there are prenatal risks for affective disorders that are mediated by glucocorticoid mechanisms, and may be specific to females. There is also evidence of sex differences in prenatal programming mechanisms and developmental psychopathology, whereby effects are in opposite directions in males and females. As birth weight is a risk for affective disorders, we sought to investigate whether maternal prenatal cortisol may have sex-specific effects on fetal growth. Participants were 241 mothers selected from the Wirral Child Health and Development Study (WCHADS) cohort (n=1233) using a psychosocial risk stratifier, so that responses could be weighted back to the general population. Mothers provided saliva samples, which were assayed for cortisol, at home over 2 days at 32 weeks gestation (on waking, 30-min post-waking and during the evening). Measures of infant birth weight (corrected for gestational age) were taken from hospital records. General population estimates of associations between variables were obtained using inverse probability weights. Maternal log of the area under the curve cortisol predicted infant birth weight in a sex-dependent manner (interaction term P=0.029). There was a positive and statistically significant association between prenatal cortisol in males, and a negative association in females that was not statistically significant. A sex interaction in the same direction was evident when using the waking (P=0.015), and 30-min post-waking (P=0.013) cortisol, but not the evening measure. There was no interaction between prenatal cortisol and sex to predict gestational age. Our findings add to an emerging literature that suggests that there may be sex-specific mechanisms that underpin fetal programming.

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) was controlled most effectively when glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] was applied as a foliar spray to blooming field bindweed. This control resulted in significant yield increases of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Earlier growth stage treatments were less effective. Dicamba (3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid), used similarly, controlled field bindweed but caused injury to the following wheat crop. Preharvest treatments of glyphosate in wheat aided harvesting operations and controlled the perennial field bindweed through the summer. Several dinitroaniline herbicides applied as a subsurface layer (SSL), controlled field bindweed for more than 8 months after treatment. However, these treatments caused visible injury and affected the yield of the first crop of wheat but had little effect on a second crop. Dicamba applied SSL at lower rates resulted in excellent field bindweed control.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yields were not influenced by weeds that were removed within 3 weeks after planting and each week thereafter, but a yield reduction did occur when weeds were not removed until 4 to 8 weeks after planting. Peanuts kept weed free at least 6 weeks after planting showed no yield loss due to competition from weeds emerging later. As weed competition increases, peanut seed yield, forage yield, and soil moisture content decreases.

A large sample of excellently preserved ammonites from concretions concentrated at a single horizon near the base of the Macdougall Point Member of the Christopher Formation (Aptian–Albian age; Early Cretaceous) is the basis for recognizing a new species of the boreal ammonite genus Pseudogastroplites (P. draconensis). The dimorphic nature of the genus is established, two variants are recognized (P. draconensis var. robusta and P. draconensis var. gracile), and the generic diagnosis is emended. Retention of the genus Pseudogastroplites Jeletzky, 1980 as distinct from Gastroplites McLearn, 1930 is proposed. The concretions also yield Pseudopulchellia flexicostata (Imlay, 1961), inoceramid bivalves, fish remains, and a palynological flora, and are dated as late middle Albian.

Protohistoric Ancestral Apache Dismal River groups (A.D. 1600–1750) participated in large exchange networks linking them to other peoples on the Plains and U.S. Southwest. Ceramic vessels made from micaceous materials appear at many Dismal River sites, and micaceous pottery recovered from the Central High Plains is typically seen as evidence for interaction with northern Rio Grande pueblos. However, few mineral or chemical characterization analyses have been conducted on these ceramics, and the term “micaceous” has been applied to a broad range of vessel types regardless of the form, size, or amount of mica in their pastes. Our recent analyses, including macroscopic evaluation combined with petrography and neutron activation analyses (NAA), indicate that only a small subset of Dismal River sherds are derived from New Mexico clays. The rest were likely manufactured using materials from Colorado and Wyoming. Seasonal mobility patterns may have given Dismal River potters the opportunity to collect mica raw materials as they traveled between the Central Plains and Front Range, and this has implications for the importance of internal Plains social networks during the Protohistoric and Historic periods.

To determine if total lifetime physical activity (PA) is associated with better cognitive functioning with aging and if cerebrovascular function mediates this association. A sample of 226 (52.2% female) community dwelling middle-aged and older adults (66.5±6.4 years) in the Brain in Motion Study, completed the Lifetime Total Physical Activity Questionnaire and underwent neuropsychological and cerebrovascular blood flow testing. Multiple robust linear regressions were used to model the associations between lifetime PA and global cognition after adjusting for age, sex, North American Adult Reading Test results (i.e., an estimate of premorbid intellectual ability), maximal aerobic capacity, body mass index and interactions between age, sex, and lifetime PA. Mediation analysis assessed the effect of cerebrovascular measures on the association between lifetime PA and global cognition. Post hoc analyses assessed past year PA and current fitness levels relation to global cognition and cerebrovascular measures. Better global cognitive performance was associated with higher lifetime PA (p=.045), recreational PA (p=.021), and vigorous intensity PA (p=.004), PA between the ages of 0 and 20 years (p=.036), and between the ages of 21 and 35 years (p<.0001). Cerebrovascular measures did not mediate the association between PA and global cognition scores (p>.5), but partially mediated the relation between current fitness and global cognition. This study revealed significant associations between higher levels of PA (i.e., total lifetime, recreational, vigorous PA, and past year) and better cognitive function in later life. Current fitness levels relation to cognitive function may be partially mediated through current cerebrovascular function. (JINS, 2015, 21, 816–830)