Decadal migration phenology of a long-lived Arctic icon keeps pace with climate change.

Animals migrate in response to seasonal environments, to reproduce, to benefit from resource pulses, or to avoid fluctuating hazards. Although climate change is predicted to modify migration, only a few studies to date have demonstrated phenological shifts in marine mammals. In the Arctic, marine mammals are considered among the most sensitive to ongoing climate change due to their narrow habitat preferences and long life spans. Longevity may prove an obstacle for species to evolutionarily respond. For species that exhibit high site fidelity and strong associations with migration routes, adjusting the timing of migration is one of the few recourses available to respond to a changing climate. Here, we demonstrate evidence of significant delays in the timing of narwhal autumn migrations with satellite tracking data spanning 21 y from the Canadian Arctic. Measures of migration phenology varied annually and were explained by sex and climate drivers associated with ice conditions, suggesting that narwhals are adopting strategic migration tactics. Male narwhals were found to lead the migration out of the summering areas, while females, potentially with dependent young, departed later. Narwhals are remaining longer in their summer areas at a rate of 10 d per decade, a similar rate to that observed for climate-driven sea ice loss across the region. The consequences of altered space use and timing have yet to be evaluated but will expose individuals to increasing natural changes and anthropogenic activities on the summering areas.

Pregnancy, cardiovascular health, and microchimerism.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an updated review of scientific literature concerning associations between pregnancy and cardiovascular health among women, and to discuss a possible impact of microchimerism on the association. RECENT FINDINGS: In most studies, pregnancy and childbirth is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women. Some ascribe the association mainly to lifestyle, whereas others suggest that pregnancy itself negatively affects women's cardiovascular health. Pregnancy is a natural source of microchimerism, which in turn markedly affects female health. The only study published in the area surprisingly shows that among middle-aged women, male-origin microchimerism (MOM) is associated with half the risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD). No similar association is found between MOM and ischemic stroke. SUMMARY: The sparse evidence published suggests reduced risk of developing IHD among MOM-positive women. Despite the association being biologically plausible, replication of the findings is warranted to support that this is not a chance finding.

xrdPlanner: exploring area detector geometries for powder diffraction and total scattering experiments.

xrdPlanner is a software package designed to aid in the planning and preparation of powder X-ray diffraction and total scattering beam times at synchrotron facilities. Many modern beamlines provide a flexible experimental setup and may have several different detectors available. In combination with a range of available X-ray energies, it often makes it difficult for the user to explore the available parameter space relevant for a given experiment prior to the scheduled beam time. xrdPlanner was developed to provide a fast and straightforward tool that allows users to visualize the accessible part of reciprocal space of their experiment at a given combination of photon energy and detector geometry. To plan and communicate the necessary geometry not only saves time but also helps the beamline staff to prepare and accommodate for an experiment. The program is tailored toward powder X-ray diffraction and total scattering experiments but may also be useful for other experiments that rely on an area detector and for which detector placement and achievable momentum-transfer range are important experimental parameters.

Population genomics of the muskox' resilience in the near absence of genetic variation.

Genomic studies of species threatened by extinction are providing crucial information about evolutionary mechanisms and genetic consequences of population declines and bottlenecks. However, to understand how species avoid the extinction vortex, insights can be drawn by studying species that thrive despite past declines. Here, we studied the population genomics of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), an Ice Age relict that was at the brink of extinction for thousands of years at the end of the Pleistocene yet appears to be thriving today. We analysed 108 whole genomes, including present-day individuals representing the current native range of both muskox subspecies, the white-faced and the barren-ground muskox (O. moschatus wardi and O. moschatus moschatus) and a ~21,000-year-old ancient individual from Siberia. We found that the muskox' demographic history was profoundly shaped by past climate changes and post-glacial re-colonizations. In particular, the white-faced muskox has the lowest genome-wide heterozygosity recorded in an ungulate. Yet, there is no evidence of inbreeding depression in native muskox populations. We hypothesize that this can be explained by the effect of long-term gradual population declines that allowed for purging of strongly deleterious mutations. This study provides insights into how species with a history of population bottlenecks, small population sizes and low genetic diversity survive against all odds.

Exploration of anion effects in solvothermal synthesis using in situ X-ray diffraction.

Solvothermal synthesis presents a facile and highly flexible approach to chemical processing and it is widely used for preparation of micro- and nanosized inorganic materials. The large number of synthesis parameters in combination with the richness of inorganic chemistry means that it is difficult to predict or design synthesis outcomes, and it is demanding to uncover the effect of different parameters due to the sealed and complex nature of solvothermal reactors along with the time demands related to reactor cleaning, sample purification, and characterization. This study explores the effect on formation of crystalline products of six common anions in solvothermal treatment of aqueous and ethanolic precursors. Three different cations are included in the study (Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+) representing chemical affinities towards different regions of the periodic table with respect to the hard soft acid base (HSAB) classification and the Goldschmidt classification. They additionally belong to the commonly used 3d transition metals and display a suitable variety in solvothermal chemistry to highlight anion effects. The results of the solvothermal in situ experiments demonstrate a clear effect of the precursor anions, with respect to whether crystallization occurs or not and the characteristics of the formed phases. Additionally, some of the anions are shown to be redox active and to influence the formation temperature of certain phases which in turn relates to the observed average crystallite sizes.

Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) echolocation click rates to support cue counting passive acoustic density estimation.

Estimating animal abundance is fundamental for effective management and conservation. It is increasingly done by combining passive acoustics with knowledge about rates at which animals produce cues (cue rates). Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are elusive marine mammals for which passive acoustic density estimation might be plausible, but for which cue rates are lacking. Clicking rates in narwhals were investigated using a dataset from sound and movement tag records collected in August 2013-2016 and 2019 in East Greenland. Clicking rates were quantified for ∼1200 one-second-long systematic random samples from 8 different whales. Generalized additive models were used to model (1) the probability of being in a clicking state versus depth and (2) the clicking rate while in a clicking state, versus time and depth. The probability of being in a clicking state increased with depth, reaching ∼1.0 at ∼500 m, while the number of clicks per second (while in a clicking state) increased with depth. The mean cue production rate, weighted by tag duration, was 1.28 clicks per second (se = 0.13, CV = 0.10). This first cue rate for narwhals may be used for cue counting density estimation, but care should be taken if applying it to other geographical areas or seasons, given sample size, geographical, and temporal limitations.

Childcare attendance and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A register study based on the Danish childcare database.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is suggested to result from a dysregulated immune response to infections in children with a preleukaemic state. Childcare in early life supposedly may protect against childhood ALL by facilitating sufficient exposure to infections to stimulate and ensure normal maturation of the immune system. We assessed the association between childcare attendance before age 2 years and risk of childhood ALL in a register-based cohort study, including all children aged 2 to 14 years born in Denmark during 1991 to 2014 with available childcare information recorded in the Danish Childcare Database (n = 1 116 185). Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) comparing children enrolled in childcare and children not enrolled before age 2 years. Further, we assessed the association according to age at enrolment, type of childcare facility and specific ALL subtypes. During 10 460 811 person-years of follow-up, 460 children developed ALL at ages 2 to 14 years. Of these, 57 (12.4%) never attended childcare before age 2 years compared with 10.6% in the total cohort. Compared with homecare, childcare attendance before age 2 years was associated with a statistically non-significantly, marginally decreased risk of childhood ALL with adjusted HR = 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-1.16). Risk estimates did neither vary statistically significantly by age at enrolment nor by type of childcare facility and also not between childhood ALL subtypes, including frequently prenatally initiated ALL subtypes. Results from this large, nationwide register-based study provided no evidence that childcare attendance in the first years of life protects against childhood ALL.

Beam damage in operando X-ray diffraction studies of Li-ion batteries.

Operando powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is a widely employed method for the investigation of structural evolution and phase transitions in electrodes for rechargeable batteries. Due to the advantages of high brilliance and high X-ray energies, the experiments are often carried out at synchrotron facilities. It is known that the X-ray exposure can cause beam damage in the battery cell, resulting in hindrance of the electrochemical reaction. This study investigates the extent of X-ray beam damage during operando PXRD synchrotron experiments on battery materials with varying X-ray energies, amount of X-ray exposure and battery cell chemistries. Battery cells were exposed to 15, 25 or 35 keV X-rays (with varying dose) during charge or discharge in a battery test cell specially designed for operando experiments. The observed beam damage was probed by µPXRD mapping of the electrodes recovered from the operando battery cell after charge/discharge. The investigation reveals that the beam damage depends strongly on both the X-ray energy and the amount of exposure, and that it also depends strongly on the cell chemistry, i.e. the chemical composition of the electrode.

A regime shift in the Southeast Greenland marine ecosystem.

Two major oceanographic changes have recently propagated through several trophic levels in coastal areas of Southeast Greenland (SEG). Firstly, the amount of drift-ice exported from the Fram Strait and transported with the East Greenland Current (EGC) has decreased significantly over the past two decades, and a main tipping element (summer sea ice) has virtually disappeared since 2003 leading to a regime shift in oceanographic and ecological conditions in the region. The following 20-year period with low or no coastal sea ice is unique in the 200-year history of ice observations in the region, and the regime shift is also obvious in the volume of ice export through the Fram Strait after 2013. In the same period, the temperature of the EGC south of 73.5 N has increased significantly (>2°C) since 1980. Secondly, the warm Irminger Current, which advects warm, saline Atlantic Water into the region, has become warmer since 1990. The lack of pack ice in summer together with a warming ocean generated cascading effects on the ecosystem in SEG that are manifested in a changed fish fauna with an influx of boreal species in the south and the subarctic capelin further north. At higher trophic levels there has been an increase in the abundance of several boreal cetaceans (humpback, fin, killer, and pilot whales and dolphins) that are either new to this area or occur in historically large numbers. It is estimated that the new cetacean species in SEG are responsible for an annual predation level of 700,000 tons of fish. In addition, predation on krill species is estimated at >1,500,000 tons mainly consumed by fin whales. Simultaneously, there has been a reduction in the abundance and catches of narwhals and walruses in SEG and it is suggested that these species have been impacted by the habitat changes.

Strange attractor of a narwhal (Monodon monoceros).

Detecting structures within the continuous diving behavior of marine animals is challenging, and no universal framework is available. We captured such diverse structures using chaos theory. By applying time-delay embedding to exceptionally long dive records (83 d) from the narwhal, we reconstructed the state-space portrait. Using measures of chaos, we detected a diurnal pattern and its seasonal modulation, classified data, and found how sea-ice appearance shifts time budgets. There is more near-surface rest but deeper dives at solar noon, and more intense diving during twilight and at night but to shallower depths (likely following squid); sea-ice appearance reduces rest. The introduced geometrical approach is simple to implement and potentially helpful for mapping and labeling long-term behavioral data, identifying differences between individual animals and species, and detecting perturbations.

Correction: Understanding narwhal diving behaviour using Hidden Markov Models with dependent state distributions and long range dependence.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006425.].

Extremely low seasonal prey capture efficiency in a deep-diving whale, the narwhal.

Successful foraging is essential for individuals to maintain the positive energy balance required for survival and reproduction. Yet, prey capture efficiency is poorly documented in marine apex predators, especially deep-diving mammals. We deployed acoustic tags and stomach temperature pills in summer to collect concurrent information on presumed foraging activity (through buzz detection) and successful prey captures (through drops in stomach temperature), providing estimates of feeding efficiency in narwhals. Compared to the daily number of buzzes (707 ± 368), the daily rate of feeding events was particularly low in summer (19.8 ± 8.9) and only 8-14% of the foraging dives were successful (i.e. with a detectable prey capture). This extremely low success rate resulted in a very low daily food consumption rate (less than 0.5% of body mass), suggesting that narwhals rely on body reserves accumulated in winter to sustain year-round activities. The expected changes or disappearance of their wintering habitats in response to climate change may therefore have severe fitness consequences for narwhal populations.

Control of H-Related Defects in γ-MnO2 in a Hydrothermal Synthesis.

Manganese dioxide is a good candidate for effective energy storage and conversion as it possesses rich electrochemistry. The compound also shows a wide polymorphism. The γ-variety, an intergrowth of ß- and R-MnO2, has been extensively studied in several types of batteries (e.g., Zn/MnO2, Li-ion) and is a common electrode material for commercial batteries. It is well known that the insertion of protons thermodynamically stabilizes γ-MnO2 with respect to ß-MnO2. Protons can enter the structure either by forming groups of 4 hydroxyls around a Mn4+ vacancy, called a Ruetschi defect, or by forming a hydroxyl group near a Mn3+ ion, called a Coleman defect. These defects differently affect the electrochemistry of manganese oxide, and tailoring their amount in the structure can be used to tune the material properties. Previous studies have addressed the proton insertion process, but the role of the synthesis pathway on the amount of defects created is not well understood. We here investigate how the parameters in a hydrothermal synthesis of γ-MnO2 nanoparticles influence the amount and type of H-related defects. Structural investigations are carried out using Pair Distribution Function analysis, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and inelastic neutron scattering. We demonstrate the possibility to control the amount and type of defects introduced during the synthesis. While the amount of Ruetschi defects increases with synthesis temperature, it decreases with extended synthesis time, along with the amount of Coleman defects. Moreover, we discuss the arrangement of the defects in the γ-MnO2 nanoparticles.

Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction With Breast Augmentation: A BREAST-Q Effect of Magnitude Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation is one of the most performed cosmetic surgeries. Despite this, patient satisfaction following breast augmentation is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate what patient and surgical factors influence patient satisfaction following primary breast augmentation. METHODS: The BREAST-Q Augmentation module was sent to all females undergoing primary breast augmentation at a single private clinic (Amalieklinikken, Copenhagen, Denmark) between 2012 and 2019. Patient and surgical characteristics at the time of surgery were obtained from the patients' medical records, and data on factors that occurred after the surgery (eg, breastfeeding) were obtained by patient contact. Multivariate linear regression modeled the impact of these factors on BREAST-Q outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 554 females with a mean follow-up time of 5 years after primary breast augmentation were included in this study. Implant type and volume did not affect patient satisfaction. However, higher patient age was associated with significantly higher postoperative patient satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being (P < .05). Conversely, higher patient BMI, postoperative weight gain, and breastfeeding were associated with significantly lower satisfaction (P < .05). Additionally, subglandular implant placement was associated with significantly lower satisfaction than submuscular implant placement (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Implant type and volume did not affect patient satisfaction with breast augmentation. However, young age, higher BMI, subglandular implant placement, and postoperative weight gain were associated with lower patient satisfaction. These factors should be considered when aligning outcome expectations with breast augmentation.

Strong and lasting impacts of past global warming on baleen whales and their prey.

Global warming is affecting the population dynamics and trophic interactions across a wide range of ecosystems and habitats. Translating these real-time effects into their long-term consequences remains a challenge. The rapid and extreme warming period that occurred after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition (7-12 thousand years ago) provides an opportunity to gain insights into the long-term responses of natural populations to periods with global warming. The effects of this post-LGM warming period have been assessed in many terrestrial taxa, whereas insights into the impacts of rapid global warming on marine taxa remain limited, especially for megafauna. In order to understand how large-scale climate fluctuations during the post-LGM affected baleen whales and their prey, we conducted an extensive, large-scale analysis of the long-term effects of the post-LGM warming on abundance and inter-ocean connectivity in eight baleen whale and seven prey (fish and invertebrates) species across the Southern and the North Atlantic Ocean; two ocean basins that differ in key oceanographic features. The analysis was based upon 7032 mitochondrial DNA sequences as well as genome-wide DNA sequence variation in 100 individuals. The estimated temporal changes in genetic diversity during the last 30,000 years indicated that most baleen whale populations underwent post-LGM expansions in both ocean basins. The increase in baleen whale abundance during the Holocene was associated with simultaneous changes in their prey and climate. Highly correlated, synchronized and exponential increases in abundance in both baleen whales and their prey in the Southern Ocean were indicative of a dramatic increase in ocean productivity. In contrast, the demographic fluctuations observed in baleen whales and their prey in the North Atlantic Ocean were subtle, varying across taxa and time. Perhaps most important was the observation that the ocean-wide expansions and decreases in abundance that were initiated by the post-LGM global warming, continued for millennia after global temperatures stabilized, reflecting persistent, long-lasting impacts of global warming on marine fauna.

A Local Atomic Mechanism for Monoclinic-Tetragonal Phase Boundary Creation in Li-Doped Na0.5K0.5NbO3 Ferroelectric Solid Solution.

ABO3 perovskites display a wide range of phase transitions, which are driven by A/B-site centered polyhedral distortions and/or BO6 octahedral tilting. Since heterogeneous substitutions at the A/B-site can locally alter both polyhedral distortions and/or tilting, they are often used to create phase boundary regions in solid solutions of ABO3, where the functional properties are highly enhanced. However, the relationships between doping-induced atomistic structural changes and the creation of phase boundaries are not always clear. One prominent example of this is the Li-doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNNL), which is considered a promising alternative to traditional Pb-based ferroelectrics. Although the electromechanical properties of KNNL are enhanced for compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), the atomistic mechanism for phase transitions is not well understood. Here, we combined neutron total scattering experiments and density functional theory to investigate the long-range average and short-range (∼10 Å) structural changes in KNNL. We show that the average monoclinic-to-tetragonal (M-T) transition across the MPB in KNNL can be described as an order-disorder-type change, which is driven by competition between a longer-range polarization field of monoclinic structural units and local distortions of the disordered AO12 polyhedra. The current study demonstrates a way to clarify dopant-induced local distortions near phase boundaries in complex solid solution systems, which will be important for the rational design of new environmentally sustainable ferroelectrics.

Effect of Local Structural Distortions on Antiferroelectric-Ferroelectric Phase Transition in Dilute Solid Solutions of KxNa1-xNbO3.

The fundamental principles that govern antiferroelectric (AFE)-ferroelectric (FE) transitions are not well understood for many solid solutions of perovskite compounds. For example, crystal chemical considerations based on the average Goldschmidt tolerance factor or ionic polarizability do not precisely predict the boundary between the AFE and FE phases in dilute solid solutions of alkali niobates, such as KxNa1-xNbO3 (x ≤ 0.02). Here, based on detailed structural analysis from neutron total scattering experiments, we provide insights about how the relative local distortions around the A- and B-sites of the ABO3 perovskite structure affect the AFE/FE order of the average crystallographic phases in KxNa1-xNbO3. We show that a higher (lower) ratio of B-site-centered distortions over A-site-centered distortions drives transition toward a long-range FE (AFE) phase, which is based on a competition between the long-range polarizing field of the Nb-O dipoles and the disordering effect of local distortions around the A-site. Our study provides a predictive tool for designing complex solid-solution perovskites with tunable (anti)ferroelectric polarization properties, which can be of interest for various energy-related applications such as high-density energy storage and solid-state cooling.

Anthropogenic and Climatic Drivers of Long-Term Changes of Mercury and Feeding Ecology in Arctic Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) Populations.

We assessed long-term changes in the feeding ecology and mercury (Hg) accumulation in Eastern High Arctic-Baffin Bay beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) using total Hg and stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) assays in teeth samples from historical (1854-1905) and modern (1985-2000) populations. Mean δ13C values in teeth declined significantly over time, from -13.01 ± 0.55‰ historically to -14.41 ± 0.28‰ in 2000, while no consistent pattern was evident for δ15N due to high individual variability within each period. The temporal shift in isotopic niche is consistent with beluga feeding ecology changing in recent decades to a more pelagic and less isotopically diverse diet or an ecosystem wide change in isotope profiles. Mercury concentrations in modern beluga teeth were 3-5 times higher on average than those in historical beluga. These results are similar to the long-term trends of Hg and feeding ecology reported in other beluga populations and in other Arctic marine predators. Similar feeding ecology shifts across regions and species indicate a consistent increased pelagic diet response to climate change as the Arctic Ocean progressively warmed and lost sea ice. Previously, significant temporal Hg increase in beluga and other Arctic animals was attributed solely to direct inputs of anthropogenic Hg from long-range sources. Recent advances in understanding the Arctic marine Hg cycle suggest an additional, complementary possibility─increased inputs of terrestrial Hg of mixed anthropogenic-natural origin, mobilized from permafrost and other Arctic soils by climate warming. At present, it is not possible to assign relative importance to the two processes in explaining the rise of Hg concentrations in modern Arctic marine predators.

Patients Decision-Making Characteristics Affects Gynecomastia Treatment Satisfaction: A Multicenter Study Using the BODY-Q Chest Module.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is the most critical outcome in gynecomastia treatment. However, patient satisfaction may be affected by the patient's decision-making trait, such as exhaustively searching for the best outcome or being content with an outcome that satisfies a preconceived requirement. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether patient's decision-making characteristic affect their satisfaction with gynecomastia treatment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including patients treated for gynecomastia between January 2009 and December 2019 at two tertiary hospitals in Denmark. Alive patients were sent the BODY-Q: Chest module, the SF-36 questionnaire, and the Maximizer/Satisficer decision-making survey. Patients were classified as Maximizers if they scored more than 40 points on the Maximizer/Satisficer survey. Percentage score differences (PDs) in quality of life scales were calculated between Maximizers and Satisficers. RESULTS: In total, 192 gynecomastia patients were included in this study and classified as Maximizers (n = 152) or Satisficers (n = 40). Maximizers were younger and more had gynecomastia following abuse of anabolic steroids than Satisficers (p < 0.05). With respect to bodily satisfaction, Maximizers showed significantly worse satisfaction with nipples (PDs: - 12.98%), psychological function (PDs: - 13.68%) and social function (PDs: - 8.77%, p < 0.05). In addition, Maximizers had significantly worse emotional role functioning (- 11.03%), vitality (PDs: - 11.72%) and mental health (PDs: - 10.00%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients exhibiting maximizing-type decision-making characteristics have worse satisfaction with gynecomastia treatment and poorer psychosocial health. This information may facilitate patient counseling and alignment of treatment expectations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Impact of Male-Origin Microchimerism on Cardiovascular Disease in Women: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Increasing parity is associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in women. This is probably attributable to biological responses of pregnancy. Male cells of presumed fetal origin are commonly present in women years after pregnancy-a phenomenon termed male-origin microchimerism (MOM). In this study, we investigated whether MOM was associated with risk of IHD and ischemic stroke in women. We evaluated the association between MOM and ischemic events in a cohort of 766 Danish women enrolled in the Diet, Cancer and Health cohort during 1993-1997 when aged 50-64 years. Of these women, 545 (71.2%) tested positive for MOM through targeting of the Y chromosome (DYS14 DNA sequence) in their blood. Multiple Cox regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals. We found that MOM was associated with a significantly reduced rate of IHD (hazard ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.23, 0.83) but not ischemic stroke (hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.46, 1.41). Our findings show that microchimerism positivity is associated with a lower rate of later IHD development in women. Although the underlying mechanisms are presently unknown, MOM may be relevant in women's cardiovascular health. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.