Joint decision-making, technology adoption and food security: Evidence from rice varieties in eastern India.

This study investigates the effect of married couples' joint decision-making on rice variety selection on rice productivity-a measure of food security. The study uses the 2016 Rice Monitoring Survey and the endogenous switching regression (ESR) method. Results show that rice farms with joint decision-makers (husband and wife) would have higher yields, particularly in households that adopted MRVGen1 (before 1986) rice varieties. Thus, families with joint-decision making have higher food security. Intervention programs for food insecurity should acknowledge and incorporate information regarding the persons responsible for making rice varietal decisions and the characteristics of modern rice varieties to ensure food security.

Update on citric acid use in endodontic treatment: a systematic review.

This systematic review aims to analyse the available evidence concerning the use of citric acid (CA) in endodontics treatment and to assess its results in terms of different considerations: effect on smear layer removal, influence on sealer bond strength, activation effect by means of sonic or ultrasonic devices, effects on dentine surface, antibacterial activity, and effectiveness boost for regenerative procedures, releasing growth factors from dentin. To evaluate the results of CA as a final irrigant and compare them to other chelating agents. This review followed the PRISMA checklist. An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE (OVID), Scopus (Elsevier) and the Web of Science (Thomson Reuters) databases. Risk of bias of included studies was evaluated using the modified CONSORT checklist and the PRIRATE checklist 2020 guidelines. 39 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria to be included in this review: 27 in vitro studies using extracted human teeth, 10 in vitro studies using human dentin disks, and 2 RCT. Citric acid has proven to be effective in smear layer removal, showing better results in coronal and middle root thirds, improving its effect when combined with manual dynamic activation. There is no agreement regarding citric acid effect on sealer adhesion and adaptation to root canal walls due to heterogeneity within studies. Citric acid irrigation can decrease dentine microhardness and cause decalcification and erosion, especially when used before NaOCl. Citric acid has proven to be beneficial in regenerative endodontic procedures due to higher TGF-ß1 release.Trial registration: Prospero database CRD42021267055.

Primary afferent-driven presynaptic inhibition of C-fiber inputs to spinal lamina I neurons.

Presynaptic inhibition of primary afferent terminals is a powerful mechanism for controlling sensory information flow into the spinal cord. Lamina I is the major spinal nociceptive projecting area and monosynaptic input from C-fibers to this region represents a direct pathway for transmitting pain signals to supraspinal centers. Here we used an isolated spinal cord preparation to show that this pathway is under control of the afferent-driven GABAergic presynaptic inhibition. Presynaptic inhibition of C-fiber input to lamina I projection and local-circuit neurons is mediated by recruitment of Aß-, Aδ- and C-afferents. C-fiber-driven inhibition of C-fibers functions as a feedforward mechanism, by which the homotypic afferents control sensory information flow into the spinal cord and regulate degree of the primary nociceptive afferent activation needed to excite the second order neurons. The presynaptic inhibition of C-fiber input to lamina I neurons may be mediated by both synaptic and non-synaptic mechanisms, and its occurrence and extent are quite heterogeneous. This heterogeneity is likely to be reflective of involvement of lamina I neurons in diverse circuitries processing specific modalities of sensory information in the superficial dorsal horn. Thus, our results implicate both low- and high-threshold afferents in the modulation of C-fiber input into the spinal cord.

Multi-species okadaic acid contamination and human poisoning during a massive bloom of Dinophysis acuminata complex in southern Brazil.

On June 2016, a major bloom of Dinophysis acuminata complex was noticed over the coast of Paraná State (PR), southern Brazil, an area unprotected by any official monitoring program. Here we report the results of an extensive sampling effort that ultimately led PR authorities to issue the first State shellfish-harvesting ban due to multi-species okadaic acid (OA) contamination. During its peak, the bloom covered an area of 201 km2 (∼2.0-3.5 × 54.0 km), attaining unprecedentedly high cell densities along the shallow (<15 m) continental shelf (mean 2.2 × 105, maximum 2.1 × 106 cells L-1) and adjacent sandy beaches (mean 2.8 × 105, maximum 5.2 × 106 cells L-1). Only OA was detected in suspension (max. 188 ng L-1). Toxin levels measured in bivalves were several times greater than the regulatory limit of 160 ng g-1, reaching up to 3600 ng g-1 in Crassostrea gasar, by far the highest OA concentrations ever reported in oysters worldwide, 7700 ng g-1 in brown mussels, Perna perna, and lower levels in clams, Anomalocardia brasiliana, and mangrove mussels, Mytella spp. Nine cases of human intoxication were officially reported and five people were hospitalized with typical symptoms of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning linked to the consumption of contaminated bivalves. All bivalves quickly converted most of the OA into its esterified form, DTX-3, and eliminated the toxins only a few weeks following the bloom, with C. gasar being the slowest-detoxifying species. Lower OA levels were accumulated in zooplankton, gastropods and several novel toxin vectors, including benthic organisms such as sand dollars Mellita quinquiesperforata and the ghost-shrimp Callichirus major, which may act as a good indicator of the presence of toxins in sandy beaches, and pelagic fish species that can serve as potential alternative sources of OA to humans (Chaetodipterus faber and Mugil liza). Monitoring toxin contamination in seafood other than bivalves is thus recommended to ensure comprehensive human health protection during massive Dinophysis blooms. Additionally, since OA was also present at low concentrations in the liver of Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis and penguins Spheniscus magellanicus, exposure to biotoxins should be considered in conservation actions involving threatened and near-threatened marine organisms in this region.

Bright thermal (blackbody) emission of visible light from LnO2 (Ln = Pr, Tb), photoinduced by a NIR 980 nm laser.

The increasing demand for renewable energy has been promoting a rapid development of photovoltaic technologies. Given this, photoinduced thermal emission is being explored with the aim of improving solar cell performance by converting low-energy IR photons into visible light. Here, we report the light-induced blackbody emission from LnO2 (Ln = Pr and Tb) as a potential emitter for thermophotovoltaic applications. Lanthanide dioxides display broad IR absorption and a direct optical band gap of 1.49 (PrO2) and 1.51 eV (TbO2). These materials achieve a maximum temperature of ∼1500 K under a power density excitation of 160 W cm-2 and display a stable bright light emission. Thermal emission can be tuned from laser power density modulation.

Avoidance of accelerated aging in schizophrenia?: Clinical and biological characterization of an exceptionally high functioning individual.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and biological characteristics of an exceptionally high functioning index person (IP) with schizophrenia in her mid-50s, which may represent compensatory mechanisms, and potentially, avoidance of the accelerated aging typically associated with schizophrenia. METHOD: IP, 11 other women with schizophrenia, and 11 non-psychiatric comparison (NC) women were assessed with standard ratings of psychopathology, neurocognitive function, decisional capacity, and functional brain imaging. IP was also compared to a sample of demographically similar NCs (N=45) and persons with schizophrenia (N=42) on a set of blood-based biomarkers of aging related to metabolic function, oxidative stress, and inflammation. RESULTS: IP's scores on working memory, and levels of brain activation during an affective face matching task in the left fusiform, right lingual, and left precentral gyri, exceeded NCs. IP was similar to NCs in severity of negative symptoms, most neurocognitive functions, decisional capacity, and brain activation in the left inferior occipital gyrus during a selective stopping task. IP's levels on 11 of 14 metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers of aging were better than NCs and the schizophrenia group. CONCLUSION: Although speculative, results suggest a possible model in which superior working memory permits a person to be aware of the potentially psychotic nature of a thought or perception, and adjust response accordingly. Compensatory overactivity of brain regions during affective processing may also reflect heightened meta-awareness in emotional situations. Biomarker levels raise the possibility that IP partially avoided the accelerated biological aging associated with schizophrenia.

Multimedia Aided Consent for Alzheimer's Disease Research.

OBJECTIVES: Optimizing the research consent process simultaneously fosters respect for autonomy and protection of those with diminished capacity for autonomy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an enhanced research consent procedure, employing multimedia disclosure and corrective feedback, in improving decisional capacity among 114 people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 134 non-psychiatric comparison (NC) subjects. METHODS: Participants were randomized to consent type (routine versus enhanced) and protocol type (lower versus higher risk). Outcomes included a 5-item questionnaire assessing immediate comprehension, MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Clinical Research assessing four components of decision-making capacity, and categorical decisional capacity (based on a cut-score established in reference to expert judgments for a subset of participants). RESULTS: There was no significant effect of the enhanced consent procedure, relative to routine consent, on immediate comprehension or decisional capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Multimedia tools do not appear to be the solution to better consent for AD research. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Given the ethical primacy of informed consent and issues of justice for impaired populations who might be harmed by an absence of research-based treatment advances, continued search for ways to more meaningfully engage people with AD in the consent or assent process is warranted.

Determinants of Capacity to Consent to Research on Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Investigators conducting Alzheimer's disease (AD) research need to consider participants' capacity to consent. Cognitive functioning is a significant predictor of decisional capacity, but there is a dearth of information on the influence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD on decisional capacity. We examined the rates of decisional capacity associated with two types of research protocols, and the association of capacity with neuropsychiatric symptoms and other participant characteristics. METHODS: We comprehensively evaluated decisional capacity among 64 patients with mild-to-moderate AD and 70 healthy comparison (HC) subjects randomized to consider either a medium risk or higher risk hypothetical research protocol. Additional measures included sociodemographics, cognitive deficits, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. RESULTS: Twenty AD patients (31.3%) and 67 HCs (95.7%) were deemed capable; 44 AD patients (68.8%) and 3 HCs (4.3%) incapable of consent. Age, education, and severity of cognitive deficits were associated with incapable status; there were no significant associations with severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms or protocol risk level. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of understanding of capacity and its assessment among people with AD, rather than treating AD diagnosis as synonymous with impaired capacity. As novel treatments move from bench to bedside, methods of assessing and addressing capacity impairment must similarly advance. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In assessing research consent capacity, use structured assessments with population specific cut scores interpreted in the context of the person's background including education, culture, and language. Individuals should be encouraged to execute research proxy documents when able.

Neurons in the lateral part of the lumbar spinal cord show distinct novel axon trajectories and are excited by short propriospinal ascending inputs.

The role of spinal dorsal horn propriospinal connections in nociceptive processing is not yet established. Recently described, rostrocaudally oriented axon collaterals of lamina I projection and local-circuit neurons (PNs and LCNs) running in the dorsolateral funiculus (DLF) may serve as the anatomical substrate for intersegmental processing. Putative targets of these axons include lateral dendrites of superficial dorsal horn neurons, including PNs, and also neurons in the lateral spinal nucleus (LSN) that are thought to be important integrator units receiving, among others, visceral sensory information. Here we used an intact spinal cord preparation to study intersegmental connections within the lateral part of the superficial dorsal horn. We detected brief monosynaptic and prolonged polysynaptic excitation of lamina I and LSN neurons when stimulating individual dorsal horn neurons located caudally, even in neighboring spinal cord segments. These connections, however, were infrequent. We also revealed that some projection neurons outside the dorsal grey matter and in the LSN have distinct, previously undescribed course of their projection axon. Our findings indicate that axon collaterals of lamina I PNs and LCNs in the DLF rarely form functional connections with other lamina I and LSN neurons and that the majority of their targets are on other elements of the dorsal horn. The unique axon trajectories of neurons in the dorsolateral aspect of the spinal cord, including the LSN do not fit our present understanding of midline axon guidance and suggest that their function and development differ from the neurons inside lamina I. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the connectivity matrix of the superficial dorsal horn in order to decipher spinal sensory information processing.

Genetic differentiation in the populations of red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (1860) (Characiformes: Serrasalminae), from the river basins of northeastern Brazil.

The red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, is an important resource for artisanal and commercial fisheries. The present study determines the genetic differentiation among P. nattereri populations from the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão. The DNA was isolated using a standard phenol-chloroform protocol and the Control Region was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were sequenced using the didesoxyterminal method. A sequence of 1039 bps was obtained from the Control Region of 60 specimens, which presented 33 polymorphic sites, 41 haplotypes, Ò» =0.978 and π =0.009. The neutrality tests (D and Fs) were significant (P < 0.05) for most of the populations analyzed. The AMOVA indicated that most of the molecular variation (72%) arises between groups. The fixation index was highly significant (FST = 0.707, P < 0.00001). The phylogenetic analyses indicated that the specimens represented a monophyletic group. Genetic distances between populations varied from 0.8% to 1.9%, and were <0.5% within populations. The degree of genetic differentiation found among the stocks of P. nattereri indicates the need for the development of independent management plans for the different river basins in order to preserve the genetic variability of their populations.

Genetic differentiation in the populations of red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (1860) (Characiformes: Serrasalminae), from the river basins of northeastern Brazil / Diferenciação genética em populações da piranha vermelha, Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (1860) (Characiformes: Serrasalminae), em bacias hidrográficas do nordeste do Brasil

Abstract The red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, is an important resource for artisanal and commercial fisheries. The present study determines the genetic differentiation among P. nattereri populations from the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão. The DNA was isolated using a standard phenol-chloroform protocol and the Control Region was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were sequenced using the didesoxyterminal method. A sequence of 1039 bps was obtained from the Control Region of 60 specimens, which presented 33 polymorphic sites, 41 haplotypes, һ =0.978 and π =0.009. The neutrality tests (D and Fs) were significant (P < 0.05) for most of the populations analyzed. The AMOVA indicated that most of the molecular variation (72%) arises between groups. The fixation index was highly significant (FST = 0.707, P < 0.00001). The phylogenetic analyses indicated that the specimens represented a monophyletic group. Genetic distances between populations varied from 0.8% to 1.9%, and were <0.5% within populations. The degree of genetic differentiation found among the stocks of P. nattereri indicates the need for the development of independent management plans for the different river basins in order to preserve the genetic variability of their populations.

Resumo A piranha vermelha, Pygocentrus nattereri, é um recurso importante para pesca artesanal e comercial. O presente estudo determinou a diferenciação genética entre populações de P. nattereri no nordeste do estado brasileiro do Maranhão. O DNA foi isolado utilizando o protocolo de Fenol-clorofórmio e a Região Controle foi amplificada por PCR. Os produtos da PCR foram sequenciados usando o método didesoxiterminal. Uma sequência de 1039 pbs foi obtida da Região Controle de 60 espécimes, que apresentaram 33 sítios polimórficos, 41 haplótipos, һ= 0.978 e π= 0.009. Os testes de neutralidade (D and Fs) foram significativos (P < 0.05) para a maioria das populações analisadas. A AMOVA indicou que a maior parte da variação molecular (72%) surge entre os grupos. O índice de fixação foi altamente significativo (FST = 0.707, P = < 0.00001). As análises filogenéticas indicaram que os espécimes representam um grupo monofilético. Distâncias genéticas entre as populações variaram de 0.8% a 1.9%, e de <0.5% dentro das populações. O grau de diferenciação genética encontrada entre os estoques de P. nattereri indicam a necessidade para o desenvolvimento de planos de manejo independentes para as diferentes bacias hidrográficas, a fim de preservar a variabilidade genética dessas populações.

Nitrogen starvation for lipid accumulation in the microalga species Desmodesmus sp.

Recently, to obtain lipids from microalgae has been the object of extensive research, since it is viewed as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production, especially when compared with crops such as soybean and sunflower, in terms of theoretical performance. The reduction of nutrient availability in culture media, especially nitrogen, stresses the microorganisms and affects cell growth, thus inducing lipid accumulation. This is an interesting step in biodiesel feedstock obtention from microalgae and should be better understood. In this study, four levels of nitrogen concentration in the BG-11 culture medium were evaluated in the growth of the chlorophycean microalga Desmodesmus sp. Both cell growth and lipid content were monitored over 7 days of cultivation, which yielded a final cell density of 33 × 10(6) cells mL(-1) with an initial NaNO3 concentration of 750 mg L(-1) in the medium and a maximum lipid content of 23 % with total nitrogen starvation. It was observed that the microalgae presented high lipid accumulation in the fourth day of cultivation with nitrogen starvation, although with moderate cell growth.

Reproducibility of peak power output during a 10-s cycling maximal effort using different sampling rates.

The study was aimed to investigate the reproducibility of performance parameters obtained from 10-s maximal cycling effort against different braking forces in young adult athletes. The sample (n = 48) included male athletes aged 18.9-29.9 years (175.5 ± 6.9 cm, 76.2 ± 10.1 kg). The exercise protocol was performed in a cycle-ergometer against a random braking force (4% to 11% of body mass). Intra-individual variation was examined from repeated tests within one week. Descriptive statistics were computed and differences between sessions were tested using paired t-test. The coefficient of correlation between repeated measures, technical error of measurement (TEM), coefficient of variation and ICC were calculated. Agreement between trials was examined using the Bland-Altman procedure. Mean values of peak power were relatively stable when obtained from sampling rates of 50 Hz and ranged between 1068 watt and 1082 watt (t(47) = 1.149, p = 0.256, ES-r = 0.165) or while corresponding to a sampling rate of 1 Hz (t(47) = 0.742, p = 0.462, ES-r = 0.107). Correlations between repeated measures were high (+0.907, 95% CI: +0.839 to +0.947) and TEM about 59.3 watt (%CV = 5.52%; ICC = 0.951, 95% CI: 0.912 to 0.972). The present study suggests that reproducibility of peak power in male adult athletes tended to be acceptable and within individual error appeared unrelated to braking force.

Population structure and genetic diversity in natural populations of Theobroma speciosum Willd. Ex Spreng (Malvaceae).

The genus Theobroma found in the Amazon region is composed of 22 species, including Theobroma speciosum, better known as cacauí. These species are constantly threatened by forest fragmentation caused by human activities and require conservation strategies and management aimed at preserving them in their natural environments. The main objective of this study was to analyze the population structure and genetic diversity within and between natural populations of T. speciosum by using ISSR molecular markers to understand the population structure of the species. Four natural populations belonging to the Amazon rainforest (BAC, CRO, FLA, and PNA), located in the State of Mato Grosso, were selected. Amplification reactions were performed using 15 ISSR primers. A total of 101 loci were found, of which 54.46% were polymorphic at the species level. The BAC population showed higher genetic diversity (H=0.095 and I=0.144) and higher percentage of polymorphism (28.71%). The populations showed an FST value of 0.604, indicating marked genetic differentiation. The highest genetic variation was found between populations. Gene flow was low between populations, indicating genetic isolation between populations.

Genetic diversity in natural populations of Theobroma subincanum Mart. in the Brazilian Amazon.

The genus Theobroma, recently reclassified in the family Malvaceae, comprises some species with high economic potential, including the cupuí, Theobroma subincanum Mart., which has not yet been domesticated, and whose genetics and population structure are mostly unknown. This study aimed to assess the population structure and genetic diversity in natural populations of T. subincanum Mart., using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 59 individuals were sampled in three geographically separate populations, CFA, CMN, and CPT. Nei's genetic distance was estimated to characterize populations with the use of 13 polymorphic primers. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that the variability between populations (51.71%) was higher than that within populations (48.29%). Among the three populations, CPT showed the highest diversity index and percentage of polymorphism. The ISSR molecular markers were efficient and presented sufficient polymorphism to estimate genetic diversity in populations of T. subincanum Mart.

Use of microsatellite markers in molecular analysis of segregating populations of papaya (Carica papaya L.) derived from backcrossing.

Brazil is the world leader in papaya production. However, only a small number of cultivars are registered for commercial planting, mainly owing to delays in obtaining cultivars and the high costs of the field phase of breeding programs. These costs can be reduced when molecular tools are combined with conventional breeding methods. In the present study, we conducted a molecular analysis of a self-fertilized population of a first backcrossing generation of BC1S1 papaya plants via microsatellite markers both to monitor the level of homozygosity and the gene/allele transfer that confers the Golden trait (fruit color) and to assess the parental genomic proportion in the genotypes studied. Based on the analysis of 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci, 19 genotypes with the Golden trait belonging to BC1S1 were evaluated in addition to the parental genotypes. Genetic distance was estimated through weighted index. The genotypes were then grouped using the hierarchical nearest neighbor method, and the analysis of principal coordinates was used to measure the proportion of parental genomes in the segregating genotypes. The mean value of the inbreeding coefficient was 0.36. The analysis of the principal coordinates revealed that on average, 64% of the recurrent parent genome was present in the population. Together, the analyses allowed the selection of 3 individuals for the next backcross cycle (33BC1S1-18, 34BC1S1-16, and 37BC1S1-10). These individuals had a higher proportion of the recurrent parent and were grouped close to the recurrent parent in the cluster analysis.

Occurrence of Salmonella sp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci in raw eggs and Coalho cheese: comparative study between two cities of Brazil's northeast

Microbiological analyses of chicken eggs in Recife and Salvador have shown a high occurrence of Salmonella in the egg shells and yolks. Likewise, the occurrence of Salmonella plus coagulase-positive staphylococci in Coalho cheese reached alarming levels. The data revealed a significant risk of infections and intoxications from consuming these foods in the cities.

Occurrence of Salmonella sp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci in raw eggs and Coalho cheese: comparative study between two cities of Brazil's northeast.

Microbiological analyses of chicken eggs in Recife and Salvador have shown a high occurrence of Salmonella in the egg shells and yolks. Likewise, the occurrence of Salmonella plus coagulase-positive staphylococci in Coalho cheese reached alarming levels. The data revealed a significant risk of infections and intoxications from consuming these foods in the cities.

Evaluación de la fisioterapia precoz en las fracturas de la extremidad distal del radio tratadas mediante placa volar de ángulo fijo / Evaluation of early physical therapy in distal radius fractures treated with fixed-angle volar plate

Objetivo: analizar el resultado funcional de la fisioterapia precoz en pacientes con fracturas de la extremidad distal del radio (FEDR), tratados mediante placa volar de ángulo fijo (PVAF). Material y método: estudio prospectivo de 20 pacientes (61 ± 16 años de edad) con FEDR, tratados con PVAF y fisioterapia precoz que fueron valorados a los 60 y 120 días de la intervención, analizando los datos demográficos (sexo, edad y dominancia), datos relacionados a la fractura (clasificación de Fernández), datos funcionales (amplitudes del movimiento, fuerza de presión y pinza) y la funcionalidad mediante el cuestionario DASH. La muñeca contralateral se utilizó como control. Resultados: el tratamiento fisioterapéutico precoz demostró un aumento significativo (p< 0,05) de la amplitud del movimiento y fuerza de presión, comparando las tres evaluaciones. El movimiento de pronación no presentó diferencias entre la segunda y la tercera evaluación. Comparando la primera y la segunda evaluación de la muñeca fracturada con la muñeca contralateral (grupo control) encontramos diferencias significativas que desaparecieron en la tercera evaluación. La puntuación del cuestionario DASH mejoró significativamente. Conclusión: La tercera evaluación se aproxima a la normalidad por lo que el tratamiento rehabilitador precoz en pacientes con FEDR tratados con PVAF permite retornar a las actividades de forma más rápida (AU)

Objective: analyzing the functional results of the precocious physical therapy intervention in individuals with distal radius fractures (DRF) that had been through treatment with fixed-angle volar plate (FAVP). Methods: Twenty individuals were assessed (61 ± 16 years) 60 and 120 days after operation. Demographic data (sex, age and dominance), data related to fracture (classification of Fernández), functional data (range of motion, grip and pinch strength) and assessment of functionality by DASH were analyzed. The contralateral wrist was used as control. Results: Significant increases were observed (p< 0,05) in the range of motion, grip and pinch strength when compared the assessments. The exception was pronation, which shows no difference between the second and third assessment. Comparing the averages of the first and second evaluation of the fractured wrist with the average of contralateral wrist (control group) there was significant difference. However, comparing the averages of fractured wrists in the third assessment and the control group there was no difference. The DASH score was statistically significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that precocious physical therapy in patients treated with FAVP in the DRF provides that return to their daily activities faster (AU)