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Post-Acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a multisystem disorder causing persistent musculoskeletal deconditioning and reduced lower extremity strength. Electrical stimulation (E-Stim) to the gastrocnemius muscle can enhance strength outcomes by increasing the frequency of muscle fiber activation. We investigated its effect on individuals with PASC. Participants were randomized into intervention (IG) or control (CG) groups. The IG self-administered daily one-hour E-Stim to both their gastrocnemius muscles using a functional device over 4-week, while the CG used a sham device. Primary outcomes were ankle dorsiflexion strength assessed via dynamometry during maximum voluntary contractions, and gastrocnemius voluntary activation (GVA) via surface electromyography. The secondary outcome assessed activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL, and mobility queries. Percentage improvement was calculated. Eighteen patients were analyzed (IG = 10; CG = 8). After 4 week, the IG showed a significantly higher improvement in ankle dorsiflexion strength (222.64%) compared to the CG (51.27%, p = 0.002). Additionally, the IG's ankle dorsiflexion strength improvement significantly correlated with GVA improvement (rho = 0.782) at 4 week. The secondary outcomes did not reveal significant changes in neither group. Self-administered gastrocnemius E-Stim improves ankle dorsiflexion strength in individuals with PASC. However, larger sample sizes and longer interventions are needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico is a well-known seismically active country, which is primarily affected by several tectonic plate interactions along the southern Pacific coastline and by active structures in the Gulf of California. In this paper, we investigate this seismicity using the classical Gutenberg–Richter (GR) law and a non-extensive statistical approach based on Tsallis entropy. The analysis is performed using data from the corrected Mexican seismic catalog provided by the National Seismic Service, spanning the period from January 2000 to October 2023, and unlike previous work, it includes six different regions along the entire west coastline of Mexico. The Gutenberg–Richter law fitting to the earthquake sub-catalogs for all six regions studied indicates magnitudes of completeness between 3.30 and 3.76, implying that the majority of seismic movements occur for magnitudes less than 4. The cumulative distribution of earthquakes as derived from the Tsallis entropy was fitted to the corrected catalog data to estimate the q-entropic index for all six regions, which for values greater than one is a measure of the non-extensivity (i.e., non-equilibrium) of the system. All regions display values of the entropic index in the range 1.52 ≲ q ≲ 1.61 , slightly lower than previously estimated ( 1.54 ≲ q ≲ 1.70 ) using catalog data from 1988 to 2010. The reason for this difference is related to the use of modern recording devices, which are sensitive to the detection of a larger number of low-magnitude events compared to older instrumentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we consider the design of power-constrained networked control systems (NCSs) and a differential entropy-based fault-detection mechanism. For the NCS design of the control loop, we consider faults in the plant gain and unstable plant pole locations, either due to natural causes or malicious intent. Since the power-constrained approach utilized in the NCS design is a stationary approach, we then discuss the finite-time approximation of the power constraints for the relevant control loop signals. The network under study is formed by two additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels located on the direct and feedback paths of the closed control loop. The finite-time approximation of the controller output signal allows us to estimate its differential entropy, which is used in our proposed fault-detection mechanism. After fault detection, we propose a fault-identification mechanism that is capable of correctly discriminating faults. Finally, we discuss the extension of the contributions developed here to future research directions, such as fault recovery and control resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate the structural damage and the changes in the photosynthesis and transpiration rates of aquatic lirium leaves caused by ultrasound (US) irradiation in search of environmentally friendly methodologies for the control of this weed. Aquatic lirium plants were extracted from Xochimilco water canals in Mexico City. A part of the group of plants was selected for irradiation, and the rest formed the control group. The irradiation plants group was exposed to US irradiation of 17 kHz frequency and 30 W × 4 output power for 2 h, at noon and 25 °C room temperature. The structural analysis was done with a MOTICAM 1 digital camera, 800 × 600 pixels, incorporated into the MOTIC PSM-1000 optical microscope and edited with Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML software. The total stomata density and the damaged stomata density were determined by dividing the numbers of total and damaged stomata by the visual field area (67,917 mm2), respectively. The leaves' photosynthesis and transpiration rates were measured using an LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System. Significant damage was observed in the stomata and epidermal cells, finding that the average ratio between the damaged and total stomata densities as a function of time (days) showed an exponential increase described by a Box–Lucas equation with a saturation value near unity and a maximum rate of change of the density of damaged stomata on zero-day (immediately after irradiation), decreasing as the days go by. The transpiration rate showed a sudden increase during the first hour after irradiation, reaching a maximum of 36% of its value before irradiation. It then quickly fell during the next 6 days and more slowly until the 21st day, decreasing 79.9% of its value before irradiation. The photosynthetic rate showed similar behavior with a 37.7% maximum increment and a 73.6% minimum decrease of its value before irradiation. The results of structural stomata damage on the ultrasound-irradiated aquatic lirium leaves are consistent with an excessive ultrasound stimulation on stomata's mechanical operation by guard cells that produce the measured significant increase of the photosynthetic and transpiration rates during the first hour after irradiation. The initial high evaporation could alter the water potential gradient, with a possible generation of tensions in the xylem that could cause embolism in their conduits. The loss of xylem conductivity or hydraulic failure would be consistent with the observed significant fall in the photosynthesis and transpiration rates of the aquatic lirium leaves after its sudden rise in the first hour after irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral reduction mammoplasty (BRM) aims to alleviate macromastia-related symptoms in women. This procedure involves a T-Junction suture at the medial inframammary fold that encompasses 12%-39% of wound breakdowns mainly due to reduced perfusion. Continuous diffusion of oxygen (CDO) may enhance breast tissue oxygenation to prevent such complication. We explored the feasibility of this therapy. A 4-wk feasibility-pilot randomized controlled trial of women undergoing BRM was conducted. By internal randomization (left/right side), participants received standard of care (SOC) in one breast using topical skin adhesive, while their other breast received SOC + CDO at the T-junction covered by a silicon sheet (sCDO), or CDO directly to the T-Junction skin (dCDO). Feasibility outcomes included protocol delivery, outcome measurement, device-related adverse events, and device acceptability. Exploratory outcomes were T-Junction SatO 2 and deoxyhemoglobin assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy and wound dehiscence. Sixteen participants (age = 33 ± 8 y; body mass index = 34.34 ± 5.85 kg/m2) were recruited, conforming n = 32 breasts (SOC, n = 16; dCDO, n = 10, sCDO, n = 6). At 4 wk, protocol delivery was 93.7%, outcome measuring 100%, and device-related adverse events 0%. Device acceptability showed an 85.4% strong agreement for attitude toward use, 78.2% perceived ease of use, and 77.7% perceived usefulness. Breasts undergoing sCDO showed higher SatO 2 (P < 0.001), whereas lower deoxyhemoglobin (P < 0.001) compared to all other breast groups. However, wound dehiscence was not different between groups (P = 0.66). Self-applied CDO to the T-Junction is feasible, safe, and acceptable, in patients undergoing BRM. In a proper wound environment, CDO may enhance breast tissue oxygenation. However, it is unclear whether CDO leads to decreased wound dehiscence. This study showed reproducibility for larger randomized trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of various welding processes in reducing volatile gas emissions in work environments, a crucial factor for occupational health and safety. Comparative tests were carried out on three common welding processes: SMAW, GMAW and GTAW, with a focus on the concentration of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. The results revealed high statistical significance between treatments, confirming substantial differences in VOC emissions. The Tukey test identified the GTAW (TIG) process as the most efficient, with a concentration of total volatiles of 0.0557 mg/m?, well below the threshold of 0.2 mg/m?, where it is expected that no irritation or symptoms of discomfort. In contrast, the SMAW and GMAW processes showed concentrations that could lead to irritation or discomfort. Choosing the appropriate welding process is revealed as a critical factor in reducing VOC emissions and protecting workers' health. VOCs, including formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, can have adverse health effects on workers, and compliance with occupational exposure limits is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The understanding of the dynamical behavior of seismic phenomena is currently an open problem, mainly because seismic series can be considered to be produced by phenomena exhibiting dynamic phase transitions; that is, with some complexity. For this purpose, the Middle America Trench in central Mexico is considered a natural laboratory for examining subduction because of its heterogenous natural structure. In this study, the Visibility Graph method was applied to study the seismic activity of three regions within the Cocos plate: the Tehuantepec Isthmus, the Flat slab and Michoacan, each one with a different level of seismicity. The method maps time series into graphs, and it is possible to connect the topological properties of the graph with the dynamical features underlying the time series. The seismicity analyzed was monitored in the three areas studied between 2010 and 2022. At the Flat Slab and Tehuantepec Isthmus, two intense earthquakes occurred on 7 and 19 September 2017, respectively, and, on 19 September 2022, another one occurred at Michoacan. The aim of this study was to determine the dynamical features and the possible differences between the three areas by applying the following method. First, the time evolution of the a- and b-values in the Gutenberg–Richter law was analyzed, followed by the relationship between the seismic properties and topological features using the VG method, the k–M slope and the characterization of the temporal correlations from the γ-exponent of the power law distribution, P(k) ∼ k−γ, and its relationship with the Hurst parameter, which allowed us to identify the correlation and persistence of each zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-extensive statistical mechanics (or q-statistics) is based on the so-called non-additive Tsallis entropy. Since its introduction by Tsallis, in 1988, as a generalization of the Boltzmann–Gibbs equilibrium statistical mechanics, it has steadily gained ground as a suitable theory for the description of the statistical properties of non-equilibrium complex systems. Therefore, it has been applied to numerous phenomena, including real seismicity. In particular, Tsallis entropy is expected to provide a guiding principle to reveal novel aspects of complex dynamical systems with catastrophes, such as seismic events. The exploration of the existing connections between Tsallis formalism and real seismicity has been the focus of extensive research activity in the last two decades. In particular, Tsallis q-statistics has provided a unified framework for the description of the collective properties of earthquakes and faults. Despite this progress, our present knowledge of the physical processes leading to the initiation of a rupture, and its subsequent growth through a fault system, remains quite limited. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the non-extensive interpretation of seismicity, along with the contributions of the Tsallis formalism to the statistical description of seismic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle deconditioning and impaired vascular function in the lower extremities (LE) are among the long‐term symptoms experienced by COVID‐19 patients with a history of severe illness. These symptoms are part of the post‐acute sequelae of Sars‐CoV‐2 (PASC) and currently lack evidence‐based treatment. To investigate the efficacy of lower extremity electrical stimulation (E‐Stim) in addressing PASC‐related muscle deconditioning, we conducted a double‐blinded randomized controlled trial. Eighteen (n = 18) patients with LE muscle deconditioning were randomly assigned to either the intervention (IG) or the control (CG) group, resulting in 36 LE being assessed. Both groups received daily 1 h E‐Stim on both gastrocnemius muscles for 4 weeks, with the device functional in the IG and nonfunctional in the CG. Changes in plantar oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) and gastrocnemius muscle endurance (GNMe) in response to 4 weeks of daily 1 h E‐Stim were assessed. At each study visit, outcomes were measured at onset (t0), 60 min (t60), and 10 min after E‐Stim therapy (t70) by recording ΔOxyHb with near‐infrared spectroscopy. ΔGNMe was measured with surface electromyography at two time intervals: 0–5 min (Intv1) and: 55–60 min (Intv2). Baseline OxyHb decreased in both groups at t60 (IG: p = 0.046; CG: p = 0.026) and t70 (IG = p = 0.021; CG: p = 0.060) from t0. At 4 weeks, the IG's OxyHb increased from t60 to t70 (p < 0.001), while the CG's decreased (p = 0.003). The IG had higher ΔOxyHb values than the CG at t70 (p = 0.004). Baseline GNMe did not increase in either group from Intv1 to Intv2. At 4 weeks, the IG's GNMe increased (p = 0.031), whereas the CG did not change. There was a significant association between ΔOxyHb and ΔGNMe (r = 0.628, p = 0.003) at 4 weeks in the IG. In conclusion, E‐Stim can improve muscle perfusion and muscle endurance in individuals with PASC experiencing LE muscle deconditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a fully designed ultrasonic transit time-based gas flow sensor is presented. The proposed sensor has been optimized in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and power consumption at different design stages: mechanical design of the sensor pipe, piezoelectric transducer configuration and validation over temperature, time of flight detection algorithm, and electronics design. From the optimization and integration of each design part, the final designed gas flow sensor is based on the employment of 200 kHz-piezoelectric transducers mounted in a V-configuration and on the implementation of a cross-correlation algorithm based on the Hilbert Transform for time-of-flight detection purposes. The proposed sensor has been experimentally validated at different flow rates and temperatures, and it fully complies with the accuracy specifications required by the European standard EN14236, placing the proposed design into the state of the art of ultrasonic gas flow sensors regarding cost, accuracy, and power consumption, the latter of which is crucial for implementing smart gas meters that are able to autonomously operate as IoT devices by extending their battery life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the M8.2 main-shock occurred on 7 September 2017 at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, the spatial distribution of seismicity has showed a clear clusterization of earthquakes along the collision region of the Tehuantepec Transform/Ridge with the Middle America Trench off Chiapas. Furthermore, nowadays, the temporal rate of occurrence in the number of earthquakes has also showed a pronounced increase. On the basis of this behavior, we studied the sequence of magnitudes of the earthquakes which occurred within the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico from 2010 to 2020. Since big earthquakes are considered as a phase transition, after the M8.2 main-shock, one must expect changes in the Tehuantepec ridge dynamics, which can be observed considering that the b-value in the Gutenberg–Richter law, has also showed changes in time. The goal of this paper is to characterize the behavior of the seismic activity by using the Gutenberg–Richter law, multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis, visibility graph and nowcasting method. Those methods have showed important parameters in order to assess risk, the multifractality and connectivity. Our findings indicate, first that b-value shows a dependency on time, which is clearly described by our analyses based on nowcasting method, multifractality and visibility graph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dressing materials are known to influence post-operative surgical wound healing and scar formation (SF). A particular dressing that could promote wound hydration is essential to ensure quick epithelialization and reduce SF. This study examined the effectiveness of a novel Continuous Diffusion of Oxygen (CDO) dressing to reduce scar length post cervicotomy. A randomized controlled trial was performed in patients undergoing cervicotomy, either for thyroid or parathyroid disease. Patients were randomized to either control (CG) or intervention (IG) groups. The IG received a portable CDO system (TransCu O2, EO2 Concepts Inc., TX, USA), whereas the CG received a standard dressing for a 4-week period. The primary outcome was >10% of scar length reduction and %change in scar length. 21 patients were recruited (Age: 53 ± 16 years; 90% female; CG = 9, IG = 12). 5 patients were lost to follow-up. At 4 weeks, 88.8% of the IG significantly achieved >10% of scar reduction (versus CG = 28.5%, d = 0.48, P = 0.049), showing a 40.4% smaller scar (15.7% versus 11.2%, d = 0.13, P = 0.72) compared to the CG. However, the difference was not significant. A sub-sample of patients undergoing thyroidectomy showed a significant scar reduction using CDO (IG = 11.6% versus CG = 5.1%, d = 2.96, P = 0.009). This is the first study to assess scar reduction using CDO adjunct therapy after cervicotomy. Advanced CDO dressings may assist wound healing showing improved outcomes for scar visualization in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. A larger sample is required to validate this observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional assessment (e.g., checklists, videotaping) for surgical proficiency may lead to subjectivity and does not predict performance in the clinical setting. Hand motion analysis is evolving as an objective tool for grading technical dexterity; however, most devices accompany with technical limitations or discomfort. We purpose the use of flexible wearable sensors to evaluate the kinematics of surgical proficiency. Surgeons were recruited and performed a vascular anastomosis task in a single institution. A modified objective structured assessment of technical skills (mOSATS) was used for technical qualification. Flexible wearable sensors (BioStamp RCTM, mc10 Inc., Lexington, MA) were placed on the dorsum of the dominant hand (DH) and nondominant hand (nDH) to measure kinematic parameters: path length (T path), mean (V mean) and peak (V peak) velocity, number of hand movements (N move), ratio of DH to nDH movements (rMov), and time of task (tTask) and further compared with the mOSATS score. Participants were categorized as experts (n = 12) and novices (n = 8) based on a cutoff mean mOSATS score. Significant differences for tTask (P = 0.02), rMov (P = 0.07), DH T path (P = 0.04), V mean (P = 0.07), V peak (P = 0.04), and nDH N move (P = 0.02) were in favor of the experts. Overall, mOSATS had significant correlation with tTask (r = −0.69, P = 0.001), N move of DH (r = −0.44, P = 0.047) and nDH (r = −0.66, P = 0.001), and rMov (r = 0.52, P = 0.017). Hand motion analysis evaluated by flexible wearable sensors is feasible and informative. Experts utilize coordinated two-handed motion, whereas novices perform one-handed tasks in a hastily jerky manner. These tendencies create opportunity for improvement in surgical proficiency among trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a relatively novel technique with excellent outcomes, comparable to most accepted procedures. Our aim was to compare OAGB and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in terms of percent of excess weight lost (%EWL) and resolution of comorbidities. Methods: Thirty-three patients were randomly assigned (1:2) to two groups (OAGB = 9 and RYGB = 24). Patients were analyzed prospectively. Results: The 5-year follow-up was 85% (28 patients). Both groups were comparable preoperatively in age, weight, body mass index (BMI), and excess weight. One intraoperative complication in OAGB group and no major postoperative complications for both groups were recorded. Progressive decrease in weight, BMI, and %EWL was observed at 1, 6, 12 months, and 5 years, with no differences between groups. Regarding comorbidities, we registered complete remission in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia with OAGB. RYGB group reported complete remission in T2DM, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mean operative time were 113.3 min ± 41.2 and 143.7 min ± 21.85 for OAGB and RYGB respectively. Mean number of reloads used was 5 for OAGB and 7 for RYGB, which demands further investigations. Postoperative pain was significantly higher in RYGB group. Hospital stay was 3 days for both groups. Conclusion: At 5-year follow-up, patients of both techniques achieved similar outcomes in terms of %EWL and resolution of comorbidities, without early or mid-term major complications and no mortality. OAGB demonstrated less use of surgical stapling and unexplainably less postoperative pain compared to RYGB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flows with excess of kinetic energy produce high speed, overpressures and erosive processes, in this sense the energy dissipaters are hydraulic structures that minimize this effect. These works are usually built in conventional concrete, leaving aside alternative materials such as used tire and gabions. Three energy dissipation structures were evaluated: a stepped channel located on the Bogota -Villavicencio road, a storm sewer well with stepped fall structure located in the municipality of Acacias (Meta) and four free-fall spillway weir built in concrete, positioned on the Fucha river in Bogotá. Modeling on a reduced scale shows that, when incorporating gabions and used tires, the flow type (nappe flow) is conserved, its functionality, energy dissipation is greater than 92%, additionally reduces costs and contributes to the conservation the morphological stability of the channels, particularly, they allow concentrating the flow through the main channel and smoothing the changes of direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current methods to quantitatively assess fungicide sensitivity for a diverse range of oomycetes are slow and labor intensive. Microtiterbased assays can be used to increase throughput. However, many factors can affect their quality and reproducibility. Therefore, efficient and reliable methods for detection of assay quality are desirable. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a robust highthroughput fungicide phenotyping assay based on spectrophotometric quantification of mycelial growth in liquid culture and implementation of quality control with Z' factor and growth curves. Z' factor was used to ensure that each isolate grew enough in the absence of fungicides compared with the negative control, and growth curves were used to ensure active growth at the time of concentration of a fungicide that reduces growth by 50% (EC50) estimation. EC50 and relative growth values were correlated in a side-by-side comparison with values obtained using the amended medium (gold standard) assay. Concordance correlation indicated that the high-throughput assay is accurate but may not be as precise as the amended medium assay. To demonstrate the utility of the high-throughput assay, the sensitivity of 216 oomycete isolates representing four genera and 81 species to mefenoxam and ethaboxam was tested. The assay developed herein will enable highthroughput fungicide phenotyping at a population or community level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explicit consideration of a communication channel model in a feedback control loop is known to introduce a fundamental limitation on the feedback control loop stabilisability in the form of a channel signal‐to‐noise ratio lower bound whenever the plant model is unstable. In this study, the authors study these type of limitations subject to model uncertainties, either from the plant model or the channel model. They consider the discrete‐time setting, motivated first by the fact that some form of discretisation is nowadays always required when implementing a feedback control loop solution, and second by the fact that communication channel models are more naturally represented in discrete time. In particular, they consider here the additive coloured noise channel with memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is effective but needs to continue for several years, possibly indefinitely. Although generally safe, TKI may have hitherto poorly recognized effects in the quality of life (QoL) of such patients. Methods: We prospectively measured the symptom burden of patients with chronic phase CML enrolled on frontline TKI trials with dasatinib, nilotinib, or ponatinib. A total of 219 patients were enrolled and filled out the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI)‐CML questionnaire before the start of therapy and during follow‐up at defined time points of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: The median age was 50 years. Longitudinal analysis showed relatively stable symptom severity scores over time. Fatigue was the most common symptom in all three cohorts, both prior to the start of therapy and during therapy, including after achievement of deep molecular remission. Work was the most affected component of daily living. Overall patients tolerated therapy well with improvement of their symptoms from baseline, with few dose reductions related to toxicity or symptomatology. Although 31% of the patients who completed MDASI‐CML achieved complete molecular remission by 24 months of treatment, nearly 90% experienced persistent mild symptoms. Conclusion: Side effects related to TKIs may impact the quality of life in patients with CML‐CP. Further studies should investigate factors (comorbidities, concomitant medications, dose and schedule, etc) associated with these symptoms and interventions that may improve the patients' QoL, including treatment discontinuation when safely feasible. We prospectively measured the symptom burden of 219 patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML‐CP) enrolled on frontline tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) trials with dasatinib, nilotinib, or ponatinib using a previously validated questionnaire. Overall, patients tolerated therapy well with improvement of their symptoms from baseline, with few dose reductions related to toxicity or symptomatology, and nearly 90% experienced persistent mild symptoms. Side effects related to TKIs may impact the quality of life in patients with CML‐CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the assessment of a diffusion-dominated mean field axisymmetric dynamo model in reproducing historical solar activity and forecast for solar cycle 25. Previous studies point to the Sun's polar magnetic field as an important proxy for solar activity prediction. Extended research using this proxy has been impeded by reduced observational data record only available from 1976. However, there is a recognized need for a solar dynamo model with ample verification over various activity scenarios to improve theoretical standards. The present study aims to explore the use of helioseismology data and reconstructed solar polar magnetic field, to foster the development of robust solar activity forecasts. The research is based on observationally inferred differential rotation morphology, as well as observed and reconstructed polar field using artificial neural network methods via the hemispheric sunspot areas record. Results show consistent reproduction of historical solar activity trends with enhanced results by introducing a precursor rise time coefficient. A weak solar cycle 25 with slow rise time and maximum activity −14.4 per cent (±19.5 per cent) with respect to the current cycle 24 is predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have established the strong connections between aboveground biomass and lidar height metrics; however, these relationships are site-specific. Field data required to derive these relationships are not readily available in many cases. We developed a model to estimate plot-level aboveground biomass density (AGBD) directly from large-footprint lidar waveform measurements. An individual tree-based aboveground biomass (AGB)-height allometric relationship was scaled up to the plot level using lidar-waveform sensed tree height and crown size distribution characteristics. The AGBD was estimated based on a waveform/foliage profile-weighted height-based allometric equation. The AGBD-height scaling exponent was then built on the allometric relationships of tree height with stem diameter and crown volume with tree height. Global vegetation structure data analysis demonstrated that one general model (scaling exponent ~ 1.6–1.8) works reasonably well across all global forest biomes except boreal forests (scaling exponent ~ 0.9). We applied the model to estimate aboveground biomass in two distinct geographic regions: temperate deciduous/conifer forests in the northeastern USA and a montane conifer forest in Sierra National Forest in California. Local vegetation structural data analysis leads to a consistent height scaling exponent for these two distinct biomes, slightly different from the global data analysis results. This model produced optimal AGBD estimates using the local height scaling exponent value. Adequate AGBD estimates with the general height scaling exponent value were also provided by our model. Our analysis suggests one general allometric relationship between plot-level AGBD and large-footprint lidar waveforms. Integrating local structure allometric relationships improve the predictive accuracy of the model. Our model outperformed the lidar height metrics-based approach for AGBD estimates and overcame the biomass underestimation problem using height metrics for high biomass regions. This model could potentially serve as a general and robust model for monitoring forest carbon stocks using large-footprint lidar waveform measurements such as the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) mission at the continental and global scales. The model could be a framework for integrating a demography-based terrestrial ecosystem model and GEDI global mission measurements to improve global carbon stock and flux estimates. • The model uses lidar waveform to estimate plot-level AGBD. • Tested the model's generality at global scale. • The model produced AGBD in two distinct biomes with high accuracy. • The model outperformed lidar-height based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission power control constitutes a core feature required to achieve a desired quality of service in wireless networks. A practical implementation calls on the intuition of using limited resources, only when are strictly required. Thus, the appeal of an event-triggered scheme arises naturally over more traditional, but less efficient, periodic time-triggered control solutions. Motivated by these ideas, the authors present here a power allocation strategy based on an eventtriggered transmission (ETT) to reduce the feedback signalling in the network. The power allocation under ETT is based on a nominal control that guarantees internal stability and performance. Hence, if the feedback signalling does not change significantly from the previous sample, no feedback transmission is assigned to reduce bandwidth usage. Two schemes are employed to define the ETT while preserving closed-loop stability: a piecewise quadratic Lyapunov argument and a perturbed linear system approach. These two approaches establish a trade-off between complexity and conservativeness. The power allocation under ETT was thoroughly evaluated under two nominal control schemes to establish a relation between performance and feedback reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission power control constitutes a core feature required to achieve a desired quality of service in wireless networks. A practical implementation calls on the intuition of using limited resources, only when are strictly required. Thus, the appeal of an event‐triggered scheme arises naturally over more traditional, but less efficient, periodic time‐triggered control solutions. Motivated by these ideas, the authors present here a power allocation strategy based on an event‐triggered transmission (ETT) to reduce the feedback signalling in the network. The power allocation under ETT is based on a nominal control that guarantees internal stability and performance. Hence, if the feedback signalling does not change significantly from the previous sample, no feedback transmission is assigned to reduce bandwidth usage. Two schemes are employed to define the ETT while preserving closed‐loop stability: a piecewise quadratic Lyapunov argument and a perturbed linear system approach. These two approaches establish a trade‐off between complexity and conservativeness. The power allocation under ETT was thoroughly evaluated under two nominal control schemes to establish a relation between performance and feedback reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection (STEC-HUS) generally shows a favorable outcome. Few cases develop extra-renal complications, since neurological involvement is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The role of complement in STEC-HUS has been recently highlighted, and the use of eculizumab in severe cases has been communicated. HUS results from environmental and genetic factors, but the simultaneous occurrence of STEC and complement mutations remains undetermined. Methods: A pediatric case with severe STEC-HUS carrying CFH mutations, with favorable response to eculizumab is analyzed. Results: STEC-HUS was diagnosed in a 4-year-old girl with classic HUS, including low C3. Peritoneal dialysis was started due to hypertension, oligoanuria, and pleural effusion. She evolved with generalized tonic–clonic seizures and required mechanical ventilation. MRI reported multiple supra- and infratentorial ischemic lesions with laminar/striatal cortical necrosis and leukoencephalopathy. After two eculizumab doses, a significative stabilization in diuresis, blood pressure, creatinine, and C3 was achieved. At the third week, episodes of massive digestive bleeding and a life-threatening condition required a colectomy thus preserving the ileocecal valve. Due to atypical evolution, a genetic study was considered, identifying two heterozygous variants (CFH S1191L/V1197A). Conclusion: STEC-HUS in patients with a genetic predisposition has been previously reported, but the low frequency of occurrence makes it a rare disease. As in the present case, patients with atypical course might benefit from genetic analysis to evaluate early eculizumab initiation and to better understand its phenotype. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, multi component crystals composed of two or more molecules that form a unique crystalline structure having unique phase and properties, where its components are bond together via hydrogen bonds, have been the subject of great deal of attention, in particular those where aminoacids participate in their structure. In this work we have studied a system formed by the acids 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxilic and isonipecotic. We have analyzed the HB-network present in the crystallographic system and compared it with that found computationally. Next, we have studied the energetic of the system and the factors that lead to its stabilization. Finally a comparison between the geometry of the crystallographic packing and that obtained from the computational calculations has been carried out, looking for an understanding of the elements that lead to the observed relative distribution and orientations of the participant molecules, i.e. to the special arrangement of the reported crystallographic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-extensivity approach based on the Tsallis entropy has been applied to seismicity that occurred from 1988 to 2010 along the Mexican South Pacific coast. We analyzed four different regions, characterized by different subduction patterns. Our results indicate a possible correlation between the non-extensive parameters and the seismicity pattern associated with the inclination angle of each subduction region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In pattern recognition, feature selection is a very important task for supervised classification. The problem consists in, given a dataset where each object is described by a set of features, finding a subset of the original features such that a classifier that runs on data containing only these features would reach high classification accuracy. A useful way to find this subset of the original features is through testor theory. A testor is defined as a subset of the original features that allows differentiating objects from different classes. Testors are very useful particularly when object descriptions contain both numeric and non-numeric features. Computing testors for feature selection is a very complex problem due to exponential complexity, with respect to the number of features, of algorithms based on testor theory. Hardware implementation of testor computing algorithms helps to improve their performance taking advantage of parallel processing for verifying if a feature subset is a testor in a single clock cycle. This paper introduces an efficient hardware–software platform for computing irreducible testors for feature selection in pattern recognition. Results of implementing the proposed platform using a FPGA-based prototyping board are presented and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fundamental limitations in feedback control are a well established area of research. In recent years it has been extended to the study of limitations imposed by the consideration of a communication channel in the control loop. Previous results characterised these limitations in terms of a minimal data transmission rate necessary for stabilisation. In this paper a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approach is used to obtain a tight condition for the linear time invariant output feedback stabilisation of a discrete-time, single-input-single-output (SISO) unstable, non-minimum phase (NMP) plant with arbitrary relative degree over an additive Gaussian coloured noise (ACGN) communication channel with memory. The obtained result gives a guideline in estimating the severity of the fundamental SNR limitation imposed by the plant unstable poles, NMP zeros and relative degree as well as the channel NMP zeros, bandwidth, and noise colouring. We then characterise the output feedback sensitivity function for the infimal SNR solution and follow up by quantifying the extra SNR imposed by suboptimal solutions (for example due to plant modelling errors). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present paper we study the fundamental limitations on stability that arise when an additive coloured Gaussian noise (ACGN) channel is explicitly considered in a linear time invariant (LTI) control feedback loop. By considering a linear setting we can express the fundamental limitation on stability as a lower bound in closed-form on the ACGN channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Outside the context of networked control, the obtained lower bound can be interpreted as an performance limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present paper we obtain a closed-form solution for a class of continuous-time algebraic Riccati equations (AREs) with vanishing state weight. The ARE in such a class solves a minimum energy control problem. The obtained closed-form solution is used to prove a link between two independent fundamental limitation results in control over networks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Communication channels impose a number of obstacles to feedback control. One recent line of research considers the problem of feedback stabilization subject to a constraint on the channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We use the spectral factorization induced by the optimal solution and quantify in closed-form the infimal SNR required for both stabilization and input disturbance rejection for a minimum phase plant with relative degree one and memoryless additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Finally we conclude by presenting a closed-form expression of the difference between the infimal AWGN channel capacity for input disturbance rejection and the infimal AWGN channel capacity required only for stabilizability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fundamental limitations in feedback control is a well established area of research. In recent years it has been extended to the study of limitations imposed by the consideration of a communication channel in the control loop. Previous results characterised these limitations in terms of a minimal data transmission rate necessary for stabilisation. In this paper a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approach is used to obtain a tight condition for the linear time invariant output feedback stabilisation of a continuous-time, unstable, non minimum phase (NMP) plant with time-delay over an additive Gaussian coloured noise communication channel. By working on a linear setting the infimal SNR for stabilisability is defined as the infimal achievable norm between the channel noise input and the channel signal input. The result gives a guideline in estimating the severity of the fundamental SNR limitation imposed by the plant unstable poles, NMP zeros, time-delay as well as the channel NMP zeros, bandwidth, and channel noise colouring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Manfreda galvaniae, a new species from the Barranca de Malinaltenango, mpio. Ixtapan de la Sal, State of Mexico, is described and illustrated. It belongs to the Manfreda guttata (Jacobi et Bouché) Rose group, and is similar to M. pringlei Rose and M. fusca Ravenna. Likewise, the paper presents comments about the taxonomic status of M. malinaltenangensis Matuda, sympatric with M. galvaniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manfreda littoralis, a new species from the seashores of Guerrero and Oaxaca is described and illustrated. It belongs to the Manfreda guttata (Jacobi et Bouché) Rose group, and is similar to M. guttata (Jacobi et Bouché) Rose and M. planifolia (S. Watson) Rose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closely related species are expected to have similar functional traits due to shared ancestry and phylogenetic inertia. However, few tests of this hypothesis are available for plant‐associated fungal symbionts. Fungal leaf endophytes occur in all land plants and can protect their host plant from disease by a variety of mechanisms, including by parasitizing pathogens (e.g., mycoparasitism). Here, we tested whether phylogenetic relatedness among species of Cladosporium, a widespread genus that includes mycoparasitic species, predicts the effect of this endophyte on the severity of leaf rust disease. First, we used congruence among different marker sequences (i.e., genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition criterion) to delimit species of Cladosporium. Next, in a controlled experiment, we quantified both mycoparasitism and disease modification for the selected Cladosporium species. We identified 17 species of Cladosporium; all the species reduced rust disease severity in our experiment. Cladosporium phylogeny was a significant predictor of mycoparasitism. However, we did not observe a phylogenetic effect on disease severity overall, indicating that other mechanism/s operating independently of shared ancestry also contributed to endophyte effects on disease severity. Indeed, a second experiment showed that Cladosporium endophyte exudates (no live organism) from divergent species groups equally reduced disease severity. Our results reveal that multiple mechanisms contribute to the protective effects of an endophyte against a plant pathogen, but not all traits underlying these mechanisms are phylogenetically conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important subduction zones in the world is located in the Mexican Pacific Coast, where the Cocos plate inserts beneath the North American plate. One part of it is located in the Mexican Pacific Coast, where the Cocos plate inserts beneath the North American plate with different dip angles, showing important seismicity. Under the central Mexican area, such a dip angle becomes practically horizontal and such an area is known as flat slab. An earthquake of magnitude M7.1 occurred on 19 September 2017, the epicenter of which was located in this flat slab. It caused important human and material losses of urban communities including a large area of Mexico City. The seismicity recorded in the flat slab region is analyzed here in natural time from 1995 until the occurrence of this M7.1 earthquake in 2017 by studying the entropy change under time reversal and the variability β of the order parameter of seismicity as well as characterize the risk of an impending earthquake by applying the nowcasting method. The entropy change ΔS under time reversal minimizes on 21 June 2017 that is almost one week after the observation of such a minimum in the Chiapas region where a magnitude M8.2 earthquake took place on 7 September 2017 being Mexico's largest quake in more than a century. A minimum of β was also observed during the period February–March 2017. Moreover, we show that, after the minimum of ΔS, the order parameter of seismicity starts diminishing, thus approaching gradually the critical value 0.070 around the end of August and the beginning of September 2017, which signals that a strong earthquake is anticipated shortly in the flat slab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerial blight, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG) 1-IA, is an economically important soybean disease in the mid-Southern United States. Management has relied on fungicide applications during the season, but there is an increasing prevalence of resistance to commonly used strobilurin fungicides and an urgent need to identify soybean varieties resistant to aerial blight. Because the patchy distribution of the pathogen complicates field variety screening, the present study aimed to develop a greenhouse screening protocol to identify soybean varieties resistant to aerial blight. For this, 88 pathogen isolates were collected from commercial fields and research farms across five Louisiana parishes, and 77% were confirmed to be R. solani AG1-IA. Three polymorphic codominant microsatellite markers were used to explore the genetic diversity of 43 R. solani AG1-IA isolates, which showed high genetic diversity, with 35 haplotypes in total and only two haplotypes common to two other locations. Six genetically diverse isolates were chosen and characterized for their virulence and fungicide sensitivity. The isolate AC2 was identified as the most virulent and was resistant to both active ingredients, azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, tested. The six isolates were used in greenhouse variety screening trials using a millet inoculation protocol. Of the 31 varieties screened, only Armor 48-D25 was classified as moderately resistant, and plant height to the first node influenced final disease severity. The study provides short-term solutions for growers to choose less susceptible varieties for planting and lays the foundation to characterize host resistance against this important soybean pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To find possible causes of the photobaric response decrease in photoacoustic measurements on Aquatic Lirium plants after ultrasonic irradiations reported elsewhere contributing to understanding the effect of ultrasonic irradiation on them and searching for environmentally friendly methodologies to control this weed. The plants were extracted from their natural habitat in Xochimilco water canals, Mexico City. The irradiations on the plants were carried out to 2 hours exposure time, 17 kHz frequency, and 30 W x 4 output power. We used the photoacoustic spectroscopy technique at room temperature in the range of 400–750 nm to analyze the optical absorption response of photosynthetic pigments before and after ultrasonic irradiations. To monitor the leave transpiration rate, we used an LI-COR 6400XT portable system, expressed in units of mols H2O per second per unit area of the leaf surface. We obtained a significant decrease of the chlorophylls bands amplitude in the photoacoustic spectroscopy spectra and a drastic reduction in the leaves transpiration rate of irradiated plants that depends on the time elapsed after irradiation. Remarkable physical changes in the leaves and petioles of the irradiated plants were observed with the naked eye. A significantly decreasing photosynthesis and transpiration in the leaves of the irradiated lirium plants were obtained. Together with the observed physical changes in the leaves and petioles, these results suggest an alteration in the water transport and the overall gas exchange mechanisms affecting the irradiated leaves' transpiration and photosynthesis processes that agree with the photobaric response decrease reported elsewhere. Due to the fundamental role of stomata in these mechanisms, it is suggested, as a possible cause, that the ultrasonic-induced disruption of stomata's mechanical operation by guard cells prevents them from performing their function normally. A hypothesis to be confirmed in future studies, for which a line of action is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt (BW), caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is one of the devastating diseases in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The use of resistant cultivars and breeding for genetic resistance is the most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly management strategy for this disease. It is necessary to screen diverse germplasm and cultivated genotypes to identify resistant resources and to develop resistant cultivars in tomatoes to combat the changing pathogen isolates. This study evaluated 40 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tomato accessions for their BW resistance to the R. solanacearum isolate P822 under greenhouse conditions. The tomato plants were inoculated and visually assessed to observe their symptoms, and the disease severity was scored on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = no leaf wilted, 1 = 25% of leaves wilted, 2 = 50% leaves wilted, 3 = 75% of leaves wilted, and 4 = 100% leaves wilted). Five accessions (PI 645370, PI 647306, PI 600993, PI 355110, and PI 270210) were observed as BW resistance, with PI 645370 showing the greatest resistance. The broad-sense heritability for BW resistance was estimated as 59.9% and 42.8% based on a 0–4 scale of disease incidence and the disease severity index, respectively. Two distinct clusters (sub-populations) were detected among 39 of the 40 accessions. The five identified BW-resistant accessions were distributed in both clusters, suggesting a likely difference in the genetic base among the five resistance accessions. The resistant accessions will contribute significantly to the tomato breeding program to develop new cultivars with BW resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse seismicity during the 6-year period 2012–2017 in the new time domain termed natural time in the Chiapas region where the M8.2 earthquake occurred, Mexico’s largest earthquake in more than a century, in order to study the complexity measures associated with fluctuations of entropy as well as with entropy change under time reversal. We find that almost three months before the M8.2 earthquake, i.e., on 14 June 2017, the complexity measure associated with the fluctuations of entropy change under time reversal shows an abrupt increase, which, however, does not hold for the complexity measure associated with the fluctuations of entropy in forward time. On the same date, the entropy change under time reversal has been previously found to exhibit a minimum [Physica A 506, 625–634 (2018)]; we thus find here that this minimum is also accompanied by increased fluctuations of the entropy change under time reversal. In addition, we find a simultaneous increase of the Tsallis entropic index q. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is focused on a new procedure concerning a more accurate identification of the occurrence time of an impending major earthquake (EQ). Specifically, we first recapitulate that, as was recently shown [P. Varotsos et al., Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation 125 (2023) 107370], natural time analysis of seismicity supplemented with the non-additive Tsallis entropy S q leads to a shortening of the time window of an impending major EQ. This has been shown for the Tohoku mega-EQ of magnitude M9 that occurred in Japan on 11 March 2011, which is the largest event ever recorded in Japan. Here, we also show that such a shortening of the time window of an impending mainshock can be achieved for major, but smaller EQs, of the order of M8 and M7. In particular, the following EQs are treated: the Chiapas M8.2 EQ, which is Mexico's largest EQ for more than a century that took place on 7 September 2017 near the coast of Chiapas state in Mexico, the 19 September 2017 M7.1 EQ that occurred within the Mexican flat slab, and the M7.1 Ridgecrest EQ on 6 July 2019 in California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To determine common fluid therapy practices of small animal practitioners and identify fluid therapy-related knowledge gaps that may benefit from improved educational efforts, targeted research, or both. DESIGN Online survey. SAMPLE 1,496 small animal veterinarians PROCEDURES An online survey was provided to members of the Veterinary Information Network between December 23, 2013, and January 30, 2014. The survey consisted of 24 questions investigating the administration of crystalloid and synthetic colloid solutions, but not blood products, and focused primarily on the choice of fluid type, frequency of administration, type of patient treated with fluids, treatment with fluids subcutaneously versus IV, and potassium supplementation of fluids. Only responses from practicing small animal veterinarians were included. Not all respondents answered every question, and some questions allowed > I answer. RESULTS Balanced crystalloid solutions were the most common fluid type in all clinical scenarios described. The most common maintenance IV fluid rate reported by respondents (762/1,333 [57%]) was 60 mL/kg/d (27 mL/Ib/d); calculation of fluid administration rate by means of body surface area was infrequent. Challenges of fluid therapy included determining the appropriate rate (572/1,496 [38%]) and fluid type (497/1,496 [33%]) and determining the need for potassium supplementation (229/1,496 [15%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Small animal veterinarians tended to favor isotonic balanced crystalloid solutions for IV fluid therapy, compared with other common choices such as isotonic saline (0.9% NaCI) solution. Despite its ubiquity, respondents found many aspects of fluid therapy to be challenging, suggesting the need for easy to use, evidence-based guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although gemcitabine is an effective chemotherapeutic for pancreatic cancer, severe side effects often accompany its use. Since we have discovered that locally administered C1B domain peptides effectively control tumor growth without any side effects, the efficacy of co-treatment with this peptide and a low dose of gemcitabine on the growth of pancreatic cancer was examined. Two- and three-dimensional cell culture studies clarified that a co-treatment with C1B5 peptide and gemcitabine significantly attenuated growth of PAN02 mouse and PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells in 2D and 3D cultures. Although treatment with the low dose of gemcitabine alone (76%) or the C1B5 peptide alone (39%) inhibited tumor growth moderately, a co-treatment with C1B5 peptide and a low dose of gemcitabine markedly inhibited the growth of PAN02 autografts in the mouse peritoneal cavity (94% inhibition) without any noticeable adverse effect. The number of peritoneal cavity-infiltrating neutrophils and granzyme B + lymphocytes was significantly higher in the co-treatment group than in the control group. A significant increase of granzyme B mRNA expression was also detected in human T cells by the co-treatment. Taken together, the current study suggests that C1B5 peptide offers a remarkably effective combination treatment strategy to reduce side effects associated with gemcitabine, without losing its tumoricidal effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]