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The article compares the outcomes of minimally invasive surgery via right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy (RAMT) access versus complete sternotomy (CS) in patients undergoing replacement of the ascending aorta (AA) and the aortic root. The study found that RAMT had shorter aortic x-clamp time, lower 30-day mortality, and fewer complications such as wound infections, postoperative delirium, and re-intubation compared to CS. The authors recommend adopting the RAMT approach for aortic surgery to reduce sternotomy-associated complications and improve postoperative outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

The article compares the outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for replacing the ascending aorta and aortic root using two different approaches: right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy (RAMT) and partial upper sternotomy (PUS). The study analyzed data from 96 patients and found that RAMT had shorter operation times and lower rates of complications compared to PUS. The authors recommend RAMT as a safe and effective technique for treating these conditions when performed by an experienced team in a high-volume center. [Extracted from the article]

Legacy effects after the removal of invasive plants present significant challenges to restoration. The pivotal role of soil microbial communities in shaping these legacy effects is increasingly recognized, yet there is a lack of effective methods to mitigate altered microbial communities. In Point Reyes National Seashore (California), although the invaded European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria [L.] Link) was successfully controlled by herbicide treatment, beachgrass litter remained undecomposed for over 5 years, leaving pronounced legacy effects on soil organic matter and microbial community composition. We hypothesized that soil inoculation from uninvaded dune scrub can accelerate the decomposition of beachgrass litter in herbicide‐treated sites by restoring the soil microbial communities and the abundance of microbial decomposers. Three litterbags containing European beachgrass litter or litter from two common shrubs at dune scrub were deployed into each plot to assess the impact of soil inoculation on litter decomposition rates. Our results revealed that soil inoculation, regardless of the inoculation level, did not accelerate the decomposition of European beachgrass. Only the decomposition of bush lupine litter, which had the highest litter quality among three types of litter, was accelerated at the highest inoculation level (approximately 11,880 g/m2). Additionally, soil inoculation increased the richness and compositional homogeneity of soil microbial communities, along with the relative abundances of wood saprotrophic fungi, soil saprotrophic fungi, and lichenized fungi. Although these findings demonstrate the potential of soil inoculation, the cost‐effectiveness of soil inoculation limits its feasibility in accelerating the delayed decomposition of European beachgrass litter in Point Reyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensor technologies were integrated into a commercial sensor-guided hoeing system to counteract the force of gravity and reduce crop damage caused by the offset of hoeing in maize fields on sloping terrains. For this study, a hoe was equipped with a contact disc, sensors, an electric cylinder, and a decision support system. The offset of the hoe could be compensated in real time based on the automatic adjustment angle of the support wheel. In maize, three field experiments were conducted over two years to evaluate the system on three different slope gradients (between 4 and 12°). Plant populations were measured in each plot one day before and during hoeing to evaluate crop damage. However, for support wheel angle, Slope Compensation Intensity (SCI) 2 and 3, there were no significant crop plant losses in any trials. As a result, there was no hoe drifting during the sensor-based guidance along the rows. It has been verified that the development presented is functional and can counteract the force of gravity on slopes. This development aims to optimise the use of precision mechanical weed control and support farmers during hoeing on hilly terrain. • Tractor and machine are pushed down the slope by downhill force. • The hoe is not parallel to the tractor and plant losses will occur. • The offset of a hoe can be compensated by the developed slope-compensation system. • Crop losses can be compensated on hilly fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric prediction at 2–6 weeks lead time (so‐called subseasonal‐to‐seasonal timescales) entails large forecast uncertainty. Here we investigate the flow‐dependence of this uncertainty during Boreal winter. We categorize the large‐scale flow using North Atlantic‐European weather regimes. First, we show that forecast uncertainty of near‐surface geopotential height (Z1000) and temperature (T2m) are strongly sensitive to the prevailing regime. Specifically, forecast uncertainty of Z1000 reduces over northern Europe following Greenland Blocking (enhanced predictability) due to a southward shifting eddy‐driven jet. However, due to strong temperature gradients and variable flow patterns, Greenland blocking is linked to increased forecast uncertainty of T2m over Europe (reduced predictability). Second, we show that forecast uncertainty of weather regimes is modulated via the stratospheric polar vortex. Weak polar vortex states tend to reduce regime‐uncertainty, for example, due to more frequent predicted occurrence of Greenland blocking. These regime changes are associated with increased T2m uncertainty over Europe. Plain Language Summary: Weather is chaotic, and forecasts several weeks ahead are quite uncertain. Nevertheless, the degree of uncertainty varies, which can be relevant for long‐term planning in various sectors, including agriculture, energy supply, and public health. Here we show that the degree of uncertainty depends on the weather at the time of forecast start, which we categorize using eight characteristic weather patterns for the North Atlantic and Europe. We analyze a large set of forecasts during winter, with lead times up to 6 weeks. For example, persistent high‐pressure systems over Greenland are known to favor low temperatures over northern Europe. Our results indicate that, in addition, temperatures are highly variable in these cases, leading to unusually high forecast uncertainty. In contrast, uncertainty of near‐surface air pressure tends to decrease due to less frequent storms over the North Atlantic. Furthermore, we show that forecast uncertainty of the weather patterns themselves varies, which is useful when large‐scale flow conditions are more critical than local weather. We analyze forecasts under different circulation conditions in the Arctic stratosphere, as these can have long‐lasting impacts on surface weather. We find forecasts of weather patterns become less uncertain when the circumpolar winds in the Arctic stratosphere are weak. Key Points: Ensemble spread of near‐surface weather in subseasonal forecasts is sensitive to the prevailing North Atlantic‐European weather regimeGreenland blocking is linked to the smallest ensemble spread of geopotential but to the largest spread of temperature over northern EuropeWeak polar vortex states are followed by reduced forecast uncertainty of weather regimes but increased uncertainty of European temperature [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renowned horticultural artist and plant breeder Luther Burbank worked with many species of plants. During his 50-year career, he introduced more than 800 cultivars, including more than 150 accessions of plums (Prunus spp.) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Burbank preferred using wide, interspecific crosses to create a vast range of phenotypic variation and then artificially select from the extremes. Although a great artist, Burbank was a substandard scientist because he was derelict in pedigree note-taking. Although many of his introductions are extinct, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and international collections retain nearly a third of the economically viable cultivars he bred. For a century, many of his hybridizations remained inscrutable mysteries until modern genomic and computational tools developed their resolution and statistical power. Today, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) is a useful tool for pedigree reconstruction in the absence of reliable records. GBS can inform principal component analyses, identity by descent (IBD) kinship, and phylogenetic admixture, revealing complex relationships among taxa. In this study, whole genome sequencing was performed on 53 Prunus taxa used by Burbank in his breeding experiments in the most comprehensive genetic survey of his work to date. Exact parent-offspring relationships between this population may be impossible to discern due to years of back crossing, sibling mating, and open pollination. However, the proportion of genomic similarity among these taxa provides information on the relatedness of the genotypes in Burbank's Prunus experiments, defining four primary lineages within his breeding population. These lineages comprised primarily P. salicina and P. simonii but also have influences from P. americana, P. cerasifera, P. domestica, and P. rivularis. The prevalence of P. simonii in Burbank's Prunus introductions appears to have been vastly underreported, indicating that some of the seedstock founders of his breeding population could have been P. salicina × P. simonii hybrids at the inception of his career. This research has implications for pedigree reconstruction and prioritizing conservation in collections curation for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the autism knowledge and awareness of educators in Higher Education (HE) as well as their attitudes towards accommodating autistic students within their teaching. Semi-structured interviews were used to allow for in-depth investigation of this topic. Thematic analysis uncovered a striking dissonance between educators' positive attitudes towards accommodating autistic students and their actions in the classroom. A range of additional themes and subthemes interacted with the concept of dissonance. Even though participants self-described as having expert knowledge of autism, an attitude-behaviour gap was evident. Impact on inclusivity for autistic students is discussed, alongside recommended directions for future study and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearing facepieces is discussed in the context of increasing the volume of rebreathed air. We hypothesized that rebreathed air volume increases with increasing filtering facepiece (FFP) class and that persons breathing via facepieces compensate for the additional dead-space. We have determined the effective amount of rebreathed air for a surgical masks and FFP2 and FFP3 respirators in a physical model and determined tidal volumes, breathing frequency, blood oxygen saturation, and transcutaneously measured blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2) in lung-healthy subjects breathing without and with facepieces at rest and during exercising on a recumbent ergometer. Rebreathed air volume increased with the facepieces' protection class and with increasing inspiration volume by 45 ± 2 ml to 247 ± 1 ml. Ambient airflow reduced rebreathed air volume by 17% up to 100% (all p < 0.001). When wearing facepieces, subjects increased tidal volume (p < 0.001) but not breathing frequency. Oxygen saturation was not influenced by facepieces. With FFP3 respirators PCO2 increased by up to 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.001) at rest but only up to 1.4 mmHg (p < 0.001) when exercising. Discomfort of breathing increased with increasing protection class of the facepiece but was consistently perceived as tolerable. We conclude that the amount of rebreathed air increases with increasing protection class of facepieces. Healthy adults were capable to compensate the facepieces' dead-space by adapting tidal volume at rest and during physical activity; thereby they tolerated moderate increases in PCO2. Ambient airflow may considerably reduce the amount of facepiece related rebreathed air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision agriculture is about applying solutions that serve to obtain a high yield from the optimization of resources and the development of technologies based on the collection and use of precise data. Precision agriculture, including camera-guided row detection and hydraulic steering, is often used as an alternative because crop damage can be decreased and driving speed can be increased, comparable to herbicide applications. The effects of different approaches, such as uncontrolled (UC), mechanical weed control (MWC), herbicide weed control (HWC), and mechanical + herbicide control (MWC + HWC), on weed density and yield of sugar beet were tested and evaluated in two trials (2021 and 2022) in South Transylvania Depression at the tested intervals BBCH 19 and 31. Weed control efficacy (WCE) depends on the emergence of the weeds and a good timing of weed controls in all the trials and methods, though the highest yield of sugar beet roots was recorded in the treatment MWC + HWC, with an increase up to 12–15% (56.48 t ha−1) yield from HWC (50.22 t ha−1) and a yield increase of more than 35–40% than MWC (42.34 t ha−1). Our trials show that it is possible to increase yield and have fewer chemical applications with the introduction of new precision technologies in agriculture, including sensor-guided mechanical controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the journal Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeon, examines the prevention of re-thoracotomy in patients who have undergone replacement of the ascending aorta. The study retrospectively analyzed the data of 267 patients who underwent this surgery and were divided into two groups based on whether they received an additional posterior left pericardiotomy (PLP) during the procedure. The results showed that patients who received PLP had a lower incidence of re-thoracotomy and postoperative atrial fibrillation, without an increased risk of postoperative complications. However, these patients did have a higher rate of stroke. Overall, the study suggests that PLP may be a beneficial surgical maneuver in preventing certain complications in patients undergoing this type of surgery. [Extracted from the article]

In this issue of Neuron , Zhang et al. question the neural substrates of exercise-based alleviation of anxiety in rodents. In brief, they propose a model where physical activity provides an anxiolytic effect by recruiting specific cerebello-limbic circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered extraordinary levels of stress and uncertainty nationwide. In the current study, we use stress and coping theory and uncertainty management theory to examine how medical students coped with the stress and uncertainty associated with the disruption COVID-19 created in their training. Students completed a mixed-methods cross-sectional online survey one week after shifting to online instruction due to COVID-19. The survey included a measure of coping strategies and a series of open-ended questions designed to capture barriers and facilitators of coping and uncertainty management. In total, 360 students from one US medical school completed the survey. Students relied most frequently on coping strategies of distraction, acceptance, planning, positive reframing, and emotional support. However, coping strategies differed significantly by year in training. Personal uncertainty emerged as the most salient form of uncertainty. This uncertainty resulted from the loss of structure and resources, disruption of academic timelines, and, ultimately, disrupted identity as a (future) physician. Students described important barriers and facilitators of coping and uncertainty management. The barriers included constant exposure, inadequate information, rumination, and extreme responses. The facilitators included distraction, avoidance, instrumental support, emotional support, network support, and positive reframing. Overall, our results suggest that medical students experienced significant uncertainty related to their professional skills and identities as future physicians and faced many dilemmas coping with stress and managing uncertainty, mainly related to information and social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events can form a window of forecast opportunity for polar vortex predictions on subseasonal‐to‐seasonal time scales. Analyzing numerical ensemble simulations, we quantify the associated enhanced predictability due to reduced upward planetary wave fluxes during the mostly radiatively driven recovery phase following SSWs. Ensembles that predict an SSW show reduced ensemble spread in terms of polar vortex strength for several weeks to follow, as well as a corresponding reduction in forecast errors. This increased predictability is particularly pronounced for strong SSWs and even occurs if not all ensemble members predict a major SSW. Furthermore, we found a direct impact of the occurrence of SSWs on the date of the final warming (FW): the decrease in upward wave fluxes delays the FW significantly. The reduced spread after SSWs and the delay in FW date have potentially further implications for (subseasonal) predictions of the tropospheric and mesospheric circulations. Plain Language Summary: The polar vortex is a large scale circulation active during winter in the higher levels of the polar atmosphere. Changes in the strength of the polar vortex can have an impact on the weather over mid‐latitude regions like Europe. This is the case especially for the period after so‐called sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events, where the polar vortex breaks down very abruptly and then slowly recovers over several weeks. Such a break‐down of the polar vortex tends to suppress wave activity and hence reduces the dynamical variability in the polar stratosphere, leading to a more predictable evolution of the circulation. We quantify the strength and timescale of this increase in predictability of the polar vortex after an SSW using a large set of winter time model forecasts. Key Points: Sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) lead to reduced forecast spread in the polar stratosphere for several weeks after the eventReduced forecast spread after SSWs is driven by suppressed vertical planetary wave propagation due to persistent negative wind anomaliesFinal warmings are delayed for winters with SSW, consistent with reduced upward wave fluxes following the SSW [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebellar cortex computes sensorimotor information from many brain areas through a feedforward inhibitory (FFI) microcircuit between the input stage, the granule cell (GC) layer, and the output stage, the Purkinje cells (PCs). Although in other brain areas FFI underlies a precise excitation versus inhibition temporal correlation, recent findings in the cerebellum highlighted more complex behaviors at GC-molecular layer interneuron (MLI)-PC pathway. To dissect the temporal organization of this cerebellar FFI pathway, we combined ex vivo patch-clamp recordings of PCs in male mice with a viral-based strategy to express Channelrhodopsin2 in a subset of mossy fibers (MFs), the major excitatory inputs to GCs. We show that although light-mediated MF activation elicited pairs of excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents in PCs, excitation (E) from GCs and inhibition (I) from MLIs reached PCs with a wide range of different temporal delays. However, when GCs were directly stimulated, a low variability in E/I delays was observed. Our results demonstrate that in many recordings MF stimulation recruited different groups of GCs that trigger E and/or I, and expanded PC temporal synaptic integration. Finally, using a computational model of the FFI pathway, we showed that this temporal expansion could strongly influence how PCs integrate GC inputs. Our findings show that specific E/I delays may help PCs encoding specific MF inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebellum is classically associated with fine motor control, motor learning, and timing of actions. However, while its anatomy is well described and many synaptic plasticity have been identified, the computation performed by the cerebellar cortex is still debated. We, here, review recent advances on how the description of the functional synaptic connectivity between granule cells and Purkinje cells support the hypothesis that the cerebellum stores internal models of the body coordinates. We propose that internal models are specific of the task and of the locomotor context of each individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative impacts of pesticides on the environment and human health, the risk of pesticide residues in the food chain, and the problems with herbicide‐resistant weed biotypes support the need for alternative cropping systems. The objective of this study was to investigate weed populations, weed management and crop yield in a pesticide‐free cropping system with the use of mineral fertilisers. Conventional‐, organic‐ and mineral‐ecological cropping systems (MECS) with 6‐year crop rotations including winter wheat, maize, winter triticale or winter rye, soyabean or spring pea, and spring barley were established in a randomised complete strip plot design with four repetitions. Experiments were conducted at four locations in Germany. Preventive and sensor‐guided mechanical weed management strategies were applied in all crops in the organic system and in MECS. Herbicide were applied in the conventional farming system. Weed densities, weed species composition, weed control efficacy (WCE) and crop yield were analysed over 2 years in 2020 and 2021. Conventional farming had the highest WCE and 1–7 weeds m−2 (2.7% weed coverage) after herbicide application. In the organic cropping system and MECS, up to 27 weeds m−2 were counted after camera‐guided weed hoeing. Weed coverage in MECS (9.7%) was higher than in the organic cropping system with 7.7%. Crop yield in MECS was equal to the conventional farming system and 20% higher yield than in the organic farming system. MECS represents a promising new and productive cropping practice if an effective integrated weed management strategy is applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate in real-life conditions the effectiveness and safety of a biosimilar of epoetin alfa (Retacrit®) in chemotherapy-induced anemia and the impact of iron supplementation. Methods: This was a longitudinal, observational, prospective study of 12–16 weeks conducted in 195 French centers. The primary endpoint was the achievement of target Hb (with an increase of Hb ≥1 g/dL) or an increase of Hb ≥2 g/dL, in the absence of transfusion in the previous 3 weeks. Results: 2,076 patients (women, 50.6%; mean age, 67.0 years) with malignant diseases (solid tumors, 79.8%; lymphomas, 12.7%; multiple myeloma, 6.6%) were analyzed. A total of 655 patients received oral iron (40.5%), intravenous iron (58.9%), or both (0.6%). At inclusion, 10.0% and 18.2% of patients without and with iron supplementation had serum ferritin <100 μg/L, respectively. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) ≤20% was more frequent in patients with supplementation (76.6%) than without supplementation (33.9%). The mean weekly doses of epoetin alfa biosimilar and planned duration of treatment were comparable regardless of iron supplementation. The primary endpoint was achieved in 70.5% and 70.2% of patients without and with iron supplementation, respectively. Three (0.1%) serious thromboembolic events related to treatment with epoetin alfa biosimilar were reported. Conclusion: Epoetin alfa biosimilar was effective and well tolerated for treating chemotherapy-induced anemia. Patients in subgroup with iron supplementation had lower TSAT at inclusion compared to subgroup without supplementation. Comparable mean Hb levels were achieved in both subgroups. The rate of patients with iron supplementation through the intravenous route was however insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site-specific weed control offers a great potential for herbicide savings in agricultural crops without causing yield losses and additional weed management costs in the following years. Therefore, precision weed management is an efficient tool to meet the EU targets for pesticide reduction. This review summarizes different commercial technologies and prototypes for precision patch spraying and spot spraying. All the presented technologies have in common that they consist of three essential parts. (1) Sensors and classifiers for weed/crop detection, (2) Decision algorithms to decide whether weed control is needed and to determine a suitable type and rate of herbicide. Usually, decision algorithms are installed on a controller and (3) a precise sprayer with boom section control or single nozzle control. One point that differs between some of the techniques is the way the decision algorithms classify. They are based on different approaches. Green vegetation can be differentiated from soil and crop residues based on spectral information in the visible and near-infrared wavebands ("Green on Brown"). Those sensors can be applied for real-time on/off control of single nozzles to control weeds before sowing after conservation tillage and in the inter-row area of crops. More sophisticated imaging algorithms are used to classify weeds in crops ("Green on Green"). This paper will focus on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for plant species identification. Alternatively, the position of each crop can be recorded during sowing/planting and afterward herbicides can be targeted to single weeds or larger patches of weeds if the economic weed threshold is exceeded. With a standardized protocol of data communication between sensor, controller and sprayer, the user can combine different sensors with different sprayers. In this review, an ISOBUS communication protocol is presented for a spot sprayer. Precision chemical weed control can be realized with tractor-mounted sprayers and autonomous robots. Commercial systems for both classes will be introduced and their economic and environmental benefits and limitations will be highlighted. Farmers ask for robust systems with less need for maintenance and flexible application in different crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing number of herbicide-resistant weed populations and the resulting yield losses, weed control must be given high priority to ensure food security. Integrated weed management (IWM) strategies, including reduced herbicide application, sensor-guided mechanical weed control and combinations thereof are indispensable to achieve this goal. Therefore, this study examined combinations of pre- and post-emergence herbicide applications with sensor-based harrowing and hoeing in cereals by conducting five field experiments at two locations in Southwestern Germany from 2019 to 2021. Each experiment contained an untreated control and a single post-emergence herbicide treatment as a comparison to these IWM treatments. The effects of the different IWM approaches on weed control efficacy (WCE), crop density, and grain yield were recorded. All experiments were set up in a randomized complete block design with four repetitions. Pre-emergence herbicide application combined with one-time harrowing and subsequent hoeing (Pre-Herb + Harr + Hoe) achieved the highest WCE (100%), followed by an approach of WCE (95%) for two-times hoeing. In contrast, a single pre-emergence herbicide application achieved the worst result with an average WCE of 25%. Grain yield was equal between all treatments in between 6 t ha−1 and 10 t ha−1, except for a single pre-emergence herbicide application, which achieved a 2.5 t ha−1 higher grain yield in winter wheat in 2021 that averaged 11 t ha−1, compared to the combination of Pre-Herb + Harr + Hoe that averaged 8.5 t ha−1. The results showed that it is possible to reduce and replace herbicides while achieving equivalent yield and WCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although different modifications of ridge tillage (RT) systems exist in different regions around the world, the positive impacts of RT on crop yields and weed management are quite similar. This review gives a comprehensive summary of different forms of RT and highlights the benefits of RT for crop growth, mainly due to better access to soil moisture, nutrients and light. In temperate areas, RT can accelerate crop emergence because soil temperature is usually higher on the ridge. These stimulating effects increase crop competitiveness against weeds especially in the early period of crop development until canopy closure. RT with crops placed on the top of ridges can also be used for automatically guiding inter-row hoes and intra-row band sprayers. The ridges can replace automatic vision control systems for hoeing and band spraying, which are needed for precise weeding in conventional flat seedbeds. Therefore, RT can be considered a possible platform for smart/robotic weeding. This paper introduces a new RT system using real-time kinematic (RTK) global satellite navigation systems (GNSS) for the ridging and seeding of maize and soybean on top of recompacted ridges. Straight ridges with precise positioning data were used to guide mechanical weeding elements precisely along the crop rows. Simultaneously, weeds in the valleys were suppressed by living mulches. Field experiments with this new technology in maize showed 85.5% weed dry biomass suppression compared to an untreated control and a slightly higher weed control efficacy than mechanical weeding in flat seedbeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern anesthesia workstation provides a wealth of information some of which is of particular interest when it comes to optimizing ventilation settings. This knowledge gains even more importance in the therapy of pediatric patients. In the absence of evidence‐based recommendations on optimal ventilation settings in pediatric patients, the evaluation of individual factors becomes crucial and challenging at the same time. Even when equipped with the latest sensor technology, the user will always have to be in charge of interpreting the provided monitoring variables. The purpose of this review is to outline the clinical impact, technological background, and reliability of the most relevant information measured and calculated by a modern anesthesia workstation. It aims at translating the technical knowledge into a more competent and vigilant application in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approaches toward lung‐protective ventilation have increasingly been investigated in recent years. Despite evidence being found in adults undergoing surgery, data in younger children are still scarce and controversial. From a physiological perspective, however, the continuously changing characteristics of the respiratory system from birth through adolescence require an approach based on the analysis of each individual patient. The modern anesthesia workstation provides such information, with the technical strengths and weaknesses being discussed in a review preceding the present work (see Part I). The present summary aims to provide ideas on how to translate the information displayed on the anesthesia workstation to patient‐oriented clinical ventilation settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanical properties of biological tissues change over time and with disease progression. Quantifying these mechanical properties can thus be instrumental for medical diagnosis and for evaluation of tissue viability for transplant. However, soft and biological materials are exceptionally challenging to mechanically characterize using conventional testing methods, which are hindered by limitations of sample size, fixturing capabilities, and sample preparation. Objective: We hypothesize that Volume Controlled Cavity Expansion (VCCE) is well-suited to capture subtle mechanical differences in biological tissue. The objective of this work is therefore twofold: first, we seek to quantify how stiffness of liver and gelatin evolve with age. In achieving this understanding, we aim to demonstrate the precision of VCCE in measuring subtle changes in the mechanical properties of biological tissues. Methods: Performing VCCE tests over 15 days in samples of gelatin and liver (porcine and bovine), we track the evolving pressure-volume response and deformation limits of the materials. Results: In both materials, we observed time-dependent variation of the stiffness and fracture thresholds. In gelatin VCCE repeatably captured stiffening over time, which was correlated with a higher fracture stress. This was in contrast to observations in bovine liver, where stiffening corresponded to a lower fracture stress. Porcine liver initially stiffened, then reversed this trend and relaxed. Conclusion: Through this work we show that liver and gelatin stiffen with age, and that this trend is measurable via VCCE. These results highlight the utility of VCCE and call attention to the need for a new class of mechanism based constitutive models that are capable of capturing variations in material over time with a minimal number of parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the new insights into the importance of YY1 in controlling b-cell DDR to promote growth, survival, and maturation. Topics include the key finding of this study is the downregulation of YY1 under conditions of b-cell stress, such as those for the db/db mice and T2D donors; Cells like the adult b-cell must deploy robust strategies, such as efficient repair of DNA damage, to ensure their genomic integrity and survival throughout their lifespans.

Converting and using the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to deliver 527 nm light instead of its current 351 nm would allow the laser to deliver more energy and power to ignition targets. We update previous 527 nm target design work to reflect more contemporary target designs using high-density carbon capsules and low density helium gas filled Hohlraums. We extend single shell capsule designs based on current experimental results to higher energy and power and also explore double shell capsules, both driven by green light. These studies were completed using detailed pulse shapes found for targets that converged with acceptable 2D implosion symmetries and then used the Lava Lamp II code to confirm their feasibility at NIF. A 1.2× dimensional scaleup of one tuned NIF target at the limit of its current 351 nm capabilities and shot 170827 uses 3.3 MJ, at the limit of the current NIF's 527 nm capability. With the less-structured pulse of a double shell target, 3.7 MJ could be delivered by the laser. Our LPI calculations do not preclude operation at 527 nm, particularly for low fill Hohlraums, and suggest that the stimulated Raman backscatter may be no worse than the small quantities seen in 170827; stimulated forward Raman scattering may be present. If Stimulated Brillouin Scattering is too great, the much greater laser bandwidth available at 527 nm could be used to decrease backscatter. These larger targets with higher energy and power may offer a better chance of achieving ignition with only modest changes to the NIF laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five-year absolute breast cancer risk prediction models are required to comply with national guidelines regarding risk reduction regimens. Models including the Gail model are under-utilized in the general population for various reasons, including difficulty in accurately completing some clinical fields. The purpose of this study was to determine if a streamlined risk model could be designed without substantial loss in performance. Only the clinical risk factors that were easily answered by women will be retained and combined with an objective validated polygenic risk score (PRS) to ultimately improve overall compliance with professional recommendations. We first undertook a review of a series of 2,339 Caucasian, African American and Hispanic women from the USA who underwent clinical testing. We first used deidentified test request forms to identify the clinical risk factors that were best answered by women in a clinical setting and then compared the 5-year risks for the full model and the streamlined model in this clinical series. We used OPERA analysis on previously published case-control data from 11,924 Gail model samples to determine clinical risk factors to include in a streamlined model: first degree family history and age that could then be combined with the PRS. Next, to ensure that the addition of PRS to the streamlined model was indeed beneficial, we compared risk stratification using the Streamlined model with and without PRS for the existing case-control datasets comprising 1,313 cases and 10,611 controls of African-American (n = 7421), Caucasian (n = 1155) and Hispanic (n = 3348) women, using the area under the curve to determine model performance. The improvement in risk discrimination from adding the PRS risk score to the Streamlined model was 52%, 46% and 62% for African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic women, respectively, based on changes in log OPERA. There was no statistically significant difference in mean risk scores between the Gail model plus risk PRS compared to the Streamlined model plus PRS. This study demonstrates that validated PRS can be used to streamline a clinical test for primary care practice without diminishing test performance. Importantly, by eliminating risk factors that women find hard to recall or that require obtaining medical records, this model may facilitate increased clinical adoption of 5-year risk breast cancer risk prediction test in keeping with national standards and guidelines for breast cancer risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context.--Since 2008, the Northern Territory Point-of- Care Testing Program has improved patient access to pathology testing for acute and chronic disease management for remote health services. Objective.--To evaluate the analytical quality, service delivery, and clinical utility of an expanding remote pointof- care testing network. Design.--Four years (2016--2019) of data on analytical quality, test numbers, and training statistics and 6 months of clinical point-of-care testing data from Abbott i-STATs at remote health services throughout the Northern Territory were analyzed to assess analytical performance, program growth, and clinical utility. Results.--From 2016 to 2019, point-of-care test numbers increased, with chemistry and blood gas testing more than doubling to 8500 and 6000 tests, respectively, troponin I testing almost doubling (to 6000), and international normalized ratio testing plateauing at 8000 tests. Participation in quality control and proficiency testing was high, with quality comparable to laboratorybased analytical goals. A shift toward flexible training and communication modes was noted. An audit of point-ofcare test results demonstrated elevated creatinine, associated with chronic kidney disease management, as the most common clinically actionable patient result. Conclusions.--The Northern Territory Point-of-Care Testing Program provides high quality point-of-care testing within remote primary health services for acute and chronic patient management and care. Clinical need, sound analytical performance, flexibility in training provision, and effective support services have facilitated the sustainability of this expanding point-of-care testing model in the remote Northern Territory during the past 11 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a modular architecture for neuromorphic closed-loop control based on bistable relaxation oscillator modules consisting of three spiking neurons each. Like its biological prototypes, this basic component is robust to parameter variation but can be modulated by external inputs. By combining these modules, we can construct a neural state machine capable of generating the cyclic or repetitive behaviors necessary for legged locomotion. A concrete case study for the approach is provided by a modular robot constructed from flexible plastic volumetric pixels, in which we produce a forward crawling gait entrained to the natural frequency of the robot by a minimal system of twelve neurons organized into four modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article includes a case study describing our innovative teaching technique of assigning reading journals in a first semester calculus course (Calculus I), as well as an exposition about and recommendations arising from our subsequent experiences implementing similar methods in Junior and Senior mathematics courses. In the primary case study involving Calculus I, students were initially given instructions about how to read the textbook, and then throughout the term, completed journal assignments by taking reading notes, responding to a prompt question, and reflecting upon any confusing portions of the reading. We will describe how practitioners could apply our methods to their classrooms both at the early calculus level and beyond, and why we anecdotally believe some form of the journaling practice was more effective in courses beyond the first semester calculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the use of a novel web-tool for Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model (RHEM) as a prediction runoff and erosion as a function of vegetation structure and behavior of different plant community phases and the amount of coverage for the different states in the Aydarly village of Jambul district of Almaty province. US Department of Agriculture experts and Kazakhstani scientists jointly conducted this study, where, based on the results, they received recommendations on improving rangeland. Results suggested that the model could be further improved with additional measured experimental data on infiltration, runoff, and soil erosion within key ecological sites in order to better quantify model parameters to reflect ecosystem changes and risk of crossing interdependent biotic and abiotic thresholds. These additions were further improved and implemented in other regions of Kazakhstan on other projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissipative particle dynamics simulations were used to study the effects of mixing time, solute solubility, solute and diblock copolymer concentrations, and copolymer block length on the rapid coprecipitation of polymer-protected nanoparticles. The simulations were aimed at modeling Flash NanoPrecipitation, a process in which hydrophobic solutes and amphiphilic block copolymers are dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent and then rapidly mixed with water to produce composite nanoparticles. A previously developed model by Spaeth et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 134, 164902 (2011)] was used. The model was parameterized to reproduce equilibrium and transport properties of the solvent, hydrophobic solute, and diblock copolymer. Anti-solvent mixing was modeled using time-dependent solvent-solute and solvent-copolymer interactions. We find that particle size increases with mixing time, due to the difference in solute and polymer solubilities. Increasing the solubility of the solute leads to larger nanoparticles for unfavorable solute-polymer interactions and to smaller nanoparticles for favorable solute-polymer interactions. A decrease in overall solute and polymer concentration produces smaller nanoparticles, because the difference in the diffusion coefficients of a single polymer and of larger clusters becomes more important to their relative rates of collisions under more dilute conditions. An increase in the solute-polymer ratio produces larger nanoparticles, since a collection of large particles has less surface area than a collection of small particles with the same total volume. An increase in the hydrophilic block length of the polymer leads to smaller nanoparticles, due to an enhanced ability of each polymer to shield the nanoparticle core. For unfavorable solute-polymer interactions, the nanoparticle size increases with hydrophobic block length. However, for favorable solute-polymer interactions, nanoparticle size exhibits a local minimum with respect to the hydrophobic block length. Our results provide insights on ways in which experimentally controllable parameters of the Flash NanoPrecipitation process can be used to influence aggregate size and composition during self-assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed explicit- and implicit-solvent models for the flash nanoprecipitation process, which involves rapid coprecipitation of block copolymers and solutes by changing solvent quality. The explicit-solvent model uses the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method and the implicit-solvent model uses the Brownian dynamics (BD) method. Each of the two models was parameterized to match key properties of the diblock copolymer (specifically, critical micelle concentration, diffusion coefficient, polystyrene melt density, and polyethylene glycol radius of gyration) and the hydrophobic solute (aqueous solubility, diffusion coefficient, and solid density). The models were simulated in the limit of instantaneous mixing of solvent with antisolvent. Despite the significant differences in the potentials employed in the implicit- and explicit-solvent models, the polymer-stabilized nanoparticles formed in both sets of simulations are similar in size and structure; however, the dynamic evolution of the two simulations is quite different. Nanoparticles in the BD simulations have diffusion coefficients that follow Rouse behavior (D ∝ M-1), whereas those in the DPD simulations have diffusion coefficients that are close to the values predicted by the Stokes-Einstein relation (D ∝ R-1). As the nanoparticles become larger, the discrepancy between diffusion coefficients grows. As a consequence, BD simulations produce increasingly slower aggregation dynamics with respect to real time and result in an unphysical evolution of the nanoparticle size distribution. Surface area per polymer of the stable explicit-solvent nanoparticles agrees well with experimental values, whereas the implicit-solvent nanoparticles are stable when the surface area per particle is roughly two to four times larger. We conclude that implicit-solvent models may produce questionable results when simulating nonequilibrium processes in which hydrodynamics play a critical role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mice, variability in adult bone size and density has been observed among common inbred strains. Also, in the group of genes regulating circadian rhythmicity in mice, so called clock genes, changes in body size and skeletal parameters have been noted in knockout mice. Here, we studied the size and density of prominent bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton of clock gene Period‐1‐deficient (Per1‐/‐) mice by means of microcomputed tomography. Our data show shorter spinal length, smaller and less dense femora and tibiae, but no significant changes in the shape of the skull and the length of the head. Together with the significantly lower total body weight of Per1‐/‐ mice, we conclude that Per1‐deficiency in a melatonin‐proficient mouse strain is associated with an altered body phenotype with smaller appendicular (hind limb) bone size, shorter spine length and lower total body weight while normal head length and brain weight. The observed changes suggest an involvement of secondary bone mineralisation with impact on long bones, but lesser impact on those of the skull. Evidence and overall physiological implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films were deposited in a filtered cathodic vacuum arc chamber. Nitrogen, of atomic concentration up to 30%, was introduced in the films during deposition by a Kaufmann-ion source. Change of the film structure and the valence band (VB) spectra of ta-C film due to nitrogen incorporation was studied by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) using He I and He II excitations as well as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A comparative study of the electronic structure between ta-C and the nitrogenated films was demonstrated by decomposition of their VB spectra into several bands and from the intensity difference of these spectra. An additional density of states close to the Fermi level (E[sub F]), representing the nitrogen lone pair state, has been detected from both UPS and XPS VB spectra of nitrogenated samples. From the shift of the VB relative to the E[sub F] nitrogen doping of ta-C is demonstrated. The change of the density of states at the edge of VB and especially the C 2s and N 2s states is thoroughly explained. The modification of the structure of nitrogenated films prepared by applying the substrate bias and temperature was also studied through comparison of the VB spectra. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors positively and/or negatively impact gene expression by recruiting coregulatory factors, which interact through protein-protein binding. Here we demonstrate that mouse pancreas size and islet β-cell function are controlled by the ATP-dependent Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling coregulatory complex that physically associates with Pdx1, a diabetes-linked transcription factor essential to pancreatic morphogenesis and adult islet cell function and maintenance. Early embryonic deletion of just the Swi/Snf Brg1 ATPase subunit reduced multipotent pancreatic progenitor cell proliferation and resulted in pancreas hypoplasia. In contrast, removal of both Swi/Snf ATPase subunits, Brg1 and Brm, was necessary to compromise adult islet β-cell activity, which included whole-animal glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, and impaired insulin secretion. Notably, lineage-tracing analysis revealed Swi/Snf-deficient β-cells lost the ability to produce the mRNAs for Ins and other key metabolic genes without effecting the expression of many essential islet-enriched transcription factors. Swi/Snf was necessary for Pdx1 to bind to the Ins gene enhancer, demonstrating the importance of this association in mediating chromatin accessibility. These results illustrate how fundamental the Pdx1:Swi/Snf coregulator complex is in the pancreas, and we discuss how disrupting their association could influence type 1 and type 2 diabetes susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine associations among objectively-measured nocturnal sleep time, bedtime and obesogenic behaviors, including dietary intake, timing of intake, and physical activity, in a diverse sample of school-aged children who presented for behavioral treatment to enhance sleep duration.Methods: Eighty-seven children (8-11 y, 66.7% female, zBMI: 0.86 ± 1.0) who self-reported sleeping <9.5 h/night were studied for one week using wrist actigraphy to estimate sleep; hip-worn accelerometers to measure physical activity; and 24 h dietary recalls to capture dietary intake and meal timing. Pearson and Spearman's rho correlations and linear regressions controlling for age, gender and race were used for statistical analyses.Results and Conclusion: Mean bedtime was 10:31 PM (±58.2 min) and mean nocturnal sleep time was 7.7 h (±37.5 min). Although later bedtime was associated with shorter sleep time (r = -0.61, p < 0.001), the two variables were differentially related to obesity risk factors. Later bedtime, but not sleep time, correlated with greater daily fat intake, later first meal of the day, and greater after-dinner intake (all p < 0.05). Nocturnal sleep time, but not bedtime, correlated with zBMI (p = 0.04). Both sleep time and later bedtime were associated with a later last meal of the day (all p < 0.05). Findings remained consistent after controlling for demographic factors. In short-sleeping school-aged children, bedtime may be more predictive of dietary obesity risk factors whereas sleep duration may be more predictive of zBMI. Results suggest that health providers should consider both bedtime and sleep duration for reducing obesity risk in children.Clinical Trial: Enhancing Sleep Duration: Effects on Children's Eating and Activity Behaviors, NCT03186508, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03186508. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]