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Climate change, land degradation, and limited land and water resources have challenged our ability to meet the food demand of a rapidly growing population. To tackle this challenge, modern agricultural systems are relying on new technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve agricultural productivity and resource use efficiency. Although IoT has gained considerable attention in the last few years, the key concepts of IoT and their applicability across different domains of agriculture are still new to many researchers, practitioners, managers, and policymakers. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the use of different IoT platforms, wireless sensor networks, and other associated technologies like remote sensing, cloud computing, and big data analytics in digital agriculture. The review also explores the use of communication technologies, microcontrollers, and machine learning in smart irrigation and decision support systems. The necessity of interoperability (data transfer and communication without human interference) among devices is discussed in detail with regard to facilitating and exchanging agricultural data more effectively. The discussion also includes opportunities and challenges in standardizing IoT; developing energy‐efficient and affordable technologies; and improving data collection, transfer, storage, processing, security, anonymity, and privacy. This paper further calls for collaborative research in sensor and communication technologies in the agricultural sector. Core Ideas: Different platforms, sensors, and structures of IoT in digital agriculture were reviewed.The application of IoT in data management, interoperability, and precision farming was reviewed.Potential of IoT to improve agricultural quality and productivity was highlighted.Challenges and opportunities of IoT in digital agriculture were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgical services in Australia and New Zealand. The implementation of AI must be evidence-based, safe, and ethically cautious, and should serve as an adjunct to surgical staff rather than a replacement. The article highlights the need for greater engagement with non-surgical healthcare communities and the wider society, as well as the importance of developing guidelines and infrastructure for monitoring and auditing AI tools. Ethical considerations, such as bias in training data and the lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes, must also be addressed. The article concludes with recommendations for the future use of AI in surgical services, emphasizing the need for an evidence-based approach, close engagement with regulatory bodies, and education for surgical staff and patients. [Extracted from the article]

Because the manual counting of soybean (Glycine max) plants, pods, and seeds/pods is unsuitable for soybean yield predictions, alternative methods are desired. Therefore, the objective was to determine if satellite remote sensing‐based artificial intelligence (AI) models could be used to predict soybean yield. In the study, multiple remote sensing‐based AI models were developed for soybean growth stage ranging from VE/VC (plant emergence) to R6/R7 (full seed to beginning maturity). The ability of the deep neural network (DNN), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and AdaBoost to predict soybean yield, based on blue, green, red, and near‐infrared reflectance data collected by the PlanetScope satellite at six growth stages, was determined. Remote sensing and soybean yield monitor data from three different fields in 2 years (2019 and 2021) were aggregated into 24,282 grid cells that had the dimensions of 10 m by 10 m. A comparison across models showed that the DNN outperformed the other models. Moreover, as crops matured from VE/VC to R4/R5, the R2 value of the models increased from 0.26 to over 0.70. These findings indicate that remote sensing data collected at different growth stages can be combined for soybean yield predictions. Moreover, additional work needs to be conducted to assess the model's ability to predict soybean yield with vegetation indices (VIs) data for fields not used to train the model. Core Ideas: Remote sensing‐based artificial intelligence (AI) models can estimate soybean yield.Of the AI techniques tested, the deep neural network (DNN) generally explained the most yield variability (R2).Yield predictions were improved by combining satellite images collected at multiple growth stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kindler's syndrome (KS) is a rare genodermatosis caused by a mutation in the KIND1 gene and characterized by skin fragility, photosensitivity, blistering, multi‐system involvement, and a risk of oral malignancy. Case Presentation: Two cases of KS in siblings are presented with severe cutaneous lesions, atrophic oral mucositis, chronic desquamative gingivitis‐periodontitis, candidiasis, and the novel finding of an imapacted mandibular distomolar. Topical steroids, antifungals, antiseptics, and oral prophylaxis caused marked improvement at the 2‐week follow‐up. Conclusion: The oral clinician plays a very significant role in a multi‐specialty team for diagnosis, management, surveillance for oral malignant transformation, and improving oral health‐related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder with a varying range of organs involved leading to adverse outcomes. However, very little is known, with conflicting results about the association between RA and atrial fibrillation (AF). We aim to evaluate the association between RA and AF, and other clinical outcomes. We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for relevant articles from inception until September 10, 2023. Primary clinical outcomes were AF. Secondary outcomes were acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, and all-cause mortality (ACM). A total of 4 679 930 patients were included in the analysis, with 81 677 patients in the RA group and 4 493 993 patients in the nonrheumatoid arthritis (NRA) group. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 years. Pooled analysis of primary outcomes shows that RA groups of patients had a significantly higher risk of AF (odds ratios [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.16-2.03], p < .001) compared with NRA groups. Secondary Outcomes show that the RA group of patients had significantly higher odds of ACS (OR, 1.39; 95% CI: [1.26-1.52], p < .001), and ACM (OR, 1.19; 95% CI: [1.03-1.37], p = .02) compared with the NRA groups. However, the likelihood of stroke (OR, 1.02; 95% CI: [0.94-1.11], p = .61) was comparable between both groups of patients. Our study shows that RA groups of patients are at increased risk of having AF, ACS, and ACM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing stable and high‐yielding crop varieties is crucial for sustainable agriculture. The present study investigated genotype × environment interactions (GEIs) in 96 oat (Avena sativa L.) genotypes across five environments (year–production system combinations) using an alpha lattice design. Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis revealed significant genotype, environment, and GEI effects on the studied traits. The oat genotypes were grouped into four distinct clusters and even genotypes from the same source were grouped into different clusters, indicating a wide range of diversity. Stability indices have highlighted genotypes coded as G33, G4, and G5 as the most stable across environments. Specifically, concerning seed yield, the AMMI analysis identified G33, G4, G5, and G82 as highly stable genotypes. Moreover, the study observed specific adaptations, such as G29 in E1 (conventional system 2019–2020), G76 in E3 (conventional system 2020–2021), and G54 and G77 in E4 (organic system 2020–2021). The genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis unveiled that environment E3 (conventional system 2020–2021) emerged as the ideal environment, demonstrating the highest level of representativeness and discrimination. By utilizing the polygon view of the GGE biplot, the presence of two distinct mega‐environments (MEs; ME1 and ME2) was revealed in relation to seed yield. Within these MEs, genotypes coded as G2 and G38 in ME1 and G20, G72, G85, and G89 in ME2 exhibited specific adaptations. Furthermore, genotypes coded as G89, G95, and G82 exhibited both stability and high mean seed yield. By combining stability indices, AMMI, and GGE biplots, widely adapted genotypes have the potential to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Core Ideas: Oat serves as a nutrient‐dense resource that plays a crucial role in addressing food and nutrition security.Employing multi‐environment trials to assess cultivars stands as a pivotal step in advancing plant breeding programs.Oat varieties suitable for organic production conditions hold the potential to foster long‐term environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewed interest in hemp (Cannabis sativa L., <0.3% delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol) production has motivated investigations into crop management and fertilizer application. Due to fertilizer regulations, soil characteristics, and unique climatic conditions in Florida, researching nutrient management for region‐specific hemp cultivation is essential. A study conducted in central Florida during 2021 and 2022 used six nitrogen (N) rates (0, 56, 112, 168, 224, and 280 kg ha−1) and five cultivars (NWG‐2730, X‐59, Bialobrzeskie, IH Williams, and Yuma) as a first effort to develop producer‐oriented fertilizer guidelines. The field experiments employed a randomized complete block design across N rates and varieties, with N applied in three split applications. The results indicated an interaction between cultivars and N rates, as expected due to their diverse genetic and geographic origins. Challenges in genetic and germination quality resulted in grain and biomass yield of two cultivars, X‐59 and Bialobrzeskie, that did not respond to the N application. Conversely, NWG‐2730, IH Williams, and Yuma cultivars demonstrated significantly higher yields within the 168–280 kg ha−1 N range. Moreover, cultivars demonstrated differing emergence counts (field count), and findings indicated a correlation between emergence and plant count at harvest (r = 0.68 and p = 0). The study also found a difference in germination count versus field count (after adjusting the seed rate depending on germination percentage). Enhanced plant count at harvest substantially elevated grain and biomass yield. The N application positively influenced plant height across all cultivars except Bialobrzeskie. Optimal plant height was achieved within the 168–280 kg N ha−1 range. Therefore, optimizing N rates and selecting cultivars (with higher emergence rates in the field) could help achieve higher biomass and grain yields. Core Ideas: The influence of nitrogen fertilizer on plant height, biomass yield, and grain yield in hemp displays cultivar‐specific variations.Elevated nitrogen rates demonstrated a favorable response in grain and biomass yield across three of the five studied cultivars.Cultivar‐specific nitrogen needs for optimal grain production vary from 168 to 280 kg ha−1.Plant emergence is intricately linked with cultivar traits, exerting a substantial influence on hemp's grain and biomass yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Evidence is limited on the role of mid‐life Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in late‐life subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs). METHODS: We included 5116 women (mean age in 1985–1991: 46 years) from the New York University Women's Health Study. SCCs were assessed from 2018 to 2020 (mean age: 79 years) by a 6‐item questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared to women in the bottom quartile of the DASH scores, the odds ratio (OR) for having two or more SCCs was 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.99) for women in the top quartile of DASH scores at baseline (P for trend = 0.019). The association was similar with multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting to account for potential selection bias. The inverse association was stronger in women without a history of cancer (P for interaction = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Greater adherence to the DASH diet in mid‐life was associated with lower prevalence of late‐life SCCs in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevalence rises, the development of effective screening tools is necessary to aid in earlier AD diagnosis. In the USA, Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic Black adults are at a disproportionately higher risk of developing dementia than non‐Hispanic whites but are poorly represented in AD research. A digital assessment system ‐ the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) platform, has been developed to remotely and continuously detect early declines in cognition by analyzing changes in everyday activity levels. Although the platform is promising, installing digital technology in a home can cause concerns over privacy and user friendliness, especially in older adults. In our CART pilot study at UTHSCSA, we sought to determine the feasibility of deploying the CART platform in an underrepresented, mostly Hispanic population and to gain insight from their experiences. Method: Seven cognitively intact participants were enrolled in our year‐long pilot study. The CART platform consisted of a watch‐actigraph, digital scale, electronic pillbox, bed mat (measuring sleep), and wall‐mounted motion sensors. Participants completed weekly online surveys including mood assessments, the UDS3 neuropsychological battery at baseline and one‐year follow‐up, and an end‐of‐study user experiences survey. Wilcoxon signed rank exact tests were used to determine significance. Result: Our cohort consisted of five Hispanic, one non‐Hispanic Black, and one non‐Hispanic white participant, ages 65‐80. There were no significant changes in cognition, daily steps, sleep, weight, or heart and respiratory rate measured during sleep over the course of the study (p>0.05). Self‐reported depressive symptoms decreased (p = 0.034) (Figure 1J). Weekly survey results supported this finding because self‐reported feelings of loneliness and "blue mood" also decreased. Responses to the user experience survey demonstrated that participants found the technology installation satisfactory (43%) or very satisfactory (57%) and thought that their privacy concerns were addressed satisfactorily (43%) or very satisfactorily (57%) (Figure 2). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the CART platform was widely accepted by our mostly Hispanic older adult participants and that they were comfortable with the study devices. The findings support the feasibility of increasing representation of diverse older adults in dementia prevention research using digital devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Brain cell–derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in blood offer unique cellular and molecular information related to the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We simultaneously enriched six specific sEV subtypes from the plasma and analyzed a selected panel of microRNAs (miRNAs) in older adults with/without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Total sEVs were isolated from the plasma of participants with normal cognition (CN; n = 11), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 11), MCI conversion to AD dementia (MCI‐AD; n = 6), and AD dementia (n = 11). Various brain cell–derived sEVs (from neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, pericytes, and endothelial cells) were enriched and analyzed for specific miRNAs. RESULTS: miRNAs in sEV subtypes differentially expressed in MCI, MCI‐AD, and AD dementia compared to the CN group clearly distinguished dementia status, with an area under the curve (AUC) > 0.90 and correlated with the temporal cortical region thickness on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DISCUSSION: miRNA analyses in specific sEVs could serve as a novel blood‐based molecular biomarker for AD. Highlights: Multiple brain cell–derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) could be isolated simultaneously from blood.MicroRNA (miRNA) expression in sEVs could detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) with high specificity and sensitivity.miRNA expression in sEVs correlated with cortical region thickness on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Altered expression of miRNAs in sEVCD31 and sEVPDGFRβ suggested vascular dysfunction.miRNA expression in sEVs could predict the activation state of specific brain cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacists embedded in general practice can improve medicines optimisation and patient safety, but Australia has been slower to adopt and fund this model than other comparable countries. Over the last decade there have been various local programs integrating pharmacists in general practice across Australia. This article summarises the results of an evaluation in Canberra from 2016–2021. Pharmacists predominantly conducted clinical activities, including medication reviews and clinical audits. General practitioner (GP) acceptance and implementation of medication review recommendations was high (75%). General practice pharmacists were able to achieve positive clinical outcomes in asthma and smoking cessation. Surveys and interviews identified that the general practice pharmacist role was welcomed by patients, GPs, and other healthcare professionals. Patient satisfaction was very high, with patients supporting the expansion of this pharmacy service. Collaboration between the pharmacists and other healthcare professionals was high. Some pharmacists left employment in general practice after less than a year. Introducing a clear job description could be beneficial in retaining pharmacists, improving trust and working relationships, and enhancing collaboration. The majority of clinical activities conducted by the pharmacists had the potential to improve patient care and decrease healthcare costs. Apart from healthcare savings, benefit–cost ratios of income generated and costs reduced by pharmacists when compared to salaries suggested that pharmacists may be cost‐beneficial in some scenarios. Absence of funding for this model of care remains a barrier to wider adoption in Australia and needs addressing. This study was approved by the University of Canberra Human Research Ethics Committee (Project number: 15–235) and funded under the Primary Health Network Program (Grant number: 25097479). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of various heat treatment procedures on microstructure, dislocation density, hardness, tensile characteristics, and impact toughness of P92 steel was examined in the current experiment. The martensitic microstructure and average microhardness of 463 HV 0.2±8 HV 0.2 of the normalized steel were prevalent. A tempering procedure was carried out at 760 °C for a range of 2 hours to 6 hours. Additionally, an X‐ray diffraction examination was carried out, and the results were used to determine the dislocation density. The normalized sample was characterized by a high dislocation density. The dislocation density was decreased by tempering of normalized samples. With an increase in tempering time, the effect of the treatment coarsened the grains, precipitates, and decreased the area fraction of precipitates. After tempering, MX, M23C6, and M7C3 types precipitates were found to have precipitated, according to energy dispersive spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction research. The ideal tempering period was determined to be 4 hours at a tempering temperature of 760 °C based on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics. Steel that was tempered at 760 °C for 4 hours had a yield strength of 472 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 668.02 MPa, and an elongation of 26.05 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing cost of controlling herbicide‐resistant weeds necessitates the development of cost‐effective weed control strategies in the semi‐arid U.S. Great Plains. Two separate field studies were conducted in 2013 and 2014 at the Montana State University Southern Agricultural Research Center near Huntley, MT to (1) evaluate a light‐activated sensor‐controlled (LASC) sprayer compared to a broadcast sprayer for effectiveness and cost savings for weed control in postharvest wheat (Triticum aestivum) stubble, and (2) determine the efficacy of LASC sprayer operated at two different speeds for weed control in fallow fields. Results indicated that both LASC and broadcast sprayers performed similarly for the effectiveness of a majority of herbicides tested on kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.). Paraquat alone or in tank‐mixture with linuron, and saflufenacil + 2,4‐D provided 93%–100% control of kochia, 98%–100% control of prickly lettuce, and reduced the total weed biomass by 75%–80% at 28 days after treatment (DAT), regardless of the sprayer used. A simple comparative economic analysis revealed that LASC sprayer reduced the overall chemical use by 23%–55% and resulted in cost savings of $5.83–$30.83 ha−1 across herbicide treatments. Herbicide efficacy was reduced up to 20% for kochia and prickly lettuce control when applied with LASC sprayer at a speed of 16 versus 8 km h−1. Altogether, these results indicate that the LASC sprayer can provide cost‐effective, site‐specific weed control in no‐tillage chemical fallow or postharvest wheat stubble. Core Ideas: Both light‐activated sensor‐controlled (LASC) and broadcast sprayers provided similar efficacy of tested herbicides.Paraquat alone or in tank‐mixtures with linuron, and saflufenacil + 2,4‐D provided 93% to complete control of kochia and prickly lettuce.LASC sprayer reduced the chemical use by 23%–55% across all tested herbicides.Reduced efficacy of herbicides was noted with LASC sprayer operated at speed of 16 versus 8 km h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The effect of spinal versus general anesthesia on the risk of postoperative delirium or other outcomes for patients with or without cognitive impairment (including dementia) is unknown. METHODS: Post hoc secondary analysis of a multicenter pragmatic trial comparing spinal versus general anesthesia for adults aged 50 years or older undergoing hip fracture surgery. RESULTS: Among patients randomized to spinal versus general anesthesia, new or worsened delirium occurred in 100/295 (33.9%) versus 107/283 (37.8%; odds ratio [OR] 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 1.19) among persons with cognitive impairment and 70/432 (16.2%) versus 71/445 (16.0%) among persons without cognitive impairment (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.71 to 1.47, p = 0.46 for interaction). Delirium severity, in‐hospital complications, and 60‐day functional recovery did not differ by anesthesia type in patients with or without cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Anesthesia type is not associated with differences in delirium and functional outcomes among persons with or without cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frictional properties of cartilage resurfacing implants should be sufficiently low to limit damaging of the opposing cartilage during articulation. The present study determines if native lubricious molecule proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) can adsorb onto a layer‐by‐layer bioinspired coating composed of poly‐l‐lysine (PLL) and dopamine modified hyaluronic acid (HADN) and thereby can reduce the friction between implant and articular cartilage. An ELISA was developed to quantify the amount of immobilized human recombinant (rh)PRG4 after exposure to the PLL‐HADN coating. The effect on lubrication was evaluated by comparing the coefficient of friction (CoF) of bare polycaprolactone (PCL) disks to that of PLL‐HADN coated PCL disks while articulated against cartilage using a ring‐on‐disk geometry and a lubricant solution consisting of native synovial fluid components including rhPRG4. The PLL‐HADN coating effectively immobilized rhPRG4. The surface roughness of PCL disks significantly increased while the water contact angle significantly decreased after application of the coating. The average CoF measured during the first minute of bare PCL against cartilage exceeded twice the CoF of the PLL‐HADN coated PCL against cartilage. After 60 min, the CoF reached equilibrium values which were still significantly higher for bare PCL compared to coated PCL. The present study demonstrated that PCL can effectively be coated with PLL‐HADN. Additionally, this coating reduces the friction between PCL and cartilage when a PRG4‐rich lubricant is used, similar to the lubricating surface of native cartilage. This makes PLL‐HADN coating a promising application to improve the clinical success of PCL‐based cartilage resurfacing implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choroid plexus (ChP) produces and is bathed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which in aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) shows extensive proteomic alterations including evidence of inflammation. Considering inflammation hampers functions of the involved tissues, the CSF abnormalities reported in these conditions are suggestive of ChP injury. Indeed, several studies document ChP damage in aging and AD, which nevertheless remains to be systematically characterized. We here report that the changes elicited in the CSF by AD are consistent with a perturbed aging process and accompanied by aberrant accumulation of inflammatory signals and metabolically active proteins in the ChP. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging shows that these molecular aberrancies correspond to significant remodeling of ChP in AD, which correlates with aging and cognitive decline. Collectively, our preliminary post‐mortem and in vivo findings reveal a repertoire of ChP pathologies indicative of its dysfunction and involvement in the pathogenesis of AD. Highlights: Cerebrospinal fluid changes associated with aging are perturbed in Alzheimer's diseaseParadoxically, in Alzheimer's disease, the choroid plexus exhibits increased cytokine levels without evidence of inflammatory activation or infiltratesIn Alzheimer's disease, increased choroid plexus volumes correlate with age and cognitive performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To summarize the recommendations on the interventional management of subacute and chronic nonradicular low back pain (LBP) from the 21 quality‐appraised clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) identified in a previously published paper: "Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines on Interventional Management of Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review." By disseminating this information, we aimed to facilitate the implementation of these recommendations into clinical practice. Type: Systematic Review Literature Survey: Electronic bibliographic databases, guideline databases, and gray literature were searched from January 2016 to January 2020 to identify CPGs that met study criteria. Methodology: A total of 21 CPGs were quality appraised and interventional management recommendations were extracted and organized into several treatment categories including epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency procedures (RF), facet injections, sacroiliac injections, and prolotherapy. Within each treatment category, the recommendations were organized based on two factors: quality of CPG and strength of recommendation. Synthesis: Overall, there was no consistency in recommendations for or against any interventional procedure, even when accounting for the quality of the CPG. In all of the CPGs reviewed, the most common strength of recommendation was weakly for. The second, third, and fourth most common strength of recommendations were inconclusive, weakly against, and strongly against, respectively, and the least common was strongly for. The treatment categories with the greatest number of recommendations were RF procedures (most common strength of recommendation was weakly for) and facet procedures. Among the high‐quality CPGs, the most common strength of recommendation was inconclusive. Conclusions: Most of the interventional management recommendations for management of nonradicular LBP in the 21 CPGs appraised in this review were either weakly for, weakly against, or inconclusive, with several recommendations within each treatment category contradicting each other. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Instrument quality appraisals of CPGs on interventional management of LBP were of unclear utility in guiding clinical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To appraise the quality of low back pain (LBP) clinical practice guidelines (CPG) that include interventional management recommendations and to associate their quality with characteristics including publication year and creating organization. Type Systematic Review. Literature Survey: LBP (subacute or chronic) CPGs in English (symptom based, governmental or professional society created, January 1990‐May 2020) were found using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Ortho Guidelines, CPG Infobase, ECRI, Guidelines International Network, NICE, and SIGN. Methodology: In this third order systematic review, search results were deduplicated, title and abstract screened by two independent reviewers, and full texts reviewed by four reviewers. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Resulted CPGs were appraised using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) Tool by four appraisers each. Association of their quality with creating organization, geographical region, and year of creation was calculated. Synthesis: Seven hundred fourteen screened documents resulted in 21 final CPGs. On appraisal, average overall CPG quality was 5.2 (range 2.5‐6.75). Domain 5 (applicability) had the lowest average (44%) and domain 4 (clarity of presentation) had the highest average score (82%). For overall recommendation, 16 received "yes" or "yes with modifications," six received unanimous "yes" and two unanimous "no" votes. The interrater agreement of domain scoring was excellent (0.8‐1.0; p <.001). There was no association found between quality of CPG and (1) year of publication (R2 = 0.0006), (2) whether the CPG was updated or new (p =.17), and (3) region of publication (p =.37). Conclusions: The majority of the 21 CPGs identified in this systematic review were of high quality, but overall quality and recommendation ratings were variable. The quality of appraised CPGs showed no association with their characteristics. Some domains such as "applicability" scored uniformly lower, revealing opportunity for improvement in future CPG development. LBP CPGs should be scrutinized before adopting their recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regained interest in hemp cultivation has created opportunities and challenges, especially regarding crop management, for example, fertilizer application rate. Most of the literature on nitrogen (N) management in hemp production is from Asia and Europe, with more established cropping systems than in North America. Through our review, we found evidence that N fertilizer has a noticeable positive impact on basic crop morphology and physiology parameters, or at least the crop responds to such infield fertilizer applications. Some physiological parameters that show positive response include photosynthetic pigments, N and nitrate concentration, and water use efficiency. N fertilizer has been demonstrated to increase stem and fiber yield but reduce fiber quality. Increasing N also appears to increase seed yield and protein content. Both excess and low rates of N fertilizer are detrimental to floral hemp. There is little evidence that Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol concentration is more affected by N fertilization than genetics. The impact of fertilizer source and timing remains a critical area for research. There is still a need for research on developing a sustainable nutrient management program for hemp. Core Ideas: N is reported to decrease root‐to‐shoot dry‐weight ratio and does not affect the sex ratio of hemp crop.N affects other nutrients uptake; increases NUE, chlorophyll concentration, and nitrate–N accumulation in leaves.N does not affect THC concentration, whereas CBD yield shows a quadratic response.Higher N increases plant height, biomass, fiber, and seed yield.Recommended N fertilizer ranges between 60 and 273 kg ha−1 depending on available soil N and weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF)) detection is still a challenge in the biomedical signal‐processing field. Different linear and nonlinear measures of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal analysis are used to fix this problem. Methods: Sample entropy (SampEn) is used as a nonlinear measure based on single series to detect healthy and arrhythmia subjects. To follow this measure, the proposed work presents a nonlinear technique, namely, the cross‐sample entropy (CrossSampEn) based on two series to quantify healthy and arrhythmia subjects. Results: The research work consists of 10 records of normal sinus rhythm, 20 records of Fantasia (old group), 10 records of AF, and 10 records of CHF. The method of CrossSampEn has been proposed to obtain the irregularity between two same and different R–R (R peak to peak) interval series of different data lengths. Unlike the SampEn technique, the CrossSampEn technique never awards a 'not defined' value for very short data lengths and was found to be more consistent than SampEn. One‐way ANOVA test has validated the proposed algorithm by providing a large F value and p <.0001. The proposed algorithm is also verified by simulated data. Conclusions: It is concluded that different RR interval series of approximate 1500 data points and same RR interval series of approximate 1000 data points are required for health‐status detection with embedded dimensions, M = 2 and threshold, r =.2. Also, CrossSampEn has been found more consistent than Sample entropy algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large amount of secondary effects in complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology limits its application in the ultra‐nanoscale region. Circuit designers explore a new technology for the ultra‐nanoscale region, which is the quantum‐dot cellular automata (QCA). Low‐energy dissipation, high speed, and area efficiency are the key features of the QCA technology. This research proposes a novel, low‐complexity, QCA‐based one‐bit digital comparator circuit for the ultra‐nanoscale region. The performance of the proposed comparator circuit is presented in detail in this paper and compared with that of existing designs. The proposed QCA structure for the comparator circuit only consists of 19 QCA cells with two clock phases. QCA Designer‐E and QCA Pro tools are applied to estimate the total energy dissipation. The proposed comparator saves 24.00% QCA cells, 25.00% cell area, 37.50% layout cost, and 78.11% energy dissipation compared with the best reported similar design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study explored: (a) the feasibility of prescribing laughter to university students; (b) the efficacy of the prescription on creativity, well‐being, affect, and academic efficacy (AE); and (c) the practicality of the Applied Creativity Test (ACT) conceived for this study. A convenience sample of healthy students (n = 70) aged 18–28 (78% female; M = 21.6) was randomized to experimental or control conditions. Experimental participants (n = 29) were prescribed to laugh three times a day for a week with their Laughie (a 1‐minute recording, on their smartphone, of their laughter). The intervention was planned and evaluated using Feasibility, Reach‐out, Acceptability, Maintenance, Effectiveness, Implementation, Tailorability. Data measures included ACT, Wallach–Kogan Creativity Test, Kaufman Domains of Creativity Scale, WHO‐5 Well‐being Index (WHO‐5), and Pattern of Adaptive Learning Scales AE and avoiding novelty. A 1‐minute laughter prescription, used three times a day for 1 week, was feasible and effective in stimulating creativity, increasing well‐being and immediate affect, and benefitting AE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Ozonation declared as generally recognized as safe is a promising processing technology for disinfestation of food and its shelf life extension. The present investigation aimed at assessing the impact of gaseous ozone treatment (0.06 L/min) for 15, 30, 45, and 60 min on functional properties, antinutrients, bioactive constituents, and structural–macromolecular interactions of foxtail millet flour. Findings: Ozonation cause significant (p <.05) linear reduction in tannin content (112.43–64.83 mg/100 g) and total flavonoid content (331.46–273.59 mg/100 g) while total phenolic content and phytic acid were found to increase during aforesaid treatment. Further, major changes were associated with the technological functionality of flour; there was significant (p <.05) increase in the water absorption and solubility, oil absorption, swelling power, and paste clarity. However, emulsification properties were found to decline during ozonation while gel strength improved. Conclusions: It may be inferred from the study that ozonation can be considered a green technology for processing various grains modulating functional properties with a little compromise in total flavonoid contents and phytic content. Significance and Novelty: This study provides the effect of ozonation on foxtail millet of various parameters, such as bio‐techno‐functional, structural, and molecular parameters, which have never been studied before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric composites are used worldwide due to their enhanced applications in various sectors such as automotive, defense, aerospace, marine, and many others. Its lightweight and high‐strength applications make it convenient to use in high‐security fields such as defense and aerospace. Thus, it is essential to characterize composite materials for product development. Numerical simulation of composites has advantages over experimental characterization. The paper presents the mechanical behavior of polymer textile composites, employing geometrical modeling and a numerical simulation approach, under several loading conditions such as tension, compression, flexural, and impact loading. Failure mechanisms are also discussed with different failure modes and damage criterions. This review paper is limited to high‐strength fibers, such as carbon, Kevlar, and Glass fibers in unidirectional and woven formation. Various test specimens used in mechanical characterizations are presented with significant research summaries. Classification charts are also provided for a better understanding of the numerical simulation approach for characterizing the mechanical behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device insertion comprises of a transvenous pacing lead implanted in posterolateral branch of the coronary sinus (CS) for left ventricular (LV) pacing, in addition to leads in the right ventricle and right atrium. In patients undergoing CRT device implantation, failure of CS cannulation was earlier reported to be around 10% but has come down to about 4% in recent years. Although the use of electrophysiology (EP) catheter has been reported during CRT procedures but femoral approach to place decapolar catheter as fluoroscopic guide for CS ostium cannulation during LV lead implantation has not been evaluated. Materials and methods: The aim of the study was to compare fluoroscopy time during CRT procedure between conventional technique and using decapolar EP catheter via femoral approach as fluoroscopic marker to cannulate CS. Results: This study included 21 patients. Group 1 (using decapolar catheter) had 12 patients and group 2 (using the conventional technique) had 9 patients. CS cannulation was successful in all 21 cases. The mean fluoroscopy time for the CS cannulation and LV lead placement in group 1 was 10.7 (±1.03) min and in group 2 was 19.1 (±1.51) min. This difference in mean fluoroscopy time for the CS cannulation and LV lead placement was statistically significant with p <.05. Conclusion: This study highlights the usefulness of decapolar catheter via femoral approach as a fluoroscopic guide for CS cannulation during CRT device implantation. The decreased fluoroscopic time results in decreased radiation exposure to not only the patient but also to the operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the severity and clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children during the 2021 New South Wales outbreak of the Delta variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Design, Setting: Prospective cohort study in three metropolitan Sydney local health districts, 1 June - 31 October 2021.Participants: Children under 16 years of age with positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test results admitted to hospital or managed by the Sydney Children's Hospital Network (SCHN) virtual care team.Main Outcome Measures: Age-specific SARS-CoV-2 infection frequency, overall and separately for SCHN virtual and hospital patients; rates of medical and social reason admissions, intensive care admissions, and paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 per 100 SARS-CoV-2 infections; demographic and clinical factors that influenced likelihood of hospital admission.Results: A total of 17 474 SARS-CoV-2 infections in children under 16 were recorded in NSW, of whom 11 985 (68.6%) received SCHN-coordinated care, including 459 admitted to SCHN hospitals: 165 for medical reasons (1.38 [95% CI, 1.17-1.59] per 100 infections), including 15 admitted to intensive care, and 294 (under 18 years of age) for social reasons (2.45 [95% CI, 2.18-2.73] per 100 infections). In an analysis that included all children admitted to hospital and a random sample of those managed by the virtual team, having another medical condition (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 7.42; 95% CI, 3.08-19.3) was associated with increased likelihood of medical admission; in univariate analyses, non-asthmatic chronic respiratory disease was associated with greater (OR, 9.21; 95% CI, 1.61-174) and asthma/viral induced wheeze with lower likelihood of admission (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18-0.78). The likelihood of admission for medical reasons declined from infancy to 5-11 years, but rose again for those aged 12-15 years. Sex and Indigenous status did not influence the likelihood of admission.Conclusion: Most SARS-CoV-2 infections (Delta variant) in children were asymptomatic or associated with mild disease. Hospitalisation was relatively infrequent, and most common for infants, adolescents, and children with other medical conditions. More children were hospitalised for social than for medical reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathological tau proteins in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) mainly accumulate in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and neuritic plaques (NPs). However, the molecular properties of tau species present in NFTs and NPs are not known. We tested the hypothesis that tau species within NFT‐predominant tissue (NFT_AD) are distinct and more toxic than those in NP‐predominant tissue (NP_AD). We analyzed the tau species from post mortem prefrontal cortical brains of NFT_AD and NP_AD. Compared to NP_AD, NFT_AD displayed highly phosphorylated tau oligomers, possessed tau oligomers in extracellular vesicles, and the 3‐repeat (3R) and 4‐repeat (4R) isoforms were differentially expressed between the groups. Comparison of tau proteins isolated from NFT‐ versus NP‐AD subjects demonstrated higher tau seeding activity in NFT subjects and a greater degree of inducing synaptic loss in cultured neurons. We propose that tau species from NFT‐predominant tissues possess greater levels of degenerative properties, thereby causing synaptic loss and cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objectives: Social media platforms (SMPs) have become a popular portal for the acquisition and dissemination of dentistry‐related information. The study aims to identify the pattern and influence SMPs for education and practice among dental trainees and professionals. Method and materials: A cross‐sectional study involving dental trainees and clinical professionals was conducted based on a structured 20‐item survey instrument among dental trainees and professionals. The validated questionnaire was circulated among six dental training institutions in India through the internet‐based application Google form and achieved a response rate of 60%. The questionnaire focused on identifying the usage of social media in disseminating dentistry‐related content. The data from responders were extracted, sorted, and analyzed for descriptive analysis of various factors. Result: The survey revealed the most common SMP used for dentistry‐related content as YouTube. The second most commonly used SMP was Facebook for professionals whereas it was Instagram for younger trainees. There was a highly significant difference between professionals and trainees concerning their sources of new information and the most commonly used SMP for dental education (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a growing consensus among young dental trainees and professionals on SMPs being an effective open access knowledge center. The survey results call for the need for a scientific journal and dental schools to have verified pages in social media to act as flagbearers of evidence‐based dental practices. The potentials of SMPs in providing open access information collection to wider viewership across the globe and being a digital archive in attractive audio‐visual forms can be used to strengthen the conventional educational model and improvise clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This article analyses the approach of identifying critical traceability events (CTE) and corresponding key data elements (KDE). The CTE–KDE approach is evidence‐based that identifies, and documents activities. It can be easily performed by (i) auditors; (ii) food manufacturers/processors; (iii) food suppliers to access gaps in process and supply chain. For example, for a grain processor storage of grain is identified as a CTE performed under grain elevator, and the necessary KDE includes the location of storage bin and supplier details. The CTE–KDE approach requires verifiable data, and the ability to assess graduated levels of success based on data. This article proposes the use of vulnerability analysis to predict levels of success in each CTE–KDE situation. Significance and Novelty: A vulnerability analysis model identifies, quantifies, and prioritizes various factors responsible for reducing the efficacy of a system. Vulnerability analysis measures system attributes (data) related to: (i) frequency of occurrence; (ii) degree of impact of occurrence; and (iii) likelihood of detection. This article applies vulnerability analysis as a standard method for identifying when and how a traceability system will fail. Vulnerability analysis of an evidence‐based CTE–KDE framework accounts for complex interactions among supply chain participants' critical activities. The need for standard measures of evaluating traceability systems is clear. Such analysis must restrict CTE to be measurable events and key data elements to measurable system attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high recurrence rates of AF and atypical atrial flutters or tachycardia (AFT) postablation. Laser balloon (LB) ablation of the pulmonary vein (PV) ostia has similar efficacy as radiofrequency wide area circumferential ablation (RF‐WACA); however, an approach of LB wide area circumferential ablation (LB‐WACA) may further improve success rates. Objective: To evaluate freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia (AFT/AF) recurrence postablation using RF‐WACA versus LB‐WACA in persistent AF patients. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study. Patients were followed for up to 24 months via office visits, Holter, and/or device monitoring. The primary endpoint was freedom from AFT/AF after a single ablation procedure. Secondary endpoints included freedom from AF, freedom from AFT, first‐pass isolation of all PVs, and procedural complications. Results: Two hundred and four patients were studied (LB‐WACA: n = 103; RF‐WACA: n = 101). Patients' baseline characteristics were similar except patients in the RF‐WACA group were older (64 vs. 68, p =.03). First‐pass isolation was achieved more often during LBA (LB‐WACA: 88% vs. RF‐WACA 75%; p =.04). Procedure (p =.36), LA dwell (p =.41), and fluoroscopy (p =.44) time were similar. The mean follow‐up was 506 ± 279 days. Sixty‐six patients had arrhythmic events including 24 AFT and 59 AF recurrences. LB‐WACA group had higher arrhythmia‐free survival (p =.009) after single ablation procedures. In the multivariate Cox regression model, RF‐WACA was associated with a higher recurrence of AFT compared with LB‐WACA (Adjusted HR 3.16 [95% CI: 1.13–8.83]; p =.03). Conclusions: LB‐WACA was associated with higher freedom from atrial arrhythmias mostly driven by the lower occurrence of AFT compared with RF‐WACA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of volumetric soil water content (VWC) and total soil water across 64 sampling locations (8 × 8 grid) in a production‐scale field, reported as a unitextural soil unit by SSURGO. Consequently, the required number and placement of soil moisture monitoring locations were calculated to represent soil water status with varying degrees of variability. Each soil layer in the root zone was subject to 5–9% of mean spatial VWC variability and maximum variability as high as 21% during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Total soil water showed spatial behavior, which was as high as 13%, with mean spatial variability of 5%. In 2014, the field minimum and maximum temporal CVs in VWC were 9 and 27%, respectively, which increased to 14 and 33% in 2015, respectively. Representative soil moisture and its variability were accounted for using 1–45 monitoring locations, depending on observed variability, acceptable measurement error, and confidence interval (CI). When the commonly used marginal error of 2% was considered, the numbers of sensor deployment locations were 8 (90% CI) and 11 (95% CI), which reduced to 5 (90% CI) and 4 (95% CI) sensors with 3% marginal error. We demonstrate that although SSURGO data can be valuable to make preliminary assessments, relying on it to spatially characterize soil units and their properties for effective within‐soil unit management, especially for variable rate water and nutrient applications, can create significant challenges. Core Ideas: Soil water status was grid‐sampled for 64 grids and mapped across a uniformly managed field.VWC showed 5–9% of seasonal mean spatial variability (as high as 21%).TSW exhibited as high as 13% spatial behavior as well with a mean spatial variability of 5%.Quantitative sensor deployment approach was presented for representing spatial variability.VWC variability was accounted for using 1–45 sensors, depending on spatial variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic rewiring is one of the indispensable drivers of epithelial--mesenchymal transition (EMT) involved in breast cancer metastasis. In this study, we explored the metabolic changes during spontaneous EMT in three separately established breast EMT cell models using a proteomic approach supported by metabolomic analysis. We identified common proteomic changes, including the expression of CDH1, CDH2, VIM, LGALS1, SERPINE1, PKP3, ATP2A2, JUP, MTCH2, RPL26L1 and PLOD2. Consistently altered metabolic enzymes included the following: FDFT1, SORD, TSTA3 and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UGDH). Of these, UGDH was most prominently altered and has previously been associated with breast cancer patient survival. siRNA-mediated knock-down of UGDH resulted in delayed cell proliferation and dampened invasive potential of mesenchymal cells and downregulated expression of the EMT transcription factor SNAI1. Metabolomic analysis revealed that siRNA-mediated knock-down of UGDH decreased intracellular glycerophosphocholine (GPC), whereas levels of acetylaspartate (NAA) increased. Finally, our data suggested that plateletderived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) signalling was activated in mesenchymal cells. siRNA-mediated knock-down of PDGFRB downregulated UGDH expression, potentially via NFkB-p65. Our results support an unexplored relationship between UGDH and GPC, both of which have previously been independently associated with breast cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The accumulation of toxic amyloid‐ß protein in brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The accumulation of such toxicants is prevented by a cellular protein quality control system. Molecular chaperons, which further prevent proteins from misfolding and aggregating, are produced by this system, which is mostly activated in response to acute thermal stress. This study aims to determine the therapeutic effect of frequent thermal shock on the development of Alzheimer's disease Method: The induction of Alzheimer's disease was caused by the intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of the Aß (1‐42) peptide into the ventricular system of the mouse brain. The animals were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), disease control (DC), sham control (SC), water immersion/no heat group (NH), and hot water immersion/high heat group (HH). The ICV‐Aß injection was given to the DC, NH, and HH groups to induce dementia and AD‐like symptoms. The animals in the HH treatment group were given heat shock in the form of hot water immersion for a period of 4 weeks, where each session lasted for 20 minutes. The animals in the NH group were also exposed to water immersion for 20 minutes daily for a period of 4 weeks, but the water temperature was maintained at room temperature. After the completion of the treatment period, the behavioural and biochemical parameters of the animals were assessed for learning and memory defects. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out for the Aß estimation. Result: Behavioural assessments in the Y‐maze and morris water maze showed that the animals given daily heat exposure for a period of 4 weeks resisted the detrimental memory effects of the ICV‐Aß injection and had better memory than the water immersion group with no heat treatment given. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of glutathione were significantly (p<0.05) antagonised by hot water immersion treatment. ELISA showed the lower level of Aß in hot water immersion/high heat group animals when compared to the disease control animals. Conclusion: The study concluded that frequent heat exposure from hot baths and saunas may reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's‐like symptoms in old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite almost two decades of research, the physiologic role of α‐synuclein remains unclear. Mice lacking α‐syn only show mild phenotypes, and most mechanistic studies have been done either in α‐syn over‐expressing systems, or in mice lacking all three synuclein genes (α/β/γ). However, over‐expression of proteins can induce unwanted phenotypes, and 'triple‐knockout' synuclein mice have structural and physiologic changes that are not specific to α‐syn – complicating interpretations. Methods: We used CRISPR technology to systematically inactivate or activate each synuclein gene in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons, ensuring that our manipulations did not lead to compensatory changes in the non‐targeted synucleins. Gene‐editing was followed by unbiased evaluation of physiology and ultrastructure using optical synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling assays, electrophysiologic recordings, single‐molecule trafficking assays, super‐resolution imaging, and electron microscopy. Results: Neurotransmission is maintained at a range of different activity patterns, motivating us to evaluate the role of α‐syn under basal states as well as conditions involving trains of action potentials. Elimination of α‐syn led to substantial increases in basal exocytosis. Single‐molecule trafficking of SVs in these neurons indicated an increase in mobility of reserve pool vesicles when α‐syn was absent. Increasing endogenous α‐syn levels by CRISPRa had largely reciprocal effects. Recent studies in our lab found that phosphorylation of α‐syn at the Ser129‐site is a trigger for α‐syn function at the synapse. Augmenting α‐syn functionality by constitutive phosphorylation of the α‐syn Ser129‐site also triggered clustering of distal SV‐pools, consistent with a role for α‐syn in physiologic clustering of reserve pool vesicles. However, when neuronal activity was augmented by trains of action potentials, loss of α‐syn selectively attenuated endocytosis, with no effect on exocytosis. Super‐resolution imaging revealed that α‐syn was translocated to peri‐active zones upon stimulation, suggesting that the altered localization of α‐syn under these conditions resulted in facilitation of endocytosis. Finally, mass‐spectrometry data also indicate that α‐syn binds to an endocytosis‐enriched proteome under conditions that favor neuronal activity. Conclusion: Our data provide clarity of the repertoire of a‐syn specific functions under different physiologic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive decline is a leading early predictor of dementia risk and may be evident in real‐world (RW) digital data even before patients ever present to clinic. This study examined the feasibility of using video and digital sensor profiles of real world (RW) driving in adverse weather as a marker of dementia risk. Method: 70 older drivers (mean age = 75.6 years) without dementia participated in a RW driving study for 2, 3‐month periods, one year apart (Wang, et al. 2021). Self‐reported demographics and neuropsychological tests relevant to dementia and driving were collected at study start. Drivers were classed as cognitively neurotypical (N = 33) or impaired (N = 44) based on normed neuropsychological scores. Sensors installed in each driver's vehicle collected video, speed, and GPS data across 405,104 miles driven. GIS data categorized roadway type (residential, commercial, interstate). A computer vision model (99% accuracy) we developed classed roads as clear or poor (rain, snow). Bayesian mixed‐effect logistic regressions assessed driver speed limit compliance (vehicle speed‐posted speed limit) across driver class, roadway, and weather. Result: Drivers were 8.01 times more likely to speed on interstates (95% CI: 7.61‐8.61) than residential roads (15‐25 mph). Impaired drivers were 15% more likely to drive slower than neurotypical drivers on clear roadways (95% C: 1.0413‐1.2829). This pattern reversed in poor weather with impaired drivers driving faster than neurotypical (b = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.57‐0.94) Conclusion: Digital biomarkers from RW data show promise to screen for early dementia risk, advancing research and innovative clinical trials to prevent dementia. Driving challenges, like poor weather, discriminate cognitive decline before dementia. Impaired drivers showed self‐restriction by driving slower on clear roads and reduced self‐restriction by driving faster in poor weather despite risk. Big data strategies, like computer vision, complement driver performance data to identify RW environmental risk, paving the road for the car as a medical diagnostic device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is the most common primary tauopathy, with a constellation of pathological features including 4R‐tau positive neurofibrillary tangles and tufted astrocytes. Most PSP cases are sporadic and associated with common structural variation in the 17q21.31 MAPT locus as well as other risk loci, including EIF2AK3 which is critical for the unfolded protein response (UPR). Despite these known genetic risk associations, mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis are unclear. To investigate candidate mechanisms, there is a critical need for model systems that better recapitulate the cellular complexity of the human brain. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) patient‐derived organoid models have emerged as powerful tools to study molecular and cellular changes in a disease‐relevant genomic context. Method: Fibroblasts grown from sporadic PSP patient skin cells were cultured in vitro and reprogrammed into hiPSCs. HiPSC‐derived midbrain organoids were generated in suspension spinner flasks through pharmacological directed differentiation, processed and screened for patterning using qRT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and quantitative immunoblot. Total tau, tau isoform, hyperphosphorylated tau (p‐tau), and UPR activation markers were assessed in organoids and human brain tissue. Single‐nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA‐seq) was performed on the subthalamic nucleus and adjacent structures in autopsy‐validated PSP brain tissue and clinically normal controls. Result: PSP and control organoids displayed a cytoarchitectural and gene expression pattern consistent with the developing neuroectoderm and midbrain. We observed disease‐relevant differences between PSP and control organoids, including increased high molecular weight p‐tau, a higher ratio of p‐tau:total tau, and increased levels of 4R‐tau in the PSP organoids. Human PSP brain snRNA‐seq data showed dysregulation of the UPR in astrocytes and neuronal subpopulations. We also observed different UPR activation levels in PSP organoids. These findings were validated by neurohistological characterization of the UPR in autopsy brain tissue. Conclusion: Single nucleus transcriptomic and neurohistological data reveals dysregulation of the UPR in key cell types affected in PSP. PSP patient‐derived organoids develop a characteristic midbrain cellular composition and recapitulate key disease‐relevant features, including elevation of toxic tau proteoforms and UPR dysregulation. This sporadic PSP organoid model will provide insight into cell‐type specific drivers of neurodegeneration that underlie sporadic tauopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative pathology having genetic and non‐genetic forms. Non‐genetic forms of AD dominate over the genetic condition and is mainly sporadic. However, both forms affect cognitive functions. Although exact mechanisms are not fully understood, amyloid β deposition & tau tangle formation are considered central mechanisms to cause neurodegenerative changes in the AD brain. On the other hand, cognitive deterioration began way before the accumulation of amyloid or tau tangle formation. Cognitive functions, including learning and memory, have been majorly controlled/regulated by the cholinergic system. Here in the present study, we have explored the neuroprotective effect of tropisetron in streptozotocin‐induced animal model of Alzheimer's disease. During the last two decades, the involvement of other neurotransmitter systems has been explored, and the serotonergic system has been demonstrated to play an essential role in memory and learning. The serotonergic system is the most extensive monoaminergic system in the brain, and alterations in serotonergic signals have been linked with Aβ and tau tangle formation. Moreover, serotonin acting through its receptor antagonist has been reported beneficial in various experimental AD models. Method: In the present study animals were infused with STZ alternatively on 1st and 3rd day. From 15th day animals were treated with tropisteron with two subsequent doses (2.2.5mg/kg) and (5mg/kg). On 28th day animals were sacrificed. Further animals were tested for behavioral, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Result: Tropisetron significantly attenuated oxidative damage and restored the reduced levels of anti‐oxidant enzymes. ICV‐STZ treatment had shown significant neuronal damage in hippocampal and cortical regions of AD brain in histopathological examination. Moreover, hippocampal neurons were observed to be irregular in morphology with dark pyknotic nuclei. This confirms the neurodegeneration in ICV‐STZ animals. Target drug tropisetron resulted in significant neuroprotection against ICV‐STZ. Conclusion: The observed outcomes of the present study suggest the neuroprotective effect of tropisteron in STZ induced animal model of Alzheimer's disease.It would be safe to conclude that tropisetron may improve the behavioral outcomes by attenuating oxidative burden & its neuroprotective potential as seen in our histological assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several microglia‐expressed genes have emerged as top risk variants for Alzheimer's disease (AD) that are involved in lipid droplet (LD) formation and processing. Impaired microglial phagocytosis is one of the main proposed outcomes by which these AD‐risk genes may contribute to neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms translating genetic association to cellular dysfunction remain unknown. LD accumulation in aging (Nat Neurosci. 23(2),194‐208, 2020) appears to increase microglial inflammatory responses, while inflammatory challenges increase LD formation, thereby potentially setting up a feed‐forward injury that could contribute to the relentless progression in AD. Method: LD formation is dependent upon age and disease progression, and is more prominent in the hippocampus in brains from human patients and the AD mouse model 5xFAD. Despite variability in LD load between microglia from male versus female animals and between cells from different brain regions, LD‐laden microglia exhibited a deficit in amyloid‐beta (Aβ) phagocytosis evaluated using AβpH ‐ a human Aβ1‐42 analog that exhibits fluorescence upon lysosomal internalization (Chem Sci. 12, 10901‐10918, 2021). Extensive unbiased lipidomic and metabolomic profiling in microglia identified a substantial decrease in free fatty acids (FFAs) and a parallel increase in triacylglycerols (TAGs) as the key metabolic transition underlying LD formation. Result: We show that microglia form LDs upon exposure to Aβ, and that their LD load increases with proximity to amyloid plaques in brains from human patients and the AD mouse model 5xFAD. Mechanistically, Aβ alone is sufficient to induce LD formation in microglia and that this conversion requires a specific metabolic conversion of FFAs to TAGs (the building blocks of LDs). This conversion is likely protective for the brain and microglia, as we recently showed that long‐chain saturated FFAs can be neurotoxic (Nature 599,102‐107, 2021), but it is not without cost for microglial phagocytic abilities. We demonstrate that a key enzyme for the conversion of FFAs to TAGs, promotes microglial LD formation, is increased in microglia from 5xFAD and human AD brains, and that inhibiting it improved microglial uptake of Aβ. Conclusion: These findings identify a new lipid‐mediated mechanism underlying microglial dysfunction that could become a novel therapeutic target for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination characteristics help predict the degree of invasive success of a species based on capacity of the seeds to germinate and recruit into novel habitats. Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit. (Bush mint, Pignut; Lamiaceae) is an invasive plant that is spreading throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. We conducted a study to understand the role of seed size dimorphism in differentiation of germination niche in H. suaveolens.We subjected small and large seeds to varying environmental conditions of temperature (°C), photoperiod (light/dark), salt (NaCl; mM), pH, osmotic potential (MPa), different soil types and ratios (clay:sand) and burial depth (cm). Different germination indices were calculated and their interaction with seed dimorphism studied.There was a significant interaction (P < 0.001) between germination indices and seed dimorphism throughout the treatments. Large seeds had higher germination percentage and rate, indicating higher germination capacity. In addition, these displayed more asynchronous germination under various environments. Small seeds, on the other hand, required a longer germination time as compared to large seeds, indicating slower germination.Differential responses of the two seed morphs to varying environmental conditions, therefore, help H. suaveolens to differentiate its germination niche and establish in heterogeneous environments. These findings will help in devising appropriate management and eradication strategies based on germination ecology of seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, consisting of intratumoral and intertumoral neuroendocrine (ASCL1 and/or NEUROD1), mesenchymal-like, and YAP-driven transcriptional states. Lysinespecific demethylase 1 (LSD1; also known as KDM1A) inhibitors have recently been progressed to clinical trials in SCLC based on a promising preclinical antitumor activity. A potential clinical limitation of LSD1 inhibitors is the heterogeneous drug responses that have been observed in SCLC cell lines and patient-derived models. Based on these observations, we studied molecular and transcriptional signatures that predict patient response to this class of drug. Employing SCLC patient-derived transcriptional signatures, we define that SCLC cell lines sensitive to LSD1 inhibitors are enriched in neuroendocrine transcriptional markers, whereas cell lines enriched in a mesenchymal-like transcriptional program demonstrate intrinsic resistance to LSD1 inhibitors. We have identified a reversible, adaptive resistance mechanism to LSD1 inhibitors through epigenetic reprogramming to a TEAD4-driven mesenchymal-like state. Our data suggest that only a segment of SCLC patients, with a defined neuroendocrine differentiation state, will likely benefit from LSD1 inhibitors. It provides novel evidence for the selection of a TEAD4-driven mesenchymal-like subpopulation resistant to LSD1 inhibitors in SCLC patients that may require effective drug combinations to sustain effective clinical responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to define site‐specific variability affects the acceptability of precision farming. A study was conducted to determine the soil nutrient spatial variability in the Nagpur Rural block of Nagpur district, Maharashtra, India. A total of 1707 surface soil samples (0‐to‐15‐cm soil depth) were collected from a 65,386‐ha region. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and available macronutrients (N, P, K, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn). Geostatistical modeling (kriging) was run on soil geodatabase to obtain the best‐fit experimental semivariogram having the lowest RMSE. Exponential (for pH, SOC, and N) and spherical (for P, K, and S) variogram model of ordinary kriging type as well as exponential variogram of simple kriging (for EC) were found to be best fitted to the soil parameters studied. The spatial distribution of maps showed deficiency of available N, P, and Zn, whereas soil test K, Mn, and Cu was high in most of the study area. Spatial dependence was moderate for all soil fertility parameters (N/S ratio 0.25–0.75), whereas soil test P exhibited strong spatial dependency (N/S ratio 0.19). The soil fertility maps developed through geostatistical techniques can be successfully used for managing site‐specific nutrients, enhancing fertilizer use efficiency, minimizing cost of cultivation, improving socioeconomic status of farmers, and increasing farm income without adverse effects on soil environment. Core Ideas: High‐density sampling produces better soil fertility maps.GIS and remote sensing supports cadastral‐level planning for plant nutrient management.Precision soil fertility maps can reduce cultivation costs and improve socioeconomic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of no‐till (NT) management as compared with conventional tillage practices (e.g., disk till [DT]) on plant stomatal behavior in relation to model estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and plant physiological functions has not been sufficiently evaluated. This research investigated the effects of NT and DT management on maize (Zea mays L.) physiological parameters and ETc losses. We also tested the methodology to estimate ETc using a one‐step Penman–Monteith (PM) model with measured variable resistance from scaled‐up leaf stomatal resistance (RL) to canopy resistance (RC) with Bowen Ratio Energy Balance System (BREBS)‐measured ETc. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) explained 76 and 79% of the variability in RL for NT and DT maize, respectively, which varied with growth stage. Disk‐till maize RL was 29, 5, 25, and 4% higher than NT maize RL during the vegetative, tasseling and silking, reproductive, and near‐physiological‐maturity stages, respectively. The seasonal average scaled‐up RC values for NT and DT maize were 102.4 and 128.6 s m–1, respectively. The PM‐estimated ETc correlated strongly with the BREBS‐measured ETc, with the PM model estimates being 8 and 6% within the BREBS measurements on an hourly and daily basis, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this research is the first to develop the response curves (PPFD vs. RL) for maize for different growth stages under NT and DT. The analyses presented here can provide invaluable data and information for plant physiology research, crop modeling, determining crop response to different management, and environmental drivers. Core Ideas: No‐till (NT) maize had higher h and leaf area index than disk till (DT) maize. On average, DT maize RL was 15% higher than NT maize RL. Seasonal average RC values for NT and DT maize were 102.4 and 126.6 sm−1, respectively. Photosynthetic photon flux density explained 76 and 79% of the variability in RL for NT and DT maize, respectively. Penman–Montieth‐modeled crop evapotranspiration (ETc) correlated strongly with the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance System ‐measured ETc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway safeguards genomic stability through cell cycle regulation and DNA damage repair. The canonical tumor suppressive role of FA proteins in the repair of DNA damage during interphase is well established, but their function in mitosis is incompletely understood. Here, we performed a kinome-wide synthetic lethality screen in FANCA-/- fibroblasts, which revealed multiple mitotic kinases as necessary for survival of FANCA-deficient cells. Among these kinases, we identified the depletion of the centrosome kinase SIK2 as synthetic lethal upon loss of FANCA. We found that FANCA colocalizes with SIK2 at multiple mitotic structures and regulates the activity of SIK2 at centrosomes. Furthermore, we found that loss of FANCA exacerbates cell cycle defects induced by pharmacological inhibition of SIK2, including impaired G2-M transition, delayed mitotic progression, and cytokinesis failure. In addition, we showed that inhibition of SIK2 abrogates nocodazole-induced prometaphase arrest, suggesting a novel role for SIK2 in the spindle assembly checkpoint. Together, these findings demonstrate that FANCA-deficient cells are dependent upon SIK2 for survival, supporting a preclinical rationale for targeting of SIK2 in FA-disrupted cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation has been implicated in the initiation and perpetuation of non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a lack of similar data on AF in rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The objective of this study was to analyze the association of inflammation as measured by serum inflammatory biomarkers with AF in rheumatic mitral stenosis (Rh‐MS). Methods: A comparative cross‐sectional analytical study was conducted on 181 Rh‐MS patients in normal sinus rhythm (NSR; n = 69), subclinical transient AF (SCAF; detected by 24‐hours Holter monitoring; n = 30) and chronic AF (n = 82). Serum hs‐CRP, IL‐6, and sCD‐40L were assessed using ELISA immunoassay and compared in all groups of Rh‐MS with or without AF. Results: We found significantly higher serum hs‐CRP and sCD‐40L levels in the overall AF (Chronic AF + SCAF) group (hs‐CRP: 4.5 ± 3.4 vs 2.3 ± 2.9 mg/L, P <.01; sCD‐40L: 6.4 ± 4.8 vs 3.1 ± 3.4 ng/mL, P <.01) and chronic AF subgroup (hs‐CRP: 4.9 ± 3.4 vs 2.3 ± 2.9 mg/L, P <.01; sCD‐40L: 6.9 ± 5.1 vs 3.1 ± 3.4 ng/mL, P <.01) compared to patients with sinus rhythm. There was a statistically significant graded increase of serum IL‐6 level from the NSR to the SCAF (vs NSR: 6.8 ± 3.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.2 pg/mL, P =.03), and chronic AF subgroups (vs NSR: 9.3 ± 6.5 vs 4.0 ± 2.2 pg/mL, P <.01; vs SCAF: 9.3 ± 6.5 vs 6.8 ± 3.9, P =.05) of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: Elevated levels of serum hs‐CRP, IL‐6, and sCD‐40L were strongly associated with overall AF and also with SCAF and chronic AF in Rh‐MS patients indicating a potential role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of rheumatic AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consultant psychiatrists A dedicated clozapine shared care consultant psychiatrist performs 6-monthly reviews of patients who have been transferred to the GP clozapine shared care program. Selection of suitable patients Patients are offered the option of participating in the GP clozapine shared care program when they have maintained stability in their mental state on a clozapine dose that has not been altered for at least 6 months. [Extracted from the article]

A mathematical model is formulated to study the thermoelastic diffusion in the plate using two temperature fractional order theory in materials having temperature-dependent elastic properties. Governing equations for the considered two-dimensional problem are deduced. The plate is considered as unstrained and unstressed at uniform temperature initially. Governing equations are non-dimensionalized and simplified by making use of potential functions. A combination of Laplace and Fourier transform is used to reduce the problem to ordinary differential equations. The arbitrary constants in solution are obtained by considering the loading environment on surfaces. The physical quantities like stresses, temperature field, mass concentration and chemical potential are determined analytically in the closed-form. A numerical transform inversion technique is used to obtain the resulting quantities for the original region and displayed in the form of graphs to present the different physical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Baclofen is prescribed for both adults and children as a muscle relaxant, but no data exists to support an appropriate lower‐dose extemporaneously compounded oral liquid suitable for young children in New Zealand. Aim: This study aimed to determine the stability of 1 mg/mL baclofen oral suspension over 30 days. Method: Baclofen suspensions were compounded (n = 6 per formulation) using suspending vehicles Ora‐Blend® (OB) or Ora‐Blend sugar‐free® (OB SF) and stored at either 25°C/60% relative humidity or 2–8°C for 30 days. Organoleptic properties, sedimentation volume ratio, ease of redispersion, pH and baclofen content were determined. Results: Formulations required 2–3 inversions to redisperse at each time point. A colour change was observed from day 14 in the OB suspensions stored at both temperatures, likely due to the Maillard reaction, whereas no colour change was observed in any OB SF suspensions. The pH of all formulations remained between 4.5 and 4.6. Both OB and OB SF suspensions retained >90% of the initial baclofen concentration over 30 days. Conclusion: Although baclofen 1 mg/mL suspensions prepared in both OB and OB SF retained sufficient baclofen to be considered chemically stable in both storage conditions over the study period, OB SF is recommended as a preferred vehicle over OB formulations due to the colour change observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]