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Pelvic health and pelvic floor dysfunction have wide-reaching implications across a range of patient groups. Placing ultrasound imaging into the hands of assessing and treating clinicians (i.e. point of care ultrasound, PoCUS) can provide a step change in clinical effectiveness and efficiency. Pelvic floor dysfunction is managed by one or more members of a multi-disciplinary team that includes physiotherapists. Physiotherapists' involvement includes diagnosis, patient education, identifying shared treatment goals, using rehabilitative strategies and empowering patients through self-management. Drawing upon existing publications in this area and applying framework principles, the authors propose a clinical and sonographic scope of practice for physiotherapists as part of supporting the consolidation and expansion of pelvic health PoCUS. Education and governance considerations are detailed to ensure the robust and safe use of this modality. Alongside empowering the use of ultrasound imaging by clinicians such as physiotherapists in the UK and internationally, we provide clarity to other members of the care pathway and ultrasound imaging professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are widely held premises that suicide is almost exclusively the result of mental illness and there is "strong evidence for successfully detecting and managing suicidality in healthcare" (Hogan and Grumet, 2016). In this context, 'zero-suicide' policies have emerged, and suicide risk assessment tools have become a normative component of psychiatric practice. This essay discusses how suicide evolved from a moral to a medical problem and how, in an effort to reduce suicide, a paternalistic healthcare response emerged to predict those at high risk. The evidence for the premises is critiqued and shown to be problematic; and it is found that strong paternalistic interventions are being used more often than acknowledged. Using a Principles approach, the ethics of overriding autonomy in suicide prevention is considered. Ethical concerns are identified with the current approach which are potentially amplified by the use of these risk assessments. Furthermore, it is identified that the widespread use of risk assessments in health settings is equivalent to screening without regard to the ethical principles of screening. The essay concludes that this is unethical; that we should abandon the use of standardized suicide risk assessments and 'zero-suicide' policy; and that this may improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion, rapid geomorphological change and vegetation degradation are major threats to the human and natural environment. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) can be used as tools to provide detailed and accurate estimations of landscape change. The effect of flight strategy on the accuracy of UAS image data products, typically a digital surface model (DSM) and orthophoto, is unknown. Herein different flying altitudes (126-235 m) and area coverage orientations (N-S and SW-NE) are assessed in a semi-arid and medium-relief area where terraced and abandoned agricultural fields are heavily damaged by piping and gully erosion. The assessment was with respect to cell size, vertical and horizontal accuracy, absolute difference of DSM, and registration of recognizable landscape features. The results show increasing cell size (5-9 cm) with increasing altitude, and differences between elevation values (10-20 cm) for different flight directions. Vertical accuracy ranged 4-7 cm but showed no clear relationship with flight strategy, whilst horizontal error was stable (2-4 cm) for the different orthophotos. In all data sets, geomorphological features such as piping channels, rills and gullies and vegetation patches could be labeled by a technician. Finally, the datasets have been released in a public repository. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grinding stones and ground stone implements are important technological innovations in later human evolution, allowing the exploitation and use of new plant foods, novel tools (e.g., bone points and edge ground axes) and ground pigments. Excavations at the site of Madjedbebe recovered Australia's (if not one of the world's) largest and longest records of Pleistocene grinding stones, which span the past 65 thousand years (ka). Microscopic and chemical analyses show that the Madjedbebe grinding stone assemblage displays the earliest known evidence for seed grinding and intensive plant use, the earliest known production and use of edge-ground stone hatchets (aka axes), and the earliest intensive use of ground ochre pigments in Sahul (the Pleistocene landmass of Australia and New Guinea). The Madjedbebe grinding stone assemblage reveals economic, technological and symbolic innovations exemplary of the phenotypic plasticity of Homo sapiens dispersing out of Africa and into Sahul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we – the Bacterial Viruses Subcommittee and the Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) – summarise the results of our activities for the period March 2020 – March 2021. We report the division of the former Bacterial and Archaeal Viruses Subcommittee in two separate Subcommittees, welcome new members, a new Subcommittee Chair and Vice Chair, and give an overview of the new taxa that were proposed in 2020, approved by the Executive Committee and ratified by vote in 2021. In particular, a new realm, three orders, 15 families, 31 subfamilies, 734 genera and 1845 species were newly created or redefined (moved/promoted). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Proper insulin injection/infusion is essential to optimize insulin absorption and action. Guidelines on insulin injection techniques are available. Lipohypertrophy (LH) is a local complication of insulin therapy, which results in erratic absorption and impaired glycemic control.Methods: Children and adults with type 1 diabetes on insulin injection or infusion were enrolled in the study. Subjects were interviewed and filled in a questionnaire on injection/infusion routines. Sites of injection/infusion were examined by trained diabetes educators, and capillary HbA1c was obtained.Results: One hundred sixty-nine subjects (104 children) with type 1 diabetes were enrolled; 119 were on multiple daily injection (MDI) and 50 on insulin pump therapy. Seventy-two percent and 82% of children and adults, respectively, rotate site at every injection; 78% of pump users change infusion set and 74% rotate site at 2-3 days. Thirty-nine percent and 32% of children and adults had LH. HbA1c was lower in children and adults with no LH (P < 0.001). An association was seen between LH and rotation frequency in children (P = 0.026). LH was the most common skin complication in the MDI group, while nodules, allergy marks and hyperpigmentation were seen in pump users.Conclusion: Proper injection/infusion routines impact glycemic control and skin health. Education and examination of injection sites remain a crucial part of diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are a major molecular tool for genetic and genomic research that have been extensively developed and used in major crops. However, few are available in African bermudagrass ( Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy), an economically important warm-season turfgrass species. African bermudagrass is mainly used for hybridizations with common bermudagrass [ C. dactylon var. dactylon (L.) Pers.] in the development of superior interspecific hybrid turfgrass cultivars. Accordingly, the major objective of this study was to develop and characterize a large set of SSR markers. Genomic DNA of C. transvaalensis '4200TN 24-2' from an Oklahoma State University (OSU) turf nursery was extracted for construction of four SSR genomic libraries enriched with [CA], [GA], [AAG], and [AAT] as core repeat motifs. A total of 3,064 clones were sequenced at the OSU core facility. The sequences were categorized into singletons and contiguous sequences to exclude redundancy. From the two sequence categories, 1,795 SSR loci were identified. After excluding duplicate SSRs by comparison with previously developed SSR markers using a nucleotide basic local alignment tool, 1,426 unique primer pairs (PPs) were designed. Out of the 1,426 designed PPs, 981 (68.8 %) amplified alleles of the expected size in the donor DNA. Polymorphisms of the SSR PPs tested in eight C. transvaalensis plants were 93 % polymorphic with 544 markers effective in all genotypes. Inheritance of the SSRs was examined in six F progeny of African parents 'T577' × 'Uganda', indicating 917 markers amplified heritable alleles. The SSR markers developed in the study are the first large set of co-dominant markers in African bermudagrass and should be highly valuable for molecular and traditional breeding research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer genome sequencing studies have identified numerous driver genes, but the relative timing of mutations in carcinogenesis remains unclear. The gradual progression from premalignant Barrett's esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) provides an ideal model to study the ordering of somatic mutations. We identified recurrently mutated genes and assessed clonal structure using whole-genome sequencing and amplicon resequencing of 112 EACs. We next screened a cohort of 109 biopsies from 2 key transition points in the development of malignancy: benign metaplastic never-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus (NDBE; n = 66) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD; n = 43). Unexpectedly, the majority of recurrently mutated genes in EAC were also mutated in NDBE. Only TP53 and SMAD4 mutations occurred in a stage-specific manner, confined to HGD and EAC, respectively. Finally, we applied this knowledge to identify high-risk Barrett's esophagus in a new non-endoscopic test. In conclusion, mutations in EAC driver genes generally occur exceptionally early in disease development with profound implications for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translating policies about sustainable development as a social process and sustainability outcomes into the real world of social-ecological systems involves several challenges. Hence, research policies advocate improved innovative problem-solving capacity. One approach is transdisciplinary research that integrates research disciplines, as well as researchers and practitioners. Drawing upon 14 experiences of problem-solving, we used group modeling to map perceived barriers and bridges for researchers' and practitioners' joint knowledge production and learning towards transdisciplinary research. The analysis indicated that the transdisciplinary research process is influenced by (1) the amount of traditional disciplinary formal and informal control, (2) adaptation of project applications to fill the transdisciplinary research agenda, (3) stakeholder participation, and (4) functional team building/development based on self-reflection and experienced leadership. Focusing on implementation of green infrastructure policy as a common denominator for the delivery of ecosystem services and human well-being, we discuss how to diagnose social-ecological systems, and use knowledge production and collaborative learning as treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two halophilic archaeal strains, R30 and tADL, were isolated from an aquaculture farm in Dailing, China, and from Deep Lake, Antarctica, respectively. Both have rod-shaped cells that lyse in distilled water, stain Gram-negative and form red-pigmented colonies. They are neutrophilic, require >120 g/l NaCl and 48-67 g/l MgCl for growth but differ in their optimum growth temperatures (30 °C, tADL vs. 40 °C, R30). The major polar lipids were typical for members of the Archaea but also included a major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains are 97.4 % identical, show most similarity to genes of the family Halobacteriaceae, and cluster together as a distinct clade in phylogenetic tree reconstructions. The rpoB′ gene similarity between strains R30 and tADL is 92.9 % and less to other halobacteria. Their DNA G + C contents are 62.4-62.9 mol % but DNA-DNA hybridization gives a relatedness of only 44 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, we describe two new species of a novel genus, represented by strain R30 (= CGMCC 1.10593 = JCM 17270) and strain tADL (= JCM 15066 = DSMZ 22187) for which we propose the names Halohasta litorea gen. nov., sp. nov. and Halohasta litchfieldiae sp. nov., respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haloquadratum walsbyi is frequently a dominant member of the microbial communities in hypersaline waters. 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that divergence within this species is very low but relatively few sites have been examined, particularly in the southern hemisphere. The diversity of Haloquadratum was examined in three coastal, but geographically distant saltern crystallizer ponds in Australia, using both culture-independent and culture-dependent methods. Two 97%-OTU, comprising Haloquadratum- and Halorubrum-related sequences, were shared by all three sites, with the former OTU representing about 40% of the sequences recovered at each site. Sequences 99.5% identical to that of Hqr. walsbyi C23T were present at all three sites and, overall, 98% of the Haloquadratum-related sequences displayed ≤2% divergence from that of the type strain . While haloarchaeal diversity at each site was relatively low (9–16 OTUs), seven phylogroups (clones and/or isolates) and 4 different clones showed ≤90% sequence identity to classified taxa, and appear to represent novel genera. Six of these branched together in phylogenetic tree reconstructions, forming a clade (MSP8-clade) whose members were only distantly related to classified taxa. Such sequences have only rarely been previously detected but were found at all three Australian crystallizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most plant disease resistance (R) genes encode proteins with a nucleotide binding site and leucine-rich repeat structure (NBS-LRR). In this study, degenerate primers were used to amplify genomic NBS-type sequences from wild banana ( Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis) plants resistant to the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum formae specialis (f. sp.) cubense (FOC) race 4. Five different classes of NBS-type sequences were identified and designated as resistance gene candidates (RGCs). The deduced amino acid sequences of the RGCs revealed the presence of motifs characteristic of the majority of known plant NBS-LRR resistance genes. Structural and phylogenetic analyses grouped the banana RGCs within the non-TIR (homology to Toll/interleukin-1 receptors) subclass of NBS sequences. Southern hybridization showed that each banana RGC is present in low copy number. The expression of the RGCs was assessed by RT-PCR in leaf and root tissues of plants resistant or susceptible to FOC race 4. RGC1, 3 and 5 showed a constitutive expression profile in both resistant and susceptible plants whereas no expression was detected for RGC4. Interestingly, RGC2 expression was found to be associated only to FOC race 4 resistant lines. This finding could assist in the identification of a FOC race 4 resistance gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertigation can be a more efficient means of applying crop nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), so that nutrient application rates can be reduced in fertigated crops. However, there is little information on the extent of the possible reduction in N application rate for fertigated sugarcane, one of the major row crops grown under trickle irrigation, nor the fate of N in fertigated sugarcane systems if N application rates are not reduced. An experiment was established to determine the response of cane and sugar production to different N rates (0–240 kg ha-1 year-1) spanning that recommended for conventional irrigation systems (160 kg ha-1 year-1). As well as yield, N removed in the crop and changes in soil mineral N were determined annually for four crops (a plant and three ratoon crops). δ15N values were also measured in selected treatments at selected times to assess possible N inputs to the experiment via biological N fixation (BFN). Yields of cane and sugar responded to application of N fertiliser in the three ratoon crops, but they were not significantly increased by applying more than 80 kg ha-1 of N. There were no N responses in the plant crop, as there was >200 kg ha-1 of soil mineral N (SMN) to 2 m depth at the site prior to planting, and much of this SMN was depleted in the treatment receiving no N. There was no evidence of N input from BFN in the experiment. During the 4-year study period, net removal of N from the treatment with no applied N totalled 207 kg ha-1. When 80 or 120 kg ha-1 year-1 of N was applied to ratoon crops, outputs of N from the harvested crop approximately balanced inputs from fertiliser and depletion of SMN during the experiment. Inputs clearly exceeded output at higher N application rates. Assuming that the net removal of N from the treatment with no applied N was the same as the net mineralisation of N from soil organic matter in all treatments in the experiment, 204–639 kg ha-1 of N was unaccounted for in the treatments with applied N over the duration of the experiment. While some of this N (e.g. 45 kg ha-1) may have resulted in small (and undetectable) increases in total soil N, much of it would have been lost to the environment. We suggest that the high soil water contents maintained with daily application of irrigation water through the trickle system promotes mineralisation of soil organic matter and hence losses of N to the environment. Thus, particular care is required to avoid over-application of N in fertigated sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear localisation in thin bands is an important process involved in the plastic deformation of materials subject to stress. This process is often sensitive to the sample microstructure (amorphous/crystalline). Here we show using the scanning µ-SAXS technique, how these different microstructures influence the plastic deformations in a drying colloidal film. In crystalline samples, the presence of an ordering transition at the compaction front was directly identified through the development of a six-fold symmetry in the scattering pattern in 20 wt% samples. It is shown that plastic deformations in individual groups of particles during the compaction process can be tracked and measured in real time. Higher concentration suspensions were found to result in amorphous structures. The transition between crystalline and amorphous microstructures with initial particle concentration was also found to correlate with the appearance of shear bands. Through 2D spatial mapping of the local film structure, the presence of shear bands in the films was directly related to the microscale spatial variations in strain magnitude and compression direction. Our measurements also showed that shear bands lead to a reduction in the local particle volume fraction ~1-2%, indicating significant dilatancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]