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ABSTRACT Early mortality syndrome (EMS) or acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome (AHPND) is an epizootic bacterial infection of shrimp that has had significant negative impact on the global shrimp aquaculture industry. This disease is largely attributed to pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus EMS strains (VP‐EMS). Application of probiotics was examined for control of pathogenic VP‐EMS infections in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under laboratory‐scale conditions. Two probiotic products, a single strain (O14VRQ) of Bacillus subtilis and a blend (Plus10) of five strains of Bacillus from four different species (Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus brevis, and two distinct strains of Bacillus subtilis), were evaluated at various concentrations as feed additives (applied as a top coat on commercial feed) or dosed directly into the culture water. Two trials were conducted in which shrimp were fed either a control feed (no probiotics) or probiotic‐coated feed for 7 days prior to be being challenged with VP‐EMS. Shrimp were observed for clinical signs of disease and mortalities during the disease challenge study. These experiments demonstrated that while both Bacillus probiotic products were shown to significantly (p < 0.05) improve shrimp survival, the O14VRQ strain provided the most consistent protection across the trials in top‐coated feed. Overall, better efficacy was observed with probiotic‐coated feeds. Findings were directly and positively correlated with concentration for top‐coated and even more so for direct in‐tank applications. Collectively, these findings contribute to our understanding about how probiotic strains could be applied to enhance shrimp health in aquaculture.

Abstract INTRODUCTION The standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) is used to measure amyloid beta–positron emission tomography (Aβ‐PET) uptake in the brainDifferences in PET scanner technologies and image reconstruction techniques can lead to variability in PET images across scanners. This poses a challenge for Aβ‐PET studies conducted in multiple centers. The aim of harmonization is to achieve consistent Aβ‐PET measurements across different scanners. In this study, we propose an Aβ‐PET harmonization method of matching spatial resolution, as measured via a barrel phantom, across PET scanners. Our approach was validated using paired subject data, for which patients were imaged on multiple scanners. METHODS In this study, three different PET scanners were evaluated: the Siemens Biograph Vision 600, Siemens Biograph molecular computed tomography (mCT), and Philips Gemini TF64. A total of five, eight, and five subjects were each scanned twice with [18F]‐NAV4694 across Vision‐mCT, mCT‐Philips, and Vision‐Philips scanner pairs. The Vision and mCT scans were reconstructed using various iterations, subsets, and post‐reconstruction Gaussian smoothing, whereas only one reconstruction configuration was used for the Philips scans. The full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM) of each reconstruction configuration was calculated using [18F]‐filled barrel phantom scans with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) phantom analysis toolkit. Regional SUVRs were calculated from 72 brain regions using the automated anatomical labelling atlas 3 (AAL3) atlas for each subject and reconstruction configuration. Statistical similarity between SUVRs was assessed using paired (within subject) t‐tests for each pair of reconstructions across scanners; the higher the p‐value, the greater the similarity between the SUVRs. RESULTS Vision‐mCT harmonization: Vision reconstruction with FWHM = 4.10 mm and mCT reconstruction with FWHM = 4.30 mm gave the maximal statistical similarity (maximum p‐value) between regional SUVRs. Philips‐mCT harmonization: The FWHM of the Philips reconstruction was 8.2 mm and the mCT reconstruction with the FWHM of 9.35 mm, which gave the maximal statistical similarity between regional SUVRs. Philips–Vision harmonization: The Vision reconstruction with an FWHM of 9.1 mm gave the maximal statistical similarity between regional SUVRs when compared with the Philips reconstruction of 8.2 mm and were selected as the harmonized for each scanner pair. CONCLUSION Based on data obtained from three sets of participants, each scanned on a pair of PET scanners, it has been verified that using reconstruction configurations that produce matched‐barrel, phantom spatial resolutions results in maximally harmonized Aβ‐PET quantitation between scanner pairs. This finding is encouraging for the use of PET scanners in multi‐center trials or updates during longitudinal studies. Highlights Question: Does the process of matching the barrel phantom‐derived spatial resolution between scanners harmonize amyloid beta–standardized uptake value ratio (Aβ‐SUVR) quantitation? Pertinent findings: It has been validated that reconstruction pairs with matched barrel phantom‐derived spatial resolution maximize the similarity between subjects paired Aβ‐PET (positron emission tomography) SUVR values recorded on two scanners. Implications for patient care: Harmonization between scanners in multi‐center trials and PET camera updates in longitudinal studies can be achieved using a simple and efficient phantom measurement procedure, beneficial for the validity of Aβ‐PET quantitation measurements.

Abstract In Alzheimer’s disease, the molecular pathogenesis of the extracellular Aβ-amyloid (Aβ) instigation of intracellular tau accumulation is poorly understood. We employed a high-resolution PET scanner, with low detection thresholds, to examine the Aβ-tau association using a convolutional neural network (CNN), and compared results to a standard voxel-wise linear analysis. The full range of Aβ Centiloid values was highly predicted by the tau topography using the CNN (training R 2 = 0.86, validation R 2 = 0.75, testing R 2 = 0.72). Linear models based on tau-SUVR identified widespread positive correlations between tau accumulation and Aβ burden throughout the brain. In contrast, CNN analysis identified focal clusters in the bilateral medial temporal lobes, frontal lobes, precuneus, postcentral gyrus and middle cingulate. At low Aβ levels, information from the middle cingulate, frontal lobe and precuneus regions was more predictive of Aβ burden, while at high Aβ levels, the medial temporal regions were more predictive of Aβ burden. The data-driven CNN approach revealed new associations between tau topography and Aβ burden.

Abstract Background The absorption, translocation, accumulation and excretion of substances are fundamental processes in all organisms including plants, and have been successfully studied using radiotracers labelled with 11C, 13N, 14C and 22Na since 1939. Sodium is one of the most damaging ions to the growth and productivity of crops. Due to the significance of understanding sodium transport in plants, a significant number of studies have been carried out to examine sodium influx, compartmentation, and efflux using 22Na- or 24Na-labeled salts. Notably, however, most of these studies employed destructive methods, which has limited our understanding of sodium flux and distribution characteristics in real time, in live plants. Positron emission tomography (PET) has been used successfully in medical research and diagnosis for decades. Due to its ability to visualise and assess physiological and metabolic function, PET imaging has also begun to be employed in plant research. Here, we report the use of a clinical PET scanner with a 22Na tracer to examine 22Na-influx dynamics in barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. spp. Vulgare—cultivar Bass) under variable nutrient levels, alterations in the day/night light cycle, and the presence of sodium channel inhibitors. Results 3D dynamic PET images of whole plants show readily visible 22Na translocation from roots to shoots in each examined plant, with rates influenced by both nutrient status and channel inhibition. PET images show that plants cultivated in low-nutrient media transport more 22Na than plants cultivated in high-nutrient media, and that 22Na uptake is suppressed in the presence of a cation-channel inhibitor. A distinct diurnal pattern of 22Na influx was discernible in curves displaying rates of change of relative radioactivity. Plants were found to absorb more 22Na during the light period, and anticipate the change in the light/dark cycle by adjusting the sodium influx rate downward in the dark period, an effect not previously described experimentally. Conclusions We demonstrate the utility of clinical PET/CT scanners for real-time monitoring of the temporal dynamics of sodium transport in plants. The effects of nutrient deprivation and of ion channel inhibition on sodium influx into barley plants are shown in two proof-of-concept experiments, along with the first-ever 3D-imaging of the light and dark sodium uptake cycles in plants. This method carries significant potential for plant biology research and, in particular, in the context of genetic and treatment effects on sodium acquisition and toxicity in plants.

Our national data and infrastructure security issues affecting the “bioeconomy” are evolving rapidly. Simultaneously, the conversation about cyber security of the U.S. food and agricultural system (cyber biosecurity) is incomplete and disjointed. The food and agricultural production sectors influence over 20% of the nation's economy ($6.7T) and 15% of U.S. employment (43.3M jobs). The food and agricultural sectors are immensely diverse and they require advanced technologies and efficiencies that rely on computer technologies, big data, cloud-based data storage, and internet accessibility. There is a critical need to safeguard the cyber biosecurity of our bio economy, but currently protections are minimal and do not broadly exist across the food and agricultural system. Using the food safety management Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system concept as an introductory point of reference, we identify important features in broad food and agricultural production and food systems: dairy, food animals, row crops, fruits and vegetables, and environmental resources (water). This analysis explores the relevant concepts of cyber biosecurity from food production to the end product user (such as the consumer) and considers the integration of diverse transportation, supplier, and retailer networks. We describe common challenges and unique barriers across these systems and recommend solutions to advance the role of cyber biosecurity in the food and agricultural sectors.

The molecular coordination complex NiI_{2}(3,5-lut)_{4} [where (3,5-lut) = (3,5-lutidine) =(C_{7}H_{9}N)] has been synthesized and characterized by several techniques including synchrotron x-ray diffraction, electron-spin resonance, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, pulsed-field magnetization, inelastic neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation. Templated by the configuration of 3,5-lut ligands the molecules pack in-registry with the Ni–I⋯I–Ni chains aligned along the c axis. This arrangement leads to an uncommon through-space I⋯I magnetic coupling which is directly measured in this work. The net result is a near-ideal realization of the S=1 Haldane chain with J=17.5K and energy gaps of Δ^{∥}=5.3K Δ^{⊥}=7.7K, split by the easy-axis single-ion anisotropy D=−1.2K. The ratio D/J=−0.07 affords one of the most isotropic Haldane systems yet discovered, while the ratio Δ_{0}/J=0.40(1) (where Δ_{0} is the average gap size) is close to its ideal theoretical value, suggesting a very high degree of magnetic isolation of the spin chains in this material. The Haldane gap is closed by orientation-dependent critical fields μ_{0}H_{c}^{∥}=5.3T and μ_{0}H_{c}^{⊥}=4.3T, which are readily accessible experimentally and permit investigations across the entirety of the Haldane phase, with the fully polarized state occurring at μ_{0}H_{s}^{∥}=46.0T and μ_{0}H_{s}^{⊥}=50.7T. The results are explicable within the so-called fermion model, in contrast to other reported easy-axis Haldane systems. Zero-field magnetic order is absent down to 20mK and emergent end-chain effects are observed in the gapped state, as evidenced by detailed low-temperature measurements.

Background. Even in the modern era of kidney transplantation with improved surgical techniques, immunosuppression, and clinical care, HLA matching has been shown to be important in allograft survival in adults who receive an organ from either a deceased or living donor. We now explore the impact of genetic matching in pediatric first-kidney transplants. Methods. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing data, we identified 18 602 first pediatric (

In the literature on imprecise probability, little attention is paid to the fact that imprecise probabilities are precise on a set of events. We call these sets systems of precision. We show that, under mild assumptions, the system of precision of a lower and upper probability form a so-called (pre-)Dynkin system. Interestingly, there are several settings, ranging from machine learning on partial data over frequential probability theory to quantum probability theory and decision making under uncertainty, in which, a priori, the probabilities are only desired to be precise on a specific underlying set system. Here, (pre-)Dynkin systems have been adopted as systems of precision, too. We show that, under extendability conditions, those pre-Dynkin systems equipped with probabilities can be embedded into algebras of sets. Surprisingly, the extendability conditions elaborated in a strand of work in quantum probability are equivalent to coherence from the imprecise probability literature. On this basis, we spell out a lattice duality which relates systems of precision to credal sets of probabilities. We conclude the presentation with a generalization of the framework to expectation-type counterparts of imprecise probabilities. The analogue of pre-Dynkin systems turns out to be (sets of) linear subspaces in the space of bounded, real-valued functions. We introduce partial expectations, natural generalizations of probabilities defined on pre-Dynkin systems. Again, coherence and extendability are equivalent. A related but more general lattice duality preserves the relation between systems of precision and credal sets of probabilities.