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INTRODUCTION Army Medical Specialist (SP) Corps officers have the role of offering a spectrum of medical options to Army and joint maneuver commanders by reducing operational risks associated with large-scale [...]

I. Introduction "The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible" is a quotation by Toni Bambara. (1) However, advocating for any type of revolution can be dangerous. [...]

Background: Screening programs for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are not available in Canada. We sought to determine the effectiveness and cost-utility of AAA screening in Ontario. Methods: We compared one-time ultrasonography-based AAA screening for people aged 65 years to no screening using a fully probabilistic Markov model with a lifetime horizon. We estimated life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), AAA-related deaths, number needed to screen to prevent 1 AAA-related death and costs (in Canadian dollars) from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health. We retrieved model inputs from literature, Statistics Canada, and the Ontario Case Costing Initiative. Results: Screening reduced AAA-related deaths by 84.9% among males and 81.0% among females. Compared with no screening, screening resulted in 0.04 (18.96 v. 18.92) additional life-years and 0.04 (14.95 v. 14.91) additional QALYs at an incremental cost of $80 per person among males. Among females, screening resulted in 0.02 (21.25 v. 21.23) additional life-years and 0.01 (16.20 v. 16.19) additional QALYs at an incremental cost of $11 per person. At a willingness-to-pay of $50 000 per year, screening was cost-effective in 84% (males) and 90% (females) of model iterations. Screening was increasingly cost-effective with higher AAA prevalence. Interpretation: Screening for AAA among people aged 65 years in Ontario was associated with fewer AAA-related deaths and favourable cost-effectiveness. To maximize QALY gains per dollar spent and AAA-related deaths prevented, AAA screening programs should be designed to ensure that populations with high prevalence of AAA participate., In Canada, about 20 000 people receive a diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) annually. (1) Males aged 65-80 years have an AAA prevalence 6 times higher than females [...]

Establishing income is an essential part of nearly all divorce cases. The use of financial experts can be crucial, but when should you use a financial expert for income analysis [...]

Lynda Gravatt, who starred in such productions as 45 Seconds From Broadway, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Old Settler, and Intimate Apparel, died on Feb. 23. She was [...]

Black women share unique experiences as they traverse gendered racism in White institutional spaces. While there is abundant research outlining Black identity development and the relationship between Black identity development and mental health and wellness, the literature is void of a conceptual framework that details ways professional counselors can support Black women's professional identity development experiences. A conceptual framework of Black women's gendered racial identity development is adapted to center the professional identity of Black women in White institutional spaces. A case study illustration and clinical implications for working with Black women clients are presented along with recommendations for reducing social inequity and improving wellness for Black women., Black women have embraced their dynamic, intersectional identities in professional spaces with a sense of pride, allowing them to feel empowered to disrupt ongoing systems of oppression (Williams & Lewis, [...]

HIGHBROW * Four more years. * The hottest year ever, smashing previous record (set last year). * Fifteen minutes of Kama la Harris. * Tristate drone experiment. * CrowdStrike took [...]

HIGHBROW Not guilty. Someone snitched. He'll switch. Mitt Romney delivers farewell speech to the Senate. Good-bye, intermittently principled guy! One month of a TikTok ban could crater the influencer economy [...]

Blaspheme: a petitioning for a hit something opiate-like blast me out of here not with a broom, swat, swat but with a change in my brain chemistry not with a [...]

Protein mycoloylation is a recently identified unusual post-translational modification (PTM) exclusively observed in Mycobacteriales, an order of bacteria that includes several human pathogens. These bacteria possess a distinctive outer membrane, known as the mycomembrane, composed of very long-chain fatty acids called mycolic acids. It has been demonstrated that a few mycomembrane proteins undergo covalent modification with mycolic acids in the model organism Corynebacterium glutamicumthrough the action of mycoloyltransferase MytC. This PTM represents the first example of protein O-acylation in prokaryotes and also the first example of protein modification by mycolic acid. Many questions about the specificity of protein O-mycoloylation remain crucial for understanding its evolutionary significance in Mycobacteriales and its role in cell physiology. We have developed the first bioorthogonal mycolate donor featuring the natural mycolic acid pattern, enabling direct, unambiguous transfer of the lipid moiety to its acceptors and efficient metabolic labeling and enrichment of MytC protein substrates. Mass spectrometry analysis of the labeled proteins and comparative proteomic analysis of the cell envelope proteome between wild-type and ΔmytCstrains identified an unbiased list of 21 proteins likely mycoloylated in the cell. The robustness of our approach is demonstrated by the successful biological validation of mycoloylation in 6 candidate proteins within wild-type cells, revealing the characteristic profile of proteins modified with natural mycolates. These findings provide interesting insights into the significance of this new lipidation pathway and pave the way for understanding their function, especially concerning the mycoloyltransferase family that includes the essential Antigen85 enzymes in Mycobacteria.

Our deliberately oversimplified guide to who falls where on our taste hierarchies. HIGHBROW Presidential candidate responsible for Roe v. Wade being overturned keeps flip-flopping on abortion. A third body found [...]

AN ACCUMULATION OF proclamations and well-sourced recommendations, including a sarong that doubles as a tablecloth, the most effective bugbite suction doodad, and a scalp sunscreen that slicks back flyaways. Scan [...]

In this paper, a first demonstration of the optical triggering of a 10 kV 4H-SiC Bipolar Junction Transistor is reported. A laser emitting UV (349 nm) has been used for the generation electron-hole pairs within the device. A current density of about 20 A.cm-2 has been obtained. This low value in comparison with 100 A.cm-2 for “conventional” BJT is due to the narrow pulse width (5 ns). The current waveform shows the effect of the carrier lifetime in the base and collector regions. From these measurements, we have extracted the IC (VCE) characteristics for different laser optical power and the switch-on time which is about 1 µs.

This paper presents micro-OBIC measurements performed at different biasing on two power devices protected by a combination of P+ rings embedded in a JTE Zone. Thanks to the micro-OBIC micrometer spatial resolution, small gaps can be visible on OBIC profiles. Thus, the spatial variation of the micro-OBIC signal accurately reflects the topology of the periphery protection: combination of JTE and rings and channel stopper. These measurements agree with the electric field distribution (calculated by finite element method) along the structure.

We polled dozens of stylish and savvy New Yorkers on their favorite acupuncturists (and one who works exclusively on cats, dogs, and horses), meditation classes, Pilates instructors, and more. For [...]

French consultancy Serfer is providing technical assistance to help Cuban Railways modernise its rolling stock maintenance activities, overseeing workshop upgrades and repairs to locomotives and coaches. Robert Preston spoke to [...]

The worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance is considered to be one of the major health threats to society. While developing new antibiotics is crucial, there is also a strong need for next-generation analytical methods for studying the physiological state of live bacteria in heterogeneous populations and their response to environmental stress. Here we report a single-cell high-throughput method to monitor changes in the bacterial cell envelope in response to stress based on ratiometric flow cytometry. We used a sensitive fluorescent molecular probe, the Nile Red-based solvatochromic antimicrobial peptide UNR-1,with defined cellular localization in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We also developed a robust protocol for calculating the generalized polarization (GP) of fluorescence adapted to flow cytometry. Our methodology enabled rapid detection of perturbations in the bacterial cell envelope caused by exposure to antibiotics, heat shock, and other factors.

•BCR repertoire analysis revealed frequent AID-initiated somatic hypermutation, isotype switching, and immunoglobulin gene fusion transcripts.•The 5′RACE assay identified patients with strongly dominant clonotypes, a greater degree of tumoral infiltration, and poorer outcomes.

Continuous compensation for cerebral dopamine deficiency represents an ideal treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine does not cross the digestive and blood–brain barriers and is rapidly oxidized. The new concept is the intracerebroventricular administration of anaerobic dopamine (A-dopamine) using an abdominal pump connected to a subcutaneous catheter implanted in the third ventricle, near the striatum. An open-label phase 1 study showed no serious adverse reactions induced by A-dopamine in 12 patients. A randomized, controlled, open-label, crossover phase 2 study of 1 month of A-dopamine versus 1 month of optimized oral antiparkinsonian therapy was conducted in 9 patients. The primary endpoint, a blinded assessment of the percentage over target (that is, time with dyskinesia or bradykinesia), recorded by home actimetry using a wristwatch, was significantly reduced on A-dopamine compared with that on oral treatment alone (P= 0.027), with a median within-patient difference of −10.4 (Hedge g= −0.62 (95% confidence interval: −1.43, −0.08)). Home diaries were also significantly improved. These initial data on the feasibility, safety and effects of this new device-assisted therapy suggest validation by a large randomized double-blind trial. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT04332276.

Background/aims: X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is considered one of the most severe forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), accounting for 5–15% of all RP cases and primarily affecting males. However, the real-world humanistic impacts of this disease on patients are poorly investigated, especially with respect to burdens faced by patients with varying disease severities. Methods: EXPLORE XLRP-2 was an exploratory, multicentre, non-interventional study. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect clinical/demographic data, including XLRP clinical stage (mild, moderate or severe). Cross-sectional surveys were used to gather experiences directly from patients by validated and modified patient-reported outcomes. Results: 176 patients with XLRP caused by retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene mutation were enrolled, of whom 169 were included in analyses. 81% of patients were male, mean (SD) age was 39.3 (17.61) years, and 20 adolescents were included. Mean age (SD) at genetic confirmation was 33.4 years (17.98), and the mean duration (SD) from initial symptoms to genetic diagnosis was 16.4 (15.66) years. Compared with patients with mild disease, patients with severe XLRP are more likely to experience difficulties with functioning in low luminance, depression, unemployment, productivity issues, mobility and daily activities. Conclusion: This is the first real-world study to collect data directly from patients on the burden of XLRP and to correlate that burden with disease stage. As a result, several areas of significant burden, especially for patients with severe disease, have been identified that should provide focus for future public policies and therapeutic prospects.

This article introduces a two-port microwave sensor designed for dielectric spectroscopy in microfluidic applications. The sensor integrates resonant elements within a microstrip transmission line to facilitate multiband analysis. It features distinct resonance frequencies at 7.8 and 15.6 GHz along with capabilities for low-frequency measurements showcasing versatility across a broad frequency range. Through electromagnetic simulations and experimental validations, the sensor’s performance is evaluated across various permittivity values using water-ethanol mixtures as test fluids. Key metrics such as relative error, coefficient of determination, and sensitivity analysis underscore the sensor’s efficacy. Additionally, Debye parameters were extracted from the measured data, offering insight into the dispersive behavior of the fluids across a broad frequency spectrum. This highlights the sensor’s potential for precise dielectric spectroscopy in biomedical diagnostics and material characterization.

As differential exposure to airport-generated aerosols may affect employee lung function, the main objective of this study was to longitudinally evaluate spirometry measures among Air France employees. In addition, an exploratory exposure assessment to airport aerosol was performed in a small cohort of workers using personal monitoring devices. Change in lung function over a ~6.6-yr period was documented for office workers (n= 68) and mechanics (n =83) at Paris-Roissy airport, France and terminal (n =29), or apron (n =35) workers at Marseille airport, France. Overall, an excessive decline in lung function was found for 24.75% of airport workers; excessive decline occurred more often for terminal workers (44.83%) as compared to mechanics (14.47%; P= 0.0056), with a similar tendency for apron workers (35.29%) as compared to mechanics (P= 0.0785). Statistically significant differences/tendencies were detected among the yearly rates of change for %-predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and from 25% to 75% forced expiratory flow. For the latter variables, the terminal and/or apron workers at Marseille generally had significantly faster lung function decline as compared to office workers and/or mechanics in Paris, although the latter were exposed to a higher level of elemental carbon. No relation between lung function decline and exposure to airport tarmac environments was evidenced. Multivariate exploration of individual variables representing sex, smoking, atopy, respiratory disease, residential PM2.5pollution, the peak size of particles in lung exhalates or exhaled carbon monoxide at the time of follow-up failed to explain the observed differences. In conclusion, this study documents the first evidence of excessive lung function decline among certain airport workers in France, although the identification of emission sources (environmental factors, aircraft exhaust, etc) remains challenging.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for depression but is often associated with cognitive side effects. In patients, ECT-induced electric field (E-field) strength across brain regions varies significantly due to anatomical differences, which may explain individual differences in cognitive side effects. We examined the relationship between regional E-field strength and change in verbal fluency score (i.e., category fluency animals score from pre- to 1 week post-ECT; as key proxy of cognitive side effects) across different electrode placements in depressed patients. Secondary, we examined the relationship between regional E-field strength and depression outcome. Using T1 magnetic resonance imaging, we performed E-field modeling in a total of 109 patients. Linear mixed models were executed to analyze the relationship between E-field strength across all 118 brain regions and both cognitive and depression outcomes, while correcting for nuisance variables (e.g., age, total number of ECT sessions, and study cohort). We found that a higher E-field strength was significantly associated with a higher decline in verbal fluency (n= 71, false discovery rate [FDR] corrected p< 0.01) in several brain regions in the left hemisphere (e.g., temporal gyrus and operculum cortex). Moreover, numerous significant associations were found only in the 24 patients treated with right unilateral ECT. No significant relationships were found between regional E-field strength and depression outcome. In conclusion, significant associations between verbal fluency and E-field strength were found in areas crucial for linguistic processing and semantic memory. Our findings underscore the importance of considering individualized dosing strategies to optimize cognitive outcome in ECT, while maintaining its antidepressant efficacy.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a vascular disease characterised by restricted flow and high pressure through the pulmonary arteries, leading to progressive right heart failure and death. This study reports the global burden of PAH, leveraging all available data and using methodology of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to understand the epidemiology of this under-researched and morbid disease.

The aim of this study was to determine whether body mass index (BMI) plays a role in overall morbidity following shoulder instability surgery and whether some surgical techniques are BMI-sensitive.

Amoxicillin crystalluria (AC) refers to the precipitation of amoxicillin in the urine as amoxicillin trihydrate crystals. Amoxicillin-induced crystal nephropathy (AICN) refers to the obstruction of kidney tubules by amoxicillin trihydrate crystals, resulting in acute kidney injury. Usually considered rare and not serious, AC and AICN would be more frequent in patients receiving high-dose i.v. amoxicillin (≥150 mg/kg per day) than previously reported. AC prevalence ranges from 24% to 41%. AICN prevalence remains unclear. AC is generally asymptomatic, but sudden macroscopic hematuria with cloudy urine suggests the diagnosis. AC is diagnosed by detecting amoxicillin trihydrate crystals in urine. AC is a risk factor for acute kidney injury. Diagnosing AICN is more challenging in the absence of noninvasive diagnostic tools. It is suspected in high-dose i.v. amoxicillin–treated patients who develop acute kidney injury and AC, and after excluding other causes of acute kidney injury (mainly sepsis and acute interstitial nephritis). When testing for AC is unavailable, the presence of demonstrated (high blood amoxicillin levels and low urinary pH) or suspected (rapid i.v. amoxicillin administration and hypovolemia) risk factors for AC suggests its diagnosis. AICN management includes discontinuation/reduction of amoxicillin doses and volume resuscitation to improve tubular flow and urine output and decrease amoxicillin supersaturation. Patients generally recover normal kidney function rapidly after stopping amoxicillin, but renal replacement therapy is required in 10%-40% of patients. No deaths have been directly attributed to AICN. Future studies are needed to assess the exact prevalence of AC/AICN and to define optimal therapeutic options.

•La réalisation d’entretien pharmaceutique nécessite une formation appropriée.•La simulation améliore l’acquisition de compétences pratiques.•La formation par simulation a amélioré les compétences posturales des étudiants.•Les étudiants formés sont plus confiants pour la conduite d’entretiens ciblés.

•Rôle de la Lp-PLA2 dans les pathologies à composante d’inflammation vasculaire.•Implication dans d’autres pathologies que l’athérosclérose.•Développement de nouveaux inhibiteurs avec potentiels effets bénéfiques.•Lp-PLA2 biomarqueur mais aussi cible thérapeutique.

Le pronostic de nombreux cancers a été amélioré grâce non seulement aux innovations thérapeutiques mais aussi aux progrès réalisés dans le domaine du diagnostic. Le séquençage de nouvelle génération (NGS) est ainsi devenu essentiel pour caractériser les tumeurs et choisir les traitements les plus pertinents. L’enquête menée fin 2022, par un collectif multiparties prenantes, auprès de 103 acteurs de la prise en charge du cancer (centres publics et privés, laboratoires, prescripteurs, biologistes, anatomopathologistes, directions) a montré l’hétérogénéité du recours au NGS sur le territoire français, en raison principalement de l’absence de remboursement systématique des coûts inhérents à leur réalisation. Le référentiel des actes innovants hors nomenclature de biologie (RIHN) ne permet de couvrir, à titre transitoire et retardé, que la moitié des coûts engagés par les centres. Seuls ceux avec une masse critique de patients ou une capacité de financement suffisante peuvent garantir un accès aux larges panels. Retarder l’initiation d’un traitement nécessaire peut être synonyme de perte de chance ! Le NGS larges panels est un levier d’efficience de la thérapie anticancéreuse, et doit à ce titre faire partie de l’arsenal du soin. Les tests ayant fait l’objet d’une démonstration de la valeur créée, devraient, après évaluation par la HAS, être pris en charge par la collectivité et inscrits sur la liste des actes remboursés pour un accès équitable sur tout le territoire. Le diagnostic de précision est le sésame pour accéder à une médecine plus personnalisée et efficiente.

L’allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques reste aujourd’hui le seul traitement curatif de certaines hémopathies malignes. Ce traitement peut être responsable de plusieurs effets secondaires entraînant des déficiences physiques et psychiques multiples et interdépendantes qui altèrent la qualité de vie, la participation sociale des patients, et peuvent être vécues comme un handicap parfois plusieurs années après la greffe. Depuis plusieurs années, l’intégration de parcours de réhabilitation postgreffe se démocratise et des initiatives de prise en charge pluridisciplinaires de plus en plus précoces sont étudiées. L’objectif de ces prises en charge précoces est d’améliorer l’état fonctionnel global du patient avant, pendant et après la greffe, afin de limiter l’impact du traitement, et un retour le plus rapide à une vie la plus satisfaisante possible. La littérature internationale, et les expériences mises en place sur l’ensemble du territoire francophone décrivent des pratiques hétérogènes. L’objectif de ce travail est, d’après cette littérature et ces expériences, d’émettre des recommandations homogènes de bonnes pratiques cliniques et des axes de recherches ultérieurs concernant la réhabilitation prégreffe, pergreffe, et postgreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques.

Background: Accurate coded diagnostic data are important for epidemiological research of stroke.Objective: To develop, implement and evaluate an online education program for improving clinical coding of stroke.Method: The Australia and New Zealand Stroke Coding Working Group co-developed an education program comprising eight modules: rationale for coding of stroke; understanding stroke; management of stroke; national coding standards; coding trees; good clinical documentation; coding practices; and scenarios. Clinical coders and health information managers participated in the 90-minute education program. Pre- and post-education surveys were administered to assess knowledge of stroke and coding, and to obtain feedback. Descriptive analyses were used for quantitative data, inductive thematic analysis for open-text responses, with all results triangulated.Results: Of 615 participants, 404 (66%) completed both pre- and post-education assessments. Respondents had improved knowledge for 9/12 questions (p< 0.05), including knowledge of applicable coding standards, coding of intracerebral haemorrhage and the actions to take when coding stroke (all p< 0.001). Majority of respondents agreed that information was pitched at an appropriate level; education materials were well organised; presenters had adequate knowledge; and that they would recommend the session to colleagues. In qualitative evaluations, the education program was beneficial for newly trained clinical coders, or as a knowledge refresher, and respondents valued clinical information from a stroke neurologist.Conclusion: Our education program was associated with increased knowledge for clinical coding of stroke. To continue to address the quality of coded stroke data through improved stroke documentation, the next stage will be to adapt the educational program for clinicians.

Le traitement de première intention des maladies auto-immunes systémiques repose sur l’utilisation de différents types de médicaments immunosuppresseurs ou immunomodulateurs, utilisés seuls ou en association, selon des schémas standardisés dits de référence. Leur utilisation prolongée, lorsque la maladie auto-immune est réfractaire aux traitements de référence, est associée à une morbidité et une mortalité élevées. Plus récemment, l’utilisation de médicaments de thérapies innovantes, dont l’effet thérapeutique est médié par des cellules génétiquement modifiées ou non, constitue une approche prometteuse pour le traitement des maladies auto-immunes, notamment : a) les cellules stromales mésenchymateuses aux propriétés immunomodulatrices, antifibrosantes et pro-angiogéniques et b), les lymphocytes T génétiquement modifiés pour exprimer un récepteur chimérique à l’antigène (CAR-T cells) permettant de cibler et d’éliminer des lymphocytes B autoréactifs, et de rétablir la tolérance dans les organes affectés. L’utilisation des thérapies cellulaires innovantes, cellules stromales mésenchymateuses ou CAR-T, dans des indications d’exception chez des patients atteints de maladies auto-immunes systémiques sévères résistantes aux traitements classiques soulève des questions essentielles par rapport aux médicaments traditionnels, dans la définition des circuits de production et de délivrance, mais aussi dans la prise en charge clinique et le suivi des patients traités. Le présent atelier avait pour but : a) d’identifier les prérequis permettant aux hôpitaux français de s’organiser efficacement pour répondre aux sollicitations de promoteurs d’essais cliniques visant à évaluer l’utilisation des cellules stromales mésenchymateuses ou des CAR-T cellsdans les maladies auto-immunes et b) de détailler chaque étape du parcours de soins des patients traités par médicaments de thérapies innovantes pour leur maladie auto-immune, en soulignant le rôle fondamental d’un binôme spécialiste de la maladie et spécialiste en thérapie cellulaire innovante. Les considérations relatives à la sécurité des patients sont primordiales pour la sélection des patients, qui doit être validée collectivement en réunion de concertation pluridisciplinaire, sur la base d’une évaluation détaillée clinique et paraclinique récente (moins de trois mois) du patient. La procédure de traitement par cellules stromales mésenchymateuses et CAR-Tcellset le suivi des patients sont effectués dans des centres accrédités par la SFGM-TC, en étroite collaboration avec les spécialistes des maladies auto-immunes considérées.

The six global nutrition targets (GNTs) related to low birthweight, exclusive breastfeeding, child growth (ie, wasting, stunting, and overweight), and anaemia among females of reproductive age were chosen by the World Health Assembly in 2012 as key indicators of maternal and child health, but there has yet to be a comprehensive report on progress for the period 2012 to 2021. We aimed to evaluate levels, trends, and observed-to-expected progress in prevalence and attributable burden from 2012 to 2021, with prevalence projections to 2050, in 204 countries and territories.

Cet article se penchera sur la question de l’ambivalence dans Le consentement(2020) de Vanessa Springora. L’ambivalence sera envisagée selon le prisme du genre littéraire et, en particulier, de l’incursion dans le conte de fées. En effet, bien qu’il s’agisse d’un récit de vie qui prend la forme d’un témoignage réaliste, l’emprunt au conte ponctue le texte et est signalé dès son ouverture. L’étude démontrera dans un premier temps en quoi le genre du conte est pertinent pour penser l’ambivalence. Puis, l’article considérera l’emprunt au genre à travers deux axes d’analyse principaux : la figure de la mère et l’exploration de la relation entre la narratrice et « l’ogre ». L’analyse de cette relation permettra de considérer l’ambivalence du rôle de l’écriture perçue comme partie intégrante de la prédation que subit la narratrice. L’autre interrogation centrale du récit sera ainsi explorée : celle du rôle de la littérature. Cette analyse démontrera que le récit adopte une position ambivalente face à la littérature, entre attirance/admiration et méfiance, lieu de réalisation et de trahison. Elle soulignera que le projet littéraire de Springora va au-delà du simple témoignage et s’inscrit dans une longue lignée littéraire qui va du conte de fées à la littérature d’inceste contemporaine. En guise de conclusion, l’article proposera une réflexion sur l’ambivalence de la libération de la parole autour des violences sexuelles à la lumière de la réception du Consentement.

Pangenomes are collections of annotated genome sequences of multiple individuals of a species1. The structural variants uncovered by these datasets are a major asset to genetic analysis in crop plants2. Here we report a pangenome of barley comprising long-read sequence assemblies of 76 wild and domesticated genomes and short-read sequence data of 1,315 genotypes. An expanded catalogue of sequence variation in the crop includes structurally complex loci that are rich in gene copy number variation. To demonstrate the utility of the pangenome, we focus on four loci involved in disease resistance, plant architecture, nutrient release and trichome development. Novel allelic variation at a powdery mildew resistance locus and population-specific copy number gains in a regulator of vegetative branching were found. Expansion of a family of starch-cleaving enzymes in elite malting barleys was linked to shifts in enzymatic activity in micro-malting trials. Deletion of an enhancer motif is likely to change the developmental trajectory of the hairy appendages on barley grains. Our findings indicate that allelic diversity at structurally complex loci may have helped crop plants to adapt to new selective regimes in agricultural ecosystems.

•Lymphopenia is transient with a persistent lack of effector B cells causing no excess late infectious mortality after R-CHOP for HIV-DLBCL.•R-IPI, NK cell lymphopenia, lower proportion of naïve B cells among the B-cell pool and higher IL-6 levels were linked to poorer outcomes.

This article introduces an innovative three-tone frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation technique designed for application in simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) systems. The proposed method aims to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) through waveform design without adversely affecting the information transfer performance. Contrary to conventional FSK, which uses a uniform tone power, our method integrates a central tone with constant power and side tones with power proportional to the central tone. This Biased-FSK modulation scheme, combined with an adaptable information reception strategy, uses the frequency dependence of the rectifier’s transfer function to cater to low- and high-power scenarios, respectively. A mathematical model was developed for the PCE of the rectifier under this three-tone signal, highlighting the potential for improved PCE and reduced information distortion. The theoretical derivations are validated by empirical results, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach for enhancing the energy efficiency of SWIPT systems. The rectifier PCE achieved a peak of 62.84%. The use of Biased-FSK modulation enhanced the rectifier PCE by up to 9.04% and reduced the total harmonic distortion (THD) by 6.23% and the BER by a factor of 5.5.

Beneficial effects of organic fertilisers in the management of soil fertility have been proven, but their role on soil functioning in Sub Saharan savanna lowlands remains understudied. This study explores (i) the potential of stockyard litter (SYL) amendment in restoring soil microbial efficiency in a degraded lowland paddy in the short term and (ii) whether SYL amendment benefits soil spatial homogeneity. Three treatments described as no fertilisation (NF), annual mineral fertilisation with NPK + urea for four years (MinF), and annual mineral fertilisation for three years followed by SYL amendment in the fourth year (MinF-SYL) were tested. Soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected in the fifth year and analysed for common soil chemical properties and diverse microbial and enzyme attributes in addition to the CNP stoichiometry. Effects on the soil spatial homogeneity was assessed through the coefficient of variation (CV). Annual application of NPK + urea led to significant decreases in the microbial biomass-C (MBC) (-45.4%) and MBC: Soil organic carbon (SOC) ratio (-49%) but sharp increases in carbon mineralization rate (+ 129%), β-glucosidase (+ 219%) and the specific microbial activities, i.e., qCO2(+ 233%), β-glucosidase: MBC (+ 402%) and Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDA): MBC (+ 64%). Of these attributes, one year after SYL amendment, the MBC and MBC: SOC ratio increased (+ 188.3 and + 127% respectively) to match values in the control (NF) while the opposite occurred with the specific microbial activities (-35%, -68% and − 60% for qCO2, β-glucosidase: MBC and FDA: MBC, respectively). This indicates a return back of the soil ecosystem to equilibrium. The increase in MBC was especially associated with concentrations of exchangeable cations. Furthermore, the specific microbial activities exhibited negative correlations with soil pH while only qCO2was positively associated with SOC and available N. Interestingly, the CVs of the microbial attributes turned low or moderate following SYL application. SYL amendment on lowland paddy soils is effective in restoring soil MBC and specific activities after one year along with a beneficial effect on soil spatial homogeneity. These findings could help future-proof an ecologically intensified rice system in humid savanna areas of Africa.