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The Curiosity Rover has been exploring the Gale Crater using the on‐board Navigation Camera to monitor the line‐of‐sight (LOS) dust extinction within the crater. Previous studies of the line‐of‐sight extinction have shown an annual trend where a minimum in extinction occurs around Ls = 100° and a maximum occurs around Ls = 300°. However, past studies have been constrained to images acquired only between 10:00 and 14:00 local time, limiting our understanding of the variation of dust extinction in Gale Crater throughout the day. Here, using a method that corrects for variable lighting geometry, we reanalyze the line‐of‐sight images captured throughout the mission to include images acquired in the early morning and late afternoon. Additionally, we update the line‐of‐sight record to include over 1,000 additional sols of the mission through sol 3,663, which updates our record of extinction in Gale to the end of Mars Year 36—a period of almost 5.5 Mars Years. Using images taken throughout the sol, we examine the diurnal trend in dust extinction, where a maximum is seen around solar noon. This diurnal trend is observed throughout the year, with a larger diurnal variation observed during the southern summer. Additionally, the geographic homogeneity in dust loading is quantified, with higher dust loading observed in the western portion of the line‐of‐sight images, corresponding with the north‐western portion of the crater rim. These observations suggest that dust lifting from the surface and vertical mixing are factors in the diurnal, seasonal, and geographic dynamics observed in the extinctions. Plain Language Summary: The Curiosity Rover has used its Navigation Camera to image the northern rim of Gale Crater for over 3,000 martian days. These images are used to calculate the amount of airborne dust between the rover and the crater rim. Past studies using these images found that the amount of dust was lowest during southern‐hemisphere winter and highest during southern‐hemisphere summer. In this work, a new method to find the amount of dust was used, allowing us to use images taken throughout the day for the first time. The entire set of crater rim images was reanlayzed using the new method, including new images captured up to sol 3,663. We find a daily cycle, where the amount of dust in the air is lowest in the morning and evening, and highest around noon. In addition, there is more airborne dust between the rover and the crater rim on the western side of the image compared with the center and eastern side. This suggests that dust is moving within the Gale Crater on short timescales, where dust lifting from the surface likely plays a key role in the diurnal trend, in combination with air outside the crater mixing with air within the crater. Key Points: The line‐of‐sight dust extinction is calculated through 3,663 sols using the Mars Science Laboratory's Navigation CameraDiurnally, the dust extinction peaks at solar noon, with lower values in the morning and eveningThe diurnal variation is higher during the dustier southern summer and lower during the southern winter when dust extinction is at a minimum [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of ground and near surface atmospheric temperatures at Jezero obtained during 700 sols by the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) characterize the thermal behavior of the near surface Martian atmosphere during a full Martian Year. The seasonal evolution of MEDA measurements is compared with predictions from the Mars Climate Database and the solar irradiance at the surface. Thermal tides observed in the daily cycle of temperatures follow a seasonal cycle with additional variations greater than 2 K on time‐scales of tens of sols. We also observe sol‐to‐sol variations of about 1 K in mean daily air temperatures in autumn and winter with periodicities of 4–7 sols that might be related to baroclinic disturbances that are frequent in those seasons at high latitudes. We examine the evolution of the vertical thermal gradient and temperature fluctuations without finding a seasonal response to irradiance and dust load. We find that the convective boundary layer becomes isothermal and collapses 1 hr before sunset except during northern hemisphere winter, when the collapse occurs closer to sunset, implying a longer duration of the daytime convective instability. Around this period, the rover was located in the delta front in a location of complex topography where we observed stronger thermal gradients and intense daytime air temperature fluctuations. We also find in this place a nighttime event of gravity waves on near‐surface air temperatures, with amplitudes of 2 K and periods of 10 min. These waves possibly propagate downward through a near isothermal stable layer. Plain Language Summary: The Perseverance rover on Mars is carrying a meteorological station that among other measurements obtains air temperatures at three heights near the surface as well as ground temperatures. We analyze seasonal and local changes in temperatures measured over one Martian year (687 Earth days) in which Perseverance moved several kilometers across Jezero crater, comparing in situ observations with the output from a Global Climate Model of the atmosphere of Mars. Our results show that the diurnal cycle of temperatures is modulated by the solar irradiance on the surface, the amount of dust in the atmosphere, local dynamics and large‐scale weather systems. The temperature difference between the ground and the atmosphere greatly determines the meteorology in the lower atmosphere. Neither this temperature difference, nor temperature fluctuations, which during daytime are a proxy of atmospheric convection driven by the heating of the surface, show seasonal variations in line with the seasonal solar irradiance or dust load. Instead, the rover path toward a more complex topography led to the highest surface‐to‐air temperature difference during the northern hemisphere winter, despite the solar irradiance being minimum at that time. Close to this complex topography, the meteorological station recorded oscillations in near‐surface temperature related to gravity waves. Key Points: Seasonal variations in irradiance at Mars' surface drive observed daily mean near‐surface air temperatures with some differences from modelsThermal tides and long‐period traveling waves present a clear seasonal cycle with autumn and winter seasons more prone to variabilityAir temperatures underwent non‐seasonal changes near Jezero's delta, with strong daytime convection and nighttime gravity waves [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robust evidence demonstrates inequities in communication during family-centered rounds for families who use a language other than English (LOE) for health care. This study aimed to characterize the type of interpreter alterations occurring on family-centered rounds and identify medical team communication practices associated with alterations., Methods: In this observational study of interpreter-supported family-centered rounds, we recorded and transcribed family-centered rounds encounters for Spanish-speaking families. We assessed measures of medical team communication behaviors and interpreter alterations (omissions, additions, and substitutions) using previously described instruments. We used a content analysis approach to apply defined codes to each interpreted segment and to characterize the nature of interpreter alterations. We assessed the association between medical team communication behaviors and interpreter alterations using χ2 tests., Results: We recorded, transcribed, and coded 529 interpreted segments of 10 family-centered rounds encounters. At least 1 alteration was present in 72% (n = 382/529) of interpreted segments. Omissions were the most common alteration (n = 242/529, 46%) followed by substitutions (n = 177/529, 34%) and additions (n = 71/529, 13%). Interpretation resulted in a potentially negative alteration in 29% (n = 155/529) and a positive alteration in 9% (n = 45/529) of segments. Greater number of sentences in the segment preceding interpretation was associated with an increase in loss of information (P < .001), loss of social support (P = .003), and loss of partnership (P = .020)., Conclusions: To improve communication with families that use an LOE, medical teams must abide by best practices for using an interpreter such as frequent pausing to prevent loss of both biomedical and psychosocial information., (Copyright © 2024 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Parents of newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can face communication challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit. Both specialty palliative care and primary palliative care trained clinicians can assist parents as they navigate traumatic experiences and uncertain prognoses. Using evidence-based frameworks, the authors provide samples of how to communicate with parents and promote parent well-being across the care trajectory. The authors demonstrate how to involve parents in a shared decision-making process and give special consideration to the complexities of hospital discharge and the transition home. Sustained investment to guide the development of effective communication skills is crucial to support families of infants with HIE., Competing Interests: Disclosure None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Over 98% of stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, such as Tanzania. Despite the profound burden of perinatal loss in these regions, access to facility or community-based palliative and psychosocial care is poor and understudied. In this study we explore perinatal loss through the lens of front-line healthcare providers, to better understand the knowledge and beliefs that guide their engagement with bereaved families. A Knowledge Attitudes and Practices survey addressing perinatal loss in Tanzania was developed, translated into Swahili, and administered over a 4-month period to healthcare professionals working at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC). Results were entered into REDCap and analyzed in R Studio. 74 providers completed the survey. Pediatric providers saw a yearly average of 5 stillbirths and 32.7 neonatal deaths. Obstetric providers saw an average of 11.5 stillbirths and 13.12 neonatal deaths. Most providers would provide resuscitation beginning at 28 weeks gestational age. Respondents estimated that a 50% chance of survival for a newborn occurred at 28 weeks both nationally and at KCMC. Most providers felt that stillbirth and neonatal mortality were not the mother's fault (78.4% and 81.1%). However, nearly half (44.6%) felt that stillbirth reflects negatively on the woman and 62.2% agreed that women are at higher risk of abuse or abandonment after stillbirth. A majority perceived that women wanted hold their child after stillbirth (63.0%) or neonatal death (70.3%). Overall, this study found that providers at KCMC perceived that women are at greater risk of psychosocial or physical harm following perinatal loss. How women can best be supported by both the health system and their community remains unclear. More research on perinatal loss and bereavement in LMICs is needed to inform patient-level and health-systems interventions addressing care gaps unique to resource-limited or non-western settings., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Rent et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objective: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the standard treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We surveyed parents of infants treated with TH about their experiences of communication and parental involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)., Study Design: A 29-question anonymous survey was posted on a parent support (web site: https://www.hopeforhie.org ) and sent to members via e-mail. Responses from open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis., Results: A total of 165 respondents completed the survey and 108 (66%) infants were treated with TH. 79 (48%) respondents were dissatisfied/neutral regarding the quality of communication in the NICU, whereas 127 (77%) were satisfied/greatly satisfied with the quality of parental involvement in the NICU. Six themes were identified as follows: (1) setting for communication: parents preferred face to face meetings with clinicians; (2) content and clarity of language: parents valued clear language (use of layman's terms) and being explicitly told the medical diagnosis of HIE; (3) immediate and longitudinal emotional support: parents required support from clinicians to process the trauma of the birth experience and hypothermia treatment; (4) clinician time and scheduling: parents valued the ability to join rounds and other major conversations about infant care; (5) valuing the parent role: parents desired being actively involved in rounds, care times, and decision-making; (6) physical presence and touch: parents valued being physically present and touching their baby; this presence was limited by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related restrictions., Conclusion: We highlight stakeholder views on parent involvement and parent-clinician communication in the NICU and note significant overlap with principles of trauma informed care: safety (physical and psychological), trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, and voice and choice. We propose that a greater understanding and implementation of these principles may allow the medical team to more effectively communicate with and involve parents in the care of infants with HIE in the NICU., Key Points: · Parents of infants with HIE experience trauma both from the birth and the hypothermia treatment.. · Transparent communication and encouraging parental involvement can ameliorate this trauma.., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: Enhanced communication has been recognized as an effective strategy to improve patient safety and care quality. While some communication skills can be taught in traditional didactic settings, learning from patient encounters is critical. Currently, patients are becoming increasingly involved as teachers for medical students within both the clinical and classroom setting. The goal of this study was to characterize medical student reflections about patient interactions using a standardized Patient and Teacher Communication Card. We aimed to identify how the introduction of this tool changed students' follow-up practices and affected patient care., Methods: We used a cross-sectional concurrent mixed-methods study to characterize student-patient communication. Medical students taking the neurology clerkship between 2017 and 2022 were asked to complete the Communication Card during at least 1 patient encounter. The Communication Card was used to generate a learning opportunity by providing questions for the students to ask the patient. Following the encounter, the card collected qualitative data from the student's perspective through 2 open-ended questions: (Q1) How has the card changed how you follow-up with patients after rounds? (Q2) How did this follow-up affect patient care? We used a conventional content analysis approach to characterize student responses., Results: A total of 460 students completed the card (MS2: n = 67 [14.6%]; MS3: n = 260 [56.5%], and MS4: n = 133 [28.9%]). Students cited 4 ways in which the card changed their follow-up with patients: (1) ensuring understanding; (2) following up more; (3) building rapport; and (4) guiding challenging conversations. Ensuring understanding was cited by half of the students in all years. Students cited ways in which the card affected patient care: (1) prompting further discussion with the team and/or patient; (2) impression of the patient feeling more comfortable; (3) addressing patient concerns; and (4) impression of increased trust., Discussion: Overall, students' reflections after patient conversations were very positive. Future work should consider studying the impact of this communication tool on patients' perspectives and determine whether they align with the student's perception. In addition, implementation of a Communication Card throughout the other clerkships should be considered to enhance the medical school curriculum., Competing Interests: The authors report no relevant disclosures. Go to Neurology.org/NE for full disclosures., (© 2024 American Academy of Neurology.)

The Radiation and Dust Sensor is one of six sensors of the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer onboard the Perseverance rover from the Mars 2020 NASA mission. Its primary goal is to characterize the airbone dust in the Mars atmosphere, inferring its concentration, shape and optical properties. Thanks to its geometry, the sensor will be capable of studying dust-lifting processes with a high temporal resolution and high spatial coverage. Thanks to its multiwavelength design, it will characterize the solar spectrum from Mars' surface. The present work describes the sensor design from the scientific and technical requirements, the qualification processes to demonstrate its endurance on Mars' surface, the calibration activities to demonstrate its performance, and its validation campaign in a representative Mars analog. As a result of this process, we obtained a very compact sensor, fully digital, with a mass below 1 kg and exceptional power consumption and data budget features.

Crucial time is often lost while waiting for approval of therapies for pediatric neurological disorders, many of which have aggressive manifestations with devastating effects. There are logistical, ethical, and financial impediments that face the studies needed to determine efficacy and safety of therapies in children. In this article, the authors present the Food and Drug Administration's programs aimed at facilitating the development of pediatric drugs, focusing on their application to pediatric neurological disorders. They also provide examples of drugs that received, or are currently enrolled in, these programs. Reflecting upon the commonalities of drugs receiving these designations, the authors highlight underlying ethical issues related to pediatric drug development and emphasize the need for structured incentives to stimulate approval and production of drug therapies for pediatric neurology patients. By consolidating information that applies to drug approval of pediatric neurological disorders, stakeholders in drug development can enhance treatment development for these disorders.