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Biofloc technology is an aquaculture production system that has gained popularity with tilapia production. Probiotics provide benefits for the host and/or aquatic environments by both regulating and modulating microbial communities and their metabolites. When a probiotic feed is combined with a biofloc system, the production amount may be improved through better fish growth, disease resistance, and/or improved water quality by reducing organic matter and stabilizing metrics such as pH and components of the nitrogen cycle. Two research trials measured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance and composition of the microbial communities in the water and within the fish fecal material, following feeding with top-coated probiotic treatments. Trial A incorporated tilapia (71.4 ± 4.4 g), and a commercial diet (Control) that was top coated with either Bacillus velenzensis AP193 (AP193; 1 × 107 CFU g1) and BiOWiSH Feedbuilder Syn3 (BW; 3.6 × 104 CFU g−1). In Trial B, juvenile tilapia (5.34 ± 0.42 g) were fed treatment diets top coated with two different concentrations of BiOWiSH Feedbuilder Syn3 at final concentrations of 3.6 × 104 CFU g−1 (BWx1) and 7.2 × 104 CFU g−1 (BWx2). Tilapia were offered commercial feed (38% protein floating tilapia feed) as a control diet for both trials. Results from both growth trials indicated no differences in growth performance due to the probiotic additions, except for feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Trial B. Both BWx1 and BWx2 showed improved survival, water quality, solids management, and bacterial composition of water and fecal matter. Even though growth performance results presented no significant differences, results could differ based on the probiotic concentration, the route of probiotic administration, or their impact on the microbial community of the biofloc system culture water. Trial results indicated that testing on a larger scale with varied probiotic doses may be necessary to achieve an effective dosage for improving tilapia growth performance.

The shape characteristics of flow hydrographs hold essential information for understanding, monitoring and assessing changes in flow and flood hydrology at reach and catchment scales. However, the analysis of individual hydrographs is time consuming, making the analysis of hundreds or thousands of them unachievable. A method or protocol is needed to ensure that the datasets being generated, and the metrics produced, have been consistently derived and validated. In this lab protocol, we present workflows in Python for extracting flow hydrographs with any available temporal resolution from any Open Access or publicly available gauging station records. The workflow identifies morphologically-defined flow and flood types (i.e. in-channel fresh, high flow and overbank flood) and uses them to classify hydrographs. It then calculates several at-a-station and upstream-to-downstream hydrograph shape metrics including kurtosis, skewness, peak hydrograph stage, peak arrival time, rate-of-rise, peak-to-peak travel time, flood wave celerity, flood peak attenuation, and flood wave attenuation index. Some metrics require GIS-derived data, such as catchment area and upstream-to-downstream channel distance between gauges. The output dataset provides quantified hydrograph shape metrics which can be used to track changes in flow and flood hydrographs over time, or to characterise the flow and flood hydrology of catchments and regions. The workflows are flexible enough to allow for additional hydrograph shape indicators to be added or swapped out, or to use a different hydrograph classification method that suits local conditions. The protocol could be considered a change detection tool to identify where changes in hydrology are occurring and where to target more sophisticated modelling exercises to explain the changes detected. We demonstrate the workflow using 117 Open Access gauging station records that are available for coastal rivers of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Summary: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as crucial regulators of beta cell function. Here, we show that an lncRNA-transcribed antisense to Pax6, annotated as Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1, was upregulated by high glucose concentrations in human as well as murine beta cell lines and islets. Elevated expression was also observed in islets from mice on a high-fat diet and patients with type 2 diabetes. Silencing Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1 in MIN6 or EndoC-βH1 cells increased several beta cell signature genes’ expression. Pax6os1/PAX6-AS1 was shown to bind to EIF3D, indicating a role in translation of specific mRNAs, as well as histones H3 and H4, suggesting a role in histone modifications. Important interspecies differences were found, with a stronger phenotype in humans. Only female Pax6os1 null mice fed a high-fat diet showed slightly enhanced glucose clearance. In contrast, silencing PAX6-AS1 in human islets enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and increased calcium dynamics, whereas overexpression of the lncRNA resulted in the opposite phenotype.

Summary: Metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells are promising aerospace power sources given their potential as inexpensive, lightweight, and resilient solar electricity generators. Herein, the intrinsic radiation tolerance of unencapsulated methylammonium lead iodide/chloride (CH3NH3PbI3-xClx) films was isolated. Spatially resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and confocal microscopy revealed the fundamental defect physics through optical changes as films were irradiated with 4.5 MeV neutrons and 20 keV protons at fluences between 5×1010 and 1×1016 p+/cm2. As proton radiation increased beyond 1×1013 p+/cm2, defects formed in the film, causing both a decrease in photoluminescence intensity and a 30% increase in surface darkening. All proton irradiated films additionally exhibited continuous increase of energy bandgaps and decreasing charge recombination lifetimes with increasing proton fluences. These optical changes in the absorber layer precede performance declines detectable in standard current-voltage measurements of complete solar cell devices and therefore have the potential of serving as early indicators of radiation tolerance.

IntroductionValidated models describing the biomechanics of tooth extraction are scarce. This study seeks to perform experimental and numerical characterization of vertical tooth extraction biomechanics in swine incisors with imposed vertical extraction loads. Imaging analysis related mechanical outcomes to tooth geometry and applied loading rate. Then, the predictive capabilities of the developed finite element analysis (FEA) models were demonstrated by testing different loading scenarios and validating the results against experimental equivalents.MethodsSimulated vertical extractions were performed on partial swine central incisors (n = 49) and studied for peak extraction force and dental complex stiffness. Post-extraction µCT images were obtained to measure root surface attachment area (RSAA) and observe patterns of periodontal ligament (PDL) rupture. Crosshead force-displacement data was used in an inverse finite element analysis (IFEA) to verify parameters for the PDL in an axisymmetric model of tooth extraction. New force-hold loading protocols were devised in silico and validated in a series of tests on swine incisors to demonstrate the predictive efficacy of the finite element model. Force-hold loading on an initially-damaged PDL was also simulated.ResultsReductions in loading rate and RSAA were found to significantly reduce peak extraction forces by 98N–120 N. Increases in instantaneous stiffness during loading were associated with increases in loading rate. Inverse finite element solutions demonstrated consistent PDL parameters across loading cases. Force-hold loading predicted extraction behaviour with large variance in extraction time. Damage imposed in the FEA model was able to predict experimental results from experiments on similarly-damaged dental complexes.ConclusionThis study presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical characterization of vertical tooth extraction biomechanics employing an ex vivo swine model. The results of these experiments suggest that the axisymmetric FEA model is a powerful tool for predicting a range of conditions and dental complex geometries. The predictive power of the FEA model demonstrated in this study encourages its use in pre-clinical testing and development of new vertical extraction loading schemes for improving clinical outcomes.

KCNQ2 variants in children with neurodevelopmental impairment are difficult to assess due to their heterogeneity and unclear pathogenic mechanisms. We describe a child with neonatal-onset epilepsy, developmental impairment of intermediate severity, and KCNQ2 G256W heterozygosity. Analyzing prior KCNQ2 channel cryoelectron microscopy models revealed G256 as a node of an arch-shaped non-covalent bond network linking S5, the pore turret, and the ion path. Co-expression with G256W dominantly suppressed conduction by wild-type subunits in heterologous cells. Ezogabine partly reversed this suppression. Kcnq2G256W/+ mice have epilepsy leading to premature deaths. Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells from G256W/+ brain slices showed hyperexcitability. G256W/+ pyramidal cell KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 immunolabeling was significantly shifted from axon initial segments to neuronal somata. Despite normal mRNA levels, G256W/+ mouse KCNQ2 protein levels were reduced by about 50%. Our findings indicate that G256W pathogenicity results from multiplicative effects, including reductions in intrinsic conduction, subcellular targeting, and protein stability. These studies provide evidence for an unexpected and novel role for the KCNQ2 pore turret and introduce a valid animal model of KCNQ2 encephalopathy. Our results, spanning structure to behavior, may be broadly applicable because the majority of KCNQ2 encephalopathy patients share variants near the selectivity filter.

ABSTRACT Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental evolutionary process that plays a key role in bacterial evolution. The likelihood of a successful transfer event is expected to depend on the precise balance of costs and benefits resulting from pathway acquisition. Most experimental analyses of HGT have focused on phenotypes that have large fitness benefits under appropriate selective conditions, such as antibiotic resistance. However, many examples of HGT involve phenotypes that are predicted to provide smaller benefits, such as the ability to catabolize additional carbon sources. We have experimentally simulated the consequences of one such HGT event in the laboratory, studying the effects of transferring a pathway for catabolism of the plant-derived aromatic compound salicyl alcohol between rhizosphere isolates from the Pseudomonas genus. We find that pathway acquisition enables rapid catabolism of salicyl alcohol with only minor disruptions to the existing metabolic and regulatory networks of the new host. However, this new catabolic potential does not confer a measurable fitness advantage during competitive growth in the rhizosphere. We conclude that the phenotype of salicyl alcohol catabolism is readily transferable but is selectively neutral under environmentally relevant conditions. We propose that this condition is common and that HGT of many pathways will be self-limiting because the selective benefits are small.IMPORTANCEHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a key process in microbial evolution, but the factors limiting HGT are poorly understood. Aside from the rather unique scenario of antibiotic resistance, the evolutionary benefits of pathway acquisition are still unclear. To experimentally test the effects of pathway acquisition, we transferred a pathway for catabolism of a plant-derived aromatic compound between soil bacteria isolated from the roots of poplar trees and determined the resulting phenotypic and fitness effects. We found that pathway acquisition allowed bacteria to grow using the plant-derived compound in the laboratory, but that this new phenotype did not provide an advantage when the bacteria were reinoculated onto plant roots. These results suggest that the benefits of pathway acquisition may be small when measured under ecologically-relevant conditions. From an engineering perspective, efforts to alter microbial community composition in situ by manipulating catabolic pathways or nutrient availability will be challenging when gaining access to a new niche does not provide a benefit.

ObjectiveProblematic media use (PMU) is addiction-like media use. No study has examined if genetic factors for addiction relate to PMU during childhood. This study tested the association between genetic risk factors for addiction and PMU among 9-to-12-year-olds.MethodData were from a cohort of 9-to-12-year-olds recruited from Northern New England, 2018–2022, for a study examining obesity risk among children. Two polymorphisms related to dopaminergic (ANNK1 rs1800497 [the Taq1A polymorphism] and COMT rs4680) and one related to nicotinic (CHRNA4 rs1044396) pathways that were previously associated with internet addiction or internet video game addiction in adolescents and young adults were genotyped. Parent-reported PMU for children was measured with a validated nine-item scale (range for final scores: 1 to 5); higher scores indicate more severe PMU.ResultsAmong children (n = 180; 43.9% female; 90.0% white, non-Hispanic; 82.2% of parents were college graduates), the median PMU score was 2.22 (IQR: 1.78, 2.78). In a linear regression model adjusted for child age, sex, European ancestry, and parent education, there was an additive association between the number of Taq1A1 alleles and PMU among children. Specifically, geometric mean PMU scores were 8.6% greater for each additional copy of the Taq1A1 allele (p = 0.030; R2 = 5.2%). No other polymorphisms were statistically associated with PMU at the p

BackgroundBelatacept is approved for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-seropositive kidney transplant recipients and is associated with a risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).MethodsData from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network were used to examine patterns of belatacept use, describe patient characteristics, and estimate risk of PTLD in EBV-seropositive, kidney-only transplant recipients receiving belatacept- or calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression as part of US Food and Drug Administration-mandated safety monitoring.ResultsDuring the study period (June 15, 2011-June 14, 2016), 94.9% (1631/1719) of belatacept-treated and 89.7% (59,992/66,905) of CNI-treated patients with known EBV serostatus were EBV seropositive. Among EBV-seropositive patients, 50.2% (belatacept) and 56.8% (CNI) received a standard criteria donor kidney, 59.5% and 18.7% received basiliximab induction, and 22.9% and 50.8% received antithymocyte globulin induction. PTLD developed in nine belatacept-treated patients (two with central nervous system [CNS] involvement) and 225 CNI-treated patients (nine with CNS involvement). Four and 81 patients, respectively, died due to PTLD. Kaplan-Meier analysis did not show a significant between-group difference in PTLD estimated incidence rates within 5 years (0.70% versus 0.48%, respectively; p = 0.18). Additionally, estimated PTLD incidence was not significantly different between treatment groups in a propensity score matched cohort.ConclusionsThe majority of adult kidney-only transplant recipients treated with belatacept in routine clinical practice are EBV seropositive. In this study, the risk of PTLD in these patients, while higher than for CNI-based immunosuppression, remained low after adjusting for differences in patient characteristics.Trial registrationThese studies are registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01670058 and NCT01656343.

Climate change and its’ associated weather variabilities and extremes are posing significant risks to aquaculture productivity, particularly in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Concurrently, the increasing population and shifting consumption patterns are driving higher demand for aquacultural products. This study investigates the impact of floods, heavy rainfall, tidal surges, high temperatures, droughts, erratic rainfall, and water quality parameters (Dissolved Oxygen, ammonia, pH) on investments in “hard” assets, such as specific fish-farm equipment (aquaculture nets, fish cages, thermometers, irrigation pumps), to enhance climate resilience. Additionally, the study explores “soft” investments in information services that provide advanced forecasts on monsoon onset, heavy rainfall, dry spells, high temperature and cold spells. The results indicate that the level of investment in climate-smart aquaculture is currently influenced by climate stresses, investment capacity (farm size, family size), aquaculture system characteristics (pond size and depth, type of fish, aggregate yields), and market-related factors (proximity to roads and markets). In the context of climate-informed decision-making, forecast-based advisory services can facilitate the transition to climate-smart aquaculture. However, the benefits of the information services are often linked to substantial investments in hard infrastructure that ensure the effective utilization of climate information and advisory services. This absence of accessible climate information services and the capacity to invest in climate smart equipment that makes the information actionable, hinder the transition to climate smart aquaculture by smallholder farmers and hence threaten their livelihood and nutritional security.

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Butalbital is an acute headache medication commonly prescribed for tension‐type headache (TTH), although discouraged by guidelines due to a risk of medication overuse headache (MOH). Considering spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) may reduce TTH frequency and intensity, we hypothesized adults with TTH receiving chiropractic SMT would be less likely to receive a butalbital prescription over 2 years versus matched controls not receiving SMT. We secondarily compared likelihood of MOH between cohorts. Methods We searched a United States medical records database of patients attending academic medical centers for adults with TTH, from 2013 to 2024, excluding those diagnosed with other headaches and seen in inpatient/emergency settings. We divided patients into two cohorts: (1) SMT and (2) non‐SMT, using propensity matching to control for demographics and other variables associated with likelihood of butalbital prescription and MOH. Results Three thousand one hundred and sixteen patients remained per cohort after matching. The incidence of butalbital prescription was lower in the SMT cohort compared to the non‐SMT cohort (SMT: 1.7%; non‐SMT: 3.8%), yielding an RR (95% CI) of 0.46 (0.33–0.63; p

Abstract To investigate the role of appetite‐related factors, including interleukin 6 (IL‐6), irisin, interleukin 7 (IL‐7), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and leptin, on appetite perception in males with obesity. Eleven males (BMI 35.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2, V̇O2peak 29 ± 3.1 mL/kg/min) participated in two experimental trials (MICE: 60 min of cycling at 60% of V̇O2peak; CTRL: 60 min of quiet resting) using a crossover design. Appetite parameters, including IL‐6, IL‐7, irisin, and leptin, were measured. Additionally, appetite perception was assessed. IL‐6 concentration increased significantly immediately post‐exercise (95% CI: [2.207–12.192] pg/mL, p = 0.007) and remained elevated 1 hour post‐exercise (95% CI: [2.326–11.855] pg/mL, p = 0.006) compared to CTRL. Irisin also rose significantly immediately post‐exercise (95% CI: [0.084–3.061] ng/mL, p = 0.039). NPY decreased significantly 1 h post‐exercise (95% CI: [(−20.601) – (−1.380)] ng/L, p = 0.027). No significant differences were observed for IL‐7 (p = 0.748, ηp2 = 0.077) and leptin (p = 0.285, ηp2=0.061). Appetite perceptions were suppressed immediately post‐exercise (95% CI: [3.407–19.547] mm, p = 0.008) compared to CTRL. Sixty minutes of MICE increased IL‐6 and irisin concentrations while suppressed NPY and appetite perceptions in males with obesity.

IntroductionDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that accounts for approximately a quarter of all lymphomas in the United States. It is rare to have co-occurring T cell lymphoma with DLBCL as they often develop following treatment of DLBCL rather than concomitantly.Case presentationWe report a 71-year-old male patient diagnosed with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) -negative DLBCL with concurrent angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). A right inguinal lymph node biopsy demonstrated aggressive B-cell lymphoma consistent with DLBCL with the non-germinal center immunophenotype that was EBV-negative. Furthermore, abnormal T-cells with irregular nuclear contours were found in T cell receptor sequencing with monoclonal gamma and beta T cells. A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated occasional large atypical CD3+PD1+ T cells with corresponding identical T-cell receptor clones in the lymph node biopsy. Next-generation sequencing from the lymph node biopsy demonstrated dual inactivating TET2 mutations.ConclusionComposite DLBCL and AITL is a rare occurrence and the absence of EBV is even more so. Given the rare nature of having these two hematologic malignancies simultaneously, no standard of care exists. However, R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) is a regimen commonly used in both malignancies individually, and therefore this patient was treated using this approach achieving a partial remission after four cycles of therapy. Unfortunately, he developed refractory disease 1 month after completion of six cycles of R-CHOP.

The circulation of seasonal influenza A viruses (IAVs) in humans relies on effective evasion and subversion of the host immune response. While the evolution of seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 viruses to avoid humoral immunity is well characterized, relatively little is known about the evolution of innate immune antagonism phenotypes in these viruses. Numerous studies have established that only a small subset of infected cells is responsible for initiating the type I and type III interferon (IFN) response during IAV infection, emphasizing the importance of single cell studies to accurately characterize the IFN response during infection. We developed a flow cytometry-based method to examine transcriptional changes in IFN and interferon stimulated gene (ISG) expression at the single cell level. We observed that NS segments derived from seasonal H3N2 viruses are more efficient at antagonizing IFN signaling but less effective at suppressing IFN induction, compared to the pdm2009 H1N1 lineage. We compared a collection of NS segments spanning the natural history of the current seasonal IAV lineages and demonstrate long periods of stability in IFN antagonism potential, punctuated by occasional phenotypic shifts. Altogether, our data reveal significant differences in how seasonal and pandemic H1N1 and H3N2 viruses antagonize the human IFN response at the single cell level.

Purpose Cross-sector collaboration can improve community health because decisions made across sectors influence health. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and other health-focused, cross-sector collaborations encounter challenges. This case study uses a completed HIA to explore factors impeding and supporting health-related cross-sectoral collaboration. Methods Semi-structured key informant interviews with 10 of 12 HIA working group participants were conducted and analysed using a content analysis approach. Results Analysis generated 48 codes across seven themes in three primary groups: HIA as a collaborative tool; logistical and systemic barriers; and benefits and logistical, interpersonal, and sectoral facilitators. Recognizing the importance of knowledge, analysis, and principles outside of one’s field (n = 62) was the most common facilitator. Limited time was the most common barrier (n = 21). Participants discussed more facilitators (n = 303) than barriers (n = 144); perceived multiple benefits (n = 92), including networking and connecting land use and health; and described facilitators like communication, continuity, engagement, project management, compensation, varying perspectives, and diverse skills. They identified coordination challenges, needs to engage more with stakeholders and the community, limited time, and changes among partners as primary barriers. Conclusions Findings can help prepare cross-sector partners about what to expect, aid in mitigating challenges, and further knowledge about what supports and hinders Health in All Policies collaborations.

The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. The acquisition of multimodal magnetic resonance-based brain development data is central to the study’s core protocol. However, application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods in this population is complicated by technical challenges and difficulties of imaging in early life. Overcoming these challenges requires an innovative and harmonized approach, combining age-appropriate acquisition protocols together with specialized pediatric neuroimaging strategies. The HBCD MRI Working Group aimed to establish a core acquisition protocol for all 27 HBCD Study recruitment sites to measure brain structure, function, microstructure, and metabolites. Acquisition parameters of individual modalities have been matched across MRI scanner platforms for harmonized acquisitions and state-of-the-art technologies are employed to enable faster and motion-robust imaging. Here, we provide an overview of the HBCD MRI protocol, including decisions of individual modalities and preliminary data. The result will be an unparalleled resource for examining early neurodevelopment which enables the larger scientific community to assess normative trajectories from birth through childhood and to examine the genetic, biological, and environmental factors that help shape the developing brain.

Purpose Medical school educators face challenges determining which new and emerging topics to incorporate into medical school curricula, and how to do so. A study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the integration of emerging topics related to microbiology and immunology in the undergraduate medical curriculum (UME).Methods An anonymous survey with 17 questions was emailed to medical school faculty who teach immunology and/or microbiology through the DR-Ed listserv, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Connect listserv, and attendees of the Association of Medical School Microbiology and Immunology Chairs (AMSMIC) Educational Strategies Workshop. Participants were asked about experiences, perceptions, and the decision-making process regarding integrating emerging topics into UME.Results The top emerging topics that were added to the curriculum or considered for addition in the last 10 years included COVID-19, Zika virus, mRNA vaccines, and Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Most respondents reported lectures and active learning as the major methods for topic delivery, with most faculty indicating that formative assessment was the best way to assess emerging topics. Content experts and course directors were the most cited individuals making these decisions. Top reasons for incorporating emerging topics into curricula included preparing students for clinical treatment of cases, followed by demonstrating the importance of basic science, and opportunities to integrate basic science into other disciplines. Challenges for incorporating these topics included making room in an already crowded curriculum, followed by content overload for students.Conclusions This study describes the rationale for integrating emerging topics related to microbiology and immunology into UME, and identifies the current new and emerging topics, as well as the main methods of integration and assessment. These results may be used by medical educators to inform curricular decisions at their institutions. Future studies will include developing innovative learning modules that overcome barriers to integration.

L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), the major portal for Ca2+ entry into cardiomyocytes, are essential for excitation-contraction coupling and thus play a central role in regulating overall cardiac function. LTCC function is finely tuned by multiple signaling pathways and accessory proteins. Leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 10 (LRRC10) is a little studied cardiomyocyte-specific protein recently identified as a modulator of LTCCs. LRRC10 exerts a remarkable effect on LTCC function, more than doubling L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) amplitude in a heterologous expression system by altering the gating of the channels without changing their surface membrane expression. Genetic ablation of LRRC10 expression in mouse and zebrafish hearts leads to a significant reduction in ICa,L density and a slowly progressive dilated cardiomyopathy in mice. Rare sequence variants of LRRC10 have been identified in dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden unexplained nocturnal cardiac death syndrome, but these variants have not been clearly linked to disease. Nevertheless, the DCM-associated variant, I195T, converted LRRC10 from a ICa,L potentiator to a ICa,L suppressor, thus illustrating the wide dynamic range of LRRC10-mediated ICa,L regulation. This review focuses on the contemporary knowledge of LTCC modulation by LRRC10 and discusses potential directions for future investigations.

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of performing histotripsy through overlying gas-filled bowel in an ex vivo swine model.Methods An ex vivo model was created to simulate histotripsy treatment of solid organs through gas-filled bowel. Spherical 2.5 cm histotripsy treatments were performed in agar phantoms for each of five treatment groups: 1) control with no overlying bowel (n = 6), 2) bowel 0 cm above phantom (n = 6), 3) bowel 1 cm above phantom (n = 6), 4) bowel 2 cm above phantom (n = 6), and 5) bowel 0 cm above the phantom with increased treatment amplitude (n = 6). Bowel was inspected for gross and microscopic damage, and treatment zones were measured. A ray-tracing simulation estimated the percentage of therapeutic beam path blockage by bowel in each scenario.Results All histotripsy treatments through partial blockage were successful (24/24). No visible or microscopic damage was observed to intervening bowel. Partial blockage resulted in a small increase in treatment volume compared to controls (p = 0.002 and p = 0.036 for groups with bowel 0 cm above the phantom, p > 0.3 for bowel 1 cm and 2 cm above the phantom). Gas-filled bowel was estimated to have blocked 49.6%, 35.0%, and 27.3% of the therapeutic beam at 0, 1, and 2 cm, respectively.Conclusion Histotripsy has the potential to be applied through partial gas blockage of the therapeutic beam path, as shown by this ex vivo small bowel model. Further work in an in vivo survival model appears indicated.

Laser guide stars in astronomical adaptive optics systems have the focus anisoplanatism problem, especially for telescopes larger than 4 m in diameter. The Projected Pupil Plane Pattern (PPPP) offers an alternative solution by projecting a collimated laser beam across the telescope’s entire pupil. One significant challenge is dealing with gain-related issues, necessitating the use of two beam profiles obtained simultaneously from two different distances from the telescope pupil. In this work, we explore the integration of a convolutional neural network (CNN) with experimental data emulating PPPP. We investigate how CNNs can significantly simplify the PPPP design by enabling operation with a single beam profile. These results permit the development of the PPPP concept to use a single beam profile without distance-gain degeneracy. In this work, it is shown that a 10% residual error can be achieved for test data randomly chosen over the SNR range of 4 to 12.

Bangladesh's agriculture and diet are highly rice-centric, although rational, risky, and arguably unsustainable. This necessitates a focus on crop diversification to enhance food security, build resilience, and promote environmental sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of crop diversification policy provisions, programs, projects, and trends in Bangladesh from 1971 to 2023, highlighting their evolution, implementation, and impacts. The objective is to inform future policy and operational decisions to enhance the effectiveness of crop diversification efforts. An integrated analytical framework is utilized, incorporating a review of historical agriculture policies, Five-Year Plans (FYPs), and 1223 project reports. The study employed the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) to quantify crop diversification and conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders using a snowball sampling method. The analysis identified eight FYPs, 12 specific policies, and 81 projects, with 19 explicitly focusing on crop diversification. Despite significant policy support, implementation has faced challenges due to historical policy biases, insufficient funding, and market and project implementation challenges. The study reveals that despite numerous initiatives, crop diversification remains low, with a need for better infrastructure, market linkages, and incentives for farmers. To achieve sustainable agricultural growth, the Government of Bangladesh should mainstream crop diversification through annual budgets, enhance institutional capacities, and foster public-private partnerships, alongside strengthening the effective implementation of projects. This research provides valuable insights and practical guidelines for policymakers and development practitioners to promote sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh through specific policy and operational initiatives.