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Mountain meadows are an essential part of the alpine-subalpine ecosystem; they provide ecosystem services like pollination and nutrient recycling and are home to diverse plant communities. Changes in climate affect the meadow ecology on multiple levels, altering growing season dynamics and water availability, and tracking the effects of climate change on meadow diversity is critical to conservation efforts. Here, we explore how to combine crowd sourced camera images with machine learning to quantity flowering species richness across a range of elevations in alpine meadows located in Mt Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. We employed three machine learning techniques (Mask R-CNN, RetinaNet and YOLO) to detect wildflower species in images taken during two flowering seasons. We demonstrate that deep learning techniques can detect multiple species, providing information on flowering richness in photographed meadows. The results indicate higher richness just above the tree line for most of the species, which is comparable with patterns found using field studies. We found that the two-stage detector Mask R-CNN was more accurate than single-stage detectors like RetinaNet and YOLO, with the Mask R-CNN network performing best overall with mean average precision (mAP) of 0.67 followed by RetinaNet (0.5) and YOLO (0.4). We also show that detection is possible even when pictures are interspersed with complex backgrounds and are not in focus. We expect this approach can be used to address many ecological questions that benefit from automated flower detection, like studies of flowering phenology or floral resources, and that this approach can therefore complement a wide range of ecological approaches (e.g., field observations, experiments, community science, etc.). In all, our study suggests that ecological metrics like floral richness can be efficiently monitored by combining machine learning with easily accessible publicly curated datasets (e.g., Flickr, iNaturalist).

The pathways through which primates acquire skills are a central focus of cultural evolution studies. The roles of social and genetic inheritance processes in skill acquisition are often confounded by environmental factors. Hybrid macaques from Koram Island (Thailand) provide an opportunity to examine the roles of inheritance and social learning to skill acquisition within a single ecological setting. These hybrids are a cross between tool-using Burmese long-tailed ( Macaca fascicularis aurea ) and non-tool-using common long-tailed macaques ( Macaca fascicularis fascicularis ). This population provides an opportunity to explore the roles of social learning and inheritance processes while being able to exclude underlying ecological factors. Here, we investigate the roles of social learning and inheritance in tool use prevalence within this population using social network analysis and simulation. Agent-based modelling (ABM) is used to generate expectations for how social/asocial learning and inheritance structure the patterning in a social network. The results of the simulation show that various transmission mechanisms can be differentiated based on associations between individuals in a social network. The results provide an investigative framework for discussing tool use transmission pathways in the Koram social network. By combining ABM, network analysis, and behavioural data from the field we can investigate the roles social learning and inheritance play in tool acquisition of wild primates.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide. It is accompanied by a myriad of adverse consequences, such asdiminishing of quality of life and deterioration of mental health. Caregivers play a pivotal role in helping CHF patients manage their conditions and symptoms, as a result the physical, mental and emotional state of caregivers have a direct impact on CHF patients and the management of this condition.This systematic review aims to synthesize data about the effectiveness of behavioral interventions targeted at patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and/or informal caregivers of CHF patients to improve overall management and treatment of CHF in the population.Three databases were searched for published studies and studies that included evaluated outcomes of interventions that targeted CHF patients or informal caregivers. All randomized controlled trials, trials of either experimental or quasi-experimental design were included. Studies that only involved formal caregivers, patient populations of adolescents/young adults and patients with non-chronic conditions were excluded.Across the 21 included studies, no study reported a significant improvement in all three domains of quality of life (QoL), depression and loneliness of caregivers while only three studies reported a significant improvement in two outcomes. Within each domain, heterogeneity in measures limited quantitative pooling.This review provides data on the efficacy of interventions targeted at CHF patients and/or informal caregivers. It also highlights successful interventions and its features. Following this, additional resources need to be invested and directed towards implementing these interventions.

CloudBank is a cloud access entity founded to enable the computer science research and education communities to harness the profound computational potential of public clouds. By delivering a set of managed services designed to alleviate common points of friction associated with cloud adoption, Cloudbank serves as an integrated service provider to the research and education community. These services include front-line help desk support, cloud solution consulting, training, account management, cost monitoring and optimization support, and automated billing. CloudBank has a multi-cloud pay-per-use billing model and aims to serve the spectrum of cloud users from novice to advanced.

Satellite remote sensing has transformed our understanding of Earth processes. One component of the Earth system where large uncertainties remain are Arctic and boreal freshwater lakes. With only short periods of open water due to annual ice cover, lake productivity in these regions is extremely sensitive to warming induced changes in ice cover. At the same time, productivity dynamics in these lakes vary enormously, even over short distances, making it difficult to understand these potential changes. A major impediment to an improved understanding of lake dynamics has been sparsely distributed field measurements, in large part due to the complexity and expense of conducting scientific research in remote northern latitudes. This project overcomes that hurdle by using a new set of ‘eyes in the sky’, the Planet Labs CubeSat fleet, to observe 35 lakes across 3 different arctic-boreal ecoregions in western North America. We extract time series of lake reflectance to identify ice-out and green-up across three years (2017–2019). We find that lakes with later ice-out have significantly faster green-ups. Our results also show ice-out varies latitudinally by 38 days from south to north, but only varies across years by ~9 days. In contrast, green-up varied between years by 22 days in addition to showing significant spatial variability. We compare PlanetScope to Sentinel-2 data and independently validate our ice-out estimates, finding an ice-out mean absolute difference (MAD) ~9 days. This study demonstrates the potential of using CubeSat imagery to monitor the timing and magnitude of ice-off and green-up at high spatiotemporal resolution., Remote Sensing, 13 (13), ISSN:2072-4292

Psychotic disorders are debilitating mental illnesses associated with abnormalities in various neurotransmitter systems. The development of disease-modifing therapies has been hampered by the mostly unknown etiologies and pathophysiologies. Autoantibodies against several neuronal antigens are responsible for autoimmune encephalitis. These autoantibodies disrupt neurotransmission within the brain, resulting in a wide range of psychiatric and neurologic manifestations, including psychosis. The overlap of symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis with psychotic disorders raised the question as to whether autoantibodies against a number of receptors, ion channel and associated proteins could ultimately be responsible for some forms of psychosis. Here we review our current knowledge, on antibody mediated autoimmunity in psychotic disorders, the different diagnostic methods and their limitations, as well as on varying therapeutic approaches targeting the immune system.

Objectives:Comparing Ultra-brief (UB) Right Unilateral Electroconvulsive Therapy (RU ECT) to the existing literature, this case series highlights the use of the treatment with geriatric patients.Methods:This is a retrospective chart review of 5 patients with catatonia who were successfully treated with UB RUL ECT. Medical records were reviewed for clinical data and ECT treatment. The existing literature is compared and contrasted with other published cases. Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) was completed both pre-ECT and post-ECT. Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scale was performed post-ECT. Response was defined as decrease of QIDS by 50% and remission was defined as QIDS ≤5. CGI response was defined as CGI-I ≤2.Results:All patients received UB RUL ECT treatment (mean age 67, 100% female). 20% (n=2) were caucasian. 60% had mood disorders and 40% had psychotic disorders. Number of treatments in the acute treatment course ranged from 5 to 20, charge was dosed at 6-10 times the seizure threshold determined at first treatment. All patients had a significant clinical response to ECT as reflected by clinical data, ECT procedure notes, and rating scales when available. All patients completed post ECT CGI-I. Response rate was 60% (n = 3). We also assessed QIDS scores for patients with comorbid depression. Out of these patients, 40% (n = 2) were unable to complete baseline QIDS secondary to symptoms severity. Mean baseline QIDS for the remaining patients was 9.67 (SD 1.53). Post-treatment QIDS was 3.67 (SD 5.51). Paired-samples t-test comparing these scores at baseline and post-ECT demonstrated a significance P value of 0.14. None of the patients experienced worsening of cognitive function.Conclusions:UB RUL ECT is a safe and effective treatment for Catatonia. Our data demonstrate clinical improvement in patients with Catatonia with UB RUL ECT. In addition, this method may lower the burden of cognitive effects that can significantly benefit the older adult population. The literature is limited regarding the use of Ultra-brief (

Metastatic spine tumour surgeries (MSTS) are indicated for preservation or restoration of neurological function, to provide mechanical stability and pain alleviation. The goal of MSTS is to improve the quality of life of the patients with spinal metastases and rarely for oncological control which is usually achieved by adjuvant therapies. Hence outcome measures such as length of stay (LOS) and rate of complications after MSTS are important indicators of quality but there is limited literature evidence for the same. We carried out a retrospective study to determine the incidence and the factors influencing normal (nLOS) and extended length of stay (eLOS) after MSTS. Data of 220 consecutive patients who underwent MSTS between 2005 and 2015 were retrieved from hospital electronic records. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables, discharge destinations as well as socioeconomic factors were analyzed. eLOS defined as positive when the LOS exceeded the 75th percentile for this cohort, was the key outcome indicator. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictive factors of eLOS. The overall median LOS was 7 days (1-30 days) and 55 patients had eLOS (LOS ≥ 11 days). Multivariate analysis revealed that significant variables independently associated with eLOS were instrumentation9 spinal segmental levels (OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.1-7.5, p = 0.032) and presence of postoperative complications (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.85-7.30, p 0.001). Metastatic tumours other than breast, prostate and lung have lesser risk of eLOS (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.70, p = 0.004). Survival estimates show that patients with eLOS have shorter survival than patients with nLOS (Crude HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.13-2.89, p = 0.003).

Active fluids, composed of individual self-propelled agents, can generate complex large-scale coherent flows. A particularly important laboratory realization of such an active fluid is a system composed of microtubules, aligned in a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) nematic phase, and driven by ATP-fueled kinesin motor proteins. This system exhibits robust chaotic advection and gives rise to a pronounced fractal structure in the nematic contours. We characterize such experimentally derived fractals using the power spectrum and discover that the power spectrum decays as $k^{-\beta}$ for large wavenumbers $k$. The parameter $\beta$ is measured for several experimental realizations. Though $\beta$ is effectively constant in time, it does vary with experimental parameters, indicating differences in the scale-free behavior of the microtubule-based active nematic. Though the fractal patterns generated in this active system are reminiscent of passively advected dye in 2D chaotic flows, the underlying mechanism for fractal generation is more subtle. We provide a simple, physically inspired mathematical model of fractal generation in this system that relies on the material being locally compressible, though the total area of the material is conserved globally. The model also requires that large-scale density variations be injected into the material periodically. The model reproduces the power spectrum decay $k^{-\beta}$ seen in experiments. Linearizing the model of fractal generation about the equilibrium density, we derive an analytic relationship between $\beta$ and a single dimensionless quantity $r$, which characterizes the compressibility.

Background: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that is hypothesised to alter cortical excitability and brain electrical activity, modulating functional connectivity within the brain. Several trials have demonstrated its potential in treating psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Objectives: To study the efficacy of TACS in ameliorating symptoms of depression and schizophrenia in patients and its effects on cognition in patients and healthy subjects compared to sham stimulation. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Data Sources and Methods: This PROSPERO-registered systematic review (CRD42022331149) is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycINFO were searched from inception to March 2022. Only randomised-controlled trials were included. Results: A total of 12 randomised-controlled trials are reviewed for meta-analysis, with three randomised-controlled trials reporting only effects on cognition in psychiatric and cognitively impaired patients, three trials on cognition in healthy subjects, one trial on cognition in both patients and healthy subjects, one trial on only depression, two on both cognition and depression in patients and two on schizophrenia symptoms. No studies were at significant risk of bias. For cognition, TACS showed significant improvement [positive standardised mean differences (SMD) denoting improvement] over sham stimulation in those with psychiatric disorders with an SMD of 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14, 1.06). Similarly, among patients with depression, an SMD of 1.14 (95% CI: 0.10, 2.18) was found significantly favouring TACS over sham stimulation. Two studies assessed the effect of TACS on schizophrenia symptoms with mixed results. Conclusion: TACS has shown promise in ameliorating symptoms of both schizophrenia and depression in patients. TACS also improves cognition in both patients and healthy subjects. However, these findings are limited by the sample size of included studies, and future studies may be required to better our understanding of the potential of TACS. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022331149)

In this presentation, we will describe the [Pangeo Project](http://pangeo.io), a coordinated community effort with support from NASA, NSF, AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, to develop interact...

Optics is an important subfield of physics required for instrument design and used in a variety of other disciplines, especially subjects that intersect the life sciences. Students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds should be educated in the basics of optics to train the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers and instrumentalists who will push the boundaries of discovery or create inexpensive optical-based diagnostics. We present an experimental curriculum developed to teach students the basics of geometric optics, including ray and wave optics. The students learn these concepts in an active, hands-on manner through designing, building, and testing a homebuilt light microscope made from component parts. We describe the experimental equipment and basic measurements students can perform to learn these basic optical principles focusing on good optical design techniques, testing, troubleshooting, and iterative design. Students are also exposed to fundamental concepts of measurement uncertainty inherent in all experimental systems. The project students build is open and versatile to allow advanced projects, such as epifluorescence. We also describe how the equipment and curriculum can be flexibly used for an undergraduate level optics course, an advanced laboratory course, and graduate-level training modules or short courses.

Scientific and commercial applications are increasingly being executed in the cloud, but the difficulties associated with cluster management render on-demand resources inaccessible or inefficient to many users. Recently, the serverless execution model, in which the provisioning of resources is abstracted from the user, has gained prominence as an alternative to traditional cyberinfrastructure solutions. With its inherent elasticity, the serverless paradigm constitutes a promising computational model for scientific workflows, allowing domain specialists to develop and deploy workflows that are subject to varying workloads and intermittent usage without the overhead of infrastructure maintenance. We present the Serverless Workflow Enablement and Execution Platform (SWEEP), a cloud-agnostic workflow management system with a purely serverless execution model that allows users to define, run and monitor generic cloud-native workflows. We demonstrate the use of SWEEP on workflows from two disparate scientific domains and present an evaluation of performance and scaling.

Active nematics are out-of-equilibrium fluids composed of rod-like subunits, which can generate large-scale, self-driven flows. We examine a microtubule-kinesin-based active nematic confined to two dimensions, exhibiting chaotic flows with moving topological defects. Applying tools from chaos theory, we investigate self-driven advection and mixing on different length scales. Local fluid stretching is quantified by the Lyapunov exponent. Global mixing is quantified by the topological entropy, calculated from both defect braiding and curve extension rates. We find excellent agreement between these independent measures of chaos, demonstrating that the extensile stretching between microtubules directly translates into macroscopic braiding of positive defects. Remarkably, increasing extensile activity (through ATP concentration) does not increase the dimensionless topological entropy. This study represents an application of chaotic advection to the emerging field of active nematics and quantification of the collective motion of an ensemble of defects (through topological entropy) in a liquid crystal. Braiding by topological defects in an active nematic fluid produces macroscopic chaotic advection, such that the defects themselves act as effective stirring rods. The resultant mixing is revealed to be a result of sliding on a molecular scale.

Examining how animals direct social learning during skill acquisition under natural conditions, generates data for examining hypotheses regarding how transmission biases influence cultural change in animal populations. We studied a population of macaques on Koram Island, Thailand, and examined model-based biases during interactions by unskilled individuals with tool-using group members. We first compared the prevalence of interactions (watching, obtaining food, object exploration) and proximity to tool users during interactions, in developing individuals (infants, juveniles) versus mature non-learners (adolescents, adults), to provide evidence that developing individuals are actively seeking information about tool use from social partners. All infants and juveniles, but only 49% of mature individuals carried out interacted with tool users. Macaques predominantly obtained food by scrounging or stealing, suggesting maximizing scrounging opportunities motivates interactions with tool users. However, while interactions by adults was limited to obtaining food, young macaques and particularly infants also watched tool users and explored objects, indicating additional interest in tool use itself. We then ran matrix correlations to identify interaction biases, and what attributes of tool users influenced these. Biases correlated with social affiliation, but macaques also preferentially targeted tool users that potentially increase scrounging and learning opportunities. Results suggest that social structure may constrain social learning, but the motivation to bias interactions towards tool users to maximize feeding opportunities may also socially modulate learning by facilitating close proximity to better tool users, and further interest in tool-use actions and materials, especially during development.

Xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) is the most common form of cutaneous xanthomata, and is important aesthetically, because of its close relation to the eyes, as well as medically for its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). To provide avant-garde review discussing the various aspects of XP, including its aetio-pathogenesis and various treatment modalities. A structured Pubmed and Medline were searched for relevant articles. The finding of recent research has strongly espoused the link between XP and CVD, and mechanisms have been suggested for its formation. The new technologies have led to a multitude of treatment options for XP. XP is a multi-faceted entity; other than simple treatment of the cosmetic aspect of the disease, one must be cognizant of its cardiovascular implications.

Objective In a retrospective study, we analyzed if anxious depression impacts outcomes in patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD) receiving IV Ketamine infusions at an academic center Ketamine clinic. Methods Forty-three patients with TRD received six IV Ketamine infusions over a three-week period. Anxious depression (ANX-TRD) was defined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Anxiety/Somatization factor score of ≥ 7 at the baseline evaluation. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales were used through the infusion course to assess symptom change. Results Twenty-three patients were categorized as ANX-TRD and 20 as non-anxious TRD. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models revealed BDI-II and GAD-7 scores for ANX-TRD and NANX-TRD groups did not differ significantly during any time point. Symptoms of anxiety and depression improved after treatment in both groups, though the degree of change was significant and greater for depression. Limitations This was a naturalistic, retrospective study, without a control group. Conclusions Symptoms of depression show greater improvement than symptoms of anxiety. IV Ketamine is effective in the treatment of depression, regardless of the baseline anxiety level.

Introduction Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, older adults have been disproportionately impacted by both illness and fatalities. Of the nearly 39 million adults over age 65 in the United States, approximately 2.4 million older adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). LGBTQ older adults face unique challenges due to their intersecting identities and histories, including the effects of heterosexism, ageism, and being more likely to live alone, be single, and not have children. As we implement social distancing as a primary COVID-19 prevention method, older adults have faced increased isolation. Methods We present one case of a lesbian older adult patient who has experienced increased depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. A table will be added featuring culturally competent recommendations for LGBTQ older adults from a literature review. Results A 77-year-old female with history of major depression, attention deficit disorder, hypertension, xerostomia, and polymyalgia rheumatica. The patient has been on multiple trials of medications for depression as well as ECT treatments. She described being a shy child and felt criticized and often rejected by her mother. She was initially engaged to a man and after some years fell in love with a woman. The patient is currently single and has no children. She typically has a strong support system with her lifelong friend and attends church. She transitioned from independent living to an adult living facility, with the hope of increased social activity and connectedness. However, due to COVID-19, she experienced her move as extremely difficult, and was disappointed that all social activities were canceled. For a period of several months, she was unable to visit her chosen family, was limited to attending church via Zoom, and was restricted from multiple areas of the complex. As a result, she reported increased depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping with passive suicidal ideation due to isolation and no direct family support. Conclusions The latest research highlights current vulnerabilities and health disparities of the older adult population, as well as ways to increase support and resiliency through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Older LGBTQ populations are at disproportionately higher risk for mental health conditions and with the current social distancing measures in place, social isolation and loneliness has been exacerbated. Connection with accepting family and community are well documented in the literature as key protective factors and sources of resiliency in LGBTQ populations. Culturally competent care is integral to psychiatric treatment of older LGBTQ adults. Funding Not Applicable

In this paper, we focus on stratospheric sulfate injection as a geoengineering scheme, and provide a combined scientific and ethical analysis of climate response tests, which are a subset of outdoor tests that would seek to impose detectable and attributable changes to climate variables on global or regional scales. We assess the current state of scientific understanding on the plausibility and scalability of climate response tests. Then we delineate a minimal baseline against which to consider whether certain climate response tests would be relevant for a deployment scenario. Our analysis shows that some climate response tests, such as those attempting to detect changes in regional climate impacts, may not be deployable in time periods relevant to realistic geoengineering scenarios. This might pose significant challenges for justifying SSI deployment overall. We then outline some of the major ethical challenges proposed climate response tests would face to be considered properly socially licensed forms of research. We consider what levels of confidence would be required to ethically justify approving a proposed test; whether the consequences of tests are subject to similar questions of justice, compensation and informed consent as full scale deployment; and whether questions of intent and hubris are morally relevant for climate response tests. We suggest further research into laboratory-based work and modeling may help to narrow the scientific uncertainties related to climate response tests, and help inform future ethical debate. However, even if such work is pursued, the ethical issues raised by proposed climate response tests are significant and manifold.

Background An accurate diagnosis is the foundation for determining prognosis and appropriate management. This study adds to pre-existing (albeit limited) evidence by exploring the use of diagnostic techniques amongst dental practitioners. The main aim of the study was to identify the availability, usage and clinician preference for specific diagnostic tests. A secondary aim was to investigate the use of diagnostic tests for common clinical scenarios. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed online to dental practitioners registered with the Australian Dental Association. Quantitative data on clinician demography, and the availability and preference of diagnostic tests was summarized with Stata 13 software. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to determine associations. Results General dental practitioners (GDP) and specialists comprised 86% and 14% of the 433 respondents, respectively. Unlike light transillumination, most GDP had radiography, biting tests and pulp sensibility tests available. The electric pulp test and ethyl chloride were first choices of most practitioners despite markedly lower availability relative to cold spray. Symptoms and endodontic assessments generally attracted wider usage of pulp testing. Conclusions More dental practitioners should utilize diagnostic testing in order to arrive at accurate diagnoses. The availability of diagnostic tests did not completely translate to usage and none of the scenarios presented warranted pulp sensibility testing from all respondents.

Introduction Bipolar Disorder accounts for 10-25% of all mood disorders in the geriatric population and 5% of all inpatient admissions to geropsychiatric units. It is a disabling illness in the elderly and is often treatment-resistant. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for all phases of bipolar disorder, though only a few studies have focused on bipolar disorder in the geriatric population. There is insufficient evidence to determine which electrode placement is most efficacious in treating bipolar disorder. Some experts recommend the use of bilateral treatments. However, no evidence-based data support this particular approach. The treatment of bipolar depression with ECT brings a set of challenges, most notably the concomitant use of anticonvulsants as mood stabilizers. The earlier practice of stopping all psychotropic medications before and during a course of ECT is no longer a common practice. However, there is controversy in the field and difference in opinion regarding the combination of antiepileptic drugs (AED), lithium and ECT. Another challenge of using ECT for the treatment of bipolar depression is the risk of inducing mania or modifying the illness to one that is rapid cycling, which could become more challenging to treat if no mood stabilizers are kept on board. This study will report on our experience treating late-life bipolar disorders with ECT in our high volume ECT service. Methods Forty-eight patients 55?years old and older with Bipolar Disorder who received right unilateral (RUL) ECT were identified on a retrospective chart review form the Emory University ECT service. 72% were female. Forty-four received ultra-brief pulse right unilateral (UBRUL), 4 received brief RUL. The cohort consisted of Bipolar Depression, Bipolar mania, Bipolar with psychotic features, and Bipolar with catatonia. Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) was completed both pre-ECT and post-ECT, while the Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scale was performed post-ECT. Response was defined by a decrease of QIDS by 50% and CGI-I ≤2. Results Analysis is undergoing; information regarding electrode placement modality, pulse width, use of mood stabilizers, response rates, remission rates, and cognitive function will be included in the results. We expect to have a high number of patients responding to UBRUL ECT. Conclusions ECT is a safe and effective treatment modality for patients presenting with Bipolar Disorder. RUL treatment modality could be considered as an option prior to BL ECT in order to decrease risks of cognitive adverse effects. Further studies are warranted to establish further treatment guidelines in this area. This research was funded by: No funding

Active nematics are out-of-equilibrium liquid crystal fluids composed of rod-like subunits, which can generate large-scale, self-driven flows. In this emerging field of active nematics, new methods are needed to investigate and potentially control phase structure and dynamics. The use of complex engineered surfaces using microfabrication is an excellent way to control local orientation directors, taking advantage of the interplay between surface curvatures and topological defects. Epoxy-based lithography represents a simple and appealing approach, using low cost, minimal materials and a time efficient process. In this manuscript, we discuss methods for optimized fabrication protocols using negative and positive tone epoxy-based photoresists to create microfluidic devices for active matter. Arrays of curved objects and submerged topographies can be used to generate a variety of liquid crystal defect configurations not typically observed on unconfined planar surfaces.