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Introduction/Purpose: Poverty-reduction efforts that seek to support households with children and enable healthy family functioning are vital to produce positive economic, health, developmental, and upward mobility outcomes. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an effective poverty-reduction policy for individuals and families. This study investigated the non-nutritional effects that families experience when receiving SNAP benefits. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA Guidelines and strategic search terms across seven databases from 01 January 2008 to 01 February 2023 (n=2456). Data extraction involved two researchers performing title-abstract reviews. Full-text articles were assessed for eligibility (n=103). Forty articles were included for data retrieval. Results: SNAP positively impacts family health across the five categories of the Family Stress Model (Healthcare utilization for children and parents, Familial allocation of resources, Impact on child development and behavior, Mental health, and Abuse or neglect). Discussion/Conclusion: SNAP is a highly effective program with growing evidence that it positively impacts family health and alleviates poverty. Four priority policy actions are discussed to overcome the unintentional barriers for SNAP: distributing benefits more than once a month; increasing SNAP benefits for recipients; softening the abrupt end of benefits when wages increase; and coordinating SNAP eligibility and enrollment with other programs. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Poverty-reduction efforts that invest in children have especially significant positive benefits by producing positive economic, health, developmental, and upward mobility outcomes. SNAP is among the leading poverty-reducing policies and enrolls the largest number of participants for both nutritional and non-nutritional benefits. What this study adds?: To our knowledge, no study has synthesized the non-nutritional impact of SNAP on family health. We found that SNAP positively impacts family health across five categories of the Family Stress Model (Healthcare utilization for children and parents, Familial allocation of resources, Impact on child development and behavior, Mental health, and Abuse or neglect). Further, we present four policy actions resulting from this scoping review that deserve attention from policymakers, program administrators, and retailer establishments: distribute benefits more than once a month; increase SNAP benefits for recipients; soften the abrupt end of benefits when wages increase; and coordinate SNAP eligibility and enrollment with other programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background As a consequence of their occupation, doctors and other healthcare workers were at higher risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and more likely to experience severe disease compared to the general population. However, systematic information on post-acute COVID complications in doctors is very limited. Aims This study aimed to determine the symptoms, perceived determinants, health and occupational impact, and consequent needs relating to post-acute COVID complications in UK doctors. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to UK doctors self-identifying as having Long COVID or other post-acute COVID complications. Results Of 795 responses, 603 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of being a UK-based medical doctor experiencing one or more post-acute COVID complications. Twenty-eight per cent reported a lack of adequate Respiratory Protective Equipment at the time of contracting COVID-19. Eighteen per cent of eligible respondents reported that they had been unable to return to work since acquiring COVID. Conclusions Post-acute COVID (Long COVID) in UK doctors is a substantial burden for respondents to our questionnaire. The results indicated that insufficient respiratory protection could have contributed to occupational disease, with COVID-19 being contracted in the workplace, and resultant post-COVID complications. Although it may be too late to address the perceived determinants of inadequate protection for those already suffering with Long COVID, more investment is needed in rehabilitation and support of those afflicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disease control can induce both demographic and evolutionary responses in host-parasite systems. Foreseeing the outcome of control therefore requires knowledge of the eco-evolutionary feedback between control and system. Previous work has assumed that control strategies have a homogeneous effect on the parasite population. However, this is not true when control targets those traits that confer to the parasite heterogeneous levels of resistance, which can additionally be related to other key parasite traits through evolutionary trade-offs. In this work, we develop a minimal model coupling epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics to explore possible trait-dependent effects of control strategies. In particular, we consider a parasite expressing continuous levels of a trait-determining resource exploitation and a control treatment that can be either positively or negatively correlated with that trait. We demonstrate the potential of trait-dependent control by considering that the decision maker may want to minimize both the damage caused by the disease and the use of treatment, due to possible environmental or economic costs. We identify efficient strategies showing that the optimal type of treatment depends on the amount applied. Our results pave the way for the study of control strategies based on evolutionary constraints, such as collateral sensitivity and resistance costs, which are receiving increasing attention for both public health and agricultural purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by recent experimental observations of anomalously large decay lengths in concentrated electrolytes, we revisit the Restricted Primitive Model (RPM) for an aqueous electrolyte. We investigate the asymptotic decay lengths of the one-body ionic density profiles for the RPM in contact with a planar electrode using classical Density Functional Theory (DFT) and compare these with the decay lengths of the corresponding two-body correlation functions in bulk systems, obtained in previous Integral Equation Theory (IET) studies. Extensive Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to complement the DFT and IET predictions. Our DFT calculations incorporate electrostatic interactions between the ions using three different (existing) approaches: one is based on the simplest mean-field treatment of Coulomb interactions (MFC), while the other two employ the Mean Spherical Approximation (MSA). The MSAc invokes only the MSA bulk direct correlation function, whereas the MSAu also incorporates the MSA bulk internal energy. Although MSAu yields profiles that are in excellent agreement with MD simulations in the near field, in the far field, we observe that the decay lengths are consistent between IET, MSAc, and MD simulations, whereas those from MFC and MSAu deviate significantly. Using DFT, we calculated the solvation force, which relates directly to surface force experiments. We find that its decay length is neither qualitatively nor quantitatively close to the large decay lengths measured in experiments and conclude that the latter cannot be accounted for by the primitive model. The anomalously large decay lengths found in surface force measurements require an explanation that lies beyond primitive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a diverse group of complex disorders with varying presentations and responses to treatment. While there is no clear primary data source to support the claim, it is commonly stated that there are over 200 distinct types of ILDs. However, using standard classification schemes, the number of unique ILD clinical diagnoses is far less than 200. The number grows when overlapping features or phenotypic descriptors are considered, but the number of ILDs commonly encountered by specialists does not exceed 200. As understanding of ILDs improves, treatment approaches will continue to evolve and become more patient-centric. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training uses a cuff to partially occlude venous blood flow and improve musculoskeletal training outcomes. Over the past 25 years, numerous studies have demonstrated its relative safety and efficacy. Objectives: Blood flow restriction training is under review by the Health Professions Council of South Africa due to safety and ethical concerns. The objective of this roundtable discussion is to gain better insight into the current use and perception of blood flow restriction training in South Africa. Formation of panel: The expert panel had experience with the use of BFR training and included one representative from each of the following professions, namely, sports medicine, physiotherapy and biokinetics. Discussion: The panellists provided their unique perspectives on BFR training, whilst reaching a relative consensus on its safety, screening, efficacy, and appropriate use. Agreement on appropriate loading and occlusion pressure protocols during different phases of rehabilitation was less clear. Conclusion: Although BFR is a safe and effective modality, the development of evidence-based protocols among different health professionals in South Africa is required to ensure good clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides an updated approach to the diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). The importance of using a multidisciplinary discussion to increase diagnostic and treatment confidence is emphasized. The role of Bayesian reasoning is highlighted throughout, underscoring the importance of hypothesis generation (differential diagnosis) and diagnostic test interpretation based on the probability of HP. Probability estimates of diagnostic certainty (i.e., a confident versus a working diagnosis) and treatment thresholds are carefully examined.Therapeutically, beyond antigen avoidance and newly available antifibrotic therapy for patients with a progressive fibrosing phenotype; the role, timing, and expected response to anti-inflammatory therapy in individual patients are unanswered questions. Since the evidence and validation of testing generally performed during the diagnostic work-up and longitudinal monitoring of HP is feeble at best, the viewpoints discussed are not intended to resolve current controversies but rather to provide a conceptual framework for evaluating discordant information when evaluating and caring for patients with HP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this summary is to provide a synopsis of evidence-based and consensus-derived guidance for clinicians to improve individual diagnostic decision-making for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and decrease diagnostic practice variability.Study Design and Methods: Approved panelists developed key questions regarding the diagnosis of HP using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome) format. MEDLINE (via PubMed) and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant literature, which was supplemented by manual searches. References were screened for inclusion and vetted evaluation tools were used to assess the quality of included studies, to extract data, and to grade the level of evidence supporting each recommendation or statement. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Graded recommendations and ungraded consensus-based statements were drafted and voted on using a modified Delphi technique to achieve consensus.Results: The systematic review of the literature based on 14 PICO questions resulted in 14 key action statements: 12 evidence-based, graded recommendations, and 2 ungraded consensus-based statements. All evidence was of very low quality.Interpretation: Diagnosis of HP should employ a patient-centered approach and include a multidisciplinary assessment that incorporates the environmental and occupational exposure history and CT pattern to establish diagnostic confidence prior to considering BAL and/or lung biopsy. Additional research is needed on the performance characteristics and generalizability of exposure assessment tools and traditional and new diagnostic tests in modifying clinical decision-making for HP, particularly among those with a provisional diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this analysis is to provide evidence-based and consensus-derived guidance for clinicians to improve individual diagnostic decision-making for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and decrease diagnostic practice variability.Study Design and Methods: Approved panelists developed key questions regarding the diagnosis of HP using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) format. MEDLINE (via PubMed) and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant literature, which was supplemented by manual searches. References were screened for inclusion, and vetted evaluation tools were used to assess the quality of included studies, to extract data, and to grade the level of evidence supporting each recommendation or statement. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Graded recommendations and ungraded consensus-based statements were drafted and voted on using a modified Delphi technique to achieve consensus. A diagnostic algorithm is provided, using supporting data from the recommendations where possible, along with expert consensus to help physicians gauge the probability of HP.Results: The systematic review of the literature based on 14 PICO questions resulted in 14 key action statements: 12 evidence-based, graded recommendations and 2 ungraded consensus-based statements. All evidence was of very low quality.Interpretation: Diagnosis of HP should employ a patient-centered approach and include a multidisciplinary assessment that incorporates the environmental and occupational exposure history and CT pattern to establish diagnostic confidence prior to considering BAL and/or lung biopsy. Criteria are presented to facilitate diagnosis of HP. Additional research is needed on the performance characteristics and generalizability of exposure assessment tools and traditional and new diagnostic tests in modifying clinical decision-making for HP, particularly among those with a provisional diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a common systemic autoimmune disease that affects mainly women. Key pathologic features include the infiltration of exocrine glands by lymphocytes and the activation of B lymphocytes with the production of autoantibodies. We aimed to analyze the transcriptome of circulating B cells from patients with SJD and healthy controls to decipher the B-cell-specific contribution to SJD. Methods: RNA from peripheral blood B cells of five untreated female patients with SjD and positive ANA, positive anti-SSA (both Ro-52 and Ro-60), positive anti-SSB and positive rheumatoid-factor, and five healthy controls was subjected to whole-transcriptome sequencing. A false discovery rate of < 0.1 was applied to define differentially expressed genes (DEG). Results: RNA-sequencing identified 56 up and 23 down DEG. Hierarchal clustering showed a clear separation between the two groups. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that these genes may play a role in interferon signaling, chronic mycobacterial infection, and transformation to myeloproliferative disorders. Conclusions: We found upregulated expression of type-I and type-II interferon (IFN)-induced genes, as well as genes that may contribute to other concomitant conditions, including infections and a higher risk of myeloproliferative disorders. This adds insight into the autoimmune process and suggests potential targets for future functional and prognostic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We dynamically simulate fractionation (partitioning of particle species) during spinodal gas-liquid separation of a size-polydisperse colloid, using polydispersity up to ~40% and a skewed parent size distribution. We introduce a novel coarse-grained Voronoi method to minimise size bias in measuring local volume fraction, along with a variety of spatial correlation functions which detect fractionation without requiring a clear distinction between the phases. These can be applied whether or not a system is phase separated, to determine structural correlations in particle size, and generalise easily to other kinds of polydispersity (charge, shape, etc.). We measure fractionation in both mean size and polydispersity between the phases, its direction differing between model interaction potentials which are identical in the monodisperse case. These qualitative features are predicted by a perturbative theory requiring only a monodisperse reference as input. The results show that intricate fractionation takes place almost from the start of phase separation, so can play a role even in nonequilibrium arrested states. The methods for characterisation of inhomogeneous polydisperse systems could in principle be applied to experiment as well as modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider a simple fluid confined between two parallel walls (substrates), separated by a distance L. The walls exert competing surface fields so that one wall is attractive and may be completely wet by liquid (it is solvophilic) while the other is solvophobic. Such asymmetric confinement is sometimes termed a “Janus Interface.” The second wall is: (i) purely repulsive and therefore completely dry (contact angle θ = 180◦) or (ii) weakly attractive and partially dry (θ is typically in the range 160–170◦). At low temperatures, but above the bulk triple point, we find using classical density functional theory (DFT) that the fluid is highly structured in the liquid part of the density profile. In case (i), a sequence of layering transitions occurs: as L is increased at fixed chemical potential μ close to bulk gas–liquid coexistence μco, new layers of liquid-like density develop discontinuously. In contrast to confinement between identical walls, the solvation force is repulsive for all wall separations and jumps discontinuously at each layering transition and the excess grand potential exhibits many metastable minima as a function of the adsorption. For a fixed temperature T = 0.56TC, where TC is the bulk critical temperature, we determine the transition lines in the L, μ plane. In case (ii), we do not find layering transitions and the solvation force oscillates about zero. We discuss how our mean-field DFT results might be altered by including effects of fluctuations and comment on how the phenomenology we have revealed might be relevant for experimental and simulation studies of water confined between hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates, emphasizing it is important to distinguish between cases (i) and (ii). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The impact of hair removal on the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of human axillary skin is not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of different hair‐removal techniques on biophysical parameters and the concentrations of key inflammatory biomarkers in the axillae of female Thai subjects. Axillary hair was removed by shaving, plucking or waxing. Methods: Following a 2‐week washout phase without hair removal, subjects underwent visual assessment for erythema and skin dryness in one (randomized) axilla, then, hair was removed from the axilla by shaving, plucking or waxing according to each subject's established habit. Erythema and dryness were assessed again 30 min after hair removal, and buffer scrubs collected from depilated and non‐depilated axillae and analysed for inflammatory cytokines; after a further 48 h, erythema, dryness and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) were assessed in the depilated axilla. Biophysical assessments (skin hydration, barrier integrity, elasticity and roughness) were made in depilated and non‐depilated axillae. Results: All three hair‐removal techniques induced an increase in axillary erythema and skin dryness. Shaving was associated with significantly less erythema (P < 0.01), but significantly greater skin dryness (P < 0.05) versus the other techniques 30 min after hair removal. There were no between‐technique differences in PIHP or biophysical parameters. Interleukins IL‐1α and IL‐1RA concentrations increased, and IL‐8 concentration decreased following hair removal by each technique. Conclusion: This is the first study to identify the principal cytokines associated with the inflammatory process triggered by axillary hair removal. A single hair‐removal treatment did not appear to induce PIHP or further biophysical changes to the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper formalizes part of the cognitive architecture that Kant develops in the Critique of Pure Reason. The central Kantian notion that we formalize is the rule. As we interpret Kant, a rule is not a declarative conditional stating what would be true if such and such conditions hold. Rather, a Kantian rule is a general procedure, represented by a conditional imperative or permissive, indicating which acts must or may be performed, given certain acts that are already being performed. These acts are not propositions; they do not have truth-values. Our formalization is related to the input/ output logics, a family of logics designed to capture relations between elements that need not have truth-values. In this paper, we introduce KL3 as a formalization of Kant's conception of rules as conditional imperatives and permissives. We explain how it differs from standard input/output logics, geometric logic, and first-order logic, as well as how it translates natural language sentences not well captured by first-order logic. Finally, we show how the various distinctions in Kant's much-maligned Table of Judgements emerge as the most natural way of dividing up the various types and sub-types of rule in KL3. Our analysis sheds new light on the way in which normative notions play a fundamental role in the conception of logic at the heart of Kant's theoretical philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T R ('Tim') Miles (1923–2008) was one of the most important pioneers of dyslexia research and treatment in the UK. He worked with dyslexics from the time of his appointment to a lectureship at Bangor in 1949 and later, with his wife, established the Dyslexia Centre there. Miles' professional role and theoretical contribution are reasonably well documented, not least through his own autobiographical account of them. I aim to reappraise his work in the field, against a wider set of circumstances. Tim was a great all-rounder: a noted sportsman and musician, and a committed Quaker who published books on the philosophy of religion and its experiential claims. Moreover, he operated in a Welsh environment which needs explication, one where bilingualism became increasingly a matter of public debate and contestation: an issue of obvious relevance to the study of dyslexia. Miles, who famously expanded the scope of our understanding and definition of 'dyslexia', himself deserves a broader appreciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In December 2018, a large, tertiary, university-affiliated hospital in the Philippines discovered that their legitimate supply chain was infiltrated with counterfeit rabies vaccines. Methods All vials suspected to be counterfeit were quarantined and surrendered to the Philippine Food and Drug Administration. Patients who may have received the counterfeit products were recalled, evaluated, and revaccinated accordingly. Vials of the counterfeit vaccines were sent to various laboratories for testing. Results Two batches of counterfeit rabies vaccines were found to have infiltrated the hospital's supply chain between December 2017 and December 2018. Of the 1711 patients who may have received counterfeit vaccines, 1397 patients were successfully contacted, and 734 were revaccinated with at least 1 dose of authentic rabies vaccine. The counterfeit vials were sterile, contained no toxic substances, and both contained active antirabies ingredient. No report of rabies infection or other adverse events were noted. Conclusions Our experience demonstrates the need for strong intervention and collaborative response from all stakeholders—government and regulatory bodies, the pharmaceutical industry, and individual institutions and consumers—to effectively eradicate counterfeiting and protect our patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The sustainable healthcare agenda has become increasingly prominent in recent years. But what does this mean for patients? In this article, we draw on our personal views and experiences as patients, carers and patient advocates, and consider the effects that efforts to improve the sustainability of healthcare may have on care quality and patient experience. We also review the small amount of existing research and policy in this area, with particular focus on documents from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Health Foundation. Based on synthesising these resources with our own experiences, we make recommendations on how to: share information with patients about how they can contribute to healthcare sustainability; offer more sustainable alternatives without pressure; account for diverse patient views on the relevance of sustainable healthcare; provide information about the impact of healthcare on the environment; involve patients and the public in leading positive change; and avoid broadening health inequalities. There is a clear need for more research and engagement to help advance our understanding and weigh up the benefits to individual patients vs. the environmental impacts on the wider population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns can form when the uniform state of any system is unstable so that some non-uniform motif grows in amplitude. Here, we identify an alternative way to form non-trivial structures, which we call "ghost-patterns". Ghost-patterns emerge from noisy initial conditions when all non-uniform modes decay in amplitude except for one non-trivial motif which fails to decay. Hence, in seeking structured states, it is not necessary to find positive growth rates. We demonstrate ghost-patterns in an idealized non-equilibrium model intended to emulate draining thin-film suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the work of the Route 66 Archives and Research Collaborative (Route 66 ARC) from the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), which seeks to collect and preserve information on the historic decommissioned U.S. federal highway Route 66. After explaining the road's construction on impact on the development of Western U.S. tourism and small businesses and town, the author details the road's preservation by the NPS both through physical conservation and the collection of oral histories. Route 66 ARC's efforts at collecting primary sources, such as roadside advertisements and postcards, and aiding in the creation of web resources related to the highway are then detailed.

We have explored the adhesive interlayer structure for a tungsten carbide reinforced amorphous hydrocarbon thin film coating (WC/a-C:H) that demonstrated excellent coating adhesion under highly stressed tribological contact. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis including cross-sectional imaging, electron diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy was performed on abrupt and gradient interfaces within the multilayer film architecture. Interpretation of these results is aided by quantum mechanical calculations that were performed to investigate bonding interactions of the Cr adhesive interlayer to the Fe substrate surface within a ∼3 nm thick interfacial region. Low levels of oxygen present in the coating deposition chamber during deposition were found at the Fe-Cr interface using high-resolution TEM. Molecular orbital calculations for a linear three-atom molecular model Fe-O-Cr demonstrate the role of O in strengthening Fe to Cr bonding within that interfacial region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of hysteresis loop-based methods for the characterization of granular magnetic materials is investigated in the presence of thermal relaxation effects. Specifically, we study the reliability of the ΔH(M,ΔM)-method to recover the intrinsic switching field distribution in the presence of thermal relaxation. As input data, we use the computational results obtained from kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of interacting Stoner-Wohlfarth particle arrays including the anisotropy field and grain size distributions, and then analyze them using the hysteron-based ΔH(M,ΔM)-method to identify the accuracy limits of this methodology. It is found that the accuracy of the ΔH(M,ΔM)-method is not substantially changed by the presence of thermal relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the analysis of the laser-produced-plasma (LPP) formed by the focusing of a 9 ns laser pulse, λ=532 nm, with a NA=0.6 aspherical lens using energies between 100-1500 μJ, into distilled water with varying solutions of table salt. Observations of the filamentation plasma were made, which are explained by self-focusing of the laser pulse by the LPP through ponderomotive cavitation of the electron plasma in the center of the beam. The filamentation of the beam through a low density plasma wave guide explains why the transmission of the pump laser through the interaction region was notably higher on previous experiments that we performed [R. Evans et al., Opt. Express 16, 7481 (2008)], than a very similar set of experiments performed by Noack and Vogel [IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35, 1156 (1999)]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using density functional theory we calculate the density profiles of a binary solvent adsorbed around a pair of big solute particles. All species interact via repulsive Gaussian potentials. The solvent exhibits fluid-fluid phase separation, and for thermodynamic states near to coexistence the big particles can be surrounded by a thick adsorbed “wetting” film of the coexisting solvent phase. On reducing the separation between the two big particles we find there can be a “bridging” transition as the wetting films join to form a fluid bridge. The effective (solvent mediated) potential between the two big particles becomes long ranged and strongly attractive in the bridged configuration. Within our mean-field treatment the bridging transition results in a discontinuity in the solvent mediated force. We demonstrate that accounting for the phenomenon of bridging requires the presence of a nonzero bridge function in the correlations between the solute particles when our model fluid is described within a full mixture theory based upon the Ornstein–Zernike equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the solvation of a hard spherical cavity, of radius R, immersed in a fluid for which the interparticle forces are short ranged. For thermodynamic states lying close to the liquid binodal, where the chemical potential deviation δμ≡μ-μco(T) is very small and positive, complete wetting by gas (drying) occurs and two regimes of interfacial behavior can be identified. These are characterized by the length scale Rc=2γgl∞/(Δρδμ), where γgl∞ is the planar gas–liquid surface tension and Δρ is the difference in coexisting densities at temperature T. For R>Rc, the interfacial free energy and the density profile of the fluid near the hard wall can be expanded in powers of the curvature R-1, in keeping with the analysis of Stillinger and Cotter [J. Chem. Phys. 55, 3449 (1971)]. In the other regime, R

We present an alternative derivation of the dynamical density functional theory for the one-body density profile of a classical fluid developed by Marconi and Tarazona [J. Chem. Phys. 110, 8032 (1999)]. Our derivation elucidates further some of the physical assumptions inherent in the theory and shows that it is not restricted to fluids composed of particles interacting solely via pair potentials; rather it applies to general, multibody interactions. The starting point for our derivation is the Smoluchowski equation and the theory is therefore one for Brownian particles and as such is applicable to colloidal fluids. In the second part of this paper we use the dynamical density functional theory to derive a theory for spinodal decomposition that is applicable at both early and intermediate times. For early stages of spinodal decomposition our nonlinear theory is equivalent to the (generalized) linear Cahn–Hilliard theory, but for later times it incorporates coupling between different Fourier components of the density fluctuations (modes) and therefore goes beyond Cahn–Hilliard theory. We describe the results of calculations for a model (Yukawa) fluid which show that the coupling leads to the growth of a second maximum in the density fluctuations, at a wave number larger than that of the main peak. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of "Educating the Educators: Outreach to the College of Education Distance Faculty and Native American Students" is to examine and explore the relationship between the Library and the College of Education regarding provision and promotion of Library services to students and faculty taking and teaching classes virtually and at satellite campus and computer lab locations throughout the state. It will include an overview of the special challenges facing the Library in providing these services to a college that oilers a large number of distance education classes, enrolls a large number of Native American students, and includes a majority of the institution's distance students and part- time distance faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The density profile ρ(z) and Gibbs adsorption Γ of a near-critical fluid confined between two identical planar walls is studied by means of Monte Carlo simulation and by density functional theory for a Lennard-Jones fluid. By reducing the strength of wall–fluid interactions relative to fluid–fluid interactions we observe a crossover from behavior characteristic of the normal surface universality class, strong critical adsorption, to behavior characteristic of a “neutral” wall. The crossover is reminiscent of that which occurs near the ordinary surface transition in Ising films subject to vanishing surface fields. For the “neutral” wall ρ(z), away from the walls, is almost constant throughout the slit capillary and gives rise to a Γ that is constant along the critical isochore. The same “neutral” wall yields a line of capillary coexistence that is almost identical to the bulk coexistence line. In the crossover regime we observe features in ρ(z) similar to those found in the magnetization profile of the critical Ising film subject to weak surface fields, namely two smooth maxima, located away from the walls, which merge into a single maximum at midpoint as the strength of the wall–fluid interaction is reduced or as the distance between walls is decreased. We discuss similarities and differences between the surface critical behavior of fluids and of Ising magnets. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply a general density functional approach for calculating the force between two big particles immersed in a solvent of smaller ones to calculate the solvent-mediated (SM) potential between two big Gaussian core particles in a binary mixture of smaller Gaussian particles, a simple model of polymers in solution. Within a mean-field free-energy functional, which generates the random phase approximation (RPA) for the bulk pair direct correlation functions, the binary solvent exhibits fluid-fluid phase separation and we show that the theory for calculating the SM potential captures effects of thick adsorbed films surrounding the big solute particles. For a single big particle there is a first-order thin-thick adsorbed film transition and in the thick-film regime-i.e., for solvent-state points lying close to the binodal, on the side where the solvent is poor in the species which is favored by the big particles-we find extremely attractive, long-ranged SM potentials between the big particles whose range is determined by the film thickness. For state points away from the binodal in the thin film regime, or above the ''wetting point'', the SM potentials are short ranged and less attractive. We show that the effects of the thick adsorbed films around the big particles are not included when the SM potential is obtained from the big-big radial distribution function g[SUBbb](r) calculated using the RPA closure to the Ornstein-Zernike equations. In the region of the solvent critical point we also find extremely attractive SM potentials whose range is now set by the bulk correlation length in the binary solvent and which increases and eventually diverges for state points approaching the critical point. We calculate the excess chemical potential of the big solute particle in the binary solvent as a function of the concentration of one of the smaller species and show that this quantity also reflects the formation of thick adsorbed films. The form of the excess chemical... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials have tremendous potential to increase electrochromic smart window efficiency, speed, and durability. However, nanoparticles vary in size, shape, and surface defects, and it is unknown how nanoparticle heterogeneity contributes to particledependent electrochromic properties. Here, we use single-nanoparticlelevel electro-optical imaging to measure structure-function relationships in electrochromic tungsten oxide nanorods. Single nanorods exhibit a particle-dependent waiting time for tinting (from 100 ms to 10 s) due to Li-ion insertion at optically inactive surface sites. Longer nanorods tint darker than shorter nanorods and exhibit a Li-ion gradient that increases from the nanorod ends to the middle. The particle-dependent ion-insertion kinetics contribute to variable tinting rates and magnitudes across large-area smart windows. Next, we quantified how particle-particle interactions impact tinting dynamics and reversibility as the nanorod building blocks are assembled into a thin film. Interestingly, single particles tint 4 times faster and cycle 20 times more reversibly than thin films made of the same particles. These findings allow us to propose a nanostructured electrode architecture that optimizes optical modulation rates and reversibility across large-area smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Presents significant outcomes of a fatigue test program under a complex spectrum. • Present blind predictions using a variety of fatigue prediction tools. • A geometry factor was derived from experimental data. Abstract Like many aircraft operators and maintainers, the Royal Australia Air Force requires the most robust of metal fatigue analysis tools for both informed acquisition and cost effective sustainment of aircraft. The Defence Science and Technology Group has been investigating and enhancing metal fatigue predictive tools for many years. This paper describes a local blind-prediction challenge for a series of coupons manufactured from Aluminium Alloy 7050-T7451 plate simulating a combat aircraft wing root shear restraint (or shear tie post) subject to a combined aerodynamic buffet and manoeuvre load spectrum. Analysts were provided with details including the geometry, material and loading, and were asked to predict the total fatigue life. Results from a detailed three dimensional finite element model of a cracked or uncracked test coupon were also available to the analysts. The results from two separate, independent blind predictions are presented and assessed along with further non-blind analyses to evaluate the current capabilities. The exercise found that accurate and reliable predictions are possible in a case like this, but the results are dependent on the availability of high-fidelity short crack rate data and a suitable stress intensity Beta solution. The work will provide confidence in existing fatigue life modelling capabilities leading to improvements in safety, availability and cost reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photon-mediated interactions between quantum systems are essential for realizing quantum networks and scalable quantum information processing. We demonstrate such interactions between pairs of silicon-vacancy (SiV) color centers coupled to a diamond nanophotonic cavity. When the optical transitions of the two color centers are tuned into resonance, the coupling to the common cavity mode results in a coherent interaction between them, leading to spectrally resolved superradiant and subradiant states. We use the electronic spin degrees of freedom of the SiV centers to control these optically mediated interactions. Such controlled interactions will be crucial in developing cavity-mediated quantum gates between spin qubits and for realizing scalable quantum network nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sakhaite, ca. Ca48Mg16(BO3)32(CO3)16(HCl,H2O)2, is a rare rock-forming borate-carbonate mineral typically occurring in high-temperature, low-pressure calcareous skarns. It forms a complete solid solution with harkerite, ca. Ca48Mg16[AlSi4(O,OH)16]4(BO3)16(CO3)16(HCl,H2O)2. The solid solution can be described with the general formula Ca 48 (Mg , Fe , Mn) 16 (CO 3) 16 [ Al a Si 5 − a (O , OH) 16 ] y (BO 3) 32 − 4 y (HCl , H 2 O) n $$\begin{array} {} {\rm{C}}{{\rm{a}}_{48}}{({\rm{Mg}},{\rm{Fe}},{\rm{Mn}})_{16}}{({\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_3})_{16}}{[{\rm{A}}{{\rm{l}}_a}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{i}}_{5 - a}}{({\rm{O}},{\rm{OH}})_{16}}]_y}{({\rm{B}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}})_{32 - 4y}}{({\rm{HCl}},{{\rm{H}}_2}{\rm{O}})_n}\end{array} $$ where ymax = 8 and nmax = 16 – y. In this study, we examine samples of sakhaite and harkerite from four localities worldwide: Titovskoye deposit, Sakha Republic, Russia (type locality for sakhaite); Solongo B deposit, Buryatia Republic, Russia; Camas Malag, Skye, Scotland (type locality for harkerite); as well as a sakhaite-like mineral from the Kombat Mine, Tsumeb. The Si:B ratios of the samples ranged from that of end-member sakhaite (containing B only) to that of end-member harkerite (Si:B = 1:1), with several intermediate compositions. All samples were deficient in B relative to the ideal composition, implying significant substitution for borate groups. The Si:Al ratio of silicate-containing samples ranged from the ideal 4:1 to 4:1.5, implying substitution of Al at the Si site. The cubic unit-cell parameter was found to increase linearly with increasing Si content, except for the sakhaite-like mineral from Tsumeb. This mineral was found to have significant substitution of Pb for Ca (0.4–0.5 apfu) and was poor in Cl, which in most sakhaite and harkerite samples occupies the interstitial site surrounded by four borate groups. This interstitial site in the Tsumeb samples appears to be, instead, mainly occupied by H2O, which may qualify the mineral as a distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the asymptotic decay of structural correlations in pure fluids, fluid mixtures, and fluids subject to various types of inhomogeneity. For short ranged potentials, both the form and the amplitude of the longest range decay are determined by leading order poles in the complex Fourier transform of the bulk structure factor. Generically, for such potentials, asymptotic decay falls into two classes: (i) controlled by a single simple pole on the imaginary axis (monotonic exponential decay) and (ii) controlled by a conjugate pair of simple poles (exponentially damped oscillatory decay). General expressions are given for the decay length, the amplitude, and [in class (ii)] the wavelength and phase involved. In the case of fluid mixtures, we find that there is only one decay length and (if applicable) one oscillatory wavelength required to specify the asymptotic decay of all the component density profiles and all the partial radial distribution functions gij(r). Moreover, simple amplitude relations link the amplitudes associated with the decay of correlation of individual components. We give explicit results for the case of binary systems, expanding on and partially correcting recent work by Martynov. In addition, numerical results for g(r) for the pure fluid square-well model and for gij(r) for binary hard sphere mixtures are presented in order to illustrate the fact that the asymptotic forms remain remarkably accurate at intermediate range. This is seen to arise because the higher order poles are typically well-separated from the low order ones. We also discuss why the asymptotics of solvation forces for confined fluids and of density profiles of inhomogeneous fluids (embracing wetting phenomena) fall within the same theoretical framework. Finally, we comment on possible modifications to the theory arising from the presence of power-law attractive potentials (dispersion forces). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use density functional methods to develop a new nonclassical theory for the homogeneous nucleation of the gas to liquid phase transition. The extent of agreement between our results and the classical prediction of Becker, Döring, and Zeldovich is strongly dependent on the range of the attractive potential which we employ. We show that our predictions are consistent with experimental data using cloud chambers, and we suggest several directions in which experimentalists might look in order to find nonclassical effects. In particular, we suggest that cavitation (gas bubble formation in a liquid subjected to tensile stress) should nucleate at a significantly greater rate than that predicted by classical theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packing effects in liquid-like films, adsorbed from bulk gas at the interface with an attractive solid substrate, may cause the fluid to adopt layer-like structure near the substrate. Such structure is inherent in the lattice gas model of adsorption where it is known to give rise to a sequence of layering transitions at low temperatures, provided the substrate (wall) is sufficiently attractive. We have used a nonlocal density functional theory to describe a continuum fluid near strongly attractive structureless walls. The theory yields oscillatory density profiles arising from packing effects. At low temperatures T (typically 0.5<=T/Tc <=0.6, where Tc is the bulk critical temperature) the adsorption may increase with pressure in a series of discontinuous jumps, each corresponding to the appearance of a new dense layer in the adsorbed film. The transitions are first order, with very small metastable regions. As in the lattice gas model the transitions exhibit critical points; above the critical temperature of a given layer the adsorption increases smoothly with increasing pressure. However, we anticipate certain qualitative differences between the transitions we observe in the continuum theory and those of the lattice gas model, since the latter overemphasizes the role of hard-core repulsion. Layering transitions also occur for fluids confined in narrow pores. We find that in cylindrical pores the transitions are shifted to lower pressures. Moreover, capillary condensation (the first order transition to a ‘‘liquid’’ that fills the pore) competes with layering resulting in a rapid truncation of the sequence of layering transitions. The implications of our results for the interpretation of adsorption measurements performed near a bulk triple point are discussed and possible surface phase diagrams are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamics of fluids confined between two adsorbing solid substrates (walls) is revisited. Attention is focused on the phase equilibria of an open system characterized by the variables μ (chemical potential), T (temperature), and H (wall separation). Clapeyron equations for the shape of lines of coexistence are derived and used to interpret the results of earlier calculations of two first-order transitions, namely capillary condensation of an undersaturated ‘‘gas’’ to ‘‘liquid’’ and prewetting (thick–thin film transition) at finite H. At such transitions the adsorption Γ and the solvation force f jump discontinuously. Criticality of a confined fluid is associated with the divergence of the derivatives (∂Γ/∂μ)T,H and (∂2Γ/∂μ2)T,H or equivalently, with the divergence of (∂f/∂H)T,μ and (∂2f/∂H2)T,μ. The presence of the additional field variable H, and its conjugate density f, implies that the phase equilibria of a confined fluid can be much richer than those of a bulk fluid or of a single interface (H=∞). By extending the formalism to multicomponent systems Clapeyron equations are derived for the coexistence of phases in confined fluid mixtures. An equation for the shift in chemical potential (or concentration) of the phase separation curve of a binary liquid mixture resulting from confinement at constant pressure and temperature is presented. This equation, which becomes exact for large separations H, is the appropriate analog for mixtures of the Kelvin equation used to describe capillary condensation in pure fluids; it can also be regarded as a generalization to nonzero concentrations of the Ostwald–Freundlich formula for the dependence of solubility on particle size. Our analysis provides a framework for interpreting recent solvation force measurements on phase-separating liquid... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of a density functional approach the phase equilibria of a simple fluid confined by two adsorbing walls have been investigated as a function of wall separation H and chemical potential μ for temperature T corresponding to both partial and complete wetting situations. For large values of H and small undersaturations Δμ ≡ μsat-μ, we recover the macroscopic formulas for the undersaturation at which a first- order phase transition (capillary condensation) from dilute ‘‘gas’’ to a dense ‘‘liquid’’ occurs in a single, infinitely long slit. For smaller H we compute the lines of coexistence between gas and liquid in the (Δμ, 1/H) plane at fixed values of T. The adsorption Γ(Δμ), at fixed T and H, is characterized by a loop. At the first order transition Γ jumps discontinuously by a finite amount; however metastable states exist and these could give rise to hysteresis of the adsorption isotherms obtained for the single slit. The loop disappears at a capillary critical point (Δμc, 1/Hc) at each T. For HΔμc, condensation can no longer occur and no metastable states are present. The location of the critical points is described and for a complete wetting situation we find that these lie outside the bulk two phase region. Our theory provides a simple explanation of phase transitions observed in earlier computer simulations and mean-field lattice gas calculations for confined fluids and suggests that measurements of the forces between plates, either by simulation or in real fluids, should provide rather direct information about capillary condensation and, possibly, capillary critical points. The relevance of our results for adsorption experiments on mesoporous solids is discussed briefly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of isotope ratios to trace Hg contamination sources in environmental compartments is now generally accepted. However, for biota and especially for mammals, it is still unknown if and/or how Hg isotopes fractionate in vivo and which tissue is most representative of the source(s) of contamination. We measured fractionation of Hg in mink ( Neovison vison ) tissues (fur, brain, blood, liver, kidney) collected during a controlled feeding experiment where captive mink were fed differing amounts of methylmercury. There was no significant effect of dietary MeHg concentrations on Hg fractionation in most tissues. Net fractionation of Hg, i.e., fractionation corrected for diet (δ 202 Hg tissue − δ 202 Hg diet ) was observed in all tissues with the greatest net fractionation occurring in the mink liver (−1.39‰) and kidney (−0.95‰). Less net fractionation, occurred in the brain (−0.12‰), blood (0.38‰) and fur (0.30‰). In the absence of brain tissue, fur is a suitable proxy which is readily obtainable and can be non-lethally collected. In these mink, it appears that biochemical processes such as demethylation, contribute to significant fractionation of Hg in the liver and kidney, but not as much in the brain and fur, where transport of Hg via thiol-containing complexes may be more important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how properties of soil organic matter (SOM) were altered after 10 years exposure to elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]) in a Mojave Desert ecosystem, using plant and microbial biomarkers. We focused on roles of Larrea tridentata , the dominant evergreen shrub which form islands of fertility, and biological soil crusts which have extensive cover in plant interspace. Soils to 5 cm in depth were collected under L. tridentata and plant interspace, and biological soil crusts to 0.5 cm in depth under three cover types, Pleuraphis rigida , a C 4 grass, shrubs and plant interspace. Soil organic carbon contents were not significantly different between elevated and ambient [CO 2 ]. However, significantly higher abundance of n -alkanes, a major constituent of foliage wax material, occurred in the elevated compared to ambient [CO 2 ] plots in the soils collected under L. tridentata , but no such difference was found in the soils at plant interspace or the biological soil crusts. There was no significant difference in abundance of microbial phospholipid fatty acids between the CO 2 treatments in the soils of either cover types. However, neutral lipid fatty acid abundance was significantly higher under elevated than ambient [CO 2 ] in the soils under L. tridentata , whereas no such significant difference was observed at plant interspace. These results emphasize important roles of the dominant shrubs in SOM formation under elevated [CO 2 ] in arid ecosystems. Elevated [CO 2 ] stimulated growth of L. tridentata in wet years, and aboveground litter deposition via senescence contributed to SOM formation in islands of fertility. In addition, elevated [CO 2 ] stimulated soil microbial turnover rates in rhizosphere of L. tridentata , which left more soil microbial necromass, a major SOM source. We concluded that responses of dominant shrubs to elevated [CO 2 ] can stimulate SOM formation in arid ecosystems, but biological soil crusts may have limited capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By assessing U geochemistry in marine sediments of Toulon Bay (NW Mediterranean Sea), authigenic U accumulation was found to be tightly linked to that of Mo and V with slight differences in accumulation rate depending on sediment redox conditions. In sediments collected on a transect along a river plume, the authigenic accumulation of these redox-sensitive elements appears to be linked to sediment grain size which probably drives the redox status of the sediments. A typical U loss in re-oxidized sediments was observed in sediments that had been previously disturbed. However, the dissolved U profiles do not show a simple and typical depletion trend but rather a depletion in the top 10 cm followed by release in deeper pore waters that could be linked to a potential reoxidation/mobilization of authigenic U(IV). The released U could be further scavenged as a U-P precipitate. The U isotopic data (δ 238 U), which are the first reported for the coastal hypoxic sediments of Toulon Bay, average −0.12 ± 0.12‰ in surface sediments. However, sediments situated in front of river mouths show higher values of δ 238 U (up to +0.75‰); these high values are reported for the first time in sediments below an oxic water column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient loadings from either point or non-point sources to the environment are related to the growing global population. Subsequent negative impacts of nutrient loading to aquatic environments requires a better understanding of the biogeochemical cycling and better tools to track their sources. This study examines the carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) discharge and cycling in a Mediterranean coastal area from rivers to marine sediments and assesses the anthropogenic contributions. Carbon and N concentrations and isotope compositions in rivers particles, surface sediments, and sediment cores were investigated to build up a quantitative multiple-end-member mixing model for C and N isotopes. This model predicts the contribution of four natural and one anthropogenic sources to the sediments and highlighted the anthropogenic fraction of P based on the relationship with anthropogenic δ 15 N. Although P is a monoisotopic element and total P concentration has been the sole index to study P loading, this study suggests an alternative approach to differentiate anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic (diagenetic) P, revealed point and non-point sources of P, and the corresponding P loading. Also, the diagenetic P background has been calculated for the 50-cm sediment layer of the whole Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) was used to study the speciation of molybdate in interaction with halides (Cl, F, Br). Desolvation during electrospray ionization induced alteration of aqueous species but method optimization successfully suppressed artefact compounds. At low Mo concentrations, chloro(oxo)molybdate and fluoro(oxo)molybdate species were found and in natural samples, MoO 3 Cl was detected for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Apparent equilibrium constants for Cl substitution on molybdate were calculated for a range of pH values from 4.5 to 8.5. A minor alteration in speciation during the gas phase (conversion of doubly charged MoO 4 2- to HMoO 4 - ) did not allow investigation of the molybdate acid-base properties; however this could be determined by speciation modeling. This study provides further evidence that ESI-HRMS is a fast and suitable tool to Deceasedassess the speciation of inorganic compounds such as Mo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following cardiac surgery performed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and has important implications for prognosis. The aetiology of cardiac surgery‐associated AKI is complex, but renal hypoxia, particularly in the medulla, is thought to play at least some role. There is strong evidence from studies in experimental animals, clinical observations and computational models that medullary ischaemia and hypoxia occur during CPB. There are no validated methods to monitor or improve renal oxygenation during CPB, and thus possibly decrease the risk of AKI. Attempts to reduce the incidence of AKI by early transfusion to ameliorate intra‐operative anaemia, refinement of protocols for cooling and rewarming on bypass, optimization of pump flow and arterial pressure, or the use of pulsatile flow, have not been successful to date. This may in part reflect the complexity of renal oxygenation, which may limit the effectiveness of individual interventions. We propose a multi‐disciplinary pathway for translation comprising three components. Firstly, large‐animal models of CPB to continuously monitor both whole kidney and regional kidney perfusion and oxygenation. Secondly, computational models to obtain information that can be used to interpret the data and develop rational interventions. Thirdly, clinically feasible non‐invasive methods to continuously monitor renal oxygenation in the operating theatre and to identify patients at risk of AKI. In this review, we outline the recent progress on each of these fronts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the effect of lattice fluctuations on the magnetic properties of nanoparticles of Fe and Co. Atomic structures were simulated using a molecular-dynamic approach, with the system slowly cooled into the ordered phase. The magnetic properties were then simulated using an atomistic approach using a classical spin Hamiltonian taking into account the long-range nature and atomic separation dependence of the exchange. The magnetic properties are found to be affected by both the particle shape and the lattice fluctuations. For a perfectly ordered lattice we find that a spherical particle has a larger magnetization for a given temperature than a cube containing the same number of atoms. We have also studied the effect of lattice fluctuations. This involves a comparison of M(T) for two cases, firstly, a nanoparticle with a fixed lattice corresponding to the low-temperature annealed state (T=20 K), and secondly a nanoparticle with a lattice structure equilibrated at the temperature T, the latter case being subject to fluctuations in the lattice spacing, and the nanoparticle shape. The dynamic structure gives rise to a reduction in the magnetization and Tc, which is a finite size effect to be considered beyond others such as the reduction in coordination at the nanoparticle surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An equivalent computational approach called ssGTBLUP was formulated for the original single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP). In ssGTBLUP, the genomic relationship matrix has the form G = ZZ' + C, where the (centered and scaled) Z marker matrix has size n x m (numbers of genotypes and markers), and the C matrix can be easily inverted. The inverse can be written as G-1 = C-1 - T'T where T is an m by n matrix. When the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method is used to solve the mixed model equations, a matrix vector product G-1d needs to be computed. In ssGBLUP, this requires n² multiplications, but in ssGTBLUP, the product T'Td has 2nm multiplications and C-1d has cn multiplications with the constant c independent of n or m. In an approximate approach called ssGTBLUP(p), the eigendecomposition of Z'C-1Z is used to reduce the number of rows in the T matrix. Here, p is the percentage of total variance explained by the accepted eigenvalues. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of ssGBLUP, ssGTBLUP, ssGTBLUP(p), and the APY (algorithm for proven and young) method. In APY, the core had 50,000 (APY50K), 30,000 (APY30K), or 10,000 (APY10K) animals. The approaches were tested on the Irish beef carcass conformation genetic evaluation which has a heterogeneous multibreed population. The pedigree had 13.3 million animals. There were m = 54,620 markers available from n = 163,277 genotyped animals. For genotyped animals, the correlations of breeding values between ssGBLUP and ssGTBLUP(p) for the 11 traits in the model ranged from 0.999-1.000 for p = 99, 0.998-1.000 for p = 98, and 0.992-0.998 for p = 95 but were 0.994-1.000 for APY50K, 0.969-0.997 for APY30K, and 0.899-0.967 for APY10K. Computing times per iteration were 4.43, 3.30, 2.69, 2.29, 1.55, 1.76, 1.27, and 0.55 min for ssGBLUP, ssGTBLUP, ssGTBLUP(99), ssGTBLUP(98), ssGTBLUP(95), APY50K, APY30K, and APY10K, respectively. The ssGTBLUP(p) approach allowed a well-defined approximation to ssGBLUP and fast computations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils deliver a range of ecosystem services and underpin conventional global food production which must increase to feed the projected growth in human population. Although soil erosion by water and subsequent sediment delivery to rivers are natural processes, anthropogenic pressures, including modern farming practices and management, have accelerated soil erosion rates on both arable and grassland. A range of approaches can be used to assess and document soil erosion rates and, in the case of the UK, these mainly comprise the 137 Cs-based approach, conventional surveys using volumetric measurements, integration of information on suspended sediment flux, fine sediment source apportionment and landscape sediment retention and traditional bounded hydrological monitoring at edge-of-field using experimental platforms. We compare the erosion rates for arable and grassland in lowland England assessed by these different techniques. Rates assessed by volumetric measurements are similar to those generated by integrating information on suspended sediment flux, sources and landscape retention, but are much less than those estimated by the 137 Cs-based approach; of the order of one magnitude less for arable land. The 137 Cs approach assumes an initial distribution of 137 Cs uniformly spread across the landscape and relates the sampled distribution to erosion, but other (transport) processes are also involved and their representation in the calibration procedures remains problematic. We suggest that the 137 Cs technique needs to be validated more rigorously and conversion models re-calibrated. As things stand, rates of erosion based on the distribution of 137 Cs may well overstate the severity of the problem in lowland Britain and, therefore, are not a reliable indicator of water erosion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections continue to remain one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among lung transplant recipients. Here, we report an unusual opportunistic fungal infection, caused by Alternaria species, in a lung transplant patient whose immunosuppression was augmented with belatacept. A 67-year-old male 11 months post bilateral lung transplant for IPF, presented with multiple skin lesions on left forearm, that were raised and violaceous. Immunosuppression included tacrolimus (goal trough 10-12ng/ml), mycophenolate 500mg, prednisone 10mg and monthly belatacept for about 8 months prior to presentation. The only pertinent history noted was that he has a birdfeeder and has been feeding the birds. Biopsy of the lesions showed suppurative granuloma with fungal organisms in the dermis, morphologically consistent with dematiaceous fungus. A definite diagnosis could not be made based on the pathology. Patient was empirically started on voriconazole. A week later cultures revealed Alternaria species. We stopped belatacept and lowered the tacrolimus goal to 8-10ng/ml. Voriconazole trough level ranged 2.9-4.1 mcg/ml. Though voriconazole minimal inhibitory concentration was higher, we continued the voriconazole as skin lesions improved. Alternaria species are dematiaceous fungi that can cause skin and soft tissue infections, rhinosinusitis and oculomycosis in immunocompromised patients. Histopathological diagnosis alone can be challenging and diagnosis is often made via culture. Relapses have been reported on treatment cessation. A high index of suspicion is crucial in assessing immunocompromised patients with unusual skin lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the long-term efficacy and safety of two disease-modifying therapies, risdiplam and nusinersen, for children with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The study conducted matching-adjusted indirect comparisons using patient-level data from two separate trials. The results suggest that children treated with risdiplam may experience greater improvements in survival, motor function, and time to first serious adverse event compared to those treated with nusinersen. However, it is important to consider that these findings may be influenced by unobserved baseline differences between the groups. Further research and consultation of additional data sources are recommended. [Extracted from the article]