We describe caudal analgesia agent, dose, reported adverse events, and outcomes in a single-centre, retrospective cohort study of 200 patients undergoing cardiac surgery from October 2020 to April 2023. Median (interquartile range) doses of clonidine and morphine were 2.7 (2.1–3) mCg/kg and 0.12 (0.1–1.12) mg/kg, respectively. Our findings suggest that a clonidine/morphine caudal was tolerated in cardiac surgical patients.

We undertake a comprehensive investigation into the distribution of in situ stars within Milky Way-like galaxies, leveraging TNG50 simulations and comparing their predictions with data from the H3 survey. Our analysis reveals that 28% of galaxies demonstrate reasonable agreement with H3, while only 12% exhibit excellent alignment in their profiles, regardless of the specific spatial cut employed to define in situ stars. To uncover the underlying factors contributing to deviations between TNG50 and H3 distributions, we scrutinise correlation coefficients among internal drivers (e.g. virial radius, star formation rate [SFR]) and merger-related parameters (such as the effective mass-ratio, mean distance, average redshift, total number of mergers, average spin-ratio, and maximum spin alignment between merging galaxies). Notably, we identify significant correlations between deviations from observational data and key parameters such as the median slope of virial radius, mean SFR values, and the rate of SFR change across different redshift scans. Furthermore, positive correlations emerge between deviations from observational data and parameters related to galaxy mergers. We validate these correlations using the Random Forest Regression method. Our findings underscore the invaluable insights provided by the H3 survey in unravelling the cosmic history of galaxies akin to the Milky Way, thereby advancing our understanding of galactic evolution and shedding light on the formation and evolution of Milky Way-like galaxies in cosmological simulations.

We present the Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey conducted with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). EMU aims to deliver the touchstone radio atlas of the southern hemisphere. We introduce EMU and review its science drivers and key science goals, updated and tailored to the current ASKAP five-year survey plan. The development of the survey strategy and planned sky coverage is presented, along with the operational aspects of the survey and associated data analysis, together with a selection of diagnostics demonstrating the imaging quality and data characteristics. We give a general description of the value-added data pipeline and data products before concluding with a discussion of links to other surveys and projects and an outline of EMU’s legacy value.

Surfactant transport is central to a diverse range of natural phenomena with numerous practical applications in physics and engineering. Surprisingly, this process remains relatively poorly understood at the molecular scale. Here, we use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations to study the spreading of sodium dodecyl sulphate on a thin film of liquid water. The molecular form of the control volume is extended to a coordinate system moving with the liquid–vapour interface to track surfactant spreading. We use this to compare the NEMD results to the continuum description of surfactant transport on an interface. By including the molecular details in the continuum model, we establish that the transport equation preserves substantial accuracy in capturing the underlying physics. Moreover, the relative importance of the different mechanisms involved in the transport process is identified. Consequently, we derive a novel exact molecular equation for surfactant transport along a deforming surface. Close agreement between the two conceptually different approaches, i.e. NEMD simulations and the numerical solution of the continuum equation, is found as measured by the surfactant concentration profiles, and the time dependence of the so-called spreading length. The current study focuses on a relatively simple specific solvent–surfactant system, and the observed agreement with the continuum model may not arise for more complicated industrially relevant surfactants and anti-foaming agents. In such cases, the continuum approach may fail to predict accompanying phase transitions, which can still be captured through the NEMD framework.

Objectives/Goals: We describe the prevalence of individuals with household exposure to SARS-CoV-2, who subsequently report symptoms consistent with COVID-19, while having PCR results persistently negative for SARS-CoV-2 (S[+]/P[-]). We assess whether paired serology can assist in identifying the true infection status of such individuals. Methods/Study Population: In a multicenter household transmission study, index patients with SARS-CoV-2 were identified and enrolled together with their household contacts within 1 week of index’s illness onset. For 10 consecutive days, enrolled individuals provided daily symptom diaries and nasal specimens for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Contacts were categorized into 4 groups based on presence of symptoms (S[+/-]) and PCR positivity (P[+/-]). Acute and convalescent blood specimens from these individuals (30 days apart) were subjected to quantitative serologic analysis for SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid, spike, and receptor-binding domain antibodies. The antibody change in S[+]/P[-] individuals was assessed by thresholds derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of S[+]/P[+] (infected) versusS[-]/P[-] (uninfected). Results/Anticipated Results: Among 1,433 contacts, 67% had ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 PCR[+] result, while 33% remained PCR[-]. Among the latter, 55% (n = 263) reported symptoms for at least 1 day, most commonly congestion (63%), fatigue (63%), headache (62%), cough (59%), and sore throat (50%). A history of both previous infection and vaccination was present in 37% of S[+]/P[-] individuals, 38% of S[-]/P[-], and 21% of S[+]/P[+] (P<0.05). Vaccination alone was present in 37%, 41%, and 52%, respectively. ROC analyses of paired serologic testing of S[+]/P[+] (n = 354) vs. S[-]/P[-] (n = 103) individuals found anti-nucleocapsid data had the highest area under the curve (0.87). Based on the 30-day antibody change, 6.9% of S[+]/P[-] individuals demonstrated an increased convalescent antibody signal, although a similar seroresponse in 7.8% of the S[-]/P[-] group was observed. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Reporting respiratory symptoms was common among household contacts with persistent PCR[-] results. Paired serology analyses found similar seroresponses between S[+]/P[-] and S[-]/P[-] individuals. The symptomatic-but-PCR-negative phenomenon, while frequent, is unlikely attributable to true SARS-CoV-2 infections that go missed by PCR.

There is mounting interest in the dual health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets. Such diets prioritise whole foods of plant origin and moderate (though occasionally exclude) animal-sourced foods. However, the evidence base on plant-based diets and health outcomes in Australasia is limited and diverse, making it unsuitable for systematic review. This review aimed to assess the current state of play, identify research gaps and suggest good practice recommendations. The consulted evidence base included key studies on plant-based diets and cardiometabolic health or mortality outcomes in Australian and New Zealand adults. Most studies were observational, conducted in Australia, published within the last decade, and relied on a single dietary assessment about 10–30 years ago. Plant-based diets were often examined using categories of vegetarianism, intake of plant or animal protein, or dietary indices. Health outcomes included mortality, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, CVD and metabolic syndrome. While Australia has an emerging and generally favourable evidence base on plant-based diets and health outcomes, New Zealand’s evidence base is still nascent. The lack of similar studies hinders the ability to judge the overall certainty of evidence, which could otherwise inform public health policies and strategies without relying on international studies with unconfirmed applicability. The proportional role of plant- and animal-sourced foods in healthy, sustainable diets in Australasia is an underexplored research area with potentially far-reaching implications, especially concerning nutrient adequacy and the combined health and environmental impacts.