Background: Stroke incidence is rising among younger adults (≤65yrs). Modifiable and behavioural risk factors are linked to stroke; however, limited understanding of knowledge and behaviour exists around preventative/lifestyle medicine (LSM) among this patient population. Study aim was to assess younger adult stroke patients’ lifestyle knowledge, habits, and barriers. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected through an online, self-reported survey following a routine stroke prevention clinic visit and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Sample included 103 participants (56.3% women, 60% white, mean age 47.6, 54.5% prior stroke). Majority (63%) understood current healthy lifestyle recommendations around blood pressure, sleep, and alcohol use, but fewer (<24.3%) around exercise and diet. Almost 70% ate processed food weekly, with emotions and social/family situations influencing eating habits. Interestingly, despite not understanding the current recommendations, >80% exercised moderately (3.5d/wk) with work and family responsibilities as main barriers. Over 50% slept <7hrs/night, had moderate to high stress levels, and implemented different coping strategies (food, TV, video games, and exercise). Majority (82.4%) reported willingness to change habits. Conclusions: Our findings provide valuable insight on young adult stroke patients’ preventative/LSM-related knowledge, habits, and barriers and provide new opportunities for the development of brain care-related initiatives.

Changing practice patterns caused by the pandemic have created an urgent need for guidance in prescribing stimulants using telepsychiatry for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A notable spike in the prescribing of stimulants accompanied the suspension of the Ryan Haight Act, allowing the prescribing of stimulants without a face-to-face meeting. Competing forces both for and against prescribing ADHD stimulants by telepsychiatry have emerged, requiring guidelines to balance these factors. On the one hand, factors weighing in favor of increasing the availability of treatment for ADHD via telepsychiatry include enhanced access to care, reduction in the large number of untreated cases, and prevention of the known adverse outcomes of untreated ADHD. On the other hand, factors in favor of limiting telepsychiatry for ADHD include mitigating the possibility of exploiting telepsychiatry for profit or for misuse, abuse, and diversion of stimulants. This Expert Consensus Group has developed numerous specific guidelines and advocates for some flexibility in allowing telepsychiatry evaluations and treatment without an in-person evaluation to continue. These guidelines also recognize the need to give greater scrutiny to certain subpopulations, such as young adults without a prior diagnosis or treatment of ADHD who request immediate-release stimulants, which should increase the suspicion of possible medication diversion, misuse, or abuse. In such cases, nonstimulants, controlled-release stimulants, or psychosocial interventions should be prioritized. We encourage the use of outside informants to support the history, the use of rating scales, and having access to a hybrid model of both in-person and remote treatment.

Tight focusing with very small f-numbers is necessary to achieve the highest at-focus irradiances. However, tight focusing imposes strong demands on precise target positioning in-focus to achieve the highest on-target irradiance. We describe several near-infrared, visible, ultraviolet and soft and hard X-ray diagnostics employed in a ∼1022 W/cm2 laser–plasma experiment. We used nearly 10 J total energy femtosecond laser pulses focused into an approximately 1.3-μm focal spot on 5–20 μm thick stainless-steel targets. We discuss the applicability of these diagnostics to determine the best in-focus target position with approximately 5 μm accuracy (i.e., around half of the short Rayleigh length) and show that several diagnostics (in particular, 3$\omega$ reflection and on-axis hard X-rays) can ensure this accuracy. We demonstrated target positioning within several micrometers from the focus, ensuring over 80% of the ideal peak laser intensity on-target. Our approach is relatively fast (it requires 10–20 laser shots) and does not rely on the coincidence of low-power and high-power focal planes.

The North-Eastern region (NER) of India falls under the Eastern Himalayan region and it is a bio-diversity hub. Diverse maize landraces with wide adaptability to extreme climatic and soil scenario like heavy rainfall, drought and acidic soil conditions have been grown in NER since time immemorial. However, maize diversity in NER region has drastically reduced due to introduction of high yielding varieties and hybrids. Modern maize breeding programmes are focused on high yield but other unique traits like stay green trait, prolificacy (more than one fertile ear per plant), self-fertilizing ability are also important and the local germplasm of the NER region can contribute with these unique traits. Prior to the selection of any lines in several breeding programmes, assessment of genetic diversity and population structure are basic requirements. Hence, in the present study assessment of genetic diversity and population structure study in 30 maize inbreds developed from different germplasm of NER was undertaken using SSR markers, selected for their broad distribution throughout the genome, in order to assess the extent of allelic diversity among the lines and whether any population structure could be established. In addition to assessing molecular diversity, the study aims to evaluate the potential for yield and other beneficial and unique alleles that have high potential to contribute in the genetic enhancement programme of maize.

Kerala, a humid tropical southern state, is the third largest producer of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) in India. This tree spice is an important livelihood option for the rural society, especially in Palakkad district which is the lead producer of tamarind in the state with a few accepted primitive cultivars, viz. ‘valanpuli’, ‘madhurapuli’ and ‘thenpuli’. A survey was conducted to identify the fruit variability and document the sweet tamarind types of Palakkad. This study revealed the variability and weight of 30 fruits was seen to be the most indicative variable of tamarind in Kerala. The pod length varied from 5.28 to 23.41 cm and fruit weight from 4.83 to 43.40 g. Hierarchical clustering on principal component analysis resulted in six clusters. The clusters I, IV and V represented collections with fruit weight more than 20 g. Box plot diagrams revealed the high real pulp value in sample KTJ 162 (9.57) and high fruit length in KTJ 44 (21.68 cm). Among 113 collections, 18 samples were collected as perceived sweet types based on local enquiry. In the scatter plot between total soluble solids and ratio between total soluble solids and total titrable acidity, two samples were spotted as sweet types with acidity below 8%. Further molecular characterization and systematic crop improvement programmes are required for conserving the eroding gene pool of tamarind in Kerala and to develop sweet types for commercial production.

We present new theoretical period–luminosity (PL) and period–radius (PR) relations at multiple wavelengths (Johnson–Cousins–Glass and Gaia passbands) for a fine grid of BL Herculis models computed using mesa-rsp. The non-linear models were computed for periods typical of BL Her stars, i.e. 1 ≤ P(days) ≤ 4, covering a wide range of input parameters: metallicity (−2.0 dex ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 0.0 dex), stellar mass (0.5–0.8 ), luminosity (50–300 ) and effective temperature (full extent of the instability strip; in steps of 50K). We investigate the impact of four sets of convection parameters on multi-wavelength properties. Most empirical relations match well with theoretical relations from the BL Her models computed using the four sets of convection parameters. No significant metallicity effects are seen in the PR relations. Another important result from our grid of BL Her models is that it supports combining PL relations of RR Lyrae and Type II Cepheids together as an alternative to classical Cepheids for the extragalactic distance scale calibration.

Background: Chordomas are rare malignant skull-base/spine cancers with devastating neurological morbidities and mortality. Unfortunately, no reliable prognostic factors exist to guide treatment decisions. This work identifies DNA methylation-based prognostic chordoma subtypes that are detectable non-invasively in plasma. Methods: Sixty-eight tissue samples underwent DNA methylation profiling and plasma methylomes were obtained for available paired samples. Immunohistochemical staining and publicly available methylation and gene expression data were utilized for validation. Results: Unsupervised clustering identified two prognostic tissue clusters (log-rank p=0.0062) predicting disease-specific survival independent of clinical factors (Multivariable Cox: HR=16.5, 95%CI: 2.8-96, p=0.0018). The poorer-performing cluster showed immune-related pathway promoter hypermethylation and higher immune cell abundance within tumours, which was validated with external RNA-seq data and immunohistochemical staining. The better-performing cluster showed higher tumour cellularity. Similar clusters were seen in external DNA methylation data. Plasma methylome-based models distinguished chordomas from differential diagnoses in independent testing sets (AUROC=0.84, 95%CI: 0.52-1.00). Plasma methylomes were highly correlated with tissue-based signals for both clusters (r=0.69 & 0.67) and leave-one-out models identified the correct cluster in all plasma cases. Conclusions: Prognostic molecular chordoma subgroups are for the first time identified, characterized, and validated. Plasma methylomes can detect and subtype chordomas which may transform chordoma treatment with personalized approaches tailored to prognosis.

The sustainability of rigid packaging can be increased by using biocomposites in packaging. Existing frameworks have some limitations such as are made to assess a few aspects, conventional packaging parameters are considered, etc. Biocomposite has a slightly different scenario at various life cycle stages, like the end-of-life cycle process. To assess the sustainability of biocomposite rigid packaging, we must consider parameters related to the biocomposite-based rigid packaging materials life cycle. These are categorised into different aspects of sustainability and life cycle phases.

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum truncatum is a major soybean disease in India. Genetic resistance is the viable option to combat yield losses due to this disease. In the current study, 19 soybean genotypes were evaluated for anthracnose disease resistance at five locations (Medziphema, Palampur, Dharwad, Jabalpur and Indore) for three consecutive years (2017–2019) to identify stable and superior genotypes as resistant sources and to elucidate genotype (G) × environment (E) interactions. Genotype effect, environment effect and G × E interactions were found significant (P < 0.001) where G × E interactions contributed highest (42.44) to the total variation followed by environment (29.71) and genotype (18.84). Through Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAASB) stability analysis, PS 1611 (WAASB score = 0.33) was found to be most stable and through WAASBY superiority analysis NRC 128 (WAASBY score = 94.31) and PS 1611 (WAASBY score = 89.43) were found to be superior for mean performance and stability. These two genotypes could be candidate parents for breeding for durable and stable anthracnose resistance. Through principal component analysis, disease score was found to be positively associated with relative humidity, wind speed at 2 m above ground level, effect of temperature on radiation use efficiency and global solar radiation based on latitude and Julian day. Among the five locations, Indore was found to be highly discriminative with the highest mean disease incidence and could differentiate anthracnose-resistant and susceptible genotypes effectively, therefore can be considered an ideal location for breeding for field resistance against anthracnose disease.

Existence of genetic divergence, appropriate characterization of breeding lines for economically important traits and determining parents with favourable alleles is the crux of crop genetic improvement programmes. This study is the first report of unravelling genetics and potential of petaloid-type cytoplasmic male sterile (pt-CMS) lines in carrot. Ten pt-CMS lines were crossed with 10 inbreds in line × tester mating fashion to generate 100 testcross progenies. Nutritional profiling of the 100 testcrosses progenies along with 20 parental types was carried out for two consecutive years for eight important traits to identify superior combiners. The pooled analysis revealed that the carotenoid content in root is under the genetic control of major genes (oligogenic). The pooled analysis revealed less than unity value of σ2A/D and σgca2/σsca2 for majority of the traits depicting preponderance of non-additive gene effects. The pt-CMS lines KT-28A, Kt-62A, KT-80A and KT-95A were identified as good combiners for carotenoids. The cross combination, KT-98A × KS-50 identified as the best heterotic combiner for CUPRAC and FRAP content over the years. Similarly, the combinations, KT-62A × KS-21, KT-80A × New Kuroda and KT-62A × KS-59 were found promising across the years for developing nutritionally rich F1 hybrids. The interaction analysis among the different antioxidant traits and plant pigments unveiled the scope of simultaneous improvement.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is a polyphagous and highly destructive invasive insect pest of many crops. It was recently introduced into India and widely reported in almost all parts of India. Development of a temperature-based phenology model for predicting its rate of development and distribution will help in understanding the establishment and further spread of introduced invasive insect pests. Development, survival and reproduction parameters of S. frugiperda at six constant temperature conditions (15, 20, 25, 27, 30 and 35°C) were investigated and further validated with data generated under fluctuating temperature conditions. The estimated lower developmental threshold temperatures were 12.1°C for eggs, 11°C for larvae, 12.2°C for pupae, 15.13°C for males and 12.66°C for females. Degree-day (DD) requirements for the development of the different stages of S. frugiperda were 50, 250 and 200 DD for egg, larva and pupa, respectively. The best-fitted functions were compiled for each life stage to yield a phenology model, which was stochastically simulated to estimate the life table parameters. The developed phenology model predicted temperature ranges between 27 and 30°C as favourable for S. frugiperda development, survival and reproduction. The results revealed that maximum net reproductive rate (215.66 females/female/generation) and total fecundity (981.08 individuals/female/generation) were attained at 30°C constant temperature. The mean length of generations decreased from 74.29 days at 15°C to 38.74 days at 30°C. The maximum intrinsic rate of increase (0.138 females/female/day) and shortest doubling time (4.9 days) were also observed at 30°C. Results of simulated life table parameters showed high temperature-dependent development of S. frugiperda and complete development within all the tested constant temperature ranges (15–35°C). Simulated life table parameters for predicting risk indices of S. frugiperda in India indicated a significant increase in activity indices and establishment risk indices with a higher number of generations during future (2050 and 2070) climatic change scenarios compared to present conditions. Our results indicate that India will be highly suitable for the establishment and survival of S. frugiperda in future time periods.

Acquisition and germination of seeds are the most desired targets for the improvement of vegetatively propagated crops. In the present study, we developed a potential embryo germination protocol for the Red Globe grape cultivar having a low seed germination rate. Three grape berries at different developmental stages, viz. 50, 60 and 70 days after flowering (DAF), were selected for in-vitro embryo germination. Three growth media, namely Emershad and Ramming (ER), Nitsch and Nitsch (NN) and Murashige and Skoog (MS), and plant growth regulators (benzyl amino purine (BA), 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mg/l; indole butyric acid (IBA), 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l; and gibberellic acid (GA), 0.1, 0.3 and 0.9 mg/l) were screened individually in different combinations with three amino acids, namely cysteine, glutamine and proline (2.0 μmol/l each). The maximum embryos germination percentage recorded at 70 DAF was 63.33, 47.78 and 45.56% in ER, NN and MS media, respectively, supplemented with 0.9 mg/l BA, 2.0 mg/l IBA, 0.9 mg/l GA and 2.0 μmol glutamine. Glutamine was found to have the most significant impact, and it improved the rescued embryos germination. The present study provides a potential recipe for a medium that can facilitate efficient germination of grape embryos.

We present a detailed analysis of the radio galaxy PKS $2250{-}351$, a giant of 1.2 Mpc projected size, its host galaxy, and its environment. We use radio data from the Murchison Widefield Array, the upgraded Giant Metre-wavelength Radio Telescope, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array to model the jet power and age. Optical and IR data come from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey and provide information on the host galaxy and environment. GAMA spectroscopy confirms that PKS $2250{-}351$ lies at $z=0.2115$ in the irregular, and likely unrelaxed, cluster Abell 3936. We find its host is a massive, ‘red and dead’ elliptical galaxy with negligible star formation but with a highly obscured active galactic nucleus dominating the mid-IR emission. Assuming it lies on the local M–$\sigma$ relation, it has an Eddington accretion rate of $\lambda_{\rm EDD}\sim 0.014$. We find that the lobe-derived jet power (a time-averaged measure) is an order of magnitude greater than the hotspot-derived jet power (an instantaneous measure). We propose that over the lifetime of the observed radio emission (${\sim} 300\,$Myr), the accretion has switched from an inefficient advection-dominated mode to a thin disc efficient mode, consistent with the decrease in jet power. We also suggest that the asymmetric radio morphology is due to its environment, with the host of PKS $2250{-}351$ lying to the west of the densest concentration of galaxies in Abell 3936.