Exchangeable partitions of the integers and their corresponding mass partitions on $\mathcal{P}_{\infty} = \{\mathbf{s} = (s_{1},s_{2},\ldots)\colon s_{1} \geq s_{2} \geq \cdots \geq 0$ and $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}s_{k} = 1\}$ play a vital role in combinatorial stochastic processes and their applications. In this work, we continue our focus on the class of Gibbs partitions of the integers and the corresponding stable Poisson–Kingman-distributed mass partitions generated by the normalized jumps of a stable subordinator with an index $\alpha \in (0,1)$, subject to further mixing. This remarkable class of infinitely exchangeable random partitions is characterized by probabilities that have Gibbs (product) form. These partitions have practical applications in combinatorial stochastic processes, random tree/graph growth models, and Bayesian statistics. The most notable class consists of random partitions generated from the two-parameter Poisson–Dirichlet distribution $\mathrm{PD}(\alpha,\theta)$. While the utility of Gibbs partitions is recognized, there is limited understanding of the broader class. Here, as a continuation of our work, we address this gap by extending the dual coagulation/fragmentation results of Pitman (1999), developed for the Poisson–Dirichlet family, to all Gibbs models and their corresponding Poisson–Kingman mass partitions, creating nested families of Gibbs partitions and mass partitions. We focus primarily on fragmentation operations, identifying which classes correspond to these operations and providing significant calculations for the resulting Gibbs partitions. Furthermore, for completion, we provide definitive results for dual coagulation operations using dependent processes. We demonstrate the applicability of our results by establishing new findings for Brownian excursion partitions, Mittag-Leffler, and size-biased generalized gamma models.

A novel entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species, Steinernema tarimense n. sp., was isolated from soil samples collected in a Populus euphratica forest located in Yuli County within the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China. Integrated morphological and molecular analyses consistently place S. tarimense n. sp. within the ‘kushidai-clade’. The infective juvenile (IJ) of new species is characterized by a body length of 674–1010 μm, excretory pore located 53–80 μm from anterior end, nerve ring positioned 85–131 μm from anterior end, pharynx base situated 111–162 μm from anterior end, a tail length of 41–56 μm, and the ratios D% = 42.0–66.6, E% = 116.2–184.4, and H% = 25.5–45.1. The first-generation male of the new species is characterized by a curved spicule length of 61–89 μm, gubernaculum length of 41–58 μm, and ratios D% = 36.8–66.2, SW% = 117.0–206.1, and GS% = 54.8–82.0. Additionally, the tail of first-generation female is conoid with a minute mucron. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, 28S, and mt12S sequences demonstrated that the three isolates of S. tarimense n. sp. are conspecific and form a sister clade to members of the ‘kushidai-clade’ including S. akhursti, S. anantnagense, S. kushidai, and S. populi. Notably, the IJs of the new species exhibited faster development at 25°C compared to other Steinernema species. This represents the first described of an indigenous EPN species from Xinjiang, suggesting its potential as a novel biocontrol agent against local pests.

This is a proof-of-concept study to compare the effects of a 2-week program of “Remind-to-move” (RTM) treatment using closed-loop and open-loop wearables for hemiparetic upper extremity in patients with chronic stroke in the community. The RTM open-loop wearable device has been proven in our previous studies to be useful to address the learned nonuse phenomenon of the hemiparetic upper extremity. A closed-loop RTM wearable device, which emits reminding cues according to actual arm use, was developed in this study. A convenience sample of 16 participants with chronic unilateral stroke recruited in the community was engaged in repetitive upper extremity task-specific practice for 2 weeks while wearing either a closed-loop or an open-loop ambulatory RTM wearable device on their affected hand for 3 hrs a day. Evaluations were conducted at pre-/post-intervention and follow-up after 4 weeks using upper extremity motor performance behavioral measures, actual arm use questionnaire, and the kinematic data obtained from the device. Results showed that both open-loop and closed-loop training groups achieved significant gains in all measures at posttest and follow-up evaluations. The closed-loop group showed a more significant improvement in movement frequency, hand functions, and actual arm use than did the open-loop group. Our findings supported the use of closed-loop wearables, which showed greater effects in terms of promoting the hand use of the hemiparetic upper extremity than open-loop wearables among patients with chronic stroke.

Characterizing the structure and composition of clay minerals on the surface of Mars is important for reconstructing past aqueous processes and environments. Data from the CheMin X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover demonstrate a ubiquitous presence of collapsed smectite (basal spacing of 10 Å) in ~3.6-billion-year-old lacustrine mudstone in Gale crater, except for expanded smectite (basal spacing of 13.5 Å) at the base of the stratigraphic section in a location called Yellowknife Bay. Hypotheses to explain expanded smectite include partial chloritization by Mg(OH)2 or solvation-shell H2O molecules associated with interlayer Mg2+. The objective of this work is to test these hypotheses by measuring partially chloritized and Mg-saturated smectite using laboratory instruments that are analogous to those on Mars rovers and orbiters. This work presents Mars-analog XRD, evolved gas analysis (EGA), and visible/shortwave-infrared (VSWIR) data from three smectite standards that were Mg-saturated and partially and fully chloritized with Mg(OH)2. Laboratory data are compared with XRD and EGA data collected from Yellowknife Bay by the Curiosity rover to examine whether the expanded smectite can be explained by partial chloritization and what this implies about the diagenetic history of Gale crater. Spectral signatures of partial chloritization by hydroxy-Mg are investigated that may allow the identification of partially chloritized smectite in Martian VSWIR reflectance spectra collected from orbit or in situ by the SuperCam instrument suite on the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. Laboratory XRD and EGA data of partially chloritized saponite are consistent with data collected from Curiosity. The presence of partially chloritized (with Mg(OH)2) saponite in Gale crater suggests brief interactions between diagenetic alkaline Mg2+-bearing fluids and some of the mudstone exposed at Yellowknife Bay, but not in other parts of the stratigraphic section. The location of Yellowknife Bay at the base of the stratigraphic section may explain the presence of alkaline Mg2+-bearing fluids here but not in other areas of Gale crater investigated by Curiosity. Early diagenetic fluids may have had a sufficiently long residence time in a closed system to equilibrate with basaltic minerals, creating an elevated pH, whereas diagenetic environments higher in the section may have been in an open system, therefore preventing fluid pH from becoming alkaline.

Background: Epilepsy affects approximately 3% of Canadian children. Despite the availability of standardized seizure abortion guidelines, many patients require personalized treatment plans due to genetic factors, medical contraindications, or a history of adverse medication reactions. This study aims to create and evaluate personalized Acute Seizure Action Plans (ASAPs) for epilepsy patients at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Methods: Using a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework, we developed electronic ASAPs for integration into participants’ electronic medical records. The effectiveness and user satisfaction of these ASAPs will be evaluated through electronic surveys administered to Neurology physicians, Emergency Department (ED) physicians, and patient participants at baseline and six months post-implementation. Results: Baseline surveys were administered to ED physicians with a 70% response rate, indicating only 43% satisfaction with current generic seizure treatment practice. One hundred percent of respondents expressed interest in using an ASAP, citing challenges in selecting the appropriate anti-seizure medications and determining when to adjust treatment as priorities. These findings underscore the need for ASAP implementation. Conclusions: ED providers desire improved seizure action plans. ASAP implementation is expected to enhance emergency seizure management, reduce adverse events among epilepsy patients, and increase satisfaction of seizure management among all participants.

Background: Neck vessel imaging is often performed in hyperacute stroke to allow neurointerventionalists to estimate access complexity. This study aimed to assess clinician agreement on catheterization strategies based on imaging in these scenarios. Methods: An electronic portfolio of 60 patients with acute ischemic stroke was sent to 53 clinicians. Respondents were asked: (1) the difficulty of catheterization through femoral access with a regular Vertebral catheter, (2) whether to use a Simmons or reverse-curve catheter initially, and (3) whether to consider an alternative access site. Agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ Kappa statistics. Results: Twenty-two respondents (7 neurologists, 15 neuroradiologists) completed the survey. Overall there was slight interrater agreement (κ=0.17, 95% CI: 0.10–0.25). Clinicians with >50 cases annually had better agreement (κ=0.22) for all questions than those with fewer cases (κ=0.07). Agreement did not significantly differ by imaging modality: CTA (κ=0.18) and MRA (κ=0.14). In 40/59 cases (67.80%), at least 25% of clinicians disagreed on whether to use a Simmons or reverse-curve catheter initially. Conclusions: Agreement on catheterization strategies remains fair at best. Our results suggest that visual assessment of pre-procedural vessels imaging is not reliable for the estimation of endovascular access complexity.

According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999), the Principle of Homonymy (Article 52) states that when two or more taxa are distinguished from each other, they must not be denoted by the same name because this would cause confusion. Consequently, in a case of homonymy, only the senior name may be used as valid (Art. 52.2). The ICZN (1999) also indicates that if the rejected junior homonym has no known available and potentially valid synonym, it must be replaced by a new substitute name (Art. 60.3), that is, a replacement name.

Multicenter clinical trials are essential for evaluating interventions but often face significant challenges in study design, site coordination, participant recruitment, and regulatory compliance. To address these issues, the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences established the Trial Innovation Network (TIN). The TIN offers a scientific consultation process, providing access to clinical trial and disease experts who provide input and recommendations throughout the trial’s duration, at no cost to investigators. This approach aims to improve trial design, accelerate implementation, foster interdisciplinary teamwork, and spur innovations that enhance multicenter trial quality and efficiency. The TIN leverages resources of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program, complementing local capabilities at the investigator’s institution. The Initial Consultation process focuses on the study’s scientific premise, design, site development, recruitment and retention strategies, funding feasibility, and other support areas. As of 6/1/2024, the TIN has provided 431 Initial Consultations to increase efficiency and accelerate trial implementation by delivering customized support and tailored recommendations. Across a range of clinical trials, the TIN has developed standardized, streamlined, and adaptable processes. We describe these processes, provide operational metrics, and include a set of lessons learned for consideration by other trial support and innovation networks.

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a chronic disease manifestation of the waterborne parasitic infection Schistosoma haematobium that affects up to 56 million women and girls, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Starting from early childhood, this stigmatizing gynaecological condition is caused by the presence of Schistosoma eggs and associated toxins within the genital tract. Schistosoma haematobium typically causes debilitating urogenital symptoms, mostly as a consequence of inflammation, which includes bleeding, discharge and lower abdominal pelvic pain. Chronic complications of FGS include adverse sexual and reproductive health and rights outcomes such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. FGS is associated with prevalent human immunodeficiency virus and may increase the susceptibility of women to high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Across SSA, and even in clinics outside endemic areas, the lack of awareness and available resources among both healthcare professionals and the public means FGS is underreported, misdiagnosed and inadequately treated. Several studies have highlighted research needs and priorities in FGS, including better training, accessible and accurate diagnostic tools, and treatment guidelines. On 6 September, 2024, LifeArc, the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance and partners from the BILGENSA Research Network (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) convened a consultative, collaborative and translational workshop: ‘Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Translational Challenges and Opportunities’. Its ambition was to identify practical solutions that could address these research needs and drive appropriate actions towards progress in tackling FGS. Here, we present the outcomes of that workshop – a series of discrete translational actions to better galvanize the community and research funders.

The First Large Absorption Survey in H i (FLASH) is a large-area radio survey for neutral hydrogen in and around galaxies in the intermediate redshift range $0.4\lt z\lt1.0$, using the 21-cm H i absorption line as a probe of cold neutral gas. The survey uses the ASKAP radio telescope and will cover 24,000 deg$^2$ of sky over the next five years. FLASH breaks new ground in two ways – it is the first large H i absorption survey to be carried out without any optical preselection of targets, and we use an automated Bayesian line-finding tool to search through large datasets and assign a statistical significance to potential line detections. Two Pilot Surveys, covering around 3000 deg$^2$ of sky, were carried out in 2019-22 to test and verify the strategy for the full FLASH survey. The processed data products from these Pilot Surveys (spectral-line cubes, continuum images, and catalogues) are public and available online. In this paper, we describe the FLASH spectral-line and continuum data products and discuss the quality of the H i spectra and the completeness of our automated line search. Finally, we present a set of 30 new H i absorption lines that were robustly detected in the Pilot Surveys, almost doubling the number of known H i absorption systems at $0.4\lt z\lt1$. The detected lines span a wide range in H i optical depth, including three lines with a peak optical depth $\tau\gt1$, and appear to be a mixture of intervening and associated systems. Interestingly, around two-thirds of the lines found in this untargeted sample are detected against sources with a peaked-spectrum radio continuum, which are only a minor (5–20%) fraction of the overall radio-source population. The detection rate for H i absorption lines in the Pilot Surveys (0.3 to 0.5 lines per 40 deg$^2$ ASKAP field) is a factor of two below the expected value. One possible reason for this is the presence of a range of spectral-line artefacts in the Pilot Survey data that have now been mitigated and are not expected to recur in the full FLASH survey. A future paper in this series will discuss the host galaxies of the H i absorption systems identified here.

The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) offers powerful new capabilities for studying the polarised and magnetised Universe at radio wavelengths. In this paper, we introduce the Polarisation Sky Survey of the Universe’s Magnetism (POSSUM), a groundbreaking survey with three primary objectives: (1) to create a comprehensive Faraday rotation measure (RM) grid of up to one million compact extragalactic sources across the southern $\sim50$% of the sky (20,630 deg$^2$); (2) to map the intrinsic polarisation and RM properties of a wide range of discrete extragalactic and Galactic objects over the same area; and (3) to contribute interferometric data with excellent surface brightness sensitivity, which can be combined with single-dish data to study the diffuse Galactic interstellar medium. Observations for the full POSSUM survey commenced in May 2023 and are expected to conclude by mid-2028. POSSUM will achieve an RM grid density of around 30–50 RMs per square degree with a median measurement uncertainty of $\sim$1 rad m$^{-2}$. The survey operates primarily over a frequency range of 800–1088 MHz, with an angular resolution of 20” and a typical RMS sensitivity in Stokes Q or U of 18 $\mu$Jy beam$^{-1}$. Additionally, the survey will be supplemented by similar observations covering 1296–1440 MHz over 38% of the sky. POSSUM will enable the discovery and detailed investigation of magnetised phenomena in a wide range of cosmic environments, including the intergalactic medium and cosmic web, galaxy clusters and groups, active galactic nuclei and radio galaxies, the Magellanic System and other nearby galaxies, galaxy halos and the circumgalactic medium, and the magnetic structure of the Milky Way across a very wide range of scales, as well as the interplay between these components. This paper reviews the current science case developed by the POSSUM Collaboration and provides an overview of POSSUM’s observations, data processing, outputs, and its complementarity with other radio and multi-wavelength surveys, including future work with the SKA.

Collisions are crucial in governing particle and energy transport in plasmas confined in a magnetic mirror trap. Modern gyrokinetic codes model transport in magnetic mirrors, but some utilize approximate model collision operators. This study focuses on a Pastukhov-style method of images calculation of particle and energy confinement times using a Lenard-Bernstein model collision operator. Prior work on parallel particle and energy balances used a different Fokker-Planck plasma collision operator. The method must be extended in non-trivial ways to study the Lenard-Bernstein operator. To assess the effectiveness of our approach, we compare our results with a modern finite element solver. Our findings reveal that the particle confinement time scales like a exp(a2) using the Lenard-Bernstein operator, in contrast to the more accurate scaling that the Coulomb collision operator would yield a2 exp(a2), where a2 is approximately proportional to the ambipolar potential. We propose that codes solving for collisional losses in magnetic mirrors utilizing the Lenard-Bernstein or Dougherty collision operator scale their collision frequency of any electrostatically confined species. This study illuminates the collision operator’s intricate role in the Pastukhov-style method of images calculation of collisional confinement.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a postemergence rice herbicide that has reduced rice yield in some situations, and producers are concerned that the impact could be even greater with low rice seeding densities. Therefore, research was conducted in Stoneville, MS, from 2019 to 2021, to evaluate the effect of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on rice yield when a hybrid was seeded at reduced densities. Rice cultivar FullPage RT 7521 FP was seeded at 10, 17, 24, 30, and 37 kg ha−1. At the 4-leaf to 1-tiller growth stage, florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied at 0 or 58 g ai ha−1. Rice injury following application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl was ≤8% across all seeding rates and evaluation intervals. Application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl reduced plant heights by 14% to all seeding rates but did not result in delayed rice maturity. When florpyrauxifen-benzyl was not applied to rice that was seeded at 10 and 17 kg ha−1 seeding rates, rice matured slower than when it was seeded at 24, 30, and 37 kg ha−1. When florpyrauxifen-benzyl was applied, rough rice grain yields were reduced by at the 17 and 37 kg ha−1 seeding rates, but not at any other seeding rate. In conclusion, application of florpyrauxifen-benzyl at a 2× rate can cause a loss of yield resulting from variation in rice densities.

Objectives/Goals: Personalized cancer therapy based on genomic testing is advancing patient care. Genomic alterations in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) predict response to FGFR inhibitors; however, the role of RNA expression and protein activation is not known. We propose to examine the phospho-proteomic signature in FGFR-altered cancers to identify new candidates for FGFR-targeted therapies. Methods/Study Population: In our preliminary study, we have curated a cohort of FGFR2 mutants (13 FGFR2-fusions and 4 FGFR2 point mutations) with known clinical outcomes to FGFR inhibitors and 8 FGFR2 wild-type (WT) cholangiocarcinoma tumor samples to investigate the phospho-proteomic fingerprint using a clinical grade reverse phase protein array (RPPA). RPPAs are high throughput quantitative antibody-based proteomics assays that can quantify hundreds of proteins in thousands of patient tissues providing a high degree of sensitivity through laser tumor microdissection (LCM). We have selected proteins in the FGFR signaling pathway including FGFR2, AKT, ERK1.2, STAT1/3, FRS2, and PLCg to define the range of phospho-proteomic signal between FGFR2 WT and mutant cancers. All samples will undergo evaluation with RNASeq for gene expression. Results/Anticipated Results: Our initial analysis defined the range of RNA expression of FGFR2 and pFGFR2 protein signal (Y653/654 and Y769) between FGFR2 WT and FGFR2 mutant samples. On average, the FGFR2 mutant cohort displayed higher FGFR2 RNA expression compared to the FGFR2 WT cohort. There is no apparent correlation between RNA expression and clinical response to FGFR-targeted therapy. However, in this small cohort, there is no significant difference in FGFR2 phosphorylation between FGFR2 WT and mutant cancers. RPPA analysis of FGFR downstream signaling proteins reveals a wide range of phosphorylation, but no significant difference between FGFR2 WT and mutant cancers. Discussion/Significance of Impact: These findings illustrate the complexities of FGFR signaling between FGFR2 WT and mutant cancers. These data suggest that tumors with genomically WT FGFR may display increased pFGFR2 and downstream signaling phospho-proteins. We propose a larger study of cholangiocarcinoma to evaluate evidence of FGFR pathway activation in WT tumors.

Quantum field theory predicts a nonlinear response of the vacuum to strong electromagnetic fields of macroscopic extent. This fundamental tenet has remained experimentally challenging and is yet to be tested in the laboratory. A particularly distinct signature of the resulting optical activity of the quantum vacuum is vacuum birefringence. This offers an excellent opportunity for a precision test of nonlinear quantum electrodynamics in an uncharted parameter regime. Recently, the operation of the high-intensity Relativistic Laser at the X-ray Free Electron Laser provided by the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields has been inaugurated at the High Energy Density scientific instrument of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser. We make the case that this worldwide unique combination of an X-ray free-electron laser and an ultra-intense near-infrared laser together with recent advances in high-precision X-ray polarimetry, refinements of prospective discovery scenarios and progress in their accurate theoretical modelling have set the stage for performing an actual discovery experiment of quantum vacuum nonlinearity.