Waterhemp has become a serious management challenge for field crop growers in New York. Two putative glyphosate-resistant (GR) waterhemp populations (NY1 and NY2) were collected in 2023 from two soybean fields in Seneca County, NY. The objectives of this research were to 1) confirm and characterize the level of glyphosate resistance in waterhemp populations from New York relative to a known glyphosate-susceptible population from Nebraska (NE_SUS), and 2) evaluate the efficacy of various postemergence herbicides for GR waterhemp control. Based on the shoot dry weight reductions (GR50 values) in a dose-response study, the NY1 and NY2 populations exhibited 5.6- to 8.3-fold resistance to glyphosate compared with the NE_SUS population. In a separate study, postemergence herbicides such as dicamba, glufosinate, lactofen, and 2,4-D applied alone or in a mixture with glyphosate or glufosinate had provided 89% to 99% control and ≥97% shoot dry weight reduction of NY1 and NY2 populations 21 d after treatment. Greater than 98% control of the NE_SUS population was achieved with tested postemergence herbicides, except mesotrione (62% control). Furthermore, atrazine, chlorimuron + thifensulfuron, and mesotrione were the least effective in controlling NY1 and NY2 populations (42% to 59% control and 50% to 67% shoot dry weight reductions, respectively). These results confirm the first report of GR waterhemp in New York. Growers should adopt effective alternative postemergence herbicides tested in this study to manage GR waterhemp.

Weed-suppression benefits of cover crops (CCs) have long been recognized; however, the specific ability of CCs to suppress highly epidemic Amaranthus spp. (Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.), and waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer]) has not been widely discussed. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the implications of CC management decisions (CC type, planting and termination methods, residue fate after termination, and in-season weed management plan) on Amaranthus spp. weed density (ASWD) and Amaranthus spp. weed biomass (ASWB) compared with no CC (NCC) in temperate regions, including the United States and Canada. We found 41 studies conducted across the United States and Canada and extracted 595 paired observations. The results indicate that CCs reduced the ASWD by 58% in the early season (0 to 4 wk after crop planting [WAP]), by 48% in the midseason (5 to 8 WAP), and by 44% in the late season (>8 WAP). Similarly, CCs reduced ASWB by 59%, 55%, and 37% in the early, mid-, and late season, respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed CCs terminated within 2.5 wk of crop planting reduced ASWD by ≥50%. CC biomass required to reduce ASWD and ASWB by 50% was 4,079 kg ha−1 for ASWD and 5,352 kg ha−1 for ASWB. Among CC types, grasses and mixtures reduced ASWD by 60% and 77% in early season, 53% and 59% in midseason, and 44% and 47% in late season. Legume CCs were effective only during the early season (47% ASWD reduction), while brassicas did not affect ASWD. CC residues remaining on the soil surface were more effective for reducing ASWD than incorporation. CCs did not affect ASWD or ASWB compared with NCC when herbicides were used for in-season weed management. In general, CCs were found to reduce ASWD and ASWB and therefore can be used as an effective tool for integrated management of Amaranthus spp.

Integrating cover crops (CCs) in dryland crop rotations could help in controlling herbicide-resistant weeds. Field experiments were conducted at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS, from 2020 to 2023 to determine the effect of fall-planted CCs on weed suppression in grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], crop yield, and net returns in no-till dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–grain sorghum–fallow (W-S-F) rotation. The field site had a natural seedbank of glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J. Scott] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson). A CC mixture [winter triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus [Secale × Triticum])–winter peas (Pisum sativum L.)–canola (Brassica napus L.)–radish (Raphanus sativus L.)] was planted after wheat harvest and terminated at triticale heading stage before sorghum planting. Treatments included nontreated control, chemical fallow, CC terminated with glyphosate (GLY), and CC terminated with GLY+ acetochlor/atrazine (ACR/ATZ). Across 3 yr, CC terminated with GLY+ACR/ATZ reduced total weed density by 34% to 81% and total weed biomass by 45% to 73% compared with chemical fallow during the sorghum growing season. Average grain sorghum yield was 786 to 1,432 kg ha−1 and did not differ between chemical fallow and CC terminated with GLY+ACR/ATZ. However, net returns were lower with both CC treatments (−US$275 to US$66) in all 3 yr compared with chemical fallow (−US$111 to US$120). These results suggest that fallow replacement with fall-planted CCs in the W-S-F rotation can help suppress GR B. scoparia and A. palmeri in the subsequent grain sorghum. However, the cost of integrating CCs exceeded the benefits of improved weed control, and lower net returns were recorded in all 3 yr compared with chemical fallow.

This work studies upper-limb impairment resulting from stroke or traumatic brain injury and presents a simple technological solution for a subset of patients: a soft, active stretching aid for at-home use. To better understand the issues associated with existing associated rehabilitation devices, customer discovery conversations were conducted with 153 people in the healthcare ecosystem (60 patients, 30 caregivers, and 63 medical providers). These patients fell into two populations: spastic (stiff, clenched hands) and flaccid (limp hands). Focusing on the first category, a set of design constraints was developed based on the information collected from the customer discovery. With these constraints in mind, a powered wrist-hand stretching orthosis (exoskeleton) was designed and prototyped as a preclinical study (T0 basic science research) to aid in recovery. The orthosis was tested on two patients for proof-of-concept, one survivor of stroke and one of traumatic brain injury. The prototype was able to consistently open both patients’ hands. A mathematical model was developed to characterize joint stiffness based on experimental testing. Donning and doffing times for the prototype averaged 76 and 12.5 s, respectively, for each subject unassisted. This compared favorably to times shown in the literature. This device benefits from simple construction and low-cost materials and is envisioned to become a therapy device accessible to patients in the home. This work lays the foundation for phase 1 clinical trials and further device development.

Residual blood specimens collected at health facilities may be a source of samples for serosurveys of adults, a population often neglected in community-based serosurveys. Anonymized residual blood specimens were collected from individuals 15 – 49 years of age attending two sub-district hospitals in Palghar District, Maharashtra, from November 2018 to March 2019. Specimens also were collected from women 15 – 49 years of age enrolled in a cross-sectional, community-based serosurvey representative at the district level that was conducted 2 – 7 months after the residual specimen collection. Specimens were tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses. Measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates using facility-based specimens were 99% and 92%, respectively, with men having significantly lower rubella seropositivity than women. Age-specific measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates were similar between the two specimen sources. Although measles seropositivity was slightly higher among adults attending the facilities, both facility and community measles seroprevalence estimates were 95% or higher. The similarity in measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates between the community-based and facility serosurveys highlights the potential value of residual specimens to approximate community seroprevalence.

Objectives: Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) employ compensatory cognitive processes to maintain independence in day-to-day functioning as compared to patients with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) supports cognitive compensation in normal aging and MCI. Using Paired Associative Stimulation combined with Electroencephalography (PAS-EEG) we have previously shown that patients with AD have impaired DLPFC plasticity compared to healthy control (HC) individuals. The aim of this study is to examine whether DLPFC plasticity in individuals with MCI is preserved compared to those with AD and HC, serving as a potential mechanism underlying cognitive compensation in MCI.

Methods: We analyzed a combined cross-sectional data of 47 AD, 16 MCI, and 40 HC participants from three different studies that assessed their DLPFC plasticity using PAS-EEG. PAS-EEG assesses DLPFC plasticity via the induction of Long Term Potentiation (LTP)-like activity, thereby referred to as PAS-LTP. Using multiple regression, we compared PAS-LTP in MCI to PAS-LTP in AD and HCs, after adjusting for age andgender.

Results: Among the 47 participants with AD (mean [SD] age = 75.3 [7] years), 29 were women and 18 were men; among the 16 participants with MCI (mean [SD] age = 74.8 [6] years), 11 were women and 5 were men; and among the 40 HCs (mean [SD] age = 76.4 [5.1] years), 22 were women and 18 were men. After adjusting for age and gender, there was an impact of diagnostic group on PAS-LTP [F (2,95) = 4.19, p = 0.018, between-group comparison η2 = 0.81]. Post-hoc comparisons showed that participants with MCI had a higher PAS-LTP (mean [SD] = 1.31 [0.49]) than those with AD (mean [SD] = 1.09 [0.28]) (Bonferroni corrected p = 0.042) but not different from PAS-LTP in HCs (mean [SD] = 1.25 [0.33]) (Bonferroni corrected p = 1.0).

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that plasticity is preserved in the DLPFC among individuals with MCI, supporting the hypothesis that DLPFC plasticity contributes to cognitive compensation towards delaying progression to AD. Thus, further enhancement of longer preservation of DLPFC plasticity in individuals with MCI could further delay the onset of AD in this population.

Residual blood specimens provide a sample repository that could be analyzed to estimate and track changes in seroprevalence with fewer resources than household-based surveys. We conducted parallel facility and community-based cross-sectional serological surveys in two districts in India, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh, and Palghar District, Maharashtra, before and after a measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) from 2018 to 2019. Anonymized residual specimens from children 9 months to younger than 15 years of age were collected from public and private diagnostic laboratories and public hospitals and tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses. Significant increases in seroprevalence were observed following the MR SIA using the facility-based specimens. Younger children whose specimens were tested at a public facility in Kanpur Nagar District had significantly lower rubella seroprevalence prior to the SIA compared to those attending a private hospital, but this difference was not observed following the SIA. Similar increases in rubella seroprevalence were observed in facility-based and community-based serosurveys following the MR SIA, but trends in measles seroprevalence were inconsistent between the two specimen sources. Despite challenges with representativeness and limited metadata, residual specimens can be useful in estimating seroprevalence and assessing trends through facility-based sentinel surveillance.

Multiple herbicide–resistant (MHR) kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] is a concern for farmers in the Great Plains. A total of 82 B. scoparia populations were collected from western Kansas (KS), western Oklahoma (OK), and the High Plains of Texas (TX) during fall of 2018 and 2019 (from the various locations), and their herbicide resistance status was evaluated. The main objectives were to (1) determine the distribution and frequency of resistance to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate; and (2) characterize the resistance levels to glyphosate, dicamba, and/or fluroxypyr in selected B. scoparia populations. Results indicated that 33%, 100%, 48%, 30%, and 70% of the tested B. scoparia populations were potentially resistant (≥20% survival frequency) to atrazine, chlorsulfuron, dicamba, fluroxypyr, and glyphosate, respectively. A three-way premixture of dichlorprop/dicamba/2,4-D provided 100% control of all the tested populations. Dose–response studies further revealed that KS-9 and KS-14 B. scoparia populations were 5- to 10-fold resistant to dicamba, 3- to 6-fold resistant to fluroxypyr, and 4- to 5-fold resistant to glyphosate as compared with the susceptible (KS-SUS) population. Similarly, OK-10 and OK-11 populations were 10- to 13-fold resistant to dicamba and 3- to 4-fold resistant to fluroxypyr and glyphosate compared with the OK-SUS population. TX-1 and TX-13 B. scoparia populations were 2- to 4-fold resistant to dicamba, and TX-1 was 5-fold resistant to glyphosate compared with the TX-SUS population. These results confirm the first report of dicamba- and fluroxypyr-resistant B. scoparia from Oklahoma and glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant B. scoparia from Texas. These results imply that adopting effective integrated weed management strategies (chemical and nonchemical) is required to mitigate the further spread of MHR B. scoparia in the region.

Multiple herbicide classes–resistant (MHCR) kochia poses a serious concern for producers in the Central Great Plains, including western Kansas. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted at Kansas State University Research and Extension Centers near Hays and Garden City, KS, to evaluate pyridate-based postemergence herbicide mixtures for controlling MHCR kochia. One previously confirmed MHCR population (resistant to atrazine, glyphosate, dicamba, and fluroxypyr) and a susceptible (SUS) kochia population were tested in a greenhouse study. The kochia population at Hays field site was resistant to atrazine, dicamba, and glyphosate, whereas the kochia population at the Garden City site was resistant to atrazine and glyphosate. Colby’s analysis revealed synergistic interactions when pyridate was mixed with atrazine, dicamba, dichlorprop-p, fluroxypyr, glyphosate, or halauxifen/fluroxypyr and resulted in ≥94% control and shoot dry-biomass reduction of MHCR kochia in a greenhouse study. Similarly, synergistic interactions were observed for MHCR kochia control in fallow field studies at both sites when pyridate was mixed with glyphosate or atrazine. Kochia control was increased from 26% to 90% with the application of glyphosate + pyridate and from 28% to 95% with atrazine + pyridate at both sites as compared to separate applications of glyphosate or atrazine. This is the first report for such a strong synergistic effect for both glyphosate and atrazine mixtures with pyridate on a weed resistant to both. All other pyridate-based herbicide mixtures showed an additive interaction and resulted in better control of MHCR kochia (87% to 100%) as compared to their individual applications (23% to 92%) across both sites except 2,4-D. These results suggest that pyridate can play a crucial role in various postemergence herbicide mixtures for effective control of MHCR kochia.

Volunteer corn (Zea mays L.) is a competitive weed in corn-based cropping systems. Scientific literature does not exist about the water use of volunteer corn grown in different crops and irrigation systems. The objectives of this study were to characterize the growth and evapotranspiration (ETa) of volunteer corn in corn, soybean [Glycine max (L). Merr.], and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under center-pivot irrigation (CPI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems. Field experiments were conducted in south-central Nebraska in 2021 and 2022. Soil moisture sensors were installed at depths of 0 to 0.30, 0.30 to 0.60, and 0.60 to 0.90 m to track soil water balance and quantify seasonal total ETa. Corn was the most competitive, as volunteer corn had the lowest biomass, leaf area, and plant height compared with the fallow. Soybean was the least competitive with volunteer corn, as the plant height, biomass, and leaf area of volunteer corn in soybean were similar to fallow at 15, 30, 45, and 60 d after transplanting (DATr). Averaged across crop treatments, irrigation type did not affect volunteer corn growth at 15 to 45 DATr. Soil water depletion and ETa were similar across crop treatments with and without volunteer corn, as water was not a limiting factor in this study. The ETa of volunteer corn was the highest in soybean (623 mm), followed by sorghum (622 mm), and corn (617 mm) under CPI. The SDI had higher irrigation efficiency, because without affecting crop yield, it had 3%, 6%, and 8% lower ETa in soybean (605 mm), sorghum (585 mm), and corn (571 mm), respectively. Although soil water use did not differ with volunteer corn infestation, a soybean yield loss of 27% was observed, which suggests that volunteer corn may not compete for moisture under fully irrigated conditions; however, it can impact the crop yield potential due to competition for factors other than soil moisture.

Nebraska is one of the top five corn-growing states in the United States, with the planting of corn on 3.5 to 4 million hectares annually. Harvest loss of corn results in volunteer corn interference in the crop grown in rotation. Estimating the extent of harvest loss and expected volunteer corn density is a key to planning an integrated volunteer corn management program. This study aimed to evaluate the harvest loss of corn and estimate the potential for volunteerism. Harvest loss samples were collected after corn harvest from a total of 47 fields in six counties, including 26 corn fields in 2020, and 21 fields in 2021, in south-central and southeastern Nebraska. An individual cornfield size was 16 to 64 ha. A total of 16 samples were collected from each field after corn harvest in 2020 and 2021. Harvest loss of corn was 1.5% and 0.7% of the average yield of 15,300 kg ha−1 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Corn harvest loss was 191 and 80 kg ha−1 from dryland fields, and 206 and 114 kg ha−1 from irrigated fields in 2020 and 2021, respectively. An average kernel loss of 68 and 33 m−2 occurred in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The germination percentage of corn kernels collected from harvest loss was 51%, which implies that volunteer corn plants of 35 and 17 m−2 from 2020 and 2021, respectively, could be expected in successive years. A volunteer corn management plan is required, because if it is not controlled, this level of volunteer corn density can cause yield reduction depending on the crop grown in rotation.

Shales from six locations in Oklahoma were subjected to natural weathering for 2 yr. Simulated weathering of these shales was effected in the laboratory by subjecting them to ultrasonic treatment in a tank type device. Both treatments produced disaggregation. X-ray diffraction patterns for the ultrasoni-cally treated and weathered shales indicated no major changes in the types of clay minerals. However, natural weathering in the field produced degradation of the clay minerals in addition to disaggregation of the shales. Ultrasonic treatment appears to be a good predictive test for determining the durability and weatherability of the shales; however, it can simulate field weathering only so far as the engineering index properties of the shale are concerned. It is not a predictive test where the mineralogical characteristics are of significance.