Objectives/Goals: This study tests how fiber microstructural integrity and myelination levels within the cingulum connectome are associated with information processing speed (IPS) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We investigate the functional impact of structural coherence, myelin content, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) load on IPS. Methods/Study Population: Data from 63 RRMS and 25 healthy controls (HC) were used. We hypothesize that the structural integrity of the cingulum bundle and its structural network – or connectome – is distinctly associated with IPS function in people with RRMS (vs. HC) due to myelin-related plasticity across the wiring. Using diffusion spectrum imaging and high-resolution tract segmentation, we constructed individualized white matter connectomes. Diffusion quantitative anisotropy (QA) and myelin fractions (MWF) were used to quantify structural coherence and myelination. WMH load was measured with T2-FLAIR imaging. Bayesian–Pearson correlations, mixed-linear, and moderation models explored how fiber-specific QA, MWF, and WMH load relate to IPS function in RRMS, as measured by Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Results/Anticipated Results: We theorize that (1) QA in the cingulum connectome correlates with SDMT performance dimensionally, indicating that structural coherence in the white matter supports IPS function among both groups; (2) increased myelination will strengthen the positive association between QA and SDMT scores, suggesting that connectome-specific myelin content facilitates IPS; (3) conversely, WMH load within the cingulum connectome is expected to inversely correlate with SDMT scores, reflecting the detrimental impact of lesion burden on IPS function; (4) myelination in specialized tracts within the cingulum connectome play a compensatory role to support IPS function in the RRMS group. These investigations can offer a mechanistic clue to potential neuroplastic targets for cognitive interventions in MS. Discussion/Significance of Impact: By linking white matter integrity to cognitive function at the connectome level, this study can support neuroregenerative strategies to mitigate cognitive burden in RRMS. Our findings may advance understanding of how structural coherence, tract myelination, and WMH affect IPS, shaping personalized prognostic and therapeutic interventions.

We present the first results from a new backend on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, the Commensal Realtime ASKAP Fast Transient COherent (CRACO) upgrade. CRACO records millisecond time resolution visibility data, and searches for dispersed fast transient signals including fast radio bursts (FRB), pulsars, and ultra-long period objects (ULPO). With the visibility data, CRACO can localise the transient events to arcsecond-level precision after the detection. Here, we describe the CRACO system and report the result from a sky survey carried out by CRACO at 110-ms resolution during its commissioning phase. During the survey, CRACO detected two FRBs (including one discovered solely with CRACO, FRB 20231027A), reported more precise localisations for four pulsars, discovered two new RRATs, and detected one known ULPO, GPM J1839 $-$10, through its sub-pulse structure. We present a sensitivity calibration of CRACO, finding that it achieves the expected sensitivity of 11.6 Jy ms to bursts of 110 ms duration or less. CRACO is currently running at a 13.8 ms time resolution and aims at a 1.7 ms time resolution before the end of 2024. The planned CRACO has an expected sensitivity of 1.5 Jy ms to bursts of 1.7 ms duration or less and can detect $10\times$ more FRBs than the current CRAFT incoherent sum system (i.e. 0.5 $-$2 localised FRBs per day), enabling us to better constrain the models for FRBs and use them as cosmological probes.

North Carolina growers have long struggled to control Italian ryegrass, and recent research has confirmed that some Italian ryegrass biotypes have become resistant to nicosulfuron, glyphosate, clethodim, and paraquat. Integrating alternative management strategies is crucial to effectively control such biotypes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate Italian ryegrass control with cover crops and fall-applied residual herbicides and investigate cover crop injury from residual herbicides. This study was conducted during the fall/winter of 2021–22 in Salisbury, NC, and fall/winter of 2021–22 and 2022–23 in Clayton, NC. The study was designed as a 3 × 5 split-plot in which the main plot consisted of three cover crop treatments (no-cover, cereal rye at 80 kg ha−1, and crimson clover at 18 kg ha−1), and the subplots consisted of five residual herbicide treatments (S-metolachlor, flumioxazin, metribuzin, pyroxasulfone, and nontreated). In the 2021–22 season at Clayton, metribuzin injured cereal rye and crimson clover 65% and 55%, respectively. However, metribuzin injured both cover crops ≤6% in 2022–23. Flumioxazin resulted in unacceptable crimson clover injury of 50% and 38% in 2021–22 and 2022–23 in Clayton and 40% in Salisbury, respectively. Without preemergence herbicides, cereal rye controlled Italian ryegrass by 85% and 61% at 24 wk after planting in 2021–22 and 2022–23 in Clayton and 82% in Salisbury, respectively. In 2021–22, Italian ryegrass seed production was lowest in cereal rye plots at both locations, except when it was treated with metribuzin. For example, in Salisbury, cereal rye plus metribuzin resulted in 39,324 seeds m–2, compared to ≤4,386 seeds m–2 from all other cereal rye treatments. In 2022–23, Italian ryegrass seed production in cereal rye was lower when either metribuzin or pyroxasulfone were used preemergence (2,670 and 1,299 seeds m–2, respectively) compared with cereal rye that did not receive an herbicide treatment (5,600 seeds m–2). cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.)

Vaccines have revolutionised the field of medicine, eradicating and controlling many diseases. Recent pandemic vaccine successes have highlighted the accelerated pace of vaccine development and deployment. Leveraging this momentum, attention has shifted to cancer vaccines and personalised cancer vaccines, aimed at targeting individual tumour-specific abnormalities. The UK, now regarded for its vaccine capabilities, is an ideal nation for pioneering cancer vaccine trials. This article convened experts to share insights and approaches to navigate the challenges of cancer vaccine development with personalised or precision cancer vaccines, as well as fixed vaccines. Emphasising partnership and proactive strategies, this article outlines the ambition to harness national and local system capabilities in the UK; to work in collaboration with potential pharmaceutic partners; and to seize the opportunity to deliver the pace for rapid advances in cancer vaccine technology.

Two studies were conducted in 2022 and 2023 near Rocky Mount and Clayton, NC, to determine the optimal granular ammonium sulfate (AMS) rate and application timing for pyroxasulfone-coated AMS. In the rate study, AMS rates included 161, 214, 267, 321, 374, 428, and 481 kg ha−1, equivalent to 34, 45, 56, 67, 79, 90, and 101 kg N ha−1, respectively. All rates were coated with pyroxasulfone at 118 g ai ha−1 and topdressed onto 5- to 7-leaf cotton. In the timing study, pyroxasulfone (118 g ai ha−1) was coated on AMS and topdressed at 321 kg ha−1 (67 kg N ha−1) onto 5- to 7-leaf, 9- to 11-leaf, and first bloom cotton. In both studies, weed control and cotton tolerance to pyroxasulfone-coated AMS were compared to pyroxasulfone applied POST and POST-directed. The check in both studies received non-herbicide-treated AMS (321 kg ha−1). Before treatment applications, all plots (including the check) were maintained weed-free with glyphosate and glufosinate. In both studies, pyroxasulfone applied POST was most injurious (8% to 16%), while pyroxasulfone-coated AMS resulted in ≤4% injury. Additionally, no differences in cotton lint yield were observed in either study. With the exception of the lowest rate of AMS (161 kg ha−1; 79%), all AMS rates coated with pyroxasulfone controlled Palmer amaranth ≥83%, comparably to pyroxasulfone applied POST (92%) and POST-directed (89%). In the timing study, the application method did not affect Palmer amaranth control; however, applications made at the mid- and late timings outperformed early applications. These results indicate that pyroxasulfone-coated AMS can control Palmer amaranth comparably to pyroxasulfone applied POST and POST-directed, with minimal risk of cotton injury. However, the application timing could warrant additional treatment to achieve adequate late-season weed control.

There is growing evidence that the broadband radio spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of star-forming galaxies (SFGs) contain a wealth of complex physics. In this paper we aim to determine the physical emission and loss processes causing radio SED curvature and steepening to see what observed global astrophysical properties, if any, are correlated with radio SED complexity. To do this, we have acquired radio continuum data between 70 MHz and 17 GHz for a sample of 19 southern local ($z \lt 0.04$) SFGs. Of this sample 11 are selected to contain low-frequency ($ \lt $300 MHz) turnovers (LFTOs) in their SEDs and eight are control galaxies with similar global properties. We model the radio SEDs for our sample using a Bayesian framework whereby radio emission (synchrotron and free-free) and absorption or loss processes are included modularly. We find that without the inclusion of higher frequency data ($ \gt $17 GHz) single synchrotron power-law based models are always preferred for our sample; however, additional processes including free-free absorption (FFA) and synchrotron losses are often required to accurately model radio SED complexity in SFGs. The fitted synchrotron spectral indices range from $-0.45$ to $-1.07$ and are strongly anticorrelated with stellar mass suggesting that synchrotron losses are the dominant mechanism acting to steepen the spectral index in larger/more massive nearby SFGs. We find that LFTOs in the radio SED are independent from the inclination of SFGs; however, higher inclination galaxies tend to have steeper fitted spectral indices indicating losses to diffusion of cosmic ray electrons into the galactic halo. Four of five of the merging systems in our SFG sample have elevated specific star formation rates and flatter fitted spectral indices with unconstrained LFTOs. Lastly, we find no significant separation in global properties between SFGs with or without modelled LFTOs. Overall these results suggest that LFTOs are likely caused by a combination of FFA and ionisation losses in individual recent starburst regions with specific orientations and interstellar medium properties that, when averaged over the entire galaxy, do not correlate with global astrophysical properties.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a well-established cause of morbidity in critically ill patients. Current VAP criteria exclude patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This retrospective analysis tests the validity of VAP in this population, as well as a new proposed diagnostic criterion for ECMO-associated pneumonia.

An experiment was conducted in 2022 and 2023 near Rocky Mount and Clayton, NC, to evaluate residual herbicide-coated fertilizer for cotton tolerance and Palmer amaranth control. Treatments included acetochlor, atrazine, dimethenamid-P, diuron, flumioxazin, fluometuron, fluridone, fomesafen, linuron, metribuzin, pendimethalin, pyroxasulfone, pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone, S-metolachlor, and sulfentrazone. Each herbicide was individually coated on granular ammonium sulfate (AMS) and top-dressed at 321 kg ha−1 (67 kg N ha−1) onto 5- to 7-leaf cotton. The check plots received the equivalent rate of nonherbicide-treated AMS. Before top-dress, all plots (including the check) were treated with glyphosate and glufosinate to control previously emerged weeds. All herbicides except metribuzin resulted in transient cotton injury. Cotton response to metribuzin varied by year and location. In 2022, metribuzin caused 11% to 39% and 8% to 17% injury at the Clayton and Rocky Mount locations, respectively. In 2023, metribuzin caused 13% to 32% injury at Clayton and 73% to 84% injury at Rocky Mount. Pyroxasulfone (91%), pyroxasulfone + carfentrazone (89%), fomesafen (87%), fluridone (86%), flumioxazin (86%), and atrazine (85%) controlled Palmer amaranth ≥85%. Pendimethalin and fluometuron were the least effective treatments, resulting in 58% and 62% control, respectively. As anticipated, early season metribuzin injury translated into yield loss; plots treated with metribuzin yielded 640 kg ha−1 and were comparable to yields after linuron (790 kg ha−1) was used. These findings suggest that with the exception of metribuzin, residual herbicides coated onto AMS may be suitable and effective in cotton production, providing growers with additional modes of action for late-season control of multiple herbicide–resistant Palmer amaranth.

Late-onset sepsis (LOS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) causes significant morbidity and mortality, yet guidance on empiric management is limited. We surveyed NICUs across Canada and the United States regarding their empiric antimicrobial regimens for LOS, thereby identifying large practice variations and high rates of empiric vancomycin use.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers were randomized (1:1) to XF-73 or placebo nasal gel, administered 5x over ∼24hrs pre-cardiac surgery. S. aureus burden rapidly decreased after 2 doses (–2.2log10 CFU/mL; placebo –0.01log10 CFU/mL) and was maintained to 6 days post-surgery. Among XF-73 patients, 46.5% received post-operative anti-staphylococcal antibiotics versus 70% in placebo (P = 0.045).

Engaging diverse partners in each phase of the research process is the gold standard of community-engaged research and adds value to the impact of implementation science. However, partner engagement in dissemination, particularly meaningful involvement in developing peer-reviewed manuscripts, is lacking. The Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control are using the Translational Science Benefits Model to demonstrate the impact of our work beyond traditional metrics, including building capacity and promoting community engagement. This paper presents a case example of one center that has developed a policy for including community partners as coauthors. Standard practices are used to foster clear communications and bidirectional collaboration. Of published papers focused on center infrastructure and implementation research pilots, 92% have community partner coauthors. This includes 21 individuals in roles ranging from physician assistant to medical director to quality manager. Through this intentional experience of co-creation, community partners have strengthened implementation science expertise. Community coauthors have also ensured that data interpretation and dissemination reflect real-world practice environments and offer sustainable strategies for rapid translation to practice improvements. Funders, academic journals, and researchers all have important roles to play in supporting community coauthors as critical thought partners who can help to narrow the gap between research and practice.

Immersive reality (XR) technologies, particularly Mixed Reality (MR), offer promising opportunities for enhancing design prototyping. While recent studies often focus on Virtual Reality this work explores the application of MR, where focus lies on interlinking both the physical and digital to maximise benefit. Following a review of XR in design, a descriptive framework is presented to characterise MR prototyping. Two case studies are then presented to highlight the value of bridging the physical and digitalf worlds, before directions for further research in MR-based prototyping are outlined.

People of Chinese ethnicity develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a younger age and lower body mass index (BMI) than their Caucasian counterparts. Furthermore, Chinese migrants to Westernised countries have an increased risk of metabolic diseases compared to those in their country of origin(1,2). We propose that this increased risk is due to a greater manifestation of metabolic abnormalities in response to altered diet and lifestyle behaviours. Although fasting lipaemia and glycaemia are commonly used to predict risk of CVD and T2DM, assessment of impaired postprandial metabolism has been found to be a more sensitive indicator of risk(3). We hypothesised that Chinese migrants, at risk of T2DM, exhibit impaired postprandial lipid and lipoprotein metabolism compared to Australian-born Caucasian counterparts. Chinese and Caucasian adults at risk of T2DM were recruited to the study in which postprandial lipaemia and glycaemia were monitored following consumption of a high fat and high carbohydrate breakfast meal followed by a mixed, lunch meal. In a nonrandomised acute crossover trial, 15 adults (n = 8 Chinese and n = 7 Caucasian) aged ≥ 18 and ≤ 65 years at risk of T2DM (AUSDRISK score > 12 (median = 14.0, IQR = 3.0)), attended two postprandial test days separated by ≥ 7-day washout period. Test breakfast meals were isocaloric (3.6 MJ), high fat (46% energy from fat, 46% energy from carbohydrates) or high carbohydrate (74% E carbohydrates, 17.5% E fat). Blood samples were collected at baseline (fasting), 180 min and 360 min after consumption of the breakfast meal. The lunch meal (3.7 MJ, 18% E fat, 76% E carbohydrates) was consumed 240 min after baseline. Samples were analysed for lipaemia and glycaemia. Additionally, chylomicron-rich, and VLDL-rich lipoprotein fractions were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation and chylomicron particle number (apolipoprotein (apo) B48), triacylglycerol (TAG), and total cholesterol were assessed in these fractions. Data were analysed using a mixed between-within-subject analysis of variance. There were no differences in age, and baseline anthropometric measures between groups, apart from the Chinese group exhibiting significantly lower waist circumference and BMI compared to the Caucasian group. There were no differences between groups in blood measures, apart from a higher total- and LDL-cholesterol concentration in the Caucasian compared to the Chinese group (P<0.05). Despite identical fasting TAG concentrations, the Chinese group, compared with the Caucasian group exhibited significantly elevated serum TAG and chylomicron-apo-B48 concentrations at 360 min following both test meals (P<0.01). All other postprandial measures were not different between groups. These findings show that despite having identical or improved fasting glycaemia and lipid profile, the Chinese group exhibited impaired postprandial lipid metabolism which may contributes to their increased risk of metabolic diseases.

Plant growth requires the integration of internal and external cues, perceived and transduced into a developmental programme of cell division, elongation and wall thickening. Mechanical forces contribute to this regulation, and thigmomorphogenesis typically includes reducing stem height, increasing stem diameter, and a canonical transcriptomic response. We present data on a bZIP transcription factor involved in this process in grasses. Brachypodium distachyon SECONDARY WALL INTERACTING bZIP (SWIZ) protein translocated into the nucleus following mechanostimulation. Classical touch-responsive genes were upregulated in B. distachyon roots following touch, including significant induction of the glycoside hydrolase 17 family, which may be unique to grass thigmomorphogenesis. SWIZ protein binding to an E-box variant in exons and introns was associated with immediate activation followed by repression of gene expression. SWIZ overexpression resulted in plants with reduced stem and root elongation. These data further define plant touch-responsive transcriptomics and physiology, offering insights into grass mechanotranduction dynamics.