The Use of eDNA Metabarcoding to Detect and Identify Phytophthora in Water Samples.

We describe a protocol to amplify DNA barcodes of known and unknown taxa of Phytophthora and related plant pathogenic oomycetes from a range of environments. The methods focus on sampling pathogen propagules from water using in situ sampling and filtration equipment and buffers that enable efficient storage and DNA extraction for later downstream processing.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Statements on a Framework for a Standardized National Robotic Curriculum for Thoracic Surgery Trainees.

Objective: With robotic technology's rapid growth and integration, an urgent need to bridge the educational gap in thoracic surgical training has emerged. This document, a result of consensus among a group of experts in the practice and training of robotic surgery from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), aims to provide a framework for a standardized national robotic curriculum for thoracic surgery trainees.

Methods: The STS Task Force on Robotic Thoracic Surgery and Workforce on E-learning and Educational Innovation assembled an expert group with the input of the Thoracic Surgery Director's Association (TSDA).

A case of recurrent subdural hematoma after unilateral MMA embolization that resolved after contralateral MMA embolization.

Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAe) is rapidly emerging as a valuable intervention to decrease the risk of recurrent subdural hematoma (SDH) after surgical evacuation. The role of upfront bilateral MMAe for unilateral SDH and the value of contralateral MMAe after SDH recurrence post evacuation and ipsilateral MMAe are still unknown. Here, we report the case of an elderly patient that presented with a large acute on chronic SDH and underwent surgical drainage and ipsilateral MMAe (with Contour PVA particles, 150-250 µm).

Spatiotemporal walk-off and improved focusing of plasma THz sources.

High-field THz sources with peak field strengths exceeding MV/cm are essential for nonlinear THz spectroscopy and coherent control of matter on ultrafast time scales. Two-color femtosecond laser plasma sources employing long filamentation have been reported as providing single-cycle, >MV/cm fields, with multi-decade spanning bandwidth and polarization control, making them promising sources for such experiments. In this work, we report the observation of spatiotemporal spreading of the THz pulse when standard off-axis parabolic mirrors are used for collection and focusing of long filament plasma-based THz pulses.

Machine Learning for Mental Health: Applications, Challenges, and the Clinician's Role.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to evaluate the current psychiatric applications and limitations of machine learning (ML), defined as techniques used to train algorithms to improve performance at a task based on data. The review emphasizes the clinician's role in ensuring equitable and effective patient care and seeks to inform mental health providers about the importance of clinician involvement in these technologies.

Recent Findings: ML in psychiatry has advanced through electronic health record integration, disease phenotyping, and remote monitoring through mobile applications.

Intersection of Race and Gender in the Cardiothoracic Workforce: Study of Representation and Salary.

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery lacks gender and racial/ethnic diversity. Recent studies have highlighted disparities based on gender and race/ethnicity among academic cardiothoracic surgeons. The impact of the intersection of these factors on representation and salary is unknown.

Strain Effects on the Adsorption of Water on Cerium Dioxide Surfaces and Nanoparticles: A Modeling Outlook.

Nanocrystalline ceria exhibits significant redox activity and oxygen storage capacity. Any factor affecting its morphology can tune such activities. Strain is a promising method for controlling particle morphology, whether as core@shell structures, supported nanoparticles, or nanograins in nanocrystalline ceria.

Acceptability and psychometric properties of four scales assessing the impact of Type 2 diabetes on quality of life-Results of 'YourSAY: Quality of Life'.

Aims: To assess and compare the psychometric properties and acceptability of four diabetes-specific quality of life (QoL) scales among adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Adults (≥18 years) with T2D living in the United Kingdom (n = 1465) or Australia (n = 248) completed a cross-sectional, online survey including the following: ADDQoL, DCP, DIDP and Diabetes QoL-Q (presented in randomised order), followed by rating scales to assess clarity, relevance, ease of completion, length and comprehensiveness of each scale. Demographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics were collected.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus on the Multidisciplinary Management and Resectability of Locally Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: The contemporary management and resectability of locally advanced lung cancer are undergoing significant changes as new data emerge regarding immunotherapy and targeted treatments. The objective of this document is to review the literature and present consensus among a group of multidisciplinary experts to guide the determination of resectability and management of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the context of contemporary evidence.

Methods: The Society of Thoracic Surgeon Workforce on Thoracic Surgery assembled a multidisciplinary expert panel composed of thoracic surgeons and medical and radiation oncologists with established expertise in the management of lung cancer.

Prediction of refraction error after toric lens implantation with biometric input data uncertainties and power labelling tolerances.

Background: The purpose of this study was to simulate the impact of biometric measure uncertainties, lens equivalent and toric power labelling tolerances and axis alignment errors on the refractive outcome after cataract surgery with toric lens implantation.

Methods: In this retrospective non-randomised cross sectional Monte-Carlo simulation study we evaluated a dataset containing 7458 LenStar 900 preoperative biometric measurements. The biometric uncertainties from literature, lens power labelling according to ISO 11979, and axis alignment tolerances of a modern toric lens (Hoya Vivinex) were taken to be normally distributed and used in a Monte-Carlo simulation with 100 000 samples per eye.

Dark-Sector Search via Pion-Produced η and η^{'} Mesons Decaying Invisibly in the NA64h Detector.

We present the first results from a proof-of-concept search for dark sectors via invisible decays of pseudoscalar η and η^{'} mesons in the NA64h experiment at the CERN SPS. Our novel technique uses the charge-exchange reaction of 50 GeV π^{-} on nuclei of an active target as the source of neutral mesons. The η,η^{'}→invisible events would exhibit themselves via a striking signature-the complete disappearance of the incoming beam energy in the detector.

Updating the no-history method in intraocular lens power calculation after myopic laser vision correction.

Purpose: To describe the Shammas-Cooke formula, an updated no-history (NH) formula for IOL calculation in eyes with prior myopic laser vision correction (M-LVC), and to compare the results with the Shammas PL, Haigis-L, and Barrett True-K NH formulas.

Setting: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI), The Lennar Foundation Medical Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Dean A. McGee Eye Institute (DMEI), University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and private practice, Lynwood, California, and St Joseph, Michigan.

Impact of quality indicators on variability of keratometry measurements using a SS-OCT-based optical biometer.

Purpose: To characterize the variability of keratometry measurements on the IOLMaster 700 and relate it to device image quality indicators (QIs).

Setting: 2 academic centers and 1 private practice.

Design: Multicenter, retrospective consecutive case series.

The E × B magnetized plasma device (EMPD).

A plasma device has been created to study dynamic plasma coupling in an E × B-drifting magnetized plasma. The E × B magnetized plasma device is a 1.2 m diameter by 2 m long cylindrical chamber with two sets of Helmholtz coils in a mirror configuration.

Perceptions of adults with type 1 diabetes toward diabetes-specific quality of life measures: a survey-based qualitative exploration.

Background: Diabetes-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are commonly used to assess the impact of diabetes and its management on an individual's quality of life. While several valid and reliable measures of diabetes-specific QoL exist, there is no consensus on which to use and in what setting. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of their acceptability to people with diabetes.

A Novel Method to Optimize Personal IOL Constants.

Objective: To describe a novel method called "three variable optimization" that entails a process of doing just one calculation to zero out the mean prediction error of an entire dataset (regardless of size), using only 3 variables: (1) the constant used, (2) the average intraocular lens (IOL) power, and (3) the average prediction error (PE as actual refraction - predicted refraction).

Design: Development, evaluation, and testing of a method to optimize personal IOL constants.

Methods: A dataset of 876 eyes was used as a training set, and another dataset of 1,079 eyes was used to test the method.

Predictors of Discharge With Supplemental Oxygen After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer.

Background: Before lung cancer resection, patients inquire about dyspnea and the potential need for supplemental oxygen. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of discharge with supplemental oxygen for patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer.

Methods: Using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database, study investigators conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer from July 2018 to December 2021.

Filamentation of a relativistic proton bunch in plasma.

We show in experiments that a long, underdense, relativistic proton bunch propagating in plasma undergoes the oblique instability, which we observe as filamentation. We determine a threshold value for the ratio between the bunch transverse size and plasma skin depth for the instability to occur. At the threshold, the outcome of the experiment alternates between filamentation and self-modulation instability (evidenced by longitudinal modulation into microbunches).

Asking women with diabetes about sexual problems: An exploratory study of NHS professionals' attitudes and practice: A survey of healthcare professionals regarding communication and silences about sexual problems during the routine care of women with diabetes.

Aims: To explore UK healthcare professionals' practice and attitudes towards asking women with diabetes about sexual health problems, including symptoms of female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Methods: An online questionnaire to address the study aims was developed, piloted by ten healthcare professionals (HCPs) and completed by 111 eligible HCPs, recruited via professional networks and social media. Free text data were analysed and reported thematically.

Sustaining the benefits of structured education: Participants' experiences of receiving structured individual support during a programme (DAFNEplus) informed by behavioural science.

Aims: The DAFNEplus programme seeks to promote sustained improvements in glycaemic management by incorporating techniques from behavioural science. It includes five sessions of structured individual support delivered over 12 months following group education. As part of a broader evaluation, and to inform decision-making about roll-out in routine care, we explored participants' experiences of, and engagement with, that individual support.

Goals, Structure, and Financing of Surgical Residency Training: A Subcommittee Report of the Blue Ribbon Committee II.

Objective: As part of the Blue Ribbon Committee II, review current goals, structure and financing of surgical training in Graduate Medical Education (GME) and recommend needed changes.

Background: Surgical training has continually undergone major transitions with the 80-hour work week, earlier specialization (vascular, plastics, and cardiovascular), and now entrustable professional activities as part of competency-based medical education (CBME). Changes are needed to ensure the efficiencies of CBME are utilized, that stable graduate medical education funding is secured, and that support for surgeons who teach is made available.

Composition-dependent morphologies of CeO nanoparticles in the presence of Co-adsorbed HO and CO: a density functional theory study.

Catalytic activity is affected by surface morphology, and specific surfaces display greater activity than others. A key challenge is to define synthetic strategies to enhance the expression of more active surfaces and to maintain their stability during the lifespan of the catalyst. In this work, we outline an approach, based on density functional theory, to predict surface composition and particle morphology as a function of environmental conditions, and we apply this to CeO nanoparticles in the presence of co-adsorbed HO and CO as an industrially relevant test case.