Comparison of different mechanical weed control strategies in sugar beets

In sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) weed control is commonly performed by herbicide application applied broadcast at splitting during the cultivation period. Mechanical weeding can be an alternative to chemical weed control. The aim of this experiment was the estimation of weed control efficacy with the use of automatic steering technologies by camera guidance, the use of different intra row weed control implements in conservation tillage systems and the influence of these techniques to the number of uprooted sugar beets. A field experiment with a randomized complete plot design was conducted in 2015 at Ihinger Hof, Germany. Weed density ranged from 0 to 12 plants m-2 with Chenopodium album, Polygonum convolvulus, Polygonum aviculare as the most abundant weed species. Hoeing with the use of automatic steering technologies reduced the weed density by 82%. The use of finger weeders, rotary-harrow and torsion finger weeder reduced the weed density by 29% compared to common hoeing strategies. Differences in the number of uprooted sugar beets were not found across all treatments. We revealed the possibility of a more intense use of mechanical weeding technologies in combination with precision farming technologies in sugar beet.Vergleich verschiedener mechanischer Unkrautstrategien in ZuckerrübenIn Zuckerrüben (Beta vulgaris) wird die Unkrautkontrolle meistens durch eine mehrfache Herbizidapplikation auf der gesamten Ackerfläche durchgeführt. Mechanische Unkrautkontrollmaßnahmen können eine Alternative zu den üblichen chemischen Unkrautbekämpfungsstrategien darstellen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Einsatz von automatischen kameragesteuerten Lenkmechanismen und den Einsatz unterschiedlicher „intra row“ Hackwerkzeuge in konservierender Bodenbearbeitung auf ihre Verringerung der Unkrautdichte zu untersuchen, sowie den Einfluss der angewendeten Verfahren auf die Anzahl von entwurzelten Zuckerrüben-Pflanzen zu ermitteln. Hierfür wurde ein Feldversuch im Jahr 2015 am Standort Ihinger Hof mit einer randomisierten vollständigen Blockanlage angelegt. Die Verunkrautung variierte von 0 bis 12 Pflanzen m-2, mit den am häufigsten vorkommenden Arten Chenopodium album, Polygonum convolvulus und Polygonum aviculare. Der Einsatz von kameragesteuerten Lenkmechanismen reduzierte die Verunkrautung in Zuckerrüben um 82 %. Fingerhacke, Rollstriegel und Torsions-Striegel, reduzierten den Unkrautbesatz im Vergleich zum herkömmlichen Hackeinsatz um 29 %. Signifikante Unterschiede in der Bestandesdichte konnten nicht festgestellt werden. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Möglichkeit von mechanischen Unkrautbekämpfungsstrategien in Kombination mit konservierender Bodenbearbeitung erfolgreich untersucht

Closing the gap : development of an analytical methodology using volumetric absorptive microsampling of finger prick blood followed by LC-HRMS/MS for adherence monitoring of antihypertensive drugs

Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS), an emerging microsampling technique, is a promising tool for adherence monitoring. This study focused on development of an analytical methodology to improve VAMS-based strategies for adherence assessment by analyzing angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, loop diuretics, a potassium-sparing diuretic, and a thiazide diuretic. Development included sample preparation, chromatographic conditions, mass spectrometry settings, validation, and demonstrating proof of concept. Quantifcation of analytes, by name furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, torasemide, and the active metabolites, canrenone, enalaprilat, and ramiprilat in fnger prick blood (FPB), was validated based on international guidelines. Selectivity, carryover, and within/between-run accuracy and precision were in accordance with the recommendations. The matrix efect was evaluated at three diferent hematocrit levels (HT: 20%, 40%, 60%) and the coefcients of variation did not exceed 15%. Dilution integrity (1:10 and 1:20) was given for all analytes except lisinopril, yet for lisinopril, the therapeutic range was already covered by the calibration range. Long-term stability in VAMS tips was tested for 2 weeks at 24 °C in the dark and revealed no degradation of analytes. The proof of concept was performed by analyzing 35 intakes of ACE-inhibitors and diuretics in 18 VAMS and matched plasma samples. Hereby, determined concentration in FPB and plasma cannot be used interchangeably, and thus specifc reference ranges for whole blood must be established. Nevertheless, the VAMS-based strategy was shown to be suitable for assessing adherence of all classes of antihypertensive drugs used in the guidelines to manage hypertension

Mitochondrial acclimation potential to ocean acidification and warming of Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Background: Ocean acidification and warming are happening fast in the Arctic but little is known about the effects of ocean acidification and warming on the physiological performance and survival of Arctic fish. Results: In this study we investigated the metabolic background of performance through analyses of cardiac mitochondrial function in response to control and elevated water temperatures and PCO2 of two gadoid fish species, Polar cod (Boreogadus saida), an endemic Arctic species, and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), which is a temperate to cold eurytherm and currently expanding into Arctic waters in the wake of ocean warming. We studied their responses to the above-mentioned drivers and their acclimation potential through analysing the cardiac mitochondrial function in permeabilised cardiac muscle fibres after 4 months of incubation at different temperatures (Polar cod: 0, 3, 6, 8 °C and Atlantic cod: 3, 8, 12, 16 °C), combined with exposure to present (400μatm) and year 2100 (1170μatm) levels of CO2. OXPHOS, proton leak and ATP production efficiency in Polar cod were similar in the groups acclimated at 400μatm and 1170μatm of CO2, while incubation at 8 °C evoked increased proton leak resulting in decreased ATP production efficiency and decreased Complex IV capacity. In contrast, OXPHOS of Atlantic cod increased with temperature without compromising the ATP production efficiency, whereas the combination of high temperature and high PCO2 depressed OXPHOS and ATP production efficiency. Conclusions: Polar cod mitochondrial efficiency decreased at 8 °C while Atlantic cod mitochondria were more resilient to elevated temperature; however, this resilience was constrained by high PCO2. In line with its lower habitat temperature and higher degree of stenothermy, Polar cod has a lower acclimation potential to warming than Atlantic cod

Applicability of correlated digital image correlation and infrared thermography for measuring mesomechanical deformation in foams and auxetics

Cellular materials such as metal foams or auxetic metamaterials are interesting microheterogeneous materials used for lightweight construction and as energy absorbers. Their macroscopic behavior is related to their specific mesoscopic deformation by a strong structure-property-relationship. Digital image correlation and infrared thermography are two methods to visualize and study the local deformation behavior in materials. The present study deals with the full-field thermomechanical analysis of the mesomechanical deformation in Ni/PU hybrid foams and Ni/polymer hybrid auxetic structures performing a correlative digital image correlation and infrared thermography. Instead of comparing and correlating only the primary output variables of both methods, strain and temperature, also strain rates and temperature rates occurring during deformation were compared. These allow for a better correlation and more conclusive results than obtained using only the primary output variables

Adherence to Antihypertensive Drugs Assessed by Hyphenated High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Oral Fluids

Background It is currently unknown if antihypertensive drugs can be monitored in oral fluid (OF) using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Methods and Results We assessed adherence using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry in OF, plasma, and urine of 56 consecutive patients with hypertension referred to a tertiary hypertension unit. Of these patients, 59% were completely adherent (all drugs detectable in urine), whereas 29% and 13% were partially adherent (1 drug not detectable in urine) or nonadherent (>1 drug not detectable in urine), respectively. Adherent patients were on fewer antihypertensive drugs (P=0.001), had fewer daily drug doses (P=0.012), and had lower 24-hour ambulatory systolic (P=0.012) and diastolic (P=0.009) blood pressures than nonadherent or partially adherent patients. Most drugs were detected in urine compared with plasma and OF (181 versus 119 versus 88; P=0.001). Compared with urine and plasma, detection rates of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and diuretics were lower in OF. There was no difference in the frequency of detecting β blockers (P=1.0) and calcium channel blockers (P=0.063) when comparing OF with urine. There was no difference in the number of calcium channel blockers (P=0.727), β blockers (P=1.000), thiazide diuretics (P=0.125), and α-2 agonists (P=0.125) identified between OF and plasma. Conclusions This study shows the feasibility of drug adherence testing for several antihypertensive drugs, especially those without acidic components, in OF, with a similar recovery compared with plasma. Therefore, drug adherence testing in OF should be further explored as a noninvasive approach, which can easily be performed in an "out-of-office" setting

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis in acute ischemic stroke: Impact on morphologic and functional outcome

Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is the phenomenon of hypoperfusion and hypometabolism of the contralateral cerebellar hemisphere caused by dysfunction of the related supratentorial region. Our aim was to analyze its influence on morphologic and functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Subjects with stroke caused by a large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation were selected from an initial cohort of 1644 consecutive patients who underwent multiparametric CT including whole-brain CT perfusion. Two experienced readers evaluated the posterior fossa in terms of CCD absence (CCD-) or presence (CCD+). A total of 156 patients formed the study cohort with 102 patients (65.4%) categorized as CCD- and 54 (34.6%) as CCD+. In linear and logistic regression analyses, no significant association between CCD and final infarction volume (beta = -0.440, p = 0.972), discharge mRS2 (OR = 1.897, p = 0.320), or 90-day mRS <= 2 (OR = 0.531, p = 0.492) was detected. CCD+ patients had larger supratentorial cerebral blood flow deficits (median: 164 ml vs. 115 ml;p = 0.001) compared to CCD-patients. Regarding complications, CCD was associated with a higher rate of parenchymal hematomas (OR = 4.793, p = 0.035). In conclusion, CCD is frequently encountered in acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. CCD was associated with the occurrence of parenchymal hematoma in the ipsilateral cerebral infarction but did not prove to significantly influence patient outcome

Simultaneous computed tomography-guided biopsy and radiofrequency ablation of solitary pulmonary malignancy in high-risk patients

Background: In recent years experience has been accumulated in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung malignancies in nonsurgical patients. Objectives: In this study, we retrospectively evaluated a simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic approach including CT-guided biopsy followed immediately by RFA of solitary malignant pulmonary lesions. Methods: CT-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy of solitary pulmonary lesions suspicious for malignancy was performed and histology was proven based on immediate frozen sections. RFA probes were placed into the pulmonary tumors under CT guidance and the ablation was performed subsequently. The procedure-related morbidity was analyzed. Follow-up included a CT scan and pulmonary function parameters. Results: A total of 33 CT-guided biopsies and subsequent RFA within a single procedure were performed. Morbidity of CT-guided biopsy included pulmonary hemorrhage (24%) and a mild pneumothorax (12%) without need for further interventions. The RFA procedure was not aggravated by the previous biopsy. The rate of pneumothorax requiring chest tube following RFA was 21%. Local tumor control was achieved in 77% with a median follow-up of 12 months. The morbidity of the CT-guided biopsy had no statistical impact on the local recurrence rate. Conclusions: The simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic approach including CT-guided biopsy followed immediately by RFA of solitary malignant pulmonary lesions is a safe procedure. The potential of this combined approach is to avoid unnecessary therapies and to perform adequate therapies based on histology. Taking the local control rate into account, this approach should only be performed in those patients who are unable to undergo or who refuse surgery. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Natural Variation in Small Molecule–Induced TIR-NB-LRR Signaling Induces Root Growth Arrest via EDS1- and PAD4-Complexed R Protein VICTR in Arabidopsis

In a chemical genetics screen we identified the small-molecule [5-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)furan-2-yl]-piperidine-1-ylmethanethione (DFPM) that triggers rapid inhibition of early abscisic acid signal transduction via PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4 (PAD4)- and ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1 (EDS1)-dependent immune signaling mechanisms. However, mechanisms upstream of EDS1 and PAD4 in DFPM-mediated signaling remain unknown. Here, we report that DFPM generates an Arabidopsis thaliana accession-specific root growth arrest in Columbia-0 (Col-0) plants. The genetic locus responsible for this natural variant, VICTR (VARIATION IN COMPOUND TRIGGERED ROOT growth response), encodes a TIR-NB-LRR (for Toll-Interleukin1 Receptor–nucleotide binding–Leucine-rich repeat) protein. Analyses of T-DNA insertion victr alleles showed that VICTR is necessary for DFPM-induced root growth arrest and inhibition of abscisic acid–induced stomatal closing. Transgenic expression of the Col-0 VICTR allele in DFPM-insensitive Arabidopsis accessions recapitulated the DFPM-induced root growth arrest. EDS1 and PAD4, both central regulators of basal resistance and effector-triggered immunity, as well as HSP90 chaperones and their cochaperones RAR1 and SGT1B, are required for the DFPM-induced root growth arrest. Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling pathway components are dispensable. We further demonstrate that VICTR associates with EDS1 and PAD4 in a nuclear protein complex. These findings show a previously unexplored association between a TIR-NB-LRR protein and PAD4 and identify functions of plant immune signaling components in the regulation of root meristematic zone-targeted growth arrest

Efficacy, Retention, and Tolerability of Brivaracetam in Patients With Epileptic Encephalopathies: A Multicenter Cohort Study From Germany

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV) in a severely drug refractory cohort of patients with epileptic encephalopathies (EE).Method: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study recruiting all patients treated with EE who began treatment with BRV in an enrolling epilepsy center between 2016 and 2017.Results: Forty-four patients (27 male [61%], mean age 29 years, range 6 to 62) were treated with BRV. The retention rate was 65% at 3 months, 52% at 6 months and 41% at 12 months. A mean retention time of 5 months resulted in a cumulative exposure to BRV of 310 months. Three patients were seizure free during the baseline. At 3 months, 20 (45%, 20/44 as per intention-to-treat analysis considering all patients that started BRV including three who were seizure free during baseline) were either seizure free (n = 4; 9%, three of them already seizure-free at baseline) or reported at least 25% (n = 4; 9%) or 50% (n = 12; 27%) reduction in seizures. An increase in seizure frequency was reported in two (5%) patients, while there was no change in the seizure frequency of the other patients. A 50% long-term responder rate was apparent in 19 patients (43%), with two (5%) free from seizures for more than six months and in nine patients (20%, with one [2 %] free from seizures) for more than 12 months. Treatment-emergent adverse events were predominantly of psychobehavioural nature and were observed in 16%.Significance: In this retrospective analysis the rate of patients with a 50% seizure reduction under BRV proofed to be similar to those seen in regulatory trials for focal epilepsies. BRV appears to be safe and relatively well tolerated in EE and might be considered in patients with psychobehavioral adverse events while on levetiracetam