Practical experiences with nonchemical methods of weed control gathered in the farm network “Dem-onstration farms for integrated pest management”

Um die Umsetzung des integrierten Pflanzenschutzes (IPS) in der Praxis zu fördern, vorbeugende und alternative Verfahren zu demonstrieren und die Pflanzenschutzmittelanwendungen auf das notwendige Maß zu beschränken, hat das Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft das Modellvorhaben "Demonstrationsbetriebe integrierter Pflanzenschutz" initiiert. Von 2011 bis 2018 haben sich deutschlandweit 67 Praxisbetriebe aus den Produktionsbereichen Ackerbau, Apfelanbau, Feldgemüsebau, Hopfenanbau und Weinbau jeweils für fünf Jahre engagiert, um den IPS auf ihren Flächen und Anlagen zu optimieren. Unter anderem wurden verschiedene nichtchemische Verfahren zur Unkrautbekämpfung erprobt. Grundsätzlich erfolgten die Unkrautbekämpfungsmaßnahmen in den Demonstrationsbetrieben nach Befallsermittlungen und entsprechend des standortspezifischen Unkrautbesatzes. Die erprobten nichtchemischen Verfahren führten meist zu zufriedenstellenden Bekämpfungserfolgen, waren jedoch oft mit hohen zeitlichen und finanziellen Aufwendungen verbunden und witterungsanfällig. Die Vorteile und Grenzen bei der Anwendung der einzelnen Verfahren werden erörtert. Weitere Informationen: https://demo-ips.julius-kuehn.de/The model project “Demonstration farms for integrated pest management” lasted from 2011 to 2018 within total 67 participating farms specialised in arable farming, viticulture and the cultivation of apple, hops and field vegetables. Its intention was to support the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) as well as to demonstrate preventive and alternative pest control measures to farmers, advisers and the public and to limit pesticide use to the necessary minimum. During the five years of participation, the farmers were committed to optimise their plant protection practices. Weed control measures in principle based on weed monitoring and the local weed pressure. The farmers tested different nonchemical weed control measures, which generally were effective, but demanded great efforts in terms of time and investment. Furthermore, the practical feasibility of most of these weed control measures was highly dependent on local weather conditions. This paper refers to the experiences, benefits and limits of the different weed control measures observed in the demonstration farm network

An organometallic chimie douce approach to new Re(x)W(1-x)O3 phases

Re(x)W(1-x)O3.H2O and Re(x)W(1-x)O3 phases are prepared by a new organometallic chimie douce concept employing the organometallic precursor methyltrioxorhenium.Comment: 3 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Chem. Com

Evaluating snow models with varying process representations for hydrological applications

Much effort has been invested in developing snow models over several decades, resulting in a wide variety of empirical and physically based snow models. For the most part, these models are built on similar principles. The greatest differences are found in how each model parameterizes individual processes (e.g., surface albedo and snow compaction). Parameterization choices naturally span a wide range of complexities. In this study, we evaluate the performance of different snow model parameterizations for hydrological applications using an existing multimodel energy-balance framework and data from two well-instrumented alpine sites with seasonal snow cover. We also include two temperature-index snow models and an intensive, physically based multilayer snow model in our analyses. Our results show that snow mass observations provide useful information for evaluating the ability of a model to predict snowpack runoff, whereas snow depth data alone are not. For snow mass and runoff, the energy-balance models appear transferable between our two study sites, a behavior which is not observed for snow surface temperature predictions due to site-specificity of turbulent heat transfer formulations. Errors in the input and validation data, rather than model formulation, seem to be the greatest factor affecting model performance. The three model types provide similar ability to reproduce daily observed snowpack runoff when appropriate model structures are chosen. Model complexity was not a determinant for predicting daily snowpack mass and runoff reliably. Our study shows the usefulness of the multimodel framework for identifying appropriate models under given constraints such as data availability, properties of interest and computational cost

Site of cochlear stimulation and its effect on electrically evoked compound action potentials using the MED-EL standard electrode array

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The standard electrode array for the MED-EL MAESTRO cochlear implant system is 31 mm in length which allows an insertion angle of approximately 720°. When fully inserted, this long electrode array is capable of stimulating the most apical region of the cochlea. No investigation has explored Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential (ECAP) recordings in this region with a large number of subjects using a commercially available cochlear implant system. The aim of this study is to determine if certain properties of ECAP recordings vary, depending on the stimulation site in the cochlea.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Recordings of auditory nerve responses were conducted in 67 subjects to demonstrate the feasibility of ECAP recordings using the Auditory Nerve Response Telemetry (ART™) feature of the MED-EL MAESTRO system software. These recordings were then analyzed based on the site of cochlear stimulation defined as basal, middle and apical to determine if the amplitude, threshold and slope of the amplitude growth function and the refractory time differs depending on the region of stimulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Findings show significant differences in the ECAP recordings depending on the stimulation site. Comparing the apical with the basal region, on average higher amplitudes, lower thresholds and steeper slopes of the amplitude growth function have been observed. The refractory time shows an overall dependence on cochlear region; however post-hoc tests showed no significant effect between individual regions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Obtaining ECAP recordings is also possible in the most apical region of the cochlea. However, differences can be observed depending on the region of the cochlea stimulated. Specifically, significant higher ECAP amplitude, lower thresholds and steeper amplitude growth function slopes have been observed in the apical region. These differences could be explained by the location of the stimulating electrode with respect to the neural tissue in the cochlea, a higher density, or an increased neural survival rate of neural tissue in the apex.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The Clinical Investigation has the Competent Authority registration number DE/CA126/AP4/3332/18/05.</p

Practical aspects of the use of ventoclax in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia in patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy

The aim of treating elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy is to extend survival, but treatment results are often unsatisfactory. Therapy with venetoclax combined with azacitidine allowed remission in two-thirds of patients and significantly prolong the median overall survival. The treatment is increasingly used in clinical practice and establishes a new medical standard. The use of venetoclax in treating AML requires knowledge of drug use rules and their individualization. This review summarizes critical elements of the clinical practice of venetoclax use in combination with azacitidine regarding the dosing regimen, management of cytopenias during therapy and treatment adjustments to prevent drug-to-drug interactions. Treatment with venetoclax can cause the risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and therefore step-wise dose ramp-up is required with the prophylaxis of TLS and reduction in leucocyte count. Cytopenias that occur during the therapy affect most of the patients; nevertheless, it is not recommended to modify the treatment until the remission of the disease. In haematologic toxicity after disease remission, it is recommended to delay the next cycle and shorten the treatment while maintaining the dose. Knowledge about venetoclax drug-to-drug interactions is necessary for an efficacious and safe therapy. It is essential to reconsider the rationale behind using some agents, e.g., azole derivatives commonly used in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections, as well as to be aware of the rules of venetoclax dosing. Detailed knowledge of the above aspects of therapy is essential to ensure the continuity, safety, and efficacy of venetoclax with azacitidine

Reviews and syntheses: Effects of permafrost thaw on Arctic aquatic ecosystems

The Arctic is a water-rich region, with freshwater systems covering about 16 % of the northern permafrost landscape. Permafrost thaw creates new freshwater ecosystems, while at the same time modifying the existing lakes, streams, and rivers that are impacted by thaw. Here, we describe the current state of knowledge regarding how permafrost thaw affects lentic (still) and lotic (moving) systems, exploring the effects of both thermokarst (thawing and collapse of ice-rich permafrost) and deepening of the active layer (the surface soil layer that thaws and refreezes each year). Within thermokarst, we further differentiate between the effects of thermokarst in lowland areas vs. that on hillslopes. For almost all of the processes that we explore, the effects of thaw vary regionally, and between lake and stream systems. Much of this regional variation is caused by differences in ground ice content, topography, soil type, and permafrost coverage. Together, these modifying factors determine (i) the degree to which permafrost thaw manifests as thermokarst, (ii) whether thermokarst leads to slumping or the formation of thermokarst lakes, and (iii) the manner in which constituent delivery to freshwater systems is altered by thaw. Differences in thaw-enabled constituent delivery can be considerable, with these modifying factors determining, for example, the balance between delivery of particulate vs. dissolved constituents, and inorganic vs. organic materials. Changes in the composition of thaw-impacted waters, coupled with changes in lake morphology, can strongly affect the physical and optical properties of thermokarst lakes. The ecology of thaw-impacted lakes and streams is also likely to change; these systems have unique microbiological communities, and show differences in respiration, primary production, and food web structure that are largely driven by differences in sediment, dissolved organic matter, and nutrient delivery. The degree to which thaw enables the delivery of dissolved vs. particulate organic matter, coupled with the composition of that organic matter and the morphology and stratification characteristics of recipient systems will play an important role in determining the balance between the release of organic matter as greenhouse gases (CO2and CH4), its burial in sediments, and its loss downstream. The magnitude of thaw impacts on northern aquatic ecosystems is increasing, as is the prevalence of thaw-impacted lakes and streams. There is therefore an urgent need to quantify how permafrost thaw is affecting aquatic ecosystems across diverse Arctic landscapes, and the implications of this change for further climate warming.Additional co-authors: G. MacMillan, M. Rautio, K. M. Walter Anthony, and K. P. Wicklan

Autologous stem cell transplantation as consolidation therapy for patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma in first remission : long-term outcome and risk factors analysis

This report is a retrospective analysis of 65 patients with peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL), who underwent high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHCT) as a consolidation of first response achieved with either induction or salvage chemotherapy. We intended to determine the prognostic factors that influenced outcome after autoHCT and to define the predictive value of the scoring systems most often applied for transplant outcomes. Nineteen patients in either complete or partial remission underwent autoHCT after induction chemotherapy. Forty-six patients received second-line chemotherapy as a consolidation of partial response after induction chemotherapy (n = 34) or as a salvage therapy after primary induction failure (n = 12), and thereafter proceeded to autoHCT. Finally, the 36 patients were in complete remission, and 29 in partial remission at autoHCT. The median follow-up of survivors was 53 months (range 7–157 months). The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival for all patients were 61.5 % (95 % CI 47.0–74.2 %) and 59.4 % (95 % CI 46.1–71.5 %), respectively. In multivariate analysis, bone marrow involvement at diagnosis and less than partial remission after induction chemotherapy were factors independently predictive for overall survival and progression-free survival. The prognostic index for PTCL could reliably stratify the prognosis of PTCL in this analysis

Outcomes and toxicity of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia patients previously treated with second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors : a prospective non-interventional study from the Chronic Malignancy Working Party of the EBMT

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains a treatment option for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who fail to respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). While imatinib seems to have no adverse impact on outcomes after transplant, little is known on the effects of prior use of second-generation TKI (2GTKI). We present the results of a prospective non-interventional study performed by the EBMT on 383 consecutive CML patients previously treated with dasatinib or nilotinib undergoing allo-HCT from 2009 to 2013. The median age was 45 years (18-68). Disease status at transplant was CP1 in 139 patients (38%), AP or >CP1 in 163 (45%), and BC in 59 (16%). The choice of 2GTKI was: 40% dasatinib, 17% nilotinib, and 43% a sequential treatment of dasatinib and nilotinib with or without bosutinib/ponatinib. With a median follow-up of 37 months (1-77), 8% of patients developed either primary or secondary graft failure, 34% acute and 60% chronic GvHD. There were no differences in post-transplant complications between the three different 2GTKI subgroups. Non-relapse mortality was 18% and 24% at 12 months and at 5 years, respectively. Relapse incidence was 36%, overall survival 56% and relapse-free survival 40% at 5 years. No differences in post-transplant outcomes were found between the three different 2GTKI subgroups. This prospective study demonstrates the feasibility of allo-HCT in patients previously treated with 2GTKI with a post-transplant complications rate comparable to that of TKI-naive or imatinib-treated patients.Peer reviewe