Bars are ubiquitous morphological features in the observed distribution of galaxies. There are similarly many methods for classifying these features and, without a strict theoretical definition or common standard practice, this is often left to circumstance. So, we were concerned whether astronomers even agree on the bar which they perceive in a given galaxy and whether this could impact perceived scientific results. As an elementary test, we twenty-one astronomers with varied experience in studying resolved galaxies and circumstances, have each assessed 200 galaxy images, spanning the early phase of bar evolution in two different barred galaxy simulations. We find variations exist within the classification of all the standard bar parameters assessed: bar length, axis-ratio, pitch-angle and even whether a bar is present at all. If this is indicative of the wider community, it has implications for interpreting morphological trends, such as bar-end effects. Furthermore, we find that it is surprisingly not expertise but gender, followed by career stage, which gives rise to the largest discrepancies in the reported bar parameters. Currently, automation does not seem to be a viable solution, with bar classifications from two automated bar-finding algorithms tested and failing to find bars in snapshots where most astronomers agree a bar must exist. Increasing dependence on machine learning or crowdsourcing with a training dataset can only serve to obfuscate any existing biases if these originate from the specific astronomer producing the training material. On the strength of this small sample, we encourage an interim best practice to reduce the impact of any possible classification bias and set goals for the community to resolve the issue in the future.

We present microsecond-resolution, coherently dedispersed, polarimetric measurements of 35 fast radio bursts (FRBs) detected during the Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transients (CRAFT) incoherent sum (ICS) survey with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). We find a wide diversity of time–frequency morphology and polarisation properties broadly consistent with those of currently known non-repeating FRBs. The high S/N and fine time-resolution of our data however reveals a wealth of new information. Key results include (i) the distribution of scattering timescales, ${{{\unicode{x03C4}}_\textrm{obs}}}$, is limited purely by instrumental effects, with no downturn at high ${{{\unicode{x03C4}}_\textrm{obs}}}$ as expected from a log-normal distribution; (ii) for the 29 FRBs with known redshift, there is no detectable correlation between ${{{\unicode{x03C4}}_\textrm{obs}}}$ and dispersion measure (DM) fluctuations about the Macquart relation, in contrast to expectations from pulsar scattering–DM relations; (iii) all FRBs probably have multiple components, and at least a large fraction have variable PA, the identification of which is limited by scattering; (iv) at least half of all FRBs exhibit PA microstructure at 200 $\mu{}$s–200 ns timescales, with behaviour most closely resembling a sub-category of Crab main pulses; (v) that there is a break in the FRB circular polarisation distribution at Stokes $V \gtrsim 20$%, which is suggestive of a discrete sub-population.

Introduction: Within our healthcare system, hospitalists receive feedback on antibiotic prescribing via an observed-to-expected ratio (OER) calculated by days of therapy (DOT) for CDC defined broad-spectrum, hospital-onset (BSHO) antibiotics and adjusted for patient characteristics and billing. In this sub-analysis, we quantify the impact of infectious disease (ID) consultations on OER. Methods: For each two-month period in five hospitals, encounters were assigned to each hospitalist if they billed for ≥1 day of care. The encounter was considered to involve an ID consult if an ID provider billed during the encounter. Percent of encounters with ID consultation (density) was calculated and stratum defined by gross ratios (e.g., 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 patients). We assessed whether consult density varied overtime, by facility, or by DOT. We assessed the effect of consult density on antibiotic DOT using established linear mixed effects model with random intercepts for both provider and facility (nested) and adjusted for patient characteristics and billing. Distribution of OERs were compared among strata to evaluate how ID consult changes OERs. Results: Between January and June 2023, 154 unique providers collectively received 458 bi-monthly OERs reflecting their care for 53,815 unique patients. Overall, 21% of hospital medicine patients were evaluated by an ID consultant during inpatient stay; median consultation density varied among providers by facility (19%-26%, Figure 1). Multivariate models (accounting for sepsis, UTI, renal disease) estimated significantly increased DOT for hospitalists having ~1:3 (+3.4 DOT, 95% CI 0.9 – 5.9) or 1:4 (+2.7 DOT, 95% CI 0.4-5.0) patients with ID consults compared to hospitalists with fewer than ~1:7 with an ID consult; however the effect was not significant in other strata and not linear (Table 1). Calculating the distribution of OERs both before and after adjusting for consult density resulted in small changes in OERs (Figure 1b). Discussion: The frequency of ID consults affected hospitalists’ BSHO-DOT in a non-linear fashion. Impact of ID consultation on prescribing metrics should be considered in building credibility of stewardship prescribing performance metrics.

Among 70 hospitalists across three facilities, 47% of high prescribers of broad-spectrum hospital-onset (BSHO) agents remained high in the subsequent period versus 24% for initially high prescribers of anti-MRSA agents. Findings of persistence of high prescribing add credibility to our metric for BSHO agents but not anti-MRSA agents.

UK Biobank (UKB) is a large-scale, prospective resource offering significant opportunities for mental health research. Data include genetic and biological data, healthcare linkage, and mental health enhancements. Challenges arise from incomplete linkage of some sources and the incomplete coverage for enhancements, which also occur at different times post-baseline. We searched for publications using UKB for mental health research from 2016 to 2023 to describe and inspire future use. Papers were classified by mental health topic, ‘additional’ aspects, and the data used to define the mental health topic. We identified 480 papers, with 338 focusing on mental health disorder topics (affective, anxiety, psychotic, multiple, and transdiagnostic). The most commonly studied disorder was depression (41%). The most common single method of ascertaining mental disorder status was the Mental Health Questionnaire (26%), with genetic risk, for example, using polygenic risk scores, also frequent (21%). Common additional aspects included brain imaging, gene–environment interaction, and the relationship with physical health. The review demonstrates the value of UKB to mental health research. We explore the strengths and weaknesses, producing resources informed by the review. A strength is the flexibility: conventional epidemiological studies are present, but also genomics, imaging, and other tools for understanding mental health. A major weakness is selection effects. UKB continues to hold potential, especially with additional data continuing to become available.

Strategists seek a competitive advantage by balancing legitimacy and novelty; however, each approach has distinct risks and trade-offs. Some firms take on too much risk and eventually fail, while other firms only seek risk-averse alternatives that appear to promote safety and optimal long-term performance. We question whether those decisions must be mutually exclusive. We generated and applied two generic strategy rationales to the results of a professional sports gambling pool. One rationale mirrored best practices, and the other included one minor adaptation, balancing risk and novelty. Our findings suggest profit potential for both approaches but deviating from the norm – occasionally and systematically – produced better outcomes. We demonstrate how industry-based best practices can serve as a foundation for rational decision-making and strategy development, thereby limiting potential adverse outcomes. However, savvy strategists should learn when and how to deviate from conventional wisdom to create more value for their firms.

The use of extended reality (XR) for education of healthcare personnel (HCP) is increasing. XR equipment is reusable and often shared between HCP in clinical areas; however, it may not include manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFU) in healthcare settings. Considerations for the selection of equipment and development of cleaning and disinfection protocols are described.

The Nippostrongylinae is a group of strongylid nematodes that includes species typically associated with coprophagous mammals; in the New World, it is represented by 82 species within 11 genera. Two main morphological features, the synlophe and the caudal bursa, are used to evaluate the characteristics that allow identification and classification of the organisms in the taxon. However, the analysis of these characters often requires a partial or total destruction of specimens and therefore morphological variation is studied in only a very small subset of organisms per species. To evaluate the phylogenetic signal from these characteristics, we use genetic data to reconstruct the first phylogeny for the Nippostrongylinae using nuclear and mitochondrial genes and include representatives of the most common and diverse genera. The reconstructed phylogeny features five distinct clades and allows us to identify three non-monophyletic taxa including Carolinensis, Vexillata and Hassalstrongylus. From these, Carolinensis s. l. is divided into four genera including Carolinensis, Boreostrongylus, Neoboreostrongylus n. gen. and Tepalcuanema n. gen. Stunkardionema is resurrected to include Vexillata noviberiae and Hassalstrongylus is divided into two, establishing Lovostrongylus n. gen. to include species that are closely related to Guerrerostrongylus and Trichofreitasia. Organisms in these three genera feature a caudal arrangement of type 2-2-1. Furthermore, species in Hassalstrongylus sensu stricto are more closely related to species in Malvinema and Stilestrongylus. Our results reveal the existence of an additional unnamed genus and underscore the usefulness of framing morphological characters in a comparative framework. A key for genera from the Americas is proposed.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs, characterised by variable airflow limitation and symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and chest tightness(1). One in 9 Australians has asthma and 42% also have obesity(1). The risk of developing asthma doubles in people who have obesity(2). While obesity is associated with increased severity of asthma(3), people with obesity have more severe asthma symptoms, poorer lung function, reduced quality of life and an increased risk of an asthma exacerbation(3). Response to medication also tends to be impaired, therefore limiting the efficacy of pharmaceutical management(4). Obesity is associated with increased systemic inflammation and there is some evidence that this inflammation may extend to the airways of adults with asthma; with research suggesting obesity is associated with increased airway inflammation(5). The impact of weight management on airway and systemic inflammation in asthma is unclear. Weight loss has been shown to improve asthma and, as such, has been recommended in asthma management guidelines(1). However, the ideal approach to sustainable weight loss in people with asthma is unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to determine both the short- and long-term efficacy of different obesity management approaches in adults with obesity and asthma, by systematically reviewing the literature. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Current Contents and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to January 2024, for obesity management interventions that assessed changes in clinical asthma outcomes, body composition, inflammation, and/or metabolic parameters. Studies were grouped by intervention type (lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery) and follow-up duration (< 12 months and ≥ 12 months). Eighteen lifestyle interventions, two pharmacotherapy and 17 surgical studies were included in the systematic review and 15 in the meta-analysis. All (n = 18) lifestyle interventions reported short-term results (< 12 months) and two reported long-term results (≥ 12 months). For surgical interventions, five reported short-term outcomes and 94% (16/17) reported long-term outcomes. 69% (9/13) of the lifestyle interventions observed statistically significant improvement in asthma symptoms in the short-term. Only 2 studies report long-term results (≥ 12 months) with improvements maintained in 50% (1/2) of studies. All surgical interventions (8/8) observed statistically significant long-term (≥ 12 months) improvements in asthma symptoms at twelve months. Research suggests that lifestyle interventions to manage obesity improve asthma symptoms in the short-term; however, the long-term efficacy is less certain due to the small number of studies. Surgical interventions show improved asthma symptoms at 12 months. Additional research is required to better understand the optimal obesity management approach and duration for adults with comorbid obesity and asthma.

In this first report of endoparasites from endemic land-mammals of the Galápagos Islands, we describe a new species of cestode of the genus Raillietina (Cyclophyllidea: Davaineidae) from a species of Nesoryzomys and summarize the extent of helminth parasitism in both oryzomyine endemics and introduced species of Rattus. Up to the current time, no helminth parasites have been reported from rodents of the Galápagos, and little work has yet been done describing and synthesizing Galápagos parasite diversity. In historical times, several species of autochthonous rodents have occupied the islands including: Nesoryzomys narboroughi Heller 1904, N. fernandinae Hutterer and Hirsch 1979, N. swarthi Orr, 1938, and Aegialomys galapagoensis (Waterhouse, 1839). Colonization of the islands by humans brought 3 known species of synanthropic rodents: Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and Mus musculus which are suspected to have caused the extinction of at least 3 other oryzomyines in historical times.

With wide-field phased array feed technology, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is ideally suited to search for seemingly rare radio transient sources that are difficult to discover previous-generation narrow-field telescopes. The Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transient (CRAFT) Survey Science Project has developed instrumentation to continuously search for fast radio transients (duration $\lesssim$ 1 s) with ASKAP, with a particular focus on finding and localising fast radio bursts (FRBs). Since 2018, the CRAFT survey has been searching for FRBs and other fast transients by incoherently adding the intensities received by individual ASKAP antennas, and then correcting for the impact of frequency dispersion on these short-duration signals in the resultant incoherent sum (ICS) in real time. This low-latency detection enables the triggering of voltage buffers, which facilitates the localisation of the transient source and the study of spectro-polarimetric properties at high time resolution. Here we report the sample of 43 FRBs discovered in this CRAFT/ICS survey to date. This includes 22 FRBs that had not previously been reported: 16 FRBs localised by ASKAP to $\lesssim 1$ arcsec and 6 FRBs localised to $\sim 10$ arcmin. Of the new arcsecond-localised FRBs, we have identified and characterised host galaxies (and measured redshifts) for 11. The median of all 30 measured host redshifts from the survey to date is $z=0.23$. We summarise results from the searches, in particular those contributing to our understanding of the burst progenitors and emission mechanisms, and on the use of bursts as probes of intervening media. We conclude by foreshadowing future FRB surveys with ASKAP using a coherent detection system that is currently being commissioned. This will increase the burst detection rate by a factor of approximately ten and also the distance to which ASKAP can localise FRBs.

Accounting for 53% of U.S. peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), Georgia is the top peanut-producing state, with approximately 1.42 billion kg produced in 2023. Peanut producers often use the acetolactate synthase (ALS) imidazolinone herbicide imazapic, but reduced yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) control was reported in Georgia peanuts after 4 yr of continuous imazapic use. This study aimed to determine the level of resistance (LD50, I50, and GR50) and potential cross-resistance for the suspected resistant population and to identify the associated genetic mutations conferring resistance. A susceptible biotype was treated with 0, 0.0088, 0.0175, 0.035, 0.07, 0.14, 0.28, and 0.56 kg ai ha−1, and a resistant biotype was sprayed with 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.28, 0.56, 1.13, 2.26, and 4.5 kg ai ha−1 of imazapic. To determine whether the suspected resistant biotype was cross-resistant to halosulfuron-methyl, an ALS herbicide used to control Cyperus spp., both biotypes were treated with 0, 0.0117, 0.0233, 0.0466, 0.0933, 0.187, 0.373, and 0.746 g ai ha−1 of halosulfuron-methyl. Plants were rated for injury at 7, 14, and 28 d after treatment (DAT), and aboveground biomass was harvested at 28 DAT. For imazapic, LD50 was 0.041 and 1.503 kg ai ha−1 and the GR50 was estimated to be 0.0128 and 1.853 kg ha−1 for Sus and Res biotypes, respectively, indicating 36- and 145-fold increase in resistance of the Res biotype for I50 and GR50, respectively. Both biotypes responded similarly to applications of halosulfuron-methyl, with biomass reduction at rates greater than 0.023 kg ai ha−1. Transcriptome profiles revealed a mutation in the target-site gene of the resistant biotype causing an amino acid substitution from alanine to valine at position 205 (Ala-205-Val). Growers should continue to rotate chemistries and implement integrated weed management approaches for control of C. esculentus, as the use of imazapic over consecutive years has led to resistance in C. esculentus.