Native Root Research Articles

Plant invasions facilitated by suppression of root nutrient acquisition rather than by disruption of mycorrhizal association in the native plant

Invasive species have profound negative impacts on native ranges. Unraveling the mechanisms employed by invasive plant species is crucial to controlling invasions. One important approach that invasive plants use to outcompete native plants is to disrupt mutualistic interactions between native roots and mycorrhizal fungi. However, it remains unclear how differences in the competitive ability of invasive plants affect native plant associations with mycorrhizae. Here, we examined how a native plant, Xanthium strumarium, responds to invasive plants that differed in competitive abilities (i.e., as represented by aboveground plant biomass) by measuring changes in root nitrogen concentration (root nutrient acquisition) and mycorrhizal colonization rate. We found that both root nitrogen concentration and mycorrhizal colonization rate in the native plant were reduced by invasive plants. The change in mycorrhizal colonization rate of the native plant was negatively correlated with both aboveground plant biomass of the invasive plants and the change in aboveground plant biomass of the native plant in monocultures relative to mixed plantings. In contrast, the change in root nitrogen concentration of the native plant was positively correlated with aboveground plant biomass of the invasive plants and the change in aboveground plant biomass of the native plant. When we compared the changes in mycorrhizal colonization rate and root nitrogen concentration in the native plant grown in monocultures with those of native plants grown with invasive plants, we observed a significant tradeoff. Our study shows that invasive plants can suppress native plants by reducing root nutrient acquisition rather than by disrupting symbiotic mycorrhizal associations, a novel finding likely attributable to a low dependence of the native plant on mycorrhizal fungi.

Bridges across languages and cultures: Narratives of long-term English learners

ABSTRACT This narrative inquiry highlights the experiences of three high school students labeled Long-term English learners (LTEL) in a North Texas high school. This narrative inquiry study uses semi-structured interviews to restory the students’ lives, emphasizing the emergent themes of family (the strongest pillar) and the language of the home (Spanish). The metaphor of the bridge, a connector across language and culture, offers insights into the students’ perspectives of their developing identities as bilingual and bicultural youth. Regarding the theme family (the strongest pillar), the students perceived their families as connecting them to their cultural heritage, providing emotional/social bonds, and advancing their academic interests. Regarding the theme the language of the home (Spanish), the students valued Spanish as the language of the heart, interlinking them with their native roots. Moreover, the students’ narratives demonstrate the importance of integrating additive learning experiences at school, designed to support LTEL students’ native languages and cultures. The article concludes with a pragmatic discussion about cultivating inclusive schooling cultures for LTEL learners.

Arthroscopic Transosseous Repair of a Medial Meniscal Posterior-Root Tear.

(1) Preoperative evaluation, including patient history, examination, and imaging (i.e., radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging). (2) Preparation and positioning. The patient is placed in the supine position, and anteromedial and anterolateral portals are created. (3) Placement of sutures. Two simple cinch sutures are placed into the posterior horn, within approximately 5 mm of each other. (4) Footprint decortication. Remove articular cartilage from the native root insertion site. (5) Drilling of the transosseous tibial tunnel. Introduce a tibial tunnel guide over the decorticated base, set guide to 45° to 50°, place a 2-cm vertical incision over an anteromedial tibial guide footprint, advance a 2.4-mm guide pin through the guide, and overream to 5 mm. (6) Passing of the sutures with use of a looped suture passer introduced retrograde through the tibial tunnel to retrieve sutures. (7) Anchor placement and fixation. Apply maximum suture traction, drill a second aperture 0.5 to 1.0 cm distal to the original aperture on the anteromedial aspect of the tibia, pass the suture ends through the anchor, and fix the anchor into the aperture. (8) Repair evaluation and closure. Note the position and stability of the meniscal root relative to the native footprint. Standard closure in layers is performed. If the patient experiences no relief from nonoperative treatment, an MMPRT can be treated operatively via partial meniscectomy or repaired via direct suture-anchor repair or indirect transosseous (transtibial) repair. Direct repair utilizes a suture anchor inserted at the root site5. Variations of the present technique include different suture configurations or numbers of tunnels. Although several suture configurations have been described, the simple cinch stitch (utilized in the present procedure) has been shown to be better at resisting displacement than the locking loop stitch6. Moreover, it has been suggested that simple stitches are less technically difficult and more able to resist displacement because they require less tissue penetration than other stitches7. Lastly, procedures that utilize a single versus a second transtibial tunnel have been shown to be equivalent in cadaveric studies8. The desired results of MMPRT repair include anatomic reduction, preservation of meniscal tissue and knee biomechanics, and preservation of hoop stress, which improve activity, function, and symptoms and mitigate degenerative changes and the risk of progression to total knee arthroplasty. At a minimum of 2 years after transosseous repair, the Lysholm, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, 12-Item Short Form, and Tegner activity scale were significantly improved8,9. Previous studies have shown significant improvement in the Hospital for Special Surgery and Lysholm scores without radiographic osteoarthritis progression at the same minimum follow-up10. Lastly, in the longest-term follow-up study to date, transosseous repair survivorship was reported to be 99% at 5 years and 92% at 8 years, with failure defined as conversion to total knee arthroplasty11. Pearls○ Decorticate the native meniscal root down to bleeding bone.○ Consider fenestration or percutaneous release of the medial collateral ligament in order to further open a tight medial compartment.○ A self-retrieving suture passer allows the use of standard arthroscopy portals.○ A multiuse variable-angle tibial tunnel drill guide allows point-to-point placement over the native meniscal root insertion.○ A guide with a tip may be easier and more accurate to control.○ Consider different guides when drilling the tibial tunnel, according to the anatomy of the patient.○ A low-profile guide may provide better clearance along the condyles.○ Utilize a cannula when shuttling sutures through the tibial tunnel in order to prevent a soft-tissue bridge.○ With anchor fixation, consider drilling over a guide pin and tapping when the bone is hard.○ Study preoperative imaging to evaluate the amount of arthritis present. Evaluate all compartments on magnetic resonance imaging for additional pathology.Pitfalls○ Obliquity of the tibial tunnel can cause the guide pin and reamer to enter too anteriorly.○ Patient failure to adhere to postoperative rehabilitation and restrictions can lead to unfavorable outcomes.○ The use of lower-strength sutures may increase the risk of fixation failure.

Ascending aorta and aortic root replacement in an infant: a case report

We herein report the first clinical case of prosthetic replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch to repair a giant aneurysm in a 7-month-old child. The ascending aorta and arch replacement to the level of left subclavian artery was performed using a no. 16 Polymaille prosthesis, the brachiocephalic trunk was reimplanted into the vascular prosthesis and the kinked section of the left common carotid artery was removed, followed by reimplanting the left common carotid artery into the left subclavian artery. First, proximal anastomosis with the vascular prosthesis was created using a no. 16 Polymaille prosthesis and the vascular suture was strengthened with a Teflon strip. During circulatory arrest, the aortic arch was crossed between the orifice of the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery, with the cut extended to the isthmus region along the small curvature of the arch. The brachiocephalic trunk was aligned and brought down, with subsequent implantation into the ascending aorta prosthesis 2 cm below the initial fixation point. In the final stage, the kinked section of the left common carotid artery was resected and the aligned left carotid artery was directly reimplanted into the left subclavian artery using end-to-side anastomosis. The patient developed tracheobronchitis and moderate heart failure during the postoperative period. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 16 hours. Infusion and antibacterial therapy were discontinued on postoperative day 8. On postoperative day 13, the patient was discharged and referred to the outpatient centre for further treatment and rehabilitation. A sufficiently large-sized prosthesis allows for further development in paediatric patients. This is facilitated by the preservation of the native aortic root with restored valve function and the formation of a bevelled distal anastomosis with a small unchanged aortic section in the isthmus region, which maintains growth potential. This first reported case of an infant demonstrates the possibility of combination interventions on the aortic arch and brachiocephalic artery during the first year of life.Received 30 January 2021. Revised 24 March 2021. Accepted 29 March 2021.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interests.Contribution of the authors: The authors contributed equally to this article.

The Natural History of Medial Meniscal Root Tears: A Biomechanical and Clinical Case Perspective.

Posterior medial meniscus root tears (PMMRTs) make up a relatively notable proportion of all meniscus pathology and have been definitively linked to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). While known risk factors for development of OA in the knee include abnormal tibial coronal alignment, obesity and female gender, PMMRTs have emerged in recent years as another significant driver of degenerative disease. These injuries lead to an increase in average contact pressure in the medial compartment, along with increases in peak contact pressure and a decrease in contact area relative to the intact state. Loss of the root attachment impairs the function of the entire meniscus and leads to meniscal extrusion, thus impairing the force-dissipating role of the meniscus. Anatomic meniscus root repairs with a transtibial pullout technique have been shown biomechanically to restore mean and peak contact pressures in the medial compartment. However, nonanatomic root repairs have been reported to be ineffective at restoring joint pressures back to normal. Meniscal extrusion is often a consequence of nonanatomic repair and is correlated with progression of OA. In this study, the authors will describe the biomechanical basis of the natural history of medial meniscal root tears and will support the biomechanical studies with a case series including patients that either underwent non-operative treatment (5 patients) or non-anatomic repair of their medial meniscal root tears (6 patients). Using measurements derived from axial MRI, the authors will detail the distance from native root attachment center of the non-anatomic tunnels and discuss the ongoing symptoms of those patients. Imaging and OA progression among patients who were treated nonoperatively before presentation to the authors will be discussed as well. The case series thus presented will illustrate the natural history of meniscal root tears, the consequences of non-anatomic repair, and the findings of symptomatic meniscal extrusion associated with a non-anatomic repair position of the meniscus.

Outcomes of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Thoracic Aorta (4.0-4.5 cm) After Aortic Valve Replacement

BackgroundThere is little evidence on managing the proximal aorta of 4.0-4.5 cm during aortic valve replacement (AVR) in bicuspid aortic valve patients. MethodsA total of 431 patients between 1993 and 2019 underwent either an isolated AVR, AVR + concomitant ascending aorta replacement, or aortic root replacement. We divided patients into native root dilation (4.0-4.5 cm, n = 121) vs root control groups (<4.0 cm, n = 238), native ascending dilation (4.0-4.5 cm, n = 50) vs ascending control groups (<4.0 cm, n = 166), or proximal dilation (root or ascending aorta 4.0-4.5 cm, n = 160) and proximal control groups (both root and ascending aorta <4.0 cm, n = 272). ResultsGrowth rate was similar between the root dilation and control groups, (both were 0.1 mm/y, P = .56). The ascending dilation group had an aorta growth rate of 0.0 mm/y after AVR or root replacement, which was significantly different from the ascending control group (0.2 mm/y), P = .01. Furthermore, growth rate was similar between the proximal dilation (combined root or ascending dilation) and control group (both were 0.1 mm/y, P = .20). There were only 2 ascending aortic aneurysm repairs after AVR in the whole cohort. The long-term survival was similar between the root or ascending dilation groups vs root or ascending control groups, and between the proximal dilation and control groups. Multivariable Cox regression confirmed aortic root or ascending dilation was not a significant risk factor of long-term mortality. ConclusionsOur findings supported not replacing a 4.0-4.5 cm proximal thoracic aorta, including aortic root and ascending aorta, at the time of AVR for bicuspid aortic valve patients.

MLaaS4HEP: Machine Learning as a Service for HEP

Machine Learning (ML) will play a significant role in the success of the upcoming High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) program at CERN. An unprecedented amount of data at the exascale will be collected by LHC experiments in the next decade, and this effort will require novel approaches to train and use ML models. In this paper, we discuss a Machine Learning as a Service pipeline for HEP (MLaaS4HEP) which provides three independent layers: a data streaming layer to read High-Energy Physics (HEP) data in their native ROOT data format; a data training layer to train ML models using distributed ROOT files; a data inference layer to serve predictions using pre-trained ML models via HTTP protocol. Such modular design opens up the possibility to train data at large scale by reading ROOT files from remote storage facilities, e.g., World-Wide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG) infrastructure, and feed the data to the user’s favorite ML framework. The inference layer implemented as TensorFlow as a Service (TFaaS) may provide an easy access to pre-trained ML models in existing infrastructure and applications inside or outside of the HEP domain. In particular, we demonstrate the usage of the MLaaS4HEP architecture for a physics use-case, namely, the t{bar{t}} Higgs analysis in CMS originally performed using custom made Ntuples. We provide details on the training of the ML model using distributed ROOT files, discuss the performance of the MLaaS and TFaaS approaches for the selected physics analysis, and compare the results with traditional methods.

Technical Modifications That Might Improve Long-term Outcomes of the Ross Procedure in Children

BackgroundFailure of the pulmonary valve autograft (PVA) after the Ross procedure (RP) has discouraged its widespread use and has led to modifications or alternatives to the procedure. We sought to analyze whether certain technical modifications could improve results of the RP in children. MethodsSixty-nine patients (median age, 12 years; range, 0.25-17.9) underwent the RP between January 1996 and December 2018. A concomitant Konno procedure was performed on 20 of 69 patients (29%). Prior interventions included balloon valvuloplasty in 30 (44%) and/or surgical valvuloplasty in 39 (57%). Technical modifications included using the native aortic root for external annuloplasty, implanting the autograft using uniplanar horizontal sutures through the aortic wall, normalizing the sinotubular junction, and wrapping the native root remnant around the PVA. ResultsOperative mortality was 1 of 69 patients (1.5%), with no late deaths. No patient had neoaortic valvar stenosis and 7 of 68 (10%) had mild regurgitation on discharge echocardiogram. At latest follow-up (median, 9.4 years; range, 0.4-21.3) there was no significant change in Z scores of annulus, sinus, or sinotubular junction diameters when compared with those at discharge. Three patients (4.4%) required late autograft replacement, 2 PVA repair, and 2 resection of a pseudoaneurysm. Actuarial freedom from PVA replacement was 87% at 20 years. Freedom from right ventricular outflow tract catheter reintervention or reoperation was 83% and 80%, respectively. ConclusionsTechnical modifications of the RP used in this cohort might successfully prolong the life of the PVA without compromising its growth, an important advantage in pediatric patients.

The effects of field inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through rye donor plants on grapevine performance and soil properties

Grapevines are highly dependent on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for normal growth and development. However, vineyard soils may have low AMF abundance and diversity due to conventional soil management practices that are detrimental for these fungi. In this context, the establishment of AMF-inoculated cover crops can be a highly convenient strategy to reestablish soil mycorrhizal potential, as it combines the advantages of a vigorous inoculum source coming from mycorrhizal donor plants with the overall benefits of green covers for grape quality, microbial diversity and soil health. In this work, the potential benefits of Funneliformis mosseae-inoculated under-vine cover crops on grapevine growth, physiology and production were compared to those derived from 1) the establishment of non-inoculated under-vine cover crops, and 2) conventional herbicide-based weed control in the under-vine space. In addition, grapevine root AMF community composition was analyzed to assess if the introduction of a non-native AMF species induced changes on resident mycorrhizal community assemblies and to unveil potential variations in AMF diversity associated to herbicide replacement by green covers. Results indicated that under-vine cover crops, inoculated or not, led to a general vigor decrease in grapevines, probably due to competition between the two species. However, after a heat wave that occurred at harvest time in the second year of the experiment, grapevines growing in plots with inoculated cover crops had the highest photochemical reflectance indices and net photosynthesis rates, and partially compensated production losses due to berry sunburn. Root mycorrhizal community analysis by the end of the experiment revealed that the inoculated F. mosseae isolate colonized grapevine roots from inoculated plots, while it was absent in the other ones. Moreover, inoculation of this AMF did not lead to a replacement of native root AMF communities, but allowed further colonization by other resident Glomeraceae and non-Glomeraceae AMF taxa. Overall, the work herein demonstrates that the introduction of F. mosseae through donor plants is a suitable field inoculation method for grapevines and can help them to better withstand heat waves.

European Ideals and National Identity in Georgian Emigrant Literature of the XX Century

The political processes of the 20th century became a kind of test for Georgian writers, the passing of which was largely manifested by the writers’ physical presence-absence, the denial of their own beliefs. Immigrant literature has become a form of free expres-sion of dissident thoughts. The authors were forced to move to another language space for their spiritual and physical survival in order to at least somehow get closer to the national culture. However, new contradictions arose at the same time. Writers lived in a foreign country, in a society of a different mentality and worldview, for which the topic that was close to the Georgian way of life could possibly be completely alien and uninteresting. The works of Georgian emigrant authors could be incompatible or less compatible with foreign literary discourse.The goal of writers and poets of the early 20th century was to remove the shack-les of imperialism from Georgia and to become closer to Europe. The Soviet authori-ties launched a cruel and immoral campaign against the writer, caused by the ideolo-gy of that time. One of the outstanding representatives of this particular era was Grigol Robakidze. The present paper deals with the research and analysis of the movement that began at the beginning of the 20th century and was aimed at bringing Georgia closer to Europe; it also discusses the reasons that served the public to appeal to European ideals and how the struggle went on to establish their cultural values. Grigol Robaki-dze's German-language work is essentially a part of Georgian literature.The writer was delighted with the poetic greatness of the Georgian language and its capabilities. Robakidze's works clearly show his selfless love for the mother-land. He was in love with the Georgian language, the Georgian land, the Georgian character and, in general, with everything Georgian. It is easy to imagine that the stay in emigration even more strengthened the writer's patriotic feelings. The creative path of the emigrant writer was in expressing his own and national identity, on the one hand, and in adapting to the literary environment, the part of which the author should have become himself, on the other hand. Thus, he did not move away from his native roots and found his place in a foreign literary discourse.

Arthroscopic Medial Meniscal Posterior Root Repair With Transtibial Luggage-Tag and Horizontal Mattress Sutures

Medial meniscal posterior root repair techniques have shown positive yet varied results in the literature. The decision to perform repair has improved clinical outcomes in many situations, although the healing rate is approximately 64% and the repair strength is roughly one-third of the native root strength, with meniscal extrusion being common. We present a technique based on biomechanical evidence to obtain a strong anatomic posterior root repair to restore nearly normal knee mechanics, combining an increased size of footprint under the lateral aspect of the medial meniscal horn for healing and a luggage-tag suture with a posteriorly placed horizontal mattress suture. The horizontal mattress suture is passed to capture the circumferential fibers of the meniscus and the luggage-tag suture is passed to capture the radial fibers of the meniscal body, through a single transtibial tunnel. The aim of this repair is to restore the normal meniscal function.

European Pentecostalism

Abstract In a global context, numerically European Pentecostals are relatively few. That said, European Pentecostalism has deep native roots and a rich international history. Indeed, this article argues that European Pentecostalism is precisely a modern European Christian movement because of both its European origins and its international ethos. Informed by this historical past, the article proposes that the pentecostal narrative of Acts 2, which celebrates the diversity of cultures and calls peoples to repentance, has the potential to help European culture to navigate its complex past and provide the foundational story for building its multicultural future. This, however, can only be done if European Pentecostals themselves effectively socially embody the message of Pentecost in their local congregations, networks, and institutions.

In Vitro Evaluation of Flow Distribution in All-Region Perfusion during the Norwood Operation.

Continuous all-region perfusion has the potential to reduce total body ischemia during the Norwood procedure. This technique involves placing cannulas in the innominate artery, descending aorta, and native aortic root, thus providing continuous flow to the whole body at mild hypothermia (32-34°C) during the entire operation. However, the cannulation strategy in this approach must be optimized to achieve adequate flow rates to all vascular beds. To ensure appropriate blood flow rates to three cannulas of different caliber supplied by two inflow pumps, a benchtop evaluation of comparative flow rates through branched cannulas with variable independent perfusion pressures was conducted. Two isolated vertical columns with outlets at 10 mmHg intervals to allow for adjustable perfusion pressures were filled with expired banked packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. The main arterial line was bifurcated with an 8-Fr arterial cannula inserted at the base of one column and a 4-mm (outside diameter [OD]) olive tip cannula inserted at the base of the other column. Flow rates were measured on each branch of the ¼″ arterial lines. Under experimental cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) perfusion pressures of 30-50 mmHg on the 8-Fr arterial cannula column, the branched olive tip cannula accommodated less than 25% of total flow at total flow rates of 50-700 mL/min. This fraction is insufficient to sustain adequate lower body perfusion. However, the olive tip flow fraction was found to be sufficient for coronary blood flow (5-20 mL/kg/min) when olive tip perfusion pressures close to average neonatal diastolic blood pressures (20-60 mmHg) were tested. For all-region perfusion during the Norwood operation, primary CPB arterial flow should be divided to the head and coronary circulation with an independent pump delivering flow to the descending aorta. This should avoid cerebral over-circulation and insufficient flow to the lower body.

Abstract 16765: Sustained Total All-Region Perfusion During the Norwood Operation is Associated With Improved Post-Operative Recovery

Introduction: We developed a technique for Stage 1 “Norwood” reconstruction with continuous perfusion of the head, heart, and lower body at mild hypothermia, deemed Sustained Total All-Region (STAR) perfusion. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that STAR perfusion would shorten cardiopulmonary bypass and procedural times and expedite post-operative recovery, due to lack of cooling and re-warming and decreased total body ischemia. Methods: Between 2012-2019, 65 infants underwent Norwood reconstruction at our institution. Those who underwent prior pulmonary artery banding were excluded, yielding a cohort of 51 infants who underwent primary Norwood reconstruction. Outcomes for patients who underwent Norwood reconstruction using STAR perfusion (n=21) were compared to those who underwent Norwood reconstruction with conventional techniques using regional cerebral perfusion only (n=30). STAR perfusion was performed with innominate artery cannulation as well as olive tip cannulas inserted into the opened descending aorta and native aortic root to provide continuous perfusion of the head, heart, and lower body throughout the procedure (Figure), under mild hypothermia (32-34°C). Results: Norwood reconstruction with STAR perfusion was associated with shorter median CPB times vs. conventional perfusion techniques (161 vs. 226 mins,p&lt;0.0001) and elimination of myocardial ischemia (0 vs. 90 minutes cross-clamp time,p&lt;0.0001). Total operative time was reduced by over 3 hours (319 vs 514 mins,p&lt;0.0001), likely in part due to improved post-bypass coagulopathy. Improvements in post-operative recovery were noted with STAR perfusion, including more rapid normalization of serum lactate (19.3 vs. 26.5 hours, p=0.0009), lower peak serum lactate (8.6 vs.10 mmol/dL, p=0.04) and fewer days to chest closure (3 vs. 5 days, p=0.04). Survival to hospital discharge (95% vs 83%, p=0.38) was similar between groups. Conclusions: Norwood reconstruction with STAR perfusion is a safe technique that eliminates ischemic time to the heart and lower body and allows for the procedure to be performed at warmer temperatures. We found evidence of reduced CPB and operative times, as well as improved hemostasis, end-organ function, and post-operative recovery with this technique.

Root stoichiometric dynamics and homeostasis of invasive species Phyllostachys edulis and native species Cunninghamia lanceolata in a subtropical forest in China

The community species abundance and diversity declined with bamboo invasion had been widely reported worldwide. However, the physiological strategies used during root competition between native species and invasive bamboo are poorly understood. To clarify the mechanisms underlying such strategies, the stoichiometric dynamics and homeostasis of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic carbon in root orders of Phyllostachys edulis (I du [=I-Pe, years 1 and 2]; II du [=II-Pe, years 3 and 4]), Cunninghamia lanceolata in transition and pure forests were analyzed. With increasing intensity of bamboo invasion, N, P, and C content of C. lanceolata root orders declined, N and P content in P. edulis rhizome orders declined, while C increased, the stoichiometric ratios in mixed forest interface mainly increased, and the stoichiometric differences within native and invasive species root orders narrowed. Meanwhile, the stoichiometric homeostasis index (H) of elements in the same root order and even the same elements in different root orders were not consistent. H of most root orders (except some HP) was greater than 4, the H ranked order was I-Pe > Cl > II-Pe in mixed interfaces, and the N:P ratio of most species root orders was greater than 16, despite being affected by invasion. Our research concluded that the bamboo invasion narrows stoichiometric differences within root orders, and the juvenile bamboo rhizome has a stronger capacity for homeostatic regulation than in adult bamboo and C. lanceolata, which is a key determinant of bamboo invasion success.

Role of Computed Tomography in Postoperative Follow-up of Arterial Switch Operation.

An arterial switch operation (ASO) is the standard treatment for infants and children born with D-loop transposition of the great arteries. During the ASO, the great vessels are transected from the native roots, switched and anastomosed with the opposite roots. This is accompanied by the relocation of the pulmonary artery anterior to the aorta by using the LeCompte maneuver and the translocation of coronary arteries to the neo-aorta. ASO has led to improved overall survival, and postoperative mortality is rare. Despite the improved outcomes, several postoperative sequelae may occur, and therefore patients require long-term follow-up. Computed tomography (CT) has emerged as a robust imaging modality in pre and postoperative evaluation of a variety of congenital heart disorders including ASO. Unlike echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, CT is not hindered by a poor acoustic window, metallic devices or the need for sedation or general anesthesia. CT with advanced three-dimensional postprocessing techniques, high pitch scanning, wider detector system, electrocardiogram-dependent modulation and dose-reduction strategies is invaluable in assessing the postoperative complications after ASO.

Changes in collective consciousness of modern society

This article is dedicated to the analysis of collective consciousness and transformations it has experienced for the past century. Collective consciousness as spiritual fiber of a considerable part of citizens is c crucial indicator of the stability of country&amp;rsquo;s political system. It contains the most common representations, moods, feelings, and emotions that ideally reflect the actual processes taking place in social life. Collective consciousness in Western democracies marks prevalence of the distortion of moral and family values, selfishness, euphoria of superiority over other nations, comfort oversaturation, exaggerated perception of human rights, etc. This indicates a dead end for further development of the Western civilization. The analysis of social reality of modern Russia allows concluding that collective consciousness has been severely affected by the bourgeois ideology. However, the life circumstances force the Russians to take a critical at the bourgeois priorities, reconsider their past and turn to the native roots. Currently, the majority of Russians experience nostalgic feelings towards the missing social justice and equality. They constantly feel anxiety, fear and uncertainty about tomorrow. This circumstance should serve as an alert for the country&amp;rsquo;s authorities and make them seek the solutions adequate to the people&amp;rsquo;s aspirations

Phragmites australis Associates with Belowground Fungal Communities Characterized by High Diversity and Pathogen Abundance

Microbial symbionts are gaining attention as crucial drivers of invasive species spread and dominance. To date, much research has quantified the net effects of plant–microbe interactions on the relative success of native and invasive species. However, little is known about how the structure (composition and diversity) of microbial symbionts can differ among native and invasive species, or vary across the invasive landscape. Here, we explore the structure of endosphere and soil fungal communities associated with a monoculture-forming widespread invader, Phragmites australis, and co-occurring native species. Using field survey data from marshes in coastal Louisiana, we tested three hypotheses: (1) Phragmites australis root and soil fungal communities differ from that of co-occurring natives, (2) Phragmites australis monocultures harbor distinct fungal communities at the expanding edge compared to the monodominant center, and (3) proximity to the P. australis invading front alters native root endosphere and soil fungal community structure. We found that P. australis cultivates root and soil fungal communities with higher richness, diversity, and pathogen abundances compared to native species. While P. australis was found to have higher endosphere pathogen abundances at its expanding edge compared to the monodominant center, we found no evidence of compositional changes or pathogen spillover in native species in close proximity to the invasion front. This work suggests that field measurements of fungal endosphere communities in native and invasive plants are useful to help understand (or rule out) mechanisms of invasion.

Fully Data-Driven Pseudohealthy Synthesis for Planning Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Reconstruction using Conditional Variational Autoencoders

Abstract Aortic root aneurysm is treated by replacing the dilated root by a grafted prosthesis which mimics the native root morphology of the individual patient. The challenge in predicting the optimal prosthesis size rises from the highly patient-specific geometry as well as the absence of the original information on the healthy root. Therefore, the estimation is only possible based on the available pathological data. In this paper, we show that representation learning with Conditional Variational Autoencoders is capable of turning the distorted geometry of the aortic root into smoother shapes while the information on the individual anatomy is preserved. We evaluated this method using ultrasound images of the porcine aortic root alongside their labels. The observed results show highly realistic resemblance in shape and size to the ground truth images. Furthermore, the similarity index has noticeably improved compared to the pathological images. This provides a promising technique in planning individual aortic root replacement.

Mythology of object world in Maxim Garetsky’s works

A hypothetical proposition is stated that mythologization of objects in M. Garetsky’s works is a way to harmonize the surrounding world and man in it, and also a precise picture of the reality, a sign of changes and calamities.In accordance with M. Garetsky’s mythopoetical concept, the tragic spirit of human life is vivid in simultaneous personi­ fication of objects and objectivation of people; it is revealed in such moments as hiding face (“Winter”), or partial identification of man with clothes (“Guiet current”). Complete and irrevocable objectivation of man is presented by the author in the story “Winter” and the novel “Guiet current”.In the story “Winter” the central place, or a scene where objects attack man is a mythological image of a house, which fulfills various content and conceptual functions in the author’s mythmaking. On the one hand, the house is a protective hearth, which gives man complete protection, like in the stories “In a Sauna”, “Native Root”. On the other hand, it is a place of uncomfortable and constrained human life.It is stressed that in M. Garetsky’s descriptions we see a transition from life precision to dethronement of social myth. There is a similar fine line between life plane and myth in the story “In a Sauna”, but this work, unlike the story “Tar”, depicts not destruction of myth, but its growth and reinforcement, which is symbolically revealed in sentences and in magical charms (the story “Winter”).