bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Approaches in Pediatric Relapsing Autoimmune Encephalitis
Authors: Yakir Maayan J. , Yang Jennifer H.
Published: March 2024

Purpose of review

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is increasingly recognized as a treatable cause of encephalitis in children. While prior observational studies demonstrate improved motor outcomes with early immunotherapy, less is known about long-term management and treatment for relapsing disease. In this review, we present current treatment approaches to pediatric AE, in particular relapse risk and treatment for relapsing AE in children.

Recent findings

A recent meta-analysis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis demonstrated that disease onset in adolescence was associated with an increased odds of relapse whereas treatment with rituximab and IVIG for 6 months or longer were associated with a non-relapsing course. However, no specific pediatric sub-analyses were reported. A single-center study on adult and pediatric AE showed that rituximab use was associated with a reduction in time to relapse and recurring relapses although the data for the pediatric cohort did not achieve statistical significance.

The use of second-line immunotherapy during the initial attack may reduce the risk for relapsing disease in pediatric AE. Larger studies are needed to investigate relapse risk and treatment in both anti-NMDAR and non-NMDAR encephalitis in children.
Effect of early peri-operative arterial lactate concentration level ratios on post-hepatectomy liver failure
Authors: Wang Dong-Dong , Dong Meng-Meng , Xie Ya-Ming , Xu Fei-Qi , Fu Tian-Wei , Wu Yu-Chen , Zhang Zhe , Lu Yi , Liang Lei , Yao Wei-Feng , Shen Guo-Liang , Liu Jun-Wei , Zhang Cheng-Wu , Xu Qiu-Ran , Xiao Zun-Qiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication after hepatectomy and a major cause of death. The current criteria for PHLF diagnosis (ISGLS consensus) require laboratory data of elevated INR level and hyperbilirubinemia on or after postoperative day 5. This study aims to propose a new indicator for the early clinical prediction of PHLF.

Methods

The peri-operative arterial lactate concentration level ratios were derived from time points within the 3 days before surgery and within POD1, the patients were divided into two groups: high lactate ratio group (≥ 1) and low lactate ratio group (< 1). We compared the differences in morbidity rates between the two groups. Utilized logistic regression analysis to identify the risk factors associated with PHLF development and ROC curves to compare the predictive value of lactate ratio and other liver function indicators for PHLF.

Results

A total of 203 patients were enrolled in the study. Overall morbidity and severe morbidity occurred in 64.5 and 12.8 per cent of patients respectively. 39 patients (19.2%) met the criteria for PHLF, including 15 patients (7.4%) with clinically relevant Post-hepatectomy liver failure (CR-PHLF). With a significantly higher incidence of PHLF observed in the lactate ratio ≥ 1 group compared to the lactate ratio < 1 group (n = 34, 26.8% vs. n = 5, 6.6%, P < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a lactate ratio ≥ 1 was an independent predictor for PHLF (OR: 3.239, 95% CI 1.097–9.565, P = 0.033). Additionally, lactate ratio demonstrated good predictive efficacy for PHLF (AUC = 0.792).

Conclusions

Early assessment of peri-operative arterial lactate concentration level ratios may provide experience in early intervention of complications in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, which can reduce the likelihood of PHLF occurrence and improve patient prognosis.
FAM83D acts as an oncogene by regulating cell cycle progression via multiple pathways in synovial sarcoma: a potential novel downstream target oncogene of anlotinib
Authors: Liu Zi-mei , Yuan Ying , Jin Lei
Published: March 2024

Objective

Synovial Sarcoma (SS), a highly malignant mesenchymal neoplasm, typically carries a grim prognosis for patients presenting with high-grade or metastatic disease. Although Anlotinib, a new agent for treating soft tissue sarcomas, holds promise, its underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. This investigation aims to delineate Anlotinib’s anticancer effectiveness and potential mechanistic underpinnings in patients suffering from advanced, refractory SS.

Materials and methods

Employing microarray assay, we examined the potential downstream targets of Anlotinib in SS therapy. A shRNA-based high-content screening was performed to identify candidate genes with the greatest influence on SW982 cell proliferation. The knockdown efficacy of selected genes within SW982 cells was confirmed using RT-qPCR as well as western blot analysis. To assess the effect of putative downstream elimination of genes with synovial sarcoma cells, cell proliferation, and apoptotic assays were carried out. Gene chip microarray as well as bioinformatics techniques were utilized to scrutinize potential signaling networks associated with the candidate downstream gene.

Results

QPCR verified high expression of FAM83D in SW982 cells, shRNA was designed to silence FAM83D by lentivirus transfection, apoptosis assay, and cell cycle arrest showing that FAM83D downregulation augments apoptosis in SW982 cells and arrests cell cycle progression in the S stage. Inhibition of FAM83D expression upregulated STAT1 while downregulated BIRC5, MCM2, and CDK1 genes in vitro.

Conclusions

This experimental study identified FAM83D as a critical regulator that contributes to the proliferation and progression of SS, suggesting that FAM83D-regulated signaling pathway may serve as a prospective target in SS management.
The predictive value of systemic inflammatory markers in 902 patients with tunneled hemodialysis catheter
Authors: Baykara Ulusan Melis , Meltem Emine , Mutlu Ilhan Nahit , Ulusan Kivilcim
Published: March 2024

Aim

This study aimed to assess the predictive role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume, on catheter survival in chronic hemodialysis patients, analyzing both infectious and non-infectious complications.

Methods

A retrospective analysis encompassed 1279 tunneled catheter insertion procedures involving 902 patients between March 2014 and October 2018. Patients were categorized into two main groups: (i) initial placement and (ii) exchange. The exchange group was further stratified into four subgroups: infection, dysfunction, displacement, and transitioning temporary hemodialysis catheters to long-term ones. Hematologic ratios were calculated from baseline hemogram data, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts, while mean platelet volume was derived from the same hemogram.

Results

The patients in the exchange group displayed significantly higher lymphocyte and monocyte values (p < 0.001), while lower values were noted for neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.001). The transition group displayed higher monocyte values and lower mean platelet volume and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values (p < 0.05). In the infection-related exchange subgroup, higher neutrophil count, mean platelet volume, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio values were observed compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Cases related to catheter dysfunction exhibited increased lymphocyte-monocyte ratio but lower neutrophil, monocyte, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio values (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study highlights the interest of specific inflammatory markers, particularly monocytes, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio, in the management of tunneled catheters, notably in patients undergoing exchanges. However, cut-off values, essential for constructing management algorithms, are currently lacking, and prospective multicenter studies are needed for further elucidation.

Graphical abstract
The sustainability of developmental programs by the U.S. and China in Sub-Saharan Africa: a comparison of effectiveness
Authors: Dagold Mandy , Stimers Mitchel
Published: March 2024

This descriptive comparative qualitative case study examines the sustainability of development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated economic, social, environmental, and institutional development programs from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the U.S. to Sub-Saharan Africa for sustainable development to fill the research gap on these technique’s success and effects on Sub-Saharan Africa. Using purposive sampling, we chose eight Sub-Saharan African countries representing distinct geographies and economies. The College of William & Mary’s AID Data-GeoCoded Chinese Official Finance Dataset, China Africa Research Initiative, and USAID’s Foreign Aid Explorer provided data. Results revealed a complex view of Sub-Saharan Africa’s development policy success. Proposition 1, which claims China’s economic tactics exceed those of the U.S., is supported by significant infrastructure investments but presents sustainability problems. Proposition 2, praising the social development initiatives of the U.S., is supported by gains in healthcare and education in other countries. However, context-specific issues persist. Proposition 3 shows that U.S. conservation collaborations have improved environmental preservation. Proposition 4 claims that both countries’ institutional development plans fail. The results highlight local government buy-in issues and the need for adaptation. Some of the ideas find support in recent research; however, country and context differences require unique tactics. Development efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa should focus on long-term sustainability, local objectives, and environmental implications. Effective institutional growth requires adaptation and a strong awareness of local governing dynamics, and policymakers, development practitioners, and scholars may gain insight into sustainability and development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa from this research. A holistic approach that balances economic, social, environmental, and institutional factors is needed to attain sustainable development goals.
For whom and by whom is glaciology?
Authors: Robel Alexander A. , Ultee Lizz , Ranganathan Meghana , Nash Meredith
Published: March 2024

Glacier and ice sheet research is frequently justified on the basis of potential benefits to those communities that are most vulnerable to glacier change. In this glaciology research, funding priorities and communication to the broader public are strongly affected by the experiences and values of glaciology researchers. Using population data and newly available survey data from research organizations including glaciologists, we show that there is a substantial misalignment between the demographics of those who stand to benefit from glaciological research and those who produce glaciological knowledge. We discuss the potential negative consequences of this misalignment, which causes scientific research to be less effective, valuable and usable for communities. We conclude by outlining twenty evidence-based strategies that individuals and organizations can adopt to improve the recruitment and retention of a more representative group of scientists in glaciological research and encourage co-production with communities.
Making Reasonable Adjustments for Students With Disability in Australian Mainstream Classrooms: A Scoping Review
Authors: Page Angela , Barr Megan , Rendoth Tess , Roche Laura , Foggett Judith Louise , Leonard Carl , Duncan Jill
Published: March 2024

Reasonable adjustments are measures and actions that have been adopted in Australia to assist students with disability to participate in their learning on the same basis as their peers in a way that is free of inequality and exclusion. However, little research explores the enablers and barriers associated with implementing reasonable adjustments to support student learning. Therefore, research-based guidance regarding how best to direct the successful implementation of reasonable adjustments is required. This scoping review of 25 studies found a limited body of research that suggested reasonable adjustments are an effective means to address learner diversity; however, several barriers exist in teacher and school attitudes towards making adjustments, as well as how policy of reasonable adjustments can be systematically applied. A model of best practice summarises a strategy to address these significant themes.
Cliff recession geodynamics variability and constraints within poorly consolidated landslide-prone coasts in the southern Baltic Sea, Poland
Authors: Frydel Jerzy Jan
Published: March 2024

This study identifies the reasons for geodynamics variability of the coastal system within two cliff-shore sections of the southern Baltic Sea (SBS). The comparative analysis included distinct moraines and their foregrounds near the open sea (S1) and within the Gulf of Gdańsk (S2). Short-term trends indicate a direct link between landslide occurrence and increased cliff retreat. Long-term (total) values were obtained by developing the 4F MODEL for large-scale applications, based on the analysis of remote sensing and hydroacoustic data (to determine the extent of shore platforms), the modelling of higher-order polynomial functions describing their extent, followed by the integral calculus of the indicated functions within the open-source Desmos environment. The retreat dynamics for individual landslides (S1) was an order of magnitude higher (m/yr) than the average for the whole cliff section (0.17 ± 0.008 m/yr), which correlates well with medium- and long-term development tendencies and recession dynamics, revealed by the numerical modelling method, since approximately 8 ka b2k, years before 2000 CE (at S1 = 0.17 ± 0.020 m/yr, at S2 = 0.11 ± 0.005 m/yr). While the approach described in this paper can reveal, project, and simulate the dynamics of past and future trends within other cliffed coasts shaped in tideless conditions, it also proves stable moraine erosional responses to sea-level rise since the Mid-Holocene.
Configuring Cultural Emerging Industries: A Comparison of the French and Italian Fashion Industries
Authors: Merlo Elisabetta , Pinchera Valeria
Published: March 2024

This paper builds on a body of multi-disciplinary literature to analyze and compare the emergence of the prêt-à-porter industry in France and the ready-to-wear industry in Italy from their founding to their growth stages in the mid-twentieth century. The comparison demonstrates the significant impact that the French Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, des Confectionneurs et des Tailleurs pour Dame, and the National Chamber of Italian Fashion had on the trajectories of the fashion industry for each country. The article focuses on foundational entrepreneurs within the industry such as Giovanni Battista Giorgini, Jean Patou, Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and others. It analyzes how these chambers supported the emergence of differentiated firms within the fashion industry, and how the industry responded to the business conditions in the international economy of the post-World War II period through the global recession of the 1970s.
Borrowing without Banks: Deposit-Taking by Early Twentieth-Century Chinese Firms (1920s–1930s)
Authors: Ng Michael
Published: March 2024

This article examines how and why renowned Republican-era Chinese firms raised debt capital to finance their businesses by accepting savings deposits from ordinary people instead of borrowing from financial institutions. The article argues that in the absence of a powerful unitary state and centralized financial institutions, Chinese firms innovated sophisticated, decentralized financial instruments capable of amassing large quantities of capital from a broad host of depositors without the involvement of financial intermediaries. Savings deposits not only provided these firms with a cheaper and more flexible source of debt capital than that on offer from banks but also they fueled the Chinese economy by creating a sizable credit supply, a phenomenon that Chinese business and financial history scholarship focusing on the role of indigenous and modern banks has hitherto largely neglected.
Mestizo Urbanism: Enduring Racial Intersections in Latin American Cities
Authors: Torino Giulia
Published: March 2024

Across Latin America, there continues to be strong resistance to the claim that racism plays a role in the production of urban space. Deemed antipatriotic, this issue remains widely unaddressed in urban planning and geography. Based on qualitative research in Bogotá and secondary literature on other Latin American cities, this article explores the afterlife of mestizaje (racial mixture) as a racial–colonial project from the viewpoint of its materialisation in the city and society–space relations. In particular, it illustrates how racism in the city is transfigured as ‘always something else’ (e.g., culture, class, regionalism, displacement) through a variety of normative, discursive and operational devices. Thus, the article confronts the need to divest from the racial hegemony of mestizaje in urban planning and geography, suggesting that it is hindering the path towards more equitable urban futures.
The residual flow in well-optimized stellarators
Authors: Plunk G.G. , Helander P.
Published: March 2024

The gyrokinetic theory of the residual flow, in the electrostatic limit, is revisited, with optimized stellarators in mind. We consider general initial conditions for the problem, and identify cases that lead to a non-zonal residual electrostatic potential, i.e. one having a significant component that varies within a flux surface. We investigate the behaviour of the ‘intermediate residual’ in stellarators, a measure of the flow that remains after geodesic acoustic modes have damped away, but before the action of the slower damping that is caused by unconfined particle orbits. The case of a quasi-isodynamic stellarator is identified as having a particularly large such residual, owing to the small orbit width achieved by optimization.
The Spatiotemporal Clustering of Short‐Duration Rainstorms in Shanghai City Using a Sub‐Hourly Gauge Network
Authors: Lei Nuo , Gao Lisha , Liu Shuguang , Zhou Zhengzheng
Published: March 2024

Impacted by both the large‐scale climate change and the local hydrometeorological atmosphere, the spatiotemporal structure and properties of short‐duration extreme rainfall events in urban areas remain a complex issue. This study explores the spatiotemporal pattern variability of short‐duration rainstorm events using an exceptional sub‐hourly gauge network in Shanghai, China. A catalog of 207 “independent” rainstorms is extracted. The hierarchical clustering method is used to examine the spatial and temporal features including rainfall duration, intensity, and coverage for each district with different degrees of urbanization in the 2014–2018 period. The results point to a pronounced spatial heterogeneity with heavier rainfall magnitude in the north. In the urban core area, intensive short‐duration rainstorms hit more frequently than in other districts. Rainstorms can be divided into three types from the spatiotemporal process: Type delayed‐slow, Type advanced‐fast, and Type advanced‐slow. The delayed‐peak with a higher slope occurs more in the west and the advanced‐peak more along the coastal line. The other type of advanced‐peak storm with a reverse trend of intensity and coverage concentrates in June–August of the year and the 16:00–20:00 of the day. While 65.6% of the delayed‐peak storms only occur in one district, more than half of the advanced‐peak appear without other types at the same time. These findings show the importance of observation‐based analysis in understanding the spatiotemporal pattern of short‐duration storms and provide a reference for storm design of sub‐regions in urban areas.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Pore Structure in the Crustal Section of the Samail Ophiolite: Implications for High VP/VS Anomalies in Subducting Oceanic Crust
Authors: Akamatsu Y. , Kuwatani T. , Katayama I.
Published: March 2024

Seismic surveys along subduction zones have identified anomalously high ratio of P‐ to S‐wave velocity (VP/VS) in the subducting oceanic crust that are possibly due to the presence of pore water. Such interpretations postulate that the pore structure is homogeneous at the scale of the seismic wavelength. Here we present the first statistical evidence of a heterogeneous pore structure in oceanic crust at scales larger than laboratory samples. The spatial correlation of measured bulk density profiles of the crustal section of the Samail ophiolite suggests that the pore structure is heterogeneous at scales smaller than ∼1 m. Wave‐induced fluid flow cannot follow the loading during the seismic wave propagation at this estimated heterogeneity, which implies that fluid‐filled microscopic pores and cracks have a limited impact on the observed high VP/VS anomalies in the subducting oceanic crust. Large‐scale cracks may therefore play an important role in shaping these anomalies.
Valuing Combinations of Flexible Planning, Design, and Operations in Water Supply Infrastructure
Authors: Willebrand Keani , Zaniolo Marta , Skerker Jennifer , Fletcher Sarah
Published: March 2024

Uncertainty arising from climate change poses a central challenge to the long‐term performance of many engineered water systems. Water supply infrastructure projects can leverage different types of flexibility, in planning, design, or operations, to adapt infrastructure systems in response to climate change over time. Both flexible planning and design enable future capacity expansion if‐and‐when needed, with flexible design proactively incorporating physical design changes that enable retrofits. All three forms of flexibility have not previously been analyzed together to explicitly assess their relative value in mitigating cost and water supply reliability risk. In this paper, we propose a new framework to evaluate combinations of flexible planning, design, and operations. We develop a nested stochastic dynamic optimization approach that jointly optimizes dam development and operating policies under dynamic climate uncertainty. We demonstrate this approach on a reservoir project near Mombasa, Kenya. Our results find that flexible operations have the greatest potential to reduce costs. Flexible design and flexible planning can amplify the value of flexible operations under higher discounting scenarios and when initial infrastructure capacities are undersized. This approach provides insight on the climate change and techno‐economic conditions under which flexible planning, design, and operations can be best leveraged individually or in combination to reduce climate change uncertainty risks in water supply infrastructure projects.
Impaired binding affinity of YTHDC1 with METTL3/METTL14 results in R-loop accumulation in myelodysplastic neoplasms with DDX41 mutation
Authors: Hwang Won Chan , Park Kibeom , Park Silvia , Cheon Na Young , Lee Ja Yil , Hwang Taejoo , Lee Semin , Lee Jong-Mi , Ju Min Kyung , Lee Joo Rak , Kwon Yong-Rim , Jo Woo-Lam , Kim Myungshin , Kim Yoo-Jin , Kim Hongtae
Published: March 2024

DEAD box helicase 41 (DDX41) mutations are the most prevalent predisposition to familial myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, the precise roles of these variants in the pathogenesis of MDS have yet to be elucidated. Here, we discovered a novel mechanism by which DDX41 contributes to R-loop-induced DNA damage responses (DDR) in cooperation with the m6A-METTL complex (MAC) and YTHDC1 using DDX41 knockout (KO) and DDX41 knock-in (KI, R525H, Y259C) cell lines as well as primary samples from MDS patients. Compared to wild type (WT), DDX41 KO and KI led to increased levels of m6A RNA methylated R-loop. Interestingly, we found that DDX41 regulates m6A/R-loop levels by interacting with MAC components. Further, DDX41 promoted the recruitment of YTHDC1 to R-loops by promoting the binding between METTL3 and YTHDC1, which was dysregulated in DDX41-deficient cells, contributing to genomic instability. Collectively, we demonstrated that DDX41 plays a key role in the physiological control of R-loops in cooperation with MAC and YTHDC1. These findings provide novel insights into how defects in DDX41 influence MDS pathogenesis and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of MDS.
A cerebro-cerebellar network for learning visuomotor associations
Authors: Sendhilnathan Naveen , Bostan Andreea C. , Strick Peter L. , Goldberg Michael E.
Published: March 2024

Consensus is rapidly building to support a role for the cerebellum beyond motor function, but its contributions to non-motor learning remain poorly understood. Here, we provide behavioral, anatomical and computational evidence to demonstrate a causal role for the primate posterior lateral cerebellum in learning new visuomotor associations. Reversible inactivation of the posterior lateral cerebellum of male monkeys impeded the learning of new visuomotor associations, but had no effect on movement parameters, or on well-practiced performance of the same task. Using retrograde transneuronal transport of rabies virus, we identified a distinct cerebro-cerebellar network linking Purkinje cells in the posterior lateral cerebellum with a region of the prefrontal cortex that is critical in learning visuomotor associations. Together, these results demonstrate a causal role for the primate posterior lateral cerebellum in non-motor, reinforcement learning.
Dynamics of the charge transfer to solvent process in aqueous iodide
Authors: Lan Jinggang , Chergui Majed , Pasquarello Alfredo
Published: March 2024

Charge-transfer-to-solvent states in aqueous halides are ideal systems for studying the electron-transfer dynamics to the solvent involving a complex interplay between electronic excitation and solvent polarization. Despite extensive experimental investigations, a full picture of the charge-transfer-to-solvent dynamics has remained elusive. Here, we visualise the intricate interplay between the dynamics of the electron and the solvent polarization occurring in this process. Through the combined use of ab initio molecular dynamics and machine learning methods, we investigate the structure, dynamics and free energy as the excited electron evolves through the charge-transfer-to-solvent process, which we characterize as a sequence of states denoted charge-transfer-to-solvent, contact-pair, solvent-separated, and hydrated electron states, depending on the distance between the iodine and the excited electron. Our assignment of the charge-transfer-to-solvent states is supported by the good agreement between calculated and measured vertical binding energies. Our results reveal the charge transfer process in terms of the underlying atomic processes and mechanisms.
Coherent phonon and unconventional carriers in the magnetic kagome metal Fe3Sn2
Authors: Gonçalves-Faria Marcos V. , Pashkin Alexej , Wang Qi , Lei Hechang C. , Winnerl Stephan , Tsirlin Alexander A. , Helm Manfred , Uykur Ece
Published: March 2024

Temperature- and fluence-dependent carrier dynamics of the magnetic kagome metal Fe3Sn2 were studied using the ultrafast optical pump-probe technique. Two carrier relaxation processes and a laser-induced coherent optical phonon were observed. We ascribe the shorter relaxation (~1 ps) to hot electrons transferring their energy to the crystal lattice via electron–phonon scattering. The second relaxation (~30 ps), on the other hand, cannot be explained as a conventional process, and we attributed it to the unconventional (localized) carriers in the material. The observed coherent oscillation is assigned to be a totally symmetric A1g optical phonon dominated by Sn displacements out of the kagome planes and possesses a prominently large amplitude, on the order of 10−3, comparable to the maximum of the reflectivity change (ΔR/R). This amplitude is similar to what has been observed for coherent phonons in charge-density-wave (CDW) systems, although no signs of such instability were hitherto reported in Fe3Sn2. Our results suggest an unexpected connection between Fe3Sn2 and kagome metals with CDW instabilities and a strong interplay between phonon and electron dynamics in this compound.
Expert review of the science underlying nature-based climate solutions
Authors: Buma B. , Gordon D. R. , Kleisner K. M. , Bartuska A. , Bidlack A. , DeFries R. , Ellis P. , Friedlingstein P. , Metzger S. , Morgan G. , Novick K. , Sanchirico J. N. , Collins J. R. , Eagle A. J. , Fujita R. , Holst E. , Lavallee J. M. , Lubowski R. N. , Melikov C. , Moore L. A. , Oldfield E. E. , Paltseva J. , Raffeld A. M. , Randazzo N. A. , Schneider C. , Uludere Aragon N. , Hamburg S. P.
Published: March 2024

Viable nature-based climate solutions (NbCS) are needed to achieve climate goals expressed in international agreements like the Paris Accord. Many NbCS pathways have strong scientific foundations and can deliver meaningful climate benefits but effective mitigation is undermined by pathways with less scientific certainty. Here we couple an extensive literature review with an expert elicitation on 43 pathways and find that at present the most used pathways, such as tropical forest conservation, have a solid scientific basis for mitigation. However, the experts suggested that some pathways, many with carbon credit eligibility and market activity, remain uncertain in terms of their climate mitigation efficacy. Sources of uncertainty include incomplete GHG measurement and accounting. We recommend focusing on resolving those uncertainties before broadly scaling implementation of those pathways in quantitative emission or sequestration mitigation plans. If appropriate, those pathways should be supported for their cobenefits, such as biodiversity and food security.
DiagSet: a dataset for prostate cancer histopathological image classification
Authors: Koziarski Michał , Cyganek Bogusław , Niedziela Przemysław , Olborski Bogusław , Antosz Zbigniew , Żydak Marcin , Kwolek Bogdan , Wąsowicz Paweł , Bukała Andrzej , Swadźba Jakub , Sitkowski Piotr
Published: March 2024

Cancer diseases constitute one of the most significant societal challenges. In this paper, we introduce a novel histopathological dataset for prostate cancer detection. The proposed dataset, consisting of over 2.6 million tissue patches extracted from 430 fully annotated scans, 4675 scans with assigned binary diagnoses, and 46 scans with diagnoses independently provided by a group of histopathologists can be found at https://github.com/michalkoziarski/DiagSet. Furthermore, we propose a machine learning framework for detection of cancerous tissue regions and prediction of scan-level diagnosis, utilizing thresholding to abstain from the decision in uncertain cases. The proposed approach, composed of ensembles of deep neural networks operating on the histopathological scans at different scales, achieves 94.6% accuracy in patch-level recognition and is compared in a scan-level diagnosis with 9 human histopathologists showing high statistical agreement.
Efficient and high-quality absorption enhancement using epsilon-near-zero cylindrical nano-shells constructed by graphene
Authors: Raad Shiva Hayati , Afshari-Bavil Mehdi , Liu Dong
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a detailed scattering analysis of a hollow-core plasmonic-shell cylindrical wire to design an efficient, compact, narrowband, and reconfigurable optical absorber. The shell is formed by a thin graphene material, investigated in its epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) plasmonic region. Compared to the graphene plasmonic resonances in the terahertz(THz)/far-infrared (FIR) frequencies, the ENZ plasmonic resonances offer a blue shift in the operating frequency of the second-order plasmonic resonances by increasing the geometrical dimensions. This feature is successfully used to design efficient optical wave absorbers with absorption cross-sections much larger than geometrical and scattering cross-sections. The observed blue shift in the resonance spectrum, which is the key point of the design, is further verified by defining each particle with its polarizability and fulfilling the resonant scattering condition in the framework of Mie’s theory. Furthermore, graphene relaxation time and chemical potential can be used to manipulate the absorption rate. Observed resonances have narrow widths, achieved with simple geometry. To consider more practical scenarios, the one-dimensional arrangement of the cylindrical elements as a dense and sparse array is also considered and the design key point regarding graphene quality is revealed. The quality factor of the sparse array resonance is 2272.8 and it demands high-quality graphene material in design. It is also observed that due to the use of small particles in the design, the near-field and cooperative effects are not visible in the absorption cross-section of the array and a clear single peak is attained. This polarization-insensitive absorber can tolerate a wide range of incident angles with an absorption rate above 90%.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of urinary extracellular vesicle mRNA markers in urothelial bladder cancer patients
Authors: Murakami Taku , Minami Keita , Harabayashi Toru , Maruyama Satoru , Takada Norikata , Kashiwagi Akira , Miyata Haruka , Sato Yasuyuki , Matsumoto Ryuji , Kikuchi Hiroshi , Abe Takashige , Ito Yoichi M. , Murai Sachiyo , Shinohara Nobuo , Harada Hiroshi , Osawa Takahiro
Published: March 2024

We designed this multi-center prospective study with the following objectives: (1) the cross-sectional validation of extracellular vesicles (EV) mRNA markers to detect urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) before transurethral resection of bladder cancer (TURBT), and (2) the longitudinal validation of EV mRNA markers to monitor non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrence after TURBT. EV mRNA markers evaluated in this study were KRT17, GPRC5A, and SLC2A1 in addition to two additional markers from literatures, MDK and CXCR2, and measured by quantitative RT-PCR with normalization by a reference gene (ALDOB). Diagnostic performances of EV mRNA markers were compared to conventional markers. Regarding the first objective, we confirmed that EV mRNA biomarkers in urine were higher in UBC patients, particularly those with higher stage/grade tumors, than in those without UBC (n = 278 in total) and the diagnostic performance of EV mRNA MDK and KRT17 outperformed conventional biomarkers with AUC 0.760 and 0.730, respectively. Concerning the second objective, we prospectively analyzed the time courses of EV mRNA markers while NMIBC patients (n = 189) (median follow-up 19 months). The expression of EV mRNA KRT17 was significantly high in patients with recurrence, while it gradually decreased over time in those without recurrence (p < 0.01).
N-benzyl-N-methyldecan-1-amine, derived from garlic, and its derivative alleviate 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Budluang Phatcharaporn , Park Jumin , Lee Kon Ho , Pakdeepromma Sirichatnach , Kaewpiboon Chutima , Kang Ho Young , Hwang Dae Youn , Chung Young-Hwa
Published: March 2024

Given the intricate etiology and pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), the complete cure of AD remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate if topically applying N-benzyl-N-methyldecan-1-amine (BMDA), derived from garlic, and its derivative [decyl-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-methyl-1-amine] (DMMA) could effectively alleviate AD-like skin lesions in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-treated mice. Administering these compounds to the irritated skin of DNCB-treated mice significantly reduced swelling, rash, and excoriation severity, alongside a corresponding decrease in inflamed epidermis and dermis. Moreover, they inhibited spleen and lymph node enlargement and showed fewer infiltrated mast cells in the epidermis and dermis through toluidine-blue staining. Additionally, they led to a lower IgE titer in mouse sera as determined by ELISA, compared to vehicle treatment. Analyzing skin tissue from the mice revealed decreased transcript levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), IL-4, iNOS, and COX-2, compared to control mice. Simultaneously, the compounds impeded the activation of inflammation-related signaling molecules such as JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB in the mouse skin. In summary, these findings suggest that BMDA and DMMA hold the potential to be developed as a novel treatment for healing inflammatory AD.
Analysis of the air stream flow parameters generated by the positive pressure ventilator—full scale experiment and CFD simulation
Authors: Kaczmarzyk Piotr , Małozięć Daniel , Burdzy Tomasz , Ziegler Bartosz , Krawiec Piotr , Dziechciarz Anna , Warguła Łukasz
Published: March 2024

Positioning the positive pressure ventilator in front of the door opening affects the effectiveness of the rescue operation carried out during a fire. An important factor determining the effectiveness of the positive pressure ventilator is also the layout of the rooms within the gas exchange path and the obstacles present there. The purpose of this article is to assess the feasibility of using analyses such as large eddy simulation (LES) to verify the efficiency of mobile fans under simulation conditions, without the need for time-consuming experimentation (also for complex room volumes of buildings). The article presents a comparative analysis to assess the degree of convergence of flow parameters obtained during an experiment (in a multi-story building) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. For volumetric flow rate, convergence was achieved at levels ranging from 0.4% (for 5 m) to 11.5% (1 m), and for pressure values, the differences achieved ranged from 0.6% (5 m) to 30.1% (4 m). This paper demonstrates that the LES model can be used to perform CFD simulations in the area of assessing the performance of a positive pressure ventilator. The article also describes a test methodology for determining the flow parameters of an air stream, which can be used to perform numerical simulations.
Training-related changes in neural beta oscillations associated with implicit and explicit motor sequence learning
Authors: Dyck Susanne , Klaes Christian
Published: March 2024

Many motor actions we perform have a sequential nature while learning a motor sequence involves both implicit and explicit processes. In this work, we developed a task design where participants concurrently learn an implicit and an explicit motor sequence across five training sessions, with EEG recordings at sessions 1 and 5. This intra-subject approach allowed us to study training-induced behavioral and neural changes specific to the explicit and implicit components. Based on previous reports of beta power modulations in sensorimotor networks related to sequence learning, we focused our analysis on beta oscillations at motor-cortical sites. On a behavioral level, substantial performance gains were evident early in learning in the explicit condition, plus slower performance gains across training sessions in both explicit and implicit sequence learning. Consistent with the behavioral trends, we observed a training-related increase in beta power in both sequence learning conditions, while the explicit condition displayed stronger beta power suppression during early learning. The initially stronger beta suppression and subsequent increase in beta power specific to the explicit component, correlated with enhanced behavioral performance, possibly reflecting higher cortical excitability. Our study suggests an involvement of motor-cortical beta oscillations in the explicit component of motor sequence learning.
THOUSAND-GRAIN WEIGHT 6, which is an IAA-glucose hydrolase, preferentially recognizes the structure of the indole ring
Authors: Akabane Tatsuki , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Ikeda Kazuyoshi , Yonezawa Tomoki , Nagatoishi Satoru , Matsumura Hiroyoshi , Yoshizawa Takuya , Tsuchiya Wataru , Kamino Satoshi , Tsumoto Kouhei , Ishimaru Ken , Katoh Etsuko , Hirotsu Naoki
Published: March 2024

An indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-glucose hydrolase, THOUSAND-GRAIN WEIGHT 6 (TGW6), negatively regulates the grain weight in rice. TGW6 has been used as a target for breeding increased rice yield. Moreover, the activity of TGW6 has been thought to involve auxin homeostasis, yet the details of this putative TGW6 activity remain unclear. Here, we show the three-dimensional structure and substrate preference of TGW6 using X-ray crystallography, thermal shift assays and fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance (19F NMR). The crystal structure of TGW6 was determined at 2.6 Å resolution and exhibited a six-bladed β-propeller structure. Thermal shift assays revealed that TGW6 preferably interacted with indole compounds among the tested substrates, enzyme products and their analogs. Further analysis using 19F NMR with 1,134 fluorinated fragments emphasized the importance of indole fragments in recognition by TGW6. Finally, docking simulation analyses of the substrate and related fragments in the presence of TGW6 supported the interaction specificity for indole compounds. Herein, we describe the structure and substrate preference of TGW6 for interacting with indole fragments during substrate recognition. Uncovering the molecular details of TGW6 activity will stimulate the use of this enzyme for increasing crop yields and contributes to functional studies of IAA glycoconjugate hydrolases in auxin homeostasis.
Occurrence of plant hormones in composts made from organic fraction of agri-food industry waste
Authors: Sienkiewicz Aneta , Krasowska Małgorzata , Kowczyk-Sadowy Małgorzata , Obidziński Sławomir , Piotrowska-Niczyporuk Alicja , Bajguz Andrzej
Published: March 2024

Utilizing the organic fraction of agri-food industry waste for fertilization represents one approach to waste management, with composting emerging as a popular method. Composts derived from this waste may contain plant hormones alongside primary macronutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the content of plant hormones in composts crafted from the organic fraction of agri-food industry waste. The presence of these substances was ascertained using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, applied to extracted samples from three composts produced in a bioreactor and three obtained from companies. The results indicate the presence of 35 compounds, which belong to six types of plant hormones: auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, brassinosteroids, abscisic acid, and salicylic acid, in composts for the first time. The highest amount of plant hormones was noted in buckwheat husk and biohumus extract (35 compounds), and the lowest in hemp chaff and apple pomace (14 compounds). Brassinosteroids (e.g., brassinolide, 28-homobrassinolide, 24-epicastasterone, 24-epibrassinolide, and 28-norbrassinolide) and auxins (e.g., indolilo-3-acetic acid) are dominant. The highest concentration of total phytohormones was reported in biohumus extract (2026.42 ng g−1dry weight), and the lowest in organic compost (0.18 ng g−1dry weight).
Growers’ perceptions and attitudes towards fungicide resistance extension services
Authors: Olita Toto , Stankovic Michelle , Sung Billy , Jones Megan , Gibberd Mark
Published: March 2024

Agricultural extension services have been successful in promoting knowledge sharing and innovation in agriculture. However, the adoption of new agricultural practices, particularly in integrated pest management, has been slow. Using a case study with a co-designed survey instrument, this research aimed to understand how growers in the Southwest Western Australian Grainbelt access information and resources to manage fungicide resistance. We found that the growers rely on a combination of paid agronomists, government or research institutes, local grower groups, and field days for fungicide resistance information. Growers seek information from trusted experts who can simplify complex research, value easy-to-understand communication and prefer resources tailored to their local context. Additionally, growers valued information regarding new fungicide developments and having access to rapid fungicide resistance diagnostic services. These findings highlight the importance of providing growers with effective agricultural extension services to manage the risk of fungicide resistance.
Glucose tolerance test with a single abnormal value as a predictor of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Lee Seon Ui , Hong Subeen , Choi Sae Kyung , Kim Su Mi , Shin Jae Eun , Kil Ki Cheol , Kim Yeon Hee , Wie Jeong Ha , Jo Yun Sung , Ko Hyun Sun
Published: March 2024

Clinical implication of a single abnormal value (SAV) in the 100 g oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy has not been established. We aimed to evaluate the risk of postpartum type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and investigate adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with SAV, using a retrospective database, from seven medical centers of Korea. Based on the Carpenter-Coustan criteria using two-step approach, pregnancy and postpartum outcomes were compared, among normoglycemic, SAV, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) groups. Among 9353 women, 342 (3.66%) and 418(4.47%) women were included in SAV and GDM groups, respectively. SAV and GDM groups showed significantly higher rates of postpartum T2DM than normoglycemic group (7.60%, 14.83%, and 1.82%, respectively, p < 0.001). And SAV group showed significantly higher rates of pregnancy associated hypertension, preterm birth, and neonatal hypoglycemia and sepsis, compared to normoglycemic group (neonatal sepsis, p = 0.008; the others, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, postpartum T2DM was associated with SAV, GDM (with/without insulin), nulliparity, pre-pregnancy BMI, chronic hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and DM family history. A scoring model to predict postpartum T2DM within 5 years, achieved an area under the curve of 0.74. This study demonstrated that not only GDM, but also SAV is a significant risk factor for postpartum T2DM.
A single laccase acts as a key component of environmental sensing in a broad host range fungal pathogen
Authors: Westrick Nathaniel M. , Dominguez Eddie G. , Bondy Madeline , Hull Christina M. , Smith Damon L. , Kabbage Mehdi
Published: March 2024

Secreted laccases are important enzymes on a broad ecological scale for their role in mediating plant-microbe interactions, but within ascomycete fungi these enzymes have been primarily associated with melanin biosynthesis. In this study, a putatively secreted laccase, Sslac2, was characterized from the broad-host-range plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which is largely unpigmented and is not dependent on melanogenesis for plant infection. Gene knockouts of Sslac2 demonstrate wide ranging developmental phenotypes and are functionally non-pathogenic. These mutants also displayed indiscriminate growth behaviors and enhanced biomass formation, seemingly as a result of their inability to respond to canonical environmental growth cues, a phenomenon further confirmed through chemical stress, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrate apparent differences in extracellular matrix structure between WT and mutant strains that likely explain the inability of the mutants to respond to their environment. Targeting Sslac2 using host-induced gene silencing significantly improved resistance to S. sclerotiorum, suggesting that fungal laccases could be a valuable target of disease control. Collectively, we identified a laccase critical to the development and virulence of the broad-host-range pathogen S. sclerotiorum and propose a potentially novel role for fungal laccases in modulating environmental sensing.