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Recent advances in attosecond science have made it increasingly important to develop stable, reliable, and accurate algorithms and methods to model the time evolution of atoms and molecules in intense laser fields. A key process in attosecond science is high-harmonic generation, which is challenging to model with fixed Gaussian basis sets, as it produces high-energy electrons, with a resulting rapidly varying and highly oscillatory wave function that extends over dozens of ångström. Recently, Rothe's method, where time evolution is rephrased as an optimization problem, has been applied to the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation. Here, we apply Rothe's method to the hydrogen wave function and demonstrate that thawed, complex-valued Gaussian wave packets with time-dependent width, center, and momentum parameters are able to reproduce spectra obtained from essentially exact grid calculations for high-harmonic generation with only 50–181 Gaussians for field strengths up to 5 × 1014 W/cm2. This paves the way for the inclusion of continuum contributions into real-time, time-dependent electronic-structure theory with Gaussian basis sets for strong fields and eventually accurate simulations of the time evolution of molecules without the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The aim of this study was to analyze the muscle activity of the hamstring muscles and the lateral gastrocnemius during different variants of the single-leg bridge (SLB) in futsal players. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-two futsal players (age = 24.8 [3.9] y) volunteered to participate in this study. The participants performed 3 variations of the SLB with the knee flexed at 45°. The first position was performed with the ankle in plantar position with flat support, the second with the ankle in dorsiflexion (DF) with heel support, and the third with the ankle in DF and external rotation (ER) with heel support. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test assessed the difference between variables for samples with the rank-biserial correlation effect size. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to examine the associations of the percentage maximal voluntary isometric contraction for each muscle with peak force and rate of force development with 3 different variances of the SLB. Results: The variation of ankle DF and ER with heel support generated higher muscle activity in BF in concentric (P<.01, effect size [ES] = -0.613); isometric (P<.042, ES = -0.494); and eccentric (P<.005, ES = -0.668) contraction than ankle DF with heel support. In contrast, the variation of ankle DF and ER with heel support generated fewer muscle activity in lateral gastrocnemius in concentric (P < .001, ES = 0.779); isometric (P < .003, ES = 0.708); and eccentric (P < .014, ES = 0.589) contraction than ankle DF with heel support. Conclusions: The position of DF and ER was the best position in SLB to train the BF. It could be convenient to start rehabilitation of the BF with flat foot postition or ankle in DF with heel support and progress with the position of the ankle in DF and ER with heel support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The linear double-diffusivity (D-D) model of Aifantis, comprising two coupled Fick-type partial differential equations and a mass exchange term connecting the diffusivities, is a paradigm in modeling mass transport in inhomogeneous media, e.g., fissures or fractures. Uncoupling of these equations led to a higher order partial differential equation that reproduced the non-classical transport terms, analyzed independently through Barenblatt's pseudoparabolic equation and the Cahn–Hilliard spinodal decomposition equation. In the present article, we study transport in a nonlinearly coupled D-D model and determine the regime-switching of the associated diffusive processes using a revised formulation of the celebrated Lux method that combines forward Fourier transform with a Laplace transform followed by an Inverse Fourier transform of the governing reaction–diffusion (R–D) equations. This new formulation has key application possibilities in a wide range of non-equilibrium biological and financial systems by approximating closed-form analytical solutions of nonlinear models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) transport vast amounts of moisture from low to high latitude regions. One region particularly impacted by ARs is Interior Alaska (AK). We analyze the impact of ARs on the annual river ice breakup date for 26 locations in AK. We investigate the AR‐driven rise in local air temperatures and explore the relationship between ARs and precipitation, including extremes and interannual variability. We found that AR events lead to an increase in local air temperatures for over 1 week (by ≈1°C ${\approx} \mathrm{1}\hspace*{.5em}{}^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$). ARs account for 40% of total precipitation, explain 47% of precipitation variability, and make up 59% of extreme precipitation events, each year. By estimating the heat transfer between winter precipitation and the river ice surface, we conclude that increased precipitation during the coldest period of the year delays river ice breakup dates, while precipitation occurring close to the breakup date has little impact on breakup timing. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are large storm systems originating in tropical and mid‐latitude regions capable of depositing large amounts of precipitation in high latitude regions. Using river ice breakup data throughout Interior Alaska (AK) we set out to explore the relationship between ARs and annual river ice breakup timing from 1980 to 2023. We found that daily air temperature increases can last up to 13 days after an AR event. ARs account for 40% of total precipitation, explain 47% of the variability of precipitation, and make up 59% of extreme precipitation events, on average annually. Using the mass and temperature of precipitation accumulated on the river ice surface, we approximated thermal energy exchange between precipitation and the river ice surface. The magnitude of energy exchange was then correlated to river ice breakup timing. We found that greater amounts of precipitation from both AR and non‐AR induced precipitation, occurring relatively close to river ice breakup dates have little correlation to the breakup date. However, increased precipitation during the coldest period of the year (typically late December to early February) is strongly inversely correlated with river ice breakup timing and seems to delay the breakup date. Key Points: Atmospheric rivers (ARs) can lead to over a week‐long persistent increase in dailyair temperatures over Interior Alaska (AK)In AK, ARs account for 40% of annual precipitation, 59% of extreme precipitation and explain 47% of interannual variability of precipitationPrecipitation during the coldest months delays the annual breakup date of river ice, precipitation close to the breakup date has less impact [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFurther studies are necessary to evaluate not only the effectiveness of preemergent herbicides for weed control and selectivity in soybeans but also the potential carryover damage to crops planted in succession, such as sorghum and maize. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of preemergent herbicides in controlling Euphorbia heterophylla L. and Digitaria insularis L., as well as their selectivity in soybeans (Glycine max L.) and the residual effects on crops sown in succession, including maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Two field experiments were conducted with soybean, both in a randomized block design, consisting of the following treatments: sulfentrazone + diuron, flumioxazin + imazethapyr, diclosulam, sulfentrazone, s-metolachlor and flumioxazin, in addition to weeded controls and without weeding, with four replicates. Subsequently, the sowing of maize and sorghum was performed. Visual evaluations of weed control were performed at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after application of the treatments (DAA) and of phytotoxicity in soybean, sorghum and maize at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after planting emergence (DAE), and at the end, yield estimate. It was found that the sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + diuron and imazethapyr + flumioxazin treatments were effective in controlling D. insularis and E. heterophylla up to 42 DAA. For sorghum and maize, no significant injury levels were observed for any treatment, with the exception of sulfentrazone alone, which provided significant reductions in productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CHO cells are major hosts for the industrial production of therapeutic proteins and their production stability is of considerable economic significance. It is widely known that CHO cells can rapidly acquire genetic alterations, which affects their genetic homogeneity over time. However, the role of non-genetic mechanisms, including epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, remains poorly understood. We have now used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to establish single-base methylation maps of eight independent CHO cell lines. Our results identify CpG islands and low-methylated regions as conserved elements with dynamic DNA methylation. Interestingly, methylation patterns were found to cluster clearly along the three main branches of CHO evolution, with no directional changes over short culture periods. Furthermore, multi-ome single-cell sequencing of 9833 nuclei from three independent cultures revealed dynamic subpopulation structures characterized by robust expression differences in pathways related to protein production. Our findings thus provide novel insights into the epigenetic landscape and heterogeneity of CHO cells and support the development of epigenetic biomarkers that trace the emergence of subpopulations in CHO cultures. • We generated the most diverse dataset of CHO methylomes known to date. • We generated the first multi-ome single-cell sequencing dataset of CHO cells. • We identified low-methylated regions as novel dynamically methylated elements. • We identified a novel association between DNA methylation and CHO cell evolution. • We show that epigenetic subpopulations are related to protein production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron homoeostasis is tightly regulated, with hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) playing significant roles. However, the genetic determinants of these traits and the biomedical consequences of iron homoeostasis variation are unclear. In a meta-analysis of 12 cohorts involving 91,675 participants, we found 43 genomic loci associated with either hepcidin or sTfR concentration, of which 15 previously unreported. Mapping to putative genes indicated involvement in iron-trait expression, erythropoiesis, immune response and cellular trafficking. Mendelian randomisation of 292 disease outcomes in 1,492,717 participants revealed associations of iron-related loci and iron status with selected health outcomes across multiple domains. These associations were largely driven by HFE, which was associated with the largest iron variation. Our findings enhance understanding of iron homoeostasis and its biomedical consequences, suggesting that lifelong exposure to higher iron levels is likely associated with lower risk of anaemia-related disorders and higher risk of genitourinary, musculoskeletal, infectious and neoplastic diseases. The largest meta-analysis of GWASs of hepcidin and sTfR identified 43 genomic loci, of which 15 new. Mendelian randomisation revealed associations of systemic iron status and iron-related loci with selected health outcomes across multiple domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In cases of atrophy in the maxillary posterior region, characterized by reduced vertical bone volume, implant placement becomes challenging. Augmentation procedures like sinus lifts are often needed to address insufficient bone volume. This study aims to explore if alveolar ridge preservation, using a bovine bone substitute and a porcine collagen membrane, significantly decreases the need for sinus lifts compared to natural wound healing after tooth extraction. Materials and methods: In this comparative clinical study, 40 patients requiring a total of 53 extractions were assigned to one of the following groups: a test group with bovine bone substitute material (Straumann® XenoFlex) and a porcine collagen membrane (Jason® membrane), or a control group with spontaneous socket healing. After 6 months, digital volume tomography was performed for implant planning. Results: For seven patients from the control group (n = 22 extracted sites) sinus lift augmentations were performed while only four sinus lift procedures were performed in the test group (n = 31 extracted sites), indicating a higher need for sinus augmentation procedures in the control group, however not statistically different on a p value of 0.05 (p = 0.168). In the control group, the mean value of the radiographically measured bone height (mesial and distal) was 11.13 ± 2.12 mm preoperatively before tooth extraction, while it was 11.3 ± 2.17 mm postoperatively after implant placement. In contrast, the mean value in the test group was 11.78 ± 3.09 mm preoperatively and 11.92 ± 2.79 mm postoperatively. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the two groups (odds ratio 0.32; 95% CI: 0.08, 1.26; p = 0.951). The implant survival rate in the control group was 100%, compared to 96.77% in the test group. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, the use of bovine bone substitute and a porcine resorbable membrane after tooth extraction in the posterior maxilla seems to reduce the need for sinus augmentation in comparison to spontaneous healing although the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, the Alveolar Ridge Preservation in the test group made external sinus floor elevation unnecessary compared to the control group. The change in radiographically measured bone height pre‐ and postoperatively showed no significant difference between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long‐lasting efforts have been made to reduce radiation dose and thus the potential radiation risk to the patient for computed tomography (CT) acquisitions without severe deterioration of image quality. To this end, various techniques have been employed over the years including iterative reconstruction methods and noise reduction algorithms. Purpose: Recently, deep learning‐based methods for noise reduction became increasingly popular and a multitude of papers claim ever improving performance both quantitatively and qualitatively. However, the lack of a standardized benchmark setup and inconsistencies in experimental design across studies hinder the verifiability and reproducibility of reported results. Methods: In this study, we propose a benchmark setup to overcome those flaws and improve reproducibility and verifiability of experimental results in the field. We perform a comprehensive and fair evaluation of several state‐of‐the‐art methods using this standardized setup. Results: Our evaluation reveals that most deep learning‐based methods show statistically similar performance, and improvements over the past years have been marginal at best. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a more rigorous and fair evaluation of novel deep learning‐based methods for low‐dose CT image denoising. Our benchmark setup is a first and important step towards this direction and can be used by future researchers to evaluate their algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of homoleptic rare earth (RE) complexes bearing phosphino-aryloxide ligands (1-RE, 2-La) has been prepared. The complexes have been characterised using multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Structural characterisation highlighted the different RE–P interactions as a result of differing Lewis acidity and ionic size across the series, hinting at the possibility of FLP-type activity. The potential reactivity of these complexes has been tested by reacting them with small molecules (H2, CO, CO2). A series of side-products (3-RE) has also been observed, isolated and characterised, featuring the incorporation of a phosphonium-aryloxide ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaskets are sealing elements used in plate heat exchangers, which are subjected to aggressive conditions during service. In particular, the compression state, together alongside temperatures, can cause a premature deterioration of properties. To monitor and prevent such a situation, this study uses the TTS (time‐temperature superposition) method and Arrhenius to predict the lifetime of FKM gaskets. For this purpose, thermo‐oxidative aging is conducted at different temperatures for up to 6 months, monitoring compression set (CS) and Shore A hardness. The results indicate that the gasket can withstand periods of up to almost 300 days in service for an operating temperature of 140 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The income–happiness nexus is paradoxical. One dataset shows that happiness tracks income, while another shows that, in rich countries, happiness does not. This paper focuses on the limits of set point theory (known also 'hedonic treadmill' or 'hedonic adaptation') to solve the income–happiness paradox. To keep it manageable, it focuses on Daniel Kahneman's attempt to solve the paradox. He first employs his distinction between 'the experiencing self' and 'the remembering self' to solve the paradox. While the distinction is useful for the study of heuristics, it is irrelevant for the question at hand, the solution of the income–happiness paradox. Sensing such irrelevance, Kahneman turns his attention to the 'life evaluation' measure. This measure ironically shows that happiness tracks income. However, Kahneman disputes such tracking, arguing instead that happiness tracks income only if people, when they were teenagers, designate income as a life goal. The appeal to 'goals' or 'life plans', however, is an endorsement of a sophisticated version of set point theory. Kahneman argues that happiness varies with the variation of the designated goal or life plan, not with income per se. However, if happiness varies with the designated goals or life plans, it ultimately means that happiness cannot be conceived as a set point. Thus, Kahneman's argument effectively sends us back to square one, failing to solve the income–happiness paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational design of photonic crystal photocatalysts has attracted significant interest in order to improve their light harvesting and photocatalytic performances. In this work, an advanced approach to enhance slow light propagation and visible light photocatalysis is demonstrated for the first time by integrating a planar defect into CoOx-TiO2 inverse opals. Trilayer photonic crystal films were fabricated through the successive deposition of an inverse opal TiO2 underlayer, a thin titania interlayer, and a photonic top layer, whose visible light activation was implemented through surface modification with CoOx nanoscale complexes. Optical measurements showed the formation of "donor"-like localized states within the photonic band gap, which reduced the Bragg reflection and expanded the slow photon spectral range. The optimization of CoOx loading and photonic band gap tuning resulted in a markedly improved photocatalytic performance for salicylic acid degradation and photocurrent generation compared to the additive effects of the constituent monolayers, indicative of light localization in the defect layer. The electrochemical impedance results showed reduced recombination kinetics, corroborating that the introduction of an optical defect into inverse opal photocatalysts provides a versatile and effective strategy for boosting the photonic amplification effects in visible light photocatalysis by evading the constraints imposed by narrow slow photon spectral regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role of museums and galleries by considering the case of the exhibition The Wild Eighties: Dawn of a Transdisciplinary Taiwan at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. It traces two layers of abstraction of the documentary How History Was Wounded: An Exclusive Report on Taiwanese Media—by reporters and curators—to argue that curatorial abstraction is a violence of simplification that facilitates the extension of the cold war into the post-cold war world. It does so by first considering the historical context in which the documentary emerges. It then shifts focus toward the context of the exhibition in which it was placed. By placing it in such an erasing way, The Wild Eighties can hail a unified Taiwanese consciousness that simultaneously extends the cold war into post-cold war capitalist social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the matching of the Vilkovisky–DeWitt effective action of quantum gravity is discussedwith an example of an ultra‐violet complete theory of quantum gravity. The authors show how this matching enables a calculation of the local Wilson coefficients of the effective action. Several examples in string theory are provided. Moreover, the matching conditions within the context of the swampland program are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What are the historical conditions under which a sociologically informed understanding of health inequality can emerge in the public sphere? We seek to address this question through the lens of a strategically chosen historical puzzle—the stubborn persistence of and salient variation in high infant mortality rates across British industrial towns at the dawn of the previous century—as analysed by Arthur Newsholme, the Medical Officer of the Local Government Board. In doing so, we retrace the historical processes through which the evolving public health movement gradually helped crystallise a scientific understanding of the social causes of excess mortality. We map the dominant ideology of the public sphere at the time, chart the shifting roles of the state, and retrace the historical origins and emergence of 'public health' as a distinctive category of state policy and public discourse. We situate the public health movement in this historical configuration and identify the cracks in the existing ideological and administrative edifice through which this movement was able to articulate a novel approach to population health—one that spotlights the political economy of social inequality. We relate this historical sequence to the rise of industrial capitalism, the social fractures that it spawned, and the organised counter‐movements that it necessitated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Chaldean American perspectives towards legalization and moral acceptability of recreational and medicinal marijuana in the state of Michigan. An online survey was created and distributed through various social media groups, churches, and Chaldean organizations which resulted in a total of 637 respondents following the removal of respondents who did not meet criteria. The survey was open from March 20th, 2022 to April 20th, 2022. The independent variable was level of religiosity. The dependent variables were moral acceptability, opinion towards legalization of recreational and medicinal marijuana, and risk of cannabis use disorder. Logistic regression was used to estimate the strength of the association between the independent and dependent variables. Approximately 64% of the sample was female and 54.6% were between the ages of 21 to 29. Almost 80% of respondents reported high religiosity and 83.4% strongly or somewhat supported the legalization of medicinal marijuana. In addition, 85.8% felt medicinal marijuana was morally acceptable and 58.9% believed recreational marijuana was morally wrong. In the fully adjusted models, individuals who reported high religiosity (compared to low/moderate) were more likely to oppose legalization of recreational marijuana (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.46, 5.39) and believed that marijuana was morally wrong (OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.16, 4.78). This trend was not observed with medicinal marijuana. These findings have important implications in better understanding a traditionally conservative ethnic minority group in their attitudes towards marijuana and how religion influences their perspectives. Additional studies are needed to examine any changes in opinion overtime as this is the first study of its kind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: During drowsiness, maintaining consistent attention becomes difficult, leading to behavioural lapses. Bursts of oscillations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) might predict such lapses, given that alpha bursts increase during inattention and theta bursts increase with time spent awake. Paradoxically, however, alpha bursts decrease with time awake and theta bursts increase during focussed attention and cognitive tasks. Therefore, we investigated to what extent theta and alpha bursts predicted performance in a sustained attention task, either when well rested (baseline, BL) or following 20 h of extended wakefulness (EW). High‐density EEG was measured in 18 young adults, and the timing of bursts was related to trial outcomes (fast, slow, and lapse trials). To increase the likelihood of lapses, the task was performed under soporific conditions. Against expectations, alpha bursts were more likely before fast trials and less likely before lapses at baseline, although the effect was substantially reduced during extended wakefulness. Theta bursts showed no significant relationship to behavioural outcome either at baseline or extended wakefulness. However, following exploratory analyses, we found that large‐amplitude theta and alpha bursts were more likely to be followed by lapse trials during extended wakefulness but not baseline. In summary, alpha bursts during baseline anticipated better trial outcomes, whereas large‐amplitude theta and alpha bursts during extended wakefulness anticipated worse outcomes. Therefore, neither theta nor alpha bursts maintain a consistent relationship with behaviour under different levels of overall vigilance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hemoglobin value to trigger RBC transfusion for patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is controversial. Previous guidelines recommended transfusing to a normal hemoglobin level, but recent studies suggest that more RBC transfusions are associated with increased adverse outcomes. Is implementation of different institutional RBC transfusion thresholds for patients receiving venovenous ECMO associated with changes in RBC use and patient outcomes? This single-center retrospective study of patients receiving venovenous ECMO used segmented regression to test associations between implementation of institutional transfusion thresholds and trends in RBC use. Associations with secondary outcomes, including in-hospital survival, also were assessed. The study included 229 patients: 91 in the no threshold cohort, 48 in the hemoglobin < 8 g/dL cohort, and 90 in the hemoglobin < 7 g/dL cohort. Despite a decrease in number of RBC units transfused per day of ECMO support after implementation of different thresholds (mean ± SD: 0.6 ± 1.0 in the no threshold cohort, 0.3 ± 0.8 in the hemoglobin < 8 g/dL cohort, and 0.3 ± 1.1 in the hemoglobin < 7 g/dL cohort; P <.001), segmented regression showed no association between implementation of transfusion thresholds and changes in trends in number of RBC units per day of ECMO. We observed an increased hazard of death in the no threshold cohort compared with the hemoglobin < 8 g/dL cohort (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.12-3.88) and in the hemoglobin < 7 g/dL cohort compared with the hemoglobin < 8 g/dL cohort (aHR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.02-3.62). No difference was found in the hazard of death between the no threshold and hemoglobin < 7 g/dL cohorts (aHR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.69-1.69). We observed a decrease in number of RBC units per day of ECMO over time, but changes were not associated temporally with implementation of transfusion thresholds. A transfusion threshold of hemoglobin < 8 g/dL was associated with a lower hazard of death, but these findings are limited by study methodology. Further research is needed to investigate optimal RBC transfusion practices for patients supported with venovenous ECMO. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous malformations (VM) are slow-flow vascular lesions that result from morphogenesis errors. Composed of dysfunctional veins lacking smooth muscle cells, VMs grow slowly and may initially be managed by observation. Treatment is indicated for lesions that cause functional impairment. One treatment option is laser therapy, which is very effective due to its tissue penetration and relative selectivity. The Nd:YAG laser has been shown to treat small and moderately sized mucosal vascular lesions; in this case, it was applied in a staged approach for treatment of a massive venous malformation of the tongue. A 66-year-old male presented with a venous malformation involving the tongue and lower lip, the lesion estimated to be 10 x 14 x 15 cm in size. The Nd:YAG laser was used in three separate stages to photocoagulate the venous lesion. Follow-up for recurrence is ongoing, but currently shows complete malformation ablation with a 36.2% volume reduction after treatment. The Nd:YAG laser is an effective tool in the treatment of large vascular lesions. Successful laser application in a staged approach for the treatment of a venous malformation of this size and complexity further supports its clinical value. Monitoring for possible recurrence of the venous malformation should be ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does government influence over state-owned enterprises affect the latter investment decisions? We argue that governments use their influence over the SOEs to build or strengthen a political coalition that supports the governments' agenda. We use a sample of 96,379 observations from publicly listed firms and SOEs from 41 countries and argue that the greater the potential conflict between principal-principal, the greater the investments by SOEs. Government influence over SOEs can lead to inefficient decisions, favoring investments in politically disputed regions over economically attractive ones. Our findings have theoretical implications for the literature on minority shareholders' rights and government policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebellum and its thalamic projections to the primary motor cortex (M1) are well known to play an essential role in executing daily actions. Anatomic investigations in animals and postmortem humans have established the reciprocal connections between these regions; however, how these pathways can shape cortical activity in behavioral contexts and help promote recovery in neuropathological conditions remains not well understood. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive description of these pathways in animals and humans and discuss how novel noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods can be used to gain a deeper understanding of the cerebellar-M1 connections. In the first section, we focus on recent animal literature that details how information sent from the cerebellum and thalamus is integrated into an broad network of cortical motor neurons. We then discuss how NIBS approaches in humans can be used to reliably assess the connectivity between the cerebellum and M1. Moreover, we provide the latest perspectives on using advanced NIBS approaches to investigate and modulate multiple cerebellar-cortical networks involved in movement behavior and plasticity. Finally, we discuss how these emerging methods have been used in translation research to produce long-lasting modifications of cerebellar-thalamic-M1 to restore cortical activity and motor function in neurologic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrical heating reduced carbon emissions by 31 % compared to gas heating. • 36 % carbon emission savings were attained with the use of R-744 compared to R-448A. • Doors on chilled cabinets reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions by 26 %. • The combined application of technologies led to 68 % carbon emission savings in 2020. • Decarbonisation of the electrical grid in 2050 will reduce carbon emissions by 87 %. New refrigeration system configurations and other innovating technologies in retail supermarkets need to be considered to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. In supermarkets, there is a strong interaction between the refrigerated display cases, supermarket structure, internal machinery, customers, and the store's HVAC system. The impact of these interactions on the energy and carbon emissions of a medium sized supermarket in Paris was modelled using EnergyPlus™. The results were calibrated against a typical UK store and validated against the Paris store. The effects of applying the technologies identified to have the greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions (changing the refrigerant to R-744, switching from gas to electrical heating and adding doors to chilled cabinets) were modelled. The impact of climate change on ambient temperature and the impact of changes to the grid conversion factor were predicted for the store in Paris from 2020 to 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geostatistics is concerned with the estimation and prediction of spatially continuous phenomena using data obtained at a discrete set of locations. In geostatistics, preferential sampling occurs when these locations are not independent of the latent spatial field, and common modeling approaches that do not account for such a dependence structure might yield wrong inferences. To overcome this issue, some methods have been proposed to model data collected under preferential sampling. However, while these methods assume a constant degree of preferentiality, real data may present a degree of preferentiality that varies over space. For that reason, we propose a new model that accounts for preferential sampling by including a spatially varying coefficient that describes the dependence strength between the process that models the sampling locations and the latent field. To do so, we approximate the preferentiality component by a set of basis functions with the corresponding coefficients being estimated using the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) method. By doing that, we allow the degree of preferentiality to vary over the domain with low computational burden. We assess our model performance by means of a simulation study and use it to analyze the average PM 2.5 levels in the USA in 2022. We conclude that, given enough observed events, our model, along with the implemented inference routine, retrieves well the latent field itself and the spatially varying preferentiality surface, even under misspecified scenarios. Also, we offer guidelines for the specification and size of the set of basis functions. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBlinatumomab, a CD19/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager; inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO), a CD22 antibody drug conjugate; and chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell constructs are novel immune-therapeutic options for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The use of blinatumomab has recently expanded to multiple B-ALL treatment settings. Despite the efficacy of blinatumomab, its use can be challenging in the real-world because of limited experience with its administration and management of toxicities. Optimal use and sequencing of blinatumomab is critical to improve outcomes, reduce undesired toxicities, and decrease discontinuation rates related to such toxicities. Herein, we discuss strategies to address the unique adverse effects of blinatumomab and ways to optimize its administration and integration into the treatment backbone of B-ALL. We outline our approach to combining and sequencing blinatumomab with other immunotherapies, such as INO and CD19 CAR T-cells, and provide recommendations for the management of toxicities and dose-optimization of blinatumomab therapy in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anemia due to living condition disproportionally affects the global refugee children. Nutritional deficiency particularly iron deficiency is the primary causes of anemia. Hence, we conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of anemia among refugee children. Methods: We searched systematically all relevant studies on the prevalence of anemia among refugee children including under the age of 18 years, which were conducted between 2009 and 2023 in English from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochran library and other gray literatures such as google scholar. Two researchers independently screened articles based on their title and abstract. The Joana Brigg's Institute (JBI) checklist was used to assess the quality of studies. Random effect model was utilized to calculate the pooled estimate of anemia. Higgins I2 statistics and Egger's test were analyzed to check heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. Subgroup analysis by continent, age group of the children and year of study was employed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Result: A total of 14 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. Most of the studies were from Asian countries followed by African countries. The pooled prevalence of anemia among global refugee children was 36.54 with (95% CI: 23.79, 49.28). There was moderate level of heterogeneity between the studies (I2 = 68.91, P<0.001). The highest pooled prevalence of anemia in refugee children was reported in African, it was 56.1%, whereas the lowest pooled prevalence of anemia was in N. America, it was 12.66%. The prevalence of anemia was highest (53.88) in studies done among under-five refugee children. Conclusion: The global prevalence of anemia among refugee children is found to be moderate public health problem. Anemia prevalence is more common in African refugee children. Intervention and prevention for should be focused especially for refugees found in low- and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension may have alterations in intestinal barrier resulting in increased susceptibility for infections. We investigated the effect of propranolol in gastrointestinal motility, permeability and bacterial overgrowth in cirrhosis. Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices were studied before and after a build-up dose of propranolol according to standard guidelines. Serum TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1b, LPS and bacterial DNA were measured before and during propranolol therapy. Oro-caecal transit time (OCTT) and bacterial overgrowth (BO) have been evaluated with H2 breath testing. Intestinal paracellular (IP), cellular passive non-carrier (ICNC), cellular passive carrier-mediated (ICCM), and gastric permeability (GP) were evaluated by measurement of lactulose, mannitol, D-xylose and sucrose respectively in urine, with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: 35 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension with median age was 59.6 years (range 42–86) were included in the study. Twenty one had viral hepatitis and 25 were classified as having advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B: 14 or C: 11). Median dose of administrated propranolol was 40 mg/day. After 7 days propranolol treatment BO was resolved in 15 out of 16 patients (93.7%, p = 0.0001) and OCTT was reduced significantly from 180 min to 139 min (SD 58.5, difference − 4 1 min, p = 0.0001). Serum IL-6 levels were reduced in 21/35 (60%) patients from 41.1 to 19 pg/ml (p = 0.01), TNF-a in 10/35 (28.5%) patients from 10.7 to 5.6 pg/ml (p = 0.007) and LPS in 20/35 (57%) from 7.1 to 5.2 mg/L (p = 0.1). No bacterial DNA was detected in serum of all patients either baseline or under propranolol treatment. IP was significantly reduced (0.2 to 0.16, p = 0.04) whereas ICNC (p = 0.9), ICCM (p = 0.4) and GP (p = 0.7) were not affected significantly. Intestinal Permeability (PI) index (Lactulose to Mannitol ratio) was significantly reduced (0.027 to 0.02, p = 0.03). Conclusion: In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, propranolol use is associated with reduction in BO, increase in intestinal motility and amelioration in intestinal permeability. Moreover IL-6 and LPS levels are being decreased in the majority of patients under propranolol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is a ubiquitous human virus that establishes a persistent infection in renal tubular epithelial cells and mainly causes disease in kidney transplant recipients. The closely related simian polyomavirus SV40 is known to cause cytoplasmic vacuolization in simian kidney cells, possibly increasing progeny release and cell death. This study aimed to determine whether BKPyV causes cytoplasmic vacuolization in primary human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) and to investigate its potential role in the replication cycle. Using a large infectious dose (MOI 100–1000), a fraction of RPTECs (10–72%) showed early-wave vacuolization from 3 hours post-infection (hpi), which was mainly reversed by 36 hpi. Independent of the infectious dose, late-wave vacuolization occurred around the timepoint of progeny release. BKPyV receptor binding and internalization were required, as neuraminidase pretreatment and preincubation or treatment with a BKPyV-specific neutralizing antibody prevented early or late-occurring vacuolization. Microscopy revealed that the vacuoles were enlarged acidic endo-/lysosomal structures (dextran, EEA1, Rab5, Rab7, LAMP1, and/or Lysoview positive) that contained membrane-bound BKPyV. Time-lapse microscopy and quantitative PCR revealed that cell death and progeny release preceded late-wave vacuolization, mainly affecting cells directly neighboring the lysed cells. Thus, vacuolization had little impact on cell death or progeny release. Addition of the V-ATPase inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 at 0 hpi blocked vacuolization and BKPyV replication, but addition at 2 hpi only blocked vacuolization, suggesting that continuous endosomal acidification and maturation is needed for vacuole formation, but not for BKPyV replication. Our study shows that a massive uptake of BKPyV in RPTECs induces transient enlargement of endo-/lysosomes and is an early event in the viral replication cycle. Vacuolization gives no clear benefit for BKPyV and is possibly the result of a transiently overloaded endocytic pathway. Focal vacuolization around lysed cells suggests that the spread of BKPyV is preferably local. Author summary: In kidney transplant recipients, high-level BKPyV replication in allograft tubule epithelial cells causes BKPyV nephropathy, a severe infectious complication leading to reduced allograft function and premature allograft loss. In this study, we demonstrate that BKPyV induces cytoplasmic vacuolization in primary RPTECs, and we perform an in-depth characterization of the vacuolization event. We show that vacuolization is an early and transient event in the BKPyV replication cycle that occurs in cells after massive uptake of extrinsically added BKPyV or naturally released progeny virus. Non-infectious BKPyV Vp1-virus-like-particles also caused vacuolization, demonstrating that BKPyV expression is unnecessary. The high-level BKPyV uptake seems to transiently overload the endocytic pathway, which affects cargo transport and digestion. In support of vacuoles being enlarged acidified endo-/lysosomes, the vacuolar H+ ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 prevented vacuolization. Contrasting reports on SV40, inhibitors of the Rac1-JNK signaling pathway did not prevent vacuolization, and vacuolization did not increase host cell lysis and progeny release. Importantly, we demonstrate in real-time that cell lysis preferentially leads to vacuolization of directly adjacent previously uninfected cells. A similar local spread of BKPyV may also play a role in vivo, as focal BKPyV replication is typically observed in kidney allograft biopsies from patients with BKPyV nephropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been on the forefront of advanced research for over a decade, achieving constantly increasing power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), while their route towards commercialization is currently under intensive progress. Towards this target, there has been a turn to PSCs that employ a carbon electrode (C-PSCs) for the elimination of metal back contacts, which increase the cost of corresponding devices while at the same time have a severe impact on their stability. Chalcogenides are chemical compounds that contain at least one chalcogen element, typically sulfur (S), selenium (Se), or tellurium (Te), combined with one metallic element. They possess semiconducting properties and have been proven to have beneficial effects when incorporated in a variety of solar cell types, including dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs), and Organic Solar Cells (OSCs), either as interlayers or added in the active layers. Currently, an increasing number of studies have highlighted their potential for achieving high-performing and stable PSCs. In this review, the most promising results of the latest studies regarding the implementation of chalcogenides in PSCs with a carbon electrode are presented and discussed, merging two research trends that are currently on the spotlight of solar cell technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand is high for small, lightweight, and power-dense machines. However, as power increases and size decreases, rejecting losses becomes more difficult. Many novel cooling systems have been developed, which have allowed machines to be made smaller while increasing power. This paper proposes a cooling system making use of soft magnetic composite (SMC) cores to improve cooling specifically in a high-speed axial-flux machine via the use of an integrated cooling channel in the SMC core. A series of experiments on a prototype machine are performed and the experimental data are used to determine a set of parameters for the FEA thermal model. Using the thermal FEA model, a comparison is completed with a traditional closed cooling system using laminated steels and an attached cooling plate.The SMC machine is then simulated at speeds up to 160 krpm and currents up to 8 A. To achieve the same coil temperature between the two designs, the laminated steel model required 4 MPa contact pressure at 10 krpm and 5 MPa contact pressure at 20 krpm. At the same time, the novel design removed approximately 20% more heat per shear air gap surface area and approximately 15% more heat per total machine surface area than the version with the attached cooling plate. Extending the operating range of the model to 160 krpm demonstrated that the maximum temperature rise remained below 180 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inability to accurately predict the occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) among open-heart surgery patients leads to concerning increases in POCD cases. Preoperative circulating biomarkers are important to identify as they are non-invasive and could provide an early prediction of POCD development, allowing for earlier and more strategized interventions. However, to date, no robust circulating biomarkers have proven effective for preoperative POCD prediction. This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on preoperative protein profiling among POCD patients following open-heart surgery. Thus, a thorough literature search employing PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Science Direct was carried out. This combination of keywords was used as part of the search strategy: ("Postoperative cognitive decline" OR "Postoperative cognitive disorders" OR "Postoperative cognitive dysfunction" OR "Postoperative cognitive complications") AND ("Thoracic Surgery" OR "Cardiac Surgery" OR "Heart Surgery") AND ("Protein expression" OR proteomic OR "Protein profiling"). Eight hundred and twenty-nine studies were retrieved and only clinical studies reporting the circulating preoperative differentially expressed Proteins (DEPs) in the POCD patients were selected. Six studies were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only one preoperative DEP and four immediate postoperative DEPs were extracted from the studies. All four proteins were selected for analysis using DAVID, STRING, and Cytoscape software. Due to the very low number of proteins, no clusters have been identified. This systematic review demonstrates the lack of POCD preoperative biomarkers for open-heart-surgery patients. Thus, it is suggested that more studies can be conducted to fill this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current language models have achieved remarkable success in NLP tasks. Nonetheless, individual decoding methods face difficulties in realizing the immense potential of these models. The challenge is primarily due to the lack of a decoding framework that can integrate language models and decoding methods. We introduce DecoStrat, which bridges the gap between language modeling and the decoding process in D2T generation. By leveraging language models, DecoStrat facilitates the exploration of alternative decoding methods tailored to specific tasks. We fine-tuned the model on the MultiWOZ dataset to meet task-specific requirements and employed it to generate output(s) through multiple interactive modules of the framework. The Director module orchestrates the decoding processes, engaging the Generator to produce output(s) text based on the selected decoding method and input data. The Manager module enforces a selection strategy, integrating Ranker and Selector to identify the optimal result. Evaluations on the stated dataset show that DecoStrat effectively produces a diverse and accurate output, with MBR variants consistently outperforming other methods. DecoStrat with the T5-small model surpasses some baseline frameworks. Generally, the findings highlight DecoStrat's potential for optimizing decoding methods in diverse real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Sufficient liver function is crucial in extracellular matrix growth, hemostasis, and wound healing. Repeated abdominal surgery is a known risk factor for the development of wound complications. This study aimed to evaluate this high-risk constellation in patients undergoing associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and repeated liver resections (RLR) in comparison to single liver resection (SLR). Method: Forty patients who underwent ALPPS between 2011 and 2020 were evenly matched with patients undergoing RLR or SLR (n = 40 per group) using propensity scores. Postoperative outcomes were compared and factors associated with wound complications were analyzed. Results: Postoperative wound complications were significantly more frequent in ALPPS group (p = 0.001). The reoperation rate was not significantly different between the three groups (p = 0.143). However, surgical reintervention due to wound complications occurred more frequently in the ALPPS group in relation to RLR and SLR (17.5% vs. 7.5% and 5% respectively). Length of stay was significantly longer in the ALPPS group (p = 0.033). ALPPS was an independent risk factor for postoperative wound complication (OR = 8.55, 95% CI:1.07–68.44, p = 0.043). Risk factor analysis identified age ≥ 60 years (OR = 27.64, 95% CI:3.09-246.75, p = 0.003), BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR = 30.21, 95% CI:3.35-271.83, p = 0.002), and low postoperative albumin levels (OR = 168.41, 95% CI:7.76-3651.18, p = 0.001) as independent predictors of postoperative wound complications after major liver resection. Conclusion: Patients undergoing ALPPS and RLR are faced with a high risk of developing wound complications. Older age, obesity, a history of previous abdominal surgery, and a decreased postoperative albumin level were independent risk factors for wound complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The optimal timing of surgical intervention for chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH), specifically night-time versus daytime, remains a subject of debate, with concerns about the potential impact of circadian timing on surgical outcomes. This study evaluated the association between the timing of burr-hole drainage for CSDH and postoperative outcomes, comparing night-time and daytime surgeries. Methods: In a post-hoc analysis of the FINISH trial, we included adult patients with symptomatic unilateral or bilateral CSDH who underwent burr-hole drainage between January 2020 and August 2022. Night-time surgery was defined as procedures starting between 23:00 and 06:00, with daytime surgeries occurring between 06:01 and 22:59. The primary outcome was functional outcome at six months post-surgery, assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with favorable outcomes defined as an mRS of 0–3. Secondary outcomes included mortality, reoperation rates, and adverse events within six months. Results: Our analysis of 589 patients (83% daytime surgery, 17% night-time surgery) revealed no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The unadjusted analysis suggested a higher rate of favorable functional outcomes in the night-time surgery group than in the daytime group (94% vs. 86%, p = 0.037). Mortality, adverse events, and reoperation rates were similar in the groups. Adjusted logistic regression analyses, accounting for potential confounders, indicated that night-time surgery was not associated with a higher risk of unfavorable functional outcomes compared to daytime surgery. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that night-time surgery versus daytime surgery is not associated with worse postoperative outcomes. These findings challenges the traditional preference for daytime CSDH surgery and emphasizes the potential for flexibility in surgical scheduling to optimize patient care in CSDH management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The optimal timing of surgical intervention for chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH), specifically night-time versus daytime, remains a subject of debate, with concerns about the potential impact of circadian timing on surgical outcomes. This study evaluated the association between the timing of burr-hole drainage for CSDH and postoperative outcomes, comparing night-time and daytime surgeries. Methods: In a post-hoc analysis of the FINISH trial, we included adult patients with symptomatic unilateral or bilateral CSDH who underwent burr-hole drainage between January 2020 and August 2022. Night-time surgery was defined as procedures starting between 23:00 and 06:00, with daytime surgeries occurring between 06:01 and 22:59. The primary outcome was functional outcome at six months post-surgery, assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), with favorable outcomes defined as an mRS of 0–3. Secondary outcomes included mortality, reoperation rates, and adverse events within six months. Results: Our analysis of 589 patients (83% daytime surgery, 17% night-time surgery) revealed no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The unadjusted analysis suggested a higher rate of favorable functional outcomes in the night-time surgery group than in the daytime group (94% vs. 86%, p = 0.037). Mortality, adverse events, and reoperation rates were similar in the groups. Adjusted logistic regression analyses, accounting for potential confounders, indicated that night-time surgery was not associated with a higher risk of unfavorable functional outcomes compared to daytime surgery. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that night-time surgery versus daytime surgery is not associated with worse postoperative outcomes. These findings challenges the traditional preference for daytime CSDH surgery and emphasizes the potential for flexibility in surgical scheduling to optimize patient care in CSDH management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the increasing demand on the global health system and the presence of persistent healthcare disparities, it becomes imperative to utilize the full potential of the healthcare workforce, including allied health professionals (AHPs). To date, no review has mapped the literature on clinical care ratios (CCRs) for AHPs. This information is vital in guiding future work-force planning to address healthcare issues such as understaffed and at capacity hospitals. This scoping review mapped available evidence to offer a comprehensive insight into current AHP CCRs, enabling evidence-based decision-making that ensures optimal care and enhanced system efficiency. Methods: The scoping review was undertaken using the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews' (PRISMA-ScR). The search was conducted using Ovid (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO), CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, PEDro, OTseeker and grey literature. Two reviewers independently screened records, following which data extraction was completed for the included studies. Descriptive synthesis was used to summarize the data. Results: Of the 7670 records identified, 18 studies were included in this review. Whilst there was variability between AHPs on direct clinical time spent with patients, considerable amount of time was also spent on activities beyond direct clinical care. To offset this, literature highlights opportunities for allied health assistants and students to undertake tasks which would free-up AHPs to undertake more direct and higher-level tasks. However, limitations of findings (variability in measurement, lack of coverage of some professions) limits generalisability. Conclusion: While the literature highlights considerable variability in CCRs among different AHP disciplines, it does appear nearly a nearly a third of time spent by AHPs are on tasks that are beyond direct clinical care. Future research could explore new workforce models which would free-up AHPs to undertake more direct and higher-level tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Methods Results Discussion Immigrants and newcomers are identified by many provincial midwifery associations as “priority populations.” Recently, newcomer populations have shifted considerably, with more people coming to Canada with precarious immigration status who are increasingly ineligible for public healthcare insurance and facing barriers to accessing care. Our aims were to: (1) gain an understanding of the policies related to equitable access to midwifery care and how they may apply to migrant groups without public healthcare insurance and (2) identify existing policy themes, gaps, and regulatory barriers that limit access for this vulnerable population in Canada.We conducted a high‐level document content analysis using a health equity framework. We aimed to identify language related to equitable access in midwifery services, with particular emphasis on uninsured populations. A total of 64 documents were analyzed, including legislation and publicly available statements from midwifery regulatory bodies and associations.Midwifery regulatory authorities and associations across Canada are consistent in establishing an expectation that midwives will provide accessible care to diverse clientele. However, how these commitments are put into practice varies considerably between jurisdictions. We compared the cases of Manitoba and Ontario to illustrate the disconnect between commitments to priority populations and implementation.While there is a clearly demonstrated intention to provide equitable access to midwifery care to all people, including “priority populations” like migrants and newcomers, in practice, these commitments have not been fully realized. Equity is encumbered by broader structural issues, such as the growth in the number of newcomers without access to public health insurance. Moves toward equity within midwifery and healthcare more broadly need to meaningfully engage with other policy sectors, such as immigration, to be able to adapt to emerging issues affecting reproductive care, such as the growing precarity of newcomer populations in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Although blue light is known to produce leaves with high photosynthetic capacity, the role of the blue‐adjacent UV‐A1 (350–400 nm) in driving leaf photosynthetic acclimation is less studied. Tomato plants were grown under hybrid red and blue (RB; 95/5 μmol m−2 s−1), as well as four treatments in which RB was supplemented with 50 μmol m−2 s−1 peaking at 365, 385, 410 and 450 nm, respectively. Acclimation to 365–450 nm led to a shallow gradient increase in trait values (i.e., photosynthetic capacity, pigmentation and dry mass content) as the peak wavelength increased. Furthermore, both UV‐A1 and blue light grown leaves showed efficient photoprotection under high light intensity. When treated plants were transferred to fluctuating light for 5 days, leaves from all treatments showed increases in photosynthetic capacity, which were strongest in RB, followed by additional UV‐A1 treatments; RB grown leaves showed reductions in maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, while UV‐A1 grown leaves showed increases. We conclude that both UV‐A1 and blue light effectively trigger photosynthetic and photoprotective acclimation, the extent of acclimation becoming stronger the longer the peak wavelength is. Acclimatory responses to UV‐A1 and blue light are thus not distinct from one another, but follow a continuous gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current global reanalyses show marked discrepancies in snow mass and snow cover extent for the Northern Hemisphere. Here, benchmark snow datasets are produced by driving a simple offline snow model, the Brown Temperature Index Model (B-TIM), with temperature and precipitation from three reanalyses. The B-TIM offline snow performs comparably to or better than online (coupled land–atmosphere) reanalysis snow when evaluated against in situ snow measurements. Sources of discrepancy in snow climatologies, which are difficult to isolate when comparing online reanalysis snow products amongst themselves, are partially elucidated by separately bias-adjusting temperature and precipitation in the B-TIM. Interannual variability in snow mass and snow spatial patterns is far more self-consistent amongst offline B-TIM snow products than amongst online reanalysis snow products, and the self-consistent products are more similar to in situ observations, as evaluated in a validation study. Specific artifacts related to temporal inhomogeneity in snow data assimilation are revealed in the analysis. The B-TIM, released here as an open-source, self-contained Python package, provides a simple benchmarking tool for future updates to more sophisticated online and offline snow datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated receptor implicated in many inflammatory disorders. The skin microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining epidermal barrier integrity and is thought to modulate skin homeostasis partly through the production of AhR ligands, including metabolites of microbial tryptophan metabolism such as indole derivatives. Here, we report the skin microbiota that activate AhR and their unique tryptophan metabolite profiles. Methods and results Of the bacteria isolated from healthy human skin and screened for the ability to metabolize tryptophan (18 species, five genera), 14 were positive. The tryptophan metabolites of 10 positive and two negative bacteria were then characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Whole genome sequencing confirmed the presence of key genes involved in the indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway within the genomes of indole-3-acetaldehyde, indole-3-acetic acid, and indole-3-aldehyde-producing organisms. A cell-based luciferase reporter gene assay identified functional agonist activity against human AhR in the culture supernatants of 12 of the 18 species tested. High indole derivative-producing organisms induced potent AhR activation. Conclusions These data demonstrate the relationship between skin microbiota, tryptophan metabolites, and AhR activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been demonstrated that the concept of infinite absorption time, associated with the absorption rate constant, which drives a drug's gastrointestinal absorption rate, is not physiologically sound. The recent analysis of oral drug absorption data based on the finite absorption time (F.A.T.) concept and the relevant physiologically based finite-time pharmacokinetic (PBFTPK) models developed provided a better physiologically sound description of oral drug absorption. Methods: In this study, we re-analyzed, using PBFTPK models, seven data sets of ketoprofen, amplodipine, theophylline (three formulations), and two formulations (reference, test) from a levonorgestrel bioequivalence study. Equations for one-compartment-model drugs, for the estimation of fraction of dose absorbed or the bioavailable fraction exclusively from oral data, were developed. Results: In all cases, meaningful estimates for (i) the number of absorption stages, namely, one for ketoprofen and the levonorgestrel formulations, two for amlodipine, the immediate-release theophylline formulation, and the extended-release Theotrim formulation, and three for the extended-release Theodur formulation, (ii) the duration of each absorption stage and the corresponding drug input rate, and (iii) the total duration of drug absorption, which ranged from 0.75 h (ketoprofen) to 11.6 h for Theodur were derived. Estimates for the bioavailable fraction of ketoprofen and two theophylline formulations exhibiting one-compartment-model kinetics were derived. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the detailed characteristics of oral drug absorption. The use of PBFTPK models in drug absorption analysis can be leveraged as a computational framework to discontinue the perpetuation of the mathematical fallacy of classical pharmacokinetic analysis based on the absorption rate constant as well as in the physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) studies and pharmacometrics. The present study is an additional piece of evidence for the scientific and regulatory changes required to be implemented by the regulatory agencies in the not-too-distant future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bilayer vesicles released by cells in the microenvironment of the liver including parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. They are the third important mechanism in the communications between cells, besides the secretion of cytokines and chemokines and the direct cell-to-cell contact. The aim of this review is to discuss the important role of EVs in viral liver disease, as there is increasing evidence that the transportation of viral proteins, all types of RNA, and viral particles including complete virions is implicated in the pathogenesis of both viral cirrhosis and viral-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The biogenesis of EVs is discussed and their role in the pathogenesis of viral liver diseases is presented. Their use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is also analyzed. Most importantly, the significance of possible novel treatment strategies for liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is presented, although available data are based on experimental evidence and clinical trials have not been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a case of Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis (HP) and Immunoglobulin G subclass 4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) in a 32-year-old male patient with maxillofacial symptoms. The patient experienced neurological symptoms, including severe pain, trismus, diplopia, and seizures, and was treated with corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab. Despite treatment, the patient's condition persisted, highlighting the challenges in managing IgG4‐RD and HP, especially when fibrosis is present. Surgical intervention was required to address trismus, and ongoing follow-up is essential for effective management. [Extracted from the article]

We present a unique case of primary intraosseous paraganglioma (PGL) originating from maxillary bone. PGL is a neurosecretory neoplasm that arises from cells believed to originate from the neural crest. A 30-year-old woman presented with right facial pain and swelling, along with palpitations. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a 3.3 × 3.1 × 2.3 cm mass in the anterior maxilla, and biochemical results showed elevated plasma dopamine, 3-methoxytyramine, and chromogranin A levels. Biopsy confirmed a PGL, with positive expression of synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and GATA-3. Whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans showed avidity on 18F-fluorodopa (18F-FDOPA), 68Ga-DOTA(0)-Tyr(3)-octreotate ​​ (68Ga-DOTATATE), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). No other lesions (primary or metastatic) were found. Proton beam therapy was chosen over surgery due to potential complications and patient's preference. Following radiotherapy, she experienced symptom relief, with dopamine levels decreasing and chromogranin A normalizing, with the lesion remaining stable on 11-month follow-up imaging. This case highlights the rarity of primary bone PGLs and underscores the importance of comprehensive diagnostic approaches combining physical examinations, biochemical testing, functional imaging, and histopathological analysis properly guiding personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, proton beam therapy emerges as a highly suitable treatment option for head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs), offering effective tumor control with minimal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time reversal exploits the invariance of electromagnetic wave propagation in reciprocal and lossless media to localize radiating sources. Time‐reversed measurements are back‐propagated in a simulated domain and converge to the unknown source location. The focusing time (i.e. the simulation instant at which the fields converge to the source location) and the source location can be identified using field maxima, entropy, time kurtosis, and space kurtosis. This paper analyses the spatial energy‐density distribution of time‐reversed electromagnetic fields by introducing a convergence metric based on the spatial average and variance of the energy density. It is analytically proven that the proposed metric identifies the focusing time and the source location, with direct links to the source frequency content. The analytical results are verified in a free‐space numerical simulation and the proposed metric is then compared to existing ones in a simulated inhomogeneous medium. Next, this metric is applied and compared in an experimental case study to localize electromagnetic interference sources. The proposed metric outperforms existing ones to identify the focusing time and can also be used to locate the source. Finally, because of its tensorial nature, it can handle anisotropic media, opening the door to quantitative analyses of time‐reversal focusing in metamaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NF-PanNET) ≤2 cm can be observed or resected. Surgery remains recommended for NF-PanNET >2 cm but its extent, enucleation (EN) versus formal resection, remains controversial. Methods: Multicentric retrospective cohort of sporadic NF-PanNET patients treated with EN. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared according to tumor size on imaging ≤2 cm versus >2 cm. Results: 131 patients underwent EN for NF-PanNET, including 103 (79.0%) ≤2 cm and 28 (21.0%) >2 cm (extremes, 4–55 mm). Patients' characteristics were comparable, and tumor characteristics only differed in their diameter. Clavien III-IV complications were similar (18.4% vs. 17.9%, p = 1.00) with one death in NF-PanNET ≤2 cm. Grade B/C pancreatic fistula were comparable (16.5% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.850). In NF-PanNET >2 cm there were more pT2/3 stage tumors (85.7% vs. 21.4%, p < 0.001), similar rates of grade G2/3 tumors (25% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.408) with a median Ki67 of 2 (interquartile range: 1–3), and of lymphovascular and perineural invasions. Lymph node picking was done in 46 (35.1%) patients, with a higher median number of harvested lymph nodes in NF-PanNET >2 cm (4 vs. 3, p = 0.01). All were pN0. R0 resection rate (78.6% vs. 82.5%, respectively; p = 0.670) was equivalent. Five-year overall (100% vs. 99%, p = 0.602) and 10-year disease-free (96% vs. 92%, respectively; p = 0.532) survivals were comparable. Conclusions: EN for selected NF-PanNET >2 cm carries equivalent morbidity, overall and disease-free survivals compared to those observed with NF-PanNET ≤2 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the predesign phase of an aero-engine, interdisciplinary parametric studies are crucial for identifying an optimum engine. As innovative engine concepts emerge, it is essential to study trends aiming to minimize climate impact and one of its key contributors, fuel burn. The comparatively heavy disks, subjected to high thermal and mechanical loads, are central to this analysis due to their high impact on the overall module mass. This paper proposes an approach to achieve a first lightweight mechanical design of disks in the predesign phase. Based on a performance and aerodynamic baseline, the design space and physical boundary conditions are set. First, an initial mass-optimized disk is derived using simplified temperature profiles and stress calculations under the mechanical design point conditions. Subsequently, all the module disks are considered, and an estimation for each bore temperature is achieved through a novel loop over the entire module and all available operating points (OPs). By evaluating the temperature and stress profiles across various operating conditions, the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life of each disk can be studied. As part of a highly modular engine predesign framework, this method allows for zooming capabilities of single disk calculations by prescribing individual boundary conditions. The proposed approach already yields an initial assessment of the rotors within a short runtime, facilitating simple iterations with the succeeding design phases due to method and tool commonalities. While the primary focus of this work is on compressor design, the principles presented are adaptable and expandable to turbine disk applications as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating shredded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) post-consumer plastic waste as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates in unreinforced concrete such as masonry blocks. Standard concrete blocks were produced with varying PET content (0%, 5%, 25%, 35%, 50%) and tested for workability, air content, density, compressive strength, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity. Results indicated that replacing up to 25% of traditional aggregates with PET maintains adequate compressive strength for non-load-bearing applications and enhances thermal insulation by reducing the thermal conductivity from 0.7 W/m·°K to 0.27 W/m·°K at 25% replacement level, representing a significant improvement of approximately 61%. Higher PET content (35–50%) resulted in reduced structural integrity but improved insulation, suggesting its suitability for non-structural applications. This research highlights the potential of using PET plastic waste in unreinforced concrete, promoting sustainable construction practices by reducing plastic waste and conserving natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]