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Although corn is the most important and nitrogen (N)-fertilized crop, there is a lack of long-term data on the effects of organic and inorganic N fertilizers on the N balance and losses for corn systems under different tillage approaches. From 2012 to 2023, we assessed the effects of the N source on the grain yields from cultivated continuous corn receiving irrigation at a site with minimal erosion in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, and compared these effects to no-till (NT) and strip till (ST) systems receiving inorganic N. An N balance accounting for N and carbon (C) sequestration found a system nitrogen use efficiency (NUESys) for organic N fertilizer (manure) with a tillage of 86.6%, which was higher than the NUESys of 62.6% with inorganic N fertilizer (enhanced efficiency fertilizer, EEF). Conventional tillage with manure use is a good management practice that contributed to higher grain yields (2 of 11 years), C sequestration (p < 0.05), soil organic N content (p < 0.05), and soil phosphorus (P) content than inorganic N fertilizer with tillage (p < 0.05). The tilled systems, whether receiving organic or inorganic N fertilizer, had higher yields and grain N content than the NT and ST systems receiving inorganic N fertilizer (p < 0.05). The grain production of the cultivated system receiving organic N fertilizer did not decrease with time, while the yields of the cultivated system receiving inorganic N fertilizer decreased with time (p < 0.05), suggesting that cultivated systems receiving organic N fertilizer may be more sustainable and better able to adapt to a changing climate. Additionally, a combination of manure (30% of N input) with EEF (70% of N input) contributed to a synergistic effect that increased the agronomic productivity (harvested grain yields). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In clinical diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a vital role in analyzing soft tissues. However, the images are affected by noise that is random in nature. The noise affects the quality of the image, which impacts the accuracy of diagnosis. To address this, in this paper, four enhanced versions of filters: enhanced Lee filter (ELF), enhanced Frost filter (EFF), enhanced Kuan filter (EKF) and enhanced Boxcar filter (EBCF) are used. The enhanced image features are used for classification with three different CNN classification models: Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), CNN with attention module (CNN-AM) and CNN with a residual module (CNN-RM). The enhanced filters help in improving the features. In the proposed architecture, the spatial attention module achieves these benefits by applying operations such as average pooling, max pooling, and sigmoid activation to selectively highlight key spatial regions in MRI images, leading to improved classification accuracy and overall performance. The proposed methods are compared with the state-of-the-art methods, and they ensure better image enhancement with high PSNR values of 32.1, 36.7 and 39.1, respectively. The classification models ensure high accuracy of 94%, 95% and 98%.

During macroautophagy, the Atg8 protein is conjugated to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in autophagic membranes. In Apicomplexan parasites, two cysteine proteases, Atg4 and ovarian tumor unit (Otu), have been identified to delipidate Atg8 to release this protein from membranes. Here, we investigated the role of cysteine proteases in Atg8 conjugation and deconjugation and found that the Plasmodium parasite consists of both activities. We successfully disrupted the genes individually; however, simultaneously, they were refractory to deletion and essential for parasite survival. Mutants lacking Atg4 and Otu showed normal blood and mosquito stage development. All mice infected with Otu KO sporozoites became patent; however, Atg4 KO sporozoites either failed to establish blood infection or showed delayed patency. Through in vitro and in vivo analysis, we found that Atg4 KO sporozoites invade and normally develop into early liver stages. However, nuclear and organelle differentiation was severely hampered during late stages and failed to mature into hepatic merozoites. We found a higher level of Atg8 in Atg4 KO parasites, and the deconjugation of Atg8 was hampered. We confirmed Otu localization on the apicoplast; however, parasites lacking Otu showed no visible developmental defects. Our data suggest that Atg4 is the primary deconjugating enzyme and that Otu cannot replace its function completely because it cleaves the peptide bond at the N-terminal side of glycine, thereby irreversibly inactivating Atg8 during its recycling. These findings highlight a role for the Atg8 deconjugation pathway in organelle biogenesis and maintenance of the homeostatic cellular balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Tutoring Programme (NTP) Tuition Partners (TP) programme was designed to provide additional support to schools and teachers to supplement classroom teaching through subsidised high-quality tutoring for pupils from an approved list of tutoring organisations, the Tuition Partners. This evaluation covers the TP programme as delivered in its first year by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), from November 2020 to August 2021. Tuition Partners was one arm of the NTP [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, σ-hole interactions within like⋯like carbon-containing complexes were investigated, in both the absence and presence of the external electric field (EEF). The effects of the directionality and strength of the utilized EEF were thoroughly unveiled in the (F-C-F3)2, (F-C-H3)2, and (H-C-F3)2 complexes. In the absence of the EEF, favorable interaction energies, with negative values, are denoted for the (F-C-F3)2 and (H-C-F3)2 complexes, whereas the (F-C-H3)2 complex exhibits unfavorable interactions. Remarkably, the strength of the applied EEF exhibits a prominent role in turning the repulsive forces within the latter complex into attractive ones. The symmetrical nature of the considered like⋯like carbon-containing complexes eradicated the effect of directionality of the EEF. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and the noncovalent interaction (NCI) index, ensured the occurrence of the attractive forces, and also outlined the substantial contributions of the three coplanar atoms to the total strength of the studied complexes. Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) results show the dispersion-driven nature of the interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: EEF2 encodes eukaryotic elongation factor 2 which catalyzes the elongation phase of protein translation. It is ubiquitously expressed and important for neuronal function. EEF2 was first associated with adult-onset spinocerebellar ataxia type 26 (SCA26). A novel neurodevelopmental disorder associated with de novo heterozygous variants in EEF2 has been described. Only 6 patients have been described in the literature thus far. A 9-year-old child with de novo novel missense variant is described here. EEF2 -related neurodevelopmental disorder appears to be clinically recognizable., Case Presentation: A nine-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder was referred for genetic evaluation. On examination, he had relative macrocephaly and frontal prominence. Whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo c.1225 C>T: p. (R409W) variant in exon 9 of the EEF2 gene (NM&#95;001961.3)., Discussion: A comparison of clinical findings suggests that relative macrocephaly/macrocephaly and prominent forehead are consistent and easily identifiable clinical features of EEF2 -related neurodevelopmental disorder. The clinical spectrum of this disorder is still emerging. EEF2 -related neurodevelopmental disorder should be considered in a child with autism, developmental delays/intellectual disability, macrocephaly/relative macrocephaly, and frontal prominence., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2024 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the dose and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids with different sizes and explore the effect of uterine fibroid size on dose, which provided dose evaluation for clinicians in accordance with the size of uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,000 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who received a single-session USgHIFU treatment were enrolled in this study. The size of fibroids was divided into seven groups: 3–4 cm, 4–5 cm, 5–6 cm, 6–7 cm, 7–8 cm, 8–9 cm, and 9–11 cm. The dose was expressed on the basis of the energy efficiency factor (EEF) as the energy required for ablation per unit volume of tissue, and the non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) was used to assess the effect of HIFU ablation. Results: The median NPVR of 88.3% (IQR: 80.3%–94.8%) was obtained, and no significant difference was observed among the seven groups. The classification of T2-weighted image signal intensity fibroids in the 4–5 cm group was compared with that in the 6–7 cm and 8–9 cm groups, and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). However, the proportion of T2WI hyperintense signal fibroids had no significant difference among the seven groups (p > 0.05). The median EEF was 3.88 J/mm3, and a significant difference was observed among the seven groups of EEF (p < 0.05). The EEF of groups with a fibroid size less than 6 cm was more than double the EEF of groups with a fibroid size above 6 cm. In addition, the EEF of groups with a fibroid size of 4–5 cm and 3–4 cm was 3–4 times higher than those with a fibroid size above 7 cm (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A single-session HIFU ablation for uterine fibroids of 3–11 cm can obtain an NPVR of more than 80%. The EEF decreased with the increase of the size of uterine fibroids. A fibroid size of 6.5 cm was considered as a clinical meaningful point affecting EEF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the dose and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) ablation of uterine fibroids with different sizes and explore the effect of uterine fibroid size on dose, which provided dose evaluation for clinicians in accordance with the size of uterine fibroids.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,000 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids who received a single-session USgHIFU treatment were enrolled in this study. The size of fibroids was divided into seven groups: 3–4 cm, 4–5 cm, 5–6 cm, 6–7 cm, 7–8 cm, 8–9 cm, and 9–11 cm. The dose was expressed on the basis of the energy efficiency factor (EEF) as the energy required for ablation per unit volume of tissue, and the non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) was used to assess the effect of HIFU ablation.ResultsThe median NPVR of 88.3% (IQR: 80.3%–94.8%) was obtained, and no significant difference was observed among the seven groups. The classification of T2-weighted image signal intensity fibroids in the 4–5 cm group was compared with that in the 6–7 cm and 8–9 cm groups, and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). However, the proportion of T2WI hyperintense signal fibroids had no significant difference among the seven groups (p > 0.05). The median EEF was 3.88 J/mm3, and a significant difference was observed among the seven groups of EEF (p < 0.05). The EEF of groups with a fibroid size less than 6 cm was more than double the EEF of groups with a fibroid size above 6 cm. In addition, the EEF of groups with a fibroid size of 4–5 cm and 3–4 cm was 3–4 times higher than those with a fibroid size above 7 cm (p < 0.05).ConclusionsA single-session HIFU ablation for uterine fibroids of 3–11 cm can obtain an NPVR of more than 80%. The EEF decreased with the increase of the size of uterine fibroids. A fibroid size of 6.5 cm was considered as a clinical meaningful point affecting EEF.

Since the 1990s, there have been repeated calls for the systematic use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to inform educational decision-making. The advent of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) – described as England's What Works Centre for Education – in 2011 has made this a reality in England: by 2020, over a third of English schools were involved in such trials. Despite much debate about the value and role of RCTs, less attention has been paid to one specific effect of such trials, a phenomenon we refer to as interventionisation. This article uses two examples, focused on language and literacy education and teacher professional development, to demonstrate how increased use of trials may work to 'interventionise' education through channelling the focus of innovation and development to tightly structured interventions and generating a series of narrowing effects. It argues that a broad view of research and a diversity of methodologies is needed not only to generate rich understandings of educational practice but to develop and sustain educational provision that is fit for a dynamic world and which responds to the challenges and opportunities presented in complex educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-based bioanalytical tools are considered one alternative to overcome limitations of sensitivities of instrumental, analytical chemistry for monitoring estrogenic chemicals in the environment. Because these tools also reflect non-additive interactions of chemicals in mixtures, their outcomes often deviate from outcomes of chemical analytical approaches that assume additivity, e.g. the concentration addition (CA) model. Often this is because CA is unable to adequately represent effects of partial agonists, i.e. estrogens with lesser efficacies compared to 17β-estradiol. A generalized concentration addition (GCA) model has been proposed to address this shortcoming. In the present study, we investigated effects of mixtures of isomers of nonylphenol as partial model agonists in a cell-based estrogenicity assay. Whether the GCA model was able to more accurately predict the outcomes of these and previously published mixture experiments was evaluated, as well as the potency of a set of comprehensively characterized sewage effluent samples, compared to CA. If samples contained partial agonists, the GCA model consistently predicted potencies of mixtures and extracts of environmental samples more accurately than did the CA model. These findings enable more accurate estimations of potencies of estrogenicity explained by concentrations of agonists and partial agonists, thus significantly improving the ability to identify causative chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of the territorial perspective into the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), through the delimitation of fishing areas and the creation of Fishery Local Action Groups (FLAGs), has allowed the decentralized management Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) through the application of the LEADER method in this sectoral policy. The present study brings together the research of five case study regions (including Portugal) and their FLAGs in the period 2007-2013. Based on the analysis of each participatory local development strategy (LDS) and measures financed, there are different responses to the experience: misalignment and lack of cohesion between projects, excessive dependence on local power, and, in contrast, very meritorious actions and impact both in the fisheries sector and in the sustainable development of the coastal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resident energy consumption can be divided into direct and indirect parts, and the indirect part is often considered to be much more important than direct part by some scholars. In this paper, on the basis of Consumer Lifestyle Approach (CLA) and the estimation of Net Primary Productivity (NPP), Energy Ecological Footprint (EEF) of indirect energy consumption is calculated using statistical data of Chinese urban and rural areas from 1999 to 2010. And then, improved STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology) model is used to empirically study the influences of urbanization level, economic level, Engel coefficient, energy intensity and industry structure on indirect energy consumption. Given the consideration of potential multicollinearity, the model is estimated using partial least square (PLS) regression. The results indicate that, for urban residents, the EEF of indirect energy use is on the rise. It is positively influenced by urbanization level, per capita income and the ratio of tertiary industry, but negatively influenced by Engel coefficient and energy intensity. For rural residents, the EEF is declining. It is positively influenced by Engel coefficient, energy intensity and tertiary industry proportion, while negatively influenced by urbanization level and per capita income. Combining these empirical findings and China's specific circumstances, some policy recommendations are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the use of independently rotating wheels with inverse tread conicity to get self- steering ability without any complex bogie structure. The effectiveness of the vehicle with two single- axle bogies that use two independently rotating wheel units with inverse tread conicity is proved by the 1/10 scale model experiment. The full vehicle model is made by means of multibody dynamics software SIMPACK™. Both the experiment and simulation results show that the proposed inverse tread with independently rotating wheels have good performance. Running stability and curving ability of the proposed inverse tread for independently rotating wheels can be realised by using the semi-active yaw damper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Oxygen in eukaryotic metabolism • Oxygen consumption of tissues and processes • Metabolic rate depression • mRNA translation in hypoxia: the down and up and down • Regulation of global mRNA translation in hypoxia • Regulation of specific mRNA translation in hypoxia • Can an alteration of the translational machinery cause a specific change in gene expression? Cells can survive hypoxia/anoxia by metabolic rate depression, which involves lowering of mRNA translation rates in an ATP-dependent manner. By activating anaerobic ATP production (glycolysis), the inhibitory influence on mRNA translation in hypoxia can be abolished. In severe hypoxia, glycolysis cannot fully restore the ATP demand, thus causing a long-lasting inhibition of global protein synthesis. During moderate hypoxia, fermentative ATP production may maintain normal ATP levels. However, an activation of hypoxia tolerance mechanisms, including specific mRNA translation, also takes place. The latter may be attributed to oxygen-dependent (but not ATP dependent) processes such as the activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor cascade. In summary, hypoxia-induced decline in cellular ATP level can be counteracted by suppression of global mRNA translation rate. Sustained protein synthesis seems to be attributed to the activation of specific mRNA translation under long-term hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the EEF (single-wheel single running gear) method, the asymmetric geometry lateral force obtained by the nonlinear wheel profile makes it self-aligned to the Independent Rotation Wheelset (IRW), and lateral displacement between the wheel's yaw centre and the wheel-rail contact point obtains self-steering force. But the longitudinal creep force disables these functions when traction torque is applied to the EEF wheel unit directly. In this paper, we propose a new bogie type to obtain traction force of the IRW without losing the self-alignment and the self-steering capability. Traction torque was applied to a normal IRW pair, and the front and rear joint connected steering wheels guided the traction IRW pair along the track. The running performance of the proposed steering truck was studied by numerical simulation and a scaled model experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews recent research with electrophysiology analysis and the ability to predict psychotropic medication response. Four clinical cases are presented which illustrate the harm of inappropriate medication use or medication stacking which is an inadvertent common occurrence. The cases also demonstrate the benefit achieved by using Referenced-EEG (rEEG) to guide medication selection. Instances of unnecessarily or incorrectly medicating patients, as evidenced by both rEEG reports and patient clinical response, are highlighted. The possible inaccuracies of our current DSM nomenclature to describe patient phenotypes, which routinely determine psychotropic treatment, are case illustrated by comparing outcomes achieved using neuro-electrophysiology technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroid hormone Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) (natural estrogens (17-β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), synthetic estrogen (17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)), natural androgen (testosterone) (tes) and natural progestogen (progesterone) (pro)) at an activated sludge wastewater works (WWW), were quantitated using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The steroid hormone profile in the adjacent surface water was also determined. Pro was the most abundant (41%, 408 ng/L) in the influent, followed by tes (35%, 343 ng/L) and E2 (12%, 119 ng/L). E1 was the most abundant (35%, 23 ng/L) in effluent, followed by E2 (30%, 20 ng/L) and tes (17%, 11 ng/L). Chemical removal efficiencies of the steroid hormones by the WWW averaged 92%. High removal efficiency was observed for pro (98% ± 2) and tes (96% ± 1), compared to natural (72-100%) and synthetic estrogen (90% ± 3), with biodegradation being the major removal route for pro and tes. The lowest removal for E2 is in spring (65%), and maximum removal is in winter (95%). Natural (E2, E1) and synthetic estrogen (EE2) were major contributors to influent (E2 = 69%) and effluent (E2 = 73%) estrogenic potency. The estrogenic potency removal averaged 85% (range: 73-100). Risk assessment of the steroid hormones present in wastewater effluent, and surface water, indicated that EE2 and E2 pose the highest risk to human health and fish. EE2 was found to be much more resistant to biodegradation, compared to E2, in surface water. Estrone, as the breakdown product of E2 and EE2 in wastewater, appears to be suitable as an indicator of EDCs. The study suggests that a battery of tests: quantitative chemical assay, bioassay for estrogenic activity and risk assessment methods, collectively, are preferred in order to make meaningful, accurate conclusions regarding potential adverse effects of EDCs present in treated wastewater effluent or surface water, to the aquatic environment, human health, and wildlife systems., (© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important regulator of synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus and in other brain regions, playing a role in the formation of certain forms of memory. The effects of BDNF in LTP are mediated by TrkB (tropomyosin-related kinase B) receptors, which are known to be coupled to the activation of the Ras/ERK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and phospholipase C-γ (PLC-γ) pathways. The role of BDNF in LTP is best studied in the hippocampus, where the neurotrophin acts at pre- and post-synaptic levels. Recent studies have shown that BDNF regulates the transport of mRNAs along dendrites and their translation at the synapse, by modulating the initiation and elongation phases of protein synthesis, and by acting on specific miRNAs. Furthermore, the effect of BDNF on transcription regulation may further contribute to long-term changes in the synaptic proteome. In this review we discuss the recent progress in understanding the mechanisms contributing to the short- and long-term regulation of the synaptic proteome by BDNF, and the role in synaptic plasticity, which is likely to influence learning and memory formation. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms governing long-term synaptic plasticity is a key to understanding how the brain stores information in neural circuits and adapts to a changing environment. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a regulator of stable, late phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP) at excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the adult brain. However, the mechanisms by which BDNF triggers L-LTP are controversial. Here, we distill and discuss the latest advances along three main lines: 1) TrkB receptor-coupled translational control underlying dendritic protein synthesis and L-LTP, 2) Mechanisms for BDNF-induced rescue of L-LTP when protein synthesis is blocked, and 3) BDNF-TrkB regulation of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in dendritic spines. Finally, we explore the inter-relationships between BDNF-regulated mechanisms, how these mechanisms contribute to different forms of L-LTP in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, and outline outstanding issues for future research. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'BDNF Regulation of Synaptic Structure, Function, and Plasticity'., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may lead to adverse systemic effects by interfering with normal hormone homeostasis, and diet is considered to be among the main routes of EDC exposure. The present study investigated the total estrogenic activity of fruits and vegetables by calculating the 17-β-estradiol equivalent quantity (EEQ) using two in vitro tests: the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7 BUS) proliferation assay (E-screen test) and the luciferase-transfected human breast cancer cell line (MELN) gene-reporter assay. Of the 24 analyzed fruits and vegetables, 14 contained from 1 to 4 pesticide residues in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 1.19 ppm, whereas the other 10 did not contain any pesticide residues. The EEQ values for all positive samples ranged from 0.010 to 0.616 μg/100g for the above in vitro tests. Our study demonstrates that estrogenic activity was present in fruits and vegetables and that the concentration of allowable pesticide residues and EEQ values were positively correlated; however, no correlation was found by comparing the estrogenic activity and the intrinsic content of phytoestrogens obtained from the available literature. A theoretical adult dietary intake of 0.7-0.9 ng EEQ/L/day from fruits and vegetables was calculated., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Malaria is responsible for nearly one million deaths annually, and the increasing prevalence of multi-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum poses a great challenge to controlling the disease. A diverse set of flavones, isosteric to 4(1H)-quinolones, were prepared and profiled for their antiplasmodial activity against the blood stage of P. falciparum W2 strain, and the liver stage of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei. Ligand efficient leads were identified as dual stage antimalarials, suggesting that scaffold optimization may afford potent antiplasmodial compounds., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)