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Background: Limited data are currently available on the incidence rates and risk factors for bacterial sepsis and invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among neonates and infants undergoing major surgery.Aim: To assess the incidence of bacterial sepsis and IFI, fungal colonization, risk factors for sepsis, and mortality in neonates and infants aged <3 months undergoing major surgery.Methods: A multicentre prospective study was conducted involving 13 level-3 neonatal intensive care units in Italy, enrolling all infants aged ≤3 months undergoing major surgery.Findings: From 2018 to 2021, 541 patients were enrolled. During hospitalization, 248 patients had a bacterial infection, and 23 patients had a fungal infection. Eighty-four patients were colonized by fungal strains. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 2.8%, but this was higher in infected than in uninfected infants (P = 0.034). In multivariate analysis, antibiotic exposure before surgery, ultrasound-guided or surgical placement of vascular catheters, vascular catheterization duration, and gestational age ≤28 weeks were all associated with bacterial sepsis. The risk of IFI was markedly higher in colonized infants (odds ratio (OR): 8.20; P < 0.001) and was linearly associated with the duration of vascular catheterization. Fungal colonization in infants with abdominal surgery increased the probability of IFI 11-fold (OR: 11.1; P < 0.001).Conclusion: Preventive strategies such as early removal of vascular catheters and the fluconazole prophylaxis should be considered to prevent bacterial and fungal sepsis in infants undergoing abdominal surgery, and even more so in those with fungal colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors review the publications on assembly and disassembly of the ribonucleoprotein complexes which are crucial for the RNA editing initiating and propagation. The topics of interest include the composition of these complexes and the effect of their assembly on the RNA editing regulation.

Water conservation requires osmoregulatory skills, sometimes limited by the environment and/or physiological and behavioral characteristics acquired along the evolutionary history of the species. Fossoriality had probably emerged as a survival mechanism to face increasing aridity, as suggested for Ctenomys, a genus that radiated to different environments. Ctenomys talarum (tuco-tuco) is an herbivorous subterranean rodent that lives in coastal grasslands inside humid burrows that reduce evaporation. However, their osmoregulatory mechanisms may be challenged by atmospheric variations when foraging aboveground and by the annual variability in dietary water and salt content. Then, it is of great interest to identify how much of this flexibility of C.talarum is attributed to physiological regulation. We analyzed the effect of water and salt content of diet on urinary, plasmatic, fecal and respiratory parameters. Tuco-tucos were not able to maintain their body weight under the offered monodiet, especially under the low hydrated diet, which explains its generalist and opportunistic foraging behavior. C. talarum mainly obtained water through food, whereas water metabolic production was negligible. Evaporative water loss did not vary between diets, but individuals under water restriction showed decreased fecal water loss and urine volume, high urine concentration but stable plasmatic osmolality and ionic concentration values. Under salt stress, urinary parameters remained relatively stable and high plasmatic osmolality was detected. Despite C. talarum produced more diluted urine than rodents from xeric environments, it is able to concentrate it 4 times above than the required at field even under the lowest water availability. This may be a characteristic associated with the evolutionary history of the species, which evolved in an arid context. Unlabelled Image • Ctenomys talarum do not maintain body weight under monodiets, especially dry ones. • Evaporative water loss does not vary with dietary water and salt content. • Under water restriction, urine is scarse and concentrated but plasmatic osmolality remain stable. • Under salt stress, urinary parameters remain stable and plasmatic osmolality is high. • C. talarum is able to concentrate urine 4 times more than the required by its natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OMVs from A. pleuropneumoniae wt and the Δ degS , Δ nlpI mutants have a similar protein pattern. • pleuropneumoniae OMVs carry several immunoreactive virulence factors. • ApxI, II and III are the most abundant proteins in A. pleuropneumoniae Δ nlpI OMVs. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are produced and secreted virtually by every known Gram-negative bacterium. Despite their non-live nature, they share antigenic characteristics with the bacteria they originate from. This, together with their relative ease of purification, casts the OMVs as a very promising and flexible tool in both human and veterinary vaccinology. The aim of the current work was to get an insight into the antigenic pattern of OMVs from the pig pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in the context of vaccine development. Accordingly, we designed a protocol combining 2D Western Blotting and mass spectrometric identification to robustly characterize the antigenic protein pattern of the vesicles. Our analysis revealed that A. pleuropneumoniae OMVs carry several immunoreactive virulence factors. Some of these proteins, LpoA, OsmY and MIDG2331_02184, have never previously been documented as antigenic in A. pleuropneumoniae or other pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, we showed that despite their relative abundance, proteins such as FrpB and DegQ do not contribute to the antigenic profile of A. pleuropneumoniae OMVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The recycling of carbon dioxide (CO 2) into synthetic fuels via Power-to-Gas (PtG) could represent an important instrument for achieving the complete decarbonization of the energy sector. To address such issue, this paper calculates the investments in PtG units, grid reinforcements and renewable installations that allow the almost complete recycling of the CO 2 emissions of a countrywide electric power system. Furthermore, this work evaluates the feasibility of gas and electric operations in the new system configuration. The analysis is enabled by coupled gas and electric network modelling. The necessary PtG station installations and overhead line reinforcements are identified via scenario-based cost optimization. Hourly operations of electric power plants are scheduled as a sequence of day-head security-constrained unit commitment problems. A transient gas flow model assesses the capability of the gas network to act as short- and long-term storage of synthetic gas. The developed framework is applied to the electric and gas transmission networks of Great Britain, whose investments and operations are investigated for increasing renewable capacity levels based on the 2030 Gone Green case. Results show that almost complete CO 2 recycling is achieved if the installed renewable capacity is approximately three times as large as the 2030 Gone Green estimates. The investments comprise 114 GW of PtG capacity and the construction of 23 electric parallel lines. Remarkably, gas network operations do not represent a limit to the storage of large amount of synthetic methane. Moreover, PtG stations are preferentially installed at locations with large RES capacity and foster large renewable penetration; only small curtailments occur even for large renewable capacity levels. These results support decision makers by quantifying the techno-economic implications of the presented extensive CO 2 recycling strategy. Highlights • We investigate the techno-economic implications of extensive CO 2 recycling. • Complete CO 2 recycling is achievable via PtG if enough RES power is available. • CO 2 recycling in the British system requires 114 GW of PtG and 23 new power lines. • Gas network operations do not limit the injection of synthetic methane. • The gas infrastructure can serve as long-term energy storage of RES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is involved in cellular adhesion and also in the activation and development of hematopoietic cells. Syk activation induced by genomic rearrangement has been linked to certain T-cell lymphomas and Syk inhibitors have been shown to prolong survival of patients with B-cell lineage malignancies. Syk is activated either by its interaction with a double-phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (pITAM), which induces rearrangements in the Syk structure, or by the phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues. In addition to its immunoreceptor function, Syk is activated downstream of integrin pathways, and integrins bind to the same region in Syk as does pITAM. However, it is unknown whether integrins and pITAM use the same mechanism to activate Syk. Here, using purified Syk protein and fluorescencebased enzyme assay we investigated whether interaction of the integrinβ3 cytoplasmic domain with the Syk regulatory domain causes changes in Syk activity similar to those induced by pITAM peptides. We observed no direct Syk activation by soluble integrin peptide and integrin did not compete with pITAMinduced activation even though at high concentrations, the integrin cytoplasmic domain peptide competed with Syk's substrate. However, clustered integrin peptides induced Syk activation, presumably via a transphosphorylation mechanism. Moreover, the clustered integrins also activated a Syk variant in which tyrosines were replaced with phenylalanine (Y348F/Y352F), indicating that clustered integrin-induced Syk activation involved other phosphorylation sites. In conclusion, integrin cytoplasmic domains do not directly induce Syk conformational changes and do not activate Syk via the same mechanism as pITAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1998 State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group court case is largely responsible for opening the door on the issuance of business method patents, while the 2008, in re Bilski decision closed it (at least partially) once again. The result of the first decision was a significant increase in the number of patents issued and law suits filed for infringement. This paper is the first the authors are aware of to utilize these court cases as natural experiments to gauge investor belief regarding the utility of business method patents on publicly traded companies. We find that investor beliefs about the effect of business method patents on company value evolved between 1998 and 2008, as investors modified their expectations for the effects of the in re Bilski decision based on what actually occurred after the State Street decision. We also find that investor sentiment varied by industry subsector. Our findings offer insights into the ongoing debate over the utility of business method patents, which may inform managers, investors, and both statutory and regulatory policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardiaduodenalis is a protozoan that causes a gastrointestinal illness called giardiasis. Giardiasis outbreaks in the United States are most commonly associated with waterborne transmission and are less commonly associated with food, person-to-person, and zoonotic transmission. During June to September 2015, an outbreak of 20 giardiasis cases occurred and were epidemiologically linked to a local grocery store chain on Long Island, New York. Further investigation revealed three asymptomatic food handlers were infected with G. duodenalis , and one food handler and one case were coinfected with Cryptosporidium spp. Although G. duodenalis was not detected in food samples, Cryptosporidium was identified in samples of spinach dip and potato salad. The G. duodenalis assemblage and subtype from one of the food handlers matched two outbreak cases for which genotyping could be performed. This outbreak highlights the potential role of asymptomatically infected food handlers in giardiasis outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of problem Clinicians should consider parafunctional occlusal load when planning treatment. Prosthetic connections can reduce the stress distribution on an implant-supported prosthesis. Purpose The purpose of this 3-dimensional finite element study was to assess the influence of parafunctional loading and prosthetic connections on stress distribution. Material and methods Computer-aided design software was used to construct 3 models. Each model was composed of a bone and an implant (external hexagon, internal hexagon, or Morse taper) with a crown. Finite element analysis software was used to generate the finite element mesh and establish the loading and boundary conditions. A normal force (200-N axial load and 100-N oblique load) and parafunctional force (1000-N axial and 500-N oblique load) were applied. Results were visualized as the maximum principal stress. Three-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were performed, and the percentage of contribution of each variable to the stress concentration was calculated from sum-of squares-analysis. Results Stress was concentrated around the implant at the cortical bone, and models with the external hexagonal implant showed the highest stresses ( P <.001). Oblique loads produced high tensile stress concentrations on the site opposite the load direction. Conclusions Internal connection implants presented the most favorable biomechanical situation, whereas the least favorable situation was the biomechanical behavior of external connection implants. Parafunctional loading increased the magnitude of stress by 3 to 4 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subterranean rodents face unique thermoregulatory challenges. Evaporative water loss (EWL) is a crucial mechanism for maintaining heat balance in endotherms subjected to heat stress but also leads to potential dehydration. EWL depends on gradients of temperature and humidity between the surface of the individual and the surrounding environment. Underground burrows generally provide a stable water vapor saturated atmosphere which may impede evaporative heat loss (EHL). This will mainly occur when ambient temperature exceeds the upper limit of individual's thermoneutral zone, or when body temperature rises as result of digging activities. Here we evaluate the effect of ambient temperature on EWL and energy metabolism in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (tuco-tucos), which inhabits sealed burrows, but makes an extensive use of the aboveground environment. We observed that EWL is increased when ambient temperature rises above thermoneutrality; below this point, evaporation remains stable. Though EWL contributes to total heat loss by increasing ∼1.3 times at 35 °C, dry thermal conductance is raised four times. In tuco-tucos' burrows both non-evaporative and, to some extent, evaporative and behavioral mechanisms are essential for body temperature regulation, preventing overheating at high ambient temperatures in a water vapor-saturated atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript deals with the electro-deposition of graphene on open cell aluminium foams. It was tried to combine the superior features of stiffness and conduction of the graphene to aluminium foam. Metallic foams are highly porous materials, which present complex structure of three-dimensional open cells. This aspect causes strong limitations in mass transport due to electro-deposition technology. A novel method of electro-deposition at low temperature was developed. First, experimental tests were performed to study the influence of the operational parameters on the overall performance of the coated aluminium foams. Each sample was electro-deposited in three steps, or phases: first copper, than graphene and copper and finally copper again. Second, a mechanical and thermal characterization of the produced samples was leaded through a mechanical test machine and conductivity tests. Finally, on the basis of the experimental results, a semi experimental model of the evolution of deposition process of graphene was proposed. The experimental findings revealed that the manufactured metal foams were characterized by a higher mechanical resistance and thermal conductivity and low process costs, making these materials very promising in many technological fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recently aluminum foaming has been of much interest due to its characteristics properties of light weight structure. Metallic foams are highly porous materials which present complex structure of three-dimensional open cells. This aspect causes strong limitations in mass transport due to electro-deposition technology. In this work, the electro-deposition of copper on aluminum open-cell foams substrates was developed, in order to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of these cellular materials. The mechanical and thermal characterization of the produced samples was lead through compression and conductivity tests. On the basis of the experimental results, analytical models are proposed to predict the quantity and the quality characteristics of the coating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Algal fouling has become a serious problem along Great Lakes'' coastlines and difficult to diagnose due to spatial and hydrodynamic variability typical of nearshore zones. We applied a three-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecological model to a coastal segment of Lake Ontario to provide insight into the role of dynamics and external inputs relevant to algae growth. Lake-wide simulations with a 2km grid were coupled to a higher resolution (100m grid) domain. The nearshore model captured the complexity of stratification, mixing and upwelling, while revealing circulation patterns not evident at the lake-wide scale, likely exacerbating the local fouling problems. A wastewater outfall produced peaks in the spatial dynamics of TP and SRP in the nearshore, which decayed by 80% within the first kilometer of the outfall, and introduced considerable variability in P distributions. Tributaries affected TP distributions during high runoff periods but had smaller effects on SRP. Seasonal dynamics and average values of chlorophyll a in the domain were well reproduced, but there was evidence for an unrecognized sink for nitrate and/or errors in estimated nitrate loads. Comparisons between a dry year (2007) and wet one (2008) revealed only limited immediate effects on water quality variables from local tributary discharges. The model was able to predict major water quality variables that are important to nuisance algae growth despite present exclusion of dreissenid mussels and associated nutrient cycling. Simulations predicted repeated brief episodes of relatively high SRP, hard to capture in most observational programs but, if verified, would have important implications for nuisance algae growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of water transfers between two reservoirs on the water quality of the receiving reservoir was investigated over a 9-year period (2000–2008). Different management strategies were implemented in term of the magnitude and timing of water transfers, i.e. the amount of transferred volume and the frequency at which transfers occurred. These different operational modes were analysed to determine changes in nutrient and metal concentrations, chlorophyll a, algal genera and biovolume. During high water transfers, chlorophyll a and total algal biovolume increased, with larger diatoms preferentially selected due to the high silica content of the pumped inflow and a significant shift in cyanobacteria genera occurring from Microcystis to nitrogen-fixing genera. The magnitude and timing of water transfers exerted a strong control on phytoplankton competition and disturbed the typical seasonal succession during low pumping years of a spring diatom bloom followed by summer cyanobacteria dominance: intensive and frequent water transfers resulted in dominance by diatoms for the whole year and effectively limited cyanobacteria summer growth. From this analysis, we identified iron concentration and diatom biovolume as the key water quality indicators to be included in any optimal management, able to control the transfer regime from both a water quantity and water quality prospective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In large lakes, temporal variability is compounded by strong spatial variability associated with mesoscale physical processes such as upwelling and basin-scale circulation. Here we explore the ability of a three dimensional model (ELCOM–CAEDYM) to capture temporal and spatial variability of phytoplankton and nutrients in Lake Erie. We emphasized the east basin of the lake, where an invasion by dreissenid mussels has given special importance to the question of spatial (particularly nearshore–offshore) variability and many comparative observations were available. We found that the model, which did not include any simulation of the mussels or of smaller diffuse nutrient sources, could capture the major features of the temperature, nutrient and phytoplankton variations. Within basin variability was large compared to among-basin variability, especially but not exclusively in the western regions. Consistent with observations in years prior to, but not after, the mussel invasion the model predicted generally higher phytoplankton concentrations in the nearshore than the offshore zones. The results suggest that the elevated phytoplankton abundance commonly observed in the nearshore of large lakes in the absence of dreissenid mussels does not have to depend on localized nutrient inputs but can be explained by the favourable light, temperature and nutrient environment in the shallower and energetic nearshore zone. The model is currently being extended to allow simulation of the effects of dreissenid mussels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present work is aimed to establish, in Ctenomys talarum, the physiological and behavioral adjustments undergone by individuals when they are allowed to dig burrows in soils with different hardness and fed with diets of different quality. For each soil–diet combination, we estimated: resting metabolic rate (RMR), body temperature (T b), body mass, digestibility, food consumption rate, transit time, reingestion rate, feces production and time devoted to feeding, resting, locomotor activity and coprophagy. Soil type and diet quality affected RMR, but response to soil hardness was verified later. Animals fed with high quality (HQ) diet showed similar body temperature irrespective of soil condition, while animals fed with low quality (LQ) diet showed lower T b under soft soil (SS). Individuals fed with LQ diet showed lower RMR and both, lower digestibility and high transit time of food than those fed with HQ diet. Moreover, increments in feeding and defecation rates were observed in the former group. Number of reingested feces did not differ between animals fed with diets of different quality. However, when incidence of reingestion was considered, animals fed with HQ diet showed higher values of feces ingestion. Either feeding, resting and activity patterns were arrhythmic. However, for animals fed with LQ diet a tendency to rhythmic coprophagy was observed and it could be considered as a way to optimize feeding. This study shows that RMR is limited by digestive efficiency which is influenced by diet quality, but also thermal stress may limit the conversion of assimilated energy into work and heat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to understand the long-term behavior of pollutants in the solidified/stabilized (S/S) Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) fly ashes using cement, raw MSWI fly ashes, as well as aged and fresh S/S samples were studied. Materials were examined through chemical analyses, leaching and permeability tests, petrographical observations, X-ray diffraction, EDS-based TEM and SEM. Drastically high amounts of Cl− and Pb are leached from the solidified/stabilized MSWI fly ashes, due to both the presence of soluble minerals and a network of micro-cracks leading to a very low cohesion and an impermeability loss of the material. Beyond portlandite and calcite, the main major minerals identified in aged S/S MSWI fly ashes are hydrocalumite, ettringite and ordered silicate-hydrates mostly free of heavy metals. The ordered silicate-hydrates are missing in fresh samples. The large variety of heavy metal-bearing compounds is distributed between inherited stable phases (metallic alloys, spinels, glasses, refractory oxides, titanates, phosphates, etc.) and inherited or neo-formed unstable phases (amphoteric metals, hydroxides, carbonates, chlorides, chromates, etc.). Combining the results from major phase identification and heavy metal speciation, it emerges that Zn and partly Cr are trapped in stable compounds whereas Cl−, SO4 2− and Pb mineral species are characterized by an instability which is not enhanced by maturation. The high Cl− activity and the high alkali conditions play a critical role in Pb-forming minerals and, more generally, the evolution of major mineral phases and the differentiation of heavy metal-bearing species in huge monolith are governed by an exposure to temperatures close to 100 °C for several years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Outbreaks of water-borne disease via public water supplies continue to be reported in developed countries even though there is increased awareness of, and treatment for, pathogen contamination. Pathogen episodes in lakes and reservoirs are often associated with rain events, and the riverine inflow is considered to be major source of pathogens. Consequently, the behaviour of these inflows is of particular importance in determining pathogen transport and distribution. Inflows are controlled by their density relative to that of the lake, such that warm inflows will flow over the surface of the lake as a buoyant surface flow and cold, dense inflows will sink beneath the lake water where they will flow along the bathymetry towards the deepest point.The fate of pathogens is determined by loss processes including settling and inactivation by temperature, UV and grazing. The general trend is for the insertion timescale to be shortest, followed by sedimentation losses and temperature inactivity. The fate of Cryptosporidium due to UV light inactivation can occur at opposite ends of the scale, depending on the location of the oocysts in the water column and the extinction coefficient for UV light. For this reason, the extinction coefficient for UV light appears to be a vitally important parameter for determining the risk of Cryptosporidium contamination.For risk assessment of pathogens in supply reservoirs, it is important to understand the role of hydrodynamics in determining the timescale of transport to the off-take relative to the timescale of inactivation. The characteristics of the riverine intrusion must also be considered when designing a sampling program for pathogens. A risk management framework is presented that accounts for pathogen fate and transport for reservoirs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: an estimated 40-80% of acute ischemic stroke patients have dysphagia and about 14% develop stroke-associated pneumonia. However, it may be difficult to detect swallowing problems at admission. Moreover, there might not be an on-duty specialist skilled in the diagnosis of this condition. This study aimed at developing a user-friendly bedside examination to identify the risk of dysphagia in stroke patients at hospital admission.Methods: a diagnostic accuracy study was carried out to assess the concurrent validity of a simple Bedside Screening Tool for Dysphagia (BSTD) in acute stroke. All the consecutive stroke patients admitted between January and April 2018 were enrolled. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV) and the Cohen K concordance index scores, reported by nurses and speech-pathologists, were assessed.Results: a total of 67/120 patients (55.8%) were male; overall average age was 67.4 (range 45-91) and 80.8% of the whole population had a history of ischemic stroke. The nursing staff identified 33.3% of dysphagia cases at admission and the speech pathologists 30%. The Cohen K was 0.92 (optimal concordance when K was > 0.8), sensitivity was 100%, specificity 95.2%, PPV 90% and NPV 100%.Conclusions: our BSTD had a 100% negative predictive value, indicating that this screening test is very useful in ruling out/confirming dysphagia in acute stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gomberg-Bachmann-Hey reactions were carried out in the presence of copper as a catalyst and gave rise to biaryls or heterobiaryls in good yields and in mild reaction conditions. A computational study of some key points of the reaction was performed. The results are coherent with the experimental data and confirm some aspects of the mechanism. The reaction free energies for the reduction in benzene by CuI of a set of 40 (hetero)arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates were calculated. Both the experiments and the calculations showed that in the coupling with substituted solvents (toluene, bromobenzene, nitrobenzene and anisole) the binding to the ortho position was always favoured. Image 1 • Gomberg-Bachmann-Hey reactions were carried out in the presence of copper as a catalyst. • Good yields of biaryls or heterobiaryls in mild reaction conditions. • Computational study of some key points of the reaction. • Aryl radicals are key intermediates to generate the target products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple methodologies have been used to detect antibodies to Babesia microti. Use of an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) has been the most widely used approach, but IFAs have varied as to which antibody class or classes are being detected and in regard to cutoff titers. In this study, 245 different patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed B. microti infection were tested by a polyvalent IFA using serum collected within 3 days of the date the blood sample for PCR testing was obtained. Of the 245 patients, 243 (99.2%) had a positive serologic test result (i.e., ≥1:64). Of the 243 patients who were seropositive, 242 (99.6%) had a titer of ≥1:256, 236 (97.1%) had a titer of ≥1:512, and 210 (86.4%) had a titer of ≥1:1024. In conclusion, high titer seropositivity based on a polyvalent IFA is to be expected at the time of PCR confirmation of active babesiosis in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of adequacy and security of the energy system requires the detailed knowledge of physical and operational characteristics. In contrast, studies concerning energy transitions employ stylized models that oftentimes ignore the technical properties but have a lasting influence on long-term energy policies. This paper investigates the gap between energy system planning and operational models by linking these two perspectives: (1) a long-term investment model with low spatial resolution and high level of aggregation, and (2) a spatially resolved system security model that captures the interdependences between the backbone of the electric power sector, i.e., the electricity and the gas infrastructure. We assess EU decarbonization pathways of the electricity sector towards 2050 by integrating the investment decisions of the long-term planning model and the safety performance of the resulting system operations via the security assessment model. In a large RES deployment scenario, we investigate two flexibility options: gas power plants and cross-country transmission expansion. Using the integrated model, we analyze how the adequacy and security of supply under extreme short-term operational conditions impact the long-term planning of the energy system and the investment decision-making. We provide country specific recommendations for UK. Results indicate weaknesses in the gas-electricity system and suggest improvements on capacity allocation. • We link a long-term economic (capacity expansion) model and a short-term operation model. • Adequacy and security of pathways with different investment options are assessed. • Long-term projections are adequate to fulfil gas and electric demands. • Few analyzed contingencies lead to a load shedding equal to 1% of the total demand. • Model linking suggests the revision of some long-term modelling assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diseases caused by Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites are a major health problem in tropical countries. Because of their complex life cycle involving both vertebrate and insect hosts, and >1 billion years of evolutionarily distance, the cell biology of trypanosomatid parasites exhibits pronounced differences to animal cells. For example, the actin cytoskeleton of trypanosomatids is divergent when compared with other eukaryotes. To understand how actin dynamics are regulated in trypanosomatid parasites, we focused on a central actinbinding protein profilin. Co-crystal structure of Leishmania major actin in complex with L. major profilin revealed that, although the overall folds of actin and profilin are conserved in eukaryotes, Leishmania profilin contains a unique α-helical insertion, which interacts with the target binding cleft of actin monomer. This insertion is conserved across the Trypanosomatidae family and is similar to the structure of WASP homology-2 (WH2) domain, a small actin-binding motif found in many other cytoskeletal regulators. The WH2-like motif contributes to actin monomer binding and enhances the actin nucleotide exchange activity of Leishmania profilin. Moreover, Leishmania profilin inhibited formin-catalyzed actin filament assembly in a mechanism that is dependent on the presence of the WH2-like motif. By generating profilin knockout and knockin Leishmania mexicana strains, we show that profilin is important for efficient endocytic sorting in parasites, and that the ability to bind actin monomers and proline-rich proteins, and the presence of a functional WH2-like motif, are important for the in vivo function of Leishmania profilin. Collectively, this study uncovers molecular principles by which profilin regulates actin dynamics in trypanosomatids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic (μPs) contamination represents a dramatic environmental problem threatening both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Although several studies have highlighted the presence of μPs in aquatic environments, the information regarding their toxicity towards organisms is still scant. Moreover, most of the ecotoxicological studies of μPs have focused on marine organisms, largely neglecting the effects on freshwater species. The present study aimed at exploring the effects caused by 21-days exposure to three concentrations (0.125, 1.25 and 12.5 μg/mL) of two differently sized polystyrene microplastics (PμPs; 1 and 10 μm) to the Cladoceran Daphnia magna. The ingestion/egestion capability of daphnids (<24 h) and adults, the changes in individual growth and behavior, in terms of changes in swimming activity, phototactic behavior and reproduction, were investigated. Both particles filled the digestive tract of daphnids and adults within 24 h of exposure at all the tested concentrations. Ingested PμPs remained in the digestive tract even after 96 h in a clean medium. For both particles, an overall increase in body size of adults was noted at the end of the exposure to the highest tested concentrations, accompanied by a significant increase in swimming activity, in terms of distance moved and swimming velocity, and by an alteration of the phototactic behavior. A significant increase in the mean number of offspring after the exposure to the highest PμPs concentrations of different size was recorded. Polystyrene μPs can affect behavioral traits of D. magna leading to potentially harmful consequences on population dynamics of this zooplanktonic species. Image 1 • Behavioural effects caused by polystyrene microplastics on D. magna were studied. • Microparticles were observed into the digestive tract of daphnids and adults. • Unexpected increase in body size of adults and swimming activity was noted. • An increase in reproductive effort at high microparticle concentration was noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]