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Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and other toxic heavy metals (HM) pose significant risks to the environment, negatively impacting the morpho-physiological and biological traits of plants. At present, toxic elements constitute a significant proportion of the food chain, exerting an impact on human health due to their mobility and biomagnification. The metal exclusion biological technique stands out for its robust performance, even when dealing with extremely low metal concentrations. Its eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness further enhance its value. Due to the exponential growth pattern of bacteria, these exhibit high metal persistence and are recommended for metal exclusion processes. Moreover, vacuoles like vesicles present in mycorrhizal fungi can hold extremely high levels of HM. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation primarily occurs through two mechanisms: through the direct provision of the essential nutrients and phytohormones, such as plant growth regulators, siderophores, enzymes, and mineral; or indirectly by modulating the metal detoxification process. This indirect mechanism involves microbes aiding in the accumulation and sequestration of metals in plants through the secretion of specific extracellular substances like organic acids, biosurfactants, and chelators. Moreover, the metal bioavailability and translocation in the rhizosphere are also altered via various mechanisms like acidification, precipitation, complexation or redox reactions. The understanding of the molecular and physiological processes underpinning the functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in reducing HM toxicity, improving plant performance by procuring nutrients under HM-toxicity has significantly improved in recent years. In this review, adaptive and persistent methods related to physiological and cross-protective mechanisms in bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi (MF) resulting from the evolutionary consequences of dealing with HM toxicity have been addressed. Furthermore, the article offers details on the physiological and molecular reactions of host plants with fungi, and bacteria to HM stress, which may be useful for unveiling new knowledge about the strategies of HMs remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), it is possible to show chemical composition of materials and / or profile chemical changes occurring in tissues, cells, and body fluids during onset and progression of diseases. For diagnostic application, the use of blood would be the most appropriate in biospectroscopy studies since, (i) it is easily accessible and, (ii) enables frequent analyses of biochemical changes occurring in pathological states. At present, different studies have investigated potential of serum, plasma and sputum being alternative biofluids for lung cancer detection using FTIR. However, until now, it has not been shown which biofluid; among serum and plasma, that can serve as the best material medium for detecting lung cancer with highest levels of accuracy. In this study, plasma and serum isolated from blood consenting participants without lung cancer symptoms (controls) and lung cancer patients. The samples were measured using FTIR and subsequently analyzed by machine learning (ML) algorithms in order to show which fluids (serum or plasma) would better enhance detection of lung cancer. Higher absorbances values of PO2−, CH2, CH3 and amides vibrations in FTIR spectra of both serum and plasma samples, collected from lung cancer patients were observed in comparison to individuals without lung cancer symptoms (controls). Principal component analysis (PCA) of FTIR spectra showed plasma and serum samples collected from lung cancer patients and individuals without lung cancer symptoms were better differentiated in fingerprinting region (from 800 to 1800 cm− 1) when compared to lipid region (2800–3000 cm− 1). Moreover, also sensitivity specificity and accuracy calculated by logistic regression (LR) and receive operating characteristic (ROC) showed higher values for fingerprint range (800–1800 cm− 1) in comparison with lipids (2800–3000 cm− 1) one for both, serum and plasma. However, using these methods differences between serum and plasma were not existed. From the all obtained results, it was visible, that both fluids could be used in detected lung cancer using FTIR. Moreover, it was also showed that fingerprint range gave a better distinction between the studied patient groups than the lipid range. This was noticeable for both serum and plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study conducts a detailed analysis of population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing a unique approach that contrasts two types of mobile phone data: GPS-based and cell-based. The primary objective is to evaluate the effects of governmental restrictions on a variety of activities including school attendance, work, shopping, and leisure. We compare both data sets by using a set of defined criteria, including anticipated activity reductions during full and partial closures, as well as the timing of activity changes in response to policy implementations. Our research reveals that while cell-based data lacks the precision to differentiate between various out-of-home activities effectively, GPS-based data, especially when integrated with OpenStreetMap, proves significantly more adept at identifying and categorizing specific activity types. The GPS-based data shows, for example, that school activities fell by more than 80% while work activities were only reduced by around 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eukaryotes, the leading strand DNA is synthesized by Polε and the lagging strand by Polδ. These replicative polymerases have higher processivity when paired with the DNA clamp PCNA. While the structure of the yeast Polε catalytic domain has been determined, how Polε interacts with PCNA is unknown in any eukaryote, human or yeast. Here we report two cryo-EM structures of human Polε–PCNA–DNA complex, one in an incoming nucleotide bound state and the other in a nucleotide exchange state. The structures reveal an unexpected three-point interface between the Polε catalytic domain and PCNA, with the conserved PIP (PCNA interacting peptide)-motif, the unique P-domain, and the thumb domain each interacting with a different protomer of the PCNA trimer. We propose that the multi-point interface prevents other PIP-containing factors from recruiting to PCNA while PCNA functions with Polε. Comparison of the two states reveals that the finger domain pivots around the [4Fe-4S] cluster-containing tip of the P-domain to regulate nucleotide exchange and incoming nucleotide binding. In eukaryotes, the leading strand DNA polymerase Polε synthesises the DNA with higher processivity when in complex with the DNA clamp PCNA. Here, the authors report two cryo-EM structures of human Polε bound to the PCNA clamp and a DNA substate, revealing the conformational changes associated with incoming nucleotide binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of photocatalysts must be meticulous, especially when they are designed to degrade hazardous dyes that cause mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In this meticulous approach, Ni-based metal–organic frameworks with different ligands, including terephthalic acid (NTP), 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NATP), and their composite with g-C3N4 (NTP/GCN, and NATP/GCN) have been synthesized using hydrothermal method. Structural analysis by XRD and ATR-IR revealed synergistic properties due to robust chemical interactions between the NATP-MOFs and GCN systems. A flower-like morphology was observed for both NTP and NATP, while their composites showed mixed-particulate structures mimicking the morphology of GCN. Optical analyses indicated visible-light driven properties with modulated recombination resistance in the system. Among the synthesized bare and composite systems, NATP/GCN exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency for the cationic rhodamine B dye (~ 93% in 120 min), while it was relatively less efficient for the anionic Congo red dye, (~ 64% in 120 min). The insights gained from the fundamental characterizations including Mott–Schottky, scavenger, and electrochemical impedance analysis revealed that the amino-groups in NATP/GCN composite offered the band edge potentials suitable for the effective generation of energetic radical species with the improved carrier delocalization, recombination resistance, and charge transfer properties in the composite system through Z-scheme formation. Parametric investigations by varying the concentration of catalyst, dye, and pH along with recycle studies, demonstrated the excellent stability of the developed composites for sustainable photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WingAnalogy is a computer tool for automated insect wing morphology and asymmetry analysis. It facilitates project management, enabling users to import pairs of wing images obtained from individual insects, such as left and right, fore- and hindwings. WingAnalogy employs image processing and computer vision to segment wing structures and extract cell boundaries, and junctions. It quantifies essential metrics encompassing cell and wing characteristics, including area, length, width, circularity, and centroid positions. It enables users to scale and superimpose wing images utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). WingAnalogy computes regression, Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE), various cell-based parameters, and distances between cell centroids and junctions. The software generates informative visualizations, aiding researchers in comprehending and interpreting asymmetry patterns. WingAnalogy allows for dividing wings into up to five distinct wing cell sets, facilitating localized comparisons. The software excels in report generation, providing detailed asymmetry measurements in PDF, CSV, and TXT formats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fungicides are an effective tool for protecting crops and maintaining a steady food supply. However, as pathogens continue to evolve, it is crucial to prolong the effectiveness of fungicides by delaying resistance development. A key strategy to achieving this is to combine or rotate fungicides with different modes of action. As fungicides lack specificity, they inevitably affect both pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi when surrounding environments are unintentionally contaminated. Our study aims to investigate the effects of recommended application methods to prevent resistance development, specifically repeated-single fungicide, simultaneous mixture, and sequential applications on non-target soil fungi, and the subsequent impacts on important soil processes. We used fungicides with different modes of action on soil microcosms inoculated with fungi at varying levels of diversity (3, 5, and 8 species) isolated from a protected grassland. Results: We found that repeated treatments of individual isopyrazam and prothioconazole differentially inhibited fungal activity. Although mixture applications are considered more protectant against crop pathogen resistance than repeated application, our study revealed stronger negative effects of simultaneous application on saprobic fungi and consequently on soil processes. However, contrary to expectations, higher fungal diversity did not translate to improved soil function under these conditions. Conclusions: The simultaneous application of fungicides with different modes of action (MoA) has more pronounced non-target effects on soil compared to the individual or sequential application of fungicides. These non-target effects extend beyond the intended control of pathogenic fungi, impacting saprobic and beneficial soil microbes and the critical processes they drive. When fungicides are applied concurrently, microbial activities in the soil are significantly altered, even in soils with high microbial diversity. Our study emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the unintended consequences of fungicide use in agriculture. As we strive for a secure food supply, it is crucial to investigate the broader environmental impacts of these chemical interventions, including their effects on non-pathogenic fungi and overall soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess rates of traversing barriers to care to access optimal clinical outcomes in people with migraine internationally. Background: People in need of medical care for migraine should consult a health care professional knowledgeable in migraine management, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and receive an individualized treatment plan, which includes scientific society guideline-recommended treatments where appropriate. Methods: The Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes-International (CaMEO-I) Study was a cross-sectional, web-based survey conducted from July 2021 through March 2022 in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (US). Respondents who met modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, criteria for migraine and had Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) scores of ≥ 6 (i.e., mild, moderate, or severe disability) were deemed to need medical care and were included in this analysis. Minimally effective treatment required that participants were currently consulting a health care professional for headache (barrier 1), reported an accurate diagnosis (barrier 2), and reported use of minimally appropriate pharmacologic treatment (barrier 3; based on American Headache Society 2021 Consensus Statement recommendations). Proportions of respondents who successfully traversed each barrier were calculated, and chi-square tests were used to assess overall difference among countries. Results: Among 14,492 respondents with migraine, 8,330 had MIDAS scores of ≥ 6, were deemed in need of medical care, and were included in this analysis. Current headache consultation was reported by 35.1% (2926/8330) of respondents. Compared with the US, consultation rates and diagnosis rates were statistically significantly lower in all other countries except France where they were statistically significantly higher. Total appropriate treatment rates were also statistically significantly lower in all other countries compared with the US except France, which did not differ from the US. All 3 barriers were traversed by only 11.5% (955/8330) of respondents, with differences among countries (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Of people with migraine in need of medical care for migraine, less than 15% traverse all 3 barriers to care. Although rates of consultation, diagnosis, and treatment differed among countries, improvements are needed in all countries studied to reduce the global burden of migraine. Trial registration: NA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reoperation following aortic root replacement is associated with significantly high operative mortality. Etiologies related to infection are known to increase the operative mortality rate more than other etiologies. In such a clinical setting, a sutureless valve could lower the operative mortality by shortening the cardiac arrest and the operative time. Case presentation: A 61-year-old male underwent emergent aortic root and total arch replacement with an open stent graft for acute type-A aortic dissection. A bioprosthetic valve was employed for aortic root replacement using the double-sewing ring technique. A fungal infection by Candida parapsilosis was postoperatively detected and improved with intravenous antifungal drug administration. However, he developed congestive heart failure one year later, and the blood cultures turned positive repeatedly for Candida parapsilosis. The prosthetic valve infection was suspected upon identifying vegetation on the bioprosthetic valve through transthoracic echocardiography. The computed tomography scan and operative findings confirmed that the infection was localized on the prosthetic valve. Consequently, the infected valve was removed without a vascular conduit, and a sutureless valve was implanted. The postoperative course was uneventful, without any evidence of recurrent fungal infection, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 28. Conclusions: Deploying a sutureless valve can facilitate a more straightforward and minimally invasive redo procedure. Preoperative computed tomography can predict the valve size, which is the key to implanting a sutureless valve successfully after the modified Bentall procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People often change their evaluations upon learning about their peers' evaluations, i.e., social learning. Given sleep's vital role in consolidating daytime experiences, sleep may facilitate social learning, thereby further changing people's evaluations. Combining a social learning task and the sleep-based targeted memory reactivation technique, we asked whether social learning-induced evaluation updating can be modulated during sleep. After participants had indicated their initial evaluation of snacks, they learned about their peers' evaluations while hearing the snacks' spoken names. During the post-learning non-rapid-eye-movement sleep, we re-played half of the snack names (i.e., cued snack) to reactivate the associated peers' evaluations. Upon waking up, we found that the social learning-induced evaluation updating further enlarged for both cued and uncued snacks. Examining sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) activity revealed that cue-elicited delta-theta EEG power and the overnight N2 sleep spindle density predicted post-sleep evaluation updating for cued but not for uncued snacks. These findings underscore the role of sleep-mediated memory reactivation and the associated neural activity in supporting social learning-induced evaluation updating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatric inpatients often endure anxiety. This randomized trial assessed the impact of horticultural therapy on anxiety in adult psychiatric inpatients over four weeks, compared to standard care. Recruiting 211 inpatients from six units were randomized into control (n = 105) and experimental (n = 106) groups. Control received usual care; the experimental group had horticultural therapy alongside usual care. Anxiety, measured using HADS-A scale at four weeks, aimed to establish horticultural therapy's superiority. After four weeks, horticultural therapy significantly reduced anxiety compared to standard care (P < 0.001). These results argue in favor of integrating horticultural therapy into psychiatric nursing practices. Trial registration: No Clinical Trail: NCT02666339 (1st registration: 28/01/2016). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory consolidation relies in part on the reactivation of previous experiences during sleep. The precise interplay of sleep-related oscillations (slow oscillations, spindles and ripples) is thought to coordinate the information flow between relevant brain areas, with ripples mediating memory reactivation. However, in humans empirical evidence for a role of ripples in memory reactivation is lacking. Here, we investigated the relevance of sleep oscillations and specifically ripples for memory reactivation during human sleep using targeted memory reactivation. Intracranial electrophysiology in epilepsy patients and scalp EEG in healthy participants revealed that elevated levels of slow oscillation - spindle activity coincided with the read-out of experimentally induced memory reactivation. Importantly, spindle-locked ripples recorded intracranially from the medial temporal lobe were found to be correlated with the identification of memory reactivation during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Our findings establish ripples as key-oscillation for sleep-related memory reactivation in humans and emphasize the importance of the coordinated interplay of the cardinal sleep oscillations. Whether and how spindle-locked ripples contribute to memory consolidation by mediating memory reactivation in humans is not fully understood. The authors show that ripples in the human medial temporal lobe are associated with memory reactivation, establishing them as key factor in sleep-based memory re-processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome organization is thought to underlie cell type specific gene expression, yet how it is regulated in progenitors to produce cellular diversity is unknown. In Drosophila, a developmentally-timed genome reorganization in neural progenitors terminates competence to produce early-born neurons. These events require downregulation of Distal antenna (Dan), part of the conserved pipsqueak DNA-binding superfamily. Here we find that Dan forms liquid-like condensates with high protein mobility, and whose size and subnuclear distribution are balanced with its DNA-binding. Further, we identify a LARKS domain, a structural motif associated with condensate-forming proteins. Deleting just 13 amino acids from LARKS abrogates Dan's ability to retain the early-born neural fate gene, hunchback, in the neuroblast nuclear interior and maintain competence in vivo. Conversely, domain-swapping with LARKS from known phase-separating proteins rescues Dan's effects on competence. Together, we provide in vivo evidence for condensate formation and the regulation of progenitor nuclear architecture underlying neuronal diversification. The genome is actively organized in progenitors to regulate their capacity to produce different cell types. Here, the authors show that a nuclear architecture protein forms condensates and controls the physical location of the genomic locus of a key competence transcription factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in promoting and supporting sustainability has outstretched over the past decades as a result of various declarations and commitments related to the need for sustainability in HEI. As a consequence, HEIs tried to achieve campus sustainability by integrating sustainability concept into their projects, partnerships, assessments, programs, curricula, and research. Accordingly, achieving campus sustainability is not feasible without the involvement of students as the biggest stakeholders of HEI. The students have a substantial impact on sustainability by contributing to and supporting campus sustainability. This research aims to compare and analyse the attitudes of students towards campus sustainability in relation to the influence of the university. The research is conducted at three universities in Sweden, which have different environmental management system certification status. A questionnaire-based survey is employed to collect the data from students at these three universities. It aims to investigate the university's efforts to support sustainability and students' awareness towards those efforts and also to measure students' attitudes towards campus sustainability. The (one-way) analysis of variance is then used to investigate whether there is any difference (statistically) among the means of students' attitudes at these three universities. The result shows that there is a statistically significant difference in these universities. Analysis and discussion are also provided to identify the reasons behind the result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME) European Union (EU) is part of an overarching population-based study program that also includes the United States and Japan. Here, we report data on the migraine/severe headache burden and the use of acute medication and healthcare resources in Spain and Germany. Methods: OVERCOME (EU) was an online, non-interventional, cross-sectional survey conducted in adults in Spain and Germany between October 2020 and February 2021. A total migraine cohort was established based on health survey participants who reported headache/migraine in the last 12 months AND identified as having migraine based on modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition criteria OR self-reported physician diagnosis. Data were analyzed for the total migraine cohort and the subcohort with moderate to severe headache attacks, with average pain severity ≥ 5 points, pain duration ≥ 4 h, and at least moderate disability due to migraine [Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score ≥ 11] over the past 3 months. Results: Pain of moderate or severe intensity was the most frequent symptom in the total migraine cohort (n = 19,103/20,756; 92.0%). Proportions of participants reporting severe disability (MIDAS Grade IV), poorer quality of life (QoL; Migraine-Specific QoL Questionnaire), and higher interictal burden (Migraine Interictal Burden Scale-4), generally increased with number of headache days (HDs)/month. Most participants (92.5%) reported current acute migraine/severe headache medication use, although only 39.0% were using triptans. In the moderate to severe attacks subcohort (n = 5547), 48.4% were using triptans, with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs the most common acute medication. The moderate to severe attacks subcohort also reported poorer QoL and greater pain and disability with increasing HDs/month, although severe interictal burden was reported for ~ 60% of participants regardless of HDs/month. Treatment satisfaction (six-item migraine Treatment Optimization Questionnaire) in those using triptans was generally poor in both total and subcohorts. Conclusion: High migraine-related burden levels were reported, despite use of acute medication. Although triptans are recommended for moderate to severe migraine attacks in Spanish and German guidelines, less than half of participants were using triptans; treatment satisfaction in those using triptans was generally poor. New tailored treatment options may help address unmet needs in current acute treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trait-based frameworks are promising tools to understand the functional consequences of community shifts in response to environmental change. The applicability of these tools to soil microbes is limited by a lack of functional trait data and a focus on categorical traits. To address this gap for an important group of soil microorganisms, we identify trade-offs underlying a fungal economics spectrum based on a large trait collection in 28 saprobic fungal isolates, derived from a common grassland soil and grown in culture plates. In this dataset, ecologically relevant trait variation is best captured by a three-dimensional fungal economics space. The primary explanatory axis represents a dense-fast continuum, resembling dominant life-history trade-offs in other taxa. A second significant axis reflects mycelial flexibility, and a third one carbon acquisition traits. All three axes correlate with traits involved in soil carbon cycling. Since stress tolerance and fundamental niche gradients are primarily related to the dense-fast continuum, traits of the 2nd (carbon-use efficiency) and especially the 3rd (decomposition) orthogonal axes are independent of tested environmental stressors. These findings suggest a fungal economics space which can now be tested at broader scales. Challenges in obtaining empirical trait data hinder the development of trait-based frameworks for soil microbes. Here, the authors analyse traits of saprobic fungal isolates from a grassland site to propose a fungal economics spectrum, suggesting a general trait framework for soil fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention as a cognition ability plays a crucial role in perception which helps humans to concentrate on specific objects of the environment while discarding others. In this paper, auditory attention detection (AAD) is investigated using different dynamic features extracted from multichannel electroencephalography (EEG) signals when listeners attend to a target speaker in the presence of a competing talker. To this aim, microstate and recurrence quantification analysis are utilized to extract different types of features that reflect changes in the brain state during cognitive tasks. Then, an optimized feature set is determined by employing the processes of significant feature selection based on classification performance. The classifier model is developed by hybrid sequential learning that employs Gated Recurrent Units (GRU) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) into a unified framework for accurate attention detection. The proposed AAD method shows that the selected feature set achieves the most discriminative features for the classification process. Also, it yields the best performance as compared with state-of-the-art AAD approaches from the literature in terms of various measures. The current study is the first to validate the use of microstate and recurrence quantification parameters to differentiate auditory attention using reinforcement learning without access to stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental crust at temperatures > 400 °C and depths > 10–20 km normally deforms in a ductile manner, but can become brittle and permeable in response to changes in temperature or stress state induced by fluid injection. In this study, we quantify the theoretical power generation potential of an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) at 15–17 km depth using a numerical model considering the dynamic response of the rock to injection-induced pressurization and cooling. Our simulations suggest that an EGS circulating 80 kg s−1 of water through initially 425 ℃ hot rock can produce thermal energy at a rate of ~ 120 MWth (~ 20 MWe) for up to two decades. As the fluid temperature decreases (less than 400 ℃), the corresponding thermal energy output decreases to around 40 MWth after a century of fluid circulation. However, exploiting these resources requires that temporal embrittlement of nominally ductile rock achieves bulk permeability values of ~ 10–15–10–14 m2 in a volume of rock with dimensions ~ 0.1 km3, as lower permeabilities result in unreasonably high injection pressures and higher permeabilities accelerate thermal drawdown. After cooling of the reservoir, the model assumes that the rock behaves in a brittle manner, which may lead to decreased fluid pressures due to a lowering of thresholds for failure in a critically stressed crust. However, such an evolution may also increase the risk for short-circuiting of fluid pathways, as in regular EGS systems. Although our theoretical investigation sheds light on the roles of geologic and operational parameters, realizing the potential of the ductile crust as an energy source requires cost-effective deep drilling technology as well as further research describing rock behavior at elevated temperatures and pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this review is to analyze the patent filings and to systematize the main technological trends in patent protection for the diagnosis and therapeutics for endometriosis. Patent literature has also been explored to identify active inventors and applicants in this field. Methodology: Patent search was carried out in the freely accessible patent search databases namely, patentscope using various combinations of the keywords "Endometriosis OR Adenomyosis" AND "Diagnostic OR Therapeutics" were used along with wildcard search queries in the "Title", "Abstract" and "Descriptions" fields. Results: A patent search revealed 144 patents describing inventions for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of endometriosis. These patents include 26 patent applications in the diagnostic utility and 116 patent applications under the therapeutic approaches. Out of these 116 patent applications, 43 describe traditional medicines for endometriosis. Two patent applications describe inventions that can fall into both categories. Conclusion: Efforts are being made to improve current diagnostic instruments. Hormonal alteration methods is the most common field of invention, followed by surgical interventions for therapeutics. A general trend of increase in patent application filings has been observed with a slight decrease in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven innovation (DDI) is a primary source of competitive advantage for firms and is a contemporary research priority. However, what facilitates the development of DDI has largely been understudied in literature. Through a systematic literature review, this study finds technological, organizational, and environmental variables under the TOE framework, which would drive effective DDI development. We thus develop a research model, which is tested using survey data from 264 Australian firms engaged in DDI development. The data have been analysed using both symmetric (partial least squares based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM)) and asymmetric (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA)) methods. The mixed method enhances the confidence in our empirical analyses of the antecedent variables of DDI development. PLS-SEM has revealed that technological readiness (i.e., data quality and metadata quality), and organizational absorptive capacity and readiness (i.e., technology-oriented leadership and availability of IT skilled professionals) affect DDI development. Our fsQCA results complement and extend the findings of PSL-SEM analysis. It reveals that quality of data and metadata, technology-oriented leadership, and exploitation capacity individually are necessary—but are not sufficient—conditions for high DDI development. Further, it identifies three different solutions each for small, medium, and large firms by combining the TOE factors. Additionally, this study suggests that the TOE framework is more applicable to small firms, on DDI context. Findings of our study have been related with theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous learning is extensively acknowledged as a desirable goal in undergraduate education as it is found to comply with learner-centered approaches and enable learners to pursue life-long learning. However, very few empirical researchers have closely examined the actual practices of autonomous learning in the Afghan context. Therefore, the main purpose of the current research project was to investigate EFL undergraduates' perceptions of autonomous learning, strategies used for improving language proficiency, and the extent to of these strategies are deployed. With regard to achieving these objectives, a mixed-method approach was adopted. The quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS v24 by conducting descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that EFL learners had positive perspectives on autonomous learning and were ready to take the initiative in autonomous learning. Qualitative analysis of nine EFL students' interviews revealed that they have to create learning goals for their learning, assess themselves for controlling their learning, and take part in inside and outside classroom activities to improve their language proficiency. This case study concludes that the findings cannot be generalized to other contexts, and the study makes an original contribution to understanding the promotion of autonomous learning at Kandahar University. In addition, this study offers practical implications for policymakers and lecturers who are interested in adopting autonomous learning as a worthwhile educational goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retinoblastoma, a childhood cancer, is most frequently caused by bi-allelic inactivation of RB1 gene. However, other oncogenic mutations such as MYCN amplification can induce retinoblastoma with proficient RB1. Previously, we established RB1-proficient MYCN-overexpressing retinoblastoma models both in human organoids and chicken. Here, we investigate the regulatory events in MYCN-induced retinoblastoma carcinogenesis based on the model in chicken. Methods: MYCN transformed retinal cells in culture were obtained from in vivo MYCN electroporated chicken embryo retina. The expression profiles were analysed by RNA sequencing. Chemical treatments, qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, immunohisto- and immunocytochemistry and western blot were applied to study the properties and function of these cells. Results: The expression profile of MYCN-transformed retinal cells in culture showed cone photoreceptor progenitor signature and robustly increased levels of E2Fs. This expression profile was consistently observed in long-term culture. Chemical treatments confirmed RB1 proficiency in these cells. The cells were insensitive to p53 activation but inhibition of E2f efficiently induced cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Conclusion: In conclusion, with proficient RB1, MYCN-induced high level of E2F expression dysregulates the cell cycle and contributes to retinoblastoma carcinogenesis. The increased level of E2f renders the cells to adopt a similar mechanistic phenotype to a RB1-deficient tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 has spread rapidly across the world to form a global epidemic of respiratory infectious diseases. Increased investigations on diagnostic tools are currently implemented to assist rapid identification of the virus because mass and rapid diagnosis might be the best way to prevent the outbreak of the virus. This critical review discusses the detection principles, fabrication techniques, and applications on the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 with three categories: rapid nuclear acid augmentation test, rapid immunoassay test and biosensors. Special efforts were put on enhancement of nanomaterials on biosensors for rapid, sensitive, and low-cost diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Future developments are suggested regarding potential candidates in hospitals, clinics and laboratories for control and prevention of large-scale epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of phonon focusing on electron–phonon drag and thermopower in nanostructures based on potassium single crystals at low temperatures is studied. The role of quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse phonons, as well as shear waves, in the drag thermopower of the nanostructures is considered. It is shown that, in the Knudsen flow regime of a phonon gas, the slow quasi-transverse t2 mode makes the dominant contribution to the drag thermopower of the nanostructures and, only in directions close to the focusing of longitudinal phonons (L-phonons), their contribution become comparable to the contribution of the t2 mode. The directions of heat flux in which the maximum and minimum values of drag thermopower are achieved in nanowires, films, and nanoplates based on potassium single crystals are determined. The study of the effect of focusing on the phonon propagation in potassium single crystals made it possible to calculate a number of new, unusual effects in the anisotropy of drag thermopower in potassium-based nanostructures. These effects are mainly due to the competition between the contributions of the t2 mode and L-phonons to the drag thermopower. Since the relaxation rate of L-phonons on electrons in potassium is 25 times higher than for the t2 mode, with an increase in the transverse dimensions of potassium nanostructures, the anisotropy of the drag thermopower in them, in contrast to the anisotropy of thermal conductivity in dielectric nanostructures, changes nonmonotonically. It first increases, reaching a maximum, then decreases, and vanishes when the dimensions become macroscopic (D ≥ 10–1 cm). One of the interesting effects calculated in this work is the orientational anisotropy of drag thermopower in potassium nanoplates. In two identical nanoplates with a rectangular cross section, the thermopower in the direction of the temperature gradient [011] for the orientation of the wide faces of the {100} plates turns out to be significantly greater than for the {110} orientation. With increasing plate width, the orientational anisotropy of thermopower increases to 37%. It is shown that the orientational anisotropy of the thermopower is due to the effect of focusing on the phonon propagation in the plates. The competition between the contributions of the t2 mode and L-phonons, which determine the maximum and minimum values, leads to a nonmonotonic dependence of the orientational anisotropy of the drag thermopower on the thickness of the nanoplate. It is shown that, for square potassium films with {100} and {111} orientations of planes, the drag thermopower is isotropic in the film plane, but, for the {110} orientation, it becomes ellipsoidal with its major axis in the [001] direction. A characteristic feature of drag thermopower in square films is orientation anisotropy. For the [011] directions of the temperature gradient, the drag thermopower in potassium films with the {100} orientations of planes turns out to be significantly greater than with the {110} orientations. It behaves nonmonotonically, reaching a maximum of 57% at a thickness D = 2.2 × 10–5 cm. It is obvious that the effects calculated in this work open up new prospects for experimental studies of electron–phonon drag in metal films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum and polarization vectors of phonons in alkali and noble metals belonging to cubic crystals with positive anisotropy of elastic moduli are calculated. They are compared with the results for dielectric crystals. It is shown that the anisotropy of the spectrum in them is significantly higher than in dielectric crystals such as Ge and Si. The polarization vectors of the slow t2 mode in them have an anomalously large longitudinal component compared to Ge and Si crystals. In Na, Li, and K crystals, it reaches 70, 60, and 30%, respectively. This leads to a significantly greater effect of the slow t2 mode on electron–phonon relaxation and drag thermopower in alkali metals. Isoenergetic surfaces are calculated, and the features of phonon propagation in alkali and noble metals are analyzed. Their most interesting feature is the effect of focusing on the propagation of longitudinal phonons in alkali metals. For phonon wave vectors in the {100} planes, the directions of group velocities for all alkali metals are close to [101]. Estimates have shown that, for Na, Cs, and K crystals, more than 90, 86, and 79% of phonons, respectively, with wave vectors in the {100} plane propagate in the [101] directions. This effect can be used to obtain plane-parallel phonon beams from a point source of longitudinal vibrations, as well as for other technical applications. The effect of anisotropy of elastic energy on the density of phonon states in alkali metals is analyzed. The results for metallic and dielectric crystals of cubic symmetric are compared. The ranges of angles corresponding to phonon focusing and defocusing are determined. The phonon flux enhancement factors are calculated and compared for metallic and dielectric crystals. The dependences of the types of curvature of isoenergetic surfaces of acoustic modes in alkali and noble metals on the values of anisotropy parameters are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beneficial effect of sleep on memory consolidation relies on the precise interplay of slow oscillations and spindles. However, whether these rhythms are orchestrated by an underlying pacemaker has remained elusive. Here, we tested the relationship between respiration, which has been shown to impact brain rhythms and cognition during wake, sleep-related oscillations and memory reactivation in humans. We re-analysed an existing dataset, where scalp electroencephalography and respiration were recorded throughout an experiment in which participants (N = 20) acquired associative memories before taking a nap. Our results reveal that respiration modulates the emergence of sleep oscillations. Specifically, slow oscillations, spindles as well as their interplay (i.e., slow-oscillation_spindle complexes) systematically increase towards inhalation peaks. Moreover, the strength of respiration - slow-oscillation_spindle coupling is linked to the extent of memory reactivation (i.e., classifier evidence in favour of the previously learned stimulus category) during slow-oscillation_spindles. Our results identify a clear association between respiration and memory consolidation in humans and highlight the role of brain-body interactions during sleep. The memory function of sleep relies on the coordination of slow oscillations and spindles. Here the authors show that respiration is associated with the emergence and interplay of these sleep rhythms, and that this coupling is linked to memory reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent data from the randomized SUSTAIN CSX trial could not confirm clinical benefits from perioperative selenium treatment in high-risk cardiac surgery patients. Underlying reasons may involve inadequate biosynthesis of glutathione peroxidase (GPx3), which is a key mediator of selenium's antioxidant effects. This secondary analysis aimed to identify patients with an increase in GPx3 activity following selenium treatment. We hypothesize that these responders might benefit from perioperative selenium treatment. Methods: Patients were selected based on the availability of selenium biomarker information. Four subgroups were defined according to the patient's baseline status, including those with normal kidney function, reduced kidney function, selenium deficiency, and submaximal GPx3 activity. Results: Two hundred and forty-four patients were included in this analysis. Overall, higher serum concentrations of selenium, selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and GPx3 were correlated with less organ injury. GPx3 activity at baseline was predictive of 6-month survival (AUC 0.73; p = 0.03). While selenium treatment elevated serum selenium and SELENOP concentrations but not GPx3 activity in the full patient cohort, subgroup analyses revealed that GPx3 activity increased in patients with reduced kidney function, selenium deficiency and low to moderate GPx3 activity. Clinical outcomes did not vary between selenium treatment and placebo in any of these subgroups, though the study was not powered to conclusively detect differences in outcomes. Conclusions: The identification of GPx3 responders encourages further refined investigations into the treatment effects of selenium in high-risk cardiac surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For trace gas sensing and precision spectroscopy, optical cavities incorporating low-loss mirrors are indispensable for path length and optical intensity enhancement. Optical interference coatings in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions have achieved total optical losses below 2 parts per million (ppm), enabling a cavity finesse in excess of 1 million. However, such advancements have been lacking in the mid-infrared (MIR), despite substantial scientific interest. Here, we demonstrate a significant breakthrough in high-performance MIR mirrors, reporting substrate-transferred single-crystal interference coatings capable of cavity finesse values from 200 000 to 400 000 near 4.5 µm, with excess optical losses (scatter and absorption) below 5 ppm. In a first proof-of-concept demonstration, we achieve the lowest noise-equivalent absorption in a linear cavity ring-down spectrometer normalized by cavity length. This substantial improvement in performance will unlock a rich variety of MIR applications for atmospheric transport and environmental sciences, detection of fugitive emissions, process gas monitoring, breath-gas analysis, and verification of biogenic fuels and plastics. The researchers showcase all-crystalline and hybrid mid-infrared supermirrors with the lowest optical losses ever demonstrated in this wavelength range, representing an unprecedented improvement over any existing mirrors made with any production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bibliometric analysis is a widely used method to identify and evaluate the trends and characteristics of the scientific publications in a specific research field. A large volume of literature has been published in the field of malignant hyperthermia (MH). However, no bibliometric studies have been conducted to describe the characteristics of highly cited articles on MH. Therefore, this study aims to identify the 100 most frequently cited articles about malignant hyperthermia, describe their characteristics, and investigate research trends. Searches were performed in Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, and Scopus from January 1900 to March 2023, with no language limitation. The 100 most frequently cited articles were selected and analyzed. Characteristics including publication year, journal, impact factor, authors, authors countries, citation number, journal citation indicator, study design, and topics were analyzed. For the 100 most cited articles, the number of times each article was cited ranged from 84 to 1254, with a median of 133. The number of articles published peaked in the decade of 1990s (n = 30). The articles were published in 39 journals, with Anesthesiology leading with 13 publications and then the British Journal of Anaesthesia with 12 publications. The authors were from 21 countries, led by the United States (n = 37). Forty articles focused on genetic susceptibility screening, 27 articles were about MH etiology, and 11 articles were about diagnosis and treatment. The mortality rate of MH and dantrolene availability are known to be uneven worldwide. This may partly be explained by the fact that scientific publications primarily report by authors from developed countries. This bibliometric analysis highlights the characteristics of the most influential research related to malignant hyperthermia, providing a reference for conducting future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), which include mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), are a group of lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by clonal accumulation of neoplastic T-lymphocytes in the skin. Severe pruritus, one of the most common and distressing symptoms in primary CTCL, can significantly impair emotional well-being, physical functioning, and interpersonal relationships, thus greatly reducing quality of life. Unfortunately, effectively managing pruritus remains challenging in CTCL patients as the underlying mechanisms are, as of yet, not fully understood. Previous studies investigating the mechanisms of itch in CTCL have identified several mediators and their corresponding antagonists used for treatment. However, a comprehensive overview of the mediators and receptors contributing to pruritus in primary CTCL is lacking in the current literature. Here, we summarize and review the mediators and receptors that may contribute to pruritus in primary CTCL to explore the mechanisms of CTCL pruritus and identify effective therapeutic targets using the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they described itch mediators and receptors in MF and SS. Overall, the available data suggest that proteases (mainly tryptase), and neuropeptides (particularly Substance P) may be of greatest interest. At the receptor level, cytokine receptors, MRGPRs, and TRP channels are most likely important. Future drug development efforts should concentrate on targeting these mediators and receptors for the treatment of CTCL pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to comprehensively review the current literatures about robot-assisted techniques for shoulder joint arthroplasty and also in experimental articles or case series about around shoulder soft tissue surgeries including arthroscopy, tendon transfer and brachial plexus surgeries. This article evaluates the existing literature and clinical studies to suggests future direction of robotic-assisted techniques in shoulder joint surgeries. Robotic surgery has emerged as an innovative and transformative technology in orthopedics, offering advancements in surgical precision and optimization particularly during total hip and knee arthroplasty. In shoulder joint, patients specific instrumentation with preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation system are being used. Robotic-assisted shoulder arthroplasty will be introduced. In soft tissue surgery, robot-assisted tendon transfer and around brachial plexus surgeries is being clinically tried. In additions, postoperative robot-assisted rehabilitation after may have potential advantages. With the overall development of several industries including robotic technology, robot-assisted pre-, intra- and post-operative techniques could be an essential part of the overall shoulder surgery. However, further research and larger-scale studies are needed to establish its long-term efficacy, and potential complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. Early diagnosis of AD and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is crucial for timely intervention and management. Radiomics involves extracting quantitative features from medical images and analyzing them using advanced computational algorithms. These characteristics have the potential to serve as biomarkers for disease classification, treatment response prediction, and patient stratification. Of note, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics showed a promising result for diagnosing and classifying AD, and MCI from normal subjects. Thus, we aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of the MRI radiomics for this task. Methods and materials: A comprehensive search of the current literature was conducted using relevant keywords in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to August 5, 2023. Original studies discussing the diagnostic performance of MRI radiomics for the classification of AD, MCI, and normal subjects were included. Method quality was evaluated with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) and the Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) tools. Results: We identified 13 studies that met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 5448 participants. The overall quality of the included studies was moderate to high. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MRI radiomics for differentiating AD from normal subjects were 0.92 (95% CI [0.85; 0.96]) and 0.91 (95% CI [0.85; 0.95]), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MRI radiomics for differentiating MCI from normal subjects were 0.74 (95% CI [0.60; 0.85]) and 0.79 (95% CI [0.70; 0.86]), respectively. Also, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of MRI radiomics for differentiating AD from MCI were 0.73 (95% CI [0.64; 0.80]) and 0.79 (95% CI [0.64; 0.90]), respectively. Conclusion: MRI radiomics has promising diagnostic performance in differentiating AD, MCI, and normal subjects. It can potentially serve as a non-invasive and reliable tool for early diagnosis and classification of AD and MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the image quality and fat attenuation index (FAI) of coronary artery CT angiography (CCTA) under different tube voltages between deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V (ASIR-V). Three hundred one patients who underwent CCTA with automatic tube current modulation were prospectively enrolled and divided into two groups: 120 kV group and low tube voltage group. Images were reconstructed using ASIR-V level 50% (ASIR-V50%) and high-strength DLIR (DLIR-H). In the low tube voltage group, the voltage was selected according to Chinese BMI classification: 70 kV (BMI < 24 kg/m 2 ), 80 kV (24 kg/m 2  ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m 2 ), 100 kV (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m 2 ). At the same tube voltage, the subjective and objective image quality, edge rise distance (ERD), and FAI between different algorithms were compared. Under different tube voltages, we used DLIR-H to compare the differences between subjective, objective image quality, and ERD. Compared with the 120 kV group, the DLIR-H image noise of 70 kV, 80 kV, and 100 kV groups increased by 36%, 25%, and 12%, respectively (all P < 0.001); contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), subjective score, and ERD were similar (all P > 0.05). In the 70 kV, 80 kV, 100 kV, and 120 kV groups, compared with ASIR-V50%, DLIR-H image noise decreased by 50%, 53%, 47%, and 38-50%, respectively; CNR, subjective score, and FAI value increased significantly (all P < 0.001), ERD decreased. Compared with 120 kV tube voltage, the combination of DLIR-H and low tube voltage maintains image quality. At the same tube voltage, compared with ASIR-V, DLIR-H improves image quality and FAI value., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine.)

Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potentially life-saving procedure for bleeding trauma patients. Being a rare and complex procedure performed in extreme situations, repetitive training of REBOA teams is critical. Evidence-based guidelines on how to train REBOA are missing, although simulation-based training has been shown to be effective but can be costly and complex. We aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptance of REBOA training using a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) REBOA simulation, as well as assess the confidence in conducting the REBOA procedure before and after the training. Methods: Prospective feasibility pilot study of prehospital emergency physicians and paramedics in Bern, Switzerland, from November 2020 until March 2021. Baseline characteristics of trainees, prior training and experience in REBOA and with VR, variables of media use (usability: system usability scale, immersion/presence: Slater-Usoh-Steed, workload: NASA-TLX, user satisfaction: USEQ) as well as confidence prior and after VR training were accessed. Results: REBOA training in VR was found to be feasible without relevant VR-specific side-effects. Usability (SUS median 77.5, IQR 71.3–85) and sense of presence and immersion (Slater-Usoh-Steed median 4.8, IQR 3.8–5.5) were good, the workload without under-nor overstraining (NASA-TLX median 39, IQR 32.8–50.2) and user satisfaction high (USEQ median 26, IQR 23–29). Confidence of trainees in conducting REBOA increased significantly after training (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Procedural training of the REBOA procedure in immersive virtual reality is possible with a good acceptance and high usability. REBOA VR training can be an important part of a training curriculum, with the virtual reality-specific advantages of a time- and instructor-independent learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ant colony is the epitome of social organization where up to millions of individuals cooperate to survive, compete, and reproduce as a single superorganism, Female members of ant colonies typically are categorized into a reproductive queen caste and a non-reproductive worker caste. The queen(s) conveys her fertility condition and in cases, genotype status, via a suite of queen pheromones whose various functions are crucial to the superorganismal nature of ant colonies. Knowledge of these functional properties is fundamental for identifying constituent chemicals and understanding corresponding modes of actions. In this review, I summarize functional properties of ant queen pheromones learned from seven decades of behavioral experiments, and contextualize this knowledge within the broader understanding of queen pheromones in other major groups of social insects. The effects include promotion of colony integrity and coherence, maintenance of reproductive dominance of the queen, and regulation of colony social structure. Additionally, general characteristics of queen pheromones are discussed and potential avenues for future research are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pulsed introduction of dead plant and animal material into soils represents one of the primary mechanisms for returning organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) compounds to biogeochemical cycles. Decomposition of animal carcasses provides a high C and N resource that stimulates indigenous environmental microbial communities and introduces non-indigenous, carcass-derived microbes to the environment. However, the dynamics of the coalesced microbial communities, and the relative contributions of environment- and carcass-derived microbes to C and N cycling are unknown. To test whether environment-derived, carcass-derived, or the combined microbial communities exhibited a greater influence on C and N cycling, we conducted controlled laboratory experiments that combined carcass decomposition fluids and soils to simulate carcass decomposition hotspots. We selectively sterilized the decomposition fluid and/or soil to remove microbial communities and create different combinations of environment- and carcass-derived communities and incubated the treatments under three temperatures (10, 20, and 30 °C). Results: Carcass-derived bacteria persisted in soils in our simulated decomposition scenarios, albeit at low abundances. Mixed communities had higher respiration rates at 10 and 30 °C compared to soil or carcass communities alone. Interestingly, at higher temperatures, mixed communities had reduced diversity, but higher respiration, suggesting functional redundancy. Mixed communities treatments also provided evidence that carcass-associated microbes may be contributing to ammonification and denitrification, but that nitrification is still primarily carried out by native soil organisms. Conclusions: Our work yields insight into the dynamics of microbial communities that are coalescing during carcass decomposition, and how they contribute to recycling carcasses in terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prion-like low-complexity domains (PLCDs) are involved in the formation and regulation of distinct biomolecular condensates that form via phase separation coupled to percolation. Intracellular condensates often encompass numerous distinct proteins with PLCDs. Here, we combine simulations and experiments to study mixtures of PLCDs from two RNA-binding proteins, hnRNPA1 and FUS. Using simulations and experiments, we find that 1:1 mixtures of A1-LCD and FUS-LCD undergo phase separation more readily than either of the PLCDs on their own due to complementary electrostatic interactions. Tie line analysis reveals that stoichiometric ratios of different components and their sequence-encoded interactions contribute jointly to the driving forces for condensate formation. Simulations also show that the spatial organization of PLCDs within condensates is governed by relative strengths of homotypic versus heterotypic interactions. We uncover rules for how interaction strengths and sequence lengths modulate conformational preferences of molecules at interfaces of condensates formed by mixtures of proteins. Mixtures of prion-like low complexity domains (PLCDs) are found in condensates such as stress granules. In this work, the authors report how the interplay between homotypic and heterotypic interactions contributes to condensate formation by mixtures of PLCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled mRNA storage and stability is essential for oocyte meiosis and early embryonic development. However, how to regulate mRNA storage and stability in mammalian oogenesis remains elusive. Here we showed that LSM14B, a component of membraneless compartments including P-body-like granules and mitochondria-associated ribonucleoprotein domain (MARDO) in germ cell, is indispensable for female fertility. To reveal loss of LSM14B disrupted primordial follicle assembly and caused mRNA reduction in non-growing oocytes, which was concomitant with the impaired assembly of P-body-like granules. 10× Genomics single-cell RNA-sequencing and immunostaining were performed. Meanwhile, we conducted RNA-seq analysis of GV-stage oocytes and found that Lsm14b deficiency not only impaired the maternal mRNA accumulation but also disrupted the translation in fully grown oocytes, which was closely associated with dissolution of MARDO components. Moreover, Lsm14b-deficient oocytes reassembled a pronucleus containing decondensed chromatin after extrusion of the first polar body, through compromising the activation of maturation promoting factor, while the defects were restored via WEE1/2 inhibitor. Together, our findings reveal that Lsm14b plays a pivotal role in mammalian oogenesis by specifically controlling of oocyte mRNA storage and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Answering questions related to the legal domain is a complex task, primarily due to the intricate nature and diverse range of legal document systems. Providing an accurate answer to a legal query typically necessitates specialized knowledge in the relevant domain, which makes this task more challenging, even for human experts. Question answering (QA) systems are designed to generate answers to questions asked in natural languages. QA uses natural language processing to understand questions and search through information to find relevant answers. At this time, there is a lack of surveys that discuss legal question answering. To address this problem, we provide a comprehensive survey that reviews 14 benchmark datasets for question-answering in the legal field as well as presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art Legal Question Answering deep learning models. We cover the different architectures and techniques used in these studies and discuss the performance and limitations of these models. Moreover, we have established a public GitHub repository that contains a collection of resources, including the most recent articles related to Legal Question Answering, open datasets used in the surveyed studies, and the source code for implementing the reviewed deep learning models (The repository is available at: https://github.com/abdoelsayed2016/Legal-Question-Answering-Review). The key findings of our survey highlight the effectiveness of deep learning models in addressing the challenges of legal question answering and provide insights into their performance and limitations in the legal domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic eutrophication is a global environmental problem threatening the ecological functions of many inland freshwaters and diminishing their abilities to meet their designated uses. Water authorities worldwide are being pressed to improve their abilities to monitor, predict, and manage the incidence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). While most water quality management decisions are still based on conventional monitoring programs that lack the needed spatio-temporal resolution for effective lake/reservoir management, recent advances in remote sensing are providing new opportunities towards better understanding water quality variability in these important freshwater systems. This study assessed the potential of using the Sentinel 2 Multispectral Instrument to predict and assess the spatio-temporal variability in the water quality of the Qaraoun Reservoir, a poorly monitored Mediterranean hypereutrophic monomictic reservoir that is subject to extensive periods of HABs. The work first evaluated the ability to transfer and recalibrate previously developed reservoir-specific Landsat 7 and 8 water quality models when used with Sentinel 2 data. The results showed poor transferability between Landsat and Sentinel 2, with most models experiencing a significant drop in their predictive skill even after recalibration. Sentinel 2 models were then developed for the reservoir based on 153 water quality samples collected over 2 years. The models explored different functional forms, including multiple linear regressions (MLR), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), random forests (RF), and support vector regressions (SVR). The results showed that the RF models outperformed their MLR, MARS, and SVR counterparts with regard to predicting chlorophyll-a, total suspended solids, Secchi disk depth, and phycocyanin. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the RF models varied between 85% for TSS up to 95% for SDD. Moreover, the study explored the potential of quantifying cyanotoxin concentrations indirectly from the Sentinel 2 MSI imagery by benefiting from the strong relationship between cyanotoxin levels and chlorophyll-a concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insights into the burden, needs and treatment of migraine from internet-based surveys in diverse real-world migraine populations are needed, especially at a time when novel preventive migraine medications are becoming part of the therapeutic armamentarium. The objectives of this analysis are to describe traditional preventive (orals and onabotulinum toxin A) treatment patterns in the OVERCOME (EU) study migraine cohort, as well as treatment patterns and patient satisfaction with current treatment in a subgroup of respondents eligible for migraine preventive medication. Methods: The cross-sectional non-interventional OVERCOME (EU) study was conducted (October 2020–February 2021) via an online survey among adults (aged ≥ 18 years) resident in Germany or Spain. Participants, registered in existing online panels, who were willing to provide consent were considered. The migraine cohort included participants reporting headache/migraine in the past year, identified based on a validated migraine diagnostic questionnaire and/or self-reported physician diagnosis. A subgroup of survey respondents defined as eligible for migraine preventive medication at the point in time the cross-sectional survey was taken was also analysed. Variables assessed included sociodemographic and migraine-related clinical characteristics, preventive (traditional and calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies) treatment patterns and patient satisfaction with current treatment. Results are descriptive only. Results: Of the 20,756 participants in the migraine cohort, 78.5% sought professional medical care, 50.8% received a migraine diagnosis and only 17.7% had ever used preventive medication. Half (53.3%) of participants currently using preventives took their most recent medication for six months or less. Most patients (73.9%) classified as eligible for preventive medication (based on headache frequency and/or at least moderate disability due to migraine) reported not using traditional preventives and many of those who did (66.8%) were not satisfied with their current standard of care. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the low proportion of people diagnosed with migraine despite a higher rate of consultation and suggest the need for better access to treatment for people with migraine and new preventive therapies with improved efficacy and safety profiles to improve adherence and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic transformation of TiO2 nanoparticles doped zinc phosphate coating systems when a hydrophobic agent is applied. The objective of the reported research was to demonstrate the feasibility of a neutron imaging technique for evaluating the performance of the proposed nano-coating system and reveal the differences in water ingress mechanisms which are specific to plain, superhydrophilic, overhydrophobic, and superhydrophobic specimens. The engineered nano-coatings were designed to improve hydrophobic response with inducing the required roughness pattern and introducing the photocatalytic performance. The effectiveness of the coatings was assessed using high-resolution neutron imaging (HR-NI), SEM, CLSM, and XRD techniques. High-resolution neutron imaging revealed that the superhydrophobic coating effectively prevents water ingress into the porous ceramic substrate, whereas water imbibition was observed for superhydrophilic coating during the test duration. The moisture transport kinetics was modeled based on the Richards equation for plain ceramic and superhydrophilic specimens using obtained penetration depth values from HR-NI. SEM, CLSM, and XRD studies confirm the desired TiO2-doped zinc phosphate coatings with increased surface roughness, photocatalytic reactivity, and chemical bonding. The research results demonstrated that a two-layer superhydrophobic system is capable of creating effective water barriers on the surface with contact angles of 153°, which remained effective even after surface damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of the article are: to assess spatio-temporal evolution of eutrophication and water quality of the Turawa dam reservoir, located in south-western Poland on the Mała Panew River; to identify location and relationship between potential sources of physicochemical pollution related to the progressing process of eutrophication; and to determine trophic status and water quality indices of the selected research object. The analysis (Mann–Whitney U test, PCA, HCA, Spearman correlation matrix) showed a high susceptibility of the reservoir to eutrophication processes, especially due to the influence of dangerous loads of compounds emerging from areas with high tourist intensity and pollutants flowing from the Mała Panew River. The parameters deteriorating the ecological status were TP, DO, BOD5, and COD. Considering the cumulative results of water quality indices for the period 1998–2020, the average water quality was in classes II or III. A noticeable deterioration appeared in water quality for the years 2016–2020, which proves the progressing eutrophication in the Turawa reservoir. In 1998–2020, the reservoir was classified as eutrophic or mesoeutrophic based on the calculated three trophic status indices. This article would help in developing a strategy for dealing with water blooms, a reliable system for monitoring pressures causing eutrophication, and optimal technologies for the reconstruction of multifunctional reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization and its problems require an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of urban dynamics, especially the complex and diversified lifestyles in modern cities. Digitally acquired data can accurately capture complex human activity, but it lacks the interpretability of demographic data. In this paper, we study a privacy-enhanced dataset of the mobility visitation patterns of 1.2 million people to 1.1 million places in 11 metro areas in the U.S. to detect the latent mobility behaviors and lifestyles in the largest American cities. Despite the considerable complexity of mobility visitations, we found that lifestyles can be automatically decomposed into only 12 latent interpretable activity behaviors on how people combine shopping, eating, working, or using their free time. Rather than describing individuals with a single lifestyle, we find that city dwellers' behavior is a mixture of those behaviors. Those detected latent activity behaviors are equally present across cities and cannot be fully explained by main demographic features. Finally, we find those latent behaviors are associated with dynamics like experienced income segregation, transportation, or healthy behaviors in cities, even after controlling for demographic features. Our results signal the importance of complementing traditional census data with activity behaviors to understand urban dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important predictors for outcomes after ischemic stroke, that is, for health deterioration and death, are chronological age and stroke severity; gender, genetics and lifestyle/environmental factors also play a role. Of all these, only the latter can be influenced after the event. Recurrent stroke may be prevented by antiaggregant/anticoagulant therapy, angioplasty of high-grade stenoses, and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. Blood cell composition and protein biomarkers such as C-reactive protein or interleukins in serum are frequently considered as biomarkers of outcome. Here we aim to provide an up-to-date protein biomarker signature that allows a maximum of mechanistic understanding, to predict health deterioration following stroke. We thus surveyed protein biomarkers that were reported to be predictive for outcome after ischemic stroke, specifically considering biomarkers that predict long-term outcome (≥ 3 months) and that are measured over the first days following the event. We classified the protein biomarkers as immune‑inflammatory, coagulation-related, and adhesion-related biomarkers. Some of these biomarkers are closely related to cellular senescence and, in particular, to the inflammatory processes that can be triggered by senescent cells. Moreover, the processes that underlie inflammation, hypercoagulation and cellular senescence connect stroke to cancer, and biomarkers of cancer-associated thromboembolism, as well as of sarcopenia, overlap strongly with the biomarkers discussed here. Finally, we demonstrate that most of the outcome-predicting protein biomarkers form a close-meshed functional interaction network, suggesting that the outcome after stroke is partially determined by an interplay of molecular processes relating to inflammation, coagulation, cell adhesion and cellular senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germ granules are membrane-less organelles essential for small RNA biogenesis and germline development. Among the conserved properties of germ granules is their association with the nuclear membrane. Recent studies demonstrated that LOTUS domain proteins, EGGD-1 and EGGD-2 (also known as MIP-1 and MIP-2 respectively), promote the formation of perinuclear germ granules in C. elegans. This finding presents a unique opportunity to evaluate the significance of perinuclear localization of germ granules. Here we show that loss of eggd-1 causes the coalescence of germ granules and formation of abnormal cytoplasmic aggregates. Impairment of perinuclear granules affects certain germline classes of small RNAs including Piwi-interacting RNAs. Transcriptome profiling reveals overexpression of spermatogenic and cuticle-related genes in eggd-1 hermaphrodites. We further demonstrate that disruption of germ granules activates HLH-30-mediated transcriptional program in somatic tissues. Collectively, our findings underscore the essential role of EGGD-1 in germ granule organization and reveal an unexpected germ granule-to-soma communication.Germ granules are membraneless organelles that act as organizing centers for small RNA biogenesis during germline development. Here they show the LOTUS domain protein eggd-1 organizes germ granules, and reveal a germ line-to-soma communication pathway activated upon perturbation of germ granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrin expression forms focal adhesions, but how this process is physiologically regulated is unclear. Ihog proteins are evolutionarily conserved, playing roles in Hedgehog signaling and serving as trans-homophilic adhesion molecules to mediate cell-cell interactions. Whether these proteins are also engaged in other cell adhesion processes remains unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila Ihog proteins function in the integrin-mediated adhesions. Removal of Ihog proteins causes blister and spheroidal muscle in wings and embryos, respectively. We demonstrate that Ihog proteins interact with integrin via the extracellular portion and that their removal perturbs integrin distribution. Finally, we show that Boc, a mammalian Ihog protein, rescues the embryonic defects caused by removing its Drosophila homologs. We thus propose that Ihog proteins contribute to integrin-mediated focal adhesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]