Water transport timescales (WTTs) quantify how long it takes for water to travel through or remain in a system and are often cast as indicators of ecosystem function and health. Such timescales are known to be affected by vegetation in various environments. We quantify the impact of floodplain vegetation on WTTs within the Wax Lake Delta (WLD), a river delta system in Louisiana, USA, using a high-resolution Delft3D Flexible Mesh (DFM) model incorporating vegetation-induced flow resistance. We show that increased vegetation density leads to extended WTTs within vegetated sections of WLD while fostering flow localization and accelerating transport within distributary channels. We find that the presence or absence of floodplain vegetation significantly influences the volumetric flow directed toward the floodplain, with spatial distribution exerting more control than vegetation density. Vegetation density and spatial arrangement have minimal impact on flow directed out of the deltaic floodplain, indicating that vegetation does not constrain flow across the bayward boundary. Floodplain vegetation strongly influences local-scale transport timescales within the deltaic floodplain but minimally affects water age distributions within distributary channels. Furthermore, network-scale water age distribution remains largely unaffected by vegetation density and spatial arrangement, except for slight modifications in the heavy right tail of the distribution. These findings contribute to a better understanding of how vegetation affects deltaic hydrology across scales, highlighting the importance of considering multi-scale vegetation influences for coastal restoration and management strategies.

Aim of the study: Snoring is one of the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether snoring sound parameters can be used in pre- polysomnography (PSG) screening in patients with OSAS. Methods: All patients underwent full-night PSG test. Sound parameters were measured using the PRAAT acoustic analysis program. The relationship between these parameters and degree of OSAS, and also the relationship between snoring sound and types of OSAS were analyzed prospectively. Results: Seventy seven patients diagnosed OSAS were included the study. It was found that the shimmer scores decreased significantly from mild OSAS to severe OSAS (p=0.045). Although mean pitch scores increased from mild to severe OSAS, it was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.16). Mean pitch score was found to be significantly higher in the severe group (p=0.022). Shimmer scores were found significantly higher in REM-predominant OSAS patients than without REM-predominant OSAS patients (p=0.006). Shimmer scores were significantly higher in obese patients than in non-obese patients and in patients over 40 years of age years than under 40 years of age (p=0.032; p<0.01; respectively). The ROC analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value of mean Pitch (≥74.65) in predicting severe OSAS classification (AUC=0.69; p=0.017). Conclusion: Our results are important to show that, analysis of snoring sound with a noninvasive method of acoustic voice analysis, can be applied quickly and easily in the pre-PSG screening in especially clinically important advanced-stage OSAS cases that should be diagnosed urgently.

In this article, a two prey-one predator model in which prey and predator disperse simultaneously in a heterogeneous environment with n patches is proposed and analyzed. We prove that the solution of the system is positive and uniformly ultimately bounded. Meanwhile, we use the monotonic theory of spectral bounds to investigate the effect of the dispersal rate on population dynamics. To be precise, we discuss the stability behaviour for the trivial equilibrium and semitrivial equilibrium as well as the uniform persistence of the system. Furthermore, we prove the global asymptotic stability of the positive equilibrium by constructing a global Lyapunov function which applies the results from graph theory. Some numerical simulations are provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

A rare case of wheat-dependentexercise-induced anaphylaxis induced by exercise 5 hours after wheat ingestion.Tomoki Yaguchi1, Katsutoshi Nakano1, Tadayuki Kumagai1Department of Pediatrics, Yaizu City Hospital, Shizuoka, JapanCorresponding authorTomoki Yaguchi, 1000, Dobara, Yaizu-shi, Shizuoka 425-0055, Japan. Phone: +81-54-623-3111, Fax: +81-54-624-9103, E-mail: [email protected] Count for Main Text; 916The number of Table; 1, Figure; 0Keywords：wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, food allergy, aspirin, sensitization, anaphylaxis

Breast granular cell tumor: A report of two cases and review of literatureAssim Saad Eddin, MD1; Umar Ramzan, BS2; Su Kim Hsieh, MD, PhD1; Fabiana, Policeni, MD1University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Radiology, Iowa city, Iowa, United StatesNorthwestern Feinberg school of medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United StatesCorresponding author:Assim Saad Eddin, MD738 mission point road, 52245, Iowa city, Iowa, United StatesResearch ScholarDepartment of RadiologyUniversity of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsKeywords: Radiology and ImagingWord count: 2107Key clinical message:Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare breast neoplasm. There are only a few reports of breast granular cell tumors in the literature. Here in, we present two cases of female patients diagnosed with this tumor and perform a review of literature on the prevalence, diagnosis, histology, treatment, and prognosis\(.\)

Due to the widespread use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) for soil remediation and nano-enabled sustainable agriculture, there is a growing concern regarding the behavior and fate of ENMs released into soil systems in the presence of natural root exudates (REs). Herein, we investigate the influence of REs on the fate and ecological effect of ENMs from a comprehensive perspective. We summarize the key roles reported in the literature for REs in physical changes (e.g., adsorption, dispersion/aggregation), chemical changes (e.g., oxidation/redox reactions, and dissolution), and biotransformation of ENMs, which will further determine the ecological risk of ENMs in natural soil systems. Moreover, this review highlights the potential adverse effects of ENMs on different soil organisms (e.g., bacteria, plants, and eisenia foetida) in the presence of REs. The remaining unclear mechanisms (e.g., oxidative stress and DNA damage) of ENMs toxicity at the cellular level influenced by REs are reviewed and presented. Finally, the review concludes by addressing the current knowledge gaps and challenges in this field.

The blood protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric protein that, when activated, binds to blood platelets tethering them to the site of vascular injury initiating blood coagulation. This process is critical for the normal haemostatic response, but especially under inflammatory conditions it is thought to be a major player in pathological thrombus formation. For this reason, VWF has been the target for the development of anti-thrombotic therapeutics. However, it is challenging to prevent pathological thrombus formation while still allowing normal physiological blood coagulation as currently available anti-thrombotic therapeutics are known to cause unwanted bleeding in particular intracranial haemorrhage. This work explores the possibility of inhibiting VWF selectively under the inflammatory conditions present during pathological thrombus formation. In particular, the A2 domain of VWF is known to inhibit the neighboring A1 domain from binding to the platelet surface receptor GpIb α and this auto-inhibitory mechanism has been shown to be removed by oxidizing agents released during inflammation. Hence, finding drug molecules that bind at the interface between A1 and A2 only under oxidizing conditions could restore such auto-inhibitory mechanism. Here, by using a combination of computational docking, molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation calculations, a ligand from the ZINC15 database was identified that binds at the A1A2 interface with the interaction being stronger under oxidizing conditions. The results provide a framework for the discovery of drug molecules that bind to a protein selectively in inflammatory conditions.

A document by Carla Rodriguez-Watson. Click on the document to view its contents.

I aimed to better understand the community ecology of sympatric birdlife in subtropical South East Queensland, Australia using patterns of temporal species co-occurrence and principles from network theory. In line with expectation, a hierarchical clustering analysis showed that dates that were successive were joined by the shortest branch lengths because of similar patterns of observed bird species. The only date sampled in the Southern hemisphere Autumn was awarded its own branch in the tree, indicating these observations were relatively distinct. Estimates of total observed bird biomass were substantively higher in the Autumn sample. Ranking each species on its average pairwise correlation to the other 87 species in the set shows that, unsurprisingly, raptors (such as Whistling Kites, Haliastur splenurus) tend to be the most negatively correlated (hypergeometric enrichment statistic P = 0.00029) indicating their presence is inhibitory to other avian species. On the other hand, Silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) possess the highest number of total connections, the highest radiality (or ‘network influence’) metric within the inferred co-occurrence network and have the second highest average positive correlation to all other bird species in the set (+0.32). Collectively, this means Silvereyes can be seen as an indicators whose presence indicates an enhanced likelihood of observing a diversity of other bird species. Network clustering analysis detects a large module of positively connected bird species within the overall structure (dominated by non-threatening diminutive species as Z. lateralis, Little Friarbirds Philomon citreogularis and Red Backed Fairy Wrens Malurus melanocephalus), whereas all but one of the raptors sit on the periphery. The use of the PCIT network reconstruction algorithm is demonstrated for the first time in community ecology.

Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy is a well-established diagnostic tool, allowing for the identification of all Raman active species with a single measurement. Yet, it may suffer from low signal intensity and fluorescent background. In contrast, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) offers laser-like signals, but the traditional approach lacks the multiplex capability of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy. We present an ultrabroadband CARS setup which aims at exciting the full spectrum (300 - 3700 cm -1) of biological molecules. A dual-output optical parametric amplifier provides a ~7 fs pump/Stokes and a ~ 700 fs probe pulse. CARS spectra of DMSO, ethanol and methanol show great agreement with spontaneous Raman spectroscopy and superiority in fluorescent environments. The spectral resolution proves sufficient to differentiate between the complex spectra of L-proline and hydroxyproline. Moreover, decay constants in the sub picosecond range are determined for individual Raman transitions, providing an additional approach for sample characterization.

For decades the external globus pallidus (GPe) has been viewed as a passive way-station in the indirect pathway of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic (CBGT) circuit, sandwiched between striatal inputs and basal ganglia outputs. According to this model, one-way descending striatal signals in the indirect pathway amplify the suppression of downstream thalamic nuclei by inhibiting GPe activity. Here we revisit this assumption, in light of new and emerging work on the cellular complexity, connectivity, and functional role of the GPe in behavior. We show how, according to this new circuit-level logic, the GPe is ideally positioned for relaying ascending and descending control signals within the basal ganglia. Focusing on the problem of inhibitory control, we illustrate how this bidirectional flow of information allows for the integration of reactive and proactive control mechanisms during action selection. Taken together, this new evidence points to the GPe as being a central hub in the CBGT circuit, participating in bidirectional information flow and linking multifaceted control signals to regulate behavior.

We detail the generation of a pulsed atomic oxygen (AO) broad beam with a high flux-density via collision-induced dissociation of O2 to support practical industrial exploitation of AOs, particularly for facilitating 2-dimenstional oxidation/etching at a fast rate of one-monolayer per second in an area ≥1000cm2. This innovation fuses the following interdisciplinary concepts: (a) a high density of O+ can be produced in an electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) O2 plasma; (b) O+ can be extracted and accelerated with an aperture-electrode in the plasma; (c) O+ with adequate kinetic energy can initiate a cascade of gas-phase collisions in the presence of O2; (d) collision-induced dissociation of O2 yields AOs with adequate kinetic energy which can cause additional collision-induced dissociation of O2. Computational simulations of such collisions, with both ab initio molecular dynamics and direct simulation Monte Carlo methods, are used to guide the experimental generation of the proposed AO-beam. We experimentally demonstrate the highest known AO mean flux-density of about 1.5×1016 atoms cm-2 s-1 in a broad-beam, and use it to oxidatively modify a self-assembled molecular layer of siloxane on a silicon wafer. In addition, we also demonstrate the growth of Al2O3 through an AO-assisted atomic layer deposition process at a room temperature.

This study seeks better understanding of linkages between channel morphology, streamflow, and aquatic habitat for the effective rehabilitation of imperiled species in rivers subjected to intensive water resource management. We focused on the variability of shallow, low-velocity (SLV) habitats over 50 years for a 56 km reach of the Rio Grande of central New Mexico (Middle Rio Grande). Hydraulic models used topographic data obtained through long-term systematic monitoring between 1962 and 2012 to derive relationships between discharge and SLV habitat availability. We developed a temporally integrated habitat metric (TIHM) to facilitate quantitative comparisons of SLV habitat availability over seasonal hydrologic periods (base flow, spring runoff, and summer low flow) for selected years representative of contemporary discharge variations. Results showed that SLV habitat availability, as captured by TIHM values, decreased on average by 83% over the study period (1962–2012), corresponding to completion of Cochiti Dam (1973), which profoundly altered flow and sediment regimes. Resulting channel incision and floodplain disconnection, caused shifts in discharge-habitat relationships whereby considerably higher discharges are required to produce equivalent increases in SLV habitat availability relative to pre-dam conditions. Ecological implications of losses to SLV habitat availability include recovery of the federally endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Hybognathus amarus.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have exhibited significant advancements over the last decade, positioning them as the most promising candidate for the next-generation photovoltaic technology. Recently, significant efforts have been focused on the scale-up of PSCs towards enabling their commercialization. In this study, we performed electrical simulations to elucidate the balance between electrical and geometric losses in PSMs and verified our model by fabricating opaque (PSMs) and semi-transparent wide-bandgap perovskite solar modules (ST-PSMs). We showed that a P2 width of 20-50 µm provides an optimized P2 contact resistance, resulting in high geometric fill factors (GFF) and fill factor (FF), simultaneously. PSMs with an aperture area of 4.2 cm 2, reaching a GFF of 98.4%, an FF of 81.5%, and a PCE of 17.78% were fabricated. To demonstrate the scalability of this approach, 16 cm 2 PSMs, reaching a GFF of 97.0%, an FF of 80.1%, and a PCE of 17.58% were fabricated. ST-PSMs (4 cm 2) with >92.5% GFF, 81.4% FF, and 15.68% PCE were fabricated. We believe that the proposed optoelectronic model, along with its validation through the fabrication, exhibiting exceptionally high GFFs and FFs, elucidates the optical-electrical trade-off in PSMs and thus offers valuable insights for the design of highly efficient PSMs.

The mammalian ejaculate is very well suited for proteomics studies. As such, investigations on the sperm proteomics are offering a huge amount of new information on the biology of the spermatozoa. Among domestic animals, horses represent a special interest species, in which reproductive technologies and an important market of genetic material has growth exponentially in the last decade. Investigations using proteomic approaches have been conducted in recent years, showing that proteomics is a potent tool to dig into the biology of the stallion spermatozoa. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the research conducted, and how these studies have improved our knowledge of the stallion sperm biology. The main outcomes of the research conducted so far have been an improved knowledge of the metabolism, and its importance of sperm functions, the impact of different technologies in the sperm proteome, and the identification of potential biomarkers. Moreover, proteomics of the seminal plasma and phosphoproteomics are identified as areas of major interest.

While multiple reasons make long-term demographic studies disproportionally valuable, much of their importance comes from the ability to detect and quantify rare events. We argue here that rare events can be critical for understanding important ecological and evolutionary processes. We highlight the additive or interactive nature of anthropogenic rare events with environmental rare events that may cause outsized changes in vital rates and therefore in population dynamics. Rare events may also generate complex responses in populations due to interactions between demographic processes and evolutionary responses. Complex, non-linear dynamics of populations may include threshold, extreme responses such as long transients, tipping points, regime shifts and collapse. When occurring locally, rare events may also exacerbate spatial heterogeneity with consequences for demographic processes. In sum, these effects represent substantial challenges for prediction, especially when considering the increase in the frequency of rare extreme events, and emphasise the need for long-term studies. Our perspective attempts to integrate the occurrence of rare events in variable environments and the consequences for the overall fitness, growth rates, and the spatial-temporal dynamics of populations.

CD8+ T cells recognising their cognate antigen are typically recruited as a polyclonal population consisting of multiple clonotypes with varying T-cell receptor (TCR) affinity to the target peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex. Advances in single-cell sequencing have increased accessibility towards identifying TCRs with matched antigens. Here we present the discovery of a monoclonal CD8+ T cell population with specificity for a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-derived HLA class I epitope (HLA-B*07:02 GPRLGVRAT) which was isolated directly ex vivo from an individual with an episode of acutely resolved HCV infection. This population was absent prior to infection and underwent expansion and stable maintenance for at least two years after infection as measured by HLA-multimer staining. Furthermore, the monoclonal clonotype was characterised by an unusually long dissociation time (half-life = 794 seconds and koff = 5.73×10-4) for its target antigen when compared to previously published results. A comparison with related populations of HCV-specific populations derived from the same individual and a second individual suggest that high-affinity TCR-pMHC interactions may be inherent to epitope identity and shape the phenotype of responses which has implications for rational TCR selection and design in the age of personalised immunotherapies.

UNSUAL PRESENTATION OF METASTATIC BURNED OUT TESTIS CANCER IN A 43 YEAR OLD MAN : A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE