Local Effects Research Articles

Pyrophosphate-free glycolysis in Clostridium thermocellum increases both thermodynamic driving force and ethanol titers

BackgroundClostridium thermocellum is a promising candidate for production of cellulosic biofuels, however, its final product titer is too low for commercial application, and this may be due to thermodynamic limitations in glycolysis. Previous studies in this organism have revealed a metabolic bottleneck at the phosphofructokinase (PFK) reaction in glycolysis. In the wild-type organism, this reaction uses pyrophosphate (PPi) as an energy cofactor, which is thermodynamically less favorable compared to reactions that use ATP as a cofactor. Previously we showed that replacing the PPi-linked PFK reaction with an ATP-linked reaction increased the thermodynamic driving force of glycolysis, but only had a local effect on intracellular metabolite concentrations, and did not affect final ethanol titer.ResultsIn this study, we substituted PPi-pfk with ATP-pfk, deleted the other PPi-requiring glycolytic gene pyruvate:phosphate dikinase (ppdk), and expressed a soluble pyrophosphatase (PPase) and pyruvate kinase (pyk) genes to engineer PPi-free glycolysis in C. thermocellum. We demonstrated a decrease in the reversibility of the PFK reaction, higher levels of lower glycolysis metabolites, and an increase in ethanol titer by an average of 38% (from 15.1 to 21.0 g/L) by using PPi-free glycolysis.ConclusionsBy engineering PPi-free glycolysis in C. thermocellum, we achieved an increase in ethanol production. These results demonstrate that optimizing the thermodynamic landscape through metabolic engineering can enhance product titers. While further increases in ethanol titers are necessary for commercial application, this work represents a significant step toward engineering glycolysis in C. thermocellum to increase ethanol titers.

Forest vegetation increased across China’s carbon offset projects and positively impacted neighboring areas

As forest-based carbon offset programs gain increasing attention, quantifying their impacts beyond project boundaries remains an open issue, particularly in subtropical and temperate regions. Here we focus on the local spillover effects of 36 forest offset projects in China’s voluntary carbon market. Using matching and difference-in-difference analysis, we compare the forest status of the project areas and buffer zones to their reference areas. Results show overall positive forest gains of 2.25% to 4.25% in project sites, with neighboring areas seeing spillover gains of 0.91% to 1.60%, exhibiting heterogeneity in individual projects. Further analysis finds limited evidence of leakage, possibly due to China’s land policies and project features; instead, positive spillovers are facilitated by knowledge diffusion and information flow, supported by reduced wildfire activities and project application patterns. This study demonstrates that well-designed forest offset programs can yield benefits beyond their boundaries, providing insights for offset policy design and project implementation.

Institutions make a difference: Assessing the predictors of climate policy stringency using machine learning

Abstract Despite the urgent need for ambitious national climate policies to reduce carbon emissions, their implementation lacks stringency. This lack of policy stringency is driven by a complex combination of a country's numerous politico-economic, institutional and socio-economic characteristics. While extant studies aim at estimating causal effects between a selection of such characteristics and policy stringency, we examine the importance of a comprehensive set of predictors that underlie such empirical models. For this purpose, we employ machine-learning methods on a data set covering 22 potential predictors of policy stringency for 95 countries. Conditional random forests suggest that the most important predictors of policy stringency are of institutional nature: freedom (of press, media, associations, and elections), governmental effectiveness, and control of corruption. Further, accumulated local effects plots suggest that the relationship between some predictors, e.g. freedom or education, and policy stringency is highly non-linear.

Introduction to Herbal Drug Used as a Local Anesthetic

Herbal medications were historically studied for possible uses as local anesthetics since they include natural bioactive components with analgesic and numbing characteristics. Plants such as Echinacea, Capsicum, Corydalis, and Clove have shown promising results in preclinical tests for their capacity to block nerve transmission and relieve pain when applied topically. These herbal medicines frequently interact with the neurological system, either by blocking nerve impulse transmission or by altering the ion channels involved in Pain perception. Herbal local anesthetics have gained popularity as alternatives to synthetic medications since they have been shown to be less harmful and have fewer adverse effects. While herbal medications have benefits, their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action require additional clinical research to support their use in medical practice. This review investigates the pharmacological features of numerous herbal medicines with local anesthetic effects, highlighting their potential in pain management as well as the difficulties that remain for their clinical application. any herbal remedies contain anesthetic effects. Herbal medicines with local anesthetic qualities include clove, cinchona, datura, thymol, and spilanthes acmella, which are used in medicine and dentistry. However, their potential applications in dentistry have yet to be completely analyzed. Herbal medications have been widely used in traditional medicine for therapeutic purposes, specially as local anesthetics. This review will look at the numerous herbal compounds known for their local anesthetic properties, including their chemical compositions, methods of action, and clinical efficacy

Efficacy and safety of transhepatic arterial chemoembolization with drug-loaded microspheres in unresectable primary liver cancer

BACKGROUND Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE), as a local treatment, has been widely used in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer. The introduction of drug carrier microspheres has brought new hope for the therapeutic effect of TACE. Microspheres can realize the slow release and directional delivery of drugs, reduce systemic toxicity and improve local curative effect. AIM To compare the effectiveness of traditional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization against microsphere-assisted transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma that is incurable. METHODS We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CNKI databases for clinical trials of drug-luting beads TACE (DEB-TACE) vs conventional TACE (cTACE) for the treatment of unresectable liver cancer. We screened references based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and then selected valid data for meta-analysis using RevMan 53 software. The complete response (CR) rate, partial response (PR) rate, postoperative stable disease (SD) rate, and 6-month and 12-month survival rates were compared. RESULTS A total of 12 articles were included, including 1177 patients, 519 of whom received DEB-TACE and 658 of whom received cTACE. The CR rate in the DEB-TACE group was much greater than that in the cTACE group [relative risk (RR) = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.18–1.72, P = 0.0002]. The 12-month survival rate significantly increased (RR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.01- 1.17, P = 0.03); the PR rate (RR = 1.13; 95%CI: 0.97-1.30, P = 0.12); the SD rate (RR = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.64-1.05, P = 0.12); and the 6-month survival rate (RR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00-1.10, P = 0.07). There was no significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with those of iodized oil TACE, the drug-loaded microspheres tended to have therapeutic advantages.

Local and Downstream Effects of Vertical Soil Water Flow on Summer Persistent Extreme Precipitation Events in Southeast China

Local and Downstream Effects of Vertical Soil Water Flow on Summer Persistent Extreme Precipitation Events in Southeast China

Hybrid Artificial-Intelligence-Based System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Detection, Localization, and Tracking Using Software-Defined Radio and Computer Vision Techniques

The proliferation of drones in civilian environments has raised growing concerns about their misuse, highlighting the need to develop efficient detection systems to protect public and private spaces. This article presents a hybrid approach for UAV detection that combines two artificial-intelligence-based methods to improve system accuracy. The first method uses a software-defined radio (SDR) to analyze the radio spectrum, employing autoencoders to detect drone control signals and identify the presence of these devices. The second method is a computer vision module consisting of fixed cameras and a PTZ camera, which uses the YOLOv10 object detection algorithm to identify UAVs in real time from video sequences. Additionally, this module integrates a localization and tracking algorithm, allowing the tracking of the intruding UAV’s position. Experimental results demonstrate high detection accuracy, a significant reduction in false positives for both methods, and remarkable effectiveness in UAV localization and tracking with the PTZ camera. These findings position the proposed system as a promising solution for security applications.

New insights into the use of dexamethasone-dexmedetomidine as perineural adjuvants in peripheral nerve and fascial blocks: an up-to-date narrative review.

The discovery of the mechanism of action of local anesthetics, involving the blocking of sodium ion channels is considered a milestone in anesthesia. Potentially lethal toxic effects occur in the case of intravascular injection of local anesthetic (LA) or in case of exceeding dosages, as a result of systemic reabsorption. Attempts to prevent these life-threatening events have been made by developing novel LA and by adding adjuvants. The aim of this up-to-date review was to provide the newest insights on the two adjuvants dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine for regional anesthesia. The addition of perineural dexamethasone-dexmedetomidine combination has shown a faster onset, longer duration of action and increased intensity of neuronal blockade of regional anesthesia compared to perineural single adjunct. This is consistent with clinical studies (trials, observational studies and reports) of a marked prolongation of the local anesthetic effect. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ascertain the full potential of this technique and all possible associated risks.

Research on the Simplified Calculation Model and Parameter Analysis of Large-Size PBL-Stiffened Steel–Concrete Joints

To investigate the design principles and simplified calculation model of large-size PBL-stiffened steel–concrete joints, this study uses a Y-shaped rigid frame-tied arch composite bridge as an engineering background. Based on deformation coordination theory, a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation was employed to derive a simplified calculation model that accounts for boundary conditions such as the stiffness of steel beam end restraints and the local bearing effect of the bearing plate. Parametric analysis of the steel–concrete joint was conducted. The results indicate that the derived simplified calculation model exhibits good accuracy and is suitable for calculating force transfer in various components of the steel–concrete joint under different boundary conditions. Using the simplified model, the effects of parameters such as steel–concrete joint length, connector stiffness, and structural axial stiffness on the axial force transfer in primary force-bearing components (connectors and bearing plates) were studied. The findings reveal that an excessively long steel–concrete joint does not effectively reduce maximum shear force; variations in connector stiffness primarily affect connectors farther from the bearing plate without changing the shear force distribution. Increasing the axial stiffness of the steel structure within a certain range can improve the maximum shear force in connectors, whereas increasing the axial stiffness of the concrete structure has the opposite effect.

Exploring the efficacy of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in modulating local and systemic inflammation in experimental models of colitis

BackgroundCurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments often fail to achieve lasting remission and have adverse effects. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offers a promising therapy due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Its invasive nature, however, has led to the development of non-invasive methods like transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS). This study assesses taVNS’s impact on acute colitis progression, inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and apoptosis-related markers.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice (11–12 weeks) were used for dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)- and dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced colitis studies. The administration of taVNS or no stimulation (anesthesia without stimulation) for 10 min per mouse began one day before colitis induction and continued daily until sacrifice. Ulcerative colitis (UC)-like colitis was induced by administering 5% DSS in drinking water for 5 days, after which the mice were sacrificed. Crohn’s disease (CD)-like colitis was induced through a single intrarectal injection of DNBS/ethanol, with the mice sacrificed after 3 days. Disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic evaluations, and histological damage were assessed. Colon, spleen, and blood samples were analyzed via qRT-PCR and ELISA. One-way or two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni and Šídák tests were applied.ResultstaVNS improved DAI, macroscopic, and histological scores in DSS colitis mice, but only partially mitigated weight loss and DAI in DNBS colitis mice. In DSS colitis, taVNS locally decreased colonic inflammation by downregulating pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α, Mip1β, MMP 9, MMP 2, and Nos2) at the mRNA level and upregulating anti-inflammatory TGF-β in non-colitic conditions at both mRNA and protein levels and IL-10 mRNA levels in both non-colitic and colitic conditions. Systemically, taVNS decreased splenic TNF-α in non-colitic mice and increased serum levels of TGF-β in colitic mice and splenic levels in non-colitic and colitic mice. Effects were absent in DNBS-induced colitis. Additionally, taVNS decreased pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, Bak1, and caspase 8) in non-colitic and colitic conditions and increased the pro-survival molecule Bad in non-colitic mice.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that taVNS has model-dependent local and systemic effects, reducing inflammation and apoptosis in UC-like colitis while offering protective benefits in non-colitic conditions. These findings encourage further research into underlying mechanisms and developing adjunct therapies for UC.

Where does employment due to investments in wind energy really occur?

ABSTRACT Growing concern about climate change has led to a significant volume of planned investments in wind energy in the European Union. This work focuses on the employment effects associated with deploying this technology in a region (Aragon, Northeastern Spain) among the top in Spain in generation and even more in wind investments in the country. To this end, we have created a multi-regional input-output (MRIO) dataset and model in order to locate and explain the dynamics of those employment effects. The contribution to the existing literature consists of the fine-grained scale across time, spatial locations, and sectors of our model, dataset, and hence results. For greater robustness, we have analyzed the effects under different assumptions or scenarios depending on the temporal and conceptual scope and the geographical origin of the production of goods and services associated with the investments. The study estimates the employment supported specifying the economic sectors involved, the spatial locations where those jobs will most likely exist and how long they would last. With clear applicability to other contexts, the article enriches, the policy dilemmas in energy transition, and more specifically the currently hot social discussion on the local and regional effects, impacts, benefits, costs, etc. of renewable energies, which are implying social controversy.

Influence of Globalization on the Social Studies Textbooks at the School Level

This study explores the influences of globalization on secondary social studies textbooks. It uses a qualitative case study method to explore how global topics like multiculturalism, environmental sustainability, and human rights are included in textbooks, teaching materials, and methods. The researchers collected data through interviews with two teachers and by analyzing documents to understand how global ideas are shown in textbooks. The findings indicate that globalization has improved the curriculum by promoting global citizenship and increasing awareness of different cultures. However, there are challenges, such as the risk of losing local culture and content. Balancing global themes with local contexts is essential to help students understand their diverse environment. The study also examines key topics in textbooks, showing how Social Studies help students understand social issues and build national identity. It emphasizes the importance of active participation in communities and how modern teaching methods can make Social Studies more engaging. Lastly, the research highlights how globalization encourages students to think critically about global challenges and their local effects.

The Relationship between Premium Collection and Investment of Insurance Companies: A Case Study of Prabhu Insurance Company

This study explores the influences of globalization on secondary social studies textbooks. It uses a qualitative case study method to explore how global topics like multiculturalism, environmental sustainability, and human rights are included in textbooks, teaching materials, and methods. The researchers collected data through interviews with two teachers and by analyzing documents to understand how global ideas are shown in textbooks. The findings indicate that globalization has improved the curriculum by promoting global citizenship and increasing awareness of different cultures. However, there are challenges, such as the risk of losing local culture and content. Balancing global themes with local contexts is essential to help students understand their diverse environment. The study also examines key topics in textbooks, showing how Social Studies help students understand social issues and build national identity. It emphasizes the importance of active participation in communities and how modern teaching methods can make Social Studies more engaging. Lastly, the research highlights how globalization encourages students to think critically about global challenges and their local effects.

Miscellaneous types of localization of natural oscillations of a gasket between parallel flanges

Both bases of a thin cylindrical gasket are fixed but the lateral side stays traction-free. For middle cross-sections with a smooth boundary as well as for a square one, we describe the asymptotics of frequencies of natural oscillations. Based on an investigation of the spectrum of the mixed boundary-value problem in the theory of elasticity in a quarter of the unit layer, we discover a new effect of localization of modes of natural oscillations near vertices of the square section and of the exponential decay at a distance from them. In the case of the smooth boundary of the cross-section eigenmodes concentrate either near the whole edge (a circular plate), or at the vicinity of points of maximum of the contour curvature.

Transcellular transport of 18F-deoxyglucose via facilitative glucose channels in experimental peritoneal dialysis.

Local and systemic side effects of glucose remain major limitations of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Glucose transport during PD is thought to occur via inter-endothelial pathways, but recent results show that phloretin, a general blocker of facilitative glucose channels (glucose transporters [GLUTs]), markedly reduced glucose diffusion capacity indicating that some glucose may be transferred via facilitative glucose channels (GLUTs). Whether such transport mainly occurs into (absorption), or across (trans-cellular) peritoneal cells is as yet unresolved. Here we sought to elucidate whether diffusion of radiolabeled 18F-deoxyglucose ([18F]-DG) in the opposite direction (plasma → dialysate) is also affected by GLUT inhibition. During GLUT inhibition, such transport may either be increased or unaltered (favors absorption hypothesis) or decreased (favors transcellular hypothesis). Effects on the transport of solutes other than [18F]-DG (or glucose) during GLUT inhibition indicate effects on paracellular transport (between cells) rather than via GLUTs. GLUT inhibition using phloretin markedly reduced [18F]-DG diffusion capacity, improved ultrafiltration (UF) rates and enhanced the sodium dip. No other solutes were significantly affected with the exception of urea and bicarbonate. The present results indicate that part of glucose is transported via the transcellular route across cells in the peritoneal membrane. Regardless of the channel(s) involved, inhibitors of facilitative GLUTs may be promising agents to improve UF efficacy in patients treated with PD.

Land-use induced changes in extreme temperature predominantly influenced by downward longwave radiation

Land use is key in regulating surface temperature, yet these relationships are often obscured by long-term mean responses. Here we employed numerical multi-model results to investigate the response of the surface temperature to land use change, especially its lower tails corresponding to boreal winter. The surface temperature decrease in the lower tails can exhibit up to ten times greater than the mean response to land use change over both the historical and future periods. Downward longwave radiation has emerged as the most remarkable contributing factor in controlling surface temperature change in mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Land use change can modify surface energy balance through land-atmosphere firstly, thereby regulate spatial patterns of water vapor and cloud cover in the Northern Hemisphere through teleconnection. The unity of local and remote effects influences the levels of downward longwave radiation and altering surface temperature at mid-high latitudes in extreme cold seasons.

Research on the material removal mechanism of vibration-assisted nano-scratch on single-crystal GaN by molecular dynamics.

Single-crystal gallium nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor material known for its hardness and brittleness. This research aims to reveal the differences in the micro-mechanisms of material removal during traditional grinding and ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding and to provide guidance for the high-efficiency, high-quality planarization processing of single-crystal GaN. To achieve this purpose, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods were used to establish a model (30nm × 40nm × 15nm) of single-crystal GaN being scratched by a single abrasive grain with and without ultrasonic vibration assistance. The differences in the surface morphology and subsurface damage formation mechanisms of single-crystal GaN under conditions with and without ultrasonic assistance were compared. The results indicate that, compared to traditional grinding, the periodic ultrasonic vibrations reduce the normal force and result in a more uniform distribution of stress and temperature, thereby mitigating local stress concentration and thermal accumulation effects. Ultrasonic vibration alters the motion of the abrasive grain, expanding the material removal range from 7.384 to 10.315nm, decreasing the number of residual atoms in the machining area, and lowering the chip pileup height at the leading edge of the abrasive grain from 2.063 to 1.528nm. Additionally, the micro-shear deformation induced by ultrasonic vibrations helps to suppress brittle fracturing caused by excessive local stress, thus reducing the thickness of the damaged subsurface. At a scratch depth of 2nm, the total length of dislocation lines in the ultrasonic-assisted scratch is reduced from 185.256 to 33.315 nm compared to traditional scratching. These findings offer new insights into the microscopic mechanisms of material removal in high-efficiency, high-quality grinding processes of single-crystal GaN. This study adopts LAMMPS software for MD simulations to investigate the physical behavior of GaN during the grinding process. The simulation results are then visualized and analyzed using OVITO software to elucidate microstructural changes in the material. During the simulation, the temperature of the Newtonian layer is calculated based on the statistical analysis of atomic velocities under the NVE ensemble. The grinding force applied to the GaN workpiece is determined by differentiating the atomic potential energy. Von Mises stress analysis is adopted to ascertain the stress distribution during the scratching process. Finally, the changes in the crystal structure during scratching are identified and classified using analysis of identified defect structures.

Local changes in potassium ions regulate input integration in active dendrites.

During neuronal activity, the extracellular concentration of potassium ions ([K+]o) increases substantially above resting levels, yet it remains unclear what role these [K+]o changes play in the dendritic integration of synaptic inputs. We here used mathematical formulations and biophysical modeling to explore the role of synaptic activity-dependent K+ changes in dendritic segments of a visual cortex pyramidal neuron, receiving inputs tuned to stimulus orientation. We found that the spatial arrangement of inputs dictates the magnitude of [K+]o changes in the dendrites: Dendritic segments receiving similarly tuned inputs can attain substantially higher [K+]o increases than segments receiving diversely tuned inputs. These [K+]o elevations in turn increase dendritic excitability, leading to more robust and prolonged dendritic spikes. Ultimately, these local effects amplify the gain of neuronal input-output transformations, causing higher orientation-tuned somatic firing rates without compromising orientation selectivity. Our results suggest that local, activity-dependent [K+]o changes in dendrites may act as a "volume knob" that determines the impact of synaptic inputs on feature-tuned neuronal firing.

Paraquat poisoning presenting as sinus bradycardia; a rare clinical manifestation

Paraquat poisoning is a common yet fatal consequence in rural India. Usually it presents with local corrosive effects and early multi organ dysfunction involving lungs, liver and kidney. Here we present a case of a 25 years old man who presented with paraquat poisoning and developed asymptomatic bradycardia after admission. He was treated conservatively with isoprenaline drip, N-acetyl cysteine, steroids and other supportive therapy. The bradycardia recovered spontaneously and patient was discharged.

Hydrogen Radical Enabling Industrial‐Level Oxygen Electroreduction to Hydrogen Peroxide

AbstractThe electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen and water, powered by renewable electricity, provides a highly attractive alternative to the energy‐intensive autoxidation process presently used in industry, but much remains unknown about this two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e‐ORR), especially the local proton effect. Here, we have investigated the function of hydrogen‐associated intermediates in the 2e‐ORR using a rationally designed cooperative electrode material with cobalt (II) clusters embedded onto the oxidized carbon nanotube composites (Co‐OCNT). We found that the local proton availability can determine both the reaction kinetics and selectivity. A 2e‐ORR process involving hydrogen radical transfer is confirmed. Specifically, the carbon sites from the OCNTs promote proton production, and the cobalt sites from the Co cluster facilitate ORR intermediate formation. The high local proton availability and the cooperative dual‐active sites both contribute to the superior reaction kinetics and selectivity of the Co‐OCNT, reaching an H2O2 production rate of ~40.6 mol gcat−1 h−1 and a faradaic efficiency of 90 % at a current density of 300 mA cm−2. Further cascading the 2e‐ORR with the electro‐Fenton process shows a high selectivity of oxalic acid up to 97 % for the valorization of ethylene glycol.