Let $S_g$ denote the genus g closed orientable surface. A coherent filling pair of simple closed curves, $(\alpha,\beta)$ in $S_g$, is a filling pair that has its geometric intersection number equal to the absolute value of its algebraic intersection number. A minimally intersecting filling pair, $(\alpha,\beta)$ in $S_g$, is one whose intersection number is the minimal among all filling pairs of $S_g$. In this paper, we give a simple geometric procedure for constructing minimally intersecting coherent filling pairs on $S_g, \ g \geq 3,$ from the starting point of a coherent filling pair of curves on a torus. Coherent filling pairs have a natural correspondence to square-tiled surfaces, or origamis, and we discuss the origami obtained from the construction.

This systematic review examined the associations of dietary factors such as nutrients, food intake, dietary patterns and dietary biomarkers with structural and functional brain MRI biomarkers, focusing on macrostructural, microstructural, lesion and perfusion measures, and functional activity/connectivity. Articles published in English were systematically searched in PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo up to 19 July 2024. A total of thirty-eight prospective cohort studies (twenty-three cross-sectional and fifteen longitudinal analyses) and thirteen intervention studies were included. Cross-sectional analyses revealed heterogenous associations: baked fish correlated with larger hippocampal volumes (β = 0·21), while oily fish, dairy products and tofu adversely related to ventricle grade. Pro-inflammatory dietary patterns were positively associated with silent infarct risk (DII Q4 v. Q1, OR = 1·77), whereas anti-inflammatory patterns tended to favour brain preservation. Longitudinal studies demonstrated more consistent protective associations: green tea consumption (+100 mL/d) reduced hippocampal atrophy by 0·024%/year, prudent dietary patterns preserved +203 mm3 left hippocampal volume over 4 years and higher plasma carotenoids decreased medial temporal lobe loss by 0·02 cm3/year. However, null findings were common across multiple dietary factors. Interventions showed limited structural benefits (effective in only two of six studies), while polyphenol-rich supplements more consistently improved cerebral perfusion and functional connectivity. Longitudinal and intervention studies demonstrated more consistent patterns than cross-sectional analyses; however, current evidence remains limited for clinical translation. Findings from cross-sectional analyses, despite being from prospective cohorts, require careful interpretation. Further replication across diverse populations and standardised long-term studies are needed before translating these associations into clinical practice.

In this study, we established an annually resolved chronology for the upper 98.5 m of a 210.5 m deep ice core (Styx-M core) drilled at the Styx Glacier plateau (SGP) in northern Victoria Land, East Antarctica, to reconstruct the multi-centennial variations of the snow accumulation rate (SAR). The core was dated via the annual layer counting of highly resolved impurities exhibiting seasonal cycles. The layer counting result was constrained using multiple temporal markers, including the 239Pu peaks that resulted from atmospheric weapon tests as well as five large volcanic eruptions in recorded history. These approaches show that the Styx-M core chronology covered 755 years (1259–2014 CE), with the estimated dating uncertainties of ±8 years. The annual accumulation record was derived using the depth-age scale and depth-density relationships of the core. This record revealed a long-term trend of a ∼30% increase in the SARs over the past 755 years, overlapping the pronounced inter-decadal and multi-decadal fluctuations. Further study will be needed to reveal the complex interaction of oceanic and atmospheric processes controlling the temporal fluctuations of SARs in the coastal areas of northern Victoria Land, combining multiple proxy records in the Styx-M core.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of CVD, type 2 diabetes and death from all causes. Dietary factors correlate with MetS, making diet a potential target for intervention. We used data from the 2012–2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, n 12 122) to identify a dietary pattern (DP) using thirty-nine predefined food groups as predictors. MetS components were used as the response variable with the food groups in reduced rank regression followed by stepwise linear regression analyses. We then verified the Korean status of the DP externally in the Cardiovascular Disease Association Study (CAVAS) (n 8277) and the Health EXAminees (HEXA) study (n 48 610). The DP score, which included twenty food groups, showed significant positive associations with all MetS components and a higher prevalence ratio in KNHANES participants (P < 0·0001). Although the score was NS in CAVAS (P = 0·0913), it showed a strong positive association with MetS prevalence in HEXA (P < 0·0001). We identified and tested a DP associated with MetS in Korean populations. This DP may be a useful tool for assessing MetS risk. Although the score was linked to higher MetS risk, particularly in the predominantly urban population of the HEXA study, further validation in more diverse populations is needed.

The Tuluanshan Formation of the eastern Coastal Range of Taiwan overlies an andesitic core complex presumed to be the source of hydrothermal fluids responsible for the Si- and Mg-rich mineralization of sepiolite and palygorskite (attapulgite) which are found in veins within fissures and in fracture zones of the volcanic rocks of the region. This study was undertaken in order to understand these relationships better by characterizing sepiolite and palygorskite in this Formation and by examining their occurrence and distribution in the Tungho (TH) and Chunjih (CJ) areas. Samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and petrographic, scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic methods. Sepiolite and palygorskite are blocky and earthy-type materials that display fibrous characteristics when viewed using TEM and SEM and occurred alone or with chalcedony in veins. The fibers of blocky sepiolite are commonly intercalated with smectite but the earthy type of sepiolite and palygorskite observed in this study displayed precipitation from fluid enriched in Si, Al, Mg, and minor Fe and depleted in other ions at an earlier stage of offset of the andesitic veins. Continuation of reverse faulting and high shearing stress caused the precipitation of a significant quantity of interlaminated sepiolite. Sepiolite and palygorskite were formed at an earlier stage of fluid interaction relative to smectite in the Tuluanshan Formation.

The comparisons among 126 14C dates of Carex samples including separated leaf and root parts with acid (A)-treatment and acid-base-acid (ABA)-treatment, and 48 published 14C dates of bulk peat plants on a 92-cm core from Jinchuan Mire in NE China, indicate old carbon influence (OCI) on the 14C dates. The OCI varies with plant species, pretreatment and peat depth. In vascular peat plants such as Carex, humin fractions (remains after ABA treatment) and humic acids are representative of the original plant precursor, while fulvic acids are regarded as the secondary mobile product which should be removed for 14C dating. ABA- treatment removes both fulvic acids and humic acids, whereas A-treatment gets rid of only fulvic acids. Carex roots uptake more dissolved CO2 in peat water. Carex leaves may use more CO2 (involving degassing CO2) above the peat surface. By removing humic acids throughout ABA treatment, the OCI may vary differently over depth (time). ABA treatment cannot eliminate the fixed OCI in humin fractions of vascular peat plants, instead, this treatment may enhance OCI by removing humic acid which may represent the true age of the plants. In addition, Bacon model results on this core could not show rapid changes in accumulation rate.

Dedicated bioenergy crops such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) can be grown on marginally productive lands and positively influence soil properties. However, nitrogen management, and landscape can alter soil structural attributes under bioenergy crop production. This study investigated the impacts of long-term nitrogen fertilization (0-N, 0 kg N/ha; 56-N, 56 kg N/ha and 112-N, 112 kg N/ha) and landscape positions (shoulder and footslope) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and structural attributes under switchgrass production. The 112-N rate enhanced the proportion of 2–4 mm water-stable aggregates by 49%, aggregate associated carbon in 2–4 mm and >4 mm aggregates by 16 and 24%, respectively, aggregate associated nitrogen in >4 mm aggregates by 33% and reduced soil bulk density by 19% compared to the 0-N rate. Footslope position increased the proportion of 2–4 mm water-stable aggregates by 26% and lowered bulk density by 8% compared to the shoulder position. Results showed a significant N-rate × landscape position interaction on SOC and glomalin related soil protein content in bulk soil. Overall, this study showed that nitrogen application to switchgrass planted at footslope on a marginally yielding cropland improved soil structure and physical conditions.

The relationship between magmatism and gold mineralization has been a topic of interest in understanding the formation of ore deposits. The Baizhangzi gold deposit, located in the northern margin of the North China Craton, is hosted by the Baizhangzi granite (BZG) and provides a case to evaluate the relation between granite and gold mineralization in Late Triassic. In this study, we present petrography, bulk geochemistry, zircon U-Pb isotope and trace elements data, as well as major elements of biotite and plagioclase for the BZG to evaluate the petrogenesis and link with gold mineralization. The BZG comprises biotite monzogranite, biotite-bearing monzogranite and monzogranite (BZGs). Zircon U-Pb geochronology shows that all the granitoids of BZGs were coeval with a formation age of 232 Ma. The granitoids, with high SiO2, Al2O3 and Sr, while low Y and Yb, show adakitic affinity. They are enriched in LILFs (e.g., Rb, Ba, Th, U and Sr) and LREEs, while depletion in HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, P and Ti). The geochemical and mineral chemical data suggest that the granitoids have experienced the fractional crystallization of biotite + plagioclase + K- feldspar + apatite. Crystallization temperature is estimated as ca. 700°C, and pressure is between 0.71 kbar and 1.60 kbar. The monzogranite shows higher values of logfO2, △FMQ and △NNO than the biotite-bearing monzogranite, ranging from −19.76 to −11.71, −4.93 to +3.67 and −5.48 to +3.11, respectively. The fractional crystallization, together with high fO2, K-metasomatism and low evolution degree, provided favourable conditions for gold mineralization.

According to the public data collected from the Health Commission of Gansu Province, China, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic during the summer epidemic cycle in 2022, the epidemiological analysis showed that the pandemic spread stability and the symptom rate (the number of confirmed cases divided by the sum of the number of asymptomatic cases and the number of confirmed cases) of COVID-19 were different among 3 main epidemic regions, Lanzhou, Linxia, and Gannan; both the symptom rate and the daily instantaneous symptom rate (daily number of confirmed cases divided by the sum of daily number of asymptomatic cases and daily number of confirmed cases) in Lanzhou were substantially higher than those in Linxia and Gannan. The difference in the food sources due to the high difference of the population ethnic composition in the 3 regions was probably the main driver for the difference of the symptom rates among the 3 regions. This work provides potential values for prevention and control of COVID-19 in different regions.

Many protected areas worldwide have been established to protect the last natural refuges of flagship animal species. However, long-established protected areas do not always match the current distributions of target species under changing environmental conditions. Here we present a case study of the Asian elephant Elephas maximus in Xishuangbanna, south-west China, to evaluate whether the established protected areas match the species’ current distribution and to identify key habitat patches for Asian elephant conservation. Our results show that currently only 24.5% of the predicted Asian elephant distribution in Xishuangbanna is located within Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, which was established for elephant conservation. Based on the predicted Asian elephant distribution, we identified the most important habitat patches for elephant conservation in Xishuangbanna. The three most important patches were outside Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and together they contained 43.3% of the estimated food resources for Asian elephants in all patches in Xishuangbanna. Thus, we identified a spatial mismatch between immobile protected areas and mobile animals. We recommend the inclusion of the three identified key habitat patches in a new national park currently being planned by the Chinese authorities for the conservation of the Asian elephant.

The late Palaeozoic continental-arc magmatic rocks in the Gongzhuling area are located in the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt. Here we present new zircon U–Pb ages, whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions, Li and zircon Hf isotopic compositions and oxygen fugacity of these rocks with an aim to constrain the lithium isotopic composition of the source region and origin of the magmas. These rocks were formed during 269–258 Ma in middle–late Permian time. The dioritic rocks were formed through mixing processes, with the mafic melts originating from a metasomatized mantle wedge and the felsic melts from the lower crust of a Neoproterozoic arc. The mantle wedge has been metasomatized by Li-rich fluids derived from subducted oceanic crust, as indicated by the δ7Li values of +0.4 ‰ to +3.5 ‰ and positive ϵHf(t) values (+0.7 to +13.1). Redox-sensitive Ce in the zircons indicates the fO2 of the magmas to be low to intermediate (FMQ−2.2 to FMQ+2.6; FMQ is the fayalite–magnetite–quartz redox buffer), precluding large-scale porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization. The middle–late Permian magmatic rocks represent the terminal magmatic record of the subduction of the Palaeo-Asian oceanic crust, meaning that the final closure of the Palaeo-Asian Ocean in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt occurred at the end of the Permian Period. Recent identification of Mesoproterozoic (c. 1400 Ma) granites suggests some Palaeoproterozoic crustal fragments still exist in the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt, but only in a small amount; therefore, it is concluded that the crustal growth of the Liaoyuan Accretionary Belt occurred mainly during the Neoproterozoic period.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: #NAME? METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Cell culture & protein identification: human T cells were purified from healthy blood, then activated & cultured for 5d. CAR-T cells were collected from infusion bags of cancer patients undergoing CAR-T. Silver staining of naive & activated healthy T-cell lysates was compared; B-II spectrin was upregulated and confirmed by Western blot. Migration assays: naive & activated T-cells were imaged during migration on ICAM-1 and ICAM-1 + CXCL12 coated plates. T-cells were transfected with BII-spectrin cDNA & the chemokine dependence of migration was compared with controls. In-vivo studies: in a melanoma mouse model, BII-spectrin transfected or control T-cells were injected; tumors were followed with serial imaging. Human patient records were examined to correlate endogenous BII-spectrin levels and CAR-T response. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Activated T-cells downregulate the cytoskeletal protein B-II spectrin compared to naive cells, leading to chemokine-independent migration in in vitro assays and off-target trafficking when CAR-T cells are given in vivo. Restoration of B-II spectrin levels via transfection restores chemokine-dependence of activated T-cells. In a mouse melanoma model, control mice injected with standard activated T-cells showed fewer cells in the tumor site and more cells in the off-target organs (spleen, lungs) when compared to mice injected with B-II spectrin transfected cells. Furthermore, among 3 human patients undergoing CAR-T therapy, those with higher endogenous B-II spectrin levels experienced fewer side-effects, measured by the neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome grades. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: A major hurdle to widespread CAR-T therapy for cancer is significant, often fatal side-effects. Our work shows that the protein B-II spectrin is downregulated during CAR-T production, and that restoring B-II spectrin levels decreases side-effects while increasing tumor clearance--hopefully translating to better CAR-T regimens for the future.