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Chapter 11 - Functional characteristics and uses of cassava leaves (<i>Manihot esculenta Crantz</i>)
No full textThe chapter explores the functional characteristics of yuca/cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), highlighting its crucial role in food security, animal feed, and medicinal uses. While roots are the primary product, leaves are an excellent forage option, providing nutritional supplementation during droughts, though they require processing such as drying or crushing and storage to reduce toxicity. Cassava forage offers high protein content and energy for animal feed, enhancing livestock productivity when integrated into diets alongside other nutritional supplements. In addition to its use in animal feed, cassava is a staple crop for millions, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and provides year-round food security. Cassava leaves, rich in protein and vitamins, are consumed in the North of Brazil and several African and Asian countries after postharvest processing. Medicinally, cassava leaves have antiinflammatory properties, showing promise for therapeutic applications. Overall, cassava’s versatility across various sectors underscores its importance in promoting sustainability and resource efficiency
Chapter 13 - Functional characteristics of sweet potato leaves (<i>Ipomoea batatas</i> (L.) Lam.) and their potential uses
No full textThis chapter discusses the functional characteristics and potential uses of sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas). Sweet potato is widely grown for its tuberous roots, which are rich in carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, but its leaves also offer significant nutritional and health benefits. Sweet potato leaves are rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, which contribute to their antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and cardioprotective properties. Additionally, the leaves have shown antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These health-promoting qualities position sweet potato leaves as a promising food source for humans and animals. This chapter highlights the compositional differences between leaf varieties and explores culinary applications, harvesting practices, and preservation methods, emphasizing their potential as a functional food. Furthermore, sweet potato leaves are also considered valuable for animal feed due to their nutritional composition
MHappaMundi:A custom AmpliSeq microhaplotype panel for ancestry inference
No full textRecent advancements in massively parallel sequencing technologies have led to the exploration of a new class of genetic markers called microhaplotypes (MHs). MHs exhibit unique characteristics that highlight their potential as viable alternatives to STRs and SNPs in addressing challenges commonly faced in forensic investigations. Different studies have detailed the development of MH panels for distinct purposes in forensics (e.g., human identification, mixture deconvolution, kinship testing, or biogeographic ancestry inference). However, MH panels with the sole purpose of ancestry inference are scarce and show some limitations that hinder a broader acceptance within the community. A new ancestry-informative MH panel, named MHappaMundi, was developed with the specific aim of differentiating Sub-Saharan African, European, South Asian, East Asian, and Native American ancestries. The selection method involved computing pairwise F ST for all the MHs present in the MicroHapDB database between all pairs of continental groups, based on the 1000 Genomes Project (1kGP) populations. This approach aimed to establish a final panel ensuring balanced genetic distances between each population pair. From this selection method, 100 MHs were recruited for the panel. The performance of MHappaMundi was assessed by sequencing 147 European (Danes and Portuguese), 120 East Asian (Mainland and Okinawan Japanese), and 101 Native American (Brazilian and Ecuadorian) individuals on the Ion GeneStudio™ S5 System. A total of 8 loci were excluded due to insufficient read depth or technical inconsistencies. The final panel included 92 MHs and 466 allele-defining SNPs. Population genetic clustering was evaluated through STRUCTURE analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Multidimensional scaling for the genotyped populations from this study and available online data from the 1kGP and Middle Eastern populations. In these analyses, the panel demonstrated great effectiveness in separating the five continental groups, particularly the Europeans and South Asians, which had presented challenges in previous MH ancestry panels. Moreover, the panel revealed an effective estimation of ancestry proportions in admixed individuals. In conclusion, the MHappaMundi serves as a potential asset for ancestry inference in forensic and population genetics. </p
Cryogenic performance of field-effect transistors and amplifiers based on selective area grown InAs nanowires
No full textIndium-arsenide nanowire field-effect transistors (NWFETs) are promising platforms for high-speed, low-power nanoelectronics operating at cryogenic conditions, relevant for quantum information processing. We use selective area growth of nanowires to realize scalable and planar nanowire device geometries that are compatible with standard semiconductor processing techniques. NWFETs are fabricated, and their low temperature characteristics, including I-ON/I-OFF ratios, threshold voltages, sub-threshold slope, interfacial trap density, hysteresis, and mobility, are characterized. The NWFETs operate effectively in integrated circuitry relying on saturation-mode operation. In sub-threshold applications such as amplifiers, we find bandwidths exceeding our cryostat wiring, but the gate hysteresis presents challenges for precise tuning of the amplifier operating point. We discuss the role of crystal imperfections and fabrication processes on the transistor characteristics and propose strategies for further improvements
The definition and aims of Anesthesia:a Delphi-based consensus statement
No full textBACKGROUND: Anaesthesia is crucial in ensuring patient comfort and safety during surgical procedures by inducing a temporary loss of sensation, memory, and consciousness. However, its multifaceted nature presents challenges in defining its aims and expected outcomes. This study aimed to establish a consensus on anaesthesia's definition and core aims using a structured Delphi process.METHODS: We conducted a modified three-round eDelphi method involving 23 international experts. Participants engaged in iterative online surveys to refine a consensus definition and aims. Consensus was predefined as achieving ≥80% agreement. The process included external expert reviews to enhance objectivity and validity. Statistical analyses included median, interquartile range (IQR), and agreement percentages.RESULTS: The Delphi process resulted in consensus on 49 aims and a refined definition of anaesthesia. The final definition emphasises safe, effective, individualised, patient-centred, and empathetic care, ensuring optimal surgical conditions while enhancing patient outcomes. Key aims included preoperative optimisation, stress and pain reduction, organ function preservation, prompt emergence and recovery, interdisciplinary teamwork, continuous outcome assessment, and sustainability in anaesthesia practices. The final agreement rate for the updated definition was 82.6% (median: 10, IQR: 9-10). Additionally, environmental sustainability was recognised as an integral aim.CONCLUSION: The consensus developed in this study provides a structured framework for defining anaesthesia's objectives, improving patient-centred care, guiding clinical practice, and fostering research. By incorporating sustainability and long-term patient outcomes, the consensus supports the evolution of precision anaesthesia. Future research will validate these defined aims in various perioperative settings and refine the consensus based on real-world applications.</p
Private funding for soil health:Private individuals’ preferences for ecosystem services and biodiversity certificates
No full textAchieving improvements in soil health and biodiversity on agricultural land in the European Union, as outlined in the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, requires bridging the current funding gap through increased private investment. Yet the funding potential of private individuals remains largely untapped, partly due to a lack of attractive funding opportunities and well-designed incentives. Conducting a Discrete Choice Experiment with 1627 residents in Germany, we elicit private individuals’ stated preferences for investing in soil health and biodiversity improvements in agriculture via certificates offered through an existing online marketplace. Respondents exhibit significant mean willingness to pay for the attributes characterising these certificates. Bundling multiple soil management-related ecosystem services and biodiversity improvements into a single certificate increases mean willingness to pay relative to stand-alone improvements, though the magnitude varies due to significant preference heterogeneity. Our results further suggest that blended finance, i.e. combining private and public funding, may stimulate greater private individual participation. A latent class analysis reveals the presence of four segments, with older, less educated and male respondents showing the lowest willingness to pay. This study highlights the untapped potential of mobilising funding from private individuals to enhance soil health and biodiversity in. Our results provide valuable insights for policymakers on designing innovative funding mechanisms aligned with EU agri-environmental policy targets
Pharmacological management of insomnia with a focus on GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulators and orexin receptor antagonists.
No full textThe scientific literature regarding the effectiveness of two insomnia treatments: GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulators, and orexin receptor antagonists is reviewed. In this review, we define insomnia, present epidemiological statistics on insomnia, and provide a rationale for use of medications targeting GABA A and orexin receptors for management of insomnia. Following this, we present results of a PRISM guideline-based literature search spanning multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect as well as curated searches through Baker Library at Harvard Business School covering publications evaluating insomnia therapies based on targeting GABA A and orexin receptors available as of March 2025. We conclude that orexin receptor antagonists, notably lemborexant, were found to be more effective, safer, and improve quality of life greater when compared to GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulators for short and long-term treatment of insomnia. While GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulators are effective for short-term use, which typically spans two to four weeks, they present a greater number of contraindications than orexin receptor antagonists, and orexin receptor antagonists are superior at preserving the natural sleep architecture. Adverse events are particularly exacerbated when GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulators are used for longer treatment durations spanning months, whereas orexin receptor antagonists tend to show a more favorable profile over similar long-term use. Nevertheless, there is an observed dose-response relationship with orexin receptor antagonists that may increase the risk of abuse at higher dosages. Approval for use of orexin receptor antagonists for management of insomnia is more restrictive in European countries than that seen in other regions around the globe. Taken together, the findings advocate for increased accessibility of orexin receptor antagonists in Europe for management of primary insomnia. </p
Meteorin Resolves Nociceptive Hypersensitivity by Reducing Connexin-Mediated Coupling in Satellite Glial Cells
No full textNeuropathic pain, a persistent condition arising from injury to the nervous system, involves complex interactions between neurons and non-neuronal cells, including satellite glial cells (SGCs) in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). In this study, we examined the glial-targeting effects of meteorin, a neurotrophic protein with gliogenic properties, using mouse models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Systemic meteorin administration reversed mechanical hypersensitivity across diverse neuropathic and inflammatory pain models, with therapeutic effects persisting beyond the treatment period. We identified SGCs as the principal site of meteorin expression and action in the DRG, where it selectively activated SGCs and altered their functional state. Proteomic profiling revealed meteorin-mediated downregulation of gap junction proteins in SGCs, particularly connexin 43, which was corroborated by immunohistochemical analyses. Functional assessments demonstrated that meteorin treatment normalized injury-induced increases in intercellular coupling between SGCs, establishing a mechanistic link between glial network modulation and pain resolution. These findings identify meteorin as a regulator of SGC communication through connexin-dependent mechanisms. The sustained therapeutic effects and multi-model efficacy highlight meteorin as a potential intervention for neuropathic pain while advancing our understanding of SGC plasticity in sensory processing.</p