An Adaptive Threshold in Mammalian Neocortical Evolution

Expansion of the neocortex is a hallmark of human evolution. However, it remains an open question what adaptive mechanisms facilitated its expansion. Here we show, using gyrencephaly index (GI) and other physiological and life-history data for 102 mammalian species, that gyrencephaly is an ancestral mammalian trait. We provide evidence that the evolution of a highly folded neocortex, as observed in humans, requires the traversal of a threshold of 10^9 neurons, and that species above and below the threshold exhibit a bimodal distribution of physiological and life-history traits, establishing two phenotypic groups. We identify, using discrete mathematical models, proliferative divisions of progenitors in the basal compartment of the developing neocortex as evolutionarily necessary and sufficient for generating a fourteen-fold increase in daily prenatal neuron production and thus traversal of the neuronal threshold. We demonstrate that length of neurogenic period, rather than any novel progenitor-type, is sufficient to distinguish cortical neuron number between species within the same phenotypic group.Comment: Currently under review; 38 pages, 5 Figures, 13 Supplementary Figures, 2 Table

Development and Impact of Flow-Based Methodology in Core Region

The Core Flow-Based Market Coupling Project (Core FB MC) focuses on the development and implementation of the day-ahead market activities in the Core Capacity Calculation Region (Core CCR) within the Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC). The Transmission System Operators (TSO) and Nominated Electricity Market Operators (NEMO) of the Core CCR aim to introduce FB MC at the regional level and ultimately, to facilitate the merger of regional markets and the creation of a fully integrated European Internal Energy Market. Flow-Based Market is currently deployed within the Single Day-Ahead Coupling across Central Western Europe (CWE) covering Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. Within the Core Flow-Based Market Coupling project, all borders of the Core CCR will be coupled based on the Flow-Based capacity calculation methodology developed in the framework of the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management (CACM) Regulation. The Core CCR consists of the bidding zone borders between the following EU Member States` bidding zones: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. The Flow-Based Methodology is a methodology in which physical network constraints are obtained based on the available constraints on the critical elements of the network (branch) and the power transmission allocation factors that are defined for each critical branch and each zone (Bidding Zone) within Core CCR. These factors describe how the position of each bidding zone changes when the energy flow in the critical branch changes. The computer algorithm then seeks an optimal exchange of energy between the bidding zones. Compared to the existing Net Transmission Capacity (NTC) methodology, the FB methodology takes into account multiple parameters and optimization conditions and therefore better reflects the actual circumstances in the network. The methodology for calculating the flows of power derives from the Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1222 on the Establishment of CACM regulation (Article 20) and represents an important part of the European Target Model. The methodology contributes to reducing the price differences between national electricity markets, which leads to more stable prices, and increases the social benefits of the involved countries. This paper will provide historical overview of the Core FB MC project, which is based on the decision of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) on November 17th, 2016. It will further on provide a presentation of all the working groups and their tasks within the FB MC project, high-level architecture and information flows, a detailed description of test processes divided into separate test Given that the project is still in the implementation phase, and that Croatia is part of it since 2016, article will look at the local perspective and expectation from the moment of realization of the project, but will as well give an overall progress picture of the energy market and energy trading for the entire Core region

Dishing out mini-brains: Current progress and future prospects in brain organoid research

AbstractThe ability to model human brain development in vitro represents an important step in our study of developmental processes and neurological disorders. Protocols that utilize human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells can now generate organoids which faithfully recapitulate, on a cell-biological and gene expression level, the early period of human embryonic and fetal brain development. In combination with novel gene editing tools, such as CRISPR, these methods represent an unprecedented model system in the field of mammalian neural development. In this review, we focus on the similarities of current organoid methods to in vivo brain development, discuss their limitations and potential improvements, and explore the future venues of brain organoid research

The progression of Guarantees of Origin trading in Croatia amidst the European framework

This article explores the progress and development of Guarantees of Origin trading in Croatia, specifically focusing on the regulatory framework implemented by the Republic of Croatia. The responsibility for issuing Guarantees of Origin for electricity and managing the Registry of Guarantees of Origin lies with the CROATIAN ENERGY MARKET OPERATOR Ltd. (HROTE). The Croatian Registry of Guarantees of Origin was established in 2014, and full implementation commenced in February 2015 with the registration of the first users. In alignment with the Law on Renewable Energy Sources and Highly Effective Cogeneration, HROTE, as the leader of the ECO Balance Group for incentivized electricity production, began selling a portion of the energy produced on the trading platforms of CROATIAN POWER EXCHANGE Ltd. (CROPEX) since the beginning of 2019. This shift towards market-based electricity sales created an opportunity to establish a system for trading Guarantees of Origin, specifically for electricity produced by eligible incentivized producers and sold on CROPEX markets by HROTE. The issuance of Guarantees of Origin for relevant power plants occurs within the Croatian Guarantees of Origin Registry, where they are sold to market participants based on market principles through Guarantees of Origin Auctions. CROPEX organizes these auctions using a specially developed IT auction trading platform. Once an auction is successfully completed, the raised funds are transferred to the incentivized system fund, and the sold Guarantees of Origin are transferred from HROTE\u27s account in the Guarantees of Origin Registry to the user accounts of the auction participants. Overall, Guarantees of Origin empower end customers to determine the source of their supplied electricity, enabling them to make informed choices. This energy certification process verifies that consumers have purchased energy from renewable sources. Guarantees of Origin also serve as effective tools for promoting the use of renewable energy sources and attracting investments in renewable energy generation. Consequently, they contribute to achieving targets related to renewable energy utilization. The article also delves into the background and development of Guarantees of Origin trading in Croatia, positioning the country as a leader in this domain within the European context. It includes a comparative analysis of the Guarantees of Origin market in the United Kingdom as a reference point, with consideration given to the impact of Brexit on Guarantees of Origin markets. Additionally, the article explores the segregation of Guarantees of Origin auctions based on specific technologies and their characteristics. For instance, Guarantees of Origin from biomass power plants are sold through two different auctions based on the plant\u27s installed capacity, while Guarantees of Origin from wind power plants are also sold through two auctions, but contingent on the commissioning start date. These distinctions lead to varying prices depending on the technology\u27s age or installed capacity

Biological actions of drug solvents

Many biologic agents are weakly soluble in water. Therefore, they should be dissolved in organic lipophilic solvents (vehicles). A drug vehicle is a substance of no therapeutic value that is used to convey an active biological agent to the site of its action. Ideally, it should be biocompatible, 100% reliable, with no biological effect per se. However, presently used vehicles have pleiotropic effects, which are often unknown to researchers, and often cause misleading conclusions. In this review we summarize data on biological effects of the three most commonly used lipophilic drug vehicles dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), propylene glycol (PG) and ethanol. Besides in experimental models, the data, where available, are shown on effects of solvents in therapeutic use in humans. In conclusion, some recommendations are given on the use of drug solvents in experiments

Hearing loss in young boy caused by cerebellar stroke- case report

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) and vertigo in children are relatively uncommon. The assessment of acute vertigo in childhood is often challenging. Fortunately, a central cause is rare. The incidence of ischemic strokes in children is given as six cases in 1 000 000 children per year. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of vertigo and hearing loss in young patient developed after cerebellar ischemia. A 15-yearold boy presented in emergency ENT department with symptoms of dizziness, right sided hearing loss and tinnitus. Two days prior to the visit, he participated in a wrestling training, after which he started to feel nauseous, developed dizziness without rotatory component and mild hearing loss in right ear. Few hours after that he vomited two times and noticed that his hearing worsened. History of ear inflammation or recent viral infection in upper airway was negative. Audiometry exam showed right sided sensorineural hearing loss, with thresholds from 15 to 70 dB. Upon examination he was given oral corticosteroid therapy. MRI showed three areas of restricted diffusion in right cerebellar hemisphere, consistent with ischemic lesions. He was then referred to neuropediatric department for additional diagnosis and treatment. On follow-up at 6 months, audiometric testing showed stationary findings without worsening of hearing threshold levels. The literature contains numerous models of the pathogenesis of SSHL, with childhood SSHL having certain peculiarities. In practical terms, the multifactorial nature of SSHL is important in the choice of diagnostic methods and treatment methods. Early recognition of central causes which could lead to severe health consequences is extremely important

Hearing loss in young boy caused by cerebellar stroke- case report

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) and vertigo in children are relatively uncommon. The assessment of acute vertigo in childhood is often challenging. Fortunately, a central cause is rare. The incidence of ischemic strokes in children is given as six cases in 1 000 000 children per year. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of vertigo and hearing loss in young patient developed after cerebellar ischemia. A 15-yearold boy presented in emergency ENT department with symptoms of dizziness, right sided hearing loss and tinnitus. Two days prior to the visit, he participated in a wrestling training, after which he started to feel nauseous, developed dizziness without rotatory component and mild hearing loss in right ear. Few hours after that he vomited two times and noticed that his hearing worsened. History of ear inflammation or recent viral infection in upper airway was negative. Audiometry exam showed right sided sensorineural hearing loss, with thresholds from 15 to 70 dB. Upon examination he was given oral corticosteroid therapy. MRI showed three areas of restricted diffusion in right cerebellar hemisphere, consistent with ischemic lesions. He was then referred to neuropediatric department for additional diagnosis and treatment. On follow-up at 6 months, audiometric testing showed stationary findings without worsening of hearing threshold levels. The literature contains numerous models of the pathogenesis of SSHL, with childhood SSHL having certain peculiarities. In practical terms, the multifactorial nature of SSHL is important in the choice of diagnostic methods and treatment methods. Early recognition of central causes which could lead to severe health consequences is extremely important

Interactions between bone and immune systems: A focus on the role of inflammation in bone resorption and fracture healing

Functional interactions between the immune system and bone tissues are reflected in a number of cytokines, chemokines, hormones and other mediators regulating the functions of both bone and immune cells. Investigations of the mechanisms of those interactions have become important for the understanding of the pathogeneses of diseases like inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, periodontal disease and osteoporosis. This review first addresses the roles of the inflammatory mediators and mechanisms by which they cause inflammation-induced bone loss. In the second part of the review we stress the importance of proinflammatory mediators for normal fracture healing. Defective bone remodeling underlying different pathological processes may be caused by disturbed differentiation and function of either osteoclast or osteoblast lineage cells. Understanding of the mechanisms governing enhanced differentiation and activation of osteoclast progenitors in the inflammatory conditions on the one hand, and the role of inflammation in the recruitment and differentiation of multipotent progenitors into the skeletal lineage during the fracture healing on the other hand is a critical first step in developing interventions that modulate bone regeneration processes and in designing novel pharmacological strategies

The first records of Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) (Odonata: Libellulidae) in Croatia

In August 2022 the first individuals of the dragonfly species Violet dropwing, Trithemis annulata (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807), were observed in Croatia, at three localities in southern Dalmatia. Two males were observed at the Peračko Blato lake, while both males and females were recorded at two localities at the Baćinska Lakes. At the Baćinska Lakes, more than 10 individuals were observed indicating a possible established population. The nearest known reproducing population is located about 160 km to the south, in Montenegro. Due to the species expansion in Europe, and recent records as north as Slovenia, additional records and established populations are to be expected in Croatia. As the species is now known from Croatia, we propose a vernacular name for this species, “ljubičasta skitnica” meaning purple tramp, referring to its coloration, wandering behavior and dispersal potential