In situ magnetic identification of giant, needle-shaped magnetofossils in Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum sediments.

Near-shore marine sediments deposited during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum at Wilson Lake, NJ, contain abundant conventional and giant magnetofossils. We find that giant, needle-shaped magnetofossils from Wilson Lake produce distinct magnetic signatures in low-noise, high-resolution first-order reversal curve (FORC) measurements. These magnetic measurements on bulk sediment samples identify the presence of giant, needle-shaped magnetofossils. Our results are supported by micromagnetic simulations of giant needle morphologies measured from transmission electron micrographs of magnetic extracts from Wilson Lake sediments. These simulations underscore the single-domain characteristics and the large magnetic coercivity associated with the extreme crystal elongation of giant needles. Giant magnetofossils have so far only been identified in sediments deposited during global hyperthermal events and therefore may serve as magnetic biomarkers of environmental disturbances. Our results show that FORC measurements are a nondestructive method for identifying giant magnetofossil assemblages in bulk sediments, which will help test their ecology and significance with respect to environmental change.

How do farmers adapt to agricultural risks in northern India? An agent-based exploration of alternate theories of decision-making.

Agricultural decision-making processes occur in complex and dynamic environments and are highly contextual. Despite evidence to the contrary, utility maximization is often the implicit theoretical assumption underlying agricultural decision-making processes. This study undertakes an exploratory approach to test alternative theories of human decision-making on the process of agricultural adaptation of farmers in India by synthesizing multiple sources of social and environmental data. We developed an empirical agent-based model (ABM) to simulate past adoption decisions of six agricultural adaptation strategies of 959 farmers in northern India. The model assessed the fit of four major decision-making rules - utility maximization, self-satisficing, social norms, and random choice for farmers differentiated by farm size. Scenario analysis was conducted to test whether (and which) alternative decision-making rules offered a better explanation of the adoption of (which) adaptation strategies. Results demonstrated that the utility-maximizing decision rule had a higher fit for productivity-enhancing adaptation strategies, such as adopting high yield varieties and enhanced fertilizer use, with model performance increasing, generally, with farm size. The adoption of climate tolerant varieties by farmers was most closely guided by self-satisficing and social norms decision-rules, with the model performance, under both scenarios, highest for marginal landholders. Marginal farmers are more likely to use these heuristics to adopt climate tolerant varieties as their decisions may not necessarily be geared towards increasing profit, unlike larger farmers. Social norms had a higher fit for the adoption of climate-related strategies, including enhanced irrigation, with model fit increasing, generally, with farm size. Agricultural policy and extension efforts that incorporate the varied motivations and heuristics of agricultural decision-making, rather than assuming adaptation as a utility maximization exercise, can better design, develop, and disseminate solutions to support the adaptive capacity of farmers.

Clinical and immunologic evaluation of three metastatic melanoma patients treated with autologous melanoma-reactive TCR-transduced T cells.

Malignant melanoma incidence has been increasing for over 30 years, and despite promising new therapies, metastatic disease remains difficult to treat. We describe preliminary results from a Phase I clinical trial (NCT01586403) of adoptive cell therapy in which three patients received autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells transduced with a lentivirus carrying a tyrosinase-specific TCR and a marker protein, truncated CD34 (CD34t). This unusual MHC Class I-restricted TCR produces functional responses in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Parameters monitored on transduced T cells included activation (CD25, CD69), inhibitory (PD-1, TIM-3, CTLA-4), costimulatory (OX40), and memory (CCR7) markers. For the clinical trial, T cells were activated, transduced, selected for CD34t+ cells, then re-activated, and expanded in IL-2 and IL-15. After lymphodepleting chemotherapy, patients were given transduced T cells and IL-2, and were followed for clinical and biological responses. Transduced T cells were detected in the circulation of three treated patients for the duration of observation (42, 523, and 255 days). Patient 1 tolerated the infusion well but died from progressive disease after 6 weeks. Patient 2 had a partial response by RECIST criteria then progressed. After progressing, Patient 2 was given high-dose IL-2 and subsequently achieved complete remission, coinciding with the development of vitiligo. Patient 3 had a mixed response that did not meet RECIST criteria for a clinical response and developed vitiligo. In two of these three patients, adoptive transfer of tyrosinase-reactive TCR-transduced T cells into metastatic melanoma patients had clinical and/or biological activity without serious adverse events.

Correction to: Clinical and immunologic evaluation of three metastatic melanoma patients treated with autologous melanoma-reactive TCR-transduced T cells.

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published article.

Hypercholesterolemia After COVID-19: Time to Include Lipoprotein X Among the Differential Diagnoses.

Background: Lipoprotein X (LpX) is an abnormal lipoprotein composed of phospholipids, free cholesterol, and albumin. Its overaccumulation is an infrequent cause of hyperlipidemia, which oftentimes presents in patients with cholestatic liver disease. The aim is to present the first 2 cases of patients with post-COVID cholangiopathy and LpX overaccumulation. Case Report: We present 2 female patients (ie, a 34-year-old [patient 1] and a 56-year-old [patient 2]), who had complicated courses of COVID-19, requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (>4 weeks). One month after discharge, patient 1 presented with abdominal pain. Patient 2 had gangrenous cholecystitis and later developed recurrent elevation of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. Both patients were diagnosed with cholestatic liver disease. During outpatient follow-up both patients were found to have elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in routine lipid panels (723 mg/dL and 1389 mg/dL, respectively). Both patients underwent various treatments for elevated LDL-C before referral to endocrinology. Patients were diagnosed with LpX overaccumulation from post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy. In both patients, LDL-C fluctuations seen in routine lipid panels (affected by LpX levels) were tightly correlated with changes in alkaline phosphate and bilirubin. Discussion: Our patients represent the first report of LpX overaccumulation in patients with post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy. Whether LpX accumulation is only the result of liver dysfunction, or COVID-19 infection plays a direct role in elevated LpX levels is still unknown. Conclusion: In patients with complicated courses of COVID-19, LpX overaccumulation should be considered when a routine lipid panel shows significant LDL-C elevations. Awareness among health care providers regarding LpX is important to avoid unnecessary workup and treatment.

Building water resilience in the face of cascading wildfire risks.

Severe wildfire is altering the natural and the built environment and posing risks to environmental and societal health and well-being, including cascading impacts to water systems and built water infrastructure. Research on wildfire-resilient water systems is growing but not keeping pace with the scale and severity of wildfire impacts, despite their intensifying threat. In this study, we evaluate the state of knowledge regarding wildfire-related hazards to water systems. We propose a holistic framework to assess interactions and feedback loops between water quality, quantity, and infrastructure hazards as determinants of post-fire water availability and access. Efforts to address the evolving threat of wildfires to water systems will require more interdisciplinary research on the complex relationships shaping wildfire's threat to water availability and access. To support this, we need reliable long-term data availability, consistent metrics, greater research in shared contexts, more extensive research beyond the burn area, and multistakeholder collaboration on wildfire risks to water systems.

Stakeholder integration predicts better outcomes from groundwater sustainability policy.

Natural resources policies that promote sustainable management are critical for protecting diverse stakeholders against depletion. Although integrating diverse stakeholders into these policies has been theorized to improve protection, empirical evidence is lacking. Here, we evaluate 108 Sustainability Plans under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to quantify how well stakeholders are integrated into plans and protected from groundwater depletion. We find that the majority of Sustainability Plans do not integrate or protect the majority of their stakeholders. Nevertheless, our results show that when stakeholders are more integrated into a Sustainability Plan, they are more likely to be protected, particularly for those that lack formal access to decision-making processes. Our findings provide strong empirical evidence that integrating diverse stakeholders into sustainability planning is beneficial for stakeholders who are vulnerable to the impacts of natural resource depletion.

Right Ventricular Free Wall Rupture After Myocardial Infarction.

This paper describes the case of a 68-year-old man who presented in cardiac tamponade due to a right ventricular free wall rupture after a recent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. After a pericardiocentesis, the ventricular defect resolved spontaneously. The patient was managed medically and avoided surgical intervention. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

A path forward for qualitative research on sustainability in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The unique strengths of qualitative research, through in-depth inquiry and identification of unexpected themes and linkages, is essential to our growing understanding of COVID-19's impacts on the social world and its intersection with sustainability science. However, many challenges-physical, psychological, and ethical in nature-face qualitative researchers during the pandemic, as social distancing and travel restrictions prevent in-person field work. In this paper, we outline the essential contributions of qualitative study to sustainability science, discuss current challenges, and in turn, provide recommendations for researchers.

HDAC inhibition prevents transgene expression downregulation and loss-of-function in T-cell-receptor-transduced T cells.

T cells that are gene-modified with tumor-specific T cell receptors are a promising treatment for metastatic melanoma patients. In a clinical trial, we treated seven metastatic melanoma patients with autologous T cells transduced to express a tyrosinase-reactive T cell receptor (TCR) (TIL 1383I) and a truncated CD34 molecule as a selection marker. We followed transgene expression in the TCR-transduced T cells after infusion and observed that both lentiviral- and retroviral-transduced T cells lost transgene expression over time, so that by 4 weeks post-transfer, few T cells expressed either lentiviral or retroviral transgenes. Transgene expression was reactivated by stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 beads and cytokines. TCR-transduced T cell lentiviral and retroviral transgene expression was also downregulated in vitro when T cells were cultured without cytokines. Transduced T cells cultured with interleukin (IL)-15 maintained transgene expression. Culturing gene-modified T cells in the presence of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors maintained transgene expression and functional TCR-transduced T cell responses to tumor. These results implicate epigenetic processes in the loss of transgene expression in lentiviral- and retroviral-transduced T cells.

Evergreen Needle Magnetization as a Proxy for Particulate Matter Pollution in Urban Environments.

We test the use of magnetic measurements of evergreen needles as a proxy for particulate matter pollution in Salt Lake City, Utah. Measurements of saturation isothermal remanent magnetization indicate needle magnetization increases with increased air pollution. Needle magnetization shows a high degree of spatial variability with the largest increases in magnetization near roadways. Results from our magnetic measurements are corroborated by scanning electron microscopy of needle surfaces and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of metal concentrations in residues collected from sampled needles. Low-temperature magnetic analysis suggests the presence of small (<20 nm) partially oxidized magnetite particles on needles collected adjacent to a major roadway. Magnetization may be a low-cost proxy for certain metal concentrations (including lead) during periods of increased particulate pollution. The spatial resolution of our method appears capable of resolving changes in ambient particulate matter pollution on the scale of tens to hundreds of meters. Questions remain regarding the timescales over which evergreen needles retain particulate matter accumulated during atmospheric inversion events in Salt Lake City. Results presented here corroborate previous studies that found needle magnetization is a fast, cost-effective measure of particulate matter pollution. This method has the potential to provide high spatial resolution maps of biomagnetically monitored particulate matter in polluted urban environments year-round.

US county-level agricultural crop production typology.

OBJECTIVES: Crop production is an important variable in social, economic and environmental analyses. There is an abundance of crop data available for the United States, but we lack a typology of county-level crop production that accounts for production similarities in counties across the country. We fill this gap with a county-level classification of crop production with ten mutually exclusive categories across the contiguous United States. DATA DESCRIPTION: To create the typology we ran a cluster analysis on acreage data for 21 key crops from the United States Department of Agriculture's 2012 Agricultural Census. Prior to clustering, we estimated undisclosed county acreage values, controlled for acreage in other crop types, and removed counties with low agricultural production to produce proportional scores for each crop type in each county. We used proportional scores to control for the influence of county size in the cluster analysis and used internal and stability measures to validate the analysis. The final dataset features 2922 counties. Future research can leverage this typology as an input for county- or regional-level analysis.

Improving Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Student-run Free Clinic.

Introduction Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening with targeted treatment has been successful in eradicating tuberculosis (TB) as an endemic infection in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends screening for high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to increase LTBI screening, detection, and treatment in our student-run free clinic while providing an innovative platform for education in primary care topics. Methods A questionnaire for screening for LTBI was adapted from CDC guidelines. Medical students and providers received education on the screening process and administered questionnaires to patients. We analyzed the rate of performed LTBI screening, the rate of diagnostic testing for patients with positive screening, and the feasibility of implementing a preventive screening initiative. Results Fifty-two patients completed primary care visits. Forty patients were screened for LTBI. Of those screened, 42.5% were positive for the screening. Of those with positive screening, 70.6% were followed up via diagnostic testing, with the rest of them being lost for follow-up due to not attending the clinic for care. Conclusions This educational intervention combined with a screening tool was effective in increasing LTBI screening rates amongst patients in a student-run free clinic.

Antiquity of the South Atlantic Anomaly and evidence for top-down control on the geodynamo.

The dramatic decay of dipole geomagnetic field intensity during the last 160 years coincides with changes in Southern Hemisphere (SH) field morphology and has motivated speculation of an impending reversal. Understanding these changes, however, has been limited by the lack of longer-term SH observations. Here we report the first archaeomagnetic curve from southern Africa (ca. 1000-1600 AD). Directions change relatively rapidly at ca. 1300 AD, whereas intensities drop sharply, at a rate greater than modern field changes in southern Africa, and to lower values. We propose that the recurrence of low field strengths reflects core flux expulsion promoted by the unusual core-mantle boundary (CMB) composition and structure beneath southern Africa defined by the African large low shear velocity province (LLSVP). Because the African LLSVP and CMB structure are ancient, this region may have been a steady site for flux expulsion, and triggering of geomagnetic reversals, for millions of years.