Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of frequency and rhythmicity on flicker light-induced hallucinatory phenomena

Flicker light stimulation (FLS) uses stroboscopic light on closed eyes to induce transient visual hallucinatory phenomena, such as the perception of geometric patterns, motion, and colours. It remains an open question where the neural correlates of these hallucinatory experiences emerge along the visual pathway. To allow future testing of suggested underlying mechanisms (e.g., changes in functional connectivity, neural entrainment), we sought to systematically characterise the effects of frequency (3 Hz, 8 Hz, 10 Hz and 18 Hz) and rhythmicity (rhythmic and arrhythmic conditions) on flicker-induced subjective experiences. Using a novel questionnaire, we found that flicker frequency and rhythmicity significantly influenced the degree to which participants experienced simple visual hallucinations, particularly the perception of Klüver forms and dynamics (e.g., motion). Participants reported their experience of geometric patterns and dynamics was at highest intensity during 10 Hz rhythmic stimulation. Further, we found that frequency-matched arrhythmic FLS strongly reduced these subjective effects compared to equivalent rhythmic stimulation. Together, these results provide evidence that flicker rhythmicity critically contributes to the effects of FLS beyond the effects of frequency alone, indicating that neural entrainment may drive the induced phenomenal experience.
On the Common but Problematic Specification of Conflated Random Slopes in Multilevel Models

Abstract For multilevel models (MLMs) with fixed slopes, it has been widely recognized that a level-1 variable can have distinct between-cluster and within-cluster fixed effects, and that failing to disaggregate these effects yields a conflated, uninterpretable fixed effect. For MLMs with random slopes, however, we clarify that two different types of slope conflation can occur: that of the fixed component (termed fixed conflation) and that of the random component (termed random conflation). The latter is rarely recognized and not well understood. Here we explain that a model commonly used to disaggregate the fixed component—the contextual effect model with random slopes—troublingly still yields a conflated random component. Negative consequences of such random conflation have not been demonstrated. Here we show that they include erroneous interpretation and inferences about the substantively important extent of between-cluster differences in slopes, including either underestimating or overestimating such slope heterogeneity. Furthermore, we show that this random conflation can yield inappropriate standard errors for fixed effects. To aid researchers in practice, we delineate which types of random slope specifications yield an unconflated random component. We demonstrate the advantages of these unconflated models in terms of estimating and testing random slope variance (i.e., improved power, Type I error, and bias) and in terms of standard error estimation for fixed effects (i.e., more accurate standard errors), and make recommendations for which specifications to use for particular research purposes.
Development of BOLD Response to Motion in Human Infants

Behavioral studies suggest that motion perception is rudimentary at birth and matures steadily over the first few years. We demonstrated previously that the major cortical associative areas serving motion processing, like middle temporal complex (MT+), visual cortex area 6 (V6), and PIVC in adults, show selective responses to coherent flow in 8-week-old infants. Here, we study the BOLD response to the same motion stimuli in 5-week-old infants (four females and four males) and compare the maturation between these two ages. The results show that MT+ and PIVC areas show a similar motion response at 5 and 8 weeks, whereas response in the V6 shows a reduced BOLD response to motion at 5 weeks, and cuneus associative areas are not identifiable at this young age. In infants and in adults, primary visual cortex (V1) does not show a selectivity for coherent motion but shows very fast development between 5 and 8 weeks of age in response to the appearance of motion stimuli. Resting-state correlations demonstrate adult-like functional connectivity between the motion-selective associative areas but not between primary cortex and temporo-occipital and posterior-insular cortices. The results are consistent with a differential developmental trajectory of motion area respect to other occipital regions, probably reflecting also a different development trajectory of the central and peripheral visual field. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How the cortical visual areas attain the specialization that we observed in human adults in the first few months of life is unknown. However, this knowledge is crucial to understanding the consequence of perinatal brain damage and its outcome. Here, we show that motion selective areas are already functioning well in 5-week-old infants with greater responses for detecting coherent motion over random motion, suggesting that very little experience is needed to attain motion selectivity.
MASTRO I: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of thrombectomy stent retriever outcomes: comparing functional, safety and recanalization outcomes between EmboTrap, Solitaire and Trevo in acute ischemic stroke

Aims: Stent-retriever (SR) thrombectomy has demonstrated superior outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke compared with medical management alone, but differences among SRs remain unexplored. We conducted a Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis to compare outcomes between three SRs: EmboTrap®, Solitaire™, and Trevo®. Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-compliant Systematic Review among English-language studies published after 2014 in PubMed/MEDLINE that reported SRs in ≥25 patients. Functional and safety outcomes included 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS 0-2), mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and embolization to new territory (ENT). Recanalization outcomes included modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) and first-pass recanalization (FPR). We used a random effects Meta-Analysis to compare outcomes; subgroup and outlier-influencer analysis were performed to explore heterogeneity. Results: Fifty-one articles comprising 9,804 patients were included. EmboTrap had statistically significantly higher rates of mRS 0-2 (57.4%) compared with Trevo (50.0%, p = 0.013) and Solitaire (45.3%, p < 0.001). Compared with Solitaire (20.4%), EmboTrap (11.2%, p < 0.001) and Trevo (14.5%, p = 0.018) had statistically significantly lower mortality. Compared with Solitaire (7.7%), EmboTrap (3.9%, p = 0.028) and Trevo (4.6%, p = 0.049) had statistically significantly lower rates of sICH. There were no significant differences in ENT rates across all three devices (6.0% for EmboTrap, 5.3% for Trevo, and 7.7% for Solitaire, p = 0.518). EmboTrap had numerically higher rates of recanalization; however, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion: The results of our Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis suggest that EmboTrap may be associated with significantly improved functional outcomes compared with Solitaire and Trevo. EmboTrap and Trevo may be associated with significantly lower rates of sICH and mortality compared with Solitaire. No significant differences in recanalization and ENT rates were found. These conclusions are tempered by limitations of the analysis including variations in thrombectomy techniques in the field, highlighting the need for multi-arm RCT studies comparing different SR devices to confirm our findings.
Letter to the Editor on “Hematopoietic cell transplants in resource-poor countries: challenges and opportunities”

I read with interest the paper by Jaimovich, Lazarus, and Gale, on ‘Challenges and opportunities for hematopoietic cell transplants in resource-poor countries’ [1]. The authors clearly state that two major factors to make more available hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) for persons living in lowand middle-income countries are the outpatient conduction of the procedures and the use of non-frozen, non-thawed hematopoietic stem cells. To support these observations, they refer to an initial experience of our group, in which 46 patients were given an auto-HSCT and the procedure could be completed fully on an outpatient basis in 83% of transplants and employing non-frozen hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) [2]. Since that experience, published 20 years ago [2], we have increased the number of procedures and, up to now, we have given auto-HSCT on an outpatient basis to 1612 persons, the procedure being completed fully as outpatients in 1567(97%) [3], and employing in all instances peripheral blood-derived non-frozen HSC [3]. These data confirm our initial observations done 20 years ago [2] and indicate that, as a result of gaining expertise, we are now able to avoid hospital admissions in over 97% of the persons given an auto-HSCT. Our data also confirm the usefulness of employing non-frozen HSC in the conduction of autoHSCT; all these modifications to the conventional transplant schedules have resulted in availability of HSCT to a larger number of persons all over the world [4].
Hemodynamic performance evaluation of neonatal ECMO double lumen cannula using fluid–structure interaction

Extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an artificial oxygenation facility, employed in situations of cardio‐pulmonary failure. Some diseases i.e., acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, corona virus disease (COVID‐19) etc. affect oxygenation performance of the lungs thus requiring the need of artificial oxygenation. Critical care teams used ECMO technique during the COVID‐19 pandemic to support the heart and lungs of COVID‐19 patients who had an acute respiratory or cardiac failure. Double Lumen Cannula (DLC) is one of the most critical components of ECMO as it resides inside the patient and, connects patient with external oxygenation circuit. DLC facilitates delivery and drainage of blood from the patient's body. DLC is characterized by delicate balance of internal and external flows inside a limited space of the right atrium (RA). An optimal performance of the DLC necessitates structural stability under biological and hemodynamic loads, a fact that has been overlooked by previously published studies. In the past, many researchers experimentally and computationally investigated the hemodynamic performance of DLC by employing Eulerian approach, which evaluate instantaneous blood damage without considering blood shear exposure history (qualitative assessment only). The present study is an attempt to address the aforementioned limitations of the previous studies by employing Lagrangian (quantitative assessment) and incorporating the effect of fluid–structure interaction (FSI) to study the hemodynamic performance of neonatal DLC. The study was performed by solving three‐dimensional continuity, momentum, and structural mechanics equation(s) by numerical methods for the blood flow through neonatal DLC. A two‐way coupled FSI analysis was performed to analyze the effect of DLC structural deformation on its hemodynamic performance. Results show that the return lumen was the most critical section with maximum pressure drop, velocity, shear stresses, and blood damage. Recirculation and residence time of blood in the right atrium (RA) increases with increasing blood flow rates. Considering the structural deformation has led to higher blood damage inside the DLC‐atrium system. Maximum Von‐Mises stress was present on the side edges of the return lumen that showed direct proportionality with the blood flow rate.
Abacavir safety and effectiveness in young infants with HIV in South African observational cohorts

Background WHO guidelines recommend abacavir in first-line antiretroviral treatment for children and neonates. However, there is no approved dose <3 months of age, and data in neonates are limited. Methods We included infants who initiated ART aged <3 months, between 2006 and 2019, in nine South African cohorts. In those who received abacavir or zidovudine, we described antiretroviral discontinuation rates; and 6- and 12-month viral suppression (<400 copies/mL). We compared infants aged <28 and ≥28 days, those weighing <3 and ≥3 kg. Results Overall 837/1643 infants (51%) received abacavir and 443 (27%) received zidovudine. Median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 52 days (23–71), CD4 percentage was 27.9 (19.2–38.0), and weight was 4.0 kg (3.0–4.7) at ART initiation. In those with ≥1 month’s follow-up, 100/718 (14%) infants discontinued abacavir, at a median of 17.5 months (IQR 6.5–39.5). Abacavir discontinuations did not differ by age or weight category (p = 0.4 and 0.2, respectively); and were less frequent than zidovudine discontinuations (adjusted hazard ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.10–0.20). Viral suppression at 12 months occurred in 43/79 (54%) and 130/250 (52%) of those who started abacavir aged <28 and ≥28 days, respectively (p = 0.8); 11/19 (58%) and 31/60 (52%) in those who weighed <3 and ≥3 kg, respectively (p = 0.6); and 174/329 (53%) in those on abacavir versus 77/138 (56%) in those on zidovudine (adjusted odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.0–3.2). Conclusion Our data suggest that abacavir may be used safely in infants <28 days old or who weigh <3 kg.
Emerging data on thrombopoietin receptor agonists for management of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia

ABSTRACT Introduction Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT) is a common complication of cancer treatment, frequently leading to reduced relative dose intensity, and is associated with reduced survival. Given the lack of FDA-approved therapies for CIT, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs) have received significant attention for treatment and prevention of CIT. Areas covered This review will summarize the development of prior agents for treatment of CIT, discuss the existing literature investigating the use of TPO-RAs in CIT primarily in patients with solid tumor malignancies, and offer insights on the future direction of TPO-RAs and other therapeutics for CIT. Expert opinion In alignment with NCCN guidelines, we recommend that patients with CIT participate in a clinical trial for consideration of TPO-RA treatment or consider off-label use of romiplostim when participation in clinical trials is not possible. The literature to date supports the use of TPO-RAs for treatment of persistent CIT. Further data is needed to describe the long-term efficacy, safety, and prescribing practices of TPO-RAs in a diverse patient population with a variety of tumor types and chemotherapy regimens in addition to exploring the underlying biology of CIT.
Barriers to compliance with evidence-based guidelines for ventilator-associated pneumonia among critical care nurses: A scoping review

Background: Healthcare organizations provide evidence-based guidelines designed to support nurses in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in intensive care units (ICUs), but there are barriers to compliance with such guidelines. This review explicitly explored evidence of compliance barriers among critical care nurses. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and EBSCO databases for relevant English-language studies published between January 2003 and June 2022, focused on barriers to nursing compliance with VAP prevention guidelines. Data was reported according to the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAScR) guidelines. Results: 230 publications were screened, resulting in 53 full-text articles being retrieved after removing duplicates, of which 13 relevant to the aims of the review and meeting the inclusion criteria were included for data extraction. One was a qualitative study, while the remainder were quantitative. Simple descriptive content analysis identified the barriers to critical care nurses’ compliance with VAP prevention guidelines, and categorized them as: (1) work environment barriers (e.g., lack of equipment and supplies; lack of staff and time; lack of educational support; and ineffective supportive system); (2) nurse-related barriers ( limited personal competencies); and (3) situation-related barriers ( patient health, discomfort, and adverse events). Conclusions: This review revealed important evidence on barriers to VAP prevention guidelines compliance. Nurses are challenged mainly by work-environmental barriers along, with the presence of nurse and situational barriers. It is evident from the findings that further qualitative and mixed-methodology follow-up studies are recommended to further explore the issues in depth. Healthcare leaders must be aware of these barriers and integrate work policies that assist in overcoming them, to increase compliance.
Making ammonia from nitrogen and water microdroplets

Water (H2O) microdroplets are sprayed onto a magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) and Nafion-coated graphite mesh using compressed N2 or air as the nebulizing gas. The resulting splash of microdroplets enters a mass spectrometer and is found to contain ammonia (NH3). This gas–liquid–solid heterogeneous catalytic system synthesizes ammonia in 0.2 ms. The conversion rate reaches 32.9 ± 1.38 nmol s−1 cm−2 at room temperature without application of an external electric potential and without irradiation. Water microdroplets are the hydrogen source for N2 in contact with Fe3O4. Hydrazine (H2NNH2) is also observed as a by-product and is suspected to be an intermediate in the formation of ammonia. This one-step nitrogen-fixation strategy to produce ammonia is eco-friendly and low cost, which converts widely available starting materials into a value-added product.
Evaluating Founding Landraces of Maize Population PI 674097 for Resistance to Leaf-Feeding Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract. A maize (Zea mays L.) pest native to the Americas, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a recent invasive of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Resistant to several insecticide classes and toxins of Btmaize, the insect damages maize by feeding on leaf, tassel, and ear tissue. Using native resistance in maize along with existing tactics could improve control outcomes. The objective for the study was to evaluate resistance to leaf-feeding fall armyworm in maize population PI 674097 and founding landraces used to develop this germplasm. Plants grown in the field and artificially infested at the seven/eight-leaf stage were visually scored for leaf-feeding damage at 7 and 14 days post infestation. All scores for NSL 283507, PI 498583, PI 583912, and PI 674097 were less (i.e., more resistant) than the susceptible check, GEMN-0131. In 2022, 14-day scores for PI 674097 were not different than the resistant check, Mp708 (3.6 ± 0.5 and 2.7 ± 0.5, respectively). PI 674097 was variable in its response to fall armyworm leaf feeding with individual plants receiving a range of 14-day scores from 2 (resistant) to 7 (susceptible) across both years of testing. This variability might be useful when selecting for greater resistance to the pest.
Questing Behavior by Amblyomma maculatum at Semi-Field Conditions in Oklahoma

Abstract. Economically important Gulf coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum Koch, affects veterinary and public health but is difficult to find off-host in Oklahoma. The aim of the study was to use field-based caged bioassays to observe questing behavior of adult A. maculatum during 24-hour periods between March and June. A. maculatum, however, showed no questing preference for any time of day, with more than 50% questing between 1000 and 0300 hours in a 24-hour period. Questing heights were similar to those in published studies.
Food for our future: the nutritional science behind the sustainable fungal protein – mycoprotein. A symposium review

Abstract Mycoprotein is a well-established and sustainably produced, protein-rich, high-fibre, whole food source derived from the fermentation of fungus. The present publication is based on a symposium held during the Nutrition Society Summer Conference 2022 in Sheffield that explored ‘Food for our Future: The Science Behind Sustainable Fungal Proteins’. A growing body of science links mycoprotein consumption with muscle/myofibrillar protein synthesis and improved cardiometabolic (principally lipid) markers. As described at this event, given the accumulating health and sustainability credentials of mycoprotein, there is great scope for fungal-derived mycoprotein to sit more prominently within future, updated food-based dietary guidelines.
Do Delivery Mode and Anesthesia Management Alter Redox Setting in Neonates?

Abstract Objective Fetal-to-neonatal transition is accompanied by oxidative stress. The degree of oxidative damage may depend on several factors, such as delivery type and obstetric anesthesia type. The objective of the study was to determine if the delivery type and obstetric anesthesia type have an impact on oxidative stress levels in newborns. Material and methods A prospective study included 150 newborns divided into three groups: neonates delivered vaginally, via cesarean section in general anesthesia, and via cesarean section in spinal anesthesia. Levels of pH, PaO2, lactate, glutathione peroxidase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were quantified and compared between groups. Results Vaginal delivery was followed by the highest lactate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels and lowest pH, PaO2, and glutathione peroxidase levels. Higher values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, PaO2, and glutathione peroxidase and lower pH values were noted in neonates delivered in general anesthesia in comparison to neonates delivered in spinal anesthesia. Conclusions Neonates delivered in general anesthesia were most prone to oxidative stress, while neonates delivered in spinal anesthesia were least affected by reactive oxygen species.
Microtubule search-and-capture model evaluates the effect of chromosomal volume conservation on spindle assembly during mitosis

Variation in the chromosome numbers can arise from the erroneous mitosis or fusion and fission of chromosomes. While the mitotic errors lead to an increase or decrease in the overall chromosomal substance in the daughter cells, fission and fusion keep this conserved. Variations in chromosome numbers are assumed to be a crucial driver of speciation. For example, the members of the muntjac species are known to have very different karyotypes with the chromosome numbers varying from 2n = 70 + 3B in the brown brocket deer to 2n = 46 in the Chinese muntjac and 2n = 6/7 in the Indian muntjac. The chromosomal content in the nucleus of these closely related mammals is roughly the same and various chromosome fusion and fission pathways have been suggested as the evolution process of these karyotypes. Similar trends can also be found in lepidoptera and yeast species which show a wide variation of chromosome numbers. The effect of chromosome number variation on the spindle assembly time and accuracy is still not properly addressed. We computationally investigate the effect of conservation of the total chromosomal substance on the spindle assembly during prometaphase. Our results suggest that chromosomal fusion pathways aid the microtubule-driven Search and Capture of the kinetochore in cells with monocentric chromosomes. We further report a comparative analysis of the site and percentage of amphitelic captures, dependence on cell shape, position of the kinetochore in respect of chromosomal volume partitioning.