bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disruption of Anterior Temporal Lobe Reduces Distortions in Memory From Category Knowledge
Authors: Tompary Alexa , Xia Alice , Coslett Branch H. , Thompson-Schill Sharon L.
Published: September 2023

Memory retrieval does not provide a perfect recapitulation of past events, but instead an imperfect reconstruction of event-specific details and general knowledge. However, it remains unclear whether this reconstruction relies on mixtures of signals from different memory systems, including one supporting general knowledge. Here, we investigate whether the anterior temporal lobe (ATL) distorts new memories because of prior category knowledge. In this preregistered experiment (n = 36), participants encoded and retrieved image–location associations. Most images' locations were clustered according to their category, but some were in random locations. With this protocol, we previously demonstrated that randomly located images were retrieved closer to their category cluster relative to their encoded locations, suggesting an influence of category knowledge. We combined this procedure with TMS delivered to the left ATL before retrieval. We separately examined event-specific details (error) and category knowledge (bias) to identify distinct signals attributable to different memory systems. We found that TMS to ATL attenuated bias in location memory, but this effect was limited to exploratory analyses of atypical category members of animal categories. The magnitude of error was not impacted, suggesting that a memory's fidelity can be decoupled from its distortion by category knowledge. This raises the intriguing possibility that retrieval is jointly supported by separable memory systems.
Cleaning up the Brickyard: How Theory and Methodology Shape Experiments in Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
Authors: van der Burght Constantijn L. , Friederici Angela D. , Maran Matteo , Papitto Giorgio , Pyatigorskaya Elena , Schroën Joëlle A. M. , Trettenbrein Patrick C. , Zaccarella Emiliano
Published: September 2023

The capacity for language is a defining property of our species, yet despite decades of research, evidence on its neural basis is still mixed and a generalized consensus is difficult to achieve. We suggest that this is partly caused by researchers defining “language” in different ways, with focus on a wide range of phenomena, properties, and levels of investigation. Accordingly, there is very little agreement among cognitive neuroscientists of language on the operationalization of fundamental concepts to be investigated in neuroscientific experiments. Here, we review chains of derivation in the cognitive neuroscience of language, focusing on how the hypothesis under consideration is defined by a combination of theoretical and methodological assumptions. We first attempt to disentangle the complex relationship between linguistics, psychology, and neuroscience in the field. Next, we focus on how conclusions that can be drawn from any experiment are inherently constrained by auxiliary assumptions, both theoretical and methodological, on which the validity of conclusions drawn rests. These issues are discussed in the context of classical experimental manipulations as well as study designs that employ novel approaches such as naturalistic stimuli and computational modeling. We conclude by proposing that a highly interdisciplinary field such as the cognitive neuroscience of language requires researchers to form explicit statements concerning the theoretical definitions, methodological choices, and other constraining factors involved in their work.
Functional and structural connectivity success predictors of real-time fMRI neurofeedback targeting DLPFC: Contributions from central executive, salience, and default mode networks
Authors: Pereira Daniela Jardim , Pereira João , Sayal Alexandre , Morais Sofia , Macedo António , Direito Bruno , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: September 2023

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) neurofeedback (NF), a training method for the self-regulation of brain activity, has shown promising results as a neurorehabilitation tool, depending on the ability of the patient to succeed in neuromodulation. This study explores connectivity-based structural and functional success predictors in an NF n-back working memory paradigm targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). We established as the NF success metric the linear trend on the ability to modulate the target region during NF runs and performed a linear regression model considering structural and functional connectivity (intrinsic and seed-based) metrics. We found a positive correlation between NF success and the default mode network (DMN) intrinsic functional connectivity and a negative correlation with the DLPFC-precuneus connectivity during the 2-back condition, indicating that success is associated with larger uncoupling between DMN and the executive network. Regarding structural connectivity, the salience network emerges as the main contributor to success. Both functional and structural classification models showed good performance with 77% and 86% accuracy, respectively. Dynamic switching between DMN, salience network and central executive network seems to be the key for neurofeedback success, independently indicated by functional connectivity on the localizer run and structural connectivity data.
Numbers 4:20 and Non-Priestly Viewing of the Holy Vessels in the Second Temple Period
Authors: Orian Matan
Published: September 2023

In discussing the dismantling and transport of the tabernacle and its furnishings, Numbers 4:20 prohibits any viewing of the “holy,” except by Aaron, the priest, and his sons. Philo of Alexandria, as well as several modern scholars, read this as a prohibition on any non-priestly viewing of the sacred, Jewish cultic vessels, including the menorah, the shewbread table and the incense altar. Accordingly, a dominant view in research holds that during the Second Temple period these cultic utensils were concealed from the sight of non-priests. However, this view partly overlooks and partly misinterprets our main source in that respect: Josephus indicates that the Jewish holy vessels were actually displayed to the Jewish crowd gathered in the temple court during the Second Temple period. This is supported by the images on certain Hasmonean coins as well as by later texts, such as P.Oxy. 840 and rabbinic literature.
Generic reassignment of Centropristis fuscula Poey, 1861 (Teleostei: Serranidae), with re-description of the species and comments on its geographical range and sexual system
Authors: CARVALHO-FILHO ALFREDO , BALDWIN CAROLE C. , FISCHER LUCIANO G. , ROBERTSON D. ROSS , BERTONCINI ATHILA , GARCIA LUCAS CANES , SILVA JODIR PEREIRA DA , SAMPAIO CLAUDIO L. S.
Published: September 2023

Centropristes fusculus Poey, 1861 historically has variously and somewhat perplexingly been assigned to Centropristis Cuvier, 1829, Prionodes Jenyns, 1840, and Serranus Cuvier, 1816. Here, we provide evidence from comparisons of morphology, ecology, and sexual systems for its inclusion in Serranus and redescribe the species based on the holotype and 60 specimens from Brazil, the Caribbean, the United States, and Uruguay. Serranus fusculus is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, a sexual system that is relevant to its generic placement. The inclusion of Serranus fusculus in the genus Serranus increases to 33 the number of currently valid Serranus species, of which two are found in the Western Indian Ocean, six in the eastern Pacific and 25 in the Atlantic Ocean (15 restricted to the western Atlantic and 10 to the eastern and Central Atlantic). An identification key to western Atlantic species of the genus is provided.
Evaluation of the RainFARM Statistical Downscaling Technique Applied to IMERG over Global Oceans Using Passive Aquatic Listener In Situ Rain Measurements
Authors: Bytheway Janice L. , Thompson Elizabeth J. , Yang Jie , Chen Haonan
Published: September 2023

High-resolution oceanic precipitation estimates are needed to increase our understanding of and ability to monitor ocean–atmosphere coupled processes. Satellite multisensor precipitation products such as IMERG provide global precipitation estimates at relatively high resolution (0.1°, 30 min), but the resolution at which IMERG precipitation estimates are considered reliable is coarser than the nominal resolution of the product itself. In this study, we examine the ability of the Rainfall Autoregressive Model (RainFARM) statistical downscaling technique to produce ensembles of precipitation fields at relatively high spatial and temporal resolution when applied to spatially and temporally coarsened precipitation fields from IMERG. The downscaled precipitation ensembles are evaluated against in situ oceanic rain-rate observations collected by passive aquatic listeners (PALs) in 11 different ocean domains. We also evaluate IMERG coarsened to the same resolution as the downscaled fields to determine whether the process of coarsening then downscaling improves precipitation estimates more than averaging IMERG to coarser resolution only. Evaluations were performed on individual months, seasons, by ENSO phase, and based on precipitation characteristics. Results were inconsistent, with downscaling improving precipitation estimates in some domains and time periods and producing worse performance in others. While the results imply that the performance of the downscaled precipitation estimates is related to precipitation characteristics, it is still unclear what characteristics or combinations thereof lead to the most improvement or consistent improvement when applying RainFARM to IMERG.
The Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) is a Valid Eating Disorder Questionnaire to Use With Transgender Youth
Authors: Linsenmeyer Whitney , Stiles Dana , Garwood Sarah , Giedinghagen Andrea , Lewis Christopher , Strand Gretta
Published: September 2023

Transgender youth experience elevated rates of eating disorders, yet few screening measures have been validated with transgender patients. The purpose of this study was to provide initial evidence for the internal consistency and convergent validity of the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) in a sample of transgender youth. Two hundred eight participants completed the SCOFF as part of a routine screening protocol. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to establish the factor structure of the SCOFF in this sample. Relationships between the SCOFF, Adolescent Binge Eating Disorder (ADO-BED), Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Intake Disorder (NIAS), Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and demographic characteristics were explored. The SCOFF was significantly related to all convergent validity variables, with moderate correlations with other eating disorder scales (ADO-BED and NIAS). The SCOFF is a valid measure to screen for eating disorders among transgender youth and young adults.
The Ashes of Tragedy: Parental Death and Child Character Development in Bambi and The Lion King
Authors: Lammon Marissa
Published: September 2023

The Walt Disney company has been the topic of extensive research for decades; among the explored subjects and identified themes is Disney’s fixation on death. Disney has capitalized on the incredibly traumatic childhood experience of the death of a parent by featuring parental death as a major narrative component. Speculation remains regarding the accuracy of not only death presentations in media, but death influence on characters. Using textual analysis, this paper explores the role of parental death on child character development within two Disney animated films. Analysis demonstrates an inaccurate depiction of parental death influence on children in a positive light – essentially overlooking the trauma associated with loss during childhood and the mediating factors of long-term bereavement outcomes. Conversations remain to be had regarding how these inaccurate depictions of death and dying in popular culture influence the children consuming them.
In search of a Tawney Moment: Income inequality, financial crisis and the mass media in the UK and the USA
Authors: McGovern Patrick , Obradović Sandra , Bauer Martin W.
Published: September 2023

Has rising income inequality become a scandalous social problem as the English ethical socialist R. H. Tawney anticipated in an earlier era? We examine the salience and framing of income inequality within major UK and US newspapers over the period 1990–2015. Specifically, this includes the global banking crisis of 2008, which was the most significant financial crisis in capitalist economies since the Great Depression of 1929. Did this event trigger a public outcry? We divide the overall search into a full corpus for quantitative analysis of media salience and a smaller corpus for in-depth qualitative analysis of media frames. We find that media coverage of income inequality increased across the period in both countries and especially after 2008. With this increase, there is a shift in frame prevalence, with pre-2008 frames focusing on conceptualising rising income inequality while post-2008 frames focus on managing rising inequality (through interventions, policies and identifying scale of solutions needed). This shift is accompanied by a more polarised sentiment on income inequality, an increase in moralising language and a more balanced political slant. The proposed ‘solutions’ become absorbed within established repertoires offered by the political right and left, limiting the emergence of a Tawney Moment. Consequently, the rise in income inequality has not generated the kind of scandalising public outcry that Tawney would expect. We conclude by examining the possible reasons for the lack of outrage in the mass media.
The Art of Not Being Sexed Quite So Much: A Feminist Reading of Roland Barthes
Authors: Braunschweig Lila
Published: September 2023

This article offers an underexplored resistance strategy to gender norms, based on a feminist and queer reading of the work of French thinker Roland Barthes. Building on Barthes’s peculiar conception of what he calls “the Neutral” and revisiting his work in light of feminist and queer scholarship on sexual (in)difference, my main goal is to reshape our understanding of what it means to be gender neutral. In opposition to classical conceptions of neutrality associated with passivity, indifference, and blandness, I show that Barthes’s Neutral can be conceived as an active gesture, which alters common systems of meanings and power, including the gender binary. But this conception of the Neutral, I argue, neither refers to a call for an androgynous, queer, or nonbinary gender experience. It does not target gender embodiments but gender regulations—that is, the social enforcement of gender categories (by way, for instance, of administrative forms, single-sex bathrooms, or normalizing attitudes toward others). A gender-neutral arrangement, therefore, refers to an ethical, administrative, social, or spatial relation in which subjects are not assigned based on gender categories. This practice of gender suspension, I show, has two main transformative effects. First, it opens a space of freedom and livability for gender-nonconforming subjects. Second, it contributes to lessening the significance of sexual difference in social life and therefore alleviating its symbolic and normative weight for everyone.
A Forensic Science Informational Video Can Help Mock Jurors Evaluate Forensic Expert Testimony
Authors: LaBat Devon E. , Goldfarb Deborah , Evans Jacqueline R. , Schreiber Compo Nadja , Koolmees Cassidy J. , Laporte Gerald , Lothridge Kevin
Published: September 2023

Forensic science is a central component of jurors’ decisions in many criminal cases. Nevertheless, research has shown that jurors are not sensitive to violations of testimonial guidelines for expert testimony in court and generally struggle to comprehend and evaluate forensic science testimony. Consequently, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) developed the Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR) to standardize the language used in such testimony. The current study created and tested a Forensic Science Informational (FSI) video as an intervention to bolster jurors’ understanding of FSI. After reading a case summary, participants were randomly assigned to read and rate five forensic expert testimony violations without any training, or to watch the FSI video before reading and rating each violation. Results revealed that participants with video exposure rated both the expert testimony and the expert themselves lower than those without such exposure, indicating they recognized the violations.
Empathic Conservatives and Moralizing Liberals: Political Intergroup Empathy Varies by Political Ideology and Is Explained by Moral Judgment
Authors: Casey James P. , Vanman Eric J. , Barlow Fiona Kate
Published: September 2023

Empathy has the potential to bridge political divides. Here, we examine barriers to cross-party empathy and explore when and why these differ for liberals and conservatives. In four studies, U.S. and U.K. participants (total N = 4,737) read hypothetical scenarios and extended less empathy to suffering political opponents than allies or neutral targets. These effects were strongly shown by liberals but were weaker among conservatives, such that conservatives consistently showed more empathy to liberals than liberals showed to conservatives. This asymmetry was partly explained by liberals’ harsher moral judgments of outgroup members (Studies 1–4) and the fact that liberals saw conservatives as more harmful than conservatives saw liberals (Studies 3 and 4). The asymmetry persisted across changes in the U.S. government and was not explained by perceptions of political power (Studies 3 and 4). Implications and future directions are discussed.
Changes in Mature Human Milk Macronutrient Composition over 45 years in an Urban Population in Indonesia
Authors: Nurani Neti , Wibowo Tunjung , Susilowati Rina , Hastuti Janatin , Haksari Ekawaty Lutfia , Julia Madarina , Van Weissenbruch Mirjam
Published: September 2023

Background:

With improvement in a population’s welfare, its food consumption patterns may change, including those of nursing mothers. This, in turn, could influence their human milk composition.

Research Aim:

To investigate the secular trend in macronutrient composition of mature human milk from mothers of healthy, full-term infants in urban populations in Indonesia from 1974 and 2019.

Method:

We compared the macronutrient composition of mature human milk of healthy full-term infants from 1974 and 2019. The data from 2019 used the Human Milk Analyzer MIRIS to quantify the milk’s carbohydrate, fat, and protein content, while the historical data used methods available at that time, that is, methods described by Benedict, Gerber and Kjeldahl, respectively.

Results:

There were no significant differences in carbohydrate, protein and fat content across categories of maternal nutritional status in the respective periods. However, the fat content of human milk from 2019 was significantly higher than that of 1974 (4.7 g/dl, SD = 1.7 g/dl vs. 3.3 g/dl, SD = 1.1 g/dl; p < 0.001), while its carbohydrate content was significantly lower (6.2 g/dl, SD = 2.1 g/dl vs. 7.1 g/dl, SD = 0.2 g/dl; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the protein content between the two periods (1.4 g/dl, SD = 0.5 g/dl vs. 1.6 g/dl, SD = 0.3 g/dl; p = 0.491).

Conclusion:

The mature human milk from 2019 has a higher fat and total energy content but lower carbohydrate content than those observed 4 decades ago. The protein content remained the same.
The Strategic Aestheticization of Work: How Workers Read Normative Organizational Values in Workplace Imagery
Authors: Bacevice Peter A. , Wilhoit Larson Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Organizations strategically invest in the aesthetics of their spaces to communicate about their values, mission, and position within an industry or community. Given the growth of mass visual culture and the circulation of images online, exposure to aestheticized workspaces is pervasive. In light of this heightened awareness of workplace design, we sought to understand how workers make sense of and interpret such images. We conducted a visual study in which office workers responded to images of strategically-designed offices. We found that most participants used sensemaking strategies of interpreting affordances and other salient cues to arrive at generally favorable conclusions about the organizations portrayed; these conclusions largely reflected organizationally-preferred interpretations. However, participants’ sensemaking also revealed how they wrestled with ambiguities of meaning to arrive at their conclusions. We illustrate the power of workplace imagery for communicating normative values about work, workers, and organizations.
Electro-hydraulic composite stability control for regenerative braking failure of in-wheel motors drive electric vehicle
Authors: Wang Jiantao , Gao Mingze , Zhang Lipeng , Yin Lirun , Liu Shuaishuai
Published: September 2023

The in-wheel motor simplifies the structure of drive system and improves dynamic performance of vehicle. However, the regenerative braking failure of unilateral motor could greatly reduce braking strength and cause the instability of vehicle. The existing control methods are difficult to guarantee the braking performance and driving stability at the same time. To resolve this fail-safe problem, an electro-hydraulic composite stability control method is proposed and verified. Firstly, the vehicle model, the in-wheel motor model, and the hydraulic braking system model are built. Secondly, the electro-hydraulic composite stability control method is proposed and a stability controller based on model predictive control algorithm is designed to solve the problems of model uncertainty and external interference in the control process. Thirdly, the control effect of proposed method is compared with torque truncation control, hydraulic compensation control, and yaw stability control. Finally, the electro-hydraulic composite stability control method proposed in this paper is verified and tested on the real vehicle. The results show that the combination of the torque truncation control, the hydraulic compensation control, and yaw stability control could improve the driving stability of vehicle and meet the demand of braking intensity.
Periodontal Tissue Regeneration by Transplantation of Autologous Adipose Tissue-Derived Multi-Lineage Progenitor Cells With Carbonate Apatite
Authors: Takedachi Masahide , Kawasaki Kohsuke , Sawada Keigo , Sakura Kazuma , Murata Mari , Shimomura Junpei , Kawakami Kazuma , Morimoto Chiaki , Miki Koji , Takeshita Noboru , Iwayama Tomoaki , Okura Hanayuki , Matsuyama Akifumi , Saito Masahiro , Kitamura Masahiro , Murakami Shinya
Published: September 2023

We have developed an autologous transplantation method using adipose tissue-derived multi-lineage progenitor cells (ADMPCs) as a method of periodontal tissue regeneration that can be adapted to severe periodontal disease. Our previous clinical study confirmed the safety of autologous transplantation of ADMPCs and demonstrated its usefulness in the treatment of severe periodontal disease. However, in the same clinical study, we found that the fibrin gel used as the scaffold material might have caused gingival recession and impaired tissue regeneration in some patients. Carbonate apatite has a high space-making capacity and has been approved in Japan for periodontal tissue regeneration. In this study, we selected carbonate apatite as a candidate scaffold material for ADMPCs and conducted an in vitro examination of its effect on the cellular function of ADMPCs. We further performed autologous ADMPC transplantation with carbonate apatite as the scaffold material in a model of one-wall bone defects in beagles and then analyzed the effect on periodontal tissue regeneration. The findings showed that carbonate apatite did not affect the cell morphology of ADMPCs and that it promoted proliferation. Moreover, no effect on secretor factor transcription was found. The results of the in vivo analysis confirmed the space-making capacity of carbonate apatite, and the acquisition of significant new attachment was observed in the group involving ADMPC transplantation with carbonate apatite compared with the group involving carbonate apatite application alone. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of carbonate apatite as a scaffold material for ADMPC transplantation.
Naturally occurring psittacid alphaherpesvirus 3 and probable adenovirus coinfection in an Indian ringneck parakeet in the United States
Authors: Yin Ji-Hang , Oster Seth , McHale Brittany , Neto Rachel
Published: September 2023

Psittacid alphaherpesvirus 3 (PsAHV-3) is a rarely reported virus that has been associated with pneumonia in psittacine birds. A 5-mo-old Indian ringneck parakeet (syn. rose-ringed parakeet; Psittacula krameri) was euthanized after developing torticollis and lethargy. Postmortem examination of the parakeet revealed severe pneumonia with syncytial cells containing eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies (INIBs) in the respiratory epithelium. Gene sequencing of total DNA extraction detected PsAHV-3 in the frozen lung. The pancreas had severe lytic necrosis, with the remaining parenchymal cells expanded by large basophilic INIBs. Electron microscopy of the pancreas revealed intranuclear paracrystalline arrays of viral particles morphologically resembling adenovirus. Although we found 3 PsAHV-3 cases in birds in a literature search, we found no cases with adenoviral coinfection.
Cortical ischemic lesions from atrial myxoma as a mimic of disease activity in an RRMS antiCD20-treated patient
Authors: Boccia VD , Saitta L , Inglese M , Lapucci C
Published: September 2023

Cortical lesions (CLs) detected with double inversion recovery (DIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are very helpful in differentiating multiple sclerosis (MS) from other neuroinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), that is, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs). Furthermore, CLs are closely related to motor and cognitive impairment. We report a case of a 48-year-old female MS patient who developed several CLs during anti-CD20 therapy. Some CLs disappeared during follow-up MRIs. In the suspicion of a treatment failure, the screening for the autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) was performed with the evidence of an atrial myxoma. In MS patients with new CLs, a comorbid ischemic pathology should be considered and carefully investigated.
Accuracy of serum neurofilament light to identify contrast-enhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bose Gauruv , Healy Brian C , Barro Christian , Moreira Ferreira Vanessa F , Saxena Shrishti , Glanz Bonnie I , Lokhande Hrishikesh A , Polgar-Turcsanyi Mariann , Bakshi Rohit , Weiner Howard L , Chitnis Tanuja
Published: September 2023

Background:

Contrast-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions (CELs) indicate acute multiple sclerosis inflammation. Serum biomarkers, neurofilament light (sNfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) may increase in the presence of CELs, and indicate a need to perform MRI.

Objective:

We assessed the accuracy of biomarkers to detect CELs.

Methods:

Patients with two gadolinium-enhanced MRIs and serum biomarkers tested within 3 months were included ( N = 557, 66% female). Optimal cut-points from Bland–Altman analysis for spot biomarker level and Youden’s index for delta-change from remission were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 116 patients (21%) had CELs. A spot sNfL measurement >23.0 pg/mL corresponded to 7.0 times higher odds of CEL presence (95% CI: 3.8, 12.8), with 25.9% sensitivity, 95.2% specificity, operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.61; while sNfL delta-change >30.8% from remission corresponded to 5.0 times higher odds (95% CI: 3.2, 7.8), 52.6% sensitivity, 81.9% specificity, AUC 0.67. sGFAP had poor CEL detection. In patients > 50 years, neither cut-point remained significant. sNfL delta-change outperformed spot levels at identifying asymptomatic CELs (AUC 0.67 vs 0.59) and in patients without treatment escalation between samples (AUC 0.67 vs 0.57).

Conclusion:

Spot sNfL >23.0 pg/mL or a 30.8% increase from remission provides modest prediction of CELs in patients <50 years; however, low sNfL does not obviate the need for MRI.
Therapy challenges for NMOSD in a patient with HIV
Authors: Engels Daniel , Havla Joachim , Förderreuther Stefanie , Kümpfel Tania
Published: September 2023

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) is rare and its management can be difficult. Here we report a case of an HIV patient with bilateral vision loss, who was diagnosed with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rituximab treatment was initiated after attack therapy with corticosteroids and plasma exchange. NMOSD and HIV disease remained stable, but SARS-CoV-2 immune response after repeated vaccinations was insufficient. After switching immunotherapy due to the lack of vaccination response to satralizumab, peripheral B cells reoccurred and a humoral immune response was observed after reapplication of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This case illustrates the challenges associated with the treatment of NMOSD in PLWH.
Old world assessment of new world provenance cues: An Italian perspective
Authors: Agnoli Lara , Charters Steve , Marks Denton , Tavilla Valeriane
Published: September 2023

Discussion of terroir emerged from “Old World” producers explaining their wines’ provenance and special nature and consumers wondering why one wine’s flavor differs from another’s despite no apparent difference in winemaking. European markets have entertained the concept far longer than their New World counterparts, applying it to a range of agricultural and place-based products. This paper asks how European consumers evaluate a New World wine’s terroir, studying results from a large Discrete Choice Experiment of Italian consumers considering Californian wine. We find a generally negative perception of the legal designation of terroir, expressed through the US American Viticultural Area label, and preference for a relatively broad definition of the wine’s geographic provenance. However, a terroir story focused on the specific site is most popular. Evidence of utility increasing with price suggests the price-quality heuristic. Three latent classes depicting preference models emerge which in turn have implications for producers of place-based products.
Artistic co-creation: How art students view co-creation and how it could be integrated in the arts curriculum
Authors: Flys Elena SV , Matamala Anna
Published: September 2023

Co-creation has been used across disciplines and within the arts for quite some time. This article aims to analyze what students from a university devoted to the arts understand by the term “co-creation” and how these students suggest evaluating co-creation. It also aims to compare this with the professional’s perception to relate the curriculum to what is relevant in the cultural industry. Thus, we discuss how co-creation processes could be integrated into the arts curriculum Higher Education. Through the application of this research to arts education, students, professionals, and communities can benefit from more enriched, engaged experiences with art.
Analysing match-related performance indicators in Super Rugby Competitions: A study of the 2017–2019 seasons
Authors: Nicholls Mark , Coetzee Derik , Schall Robert , Kraak Wilbur
Published: September 2023

Understanding the factors that contribute to success or failure in Super Rugby is paramount for teams aiming to achieve positive results. This study compares winning and losing teams by analysing match-related performance indicators from 2017 to 2019, offering valuable insights for coaches, players, and performance analysts. Significantly, winning teams exhibited notable disparities in their attacking play, surpassing losing teams in total tries (4.5 vs. 2.4), offloads (12.5 vs. 11.2), number of kicks (22.2 vs. 19.4), and line breaks (3.1 vs. 2.2) ( p < .0001 for all). Moreover, defensive performance emerged as a crucial factor, with winning teams demonstrating higher tackle completion rates (89.3 vs. 87.9) ( p < .0001) and an increased number of breakdown turnovers won (0.8 vs. 0.6) ( p = .0518) compared to losing teams. These findings illuminate distinct performance characteristics that can assist coaches, players, and analysts in optimising tactical analysis, player development, and overall performance. Despite the COVID-19 disruption in 2020 and teams transitioning to other competitions, the research remains relevant due to the expected persistence of fundamental game aspects and performance indicators. This adaptability enables informed decision-making, leading to improved performance and a competitive advantage in the current Super Rugby competition.
Horse gait analysis using wearable inertial sensors and machine learning
Authors: Rana Manju , Mittal Vikas
Published: September 2023

Equestrian sports require horses to possess physical and mental attributes such as agility, strength, balance, and gymnastic skills. Performance analysis is critical in evaluating a horse’s performance, which involves assessing athleticism, gait quality, jumping ability, and general health. Assessing the kinematics of horses is crucial for selecting, training, and managing sports horses. Understanding a horse’s gait pattern and detecting Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) help diagnose lameness in the horse. Traditional gait analysis methods are performed visually, which can be biased due to subjectivity and human error. Optical motion capture (OMC) technology for equine gait analysis is expensive and ideal for indoor use. Wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) offer a cost-effective alternative for analyzing kinematic parameters. This study has devised novel wearable sensor devices for horses and riders to measure forces acting on the legs and body of the horse and the orientation of their legs during field performance. Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) were measured using 100g accelerometer data from each leg to assist owners and riders in analyzing the magnitude of forces and detecting any anomalies. Machine-learning models were developed to classify horse movements, such as jumps, stands, gallops, and trots, using features extracted from the data collected by wearable sensor devices. These models were compared to identify the most effective model for accurately classifying horse movements. This approach provides a valuable tool for recognizing patterns and trends in the data, enabling owners and riders to make informed decisions about training and management strategies.
‘Just more surveillance’: The ECtHR and workplace monitoring
Authors: Molè Michele , Mangan David
Published: September 2023

This contribution analyses the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) decision on workplace surveillance, Florindo De Almeida Vasconcelos Gramaxo v Portugal (2022) App no 26968/16 (ECtHR 13 December 2022). This is a case of interest as it introduces a new surveillance technology into the Strasbourg jurisprudence: the Global Positioning System (GPS). The movements of Mr. Florindo's company car were constantly monitored by GPS for three years, during and outside working hours. We criticise the stance taken by the majority of the judges, which we summarise as a ‘just more surveillance’ approach. This approach led them to value the GPS’ efficiency in pursuing a legitimate employer aim, and failed to engage in a critical analysis of this tool and of the alternative (less invasive) means available. We argue that the Court did not effectively protect the employee's right to privacy (Art. 8 European Convention on Human Rights) through a proper ‘least intrusive mean test’, which can be found in previous ECtHR case law on the subject.
Novel cardanol based bio-polyols for sustainable construction applications
Authors: Gamit Nilam , Patel Kalpesh I , Dholakiya Bharatkumar Z
Published: September 2023

The coating industry may comply with new safety rules by using more environmentally friendly and harmless alternative materials. The present study intends to investigate the characteristic of agricultural waste material-based bio-polyol derived polyurethane wood protective coating for building and construction applications. This study covers the synthesis and characterization of cardanol based bio-polyol through dual epoxidation of phenolic -OH and terminal unsaturation to generate monoglycidyl ether of cardanol followed by ring opening reaction. The resultant bio-polyol is used for formulation of polyurethanes using aliphatic (Desmodur N75) and aromatic (Desmodur L75) isocyanates. The formulated polyurethanes employed for sustainable wood protective coating as well as architectural and multitudinous applications with enhanced antibacterial activity. The resultant wood protective coating was characterized by attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), mass spectroscopy, 1H NMR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), surface morphology, mechanical and antibacterial properties.
Anakinra in cerebral haemorrhage to target secondary injury resulting from neuroinflammation (ACTION): Study protocol of a phase II randomised clinical trial
Authors: Cliteur MP , van der Kolk AG , Hannink G , Hofmeijer J , Jolink WMT , Klijn CJM , Schreuder FHBM
Published: September 2023

Background:

Inflammation plays a vital role in the development of secondary brain injury after spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Interleukin-1 beta is an early pro-inflammatory cytokine and a potential therapeutic target.

Aim:

To determine the effect of treatment with recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist anakinra on perihematomal oedema (PHO) formation in patients with spontaneous ICH compared to standard medical management, and investigate whether this effect is dose-dependent.

Methods:

ACTION is a phase-II, prospective, randomised, three-armed (1:1:1) trial with open-label treatment and blinded end-point assessment (PROBE) at three hospitals in The Netherlands. We will include 75 patients with a supratentorial spontaneous ICH admitted within 8 h after symptom onset. Participants will receive anakinra in a high dose (loading dose 500 mg intravenously, followed by infusion with 2 mg/kg/h over 72 h; n = 25) or in a low dose (loading dose 100 mg subcutaneously, followed by 100 mg subcutaneous twice daily for 72 h; n = 25), plus standard care. The control group ( n = 25) will receive standard medical management.

Outcomes:

Primary outcome is PHO, measured as oedema extension distance on MRI at day 7 ± 1. Secondary outcomes include the safety profile of anakinra, the effect of anakinra on serum inflammation markers, MRI measures of blood brain barrier integrity, and functional outcome at 90 ± 7 days.

Discussion:

The ACTION trial will provide insight into whether targeting interleukin-1 beta in the early time window after ICH onset could ameliorate secondary brain injury. This may contribute to the development of new treatment options to improve clinical outcome after ICH.
Analysis of genetic diversity and genome-wide association study for drought tolerance related traits in Iranian bread wheat
Authors: Rabieyan Ehsan , Bihamta Mohammad Reza , Moghaddam Mohsen Esmaeilzadeh , Alipour Hadi , Mohammadi Valiollah , Azizyan Kobra , Javid Saeideh
Published: September 2023

Background

Drought is most likely the most significant abiotic stress affecting wheat yield. The discovery of drought-tolerant genotypes is a promising strategy for dealing with the world’s rapidly diminishing water resources and growing population. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on 298 Iranian bread wheat landraces and cultivars to investigate the genetic basis of yield, yield components, and drought tolerance indices in two cropping seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) under rainfed and well-watered environments.

Results

A heatmap display of hierarchical clustering divided cultivars and landraces into four categories, with high-yielding and drought-tolerant genotypes clustering in the same group. The results of the principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that selecting genotypes based on the mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), harmonic mean (HM), and stress tolerance index (STI) can help achieve high-yield genotypes in the environment. Genome B had the highest number of significant marker pairs in linkage disequilibrium (LD) for both landraces (427,017) and cultivars (370,359). Similar to cultivars, marker pairs on chromosome 4A represented the strongest LD (r2 = 0.32). However, the genomes D, A, and B have the highest LD, respectively. The single-locus mixed linear model (MLM) and multi-locus random-SNP-effect mixed linear model (mrMLM) identified 1711 and 1254 significant marker-trait association (MTAs) (-log10 P > 3) for all traits, respectively. A total of 874 common quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) were simultaneously discovered by both MLM and mrMLM methods. Gene ontology revealed that 11, 18, 6, and 11 MTAs were found in protein-coding regions (PCRs) for spike weight (SW), thousand kernel weight (TKW), grain number per spike (GN), and grain yield (GY), respectively.

Conclusion

The results identified rich regions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) on Ch. 4A and 5A suggest that these chromosomes are important for drought tolerance and could be used in wheat breeding programs. Furthermore, the findings indicated that landraces studied in Iranian bread wheat germplasm possess valuable alleles, that are responsive to water-limited conditions. This GWAS experiment is one of the few types of research conducted on drought tolerance that can be exploited in the genome-mediated development of novel varieties of wheat.
Compatibility systems and pollinator dependency in morning glory species (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Hassa Piriya , Traiperm Paweena , Stewart Alyssa B.
Published: September 2023

Background

The Convolvulaceae is a large family containing species exhibiting a range of breeding systems and pollinated by diverse animal taxa. We studied the pollination ecology of 15 Convolvulaceae species, representing seven genera (ArgyreiaLour.,CamoneaRaf.,EvolvulusL.,HewittiaWight & Arn.,IpomoeaL.,MerremiaDennst. ex Endl., andOperculinaSilva Manso), in northeastern Thailand, a family that is highly diverse yet understudied in the paleotropics. Specifically, we studied their compatibility systems and degrees of pollinator dependency using pollination experiments, examined pollinator composition and visitation rates using video observation, and determined if there is an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence.

Results

Our results showed that most species are self-compatible, but the degree of pollinator dependence varies. Six species were found to be highly dependent on pollinators, as two are self-incompatible and four are self-compatible but had reduced seed set when pollinators were excluded, possibly due to herkogamy. Seven species showed low dependence on pollinators and seed set remained high when pollinators were excluded. Pollinator dependence was inconclusive for two species as seed set was low in all pollination treatments. We also found an association between pollinator visitation rates and degree of pollinator dependence. Specifically, species exhibiting high pollinator dependence received frequent visits from pollinators, while species exhibiting low pollinator dependence either received frequent visits from pollinators (and received high amounts of xenogamous pollen) or infrequent visits from pollinators (and received significantly lower amounts of xenogamous pollen). Most of our study species were primarily visited by bees (e.g.,Lasioglossum,Amegilla,Apis, and meliponines), with the exception of one night-blooming species that was visited primarily by crepuscular butterflies and hawkmoths.

Conclusions

The cumulative findings of this study demonstrate how pollinator dependence is influenced by breeding system, and suggest that pollinator visitation is consistently high for species exhibiting high pollinator dependence but varies across species exhibiting low pollinator dependence. Our findings are also important for assessing the conservation risks of paleotropical Convolvulaceae.
Chromosome constitution and genetic relationships of Morus spp. revealed by genomic in situ hybridization
Authors: Xuan Yahui , Wang Sheng , Li Siwei , Yuan Jianglian , Zhou Qiming , He Ningjia
Published: September 2023

Background

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an economically important woody plant, which has been used for sericulture (silk farming) for thousands of years. The genetic background of mulberry is complex due to polyploidy and frequent hybridization events.

Results

Comparative genomic in situ hybridization (cGISH) and self-GISH were performed to illustrate the chromosome constitution and genetic relationships of 40 mulberry accessions belonging to 12 species and three varietas in the Morus genus and containing eight different ploidy levels. We identified six homozygous cGISH signal patterns and one heterozygous cGISH signal pattern using four genomic DNA probes. Using cGISH and self-GISH data, we defined five mulberry sections (Notabilis, Nigra, Wittiorum, and Cathayana, all contained only one species; and Alba, which contained seven closely related species and three varietas, was further divided into two subsections) and proposed the genetic relationships among them. Differential cGISH signal patterns detected in section Alba allowed us to refine the genetic relationships among the closely related members of this section.

Conclusions

We propose that GISH is an efficient tool to investigate the chromosome constitution and genetic relationships in mulberry. The results obtained here can be used to guide outbreeding of heterozygous perennial crops like mulberry.
Effect of ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block on pain during patient positioning for central nervous blockade in hip surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Aygun Hakan , Tulgar Serkan , Yigit Yavuz , Tasdemir Ayşe , Kurt Cengizhan , Genc Caner , Bilgin Sezgin , Senoğlu Nimet , Koksal Ersin
Published: September 2023

Background

Most patients with hip fractures are elderly patients with comorbidities, and well-managed pain management is associated with positive postoperative outcomes. In recent years, new indications for regional anesthesia techniques have been defined, and they have found more place in clinical practice. Herein we investigate the effect of US-guided PENG block on positioning pain and compare that effect to intravenous opioid in patients undergoing surgery under spinal anesthesia for hip fractures. Additionally, we sought to investigate the effect of PENG block on pain scores, opioid intake, time to first analgesic requirement, and quality of recovery within the first 24 h following surgery.

Methods

In this study, patients were divided into the PENG (n = 42) and control group (n = 42) one hour prior to surgery. A team who was blinded to the assigned groups, collected and evaluated all data such as spinal anesthesia positioning pain, postoperative pain, opioid requirement.

Results

Patients that underwent PENG had statistically significantly lower NRS scores after interventions, immediately before positioning, at positioning and at end of spinal anesthesia. Pain scores during positioning for spinal anesthesia were statistically significantly lower in the PENG group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Total morphine use over the first 24 h was extremely statistically significantly lower in the PENG group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Positive outcomes of PENG block in patient positioning pain before spinal anesthesia, postoperative pain scores, and morphine consumption are consistent with similar studies. High patient satisfaction in patients who underwent PENG block contributes to the literature.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04871061