bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seizures and epilepsy in multiple sclerosis, aquaporin 4 antibody‐positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease
Authors: Li Er‐Chuang , Zheng Yang , Cai Meng‐Ting , Lai Qi‐Lun , Fang Gao‐Li , Du Bing‐Qing , Shen Chun‐Hong , Zhang Yin‐Xi , Wu Long‐Jun , Ding Mei‐Ping
Published: June 2022

Seizure is one of the manifestations of central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases, which mainly include multiple sclerosis (MS), aquaporin 4 antibody‐positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4‐NMOSD), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD). Acute symptomatic seizures secondary to MS/AQP4‐NMOSD/MOGAD occur in the acute phase of the diseases, and are more frequent in MOGAD. In contrast, recurrent nonprovoked seizures, mainly attributed to autoimmune‐associated epilepsy, occur in the nonacute phase of the diseases. Seizures in MS/AQP4‐NMOSD/MOGAD mostly have a focal onset. MS patients with concomitant systemic infections, earlier onset, and greater disease activity are more likely to have seizures, whereas factors such as greater MS severity, the presence of status epilepticus, and cortical damage indicate a greater risk of developing epilepsy. In MOGAD, cerebral cortical encephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)‐like phenotypes (predominately ADEM and multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis) indicate a greater seizure risk. Multiple relapses with ADEM‐like phenotypes predict epilepsy in pediatrics with MOGAD. Pathophysiologically, acute symptomatic seizures in MS are associated with neuronal hyperexcitability secondary to inflammation and demyelination. Chronic epilepsy in MS is largely due to gliosis, neuronal dysfunction, and synaptic abnormalities. The mainstay of treatment for seizures secondary to MS/AQP4‐NMOSD/MOGAD consists of immunotherapy along with antiseizure medications. This critical review discusses the most‐updated evidence on epidemiology, clinical correlates, and inflammatory mechanisms underlying seizures and epilepsy in MS/AQP4‐NMOSD/MOGAD. Treatment cautions including drug‐drug interactions and the impact of treatments on the diseases are outlined. We also highlight pitfalls and challenges in managing such patients and future research perspectives to address unsolved questions.
Idiosyncratic risk and debt maturity dispersion
Authors: Chu Pyung Kun , Kjenstad Einar C.
Published: June 2022

We investigate the relation between idiosyncratic asset risk and debt maturity dispersion. Idiosyncratic asset volatility represents significant risk, which can impede the ability to obtain or maintain external debt financing necessary for business operations, and is difficult to control given its unpredictable nature. We find that this risk is managed through the maturity structure of debt: firms with higher idiosyncratic asset volatility also have more dispersed maturity structures. Consistent with active management of rollover risk, this relation is weaker for younger firms and stronger for firms without significant credit lines.
Structural basis for the inhibition of human angiotensin‐1 converting enzyme by fosinoprilat
Authors: Cozier Gyles E. , Newby Emma C. , Schwager Sylva L. U. , Isaac R. Elwyn , Sturrock Edward D. , Acharya K. Ravi
Published: June 2022

Human angiotensin I‐converting enzyme (ACE) has two isoforms, somatic ACE (sACE) and testis ACE (tACE). The functions of sACE are widespread, with its involvement in blood pressure regulation most extensively studied. sACE is composed of an N‐domain (nACE) and a C‐domain (cACE), both catalytically active but have significant structural differences, resulting in different substrate specificities. Even though ACE inhibitors are used clinically, they need much improvement because of serious side effects seen in patients (~ 25–30%) with long‐term treatment due to nonselective inhibition of nACE and cACE. Investigation into the distinguishing structural features of each domain is therefore of vital importance for the development of domain‐specific inhibitors with minimal side effects. Here, we report kinetic data and high‐resolution crystal structures of both nACE (1.75 Å) and cACE (1.85 Å) in complex with fosinoprilat, a clinically used inhibitor. These structures allowed detailed analysis of the molecular features conferring domain selectivity by fosinoprilat. Particularly, altered hydrophobic interactions were observed to be a contributing factor. These experimental data contribute to improved understanding of the structural features that dictate ACE inhibitor domain selectivity, allowing further progress towards designing novel 2nd‐generation domain‐specific potent ACE inhibitors suitable for clinical administration, with a variety of potential future therapeutic benefits.

Database

The atomic coordinates and structure factors for nACE‐fosinoprilat and cACE‐fosinoprilat structures have been deposited with codes 7Z6Z and 7Z70, respectively, in the RCSB Protein Data Bank, www.pdb.org.
Population genetic dynamics during colonisation and establishment of an obligate parthenogenetic Daphnia pulex population in a small lake of a continental archipelago
Authors: Otake Yurie , Innan Hideki , Ohtsuki Hajime , Urabe Jotaro , Yamada Kazuyoshi , Yoshida Takehito
Published: June 2022

Population genetic diversity and structure are known to influence successful colonisation and establishment of a population in a novel habitat. However, our understanding of actual population genetic changes in the early stage of colonisation and detailed time‐series of genetic changes during the establishment of a new population is still limited due to the difficulty of making long‐term direct observations of a colonising population.

Using a paleolimnological approach, we revealed the long‐term genetic dynamics of an obligate parthenogenetic panarctic Daphnia pulex population during the early stage of colonisation and subsequent establishment in Lake Fukami‐ike of Nagano, Japan. We collected diapausing eggs in ephippia of D. pulex from layers of sediment core samples (c. 370 cm long; dated 1662–2017) and then the mitochondrial DNA was sequenced using the markers designed for the NADH dehydrogenase 5 (ND5) gene and the control region.

Daphnia pulex colonised and established a population in the early 2000s. Population genetic analysis showed that one colonising haplotype predominated in the population throughout the study period. Genetic diversity was consistently limited and there was no recovery of genetic diversity after colonisation. Clearly limited genetic diversity did not hamper population growth, possibly because phenotypic plasticity was used to cope with changes in predation pressure. Analysis using multivariate auto‐regressive models showed that responses to environmental and ecological factors varied depending on the haplotype, which may have contributed to successful colonisation of the lake by the different haplotypes.

The present results suggest that an obligate parthenogenetic population can establish in a new habitat and be maintained for generations even though it has limited genetic diversity. We found that two independent lineages (JPN1 and JPN2) successfully established and coexisted toward the end of the study period. Although limited genetic diversity did not impede colonisation success, how the later colonising JPN1 lineage has successfully invaded a population consisting solely of the early colonising JPN2 deserves future attention to understand the population genetic dynamics revealed in this study.
Patient‐derived assessment tool using musculoskeletal ultrasound for validation of haemarthrosis
Authors: Gopal Srila , Barnes Richard F. W. , Volland Lena M. , Page David , von Drygalski Annette
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Haemophilia patients experience painful joint episodes which may or may not be associated with haemarthrosis. We sought to validate a questionnaire developed by the Canadian Haemophilia Society using point‐of‐care musculoskeletal ultrasound (POC MSKUS) to confirm haemarthrosis.

Methods

The questionnaire comprised of 20 questions (10 each associated with haemarthrosis and arthritis pain) and was administered to adult haemophilia patients reporting to the Haemophilia Treatment Centre (University of California San Diego). We confirmed the presence (or absence) of haemarthrosis using POC MSKUS [Joint Activity and Damage Exam (JADE)]. We fitted univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations to identify symptoms associated with haemarthrosis.

Results

We evaluated 79 painful episodes in 32 patients [median age = 38 years (range 21–74)]. POC MSKUS detected haemarthrosis in 36 (46%) episodes. The strongest predictor for haemarthrosis pain was ‘like a balloon swelling with water’ (odds ratio [OR] 2.88 [CI .68;12.10]); ‘no feeling of sponginess with movement’ (OR .24[CI .07;.76]) was the strongest for arthritic pain. We identified four questions with the strongest OR for differentiating haemarthrosis pain from arthritic pain to develop an algorithm for haemarthrosis prediction. Answering these questions in “yes/no” fashion yielded estimates of the probability of haemarthrosis

Conclusion

Objective diagnosis of haemarthrosis by MSKUS facilitated the development of a symptom‐based prediction tool for diagnosis of haemarthrosis. The tool requires further validation and will be particularly helpful in situations where MSKUS is not readily available.
Octopamine terminates sex pheromone biosynthesis by suppressing PBAN signal in moths
Authors: Yang Yue , Ma Xingyu , Zhang Long , Zhao Wenli , Liu Xiaoguang , Li Xiang , Du Mengfang , An Shiheng
Published: June 2022

The biosynthesis and termination of insect sex pheromones should be accurately regulated. In most moths, the biosynthesis and release of sex pheromones are regulated by a class of neuropeptides known as pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptides (PBANs). However, endogenous mechanisms underlying the termination of sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths remain elusive. In the present study, Helicoverpa armigera was employed as a model to investigate the role of octopamine (OA) in the inhibition of sex pheromone biosynthesis. Results demonstrated that the release of sex pheromones decreased with an increase in OA titres in older female moths. Moreover, OA treatment led to a significant decrease in sex pheromone production, female capability to attract male counterparts and subsequent female acceptance, indicating its inhibitory role in sex pheromone release. Subsequent qPCR and RNAi analyses revealed that OctβR was a key receptor of OA that regulated sex pheromone biosynthesis. In addition, the OA/OctβR signal suppressed intracellular Ca2+ levels and attenuated PBAN‐mediated increase in the enzyme activities of calcineurin and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase as demonstrated by OA treatment and OctβR‐RNAi. Altogether, these results revealed a mechanism underlying the inhibition of sex pheromone production by OA via suppression of PBAN signalling in moths.
The attitudes of healthcare professionals in Turkey toward the coronavirus vaccine
Authors: Azizoğlu Fatma , Terzi Banu , Topçu Tarakçi Nesrin
Published: June 2022

Aim

To identify healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward the coronavirus vaccine.

Background

Controlling the coronavirus pandemic depends on achieving a high level of herd immunity. Accordingly, it is very important that healthcare professionals become role models by displaying positive attitudes toward vaccination.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted between March and April 2021 with a total of 309 healthcare professionals. Data were collected via an online surveys using an “Introductory Information Form” and “Attitudes Towards the COVID‐19 Vaccine Scale.” One‐way variance analysis and Bonferroni correction were used for the comparison of nonnormally distributed quantitative variables between more than two groups. The Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn–Bonferroni test were used to compare non‐normally distributed quantitative variables between more than two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between the quantitative variables.

Results

Regarding the healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards the COVID‐19 vaccine, the average score of positive attitudes was 3.52 ± 0.87, and the average score of negative attitudes was 3.39 ± 0.68. A statistically significant weak relationship was found between the ages of the participants and the average score of their positive attitudes towards the COVID‐19 vaccine. The negative attitude score of the individuals who wanted to get the coronavirus vaccine was significantly higher than those who were undecided or did not want to get the vaccine.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals completely agreed with the opinion “I would persuade everyone around me to get the coronavirus vaccine,” and completely disagreed with the opinion “I believe that they will inject microchips to people with the coronavirus vaccine.” Healthcare professionals have positive attitudes toward the COVID‐19 vaccine. COVID‐19–vaccinated participants’ positive and negative attitude scores were found higher than those who were not vaccinated.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Supportive social activities should be organized in the public sense so that healthcare professionals act as a role model by displaying positive attitudes toward vaccination.
Participation of lipopolysaccharide in hyperplasic adipose expansion: Involvement of NADPH oxidase/ROS/p42/p44 MAPK‐dependent Cyclooxygenase‐2
Authors: Chang Chao‐Chien , Sia Kee‐Chin , Chang Jia‐Feng , Lin Chia‐Mo , Yang Chuen‐Mao , Lee I‐Ta , Vo Thi Thuy Tien , Huang Kuo‐Yang , Lin Wei‐Ning
Published: June 2022

Obesity is a world‐wide problem, especially the child obesity, with the complication of various metabolic diseases. Child obesity can be developed as early as the age between 2 and 6. The expansion of fat mass in child age includes both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adipose tissue, suggesting the importance of proliferation and adipogenesis of preadipocytes. The changed composition of gut microbiota is associated with obesity, revealing the roles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on manipulating adipose tissue development. Studies suggest that LPS enters the circulation and acts as a pro‐inflammatory regulator to facilitate pathologies. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms behind LPS‐modulated obesity are yet clearly elucidated. This study showed that LPS enhanced the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), an inflammatory regulator of obesity, in preadipocytes. Pretreating preadipocytes with the scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the inhibitors of NADPH oxidase or p42/p44 MAPK markedly decreased LPS‐stimulated gene expression of COX‐2 together with the phosphorylation of p47phox and p42/p44 MAPK, separately. LPS activated p42/p44 MAPK via NADPH oxidase‐dependent ROS accumulation in preadipocytes. Reduction of intracellular ROS or attenuation of p42/p44 MAPK activation both reduced LPS‐mediated COX‐2 expression and preadipocyte proliferation. Moreover, LPS‐induced preadipocyte proliferation and adipogenesis were abolished by the inhibition of COX‐2 or PEG2 receptors. Taken together, our results suggested that LPS enhanced the proliferation and adipogenesis of preadipocytes via NADPH oxidase/ROS/p42/p44 MAPK‐dependent COX‐2 expression.
Consistency in the prevalence and associated factors of frailty determined by two instruments among hospitalised older adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yu Xingfeng , Wang Nana , Wang Dan , Ma Yunmiao , Liu Hongmei , Fu Jia , Xu Cuixiang , Sun Yang , Zhang Yulian
Published: June 2022

Aims and objectives

To investigate the consistency in the prevalence and associated factors of frailty determined by the physical‐originated Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses and Loss of weight (FRAIL) scale and the multidimensional Tilburg Frailty Indicators (TFI) scale.

Background

Accurate assessment of frailty and the identification of its associated factors could guide the development and implementation of holistic and individualised treatment plan. However, recommendations regarding the selection of frailty assessment tools are inconclusive.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional study, the reporting of which followed the STROBE guidelines.

Methods

A total of 1220 older adults were recruited from a university affiliated tertiary hospital in Xi'an City, Northwest China, and administrated with a social‐demographic and health‐related information sheet, the FRAIL, the TFI, the Short‐Form Mini‐Nutritional Assessment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the 5‐level EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the prevalence of frailty and its associated factors.

Results

The prevalence of physical‐originated and multidimensional frailty was 55.2% and 77.6%, respectively. The consistency between the two scales was low. Taking the combined use of the two instruments as the reference, the TFI and FRAIL could identify 89.99% and 64.02% of the participants with frailty. Polypharmacy, health‐related quality of life and sleep quality were found to be associated with both physical‐originated and multidimensional frailty. Nutritional status and level of physical activity were additionally identified as the independent associated factors of multidimensional frailty.

Conclusions

The prevalence of frailty among hospitalised older adults is high. There is low consistency between the FRAIL and TFI in detecting frailty. The TFI exhibited higher sensitivity in detecting individuals with frailty and its associated factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study supported a single use of the TFI for the assessment of frailty in the hospital setting.
Gender norms and styling in Japanese conversation: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Okamoto Shigeko , Morimoto Maho
Published: June 2022

The observation that gender differences in Japanese language use are becoming less prevalent as women increasingly use ‘men's language’ appears in popular media from time to time. Some empirical studies support this view. However, such observations are usually based on the consideration of only one or two linguistic features, especially sentence‐final forms and personal pronouns. In contrast, this study analyzes the use of multiple linguistic and paralinguistic features related to gender, regarding them as resources for styling identity. According to our analysis of eight same‐gender and mixed‐gender dyadic conversations of college students, these speakers’ use of features other than sentence‐final forms, which we found to vary little by gender, is normatively gendered to a large extent. The study thus demonstrates that the analysis of multiple and multilevel variables enables us to better understand the complex process of styling through the speaker's negotiation of linguistic gender norms in actual practice.
Utilising pneuRIP device in determining the adequacy of respiratory support when weaning high‐flow nasal cannula in paediatric patients with acute respiratory distress: A pilot study
Authors: Murala Deepika K , Levenbrown Yosef , Xiao Wendi , Hossain Jobayer , Shaffer Thomas H
Published: June 2022

Aim

Recognition of paediatric respiratory distress and timely intervention is critical, especially during the weaning phase of support in paediatric acute respiratory failure, as weaning too aggressively can lead to further setbacks in a patient's recovery. We aimed to determine if pulmonary function measurements obtained with the pneuRIP device, a noninvasive pulmonary function testing device that provides measurements of labored breathing index (LBI), phase angle and %rib cage (%RC) contribution to breathing, will provide predictive values to assess the adequacy of respiratory support while weaning from HFNC.

Methods

We reviewed patients ages 0–18 years admitted to the PICU for respiratory distress due to respiratory infections receiving HFNC. Patients with history of chronic lung disease and chronic neuromuscular disease with baseline habnormal breathing patterns were excluded. Phase angle, LBI and %RC were obtained every hour and with every wean of HFNC. Nine patients were enroled.

Results

Mean LBI range remained 1.27–1.68 when LBI was plotted as a function of the HFNC flow rate. Mean values of %RC contribution to breathing ranged 43.65–57.12 as a function of the HFNC flow rate. No significant deviations existed in either %RC (P = 0.16) or LBI (P = 0.16) during the weaning of HFNC. Mean phase angle for all subjects was 41.48°–74.12° for the duration of wean and showed significant deviation from baseline during the weaning process (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Measurements of LBI and %RC on the pneuRIP device effectively demonstrated tolerance of weaning HFNC during the recovery phase of acute respiratory failure from a respiratory infection.
Comparative analysis of 343 plastid genomes of Solanum section Petota: Insights into potato diversity, phylogeny, and species discrimination
Authors: Yan Li‐Jun , Zhu Zhi‐Guo , Wang Pei , Fu Chao‐Nan , Guan Xi‐Jin , Kear Philip , Zhang Chun‐Zhi , Zhu Guang‐Tao
Published: June 2022

Common potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its wild relatives belong to Solanum section Petota. This section's phylogeny and species delimitation are complicated due to various ploidy levels, high heterozygosity, and frequent interspecific hybridization. Compared to the nuclear genome, the plastid genome is more conserved, has a haploid nature, and has a lower nucleotide substitution rate, providing informative alternative insights into the phylogenetic study of section Petota. Here, we analyzed 343 potato plastid genomes from 53 wild and four cultivated species. The diversity of sequences and genomes was comprehensively analyzed. A total of 24 species were placed in a phylogenetic tree based on genomic data for the first time. Overall, our results not only confirmed most existing clades and species boundaries inferred by nuclear evidence but also provided some distinctive species clade belonging and the maternally inherited evidence supporting the hybrid origin of some species. Furthermore, the divergence times between the major potato clades were estimated. In addition, the species discriminatory power of universal barcodes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and whole and partial plastid genomes and their combinations were thoroughly evaluated; the plastid genome performed best but had limited discriminatory power for all survey species (40%). Overall, our study provided not only new insights into phylogeny and DNA barcoding of potato but also provided valuable genetic data resources for further systematical research of Petota.
Aquinas on Kinship and Caritas
Authors: Russell Jesse
Published: June 2022

Both within and without the Church, contemporary political discourse is haunted by the question of ethnicity and identity. Many thinkers further have sounded the death knell of the liberal world order, which promised the eventual abolition of ethnic ties and the coalescence of the brotherhood of humanity. At the same time, there is a rising tide of ‘ethnonationalism’, which (over-) emphasizes the importance of ethnic identity at the expense of recognition of a shared common humanity among all people. Happily, St. Thomas Aquinas presents a remedy in his work, noting the importance of ethnic identity and kinship, which the Angelic doctor places within a wider framework of charity.
Isolation and identification of sporozoite membrane protein of Cryptosporidium parvum and evaluation of calmodulin‐like protein immune protection
Authors: Huang Yan , Chen Yu , Liu Yuxuan , Mi Rongsheng , Han Xiangan , Gong Haiyan , Cheng Long , Chen Zhaoguo
Published: June 2022

Until now, no completely effective parasite‐specific drugs or vaccines have been approved for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Through the separation and identification of the sporozoite membrane protein of Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum), 20 related proteins were obtained. Among them, a calmodulin‐like protein (CML) has a similar functional domain‐exchange factor hand (EF‐hand) motif as calmodulin proteins (CaMs), so it may play a similarly important role in the invasion process. A 663 bp full gene encoding the C. parvum calmodulin‐like protein (CpCML) was inserted in pET28a vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. An immunofluorescence assay showed that CpCML was mainly located on the surface of the sporozoites. Three‐week‐old female BALB/c mice were used for modelling the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of recombinant CpCML (rCpCML) against artificial Cryptosporidium tyzzeri infections. The results indicated a significantly increased in anti‐CpCML antibody response, which was induced by the immunized recombinant protein. Compared to rP23 (recombinant P23), GST6P‐1 (expressed by pGEX‐6P‐1 transfected E. coli), GST4T‐1 (expressed by pGEX‐4T‐1 transfected E. coli), glutathione (GSH), adjuvant and blank control groups, rCpCML‐immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation in addition to different production levels of IL‐2, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐5. Additionally, immunization with rCpCML led to 34.08% reduction of oocyst shedding in C. tyzzeri infected mice faeces which was similar to rP23. These results suggest that CpCML may be developed as a potential vaccine candidate antigen against cryptosporidiosis.
Genetic diversity of the pea root pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches in Europe
Authors: Kälin Carol , Berlin Anna , Kolodinska Brantestam Agnese , Dubey Mukesh , Arvidsson Anna‐Kerstin , Riesinger Paul , Elfstrand Malin , Karlsson Magnus
Published: June 2022

The oomycete pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches causes root rot in various legume species. In this study we focused on A. euteiches causing root rot in pea (Pisum sativum), thereby being responsible for severe yield losses in pea production. We aimed to understand the genetic diversity of A. euteiches in Europe, covering a north‐to‐south gradient spanning from Sweden, Norway and Finland to the UK, France and Italy. A collection of 85 European A. euteiches strains was obtained, all isolated from infected pea roots from commercial vining pea cultivation fields. The strains were genotyped using 22 simple‐sequence repeat markers. Multilocus genotypes were compiled and the genetic diversity between individual strains and population structure between countries was analysed. The population comprising strains from Italy was genetically different and did not share ancestry with any other population. Also, strains originating from Finland and the eastern parts of Sweden were found to be significantly different from the other populations, while strains from the rest of Europe were more closely related. A subset of 10 A. euteiches strains from four countries was further phenotyped on two susceptible pea genotypes, as well as on one genotype with partial resistance towards A. euteiches. All strains were pathogenic on all pea genotypes, but with varying levels of disease severity. No correlation between the genetic relatedness of strains and virulence levels was found. In summary, our study identified three genetically distinct groups of A. euteiches in Europe along a north‐to‐south gradient, indicating local pathogen differentiation.
President Trump and the Shallow State: Disloyalty at the Highest Levels
Authors: Pfiffner James P.
Published: June 2022

President Donald Trump often complained about the “deep state” of career civil servants who, he asserted, were determined to undermine his presidency. But it was his own presidential appointees who most visibly resisted his directives. Political appointees are expected to be the most loyal advocates of a president's policy agenda, riding herd on the many bureaucracies of the executive branch. This article analyzes resistance to Trump's policy directives by his own appointees in the White House, cabinet, military, and intelligence community. It concludes that this level of resistance is unprecedented in the modern presidency.
Self‐regulation of the brain's right frontal Beta rhythm using a brain‐computer interface
Authors: Enz Nadja , Schmidt Jemima , Nolan Kate , Mitchell Matthew , Alvarez Gomez Sandra , Alkayyali Miryam , Cambay Pierce , Gippert Magdalena , Whelan Robert , Ruddy Kathy
Published: June 2022

Neural oscillations, or brain rhythms, fluctuate in a manner reflecting ongoing behavior. Whether these fluctuations are instrumental or epiphenomenal to the behavior remains elusive. Attempts to experimentally manipulate neural oscillations exogenously using noninvasive brain stimulation have shown some promise, but difficulty with tailoring stimulation parameters to individuals has hindered progress in this field. We demonstrate here using electroencephalography (EEG) neurofeedback in a brain‐computer interface that human participants (n = 44) learned over multiple sessions across a 6‐day period to self‐regulate their Beta rhythm (13–20 Hz), either up or down, over the right inferior frontal cortex. Training to downregulate Beta was more effective than training to upregulate Beta. The modulation was evident only during neurofeedback task performance but did not lead to offline alteration of Beta rhythm characteristics at rest, nor to changes in subsequent cognitive behavior. Likewise, a control group (n = 38) who underwent training to up or downregulate the Alpha rhythm (8–12 Hz) did not exhibit behavioral changes. Although the right frontal Beta rhythm has been repeatedly implicated as a key component of the brain's inhibitory control system, the present data suggest that its manipulation offline prior to cognitive task performance does not result in behavioral change in healthy individuals. Whether this form of neurofeedback training could serve as a useful therapeutic target for disorders with dysfunctional inhibitory control as their basis remains to be tested in a context where performance is abnormally poor and neural dynamics are different.
Achieving agricultural greenhouse gas emission reductions in the EU post‐2030: What options do we have?
Authors: Verschuuren Jonathan
Published: June 2022

By 2030, the European Union (EU) must have regulatory instruments in place that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, but that also increase carbon sequestration, increase resilience of agricultural production, improve biodiversity in rural areas and contribute to providing nutritious and healthy food to a growing world population. This article seeks to explore the EU's regulatory options to pursue these goals. Relying on the theoretical framework on smart environmental regulation by Gunningham, Grabosky and Sinclair, this article assesses recent proposals by the European Commission under its European Green Deal and Farm to Fork policies, as well as other regulatory instruments that need to be considered as part of the instrument mix. It concludes that regulatory intervention needs to be stepped up, particularly through using several opportunities that the EU emissions trading system offers to complement the regulatory toolbox.
Binder's syndrome: A narrative review
Authors: Siddiqui Hamza Parvez , Sennimalai Karthik , Samrit Vilas D. , Bhatt Krushna , Duggal Ritu
Published: June 2022

Aim

The classical features of Binder's syndrome (BS) have been widely reported, yet there is a lack of information on diagnostic and treatment challenges. Therefore, we aimed to review the literature on various aspects, including the role of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of BS.

Methods

A thorough literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar using the keywords“Maxillonasal dysplasia”, “Maxillonasal dysostosis”, “nasomaxillary hypoplasia”, “Binder type”, “Binder syndrome”, “Binder phenotype”, and “OMIM 155050”. In addition, the articles published in the English language from the inception of the database until June 2021 were considered.

Results

The search of different databases yielded 958 publications, out of which 145 relevant articles were reviewed. The studies were categorised by year of publication, study design, and theme. Most of the studies were case reports (42%) followed by case series (19%). The most reported topic was based on different surgical techniques (42%). Finally, the results were synthesised into a narrative review.

Conclusions

The need for a multidisciplinary approach involving clinicians from different specialities is highlighted. Future research is warranted to develop concrete clinical guidelines for the management of this syndrome.
What are pre‐service teachers like? Analysis of their psychosocial profile
Authors: García‐Martínez Inmaculada , Augusto‐Landa José María , Quijano‐López Rocío , León Samuel P.
Published: June 2022

Modern society is becoming increasingly interested in people who are emotionally competent and who have the psychosocial skills required to be successful within the current social environment. However, no studies have been published on the assessment of the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on mental health if we assume the possible mediation of resilience and personality factors in the case of pre‐service teachers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyse the mediating role of resilience and personality factors in the relationship between EI and mental health of 1,022 pre‐service teachers enrolled in different educational degrees. The results found support the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health; nevertheless, this was not the case when personality traits were analysed. Furthermore, it has been found that EI and resilience positively affect mental health of university students. Practical implications of this study are oriented towards an advance within the emerging trend of deepening the EI and resilience constructs among mental health care providers. Only if we understand the complex interactions between the constructs which determine people will it be possible to develop educational and health programmes responding to current needs.
Human Salmonella enteritidis illness outbreak associated with exposure to live mice in British Columbia, Canada, 2018–2019
Authors: Plotogea Amalia , Taylor Marsha , Parayno Alicia , Sillje Mona , Stone Jason , Byrnes Rakel , Bitzikos Olga , Redford Tony , Waters Shannon , Fraser Erin , Hoang Linda , Zabek Erin , Tschetter Lorelee , Ziebell Kim , Chan YL Elaine , Galanis Eleni ,   Outbreak Team Members
Published: June 2022

In February 2019, five individuals with Salmonella Enteritidis infections matching by whole genome sequencing (WGS) were identified in the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Individuals with available exposure information all reported unique exposure to reptiles or rodents, prompting an outbreak investigation. We describe how WGS, case interviews, traceback and environmental testing were used to link this outbreak to one supplier of live mice primarily used as feeder rodents for pet snakes. Our investigation suggested that SE infection in the live mice occurred from contact with surfaces at the facility which were contaminated with the bacteria, either by a new stock of mice or by culled chicks routinely brought in and processed at the facility. Timely control measures for biosecurity and hygiene implemented at the supplier contributed to reducing the ongoing risk of illness in humans. This investigation not only contributes to the weight of evidence on the risk that pet or feeder rodents pose, but also highlights how ongoing infections in animal species can result in the spread of Salmonella to humans.
Influence of Photovoltaic Shading on Rooftop Heat Transfer, Building Energy Loads, and Photovoltaic Power Output
Authors: Alasadi Habeeb , Choi Jun-Ki , Mulford Rydge B.
Published: June 2022

Photovoltaic (PV) modules on building rooftops provide shade from summer heating, leading to a reduction in cooling load during hot seasons. However, PV shading also reduces passive solar heating during winter months, leading to an increase in the building heating load during cold seasons. In this study, the heat transfer performance of an enclosure formed by adjacent PV modules is analyzed for three locations in the United States, comparing the daily heat flux through rooftops for the case of a PV-shaded rooftop as well as an unshaded roof. Several result metrics are developed as part of this work, including the saved energy load (SEL), or the energy conserved by adding PV-shading to the rooftop, and the additional energy load (AEL), or the supplemental building energy required to replace shaded solar heating. Finally, this work calculates the utility factor, being the ratio of SEL and PV power output to AEL as a metric of PV effectiveness. SELs are 5.2, 6.2, and 11.7 kWh/m2 · year for Dayton, Boise, and Phoenix, respectively, while the AELs for the same locations are 1.6, 1.5, and 2.1 kWh/m2 · year. The utility factors for the same three locations are 61, 71, and 79. In general, locations with hot, non-cloudy summers and clear skies in winter see the largest utility factor. Further, it is shown that PV shading can conserve building energy during the winter months by preventing radiative losses to cold winter skies.
Online Friction–Thermal–Load Coupling Model of an Arbitrary Curve Contact Under Mixed Lubrication Considering Actual Operating Conditions
Authors: Li Tie-jun , Yang Yan-hong , Zhang Yi-min , Zhao Chun-yu
Published: June 2022

The existing fractal contact model fails to solve the problem of online real-time irregular curvilinear contact under mixed lubrication conditions. In this study, a novel arbitrary curve contact model is established, considering the actual operating condition that occurs under mixed lubrication. Furthermore, a new online friction–thermal–load coupling model for an arbitrary curve contact under mixed lubrication conditions is presented, considering the actual operating condition. To investigate the effects of the proposed online friction–thermal–load coupling model, a 30,205 tapered roller bearing with curved contact is examined by reading the real-time key point temperatures using thermocouple. Finally, the effectiveness of the presented model is verified through experiments and comparison.
Effect of Anisotropy on the Quality of Laser Cutting Corner of CFRP Plate
Authors: Li Wenyuan , Huang Yu , Chen Long , Chen Xinghua , Zhang Guojun , Rong Youmin
Published: June 2022

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in the aerospace field because of their outstanding performance. Laser is an effective method for CFRP composite processing. However, there are corner errors and obvious thermal damage in laser corner cutting, which affect the cutting quality. This article mainly describes the corner error and thermal damage behavior, and the effect of anisotropy of nanosecond UV laser when cutting different corners of CFRP plates. Select six corner angles to perform a full factorial experiment with a right-angled triangle hole cutting under the horizontal and vertical baselines and different laser repetition rates. The results show that there are obvious corner errors and heat affected zone (HAZ) and matrix recession (MR) in laser corner cutting. The corner error always shows that the cut-in error is smaller than the cut-out error (28.06% on average), and the cut-in error and HAZ decrease with the increase of the corner angle, but the difference between the cut-in and the cut-out error increases with the increase of the corner angle. In vertical baseline cutting, the corner error can be reduced to a certain extent, but the HAZ (average 38.42%) is seriously increased, and the thermal damage of linear cutting under a large pulse repetition rate is increased. The large laser repetition rate increases the thermal damage due to the increase of the overlap rate of adjacent pulses but has less effect on the corner error, especially the cut-in error.
Prediction and Control of Product Shape Quality for Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Ruiz Cesar , Jafari Davoud , Venkata Subramanian Vignesh , Vaneker Tom H. J. , Ya Wei , Huang Qiang
Published: June 2022

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has become an economically viable option for fast fabrication of large near-net shape parts using high-value materials in the aerospace and petroleum industries. However, wide adoption of WAAM technologies has been limited by low shape accuracy, high surface roughness, and poor reproducibility. Since WAAM part quality is affected by a multitude of factors related to part geometries, materials, and process parameters, experimental characterization or physics-based simulation for WAAM process optimization can be cost prohibitive, particularly for new part designs. As an effective alternative, data-analytical approaches have been developed for prescriptive modeling and compensation of shape deviations in 3D printed parts. However, WAAM faces a unique challenge of large shape deviation and high surface roughness at the same time. Accurate prediction and control of WAAM part quality require process-meaningful error decomposition under geometric measurement uncertainties. We propose a generalized additive modeling approach to separate global geometric shape deformation from surface roughness. Under this statistical framework, tensor product basis expansion is adopted to learn both the low-order shape deformation and high-order roughness patterns. The established predictive model enables optimal geometric compensation for product redesign to reduce shape deformation from the target geometry without altering process parameters. Experimental validation on WAAM manufactured cylindrical walls of various radii shows the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Finite-element-based resonant ultrasound spectroscopy for measurement of multi-material samples
Authors: Geimer Paul R. , Ulrich T. J. , Beardslee Luke B. , Hayne Mathew L. , Remillieux Marcel C. , Saleh Tarik A. , Freibert Franz J.
Published: June 2022

Understanding the elastic properties of materials is critical for their safe incorporation and predictable performance. Current methods of bulk elastic characterization often have notable limitations for in situ structural applications, with usage restricted to simple geometries and material distributions. To address these existing issues, this study sought to expand the capabilities of resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS), an established nondestructive evaluation method, to include the characterization of isotropic multi-material samples. In this work, finite-element-based RUS analysis consisted of numerical simulations and experimental testing of composite samples comprised of material pairs with varying elasticity and density contrasts. Utilizing genetic algorithm inversion and mode matching, our results demonstrate that elastic properties of multi-material samples can be reliably identified within several percent of known or nominal values using a minimum number of identified resonance modes, given sample mass is held consistent. The accurate recovery of material properties for composite samples of varying material similarity and geometry expands the pool of viable samples for RUS and advances the method towards in situ inspection and evaluation.
A method to convert neural signals into sound sequences
Authors: Destexhe Alain , Foubert Luc
Published: June 2022

We present a method to convert neural signals into sound sequences, with the constraint that the sound sequences precisely reflect the sequences of events in the neural signal. The method consists in quantifying the wave motifs in the signal and using these parameters to generate sound envelopes. We illustrate the procedure for sleep delta waves in the human electro-encephalogram (EEG), which are converted into sound sequences that encode the time structure of the original EEG waves. This procedure can be applied to synthesize personalized sound sequences specific to the EEG of a given subject.
Principles of emotional brain circuit maturation
Authors: Birnie Matthew T. , Baram Tallie Z.
Published: June 2022

Early-life environmental signals contribute to how the brain handles reward, stress, and fear
Refining petroleum with membranes
Authors: Seo Hyeokjun , Koh Dong-Yeun
Published: June 2022

Polymeric membranes may lower the energy requirement for oil refineries
Global outbreak puts spotlight on neglected virus
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: June 2022

The steady rise of monkeypox cases in Africa has received little attention—until now
Evolutionary Trajectories toward High-Level β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Resistance in the Presence of Multiple β-Lactamases
Authors: Rajer Fredrika , Allander Lisa , Karlsson Philip A. , Sandegren Linus
Published: June 2022

β-Lactam antibiotics are the first choice for the treatment of most bacterial infections. However, the increased prevalence of β-lactamases, in particular extended-spectrum β-lactamases, in pathogenic bacteria has severely limited the possibility of using β-lactam treatments.
Comparative Transcriptomics Reveal Possible Mechanisms of Amphotericin B Resistance in Candida auris
Authors: Shivarathri Raju , Jenull Sabrina , Chauhan Manju , Singh Ashutosh , Mazumdar Rounik , Chowdhary Anuradha , Kuchler Karl , Chauhan Neeraj
Published: June 2022

Candida auris
is an emerging multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen often refractory to treatment by all classes of antifungal drugs. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a fungicidal drug that, despite its toxic side effects, remains a drug of choice for the treatment of drug-resistant fungal infections, including those caused by
C. auris
.
Evaluation of the Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test in Subjects Infected with Omicron Using Different Specimens
Authors: Galliez Rafael Mello , Bomfim Larissa , Mariani Diana , Leitão Isabela de Carvalho , Castiñeiras Anna Carla Pinto , Gonçalves Cassia Cristina Alves , Ortiz da Silva Bianca , Cardoso Pedro Henrique , Arruda Monica Barcelos , Alvarez Patricia , Brindeiro Rodrigo , Ota Victor Akira , Rodrigues Débora Gomes Marins , da Costa Luciana Jesus , Ferreira Orlando da Costa , Castiñeiras Terezinha Marta Pereira Pinto , Faffe Debora Souza , Tanuri Amilcar
Published: June 2022

This study showed that the antigen rapid test for COVID19 worked fine using nasal swabs when it was utilized in patients infected with the Omicron variant, showing a concordance with PCR in 93% of patients tested. The nasal swab yielded more reliable results than the oral swab when an antigen rapid diagnosis test (the Panbio COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic test) was used in patients infected with the Omicron variant.
The Arginine Repressor ArgR
2
Controls Conjugated Linoleic Acid Biosynthesis by Activating the
cla
Operon in
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Authors: Liu Xin-Xin , Liu Lei , Song Xin , Wang Guang-Qiang , Xiong Zhi-Qiang , Xia Yong-Jun , Ai Lian-Zhong
Published: June 2022

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) has received extensive attention owing to its important physiological functions. CLA from natural sources is far from meeting people’s demands.
Synthesis and Structural Diversity of Gadolinium 1-(o-Methoxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienyl Complexes
Authors: Bardonov D. A. , Lysenko K. A. , Nifant’ev I. E. , Roitershtein D. M.
Published: June 2022

The reaction of 1-(o-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienyl potassium with gadolinium chloride tetrahydrofuranate gives, depending on the stoichiometry, either tetranuclear complex [{[η5-(Ph2(o-CH3OC6H4)C5H2)Gd(Thf)]2(µ2-Cl)2(µ3-Cl)3K(Thf)}2] (I) or mononuclear complex [(Ph2(o-CH3OC6H4)C5H2)2GdCl] (II) (CIF files CCDC nos. 2116742 (I), 2116741 (II)). In complex I, the oxygen atom of the methoxy group is not coordinated to the gadolinium cation, whereas in complex II, the Gd3+ cation is coordinated to the oxygen atoms of both methoxy groups. Complex II crystallizes in the chiral space group P41212.