bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic photonic spiking neuron for Bayesian inference with unsupervised learning
Authors: Ma Bowen , Zhang Junfeng , Li Xing , Zou Weiwen
Published: February 2023

Stochasticity is an inherent feature of biological neural activities. We propose a noise-injection scheme to implement a GHz-rate stochastic photonic spiking neuron (S-PSN). The firing-probability encoding is experimentally demonstrated and exploited for Bayesian inference with unsupervised learning. In a breast diagnosis task, the stochastic photonic spiking neural network (S-PSNN) can not only achieve a classification accuracy of 96.6%, but can also evaluate the diagnosis uncertainty with prediction entropies. As a result, the misdiagnosis rate is reduced by 80% compared to that of a conventional deterministic photonic spiking neural network (D-PSNN) for the same task. The GHz-rate S-PSN endows the neuromorphic photonics with high-speed Bayesian inference for reliable information processing in error-critical scenarios.
HCN channels at the cell soma ensure the rapid electrical reactivity of fast-spiking interneurons in human neocortex
Authors: Szegedi Viktor , Bakos Emőke , Furdan Szabina , Kovács Bálint H. , Varga Dániel , Erdélyi Miklós , Barzó Pál , Szücs Attila , Tamás Gábor , Lamsa Karri
Published: February 2023

Accumulating evidence indicates that there are substantial species differences in the properties of mammalian neurons, yet theories on circuit activity and information processing in the human brain are based heavily on results obtained from rodents and other experimental animals. This knowledge gap may be particularly important for understanding the neocortex, the brain area responsible for the most complex neuronal operations and showing the greatest evolutionary divergence. Here, we examined differences in the electrophysiological properties of human and mouse fast-spiking GABAergic basket cells, among the most abundant inhibitory interneurons in cortex. Analyses of membrane potential responses to current input, pharmacologically isolated somatic leak currents, isolated soma outside-out patch recordings, and immunohistochemical staining revealed that human neocortical basket cells abundantly express hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated cation (HCN) channel isoforms HCN1 and HCN2 at the cell soma membrane, whereas these channels are sparse at the rodent basket cell soma membrane. Antagonist experiments showed that HCN channels in human neurons contribute to the resting membrane potential and cell excitability at the cell soma, accelerate somatic membrane potential kinetics, and shorten the lag between excitatory postsynaptic potentials and action potential generation. These effects are important because the soma of human fast-spiking neurons without HCN channels exhibit low persistent ion leak and slow membrane potential kinetics, compared with mouse fast-spiking neurons. HCN channels speed up human cell membrane potential kinetics and help attain an input–output rate close to that of rodent cells. Computational modeling demonstrated that HCN channel activity at the human fast-spiking cell soma membrane is sufficient to accelerate the input–output function as observed in cell recordings. Thus, human and mouse fast-spiking neurons exhibit functionally significant differences in ion channel composition at the cell soma membrane to set the speed and fidelity of their input–output function. These HCN channels ensure fast electrical reactivity of fast-spiking cells in human neocortex.
A linear discriminant analysis model of imbalanced associative learning in the mushroom body compartment
Authors: Lipshutz David , Kashalikar Aneesh , Farashahi Shiva , Chklovskii Dmitri B.
Published: February 2023

To adapt to their environments, animals learn associations between sensory stimuli and unconditioned stimuli. In invertebrates, olfactory associative learning primarily occurs in the mushroom body, which is segregated into separate compartments. Within each compartment, Kenyon cells (KCs) encoding sparse odor representations project onto mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) whose outputs guide behavior. Associated with each compartment is a dopamine neuron (DAN) that modulates plasticity of the KC-MBON synapses within the compartment. Interestingly, DAN-induced plasticity of the KC-MBON synapse is imbalanced in the sense that it only weakens the synapse and is temporally sparse. We propose a normative mechanistic model of the MBON as a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier that predicts the presence of an unconditioned stimulus (class identity) given a KC odor representation (feature vector). Starting from a principled LDA objective function and under the assumption of temporally sparse DAN activity, we derive an online algorithm which maps onto the mushroom body compartment. Our model accounts for the imbalanced learning at the KC-MBON synapse and makes testable predictions that provide clear contrasts with existing models.
Fairness and efficiency considerations in COVID-19 vaccine allocation strategies: A case study comparing front-line workers and 65–74 year olds in the United States
Authors: Rumpler Eva , Feldman Justin M. , Bassett Mary T. , Lipsitch Marc
Published: February 2023

The COVID-19 epidemic in the United States has been characterized by two stark disparities. COVID-19 burden has been unequally distributed among racial and ethnic groups and at the same time the mortality rates have been sharply higher among older age groups. These disparities have led some to suggest that inequalities could be reduced by vaccinating front-line workers before vaccinating older individuals, as older individuals in the US are disproportionately Non-Hispanic White. We compare the performance of two distribution policies, one allocating vaccines to front-line workers and another to older individuals aged 65-74-year-old. We estimate both the number of lives saved and the number of years of life saved under each of the policies, overall and in every race/ethnicity groups, in the United States and every state. We show that prioritizing COVID-19 vaccines for 65-74-year-olds saves both more lives and more years of life than allocating vaccines front-line workers in each racial/ethnic group, in the United States as a whole and in nearly every state. When evaluating fairness of vaccine allocation policies, the overall benefit to impact of each population subgroup should be considered, not only the proportion of doses that is distributed to each subgroup. Further work can identify prioritization schemes that perform better on multiple equity metrics.
LPF-Defense: 3D adversarial defense based on frequency analysis
Authors: Naderi Hanieh , Noorbakhsh Kimia , Etemadi Arian , Kasaei Shohreh
Published: February 2023

The 3D point clouds are increasingly being used in various application including safety-critical fields. It has recently been demonstrated that deep neural networks can successfully process 3D point clouds. However, these deep networks can be misclassified via 3D adversarial attacks intentionality designed to perturb some point cloud’s features. These misclassifications may be due to the network’s overreliance on features with unnecessary information in training sets. As such, identifying the features used by deep classifiers and removing features with unnecessary information from the training data can improve network’s robustness against adversarial attacks. In this paper, the LPF-Defense framework is proposed to discard this unnecessary information from the training data by suppressing the high-frequency content in the training phase. Our analysis shows that adversarial perturbations are found in the high-frequency contents of adversarial point clouds. Experiments showed that the proposed defense method achieves the state-of-the-art defense performance against six adversarial attacks on PointNet, PointNet++, and DGCNN models. The findings are practically supported by an expansive evaluation of synthetic (ModelNet40 and ShapeNet) and real datasets (ScanObjectNN). In particular, improvements are achieved with an average increase of classification accuracy by 3.8% on Drop100 attack and 4.26% on Drop200 attack compared to the state-of-the-art methods. The method also improves models’ accuracy on the original dataset compared to other available methods. (To facilitate research in this area, an open-source implementation of the method and data is released at https://github.com/kimianoorbakhsh/LPF-Defense.).
Mathematical model of the dynamics of transmission and control of sporotrichosis in domestic cats
Authors: Araújo Aurélio A. , Codeço Cláudia , F. S. Freitas Dayvison , M. de Macedo Priscila , A. Pereira Sandro , D. F. Gremião Isabella , Coelho Flávio Codeço
Published: February 2023

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis with a global distribution, also known as “rose gardener’s disease”. Brazil is experiencing a rapid spread of the zoonotic transmission of of Sporothrix brasiliensis, the main etiological agent of this disease in this country, affecting domestic felines. Cost-effective interventions need to be developed to control this emergent public health problem. To allow for the comparison of alternative control strategies, we propose in this paper, a mathematical model representing the transmission of S. brasiliensis among cats, stratified by age and sex. Analytical properties of the model are derived and simulations show possible strategies for reducing the endemic levels of the disease in the cat population, with a positive impact on human health. The scenarios included mass treatment of infected cats and mass implementation of contact reduction practices, such as neutering. The results indicate that mass treatment can reduce substantially the disease prevalence, and this effect is potentialized when combined with neutering or other contact-reduction interventions. On the other hand, contact-reduction methods alone are not sufficient to reduce prevalence.
D-dimer levels in non-COVID-19 ARDS and COVID-19 ARDS patients: A systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Tóth Krisztina , Fresilli Stefano , Paoli Nicola , Maiucci Giacomo , Salvioni Mariateresa , Kotani Yuki , Katzenschlager Stephan , Weigand Markus A. , Landoni Giovanni
Published: February 2023

Background

Hypercoagulability and thrombo-inflammation are the main reasons for death in COVID-19 patients. It is unclear whether there is a difference between D-dimer levels in patients without or with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrails.gov databases looking for studies reporting D-dimer levels in patients without or with COVID-19 ARDS. Secondary endpoints included length of hospital stay, and mortality data at the longest follow-up available.

Results

We included 12 retrospective and 3 prospective studies with overall 2,828 patients, of whom 1,404 (49.6%) had non-COVID-19 ARDS and 1,424 had COVID-19 ARDS. D-dimer levels were not significantly higher in non-COVID-19 ARDS than in COVID-19 ARDS patients (mean 7.65 mg/L vs. mean 6.20 mg/L MD 0.88 [CI: -0.61 to 2.38] p = 0.25; I² = 85%) while the length of hospital stay was shorter (non-COVID-19 mean 37.4 days vs. COVID-19 mean 48.5 days, MD -10.92 [CI: -16.71 to -5.14] p < 0.001; I² = 44%). No difference in mortality was observed: non-COVID-19 ARDS 418/1167 (35.8%) vs. COVID-19 ARDS 467/1201 (38.8%).

Conclusions

We found no difference in the mean D-dimer levels between non-COVID-19 ARDS and COVID-19 ARDS patients.
Crystal structure and biochemical analysis of acetylesterase (LgEstI) from Lactococcus garvieae
Authors: Do Hackwon , Yoo Wanki , Wang Ying , Nam Yewon , Shin Seung Chul , Kim Han-Woo , Kim Kyeong Kyu , Lee Jun Hyuck
Published: February 2023

Esterase, a member of the serine hydrolase family, catalyzes the cleavage and formation of ester bonds with high regio- and stereospecificity, making them attractive biocatalysts for the synthesis of optically pure molecules. In this study, we performed an in-depth biochemical and structural characterization of a novel microbial acetylesterase, LgEstI, from the bacterial fish pathogen Lactococcus garvieae. The dimeric LgEstI displayed substrate preference for the short acyl chain of p-nitrophenyl esters and exhibited increased activity with F207A mutation. Comparative analysis with other esterases indicated that LgEstI has a narrow and shallow active site that may exhibit substrate specificity to short acyl chains. Unlike other esterases, LgEstI contains bulky residues such as Trp89, Phe194, and Trp217, which block the acyl chain channel. Furthermore, immobilized LgEstI retained approximately 90% of its initial activity, indicating its potential in industrial applications. This study expands our understanding of LgEstI and proposes novel ideas for improving its catalytic efficiency and substrate specificity for various applications.
A highly multiplexed assay to monitor pathogenicity, fungicide resistance and gene flow in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Bellah Hadjer , Gazeau Gwilherm , Gélisse Sandrine , Amezrou Reda , Marcel Thierry C. , Croll Daniel
Published: February 2023

Crop pathogens pose severe risks to global food production due to the rapid rise of resistance to pesticides and host resistance breakdowns. Predicting future risks requires monitoring tools to identify changes in the genetic composition of pathogen populations. Here we report the design of a microfluidics-based amplicon sequencing assay to multiplex 798 loci targeting virulence and fungicide resistance genes, and randomly selected genome-wide markers for the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. The fungus causes one of the most devastating diseases on wheat showing rapid adaptation to fungicides and host resistance. We optimized the primer design by integrating polymorphism data from 632 genomes of the same species. To test the performance of the assay, we genotyped 192 samples in two replicates. Analysis of the short-read sequence data generated by the assay showed a fairly stable success rate across samples to amplify a large number of loci. The performance was consistent between samples originating from pure genomic DNA as well as material extracted directly from infected wheat leaves. In samples with mixed genotypes, we found that the assay recovers variations in allele frequencies. We also explored the potential of the amplicon assay to recover transposable element insertion polymorphism relevant for fungicide resistance. As a proof-of-concept, we show that the assay recovers the pathogen population structure across French wheat fields. Genomic monitoring of crop pathogens contributes to more sustainable crop protection and yields.
Cohort profile: The Clinical and Multi-omic (CAMO) cohort, part of the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study
Authors: Delgado André Berli , Tylden Eline Sol , Lukic Marko , Moi Line , Busund Lill-Tove Rasmussen , Lund Eiliv , Olsen Karina Standahl
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer related deaths among women. The high incidence and mortality of breast cancer calls for improved prevention, diagnostics, and treatment, including identification of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers for use in precision medicine.

Material and methods

With the aim of compiling a cohort amenable to integrative study designs, we collected detailed epidemiological and clinical data, blood samples, and tumor tissue from a subset of participants from the prospective, population-based Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study. These study participants were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in North Norway before 2013 according to the Cancer Registry of Norway and constitute the Clinical and Multi-omic (CAMO) cohort. Prospectively collected questionnaire data on lifestyle and reproductive factors and blood samples were extracted from the NOWAC study, clinical and histopathological data were manually curated from medical records, and archived tumor tissue collected.

Results

The lifestyle and reproductive characteristics of the study participants in the CAMO cohort (n = 388) were largely similar to those of the breast cancer patients in NOWAC (n = 10 356). The majority of the cancers in the CAMO cohort were tumor grade 2 and of the luminal A subtype. Approx. 80% were estrogen receptor positive, 13% were HER2 positive, and 12% were triple negative breast cancers. Lymph node metastases were present in 31% at diagnosis. The epidemiological dataset in the CAMO cohort is complemented by mRNA, miRNA, and metabolomics analyses in plasma, as well as miRNA profiling in tumor tissue. Additionally, histological analyses at the level of proteins and miRNAs in tumor tissue are currently ongoing.

Conclusion

The CAMO cohort provides data suitable for epidemiological, clinical, molecular, and multi-omics investigations, thereby enabling a systems epidemiology approach to translational breast cancer research.
Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a mixed methods study
Authors: Hennein Rachel , Gorman Hannah , Chung Victoria , Lowe Sarah R.
Published: February 2023

Background

Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers (HCWs) negatively impacts job satisfaction, mental health, and career development; however, few studies have explored how experiences of gender discrimination change during times of health system strain. Thus, we conducted a survey study to characterize gender discrimination during a time of significant health system strain, i.e., the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We used a convenience sampling approach by inviting department chairs of academic medical centers in the United States to forward our online survey to their staff in January 2021. The survey included one item assessing frequency of gender discrimination, and an open-ended question asking respondents to detail experiences of discrimination. The survey also included questions about social and work stressors, such as needing additional childcare support. We used ordinal logistic regression models to identify predictors of gender discrimination, and grounded theory to characterize themes that emerged from open-ended responses.

Results

Among our sample of 716 women (mean age = 37.63 years, SD = 10.97), 521 (72.80%) were White, 102 (14.20%) Asian, 69 (9.60%) Black, 53 (7.4%) Latina, and 11 (1.50%) identified as another race. In an adjusted model that included demographic characteristics and social and work stressors as covariates, significant predictors of higher gender discrimination included younger age (OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.96, 0.99); greater support needs (OR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.09,1.47); lower team cohesion (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.91, 0.97); greater racial discrimination (OR = 1.07, 95%CI = 1.05,1.09); identifying as a physician (OR = 6.59, 95%CI = 3.95, 11.01), physician-in-training (i.e., residents and fellows; OR = 3.85, 95%CI = 2.27,6.52), or non-clinical worker (e.g., administrative assistants; OR = 3.08, 95%CI = 1.60,5.90), compared with nurses; and reporting the need for a lot more childcare support (OR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.15, 2.97), compared with reporting no childcare support need. In their open-ended responses, women HCWs described seven themes: 1) belittlement by colleagues, 2) gendered workload distributions, 3) unequal opportunities for professional advancement, 4) expectations for communication, 5) objectification, 6) expectations of motherhood, and 7) mistreatment by patients.

Conclusions

Our study underscores the severity of gender discrimination among women HCWs. Hospital systems should prioritize gender equity programs that improve workplace climate during and outside of times of health system strain.
Modelling of thrombus formation using smoothed particle hydrodynamics method
Authors: Monteleone Alessandra , Viola Alessia , Napoli Enrico , Burriesci Gaetano
Published: February 2023

In this paper a novel model, based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, is proposed to simulate thrombus formation. This describes the main phases of the coagulative cascade through the balance of four biochemical species and three type of platelets. SPH particles can switch from fluid to solid phase when specific biochemical and physical conditions are satisfied. The interaction between blood and the forming blood clot is easily handled by an innovative monolithic FSI approach. Fluid-solid coupling is modelled by introducing elastic binds between solid particles, without requiring detention and management of the interface between the two media. The proposed model is able to realistically reproduce the thromboembolic process, as confirmed by the comparison of numerical results with experimental data available in the literature.
Guidelines’ recommendations for the treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review of their quality
Authors: Gabriel Franciele Cordeiro , Stein Airton Tetelbom , Melo Daniela de Oliveira , Fontes-Mota Gessica Caroline Henrique , dos Santos Itamires Benício , Rodrigues Camila da Silva , Dourado Andrea , Rodrigues Mônica Cristiane , Fráguas Renério , Florez Ivan D. , Correia Diogo Telles , Ribeiro Eliane
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Depression is a serious and widespread mental health disorder. A significant proportion of patients with depression fail to remit after two antidepressant treatment trials, a condition named treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are instruments aimed to improve diagnosis and treatment. This study objective is to systematically appraise the quality and elaborate a comparison of high-quality CPGs with high-quality recommendations aimed at TRD.

Methods and analysis

We searched several specialized databases and organizations that develop CPGs. Independent researchers assessed the quality of the CPGs and their recommendations using AGREE II and AGREE-REX instruments, respectively. We selected only high-quality CPGs that included definition and recommendations for TRD. We investigated their divergencies and convergencies as well as weak and strong points.

Results

Among seven high-quality CPGs with high-quality recommendations only two (Germany’s Nationale Versorgungs Leitlinie–NVL and US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense–VA/DoD) included specific TRD definition and were selected. We found no convergent therapeutic strategy among these two CPGs. Electroconvulsive therapy is recommended by the NVL but not by the VA/DoD, while repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is recommended by the VA/DoD but not by the NVL. While the NVL recommends the use of lithium, and a non-routine use of thyroid or other hormones, psychostimulants, and dopaminergic agents the VA/DoD does not even include these drugs among augmentation strategies. Instead, the VA/DoD recommends ketamine or esketamine as augmentation strategies, while the NVL does not mention these drugs. Other differences between these CPGs include antidepressant combination, psychotherapy as a therapeutic augmentation, and evaluation of the need for hospitalization all of which are only recommended by the NVL.

Conclusions

High-quality CPGs for the treatment of depression diverge regarding the definition and use of the term TRD. There is also no convergent approach to TRD from currently high-quality CPGs.
Phenotypic effects of mutations observed in the neuraminidase of human origin H5N1 influenza A viruses
Authors: Scheibner David , Salaheldin Ahmed H. , Bagato Ola , Zaeck Luca M. , Mostafa Ahmed , Blohm Ulrike , Müller Christin , Eweas Ahmed F. , Franzke Kati , Karger Axel , Schäfer Alexander , Gischke Marcel , Hoffmann Donata , Lerolle Solène , Li Xuguang , Abd El-Hamid Hatem S. , Veits Jutta , Breithaupt Angele , Boons Geert-Jan , Matrosovich Mikhail , Finke Stefan , Pleschka Stephan , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , de Vries Robert P. , Abdelwhab Elsayed M.
Published: February 2023

Global spread and regional endemicity of H5Nx Goose/Guangdong avian influenza viruses (AIV) pose a continuous threat for poultry production and zoonotic, potentially pre-pandemic, transmission to humans. Little is known about the role of mutations in the viral neuraminidase (NA) that accompanied bird-to-human transmission to support AIV infection of mammals. Here, after detailed analysis of the NA sequence of human H5N1 viruses, we studied the role of A46D, L204M, S319F and S430G mutations in virus fitness in vitro and in vivo. Although H5N1 AIV carrying avian- or human-like NAs had similar replication efficiency in avian cells, human-like NA enhanced virus replication in human airway epithelia. The L204M substitution consistently reduced NA activity of H5N1 and nine other influenza viruses carrying NA of groups 1 and 2, indicating a universal effect. Compared to the avian ancestor, human-like H5N1 virus has less NA incorporated in the virion, reduced levels of viral NA RNA replication and NA expression. We also demonstrate increased accumulation of NA at the plasma membrane, reduced virus release and enhanced cell-to-cell spread. Furthermore, NA mutations increased virus binding to human-type receptors. While not affecting high virulence of H5N1 in chickens, the studied NA mutations modulated virulence and replication of H5N1 AIV in mice and to a lesser extent in ferrets. Together, mutations in the NA of human H5N1 viruses play different roles in infection of mammals without affecting virulence or transmission in chickens. These results are important to understand the genetic determinants for replication of AIV in mammals and should assist in the prediction of AIV with zoonotic potential.
Oligarchic transitions within the Tunisian ‘autocratic/authoritarian’ system and the struggle for ‘democratic transformations’
Authors: Khaddar M. Moncef
Published: February 2023

This work focuses on a contextualized understanding of ‘autocratic authoritarianism’ in Tunisia without approaching its peculiarities in reference to the ideal type of capitalist-liberal democracy and teleological democratization assumptions but instead on its own merits as a Tunisian civilian dictatorship (1957–2010). This latter is reminiscent of French colonial authoritarianism (1881–1956) and traditional beylic monarchic absolutism (1705–1957). For more than half a century, the Tunisian autocratic political system functioned as state-manufactured nationalist-populist authoritarianism associated with a presidential hegemonic ruling party, two successive autocratic presidents and their subservient oppressive elites. The diachronic survey of Tunisia’s political system encompasses the early years of autocracy, under the autocratic rule of the first president of the Republic Bourguiba, 1957–87, as well as the various stages of its consolidation into a police-security state with the second autocrat-President, Ben Ali, 1987–2011. This study also explores the reasons behind the durability of the ruling authoritarian-autocratic elites who played a decisive role in shaping state-society relations under the first and second president and left an indelible mark on the Tunisian polity beyond the 2010 ‘popular uprisings’. Therefore, the question is how, throughout the 2010 ‘Jasmine Revolution’, anti-democratic forces mutated in Tunisian politics in such a way that the end of ‘autocracy’, brought about by people’s uprisings, did not translate into social transformations, economic gains and ‘popular sovereignty’? Put more bluntly, why does the ‘revolution’ remain ‘unfinished’ and the transition ‘endless’ or ‘blocked’?
O livro de Valo: Um tratado militar português do século XVI
Authors: Sousa Luís Costa e , Avelar Ana Paula
Published: February 2023

O “livro de Valo” é a tradução do tratado escrito por Battista della Valle que marcou, juntamente com a “Arte militar” de Maquiavel, o início do surto de textos sobre a “coisa da guerra”. Della Valle era, ao contrário de Maquiavel, um “soldado prático”, pelo que o seu “libro” articula a tradição da guerra clássica com as inovações técnicas introduzidas na guerra do Renascimento, estabelecendo o padrão para a tratadística “de re militari” que floresceu em Itália, sobretudo a partir da segunda metade do século XVI. A tradução portuguesa, datada da segunda metade do século XVI é um texto particularmente importante não só no ponto de vista militar, porque demonstra a actualidade e pertinência da “escola militar italiana” no contexto das reformas militares sebásticas, mas também como testemunho da ligação entre os registos gráfico e narrativo praticado em Portugal no século XVI, cuja temática – bélica – se revelou tão cara às ambições do jovem rei D. Sebastião.
UNDERSTANDING OUR TESTS: HYDROGEN-METHANE BREATH TESTING TO DIAGNOSE SMALL INTESTINAL BACTERIAL OVERGROWTH
Authors: Tansel Aylin , Levinthal David J.
Published: February 2023

There is increasing appreciation that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) drives many common gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Breath testing via measurement of exhaled hydrogen and methane gases following ingestion of a readily metabolized carbohydrate has become an important non-invasive testing paradigm to help diagnose SIBO. However, due to a number of physiological and technical considerations, how and when to use breath testing in the diagnosis of SIBO remains a nuanced clinical decision. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of breath testing paradigms including the indications for testing, how to administer the test and how patient factors influence breath testing results. We also explore performance characteristics of breath testing (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio). We additionally cover describe complementary and alternative tests for diagnosing SIBO. We discuss applications of breath testing for research. Current estimates of SIBO prevalence among commonly encountered high-risk populations are reviewed to provide pre-test probability estimates under a variety of clinical situations. Finally, we discuss how to integrate breath test performance characteristics into clinical care decisions using clinical predictors and Fagan’s nomogram.
Isolated Cardiac Paraganglioma Encasing Right Coronary Artery With Evidence of Succinyl Dehydrogenase Gene Mutation: Successful Management Using Multimodality Imaging
Authors: Garg Naveen , Pandey Shashank , Madan Shiva , Yadav Subhash , Majumdar Gurango , Jain Neeraj , Jain Manoj
Published: February 2023

This report involves a young woman with isolated cardiac paraganglioma that was diagnosed using 68Gallium-labeled [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI3-octreotide positron emission tomographic scintigraphy. For the preoperative evaluation, multimodality imaging accurately described the anatomic location of the tumor and its relationship with the surrounding tissues. The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the tumor along with right coronary artery bypass grafting. The 2-month follow-up scintigraphy was normal. Next-generation sequencing evaluation revealed a novel germline mutation for the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B gene.
Domestic Wind Energy Planning for Deprived Communities in the Tropics: A Case Study of Nigeria
Authors: Emetere Moses Eterigho , Dania Omoremime Elizabeth , Afolalu Sunday Adeniran
Published: February 2023

Despite the notable inventions in solar energy, it is still too high for standalone users from developing countries. For example, it cost $2200 to provide power for a two-bedroom apartment while the average citizen lives below the country’s poverty line of $381.75 per year. The use of fossil fuel generators remains cheaper, except there is an affordable energy option for the average populace. The objective of this study is to investigate the wind energy potential for domestic or standalone use in Nigeria. It is proposed that the domestic wind turbine will be relatively cheap for adoption. Hence, there is the need to wholistic examine the prospects of wind energy generation in Nigeria. Though previous studies had been carried out, none has been wholistic as presented in this research work. Forty years wind speed and wind direction dataset, i.e., 1980-2020, was obtained from the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). The analysis of the wind energy potential across the research locations was considered using five sampling techniques, i.e., considering the general statistics of the forty years dataset; considering ten years in an evenly distributed pattern and accruable wind energy across the nation. It was observed that the early wet season (MAM) is the most unstable among the seasons. Also, sudden multi-directionality of the wind vectorization within forty years was observed. This event is ascribed to evidence of climate change to wind energy generation. Wind energy generation prospect was seen to be generally sustainable and reliable with SON, MAM, DJF and JJA having energy distribution of 325-950 kWh, 539-1700 kWh, 161-650 kWh and 761-3650 kWh respectively. Despite the variation of energy generation over the years within all seasons over Nigeria, it was found that it is predictable and can be optimized using various technological solutions.
Compositional and thermophysical study of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys for latent heat storage
Authors: Kageyama Yusuke , Morita Kazuki
Published: February 2023

In this study, the eutectic temperature and latent heat of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry measurements in order to identify eutectic alloys for latent heat storage in the eutectic temperature ranges of 450–550 and 300–350°C. First, the eutectic compositions of the Al–Si–Cu–Mg–Zn and Zn–Al–Mg–Sn alloys were identified using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and DTA in two steps. In the second step, metallographic analysis was repeated until a uniform eutectic microstructure was obtained. Thermophysical analysis revealed that the eutectic temperatures of several types of Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys were within the targeted temperature ranges with relatively high latent heat. These results confirmed that Al–Si- and Zn–Al–Mg-based eutectic alloys have suitable properties as phase change materials for use in the 300–350 and 450–550°C temperature ranges.
Modeling the band gap of spinel nano-ferrite material using a genetic algorithm based support vector regression computational method
Authors: Olatunji Sunday O. , Owolabi Taoreed O.
Published: February 2023

Spinel nano-ferrite compounds have attracted significant interest in industrial, scientific and technological communities as a result of their promising and unique features especially at nano-scale range. The present and future potentials of spinel nano-ferrite materials cut across several applications such as biotechnology, magnetic storage, sensors, magnetic hyperthermia, microwave absorbance and photo-catalysis. Enhancing the photocatalytic application of spinel nano-ferrite materials involves accommodation of foreign materials into the parent compound as well as appropriate fabrication technique which respectively alter the crystal structure and nano-size of the spinel nano-ferrite materials. This work implements the crystal lattice distortion and the size of nano-particles to develop, for the first time, hybridization of a support vector regression algorithm with a genetic algorithm for estimating the energy gap of doped spinel nano-ferrite materials. The developed hybrid genetic algorithm based support vector regression model was built using two hundred different spinel nano-ferrite materials doped with varieties of materials and synthesized through various methods. The developed genetic algorithm based support vector regression model that is characterized by low root mean square error and mean squared error of 0.3075 eV and 0.095 eV respectively, was further validated using eighteen different spinel nano-ferrite materials and the estimated energy gaps agree excellently with the experimental values. The influence of magnesium, aluminum and lanthanum on the band gap of spinel ferrite nanoparticles was investigated and studied using the developed genetic algorithm based support vector regression model. The developed model in this work ultimately provides a quick, accurate and precise method of characterizing the band gap of spinel nano-ferrite materials while circumventing experimental stress with conservation of appreciable time and other valuable resources.
Pain acceptance and psychological inflexibility predict pain interference outcomes for persons with chronic pain receiving pain psychology
Authors: Karayannis Nicholas Vasilis , Sturgeon John A. , Kemani Mike K. , Mackey Sean C. , Greco Carol M. , Wicksell Rikard K. , McCracken Lance M.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Awareness (being present), acceptance, and engagement (committed action) are three dimensions of psychological flexibility. Understanding these in the context of chronic pain may identify treatment targets to help refine individual treatment. Our objective was to test the predictive capacity of three dimensions within the psychological flexibility model on the longitudinal trajectory of pain interference.

Methods

Patients receiving pain psychology treatment at a pain management center participated in this pragmatic clinical longitudinal study (n=86 with at least three assessments; Mean age=51 years; Gender=60 females, 26 males). Measures included the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF); Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-8); Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS-12); and Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ-8). The dependent variable was the Patient Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI). We used latent growth modelling to analyze scores assessed within 180 days of patient care.

Results

Psychological inflexibility (PIPS-12) and pain acceptance (CPAQ-8) measured at baseline predicted PI outcomes (n=86). PIPS-12 showed a direct relationship with pain interference (PI), where higher PIPS-12 scores predicted significantly higher PI mean scores on average across the study period (ρ=0.422, r2=0.382) but also predicted significantly greater decreases in PI across time (ρ=−0.489, r2=0.123). Higher CPAQ-8 scores predicted significantly lower PI mean scores on average across the study period (ρ=−0.478, r2=0.453) but also significantly smaller decreases in PI across time (ρ=0.495, r2=0.076). Awareness (FFMQ-SF) and engagement (CAQ-8) were not predictive of PI outcomes.

Conclusions

Patients who entered pain psychology treatment with lower pain acceptance and higher psychological inflexibility showed the largest reductions in pain interference across time. These results contribute towards a novel prognostic understanding of the predictive roles of an enhancing dimension and limiting dimension of psychological flexibility.
Early to Middle Bronze Age agricultural terraces in north-east England: morphology, dating and cultural implications
Authors: Brown Antony G. , Fallu Daniel , Cucchiaro Sara , Alonso-Eguiluz Monica , Albert Rosa Maria , Walsh Kevin , Pears Ben R. , Scaife Rob , Langdon Catherine , Tarolli Paolo , Cockroft David , Snape Lisa , Lang Andreas , Ascough Philippa , Zhao Pengzhi , Van Oost Kristof , Waddington Clive
Published: February 2023

Terracing is found widely in the Mediterranean and in other hilly and mountainous regions of the world. Yet while archaeological attention to these ‘mundane’ landscape features has grown, they remain understudied, particularly in Northern Europe. Here, the authors present a multidisciplinary study of terraces in the Breamish Valley, Northumberland. The results date their construction to the Early to Middle Bronze Age, when they were built by cutting back the hillside, stone clearance and wall construction. Environmental evidence points to their use for cereal cultivation. The authors suggest that the construction and use of these terraces formed part of an Early to Middle Bronze Age agricultural intensification, which may have been both demographically and culturally driven.
DERİN ÖTEKTİK ÇÖZÜCÜNÜN Rheum ribes KÖKLERİNDEN FENOLİK BİLEŞİK EKSTRAKSİYONU ÜZERİNE ETKİSİ
Authors: KUTLU KANTAR Naciye
Published: February 2023

Bu çalışmada ışkın bitkisi (Rheum ribes) köklerinden biyoaktif bileşik eldesinde farklı çözücü tipleri değerlendirilmiştir. Yeşil çözücü olarak kolin klorür ve laktik asit ile hazırlanan farklı molar oranda (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) derin ötektik çözücüler ve su kullanılmıştır. Toplam fenolik bileşik miktarı derin ötektik çözücü ile etanol ekstraktına benzer olarak yüksek bulunmuştur. Toplam flavonoid bileşik ekstraksiyonunda en yüksek değer etanol ile elde edilirken ikinci sırada derin ötektik çözücü gelmektedir. Antioksidan aktivite üzerine ise en etkili çözücünün derin ötektik çözücü (1:3) olduğu saptanmıştır. Ek olarak temel bileşen analizi ile farklı çözücüler kullanılarak hazırlanan ışkın ekstraktlarının biyoaktif içerik (toplam fenolik, toplam flavonoid bileşik, antioksidan aktivite) açısından benzerlik/farklılıkları değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, ışkından biyoaktif bileşik ekstraksiyonunda organik çözücülere alternatif olarak derin ötektik çözücünün kullanımı uygun bulunmuştur.
SİYEZ KEPEĞİ EKŞİ HAMUR OPTİMİZASYONUNUN EKMEĞİN KALİTE VE BİYOAKTİF NİTELİKLERİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİLERİ
Authors: ÖRÜ Fatmanur , HENDEK ERTOP Müge
Published: February 2023

Siyez buğdayı (Triticum monococcum), ülkemizde özellikle Kastamonu ilinde yetiştirilen ve yaklaşık on bin yıl önce kültüre alınmış günümüz buğdaylarının atasıdır. Morfolojik yapısı itibariyle diğer buğdaylardan farklı olarak kavuzuyla hasat edilmekte, kepek tabakası endosperme daha sıkı bağlı olduğundan diğer buğdayların işlendiği modern değirmenlerde öğütülememektedir. Bu nedenle hasadından sonra selektörden geçirme, kavuzdan ayrıma işlemleri yapılmakta, tam buğday formunda değirmende kırıldıktan sonra elenerek kepek tabakası ayrılmaktadır. Nişastalı endospermce zengin %25 düzeyinde kepek değirmen atık/yan ürünü olarak ayrılmaktadır. Siyez kepeği iri taneli endosperm içermesi nedeniyle gıda sektöründe kullanım alanı bulamamakta ve hayvan yemi olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, buğday unu yerine siyez kepeğinden spontan fermantasyon ile üretilen ekşi mayanın ekmekte kullanımının optimizasyonu yapılmış, ekmek kalite ve biyoaktif nitelikleri üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Optimizasyon sonucu Hamur Verimi (HV):200 oranında hazırlanan siyez kepeği ekşi mayasının ekmekte %34.23 oranında kullanılması gerektiği buna karşılık formülasyondaki su oranın da %52.78 düzeyinde olması gerektiği belirlenmiştir. Üretilen optimize ekmek, ekmeklik buğday kepeği içerikli ekmeğe göre daha hacimli, yeme kalitesi, lezzet ve iç dokusu daha iyi olarak nitelendirilmiştir. Aynı zamanda fitik asit degradasyonu, mineral madde ve protein içeriğinde de artış tespit edilmiştir.
iPSC‐based modeling of THD recapitulates disease phenotypes and reveals neuronal malformation
Authors: Tristán‐Noguero Alba , Fernández‐Carasa Irene , Calatayud Carles , Bermejo‐Casadesús Cristina , Pons‐Espinal Meritxell , Colini Baldeschi Arianna , Campa Leticia , Artigas Francesc , Bortolozzi Analia , Domingo‐Jiménez Rosario , Ibáñez Salvador , Pineda Mercè , Artuch Rafael , Raya Ángel , García‐Cazorla Àngels , Consiglio Antonella
Published: February 2023

Tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency (THD) is a rare genetic disorder leading to dopaminergic depletion and early‐onset Parkinsonism. Affected children present with either a severe form that does not respond to L‐Dopa treatment (THD‐B) or a milder L‐Dopa responsive form (THD‐A). We generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from THD patients that were differentiated into dopaminergic neurons (DAn) and compared with control‐DAn from healthy individuals and gene‐corrected isogenic controls. Consistent with patients, THD iPSC‐DAn displayed lower levels of DA metabolites and reduced TH expression, when compared to controls. Moreover, THD iPSC‐DAn showed abnormal morphology, including reduced total neurite length and neurite arborization defects, which were not evident in DAn differentiated from control‐iPSC. Treatment of THD‐iPSC‐DAn with L‐Dopa rescued the neuronal defects and disease phenotype only in THDA‐DAn. Interestingly, L‐Dopa treatment at the stage of neuronal precursors could prevent the alterations in THDB‐iPSC‐DAn, thus suggesting the existence of a critical developmental window in THD. Our iPSC‐based model recapitulates THD disease phenotypes and response to treatment, representing a promising tool for investigating pathogenic mechanisms, drug screening, and personalized management.
A whole‐genome scan for Artemisinin cytotoxicity reveals a novel therapy for human brain tumors
Authors: Taubenschmid‐Stowers Jasmin , Orthofer Michael , Laemmerer Anna , Krauditsch Christian , Rózsová Marianna , Studer Christian , Lötsch Daniela , Gojo Johannes , Gabler Lisa , Dyczynski Matheus , Efferth Thomas , Hagelkruys Astrid , Widhalm Georg , Peyrl Andreas , Spiegl‐Kreinecker Sabine , Hoepfner Dominic , Bian Shan , Berger Walter , Knoblich Juergen A , Elling Ulrich , Horn Moritz , Penninger Josef M
Published: February 2023

The natural compound Artemisinin is the most widely used antimalarial drug worldwide. Based on its cytotoxicity, it is also used for anticancer therapy. Artemisinin and its derivates are endoperoxides that damage proteins in eukaryotic cells; their definite mechanism of action and host cell targets, however, have remained largely elusive. Using yeast and haploid stem cell screening, we demonstrate that a single cellular pathway, namely porphyrin (heme) biosynthesis, is required for the cytotoxicity of Artemisinins. Genetic or pharmacological modulation of porphyrin production is sufficient to alter its cytotoxicity in eukaryotic cells. Using multiple model systems of human brain tumor development, such as cerebral glioblastoma organoids, and patient‐derived tumor spheroids, we sensitize cancer cells to dihydroartemisinin using the clinically approved porphyrin enhancer and surgical fluorescence marker 5‐aminolevulinic acid, 5‐ALA. A combination treatment of Artemisinins and 5‐ALA markedly and specifically killed brain tumor cells in all model systems tested, including orthotopic patient‐derived xenografts in vivo. These data uncover the critical molecular pathway for Artemisinin cytotoxicity and a sensitization strategy to treat different brain tumors, including drug‐resistant human glioblastomas.
Nurses’ perception on parents of premature babies in the nicu
Authors: Nascimento Carlos Alberto Domingues do , Cartaxo Charmênia Maria Braga , Monteiro Estela Maria Leite Meirelles Monteiro , Silva Lygia Maria Pereira da , Souto Caroline Cordeiro , Leão Eduarda Nascimento Carneiro
Published: February 2023

The study aimed to analyze the nurses’ perception on the babies’ parents during the treatment in the NICU. Qualitative research carried out from March to June 2012 through semi-structured interview with nine nurses from a hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil. Data showed that the parents are initially perceived in a state of emotional disorganization, but when they turn to defensive strategies and with the nurses’ aid, which provide clinical information and psychological support, they adjust themselves to the treatment situation. On the other hand, reporting the death of the premature infant is an experience seen as extremely negative. To improve the accomplishment of the humanization of the assistance, the nurses highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach.