bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPARK: A Transcriptional Assay for Recording Protein‐Protein Interactions in a Defined Time Window
Authors: Geng Lequn , Kroning Kayla E. , Wang Wenjing
Published: July 2021

Protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) are ubiquitously involved in cellular processes such as gene expression, enzymatic catalysis, and signal transduction. To study dynamic PPIs, real‐time methods such as Förster resonance energy transfer and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer can provide high temporal resolution, but they only allow PPI detection in a limited area at a time and do not permit post‐PPI analysis or manipulation of the cells. Integration methods such as the yeast two‐hybrid system and split protein systems integrate PPI signals over time and allow subsequent analysis, but they lose information on dynamics. To address some of these limitations, an assay named SPARK (Specific Protein Association tool giving transcriptional Readout with rapid Kinetics) has recently been published. Similar to many existing integrators, SPARK converts PPIs into a transcriptional signal. SPARK, however, also adds blue light as a co‐stimulus to achieve temporal gating; SPARK only records PPIs during light stimulation. Here, we describe the procedures for using SPARK assays to study a dynamic PPI of interest, including designing DNA constructs and optimization in HEK293T/17 cell cultures. These protocols are generally applicable to various PPI partners and can be used in different biological contexts. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Designing DNA constructs for SPARK

Basic Protocol 2: Performing the SPARK assay in HEK293T/17 cell cultures

Support Protocol 1: Lentivirus preparation

Support Protocol 2: Immunostaining of SPARK components
Women of diverse sexual identities admit to eating disorder treatment with differential symptom severity but achieve similar clinical outcomes
Authors: Murray Matthew F. , Cox Shelbi A. , Henretty Jennifer R. , Haedt‐Matt Alissa A.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Sexual minority (SM) women may be at increased risk for certain eating disorder (ED) symptoms and report distinct body image concerns compared to heterosexual women. However, it is unclear how such symptoms differ across sexual orientations in treatment‐seeking women, or if there are differences in treatment outcomes. This study examined group differences in (1) ED symptomatology at admission in a disaggregated sample of SM and heterosexual women presenting for ED treatment and (2) treatment outcomes.

Methods

Adult women who admitted to higher levels of ED treatment across 48 locations of one treatment center between 2015 and 2018 completed self‐report measures of ED symptomatology and quality of life (QOL) at admission and discharge. Participants identified their sexualities as heterosexual (n = 2,502, 80.2%), lesbian/gay (n = 134, 4.3%), bisexual (n = 270, 8.7%), “other” (n = 136, 4.4%), and unsure (n = 78, 2.5%). Objectives 1 and 2 were tested using one‐way and repeated measures analyses of variance, respectively.

Results

Group differences at admission emerged between lesbian/gay and heterosexual, bisexual and heterosexual, and bisexual and “other”‐identified women on preoccupation and restriction, fasting, self‐induced vomiting, shape and weight concern, and QOL. Bisexual women, in particular, admitted with the highest severity and at younger ages compared to heterosexual women. Despite such differences, women across groups achieved similar treatment outcomes at discharge.

Discussion

Study findings underscore the importance of subgroup analyses of ED symptoms in SM women and have both clinical and research implications related to ED symptomatology in this population.
Mapping potential wildlife habitats around Haro Abba Diko controlled hunting area, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Erena Mosissa Geleta , Yesus Tekalegn G.
Published: July 2021

Remote sensing and geographic information system technologies provide useful data to analyze and map potential wildlife habitats based on physical parameters collected from the field. HADCHA was established with a total area of 20,000 ha, while many more comparable potential wildlife habitats were left outside the area. This study aims to identify and map potential wildlife habitats around HADCHA. Data were collected using Landsat 5 thematic mapper and Sentinel‐2A satellite image, a digital elevation model with 30 m pixels downloaded from ASTER data, and existing GIS Shapefile layers. Thematic Mapper data were downloaded from USGS and processed with Erdas Imagine 2015 software. To evaluate potential wildlife habitat around HADCHA, habitat suitability parameters such as settlement, slope, water, and road buffer zones were used for habitat evaluation and mapping. Accordingly, 16,795 ha of potential wildlife habitats were identified and mapped on westwards of HADCHA. In the new PPWH, about 476.68 ha (2.84%) were moderately suitable, 14,119.17 ha (84.04%) suitable and 2,200.08 ha (13.10%) highly suitable but only 4.2 ha (0.02%) identified as unsuitable. Legal protection of the PPWH around HADCHA could increase the conservation of African buffalo, other mammals, and their habitats. While the mapped potential wildlife habitats had the potential to be parts of HADCHA, it was neglected and has not yet obtained conservation attention. The finding appeals for legal protection of the PPWH and expansion of HADCHA, which could maximize the conservation efforts taken to wild animals of the area. Neglecting this potential wildlife habitat for a long period of time exposed African buffalo and other large‐sized mammals to illegal hunting practices. Policymakers and conservationists shall revise and design the future action plan of HADCHA on how to expand the current‐controlled hunting area and maximize revenue generation from African buffalo and other potential trophy species of the area.
Development of Phospholipids Vesicular Nanocarrier for Topical Delivery of Tea Tree Oil in Management of Atopic Dermatitis Using BALB/c Mice Model
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Sharma Dinesh Kumar , Ashawat Mahendra Singh
Published: July 2021

This work aims to develop and evaluate the efficacy of tea tree oil (TTO) ethosomal cream with improved deposition in skin layers for treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Ethosomes of TTO are developed using phosphatidylcholine (2% and 3% w/v) and ethanol (20%, 30%, and 40% w/v). Ethosomes are evaluated for percent entrapment efficiency (%EE), vesicle size, zeta potential, and in vitro drug diffusion. Ethosomal creams with optimized ethosomal dispersion are developed and evaluated for physicochemical parameters, thermal stability, ex vivo permeation, skin retention, and in vitro cytotoxicity using HaCat skin cell lines in comparison to conventional creams of TTO. In vivo investigations of optimized creams are performed using BALB/c mice model. The %EE, vesicle size, and zeta potential for optimized ethosomes are found to be 76.19 ± 3.26%, 333.6 nm, and –35.3 mV, respectively. Ethosomal creams showed higher deposition in the epidermis and dermis. The optimized creams are non‐cytotoxic to HaCat cell lines. The creams significantly reduce the inflammatory response by decreasing the clinical score and infiltration of white blood cells, eosinophils, and IgE antibodies. Overall efficacy of ethosomal cream is higher than conventional cream. In conclusion, optimized ethosomal cream of TTO shows good efficacy for treatment of AD.

Practical applications: The method used for the formulation of ethosomes is simple and can be easily scaled up on the industrial level. The loading of TTO within ethosomes can increase the efficiency by enhanced drug deposition in the epidermis and might also improve its stability against oxidative degradation. Topical ethosomal cream of TTO can improve patient compliance by avoidance of adverse effects linked with corticosteroids and could be a possible complementary or alternative therapy in management of AD.
Early and late visual deprivation induce hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal noxious stimuli in the ZRDBA mouse
Authors: Touj Sara , Paquette Thierry , Bronchti Gilles , Piché Mathieu
Published: July 2021

Background

Visual deprivation leads to behavioural adaptations. Early visual deprivation has greater effects on sensory systems compared with late visual deprivation. Although this has been well studied, the impact of visual deprivation on pain sensitivity has scarcely been investigated. In humans, one study indicates that pain sensitivity is increased in early, but not late‐onset blindness. In animals, one study indicates that sensitivity to noxious stimulation is increased in anophthalmic mice, but the impact of late visual deprivation on sensitivity remains unknown. The aim of this behavioural study was to examine sensitivity to noxious stimulation in mice with early and late visual deprivation. We hypothesized that visual deprivation would have different effects on sensitivity to noxious stimulation depending on its onset.

Methods

In Experiment 1, mechanical and thermal sensitivity was examined in four ZRDBA mouse groups: sighted mice, anophthalmic mice, dark‐reared sighted mice and adult sighted mice deprived of vision for one week. In Experiment 2, mechanical and thermal sensitivity was examined in adult sighted ZRDBA mice deprived of vision for two months.

Results

Anophthalmic and dark‐reared mice showed mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, while the one‐week visual deprivation did not alter sensitivity. The two‐month deprivation also resulted in mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity.

Conclusions

These results indicate that early visual deprivation, regardless of the integrity of the visual system, induces hypersensitivity. Moreover, the present findings indicate that late visual deprivation may induce mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity, although this depends on visual deprivation duration. These results have implications for the biological significance of pain in the blind.

Significance

Sensory deprivation induces behavioural adaptions. For most sensory systems, the extent of these adaptations generally depends on the stage of cerebral development. In contrast, the present results indicate that for the nociceptive system, both early and late visual deprivation have similar effects. Anophthalmic, dark‐reared mice and adult mice deprived of vision for two months showed thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. This shows a clear interaction between visual and nociceptive systems and has implications for the biological significance of pain in the blind.
A Novel Dopamine‐Based Boronate Esters with the Organic Base as Highly Efficient, Stable, and Green Catalysts for the Conversion of CO2 with Epoxides to Cyclic Carbonates
Authors: Kilic Ahmet , Aytar Emine , Beyazsakal Levent
Published: July 2021

A series of dopamine‐based mono‐ and dinuclear boronate esters are studied as stable, efficient, and green metal‐free catalysts for coupling CO2 with epoxides under suitable and solvent‐free conditions. Under the optimized reaction conditions, dinuclear boronate esters compared with those with mononuclear compounds display high catalytic activity and selectivity for the chemical conversion of CO2 into cyclic organic carbonates as a valuable product. Ferrocene group containing boronate ester (B4a) display the highest activity for the carboxylation of epichlorohydrin at 100 °C and 1.6 MPa of CO2 pressure, obtaining 96.3% conversion after just 2 h. After seeing a high catalytic performance of trigonal‐planar boronate ester (B1–B5) and tetrahedral boronate ester (B1a–B5a) catalysts, the effect of ionic liquid, epoxide, base, temperature, CO2 pressure, reaction time, and amount of catalyst/substrate/cocatalyst is investigated for these catalysts. The newly synthesized dopamine‐based trigonal‐planar and tetrahedral boronate esters are entirely characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, NMR (1H, 13C, and 11B NMR) spectroscopy, FT‐IR spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and LC–MS/MS spectrometry.
Spatial cluster detection with threshold quantile regression
Authors: Lee Junho , Sun Ying , Judy Wang Huixia
Published: July 2021

Spatial cluster detection, which is the identification of spatial units adjacent in space associated with distinctive patterns of data of interest relative to background variation, is useful for discerning spatial heterogeneity in regression coefficients. Some real studies with regression‐based models on air quality data show that there exists not only spatial heterogeneity but also heteroscedasticity between air pollution and its predictors. Since the low air quality is a well‐known risk factor for mortality, various cardiopulmonary diseases, and preterm birth, the analysis at the tail would be of more interest than the center of air pollution distribution. In this article, we develop a spatial cluster detection approach using a threshold quantile regression model to capture the spatial heterogeneity and heteroscedasticity. We introduce two threshold variables in the quantile regression model to define a spatial cluster. The proposed test statistic for identifying the spatial cluster is the supremum of the Wald process over the space of threshold parameters. We establish the limiting distribution of the test statistic under the null hypothesis that the quantile regression coefficient is the same over the entire spatial domain at the given quantile level. The performance of our proposed method is assessed by simulation studies. The proposed method is also applied to analyze the particulate matter (PM) concentration and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data in the Northeastern United States in order to study geographical heterogeneity in the association between AOD and PM at different quantile levels.
Green carbon dots based ultraviolet photovoltaic window with high transparence to visible light
Authors: Huang Ping , Xu Shunjian , Zhang Meng , Zhong Wei , Xiao Zonghu , Luo Yongping
Published: July 2021

Since the absorption spectra of carbon quantum dots are mainly concentrated in the ultraviolet region and nearly transparent to visible light, a new concept of ultraviolet photovoltaic window is proposed using carbon quantum dots as a light absorber. The photovoltaic window can generate electricity without affecting indoor lighting and effectively block the entry of ultraviolet light. Cotton fiber as carbon precursor and urea as dopant are used to prepare green N‐doped carbon quantum dots with blue fluorescence. Moreover, the amount of dopant and thickness of TiO2 film have a great influence on the power conversion efficiency and transmittance of the photovoltaic window. The best efficiency of the photovoltaic window obtained is 0.614% and its average visible transmittance is also the best (37.2%) among the prepared photovoltaic windows. The construction of ultraviolet photovoltaic window successfully opens up a new application of carbon quantum dots in building‐integrated photovoltaics.
Preserved landscapes underneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet reveal the geomorphological history of Jutulstraumen Basin
Authors: Franke Steven , Eisermann Hannes , Jokat Wilfried , Eagles Graeme , Asseng Jölund , Miller Heinrich , Steinhage Daniel , Helm Veit , Eisen Olaf , Jansen Daniela
Published: July 2021

The landscape of Antarctica, hidden beneath kilometre‐thick ice in most places, has been shaped by the interactions between tectonic and erosional processes. The flow dynamics of the thick ice cover deepened pre‐formed topographic depressions by glacial erosion, but also preserved the subglacial landscapes in regions with moderate to slow ice flow. Mapping the spatial variability of these structures provides the basis for reconstruction of the evolution of subglacial morphology. This study focuses on the Jutulstraumen Glacier drainage system in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. The Jutulstraumen Glacier reaches the ocean via the Jutulstraumen Graben, which is the only significant passage for draining the East Antarctic Ice Sheet through the western part of the Dronning Maud Land mountain chain. We acquired new bed topography data during an airborne radar campaign in the region upstream of the Jutulstraumen Graben to characterise the source area of the glacier. The new data show a deep relief to be generally under‐represented in available bed topography compilations. Our analysis of the bed topography, valley characteristics and bed roughness leads to the conclusion that much more of the alpine landscape that would have formed prior to the Antarctic Ice Sheet is preserved than previously anticipated. We identify an active and deeply eroded U‐shaped valley network next to largely preserved passive fluvial and glacial modified landscapes. Based on the landscape classification, we reconstruct the temporal sequence by which ice flow modified the topography since the beginning of the glaciation of Antarctica.
Performance and failure mechanism of fire barriers in full‐scale chair mock‐ups
Authors: Thompson Andre L. , Kim Ickchan , Hamins Anthony , Bundy Matthew , Zammarano Mauro
Published: July 2021

The effectiveness and the failure mechanism of fire barriers in a residential upholstered furniture (RUF) were investigated by full‐scale flaming tests on upholstered chair mock‐ups. Six commercial fire barriers were tested in this study. Fire barriers were screened for the presence of elements that are typically used in fire retardants and the presence of commonly used fire retardants. For each fire barrier, triplicate flammability tests were run on chair mock‐ups, where polyurethane foam and polyester fiber fill were used as the padding materials, and each chair component was fully wrapped with the fire barrier of choice and a polypropylene cover fabric. The ignition source was an 18 kW square propane burner, impinging on the top surface of the seat cushion for 80 seconds. Results showed all six fire barriers reduced the peak heat release rate (as much as ≈64%) and delayed its occurrence (up to ≈19 minutes) as compared to the control chair mock‐ups. The heat release rate remained at a relatively low plateau level until liquid products (generated by either melting or pyrolysis of the padding material) percolated through the fire barrier at the bottom of the seat cushion and ignited, while the fire barrier was presumably intact. The flaming liquid products dripped and quickly formed a pool fire under the chair, and the peak heat release rate occurred shortly thereafter. Ultimately, the ignition of the percolating liquid products at the bottom of the seat cushion was identified as the mechanism triggering the failure of the fire barrier.
Botanical origin and characterization of monofloral honeys in Southwestern forest of Ethiopia
Authors: Addi Admassu , Bareke Tura
Published: July 2021

The study was conducted to identify and characterize the monofloral honey types found in the Gesha‐Sayilem forest. A total of 15 honey samples were collected during the honey flow seasons. For honey pollen analysis, the method recommended by the International Commission for Bee Botany and harmonized methods of the International Honey commission were used. Data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA, PCA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Three monofloral honey types were identified, such as Schefflera abyssinica honey, Croton macrostachyus honey, and Vernonia amygdalina honey types. The mean moisture content of the honey samples of Vernonia amygdalina honey was 18.3 ± 1.02%, that for Schefflera abyssinica honey 18.1 ± 1%, and 21.2 ± 1.05% for Croton macrostachyus honey. The HMF value of the Vernonia honey ranged from 1.1 to 1.3 mg/kg, with a mean value of 1.2 ± 0.1 mg/kg; that of Schefflera abyssinica honey ranged from 2.2 to 2.5, with a mean value of HMF 2.3 ± 0.15; and that of Croton honey ranged from 2.4 to 2.6 mg/kg, mean value of 2.56 ± 0.15 mg/kg. There was a significant difference in the free acid content of honey samples due to the botanical origin of honey and sampling locations (p < .05). The electrical conductivity of honey samples in the Gesha‐Sayilem forest was found within an international range, with a maximum limit of 0.8 mS/cm for most nectar honey. There was a significant strong correlation between proline, free acid, and sucrose. Moisture content was positively correlated with electric conductivity, due to the dependable nature of electrical conductivity on honey moisture. The study area honey meets the basic honey quality standards both of the national and international honey quality specifications, except that the moisture content of croton honey which was some what out of the accepted range.
Cold start behavior and freeze characteristics of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
Authors: Kocher Katharina , Kolar Stefan , Ladreiter Walter , Hacker Viktor
Published: July 2021

Vehicle applications require efficient cold start ability and durability of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In this study, various self‐cold start strategies including purging the PEMFC at shutdown and using galvanostatic operation at startup are proposed. The cold start characteristics from −5°C of a single cell are experimentally investigated in situ on a laboratory scale. The amount of cumulated charge transfer density, corresponding to the amount of product water, is used as an index to quantify the cold start capability. Gas purge at shutdown before freeze is found to facilitate the PEMFC cold start, although the improvement is relatively small compared with other methods such as gradually increasing the current during startup. Microscopic studies of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) after cold start failure are conducted to determine material degradation due to ice formation.
Evaluating the influence of requirements in fuel cell system design using Design Requirement Maps
Authors: Fladung Alexander , Scholz Hannes , Berger Oliver , Hanke‐Rauschenbach Richard
Published: July 2021

Finding a combination of design variables for an optimized design target is the main aspect in fuel cell system design. Beside that, it has to be ensured that all requirements, on component and vehicle level, are met. Using a visualization approach, called Design Requirement Map, as a graphical presentation of the design target and the requirements of two degrees of freedom, helps to answer certain design questions and enable an estimation of the influence of requirements and operating points on the optimal system design. In this paper, first, the general fuel cell system design problem is formulated and, second, the Design Requirement Map is used to study the influence of requirements on the optimal combination of humidifier scale and air compression ratio. Designs with too small or too large humidifiers reveal as designs, which are constrained by at least one of the considered requirements. In addition, the influence for a multi‐objective design target and different ambient temperatures and pressures are addressed. For certain design questions using Design Requirement Maps can be very helpful to evaluate the impact of requirements on the system design especially when considering different operating points.
The effect of medical cannabis laws on pharmaceutical marketing to physicians
Authors: Lebesmuehlbacher Thomas , Smith Rhet A.
Published: July 2021

Although cannabis is federally prohibited, a majority of U.S. states have implemented medical cannabis laws (MCLs). As more individuals consider the drug for medical treatment, they potentially substitute away from prescription drugs. Therefore, an MCL signals competitor entry. This paper exploits geographic and temporal variation in MCLs to examine the strategic response in direct‐to‐physician marketing by pharmaceutical firms as cannabis enters the market. Using office detailing records from 2014‐2018 aggregated to the county level, we find weak evidence of a relatively small and delayed response in substitute prescription drug‐ and opioid‐related detailing. While these effects on detailing dollars are more pronounced among smaller pharmaceutical firms, the magnitudes are economically small and likely muted at aggregate levels by the small percent of doctors that actively recommend cannabis for medical treatment.
Concurrent use of hydroxyurea and deferasirox in Californians with sickle cell disease
Authors: Wong Trisha E. , Valle Jhaqueline , Paulukonis Susan
Published: July 2021

Background and aims

When patients with sickle cell disease have appropriate indications, they can be prescribed hydroxyurea (HU) and deferasirox (DFX) concurrently despite little knowledge about how the two medications interact. We wished to analyze whether there was evidence of adverse interaction between HU and DFX when taken simultaneously and hypothesized that those who took both drugs together had similar clinical complications when compared to those who took only one or neither drug.

Methods

We conducted this retrospective cohort investigation between 2009 and 2016 of persons with SCD in the California Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, a validated database of Californians with SCD a statewide. People in the database who took HU and DFX simultaneously for at least 3 months as compared to those who took either HU or DFX alone or to matched persons who took neither drug were eligible.

Results

We identified 104 people who were prescribed both HU and DFX concurrently, 877 who were prescribed HU only, and 314 who were prescribed DFX only during the study period. We identified 416 matched controls who took neither HU nor DFX. People who took both HU and DFX concurrently had similar rates of ED and inpatient encounters and had similar rates and distribution of adverse effects compared to those who took either HU or DFX alone or took neither drug.

Conclusion

Three months of concurrent use of DFX and HU appears safe, but further studies are required to better understand the safety and effectiveness of this medication combination. (Funded by CDC, CDC Foundation, and others).
Effect of two immiscible multifluid flow on internal heat generation or absorption in a vertical channel in the presence of concentration
Authors: Kandagal Mangala , Kalyan Shreedevi
Published: July 2021

The effect of multifluid flow on internal heat generation or absorption in a vertical channel in the presence of concentration is investigated in this paper. The fluids are incompressible in both regions, that is, Region‐I and Region‐II, and it is assumed the transport properties of fluid flow are constant. With the help of the analytical method, all the basic equations transformed into governing coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved, and the solutions obtained for fluid velocity, temperature, and concentration. These results are illustrated by plotting graphs and for various physical parameters. Here, we can control the results by means of the heat absorption coefficient, width ratio, and viscosity ratio.
Computation of Darcy‐Forchheimer flow of Sisko nanofluid over a stretching cylinder
Authors: Bisht Ankita , Sharma Rajesh
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the Darcy‐Forchheimer flow of Sisko nanofluid with viscous dissipation and convective thermal boundary conditions. The Buongiorno two‐component nanoscale model is deployed for nanofluid characteristics, which take into account the physical phenomena responsible for the slip velocity between the base fluid and the nanoparticles such as thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion. The Darcy‐ Forchheimer model employed here includes the effects of boundary and inertial forces. The nonlinear coupled partial differential equations governing the fluid flow are converted into the nonlinear ordinary differential equations by choosing suitable similarity transformations. The nondimensionalized differential equations are then solved utilizing the finite difference based bvp‐4c tool in MATLAB software. The numerical solutions are presented graphically to demonstrate the impact of involved physical parameters on temperature, velocity, and nanoparticle volume fraction. Moreover, the rate of heat transfer, mass transfer, and skin friction are physically interpreted. The present investigation reveals that the Darcy number enhances the velocity and depleted the temperature while the Forchheimer number depleted the velocity and enhances the temperature of the Sisko nanofluid. The thermophoresis, Brownian diffusion parameters, and the Forchheimer number contribute to the reduction in the heat transfer rate while the Darcy number enhances it. The skin friction at the wall can be controlled by controlling the values of Darcy number.
Corrigendum: The near‐infrared autofluorescence fingerprint of the brain
Authors: Lifante José , del Rosal Blanca , Chaves‐Coira Irene , Fernández Nuria , Jaque Daniel , Ximendes Erving
Published: July 2021

In the article by J. Lifante et al (doi: 10.1002/jbio.202000154), published in J. Biophotonics 2020;13:e202000154, a spectral feature corresponding to tissue reflectance was mistakenly attributed to autofluorescence. This corrigendum is published to correct the interpretation of the spectral data and images in the manuscript.
Development and validation of the Brief‐Mentalized Affectivity Scale: Evidence from cross‐sectional online data and an urban community‐based mental health clinic
Authors: Greenberg David M. , Rudenstine Sasha , Alaluf Rozita , Jurist Elliot L.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To develop and validate the Brief‐Mentalized Affectivity scale (B‐MAS), a shorter version of the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS).

Methods

In Study 1 (N = 978), participants from Amazon's Mechanical Turk were administered a battery of questionnaires including the B‐MAS and traditional emotion regulation measures. In Study 2 (N = 230), clients from a community clinic completed a separate battery of measures, including the B‐MAS, and personality and emotion regulation measures.

Results

There were four main findings: (1) the B‐MAS is a psychometrically robust measure of emotion regulation and mentalization; (2) scores on the B‐MAS are highly predictive of many clinical diagnoses; (3) scores on the B‐MAS are just as or more predictive of wellbeing than traditional emotional regulation measures; and (4) as observed in an urban clinic with a diverse population, the B‐MAS is useful clinically, especially because of its brevity.

Conclusion

The B‐MAS contributes to the expanding scope of research on emotion regulation and has valuable clinical applications.
Evaluating interactions between emotion regulation strategies through the interpersonal context of female friends
Authors: Christensen Kara Alise , van Dyk Ilana Seager , Southward Matthew W. , Vasey Michael W.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

There is a growing interest in examining how interpersonal relationships may shape associations between emotion regulation (ER) strategies and psychopathology.

Methods

We used multilevel modeling to test if respondents' self‐reported intrapersonal ER, friends' self‐reported intrapersonal ER, and their interaction were associated with psychopathology in a sample of 120 female friend dyads.

Results

Respondents' use of brooding rumination, expressive suppression, and worry were positively associated with respondent psychopathology. Friend reappraisal moderated the association between respondent reappraisal and respondent psychopathology. Consistent with an interference hypothesis, respondent cognitive reappraisal was only associated with respondent psychopathology when friend cognitive reappraisal was low. Consistent with a compensatory hypothesis, respondent reappraisal was primarily associated with respondent psychopathology when friend repetitive negative thought was high.

Discussion

Results support the extension of models of ER strategy interactions from intrapersonal to interpersonal contexts. Future research is needed to replicate the interference and compensatory interactions observed in the data.
Psychodynamic group psychotherapy for hikikomori: The case of a socially withdrawn male with schizoaffective disorder
Authors: Kubo Hiroaki , Aida Nobuo , Kato Takahiro A.
Published: July 2021

Hikikomori, a severe form of social withdrawal, is a condition characterized by the avoidance of social participation and staying at home for more than 6 months. Hikikomori was initially reported in Japan in the 1990s and is now observed worldwide. Here, we introduce specialized psychodynamic group psychotherapy for persons with hikikomori, and illustrate the case of an adult male with schizoaffective disorder. In the present report, the patient initiated an unreasonably difficult job‐hunting process, became unwell, and was hospitalized. He began to participate in group psychotherapy as a place of belonging and gradually increased his social interactions. We also consider the specific difficulties exhibited by people with hikikomori, especially focusing on the avoidance around assuming responsibility for decisions and extreme dichotomous thinking. Additionally, we discuss the benefits of dealing with these difficulties in a group structure and propose the applicability of group psychotherapy in therapeutic interventions for persons with hikikomori.
Visual art history and the psychology of perception: Perspectivism and its 20th century abandonment in the visual arts and in Gibson's ecological psychology
Authors: Heft Harry
Published: July 2021

The development of linear perspective in the early 15th century and the discovery of the retinal image two centuries later became cornerstones of an approach to visual perception theory that eventually took shape primarily in the hands of British Empiricist philosophers. Even as this approach has dominated perceptual theory to the present day, the perspectivist influence on pictorial representation within the visual arts steadily diminished over time. Its decisive break with perspectivism came in the early 20th century with transformative 19th century changes in the sciences and technology. Collectively, these events elevated process and change over fixity and stasis, and ultimately led to the collapse of the distinction between space and time in the physical sciences. Even so, approaches to visual perception in psychology remained remarkably untouched by these occurrences until the 1960s when the experimental psychologist James Gibson drew upon them to challenge the legacy of perspectivism and the visual image and their effect on perceptual theory. His ecological approach to perception recognizes animacy as the essential functional property of living things, and in doing so, conceptualizes seeing as a perception–action process. From this stance, Gibson like the visual artists earlier in the century rejected the assumption that visual perception is best characterized as the capturing of static images. Jointly and yet independently, both efforts loosened the grip that perspectivism and the visual image have maintained on the arts and on visual perception theory, respectively, bringing 19th century scientific advances into 20th century psychological thought.
Identification of a new 2‐amino acid insertion in the integrase coding region of HIV‐1 subtype G isolates
Authors: Pereira‐Vaz João , Crespo Pedro , Mocho Luísa , Martinho Patrícia , Fidalgo Teresa , Correia Lurdes , Rodrigues Fernando , Duque Vítor
Published: July 2021

Amino acid insertions have been rarely found in the integrase (IN) coding region of Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1), and have been considered as natural polymorphisms. It is still unclear the potential impact of these insertion mutations on the viral replication capacity and/or susceptibility to integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). The objective of this study was to describe a previously unreported amino acid insertion in the IN coding region of HIV‐1 isolates obtained from antiretroviral treatment‐naïve infected individuals. Nucleotide sequences of HIV‐1 isolates obtained from two infected individuals were analyzed for genotypic resistance to antiretroviral drugs. Phylogenetic inference was carried out for HIV‐1 genetic variant identification. An unreported insertion of a threonine (T) and an asparagine (N) between codon 255 and 256 (S255N_TN) was identified in the IN C‐terminal domain of HIV‐1 subtype G isolates. No resistance‐associated mutations to INSTIs were detected in the inserted sequences. Both individuals maintained undetectable HIV‐1 RNA viral load, 24 months after undergoing antiretroviral treatment with an INSTI containing regimen. The results demonstrated the possibility of transmission of this insertion mutation and suggested that the codon 255 insert by itself may not affect susceptibility to INSTIs.
SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.617 Indian variants: Are electrostatic potential changes responsible for a higher transmission rate?
Authors: Pascarella Stefano , Ciccozzi Massimo , Zella Davide , Bianchi Martina , Benedetti Francesca , Benvenuto Domenico , Broccolo Francesco , Cauda Roberto , Caruso Arnaldo , Angeletti Silvia , Giovanetti Marta , Cassone Antonio
Published: July 2021

Lineage B.1.617+, also known as G/452R.V3 and now denoted by WHO with the Greek letters δ and κ, is a recently described SARS‐CoV‐2 variant under investigation first identified in October 2020 in India. As of May 2021, three sublineages labeled as B.1.617.1 (κ), B.1.617.2 (δ), and B.1.617.3 have been already identified, and their potential impact on the current pandemic is being studied. This variant has 13 amino acid changes, three in its spike protein, which are currently of particular concern: E484Q, L452R, and P681R. Here, we report a major effect of the mutations characterizing this lineage, represented by a marked alteration of the surface electrostatic potential (EP) of the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Enhanced RBD‐EP is particularly noticeable in the B.1.617.2 (δ) sublineage, which shows multiple replacements of neutral or negatively charged amino acids with positively charged amino acids. We here hypothesize that this EP change can favor the interaction between the B.1.617+ RBD and the negatively charged ACE2, thus conferring a potential increase in the virus transmission.
Integrated multidisciplinary ecological analysis from the Uluzzian settlement at the Uluzzo C Rock Shelter, south‐eastern Italy
Authors: Silvestrini Sara , Romandini Matteo , Marciani Giulia , Arrighi Simona , Carrera Lisa , Fiorini Andrea , López‐García Juan Manuel , Lugli Federico , Ranaldo Filomena , Slon Viviane , Tassoni Laura , Higgins Owen Alexander , Bortolini Eugenio , Curci Antonio , Meyer Matthias , Meyer Michael Christian , Oxilia Gregorio , Zerboni Andrea , Benazzi Stefano , Spinapolice Enza Elena
Published: July 2021

The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition, between 50 000 and 40 000 years ago, is a period of important ecological and cultural changes. In this framework, the Rock Shelter of Uluzzo C (Apulia, southern Italy) represents an important site due to Late Mousterian and Uluzzian evidence preserved in its stratigraphic sequence. Here, we present the results of a multidisciplinary analysis performed on the materials collected between 2016 and 2018 from the Uluzzian stratigraphic units (SUs) 3, 15 and 17. The analysis involved lithic technology, use‐wear, zooarchaeology, ancient DNA of sediments and palaeoproteomics, completed by quartz single‐grain optically stimulated luminescence dating of the cave sediments. The lithic assemblage is characterized by a volumetric production and a debitage with no or little management of the convexities (by using the bipolar technique), with the objective to produce bladelets and flakelets. The zooarchaeological study found evidence of butchery activity and of the possible exploitation of marine resources, while drawing a picture of a patchy landscape, composed of open forests and dry open environments surrounding the shelter. Ancient mitochondrial DNA from two mammalian taxa were recovered from the sediments. Preliminary zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry results are consistent with ancient DNA and zooarchaeological taxonomic information, while further palaeoproteomics investigations are ongoing. Our new data from the re‐discovery of the Uluzzo C Rock Shelter represent an important contribution to better understand the meaning of the Uluzzian in the context of the Middle/Upper Palaeolithic transition in south‐eastern Italy.
Raman measurement of the effect of lattice defects on the two‐phonon density of states in ZnO
Authors: Nour‐Al‐Deen Ibrahim , El‐Kurdi Riham , Patra Digambara , Kazan Michel
Published: July 2021

The resonance of the
mode of the zinc oxide (ZnO) lattice occurs near a ridge‐like structure of the two‐phonon density of states (DOS). The renormalization of the harmonic frequency of the
mode using perturbation‐theory with first‐principles calculations of the two‐phonon DOS is usually used to describe the Raman spectrum of this mode. In this contribution, we tackle the inverse problem; that is, we derive the two‐phonon DOS in ZnO using numerical analysis of Raman measurements of the
mode. We vary the temperature to displace the resonance of the
mode along the ridge and detect a wide spectrum of the two‐phonon DOS in ZnO. We first derive the two‐phonon DOS by increasing the temperature from 300 K to 1000 K with a 20 K step. Next, we perform the same study but decrease the temperature from 1000 K to 300 K to observe how the two‐phonon DOS changes due to thermal annealing. The results show that lattice defects significantly enhance the two‐phonon DOS, which highlights the need for an effective thermal management strategy when ZnO lattice defects are harnessed for technology applications.
New results on the asymptotic behavior of an SIS epidemiological model with quarantine strategy, stochastic transmission, and Lévy disturbance
Authors: Kiouach Driss , Sabbar Yassine , El Azami El‐idrissi Salim
Published: July 2021

The spread of infectious diseases is a major challenge in our contemporary world, especially after the recent outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The quarantine strategy is one of the important intervention measures to control the spread of an epidemic by greatly minimizing the likelihood of contact between infected and susceptible individuals. In this study, we analyze the impact of various stochastic disturbances on the epidemic dynamics during the quarantine period. For this purpose, we present an SIQS epidemic model that incorporates the stochastic transmission and the Lévy noise in order to simulate both small and massive perturbations. Under appropriate conditions, some interesting asymptotic properties are proved, namely, ergodicity, persistence in the mean, and extinction of the disease. The theoretical results show that the dynamics of the perturbed model are determined by parameters that are closely related to the stochastic noises. Our work improves many existing studies in the field of mathematical epidemiology and provides new techniques to predict and analyze the dynamic behavior of epidemics.
Proton range uncertainty reduction benefits for skull base tumors in terms of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and healthy tissue doses
Authors: Tattenberg Sebastian , Madden Thomas M. , Gorissen Bram L. , Bortfeld Thomas , Parodi Katia , Verburg Joost
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Proton therapy allows for more conformal dose distributions and lower organ at risk and healthy tissue doses than conventional photon‐based radiotherapy, but uncertainties in the proton range currently prevent proton therapy from making full use of these advantages. Numerous developments therefore aim to reduce such range uncertainties. In this work, we quantify the benefits of reductions in range uncertainty for treatments of skull base tumors.

Methods

The study encompassed 10 skull base patients with clival tumors. For every patient, six treatment plans robust to setup errors of 2 mm and range errors from 0% to 5% were created. The determined metrics included the brainstem and optic chiasm normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) with the endpoints of necrosis and blindness, respectively, as well as the healthy tissue volume receiving at least 70% of the prescription dose.

Results

A range uncertainty reduction from the current level of 4% to a potentially achievable level of 1% reduced the probability of brainstem necrosis by up to 1.3 percentage points in the nominal scenario in which neither setup nor range errors occur and by up to 2.9 percentage points in the worst‐case scenario. Such a range uncertainty reduction also reduced the optic chiasm NTCP with the endpoint of blindness by up to 0.9 percentage points in the nominal scenario and by up to 2.2 percentage points in the worst‐case scenario. The decrease in the healthy tissue volume receiving at least 70% of the prescription dose ranged from −7.8 to 24.1 cc in the nominal scenario and from −3.4 to 38.4 cc in the worst‐case scenario.

Conclusion

The benefits quantified as part of this study serve as a guideline of the OAR and healthy tissue dose benefits that range monitoring techniques may be able to achieve. Benefits were observed between all levels of range uncertainty. Even smaller range uncertainty reductions may therefore be beneficial.
Changes in mood and health‐related quality of life in Look AHEAD 6 years after termination of the lifestyle intervention
Authors:   The Look AHEAD Research Group, Wadden Thomas A. , Chao Ariana M. , Anderson Harelda , Annis Kirsten , Atkinson Karen , Bolin Paula , Brantley Phillip , Clark Jeanne M. , Coday Mace , Dutton Gareth , Foreyt John P. , W. Gregg Edward , Hazuda Helen P. , Hill James O. , Hubbard Van S. , Jakicic John M. , Jeffery Robert W. , Johnson Karen C. , Kahn Steven E. , Knowler William C. , Korytkowski Mary , Lewis Cora E. , Laferrère Blandine , Middelbeek Roeland J. , Munshi Medha N. , Nathan David M. , Neiberg Rebecca H. , Pilla Scott J. , Peters Anne , Pi‐Sunyer Xavier , Rejeski Jack W. , Redmon Bruce , Stewart Tiffany , Vaughan Elizabeth , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Walkup Michael P. , Wing Rena R. , Wyatt Holly , Yanovski Susan Z. , Zhang Ping
Published: July 2021

Objective

The Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study previously reported that intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) reduced incident depressive symptoms and improved health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) over nearly 10 years of intervention compared with a control group (the diabetes support and education group [DSE]) in participants with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. The present study compared incident depressive symptoms and changes in HRQOL in these groups for an additional 6 years following termination of the ILI in September 2012.

Methods

A total of 1,945 ILI participants and 1,900 DSE participants completed at least one of four planned postintervention assessments at which weight, mood (via the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9), antidepressant medication use, and HRQOL (via the Medical Outcomes Scale, Short Form‐36) were measured.

Results

ILI participants and DSE participants lost 3.1 (0.3) and 3.8 (0.3) kg [represented as mean (SE); p = 0.10], respectively, during the 6‐year postintervention follow‐up. No significant differences were observed between groups during this time in incident mild or greater symptoms of depression, antidepressant medication use, or in changes on the physical component summary or mental component summary scores of the Short Form‐36. In both groups, mental component summary scores were higher than physical component summary scores.

Conclusions

Prior participation in the ILI, compared with the DSE group, did not appear to improve subsequent mood or HRQOL during 6 years of postintervention follow‐up.