bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous B- to A-Transition in Protein-DNA Binding - How Well Is It Described by Current AMBER Force Fields?
Authors: Jurečka Petr , Zgarbová Marie , Černý Filip , Salomon Jan
Published: January 2022

When DNA interacts with a protein, its structure often undergoes significant conformational adaptation. Perhaps the most common is the transition from canonical B-DNA towards the A-DNA form, which is not a two-state, but rather a continuous transition. The A- and B-forms differ mainly in sugar pucker P (north/south) and glycosidic torsion χ (high-anti/anti). The combination of A-like P and B-like χ (and vice versa) represents the nature of the intermediate states lying between the pure A- and B- forms. In this work, we study how the A/B equilibrium and in particular the A/B intermediate states, which are known to be over-represented at protein-DNA interfaces, are modeled by current AMBER force fields. Eight protein-DNA complexes and their naked (unbound) DNAs were simulated with OL15 and bsc1 force fields as well as an experimental combination OL15χOL3. We found that while the geometries of the A-like intermediate states in the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations agree well with the native X-ray geometries found in the protein-DNA complexes, their populations (stabilities) are significantly underestimated. Different force fields predict different propensities for A-like states growing in the order OL15 < bsc1 < OL15χOL3, but the overall populations of the A-like form are too low in all of them. Interestingly, the force fields seem to predict the correct sequence-dependent A-form propensity, as they predict larger populations of the A-like form in naked (unbound) DNA in those steps that acquire A-like conformations in protein-DNA complexes. The instability of A-like geometries in current force fields may significantly alter the geometry of the simulated protein-DNA complex, destabilize the binding motif, and reduce the binding energy, suggesting that refinement is needed to improve description of protein-DNA interactions in AMBER force fields.
Relative pitch representations and invariance to timbre
Authors: McPherson Malinda J. , McDermott Josh H.
Published: January 2022

Information in speech and music is often conveyed through changes in fundamental frequency (f0), perceived by humans as “relative pitch”. Relative pitch judgments are complicated by two facts. First, sounds can simultaneously vary in timbre due to filtering imposed by a vocal tract or instrument body. Second, relative pitch can be extracted in two ways: by measuring changes in constituent frequency components from one sound to another, or by estimating the f0 of each sound and comparing the estimates. We examined the effects of timbral differences on relative pitch judgments, and whether any invariance to timbre depends on whether judgments are based on constituent frequencies or their f0. Listeners performed up/down and interval discrimination tasks with pairs of spoken vowels, instrument notes, or synthetic tones, synthesized to be either harmonic or inharmonic. Inharmonic sounds lack a well-defined f0, such that relative pitch must be extracted from changes in individual frequencies. Pitch judgments were less accurate when vowels/instruments were different compared to when they were the same, and were biased by the associated timbre differences. However, this bias was similar for harmonic and inharmonic sounds, and was observed even in conditions where judgments of harmonic sounds were based on f0 representations. Relative pitch judgments are thus not invariant to timbre, even when timbral variation is naturalistic, and when such judgments are based on representations of f0.
Proteasome granular localization is regulated through mitochondrial respiration and kinase signaling
Authors: Waite Kenrick A , Roelofs Jeroen
Published: January 2022

In yeast, proteasomes are enriched in cell nuclei where they execute important cellular functions. Nutrient-stress can change this localization indicating proteasomes respond to the cell’s metabolic state. However, the signals that connect these processes remain poorly understood. Carbon starvation triggers a reversible translocation of proteasomes to cytosolic condensates known as proteasome storage granules (PSGs). Surprisingly, we observed strongly reduced PSG levels when cells had active cellular respiration prior to starvation. This suggests the mitochondrial activity of cells is a determining factor in the response of proteasomes to carbon starvation. Consistent with this, upon inhibition of mitochondrial function we observed proteasomes relocalize to granules. These links between proteasomes and metabolism involve specific signaling pathways, as we identified a MAP kinase cascade that is critical to the formation of proteasome granules after respiratory growth but not following glycolytic growth. Furthermore, the yeast homolog of AMP kinase, Snf1, is important for proteasome granule formation induced by mitochondrial inhibitors, while dispensable for granule formation following carbon starvation. We propose a model where mitochondrial activity promotes proteasome nuclear localization.

We determined a role for mitochondrial respiration in regulating proteasome granule formation and identified the cell integrity MAP kinase pathway and Snf1 kinase as regulatory factors.
Parallel molecular mechanisms underlie convergent evolution of the exaggerated snout phenotype in East African cichlids
Authors: Duenser Anna , Singh Pooja , Lecaudey Laurène Alicia , Sturmbauer Christian , Albertson Craig , Gessl Wolfgang , Ahi Ehsan Pashay
Published: January 2022

Studying instances of convergent evolution of novel phenotypes can shed light on the evolutionary constraints that shape morphological diversity. Cichlid fishes from the East African Great Lakes are a prime model to investigate convergent adaptations. However, most studies on cichlid craniofacial morphologies have primarily considered bony structures, while soft tissue adaptations have been less intensely scrutinised. A rare example of an exaggerated soft tissue phenotype is the formation of a snout flap. This tissue flap develops from the upper lip and has evolved in only one cichlid genus from Lake Malawi and one genus from Lake Tanganyika. To investigate the molecular basis of snout flap convergence, we used mRNA sequencing to compare two species with snout flap (Labeotropheus trewavasae and Ophthalmotilapia nasuta) to their close relatives without snout flaps (Tropheops tropheops and Ophthalmotilapia ventralis) from Lake Tanganyika and Malawi. Our analysis revealed a greater complexity of differential gene expression patterns underlying the snout flap in the younger adaptive radiation of Lake Malawi than in the older Lake Tanganyika radiation. We identified 201 genes that were repeatedly differentially expressed between species with and without the snout flap in both lakes, suggesting that the pathway that gives rise to snout flaps is evolutionarily constrained, even though the flaps play very different functions in each species. The convergently expressed genes are involved in proline and hydroxyproline metabolism, which have been linked to human skin and facial deformities. Additionally, we also found enrichment for transcription factor binding sites upstream of differentially expressed genes such as members of the FOX transcription factor family, especially foxf1 and foxa2, which also showed an increased expression in the flapped snout and are linked to nose morphogenesis in mammals, as well as ap4 (tfap4), a transcription factor showing reduced expression in the flapped snout with an unknown role in the development of craniofacial soft tissues. As genes involved in cichlids snout flap development are associated with many human mid-line facial dysmorphologies, our findings imply a conservation of genes involved in mid-line patterning across vastly distant evolutionary lineages of vertebrates.

Significance statement

The study of the evolution of similar physical traits across taxa can give insight into the molecular architecture underlying shared phenotypes. This has mostly been studied in bony structures, while soft tissue traits have been less intensely covered. We investigated the exaggerated snout in cichlid species from Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika and found that many genes involved in the development of the snout flap are also associated with mid-line dysmorphologies in humans, implying a conservation across distant vertebrate lineages.
Enumeration of Citrus endophytic bacterial communities based on illumine metagenomics technique
Authors: Mushtaq Sehrish , Shafiq Muhammad , Ashraf Tehseen , Saleem Haider Muhammad , Atta Sagheer
Published: January 2022

Citrus is a valuable crop in Pakistan because it is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Huanglongbing (HLB) has an influence on citrus production around the world caused by a bacterium “Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas), africanus and americanus. The structure and diversity of bacterial species in various ecosystems can be quickly examined using NGS. This approach is considerably quicker and more precise than outdated methods. Healthy or citrus greening infected leaf samples of Grapefruit, Citrus aurantifolia, and Citrus reticulata Blanco was used for diversity analysis. In this study high throughput, NGS technique was used to access the population of both cultivable and non-cultivable bacterial endophytes from citrus leaves, by using PCR amplicons of 16S rDNA sequences (V5–V7 regions) with Illumina Hi seq. As a result, a total number of 68,722 sequences were produced from the test samples. According to the NGS-based diversity classification, the most common genera of exploited bacterial endophytes were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Citrus aurantifolia and Citrus paradisi showed almost equal diversity, whereas Citrus reticulata Blanco had a higher proportion of Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria in their leaves. To determine alpha diversity (AD), additional data was analyzed using statistical indices such as Shannon, Chao1, and Simpson. According to the inverse Simpson diversity index, the abundance of the microbial population in six different citrus samples was 0.48, 0.567, and 0.163, respectively. The metagenomics of microbiota in plant tissues was successfully recorded by NGS technology, which can help us learn more about the interactions between plants and microbes. This research is the first step toward a better understanding of 16SrRNA-based metagenomics from citrus in Pakistan using Illumina (Hi seq) Technology.
Local-scale virome depiction supports significant differences between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
Authors: Calle-Tobón Arley , Pérez-Pérez Juliana , Forero-Pineda Nicolás , Chávez Omar Triana , Rojas-Montoya Winston , Rúa-Uribe Guillermo , Gómez-Palacio Andrés
Published: January 2022

Aedes spp. comprise the primary group of mosquitoes that transmit arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses to humans, and thus these insects pose a significant burden on public health worldwide. Advancements in next-generation sequencing and metagenomics have expanded our knowledge on the richness of RNA viruses harbored by arthropods such as Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus; increasing evidence suggests that vectorial competence can be modified by the microbiome (comprising both bacteriome and virome) of mosquitoes present in endemic zones. Using an RNA-seq-based metataxonomic approach, this study determined the virome structure of field-caught Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes in Medellín, Colombia, a municipality with a high incidence of mosquito-transmitted arboviruses. The two species are sympatric, but their core viromes differed considerably in richness, diversity, and abundance; the viromes were dominated by a few viruses. BLAST searches of assembled contigs suggested that at least 17 virus species (16 of which are insect-specific viruses [ISVs]) infect the Ae. aegypti population. Dengue virus 3 was detected in one sample. In Ae. albopictus, up to 11 ISVs and one plant virus were detected. Therefore, the virome composition was species-specific. The bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia was identified in all Ae. albopictus samples and in some Ae. aegypti samples collected after 2017. The presence of Wolbachia sp. in Ae. aegypti was not related to significant changes in the richness, diversity, or abundance of this mosquito’s virome, although it was related to an increase in the abundance of Aedes aegypti To virus 2 (unclassified). The mitochondrial diversity of these mosquitoes suggested that the Ae. aegypti population underwent a change that started in the second half of 2017, which coincides with the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes in Medellín, indicating that the population of wMel-infected mosquitoes has expanded. However, additional studies are required on the dispersal speed and intergenerational stability of wMel in Medellín and nearby areas as well as on the introgression of genetic variants in the native mosquito population.
Crystal structures of three N,N,N′-trisubstituted thioureas for reactivity-controlled nanocrystal synthesis
Authors: Dhaene Evert , Van Driessche Isabel , De Buysser Klaartje , Van Hecke Kristof
Published: January 2022

The synthesis and single-crystal X-ray structures of three N,N,N′-trisubstituted thioureas are reported, namely N,N,N′-tribenzylthiourea, C22H22N2S (1), N-methyl-N,N′-diphenylthiourea, C14H14N2S (2), and N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-phenylthiourea, C15H24N2S (3). The influence of the different substituents on the thioureas is clear from the delocalization of the thiourea C—N and C=S bonds, while the crystal structures show infinite chains of N,N,N′-tribenzylthiourea (1), hydrogen-bonded pairs of N-methyl-N,N′-diphenylthiourea (2) and hexamer ring assemblies of N,N-di-n-butyl-N′-phenylthiourea (3) molecules. The above-mentioned compounds were synthesized via a mild, general procedure, readily accessible precursors and with a high yield, providing straightforward access to a whole library of thioureas.
An orthorhombic polymorph of 2-(1,3,5-dithiazinan-5-yl)ethanol or MEA-dithiazine
Authors: Schultheiss Nate , Holtsclaw Jeremy , Zeller Matthias
Published: January 2022

Substituted triazines are a class of compounds utilized for scavenging and sequestering hydrogen sulfide in oil and gas production operations. The reaction of one of these triazines under field conditions resulted in the formation of the title compound, 2-(1,3,5-dithiazinan-5-yl)ethanol, C5H11NOS2, or MEA-dithiazine. Polymorphic form I, in space group I41/a, was first reported in 2004 and its extended structure displays one-dimensional, helical strands connected through O—H...O hydrogen bonds. We describe here the form II polymorph of the title compound, which crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca as centrosymmetric dimers through pairwise O—H...N hydrogen bonds from the hydroxyl moiety to the nitrogen atom of an adjacent molecule.
Challenging gender norms: women’s leadership, political authority, and autonomy
Authors: Lari Noora , Al-Ansari Mohammad , El-Maghraby Engi
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In patriarchal settings, cultural barriers continue to influence women’s participation in positions of leadership and political authority. This paper aims to explore these findings in light of the theoretical concepts of “hegemonic masculinity” and “patriarchy,” which explain gender disparities in the occupancy of political power and leadership positions in Qatar.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from original face-to-face national surveys conducted among subjects in Qatar were used, including 1,611 completed household interviews.

Findings

The findings were consistent with the prevailing patriarchal beliefs present in Qatari society and Arab Gulf States. The analysis showed that there was greater significant support for men holding key leadership and authority positions than women. Individual-level factors were found to have a significant association with attitudes favoring women. Compared to respondents who had never attended school, those who had completed secondary school and those who had partaken in higher education favored having women in leadership roles.

Practical implications

As a means to fix the gender imbalance within the occupancy of positions of political power in Qatar, this study recommends putting substantial efforts into increasing the number of interventions underpinning gender equality through social awareness programs that may improve the public’s perceptions. Furthermore, gender-equitable affirmative actions are needed to promote the inclusion of women in power and increase their presence in leadership roles.

Originality/value

This study is among the very few that have theoretically and empirically addressed the issue of women’s authority and involvement in key leadership roles in the context of Qatar.
Information and communication technologies in food services and restaurants: a systematic review
Authors: Gonzalez Reyes , Gasco Jose , Llopis Juan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a key player in the food services and restaurants sector; thus, the aim of this work consists in studying the previous research on ICTs in food services and restaurants in the context of tourism and hospitality through a systematic literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review is performed on full papers published in journals included in the Journal Citation Report of the WoS in the category of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism. A total of 165 articles from 28 journals are analyzed, following different criteria, such as the research methods, perspectives, statistical techniques, geographical focus, topics, technologies, authors and universities.

Findings

The restaurant sector is more and more based on the creation of experiences and ICTs, through their multiple possibilities, can undoubtedly contribute to adding value to the simple meal and create and recreate experiences to attract and retain customers who are increasingly sophisticated and hooked on ICTs. ICTs are basic for managers taking decision at the highest level in food services and restaurants, so ICTs should not be seen as a technical tool but as an essential element for top management.

Research limitations/implications

This paper examined articles from very well-known tourism and hospitality journals, leaving aside others as well as different publication formats such as books or papers presented at conferences.

Originality/value

A significant contribution made with this paper is the availability of a list of topics in the context of ICTs in food services and restaurants. These topics are classified into three areas (Consumers, Suppliers and Environment and Tendencies) that can serve as a future research framework. The paper also provides useful information to restaurant managers about ICTs, to researchers for their future projects and to academics for their courses.
Determinants of Muslim consumers’ halal cosmetics repurchase intention: an emerging market’s perspective
Authors: Shahid Shadma , Parray Mohammad Ashraf , Thomas George , Farooqi Rahela , Islam Jamid Ul
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Due to a staggering growth rate in the recent past, halal products have attained a significant attention of marketers across countries. However, marketing practitioners seek to have detailed understanding of what drives consumers of different demographics towards this product category so as to better market and position themselves in the competitive landscape. Correspondingly, this study aims to provide insights into the Muslim women consumers’ halal cosmetics purchase behaviour and examines the variables (and their interplay) when purchasing such products.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from 371 Muslim respondents from India. The data were analysed through structural equation modelling using AMOS 22.0 SEM software.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that religious knowledge, religious commitment and halal certification(s) affect consumers’ actual purchase behaviour of halal cosmetics, which subsequently drives their repurchase intention. The findings further reveal a non-significant effect of religious orientation with both the actual purchase behaviour and repurchase intention towards halal cosmetics. Additionally, actual purchase behaviour of halal cosmetics is found to positively affect customers’ repurchase intentions.

Originality/value

Despite the recent growth of overall beauty industry, this particular segment of halal cosmetics has a huge potential given the phenomenal preference that Muslim consumers have shown in such niche. Therefore, this paper contributes towards examining the key factors influencing consumers purchase behaviour towards halal cosmetics in India that can be capitalized on.
Does psychological safety at school affect psychological capital at work? Evidence from part-time MBA students
Authors: Wu Fan , Chen Guoquan , Xiang Shuting
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Existing research regarding the value of school education focuses primarily on the effects of educational level on core task performance after graduation. However, it is worth noting that knowledge, skills and abilities are not the only individual gains from school education. For part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) students, the impact of MBA education on their real-time work during their two-year or so study journey has not been reported. This study aims to provide theoretical reasoning and empirical insights to clarify the impact of psychological safety at school on psychological capital (PsyCap) at work for part-time MBA students and examines the moderating role of constructive controversy at school in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 286 part-time MBA students was conducted in a university located in Beijing to address the theoretical issue.

Findings

Students’ psychological safety at school is positively related to PsyCap at work. Constructive controversy at school acts as a positive moderator in the relationship between psychological safety at school and PsyCap at work.

Originality/value

This study establishes a link between the school and the workplace. It explores the relationship between an individual’s psychological states at school and at work and contributes to the literature on human resources and management education. Furthermore, the findings prove that students not only gain knowledge, skills and abilities from education but also positive psychological states, such as psychological safety.
Antifungal and antioxidant activity of two essential oils and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis extract on selected Iranian white cheese‐contaminating fungi
Authors: Shojaee Asiyeh , Anvar Seyed AmirAli , Hamedi Hassan , Sohrabi Haghdoost Nakisa , Bahmani Shilan
Published: January 2022

Cheese is generally susceptible to contamination by fungal spoilage organisms. The application of essential oils (EOs) as preservatives in dairy products has been growing recently. Thus, they need to be tested for various interactions before being used in cheese production processes. The aim of this study was first to determine the antifungal and antioxidant effects of two EOs and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis extract (Ex) against three spoilage fungi; and second to evaluate EOs/Ex, alone and in combination, on inoculated cheese samples. The combination of EOs and Ex revealed a significant decrease in microbial load and higher antioxidant activity compared with the control samples.
Antimicrobial effects of chitosan and garlic against Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in hummus during storage at various temperatures
Authors: Osaili Tareq M. , Al‐Nabulsi Anas A. , Hasan Fayeza , Olaimat Amin N. , Taha Sadi , Ayyash Mutamed , Nazzal Dima S. , Savvaidis Ioannis N. , Obaid Reyad S. , Holley Richard
Published: January 2022

The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.5 or 1% (w/w) chitosan and 1% (w/w) garlic against Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in hummus dip stored at 4, 10, or 25°C for 28, 21, or 7 days, respectively. In hummus without garlic, at all storage temperatures and storage periods, 0.5% chitosan decreased Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes by 0.9–2.3, 0.6–2.3, and 0.9–1.3 log CFU/g, respectively. In comparison, 1% chitosan decreased the numbers by 1.6–2.9, 1.4–2.7, and 1.3–1.8 log CFU/g, respectively. In hummus with 1% garlic, 0.5% chitosan decreased Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes by 0.7–2.5, 0.6–2.2, and 1.0–1.5 log CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, 1% chitosan decreased the numbers by 1.6–2.8, 1.2–2.7, and 1.5–1.6 log CFU/g, respectively. With few exceptions, adding 1% garlic to hummus did not result in any significant reduction (at p < 0.05) in microbial numbers. The greatest decreases of Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes were 3.1, 3.6, and 2.9 log CFU/g with 1% chitosan held at 4°C for 28 days. The highest overall acceptability was for hummus with 0.5% chitosan + 1% garlic. Commercial use of chitosan is expected to help producers improve hummus safety.

Practical Application

Hummus is consumed worldwide as a dip due to its taste and health benefits. Microbial safety of hummus can be enhanced by incorporating chitosan, derived from the natural polymer chitin, into the formulation. This enhanced recipe would be a bonus for producers and consumers alike.
Kombucha: A review of substrates, regulations, composition, and biological properties
Authors: de Miranda Jeniffer Ferreira , Ruiz Larissa Fernandes , Silva Cíntia Borges , Uekane Thais Matsue , Silva Kelly Alencar , Gonzalez Alice Gonçalves Martins , Fernandes Fabrício Freitas , Lima Adriene Ribeiro
Published: January 2022

Kombucha has been gaining prominence around the world and becoming popular due to its good health benefits. This beverage is historically obtained by the tea fermentation of Camellia sinensis and by a biofilm of cellulose containing the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The other substrates added to the C. sinensis tea have also been reported to help kombucha production. The type as well as the amount of sugar substrate, which is the origin of SCOBY, in addition to time and temperature of fermentation influence the content of organic acids, vitamins, total phenolics, and alcoholic content of kombucha. The route involved in the metabolite biotransformation identified in kombucha so far and the microorganisms involved in the process need to be further studied. Some nutritional properties and benefits related to the beverage have already been reported. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and antidiabetic and anticarcinogenic effects are some of the beneficial effects attributed to kombucha. Nevertheless, scientific literature needs clinical studies to evaluate these benefits in human beings. The toxic effects associated with the consumption of kombucha are still unclear, but due to the possibility of adverse reactions occurring, its consumption is contraindicated in infants and pregnant women, children under 4‐years‐old, patients with kidney failure, and patients with HIV. The regulations in place for kombucha address a number of criteria, mainly for the pH and alcohol content, in order to guarantee the quality and safety of the beverage as well as to ensure transparency of information for consumers.
Contingent stimulus delivery assay for zebrafish reveals a role for CCSER1 in alcohol preference
Authors: Nathan Fatima Megala , Kibat Caroline , Goel Tanisha , Stewart James , Claridge‐Chang Adam , Mathuru Ajay S.
Published: January 2022

Alcohol use disorders are complex, multifactorial phenomena with a large footprint within the global burden of diseases. Here, we report the development of an accessible, two‐choice self‐administration zebrafish assay (SAZA) to study the neurobiology of addiction. Using this assay, we first demonstrated that, although zebrafish avoid higher concentrations of alcohol, they are attracted to low concentrations. Pre‐exposure to alcohol did not change this relative preference, but acute exposure to an alcohol deterrent approved for human use decreased alcohol self‐administration. A pigment mutant used in whole‐brain imaging studies displayed a similar relative alcohol preference profile; however, mutants in CCSER1, a gene associated with alcohol dependence in human genetic studies, showed a reversal in relative preference. The presence of a biphasic response (hormesis) in zebrafish validated a key aspect of vertebrate responses to alcohol. SAZA adds a new dimension for discovering novel alcohol deterrents and studying the neurogenetics of addiction using the zebrafish.
Competing Principals? Legislative Representation in List Proportional Representation Systems
Authors: Buisseret Peter , Prato Carlo
Published: January 2022

We develop a new framework to study legislative representation in list proportional representation (PR) systems. Our model studies a legislator's incentives to balance the competing interests of party leaders and local voters under a variety of list PR systems. We consider open and closed lists, as well as flexible lists—in which both rank assignments and preference votes determine the order in which seats are filled. We find that more flexibility can worsen local representation. List flexibility also acts as a key mediator of the effect of voter partisanship on party cohesion. And, our analysis reveals that higher district magnitude encourages representatives to toe the party line under all ballot systems.
Resolution of iron deficiency following successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori in children
Authors: Tanous Osama , Levin Carina , Suchdev Parminder S. , Luo Hanqi , Rinawi Firas
Published: January 2022

Aim

To assess correlation between successful Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication and resolution of iron deficiency in children, without iron supplementation.

Methods

Medical records of children diagnosed with HP infection based on endoscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Among those with non‐anaemic iron deficiency (NAID) or iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), haemoglobin, ferritin and CRP levels were compared prior and 6–9 months’ post‐successful HP eradication. Predictors of resolution of iron deficiency following HP eradication were assessed.

Results

Among 60 included children (median age 14.8, IQR12.3–16 years; 62% males), 35% had IDA while the remaining 65% had NAID. Following successful HP eradication, iron normalised in 60% of patients with iron deficiency (ID), without iron supplementation. There were significant improvements in haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations following HP eradication with haemoglobin increasing from 12.3 g/dL to 13.0 g/dL and ferritin increasing from 6.3 μg/L to 15.1 μg/L (p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression, older age was the only factor associated with resolution of anaemia following HP eradication (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16–2.35, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Successful HP eradication could be helpful in improving iron status among children with refractory NAID or IDA. Older age may predict this outcome. Screening for HP might be considered in the workup of refractory IDA or ID.
Effect of inclusion levels of low‐fat dried distillers grains in finishing diets on protein and energy intake and retention and estimation of protein and energy requirements of young Nellore bulls fed with high concentrate diets
Authors: Alhadas Herlon M. , Valadares Filho Sebastião C. , Tedeschi Luis O. , Vilela Rizielly S. R. , Souza Gilyard A. P. , Lage Bruno C. , Silva Breno C. , Rennó Luciana N. , Paulino Mario F.
Published: January 2022

The objective was to evaluate the effect of including low‐fat dried distillers grains (DDG) in finishing diets on protein and energy intake and retention and to estimate the protein and energy requirement of young Nellore bulls. Thirty‐five animals were used: baseline (n = 4), maintenance (n = 4), and ad libitum intake (n = 27). Ad libitum animals were divided into four groups: diets with the inclusion of DDG at the levels of 0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg (dry matter basis). At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered. There was a linear reduction with increasing DDG levels in the total digestible nutrients intake (p = 0.008), metabolizable energy (ME) intake (p < 0.010), in total retained energy (p = 0.065), and in heat production (p < 0.001). Metabolizable protein (MP) intake increased linearly (p < 0.010) but retained protein did not differ (p = 0.499). Daily net energy and ME requirement for maintenance were 75.9 and 122 kcal/kg0.75 EBW, respectively. Daily MP for maintenance was 3.6 g/kg0.75 shrunk body weight. DDG inclusion in finishing diets reduces energy intake and deposition, and we recommend the equations of this study to estimate the requirements of young Nellore bulls.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation as biomarker of excitability in drug development: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study
Authors: Ruijs Titia Q. , Heuberger Jules A. A. C. , de Goede Annika A. , Ziagkos Dimitrios , Otto Marije E. , Doll Robert J. , van Putten Michel J. A. M. , Groeneveld Geert Jan
Published: January 2022

Aims

The purpose of this study was to investigate pharmacodynamic effects of drugs targeting cortical excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG) in healthy subjects, to further develop TMS outcomes as biomarkers for proof‐of‐mechanism in early‐phase clinical drug development. Antiepileptic drugs presumably modulate cortical excitability. Therefore, we studied effects of levetiracetam, valproic acid and lorazepam on cortical excitability in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 4‐way cross‐over study.

Methods

In 16 healthy male subjects, single‐ and paired‐pulse TMS‐EMG–EEG measurements were performed predose and 1.5, 7 and 24 hours postdose. Treatment effects on motor‐evoked potential, short and long intracortical inhibition and TMS‐evoked potential amplitudes, were analysed using a mixed model ANCOVA and cluster‐based permutation analysis.

Results

We show that motor‐evoked potential amplitudes decreased after administration of levetiracetam (estimated difference [ED] −378.4 μV; 95%CI: −644.3, −112.5 μV; P < .01), valproic acid (ED −268.8 μV; 95%CI: −532.9, −4.6 μV; P = .047) and lorazepam (ED −330.7 μV; 95%CI: −595.6, −65.8 μV; P = .02) when compared with placebo. Long intracortical inhibition was enhanced by levetiracetam (ED −60.3%; 95%CI: −87.1%, −33.5%; P < .001) and lorazepam (ED −68.2%; 95%CI: −94.7%, −41.7%; P < .001) at a 50‐ms interstimulus interval. Levetiracetam increased TMS‐evoked potential component N45 (P = .004) in a central cluster and decreased N100 (P < .001) in a contralateral cluster.

Conclusion

This study shows that levetiracetam, valproic acid and lorazepam decrease cortical excitability, which can be detected using TMS‐EMG–EEG in healthy subjects. These findings provide support for the use of TMS excitability measures as biomarkers to demonstrate pharmacodynamic effects of drugs that influence cortical excitability.
The anti‐C5a antibody vilobelimab efficiently inhibits C5a in patients with severe COVID‐19
Authors: Vlaar Alexander P. J. , Lim Endry H. T. , de Bruin Sanne , Rückinger Simon , Pilz Korinna , Brouwer Matthijs C. , Guo Ren‐Feng , Heunks Leo M. A. , Busch Matthias H. , van Paassen Pieter , Riedemann Niels C. , van de Beek Diederik
Published: January 2022

Recently, we reported the phase II portion of the adaptive phase II/III PANAMO trial exploring potential benefit and safety of selectively blocking C5a with the monoclonal antibody vilobelimab (IFX‐1) in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The potent anaphylatoxin C5a attracts neutrophils and monocytes to the infection site, causes tissue damage by oxidative radical formation and enzyme releases, and leads to activation of the coagulation system. Results demonstrated that C5a inhibition with vilobelimab was safe and secondary outcomes appeared in favor of vilobelimab. We now report the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis of the phase II study. Between March 31 and April 24, 2020, 30 patients with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive vilobelimab plus best supportive care or best supportive care only. Samples for measurement of vilobelimab, C3a and C5a blood concentrations were taken. Vilobelimab predose (trough) drug concentrations in plasma ranged from 84,846 to 248,592 ng/ml (571 to 1674 nM) with a geometric mean of 151,702 ng/ml (1022 nM) on day 2 and from 80,060 to 200,746 ng/ml (539 to 1352 nM) with a geometric mean of 139,503 ng/ml (939 nM) on day 8. After the first vilobelimab infusion, C5a concentrations were suppressed in the vilobelimab group (median 39.70 ng/ml 4.8 nM, IQR 33.20–45.55) as compared to the control group (median 158.53 ng/ml 19.1 nM, IQR 60.03–200.89, p = 0.0006). The suppression was maintained on day 8 (p = 0.001). The current PK/PD analysis shows that vilobelimab efficiently inhibits C5a in patients with severe COVID‐19.
Bobath in Brazil: what is the best study design for intervention for children with cerebral palsy?
Authors: Alcântara de Torre Cláudia R M
Published: January 2022

This commentary is on the scoping review by Furtado et al. on pages 550–560 of this issue.

This commentary is also available in Portuguese. To view this paper.
Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in women with type 1 diabetes in pregnancy: Hypoglycaemia fear, glycaemic and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Bahrami Jasmine , Tomlinson George , Murphy Helen R. , Feig Denice S. ,   the CONCEPTT Collaborative Group
Published: January 2022

Aims

To examine maternal fear of hypoglycaemia, glycaemia and pregnancy outcomes in women with impaired and normal awareness of hypoglycaemia.

Methods

A pre‐planned sub‐study of 214 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes who participated in the CONCEPTT trial. Participants completed hypoglycaemia fear surveys (HFS‐II) at baseline. Logistic regression and Poisson regression analyses were used to obtain an adjusted estimate for the rate ratio relating awareness to the number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes, and for several neonatal outcomes in relation to the total HFS‐II score. The role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use was examined.

Results

Overall, 30% of participants reported impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (n = 64). Women with impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia had more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia (mean 0.44 vs. 0.08, p < 0.001) (12–34 weeks gestation) and scored higher on the HFS‐II scale (43.7 vs. 36.0, p 0.008), indicating more fear of hypoglycaemia. They spent more time below range (CGM <3.5 mmol/L) and exhibited more glycaemic variability at 12 weeks gestation. Higher overall HFS‐II scores were associated with a higher risk of maternal severe hypoglycaemia episodes (Rate Ratio 1.78, 95% CI 1.39–2.27). Women with impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia had less maternal weight gain but there were no differences in neonatal outcomes between women with impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and normal hypoglycaemia awareness. Higher HFS‐II scores were associated with more nephropathy (Odds Ratio 1.91, 95% CI 1.06–3.4). CGM use after 12 weeks was not associated with the number of episodes of severe hypoglycaemia (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49–1.15; p = 0.18).

Conclusions

In pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia is associated with more maternal severe hypoglycaemia episodes and more fear of hypoglycaemia. Having impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and/or fear of hypoglycaemia should alert clinicians to this increased risk. Reassuringly, there was no increase in adverse neonatal outcomes.
RETRACTED: Diagnosis of depression level using multimodal approaches using deep learning techniques with multiple selective features
Authors: Meshram Pratiksha , Rambola Radha Krishna
Published: January 2022

Depression is a serious mental health condition that may lead to poor mental and emotional functioning at work, at school and in the family causing the mental imbalance. In worst scenarios, depression may lead to severe anxiety or suicide. Hence, it is necessary to diagnose depression at early stages. This paper elaborates the development of a novel approach for a convolutional neural network model that can examine facial images from the recorded interview sessions to discover facial patterns that could indicate depression level. The user‐generated data helps to distinguish between different depressive groups with depression symptoms that can manifest people with various mental illnesses in different ways. In particular, we want to automatically predict the depression scale and differentiate depression from other mental disorders using the patient's psychiatric illness history and dynamic textual descriptions extracted from the user inputs. We apply the k‐nearest neighbour algorithm on the dynamic textual descriptors to make a linguistic analysis for classifying mental illness into different classes. We apply dimensionality reduction and regression using the Random Forest algorithm to predict the depression scale. The proposed framework is an extension to pre‐existing frameworks, replacing the handcrafted feature extraction technique with the deep feature extraction. The model performs 2.7% better than existing frameworks in facial detection and feature extraction.
Modelling fatigue crack growth in shape memory alloys
Authors: Simoes Marlini , Braithwaite Christopher , Makaya Advenit , Martínez‐Pañeda Emilio
Published: January 2022

We present a phase field‐based framework for modelling fatigue damage in Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). The model combines, for the first time: (i) a generalized phase field description of fracture, incorporating multiple phase field formulations, (ii) a constitutive model for SMAs, based on a Drucker–Prager form of the transformation surface, and (iii) a fatigue degradation function, with damage driven by both elastic and transformation strains. The theoretical framework is numerically implemented, and the resulting linearized system is solved using a robust monolithic scheme, based on quasi‐Newton methods. Several paradigmatic boundary value problems are addressed to gain insight into the role of transformation stresses, stress‐strain hysteresis, and temperature. Namely, we compute Δε − N curves, quantify Paris law parameters, and predict fatigue crack growth rates in several geometries. In addition, the potential of the model for solving large‐scale problems is demonstrated by simulating the fatigue failure of a 3D lattice structure.
Effect of CaCO3 addition on the performance of lightweight Al2O3‐MgAl2O4 refractories with gradient density
Authors: Gao Kui , Yin HongFeng , Xin YaLou , Tang Yun , Yuan HuDie , Ren XiaoHu , Liu YuChi
Published: January 2022

In this study, to improve the comprehensive performance of lightweight Al2O3‐MgAl2O4 refractories with gradient density, CaCO3 was added in the matrix to develop platelet structures by adding different amounts (1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%). The effect of CaCO3 addition on the phase composition, microstructure, and properties of lightweight refractories was investigated. The results showed that CaO·6Al2O3 and Ca2Mg2Al28O46 formed. Meanwhile, platelet structure is distributed at the junction between aggregate and matrix. With the increase of CaCO3 content, although there were no apparent changes in apparent porosity and bulk density, both the compressive strength and refractoriness under load improved significantly. Furthermore, the results of three‐point bending tests showed thermal shock resistance was improved in terms of the value of residual strength ratio from 14.2% to 22.5% for specimens before and after 4 wt% CaCO3 addition. The findings showed that the introduction of CaCO3 is feasible and effective for performance improvements of lightweight refractories.
Stance in academic blogs and three‐minute theses
Authors: Zou Hang (Joanna) , Hyland Ken
Published: January 2022

This paper reports a cross‐genre study of how academics show authorial stance in two increasingly popular but underexplored academic genres: academic blogs and Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentations. Based on a corpus of 75 academic blogs and 75 3MT talks from social sciences, we explore how academics represent themselves and their research to non‐specialist audiences in two very different contexts. We found that the 3MT presenters used more stance resources and took stronger positions, largely by indicating certainty and creating a more visible authorial presence. Academic bloggers, on the other hand, preferred to downplay their commitment and highlight affect. The variations are explained in terms of mode and context, especially the time‐constrained and face‐to‐face competitive nature of the spoken genre and the potential for critical feedback in the blogs. The findings demonstrate the salience of stance in the two genres and role of context in academic communication. It has important implications for scholars who are seeking to take their work to new audiences in perhaps unfamiliar genres.
Stability of coagulation parameters in plasma samples at room temperature after one freeze/thaw cycle
Authors: Gaudard Marion , Boissier Elodie , Talon Laurie , Douxfils Jonathan , Sapin Anne‐Françoise , Sinegre Thomas , Lebreton Aurélien
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Sample freezing is a part of routine laboratory tasks because some coagulation parameters are analysed in batches to optimize reagent consumption. The coagulation parameter stability in fresh and frozen samples has been described, but data are scarcer after thawing. This study objective was to determine the stability of the main coagulation parameters (from blood withdrawn on siliconized CTAD tubes and double‐centrifuged) after one freeze/thaw cycle to generate procedures for appropriate handling, storage and testing.

Methods

Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, D‐dimers, clotting factors (F), protein C, protein S, antithrombin, lupus anticoagulant (LA)‐sensitive aPTT and diluted‐Russel's viper venom time (dRVVT) were assessed in 60 plasma samples (n=30, normal range and n=30, outside the normal range). Thirty samples from anticoagulated patients [unfractionated heparin (UFH), low‐molecular weight heparin (LMWH), apixaban or rivaroxaban] were assessed using specific anticoagulant assays. Frozen samples were thawed, and assays were performed at 15 min, 2, 4 and 6 h after thawing. The coagulation parameter stability was assessed with the method of rejection limit. Results: After thawing, aPTT, PT, fibrinogen, D‐dimers, FII, FV, FX, FIX, FXI, FXII, PC and UFH anti‐Xa activity remained stable for at least 6 h, FVII for 5 h, PS, AT, dRVVT screen assay and LMWH anti‐Xa activity for 4 h, and LA‐sensitive aPTT and apixaban‐specific anti‐Xa activity for 3 h. FVIII, dRVVT confirm assay and rivaroxaban specific anti‐Xa activity were stable for 2 h.

Conclusion

These results suggest that sample stability for some haemostasis assays is limited after thawing.