bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"Trespasser mesure": Meter in Machaut's Polyphonic Songs
Authors: Maw David
Published: September 2004

Comments by Jacques de Lige suggest that Ars nova notation operated metrically at more than one rhythmic level. This is borne out by Machaut's compositions, the lais in particular. Inconsistencies within and between the two complete editions of Machaut's works in the reductions of note-values used for transcription indicate that the matter has not been fully resolved; uncertainty concerning metrical level in the polyphonic songs is evident in the different barrings of modus-level rhythmic organization. The system of 12 "modes" (mensural types) in the Compendium de discantu mensurabili by Petrus frater dictus Palma Ociosa reveals that meters centering on both "modus" and "tempus" levels were equally part of polyphonic practice in the mid 1330s. Editors have been wary of recognizing the modus level in Machaut's polyphonic songs because of the frequent irregularities in metrical grouping at this level; yet variation in modus is acknowledged by the Ars nova treatises. A full re-evaluation of the presence of modus in Machaut's songs is warranted. Coordinated analysis of rhythmic "layers" (figural grouping, agogic accent, simultaneous attack, and syllabic rhythm) in two ballades (B35 and B25) justifies the irregular modus recognized by both editions and points to an important distinction between mensuration (pertaining to the notation) and meter (pertaining to the rhythmic organization). Figural disposition, varied recurrence of material, and syllabic rhythm provide other criteria for recognizing variable metrical form. A full-scale analysis on these terms reveals the extent and nature of Machaut's use of modus. His technique of metrical variation conforms to four types (phrasal "distension" and "contraction"; cadential "contraction" and "extension"), and ties in with a 14th-century aesthetic viewpoint that attached great significance to "variety." Machaut himself recognized it as a musical corollary of the amorous condition in lyric song ("trespasser mesure," Motet 7). Reassessment of the modus level has consequences for the editorial approach to notae finales, sectional rests, and also for the choice of tempo in performance.
God, Guns, and Grist for the Media's Mill
Authors: Cowan Douglas E. , Hadden Jeffrey K.
Published: September 2004

It is axiomatic that what North American mass media present as "news" represents only a fraction of what occurs on any given day. Because what is represented as news will be for the vast majority of news consumers the only information they receive on specific events, the manner by which newsworthiness is determined is of some importance. This is especially so in terms of new religious movements, which already suffer from a degree of cultural marginalization and social stigma. Working from the well-known model of newsworthiness first proposed by Johann Galtung and Mari Ruge, we offer a more parsimonious, value-added refinement that demonstrates that the very constituents of media newsworthiness actually contribute to and reinforce the continued misrepresentation of new religious movements.
Number of conceptuses in utero affects porcine fetal muscle development
Authors: Town S C , Putman C T , Turchinsky N J , Dixon W T , Foxcroft G R
Published: September 2004

Unmodified, third parity, control sows (CTR; n = 30) or sows subjected to unilateral oviduct ligation before breeding (LIG; n = 30), were slaughtered at either day 30 or day 90 of gestation and used to determine the effects of numbers of conceptuses in utero on prenatal, and particularly muscle fibre, development. Ovulation rate, number of conceptuses in utero, placental and fetal size, and (day 90 sows) fetal organ and semitendinosus muscle development were recorded. Tubal ligation reduced (P < 0.05) the number of viable embryos at day 30 and fetuses at day 90. Placental weight at day 30 and day 90, and fetal weight at day 90, were lower (P < 0.05) in CTR sows. All body organs except the brain were lighter, and the brain:liver weight ratio was higher in CTR fetuses (P < 0.05), indicative of brain sparing and intrauterine growth restriction in fetuses from CTR sows. Muscle weight, muscle cross-sectional area and the total number of secondary fibres were also lower (P < 0.05) in CTR fetuses. The number of primary fibres, the secondary:primary muscle fibre ratio, and the distribution of myosin heavy chain-Iβ, -IIa, fetal and embryonic isoforms did not differ between groups. Thus, even the relatively modest uterine crowding occurring naturally in CTR sows negatively affected placental and fetal development and the number of secondary muscle fibres. Consequences of more extreme crowding in utero on fetal and postnatal development, resulting from changing patterns of early embryonic survival, merit further investigation.
Characterization of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide generating systems in corpus luteum-derived endothelial cells
Authors: Klipper Eyal , Gilboa Tamar , Levy Nitzan , Kisliouk Tatiana , Spanel-Borowski Katharina , Meidan Rina
Published: September 2004

Endothelium-derived endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) are pivotal regulators of corpus luteum (CL) function. To have a better insight into their synthesis and action, members of the ET system (ET-1, ET converting enzyme (ECE-1) isoforms a–d, ETAand ETBreceptors) along with NO synthase (NOS) isoforms – endothelial (e)NOS and inducible (i)NOS – were quantified in CL-derived endothelial cells (CLEC). The expression of these genes in microvascular CLEC, obtained by lectin-coated magnetic beads, was compared with cells removed from the luteal microenvironment and maintained in culture for different durations, and with endothelial cells (EC) derived from a large blood vessel (i.e. bovine aortic endothelial cells, BAEC). The profile of gene expression in the different EC types was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Freshly isolated EC from mid-cycle CL exhibited high ET-1 receptor expression (both ETAand ETB), low ET-1 synthesizing ability (both prepro (pp) ET-1 and ECE-1), but elevated iNOS – the high throughput NOS isoform. The distinct phenotype of CLEC was lost soon after an overnight culture. ETAand ETBreceptor levels declined, ppET-1 levels increased while iNOS was reduced. These changes were extenuated during long-term culture of CLEC. The general pattern of gene expression in BAEC and long-term cultured CLEC was similar yet some differences, reminiscent of freshly isolated CLEC, remained: ECE-1c, ETBreceptor and NOS isoforms were expressed differently in BAEC as compared with lines of CLEC.

This study suggests that the luteal microenvironment is necessary to sustain the selective phenotype of its resident endothelial cells. The inverse relationship between ppET-1 and iNOS observed in freshly isolated CLEC and in cultured cells is physiologically significant and suggests that ET-1 and NO may modulate the production of each other.
The oocyte and its role in regulating ovulation rate: a new paradigm in reproductive biology
Authors: McNatty K P , Moore L G , Hudson N L , Quirke L D , Lawrence S B , Reader K , Hanrahan J P , Smith P , Groome N P , Laitinen M , Ritvos O , Juengel J L
Published: September 2004

Ovulation rate in mammals is determined by a complex exchange of hormonal signals between the pituitary gland and the ovary and by a localised exchange of hormones within ovarian follicles between the oocyte and its adjacent somatic cells. From examination of inherited patterns of ovulation rate in sheep, point mutations have been identified in two oocyte-expressed genes, BMP15 (GDF9B) and GDF9. Animals heterozygous for any of these mutations have higher ovulation rates (that is, + 0.8–3) than wild-type contemporaries, whereas those homozygous for each of these mutations are sterile with ovarian follicular development disrupted during the preantral growth stages. Both GDF9 and BMP15 proteins are present in follicular fluid, indicating that they are secreted products.In vitrostudies show that granulosa and/or cumulus cells are an important target for both growth factors. Multiple immunisations of sheep with BMP15 or GDF9 peptide protein conjugates show that both growth factors are essential for normal follicular growth and the maturation of preovulatory follicles. Short-term (that is, primary and booster) immunisation with a GDF9 or BMP15 peptide-protein conjugate has been shown to enhance ovulation rate and lamb production. In summary, recent studies of genetic mutations in sheep highlight the importance of oocyte-secreted factors in regulating ovulation rate, and these discoveries may help to explain why some mammals have a predisposition to produce two or more offspring rather than one.
Heterochromatin Spreading at Yeast Telomeres Occurs in M Phase
Authors: Martins-Taylor Kristen , Dula Mary Lou , Holmes Scott G
Published: September 2004

Heterochromatin regulation of gene expression exhibits epigenetic inheritance, in which some feature of the structure is retained and can reseed formation in new cells. To understand the cell-cycle events that influence heterochromatin assembly and maintenance in budding yeast, we have conducted two types of experiments. First we have examined the kinetics of heterochromatin spreading at telomeres. We have constructed a strain in which the efficient silencing of a telomere-linked URA3 gene depends on the inducible expression of the Sir3 silencing factor. Prior studies determined that S-phase passage was required for the establishment of silencing at the HM loci in yeast. We find that establishment of silencing in our strain occurs at a point coincident with mitosis and does not require S-phase passage. In addition, we find that passage through mitosis is sufficient to establish silencing at the HML locus in a strain bearing a conditional allele of SIR3. Finally, we have also assessed the stability of yeast heterochromatin in the absence of the cis-acting elements required for its establishment. We show that silencing is stable through S phase in the absence of silencers and therefore possesses the ability to self-propagate through DNA replication. However, silencing is lost in the absence of silencers during progression through M phase. These experiments point to crucial events in mitosis influencing the assembly and persistence of heterochromatin.
Population Genetics of Polymorphism and Divergence for Diploid Selection Models With Arbitrary Dominance
Authors: Williamson Scott , Fledel-Alon Adi , Bustamante Carlos D
Published: September 2004

We develop a Poisson random-field model of polymorphism and divergence that allows arbitrary dominance relations in a diploid context. This model provides a maximum-likelihood framework for estimating both selection and dominance parameters of new mutations using information on the frequency spectrum of sequence polymorphisms. This is the first DNA sequence-based estimator of the dominance parameter. Our model also leads to a likelihood-ratio test for distinguishing nongenic from genic selection; simulations indicate that this test is quite powerful when a large number of segregating sites are available. We also use simulations to explore the bias in selection parameter estimates caused by unacknowledged dominance relations. When inference is based on the frequency spectrum of polymorphisms, genic selection estimates of the selection parameter can be very strongly biased even for minor deviations from the genic selection model. Surprisingly, however, when inference is based on polymorphism and divergence (McDonald-Kreitman) data, genic selection estimates of the selection parameter are nearly unbiased, even for completely dominant or recessive mutations. Further, we find that weak overdominant selection can increase, rather than decrease, the substitution rate relative to levels of polymorphism. This nonintuitive result has major implications for the interpretation of several popular tests of neutrality.
Duplicative and Conservative Transpositions of Larval serum protein 1 Genes in the Genus DrosophilaSequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession nos. AY561258 and AY561259.
Authors: González Josefa , Casals Ferran , Ruiz Alfredo
Published: September 2004

Interspecific comparative molecular analyses of transposed genes and their flanking regions can help to elucidate the time, direction, and mechanism of gene transposition. In the Drosophila melanogaster genome, three Larval serum protein 1 (Lsp1) genes (α, β and γ) are present and each of them is located on a different chromosome, suggesting multiple transposition events. We have characterized the molecular organization of Lsp1 genes in D. buzzatii, a species of the Drosophila subgenus and in D. pseudoobscura, a species of the Sophophora subgenus. Our results show that only two Lsp1 genes (β and γ) exist in these two species. The same chromosomal localization and genomic organization, different from that of D. melanogaster, is found in both species for the Lsp1β and Lsp1γ genes. Overall, at least two duplicative and two conservative transpositions are necessary to explain the present chromosomal distribution of Lsp1 genes in the three Drosophila species. Clear evidence for implication of snRNA genes in the transposition of Lsp1β in Drosophila has been found. We suggest that an ectopic exchange between highly similar snRNA sequences was responsible for the transposition of this gene. We have also identified the putative cis-acting regulatory regions of these genes, which seemingly transposed along with the coding sequences.
A Screen for Genes That Interact With the Drosophila Pair-Rule Segmentation Gene fushi tarazu
Authors: Kankel Mark W , Duncan Dianne M , Duncan Ian
Published: September 2004

The pair-rule gene fushi tarazu (ftz) of Drosophila is expressed at the blastoderm stage in seven stripes that serve to define the even-numbered parasegments. ftz encodes a DNA-binding homeodomain protein and is known to regulate genes of the segment polarity, homeotic, and pair-rule classes. Despite intensive analysis in a number of laboratories, how ftz is regulated and how it controls its targets are still poorly understood. To help understand these processes, we conducted a screen to identify dominant mutations that enhance the lethality of a ftz temperature-sensitive mutant. Twenty-six enhancers were isolated, which define 21 genes. All but one of the mutations recovered show a maternal effect in their interaction with ftz. Three of the enhancers proved to be alleles of the known ftz protein cofactor gene ftz-f1, demonstrating the efficacy of the screen. Four enhancers are alleles of Atrophin (Atro), the Drosophila homolog of the human gene responsible for the neurodegenerative disease dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy. Embryos from Atro mutant germ-line mothers lack the even-numbered (ftz-dependent) engrailed stripes and show strong ftz-like segmentation defects. These defects likely result from a reduction in Even-skipped (Eve) repression ability, as Atro has been shown to function as a corepressor for Eve. In this study, we present evidence that Atro is also a member of the trithorax group (trxG) of Hox gene regulators. Atro appears to be particularly closely related in function to the trxG gene osa, which encodes a component of the brahma chromatin remodeling complex. One additional gene was identified that causes pair-rule segmentation defects in embryos from homozygous mutant germ-line mothers. The single allele of this gene, called bek, also causes nuclear abnormalities similar to those caused by alleles of the Trithorax-like gene, which encodes the GAGA factor.
The Genetic Basis of Male Fertility in Relation to Haplodiploid Reproduction in Leptopilina clavipes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae)
Authors: Pannebakker Bart A , Beukeboom Leo W , van Alphen Jacques J M , Brakefield Paul M , Zwaan Bas J
Published: September 2004

Traits under relaxed selection are expected to become reduced or disappear completely, a process called vestigialization. In parthenogenetic populations, traits historically involved in sexual reproduction are no longer under selection and potentially subject to such reduction. In Leptopilina clavipes, thelytokous (parthenogenetic) populations are infected by Wolbachia bacteria. Arrhenotokous populations do not harbor Wolbachia. When antibiotics are applied to infected females, they are cured from their infection and males arise. Such males are capable of producing offspring with uninfected females, but with lower fertilization success than sexual males. This can be attributed to the lack of selection on male fertility in thelytokous lines. In this study we used this variation in L. clavipes male fertility to determine the genetic basis of this trait. Males from cured thelytokous populations were crossed to females from uninfected populations. Using AFLP markers, a genetic linkage map was generated, consisting of five linkage groups and spanning a total distance of 219.9 cM. A single QTL of large effect (explaining 46.5% of the phenotypic variance) was identified for male fertility, which we call male fertility factor (mff). We discuss possible mechanisms underlying the effect of mff, as well as mechanisms involved in vestigialization of traits involved in sexual reproduction.
Does Crossover Interference Count in Saccharomyces cerevisiae?
Authors: Stahl Franklin W , Foss Henriette M , Young Lisa S , Borts Rhona H , Abdullah M F F , Copenhaver Gregory P
Published: September 2004

We previously proposed a “counting model” for meiotic crossover interference, in which double-strand breaks occur independently and a fixed number of noncrossovers occur between neighboring crossovers. Whereas in some organisms (group I) this simple model alone describes the crossover distribution, in other organisms (group II) an additional assumption—that some crossovers lack interference—improves the fit. Other differences exist between the groups: Group II needs double-strand breaks and some repair functions to achieve synapsis, while repair in group I generally occurs after synapsis is achieved; group II, but not group I, has recombination proteins Dmc1, Mnd1, and Hop2. Here we report experiments in msh4 mutants that are designed to test predictions of the revised model in a group II organism. Further, we interpret these experiments, the above-mentioned differences between group I and II meiosis, and other data to yield the following proposal: Group II organisms use the repair of leptotene breaks to promote synapsis by generating double-Holliday-junction intermediates that lock homologs together (pairing pathway). The possible crossover or noncrossover resolution products of these structures lack interference. In contrast, for both group I and group II, repair during pachytene (disjunction pathway) is associated with interference and generates only two resolution types, whose structures suggest that the Holliday junctions of the repair intermediates are unligated. A crossover arises when such an intermediate is stabilized by a protein that prevents its default resolution to a noncrossover. The protein-binding pattern required for interference depends on clustering of sites that have received, or are normally about to receive, meiotic double-strand breaks.
Exo1 and Rad24 Differentially Regulate Generation of ssDNA at Telomeres of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc13-1 Mutants
Authors: Zubko Mikhajlo K , Guillard Sandrine , Lydall David
Published: September 2004

Cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage depends upon coordinated interactions between DNA repair and checkpoint pathways. Here we examine the role of DNA repair and checkpoint genes in responding to unprotected telomeres in budding yeast cdc13-1 mutants. We show that Exo1 is unique among the repair genes tested because like Rad9 and Rad24 checkpoint proteins, Exo1 inhibits the growth of cdc13-1 mutants at the semipermissive temperatures. In contrast Mre11, Rad50, Xrs2, and Rad27 contribute to the vitality of cdc13-1 strains grown at permissive temperatures, while Din7, Msh2, Nuc1, Rad2, Rad52, and Yen1 show no effect. Exo1 is not required for cell cycle arrest of cdc13-1 mutants at 36° but is required to maintain arrest. Exo1 affects but is not essential for the production of ssDNA in subtelomeric Y′ repeats of cdc13-1 mutants. However, Exo1 is critical for generating ssDNA in subtelomeric X repeats and internal single-copy sequences. Surprisingly, and in contrast to Rad24, Exo1 is not essential to generate ssDNA in X or single-copy sequences in cdc13-1 rad9Δ mutants. We conclude that Rad24 and Exo1 regulate nucleases with different properties at uncapped telomeres and propose a model to explain our findings.
Functional Analysis of Drosophila melanogaster Gene Regulatory Sequences by Transgene Coplacement
Authors: Parsch John
Published: September 2004

The function of putative regulatory sequences identified by comparative genomics can be elucidated only through experimentation. Here the effectiveness of using heterologous gene constructs and transgene coplacement to characterize regulatory sequence function is demonstrated. This method shows that a sequence in the Adh 3′-untranslated region negatively regulates expression, independent of gene or chromosomal context.
Importance of the Sir3 N Terminus and Its Acetylation for Yeast Transcriptional Silencing
Authors: Wang Xiaorong , Connelly Jessica J , Wang Chia-Lin , Sternglanz Rolf
Published: September 2004

The N-terminal alanine residues of the silencing protein Sir3 and of Orc1 are acetylated by the NatA Nα-acetyltransferase. Mutations demonstrate that the N terminus of Sir3 is important for its function. Sir3 and, perhaps, also Orc1 are the NatA substrates whose lack of acetylation in ard1 and nat1 mutants explains the silencing defect of those mutants.
Gene Expression Intensity Shapes Evolutionary Rates of the Proteins Encoded by the Vertebrate Genome
Authors: Subramanian Sankar , Kumar Sudhir
Published: September 2004

Natural selection leaves its footprints on protein-coding sequences by modulating their silent and replacement evolutionary rates. In highly expressed genes in invertebrates, these footprints are seen in the higher codon usage bias and lower synonymous divergence. In mammals, the highly expressed genes have a shorter gene length in the genome and the breadth of expression is known to constrain the rate of protein evolution. Here we have examined how the rates of evolution of proteins encoded by the vertebrate genomes are modulated by the amount (intensity) of gene expression. To understand how natural selection operates on proteins that appear to have arisen in earlier and later phases of animal evolution, we have contrasted patterns of mouse proteins that have homologs in invertebrate and protist genomes (Precambrian genes) with those that do not have such detectable homologs (vertebrate-specific genes). We find that the intensity of gene expression relates inversely to the rate of protein sequence evolution on a genomic scale. The most highly expressed genes actually show the lowest total number of substitutions per polypeptide, consistent with cumulative effects of purifying selection on individual amino acid replacements. Precambrian genes exhibit a more pronounced difference in protein evolutionary rates (up to three times) between the genes with high and low expression levels as compared to the vertebrate-specific genes, which appears to be due to the narrower breadth of expression of the vertebrate-specific genes. These results provide insights into the differential relationship and effect of the increasing complexity of animal body form on evolutionary rates of proteins.
Sequencing Complex Diseases With HapMap
Authors: Liu Tian , Johnson Julie A , Casella George , Wu Rongling
Published: September 2004

Determining the patterns of DNA sequence variation in the human genome is a useful first step toward identifying the genetic basis of a common disease. A haplotype map (HapMap), aimed at describing these variation patterns across the entire genome, has been recently developed by the International HapMap Consortium. In this article, we present a novel statistical model for directly characterizing specific sequence variants that are responsible for disease risk based on the haplotype structure provided by HapMap. Our model is developed in the maximum-likelihood context, implemented with the EM algorithm. We perform simulation studies to investigate the statistical properties of this disease-sequencing model. A worked example from a human obesity study with 155 patients was used to validate this model. In this example, we found that patients carrying a haplotype constituted by allele Gly16 at codon 16 and allele Gln27 at codon 27 genotyped within the β2AR candidate gene display significantly lower body mass index than patients carrying the other haplotypes. The implications and extensions of our model are discussed.
Shared Forces of Sex Chromosome Evolution in Haploid-Mating and Diploid-Mating OrganismsSequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under the accession nos. BZ81929 and BZ782612.
Authors: Hood Michael E , Antonovics Janis , Koskella Britt
Published: September 2004

It is usually posited that the most important factors contributing to sex chromosome evolution in diploids are the suppression of meiotic recombination and the asymmetry that results from one chromosome (the Y) being permanently heterozygous and the other (the X) being homozygous in half of the individuals involved in mating. To distinguish between the roles of these two factors, it would be valuable to compare sex chromosomes in diploid-mating organisms and organisms where mating compatibility is determined in the haploid stage. In this latter group, no such asymmetry occurs because the sex chromosomes are equally heterozygous. Here we show in the fungus Microbotryum violaceum that the chromosomes carrying the mating-type locus, and thus determining haploid-mating compatibility, are rich in transposable elements, dimorphic in size, and carry unequal densities of functional genes. Through analysis of available complete genomes, we also show that M. violaceum is, remarkably, more similar to humans and mice than to yeast, nematodes, or fruit flies with regard to the differential accumulation of transposable elements in the chromosomes determining mating compatibility vs. the autosomes. We conclude that restricted recombination, rather than asymmetrical sheltering, hemizygosity, or dosage compensation, is sufficient to account for the common sex chromosome characteristics.
Division of Labor Among the Yeast Sol Proteins Implicated in tRNA Nuclear Export and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Authors: Stanford D R , Whitney M L , Hurto R L , Eisaman D M , Shen W-C , Hopper A K
Published: September 2004

SOL1, the founding member of the S. cerevisiae SOL family, was previously identified as a multi-copy suppressor of the los1 defect in tRNA-mediated nonsense suppression. Here we report that the four-member SOL family is not essential and that individual family members appear to have distinct functions. SOL1–SOL4 are homologous to genes encoding 6-phosphogluconolactonase (6Pgl) involved in the pentose phosphate pathway. Both Sol3p and Sol4p affect this activity. However, Sol4p does not act as a los1 multi-copy suppressor. In contrast, neither Sol1p nor Sol2p, both of which correct the los1 defect in nonsense suppression, possess detectable 6Pgl activity. Rather, Sol1p and Sol2p appear to function in tRNA nuclear export as sol1 and sol2 mutants possess elevated levels of nuclear tRNA. Members of the Sol protein family appear to have different subcellular distributions. Thus, Sol3p and Sol4p likely function in carbohydrate metabolism, while Sol1p and Sol2p appear to have roles in tRNA function and nuclear export, thereby defining an unusual protein family whose individual members are biochemically distinct and spatially dispersed.
Music as an Intervention to Improve the Hemodynamic Response of Ketamine in Depression
Authors: Greenway Kyle T. , Garel Nicolas , Dinh-Williams Lê-Anh L. , Beaulieu Serge , Turecki Gustavo , Rej Soham , Richard-Devantoy Stephane
Published: February 2024

This randomized clinical trial explores whether music improves the hemodynamic response of ketamine among patients with treatment-resistant depression in Canada.
A Brief Resilience-Enhancing Intervention and Loneliness in At-Risk Young Adults
Authors: DeTore Nicole R. , Burke Anne , Nyer Maren , Holt Daphne J.
Published: February 2024

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial assesses whether a behavioral intervention focused on resilience is associated with feelings of loneliness among young adults.
Three-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale
Authors: Forbes David , LeardMann Cynthia A. , Lawrence-Wood Ellie , Villalobos Javier , Madden Kelsey , Gutierrez Ian A. , Cowlishaw Sean , Baur Jenelle , Adler Amy B.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Problematic anger is prevalent and associated with adjustment difficulties in military populations. To facilitate measurement of problematic anger, a very brief valid measure is needed.

Objective

To reduce the Dimensions of Anger Reactions 5-item (DAR-5) scale to a very brief measure.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used survey data collected between 2014 and 2016 in the Australian Transition and Well-Being Research Programme and US Millennium Cohort Study. Participants were service members who were actively serving or had transitioned out of the military (separated). Statistical analyses were performed from September 2021 to June 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The DAR-5 was reduced to the 3 experiential items: frequency, intensity, and duration (the DAR-3). Psychometrics for the DAR-3 and DAR-5 were compared in terms of standardized Cronbach α, positive screening result, mean, and SD. Analyses were stratified by Australian and US military service status cohorts (active duty and separated).

Results

A total of 71 010 participants were included from Australia and the US. Of 10 900 Australian participants (8145 active duty participants [74.7%]; 2755 separated participants [25.3%]), 5893 (55.2%) were aged 40 years or older and 8774 (80.5%) were male; of 60 110 US participants (24 706 active duty participants [41.1%]; 35 404 separated participants [58.9%]), 28 804 (47.9%) were aged 30 to 39 years and 43 475 (72.3%) were male. The DAR-3 demonstrated good internal consistency in the active duty (Australia: mean [SD] score, 4.97 [2.5]; α = 0.90; US: mean [SD] score, 5.04 [2.6]; α = 0.87) and separated (Australia: mean [SD] score, 6.53 [3.4]; α = 0.92; US: mean [SD] score, 6.05 [3.2]; α = 0.91) samples. The cutoff score of 8 or greater on the DAR-3 had optimal sensitivity and specificity across all samples. DAR-3 and DAR-5 were associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, aggression, and relationship conflict. While the scales did not significantly differ in their associations with PTSD, depression, and relationship conflict, the magnitude of association for aggression was significantly lower in US samples using the DAR-3 (eg, US active duty sample: DAR-5 OR, 9.96; 95% CI, 9.01-11.00; DAR-3 OR, 8.36; 95% CI, 7.58-9.22).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of a very brief measure of anger, each item contributed to the overall strength of the measure without losing psychometric strength compared with the DAR-5. The consistency of these findings across military and veteran samples in Australian and US populations demonstrated the psychometric robustness of the DAR-3.
Alirocumab in Pediatric Patients With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Santos Raul D. , Wiegman Albert , Caprio Sonia , Cariou Bertrand , Averna Maurizio , Poulouin Yann , Scemama Michel , Manvelian Garen , Garon Genevieve , Daniels Stephen
Published: February 2024

Importance

Many pediatric patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) cannot reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations on statins alone and require adjunct lipid-lowering therapy (LLT); the use of alirocumab in pediatric patients requires evaluation.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of alirocumab in pediatric patients with inadequately controlled HeFH.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a phase 3, randomized clinical trial conducted between May 2018 and August 2022 at 43 centers in 24 countries. Pediatric patients aged 8 to 17 years with HeFH, LDL-C 130 mg/dL or greater, and receiving statins or other LLTs were included. Following consecutive enrollment into dosing cohorts, 25 of 99 patients screened for dosing every 2 weeks (Q2W) failed screening; 25 of 104 patients screened for dosing every 4 weeks (Q4W) failed screening. A total of 70 of 74 Q2W patients (95%) and 75 of 79 Q4W patients (95%) completed the double-blind period.

Interventions

Patients were randomized 2:1 to subcutaneous alirocumab or placebo and Q2W or Q4W. Dosage was based on weight (40 mg for Q2W or 150 mg for Q4W if <50 kg; 75 mg for Q2W or 300 mg for Q4W if ≥50 kg) and adjusted at week 12 if LDL-C was 110 mg/dL or greater at week 8. After the 24-week double-blind period, patients could receive alirocumab in an 80-week open-label period.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was percent change in LDL-C from baseline to week 24 in each cohort.

Results

Among 153 patients randomized to receive alirocumab or placebo (mean [range] age, 12.9 [8-17] years; 87 [56.9%] female), alirocumab showed statistically significant reductions in LDL-C vs placebo in both cohorts at week 24. Least squares mean difference in percentage change from baseline was −43.3% (97.5% CI, −56.0 to −30.7; P < .001) Q2W and −33.8% (97.5% CI, −46.4 to −21.2; P < .001) Q4W. Hierarchical analysis of secondary efficacy end points demonstrated significant improvements in other lipid parameters at weeks 12 and 24 with alirocumab. Two patients receiving alirocumab Q4W experienced adverse events leading to discontinuation. No significant difference in adverse event incidence was observed between treatment groups. Open-label period findings were consistent with the double-blind period.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings in this study indicate that alirocumab Q2W or Q4W significantly may be useful for reducing LDL-C and other lipid parameters and be well tolerated in pediatric patients with HeFH inadequately controlled with statins.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03510884
Stability Analysis of SARS‐CoV‐2 with Heart Attack Effected Patients and Bifurcation
Authors: Ahmad Aqeel , Abbas Safdar , Inc Mustafa , Ghaffar Abdul
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study is to analyze and investigate the SARS‐CoV‐2 (SC‐2) transmission with effect of heart attack in United Kingdom with advanced mathematical tools. Mathematical model is converted into fractional order with the help of fractal fractional operator (FFO). The proposed fractional order system is investigated qualitatively as well as quantitatively to identify its stable position. Local stability of the SC‐2 system is verified and test the proposed system with flip bifurcation. Also system is investigated for global stability using Lyponove first and second derivative functions. The existence, boundedness, and positivity of the SC‐2 is checked which are the key properties for such of type of epidemic problem to identify reliable findings. Effect of global derivative is demonstrated to verify its rate of effects of heart attack in united kingdom. Solutions for fractional order system are derived with the help of advanced tool FFO for different fractional values to verify the combine effect of COVID‐19 and heart patients. Simulation are carried out to see symptomatic as well as a symptomatic effects of SC‐2 in the United Kingdom as well as its global effects, also show the actual behavior of SC‐2 which will be helpful to understand the outbreak of SC‐2 for heart attack patients and to see its real behavior globally as well as helpful for future prediction and control strategies.
Mechanically Durable and Fluorine‐Free Ni–Cr Alloy‐Based Highly Hard Superhydrophobic Coating on Al Alloy
Authors: Pan Jia , Zhou Yuqin , Li Yi , Wang Boyou , Li Yixuan , Chen Yingyu , Zhang Lele , Han Qi , Han Jianhua
Published: February 2024

Superhydrophobic coatings, known for their water‐repelling properties, play an important role in corrosion resistance and self‐cleaning applications. This study addresses the pressing need for eco‐friendly and durable fabrication methods for metal surfaces, particularly Al alloys, recognized for their inherent low mechanical properties. The innovative electroplating technique successfully fabricates superhydrophobic coatings on Al alloy surfaces, incorporating a high‐hardness Ni–Cr alloys layer and a low‐surface‐energy stearic acid layer. The resulting coatings exhibit outstanding mechanical durability, corrosion resistance, and self‐cleaning capabilities. With a water contact angle of 165° and a corrosion protection efficiency of 98.6%, these coatings offer a substantial improvement over traditional methods. Moreover, the Leeb hardness of the coated alloy experiences an impressive 83% increase compared to pristine Al alloy. This universally applicable approach opens avenues for developing mechanically robust superhydrophobic coatings on various metallic substrates, with broad implications for engineering applications.
Dense Stacking of Millimeter‐Sized Perovskite Single Crystals for Sensitive and Low‐Bias Hard X‐Ray Detection
Authors: Sun Tianxiang , Xie Shengdan , Li Ning , Jiang Xiaomei , Cheng Xiao , Liu Yucheng , Tao Xutang , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) , Chen Zhaolai
Published: February 2024

Metal halide perovskite single crystals are promising for hard X‐ray detection, but growth of large‐sized thin single crystals and inhibition of halide ion migration under high bias are challenging. Herein, the preparation of dense stacking of oriented millimeter‐sized perovskite single crystals with capability of large‐area fabrication, controlled thickness, and high ion migration activation energy (Ea)is reported. The oriented growth results in absence of grain boundaries parallel with the substrates, leading to large carrier mobility‐lifetime (µτ) product of 2.7 × 10−3 cm2 V−1, which is comparable to values of many perovskite bulk single crystals. Under low bias, hard X‐ray detectors exhibit high sensitivity of 1.2 × 104 µC Gy−1 cm−2 and low detection limit of 87.5 nGy s−1, which are comparable to those of many single‐crystal hard X‐ray detectors under high bias. Moreover, combination of low bias and high Ea results in weak halide ion migration and small dark current drift of 3.2 × 10−4 nA cm−1 s−1 v−1. Benefited from the superior detector performance, high‐contrast hard X‐ray imaging can be obtained at a low dose rate of 1.26 µGy s−1. The work may promote the application of perovskite hard X‐ray detectors in practical imaging area.
Harnessing Conformational Disorder of Organic Cations for Efficient Blue Quasi‐2D Perovskite LEDs
Authors: Zhuang Lyuchao , Li Chuanzhao , Wei Qi , Zhu Renlong , Ren Hui , Shi Fangyi , Leng Kai , Li Mingjie , Ye Shuji , Lau Shu Ping
Published: February 2024

Despite quasi‐2D perovskite offering great control over the optoelectronic properties, disordered organic cations are often perceived as detrimental to device performance, primarily affecting charge carrier mobility. However, it is proposed that such disordered organic cations‐enabled excellent excitonic properties can be beneficial for fabricating high‐efficiency perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) facilitated by reduced dielectric screening effect. Here, by incorporating acetamidinium bromide additives, the conformational disorder of organic cation is precisely manipulated and meticulously probed using sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy. Finally, a distinctive inverse relationship is elucidated between the degree of conformational order, characterized as relative structure ordering , and key performance metrics such as photoluminescence quantum yield and external quantum efficiency (EQE). By optimizing the configurational disorder, sky‐blue (485 nm) PeLEDs achieve a noteworthy EQE of 14.42% and exhibit significantly prolonged operational stability in open‐air conditions. This finding underscores the potential advantages of disordered organic cations in enhancing exciton properties and radiative recombination efficiency.
Precise Design of TiO2@CoOx Heterostructure via Atomic Layer Deposition for Synergistic Sono‐Chemodynamic Oncotherapy
Authors: Liu Wen , Shao Runrun , Guo Lingyun , Man Jianliang , Zhang Chengwu , Li Lihong , Wang Haojiang , Wang Bin , Guo Lixia , Ma Sufang , Zhang Bin , Diao Haipeng , Qin Yong , Yan Lili
Published: February 2024

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), a tumor treatment modality with high tissue penetration and low side effects, is able to selectively kill tumor cells by producing cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) with ultrasound‐triggered sonosensitizers. N‐type inorganic semiconductor TiO2 has low ROS quantum yields under ultrasound irradiation and inadequate anti‐tumor activity. Herein, by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create a heterojunction between porous TiO2 and CoOx, the sonodynamic therapy efficiency of TiO2 can be improved. Compared to conventional techniques, the high controllability of ALD allows for the delicate loading of CoOx nanoparticles into TiO2 pores, resulting in the precise tuning of the interfaces and energy band structures and ultimately optimal SDT properties. In addition, CoOx exhibits a cascade of H2O2→O2→·O2− in response to the tumor microenvironment, which not only mitigates hypoxia during the SDT process, but also contributes to the effect of chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Correspondingly, the synergistic CDT/SDT treatment is successful in inhibiting tumor growth. Thus, ALD provides new avenues for catalytic tumor therapy and other pharmaceutical applications.
Coupling Electron Transfer and Redox Site in Boranil Covalent Organic Framework Toward Boosting Photocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Borse Rahul Anil , Tan Yan‐Xi , Lin Jing , Zhou Enbo , Hui Yangdan , Yuan Daqiang , Wang Yaobing
Published: February 2024

The efficient polymeric semiconducting photocatalyst for solar‐driven sluggish kinetics with multielectron transfer oxygen evolution has spurred scientific interest. However, existing photocatalysts limited by π‐conjugations, visible‐light harvest, and charge transfer often compromise the O2production rate. Herein, we introduced an alternative strategy involving a boranil functionalized‐based fully π‐conjugated ordered donor and acceptor (D–A) covalent organic frameworks (Ni‐TAPP‐COF‐BF2) photocatalyst. The co‐catalyst‐freeNi‐TAPP‐COF‐BF2exhibits an excellent ~11‐fold photocatalytic water oxidation rate, reaching 1404 μmol g−1 h−1under visible light irradiation compared to pristineNi‐TAPP‐COF(123 μmol g−1 h−1) alone and surpasses to reported organic frameworks counterpart. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the push/pull mechanism (metalloporphyrin/BF2) is responsible for the appropriate light‐harvesting properties and extending π‐conjugation through chelating BF2moieties. This strategy benefits in narrowing band structure, improving photo‐induced charge separation, and prolonged charge recombination. Further, the lower spin magnetic moment ofM‐TAPP‐COF‐BF2and the closer d‐band center of metal sites toward the Fermi level lead to a lower energy barrier for *O intermediate. Reveal the potential of the functionalization strategy and opens up an alternative approach for engineering future photocatalysts in energy conversion applications.
Sulfonyl Molecules Induced Oriented Lithium Deposition for Long‐Term Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Da , Gu Rong , Yang Yunxu , Ge Jiaqi , Xu Jinting , Xu Qunjie , Shi Penghui , Liu Mingxian , Guo Zaiping , Min Yulin
Published: February 2024

Dendrites growth and unstable interfacial Li+ transport hinder the practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, we report an active layer of 2,4,6–trihydroxy benzene sulfonyl fluorine on copper substrate that induces oriented Li+ deposition and generates highly crystalline solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) to achieve high‐performance LMBs. The lithiophilic −SO2− groups of highly crystalline SEI accept the rapidly transported Li+ ions and form a dense inner layer of LiF and Li3N, which regulate Li+ plating morphology along the (110) crystal surface toward dendrite‐free Li anode. Thus, Li||Cu cells with lithiophilic SEI achieve an average deposition efficiency of 99.8 % after 700 cycles, and Li||Li cells operate well for 1100 h. Besides, Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cells with modified SEI exhibit a capacity retention that is 14 times than that of conventional SEI. Even at −60 °C, Li||Cu cells reach stable deposition efficiency of 83.2 % after 100 cycles.
IgG4‐related inflammatory pancreatic head pseudotumor mirrors pancreatic head tumor: A novel case series with a review of the literature
Authors: Khan Faheemullah , Shahid Jehanzeb , Saleem Amna , Khawaja Uzzam Ahmed , Memon Wasim Ahmed , Zafar Uffan , Hameed Tariq Abdul , Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed Khabab
Published: February 2024

Key Clinical Message

In this noteworthy case series regarding pancreatic pseudo tumors, we intend to spread knowledge among physicians for the diagnostic and therapeutic approach and eventual disease prognosis.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of pancreatic head greatly mimics pancreatic head tumor. One of them is IgG4‐related pancreatic disease, which is commonly mistaken as neoplastic disease on imaging. In our novel case series, we report three cases of IgG4‐related pancreatic head pseudotumor with patients ranging from 35 to 72 years of age. Patients presented with jaundice and abdominal pain. Alongside initial laboratory workup, abdominal CTs and serum IgG4 levels were also obtained. Imaging features in conjunction with IgG4 levels confirmed the diagnosis of IgG4‐related autoimmune pancreatitis. Pancreatic pseudotumors are notorious for being often reported as real tumors. Through our noteworthy case series, we intend to highlight the imaging features and laboratory markers that are crucial in such cases to avoid invasive procedures.
Magnetic coupling resonant ultra‐high voltage electric vehicle wireless charging system based on parity‐time symmetry
Authors: Tang Jianlin , Liu Liang , Xiao Yong , Yang Siqi , Lin Weibin , Jun Pingxinjue , Lin Xiaoming , Li Kezhao
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the electric vehicle (EV) industry has developed rapidly, and research on wireless charging systems for the EV is very meaningful. This paper proposes a magnetic coupling resonant ultra‐high voltage EV wireless charging system based on parity‐time symmetry to meet the need of high transmission efficiency and high transmission power for the EV wireless charging system. Through the application of magnetic coupling resonance and parity‐time symmetry, the charging system can maintain constant transmission efficiency within a larger spatial range, which greatly reduces the high‐precision requirements for coil alignment. Through the proposed intelligent coil alignment system, the alignment degree of the power transmission coil, user experience, and energy transmission efficiency can be improved further, promoting the intelligence of the charging system. At the same time, an ultra‐high voltage booster module is added to the primary side of the system to provide high‐power input for the EV charging system. Simulation analysis and experiments verify the rationality and practicability of the charging system. Finally, the practical significance of the proposed system applied to power grid inspection work is discussed.