bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulated generation of deterministic platicon frequency microcombs
Authors: Liu Hao , Huang Shu-Wei , Wang Wenting , Yang Jinghui , Yu Mingbin , Kwong Dim-Lee , Colman Pierre , Wong Chee Wei
Published: May 2022

Dissipative Kerr soliton generation in chip-scale nonlinear resonators has recently observed remarkable advances, spanning from massively parallel communications, to self-referenced oscillators, and to dual-comb spectroscopy. Often working in the anomalous dispersion regime, unique driving protocols and dispersion in these nonlinear resonators have been examined to achieve the soliton and soliton-like temporal pulse shapes and coherent frequency comb generation. The normal dispersion regime provides a complementary approach to bridge the nonlinear dynamical studies, including the possibility of square pulse formation with flattop plateaus, or platicons. Here we report observations of square pulse formation in chip-scale frequency combs through stimulated pumping at one free spectral range and in silicon nitride rings with

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normal group velocity dispersion. Tuning of the platicon frequency comb via a varied sideband modulation frequency is examined in both spectral and temporal measurements. Determined by second-harmonic autocorrelation and cross correlation, we observe bright square platicon pulse of 17 ps pulse width on a 19 GHz flat frequency comb. With auxiliary-laser-assisted thermal stabilization, we surpass the thermal bistable dragging and extend the mode-locking access to narrower 2 ps platicon pulse states, supported by nonlinear dynamical modeling and boundary limit discussions.
Synthetic aperture ptychography: coded sensor translation for joint spatial-Fourier bandwidth expansion
Authors: Song Pengming , Jiang Shaowei , Wang Tianbo , Guo Chengfei , Wang Ruihai , Zhang Terrance , Zheng Guoan
Published: May 2022

Conventional ptychography translates an object through a localized probe beam to widen the field of view in real space. Fourier ptychography translates the object spectrum through a pupil aperture to expand the Fourier bandwidth in reciprocal space. Here we report an imaging modality, termed synthetic aperture ptychography (SAP), to get the best of both techniques. In SAP, we illuminate a stationary object using an extended plane wave and translate a coded image sensor at the far field for data acquisition. The coded layer attached on the sensor modulates the object exit waves and serves as an effective ptychographic probe for phase retrieval. The sensor translation process in SAP synthesizes a large complex-valued wavefront at the intermediate aperture plane. By propagating this wavefront back to the object plane, we can widen the field of view in real space and expand the Fourier bandwidth in reciprocal space simultaneously. We validate the SAP approach with transmission targets and reflection silicon microchips. A 20-mm aperture was synthesized using a 5-mm sensor, achieving a fourfold gain in resolution and 16-fold gain in field of view for object recovery. In addition, the thin sample requirement in ptychography is no longer required in SAP. One can digitally propagate the recovered exit wave to any axial position for post-acquisition refocusing. The SAP scheme offers a solution for far-field sub-diffraction imaging without using lenses. It can be adopted in coherent diffraction imaging setups with radiation sources from visible light, extreme ultraviolet, and X-ray, to electron.
Annotating functional effects of non-coding variants in neuropsychiatric cell types by deep transfer learning
Authors: Lai Boqiao , Qian Sheng , Zhang Hanwei , Zhang Siwei , Kozlova Alena , Duan Jubao , Xu Jinbo , He Xin
Published: May 2022

Genomewide association studies (GWAS) have identified a large number of loci associated with neuropsychiatric traits, however, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these loci remains difficult. To help prioritize causal variants and interpret their functions, computational methods have been developed to predict regulatory effects of non-coding variants. An emerging approach to variant annotation is deep learning models that predict regulatory functions from DNA sequences alone. While such models have been trained on large publicly available dataset such as ENCODE, neuropsychiatric trait-related cell types are under-represented in these datasets, thus there is an urgent need of better tools and resources to annotate variant functions in such cellular contexts. To fill this gap, we collected a large collection of neurodevelopment-related cell/tissue types, and trained deep Convolutional Neural Networks (ResNet) using such data. Furthermore, our model, called MetaChrom, borrows information from public epigenomic consortium to improve the accuracy via transfer learning. We show that MetaChrom is substantially better in predicting experimentally determined chromatin accessibility variants than popular variant annotation tools such as CADD and delta-SVM. By combining GWAS data with MetaChrom predictions, we prioritized 31 SNPs for Schizophrenia, suggesting potential risk genes and the biological contexts where they act. In summary, MetaChrom provides functional annotations of any DNA variants in the neuro-development context and the general method of MetaChrom can also be extended to other disease-related cell or tissue types.
Epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation in CD4+ T cells in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Eapen Amy A. , Parameswaran Sreeja , Forney Carmy , Edsall Lee E. , Miller Daniel , Donmez Omer , Dunn Katelyn , Lu Xiaoming , Granitto Marissa , Rowden Hope , Magier Adam Z. , Pujato Mario , Chen Xiaoting , Kaufman Kenneth , Bernstein David I. , Devonshire Ashley L. , Rothenberg Marc E. , Weirauch Matthew T. , Kottyan Leah C.
Published: May 2022

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin disorders among children. Disease etiology involves genetic and environmental factors, with 29 independent AD risk loci enriched for risk allele-dependent gene expression in the skin and CD4+T cell compartments. We investigated the potential epigenetic mechanisms responsible for the genetic susceptibility of CD4+T cells. To understand the differences in gene regulatory activity in peripheral blood T cells in AD, we measured chromatin accessibility (an assay based on transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing, ATAC-seq), nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 (NFKB1) binding (chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing, ChIP-seq), and gene expression levels (RNA-seq) in stimulated CD4+T cells from subjects with active moderate-to-severe AD, as well as in age-matched non-allergic controls. Open chromatin regions in stimulated CD4+T cells were highly enriched for AD genetic risk variants, with almost half of the AD risk loci overlapping AD-dependent ATAC-seq peaks. AD-specific open chromatin regions were strongly enriched for NF-κB DNA-binding motifs. ChIP-seq identified hundreds of NFKB1-occupied genomic loci that were AD- or control-specific. As expected, the AD-specific ChIP-seq peaks were strongly enriched for NF-κB DNA-binding motifs. Surprisingly, control-specific NFKB1 ChIP-seq peaks were not enriched for NFKB1 motifs, but instead contained motifs for other classes of human transcription factors, suggesting a mechanism involving altered indirect NFKB1 binding. Using DNA sequencing data, we identified 63 instances of altered genotype-dependent chromatin accessibility at 36 AD risk variant loci (30% of AD risk loci) that might lead to genotype-dependent gene expression. Based on these findings, we propose that CD4+T cells respond to stimulation in an AD-specific manner, resulting in disease- and genotype-dependent chromatin accessibility alterations involving NFKB1 binding.
Optimal use of COVID-19 Ag-RDT screening at border crossings to prevent community transmission: A modeling analysis
Authors: Chevalier Joshua M. , Sy Karla Therese L. , Girdwood Sarah J. , Khan Shaukat , Albert Heidi , Toporowski Amy , Hannay Emma , Carmona Sergio , Nichols Brooke E.
Published: May 2022

Countries around the world have implemented restrictions on mobility, especially cross-border travel to reduce or prevent SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. Rapid antigen testing (Ag-RDT), with on-site administration and rapid turnaround time may provide a valuable screening measure to ease cross-border travel while minimizing risk of local transmission. To maximize impact, we developed an optimal Ag-RDT screening algorithm for cross-border entry. Using a previously developed mathematical model, we determined the daily number of imported COVID-19 cases that would generate no more than a relative 1% increase in cases over one month for different effective reproductive numbers (Rt) and COVID-19 prevalence within the recipient country. We then developed an algorithm—for differing levels of Rt, arrivals per day, mode of travel, and SARS-CoV-2 prevalence amongst travelers—to determine the minimum proportion of people that would need Ag-RDT testing at border crossings to ensure no greater than the relative 1% community spread increase. When daily international arrivals and/or COVID-19 prevalence amongst arrivals increases, the proportion of arrivals required to test using Ag-RDT increases. At very high numbers of international arrivals/COVID-19 prevalence, Ag-RDT testing is not sufficient to prevent increased community spread, especially when recipient country prevalence and Rt are low. In these cases, Ag-RDT screening would need to be supplemented with other measures to prevent an increase in community transmission. An efficient Ag-RDT algorithm for SARS-CoV-2 testing depends strongly on the epidemic status within the recipient country, volume of travel, proportion of land and air arrivals, test sensitivity, and COVID-19 prevalence among travelers.
Global profiling of protein lysine malonylation in Toxoplasma gondii strains of different virulence and genetic backgrounds
Authors: Nie Lan-Bi , Liang Qin-Li , Wang Meng , Du Rui , Zhang Meng-Yuan , Elsheikha Hany M. , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: May 2022

Lysine malonylation is a post-translational modification (PTM), which regulates many cellular processes. Limited information is available about the level of lysine malonylation variations betweenToxoplasma gondiistrains of distinct genetic lineages. Yet, insights into such variations are needed to understand the extent to which lysine malonylation contributes to the differences in the virulence and repertoire of virulence factors betweenT.gondiigenotypes. In this study, we profiled lysine malonylation inT.gondiiusing quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and immuno-affinity purification. This analysis was performed on threeT.gondiistrains with distinctive pathogenicity in mice, including RH strain (type I), PRU strain (type II), and VEG strain (type III). In total, 111 differentially malonylated proteins and 152 sites were upregulated, and 17 proteins and 17 sites were downregulated in RH strain versus PRU strain; 50 proteins and 59 sites were upregulated, 50 proteins and 53 sites were downregulated in RH strain versus VEG strain; and 72 proteins and 90 sites were upregulated, and 7 proteins and 8 sites were downregulated in VEG strain versus PRU strain. Differentially malonylated proteins were involved in key processes, such as those mediating the regulation of protein metabolism, stress response, glycolysis, and actin cytoskeleton. These results reveal an association between lysine malonylation and intra-species virulence differences inT.gondiiand offer a new resource for elucidating the contribution of lysine malonylation to energy metabolism and virulence inT.gondii.
Entomological risk of African tick-bite fever (Rickettsia africae infection) in Eswatini
Authors: Ledger Kimberly J. , Innocent Hanna , Lukhele Sifiso M. , Dorleans Rayann , Wisely Samantha M.
Published: May 2022

Background

Rickettsia africae is a tick-borne bacterium that causes African tick-bite fever (ATBF) in humans. In southern Africa, the tick Amblyomma hebraeum serves as the primary vector and reservoir for R. africae and transmits the bacterium during any life stage. Previous research has shown that even when malaria has been dramatically reduced, unexplained acute febrile illnesses persist and may be explained by the serological evidence of rickettsiae in humans.

Methodology/Principal findings

We collected 12,711 questing Amblyomma larvae across multiple land use types in a savanna landscape in Eswatini. Our results show that host-seeking Amblyomma larvae are abundant across both space and time, with no significant difference in density by land use or season. We investigated the entomological risk (density of infected larvae) of ATBF from A. hebraeum larvae by testing over 1,600 individual larvae for the presence of R. africae using a novel multiplex qPCR assay. We found an infection prevalence of 64.9% (95% CI: 62.1–67.6%) with no land use type significantly impacting prevalence during the dry season of 2018. The mean density of infected larvae was 57.3 individuals per 100m2 (95% CI: 49–65 individuals per 100m2).

Conclusions

Collectively, our results demonstrate R. africae infected A. hebraeum larvae, the most common tick species and life stage to bite humans in southern Africa, are ubiquitous in the savanna landscape of this region. Increased awareness of rickettsial diseases is warranted for policymakers, scientists, clinicians, and patients. Early detection of disease via increased clinician awareness and rapid diagnostics will improve patient outcomes for travelers and residents of this region.
Laboratory efficacy of selected synthetic insecticides against second instar invasive fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Authors: Idrees Atif , Qadir Ziyad Abdul , Afzal Ayesha , Ranran Qiu , Li Jun
Published: May 2022

Maize is the most essential crop of China and its productivity has been recently endangered by the fall armyworm (FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda. Chemical pesticides are one of the most important strategies for managing FAW on a short-term basis. The seven synthetic insecticides including novel and conventional belong to four chemical group, spinetoram and spinosad (spinosyns), lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and bifenthrin (pyrethroids), abamectin (avermectins), broflinilide (diamides), were assessed for their efficiency in causing mortality to second instarS.frugiperdalarvae at 24, 48 and 72 h post-treatment at five different serial concentrations (10 to 0.625 mg liter-1). The second instarS.frugiperdalarvae were susceptible to the tested synthetic insecticides, however, the toxicity index of synthetic insecticides was estimated based on lethal concentration 50 (LC50), while, LC50was calculated from the data of larval mortality. The broflanilide and abamectin proved to be the most toxic having the highest toxicity index of 100 and 78.29%, respectively, followed by cypermethrin and bifenthrin were showed toxicity index of 75.47 and 66.89%, respectively. The LC50values were 0.606 and 0.774 mg liter-1for broflanilide and abamectin, respectively, followed by cypermethrin and bifenthrin were showed LC50values of 0.803 and 0.906 mg liter-1at 72 h post-treatment. Rest of the other synthetic insecticides were showed moderate toxicity index of 42.11 to 62.09%, based on LC50values were 1.439 to 0.976 mg liter-1at 72 h post-treatment. The efficiency of synthetic insecticides was increased by increasing concentration level and exposure time. The screened synthetic insecticides among seven insecticides perhaps, provide basis for the development of novel insecticides for controllingS.frugiperdapopulation after further research to evaluate and validate the laboratory results in the field.
Prebiotic potential of enzymatically prepared resistant starch in reshaping gut microbiota and their respond to body physiology
Authors: Khan Anum , Ali Huma , Rehman Ubaid Ur , Belduz Ali Osman , Bibi Amna , Abdurahman Mujib Abdulkadir , Shah Aamer Ali , Badshah Malik , Hasan Fariha , Kilic Ali Osman , Ullah Asad , Jahan Sarwat , Rehman Muhammad Maqsood Ur , Mansoor Rashid , Khan Samiullah
Published: May 2022

The increase in consumer demand for high-quality food products has led to growth in the use of new technologies and ingredients. Resistant starch (RS) is a recently recognised source of fibre and has received much attention for its potential health benefits and functional properties. However, knowledge about the fate of RS in modulating complex intestinal communities, the microbial members involved in its degradation, enhancement of microbial metabolites, and its functional role in body physiology is still limited. For this purpose, the current study was designed to ratify the physiological and functional health benefits of enzymatically prepared resistant starch (EM-RSIII) from maize flour. To approve the beneficial health effects as prebiotic, EM-RSIII was supplemented in rat diets. After 21 days of the experiment, EM-RSIII fed rats showed a significant reduction in body weight gain, fecal pH, glycemic response, serum lipid profile, insulin level and reshaping gut microbiota, and enhancing short-chain fatty acid compared to control. The count of butyrate-producing and starch utilizing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Pediococcus genus in rat’s gut, elevated after the consumption of medium and high doses of EM-RSIII, while the E. coli completely suppressed in high EM-RSIII fed rats. Short-chain fatty acids precisely increased in feces of EM-RSIII feed rats. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the effect of butyrate on functional and physiological alteration on the body had been investigated during the current study. Conclusively, the present study demonstrated the unprecedented effect of utilising EM-RSIII as a diet on body physiology and redesigning gut microorganisms.
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal (NNA) causes DNA damage and impaired replication/transcription in human lung cells
Authors: Sarker Altaf H. , Hang Bo
Published: May 2022

Thirdhand smoke (THS) is a newly described health hazard composed of toxicants, mutagens and carcinogens, including nicotine-derived tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), one of which is 1-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-butanal (NNA). Although TSNAs are generally potent carcinogens, the risk of NNA, which is specific to THS, is poorly understood. We recently reported that THS exposure-induced adverse impact on DNA replication and transcription with implications in the development of cancer and other diseases. Here, we investigated the role of NNA in THS exposure-induced harmful effects on fundamental cellular processes. We exposed cultured human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells to NNA. The formation of DNA base damages was assessed by Long Amplicon QPCR (LA-QPCR); DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and NNA effects on replication and transcription by immunofluorescence (IF); and genomic instability by micronuclei (MN) formation. We found increased accumulation of oxidative DNA damage and DSBs as well as activation of DNA damage response pathway, after exposure of cells to NNA. Impaired S phase progression was also evident. Consistent with these results, we found increased MN formation, a marker of genomic instability, in NNA-exposed cells. Furthermore, ongoing RNA synthesis was significantly reduced by NNA exposure, however, RNA synthesis resumed fully after a 24h recovery period only in wild-type cells but not in those deficient in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER). Importantly, these cellular effects are common with the THS-exposure induced effects. Our findings suggest that NNA in THS could be a contributing factor for THS exposure-induced adverse health effect.
A scenario analysis-based optimal management of water resources supply and demand balance: A case study of Chengdu, China
Authors: Yu Yang , Zhou Tianyu , Zhao Rui , Li Zhanglong , Shen Chao
Published: May 2022

Water resources scarcity has threatened the coordinative development of demographics, society and economy. As a typical rapidly urbanizing area and an emerging megacity in China, Chengdu is confronting the pressure of inadequate water supply. The present study divides the macroeconomic factors that affect the water resource supply and demand balance into six major subsystems: water resources supply, water demand, water drainage, population, ecological environment and economy. The combining variable interaction description and predictive simulation models are applied to simulate the water supply and demand ratio (S:D) from 2005 to 2035. Further, this study designs different development scenarios to simulate the change of S:D ratios by altering the parameter values of driving factors. The results show that: (1) the S:D ratio will decline if the current development scenario continues, implying the serious water resources shortage and the severe water supply-demand conflict in Chengdu; (2) socio-economic water demand and wastewater/rainwater reuse are the key driving parameters of S:D ratio, especially the water consumption per ten thousand yuan of industrial value-added; (3) the S:D ratio will increase from 0.92 in the current baseline scenario to 1.06 in the integrated optimization scenario in 2025, and the long-term planning brings 2035 from 0.71 to 1.03, with the proportion of unconventional water supply rise to 38% and 61%, respectively. This study can provide a decision-making tool for policy-makers to explore plausible policy scenarios necessary for bridging the gap between the water supply and demand in megacities.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of antihypertensive treatment in pregnancy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dublin Sascha , Idu Abisola , Avalos Lyndsay A. , Cheetham T. Craig , Easterling Thomas R. , Chen Lu , Holt Victoria L. , Nance Nerissa , Bider-Canfield Zoe , Neugebauer Romain S. , Reynolds Kristi , Badon Sylvia E. , Shortreed Susan M.
Published: May 2022

Objective

To compare maternal and infant outcomes with different antihypertensive medications in pregnancy.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Kaiser Permanente, a large healthcare system in the United States.

Population

Women aged 15–49 years with a singleton birth from 2005–2014 treated for hypertension.

Methods

We identified medication exposure from automated pharmacy data based on the earliest dispensing after the first prenatal visit. Using logistic regression, we calculated weighted outcome prevalences, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals, with inverse probability of treatment weighting to address confounding.

Main outcome measures

Small for gestational age, preterm delivery, neonatal and maternal intensive care unit (ICU) admission, preeclampsia, and stillbirth or termination at > 20 weeks.

Results

Among 6346 deliveries, 87% with chronic hypertension, the risk of the infant being small for gestational age (birthweight < 10th percentile) was lower with methyldopa than labetalol (prevalence 13.6% vs. 16.6%; aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.92). For birthweight < 3rdpercentile the aOR was 0.57 (0.39 to 0.80). Compared with labetalol (26.0%), risk of preterm delivery was similar for methyldopa (26.5%; aOR 1.10 [0.95 to 1.27]) and slightly higher for nifedipine (28.5%; aOR 1.25 [1.06 to 1.46]) and other β-blockers (31.2%; aOR 1.58 [1.07 to 2.23]). Neonatal ICU admission was more common with nifedipine than labetalol (25.9% vs. 23.3%, aOR 1.21 [1.02 to 1.43]) but not elevated with methyldopa. Risks of other outcomes did not differ by medication.

Conclusions

Risk of most outcomes was similar comparing labetalol, methyldopa and nifedipine. Risk of the infant being small for gestational age was substantially lower for methyldopa, suggesting this medication may warrant further consideration.
Time-course of host cell transcription during the HTLV-1 transcriptional burst
Authors: Kiik Helen , Ramanayake Saumya , Miura Michi , Tanaka Yuetsu , Melamed Anat , Bangham Charles R. M.
Published: May 2022

The human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) transactivator protein Tax has pleiotropic functions in the host cell affecting cell-cycle regulation, DNA damage response pathways and apoptosis. These actions of Tax have been implicated in the persistence and pathogenesis of HTLV-1-infected cells. It is now known thattaxexpression occurs in transcriptional bursts of the proviral plus-strand, but the effects of the burst on host transcription are not fully understood. We carried out RNA sequencing of two naturally-infected T-cell clones transduced with a Tax-responsive Timer protein, which undergoes a time-dependent shift in fluorescence emission, to study transcriptional changes during successive phases of the HTLV-1 plus-strand burst. We found that the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the NF-κB pathway, cell-cycle regulation, DNA damage response and apoptosis inhibition were immediate effects accompanying the plus-strand burst, and are limited to the duration of the burst. The results distinguish between the immediate and delayed effects of HTLV-1 reactivation on host transcription, and between clone-specific effects and those observed in both clones. The major transcriptional changes in the infected host T-cells observed here, including NF-κB, are transient, suggesting that these pathways are not persistently activated at high levels in HTLV-1-infected cells. The two clones diverged strongly in their expression of genes regulating the cell cycle. Up-regulation of senescence markers was a delayed effect of the proviral plus-strand burst and the up-regulation of some pro-apoptotic genes outlasted the burst. We found that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway enhanced and prolonged the proviral burst, but did not increase the rate of reactivation. Our results also suggest that sustained plus-strand expression is detrimental to the survival of infected cells.
Deactivation of the antiviral state by rabies virus through targeting and accumulation of persistently phosphorylated STAT1
Authors: Manokaran Gayathri , Audsley Michelle D. , Funakoda Haruka , David Cassandra T. , Garnham Katherine A. , Rawlinson Stephen M. , Deffrasnes Celine , Ito Naoto , Moseley Gregory W.
Published: May 2022

Antagonism of the interferon (IFN)-mediated antiviral state is critical to infection by rabies virus (RABV) and other viruses, and involves interference in the IFN induction and signaling pathways in infected cells, as well as deactivation of the antiviral state in cells previously activated by IFN. The latter is required for viral spread in the host, but the precise mechanisms involved and roles in RABV pathogenesis are poorly defined. Here, we examined the capacity of attenuated and pathogenic strains of RABV that differ only in the IFN-antagonist P protein to overcome an established antiviral state. Importantly, P protein selectively targets IFN-activated phosphorylated STAT1 (pY-STAT1), providing a molecular tool to elucidate specific roles of pY-STAT1. We find that the extended antiviral state is dependent on a low level of pY-STAT1 that appears to persist at a steady state through ongoing phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycles, following an initial IFN-induced peak. P protein of pathogenic RABV binds and progressively accumulates pY-STAT1 in inactive cytoplasmic complexes, enabling recovery of efficient viral replication over time. Thus, P protein-pY-STAT1 interaction contributes to ‘disarming’ of the antiviral state. P protein of the attenuated RABV is defective in this respect, such that replication remains suppressed over extended periods in cells pre-activated by IFN. These data provide new insights into the nature of the antiviral state, indicating key roles for residual pY-STAT1 signaling. They also elucidate mechanisms of viral deactivation of antiviral responses, including specialized functions of P protein in selective targeting and accumulation of pY-STAT1.
Targeted mutagenesis in Anaplasma marginale to define virulence and vaccine development against bovine anaplasmosis
Authors: Hove Paidashe , Madesh Swetha , Nair Arathy , Jaworski Deborah , Liu Huitao , Ferm Jonathan , Kleinhenz Michael D. , Highland Margaret A. , Curtis Andrew K. , Coetzee Johann F. , Noh Susan M. , Wang Ying , Genda Dominica , Ganta Roman R.
Published: May 2022

Tick-borne Anaplasma species are obligate, intracellular, bacterial pathogens that cause important diseases globally in people, agricultural animals, and dogs. Targeted mutagenesis methods are yet to be developed to define genes essential for these pathogens. In addition, vaccines conferring protection against diseases caused by Anaplasma species are not available. Here, we describe a targeted mutagenesis method for deletion of the phage head-to-tail connector protein (phtcp) gene in Anaplasma marginale. The mutant did not cause disease and exhibited attenuated growth in its natural host (cattle). We then assessed its ability to confer protection against wild-type A. marginale infection challenge. Additionally, we compared vaccine protection with the mutant to that of whole cell A. marginale inactivated antigens as a vaccine (WCAV) candidate. Upon infection challenge, non-vaccinated control cattle developed severe disease, with an average 57% drop in packed cell volume (PCV) between days 26–31 post infection, an 11% peak in erythrocytic infection, and apparent anisocytosis. Conversely, following challenge, all animals receiving the live mutant did not develop clinical signs or anemia, or erythrocyte infection. In contrast, the WCAV vaccinees developed similar disease as the non-vaccinees following A. marginale infection, though the peak erythrocyte infection reduced to 6% and the PCV dropped 43%. This is the first study describing targeted mutagenesis and its application in determining in vivo virulence and vaccine development for an Anaplasma species pathogen. This study will pave the way for similar research in related Anaplasma pathogens impacting multiple hosts.
Night stories: Urban narratives of migrant lives in Europe
Authors: Brandellero Sara , Kenny Ailbhe , Pardue Derek
Published: May 2022

This introduction provides an overview of this Special Issue: ‘Night Stories: Urban Narratives of the Migrant Lives in Europe’, which originates from work undertaken within the collaborative HERA-funded research project ‘Night spaces: Migration, culture and integration in Europe’ (NITE). It argues that experiences and representations of the urban night are often overlooked in Humanities research. It contends that understandings of this overlooked dimension of the urban night can provide important and more nuanced insights into questions of migration. It surveys the collection of academic and artistic contributions to the Special Issue, which provides a transdisciplinary survey on the storytelling that emerges from diverse experiences of migration and their connections to the urban night.
Night on earth
Authors: Singh Jaspreet
Published: May 2022

This article is a short story involving migrant memories and inter-species triggers. The night inspires a series of recollections among the protagonists.
Night spaces and stories of the Cape Verdean diaspora in the Netherlands: Belonging and cultural activism
Authors: Brandellero Sara , Kersbergen Seger
Published: May 2022

This article discusses the significance of night-time spaces associated with the Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam, home to the third largest Cape Verdean diaspora in the world. Through interdisciplinary approaches including interviews with key figures in music production and nightlife, mapping of key historical and contemporary sites, and close analysis of artefacts and music lyrics, this article considers how music practices of huge historical and cultural significance have been deeply embedded in the night-time cartography of the city. Following Doreen Massey’s formulations, it considers urban space as a mobile junction of historical, sociopolitical and cultural layers, in constant transformation, and argues that night-time spaces were, and continue to be, integral to the development of a political–cultural consciousness among the Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam, in colonial and postcolonial contexts. These discussions are also relevant given current debates on the value of the ‘night-time economy’ in Rotterdam’s post-industrial landscape.
Scars in the soil
Authors: Pardue Derek
Published: May 2022

The city of Lisbon has scar tissue, a reminder of pain and trauma that administrations often gloss over as urbanization. The demolition of dozens of neighbourhoods has been documented in cinema, both documentaries and feature-length conventional films. Even more stark is the footage from grassroots archivists, who have accompanied since the beginning the raw despair of displacement, an internal uprooting after a generation or more of Luso-African migrants making place in the Lisbon area, especially in the adjacent municipality of Amadora. Over a decade ago, I followed a few of the displaced former residents of Fontaínhas to Casal da Boba, a social neighbourhood, to inquire and record memories about such scars. In late 2020, I reconnected with these interlocutors and discovered more storytellers who have a curious relationship with the former improvised neighbourhood of Bairro de Santo Filomena. This article is a piece of ethnographic fiction based on those experiences.
Games in the Finnish art teachers’ curriculum
Authors: Valja Heikka
Published: May 2022

This article takes part in the discussion that revolves around games and gaming and presents an example on how they have been implemented to the curriculum of Finnish art teacher training. The article explores the results of a nationwide survey for art teachers concerning games and gaming and how it supported the curriculum design for pre-serving art education students. The most significant addition to the curriculum was a master’s-level course ‘Games, Gaming and Game Design’. The article presents the course in detail and how it has evolved during four semesters between 2017 and 2020. The theoretical framework for the curriculum design was built on Deweyan pragmatist aesthetics and constructionist ludology. The article suggests that games and gaming are an integral part of art education and best addressed in a holistic manner, not only as visual representations or tools for learning.
Field trip for one: Self-directed learning with the #MetKids website #MetKids, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015)
Authors: Harper Sarah
Published: May 2022

Review of: Field trip for one: Self-directed learning with the #MetKids website #MetKids, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2015)

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
Critical Digital Making in Art Education, Aaron D. Knochel, Christine Liao and Ryan M. Patton (eds) (2020)
Authors: Sweeny Robert
Published: May 2022

Review of: Critical Digital Making in Art Education, Aaron D. Knochel, Christine Liao and Ryan M. Patton (eds) (2020)

New York, Bern, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna, Oxford and Warsaw: Peter Lang, 258 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-43317-762-0, h/bk, £84
The precariousness of Jewish visibility: Surviving antisemitism in Swedish cinema
Authors: Rozenkrantz Jonathan
Published: May 2022

The article examines Jewish ‘self-images’ in Swedish post-war film. Before World War II, antisemitic caricatures were prevalent in Swedish film and visual culture. Following the Holocaust, Jews as such were virtually erased from Swedish screens. Written by and starring Marie-Louise Ekman, Hallo Baby () was a rare exception, the first Swedish post-war film to explore Swedish-Jewish identity. The 2002 comedy Livet i 8 bitar (Bit by Bit) (Metzger) remains the last of only a handful of films to fit said description. Significantly, both films draw heavily on established antisemitic tropes in their figurations of ‘Jewishness’. Through historically contextualized readings of the two films, including their reception, the article thus shows how the tradition of antisemitic caricature that prevailed until World War II has continued to condition Jewish self-representation in the post-war era.
CORELLATION THE BODY WEIGHT TO SELECTED STABILOMETRIC PARAMETERS
Authors: Michalikova Monika , Bednarčíková Lucia , Barcalová Miroslava , Ižaríková Gabriela , Živčák Jozef
Published: May 2022

Mass is an important factor that has an influence on the stability of the human body. The hypothesis is the higher the mass, the higher the stability. The proportionality of the human body when considering body mass and physical height are expressed by the BMI (body mass index). Our goal was to verify a correlation between BMI and postural stability with the use of stabilometry tests on baropodometric platforms to confirm or refute the mentioned hypothesis. A total of 184 healthy subjects (73 females and 111 male) participated in the measurement and performed a bipedal test with their eyes open and closed, where the evaluated parameters were the confidence ellipse area and the length of the oscillation. After a statistical assessment of the measurements, we can confirm that having the eyes open or closed has an influence on the confidence ellipse area and the length of oscillation. The measured values show that the confidence ellipse area and the length of oscillation are not dependent on the BMI.
PREVALENCE OF POTENTIALLY CLINICALLY RELEVANT COMPLEX EPISODES OF EXTREME SpO2 DURING MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF INSPIRED OXYGEN
Authors: Bachman Thomas Edward , Roubik Karel
Published: May 2022

Continuous monitoring with pulse oximetry is the standard of care for titrating inspired oxygen in the neonatal ICU. However titrating supplemental oxygen to address frequent desaturations is a challenging task for caregivers. Increasing exposure to SpO2 extremes is associated with increasingly poorer long-term outcomes. More recently the prevalence of prolonged episodes at extremes and cluster of short episodes have been reported to be also associated with bad outcomes. We speculated that more complex episodes might also have an impact on outcomes. We defined two sets of these: clusters and swings.  Automatic control of inspired oxygen based on continuous pulse oximetry, is available on many neonatal ventilators. Some have expressed concern that continuous adjustment of inspired oxygen, without observing the infant, might cause instability and thus increased prevalence of clusters and oscillations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these complex events and determine if they were more common during automated control. To accomplish this we analyzed data of 58 extremely preterm newborns that were ventilated at least 24 hours with manual inspiratory oxygen control and at least 24 hours with automated FiO2 control, in random order. We found that clusters and swings were quite prevalent, that is similar to the prevalence of prolonged episodes that have been shown to be associated with bad outcomes. We also found that these complex events were reduced during automated control, rather than increased. Finally, we suggest that additional research in this area is warranted.
Mentefactos y niveles de razonamiento geométrico, según Van Hiele, en alumnas de licenciatura de Pedagogía Infantil
Authors: Rojas Álvarez Carlos
Published: May 2022

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo la descripción del razonamiento geométrico, según Van Hiele. Para el aprendizaje de algunos de los conceptos geométricos se utilizó la metodología de los mentefactos, una línea de la psicología cognitiva. El estudio fue de carácter descriptivo, con diseño preexperimental, realizado a 15 alumnas del primer semestre de la licenciatura en Pedagogía Infantil de la Universidad del Norte del 2005, de las cuales se seleccionó una muestra de ocho estudiantes. Se aplicó una prueba antes de comenzar la unidad de geometría y otra al terminar la unidad para describir el razonamiento geométrico según Van Hiele. Se realizó un análisis estadístico-descriptivo de los niveles y se concluyó que al comenzar la unidad de geometría la moda era el nivel cero y el nivel dos, y al finalizar la unidad la moda era el nivel dos.
Nuevas tecnologías y construcción de representaciones sociales
Authors: Martínez Restrepo Carlos , Hurtado Vera Guido
Published: May 2022

En este texto se plantean algunas ideas sobre las representaciones sociales en lo relacionado con las nuevas tecnologías. Se establecen varias consideraciones dentro de un contexto específico, la Universidad Autónoma de Occidente (Cali, Colombia), en la que se llevó a cabo una investigación cuyo objetivo era comprender el sentido del ejercicio investigativo desde el ámbito de las humanidades y su implementación curricular.
Sobre la literatura en la adolescencia
Authors: Alonso Blázquez Francisco
Published: May 2022

Durante la etapa de la adolescencia, la ficción literaria es un factor importante en la construcción del yo. En la soledad de la lectura de obras literarias puede el joven encontrar cuestiones referidas a sus propios afectos, sentimientos, problemas y también las referidas a la sexualidad. Sin embargo, la enseñanza de la literatura en esta etapa va en dirección contraria, a juzgar por su fracaso a la hora de formar lectores al margen de los trámites académicos. El fomento de la lectura pasa por replantear de nuevo el papel de la ficción literaria en el deseo del lector y por redefinir su perfil como materia enseñable asociada a la lengua.
Influencia de la tecnología en el aprendizaje de cálculo diferencial y estadística descriptiva
Authors: Escudero Trujillo Rafael , Llinás Humberto , Obeso Virgilio , Rojas Carlos
Published: May 2022

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de la investigación “La influencia de la tecnología en el aprendizaje de las asignaturas Cálculo Diferencial y Estadística Descriptiva en estudiantes del ciclo básico de Ingeniería”. Para ello se utilizó un diseño cuasiexperimental con grupos de control y experimental con aplicación sólo de un postest. Se utilizaron los programas Derive y Statgraphics en Cálculo Diferencial y Estadística Descriptiva, respectivamente. Se encontró que en los grupos experimentales en los cuales se enseñó a los estudiantes con el Derive y el Statgraphics (N = 25 y N =25) tuvieron un ligero mejor desempeño que los estudiantes de los grupos de control (N = 22 y N = 16) que realizaron el curso sin el uso de estos programas. Estadísticamente no se halló una diferencia significativa.
Perceptions on Adverbial Mobility in TESOL
Authors: Ahaotu Joseph Onyema
Published: May 2022

This study examined the perceptions of teachers of English on adverbial mobility in order to determine how far it would be accurate to claim that adverbs are mobile. The researcher adopted the Lexical Approach, an alternative to traditional grammar-based foreign language teaching methodologies, as the framework for the study. The reliability of the study was demonstrated with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0,83. The study approach was quasi-scientific, as the researcher administered a questionnaire on 50 respondents who are all English language teachers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The data obtained were analyzed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient. The summary of the responses contrasts the more general perception of adverbs and adverbial groups as a highly mobile category that may be put in any sentential positions without altering meaning. Based on the opinion of a majority of the respondents in the study, the researcher concluded that they perceived adverbs as restrictively mobile and agreed that mobility presents challenges to their students’ use of adverbs. The study recommended, among other things, that teachers of English in TESOL contexts should incorporate the Lexical Approach in teaching adverbs and communication skills because the methodology enhances oral and written fluency as well as grammaticality.
Influence of Self-Assessment on the English Language Learning Process
Authors: Herrera Leonardo , Cuesta Melo Carlos Hernán , Lucero Zambrano María Alejandra
Published: May 2022

Assessment is considered to be a reliable and valid means through which the effects of both teaching and learning can be measured. The lack of research studies in relation to self-assessment in the English Language Teacher Education Program (henceforth ELT Education Program) targeted in this study evidence that no policy determines how learners can self-assess their learning process. For that reason, we conducted this qualitative-descriptive case study that relies on principles of postmodern perspectives and constructivist theories that advocate the construction of learners' knowledge. The main objective was to determine how self-assessment influences the language learning process of a group of students from the ELT Education Program. To respond to this inquiry, we collected data through student reflective journals, focus group discussion commentaries, and an interview to analyze participants' reflections upon their English learning process. The results showed a positive response from students towards reflection. According to their comments, self-assessment evaluates more profound aspects of the self, such as autonomy, self-recognition, critical thinking, persistence, and self-efficacy. They also highlighted the role of reflective journals and focus group discussions as facilitators to self-evaluate deeply and promote collective reflection.
Diversificação de estratégias didáticas para ativar e manter o interesse em aulas de Química
Authors: Brabo Jesus Cardoso , Silva Elzeni Oliveira da
Published: May 2022

Este trabalho propôs a elaboração e avaliação de um módulo didático de introdução à Química, voltado especificamente para turmas de EJA. Um produto educacional baseado em sugestões de pesquisas contemporâneas da área de ensino de Química e em recomendações das atuais Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais para a Educação Básica. A fim de introduzir os jovens e adultos nos estudos de Química, foi proposto uma combinação de atividades de leitura e interpretação de textos, Mão na massa e POE (Prediga, Observe e Explique), colocada em prática em uma turma de vinte alunos da primeira etapa EJA/Ensino Médio (período noturno) de uma escola pública da cidade de Belém/PA. Dados de pesquisa foram coletados e analisados de forma qualitativa, a fim de averiguar mudanças comportamento, insights e eventuais aprendizagens dos alunos, tendo como referência técnicas de etnografia escolar e análise de conteúdo. São discutidas algumas evidências de que o conjunto de atividades proposto tem potencial didático para ativar e manter o interesse e envolvimento e de alunos da Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) na aprendizagem de Química.
Concepciones de ciencia y su enseñanza en docentes rurales no licenciados en el área bajo el modelo escuela nueva
Authors: Blanquicet Macea Richar Gregorio , RAMÍREZ NARVÁEZ FREDY ADRIAN , Ramírez Agudelo Natalia
Published: May 2022

El presente artículo comprende la síntesis del proyecto de investigación “Concepciones de ciencia y su enseñanza: un abordaje desde los docentes no licenciados en el área de Ciencias Naturales bajo el modelo Escuela Nueva”, realizado en el marco de la Maestría en Educación de la Universidad de Antioquia.  El estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las concepciones de ciencias naturales y de su enseñanza, en docentes no licenciados en el área, con relación a su articulación con el modelo de Escuela Nueva en dos Centros Educativos Rurales del Departamento de Antioquia. La investigación fue cualitativa y se desarrolló desde un estudio de casos colectivo, contando con la participación de 5 maestros. Algunos de los instrumentos para la recolección de la información fueron narrativas, un cuestionario, observaciones de clase, entre otras. Los resultados a nivel general, permiten dar cuenta de la necesidad de los saberes disciplinares para la educación científica, no desmeritando el gran esfuerzo que hacen los maestros rurales en su práctica cotidiana, pero si valorando la importancia de tener unos saberes que se articulen con el conocimiento pedagógico, para lograr una formación más crítica en este campo, donde no solo sea tenida en cuenta la guía de aprendizaje (libro de texto), sino que se logre una planeación más consciente de los contenidos que abordan los estudiantes en la educación básica primaria. Se logró ver, cómo a raíz de esta necesidad, las concepciones de ciencia y la experiencia -personal y profesional- en esta área, determinan en gran medida la práctica educativa de los docentes en el ámbito rural.