bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Respiratory Viral Infections in Pediatric Acute Leukemia Patients Presenting with Febrile Neutropenia in a Tertiary Hospital in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Abdul-Mumin Alhassan , Kara Ates , Cengiz Ali Bulent , Ceyhan Mehmet
Published: July 2023

Background: The prevalence and roles of respiratory viral pathogens in pediatric acute leukemia patients with febrile neutropenia is not well understood and laboratory tests to detect viral agents are not a routine practice in the investigation of these patients.Patients and methods: The medical records of 50 neutropenic episodes in pediatric acute leukemia patients in the Hacettepe University Children’s hospital, Ankara-Turkey, were reviewed. Blood samples were obtained for blood culture, aspergillus antigen and other routine tests. Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory in a viral transport medium. Therapy for febrile neutropenia was initiated according to our institution’s protocols.Results: Fifty (50) consecutive febrile neutropenic episodes in 44 pediatric ALL and AML patients were included in the study between 1st October 2009 and 31st August 2010. Microbiologically documented infections were found in 36% of the episodes, clinically documented infections in 16% of the episodes and 48% of the episodes were accepted as Fever of Unknown Origin. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the microbiologically documented infections were due to viral agents, 56 % were due to Gram positive bacteria, 21% were due to Gram negative bacteria (E. coli) and only one episode of fungemia was documented.Conclusions: Fever of Unknown Origin constituted nearly 50% of the febrile neutropenic episodes in this study despite the availability of advanced laboratory diagnostic methods. Among the episodes with microbiologically documented infections, bacterial pathogens were especially common. Presenting complaints like cough and rhinorrhea are not specific to a viral etiology and care should be taken not to miss potentially threatening bacterial pathogens in such episodes.
Application of Team Quiz Strategy to Improve Speaking Skills of Class VIII MTs. N 3 Gorontalo Regency
Authors: Rahayu Dunggio Khairiyah , N. Hula Ibnu Rawandhy , Hairuddin Hairuddin
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to determine the improvement of the maharah kalam ability of class VIII MTs Negeri 3 Kabupaten Gorontalo  students by using a team quiz strategy.  This research is a Class Action Research conducted at MTs Negeri 3 Gorontalo Regency. This research was carried out in 2 cycles. The data collection techniques used are observation, interviews, tests and documentation. The data analysis techniques used are descriptive and quantitative qualitative data analysis. The subjects of this study were students of class VIII C MTs Negeri 3 Gorontalo Regency, totaling 25 students.  This research was conducted through 4 stages, namely the planning stage, implementation of actions, observation and reflection.  The results of this study show that the application of the team quiz strategy can improve students' maharah kalam.  This increase can be seen from the average value of  the pre-test results, which is 33.2.   After applying the team quiz strategy on the post test cycle 1 the average score result increased to 62.2, then in the post test cycle II the average score result increased to 79.8. With a successful pre-test result of 0%, post test cycle I 24% and post test cycle II 80%. Thus, it can be concluded that the team quiz strategy can improve the maharah kalam of class VIII MTs Negeri 3 students of Gorontalo Regency.
Horizontal convective boiling of R1234yf, R134a, and R450A within a micro-fin tube :
Authors: Kedzierski Mark A , Kang Donggyu
Published: July 2023

This report presents local convective boiling heat transfer and Fanning friction factor measurements in a micro-fin tube for R134a and two possible low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant replacements for R134a: R1234yf and R450A. Test section heating was achieved with water in either counterflow or in parallel flow with the test refrigerant to provide for a range of heat fluxes for each thermodynamic quality. An existing correlation from the literature for single and multi-component mixtures was shown to not satisfactorily predict the convective boiling measurements for flow qualities greater than 40 %. Accordingly, a new correlation was developed specifically for the test fluids of this study so that a fair comparison of the heat transfer performance of the low GWP refrigerants to that of R134a could be made. The new correlation was used to compare the heat transfer coefficient of the three test fluids at the same heat flux, saturated refrigerant temperature, and refrigerant mass flux. The resulting example comparison, for the same operating conditions, showed that the heat transfer coefficient of the multi-component R450A and the single-component R1234yf were, on average, 15 % less and 5 % less, respectively, than that of the single-component R134a. Friction factor measurements were also compared to predictions from an existing correlation. A new correlation for the friction factor was developed to provide a more accurate prediction. The measurements and the new models are important for the evaluation of potential low-GWP refrigerants replacements for R134a.
Evaluation of the Online Sport-Specific Mindfulemotions Program in a Population of Scandinavian Elite Athletes Measuring Psychological Parameters
Authors: Herfet Melinda , De Dominicis Stefano , Seidl Florian , Jansen Petra
Published: July 2023

Professional athletes are often affected by public pressure, choking under pressure, depression, anxiety, stress, or burnout. Mindfulness training seems to be a valuable tool for reducing those symptoms. Due to the general interest in online applications and the constraints of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the future of mindfulness training might be digital, and the expansion of such interventions is inevitable. Therefore, we translated and digitalised the German sports-specific mindfulness program called mindfulemotions (https://mindful-motions.de/) and evaluated it with a psychological randomised controlled trial pilot study in a population of Scandinavian elite athletes making it the first English online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for professional athletes. 28 athletes started the involvement, and 12 athletes finished the participation. The athletes completed several self-report questionnaires, a diary at the end of the intervention and follow-up questions after one year assessing psychological parameters before and after the mindfulness practices and website feedback. The results suggest that the web-based online program seems at the first glance feasible, comprehensible, and applicable. The nonparametric post-test analyses eventuated in an increase in mindfulness and self-compassion scores for the intervention group, but not for the control group. Overall, due to the small sample size, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the feasibility of the web-based online program, but the website’s establishment and the program’s implementation were successful. This research supports the need to execute a more extensive and comprehensive investigation of the online mindfulemotion program and its potential for elite athletes.
Habiter le trouble
Authors: Beyrouthy Damien
Published: July 2023

Parmi la diversité des images composites actuelles, cet article se concentrera sur des créations travaillant avec la multiplication de modes de représentation au sein d’une même image (images 2D, 2,5D, 3D ; images appareillées, générée par ordinateurs ; fixes, en mouvement). L’analyse s’attachera à faire émerger le rapport renouvelé aux différentes images sollicitées et à la fonction du compositage dans ces productions.
Rave against the (vision) machine
Authors: Fourmentraux Jean-Paul
Published: July 2023

Un rapport agonistique à l’image et à la technologie marque les réalisations de l’artiste Samuel Bianchini. La singularité de son approche réside dans la mise en scène répétée et rituelle d’une confrontation avec le voir. Ce texte analyse l’expérience de Discontrol Party (2009-2018), un contre-dispositif interactif et festif développé dans le cadre d’une recherche sur l’interaction collective (Large Group Interaction) à l’EnsadLab/DRii, laboratoire de l’École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (Paris). L’oeuvre met en scène des « machines de vision », un empire de la surveillance qui est aussi un théâtre d’opérations pour le public, confronté à la prolifération d’images composites : diagrammes, graphiques, unités de mesures, nuages de points, tableaux de données. Quel est le sens de ces images qui sont aussi des datas ? Peut-on y voir la volonté d’une représentation totalitaire et la promesse d’une transparence totale de l’expérience humaine ? Doit-on s’en réjouir ? S’en alarmer ? Est-il possible de faire bugger ces systèmes numériques de détection ? Nul doute qu’il puisse être question ici d’un rapport de force, face auquel on serait en droit de se demander lequel de l’humain ou de la machine est le maître et l’esclave.
De l’image hétéroclite au corps hybride dans les œuvres d’Hito Steyerl et Andrea Crespo
Authors: Delaporte Marie-Laure
Published: July 2023

Fragmentées, superposées, juxtaposées, les images en mouvement actuelles relèvent le plus souvent d’une hétérogénéité de composition, de montage et de post-production. À travers la multiplicité des techniques artistiques employées apparaissent des discours engagés - à l’intersection du politique et des mass media, dénonçant le contrôle de notre perception de la réalité sociale, sous diverses formes de domination et de surveillance - comme ceux de l’essayiste et philosophe allemande Hito Steyerl (1966-) ou de l’artiste états-unienne Andrea Crespo (1993-). Dans leurs œuvres, l’hétérogénéité formelle et l’aspect composite des images se mêlent à l’hybridité des corps et des identités, mouvantes, en perpétuelle transformation. Images médiatiques, issues d’Internet, à l’esthétique documentaire ou vidéoludique, créées comme des animations ou puisées à partir d’éléments auto-biographiques, elles offrent de nouveaux régimes visuels.
La fin du consensus suédois ?
Authors: Premat Christophe
Published: July 2023

Il s'agit de tirer les enseignements des résultats des élections générales du 11 septembre 2022 avec la courte victoire d'une majorité conservatrice bénéficiant du soutien passif des Démocrates-suédois. L'article analyse les thèmes de la campagne électorale et remet en perspective le résultat à partir des événements de ces dernières années et de la situation géopolitique de la Suède. Depuis 2010, ce parti n'a cessé d'engranger les victoires et semble disposer d'un socle électoral solide pour pouvoir asseoir son influence.
Andrei Kourkov, Les Abeilles grises
Authors: Wormser Gérard
Published: July 2023

Les insectes sont à l’origine de bien des métaphores littéraires. Les Abeilles grises de Kourkov sont-elles à l’image des petits hommes verts qui ont envahi le Donbass en 2014 ? L’écrivain ukrainien nous régale d’un nectar bien particulier : si les abeilles travaillent pour leur ruche, l’apiculteur trouve en les chérissant une raison de vivre dans un pays dévasté. Nous vivons avec lui une année dans la zone grise à l’arrière du front. Mais c’est une une vie sans avenir : « Cette route présentait encore des bifurcations. D’un côté, direction la guerre et retour à la guerre, de l’autre, direction la paix et la tranquillité » (p. 388). Nous connaissons la suite.
Peuples indigènes et violations au contexte de la pandémie de la Covid-19 au Brésil
Authors: Terena Eloy
Published: July 2023

Le présent texte décrit la situation des peuples indigènes du Brésil dans le contexte de la pandémie de la Covid-19, selon deux perspectives différentes. La première examine les actions du mouvement indigène brésilien depuis le début de la pandémie, en particulier celles menées face au refus de l’État de prendre en compte la vulnérabilité particulière des peuples indigènes et de présenter en conséquence des plans d’actions spécifiques pour contrôler le risque infectieux. L’autre perspective se concentre sur l’incapacité de l’État brésilien à faire face à la réalité indigène. Au-delà d’une étude de cas, ce travail s’attache à une vue d’ensemble de la situation et des évolutions en cours pour présenter les défis affrontés de longue date par les peuples indigènes : on ne peut pas aborder leur situation sanitaire sans faire retour sur les politiques d’Etat envers eux et sur leurs revendications historiques, et en premier lieu celle de faire avancer sans délai la démarcation de leurs territoires et le respect du regard holistique des peuples indigènes sur leurs territoires. Ce message politique, le mouvement indigène et ses dirigeants le diffusent depuis nombre d’années. Il n’a pas encore été internationalement pris en compte comme il le faudrait. Les territoires traditionnels si vitaux pour les peuples indigènes jouent un rôle dans l’équilibre de la vie humaine, et le capital qui opprime ces peuples oblige désormais chacun à réfléchir au bien-vivre et aux conséquences climatiques de la destruction de la biodiversité mondiale.
L'enseignement des langues indigènes à l'Université de Brasilia
Authors: Martins Melgueiro-Baniwa Edilson
Published: July 2023

Ce travail est une étude descriptive, un rapport d’expérience, menée par des universitaires/chercheurs/enseignants indigènes dans l’enseignement des langues indigènes à l’Université de Brasilia, dans le cadre de la discipline « Langues indigènes et leur diversité » offerte par le Programa Permanente de Extensão UnB Idiomas (« Programme permanent d’extension UnB Langues »). Il a pour objectif de mettre en évidence quelques chemins, défis, avancées et perspectives de cette expérience, débutée en 2018 à l’UnB. D’après les rapports des interventions, nous constatons que les chemins sont ardus, qu’il n’y a pas d’avancée, que les limitations et les défis sont nombreux dans la discussion et l’enseignement des langues indigènes à l’Université de Brasilia-UnB.
Avant la pandémie
Authors: Kapukaja Apurinã Kowawa
Published: July 2023

Kowawa Apurinã, une femme indigène, anthropologue et éducatrice, raconte dans une vidéo ses impressions sur les conditions de vie difficiles des femmes et de leurs familles dans les communautés indigènes, qui ne peuvent pas compter sur l’aide de l’État dans le contexte du gouvernement de Jair Bolsonaro. Kowawa Apurinã souligne l’importance de la terre et de la relation d’harmonie avec la nature, non seulement pour les peuples autochtones, mais aussi pour toute l’humanité.
Printemps indigène
Authors: Darã Cacique , Awa Tenondegua Cacique , Anildo Awarokadju Cacique
Published: July 2023

Le campement « Lutte pour la vie » organisé par l’Articulation des peuples indigènes du Brésil (APIB), qui s’est tenu en 2021 dans la ville de Brasília, est la plus grande mobilisation indigène jamais organisée. Des témoignages, des photographies et des vidéos révèlent les principaux moments de la manifestation, qui a rassemblé six mille indigènes, issus de 176 groupes ethniques, dans le but de lutter pour les droits de leurs peuples et la démarcation de leurs terres pendant le gouvernement de Jair Bolsonaro.
Antes da Pandemia
Authors: Kapukaja Apurinã Kowawa
Published: July 2023

Kowawa Apurinã, indígena, antropóloga e educadora, relata em vídeo suas impressões sobre as difíceis condições de vida das mulheres e de suas famílias nas comunidades indígenas, que não contam com o auxílio do Estado no contexto do governo de Jair Bolsonaro. Kowawa Apurinã ressalta a importância da terra e da relação de harmonia com a natureza, não somente para os povos originários, como também para toda a humanidade.
Sobre os desenhos de Renata Ribeiro Inahuazo
Authors: Ribeiro Inahuazo Renata
Published: July 2023

Reflexões da artista Renata Ribeiro Inahuazo, indígena em contexto de cidade e residente em São Paulo, sobre a arte pela qual expressa suas inquietudes pessoais e políticas. Em exclusividade à Sens Public, ela conta o que a inspirou para compor os cinco desenhos que abrem o presente dossiê. Por meio de um relato potente, que une reflexão, ancestralidade, memória de lutas e cosmologias indígenas, ela oferta pistas para compreendermos a complexidade, o alcance e a sensibilidade de sua obra.
Análisis de la cobertura periodística del feminicidio en México: entre la impunidad y el machismo
Authors: Sánchez-Meza Metzeri , Suau-Gomila Guillem
Published: July 2023

According to the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, between 2015 and 2017, 1,761 suspected cases of feminicide were reported throughout Mexican territory. These murders of women, linked to a culture of machismo, occur within a context where impunity rates have remained consistently high throughout the country’s history. The purpose of this article is to analyze the coverage of feminicide in the Mexican press during the most violent year of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s six-year term, from January 1st to December 31st, 2017. A content analysis was employed to examine a total of 988 journalistic texts on femicide during 2017, encompassing the seven most widely read newspapers in Mexico: La Jornada, El Universal, Milenio, Excélsior, Reforma, El Economista, and El Financiero. The coverage provided by the Mexican press extended beyond reporting on the murders of women, to various aspects related to the phenomenon, including political and governmental actions to address and prevent violence against women (design and implementation of public policies, programs on violence and impunity), social actions and demands (the feminist movement), and the dissemination of research and other content related to cultural and recreational activities. The research reveals a notable diversification in the published content on femicide and a shift in sources, with witnesses, family members of the victims, and perpetrators no longer serving as the primary sources of information on femicide.
Growth of two-dimensional single crystal materials controlled by atomic steps
Authors: Chang Chao , Kou Jin-Zong , Xu Xiao-Zhi ,   Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China,   Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, Frontier Research Institutefor Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Published: July 2023

Since the successful mechanical exfoliation of graphene in 2004, two-dimensional materials have aroused extensive research and fast developed in various fields such as electronics, optoelectronics and energy, owing to their unique structural and physicochemical properties. In terms of synthesis methods, researchers have made further advancements in the atomic step method, building upon traditional techniques such as mechanical exfoliation, liquid-phase exfoliation, vapor-phase deposition, wet chemical synthesis, and nanomaterial self-assembly. These efforts aim to achieve high-quality large-scale two-dimensional single crystal materials. In this article, the representative research on the growth of two-dimensional single crystal materials controlled by atomic steps in recent years is reviewed in detail. To begin with, the research background is briefly introduced, then the main synthesis methods of two-dimensional single crystal materials are discussed and the challenges and reasons for the difficulty in epitaxially preparing non-centrosymmetric materials are analyzed. Subsequently, the growth mechanisms and recent advances in the preparation of two-dimensional single crystal materials assisted by atomic steps are presented. The theoretical basis and universality of atomic step-controlled nucleation in two-dimensional single crystal material are analyzed. Furthermore, the challenges and future directions for achieving large-scale, directionally controllable two-dimensional single crystal materials are predicted. Finally, potential applications of the step method in the future scalable chip device fabrication are systematically discussed.
Study on characteristics of neutron-induced leakage current increase for SiC power devices
Authors: Peng Chao , Lei Zhi-Feng , Zhang Zhan-Gang , He Yu-Juan , Ma Teng , Cai Zong-Qi , Chen Yi-Qiang ,   Science and Technology on Reliability Physics and Application of Electronic Component Laboratory, the Fifth Electronics Research Institute of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Guangzhou 511370, China
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the displacement damage degradation characteristics of silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky barrier diode (SBD) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) are studied under 14-MeV neutron irradiation. The experimental results show that the neutron irradiation with a total fluence of 1.18×1011 cm–2 will not cause notable degradation of the forward I-V characteristics of the diode, but will lead to a significant increase in the reverse leakage current. A defect with energy level position of \begin{document}$ E_{\rm{C}} - 1.034 $\end{document} eV is observed after irradiation by deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) testing, which is corresponding to the neutron-induced defect cluster in SiC. This deep level defect may cause the Fermi level of n-type doping drift region to move toward the mid-gap level. It ultimately results in the decrease of the Schottky barrier and the increase of the reverse leakage current. In addition, neutron-induced gate leakage increase is also observed for SiC MOSFET. The gate current corresponding to Vgs = 15 V after irradiation increases nearly 3.3 times that before irradiation. The donor-type defects introduced by neutron irradiation in the oxide layer result in the difference in the conductivity mechanism of gate oxygen between before and after irradiation. The defects have an auxiliary effect on carrier crossing the gate oxide barrier, which leads to the increase of gate leakage current. The defects introduced by neutron irradiation are neutral after capturing electrons. The trapped electrons can cross a lower potential well and enter the conduction band to participate in conduction when the gate is positively biased, thus causing the gate current to increase with the electric field increasing. After electrons captured by donor-type defects enter the conduction band, positively charged defects are left from the gate oxide, leading to the negative shift of the transfer characteristics of SiC MOSFET. The results of DLTS testing indicate that the neutron irradiation can not only cause the intrinsic defect state of SiC material to change near the channel of MOSFET, but also give rise to new silicon vacancy defects. However, these defects are not the main cause of device performance degradation due to their low density relative to the intrinsic defect’s.
Detection of Dexter energy transfer process in interface-type OLED via utilizing the characteristic magneto-electroluminescence response of hot exciton reverse intersystem crossing
Authors: Wei Fu-Xian , Liu Jun-Hong , Peng Teng , Wang Bo , Zhu Hong-Qiang , Chen Xiao-Li , Xiong Zu-Hong ,   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Micro & Nano Structure Optoelectronics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China,   Chongqing Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Functional Materials, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 401331, China
Published: July 2023

The maximum external quantum efficiency of the host-guest-type organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with interface exciplex as the host has been over 36%. However, studies about the energy transfer processes occurring from the host to guest remain lacking. Herein, a strategy is proposed to probe the energy transfer processes in interface-type OLEDs by utilizing the characteristic magneto-electroluminescence (MEL) response from the hot exciton reverse intersystem crossing (T2,Rub → S1,Rub) of rubrene. Specifically, a donor/spacer/accepter (D/S/A)-type interface exciplex device and a D/spacer:x% Emitter/A (D/S:3% Rubrene/A)-type Rubrene-doped device are fabricated. The Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) process occurring between the singlet state of the exciplex-host and the singlet state of Rubrene-guest is demonstrated by characterizing the photophysical properties of the donor, accepter, and guest materials. The Dexter energy transfer (DET, T1,Host → T2,Rub) process between the triplet state of the host and the triplet state of guest is visualized by the comparative studying of the current- and temperature-dependent MEL response curves of D/S/A and D/S:3% Rubrene/A devices, respectively. More importantly, the occurrence of the DET process greatly promotes the electroluminescence intensity of the D/S:3% Rubrene/A device. Furthermore, we also investigate the differences in the electroluminescence performance of devices at low temperature to demonstrate again the co-existence of FRET and DET process in the D/S:3% Rubrene/A system. Obviously, this work not only provides a promising strategy for probing the DET process in OLEDs, but also paves a new way for designing high-performance “hot exciton” type OLEDs.
Cerebral chemoarchitecture shares organizational traits with brain structure and function
Authors: Hänisch Benjamin , Hansen Justine Y , Bernhardt Boris C , Eickhoff Simon B , Dukart Juergen , Misic Bratislav , Valk Sofie Louise
Published: July 2023

Chemoarchitecture, the heterogeneous distribution of neurotransmitter transporter and receptor molecules, is a relevant component of structure–function relationships in the human brain. Here, we studied the organization of the receptome, a measure of interareal chemoarchitectural similarity, derived from positron-emission tomography imaging studies of 19 different neurotransmitter transporters and receptors. Nonlinear dimensionality reduction revealed three main spatial gradients of cortical chemoarchitectural similarity – a centro-temporal gradient, an occipito-frontal gradient, and a temporo-occipital gradient. In subcortical nuclei, chemoarchitectural similarity distinguished functional communities and delineated a striato-thalamic axis. Overall, the cortical receptome shared key organizational traits with functional and structural brain anatomy, with node-level correspondence to functional, microstructural, and diffusion MRI-based measures decreasing along a primary-to-transmodal axis. Relative to primary and paralimbic regions, unimodal and heteromodal regions showed higher receptomic diversification, possibly supporting functional flexibility.
OpenApePose: a database of annotated ape photographs for pose estimation
Authors: Desai Nisarg , Bala Praneet , Richardson Rebecca , Raper Jessica , Zimmermann Jan , Hayden Benjamin
Published: July 2023

Because of their close relationship with humans, non-human apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons, including siamangs) are of great scientific interest. The goal of understanding their complex behavior would be greatly advanced by the ability to perform video-based pose tracking. Tracking, however, requires high-quality annotated datasets of ape photographs. Here we present
OpenApePose
, a new public dataset of 71,868 photographs, annotated with 16 body landmarks, of six ape species in naturalistic contexts. We show that a standard deep net (HRNet-W48) trained on ape photos can reliably track out-of-sample ape photos better than networks trained on monkeys (specifically, the
OpenMonkeyPose
dataset) and on humans (
COCO
) can. This trained network can track apes almost as well as the other networks can track their respective taxa, and models trained without one of the six ape species can track the held out species better than the monkey and human models can. Ultimately, the results of our analyses highlight the importance of large specialized databases for animal tracking systems and confirm the utility of our new ape database.
An observational treatment study of metacognition in anxious-depression
Authors: Fox Celine Ann , Lee Chi Tak , Hanlon Anna Kathleen , Seow Tricia XF , Lynch Kevin , Harty Siobhán , Richards Derek , Palacios Jorge , O'Keane Veronica , Stephan Klaas Enno , Gillan Claire M
Published: July 2023

Prior studies have found metacognitive biases are linked to a transdiagnostic dimension of anxious-depression, manifesting as reduced confidence in performance. However, previous work has been cross-sectional and so it is unclear if under-confidence is a trait-like marker of anxious-depression vulnerability, or if it resolves when anxious-depression improves. Data were collected as part of a large-scale transdiagnostic, four-week observational study of individuals initiating internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) or antidepressant medication. Self-reported clinical questionnaires and perceptual task performance were gathered to assess anxious-depression and metacognitive bias at baseline and 4-week follow-up. Primary analyses were conducted for individuals who received iCBT (n=649), with comparisons between smaller samples that received antidepressant medication (n=82) and a control group receiving no intervention (n=88). Prior to receiving treatment, anxious-depression severity was associated with under-confidence in performance in the iCBT arm, replicating previous work. From baseline to follow-up, levels of anxious-depression were significantly reduced, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in metacognitive confidence in the iCBT arm (β=0.17, SE=0.02, p<0.001). These changes were correlated (r(647)=-0.12, p=0.002); those with the greatest reductions in anxious-depression levels had the largest increase in confidence. While the three-way interaction effect of group and time on confidence was not significant (F(2, 1632)=0.60, p=0.550), confidence increased in the antidepressant group (β=0.31, SE = 0.08, p<0.001), but not among controls (β=0.11, SE = 0.07, p=0.103). Metacognitive biases in anxious-depression are state-dependent; when symptoms improve with treatment, so does confidence in performance. Our results suggest this is not specific to the type of intervention.
Metacognition in anxious-depression is state-dependent: an observational treatment study
Authors: Fox Celine A , Lee Chi Tak , Hanlon Anna K , Seow Tricia XF , Lynch Kevin , Harty Siobhán , Richards Derek , Palacios Jorge , O’Keane Veronica , Stephan Klaas E , Gillan Claire M
Published: July 2023

Objective:
Prior studies have found metacognitive impairments are linked to a transdiagnostic dimension of anxious-depression, manifesting as reduced confidence in performance (‘metacognitive bias’). However, previous work has been cross-sectional and so it is unclear if under-confidence is a trait-like marker of anxious-depression vulnerability, or if it resolves when anxious-depression improves.
Methods:
Data were collected as part of the ‘Precision in Psychiatry’ study, a large-scale transdiagnostic, four-week observational study of individuals initiating internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) or antidepressant medication. Self-reported clinical questionnaires and perceptual task performance were gathered to assess anxious-depression and metacognitive bias at baseline and four-week follow-up. Primary analyses were conducted for individuals who received iCBT (n=649), with comparisons between smaller samples that received antidepressant medication (n=82) and a control group receiving no intervention (n=88).
Results:
Prior to receiving treatment, anxious-depression severity was associated with under-confidence in performance in the iCBT arm, replicating previous work. From baseline to follow-up, levels of anxious-depression were significantly reduced, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in metacognitive confidence (β=0.17, SE=0.02, p<0.001). These changes were correlated (r(647)=-0.12, p=0.002); those with the greatest reductions in anxious-depression levels had the largest increase in confidence. In the antidepressant arm, anxious-depression reduced (β=-0.61, SE=0.09, p<0.001) and confidence increased (β=0.31, SE=0.08, p<0.001). Among controls, confidence remained stable from baseline to follow-up (β=0.11, SE=0.07, p=0.103).
Conclusions:
Metacognitive biases in anxious-depression are state-dependent; when symptoms improve with treatment, so does confidence in performance. Our results suggest this is not specific to the type of intervention.
Acute stress reduces effortful prosocial behaviour
Authors: Forbes Paul A. G. , Aydogan Gökhan , Braunstein Julia , Todorova Boryana , Wagner Isabella C. , Lockwood Patricia L. , Apps Matthew A. J. , Ruff Christian C. , Lamm Claus
Published: July 2023

Acute stress can change our cognition and emotions, but what specific consequences this has for human prosocial behaviour is unclear. Previous studies have mainly investigated prosociality with financial transfers in economic games and produced conflicting results. Yet a core feature of many types of prosocial behaviour is that they are effortful. We therefore examined how acute stress changes our willingness to exert effort that benefits others. Healthy male participants – half of whom were put under acute stress – made decisions whether to exert physical effort to gain money for themselves or another person. With this design, we could independently assess the effects of acute stress on prosocial, compared to self-benefitting, effortful behaviour. Compared to controls (n=45), participants in the stress group (n=46) chose to exert effort more often for self- than for other- benefitting rewards at a low level of effort. Additionally, the adverse effects of stress on prosocial effort were particularly pronounced in more selfish participants. Neuroimaging combined with computational modelling revealed a putative neural mechanism underlying these effects: more stressed participants showed increased activation to subjective value in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula when they themselves could benefit from their exerted effort, relative to when someone else could. By using an effort-based task that better approximates real-life prosocial behaviour and incorporating trait differences in prosocial tendencies, our study provides important insights into how acute stress affects prosociality and its associated neural mechanisms.
Primaquine in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: an adaptive pharmacometric assessment of ascending dose regimens in healthy volunteers
Authors: Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Jittamala Podjanee , Watson James A , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Leungsinsiri Pawanrat , Poovorawan Kittiyod , Chotivanich Kesinee , Bancone Germana , Chu Cindy S , Imwong Mallika , Day Nicholas PJ , Taylor Walter RJ , White Nicholas J
Published: July 2023

Background:

Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial. It is the only widely available treatment to prevent relapses of Plasmodium vivax malaria. The 8-aminoquinolines cause dose-dependent haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd). G6PDd is common in malaria endemic areas but testing is often not available. As a consequence primaquine is underused.

Methods:

We conducted an adaptive pharmacometric study to characterise the relationship between primaquine dose and haemolysis in G6PDd. The aim was to explore shorter and safer primaquine radical cure regimens compared to the currently recommended 8-weekly regimen (0.75 mg/kg once weekly), potentially obviating the need for G6PD testing. Hemizygous G6PDd healthy adult Thai and Burmese male volunteers were admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok. In Part 1, volunteers were given ascending dose primaquine regimens whereby daily doses were increased from 7.5 mg up to 45 mg over 15–20 days. In Part 2 conducted at least 6 months later, a single primaquine 45 mg dose was given.

Results:

24 volunteers were enrolled in Part 1, and 16 in Part 2 (13 participated in both studies). In three volunteers, the ascending dose regimen was stopped because of haemolysis (n=1) and asymptomatic increases in transaminases (n=2; one was hepatitis E positive). Otherwise the ascending regimens were well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events. In Part 1, the median haemoglobin concentration decline was 3.7 g/dL (range: 2.1–5.9; relative decline of 26% [range: 15–40%]). Primaquine doses up to 0.87 mg/kg/day were tolerated subsequently without clinically significant further falls in haemoglobin. In Part 2, the median haemoglobin concentration decline was 1.7 g/dL (range 0.9–4.1; relative fall of 12% [range: 7–30% decrease]). The ascending dose primaquine regimens gave seven times more drug but resulted in only double the haemoglobin decline.

Conclusions:

In patients with Southeast Asian G6PDd variants, full radical cure treatment can be given in under 3 weeks compared with the current 8-week regimen.

Funding:

Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom (MR/R015252/1) and Wellcome (093956/Z/10/C, 223253/Z/21/Z).

Clinical trial number:

Thai Clinical Trial Registry: TCTR20170830002 and TCTR20220317004.
Pharmacometric assessment of primaquine induced haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Jittamala Podjanee , Watson James A , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Leungsinsiri Pawanrat , Poovorawan Kittiyod , Chotivanich Kesinee , Bancone Germana , Chu Cindy S , Imwong Mallika , Day Nicholas PJ , Taylor Walter RJ , White Nicholas J
Published: July 2023

Primaquine is the only widely available treatment to prevent relapses of
Plasmodium vivax
malaria, but is underused because of concerns over haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient (G6PDd) individuals. G6PDd is common in malaria endemic areas but testing is often not available.We conducted a pharmacometric study to characterise the relationship between primaquine dose and haemolysis in G6PDd. The aim was to explore shorter and safer pri-maquine radical cure regimens compared to those currently recommended, potentially obviating the need for G6PD testing. Hemizygous G6PDd healthy adult Thai male volunteers were admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok. In Part 1, volunteers were given ascending dose primaquine regimens whereby daily doses were increased from 7.5 mg up to 45 mg over 15 to 20 days. In Part 2, a single primaquine 45 mg dose was given.24 volunteers were enrolled in Part 1, and 16 in Part 2 (13 participated in both studies). In three volunteers the ascending dose regimen was stopped because of primaquine related safety concerns (two had increased levels of transaminases, one haemolysis). Other-wise the ascending regimens were well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events. In Part 1, haemoglobin concentrations fell 3.7 g/dL (median; range: 2.1 to 5.9; relative fall of -26% [range: -15 to 40%]). Primaquine doses up to 0.87 mg/kg/day were tolerated subsequently without clinically significant further falls in haemoglobin. In Part 2, the haemoglobin concentrations fell by 1.7 g/dL (median; range -0.9 to 4.1; relative fall of 12% [range: 7 to 30%]). The ascending dose primaquine regimens gave 7 times more drug but resulted in only double the haemoglobin fall.In patients with Southeast Asian G6PDd variants full radical cure treatment can be given in under three weeks compared with the current 8 week regimen.MRC (MR/R015252/1); Wellcome (223099/Z/21/Z)
Heterogeneous non-canonical nucleosomes predominate in yeast cells in situ
Authors: Tan Zhi Yang , Cai Shujun , Noble Alex J. , Chen Jon K. , Shi Jian , Gan Lu
Published: July 2023

Nuclear processes depend on the organization of chromatin, whose basic units are cylinder-shaped complexes called nucleosomes. A subset of mammalian nucleosomes
in situ
(inside cells) resembles the canonical structure determined
in vitro
25 years ago. Nucleosome structure
in situ
is otherwise poorly understood. Using cryo-ET and 3-D classification analysis of budding yeast cells, here we find that canonical nucleosomes account for less than 10% of total nucleosomes expected
in situ
. In a strain in which H2A-GFP is the sole source of histone H2A, class averages that resemble canonical nucleosomes both with and without GFP densities are found
ex vivo
(in nuclear lysates), but not
in situ
. These data suggest that the budding yeast intranuclear environment favors multiple non-canonical nucleosome conformations. Using the structural observations here and the results of previous genomics and biochemical studies, we propose a model in which the average budding yeast nucleosome’s DNA is partially detached
in situ
.
Optical mapping of ground reaction force dynamics in freely behaving Drosophila melanogaster larvae
Authors: Booth Jonathan H , Meek Andrew T , Kronenberg Nils M , Pulver Stefan R , Gather Malte C
Published: July 2023

During locomotion, soft-bodied terrestrial animals solve complex control problems at substrate interfaces, but our understanding of how they achieve this without rigid components remains incomplete. Here, we develop new all-optical methods based on optical interference in a deformable substrate to measure ground reaction forces (GRFs) with micrometre and nanonewton precision in behaving Drosophila larvae. Combining this with a kinematic analysis of substrate-interfacing features, we shed new light onto the biomechanical control of larval locomotion. Crawling in larvae measuring ~1 mm in length involves an intricate pattern of cuticle sequestration and planting, producing GRFs of 1–7 µN. We show that larvae insert and expand denticulated, feet-like structures into substrates as they move, a process not previously observed in soft-bodied animals. These ‘protopodia’ form dynamic anchors to compensate counteracting forces. Our work provides a framework for future biomechanics research in soft-bodied animals and promises to inspire improved soft-robot design.
Metabolic memory of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in pluripotent stem cells and primordial germ cells-like cells
Authors: Verdikt Roxane , Armstrong Abigail A. , Cheng Jenny , Yang Xia , Allard Patrick
Published: July 2023

Cannabis, the most consumed psychoactive drug in the world, is increasingly used by pregnant women. However, while cannabinoid receptors are expressed in the early embryo, the impact of phytocannabinoids exposure on early embryonic processes is lacking. Here, we leverage a stepwise in vitro differentiation system that captures early embryonic developmental cascade to investigate the impact of exposure to the most abundant phytocannabinoid, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). We demonstrate that Δ9-THC increases the proliferation of naïve mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) but not of their primed counterpart. Surprisingly, this increased proliferation, dependent on the CB1 receptor binding, is only associated with moderate transcriptomic changes. Instead, Δ9-THC capitalizes on ESCs’ metabolic bivalence by increasing their glycolytic rates and anabolic capabilities. A memory of this metabolic rewiring is retained throughout differentiation to Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells in the absence of direct exposure and is associated with an alteration of their transcriptional profile. These results represent the first in-depth molecular characterization of the impact of Δ9-THC exposure on early developmental stages.
Unveiling the domain-specific and RAS isoform-specific details of BRAF kinase regulation
Authors: Trebino Tarah Elizabeth , Markusic Borna , Nan Haihan , Banerjee Shrhea , Wang Zhihong
Published: July 2023

BRAF is a key member in the MAPK signaling pathway essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. Mutant BRAF is often the underlying cause of various types of cancer and mutant RAS, the upstream regulator of BRAF, is a driver of up to one-third of all cancers. BRAF interacts with RAS and undergoes a conformational change from an inactive, autoinhibited monomer to an active dimer, which propagates downstream signaling. Because of BRAF’s complex regulation mechanism, the exact order and magnitude of its activation steps have yet to be confirmed experimentally. By studying the inter- and intramolecular interactions of BRAF, we unveil the domain-specific and isoform-specific details of BRAF regulation through pulldown assays, open surface plasmon resonance (OpenSPR), and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). We demonstrate that the BRAF specific region (BSR) and cysteine rich domain (CRD) play a crucial role in regulating the activation of BRAF in a RAS isoform-specific manner. Moreover, we quantified the binding affinities between BRAF N-terminal and kinase domains (KD) to reveal their individual roles in autoinhibition. Our findings also indicate that oncogenic BRAF-KDD594G mutant has a lower affinity for the N-terminal domains, implicating that pathogenic BRAF acts through decreased propensity for autoinhibition. Collectively, our study provides valuable insight into the activation mechanism of BRAF kinase to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Vacuolar H+-ATPase Determines Daughter Cell Fates through Asymmetric Segregation of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex
Authors: Xie Zhongyun , Chai Yongping , Zhu Zhiwen , Shen Zijie , Zhao Zhiguang , Xiao Long , Du Zhuo , Ou Guangshuo , Li Wei
Published: July 2023

Asymmetric cell divisions (ACDs) generate two daughter cells with identical genetic information but distinct cell fates through epigenetic mechanisms. However, the process of partitioning different epigenetic information into daughter cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex is asymmetrically segregated into the surviving daughter cell rather than the apoptotic one during ACDs in
Caenorhabditis elegans
. The absence of NuRD triggers apoptosis via the EGL-1-CED-9-CED-4-CED-3 pathway, while an ectopic gain of NuRD enables apoptotic daughter cells to survive. We identify the vacuolar H
+
–adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) complex as a crucial regulator of NuRD’s asymmetric segregation. V-ATPase interacts with NuRD and is asymmetrically segregated into the surviving daughter cell. Inhibition of V-ATPase disrupts cytosolic pH asymmetry and NuRD asymmetry. We suggest that asymmetric segregation of V-ATPase may cause distinct acidification levels in the two daughter cells, enabling asymmetric epigenetic inheritance that specifies their respective life-versus-death fates.
Efecto de las condiciones de superficie en obra sobre el coeficiente de fricción estático de materiales metálicos
Authors: Chanchi Golondrino José Christian , Moreno Castañeda Brayanath , Restrepo Botero Mateo
Published: July 2023

Se propone una metodología para cuantificar variaciones del coeficiente de fricción estático µ debido a diferentes condiciones de superficie en obra para materiales metálicos con radio de dureza ρ = 0.5 – 2.9. ρ es definido como la relación entre la dureza del material y la del Acero A36. Para cada material, 7 probetas fueron consideradas en las condiciones de obra “limpia”, “comprada”, “pulida” y “corroída”. Los resultados muestran que respecto a la condición “limpia”, si las superficies se mantienen como compradas, µ puede incrementarse o reducirse hasta el 20%, si las superficies se pulen, µ puede incrementarse hasta el 37% y si las superficies se corroen µ puede incrementarse hasta el 410% para ratas de corrosión entre 90 – 670µm/año. Los resultados también muestran que para superficies limpias y para ρ ≤ 1.7, µ es dependiente de ρ y para ρ > 1.7, µ es aproximadamente constante. Un modelo que predice la variación de µ para las condiciones de superficie en obra consideradas fue propuesto.