bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological distress, sexual satisfaction and quality of life of gynaecological cancer patients and their spouses during cancer survivorship: A comparison of husbands and wives
Authors: Tseng Ya‐Hui , Lu Yu‐Ying , Huang Lee‐Wen , Liu Chieh‐Yu , Lee Jian‐Tao , Lin Hung‐Ru
Published: June 2024

Aims and Objectives

To investigate the psychological distress, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of gynaecological cancer survivors and their spouses during cancer survivorship.

Background

The survival rate of patients with cancer is increasing owing to advances in medical treatment technology. Spouses are the closest companions of gynaecological cancer survivors. Patients with gynaecological cancer and their spouses face different situations and challenges after experiencing cancer invasion.

Design

Questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Convenience sampling was employed, and 180 participants, including patients with gynaecological cancer and their spouses, were enrolled. A structured questionnaire was used to investigate the psychological distress, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of gynaecological cancer survivors and their spouses during acute, extended, and permanent survivorship. The STROBE checklist guided the study preparation.

Results

For gynaecological cancer survivors and their spouses, (1) severe psychological distress was present during acute survivorship, with anxiety extending until permanent survivorship; (2) no significant differences were observed in pre‐ and post‐treatment sexual satisfaction, although pre‐treatment sexual satisfaction was higher than post‐treatment sexual satisfaction in all three cancer survivorship stages and (3) quality of life decreased during acute survivorship and gradually improved with time.

Conclusions

Psychological distress, sexual satisfaction and quality of life of gynaecological cancer survivors and their spouses worsened during acute survivorship and improved over time until permanent survivorship.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Gynaecological cancer survivors and their spouses experience anxiety and depression from diagnosis confirmation until permanent survivorship (>5 years survival). Therefore, clinical nurses' sensitivity to emotional distress in cancer survivors and their spouses can be improved and a consistent and routine evaluation method has been established for the early detection of such emotional distress. The results of this study can provide a reference for clinical healthcare professionals and contribute to a better quality of care.
Reliability of mandibular range of motion measurements in healthy children
Authors: de Sonnaville Willemijn F. C. , Steenks Michel H. , Verkouteren Daan R. C. , Zuithoff Nicolaas P. A. , Wulffraat Nico M. , Rosenberg Antoine J. W. P. , Speksnijder Caroline M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Mandibular range of motion (MROM) variables are widely used to evaluate oral function.

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish the reliability of MROM variables in healthy children.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, healthy children were examined 2 weeks apart. The following MROM variables were established: active maximum interincisal opening (AMIO), passive maximum interincisal opening (PMIO), protrusion and left and right laterotrusion. The reliability of the MROM measurements was determined by analysing the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable change (SDC) and limits of agreement (LoA).

Results

A total of 167 healthy children were examined. The ICC indicated good reliability for AMIO (0.885); excellent reliability for PMIO (0.925); and moderate reliability for protrusion (0.578), laterotrusion left (0.601) and laterotrusion right (0.634). The SDC was 0.9 mm for AMIO, 0.4 mm for PMIO, 2.2 mm for protrusion, 1.6 mm for laterotrusion left and 1.4 mm for laterotrusion right. The LoA was −5.67 to 5.82 for AMIO, −3.90 to 3.57 for PMIO, −3.89 to 3.55 for protrusion, −2.99 to 2.77 for laterotrusion left, and − 2.71 to 2.77 for laterotrusion right.

Conclusions

AMIO and PMIO measurements are both highly reliable in healthy children. The low SDC indicate that AMIO and PMIO are promising longitudinal measurements. Protrusion and laterotrusion measurements had moderate reliability. These results support our clinical recommendation to measure AMIO rather than PMIO, as PMIO is more difficult and more time‐consuming to perform than AMIO.
Effects of chronic neck pain on grip strength and psychomotor skills in adults
Authors: Tutar Berkay , Boyan Neslihan , Oguz Ozkan
Published: June 2024

Background

It can be challenging to perform activities of daily living in patients with chronic neck pain. As the severity of the pain increases, the quality of the movements decreases. Not only the neck, but also the shoulder, elbow, grip strength and psychomotor skills are affected by these pains.

Objective

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of neck pain on grip strength and psychomotor skills in adults diagnosed with chronic neck pain.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the effect of pain on grip strength and psychomotor skills in patients with chronic neck pain. This study was planned to be carried out between October 2019 and May 2020 at the Private Yaşam Medical Center in Adana, with the official permission of the institution manager, but this period was carried out between October 2019 and November 2020 due to the fact that sufficient number of patients could not be reached due to the COVID‐19 global epidemic. A total of 80 individuals, including 40 control and 40 patients, were included in the study. Forty adult patients who applied to the clinic with a diagnosis of chronic neck pain and 40 healthy adults without a diagnosis of chronic neck pain were included in the study. Conducted with 80 adults between the age of 19 and 74 years old. Individuals were divided into Group 1—control group (n = 40) and Group 2—patient group (n = 40). Information such as age, height, body weight and occupation of the groups were noted. Visual analogue scale and Neck Disability Index were applied to both the groups; hand grip strength with a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer, finger lateral grip strength with a pinchmeter and psychomotor skills with the Purdue Pegboard test were evaluated.

Results

In the study, hand grip strength (p < .05), finger lateral grip strength (p < .05), psychomotor skills (p < .01) showed a statistically significant decrease in the patient group compared to the control group.

Conclusion

It is thought that in addition to the routine treatments for neck pain in the treatment plan of patients with chronic neck pain, exercises to improve the functionality and psychomotor skills in daily living activities can be included in the direction of increasing the grip strength and will guide future studies.
Validating the Turkish Adaptation of the Fear of Being Single Scale
Authors: Kırımer‐Aydınlı Fulya , Küçükkömürler Sanem
Published: June 2024

People may experience anxiety regarding their future romantic relationship status. Fear of being single (FOBS) is a potential cause of this anxiety, characterized by distress about the idea of being single and assessed through the FOBS Scale. In the current study, the FOBS Scale was adapted into Turkish. The study included 349 individuals aged 28–55 years (M = 23.63 years, SD = 6.45 years). The reliability and validity of the measure and the associations with particular variables were investigated for the first time in the cultural context of Turkey. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed an acceptable model fit for the single‐factor structure. Measurement invariance of the scale across relationship status was supported at configural and metric levels, but not at the scalar level. The convergent and divergent validity analyses indicated that FOBS is distinct from generalized anxiety, attachment anxiety, and the personality trait of neuroticism. FOBS was found to be related to the need to belong but not to the inclusion of close others into the self. It has been determined that FOBS is a distinctive phenomenon, and the Turkish version of the FOBS Scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing FOBS in Turkey.
The influence of sleep on human taste function and perception: A systematic review
Authors: Tucker Robin M. , Tjahjono Isabella Emillya , Atta Grace , Roberts Jessica , Vickers Katie E. , Tran Linh , Stewart Erin , Kelly Ashlee H. , Silver Bianca S. , Tan Sze‐Yen
Published: June 2024

Sleep problems are associated with increased risk of obesity. Multiple mechanisms have been identified to support this relationship, including changes in sensory processing and food choice. Taste researchers have recently begun to explore whether changes in taste occur as a result of short‐term or long‐term sleep habits. A systematic review was conducted to investigate these relationships. A total of 13 studies were included in the review. Heterogeneity in both the sleep and taste measurements used was noted, and most studies failed to assess sour, bitter and umami tastes. Still, the available evidence suggests that sweet taste hedonic perception appears to be undesirably influenced by short sleep when viewed through the lens of health. That is, preferred sweetness concentration increases as sleep duration decreases. Habitual sleep and interventions curtailing sleep had minimal associations or effects on sweet taste sensitivity. Salt taste sensitivity and hedonic responses appear to be relatively unaffected by insufficient sleep, but more work is needed. Solid evidence on other taste qualities is not available at the present time.
What we miss when we overlook the gendered aspects of nationalist mobilisation
Authors: Miller‐Idriss Cynthia
Published: June 2024

Schertzer and Woods have written a timely, rigorous, and thoughtful examination of the rise of ethnic nationalism in the West. The book adeptly anchors the political mobilization of white majorities in the defensive postures that define them while simultaneously explaining the broader historical and cultural contexts that are so often missing from contemporary analyses. This critical analysis fell short, however, in its relative lack of engagement on issues related to gender and the gendered mobilization of nationalist and extremist backlash, including violence. But aside from brief mentions of the case of the 2016 U.S. election and the femonationalism of Marine Le Pen and others like her, the arguments put forth in the book suffer from an inattention to gendered dimensions in ways that hollow out the explanatory power of their claims by leaving out some of the most persuasive evidence about the role that gender, hostile sexism, and misogyny play in mobilizing support for violent extremism, political violence, nationalist movements, and other forms of xenophobic and exclusionary ideas. In this book debate essay, I briefly lay out what I think was missed and why it matters.
Orthopedic Surgical Treatment of Patients with Tumor‐induced Osteomalacia Located in the Hip Bones: A Retrospective Analysis of 10 Years in a Single Center
Authors: Liu Shuzhong , Zhou Xi , Liang Annan , Xing Jinyi , Liu Yong , Jin Jin , Zhang Jianguo , Xia Weibo
Published: June 2024

Objective

The orthopedic surgical treatment strategies for patients with tumor‐induced osteomalacia (TIO) require improvement, especially for patients where the causative tumors are located in surgically challenging areas, requiring a greater degree of in‐depth investigation. This work aims to summarize and investigate clinical features and orthopedic surgical treatment effects of patients with tumor‐induced osteomalacia (TIO), whose causative tumors are located in the hip bones.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of all patients diagnosed with culprit tumors located in the hip bones who underwent surgical treatment at the orthopedic bone and soft tissue tumor sub‐professional group of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2013 to January 2023. This retrospective study summarized the clinical data, preoperative laboratory test results, imaging findings, surgery‐related data, perioperative changes in blood phosphorus levels, and postoperative follow‐up data of all patients who met the inclusion criteria. Normally distributed data are presented as mean and standard deviation, while non‐normally distributed data are shown as the means and 25th and 75th interquartile ranges.

Results

The clinical diagnostic criteria for TIO were met by all 16 patients, as confirmed by pathology after surgery. Among the 16 patients, we obtained varying degrees of bone pain and limited mobility (16/16), often accompanied by difficulties in sitting up, walking, and fatigue. An estimated 62.5% (10/16) of patients had significantly shorter heights during the disease stages. All 16 patients underwent surgical treatment for tumors in the hip bones, totaling 21 surgeries. In the pathogenic tumor, there were 16 cases of skeletal involvement and none of pure soft tissue involvement. Out of the 16 patients, 13 cases had a gradual increase in blood phosphorus levels following the latest orthopedic surgery, which was followed up for 12 months to 10 years. Due to unresolved conditions after the original surgery, four patients received reoperation intervention. Two cases of refractory TIO did not improve in their disease course.

Conclusion

In summary, the location of the causative tumor in the hip bone is hidden and diverse, and there is no defined orthopedic surgical intervention method for this case in clinical practice. For patients with TIO where the tumors are located in the hip bones, surgical treatment is difficult and the risk of postoperative recurrence is high. Careful identification of the tumor edge using precise preoperative positioning and qualitative diagnosis is crucial to ensure adequate boundaries for surgical resection to reduce the likelihood of disease recurrence and improve prognosis.
Cercospora leaf blight and purple seed stain of soybean: A permanent challenge
Authors: Sautua Francisco José , Pizá María Cecilia Perez , Scandiani Maria Mercedes , Carmona Marcelo Anibal
Published: June 2024

Cercospora leaf blight (CLB) and purple seed stain (PSS) are major diseases of soybean responsible for significant yield loss. These diseases are caused by Cercospora species, such as C. kikuchii and C. cf. flagellaris, among the main species. These pathogens overwinter in infested debris and infected seed. Due to the combination of no‐till farming, monoculture in large soybean cultivation areas and climate changes, these diseases have become serious and prevalent. At present, in addition to the practice of monoculture soybean cultivation, there is a lack of soybean varieties with genetic resistance to these diseases. As a result, the application of fungicides becomes an essential tool for effectively managing this pathosystem. However, in the main soybean‐producing countries, resistance to quinone outside inhibitors and benzimidazole fungicides has already been studied and documented. Furthermore, Cercospora spp. are believed to be naturally insensitive to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors. Consequently, there is a growing interest in innovative and integrated tools for managing crop diseases. These new approaches include the use of biofungicides, biostimulants and plant defence inducers. Research testing new management tools in a complementary and integrated approach involves a short‐term challenge to improve CLB/PSS management in the field. This review provides comprehensive details on the taxonomy, identification and genetic diversity of the pathogen, its disease symptoms and host range. Additionally, it outlines epidemiological aspects, fungicide resistance and the latest advancements in tools and technologies, aiming to guide future research and strategies to address the escalating threat to soybean crops globally.
The relationship between spiritual well‐being and surgical fear in elderly patients with gonarthrosis
Authors: Çelik Sevim , Şenol Tevfik , AltıntaŞ Sibel , Karahan Elif
Published: June 2024

Background

Gonarthrosis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterised by prolonged pain, affecting ~10% of men and 18% of women aged 60 and older worldwide. Surgical interventions are commonly employed in patients with gonarthrosis to minimise disability, alleviate pain, and improve overall quality of life. However, surgical treatment remains a feared experience. This study was conducted to identify the levels of spiritual well‐being and surgical anxiety in elderly patients diagnosed with gonarthrosis who are scheduled for surgical intervention. The aim was to examine the relationship between these factors and identify influencing elements.

Methods

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between September 2022 and June 2023 in the orthopaedics and traumatology service of a state hospital, involving 105 patients aged 65 and above with gonarthrosis and admitted for treatment. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Surgical Fear Questionnaire, and Three‐Factor Spiritual Well‐being Scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical tests, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis.

Results

The short‐term surgical fear of patients was 11.69 ± 7.55, the long‐term surgical fear was 10.70 ± 9.53, and the total surgical fear was 22.40 ± 14.69 points, indicating a low level. Single and inexperienced elderly patients had higher levels of surgical fear (P < 0.05). The spiritual well‐being levels of elderly patients (transcendence, 59.65 ± 12.20; harmony with nature, 29.10 ± 4.65; anomy, 26.34 ± 5.28; total score, 115.10 ± 17.83) were high. The spiritual well‐being levels of elderly individuals whose income matched their expenses were higher (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between the level of anomy in elderly patients with gonarthrosis and surgical fear (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In elderly patients with planned surgical interventions for gonarthrosis. It was determined that the levels of surgical fear were low, and the levels of spiritual well‐being were high. The study identified that the level of anomy had an impact on surgical fear. It is recommended that healthcare professionals be aware of the influence of spiritual well‐being on surgical fear and provide spiritual support to elderly patients.
Cover Image
Authors: Xing Shujuan , Liang Xiaofang , Zhang Xiaoran , Oliva‐Teles Aires , Peres Helena , Li Min , Wang Hao , Mai Kangsen , Kaushik Sadasivam J. , Xue Min
Published: June 2024

The cover image is based on the Review Essential amino acid requirements of fish and crustaceans, a meta‐analysis by Shujuan Xing and Xiaofang Liang, et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12886.

image
How the other half works: Claudia Goldin's contributions to our understanding of women's labour market outcomes
Authors: Sarsons Heather
Published: June 2024

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2023 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to Claudia Goldin “for having advanced our understanding of women's labour market outcomes”. This paper surveys Goldin's contributions, analysing women's labour force participation from the late 1700s through to the present. To document women's participation in the workforce, Goldin uncovered rich data from varied sources, from government reports and city directories to health surveys and university registration cards. She combined these data with economic theory to identify the factors affecting women's employment and to explore how we might achieve gender equity today. Her work has had an immense influence on how we understand the labour market, household decision‐making, and gender inequality.
Characterisation of the novel HLA‐A*32:01:01:41 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Tarassi Katerina , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: June 2024

HLA‐A*32:01:01:41 differs from the HLA‐A*32:01:01:01 allele by one nucleotide substitution in the intron 3.
Characterising sex‐related differences in lower‐ and higher‐threshold motor unit behaviour through high‐density surface electromyography
Authors: Lecce Edoardo , Conti Alessandra , Nuccio Stefano , Felici Francesco , Bazzucchi Ilenia
Published: June 2024

Emerging questions in neuromuscular physiology revolve around whether males and females share similar neural control in diverse tasks across a broad range of intensities. In order to explore these features, high‐density electromyography was used to record the myoelectrical activity of biceps brachii during trapezoidal isometric contractions at 35% and 70% of maximal voluntary force (MVF) on 11 male and 13 female participants. Identified motor units were then classified as lower‐threshold (recruited at ≤30%MVF) and higher‐threshold (recruited at >30%MVF). The discharge rate, interspike interval variability, recruitment and derecruitment thresholds, and estimates of neural drive to motor neurons were assessed. Female lower‐threshold motor units showed higher neural drive (P < 0.001), accompanied by higher discharge rate at recruitment (P = 0.006), plateau (P = 0.001) and derecruitment (P = 0.001). On the other hand, male higher‐threshold motor units showed greater neural drive (P = 0.04), accompanied by higher discharge rate at recruitment (P = 0.005), plateau (P = 0.04) and derecruitment (P = 0.01). Motor unit discharge rate normalised by the recruitment threshold was significantly higher in female lower‐threshold motor units (P < 0.001), while no differences were observed in higher‐threshold motor units. Recruitment and derecruitment thresholds are higher in males across all intensities (P < 0.01). However, males and females have similar activation and deactivation strategies, as evidenced by similar recruitment‐to‐derecruitment ratios (P > 0.05). This study encompasses a broad intensity range to analyse motor unit sex‐related differences, highlighting higher neural drive and discharge rates in female lower‐threshold motor units, elevated recruitment and derecruitment thresholds in males, and convergences in activation and deactivation strategies.

Highlights

What is the central question of the study?

Do male and female motor units behave similarly in low‐ and high‐intensity contractions?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Female motor units show higher discharge rates in low‐intensity tasks and lower discharge rates in high‐intensity tasks, with no differences in recruitment behaviour. A broader inter‐spike interval variability was also observed in females. These findings underline that there are sex‐specific differences concern the firing strategies based on task intensity.
Technological Evaluation of Roof Tiles from the Monastery of São Bento, Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Cerqueda Marcelle Lemos Amorim de , Louro Giovanna liveira dos Santos Consoli , Ribeiro Roberto Carlos da Conceição , Fernández Castro Nuria
Published: June 2024

The present work carried out the evaluation of the roof tiles belonging to the Monastery of São Bento, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, through the common analyzes of the technological characterization. The evaluation was performed by petrography, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), physical and colorimetric properties and accelerated weathering tests using salt spray, súlfur dioxide, and ultraviolet rays. The results obtained through petrography, XRD, XRF, SEM, FTIR showed a mineralogical composition characterized in the internal part by hematite and in the external part presenting mullite, potassium feldspar, quartz and gypsum being the last one formed from physical-chemical changes of calcium. The analysis of the data obtained after the colorimetric analyzes and accelerated weathering (salt spray, SiO2, UV), identified little variation in mass loss, however the colorimetric analyzes showed the darkening of the colors after the actions of SO2 and their fading after the actions from salt spray and UV rays. The results obtained allowed a compositional characterization and the state of conservation of the roof tiles, allowing the evaluation of future interventions for the preservation of the se and/or possible substitute materials in accordance with the ceramic materials currently available.
Modeling of Double-Row Cylindrical Roller Bearing Under Combined Loads and Angular Misalignment
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Wu Qilong , Chang Zhen , Yu Qingtao
Published: June 2024

To enhance the reliability of the double-row cylindrical roller bearing (DCRB), a new quasi-static model, which is capable of considering inner ring misalignment and combined loads, has been established. This model was used to calculate the distribution of internal loads and contact pressure. First, the model was verified with published data. Second, systematic parameter analyses were conducted to investigate how axial load, inner ring misalignment, and roller profile influence contact performance. The results indicate that when the bearing is subjected to a combined load, the difference between the radial loads borne by the two rows increases with the increase of axial load. The combined load and misalignment of the inner ring would cause significant changes in the numerical value and distribution of contact load and pressure between the rollers and raceways. The roller profile optimization can reduce contact pressure and alleviate the edge effect.
Considerations for Compressible Film Cooling: A Computational Study of the Effects of Transonic Flows and Varying Mainstream Mach Number
Authors: Fox Dale W. , Furgeson Michael , Bogard David G.
Published: June 2024

Recent evidence suggests that film cooling flows with engine-realistic mainstream Mach number have declined performance in comparison to those with conventional low-speed laboratory conditions. Consideration and understanding of these effects are fundamental to improving film cooling research. This computational study investigates the film cooling performance of a 7-7-7 shaped film cooling hole with respect to varying mainstream Mach number, with constant Reynolds number. The cases studied include mainstream Mach numbers from 0.15 to 0.75, with a fixed, engine realistic, hole Reynolds number of Red=10,100. Significant results are then evaluated against varying stagnation temperature ratio and blowing ratio. The results showed that at a blowing ratio of 1.75, the adiabatic effectiveness declines significantly with increasing mainstream Mach number. The decreased performance is due to supersonic flows and shocks in the film cooling hole that disrupt flow in the diffuser section of the hole. These characteristics are observed across all stagnation temperature ratios considered. In addition to these insights, the study discusses the importance of proper thermal scaling and definition of adiabatic effectiveness when operating at high mainstream Mach number. It is demonstrated that the effects of high-speed flow challenge the efficacy of the conventional parameters used to characterize film cooling performance.
Performance evaluation of the Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel for detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B antigens using mid-turbinate nasal swabs
Authors: Yu Shao-Hua , Kim Keun-Ju , Lee Chien-Chang , Puebla Yanely Pineiro , Zabat Gelza Mae A. , Shih Hong-Mo , Hsueh Po-Ren
Published: June 2024

The Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel (Abbott) is an
in vitro
diagnostic rapid test designed for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid proteins SARS-CoV-2 and nucleoprotein influenza A and B antigens in nasal mid-turbinate (NMT) swab specimens from symptomatic individuals meeting COVID-19 and influenza clinical and/or epidemiological criteria. This study, the largest global one to date using fresh samples, aimed to assess the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel in freshly collected NMT swab specimens from individuals suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 and/or influenza within the first 5 days of symptom onset compared with results obtained with the cobas SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B qualitative assay (cobas 6800/8800 systems), which were tested using nasopharyngeal swab samples. A total of 512 evaluable subjects were enrolled in the COVID-19 cohort across 18 sites, and 1,148 evaluable subjects were enrolled in the influenza cohort across 22 sites in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the USA. The Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel demonstrated a sensitivity of 80.4% and a specificity of 99.7% for COVID-19. For influenza A, the sensitivity and specificity rates were 80.6% and 99.3%, respectively. Likewise, for influenza B, the sensitivity and specificity rates were 80.8% and 99.4%, respectively. In conclusion, the Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel emerges as a suitable rapid test for detecting COVID-19 and influenza in symptomatic subjects across diverse global populations, exhibiting high sensitivity. The assay achieved a sensitivity of 94.4% in samples with Ct ≤24 for COVID-19 and 92.6% in samples with Ct ≤30 for influenza A and B.

IMPORTANCE

The Panbio COVID-19/Flu A&B Panel is a suitable rapid test for detecting COVID-19 and influenza in symptomatic subjects across diverse global populations, exhibiting high sensitivity. The assay achieved a sensitivity of 94.0% in samples with Ct ≤24 for COVID-19 and 92.6% in samples with Ct ≤30 for influenza A and B.
Educational activity of enzyme kinetics in an undergraduate biochemistry course: invertase enzyme as a model
Authors: Al-Odat Ibrahim
Published: June 2024

This article aims to simplify and facilitate the process of practical teaching of enzyme kinetics by utilizing minimal teaching laboratory requirements. Simultaneously, it ensures that students comprehend the enzyme kinetics experiment effectively. The focus is on teaching students how to estimate the maximum velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis constant (Km) of β-fructofuranosidase enzyme (also known as invertase) isolated from dry yeast. The invertase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose substrate into glucose and fructose, employing the Michaelis-Menten approach of evaluating invertase enzyme kinetics as well as Lineweaver-Burk linear graphic approach of evaluating the Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. The practical experiment seeks to reinforce the concepts of initial velocity dependence on substrate concentration. The data presented in the work were generated from a genuine practical biochemistry course enrolled by second-year undergraduate students in the Department of Pharmacy and the Department of Medical Laboratory Science. While there were minor variations in the invertase enzyme kinetic parameters among students, they successfully carried out the experiment. The students accurately estimated the Vmax and Km of the invertase enzyme in the sucrose hydrolysis chemical reaction. Moreover, they demonstrated an understanding of the meanings of the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) and the utility of the Lineweaver-Burk plot.
Mutations in nonstructural proteins essential for pathogenicity in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice
Authors: Pan Ruangang , Li Pengfei , Meyerholz David K. , Perlman Stanley
Published: June 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality. The basis of severe disease in humans is difficult to determine without the use of experimental animal models. Mice are resistant to infection with ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2, although many variants that arose later in the pandemic were able to directly infect mice. In almost all cases, viruses that naturally infected mice or were engineered to enable mouse infection required mouse passage to become virulent. In most cases, changes in structural and nonstructural changes occurred during mouse adaptation. However, the mechanism of increased virulence in mice is not understood. Here, using a recently described strain of mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 (rSARS2-MA30
N501Y
), we engineered a series of recombinant viruses that expressed a subset of the mutations present in rSARS2-MA30
N501Y
. Mutations were detected in the spike protein and in three nonstructural proteins (nsp4, nsp8, and nsp9). We found that infection of mice with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 expressing only the S protein mutations caused very mild infection. Addition of the mutations in nsp4 and nsp8 was required for complete virulence. Of note, all these recombinant viruses replicated equivalently in cultured cells. The innate immune response was delayed after infection with virulent compared to attenuated viruses. Further, using a lineage tracking system, we found that attenuated virus was highly inhibited in the ability to infect the parenchyma, but not the airway after infection. Together, these results indicate that mutations in both the S protein and nonstructural proteins are required for maximal virulence during mouse adaptation.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires the study of experimental animals after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this purpose, several mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains have been developed. Here, using a strain of mouse-adapted virus that causes a range of diseases ranging from mild to severe, we show that mutations in both a structural protein [spike (S) protein] and nonstructural proteins are required for maximal virulence. Thus, changes in the S protein, the most widely studied viral protein, while required for mouse adaptation, are not sufficient to result in a virulent virus.
The interferon-induced protein, IFIT2, requires RNA-binding activity and neuronal expression to protect mice from intranasal vesicular stomatitis virus infection
Authors: Poddar Darshana , Sharma Nikhil , Ogino Tomoaki , Qi Xu , Kessler Patricia M. , Mendries Hiran , Dutta Ranjan , Sen Ganes C.
Published: June 2024

The interferon (IFN) system protects mammals from diseases caused by virus infections. IFN synthesis is induced by pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways activated by virus infection. IFN is secreted from the infected cells and acts upon neighboring cells by binding cell surface receptors and triggering induction of hundreds of IFN-stimulated genes and proteins, many of which block different steps of virus replication. The IFN-induced tetratricopeptide repeat proteins (IFIT) are a family of RNA-binding proteins. We and others have previously reported that IFIT2 protects mice from many neurotropic RNA viruses; indeed, Ifit2−/− mice are very susceptible to intranasal or subcutaneous infections with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Here, using a newly generated conditional knockout mouse, we report that ablation of Ifit2 expression only in neuronal cells was sufficient to render mice susceptible to neuropathogenesis caused by intranasal, but not subcutaneous, infection of VSV. Another genetically modified mouse line, expressing a mutant IFIT2 that cannot bind RNA, was as susceptible to VSV infection as
Ifit2
−/− mice. These results demonstrated that IFIT2 RNA-binding activity is essential for protecting mice against neurological diseases caused by intranasal infection of VSV.

IMPORTANCE

Interferon’s (IFN’s) antiviral effects are mediated by the proteins encoded by the interferon-stimulated genes. IFN-stimulated genes (IFIT2) is one such protein, which inhibits replication of many RNA viruses in the mouse brain and the resultant neuropathology. Our study sheds light on how IFIT2 works. By ablating Ifit2 expression only in neuronal cells, using a newly generated conditional knockout mouse line, we showed that Ifit2 induction in the neurons of the infected mouse was necessary for antiviral function of interferon. IFIT2 has no known enzyme activity; instead, it functions by binding to cellular or viral proteins or RNAs. We engineered a new mouse line that expressed a mutant IFIT2 that cannot bind RNA. These mice were very susceptible to infection with vesicular stomatitis virus indicating that the RNA-binding property of IFIT2 was essential for its antiviral function
in vivo
.
Glycine restores the sensitivity to antibiotics in multidrug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Giordano Cesira , Barnini Simona
Published: June 2024

The management of infections caused by multiresistant bacteria has become of fundamental importance for any medical practice. Glycine is the most common and the simplest non-essential amino acid in humans. Glycine is very effective in improving health and supporting growth and wellbeing of humans and animals. Instead, for many bacteria, high concentrations of glycine induce lysis or deep morphological alterations. The effect of glycine on multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms has not yet been extensively researched. The present study was conducted 1) to establish the effect of glycine on different nosocomial pathogens isolated during routine diagnostic investigations; 2) to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of glycine and the type of activity performed (bacteriostatic or bactericidal) on representative isolates; 3) to test the interaction between glycine and meropenem, cefiderocol, or colistin. The data reported here show a dose-dependent activity of glycine on bacteria and its bactericidal activity on MDR bacteria. Furthermore, we found that the action of glycine restores
in vitro
the susceptibility of multiresistant nosocomial pathogens to the tested antibiotics.

IMPORTANCE

Antimicrobial resistance is a constantly growing concern throughout the world, and Italy is among the Western countries where antimicrobial resistance is most widespread. In Tuscany, carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
are now even endemic. In this study, we challenged some resistant bacteria with a well-known molecule, glycine, the antibacterial properties of which have been known since the past century. This study could bring new insights into combining antibiotics with the simplest of all amino acids. The restoration of sensitivity to the aforementioned antibiotics by a natural compound, already used for clinical purposes, is of extreme importance in an era of proliferation of multiresistant bacteria. The
in vivo
use of this amino acid in evaluating its effectiveness against infections should be investigated. The low cost of this molecule can also make it easy to use even in low-income countries.
Potential of communication devices for estimating the fishing effort of purse seine fleets
Authors: Chui Tsoi Kwan , Yagi Nobuyuki , Sakai Yutaro
Published: June 2024

Fishing impacts the marine environment significantly, and quantifying this impact requires precise fishing effort data. This study explores the challenges associated with accurately estimating fishing effort by purse seiners and proposes a solution using records collected from real-time communication devices on fishing fleets. The estimation of fishing effort based on high-frequency GPS data can be verified with the onboard visual records. Additionally, by linking vessels within a fleet, the method utilizes information from carriers (vessels that transport fish) to enhance the estimation. Through the use of generalized additive models, this study effectively estimates the fishing effort of Japanese purse seiners, demonstrating their accuracy. Furthermore, by incorporating carrier information, models based on matched records prove to have superior predictive performance compared to those based on fishing vessel or carrier records alone. These findings lay the foundation for the potential of this approach to provide precise and cost-effective information for sustainable fishery management. The affordability of GPS devices and the common requirement of communication devices across various fleets further support the feasibility of implementing this approach.
Enhancing data-limited assessments with random effects: a case study on Korea chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus)
Authors: Kim Kyuhan , Sibanda Nokuthaba , Arnold Richard , A’mar Teresa
Published: June 2024

In a state-space framework, temporal variations in fishery-dependent processes can be modeled as random effects. This modeling flexibility makes state-space models (SSMs) powerful tools for data-limited assessments. Although SSMs enable the model-based inference of the unobserved processes, their flexibility can lead to overfitting and non-identifiability issues. To address these challenges, we developed a suite of state-space length-based age-structured models and applied them to the Korean chub mackerel ( Scomber japonicus) stock. Our research demonstrated that incorporating temporal variations in fishery-dependent processes can rectify model mis-specification but may compromise robustness, which can be diagnosed through a series of model checking processes. To tackle non-identifiability, we used a non-degenerate estimator, implementing a gamma distribution as a penalty for the standard deviation parameters of observation errors. This penalty function enabled the simultaneous estimation of both process and observation error variances with minimal bias, a notably challenging task in SSMs. These results highlight the importance of model checking and the effectiveness of the penalized approach in estimating SSMs. Additionally, we discussed novel assessment outcomes for the mackerel stock.
Design and Implementation of an Adaptive Evaluation System for Teachers’ Information-Based Teaching Ability in the Intelligent ERA
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Cui Liping
Published: June 2024

The rapid development of teacher informatization has become a major highlight in current teaching. The information system under adaptive conditions has become the key to the reform of the intelligent era. The goal of this study is to design and implement an adaptive evaluation system for teachers’ information-based teaching ability, aiming at improving ability to meet the needs of modern education. This system analyzes the level of acceptance under key learning technologies. It combines elements by learning and analyzing their impact on general forms. It aims to analyze the rule algorithm dataset in a single machine environment. By analyzing multiple sets of different datasets, it calculates the number of key technologies that appear together in the same report based on the key technology word matrix. A co-occurrence matrix is constructed. The system adopts an advanced adaptive algorithm, which can conduct personalized assessments according to the actual ability and needs of teachers, so as to provide more accurate and effective feedback, help teachers understand their own advantages and disadvantages, and formulate more targeted promotion strategies. In the process of system design, the detailed requirement analysis is carried out first, and the function and performance requirements of the system are clarified. Then, we design the architecture of the system and determine the main modules and functions of the system. The function module is designed and the system is implemented. Through the practical application and effect evaluation of the system, we find that the system has high effectiveness and practicability. It can not only help teachers understand their own level of information-based teaching ability and provide personalized suggestions for improvement, but also provide decision support for education administrators and promote the development of education based on information. We expect that this system can play a greater role in the future education practice and promote the further development of education informatization.
Elementary Catastrophe’s Chaos in One-Dimensional Discrete Systems Based on Nonlinear Connections and Deviation Curvature Statistics
Authors: Yamasaki Kazuhito
Published: June 2024

This study shows, by means of numerical analysis, that the characteristics of discrete dynamical systems, in which chaos and catastrophe coexist, are closely related to the geometric statistics in Finsler geometry. The two geometric statistics introduced are nonlinear connections information, denoted as [Formula: see text], and the mean deviation curvature, denoted as [Formula: see text]. The quantity [Formula: see text] can be used to determine the occurrence of chaos in terms of nonequilibrium stability. The resulting chaos is characterized by [Formula: see text] in terms of the trajectory’s robustness, which is related to the localization or globalization of chaos. The characteristics of catastrophe-induced chaos are clearly visualized through the contour topography of [Formula: see text], in which an abrupt change is represented by cliff topography (i.e. a line of critical points); initial dependence is reflected in the reversibility of topographic patterns. On overlaying the contour topography with the singularity pattern, it is evident that chaos does not arise around the singular point. Furthermore, the extensive development of cusp and butterfly chaos demands information on the nonlinear connections within the singularity pattern. The asymmetry in swallowtail chaos is less distinguishable in an equilibrated state, but becomes more evident when the system is in a state of nonequilibrium. In many analyses, chaos and catastrophe are examined separately. However, these results demonstrate that when both are present, the two have a complex relationship constrained by the singularity.
Crises of a Fractional Birhythmic Van der Pol Oscillator Using the Improved Cell Mapping Method
Authors: Yuan Minjuan , Xu Wei , Wang Liang , Lu Yisha , Peng Jiahui
Published: June 2024

Birhythmicity oscillators have been extensively applied in fields such as biology, physics, and engineering. Studying their global dynamics is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms that govern oscillator behavior. This paper focuses on investigating the influence of memory effects on the global dynamics of the fractional birhythmic van der Pol (BVDP) oscillator. To determine the system’s global properties, we employ an improved cell mapping method. Specifically, the system’s evolution is computed by introducing additional auxiliary variables, creating a space for storing historical information. This method allows us to examine the system’s global properties without memory loss. Through a comparison of the global dynamic behaviors of BVDP oscillators with memory to those without memory, we observe that the presence of memory effects results in the emergence of chaotic attractors in the system. This, in turns, results in system instability and heightened sensitivity to initial conditions. Furthermore, our findings suggest that changes in the fractional-order can induce various crises in the oscillator and may have the potential to suppress chaotic oscillations.
On the Complexity of Symmetric vs. Functional PCSPs
Authors: Nakajima Tamio-Vesa , Živný Stanislav
Published: June 2024

The complexity of the promise constraint satisfaction problem

\(\operatorname{(PCSP)}(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B})\)

is largely unknown, even for symmetric

\(\mathbf{A}\)

and

\(\mathbf{B}\)

, except for the case when

\(\mathbf{A}\)

and

\(\mathbf{B}\)

are Boolean.

First, we establish a dichotomy for

\(\operatorname{PCSP}(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B})\)

where

\(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B}\)

are symmetric,

\(\mathbf{B}\)

is
functional
(i.e., any

\(r-1\)

elements of an

\(r\)

-ary tuple uniquely determines the last one), and

\((\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B})\)

satisfies technical conditions we introduce called
dependency
and
additivity
. This result implies a dichotomy for

\(\operatorname{PCSP}(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B})\)

with

\(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B}\)

symmetric and

\(\mathbf{B}\)

functional if (i)

\(\mathbf{A}\)

is Boolean, or (ii)

\(\mathbf{A}\)

is a hypergraph of a small uniformity, or (iii)

\(\mathbf{A}\)

has a relation

\(R^{\mathbf{A}}\)

of arity at least three such that the hypergraph diameter of

\((A,R^{\mathbf{A}})\)

is at most one.

Second, we show that for

\(\operatorname{PCSP}(\mathbf{A},\mathbf{B})\)

, where

\(\mathbf{A}\)

and

\(\mathbf{B}\)

contain a single relation,

\(\mathbf{A}\)

satisfies a technical condition called
balancedness
, and

\(\mathbf{B}\)

is arbitrary, the combined basic linear programming relaxation and the affine integer programming (AIP) relaxation is no more powerful than the (in general strictly weaker)

\({{\rm AIP}}\)

relaxation. Balanced

\(\mathbf{A}\)

include symmetric

\(\mathbf{A}\)

or, more generally,

\(\mathbf{A}\)

preserved by a transitive permutation group.