bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concessive conditionals as a family of constructions
Authors: Leuschner Torsten
Published: January 2021

This squib sketches an approach to concessive conditionals (CCs) from the perspective of Radical Construction Grammar (Croft 2001). It brings earlier functional-typological work on CCs to bear on language-particular constructionist analyses of CCs, using the notions of ‘family (of constructions)’ and ‘prototype’ as the bridge. After suggesting how these notions can be applied to CCs under a functional-typological approach, the structure of the CC sub-constructicon in German is discussed, and directions for future research are offered to round the squib off.
Dialect syntax in Construction Grammar
Authors: Morin Cameron , Desagulier Guillaume , Grieve Jack
Published: January 2021

This squib focuses on two main issues. Firstly, it examines the ways in which constructionist approaches to language can
bring about an improved theoretical understanding of Double Modals (DMs) in dialects of English. DMs have proved to be a long-lasting,
notorious puzzle in formal linguistics, and have not received any general solution today, with much analysis devoted to their constituent
structure and their postulated layers of derivation, especially in generative models of language. Usage-based strands of Construction
Grammar (CxG) appear to naturally overcome such problems, while conveying a more cognitively and socially realistic picture of such dialect
variants. Secondly, and more importantly, we argue that such an improved, constructional understanding of DMs can also contribute to
advances in the modeling of dialect syntax in CxG, both theoretically and methodologically. In particular, DMs constitute an interesting
case of relatively rare and restricted syntactic constructions in the dialects they appear in, and they are likely to exhibit different
rates of entrenchment and network schematicity cross-dialectally. Moreover, the empirical challenges surrounding the measurement of DM usage
invite us to refine the methodological concept of triangulation, by sketching a two-step approach with a data-driven study of new types of
corpora on the one hand, and a hypothesis-driven experimental account of acceptability in relevant geographical locations on the other.
Constructions as discourse-restrained flexible prototypes
Authors: Östman Jan-Ola
Published: January 2021

Constructions are abstractions of resources we have available as ways of expressing ourselves. The study argues
for the feasibility of seeing constructions as flexible prototypes in terms of which we categorize the world: constructions have
few if any necessary and sufficient conditions that are always applicable. As support for this view, an analysis of the
correlative TatT-construction in English is carried out, indicating that even if we can set up a dozen
characteristics of the construction, none of them are necessary for an expression to be characterized as an instance of the
construction. Furthermore, for constructional analyses to be truly usage-based, variations within prototypes have to be
explicated. A Construction Discourse approach is used to show how pragmatic and discourse factors can distinguish and afford
particular meanings and functions to non-prototypical instances of a construction.
What is an alternation?
Authors: Pijpops Dirk
Published: January 2021

An important subset of the empirical research conducted within usage-based construction grammar is formed by alternation studies. Still, it is not always clear what exactly qualifies as an alternation. This paper takes stock of six possible ways of defining an alternation. Three of these definitions are argued to be particularly suitable for the research program of usage-based construction grammar. The paper zooms in on those and discusses their practical consequences and (dis)advantages.
Why we avoid the ‘Multiple Inheritance’ issue in Usage-based Cognitive Construction Grammar
Authors: Sommerer Lotte
Published: January 2021

This squib revisits the phenomenon of ‘Multiple Inheritance’ (MI) and discusses reasons why many usage-based,
cognitive construction grammarians seem to be avoiding it when modeling the constructicon and linguistic knowledge. After a brief
discussion of the concept and some examples from the literature, the paper examines potential reasons for the apparent
disinterest. Finally, the author points to some open questions regarding MI by discussing a specific example, namely modified NPN
constructions like day after hellish day or hour after hour of dominoes. It can be argued that
these strings inherit their characteristic features from several different abstract templates.
Iconicity and word-formation
Authors: Tarasova Elizaveta , Sánchez Fajardo José A.
Published: January 2021

This article aims to encourage a discussion of how evaluative morphemes conform to the principles of iconicity and Construction Grammar through the examination of English Adj+ie/ynominalisations (e.g.brownie, softie). Our analysis of the Adj+ie/yparadigm investigates conceptual processes that employ these evaluative morphological forms. We propose a Bidirectional Conceptualisation Model (BCM) to demonstrate a templatic correlation between iconic morphological components and evaluative connotations, by means of which the suffix -ie/yis employed to instantiate a specific iconic value of the [[x-]Aie/y]Nconstruction. The BCM incorporates the Diminution: Pejoration ↔ Endearment scale, which accounts for the semantic duality of appreciative and depreciative values realised by the morphological concept ofdiminution. The results of the study support the idea that superficially different functions realised by one and the same morphological form are related through interaction of Idealised Cognitive Models.
Greenhouses and protected cultivation.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Protected cultivation of horticultural crops involves the use of structures, barriers, films, mulches, screens, glass and other materials to provide a modified and more favourable environment for optimal plant growth. The main objectives of this environmental modification are multiple and include protection from damaging natural elements such as wind, rain, hail, snow, frost, cold/high temperatures, excessive light, insects and predators, as well as providing conditions which increase yields and quality. Further advantages of modern protected cultivation structures now incorporate the efficient use of increasingly scarce water, fertilizer, energy and land resources with greater productivity per unit area. This allows production in regions otherwise unfavourable for cropping as well as for out-of-season supply of fresh local produce worldwide.
Plant growth regulators in crop management.
Authors: Taylor Mary
Published: January 2021

Overbeek et al. (1954) defined plant hormones as 'regulators produced by plants, which in low concentrations regulate plant physiological processes. Hormones usually move within the plant from a site of production to a site of action'. Plant hormones can exert their influence on tissues in the site of origin/production - mainly meristems and growing fruits - or they can be translocated to sites far removed from their origin/production (Rademacher, 2015). Plant hormones enable plants to react to internal and external stimuli and include auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene. Brassinosteroids, jasmonates, salicylic acid, polyamines and florigen are currently considered hormones.
Postharvest storage.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Successful postharvest storage of horticultural produce is a vital aspect of feeding the world's population and has been so for as long as crops have been cultivated. Many fruit, nut, grain, vegetable, cut flower and ornamental crops deteriorate rapidly postharvest unless specific treatments, curing, drying or temperatures are maintained to slow the rate of respiration and reduce the occurrence of fungal and bacterial decay. Postharvest storage aims to preserve the desirable characteristics and nutritional quality of produce for as long as is required before consumption. Along with this, food safety during storage is a major consideration as is consumer perception of appearance, taste and increasingly these days, convenience and nutrition.
Crop protection.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Crop protection procedures have existed since the first attempts at early agriculture. While cultivation of a vast range of crops is vital our existence, these same plants are highly attractive to a diverse range of invertebrate and vertebrate pests, and disease pathogens. Competition from weed species also occurs on a worldwide scale. Even with the many forms of crop protection practised today, losses due to pests and diseases range from 10 to 90%, with an average of 35-40% for all potential food and fibre crops (Peshin, 2002).
Growing media and substrates.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Soilless container mediums and growing substrates are widely used within the horticultural industry for a range of crop production operations. These include seed raising, producing field and greenhouse transplants, growing potted plants for resale, long term containerised ornamentals and fruit trees, raised vegetable gardens and greenhouse hydroponic production.
Integrated crop management.
Authors: Morgan Lynette
Published: January 2021

Integrated crop management (ICM) is an all-inclusive, holistic approach to sustainable food production that focuses on conserving natural resources. One of the main objectives is to blend the use of modern technology with time proven methods of crop production, maintenance of soil fertility and care for the natural environment as part of an economically-viable horticultural business. Horticultural practices that avoid or minimise waste and pollution, incorporate energy efficiency, reduce external farm inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and follow a long term strategy for conservation and management, are the basis of this system. Resource management is a key feature of integrated crop management to minimise the consumption of non-renewable resources, while at the same time safeguarding the environment and biodiversity of the land used for food production. Integrated crop management is often defined as a 'whole farm system' where the requirements for production of an economic product are balanced with the care of the land and environmental considerations. While integrated crop management seems a simple concept to understand, the implementation and approaches taken vary considerably depending on the site, production system, crops and many other factors. Being site specific means that individual producers must plan and develop their own individualised integrated crop management programme based on their local needs, crops, resources and areas for improvement.
Postharvest transport.
Authors: Thompson A Keith
Published: January 2021

Background: It was estimated that over 73 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables are traded globally each year with a value of some $US45 billion (£34 billion). Less developed countries play an important role in this trade, accounting for about a third. A number of factors were cited for the ongoing increase of fruit and vegetable exports from less developed countries. These include their comparatively lower labour and input costs, as well as the world-wide development of better production and storage techniques, improved logistics and transport (Legge et al., 2006). With the current climate change transport of fruit and vegetables can clearly contribute to greenhouse gases, but they form a mainstay in the export earnings that are crucial to the economies of many less developed countries. Schafer et al. (2014) investigated the carbon footprint of asparagus from four sources to supply the German market. Their product carbon footprint was 1.75 kg CO2 e/kg (carbon dioxide equivalent) for the locally grown asparagus, 0.82-1.3 kg CO2 e/kg from Turkey or Greece by truck and 8 kg CO2 e/kg air-freighted from Peru. Michalsky and Hooda (2015) compared apples, cherries, strawberries, garlic and peas air-freighted into the UK with those produced locally. They found that those imported from non-European countries contained, on average, embedded greenhouse gas emissions of 10.16 kg CO2 e/kg (production, air-freight and distribution within the UK) compared to 0.5 kg CO2 e/kg emissions for those produced and supplied locally. However, MacGregor and Vorley (2006) argued that over one million livelihoods in Africa are supported by UK consumption of imported fresh fruit and vegetables, and not buying air-freighted fresh produce from Africa would reduce total emissions by less than 0.1%.
Design and Analysis of Tractor Roll Over Protective Structure for the Influence of Deformation, Stress Distribution and Strain Energy
Authors: Sakthivel M , Dhandapani N V , Vetriselvan V , Arunachalam J
Published: January 2021

Roll over protective structure is an important safety device used to ensure that the tractor operator is free from injury when an accident happen. In case of tractor moving in an inclined plane (or) overturning, may be the tractor met with an accident due to roll over (or) fall over of the tractor. Sometimes, tractor may unbalance due to change the position of Centre of Gravity. Designer is to provide safe environment for the tractor operator during an accident. So that roll over protective structure is to save the life of tractor operator and protect from death. Therefore, ROPS design in the tractor by model, static and dynamic analysis as per the ISO 3471:2008 standard before prototype development. The main objective of this paper is to determine the ROPS stress distribution and deformation accurately under different load conditions by finite element method.
Enhanced Handshake based Multiple Access Broadcast Protocol in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Kalpana S. , Sathish Kumar D. , Pradeepa K. , Rama S. , Nishanthi P. , Priyadharshini G.
Published: January 2021

In this environment, transmitting data to the end user becomes energy consuming, because broadcasting a packet does reach all neighbours but only the neighbours who are all awake at the time can receive the packets quickly. A hub can ahead its bundle to all partners by continually transmitting the parcel for an entire wake-up span, anyway it prompts high vitality admission and high scattering delay. Here, Enhanced Handshake based two or three access conventions is proposed. Every hub advances the parcel, as long as there might be a neighbouring hub that has now not got the bundle yet. As additional hubs procure the parcel, transmit length of the sender will turn out to be longer, subsequently ingesting more quality. Since the request for scattering is diverse each time, power admission is obviously adjusted a portion of the hubs, without unequivocal measures.
Global crystal bases for integrable modules over a quantum symmetric pair of type AIII
Authors: Watanabe Hideya
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study basic properties of global

ȷ
\jmath

-crystal bases for integrable modules over a quantum symmetric pair coideal subalgebra

U

ȷ

\mathbf {U}^{\jmath }

associated to the Satake diagram of type AIII without black nodes. Also, we obtain an intrinsic characterization of the

ȷ
\jmath

-crystal bases, whose original definition is artificial.
Silent control: microbial plant pathogens evade host immunity without coding sequence changes
Authors: Chen Han , Raffaele Sylvain , Dong Suomeng
Published: January 2021

Both animals and plants have evolved a robust immune system to surveil and defeat invading pathogenic microbes. Evasion of host immune surveillance is the key for pathogens to initiate successful infection. To evade the host immunity, plant pathogens evolved a variety of strategies such as masking themselves from host immune recognitions, blocking immune signaling transductions, reprogramming immune responses and adapting to immune microenvironmental changes. Gain of new virulence genes, sequence and structural variations enables plant pathogens to evade host immunity through changes in the genetic code. However, recent discoveries demonstrated that variations at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational and glycome level enable pathogens to cope with the host immune system without coding sequence changes. The biochemical modification of pathogen associated molecular patterns and silencing of effector genes emerged as potent ways for pathogens to hide from host recognition. Altered processing in mRNA activities provide pathogens with resilience to microenvironment changes. Importantly, these hiding variants are directly or indirectly modulated by catalytic enzymes or enzymatic complexes and cannot be revealed by classical genomics alone. Unveiling these novel host evasion mechanisms in plant pathogens enables us to better understand the nature of plant disease and pinpoints strategies for rational diseases management in global food protection.
Associations of Neighborhood Walkability and Walking Behaviors by Cognitive Trajectory in Older Adults
Authors: Rosso Andrea L , Harding Alyson B , Clarke Philippa J , Studenski Stephanie A , Rosano Caterina
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Lawton’s Ecological Model of Aging suggests that associations between environment and mobility differ based on individual factors such as cognitive decline.

Research Design and Methods

Virtual walkability audits were conducted within 1/8 mile of residences of older adults (n = 545; average age = 82; 57% female; 33% Black) who had been enrolled in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) cohort for 10 years. The primary outcome was self-reported walking in past week and the secondary was mobility disability, self-reported difficulty to walk ¼ mile. Linear mixed models of general cognitive function over the prior 10 years calculated participant-specific slopes; those below 0 were cognitive decliners. Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographics and neighborhood socioeconomic status, tested associations between each walkability variable and each mobility outcome. Interaction terms between walkability and cognitive status were tested and walkability analyses stratified on cognitive status where p for interaction < .2.

Results

In the sample, 57.4% reported walking, 24.2% reported mobility disability, and 51% were cognitive decliners. Sidewalk quality was related to walking in cognitive maintainers; slope was related in decliners. Mixed land use (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 2.30) and senior residence (OR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.27, 3.60) were related to greater walking, regardless of cognitive status. Mixed land use was related to less mobility disability in decliners and abandoned properties were related to greater mobility disability in maintainers.

Discussion and Implications

Policy-level interventions targeted at walkability, including improved sidewalk quality and increasing mixed land use could support walking in older adults, regardless of cognitive status.
When is an obscurin variant pathogenic? The impact of Arg4344Gln and Arg4444Trp variants on protein–protein interactions and protein stability
Authors: Fukuzawa Atsushi , Koch Daniel , Grover Sarah , Rees Martin , Gautel Mathias
Published: January 2021

Obscurin is a giant muscle protein that connects the sarcomere with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and has poorly understood structural and signalling functions. Increasingly, obscurin variants are implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. The Arg4344Gln variant (R4344Q) in obscurin domain Ig58, initially discovered in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, has been reported to reduce binding to titin domains Z8-Z9, impairing obscurin’s Z-disc localization. An R4344Q knock-in mouse developed a cardiomyopathy-like phenotype with abnormal Ca2+-handling and arrhythmias, which were attributed to an enhanced affinity of a putative interaction between obscurin Ig58 and phospholamban (PLN) due to the R4344Q variant. However, the R4344Q variant is found in 15% of African Americans, arguing against its pathogenicity. To resolve this apparent paradox, we quantified the influence of the R4344Q variant (alongside another potentially pathogenic variant: Arg4444Trp (R4444W)) on binding to titin Z8-Z9, novex-3 and PLN using pull-down assays and microscale thermophoresis and characterized the influence on domain stability using differential scanning fluorimetry. We found no changes in titin binding and thermostability for both variants and modestly increased affinities of PLN for R4344Q and R4444W. While we could not confirm the novex-3/obscurin interaction, the PLN/obscurin interaction relies on the transmembrane region of PLN and is not reproducible in mammalian cells, suggesting it is an in vitro artefact. Without clear clinical evidence for disease involvement, we advise against classifying these obscurin variants as pathogenic.
Growth in children conceived by ART
Authors: Magnus Maria C , Wilcox Allen J , Fadum Elin A , Gjessing Håkon K , Opdahl Signe , Juliusson Petur B , Romundstad Liv Bente , Håberg Siri E
Published: January 2021

STUDY QUESTION

Is the growth pattern of children conceived by ART different compared to naturally conceived children.

SUMMARY ANSWER

Both ART and underlying parental subfertility may contribute to differences in early childhood growth between children conceived with and without the use of ART.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Children conceived by ART weigh less and are shorter at the time of delivery. The extent to which differences in growth according to mode of conception persist during childhood, and the role of underlying parental subfertility, remains unclear.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We conducted a prospective study population-based study. We studied 81 461 children participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and 544 113 adolescents screened for military conscription.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Conception by ART as registered in the Medical Birth Registry. We compared maternally reported length/height and weight among children in MoBa from mid-pregnancy to age 7 according to mode of conception using mixed-effects linear regression. Differences in self-reported height and weight at 17 years of age at screening for military conscription were assessed with linear regression.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

At birth, children conceived by ART were shorter (boys −0.3 cm; 95% CI, −0.5 to −0.1), girls −0.4 cm; 95% CI, −0.5 to −0.3) and lighter (boys −113 grams; 95% CI, −201 to −25, girls −107 grams; 95% CI, −197 to −17). After birth, children conceived by ART grew more rapidly, achieving both greater height and weight at age 3. Children conceived by ART had a greater height up to age 7, but did not have a greater height or weight by age 17. Naturally conceived children of parents taking longer time to conceive had growth patterns similar to ART children. Children born after frozen embryo transfer had larger ultrasound measures and were longer and heavier the first 2 years than those born after fresh embryo transfer.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONS

Selection bias could have been introduced due to the modest participation rate in the MoBa cohort. Our reliance on self-reported measures of length/height and weight could have introduced measurement error.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

: Our findings provide reassurance that offspring conceived by ART are not different in height, weight or BMI from naturally conceived once they reach adolescence.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

Research Council of Norway; Medical Research Council; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The authors have no competing interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.
Cosmological direct-collapse black hole formation sites hostile for their growth
Authors: Chon Sunmyon , Hosokawa Takashi , Omukai Kazuyuki
Published: January 2021

The direct collapse (DC) is a promising mechanism that provides massive seed black holes (BHs) with ∼105 M⊙ in the early universe. To study a long-term accretion growth of a direct-collapse black hole (DCBH), we perform cosmological radiation-hydrodynamics simulations, extending our previous work where we investigated its formation stage. With a high spatial resolution down below the Bondi radius, we show that the accretion rate on to the BH is far below the Eddington value. Such slow mass growth is partly because of the strong radiative feedback from the accreting BH to the surrounding dense gas. Even after it falls into the first galaxy, the accretion rate is substantially suppressed due to the supernova feedback associated with the intense star formation. Moreover, the BH has a large velocity of ∼100 km s−1 relative to the gas, which further reduces the accretion rate. This large relative velocity stems from the fact that the DCBHs form in metal-free environments typically at ∼1 kpc from the galaxy. The BH accelerates as it approaches the galactic centre due to the gravity. The relative velocity never damps and the BH wanders around the outer galactic region. An analytic estimate predicts that the DCBH formation within ∼100 pc around the galactic centre is necessary to decelerate the BH with dynamical friction before z = 7. Since metal enrichment with Z ∼ 10−5−10−3 Z⊙ is expected there, the formation of DCBHs in the metal-enriched environments is preferable for the subsequent rapid growth.
Hibernation factors directly block ribonucleases from entering the ribosome in response to starvation
Authors: Prossliner Thomas , Gerdes Kenn , Sørensen Michael Askvad , Winther Kristoffer Skovbo
Published: January 2021

Ribosome hibernation is a universal translation stress response found in bacteria as well as plant plastids. The term was coined almost two decades ago and despite recent insights including detailed cryo-EM structures, the physiological role and underlying molecular mechanism of ribosome hibernation has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Escherichia coli hibernation factors RMF, HPF and RaiA (HFs) concurrently confer ribosome hibernation. In response to carbon starvation and resulting growth arrest, we observe that HFs protect ribosomes at the initial stage of starvation. Consistently, a deletion mutant lacking all three factors (ΔHF) is severely inhibited in regrowth from starvation. ΔHF cells increasingly accumulate 70S ribosomes harbouring fragmented rRNA, while rRNA in wild-type 100S dimers is intact. RNA fragmentation is observed to specifically occur at HF-associated sites in 16S rRNA of assembled 70S ribosomes. Surprisingly, degradation of the 16S rRNA 3′-end is decreased in cells lacking conserved endoribonuclease YbeY and exoribonuclease RNase R suggesting that HFs directly block these ribonucleases from accessing target sites in the ribosome.
A nationwide study on Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in questing Ixodes ricinus: a six‐year snapshot study in protected recreational areas in England and Wales
Authors: Cull B. , Hansford K. M. , McGinley L. , Gillingham E. L. , Vaux A. G. C. , Smith R. , Medlock J. M.
Published: January 2021

Understanding the variation in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in Ixodes ricinus ticks is important for assessing the potential for Lyme borreliosis transmission. This study aimed to investigate infection rates of B. burgdorferi s.l. bacteria in I. ricinus across 24 field sites in England and Wales, focussing on protected recreational areas in National Parks (NPs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), to provide comparable data across multiple years to assess spatio‐temporal changes in B. burgdorferi s.l. infection. Working with park rangers, questing ticks were collected each spring from 2014 to 2019. A subset of ticks, 4104 nymphs, were analysed using a pan‐Borrelia qPCR assay, as well as a Borrelia miyamotoi‐specific qPCR, and sequenced to determine Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies. Site‐specific B. burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in I. ricinus nymphs varied from 0% to 24%, with overall infection rates ranging from 2.5% to 5.1% across the years. Genospecies composition of sequenced samples was 62.5% B. garinii, 20.3% B. valaisiana and 17.2% B. afzelii. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in 0.2% of ticks. This study increases our knowledge on B. burgdorferi s.l.. infection in areas used by the public for outdoor activity across England and Wales, highlighting the spatial and temporal variability which can impact the changing risk to humans from infected tick bites.
Auditory perception stability evaluation comparing binaural and loudspeaker Ambisonic presentations of dynamic virtual concert auralizations
Authors: Thery David , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: January 2021

Auralizations can be computed in a variety of ways as well as be rendered over different sound reproduction systems. They are used as a design tool in architectural projects and for fundamental studies on spatial perception and cognition, hence requiring reliability and confidence in the obtained results. This study assessed this reliability through auditory perception stability by comparing the perceived differences between two rendering systems for a given set of second-order Ambisonic auralizations: virtual loudspeaker binaural rendering over head-tracked headphones versus 32-loudspeaker rendering. Anechoic extracts of jazz pieces have been recorded and presented in various acoustic conditions over these two systems, evaluated on the following criteria: Readability, distance, listener envelopment (LEV), apparent source width (ASW), reverberance, and loudness. Results show that consistent significant differences between scene conditions are comparably perceived across the two systems. However, significant effects of the sound reproduction system were observed for ASW, LEV, and reverberance in some configurations.
Gradual decay and sudden death of short-term memory for pitch
Authors: Mathias Samuel R. , Varghese Leonard , Micheyl Christophe , Shinn-Cunningham Barbara G.
Published: January 2021

The ability to discriminate frequency differences between pure tones declines as the duration of the interstimulus interval (ISI) increases. The conventional explanation for this finding is that pitch representations gradually decay from auditory short-term memory. Gradual decay means that internal noise increases with increasing ISI duration. Another possibility is that pitch representations experience “sudden death,” disappearing without a trace from memory. Sudden death means that listeners guess (respond at random) more often when the ISIs are longer. Since internal noise and guessing probabilities influence the shape of psychometric functions in different ways, they can be estimated simultaneously. Eleven amateur musicians performed a two-interval, two-alternative forced-choice frequency-discrimination task. The frequencies of the first tones were roved, and frequency differences and ISI durations were manipulated across trials. Data were analyzed using Bayesian models that simultaneously estimated internal noise and guessing probabilities. On average across listeners, internal noise increased monotonically as a function of increasing ISI duration, suggesting that gradual decay occurred. The guessing rate decreased with an increasing ISI duration between 0.5 and 2 s but then increased with further increases in ISI duration, suggesting that sudden death occurred but perhaps only at longer ISIs. Results are problematic for decay-only models of discrimination and contrast with those from a study on visual short-term memory, which found that over similar durations, visual representations experienced little gradual decay yet substantial sudden death.
What Lies Beneath: Exploring Different Depressive Symptoms Across Selected Risk Factors in Icelandic Team Sport Athletes
Authors: Tahtinen Richard , Kristjansdottir Hafrun , Olason Daniel T. , Morris Robert
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of specific symptoms of depression in athletes and to test differences in the likelihood of athletes exhibiting these symptoms across age, sex, type of team sport, and level of competition. A sample of Icelandic male and female team sport athletes (N = 894, 18–42 years) was included in the study. Of the athletes exhibiting clinically significant depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 37.5% did not exhibit core symptoms of depression. Compared with males, females were significantly more likely to exhibit depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, and problems with sleep, fatigue, appetite, and concentration. Within males, differences were mostly related to neurovegetative aspects of depression (sleep and appetite), whereas in females, differences were related to cognitive/emotional aspects (e.g., depressed mood, guilt/worthlessness). The findings underline the importance of exploring specific symptoms of depression to provide a richer understanding of depressive symptomology in athletes.
Immunological characteristics govern the transition of COVID-19 to endemicity
Authors: Lavine Jennie S. , Bjornstad Ottar N. , Antia Rustom
Published: January 2021

Taming a pandemic

One year after its emergence, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become so widespread that there is little hope of elimination. There are, however, several other human coronaviruses that are endemic and cause multiple reinfections that engender sufficient immunity to protect against severe adult disease. By making assumptions about acquired immunity from its already endemic relatives, Lavine
et al.
developed a model with which to analyze the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 into endemicity. The model accounts for SARS-CoV-2's age-structured disease profile and assesses the impact of vaccination. The transition from epidemic to endemic dynamics is associated with a shift in the age distribution of primary infections to younger age groups, which in turn depends on how fast the virus spreads. Longer-lasting sterilizing immunity will slow the transition to endemicity. Depending on the type of immune response it engenders, a vaccine could accelerate establishment of a state of mild disease endemicity.

Science
, this issue p.
741
Cytoplasmic short linear motifs in ACE2 and integrin β
3
link SARS-CoV-2 host cell receptors to mediators of endocytosis and autophagy
Authors: Kliche Johanna , Kuss Hanna , Ali Muhammad , Ivarsson Ylva
Published: January 2021

Peptide-binding assays suggest that SARS-CoV-2 receptors engage the endocytosis and autophagy machinery.
Respiring with H
2
O
2
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2021

Intestinal microbes exploit host-derived H
2
O
2
for respiration under both normal and inflammatory conditions.
Activity of Clofazimine and TBI-166 against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Different Administration Intervals in Mouse Tuberculosis Models
Authors: Zhu Hui , Fu Lei , Wang Bin , Chen Xi , Zhao Jiaojie , Huang Haihong , Lu Yu
Published: January 2021

Clofazimine (CLO) and TBI-166 belong to the riminophenazine class of antimicrobial agent. TBI-166 exhibited promising antituberculosis activity
in vitro
and in animal models and is currently under phase I clinical development for the treatment of tuberculosis in China.
In Vivo
Activity of WCK 4282 (High-Dose Cefepime/Tazobactam) against Serine-β-Lactamase-Producing
Enterobacterales
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Neutropenic Murine Lung Infection Model
Authors: Lasko Maxwell J. , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Nicolau David P.
Published: January 2021

WCK 4282 (cefepime 2 g-tazobactam 2 g) maximizes systemic exposure of tazobactam and restores cefepime activity against various extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and cephalosporinase-producing strains
in vitro
. We describe clinical WCK 4282 exposure efficacies against various serine β-lactamase-producing
Enterobacterales
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates in a murine pneumonia model.
Generation and Characterization of Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Expressing Reporter Genes
Authors: Chiem Kevin , Morales Vasquez Desarey , Park Jun-Gyu , Platt Roy Neal , Anderson Tim , Walter Mark R. , Kobie James J. , Ye Chengjin , Martinez-Sobrido Luis
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has significantly impacted the human health and economic status worldwide. There is an urgent need to identify effective prophylactics and therapeutics for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated COVID-19.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
as a Model To Study Chemosensory Pathway Signaling
Authors: Matilla Miguel A. , Martín-Mora David , Gavira Jose A. , Krell Tino
Published: January 2021

Bacteria have evolved a variety of signal transduction mechanisms that generate different outputs in response to external stimuli. Chemosensory pathways are widespread in bacteria and are among the most complex signaling mechanisms, requiring the participation of at least six proteins.
Staphylococcus aureus Tolerance and Genomic Response to Photodynamic Inactivation
Authors: Snell Sara B. , Gill Ann Lindley , Haidaris Constantine G. , Foster Thomas H. , Baran Timothy M. , Gill Steven R.
Published: January 2021

Staphylococcus aureus
can cause disease at most body sites, with illness ranging from asymptomatic infection to death. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains results in treatment failures and high mortality rates.
S. aureus
acquires resistance to antibiotics through multiple mechanisms, often by genetic variation that alters antimicrobial targets.
A Novel N4-Like Bacteriophage Isolated from a Wastewater Source in South India with Activity against Several Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates
Authors: Menon Nitasha D. , Kumar Megha S. , Satheesh Babu T. G. , Bose Sucharita , Vijayakumar Gayathri , Baswe Manasi , Chatterjee Meghna , D’Silva Jovita Rowena , Shetty Kavya , Haripriyan Jayalekshmi , Kumar Anil , Nair Samitha , Somanath Priyanka , Nair Bipin G. , Nizet Victor , Kumar Geetha B.
Published: January 2021

In India, multidrug resistance determinants are much more abundant in community-associated bacterial pathogens due to the improper treatment of domestic and industrial effluents. In particular, a high bacterial load of the opportunistic pathogen
P. aeruginosa
in sewage and water bodies in India is well documented.
Uncovering the Harms of Treating Clostridioides difficile Colonization
Authors: Polage Christopher R. , Turner Nicholas A.
Published: January 2021

Patients with toxin-negative
Clostridioides difficile
-positive diarrhea are often treated with oral vancomycin with the assumption that treatment is more beneficial than harmful. However, this hypothesis has never been formally tested, and recent studies suggest that most such patients recover quickly without treatment and can be colonized rather than infected.
‘Cochlear-type’ hearing loss as part of aquaporin-4 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Shaw Benjamin , Raghavan Ramasamy Srinivasa , Warner Graham , Palace Jacqueline
Published: January 2021

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an inflammatory autoimmune central nervous system condition caused in the majority of cases by aquaporin-4 IgG antibodies. Aquaporin-4 is expressed in the cochlear and vestibular nuclei regions in the brainstem and a handful of cases of retro-cochlear type hearing loss have been documented in the literature. Aquaporin-4 has also been reported within the organ of Corti and the cristae and maculae of the vestibular apparatus. We present a case where there is evidence of peripheral (labyrinthine) rather than central pathology and propose this is due to autoimmune inflammation as part of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. This is the first case in the literature suggesting a ‘cochlear-type’ hearing loss occurring as part of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. It raises the possibility of peripheral relapses of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder going unnoticed, resulting in patient morbidity, and highlights the importance of research within this area.
Specialist shortage in developing countries: comprehending delays in care
Authors: Khan Khalid Javeed , Raza Vishal Farid
Published: January 2021

We describe a case of a middle-aged woman who presented with progressive jaundice and was suspected to have rebound choledocholithiasis, which was initially managed with balloon extraction through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at her first presentation. Healthcare in Pakistan, like many other developing countries, is divided into public and private sectors. The public sector is not always completely free of cost. Patients seeking specialised care in the public sector may find lengthy waiting times for an urgent procedure due to a struggling system and a lack of specialists and technical expertise. Families of many patients find themselves facing ‘catastrophic healthcare expenditure’, an economic global health quandary much ignored.
Complete unilateral vision loss and optic nerve cupping from metastatic prostate cancer to the optic canal
Authors: Chan Aaron T , Micieli Jonathan A
Published: January 2021

A 71-year-old man, living with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer to the lymph nodes, spine and skull, presented with acute on chronic left eye vision loss. Examination revealed no-light-perception vision, a relative afferent pupillary defect and optic disc cupping. MRI brain revealed optic canal narrowing from metastatic sphenoid bone expansion and extraosseous tumour compressing the intracanalicular optic nerve. The optic disc cupping and excavation without significant pallor of the remaining neuroretinal rim was likely secondary to chronic compression of the optic nerve. The patient was treated with radiation therapy, but did not regain vision and was referred to palliative care as his condition continued to worsen. As patients live longer with advanced cancer, there is a greater risk of metastasis to atypical areas of the body including the optic nerve. This case demonstrates the unique combination of optic disc cupping from optic canal metastasis due to prostate cancer.
Treatment of a self-inflicted intracranial nail gun injury
Authors: Zhu Roger Chen , Yoshida Miya Catherine , Kopp Miroslav , Lin Ning
Published: January 2021

A 30-year-old man walked into the emergency department after a suicide attempt by firing a nail from a pneumatic nail gun directed at his left temple. He was haemodynamically stable and neurologically intact, able to recall all events and moving all extremities with a Glascow Coma Scale of 15. CT of the brain showed a 6.3 cm nail in the right frontal region without major intracerebral vessel disruption. He was taken to the operating room for left temporal wound washout, debridement of gross contamination and closure with titanium cranial fixation plate. The foreign body was not accessible on initial surgical intervention and was left in place to define anatomy and plan for subsequent removal. Thin slice CT images were used to create 3D reconstructions to facilitate stereotactic navigation and foreign body removal via right craniotomy the following day. The patient tolerated the procedures well and recovered with full neurological function.
Wrapped left anterior descending artery STEMI: time to revisit
Authors: Alsagaff Mochamad Yusuf , Kusumawardhani Novia
Published: January 2021

We report three cases of acute myocardial infarction caused by left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion presenting as ST elevation in the inferior. Therefore, coronary angiography showed an occlusion of the LAD coronary artery. Our cases show the rare occurrence of left coronary circulation dominance affecting inferior leads. These cases show an unusual and very rare form of left dominance coronary circulation where LAD is wrapped around the apex and continuing as a posterior descending artery. This would make inferior myocardial infarction because of occluded LAD or determine as wrapped LAD.
Peritoneal melanosis associated with metastatic melanoma previously treated with targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Sim Kwang Kiat , Connell Katie , Bhandari Mayank , Paton David
Published: January 2021

Peritoneal melanosis is an uncommon benign condition, the pathophysiology of which is unclear. Macroscopically, it appears as diffuse dark brown or black pigmentation within the peritoneum, mimicking more sinister conditions such as metastatic melanoma. It has been described in a variety of contexts, but only exceedingly rarely in association with metastatic melanoma, with only two previous published case reports. We present a case of peritoneal melanosis associated with metastatic melanoma involving the spleen, previously treated with targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. With increasing reports of melanoma regression manifesting as cutaneous tumorous melanosis in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, we postulate that, similarly, immunotherapy and tumour regression might have a role to play in the pathogenesis of the peritoneal pigmentation in this case.
Adrenal extramedullary haematopoiesis: an unusual incidentaloma
Authors: Agarwal Surabhi , Dey Mousam , Yadav Priyank , Lal Hira
Published: January 2021

We report a case of adrenal extramedullary haematopoiesis in a 24-year-old women who presented with pallor and weakness. Ultrasonography of the abdomen detected moderate hepatosplenomegaly with multiple lesions in the spleen and an incidental right adrenal mass. There was no ascites or lymphadenopathy. CT scan revealed a heterogeneous right adrenal mass with multiple non-enhancing lesions in the spleen. Ultrasound guided trucut biopsy was performed after excluding a functioning tumour, which confirmed the diagnosis. Later, she was diagnosed to have haemoglobin E/beta thalassaemia and was put on hydroxyurea trial.
Complete heart block as a herald sign for cardiac lymphoma
Authors: Morgan Holly P , El-Nayir Muram , Jenkins Christopher , Campbell Philip G
Published: January 2021

A previously well 48-year-old man presented with presyncope and was found to be in complete heart block. Blood tests, echocardiography and coronary angiography were reported as normal, and a dual chamber permanent pacemaker was inserted. Six months later he re-presented with breathlessness. His chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and echocardiography revealed a 4.4 cm pericardial effusion. A CT thorax revealed a mass originating from the intra-atrial septum, extending into the right atrium and ventricle. There were multiple pulmonary lesions suspected to be metastases. Histology demonstrated high-grade B-cell lymphoma. He was treated with eight cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy and showed good radiological and clinical improvement. Post-treatment echocardiography found severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of <20%. Heart failure medical therapy was optimised and the pacemaker was upgraded to a resynchronisation device. A repeat scan 6 months post device upgrade showed an improvement in ejection fraction to 45%–50%.