bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toggle switch residues control allosteric transitions in bacterial adhesins by participating in a concerted repacking of the protein core
Authors: Kisiela Dagmara I. , Magala Pearl , Interlandi Gianluca , Carlucci Laura A. , Ramos Angelo , Tchesnokova Veronika , Basanta Benjamin , Yarov-Yarovoy Vladimir , Avagyan Hovhannes , Hovhannisyan Anahit , Thomas Wendy E. , Stenkamp Ronald E. , Klevit Rachel E. , Sokurenko Evgeni V.
Published: April 2021

Critical molecular events that control conformational transitions in most allosteric proteins are ill-defined. The mannose-specific FimH protein of Escherichia coli is a prototypic bacterial adhesin that switches from an ‘inactive’ low-affinity state (LAS) to an ‘active’ high-affinity state (HAS) conformation allosterically upon mannose binding and mediates shear-dependent catch bond adhesion. Here we identify a novel type of antibody that acts as a kinetic trap and prevents the transition between conformations in both directions. Disruption of the allosteric transitions significantly slows FimH’s ability to associate with mannose and blocks bacterial adhesion under dynamic conditions. FimH residues critical for antibody binding form a compact epitope that is located away from the mannose-binding pocket and is structurally conserved in both states. A larger antibody-FimH contact area is identified by NMR and contains residues Leu-34 and Val-35 that move between core-buried and surface-exposed orientations in opposing directions during the transition. Replacement of Leu-34 with a charged glutamic acid stabilizes FimH in the LAS conformation and replacement of Val-35 with glutamic acid traps FimH in the HAS conformation. The antibody is unable to trap the conformations if Leu-34 and Val-35 are replaced with a less bulky alanine. We propose that these residues act as molecular toggle switches and that the bound antibody imposes a steric block to their reorientation in either direction, thereby restricting concerted repacking of side chains that must occur to enable the conformational transition. Residues homologous to the FimH toggle switches are highly conserved across a diverse family of fimbrial adhesins. Replacement of predicted switch residues reveals that another E. coli adhesin, galactose-specific FmlH, is allosteric and can shift from an inactive to an active state. Our study shows that allosteric transitions in bacterial adhesins depend on toggle switch residues and that an antibody that blocks the switch effectively disables adhesive protein function.
Understanding children with Behavioral Inhibition
Authors: Espinosa-Fernández Lourdes , García-López Luis Joaquin , Muela Martínez José Antonio , Ordóñez-Ortega Alfonso
Published: April 2021

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is a temperament trait characterized by extreme fear in the face of novelty. BI has been associated with the development of mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research examining the socioemotional and behavioral characteristics of behaviorally inhibited children both in family and school settings. For a more comprehensive and in-depth overview of children’s behavior in each of these contexts, this study has collected data from both parents (mother and father – family setting) and from teachers (educational environment). The sample consisted of 109 children aged between four and six years old. Multi-informant approach was used: all fathers, mothers and teachers completed both the Preschool Behavioral Inhibition Scales, the Child Behavior Checklist for parents and teachers, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children and Adolescents. Our findings revealed that children classified as BI exhibit less socioemotional and behavioral adjustments than their uninhibited peers both in family and school contexts. Further, the shyness variable seemed to be strongly associated with behavioral inhibition, regardless of informant and context.
Neuropsychological deficits in internalizing and externalizing disorders
Authors: Rama-Victor Daniel , A. Piqueras Jose
Published: April 2021

Over the past three decades, our understanding of the nature, assessment and treatment of childhood mental disorders has increased significantly. Some of the most recent advances come from transdiagnostic and neuropsychological-based approaches. While the relationship of similar neuropsychological deficits with some mental disorders, such as neurodevelopmental and severe mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, is widely established, there is more controversy about their relationship with the so-called internalizing and externalizing disorders. In this article, our goal was to highlight the potential of incorporating cognitive strategies from integrative neuropsychological and transdiagnostic approaches to improve the effectiveness of empirically-supported cognitive-behavioral therapy for internalizing and externalizing mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. The results of the present work indicate that the vast majority of internalizing disorders, including the presence of anxiety, depressive, trauma-and stress-related, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, as well as externalizing symptoms (corresponding to conduct disorder and ODD), present neuropsychological deficits and that their consideration may be relevant to improve the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions in children and adolescents by incorporating neuropsychology-based assessment and treatment tools. The inclusion of neuropsychological support strategies in therapy for childhood mental disorders implies an advance and has clear implications for the enhancement of psychological care for childhood mental disorders.
The misuse of antiretrovirals to boost pig and poultry productivity in Uganda and potential implications for public health
Authors: Ndoboli Dickson , Nganga Fredrick , Lukuyu Ben , Wieland Barbara , Grace Delia , von Braun Amrei , Roesel Kristina
Published: April 2021

Background and Aim: Since 2015, local newspapers reported that pig and poultry farmers in Uganda use antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to promote growth in animals and control diseases. This study was conducted to assess farmers' knowledge, attitude and perceptions about the use of antiretroviral drugs as boosters in pigs and poultry and the possibility of detecting the antiretroviral drugs in meat using available laboratory methods.

Materials and Methods: In 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted in ten districts in Uganda. In 20 focus group discussions with 100 pig and poultry farmers and 70 animal health service providers, we assessed the use of ARV in livestock enterprises. Subsequently, samples of chicken, pigs, and animal feeds were collected from volunteer participants, and screened for residues of saquinavir, lopinavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrophotometer.

Results: Participants in all ten districts were predominantly smallholder farmers supplying the local markets. All groups reported the use of ARVs in pigs and broiler birds but not in layer hens. In the absence of good quality feeds, the motivation for feeding ARVs was rapid animal weight gain, as well as the control of animal diseases, for which farmers have no alternative solutions. ARVs were obtained within the community for free, against cash, or in-kind payment. Residues of lopinavir were detected in four, and saquinavir in seven districts, and all three sample matrices.

Conclusion: Our study findings confirm anecdotal news reports on ARV use in livestock. While our findings are not generalizable to the whole country, they call for a representative follow-up. As the drugs were detected in tissues destined for human consumption, the potential risk to human health warrants further investigation.
Értékorientált kommunikációmenedzsment és kommunikációkontrollig
Authors: Borgulya Istvánné Vető Ágnes
Published: April 2021

Az értékorientált vállalatszemlélet, a költségelszámolásokra érvényesített szigorúbb szabályok és a vállalati költségvetési keretek körüli belső küzdelmek egyre sürgetőbbé teszik, hogy tervezni és irányítani lehessen a vállalati kommunikációt, és ki lehessen mutatni, mennyiben járul hozzá a kommunikáció a vállalat jövedelmezőségéhez. Erre eszközmegtérülési modellek, mutatószámrendszerek és a Balanced Scorecard-nak a kommunikációra történő kiterjesztése kínál lehetőséget. A módszereket egyelőre főként nagyvállalatok alkalmazzák, de a középvállalatok is kezdenek érdeklődni iránta. A szerző írása túlnyomórészt a legújabb német szakirodalomra támaszkodva mutatja be a vállalati kommunikáció értékszemléletű megközelítését és a tervezés, az irányítás és az eredményesség méréséhez kidolgozott CommunicationControlCockpit, a Communication Scorecard és a Corporate Communications Scorecard módszereket.
Modelling the Effect of Resin-Finishing Process Variables on the Dimensional Stability and Bursting Strength of Viscose Plain Knitted Fabric Using a Fuzzy Expert System
Authors: Hossain Ismail , Uddin Md. Hasib , Hossain Altab , Jalil Mohammad Abdul , Uddin Zulhash
Published: April 2021

The application of cross-linking resin is an effective method for improving and controlling dimensional stability, such as the shrinkage of viscose single jersey knits. However, such treatment often leads to a significant deterioration in the bursting strength of treated fabrics. In this regard, resin treatment using a softening agent can be an additional potential solution for retaining the bursting strength of treated fabrics. Resin treatment is one kind of chemical finishing process that inhibits cellulosic textile fibre swelling during wetting, provides fibre resistance to deformation and prevents shrinkage. The key objective of this study was to model the effect of resin-finishing process variables for predicting the shrinkage control and bursting strength of viscose single jersey knitted fabrics. The MATLAB (Version 8.2.0.701) fuzzy expert system was used to model the optimum resin and softener concentrations, as well as the best curing time for the prediction of maximum shrinkage control with a minimum loss in fabric bursting strength. The optimal process variables were found to be a resin concentration of 75 g/l, a softener concentration of 45 g/l and a curing time of 225 seconds. The fuzzy expert model developed in this study was validated using experimental data. It was found that the model has the ability and accuracy to predict fabric shrinkage and bursting strength effectively in the non-linear field.
Feedback System Using Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Almonajed Abdulrahman , Kečo Dino ,   International Burch University
Published: April 2021

– Today, when looking at the quality of an online item, the feedback itself plays a very important role. Based on the feedback we can decide whether the desired item is good or not, get a picture of the seller and so on. Many companies that have online shops display the most positive feedback while hiding bad ones or display only a few of them. In this research, we will help people by automating the process of deciding whether a feedback is positive or negative, which will give them time for other jobs and save money for hiring people who will work on the feedback. Since feedback on online articles is very important today, the process of determining positive and negative feedback should be made as quick and easy as possible. In this research, we will show a very simple and fast way to classify feedback as positive or negative, which means that the main question of this research is how to facilitate and speed up the process of determining the polarity of the feedback. We will use NLP using Python’s library called TextBlob. The used algorithm is called Naïve Bayes, it gave the accuracy of around 80%.
Food for Thought: Of Tables, Art and Women in Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse
Authors: Ciobanu Estella Antoaneta
Published: April 2021

This article examines art as it is depicted ekphrastically or merely suggested in two scenes from Virginia Woolf’s novel To the Lighthouse, to critique its androcentric assumptions by appeal to art criticism, feminist theories of the gaze, and critique of the en-gendering of discursive practices in the West. The first scene concerns Mrs Ramsay’s artinformed appreciation of her daughter’s dish of fruit for the dinner party. I interpret the fruit composition as akin to Dutch still life paintings; nevertheless, the scene’s aestheticisation of everyday life also betrays visual affinities with the female nude genre. Mrs Ramsay’s critical appraisal of ways of looking at the fruit - her own as an art connoisseur’s, and Augustus Carmichael’s as a voracious plunderer’s - receives a philosophical slant in the other scene I examine, Lily Briscoe’s nonfigurative painting of Mrs Ramsay. The portrait remediates artistically the reductive thrust of traditional philosophy as espoused by Mr Ramsay and, like the nature of reality in philosophical discourse, yields to a “scientific” explication to the uninformed viewer. Notwithstanding its feminist reversal of philosophy’s classic hierarchy (male knower over against female object), coterminous with Lily’s early playful grip on philosophy, the scene ultimately fails to offer a viable non-androcentric outlook on life.
Ancient Roman Naval Rams as Objects of Phallic Power
Authors: DeCasien Stephen
Published: April 2021

Polyvalent meanings behind naval ram displays were prevalent and ingrained in the Roman world, especially at Octavian’s Campsite Memorial for the Actian War. Naval rams and their display alluded to gender and power discourses within Roman society. These discourses included Roman notions of sex, penetration, domination, phallus size, and ideas of achieved hierarchies of masculinity. Analyzing ram displays through Roman perceptions of gender and sexuality, specifically concerning ancient masculinity, reveals that rams functioned not only as weapons of war but also as metaphorical phalloi that embodied and projected immense power. Octavian’s ram display at Actium was used to effeminize Marc Antony through the successful defeat and figurative castration of his fleet, which was done by cutting off the rams from the bows of the warships. By exhibiting the rams as such, Octavian asserted his own impenetrability and masculine virtue, which simultaneously promoted Antony’s penetrability and lack of masculinity. In choosing the largest rams, Octavian implied that his masculine prowess was invincible. The ram display unveiled Octavian’s phallic dominion over all other Greeks and Romans. As Octavian’s naval ram display was the largest and most impressive of the ancient world, he effectively rendered all previous ram dedications subordinate to his own.
Was There a Military Revolution at the End of Antiquity?
Authors: Whately Conor
Published: April 2021

In a book on Justinian’s wars of conquest, Peter Heather has argued that Rome’s ability to wage war in the sixth century CE was helped, to a large degree, by the military revolution that took place in Late Antiquity, which consisted of two principal parts: an increased deployment of Roman soldiers to the eastern frontier, and a shift towards Hunnic tactics. In this essay, however, I argue that these claims are misguided, and using five criteria set out by Lee Brice in an article on military revolution during the reigns of Philip II and Alexander the Great of Macedon, I show that the changes which Heather argues in favour of had begun long before Late Antiquity. Instead, what we see is the continued gradual evolution of Rome’s military, with the Roman state shifting troops to the east from the beginning of the imperial era, and the first documented implementation of steppe-inspired changes dating to the second century.
Probing of nonlinear impairments in long range optical transmission systems
Authors: Ali Farman , Shakeel Muhammad , Ali Asar , Shah Wajid , Qamar Muhammad Salman , Ahmad Shabbir , Ali Usman , Waqas Muhammad
Published: April 2021

Optical communication systems represent the backbone of modern long-haul communication networks. Nonlinear impairments such as the Kerr effect pose threat and deteriorate transmission in long-haul optical communication systems. At high launch powers, nonlinear effects become more important and their compensation is entailed to improve the transmission performance. In this paper, one of the major nonlinear effects of four waves mixing (FWM) is addressed using a theoretical model and validated through simulation in Optisystem. Two mechanisms with and without dispersion variation are investigated. The impact of FWM is investigated in terms of various values of launch power. The transmission performances of the proposed model are evaluated on the basis of bit error rate, optical signal to noise ratio, and quality factor using key parameters of effective area, nonlinear refractive index, nonlinear dispersion, and linear dispersion.
Validation of a continuous measure of cardiometabolic risk among adolescents
Authors: Li Kaigang , Haynie Denise L. , Gao Xiang , Lipsky Leah M. , Nansel Tonja , Iannotti Ronald J. , Vaca Federico E. , Simons-Morton Bruce G.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

We validated a continuous cardiometabolic risk (CMR) measure among adolescents.

Methods

Five metabolic syndrome (MetS) components including waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and mean arterial pressure were assessed in a national cohort of U.S. adolescents (n=560; 16.5 ± 0.5 y/o at baseline) in 10th grade (2010, Wave 1 (W1)), and follow-up assessments four (W4) and seven (W7) years later. Separately by wave, linear regressions were fitted to each MetS component controlling for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, and yielded standardized residuals (Z-scores). Wave-specific component Z-scores were summed to obtain composite CMR Z-scores. Four- and seven-year CMR change (CMR-diff W1–W4 and W1–W7). and average CMR risk (CMR-avg; (W1 + W4)/2 and (W1 + W7)/2) were calculated using the CMR Z-scores. W7 MetS was determined using adult criteria. Student’s t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted.

Results

Participants meeting the adult criteria for MetS at W7 (74 of 416, 17.8%) had statistically significant (p<0.01) higher values for W1 CMR Z-scores (0.92 vs. −0.21), W4 CMR Z-scores (1.69 vs. −0.28), W7 CMR Z-scores (2.21 vs. −0.55), W1–W4 CMR-avg (1.53 vs. −0.27), W1–W7 CMR-diff (1.29 vs. −0.21), and W1–W7 CMR-avg (1.46 vs. −0.48) than those not meeting MetS criteria. Most results were similar for males and females in the sex-stratified analyses. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.61, 0.71, and 0.75 for W1, W4 and W7 Z-scores.

Conclusions

Findings support the validity of the continuous CMR Z-scores calculated using linear regression in evaluating and monitoring CMR profiles from adolescence to early adulthood.
The genetics and clinical manifestations of patients with vitamin D dependent rickets type 1A
Authors: Ozden Ayse , Doneray Hakan
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Vitamin D dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR-1A) is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CYP27B1, which encodes vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase. We report the genetics and clinical manifestations of nine patients with VDDR-1A and compare our patients to other cases with the same mutations in the literature.

Methods

The clinical presentations, clinical and laboratory findings and treatment modalities of the patients were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 39.9 months (range: 4.5–111). At the time of diagnosis, six patients had received stoss vitamin D therapy. Clinical findings related to rickets were obvious in seven patients and unclear in two patients. Except for one case, all patients had laboratory findings of rickets. A novel variant and four previously reported mutations in CYP27B1 were identified. The mean calcitriol and elemental calcium dose were 45.5 ng/kg/day (range: 20–70) and 75.6 mg/kg/day (range: 45–125), respectively.

Conclusions

We found a novel compound heterozygous mutation consisting of a reported duplication [(p.F443Pfs*24 (c.1319_1325 dup CCCACCC)] in exon 8 and a novel deletion [p.D507Efs*34 (c.1521 delC)] in exon 9. Our study suggests that the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of the patients with VDDR1A are variable even among the patients with the same mutation.
Blood pressure dynamics after pubertal suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs followed by estradiol treatment in transgender female adolescents: a pilot study
Authors: Perl Liat , Elkon-Tamir Erella , Segev-Becker Anat , Israeli Galit , Brener Avivit , Oren Asaf
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The benefits of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) in the treatment of central precocious puberty are well established, and their use is regarded as both safe and effective. Possible adverse effects on blood pressure (BP) and cardiac outcomes, body composition, bone health and brain development, however, continue to be of some concern. The aim of this study was to analyze BP changes in transgender female adolescents before and after receiving GnRHa and after adding estrogen treatment.

Methods

This was a retrospective pilot study. We analyzed systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) before and after GnRHa initiation and after adding estrogen.

Results

Nineteen transgender female adolescents received GnRHa and 15 continued to estrogen treatment. Their baseline SBP and DBP percentiles did not change significantly after either GnRHa or the addition of estrogen treatment.

Conclusions

Blood pressure is apparently not affected by GnRHa or GnRHa + estrogen treatment in transgender female adolescents. Further larger studies are indicated to confirm these findings.
Modeling Imprecise and Bipolar Algebraic and Topological Relations using Morphological Dilations
Authors: Bloch Isabelle
Published: April 2021

In many domains of information processing, such as knowledge representation, preference modeling, argumentation, multi-criteria decision analysis, spatial reasoning, both vagueness, or imprecision, and bipolarity, encompassing positive and negative parts of information, are core features of the information to be modeled and processed. This led to the development of the concept of bipolar fuzzy sets, and of associated models and tools, such as fusion and aggregation, similarity and distances, mathematical morphology. Here we propose to extend these tools by defining algebraic and topological relations between bipolar fuzzy sets, including intersection, inclusion, adjacency and RCC relations widely used in mereotopology, based on bipolar connectives (in a logical sense) and on mathematical morphology operators. These definitions are shown to have the desired properties and to be consistent with existing definitions on sets and fuzzy sets, while providing an additional bipolar feature. The proposed relations can be used for instance for preference modeling or spatial reasoning. They apply more generally to any type of functions taking values in a poset or a complete lattice, such as L-fuzzy sets.
Unbrauchbar und unverzichtbar? Zur bleibenden Bedeutung des Begriffs „Freikirche“ im deutschsprachigen Raum
Authors: Iff Markus
Published: April 2021

Der Begriff Freikirche steht für eine erhebliche Bandbreite christlicher Gemeinschafts-, Spiritualitäts- und Sozialformen; in ihm sind religionssoziologische und theologische Aspekte verschränkt. Unter Bezug u. a. auf E. Troeltsch und auf die Leitsätze der Vereinigung Ev. Freikirchen lassen sich theoretische Grundlagen für eine Analyse der freikirchlichen Phänomene gewinnen. Es zeigt sich, dass der Begriff Freikirche für Strukturmerkmale von Kirche steht, die Authentizität, Freiheit und Partizipation ermöglichen.
„Vom Fluss zur Flusslandschaft?“: Eine Ökumenische Vision für das 21. Jahrhundert ausgehend vom Konsultationsbericht „Towards a More Responsive and Inclusive Ecumenical Vision“
Authors: Lamparter Hanne
Published: April 2021

Wo steht die Ökumene heute und wie kann eine Vision für die Zukunft aussehen? Diesen grundlegenden Fragen widmeten sich Anfang 2020 dreißig erfahrene Ökumeniker*innen bei einem Treffen im libanesischen Antelias. Sie geben Zeugnis von ihren eigenen Lebensvisionen und formulieren zugleich mögliche Wegmarkierungen für künftiges ökumenisches Handeln. Ihr Bericht ist ein Weckruf an die kommende Generation, ökumenische Herausforderungen anzunehmen und die Gegenwart zu gestalten.
The Relationship between Caring for Employees and the Well-being of the Organisation
Authors: Poškienė Eglė , Coudounaris Dafnis N. , Kazlauskaitė Rūta
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to better understand the meaning of caring for employees at the organisational level as well as to disclose its relationship with the well-being of the organisation. It explores literature on caring for employees at the organisational level by integrating two research streams – the relational and morality perspectives. Building on the findings of this literature review, a number of propositions are proposed that associate the well-being of the organisation with many antecedent factors, i.e., strategic caring, perceived organisational support, disinterested organisational support, organisational caring, caring culture, caring climate and caring leadership. This paper contributes to the literature on the well-being of the organisational members at the level of the organisation.
Mapping soil organic carbon under erosion processes using remote sensing
Authors: Suleymanov Azamat , Gabbasova Ilyusya , Suleymanov Ruslan , Abakumov Evgeny , Polyakov Vyacheslav , Liebelt Peter
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to map soil organic carbon under erosion processes on an arable field in the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia). To estimate the spatial distribution of organic carbon in the Haplic Chernozem topsoil, we applied Sentinel-2A satellite data and the linear regression method. We used 13 satellite bands and 15 calculated spectral indices for regression modelling. A regression model with an average prediction level has been created (R2 = 0.58, RMSE = 0.56, RPD = 1.61). Based on the regression model, cartographic materials for organic carbon content have been created. Water flows and erosion processes were determined using the calculated Flow Accumulation model. The relationship between organic carbon, biological activity, and erosion conditions is shown. The 13C-NMR spectroscopy method was used to estimate the content and nature of humic substances of different soil samples. Based on the 213C-NMR analysis, a correlation was established with the spectral reflectivity of eroded and non-eroded soils. It was revealed that the effect of soil organic carbon on spectral reflectivity depends not only on the quantity but also on the quality of humic substances and soil formation conditions.
Distinct Functional and Structural Connectivity of the Human Hand-Knob Supported by Intraoperative Findings
Authors: Simone Luciano , Viganò Luca , Fornia Luca , Howells Henrietta , Leonetti Antonella , Puglisi Guglielmo , Bellacicca Andrea , Bello Lorenzo , Cerri Gabriella
Published: April 2021

Fine motor skills rely on the control of hand muscles exerted by a region of primary motor cortex (M1) that has been extensively investigated in monkeys. Although neuroimaging enables the exploration of this system also in humans, indirect measurements of brain activity prevent causal definitions of hand motor representations, which can be achieved using data obtained during brain mapping in tumor patients. High-frequency direct electrical stimulation delivered at rest (HF-DES-Rest) on the hand-knob region of the precentral gyrus has identified two sectors showing differences in cortical excitability. Using quantitative analysis of motor output elicited with HF DES-Rest, we characterized two sectors based on their excitability, higher in the posterior and lower in the anterior sector. We studied whether the different cortical excitability of these two regions reflected differences in functional connectivity (FC) and structural connectivity (SC). Using healthy adults from the Human Connectome Project (HCP), we computed FC and SC of the anterior and the posterior hand-knob sectors identified within a large cohort of patients. The comparison of FC of the two seeds showed that the anterior hand-knob, relative to the posterior hand-knob, showed stronger functional connections with a bilateral set of parietofrontal areas responsible for integrating perceptual and cognitive hand-related sensorimotor processes necessary for goal-related actions. This was reflected in different patterns of SC between the two sectors. Our results suggest that the human hand-knob is a functionally and structurally heterogeneous region organized along a motor-cognitive gradient.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe capability to perform complex manipulative tasks is one of the major characteristics of primates and relies on the fine control of hand muscles exerted by a highly specialized region of the precentral gyrus, often termed the “hand-knob” sector. Using intraoperative brain mapping, we identify two hand-knob sectors (posterior and anterior) characterized by differences in cortical excitability. Based on resting-state functional connectivity (FC) and tractography in healthy subjects, we show that posterior and anterior hand-knob sectors differ in their functional connectivity (FC) and structural connectivity (SC) with frontoparietal regions. Thus, anteroposterior differences in cortical excitability are paralleled by differences in FC and SC that likely reflect a motor (posterior) to cognitive (anterior) organization of this cortical region.
Increased Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Associated with Adult Seizure Vulnerability Induced by Early-Life Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Gomez Carlos D. , Acharjee Shaona , Lewis Megan L. , Read Justin , Pittman Quentin J.
Published: April 2021

Early-life inflammatory stress increases seizure susceptibility later in life. However, possible sex- and age-specific differences and the associated mechanisms are largely unknown. C57BL/6 mice were bred in house, and female and male pups were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 μg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle control (saline solution) at postnatal day 14 (P14). Seizure threshold was assessed in response to pentylenetetrazol (1% solution, i.v.) in adolescence (∼P40) and adulthood (∼P60). We found that adult, but not adolescent, mice treated with LPS displayed ∼34% lower seizure threshold compared with controls. Females and males showed similar increased seizure susceptibility, suggesting that altered brain excitability was age dependent, but not sex dependent. Whole-cell recordings revealed no differences in excitatory synaptic activity onto CA1 pyramidal neurons from control or neonatally inflamed adolescent mice of either sex. However, adult mice of both sexes previously exposed to LPS displayed spontaneous EPSC frequency approximately twice that of controls, but amplitude was unchanged. Although these changes were not associated with alterations in dendritic spines or in the NMDA/AMPA receptor ratio, they were linked to an increased glutamate release probability from Schaffer collateral, but not temporoammonic pathway. This glutamate increase was associated with reduced activity of presynaptic GABABreceptors and was independent of the endocannabinoid-mediated suppression of excitation. Our new findings demonstrate that early-life inflammation leads to long-term increased hippocampal excitability in adult female and male mice associated with changes in glutamatergic synaptic transmission. These alterations may contribute to enhanced vulnerability of the brain to subsequent pathologic challenges such as epileptic seizures.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAdult physiology has been shown to be affected by early-life inflammation. Our data reveal that early-life inflammation increases excitatory synaptic transmission onto hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in an age-dependent manner through disrupted presynaptic GABABreceptor activity on Schaffer collaterals. This hyperexcitability was seen only in adult, and not in adolescent, animals of either sex. The data suggest a maturation process, independent of sex, in the priming action of early-life inflammation and highlight the importance of studying mature brains to reveal cellular changes associated with early-life interventions.
Spectral Analysis and Invariant Measure in Studies of the Dynamics of the Hemostasis of a Blood Vessel
Authors: Grytsay V.I.
Published: April 2021

A mathematical model of atherosclerosis of a blood vessel is advanced with regard for the entry of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) into blood. For the first time, the influence of cytokines on the inflammation of a blood vessel at the formation of atherosclerotic plaques is taken into account. With the help of the expansion in a Fourier series and the calculation of an invariant measure, the scenario of the appearance of strange attractors depending on a change in the parameter of the dissipation of cholesterol is studied. The conclusion is made about the interconnection of the dynamics of the metabolic process in a blood vascular system and its physical state.
Прояви існування колективного переносу в атомарних рідинах та рідких металах
Authors: Makhlaichuk V.M.
Published: April 2021

В роботi дослiджується прояв колективних складових теплового руху “частинок” (молекул та iонiв) у поведiнцi їх ефективних радiусiв. Встановлено конкретний вигляд температурної залежностi ефективних радiусiв молекул та iонiв. Демонструється їх добре узгодження з гiдродинамiчними радiусами, що визначаються за формулою Айнштайна–Стокса. Звертається увага на вiдмiнностi мiж значеннями радiусiв частинок, що використовуються для опису термодинамiчних та кiнетичних властивостей рiдин.
Heart urchins from the depths: Corparva lyrida gen. et sp. nov. (Palaeotropidae), and new records for the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Flores Jonathan-N. , Penchaszadeh Pablo-E. , Brogger Martín-I.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Sea urchins in the order Spatangoida are the most diverse group of extant echinoids. Objective: Describe a new genus and species of Spatangoida from abyssal depths, and add new records for known species. Methods: Specimens were collected during several cruises at different areas of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWAO), among 37-55° S latitude at depths ranging from 55 to 3 000 m. We present morphological and ultrastructure analyses. Results: Corparva lyrida gen. et sp. nov. (Palaeotropidae) is described from the Mar del Plata Canyon on the Argentine continental slope (2 950 m depth), the first record of this family from Argentina. Corparva gen. nov. differs in having an apical system semi-ethmolytic, and labrum reaching to rear part of second adjacent ambulacral plate. We also report the northernmost distribution and deepest record for Brisaster moseleyi (38° S latitude, 2 212 m depth), the northward extension of the distribution range of Tripylus excavatus (39° S latitude, 74 m depth), and the first record of Abatus philippii and Abatus agassizii at the Burdwood Bank/MPA Namuncurá. Conclusions: The present work brings novel and updated data about the diversity and distribution of spatangoids from the SWAO, including the description of C. lyrida gen. et sp. nov., and new records of species. This shows how much remains to be known about the diversity and distribution of heart urchins in the SWAO, especially from the deep-sea.
Diversity and biostratigraphy of the late Oligocene-late Miocene sand dollars (Echinoidea: Scutelliformes) of Argentina and Uruguay
Authors: Del Río Claudia-J. , Martínez Sergio
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Scutelliforms were diverse and widespread in shallow marine environments during Neogene times in South America. Nevertheless, they have almost never been used as biostratigraphic tools. Objective: To provide a refined stratigraphic frame useful for calibrating temporal dimensions of scutelliform diversity from Argentina and Uruguay and its correlation with the molluscan assemblages previously proposed. Methods: A detailed survey of their geographic and stratigraphic provenance was carried out. We revised both the bibliography and collections (institutional and from our own field work). Results: The group is represented by 14 species belonging to six genera, and four assemblages were identified. Numerical dates of the Neogene marine rocks obtained recently allowed their placement in a chronological scheme: “Iheringiella” sp. A is restricted to the late Oligocene, the genera Camachoaster and “Eoscutella” and the species Monophoraster telfordi to the early Miocene, Abertella gualichensis and Abertella miskellyi to the middle Miocene, and Monophoraster duboisi, Amplaster coloniensis and Amplaster ellipticus to the late Miocene. Non-lunulate scutelliforms are not restricted to the late Oligocene as previously supposed. The oldest occurrence of the genus Monophoraster corresponds to the early Miocene, and along with Iheringiella are long-living taxa that embrace the 25.3 Ma-18.1 Ma (Iheringiella patagonensis) and approximately 15 Ma-6.48 Ma (Monophoraster darwini) intervals. The presence of Iheringiella in the early Miocene of northeastern Patagonia is corroborated, reaching there its northernmost distribution. Monophoraster darwini has a temporal range from the late Miocene (where it was previously thought to be restricted) back to the middle Miocene, since this is the species yielded in the well-known and discussed “Monophoraster and Venericor Beds”. Conclusions: The Paleogene-Neogene scutelliforms of Argentina and Uruguay range from the late Oligocene to the late Miocene. There is a good correspondence among the numerical ages, molluscan biozones and scutelliform assemblages.
Reproductive cycle of the sea cucumber Holothuria forskali (Holothuriida: Holothuriidae) in the Ría de Vigo (NW of Spain)
Authors: Ballesteros Tania , Tubío Ana , Rodríguez Rosana , Hernández Alba , Costas Damián , Troncoso Jesús
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The exploitation of the sea cucumber (Holothuria (Panningothuria) forskali) in Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) is recent (2015) and it has been done until now with scarce or no information about some key biological aspects as reproduction, recruitment or growth. Objective: To describe the reproductive cycle of H. forskali in Ría de Vigo. Methods: We sampled fortnightly throughout 2018. We calculated gonadal condition indices (GCI) and gametogenic stages by classic histological methods. Results: The reproductive cycle of H. forskali in the Ría de Vigo is characterized by a sexual resting stage during spring, when temperature and daylight hours are lower; the beginning of gametogenesis during summer, when temperature is higher, daylight hours longer and the sea bottom is rich in nutrients; then, a period of spawns interspersed with a gonadal restoration during autumn and winter, when temperature is lower and food is scarce. Sex ratio is 1:1, however, the studied population is not synchronized, because females initiate maturation earlier. The comparison of the histological results with GCI indices suggest that GCI is a good indicator for gonadal stage. Fishery management strategies, such as a closure period, must be adapted to the reproductive stage. We recommend avoiding fishing between November and February to increase spawning potential ratio and, consequently, recruitment.
Biodiversidad de ofiuroideos (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) del talud de la Península de Yucatán, México
Authors: Durán-González Alicia , Laguarda-Figueras Alfredo , Solís-Marín Francisco-Alonso , Gracia Adolfo , Vázquez-Bader Ana Rosa
Published: April 2021

Introducción: La clase Ophiuroidea es la más diversa del Phylum Echinodermata, con 2 064 especies descritas, que se pueden encontrar desde zonas intermareales hasta profundidades abisales, pero la fauna de la península de Yucatán necesita más estudio. Objetivo: Describir la diversidad de ofiuroideos en el talud continental de Yucatán. Métodos: Se recopiló información de cuatro estudios oceanográficos llevados a cabo en agosto de 2005, junio de 2007 (BIOREPES 1 y 2: BRP1 y BRP2), abril de 2011 y agosto de 2014 (COBERPES 2 y 6: CBP2 y CBP6). Los especímenes se obtuvieron mediante la pesca de arrastre con una red camaronera en sustratos blandos y con una draga de arrastre tipo skimmer en un rango de profundidad de 200 a 1 071 m frente a los estados de Yucatán y Quintana Roo, México. Resultados: Encontramos miembros de dos superórdenes, cinco órdenes, seis subórdenes, cinco superfamilias, 18 familias, 28 géneros y 43 especies. Conclusiones: La zona noreste de la Península de Yucatán tiene al menos 43 especies, de las cuales 19 son nuevos registros para el área.
Efecto de la temperatura sobre la morfología y reproducción en el erizo de mar Arbacia dufresnii (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)
Authors: Ancin Barbara-Luz , Epherra Lucía , Rubilar Tamara
Published: April 2021

Introducción: El aumento de los valores del CO2 atmosférico y el consecuente calentamiento del agua de mar constituyen factores de estrés para los ecosistemas marinos, renovando el interés en la fisiología de los equinoideos. El equinoideo Arbacia dufresnii es una especie ampliamente estudiada y con amplia distribución en los golfos norpatagónicos. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de temperatura del agua de mar sobre su morfología y reproducción. Métodos: Individuos de A. dufresnii fueron expuestos durante 10 semanas (Abril-Junio 2016) a tres tratamientos de temperatura (13 °C control, 15 °C y 17 °C) de acuerdo con las condiciones actuales del agua de mar y los valores esperados para el próximo siglo, según diferentes escenarios estimados. Al finalizar el experimento, diámetro y peso del individuo así como los pesos de los órganos internos fueron estadística e histológicamente analizados. Resultados: Se observó una mayor mortalidad en los individuos expuestos a las mayores temperaturas lo que podría deberse a un estrés en el individuo. Para el tratamiento control y el de 17 °C no se observaron cambios en los pesos secos de gónadas e intestino. En cambio, los individuos expuestos a 15 °C presentaron un aumento en el diámetro del caparazón y en el peso seco de gónadas e intestino. Los estadios gonadales aesta temperatura (15 °C) para machos fueron similares al ambiente a diferencia de las hembras que se observaron estadios más avanzados. Conclusiones: Esto indicaría que 15 °C podría ser la temperatura óptima para la asimilación del alimento y obtención de energía. A esta temperatura se observan cambios a corto plazo en los órganos de metabolismo rápido pero no en los órganos calcificados (caparazón y linterna de Aristóteles).
Cytocentrifugation as an additional method to study echinoderm coelomocytes: a comparative approach combining living cells, stained preparations, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Queiroz Vinicius , Arizza Vincenzo , Vazzana Mirella , Rozas Enrique-E. , Custódio Marcio-R.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Echinoderm coelomocytes have traditionally been investigated through a morphological approach using light microscopy, which relies on the idea of constant cell shape as a stable character. However, this can be affected by biotic or abiotic conditions. Objective: To analyze if the consistency in cell morphology offered by the cytocentrifugation method, might be used as a convenient tool to study echinoderm coelomocytes. Methods: Cells of Echinaster (Othilia) brasiliensis (Asteroidea), Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa (Holothuroidea), Eucidaris tribuloides, Arbacia lixula, Lytechinus variegatus, and Echinometra lucunter (Echinoidea) were spread on microscope slides by cytocentrifugation, stained, and analyzed through light microscopy. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were applied to cytospin preparations, to complement the analysis of granular and colorless spherulocytes of Eucidaris tribuloides. Results: Altogether, 11 cell types, including phagocytes, spherulocytes, vibratile cells, and progenitor cells were identified in the samples analyzed. The granular spherulocyte, a newly-described cell type, was observed in all Echinoidea and was very similar to the acidophilic spherulocytes of Holothuria (Holothuria) tubulosa. Conclusions: Cytocentrifugation proved to be versatile, either as the main method of investigation in stained preparations, or as a framework on which other procedures may be performed. Its ability to maintain a constant morphology allowed accurate correspondence between live and fixed/stained cells, differentiation among similar spherulocytes as well as comparisons between similar cells of Holothuroidea and Echinoidea.
Echinoderms (Echinodermata) from the Central Mexican Pacific
Authors: Granja-Fernández Rebeca , Maya-Alvarado Brenda , Cupul-Magaña Amílcar-L. , Rodríguez-Troncoso A.-Paola , Solís-Marín Francisco-A. , Sotelo-Casas Rosa-C.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The echinoderms from the Central Mexican Pacific are of high scientific interest and, prior to this present work, there was a lack of basic information that included incomplete checklists with inconsistencies in systematics and spatial distribution. Objective: To provide a historical review, and an updated checklist with a more complete richness of echinoderms for each state and island of the region. Methods: A checklist was elaborated based on an exhaustive literature search of the Echinodermata, and was complemented with taxonomical revisions of Ophiuroidea scientific collections. All the geographical coordinates of the records were validated. Results: The region harbors 187 species of Echinodermata: three Crinoidea, 35 Asteroidea, 67 Ophiuroidea, 32 Echinoidea, and 50 Holothuroidea. We detected 52 records in the literature that must be considered as invalid and five as doubtful. We provide 16 new records of Ophiuroidea from different states and islands; of them, four are new records for the region. Jalisco presented the highest number of species (84), followed by the coast of Nayarit (74), Michoacán (63), and Colima (55); among the islands, Revillagigedo showed the major number of species (85) followed by Marías (81), Marietas (48), and Isabel (44). Conclusions: The numbers of species known in the region are mostly related to both sampling effort and environmental characteristics that promote high biodiversity. The Central Mexican Pacific is an oceanographic region with mixed conditions from the North and South of the Mexican Pacific, and therefore, with a biogeographical importance reflected in its species richness.
Expansion of the genus Massinium (Holothuroidea: Thyonidae) to the American continent and description of a new species
Authors: Solís-Marín Francisco-A. , Laguarda-Figueras Alfredo , Conejeros-Vargas Carlos-A. , Caballero-Ochoa Andrea-A. , Durán-González Alicia
Published: April 2021

Introduction: The genus Massinium includes 11 species, most from the Indo Pacific Ocean, and had not previously being reported from the American continent. Objective: To present the new record of the genus Massinium and describe a new species of this genus. Methods: Material collection was done by SCUBA-diving to depths of a maximum of 9 m. Results: Massinium ocumichoensis sp. nov. is described from seven specimens that extends the range of the genus to the American continent (Guerrero, Michoacan and Jalisco, Mexico). The new species lives in sandy-rocky substrata, from 2 to 16 m deep. It is distinguished from its congeneric species by a combination of morphological characters: mid-dorsal slightly bigger pseudobuttons (40-60 μm), and tables in the body wall. A taxonomic key for distinguishing the species of Massinium is provided. Conclusions: The geographic range of the genus Massinium is extended to the Mexican Pacific with M. ocumichoensis sp. nov.