bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma membrane‐localized Hsp40/DNAJ chaperone protein facilitates OsSUVH7‐OsBAG4‐OsMYB106 transcriptional complex formation for OsHKT1;5 activation
Authors: Liu Yutong , Li Mengting , Yu Jinlei , Ma Ao , Wang Jie , Yun Dae‐Jin , Xu Zheng‐Yi
Published: November 2022

The salinization of irrigated land affects agricultural productivity. HIGH‐AFFINITY POTASSIUM (K+) TRANSPORTER 1;5 (OsHKT1;5)‐dependent sodium (Na+) transport is a key salt tolerance mechanism during rice growth and development. Using a previously generated high‐throughput activation tagging‐based T‐DNA insertion mutant pool, we isolated a mutant exhibiting salt stress‐sensitive phenotype, caused by a reduction in OsHKT1;5 transcripts. The salt stress‐sensitive phenotype of this mutant results from the loss of function of OsDNAJ15, which encodes plasma membrane‐localized heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40). osdnaj15 loss‐of‐function mutants show decreased plant height, increased leaf angle, and reduced grain number caused by shorter panicle length and fewer branches. On the other h'and, OsDNAJ15‐overexpression plants showed salt stress‐tolerant phenotypes. Intriguingly, salt stress facilitates the nuclear relocation of OsDNAJ15 so that it can interact with OsBAG4, and OsDNAJ15 and OsBAG4 synergistically facilitate the DNA‐binding activity of OsMYB106 to positively regulate the expression of OsHKT1;5. Overall, our results reveal a novel function of plasma membrane‐localized Hsp40 protein in modulating, alongside chaperon regulator OsBAG4, transcriptional regulation under salinity stress tolerance.
Synaptic control of rat magnocellular neurosecretory cells by warm‐sensing neurons in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis
Authors: Sudbury Jessica R. , Zaelzer Cristian , Trudel Eric , Bumagin Anna , Bourque Charles W.
Published: November 2022

Increases in core body temperature cause secretion of vasopressin (vasopressin, antidiuretic hormone) to promote water reabsorption and blunt water losses incurred through homeostatic evaporative cooling. Subtypes of transient receptor potential vanilloid (Trpv) channels have been shown to contribute to the intrinsic regulation of vasopressin‐releasing magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). However, MNCs in vivo can also be excited by local heating of the adjacent preoptic area, indicating they receive thermosensory information from other areas. Here, we investigated whether neurons in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) contribute to this process using in vitro electrophysiological approaches in male rats. We found that the majority of OVLT neurons are thermosensitive in the physiological range (36–39°C) and that this property is retained under conditions blocking synaptic transmission. A subset of these neurons could be antidromically activated by electrical stimulation in the SON. Whole cell recordings from SON MNCs revealed that heating significantly increases the rate of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPCSs), and that this response is abolished by lesions targeting the OVLT, but not by bilateral lesions placed in the adjacent preoptic area. Finally, local heating of the OVLT caused a significant excitation of MNCs in the absence of temperature changes in the SON, and this effect was blocked by inhibitors of ionotropic glutamate receptors. These findings indicate that the OVLT serves as an important thermosensory nucleus and contributes to the activation of MNCs during physiological heating.
Echoencephalography of Möbius sequence: A congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder with brainstem calcifications
Authors: Rawhani Ramez , Sharma Kamal , Maertens Paul
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose

Möbius sequence (MBS) previously known as Möbius syndrome is a rare nonprogressive developmental defect of the rhombencephalon leading to congenital abducens (VIth) and facial (VIIth) nerve palsy. Echoencephalography is the first, safe, noninvasive, and cost‐effective imaging modality available at bedside. No study on the use of echoencephalography in neonates for the diagnosis of MBS has been previously reported.

Methods

In this single tertiary center study, more than 18,000 neonates underwent echoencephalographic imaging over the span of two decades. Imaging was performed through the anterior, posterior, and lambdoid fontanelles. All neonates found to have calcifications of brainstem tegmental nuclei underwent additional imaging studies. Each neonate with MBS was carefully examined by the same investigator.

Results

Five neonates were shown to have punctate, bilateral, symmetrical tegmental pontine calcifications through all three acoustic windows. These calcifications extended caudally in most patients, and rostrally in 2 patients. Brainstem hypoplasia was best seen through the posterior fontanelle. Three out of five infants were noted to have brainstem hypoplasia with straightening of the floor of the fourth ventricle. In two children, facial collicular bulges and hypoglossal eminences were present. All five infants fulfilled clinical diagnostic criteria of MBS. In addition, a wide array of cerebral defects is identified. Echoencephalographic findings were confirmed by other imaging modalities.

Conclusion

Knowledge of echoencephalographic features of MBS should improve its early recognition. A detailed description of the various imaging phenotypes of MBS is necessary to characterize the etiology of this heterogeneous congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder.
Salinity stress alters the expression patterns of novel miR‐2008 and its target gene PLEKHA3 in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Tian Yi , Gou Yuqing , Wei Xing , Siqi Gao , Guo Ran , Jiang Yanan , Chang Yaqing
Published: November 2022

The responses of sea cucumbers to salinity changes are reflected in the expression profiles of multiple genes and microRNAs. The miR‐2008 and Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing A3 (PLEKHA3) were previously shown to be involved in responses to salinity changes in sea cucumbers. To better understand the relationship between miR‐2008 and PLEKHA3, the miR‐2008 and PLEKHA3 predicted interaction was investigated using luciferase reporter assays and gene knockdowns. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene analysis indicated that miR‐2008 overexpression decreased luciferase activity in the PLEKHA3‐WT group. The miR‐2008 expression in coelomocytes was increasingly downregulated in the agomir group with salinity acclimation. PLEKHA3 expression patterns in the miR‐2008 agomir group were upregulated after 6 and 48 h and downregulated after 24 h of low‐salinity stress. The miR‐2008 expression in the miR‐2008 agomir group peaked after 24 h of low‐salinity exposure in sea cucumbers. miR‐2008 overexpression and PLEKHA3 inhibition affected ion concentrations, osmotic pressure, Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA) activity, and ROS levels. The changes in ion concentrations, osmotic pressure, and NKA activity after 6–24 h of salinity stress were observed. The results indicated that 6–24 h after the initiation of salinity stress may be critical to the salinity‐acclimation process in sea cucumbers.
Evaluating the prevalence and spatial distribution of giraffes injured by non‐target poaching
Authors: Kasozi H. , Linden D. W. , Roloff G. J. , Montgomery R. A.
Published: November 2022

Illegal harvest (poaching) is a geographically widespread threat to animal populations. Wire snares are a common poaching technique used in the Global South and are indiscriminate with respect to species, age, and sex of individual animals that they capture. When caught, relatively large mammals frequently break free from the snares, suffering injuries in the process. The prevalence of snaring injuries as well as the ecological and conservation implications of such patterns have not been widely investigated for many animal populations. We evaluated the prevalence and spatial distribution of giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) with snaring injuries in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, a system experiencing high rates of wire snare poaching. We conducted photographic spatial encounter surveys along five fixed road transects. We photographed detected giraffes, recorded whether a snaring injury was present, and identified individuals via autonomous image processing of pelage patterns. We fitted a spatial capture‐recapture (SCR) model to the encounter history data to estimate abundance and predict the spatial distribution of injured giraffes. We detected 1306 (sub) adult giraffes from the surveys and predicted 1939 (±80) via the SCR model. We encountered 26 giraffes with snaring injuries, corresponding to a population‐level snaring rate of 1.4%. Individuals with higher movement scales were more at risk of being snared. Though not fatal across the three‐month duration of this study, the injuries likely lead to secondary infections, disability, and potentially death in the long term. We explore the implications of bearing snaring injuries for ecology, behavior, and conservation of affected species.
Effectiveness of the Eggs Make Kids demand‐creation campaign at improving household availability of eggs and egg consumption by young children in Nigeria: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Larson Leila M. , Frongillo Edward A. , Kase Bezawit E. , Neufeld Lynnette M. , Gonzalez Wendy , Erhabor Irowa , Djimeu Eric W.
Published: November 2022

Using a quasi‐experimental design, our study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the ‘Eggs Make Kids Sharp & Bright and Strong & Active’ demand‐creation campaign in Nigeria. The intervention arm received emotionally compelling radio and television advertisements about eggs, and was exposed to promotional activities and advertising about eggs at points of purchase, schools and health facilities; the comparison arm received no intervention. Children 6–59 months of age (intervention: n = 1359; comparison: n = 1485) were assessed 14 months apart. Intent‐to‐treat analyses with analysis of covariance method assessed the impact of the intervention on caregivers' behaviour towards eggs, caregivers' willingness to pay for eggs, availability of eggs in households, and consumption of eggs by children 6–59 months of age. Analyses were adjusted for possible confounders and perceived effects of COVID‐19 on finances and food consumption. Compared to the comparison arm, the intervention arm showed a greater prevalence of household egg acquisition (odds ratio = 1.34, p < 0.0001), and larger improvements in caregiver self‐efficacy (β = 0.242, p = 0.004) and intent to feed eggs to children (β = 0.080, p = 0.021). No effects were found on children's egg consumption or caregivers' reported willingness to pay for eggs. The lack of impact on child egg consumption despite increased acquisition of eggs and caregiver self‐efficacy suggests that other barriers to child consumption may exist. Additional research should further investigate factors that may influence intrahousehold distribution of eggs and whether these may also influence other nutritious foods.
Associations between breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding practices and post‐natal depression during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A multi‐country cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chang Yan‐Shing , Li Kan M. C. , Chien Li‐Yin , Lee Eun Y. , Hong Seo A. , Coca Kelly P.
Published: November 2022

Associations between breastfeeding intention, duration and post‐natal depression (PND) have been shown in pre‐COVID‐19 studies. However, studies during COVID‐19 have not examined the associations between breastfeeding intention, breastfeeding practices, and PND in an international sample of post‐natal women, taking into consideration COVID‐19 related factors. This is the first study to address this gap as both PND and breastfeeding may be affected by COVID‐19, and have important long‐term effects on women's and infant's health. A cross‐sectional internet‐based survey was conducted with 3253 post‐natal women from five countries: Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom from July to November 2021. The results showed that women who intended to breastfeed during pregnancy had lower odds of having PND than women who did not intend to. Women who had no breastfeeding intention but actually breastfed had greater odds (AOR 1.75) of having PND than women who intended to breastfeed and actually breastfed. While there was no statistical significance in expressed breast milk feeding in multivariable logistic regression models, women who had shorter duration of breastfeeding directly on breast than they planned had greater odds (AOR 1.58) of having PND than those who breastfed longer than they planned even after adjusting for covariates including COVID‐19‐related variables. These findings suggested the importance of working with women on their breastfeeding intention. Tailored support is required to ensure women's breastfeeding needs are met and at the same time care for maternal mental health during and beyond the pandemic.
Supplementary feeding and infection control in pregnant adolescents—A secondary analysis of a randomized trial among malnourished women in Sierra Leone
Authors: Koroma Aminata S. , Ellie Mariama , Bangura Kadiatu , Iversen Per O. , Hendrixson David T. , Stephenson Kevin , Manary Mark J.
Published: November 2022

Undernutrition during pregnancy in adolescence confers a high risk of maternal morbidity and adverse birth outcomes, particularly in low‐resource settings. In a secondary analysis, we hypothesized that younger undernourished pregnant adolescents (<18 years) would benefit more than undernourished pregnant adults (>20 years) from the intervention of supplementary food and anti‐infective treatments. The original trial in Sierra Leone enrolled 236 younger adolescents (<18 years), 454 older adolescents (aged 18–19 years), and 741 adults (≥20 years), all with a mid‐upper arm circumference ≤23 cm. Younger adolescents had lower final fundal height as well as smaller newborns (−0.3 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.3, −0.2; p < 0.001) and shorter newborns (−1.1 cm; 95% CI, −1.5, −0.7; p < 0.001) than adults. The intervention's effect varied significantly between maternal age groups: adults benefited more than younger adolescents with respect to newborn birth weight (difference in difference, 166 g; 95% CI, 26, 306; interaction p = 0.02), birth length (difference in difference, 7.4 mm; 95% CI, 0.1, 14.8; interaction p = 0.047), and risk for low birth weight (<2.5 kg) (interaction p = 0.019). The differences in response persisted despite adjustments for maternal anthropometry, the number of prior pregnancies, and human immunodeficiency virus status. Older adolescents similarly benefited more than younger adolescents, though differences did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, newborns born to younger adolescent mothers had worse outcomes than those born to adult mothers, and adults and their newborns benefited more from the intervention than younger adolescents.
Suspending belief in credal accounts
Authors: del Rio Andrew
Published: November 2022

Traditionally epistemologists have taken doxastic states to come in three varieties—belief, disbelief, and suspension. Recently many epistemologists have taken our doxastic condition to be usefully represented by credences—quantified degrees of belief. Moreover, some have thought that this new credal picture is sufficient to account for everything we want to explain with the old traditional picture. Therefore, belief, disbelief, and suspension must map onto the new picture somehow. In this paper I challenge that possibility. Approaching the question from the angle of suspension, I argue that all possible credal accounts face serious challenges. They either (i) falsify central claims that uphold the credal picture itself or (ii) do not permit suspension in cases where it is permissible or (iii) rule out the possibility of plainly possible confidence comparisons.
Revisiting ancient polyploidy in leptosporangiate ferns
Authors: Chen Hengchi , Fang Yuhan , Zwaenepoel Arthur , Huang Sanwen , Van de Peer Yves , Li Zhen
Published: November 2022

Ferns, and particularly homosporous ferns, have long been assumed to have experienced recurrent whole‐genome duplication (WGD) events because of their substantially large genome sizes, surprisingly high chromosome numbers, and high degrees of polyploidy among many extant members. As the number of sequenced fern genomes is limited, recent studies have employed transcriptome data to find evidence for WGDs in ferns. However, they have reached conflicting results concerning the occurrence of ancient polyploidy, for instance, in the lineage of leptosporangiate ferns.

Because identifying WGDs in a phylogenetic context is the foremost step in studying the contribution of ancient polyploidy to evolution, we here revisited earlier identified WGDs in leptosporangiate ferns, mainly the core leptosporangiate ferns, by building KS‐age distributions and applying substitution rate corrections and by conducting statistical gene tree–species tree reconciliation analyses.

Our integrative analyses not only identified four ancient WGDs in the sampled core leptosporangiate ferns but also identified false positives and false negatives for WGDs that recent studies have reported earlier.

In conclusion, we underscore the significance of substitution rate corrections and uncertainties in gene tree–species tree reconciliations in calling WGD events and advance an exemplar workflow to overcome such often‐overlooked issues.
Metabolic profiling analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ohashi Toshimitsu , Terazawa Kosuke , Shibata Hirofumi , Inoue Norimitsu , Ogawa Takenori
Published: November 2022

Objective

Tumor cells can acquire a large amount of energy and structural components by reprogramming energy metabolism; moreover, metabolic profiles slightly differ according to cancer type. This study compared and assessed the metabolic profile of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and normal tissues, which were collected from patients without cancer.

Subjects and Methods

Overall, 23 patients with HNSCC and 6 patients without cancer were included in the analysis. Metabolomic profiles were analyzed using capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry. Gene expression was evaluated using real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and glutamine metabolism were upregulated in HNSCC tissues based on gene expression analysis. HNSCC could then have enhanced energy production and structural component. The levels of lactate, succinate, glutathione, 2‐hydroxyglutarate, and S‐adenosylmethionine, considered as oncometabolites, increased and these had accumulated in HNSCC tissues.

Conclusions

The level of metabolites and the expression of enzymes differ between HNSCC and normal tissues. Reprogramming metabolism in HNSCC provides an energy source as well as structural components, creating a system that offers rapid proliferation, progression, and is less likely to be eliminated.
Canceling Notch Improves the Mechanical Safety of Clavicle Locking Plate: A 3D Finite Element Study
Authors: Han Zhihua , Luo Qian , Deng Guoying , Bi Chun , Yin Gang , Lin Haodong , Wu Jianhong , Wu Xiaoming
Published: November 2022

Objective

Implant failure is a disastrous complication of the operative treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures, and improving the osteosynthesis plate is a strategy for preventing this. We aimed to investigate whether canceling the notch and adding screw‐hole inserts enhanced the mechanical properties of the plate.

Methods

A clavicle model was generated based on the CT images of six adult volunteers (age range, 20–40 years; three males and three females; height range 160–175) using dedicated software, and a midshaft fracture model was created. The domestically made seven‐hole locking plate commonly used for midshaft clavicle fractures was simulated (Model I); modifications were made to the plate (Model II). Using 3D finite element analysis, we simulated the fracture construct under three different load conditions—downward cantilever bending, axial compression, and axial torsion—and compared the stress distribution.

Results

We found that under axial compression, Model II experienced its maximum stress on the plate at 551.9MPa, which was less than that in Model I (790.4 MPa). Moreover, a greater stress concentration at the fracture site was observed under axial torsion, despite the maximum stress of both the models being similar.

Conclusion

Canceling the notch and filling the screw holes near the fracture can ameliorate stress concentration on the internal fixation construct and enhance its reliability under axial compression. This improvement has substantial effects on the mechanical properties of implants and potentially prevents implant failure. Modern osteosynthesis anatomical implants need to be improved.
Yield trade‐off and the role of parental selection based on seed size when breeding for soybean seed protein
Authors: Saenz Ezequiel , Borrás Lucas , Panelo Juan S. , Poeta Florencia B. , Rotundo José L.
Published: November 2022

Alternative physiological strategies can increase protein concentration in soybean: (i) more‐than‐proportional increases in seed protein content (mg seed−1) relative to increases in carbohydrate and oil content in large‐seeded genotypes or (ii) more‐than‐proportional reductions in carbohydrate and/or oil content relative to protein content reductions in small‐seeded genotypes. Because these strategies differentially affect crop growth and development, we hypothesized that populations developed from high‐protein (HP) parents with contrasting seed sizes will present differences in how seed yield and protein concentration correlate. To test this, three breeding strategies were developed by mating high‐yielding cultivars and HP ones that differ in seed sizes, reflecting the alternative strategies mentioned above. Neither tested crossing strategies showed differences in their correlation values between seed yield and protein concentration, as initially expected. Nevertheless, populations developed from crossing a HP‐small‐seeded parent to a HP‐large‐seeded one showed the highest number of transgressive segregants for protein yield. Our results showed that parent selection based on seed size has no beneficial effects on the development of high‐yielding, HP soybean populations, but it might affect the number of transgressive segregants for protein yield.
The burden of atopic dermatitis and bacterial skin infections among urban‐living Indigenous children and young people in high‐income countries: A systematic review
Authors: Ricciardo Bernadette M. , Kessaris Heather‐Lynn , Kumarasinghe Prasad , Carapetis Jonathan R. , Bowen Asha C.
Published: November 2022

Background

A high burden of bacterial skin infections (BSI) is well documented in remote‐living Indigenous children and young people (CYP) in high‐income countries (HIC). Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition seen in CYP and predisposes to BSI. Despite the rate of urbanization for Indigenous people increasing globally, research is lacking on the burden of AD and BSI for urban‐living Indigenous CYP in HIC. Indigenous people in HIC share a history of colonization, displacement and subsequent ongoing negative impacts on health.

Objective

To provide a global background on the burden of AD and BSI in urban‐living Indigenous CYP in HIC.

Methods

A systematic review of primary observational studies on AD and BSI in English containing epidemiologic data was performed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were searched for articles between January 1990 and December 2021.

Results

From 2278 original manuscripts, 16 were included: seven manuscripts documenting eight studies on AD; and nine manuscripts documenting nine studies on BSI. Current and severe symptoms of AD were more common in urban‐living Indigenous CYP in HIC compared with their non‐Indigenous peers, with children having a higher prevalence than adolescents. Urban‐living Indigenous CYP in HIC had a higher incidence of all measures of BSI compared with their non‐Indigenous peers, and were over‐represented for all measures of BSI compared with their proportion of the background population. Limitations include incomplete representation of all Indigenous populations in HIC.

Conclusion

A significant burden of AD and BSI exists in urban‐living Indigenous CYP in HIC.
Semiotics in the head: Thinking about and thinking through symbols
Authors: Munroe Wade
Published: November 2022

Our conscious thought, at least at times, seems suffused with language. We may experience thinking as if we were “talking in our head”, thus using inner speech to verbalize, e.g., our premises, lemmas, and conclusions. I take inner speech to be part of a larger phenomenon I call inner semiotics, where inner semiotics involves the subjective experience of expressions in a semiotic (or symbol) system absent the overt articulation of the expressions. In this paper, I argue that inner semiotics allows us to bootstrap our way into entertaining thoughts about exact numbers and quantities that we couldn't prior to our competence with a numeric code. I establish that our arithmetic thoughts literally occur as (internal ‘articulations’ of) expressions in a numeric code. However, a problem arises for my view: just as we can slip in overt speech, producing an utterance that deviates from what we mean to say, there is very good evidence that we can slip in inner speech as well. If our arithmetic thought occurs in a numeric code, it's far from clear how we determine when a covert utterance constitutes a slip. In closing, I provide an account of what makes an inner speech utterance a slip.
Increasing the risk that someone will die without increasing the risk that you will kill them
Authors: Byrne Thomas
Published: November 2022

I consider cases where you increase the risk that, e.g., someone will die, without increasing the risk that you will kill them: in particular, cases in which that increasing of risk is accompanied by a decreasing of risk of the same degree such that the risk imposition has been offset. I defend the moral legitimacy of such offsetting, including carbon‐offsetting.
Managing concurrency in cyclical projects under stochastic task environments: Vaccine development projects during pandemics
Authors: Murthy Nagesh N. , Nagaraja Haikady N. , Rikhtehgar Berenji Hossein
Published: November 2022

Aggressive overlapping of stochastic activities during phases of vaccine development has been critical to making effective vaccines for COVID‐19 available to the public, at “pandemic” speed. In cyclical projects wherein activities can be overlapped, downstream tasks may need rework on account of having commenced prior to receiving requisite information that is only available upon completion of upstream task(s). We provide a framework to understand the interplay between stochastic overlap duration and rework due to overlap, and its impact on minimizing expected completion time for a cyclical project. We motivate the problem using the new paradigm for planning vaccine development projects. It best exemplifies features and scenarios in our model that were not considered and are also not apparent in the examples for cyclical development projects in the literature focused on engineered and manufactured products. We find that planning overlapping in scenarios that may be deemed ineffective with an assumption of deterministic tasks, can actually be beneficial when analyzed using stochastic task duration. We determine optimal planned start times for stochastic tasks as a function of a parameter that proxies for the extent of net gain/loss from overlap to minimize expected completion time for the project. We show that in situations with a net gain from overlap it is optimal to start the downstream task concurrently unless the downstream task does not stochastically dominate the upstream task and the net gain from overlap is not low enough. However, in situations with a net loss from overlap it is always optimal to have some degree of overlap in a stochastic task environment. We find that project rescheduling flexibility is always beneficial in a scenario with net loss from overlap and only beneficial in a scenario with net gain from overlap when the downstream task does not stochastically dominate the upstream task and the net gain from overlap is high enough. Our results on overlapping in 1‐to‐1, 1‐to‐ n, and n‐to‐1 stochastic task configurations guide the development of an effective heuristic. Our heuristic offers good solution quality and is scalable to large networks as its computational complexity is linear in the number of tasks.
Gnomoniopsis castaneae: An emerging plant pathogen and global threat to chestnut systems
Authors: Dobry Emily , Campbell Michael
Published: November 2022

Gnomoniopsis castaneae is an important, destructive pathogen of Castanea species, initially identified as the primary agent of nut rot in Europe and Oceania. Although a decade of research has focused almost exclusively on its association with and activity in chestnuts, it has been identified as a mild pathogen or endophyte in multiple other hardwood species, whose roles as potential reservoirs and hosts have remained unexplored. Although the origin of the disease is unknown, it is thought to be a ubiquitous endophyte that has potentially shifted to pathogenic activity as a result of global climate change. Yet there is evidence of the expansion of the range of the pathogen as it continues to be identified in new regions, suggesting some degree of introduction is occurring. Its recent discovery in the United States brings a new urgency to the need to understand the full range and epidemiology of G. castaneae and to examine potential methods of detection and mitigation.
Functional loss and worsening geriatric assessment parameters are more common in dementia with Lewy bodies than Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Soysal Pinar , Koc Okudur Saadet , Uslu Ferda , Smith Lee
Published: November 2022

Background

The main aim of this study was to compare older patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to those with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) according to their dependency in daily living activities and comprehensive geriatric assessment parameters.

Method

A total of 227 AD and 123 DLB patients underwent a geriatric assessment that included comorbidities, number of drugs used, falls, urinary incontinence, hand grip strength, Mini‐Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment Scale, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Basic and instrumental activities of daily living were assessed by the Barthel Index and the Lawton scale, respectively.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 83.4 years, and 73% were female. There were no statistically significant differences between AD and DLB patients in age, gender, cognitive function, or comorbidities except for coronary artery disease (P < 0.05). The number of falls, drugs used, and ISI and Epworth scores were higher in patients with DLB than patients with AD (P < 0.05). DLB patients had lower MNA, Tinetti scale, and hand grip strength scores than AD patients. The ratio of patients highly dependent in basic daily activities as a whole was significantly greater in DLB than in AD (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the overall levels of dependency in instrumental activities.

Conclusion

DLB patients are more dependent on their caregivers than AD patients. Nutritional deterioration, sleep disorders, falls, balance and gait problems, decreased muscle strength, and multiple drug use are more common in those with DLB compared to those with AD. The management of older patients with DLB may be more difficult than older patients with AD.
The effects of ritual and self‐control resources depletion on deceptive behavior: Evidence from behavioral and ERPs studies
Authors: Fan Wei , Huang Zijun , Jian Zengdan , Zhong Yiping
Published: November 2022

Although researchers have indicated that individuals with depleted self‐control resources have lower self‐control behavior and exhibit more deceptive behaviors, recent psychological studies have shown that ritual can improve self‐control and increase the likelihood that the individual makes prosocial decisions. However, little is known about whether ritual can regulate an individual's engagement in deceptive behavior when their self‐control resources are depleted. This study adopted the spot‐the‐difference task to investigate the influences of ritual and self‐control resources depletion on simple self‐control behavior and deceptive behavior (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2); furthermore, relevant neural processes were explored using event‐related potentials (Experiment 3). Experiment 1 showed that individuals with depleted self‐control resources had lower self‐control behavior and individuals performing a ritual had higher self‐control behavior. Experiment 2 showed that individuals with depleted self‐control resources exhibited more deceptive behaviors and individuals performing a ritual exhibited fewer deceptive behaviors; furthermore, ritual reduced deceptive behaviors in individuals with depleted self‐control resources. Experiment 3 found that individuals with depleted self‐control resources had larger P2 amplitudes after performing a ritual. Moreover, individuals with depleted self‐control resources had larger LPP amplitudes over parietal sites after performing a ritual. These findings suggested that performing ritual may be an effective measure of inhibiting individuals with depleted self‐control resources from engaging in deceptive behavior. Our findings verify the ego‐depletion model and provide a new perspective for reducing deceptive behaviors in individuals with depleted self‐control resources. We provide evidence that rituals could modulate deceptive behaviors in individuals with depleted self‐control resources. This reveals that performing rituals may be an effective measure for inhibiting individuals with depleted self‐control resources from engaging in deceptive behavior.
Development of auditory change‐detection and attentional capture, and their relation to inhibitory control
Authors: Morales Santiago , Bowers Maureen E. , Leach Stephanie C. , Buzzell George A. , McSweeney Marco , Yoder Lydia , Fifer William , Elliott Amy J. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: November 2022

EEG methods offer a promising approach to study the development of attention or attention‐related processes such as change‐detection and attentional capture. However, the development of these attention processes from early to middle childhood is not well understood. In the current study, we utilized a passive three‐stimulus oddball paradigm to examine age‐related changes in auditory change‐detection and attentional capture in a large sample of children across childhood (N = 475; 249 female, 226 male; Mage = 6.71; SDage = 2.22; Rangeage = 4.01–11.5 years). Conventional ERP analyses revealed no age‐related changes in change detection (mismatch negativity) and attentional capture (P3a) components, but we observed age‐related reductions in late automatic processing of auditory change (late discriminative negativity). However, when utilizing time‐frequency analyses, we observed developmental increases in frontocentral signal strength (power) and consistency (inter‐trial phase synchrony) in delta and theta bands in response to novel sounds. Such frontocentral delta/theta responses have been linked in prior work to cognitive control. To further examine this possibility, we examined relations with inhibitory control. Results revealed that increased consistency in theta in response to novel sounds was related to improved inhibitory control. Together, our results advance our understanding of the development of attention in childhood. Moreover, they demonstrate the contributions of time‐frequency approaches to studying neurocognitive development. Finally, our results highlight the utility of neuroimaging paradigms that have low cognitive and motor demands to study the development of psychological processes.
Expectile Regression for Multi-Category Outcomes with Application to Small Area Estimation of Labour Force Participation
Authors: Dawber James , Salvati Nicola , Fabrizi Enrico , Tzavidis Nikos
Published: November 2022

In many applications of small area estimation, dichotomous or categorical outcomes are the targets of statistical inference. For example, in the analysis of labour markets, proportions of working-age people in the various labour market statuses are of interest. In this paper, in line with the recent literature, we consider a classification with more than three statuses and estimate related population parameters for 611 local labour market areas using data from the 2012 Italian Labour Force Survey, administrative registers and the 2011 Census. As for the methodology, we propose multinomial expectile regression models. These models provide a means to utilise M-quantile type approaches, which have been shown to be a useful alternative to mixed model approaches when parametric assumptions on the distribution of random effects cannot be met. Via a large-scale simulation study, we show how this novel approach is much faster and provides reliable results when compared to multinomial mixed model approaches, and works for any number of categories rather than just a small number of categories as is more commonly the case with existing methods. Furthermore, the proposed approach potentially provides a framework for developing other methods for prediction with multi-category outcomes.
Linking Surveys and Digital Trace Data: Insights From two Studies on Determinants of Data Sharing Behaviour
Authors: Silber Henning , Breuer Johannes , Beuthner Christoph , Gummer Tobias , Keusch Florian , Siegers Pascal , Stier Sebastian , Weiß Bernd
Published: November 2022

Combining surveys and digital trace data can enhance the analytic potential of both data types. We present two studies that examine factors influencing data sharing behaviour of survey respondents for different types of digital trace data: Facebook, Twitter, Spotify and health app data. Across those data types, we compared the relative impact of four factors on data sharing: data sharing method, respondent characteristics, sample composition and incentives. The results show that data sharing rates differ substantially across data types. Two particularly important factors predicting data sharing behaviour are the incentive size and data sharing method, which are both directly related to task difficulty and respondent burden. In sum, the paper reveals systematic variation in the willingness to share additional data which need to be considered in research designs linking surveys and digital traces.
Hepatitis C virus screening reactive among blood donors in mainland China: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Qiaoling , Liu Anqing , Wang Shaoli , Li Jian , He Miao , Chen Limin
Published: November 2022

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted by blood transfusion. The aim of this meta‐analysis is to estimate the anti‐HCV reactive rate and to define the demographic characteristics of blood donors who have potential threats to blood safety in mainland China for nearly 30 years, in order to provide a safe reference for blood transfusion and corresponding guidance for policymakers to increase blood safety.

Materials and Methods

Literature reporting the anti‐HCV screening reactive rate in Chinese blood donors was identified by systematic searching of four electronic databases from 1991 to 2017. The Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were strictly followed, and data manipulation and statistical analysis were performed by Stata 15.0.

Results

Our results showed that the post‐donation anti‐HCV reactive rate was 0.53% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51%–0.55%) with a significant variation from 1.58% (95% CI, 1.13%–2.03%) before 1998 to 0.51% (95% CI, 0.48%–0.53%) after 1998 when the Blood Donation Law was implemented in China. In addition, anti‐HCV screening reactive rate for family or replacement donors was significantly higher than that in individual voluntary blood donors.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that blood centres in China should convert more eligible first‐time donors into repeat donors and turn the ‘real family or replacement donors’ into individual voluntary blood donors to reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted HCV. In the meantime, large surveys should be carried out among volunteer donors from high‐risk populations.
Management of blood transfusion services in low‐resource countries
Authors: Patidar Gopal K. , Thachil Jecko , Dhiman Yashaswi , Oreh Adaeze , Vrielink Hans , van den Berg Karin , Grubovic Rastvorceva Rada M. , So‐Osman Cynthia , Al‐Riyami Arwa Z. ,   the ISBT Convalescent Plasma Working Group
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives

Enabling universal access to safe blood components should be a key component of every country's national healthcare strategy. This study aimed to assess the current status of infrastructure and resources of blood transfusion services (BTS) in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was designed to gather information on blood donations, components, redistribution, testing resources and quality management systems (QMSs). The survey was distributed to the International Society of Blood Transfusion members between October 2021 and November 2021.

Results

A total of 54 respondents from 20 countries responded to the survey. This included hospital‐based BTS/blood centres (46%), national blood centres (11%)and national and regional blood services (11%). Voluntary non‐remunerated, replacement and paid donors accounted for 94.2%, 84.6% and 21.1% of donations, respectively. Apheresis donation was available in 59.6% of institutions. National/regional criteria for redistribution of blood components were reported by 75.9% of respondents. Blood components incurred payment charges in 81.5% of respondents' institutions, and payments were borne by patients in 50% of them. Testing methods, such as manual (83%), semi‐automated (68%) or fully automated (36.2%), were used either alone or in combination. QMSs were reported in 17 institutions, while accreditation and haemovigilance were reported in 12 and 8 countries, respectively.

Conclusion

QMS was implemented in most of the countries despite the common use of paid donations and the lack of advanced testing. Efforts to overcome persistent challenges and wider implementation of patient blood management programmes are required.
Stiffness and Strain Properties Derived From Digital Tomosynthesis-Based Digital Volume Correlation Predict Vertebral Strength Independently From Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Yeni Yener N. , Oravec Daniel , Drost Joshua , Zauel Roger , Flynn Michael J.
Published: November 2022

Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures, but their prediction using standard bone mineral density (BMD) measurements from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is limited in accuracy. Stiffness, displacement, and strain distribution properties derived from digital tomosynthesis-based digital volume correlation (DTS-DVC) have been suggested as clinically measurable metrics of vertebral bone quality. However, the extent to which these properties correlate to vertebral strength is unknown. To establish this relationship, two independent experiments, one examining isolated T11 and the other examining L3 vertebrae within the L2–L4 segments from cadaveric donors were utilized. Following DXA and DTS imaging, the specimens were uniaxially compressed to fracture. BMD, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area were recorded for the anteroposterior and lateromedial views from DXA, stiffness, endplate to endplate displacement and distribution statistics of intravertebral strains were calculated from DTS-DVC and vertebral strength was measured from mechanical tests. Regression models were used to examine the relationships of strength with the other variables. Correlations of BMD with vertebral strength varied between experimental groups (R2adj = 0.19–0.78). DTS-DVC derived properties contributed to vertebral strength independently from BMD measures (increasing R2adj to 0.64–0.95). DTS-DVC derived stiffness was the best single predictor (R2adj = 0.66, p < 0.0001) and added the most to BMD in models of vertebral strength for pooled T11 and L3 specimens (R2adj = 0.95, p < 0.0001). These findings provide biomechanical relevance to DTS-DVC calculated properties of vertebral bone and encourage further efforts in the development of the DTS-DVC approach as a clinical tool.
A study on coherence between virtual signal and physical signals in remote acoustic sensing
Authors: Zhang Pengju , Wang Shuping , Duan Hongji , Tao Jiancheng , Zou Haishan , Qiu Xiaojun
Published: November 2022

Remote acoustic sensing can be used to estimate the error signals in human ears without placing any physical microphones there. In this paper, the coherence between the signals picked up by physical microphones over a sphere surface and the signal obtained at the sphere center is investigated. Based on the multiple channel coherence formulas in the time domain and frequency domain, the relationship between the coherence and the placement of physical microphones is analyzed by numerical simulations first, then the experimental results obtained in a reverberation chamber and a car cabin are presented to verify the simulation results. Finally, a placement of physical microphones for active control of road noise in car cabins is discussed. Both the numerical and experimental results show that an upper limit frequency exists for accurate sound pressure estimation at the center of a sphere with the sound pressure on the sphere surface. For a sufficiently complex sound field such as that in a reverberation room or in a car, half the wavelength of the upper limit frequency is about the average distance among the physical microphones.
Actual and Perceived Motor Competence, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Weight Status in Schoolchildren: Latent Profile and Transition Analyses
Authors: Kolunsarka Iiris , Gråstén Arto , Huhtiniemi Mikko , Jaakkola Timo
Published: November 2022

Engagement in physical activity plays a central role in the prevention and treatment of childhood overweight/obesity. However, some children may lack the skills and confidence to be physically active. This 3-year follow-up study aimed to form profiles based on cardiorespiratory fitness, actual motor competence, perceived motor competence, physical activity, and weight status, and to examine if these profiles remain stable from late childhood to early adolescence. All these variables were annually assessed in 1,162 Finnish schoolchildren (girls = 583 and boys = 564, Mage = 11.27 ± 0.32 years). Latent profile analysis was used to identify profiles and latent transition analysis to examine the stability of latent statuses. Three profiles were identified: normal weight with high movement, normal weight with low movement, and overweight–obese with low movement. Profile memberships remained relatively stable over time, indicating that children with low actual and perceived motor competence, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity in late childhood also tended to exhibit these characteristics in early adolescence.
Cryo-EM structures of peripherin-2 and ROM1 suggest multiple roles in photoreceptor membrane morphogenesis
Authors: El Mazouni Dounia , Gros Piet
Published: November 2022

Mammalian peripherin-2 (PRPH2) and rod outer segment membrane protein 1 (ROM1) are retina-specific tetraspanins that partake in the constant renewal of stacked membrane discs of photoreceptor cells that enable vision. Here, we present single-particle cryo–electron microscopy structures of solubilized PRPH2-ROM1 heterodimers and higher-order oligomers. High-risk PRPH2 and ROM1 mutations causing blindness map to the protein-dimer interface. Cysteine bridges connect dimers forming positive-curved oligomers, whereas negative-curved oligomers were observed occasionally. Hexamers and octamers exhibit a secondary micelle that envelopes four carboxyl-terminal helices, supporting a potential role in membrane remodeling. Together, the data indicate multiple structures for PRPH2-ROM1 in creating and maintaining compartmentalization of photoreceptor cells.