bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential ecophysiological syndromes explain the partition of the thermal niche resource in coexisting Eucraniini dung beetles
Authors: Verdú José R. , Oliva Daniela , Giménez Gómez Victoria C. , Cortez Vieyle
Published: April 2022

The authors investigated the role of thermoregulation mechanisms and thermal limits on thermal niche differentiation in two hierarchical similar Eucraniini dung beetle assemblages inhabiting arid environments in north‐western Argentina. Both dung beetle assemblages showed temporal and thermal niche segregation between all sympatric species, minimising overlap during their daily activity and soil temperature preferences.

Thermal tolerance of Eucraniini species was partially modulated by behavioural adaptations and complementary thermoregulatory mechanisms related to eliminating the temperature excess, increasing the metabolic rate promoting an effective regulation of the excess heat that permitted a decrease in their body temperature by evaporative cooling. Based on the physiological syndromes obtained, the authors found a greatest interspecific differentiation that allows us to differentiate each species using ecophysiological traits. Interspecific body size differences in sympatric Eucraniini contributed greatly to the metabolic capacity of individuals to thermoregulate.

Eucraniumspecies, the largest species showed the lowest capacity to respond to thermal stress decreasing heat excess temperature, presenting the lowest thermal limit values coinciding with a ‘minithermy’ strategy that explains the preferred lower soil temperatures around 30°C. On the contrary,Anomiopsoidesspecies showed a clear adaptation to being active during periods of the day in which the soil temperature reached over 50°C, adopting a strategy of ‘maxithermy’ by foraging when temperatures are closer to their thermal limits.

In conclusion, it can be determined that ecophysiological syndromes related to thermal stress regulation and thermal limits allowed a displacement in thermal niche dimension, minimising interspecific competition and so allowing species coexistence in Eucraniini dung beetles.
Growth curves for mandibular range of motion and maximum voluntary bite force in healthy children
Authors: Verkouteren Daan R. C. , de Sonnaville Willemijn F. C. , Zuithoff Nicolaas P. A. , Wulffraat Nico M. , Steenks Michel H. , Rosenberg Antoine J. W. P.
Published: April 2022

Mandibular range of motion and bite force are indispensable variables for the evaluation of mandibular function. There are a variety of medical and dental conditions that can negatively affect mandibular function. Values for mandibular range of motion (i.e., active and passive maximum interincisal mouth opening, protrusion, and laterotrusion) and anterior maximum voluntary bite force (AMVBF) in healthy children and adolescents can help in recognizing temporomandibular dysfunction. In this longitudinal study, 169 healthy children aged 6–18 years were included. They were examined at four time points over 1 year. Mixed model analysis was performed to produce growth curves of mandibular range of motion and AMVBF. Average active maximum interincisal mouth opening was significantly higher in boys with 50.0 mm compared to 47.8 mm in girls. Boys also had a significantly higher AMVBF than girls with an average of 169.0 N versus 140.0 N, respectively. Growth curves of active and passive maximum interincisal mouth opening showed an increase with age, albeit levelling off through puberty. The growth curves of AMVBF in girls reach a plateau phase at ages 12–14 years, after which the curve descends; in boys, the AMVBF tended to increase up to 18 years of age, although a slow‐down after 14 years of age was noted.
Outcome following emergency laparotomy in 33UKdonkeys: A retrospective multicentre study
Authors: Merridale‐Punter Mathilde S. , Prutton Jamie S. W. , Stefanovski Darko , Worsman Francesca C. F. , Payne Richard J. , Wylie Claire E. , Archer Debra C. , Menzies‐Gow Nicola J. , Coles Lydia , McGovern Kate F. , Parker Russell A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Emergency laparotomies in donkeys are infrequently performed and there is limited literature on the subject.

Objectives

To determine findings and associated outcomes of exploratory laparotomies in donkeys.

Study design

Descriptive retrospective study.

Methods

Donkeys undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy for investigation and treatment of colic at seven UK referral hospitals between 2005–2017 were included. Data were retrieved from available hospital records. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical analysis of outcomes of interest was performed in three steps.

Results

Thirty‐three cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Clinical signs on presentation were available for 32 donkeys, of which 53.1% (17/32) presented for investigation of colic while in 46.9% (15/32) the presenting complaint was non‐specific. Primary lesion location included small intestine (42.4%, 14/33), large colon (39.3%, 13/33), caecum (6.1%, 2/33), stomach (6.1%, 2/33) and 6.1% (2/33) had multiple abnormal findings without a clear primary lesion. Overall survival to discharge was 54.5% (18/33). Five donkeys (15.2%, 5/33) were euthanased at surgery and of those recovering from general anaesthesia a further 35.7% (10/28) were euthanased or died prior to discharge. Six donkeys (21.4%, 6/28) required a second laparotomy of which 4 (66.7%, 4/6) survived. Post‐operative complications occurred in 82.1% (23/28) of cases and included hyperlipaemia (42.9%, 12/28), incisional complications (21.4%, 6/28), ileus (21.4%, 6/28) and persistent colic (17.9%, 5/28). When adjusted for other complications, donkeys with primary gastric lesions were less likely to have presented with severe colic compared with those with primary small intestinal lesions (OR: 0.07, 95% CI 0.01–0.95, p = 0.05). Only age was positively associated with death prior to discharge (OR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.36, p = 0.02).

Main limitations

Small sample size and retrospective design.

Conclusion

Donkeys with abdominal lesions may present with a range of signs often not including colic. Surgical findings were diverse and survival to discharge appears to be lower than in horses.
Frames or social structures? Comment on “Making sense of (mis)matched frames of reference: A dynamic cognitive theory of (in)stability in HR practices”
Authors: Wilmers Nathan
Published: April 2022

Do workers and employers hold strong views about the nature of the employment relationship? Are these views causally important for understanding the success or failure of human resources practices? In this article, I comment on Budd, Pohler and Huang’s project of bringing cognitive frames theory to employment relations research. I agree with their emphasis on informal workplace social dynamics and suggest further attention to the sources of cognitive frames in primitive social structures.
Overexpression of SSR2 promotes proliferation of liver cancer cells and predicts prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Fengsui , Chen Xingchi , Wang Jielong , Zhang Shi‘an , Chen Mengxue , Zhang Xia , Wu Zhixian
Published: April 2022

Signal Sequence Receptor Subunit 2 (SSR2) is a key endoplasmic reticulum gene involved in protein folding and processing. Previous studies found that it was upregulated in several cancers, but its precise role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. To have a better understanding of this gene in HCC, we examined the expression of SSR2 in HCC tissues by analysing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data and immunohistochemistry. We also assessed the association between SSR2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients and patient survival. Potential function of SSR2 was predicted through GSEA and protein–protein interaction analysis. MTT, flowcytometry, transwell and a nude mice xenograft model were employed to investigate the biological functions in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that the expression of SSR2 was significantly increased in HCC tissues, and SSR2 expression was associated with several clinical characteristics. In addition, patients with higher SSR2 expression had poorer survival. Enrichment analysis suggested that SSR2 was probably involved in biological process or signalling pathways related to G2/M checkpoint, passive transmembrane transporter activity, ATF2_S_UP. V1_UP and ncRNA metabolic process. Further experimental study showed that SSR2 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability and promoted apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro. Moreover, downregulation of SSR2 also repressed the growth of HepG2 cells in vivo. In conclusion, our study suggests that SSR2 may act as an oncogene in HCC.
In vivo study to assess dosage of allogeneic pig retinal progenitor cells: Long‐term survival, engraftment, differentiation and safety
Authors: Abud Murilo Batista , Baranov Petr , Patel Sara , Hicks Caroline A. , Isaac David Leonardo Cruvinel , Louzada Ricardo Noguera , Dromel Pierre , Singh Deepti , Sinden John , Ávila Marcos P. , Young Michael
Published: April 2022

Despite notable efforts and significant therapeutical advances, age‐related macular degeneration remains the single most common reason for vision loss. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are considered promising candidates for cellular treatments that repair and restore vision. In this allogenic study, the phenotypic profile of pig and human RPCs derived using similar manufacturing processes is compared. The long‐term (12‐week) survival of green fluorescent protein‐pig retinal progenitor cells GFP‐pRPC after subretinal transplantation into normal miniature pig (mini‐pig) retina is investigated. Human eyes are both anatomically and physiologically mimicked by pig eyes, so the pig is an ideal model to show an equivalent way of delivering cells, immunological response and dosage. The phenotypic equivalency of porcine and clinically intended human RPCs was established. Thirty‐nine mini‐pigs are used in this study, and vehicle‐injected eyes and non‐injected eyes serve as controls. Six groups are given different dosages of pRPCs, and the cells are found to survive well in all groups. At 12 weeks, strong evidence of integration is indicated by the location of the grafted cells within the neuro‐retina, extension of processes to the plexiform layers and expression of key retinal markers such as recoverin, rhodopsin and synaptophysin. No immunosuppression is used, and no immune response is found in any of the groups. No pRPC‐related histopathology findings are reported in the major organs investigated. An initial dose of 250 k cells in 100 µl of buffer is established as an appropriate initial dose for future human clinical trials.
Incretin serum level as a biomarker of insulin resistance in acne vulgaris patients
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Fawzy Manal
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate the relationship between serum Incretin and acne vulgaris (AV) and insulin resistance (IR), and to find the biological indicators of acne vulgaris with insulin resistance.

Methods

60 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris in the dermatology department of Zagazig University and 56 healthy people in the health examination center of this hospital were collected, respectively, as the control group; all the included people were drawn fasting blood to test serum Incretin, blood lipids, sex hormones and INS release test to explore the role of serum Incretin in acne vulgaris and insulin resistance.

Results

The average level of Incretin in the acne group was lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t = 7.189, p < 0.001). The average level of Incretin in the acne group with insulin resistance was lower than that in the acne without insulin resistance group, the difference was statistically significant (t = 22.328, p < 0.001). In the acne group, the insulin resistance index decreased with the increase of Incretin level, and the two showed a negative correlation. (R = −0.711, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with acne vulgaris are prone to have insulin resistance. Insulin resistance in patients with acne vulgaris is negatively correlated with Incretin. Serum Incretin may be expected to be a biomarker for diagnosing acne vulgaris patients with insulin resistance. The severity of acne vulgaris may have no obvious correlation with insulin resistance and serum incretin.
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in pet pigs: 17 cases
Authors: Nakamae Yoko , Hobbs Kallie J. , Ziegler Jessie , Rivero Luis A. , Kennedy Shari , Stockler Jenna , Gomez Diego E.
Published: April 2022

Background

Pigs have an indiscriminate eating behavior placing them at high risk of developing foreign body (FB) obstructions.

Objectives

Describe the clinical and diagnostic features, treatments, and outcome of pet pigs diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) FBs. Medical and surgical treatments, pig outcomes, and post‐mortem findings were also investigated.

Animals

Seventeen pet pigs.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. Gastrointestinal FBs were defined as swallowed objects that became lodged within the gastrointestinal tract distal to the cardia identified during exploratory laparotomy.

Results

Common clinical signs were anorexia/hyporexia, tachypnea, vomiting, dehydration, tachycardia, and ileus. Diagnostic imaging identified the presence of a FB in 4 cases. Upon celiotomy, the FBs were in the stomach and small intestine in 17 cases and large colon in 2 cases. Types of FB included fruit pit, diaper, and metallic objects. Of the 17 pigs, 15 (88%) were discharged from the hospital and 2 (12%) were euthanized.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Clinical signs of GI FB were similar to those reported in obstipated pigs. Diagnostic imaging has limitations for detection of FB. Surgical removal of FBs in pigs carried a good prognosis.
Geochemical and mineralogical classification of four new shergottites: NWA 10441, NWA 10818, NWA 11043, and NWA 12335
Authors: Orr Kenneth J. , Forman Lucy V. , Rankenburg Kai , Evans Noreen J. , McDonald Bradley J. , Godel Belinda , Benedix Gretchen K.
Published: April 2022

Martian meteorites are rare; therefore, the discovery of new meteorites has the potential to significantly expand our current understanding of Mars. In this study, we describe four new shergottites, all found within the past 5 yr, in Northwest Africa (NWA): NWA 10441, NWA 10818, NWA 11043, and NWA 12335. To determine the geochemical and mineralogical composition of these new shergottites, a number of traditional and nontraditional analytical techniques were utilized, such as high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (for 3‐D modal abundance determination) and electron backscattered diffraction (for identification of shock features). This enabled a comprehensive, nondestructive investigation of the in situ and bulk characteristics of these meteorites. From the results, we confirm the preliminary classifications of NWA 10441 and NWA 12335 as basaltic (diabasic), and NWA 10818 and NWA 11043 as poikilitic, shergottites. Chondrite‐normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of shergottites distinguish likely source reservoirs in the Martian mantle. NWA 10441 and NWA 12335 have bulk enriched REE patterns. NWA 10818 has an intermediate REE pattern, being slightly depleted in the light REE. Although published data for bulk rock REE in NWA 11043 indicate an enriched pattern, here we show that targeted in situ analyses of unaltered minerals reveal an intermediate REE pattern, suggesting that terrestrial weathering combined with shock processes experienced by these meteorites on ejection may affect the bulk analysis. Extensive fracturing in NWA 11043 likely acted as conduits for terrestrial alteration products. We suggest that in situ spot checking of REE in meteorites will constrain any weathering effect on the REE pattern of the bulk rock.
Spatial distribution patterns of tick community structure in sympatric jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) from three ecoregions in Mexico
Authors: López‐Pérez Andrés M. , López‐Fernández Octavio , Backus Laura , Somerville Scott , Zarza Heliot , Cassaigne Ivonne , de la Torre Antonio , Nuñez‐Perez Rodrigo , Ceballos Gerardo , Guzmán‐Cornejo Carmen , Ringenbach‐Valdez Susana , del Rio Miguel A. , Sánchez‐Montes Sokani , Canek Anguiano Dorian , Foley Janet
Published: April 2022

We examined tick communities on wild felid hosts in three ecoregions of Mexico. We collected 186 ticks of 7 species from 10 pumas (Puma concolor) and 9 jaguars (Panthera onca). Tick community composition varied across the ecoregions, and across host species within each region. Overall, Ixodes affinis, Amblyomma ovale, and Amblyomma tenellum were the most abundant species; however, only the latter two ticks were distributed across all three ecoregions, while I. affinis, along with Ixodes spinipalpis, Amblyomma inornatum, and Amblyomma parvum were restricted to more limited geographical regions. Ixodes affinis occurred strictly in southern tropical rainforest ecoregions and was significantly more abundant in Selva Lacandona compared with the Yucatán Peninsula. Amblyomma ovale was significantly more common in the tropical dry forest in the Pacific coastal ecoregion. Amblyomma tenellum abundance tended to be higher on jaguars, while I. affinis abundance was higher on pumas. Regional distribution patterns of some tick species (e.g., I. affinis and I. spinipalpis) may be determined by off‐host environmental conditions rather than host factors. In contrast, at the local scale, occurrence and abundance of some tick species (e.g., A. tenellum, A. ovale and Rhipicephalus microplus) might be driven by ecological‐host factors, such as habitat use or predator–prey relationships.
Liberalism, nationalism and religion: Multidimensional autonomy, trade‐offs and analogies
Authors: Wittrock Jon
Published: April 2022

This article aims to provide a conceptual framework for exploring the relations between liberal nationalism and religion. Combining multidimensional analyses of autonomy as well as religion, the article aims to provide a framework for considering, with greater precision, different potential versions of liberal nationalism, and which kinds of prioritisations and trade‐offs they would involve. Religion is approached in terms of Wittgensteinian family resemblances, referring to a host of overlapping narratives, norms, objects and practices. Autonomy is analysed in terms of collective and individual autonomy, and the latter is divided into four major dimensions: liberty (freedom from coercion) opportunity (available options) capacity (for making choices) and authenticity (the degree to which choices are genuine). These, furthermore, may be distributed differently across space and time: for example, liberty may be restricted in the present to preserve it over time. Liberal nationalism ultimately has to balance intrinsic and instrumental arguments, while respecting human rights.
Clinical Outcome of Surgical Hip Dislocation Combined with Impacting Bone Grafts and Implanting Iliac Bone Flaps in the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Mid‐term Retrospective Study
Authors: Zhou Chi , Fan Yinuo , Liang Yupeng , Wei Zhimin , Liu Yuhao , Li Weifeng , Wei Qiushi , Fang Hanjun , He Wei , Chen Zhenqiu
Published: April 2022

Objective

To report the medium‐term outcomes of surgical hip dislocation (SHD) combined with impacting bone grafts and implanting iliac bone flaps in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) and to define the indications for this treatment.

Methods

This was a single‐center retrospective study. In total, 64 patients (70 hips) with ONFH treated from January 2014 to December 2017 were included in this study. There were 51 males and 13 females aged 18–55 years with an average age of 32 years. All patients underwent surgery for SHD combined with impacting bone grafts and implanting iliac bone flaps. Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were assessed. The clinical outcome was assessed using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the conversion rate of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors affecting the clinical outcome. Kaplan–Meier (K‐M) analysis was applied to calculate the survival rate of the femoral head.

Results

At the last follow‐up (60 ± 15.08 months), the HHS was excellent for 41 hips, good for 17 hips, fair for three hips, and poor for nine hips. All nine hips with poor HHS underwent THA, including five in the first 2 years following the index surgery and four between three and 5 years. The conversion rate of total hip arthroplasty was 12.86%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the duration of hip pain and JIC classification type were significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Elderly age and advanced ONFH stage tended to lead to worse surgical outcomes. The overall survival rate of JIC classification type C1 and duration of pain ≤6 months was 98.1% and 97.8% at 72 months, respectively, as estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Conclusion

Surgical hip dislocation combined with impacting bone grafts and implanting iliac bone flaps in the treatment of ONFH had a good mid‐term clinical outcome, especially for patients with retention of the lateral column of the femoral head and hip pain less than 1 year.
Physical activity motives have a direct effect on mental health
Authors: Doré Isabelle , Thibault Véronique , Sylvestre Marie‐Pierre , Sabiston Catherine M. , O'Loughlin Jennifer L. , Abi Nader Patrick , Romain Ahmed Jérôme , Brunet Jennifer , Bélanger Mathieu
Published: April 2022

Physical activity (PA) motives are associated with both moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and mental health. Studies examining whether PA motives relate directly to mental health or indirectly through MVPA are lacking. This study examined the direct effect of five PA motives (i.e., enjoyment, competence, fitness, social, appearance) on mental health and their indirect effects through MVPA in adolescents. A total of 424 participants (57.1% females) ages 14–15 years from the longitudinal MATCH study were included. Mediation analyses, based on the counterfactual framework, assessed the natural direct effect of PA motives on mental health, and the natural indirect effects through MVPA. Separate models were conducted for each PA motive. Natural direct effects were observed for enjoyment ([95%CI] = 2.12 [0.34, 3.90]), competence ([95%CI] = 1.58[0.28, 2.88]), fitness ([95%CI] = 1.42[0.04, 2.80]), and social ([95%CI] = 2.32[1.03, 3.60]) motives. No natural direct effects were observed for appearance motives. A natural indirect effect through MVPA was observed for fitness motives, and no other natural indirect effects were found. Interventions and public health strategies in adolescents need to acknowledge the importance of enjoyment, competence social and fitness motives in PA to promote mental health, and integrate specific recommendations on the importance of the reasons why adolescents participate in PA.
Chikungunya virus seroprevalence in asymptomatic blood donors during an outbreak in the Federal District of Brazil
Authors: da Silva Mendes Ana Micaelle , Cilião‐Alves Daiani Cristina , Pimentel Bárbara Maciel Sidou , Slavov Svetoslav Nanev , de Araújo Wildo Navegantes , Haddad Rodrigo
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito‐borne alphavirus belonging to the Togaviridae family. The symptomatic infection is characterised by acute febrile disease which generally results in severe arthralgia and myalgia, however, most of the CHIKV infections remain asymptomatic. CHIKV RNA detection in asymptomatic volunteers may be responsible for the transfusion transmission of this infection, especially during outbreaks. There is no information for CHIKV seroprevalence among blood donors from the Federal District of Brazil.

Aim

In early 2019, the Federal District of Brazil experienced a CHIKV outbreak, and this study evaluates the anti‐CHIKV IgM and IgG presence in a well characterised cohort of blood donors from this region.

Methodology

Blood samples were collected from 450 volunteer blood donors during a CHIKV outbreak and tested for the presence of anti‐CHIKV IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA.

Results

The CHIKV seroprevalence was 0.89% (n = 4/450) and anti‐CHIKV IgM prevalence was 1.11% (n = 5/450).

Conclusion

The obtained results demonstrated that at least some of the blood donors have experienced CHIKV infection which can be related to a hypothetical risk of CHIKV transfusion transmission. More studies are necessary in order to examine the impact of CHIKV on blood transfusion.
Humanitarian inversions:COVID‐19 as crisis
Authors: Herrick Clare , Kelly Ann H. , Soulard Jeanne
Published: April 2022

COVID‐19 is a multi‐spectral crisis that has added an acute layer over a panoply of complex emergencies across the world. In the process, it has not only exposed actually‐existing emergencies, but also exacerbated them as the global gaze has turned inward. As a crisis, COVID‐19 straddles and challenges the boundaries between humanitarianism, development, and global health—the frames and categories through which emergencies are so often understood and intervened upon. Reflection on these fundamental categories is, we argue, an important geographical endeavour. Drawing on Geoffrey Bowker's analytical lens of the ‘infrastructural inversion’, we explore how humanitarianism has been upended by COVID‐19 along two axes that are of core concern to geographers: (1) the spatial and (2) the temporal. We first contextualise current debates on the humanitarian endeavour and its future within recent geographical research. We then set out the complex structure by which COVID‐19 has been both imagined and intervened upon as a humanitarian emergency. In so doing, we then pave the way for a deeper empirical analysis of the spatial and temporal inversions that have been brought forth by COVID‐19. The paper concludes by examining the conceptual value of the ‘inversion’ in developing geographical research agendas better attuned to the increasing porosity of humanitarianism, development, and global health.
Investigation of Relationship Between Flow Structures and Drag Forces on Microfin Enhanced Surfaces Using Large Eddy Simulations
Authors: Li Puxuan , Campbell Matthew , Zhang Ning , Eckels Steve J.
Published: April 2022

This study proposes a numerical model to collect and analyze relationships between flow structures and drag forces on a microfin enhanced surface. We utilized a large eddy simulation (LES) with a localized, dynamic kinetic energy, subgrid-scale model (LDKM) to predict turbulent flow structures. The accuracy of the numerical model was verified by a telescopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) system. Of special note was the strong match of PIV flow structures with numerical flow structures simulated with LES. To detect two main flow structures, lateral and longitudinal, a new method based on the correlation coefficient of velocity fluctuation was developed. Two main types of drag, form, and skin-friction, were discussed and analyzed as occurring on complex near-surface engineered enhancements. Several problems about the relationships were discussed and solved. First, the study determined which drag force dominated the pressure drop (Δp) with different Reynolds numbers. Second, the study analyzed how turbulent flow structures affected form drag and friction drag, respectively. Third, the study explained why the microfins in the paper designed by Webb et al. were better suited for the high Reynold number cases (Reynolds number ≈ 28,000). The goal of the paper was not to find a new Reynolds number-based correlation but to find flow structures responsible for pressure drop and understand the mechanisms causing it.
Impacts of signal processing factors on perceptual restoration in cochlear-implant users
Authors: Jaekel Brittany N. , Weinstein Sarah , Newman Rochelle S. , Goupell Matthew J.
Published: April 2022

Cochlear-implant (CI) users have previously demonstrated perceptual restoration, or successful repair of noise-interrupted speech, using the interrupted sentences paradigm [Bhargava, Gaudrain, and Başkent (2014). “Top-down restoration of speech in cochlear-implant users,” Hear. Res. 309, 113–123]. The perceptual restoration effect was defined experimentally as higher speech understanding scores with noise-burst interrupted sentences compared to silent-gap interrupted sentences. For the perceptual restoration illusion to occur, it is often necessary for the masking or interrupting noise bursts to have a higher intensity than the adjacent speech signal to be perceived as a plausible masker. Thus, signal processing factors like noise reduction algorithms and automatic gain control could have a negative impact on speech repair in this population. Surprisingly, evidence that participants with cochlear implants experienced the perceptual restoration illusion was not observed across the two planned experiments. A separate experiment, which aimed to provide a close replication of previous work on perceptual restoration in CI users, also found no consistent evidence of perceptual restoration, contrasting the original study's previously reported findings. Typical speech repair of interrupted sentences was not observed in the present work's sample of CI users, and signal-processing factors did not appear to affect speech repair.
Effect of alternate definitions of “high” annoyance on exposure-response functions
Authors: Gjestland Truls , Morinaga Makoto
Published: April 2022

The International Standards Organization (ISO) published Technical Specification (TS) 15666 in 2003 to facilitate the comparison of results from surveys on noise annoyance. This document recommends including two standardized questions with two standardized response scales in all surveys of long-term noise annoyance. A recently revised version of the TS proposes a weighting procedure for the response data to achieve a better similarity between the results from the two questions. This paper analyses the results from 43 surveys conducted according to the ISO/TS 15666 recommendations. It is shown that the average difference in the response to the two annoyance questions is equivalent to a 6 dB shift in the exposure level. The proposed weighting of the verbal response whereby response category 5 (extremely) is counted in full, and category 4 (very) is weighted by a factor 0.4 creates a greater similarity between the two responses. It is important to use a definition of prevalence of high annoyance which matches the one used for the development of the relevant noise regulations.
Stress imaging by guided wave tomography based on analytical acoustoelastic model
Authors: Abderahmane Abdellahi , Lhémery Alain , Daniel Laurent
Published: April 2022

A nondestructive method (M) for stress characterization in plate-like structures is proposed. In this method, the acoustoelastic effects (AEEs) on Lamb and shear horizontal guided waves are used to reconstruct a nonuniform multiaxial stress field. The development of M starts by deriving an analytical acoustoelastic model (An-AEM) to predict AEEs induced by a triaxial stress tensor as a function of the stress components, its orientation, the wave propagation direction, and three acoustoelastic coefficients (AECs). The AECs are independent of stress but specific to each mode. The An-AEM allows one to retrieve the three components of the stress tensor and its orientation from AEEs, assuming the stress to be uniform in the plane of the plate and through its thickness. To deal with stress that is nonuniform in the plane, the An-AEM is combined with time-of-flight straight ray tomography to enable stress field reconstruction. Numerical simulation is used to illustrate how such reconstruction can be performed. It is shown that in some cases, stress components can be reconstructed with arbitrary accuracy, and in other cases, the tensorial nature of stress renders the accuracy of its reconstruction dependent on spatial variations of the stress orientation.
Adaptive equalization based on dynamic compressive sensing for single-carrier multiple-input multiple-output underwater acoustic communications
Authors: Qin Zhen , Tao Jun , Qu Fengzhong , Qiao Yongjie
Published: April 2022

The sparse property of a direct adaptive equalizer (DAE) for single-carrier underwater acoustic communications is well recognized. It has been used to improve the performance and/or reduce the complexity of a DAE. Extensive investigations have been performed in terms of performance improvement. On the contrary, research on complexity reduction remains preliminary. A fundamental way for reducing the complexity of a DAE is to keep only significant taps while discarding trivial taps, that is, to run a partial-tap DAE. Existing partial-tap DAE designs assume a slowly varying sparse structure and may suffer performance degradation under a severe underwater environment. Motivated by this fact, the dynamic compressed sensing (DCS) technique is resorted to and a partial-tap DAE based on the sparse adaptive orthogonal matching pursuit-affine projection algorithm is proposed. The sparse adaptive orthogonal matching pursuit-affine projection algorithm-direct adaptive equalizer (SpAdOMP-APA-DAE) achieves symbol-wise updating of both positions and values of the significant coefficients. In this paper, a more extensive study on DCS-based DAEs is performed, and an enhanced dynamic compressed sensing-direct adaptive equalizer design enabled by the sparse adaptive subspace pursuit-improved proportionate affine projection algorithm (SpAdOMP-IPAPA) is proposed. The sparse adaptive subspace pursuit-improved proportionate affine projection algorithm-direct adaptive equalizer enjoys lower complexity while better performance than the previous SpAdOMP-APA-DAE. Experimental results corroborated the superiority of the SpAdOMP-IPAPA-DAE.
Rabies shows how scale of transmission can enable acute infections to persist at low prevalence
Authors: Mancy Rebecca , Rajeev Malavika , Lugelo Ahmed , Brunker Kirstyn , Cleaveland Sarah , Ferguson Elaine A. , Hotopp Karen , Kazwala Rudovick , Magoto Matthias , Rysava Kristyna , Haydon Daniel T. , Hampson Katie
Published: April 2022

How acute pathogens persist and what curtails their epidemic growth in the absence of acquired immunity remains unknown. Canine rabies is a fatal zoonosis that circulates endemically at low prevalence among domestic dogs in low- and middle-income countries. We traced rabies transmission in a population of 50,000 dogs in Tanzania from 2002 to 2016 and applied individual-based models to these spatially resolved data to investigate the mechanisms modulating transmission and the scale over which they operate. Although rabies prevalence never exceeded 0.15%, the best-fitting models demonstrated appreciable depletion of susceptible animals that occurred at local scales because of clusters of deaths and dogs already incubating infection. Individual variation in rabid dog behavior facilitated virus dispersal and cocirculation of virus lineages, enabling metapopulation persistence. These mechanisms have important implications for prediction and control of pathogens that circulate in spatially structured populations.
A granular approach to electrode design
Authors: Xiao Jie
Published: April 2022

The consistency of cathode particles plays a pivotal role in battery performance
Eugene N. Parker (1927–2022)
Authors: Bale Stuart D.
Published: April 2022

Pioneer of theoretical solar and plasma astrophysics
In Science Journals
Authors: Medina Mónica , Stern Peter , Erkes Dan A. , Lavine Marc S. , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Jiang Di , Smith Keith T. , Yeston Jake , Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Zahn Laura M. , Alderton Gemma , Charneski Catherine A. , Szuromi Phil , Vignieri Sacha , Ash Caroline
Published: April 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
NYU may hire biologist pushed out of MIT
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: April 2022

Med school is in talks with David Sabatini, despite sexual misconduct findings
Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes Surface Proteins Identified from Proteomics Analysis for Use as Diagnostic Biomarkers
Authors: Zhang Cathy X. Y. , Brooks Brian W. , Huang Hongsheng , Lin Min
Published: April 2022

Strains of
Listeria monocytogenes
are differentiated serologically into at least 13 serotypes and grouped phylogenetically into 4 distinct lineages (I, II, III, and IV). No single monoclonal antibody (MAb) reported to date is capable of binding to the surface of
L. monocytogenes
strains representing all the serotypes.
Phylogenetic and Phenotypic Analyses of a Collection of Food and Clinical Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Reveal Loss of Function of Sigma B from Several Clonal Complexes
Authors: Wu Jialun , NicAogáin Kerrie , McAuliffe Olivia , Jordan Kieran , O’Byrne Conor
Published: April 2022

The bacterial foodborne pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
frequently contaminates various categories of food products and is able to cause life-threatening infections when ingested by humans. Thus, it is important to control the growth of this bacterium in food by understanding the mechanisms that allow its proliferation under suboptimal conditions.
Disruption of the Cytoplasmic Membrane Structure and Barrier Function Underlies the Potent Antiseptic Activity of Octenidine in Gram-Positive Bacteria
Authors: Malanovic Nermina , Buttress Jessica A. , Vejzovic Djenana , Ön Ayse , Piller Paulina , Kolb Dagmar , Lohner Karl , Strahl Henrik
Published: April 2022

OCT is a well-established antiseptic molecule routinely used in a large field of clinical applications. Since the spread of antimicrobial resistance has restricted the use of antibiotics worldwide, topically applied antiseptics like OCT, with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and high safety profile, gain increasing importance for effective infection prevention and therapy.
Functional Insights of Salinity Stress-Related Pathways in Metagenome-Resolved
Methanothrix
Genomes
Authors: Gagliano Maria Cristina , Sampara Pranav , Plugge Caroline M. , Temmink Hardy , Sudmalis Dainis , Ziels Ryan M.
Published: April 2022

Using genome-centric metagenomics, we discovered a new
Methanothrix harundinacea
subspecies that appears to be a halotolerant acetoclastic methanogen with the flexibility for adaptation in the anaerobic digestion process both at low (5 g/L Na
+
) and high salinity conditions (20 g/L Na
+
). Annotation of the recovered
M. harundinacea
genome revealed salinity stress-related functions, including the modification of EPS glycoconjugates and the production of compatible solutes.
Structural Insight into Molecular Inhibitory Mechanism of InsP
6
on African Swine Fever Virus mRNA-Decapping Enzyme g5Rp
Authors: Yang Yan , Zhang Changhui , Li Xuehui , Li Li , Chen Yanjuan , Yang Xin , Zhao Yao , Chen Cheng , Wang Wei , Zhong Zhihui , Yang Cheng , Huang Zhen , Su Dan
Published: April 2022

ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease in domestic pigs which causes high mortality. Currently, there are still no effective vaccines or specific drugs available against this particular virus.
Glycosuria Alters Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Global Gene Expression and Virulence
Authors: Islam Md Jahirul , Bagale Kamal , John Preeti P. , Kurtz Zachary , Kulkarni Ritwij
Published: April 2022

Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) is an important causative agent of urinary tract infections in diabetic humans. We examined the effects of
in vitro
exposure to glycosuria (presence of glucose in urine) on the virulence and gene expression by UPEC. Our results show that glycosuria rapidly (in 2 h) alters UPEC gene expression, induces biofilm formation, and suppresses type 1 piliation. These results offer novel insights into the pathogenesis of UPEC in the urinary tract.
Activation of the Type III Secretion System of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Leads to Remodeling of Its Membrane Composition and Function
Authors: Zacharia Anish , Pal Ritesh Ranjan , Katsowich Naama , Mannully Chanchal Thomas , ibrahim Aida , Alfandary Sivan , Serruya Raphael , Baidya Amit K. , Ben-Yehuda Sigal , Rosenshine Ilan , Moussaieff Arieh
Published: April 2022

The characterization of EPEC membrane lipid metabolism upon attachment to the host is an important step toward a better understanding the shift of EPEC, a notable human pathogen, from a planktonic to adherent lifestyle. It may also apply to other pathogenic bacteria that use this secretion system.
Meniscus-Induced Thinning of Smectic Nanofilms
Authors: Dolganov P. V. , Dolganov V. K. , Kats E. I.
Published: April 2022

A new mechanism of thinning of smectic nanofilms is discovered, differing from that previously described in experimental and theoretical works. The size and shape of a meniscus change at a temperature above the temperature of the Smectic-A–isotropic liquid bulk phase transition. Near the temperature of instability of nanofilms, the boundary of the meniscus penetrates deeper into a nanofilm and the thickness of the meniscus becomes about and smaller than the thickness of the nanofilm. A thinner region of the film that is formed in the meniscus near the boundary with the film induces the thinning of the entire nanofilm.
Variant histology in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma in an adult population: disease investigations and characteristics from a retrospective cohort
Authors: Stacey Arthur , Marks Alexandra Jane , Naresh Kikkeri N
Published: April 2022

A subset of variant histological patterns of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) has been associated with advanced disease stage and increased recurrence risk. Histopathology reports on core needle (CNB) and/or surgical excision biopsies (SEB) for 33 adult patients with NLPHL were examined for variant histology prevalence and association with disease stage and clinical outcome. Variant histological pattern was present in 13/33 patients (39%). Obtained tissue was inadequate for diagnosis in 1/23 (4.3%) cases of CNB. Variant histology was associated with stage IV disease at presentation (p<0.001). While SEB should be the procedure of choice in workup of patients for a diagnosis of NLPHL, CNB is an alternate option when SEB is contraindicated or difficult to undertake. Diagnostic reports should specifically note presence of variant histological patterns. Although late-stage disease was associated with progression or recurrence, overall prognosis is excellent for patients with NLPHL.
Altered purine metabolism at reperfusion affects clinical outcome in lung transplantation
Authors: Baciu Cristina , Shin Jason , Hsin Michael , Cypel Marcelo , Keshavjee Shaf , Liu Mingyao
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Lung transplantation is an established treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, ischaemia reperfusion injury remains a barrier to achieving better survival outcomes. Here, we aim to investigate the metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles in human lungs before and after reperfusion, to identify mechanisms relevant to clinical outcome.

Methods

We analysed 67 paired human lung tissue samples collected from 2008 to 2011, at the end of cold preservation and 2 hours after reperfusion. Gene expression analysis was performed with R. Pathway analysis was conducted with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. MetaboAnalyst and OmicsNet were used for metabolomics analysis and omics data integration, respectively. Association of identified metabolites with transplant outcome was investigated with Kaplan-Meier estimate and Cox proportional hazard models.

Results

Activation of energy metabolism and reduced antioxidative biochemicals were found by metabolomics. Upregulation of genes related to cytokines and inflammatory mediators, together with major signalling pathways were revealed by transcriptomics. Purine metabolism was identified as the most significantly enriched pathway at reperfusion, based on integrative analysis of the two omics data sets. Elevated expression of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) could be attributed to activation of multiple transcriptional pathways.PNPcatabolised reactions were evidenced by changes in related metabolites, especially decreased levels of inosine and increased levels of uric acid. Multivariable analyses showed significant association of inosine and uric acid levels with intensive care unit length of stay and ventilation time.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress, especially through purine metabolism pathway, is a major metabolic event during reperfusion and may contribute to the ischaemia reperfusion injury of lung grafts.
Long-term effect of asthma on the development of obesity among adults: an international cohort study, ECRHS
Authors: Moitra Subhabrata , Carsin Anne-Elie , Abramson Michael J , Accordini Simone , Amaral Andre F S , Anto Josep , Bono Roberto , Casas Ruiz Lidia , Cerveri Isa , Chatzi Leda , Demoly Pascal , Dorado-Arenas Sandra , Forsberg Bertil , Gilliland Frank , Gislason Thorarinn , Gullón Jose A , Heinrich Joachim , Holm Mathias , Janson Christer , Jogi Rain , Gómez Real Francisco , Jarvis Debbie , Leynaert Bénédicte , Nowak Dennis , Probst-Hensch Nicole , Sánchez-Ramos José Luis , Raherison-Semjen Chantal , Siroux Valerie , Guerra Stefano , Kogevinas Manolis , Garcia-Aymerich Judith
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Obesity is a known risk factor for asthma. Although some evidence showed asthma causing obesity in children, the link between asthma and obesity has not been investigated in adults.

Methods

We used data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), a cohort study in 11 European countries and Australia in 3 waves between 1990 and 2014, at intervals of approximately 10 years. We considered two study periods: from ECRHS I (t) to ECRHS II (t+1), and from ECRHS II (t) to ECRHS III (t+1). We excluded obese (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) individuals at visitt. The relative risk (RR) of obesity att+1associated with asthma attwas estimated by multivariable modified Poisson regression (lag) with repeated measurements. Additionally, we examined the association of atopy and asthma medication on the development of obesity.

Results

We included 7576 participants in the period ECRHS I-II (51.5% female, mean (SD) age of 34 (7) years) and 4976 in ECRHS II-III (51.3% female, 42 (8) years). 9% of participants became obese in ECRHS I-II and 15% in ECRHS II—III. The risk of developing obesity was higher among asthmatics than non-asthmatics (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.38), and particularly higher among non-atopic than atopic (1.47; 1.17 to 1.86 vs 1.04; 0.86 to 1.27), those with longer disease duration (1.32; 1.10 to 1.59 in >20 years vs 1.12; 0.87 to 1.43 in ≤20 years) and those on oral corticosteroids (1.99; 1.26 to 3.15 vs 1.15; 1.03 to 1.28). Physical activity was not a mediator of this association.

Conclusion

This is the first study showing that adult asthmatics have a higher risk of developing obesity than non-asthmatics, particularly those non-atopic, of longer disease duration or on oral corticosteroids.