bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Single-Blind Study Testing the Preparation Accuracy of Bedside Precleaning Solutions Used for Flexible Endoscopes
Authors: Meeusen Vera , McLean Traci
Published: February 2023

Endoscopy-related pathogen transmission may occur if microorganisms are spread from patient to patient by contaminated equipment. Effective and safe endoscope reprocessing includes bedside precleaning, mechanical cleaning, high-level disinfection, storage, and drying. The aim of this research study was to observe and report on the variation in practice regarding the use of detergent for bedside precleaning of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes. Endoscopy nurses working in the endoscopy unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia, prepared four samples of detergent solution as per normal routine. Twenty-nine nurses participated providing in total 116 samples. There was a significant variation in detergent concentration. The detergent concentration variated between 2.00 and 288.20 ml/L (M = 34.55, SD = 39.21). Two samples revealed lower concentrations than required. More than 25% of the samples contained at least a 10 times higher concentration than required (>40 ml/L). Current practice of bedside precleaning of gastrointestinal endoscopes was not deemed safe or cost-effective as it did not guarantee an adequate concentration of detergent. More precise methods to establish the required concentration of the bedside precleaning solution were introduced to improve practice.
Pseudo-bistability of viscoelastic shells
Authors: Chen Yuzhen , Liu Tianzhen , Jin Lihua
Published: February 2023

Viscoelastic shells subjected to a pressure loading exhibit rich and complex time-dependent responses. Here we focus on the phenomenon of pseudo-bistability, i.e. a viscoelastic shell can stay inverted when pressure is removed, and snap to its natural shape after a delay time. We model and explain the mechanism of pseudo-bistability with a viscoelastic shell model. It combines the small strain, moderate rotation shell theory with the standard linear solid as the viscoelastic constitutive law, and is applicable to shells with arbitrary axisymmetric shapes. As a case study, we investigate the pseudo-bistable behaviour of viscoelastic ellipsoidal shells. Using the proposed model, we successfully predict buckling of a viscoelastic ellipsoidal shell into its inverted configuration when subjected to an instantaneous pressure, creeping when the pressure is held, staying inverted after the pressure is removed, and eventually snapping back after a delay time. The stability transition of the shell from a monostable, temporarily bistable and eventually back to the monostable state is captured by examining the evolution of the instantaneous pressure–volume change relation at different time of the holding and releasing process. A systematic parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of geometry, viscoelastic properties and loading history on the pseudo-bistable behaviour.

This article is part of the theme issue 'Probing and dynamics of shock sensitive shells'.
Snap buckling of bistable beams under combined mechanical and magnetic loading
Authors: Abbasi Arefeh , Sano Tomohiko G. , Yan Dong , Reis Pedro M.
Published: February 2023

We investigate the mechanics of bistable, hard-magnetic, elastic beams, combining experiments, finite-element modelling (FEM) and a reduced-order theory. The beam is made of a hard magneto-rheological elastomer, comprising two segments with antiparallel magnetization along the centreline, and is set into a bistable curved configuration by imposing an end-to-end shortening. Reversible snapping is possible between these two stable states. First, we experimentally characterize the critical field strength for the onset of snapping, at different levels of end-to-end shortening. Second, we perform three-dimensional FEM simulations using the Riks method to analyse high-order deformation modes during snapping. Third, we develop a reduced-order centreline-based beam theory to rationalize the observed magneto-elastic response. The theory and simulations are validated against experiments, with an excellent quantitative agreement. Finally, we consider the case of combined magnetic loading and poking force, examining how the applied field affects the bistability and quantifying the maximum load-bearing capacity. Our work provides a set of predictive tools for the rational design of one-dimensional, bistable, magneto-elastic structural elements.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Probing and dynamics of shock sensitive shells’.
Probing in situ capacities of prestressed stayed columns: towards a novel structural health monitoring technique
Authors: Shen Jiajia , Lapira Luke , Wadee M. Ahmer , Gardner Leroy , Pirrera Alberto , Groh Rainer M. J.
Published: February 2023

Prestressed stayed columns (PSCs) are structural systems whose compressive load-carrying capacity is enhanced through pre-tensioned cable stays. Much research has demonstrated that PSCs buckle subcritically when their prestressing levels maximize the critical buckling load of the theoretically perfect arrangement. Erosion of the pre-tensioned cables’ effectiveness (e.g. through creep or corrosion) can thus lead to sudden collapse. The present goal is to develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) technique for in-service PSCs that returns the current
structural utilization factor
based on selected probing measurements. Hence, PSCs with different cable erosion and varying compression levels are probed in the pre-buckling range within the numerical setting through a nonlinear finite element (FE) model. In contrast to the previous work, it is found presently that the
initial lateral stiffness
from probing a PSC provides a suitable health index for in-service structures. A machine learning-based surrogate is trained on simulated data of the loading factor, cable erosion and probing indices; it is then used as a predictive tool to return the current utilization factor for PSCs alongside the level of cable erosion given probing measurements, showing excellent accuracy and thus provides confidence that an SHM technique based on probing is indeed feasible.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Probing and dynamics of shock sensitive shells’.
Human primary plaque cell cultures to study mechanisms of atherosclerosis
Authors: Buono Michele F. , Benavente Ernest Diez , Slenders Lotte , Methorst Daisey , Tessels Daniёlle , Mili Eloi , Finger Roxy , Kapteijn Daniek , Daniels Mark , van den Dungen Noortje A. M. , Calis Jorg J. A. , Mol Barend M. , de Borst Gert J. , de Kleijn Dominique P. V. , Pasterkamp Gerard , den Ruijter Hester M. , Mokry Michal
Published: February 2023

Plaque smooth muscle cells are critical players in the initiation and advancement of atherosclerotic disease. They produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which play a role in lesion progression and stabilization. Despite clear phenotypic differences between plaque smooth muscle cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), VSMCs are still widely used as a model system in atherosclerotic research.

Here we present a conditioned outgrowth method to isolate plaque smooth muscle cells. We obtained plaque cells from 27 donors (24 carotid and 3 femoral endarterectomies). We show that these cells keep their proliferative capacity for eight passages, are transcriptionally stable, retain donor-specific gene expression programs, and express extracellular matrix proteins (FN1, COL1A1, DCN) and smooth muscle cell markers (ACTA2, MYH11, CNN1).

Single-cell transcriptomics of plaque tissue and cultured cells reveals that cultured plaque cells closely resemble the myofibroblast fraction of plaque smooth muscle cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) shows the presence of histone H3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) at theMYH11promoter, pointing to their smooth muscle cell origin. Finally, we demonstrated that plaque cells can be efficiently transduced (>97%) and are capable to take up oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and undergo calcification.

In conclusion, we present a method to isolate and culture primary human plaque cells that retain plaque myofibroblast-like cells’ phenotypical and functional capabilities - making them a suitablein vitromodel for studying selected mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
Parallel Neurodegenerative Phenotypes in Sporadic Parkinson’s Disease Fibroblasts and Midbrain Dopamine Neurons
Authors: Corenblum MJ , McRobbie-Johnson A , Carruth E , Bernard K , Luo M , Mandarino LJ , Peterson S , Billheimer D , Maley T , Eggers ED , Madhavan L
Published: February 2023

Understanding the mechanisms causing Parkinson’s disease (PD) is vital to the development of much needed early diagnostics and therapeutics for this debilitating condition. Here, we report cellular and molecular alterations in skin fibroblasts of late-onset sporadic PD subjects, that were recapitulated in matched induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons, reprogrammed from the same fibroblasts. Specific changes in growth, morphology, reactive oxygen species levels, mitochondrial function, and autophagy, were seen in both the PD fibroblasts and DA neurons, as compared to their respective controls. Additionally, significant alterations in alpha synuclein expression and electrical activity were also noted in the PD DA neurons. Interestingly, although the fibroblast and neuronal phenotypes were similar to each other, they also differed in their nature and scale. Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed novel associations between various clinical measures of the PD subjects and the different fibroblast and neuronal data. In essence, these findings encapsulate spontaneous, in-tandem, disease-related phenotypes in both sporadic PD fibroblasts and iPSC-based DA neurons, from the same patient, and generates an innovative model to investigate PD mechanisms with a view towards rational disease stratification and precision treatments.
Encoding of continuous perceptual choices in human early visual cortex
Authors: Barbieri Riccardo , Töpfer Felix M. , Soch Joram , Bogler Carsten , Sprekeler Henning , Haynes John-Dylan
Published: February 2023

Research on the neural mechanisms of perceptual decision-making has typically focused on simple categorical choices, say between two alternative motion directions. Studies on such discrete alternatives have often suggested that choices are encoded either in a motor-based or in an abstract, categorical format in regions beyond sensory cortex. However, many sensory features are graded rather than discrete, raising the question how choices are encoded when they span the full sensory continuum. Here we assessed this using motion stimuli that could vary anywhere between 0° and 360°. We employed a combination of neuroimaging and encoding models based on Gaussian Process Regression to assess how either stimuli or choices were encoded in brain responses. We found that single-voxel tuning patterns could be used to reconstruct the trial-by-trial physical direction of motion as well as the participants’ continuous choices. Importantly, these continuous choice signals were primarily observed in early visual areas. The tuning properties in this region generalized between choice encoding and stimulus encoding, even for reports that reflected pure guessing. We found only little information related to the decision outcome in regions beyond visual cortex, such as parietal cortex, possibly because our task did not involve differential motor preparation. This could suggest that decisions for continuous stimuli take can place already in sensory brain regions, potentially using similar mechanisms to the sensory recruitment in visual working memory.
LINE1-mediated reverse transcription and genomic integration of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA detected in virus-infected but not in viral mRNA-transfected cells
Authors: Zhang Liguo , Bisht Punam , Flamier Anthony , Barrasa M. Inmaculada , Richards Alexsia , Hughes Stephen H. , Jaenisch Rudolf
Published: February 2023

SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be reverse-transcribed and integrated into the genomes of virus-infected cells by a LINE1-mediated retrotransposition mechanism. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) methods detected retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic sequences in virus-infected cells overexpressing LINE1, while an enrichment method (TagMap) identified retrotranspositions in cells that did not overexpress LINE1. LINE1 overexpression increased retrotranspositions about 1,000-fold as compared to non-overexpressing cells. Nanopore WGS can directly recover retrotransposed viral and flanking host sequences but its sensitivity depends on the depth of sequencing (a typical 20-fold sequencing depth would only examine 10 diploid cell equivalents). In contrast, TagMap enriches for the host-virus junctions and can interrogate up to 20,000 cells and is able to detect rare viral retrotranspositions in LINE1 non-overexpressing cells. Although Nanopore WGS is 10 – 20-fold more sensitive per tested cell, TagMap can interrogate 1,000 – 2,000-fold more cells and therefore can identify infrequent retrotranspositions. When comparing SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral nucleocapsid mRNA transfection by TagMap, retrotransposed SARS-CoV-2 sequences were only detected in infected but not in transfected cells. Retrotransposition in virus-infected in contrast to transfected cells may be facilitated because virus infection in contrast to viral RNA transfection results in significantly higher viral RNA levels and stimulates LINE1-expression which causes cellular stress.
Human sensorimotor beta event characteristics and aperiodic signal are highly heritable
Authors: Pauls K. Amande , Salmela Elina , Korsun Olesia , Kujala Jan , Salmelin Riitta , Renvall Hanna
Published: February 2023

Individuals’ phenotypes, including the brain’s structure and function, are largely determined by genes and their interplay. The resting brain generates salient rhythmic patterns which can be characterized non-invasively using functional neuroimaging such as magnetoencephalography (MEG). One of these rhythms, the somatomotor (‘rolandic’) beta rhythm, shows intermittent high amplitude ‘events’ which predict behavior across tasks and species. Beta rhythm is altered in neurological disease. The aperiodic (‘1/f’) signal present in electrophysiological recordings is also modulated by some neurological conditions and aging. Both sensorimotor beta and aperiodic signal could thus serve as biomarkers of sensorimotor function. Knowledge about the extent to which these brain functional measures are heritable could shed light on the mechanisms underlying their generation. We investigated the heritability and variability of human spontaneous sensorimotor beta rhythm and aperiodic activity in 210 healthy adult siblings’ spontaneous MEG activity. Both the overall beta spectral power as well as time-resolved beta event amplitude parameters were highly heritable, whereas the heritabilities for peak frequency and measures of event duration remained nonsignificant. Interestingly, the most heritable trait was the aperiodic 1/f signal, with a heritability of 0.94 in the right hemisphere. Human sensorimotor neural activity can thus be dissected into different components with variable heritability. We postulate that differences in heritability in part reflect different underlying signal generating mechanisms. The 1/f signal and beta event amplitude measures may depend more on fixed, anatomical parameters, whereas beta event duration and its modulation reflect dynamic characteristics, guiding their use as potential disease biomarkers.
Alpha-frequency feedback to early visual cortex orchestrates coherent naturalistic vision
Authors: Chen Lixiang , Cichy Radoslaw M , Kaiser Daniel
Published: February 2023

During natural vision, the brain generates coherent percepts by integrating sensory inputs scattered across the visual field. Here, we asked whether this integration process is mediated by rhythmic cortical feedback. In EEG and fMRI experiments, we experimentally manipulated the demand for integration by changing the spatiotemporal coherence of natural videos presented across visual hemifields. Our EEG data revealed that information about incongruent videos is coded in feedforward-related gamma activity while information about congruent videos is coded in feedback-related alpha activity, indicating that integration is indeed mediated by rhythmic feedback. Our fMRI data identified scene-selective cortex as a likely source of this feedback. Analytically combining our EEG and fMRI data further revealed that feedback-related representations in the alpha band shape the earliest stages of visual processing in cortex. Together, our findings indicate that the construction of coherent visual experiences relies on rhythmic cortical feedback that fully traverses the visual hierarchy.
Experienced Meditators Show Multifaceted Attention-Related Differences in Neural Activity
Authors: Bailey Neil W , Baell Oliver , Payne Jake Elijah , Humble Gregory , Geddes Harry , Cahill Isabella , Hill Aron T , Chung Sung Wook , Emonson Melanie , Murphy Oscar W , Fitzgerald Paul B
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Mindfulness meditation (MM) is suggested to improve attention. Research has explored this using the ‘attentional-blink’ (AB) task, where stimuli are rapidly presented, and a second target stimulus (T2) is often missed if presented ∼300ms after an initial target stimulus (T1). This research showed improved task-accuracy and altered neural activity after an intensive 3-month MM retreat. We tested whether these results replicated in a community sample of typical meditators.

Methods

Thirty-one mindfulness meditators and 30 non-meditators completed an AB task while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. Between-group comparisons were made for task-accuracy, event-related potential activity (posterior-N2 and P3b), theta and alpha oscillatory phase synchronisation to stimuli presentation, and alpha-power. Primary aims examined effects within time windows reported by previous research. Additional exploratory aims assessed effects across broader time windows.

Results

No differences were detected in task-accuracy or neural activity within our primary hypotheses. However, exploratory analyses showed posterior-N2 and theta phase synchronisation effects indicating meditators prioritised attending to T2 stimuli (p < 0.01). Meditators also showed more alpha-phase synchronisation, and lower alpha-power when processing T2 stimuli (p < 0.025).

Conclusions

Our results showed multiple differences in neural activity that suggested enhanced attention in meditators. The neural activity patterns in meditators aligned with theoretical perspectives on activity associated with enhanced cognitive performance. These include enhanced alpha ‘gating’ mechanisms, increased oscillatory synchronisation to stimuli, and more equal allocation of neural activity across stimuli. However, meditators did not show higher task-accuracy, nor did effects align with our primary hypotheses or previous research.

Preregistration

This study was not preregistered.
Investigating Cerebral Autoregulation in Traumatic Brain Injury via Simultaneous Measurements of Intracranial Pressure, Arterial Blood Pressure and relative Cerebral Blood Flow
Authors: Uff Christopher
Published: February 2023

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can alter the brain’s ability to maintain an adequate supply of oxygen and metabolites to brain tissue by disrupting the autoregulatory mechanisms that maintain constant cerebral blood flow. Impaired cerebral autoregulation can result in brain hypoxia leading to morbidity and mortality so maintenance of cerebral blood flow after injury is of paramount importance. Currently, this is managed using limited information and various assumptions, hence there is significant interest in developing better correlates for establishing whether cerebral autoregulation is impaired or intact. In this study we simultaneously measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) using a non-invasive optical approach, intracranial pressure (ICP, measured invasively) and arterial blood pressure (ABP) with the aim of investigating the relationships between these signals over multiple timescales, and ultimately assessing how these measurements may best be combined and interpreted to aid the treatment of TBI.
Impact of brain parcellation on prediction performance in models of cognition and demographics
Authors: Litwińczuk Marta Czime , Muhlert Nils , Trujillo-Barreto Nelson , Woollams Anna
Published: February 2023

Brain connectivity analysis begins with the selection of a parcellation scheme that will define brain regions as nodes of a network whose connections will be studied. Brain connectivity has already been used in predictive modelling of cognition, but it remains unclear if the resolution of the parcellation used can systematically impact the predictive model performance. In this work, structural, functional and combined connectivity were each defined with 5 different parcellation schemes. The resolution and modality of the parcellation schemes were varied. Each connectivity defined with each parcellation was used to predict individual differences in age, education, sex, Executive Function, Self-regulation, Language, Encoding and Sequence Processing. It was found that low-resolution functional parcellation consistently performed above chance at producing generalisable models of both demographics and cognition. However, no single parcellation scheme proved superior at predictive modelling across all cognitive domains and demographics. In addition, although parcellation schemes impacted the global organisation of each connectivity type, this difference could not account for the out-of-sample prediction performance of the models. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that while high-resolution parcellations may be beneficial for modelling specific individual differences, partial voluming of signals produced by higher resolution of parcellation likely disrupts model generalisability.
Immature neurons in the primate amygdala: changes with early development and disrupted early environment
Authors: McHale-Matthews Alexandra C , DeCampo Danielle M , Love Tanzy , Cameron Judy L , Fudge Julie L
Published: February 2023

In human and nonhuman primates, the amygdala paralaminar nucleus (PL) contains immature neurons. To explore the PL’s potential for cellular growth during development, we compared PL cells in 1) infant and adolescent macaques (control, maternally-reared), and in 2) infant macaques that experienced separation from their mother in the first month of life. In maternally-reared animals, the adolescent PL had fewer immature neurons, more mature neurons, and larger immature soma volumes compared to infant PL. There were also fewer total neurons (immature plus mature) in adolescent versus infant PL, suggesting that some neurons move out of the PL by adolescence. Maternal separation did not change mean immature or mature neuron counts in infant PL. However, across all infant animals, immature neuron soma volume was strongly correlated with mature neuron counts.tbr-1mRNA, a transcript required for glutamatergic neuron maturation, is significantly reduced in the maternally-separated infant PL (DeCampo et al, 2017), and was also positively correlated with mature neuron counts in infant PL. We conclude that immature neurons gradually mature by adolescence, and that the stress of maternal separation may shift this trajectory, as revealed by correlations between tbr1mRNA and mature neuron numbers across animals.
Highly efficient induction of functionally mature excitatory neurons from feeder-free human ES/iPS cells
Authors: Zhou Zhi , Kakegawa Wataru , Fujimori Koki , Sho Misato , Shimamura Rieko , Supakul Sopak , Yoshimatsu Sho , Kohyama Jun , Yuzaki Michisuke , Okano Hideyuki
Published: February 2023

Cortical excitatory neurons (Cx neurons) are the most dominant neuronal cell type in the cerebral cortex, which play a central role in cognition, perception, intellectual behavior and emotional processing. Robustin vitroinduction of Cx neurons may facilitate as a tool for the elucidation of brain development and pathomechanism of the intractable neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, and thus potentially contribute to drug development. Here, we report a defined method for efficient induction of Cx neurons from the feeder-free-conditioned human embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). By using this method, human ES/iPS cells could be differentiated into ~99% MAP2-positive neurons by three weeks, and these induced neurons, within five weeks, presented various characteristics of mature excitatory neurons such as strong expression of glutamatergic neuron-specific markers (subunits of AMPA and NDMA receptors and CAMKIIα), highly synchronized spontaneous firing and excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC). Moreover, the Cx neurons showed susceptibility to the toxicity of Aβ42oligomers and excitotoxicity of excessive glutamates, which is another advantage in terms of toxicity test and searching for the therapeutic agents. Taken together, this study provides a novel research platform for the study of neural development and degeneration based on the feeder-free human ES/iPS cell system.
Mutant fixation in the presence of a natural enemy
Authors: Wodarz Dominik , Komarova Natalia L.
Published: February 2023

In the extensive literature about mutant invasion and fixation, populations are typically assumed to exist in isolation from their ecosystem. Yet, populations are part of ecological communities, and enemy-victim (e.g. predator-prey or pathogen-host) dynamics are particularly common. We use computational models to re-visit the established theory about mutant fixation in the presence of a natural enemy, which equally attacks both wild-type and mutant populations. We consider advantageous and disadvantageous mutants, whose fitness is unrelated to the infection. Using spatially structured agent-based as well as patch models of a population that is subject to infection, we investigate the fixation probability of a mutant that is introduced into the population at quasi-equilibrium. We find that infection significantly weakens selection. Thus, the presence of infection increases the fixation probability of disadvantageous mutants and decreases the fixation probability of advantageous mutants, with the magnitude of the effect rising with the infection rate. We show that this occurs because infection induces spatial structures, in which mutant and wild-type individuals are mostly spatially separated. Thus, instead of mutant and wild-type individuals competing with each other, it is mutant and wild-type “patches” that compete, resulting in smaller fitness differences and hence weakened selection. Because natural enemies such as infections are ubiquitous, this has broad applicability to natural systems. Our results imply that the burden of deleterious mutants in natural populations might be significantly higher than expected from mutant invasion theory developed in the absence of natural enemies.
Confidential Screening for and Management of Intimate Partner Violence Risk using a Commercial Electronic Health Records System
Authors: Lenert Leslie A , Diaz Vanessa , Simpson Kit , Hahn Christine , Aiken Michael , Swazt Elizabeth , Sox Luke , Pekar Ekaterina , Ennis Naomi , Rheingold Alyssa
Published: February 2023

Intimate partner violence is, unfortunately, a common problem (25% of women) for which screening in primary care is a recommended service. In this paper, we describe modifications to a commercial EHR system (Epic) designed to support confidential screening for and management of IPV in primary care settings. Modifications include the use of an exam room computer as a kiosk for patient-generated health data entry, storage of data in a hidden location, the use of rule-based alerting methods to direct providers to access data, and electronic form-based tools for case management and documentation. While preserving privacy, this approach also allows access by provider type and authorized setting, including use for population health management. The approach was tested in a pilot study and found to be feasible, to have good compliance for provider screening (65%) and is being evaluated in a stepped-wedge trial in other primary care clinics across a large academic health system.
Precise Spatial Tuning of Visually Driven Alpha Oscillations in Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Yuasa Kenichi , Groen Iris I.A. , Piantoni Giovanni , Montenegro Stephanie , Flinker Adeen , Devore Sasha , Devinsky Orrin , Doyle Werner , Dugan Patricia , Friedman Daniel , Ramsey Nick , Petridou Natalia , Winawer Jonathan
Published: February 2023

Neuronal oscillations at about 10 Hz, called alpha oscillations, are often thought to arise from synchronous activity across occipital cortex, reflecting general cognitive states such as arousal and alertness. However, there is also evidence that modulation of alpha oscillations in visual cortex can be spatially specific. Here, we used intracranial electrodes in human patients to measure alpha oscillations in response to visual stimuli whose location varied systematically across the visual field. We separated the alpha oscillatory power from broadband power changes. The variation in alpha oscillatory power with stimulus position was then fit by a population receptive field (pRF) model. We find that the alpha pRFs have similar center locations to pRFs estimated from broadband power (70–180 Hz), but are several times larger. The results demonstrate that alpha suppression in human visual cortex can be precisely tuned. Finally, we show how the pattern of alpha responses can explain several features of exogenous visual attention.

Significance Statement

The alpha oscillation is the largest electrical signal generated by the human brain. An important question in systems neuroscience is the degree to which this oscillation reflects system-wide states and behaviors such as arousal, alertness, and attention, versus much more specific functions in the routing and processing of information. We examined alpha oscillations at high spatial precision in human patients with intracranial electrodes implanted over visual cortex. We discovered a surprisingly high spatial specificity of visually driven alpha oscillations, which we quantified with receptive field models. We further use our discoveries about properties of the alpha response to show a link between these oscillations and the spread of visual attention.
Time course of lipopolysaccharide- and capsaicin-induced cytokine release in an ex vivo mouse model of vaginal inflammation
Authors: Chalmers K Jane , Hutchinson Mark R , Dodds Kelsi N , Kwok Yuen H , Evans Susan F , Moseley G Lorimer
Published: February 2023

Problem

The neuroimmune interface has been characterised in few areas of the body. The objective of this study was to investigate the neuroimmune interface in the mouse vagina through a novelex vivomodel, to determine whether LPS could directly activate and produce TRPV1-mediated neuronal activation.

Method of Study

Concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6 release into the supernatant at different times postex vivostimulation with LPS, capsaicin, or a combination of the two were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

There were no differences in the supernatant concentration of IL-6 with different stimulation type nor stimulation time. Supernatant concentrations of IL-1β were greater at the 20 hour time point than the 4 hour time point, and were greater for stimulations involving LPS.

Conclusion

There is a clear pattern of pro-inflammatory neuroimmune responses followingex vivostimulation of mouse vaginal tissues with capsaicin and LPS, evident as an increased IL-1β output. This output is greatest at 20 hours post-stimulation, indicating this neuroimmune response is time-dependent.
Short Tandem Repeats of Human Genome Are Intrinsically Unstable in Cultured Cellsin vivo
Authors: Liu Yuzhe , Li Jinhuan , Wu Qiang
Published: February 2023

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are a class of abundant structural or functional elements in the human genome and exhibit a polymorphic nature of repeat length and genetic variation within human populations. Interestingly, STR expansions underlie about 60 neurological disorders. However, “stutter” artifacts or noises render it difficult to investigate the pathogenesis of STR expansions. Here, we systematically investigated STR instability in cultured human cells using GC-rich CAG and AT-rich ATTCT tandem repeats as examples. We found that triplicate bidirectional Sanger sequencing with PCR amplification under proper conditions can reliably assess STR length. In addition, we found that next-generation sequencing with paired-end reads bidirectionally covering STR regions can accurately and reliably assay STR length. Finally, we found that STRs are intrinsically unstable in cultured human cell populations and during single-cell cloning. Our data suggest a general method for accurately and reliably assessing STR length and have important implications in investigating pathogenesis of STR expansion diseases.
Multi-frame biomechanical and relaxometry analysis during in vivo loading of the human knee by spiral dualMRI and compressed sensing
Authors: Lee Woowon , Miller Emily Y. , Zhu Hongtian , Schneider Stephanie E. , Reiter David A. , Neu Corey P.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Knee cartilage experiences repetitive loading during physical activities, which is altered during the pathogenesis of diseases like osteoarthritis. Analyzing the biomechanics during motion provides a clear understanding of the dynamics of cartilage deformation, and may establish essential imaging biomarkers of early-stage disease. However, in vivo biomechanical analysis of cartilage during rapid motion is not well established.

Methods

We used spiral DENSE MRI on in vivo human tibiofemoral cartilage during cyclic varus loading (0.5 Hz) and employed compressed sensing on the k-space data. The applied compressive load was set for each participant at 0.5× body weight on the medial condyle. Relaxometry methods were measured on the cartilage before (T1ρ, T2) and after (T1ρ) varus load.

Results

Displacement and strain maps showed a gradual shift of displacement and strain in time. Compressive strain was observed in the medial condyle cartilage and shear strain was roughly half of the compressive strain. Male participants had more displacement in the loading direction compared to females, and T1ρvalues did not change after cyclic varus load. Compressed sensing reduced the scanning time up to 25-40% when comparing the displacement maps and substantially lowered the noise levels.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the ease of which spiral DENSE MRI could be applied to clinical studies due to the shortened imaging time, while quantifying realistic cartilage deformations that occur through daily activities, and that could serve as biomarkers of early osteoarthritis.
Immp2l knockdown increases stimulus-driven instrumental behaviour but does not alter goal-directed learning or neuron density in cortico-striatal circuits in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Leung Beatrice K. , Merlin Sam , Walker Adam K. , Lawther Adam J. , Paxinos George , Eapen Valsamma , Clarke Raymond , Balleine Bernard W. , Furlong Teri M.
Published: February 2023

Cortico-striatal neurocircuits mediate goal-directed and habitual actions which are necessary for adaptive behaviour. It has recently been proposed that some of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), such as tics and repetitive behaviours, may emerge because of imbalances in these neurocircuits. We have recently developed a model of ASD and GTS by knocking downImmp2l, a mitochondrial gene frequently associated with these disorders. The current study sought to determine whetherImmp2lknockdown (KD) in male mice alters flexible, goal- or cue-driven behaviour using procedures specifically designed to examine response-outcome and stimulus-response associations, which underlie goal-directed and habitual behaviour, respectively. WhetherImmp2lKD alters neuron density in cortico-striatal neurocircuits known to regulate these behaviours was also examined.Immp2lKD mice and wild type-like mice (WT) were trained on Pavlovian and instrumental learning procedures where auditory cues predicted food delivery and lever-press responses earned a food outcome. It was demonstrated that goal-directed learning was not changed forImmp2lKD mice compared to WT mice, as lever-press responses were sensitive to changes in the value of the food outcome, and to contingency reversal and degradation. There was also no difference in the capacity of KD mice to form habitual behaviours compared to WT mice following extending training of the instrumental action. However,Immp2lKD mice were more responsive to auditory stimuli paired with food as indicated by a non-specific increase in lever response rates during Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer. Finally, there were no alterations to neuron density in striatum or any prefrontal cortex or limbic brain structures examined. Thus, the current study suggests that Immp2l is not necessary for learned maladaptive goal or stimulus driven behaviours in ASD or GTS, but that it may contribute to increased capacity for external stimuli to drive behaviour. Alterations to stimulus-driven behaviour could potentially influence the expression of tics and repetitive behaviours, suggesting that genetic alterations toImmp2lmay contribute to these core symptoms in ASD and GTS. Given that this is the first application of this battery of instrumental learning procedures to a mouse model of ASD or GTS, it is an important initial step in determining the contribution of known risk-genes to goal-directed versus habitual behaviours, which should be more broadly applied to other rodent models of ASD and GTS in the future.
Professional boundary violations in prisons: a scoping review of the literature
Authors: Kelly Dominic , Potter Jonathan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Professional boundary violations – intentional blurring, minimising or exploiting of institutions’ ethical and legal frameworks – have the potential to cause significant harm to prisoners, staff, prison systems and the public. There has been little empirical research on the nature, extent and impact of boundary violations in UK prisons. The purpose of this paper is to synthesise and critically review studies which have sought to explore, measure and predict boundary violative behaviour, with a view to direct future research and inform prison policies and practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Four internet-based bibliographic databases were used for this review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Twenty studies published between 2001 and 2022 were included in this review.

Findings

There is a lack of comprehensive self-report measures around prison boundary violations. Staff and prisoner characteristics, as well as prison-specific conditions, are linked with boundary violations. Staff training, improved working conditions and amnesty programmes as well as bolstered surveillance and restricted cross-sex staff deployment were among recommendations to reduce boundary violations. “Insider” researchers offer insight and access opportunities, but they also pose ethical implications. Current studies have research design, participant sampling and measurement scale limitations which compromises the applicability of findings. Prisons need robust policies on defining, reporting, punishing and recovering from boundary violations. Collaboration between prison institutions and academics, using individuals with experience of both professions, is essential to understand, predict and reduce boundary violations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review of empirical studies on professional boundary violations in prison.
Risky (information) business: an informational risk research agenda
Authors: Hicks Alison
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to suggest that the growing sociocultural theorisation of risk calls for a more robust research focus on the role that information and in particular, information literacy, plays in mediating hazards and danger.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting by tracing how information has been conceptualised in relation to risk through technoscientific, cognitive and sociocultural lenses, the paper then focuses on emerging sociocultural understandings of risk to present a research agenda for a renewed sociocultural exploration of how risk is shaped through the enactment of information literacy.

Findings

The paper identifies and examines how information literacy shapes four key aspects of risk, including risk perception, risk management, risk-taking and “at-risk” populations. These four aspects are further connected through broader themes of learning, identity, work and power, which form the basis of the sociocultural risk research agenda.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study bringing together the many understandings related to how risk is informed and establishes risk as a key area of interest within information literacy research.
Revenue composition and financial health of nonprofit humanitarian and emergency health services
Authors: Tariq Syed , Zaffar Muhammad Adeel , Riaz Yasir , Jalil Muhammad Naiman
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Emergency health and humanitarian nonprofits work under volatile circumstances that strain nonprofits' financial resources. This study investigates the impact of revenue composition on the financial health of these nonprofits and the impact of financial health on the likelihood of financial distress.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 11,335 emergency nonprofits from 2003 to 2020 was obtained through form 990 data and studied through a difference generalized method of moments (GMM) approach for the impact of revenue composition on financial health. The impact of financial health on financial distress was studied through panel logistics regression.

Findings

Revenue diversification adversely affects the financial health of nonprofit emergency health and humanitarian organizations contrary to the implications of modern portfolio theory. The financial health of nonprofit emergency health and humanitarian organizations is persistent through the significant positive effect of lags in most cases.

Originality/value

The emergency health subsector of nonprofits was studied separately due to the unique nature of the sectors' operations and operating environment. The impact of revenue composition was investigated on key dimensions of financial health. Omitted variable bias, simultaneity and dynamic endogeneity were handled through difference GMM.
Disclosing value creation in integrated reports according to the six capitals: a holistic approach for a holistic instrument
Authors: Pigatto Giacomo , Cinquini Lino , Tenucci Andrea , Dumay John
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study is an analysis that aims to understand the rationale behind the concept of value creation contained in the integrated reporting (IR) framework. As such, the authors examined the quality of the disclosures made in integrated reports by measuring the level to which the six capitals (6Cs) have been integrated into disclosures on value creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The IR framework’s value creation model focuses on six content elements and three guiding principles. Hence, the present analysis combines content analysis with quantitative measures in the form of a bespoke Integrated Disclosure Index. The index measures the level of integration found in the disclosures instead of the mere presence or absence of mentioned capitals, content elements and guiding principles in isolation. The present sample comprised the 2016 integrated/sustainability reports for 184 listed companies sourced from the Integrated Reporting Examples Database.

Findings

The 6Cs are well disclosed in form but only partially disclosed in substance. Further, overall levels of integration between the capitals, the content elements and the guiding principles are higher than average. Disclosures on materiality, business models and stakeholder relationships are somewhat lacking, as are the related medium- and long-term disclosures on outlook.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the academic debate on IR by building a case for holistically assessing the substance of integrated reports. Considering that the IR value creation model can underpin and align with the 17 UN sustainable development goals, the authors show how the fundamental concept of the 6Cs sustaining value creation is understood and implemented differently across the various elements and principles of the IR framework.

Social implications

This research also provides guidance for overcoming some of the practical hurdles associated with assessing the quality of reports because the authors provide tools for spotlighting the substance of disclosures over their form.

Originality/value

This paper delves into the substance of integrated reports by assessing how well the 6Cs have been integrated into disclosures on the content elements and guiding principles of the IR framework. In contrast to previous IR research that has mainly analysed capital, elements and principles in isolation, the authors develop an index assessing the integration of these three fundamental concepts of IR.
First report on the occurrence of Vibrio cholerae nonO1/nonO139 in natural and artificial lakes and ponds in Serbia: Evidence for a long‐distance transfer of strains and the presence of Vibrio paracholerae
Authors: Rehm Carmen , Lippert Kathrin , Indra Alexander , Kolarević Stoimir , Kračun‐Kolarević Margareta , Leopold Melanie , Steinbacher Sophia , Schachner Iris , Campostrini Lena , Risslegger Alexandra , Farnleitner Andreas H. , Kolm Claudia , Kirschner Alexander K.T.
Published: February 2023

Vibrio cholerae are natural inhabitants of specific aquatic environments. Strains not belonging to serogroups O1 and O139 are usually unable to produce cholera toxin and cause cholera. However, non‐toxigenic V. cholerae (NTVC) are able to cause a variety of mild‐to‐severe human infections (via seafood consumption or recreational activities). The number of unreported cases is considered substantial, as NTVC infections are not notifiable and physicians are mostly unaware of this pathogen. In the northern hemisphere, NTVC infections have been reported to increase due to global warming. In Eastern Europe, climatic and geological conditions favour the existence of inland water‐bodies harbouring NTVC. We thus investigated the occurrence of NTVC in nine Serbian natural and artificial lakes and ponds, many of them used for fishing and bathing. With the exception of one highly saline lake, all investigated water‐bodies harboured NTVC, ranging from 5.4 × 101 to 1.86 × 104 CFU and 4.5 × 102 to 5.6 × 106 genomic units per 100 ml. The maximum values observed were in the range of bathing waters in other countries, where infections have been reported. Interestingly, 7 out of 39 fully sequenced presumptive V. cholerae isolates were assigned as V. paracholerae, a recently described sister species of V. cholerae. Some clones and sublineages of both V. cholerae and V. paracholerae were shared by different environments indicating an exchange of strains over long distances. Important pathogenicity factors such as hlyA, toxR, and ompU were present in both species. Seasonal monitoring of ponds/lakes used for recreation in Serbia is thus recommended to be prepared for potential occurrence of infections promoted by climate change‐induced rise in water temperatures.