Mismatch Negativity (MMN) is an event-related potential component automatically elicited by events that violate predictions based on prior events. To elicit this component, researchers use stimulus repetition to induce predictions, and the MMN is obtained by subtracting the brain response to rare or unpredicted stimuli from that of frequent stimuli. Under the predictive processing framework, one increasingly popular interpretation of the mismatch response postulates that MMN represents a prediction error. In this context, the reduced MMN amplitude to auditory stimuli has been considered a potential biomarker of Schizophrenia, representing a reduced prediction error and the inability to update the mental model of the world based on the sensory signals. It is unclear, however, whether this amplitude reduction is specific for auditory events or if the visual MMN reveals a similar pattern in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. This review and meta-analysis aimed to summarise the available literature on the vMMN in Schizophrenia. A systematic literature search resulted in 11 eligible studies that resulted in a combined effect size of g = - 0.63, CI [-0.86, -0.41], reflecting lower vMMN amplitudes in patients. These results are in line with the findings in the auditory domain. This component offers certain advantages, such as less susceptibility to attentional influences. Future studies should use vMMN to explore abnormalities in the PPF in different stages and groups of the SSD and increase the knowledge in the search for biomarkers in Schizophrenia.

Background: The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in early 2020 and subsequent implementation of public health and social measures (PHSM) disrupted the epidemiology of respiratory viruses. This work describes the epidemiology of RSV observed during two winter seasons (weeks 40 to 20) and inter-seasonal periods (weeks 21 to 39) during the pandemic between October 2020 and September 2022. Methods: Using data submitted to The European Surveillance System (TESSy) by countries or territories in the World health Organization (WHO) European Region between weeks 40/2020 and 39/2022, we aggregated country-specific weekly RSV counts of sentinel, non-sentinel and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance specimens and calculated percentage positivity. Results for both 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons and inter-seasons were compared to pre-pandemic 2016/17 to 2019/20 seasons and inter-seasons. Results: Although more specimens were tested than in pre-COVID-19 pandemic seasons, very few RSV detections were reported during the 2020/21 season in all surveillance systems. During the 2021 inter-season, a gradual increase in detections was observed in all systems. In 2021/22, all systems saw early peaks of RSV infection, and during the 2022 inter-seasonal period, patterns of detections were closer to those seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: RSV surveillance continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with an initial reduction in transmission, followed by very high and out-of-season RSV circulation (summer 2021) and then an early start of the 2021/22 season. RSV circulation during the 2022/23 season had not yet normalised.

Inflammation is a physiological response composed by well-defined and overlapping events that can eliminate pathogens and reestablish homeostasis of tissues. Physiological systems have an elastic capacity to deal with numerous perturbations. Infection may lead to inflammation, tissue damage and disease as consequence of breakdown of tissue resilience. The resolutive phase is a sine qua non condition to achieve homeostasis after acute inflammation. Exuberant or chronic inflammation occurs in diverse infectious diseases. Pro-resolving molecules may be useful for the treatment of certain infections, as these molecules modulate the immune response and avoid the exacerbated/misplaced inflammation unleashed by microbes. Some pro-resolving molecules may also favour pathogen clearance, in addition to decreasing tissue damage. In this review, we discuss the endogenous role and the therapeutic potential of the most relevant pro-resolving molecules in the context of bacterial and viral infections.

Coronary artery fistula is a rare cardiac disease which could be diagnosed by multiple imaging modalities and could be effectively treated by surgical or percutaneous closure. The patient is a 21 years old man initially presented with palpitation and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. For further evaluation he underwent transthoracic echocardiography on which a mass like structure was found in right atrium. On transesophageal echocardiography this cystic structure was in continuation with dilated left circumflex coronary artery and based on data from both CT angiography and coronary angiography , coronary artery fistula with abnormal drainage right atrium was defined and percutaneous closure was proposed. Learning objective: As coronary artery fistula is a rare condition, making the acquaintance of its clinical presentation, the role of imaging modalities in diagnosis and therapeutic options is our concern. In this patient paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and then a cystic mass like structure in right atrium led us to the diagnosis in stepwise approach.

Limited knowledge of bird microbiome in the all-body niche hinders our understanding of host–microbial relationships and animal health. Here, we characterized the microbial composition of the crested ibis from 13 body sites, representing the cloaca, oral, feather, and skin habitats, and explored assembly mechanism structuring the bacterial community of the four habitats, respectively. The bacterial community characteristics were distinct among the four habitats. The skin harbored the highest alpha diversity, most diverse functions, and more complex network, followed by feather, oral, and cloaca. Individual-specific features were observed when the skin and feathers were concentrated independently. Skin and feather samples of multiple body sites from the same individual were more similar than those from different individuals. Although a significant proportion of the microbiota in the host (3.5% to 14.5%) was not derived from the environmental microbiome, as body sites became more exposed to the environment, the relative importance of neutral processes increased. Neutral processes were the most important contributor in shaping the feather microbiome communities (R2=0.859). A higher percentage of taxa (29.3%) on the skin were selected by hosts compared to taxa on other body habitats. This study demonstrated that niche speciation and partial neutral processes, rather than environmental sources, contribute to microbiome variation in the crested ibis. These results enhance our knowledge of baseline microbial diversity in birds and will aid health management in crested ibises in the future.

In the wake of the #Metoo movement, liberal feminism has garnered the spotlight on equal rights for women. However, what factors contribute to men and women developing liberal feminist ideologies? This is important to understand as this ideology is predictive of support for political and social policies that are currently under debate in the United States. In this survey study (149 heterosexual men and 233 heterosexual women) we examined attitudinal and ideological variables that underlie liberal feminist ideology. The results of this study indicate that men scored significantly lower on liberal feminist ideology and significantly higher on traditional attitudes toward women, hostile and benevolent sexism, gender-specific justification, rape myths and conservative political affiliation compared to women. Furthermore, traditional attitudes toward women, hostile and benevolent sexism, gender-specific justification, rape myths, political leanings, and gender accounted for almost 70 percent of the variance in liberal feminist ideology. Participant gender did not moderate the regression analyses, suggesting that men and women are influenced similarly in determining what attitudes predict liberal feminist ideologies. Implications for support for public policy are addressed.

Secretory carcinoma of salivary gland is a recently-recognized tumor resulting in pathognomic ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion, identification of which is gold standard for diagnosis. In resource-limited settings unable to perform molecular analysis, histology and immunohistochemistry are quintessential for diagnosis. We present an illustrative case, discussing typical presentation of this rare entity.

Insect herbivores, such as lepidopteran larvae, often have close evolutionary relationships with their host plants, with which they may be locked in an evolutionary arms race. Larval grouping behaviour may be one behavioural adaptation that improves host plant feeding, but aggregation also comes with costs, such as higher competition and limited resource access. Here, we use the Heliconiini butterfly tribe to explore the impact of host plant traits on the evolution of larval gregariousness. Heliconiini almost exclusively utilise species from the Passifloraceae as larval host plants. Passifloraceae display incredible diversity of form, leaf shape and a range of anti-herbivore defences, suggesting they are locked in an arms race with Heliconiini larvae. By analysing larval social behaviour as both a binary (solitary or gregarious) and categorical (increasing larval group size) trait, we revisit the multiple origins of larval gregariousness across Heliconiini. We investigate whether host habitat, leaf defences and leaf size are important drivers of, or constraints on, larval gregariousness. Whereas our data do not reveal links between larval gregariousness and the host plant traits included in this study, we do find an interaction between larval host specialisation and behaviour, revealing gregarious larvae to be more likely to feed on a narrower range of host plant species than solitary larvae. We also find evidence that this increased specialisation typically precedes the evolutionary transition to gregarious behaviour. The comparatively greater host specialisation of gregarious larvae suggests that there are specific morphological and/or ecological features of their host plants that favour this behaviour.

Modelers typically produce different system dynamics models for the same problem, depending on each modeler’s perspective, leading to reduced stakeholder confidence. Validation of system dynamics can increase stakeholder confidence. This research proposes the use of Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), based on the set theory method, as a method to validate causal relationships between entities in Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) models. The problem of mobile network operators in Indonesia with small sample data characteristics is used as a case study to demonstrate the use of fsQCA. The fsQCA method is used after the CLD model is built in the system dynamics methodology. The fsQCA method is used to test causal relationships between entities in the CLD that need to be validated. The results can be used to improve the previously created CLD model. The Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, which combines QCA with fuzzy set theory that allows partial membership, can be used to test whether or not there is a causal relationship between entities in the CLD model. The fsQCA method can be used to test causal relationships between entities in the CLD model with small sample data and increase stakeholder confidence in the CLD model.

Nine people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) were found to have isolated elevations in serum total bilirubin after starting elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) that were associated with Gilbert’s Syndrome. In longitudinal examination, total bilirubin levels increased substantially after initiation of ETI without elevations in liver transaminases in those with this syndrome. Because elevated bilirubin levels in Gilbert’s Syndrome are benign, ETI was able to be continued in these individuals. Genetic testing for this relatively common syndrome should be strongly considered for pwCF experiencing isolated hyperbilirubinemia after starting ETI, since appropriate diagnosis may help pwCF avoid unnecessary interruption in this therapy with significant health benefits in CF.

Case Report

We obtain a complete classification of scalar nth order ordinary differential equations for all subalgebras of vector fields in the real plane. While softwares like Maple can compute invariants of a given order; our results are for a general n. The n=1 ,2 ,3 cases are well-known in the literature. Further, it is known that there are three types of nth order equations depending upon the point symmetry algebra they possess, viz. first-order equations which admit an infinite dimensional Lie algebra of point symmetries, second-order equations possessing the maximum eight point symmetries and higher-order, n≥3, admitting the maximum n+4 dimensional point symmetry algebra. We show that scalar nth order equations for n>5 do not admit maximally an n+3 dimensional real Lie algebra of point symmetries. Moreover, we prove that for n>4 equations can admit two types of n+2 dimensional real Lie algebra of point symmetries: one type resulting in nonlinear equations which are not linearizable via a point transformation and the second type yielding linearizable (via point transformation) equations. Furthermore, we present the types of maximal real n dimensional and higher than n dimensional point symmetry algebras admissible for equations of order n≥4 and their canonical forms. The types of lower dimensional point symmetry algebras which can be admitted are shown and the equations are constructible as well. We state the relevant results in tabular form and in theorems.

This work aims to prove new results in an M v b - metric space for a noncontinuous single-valued self-map. As a result, we extend, generalize, and unify various fixed-point conclusions for a single-valued map and come up with examples to exhibit the theoretical conclusions. Further, we solve a mathematical model of the spread of specific infectious diseases as an application of one of the conclusions. In the sequel, we explain the significance of M v b - metric space because the underlying map is not necessarily continuous even at a fixed point in M v b - metric space thereby adding a new answer to the question concerning to continuity at a fixed point posed by Rhoades'. Consequently, we may conclude that the results via M v b - metric are very inspiring, and underlying contraction via M v b - metric does not compel the single-valued self-map to be continuous even at the fixed point. Our research is greatly inspired by the exciting possibilities of using noncontinuous maps to solve real-world nonlinear problems.

A document by Aastha Joshi. Click on the document to view its contents.

Case Report: A Novel Homozygous LRBA Mutation in a Child with Episodes of Recurrent Infection and Hypogammaglobulinemia

Effort estimation is an important activity in agile software development. The goal of the presented study was to determine the influence of individual competence on software development effort estimation. In particular, we measured both the accuracy of effort estimation and the duration of the estimation process itself, both for three different estimation methods. The subjects of our study were teams of students of a graduate-level software engineering course at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Computer and Information Science. Based on the grades that individual students attained in their undergraduate study, we classified each team as ‘high-competence’ or ‘low-competence’ and additionally as ‘heterogeneous’ or ‘homogeneous’ (the criterion here being the variance of the members’ average grades). We found out that there was no significant difference in effort estimation accuracy neither between high-competence and low-competence teams nor between heterogeneous and homogeneous teams, regardless of which estimation method was used. However, high-competence teams spent significantly less time on effort estimation than low-competence ones. Likewise, for two of the employed estimation methods, heterogeneous teams completed effort estimation in a significantly shorter time than homogeneous teams. These results might benefit both academic and professional community.

Disorders marked by high levels of impulsivity and compulsivity have been linked to changes in performance monitoring, specifically the error-related negativity (ERN). We investigated the relationship between performance monitoring and individual differences in impulsivity and compulsivity. A total of 142 participants were recruited into four groups, each with different combinations of impulsivity and compulsivity, and they performed a flanker task to assess error-related brain activity. We defined error-related brain activity as ERN amplitude and theta power. Single trial regression was employed to analyze the amplitude differences between incorrect and correct trials within the ERN time window. The findings revealed that impulsivity, compulsivity and different measures of response processing exhibited distinct interactions, which were influenced by the configuration of impulsivity and compulsivity, but also depending on the measure of response processing. Specifically, high compulsivity predicted larger ERN amplitudes in individuals with low impulsivity, whereas high impulsivity had no effect on ERN amplitude in individuals with low compulsivity. Furthermore, when both impulsivity and compulsivity were high, no increase in ERN amplitude was observed; instead, there was a reduced difference between incorrect and correct trials. No significant differences were found for theta power. While the association between error-related brain activity and transdiagnostic markers or psychopathology may be smaller than generally assumed, considering the interaction between different transdiagnostic markers and their facets can enhance our understanding of the complex associations that arise during the investigation of neural correlates of performance monitoring, specifically the ERN.

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a useful microbe to produce succinic acid, a bio-based platform chemical, under anaerobic condition. The knock-out mutant of lactate dehydrogenase 1 gene (ΔldhA-6) and co-expression of succinic acid transporter (Psod:sucE- ΔldhA) were generated by using CRISPR-Cpf1 genome editing system. HAPC (hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid) pretreatment is a highly efficient method for enzymatic hydrolysis of softwood and the hydrolysate was used for production of succinic acid. In the 15% hydrolysate (Pinus densiflora), the best condition for ΔldhA mutant to produce succinic acid from the hydrolysate was confirmed to ferment 4% hydrolysate, resulted in 14.82 g L-1 succinic acid production for 6 h, which reached to 2.47 g L-1 h-1 productivity. No production of acetic acid and lactic acid was detected during the fermentation. The co-expression transformant, [Psod:sucE- ΔldhA], produced 17.70 g L-1 succinic acid in 6 h, presenting a productivity of 2.95 g L-1 h-1 on the 4% hydrolysate. In the fed-batch system, 39.67 g L-1 succinic acid was produced for 48 h. The yield of succinic acid from reducing sugars in the hydrolysate is approximately 56.71%, while the yield of succinic acid from glucose alone as the main substrate is approximately 84.4%. These results indicated that the production of succinic acid from softwood has potential applications in alternative biochemical processes, and minimizing the loss of sugars during enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation can lead to more economic benefits in succinic acid production from lignocellulosic biomass.