1. Generalist invertebrate predators are sensitive to weather conditions, but the relationship between their trophic interactions and weather is poorly understood. This study investigates how weather affects the identity and frequency of spider trophic interactions as mediated by prey community structure, web characteristics and density-independent prey choice. 2. Spiders and their locally available prey were collected from barley fields in Wales, UK from April to September 2017-2018. The gut contents of 300 spiders were screened using DNA metabarcoding, analysed via multivariate models, and compared against prey availability using null models. 3. Spiders' trophic interactions changed over time and with weather conditions, primarily related to concomitant changes in their prey communities. Spiders did, however, appear to mitigate the effects of structural changes in prey communities through changing prey preferences according to prevailing weather conditions, possibly facilitated by adaptive web construction. 4. Using these findings, we demonstrate that prey choice data collected under different weather conditions can be used to refine inter-annual predictions of spider trophic interactions, although prey abundance was secondary to diversity in driving the diet of these spiders. By improving our understanding of the interaction between trophic interactions and weather, we can better predict how ecological networks are likely to change in response to variation in weather conditions and, more urgently, global climate change.

The present study evaluates the influence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on important CYP450 isoforms and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter activities before and 3 months after intensifying treatment regimen of 40 patients. Results have been compared with 21 non-T2D healthy participants (control group). CYPs and P-gp activities were assessed after administration of Geneva cocktail. Mean metabolic ratios (MR) for CYP2B6 (1.81±0.93 vs. 2.68±0.87), CYP2C19 (0.420 ± 0.360 vs. 0.687 ± 0.558), and CYP3A4/5 (0.487 ± 0.226 vs. 0.633 ± 0.254) significantly decreased in T2D subjects compared to control group (p<0.05). CYP2C9 (0.089±0.037 vs. 0.069±0.017) activities slightly increased in diabetic subjects and no difference was observed for CYP1A2 (0.154±0.085 vs. 0.136±0.065), CYP2D6 (1.17 ± 0.56 vs. 1.24 ± 0.83) and P-gp activities in comparison with control group. Three months after intensifying treatment regimen, MRs of CYP2C9 (0.080 ± 0.030) and CYP3A4/5 (0.592 ± 0.268) have shown a significant improvement and were not statistically different compared to control group (P>0.05). Several covariables such as inflammatory markers (IL-1β and IL-6), genotypes, diabetes- and demographic-related factors were considered in our analyses. Our results indicate that low chronic inflammatory status associated with T2D modulates CYP450 activities in an isoform specific manner.

Understanding whether land use intensification causes regime shifts is of key importance for management, particularly if these shifts are associated with thresholds separating different ecosystem states and with hysteretic dynamics. Here we use a unique, long-term grassland database to identify thresholds in the response of 16 ecosystem functions and the diversities of 21 taxa to land use intensity. We show that aboveground diversity (5 of 10 taxa), shoot biomass and soil N retention showed threshold responses to land use intensity, i.e., abrupt changes between extensively and intensively managed grasslands. Time-series analysis revealed that ecosystem functions showed hysteresis around the threshold, while diversity did not. Shifting back to the functioning seen in extensively managed grasslands may therefore require larger reductions in land use intensity than shifting to the high intensity state. Identifying such thresholds along land use gradients is critical to prevent ecosystem degradation and conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

In this paper, we report a rare case of asymptomatic multiple intradural, extramedullary spinal hydatidosis; accidentally diagnosed in a patient with signs and symptoms of a true protruded disc. Although quite rare, vertebral hydatidosis should always be considered as a differential diagnosis for spinal presentations, particularly in endemic areas.

Nitrogen (N) deficiency has been recorded in the top surface of Tibetan Plateau. However, the variation of soil N availability across the elevational gradient in alpine forests remains poorly understood. Here, the elevational patterns and determinants of soil N composition, key N transformation processes and functional microbes across three typical mountains on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau were characterized by multiple techniques. Our results showed that soil total N and ammonium were markedly enriched in high elevation zones where a stable N release via mineralization and extremely low net nitrification were observed. Further, the increasing biological N fixation rates along the elevation driven by abiotic (i.e., high organic carbon) and biotic (i.e., key diazotrophic taxa like Bradyrhizobium, Herbaspirillum and Klebsiella) factors greatly benefited N accumulation at high elevations. Our study offers new insights into the N dynamics in alpine forests on the Tibetan Plateau under scenarios of future climate change.

Introduction The UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA) curriculum represents a consensus on core content including ENT-related content for newly qualified doctors. However, there is no similar consensus as to how ENT content should be taught at medical school. Design A virtual consensus forum was held at the 2nd East of England ENT Conference in April 2021 to ascertain views of medical students and junior doctors on how ENT should be taught at medical school. A syllabus of ENT-related items based on the UKMLA and GMC practical procedures curricula was divided into ‘Presentations’, ‘Conditions’ and ‘Practical Procedures’. 64 participants (27 students, 11 foundation doctors, and 7 other junior doctors) voted via anonymous polling for up to three of nine teaching methods they believed were best suited to teach each syllabus item. Results For ‘Presentations’, work-based/clinical-based learning and small-group seminars were significantly more popular than other methods, a further two were of middling popularity, and the remaining five (including simulation and e-learning) were significantly less popular. ‘Conditions’ results were near-identical, with work-based/clinical-based learning and small-group seminars significantly more popular than the remaining teaching methods. For ‘Practical procedures’ the three practical teaching methods were significantly more popular than the six theoretical methods. Conclusion Students and junior doctors express clear preference for clinical-based teaching and small-group seminars when learning ENT content. E-learning is poorly favoured, despite being increasingly used by medical schools and teaching bodies. Co-design of clinical training between students and educators may ensure training better matches students’ needs and expectations.

A document by Sean Stankowski. Click on the document to view its contents.

Molecular docking outshines other approaches at creating a surfeit of potential models of protein-protein complexes. It is highly challenging to distinguish the favourable, native-like models from the newly discovered ones. We propose here a protocol based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that would allow distinguishing native from non-native models to complement scoring functions used in docking. The initial part of the study concentrated on modelling the protein-protein complex of a cyclic peptide (cter M) from Clitoria ternatea with Daboia ruselli snake venom PLA 2 receptor using docking in Discovery Studio, which was complemented with molecular dynamic simulations to discriminate between native protein and the investigated complex to report its stability. The peptide complex showed almost similar stability in nearly all measured properties, such as Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), and Radius of Gyration (Rg) of native contacts from the initial docked model. A reasonably short simulation of 100 ns is sufficient to achieve this accuracy, making this approach practical.

In view of the current situation in which the existing nondestructive testing (NDT) technology can hardly meet the demand of aluminum alloy electron beam weld defect detection, a weak magnetic NDT technology for aluminum alloy electron beam weld defects based on the geomagnetic field is proposed. Using the finite element analysis method, a simulation model of cracked aluminum alloy electron beam weld defects is established, the distribution characteristics of the magnetic field of cracked weld defects are determined, and the relationship between the defect size and the number of magnetic anomaly characteristics is analyzed. On this basis, a weak magnetic detection test was conducted on cracked aluminum alloy electron beam welds. First, the magnetic anomaly signal at the cracked weld was accurately extracted from the complex original magnetic induction intensity signal by using wavelet transform, and second, the least squares method was used to fit the curve to the crack depth h and the magnetic anomaly amplitude ∆B at the crack. The test results show that the magnetic induction intensity signal at the crack has obvious characteristics, and the wavelet transform can effectively extract and judge the weld crack signal from the weak magnetic detection signal and improve the defect identification rate. The crack amplitude ∆B is approximately positively correlated with the depth h in a certain range, consistent with the simulation analysis results. The feasibility of weak magnetic detection of cracks in aluminum alloy electron beam welds is verified by simulation and experimental analysis.

4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) is a photo-absorbing UV filter, which can be absorbed into the circulation and cause systemic effects. 4-MBC is found extensively in the environment and measurements suggest bioaccumulation in human tissues. 4-MBC is continued to be released in the environment despite the growing knowledge about its potential endocrine and reproductive disrupting effects. 4-MBC interfers with various processes, such as placental development, spermatogenesis, and inflammatory cascades. Previous reviews mention 4-MBC as one of the several UV filters but here we focus on 4-MBC only. We cover the potential effects on human health regarding systemic and molecular effects, with the focus on reproduction. We also cover the potential bioaccumulation and interactions with receptor systems, such as the estrogen receptors β and α, and progesterone receptor, and analyze 4-MBC´s effects on mRNA expression and protein expression. Furthermore, 4-MBC is reported to act with inflammatory pathways by activating p38 MAPK and NF-κB, leading to the production of inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6. In conclusion, 4-MBC has wide ranging effects in different models while there is more research warranted to detail the mechanism of action, long-term effects at low doses and the potential interaction with many pathways and other pollutants.

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the world’s most widely used polyester plastics. Due to its chemical stability, PET is extremely difficult to hydrolyze in a natural environment. Recent discoveries in new polyester hydrolases and breakthroughs in enzyme engineering strategies have inspired enormous research on biorecycling of PET. This study summarizes our research efforts toward large-scale, efficient, and economical biodegradation of waste PET, including PET hydrolase selection and optimization, high-yield enzyme production, and high-capacity enzymatic degradation of waste PET. First, genes encoding PETase and MHETase from Ideonella sakaiensis and the ICCG variant of leaf-branch compost cutinase (LCC) were codon-optimized and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) for high-yield production. To further lower the enzyme production cost, a pelB leader sequence was fused to LCC so that the enzyme can be secreted into the medium to facilitate recovery. To help bind the enzyme on the hydrophobic surface of PET, a substrate-binding module in a polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase from Alcaligenes faecalis (PBM) was fused to the C-terminus of LCC. The resulting four different LCC variants (LCC, PelB-LCC, LCC-PBM, and PelB-LCC-PBM), together with PETase and MHETase, were compared for PET degradation efficiency. A fed-batch fermentation process was developed to produce the target enzymes up to 1.2 g/L. Finally, the best enzyme, PelB-LCC, was selected and used for the efficient degradation of 200 g/L recycled PET in a well-controlled, stirred-tank reactor. The results will help develop an economical and scalable biorecycling process toward a circular PET economy.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurological disorders. In recent years, atorvastatin (ATV) combined with dexamethasone (DXM) has been proved to be a more efficacious therapy in treating patients with CSDH than ATV monotherapy. To investigate whether DXM has an effect on the pharmacokinetics of ATV, the expression of organic anion transport polypeptides 1B1 (OATP1B1) and upstream nuclear receptors liver X receptor α (LXRα) in rat liver and HepG2 cells were evaluated. The results showed that when DXM was combined with ATV, the area under curve (AUC(0~∞)) of ATV, o-ATV and p-ATV was increased by 1.550, 1.420, 1.676 times, respectively. In HepG2 cells, DXM inhibited the uptake of ATV by 59.24%. Also, DXM decreased the expression of OATP1B1 and LXRα both in the rat liver and HepG2 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that DXM had an inhibitory effect on the LXRα-OATP1B1 pathway. In conclusion, DXM downregulated the protein expression of OATP1B1 by inhibiting the LXRα-OATP1B1 pathway, thus, decreasing hepatic drug uptake and increasing plasma concentration of ATV and its active metabolites.

In this paper, a novel integrated guidance and control algorithm based on adaptive high-order sliding mode is proposed for reusable launch vehicle (RLV) subject to unknown disturbances and actuator faults. We propose a time-varying barrier function-based adaptive control law to offset the effects of uncertainties. The remarkable feature of the developed algorithm is its ability to track the reference commands in finite time despite unknown disturbances and actuator faults, without designing the guidance law and attitude controller separately. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by the simulation results.

In this paper, an uncertain disturbance rejection control problem for the affine system in the presence of asymmetric input constraints is addressed using an event-triggered control method. The disturbance rejection control is converted to an H ∞ optimal control problem, and a Zero-sum game-based method is proposed to solve this H ∞ optimal control problem. To deal with the input constraints, a new cost function is proposed. The event-triggered controller is updated only when the triggering condition is satisfied, which can reduce the computational complexity.In order to obtain a controller that minimizes the performance index function in the worst-case disturbance, we use a critic-only network to solve the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs(HJI) equation, and the critic network weight is tuned through a gradient descent method with the historical state data. The stability of the closed-loop system and the uniform ultimate boundedness of the critic network parameters are proved by the Lyapunov method. Two numerical examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

In this paper, comparative analysis of various Sinusoidal Pulse Width modulation techniques and its effect on submodule voltage capacitor balancing for Modular Multilevel Converter is presented. The analysis is done for level-shifted PWM techniques such as Phase disposition PWM, Phase Opposition Disposition PWM, Alternate Phase Opposition Disposition PWM and Phase–shifted PWM techniques with triangular and sawtooth carrier waveforms. In Pulse Width modulation technique, triggering pulses for the submodule switches are generated by comparing the carrier signals with sinusoidal reference signal. Various modulation techniques are compared on the basis of the total harmonic distortion and individual harmonic content of the output voltage waveform of 5 level MMC. For voltage balancing of the submodule capacitors, a voltage balancing algorithm is presented , in which sorting the capacitors based on their voltage level is done , and switching pulses are generated accordingly. Further the comparison is carried out based on the submodule voltages balancing and generation of circulating current. Simulations are performed under MATLAB/Simulink environment for various PWM techniques and voltage balancing algorithm for 5-level MMC output. Simulated results are experimentally validated.

OAM vortex beams with spiral phase wavefronts have potential applications in optics and communi-cations. This letter proposes a reflective broadband hexagonal meta-atom structure based on the Pancharatnam-Berry (P-B) phase principle. The tight arrangement of this meta-atom allows the design of metasurfaces at 26-43 GHz to produce high-purity millimetre-wave vortex beams. A comparative simulation has been used to verify the better performance of hexagonal structures than square structures. According to the OAM spectral analysis, the mode purity of the hexagonal arrangement (0.89) is 10% higher than that of the square arrangement (0.81) at 40 GHz, demonstrating that the hexagonal meta-atom is essential in enhancing the mode purity of the OAM.

We report a case of incidental detection of severe aortic coarctation, severe secundum atrial septal defect, and bicuspid aortic valve in an active-duty military service member. A single complex minimally invasive procedure successfully corrected his coarctation and atrial septal defect allowing this patient to continue military service.

Introduction Rhinoviruses (RV) and Enteroviruses (EV) are among the main causative etiologies of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) in children. The clinical spectrum of RV/EV infection is wide, which could be explained by diverse environmental, pathogen-, and host-related factors. Little is known about the nasopharyngeal microbiota as a risk factor or disease modifier for RV/EV infection in pediatric patients. This study describes distinct nasopharyngeal microbiota profiles according to RV/EV LRTI status in children. Methods Cross-sectional case-control study, conducted at Hospital Sant de Déu (Barcelona, Spain) from 2017 to 2020. Three groups of children <5 years were included: healthy controls without viral detection (Group A), mild or asymptomatic controls with RV/EV infection (Group B), and cases with severe RV/EV infection admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) (Group C). Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from participants for viral DNA/RNA detection by multiplex-PCR and bacterial microbiota characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results A total of 104 subjects were recruited (A=17, B=34, C=53). Children’s nasopharyngeal microbiota composition varied according to their RV/EV infection status. Richness and diversity were decreased among children with severe infection. Nasopharyngeal microbiota profiles enriched in genus Dolosigranulum were related to respiratory health, while genus Haemophiluswas specifically predominant in children with severe RV/EV LRTI. Children with mild or asymptomatic RV/EV infection showed an intermediate profile. Conclusions These results suggest a close relationship between the nasopharyngeal microbiota and different clinical presentations of RV/EV infection.

A document by Fernanda Mota. Click on the document to view its contents.

Objectives: Airway clearance therapy (ACT) is an important component of therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) but is associated with significant treatment burden. Highly effective CFTR modulator therapy (HEMT) has improved pulmonary function for many people with CF(pwCF). We sought to understand changes in attitudes and practices about ACT in the post-HEMT era. Study design: Surveys of CF community members and CF care team members Methodology: Separate surveys were created for the CF community and CF care providers to evaluate attitudes towards ACT and exercise in the post-HEMT era. We solicited answers from pwCF via the CF Foundation’s Community Voice and from CF care providers via CF Foundation listservs. Surveys were available between July 20 and August 3, 2021. Results: Surveys were completed by 153 community members (parents of children and pwCF) and 192 CF care providers. Belief that exercise can substitute partially for ACT was endorsed similarly by community members (59%) and providers (68%) . After starting HEMT, 36% of parents of children and 51% of adults did fewer ACT treatments including 13% who stopped ACT. Adults reported altering their ACT regimen more than parents of children. Half of providers had changed their ACT recommendations for those on HEMT. Fifty-three percent of respondents had discussed changing ACT with their care team (36% of parents, 58% of pwCF). Conclusions: Providers should be aware that ACT management changes may have been undertaken by pwCF who have pulmonary benefits of HEMT. Treatment burden should be considered in co-management decisions regarding ACT and exercise.

Background: Since rapid and accurate diagnosis of pneumonia and the determination of its severity are challenging, especially in childhood, we aimed to evaluate the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pneumonia, the investigation of which has been limited in animal and adult studies. Methods: TLR-2, TLR-4, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-α, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were evaluated in the serum samples of 67 pediatric patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (43 inpatients and 24 outpatients) and 22 healthy pediatric controls. Saliva samples from 30 pediatric patients with CAP (19 inpatients and 11 outpatients) and 20 healthy pediatric controls were also investigated. Results: In saliva samples obtained at the time of diagnosis, the threshold levels were 1.16 2 -(∆∆Ct) for TLR-2 and 1.28 2 -(∆∆Ct) for TLR-4 to differentiate patients with and without pneumonia, respectively. The sensitivity of salivary TLR-2 and TLR-4 assessment was 0.80 and 0.86, respectively. In the serum samples, TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-α, and TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with other viruses (p<0.05 for all). In the serum samples of patients with pneumonia due to COVID-19, IL-6 and IFN-α levels were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Salivary analysis of TLR-2 and TLR-4 is beneficial in the diagnosis of severe pneumonia, especially in childhood.

Introduction: Telemedicine and tele-monitoring represent an emerging-study area in several and chronic diseases. Tele-rehabilitation during Covid-19 disease became an essential tool to promote physical activity in total safety. Infact, for pwCF physical activity was fundamental not only for the respiratory program but also Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of home web-based program of home exercise training program in patients with cystic fibrosis during COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects and methods: 32 patients (12 M/ 20 F) age 20,52 (±9,3); FEV1 mean was 84,88% and Ph angle mean at T0 was 6,11 (sd 0,83). Results: Adherence average rate was 61,5 %. Satisfaction and utility scores were respectively 4.5 and 4.3(Likert Scale); about QoL the Body-domain had a statistically significant increase (pvalue <0.05). Conclusion: Web-based rehabilitation could be a good tool but more studies are needed to confirm optimal values of adherence. Although data are based on a small sample size and longer periods of treatment are requested to analyze especially the physiological answer about heart rate and lung volumes.

Nanomedicine is a way for the treatment of the several types of cancers. In the present study, gold nanoparticles were green-synthesized using the aqueous extract of Mangifera indica. The chemical characterization was studied different techniques including FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEM and TEM. The anti-human gastric cancer activity of AuNPs@Mangifera indica was evaluated using MTT assay. The nanoparticles were formed in a spherical shape with a size less than 100 nm for the particle size. The treated cells with AuNPs@Mangifera indica were assessed by MTT assay about the cytotoxicity and anti-human gastric cancer properties on normal (HUVEC) and gastric cancer cell lines i.e. GC1415, GC1436, NCI-N87 and MKN45. In the antioxidant test, the IC50 of AuNPs@Mangifera indica and BHT against DPPH free radicals were 55 and 49 µg/mL, respectively. The viability of malignant gastric cell lines reduced dose-dependently in the presence of AuNPs@Mangifera indica. The IC50 of AuNPs@Mangifera indica were 212, 213, 250 and 328 µg/mL against GC1415, GC1436, NCI-N87 and MKN45 cell lines, respectively.

Animals show among-individual variation in behaviours, including migration behaviours, which are often repeatable across time periods and contexts, commonly termed “personality”. These behaviours can be correlated, forming a behavioural syndrome. In this study, we assessed the repeatability and correlation of different behavioural traits i.e., boldness, exploration and sociality and the link to migration patterns in Atlantic cod juveniles. To do so, we collected repeated measurements within two short-term (three days) and two long-term (two months) intervals of these traits and genotypes of the Pan I locus, which is indirectly correlated to feeding migration patterns in this species. We found that mainly exploration behaviour was repeatable in the short- and long-term intervals, and a trend for the relationship between exploration and the Pan I locus. Boldness and sociality were only repeatable in the second short-term interval indicating a possible development of stability over time and did not show a relation with the Pan I locus. We found no indication of behavioural syndromes among the studied traits. Although we were unable to identify the existence of a migration syndrome for the migratory genotype (Pan IBB), this study is the first one to highlight the existence of a possible link between the personality trait exploration and the migration-linked Pan I locus. This supports the need for further research that should focus on the effect of exploration tendency and other personality traits on cod movement, including the migratory (frontal) ecotype, to develop management strategies based on behavioural units, rather than treating the population as a single homogeneous stock.