Impact of Bariatric Surgery on metabolic health in a Uruguayan cohort and the emerging predictive role of FSTL1.

Obesity poses significant challenges, necessitating comprehensive strategies for effective intervention. Bariatric Surgery (BS) has emerged as a crucial therapeutic approach, demonstrating success in weight loss and comorbidity improvement. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of BS in a cohort of 48 Uruguayan patients and investigate the interplay between BS and clinical and metabolic features, with a specific focus on FSTL1, an emerging biomarker associated with obesity and inflammation. We quantitatively analyzed BS outcomes and constructed linear models to identify variables impacting BS success. The study revealed the effectiveness of BS in improving metabolic and clinical parameters. Importantly, variables correlating with BS success were identified, with higher pre-surgical FSTL1 levels associated with an increased effect of BS on BMI reduction. FSTL1 levels were measured from patient plasma using an ELISA kit pre-surgery and six months after. This research, despite limitations of a small sample size and limited follow-up time, contributes valuable insights into understanding and predicting the success of BS, highlighting the potential role of FSTL1 as a useful biomarker in obesity.

Correlations in the EPR State Observables.

The identification and physical interpretation of arbitrary quantum correlations are not always effortless. Two features that can significantly influence the dispersion of the joint observable outcomes in a quantum bipartite system composed of systems I and II are: (a) All possible pairs of observables describing the composite are equally probable upon measurement, and (b) The absence of concurrence (positive reinforcement) between any of the observables within a particular system; implying that their associated operators do not commute. The so-called EPR states are known to observe (a). Here, we demonstrate in very general (but straightforward) terms that they also satisfy condition (b), a relevant technical fact often overlooked. As an illustration, we work out in detail the three-level systems, i.e., qutrits. Furthermore, given the special characteristics of EPR states (such as maximal entanglement, among others), one might intuitively expect the CHSH correlation, computed exclusively for the observables of qubit EPR states, to yield values greater than two, thereby violating Bell's inequality. We show such a prediction does not hold true. In fact, the combined properties of (a) and (b) lead to a more limited range of values for the CHSH measure, not surpassing the nonlocality threshold of two. The present constitutes an instructive example of the subtleties of quantum correlations.

Twisted graphene superlattices: resonating valence bond states and magnetic properties.

Resonating valence bond (RVB) states are fundamental for understanding quantum spin liquids in two-dimensional (2D) systems. The RVB state is a collective phenomenon in which spins are uncoupled. 2D lattices such as triangular, honeycomb, and dice lattices were investigated using the Hubbard model and exact diagonalization method. We analyzed the total spin, spin-spin correlation functions, local magnetic moments, and spin and charge gaps as a function of on-site Coulomb repulsion, electron concentration, and electronic hopping parameters. Phase diagrams showed that RVB states can live in half-filled and hole-doped anisotropic triangular lattices. We found two types of RVB states: one in the honeycomb sublattice and the other in the centered hexagons in the triangular lattices. Owing to the novel discovery of exotic magnetic ordering in triangular moiré patterns in twisted bilayer graphene and transition metal dichalcogenide systems, our results provide physical insights into the onset of magnetism and possible spin liquid states in these layered materials.

Revisiting the Characterization of Resting Brain Dynamics with the Permutation Jensen-Shannon Distance.

Taking into account the complexity of the human brain dynamics, the appropriate characterization of any brain state is a challenge not easily met. Actually, even the discrimination of simple behavioral tasks, such as resting with eyes closed or eyes open, represents an intricate problem and many efforts have been and are being made to overcome it. In this work, the aforementioned issue is carefully addressed by performing multiscale analyses of electroencephalogram records with the permutation Jensen-Shannon distance. The influence that linear and nonlinear temporal correlations have on the discrimination is unveiled. Results obtained lead to significant conclusions that help to achieve an improved distinction between these resting brain states.

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 δ sublineages of the second wave of 2021 in Antioquia, Colombia / Epidemiología genómica de los sublinajes δ del virus SARS-CoV-2 de la segunda ola de COVID en Antioquia en el 2021.

Introduction. During the development of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Antioquia, we experienced epidemiological peaks related to the α, É£, ß, ƛ, and δ variants. δ had the highest incidence and prevalence. This lineage is of concern due to its clinical manifestations and epidemiological characteristics. A total of 253 δ sublineages have been reported in the PANGOLIN database. The sublineage identification through genomic analysis has made it possible to trace their evolution and propagation. Objective. To characterize the genetic diversity of the different SARS-CoV-2 δ sublineages in Antioquia and to describe its prevalence. Materials and methods. We collected sociodemographic information from 2,675 samples, and obtained 1,115 genomes from the GISAID database between July 12th, 2021, and January 18th, 2022. From the analyzed genomes, 515 were selected because of their high coverage values (>90%) to perform phylogenetic analysis and to infer allele frequencies of mutations of interest. Results. We characterized 24 sublineages. The most prevalent was AY.25. Mutations of interest as L452R, P681R, and P681H were identified in this sublineage, comprising a frequency close to 0.99. Conclusions. This study identified that the AY.25 sublineage has a transmission advantage compared to the other δ sublineages. This attribute may be related to the presence of the L452R and P681R mutations associated in other studies with higher evasion of the immune system and less efficacy of drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Introducción. Durante el desarrollo de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en Antioquia se presentaron picos epidemiológicos relacionados con las variantes α, É£, ß, ƛ y δ, donde δ tuvo la mayor incidencia y prevalencia. Este linaje se considera una variante de preocupación dadas las manifestaciones clínicas que desencadena y sus características epidemiológicas. Se han informado 253 sublinajes δ en la base de datos PANGOLIN. La identificación de estos sublinajes mediante análisis genómico ha permitido rastrear su evolución y propagación. Objetivo. Caracterizar la diversidad genética de los diferentes sublinajes δ de SARSCoV-2 en Antioquia y determinar su prevalencia. Materiales y métodos. Se recopiló información sociodemográfica de 2.675 muestras y de 1.115 genomas del repositorio GISAID entre el 12 de julio de 2021 y el 18 de enero de 2022. Se seleccionaron 501 por su alto porcentaje de cobertura (>90 %) para realizar análisis filogenéticos e inferencia de frecuencias alélicas de mutaciones de interés. Resultados. Se caracterizaron 24 sublinajes donde el más prevalente fue AY.25. En este sublinaje se identificaron mutaciones de interés como L452R, P681R y P681H, que comprendían una frecuencia cercana a 0,99. Conclusiones. Este estudio permitió identificar que el sublinaje AY.25 tiene una ventaja de transmisión en comparación con los otros sublinajes δ. Esto puede estar relacionado con la presencia de las mutaciones L452R y P681R que en otros estudios se han visto asociadas con una mayor transmisibilidad, evasión del sistema inmunitario y menor eficacia de los medicamentos contra SARS-CoV-2.

Analysis of Quantum Steering Measures.

The effect of quantum steering describes a possible action at a distance via local measurements. In the last few years, several criteria have been proposed to detect this type of correlation in quantum systems. However, there are few approaches presented in order to measure the degree of steerability of a given system. In this work, we are interested in investigating possible ways to quantify quantum steering, where we based our analysis on different criteria presented in the literature.

Genetic correlation estimates between calving ease in primiparous cows and economically important traits in Nellore cattle.

This study aimed to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for calving ease (CE) and their genetic correlations with growth, reproductive, carcass, and feed efficiency traits in Nellore cattle. Phenotypes for CE are scored in two categories: normal calving and assisted calving. The traits considered were probability of precocious calving, age at first calving, stayability, adjusted scrotal circumference at 365 days of age, accumulated cow productivity, age at puberty of males, gestation length, birth weight, adjusted weights at 210 and 450 days of age, adult cow weight, frame score, hip height, rib eye area, subcutaneous backfat thickness, rump fat thickness, intramuscular fat percentage, residual feed intake and dry matter intake. The estimation of genetic parameters was performed using a two-trait threshold-linear animal model, except for CE, stayability, and probability of precocious calving, which were evaluated through a two-trait threshold animal model. The direct (0.27) and maternal (0.19) heritability estimates for CE in heifers primiparous Nellore indicated that selecting for this trait is feasible. The selection to improve the female sexual precocity should consider CE during the selection and mating decisions to reduce calving problems. Genetic correlation estimates between CE and BW suggest that selecting low birth weight to reduce calving problems is not an appropriate strategy to improve calving ease in heifers Nellore. Therefore, adopting a multi-trait selection model with CE and BW in the Nellore breed would reduce calving difficulties, particularly in sexually precocious heifers, without impairing the growth, reproductive, feed efficiency conversion, and carcass indicator traits.

Effects of the tetravanadate [V4O12]4- anion on the structural, magnetic, and biological properties of copper/phenanthroline complexes.

The aim to access linked tetravanadate [V4O12]4- anion with mixed copper(II) complexes, using α-amino acids and phenanthroline-derived ligands, resulted in the formation of four copper(II) complexes [Cu(dmb)(Gly)(OH2)]2[Cu(dmb)(Gly)]2[V4O12]·9H2O (1) [Cu(dmb)(Lys)]2[V4O12]·8H2O (2), [Cu(dmp)2][V4O12]·C2H5OH·11H2O (3), and [Cu(dmp)(Gly)Cl]·2H2O (4), where dmb = 4,4'-dimethioxy-2,2'-bipyridine; Gly = glycine; Lys = lysine; and dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline. The [V4O12]4- anion is functionalized with mixed copper(II) units in 1 and 2; while in 3, it acts as a counterion of two [Cu(dmp)]2+ units. Compound 4 crystallized as a unit that did not incorporate the vanadium cluster. All compounds present magnetic couplings arising from Cu⋯O/Cu⋯Cu bridges. Stability studies of water-soluble 3 and 4 by UV-Vis spectroscopy in cell culture medium confirmed the robustness of 3, while 4 appears to undergo ligand scrambling over time, resulting partially in the stable species [Cu(dmp)2]+ that was also identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry at m/z = 479. The in vitro cytotoxicity activity of 3 and 4 was determined in six cancer cell lines; the healthy cell line COS-7 was also included for comparative purposes. MCF-7 cells were more sensitive to compound 3 with an IC50 value of 12 ± 1.2 nmol. The tested compounds did not show lipid peroxidation in the TBARS assay, ruling out a mechanism of action via reactive oxygen species formation. Both compounds inhibited cell migration at 5 µM in wound-healing assays using MCF-7, PC-3, and SKLU-1 cell lines, opening a new window to study the anti-metastatic effect of mixed vanadium-copper(II) systems.

Fluctuations in tissue growth portray homeostasis as a critical state and long-time non-Markovian cell proliferation as Markovian.

Tissue growth is an emerging phenomenon that results from the cell-level interplay between proliferation and apoptosis, which is crucial during embryonic development, tissue regeneration, as well as in pathological conditions such as cancer. In this theoretical article, we address the problem of stochasticity in tissue growth by first considering a minimal Markovian model of tissue size, quantified as the number of cells in a simulated tissue, subjected to both proliferation and apoptosis. We find two dynamic phases, growth and decay, separated by a critical state representing a homeostatic tissue. Since the main limitation of the Markovian model is its neglect of the cell cycle, we incorporated a refractory period that temporarily prevents proliferation immediately following cell division, as a minimal proxy for the cell cycle, and studied the model in the growth phase. Importantly, we obtained from this last model an effective Markovian rate, which accurately describes general trends of tissue size. This study shows that the dynamics of tissue growth can be theoretically conceptualized as a Markovian process where homeostasis is a critical state flanked by decay and growth phases. Notably, in the growing non-Markovian model, a Markovian-like growth process emerges at large time scales.

Thick layer drying and storage of rice grain cultivars in silo-dryer-aerator: Quality evaluation at low drying temperature.

Drying rice in a single layer in a silo-dryer-aerator allows uniform drying. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical, physicochemical, and morphological quality of rice grain cultivars (IRGA 424, BRS Pampeira, and Guri INTA) in the lower (initial time) and upper (final time) layers in a silo-dryer-aerator, employing single-layer loading at low temperatures, using the methods of near-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and multivariate statistical analysis. Drying rice in silo-dryer-aerator attenuated the moisture diffusivity in the grains, minimizing its effects on the physical, physicochemical, and morphological properties of the grains. However, the physicochemical constituents and morphology of starch were preserved by the low drying temperatures, mainly in the lower layers throughout the 2-month drying. The rice grains of the Guri INTA and BRS Pampeira cultivars were the most resistant to drying and showed greater uniformity on the final quality.

Physicochemical Evaluation of Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault) in the Region of Moquegua for Food Purposes.

The cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. contains considerable amounts of protein, iron, and calcium that could mitigate the problems of anemia and malnutrition in humans. However, the nutritional value of the edible species Nostoc sphaericum Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault, which grows in the Moquegua region, is unknown. Descriptive research was developed, and samples were obtained from the community of Aruntaya, located in the region of Moquegua. Water samples were taken at two different points (spring and reservoir), and samples of the cyanobacteria were taken in the reservoir. The design used was completely randomized, with three repetitions. Sixteen characteristics associated with the water collected at two points were evaluated, and from the nutritional point of view, seven characteristics were evaluated in the collected algae. The physicochemical characteristics were determined using methods established in the Codex Alimentarius. For the morphological characterization at the macroscopic level, it was observed that the seaweed collected was spherical in shape, grayish-green in color, soft to the touch, and palatable. After carrying out the physicochemical and morphological characterization of the collected samples, it was verified that all were of N. sphaericum. When comparing the sixteen characteristics related to water at the two collection sites, highly significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed for most of the variables evaluated. The average data of the characteristics of the algae showed protein values of 28.18 ± 0.33%, carbohydrates of 62.07 ± 0.69%, fat of 0.71 ± 0.02%, fiber of 0.91 ± 0.02%, ash of 7.68 ± 0.10%, and moisture of 0.22 ± 0.01%. Likewise, calcium reported an average value of 377.80 ± 1.43 mg/100 g and iron of 4.76 ± 0.08 mg/100 g. High correlations (positive and negative) were obtained by evaluating seven characteristics associated with the reservoir water where the algae grew in relation to eight nutritional characteristics of the algae. In relation to the nutritional value, the amounts of protein, iron, and calcium exceed the main foods of daily intake. Therefore, it could be considered a nutritious food to combat anemia and malnutrition.

Genetic and phenotypic relationships between ewe reproductive performance and wool and growth traits in Uruguayan Ultrafine Merino sheep.

This study reports genetic parameters for yearling and adult wool and growth traits, and ewe reproductive performance. Data were sourced from an Uruguayan Merino flock involved in a long-term selection program focused on reduced fiber diameter (FD), and increased clean fleece weight (CFW) and live weight (LW). Pedigree and performance data from approximately 5,700 mixed-sex yearling lambs and 2,000 mixed-age ewes born between 1999 and 2019 were analyzed. The number of records ranged from 1,267 to 5,738 for yearling traits, and from 1,931 to 7,079 for ewe productive and reproductive performance. Data on yearling and adult wool traits, LW and body condition score (BCS), yearling eye muscle area (Y_EMA), and fat thickness (Y_FAT), and several reproduction traits were analyzed. The genetic relationships between FD and reproduction traits were not different from zero. Moderate unfavorable genetic correlations were found between adult CFW and ewe lifetime reproduction traits (-0.34 ±â€…0.08 and -0.33 ±â€…0.09 for the total number of lambs weaned and total lamb LW at weaning, respectively). There were moderate to strong positive genetic correlations between yearling LW and all reproduction traits other than ewe-rearing ability (-0.08 ±â€…0.11) and pregnancy rate (0.18 ±â€…0.08). The genetic correlations between Y_EMA and reproduction traits were positive and ranged from 0.15 to 0.49. Moderate unfavorable genetic correlations were observed between yearling FD and Y_FAT and between adult FD and BCS at mating (0.31 ±â€…0.12 and 0.23 ±â€…0.07, respectively). The genetic correlations between adult fleece weight and ewe BCS at different stages of the cycle were negative, but generally not different from zero. This study shows that selection for reduced FD is unlikely to have any effect on reproduction traits. Selection for increased yearling LW and Y_EMA will improve ewe reproductive performance. On the other hand, selection for increased adult CFW will reduce ewe reproductive performance, whereas selection for reduced FD will negatively impact body fat levels. Although unfavorable genetic relationships between wool traits and both FAT and ewe reproductive performance existed, simultaneous improvements in the traits would occur using appropriately designed indexes.

Fiber diameter (FD), clean fleece weight (CFW), live weight (LW), and reproductive performance are important traits in Merino flocks. This study estimated the genetic parameters for a range of production traits and ewe reproductive performance. Data from approximately 5,700 mixed-sex yearling lambs and 2,000 mixed-age ewes born in a single Uruguayan Merino flock were analyzed. There were generally favorable (positive) genetic correlations between LW and reproduction traits. The genetic relationships between FD and reproduction traits were generally negligible. In addition, moderate unfavorable (negative) genetic correlations were found between adult CFW and ewe reproduction traits. This study indicates that selecting finer fleeces will yield little to no change in ewe reproduction traits, whereas heavier fleeces are related to reduced ewe reproductive performance. On the other hand, genetically heavier yearling ewes will display greater reproductive performance.

Natural levels of Rhipicephalus microplus infestation and Anaplasma marginale infection in Angus and Ultrablack calves.

Infections by Anaplasma marginale and infestations by Rhipicephalus microplus occur endemically in Brazil, representing an obstacle to expanding the use of taurine breeds, which are more susceptible. In this study, the levels of infection by A. marginale and infestation by R. microplus were monitored in 31 calves that were either purebred or had a high degree of taurine blood: 17 Angus (100% taurine) and 14 Ultrablack (ca. 82% taurine and 18% Zebu). The animals were evaluated on 13 occasions at 12-day intervals. The levels of A. marginale infection were determined by quantification of DNA copy number (CN) by qPCR, and ticks were monitored by two methods: counting adult females (≥ 4.5 mm) and scoring the level of tick infestation considering all visible instars in the animals' bodies. No significant effects were observed between the means of CN of A. marginale, tick counts and scores among Angus and Ultrablack animals. The repeatability estimates for CN of A. marginale, tick counts and tick scores were 0.53, 0.12 and 0.16, respectively. The correlations between CN and tick counts and scores were close to zero, whereas the correlations between tick assessment methods were 0.57. The absence of differences between the two genetic groups indicates, under the conditions of the present study, that the low degree of Zebu blood did not influence the levels of infection by A. marginale or infestation by R. microplus. The results also suggest that the evaluation of the levels of infestation by ticks using scores can provide information closer to the real infestation rate considering that it uses all the visible instars of the parasites.

A fractal scaling analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence.

An approach based on fractal scaling analysis to characterize the organization of the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence was used. The method is based on the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) implemented on a sliding window scheme to detect variations of long-range correlations over the genome sequence regions. The nucleotides sequence is mapped in a numerical sequence by using four different assignation rules: amino-keto, purine-pyrimidine, hydrogen-bond and hydrophobicity patterns. The originally reported sequence from Wuhan isolates (Wuhan Hu-1) was considered as a reference to contrast the structure of the 2002-2004 SARS-CoV-1 strain. Long-range correlations, quantified in terms of a scaling exponent, depended on both the mapping rule and the sequence region. Deviations from randomness were attributed to serial correlations or anti-correlations, which can be ascribed to ordered regions of the genome sequence. It was found that the Wuhan Hu-1 sequence was more random than the SARS-CoV-1 sequence, which suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 possesses a more efficient genomic structure for replication and infection. In general, the virus isolated in the early 2020 months showed slight correlation differences with the Wuhan Hu-1 sequence. However, early isolates from India and Italy presented visible differences that led to a more ordered sequence organization. It is apparent that the increased sequence order, particularly in the spike region, endowed some early variants with a more efficient mechanism to spreading, replicating and infecting. Overall, the results showed that the DFA provides a suitable framework to assess long-term correlations hidden in the internal organization of the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence.

De alfa a omega: Estimación de la confiabilidad ordinal. Una guía práctica / From Alpha to Omega: Estimation of Ordinal Reliability. A Practical Guide

La presente investigación realiza un recorrido por el concepto de confiabilidad como una de las propiedades psicométricas fundamentales en la Teoría Clásica de los Test. Se desarrolla el concepto y cuáles son sus diferentes aplicaciones prácticas para indagar el grado de confiabilidad de un instrumento de medición. Se centra el estudio en el cálculo de la consistencia interna a partir del alfa y el omega como los coeficientes más utilizados y la importancia de calcularlos mediante la utilización de matrices de correlaciones policoricas (MCP). Como objetivo principal se presenta una guía en español para el cálculo de coeficientes ordinales de confiabilidad al utilizar el programa R/RStudio. Se brinda un ejemplo a nivel empírico que da cuenta la relevancia de calcular este tipo decoeficientes para el cálculo de la confiabilidad de un instrumento. Al emplear una muestra de 266 adultos entre 18 y 63 años (M = 31.91, DE = 11.50), se administró la versión adaptada a argentina del Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck y el Cuestionario de Regulación Emocional. De esta manera, se exponen coeficientes para estimar la confiabilidad de los instrumentos que dan cuenta de sus ventajas y desventajas, al realizar el cálculo mediante MCP, matriz de correlaciones de Pearson y matriz de covarianzas de Pearson. A partir de los resultados, se evidencia que el cálculo mediante MCP proporcionó grados de confiabilidades mayores respecto al cálculo mediante las otras dos matrices. Se espera que el presente documento sea de importancia para investigadores no familiarizados con R.

The present study takes a tour of the concept of reliability as one of the fundamental psychometric properties in Classical Tests Theory. The concept and its different practical applications are developed to investigate the degree of reliability of a measuring instrument. Focusing on the calculation of internal consistency from alpha and omega as the most used coefficients and the importance of calculating these coefficients by using polychoric correlation matrices (PCM). The main objective is to present a guide in Spanish for the calculation of ordinal reliability coefficients using the R/Rstudio program. Providing an example at the empirical level that shows the relevance of calculating this type of coefficients for calculating the reliability of an instrument. Using a sample of 266 adults between the ages of 18 and 63 years (M = 31.91 SD = 11.50), the version adapted to Argentina of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire were administered. In this way, coefficients are exposed to estimate the reliability of the instruments that account for their advantages and disadvantages, performing the calculation using MCP, Pearson's correlation matrix and Pearson's covariance matrix. From the results, it is evident that the calculation using MCP provided higher degrees of reliability compared to the calculation using the other two matrices. This document is expected to be of importance to researchers unfamiliar with R.

Chiral NMR analysis reveals the environmental dependence of areolal scalemization in Piptothrix areolare.

The occurrence of racemic and enantiomerically enriched (scalemic) mixtures of secondary metabolites in their natural sources is a rare phenomenon. The unprecedent case of enantiomeric variations from levorotatory to dextrorotatory, and back to levorotatory, passing through an almost racemic mixture, was recently documented for areolal, the major epoxythymol of Piptothrix areolare. In an attempt to shed some light to understand the reasons for such an unusual behavior, herein, we evaluated this phenomenon by correlating the areolal enantiomeric purity with several environmental variables, including temperature, humidity, rain precipitation, wind speed, and radiation during over 1 year of the plant life cycle. The specific rotation and enantiomeric excess determined by 1 H-NMR-BINOL measurements provided the scalemic variations of areolal samples isolated from the roots collected from the same location along a 427-day period. The 1 H-NMR-BINOL methodology provided better sensitivity to enantiomeric variations than specific rotation measurements. Statistical data, including matrix correlation analysis, exploratory analysis by heatmap plotting, and the principal component analysis (PCA), suggested direct correlation of the scalemic variation with humidity, rain precipitation, and radiation variables with the best PCA explanation (78.4%) and noncritical or poor correlations in PCA explained in 60.2% and 48.4%, respectively. When variations in the optical activity parameter of any metabolite are observed, the search for scalemic mixtures along their host plant life cycle should be undertaken. Herein, this phenomenon could be associated with interactions with soil microorganisms and with evolutionary aspects of Piptothrix areolare which belongs to Asteraceae, one of the most successfully adaptable plant families.

The Bilingual Lexicon, Back and Forth: Electrophysiological Signatures of Translation Asymmetry.

Mainstream theories of first and second language (L1, L2) processing in bilinguals are crucially informed by word translation research. A core finding is the translation asymmetry effect, typified by slower performance in forward translation (FT, from L1 into L2) than in backward translation (BT, from L2 into L1). Yet, few studies have explored its neural bases and none has employed (de)synchronization measures, precluding the integration of bilingual memory models with neural (de)coupling accounts of word processing. Here, 27 proficient Spanish-English bilinguals engaged in FT and BT of single words as we obtained high-density EEG recordings to perform cluster-based oscillatory and non-linear functional connectivity analyses. Relative to BT, FT yielded slower responses, higher frontal theta (4-7 Hz) power in an early window (0-300 ms), reduced centro-posterior lower-beta (14-20 Hz) and centro-frontal upper-beta (21-30 Hz) power in a later window (300-600 ms), and lower fronto-parietal connectivity below 10 Hz in the early window. Also, the greater the behavioral difference between FT and BT, the greater the power of the early theta cluster for FT over BT. These results reveal key (de)coupling dynamics underlying translation asymmetry, offering frequency-specific constraints for leading models of bilingual lexical processing.

Detecting patterns of correlational selection with sampling error: A simulation study.

The adoption of a multivariate perspective of selection implies the existence of multivariate adaptive peaks and pervasive correlational selection that promotes co-adaptation between traits. However, to test for the ubiquity of correlational selection in nature, we must first have a sense of how well can we estimate multivariate nonlinear selection (i.e., the γ-matrix) in the face of sampling error. To explore the sampling properties of estimated γ-matrices, we simulated inidividual traits and fitness under a wide range of sample sizes, using different strengths of correlational selection and of stabilizing selection, combined with different number of traits under selection, different amounts of residual variance in fitness, and distinct patterns of selection. We then ran nonlinear regressions with these simulated datasets to simulate γ-matrices after adding random error to individual fitness. To test how well could we detect the imposed pattern of correlational selection at different sample sizes, we measured the similarity between simulated and imposed γ-matrices. We show that detection of the pattern of correlational selection is highly dependent on the total strength of selection on traits and on the amount of residual variance in fitness. Minimum sample size needs to be at least 500 to precisely estimate the pattern of correlational selection. Furthermore, a pattern of selection in which different sets of traits contribute to different functions is the easiest to diagnose, even when using a large number of traits (10 traits), but with sample sizes in the order of 1000 individuals. Consequently, we recommend working with sets of traits from distinct functional complexes and fitness proxies less prone to effects of environmental and demographic stochasticity to test for correlational selection with lower sample sizes.

COVID-19 Infection in Octagenarian Patients: Imaging Aspects and Clinical Correlations.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, although not a screening test or diagnosis of infection with the new coronavirus, has a fundamental role in assessing the extent of lung involvement and complications such as pleural effusion. Considering the higher morbidity and mortality of elderly patients due to this infection, the objective of this study was to evaluate the imaging aspects and clinical correlations of an extreme age (≥80 years) with a confirmed diagnosis for COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective and single-center cohort study. CT scans were categorized qualitatively and quantitatively. In the first case, 3 descriptors were used to describe CT findings: "compatible" (findings of greater specificity for COVID-19: opacities with attenuation in ground glass with peripheral and bilateral distribution, with rounded morphology, with or without consolidations, crazy-pavement aspect, inverted halo sign, or organizing pneumonia findings), "doubtful" (findings not specific or unusual for COVID-19: opacities with attenuation in ground glass with nonrounded morphology, central, diffuse, or unilateral distribution, with or without consolidation, lobar or segmental consolidation without ground-glass opacity, small centrilobular nodules with the appearance of "tree-in-bud," excavations, pleural effusion, and thickening of interlobular septa), and "negative" (absence of pneumonia signs). For the quantitative assessment, which referred to the extent of pulmonary involvement, a tomographic severity classification was used: grade 1 (lung involvement ≤25%), grade 2 (pulmonary involvement between 26 and 50%), and grade 3 (pulmonary involvement >50%). RESULTS: A total of 138 patients were evaluated, with an average age of 86.2 years (84 women and 34 men). The mean time interval between onset of symptoms and tomography was 5.63 days. The most prevalent comorbidity was systemic arterial hypertension (81.2%). Compatible, doubtful, and negative tests were 117 (84.7%), 20 (14.4%), and 1 (0.7%), respectively. As for compatible exams, the most common findings were opacities in peripheral ground glass and rounded morphology, followed by crazy paving. The prevalence of pleural effusion was 28.2% and consolidation was 63.7%, and none of these findings were influenced by the duration of symptoms (p = 0.08 and p = 0.2, respectively). The exams classified as grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 were 57 (41.6%), 46 (33.6%), and 34 (24.8%), respectively. There were statistically significant associations between the classification of tomographic severity and outcomes such as invasive ventilation (p = 0.004), admission to the intensive care unit (p < 0.001), and death (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Our results show that patients ≥80 years old present tomographic manifestations similar to those described for the general population (ground-glass opacities and "crazy paving") and that the extent of lung involvement is associated with the need for intensive care, invasive ventilation, and death. Although the literature describes an association between the stage of the disease and the appearance of consolidations and pleural effusion, this correlation was not observed in our study, which may suggest that this age-group is more predisposed to the appearance of such findings, typically described in the more advanced stages of infection.

Genetic parameters for growth, reproductive, and carcass traits in Tabapuã cattle

We aimed to estimate genetic parameters for growth, reproductive, and carcass traits in Tabapuã cattle. Phenotypic data were collected between 1990 and 2019 in 1,218 farms, and the pedigree file had 340,868 animals. The traits evaluated were body weight at 120 (W120), 210 (W210), 365 (W365), and 550 (W550) days of age; age at first calving (AFC), scrotal circumference at 365 days of age (SC365), ribeye area (REA), backfat thickness (BF), and rump fat thickness (RF). The (co)variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method, considering single and two-traits animal models. For all traits, the models considered fixed, direct additive genetic, and residual random effects. In addition, for W120 and W210, the maternal additive genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were also included. Heritabilities for W120, W210, W365, W550, SC365, REA, BF, and RF were of moderate magnitude (0.15, 0.16, 0.23, 0.19, 0.22, 0.36, 0.31, and 0.27, respectively). Low heritability was observed for AFC (0.07). The genetic correlations between growth traits were higher than 0.90, while AFC and SC365 presented negative moderate correlation (−0.66). The REA showed low genetic correlations with BF (0.07) and RF (0.07), whereas BF and RF were highly correlated (0.77). Considering the heritability estimates, selection for AFC would result in limited genetic gain, while for the other traits, it would be satisfactory. Based on the high genetic correlations between growth traits, selection of Tabapuã animals can be performed at younger ages. Additionally, animals can be indirectly selected for AFC through SC365, and only one fat thickness trait may be used in the selection process considering the high genetic correlation and similar heritability values for BF and RF.(AU)