Towards a Cognitively Based Quantification of Metrical Dissonance

Metrical dissonance is a powerful tool for creating and manipulating musical tension. The relative extent of tension can be more or less acute depending (in part) on the type of dissonance used and moving among those dissonance types can contribute to the shape of a musical work. This chapter sets out a model for quantifying relative dissonance that incorporates experimentally substantiated principles of cognitive science. A supplementary webpage [**html page] provides an interactive guide for testing out these ideas, and a further online supplement [**URL—included in the main text as Section \ref{sec:online}] provides mathematical formalizations for the principles discussed. We begin with a basic model of metre where a metrical position’s weight is given simply by the number of pulse levels coinciding there. This alone enables a telling categorization of displacement dissonances for simple metres and a first sense of the relative differences between them. These arbitrary weighting ‘values’ are then refined on the basis of tempo and pulse salience. This provides a more subtle set of gradations that reflect the cognitive experience of metre somewhat better while still retaining a clear sense of the simple principles that govern relative dissonance. Additionally, this chapter sees the model applied in a brief, illustrative analysis and in a preliminary extension to ‘mixed’ metres (5s, 7s,…). This sheds light on known problems such as the relative stability of mixed metres in different rotations, and suggests a new way of thinking about mixed metres’ relative susceptibility to metrical dissonance.

Paradoxical Roles of Leucine-Rich α2-Glycoprotein-1 in Cell Death and Survival Modulated by Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 and Cytochrome c

Leucine-rich α2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) has been shown to impact both apoptosis and cell survival, pleiotropic effects similar to one of its known ligands, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). Recent studies have given insight into the TGF-β1 signaling pathways involved in LRG1-mediated death versus survival signaling, i.e., canonical or non-canonical. Interaction of LRG1 with another ligand, extracellular cytochrome c (Cyt c), promotes cell survival, at least for lymphocytes. LRG1 has been shown to bind Cyt c with high affinity, higher than it binds TGF-β1, making it sensitive to small changes in the level of extracellular Cyt c within a microenvironment that may arise from cell death. Evidence is presented here that LRG1 can bind TGF-β1 and Cyt c simultaneously, raising the possibility that the ternary complex may present a signaling module with the net effect of signaling, cell death versus survival, determined by the relative extent to which the LRG1 binding sites are occupied by these two ligands. A possible role for LRG1 should be considered in studies where extracellular effects of TGF-β1 and Cyt c have been observed in media supplemented with LRG1-containing serum.

Fire-induced loss of the world’s most biodiverse forests in Latin America

Fire plays a dominant role in deforestation, particularly in the tropics, but the relative extent of transformations and influence of fire frequency on eventual forest loss remain unclear. Here, we analyze the frequency of fire and its influence on postfire forest trajectories between 2001 and 2018. We account for ~1.1% of Latin American forests burnt in 2002–2003 (8,465,850 ha). Although 40.1% of forests (3,393,250 ha) burned only once, by 2018, ~48% of the evergreen forests converted to other, primarily grass-dominated uses. While greater fire frequency yielded more transformation, our results reveal the staggering impact of even a single fire. Increasing fire frequency imposes greater risks of irreversible forest loss, transforming forests into ecosystems increasingly vulnerable to degradation. Reversing this trend is indispensable to both mitigate and adapt to climate change globally. As climate change transforms fire regimes across the region, key actions are needed to conserve Latin American forests.

Phenotypic plasticity can reverse the relative extent of intra- and interspecific variability across a thermal gradient

Intra- and interspecific variability can both ensure ecosystem functions. Generalizing the effects of individual and species assemblages requires understanding how much within and between species trait variation is genetically based or results from phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity can indeed lead to rapid and important changes of trait distributions, and in turn community functionality, depending on environmental conditions, which raises a crucial question: could phenotypic plasticity modify the relative importance of intra- and interspecific variability along environmental gradients? We quantified the fundamental niche of five genotypes in monocultures for each of five ciliate species along a wide thermal gradient in standardized conditions to assess the importance of phenotypic plasticity for the level of intraspecific variability compared to differences between species. We showed that phenotypic plasticity strongly influences trait variability and reverses the relative extent of intra- and interspecific variability along the thermal gradient. Our results show that phenotypic plasticity may lead to either increase or decrease of functional trait variability along environmental gradients, making intra- and interspecific variability highly dynamic components of ecological systems.

Factors associated with the extent of information technology use in Ontario hospitals

Patients, providers and society are demanding more from health care systems worldwide. As health systems evolve, the use of health information technology is one method to deliver safer, more efficient, and more effective patient care. This paper presents analysis that explores whether location, hospital type, hospital size are factors in determing the extent that IT is used in Ontario hospitals.The results show that urban hospitals use IT more extensively than non-urban hospitals. Hospital type does not have an effect on the relative extent that IT is used. Larger hospitals are likely to use IT more than smaller hospitals. Key implications for having location and size determine a hospital's use of IT are the increasing divide between urban and non-urban hospitals and the proliferation of smaller "have not" hospitals in Ontario.

Factors associated with the extent of information technology use in Ontario hospitals

Patients, providers and society are demanding more from health care systems worldwide. As health systems evolve, the use of health information technology is one method to deliver safer, more efficient, and more effective patient care. This paper presents analysis that explores whether location, hospital type, hospital size are factors in determing the extent that IT is used in Ontario hospitals.The results show that urban hospitals use IT more extensively than non-urban hospitals. Hospital type does not have an effect on the relative extent that IT is used. Larger hospitals are likely to use IT more than smaller hospitals. Key implications for having location and size determine a hospital's use of IT are the increasing divide between urban and non-urban hospitals and the proliferation of smaller "have not" hospitals in Ontario.

Projected HIV and Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Incidence Following COVID-19–Related Sexual Distancing and Clinical Service Interruption

Background The global COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to indirectly impact transmission dynamics and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). It is unknown what combined impact reductions in sexual activity and interruptions in HIV/STI services will have on HIV/STI epidemic trajectories. Methods We adapted a model of HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia for a population of approximately 103 000 men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Atlanta area. Model scenarios varied the timing, overlap, and relative extent of COVID-19–related sexual distancing and service interruption within 4 service categories (HIV screening, preexposure prophylaxis, antiretroviral therapy, and STI treatment). Results A 50% relative decrease in sexual partnerships and interruption of all clinical services, both lasting 18 months, would generally offset each other for HIV (total 5-year population impact for Atlanta MSM, −227 cases), but have net protective effect for STIs (−23 800 cases). If distancing lasted only 3 months but service interruption lasted 18 months, the total 5-year population impact would be an additional 890 HIV cases and 57 500 STI cases. Conclusions Immediate action to limit the impact of service interruptions is needed to address the indirect effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV/STI epidemic.

Histomolecular fibrotic profile and an extent of the atrial and ventricular electroanatomical substrate in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure

Background and purpose The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the association between an extent of the atrial and ventricular electroanatomical substrate, serum fibrotic biomarkers and histological and immune-histochemical myocardial characteristics in ipatients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Methods We prospectively analyzed electroanatomical ultra-high density bipolar maps (HDBM) in 72 patients with AF and CHF, who underwent circular pulmonary veins (PVs) isolation. LA areas outside PVs ostia with bipolar signals ≤0.75mV, associated with local conduction velocity delay were considered as EAS and measured. Relative area of low voltage zones in right (RV) and left ventricles (RV) with bipolar signals in range of 0,5–1,5 mV were also consistently measured. Endomyocardial biopsy samples were taken from low, mediate and high septal areas of RV; histological and immune-histochemical staining was performed and an extent of myocardial interstitial fibrosis (MIF) was calculated. Before the operation we measured plasma MMP2, MMP9, TIMP, MMPs/TIMPs, galectin 3 (Gal3), TGF, soluble ST2 and the cross-linked collagen I/III synthesis and degradation product levels. The patients were divided into groups according to their ejection fraction Simpson (EF) (groups 1: EF≥50%, groups 2: EF 40–49%, and groups 3: EF<40%). Results The data of electroanatomical mapping, serum biomarkers and myocardial expression are presented in the table. According to results of correlation analysis, an extent of LA EAS were correlated with Gal3 and PIIICP plasma level and Gal3 myocardial expression and MIF extent (Rs=0,40, 0,45 and 0,42 respectively). The relative extent of LV EAS was correlated with MMP9 serum level (Rs=0,38); LV volume (LVV) was correlated with sST2 serum level and RVV was correlated with CD 133 myocardial expression (Rs=0,42) (picture 1). The patients with lower EF had larger extent of the LA EAS, (group 3: 28±12.4% vs. 1: 17.7±11.6%, p=0.03), an extent of LV EAS and LVV (group 3: 8,4±4,5% vs. 1: 5,1±3,8% p=0.02; group 3 vs group 1 p=0,05 relatively),higher Gal3 plasma level (group 1: 7,1±2 vs. group 2: 8,9±1,5, p=0.05) and higher MIF extent (group 2: 134±56 vs. 3: 151±30 p=0.04) (picture 2). Conclusion Our data suggest that relative extent of LA EAS in patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with Gal3 plasma level and Gal3 myocardial expression; severity of myocardial remodeling is connected to CD 3/133 myocardial expression and myocardial interstitial fibrosis extent, especially in patients with HF with restricted LV ejection fraction. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Projected HIV and Bacterial STI Incidence Following COVID-Related Sexual Distancing and Clinical Service Interruption

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe global COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to indirectly impact the transmission dynamics and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Studies have already documented reductions in sexual activity (“sexual distancing”) and interruptions in HIV/STI services, but it is unknown what combined impact these two forces will have on HIV/STI epidemic trajectories.MethodsWe adapted a network-based model of co-circulating HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia for a population of approximately 103,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Atlanta area. Model scenarios varied the timing, overlap, and relative extent of COVID-related sexual distancing in casual and one-time partnership networks and service interruption within four service categories (HIV screening, HIV PrEP, HIV ART, and STI treatment).ResultsA 50% relative decrease in sexual partnerships and interruption of all clinical services, both lasting 18 months, would generally offset each other for HIV (total 5-year population impact for Atlanta MSM: −227 cases), but have net protective effect for STIs (−23,800 cases). Greater relative reductions and longer durations of service interruption would increase HIV and STI incidence, while greater relative reductions and longer durations of sexual distancing would decrease incidence of both. If distancing lasted only 3 months but service interruption lasted 18 months, the total 5-year population impact would be an additional 890 HIV cases and 57,500 STI cases.ConclusionsThe counterbalancing impact of sexual distancing and clinical service interruption depends on the infection and the extent and durability of these COVID-related changes. If sexual behavior rebounds while service interruption persists, we project an excess of hundreds of HIV cases and thousands of STI cases just among Atlanta MSM over the next 5 years. Immediate action to limit the impact of service interruptions is needed to address the indirect effects of the global COVID pandemic on the HIV/STI epidemic.

Ordered dephosphorylation initiated by the selective proteolysis of cyclin B drives mitotic exit

APC/C-mediated proteolysis of cyclin B and securin promotes anaphase entry, inactivating CDK1 and permitting chromosome segregation, respectively. Reduction of CDK1 activity relieves inhibition of the CDK1-counteracting phosphatases PP1 and PP2A-B55, allowing wide-spread dephosphorylation of substrates. Meanwhile, continued APC/C activity promotes proteolysis of other mitotic regulators. Together, these activities orchestrate a complex series of events during mitotic exit. However, the relative importance of regulated proteolysis and dephosphorylation in dictating the order and timing of these events remains unclear. Using high temporal-resolution proteomics, we compare the relative extent of proteolysis and protein dephosphorylation. This reveals highly-selective rapid proteolysis of cyclin B, securin and geminin at the metaphase-anaphase transition, followed by slow proteolysis of other substrates. Dephosphorylation requires APC/C-dependent destruction of cyclin B and was resolved into PP1-dependent categories with unique sequence motifs. We conclude that dephosphorylation initiated by selective proteolysis of cyclin B drives the bulk of changes observed during mitotic exit.