Using electrocochleography to detect sensory and neural damages in a gerbil model

Hearing is one of the five sensory organs that allows us to interact with society and our environment. However, one in eight Americans suffers from sensorineural hearing loss that is great enough to adversely impact their daily life. There is an urgent need to identify what part/degree of the auditory pathway (sensory or neural) is compromised so that appropriate treatment/intervention can be implemented. Single- or two-tone evoked potentials, the electrocochleography (eCochG), were measured along the auditory pathway, i.e., at the round window and remotely at the vertex, with simultaneous recordings of ear canal distortion product otoacoustic emissions. Sensory (cochlear) and neural components in the (remote-) eCochG responses showed distinct level- and frequency-dependent features allowing to be differentiated from each other. Specifically, the distortion products in the (remote-)eCochGs can precisely localize the sensory damage showing that they are effective to determine the sensory or neural damage along the auditory pathway.

Development of Mangrove Sediment Quality Index in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia: A Synergetic Approach

Sediment is an important part of heavy metal cycling in the coastal ecosystem, acting as a potential sink and source of inorganic and organic contaminants as environmental conditions change. The productivity of mangroves is utterly dependent on sediment enrichment. Moreover, mangrove sediment can trap pollutants discharged by households, industries, and agriculture activities. In this regard, it is essential to assess sediment quality in the presence–absence of heavy metals that are toxic to most living organisms. Thus, the question of how sediment quality is used as an index in the mangrove domain has arisen. Due to the many complex characteristics such as seasonal zones, tidal patterns, flora and fauna, and water, no specific method is used in Malaysia for assessing and monitoring mangrove sediment quality. Thus, the current study intended to develop a mangrove sediment quality index (MSQi) in the Matang mangrove forest in Perak, Malaysia. An area was selected based on the distinct level of mangrove disturbances. At 1.5 m depth, sediments were sampled in five segments (0–15, 15–30, 30–50, 50–100, and 100–150 cm). All the sediment physicochemical properties were then analysed. Fourteen variables were chosen and included in MSQi. This index categorises mangrove sediment levels as I = Very Bad, II = Bad, III = Moderate, IV = Good, and V = Excellent. MSQi will be used as a guideline in monitoring mangrove sediment pollution. In conclusion, the data analysis showed that the Sepetang River (SR) was highly disturbed, followed by the Tinggi River (TR) (moderately disturbed), and the Tiram Laut River (TLR) (least disturbed).

Mirative implicatures at the syntax-semantics interface

This chapter investigates the mirative implicature that is associated with two distinct Romance constructions: Mirative Focus Fronting (MFF) and Doubly Inflection Construction (DIC). Despite the distinct level at which the mirative meaning is syntactically encoded in the two constructions, the mirative import displays consistent properties. Both in MFF and in DIC, this meaning can be captured as a conventional implicature about the falsity of the at-issue proposition in the most normal worlds. The modal parameters that are required to interpret the implicature are anchored to the world and time of utterance and to the conversational community; hence, this mirative implicature is not exclusively anchored to the speaker’s perspective, but it also involves the interlocutor(s) in the attempt to arrive at a joint evaluative commitment.

Activation Energy and NBO Interaction Approaches to Torquoselectivity and its Dependence on the Conformational Profile of the Substituent

The torquoselectivity of ring opening of 3-fluoromethylcyclobutenes, 2-fluoromethyl-3-oxetenes and perfluoro-3-methyl-cyclobutene have been studied at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and the results analysed by using the activation energy approach and also the NBO interactions of the breaking ring bond with the substituent bond. The outward or inward opening that has lower activation energy in the activation energy approach or larger interaction in the NBO approach constitutes the preferred mode. The CHF₂ and CH₂F substituents on cyclobutene and oxetene can adopt three distinct conformations with respect to the cleaving ring bond. It has been discovered that each conformer exhibits a distinct level of torquoselectivity and some higher lying conformer may even significantly contribute to the overall selectivity. The conformational profile of the substituent, therefore, is recommended for taking into consideration in any serious treatment of the subject. The experimental selectivity, if otherwise, is likely to be a consequence of secondary reactions such as the reaction equilibration, which honours the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the ring opened products.

Deconvolution of intergenic polymorphisms determining high expression of Factor H binding protein in meningococcus and their association with invasive disease

Neisseria meningitidis is a strictly human pathogen and is the major cause of septicemia and meningitis worldwide. Factor H binding protein (fHbp) is a meningococcal surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds the human Complement factor H allowing the bacterium to evade the host innate immune response. FHbp is also a key antigen in two vaccines against N. meningitidis serogroup B. Although the fHbp gene is present in most circulating meningococcal strains, level of fHbp expression varies among isolates and has been correlated to differences in promoter sequences upstream of the gene. Here we elucidated the sequence determinants that control fHbp expression in globally circulating strains. We analyzed the upstream fHbp intergenic region (fIR) of more than 5800 strains representative of the UK circulating isolates and we identified eleven fIR sequence alleles which represent 88% of meningococcal strains. By engineering isogenic recombinant strains where fHbp expression was under the control of each of the eleven fIR alleles, we confirmed that the fIR sequence determines a specific and distinct level of expression. Moreover, we identified the molecular basis for variation in expression through polymorphisms within key regulatory regions that are known to affect fHbp expression. We experimentally established three expression groups, high–medium–low, that correlated directly with the susceptibility to killing mediated by anti-fHbp antibodies and the ability of the meningococcal strain to survive within human serum. By using this sequence classification and information about the variant, we predicted fHbp expression in the panel of UK strains and we observed that strains with higher expressing fIR alleles are more likely associated with invasive disease. Overall, our findings can contribute to understand and predict vaccine coverage mediated by fHbp as well as to shed light on the role of this virulence factor in determining an invasive phenotype.

Differential Activation Energy and NBO Interaction Approaches to Torquoselectivity and Its Dependence on the Conformational Profile of the Substituent

The torquoselectivity of ring opening of 3-CF₃-cyclobutene, 3-CHF₂-cyclobutene, 3-CH₂F-cyclobutene, 3-CF₃-oxetene and perfluoro-3-CH₃-cyclobutene have been studied at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and the results analysed by using the differential activation energy approach and also differential NBO interactions of the breaking ring bond with the substituent bonds. The outward or inward ring opening that has lower activation energy in the differential activation energy approach or larger interaction in the differential NBO interaction approach constitutes the preferred mode. The predictions from the two approaches are largely found to be contradicting each other, specifically when the substituent is electron-deficient. The CHF₂ and CH₂F substituents on cyclobutene and oxetene can adopt three distinct conformations with respect to the cleaving ring bond. It has been discovered that each conformer exhibits a distinct level of torquoselectivity and some may even contribute to the overall selectivity substantially. The conformational profile of the substituent, therefore, is recommended to be taken into account in any serious treatment of the subject. The experimental torquoselectivity, if otherwise, is a likely consequence of secondary reactions, specifically equilibration through reaction reversal while honouring the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the ring opened products.

Perspectives of policymakers and health providers on barriers and facilitators to skilled pregnancy care: findings from a qualitative study in rural Nigeria

Background The uptake of skilled pregnancy care in rural areas of Nigeria remains a challenge amid the various strategies aimed at improving access to skilled care. The low use of skilled health care during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum indicates that Nigerian women are paying a heavy price as seen in the country’s very high maternal mortality rates. The perceptions of key stakeholders on the use of skilled care will provide a broad understanding of factors that need to be addressed to increase women’s access to skilled pregnancy care. The objective of this study was therefore, to explore the perspectives of policymakers and health workers, two major stakeholders in the health system, on facilitators and barriers to women’s use of skilled pregnancy care in rural Edo State, Nigeria. Methods This paper draws on qualitative data collected in Edo State through key informant interviews with 13 key stakeholders (policy makers and healthcare providers) from a range of institutions. Data was analyzed using an iterative process of inductive and deductive approaches. Results Stakeholders identified barriers to pregnant women’s use of skilled pregnancy care and they include; financial constraints, women’s lack of decision-making power, ignorance, poor understanding of health, competitive services offered by traditional birth attendants, previous negative experience with skilled healthcare, shortage of health workforce, and poor financing and governance of the health system. Study participants suggested health insurance schemes, community support for skilled pregnancy care, favourable financial and governance policies, as necessary to facilitate women’s use of skilled pregnancy care. Conclusions This study adds to the literature, a rich description of views from policymakers and health providers on the deterrents and enablers to skilled pregnancy care. The views and recommendations of policymakers and health workers have highlighted the importance of multi-level factors in initiatives to improve pregnant women’s health behaviour. Therefore, initiatives seeking to improve pregnant women’s use of skilled pregnancy care should ensure that important factors at each distinct level of the social and physical environment are identified and addressed.

Differential Activation Energy and NBO Interaction Approaches to Torquoselectivity and Its Dependence on the Conformational Profile of the Substituent

The torquoselectivity of ring opening of 3-CF₃-cyclobutene, 3-CHF₂-cyclobutene, 3-CH₂F-cyclobutene, 3-CF₃-oxetene and perfluoro-3-CH₃-cyclobutene have been studied at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and the results analysed by using the differential activation energy approach and also differential NBO interactions of the breaking ring bond with the substituent bonds. The outward or inward ring opening that has lower activation energy in the differential activation energy approach or larger interaction in the differential NBO interaction approach constitutes the preferred mode. The predictions from the two approaches are largely found to be contradicting each other, specifically when the substituent is electron-deficient. The CHF₂ and CH₂F substituents on cyclobutene and oxetene can adopt three distinct conformations with respect to the cleaving ring bond. It has been discovered that each conformer exhibits a distinct level of torquoselectivity and some may even contribute to the overall selectivity substantially. The conformational profile of the substituent, therefore, is recommended to be taken into account in any serious treatment of the subject. The experimental torquoselectivity, if otherwise, is a likely consequence of secondary reactions, specifically equilibration through reaction reversal while honouring the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the ring opened products.

Differential Activation Energy and NBO Interaction Approaches to Torquoselectivity and Its Dependence on the Conformational Profile of the Substituent

The torquoselectivity of ring opening of 3-CF₃-cyclobutene, 3-CHF₂-cyclobutene, 3-CH₂F-cyclobutene, 3-CF₃-oxetene and perfluoro-3-CH₃-cyclobutene have been studied at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and the results analysed by using the differential activation energy approach and also differential NBO interactions of the breaking ring bond with the substituent bonds. The outward or inward ring opening that has lower activation energy in the differential activation energy approach or larger interaction in the differential NBO interaction approach constitutes the preferred mode. The predictions from the two approaches are largely found to be contradicting each other, specifically when the substituent is electron-deficient. The CHF₂ and CH₂F substituents on cyclobutene and oxetene can adopt three distinct conformations with respect to the cleaving ring bond. It has been discovered that each conformer exhibits a distinct level of torquoselectivity and some may even contribute to the overall selectivity substantially. The conformational profile of the substituent, therefore, is recommended to be taken into account in any serious treatment of the subject. The experimental torquoselectivity, if otherwise, is a likely consequence of secondary reactions, specifically equilibration through reaction reversal while honouring the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the ring opened products.

BIM framework for the specification of information requirements in energy-related projects

PurposeThis paper aims to further the discussion on Building Information Modelling (BIM) legal requirements, providing a framework with key energy parameters capable of supporting the Appointing Party in the definition of the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) for a BIM project appointment. The EIR is described in ISO-19650–1:2018 as a fundamental step in the information delivery cycle.Design/methodology/approachA literature review on the topic of BIM energy analysis was completed to identify current knowledge gaps and support the need for the proposed framework. Afterwards, the framework was established based on the review findings and the authors’ domain knowledge. The applicability of the proposed framework was assessed through a case study, where several energy simulations were performed in three different design stages of the same BIM model.FindingsThis study identified a lack of standards and legislation capable of supporting the Appointing Party in the definition of energy-related BIM requirements. To this end, a new framework is proposed to mediate existing practices, linking prior knowledge with BIM’s new reality. The study showcases the applicability of the framework, identifying that the performance of different energy studies involves distinct Level of Development (LOD) requirements, which in turn have an impact on the modelling time and cost.Originality/valueA BIM framework for the specification of information requirements in energy-related projects was developed to support the Appointing Party. The framework presents appropriate parameters for energy analysis in each design stage, as well as the suitable LOD for the BIM model.