Big Five traits as Predictors of Perceived Stressfulness of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined the Big Five personality traits as predictors of individual differences and changes in the perceived stressfulness of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany between early April 2020 and early September 2020. This timeframe includes the first national “lockdown,” the period of “easing” of restrictions, and the summer vacation period. Data were collected from n = 588 full-time employees, who provided baseline data on their personality traits in early December 2019, and then later provided data on perceived stressfulness of the COVID-19 pandemic at five time points, spanning six months. Consistent with expectations based on event and transition theories, results showed that, on average, perceived stressfulness declined between early April 2020 and early September 2020. Moreover, this effect was stronger between early April 2020 and early July 2020. Hypotheses based on the differential reactivity model of personality and stress were partially supported. Emotional stability was associated with lower, and extraversion associated with higher, average levels of perceived stressfulness. Finally, extraversion was associated with increases (i.e., positive trajectories) in perceived stressfulness between early April 2020 and early July 2020 and decreases (i.e., negative trajectories) in perceived stressfulness between early July 2020 and early September 2020.

The Role of RodA-Conserved Cysteine Residues in the Aspergillus fumigatus Conidial Surface Organization

Immune inertness of Aspergillusfumigatus conidia is attributed to its surface rodlet-layer made up of RodAp, characterized by eight conserved cysteine residues forming four disulfide bonds. Earlier, we showed that the conserved cysteine residue point (ccrp) mutations result in conidia devoid of the rodlet layer. Here, we extended our study comparing the surface organization and immunoreactivity of conidia carrying ccrp-mutations with the RODA deletion mutant (∆rodA). Western blot analysis using anti-RodAp antibodies indicated the absence of RodAp in the cytoplasm of ccrp-mutant conidia. Immunolabeling revealed differential reactivity to conidial surface glucans, the ccrp-mutant conidia preferentially binding to α-(1,3)-glucan, ∆rodA conidia selectively bound to β-(1,3)-glucan; the parental strain conidia showed negative labeling. However, permeability of ccrp-mutants and ∆rodA was similar to the parental strain conidia. Proteomic analyses of the conidial surface exposed proteins of the ccrp-mutants showed more similarities with the parental strain, but were significantly different from the ∆rodA. Ccrp-mutant conidia were less immunostimulatory compared to ∆rodA conidia. Our data suggest that (i) the conserved cysteine residues are essential for the trafficking of RodAp and the organization of the rodlet layer on the conidial surface, and (ii) targeted point mutation could be an alternative approach to study the role of fungal cell-wall genes in host–fungal interaction.

Electronically Governed ROMP: Expanding Sequence Control for Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers

Controlling the primary sequence of synthetic polymers remains a grand challenge in chemistry. A variety of methods that exert control over monomer sequence have been realized wherein differential reactivity, pre-organization, and stimuli-response have been key factors in programming sequence. Whereas much has been established in nonconjugated systems, π-extended frameworks remain systems wherein subtle structural changes influence bulk properties. The recent introduction of electronically biased ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) extends the repertoire of feasible approaches to prescribe donor–acceptor sequences in conjugated polymers, by enabling a system to achieve both low dispersity and controlled polymer sequences. Herein, we discuss recent advances in obtaining well-defined (i.e., low dispersity) polymers featuring donor–acceptor sequence control, and present our design of an electronically ambiguous (4-methoxy-1-(2-ethylhexyloxy) and benzothiadiazole-(donor–acceptor-)based [2.2]paracyclophanediene monomer that undergoes electronically dictated ROMP. The resultant donor–acceptor polymers were well-defined (Đ = 1.2, Mn > 20 k) and exhibited lower energy excitation and emission in comparison to ‘sequence-ill-defined’ polymers. Electronically driven ROMP expands on prior synthetic methods to attain sequence control, while providing a promising platform for further interrogation of polymer sequence and resultant properties.1 Introduction to Sequence Control2 Sequence Control in Polymers3 Multistep-Synthesis-Driven Sequence Control4 Catalyst-Dictated Sequence Control5 Electronically Governed Sequence Control6 Conclusions

Comprehensive evaluation of the antigenic impact of intra-genotypic human papillomavirus variant diversity on recognition by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies raised against lineage a L1 virus like particles

Introduction. Naturally-occurring variants of Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes have been defined as lineages and sub-lineages, but little is known about the impact of this diversity on protein function. We have previously demonstrated that variation within the major (L1) and minor (L2) capsid proteins impact the susceptibility of HPV to serum antibodies elicited by vaccination and natural infection. Higher resolution mapping of variant residues, however, requires the availability of appropriate tools, such as type-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). These empirical data will improve our understanding of the consequences of natural variation on capsid antigenicity. Methods. We investigated the susceptibility of 37 representative pseudovirus variants of HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, HPV52 and HPV58 to neutralization by type-specific murine MAbs raised against the A lineage of their respective genotypes. Homology models derived from available HPV L1 crystal structures were generated to permit mapping of variant residues onto the surface-exposed L1 protein for relevant variants Results. Type-specific lineage A-specific MAbs demonstrated differential reactivity against some, but not all, variants within its respective genotype. Some of these differences were minor (<4 fold) while some variants displayed orders of magnitude reduced sensitivity. These differences in antigenicity were mapped to a limited number of variant residues on the capsid surface. Conclusions. These data contribute to our understanding of HPV L1 variant antigenicity and may have implications for seroprevalence or vaccine immunity studies based upon L1 antigens.

Mineralogy and Distribution of Critical Elements in the Sn–W–Pb–Ag–Zn Huanuni Deposit, Bolivia

The polymetallic Huanuni deposit, a world-class tin deposit, is part of the Bolivian tin belt. As a likely case for a “mesothermal” or transitional deposit between epithermal and porphyry Sn types (or shallow porphyry Sn), it represents a case that contributes significantly to the systematic study of the distribution of critical elements within the “family” of Bolivian tin deposits. In addition to Sn, Zn and Ag, further economic interest in the area resides in its potential in critical elements such as In, Ga and Ge. This paper provides the first systematic characterisation of the complex mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Huanuni deposit with the twofold aim of identifying the mineral carriers of critical elements and endeavouring plausible metallogenic processes for the formation of this deposit, by means of a multi-methodological approach. With In concentrations consistently over 2000 ppm, the highest potential for relevant concentrations in this metal resides in widespread tin minerals (cassiterite and stannite) and sphalerite. Hypogene alteration assemblages are hardly developed due to the metasedimentary nature of host rocks, but the occurrence of potassium feldspar, schorl, pyrophyllite and dickite as vein material stand for potassic to phyllic or advanced argillic alteration assemblages and relatively high-temperature (and low pH) mineralising fluids. District-scale mineralogical zonation suggests a thermal zonation with decreasing temperatures from the central to the peripheral areas. A district-scale zonation has been also determined for δ34SVCDT values, which range −7.2‰ to 0.2‰ (mostly −7‰ to −5‰) in the central area and −4.2‰ to 1.0‰ (mainly constrained between −2‰ and 1‰) in peripheral areas. Such values stand for magmatic and metasedimentary sources for sulfur, and their spatial zoning may be related to differential reactivity between mineralising fluids and host rocks, outwardly decreasing from the central to the peripheral areas.

Essentials of the Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) Strength: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Comparison Question Test (CQT)

The essentials of the Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) theoretical framework for explaining the Comparison Question Test (CQT) (Ginton, 2009), is presented here in a detailed outline format. It is based on the notion that examinees who lie on the test in the relevant questions are attached psychologically to the relevant issue in a different way than the truth-tellers. An essential difference is the strength by which the suspect’s attention is directed, focused, and bound to the relevant issue. These aspects of attention in the context of polygraph examinations are coined, Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG) Strength. The RIG strength is assumed to distribute differently between the liars and the truth-tellers. There is reason to believe that liars hold a stronger RIG compared to the truthful subjects, and eventually, that affects the differential reactivity to the relevant vs. comparison questions. The following describes the rationale behind the RIG concept, some supporting data, and the theoretical as well as practical implications.