Wild animals suppress the spread of socially transmitted misinformation

Understanding the mechanisms by which information and misinformation spread through groups of individual actors is essential to the prediction of phenomena ranging from coordinated group behaviors to misinformation epidemics. Transmission of information through groups depends on the rules that individuals use to transform the perceived actions of others into their own behaviors. Because it is often not possible to directly infer decision-making strategies in situ, most studies of behavioral spread assume that individuals make decisions by pooling or averaging the actions or behavioral states of neighbors. However, whether individuals may instead adopt more sophisticated strategies that exploit socially transmitted information, while remaining robust to misinformation, is unknown. Here, we study the relationship between individual decision-making and misinformation spread in groups of wild coral reef fish, where misinformation occurs in the form of false alarms that can spread contagiously through groups. Using automated visual field reconstruction of wild animals, we infer the precise sequences of socially transmitted visual stimuli perceived by individuals during decision-making. Our analysis reveals a feature of decision-making essential for controlling misinformation spread: dynamic adjustments in sensitivity to socially transmitted cues. This form of dynamic gain control can be achieved by a simple and biologically widespread decision-making circuit, and it renders individual behavior robust to natural fluctuations in misinformation exposure.</p

Clinical and surgical assistance in prostate cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implementation of assistance protocols

Purpose: Propose an approach of prostate cancer (PCa) patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: We conducted a review of current literature related to surgical and clinical management of patients during COVID-19 crisis paying special attention to oncological ones and especially those suffering from PCa. Based on these publications and current urological guidelines, a manual to manage PCa patients is suggested. Results: Patients suffering from cancer are likely to develop serious complications from COVID-19 disease together with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the management of oncological patients should be taken into special consideration and most of the treatments postponed. In case the procedure is not deferrable, it should be adapted to the current situation. While the shortest radiotherapy (RT) regimens should be applied, surgical procedures must undergo the following recommendations proposed by main surgical associations. PCa prognosis is generally favourable and therefore one can safely delay most of the biopsies up to 6 months without interfering with survival outcomes in the vast majority of cases. In the same way, most of the localised PCa patients are suitable for active surveillance (AS) or hormonal therapy until local definitive treatment could be reconsidered. In metastatic as well as castration resistant PCa stages, adding androgen receptor targeted agents (abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide or enzalutamide) to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) could be considered in high risk patients. On the contrary, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and Radium-223 must be avoided with regard to the consequence of hematologic toxicity and risk of COVID-19 infection because of immunodepression. Conclusions: Most of the biopsies should be delayed while AS is advised in those patients with low risk PCa. ADT allows us to defer definitive local treatment in many cases of intermediate and high risk PCa. In regard to metastatic and castration resistant PCa, combination therapies with abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide or enzalutamide could be considered. Chemotherapy, Radium-223 and immunotherapy are discouraged

Cysteine-based 3-substituted 1, 5-benzoxathiepin derivatives: Two new classes of anti-proliferative agents

Two distinct series of the 3-amino-1, 5-benzoxathiepin scaffold, derived from L-cysteine, were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity in the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, and in the ovarian carcinoma SKOV-3 cell line. (3R)-Amino-3, 4-dihydro-2H-1, 5-benzoxathiepin [(R)-10] was diversified into two forms: (a) by incorporating different amino acids at its position 3, through an amide bond; and (b) by construction of the purine ring to give 6-chloro-9-[2-(3, 4-dihydro-2H-1, 5-benzoxathiepin-(3R)-yl)]-9H-purine [(R)-28]. Nevertheless, when the introduction of iodine was tried at position 2 of the purine ring of (R)-28, 2-{[2-(6-chloro-2-iodo-9H-purin-9-yl) prop-2-en-1-yl] thio} phenol (34) was obtained. Compound 34 shows activity against cancer cells. Interestingly, 34 inhibits mammosphere formation at the micromolar range, demonstrating activity against cancer stem cells. Although further studies of its targets and mechanism of action are needed, these findings support the therapeutic potential of this compound in cancer

Effect of dopants on the structure of titanium oxide used as a photocatalyst for the removal of emergent contaminants

Photocatalysts composed of titanium dioxide modified with B, F, N and P have been synthesized, characterized and applied to the degradation of caffeine, diclofenac, ibuprofen and salicylic acid. The modified TiO2 samples were prepared by the sol–gel technique starting from titanium(IV) isopropoxide and using H3BO3, NH4F, N(C2H5OH)3 and H3PO4 as precursors of the modifiers, with the content varying between 0 and 5 wt%. Structural characterization was based on nitrogen physisorption at −196 °C, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), simultaneous thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The structural properties of the modified TiO2 solids were significantly different depending on the nature and amount of modifiers and the calcination temperature. TiO2 in the anatase phase was obtained in all cases and was stable upon calcination at 400 °C. The photocatalytic degradation of caffeine, diclofenac, ibuprofen and salicylic acid by modified TiO2 was investigated under ultraviolet irradiation at 25 °C. The photocatalytic degradation behavior followed the order: caffeine > diclofenac = ibuprofen > salicylic acid. B-doped TiO2 was the most efficient catalyst in the degradation of these selected emerging contaminants

Essays in Development Economics: On Civil Conflict in Nigeria

The three essays in this dissertation explore the cause and consequences of civil conflict in Nigeria. The first chapter examines the effect of international oil prices on civil conflict in Nigeria. The analysis uses time variation in global oil prices and cross-sectional variation based on the initial distribution of oil production across Nigerian districts. According to our estimates, an increase in oil price increases the risk of civil conflicts in districts that produce oil by 50 percent. Using data on intergovernmental transfers, public attitude surveys, labor outcomes and pollution, we test for popular theoretical mechanisms of the resource curse and show that positive oil price shocks affect conflict through rising competition for resource rents and through a reduction in social capital. We do not find evidence in favor of mechanisms related to changes in the opportunity cost of engaging in conflict or grievances about pollution and its implications.The second chapter in this dissertation explores the effect of terrorism on child health. We exploit geographical variation in terror attacks of Boko Haram in Nigeria to show that prenatal exposure to fatalities from terror attacks lead to 0.23 percentage point difference in birth weight between exposed and unexposed cohorts. These effects are stronger for mothers with less education. In addition, we find evidence that parents compensate for exposure to terror during pregnancy by increasing investment in postnatal health care. The final paper in the dissertation examines the impact of violent conflict on household risk coping strategies by estimating the two-fold effect of conflict victimization and income shock on household consumption in Nigeria. Using panel data, we find that shocks reduce food consumption by 17 percent for victimized households but have little effect on nonvictimized households. We test for the mechanisms of consumption smoothing and show that victimized households receive more remittances and invest more in informal support groups. Our results are robust to using a sharp increase in local violence as an event stud

Characterization of the Thermostable Biosurfactant Produced by Burkholderia thailandensis DSM 13276

Funding Information: Technology: 31961133015; Shandong University: 31961133014). C.V.G., A.E. and A.T.R. acknowledge FCT I.P. for the Ph.D. grants 2021.05798.BD, 2021.05014.BD and 2020.06470.BD, respectively. Funding Information: ThTeh ethgelrymcoalli pstoapbeilpittyid oef bthioesuBr. ftahcatialanntdseencsriestbediobsuyrBfaucrtkahnotl dweraisa ethvaailluanatdeedn sbisyD exSpMos1i3n2g7 6 thwe absiodpeomlyomnsetrr aitne danto apquosesoeusss svoalluutaiobnle tsou raf atecme-apcetriavteuprer oopfe 1r2ti1e s°,Cnainm aenly ,aautloowclaCvMe (C0.9a8nd bar) for 20 min. Interestingly, the treated solution maintained its shear-thinning behavior, with a slight increase in the flow behavior index value (0.46) compared to the untre◦ ated biosurfactant solution (0.44) (refer to Figure S4 for supporting information on fitting the power law model). The thermally treated biosurfactant also maintained a surface tension value of 40.36 ± 0.5 mN/m, which was identical to that of the untreated solution (40.31 ± 0.agent26 mNin/mfood), thus conand/orfirmcosmeticing its prthermoducts/pral stabocessing,ility. and for bioremediation. The emulsifying ability of the treated biosurfactant, on the other hand, was negatively affected, with a reduction in the EA to 50.5 ± 0.9%, which is around half of the value observed for the non-treated biosurfactant (100.0 ± 0.0%). Different biosurfactants (e.g., glAyucothliopridCso)n atrlisbousthioonws:eCdoan scleipgthuta dliezcartieoans,eC i.nV.tGh.e, eF.mF.ualnsdifyCi.nAg.Vc.aTp.;amciettyhoadftoelroghye,aCt .tVre.Ga.t,mAe.Tn.tR ., at similar temperatures [64]. Nevertheless, the value is still within the range reported for good EA (≥50%) [59]. Moreover, Triton X-100 also suffered a similar reduction in its emulsification ability, as the EA of the emulsions stabilized with the autoclaved compound also reduced from 43.9 ± 2.1% to 33.4 ± 5.2%. These results underline the potential of the B. thIa.Pil.a, nindetnhseisscboipoesuorfftahcetapnrot jfeocrts uUseID, fPo/r0e4x37a8m/p20le20, ianntdheU fIDooBd/ 0i4n3d7u8/st2r0y2,0 inofwthheicRhestheaercthemUpneitr-on atAuprepslieadreMeolleevcuatlaerdBdiouscriienngcepsr—oUceCsIsBiInOgaonrd tthhee fpirnoajelcpt rLoAd/uPc/t0 i1s40c/o2n0s2u0mofetdh.e Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy—i4HB, and by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and 4. Coninnovcalustionioprnos gram through Project Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastics (BioICEP), under The glycolipopeptide biosurfactant secreted by Burkholderia thailandensis DSM 13276 numbers: Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences: 31961133016; Beijing Institute of was demonstrated to possess valuable surface-active properties, namely, a low CMC and high EA for almond and sunflower oils, and for benzene. Moreover, the biosurfactant showed good thermostability, with a thermal degradation temperature above 200 °C, and the ability to maintain stable rheological and surface-active properties, as well as good EA Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Biosurfactants synthesized by microorganisms represent safe and sustainable alternatives to the use of synthetic surfactants, due to their lower toxicity, better biodegradability and biocompatibility, and their production from low-cost feedstocks. In line with this, the present study describes the physical, chemical, and functional characterization of the biopolymer secreted by the bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis DSM 13276, envisaging its validation as a biosurfactant. The biopolymer was found to be a glycolipopeptide with carbohydrate and protein contents of 33.1 ± 6.4% and 23.0 ± 3.2%, respectively. Galactose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose, and glucuronic acid were detected in the carbohydrate moiety at a relative molar ratio of 4:3:2:2:1. It is a high-molecular-weight biopolymer (1.0×107Da) with low polydispersity (1.66), and forms aqueous solutions with shear-thinning behavior, which remained after autoclaving. The biopolymer has demonstrated a good emulsionstabilizing capacity towards different hydrophobic compounds, namely, benzene, almond oil, and sunflower oil. The emulsions prepared with the biosurfactant, as well as with its autoclaved solution, displayed high emulsification activity (>90% and ~50%, respectively). Moreover, the almond and sunflower oil emulsions stabilized with the biosurfactant were stable for up to 4 weeks, which further supports the potential of this novel biopolymer for utilization as a natural bioemulsifier.publishersversionpublishe

Psychosocial burden in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

P16 Objective: Atopic dermatitis affects patients’ quality of life (QoL) in many ways. It is important to analyze the impact that the disease produces in order to better define the healthcare needs of adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Patients and Methods: 14 adult patients with atopic dermatitis were interviewed. The qualitative interviews were semi-structured and supported by a simple script, which allowed a complete and flexible interview. Results: Six affected areas of the patient’s life with atopic dermatitis were identified: economic, work-related, personal, psychosocial, clinical and relational. It is emphasized that atopic dermatitis has a great psychosocial impact on the adult patient, since it alters interpersonal relationships, generates rejection, stigmatization and social isolation, limits the patient in various areas and activities of their daily life or alters sleep, among others. The visible aspect, the itching-scratching cycle, the lack of awareness and ignorance of the disease, the lack of a definitive solution among the treatments and the side effects of some of them are of great concern. Conclusions: The QoL of the patients with atopic dermatitis is negatively affected and a holistic multidisciplinary intervention is necessary in order to mitigate the negative impact of the disease

Quality of life in hidradenitis suppurativa: psychometric properties of HSQOL-24

P14 Introduction: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) has been associated with impaired quality of life (QoL). There are various measuring systems to assess physical severity; however, there are no specific QoL questionnaires for this disease in the Spanish language. Objective: To develop and validate a disease-specific instrument to measure QoL in patients with HS. Methods: A literature search was carried out to prepare a semi structured interview for patients with HS, as well as a Delphi expert consensus among health professionals. The validation with a sample of 130 patients is presented. The preliminary validation of the HSQoL-24 was passed twice to a group of 30 patients with 30 ± 10 days of interval. The DLQI and the Skindex-29 were used for its validation. Results: Cronbach alpha 0.87 indicates a good internal consistency of the questionnaire. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with the DLQI was 0.70 (p-value) (< 0.001), and 0.87 (p-value) (< 0.001) with the Skindex-29. Conclusions: The HSQoL-24 is the first specific self-administered questionnaire to assess QoL in patients with HS in Spanish. It is user friendly and easy to. This study demonstrates the excellent properties of the instrument: comprehensibility, reliability (test-retest), internal consistency, validity, comparison with DLQI and SKINDEX-29, and discriminative capacity