Cooperative leadership in hyperscanning. Brain and body synchrony during manager-employee interactions

Recent advances in neurosciences permitted to extend the knowledge about brain functioning to the organizational field with a specific interest to leadership, with the extent to explore more proficient ways of managing. In the present research, through a hyperscanning paradigm, EEG and autonomic synchrony was explored during performance reviews to investigate if different leadership styles (partecipative vs. authoritative), could be associated with different dyadic engagement. Analysis involved coherence computation assessing the strenght of inter-brain and body synchrony, which revealed the presence of a higher emotional synchronization for both neural and bodily reactions mainly for partecipative style

Ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase from Plasmodium falciparum undergoes NADP(+)-dependent dimerization and inactivation: functional and crystallographic analysis

The completion of the Plasmodium falciparum genome sequence has recently promoted the search for new antimalarial drugs. More specifically, metabolic pathways of the apicoplast, a key organelle for survival of the parasite, have been recognized as potential targets for the development of specific new antimalarial agents. As most apicomplexan parasites, P. falciparum displays a plant-type ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase, yielding reduced ferredoxin for essential biosynthetic pathways in the apicoplast. Here we report a molecular, kinetic and ligand binding characterization of the recombinant ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase from P. falciparum, in the light of current data available for plant ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductases. In parallel with the functional characterization, we describe the crystal structures of P. falciparum ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase in free form and in complex with 2'-phospho-AMP (at 2.4 and 2.7 A resolution, respectively). The enzyme displays structural properties likely to be unique to plasmodial reductases. In particular, the two crystal structures highlight a covalent dimer, which relies on the oxidation of residue Cys99 in two opposing subunits, and a helix-coil transition that occurs in the NADP-binding domain, triggered by 2'-phospho-AMP binding. Studies in solution show that NADP(+), as well as 2'-phospho-AMP, promotes the formation of the disulfide-stabilized dimer. The isolated dimer is essentially inactive, but full activity is recovered upon disulfide reduction. The occurrence of residues unique to the plasmodial enzyme, and the discovery of specific conformational properties, highlight the NADP-binding domain of P. falciparum ferredoxin-NADP(+) reductase as particularly suited for the rational development of antimalarial compounds

Sobredosis de Colchicina: Reporte de un Caso. Discusión de la dosis tóxica

La intoxicación por colchicina es una entidad poco común, pero que constituye una emergencia toxicológica extremadamente grave que pone en riesgo la vida del paciente. La intoxicación puede ocurrir por ingestión de tabletas de drogas que contienen colchicina o por ingesta de Colchicum autumnale, que florece en otoño en el Pirineo y es erróneamente colectado en lugar de Allium ursinum. La sobredosis debe ser reconocida tempranamente ya que el abordaje terapéutico debe ser llevado a cabo lo más rápido posible, para lograr un efecto beneficioso para el paciente. En este trabajo se presenta un caso de intoxicación con 50mg de colchicina como tentativa suicida, queevoluciona con falla multiorgánica y posterior buena evolución clínica que genera su alta a los diez días del ingreso al hospital. La falta de relación entre la alta dosis ingerida y la buena evolución de la paciente podrían explicarse por la existencia de polimorfismos en las enzimas involucradas en elmetabolismo de esta droga

Decision-Making in Economic and Moral Contexts : evidence from Social Neuroscience

Decision-making is configured as a very complex construct that it is influenced by different variables (Rilling & Sanfey, 2011; Fehr & Camerer 2007; Wang, Liu, & Ruhe, 2004) such as emotions and cognitive evaluation (Frith & Singer 2008; Sanfey, Loewenstein, McClure, & Cohen, 2006; Groot et al., 2017; Stallen, Smidts, A., & Sanfey, 2013), that allows individuals to consider personal interests, possible losses or rewards, and the ethical and moral choices implications. Specifically, this study aimed to evaluate the decision-making on a sample of 32 participants who were asked to make choices in two different action contexts: economic and moral. To this aim, a task, consisting of a modified version of the Ultimatum Game was administered to evaluate participants\u2019 choices. Specifically, the economic context proposed to divide a sum of money provided as compensation for a work done together; while the moral context proposed to support a colleague\u2019s family who is facing health issues. Within the two conditions three types of offers were presented: neutral, advantageous or disadvantageous. In the neutral condition, an offer was proposed that provided for a fair sharing of money between the two parties, in the advantageous condition a favorable offer was proposed for the subject, and finally, in the disadvantageous condition, the opposite occurred. Participants' neural activity was recorded continuously through the use of near-infrared functional spectroscopy (fNIRS). The levels of oxygenated (O2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin were observed in the prefrontal cortex (Gabay, Radua, Kempton, & Mehta, 2014; Rogers, Hazlewood, Blevis, & Lim, 2004; Phan, Wager, Taylor, & Liberzon, 2002). Results showed the recruitment of distinct and specific neural networks within the prefrontal and frontal areas, according to the different conditions and offer types. Results will be discussed by framing the different scenarios with some psychological, motivational and social issues related to decision-making

The Role of Prefrontal Cortex in Purchasing Decision-Making Context

The functional role of the prefrontal cortex has often been related to decision-making. Moreover, depending on the task that has to be carried out, it can be even more functionally specialized (Ernst & Paulus, 2005). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), for example, seems to be activated by complex tasks solving, working memory processing and recalling of long-lasting memories within long-term memory (Fuster, 2001; Hampson, 2018). Decision-making is applied every day in many different situations, among which stands out the purchasing one. In this context, a crucial and determinant role is played by feelings and emotions. Indeed, emotions are often linked with memories and choices. Previous experiences, in fact, have a key role in this process, since they can influence people\u2019s behavior and take decisions based on some psychological processes such as reward and motivation (Lucchiari & Pravettoni, 2012). However, this is also particularly important when people have to decide within unusual purchasing situations where pros and cons must be taken into account with regard to personal and others\u2019 advantages. In the present study, a modified version of a well-known social interaction paradigm (i.e., the Ultimatum Game; G\ufcth et al., 1982) was used. The scenarios proposed described a store experience in which they should imagine using vouchers. Choices could be neutral, advantageous or disadvantageous from the participant\u2019s perspective. In order to explore the hemodynamic response, fNIRS was used by applying a 18-channels array of optodes covering prefrontal and frontal areas. The final sample included 32 university students of comparable age and educational level. Results showed that the specific offer type led to the engagement of dedicated neural networks, with increased activation of the right medial prefrontal cortex in the case of disadvantageous expenses. Findings are discussed taking into account the psychological factors involved in each purchase choice

Molecular-biology-driven treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer

Background: Metastatic CRC (mCRC) is a molecular heterogeneous disease. The aim of this review is to give an overview of molecular-driven treatment of mCRC patients. Methods: A review of clinical trials, retrospective studies and case reports was performed regarding molecular biomarkers with therapeutic implications. Results: RAS wild-type status was confirmed as being crucial for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies and for rechallenge strategy. Antiangiogenic therapies improve survival in first- and second-line settings, irrespective of RAS status, while tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain promising in refractory mCRC. Promising results emerged from anti-HER2 drugs trials in HER2-positive mCRC. Target inhibitors were successful for BRAFV600E mutant mCRC patients, while immunotherapy was successful for microsatellite instability-high/defective mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR) or DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit (POLE-1) mutant patients. Data are still lacking on NTRK, RET, MGMT, and TGF-β, which require further research. Conclusion: Several molecular biomarkers have been identified for the tailored treatment of mCRC patients and multiple efforts are currently ongoing to increase the therapeutic options. In the era of precision medicine, molecular-biology-driven treatment is the key to impro patient selection and patient outcomes. Further research and large phase III trials are required to ameliorate the therapeutic management of these patients

The Great Condom Adventure: Analyzing College Students’ Narratives of Buying Condoms

This project analyzes college students’ narratives buying condoms. Research suggests young persons do not consistently use condoms, and this study will provide an in-depth analysis to students affect toward condoms. We analyzed narratives written by 115 undergraduate students of their condom buying experiences. The vast majority of the students’ narratives about their condom buying experience fit a common framework, with elements including: preplanning, walking in the store, looking inconspicuous while wandering, finding the “hidden” condom location, making their selection, carrying and hiding the condoms, selecting a cashier and rushing through checkout, anticipating ridicule, and walking out of the store. Research indicates that the majority of college-aged persons are sexually active and do not always use protection. We speculate that the negative emotions associated with buying condoms, as repeated in their narratives, may contribute to young people inconsistent use of contraception

Continuous pulse advances in the negative ion source NIO1

Consorzio RFX and INFN-LNL have designed, built and operated the compact radiofrequency negative ion source NIO1 (Negative Ion Optimization phase 1) with the aim of studying the production and acceleration of H- ions. In particular, NIO1 was designed to keep plasma generation and beam extraction continuously active for several hours. Since 2020 the production of negative ions at the plasma grid (the first grid of the acceleration system) has been enhanced by a Cs layer, deposited though active Cs evaporation in the source volume. For the negative ion sources applied to fusion neutral beam injectors, it is essential to keep the beam current and the fraction of co-extracted electrons stable for at least 1 h, against the consequences of Cs sputtering and redistribution operated by the plasma. The paper presents the latest results of the NIO1 source, in terms of caesiation process and beam performances during continuous (6{\div}7 h) plasma pulses. Due to the small dimensions of the NIO1 source (20 x (diam.)10 cm), the Cs density in the volume is high (10^15 \div 10^16 m^-3) and dominated by plasma-wall interaction. The maximum beam current density and minimum fraction of co-extracted electrons were respectively about 30 A/m^2 and 2. Similarly to what done in other negative ion sources, the plasma grid temperature in NIO1 was raised for the first time, up to 80 {\deg}C, although this led to a minimal improvement of the beam current and to an increase of the co-extracted electron current.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. Contributed paper for the 8th International symposium on Negative Ions, Beams and Sources - NIBS'22. Revision 1 of the preprint under evaluation at Journal of Instrumentation (JINST