Potential Components Research Articles

A Low Mach Preconditioned Harmonic Balance Solver for Cavity Flutter Computations

Abstract Labyrinth seal flutter is a critical phenomenon in turbomachinery, as it can lead to severe structural vibrations and potential component damage. Accurate prediction and mitigation of flutter are paramount to ensuring the reliability and performance of modern turbomachinery systems. This paper explores the numerical computation of a labyrinth seal flutter test case using a low Mach preconditioned harmonic balance (HB) solver and investigates how this approach can improve the accuracy and response time of flutter computations. HB solvers have gained prominence in turbomachinery computations for their ability to efficiently capture unsteady flow phenomena and significantly reduce computational time compared to time-domain analyses. In labyrinth seals, however, the flow is often characterized by low Mach numbers, and preconditioning for these conditions has been shown to significantly improve convergence and accuracy. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate how to implement low Mach preconditioning in a HB solver in the frequency domain. We employ iterative preconditioning to alleviate the stiffness associated with density-based solvers under low Mach conditions and analyze the effect of the preconditioning parameters on the convergence rate. Furthermore, we address inaccuracies linked to the classical Roe solver in low Mach scenarios by adapting it to the low Mach preconditioned governing equations. Through the combined utilization of iterative preconditioning and a preconditioned Roe solver, this study aims to improve convergence rates and the overall quality of flutter predictions. We demonstrate the method with an academic labyrinth seal test case originally presented by Corral et al. (“Higher Order Conceptual Model for Labyrinth Seal Flutter,” ASME J. Turbomach., 143(7), p. 071006). While previous investigations have primarily relied on linearized frequency domain solvers and reduce-order models, in this research a preconditioned HB solver is applied to this test case.

The importance of competitive potential in building the international competitiveness of food industry companies: Evidence from Poland.

The economic and social changes taking place in the environment mean that the conditions in which enterprises operate and compete are changing and demanding. This also applies to food industry enterprises, the economic importance is emphasized by many economists. The literature on this subject lacks research on the current factors influencing the competitiveness of food industry enterprises. Thus, the aim of the study was to adopt a multidimensional assessment of the importance of selected components of competitive potential in building the international competitiveness of food industry enterprises. The following research hypothesis was adopted: the key components of the competitive potential of food industry enterprises are intangible. To achieve the main goal and verify the research hypothesis, the empirical study uses information collected using a CATI survey among representatives of food industry enterprises in Poland. The analysis used descriptive statistics, the Mann‒Whitney test, the Kruskal‒Wallis test and exploratory factor analysis, which are rarely used in research on competitiveness. Research has shown that the most important component of competitiveness is intangible assets. The punctuality of deliveries, product quality, company image and relations with suppliers and recipients play special roles. According to factor analysis, four general factors related to competitive potential were distinguished: internal competences and activities, material resources, marketing and clusters, and the market. The results of the study fill a knowledge gap related to the current competitiveness factors of food companies. On a practical level, identifying competitive potential helps improve the ability to compete, better adapt to the environment and gain a sustainable competitive advantage in international markets.

Investigation of the association of the MLPH gene with seasonal canine flank alopecia in Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs

BackgroundCanine flank alopecia (CFA) is a skin condition in dogs characterized by non-inflammatory, seasonally recurring episodes of localized hair loss and often hyperpigmentation of the affected skin. A genetic basis is suspected because of the predisposition in certain breeds, such as the Rhodesian Ridgeback (RR). This study investigated the possible role of the canine melanophylin (MLPH) gene in CFA among RRs through pedigree analysis and MLPH genotyping.ResultsWe included 24 CFA-affected and 12 non-CFA-affected control RRs. Pedigree analysis revealed inbreeding loops and close family relationships among the CFA-affected dogs, indicating the potential heritability of CFA. MLPH genotyping revealed 3/24 (12.5%) affected dogs and 1/12 (8.3%) control dogs to be heterozygous (Dd) for the dilute (d) allele, indicating no difference between these groups. None of the dogs were found to be homozygous (dd). Statistical analysis did not reveal an association between the MLPH-d allele and CFA.ConclusionsThe familial patterns among affected RRs observed through pedigree analysis suggest a potential genetic component in CFA. However, our findings from the MLPH genotyping did not reveal that the MLPH gene is involved in this skin condition in RRs. However, further genetic studies are needed to clarify the etiology of CFA in RR dogs.

Unraveling the web of defense: the crucial role of polysaccharides in immunity.

The great potential of polysaccharides in immunological regulation has recently been highlighted in pharmacological and clinical studies. Polysaccharides can trigger immunostimulatory responses through molecular identification, intra- and intercellular communication via direct or indirect interactions with the immune system. Various immunostimulatory polysaccharides or their derivative compounds interacts at cellular level to boost the immune system, including arabinogalactans, fucoidans, mannans, xylans, galactans, hyaluronans, fructans, pectin and arabinogalactans, etc. These natural polysaccharides are derived from various plants, animals and microbes. A unique structural diversity has been identified in polysaccharides, while monosaccharides and glucosidic bonds mainly confer diverse biological activities. These natural polysaccharides improve antioxidant capacity, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, strengthen the intestinal barrier, influence the composition of intestinal microbial populations and promote the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids. These natural polysaccharides are also known to reduce excessive inflammatory responses. It is crucial to develop polysaccharide-based immunomodulators that could be used to prevent or treat certain diseases. This review highlights the structural features, immunomodulatory properties, underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms of naturally occurring polysaccharides, and activities related to immune effects by elucidating a complex relationship between polysaccharides and immunity. In addition, the future of these molecules as potential immunomodulatory components that could transform pharmaceutical applications at clinical level will also be highlighted.

Agency support for at-risk families: service provision, challenges and effective elements for intervention

ABSTRACT There is an urgent need to locate effective interventions for parents involved with child protection services (CPS), Oranga Tamariki in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article describes a qualitative research study that sought to understand: (1) the nature of service provision to families; (2) workers’ perceptions of challenges and effective treatment components in delivering intervention; and (3) effective practices for working with Māori. Participants were staff members working within NGOs, providing interventions to families with ongoing Oranga Tamariki involvement. Data comprised responses to semi-structured interviews (n = 9), interpreted using thematic analysis. Findings highlighted that all participants worked within family homes to deliver intervention, and drew on Te Whare Tapa Whā. Challenges included ongoing child maltreatment concerns and participants’ sense of responsibility for keeping children safe whilst being unable to do so adequately within their non-mandated roles. Perceived effective elements were: strong relationships, transparency, and having courageous conversations when needed. For indigenous clients, self-determination and the effects of colonisation were of prime importance. Themes highlighted responsive practice, with a pragmatic understanding that family priorities may not always align with professional views. This is consistent with international findings regarding challenges in delivering parenting interventions and identifies potential essential components for effective practice. HIGHLIGHTS Practitioners’ perceptions of essential elements to effective practice included: strong relationships, honesty, reciprocity, and directness regarding child protection concerns. Effective practices seen to be particular to working with Māori families were trusting, reciprocal relationships and ensuring self-determination and autonomy. Ethical tensions and a sense of complicity and helplessness at times were described, with ongoing child protection concerns evident during intervention for some families. Practitioners took a holistic approach to their work, expressing non-judgment, sympathy for, and understanding of the complex circumstantial and personal challenges faced by Oranga Tamariki-involved parents. Glossary of Māori terms: awhi: embrace, cherish; kaimahi: staff members; kanohi ki te kanohi: face to face; karakia: blessing; kaupapa Māori: Māori approach; kete: basket; kōrero: to speak; mana: prestige; manaakitanga: hospitality; mana whenua: people with rights over the land; marae: meeting house; Pākehā: New Zealander of European descent; pepeha: introduction; pēpi: baby; pono: true; pōwhiri: welcome ceremony; tamariki: children; tangata: people; tika: correct; tikanga: custom; tutū: mischevious; waiata: song; whakapapa: genealogy; whānau: family; whanaungatanga: relationship; whare: house.

The Potential Bioactive Components in Fruits Wastes as Value-Added Products from the Fruit Processing Industry: A Review

Fruits are an important source of nutrition as most of them contain sufficient amounts of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. However, processing these fruits results in enormous waste, accounting for around 40% of total food output. Fruit processing industry waste includes discarded pods, peels, pulp, stones, and seeds all of which can pose environmental and sustainability challenges. Importance of discovering the potential of fruit processing waste into value added products lies in the fact that the fruit processing industries generates substantial waste, contributing to environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and resource depletion. The solid waste generated by the fruit processing industry may include toxic biological components that contaminate aqueous media, degrade drinking water quality, and cause gastrointestinal disorders in animals. However, Fruit processing waste or byproducts have the potential to be converted into value-added goods of economic importance like candied peel, oils, pectin, reformed fruit fragments, enzymes, and wine/vinegar candied peel. Converting this waste into valuable products can mitigate these issues, while also creating new revenue streams, jobs, and industries. Furthermore, value-added products from fruit processing waste can enhance food security, nutrition, and sustainability, supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, research in this area can also lead to technological innovations, improved efficiency and scalability, enabling companies to gain a competitive edge in the growing market for sustainable products. This article provides an overview of all common and possible consumer friendly uses of fruit processing wastes and deriving value added products out of it.

A systematic UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based strategy for analysis of chemical constituents and related in vivo metabolites of Buyang Huanwu decoction

Ethnopharmacological relevanceBuyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD), a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the classic prescriptions for the treatment of ischemic stroke in clinical practice. It has the effects of tonifying qi, activating blood circulation, and promoting meridian circulation. However, its chemical analysis has not been clarified, which greatly hinders its further clinical application. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the chemical constituents and metabolites profile of BYHWD in vivo. Aim of the studyCharacterizing the chemical basis of BYHWD in vitro, and combing studies of related metabolism in vivo to screen out the potential active components of BYHWD with pharmacological effects in vivo. Materials and methodsTwelve male rats weighed 200 ± 20 each were selected for the experiments. According to the fragmentation of different structural types of components and diagnostic ions, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to classify and clarify the unknown components of BYHWD and identify the material basis of BYHWD in vitro. Then, rat plasma, tissues, feces, and urine were collected for analysis. Based on the similarity of MS responses (accurate molecular weight and secondary fragmentation) and chromatographic behavior (retention time), the in vivo prototype and metabolites were analyzed. Through the phase I and phase II metabolism law, a metabolite library was established to analyze the prototype-matched metabolites. ResultsA total of 121 in vitro compounds and 55 in vivo prototypes of BYHWD were identified, corresponding to 123 matched prototypes. It was mainly composed of flavonoids, triterpene saponins, nucleosides and lactones both in vitro and in vivo. Quercetin, ligustilide, astragaloside IV, calycosin, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were the main prototypes and metabolites in plasma and urine. ConclusionQuercetin, ligustilide, astragaloside IV, calycosin, paeoniflorin and ferulic acid were the main active ingredients of BYHWD.

The early visual processing of faces in a basic classification task: An ERP study of spatial frequency, other-race and other species effect

ABSTRACT This study investigates the neural processing of other-race and other-species faces, using spatial frequencies (SFs) to probe into early visual processing mechanisms. We conducted a basic classification task to reveal fundamental aspects of facial processing without the complexity of higher-order recognition tasks. This approach utilized SFs set at low (LSF, 0.53 cycles per degree [cpd]), broadband (BB), and high (HSF, 2.1 cpd) SFs to examine their impact on the both P100 and N170 components of event-related potentials. Our findings revealed a significant latency difference in the N170 component under HSF conditions, indicating race-specific efficiency in processing fine details between Asian and Caucasian faces. Furthermore, N170 amplitudes were consistently larger for human than monkey faces, with this difference more pronounced in LSF and BB conditions. This finding indicates that the other-species effect in early visual processing is more pronounced in holistic processing (LSF and BB conditions) rather than in fine-detail processing.

ГНОСЕОЛОГІЯ УПРАВЛІННЯ ТРУДОВИМ ПОТЕНЦІАЛОМ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ В УМОВАХ НЕВИЗНАЧЕНОСТІ

The existence of conditions of uncertainty in the process of managing the labor potential of enterprises gives rise to the need to find optimal management methods and tools for ensuring and combining the available human resources, their knowledge, experience and qualifications with the main components of the enterprise's potential, he strategy and goals of its development, ensuring the company's need for employees with the necessary qualifications and effective use of the labor potential of both individual employees and the team as a whole. A research aim is to learn the process of managing the labor potential, based on the current conditions of uncertainty in the development of enterprises. The object of the research is the process of managing the labor potential of enterprises in different economic conditions. The method of the research are modern methods and technologies of scientific knowledge, methods and techniques of conducting scientific research, tools of systemic, complex, economic analysis, principles of management of enterprises and their labor resources, which allow to review the existing approaches to the management of labor potential and identify directions stabilization of enterprises in modern economic conditions. The hypothesis of the research was an assumption about the possibility to determine the logic of learning the process of managing the labor potential of enterprises in modern conditions of uncertainty. The statement of basic materials. It is proved that epistemology is applied in the research in a purposeful way, as it is a tool of knowledge and a philosophy of managing the labor potential of enterprises in conditions of uncertainty. It has been confirmed that the management of labor potential is a component of the general process of managing the production potential of the enterprise, which means that it makes a direct contribution to the results of operations, the volume and output of products, the creation of certain benefits not only by the economic entity itself, but also contributes to the national income of the country. A certain philosophy of labor potential management is proposed, aimed at developing a special toolkit and acquiring new knowledge that can be used in labor potential management programs in wartime and postwar times. The originality and practical significance of the research is confirmed by the above philosophy of managing the labor potential of enterprises in modern conditions of uncertainty. Conclusions and perspectives of further research. The implemented epistemology of labor potential management made it possible to state that labor potential is a complex system with certain properties that requires the formation of additional requirements both for the assessment of labor potential and for its management. Therefore, the formation of an effective philosophy of labor potential management requires the constant development of personnel, the development of special programs for the management of labor potential based on the existing conditions of uncertainty of enterprises, including war and post-war times. Further research will be aimed at the development of special labor potential management programs, based on the sphere of activity of enterprises and their regional location

Hypnotherapy modulating early and late event-related potentials components of face processing in social anxiety.

Hypnotherapy has a potential role in modulating attention bias to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD). This study aimed to verify whether hypnotherapy can reduce social anxiety by changing attentional bias. The primary objective of our study is to explore the influence of hypnosis on various aspects of attention processes, specifically focusing on how it affects attention bias and social anxiety. This study included 69 participants with SAD who were assigned to three groups based on their scores on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). The experimental group (n = 23) received a hypnosis treatment once a week, for a total of six sessions, while the control group (n = 23) and the baseline group (n = 23) did not receive any treatment. To evaluate whether hypnosis could alleviate SAD and attention bias towards threatening stimuli, we employed questionnaires and an odd-one-out task accompanied by electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. Under the attention sensitivity conditions, the experimental group exhibited a reduced N170 and LPP at the posttest stage, and a similar N170 and LPP reduction under the attention disengagement conditions. Notably, the symptom improvements were positively correlated with the reduction in N170 and LPP amplitude across conditions. Hypnosis treatment modulates the early face processing and late emotional evaluation of threat-related stimuli in SAD patients. These findings suggest that N170 and LPP are important biomarkers for the treatment of SAD.

Pathological personality dimensions and neurobiological emotional reactivity.

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) offers a promising framework to identify the neurobiological mechanisms of psychopathology. Many forms of psychopathology are characterized by dysfunctional emotional reactivity. The late positive potential (LPP) is an event-related potential component that provides an index of neurobiological emotional reactivity. Several categorical disorders have demonstrated a similar association with the emotion-modulated LPP. It is possible that higher-order dimensional representations of psychopathology might explain the comparable results. The present study examined the association between HiTOP-consistent pathological personality dimensions across multiple levels of the hierarchy and neurobiological emotional reactivity. The sample included 215 18-35-year-old adults (86% female) who were oversampled for psychopathology. Participants completed the emotional interrupt task while electroencephalography was recorded to examine the LPP. Participants also completed the Comprehensive Assessment of Traits relevant to Personality Disorders to assess pathological personality. At the spectra level, higher negative emotionality was associated with a larger emotion-modulated LPP, while higher detachment was associated with a smaller emotion-modulated LPP. There were no associations between higher-order psychopathology levels and the emotion-modulated LPP. Compared to categorical diagnoses, spectra-level personality pathology dimensions significantly improved the prediction of the emotion-modulated LPP. The present study indicates that HiTOP spectra levels of negative emotionality and detachment demonstrate unique associations with neurobiological emotional reactivity. The study highlights the utility of examining dimensional and hierarchical, rather than categorical, representations of psychopathology in the attempt to identify the neurobiological origins of psychopathology.

Enhanced SIRT1 Activity by Galangin Mitigates UVB-Induced Senescence in Dermal Fibroblasts via p53 Acetylation Regulation and Activation.

Human skin aging, a complex process influenced by intrinsic aging and extrinsic photoaging, is marked by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause DNA damage, impaired dermal fibroblast function, and wrinkle formation. External stressors, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can trigger cellular senescence. Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent enzyme in the sirtuin family, plays a crucial role in deacetylating p53, thereby inhibiting its nuclear translocation and reducing skin senescence. Galangin, a flavonoid found in honey and Alpinia officinarum root, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigates the protective mechanism of galangin against UVB-induced senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) by examining its effects on SIRT1 and its target, acetylated-p53. An in vitro model of UVB-induced senescence using HDFs and an in vivo model using nude mice were employed to assess the dermal protective effects of galangin. The results demonstrate that while UVB exposure does not decrease SIRT1 protein levels, it impairs its enzymatic function. However, galangin treatment counteracts these adverse effects. Additionally, UVB exposure significantly reduces cell viability and upregulates senescence markers like p16, p21, and p53 nuclear transactivation. An increase in senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells was observed in UVB-exposed dermal fibroblasts. Galangin treatment mitigates UVB-induced cellular senescence by enhancing SIRT1-mediated p53 deacetylation, thereby inhibiting nuclear translocation and reducing dermal senescence. These findings suggest that galangin is a promising agent for alleviating UVB-induced skin aging and could be a potential component in antiaging cosmetic formulations.

Effective Components and Molecular Mechanism of Biejiaruangan Capsule Against Liver Fibrosis: High-resolution Mass Spectrometry, Network Pharmacological Analysis and Experimental Verification.

Biejiaruangan capsule (BJRGC) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine preparation for treating oftreating liver fibrosis (LF), but its specific molecular mechanism is unclear. This study used mass spectrometry, network pharmacology and experimental verification to explore the mechanism of BJRGC against LF. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-exactive-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS) and network pharmacology were employed to identify and screen the potential components, targets, and signaling pathways of BJRGC against LF. The interaction between the active ingredients and targets was validated using molecular docking. Finally, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) staining, western blotting (WB), and flow cytometry (FCM) were utilized to further verify the mechanism of BJRGC against LF. A total of 9 prototype components of BJRGC were identified in serum, most derived from iridoid glycosides and triterpenes in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and Artemisia scoparia Waldst.et Kit. Network pharmacology predicts that medicine prototype components in serum mostly influence targets such as CDK2, CDK6, and PIK3CG, with the key route being the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the major components have good binding properties with key target proteins. The experimental results showed that BJRGC could inhibit the proliferation of HSCs, induce cell cycle arrest and reduce the protein expression of CDK2, CDK6 and PIK3CG. BJRGC can inhibit the proliferation of HSCs by targeting the protein expression of CDK2, CDK6, and PIK3CG in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through its prototype components, such as hyperoside, tumulosic acid, and hederagenin, thereby alleviating LF disease.

IDO2 Drives Autoantibody Production and Joint Inflammation in a Preclinical Model of Arthritis by Repressing Runx1 Function in B Cells.

The immunomodulatory enzyme IDO2 is an essential mediator of autoantibody production and joint inflammation in preclinical models of autoimmune arthritis. Although originally identified as a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme, we recently discovered a previously unknown nonenzymatic pathway is essential for the proarthritic function of IDO2. We subsequently identified Runx1 (Runt-related transcription factor 1) as a potential component of the nonenzymatic pathway IDO2 uses to drive arthritis. In this study, we find that IDO2 directly binds Runx1 and inhibits its localization to the nucleus, implicating Runx1 as a downstream component of IDO2 function. To directly test whether Runx1 mediates the downstream pathway driving B cell activation in arthritis, we bred B cell conditional Runx1-deficient (CD19cre Runx1flox/flox) mice onto the KRN.g7 arthritis model in the presence or absence of IDO2. Runx1 loss did not affect arthritis in the presence of IDO2; however, deleting Runx1 reversed the antiarthritic effect of IDO2 loss in this model. Further studies demonstrated that the IDO2-Runx1 interaction could be blocked with a therapeutic anti-IDO2 mAb invitro and that Runx1 was required for IDO2 Ig's therapeutic effect invivo. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IDO2 mediates autoantibody production and joint inflammation by acting as a repressor of Runx1 function in B cells and implicate therapeutic targeting of IDO2-Runx1 binding as a strategy to inhibit autoimmune arthritis and other autoantibody-mediated diseases.

Novel Therapeutic Approach for Obesity: Seaweeds as an Alternative Medicine with the Latest Conventional Therapy.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide. Common comorbidities related to obesity, significantly polygenic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and heart conditions affect social and monetary systems. Over the past decade, research in drug discovery and development has opened new paths for alternative and conventional medicine. With a deeper comprehension of its underlying mechanisms, obesity is now recognized more as a chronic condition rather than merely a result of lifestyle choices. Nonetheless, addressing it solely through lifestyle changes is challenging due to the intricate nature of energy regulation dysfunction. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six medications for the management of overweight and obesity. Seaweed are plants and algae that grow in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Studies have shown that seaweed has therapeutic potential in the management of body weight and obesity. Seaweed compounds such as carotenoids, xanthophyll, astaxanthin, fucoidans, and fucoxanthin have been demonstrated as potential bioactive components in the treatment of obesity. The abundance of natural seaweed bioactive compounds has been explored for their therapeutic potential for treating obesity worldwide. Keeping this view, this review covered the latest developments in the discovery of varied anti-obese seaweed and its bioactive components for the management of obesity.

Disease trajectories before dementia: evidence from a large-scale community-based prospective study.

Systemic changes in multiple diseases may influence the onset of dementia. However, the specific temporality between exposure diseases and dementia remains uncertain. By characterising the full spectrum of temporal disease trajectories before dementia, this study aims to yield a global picture of precursor diseases to dementia and to provide detailed instructions for risk management and primary prevention of dementia. Using the multicentre, community-based prospective UK Biobank, we constructed disease trajectories before dementia utilising the phenome-wide association analysis, paired directional test and association quantification. Stratified disease trajectories were constructed by dementia subtypes, gender, age of diagnosis and Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) status, respectively. Our study population comprised 434 266 participants without baseline dementia and 4638 individuals with all-cause dementia. In total, 1253 diseases were extracted as potential components of the disease trajectory before dementia. We identified three clusters of disease trajectories preceding all-cause dementia, initiated by circulatory, metabolic and respiratory diseases occurring approximately 5-15 years before dementia. Cerebral infarction or chronic renal failure following chronic ischaemic heart disease was the specific trajectory before vascular dementia. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 non-carriers exhibited more complex trajectories compared with carriers. Lipid metabolism disorders remained in the trajectories regardless of dementia subtypes, gender, age of diagnosis and ApoE status. This study provides a comprehensive view of the longitudinal disease trajectories before dementia and highlights the potential targets of midlife cardiometabolic dysfunction for dementia screening and prevention.

Visual placebo and nocebo effects.

Placebo and nocebo effects modulate symptom perception through expectations and learning processes in various domains. Predominantly, their impact has been investigated on pain and physical performance. However, the influence of placebos and nocebos on visual system functionality has yet to be explored. The present study aimed to test whether placebo and nocebo effects can intervene in altering participants' performance outcomes during a novel visual accuracy task and to examine the underlying neural mechanisms through EEG. After performing a baseline session, visual accuracy was said to be enhanced or disrupted by a sham transcranial electrical stimulation over the occipital lobe. Behavioural results showed a significant increase in visual accuracy for the placebo group, from the baseline session to the test session, whereas the nocebo group showed a decrease in visual accuracy. EEG analyses on the event-related potential P300 component, conducted on both a centro-parietal electrode patch and a parieto-occipital, one displayed an increase in the amplitude of P300 for the placebo group, and a decrease in the nocebo group. These findings suggest for the first time that placebo and nocebo effects can influence visual perception and attentional processes linked to it. Overall, the present study contributes to understanding how expectations affect sensory perception beyond pain and the motor system, paving the way for investigating these phenomena in other sensory modalities such as auditory or olfactory perception. KEY POINTS: Placebo and nocebo effects have been studied predominantly in pain and motor performance fields. In a novel visual task, the impact of placebo and nocebo effects on the visual system has been evaluated, in both early components (stimuli-related) and late components (attention-related). The placebo group showed an increase in visual accuracy and EEG-evoked potential amplitudes, whereas the nocebo group showed a decrease in both. This study shows how expectations and the related placebo and nocebo effects can shape basic stimuli sensory perception in the visual domain.

Face and face pareidolia in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy indicates different neural processing: an event-related potential study

BackgroundVisual perception of face images or face pareidolia can be evaluated with event-related potentials (ERP) for healthy subjects and patients with neurological conditions. In this study, we aimed to analyse event-related potential components such as P100, N100, N170, and vertex-positive potential (VPP) in response to face pareidolia perception in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients.MethodsERPs were recorded during the pareidolia test. Waveforms were analzyed and current source density (CSD) maps were generated.ResultsCSD profiles were shown to be interpretable when face and face pareidolia conditions. N100, P100, and N170 components showed larger amplitudes and longer latency in epilepsy patients in response to face pareidolia stimuli compared to real face images. However, the N170 component latency did not differ significantly between epilepsy patients and healthy participants, while the larger amplitude and longer latency of N100 and P100 responses were evoked in healthy patients.ConclusionsOur results indicate a difference in the neural mechanisms of processing real face information and pareidolia face-like information in TLE patients.

NeuroimaGene: an R package for assessing the neurological correlates of genetically regulated gene expression

BackgroundWe present the NeuroimaGene resource as an R package designed to assist researchers in identifying genes and neurologic features relevant to psychiatric and neurological health. While recent studies have identified hundreds of genes as potential components of pathophysiology in neurologic and psychiatric disease, interpreting the physiological consequences of this variation is challenging. The integration of neuroimaging data with molecular findings is a step toward addressing this challenge. In addition to sharing associations with both molecular variation and clinical phenotypes, neuroimaging features are intrinsically informative of cognitive processes. NeuroimaGene provides a tool to understand how disease-associated genes relate to the intermediate structure of the brain.ResultsWe created NeuroimaGene, a user-friendly, open access R package now available for public use. Its primary function is to identify neuroimaging derived brain features that are impacted by genetically regulated expression of user-provided genes or gene sets. This resource can be used to (1) characterize individual genes or gene sets as relevant to the structure and function of the brain, (2) identify the region(s) of the brain or body in which expression of target gene(s) is neurologically relevant, (3) impute the brain features most impacted by user-defined gene sets such as those produced by cohort level gene association studies, and (4) generate publication level, modifiable visual plots of significant findings. We demonstrate the utility of the resource by identifying neurologic correlates of stroke-associated genes derived from pre-existing analyses.ConclusionsIntegrating neurologic data as an intermediate phenotype in the pathway from genes to brain-based diagnostic phenotypes increases the interpretability of molecular studies and enriches our understanding of disease pathophysiology. The NeuroimaGene R package is designed to assist in this process and is publicly available for use.

A Theoretical Framework for the Development of Need for Cognition in Childhood and Adolescence.

Extensive research has highlighted the importance of Need for Cognition (NFC) in various contexts, but our understanding of its development remains limited. In particular, the current psychological literature is relatively silent regarding the factors influencing NFC development. We aim to address this gap by proposing a developmental model of NFC based on the principles of the Cognitive Adaptation Trait Theory (CATT). Through a comprehensive review of the current literature, we elucidate the potential key components contributing to the development of NFC in childhood and adolescence. Additionally, we outline several potential strategies to foster NFC development based on the key components of the model. The model aims to provide a starting point for future research on possible mechanisms underlying the development of NFC. Moving forward, future research should empirically test these hypotheses in real-world settings to enhance our understanding of NFC development and validate the suggested fostering strategies on their effectiveness.