Production Ability Research Articles

Novel FABP4+C1q+ macrophages enhance antitumor immunity and associated with response to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in NSCLC via AMPK/JAK/STAT axis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) immunotherapy facilitates new approaches to achieve precision cancer treatment. A growing number of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have benefited from treatment with neoadjuvant ICIs combined with chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms and associations between the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab and chemotherapy (NAPC) and macrophage subsets are still unclear. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and identified a novel FABP4+C1q+ macrophage subtype, which exhibited stronger proinflammatory cytokine production and phagocytic ability. This subtype was found to be more abundant in tumor tissues and lymph nodes of major pathological response (MPR) patients compared to non-MPR patients, and was associated with a good efficacy of NAPC. Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemical (mIHC) staining was subsequently used to verify our findings. Further mechanistic studies indicated that FABP4 and C1q regulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines synergistically. In addition, FABP4 and C1q promote fatty acid synthesis, enhance anti-apoptosis ability and phagocytic ability of macrophage via the interaction of AMPK/JAK/STAT axis. This study provides novel insights into the underlying mechanisms and predictive biomarkers of NAPC. Our findings contribute to improving the prognosis of patients with NSCLC by potentially guiding more precise patient selection and treatment strategies.Novelty & Impact StatementsWe identified a group of macrophages (FABP4+C1q+ macrophages) related to the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. FABP4+C1q+ macrophages highly expressed proinflammatory cytokines-related genes and had a strong cytokine production and phagocytic ability. We believe that our study provides a novel insight into the synergistic mechanism of neoadjuvant ICI combined with chemotherapy and may lead to improved clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC in the future.

Lens capsule advanced glycation end products induce senescence in epithelial cells: Implications for secondary cataracts.

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a common complication after cataract surgery. Residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the anterior lens capsule, after cataract surgery, migrate to the posterior lens capsule and undergo transdifferentiation into myofibroblast-like cells. Those cells synthesize excessive amounts of extracellular matrix and contribute to fibrosis during PCO. Cellular senescence, a phenomenon that increases with aging, has been implicated in several fibrotic diseases. Here, we have investigated the prevalence of senescent LECs within the lens posterior capsule and the ability of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in lens capsules to induce senescence, contributing to PCO. Aged lens capsules from pseudophakic human cadaver eyes showed the presence of senescent LECs. In human capsular bags, LECs showed an age-dependent increase in senescence after 28 days of culture. Human LECs cultured on aged lens capsules for 3 days underwent senescence; this effect was not seen in LECs cultured on young lens capsules. Human LECs cultured on an AGE-modified extracellular matrix (ECM-AGEs) showed an AGE-concentration-dependent increase in the expression of senescence markers and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Treatment with a RAGE antagonist and ROS inhibitor reduced the expression of senescence and fibrotic markers. Additionally, conditioned media from ECM-AGEs-treated cells induced the expression of fibrotic markers in naïve LECs. Together, these suggest that AGEs in the capsule induce senescence of LECs, which triggers the mesenchymal transition of neighboring non-senescent LECs and contributes to PCO.

Relationships between pollen assemblages and modern vegetation of the southern Gaoligong Mountains region, southwest China

Comprehensive understanding of the modern pollen–vegetation relationship is crucial for utilizing fossil pollen to reconstruct palaeovegetation, especially in mountainous areas of southwestern China. In this study, we present forty-five modern surface samples collected from five different vegetation communities of the southern Gaoligong Mountains region, and the vegetation composition was investigated at each sample site. The modern pollen assemblages were analyzed through multivariate analysis to evaluate the relationships between vegetation types and pollen assemblages, and to investigate the representation of major pollen types in different vegetation types. The results indicate that the surface pollen assemblages of different vegetation types reliably represent the modern vegetation. The median R-values of dominant pollen taxa in the Gaoligong Mountains region can be ordered as follows: Pinus > Alnus > Poaceae > evergreen Quercus. The over-representation of Pinus pollen, attributed to its high productivity and strong dispersal ability, makes it the dominant component of exotic pollen. Conversely, the under-representation of evergreen Quercus suggests that the presence of its pollen within a sample might indicate the growth of the local parent plant in the study area. The human activities in the region have a recognizable effect on the surface pollen spectra and also exert a significant negative impact on pollen diversity. Our study supplements the modern pollen database of the mountain regions in southwestern China, and provides representative modern pollen analogues to interpret fossil pollen records from southwestern China and similar regions.

Antifungal susceptibility and biofilm production of Candida species- causative agents of female genital tract infections.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) is a chronic infection affecting 8-10% of women worldwide. Biofilm production of the infecting species and reduced sensitivity to antimycotics could contribute to the recurrence of this infection. This study aimed to examine the biofilm production ability and antifungal susceptibility of genital yeast isolates to determine their virulence potential. Matrix-assisted laser desorption in ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used to identify 300 Candida species. Using crystal violet method, strains were categorized into non-producers, weak, moderate, and strong biofilm producers (BFP). Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using commercial Integral System YEASTS Plus test (ISYPT) and broth microdilution method (BMM). MALDI-TOF MS identified 150 Candida albicans, 124 non-albicans Candida (NAC), and 26 Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Within 138 (46.0%) BFP, 23 (16.7%) were strong, 44 (31.9%) moderate, and 71 (51.4%) weak. BMM was done for 43 BFP selected isolates with nystatin MIC ˃1.25 μl, fluconazole MIC ˃64 μl, and clotrimazole MIC ˃1.0 μl determined by ISYPT. Compared to all examined isolates, BMM confirmed that: i) C. albicans and NAC BFP showed low sensitivity to fluconazole (12% and 4%, respectively); ii) all BFP showed low sensitivity to nystatin (12.7% C. albicans, 14.5% NAC, and 23.1% S. cerevisiae); iii) clotrimazole in vitro was the most efficient regarding C. albicans and S. cerevisiae strains, but in 4.0% NAC BFP for this antimycotic higher MIC was established. Novel antimycotics or possible combinations of antifungal agents and natural products could be a new treatment option for RVVC.

Integrasi Analytic Network Processing dan Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution sebagai Perancangan Strategi dalam Meningkatkan Daya Saing pada Perguruan Tinggi XYZ

Seizing consumer preferences is crucial for organisations amidst increasingly intense competition. Success in this competition depends on the product's ability to fulfil customer needs and wants. All universities in Indonesia are faced with similar challenges, namely how to formulate and plan for their future in the face of ever-evolving societal changes. To respond to this challenge, it is necessary to develop a strategy that increases the competitiveness of universities. From the literature review, the criteria for increasing the competitiveness of the XYZ Institute are obtained, namely, product, price, place, promotion, people, process, physical evidence. Each criterion, through the brainstorming, is broken down into sub-criteria. The process to determine the right strategy design can be done in many methods, and among them are the ANP (Analytical Network Process) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. The results of weighting the criteria using the ANP method using the Super Decisions software are then ranked using the TOPSIS method. The result is that the three best strategies are to improve the Product, namely, Alumni Quality (score 0.713397108), followed by improving Promotion, namely, the Institute accreditation score (score 0.709584147) and the People aspect, namely, student input selection (score 0.704887758).

Characterization of wild lactic acid bacteria for industrial applications

For some decades now, Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been an important raw resource in the food and pharmaceutical industries to produce variety of dairy based products including but not limited to cheese, yoghurt, lactic acid. drugs and cosmetics. The LAB strains include the genera of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus. The importation of raw materials such as lactic acid, which can be obtained from indigenous sources, however, affects the foreign exchange of Nigeria's economy greatly. This study was designed to screen, characterize and identify LAB for industrial applications. A total of eighty (80) Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from samples of nunu (a locally fermented milk product) using basic microbiological procedures such as morphological/phenotypic, gram staining, and other biochemical tests. All the isolates were tested for their acidification, curd formation and aroma production abilities. After forty-eight (48) hours of incubation at 420C, twenty-three (23) isolates which satisfied established phenotypic and biochemical criteria were selected for further functional tests. Out of the twenty-three (23) isolates obtained, two (2) strains L53 and L12 had additionally high exopolysaccharide production ability and correspondingly produced yoghurt with high viscosity and very low residual content. Based on the remarkable characteristics obtained from these two species, they are therefore recommended for optimization and proposed for large scale utilization as starter cultures in the dairy industries.

Experimental and theoretical insights into the influence of gamma irradiation degradation products of N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide on extraction efficiency toward trivalent f-elements

Understanding the effect of radiation rays on N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) based solvent extraction systems is an essential task for establishing and optimizing related extraction processes in nuclear industries. However, the influence of various radiolysis degradation products on extraction efficiency and the mechanism involved still remain elusive. In this work, the radiolysis degradation products of TODGA were analyzed with the aid of high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) technique and documented results, followed by the successful synthesis of ten radiolysis degradation products P1–P10. The extraction ability of each main degradation product towards Eu(III) and their effects on the extraction performance of TODGA system were systematically studied. These radiolysis degradation products with diverse chemical structures were found to reveal different roles in extraction such as serving as co-extractant and synergist, in which P2 resemblance in structure to TODGA offers the highest extraction ability among others, thus mitigating the decrease of extraction efficiency. Mechanism investigations including slope analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that P2 is involved as one of the extracted species in the complexation with Eu(III) in its first coordination sphere. These findings provide in-depth experimental and theoretical guidance on the molecular scale for designing TODGA-based metal separation processes.

Speech Perception and Phonological Representation in 5 to 6 Year-Old Typically Developing Children

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the development of speech perception and phonological representation in typically developing children aged 5-6 years. It also explored the relationship between receptive vocabulary, consonant accuracy, nonword repetition performance, and speech perception and phonological representation. Methods: The study involved 77 typically developing children aged 5-6 years. The speech perception identification tasks included minimal pairs that reflected developmental error patterns. The phonological representation judgment tasks involved manipulating consonants and vowels, as well as the number of distinctive features, to examine performance differences under various speech sound manipulation conditions. Results: Performance on both speech perception and phonological representation tasks significantly increased with age. There were also significant differences in performance based on speech sound manipulation conditions. Specifically, in the speech perception task, performance was significantly higher when items focused on the stopping of fricatives rather than the fronting of velars. In the phonological representation task, performance was significantly better in vowel manipulation compared to consonant manipulation, and with two distinctive feature manipulations compared to one. Speech perception tasks showed a significant correlation only with receptive vocabulary, whereas phonological representation tasks showed significant positive correlations with receptive vocabulary, consonant accuracy, and nonword repetition performance. Conclusion: The study confirms that speech perception and phonological representation are developing between ages 5 and 6 in typically developing children. It also suggests that speech perception and phonological representation develop through a complex interplay with speech production abilities and receptive vocabulary.

Isolation, Molecular Characterization and Determination of Antagonistic Properties of Alkalitolerant Streptomyces Members from Van Lake-Çarpanak Island Soil

Çarpanak Island is one of the islands in Lake Van, the easternmost and largest lake in Türkiye. In this study, soil samples taken from three different locations of Çarpanak island, Lake Van, were inoculated into 4 different selective isolation media using the dilution plate technique, and 42 actinomycete isolates were stocked. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene of 13 isolates selected according to their morphological differences was performed with 27F and 1525R primers. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with the neighbor-joining algorithm in the MEGA 7.0 software. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it was determined that 13 isolates belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The antimicrobial activities of 13 isolates against 8 pathogens and the ability of these isolates to produce lipase, amylase, protease and pectinase were determined. Except for CA43 and CA62 isolates, other Streptomyces isolates have the ability to produce lipase. Other Streptomyces isolates except CA59 and CA94 can synthesize amylase. In addition, 3 of the 13 Streptomyces isolates, CA40, CA61 and CA94, do not have the ability to synthesize protease. No isolate is capable of producing pectinase enzyme. As a result of this study, it was observed that most of the Streptomyces isolates had higher lipase enzyme production abilities than other enzyme groups.

Is it up to language? Pragmatic competence in Croatian preschool children with autism and typical development

Objectives The relationship between structural language ability and pragmatics is not fully understood, in either individuals with autism or those with typical development (TD). Despite the well-established understanding that core deficits in autism lie in pragmatics, specific pragmatic behaviours that distinguish autistic children (AC) from their TD peers are not sufficiently described. The aims of this study were as follows: to investigate the differences in language abilities and pragmatic competence between AC and those with TD; to examine the relationship between language comprehension/production and pragmatic competence in both groups; and to identify the items of pragmatic composite that are most discriminative in detecting AC. Methods The participants in this study were preschool-aged children with TD (N = 45; mean age 65.5 months) and AC with average nonverbal IQ scores (N = 32; mean age 72.9 months). Language production and comprehension abilities were assessed using the New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (4th edition), and pragmatic competence was measured using the Children’s Communication Checklist (CCC). Results For all language and pragmatic variables, AC performed worse than those with TD. Pragmatic competencies did not correlate with structural language skills in either group, except for a correlation between language production and coherence in the TD. Finally, certain pragmatic behaviours common to many AC and rarely found in children with TD were identified as potential distinguishing features between the two groups. Conclusions This study underscores the importance of incorporating pragmatic assessments alongside traditional language evaluations and suggests that interventions should target pragmatic competence specifically, especially in preschool AC.

Opportunities for plain packaging of tobacco products in the Philippines: results of a nationwide online survey.

This study aimed to contribute to local research evidence to promote the implementation of plain packaging of tobacco products in the Philippines. The study aimed to assess Filipinos' perception of the effectiveness of plain packaging and their readiness by assessing the potential impact of plain packaging. We conducted a nationwide geographically representative online panel survey with a sample size of 2,000 Filipinos. The survey recruited respondents 18-65 years old and residing in the Philippines, with 500 respondents each from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We showed respondents six different mock-ups of cigarette packs in plain packaging, with two sizes of graphic health warnings (50 and 75%) and three plain packaging colors (black, white, and Pantone 448C). Using five-point Likert scales, participants rated their agreement with 18 items assessing readiness and rationales for plain packaging and 54 items related to pack design (9 items for 6 pack designs). The study showed that Filipinos recognize the value of adopting plain packaging with larger graphic health warning labels on tobacco products in the Philippines. Both non-smokers and smokers agreed that plain packaging has the potential to reduce the attractiveness and appeal of packs, prevent advertisement and promotion of tobacco products, reduce the ability of tobacco products to mislead consumers, increase the noticeability and effectiveness of the pictorial health warnings, increase recall of the pictorial health warnings, affect consumer perceptions of the attractiveness of the tobacco products and their relative safety, reduce youth experimentation with the use of tobacco products, prevent the use of tobacco brand variants as a promotional tool, prevent branding targeted toward youth, promote quitting among current users, and to more clearly inform consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco use. We recommend that policymakers pursue plain packaging as legislation or as part of a reform of the Philippines' graphic health warnings law. The law should target tobacco products sold in the Philippines.

Beyond Harmful: Exploring Biofilm Formation by Enterococci Isolated from Portuguese Traditional Cheeses.

This study investigated the biofilm-forming capabilities of Enterococcus isolates from Portuguese traditional cheeses with protected designation of origin (PDO) status, specifically Azeitão and Nisa. Given the absence of added starter cultures in the cheesemaking process, the characteristics of these cheeses are intrinsically linked to the autochthonous microbiota present in the raw materials and the production environment. Our findings demonstrate that all isolates possess biofilm production abilities, which are crucial for their colonization and persistence within cheese factories, thereby maintaining factory-specific microbial heritage. Through an integrated analysis utilizing principal component analysis (PCA), a direct correlation between biofilm formation and cell viability was established. Notably, these results underscore the adaptive capacity of enterococci to survive environmental fluctuations and their role in the unique characteristics of Portuguese traditional cheeses. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of the microbial dynamics in cheese production and highlights the importance of enterococci in preserving cheese quality and heritage.

Naringenin and caffeic acid increase ethanol production in yeast cells by reducing very high gravity fermentation-related oxidative stress.

Very high gravity (VHG) fermentation is an industrial-scale process utilizing a sugar concentration above 250g/L to attain a significant ethanol concentration, with the advantages of decreased labor, production costs, water usage, bacterial contamination, and energy consumption. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most extensively employed organisms in ethanol fermentation through VHG technology. Conversely, high glucose exposure leads to numerous stress factors that negatively impact the ethanol production efficiency of this organism. Here, the impact of various phytochemicals added to the VHG medium on viability, glucose consumption, ethanol production efficiency, total antioxidant-oxidant status (TAS and TOS), and the response of the enzymatic antioxidant system of yeast were investigated. 2.0 mM naringenin and caffeic acid increased ethanol production by 2.453 ± 0.198 and 1.261 ± 0.138-fold, respectively. The glucose consumption rate exhibited a direct relationship with ethanol production in the naringenin-supplemented group. The highest TAS was determined as 0.734 ± 0.044 mmol Trolox Eq./L in the same group. Furthermore, both phytochemical compounds exhibited robust positive correlations with TAS (rnaringenin = 0.9986; rcaffeic acid = 0.9553) and TOS levels (rnaringenin = -0.9824; rcaffeic acid = -0.9791). While naringenin caused statistically significant increases in glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities, caffeic acid significantly increased TrxR and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Both phytochemicals seem to impact the ethanol production ability by regulating the redox status of the cells. We believe that the incorporation of particularly cost-effective antioxidants into the fermentation medium may serve as an alternative way to enhance the efficiency of bioethanol production using VHG technology.

Probiotic properties, whole-genome sequence analysis, and safety assessment of BreviBacillus borstelensis S8

In previous studies, BreviBacillus borstelensis S8 exhibited favorable enzyme production characteristics. In this study, the whole genome of Br borstelenensis S8 was sequenced to analyze its genomic sequence information and functions, investigating its genotype and potential probiotic properties. The whole genome sequence of S8 was determined to be 5,559,180 bp with an average GC content of 51.5%. A total of 5406 protein-coding genes were identified and annotated using NCBI Prokaryotic Genome Annotation. By comparing it with the complete genome sequences of Bacillus cereus strains, 1911 orthologous gene families were recognized. Genome analysis revealed the absence of active antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factor genes, and toxin-encoding genes. Safety assessments included hemolytic assays, antibiotic resistance tests, and evaluations of biogenic amine production. Functional gene analysis highlighted S8's metabolic pathways based on its genomic features. The presence of adhesion-related genes, stress response genes (e.g., acid and bile salts), antimicrobial gene clusters, and genes involved in vitamin and essential amino acid synthesis in the genome showcased the probiotic potential of S8. Simultaneously, analysis of hemolytic activity, biogenic amines production ability, acid and bile salt tolerance for the strain S8 also demonstrated its probiotic traits. The genomic exploration and probiotic activity of S8 revealed its potential as a probiotic, offering valuable genomic insights and a foundation for its safe utilization in the food industry.

MoS2/CuS/g-C3N4 double S-scheme with charge storage ability for efficient photocatalytic H2 production

The photocatalytic H2 production technology exhibits promising potential in addressing the challenges of environmental pollution and energy crisis. In this work, CuS particles decorated MoS2 seaweed spheres (MoS2/CuS) were synthesized through a hydrothermal method, then they are loaded on the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets using a solvent evaporation strategy to form MoS2/CuS/g-C3N4 double S-scheme heterojunction. The investigation reveals the H2 production rate of 25 wt% MoS2/CuS/g-C3N4 can reach up to 1438 μmol·g-1·h-1, which is 14.8-fold of g-C3N4 (97 μmol·g-1·h-1). Further studies indicate that the introduction of MoS2/CuS can broaden the light absorption range, increase electrochemical specific surface area, reduce the activation energy for H2 production and increase hydrophilicity of the composite. Especially, CuS can suppress carrier recombination effectively through its electron storage and release ability. Based on the experimental and theoretical analysis of band structures, the charge transfer in MoS2/CuS/g-C3N4 shares optimized double S-scheme charge transfer pathways with a dual reduction site, leading to an enhanced H2 evolution kinetics. This work offers valuable insights for the advancement of novel double S-scheme heterojunctions, showcasing their potential in energy storage and photothermal enhancement effects.

Pharmacological inhibition of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor restores abnormal brain mitochondrial CB1 receptor expression and rescues bioenergetic and cognitive defects in a female mouse model of Rett syndrome

BackgroundDefective mitochondria and aberrant brain mitochondrial bioenergetics are consistent features in syndromic intellectual disability disorders, such as Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurologic disorder that severely affects mainly females carrying mutations in the X-linked MECP2 gene. A pool of CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), the primary receptor subtype of the endocannabinoid system in the brain, is located on brain mitochondrial membranes (mtCB1R), where it can locally regulate energy production, synaptic transmission and memory abilities through the inhibition of the intra-mitochondrial protein kinase A (mtPKA). In the present study, we asked whether an overactive mtCB1R-mtPKA signaling might underlie the brain mitochondrial alterations in RTT and whether its modulation by systemic administration of the CB1R inverse agonist rimonabant might improve bioenergetics and cognitive defects in mice modeling RTT.MethodsRimonabant (0.3 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal injections) was administered daily to symptomatic female mice carrying a truncating mutation of the Mecp2 gene and its effects on brain mitochondria functionality, systemic oxidative status, and memory function were assessed.ResultsmtCB1R is overexpressed in the RTT mouse brain. Subchronic treatment with rimonabant normalizes mtCB1R expression in RTT mouse brains, boosts mtPKA signaling, and restores the defective brain mitochondrial bioenergetics, abnormal peripheral redox homeostasis, and impaired cognitive abilities in RTT mice.LimitationsThe lack of selectivity of the rimonabant treatment towards mtCB1R does not allow us to exclude that the beneficial effects exerted by the treatment in the RTT mouse model may be ascribed more broadly to the modulation of CB1R activity and distribution among intracellular compartments, rather than to a selective effect on mtCB1R-mediated signaling. The low sample size of few experiments is a further limitation that has been addressed replicating the main findings under different experimental conditions.ConclusionsThe present data identify mtCB1R overexpression as a novel molecular alteration in the RTT mouse brain that may underlie defective brain mitochondrial bioenergetics and cognitive dysfunction.

Four Cases of Children With Phonological Impairment and Precocious Vocabulary: Making Sense of a Clinical Conundrum.

The purpose of this study was to describe the speech production, speech perception, vocabulary, and word learning abilities of lexically precocious 4-year-old children with phonological impairment, in an effort to better understand the underlying nature of phonological impairment in children. Using a case series approach, we identified four children with phonological impairment and precocious vocabulary abilities. Each child completed routine speech production and vocabulary assessments, as well as experimental speech perception and word learning tasks. The results from these tasks were then used to create profiles of each child's individual strengths and needs across the abilities assessed. Although all four children presented with phonological impairment and lexically precocious receptive and expressive vocabulary, they differed in their specific speech errors. One child presented with phonological speech errors only, while the other three children presented with an interdental lisp alongside their phonological errors. Three children presented with average speech perception abilities, and one child presented with poorer speech perception. The same three children also showed some learning of novel nonwords 1 week post-initial exposure, while the other child showed no evidence of word learning 1 week post-initial exposure. The clinical profiles of lexically precocious children with phonological impairment offered different insights into the nature of the problem. Although one child appeared to present with underspecified underlying representations of words, the other three children appeared to present with well-specified underlying representations. Of the three children with well-specified underlying representations, two appeared to have difficulty abstracting particular rules of the ambient phonological system. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the underlying nature of phonological impairment. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26307640.

The relationship between openness to experience and humor production: Exploring the mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and ambiguity tolerance.

The purpose of this study was to examine how individual openness to experience influences humor production and to explore the underlying psychological mechanisms of this relationship, specifically focusing on cognitive flexibility (the cognitive path) and ambiguity tolerance (the motivational path). To comprehensively evaluate individuals' humor production ability, Study 1 employed a subjective self-report questionnaire on sense of humor, while Study 2 used an objective humor dialogue generation task. The results of Study 1 indicated that openness to experience did not directly impact sense of humor; instead, the relationship between openness to experience and sense of humor was fully mediated by cognitive flexibility. In Study 2, findings showed that openness to experience positively predicted humor production ability, with ambiguity tolerance partially mediating this effect. These results suggest that individuals with higher levels of openness to experience have a greater capacity for generating humorous perspectives. Moreover, the study identified two psychological pathways-cognition and motivation-in the process of generating funny ideas. The specific pathway influenced by the measurement method used for humor production further highlights the importance of both cognitive flexibility and ambiguity tolerance in understanding how openness to experience contributes to humor production.

Adjustable double cation vacancies MnSex/FeSex p-n heterojunction catalysts on improving multifunctional photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical performance

MnSex is a type of p-type semiconductor that combines with n-type FeSex in a one-step hydrothermal method to form a MnSex/FeSex p-n type heterojunction. The heterostructures showed good photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of MFS3 was 0.01114 min−1, while that of MnSex was 0.00213 min−1. The photocatalytic degradation activity of MFS3 was 423 % higher than that of MnSex. Afterwards, the MnSex/FeSex catalyst was further soaked in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to form metal vacancies through metal complexation. A large number of pores can be seen in the SEM image of MFS3v catalyst, and Mn and Fe bimetallic vacancies can be seen in the TEM results. The signal of the electron paramagnetic spectrum is significantly enhanced, with a significant shift in its g value. The above results confirm the formation of Mn and Fe bimetallic vacancies in the catalyst. The two-hole heterojunction catalyst significantly improves its photochemical activity, and the photocurrent density of MFS3v at 0 V vs. RHE is −2.438 mA/cm2, 18.2 and 2.5 times that of the original MnSex and MnSex/FeSex heterojunction, respectively. Tests have confirmed that this double vacancy can increase the active sites and enhance the photoelectrochemical hydrogen production ability. This study proposes a method that combines heterojunctions and vacancies to achieve multifunctional catalysts.

Impact of storage conditions on the shelf life of aflatoxin biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus as active ingredient applied in various countries in Africa

Aflatoxin contamination significantly threatens food safety and security, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical regions where staple crops such as maize, groundnut, and sorghum become frequently affected. This contamination is primarily caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The contamination causes adverse health effects, reduced income, and trade restrictions. In response to this challenge, various technologies have been developed to mitigate the impacts of aflatoxin. Among these, biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of A. flavus as the active ingredient can effectively reduce aflatoxin levels both at pre- and post-harvest. A notable example of such products is Aflasafe, which contains four atoxigenic isolates native to specific target regions. These products have undergone rigorous testing, have received regulatory approval, and are commercially available in multiple African countries. However, their manufacturing processes have evolved, and comprehensive shelf life studies for current formulations are lacking. Evaluations of the spore production ability of atoxigenic A. flavus isolates in Aflasafe products over 4 years, under various storage conditions, revealed a significant linear decrease in sporulation with storage months (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.203), with no significant differences observed between treatments. However, this marginal decline (P = 0.398) is unlikely to be sufficient to prevent the effectiveness in limiting aflatoxin. In addition, storing the products for 2 weeks at 54 °C did not affect (P > 0.05) the ability of the coated fungi to produce spores compared to when the products were stored at 24 °C. The findings contribute valuable insights for manufacturers and users of atoxigenic-based aflatoxin biocontrol products, informing best practices for product storage and utilization to ensure prolonged effectivenes in aflatoxin mitigation efforts.