Effect of social capital, social support and social network formation on the quality of life of American adults during COVID-19.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of social capital (SC), social support (SS), and social network formation (SNF) on the quality of life of American adults during COVID-19. Using a probability sample of American adults aged 49+, 2370 respondents were selected from the National Social Life Health and Aging Project (NSHAP) dataset for analysis using an integrated partial least squares based on structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)-K-fold cross-validation approach. The analysis showed that social capital assessed using civic engagement, social cohesion, socioeconomic status (SES), social support, and social network formation were significantly and positively associated with American adults' quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advances in functional proteomics to study plant-pathogen interactions.

Pathogen infection triggers complex signaling networks in plant cells that ultimately result in either susceptibility or resistance. We have made substantial progress in dissecting many of these signaling events, and it is becoming clear that changes in proteome composition and protein activity are major drivers of plant-microbe interactions. Here, we highlight different approaches to analyze the functional proteomes of hosts and pathogens and discuss how they have been used to further our understanding of plant disease.

Review: Plant G-quadruplex (G4) motifs in DNA and RNA; abundant, intriguing sequences of unknown function.

DNA sequences capable of forming G-quadruplex (G4) structures can be predicted and mapped in plant genomes using computerized pattern search programs. Non-telomeric G4 motifs have recently been found to number in the thousands across many plant species and enriched around gene promoters, prompting speculation that they may represent a newly uncovered and ubiquitous family of cis-acting elements. Comparative analysis shows that monocots exhibit five to ten times higher G4 motif density than eudicots, but the significance of this difference has not been determined.

The development and validation of the speech quality instrument.

Objective: Although speech perception tests are available to evaluate hearing, there is no standardized validated tool to quantify speech quality. The objective of this study is to develop a validated tool to measure quality of speech heard.

Study Design: Prospective instrument validation study of 35 normal hearing adults recruited at a tertiary referral center.

Reduction of the Harmonic Series Influences Musical Enjoyment With Cochlear Implants.

Objective: Cochlear implantation is associated with poor music perception and enjoyment. Reducing music complexity has been shown to enhance music enjoyment in cochlear implant (CI) recipients. In this study, we assess the impact of harmonic series reduction on music enjoyment.

Impact of Noise Reduction Algorithm in Cochlear Implant Processing on Music Enjoyment.

Objective: Noise reduction algorithm (NRA) in speech processing strategy has positive impact on speech perception among cochlear implant (CI) listeners. We sought to evaluate the effect of NRA on music enjoyment.

Study Design: Prospective analysis of music enjoyment.