bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational Adaptation in Lexical Prediction: The Influence of Prediction Strength
Authors: Ness Tal , Meltzer-Asscher Aya
Published: April 2021

Recent studies indicate that the processing of an unexpected word is costly when the initial, disconfirmed prediction was strong. This penalty was suggested to stem from commitment to the strongly predicted word, requiring its inhibition when disconfirmed. Additional studies show that comprehenders rationally adapt their predictions in different situations. In the current study, we hypothesized that since the disconfirmation of strong predictions incurs costs, it would also trigger adaptation mechanisms influencing the processing of subsequent (potentially) strong predictions. In two experiments (in Hebrew and English), participants made speeded congruency judgments on two-word phrases in which the first word was either highly constraining (e.g., “climate,” which strongly predicts “change”) or not (e.g., “vegetable,” which does not have any highly probable completion). We manipulated the proportion of disconfirmed predictions in highly constraining contexts between participants. The results provide additional evidence of the costs associated with the disconfirmation of strong predictions. Moreover, they show a reduction in these costs when participants experience a high proportion of disconfirmed strong predictions throughout the experiment, indicating that participants adjust the strength of their predictions when strong prediction is discouraged. We formulate a Bayesian adaptation model whereby prediction failure cost is weighted by the participant’s belief (updated on each trial) about the likelihood of encountering the expected word, and show that it accounts for the trial-by-trial data.
Laughs and Jokes in Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Video-Recorded Doctor-Couple Visits
Authors: Poli Silvia , Borghi Lidia , De Stasio Martina , Leone Daniela , Vegni Elena
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To explore the characteristics of the use of laughs and jokes during doctor-couple assisted reproductive technology (ART) visits.

Methods: 75 videotaped doctor-couple ART visits were analyzed and transcribed in order to: (1) quantify laugh and jokes, describing the contribution of doctors and couples and identifying the timing of appearance; (2) explore the topic of laughs and jokes with qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: On average, each visit contained 17.1 utterances of laughs and jokes. Patients contributed for 64.7% of utterances recorded. Doctor (40.6%) and women (40%) introduced the majority of laughs and jokes. Visits with female physicians had significantly more laughs and jokes than visits with male doctors; no differences were found considering physicians’ age and years of experience, cause of infertility, and prognosis. Laughs and jokes were mainly recorded during history taking and information giving. Four core themes were identified, regarding the topic of laughs and jokes: health status, infertility treatment, organizational aspects, and doctor-patient interaction.

Conclusion: Laughs and jokes are common in doctor-couple ART visits and are frequently used during the dialogue, covering a wide range of topics. Results seem to show that laughs and jokes are related to doctor’s personal characteristics (like gender), while are not associated with infertility aspects. Given the complexity of this communicative category, further studies are needed to explore the functions and the effects of laugh and jokes.
Young Adults With Developmental Coordination Disorder Adopt a Different Visual Strategy During a Hazard Perception Test for Cyclists
Authors: Warlop Griet , Vansteenkiste Pieter , Lenoir Matthieu , Deconinck Frederik J. A.
Published: April 2021

Cycling in traffic requires a combination of motor and perceptual skills while interacting with a dynamic and fast-changing environment. The inferior perceptual-motor skills in individuals with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) may put them at a higher risk for accidents. A key skill to navigate in traffic is to quickly detect hazardous situations. This perceptual-cognitive skill was investigated in young adults with DCD using simulated traffic situations in a hazard perception test in cycling. Nine individuals with DCD (age: 23.0 ± 3.8) and nine typically developing (TD) individuals (age: 24.6 ± 3.5) participated in the study and completed the test while their gaze was tracked using a remote eye tracking device. A questionnaire was used to determine cycling experience and the perception of cycling and anticipation skill in traffic. Despite a longer period to master the motor skill of cycling, individuals with DCD reported to be able to safely cycle in traffic around the same age as TD young adults. In the hazard perception test, individuals with DCD fixated the hazards later, less frequently and for a shorter duration than the TD participants, however, the participants with DCD did not wait longer to react to the hazard than the TD participants. Interestingly, individuals with DCD rated the traffic situations in the test as significantly more dangerous than the TD participants. In conclusion, the differences exposed in the hazard perception test may imply an increased risk of accidents in individuals with DCD. In further research and practice it is recommended that both the motor and the perceptual aspects of cycling are addressed.
Use of a Sensing Device to Visualizes Group Participation in Social Skills Learning Groups
Authors: Yamamoto Tomoka , Okuno Hiroko , Tatsumi Aika , Sakai Saeko , Mohri Ikuko , Taniike Masako
Published: April 2021

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulties in developing stable peer relationships. Interventions for learning social skills (SS) for such children are often conducted in a group. Behavioral imaging and social imaging, which have been called for in recent years, are methods for visualizing children's behaviors and interpersonal relationships. To examine the usefulness of visualizing face-to-face interaction with others in the social skills learning scene of children with ASD, we use a business microscope that can qualify and visualize face-to-face interactions automatically. We highlight two boys' face-to-face interaction changes in the same SS learning group of five children. The device's use may provide a more objective measurement that complements the observer's subjective evaluation in case of the intervention's validation. It is expected that information on face-to-face interactions will be used to determine the SS learning process in the future.
3D Scanning of the Forearm for Orthosis and HMI Applications
Authors: Perry Joel C. , Brower Jacob R. , Carne Robert H. R. , Bogert Melissa A.
Published: April 2021

The rise of rehabilitation robotics has ignited a global investigation into the human machine interface (HMI) between device and user. Previous research on wearable robotics has primarily focused on robotic kinematics and controls but rarely on the actual design of the physical HMI (pHMI). This paper presents a data-driven statistical forearm surface model for designing a forearm orthosis in exoskeleton applications. The forearms of 6 subjects were 3D scanned in a custom-built jig to capture data in extreme pronation and supination poses, creating 3D point clouds of the forearm surface. Resulting data was characterized into a series of ellipses from 20 to 100% of the forearm length. Key ellipse parameters in the model include: normalized major and minor axis length, normalized center point location, tilt angle, and circularity ratio. Single-subject (SS) ellipse parameters were normalized with respect to forearm radiale-stylion (RS) length and circumference and then averaged over the 6 subjects. Averaged parameter profiles were fit with 3rd-order polynomials to create combined-subjects (CS) elliptical models of the forearm. CS models were created in the jig as-is (CS1) and after alignment to ellipse centers at 20 and 100% of the forearm length (CS2). Normalized curve fits of ellipse major and minor axes in model CS2 achieve R2 values ranging from 0.898 to 0.980 indicating a high degree of correlation between cross-sectional size and position along the forearm. Most other parameters showed poor correlation with forearm position (0.005 < R2 < 0.391) with the exception of tilt angle in pronation (0.877) and circularity in supination (0.657). Normalized RMSE of the CS2 ellipse-fit model ranged from 0.21 to 0.64% of forearm circumference and 0.22 to 0.46% of forearm length. The average and peak surface deviation between the scaled CS2 model and individual scans along the forearm varied from 0.56 to 2.86 mm (subject averages) and 3.86 to 7.16 (subject maximums), with the peak deviation occurring between 45 and 50% RS length. The developed equations allow reconstruction of a scalable 3D model that can be sized based on two user measures, RS length and forearm circumference, or based on generic arm measurements taken from existing anthropometric databases.
UN Food Systems Summit 2021: Dismantling Democracy and Resetting Corporate Control of Food Systems
Authors: Canfield Matthew , Anderson Molly D. , McMichael Philip
Published: April 2021

This article analyzes the development and organization of the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), which is being convened by UN Secretary General António Guterres in late 2021. Although few people will dispute that global food systems need transformation, it has become clear that the Summit is instead an effort by a powerful alliance of multinational corporations, philanthropies, and export-oriented countries to subvert multilateral institutions of food governance and capture the global narrative of “food systems transformation.” This article places the upcoming Summit in the context of previous world food summits and analyzes concerns that have been voiced by many within civil society. It elaborates how the current structure and forms of participant recruitment and public engagement lack basic transparency and accountability, fail to address significant conflicts of interest, and ignore human rights. As the COVID-19 pandemic illuminates the structural vulnerabilities of the neoliberal model of food systems and the consequences of climate change for food production, a high-level commitment to equitable and sustainable food systems is needed now more than ever. However, the authors suggest that the UNFSS instead seems to follow a trajectory in which efforts to govern global food systems in the public interest has been subverted to maintain colonial and corporate forms of control.
Perspectives on the Management of Surplus Dairy Calves in the United States and Canada
Authors: Creutzinger Katherine , Pempek Jessica , Habing Gregory , Proudfoot Kathryn , Locke Samantha , Wilson Devon , Renaud David
Published: April 2021

The care of surplus dairy calves is a significant issue for the United States and Canadian dairy industries. Surplus dairy calves commonly experience poor welfare as evidenced by high levels of mortality and morbidity, and negative affective states resulting from limited opportunities to express natural behaviors. Many of these challenges are a result of a disaggregated production system, beginning with calf management at the dairy farm of origin and ending at a calf-raising facility, with some calves experiencing long-distance transportation and commingling at auction markets or assembly yards in the interim. Thus, the objectives of this narrative review are to highlight specific challenges associated with raising surplus dairy calves in the U.S. and Canada, how these challenges originate and could be addressed, and discuss future directions that may start with refinements of the current system, but ultimately require a system change. The first critical area to address is the management of surplus dairy calves on the dairy farm of origin. Good neonatal calf care reduces the risk of disease and mortality, however, many dairy farms in Canada and the U.S. do not provide sufficient colostrum or nutrition to surplus calves. Transportation and marketing are also major issues. Calves can be transported more than 24 consecutive hours, and most calves are sold through auction markets or assembly yards which increases disease exposure. Management of calves at calf-raisers is another area of concern. Calves are generally housed individually and fed at low planes of nutrition, resulting in poor affective states and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Strategies to manage high-risk calves identified at arrival could be implemented to reduce disease burden, however, increasing the plane of nutrition and improving housing systems will likely have a more significant impact on health and welfare. However, we argue the current system is not sustainable and new solutions for surplus calves should be considered. A coordinated and holistic approach including substantial change on source dairy farms and multiple areas within the system used to market and raise surplus dairy calves, can lead to more sustainable veal and beef production with improved calf outcomes.
Special Issue “9th EASN International Conference on Innovation in Aviation & Space”
Authors: Pantelakis Spiros , Strohmayer Andreas
Published: April 2021

This Special Issue contains selected papers from works presented at the 9th EASN International Conference on Innovation in Aviation & Space, which was successfully held in Athens, Greece, between the 3rd and 6th of September 2019 [...]
Short-Term Carbon Sequestration and Changes of Soil Organic Carbon Pools in Rice under Integrated Nutrient Management in India
Authors: Ghosh Mousumi , Ashiq Waqar , Bhogilal Vasava Hiteshkumar , Gamage Duminda N. Vidana , Patra Prasanta K. , Biswas Asim
Published: April 2021

While the capability of integrated nutrient management (INM) in rice systems has been adequately studied, little is known about the related short-term carbon sequestration and changes in soil carbon fractions. Our study examined the responses of organic carbon pools, carbon sequestration and rice yields after application of different organic manures combined with chemical fertilizers in a rice–rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system in the red and laterite agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India. The treatments included non-fertilized control; rice straw (RS) + nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (NPK); Gliricidia (GL) + NPK; farmyard manure (FYM) + NPK; vermicompost (VC) + NPK; and NPK only. Rice straw + NPK treatment resulted in the highest total organic carbon and passive pool of carbon. Vermicompost + NPK treatment resulted in the highest oxidizable organic carbon (0.69%), dissolved organic carbon (0.007%) and microbial biomass carbon (0.01%), followed by FYM + NPK, GL + NPK and RS + NPK as compared to control. Rice straw + NPK sequestered the highest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the total organic carbon (91.10 t ha−1) and passive pool of carbon (85.64 t ha−1), whereas VC + NPK resulted in the highest amount of CO2 (10.24 t ha−1) being sequestered as the active pool of carbon, followed by FYM + NPK (8.33 t ha−1) and GL + NPK (7.22 t ha−1). The application of both NPK only and VC + NPK treatments resulted in the highest grain yields over the three cropping seasons. In spite of high carbon sequestration being observed in more recalcitrant carbon pools, RS + NPK resulted in little increase (3.52 t ha−1) in rice yield over the short term. The results of this study suggest that the short-term changes of soil carbon fractions and carbon sequestration primarily depend on the type of organic manure used. Vermicompost, FYM and GL provide more labile carbon, which can improve rice yield over the short term. However, it is suggested to explore the dynamics of different carbon fractions, carbon sequestration in different pools and rice yields over longer periods of time.
Site-Specific Nutrient Management
Authors: Grzebisz Witold
Published: April 2021

The editorial introduces to a Special Issue entitled ”Site-Specific Nutrient Management. The concept of the nitrogen gap (NG) is as a core challenge for an effective realization of the so called “twin objectives” in sustainable agriculture. This special issue stresses on some hot spots in crop production, being responsible in the yield gap development, that farmers have to take control. The yield gap cannot be ameliorated without the synchronization of the in-season requirements of the currently grown crop for N with its three-dimensional variability in a supply on a field (temporal, spatial and vertical). A recognition of soil fertility status in the rooted zone, which includes availability of both mineral N and nutrients decisive for its uptake, is the first step in the NG amelioration. The sustainability in soil fertility, as a prerequisite of N fertilizer application, requires a wise strategy of organic matter management, based on farmyard manure, and/or cultivation of legumes. The soil fertility status, irrespectively of the World region determines ways of the N rate optimization. The division of a particular field into homogenous productive units is the primary step in the NG cover. It can be delineated, using both data on soil physico-chemical properties of the soil rooted zone, and then validated by using satellite spectral images of the crop biomass in a well-defined stage of its growth, decisive for yield. The proposed set of diagnostic tools is a basis for elaboration an effective agronomic decision support system.
Effect of Asynchronous Light and Temperature Fluctuations on Plant Traits in Indoor Growth Facilities
Authors: Chiang Camilo , Bånkestad Daniel , Hoch Günter
Published: April 2021

Several studies have recommended the incorporation of environmental fluctuations in indoor experiments if closer-to-natural results in plant experiments are desired. Previous authors have suggested that if these fluctuations are not applied in synchrony, a stress effect could be present since plants have evolved to cope with synchronic environmental fluctuations. This study aimed to identify the effect of disparity in fluctuations of two important environmental variables, light quantity and temperature, on the growth of seven plant species from different functional plant types. A full-factorial combination of light and temperature under fixed or variable conditions was applied in phytotrons, and plant performance under these conditions was compared with a previous field trial. In all phytotron treatments, the average light and temperature conditions were the same as in the initial field trial. Productivity, leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, pigmentation, and other leaf traits were recorded in all species at the end of the experiments. Most plant trait responses were highly dependent on species and treatment, but some general trends were observed. Light fluctuations were mainly responsible for increases in specific leaf area (SLA) and chlorophyll a concentration, as well as for reductions in total dry weight and chlorophyll a/b ratio, independent if in combination with fluctuation or fixed temperatures. When fixed light conditions were combined with variable temperatures, the plants showed on average lower Fv/Fm values, Amax, and CO2 yield, while under variable light conditions and fixed temperatures, Fv/Fm increased compared with fully fixed or variable conditions. Although significant differences of plant traits between the field trial and all phytotron treatments were present (likely due to differences in other parameters that were not controlled in the phytotrons), our results still suggest that a synchronous variation of environmental factors lead to a more natural-like plant growth than if these factors are fixed or vary asynchronously.
Maize Seedling Establishment, Grain Yield and Crop Water Productivity Response to Seed Priming and Irrigation Management in a Mediterranean Arid Environment
Authors: El-Sanatawy AbdAllah M. , El-Kholy Ahmed S. M. , Ali Mohamed M. A. , Awad Mohamed F. , Mansour Elsayed
Published: April 2021

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.
Cover Crops for Resilience of a Limited-Irrigation Winter Wheat–Sorghum–Fallow Rotation: Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sorghum Yield Responses
Authors: Thapa Vesh R. , Ghimire Rajan , Marsalis Mark A.
Published: April 2021

Cover crops can improve soil health by maintaining soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) contents, yet their dynamics in relation to crop yield in a semi-arid cropping system are poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the response of diverse winter cover crop species and their mixture on SOC and N fractions and their relationship with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) yield in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–sorghum–fallow rotation with limited irrigation management. Cover cropping treatments included pea (Pisum sativum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), and mixtures of pea+oat (POM), pea+canola (PCM), peat+oat+canola (POCM), and a six-species mixture (SSM) of pea+oat+canola+hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)+forage radish (Raphanussativus L.)+barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as cover crops and a fallow. Soil samples were analyzed for residual inorganic N, potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC) and nitrogen (PMN), SOC, and total N. Response of labile inorganic N, PMC, and PMN varied with cover crop treatments. The SOC and total N contents did not differ among treatments but were 20% and 35% higher in 2020 than in 2019, respectively. Sorghum grain yield was 25% and 40% greater with oats than with PCM and canola cover crops in 2019, while it was 33–97% greater with fallow and oats than other treatments in 2020. Oat as a cover crop could improve the resilience of limited-irrigation cropping systems by increasing SOC, soil N, and crop yield in semi-arid regions.
Utilization of Inorganic Nanoparticles and Biochar as Additives of Agricultural Waste Composting: Effects of End-Products on Plant Growth, C and Nutrient Stock in Soils from a Mediterranean Region
Authors: Medina Jorge , Calabi-Floody Marcela , Aponte Humberto , Santander Christian , Paneque Marina , Meier Sebastian , Panettieri Marco , Cornejo Pablo , Borie Fernando , Knicker Heike
Published: April 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of compost produced with agricultural residues and oat-based biochar, iron oxide and halloysite nanoparticles as additives of the process of composting on soil chemical properties, nutrient status and growth of ryegrass Lolium perenne L. For this, a 90-day mesocosm experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Bare soil and a basal fertilization treatment were compared to soils amended with nonadditive compost (NA compost), compost supplied with oat-based biochar (Bioch compost), iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe compost), and halloysite nanoparticles (Ha compost). Compost supplied with nanoparticles and biochar combined were also considered. The incorporation of compost with or without additives increased the content of total C and N in soil, with N diminishing (total and mineral forms) and C/N modifications after 90 days. The addition of compost and co-composted treatments also increased the total contents of main nutrients such as Ca, K, P and S. Furthermore, the supply of additives into composting did not increase the concentration of trace toxic elements. At the end of the experiment, plant biomass increased by the addition of the different organic amendments, with the highest shoot biomass in soils amended with compost supplied with nanoparticles. These results suggest that the addition of compost based on agricultural residues with additives such as halloysite or biochar improves chemical properties and nutritional status of soil that favor and increase plant growth of Lollium perenne stablished in soils from the Mediterranean Region.
Effects of Irrigation Management on Chipping Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Production in the Upper Midwest of the U.S.
Authors: Crosby Trevor W. , Wang Yi
Published: April 2021

Irrigation is required for profitable commercial potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production. Excessive or deficit soil water availability during the growing season can have adverse effects on tuber yield, quality, and storability. A field study was conducted during the 2018 and 2019 field and storage seasons in Central Wisconsin, a region in the U.S. with a high volume of potato production, to evaluate the impacts of different irrigation rates on three chipping potato varieties, Hodag, Lamoka, and Snowden. The treatments were implemented during the late-tuber bulking and tuber maturation growth stages, and consisted of irrigation at 125%, 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (ET). Irrigation before the treatment period was at 100%ET for all plots. With the industry standard irrigation practice being at 100%ET, other treatments were designated as over-irrigation or deficit irrigation. The impact of these watering rates on tuber yield and quality was evaluated at harvest, and tuber storage quality was assessed by measuring chip fry color and sugar concentrations at 0, 4, and 8 months of storage. It was found that compared to the standard practice, the over-irrigation treatment at 125%ET when tubers reached late bulking resulted in no significant increase in total yield, marketable yield, tuber quality at harvest and during storage, as well as reduced irrigation efficiency (IE) and water-use efficiency (WUE). This treatment also increased nitrate leaching potential in both years. In comparison, deficit irrigation at 75%ET or even 50%ET during the late season had no impact on tuber growth, could increase IE and WUE in one of the two years, and showed reduced drainage. In both years, irrigation rate had no significant effects on hollow heart incidence, tuber specific gravity at harvest, and fry quality during the 8-month storage period. This study suggested that over-irrigation was not beneficial for potato production in Central Wisconsin of the U.S., and deficit irrigation during late tuber bulking and tuber maturation stages could potentially result in more sustainable water use while not penalizing tuber yield, quality and storability of chipping potatoes.
The Utility of Intraventricular Pressure Gradient for Early Detection of Chemotherapy-Induced Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Dogs
Authors: Matsuura Katsuhiro , Shiraishi Kenjirou , Mandour Ahmed S. , Sato Kotomi , Shimada Kazumi , Goya Seijirow , Yoshida Tomohiko , Kitpipatkun Pitipat , Hamabe Lina , Uemura Akiko , Yilmaz Zeki , Ifuku Mayumi , Iso Takeshi , Takahashi Ken , Tanaka Ryou
Published: April 2021

Early detection of doxorubicin (DXR)-induced cardiomyopathy (DXR-ICM) is crucial to improve cancer patient outcomes and survival. In recent years, the intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) has been a breakthrough as a sensitive index to assess cardiac function. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of IVPG for the early detection of chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction. For this purpose, six dogs underwent conventional, speckle tracking, and color M-mode echocardiography concomitantly with pressure-and-volume analysis by conductance catheter. The cardiac function measurements were assessed before DXR administration (baseline, Pre), at the end of treatment protocol (Post), and at 1.5 years follow-up (Post2). The result showed a significant reduction in the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume (Emax: 4.4 ± 0.7, 6.1 ± 1.6 vs. 8.4 ± 0.8 mmHg/mL), total-IVPG (0.59 ± 0.12, 0.62 ± 0.15 vs. 0.86 ± 0.12 mmHg), and mid-IVPG (0.28 ± 0.12, 0.31 ± 0.11 vs. 0.48 ± 0.08 mmHg), respectively in Post2 and Post compared with the baseline (p < 0.05). Mid-to-apical IVPG was also reduced in Post2 compared with the baseline (0.29 ± 0.13 vs. 0.51 ± 0.11). Meanwhile, the fraction shortening, ejection fraction, and longitudinal strain revealed no change between groups. Total and mid-IVPG were significantly correlated with Emax (R = 0.49; p < 0.05, both) but only mid-IVPG was a predictor for Emax (R2 = 0.238, p = 0.040). In conclusion, this study revealed that impairment of contractility was the initial changes observed with DXR-ICM in dogs and only IVPG could noninvasively detect subclinical alterations in cardiac function. Color M-mode echocardiography-derived IVPG could be a potential marker for the early detection of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy.
Next Generation Sequencing for the Prediction of the Antibiotic Resistance in Helicobacter pylori: A Literature Review
Authors: Saracino Ilaria Maria , Pavoni Matteo , Zullo Angelo , Fiorini Giulia , Lazzarotto Tiziana , Borghi Claudio , Vaira Dino
Published: April 2021

Background and aims: Only a few antimicrobials are effective against H. pylori, and antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem for eradication therapies. In 2017, the World Health Organization categorized clarithromycin resistant H. pylori as a “high-priority” bacterium. Standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing can be used to prescribe appropriate therapies but is currently recommended only after the second therapeutic failure. H. pylori is, in fact, a “fastidious” microorganism; culture methods are time-consuming and technically challenging. The advent of molecular biology techniques has enabled the identification of molecular mechanisms underlying the observed phenotypic resistance to antibiotics in H. pylori. The aim of this literature review is to summarize the results of original articles published in the last ten years, regarding the use of Next Generation Sequencing, in particular of the whole genome, to predict the antibiotic resistance in H. pylori.Methods: a literature research was made on PubMed. The research was focused on II and III generation sequencing of the whole H. pylori genome. Results: Next Generation Sequencing enabled the detection of novel, rare and complex resistance mechanisms. The prediction of resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin and amoxicillin is accurate; for other antimicrobials, such as metronidazole, rifabutin and tetracycline, potential genetic determinants of the resistant status need further investigation.
Factors Differentiating the Antioxidant Activity of Macular Xanthophylls in the Human Eye Retina
Authors: Widomska Justyna , Gruszecki Wieslaw I. , Subczynski Witold K.
Published: April 2021

Macular xanthophylls, which are absorbed from the human diet, accumulate in high concentrations in the human retina, where they efficiently protect against oxidative stress that may lead to retinal damage. In addition, macular xanthophylls are uniquely spatially distributed in the retina. The zeaxanthin concentration (including the lutein metabolite meso-zeaxanthin) is ~9-fold greater than lutein concentration in the central fovea. These numbers do not correlate at all with the dietary intake of xanthophylls, for which there is a dietary zeaxanthin-to-lutein molar ratio of 1:12 to 1:5. The unique spatial distributions of macular xanthophylls—lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin—in the retina, which developed during evolution, maximize the protection of the retina provided by these xanthophylls. We will correlate the differences in the spatial distributions of macular xanthophylls with their different antioxidant activities in the retina. Can the major protective function of macular xanthophylls in the retina, namely antioxidant actions, explain their evolutionarily determined, unique spatial distributions? In this review, we will address this question.
Is Premenstrual Syndrome Associated with Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status? A Systematic Review of Case–Control and Cross-Sectional Studies
Authors: Granda Dominika , Szmidt Maria Karolina , Kaluza Joanna
Published: April 2021

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclically occurring combination of various symptoms, leading to decreased life quality among approximately 30% of women of childbearing age. PMS etiology remains unknown; however, there are some suggestions that inappropriate inflammatory response and oxidative stress are involved. This study aimed to systematically review case–control and cross-sectional studies investigating inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status among women with PMS and controls. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42020178545), and the authors followed the guidelines for performing a systemic review recommended by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). By searching PubMed and Scopus databases (up to 8 January 2021), six case–control studies and five cross-sectional studies of medium or high quality were classified to the review. The systematic review included 652 women with PMS and 678 controls, for whom 36 eligible markers were determined. Limited evidence indicates increased levels of inflammatory parameters and suggests decreased antioxidant status in PMS women. Insufficient data with inconsistent results made it impossible to formulate a firm conclusion on the contribution of oxidative stress in PMS occurrence. To acknowledge the role of inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in the pathophysiology of PMS, further research with case–control design and large study groups is needed.
Boron-Decorated Pillared Graphene as the Basic Element for Supercapacitors: An Ab Initio Study
Authors: Kolosov Dmitry A. , Glukhova Olga E.
Published: April 2021

In this work, using the first-principle density functional theory (DFT) method, we study the properties of a new material based on pillared graphene and the icosahedral clusters of boron B12 as a supercapacitor electrode material. The new composite material demonstrates a high specific quantum capacitance, specific charge density, and a negative value of heat of formation, which indicates its efficiency. It is shown that the density of electronic states increases during the addition of clusters, which predictably leads to an increase in the electrode conductivity. We predict that the use of a composite based on pillared graphene and boron will increase the efficiency of existing supercapacitors.
Potato Industry By-Products as a Source of Protein with Beneficial Nutritional, Functional, Health-Promoting and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Pęksa Anna , Miedzianka Joanna
Published: April 2021

Most potato proteins are fractions of albumin and globulin, soluble in water and in water and salt solutions, respectively; these are patatin glycoproteins, with a pIs in the range of 4.8–5.2. This group of proteins is typical of potato and they are referred to as patatin or tuberin. Around 30–50% of soluble potato proteins comprise numerous fractions of protease inhibitors with a molecular weight in the range of 7–21 kDa; they are often heat-resistant, showing a wide spectrum of health-promoting effects. The nutritional value of proteins is related to the content of amino acids, their mutual proportions and digestibility. Natural proteins of the patatin fraction are characterized by favorable functional properties, including foam formation and stabilization, fat emulsification or gelling. Native potato proteins may also exhibit beneficial non-food properties, such as antimicrobial or antitumor, as well as antioxidant and antiradical. Depending on the method of isolation and the applied factors, such as pH, ionic strength and temperature, the directions of using potato protein preparations will be different.
Biofeedback Applied to Interactive Serious Games to Monitor Frailty in an Elderly Population
Authors: Shapoval Serhii , García Zapirain Begoña , Mendez Zorrilla Amaia , Mugueta-Aguinaga Iranzu
Published: April 2021

This article proposes an example of a multiplatform interactive serious game, which is an additional tool and assistant used in the rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal system problems. In medicine, any actions and procedures aimed at helping the rehabilitation of patients should entail the most comfortable, but at the same time, effective approach. Regardless of how these actions are orientated, whether for rehabilitation following surgery, fractures, any problems with the musculoskeletal system, or just support for the elderly, rehabilitation methods undoubtedly have good goals, although often the process itself can cause all kinds of discomfort and aversion among patients. This paper presents an interactive platform which enables a slightly different approach to be applied in terms of routine rehabilitation activities and this will help make the process more exciting. The main feature of the system is that it works in several ways: for normal everyday use at home, or for more in-depth observation of various biological parameters, such as heart rate, temperature, and so on. The basic component of the system is the real-time tracking system of the body position, which constitutes both a way to control the game (controller) and a means to analyze the player’s activity. As for the closer control of rehabilitation, the platform also provides the opportunity for medical personnel to monitor the player in real time, with all the data obtained from the game being used for subsequent analysis and comparison. Following several laboratory tests and feedback analysis, the progress indicators are quite encouraging in terms of greater patient interest in this kind of interaction, and effectiveness of the developed platform is also on average about 30–50% compared to conventional exercises, which makes it more attractive in terms of patient support.
Peroxynitrite Production Induced by LPS and X-ray Treatment Enhances Cellular Incorporation of Porphyrin in Mouse RAW264 Macrophages
Authors: Ito Hiromu
Published: April 2021

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive cancer therapy that combines the accumulation of photosensitizers such as porphyrins in cancer cells with laser irradiation. I have previously reported that mitochondrially derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate the expression of a porphyrin transporter, heme carrier protein 1 (HCP1), and increase porphyrin accumulation in cancer cells. Tumors that contain activated macrophages, referred to as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), have been reported to have increased malignancy. TAMs produce nitric oxide (NO), via the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and the highly reactive nitrogen species, peroxynitrite, which is produced by the reaction of NO with superoxide. Here, I examined the relationship between peroxynitrite, HCP1 expression, and intracellular porphyrin uptake in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264. RAW264 cells were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment which resulted in increased iNOS expression and NO production. Additional X-ray irradiation resulted in the generation of ROS and the subsequent generation of peroxynitrite. Importantly, LPS and X-ray co-treatment significantly enhanced HCP1 expression and porphyrin accumulation in cells, suggesting that the peroxynitrite upregulates the porphyrin transporter, HCP1. Therefore, TAMs may be effectively targeted with PDT, and tumor progression may be suppressed in general by agents that target the activation of macrophages.
Isolation and Characterization of Oil-Degrading Enterobacter sp. from Naturally Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils and Their Potential Use against the Bioremediation of Crude Oil
Authors: Ejaz Mukkaram , Zhao Baowei , Wang Xiukang , Bashir Safdar , Haider Fasih Ullah , Aslam Zubair , Khan Muhammad Imran , Shabaan Muhammad , Naveed Muhammad , Mustafa Adnan
Published: April 2021

The contamination of crude oil in soil matrices is a persistent problem with negative repercussions because of the recalcitrant, hazardous, and mutagenic properties of its constituents. To mitigate the effect of crude oil contamination in soil, the use of microorganisms is a cheap and feasible option. In the current study, bacterial species from numerous polluted oil field surfaces were isolated and examined for their ability to degrade crude oil. Random soil samples polluted with hydrocarbons were collected and various bacterial isolates were isolated. Results revealed that 40% of total isolates had potential use for hydrocarbon biodegradation, the synthesis of exopolysaccharides and the solubilization of phosphorous. Following isolation and characterization to degrade crude oil, a pot trial was conducted using maize inoculated with the four best strains—i.e., S1 (PMEL-63), S2 (PMEL-67), S3 (PMEL-80), and S4 (PMEL-79)—in artificially hydrocarbon-polluted soil with concentrations of crude oil of 0, 1000, and 2000 ppm. Results revealed that S4 (PMEL-79) had significant potential to degrade hydrocarbon in polluted soils. The root length, shoot length, and fresh biomass of maize were increased by 65%, 45%, and 98%, respectively, in pots inoculated with S4 (PMEL-79) Enterobacter cloacae subsp., whereas the lowest root length was observed where no strain was added and the concentration of crude oil was at maximum. Moreover, S4 (PMEL-79) Enterobacter cloacae subsp. was found to be the most effective strain in degrading crude oil and increasing maize growth under polluted soil conditions. It was concluded that the isolation of microorganisms from oil-contaminated sites should be considered in order to identify the most effective microbial consortium for the biodegradation of naturally hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.
Bovine Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract IMMUNEPOTENT CRP: Evaluation of Biological Activity of the Modified Product
Authors: Franco-Molina Moisés Armides , Santana-Krímskaya Silvia Elena , Zarate-Triviño Diana Ginette , Zapata-Benavides Pablo , Hernández-Martínez Sara Paola , Cervantes-Wong Fernanda , Rodríguez-Padilla Cristina
Published: April 2021

Dialyzable leukocyte extracts are clinically used under different commercial names (IMMUNEPOTENT CRP®, IMMODIN®, Transferon®) to modulate the immune response altered by pathological conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and viral infections. The purpose of this study is to improve the production process of bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract without decreasing its biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumoral). Our product modification consists of adding a dry heating step in the production process. In this study, we evaluated and compared the chemical composition (bromatological analysis), physical structure (infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, and zeta potential) and biological function of the dialyzable leukocyte extracts obtained from fresh and dry bovine spleens. Our results showed that the use of a drying step in the production process of the bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract (bDLE) did not affect its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and it improved its antitumor properties. We suggest that this process modification could be applied to other biological products, such as dialyzable leukocyte extracts derived from other sources, in order to improve its functionality and formulation.
Protective Effect of Emblica officinalis in Cyprinus carpio against Hepatotoxicity Induced by Malachite Green: Ultrastructural and Molecular Analysis
Authors: Sinha Reshma , Jindal Rajinder , Faggio Caterina
Published: April 2021

Malachite green (MG) dye, besides coloring is used as an effective aquaculture therapeutic. The present study assesses the mitigating ability of Emblica officinalis (EO) fruit extract against the dye induced chronic (60 days) cyto-toxicity in Cyprinus carpio. For this, four experimental groups were maintained: group I—control, group II—MG, group III—EO (positive control), group IV—MG + EO. The study was made at three tiers: detailing structural anomalies using a light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM), biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes, and lipid peroxidation and molecular analysis of expression patterns of HSP70, and CYP1A genes. MG intoxication resulted in necrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolation, glycogen depletion, abundant macrophages, loss of cell integrity and prominent nuclear alterations. Significant (p < 0.05) inhibition in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH), along with an elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, occurred after 60 days of MG exposure. CYP1A and HSP70 genes presented a significant change in their expression in MG treated fish. Whereas oral supplementation with EO significantly restored the histo-architecture, normalized the altered enzymatic activity, reduced the oxidative stress level and regulated the expression of HSP70 and CYP1A genes. Thus, it can be concluded that EO acted as an effective ameliorant against malachite green induced cyto-toxicity in Cyprinus carpio.