bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motor engagement enhances incidental memory for task-irrelevant items
Authors: Shimane Daisuke , Tanaka Takumi , Watanabe Katsumi , Tanaka Kanji
Published: August 2022

Actions shape what we see and memorize. A previous study suggested the interaction between motor and memory systems by showing that memory encoding for task-irrelevant items was enhanced when presented with motor-response cues. However, in the studies on the attentional boost effect, it has been revealed that detection of the target stimulus can lead to memory enhancement without requiring overt action. Thus, the direct link between the action and memory remains unclear. To exclude the effect of the target detection process as a potential confounder, this study assessed the benefit of action for memory by separating items from the response cue in time. In our pre-registered online experiment (N = 142), participants responded to visual Go cues by pressing a key (i.e., motor task) or counting (i.e., motor-neutral cognitive task) while ignoring No-go cues. In each trial, two task-irrelevant images were sequentially presented after the cue disappearance. After encoding the Go/No-go tasks, participants performed a surprise recognition memory test for those images. Importantly, we quantified the impact of overt execution of the action by comparing memories with and without motor response and the impact of covert motor processes (e.g., preparation and planning of action) by comparing memory between the motor and cognitive tasks. The results showed no memory differences between Go and No-go trials in the motor task. This means that the execution itself was not critical for memory enhancement. However, the memory performance in the motor No-go trials was higher than that in the cognitive No-go trials, only for the items presented away from the cues in time. Therefore, engaging the motor task itself could increase incidental memory for the task-irrelevant items compared to a passive viewing situation. We added empirical evidence on the online interaction between action and memory encoding. These memory advantages could be especially brought in action preparation and planning. We believe this fact may expand our present understanding of everyday memory, such as active learning.
Unconscious system-psychodynamics within a German 4IR engineering company in South Africa
Authors: Mayer Claude-Hélène , Oosthuizen Rudolf M.
Published: August 2022

This article focuses on systems psychodynamics and particularly on the CIBART-model which explores conflict, identity, boundary, authority, role and task and how these phenomena work out on an unconscious level. Therefore, this article presents empirical findings on CIBART in a German multinational engineering organization operating in South Africa. For this study, 16 managers where interviewed on their transformation toward Industry 4.0 with special interest in the interconnection how CIBART aspects play out in the South African context. Findings show that all of the CIBART-phenomena are important during the transformation to more advanced technological levels and restructuring processes. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are given how to deal with systems-psychodynamic influences within the organization.
Use self-construction theory to understand Daka destination information sources and motivation impact on tourism intention
Authors: Chen Yitao , Zhao Junwei , Ding Jianyi , Wang Lei , Yuan Shengjun
Published: August 2022

Daka destinations refer to tagging one’s visit to a popular destination by posting on social media. As a novel tourism concept derived from digital media in the post-pandemic era, Daka destinations have become a major option for potential tourists; thus, investigating tourist intentions toward them is of utmost significance to tourism recovery. Based on the viewpoints of information sources of Daka destinations, tourism motivations, and self-construction, this study investigates the research framework of potential tourism intentions through three scenarios. The findings revealed the following: (i) Different information sources have different stimuli for potential tourists, and WeChat Moments exerted a positive impact on tourism intention because of credibility; tourism bloggers from Weibo exert a more significant positive impact on tourism intentions of potential tourists because of professionalism. (ii) Considering the credibility of WeChat Moments, the extrinsic motivation of potential tourists exerted a more significant impact on tourism intentions; regarding professional tourism bloggers, the intrinsic motivation of potential tourists exerted a more significant impact on tourism intention. (iii) Regarding the credibility of WeChat Moments, dependent self-construction potential tourists with extrinsic motivation exerted a more significant impact on tourism intention. Regarding tourism bloggers with high professionalism, independent self-construal potential tourists with intrinsic motivation exerted a more significant impact on tourism intention. This study enriches the research mechanism of the formation path of potential tourists’ tourism intention, extends the self-construction theory to the research field of using social media to collect Daka destinations tourism information, and provides a reference to subsequent research on potential tourists’ tourism intention.
A comparison of distributed machine learning methods for the support of “many labs” collaborations in computational modeling of decision making
Authors: Zhang Lili , Vashisht Himanshu , Totev Andrey , Trinh Nam , Ward Tomas
Published: August 2022

Deep learning models are powerful tools for representing the complex learning processes and decision-making strategies used by humans. Such neural network models make fewer assumptions about the underlying mechanisms thus providing experimental flexibility in terms of applicability. However, this comes at the cost of involving a larger number of parameters requiring significantly more data for effective learning. This presents practical challenges given that most cognitive experiments involve relatively small numbers of subjects. Laboratory collaborations are a natural way to increase overall dataset size. However, data sharing barriers between laboratories as necessitated by data protection regulations encourage the search for alternative methods to enable collaborative data science. Distributed learning, especially federated learning (FL), which supports the preservation of data privacy, is a promising method for addressing this issue. To verify the reliability and feasibility of applying FL to train neural networks models used in the characterization of decision making, we conducted experiments on a real-world, many-labs data pool including experiment data-sets from ten independent studies. The performance of single models trained on single laboratory data-sets was poor. This unsurprising finding supports the need for laboratory collaboration to train more reliable models. To that end we evaluated four collaborative approaches. The first approach represents conventional centralized learning (CL-based) and is the optimal approach but requires complete sharing of data which we wish to avoid. The results however establish a benchmark for the other three approaches, federated learning (FL-based), incremental learning (IL-based), and cyclic incremental learning (CIL-based). We evaluate these approaches in terms of prediction accuracy and capacity to characterize human decision-making strategies. The FL-based model achieves performance most comparable to that of the CL-based model. This indicates that FL has value in scaling data science methods to data collected in computational modeling contexts when data sharing is not convenient, practical or permissible.
Effects of perceived teacher support on motivation and engagement amongst Chinese college students: Need satisfaction as the mediator
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Gao Yabing , Hu Jiangbo , Tu Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiaoxian
Published: August 2022

College students' motivation and engagement are regarded as essential factors to promote their academic development and wellbeing. However, motivation and engagement among college students appear to decline after they enter the university. Guided by the framework of self-determination theory, this study attempted to explore a motivational model of how three dimensions of perceived teacher support (autonomy, structure, and involvement) related to student motivation and class engagement, using need satisfaction as a mediator. Drew on a survey of the perceptions of 705 Chinese university students, the results showed that besides structure, both autonomy support and involvement positively related to students' need satisfaction. Further, need satisfaction was positively associated with autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and class engagement and negatively linked with amotivation. Yet, only autonomous motivation was positively predicted for class engagement. Need satisfaction and the chain from need satisfaction to autonomous motivation were found to be the significant mediators. The practical implications of educational practices are discussed.
Closing the loop – The human role in artificial intelligence for education
Authors: Ninaus Manuel , Sailer Michael
Published: August 2022

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence make its use in education more likely. In fact, existing learning systems already utilize it for supporting students’ learning or teachers’ judgments. In this perspective article, we want to elaborate on the role of humans in making decisions in the design and implementation process of artificial intelligence in education. Therefore, we propose that an artificial intelligence-supported system in education can be considered a closed-loop system, which includes the steps of (i) data recording, (ii) pattern detection, and (iii) adaptivity. Besides the design process, we also consider the crucial role of the users in terms of decisions in educational contexts: While some implementations of artificial intelligence might make decisions on their own, we specifically highlight the high potential of striving for hybrid solutions in which different users, namely learners or teachers, are provided with information from artificial intelligence transparently for their own decisions. In light of the non-perfect accuracy of decisions of both artificial intelligence-based systems and users, we argue for balancing the process of human- and AI-driven decisions and mutual monitoring of these decisions. Accordingly, the decision-making process can be improved by taking both sides into account. Further, we emphasize the importance of contextualizing decisions. Potential erroneous decisions by either machines or humans can have very different consequences. In conclusion, humans have a crucial role at many stages in the process of designing and using artificial intelligence for education.
Individual and organizational resilience—Insights from healthcare providers in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gröschke Daniela , Hofmann Elisa , Müller Nadine D. , Wolf Judith
Published: August 2022

We explored the effects of resilience in the healthcare setting during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Our study sheds light on the cross-level effects of resilience in hospitals and thus responds to calls to research this empirically. In a cross-sectional study design, the perceptions of resilience of employees in hospitals and of transformations at the individual, team, and organizational level were analyzed. An online survey was conducted in summer 2020 in Germany in which 1,710 healthcare workers completed a self-report questionnaire. Results indicate that resilience is both a highly interrelated construct on the individual and organizational level and also positively linked to perceptions of transformation as an indicator for demonstration of resilience. We also found a partial mediation effect of organizational resilience and team efficacy, respectively, on the relationship between individual resilience and perceived transformation on the individual and organizational level as well as a full mediation on the team level. The study highlights the interdependence of individual and organizational resilience (which is mediated by team efficacy) and its impact on perceived transformation in German hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas team efficacy is crucial for performance in regular work operations, during a pandemic the organizational level becomes more relevant. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
The influence of family incivility on cyberbullying perpetration: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Gao Jing , Liu Fang , Xu Jianjun , Wang Jinyu , Mou Jiaqi , Wang Lingchao
Published: August 2022

Previous research has extended the stress literature by exploring the relationship between family incivility and cyberbullying perpetration, yet relatively less attention has been paid to underlying psychological mechanisms between that relationship among university students. According to the Frustration-Aggression Theory, this study examined the relationships of family incivility, cyberbullying perpetration, negative emotions and neuroticism among Chinese university students. Data were collected from 814 university students (females, N = 423; Mage = 19.96 years, SD = 3.09). The results examined the mechanism through which family incivility was significantly related to cyberbullying perpetration through the mediation of negative emotions, suggesting a strong link of stressful life events to online aggression. In addition, high levels of neuroticism moderated the relationship between family incivility and cyberbullying perpetration, as well as that between family incivility and negative emotions. The study revealed the chronic and potential impact of family incivility, underlined the interaction between stressful life events and online aggression, and put forward the intervention strategies of cyberbullying among university students.
The challenge of compassion in predator conservation
Authors: Pooley Simon
Published: August 2022

This paper argues that compassion for wild animals and the humans living alongside them should be integral to wildlife conservation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in predator conservation, and case studies are used to explore the consequences of wild animal attacks for human victims. Some arguments for extending compassionate consideration to animals seen as individuals are considered, along with the challenges these pose for predator conservation. A way forward from this apparent impasse is suggested, drawing on the capacity approach to embrace human with animal actors. The paper concludes with implications for predator conservation and recommendations, including incident responses sensitive to the traumatic impacts of attacks, and more collaborative approaches to handling human-wildlife interactions taking account of the capacities of local humans and wildlife.
The impact of attitude toward peer interaction on middle school students' problem-solving self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: An Xin , Hong Jon-Chao , Li Yushun , Zhou Ying
Published: August 2022

The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has promoted the popularity of online learning, but has also exposed some problems, such as a lack of interaction, resulting in loneliness. Against this background, students' attitudes toward peer interaction may have become even more important. In order to explore the impact of attitude toward peer interaction on students' mindset including online learning motivation and critical thinking practice that could affect their problem-solving self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed and administered a questionnaire, receiving 1,596 valid responses. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were re-tested, and structural equation modeling was applied. It was found that attitude toward peer interaction could positively predict middle school students' online learning motivation and critical thinking. Learning motivation and critical thinking also positively supported problem-solving self-efficacy. It is expected that the results of this study can be a reference for teachers to adopt student-centered online learning in problem solving courses.
Depressive rumination and heart rate variability: A pilot study on the effect of biofeedback on rumination and its physiological concomitants
Authors: Schumann Andy , Helbing Nadin , Rieger Katrin , Suttkus Stefanie , Bär Karl-Jürgen
Published: August 2022

Objective

Recent studies suggest that lower resting heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with elevated vulnerability to depressive rumination. In this study, we tested whether increases in HRV after HRV-biofeedback training are accompanied by reductions in rumination levels.

Materials and methods

Sixteen patients suffering from depression completed a 6-week HRV-biofeedback training and fourteen patients completed a control condition in which there was no intervention (waitlist). The training included five sessions per week at home using a smartphone application and an ECG belt. Depressive symptoms and autonomic function at rest and during induced rumination were assessed before and after each of the two conditions. We used a well-established rumination induction task to provoke a state of pervasive rumination while recording various physiological signals simultaneously. Changes in HRV, respiration rate, skin conductance, and pupil diameter were compared between conditions and time points.

Results

A significant correlation was found between resting HRV and rumination levels, both assessed at the first laboratory session (r = -0.43, p < 0.05). Induction of rumination led to an acceleration of heart rate and skin conductance increases. After biofeedback training, resting vagal HRV was increased (p < 0.01) and self-ratings of state anxiety (p < 0.05), rumination (p < 0.05), perceived stress (p < 0.05), and depressive symptoms (QIDS, BDI; both p < 0.05) were decreased. In the control condition, there were no changes in autonomic indices or depressive symptomatology. A significant interaction effect group x time on HRV was observed.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that a smartphone-based HRV-biofeedback intervention can be applied to improve cardiovagal function and to reduce depressive symptoms including self-rated rumination tendencies.
Detection of infrared light through stimulated four-wave mixing process
Authors: Zhang Wei-Hang , Peng Jing-Yuan , Li En-Ze , Ye Ying-Hao , Zeng Lei , Dong Ming-Xin , Ding Dong-Sheng , Shi Bao-Sen
Published: August 2022

Infrared optical measurement has a wide range of applications in industry and science, but infrared light detectors suffer from high costs and inferior performance than visible light detectors. Four-wave mixing (FWM) process allows detection in the infrared range by detecting correlated visible light. We experimentally investigate the stimulated FWM process in a hot 85Rb atomic vapor cell, in which a weak infrared signal laser at 1,530 nm induces the FWM process and is amplified and converted into a strong FWM light at 780 nm, the latter can be detected more easily. We find the optimized single- and two-photon detunings by studying the dependence of the frequency of input laser on the generated FWM light. What’s more, the power gain increases rapidly as the signal intensity decreases, which is consistent with our theoretical analysis. As a result, the power gain can reach up to 500 at a signal laser power of 0.1 μW and the number of detected photons increased by a factor of 250. Finally, we experimentally prove that our amplification process can work in a broad band in the frequency domain by exploring the response rate of our stimulated FWM process.
Human trafficking as a racialized economy and the exploitation of indigenous socio-spatial (im)mobility in North America
Authors: Hill Margo , Anderson Matthew B. , King Idella
Published: August 2022

The phrase “missing and murdered indigenous women” (MMIW) refers to the hundreds of deaths and disappearances of Native American women that occur each year. A growing human and sex trafficking industry that exploits indigenous women as forced sex workers is causing these numbers to increase year after year. Traffickers actively target tribal communities due to the increased likelihood of not being caught or prosecuted by an unjust legal-jurisdictional system that effectively invites traffickers onto Native American reservations. The disproportionate risks facing Native American women are a direct consequence of the now well documented historical injustices experienced by indigenous communities since contact with European colonists. Although scholarship on MMIW is growing, little attention has focused on the unique socio-spatial dynamics related to Native American (im)mobility patterns and the ways in which these dynamics enhance vulnerability to victimization by traffickers. This study empirically unpacks these dynamics in the context of North America. In the process, the industry that profits on trafficking indigenous women is conceptualized as a “racialized economy” that is constituted through an exploitative relationship between the city (the market for trafficked indigenous sex slaves) and the reservation. Here, the reservation becomes a virtual extension of the city, a relational understanding that foregrounds the urban dimension to this problem. We conclude by discussing how this analysis informs best practices that can be employed to mitigate against these (im)mobility-related risk factors and save lives.
Break-Up or Make-Up? Helping People and Groups Reconcile After Disputes
Authors: Shnabel Nurit
Published: August 2022

When people fight over physical things there are “hidden,” or deeper, reasons that they are fighting, as well. For example, siblings fighting over a toy might also be fighting about which child the parents love more. What do people need to make up—or reconcile—after a fight? According to one theory, people involved in a dispute need different emotional things: the victim (the one who was hurt) needs to feel empowered; that is, they need to feel that they are important, valuable, and in control; while the perpetrator (or wrongdoer) needs to feel accepted, good, and liked. If both sides can get what they need, there is a better chance that they will be willing to reconcile. These findings are significant for the field of restorative justice, which aims not only to punish the wrongdoers, but also to mend the relationship between perpetrators, victims, and their communities.
The effect of staged TIP urethroplasty on proximal hypospadias with severe chordee
Authors: Xie Qike , Liu Yuling , Zhao Xiangyou , Huang Junqiang , Chen Chao
Published: August 2022

Background

Proximal hypospadias with severe chordee is still a formidable challenge for most pediatric urologists, and the treatment approach remains controversial. Here, we describe a modified two-stage technique to repair proximal hypospadias with severe chordee.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 53 children referred for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee from July 2016 to July 2019, who underwent a two-stage urethroplasty. In group 1, the children were repaired with staged tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty, while Byars’ two-stage urethroplasty was attempted in group 2. We corrected chordee by releasing all remaining attachments to the corpora after degloving the penis, transceting the urethral plate, and dorsal plication. The mean age of patients in the first stage of surgery was 26.6 months in group 1 and 24.8 months in group 2. Postoperative complications in the two groups included: fistula, urethral stricture, urethral diverticulum, and glanular dehiscence.

Results

A total of 20 cases were repaired with staged TIP urethroplasty (group 1), and 33 cases were repaired with Byars’ two-stage urethroplasty (group 2). The length of follow-up in group 1 was 39.8 ± 10.1 months, and in group 2, it was 38.1 ± 8.7 months (P > 0.05). After the second stage of surgery, 1 case (5%) in group 1 and 11 cases (33.3%) in group 2 developed a urinary fistula (P < 0.05). One case (5%) in group 1 and three cases (9.1%) in group 2 had urethral stricture (P > 0.05). All strictures were cured by repeated dilation, and no patient required reoperation. No cases in group 1 and one case (3%) in group 2 had urethral diverticulum (P > 0.05). There was no residual chordee in both groups. Two cases (10%) in group 1 and 13 cases (39.3%) in group 2 required reoperation (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Staged urethroplasty is appropriate to repair proximal hypospadias with severe chordee. Particularly, staged TIP urethroplasty is a good choice for patients with proximal hypospadias and severe chordee, especially those with better penile development, wider urethral plate, larger glans, and deeper navicular fossa of the urethra.
Anatomy and relationships of forelimb lymph nodes in Sprague-Dawley rats: A detailed dissecting approach
Authors: Chen Linhai , Yang Jing , Kim Sang Ah , Gelvosa Ma. Nessa , Wei Peng , Jeon Jae Yong , Cheon Hwayeong
Published: August 2022

Background

Constructing a reliable animal model for preclinical treatment of secondary lymphedema is challenging because the anatomical characteristics near the lymph nodes are understudied. Therefore, this study examined the detailed anatomical relationship between the axillary lymph node flaps (ALNFs) and brachial lymph node flaps (BLNFs) in the forelimb of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Materials and methods

Ten male rats, weighing 250–300 g, were used. The ALNFs and BLNFs on either side of the rat forelimbs were dissected. The two lymph node flaps (LNFs) were immediately harvested to analyze their physical characteristics (via imaging process software) and microscopic structure (via histology examinations).

Results

A total of 20 ALNFs and BLNFs from 10 rats were harvested and analyzed. ALNF dissection was simpler and lasted a shorter time than BLNF dissection (p < 0.0001). The left LNFs were more difficult to dissect than the right LNFs (p < 0.0001). In physical characteristics of LNFs, the area (p < 0.001) of LNFs and the number of lymph nodes (p < 0.0001) associated with ALNFs were greater than those associated with BLNFs, but the pedicle lengths of ALNFs were shorter than that of BLNFs (p < 0.0001). No significant difference in the diameter of the venous and arterial pedicles was noted between the two LNFs (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study reported detailed physical characteristics of ALNFs and BLNFs in SD rat forelimbs, assessing the respective area of LNFs, number of lymph nodes, and lengths and diameters of vascular pedicles. Moreover, this study suggested an efficient method to perform a study of LNFs by describing the operation process and repeatedly measuring the operation time.
Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with birds in Europe: Review of literature data
Authors: Keve Gergő , Sándor Attila D. , Hornok Sándor
Published: August 2022

Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are considered the most important transmitters of pathogens in the temperate zone that covers most of Europe. In the era of climate change tick-borne diseases are predicted to undergo geographical range expansion toward the north through regions that are connected to southern areas of the continent by bird migration. This alone would justify the importance of synthesized knowledge on the association of tick species with avian hosts, yet birds also represent the most taxonomically and ecologically diverse part of urban vertebrate fauna. Birds frequently occur in gardens and near animal keeping facilities, thus playing a significant role in the dispersal of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in synanthropic environments. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive reference source (baseline data) for future studies, particularly in the context of discovering new tick-host associations after comparison with already published data. The records on the ixodid tick infestations of birds were assessed from nearly 200 papers published since 1952. In this period, 37 hard tick species were reported from 16 orders of avian hosts in Europe. Here we compile a list of these tick species, followed by the English and Latin name of all reported infested bird species, as well as the tick developmental stage and country of origin whenever this information was available. These data allowed a first-hand analysis of general trends regarding how and at which developmental stage of ticks tend to infest avian hosts. Five tick species that were frequently reported from birds and show a broad geographical distribution in the Western Palearctic (Ixodes arboricola, I. frontalis, I. ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinnaandHyalomma marginatum) were also selected for statistical comparisons. Differences were demonstrated between these tick species regarding their association with bird species that typically feed from the ground and those that rarely occur at the soil level. The ecology of these five bird-infesting tick species is also illustrated here according to avian orders, taking into account the ecology (habitat type) and activity (circadian rhythm and feeding level) of most bird species that represent a certain order.
Ovine RAP1GAP and rBAT gene polymorphisms and their association with tail fat deposition in Hu sheep
Authors: Ma Zongwu , Wang Weimin , Zhang Deyin , Zhang Yukun , Zhao Yuan , Li Xiaolong , Zhao Liming , Lin Changchun , Wang Jianghui , Zhou Bubo , Cheng Jiangbo , Xu Dan , Li Wenxin , Yang Xiaobin , Huang Yongliang , Cui Panpan , Liu Jia , Zeng Xiwen , Zhai Rui , Zhang Xiaoxue
Published: August 2022

Excessive fat deposition in the tail of sheep will affect its feed efficiency, which will increase the feeding cost. The purpose of this study was to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of RAP1GAP and rBAT genes by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing, the SNPs were genotyped by KASP genotyping assays to evaluate their association with tail fat deposition traits. The results showed that two intronic mutations of g.13561 G > A and g.1460 T > C were found in RAP1GAP and rBAT, respectively. There were three genotypes of GG, AG, AA and CC, CT and TT at these two loci, respectively. Association analysis showed that g.13561 G > A of RAP1GAP was associated with tail width, tail fat weight and relative tail fat weight (P < 0.05). The g.1460 T > C of rBAT was associated with tail width and tail fat weight (P < 0.05). Different combinations of genotypes also differed significantly with tail fat deposition traits. In the tail fat tissue, the expression levels of RAP1GAP gene was significantly higher in small-tailed sheep than in big-tailed sheep, and the expression levels of rBAT gene was significantly higher in big-tailed sheep than in small-tailed sheep. In the liver, the expression levels of RAP1GAP and rBAT gene was significantly higher at 6 months than at 0 and 3 months. In conclusion, RAP1GAP and rBAT polymorphisms can be used as a candidate molecular marker to reduce tail fat deposition in sheep.
Sex Differences in Clinical Parameters, Pharmacological and Health-Resource Utilization in a Population With Hypertension Without a Diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Lear-Claveras Ana , Oliván-Blázquez Bárbara , Clavería Ana , Couso-Viana Sabela , Puente-Comesaña Jesús , Magallón Botaya Rosa
Published: August 2022

Objectives: Determine the changes in clinical, pharmacological and healthcare resource use parameters, between the 6 months prior to the lockdown and the 6 months following its end, in a population with hypertension who did not have a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Methods: Real world data observational study of 245,979 persons aged >16 years with hypertension in Aragon (Spain). Clinical (systolic-diastolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and anthropometric measures); pharmacological (diuretics, calcium channel antagonists, and ACE inhibitors); and utilization of healthcare resources were considered. We performed the Student’s T-test for matched samples (quantitative) and the Chi-squared test (qualitative) to analyze differences between periods.

Results: SBP, DBP, parameters of renal function and triglycerides displayed a significant, albeit clinically irrelevant, worsening in women. In men only DBP and eGFR showed a worsening, although to a lesser extent than in women. Certain antihypertensive drugs and health-resource utilization remained below pre-pandemic levels across the 6 months post-lockdown.

Conclusion: Changes in lifestyles, along with difficulties in access to routine care has not substantially compromised the health and quality of life of patients with hypertension.
Clinicopathologic Features and Treatment of CD10-Positive Mantle Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Hino Christopher , Pham Bryan , Gray Austin L. , Wang Jun , Castillo Dan Ran , Akhtari Mojtaba , Liu Yan
Published: August 2022

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma characterized by the translocation t(11;14) (q13;32) and overexpression of CCND1. MCL is immunophenotypically identified as CD20+, CD5+, CyclinD1+, CD43+, CD10−, BCL6−, and CD23−. It is often distinguished from B cell lymphomas of germinal center cell origin by the absence of CD10 expression. Here we report the unique clinicopathologic features of a patient with CD10+ MCL with gastrointestinal involvement and review current literature identifying this unique immunophenotype.
A Non-Invasive Sound Technology to Monitor Rumen Contractions
Authors: Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Neves André Luis Alves , Harrison Adrian
Published: August 2022

This technical report used a wireless device (CURO MkII) that recorded high-quality rumen sound waves from cows of different production statuses (dry cow vs. lactating cow) and physiological stages (pregnant vs. non-pregnant). Recordings from a dry Jersey heifer fed a diet based on haylage and straw showed a few high-amplitude spikes (3 at 6 dB) but mostly infrequent signals (9 at 12 dB and 22 at 18 dB), with pauses of approx. 2 min with no rumen sounds in between. Analysis of a few individual spikes in the 12 dB range showed that wave frequencies ranged from 230 to 250 Hz and lasted 4 s. Recordings of the high-yielding Red Danish cow fed a total mixed ration (TMR) showed an almost constant frequency of the rumen sounds with considerable amplitude of the waves. Rumen sounds from the Red Danish dry and pregnant cow fed on TMR were less frequent, with a lower amplitude than those from the high-yielding cow. These preliminary results demonstrate that wireless sound recording units are capable of measuring rumen sounds in a production setting and can discern between animals of different production and physiological stages, but more studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Dosage Compensation of the X Chromosome during Sheep Testis Development Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Su Jie , Zhang Yue , Su Hong , Wang Caiyun , Wang Daqing , Yang Yanyan , Li Xiunan , Qi Wangmei , Li Haijun , Li Xihe , Song Yongli , Cao Guifang
Published: August 2022

Dosage compensation is a mechanism first proposed by Susumu Ohno, whereby X inactivation balances X gene output between males (XY) and females (XX), while X upregulation balances X genes with autosomal gene output. These mechanisms have been actively studied in Drosophila and mice, but research regarding them lags behind in domestic species. It is unclear how the X chromosome is regulated in the sheep male germline. To address this, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed testes in three important developmental stages of sheep. We observed that the total RNA per cell from X and autosomes peaked in SSCs and spermatogonia and was then reduced in early spermatocytes. Furthermore, we counted the detected reads per gene in each cell type for X and autosomes. In cells experiencing dose compensation, close proximity to MSL (male-specific lethal), which is regulated the active X chromosome and was observed. Our results suggest that there is no dose compensation in the pre-meiotic germ cells of sheep testes and, in addition, MSL1 and MSL2 are expressed in early germ cells and involved in regulating mammalian X-chromosome inactivation and activation.
Net Conversion of Human-Edible Vitamins and Minerals in the U.S. Southern Great Plains Beef Production System
Authors: Lancaster Phillip A. , Presley Deann , Fick Walt , Pendell Dustin , Ahlers Adam , Ricketts Andrew , Tang Minfeng
Published: August 2022

Beef is a good source of several vitamins and minerals but data on the net contribution to the human diet is lacking. The objective was to quantify the net nutrient contribution of the beef supply chain to provide vitamins and minerals to the human diet. Beef cattle production parameters for the beef supply chain were as described by Baber et al., 2018 with the red and organ meat yield from each production segment estimated using literature values of serially-harvested beef cattle. Nutrient concentration of feeds was acquired from feed composition tables in nutrient requirement texts, and the nutrient concentration of beef and organ meats was based on 2018 USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. The nutrient absorption coefficients of feeds, red meat, and organs were acquired from the literature. The human-edible conversion ratio was >1.0 for phosphorus when only red meat yield was considered indicating that the beef supply chain produced more human-edible phosphorus than it consumed. When organ meats were included, riboflavin, niacin, choline, and phosphorus had conversion ratios >1.0. After adjusting for the absorption of nutrients, the beef supply chain was a net contributor of niacin and phosphorus in the human diet when accounting for red meat yield only, but when including organ meats, iron, riboflavin, and choline also had conversion ratios >1.0. The maximum proportion of corn in the corn grain plus distillers’ grains component of the feedlot diets for the absorbable conversion ratio to be ≥1 ranged from 8.34 to 100.00% when only red meat yield was considered and from 32.02 to 100.00% when red and organ meats were considered. In conclusion, the current beef production system in the Southern Great Plains produces more human-absorbable iron, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, and choline to the human diet than is consumed in the beef supply chain.
Impact of Refinements to Handling and Restraint Methods in Mice
Authors: Davies Jennifer R. , Purawijaya Dandri A. , Bartlett Julia M. , Robinson Emma S. J.
Published: August 2022

There is increasing evidence that, compared to non-aversive handling methods (i.e., tunnel and cupping), tail handling has a negative impact on mouse welfare. Despite this evidence, there are still research organisations that continue to use tail handling. Here, we investigated handling for routine husbandry by three different methods: tail, cupping and tube in a relevant real-world scenario involving mice bred off-site. After transfer to the destination unit, mice were assessed for overt behaviours associated with anxiety and fear. Mice that experienced tail handling were less easy to handle, were more responsive to the box opening, and scored lower in a hand approach test. One barrier to non-tail handling methods is the current practice of restraining mice by the tail for procedures. We therefore next assessed whether a modified method for restraint that takes the animal from cupping to restraint without the use of the tail was associated with better welfare. This refined restraint method reduced overt signs of distress although we did not find any differences in corticosterone levels or anxiety-related behaviours. These findings suggest that avoiding tail handling throughout the animal’s laboratory experience, including during restraint, benefits their welfare.
B Chromosomes in Psalidodon scabripinnis (Characiformes, Characidae) Species Complex
Authors: Silva Duílio M. Z. A. , Castro Jonathan P. , Goes Caio A. G. , Utsunomia Ricardo , Vidal Mateus R. , Nascimento Cristiano N. , Lasmar Lucas F. , Paim Fabilene G. , Soares Letícia B. , Oliveira Claudio , Porto-Foresti Fábio , Artoni Roberto F. , Foresti Fausto
Published: August 2022

B chromosomes are extra-genomic components of cells found in individuals and in populations of some eukaryotic organisms. They have been described since the first observations of chromosomes, but several aspects of their biology remain enigmatic. Despite being present in hundreds of fungi, plants, and animal species, only a small number of B chromosomes have been investigated through high-throughput analyses, revealing the remarkable mechanisms employed by these elements to ensure their maintenance. Populations of the Psalidodon scabripinnis species complex exhibit great B chromosome diversity, making them a useful material for various analyses. In recent years, important aspects of their biology have been revealed. Here, we review these studies presenting a comprehensive view of the B chromosomes in the P. scabripinnis complex and a new hypothesis regarding the role of the B chromosome in the speciation process.
Wind Pressure Field Reconstruction and Prediction of Large-Span Roof Structure with Folded-Plate Type Based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition
Authors: Su Yi , Di Jin , Li Jinzhe , Xia Fan
Published: August 2022

The complex and diverse structural forms make it impossible to define universal shape coefficients for large-span roof structures, which usually need to be obtained by wind tunnel tests. However, the number of test measurement points is limited, which leads to obvious limitations in the study of wind loads on large-span roof structures. Taking a large-span folded-plate roof as an example, based on the wind tunnel pressure test results of the rigid model, the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method is used to reconstruct the wind pressure field of the roof using the first several eigenmodes. The wind pressure of several typical characteristic points is predicted based on four different interpolations methods, and the accuracy and feasibility of POD method in reconstruction and prediction of wind pressure field of large-span roof are analyzed and studied from multiple perspectives. The results show that the order of the selected structural eigenmodes has an impact on the reconstruction accuracy of the wind pressure field. The more orders are selected, the closer the wind pressure field reconstruction is to the true value. The reconstruction effect of the wind pressure field based on the POD method is related to the spatial position of the predicted point, and the reconstruction effect of the wind field based on the fluctuating wind pressure is obviously better than the that based on the mean wind pressure. When the POD method is used to predict the wind pressure of an unknown point, different interpolation methods can achieve ideal results. Among them, the bilinear interpolation method has the highest prediction accuracy, and the adjacent point interpolation method and Griddata V4 interpolation method only have certain errors in the low frequency region.
Feature Extraction with Handcrafted Methods and Convolutional Neural Networks for Facial Emotion Recognition
Authors: Tsalera Eleni , Papadakis Andreas , Samarakou Maria , Voyiatzis Ioannis
Published: August 2022

This research compares the facial expression recognition accuracy achieved using image features extracted (a) manually through handcrafted methods and (b) automatically through convolutional neural networks (CNNs) from different depths, with and without retraining. The Karolinska Directed Emotional Faces, Japanese Female Facial Expression, and Radboud Faces Database databases have been used, which differ in image number and characteristics. Local binary patterns and histogram of oriented gradients have been selected as handcrafted methods and the features extracted are examined in terms of image and cell size. Five CNNs have been used, including three from the residual architecture of increasing depth, Inception_v3, and EfficientNet-B0. The CNN-based features are extracted from the pre-trained networks from the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of their depths and, after their retraining on the new databases. Each method is also evaluated in terms of calculation time. CNN-based feature extraction has proved to be more efficient since the classification results are superior and the computational time is shorter. The best performance is achieved when the features are extracted from shallower layers of pre-trained CNNs (50% or 75% of their depth), achieving high accuracy results with shorter computational time. CNN retraining is, in principle, beneficial in terms of classification accuracy, mainly for the larger databases by an average of 8%, also increasing the computational time by an average of 70%. Its contribution in terms of classification accuracy is minimal when applied in smaller databases. Finally, the effect of two types of noise on the models is examined, with ResNet50 appearing to be the most robust to noise.
Effect of Fuzzy Time Series on Smoothing Estimation of the INAR(1) Process
Authors: El-Morshedy Mahmoud , El-Menshawy Mohammed H. , Almazah Mohammed M. A. , El-Sagheer Rashad M. , Eliwa Mohamed S.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the effect of fuzzy time series on estimates of the spectral, bispectral and normalized bispectral density functions are studied. This study is conducted for one of the integer autoregressive of order one (INAR(1)) models. The model of interest here is the dependent counting geometric INAR(1) which is symbolized by (DCGINAR(1)). A realization is generated for this model of size n = 500 for estimation. Based on fuzzy time series, the forecasted observations of this model are obtained. The estimators of spectral, bispectral and normalized bispectral density functions are smoothed by different one- and two-dimensional lag windows. Finally, after the smoothing, all estimators are studied in the case of generated and forecasted observations of the DCGINAR(1) model. We investigate the contribution of the fuzzy time series to the smoothing of these estimates through the results.
Tug-of-War in the Selection of Materials for Battery Technologies
Authors: Pantoja Wendy , Perez-Taborda Jaime Andres , Avila Alba
Published: August 2022

Batteries are the heart and the bottleneck of portable electronic systems. They power electronics and determine the system run time, with the size and volume determining factors in their design and implementation. Understanding the material properties of the battery components—anode, cathode, electrolyte, and separator—and their interaction is necessary to establish selection criteria based on their correlations with the battery metrics: capacity, current density, and cycle life. This review studies material used in the four battery components from the perspective and the impact of seven ions (Li+, Na+, K+, Zn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Al3+), employed in commercial and research batteries. In addition, critical factors of sustainability of the supply chains—geographical raw materials origins vs. battery manufacturing companies and material properties (Young’s modulus vs. electric conductivity)—are mapped. These are key aspects toward identifying the supply chain vulnerabilities and gaps for batteries. In addition, two battery applications, smartphones and electric vehicles, in light of challenges in the current research, commercial fronts, and technical prospects, are discussed. Bringing the next generation of batteries necessitates a transition from advances in material to addressing the technical challenges, which the review has powered.