bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Mixing Signal Characteristics of Complex-Coupled Distributed-Feedback Terahertz Quantum-Cascade Lasers
Authors: Ge Lei , Yang Ning , Wang Jian , Chu Weidong , Duan Suqing , Xie Yan , Wang Yingxin , Li Lianhe , Linfield Edmund
Published: September 2021

Self-mixing interference (SMI) in terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs) is one of the significant approaches for coherent THz imaging and sensing techniques. Here, the output characteristics of SMI in distributed feedback (DFB) THz QCLs from the index-to the gain-coupling regimes are studied using the coupled wave theory and the multi-mode rate equation method. A mode hopping phenomenon is found to occur when the DFB coupling factor changes from index-coupling to gain-coupling, and the characteristics of the self-mixing signals of DFB-QCLs change greatly with this mode hopping. With the modulus of the coupling factor fixed and its argument varied from 0 to π/2, an extreme point of the self-mixing frequency and power signals of DFB-QCLs is found at π/9 due to the mode hopping. For index-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs, both the varying ranges of the self-mixing frequency signals and amplitudes of power signals increase with increasing DFB coupling factor argument. For gain-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs, with increasing argument value, the amplitude of the self-mixing power signal increases, but the varying range of the self-mixing frequency signal decreases. With the argument of the coupling factor fixed, we also found that the varying ranges of the self-mixing frequency signals decrease with increasing modulus for both index-coupling dominated and gain-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs. For index-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs, the amplitudes of the self-mixing power signals decrease with increasing modulus; however, the amplitudes of the self-mixing power signals of gain-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs increase. With the argument of the coupling factor fixed, for index-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs, we found that the varying ranges of the self-mixing frequency signals and amplitudes of power signals decrease with the increasing modulus. For gain-coupling dominated DFB-QCLs, with the coupling factor modulus increasing, the varying ranges of the self-mixing frequency signals decrease, however, the amplitudes of the self-mixing power signals increase. These results may help with the application of DFB-QCLs to self-mixing interferometers.
What Is Moderate to Vigorous Exercise Intensity?
Authors: MacIntosh Brian R. , Murias Juan M. , Keir Daniel A. , Weir Jamie M.
Published: September 2021

A variety of health benefits associated with physical activity depends upon the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of exercise. Intensity of exercise is the most elusive of these elements and yet has important implications for the health benefits and particularly cardiovascular outcomes elicited by regular physical activity. Authorities recommend that we obtain 150min of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) each week. The current descriptions of moderate to vigorous intensity are not sufficient, and we wish to enhance understanding of MVPA by recognition of important boundaries that define these intensities. There are two key thresholds identified in incremental tests: ventilatory and lactate thresholds 1 and 2, which reflect boundaries related to individualized disturbance to homeostasis that are appropriate for prescribing exercise. VT2 and LT2 correspond with critical power/speed and respiratory compensation point. Moderate intensity physical activity approaches VT1 and LT1 and vigorous intensity physical activity is between the two thresholds (1 and 2). The common practice of prescribing exercise at a fixed metabolic rate (# of METs) or percentage of maximal heart rate or of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) does not acknowledge the individual variability of these metabolic boundaries. As training adaptations occur, these boundaries will change in absolute and relative terms. Reassessment is necessary to maintain regular exercise in the moderate to vigorous intensity domains. Future research should consider using these metabolic boundaries for exercise prescription, so we will gain a better understanding of the specific physical activity induced health benefits.
Acute Effect of Vibration Roller With and Without Rolling on Various Parts of the Plantar Flexor Muscle
Authors: Nakamura Masatoshi , Sato Shigeru , Kiyono Ryosuke , Yoshida Riku , Murakami Yuta , Yasaka Koki , Yahata Kaoru , Konrad Andreas
Published: September 2021

A single use of a vibration foam roller likely increases the range of motion (ROM) without decreasing muscle strength and athletic performance. However, to date, no study compared the effects of a vibration roller with and without rolling on various parts of the plantar flexor muscle. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of the vibration foam roller with rolling or without rolling at the muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) or the muscle belly on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM, passive torque at DF ROM, shear elastic modulus, muscle strength, and jump performance. Fifteen healthy young males performed the following three conditions: (1) vibration rolling over the whole muscle-tendon unit, (2) static vibration on muscle belly, and (3) static vibration on MTJ for three-set 60-s vibration in random order. In this study, DF ROM, passive torque, shear elastic modulus, muscle strength, and single-leg drop jump were measured before and immediately after the interventions. The DF ROM and passive torque at DF ROM were increased after all three conditions, whereas the shear elastic modulus was decreased after vibration rolling and static vibration on the muscle belly, but not following static vibration of the MTJ. In addition, there were no significant changes in muscle strength and jump performance in any group. Our results showed that vibration with rolling or static vibration on muscle belly could be effective to improve ROM and muscle stiffness without adverse effects of muscle strength and athletic performance.
Growth Hormone Overexpression Induces Hyperphagia and Intestinal Morphophysiological Adaptations to Improve Nutrient Uptake in Zebrafish
Authors: Meirelles Marcela G. , Nornberg Bruna F. , da Silveira Tony L. R. , Kütter Mateus T. , Castro Caroline G. , Ramirez Juan Rafael B. , Pedrosa Virgínia , Romano Luis Alberto , Marins Luis Fernando
Published: September 2021

Graphical Abstract

GH overexpression increases the intestinal mass and absorptive surface area both through the direct effects of GH transgenics (up-regulating the expression of its cognate receptor and insulin-like growth factor, igf1a) and through indirect effects through an increase in the amount of food consumed. In addition, hyperphagia provides a greater amount of nutrients in the intestinal lumen and stimulates the synthesis of di- and tri-peptide transporters, which are the main route of absorption of dietary products from protein degradation.
Identification of High-Yielding Iron-Biofortified Open-Pollinated Varieties of Pearl Millet in West Africa
Authors: Gangashetty Prakash I. , Riyazaddin Mohammed , Sanogo Moussa Daouda , Inousa Drabo , Issoufou Kassari Ango , Asungre Peter A. , Sy Ousmane , Govindaraj Mahalingam , Ignatius Angarawai Ijantiku
Published: September 2021

Pearl millet is a predominant food and fodder crop in West Africa. This study was carried out to test the newly developed open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) for field performance and stability for grain yield, grain iron (Fe), and grain zinc (Zn) contents across 10 locations in West Africa (i.e., Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Ghana). The test material consisted of 30 OPVs, of which 8 are Fe/Zn biofortified. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design in three replications. ANOVA revealed highly significant variability for grain yield and micronutrient traits. The presence of genotype × environment (G × E) indicated that the expressions of traits are significantly influenced by both genetic and G × E factors, for grain Fe and Zn contents. Days to 50% flowering and plant height showed less G × E, suggesting these traits are largely under genetic control. The genotypes CHAKTI (46 days), ICTP 8203 (46 days), ICMV 177002 (50 days), ICMV 177003 (48 days), and Moro (53 days) had exhibited early flowering across locations leading to early physiological maturity. CHAKTI (1.42 t/ha yield; 62.24 mg/kg of grain Fe, 47.29 mg/kg of grain Zn) and ICMP 177002 (1.19 t/ha yield, 62.62 mg/kg of grain Fe, 46.62 mg/kg of grain Zn) have performed well for grain yield and also for micronutrients, across locations, compared with the check. Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) ANOVA revealed the highly significant genotypic differences, the mean sum of squares of environment, and its interaction with the genotypes. Based on the AMMI stability value (ASV), the most stable genotype is SOSAT-C88 (ASV = 0.04) for grain yield and resistance to downy mildew; mean grain yield and stability rankings (YSI) revealed that the genotypes CHAKTI, SOSAT-C88, and ICMV IS 99001 were high yielding and expressed stability across regions. The strong correlation (r = 0.98∗∗) of grain Fe and Zn contents that merits Fe-based selection is highly rewarding. CHAKTI outperformed over other genotypes for grain yield (71% higher), especially with early maturing varieties in West Africa, such as GB 8735, LCIC 9702, and Jirani, and for grain Fe (16.11% higher) and Zn (7% higher) contents across locations, and made a candidate of high-iron variety to be promoted for combating the micronutrient malnutrition in West and Central Africa (WCA).
Gene Body Methylation Confers Transcription Robustness in Mangroves During Long-Term Stress Adaptation
Authors: Wang Yushuai , Dai Aimei , Chen Yiping , Tang Tian
Published: September 2021

Whether induced epigenetic changes contribute to long-term adaptation remains controversial. Recent studies indicate that environmentally cued changes in gene body methylation (gbM) can facilitate acclimatization. However, such changes are often associated with genetic variation and their contribution to long-term stress adaptation remains unclear. Using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, we examined evolutionary gains and losses of gbM in mangroves that adapted to extreme intertidal environments. We treated mangrove seedlings with salt stress, and investigated expression changes in relation with stress-induced or evolutionarily-acquired gbM changes. Evolution and function of gbM was compared with that of genetic variation. Mangroves gained much more gbM than their terrestrial relatives, mainly through convergent evolution. Genes that convergently gained gbM during evolution are more likely to become methylated in response to salt stress in species where they are normally not marked. Stress-induced and evolutionarily convergent gains of gbM both correlate with reduction in expression variation, conferring genome-wide expression robustness under salt stress. Moreover, convergent gbM evolution is uncoupled with convergent sequence evolution. Our findings suggest that transgenerational inheritance of acquired gbM helps environmental canalization of gene expression, facilitating long-term stress adaptation of mangroves in the face of a severe reduction in genetic diversity.
Pseudomonas Inoculation Stimulates Endophytic Azospira Population and Induces Systemic Resistance to Bacterial Wilt
Authors: Shang Xian-chao , Cai Xianjie , Zhou Yanan , Han Xiaobin , Zhang Cheng-Sheng , Ilyas Naila , Li Yiqiang , Zheng Yanfen
Published: September 2021

Bacterial communities in the rhizosphere play an important role in sustaining plant growth and the health of diverse soils. Recent studies have demonstrated that microbial keystone taxa in the rhizosphere microbial community are extremely critical for the suppression of diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in disease suppression by keystone species remain unclear. The present study assessed the effects of three Pseudomonas strains, which were identified as keystone species in our previous study, on the growth performance and root-associated bacterial community of tobacco plants. A high relative abundance of Ralstonia was found in the non-inoculated group, while a large Azospira population was observed in all groups inoculated with the three Pseudomonas strains. Correspondingly, the activities of the defense-related enzymes and the expression levels of the defense signaling marker genes of the plant were increased after inoculation with the Pseudomonas strains. Moreover, the correlation analyses showed that the relative abundance of Azospira, the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase, and the expression of H1N1, ACC Oxidase, and PR1 a/c had a significantly negative (p<0.05) relationship with the abundance of Ralstonia. This further revealed that the keystone species, such as Pseudomonas spp., can suppress bacterial wilt disease by enhancing the systemic resistance of tobacco plants.
The Validity of the Holtzman Inkblot Technique: New Indices
Authors: Dawe James , Hawkins II Raymond C. , Lauriola Marco , Leichsenring Falk , Pezzuti Lina
Published: September 2021

Objective: The present study examines the validity of 11 new Holtzman Inkblot Technique indices. These were chosen from Exner’s Comprehensive System (RCS) indices using two criteria: first, they had to be valid according to meta-analysis, and second, they must be computed using the HIT standard scoring system.

Methods: Both techniques were administrated with a retest interval from 1 to 7days to a sample of 139 subjects (63 males and 76 females) from the general population. The validity of the new indices was studied through Pearson correlation (r) with the corresponding RCS indices.

Results: Nine of the 11 new indices (R-HIT, F%-HIT, M-HIT, m-HIT, C'-HIT, Blends-HIT, PureH-HIT, DQ+HIT, and X-%-HIT) showed significant correlations with Rorschach scales, confirming our hypotheses. The correlation ranged from a minimum of 0.144 to a maximum of 0.414.

Conclusions: The results provide support for the validity of the new HIT indices and have important implications for both clinical and research fields.
An Application of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Risk Evaluation Model
Authors: Peng Geng , Han Lu , Liu Zeyan , Guo Yanyang , Yan Junai , Jia Xinyu
Published: September 2021

Conflicts in land exploration are incisive social problems which have been the subject in many studies. Risk assessment of land conflicts is effective to resolve such problems. Specifically, fuzzy mathematics and the analytic hierarchy process were combined together to evaluate risk in land conflicts in our work, which is proved useful to solve uncertainty and imprecision problems. Based on the analysis of the principles for the risk assessment of a land conflicts index system, a set of risk assessment indexes using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) was presented. The results show that the overall risk is at medium level, and the risk of the feasibility index and controllability index need to be paid more attention to. The contribution of this article is reflected in two aspects: (1) the application of FAHP in risk assessments of land conflicts is effective and valid; (2) it is helpful for governments to establish a stricter management system of work safety for conflicts in land exploration based on the risk assessment results.
The Negative Impact of Noise on Adolescents’ Executive Function: An Online Study in the Context of Home-Learning During a Pandemic
Authors: Chere Brittney , Kirkham Natasha
Published: September 2021

UNICEF estimates that 1.6 billion children across the world have had their education impacted by COVID-19 and have attempted to continue their learning at home. With ample evidence showing a negative impact of noise on academic achievement within schools, the current pre-registered study set out to determine what aspects of the home environment might be affecting these students. Adolescents aged 11–18 took part online, with 129 adolescents included after passing a headphone screening task. They filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire, followed by a home environment and noise questionnaire. Participants then completed three executive function tasks (the Flanker, the Backward Digit Span, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) while listening to a soundtrack of either white noise or home-like environmental noise. For purposes of analysis, based on the noise questionnaire, participants were separated into quieter and noisier homes. Results revealed that measures of the home environment significantly correlated with individual perceptions of noise and task performance. In particular, adolescents coming from noisier homes were more likely to report that they studied in a noisy room and that they were annoyed by noise when studying. In terms of noise and task performance, the Flanker task revealed that while older adolescents were more efficient overall than their younger peers, those older adolescents from noisier homes seemed to lose this advantage. Additionally, reaction times for younger adolescents from noisier homes were less impacted by accuracy compared to their peers from quieter homes, though there was no difference for the older adolescents. This evidence suggests that higher in-home noise levels lead to higher rates of annoyance and may be hindering home-learning, with both younger and older adolescents being impacted. Furthermore, the long-term effect of in-home noise on adolescent executive function task performance indicates that these findings transcend the pandemic and would influence in-school learning. Limitations and advantages of online adolescent research without researcher supervision are discussed, including sociodemographics and adapting tasks.
Customer Loyalty in Recreational Long-Distance Races: Differences Between Novice and Experienced Runners
Authors: Cabello-Manrique David , Fernández-Martínez Antonio , Roca Cruz Antonio Francisco , García-García Borja , Nuviala Alberto
Published: September 2021

A growing number of recreational races are being held in different locations, drawing many local and visiting runners. This study examined the relationships between quality, value, satisfaction, and loyalty among runners in a recreational race and examines potential differences in relationships between these constructs based on the runners’ experience. The participants were 985 runners with a mean age of 40.74±9.41years. Validated, reliable ad hoc instruments were used. A multi-group analysis was performed to ascertain the existence of relationships between the constructs and differences in the relationships between the different study groups. The results show that quality is a direct antecedent of value and satisfaction. Value is directly related to satisfaction and indirectly related to loyalty. Satisfaction is related to the loyalty of participants in the race. Differences in the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty were dependent upon the runners’ experience. Loyalty to a race depends primarily on satisfaction and is modified by the runners’ experience.
How Group Perception Affects What People Share and How People Feel: The Role of Entitativity and Epistemic Trust in the “Saying-Is-Believing” Effect
Authors: Liang Tingchang , Lin Zhao , Souma Toshihiko
Published: September 2021

This research investigated how interpersonal communication with a large audience can influence communicators’ attitudes. Research on the saying-is-believing effect has shown that when an individual’s attitude is perceived in advance by a communicator, the communicator tunes the message to the person, which biases the communicator’s attitude toward the person’s attitude. In this study, we examined the conditions under which audience tuning and attitude bias can occur with audiences containing more than one individual. We manipulated communicators’ perceived group entity for a large audience and the audience’s prior attitudinal valence and measured the audience’s epistemic trust. The results showed that communicators tuned their messages to the audience’s attitude when they perceived group entitativity and epistemic trust. Furthermore, tuning the message to the audience was found to bias communicators’ subsequent impressions of the topic in a direction closer to the audience’s attitude. These results suggest that perceiving a large audience as a group influences the subsequent impressions of electronic word-of-mouth product or service communicators.
Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Parents of Pediatric Cancer Patients
Authors: Guido Antonella , Marconi Elisa , Peruzzi Laura , Dinapoli Nicola , Tamburrini Gianpiero , Attinà Giorgio , Balducci Mario , Valentini Vincenzo , Ruggiero Antonio , Chieffo Daniela Pia Rosaria
Published: September 2021

The changes and general alarm of the current COVID-19 pandemic have amplified the sense of precariousness and vulnerability for family members who, in addition to the emotional trauma of the cancer diagnosis, add the distress and fear of the risks associated with infection. The primary objectives of the present study were to investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the parents of pediatric cancer patients, and the level of stress, anxiety, and the child’s quality of life perceived by the parents during the COVID-19 epidemic. The parents of 45 consecutive children with solid and hematological tumors were enrolled. Four questionnaires (Impact of Event Scale-Revised – IES-R; Perceived Stress Scale – PSS; Spielberger State – Trait Anxiety Inventory – STAI-Y; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory – PedsQL) were administered to the parents at the beginning of the pandemic lockdown. A 75% of parents exhibited remarkable levels of anxiety, with 60 subjects in state scale and 45 subjects in trait scale having scores that reached and exceeded the STAI-Y cut off. The bivariate matrix of correlation found a significant positive correlation between the IES-R and PSS scores (r = 0.55, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the PSS and PedsQL (emotional needs) scale (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between IES-R and STAI-Y (P < 0.001). The results confirm that parents of pediatric cancer patients have a high psychological risk for post-traumatic symptoms, high stress levels, and the presence of clinically significant levels of anxiety.
Clinical Correlates of Deliberate Self-Harm Among Migrant Trauma-Affected Subgroups
Authors: Baralla Francesca , Ventura Martina , Negay Nikolay , Di Napoli Anteo , Petrelli Alessio , Mirisola Concetta , Sarchiapone Marco
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Studies have shown that exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) during the migration process has serious consequences on mental health. Migrants with a history of PTEs are more likely to inflict deliberate self-harm (DSH), a spectrum of behavior that includes non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). With reference to a nonclinical sample of trauma-exposed migrants, this study aims to explore the prevalence of DSH and to assess the association with sociodemographic characteristics and clinical conditions, with particular attention to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, resilience capabilities, and feelings of hopelessness.

Methods: A sample of migrants underwent a baseline evaluation at an outpatient department of the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP). Migrants with a history of torture, rape, or other severe forms of psychological, physical, or sexual violence were invited to undergo screening at the Institute's Mental Health Unit. Trauma-exposed migrants completed a series of self-report questionnaires that assessed the presence of PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, resilience, and feelings of hopelessness, in addition to DSH. Univariate and multivariate log-binomial regression models were used to test the association of age and clinical characteristic of migrants with DSH. Prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and p-values were estimated.

Results: A total of 169 migrants (76.9% males), aged between 18 and 68 years, M = 28.93; SD = 8.77), were selected. Of the sample, 26.6% were frequently engaging in some form of DSH, and 30.2% were diagnosed with at least one trauma-related disorder. DSH behaviors were most common in single and unemployed migrants as well as in subjects with post-traumatic stress symptoms, feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, low capability of resilience, and suicidal ideation. Taking into account age and hopelessness, we found that PTSD and low resilience capabilities were associated with a higher risk of DSH [PR adj: 2.21; 95% CI: (1.30–3.75) and PR adj: 2.32; 95% CI: (1.16–4.62), respectively].

Conclusion: Given the association between trauma exposure and DSH among migrants, exploring the presence of DSH behavior within the immigrant community is crucial for the implementation of measures to develop intervention in a clinical setting.
Appraising the Implementation of Complexity Approaches Within the Public Health Sector in Scotland. An Assessment Framework for Pre-Implementation Policy Evaluation
Authors: Zucca Claudia , Long Emily , Hilton Jeremy , McCann Mark
Published: September 2021

Complexity approaches have gained international attention as potentially effective strategies to address population health challenges. In light of this, the Scottish government (Scot. Gov.) set the implementation of these approaches as the recommended practice for its public health sector organizations. This study evaluates the opportunity and feasibility of implementing complexity approaches in public health Scotland employees' everyday routine by employing a qualitative study that involves 20 stakeholders, representative of different organizations and roles. We made use of an assessment framework based on Soft Systems Methodology (SSm) and Normalization Process Theory (NPT) comprised of five phases: Phase One defines the boundaries, aims, and goals of the issue under study; Phase Two consists of data collection, drawing on the e-Health Implementation Toolkit (e-HIT); Phase Three involves short presentations and breakout group activities to provide information on the new policy; Phase Four employs system thinking tasks to structure debate and builds shared understanding among participants; Phase Five applies NPT to appraise the organizational position around complexity based on information from the preceding steps. We found two main obstacles to implementing complexity approaches: (1) a lack of a shared understanding of the key concepts in complexity and their practical implications; (2) stakeholders' fear of significant disruption to work routines and power relationships. We recommend addressing these issues with appropriate training and customization of goals and tools that may enable complexity approaches to succeed within the Scottish public health context. Our assessment framework allows the recognition of key mechanisms to support how Scotland's Public Health body can enhance the implementation of complexity approaches. The appraisal framework could be used to study early-stage policy implementation in other contexts.
The Virtuous Servant Owner—A Paradigm Whose Time has Come (Again)
Authors: Navon Mois
Published: September 2021

Social Robots are coming. They are being designed to enter our lives and help in everything from childrearing to elderly care, from household chores to personal therapy, and the list goes on. There is great promise that these machines will further the progress that their predecessors achieved, enhancing our lives and alleviating us of the many tasks with which we would rather not be occupied. But there is a dilemma. On the one hand, these machines are just that, machines. Accordingly, some thinkers propose that we maintain this perspective and relate to Social Robots as “tools”. Yet, in treating them as such, it is argued, we deny our own natural empathy, ultimately inculcating vicious as opposed to virtuous dispositions. Many thinkers thus apply Kant’s approach to animals—“he who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men”—contending that we must not maltreat robots lest we maltreat humans. On the other hand, because we innately anthropomorphize entities that behave with autonomy and mobility (let alone entities that exhibit beliefs, desires and intentions), we become emotionally entangled with them. Some thinkers actually encourage such relationships. But there are problems here also. For starters, many maintain that it is imprudent to have “empty,” unidirectional relationships for we will then fail to appreciate authentic reciprocal relationships. Furthermore, such relationships can lead to our being manipulated, to our shunning of real human interactions as “messy,” to our incorrectly allocating resources away from humans, and more. In this article, I review the various positions on this issue and propose an approach that I believe sits in the middle ground between the one extreme of treating Social Robots as mere machines versus the other extreme of accepting Social Robots as having human-like status. I call the approach “The Virtuous Servant Owner” and base it on the virtue ethics of the medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides.
Augmented Reality Meets Artificial Intelligence in Robotics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bassyouni Zahraa , Elhajj Imad H.
Published: September 2021

Recently, advancements in computational machinery have facilitated the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to almost every field and industry. This fast-paced development in AI and sensing technologies have stirred an evolution in the realm of robotics. Concurrently, augmented reality (AR) applications are providing solutions to a myriad of robotics applications, such as demystifying robot motion intent and supporting intuitive control and feedback. In this paper, research papers combining the potentials of AI and AR in robotics over the last decade are presented and systematically reviewed. Four sources for data collection were utilized: Google Scholar, Scopus database, the International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2020 proceedings, and the references and citations of all identified papers. A total of 29 papers were analyzed from two perspectives: a theme-based perspective showcasing the relation between AR and AI, and an application-based analysis highlighting how the robotics application was affected. These two sections are further categorized based on the type of robotics platform and the type of robotics application, respectively. We analyze the work done and highlight some of the prevailing limitations hindering the field. Results also explain how AR and AI can be combined to solve the model-mismatch paradigm by creating a closed feedback loop between the user and the robot. This forms a solid base for increasing the efficiency of the robotic application and enhancing the user’s situational awareness, safety, and acceptance of AI robots. Our findings affirm the promising future for robust integration of AR and AI in numerous robotic applications.
Methionine Deficiency Affects Liver and Kidney Health, Oxidative Stress, and Ileum Mucosal Immunity in Broilers
Authors: Song Baolin , Fu Min , He Fang , Zhao Huan , Wang Yu , Nie Qihang , Wu Bangyuan
Published: September 2021

Methionine (Met) is the first limiting amino acid in broiler diets, but its unclear physiological effects hamper its effective use in the poultry production industry. This study assessed the effect of a Met-deficient (MD) diet on chicken liver and kidney health, exploring the associated mechanisms of antioxidant capacity and ileum mucosal immunity. Seventy-two broilers were administered either the control diet (0.46% Met in starter diet, 0.36% Met in grower diet) or the MD diet (0.22% Met in starter diet, 0.24% Met in grower diet). Liver and kidney samples were collected every 14 days for anatomical, histological, and ultrastructural analyses, accompanied by oxidative stress assessment. Meanwhile, T- and B-lymphocyte abundance and essential cytokine gene expression were measured in the ileum, the center of the gut–liver–kidney axis. Signs of kidney and liver injury were observed morphologically in the MD group at 42 days of age. Furthermore, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and uric acid levels were decreased in the MD group compared with the control group, accompanied by decreased superoxide dismutase activity, increased malondialdehyde content, decreased numbers of T and B lymphocytes, and decreased cytokine expression in the ileum, such as IL-2, IL-6, LITAF, and IFN-γ. These results suggest that MD can induce kidney and liver injury, and the injury pathway might be related to oxidative stress and intestinal immunosuppression.
Clinical Value of TXNDC12 Combined With IDH and 1p19q as Biomarkers for Prognosis of Glioma
Authors: Wang Xinzhuang , Yang Quan , Liu Nan , Bian Qilong , Gao Ming , Hou Xu
Published: September 2021

Background: Glioma is the primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system and presents high mortality and disability rates under existing treatment measures. Thioredoxin domain-containing 12 (TXNDC12) has been shown to play an important role in various malignant tumors. Therefore, we explored the clinicopathological characteristics of TXNDC12 in glioma to bring to light new ideas in its treatment.

Methods: We obtained data packages related to TXNDC12 expression status in gliomas from public databases. We analyzed glioma TXNDC12 expression and patient survival status and validated the above results using glioma specimens from our institution. Next, we analyzed the value of TXNDC12 in combination with 1p19q and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) on the prognosis of glioma by regression model and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Finally, we explored the function of related genes by GO analysis and KEGG analysis.

Results: Compared with normal brain tissue, the expression of TXNDC12 in glioma cells, regarding both mRNA and protein levels, was significantly upregulated. The survival time of patients with high-expression of TXNDC12 in glioma cells was shortened. In the World Health Organization pathological classification, IDH status, 1p19q status, and IDH combined with 1p19q subgroups, the expression of TXNDC12 increased with the deterioration of the above indicators. Tumor local immune analysis showed that the immune cell infiltration in TXNDC12 high-expressing glioma tissue increased, the tumor purity was reduced. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that TXNDC12 may be involved in the malignant prognosis of glioma through glycosylation and antigen processing and presentation.

Conclusion: We showed that TXNDC12 is significantly highly expressed in gliomas. This high expression predicts the poor prognosis of glioma patients and is related to the gliomas’ local immune microenvironment. As a tumor-related gene, TXNDC12 may be used as a new prognostic judgment molecule.
Impact of Internet Information on Apple Growers’ Adaptive Behaviors to Frost Disasters: Theory and Empirical Research from the Perspective of Psychological Perception
Authors: Yang Haiyu , Cai Wencong , Liu Jundi , Huo Xuexi
Published: September 2021

As an effective tool for farmers to obtain agricultural information, the Internet has a profound impact on apple growers’ perception of frost disasters and their adaptive behaviors. This paper constructed the theoretical analysis framework of “Apple growers’ internet information acquisition-psychological perception-adaptive behavior to frost disaster”, based on the data of 1020 apple growers in Shaanxi Province, empirically analyzing the impact of Internet information on apple growers’ adaptive behaviors to frost disasters and its mechanism by the IV probit model and the intermediary effect model. The research found that the Internet information can significantly promote the apple growers’ adaptive behaviors to frost disasters and has different effects on apple growers with different income levels and different management capabilities. Risk perception, effect perception, and risk attitudes have significant intermediary effects in the influence of the Internet information on apple growers’ adaptive behaviors to frost disasters. Therefore, when governments take advantage of the Internet platform to help apple growers cope with frost disasters, they should fully consider the socio-economic conditions and psychological perception factors of apple growers and formulate targeted adaptation strategies.
Telomere Length and Regulatory Genes as Novel Stress Biomarkers and Their Diversities in Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Subjected to Corticosterone Feeding
Authors: Badmus Kazeem Ajasa , Idrus Zulkifli , Meng Goh Yong , Sazili Awis Qurni , Mamat-Hamidi Kamalludin
Published: September 2021

This study was designed to characterize telomere length and its regulatory genes and to evaluate their potential as well-being biomarkers. Chickens were fed a diet containing corticosterone (CORT) for 4 weeks and performances, organ weight, plasma CORT levels, telomere lengths and regulatory genes were measured and recorded. Body weights of CORT-fed chickens were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05), and organ weights and circulating CORT plasma levels (p < 0.05) were altered. Interaction effect of CORT and duration was significant (p < 0.05) on heart and liver telomere length. CORT significantly (p < 0.05) shortened the telomere length of the whole blood, muscle, liver and heart. The TRF1, chTERT, TELO2 and HSF1 were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in the liver and heart at week 4 although these genes and TERRA were downregulated in the muscles at weeks 2 and 4. Therefore, telomere lengths and their regulators are associated and diverse, so they can be used as novel biomarkers of stress in broiler chickens fed with CORT.
Organic versus Conventional Raw Cow Milk as Material for Processing
Authors: Brodziak Aneta , Wajs Joanna , Zuba-Ciszewska Maria , Król Jolanta , Stobiecka Magdalena , Jańczuk Anna
Published: September 2021

Milk, as one of the basic raw materials of animal origin, must be of adequate hygienic and physicochemical quality for processing. The aim of the article was to compare the quality of raw milk from three production systems, intensive, traditional (together referred to as conventional), and organic, as material for processing, as well as the quality of products made from it. Particular attention was focused on hygienic quality (somatic cell count and total bacterial count), physical characteristics (acidity), basic nutritional value (content of dry matter, total protein, casein, fat, and lactose), content of health-promoting substances (whey proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals), and technological parameters (rennet clotting time, heat stability, and protein-to-fat ratio). Research assessing the quality of organic milk and dairy products is significantly less extensive (if available at all) than for milk from conventional production (intensive and traditional). The available reports indicate that raw milk from organic farms is more valuable, especially in terms of the content of health-promoting compounds, including vitamins, fatty acids, whey proteins, and minerals. This applies to organic dairy products as well, mainly cheese and yoghurt. This is explained by the fact that organic farming requires that animals are kept in the pasture. However, the hygienic quality of the raw milk, and often the products as well, raises some concerns; for this reason, organic milk producers should be supported in this regard, e.g., through consultancy and training in Good Hygienic Practices. Importantly, milk production in the traditional and organic systems is in line with the concept of the European Green Deal.
Antibiofilm Potential of Medicinal Plants against Candida spp. Oral Biofilms: A Review
Authors: Guimarães Rafaela , Milho Catarina , Liberal Ângela , Silva Jani , Fonseca Carmélia , Barbosa Ana , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Alves Maria José , Barros Lillian
Published: September 2021

The use of natural products to promote health is as old as human civilization. In recent years, the perception of natural products derived from plants as abundant sources of biologically active compounds has driven their exploitation towards the search for new chemical products that can lead to further pharmaceutical formulations. Candida fungi, being opportunistic pathogens, increase their virulence by acquiring resistance to conventional antimicrobials, triggering diseases, especially in immunosuppressed hosts. They are also pointed to as the main pathogens responsible for most fungal infections of the oral cavity. This increased resistance to conventional synthetic antimicrobials has driven the search for new molecules present in plant extracts, which have been widely explored as alternative agents in the prevention and treatment of infections. This review aims to provide a critical view and scope of the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of several medicinal plants, revealing species with inhibition/reduction effects on the biofilm formed by Candida spp. in the oral cavity. The most promising plant extracts in fighting oral biofilm, given their high capacity to reduce it to low concentrations were the essential oils extracted from Allium sativum L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume. and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.
Current Status of Endolysin-Based Treatments against Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Gontijo Marco Túlio Pardini , Jorge Genesy Perez , Brocchi Marcelo
Published: September 2021

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a public health concern. Bacteriophages and bacteriophage-derived lytic enzymes have been studied in response to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The availability of tRNAs and endolysin toxicity during recombinant protein expression is circumvented by codon optimization and lower expression levels using inducible pET-type plasmids and controlled cultivation conditions, respectively. The use of polyhistidine tags facilitates endolysin purification and alters antimicrobial activity. Outer membrane permeabilizers, such as organic acids, act synergistically with endolysins, but some endolysins permeate the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria per se. However, the outer membrane permeation mechanisms of endolysins remain unclear. Other strategies, such as the co-administration of endolysins with polymyxins, silver nanoparticles, and liposomes confer additional outer membrane permeation. Engineered endolysins comprising domains for outer membrane permeation is also a strategy used to overcome the current challenges on the control of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Metagenomics is a new strategy for screening endolysins with interesting antimicrobial properties from uncultured phage genomes. Here, we review the current state of the art on the heterologous expression of endolysin, showing the potential of bacteriophage endolysins in controlling bacterial infections.
Glutathione Peroxidase 8 Suppression by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Enhances Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Cell Death by Oxidative Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Lee Hae-Ahm , Chu Ki-Back , Moon Eun-Kyung , Quan Fu-Shi
Published: September 2021

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are emerging as anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) agents. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying HDACi-induced sensitization to oxidative stress and cell death of HCC remain elusive. We hypothesized that HDACi reduces the anti-oxidative stress capacity of HCC, rendering it more susceptible to oxidative stress and cell death. Change in the transcriptome of HCC was analyzed by RNA-seq and validated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot. Cell death of HCC was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Protein localization and binding on the target gene promoters were investigated by immunofluorescence (IF) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), respectively. Glutathione peroxidase 8 (GPX8) was highly down-regulated in HCC upon oxidative stress and HDACi co-treatment. Oxidative stress and HDACi enhanced the expression and transcriptional activities of ER-stress-related genes. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) supplementation reversed the oxidative stress and HDACi-induced apoptosis in HCC. HDACi significantly enhanced the effect of ER stressors on HCC cell death. GPX8 overexpression reversed the activation of ER stress signaling and apoptosis induced by oxidative stress and HDACi. In conclusion, HDACi suppresses the expression of GPX8, which sensitizes HCC to ER stress and apoptosis by oxidative stress.
Archaeoecology. The Application of Palaeoenvironmental Sciences for the Reconstruction of Human–Environment Interactions
Authors: Revelles Jordi
Published: September 2021

The study of human–environment interactions is one of the mainstream topics in archaeological research, with increasing interest in the context of current societal challenges concerning environmental shifts related to climate change, sea-level rise, extreme natural events and also the exponential increase in anthropisation in recent decades [...]
Ultrafast Ultrasound-Derived Muscle Strain Measure Correlates with Carotid Local Pulse Wave Velocity in Habitual Resistance-Trained Individuals
Authors: Lin Hsin-Fu , Liao Yi-Hung , Li Pai-Chi
Published: September 2021

Purpose: this study investigated the effects of the intensity of machine-based bicep curl resistance exercise on ultrafast ultrasound-derived muscle strain rate and carotid ultrafast pulse wave velocity (ufPWV), and examined the association between muscle strain rate, ufPWV, and established carotid function measures in habitual resistance-trained individuals. Methods: twenty-three young habitual resistance-trained males (age: 24 ± 1 year, body mass index = 24 ± 1 kg/m2) were recruited to participate in two bouts of acute bicep curl exercise. After one-repetition maximum determination (1RM), the participants were randomly assigned to engage in bicep curls at 40 or 80%1RM intensity (10 reps × five sets) by a crossover study design. The muscle strain rate of bicep muscle, carotid ufPWV during systole(ufPWV-sys), and diastole (ufPWV-dia) were obtained pre- and post-exercise. In addition, carotid function measures were calculated by obtained carotid diameter and central blood pressure changes. Results: compared with pre-exercise, the reduction in post-exercise muscle strain rate and its area under the curve of 80%1RM was greater than those of 40%1RM. Both ufPWV-sys and ufPWV-dia increased regardless of exercise intensity. Baseline bicep muscle strain rate correlated not only with ufPWV-sys (r = −0.71, p = 0.001), ufPWV-dia (r = −0.74, p = 0.001), but also carotid compliance (r = 0.49, p = 0.02), distensibility (r = 0.54, p = 0.01) and ß stiffness (r= −0.84, p < 0.0001). The ufPWVs also correlated with ß stiffness (r = 0.64–0.76, p = 0.01). Conclusion: muscle stiffness measured by ultrafast ultrasound elastography increases positively with resistance exercise intensity, and it appears to correlate with carotid ufPWV and established carotid function measures in habitual resistance-trained individuals.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Electricity Prices in Italy, the Czech Republic, and China
Authors: Ghanem Safwan , Fandi Ghaeth , Krepl Vladimír , Husein Tarek , Rzek Osama , Muller Zdenek , Kyncl Jan , Tlustý Josef , Smutka Luboš
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 is likely to be the 2020s’ deadliest pandemic according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There have been more than 3.7 million confirmed deaths after 15 months spread. Besides the loss of human lives, COVID-19 has other unfavorable impacts on society, education, and the economy. Due to successive lockdowns and the continuous quarantines, the demands on power resources have reduced. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity prices (EP). In this paper, a set of six economic factors that are affected by COVID-19 and affect EP are considered. These factors were fed into a functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) to model the relationships between them and the EP. An empirical equation was formulated to help decision makers and strategic developers in the electricity markets come up with more appropriate plans. Italy, the Czech Republic, and China were used as case studies in this research.