bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influencia de la actividad física en la autoestima y riesgo de dependencia en personas mayores activas y sedentarias.
Authors: Moral-García José E. , Orgaz García Daniel , López García Sergio , Amatria Jiménez Mario , Maneiro Dios Rubén
Published: January 2018

The objective of the study was to know how the practice of physical activity influences self-esteem and the level of risk dependence in old age, differentiating between the control group (sedentary) and experimental group (active). Participants were 168 people over 65 years of age, 84 of whom were classified as active and the remaining 84 were completely sedentary. To analyze self-esteem, Rosenberg’s Personal Self-Esteem Scale was used whereas Barber's helped to assess the risk of dependence. Positive self-esteem is higher in the active (GE: 3.25 ± .45 vs. GC: 3.14 ± .47) but negative in the sedentary group (GC: 2.23 ± .48 vs. GE: 2.20 ± .52). There were significant differences (p ≤ .001) between the subjects of the CG (2.93 ± 1.67) and those of the EG (1.65 ± 1.03), with the latter showing a lower risk of dependence. There was a positive association between physical activity and positive self-esteem (r = .244; p ≤ .01), as well as between physical activity and the Barber index (r = -.425; p ≤ .001). In conclusion, regular physical activity should be encouraged to improve the level of self-esteem and minimize the risk of dependence on older people.
Estilos de aprendizaje en estudiantes universitarios y enseñanza centrada en el aprendizaje
Authors: Gargallo-López Bernardo , Pérez-Pérez Cruz , Verde-Peleato Irene , García-Félix Eloïna
Published: January 2018

El objetivo de este trabajo era valorar el impacto de los métodos centrados en el aprendizaje, implementados por cuatro profesores/as, en los estilos de aprendizaje de los alumnos de la asignatura de Procesos y Contextos Educativos en el Máster de Educación Secundaria de la Universidad de Valencia. También se pretendía analizar la valoración del alumnado sobre los métodos utilizados. La muestra fue de 117 estudiantes, que cursaban estos estudios durante el curso 2014-15, repartidos en cuatro grupos de cuatro especialidades diferentes. Se usó un diseño cuasiexperimental, con medidas de pretest/postest, mediante el cuestionario ILS (Learning Styles Inventory) de Vermunt (1994); además, el alumnado valoró los métodos utilizados por sus profesores mediante un cuestionario cuantitativo. Los profesores utilizaron métodos centrados en el aprendizaje con diferentes formatos metodológicos en los cuatro grupos. Se constataron mejoras significativas en un número importante de las variables que analiza el cuestionario (aprendizaje profundo, autorregulación, orientación centrada en el interés personal, uso del conocimiento, cooperación, etc) en los cuatro grupos, siendo las diferencias mayores en los grupos 1 y 4 que en los grupos 2 y 3. Las comparaciones entre los grupos reflejaron diferencias significativas en el pretest entre los cuatro grupos, que no se dieron en el postest, igualándose los grupos. Los alumnos valoraron positivamente los métodos utilizados. Los resultados corroboraron la influencia positiva de los métodos centrados en el aprendizaje en los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes, y aportan ideas para la mejora de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje del alumnado universitario.
Women Write the Past: Medieval Scholarship, Old English and New Literature
Authors: Lees Clare A.
Published: January 2018

This article explores the contributions of women scholars, writers and artists to
our understanding of the medieval past. Beginning with a contemporary artists
book by Liz Mathews that draws on one of Boethius‘s Latin lyrics from the
Consolation of Philosophy as translated by Helen Waddell, it traces a network of
medieval women scholars of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries associated
with Manchester and the John Rylands Library, such as Alice Margaret Cooke and
Mary Bateson. It concludes by examining the translation of the Old English poem,
The Wife‘s Lament, by contemporary poet, Eavan Boland. The art of Liz Mathews
and poetry of Eavan Boland and the scholarship of women like Alice Cooke, Mary
Bateson, Helen Waddell and Eileen Power show that women‘s writing of the past –
creative, public, scholarly – forms a strand of an archive of women‘s history
that is still being put together.
Curious Novelties
Authors: Ingham Patricia Clare
Published: January 2018

Taking inspiration from a famous manuscript illumination of Fortunes Wheel, this
article argues for a reconsideration of diverse uses of repetition legible in
accounts of medieval curiosity, and in the association of curiosity with the
figure of the ape.
Reading Books in Natural Philosophy: How Conrad Gessner‘s Commentary on De Anima (1563) was Annotated and Interpreted
Authors: Goeing Anja-Silvia
Published: January 2018

Conrad Gessner (1516–65) was town physician and lecturer at the Zwinglian
reformed lectorium in Zurich. His approach towards the world and mankind was
centred on his preoccupation with the human soul, an object of study that had
challenged classical writers such as Aristotle and Galen, and which remained as
important in post-Reformation debate. Writing commentaries on Aristotles De
Anima (On the Soul) was part of early-modern natural philosophy education at
university and formed the preparatory step for studying medicine. This article
uses the case study of Gessners commentary on De Anima (1563) to explore how
Gessners readers prioritised De Animas information. Gessners intention was to
provide the students of philosophy and medicine with the most current and
comprehensive thinking. His readers responses raise questions about evolving
discussions in natural philosophy and medicine that concerned the foundations of
preventive healthcare on the one hand, and of anatomically specified
pathological medicine on the other, and Gessners part in helping these
develop.
Validation of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) in Pakistani healthcare professionals
Authors: Waqas Ahmed , Ahmad Waqas , Taggart Frances , Muhammad Zerwah , Bukhari Muhammad Hamza HB , Sami Shahzad Ahmed , Batool Sayyeda Mehak , Najeeb Fiza , Hanif Ayesha , Rizvi Zehra Ali , Ejaz Sumbul
Published: January 2018

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the psychometric properties of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale in Pakistani healthcare professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out from June, 2013 to December, 2014 among 1271 Pakistani health personnel (HCPs) belonging to seven different cities of Punjab province, Pakistan, to study the construct and reliability of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale in Pakistani population. All data were analyzed in SPSS v.21. Results: Our analysis demonstrated a unidimensional construct, a high internal consistency (0.89), good convergent validity and easy readability of WEMWBS among Pakistani HCPs. Conclusion: WEMWBS is both reliable and valid for use in Pakistani population.
Putative long distance gene flow and evidence of secondary outbreaks of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Tusso Sergio , Morcinek Kerstin , Vogler Catherine , Schupp Peter J , Caballes Ciemon F , Vargas Sergio , Woerheide Gert
Published: January 2018

Population outbreaks of the corallivorous crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), Acanthaster ‘planci’ L., are considered among the most important biological disturbances of tropical coral reefs. A local COTS outbreak, a “primary outbreak”, can lead to so-called “secondary outbreaks” in adjacent coral reefs due to increased larval release and subsequent dispersion. Previous analyses have shown that in the Pacific Ocean, this dispersion may be geographically restricted to certain regions. Guam, an island in the western Pacific region, suffered from several COTS outbreaks in the last 50 years, and in this study we test whether Guam is genetically connected with surrounding regions as a consequence of secondary outbreaks. We used microsatellites to measure gene flow and genetic structure among 14 localities in the Pacific Ocean. Our results show substantial genetic structure between geographical regions. There was, however, a lack of significant genetic differentiation between localities separated by large geographic distances (e.g., Guam, Kingman Reef and Johnston Atoll) – a finding consistent with the existence of contemporary long distance larval dispersion and the gradual erasing of ancestral signatures of divergence. Long distance larval dispersion suggests that secondary outbreaks occur across regions in the Pacific, and have occurred in the recent outbreaks in Guam. However, significant genetic differences among outbreak localities around the island of Guam were also detected, revealing the signature of both primary and secondary outbreaks. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing likely triggers of both primary and secondary outbreaks in conservation efforts and programs that strive to control the growth and spread of A. ‘planci’ in the Pacific Ocean.
Enriching scientific publications with interactive 3D PDF figures: A complete toolbox
Authors: Newe Axel
Published: January 2018

Three-dimensional (3D) data of many kinds is produced at an increasing rate throughout all scientific disciplines. The Portable Document Format (PDF) is the de-facto standard for the exchange of electronic documents and allows for embedding three-dimensional models. Therefore, it is a well suited medium for the visualization and the publication of this kind of data. The generation of the appropriate files has been cumbersome so far. This article presents the first release of a software toolbox which integrates the complete workflow for generating 3D model files and ready-to-publish 3D PDF documents for scholarly publications in a consolidated working environment. It can be used out-of-the-box as a simple working tool or as a basis for specifically tailored solutions. A comprehensive documentation, an example project and a project wizard facilitate the customization. It is available royalty-free and for Windows, MacOS and Linux.
Seasonally-timing pregnancy: an ecological perspective on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Zika virus
Authors: Martinez-Bakker Micaela E
Published: January 2018

Zika virus is an emerging pathogen vectored by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Zika virus can be transmitted from mother-to-child in utero and mounting evidence suggests it is responsible for the cluster of microcephaly in newborns in Brazil. There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the pathology of Zika virus during pregnancy. Based on 2015 birth rates, in 2016 there are expected to be > 8,600,000 births in countries with ongoing Zika virus transmission. In the face of this threat, the WHO is strategically targeting prevention of infection in pregnant women and funding contraception use in epidemic regions. In countries like Brazil, with millions of births per year, I propose that mother-to-child transmission of Zika virus can be curtailed by seasonally-timing pregnancy to minimize maternal exposure to Zika. Ae. aegypti has seasonal changes in its abundance and Flavivirus transmission competence. By seasonally planning pregnancy, this aspect of vector ecology can be leveraged to align sensitive periods of gestation with the low-transmission season.
scikit-image: Image processing in Python
Authors: van der Walt Stéfan , Schönberger Johannes L , Nunez-Iglesias Juan , Boulogne François , Warner Joshua D , Yager Neil , Gouillart Emmanuelle , Yu Tony ,   the scikit-image contributors
Published: January 2018

scikit-image is an image processing library that implements algorithms and utilities for use in research, education and industry applications. It is released under the liberal "Modified BSD" open source license, provides a well-documented API in the Python programming language, and is developed by an active, international team of collaborators. In this paper we highlight the advantages of open source to achieve the goals of the scikit-image library, and we showcase several real-world image processing applications that use scikit-image.
Fast and accurate estimation of the covariance between pairwise maximum likelihood distances
Authors: Gil Manuel
Published: January 2018

Pairwise evolutionary distances are a model-based summary statistic for a set of molecular sequences. They represent the leaf-to-leaf path lengths of the underlying phylogenetic tree. Estimates from pairwise distances with overlapping paths covary because of shared mutation events. In any process that compares or combines distances, it is desirable to take these covariance structure into account to increase precision. In this paper, we present fast estimator for the covariance of two pairwise distance estimates under general Markov models. The estimator is based on a conjecture (going back to Nei and Jin, 1989) which links the covariance to path lengths. We prove it here under a simple symmetric substitution model. In a simulation, we show that our estimator outperforms previously published ones in terms of the mean squared error.
To crowdfund research, scientists must build an audience for their work
Authors: Byrnes Jarrett E , Ranganathan Jai , Walker Barbara L. E. , Faulkes Zen
Published: January 2018

As rates of traditional sources of scientific funding decline, scientists have become increasingly interested in crowdfunding as a means of bringing in new money for research. In fields where crowdfunding has become a major venue for fundraising such as the arts and technology, building an audience for one’s work is key for successful crowdfunding. For science, to what extent does audience building, via engagement and outreach, increase a scientist’s abilities to bring in money via crowdfunding? Here we report on an analysis of the #SciFund Challenge, a crowdfunding experiment in which 159 scientists attempted to crowdfund their research. Using data gathered from a survey of participants, internet metrics, and logs of project donations, we find that public engagement is the key to crowdfunding success. Building an audience or “fanbase” and actively engaging with that audience as well as seeking to broaden the reach of one’s audience indirectly increases levels of funding. Audience size and effort interact to bring in more people to view a scientist’s project proposal, leading to funding. We discuss how projects capable of raising levels of funds commensurate with traditional funding agencies will need to incorporate direct involvement of the public with science. We suggest that if scientists and research institutions wish to tap this new source of funds, they will need to encourage and reward activities that allow scientists to engage with the public.
Additive global cerebral blood flow normalization in arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging
Authors: Stewart Stephanie B , Koller Jonathan M , Campbell Meghan C , Perlmutter Joel S , Black Kevin J
Published: January 2018

To determine how different methods of normalizing for global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) affect image quality and sensitivity to cortical activation, pulsed arterial spin labeling (pASL) scans obtained during a visual task were normalized by either additive or multiplicative normalization of modal gCBF. Normalization by either method increased the statistical significance of cortical activation by a visual stimulus. However, image quality was superior with additive normalization by visual inspection, by comparing intensity histograms, and by reduction of the variability within gray and white matter.
A process to support species conservation planning and climate change readiness in protected areas
Authors: Angeli Nicole , Otegui Javier , Wood Margot , Gomez-Ruiz Emma P.
Published: January 2018

Global change will causes species range shifts, affecting species interactions. The conservation implications of species range shifts are widely unknown. Through forming an ecology-bioinformatics partnership at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center-Encyclopedia of Life-Biodiversity Heritage Library Research Sprint, we developed an analytical pipeline to test whether global trends are forcing shifts of mutually dependent species in different spatial directions. We calculated potential overlap between dependent species across climate scenarios within protected areas. We selected the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) and its nesting host tree the Giant Almendro (Dipteryx panamensis) as a proof-of-concept species pair that will be affected by range shifts. We demonstrate with modeling that the Great Green Macaw will lose approximately 64.0% of suitable habitat in future scenarios, while the Giant Almendro will lose 59.7% of suitable habitat. Species habitat overlaps across 85.3 % of its currently predicted distribution and 69.07% of the remaining habitat predicted in future scenarios. After accounting for spatially explicit protected areas networks, only 20.3% and 40.2 % of remaining habitat persists within protected areas across climate scenarios for the Almendro and Macaw, respectively, and 19.9 % of that habitat overlaps between the species. Currently, we are conducting a literature review to select and expand our list of species for use in the pipeline to detect trends for climate readiness planning in protected areas networks. The analytical pipeline will produce habitat suitability maps for multiple climate scenarios based on current distributions, and these maps will potentially be embedded into the Encyclopedia of Life as free, downloadable files. This is just one of several broader impact products from the research. This work demonstrates that modeling the future distribution of species is limited by biotic interactions and conservation planning should account for climate change scenarios.
Analysis of pollen-specific alternative splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana via semi-quantitative PCR
Authors: Estrada April D , Freese Nowlan H , Loraine Ann E
Published: January 2018

Alternative splicing enables a single gene to produce multiple mRNA isoforms by varying splice site selection. In animals, alternative splicing of mRNA isoforms between cell types is widespread and supports cellular differentiation. In plants, at least 20% of multi-exon genes are alternatively spliced, but the extent and significance of tissue-specific splicing is less well understood, partly because the cell wall makes it difficult to isolate cells of a single type. Pollen is a useful model system to study tissue-specific splicing in higher plants because pollen grains contain only two cell types and can be collected in large amounts without damaging cells. Previously, we identified pollen-specific splicing patterns by comparing RNA-Seq data from Arabidopsis pollen and leaves. Here, we used semi-quantitative PCR to validate pollen-specific splicing patterns among genes where RNA-Seq data analysis indicated splicing was most different between pollen and leaves. PCR testing confirmed eight of nine alternative splicing patterns, and results from the ninth were inconclusive. In four genes, alternative transcriptional start sites coincided with alternative splicing. For most genes, RNA-Seq and PCR-based estimates of the different splice variants were similar, highlighting the value of the low-cost PCR assay as a method of validating RNA-Seq results.[b]
Using life history trade-offs to understand core-transient structuring of a small mammal community
Authors: Supp Sarah R , Koons David N. , Ernest S. K. Morgan
Published: January 2018

An emerging conceptual framework suggests that communities are comprised of two main groups of species: core species that are temporally persistent, and transient species that are temporally intermittent. Core and transient species have been shown to differ in spatiotemporal turnover, diversity patterns, and importantly, survival strategies targeted at local vs. regional habitat use. While the core-transient framework has typically been a site-specific designation for species, we suggest that if core and transient species have local vs. regional survival strategies across sites, and consistently differ in population-level spatial structure and gene flow, they may also exhibit different life-history strategies. Specifically, core species should display relatively low dispersal rates, low reproductive effort, high ecological specialization and high survival rates compared to transient species, which may display a wider range of traits given that transience may result from source-sink dynamics or from the ability to emigrate readily. We present results from 21 years of capture-mark-recapture data in a diverse rodent community, evaluating the linkages between temporal persistence, local abundance, and trade-offs among life-history traits. Core species at our site conservatively supported our hypotheses, differing in ecological specialization, survival and dispersal probabilities, and reproductive effort from transient species. Transient species exhibited a wider range of characteristics, which likely stems from the multiple processes generating source-sink dynamics and nomadic transience in local communities. We suggest that trait associations among core-transient species may be similar in other systems and warrants further study.
Population dynamics of harmful algal blooms in Lake Champlain: A tale of two phases
Authors: Hart Edmund , Gotelli Nicholas , Gorney Rebecca , Watzin Mary
Published: January 2018

Understanding the dynamics of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in lakes can inform management strategies to reduce their economic and health impacts. Previous studies have analyzed spatially replicated samples from a single time or have fit phenomenological models to time series data. We fit mechanistic population models to test the effects of critical nutrient concentrations and the density of potential algal competitors on population growth parameters in HABs in Lake Champlain, U.S.A. We fit models to five years (2003-2006, 2008) of weekly cyanobacteria counts. Plankton dynamics exhibited two phases of population growth: an initial “bloom phase” of rapid population growth and a subsequent “post-bloom phase” of stochastic decline. Population growth rates in the bloom phase were strongly density dependent and increased with increasing TN:TP ratios. The post-bloom phase was largely stochastic and was not obviously related to nutrient concentrations. Because TN:TP was important only in the initial phase of population growth, correlative analyses of the relationship between cyanobacteria blooms and nutrient concentrations may be especially sensitive to when snapshot data are collected. Limiting nutrient inputs early in the season could be an effective management strategy for suppressing or reducing the bloom phase of cyanobacteria population growth.
Quantization of mental stress using various physiological markers
Authors: Apoorvagiri  , Nagananda Mandya Sannegowda , Veerabhadrappa Sondekere Tippeswamy
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study is to quantize mental stress by integrating different physiological markers like reaction time, photoplethysmograph (PPG), heart rate variability (HRV) and subjective markers like questionnaire. The study included 10 subjects of age between 22 and 26 years. Study materials include the results of PSS questionnaire, simple reaction time, PPG data, HRV data during a stress inducing stroop test. The study suggests that mental stress can be quantized when stress is induced acquisitively and more accurate quantification of stress can be achieved by integrating many physiological parameters.
Nine simple ways to make it easier to (re)use your data
Authors: White Ethan P , Baldridge Elita , Brym Zachary T , Locey Kenneth J , McGlinn Daniel J , Supp Sarah R
Published: January 2018

Sharing data is increasingly considered to be an important part of the scientific process. Making your data publicly available allows original results to be reproduced and new analyses to be conducted. While sharing your data is the first step in allowing reuse, it is also important that the data be easy understand and use. We describe nine simple ways to make it easy to reuse the data that you share and also make it easier to work with it yourself. Our recommendations focus on making your data understandable, easy to analyze, and readily available to the wider community of scientists.
A rapid assessment of HIV post-disclosure experiences of urban school-aged children in Kenya
Authors: Gachanja Grace
Published: January 2018

Some HIV affected families in Kenya have a combination of HIV-positive and negative children within the household. HIV-positive and negative children are known to experience variable effects following disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses respectively. Most studies conducted on the effects of disclosure on children have been with HIV-positive children and mother-child dyads. There has been limited involvement of HIV-negative children in HIV disclosure studies in Sub-Saharan Africa. A larger study was conducted to understand the lived experiences of HIV-positive parents and their children during the disclosure process in Kenya. Seven HIV-positive and five HIV-negative children participated in that study. In the current study, the experiences of these 12 children after receiving disclosure of their own and their parents’ illnesses respectively are presented. Each child underwent an in-depth qualitative semi-structured digitally recorded interview. The recorded interviews were transcribed and loaded into NVivo8 for phenomenological data analysis. Five themes emerged from the data showing that HIV-positive and negative children have varying post-disclosure experiences revolving around acceptance of illness, stigma and discrimination, medication consumption, sexual awareness, and use of coping mechanisms. HIV-negative children accepted their parents’ illnesses faster than HIV-positive children accepted their own illnesses; the later also reported facing more stigma and discrimination. HIV-negative children wanted their parents to take their medications, stay healthy, and pay their school fees; HIV-positive children viewed medication consumption as an ordeal necessary to keep them healthy. HIV-negative children wanted their parents to speak to them about sexual-related matters; HIV-positive children had lingering questions about relationships, use of condoms, marriage, and childbearing options. The majority of children coped by speaking about their circumstances to a person close to them and also self-withdrawing to be by themselves when feeling overwhelmed. Pending further studies conducted with larger sample sizes, the results of this study can be used by healthcare professionals to better facilitate disclosure between HIV-positive parents and their children of mixed HIV statuses.
Genotoxic evaluation of Mexican welders occupationally exposed to welding-fumes using the micronucleus test on exfoliated oral mucosa cells: a cross-sectional, case-control study
Authors: Jara-Ettinger Ana C. , López Tavera Juan C. , Zavala-Cerna Guadalupe , Torres-Bugarín Olivia
Published: January 2018

Background: An estimated of 800,000 people worldwide are occupationally exposed to welding-fumes. Previous studies show that the exposure to such fumes is associated with damage to genetic material and increased cancer risk. In this study, we evaluate the genotoxic effect of welding-fumes using the Micronucleus Test on oral mucosa cells of Mexican welders.

Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, matched case-control study of n = 39 (20 exposed welders, and 19 healthy controls). Buccal mucosa smears were collected and stained with acridine orange, observed under 100x optical amplification with a fluorescence lamp, and a single-blinded observer counted the number of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities per 2000 observed cells. We compared the frequencies of micronuclei and other nuclear abnormalities, and fitted generalised linear models to investigate the interactions between nuclear abnormalities and the exposure to welding-fumes, while controlling for smoking and age.

Results: Binucleated cells and condensed-chromatin cells showed statistically significant differences between cases and controls. The frequency of micronuclei and the rest of nuclear abnormalities (lobed-nuclei, pyknosis, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis) did not differ significantly between the groups. After adjusting for smoking and age, the regression results showed that the occurrence of binucleated cells could be predicted by the exposure to welding-fumes plus the age and tobacco consumption; for the condensed-chromatin cells, our model showed that the exposure to welding-fumes is the only reliable predictor.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Mexican welders who are occupationally exposed to welding-fumes have increased counts of binucleated and condensed-chromatin cells. Nevertheless, the frequencies of micronuclei and the rest of nuclear abnormalities did not differ between cases and controls. Further studies, with bigger sample sizes and less variability, could shed more light on this subject.
A new method for eliminating blur caused by the rotational motion of the images
Authors: Sanipour Seyed Mohammad Ali , Ahadi Akhlaghi Iman
Published: January 2018

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate a new method for blur elimination caused by rotational motion of any object, assuming that the center and the angle of the rotation are known. In this new method, which is called Enhanced Rotational De-convolution Conjugate Gradient (ERD-CG), first we enhanced the RD method for the blurred images, and then we combined the ERD method with the CG method (which is the reconstruction of iterative method). The experimental results are promising and show that the proposed method outperforms both RD and CG, significantly.
Development of a cognitive bias methodology for measuring depression-like mood in chimpanzees
Authors: Bateson Melissa , Nettle Daniel
Published: January 2018

There is an ethical and scientific need for objective, well-validated measures of depression-like mood in captive chimpanzees. We describe the development of a novel cognitive task designed to measure ‘pessimistic’ bias in judgments of expectation of reward, a cognitive marker of depressed mood previously validated in a wide range of species, and report training and test data from three common chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes). The chimpanzees were trained on an arbitrary visual discrimination in which lifting a pale grey paper cone was associated with reinforcement with a peanut, whereas lifting a dark grey cone was associated with no reward. The discrimination was trained by sequentially presenting the two cone types until significant differences in latency to touch the cone types emerged, and was confirmed by simultaneously presenting both cone types inchoice trials. Subjects were subsequently tested on their latency to touch unrewarded cones of three intermediate shades of grey not previously seen. Pessimism was indicated by the similarity between the latency to touch intermediate cones and the latency to touch the trained, unreinforced, dark grey cones. Three subjects completed training and testing, two adult males and one adult female. All subjects learnt the discrimination (107-240 trials), and retained it during five sessions of testing. There was no evidence that latencies to lift intermediate cones increased over testing, as would have occurred if subjects learnt that these were never rewarded, suggesting that the task could be used for repeated testing of individual animals. There was a significant difference between subjects in their relative latencies to touch intermediate cones (pessimism index) that emerged following the second test session, and was not changed by the addition of further data. The most dominant male subject was least pessimistic, and the female most pessimistic, suggesting a possible correlation between social dominance and pessimism that would need to be confirmed with data from further subjects.
Stay-green traits of hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) below and above ear during grain filling, and their association with grain yields in winter in subtropical foot plain of Nepalese Himalaya
Authors: Adhikari Nav Raj , Ghimire Surya Kant , Sah Shrawan Kumar , Koirala Keshab Babu Babu
Published: January 2018

Introduction: Plant breeders are in search of marker trait for high grain yielding genotypes or hybrids or populations in cross pollinating crop species like maize. Leaves that stay green long have been found grain yield attributing. But, recent studies have depicted either long, or short stay-green (SG) are high grain yielding. So, the research has been designed to examine a variety of SG traits during entire grain filling and their association to grain yields (GYs) among the fifteen newly bred single cross maize hybrids. Materials and methods: An RCBD trial of three replications was conducted planting seeds of the hybrids on October 3, 2012 at Rampur, Chitwan in the subtropical foot plain of Nepalese Himalaya. The sowing date of the trial was arranged to expose flowering and grain filling to natural winter. Results and discussion: Polynomial regression equations (PREs) obtained between GYs and numbers of green leaves below ear (BtmGrn) on 110, 125 and 140th day during GF of the FHs (fifteen hybrids) had coefficient of determination (r2) less than 18%. Although it is so, there is still two diagnostic association curves for high grain yielding hybrids (GYHs) 8, 12, 11, 13, 5, 6 and 7 and medium to low GYHs 10, 1, 14, 2, 9, 15, 4 and 3 separately. After the date, high GYHs still displayed association curve between GYs and BtmGrn. In addition; PREs obtained between GYs and numbers of green leaves above ear (TopE0Grn) during entire GF of the FHs had r2 19 to 53%. Although it is so, there is still separate diagnostic association curve for high GYHs 8, 12, 11, 13, 5, 6 and 7; and medium to low GYHs 10, 1, 14, 2, 9, 15, 4 and 3. High GYHs and medium to low GYHs similarly displayed different association curve between GYs and numbers of total green leaves (GrnLves) on 110 to 155th day during entire GF and that had r2 equal to 21 to 53%. Although r2 of the PRE formed between GYs and days for net ear senescence duration (ErSenDur) has been found higher than PREs formed for days for ear senescence completion (ErSenCmp) and net ear senescence duration (ErSenDur); two meaningful separate quadratic curves can form between ErSenIni and GYs of high GYHs and medium to low GYHs. Curve formed between GYs and days for 0% green PP (plant population) (days for 100% PP senescence) of the FHs reflect strong positive correlation and almost straight line regression among fourteen hybrids except the highest GYH 8. Although the hybrid 8 lost SG almost earliest, but its GY has been found highest. It means that the hybrid had highly photosynthetic leaves to contribute to high GY. But; fourteen high to low GYHs are inside the strong positive correlation pattern except GYH 8. So, number of days required by hybrids for 0% SG PP can be positive marker for selection of high GYHs.
Intrasaccadic perception triggers pupillary constriction
Authors: Mathôt Sebastiaan , Melmi Jean-Baptiste , Castet Eric
Published: January 2018

It is commonly believed that vision is impaired during saccadic eye movements. However, here we report that some visual stimuli are clearly visible during saccades, and trigger a constriction of the eye's pupil. Participants viewed sinusoid gratings that changed polarity 150 times per second (every 6.67 ms). At this rate of flicker, the gratings were perceived as homogeneous surfaces while participants fixated. However, the flickering gratings contained ambiguous motion: rightward and leftward motion for vertical gratings; upward and downward motion for horizontal gratings. When participants made a saccade perpendicular to the gratings' orientation (e.g., a leftward saccade for a vertical grating), the eye's peak velocity matched the gratings' motion. As a result, the retinal image was approximately stable for a brief moment during the saccade, and this gave rise to an intrasaccadic percept: A normally invisible stimulus became visible when eye velocity was maximal. Our results confirm and extend previous studies by demonstrating intrasaccadic perception using a reflexive measure (pupillometry) that does not rely on subjective report. We suggest that visual perception during saccades is best understood in terms of predictive coding: The retinal motion that occurs during saccades is predictable, offers no evidence for motion in the environment, and is therefore not perceived. But when intrasaccadic visual input violates predictions, a clear intrasaccadic percept arises.
The relationships between exercise and affective states: a naturalistic, longitudinal study of recreational runners
Authors: Bonham Tim , Pepper Gillian V. , Nettle Daniel
Published: January 2018

Background

Although people generally feel more positive and more energetic in the aftermath of exercise than before, longitudinal research on how exercise relates to within-person fluctuations in affect over the course of everyday life is still relatively limited. One constraint on doing such research is the need to provide participants with accelerometers to objectively record their exercise, and pagers to capture affective reports.

Aims

We aimed to develop a methodology for studying affect and exercise using only technology that participants already possess, namely GPS running watches and smartphones. Using this methodology, we aimed to characterize within-individual fluctuations in affective valence and arousal in relation to bouts of exercise, and explore possible moderators of these fluctuations.

Methods

We recruited a sample of 38 recreational runners. Participants provided daily affective reports for six weeks using their smartphones. Information on their runs was harvested from their own GPS devices via an online platform for athletes.

Results

Average valence and arousal were higher on days when the person had run than on the next day, and higher the day after a run than on the days after that. Over the course of the day of a run, valence and arousal declined significantly as the time since the run increased. Physically fitter participants had more positive valence overall, and this was particularly true when they had not run recently. There was some evidence of higher-dose (i.e., longer and faster) runs being associated with lower arousal on the next and subsequent days. Gender did not moderate associations between running and valence or arousal.

Discussion

Our study demonstrated the potential for studying the associations between affect and exercise in a way that is precise, undemanding for participants, and convenient for researchers, using technologies that participants already own and use.
Decision Support for Clinician Referral of Patients With Potential BRCA1/2 Mutations for Genetic Counseling
Authors: Kukafka Rita , Pan Samuel , Silverman Thomas , Chung Wendy K. , Terry Mary Beth , Fleck Elaine , Younge Richard G. , Dimond Jill , Crew Katherine D.
Published: October 2024

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial reports primary care clinician outcomes of decision support tools for referral of patients with potential BRCA1/2 mutations for genetic counseling.
Chronic active lesions preferentially localize in watershed territories in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Toubasi Ahmad A. , Eisma Jarrod J. , Wang Jiacheng , Kazimuddin Habeeb F. , Hernandez Bryan , Vinarsky Taegan , Gheen Caroline , Rohm Zachary , Koch Carynn , Clarke Margareta A. , Cheek Rachael , Kramer John , Eaton James , Donahue Manus J. , Bagnato Francesca
Published: October 2024

Objective

Paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) are a biomarker of chronic active lesions (CALs), and an important driver of neurological disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). The reason subtending some acute lesions evolvement into CALs is not known. Here we ask whether a relatively lower oxygen content is linked to CALs.

Methods

In this prospective cross‐sectional study, 64 people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), clinically isolated syndrome and radiologically isolated syndrome underwent a 7.0 Tesla (7 T) brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The scanning protocol included a T2‐w fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and a single echo gradient echo from which susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) was derived. WM lesions were identified on the T2‐w‐FLAIR whilst PRLs were identified on the SWI sequence. T2‐lesions were classified as PRLs and rimless lesions (PRLs‐). We registered a universal vascular atlas to each subject's T2‐w‐FLAIR and classified each T2‐lesions according to its location into watershed‐ (ws), non‐watershed‐ (nws), and mixed‐lesion (m). Ws‐lesions were defined as lesions that were fully located in a region between the territories of two major arteries.

Results

Out of 1,975 T2‐lesions, 88 (4.5%) were PRLs. Ws‐regions had a higher number (p = 0.005) and proportion (p < 0.001) of PRLs‐ compared to nws‐regions. Ws‐PRL‐ were larger compared to nws‐ones (p = 0.009). The number (p = 0.043) and proportion (p < 0.001) of PRLs was higher in ws‐regions compared to nws‐ones. Ws‐PRLs were not significantly larger than nws‐ones (p = 0.195).

Interpretation

We propose the novel concept of a link between arterial vascularization and chronic activity in MS by demonstrating a preferential localization of CALs in ws‐territories.
Drug‐Induced Differential Gene Expression Analysis on Nanoliter Droplet Microarrays: Enabling Tool for Functional Precision Oncology
Authors: El Khaled EL Faraj Razan , Chakraborty Shraddha , Zhou Meijun , Sobol Morgan , Thiele David , Shatford‐Adams Lilly M , Correa Cassal Maximiano , Kaster Anne‐Kristin , Dietrich Sascha , Levkin Pavel A. , Popova Anna A.
Published: October 2024

Drug‐induced differential gene expression analysis (DGEA) is essential for uncovering the molecular basis of cell phenotypic changes and understanding individual tumor responses to anticancer drugs. Performing high throughput DGEA is challenging due to the high cost and labor‐intensive multi‐step sample preparation protocols. In particular, performing drug‐induced DGEA on cancer cells derived from patient biopsies is even more challenging due to the scarcity of available cells. A novel, miniaturized, nanoliter‐scale method for drug‐induced DGEA is introduced, enabling high‐throughput and parallel analysis of patient‐derived cell drug responses, overcoming the limitations and laborious nature of traditional protocols. The method is based on the Droplet Microarray (DMA), a microscope glass slide with hydrophilic spots on a superhydrophobic background, facilitating droplet formation for cell testing. DMA allows microscopy‐based phenotypic analysis, cDNA extraction, and DGEA. The procedure includes cell lysis for mRNA isolation and cDNA conversion followed by droplet pooling for qPCR analysis. In this study, the drug‐induced DGEA protocol on the DMA platform is demonstrated using patient‐derived chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. This methodology is critical for DGEA with limited cell numbers and promise for applications in functional precision oncology. This method enables molecular profiling of patient‐derived samples after drug treatment, crucial for understanding individual tumor responses to anticancer drugs.
Cosmic‐Ray Radiation Effects on Ibuprofen Tablet Formulation Inside and Outside of the International Space Station
Authors: Tran Quy Don , Spooner Nigel , Geoghehan Sean , Thavarajah Shanjaye Raj , Rahman Shamaun , Tran Nam Nghiep , Williams Philip Michael , Jarquin Sandra Martinez , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Davey Kenneth , Buell Jeff , Shumbera Mark , Gittleman Mark , Clements Twyman , Stoudemire Jana , Fisk Ian , Hessel Volker
Published: October 2024

In extreme environments people will have different needs for medicine(s), making it crucial to understand how such environments affect drug efficacy. Ibuprofen, commonly used in tablet formulation on Earth, could fail in space despite standard pharmaceutical packaging. We introduce the concept of ‘space medicines’, where solid‐dosage forms protect the pharmaceutical from accelerated degradation in spaceflight. We simulate dose(s) in International Space Station (ISS) through radionuclide and photon experiments, and establish the impact of alpha, beta and gamma rays. We demonstrate that tablet formulation protects from impact of alpha and beta rays; however, gamma rays decompose ibuprofen even when ‘masked’. We systematically analyse 19 tablet compositions inside and outside the ISS to determine the effect of compositional changes in the tablet matrix. We confirm that the iron oxide‐shielded tablets show minimal degradation (〈10%) inside the ISS, compared to moderate reductions (〉10%) for other formulations, with one exception. The tablets exhibited significantly greater ibuprofen degradation (〉 30‐50%) outside ISS, due to harsh conditions. Significantly, we found that flavour have shielding potential by scavenging free radicals. We conclude that ibuprofen efficacy is adversely affected in space, and these effects are expected to worsen on missions to deeper space destinations.
Research on the Evolution of Defects Initiation and the Diffusion of Dopant on the Si/SiO2 Interface
Authors: Yang Yunqi , Chen Dongdong , Li Di , Zhao Tianlong , Zhang Weida , Qiao Wen , Liang Yingjie , Yang Yintang
Published: October 2024

Si/SiO2 interfaces, important parts of Si‐based devices, significantly influence the performance of Si‐based devices. However, owing to the impact of the external environment, related defects are generated, and the dopant can diffuse and redistribute, causing a series of parasitic effects that reduce the lifespan of the devices. In this paper, recent investigations on the mechanisms of interface defect initiation and dopant diffusion are systematically reviewed. At the Si/SiO2 interface, Pb‐type center defects are identified, including Pb, Pb0, and Pb1 center defects. Near the interface, E’ center defects are identified, and H‐related defects are also formed. In addition, dopant ions are introduced in the Si/SiO2 interface to improve the conductivity. However, during the oxidation process, the dopant ions can diffuse and redistribute at the interface. Investigations of the dopant diffusion mechanism, modeling, and dopant pile‐up are reviewed in this paper. Comparisons and discussions of the initial mechanism of defects, structures of defects, and dopant diffusion mechanisms are presented to provide valuable guidance for improving the performance and extending the lifespan of Si/SiO2 interfaces. Finally, an outlook is presented, including improving the models of interface defects to better protect against local strains and multienvironment impacts, and developing 3D detection technology for dopants.
A Novel Parylene C Waveguide‐Based High‐Resolution Photonic Tactile Array Sensor
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Reddy Jay , Chamanzar Maysamreza , Yuan Wenzhen
Published: October 2024

Recent advances in manufacturing technology and new material processes have enabled novel device designs. As the growing field of robotic tactile sensing calls for advanced tactile sensors, waveguide‐based tactile sensors have shown promising mechanisms but system‐level integrated solutions are needed to demonstrate their feasibility for sensor applications. In this work, a novel ultra‐compact high‐resolution tactile sensor based on asymmetric Mach‐Zehnder interferometers (MZI) is proposed: PITS (Photonic Integrated Tactile Sensor). It is made from Parylene C waveguides using the Parylene photonic material platform. The sensor is composed of a 4 × 4 array of MZI sensing units and demonstrates multipoint contact sensing as well as shape detection with high sensitivity and low inter‐unit crosstalk. The sensing unit is based on multimode interference mechanism explored with supplementary mechanical and optical simulation models. It demonstrates a 0.08 N dynamic range with <0.01 N force resolution, 7.59 signal‐to‐noise ratio and an average hysteresis of 7.7% over 10 repeated indents. The sensor is fabricated in two layers: a Parylene photonic layer and an align‐bonded polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropillar layer on top, which actuates the sensing units. This architecture features a design and fabrication pipeline that allows customizable sensitivity and dynamic range as well as scalable array designs.