bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjustment to COVID-19 Lockdown Among Italian University Students: The Role of Concerns, Change in Peer and Family Relationships and in Learning Skills, Emotional, and Academic Self-Efficacy on Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Calandri Emanuela , Graziano Federica , Begotti Tatiana , Cattelino Elena , Gattino Silvia , Rollero Chiara , Fedi Angela
Published: August 2021

In Italy strict containment measures against COVID-19 pandemic were implemented from March to May 2020 with home confinement and schools and universities closed. Students shifted to remote learning, experienced a forced isolation from peers and an increased sharing of time and spaces with the family. The influence of these aspects on the psychological adjustment of university students is largely unexplored. This paper was aimed at investigating the role of some correlates of depressive symptoms specific to the lockdown condition experienced by young university students, namely contagion concern, perceived worsening of family, and peer relationships and perceived worsening of learning skills. Moreover, the possible mediating effects of emotional and academic self-efficacy in these relationships were examined. Data were collected from 296 Italian university students (aged 18–25 years; 83% female students) through an online survey by means of a snowball sampling methodology in May 2020. Significant depressive symptoms were reported by 67% of participants. Contagion concerns were related to depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of emotional self-efficacy. Worsening of learning skills was related to depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of academic self-efficacy. Depressive symptoms were directly related to worsening of family relationships but unrelated to worsening of peer relationships. Results are discussed in relation to the need of preventive interventions for this specific population in view of academic activities planning in the post-COVID 19 period.
Conspicuous Consumption in Emerging Markets: The Case of Starbucks in Colombia as a Global and Sustainable Brand
Authors: Areiza-Padilla Jose Andres , Manzi Puertas Mario Andres
Published: August 2021

Conspicuous consumption symbolizes ostentatious and material consumption through the purchase of products and services with a higher economic value and that allows their consumers to excel socially. However, conspicuous consumption often does not represent social and environmental values, because their products are often not characterized by being made through sustainable processes. United Nations, through its sustainable development agenda, invited companies to be aware of the social and environmental problems of the world and to be able to generate strategies that can be sustainable over time and allow the growth of both the company and society in general. This study analyses the case of Starbucks as a global and sustainable brand, which also generates conspicuous consumption in emerging markets. In this way, we explain how this brand generates a social status in emerging markets, which allow their consumers to excel socially. On the other hand, we explain how Starbucks contributes positively to sustainability in these types of markets, generating greater well-being for both the environment and society in general. In this way, this brand manages to transmit messages with symbolic values of social status, as well as social and environmental awareness. This research allows us to see how Starbucks is able to generate conspicuous consumption in Colombia, which is the third largest exporter of coffee in the world but is also capable of generating sustainable processes that help Colombian coffee growers and the environment. This research used a quantitative methodology based on a structured questionnaire made for conspicuous consumers of the Starbucks brand in Colombia, whose data were processed through the statistical program PLS 3.2.7. This research details the sustainable processes carried out by this brand in this developing country and the reasons why its consumption in this emerging market is considered conspicuous. For this research, family allocentrism, ethnocentrism, and patriotism are considered antecedents of conspicuous consumption, and brand image and brand loyalty are considered their results.
New Technologies' Commercialization: The Roles of the Leader's Emotion and Incubation Support
Authors: Shan Biaoan , Pu Yi , Chen Biao , Lu Shan
Published: August 2021

New technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces technology, advanced artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and virtual reality technology, have a strong influence on our daily activities. The application and commercialization of these technologies are prevailing globally, such as distance education, health monitoring, smart home devices, and robots. However, we still know little about the roles of individual emotion and the external environment on the commercialization of these new technologies. Therefore, we focus on the emotional factor of the leader, which is their passion for work, and discuss its effect on technology commercialization. We also analyzed the moderating role of incubation support in the relationship between the leader's emotion and technology commercialization. The results contribute to the application of emotion in improving the commercialization of new technologies.
The Influence of Human Support on the Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Promotion Interventions for the General Population
Authors: Renfrew Melanie Elise , Morton Darren Peter , Morton Jason Kyle , Przybylko Geraldine
Published: August 2021

Mental wellbeing amongst the general population is languishing—exacerbated by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Digital mental health promotion interventions, that improve mental health literacy and encourage adoption of evidence-informed practical strategies are essential. However, attrition and non-adherence are problematic in digital interventions. Human support is often applied as an antidote; yet, there is a paucity of randomized trials that compare different human support conditions amongst general population cohorts. Limited trials generally indicate that human support has little influence on adherence or outcomes in DMHPIs. However, providing participants autonomy to self-select automated support options may enhance motivation and adherence.
Smells in Sustainable Environments: The Scented Silk Road to Spending
Authors: de Groot Jasper H. B.
Published: August 2021

Humanity's demand for ecological resources and services exceeds what earth can regenerate in that year, creating an urgent need for more sustainable behavior. Here, the focus is on a particular factor that so far has been overlooked in facilitating sustainable behavior, namely smell. The two-fold aim of this study was (i) to investigate whether ambient scent could enhance customers' subjective experience and spending behavior in a sustainable environment, and (ii) to elucidate the affective and cognitive pathways from scent to spending. To test this, a double-blind field experiment was designed where customers of a second-hand clothing store (N = 57) could face one of three conditions: fresh linen scent (pleasant and semantically priming “clean clothing” increasing the products' value), vanilla sandalwood scent (pleasant control odor), or regular store odor (odorless control). Buttressed by prior research, the fresh linen scent was expected to cause the strongest increase in spending behavior due to its positive semantic association with the product (i.e., clean clothing). The results indeed showed that fresh linen scent almost doubled consumer spending vs. the odorless control and the pleasant control odor. Other factors potentially affecting consumer behavior (e.g., weekday, weather, odor awareness) were uncorrelated. Whereas a conceptually-driven mediation analysis showed that only fresh linen scent increased mood and evaluations of the store, staff, and products, these variables did not mediate the relation between scent and spending. An explorative structural equation model suggested cognitive priming to be mainly responsible for increasing consumers' spending in the fresh linen condition by enhancing the general store evaluation. Further support is needed to corroborate the indirect findings that specific scents can follow a “cold” semantic road and a “hot” affective road to spending. At minimum, consumers are no “zombies” that empty their pockets in the presence of whatever odor; the smell needs to have a meaningful link to the (sustainable) context at hand to influence consumer behavior.
Cross-Cultural Differences and Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Actions and Feelings Questionnaire (J-AFQ)
Authors: Huggins Charlotte F. , Cameron Isobel M. , Scott Neil W. , Williams Justin H. G. , Yoshikawa Sakiko , Sato Wataru
Published: August 2021

Aims: We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a Japanese version of the Actions and Feelings Questionnaire (J-AFQ), an 18-item self-report measure of non-verbal emotional communication, as well as to examine its transcultural properties.

Methods: The J-AFQ was administered to 500 Japanese adults (age 20–49, 250 male), alongside the Japanese Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ-J) and Empathy Quotient (EQ-J). These were compared to a group of 597 British and Irish participants (age 16–18, 148 male). J-AFQ was assessed in terms of validity by confirmatory factor analysis and convergence with BAPQ-J and EQ-J using Pearson correlation. Internal consistency and differential item functioning (DIF) were assessed and compared between Japanese and UK/Irish participants.

Results: Reversed worded items (RWIs) showed poor item-total correlations but excluding these left a 13-item version of the J-AFQ with good internal consistency and content validity. Consistent with the English version, J-AFQ scores correlated with EQ and lower BAPQ scores. However, comparing across cultures, J-AFQ scores were significantly lower in the Japanese sample, and there was evidence of important DIF by country in over half of the J-AFQ items

Conclusion: Cultural differences in attitudes to self-report, as well as increased acquiescence to RWI's also seen in previous studies, limit the value of the 18-item instrument in Japanese culture. However, the 13-item J-AFQ is a valid and reliable measure of motor empathy, which, alongside the English version, offers promise for research in motor cognition and non-verbal emotional communication across cultures.
Does Concentrated Exposure Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Improve Insomnia Symptoms? Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hagen Kristen , Nordahl Håkon , Launes Gunvor , Kvale Gerd , Öst Lars-Göran , Hystad Sigurd , Hansen Bjarne , Solem Stian
Published: August 2021

Insomnia is a substantial problem in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There is, however, a lack of studies investigating changes in concurrent symptoms of insomnia in OCD after concentrated treatment. A recent randomized controlled trial randomized participants to the Bergen 4-day treatment (B4DT, n = 16), or 12 weeks of unguided self-help (SH, n = 16), or waitlist (WL, n = 16). Patients from the SH- and WL-group who wanted further treatment after the 12 weeks were then offered the B4DT (total of 42 patients treated with the B4DT). There were no significant differences in symptoms of insomnia between the conditions at post-treatment, but a significant moderate improvement at 3-month follow-up for patients who received the B4DT. Insomnia was not associated with OCD-treatment outcome, and change in symptoms of insomnia was mainly related to changes in depressive symptoms. The main conclusion is that concentrated exposure treatment is effective irrespective of comorbid insomnia, and that insomnia problems are moderately reduced following treatment.
Electroencephalographic Parameters Differentiating Melancholic Depression, Non-melancholic Depression, and Healthy Controls. A Systematic Review
Authors: Bruun Caroline Fussing , Arnbjerg Caroline Juhl , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: August 2021

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review was to investigate whether electroencephalographic parameters can serve as a tool to distinguish between melancholic depression, non-melancholic depression, and healthy controls in adults.

Methods: A systematic review comprising an extensive literature search conducted in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO in August 2020 with monthly updates until November 1st, 2020. In addition, we performed a citation search and scanned reference lists. Clinical trials that performed an EEG-based examination on an adult patient group diagnosed with melancholic unipolar depression and compared with a control group of non-melancholic unipolar depression and/or healthy controls were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed by the Strengthening of Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.

Results: A total of 24 studies, all case-control design, met the inclusion criteria and could be divided into three subgroups: Resting state studies (n = 5), sleep EEG studies (n = 10), and event-related potentials (ERP) studies (n = 9). Within each subgroup, studies were characterized by marked variability on almost all levels, preventing pooling of data, and many studies were subject to weighty methodological problems. However, the main part of the studies identified one or several EEG parameters that differentiated the groups.

Conclusions: Multiple EEG modalities showed an ability to distinguish melancholic patients from non-melancholic patients and/or healthy controls. The considerable heterogeneity across studies and the frequent methodological difficulties at the individual study level were the main limitations to this work. Also, the underlying premise of shifting diagnostic paradigms may have resulted in an inhomogeneous patient population.

Systematic Review Registration: Registered in the PROSPERO registry on August 8th, 2020, registration number CRD42020197472.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies on Acupuncture Therapy in Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Jinhuan , Wu Xiaoxiong , Nie Dehui , Zhuo Yuanyuan , Li Jiaying , Hu Qingmao , Xu Jinping , Yu Haibo
Published: August 2021

Accumulating studies had been performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand the neural mechanism of acupuncture therapy for depression. However, inconsistencies remain due to differences in research designs and MRI analytical methods. Therefore, we aim to summarize the current MRI research and provide useful information for further research by identifying papers published in English and Chinese about MRI studies on acupuncture for depression up to November 2020. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 810 depression patients and 416 health controls (HCs). The applied designs of these studies are mainly random control trial and pre–post designs. The MRI analytical methods are mainly (fractional) amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF/ALFF) and functional connectivity (FC), whereas a small subset of studies used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The most consistent functional MRI (fMRI) results showed increased N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) ratios, increased ALFF in the right precuneus, decreased ALFF in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and increased FC of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In contrast, no significant neurological changes were identified in any of the DTI or VBM studies. However, clear, reliable conclusions cannot be drawn due to the use of different designs, analytical methods, seed points selected, types of depression, acupuncture points, and so on. Improved report specifications, well-designed studies, consistent analytical methods, and larger sample sizes will enable the field to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in depressed patients.
Application of a Cloud Video Conference Method for Recruiting Healthy Subjects Into an Early-Phase Clinical Trial During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wang Zejuan , Du Aihua , Li Min , Zang Siqi , Liu Xiaona , Zhang Dan , Chen Gang , Zhang Lina , Zhang Yanan , Wang Jin
Published: August 2021

Objective: Our objective is to explore the effect of applying cloud video conferencing methods to the informed consent process in an early-phase clinical trial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: All participants who intended to participate in the trial were informed via a cloud video conference before signing the informed consent forms (ICF). Then, the attitudes of the participants with the cloud video conference and their understanding of the trial were evaluated using a questionnaire when they visited to sign the ICF onsite.

Results: A total of 165 subjects participated in the cloud video conference process, and 142 visited the site to sign and date the ICFs at the center during the appointment time. The survey showed that nearly 100% of the subjects evaluated the video-based informed consent process as very good or good and gave correct answers to questions about the trial. Furthermore, 136 (95.8%) subjects believed that the knowledge about the trial derived via the video-based informed consent process was consistent with the onsite reality, and 139 (97.9%) subjects expressed their willingness to participate in an informed consent procedure undertaken through an online video conference.

Conclusions: The video-based informed consent process achieved the same effects as an onsite informed consent process. The former saves time and cost of transportation for the subject and exhibits good public acceptance; especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this process is conducive for reducing the risk of subject infection due to travel and would also help avoid crowding on site.
Identifying the Phenotypic and Temporal Heterogeneity of Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Li Mengjiao , Lan Lan , Luo Jiawei , Peng Li , Li Xiaolong , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: August 2021

Objective: Previous studies discussing phenotypic and temporal heterogeneity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) separately have fatal limitations that either clustering patients with similar severity or assuming all knees have a single common progression pattern, which are unreliable. This study tried to uncover more reliable information on phenotypic and temporal heterogeneity of KOA.

Design: Data were from Osteoarthritis Initiative database. Six hundred and seventy-eight unilateral knees that have greater Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade than the contralateral knees at baseline and in all follow-up 48 months were included. Measurements of biomarkers at baseline were chosen. Subtype and Stage Inference model (SuStaIn) was applied as a subtype-progression model to identify subtypes, subtype biomarker progress sequences and stages of KOA.

Results: This study identified three subtypes which account for 15, 61, and 24% of knees, respectively. Each subtype has distinct subtype biomarker progress sequence. For knees with KL grade 0/1, 2, 3, and 4, they have different distributions on stage and 26, 53, 89, and 95% of them are strongly assigned to subtypes. When assessing whether a knee has KL (grade ≥ 2), subtypes and stages from subtypes-progression model (SuStaIn) are significantly better fitting than those from subtypes-only (mixture of Gaussians) (likelihood ratio = 105.59, p = 2.2 × 10−16) or stages-only (SuStaIn where setting c = 1) (likelihood ratio = 58.04, p = 2.57 × 10−14) model. Stages in subtypes-progression model has greater β than stages-only model. Subtypes from subtypes-progression model have no statistical significance.

Conclusions: For subtypes-progression model, stages contain more complete temporal information and subtypes are closer to real OA subtypes.
Estimation and Discriminability of Doppler Ultrasound Fetal Heart Rate Variability Measures
Authors: Vargas-Calixto Johann , Warrick Philip , Kearney Robert
Published: August 2021

Continuous electronic fetal monitoring and the access to databases of fetal heart rate (FHR) data have sparked the application of machine learning classifiers to identify fetal pathologies. However, most fetal heart rate data are acquired using Doppler ultrasound (DUS). DUS signals use autocorrelation (AC) to estimate the average heartbeat period within a window. In consequence, DUS FHR signals loses high frequency information to an extent that depends on the length of the AC window. We examined the effect of this on the estimation bias and discriminability of frequency domain features: low frequency power (LF: 0.03–0.15 Hz), movement frequency power (MF: 0.15–0.5 Hz), high frequency power (HF: 0.5–1 Hz), the LF/(MF + HF) ratio, and the nonlinear approximate entropy (ApEn) as a function of AC window length and signal to noise ratio. We found that the average discriminability loss across all evaluated AC window lengths and SNRs was 10.99% for LF 14.23% for MF, 13.33% for the HF, 10.39% for the LF/(MF + HF) ratio, and 24.17% for ApEn. This indicates that the frequency domain features are more robust to the AC method and additive noise than the ApEn. This is likely because additive noise increases the irregularity of the signals, which results in an overestimation of ApEn. In conclusion, our study found that the LF features are the most robust to the effects of the AC method and noise. Future studies should investigate the effect of other variables such as signal drop, gestational age, and the length of the analysis window on the estimation of fHRV features and their discriminability.
Ethical Design of a Robot Platform for Disabled Employees: Some Practical Methodological Considerations
Authors: Colombino Tommaso , Gallo Danilo , Shreepriya Shreepriya , Im Yesook , Cha Seijin
Published: August 2021

This paper explains the process of developing a scenario involving the use of a robotic platform to enhance the work experience of disabled employees. We outline the challenges involved in revealing the potential unintended consequences of introducing elements of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and robotics into a socially and ethically complex and potentially fragile scenario, and the practical challenges involved in giving a voice to vulnerable users throughout the design process. While an ideal case scenario would involve the disabled employees as much as possible directly in the design process, this can, realistically, be a challenge. In this paper, we detail a methodological and analytic approach that is centered around ethnography and design fictions. It is designed to provide a deeper understanding of all the stakeholders involved in the scenario while encouraging ethical reflection. Based on our findings, we argue that, while it is relatively easy to adopt an a priori ethical stance through notions such as inclusivity and accessibility, there are risks involved in making such a priori prescriptions with respect to the perspectives of different stakeholders in an applied research project. More specifically, we highlight the importance of understanding the broad organizational and bureaucratic characteristics of a business or workplace when devising HRI scenarios and tasks, and of considering elements such as business models, operating philosophy, and organizational hierarchies in the design process.
Contact With Nature as a Mental Health Buffer for Lower Income Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Pearson Amber L. , Horton Teresa , Pfeiffer Karin A. , Buxton Rachel , Gardiner Joseph , Liu Wei , Hunter Ruth F. , White Mathew P.
Published: August 2021

Despite a growing number of research outputs on the importance of nature contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, we know of no longitudinal research conducted prior to and during the pandemic among low-income and minority ethnicity populations, i.e., those that might be most affected. Furthermore, we have scant information about how and to what degree contact with nature might protect mental health or mitigate worsening of mental health during the pandemic. We filled these gaps using a subset of a longitudinal study of n = 86 individuals in low-income, predominantly African American, neighborhoods in Detroit, MI, USA. The study addressed the following research questions: (1) did self-reported use and perceived value of nature change during, vs. prior to, the pandemic; (2) did perceived access to outdoor spaces buffer people against mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression symptoms; or (3) did objectively measured quality of nature views from home buffer people against mental health issues, taking into account relevant covariates and pandemic experiences (e.g., loss of employment, death of a friend/relative)? While attitudes to nature improved slightly from pre- to during the pandemic, we also observed significant decreases in most types of outdoor physical activity and passive enjoyment of nature (e.g., smelling plants/rain). We found a positive association between visibility of greenspace and perceived stress and anxiety, which not only contradicts previous research findings, but was especially surprising given that overall there was a decrease in perceived stress from 2019–2020. We did not detect associations between perceived access/use of nature and mental health. However, higher depressive symptoms were associated with exposure to more COVID-19-related stressors (lost employment, death of friends from COVID-19, etc.). Taken together, our results indicate that COVID-19 may serve to prolong or exacerbate mental health issues, rather than create them, in this population and that low quality greenspace may perhaps limit the ability for nature view to buffer mental health during the pandemic.
Efficient Stochastic Simulation of Seawater Intrusion, With Mixing, in Confined Coastal Aquifers
Authors: Rozos Evangelos , Mazi Katerina , Koussis Antonis D.
Published: August 2021

We present a high-efficiency method for simulating seawater intrusion (SWI), with mixing, in confined coastal aquifers based on uncoupled equations in the through-flow region of the aquifer. The flow field is calculated analytically and the tracer transport numerically, via spatial splitting along the principal directions (PD) of transport. Advection-dispersion processes along streamlines are simulated with the very efficient matched artificial dispersivity (MAD) method of Syriopoulou and Koussis and the system of discretized transverse-dispersion equations is solved with the Thomas algorithm. These concepts are embedded in the 2D-MADPD-SWI model, yielding comparable solutions to those of the uncoupled SWI equations with the state-of-the-art FEFLOW code, but faster, while 2D-MADPD-SWI achieves an at least hundredfold faster solution than a variable-density flow model. We demonstrate the utility of the 2D-MADPD-SWI model in stochastic Monte Carlo simulations by assessing the uncertainty on the advance of the 1,500 ppm TDS line (limit of tolerable salinity for irrigation) due to randomly variable hydraulic conductivity and freshwater flow rate.
No Fans–No Pressure: Referees in Professional Football During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Leitner Michael Christian , Richlan Fabio
Published: August 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, European elite football (a.k.a. soccer) leagues played the remaining season 2019/20 without or strongly limited attendance of supporters (i.e., “ghost games”). From a sport psychological perspective this situation poses a unique opportunity to investigate the crowd's influence on referee decisions and the associated effect of “home advantage.” A total of 1286 matches–played in the top leagues of Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Austria and the Czech Republic–were analyzed for results, fouls, bookings and reasons for bookings and contrasted between respective matchdays of season 2018/19 (regular attendance) and season 2019/20 (ghost games). Following recent methodological developments in the research on the home advantage effect, four different statistical analyses–including Pollard's traditional method–were used for the assessment of the home advantage effect. There are two main findings. First, home teams were booked significantly more often with yellow cards for committing fouls in ghost games. Most importantly, this effect was independent of the course of the games. In contrast, bookings for other reasons (criticism and unfair sportsmanship) changed similarly for both home and away teams in ghost games. Second, the overall home performance and home advantage effect in the respective elite leagues–identified in the respective matches of the regular 2018/19 season–vanished in the ghost games of the 2019/20 season. We conclude that the lack of supporters in top European football during the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreased social pressure from the ranks on referees, which also had a potential impact on the home advantage. Referees assessed the play of home teams more objectively, leading to increased yellow cards awarded for fouls committed by the home teams. Since there were no significant changes in referee decisions against the away teams, we argue that our observations reflect a reduction of unconscious favoritism of referees for the home teams.
Primary Peritoneal Carcinosarcoma: A Case Report
Authors: Erz Logan , Smith Brandon , Larson Brandon , Ma Truong
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Carcinosarcoma, also known as malignant mixed Mullerian tumor (MMMT) is a malignant biphasic neoplasm consisting of carcinomatous and malignant non-epithelial components of mesenchymal origin. MMMTs typically arise from the female genital tract in patients over 40 years old. Primary extragenital MMMTs are extremely rare with published literature totaling 40 reported cases. The primary peritoneal carcinosarcoma is an aggressive tumor as patients with this tumor have an average survival of 7.6 months. Surgical debulking is the mainstay of treatment for these tumors and systemic chemotherapy is advised in all cases.

Case: A 48-year-old Amish female presented with 5 day history of bloating and abdominal pain superimposed on a 1 year history of worsening fatigue and intermittent bloody bowel movements. She was found to have a pelvic mass on physical exam. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis that demonstrated stricturing of the sigmoid colon, and a large multi-cystic mass in the midline pelvis measuring 12.5 × 9.9 × 11.7 cm. Colonoscopy showed stenosis due to external compression without intraluminal lesion. CEA and CA 125 levels were elevated and CA 19-9 was normal. Exploratory laparotomy was performed with en-bloc resection of a 15 cm mass originating from the sigmoid colon mesentery with several other small tumor deposits throughout the mesentery. Pathology diagnosed primary peritoneal carcinosarcoma Mullerian-type with three positive lymph nodes.

Conclusion: Malignant mixed Mullerian tumor (carcinosarcoma) caries a universally grim prognosis. Herein, we report a unique case of primary peritoneal carcinosarcoma and discuss the work-up and surgical management of this rare tumor.
Stochastic Assessment of the Economic Impact of Streptococcus suis-Associated Disease in German, Dutch and Spanish Swine Farms
Authors: Neila-Ibáñez Carlos , Casal Jordi , Hennig-Pauka Isabel , Stockhofe-Zurwieden Norbert , Gottschalk Marcelo , Migura-García Lourdes , Pailler-García Lola , Napp Sebastián
Published: August 2021

The economic assessment of animal diseases is essential for decision-making, including the allocation of resources for disease control. However, that assessment is usually hampered by the lack of reliable data on disease incidence, or treatment and control measures, and that is particularly true for swine production diseases, such as infections caused by Streptococcus suis. Therefore, we deployed a questionnaire survey of clinical swine veterinarians to obtain the input data needed for a stochastic model to calculate the costs caused by S. suis, which was implemented in three of the main swine producing countries in Europe: Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. S. suis-associated disease is endemic in those countries in all production phases, though nursery was the phase most severely impacted. In affected nursery units, between 3.3 and 4.0% of pigs had S. suis-associated disease and the mortalities ranged from 0.5 to 0.9%. In Germany, the average cost of S. suis per pig (summed across all production phases) was 1.30 euros (90% CI: 0.53–2.28), in the Netherlands 0.96 euros (90% CI: 0.27–1.54), and in Spain 0.60 euros (90% CI: 0.29–0.96). In Germany, that cost was essentially influenced by the expenditure in early metaphylaxis in nursery and in autogenous vaccines in sows and nursery pigs; in the Netherlands, by expenditure on autogenous vaccines in sows and nursery pigs; and in Spain, by the expenditures in early metaphylaxis and to a lesser extent by the mortality in nursery pigs. Therefore, the differences in costs between countries can be explained to a great extent by the measures to control S. suis implemented in each country. In Spain and in Germany, use of antimicrobials, predominantly beta-lactams, is still crucial for the control of the disease.
Antimicrobial Effects of Equine Platelet Lysate
Authors: Gordon Julie , Álvarez-Narváez Sonsiray , Peroni John F.
Published: August 2021

The development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and the lack of novel antibiotic strategies to combat those bacteria is an ever-present problem in both veterinary and human medicine. The goal of this study is to evaluate platelet lysate (PL) as a biological alternative antimicrobial product. Platelet lysate is an acellular platelet-derived product rich in growth factors and cytokines that is manufactured via plateletpheresis and pooled from donor horses. In the current study, we sought to define the antimicrobial properties of PL on select gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Results from an end-point in vitro assay showed that PL did not support bacterial growth, and in fact significantly reduced bacterial content compared to normal growth media. An in vitro assay was then utilized to further determine the effects on bacterial growth dynamics and showed that all strains exhibited a slower growth rate and lower yield in the presence of PL. The specific effects of PL were unique for each bacterial strain: E. coli and P. aeruginosa growth was affected in a concentration-dependent manner, such that higher amounts of PL had a greater effect, while this was not true for S. aureus or E. faecalis. Furthermore, the onset of exponential growth was delayed for E. coli and P. aeruginosa in the presence of PL, which has significant clinical implications for developing a dosing schedule. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the potential value of PL as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that would offer an alternative to traditional antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection in equine species.
Narrativas del inconsciente. Las terapias cognitivas: regreso al futuro
Authors: Gonpalves Oscar
Published: August 2021

Retomar el estudio de los procesos inconscientes, puede ser visto como una vuelta hacia atras en los desarrollos de la psicoterapia, con el objetivo de introducir un cambio de paradigma en las actuales ciencias cognitivas .
La paradoja neurótica en la perspectiva constructivista
Authors: Mancini Francesco
Published: August 2021

El objetivo del articulo era demostrar que las paradojas neuroticas se generan en situaciones que por su naturaleza tienden a la  intolerancia.  Hemos visto un caso clinico de un conflicto acercamiento- evitacion. Hemos visto el caso de un paciente  que oscilaba durante años  establecer  un vinculo acercamiento- evitacion ,  porque  no era capaz de apreciar las diferencias entre perdidas mas o menos severas. Luego analizando el motivo por el cual el paciente no ha logrado,con el curso de los años, articular sus objetivos afectivos con el fin de poder discriminar el valor de las distintas perdidas.
Estados de animo: polaridades básicas y relaciones con el trastorno depresivo
Authors: Preciado Ignacio
Published: August 2021

El estado de animo es  un estado afectivo cotidiano, costituido por sentimientos duraderos  y aparentemente inespecificos. El proposito de este articulo es la revision los estudios centrados en sus principales polaridades : positividad/ negatividad,energia alta/ energia baja , tension/ calma y tambien su grado de inhibicion/ expresion. Finalmente establecemos algunas relaciones con el trastorno depresivo.
La terapia cognitiva desde una perspectiva evolutivo-constructivista
Authors: Guidano Vittorio F.
Published: August 2021

En este articulo se presenta la Terapia Cognitiva desde una perspectiva evolutivo- constructivista. De acuerdo con esta perspectiva la finalidad principal de la Terapia Constructivista es reconstruir el proceso de formacion ontogenética del Self. Para poder llevar a buen término este proceso reconstructivo se enfoca las intervenciones terapéuticas hacia las etapas del desarrollo evolutivo a mas de  un estadio de autoobservacion del Self.
A Niche for Cowpea in Sub-Tropical Australia?
Authors: Bell Lindsay W. , James Andrew T. , Augustin Mary Ann , Rombenso Artur , Blyth David , Simon Cedric , Higgins Thomas J. V. , Barrero Jose M.
Published: August 2021

Pulses have emerged as important rotation crops in Australia. Some are in demand in agricultural production systems due to their high potential market value, because of their roles as grain or forage crops, their nitrogen fixation capability, and because they provide a disease break or improve soil health. While several pulse crops have been identified for winter-season cropping, there are few adapted legumes apart from mungbean that are appropriate for dryland summer cropping. Currently, short-duration crops of mungbean are commonly used, but yields are highly variable and susceptible to drought. Here, we propose that cowpea has the potential to become an alternative rotation crop in dryland summer cropping zones, providing a competitive and profitable alternative pulse crop option where its drought tolerance could enable better performance under inconsistent in-crop rainfall. We demonstrate that cowpea has nutritional properties and putative uses that could prove valuable in emerging plant-based protein and aquaculture markets.
Sustainable Management of Fruit Growing in Rural Areas of Montenegro: The Impact of Location on the Phenological and Nutritional Properties on Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)
Authors: Zejak Dejan , Glisic Ivan , Spalevic Velibor , Maskovic Pavle , Dudic Branislav
Published: August 2021

The physical-geographical features of the mountainous area of Montenegro cause difficulties in farmers’ life and work. The organization of the agricultural production faces a number of problems that limit the overall development of rural areas. Some agricultural crops, such as raspberry, have found optimal growth conditions and produce appropriate yields associated with good fruit quality in such mountainous area. The Willamette variety dominates the production and has broadly expanded, as some new varieties, most notably, Tulameen, Fertȍdi Zamatos, and Glen Ample. The aim of this paper was to examine the biological and production characteristics of two raspberry varieties—one floricane (Tulameen) and one primocane (Polka)—grown in two localities. We confirmed the general rule that at lower altitudes, these varieties (570 m a.s.l, Bijelo Polje) are characterized by earlier vegetation, flowering, and fruit ripening in comparison to plants at higher altitude (1040 m a.s.l, Mojkovac). The Tulameen variety started flowering on 15 May in Bijelo Polje (the flowering phenophase lasted for 29 days, until 12 June) and on 25 May in Mojkovac (the flowering phenophase lasted for 27 days, until 20 June). That is a delay of 11 days in relation to different locations. The Polka variety started flowering on 25 June in Bijelo Polje (57 days, until 20 August) and on 1 July in Mojkovac (flowering for 67 days, until 5 September). That is a delay of 7 days. The Tulameen variety started maturation on 14 June in Bijelo Polje (maturation lasted for 27 days, until 10 July) and on 22 June in Mojkovac (26 days, until 17 July), with a delay of 9 days. The Polka variety started maturation on 23 July in Bijelo Polje (the maturation phenophase lasted for 55 days, until 15 September) and on 5 August in Mojkovac (52 days, until 25 September), with a delay of 14 days. The results showed that the Polka variety had significantly higher total phenol content than the Tulameen variety (4.43 and 4.03 mg, respectively). In terms of locality, the Mojkovac raspberries had higher total phenol content than the Bijelo Polje raspberries. Polka raspberries also had a higher content of total flavonoids than Tulameen, whereas differences between localities in regard to the content of total flavonoids in the fruit were not significant. The content of condensed tannins and gallotannins in the raspberry fruit was similar in relation to both varieties and localities. Finally, the total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the Polka compared to the Tulameen variety, whereas the differences between localities were not statistically significant.
Knowledge of Biobehavioral Organization Can Facilitate Better Science: A Review of the BioBehavioral Assessment Program at the California National Primate Research Center
Authors: Capitanio John P.
Published: August 2021

Animals vary on intrinsic characteristics such as temperament and stress responsiveness, and this information can be useful to experimentalists for identifying more homogeneous subsets of animals that show consistency in risk for a particular research outcome. Such information can also be useful for balancing experimental groups, ensuring animals within an experiment have similar characteristics. In this review, we describe the BioBehavioral Assessment Program at the California National Primate Research Center, which, since its inception in 2001, has been providing quantitative information on intrinsic characteristics to scientists for subject selection and balancing, and to colony management staff for management purposes. We describe the program and review studies relating to asthma, autism, behavioral inhibition, etc., where the BBA Program was used to select animals. We also review our work, showing that factors such as rearing, ketamine exposure, and prenatal experience can affect biobehavioral organization in ways that some investigators might want to control for in their studies. Attention to intrinsic characteristics of subject populations is consistent with the growing interest in precision medicine and can lead to a reduction in animal numbers, savings in time and money for investigators, and reduced distress for the animals.
Attenuated Total Reflection at THz Wavelengths: Prospective Use of Total Internal Reflection and Polariscopy
Authors: Ryu Meguya , Ng Soon Hock , Anand Vijayakumar , Lundgaard Stefan , Hu Jingwen , Katkus Tomas , Appadoo Dominique , Vilagosh Zoltan , Wood Andrew W. , Juodkazis Saulius , Morikawa Junko
Published: August 2021

Capabilities of the attenuated total reflection (ATR) at THz wavelengths for increased sub-surface depth characterisation of (bio-)materials are presented. The penetration depth of a THz evanescent wave in biological samples is dependent on the wavelength and temperature and can reach 0.1–0.5 mm depth, due to the strong refractive index change ∼0.4 of the ice-water transition; this is quite significant and important when studying biological samples. Technical challenges are discussed when using ATR for uneven, heterogeneous, high refractive index samples with the possibility of frustrated total internal reflection (a breakdown of the ATR reflection mode into transmission mode). Local field enhancements at the interface are discussed with numerical/analytical examples. Maxwell’s scaling is used to model the behaviour of absorber–scatterer inside the materials at the interface with the ATR prism for realistic complex refractive indices of bio-materials. The modality of ATR with a polarisation analysis is proposed, and its principle is illustrated, opening an invitation for its experimental validation. The sensitivity of the polarised ATR mode to the refractive index between the sample and ATR prism is numerically modelled and experimentally verified for background (air) spectra. The design principles of polarisation active optical elements and spectral filters are outlined. The results and proposed concepts are based on experimental conditions at the THz beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.
Automatic Power Quality Disturbance Diagnosis Based on Residual Denoising Convolutional Auto-Encoder
Authors: Liu Jie , Tang Qiu , Qiu Wei , Ma Jun , Qin Yuhong , Sun Biao
Published: August 2021

With the increasing integration of non-linear electronic loads, the diagnosis and classification of power quality are becoming crucial for power grid signal management. This paper presents a novel diagnosis strategy based on unsupervised learning, namely residual denoising convolutional auto-encoder (RDCA), which extracts features from the complex power quality disturbances (PQDs) automatically. Firstly, the time–frequency analysis is applied to isolate frequency domain information. Then, the RDCA with a weight residual structure is utilized to extract the useful features in the contaminated PQD data, where the performance is improved using the residual structure. A single-layer convolutional neural network (SCNN) with an added batch normalization layer is proposed to classify the features. Furthermore, combining with RDCA and SCNN, we further propose a classification framework to classify complex PQDs. To provide a reasonable interpretation of the RDCA, visual analysis is employed to gain insight into the model, leading to a better understanding of the features from different layers. The simulation and experimental tests are conducted to verify the practicability and robustness of the RDCA.
Experimental Investigation of the Static and Dynamic Compression Characteristics of Limestone Based on Its Initial Damage
Authors: Wang Yongqian , Wang Xuan , Zhang Jiasheng , Yang Benshui , Chen Junhua , Zhu Wujun
Published: August 2021

In the current work a new equation for initial damage assessment of limestone based on plane strain theory is proposed. Detailed investigations of the static and dynamic characteristics of limestone with different initial damage degree, using longitudinal wave speed, and static-dynamic compression tests are performed. This study investigated the static and dynamic characteristics of limestone with different initial damage degree, using longitudinal wave speed, and static-dynamic compression tests. Experimental results show that the degree of initial damage decreases with increasing longitudinal wave speed, which reaches the minimum when the longitudinal wave speed is approximately 6000 m/s, and the smaller the longitudinal wave velocity, the greater the degree of initial damage. The static and dynamic compressive strengths of limestone increase with the longitudinal wave velocity and strain rate, but the elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio do not change significantly. Finally, based on the experimental results, the definitions of damage threshold value and strain softening are proposed, which further verify the influence of strain rate and initial damage on rock compression characteristics. The present study sheds light on the importance of initial damage for the mechanical state of rock in underground engineering.