bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Convolutional Autoencoder Extracts Features of Structural Brain Images With a “Diagnostic Label-Free” Approach: Application to Schizophrenia Datasets
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Yuki , Sugihara Genichi , Miyata Jun , Murai Toshiya , Takahashi Hidehiko , Honda Manabu , Hishimoto Akitoyo , Yamashita Yuichi
Published: July 2021

There has been increasing interest in performing psychiatric brain imaging studies using deep learning. However, most studies in this field disregard three-dimensional (3D) spatial information and targeted disease discrimination, without considering the genetic and clinical heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a 3D convolutional autoencoder (3D-CAE) for extracting features related to psychiatric disorders without diagnostic labels. The network was trained using a Kyoto University dataset including 82 patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and 90 healthy subjects (HS) and was evaluated using Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) datasets, including 71 SZ patients and 71 HS. We created 16 3D-CAE models with different channels and convolutions to explore the effective range of hyperparameters for psychiatric brain imaging. The number of blocks containing two convolutional layers and one pooling layer was set, ranging from 1 block to 4 blocks. The number of channels in the extraction layer varied from 1, 4, 16, and 32 channels. The proposed 3D-CAEs were successfully reproduced into 3D structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans with sufficiently low errors. In addition, the features extracted using 3D-CAE retained the relation to clinical information. We explored the appropriate hyperparameter range of 3D-CAE, and it was suggested that a model with 3 blocks may be related to extracting features for predicting the dose of medication and symptom severity in schizophrenia.
Axon-Specific Mitochondrial Pathology in SPG11 Alpha Motor Neurons
Authors: Güner Fabian , Pozner Tatyana , Krach Florian , Prots Iryna , Loskarn Sandra , Schlötzer-Schrehardt Ursula , Winkler Jürgen , Winner Beate , Regensburger Martin
Published: July 2021

Pathogenic variants in SPG11 are the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). In addition to spastic paraplegia caused by corticospinal degeneration, most patients are significantly affected by progressive weakness and muscle wasting due to alpha motor neuron (MN) degeneration. Mitochondria play a crucial role in neuronal health, and mitochondrial deficits were reported in other types of HSPs. To investigate whether mitochondrial pathology is present in SPG11, we differentiated MNs from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from SPG11 patients and controls. MN derived from human embryonic stem cells and an isogenic SPG11 knockout line were also included in the study. Morphological analysis of mitochondria in the MN soma versus neurites revealed specific alterations of mitochondrial morphology within SPG11 neurites, but not within the soma. In addition, impaired mitochondrial membrane potential was indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, we reveal neuritic aggregates further supporting neurite pathology in SPG11. Correspondingly, using a microfluidic-based MN culture system, we demonstrate that axonal mitochondrial transport was significantly impaired in SPG11. Overall, our data demonstrate that alterations in morphology, function, and transport of mitochondria are an important feature of axonal dysfunction in SPG11 MNs.
CircRtn4 Acts as the Sponge of miR-24-3p to Promote Neurite Growth by Regulating CHD5
Authors: Qi Yue , Ma Nana , Chen Xiaofan , Wang Yue , Zhang Wei , Wan Jun
Published: July 2021

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed single-stranded RNA molecules. After derived from precursor mRNA back-splicing, circRNAs play important roles in many biological processes. Recently, it was shown that several circRNAs were enriched in the mammalian brain with unclear functions. The expression of circRtn4 in the mouse brain was increased with the differentiation of primary neurons. In our study, knockdown of circRtn4 inhibited neurite growth, while overexpression of circRtn4 significantly increased neurite length. By dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA antisense purification assay, circRtn4 was identified as a miRNA sponge for miR-24-3p. Moreover, knockdown of miR-24-3p increased neurite length, while overexpression of miR-24-3p significantly inhibited neurite growth. Furthermore, CHD5 was confirmed to be a downstream target gene of miR-24-3p. And CHD5 silence counteracted the positive effect of circRtn4 overexpression on neurite growth. In conclusion, circRtn4 may act as the sponge for miR-24-3p to promote neurite growth by regulating CHD5.
Visualizing Neuropharmacological Effects of Guanfacine Extended Release in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Ikeda Takahiro , Inoue Akari , Tanaka Daisuke , Hashimoto Tamao , Sutoko Stephanie , Tokuda Tatsuya , Kyutoku Yasushi , Maki Atsushi , Yamagata Takanori , Dan Ippeita , Monden Yukifumi
Published: July 2021

Objective: In the current study, we explored the neural substrate for acute effects of guanfacine extended release (GXR) on inhibitory control in school-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Methods: Following a GXR washout period, 12 AD HD children (6–10 years old) performed a go/no-go task before and 3 h after GXR or placebo administration, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study. In the primary analysis, fNIRS was used to monitor the right prefrontal cortical hemodynamics of the participants, where our former studies showed consistent dysfunction and osmotic release oral system-methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) and atomoxetine hydrochloride (ATX) elicited recovery. We examined the inter-medication contrast, comparing the effect of GXR against the placebo. In the exploratory analysis, we explored neural responses in regions other than the right prefrontal cortex (PFC).

Results: In the primary analysis, we observed no significant main effects or interactions of medication type and age in month (two-way mixed ANCOVA, Fs < 0.20, all ps > .05). However, in the post-hoc analysis, we observed significant change in the oxy-Hb signal in the right angular gyrus (AG) for inter-medication (one sample t-test, p < 0.05, uncorrected, Cohen's d = 0.71).

Conclusions: These results are different from the neuropharmacological effects of OROS-MPH and ATX, which, in an upregulated manner, reduced right PFC function in ADHD children during inhibitory tasks. This analysis, while limited by its secondary nature, suggested that the improved cognitive performance was associated with activation in the right AG, which might serve as a biological marker to monitor the effect of GXR in the ADHD children.
Menthol Mouth Rinsing Is More Than Just a Mouth Wash—Swilling of Menthol to Improve Physiological Performance
Authors: Gavel Erica H. , Hawke Kierstyn V. , Bentley David J. , Logan-Sprenger Heather M.
Published: July 2021

Interventions that solely act on the central nervous system (CNS) are gaining considerable interest, particularly products consumed through the oral cavity. The oropharyngeal cavity contains a wide array of receptors that respond to sweet, bitter, and cold tastants, all of which have been shown to improve physiological performance. Of late, the ergogenic benefits of carbohydrate (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) mouth rinsings (MRs) have been widely studied; however, less is known about menthol (MEN). That the physiological state and environmental conditions impact the response each product has is increasingly recognized. While the effects of CHO and CAF MRs have been thoroughly studied in both hot and thermoneutral conditions, less is known about MEN as it has only been studied in hot environments. As such, this review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the MEN MR and exercise modality, frequency of the mouth rinse, and mouth rinse duration and compares two different types of study designs: time trials vs. time to exhaustion (TTE).
Multiple Extramedullary-Bone Related and/or Extramedullary Extraosseous Are Independent Poor Prognostic Factors in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Authors: He JingSong , Yue XiaoYan , He DongHua , Zhao Yi , Yang Yang , Zheng GaoFeng , Zhang Enfan , Han XiaoYan , Wu WenJun , Yang Li , Chen Jing , Cai Zhen
Published: July 2021

Background

Extramedullary (EM) lesions are common in multiple myeloma (MM) and are often related to the poor prognosis of MM but are scarcely understood.

Methods

In this retrospective study, the baseline characteristics of 357 newly diagnosed patients with extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) and their impact on the prognosis were analyzed. All patients received first-line treatment with bortezomib-based regimen.

Results

The overall incidence rate of EM was 22.4%, and the detection rate of PET/CT was significantly higher than other imaging methods (P = 0.015). The cohorts consisted of 10 cases of extramedullary extraosseous (EME) and 70 cases of extramedullary-bone related (EMB), including 53 cases with single site involvement (one case with EME) and 27 cases with multiple sites (>1 site) involvement (nine cases with EME). EMM patients had high levels of hemoglobin (Hgb, ≥10 g/dl) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, >245u/L) and are inclined to early-stage revised international staging system (R-ISS). Compared to patients without EM, those with EMM had worse progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.014) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.032). In addition, patients without EM and those with a single site of EMB had similar PFS and OS, while patients with multiple sites of EMB or EME and multiple sites of EMB with EME had poor PFS and OS. Multivariate analysis confirmed that multiple sites of EMB and/or EME were independent prognostic predictors affecting PFS and OS in newly diagnosed MM patients.

Conclusions

This study suggested that among patients treated with bortezomib-based regimens, multiple sites of EMB and/or EME are independent poor prognostic factors for newly diagnosed MM patients, while a single site of EMB does not affect the survival of newly diagnosed MM patients. Thus, these findings could be used as a reference for the study of EMM patients in the new drug era, but prospective clinical studies are needed to provide evidence-based data for the diagnosis and treatment of EMM.
Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and the Diagnostic Value of B-Mode and Color Doppler for Common Benign Tumors in the Parotid Gland
Authors: Yan Meiying , Xu Dong , Chen Liyu , Zhou Lingyan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To preliminarily identify three common benign parotid gland tumors: pleomorphic adenomas (PA), Warthin tumors (WT), and basal cell adenomas (BCA) by qualitative and quantitative analyses using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Methods

Preoperative images of parotid gland masses were analyzed, including 129 cases of ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) and 110 cases of qualitative and quantitative CEUS. The diagnosis was confirmed by postsurgical pathology outcomes.

Results

PA presented low and heterogeneous enhancement and echo-free area, whereas most WT and BCA presented with high and relatively homogeneous enhancement. Compared with WT and BCA groups, a “slow in” pattern was more common in the PA group and a “slow out” pattern was more frequently noted in the WT group than in the PA and BCA groups. The unique features of qualitative CEUS in the PA group enable distinguishing PA from the 2 other groups. The further distinction among the groups was made based on quantitative parameters of time-intensity curves (TICs), which revealed that the mean peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT), the area under the curve (AUC), and time from peak to one half (HT) exhibited significant differences. ROC analysis was next applied to determine the optimal cutoff points to predict the diagnostic tendency among the groups. When the rising slope (RS) was >2.145, the possibility of BCA was greater than WT.

Conclusions

CEUS ultrasound is of significant value in the differential diagnosis of the 3 common benign parotid gland masses.
Impact of Examined Lymph Node Count and Lymph Node Density on Overall Survival of Penile Cancer
Authors: Gao Pan , Zhu Tianle , Gao Jingjing , Li Hu , Liu Xi , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: July 2021

Background

Few studies have explored the optimal examined lymph node count and lymph node density cutoff values that could be used to predict the survival of patients with penile cancer. We further clarify the prognostic value of lymph node density and examined lymph node count in penile cancer.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was explored to recruit penile cancer patients from 2010 to 2015. A retrospective analysis of penile cancer patients’ data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University was performed for verification (2006–2016). The cutoff values of examined lymph node count and lymph node density were performed according to the ROC curve. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare survival differences among different groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to determine the significant variables. On the basis of Cox proportional hazards regression model, a nomogram was established and validated by calibration plot diagrams and concordance index (C-index).

Results

A total of 528 patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cohort and 156 patients in the Chinese cohort were included in this study. Using the ROC curve, we found that the recommended cutoff values of ELN and LND were 13 and 9.3%, respectively (P <0.001). Kaplan–Meier curves suggested the significant differences of overall survival among different examined lymph nodes and lymph node density. Multivariate analysis indicated ELN and LND were independent prognostic factor for OS of penile cancer patients. Nomogram showed the contribution of ELN and LND to predicting OS was large. The C-index at 3-, and 5-year were 0.744 for overall survival (95% CI 0.711–0.777).

Conclusions

The more lymph nodes examined, the lower the density of lymph nodes, and the higher the long-term survival rate of penile cancer. We recommended 13 examined lymph nodes and lymph node density >9.3% as the cutoff value for evaluating the prognosis of penile cancer patients.
Anxiety, Loneliness, Drug Craving, and Depression Among Substance Abusers in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Chen Xin , Qiu Nan , Zhai Liang , Ren Gui
Published: July 2021

Studies have reported that anxiety had a positive effect on depression among substance abusers in males. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this relationship in substance abusers in males. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of loneliness and drug craving between anxiety and depression in substance abusers in males. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Drug Craving Scale, and The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were employed into this study to investigate 585 substance abusers in males (age range of 20–58 years: M = 33.21, SD = 6.97). Structural equation modeling and the bootstrap approach were used to analyze the mediating effect of loneliness and drug craving on the relationship between anxiety and depression. The results indicated that: Loneliness had a significant positive correlation with anxiety (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.49, p < 0.001); Drug craving had a significant positive correlation with anxiety (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) and depression (r = 0.39, p < 0.001). Loneliness and drug craving mediated the link between anxiety and depression. There was a significant positive correlation between substance abusers in male’s anxiety, loneliness, drug craving, and depression. Loneliness and drug craving had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between anxiety and depression. Therefore, it was suggested that substance abusers in male’s anxiety and depression might be improved and driven by decreasing loneliness and drug craving. Targeted interventions to decrease substance abusers in male’s loneliness and drug craving should be developed, implemented, and help them to recover.
Elite Marathoners Run Faster With Increasing Temperatures in Berlin Marathon
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Valero David , Villiger Elias , Alvero Cruz José Ramón , Scheer Volker , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis T.
Published: July 2021

The influence of environmental conditions has been investigated for different marathon races, but not for the Berlin Marathon, the fastest marathon race course in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of environmental conditions such as temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and atmospheric pressure on marathon race times in the Berlin Marathon since its first event in 1974–2019. A total of n = 882,540 valid finisher records were available for analysis, of which 724,135 correspond to male and 158,405 to female runners. We performed analyses regarding performance levels considering all finishers, the top 3, the top 10, and the top 100 women and men. Within the 46 years of Berlin marathons under study, there was some level of precipitation for 18 years, and 28 years without any rain. Sunshine was predominant in 25 of the events, whilst in the other 21, cloud cover was predominant. There was no significant trend with time in any of the weather variables (e.g., no increase in temperature across the years). Overall runners became slower with increasing temperature and sunshine duration, however, elite runners (i.e., top 3 and top 10) seemed to run faster and improved their race times when the temperature increased (with women improving more than men). Top 10 women seemed to benefit more from increasing temperatures than top 10 males, and male top 100 runners seemed to benefit more from increasing temperatures than female top 100 runners. In the top three sub-group, no differences were observed between male and female correlations. In summary, in marathoners competing in the Berlin Marathon between 1974 and 2019, increasing temperatures and sunshine duration showed a different effect on different performance levels where overall runners (i.e., the general mass of runners) became slower with increasing temperature and sunshine duration, but elite runners (i.e., top 3, top 10) became faster with increasing temperatures where sex differences exist.
Exercise-Training Regulates Apolipoprotein B in Drosophila to Improve HFD-Mediated Cardiac Function Damage and Low Exercise Capacity
Authors: Ding Meng , Zheng Lan , Li Qiu Fang , Wang Wan Li , Peng Wan Da , Zhou Meng
Published: July 2021

Apolipoprotein B plays an essential role in systemic lipid metabolism, and it is closely related to cardiovascular diseases. Exercise-training can regulate systemic lipid metabolism, improve heart function, and improve exercise capacity, but the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We used a Drosophila model to demonstrate that exercise-training regulates the expression of apoLpp (a homolog of apolipoprotein B) in cardiomyocytes, thereby resisting heart insufficiency and low exercise capacity caused by obesity. The apoLpp is an essential lipid carrier produced in the heart and fat body of Drosophila. In a Drosophila genetic screen, low expression of apoLpp reduced obesity and cardiac dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Cardiac-specific inhibition indicated that reducing apoLpp in the heart during HFD reduced the triglyceride content of the whole-body and reduced heart function damage caused by HFD. In exercise-trained flies, the result was similar to the knockdown effect of apoLpp. Therefore, the inhibition of apoLpp plays an important role in HFD-induced cardiac function impairment and low exercise capacity. Although the apoLpp knockdown of cardiomyocytes alleviated damage to heart function, it did not reduce the arrhythmia and low exercise capacity caused by HFD. Exercise-training can improve this condition more effectively, and the possible reason for this difference is that exercise-training regulates climbing ability in ways to promote metabolism. Exercise-training during HFD feeding can down-regulate the expression of apoLpp, reduce the whole-body TG levels, improve cardiac recovery, and improve exercise capacity. Exercise-training can downregulate the expression of apoLpp in cardiomyocytes to resist cardiac function damage and low exercise capacity caused by HFD. The results revealed the relationship between exercise-training and apoLpp and their essential roles in regulating heart function and climbing ability.
Non-invasive Biomarkers of Liver Inflammation and Cell Death in Response to Alcohol Detoxification
Authors: Neuman Manuela G. , Mueller Johannes , Mueller Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) represents the most common liver disease worldwide, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Namely centrilobular inflammation and programmed cell death are characteristic to ALD and it remains to be elucidated why they persist despite the absence of alcohol.

Aims

To study the effects of alcohol withdrawal in a cohort of heavy drinkers and the role of cirrhosis by using non-invasive biomarkers such as cytokines, apoptotic and angiogenic markers.

Methods

Caspase 3-cleaved M30, M65, cytokines (IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured in 114 heavy drinkers. The role of alcohol detoxification was investigated in 45 patients. The liver histology was available in 23 patients. Fibrosis stage and steatosis were assessed by measuring liver stiffness (LS) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in all patients using transient elastography (FibroScan, Echosens, Paris). Mean observation interval between the measurements was 5.7 ± 1.4 days (mean + –SD).

Results

Patients consumed a mean of 204 ± 148 g/day alcohol with a heavy drinking duration of 15.3 ± 11.0 years. Mean LS was 20.7 ± 24.4 kPa and mean CAP was 303 ± 51 dB/m. Fibrosis distribution was F0–38.1%, F1-2–31%, F3–7.1 and F4–23.9%. Apoptotic markers M30 and M65 were almost five times above normal. In contrast, TNF- α a, IL-8 and VEGF were only slightly elevated. Patients with manifest liver cirrhosis (F4) had significantly higher levels of M30, M65, IL-6 and IL-8. Histology features such as hepatocyte ballooning, Mallory-Denk bodies, inflammation and fibrosis were all significantly associated with elevated LS, and serum levels of TNF-alpha, M30 and M65 but not with CAP and other cytokines. During alcohol detoxification, LS, transaminases, TGF- β, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF decreased significantly. In contrast, no significant changes were observed for M30, M65 and TNF- α and M30 even increased during detoxification in non-cirrhotic patients. Profibrogenic cytokine TGF-beta and pro-angiogenic cytokine VEGF showed a delayed decrease in patients with manifest cirrhosis.

Conclusion

Patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis have a pronounced apoptotic activity and a distinct inflammatory response that only partly improves after 1 week of alcohol detoxification. Alcohol withdrawal may represent an important approach to better dissect the underlying mechanisms in the setting of alcohol metabolism.
Effect of Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy on Daytime Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Traveling to Altitude: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lichtblau Mona , Latshang Tsogyal D. , Aeschbacher Sayaka S. , Huber Fabienne , Scheiwiller Philipp M. , Ulrich Stefanie , Schneider Simon R. , Hasler Elisabeth D. , Furian Michael , Bloch Konrad E. , Saxer Stéphanie , Ulrich Silvia
Published: July 2021

Introduction

We investigated whether nocturnal oxygen therapy (NOT) mitigates the increase of pulmonary artery pressure in patients during daytime with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) traveling to altitude.

Methods

Patients with COPD living below 800 m underwent examinations at 490 m and during two sojourns at 2,048 m (with a washout period of 2 weeks < 800 m between altitude sojourns). During nights at altitude, patients received either NOT (3 L/min) or placebo (ambient air 3 L/min) via nasal cannula according to a randomized crossover design. The main outcomes were the tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) measured by echocardiography on the second day at altitude (under ambient air) and various other echocardiographic measures of the right and left heart function. Patients fulfilling predefined safety criteria were withdrawn from the study.

Results

Twenty-three COPD patients [70% Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) II/30% GOLD III, mean ± SD age 66 ± 5 years, FEV1 54% ± 13% predicted] were included in the per-protocol analysis. TRPG significantly increased when patients traveled to altitude (from low altitude 21.7 ± 5.2 mmHg to 2,048 m placebo 27.4 ± 7.3 mmHg and 2,048 m NOT 27.8 ± 8.3 mmHg) difference between interventions (mean difference 0.4 mmHg, 95% CI −2.1 to 3.0, p = 0.736). The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was significantly higher after NOT vs. placebo [2.6 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 cm, mean difference (95% confidence interval) 0.3 (0.1 − 0.5) cm, p = 0.005]. During visits to 2,048 m until 24 h after descent, eight patients (26%) using placebo and one (4%) using NOT had to be withdrawn because of altitude-related adverse health effects (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In lowlanders with COPD remaining free of clinically relevant altitude-related adverse health effects, changes in daytime pulmonary hemodynamics during a stay at high altitude were trivial and not modified by NOT.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02150590.
The Hamstrings: Anatomic and Physiologic Variations and Their Potential Relationships With Injury Risk
Authors: Afonso José , Rocha-Rodrigues Sílvia , Clemente Filipe M. , Aquino Michele , Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Sarmento Hugo , Fílter Alberto , Olivares-Jabalera Jesús , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo
Published: July 2021

The incidence and recurrence of hamstrings injuries are very high in sports, posing elevated performance and financial-related costs. Attempts to identify the risk factors involved in predicting vulnerability to hamstrings injury is important for designing exercise-based programs that aim to mitigate the rate and severity of hamstrings injuries and improve rehabilitation strategies. However, research has shown that non-modifiable risk factors may play a greater role than modifiable risk factors. Recognizing non-modifiable risk factors and understanding their implications will afford the prescription of better suited exercise programs, i.e., that are more respectful of the individual characteristics. In a nutshell, non-modifiable risk factors can still be acted upon, even if indirectly. In this context, an underexplored topic is how intra and inter- individual anatomic and physiologic variations in hamstrings (e.g., muscle bellies, fiber types, tendon length, aponeurosis width, attachment sites, sex- and age-related differences) concur to alter hamstrings injuries risk. Some anatomic and physiologic variations may be modifiable through exercise interventions (e.g., cross-sectional area), while others may not (e.g., supernumerary muscle bellies). This apparent dichotomy may hide a greater complexity, i.e., there may be risk factors that are partially modifiable. Therefore, we explored the available information on the anatomic variations of the hamstrings, providing a deeper insight into the individual risk factors for hamstrings injuries and contributing with better knowledge and potential applications toward a more individualized exercise prescription.
The Detrimental Effects of No Trust: Active Decisions of No Trust Cause Stronger Affective and Behavioral Reactions Than Inactive Decisions
Authors: Schutter Manon , van Dijk Eric , de Kwaadsteniet Erik W. , van Dijk Wilco W.
Published: July 2021

In two experimental studies, we investigated the affective (Studies 1 and 2) and behavioral (Study 2) effects of not being trusted. In an adapted version of the Trust Game paradigm, participants were all assigned the position of Person B, and learned that their opponent (Person A) had decided to not let them divide monetary outcomes. This had either been an inactive decision (Person A had not offered them the option to distribute outcomes) or an active decision (Person A had taken away their option to distribute outcomes). Results of both studies reveal that reactions to not being trusted were significantly affected by whether this decision was active or inactive. Active decisions evoked a more negative evaluation toward Person A, led participants to experience more negative emotions, and lowered their satisfaction with the final outcome, even though payoffs and final earnings were held constant between the conditions (Study 1). In addition, when the decision not to trust had been an active decision, participants subsequently behaved less altruistic, as evidenced by significant lower allocations in a subsequent Dictator Game (Study 2). Interestingly, this reduction in altruism was not restricted to encounters with Person A, but also extended to an uninvolved other (Person C).
Almost Everyone Loses Meaning in Life From Social Exclusion, but Some More Than the Others: A Comparison Among Victims, Voluntary, and Forced Rejecters
Authors: Zhang Shuyue , Huang Junqing , Duan Hedan , Turel Ofir , He Qinghua
Published: July 2021

Social exclusion has been a major societal concern because it hinders the attainment of needs for belonging and relationship. While we know much about the effects of social exclusion on victims and perpetrators, there is limited insight regarding how different types of rejecters (voluntary vs. forced) might affect important outcomes. The purpose of this study is to bridge this gap and to examine how different types of social exclusion (forced and voluntary) influence meaning in the life of participants. To this end, we conducted two experiments using two social exclusion paradigms: the recall paradigm and the Cyberball game. The results of the two experiments were consistent. Both experiments revealed that (1) the meaning in the life of the victim group and the forced rejecter group (i.e., those who were forced to exclude others) was significantly lower than this of the control group and the voluntary rejecter group (i.e., those choosing to exclude others). There were no significant differences between the victim group and the forced rejecter group, and there were no significant differences between the voluntary rejecter group and the control group. These results reveal that social exclusion not only negatively affects the victims of exclusion but also reduces the meaning in the life of forced rejecters. These findings are specific, and they show that the types of will in exclusion can create differences in the effects of social exclusion on the rejecters.
The Impact of Narcissistic Leader on Subordinates and Team Followership: Based on “Guanxi” Perspective
Authors: Wang Lin
Published: July 2021

Studies have shown that narcissistic individuals are more likely to become leaders in uncertain situations, while few studies paid attention to the relational mechanism, linking a narcissistic leader with subordinates and team attitudes and behaviors. Based on the “guanxi” and dominance complementarity theory, we examined the influencing mechanism of narcissistic leaders on subordinates and team followership (TF). Two-wave data collected from 326 employees in the manufacturing and technology industry in China supported our hypothesized model. We have found that narcissistic leaders have a negative impact on followership (F) and TF of subordinates; Supervisor–subordinate guanxi (SSG) and team leadership relationship identity play a partial mediating role between narcissistic leadership and subordinates and team followership. Furthermore, individual and team values play a moderating role in the process of influencing a mechanism. In other words, the higher the individual tradition and team power distance (PD), the less negative impact of leader narcissism on SSG and team leadership relationship identity. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. We also offer several promising directions for future research.
Appraisal of China's Response to the Outbreak of COVID-19 in Comparison With SARS
Authors: Li Jiajia , Li Shixue , Cao Wuchun , Wang Zhongli , Liang Zhuohui , Fu Wenhao , Zhao Jinfeng
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since become a pandemic. The COVID-19 containment measures were comparable to those used with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), although these were stricter and more organized, and were initiated earlier and on a larger scale. Based on the lessons learned from SARS, the Chinese government acted aggressively in response to COVID-19, through a unified and effective commanding system, using law-based and science-driven strategies, and coordinated deployment of medical resources. Additionally, the application of high-tech measures, traditional Chinese medicine, and hierarchical medical systems also played an important role in control measures. Despite the remarkable performance, the initial delay in response suggests that the coordination between public health and medical services, reserve and coordination of emergency materials, and capacity for disease control and prevention need to be strengthened.
Polarity Reversal Effect of a Memristor From the Circuit Point of View and Insights Into the Memristor Fuse
Authors: Isah Aliyu , Tchakoutio Nguetcho A. S. , Binczak S. , Bilbault J.M.
Published: July 2021

As the memristor device is asymmetrical in nature, it is not a bilateral element like the resistor in terms of circuit functionality. Thus, it causes hindrance in some memristor-based applications such as in cellular nonlinear network neighborhood connections and in some application areas where its orientation is essentially expected to act as a bilateral circuit element reliable for bidirectional communication, for example, in signal and image processing or in electrical synapse devices. We introduce a memristor-based network for each purpose where we replace the conventional series resistances by memristors. The memristor asymmetry is described from the circuit point of view allowing us to observe its interaction within the network. Moreover, a memristor fuse is proposed in order to achieve the memristive effect with symmetry, which is formed basically by connecting two memristors antiserially. We, therefore, analyze the memristor fuse from its basic principle along with the theoretical analysis and then observe the response from the circuit point of view.
Welfare Impact of Organic Fertilizer Adoption: Empirical Evidence From Nigeria
Authors: Oyetunde-Usman Zainab , Ogunpaimo Oyinlola Rafiat , Olagunju Kehinde Oluseyi , Ambali Omotuyole Isiaka , Ashagidigbi Waheed Mobolaji
Published: July 2021

Soil fertility depletion is acknowledged to adversely influence agricultural productivity and welfare status of rural farming households. Studies have shown that organic fertilizer utilization tends to rejuvenate the soil, thereby enhancing its productive capacity. This study seeks to estimate the welfare impact of organic fertilizer adoption among agricultural households using the 2018/2019 Nigeria General Household Survey (GHS). The novelty of this study is in the use of propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous treatment regression (ETR) to address biases that may arise from both observed and unobserved factors. Results show that the adoption of organic fertilizers positively and significantly impacts the welfare of farmers, particularly when sources of unobserved characteristics of agricultural households are accounted for. The heterogeneity impact results show that female household heads, agricultural households that had access to credit, and farm household residents in the southern region of Nigeria significantly gained more from the adoption of organic fertilizers. In addition, a check for time effect reveals that the adoption of organic fertilizers does not result in an immediate welfare effect; the effect is, however, positive and significant over time. This suggests that adoption does not only improve soil and mitigate against climate impact, but it also has a higher likelihood of providing long-term and sustainable welfare impact for agricultural households. The results point to the need for policies and programs to promote and sustain the adoption of organic fertilizers among agricultural households through addressing existing institutional barriers such as extension and credit facilities.
Iterative Solution of Linear Matrix Inequalities for the Combined Control and Observer Design of Systems with Polytopic Parameter Uncertainty and Stochastic Noise
Authors: Rauh Andreas , Dehnert Robert , Romig Swantje , Lerch Sabine , Tibken Bernd
Published: July 2021

Most research activities that utilize linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques are based on the assumption that the separation principle of control and observer synthesis holds. This principle states that the combination of separately designed linear state feedback controllers and linear state observers, which are independently proven to be stable, results in overall stable system dynamics. However, even for linear systems, this property does not necessarily hold if polytopic parameter uncertainty and stochastic noise influence the system’s state and output equations. In this case, the control and observer design needs to be performed simultaneously to guarantee stabilization. However, the loss of the validity of the separation principle leads to nonlinear matrix inequalities instead of LMIs. For those nonlinear inequalities, the current paper proposes an iterative LMI solution procedure. If this algorithm produces a feasible solution, the resulting controller and observer gains ensure robust stability of the closed-loop control system for all possible parameter values. In addition, the proposed optimization criterion leads to a minimization of the sensitivity to stochastic noise so that the actual state trajectories converge as closely as possible to the desired operating point. The efficiency of the proposed solution approach is demonstrated by stabilizing the Zeeman catastrophe machine along the unstable branch of its bifurcation diagram. Additionally, an observer-based tracking control task is embedded into an iterative learning-type control framework.
Impact-Based Amplification and Frequency Down-Conversion of Piezoelectric Actuation for Small Robotics
Authors: Shen Congkai , Yu Siyuan , Luo Junjie , Oldham Kenn R.
Published: July 2021

This paper explores a concept for dynamic amplification of piezoelectric actuator motion using repeated impacts between the active transducer and a compliant amplification mechanism. The design shows good performance in amplifying vibration of a lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) bimorph while down-converting the output frequency of motion from more than 150 Hz to less than 20 Hz. A simple dynamic model is used to identify the conceptual opportunities for impact-based amplification of PZT displacement. Experimental results are gathered from a prototype system with dimensions 55 mm × 22 mm × 1 mm. PZT displacement is amplified by a factor of more than 100 with near-periodic output oscillations at select input frequencies. Implications for leveraging the low-frequency output oscillations in small mobile robots are briefly discussed.
Effect of Multisession Progressive Gait-Slip Training on Fall-Resisting Skills of People with Chronic Stroke: Examining Motor Adaptation in Reactive Stability
Authors: Dusane Shamali , Bhatt Tanvi
Published: July 2021

Background: This study examined whether a multisession gait-slip training could enhance reactive balance control and fall-resisting skills of people with chronic stroke (PwCS). Methods: A total of 11 PwCS underwent a four-week treadmill-based gait-slip training (four sessions). Pre- and post-training assessment was performed on six intensities of gait-slips (levels 1–6). Training consisted of 10 blocks of each progressively increasing intensity (four trials per block) until participants fell at >2 trials per block (fall threshold). In the next session, training began at a sub-fall threshold and progressed further. Fall outcome and threshold, number of compensatory steps, multiple stepping threshold, progression to higher intensities, pre- and post-slip center of mass (CoM), state stability, clinical measures, and treadmill walking speed were analyzed. Results: Post-training, PwCS demonstrated a reduction in falls and compensatory steps on levels 5 and 6 (p < 0.05) compared to pre-training. While an increase in pre-slip stability was limited to level 6 (p < 0.05), improvement in post-slip stability at lift-off was noted on levels 2, 3, and 5 (p < 0.05) along with improved post-slip minimum stability on levels 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). Post-training demonstrated improved fall (p < 0.05) and multiple stepping thresholds (p = 0.05). While most participants could progress to level 4 between the first and last training sessions, more participants progressed to level 6 (p < 0.05). Participants’ treadmill walking speed increased (p < 0.05); however, clinical measures remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Multisession, progressively increasing intensity of treadmill-based gait-slip training appears to induce significant adaptive improvement in falls, compensatory stepping, and postural stability among PwCS.
Enzyme Immobilization and Biocatalysis
Authors: Califano Valeria , Costantini Aniello
Published: July 2021

Enzymes are catalysts with outstanding properties [...]
Coagulated Mineral Adsorbents for Dye Removal, and Their Process Intensification Using an Agitated Tubular Reactor (ATR)
Authors: Tonge Alastair S. , Harbottle David , Casarin Simon , Zervaki Monika , Careme Christel , Hunter Timothy N.
Published: July 2021

The aim of this study was to understand the efficacy of widely available minerals as dual-function adsorbers and weighter materials, for the removal of toxic azo-type textile dyes when combined with coprecipitation processes. Specifically, the adsorption of an anionic direct dye was measured on various mineral types with and without the secondary coagulation of iron hydroxide (‘FeOOH’) in both a bench-scale stirred tank, as well as an innovative agitated tubular reactor (ATR). Talc, calcite and modified bentonite were all able to remove 90–95% of the dye at 100 and 200 ppm concentrations, where the kinetics were fitted to a pseudo second-order rate model and adsorption was rapid (<30 min). Physical characterisation of the composite mineral-FeOOH sludges was also completed through particle size and sedimentation measurements, as well as elemental scanning electron microscopy to determine the homogeneity of the minerals in the coagulated structure. Removal of >99% of the dye was achieved for all the coagulated systems, where additionally, they produced significantly enhanced settling rates and bed compression. The greatest settling rate (9 mm min−1) and solids content increase (450% w/w) were observed for the calcium carbonate system, which also displayed the most homogenous distribution. This system was selected for scale-up and benchmarking in the ATR. Dye removal and sediment dispersion in the ATR were enhanced with respect to the bench scale tests, although lower settling rates were observed due to the relatively high shear rate of the agitator. Overall, results highlight the applicability of these cost-effective minerals as both dye adsorbers and sludge separation modifiers to accelerate settling and compression in textile water treatment. Additionally, the work indicates the suitability of the ATR as a flexible, modular alternative to traditional stirred tank reactors.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Optical and Theoretical Characterization of Novel 2-(imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-1-yl)pyridinium Salts
Authors: Cavinato Luca M. , Volpi Giorgio , Fresta Elisa , Garino Claudio , Fin Andrea , Barolo Claudia
Published: July 2021

In the last few years, imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine scaffolds and derivatives have attracted growing attention due to their unique chemical structure and optical behaviors. In this work, a series of pyridylimidazo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives and their corresponding pyridinium salts were synthesized and their optical properties investigated to evaluate the effect of the quaternization on the optical features both in solution and polymeric matrix. A critical analysis based on the spectroscopic data, chemical structures along with density functional theory calculation is reported to address the best strategies to prevent aggregation and optimize the photophysical properties. The obtained results describe the relationship between chemical structure and optical behaviors, highlighting the role of pendant pyridine. Finally, the presence of a positive charge is fundamental to avoid any possible aggregation process in polymeric films.
An Improved Stereo Matching Algorithm for Vehicle Speed Measurement System Based on Spatial and Temporal Image Fusion
Authors: Yang Lei , Li Qingyuan , Song Xiaowei , Cai Wenjing , Hou Chunping , Xiong Zixiang
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes an improved stereo matching algorithm for vehicle speed measurement system based on spatial and temporal image fusion (STIF). Firstly, the matching point pairs in the license plate area with obviously abnormal distance to the camera are roughly removed according to the characteristic of license plate specification. Secondly, more mismatching point pairs are finely removed according to local neighborhood consistency constraint (LNCC). Thirdly, the optimum speed measurement point pairs are selected for successive stereo frame pairs by STIF of binocular stereo video, so that the 3D points corresponding to the matching point pairs for speed measurement in the successive stereo frame pairs are in the same position on the real vehicle, which can significantly improve the vehicle speed measurement accuracy. LNCC and STIF can be used not only for license plate, but also for vehicle logo, light, mirror etc. Experimental results demonstrate that the vehicle speed measurement system with the proposed LNCC+STIF stereo matching algorithm can significantly outperform the state-of-the-art system in accuracy.
Spatial Entanglement of Fermions in One-Dimensional Quantum Dots
Authors: Christov Ivan P.
Published: July 2021

The time-dependent quantum Monte Carlo method for fermions is introduced and applied in the calculation of the entanglement of electrons in one-dimensional quantum dots with several spin-polarized and spin-compensated electron configurations. The rich statistics of wave functions provided by this method allow one to build reduced density matrices for each electron, and to quantify the spatial entanglement using measures such as quantum entropy by treating the electrons as identical or distinguishable particles. Our results indicate that the spatial entanglement in parallel-spin configurations is rather small, and is determined mostly by the spatial quantum nonlocality introduced by the ground state. By contrast, in the spin-compensated case, the outermost opposite-spin electrons interact like bosons, which prevails their entanglement, while the inner-shell electrons remain largely at their Hartree–Fock geometry. Our findings are in close correspondence with the numerically exact results, wherever such comparison is possible.