bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENSAMENTOS INCONSCIENTES COMO BASE DE EXPLICAÇÃO DA CONSCIÊNCIA ENQUANTO PROPRIEDADE DE ESTADOS MENTAIS
Authors: De Athayde Prata Tárik
Published: June 2022

O artigo aborda a Teoria dos ‘Pensamentos de Ordem Superior’ – a teoria HOT –, proposta por David Rosenthal para explicar a consciência como propriedade de estados mentais, focando a discussão no fato de os pensamentos meta-psicológicos – concebidos por Rosenthal como base de explicação da consciência – são, de acordo com a teoria, pensamentos inconscientes. Após uma exposição dessa teoria (seção 2), será discutido o problema do regresso ao infinito, que é um dos motivos que leva Rosenthal a defender que os pensamentos  meta-psicológicos, normalmente, são inconscientes (seção 3), e a argumentação dele a favor dessa inconsciência (seção 4). A conclusão é que, diante do fato de que estados mentais inconscientes são – cotidianamente – capazes de nos tornar cientes de objetos e estados de coisas – apesar de serem inconscientes – mostra que pensamentos meta-psicológicos inconscientes são um candidato promissor a serem a base de explicação da consciência como característica de estados mentais (seção 5).

Palavras-chave: Teoria HOT, Pensamentos meta-psicológicos, Consciência, Inconsciente, Regresso ao infinito.
COGNIÇÃO SOCIAL A PARTIR DA TEORIA DE SITUAÇÕES: EM DIREÇÃO A UMA ABORDAGEM INTEGRADA
Authors: De Luca-Noronha Daniel
Published: June 2022

Os principais objetivos do artigo são (i) explorar a flexibilidade e a eficiência na cognição social e (ii) argumentar que esses conceitos estão em uma relação de complementaridade. Uma motivação central do artigo é que o debate contemporâneo neste domínio, que opõe mentalistas e interacionistas, leva-nos a escolher entre duas alternativas igualmente insatisfatórias: privilegiar a flexibilidade em detrimento da eficiência (mentalismo), ou privilegiar a eficiência em detrimento da flexibilidade (interacionismo). Entretanto, flexibilidade e eficiência são desiderata imprescindíveis da explicação da cognição social. No que diz respeito à flexibilidade, os agentes são sensíveis ao fato de que diferentes estados mentais podem explicar/causar um mesmo comportamento e, inversamente, diferentes movimentos corporais podem ser explicados/causados por um mesmo estado mental. Entretanto, o problema é que as teorias mentalistas estão comprometidas com uma noção de flexibilidade muito carregada do ponto de vista cognitivo. Com efeito, além de flexível, a compreensão mútua é eficiente: contrariamente ao mentalismo, teorias recentes da cognição social baseadas no paradigma da cognição estendida, como a teoria interacionista, procuram fornecer uma imagem da cognição social que faça justiça à eficiência. Entretanto, o problema aqui é que esse movimento de enfatizar a eficiência pode perder de vista a flexibilidade. Em face disto, o artigo apresenta uma alternativa que leva em conta as relações dinâmicas entre flexibilidade e eficiência. A partir da Teoria de Situações, procura-se mostrar que as capacidades que caracterizam a flexibilidade são parcialmente dependentes do nosso engajamento em episódios comuns de interação, e que, inversamente, as capacidades que caracterizam a eficiência não gerariam a estabilidade das interações sem a relação com capacidades flexíveis.
O EU QUANTIFICADO NO CONTEXTO DAS TECNOLOGIAS CONTEMPORÂNEAS
Authors: Eleutério Pereira Felipe , C. Broens Mariana
Published: June 2022

Neste artigo analisamos o conceito de eu quantificado a partir na Perspectiva de Segunda Pessoa, segundo a qual a eu-dade, ou pessoalidade, é atualizada em relações contexto-dependentes de total ou parcial transparência cognitiva não redutíveis aos aspectos considerados nas perspectivas de primeira ou de terceira pessoa. O eu quantificado designa o indivíduo que realiza medições sobre si mesmo por meio de tecnologias ubíquas em rede para obter um suposto maior autoconhecimento, instanciando, segundo alguns autores, um ponto de vista de Quarta Pessoa, constituído por relações de alteridade (pessoa-máquina-pessoa) emergentes, em especial, em um cenário sociocultural permeado por tecnologias ubíquas e análises de big data. Procuraremos problematizar a tese de que o automonitoramento digital promoveria um aprofundamento do autoconhecimento, defendida pelos postuladores da quantificação do eu. Procuraremos mostrar que a coleta de dados sobre si mesmo por meio de tecnologias ubíquas não favorece necessariamente a constituição/atualização da pessoalidade porque o automonitoramento digital mediado pode interferir significativamente nos modos de interação social da Segunda Pessoa e no autoconhecimento que tal interação pode promover.
O CONCEITO DE AMOR EM ORÍGENES DE ALEXANDRIA E AGOSTINHO DE HIPONA: APROXIMAÇÕES E DIVERGÊNCIAS
Authors: De Queiroz Silva Francisco Romário , Clebio Figueiredo Francisco
Published: June 2022

Considerando a relevância que a temática do amor teve e continua tendo no campo da filosofia, bem como a importância que os pensadores Orígenes e Agostinho têm na mesma área, especificamente no que toca à filosofia antiga e Patrística, objetiva-se, neste trabalho, apresentar os sistemas de ambos os Padres, suas contribuições e divergências a respeito do citado tema. Para tanto, procedeu-se a um levantamento bibliográfico das principais obras em que ambos os autores dissertam a respeito da temática proposta para esta pesquisa, bem como pesquisadores e comentadores do pensamento do alexandrino e do hiponense. A pesquisa ainda está amparada em historiadores da filosofia. Desse modo, observa-se que o tema do amor ocupa lugar significativo nos textos de Agostinho e Orígenes, sendo chave de leitura e compreensão para seus sistemas filosóficos. Ainda, observou-se, que não obstante ambos os pensadores apontarem para as mesmas direções em diversos quesitos, Agostinho parece ser mais preciso, metodológico e possui uma terminologia mais refinada no tocante ao assunto. O que permite concluir que ambos os pensadores trazem importantes contribuições filosóficas à temática do amor, sendo o sistema agostiniano mais desenvolvido que o origeniano.
Bilimsel İdealizasyonlar
Authors: ÇEVİK A. Dinçer
Published: June 2022

Belirli türden soyutlamalar, idealleştirmeler, bilinçli ihmaller, izolasyonlar bilim pratiğinde sıklıkla kullanılır. Kütle noktası, sürtünmesiz yüzey, hava boşluğu, ideal gaz, sonsuz büyük popülasyonlar, ölümsüz insanlar, tam rekabet, tam bilgili ekonomik bireyler, sıfır taşıma maliyeti, rasyonel bireyler vb. varsayımlara doğa bilimlerinde ve sosyal bilimler sıkılıkla başvurulur. Bu tür varsayımların ortak noktası belirli türden eksiklikler, mükemmelleştirmeler, çarpıtmalar ve benzeri özellikler içermesi ve bu anlamda araştırılan fenomenler ile ilgili ‘idealizasyonlar’ olarak iş görmeleridir. Bilimin temel amaçlarından ikisinin açıklama verme ve öndeyi türetimi olduğu düşünüldüğünde, idealizasyonlar şu soruyu beraberinde getirir: Eksiklikler, yanlışlıklar, bilinçli çarpıtmalar ve benzerlerini içeren varsayımlar olarak idealizasyonlar dünyayı açıklama, anlama ve onunla ilgili öndeyi türetiminde ve politika belirlemede nasıl iş görür? Bu soruyu yanıtlamanın yollarından birisi bahsi geçen epistemik stratejilerinin bilim ve bilim felsefesi literatüründe yer alma biçimlerini, yani onların sınıflandırılmalarını, benzerlik ve farklılıklarını analiz etmektir. Dolayısıyla bu makalede görece daha çok tartışılmış olan belli başlı idealizasyon türlerini analiz ederek bu konu bağlamında görece sınırlı kalmış olan Türkçe literatüre katkı vermeyi amaç¬lıyorum.
Upper hybrid wave excitation and particle acceleration by resonant beating of two hollow Gaussian laser beams in magnetized plasma
Authors: Purohit Gunjan
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the excitation of the upper hybrid wave by resonant beating of two intense hollow Gaussian relativistic laser beams in a magnetized plasma. Hollow laser beams are taken in this study because they have the same power at different beam orders. The interaction of two intense hollow laser beams at the frequency difference (

Δ
ω
≈

ω
1

−

ω
2

) and wavenumber (

Δ
k
=

k
1

−

k
2

) excites the upper hybrid wave in the magnetized plasma. The excited upper hybrid wave accelerates the electrons to higher energies. The acceleration of electrons has also been studied. This study is carried out under a higher-order paraxial region, where the dielectric constant and the eikonal are expanded to the fourth power of the radial distance. Analytical expressions are obtained for the beam width parameter of the hollow Gaussian laser beams, the electric field of the upper hybrid wave, and the energy gain by the electrons. The effects of various laser and plasma parameters (such as beam order, plasma frequency, and electron cyclotron frequency) on the electric field of the upper hybrid wave and the energy gain of electrons have been explored. The results are compared with paraxial region and the Gaussian profile of laser beams. Numerical analysis has been performed for well-established laser and plasma parameters.
High-speed long-distance visible light communication based on multicolor series connection micro-LEDs and wavelength division multiplexing
Authors: Zhu Shijie , Qiu Pengjiang , Shan Xinyi , Lin Runze , Wang Zhou , Jin Zuxin , Cui Xugao , Zhang Guoqi , Tian Pengfei
Published: June 2022

Multicolor series connection micro-LED arrays with emission wavelengths of violet, blue, green, and yellow were fabricated, and their optoelectronic properties and communication performances were investigated. The designed series connection micro-LED array exhibited the light output power of multiple milliwatts, whereas mostly keeping a slightly reduced modulation bandwidth, thus, enabling a higher signal-to-noise ratio compared to a single pixel and showing superior performance in the field of long-distance visible light communication (VLC). The achievable data rates of 400-, 451-, 509-, and 556-nm micro-LED arrays using bit/power loading orthogonal frequency division multiplexing were 5.71, 4.86, 4.39, and 0.82 Gbps, respectively. The aggregate data rate of 15.78 Gbps was achieved for the proof-of-concept wavelength division multiplexing system under a transmission distance of 13 m, which was the best data rate-distance product performance for the LED-based VLC to the best of our knowledge. In addition, the long-distance VLC based on yellow micro-LED was also demonstrated for the first time in this paper.
A pipeline for the reconstruction and evaluation of context-specific human metabolic models at a large-scale
Authors: Vieira Vítor , Ferreira Jorge , Rocha Miguel
Published: June 2022

Constraint-based (CB) metabolic models provide a mathematical framework and scaffold for in silico cell metabolism analysis and manipulation. In the past decade, significant efforts have been done to model human metabolism, enabled by the increased availability of multi-omics datasets and curated genome-scale reconstructions, as well as the development of several algorithms for context-specific model (CSM) reconstruction. Although CSM reconstruction has revealed insights on the deregulated metabolism of several pathologies, the process of reconstructing representative models of human tissues still lacks benchmarks and appropriate integrated software frameworks, since many tools required for this process are still disperse across various software platforms, some of which are proprietary. In this work, we address this challenge by assembling a scalable CSM reconstruction pipeline capable of integrating transcriptomics data in CB models. We combined omics preprocessing methods inspired by previous efforts with in-house implementations of existing CSM algorithms and new model refinement and validation routines, all implemented in the Troppo Python-based open-source framework. The pipeline was validated with multi-omics datasets from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), also including reference fluxomics measurements for the MCF7 cell line. We reconstructed over 6000 models based on the Human-GEM template model for 733 cell lines featured in the CCLE, using MCF7 models as reference to find the best parameter combinations. These reference models outperform earlier studies using the same template by comparing gene essentiality and fluxomics experiments. We also analysed the heterogeneity of breast cancer cell lines, identifying key changes in metabolism related to cancer aggressiveness. Despite the many challenges in CB modelling, we demonstrate using our pipeline that combining transcriptomics data in metabolic models can be used to investigate key metabolic shifts. Significant limitations were found on these models ability for reliable quantitative flux prediction, thus motivating further work in genome-wide phenotype prediction.
Caries risk assessment using different Cariogram models. A comparative study about concordance in different populations—Adults and children
Authors: Cagetti Maria Grazia , Bontà Giuliana , Lara Juan Sebastian , Campus Guglielmo
Published: June 2022

This methodological survey aimed to verify whether there is concordance among several Cariogram different risk models at different thresholds, comparing both children and adult populations and how each risk/protective factor weight on the overall caries risk profile. Three groups’ data (two in children and one in adults) were obtained from previous studies, while a fourth, in young adults, was ad hoc enrolled. Different caries risk levels were assessed: a) three risk categories with two different thresholds as: “low risk”  =  61–100% or 81–100% chance to avoid caries, “moderate risk”  =  41–60% or 21–80% and “high risk”  =  0–40% or 0–20%, named model 1 and 2; b) four risk categories with two different thresholds as: “low risk”  =  61–100% or 76–100%, “moderate/low risk” = 41–60% or 51–75%; “moderate/high risk” = 21–40% or 26–50% and “high risk” = 0–20% or 0–25%, model 3 and 4; c) five risk categories as: “very low risk”  =  81–100%; “low risk”  =  61–80% “moderate risk” = 41–60%; “high risk” = 21–40% and “very high risk” = 0–20%, model 5. Concordance of the different Cariogram risk categories among the four groups was calculated using Cohen’s kappa. The weight of the association between all Cariogram models toward the Cariogram risk variables was evaluated by ordinal logistic regression models. Considering Cariogram model 1 and 2, Cohen’s Kappa values ranged from 0.40 (SE = 0.07) for the young adult group to 0.71 (SE = 0.05) for the adult one. Cohen’s Kappa values ranged from 0.14 (SE = 0.03 p<0.01) for the adult group to 0.62 (SE = 0.02) for the two groups of children in models 3 and 4. Statistically significant associations were found for all Cariogram risk variables excepting Fluoride program in models 4 and 5 and the overall risk on children’s samples. Caries experience showed a quite variable weight in the different models in both adult groups. In the regression analyses, adult groups’ convergence was not always achievable since variations in associations between caries risk and different risk variables were narrower compared to other samples. Significant differences in caries risk stratification using different thresholds stands out from data analysis; consequently, risk assessments need to be carefully considered due to the risk of misleadingly choosing preventive and research actions.
Oxidation-reduction and photophysical properties of isomeric forms of Safranin
Authors: Andersen Eskil M. E. , Wang Hsin , Khoo Joshua S. H. , Cerda Jose F. , Koder Ronald L.
Published: June 2022

Safranine O is widely used in the bioenergetics community as an indicator dye to determine membrane potentials and as an electron transfer mediator in potentiometric titrations. Here we show that two different commercial preparations of Safranine O contain less than sixty percent by weight of the title compound, with the rest primarily consisting of two closely related safranine isomers. All three major isomer components were isolated using reverse phase HPLC and their structures determined using mass spectrometry and two-dimensional NMR. These Safranines have two-electron midpoint potentials ranging from −272 to −315 mV vs. SHE. We have also investigated the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the compounds and found that they display distinct spectral and photophysical properties. While this mixture may aid in Safranine O’s utility as a mediator compound, membrane potential measurements must take this range of dye potentials into account.
Political orientation, moral foundations, and COVID-19 social distancing
Authors: Tarry Hammond , Vézina Valérie , Bailey Jacob , Lopes Leah
Published: June 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have advocated numerous social distancing measures, and compliance with these has likely saved millions of lives globally. In an online sample drawn from the U.S. and Canada (N = 209), participants completed measures of political orientation, moral foundations, and COVID-19 social distancing attitudes and behaviours. A more left-wing political orientation, and greater endorsement of the individualizing moral foundations were significantly related to more positive social distancing attitudes, and greater self-reported compliance with relevant restrictions. A more right-wing political orientation, and greater endorsement of the binding and economic liberty foundations were associated with less positive attitudes and reduced compliance. In a series of mediation analyses, the relationships between political orientation and various social distancing measures were significantly mediated by variations in participants’ moral foundations, particularly their endorsement of economic liberty and the individualizing foundations. Further data indicated that the perceived persuasiveness of messages based on each moral foundation advocating for continued social distancing was significantly related to both participants’ moral values and their political orientation. Findings are discussed in terms of understanding politicized differences around social distancing as partly reflecting differential valuation of the moral foundations, and in creating effective public health messaging regarding compliance.
The relationship between physical fitness and competitive performance of Taekwondo athletes
Authors: Liu Rui , He Lumin
Published: June 2022

The competition and physical fitness test results of the 2020 National Taekwondo Championship Series were analyzed using curve fitting, linear regression, and other statistical methods. As far as we know, it is the first Taekwondo competition that uses physical fitness test (PFT) scores as the 8-in-4 selection criteria. The results show that the probability of the final total score of the series of championships entering the top 8 or top 3 is exponentially related to PFT results. It finds that athletes with better PFT scores are more likely to enter the quarterfinals. Among athletes entering the semifinals, the athlete with the best physical fitness has the greatest probability of winning the championship. The difference in physical fitness between athletes is mainly reflected in the 30-meter sprint. Overall, the competitive performance of professional Taekwondo athletes is significantly positively correlated with their physical fitness, especially for female Taekwondo athletes. Through the results obtained, it is concluded that Taekwondo athletes need to strengthen physical training, specifically enhancing the explosive power.
Determinants of obstructed labour and its adverse outcomes among women who gave birth in Hawassa University referral Hospital: A case-control study
Authors: Desta Melaku , Mekonen Zenebe , Alemu Addisu Alehegn , Demelash Minychil , Getaneh Temesgen , Bazezew Yibelu , Kassa Getachew Mullu , Wakgari Negash
Published: June 2022

Background

Globally, obstructed labour accounted for 22% of maternal morbidities and up to 70% of perinatal deaths. It is one of the most common preventable causes of maternal and perinatal mortality in low-income countries. However, there are limited studies on the determinants of obstructed labor in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess determinants and outcomes of obstructed labor among women who gave birth in Hawassa University Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based case-control study design was conducted in Hawassa University Hospital among 468 women. All women who were diagnosed with obstructed labour and two consecutive controls giving birth on the same day were enrolled in this study. A pretested data extraction tool was used for data collection from the patient charts. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify determinants of obstructed labor.

Results

A total of 156 cases and 312 controls were included with an overall response rate of 96.3%. Women who were primipara [AOR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07, 0.52] and multigravida [AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.07, 0.41] had lower odds of obstructed labour. While contracted pelvis [AOR 3.98; 95% CI 1.68, 9.42], no partograph utilization [AOR 5.19; 95% CI 1.98, 13.6], duration of labour above 24 hours [AOR 7.61; 95% CI 2.98, 19.8] and estimated distance of 10 to 50 kilometers from the hospital [AOR 3.89; 95% CI 1.14, 13.3] had higher odds. Higher percentage of maternal (65.2%) and perinatal (60%) complications occurred among cases (p-value < 0.05). Obstructed labour accounted for 8.3% of maternal deaths and 39.7% of stillbirth. Uterine rupture, post-partum haemorrhage and sepsis were the common adverse outcomes among cases.

Conclusion

Parity, contracted pelvis, non-partograph utilization, longer duration of labour and longer distance from health facilities were determinants of obstructed labour. Maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality due to obstructed labour are higher. Therefore, improvement of partograph utilization to identify complications early, birth preparedness, complication readiness and provision of timely interventions are recommended to prevent such complications.
Financial risk protection in health care in Bangladesh in the era of Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Rahman Taslima , Gasbarro Dominic , Alam Khurshid
Published: June 2022

Background

Ensuring financial risk protection in health care and achieving universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030 is one of the crucial Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets for many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Bangladesh. We examined the critical trajectory of financial risk protection against out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure in Bangladesh.

Methods

Using Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey data from 2005, 2010, and 2016, we examined the levels and distributions of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment incidences. We used the normative food, housing, and utilities method, refining it by categorizing households with zero OOP expenses by reasons.

Results

OOP expenditure doubled between 2005 and 2016 (USD 115.6 in 2005, USD 162.1 in 2010, USD 242.9 in 2016), accompanied by rising CHE (11.5% in 2005, 11.9% in 2010, 16.6% in 2016) and impoverishment incidence (1.5% in 2005, 1.6% in 2010, 2.3% in 2016). While further impoverishment of the poor households due to OOP expenditure (3.6% in 2005, 4.1% in 2010, 3.9% in 2016) was a more severe problem than impoverishment of the non-poor, around 5.5% of non-poor households were always at risk of impoverishment. The poorest households were the least financially protected throughout the study period (lowest vs. highest quintile CHE: 29.5% vs. 7.6%, 33.2% vs. 7.2%, and 37.6% vs. 13.0% in 2005, 2010, and 2016, respectively). The disparity in CHE among households with and without chronic illness was also remarkable in 2016 (25.0% vs. 9.1%).

Conclusion

Financial risk protection in Bangladesh exhibits a deteriorated trajectory from 2005 to 2016, posing a significant challenge to achieving UHC and, thus, the SDGs by 2030. The poorest and chronically ill households disproportionately lacked financial protection. Reversing the worsening trends of CHE and impoverishment and addressing the inequities in their distributions calls for implementing UHC and thus providing financial protection against illness.
Motor control exercises versus general exercises for greater trochanteric pain syndrome: A protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thomaz de Aquino Nava Guilherme , Baldini Prudencio Caroline , Krasic Alaiti Rafael , Mendes Tozim Beatriz , Mellor Rebecca , Rodrigues Pedroni Cristiane , Mércia Pascon Barbosa Angélica , Tavella Navega Marcelo
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is an overarching term used to define pain and tenderness in the greater trochanteric region of the femur, which is more common in women. Abnormal control of lower limb movements and deficient neuromuscular parameters may lead to greater trochanteric pain syndrome; however, no studies have used neuromuscular training as a treatment strategy. Thus, this study aims to compare the effect of a protocol of general exercises versus a program of motor control training on pain at baseline and after treatment in women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Methods

The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 87372318.1.0000.5406) and has been prospectively registered on the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-37gw2x). Sixty participants will be randomized to receive motor control exercises or general exercises. The application will be performed twice a week for 8 weeks. The participants will be evaluated before the treatment (T0), after 8 weeks of intervention (T8) and after 60 weeks of intervention (T60). The primary outcome measures will be the hip pain intensity, and secondary outcomes will be muscle strength, kinesiophobia, global perceived effect, pain catastrophization, central sensitization and quality of life.

Conclusions

Studies have suggested that greater trochanteric pain syndrome may be related to poor hip and pelvic control, however, no study has investigated an exercise protocol focused on increasing the strength of the abductor and extensor muscles of the hip associated with pelvic control training, especially in positions of unilateral support, such as gait. This study will help determine whether greater trochanteric pain syndrome is related to abnormal control of lower limb movements.
Radiomics for identifying lung adenocarcinomas with predominant lepidic growth manifesting as large pure ground-glass nodules on CT images
Authors: Xiong Ziqi , Jiang Yining , Tian Di , Zhang Jingyu , Guo Yan , Li Guosheng , Qin Dongxue , Li Zhiyong
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To explore the value of radiomics in the identification of lung adenocarcinomas with predominant lepidic growth in pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) larger than 10 mm.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed CT images of 204 patients with large pGGNs (≥ 10 mm) pathologically diagnosed as minimally invasive adenocarcinomas (MIAs), lepidic predominant adenocarcinomas (LPAs), and non-lepidic predominant adenocarcinomas (NLPAs). All pGGNs in the two groups (MIA/LPA and NLPA) were randomly divided into training and test cohorts. Forty-seven patients from another center formed the external validation cohort. Baseline features, including clinical data and CT morphological and quantitative parameters, were collected to establish a baseline model. The radiomics model was built with the optimal radiomics features. The combined model was developed using the rad_score and independent baseline predictors. The performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared using the DeLong test. The differential diagnosis performance of the models was compared with three radiologists (with 20+, 10+, and 3 years of experience) in the test cohort.

Results

The radiomics (training AUC: 0.833; test AUC: 0.804; and external validation AUC: 0.792) and combined (AUC: 0.849, 0.820, and 0.775, respectively) models performed better for discriminating than the baseline model (AUC: 0.756, 0.762, and 0.725, respectively) developed by tumor location and mean CT value of the whole nodule. The DeLong test showed that the AUCs of the combined and radiomics models were significantly increased in the training cohort. The highest AUC value of the radiologists was 0.600.

Conclusion

The application of CT radiomics improved the identification performance of lung adenocarcinomas with predominant lepidic growth appearing as pGGNs larger than 10 mm.
Sleep bolsters schematically incongruent memories
Authors: Ashton Jennifer E. , Staresina Bernhard P. , Cairney Scott A.
Published: June 2022

Our ability to recall memories is improved when sleep follows learning, suggesting that sleep facilitates memory consolidation. A number of factors are thought to influence the impact of sleep on newly learned information, such as whether or not we rehearse that information (e.g. via restudy or retrieval practice), or the extent to which the information is consistent with our pre-existing schematic knowledge. In this pre-registered, online study, we examined the effects of both rehearsal and schematic congruency on overnight consolidation. Participants learned noun-colour pairings (e.g. elephant-red) and rated each pairing as plausible or implausible before completing a baseline memory assessment. Afterwards, participants engaged in a period of restudy or retrieval practice for the pairings, and then entered a 12 h retention interval of overnight sleep or daytime wakefulness. Follow-up assessments were completed immediately after sleep or wake, and again 24 h after learning. Our data indicated that overnight consolidation was amplified for restudied relative to retested noun-colour pairings, but only when sleep occurred soon after learning. Furthermore, whereas plausible (i.e. schematically congruent) pairings were generally better remembered than implausible (i.e. schematically incongruent) pairings, the benefits of sleep were stronger for implausible relative to plausible memories. These findings challenge the notion that schema-conformant memories are preferentially strengthened during post-learning sleep.
Activation of plant immunity by exposure to dinitrogen pentoxide gas generated from air using plasma technology
Authors: Tsukidate Daiki , Takashima Keisuke , Sasaki Shota , Miyashita Shuhei , Kaneko Toshiro , Takahashi Hideki , Ando Sugihiro
Published: June 2022

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play an important role in plant immunity as signaling factors. We previously developed a plasma technology to partially convert air molecules into dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), an RNS whose physiological action is poorly understood. To reveal the function of N2O5 gas in plant immunity, Arabidopsis thaliana was exposed to plasma-generated N2O5 gas once (20 s) per day for 3 days, and inoculated with Botrytis cinerea, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst), or cucumber mosaic virus strain yellow (CMV(Y)) at 24 h after the final N2O5 gas exposure. Lesion size with B. cinerea infection was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by exposure to N2O5 gas. Propagation of CMV(Y) was suppressed in plants exposed to N2O5 gas compared with plants exposed to the air control. However, proliferation of Pst in the N2O5-gas-exposed plants was almost the same as in the air control plants. These results suggested that N2O5 gas exposure could control plant disease depending on the type of pathogen. Furthermore, changes in gene expression at 24 h after the final N2O5 gas exposure were analyzed by RNA-Seq. Based on the gene ontology analysis, jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling pathways were activated by exposure of Arabidopsis plants to N2O5 gas. A time course experiment with qRT-PCR revealed that the mRNA expression of the transcription factor genes, WRKY25, WRKY26, WRKY33, and genes for tryptophan metabolic enzymes, CYP71A12, CYP71A13, PEN2, and PAD3, was transiently induced by exposure to N2O5 gas once for 20 s peaking at 1–3 h post-exposure. However, the expression of PDF1.2 was enhanced beginning from 6 h after exposure and its high expression was maintained until 24–48 h later. Thus, enhanced tryptophan metabolism leading to the synthesis of antimicrobial substances such as camalexin and antimicrobial peptides might have contributed to the N2O5-gas-induced disease resistance.
Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of an exercise and behaviour change intervention in socioeconomically deprived patients with peripheral arterial disease: The textpad study protocol
Authors: Cucato Gabriel , Snowden Chris , McCone Emma , Nesbitt Craig , Nandhra Sandip , Fong Mackenzie , Kane Eileen , Rowland Maisie , Bhattarai Nawaraj , Court Paul , Bell Oliver , Saxton John Michael , Prentis James
Published: June 2022

This pilot randomised controlled trial aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week home-based telehealth exercise and behavioural intervention delivered in socioeconomically deprived patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study will also determine the preliminary effectiveness of the intervention for improving clinical and health outcomes. Sixty patients with PAD who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited from outpatient clinic at the Freeman Hospital, United Kingdom. The intervention group will undergo telehealth behaviour intervention performed 3 times per week over 3 months. This program will comprise a home-based exercise (twice a week) and an individual lifestyle program (once per week). The control group will receive general health recommendations and advice to perform unsupervised walking training. The primary outcome will be feasibility and acceptability outcomes. The secondary outcomes will be objective and subjective function capacity, quality of life, dietary quality, physical activity levels, sleep pattern, alcohol and tobacco use, mental wellbeing, and patients’ activation. This pilot study will provide preliminary evidence of the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of home-based telehealth exercise and behavioural intervention delivered in socioeconomically deprived patients with PAD. In addition, the variance of the key health outcomes of this pilot study will be used to inform the sample size calculation for a future fully powered, multicentre randomized clinical trial.
Role of literacy, fear and hesitancy on acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among village health volunteers in Thailand
Authors: Siewchaisakul Pallop , Sarakarn Pongdech , Nanthanangkul Sirinya , Longkul Jirapat , Boonchieng Waraporn , Wungrath Jukkrit
Published: June 2022

Background

The roles of literacy, fear and hesitancy were investigated for acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine (AV) types among village health volunteers (VHVs) in Thailand.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an unidentified online questionnaire to assess literacy, fear and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Thai VHVs between 1 and 15 October 2021. The questionnaire was developed based on the HLVa-IT (Health Literacy Vaccinale degli adulti in Italiano) for vaccine literacy (VL), using an adult Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (aVHS) for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) and Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S) for the distress of COVID-19 vaccine. The effects of VL, VH and vaccine fear (VF) on AV were estimated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 5,312 VHVs completed the questionnaire. After adjustment with variables in the multivariable analysis, the VL score was insignificantly associated with increased vaccination (aOR = 1.002; (95%CI: 0.994–1.01)), while VF and VH significantly decreased the chance of vaccination, aOR = 0.966 (95%CI: 0.953–0.978) and aOR = 0.969; (95%CI: 0.960–0.979), respectively and VF and VH were negatively associated with AV for all types of vaccine preference, with VL showing a reverse relationship only for mRNA-based vaccines.

Conclusion

VL may not increase AV among VHVs. To increase attitudes toward receiving COVID-19 vaccination in Thailand, the government and health-related organizations should instigate policies to significantly reduce VF and VH among Thai VHVs.
Amplifying the effects of adding extra players during association football game-based scenarios
Authors: Coutinho Diogo , Gonçalves Bruno , Folgado Hugo , Travassos Bruno , Santos Sara , Sampaio Jaime
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to compare under-18 association football players’ performance (age = 17.7±1.0 years; playing experience = 9.0 ± 3.2 years) when manipulating the number of teammates and opponents during football game-based practices. Time-motion, individual and tactical-related variables were monitored when manipulating conditions with different number of teammates and opponents (11vs11, No-Sup, No-Inf; 11vs12, Low-Sup, Low-Inf; 11vs13, Mod-Sup, Mod-Inf; and 11vs14, High-Sup, High-Inf). Results showed that adding teammates promoted increases in the longitudinal synchronization from No-Sup to Mod-Sup (Cohen’s d with 95% of confidence intervals: 0.25 [0.12; 0.39]; p < .001) and High-Sup (0.61 [0.41; 0.82]; p < .001), while decreases in the distance to the nearest teammate, both in the offensive and defensive phases (p < .001 and p = .005, respectively). In addition, it was observed lower distance covered while running when playing in High-Sup compared to No-Sup (0.30 [-0.01; 0.61]; p = .002) during the defensive phase. Attacking in numerical inferiority promoted a higher variability in the distance to the nearest teammate from No-Inf to High-Inf (0.83 [0.27; 1.38]; p = .044), while decreasing the physical demands, specifically distance covered while running (-0.49 [-0.99; 0.01]; p = .039). In turn, defending, mainly in high-inferiority, increased the total distance covered compared to No-Inf (0.61 [0.30; 0.91]; p < .001) and led to a decrease in the distance to the nearest teammate (-0.90 [-1.35; -0.44]; p = .002). Overall, coaches may manipulate the number of teammates and opponents to promote distinct effects at the level of cooperation and opposition dynamical interactions.
Functional classification and validation of yeast prenylation motifs using machine learning and genetic reporters
Authors: Berger Brittany M. , Yeung Wayland , Goyal Arnav , Zhou Zhongliang , Hildebrandt Emily R. , Kannan Natarajan , Schmidt Walter K.
Published: June 2022

Protein prenylation by farnesyltransferase (FTase) is often described as the targeting of a cysteine-containing motif (CaaX) that is enriched for aliphatic amino acids at the a1 and a2 positions, while quite flexible at the X position. Prenylation prediction methods often rely on these features despite emerging evidence that FTase has broader target specificity than previously considered. Using a machine learning approach and training sets based on canonical (prenylated, proteolyzed, and carboxymethylated) and recently identified shunted motifs (prenylation only), this study aims to improve prenylation predictions with the goal of determining the full scope of prenylation potential among the 8000 possible Cxxx sequence combinations. Further, this study aims to subdivide the prenylated sequences as either shunted (i.e., uncleaved) or cleaved (i.e., canonical). Predictions were determined for Saccharomyces cerevisiae FTase and compared to results derived using currently available prenylation prediction methods. In silico predictions were further evaluated using in vivo methods coupled to two yeast reporters, the yeast mating pheromone a-factor and Hsp40 Ydj1p, that represent proteins with canonical and shunted CaaX motifs, respectively. Our machine learning-based approach expands the repertoire of predicted FTase targets and provides a framework for functional classification.
No evidence of impediment by three common classes of prescription drugs to post-stroke aphasia recovery in a retrospective longitudinal sample
Authors: Stockbridge Melissa D. , Keser Zafer , Bunker Lisa D. , Hillis Argye E.
Published: June 2022

A number of pharmaceuticals have been identified as potential adjuvants to speech language therapy following stroke, but it is also important to consider which pharmaceuticals may result in a less robust recovery. Here we examine whether post-stroke language recovery was meaningfully impeded by cholinergic, GABAergic, or dopaminergic medications patients received. Eighty participants with left hemisphere stroke were examined retrospectively to see whether the use of one of these three classes of medication prior to admission for acute stroke, during their inpatient stay, or at discharge was associated with differences in recovery on three common measures of language. While prescription of any of the candidate drugs was relatively uncommon, groups were very well matched for many common factors that impact performance. When age, education, and acute lesion volume were controlled, there were no significant differences in performance among those taking cholinergic, GABAergic, or dopaminergic medications and those who were not. Those who experienced a “good recovery” of language (≥10% improvement on any one language measure over time) had similar exposure to these drugs to those with a poor recovery. This work represents a first look at these drug classes with regard to their effects on the recovery of language after stroke and should not be interpreted as resolving all potential for concern, but these results do offer modest reassurance that these common classes of pharmacotherapy, when given for short periods in this population, do not appear to have marked deleterious effects on post-stroke recovery of language.
Understanding the role of incentives for achieving and sustaining viral suppression: A qualitative sub-study of a financial incentives trial in Uganda
Authors: Camlin Carol S. , Marson Kara , Ndyabakira Alex , Getahun Monica , Emperador Devy , Byamukama Ambrose , Kwarisiima Dalsone , Thirumurthy Harsha , Chamie Gabriel
Published: June 2022

Background

Viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is essential for protecting health and preventing HIV transmission, yet globally, rates of viral suppression are sub-optimal. Interventions to improve HIV prevention and care cascade outcomes remain vital. Financial incentives hold promise for improving these outcomes, yet to date, clinical trial results have been mixed.

Methods

This qualitative sub-study, embedded in a trial (NCT02890459) in Uganda to test whether incentives are effective for achieving viral suppression in PLHIV, sought to enhance our understanding of the factors that influence this outcome. Forty-nine (n = 49) PLHIV, purposely sampled to balance across gender, study arm, and viral suppression status, were interviewed to explore barriers and motivations for care engagement, adherence, and viral suppression, and attributions for decision-making, including perceived influence of incentives on behaviors.

Results

While many participants with undetectable viral load (VL) who received incentives said the incentives motivated their ART adherence, others expressed intrinsic motivation for adherence. All felt that incentives reduced burdens of transport costs, lost income due to time spent away from work, and food insecurity. Incentives may have activated attention and memory for some, as excitement about anticipating incentives helped them adhere to medication schedules. In comparison, participants who were randomized to receive incentives but had detectable VL faced a wider range, complexity and severity of challenges to care engagement. Notably, their narratives included more accounts of poor treatment in clinics, food insecurity, and severe forms of stigma. With or without incentives, adherence was reinforced through experiencing restored health due to ART, social support (especially from partners), and good quality counseling and clinical care.

Conclusions

In considering why incentives sometimes fail to achieve behavior change, it may be helpful to attend to the full set of factors- psychological, interpersonal, social and structural- that militate against the behavior change required to achieve behavioral outcomes. To be effective, incentives may need to be combined with other interventions to address the spectrum of barriers to care engagement.
Fatigue in incident peritoneal dialysis and mortality: A real-world side-by-side study in Brazil and the United States
Authors: Guedes Murilo , Wallim Liz , Guetter Camila R. , Jiao Yue , Rigodon Vladimir , Mysayphonh Chance , Usvyat Len A. , Barretti Pasqual , Kotanko Peter , Larkin John W. , Maddux Franklin W. , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , de Moraes Thyago Proenca
Published: June 2022

Background

We tested if fatigue in incident Peritoneal Dialysis associated with an increased risk for mortality, independently from main confounders.

Methods

We conducted a side-by-side study from two of incident PD patients in Brazil and the United States. We used the same code to independently analyze data in both countries during 2004 to 2011. We included data from adults who completed KDQOL-SF vitality subscale within 90 days after starting PD. Vitality score was categorized in four groups: >50 (high vitality), ≥40 to ≤50 (moderate vitality), >35 to <40 (moderate fatigue), ≤35 (high fatigue; reference group). In each country’s cohort, we built four distinct models to estimate the associations between vitality (exposure) and all-cause mortality (outcome): (i) Cox regression model; (ii) competing risk model accounting for technique failure events; (iii) multilevel survival model of clinic-level clusters; (iv) multivariate regression model with smoothing splines treating vitality as a continuous measure. Analyses were adjusted for age, comorbidities, PD modality, hemoglobin, and albumin. A mixed-effects meta-analysis was used to pool hazard ratios (HRs) from both cohorts to model mortality risk for each 10-unit increase in vitality.

Results

We used data from 4,285 PD patients (Brazil n = 1,388 and United States n = 2,897). Model estimates showed lower vitality levels within 90 days of starting PD were associated with a higher risk of mortality, which was consistent in Brazil and the United States cohorts. In the multivariate survival model, each 10-unit increase in vitality score was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in both cohorts (Brazil HR = 0.79 [95%CI 0.70 to 0.90] and United States HR = 0.90 [95%CI 0.88 to 0.93], pooled HR = 0.86 [95%CI 0.75 to 0.98]). Results for all models provided consistent effect estimates.

Conclusions

Among patients in Brazil and the United States, lower vitality score in the initial months of PD was independently associated with all-cause mortality.
Quantifying the stiffness of lumbar erector spinae during different positions among participants with chronic low back pain
Authors: Li Yapeng , Yu Jiafeng , Zhang Jun , Zhang Zhijie , Wang Xueqiang
Published: June 2022

Objective

The purposes of this study were to (1) detect the intra- and inter-reliabilities of the lumbar erector spinae stiffness by MyotonPRO among participants with chronic lower back pain (CLBP); (2) compare the muscle stiffness between pain and non-pain sides during different positions; (3) explore the correlation between intensity of pain and muscle stiffness.

Design

Twenty participants with CLBP were recruited and the stiffness measurements were carried out by two experienced physiotherapists (operators Ⅰ and Ⅱ). Each participant was evaluated by the operatorⅠ in different postures (static prone and sitting). After a 5-day interval, the same participant was reassessed by the operatorⅠ in the static prone posture. For the inter-rater reliability test, each participant was quantified by both operators once, with 30 minutes between the measurements on the same day. The intensity of pain was evaluated using a 0–10 visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were excellent (ICC = 0.88–0.99). The MDC values ranged from 25.03 to 86.26 N/m. Examples of Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement. The erector spinae stiffness on the painful sides was higher with a marked increase in the sitting position (P < .05) when compared with the non-painful side. However, there was no significant difference in the prone position (P > .05). The intensity of pain among adults with CLBP was not associated with muscle stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae muscle.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that the MyotonPRO is a feasible device in quantifying the stiffness of the lumbar erector spinae muscle in patients with CLBP. Meanwhile, the erector spinae stiffness on the painful sides was higher in the sitting when compared with the non-painful side.