bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detergent presence after washing dishes in a washing machine
Authors: Paixao Susana , Ferreira Ana , Figueiredo João Paulo 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Currently, about half of the European population has a dishwasher for domestic use and, following the trend of the last decade, this number is expected to increase in the coming years. Various types of detergents are available on the market for these machines, including some that incorporate chemical substances in the formula that can be harmful to humans. If machines are not able to efficiently remove detergent at the end of washing, chemicals can enter the human food chain and cause long-term damage.

Methods
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of dishwashers in removing the detergents used during the washing. The study was carried out in the village of Friúmes, in Penacova - Coimbra, in dwellings that had a dishwasher, ten machines were selected at random, located in different residences. The sample collected represents the execution of thirty analyzes in dishes and thirty in glass, with a phenolphthalein indicator.

Results
As a result of the study, and after finishing the washing cycle, the presence of detergent was detected in 4 dishes (13.3%) and in 10 glasses (33.3%), demonstrating flaws in the removal of the chemical during the washing period. It is verified that the number of chemicals increases at the end of washing, in the glasses compared to the dishes.

Conclusions
The design of the glass can have an influence on the results. However, further studies are needed as the bioaccumulation of these products can pose risks to people's health.
Benefits of two twelve-week multimodal programs on reaction time in community dwellings at risk of falling: preliminary results
Authors: Rosado H , Bravo J , Raimundo A , Marmeleira J , Mendes F , Pereira C 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
A slower reaction time (RT) performance is considered a risk factor for falls. Different approaches as a psychomotor intervention (involving neuromotor exercises) or the whole-body vibration (inducing neurophysiological changes) may reduce the risk of falls. Nevertheless, a combined program may promote greater gains. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability and the effect of two multimodal programs on RT in community-dwelling older adults fallers or balance-impaired.

Methods
A total of 37 participants (74.3 ± 5.2 years) were divided into two groups (3x/week): experimental group 1 (psychomotor intervention); experimental group 2 [EG2] (combined program: psychomotor intervention + whole-body vibration). The Deary-Liewald reaction time task assessed RT. Simple and choice reaction time [CRT] (ms) tasks were recorded under single and dual-task (DT) paradigms. DT cost was also computed.

Results
The attendance rate was 86.3%. Wilcoxon test comparisons revealed significant differences between baseline and post-intervention evaluations in the EG2. The improvement was observed in the variable ‘CRT-DT’, in which participants spent less time to perform the task (1026.0 ± 153.4 vs. 960.4 ± 160.9, P = 0.040). The correspondent effect size was medium (r = 0.33). The DT cost was also decreased in CRT-DT by 3.9%. No significant differences between groups were found.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that both programs were safe and highly attended. The results suggest that a combined intervention (psychomotor intervention + whole-body vibration) should be privileged to improve RT and reduce the risk of falls. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03446352. Funding: This study was supported by the ESACA Project (Grant ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007) and by FCT (SFRH/BD/147398/2019).
Novel approaches to reduce the risk of falling in community dwellings: effects of two multimodal programs in lower-body strength—a pilot study
Authors: Rosado H , Bravo J , Raimundo A , Carvalho J , Leite N , Pereira C 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Muscle weakness is a key risk factor for falls and strength exercises should be included in fall prevention programs. A psychomotor intervention promoting motor stimulation and the whole-body vibration (WBV) providing muscle contractions may reduce the incidence of falls. Our hypothesis relies on the greater benefits of a combined program. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and the feasibility of two 12-week multimodal programs in lower-body strength in community dwellings fallers or with balance impairment.

Methods
Thirty-seven participants (34 women; mean age 74.3 ± 5.2 years) were allocated into: experimental group 1 [EG1] (psychomotor intervention), or experimental group 2 [EG2] (combined program: psychomotor intervention plus WBV), 3x/week. Maximal strength of knee extensors and flexors was assessed by an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were performed.

Results
The overall adherence rate was high (86.3%), with a level intensity in the rating of perceived exertion of 12.1 ± 0.3 points, in EG1, and 12.5 ± 0.4 points, in EG2. Significant changes between the pre-post intervention were observed exclusively in EG2, in the variables ‘Peak torque extension’ (71.7 ± 28.6 Nm vs. 79.2 ± 23.5 Nm, P = 0.042) and ‘Agonist/Antagonist ratio’ (60.2 ± 13.0 vs. 53.5 ± 8.6, P = 0.013). The effect size (r) in both variables was medium. No significant changes between groups were detected.

Conclusions
This pilot results indicate that both programs were feasible and well-tolerated. The combined program demonstrates larger effectiveness, since the WBV may positively influence the lower-body strength, reducing the risk of falls. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03446352. Funding: This pilot was granted by the ESACA Project (Grant ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007) and by FCT (SFRH/BD/147398/2019).
Changes in force production after applying PNF
Authors: Ferreira Vitor Ferreira Vitor 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
The performance of the vertical jump can benefit from techniques that enhance muscle strength. The application of certain PNF techniques can improve muscle activation and consequently the production of strength. The objective of this study was to understand the immediate changes produced by the application of the PNF Slow Reversal technique in the performance of the vertical jump.

Methods
An analytic, quasi-experimental and crossover study was designed. The data were collected in two sessions with at least 48 hours between them. In each session, three countermovement jumps were collected before and after the experimental and control protocol in a randomized order. The experimental protocol consisted of two diagonals of Slow Reversal technique with 15 repetitions of each. The control protocol consisted of 5 minutes of sitting (approximately the same time as the experimental protocol). The data were collected on a force platform and processed using an algorithm in MATLAB R2016b software.

Results
18 female (mean age 20.7 ± 2.7 years, mean body mass of 71.6 ± 11.5 kg, mean height of 1.75 ± 0.07 m) athletes of amateur sports participated in the study. Some values with statistical significance were found. Particularly a decrease in the average force production in the concentric phase after the application of PNF (P = 0.024).

Conclusions
The application of PNF seems to induce acute effects in the production of force, in the performance of the vertical jump. The application of PNF may induce muscle adaptations that need to be better studied in the long term.
Unraveling the hepatoprotective effects of blueberries in a hypercaloric diet-induced rat model of prediabetes by metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches
Authors: Nunes S , Viana S , Preguiça I , Alves A , Fernandes R , Jarak I , Carvalho R , Cavadas C , Rolo A , Palmeira C , Pintado M , Reis F 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
We previously described protective effects of blueberry juice (BJ) against hepatic steatosis evolution in a hypercaloric diet-induced rat model of prediabetes; however, the underlying mechanisms, are still scarcely explored. Herein, we aim to elucidate the molecular pathways underpinning BJ hepatoprotection on the dysmetabolism evolution in a rat model of prediabetes.

Methods
A rat model of evolutive prediabetes [Male Wistar rats, 8 weeks old] was developed by ingestion of a high-sucrose (HSu, 35%) diet for 9 weeks (W9), supplemented with a high-fat diet (HF, 60%) for further 14 weeks (HSuHF, W23), vs control with standard diet. Half of the animals (n = 10/group) daily received BJ (25g/Kg BW, orally) between W9 and W23. Along with metabolic characterization, BJ effects on serum and hepatic metabolic surrogates were elucidated using a 1H NMR based metabolomic approach. Moreover, the liver expression of genes (RT-PCR) involved in insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and mitochondrial respiration was also explored. Values are means ± S.E.M (ANOVA followed by post-hoc tests).

Results
HSuHF+BJ rats restored hepatic levels of betaine and tend to recover the depletion of glutathione content found in HSuHF animals’ livers. Moreover, BJ positively affected the hepatic mRNA expression of key enzymes and mediators involved in fatty acid oxidation, insulin signalling, inflammatory response, as well as mitochondrial respiratory chain-related genes, which were all downregulated (P &lt; 0.05) in HSuHF animals’ livers.

Conclusions
Altogether, these molecular findings contribute to explain the mechanisms by which BJ elicits protection against hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by hypercaloric diets in the frame of prediabetes evolution.
Blueberry effects on prediabetic nephropathy—a preclinical in vivo approach
Authors: Vieira Pedro , Nunes Sara , Alves André , Preguiça Inês , Figueirinha Artur , Salgueiro Lígia , Gomes Pedro , Viana Sofia , Reis Flávio 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Prediabetic Nephropathy (PreDN) therapeutic arsenal remains scarce. Blueberries (BB) display insulin sensitizing, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to assess the putative benefits arising from BB supplementation in experimental PreDN.

Methods
BB polyphenol (PP) content was assessed by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided in three groups (n = 8) for 24 weeks: Control group (Standard chow, Sd), 45% High-Fat (HF) diet-induced PreDN group and BJ-treated group (HF+BJ) [25 g/kg BW per day from week 16 onwards]. Glycemic/insulinemic/lipidic profiles were examined. Renal function was assessed by serum/urinary measures of creatinine, albumin, uric acid and glucose. Kidney histological characterization was performed by Periodic Acid-Shiff and Gomori’s green trichrome staining. Relative gene expression (RT-PCR) was also evaluated (KIM-1, NLRP3). Values are means ± S.E.M (ANOVA/post-hoc tests). This work was approved by the ORBEA of iCBR-FMUC (9/2018).

Results
HPLC/PDA/ESI-MSn analysis revealed that the main PP’s present in BB are malvidin derivatives, quercetin-O-hexoside and caffeic acid. HF animals displayed increased BW, glucose intolerance, postprandial hyperinsulinemia, elevated circulating LDL-c, hepatic/renal lipidosis, mild impairments in renal function and histological lesions resembling the stages I/II of PreDN. Apart from ameliorating prediabetic glucose intolerance, BJ supplementation elicited hepatic lipid accumulation and increased gene expression of renal inflammasome and KIM-1 without major improvements on renal function and/or histopathology.

Conclusions
Even though BB was able to ameliorate prediabetic glucose intolerance, the BB dosage employed herein (25 g/kg BW) elicited deleterious effects in the kidney only perceived at a sub-clinical level.
Auditory cortex plasticity in musicians
Authors: Reis Cláudia , Teixeira Margarida 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
The objective of this study was to verify wether it was possible to observe greater plasticity of the auditory cortex and greater benefits in terms of auditory processing, better discrimination, attention and identification of rare stimuli, in musicians, verified through the performance of Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential, P300, with and without competitive noise, in musicians compared to non-musician.

Methods
20 individuals were divided into two groups: 8 in the musicians, and 12 in the control group. The P300 values were compared between the two groups and then between the results of the P300 with and without competitive noise, in both groups.

Results
When comparing the results without competitive noise, it appears that the average amplitude was higher in the group of musicians compared to the control group, in both ears. Latency was lower in the control group, only in the right ear. With competitive noise, in both groups, the average amplitude is lower, compared to the results of the P300 without competitive noise, both in the right ear and in the left ear, and this effect is more considerable in the group of musicians. Regarding latency, theaverage of the P300 with competitive noise, in both ears, with a greater increase in latency values, in the group of musicians.

Conclusion
Musicians show a greater cortical inhibition effect compared to non-musicians, demonstrating that the musician’s central auditory system shows greater activation, which can result in better performance in functions such as attention and discrimination, due to training by musical practice.
Effective elasticity of a medium with many parallel fractures
Authors: Adamus Filip P 
Published: August 2021

Summary
We consider an alternative way of obtaining the effective elastic properties of a cracked medium. Similarly, to the popular linear-slip model, we assume flat, parallel fractures, and long wavelengths. However, we do not treat fractures as weakness planes of displacement discontinuity. In contrast to the classical models, we represent fractures by a thin layer embedded in the background medium. In other words, we follow the Schoenberg-Douma matrix formalism for Backus averaging, but we relax the assumptions of infinite weakness and marginal thickness of a layer so that it does not correspond to the linear-slip plane. To represent the properties of a fracture, we need a fourth order elasticity tensor and a thickness parameter. The effective tensor becomes more complicated, but it may describe a higher concentration of parallel cracks more accurately. Apart from the derivations of the effective elasticity tensors, we perform numerical experiments in which we compare the performance of our approach with a linear-slip model in the context of highly fractured media. Our model becomes pertinent if filled-in or empty cracks occupy more than one per cent of the effective medium.
Ovarian follicular function is not altered by SARS–CoV-2 infection or BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Bentov Y , Beharier O , Moav-Zafrir A , Kabessa M , Godin M , Greenfield C S , Ketzinel-Gilad M , Ash Broder E , Holzer H E G , Wolf D , Oiknine-Djian E , Barghouti I , Goldman-Wohl D , Yagel S , Walfisch A , Hersko Klement A 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION
Does the immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine involve the ovarian follicle, and does it affect its function?

SUMMARY ANSWER
We were able to demonstrate anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV-2) IgG in follicular fluid (FF) from both infected and vaccinated IVF patients, with no evidence for compromised follicular function.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
No research data are available yet.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
This is a cohort study, composed of 32 consecutive IVF patients, either infected with COVID-19, vaccinated or non-exposed, conducted between 1 February and 10 March 2021 in a single university hospital-based IVF clinic.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
A consecutive sample of female consenting patients undergoing oocyte retrieval was recruited and assigned to one of the three study groups: recovering from confirmed COVID-19 (n = 9); vaccinated (n = 9); and uninfected, non-vaccinated controls (n = 14). Serum and FF samples were taken and analyzed for anti-COVID IgG as well as estrogen, progesterone and heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 concentration, as well as the number and maturity of aspirated oocytes and day of trigger estrogen and progesterone measurements. Main outcome measures were follicular function, including steroidogenesis, follicular response to the LH/hCG trigger, and oocyte quality biomarkers.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Both COVID-19 and the vaccine elicited anti-COVID IgG antibodies that were detected in the FF at levels proportional to the IgG serum concentration. No differences between the three groups were detected in any of the surrogate parameters for ovarian follicle quality.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This is a small study, comprising a mixed fertile and infertile population, and its conclusions should be supported and validated by larger studies.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This is the first study to examine the impact of SARS–Cov-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination on ovarian function and these early findings suggest no measurable detrimental effect on function of the ovarian follicle.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
The study was funded out of an internal budget. There are no conflicts of interest for any of the authors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
CinicalTrials.gov registry number NCT04822012.
Chronic Stress Alters Astrocyte Morphology in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Codeluppi Sierra A , Chatterjee Dipashree , Prevot Thomas D , Bansal Yashika , Misquitta Keith A , Sibille Etienne , Banasr Mounira 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Background
Neuromorphological changes are consistently reported in the prefrontal cortex of patients with stress-related disorders and in rodent stress models, but the effects of stress on astrocyte morphology and the potential link to behavioral deficits are relatively unknown.

Methods
To answer these questions, transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) promotor were subjected to 7, 21, or 35 days of chronic restraint stress (CRS). CRS-induced behavioral effects on anhedonia- and anxiety-like behaviors were measured using the sucrose intake and the PhenoTyper tests, respectively. Prefrontal cortex GFP+ or GFAP+ cell morphology was assessed using Sholl analysis, and associations with behavior were determined using correlation analysis.

Results
CRS-exposed male and female mice displayed anxiety-like behavior at 7, 21, and 35 days and anhedonia-like behavior at 35 days. Analysis of GFAP+ cell morphology revealed significant atrophy of distal processes following 21 and 35 days of CRS. CRS induced similar decreases in intersections at distal radii for GFP+ cells accompanied by increased proximal processes. In males, the number of intersections at the most distal radius step significantly correlated with anhedonia-like behavior (r = 0.622, P &lt; .05) for GFP+ cells and with behavioral emotionality calculated by z-scoring all behavioral measured deficits (r = −0.667, P &lt; .05). Similar but not significant correlations were observed in females. No correlation between GFP+ cell atrophy with anxiety-like behavior was found.

Conclusion
Chronic stress exposure induces a progressive atrophy of cortical astroglial cells, potentially contributing to maladaptive neuroplastic and behavioral changes associated with stress-related disorders.
Hodge Theory of Holomorphic Vector Bundle on Compact Kähler Hyperbolic Manifold
Authors: Huang Teng 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Let $E$ be a holomorphic vector bundle over a compact Kähler manifold $(X,\omega )$ with negative sectional curvature $sec\leq -K&lt;0$ and $D_{E}$ be the Chern connection on $E$. In this article, we show that if $C:=|[\Lambda ,i\Theta (E)]|\leq c_{n}K$, then $(X,E)$ satisfy a family of Chern number inequalities. The main idea in our proof is to study the $L^{2}$$\bar {\partial }_{\tilde {E}}$-harmonic forms on lifting bundle $\tilde {E}$ over the universal covering space $\tilde {X}$. We also observe that there is a close relationship between the eigenvalue of the Laplace–Beltrami operator $\Delta _{\bar {\partial }_{\tilde {E}}}$ and the Euler characteristic of $X$. Precisely, if there is a line bundle $L$ on $X$ such that $\chi ^{p}(X,L^{\otimes m})$ is not constant for some integers $p\in [0,n]$, then the Euler characteristic of $X$ satisfies $(-1)^{n}\chi (X)\geq (n+1)+\lfloor \frac {c_{n}K}{2nC} \rfloor $.
Developing Students’ “Soft Skills” through the Flipped Classroom: Evidence from an International Studies Class
Authors: Betti Andrea , Biderbost Pablo , Domonte Aurora García 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The goal of this study is to evaluate the application of the flipped classroom (FC) format in the international studies curriculum. Previous research has examined the impact of the FC on students’ performance, operationalized by test scores, and demonstrated the utility of this technique in the learning process. Our research goes beyond student performance to evaluate the impact of the FC on student class attendance and the development of a set of soft skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and perception of learning. In our experiment, we compare an FC with a non-flipped class that combines traditional lecturing with other active learning techniques, such as presentations, teamwork activities, and problem-based debates. The study finds that the FC did not have a substantial impact on either students’ performance, attendance, or soft skills. The differences between the two groups were too small to corroborate any tendency in favor of one or the other format. For the most part, students performed in a similar way. This can suggest that the benefits of an FC format might be less when compared with other active learning techniques.