¿Influye la comunicación con el paciente sobre la kinesiofobia? Una revisión sistemática / Does patient communication influence kinesiophobia? A systematic review

El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática consistió en determinar el efecto de la comunicación en el ámbito sanitario sobre la kinesiofobia. Para ello, se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en siete bases de datos entre noviembre de 2022 y febrero de 2023. La revisión se efectuó acorde a la declaración Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) y para el análisis de la calidad metodológica se utilizaron: la escala Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), los criterios de Van Tulder y el análisis del riesgo de sesgo de la Colaboración Cochrane. Se incluyeron un total de 13 artículos que presentaron una calidad metodológica media de 7,1 sobre 10. Se obtuvieron resultados significativos para al menos una variable (kinesiofobia, discapacidad o nivel de actividad física) en 12 trabajos. Existe evidencia sólida de que la comunicación puede influir sobre la kinesiofobia del sujeto. Es más probable que esta influencia ocurra en un sentido negativo o discapacitante, pero también puede actuar en sentido positivo disminuyendo la misma. (AU)

The aim of the present systematic review was to determine the effect of communication in the health care setting on kinesiophobia. To this end, a literature search was conducted in seven databases between November 2022 and February 2023. The review was carried out following the PRISMA statement and for the analysis of methodological quality we used: PEDro Scale, Van Tulder criteria and risk of bias analysis of the Cochrane Collaboration. A total of 13 articles were included with a mean methodological quality of 7.1 out of 10. Significant results were obtained for at least one variable (kinesiophobia, disability or level of physical activity) in 12 articles. There is strong evidence that communication can influence a subject's kinesiophobia. This influence is most likely to be in a negative or disabling sense, but it can also act in a positive sense by decreasing it. (AU)

Silicone oil insulation effects on flash electroretinogram and visual evoked potential in patients with retinal detachment / Efectos del aislamiento del aceite de silicona sobre el electrorretinograma flash y el potencial evocado visual en pacientes con desprendimiento de retina

Background: Silicone oil is used as endotamponade following vitreoretinal surgery to maintain the retina reattached when indicated. This study investigates the hypothesis that silicone oil causes insulation effects on the retina by affecting its response to light. Methods: Electrophysiological responses to a flash stimulus were recorded using full-field electroretinography (ERG) and visual evoked potentials (VEP). Recordings were performed in 9 patients who underwent surgery for retinal detachment, before (1–2 days) and after (2–3 weeks) silicone oil removal (SOR) in both the study and the control eye. Flash ERG and VEP recordings were performed according to the ISCEV standard protocol. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the study eye in the amplitudes of the ERG responses and their corresponding ratios, i.e. the amplitude after SOR over the amplitude before SOR, in all conditions tested. No differences were observed in the control eye. The mean ratio of photopic ERG response was 3.4 ± 2.4 for the study and 1.0 ± 0.3 for the control eye (p<0.001). The mean ratio of ERG flicker response was 3.1 ± 2.4 and 1.0 ± 0.3, respectively (p = 0.003). Scotopic flash ERG ratio was 5.0 ± 4.4 for the study and 1.3 ± 0.6 for the control eye (p = 0.012). No differences were observed for the amplitude and latency of flash VEP response after SOR. Conclusions: Silicone oil causes a reduction in flash ERG responses; no effect was found on flash VEP responses. ERGs in eyes filled with silicone oil should not be considered representative of retinal functionality, in contrast to VEPs, which are not affected by silicone oil presence.(AU)

An energy efficiency assessment of Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser in vitro.

To study the effect range of the Nd:YAG laser through various levels of cloudy medium for targets with varying grayscale values in vitro. The coated paper cards with grayscale values of 0, 50, 100, and 150 were used as the laser's targets, which were struck straightly with varying energies using three burst modes (single pulse, double pulse, and triple pulse). Six filters (transmittances of 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90) were applied to simulate various levels of cloudy refractive medium. Image J software was used to measure the diameters and regions of the laser spots. The ranges of the Nd:YAG laser spots increased with energy in the same burst mode (P < 0.05). Under the same amount of energy, the ranges of the Nd:YAG laser spot increased with the grayscale value of the targets (P < 0.05). The greater the transmittance of the filters employed, the larger the range of the Nd: YAG laser spots produced. Assuming that the total pulse energy is identical, the effect ranges of multi-pulse burst modes were significantly larger than those of single-pulse burst mode (P < 0.05). The effect range of a Nd:YAG laser grows with increasing energy and the target's grayscale value. A cloudy refractive medium has a negative impact on the effect range of the Nd: YAG laser. The single pulse mode has the narrowest and safest efficiency range.

Hypothyroidism Due to Seaweed Overconsumption.

Hypothyroidism presents various symptoms, ranging from commonly observed signs, such as fatigue, cold sensation, and constipation, to rare features, such as rash and pancytopenia, resembling certain rheumatological and hematological diseases. Chronic, excessive iodine consumption causes primary hypothyroidism. However, when iodine overconsumption becomes a regular part of daily dietary habits, it becomes difficult for patients to associate their symptoms with daily iodine consumption. Therefore, clinicians cannot obtain information on excessive iodine intake from the patient. Here, we present a case of hypothyroidism that was subsequently identified as caused by excessive dairy seaweed consumption for health purposes. This case report highlights the importance of a detailed dietary history in patients diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism without thyroid autoantibodies.

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 vaccination: a retrospective cross-sectional study from Astana.

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has had an unprecedented impact on people around the world, particularly those who were suffering from autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). The world community acknowledges the significance of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune disorders and emphasizes the priority of this category to receive vaccination over the general population. Although many studies have been published since the first phases of vaccination all over the world, multiple related factors still need to be further investigated. Material and methods: We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination status in patients with AIRDs, by performing a cross-sectional, interview-based study filled in by patients attending their clinics in the Astana city, capital of Kazakhstan, from April to July 2023. The survey questionnaire consisted of a set of questions, concerning patient characteristics, treatment details, accepted vaccines and characteristics of COVID-19 infection. The study objectives were to evaluate vaccine hesitancy, adverse effects, breakthrough infections and flare of underlying rheumatic disease in this population subgroup. Results: There were 193 participants, with a median age of 50.3 ±12.9 years. Among them, 62 (32.1%) were vaccinated with at least single dose of vaccine, 16 (25.8%) of whom were fully vaccinated. The commonest (89; 68%) reason for vaccine hesitancy was a fear of autoimmune disease worsening. Vaccine-related adverse effects (AEs) were reported by 66.7% of patients. We found that vaccination provoked AIRD exacerbation in 19% of patients with AEs. Eight patients reported flare of pre-existing rheumatic disease after vaccination. The incidence of breakthrough infections was similar in the groups of vaccinated individuals (n = 12), 12.9% of whom were partially and 6.5% fully vaccinated. Conclusions: The vaccination was found to be safe in patients with rheumatic diseases. Fear of autoimmune status was the major reason for vaccine reluctance. All reported adverse events were minor. The minority subgroup within the sample had subsequent breakthrough infections or autoimmune disease flare-ups.

Nalmefene, an opioid receptor modulator, aggravates atherosclerotic plaque formation in apolipoprotein E knockout mice by enhancing oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake in macrophages.

Nalmefene, an antagonist of mu- and delta-opioid receptors and a partial agonist of kappa-opioid receptors, has shown promise in reducing alcohol consumption among patients with alcohol dependence. Opioid receptors play pivotal roles in various physiological processes, including those related to peripheral inflammatory diseases such as colitis and arthritis, as well as functions in the immune system and phagocytosis. Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, progresses through the phagocytosis and uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) by macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. Despite this knowledge, it remains unclear whether nalmefene influences the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events. This study aims to elucidate the impact of nalmefene on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice and peritoneal macrophages in vitro. In this experiment, 8-week-old male ApoE KO mice were fed a high-fat diet intraperitoneally administered either vehicle (saline) or nalmefene (1 mg and 3 mg kg-1 day-1) for 21 days. Oil red O-staining and immunohistochemistry with an anti-MOMA2 (monocyte/macrophage) antibody showed that a dose-dependent increase in atherosclerotic plaque formation and augmentation of macrophage-rich plaque formation in ApoE-KO mice. Further investigations focused on the effects of nalmefene on the expression of scavenger receptor CD36 in RAW264.7 cells, conducted through western blotting analysis. Nalmefene demonstrated a significant increase in CD36 protein expression in RAW264.7 cells. To explore the impact on oxidized LDL uptake in peritoneal macrophages, cells were treated with nalmefene (300 µg/mL) for 24 h, followed by the addition of DiI-labeled oxLDL (DiI-oxLDL) for 4 h. Nalmefene significantly enhanced DiI-oxLDL uptake in macrophages. Additionally, treatment with nalmefene (300 µg/mL) for 24 h decreased the mRNA expression of mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, nalmefene may augment oxLDL uptake by macrophages through increased CD36 expression and decreased opioid receptor, thereby contributing to atherosclerotic plaque formation and vulnerability. Consequently, the use of nalmefene may be associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events.

Novel bioactive nanospheres show effective antibacterial effect against multiple endodontic pathogens.

Aim: The current study evaluated the antibacterial activity of a newly developed quaternary ammonium polymethacrylate (QAPM)-containing bioactive glasses (BGs) via a two-step method by our group, namely BGs-HAEMB, and explored its cytotoxicity and biocompatibility. Methods: The antibacterial effects of the BGs-HAEMB against planktonic bacteria, bacterial biofilm formation, and experimental root canal biofilms of persistent pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus sanguis and Porphyromonas endodontalis) associated with endodontic infection were evaluated in vitro by agar diffusion tests, direct contact tests and live/dead staining. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of BGs-HAEMB were evaluated by CCK-8 assays in vitro and a skin implantation model in vivo. Results: Compared to three clinically used endodontic sealers (Endofill, AH Plus, and iRoot SP), BGs-HAEMB exhibited the relatively strongest antibacterial effect against E. faecalis, S. sanguis and P. endodontalis after sitting for 14 and 28 days (P < 0.01). SEM images and CLSM images also showed that for each tested bacteria, BGs-HAEMB killed the most microorganism among all the experimental groups, regardless of treatment for 7 days or 28 days (P < 0.05). Besides, the BGs-HAEMB-treated groups showed a relatively low cytotoxicity (RGRs ranging from 88.6% to 102.9%) after 1, 3, and 7 days of exposure. Meanwhile, after 28 days of implantation, the inflammatory grade in BGs-HAEMB treated group was assessed as Grade I, in which the average numbers of inflammatory cells (6.7 ± 2.1) were less than 25. Conclusions: BGs-HAEMB exerted a long-term and stable antibacterial effect. The remarkable biocompatibility of BGs-HAEMB in vitro and in vivo confirmed its possible clinical application as a potential alternative in the development of the next generation of endodontic sealers.

Dimensionalized goal orientation, innovation climate, and knowledge sharing behavior in higher education research teams.

Knowledge sharing behavior (KSB) in the work process is governed by achievement goals and organizational environments. It is of great value to focus on whether achievement goal orientation can effectively predict the employees knowledge sharing in the context of team innovation climate. On the basis of the data from 29 scientific research teams in China's higher education, a multi-layer linear model is constructed to investigate the cross-level relationship. The study finds that learning goal orientation (LGO) and performance proof orientation (PPO) contribute to knowledge sharing, performance avoidance orientation (PAO) tends to be knowledge hiding, and their political skills (PS) consolidate the connections. Team innovation climate not only promotes knowledge sharing behavior, but also activates the traits related to individuals' shared behavior in performance proof orientation, which has enhanced the relationship between achievement goal orientation and knowledge sharing, but has no effect on learning goal orientation and performance avoidance orientation.

Evaluating the mortality and health rate caused by the PM2.5 pollutant in the air of several important Iranian cities and evaluating the effect of variables with a linear time series model.

All over the world, the level of special air pollutants that have the potential to cause diseases is increasing. Although the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and mortality has been proven, the health risk assessment and prediction of these pollutants have a therapeutic role in protecting public health, and need more research. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the ill-health caused by PM2.5 pollution using AirQ + software and to evaluate the different effects on PM2.5 with time series linear modeling by R software version 4.1.3 in the cities of Arak, Esfahan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Shiraz, Karaj and Mashhad during 2019-2020. The pollutant hours, meteorology, population and mortality information were calculated by the Environmental Protection Organization, Meteorological Organization, Statistics Organization and Statistics and Information Technology Center of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education for 24 h of PM2.5 pollution with Excel software. In addition, having 24 h of PM2.5 pollutants and meteorology is used to the effect of variables on PM2.5 concentration. The results showed that the highest and lowest number of deaths due to natural deaths, ischemic heart disease (IHD), lung cancer (LC), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) and stroke in The effect of disease with PM2.5 pollutant in Ahvaz and Arak cities was 7.39-12.32%, 14.6-17.29%, 16.48-8.39%, 10.43-18.91%, 12.21-22.79% and 14.6-18.54 % respectively. Another result of this research was the high mortality of the disease compared to the mortality of the nose. The analysis of the results showed that by reducing the pollutants in the cities of Karaj and Shiraz, there is a significant reduction in mortality and linear modeling provides a suitable method for air management planning.

Optical rectification and second harmonic generation in CdSe/MgSe asymmetric double quantum wells.

In this study, we report theoretically the effect of well, barrier widths and polarization on optical properties of intersubband transitions (ISBT) in CdSe/MgSe asymmetric quantum wells (ADQWs). Eigenenergies and their corresponding wave functions have been calculated by solving numerically the Schrödinger equation. The second harmonic generation and the optical rectification including intersubband transition energies have been discussed. Obtained results revealed that intersubband transition depends strongly on the quantum wells and the barrier widths as well as the stark effect. With appropriate intensity, optical rectification can reach great magnitude. We hope that the numerical results of our research are valuable theoretically and experimentally to our scientific community in nonlinear optics.

Efficacy of an Electric Toothbrush With Monitor in Dental Plaque Removal: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Plaque control is very important in the treatment of periodontitis. However, plaque is difficult to remove because one cannot see one's own oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to verify the plaque removal effect of a prototype device that has a built-in image sensor in the head of an electric toothbrush, enabling the user to brush while checking the condition of the tooth surface on a monitor in real time and to assess their sense of use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 10 fifth-year students from the Graduate School of Dental Science, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan. The subjects were divided into those who used electric toothbrushes while having the condition of the tooth surface checked with a monitor (monitor group) and those without a monitor (non-monitor group). O'Leary plaque control records before and after brushing and the brushing time were measured, and questionnaires were given to the subjects after brushing. Scaling and professional tooth cleaning were performed after completing the questionnaire. One week later, subjects were switched to the opposite group and had the same measurements and questionnaires. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare both groups before and after the examination at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: The monitor group had significantly better plaque removal than the non-monitor group. In addition, the monitor group spent significantly more time brushing than the control group. CONCLUSION: Brushing while monitoring oral conditions in real time using an electric toothbrush with a built-in image sensor showed that significantly better plaque removal can be achieved with a longer brushing time.

Cross-talk between the gut microbiota and hypothyroidism: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Multiple observational studies suggest a connection between the composition of the gut microbiota and hypothyroidism. However, it has yet to be determined whether the gut microbiota has a causal effect on hypothyroidism. Methods: To investigate the connection between the gut microbiota and hypothyroidism, two-sample Mendelian randomization was performed using data from a genome-wide association study meta-analysis (n = 18,430) conducted by the MiBioGen consortium. Summary statistics for hypothyroidism (26,342 cases and 59,827 controls) were obtained using the data from the FinnGen consortium R8 release data. To investigate the causal link between the gut microbiota and hypothyroidism, various methods, including MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted model, simple model, MR-PRESSO, and inverse variance weighted (IVW), were employed. The bacteria that were causally linked to hypothyroidism in forward Mendelian randomization analysis were subjected to reverse Mendelian randomization analysis. Cochran's Q statistics were utilized to gauge the heterogeneity of the instrumental variables. Results: The results indicated that Akkermansia had a positive impact on hypothyroidism, with an odds ratio of 0.84 (95% CI 0.74-0.95, p = 0.01) based on the inverse variance-weighted estimates. Additionally, Anaerostipes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.36, p = 0.04), Butyrivibrio (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99, p = 0.02), Holdemania (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.81-0.99, p = 0.03), Intestinimonas (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.26, p = 0.03), Ruminiclostridium5 (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.41, p = 0.04), and Ruminococcaceae UCG-011 (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.84-0.99, p = 0.03) were identified. The gut microbiota was not significantly affected by hypothyroidism, as indicated by the results of the reverse MR analysis. There was no significant variation in the instrumental variables or horizontal pleiotropy. Conclusion: The findings of this study using two-sample Mendelian randomization indicate a causal relationship between Akkermansia and hypothyroidism. Increased Akkermansia inhibits the onset and progression of hypothyroidism. Additional randomized controlled experiments are necessary to elucidate the beneficial impact of probiotics on hypothyroidism and their distinct protective mechanisms.

Association of multiple serum minerals and vitamins with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018.

Background: Despite the rapid increase in the global prevalence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), there are no approved therapeutic drugs for MAFLD yet. Nutrient supplementation might mitigate the risk of MAFLD. It is more typical for individuals to consume multiple nutrients simultaneously. However, the studies exploring the combined effects of multiple nutrients on MAFLD are limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between both individual nutrients and their combined influence on the risk of MAFLD. Methods: Data were obtained from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and 18 types of nutrients were considered in this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between single nutrients and the risk of MAFLD. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis was performed to pinpoint the most relevant nutrient associated with the risk of MAFLD. Subsequently, both Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and Quantile g-computation (Qgcomp) were used to assess the combined effects of multiple nutrients on the risk of MAFLD. Results: A total of 3,069 participants were included in this study. LASSO regression analysis showed that Se, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol exhibited a positive association with the risk of MAFLD. In contrast, the serum levels of Co, P, α-cryptoxanthin, LZ, and trans-ß-carotene were inversely associated with the prevalence of MAFLD. When Se and two types of vitamin E were excluded, the WQS index showed a significant inverse relationship between the remaining 15 nutrients and the risk of MAFLD; α-cryptoxanthin showed the most substantial contribution. Similarly, Qgcomp suggested that the combined effects of these 15 nutrients were associated with a lower risk of MAFLD, with α-cryptoxanthin possessing the most significant negative weights. Conclusion: This study suggested that the complex nutrients with either a low proportion of Se, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol or without them should be recommended for patients with MAFLD to reduce its risk.

Unraveling birth weight determinants: Integrating machine learning, spatial analysis, and district-level mapping.

Despite a decrease in the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) over time, its ongoing significance as a public health concern in Bangladesh remains evident. Low birth weight is believed to be a contributing factor to infant mortality, prolonged health complications, and vulnerability to non-communicable diseases. This study utilizes nationally representative data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) conducted in 2012-2013 and 2019 to explore factors associated with birth weight. Modeling birth weight data considers interactions among factors, clustering in data, and spatial correlation. District-level maps are generated to identify high-risk areas for LBW. The average birth weight has shown a modest increase, rising from 2.93 kg in 2012-2013 to 2.96 kg in 2019. The study employs a regression tree, a popular machine learning algorithm, to discern essential interactions among potential determinants of birth weight. Findings from various models, including fixed effect, mixed effect, and spatial dependence models, highlight the significance of factors such as maternal age, household head's education, antenatal care, and few data-driven interactions influencing birth weight. District-specific maps reveal lower average birth weights in the southwestern region and selected northern districts, persisting across the two survey periods. Accounting for hierarchical structure and spatial autocorrelation improves model performance, particularly when fitting the most recent round of survey data. The study aims to inform policy formulation and targeted interventions at the district level by utilizing a machine learning technique and regression models to identify vulnerable groups of children requiring heightened attention.

Padi6 expression patterns in buffalo oocytes and preimplantation embryos.

The subcortical maternal complex, which consists of maternal-effect genes, plays a crucial role in the development of oocytes and preimplantation embryo until the activation of the zygote genome. One such gene, known as peptidyl-arginine deiminase VI (Padi6), is involved in the oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryonic development. However, the precise function of Padi6 gene in buffalo is still unclear and requires further investigation. In this study, the sequence, mRNA and protein expression patterns of Padi6 gene were analyzed in oocytes, preimplantation embryos and somatic tissues of buffalo. The coding sequence of gene was successfully cloned and characterized. Real-time quantitative PCR results indicated an absence of Padi6 transcripts in somatic tissues. Notably, the expression levels of Padi6 in oocytes showed an increased from the germinal vesicle stage to metaphase II stage, followed by a rapid decrease during the morula and blastocyst stages. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed these findings, revealing a noticeable decline in protein expression levels. Our research provides the initial comprehensive expression profile of Padi6 in buffalo oocytes and preimplantation embryos, serving as a solid foundation for further investigations into the functionality of maternal-effect genes in buffalo.

Uppermost global tree elevations are primarily limited by low temperature or insufficient moisture.

The impact of anthropogenic global warming has induced significant upward dispersal of trees to higher elevations at alpine treelines. Assessing vertical deviation from current uppermost tree distributions to potential treeline positions is crucial for understanding ecosystem responses to evolving global climate. However, due to data resolution constraints and research scale limitation, comprehending the global pattern of alpine treeline elevations and driving factors remains challenging. This study constructed a comprehensive quasi-observational dataset of uppermost tree distribution across global mountains using Google Earth imagery. Validating the isotherm of mean growing-season air temperature at 6.6 ± 0.3°C as the global indicator of thermal treeline, we found that around two-thirds of uppermost tree distribution records significantly deviated from it. Drought conditions constitute the primary driver in 51% of cases, followed by mountain elevation effect which indicates surface heat (27%). Our analyses underscore the multifaceted determinants of global patterns of alpine treeline, explaining divergent treeline responses to climate warming. Moisture, along with temperature and disturbance, plays the most fundamental roles in understanding global variation of alpine treeline elevation and forecasting alpine treeline response to ongoing global warming.

Improvement of performance for flexible film dosimeter by incorporating additive agents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reduction in energy dependence and aging effect of the lithium salt of pentacosa-10,-12-diynoic acid (LiPCDA) films with additives including aluminum oxide (Al2O3), propyl gallate (PG), and disodium ethylenediaminetetracetate (EDTA). APPROACH: LiPCDA films exhibited energy dependence on kilovoltage (kV) and megavoltage (MV) photon energies and experienced deterioration over time. Evaluations were conducted with added Al2O3 and antioxidants to mitigate these issues, and films were produced with and without Al2O3 to assess energy dependence. The films were irradiated at doses of 0, 3, 6, and 12 cGy at photon energies of 75 kV, 105 kV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 15 MV. For the energy range of 75 kV to 15 MV, the mean and standard deviation (std) were calculated and compared for the values normalized to the net optical density (netOD) at 6 MV, corresponding to identical dose levels. To evaluate the aging effect, PG and disodium EDTA were incorporated into the films: sample C with 1% PG, sample D with 2% PG, sample E with 0.62% disodium EDTA added to sample D, and sample F with 1.23% disodium EDTA added to sample D. MAIN RESULTS: Films containing Al2O3 demonstrated a maximum 15.8% increase in mean normalized values and a 15.1% reduction in std, reflecting a greater netOD reduction at kV than MV energies, which indicates less energy dependence in these films. When the OD of sample 1-4 depending on the addition of PG and disodium EDTA, was observed for 20 weeks, the transmission mode decreased by 8.7%, 8.3%, 29.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, while the reflection mode was 5.4. %, 3.0%, 37.0%, and 34.5%, respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: Al2O3 effectively reduced the voltage and MV energy dependence. PG was more effective than disodium EDTA in preventing the deterioration of film performance owing to the aging effect.

High-definition turns timing-dependent: Different behavioural consequences during and following cathodal high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD tDCS) in a magnitude classification task.

Neuromodulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can transiently alter neural activity, but its spatial precision is low. High-definition (HD) tDCS was introduced to increase spatial precision by placing additional electrodes over the scalp. Initial evaluations of HD tDCS indicated polarity-specific neurophysiological effects-similar to conventional tDCS albeit with greater spatial precision. Here, we compared the effects of cathodal tDCS or HD tDCS in a 4 × 1 configuration over prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions on behavioural outcomes in a magnitude classification task. We report results on overall performance, on the numerical distance effect as a measure of numerical processing, and on the spatial-numerical associations of response codes (SNARC) effect, which was previously affected by prefrontal tDCS. Healthy volunteers (n = 68) received sham or cathodal HD tDCS at 1 mA over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Results were compared to an identical protocol with conventional cathodal tDCS to the left PFC versus sham (n = 64). Mixed effects models showed performance gains relative to sham tDCS in all conditions after tDCS (i.e. 'offline'), whereas montages over PFC and DLPFC already showed performance gains during tDCS (i.e. 'online'). In contrast to conventional tDCS, HD tDCS did not reduce the SNARC effect. Neither condition affected numerical processing, as expected. The results suggest that HD tDCS with cathodal polarity might require further adjustments (i.e. regarding tDCS intensity) for effective modulations of cognitive-behavioural performance, which could be achieved by individualised current density in electric field modelling.

Environmental heterogeneity at two spatial scales affects litter diversity-decomposition relationships.

The effects of biodiversity on ecological processes have been experimentally evaluated mainly at the local scale under homogeneous conditions. To scale up experimentally based biodiversity-functioning relationships, there is an urgent need to understand how such relationships are affected by the environmental heterogeneity that characterizes larger spatial scales. Here, we tested the effects of an 800-m elevation gradient (a large-scale environmental factor) and forest habitat (a fine-scale factor) on litter diversity-decomposition relationships. To better understand local and landscape scale mechanisms, we partitioned net biodiversity effects into complementarity, selection, and insurance effects as applicable at each scale. We assembled different litter mixtures in aquatic microcosms that simulated natural tree holes, replicating mixtures across blocks nested within forest habitats (edge, interior) and elevations (low, mid, high). We found that net biodiversity and complementarity effects increased over the elevation gradient, with their strength modified by forest habitat and the identity of litter in mixtures. Complementarity effects at local and landscape scales were greatest for combinations of nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor litters, consistent with nutrient transfer mechanisms. By contrast, selection effects were consistently weak and negative at both scales. Selection effects at the landscape level were due mainly to nonrandom overyielding rather than spatial insurance effects. Our findings demonstrate that the mechanisms by which litter diversity affects decomposition are sensitive to environmental heterogeneity at multiple scales. This has implications for the scaling of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships and suggests that future shifts in environmental conditions due to climate change or land use may impact the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.

The quantitative genetic basis of variation in sexual versus non-sexual butterfly wing colouration: autosomal, Z-linked and maternal effects.

Viability indicator traits are expected to be integrated extensively across the genome yet sex-limited to ensure that any benefits are sexually concordant. Understanding how such expectations are accommodated requires elucidating the quantitative genetic architecture of candidate traits in and across the sexes. Here we applied an animal modelling approach to partition the autosomal, allosomal, and direct maternal bases of variation in sexual versus non-sexual dorsal wing colouration in the butterfly Eurema hecabe. The sexual colour trait - coherently scattered ultraviolet that is under strong directional selection due to female choice - is brighter and more expansive in males, and overlays non-sexual pigmentary yellow markings that otherwise dominate both wing surfaces in each sex. Our modelling estimated high and sexually-equivalent autosomal variances for ultraviolet reflectance (furnishing h2 ~ 0.58 overall and ~0.75 in males), accompanied by smaller but generally significant Z-linked and maternal components. By contrast, variation in non-sexual yellow was largely attributed to Z-linked sources. Intersexual genetic correlations based upon the major source of variation in each trait were high and not different from 1.0, implying regulation by a pool of genes common to each sex. An expansive autosomal basis for ultraviolet is consistent with its hypothesized role as a genome-wide viability indicator, and ensures that both sons and daughters will inherit their father's attractiveness.