Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
The effect of slow breathing in regulating anxiety
Abstract Anxiety is an interactive disorder of the mind and body, characterized by excessive worry about uncertain future events and a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Previous studies have shown that slow, deep breathing can reduce physical tension, and anxiety. Although we know that slow and deep breathing techniques can effectively regulate anxiety and other emotions, the psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms of slow breathing on anxiety have not been systematically explored. In the study, we combined the paced breathing task with the threat uncertainty task for the first time to investigate the role of slow breathing in regulating anxiety. Here we investigated this question, using Spectral analysis and Time-frequency domain of EEG to assess brain activity relating respiratory rate and the mechanism of respiratory rate impact on the anxious. Twenty-seven individuals participated in the experiment, which followed a 2 (respiratory rate: fast breathing, slow breathing) × 2 (certainty: certain, uncertain) within-subjects design. The results of showed that: (1) Slow breathing effectively reduced anxiety, the valence and arousal are lower under the slow breathing. (2) The EEG of fast and slow breathing showed different characteristics. There is an overall increase in power during slow breathing in the delta, theta, alpha and beta bands.(3) The interaction of respiratory rate and certainty were closely related to beta. In the uncertain, beta power decreased with slow breathing but increased with fast breathing.
Correcting promoter and beta-lactamase ORF orientation in a widely-used retroviral plasmid to restore bacterial growth
Abstract The pBMN-I-GFP plasmid is a widely used retroviral vector for producing retroviral particles, utilized by thousands of laboratories worldwide. However, we observed that E. coli transformed with pBMN-I-GFP failed to grow on selective LB agar plates containing ampicillin or carbenicillin, in contrast to similar retroviral vectors. Multiple attempts to optimize growth conditions were unsuccessful. Sequencing, contrary to the available reference sequence, revealed an inversion of the beta-lactamase (bla) gene and part of its promoter, likely disrupting bla expression and, consequently, antibiotic resistance. To address this, we corrected the orientation of the ampicillin resistance gene and its promoter in a new plasmid, prBMN-I-EGFP. This modification restored robust growth of E. coli transformed with this plasmid on selective plates, confirming the essential role of an intact bla promoter for antibiotic resistance. Additionally, retroviral functionality tests in murine cell lines showed that prBMN-I-EGFP exhibited transfection and infection efficiencies comparable to the original pBMN-I-GFP. These findings underscore the importance of thorough sequence verification for commonly used plasmids and present an improved version of pBMN-I-GFP.
An organ that stores red blood cells for emergencies
Type of diet has no major influence on inflammatory response in a Saddleback pig model
Abstract Fermentable carbohydrates and resulting short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) received attention via modifying potential on obesity-associated systemic low-grade inflammation. However, their effects on inflammation remain poorly understood. In this study, the anti-inflammatory properties of pectin or inulin supplementation were investigated in an atherogenic-fed pig obesity model. Pigs were divided into three atherogenic-fed groups with or without 5% pectin/inulin supplementation (AD, ADp, ADi, n = 10) and a conventional-fed group (CD, n = 10) for a 15-week feeding period. We demonstrated that faecal SCFA concentrations decreased and faecal pH increased in all groups over the feeding period (P < 0.05). SCFA concentrations were comparable between colon and faeces in all groups. Liver inflammatory-marker expressions were on average < 1 in all groups, except TNF-α (AD < CD and ADi; P < 0.01). Inflammatory-marker expressions in abdominal adipose tissue exceeded subcutaneous marker expressions in all groups. AD showed significantly lower IL-1β and CD68 mRNA levels than CD (P < 0.03). Comparing the atherogenic diet groups, the IL-1β mRNA levels were higher in ADi versus AD and ADp (P = 0.02). Our data indicated that fermentable carbohydrates added to an atherogenic diet cannot resolve low-grade adipose tissue inflammatory associated with obesity.
Modeling current and future distributions of invasive Asteraceae species in Northeast China
A cross linguistic study on orthographic influence during auditory word recognition
Abstract Learning to read affects speech perception. For example, the ability of listeners to recognize consistently spelled words faster than inconsistently spelled words is a robust finding called the Orthographic Consistency Effect (OCE). Previous studies located the OCE at the rime level and focused on languages with opaque orthographies. This study investigates whether the OCE also emerges at the phonemic level and is a general phenomenon of languages with alphabetic scripts, including those with transparent writing systems. Thirty French (opaque language) and 30 Spanish (transparent language) listeners participated in an auditory lexical decision task featuring words and pseudowords including either only consistently spelled phonemes or also inconsistently spelled phonemes. Our results revealed an OCE in both French and Spanish which surfaced as longer reaction times in response to inconsistently spelled words and pseudowords. However, when analyzing the data split by language, the OCE was only detectable in French but not in Spanish. Our findings have two theoretical implications. First, they show that auditory lexical processing is impacted by orthographic information that is retrieved at the phonemic level, not just the rime level. Second, they suggest that the OCE may be modulated by a language’s opacity. In conclusion, our study highlights the depth of literacy effects on auditory language processing and calls for further investigations involving highly transparent languages.
Daily briefing: NASA begins mass firings of scientists
Conservation genetic evaluation of Juniperus communis sensu lato in Slovakia
Evaluation of tractor performance, efficiency and fuel consumption in vineyard activities
Abstract Performance analyses of mechanised vineyard activities require a reliable source of information that allows proper sizing of the tractor fleet according to field requirements and an assessment of the operating costs generated by them. To achieve that, however, a large amount of data regarding the power required by machinery and their field capacity, together with fuel consumption per hour and per hectare, is needed. This research, based on CAN-bus raw data collected from narrow tractors of 75 kW through a farming management information system (FMIS) system and then processed through a Python package called Vineyardutils created by the authors resulted in a dataset that summarises 374 labelled mechanised operations over a total of 717 working hours. The summary of each operation specifies its type, duration, idle time, speed and engine parameters such as temperature, engine speed, and torque; in addition, the dataset also includes the terrain slope, fuel consumption and size of the working area. As a result, the lowest values of fuel consumption per hour and per area have been estimated for activities such as fertilisation (4.95 ± 1.20 l/h, 3.73 ± 1.48 l/ha), whereas the highest values belong to harvest operations (14.70 ± 3.39 l/h, 11.69 ± 4.68 l/ha); regarding field capacity, values range from 0.54 ha/h for leaf removal to 4.46 ha/h for multirow crop protection. Furthermore, correlations have been found regarding environmental temperature and requested power, with evidence for most of the activities. Future developments can include different tractor engine setups and additional field data.
Neural responses to emotional displays by politicians: differential mu and alpha suppression patterns in response to in-party and out-party leaders
Abstract The high levels of polarization raise concerns about individuals’ decreased ability to empathize and understand the representatives of political out-groups. As such, our political biases may lead us to misunderstand out-group politicians. In the current study, we examine the mu rhythm, a neural oscillation in the sensorimotor cortex related to the processing and understanding of other people’s actions, intentions and emotions. The mu rhythm is particularly responsive towards the emotional expressions of others and sensitive to social biases. Hence, we examine (1) whether the emotions displayed by politicians lead to more mu event-related-desynchronization (mu-ERD), (2) whether it matters which emotion (angry, happy, neutral) is displayed, and (3) whether neural responses differ when emotions are displayed by politicians we support (in-party politician) compared to politicians we do not support (out-party politician). To test this, we recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) responses during a preregistered Go/No Go mimicry experiment (N = 47, Obs = 1104), in which participants are presented with dynamic morphed emotional displays of Dutch politicians (in- and out-party) and non-politicians. We find that politicians emotional displays increase participants’ mu-ERD compared to static neutral displays. Most mu-ERD is found for out-party politicians, especially when angry. In addition, we explored alpha oscillations (related to visual attention), where we find the strongest alpha-ERD for the out-party happy condition. Overall our results suggest that our brain is specifically attuned to process the emotions of out-party politicians.
A method for filling traffic data based on feature-based combination prediction model
Dynamic correlation of environmental regulation, technological innovation, and corporate carbon emissions: empirical evidence from China listed companies
Estimation of groundwater storage loss using surface–subsurface hydrologic modeling in an irrigated agricultural region
Abstract In the Mississippi alluvial plain (MAP) area, the demand for groundwater resources from the alluvial aquifer for agricultural irrigation has led to significant reductions in groundwater-level elevation over time. In this study, we use the hydrologic model SWAT + to quantify long-term changes in groundwater storage within the MAP in United States, wherein groundwater is used extensively for irrigation. We apply a linear quantile regression method to perform trend analysis for wet, dry, and average conditions for the 1982–2020 period. The SWAT + model uses the gwflow module to simulate groundwater storage and groundwater-surface water interactions in a physically based spatially distributed manner, with groundwater pumping linked to field-based irrigation demand. Results indicate significant trends in storage and groundwater fluxes. In wet conditions, significant decline trends are noted in groundwater head (–18.0 mm/yr.) and groundwater evapotranspiration (–0.7 mm/yr.). Under dry conditions, trends are in groundwater head (–28.0 mm/yr.), recharge (–5.5 mm/yr.), and groundwater discharge (–5.5 mm/yr.). For average conditions, decreases include groundwater head (–20.6 mm/yr.), recharge (–6 mm/yr.), and groundwater discharge (–9.3 mm/yr.). This underscores the significance of local management solutions.
The efficacy of online extensive reading among university students and the relationship between affective variables and english reading comprehension
Abstract Online extensive reading has been shown to improve English reading comprehension and related motivational factors. However, few studies have examined the structural relationship between affective variables and reading comprehension in this platform. Thus, this study designed an online extensive reading program to examine this relationship and the affective behavior of a sample of university students. Clustered random sampling was used to select two experimental groups (N = 120, N = 130) and a control group (N = 100), who were requested to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language reading comprehension pre-and post-tests and complete online surveys about self-beliefs, reading motivation, and English reading behavior. Based on the findings, the experimental groups significantly outperformed the control group in reading comprehension. Meanwhile, reading self-efficacy predicted intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, but self-concept only predicted extrinsic drive. Although there was no correlation between extrinsic or intrinsic motivation and English reading comprehension, only the latter mediated self-efficacy with English reading behavior. Surprisingly, reading behavior did not mediate intrinsic motivation and reading comprehension. The findings imply that internal motivation and reading behavior cannot guarantee students’ reading comprehension achievement.
Multiparasitism enables a specialist endoparasitoid to complete parasitism in an unsuitable host caterpillar
Abstract Parasitoid wasps serve as natural enemies of numerous insect species; therefore, knowledge of host-parasitoid interactions is fundamental for understanding ecosystems. Each endoparasitoid wasp taxon exhibits a specific host range. Female parasitoids, however, occasionally oviposit into non-host species. Since the survival probability of eggs in non-host species is virtually zero, these behaviors have long been considered maladaptive. However, in the present study, we found that eggs of a specialist parasitoid, Cotesia kariyai (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), oviposited in unsuitable host caterpillars, Mythimna loreyi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), successfully complete larval development in the non-host when these caterpillars are simultaneously oviposited by another naturally sympatric parasitoid wasp, Meteorus pulchricornis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), for which My. loreyi is the usual host. This observation suggests that the seemingly maladaptive behavior of ovipositing in unsuitable host insects can be adaptive, allowing them to maintain reproductive potential in environments where their ordinary hosts are absent. We propose a new term, “pirate parasitism”, for this type of obligatory multiparasitism. Understanding detailed mechanisms of this phenomenon may provide deeper insights into parasitoid-host dynamics and evolution of host use strategies by parasitoids.
Temporal representation learning enhanced dynamic adversarial graph convolutional network for traffic flow prediction
Exploring tubulin-paclitaxel binding modes through extensive molecular dynamics simulations
Diffractive lenses for neutron techniques
Abstract Many neutron techniques can greatly benefit from enhanced neutron lenses for focusing and imaging. In this work, we revisit the potential of diffractive optics for neutron beams, building on advanced high-resolution nano-lithography techniques developed for the fabrication of X-ray diffractive optics used at synchrotron facilities. We demonstrate state-of-the-art fabrication of nickel and silicon Fresnel zone plates and we report proof-of-concept experiments for full-field neutron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering. The advancement of neutron diffractive optics will open new opportunities for neutron techniques, improving both the efficiency and resolution of existing instruments.
Design and validation of A 30 ghz 8 × 8 slot antenna array with ridge waveguide pins/holes layers
Abstract This paper presents an 8 × 8-element slot antenna array optimized for 30 GHz band applications, achieving high gain, wide impedance bandwidth, and high efficiency. The array employs a pin/hole-based design, which enables a compact structure and reduces fabrication complexity and cost, as it eliminates the need for electrical contact between its three primary layers: the metal radiating slot plate, a sub-array cavity layer, and a ridge waveguide feed network layer. The corporate feed network is realized through an array of pins and guiding ridges integrated into a metal plate, effectively distributing power to the radiating elements. A double transition from ridge waveguide to rectangular waveguide, leading to a 2.92 mm coaxial connector, ensures efficient feeding. Each component, including the radiating elements, cavity layer, power dividers, and transitions, is designed and optimized to maintain a low reflection coefficient (|S 11| < -10 dB) across the 25–35 GHz frequency range. The 8 × 8 array is fabricated using standard milling techniques. The measured impedance matching bandwidth of approximately 33% is obtained, covering the entire 25-to-35 GHz range. The array consistently demonstrates a gain of over 23 dBi validating its performance for high-frequency applications.