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Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Growing grass-legume mixtures for forage production improves both yield productivity and nutritional quality, while also benefiting the environment by promoting species...
INTRODUCTION
Growing grass-legume mixtures for forage production improves both yield productivity and nutritional quality, while also benefiting the environment by promoting species biodiversity and enhancing soil fertility (through nitrogen fixation). Consequently, assessing legume proportions in grass-legume mixed swards is essential for breeding and cultivation. This study introduces an approach for automated classification and mapping of species in mixed grass-clover swards using object-based image analysis (OBIA).
METHODS
The OBIA procedure was established for both RGB and ten band multispectral (MS) images capturedby an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The workflow integrated structural (canopy heights) and spectral variables (bands, vegetation indices) along with a machine learning algorithm (Random Forest) to perform image segmentation and classification. Spatial k-fold cross-validation was employed to assess accuracy.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Results demonstrated good performance, achieving an overall accuracy of approximately 70%, for both RGB and MS-based imagery, with grass and clover classes yielding similar F1 scores, exceeding 0.7 values. The effectiveness of the OBIA procedure and classification was examined by analyzing correlations between predicted clover fractions and dry matter yield (DMY) proportions. This quantification revealed a positive and strong relationship, with R2 values exceeding 0.8 for RGB and MS-based classification outcomes. This indicates the potential of estimating (relative) clover coverage, which could assist breeders but also farmers in a precision agriculture context.
PubMed: 38962243
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1414181 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome in which mutations in the cardiac sodium channel (Na1.5) account for approximately 20% of cases. Mutations in...
BACKGROUND
Brugada Syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmia syndrome in which mutations in the cardiac sodium channel (Na1.5) account for approximately 20% of cases. Mutations in sodium channel-modifying genes may account for additional BrS cases, though BrS may be polygenic given common SNPs associated with BrS have been identified. Recent analysis, however, has suggested that should be regarded as the sole monogenic cause of BrS.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to re-assess the genetic underpinnings of BrS in a large mutligenerational family with a putative mutation in that affects surface membrane expression of Na1.5 .
METHODS
Fine linkage mapping was performed in the family using the Illumina Global Screening Array. Whole exome sequencing of the proband was performed to identify rare variants and mutations, and Sanger sequencing was used to assay previously-reported risk single nucleotide polymorphsims (SNPs) for BrS.
RESULTS
Linkage analysis decreased the size of the previously-reported microsatellite linkage region to approximately 3 Mb. GPD1L-A280V was the only coding non-synonymous variation present at less than 1% allele frequency in the proband within the linkage region. No rare non-synonymous variants were present outside the linkage area in affected individuals in genes associated with BrS. Risk SNPs known to predispose to BrS were overrepresented in affected members of the family.
CONCLUSION
Together, our data suggest GPD1L-A280V remains the most likely cause of BrS in this large multigenerational family. While care should be taken in interpreting variant pathogenicity given the genetic uncertainty of BrS, our data support inclusion of other putative BrS genes in clinical genetic panels.
PubMed: 38962240
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1159586 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Recreational and competitive slalom waterskiing is increasingly popular among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), particularly for those with paraplegia using...
PURPOSE
Recreational and competitive slalom waterskiing is increasingly popular among individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI), particularly for those with paraplegia using sit-skis. A key component of slalom skiing is the deep-water start (DWS), yet little is known about the physiological and physical demands of this activity when the athlete is seated. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the training requirements for a seated slalom athlete.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Focusing on a young male athlete with paraplegia, this case study evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of traditional (TDWS) and alternative (ADWS) DWS techniques during seated slalom waterskiing sessions. It assesses internal training load (TL) through heart rate (HR) zones and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), alongside pre- and post-session handgrip strength measurements to gauge peripheral muscle fatigue.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Performing the ADWS, achieving a full success rate, proved more effective but slightly more time-consuming than TDWS, which had limited success. HR during DWS maneuvers ranged from 63.2 to 81.3% of maximal HR, with most sessions occurring below the ventilatory threshold, thus perceived as hard effort. A moderate yet non-significant correlation was found between HR and sRPE-based TL. A significant reduction in handgrip strength post-session underscores the activity's demands. These insights illuminate the technical, physiological, and physical challenges in mastering DWS for seated slalom athletes with SCI, providing valuable guidance for the development of tailored training programs and techniques in this sport.
PubMed: 38962225
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1363544 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024In this PRISMA-compliant systematic review, we identify and synthesize the findings of research in which neuroimaging and assessments of achievement have been used to...
INTRODUCTION AND METHODS
In this PRISMA-compliant systematic review, we identify and synthesize the findings of research in which neuroimaging and assessments of achievement have been used to examine the relationships among aspects of developmental programming, neurodevelopment, and achievement in reading and mathematics.
RESULTS
Forty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. The majority examined the impact of prematurity ( = 32) and prenatal alcohol exposure ( = 13). Several prematurity studies reported a positive correlation between white-matter integrity of callosal fibers and executive functioning and/or achievement, and white matter properties were consistently associated with cognitive and academic performance in preterm and full-term children. Volumetric studies reported positive associations between academic and cognitive abilities and white and gray matter volume in regions such as the insula, putamen, and prefrontal lobes. Functional MRI studies demonstrated increased right-hemispheric language processing among preterm children. Altered activation of the frontoparietal network related to numerical abilities was also reported. Prenatal alcohol exposure studies reported alterations in white matter microstructure linked to deficits in cognitive functioning and academic achievement, including mathematics, reading, and vocabulary skills. Volumetric studies reported reductions in cerebral, cerebellar, and subcortical gray matter volumes associated with decreased scores on measures of executive functioning, attention, working memory, and academic performance. Functional MRI studies demonstrated broad, diffuse activation, reduced activation in canonical regions, and increased activation in non-canonical regions during numeric tasks.
DISCUSSION
A preponderance of studies linked prematurity and prenatal alcohol exposure to altered neurodevelopmental processes and suboptimal academic achievement. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Identifier: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/ZAN67.
PubMed: 38962224
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1352241 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Ethical voice is a valuable ethical behavior that enables organizations to promptly recognize and rectify unethical issues and practices, thus preventing severe dilemmas...
INTRODUCTION
Ethical voice is a valuable ethical behavior that enables organizations to promptly recognize and rectify unethical issues and practices, thus preventing severe dilemmas and crises. Despite its importance, the extant literature has yet to fully explore the impact of a leader's ethical voice on subordinate outcomes. This study bridges this gap by integrating social identity theory and social exchange theory to scrutinize the process by which a leader's ethical voice affects subordinate task performance.
METHODS
We employ a serial mediation model to explore the mechanisms by which a leader's ethical voice enhances subordinates' task performance. Our theoretical framework is empirically validated using a dataset that includes 449 subordinate-leader pairings from Chinese enterprises.
RESULTS
The survey results demonstrate that a leader's ethical voice has a significant positive impact on subordinate task performance. Subordinate identification with leader and leader-member exchange not only individually mediate the effects of a leader's ethical voice on subordinate task behavior but also jointly serve as a chain-mediated mechanism in the influence of a leader's ethical voice on subordinate task behavior.
DISCUSSION
These findings illuminate the substantial effects that ethical leadership behaviors exert on employee performance and offer fresh perspectives on the intricate dynamics that govern this influence.
PubMed: 38962223
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340769 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Significant impacts of heavy work investment on employee well-being and organizational performance have prompted its increasing importance as a research topic. The...
INTRODUCTION
Significant impacts of heavy work investment on employee well-being and organizational performance have prompted its increasing importance as a research topic. The findings about good or evil of these repercussions are nonetheless inconclusive. The intersection of Heavy Work Investment construct with gender has not been explicitly addressed by previous literature review and research. Besides, the relevance of flexibility for women, as one of the key factors for successful work-family balance management, still remains to be analyzed.
METHODS
A literature review on Heavy Work Investment was conducted using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, wherein 83 articles were selected from a pool of 208 previously identified works. Bibliometric and content analysis techniques were employed, including co-word analysis, to evaluate research production, impact, and trends in the gender perspective within Heavy Work Investment.
RESULTS
As a result, a strategic diagram illustrates thematic topics, providing a clear understanding of the field's structure and evolution. Six thematic groups were identified, around work-family conflict as the central theme.
DISCUSSION
The explicit consideration of a gender perspective in literature involves nuanced differences regarding the conclusions of studies with a broader focus. First, the emerging prominence of studies on China and Japan becomes clear with gender as the specific focus of the review, aiming to clarify the experiences women face in more traditional societies with a more decisive division of roles. Second, there is a shift in interest regarding the analysis of Job Demands and Job Resources. Despite the apparent decline in interest in the former, the focus in gender literature clearly shifts toward the side of Job Resources, showing potential for the future. It could be understood that in a context of talent war and employee retention efforts, priority is given to better understanding of facilitating individual and organizational factors for work-life balance, especially for women. Future research areas are identified, including gender differences in organizational support and the impact of flexible work on the work-life balance, providing valuable insights for academia, practitioners, and organizations. The need for more comprehensive cross-cultural and gender research is also made clear.
PubMed: 38962219
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1401201 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Dance has been proposed to support superior intrinsic motivation over non-dance forms of therapeutic physical activity. However, this hypothesis has yet to be evaluated...
Partnered dance evokes greater intrinsic motivation than home exercise as therapeutic activity for chemotherapy-induced deficits: secondary results of a randomized, controlled clinical trial.
INTRODUCTION
Dance has been proposed to support superior intrinsic motivation over non-dance forms of therapeutic physical activity. However, this hypothesis has yet to be evaluated empirically, particularly among populations living with neuropathology such as survivors of cancer with neurologic complications from chemotherapy treatment. Questions about motivation are relevant to clinical outcomes because motivation mediates neuroplasticity. We conducted this secondary analysis of a randomized-controlled study to begin to investigate the relationships between personal motivation and neurophysiologic effects of dance-based intervention for healthy aging among populations with neurologic complications of cancer.
METHODS
We measured motivation using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, a validated patient-reported outcome from the psychological approach of Self Determination Theory. We assessed intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and satisfaction with intervention within a randomized controlled trial of dance versus exercise designed to alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced impairment. Fifty-two survivors of breast cancer with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy diagnosis and associated sensorimotor functional deficits were randomized (1:1) to 8 weeks of partnered dance or home exercise, performed biweekly (NCT05114005; R21-AG068831).
RESULTS
While satisfaction did not differ between interventions, intrinsic motivation was higher among participants randomized to dance than those randomized to exercise ( < 0.0001 at all timepoints: 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks of intervention), as was extrinsic motivation at 2 weeks ( = 0.04) and 8 weeks ( = 0.01).
DISCUSSION
These data provide evidence that social dance is more motivating than the type of home exercise generally recommended as therapeutic physical activity. The results inform directions for future study of the effect of dance-based therapeutics on embodied agency, neuroplastic changes, and clinically-relevant neuropathic improvement.
PubMed: 38962217
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1383143 -
Data in Brief Jun 2024The data presented in this article are an update of the dataset provided by Musazzi et al. [1] and are related to the research article entitled "Equivalence assessment...
The data presented in this article are an update of the dataset provided by Musazzi et al. [1] and are related to the research article entitled "Equivalence assessment of creams with quali-quantitative differences in light of the EMA and FDA regulatory framework" [2]. In vitro permeation study (IVPT) is typically conducted using the method of Franz's diffusion cell for assessing the biopharmaceutical performance of topically applied products. While the human epidermis is considered the benchmark, various animal models (for instance, pig ear) have been accepted as a permeation membrane. Nonetheless, it is crucial to evaluate the integrity of the membrane to ensure the quality of the experiments. The methods employed for this assessment vary, and the outcomes are heavily reliant on the operational conditions, and the model membrane. The article contributes to the existing dataset by providing data on the electrical resistance values of pig ear skin samples and their correlation with the in vitro permeability fluxes of caffeine and benzoic acid. This data is utilized to determine a suitable cut-off for verifying the skin integrity of such an animal model. This information could be beneficial for facilitating critical or comprehensive analyses, contributing to the creation of a standard method.
PubMed: 38962200
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110295 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2024Decoding an individual's hidden brain states in responses to musical stimuli under various cognitive loads can unleash the potential of developing a non-invasive...
INTRODUCTION
Decoding an individual's hidden brain states in responses to musical stimuli under various cognitive loads can unleash the potential of developing a non-invasive closed-loop brain-machine interface (CLBMI). To perform a pilot study and investigate the brain response in the context of CLBMI, we collect multimodal physiological signals and behavioral data within the working memory experiment in the presence of personalized musical stimuli.
METHODS
Participants perform a working memory experiment called the -back task in the presence of calming music and exciting music. Utilizing the skin conductance signal and behavioral data, we decode the brain's cognitive arousal and performance states, respectively. We determine the association of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) data with performance state. Furthermore, we evaluate the total hemoglobin (HbT) signal energy over each music session.
RESULTS
A relatively low arousal variation was observed with respect to task difficulty, while the arousal baseline changes considerably with respect to the type of music. Overall, the performance index is enhanced within the exciting session. The highest positive correlation between the HbO concentration and performance was observed within the higher cognitive loads (3-back task) for all of the participants. Also, the HbT signal energy peak occurs within the exciting session.
DISCUSSION
Findings may underline the potential of using music as an intervention to regulate the brain cognitive states. Additionally, the experiment provides a diverse array of data encompassing multiple physiological signals that can be used in the brain state decoder paradigm to shed light on the human-in-the-loop experiments and understand the network-level mechanisms of auditory stimulation.
PubMed: 38962177
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1406814 -
Frontiers in Bioinformatics 2024Complex disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), result from the combined influence of multiple biological and environmental factors. The integration of...
BACKGROUND
Complex disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), result from the combined influence of multiple biological and environmental factors. The integration of high-throughput data from multiple omics platforms can provide system overviews, improving our understanding of complex biological processes underlying human disease. In this study, integrated data from four omics platforms were used to characterise biological signatures of AD.
METHOD
The study cohort consists of 455 participants (Control:148, Cases:307) from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP). Genotype (SNP), methylation (CpG), RNA and proteomics data were collected, quality-controlled and pre-processed (SNP = 130; CpG = 83; RNA = 91; Proteomics = 119). Using a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)/AD combined as the target phenotype, we first used Partial Least Squares Regression as an unsupervised classification framework to assess the prediction capabilities for each omics dataset individually. We then used a variation of the sparse generalized canonical correlation analysis (sGCCA) to assess predictions of the combined datasets and identify multi-omics signatures characterising each group of participants.
RESULTS
Analysing datasets individually we found methylation data provided the best predictions with an accuracy of 0.63 (95%CI = [0.54-0.71]), followed by RNA, 0.61 (95%CI = [0.52-0.69]), SNP, 0.59 (95%CI = [0.51-0.68]) and proteomics, 0.58 (95%CI = [0.51-0.67]). After integration of the four datasets, predictions were dramatically improved with a resulting accuracy of 0.95 (95% CI = [0.89-0.98]).
CONCLUSION
The integration of data from multiple platforms is a powerful approach to explore biological systems and better characterise the biological signatures of AD. The results suggest that integrative methods can identify biomarker panels with improved predictive performance compared to individual platforms alone. Further validation in independent cohorts is required to validate and refine the results presented in this study.
PubMed: 38962175
DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2024.1390607