Medium Intensity Research Articles

Fresh goat's milk and Long-term aerobic exercise improve bone health in Athletes

Objective: To analyze the effect of fresh goat's milk intake and long-term aerobic exercise on serum calcium and its relationship to bone resorption in male athletes. Methods: This research was an experimental study using a pretest-posttest design with a control group design. Subjects were 29 gymnastics athlete volunteers: trial group (n=19) and control group (n=10), male, aged 19-26 years. The treatments were fresh goat milk (1x250ml/day, given from 07.00 p.m to 08.00 p.m) and aerobic exercise (3-5 times/week, medium intensity, duration 50-60 minutes), for 90 days. Results: The results showed that serum calcium levels in the trial group were significantly higher than in the control group (9.58±0.26; 9.87±0.32 vs. 9.74±0.42; 9.37±0.38: p=0.001) after consumption of goat milk and long-term regular physical exercise. The results also showed that there was a significant decrease in CTx-1 levels in the trial group compared with the control group (0.603±0.25; 0.45±0.16 vs. 0.73±0.32; 0.76±0.30: p=0.001) after goat milk intake and regular aerobic exercise. Conclusion: Consumption of fresh goat's milk and long-term aerobic exercise increased calcium levels and decreased CTx-1 levels. Therefore, the combination of both therapies reduces bone resorption, and fresh goat's milk is allowed to be consumed regularly as a sports nutrition to reduce the risk of premature osteoporosis in athletes.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a health problem which affected the entire world. Sports were strongly affected, especially outdoors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out during the 2021-2. Nonprobabilistic convenience sample of people over 18 years. Data were obtained via online survey and analyzed with Stata 16.0 statistical program for runners, triathletes, cyclists. The sample was 179 athletes, average age was 42.5 years ±10.2; males were 58.6%. 22.65% of the sample were triathletes, 58% runners, and 18.2% cyclists. Training habits were measured during Pre-Pandemic (PP), Pandemic With Quarantine (PWQ), and Pandemic Without Quarantine (PWOQ). In total sample, a decrease was observed in variables of average training frequency of 1.28 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.648); weekly average training time of 189.63 min (p = 0.005; d = 0.293); days per week with high and medium intensity training of 0.95 (p = 0.001; d = 0.833) and 0.37 (p = 0.001; d = 0.327) respectively; and days per week with cardio training of 1.01 (p = 0.001; d = 0.678), comparing the PP and PWQ periods. When comparing PWQ and PWOQ, an increase was observed in the same variables mentioned above of 1,57 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.513); 162.68 min per week (p = 0.020; d = -0.245); days per week with high of 0.82 (p = 0.001; d = -0.714) and medium intensity training of 0.46 (p = 0.001; d = -0.412); days per week with cardio training of 1.14 (p = 0.001; d = -0.730); and included strength training of 0.42 (p = 0.012; d = -0.312). For technology incorporation, over 78% (p = 0.023) claimed to used devices to measure training, with the watch being the preferred device in over 72% (p = 0.002) during the three timeframes. Highlighted the rise in use of training software during and after the lockdown period of more than 23% (p < 0.001). All variables related with training habits decreased comparing PP and PWQ and all variables rose between PWQ and PWOQ; however, comparing PP and PWOQ, there are small differences, which do not always favor the PWOQ, reflecting how athletes have not yet been able to recover their training rhythms. Finally, we should note that the use of technology increased, in all periods.

Effect of different light intensities on agronomic characteristics and antioxidant compounds of Brassicaceae microgreens in a vertical farm system

Microgreens are vegetable or edible herb shoots harvested in the early stages of development. They have an important number of bioactive compounds and add color, texture, and flavor to dishes and salads. Given their benefits, small size, and high market prices, they can grow in indoor systems, where light is determinant. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different light intensities on agronomic characteristics, color, chlorophylls and carotenoids content, and antioxidant activity represented by total phenolic content (TPC), eliminate, and antioxidant capacity (AC) in four Brassicaceae species in two colors (green and red). The experiment was conducted in a controlled light-emitting diode (LED) environment growth chamber (day/night temperatures of 25/20 ± 1.2°C, 16 h photoperiod, and 79 ± 2% relative humidity). Three light intensities were used for microgreen growth with the same LED light spectrum: low (120 ± 5.1 μmol m−2 s−1), medium (160 ± 3.6 μmol m−2 s−1), and high (210 ± 5.9 μmol m−2 s−1). Eight g of the seeds of green and red cultivars of cabbage, kale, mizuna, and mustard were sown in a plastic tray (64 cm x 35 cm x 6 cm) with a mixture of peat and perlite (1:2 = v: v). Overall, the high intensity increased dry matter percentage and dry weight, except in green and red kale and green cabbage cultivars. In contrast, low intensity promoted a larger hypocotyl in all species than with high intensity; moreover, it enhanced the cotyledon area in green and red mizuna. Cabbage, kale, and mustard green cultivars were greener under medium intensity, whereas the low intensity enhanced the purple color of mizuna. In addition, chlorophyll a and b increased under low intensity in most species except the red kale and mustard cultivars. The high intensity raises the antioxidant activity, promoting a higher TPC and AC. The findings revealed that the light intensity generated variations in agronomic characteristics, color, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity of Brassicaceae microgreens, and the changes were based on the specific species and cultivars.

Effect of pH and Light Intensity on the Growth of Dunaliella Salina

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Dunaliella salina is a unicellular halophilic green alga dominantly found in salt lakes, and high saline ponds in slatterns all over the world. A rigid cell wall is absent in D. salina while the cells are covered by mucous materials that are enclosed by a thin elastic plasma membrane. This species has both environmental and economic validity as they are capable of producing β–carotene during photosynthesis. Synthesis of β–carotene in D. salina is a function of environmental factors, and thus, the present study was designed to study the effect of pH of the medium and light intensity on the growth of D. salina. The Algae sample was collected from a crystalizing pond of Hambantota Saltern, Sri Lanka, and a monoculture was maintained under suitable laboratory conditions. The seawater sample with pH 7.66 was used to prepare a series of pH using sodium carbonate anhydrous. These cultures were exposed to a series of pH (7.66, 8.0, 8.50, and 9.0) at two light intensities (885 lux and 200 lux). All experimental setups were maintained at 25oC with the photoperiod of 12h light and 12h dark. Four replicates of each pH medium were arranged into a 4×4 setup of flasks for each light intensity and the experiment was conducted for four weeks. At the end of the fourth week, the pH level of all flasks ranged from 8.27 to 8.53 due to the self-adjustment of the pH level in the culture medium in parallel to algal growth. The maximum growth was reflected by the highest absorbance of 1.46 at 750 nm. Taken together, our findings revealed that the optimum pH range and light intensity for culturing D. salina is 8.27-8.53 and 885 lux respectively. This study recommends further research on culturing of D. salina for extracting the bioproduct of β -carotene at various light intensity levels.&#x0D; Keywords: Cell density, β –carotene, Light intensity, Self-adjusted&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Laser-texturing and traditional surface modification to improve the adhesion of glass fiber-reinforced composite posts to resin cements

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to perform an experimental evaluation of the synergistic effects of laser-texturing and different traditional surface modification approaches to improve the adhesion of glass fiber-reinforced composite (GFRC) posts to resin-matrix cements used in endodontically treated teeth rehabilitation. MethodsOne hundred and ten freshly extracted mandibular single-rooted premolars were endodontically treated and groups of specimens were divided according to the GFRC cementation after different surface treatment, as follow (n = 10): silane-based conditioning (SIL); 9.7 % HF acid-etching (HF); 35 % H2O2 etching (H2O2); grit-blasting (GB); HF plus H2O2 etching (HFH2O2); 6 W Nd:YAG laser-texturing (L6W); 4.5 W Nd:YAG laser-texturing (L4.5W); 3 W Nd:YAG laser-texturing (L3W); 3 W Nd:YAG plus 35 % H2O2 (L3WH2O2); 3 W Nd:YAG plus SIL (L3WSIL); and untreated (C). GFRC posts were cemented into the tooth root canals using a dual-cured resin cement. Then, specimens were cross-sectioned and mechanically assessed by push-out bond strength tests. Specimens were inspected by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at magnification from × 30 up to × 2000. The failure mode was recorded by microscopic analyses after the bond strenght tests. ResultsSurface analyses of the GFRC posts showed a rough and retentive morphological aspect with a removal of the outer epoxy matrix layer and exposure of glass fibers after laser-texturing, grit-blasting, or etching under 35 % H2O2. The highest bond strength values at 21.8 MPa was recorded for GFRC posts after laser-texturing on 3W plus silane-based conditioning followed by the group etched with 35 % H2O2 (20.5 MPa). The failure mode was microscopically characterized as cohesive and mixed pathways. The lowest bond strength values around 5 and 9 MPa and adhesive failure were recorded for the untreated GFRC group or specimens etched with HF. ConclusionsThe combination of acidic etching and silane conditioning with laser-texturing at moderate intensity promoted an adequate surface modification of GFRC posts and increased adhesion to a resin-matrix cement. Such combination of physicochemical approaches can enhance the long-term mechanical behavior of the restorative interface at endodontically treated teeth. Clinical relevanceCombining traditional and novel physicochemical approaches can provide promising adhesion pathways for glass fiber-reinforced composite posts to resin-matrix cements. A high mechanical interlocking of the resin-matrix cements and the stable retention of the teeth root intracanal posts can decrease the risks of clinical failures by fracture and detachment of the intraradicular interface.

Combining Pocket Parks with Ecological Rainwater Management Techniques in High-Density Urban Environments

In this paper, the benefits of combining pocket parks with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in densely built urban areas are demonstrated, through an application proposal in a medium to low-income neighborhood of the historical center of Thessaloniki, Greece. After an outline of the urbanization impact upon rainwater management, the features of the proposed site are presented, in particular those related to rainwater runoff (e.g., rather large ground slope, narrow sidewalks), which result in considerable nuisance, even during medium intensity rainfall events. The choice of the SuDS components, namely a small-scale rain garden and a permeable pavement zone is explained next. Then, the basic design details of the proposed rain garden are given, including the form of the inlet structures and a list of plants, suitable for the climatic conditions of many North Mediterranean regions. The role and the features of the permeable pavement zone are also discussed and some ideas for the urban equipment required to upgrade the park are presented. A preliminary estimate of the cost for the construction of the rainwater management works and for upgrading the available lot to a pocket park is also included. Compared to the cost of sewer pipe network reconstruction, it can be concluded that the proposed solution is cost-efficient, even without considering aesthetic and social benefits. Moreover, it allows for stepwise construction, based on the available funds.

Enhanced attention in rats following blast-induced traumatic brain injury

PurposeTo evaluate visuo-cognitive sequelae following blast-induced traumatic brain injury in a rat model. MethodsRats were randomly assigned to one of four groups depending on the intensity/quantity of a blast received in a blast chamber: sham (no blast), low intensity (22 psi), medium intensity (26 psi), or three medium intensity blasts (26 psi × 3). After recovery, all subjects were given visual discrimination tasks of increasing complexity, until mastery. After behavioral training, visual function was assessed via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and pattern electroretinogram, and the extent of retinal damage was quantified via immunohistochemistry of retinal ganglion cells. ResultsNone of the measures assessing visual function revealed significant differences as a function of blast intensity/quantity. Behavioral training did not disclose short-term effects of blast in general motivation or the development of anticipatory responding. No differences in general learning ability and the number of perseverative errors were observed. However, behavioral training found effects of blast in attentional function; relative to controls, subjects that received blasts were faster in learning to attend to informative (over non-informative) cues in the most difficult visual discrimination task. ConclusionBlast exposure in rats resulted in increased attention following blast, with no appreciable deficits in visual function. These results are contrary to what is often reported for human clinical populations; as such, more research bridging methodological differences is necessary.

Estimation of the ecological carbon sink potential of using urban underground Space: A case study in Chengdu City, China

Urban carbon sinks from plant photosynthesis in urban blue-green spaces (BGSs) effectively sequester CO2 and achieve carbon neutrality. Building urban facilities underground saves land for the development of urban BGSs. Development and utilization of urban underground space (UUS) is increasing rapidly in most advanced cities globally, many of which are located in China. This study combined the planting design strategy of urban BGS and the vegetation carbon sequestration efficiency estimation method to quantitatively assess the ecological carbon sink potential of the use of UUS. Three types of BGSs: partly open green space (GPO), closed green space (GC), and partly open blue space (BPO), were first constructed based on their practicability in the city, and a planting strategy was designed for urban BGSs accordingly. Secondly, a model for the conversion of UUS development intensity into surface space to achieve ecological carbon sinks under three scenarios of UUS development intensity (low, medium, and high intensity) was constructed. Thirdly, methods for the calculation of carbon sequestration by GPO, GC, and BPO, were established based on the land-use carbon emission model. The developed method was finally validated through a case study in the Tianfu New District Directly Administered Area of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, China. The results of the study in Chengdu show that the higher the intensity of the use of UUS, the greater the proportion of carbon sink contribution to the CO2 emissions of the building industry for the planned population, and a maximum of 7% of carbon emissions absorbed from the building industry for the planned population was achieved. These findings serve as a reference for assessing the use of UUS to achieve urban carbon neutrality in other cities.

Light Intensity Modulates the Functional Composition of Leaf Metabolite Groups and Phyllosphere Prokaryotic Community in Garden Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Plants at the Vegetative Stage.

Light intensity primarily drives plant growth and morphogenesis, whereas the ecological impact of light intensity on the phyllosphere (leaf surface and endosphere) microbiome is poorly understood. In this study, garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants were grown under low, medium, and high light intensities. High light intensity remarkably induced the leaf contents of soluble proteins and chlorophylls, whereas it reduced the contents of leaf nitrate. In comparison, medium light intensity exhibited the highest contents of soluble sugar, cellulose, and free amino acids. Meanwhile, light intensity resulted in significant changes in the composition of functional genes but not in the taxonomic compositions of the prokaryotic community (bacteria and archaea) in the phyllosphere. Notably, garden lettuce plants under high light intensity treatment harbored more sulfur-cycling mdh and carbon-cycling glyA genes than under low light intensity, both of which were among the 20 most abundant prokaryotic genes in the leaf phyllosphere. Furthermore, the correlations between prokaryotic functional genes and lettuce leaf metabolite groups were examined to disclose their interactions under varying light intensities. The relative abundance of the mdh gene was positively correlated with leaf total chlorophyll content but negatively correlated with leaf nitrate content. In comparison, the relative abundance of the glyA gene was positively correlated with leaf total chlorophyll and carotenoids. Overall, this study revealed that the functional composition of the phyllosphere prokaryotic community and leaf metabolite groups were tightly linked in response to changing light intensities. These findings provided novel insights into the interactions between plants and prokaryotic microbes in indoor farming systems, which will help optimize environmental management in indoor farms and harness beneficial plant-microbe relationships for crop production.

Restoring soil properties in the Hyrcanian forests from machine induced compaction: Reforestation of N2‐fixing black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.)

AbstractAmong the various species of trees, black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) is one of the most commonly used trees for the reforestation and restoration programs of degraded forestlands in the Hyrcanian forest, particularly in the skid trails. The effects of reforestation with black alder on the recovery of litter (thickness, C, N, C/N) and soil physicochemical, biochemical, biological, and microbial properties in the skid trails with three levels of compactions were examined over a 27‐year period. Results showed that the litter characteristics such as thickness, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C/N were at the highest level in low intensity traffic as compared to those of medium and frequent intensities. Results showed that the values of total porosity, macroporosity, aggregate stability, silt, and clay were at the lowest level in the natural stand. The highest values of soil pH, C, C/N ratio, and C storage were recorded under the skid trail with frequent machine passages. The restoration values of soil physical and chemical properties were significantly higher in the low level of machine traffic after a period of 27 years where black alder reforestation was performed on the skid trails, as compared to the medium and frequent machine traffic levels, as well as the undisturbed area. Black alder litter affected soil nitrogen and the maximum amounts of earthworm density and dry mass. This also includes fine root biomass. These data were recorded in the trails with low machine traffic as compared to those of medium and frequent traffic. The results clearly showed that black alder is effective in reaching the objectives of restoration programs, given that it promotes soil organic matter, builds up soil structure via root‐soil feedback, and improves the soil by creating a major source of nitrogen through enhancing the nitrogen cycle.

Administration of concentrated diet to overcome cases of delayed puberty in bali cattle

Puberty is controlled by specific physiological mechanisms, including the gonads, adenohypophysis gland, feed, heredity, and environmental factors associated with these organs. Sufficient quantities become necessary for normal endocrine function since lack of feed tends to cause delayed puberty in animals. Therefore, this study aims to show that meals can increase the estrus response by administering different forage in Bali cattle with delayed puberty. It was done using a completely randomized design with two groups: the control and the treatment. In the control part, the cattle were given straw and forage, while others in the treatment group were fed straw, forage, and concentrate in the morning and evening. This experiment was carried out at the Integrated Agricultural System, Sobangan Village, Mengwi Subdistrict, Badung Regency. The research results showed that the average estrus time for cows with concentrate feed was 43.13 days, while for those without concentrate, it was 58.17 days. Statistically, the addition of concentrate had a significant effect in accelerating the emergence of estrus. Meanwhile, two estrus scores called medium intensity were given to both groups. Cows fed with balanced nutrition and energy will have good sexual maturity development and show typical estrus symptoms such as restlessness on the vulva: clear mucus discharge, redness, swelling, and warmth. It can be concluded that adding concentrate to feed can overcome cases of delayed puberty in Bali cattle.

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) seedlings formation under different intensities of violet, blue and red LED light

Introduction. Seedlings formation under controlled conditions is essential for growing species of importance as strawberry. Since the artificial LED lighting technologic has allowed greater control of light, the variation of components such as the wavelength and intensity can be manipulated to form seedlings with different characteristics. However, it is necessary to generate original scientific information for the development of precise and efficient practices on light control. Objective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the strawberry seedlings formation under different intensities of violet, blue and red LED light. Material and methods. The study was performed in 2020 at the Plant Genetics Laboratory of the Agronomy Department of the Universidad de Guanajuato, in the municipality of Irapuato, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Seeds were recovered from San Andreas cultivar fruits and seedlings were formed under violet, blue and red LED light at high, medium, and low intensities. Color determination of cotiledon area, chroma saturation index and Hue angle were performed. Physiotechnical variables, chemical and antioxidant activity were measured. Results. The most suitable treatments were violet light of high and medium intensities; as well as blue light of high intensity, due to the germination percentage exceeded at least 60 %. Seedlings did not lengthen or thin, presented the largest cotyledons areas and the highest chlorophyll concentrations. In addition, these light treatments consumed 31.2 % less electrical energy on average. Conclusions. Besides the white light, the most suitable treatments for strawberry seedlings formation were violet light at high and medium intensities, as well as blue light at high intensity. It is suggested that the violet and blue light treatments be evaluated in other cultivars to confirm the beneficial effect on the strawberry seedlings. Red light limited germination and the highest antioxidant activity was observed in this treatment.

To Analyze Pilates’ Impact on the Childbirth Process and its Results in Pregnant Females : Observational Study

Background: Pilates Method as been a popular background for almost a century and is now used worldwide as a form of fitness and holistic health because it can be tailored to individual needs and fitness levels. Lucia first advised mat exercises performed on the floor, adapting them to individual physical and temporal constraints without compromising the wider element. He later labeled a series of specialized devices, including springs and rollers, that provide resistance to develop divergent movement patterns.13Performing exercise with medium intensity has positive effects on the maternal health. The goal of obstetriccare is to provide the right conditions for a safe delivery and make it a pleasant experience. Labor pain is anunavoidable component ofchild birth whose proper management, despite the great advances in midwifery, is still one of the major challenges related to women’s health. Pregnant women should also be clinically evaluated before starting exercise to ensure there is no medical reason to stop exercising.Methods:Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15 people in each group. In the intervention group,a Pilates exercise program was developed in collaboration with a Pilates trainer. The program was tailored to the susceptibility of pregnant women and was administered twice weekly for 8 weeks.Four tools were used in this study, including a two-part checklist, the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE),the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the McKee Childbirth Satisfaction Rating Scale. A two-section checklist was used in this study to collect the required information.Conclusion:, According to the results of this study, Pilates exercise during pregnancy is a safe method to reduce the length of the active phase and second stage of labor, reducelabor pain, and increase maternal satisfaction with the child birth process. However, Pilates exercise did not significantlyreduce the need to episiotomy and caesarean section.

Exploration and characterization of Gayam (Inocarpus fagifer): Conservation foundation for sustainable tropical ecosystems

The conservation of the Inocarpus fagifer plant, commonly known as Gayam, is a significant focus in protecting important tropical ecosystems. This research aims to assess the preservation and development of Gayam in the Conservation Garden Area of Postgraduate Science Education at Bengkulu University. The study employed a descriptive quantitative and qualitative approach, utilizing primary and secondary data collection methods. The analysis involved examining the growth rate of Gayam seedlings, environmental conditions, and factors influencing preservation. The findings revealed that Gayam has the potential for widespread distribution in Indonesia, with various local names. However, Gayam does not dominate at the seedling stage, making seed preservation crucial. The characteristics of Gayam, including its crown, stem, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds, define this plant. Preservation success is influenced by factors such as moisture content, temperature, storage medium, and light intensity. The observations of light intensity in the conservation area indicated favorable conditions for photosynthesis. To maintain Gayam seedlings, watering, fertilizing, and pest control are necessary. The use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, as well as organic pesticides, supports the growth of the seedlings. A comprehensive understanding of these aspects is essential for enhancing the preservation and potential expansion of Gayam in the Bengkulu University Master of Science Education Conservation Area. This research contributes significantly to biodiversity conservation efforts and the sustainability of tropical ecosystems in Indonesia, particularly through the preservation of Gayam plants, which play important ecological, economic, and social roles.

Time to redefine hyperuricemia? The serum uric acid cut-off level for precipitation might be lower: a pilot study.

Hyperuricemia is classically defined as serum uric acid (SUA) value higher than 6.8 mg∕dL; between hyperuricemic patients, only 15-20% will develop gout. Our first goal was to find if there is a specificity of the "snowstorm" feature on ultrasound (US) for hyperuricemia. Moreover, we aimed to determine if there is a level of SUA from which the urates tend to appear in the synovial fluid, without generating a typical clinical gouty flare. We conducted a cross-sectional, transverse study, including 108 consecutive patients that displayed a set of clinical and imaging features, such as swollen knee and US proof for knee joint effusion. Performing binary logistic regression, the relation between the explanatory variable (hyperechogenic spots) and the response variable (SUA) was demonstrated to be a significant one (p=0.005). The value of 0.397 for the statistical phi coefficient suggests a medium intensity association between the diagnosis of gout or asymptomatic hyperuricemia and whether the patients have hyperechogenic spots or not. We found the cut-off value for SUA equal to 4.815 mg∕dL, regardless of gender, from which, the urate starts to precipitate. Values for men tend to be higher in comparison to the ones found for women (4.95 mg∕dL vs. 3.9 mg∕dL). The "snowstorm" aspect of the fluid might be the result of an increased level of SUA and more than this, the cut-off level for SUA to precipitate might be lower than the fore used values.

Decoupling of the pupillary light response during internal attention: The modulating effect of luminance intensity

In a world full of sensory stimuli, attention guides us between the external environment and our internal thoughts. While external attention involves processing sensory stimuli, internal attention is devoted to self-generated representations such as planning or spontaneous mind wandering. They both draw from common cognitive resources, thus simultaneous engagement in both often leads to interference between processes. In order to maintain internal focus, an attentional mechanism known as perceptual decoupling takes effect. This mechanism supports internal cognition by decoupling attention from the perception of sensory information. Two previous studies of our lab investigated to what extent perceptual decoupling is evident in voluntary eye movements. Findings showed that the effect is mediated by the internal task modality and workload (visuospatial > arithmetic and high > low, respectively). However, it remains unclear whether it extends to involuntary eye behavior, which may not share cognitive resources with internal activities. Therefore, the present experiment aimed to further elucidate attentional dynamics by examining whether internal attention affects the pupillary light response (PLR). Specifically, we consistently observed that workload and task modality of the internal task reduced the PLR to luminance changes of medium intensity. However, the PLR to strong luminance changes was less or not at all affected by the internal task. These results suggest that perceptual decoupling effects may be less consistent in involuntary eye behavior, particularly in the context of a salient visual stimulus.

Burned area assessment using Sentinel-2A satellite imagery and DNBR spectral index (Case study: forest areas on the anticline in the Khaiz region, Iran)

The main advantage of incorporating remote sensing techniques into wildfire management is their ability to provide real-time data. This study aimed to investigate the extent of forest fires in southwestern Iran using remote sensing data. Sentinel-2A data with a resolution of 20 meters were used to conduct this study. It is worth noting that the spectral bands selected in this study, namely spectral band 8A (red edge 4) and band 12 (SWIR 2), have proved their suitability for fire intensity classification. In this study, 1NBR (Normalized Burn Ratio) values within the study area ranged from −0.096 to 0.81. These values were categorized based on the United States Geological Survey classification table. The study area covered 4,758.915 hectares, with approximately 32.41% (1,542.284 hectares) having calculated 1NBR values. Of the total area, 60.97% (2,901.675 hectares) was burned at low intensity, while approximately 6.62% (314.956 hectares) was burned at medium intensity. Unfortunately, due to the limited extent of the study area, regions with moderate to high fire intensity and high intensity were not included in the classification. The research results indicate that the studied index has satisfactory efficiency. The application of this index to regions with characteristics similar to those of the Khaiz anticline is likely to provide valuable and reliable results.

Trend of landfalling tropical cyclones in the East China Sea and their storm surge response

In recent years, the influence of global tropical cyclones (TCs) has a tendency to expand towards the polar direction, and the proportion of high-intensity TCs has also increased greatly. The Northwest Pacific is a high incidence area of TCs, the northward shift of landfalling TCs in China and the increase of high-intensity TCs will lead to an increased risk of storm surge in the East China Sea (ECS). However, due to the lack of long-term observations in the ECS, previous studies have focused on the analysis of individual TC, and the response mechanism of storm surge to long-term trends of TCs is not clear. Based on the long-term observations of TCs from 1949 to 2022 and the numerical experiments of storm surge, the trend of landfalling TCs in China and the response characteristics of storm surge in the ECS were studied in this paper. The observations showed that the probability of TCs entering ECS became greater in the latter 37 years compared with the former 37 years. The average intensity of landfalling TCs (maximum wind speed) increased by 36% to 30 m/s, and the average speed of landfalling TCs increased by 100% to 8 m/s. The model results showed that the intensity of the storm surge is closely related to the intensity and translation speed of TCs. Under the condition of the same translation speed of TCs, the storm surge enhanced with the intensity of TCs. For the TCs with high intensity (strong typhoon and super typhoon), the intensity of the storm surge continues to increase as the translation speed of the TCs increases. However, for the TCs with low or medium intensity (severe tropical storms and typhoons), the intensity of the storm surge reaches a peak with the increase of the translation speed of TCs. The intensity of the storm surge is determined by both the wind speed and the duration of strong wind. The TCs with faster translation speed can produce a stronger wind field but shorter duration of strong wind. Therefore, the intensity of the storm surge decreases when the translation speed of TCs exceeds the threshold value.

Effects of light quality and intensity on phycobiliprotein productivity in two Leptolyngbya strains isolated from southern Bahia's Atlantic Forest.

Cyanobacterial phycocyanin and phycoerythrin are gaining commercial interest due to their nutrition and healthcare values. This research analyzed the biomass accumulation and pigment production of two strains of Leptolyngbya under different combinations of light colors and intensities. The results showed that while Leptolyngbya sp.4 B1 (B1) produced all phycobiliproteins, Leptolyngbya sp.5 F2 (F2) only had phycocyanin and allophycocyanin. Both the color of the light and its light intensity affect the biomass accumulation and phycoerythrin concentration in strain B1. Although white light at medium intensity (50 μmol m-2 s-1) causes greater biomass accumulation (1.66 ± 0.13 gDW L-1), low-intensity (25 μmol m-2 s-1) green light induces lower biomass accumulation with twice the pigment content (87.70 ± 2.46 mg gDW -1), culminating in 71% greater productivity. In contrast, for the F2 strain, light intensity positively influenced biomass and pigment accumulation, being observed 2.25 ± 0.10 gDW L-1 under white light at 100 μmol m-2 s-1 and higher phycocyanin concentration (138.38 ± 3.46 mg gDW -1) under red light at 100 μmol m-2 s-1. These findings provide insights into optimizing the growth conditions by altering the intensity and wavelength of light for future production of phycocyanin and phycoerythrin from local cyanobacteria.

Long-Term Improvement in Hippocampal-Dependent Learning Ability in Healthy, Aged Individuals Following High Intensity Interval Training.

Physical exercise may reduce dementia risk in aging, but varying reports on its effectiveness make it challenging to ascribe what level of exercise will have significant longer-term effects on important functions such as hippocampal-based learning and memory. This study compared the effect of three different 6-month exercise regimens on hippocampal-dependent cognition in healthy, elderly individuals. Participants, aged 65-85 with no cognitive deficits, were randomly assigned to one of three exercise interventions (low (LIT), medium (MIT), and High intensity interval training (HIIT), respectively). Each participant attended 72 supervised exercise sessions over a 6-month period. A total of 151 participants completed all sessions. Cognitive testing for hippocampal performance occurred monthly, as did blood collection, and continued for up to 5 years following initiation of the study. Multimodal 7 Tesla MRI scans were taken at commencement, 6 and 12 months. After 6 months, only the HIIT group displayed significant improvement in hippocampal function, as measured by paired associative learning (PAL). MRI from the HIIT group showed abrogation of the age-dependent volumetric decrease within several cortical regions including the hippocampus and improved functional connectivity between multiple neural networks not seen in the other groups. HIIT-mediated changes in the circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol correlated to improved hippocampal-dependent cognitive ability. These findings demonstrate that HIIT significantly improves and prolongs the hippocampal-dependent cognitive health of aged individuals. Importantly, improvement was retained for at least 5 years following initiation of HIIT, suggesting that the changes seen in hippocampal volume and connectivity underpin this long-term maintenance. Sustained improvement in hippocampal function to this extent confirms that such exercise-based interventions can provide significant protection against hippocampal cognitive decline in the aged population. The changes in specific blood factor levels also may provide useful biomarkers for choosing the optimal exercise regimen to promote cognitive improvement.