Test Subjects Research Articles

In vivo neuropil density from anatomical MRI and machine learning.

Brain energy budgets specify metabolic costs emerging from underlying mechanisms of cellular and synaptic activities. While current bottom-up energy budgets use prototypical values of cellular density and synaptic density, predicting metabolism from a person's individualized neuropil density would be ideal. We hypothesize that in vivo neuropil density can be derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, consisting of longitudinal relaxation (T1) MRI for gray/white matter distinction and diffusion MRI for tissue cellularity (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC) and axon directionality (fractional anisotropy, FA). We present a machine learning algorithm that predicts neuropil density from in vivo MRI scans, where ex vivo Merker staining and in vivo synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A Positron Emission Tomography (SV2A-PET) images were reference standards for cellular and synaptic density, respectively. We used Gaussian-smoothed T1/ADC/FA data from 10 healthy subjects to train an artificial neural network, subsequently used to predict cellular and synaptic density for 54 test subjects. While excellent histogram overlaps were observed both for synaptic density (0.93) and cellular density (0.85) maps across all subjects, the lower spatial correlations both for synaptic density (0.89) and cellular density (0.58) maps are suggestive of individualized predictions. This proof-of-concept artificial neural network may pave the way for individualized energy atlas prediction, enabling microscopic interpretations of functional neuroimaging data.

Sacrifices on the Altar of Science: The Case of Model Organisms

This research traces and examines specific examples of the application of model organisms during the experimentation of biomedical sciences and psychology. The main purpose of the study is to compare how scientists utilize animal models for experiments with specific cases of humans who were used as test subjects, focusing on methodologies and main motivations. A core question that motivated this work is: Can we use the term ‘‘model organisms’’ to refer to human beings? In other words, can human beings be considered analogue models, specifically model organisms? This study will try to respond to the above question, by drawing upon theoretical frameworks and definitions from the field of philosophy of science, particularly focusing on the concepts of the analogue model, model organisms, and animal model. It will also analyze specific examples of experimental utilization of animal models, such as Hippocratic physicians’ experiments involving goat brains, Galen's experiments on a pig during the Greco-Roman period, and the utilization of guinea pigs in modern scientific research. Finally, the study will examine historical examples where humans were used as test subjects including the Nazi medical experiments during World War II and the Stanford prison experiment conducted by psychology professor Philip G. Zimbardo.

PENGEMBANGAN LEMBAR KERJA SISWA BERBASIS PROBLEM BASED LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA

The aim of this research is to produce Student Worksheets based on Problem Based Learning to improve student learning outcomes in junior high schools. This research uses the 4 D device (FOUR D MODEL). The development procedure includes analysis, design, development and implementation stages. The test subjects in this research were 16 class VII junior high school students consisting of 8 girls and 8 boys. Data collection was carried out using validation and test techniques. Based on the results of data analysis, student worksheets based on Problem Based Learning can be applied and carried out validly. Based on the results of the development research that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the Problem Based Learning model learning tools meet the very valid category with an average value for the lesson plan validator of 3.6 in the very valid category, student worksheets of 3.5 in the very valid category, response teachers towards student worksheets 3.2 in the very valid category, student responses to student worksheets 3.7 in the very valid category, the results of student worksheets is 3.1 in the very valid category, and the group test results is 3.5 in the very valid category.

Experimental identification of a linear parametric driver steering control model with torque feedback

Existing mathematical driver models with steering torque feedback are reviewed. It is argued that a new linear parametric driver-steering-vehicle model is required to provide greater insight to subjective assessment of steering torque feedback. The proposed new model incorporates: neuromuscular dynamics; proprioceptive (muscle stretch) and visual sensory dynamics; steering torque perception via efference copy; process and measurement noise; state estimator; and an internal predictive model of the plant. A series of path-following experiments with thirteen test subjects is performed on a fixed-base driving simulator. A Box-Jenkins model accounted for 90% of the variance of the measured handwheel angle time series averaged over the test subjects (VAF). The unknown parameter values of the model were identified from the driving simulator data. The prediction accuracy approached the upper bound given by the Box-Jenkins model. Process noise was found to be linearly dependent on muscle activation torque, and this signal-dependent behaviour was also present in the measurement noise. The model was re-identified using signal to noise ratios as parameters. The VAF was 86.6%, close to that of the Box-Jenkins model, and the identified parameter values are physically plausible, giving confidence that the model is suitable for further work on understanding steering torque feedback.

Assessing Ride Motion Discomfort Measurement Formulas

This article is about a framework for determining the degree of realism of any given passenger ride motion discomfort measurement formula. After providing some context and reviewing evidence of deficiency in currently popular ride motion discomfort measurement formulas, the article outlines the research program that needs to be carried out in order to establish such a framework. The research begins with gathering recordings of uncomfortable ride motion episodes encountered in a chosen type of passenger transport service. It then has test subjects compare the episodes via a ride motion simulator and adjust their amplitudes pair wise until they cause equal discomfort. It explains how to take the pair wise amplitude adjustments and determine amplitude adjustments that bring all of the motion episode recordings to a common level of discomfort so that they form a normalized set. Then, the lower the scatter of the scores assigned by any given discomfort measurement formula to the members of that set, the more realistic that formula will be for the chosen service.

"You really are an empathic type" - Types in empathy research

In this study, we used a configuration frequency analysis (CFA) to find out whether there are certain combinations of characteristics that can be used to define prototypical empathy types. Using a sample of 9,407 participants aged between 10 and 80 years, we were able to find four clearly separated and exhaustive empathy profiles which include all relevant aspects of emotional concern, perspective taking and personal distress and at the same time can be clearly defined in relation to each other. The superordinate patterns "situation-dependent altruists (A)", "high functioning empathy (B)", "low neurotic empathy (C)" and "low empathy (D)" were identified. With these four types, a total of almost 75% of the test subjects can be assigned to the significant empathy profiles, whereby only in profile A there were significantly more female participants than in the other three. For the first time, we were able to create a comprehensive and selective typology for the construct of empathy, with the help of which, for example, the holistic success of empathy training or the motivations of altruistic actions can be better described.

DEVELOPMENT OF STEM-BASED E-MODULES USING FLIP PDF PROFESSIONAL ON TEMPERATURE AND HEAT MATERIL

This research aims to produce a STEM-based e-module on temperature and heat material and determine student perceptions. This research is development research that uses the ADDIE model, which consists of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. However, this research is limited to the implementation stage. The test subjects for this research were class XI MIPA 6 students at Senior High School 3 Jambi City and class XI MIPA 3 students at Senior High School 11 Jambi City. The instruments used were media and material validation questionnaires and student perception questionnaires. Two types of data are collected, namely qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data was obtained from media and material experts' criticism, comments, and suggestions. Then, quantitative data was obtained from the results of product validation by validation by media and material experts, as well as student perception questionnaires. The results of media expert validation by the two validators were 100% in the very good category. The results of material validation by the two validators were 70.83% in the good category and 97% in the very good category. The results of the analysis of student perceptions obtained an average score from the two schools, namely 84.05% and 86.97% in the very good category. The STEM-based electronic modules developed are valid and suitable for use to help students in the learning process, and the e-modules developed can be accessed offline via laptop/computer and online via cellphone by distributing links to students.

Использование приема «смена установки» при проведении специального психофизиологического исследования с применением полиграфа

Introduction. The article considers the tacticsissues of conducting special psychophysiological examination with application of polygraph during professional psychological selection of citizens entering the service in the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.When using polygraph inpersonnel work, there are often situations when it is difficult for a polygraph examiner to make a decision about the significance of the reactions detected, as they may be associated not with the presence of a certain risk factor (deviant behavior) preventingthe subject’s entering the police service, but with the manifestation of situational anxiety, which is difficult for the candidate to control in the situation assessed as stressful. To solve this problem and increase the reliability of polygraph examinationsresults, the specialists use “attitude change”techniquethat makes it possible to draw objective conclusion about the significance of a particular “risk factor” for the subject, taking into account his or her individual psychological characteristics. Research Method. Psychophysiological method of lie detection (polygraph) allows to solve important issues of candidates selection for service in law enforcement agencies who do not have a tendency to deviant behavior, which further ensures the quality and efficiency of professional activities of police officers. Results. Within the framework of the conducted research the possibility of creating special attitude in the subject, providing the emergence of reaction to a stimulus previously not significant for him/her, related to some test subject, was shown. The effectiveness of the “attitude change” technique use, which helps to neutralize the “accusatory bias” of the polygraph test when working with subjects of the anxious and suspiciouscircle, was revealed. It is proved that “attitude change” technique use in the process of screening checks leads to the reduction of errors of the first kind (“false alarm”) and provides reliability of the results of psychophysiological examination with application of polygraph.

An Automated "Hands-Off" Method for Sampling Mainstream Smoke from Cannabis Cigarettes.

A simple-to-use, portable, and relatively inexpensive system for characterizing the chemical components of mainstream smoke from cannabis cigarettes was developed and tested by using commercial hemp cigarettes. The system is described, and its performance for reproducing actual user puff topographies is shown along with extensive chemical analysis data, including PAHs, carbonyls, and organic and elemental carbon, for a small set of initial samples. By using a solid-state flow meter and fast-response mass flow controller, the prototype can reproduce measured puff topography with excellent fidelity, which will allow users to accurately reproduce the actual inhalation patterns for various types of smoking products and consumers, and to collect samples of mainstream smoke without the need to bring test subjects or controlled substances into a laboratory.

Development Of Smart App Creator 3 (SAC) Learning Media In Learning History To Increase Students' Interest In Learning At Senior High School 3 Magelang

This research has: 1) the purpose of developing history learning media using the Smart App Creator 3 (SAC) application; and 2) to determine the feasibility of learning media using the Smart App Creator 3 (SAC) application. This research uses the Research and Development (R&D) method using the Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluate (ADDIE) model. This research was conducted at SMA Negeri 3 Magelang. The small group test subjects were 34 students, while the large group test subjects were 108 students. Data analysis used qualitative data (observation and interview) and quantitative data (questionnaire). The results of product development have produced history learning media based on the Smart App Creator 3 (SAC) application. The product was assessed by material experts and media experts with a score of 94 and 103 included in the criteria of good/worthy of use and the results of the large group trial scored 86 in high criteria so that the media is suitable for use in learning History at SMA Negeri 3 Magelang.

Appropriate Nitrogen Application for Alleviation of Soil Moisture-Driven Growth Inhibition of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench))

Uneven rainfall, in the context of global warming, can cause soil moisture fluctuations (SMFs) that harm crop growth, and it is not yet known whether nitrogen (N) can mitigate the harm caused by a strong SMF. This paper uses okra as a test subject and sets three SMFs of 45–55% FC (W1), 35–65% FC (W2), and 25–75% FC (W3) and three N applications of 0 kg hm−2 (N0), 110 kg hm−2 (N1), and 330 kg hm−2 (N2) to investigate the effects of SMF and N application on the physiological and biochemical aspects of okra. The results demonstrated that okra exhibited the highest values in stem diameter, number of leaves, photosynthesis characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activity, and yield under the N1 treatment. The average yield in the N1 treatment was 149.8 g, significantly surpassing the average yields of the N0 (129.8 g) and N3 (84.0 g) treatments. Stomatal density, antioxidant enzyme activity, malondialdehyde content, and proline content in okra leaves were highest in the W3 treatment, indicating that plants experienced stress in the W3 treatment. However, the agronomic traits and yields of okra in the N1 treatment were higher than those in the N0 and N1 treatments, indicating that the crop damage caused by W3 could be mitigated by an appropriate amount of N application. The N1W1 treatment emerged as the most suitable combination for okra growth in this study, exhibiting the highest stem diameter, leaf count, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield (201.3 g). Notably, this yield was 67.8% higher than the lowest treatment (N2W3), signifying a significant improvement.

Co-ordinate-based positional embedding that captures resolution to enhance transformer’s performance in medical image analysis

Vision transformers (ViTs) have revolutionized computer vision by employing self-attention instead of convolutional neural networks and demonstrated success due to their ability to capture global dependencies and remove spatial biases of locality. In medical imaging, where input data may differ in size and resolution, existing architectures require resampling or resizing during pre-processing, leading to potential spatial resolution loss and information degradation. This study proposes a co-ordinate-based embedding that encodes the geometry of medical images, capturing physical co-ordinate and resolution information without the need for resampling or resizing. The effectiveness of the proposed embedding is demonstrated through experiments with UNETR and SwinUNETR models for infarct segmentation on MRI dataset with AxTrace and AxADC contrasts. The dataset consists of 1142 training, 133 validation and 143 test subjects. Both models with the addition of co-ordinate based positional embedding achieved substantial improvements in mean Dice score by 6.5% and 7.6%. The proposed embedding showcased a statistically significant advantage p-value< 0.0001 over alternative approaches. In conclusion, the proposed co-ordinate-based pixel-wise positional embedding method offers a promising solution for Transformer-based models in medical image analysis. It effectively leverages physical co-ordinate information to enhance performance without compromising spatial resolution and provides a foundation for future advancements in positional embedding techniques for medical applications.

Mikale Instant Porridge's Formulation and Acceptability As a Complementary Breast Milk

Background: The quality of human resources can be impacted by nutritional status. A condition known as lack of protein energy occurs when a person consumes insufficient amounts of nutrient-rich food to meet their needs. Supplementary food for breast milk that is high in energy and protein is one way to ensure that children receive a healthy diet, especially those aged 6 to 24 months.Research Purposes: This research aims to determine the formulation, acceptability, and analysis of the dietary fiber and macronutrient content (protein and carbohydrates) in MiKaLe instant porridge. Research Methods: This research method is an experimental study using a completely randomized design (CRD) that is non-factorial, with 35 panelists who are organoleptic test subjects and three formulations. Research Result: The results of the organoleptic test indicated that the chosen MiKaLe instant porridge, made with 15 grams of yellow millet flour, 25 grams of catfish flour, and 20 grams of soybean flour, was formula 1 (F1). Based on the Comstock acceptability test results, 90% of children left less than 50% of the product, and 10% left more than 75%. The product's nutritional facts state that every 100 grams has 397.99 kcal of energy, 18.52% protein, 14.55% fat, 48.24% carbs, and 16.60% dietary fiber. According to the Friedman test, there is a correlation between color, aroma, flavor, and texture. Conclusion: The results of this research indicate that instant MiKaLe porridge is suitable for breast milk substitutes for infants between the ages of six and eleven months.

Development of the P5 Module (Adipura Module) with The Entrepreneurship Theme for Elementary School Students as An Effort to Strengthen the Values of The Pancasila Student Profile

This research aims to develop the P5 Adipura Module with the theme of entrepreneurship for elementary school students as an effort to strengthen the values of the Pancasila student profile (P3). The research method used was research and development adopting Sugiyono's development model with 7 stages including potential and problems, data collection, product design, design validation, design revision, product testing, and product revision. The test subjects were students in class 4 phase B elementary school. The trial was carried out in small groups. The data collection process was in the form of interviews, observations, and distributing questionnaires. Data analysis uses quantitative and qualitative descriptives. The result of this research was a product in the form of the P5 Adipura Module on the use of family medicinal plants (TOGA) on the theme of entrepreneurship. The average result of material expert validation was 3.29 with valid criteria. Likewise, the average media expert validation result was 3.20 with valid criteria, suitable for use in the project learning process by educators and students. Experiments in small groups to show the practicality of the module can be seen from the score interval obtained from the practicality sheet instrument by users (teachers and students) of 3.86 with very practical criteria. The Adipura P5 module is suitable for use, making it easier for educators and students in the learning process.

Метод викликаних потенціалів як перспективний напрямок дослідження ноцицепції у наркотизованих тварин

The sensation of pain is a pathogenetic link in a wide range of diseases, and the study of nociception as its component is an important area of physiology and medicine. However, modern requirements for research conducted using laboratory animals require the search for new approaches to studying nociception and analgesia with minimizing the suffering of subjects in ethological testing and maximizing the transition to instrumental testing. We proposed the use of a standard formalin model of pain in combination with the recording of changes in somatosensory cortex potentials caused by electrical stimulation of efferents at the level of the forelimb. It was found that after subcutaneous injection of 0.30 ml of 4% formalin, the amplitude of evoked potentials increased. Under the conditions of the proposed testing design, both dosedependent and time-dependent effects of the formalin model of pain were observed in an anesthetized animal. The peculiarity of the obtained results was that the fixed somatosensory potentials of the brain in the S1 forelimb region showed sensitivity to the administration of a nociceptive agent in those areas of the body that topographically did not belong to the cortical representation of the forelimbs. This probably indicates the potential universality of this test approach. Thus, it was shown that evoked potentials in the forelimb representation of the primary somatosensory cortex demonstrate a clearly fixed response to painful stimulation in the formalin model of pain and can be used in studies of nociceptive and analgesic effects as a partial alternative to standard ethological testing.

Effects of different treatments on pain, functional disability, position sense and range of motion in elite bodybuilders with chronic low back pain

Back pain is one of the major global challenges and is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders occurring in 80% of people at least once in their lifetime. Therefore, the need to find appropriate treatment methods for this issue is very important. The objective is to examine the short-term and acute effects of a treatment session with dry needling, massage therapy, stretching exercises and Kinesio tape on pain, functional disability, position sense and range of motion in elite bodybuilders with non-specific chronic low back pain. The sample of this quasi-experimental study consisted of 48 bodybuilders with non-specific chronic low back pain (all male, mean age = 25.96 ± 2.18 years; mean weight = 74.45 ± 4.51 kg; mean height = 173.88 ± 3.74 cm; mean BMI = 24.60 ± 0.74 kg/m2) who randomly were placed in 4 dry needling, massage therapy, stretching exercises and Kinesio tape groups. The duration of each intervention was 30 min. The dependent variables in this study included the massage range of motion, position sense tests and visual pain scale that were taken separately from each subject in pretest, posttest (acute effect) and follow-up test (72 h after posttest; short-term effect). The results of a 4 (groups) × 3 (time) the mixed ANOVAs showed that pain in the short-term phase was significantly lower in the dry needling group than in the stretching and massage groups (P < 0.05). Also in the acute effect phase, the flexion range of motion was significantly lower in the dry needling group than in the massage group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the two groups of stretching and massage exercises showed significantly greater range of motion (P < 0.05). Other comparisons were not significant (P > 0.05). The findings of the study showed that both massage and stretching treatment have higher acute effects, while dry needling treatment was more effective in follow up. On the other hand, these findings show that these treatment methods can have immediate and lasting positive effects in improving the performance in elite bodybuilders with non-specific chronic low back pain.

Метод викликаних потенціалів як перспективний напрямок дослідження ноцицепції у наркотизованих тварин

The sensation of pain is a pathogenetic link in a wide range of diseases, and the study of nociception as its component is an important area of physiology and medicine. However, modern requirements for research conducted using laboratory animals require the search for new approaches to studying nociception and analgesia with minimizing the suffering of subjects in ethological testing and maximizing the transition to instrumental testing. We proposed the use of a standard formalin model of pain in combination with the recording of changes in somatosensory cortex potentials caused by electrical stimulation of efferents at the level of the forelimb. It was found that after subcutaneous injection of 0.30 ml of 4% formalin, the amplitude of evoked potentials increased. Under the conditions of the proposed testing design, both dosedependent and time-dependent effects of the formalin model of pain were observed in an anesthetized animal. The peculiarity of the obtained results was that the fixed somatosensory potentials of the brain in the S1 forelimb region showed sensitivity to the administration of a nociceptive agent in those areas of the body that topographically did not belong to the cortical representation of the forelimbs. This probably indicates the potential universality of this test approach. Thus, it was shown that evoked potentials in the forelimb representation of the primary somatosensory cortex demonstrate a clearly fixed response to painful stimulation in the formalin model of pain and can be used in studies of nociceptive and analgesic effects as a partial alternative to standard ethological testing.

Transforming Bodies, Transforming Genres: A Biocapitalistic Representation of Aging in Old (2021)

M. Night Shyamalan’s Old (2021) narrates the story of a group of people who realize that the isolated beach they are taken to by the holiday resort they are staying at causes alarmingly rapid aging. The film is based on the graphic novel, Sandcastle (2010) by Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters. Although Sandcastle offers no explanation but several hypotheses for the accelerated aging, Old introduces a clinical trial of a pharmaceutical company, testing medicines for chronic illnesses and clarifies that the peculiarity of the beach is used to test medicines within hours instead of a lifetime. The characters, hence, are test subjects chosen because of their illnesses. This study displays how Old, through hyper-accelerated aging, transforms what is conventionally categorised as supernatural horror into body horror scrutinising the theme of aging in terms of the generic qualities of body horror. This paper is an explicit attempt to inspect, in terms of Foucauldian biopolitics, how human health is converted into commodified data; together with the relationship between capitalism and biotechnology/ medicine.

Pengembangan Multimedia Mendongeng pada Anak Usia Dini

The use of multimedia learning media can be an effective means of improving the storytelling abilities of young children. By utilizing multimedia, children are not only actively involved in the learning process, but also develop creativity, imagination and speaking skills. Focusing on the needs and characteristics of children in the early stages of development is key in the process of developing learning media. This research aims to create interactive multimedia storytelling, specifically designed to improve storytelling skills in early childhood. This research uses the Research and Development (R&amp;D) research method by applying the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model to ensure success. development process. This multimedia storytelling is not only designed to provide an interesting and interactive learning experience, but also involves young children as test subjects. The research results show that there is success in developing multimedia storytelling in Sultan Fatah Demak Kindergarten class B aged 5-6 years through the CapCut application as an effective tool in facilitating multimedia learning. Product validation by media experts confirms a high level of validity. Meanwhile, field trials at the Sultan Fatah Demak Kindergarten obtained very good results with

Correlation of Thyroid Stimulating hormone and Liver function test in Hypothyroid and Euthyroid subjects

Correlation of Thyroid Stimulating hormone and Liver function test in Hypothyroid and Euthyroid subjects