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This study investigates the effects of multi-frequency ultrasound treatment on the quality of frozen dough. We analyzed frozen wheat dough comprehensively for texture, viscosity, rheology, and structural quality characteristics under multi-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz, 20/40 kHz, and 20/40/60 kHz) with different treatment times (10, 20, and 30 mins). The dough treated with multi-frequency ultrasound increased elasticity and reduced hardness. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 20/40/60 kHz for 30 min minimized freezing-induced morphological damage, decreased the tan δ in rheological analysis, and led to higher pasting and gelatinization enthalpy in starch granules, resulting in a more cohesive structure and lower free water content. Frozen dough hardness decreased by 52.1 %, which is associated with the control frozen dough with ultrasound frequency and duration changes. The spectral peaks in wheat flour frozen dough treated with single, dual, and tri-frequency ultrasound had the same forms and positions as the control samples but were arranged in an orderly manner. This study demonstrates the potential of multi-frequency ultrasound to enhance the quality of wheat frozen dough by mitigating freezing-induced deteriorations, offering a promising approach to improving the processing of frozen dough.

Background: Several elements that are either anesthesia-related (the type and span of sedation), medical procedure related (the sort of a medical procedure and the degree of the surgery), or patient-related (age, orientation, body weight, and their typical body core temperature) impact body core temperature. Strangely, not much information is available about patients' temperatures and their body mass index (BMI). The point of this study was to assess the effect of BMI on body core temperature in patients undergoing General versus Spinal anesthesia during the surgery. Duration of the surgery is also compared. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted in Chettinad hospital and research institute. Two sub-groups (General and spinal anesthesia), Body Mass Index and the duration of the surgery were evaluated. The actual hypothermia prevention guidelines were followed when treating patients. Temperature was measured in axilla after inducing the patient with anesthesia throughout the procedure. Each subgroup was divided into BMIs of less than and greater than 30 kg/m2 with mild and moderate hypothermia. Result: A sum of 100 patients were assessed. Fifty patients went through General anesthesia and fifty patients received spinal anesthesia for surgery. Temperature was decreased in all subgroups after the induction of anesthesia, but the decrease was more pronounced during spinal anesthesia, even in patients with BMI<30kg/m2 (less than 30). Regardless of the type of anesthesia, the type of surgery, or the BMI, throughout the course of the procedure, there was a noticeable drop of temperature. Conclusion: We conclude that, in General Aanesthesia, even the patients BMI >30 kg/m2 are less prone to hypothermia. In spinal anesthesia, even patients with BMI <30 kg/m2 are more prone to hypothermia. As the duration of surgery increases, irrespective to the type of anesthesia, surgery and BMI, the chances of hypothermia increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut mechanical properties are an appropriate criterion for designing and adjusting the various parts of harvesting machines that are in contact with walnut. In this research, the aim is to find the effect of ultrasound factors on walnut mechanical properties to reduce walnut rupture force and energy. Walnuts were treated with three ultrasound time duration (5, 10, and 15 min) and three ultrasound bath temperatures (20, 35, and 50 ºC). After the walnuts were treated by ultrasound factors, wet and dried walnut samples were loaded at three loading speeds (0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mm/s) along width and length direction for determination of mechanical properties. Regarding the ANOVA results, the ultrasound time factor had the most effect on the rupture force, energy, and toughness. Results showed walnut ultrasound-treated samples had minimum rupture force and energy. Also, rupture force, required energy, and toughness decreased with increasing ultrasound bath temperature and the ultrasound time duration. The minimum walnut rupture force was obtained at 62.7 N in 25 min ultrasound time duration, 50 ºC bath temperature, 1.5 mm/s loading speed, and width loading direction for wet walnut sample.

Walnut mechanical properties are an appropriate criterion for designing and adjusting the various parts of harvesting machines that are in contact with walnut. In this research, the aim is to find the effect of ultrasound factors on walnut mechanical properties to reduce walnut rupture force and energy. Walnuts were treated with three ultrasound time duration (5, 10, and 15 min) and three ultrasound bath temperatures (20, 35, and 50ºC). After the walnuts were treated by ultrasound factors, wet and dried walnut samples were loaded at three loading speeds (0.5, 1.5, 2.5 mm/s) along width and length direction for determination of mechanical properties. Regarding the ANOVA results, the ultrasound time factor had the most effect on the rupture force, energy, and toughness. Results showed walnut ultrasound-treated samples had minimum rupture force and energy. Also, rupture force, required energy, and toughness decreased with increasing ultrasound bath temperature and the ultrasound time duration. The minimum walnut rupture force was obtained at 62.7 N in 25 min ultrasound time duration, 50ºC bath temperature, 1.5 mm/s loading speed, and width loading direction for wet walnut sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] This study investigates the effects of multi-frequency ultrasound treatment on the quality of frozen dough. We analyzed frozen wheat dough comprehensively for texture, viscosity, rheology, and structural quality characteristics under multi-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz, 20/40 kHz, and 20/40/60 kHz) with different treatment times (10, 20, and 30 mins). The dough treated with multi-frequency ultrasound increased elasticity and reduced hardness. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 20/40/60 kHz for 30 min minimized freezing-induced morphological damage, decreased the tan δ in rheological analysis, and led to higher pasting and gelatinization enthalpy in starch granules, resulting in a more cohesive structure and lower free water content. Frozen dough hardness decreased by 52.1 %, which is associated with the control frozen dough with ultrasound frequency and duration changes. The spectral peaks in wheat flour frozen dough treated with single, dual, and tri-frequency ultrasound had the same forms and positions as the control samples but were arranged in an orderly manner. This study demonstrates the potential of multi-frequency ultrasound to enhance the quality of wheat frozen dough by mitigating freezing-induced deteriorations, offering a promising approach to improving the processing of frozen dough. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This secondary analysis explores differences and correlations between handwriting anticipatory awareness (time estimation, expected performance, and expected difficulty) before a paragraph copying task and actual performance time and legibility among adolescents with executive function deficits (EFD) versus neurotypical adolescents. Eighty-one adolescents (10–18 years old; 41 with EFD and daily functioning difficulties as per parent reports) estimated their time, expected performance, and expected difficulty before the paragraph copying task using the Self-Awareness of Performance Questionnaire (SAP-Q). Time duration was assessed using the Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool (ComPET) software, and legibility was scored using the Handwriting Legibility Scale (HLS). Significant between-group differences were found in actual time duration (ComPET), HLS total score and legibility components, and three SAP-Q questions. Both groups estimated significantly more performance time than their actual performance duration. The adolescents with EFD underestimated their performance before the handwriting task. Significant correlations were found between actual performance, anticipatory awareness, and Executive Function (EF) in both groups. Their performance predictions were significantly correlated with their EF and product's legibility. The results highlight the potential relationships between anticipatory awareness and actual handwriting performance (time duration and legibility) of adolescents with and without EFD. Further studies may analyze the benefits of focusing on both EF and anticipatory awareness for handwriting improvement among populations with EF deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examined the microstructure of the grain during water immersion at a temperature of 40,50,60°C if the duration time of 0.5 min. Observed that the microstructure of the grain during water immersion 40°C for 0.5 min to happen the swelling of the starch and protein molecules, the optimum temperature for the swelling of protein molecules is up to 40°C. With increasing temperature up to 50°C, the swelling of the starch increases and the stretching of protein molecules. At 60°C, the starch begins to gelatinize and the protein is deformed. According to the results of studies for germination of triticale were taken in water at a temperature of 40°C for 0.5 min.

Narratology enables historians to study and critique different historical narratives and understand them. This knowledge helps researchers understand narratives by examining elements such as Time (in the form of order, duration, and frequency), Character and Characterization, Angle of vision and Focalization, Semantic levels, and so on. This article uses narrative critique to show the difference between Saqīfe Narrative in terms of time duration and frequency in History of Tabarī and History of Bal'amī. It shows that Tabarī, using repetitive frequency and presenting six narratives of Saqīfe, provides the possibility of representing Abūbakr and 'Umar as the center of the narrative, and while doing this, ignores some of the voices in Saqīfe. Quite contrary, by expanding the duration of the Saqīfe narrative, the history of Bal'amī allows more characters to include. In this way, on the one hand, it adds more voices in the narrative, and on the other hand, it challenges Tabarī narrative. Therefore Bal'amī can introduce the voices of Ali and Abbᾱs᾿ advocates in the Saqīfe Narrative. In this way, Bal'amī and Tabarī can be considered independent narratives about Saqīfe. That shows historians as actors of history.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of intermediate peak and time duration, and to conduct a review for the causes of the intermediate peak. In this test, ice impact tests were conducted using a bow side shell frame and ice specimen. A total of 70 samples were manufactured. Two types of ice specimen with relatively different surface conditions were used. The criterion for dividing the two types of ice specimen was the different exposure times to room temperature after freezing. This experiment was conducted for each parameter in order to reproduce the actual icebreaking situation.As a result of the analysis, the intermediate peak in the ice load signal have been found to be caused by mechanisms by which the inner surface of broken ice contact with hull immediately after the initial hitting point of ice has been broken.

This secondary analysis explores differences and correlations between handwriting anticipatory awareness (time estimation, expected performance, and expected difficulty) before a paragraph copying task and actual performance time and legibility among adolescents with executive function deficits (EFD) versus neurotypical adolescents. Eighty-one adolescents (10–18 years old; 41 with EFD and daily functioning difficulties as per parent reports) estimated their time, expected performance, and expected difficulty before the paragraph copying task using the Self-Awareness of Performance Questionnaire (SAP-Q). Time duration was assessed using the Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool (ComPET) software, and legibility was scored using the Handwriting Legibility Scale (HLS). Significant between-group differences were found in actual time duration (ComPET), HLS total score and legibility components, and three SAP-Q questions. Both groups estimated significantly more performance time than their actual performance duration. The adolescents with EFD underestimated their performance before the handwriting task. Significant correlations were found between actual performance, anticipatory awareness, and Executive Function (EF) in both groups. Their performance predictions were significantly correlated with their EF and product’s legibility. The results highlight the potential relationships between anticipatory awareness and actual handwriting performance (time duration and legibility) of adolescents with and without EFD. Further studies may analyze the benefits of focusing on both EF and anticipatory awareness for handwriting improvement among populations with EF deficits.

Biofloc technology (BFT) is recognized as a sustainable approach for enhancing growth and boosting immune responses in the superintensive farming of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The variability in the productive outcomes of BFT has been primarily attributed to the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, with the participation of probiotic supplementation and the period of cocultivation. We aimed to comprehensively evaluate these factors using key growth indicators (average daily gain, ADG; feed conversion ratio, FCR), as well as a health and water quality indicator (survival rate, SR). Herein, we searched PubMed and ScienceDirect (articles published up to December 5th, 2023; restricted to English) and screened relevant trials. Of 228 identified studies, 8 met our inclusion criteria, yielding 23 records for ADG, 16 for FCR, and 19 for SR. Considering the uniform unit and potentially excessive weight from individual studies, we used a random-effects model to calculate weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Regression analysis revealed no significant effects of the C/N ratio or duration on either the growth or health of L. vannamei (P regression > 0.05). However, probiotic supplementation significantly affected the ADG (P regression < 0.05) and FCR (P regression < 0.05) and exhibited a positive trend for the SR (P regression = 0.100). Meta-analysis further showed that bioflocs without probiotic addition did not affect the ADG, FCR, or SR (P > 0.05). When bioflocs were supplemented with probiotics, the ADG increased by 0.066 g/d (95% CI: 0.044 to 0.088, P < 0.05), the FCR decreased by 1.121 (95% CI: −1.486 to −0.755, P < 0.05), and the SR increased by 9.272% (95% CI: 1.348 to 17.196, P < 0.05). Our findings revealed that the reliable growth and survival benefits of biofloc on L. vannamei are dependent on the exogenous supplementation of probiotics. The manipulation of the C/N ratio may alter the microbial community but does not impact the effects of bioflocs on the rearing system. Bioflocs develop quickly and deliver prompt benefits to shrimp. Further research should focus on screening effective probiotics and exploring their application strategies. • Adding probiotics in bioflocs stabilizes the benefits to L. vannamei. • The BFT C/N ratio barely affects the growth and survival of L. vannamei. • A change in C/N ratio may affect the biofloc flora but not benefits. • The biofloc microbial community exerts rapid effects and forms quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The perceived fluency decreased along with the increase of click-response delay. • The perceived fluency decreased along with the increase of duration of loading completion (DL). • The exponential regression showed the highest goodness of fit for the evaluation of fluency with DL. Animation fluency is an important factor of user experience in smartphone applications. The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of time duration in different sections of application usage on users' perceived fluency. We manipulated the duration of different phases, including the click-response delay (CD), duration of animation (DA), and duration of loading completion (DL), in an open app task and an in-app page switching task. The participants evaluated the perceived fluency during their smartphone use. The results showed that the CD and DL had a significant effect on perceived fluency and that the CD, DA and DL showed significant interactions in some situations. These results could supply detailed parameters for smartphone design and could be used to build a model to guide manufacturers to provide a better user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The main objective of the study is to compare the modified lingual split technique and conventional buccal bone cutting technique for the surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with bilaterally impacted third molars were randomly selected for the study. Technique selection for side will be done by coin tossing method for randomization. One side of each patient will be operated by conventional buccal bone cutting technique and other side will be operated by modified lingual split technique by Davis modification. Washout period will be of 2 weeks between the two surgical extractions. Various parameters were recorded intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Conventional buccal bone cutting technique took more time than modified lingual split technique, whereas no significant difference was found between the two techniques on comparing postoperative parameters such as trismus, dry socket, inflammation, and nerve paresthesia. Clinically, pain felt and swelling observed were less in modified lingual split technique as compared to conventional buccal bone cutting technique. Conclusion: It is been conclude that modified lingual split technique was less time-consuming, less painful, and less swelling was observed in comparison with conventional buccal bone cutting technique.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the performance of adults and primary school children in the estimation of time and the strategies they used. For this purpose, 30 adults and 32 Υear 6 students participated in the study. Three tasks were designed and presented to all participants asking them to: a) estimate the time they need to complete a game making first a prospective estimate and then a retrospective estimate (Task 1: «Prospective and Retrospective Estimates»), b) estimate the duration for daily events (Task 2: «Estimation of duration for specific familiar actions») and c) indicate three actions of specific duration (Task 3: «Indicating actions of specific duration»). Participants were given with standard and non-standard measurement units, in order to achieve their estimations. It was found that adults’ and children’s rates of success were similar. In Task 1, they were all more successful when providing retrospective estimates rather than prospective estimates. Their estimates were mainly based on their intuition and on reference points of their knowledge, and much less on their use of standard measurement units for time measurement or the minute knowledge. In Task 2, both adults and children provided more successful estimations for actions of short duration compared to actions of long duration. In Task 3, participants succeeded in over 65% of estimations for actions of long duration. These findings highlight the need to support time estimation ability from early age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Piezoelectric surgery is meant to be a gentle method for implant site preparation (ISP). However, the application of load and its influence on heat development over time and effects on soft tissue are unknown. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate heat development in the bone and the duration of the procedure according to load application, as well as preservation of the sinus floor mucosa during piezoelectric ISP. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty implant sites (6 mm deep × 3 mm wide) were prepared in the calvaria of ex vivo pig heads using piezoelectric surgery. The load applied to the working tip was increased in 100-g intervals up to 1,000 g. The bone temperature was measured, and thermal effects were analyzed histomorphometrically. The duration of each ISP was recorded. Another 12 ISPs were performed at the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus in the vicinity of the sinus floor mucosa, and sites were checked for perforation. Results: Temperature and histologic effects of heat demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the applied load. The duration of ISP was significantly negatively correlated with load application. The maximum temperature generated by piezoelectric surgery was 64.5°C (load of 901 to 1,000 g). At a load of 401 to 500 g, the average temperature was 40.2°C ± 3.3°C, the average thermal damage extended 115.9 ± 16.3 μm beyond the ISP area, and the maximum temperature did not exceed 47°C. The average duration of ISP using this load interval was 45.5 ± 9.4 seconds. Two perforations of the sinus floor mucosa were detected. Conclusions: In the present setting, the applied load during piezoelectric ISP should not exceed 500 g to prevent temperatures above 47°C in the bony implant socket. With a load of 400 to 500 g, ISP took 40 to 50 seconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perforation is frequently observed among acute appendicitis patients, which characterized by high fever and increased leucocyte level. The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of total leucocyte count (TLC) and symptom duration (SD) as predictors of perforation in acute appendicitis patients. A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted and 96 acute appendicitis patients were enrolled in the study. The subjects were selected based on consecutive method taken from inpatient register of 2014 -2015 of Sanjiwani Hospital at Gianyar. Demographic data, SD and TLC were collected from medical record. Perforation was diagnosed based on the result of pathology and anatomy examinations. Chi square test and Poisson regression method were performed to analyze the association between TLC, SD and incidence of perforation. Positive predictive value (PPV) and Negative predictive value (NPV) were also calculated to measure the level of accuracy of the predictors. Results show that Relative Risk (RR) of TLC (>18.000/ml:≤18.000/ml) was 2.9 (1.2 – 6.7) whereas RR of SD (>24hours:≤24hours) was 2.3 (1.1 – 4.9). PPV/NPV of TLC, SD and TLC&SD combination were 59.4/93.8; 52.9/91.9; and 82.4/88.4, respectively. As conclusion, TLC&SD combined has high accuracy as predictor of perforation in acute appendicitis patients.

Background: Optimizing in vitro maturation (IVM) media for better assisted in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome has been the matter of interest in recent years. Commercial media for IVM have been commonly used while, they have several disadvantages, such as limited shelf life and more cost than standard culture media for IVF centers, where IVM services are not routinely performed. Objectives: This study was performed to compare four different culture media with respect to their supplementary effects to the meiotic progression of metaphase I (MI) oocytes to full maturity in different times. Also, we compared fertilization and embryo developmental rates of oocytes undergoing IVM in stimulated intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Material and methods: A total of 114 MI oocytes were divided into four groups. They were cultured for 24–48 h at 37 °C at different mediums including; homemade IVM medium (I), cleavage medium (II), blastocyst medium (III) and Sage IVM medium (IV). ICSI was performed for in vitro matured oocytes and the rates of fertilization and embryo development between groups were compared. Results: There were no significant differences in total maturation, fertilization and embryo development rates between groups I–IV (p = 0.4, 0.8, and 0.8, respectively). In addition, this study showed that longer incubation time of MI oocytes did not improve the IVM outcomes. Conclusion: While the immature oocytes rescued from stimulated cycles based on specific conditions of patients can be useful for an alternative IVM intervention, it seems that different commercial culture media and longer incubation time has no beneficial effects on maturation, fertilization and embryo development on oocytes at MI stage.

The objective of this study is to compare four kinds of hand assignments of slip-perception and stroke-reproduction task to dominant/nondominant hand for right handed persons based on a device that can present slippages to users via their fingerpad skin. The device is called an “active-wheel-based finger-tactile interface (AWB-FTI)” in this paper. It is an interface that embodies an active wheel being rotatable in any directions, with any speeds, and with any time durations. The movements result in slippage stimuli on users’ fingerpad skin. Then, users are supposed to recognize the slippages as line-segments in a mental image. The reproduction of the recognized line-segments as the hand strokes with proprioceptive sensations is effective for storing the recognition in users’ memory. The performance of the device is measured by a pair of tasks composed of the slip-perception task and the stroke-reproduction task. Each of the pair of tasks should be assigned to either dominant hand or nondominant one. That is, four hand assignments are defined for the perception and the reproduction: the hand used for perception and that for the reproduction are “Dominant×ipsilateral,” “Dominant×contralateral,” “Nondominant×ipsilateral,” and “Nondominant×contralateral.” The reproduction errors of the four hand assignments were measured through a comparative psychophysical experiment with the slip-perception and stroke-reproduction task. As a result, we found the following characteristics: (1) as for the slippage-speeds and -angles, the nondominant hand was better than the dominant one from the viewpoints of both random and systematic errors in the perceptual hand, while either nondominant or dominant hand showed no significant difference in the reproductive hand, (2) as for the slippage time-durations, the “Dominant×contralateral” was worst in the four hand assignments from the viewpoint of random errors, and the “Nondominant×contralateral” was best from the viewpoint of systematic errors.

Background: Percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal nerve's gasserian ganglion for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is an interventional pain procedure with results comparable to microvascular decompression surgery. The procedure is safe in experienced hands and has less morbidity associated with it. However, there is a lack of clear-cut guidelines about the details of the technique like balloon shape, inflation pressure, and duration of inflation. So, keeping the inflation pressure and shape of the balloon constant, we studied the effect of the duration of inflation of the balloon and its effect on pain relief in refractory trigeminal neuralgia cases., Objectives: To study the outcome with 2 different durations of balloon inflation times in terms of pain relief and complications after percutaneous balloon compression., Study Design: Prospective parallel design randomized, controlled trial., Setting: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in North Eastern India after obtaining approval from the Institutes' ethics committee (Dean/2018/EC/449). The study was also registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI no. CTRI/2019/03/018166). All patients referred to a pain clinic for unilateral facial pain were screened for the study over  2 years from April 2019 to March 2021., Methods: Forty patients who met the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia and who did not respond satisfactorily to medications were included in the study. They underwent routine blood investigations and a magnetic resonance image of the brain to rule out any medical or surgical conditions. Percutaneous balloon compression was conducted under C-arm guidance using a 12 gauge cannula and a 4 Fr Fogarty balloon was used for compressing the gasserian rootlets., Results: Patients who underwent 90 seconds as well as 120 seconds showed good pain relief. The 2 groups did not show any significant difference in pain relief based on the duration of compression. Visual analog scale scores were reduced from 7-8 to 0-3. Masseter muscle weakness was present in 47.5% of patients post-procedure and recovered in all except one patient., Limitations: We have followed up with our patients for a short period of 6 months only. We could not measure the intra-luminal compression pressure of the balloon., Conclusion: There is no difference in the pain relief obtained by the 2 different durations of compressions. A longer duration of compression, however, has more incidence of side effects.

Objectives: The main objective of the study is to compare the modified lingual split technique and conventional buccal bone cutting technique for the surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with bilaterally impacted third molars were randomly selected for the study. Technique selection for side will be done by coin tossing method for randomization. One side of each patient will be operated by conventional buccal bone cutting technique and other side will be operated by modified lingual split technique by Davis modification. Washout period will be of 2 weeks between the two surgical extractions. Various parameters were recorded intraoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Conventional buccal bone cutting technique took more time than modified lingual split technique, whereas no significant difference was found between the two techniques on comparing postoperative parameters such as trismus, dry socket, inflammation, and nerve paresthesia. Clinically, pain felt and swelling observed were less in modified lingual split technique as compared to conventional buccal bone cutting technique. Conclusion: It is been conclude that modified lingual split technique was less time-consuming, less painful, and less swelling was observed in comparison with conventional buccal bone cutting technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal aspects have been studied extensively within the context of music perception but insufficiently within the context of music preference. In this online questionnaire study, I investigated the impact of chronotype (morningness, eveningness) and time perspective (present, future) on music preferences. Participants (n = 258) completed the Short Test of Music Preferences for 26 music genres, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Principal component analysis replicated a six-component structure of music preference. Whilst preference scores were highest for intense music for all participants, I found significant effects of chronotype and time perspective on music preferences. In particular, present-oriented evening types and future-oriented morning types differed in their preferences for various music genres. Consistent with a matching hypothesis, present-oriented evening types (fast life histories) showed greater preferences for contemporary (i.e., high rhythmic complexity), sophisticated (i.e., high complexity) and electronic music (i.e., fast tempo) compared to future-oriented morning types (slow life histories; greater difficulties with temporal irregularities). Consistent with a self-regulation hypothesis, present-oriented evening types showed greater preferences than future-oriented morning types for campestral music (i.e., slow tempo and low complexity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an experiment conducted in natural settings (in a restaurant), we explore the uninvestigated link between mimicry, its impact on hospitality, and the time during which the mimicry takes place. Under particular experimental conditions, the waitress either did not verbally mimic the customer, mimicked the customer only at the initial stage of the interaction, only at the final stage of the interaction, or at both the initial and the final stage of the interaction. The tip left by the customer and its amount were the indicators of the hospitality experienced throughout the time spent in the restaurant. The outcome was that both indicators of noticeable hospitality were the highest where the verbal mimicry was applied twice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbiota has been proven to be of crucial importance in maintaining human health. However, the microbiota profile changes with aging, while the loss of microbiota diversity and the alterations in the optimal composition and quantity of beneficial microbes are believed to increase the risk of many diseases. Although the short-term modulatory impact of probiotics on gut microbiota has been revealed in various studies, no studies focused on longer time consumption of probiotics have been demonstrated. In this study, we found that microbial diversity in the probiotic group was similar to that in the control. We identified a panel of microbiota changes, such as Blautia (10.24 vs. 3.76%, P = 0.006), Streptococcus (7.38 vs. 1.16%, P = 0.004), and Enterococcus (0.13 vs. 0.00%, P = 0.030) were more abundant in the probiotic group. Faecalibacterium, a genus containing anti-inflammatory property, also had a higher abundance in the probiotic group in the gut. The microbiota architecture in the different probiotic dose groups was also revealed. No statistical difference was observed in regard to the short-chain fatty acid concentration between the groups. High-dose intake of probiotics resulted in lower microbial richness. The profile of inflammatory factors indicated that only the level of IL-1β was higher in the probiotic population. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the long-time intake of probiotics caused significant changes in the gut microbiota structure, including an increase in the composition of beneficial microorganisms, which might contribute to the maintenance of host health and homeostasis of microenvironment. More prospective cohorts were needed to illustrate the influences of probiotics on the gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional predictive duty cycle control (CPDCC) of three-phase full-bridge ac/dc converters selects adjacent nonzero vector pair based on the grid-voltage vector location, then the duration for each vector is calculated. Though the vector selection method is quite simple, it has a significant disadvantage that the values of calculated durations could be frequently less than zero due to nonoptimal vector selection, which results in high current harmonics and power notches. It could be improved with improved predictive duty cycle control (IPDCC) by reselecting the nonzero vector pair when negative duration exists; however, the whole vector selection and calculation procedure are repeated. By theoretical verification that the power variation rates of reversible vector pair are symmetrical with respect to that of zero vector, this paper proposes the reversible predictive duty cycle control (RPDCC) simply by replacing the original vector with its opposite vector and the recalculation of vector duration is eliminated compared with IPDCC. Thus, the calculation effort is almost not increased compared with CPDCC while system performance is significantly improved. The proposed control is theoretically derived and verified with the simulation and experimental results showing that RPDCC has better steady and dynamic performance than CPDCC and IPDCC methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived time passage and time duration were examined in a between-subjects design with four conditions: watching a sitcom, reading a journal article, occasional switching between sitcom and article, frequent switching between sitcom and article. Consistent with our prediction, time “flew by” in the high-entertainment condition that involved watching a sitcom, whereas time “dragged on” in the low-entertainment condition that involved reading a journal article. Switching between the two led to quicker passage of time than the low-entertainment condition, but not the high-entertainment condition. A different pattern was evident for duration estimation, with no difference between the low- and high-entertainment conditions, but a longer estimation of duration in the switching condition. Further, frequency of switching between the sitcom and article did not make a difference. These findings suggest that switching between tasks leads to overestimations of time spent on media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]