Representing Psychological Dimensions of Decisions: Implications for Behavioral Decision Models

This study investigated the dimensions of the psychological similarity space associated with decisions people commonly encounter in their life. Four distinct clusters were found within a three-dimensional space, which suggested that people classifiy decisions based on content per se (professional-personal), as well as general characteristics of the decisions, namely, importance and complexity. These findings have implications for decision strategy selection

Data Mine and Forget It?: A Cautionary Tale

With the development of new technologies, data mining has become increasingly popular. However, caution should be exercised in choosing the variables to include in data mining. A series of regression trees was created to demonstrate the change in the selection by the program of significant predictors based on the nature of variables

Mechanosensory trichome cells evoke a mechanical stimuli–induced immune response in Arabidopsis thaliana

Perception of pathogen-derived ligands by corresponding host receptors is a pivotal strategy in eukaryotic innate immunity. In plants, this is complemented by circadian anticipation of infection timing, promoting basal resistance even in the absence of pathogen threat. Here, we report that trichomes, hair-like structures on the epidermis, directly sense external mechanical forces, including raindrops, to anticipate pathogen infections in Arabidopsis thaliana. Exposure of leaf surfaces to mechanical stimuli initiates the concentric propagation of intercellular calcium waves away from trichomes to induce defence-related genes. Propagating calcium waves enable effective immunity against pathogenic microbes through the CALMODULIN-BINDING TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVATOR 3 (CAMTA3) and mitogen-activated protein kinases. We propose an early layer of plant immunity in which trichomes function as mechanosensory cells that detect potential risks

Effect of extracted garlic powder ingestion for two months on exercise-induced immunological responses

Introduction. Exhaustive exercise is associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infection. Previously, allicin supplementation has been reported to reduce the incidence of common cold symptoms and production of exercise-induced interleukin (IL)-6. However, it is not clear if daily ingestion of the edible portion of whole garlic (Allium sativum) alters the exercise-induced immunological response. The present study investigated the effects of extracted garlic powder ingestion for 2 months on immune cell counts, natural killer cell activity (NKCA), as well as changes in cytokines, cortisol, and lactic acid in response to high-intensity cycling exercise. Methods. The present study employed a before-after study design. Six sedentary male participants (age, 22.0±0.3 years) consumed extracted garlic powder for 2 months, and underwent 45 minutes of cycling exercise at 80% of the heart rate reserve once before and once after the supplementation period. A thousand milligrams of extracted garlic powder, comparable to 6 g (1 clove) of raw garlic, was ingested every day. Blood samples were obtained at the following five time points: before exercise, 0 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min after exercise. We measured NKCA, leukocyte counts, neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, as well as levels of serum IL-6, IL-10, cortisol, and lactic acid. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analyses. When interaction effects were significant, measurement values at the various time points were compared between pre- and post-supplementation period using the paired t-test. Changes were deemed statistically significant when p\u3c0.05. Results. We observed no significant difference in pre-exercise measurements between pre- and post-supplementation periods. In addition, we found no significant interaction effect for leukocytes, neutrophils, NKCA, IL-10, and cortisol. However, we did identify a significant interaction effect for lymphocytes, IL-6, and lactic acid (p=0.033, p=0.030, and p\u3c0.001, respectively). Lymphocyte counts were significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately after exercise (p=0.014). In addition, IL-6 was significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately and 30 minutes after exercise (p=0.015 and p=0.018, respectively). Lactic acid levels were significantly lower post-supplementation relative to pre-supplementation immediately after exercise (p=0.018). Conclusions. The extracted garlic powder did not significantly influence exercise-induced responses by leukocytes, neutrophils, NKCA, IL-10, or cortisol. However, exercise-induced responses by lymphocytes, IL-6, and lactic acid were suppressed after ingestion of extracted garlic powder. Thus, daily ingestion of the edible portion of whole garlic may suppress exercise-induced immunological responses and lactic acid levels

ジョシ シンタイソウ センシュ ニ オケル チュウショク ノ エネルギーリョウ ガ エネルギー セッシュリョウ ヤ タイシボウリツ ニ オヨボス エイキョウ

本研究は減量期の女子新体操選手に対する5週間の昼食提供が1日の総エネルギー摂取量や体重,体脂肪率に及ぼす影響を検討することを目的とした。対象者は16名(年齢19.5±1.0歳)であり,昼食のエネルギー量は561±74kcal,たんぱく質量は29.2±4.3gであった。身体特性は昼食提供前(提供前)と昼食提供後(提供後)の計2回,栄養素等摂取量は提供前と昼食提供中(提供中)を調べた。統計解析は対応のあるt-検定,Wilcoxonの符号付き順位和検定,McNemar検定,Pearsonの積率相関係数,Spearmanの順位相関係数を用いた。昼食を提供した結果,総エネルギー摂取量,食事別エネルギー摂取量および総エネルギー消費量には提供前と提供中で有意な違いがみられず,昼食エネルギー摂取割合は提供前(23.3±10.4%)に比べて提供中(36.5±15.3%)が有意に増加した(p=0.005)。提供前と提供後で除脂肪体重には有意差がみられなかったものの,体重(48.4±3.2kgから47.6±3.2kg, p=0.001)および体脂肪率(13.4±2.0%から12.3±1.6%,p=0.008)は有意に低下した。しかし,体脂肪率の変化量は食事別エネルギー摂取割合の変化量との間に有意な関連がみられなかった。以上より,昼食提供は1日のエネルギー摂取量,食事別エネルギー摂取量に影響を与えず,昼食エネルギー摂取割合を増加させ,体脂肪率を減少させることが示された。体脂肪率と各因子間には有意な関連がみられなかったが,昼食を摂ることは減量期の選手にとって重要である可能性が示唆された。The present study aimed to examine the effect of lunch on total energy intake, body weight, and body fat percentage during weight reduction periods. Sixteen female rhythmic gymnasts (mean age, 19.5±1.0 years) participated in this study. School lunch was provided (561±74kcal, 29.2±4.3g protein) for five weeks. Physical characteristics were assessed twice, before (Before) and after (After) the lunch-providing period. Dietary intake was assessed twice, Before and during the lunch-providing period. The paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, McNemar test, Pearson\u27s product moment correlation coefficient, and Spearman\u27s rank correlation coefficient were used for the statistical analyses. After the lunch-providing period, no significant differences were found in total energy intake, each meal energy intake, and total energy expenditure relative to Before and during the lunch providing-period, but a significant increase was found in the ratio of lunch to total energy intake (23.3±10.4% to 36.5±15.3%, p=0.005). Moreover, significant decreases in body weight (48.4±3.2kg to 47.6±3.2kg, p=0.001) and body fat percentage (13.4±2.0% to 12.3±1.6%, p=0.008), but not lean body mass, were observed relative to Before. However, changes in body fat percentage were not correlated with changes in the ratio of each meal energy intake. From these results, providing lunch does not affect total energy intake or each meal energy intake, but increases the ratio of lunch to total energy intake and decreases body fat percentage. The body fat percentage was not correlated with each factor. Our findings suggest the importance of providing lunch to female rhythmic gymnasts during weight reduction periods

Nutrient Profiles of Dishes Consumed by the Adequate and High-Salt Groups in the 2014–2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey, Japan

Dish-based nutrient profile analyses are essential for setting goals to achieve a balanced diet. In 2014, the Japanese government proposed the “Healthy Meal” criteria, which requires a salt content of 3 g/650 kcal per meal. To examine the current intake status of a nationally representative sample, we conducted a series of secondary analyses of the 2014–2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey data. Participants (aged 18–74 years) were grouped as “high-salt” consumers if their salt intake was 3 g/650 kcal or higher and “adequate” consumers if they consumed less than 3 g/650 kcal. A total of 13,615 participants were identified as “adequate” consumers and 22,300 as “high-salt” consumers. The median salt intake in the “high-salt” group was 11.3 g/day, while that in the “adequate” group was 7.5 g/day. Almost all dishes consumed by the “adequate” group had significantly high energy and fat content but low salt content, compared with those consumed by the “high-salt” group. For example, the median energy, fat, and salt contents in the main dishes consumed by the “adequate” group were 173 kcal, 10.4 g, and 0.9 g/dish, respectively, while those in the main dishes consumed by the “high-salt” group were 159 kcal, 8.9 g, and 1.1 g/dish, respectively. Examples of balanced dishes that are low in both salt and fat content can be proposed to help improve the Japanese consumers’ dietary behavior