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Bioinspired gel polymer electrolyte for wide temperature lithium metal battery

Non-targeted metabolomic study in plasma in rats with post-traumatic osteoarthritis model

Purpose This study aimed to examine the differential expression profiles of plasma metabolites in rat models of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and elucidate the roles of metabolites and their pathways in the progression of PTOA using bioinformatics analysis. Method Plasma samples were collected from 24 SD female rats to model PTOA, and metabolomic assays were conducted. The samples were divided into three groups: the surgically induced mild PTOA group (Group A: 3 weeks postoperative using the modified Hulth model; age 2 months), the surgically induced severe PTOA group (Group B: 5 weeks postoperative using the modified Hulth model; age 2 months), and the normal control group (Group C: healthy rats aged 2 months). Metabolites were structurally identified by comparing the retention times, molecular masses, secondary fragmentation spectra, collision energies, and other metabolite data with a database (provided by Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd.). Target prediction and pathway analysis were subsequently performed using bioinformatics analysis. Results The experiment revealed that in the mild PTOA group, levels of Alpha-ketoglutarate, Isocitric acid, Dichloroacetate, and other metabolites increased significantly compared with the normal group, whereas Linolenic acid, Lactose, and others decreased significantly. These findings suggest that these metabolites can serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of early PTOA. In the severe PTOA group, Diosgenin, Indoleacrylic acid, Alpha-ketoglutarate, Isocitric acid, and others were elevated and may also be used as biomarkers for PTOA diagnosis. Adrenosterone, (+)-chlorpheniramine, and Phenanthridine levels were higher in the severe PTOA group compared to the mild PTOA group, while Menadione, Adenosine 5’-monophosphate, and Arg-Gly-Asp levels were lower. Conclusions Taurocholate, indoleacrylic acid, alpha-ketoglutarate, and isocitric acid may serve as biomarkers for PTOA joint injury in rats. Menadione, adenosine 5’-monophosphate, and Arg-Gly-Asp exhibited differential expression between severe and mild PTOA groups in rats, potentially reflecting the injury’s severity. Further investigation into these molecules in human tissues is warranted to ascertain their utility as biomarkers for PTOA in humans.

Phytotoxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on germination and growth of the native halophyte Salicornia sinus persica in oil contaminated soil

Transition-State-Dependent Spontaneous Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species by Aβ Assemblies Encodes a Self-Regulated Positive Feedback Loop for Aggregate Formation

Low leucine levels in the blood enhance the pathogenicity of neonatal meningitis-causing Escherichia coli

Broadcasting American red squirrel vocalizations influences detection probability

Territorial responses by North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) to conspecifics vary seasonally with peaks during mating and dispersal periods. Broadcast of squirrel vocalizations during surveys may elicit territorial defense behaviors such as calling and movement that make individuals more available for detection, with implications for subsequent occupancy and abundance analyses. We examined the effect of vocalization broadcasts on detection probability during point counts throughout a 14-month period at two locations (year-round study) and during two summers at a third location (summer-only study) on Newfoundland, Canada. Overall detection probability based on sight and sound varied seasonally but the use of vocalization broadcast consistently enhanced detection probability. Squirrels were also more likely to be seen during vocalization broadcast survey periods than during silent point counts. Response to vocalization broadcast was highest when local population density was lowest. Higher detection probability during the initial silent periods of our surveys, when population density was high, likely reflects the greater chance of spontaneous vocalizations in response to the behavior of neighbors.

Disparities in overall survival of gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy: an age and rural-urban residence-based cohort study with propensity score matching analysis

Circular Workflow for Thermosets: Activatable Repeat Unit Design for Regenerative Frontal Polymerization

Efficient and stable near-infrared InAs quantum dot light-emitting diodes

Abstract Visible quantum dot light-emitting diodes have satisfied commercial display requirements. However, near-infrared counterparts considerably lag behind due to the inferior quality of near-infrared quantum dots and limitations in device architecture suitable for near-infrared electroluminescence. Here, we present an efficient strategy using zinc fluoride to balance ZnSe shell growth across different core quantum dot facets, producing highly regular InAs/InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots with near-unity quantum yield. Moreover, we develop a method of in-situ photo-crosslinking blended hole-transport materials for accurate energy level modulation. The crosslinked hole-transport layers enhance hole transfer to the emitting layer for balanced carrier dynamics in quantum dot light-emitting diodes. The resulting near-infrared quantum dot light-emitting diodes exhibit a peak external quantum efficiency of 20.5%, a maximum radiance of 581.4 W sr−1 m−2 and an operational half-lifetime of 550 h at 50 W sr−1 m−2. This study represents a step towards practical application of near-infrared quantum dot light-emitting diodes.

Analysis and prediction of addiction among virtual reality users

Objective To understand the addiction situation and influencing factors of virtual reality users, and provide reference basis for timely and effective prevention and intervention of user addiction. Methods Based on a questionnaire survey, univariate analysis, multivariate analysis, and model prediction were conducted on the data of 1164 participants in VR related Facebook groups and Reddit subedits. Results The single factor analysis results show that the user’s own attributes, usage duration, perception level, and application types of virtual reality devices can significantly affect the degree of addiction; The results of multivariate analysis showed that the age of users, the number of days used per week, the number of hours used per day, and the perceived level of the device can significantly affect the probability of addiction. In addition, this study used decision tree algorithm to predict adolescent virtual reality device addiction, with a prediction accuracy of 0.957. Conclusion The addiction of virtual reality users is related to multiple factors such as gender, age, usage time, application type, and perception level. When developing VR applications and content, consideration should be given to balancing user immersion and healthy use, and reasonable control of usage time is also an effective means to prevent VR addiction.

Significant variations of bacterial communities among the developmental stages of Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Piezoelectrostatic Catalysis of the Azide–Alkyne Huisgen Cycloaddition

Activatable second-near-infrared-window multimodal luminogens with aggregation-induced-emission and aggregation-caused-quenching properties for step-imaging guided tumor therapy

Residual effect of vermicompost and preceding groundnut on soil fertility and associated Striga density under sorghum cropping in Eastern Ethiopia

Depletion of soil organic matter was found to be the primary biophysical factor causing declining per capita food production in sub-Saharan Africa. The magnitude of this problem was exacerbated by moisture-stress and imbalanced fertilizer application that caused Striga weed infestation. To address such confounded issues, two-year field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of residual vermicompost and preceding groundnut on soil fertility, sorghum yield, and Striga density. The first-year treatments contained two sowing methods (single and intercropped sorghum), two seedbed types (open-furrow and tied-ridge), and four vermicompost rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 t/ha) combined factorially in a randomized block design. In the second-year experiment, only monocropped sorghum with seedbed types was sown exactly on the same plot as the previous year’s treatment combinations without fertilizer. The results disclosed that residual vermicompost at 4.5 t/ha in intercropped sorghum/groundnut significantly reduced soil pH (0.76%), bulk density (8.61%), electrical conductivity (38.78%), and Striga density (85.71%). In contrast, compared to unamended soil, the aforementioned treatment combined with tied-ridging increased soil moisture, organic matter, and sorghum yield by 16.67, 2.34, and 58%, respectively. Moreover, this treatment combination markedly increased post-harvest soil organic carbon (7.69%), total N (0.247%), available P (38.46%), exchangeable-Fe (27%), and exchangeable-Zn (40%) in the second year over control. Treatments previously amended with 4.5 t/ha of vermicompost under the sorghum-groundnut intercrop system resulted in the highest total N (0.242%) and available P (9.822 mg/Kg). Thus, the vermicompost and groundnut successfully improve soil fertility and sorghum yield for two cropping seasons.

Factors underlying migratory timing of a seasonally migrating bird

Mapping variants in thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 to disease severity by genomic, phenotypic, functional, structural and deep learning integration

Abstract Predicting and quantifying phenotypic consequences of genetic variants in rare disorders is a major challenge, particularly pertinent for ‘actionable’ genes such as thyroid hormone transporter MCT8 (encoded by the X-linked SLC16A2 gene), where loss-of-function (LoF) variants cause a rare neurodevelopmental and (treatable) metabolic disorder in males. The combination of deep phenotyping data with functional and computational tests and with outcomes in population cohorts, enabled us to: (i) identify the genetic aetiology of divergent clinical phenotypes of MCT8 deficiency with genotype-phenotype relationships present across survival and 24 out of 32 disease features; (ii) demonstrate a mild phenocopy in ~400,000 individuals with common genetic variants in MCT8; (iii) assess therapeutic effectiveness, which did not differ among LoF-categories; (iv) advance structural insights in normal and mutated MCT8 by delineating seven critical functional domains; (v) create a pathogenicity-severity MCT8 variant classifier that accurately predicted pathogenicity (AUC:0.91) and severity (AUC:0.86) for 8151 variants. Our information-dense mapping provides a generalizable approach to advance multiple dimensions of rare genetic disorders.

Policy decisions matter: Cessation of logging benefits 34 threatened species in Victoria, Australia

In January 2024, the Australian state of Victoria committed to ending native forest logging six years ahead of schedule, a decision that has been advocated for by scientists and conservationists for decades. However, the direct benefits for threatened species from this policy change has not been quantified. This study assesses the spatial overlap between areas approved for logging and the habitats of nationally listed threatened species, to estimate the potential impacts of continued logging and the likely benefits of its cessation. We found that 99% of the areas approved for logging overlapped with the habitats of nationally threatened species. On average, each logging cutblock contained habitat for eight listed species. Areas approved for logging had considerable overlap with the habitat of several threatened species, particularly the Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti, Critically Endangered, 6.2% of habitat approved for logging), Leadbeater’s possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri, Critically Endangered, 6.1%), barred galaxias (Galaxias fuscus, Endangered, 5.6%), Tall astelia (Astelia australiana, Vulnerable, 5.4%), and Colquhoun grevillea (Grevillea celata, Vulnerable, 5%). Notably, these five species are found only in Victoria, thus these values represent the proportion of their entire mapped habitat slated for logging over a short time period. Our findings underscore the need for urgent, nationwide forest protection policies, alongside restoration efforts, to support species recovery and meet global climate and biodiversity commitments.

Child psychological maltreatment, depression, psychological inflexibility and difficulty in identifying feelings, a moderated mediation model

Engineering Photoswitching Dynamics in 3D Photochromic Metal–Organic Frameworks through a Metal–Organic Polyhedron Design

Effects of energy drinks on mental health and academic performance of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Objectives Energy drink (ED) consumption is frequently observed among higher education students and is often associated with increased concentration and academic performance. However, the purported benefits are not fully supported by scientific evidence. This protocol details methods for a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of ED on university students’ mental health and academic performance. Methods The PECO framework will guide the search strategy, and the protocol will follow the PRISMA-P 2015, PRESS 2015, and PRISMA-S guidelines. The searches will be conducted in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, PubMed, Embase, FSTA, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus. The GRADE recommendations and the Downs and Black scale will assess study quality and bias. All statistical analyses will be conducted using Comprehensive Meta-analysis software. We will use Cochran’s Q with p < 0.05 to indicate significant heterogeneity and I² to quantify heterogeneity between studies. The Trim and Fill technique and Egger’s regression test will be applied to evaluate the funnel plot that will be generated. Results Carrying out the systematic review proposed by this protocol will provide evidence on the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of ED use on academic performance and mental health among higher education students. Conclusion A deeper understanding of ED consumption among higher education students can inform the development of evidence-based educational and public health policies to promote student well-being and mitigate associated health risks. Register on PROSPERO CRD42024580044