Browse Articles

Higher dietary polyphenol intake is associated with reduced pain sensitivity and migraine-related disability: A cross-sectional analysis

Introduction Migraine is a highly disabling neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headache attacks and altered pain processing. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns rich in antioxidant compounds may modulate migraine-related pathophysiology, yet the specific association between polyphenol intake and objective pain sensitivity measures remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association of dietary polyphenol with pain sensitivity and migraine-related disability in individuals with migraine. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study including 72 adults (65 women) with a confirmed migraine diagnosis according to ICHD-III criteria. Participants completed a 3-day dietary record, and polyphenol intake was estimated using the Phenol-Explorer database. Clinical outcomes included pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) at trigeminal and extratrigeminal sites, migraine-related disability (MIDAS), perceived stress (PSS), and handgrip strength. Associations were analyzed using Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, energy intake, and comorbidities. Results Participants with longer disease duration reported higher polyphenol intake (p < 0.05). Total polyphenol intake was positively correlated with PPTs at the masseter (r = 0.27) and middle temporalis (r = 0.31), and inversely correlated with MIDAS scores (r = −0.25, all p < 0.05). In adjusted regression analyses, higher polyphenol intake predicted increased PPTs (masseter: β = 0.33; middle temporalis: β = 0.38) and lower MIDAS scores (β = −0.25, all p < 0.01). No associations were observed with handgrip strength or perceived stress. Conclusions Higher dietary polyphenol intake was associated with reduced pain sensitivity and lower migraine-related disability, suggesting a potential role for polyphenol-rich diets in migraine management. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these associations and explore the mechanisms through which polyphenol-rich diets may influence migraine-related outcomes.

Two-dimensional monolayer CuXSe2 (X  <b>=</b>  Cl, Br) as a potential medium-temperature thermoelectric material

Numerous two-dimensional materials show remarkable thermoelectric (TE) performances due to quantum confinement effects. However, identifying ideal TE materials with low thermal conductivity and high Seebeck coefficient is challenging because of their strong coupling and conflict. In this work, a novel monolayer semiconductor CuXSe2 (X = Cl, Br) with balanced TE performance is theoretically predicted using first-principles calculations and the Boltzmann transport equation. Phonon spectrum analysis, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, and mechanical property assessments confirm CuXSe2's thermodynamic, dynamic, and mechanical stability. Studies show the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of CuXSe2 monolayer at 300 K is 0.13 and 0.03 W/m K along the x axis, and 0.24 and 0.06 W/m K along the y axis, attributed to stronger phonon anharmonic property from weaker binding force. Low phonon group velocity and strong phonon scattering lead to its low room-temperature lattice thermal conductivity. Moreover, 2D CuBrSe2 has a high ZT of 2.36 at 500 K due to low lattice thermal conductivity and excellent electronic transport performance. This study identifies CuXSe2 as a new TE material for promising medium-temperature applications.

Whole genome resequencing reveals the genetic basis of stature in short-statured Indian cattle

Implicit processes do not contribute to learning to reach in small mirror reversed visuomotor environments

Learning to reach with a small visuomotor rotation (VR), where visual feedback regarding hand motion is rotated relative to one’s hand trajectory, has been shown to arise unconsciously (i.e., implicitly). It is unclear whether implicit processes also support learning to reach with a small mirror reversal (MR), where visual feedback regarding hand position is reflected across the body midline. To address this gap, we asked whether implicit processes contribute to learning to reach with a small MR distortion. Forty-two right-handed participants reached to targets located 10° to the left and right of the body midline using a Kinarm exoskeleton robot. Half of the participants experienced a VR distortion (VR participants), in which cursor feedback was rotated 20° clockwise or counterclockwise relative to hand motion. The remaining participants experienced a small MR distortion (MR participants) of a similar magnitude (20°), such that cursor feedback was reflected across the body midline (y-axis). Following reaches with a VR or MR distortion, participants completed assessment trials in which they reached without cursor feedback to assess implicit learning. Analysis of angular errors (AE) revealed that all VR participants learned to reach with the VR distortion, however, only 55% of MR participants learned to reach with the MR distortion (MR-L group). AEs on the no-cursor assessment trials revealed that VR participants engaged in implicit learning. However, there was no evidence of implicit learning in the MR participants, regardless of whether they learned to reach with the MR distortion or not. These findings demonstrate that even when participants learn to reach with small MR distortions, implicit learning processes are not engaged and do not support motor learning. The absence of implicit learning when reaching with a MR distortion compared to a VR distortion suggests that MR and VR learning may be distinct forms of motor learning (e.g., skill acquisition versus motor adaptation respectively).

Stereodefined Improbable [3]Rotaxane by Post‐Interlocking Ring Editing

ABSTRACT The synthesis of higher‐order mechanically interlocked molecules is challenging when targeting so‐called improbable rotaxanes—statistically disfavored architectures whose ring and axle components lack mutual recognition. This challenge becomes more severe when the rings are racemic or stereolabile, as any successful assembly will inevitably produce a stereoisomeric mixture rather than a well‐defined product. Herein, we demonstrate a post‐interlocking ring editing strategy using covalent organic pillar COP‐1 as the ring component. Nanotubular COP‐1 is assembled by dynamic covalent imine condensation of two inherently chiral yet stereolabile macrocyclic building blocks that exhibit negligible binding towards long n ‐alkyl threads. Preorganization within COP‐1 renders the duplex scaffold stereostable, enabling its chiral resolution and switching on ring‐axle recognition. Using the resolved CO P ‐1 , a threading‐followed‐by‐stoppering protocol furnishes enantiopure [2]rotaxanes. Subsequent imine hydrolysis edits the interlocked COP‐1 duplex into its two parent macrocycles, converting each [2]rotaxane into the corresponding improbable [3]rotaxane. The mechanical bond preserves the stereochemical configuration inherited from COP‐1 , without loss of enantiopurity. This post‐interlocking ring editing strategy circumvents the statistical limitations of direct multiring interlocking, providing a programmable route to stereodefined improbable rotaxanes and design principles for higher‐order chiral mechanically interlocked architectures.

Broadband and high-responsivity SiC-based hot-electron photodetector driven by TiN/SiN core-cap disk array

Silicon carbide (SiC) photodetectors are highly valued for their exceptional stability in harsh environments. However, their wide bandgap (∼3.3 eV) fundamentally constrains the spectral response, limiting detection primarily to the ultraviolet regime. To overcome this inherent limitation, we present a SiC-based hot-electron photodetector (HEPD) incorporating a plasmonic electrode featuring a TiN/SiN core-cap disk array. By leveraging the plasmon-induced hot-electron effect, this device achieves exceptionally broad detection capability ranging from 400 to 2100 nm. The detector exhibits a peak responsivity of 0.473 mA/W at 720 nm, representing a 435% enhancement compared to the planar device. A substantial improvement is maintained across the entire 400–2100 nm spectrum, with an average responsivity increase of 374%. This superior performance in spectral coverage and response intensity completely surpasses its Au- and Ag-core counterparts. The peak responsivities of both Au- and Ag-core devices are merely 0.009 and 0.06 mA/W, respectively, which are two orders of magnitude lower. Additionally, by engineering the effective Schottky barrier height, the peak responsivity of the proposed device can be further elevated to 2.33 mA/W, with the detection spectrum broadened to 2600 nm. This work provides a critical theoretical foundation for developing high-performance, broadband SiC photodetectors, paving the way for their application in a wider range of optical sensing scenarios.

Genome wide identification, structural characterization, expression analysis, and regulatory network inferring of BAG gene family in barley

How work hours affect well-being: A target trial emulation

Studies link longer work hours to multiple dimensions of well-being, but correlations do not show what would happen if hours changed. Target-trial emulation addresses this problem by specifying the experiment we would like to run and then approximating it with observational data. Using three annual waves of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS, N = 24,579; 2020–2023), we estimate how 28 well-being outcomes would differ if the same cohort of pre-retirement adults worked 10 more or 10 fewer hours per week than observed. We compare what would happen if weekly hours shifted up by 10 or down by 10 with what actually occurred, after accounting for dropout, using machine-learning methods to adjust for baseline differences. Increasing work hours by 10 most clearly raises fatigue and reduces sleep; body mass index (BMI) and perceived physical health also shift adversely but are more sensitive to residual confounding, while perceived support increases slightly but remains confounding-sensitive. Decreasing work hours by 10 most clearly lowers fatigue; BMI and perceived physical health also shift favourably but are likewise more sensitive to residual confounding. Most outcomes show little movement under either policy, and the downward shift is better supported by the data. Naive baseline associations are broader, larger, and sometimes reversed in sign, whereas sensitivity analyses ( E -values) indicate that the clearest fatigue effects are robust to moderately strong residual confounding. Under the stated assumptions, work-hour shifts affect recovery and perceived physical health more than broad well-being.

Anisotropic phonon response to electron irradiation in <b> <i>β</i> </b> -Ga2O3 single crystals revealed by temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy

The β-phase of gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) is an ultrawide bandgap semiconductor with excellent electrical properties and strong radiation tolerance, making it a promising candidate for electronic devices operating in harsh radiation environments. However, the monoclinic symmetry of β-Ga2O3 dictates highly anisotropic lattice dynamics, yet how electron irradiation-induced defects perturb these phonons along different crystallographic orientations remains experimentally unexplored. Herein, temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate the phonon responses of the (100) and (2¯01) planes of β-Ga2O3 single crystals under electron irradiation with an energy of 10 MeV and total fluence of 1 × 1017 cm−2. The results show that irradiation significantly reduces Raman peak intensities and induces distinct orientation-dependent frequency shifts. The (100) plane exhibits blue shifts in low- and mid-frequency modes but red shifts in high-frequency modes, whereas the (2¯01) plane shows nearly unchanged peak positions, indicating that the (2¯01) plane possesses higher radiation resistance. Furthermore, the irradiation-induced variation in first-order temperature coefficients is considerably larger for the (100) plane, revealing stronger phonon anharmonicity and phonon-defect interactions. This work provides insights into the orientation-dependent phonon dynamics of β-Ga2O3 under irradiation and guidance for the design of radiation-hardened β-Ga2O3-based electronic and thermal management devices.

Automated skull orientation classification in Thai population using CNN-based transfer learning

Correction: The additive effect of IgE-mediated and pseudoallergic hypersensitivity in RBL-2H3 cells and guinea pigs

Higher-order topological phase in planar hexacoordinate X2Y monolayers (X = Cu, Ag, or Au; Y = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb)

Topological insulators (TIs) exhibit insulating bulk behavior with conducting boundary states protected by symmetry and spin–orbit coupling (SOC). Recently, the concept of higher-order topological insulators (HOTIs) has extended this framework, where topological modes appear on lower-dimensional boundaries such as hinges or corners. These states are stabilized by crystalline symmetries and characterized by higher-order invariants, including the Z4 index. In this work, we investigate the two-dimensional X2Y monolayers (X = Cu, Ag, or Au; Y = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb), a family of materials with planar hexacoordination and hexagonal symmetry. Several compounds, including Cu2Si, Cu2Ge, Ag2Ge, and Au2Ge, have already been synthesized and reported in previous studies, where they were shown to host nodal-line semimetallic features. Using first-principles calculations, we examine the dynamical, electronic, and topological properties of this broader family. Phonon dispersion calculations confirm that ten of the 12 compounds are dynamically stable. Hybrid functional (HSE06) calculations reveal that eight Ag- and Au-based monolayers possess higher-order topology, as indicated by their Z4 numbers. Moreover, Au2Pb undergoes a topological phase transition: without SOC, it displays nodal-line semimetal characteristics, while SOC inclusion opens a gap and induces HOTI behavior with gapped edge states. These results highlight X2Y monolayers as a versatile platform for exploring symmetry-protected topological phases, ranging from nodal-line semimetals to HOTIs. The findings establish this new class of 2D compounds as promising candidates for next-generation topological devices, motivating further theoretical and experimental studies.

Bidirectional fractional-order dynamics of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder featuring memory effects and inflammation thresholds

Sprint velocity and step frequency during repeated sprint ability testing are associated with high-intensity locomotor activity in elite female field hockey

Field hockey is an intermittent, high-intensity team sport in which global positioning system (GPS) monitoring and field-based fitness testing are widely used; however, the relationship between repeated sprint ability (RSA) determinants and match physical demands remains unclear. This study examined the association between RSA kinematic variables (sprint velocity, step frequency, and step length) and GPS-derived locomotor activity metrics during elite female field hockey matches. Fourteen elite female field hockey players (all members of a first team competing at the highest national and European level) completed a linear RSA protocol consisting of six 30-m maximal sprints interspersed with 30 s of active recovery. External load was quantified during four official competitive matches played against top-level opponents (teams ranked in the top four of the national league or National Cup semi-finalists) within three weeks of testing using 10-Hz GPS devices. RSA sprint-velocity metrics showed very large correlations (r &gt; 0.70, p &lt; 0.01) with match performance variables as total sprint distance, sprint distance per minute (sprint·min  - ¹), high-speed running per minute (HSR·min - ¹) and high-intensity accelerations (&gt;3 m·s -2 ·min ⁻ ¹). Step frequency also demonstrated very large associations (r &gt; 0.70, p &lt; 0.01) with sprint, sprint·min - ¹, HSR·min - ¹, and maximal acceleration, whereas step length was not significantly related to any match variable. These findings indicate that RSA performance, particularly sprint velocity and step frequency, is associated with high-intensity match demands in elite female field hockey. RSA testing may therefore represent a practical, low-cost tool for monitoring or approximating GPS-derived locomotor activity during competitive matches.

Unraveling coupled electronic and lattice dynamics in germanium via SVD-assisted ultrafast ellipsometry

We demonstrate a Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)-based framework to disentangle overlapping electronic and lattice dynamics in germanium probed by femtosecond spectroscopic ellipsometry. The transient dielectric response is shown to possess a physically meaningful low-rank structure, allowing the spectro-temporal dataset to be represented by a small set of orthogonal spectral modes and their time-dependent amplitudes. Modes B2–B4 resolve the dominant transient response in the E1–E1+Δ1 region, separating nonequilibrium carrier redistribution and exciton-sensitive reshaping from delayed thermoelastic/strain modulation. By coupling SVD with targeted line shape modeling, we extract characteristic energies, broadenings, and timescales across the electronic and lattice-driven response. Crucially, the reduced-rank decomposition isolates an exciton-sensitive mode (B3), a chirped coherent acoustic phonon signature in C3(t), and a ∼50 ps lattice-driven decay in C4(t) that remain only partially separated in the direct dielectric-function representation of the original dataset. These results establish SVD as a compact framework for resolving weak, spectrally overlapped processes in time-resolved ellipsometry and related multidimensional spectroscopies.

The potential usefulness of health asset valuation to promote health among Korean employees

Neuroblastoma cell growth and invasiveness is modulated by the activity of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-III

The presence of complex N-glycans with β1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on cells has long been associated with cancer. For this reason, the role of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-III (GnT-III, MGAT3 ) to hinder terminal N-glycan processing by the addition of β1,4-GlcNAc residues (bisected N-glycan), has earned GnT-III a reputation as a tumor suppressor. In this study, by the creation and characterization of human MGAT3 knockout in the Be(2)-C cell line, a NB cell line, ( MGAT3-/- ), we solidify GnT-III activity as a suppressor of NB progression by showing that the loss of GnT-III coincided with increased cell proliferation and cell spheroid invasion, along with cell migration, and cell-cell adhesion, and modified cell types. Lectin blotting results indicated that bisected N-glycans were greatly diminished in MGAT3-/- . Further GNL and L-PHA binding suggested that oligomannose and β1,6-GlcNAc branched N-glycans were raised in MGAT3 -/- relative to the BE(2)-C cell line. Cellular phenotypes of MGAT3-/- could be rescued by transient expression of Mgat3 cDNA. Likewise, altered levels of bisecting GlcNAc N-glycans in a rat NB cell line (NB_1) overexpressing GnT-III had reduced cell-cell adhesion, cell migration, and cell invasiveness. We conclude that lowered GnT-III activity promotes cell invasiveness and growth in NB, and speculate that oligomannose and β1,6-GlcNAc branched N-glycans are key determinants.

Modulation of magnon lifetime through magnon–magnon coupling

The dynamic control of magnon lifetime via magnon–magnon coupling (MMC) is crucial for spintronic applications, yet the underlying mechanisms governing the evolution of dynamical parameters during the coupling process in synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) remain elusive. Here, time-resolved polar magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements are employed to investigate the magnon dynamics in a symmetric SAF thin film. By applying a tilted external magnetic field, parity symmetry breaking is induced, leading to the observation of anticrossing gaps in the frequency–field (f–H) dispersion and the emergence of MMC. By tracking the magnon relaxation, abrupt lifetime crossovers are observed near the frequency anticrossing points, and the MMC strength is found to dominate the width of such crossover region. These experimental findings are in good agreement with numerical simulations. A unified physical picture is proposed to account for the lifetime crossovers together with the other two dynamical responses under MMC, all of which constitute key signatures of magnon hybridization. Our study provides direct experimental evidence of MMC-induced mode transformation and demonstrates a viable strategy for manipulating magnon lifetimes in SAF systems.

Health-related quality of life after thulium fiber laser lithotripsy: a prospective study according to stone localization

Abstract To evaluate postoperative changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after endoscopic stone surgery and to determine whether recovery patterns differ according to stone localization. In this prospective observational study, 50 patients undergoing endourological stone surgery were stratified according to stone localization (renal, ureteral, and bladder). HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Stone-free status was evaluated at postoperative month 1 using KUB radiography and/or non-contrast CT when clinically indicated. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA, with appropriate assumption testing. SF-36 total scores and all subscale scores improved significantly over time in all groups ( p  &lt; 0.001). No significant overall differences were observed between localization groups ( p  &gt; 0.05), whereas a significant group × time interaction was detected ( p  = 0.005), suggesting differences in recovery patterns according to stone localization. Patients with ureteral stones demonstrated a faster improvement in the bodily pain domain ( p  = 0.002). Stone-free rates were high across groups (100% bladder, 94.7% ureteral, and 92.6% renal stones). Endoscopic stone surgery is associated with significant improvements in HRQoL across all stone localizations. Although recovery patterns vary according to stone location, overall functional and psychosocial outcomes improve consistently over time. However, given the observational design and lack of a comparator group, modality-specific conclusions cannot be drawn.

Exploring HIV prevention preferences among key populations in Uganda: A qualitative study

Long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has recently been approved for use, and dissemination, but has yet to be released in Uganda. To ensure uptake of this injectable option, and others like a future HIV vaccine, it is important to understand the preferences of the populations at the highest risk who will benefit the most. We present data on product preferences for HIV prevention practices and injectable HIV prevention among populations most at risk for HIV with a focus on injectable options such as long-acting PrEP or a future HIV Vaccine for primary prevention of HIV. From March 18–28, 2024, we conducted 20 semi-structured key informant interviews in English and Luganda among 10 experts in the field of HIV prevention, and 10 peer leaders of key or priority populations in Uganda. Participants were purposively selected to represent various groups, genders, occupations and locations to get diverse perspectives. Participants were included if they were determined to be at risk of contracting HIV and were above the age of 18. Both groups of participants were asked similar questions, with experts focusing on their experience with key populations, populations who are particularly vulnerable to HIV acquisition due to a combination of behavioral, biological, and social factors. Debriefs were held after each interview to monitor emerging themes and assess data saturation. The most common prevention practices mentioned by participants were condoms and PrEP. Participants mentioned barriers to prevention practices including duration (i.e., dosing length), accessibility issues such as transportation, location issues (i.e., distance), and stigma. The most important characteristics for participants when considering the uptake of a new injectable prevention product included efficacy, cost and side effects. Experts tended to believe that efficacy levels should be higher than peer leaders with lived experience. Participants who were peer leaders recognized that some had a fear of needles, though they also expressed motivation to receive injections due to the perception that they may work better than other modes of administration. According to experts and peer leader participants in this study, key populations in Uganda prefer high efficacy, lower side effects and confidentiality in their services. Participants emphasized the need for comprehensive and accessible information about specific HIV prevention methods to improve the uptake of these products. Tailored messaging and choice can accommodate the heterogeneity of preferences to best ensure HIV prevention in Uganda.