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Longitudinal prevalence and correlates of dynapenic abdominal obesity among community-dwelling ageing adults in rural South Africa from 2015 to 2022

AI adoption in E-commerce enterprises: Insights into current practices and future directions from an interview study

With the accelerated integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in digital commerce, e-commerce businesses are showing a diversified trend in its application across processes such as marketing, operations, and customer services. This article, based on the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) model and the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) framework, employs a multi-case qualitative interview approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with different types of e-commerce enterprises in Anhui Province, China. It explores their practical implementation paths, feedback on effects, and future plans regarding AI technology adoption. The research findings are as follows: First, AI applications have covered the entire chain of e-commerce operations, including content generation, advertising placement, data analysis, customer service management, and logistics scheduling; however, small and micro enterprises still face significant limitations in technical depth and customization capabilities. Second, while the effects of AI applications are emerging, most processes continue to rely heavily on human collaboration and supervision, resulting in a human-machine collaboration model of “AI pre-processing + human fine-tuning.” Third, the organizational capabilities of enterprises and the AI literacy of employees are key to adoption, while the external policy environment has yet to provide effective guidance. Fourth, enterprises exhibit a stratified integration pattern in AI deployment, ranging from ‘platform-bound’ to ‘tool-augmented’ to ‘self-developed’ models, reflecting significant dynamic variations across different organizational contexts. This study also provides a new theoretical perspective and empirical evidence for understanding the technology adoption logic and digital transformation practices in the AI-driven e-commerce industry.

Cross-cancer survival prediction using machine learning models

Association between the lactate-to-albumin ratio and 28-day all-cause mortality in diabetic ketoacidosis patients: A retrospective cohort study utilizing the MIMIC-IV database

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the lactate-to-albumin ratio upon hospital admission and the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted. Patients were classified into two groups according to their lactate-to-albumin ratio values: low-lactate-to-albumin ratio (< 0.75) and high-lactate-to-albumin ratio (≥ 0.75). The association between lactate-to-albumin ratio and mortality was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models and restricted cubic spline curves. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to assess the diagnostic capability of lactate-to-albumin ratio in predicting prognosis. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the cumulative survival rates between two groups. Subgroup analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the findings. Conclusion A high lactate-to-albumin ratio (≥ 0.75) at admission was recognized as an independent risk factor for 28-day all-cause mortality in diabetic ketoacidosis patients.

Graph-theoretic analyses of saturation fraction of repulsive dopants in solid solutions

Abstract Short-range order (SRO) of dopant atoms in alloys or solid solutions is one of the most essential factors for materials design. In various alloy materials, dopant atoms repel each other, which causes a non-neighboring SRO and results in a substantial effect on their material properties. The fraction of repelling dopants should have an upper bound to satisfy the non-neighboring placement, where dopants are, as it were, saturated. Such “saturation fraction” is expected to play an important role in composition design for alloys. However, no comprehensive understanding has been established thus far for the saturation fraction of repulsive dopant elements despite its practical importance. Here we show that the saturation fraction of repulsive dopant can be described universally by several simple parameters regarding the lattice structure. We conducted a series of stochastic simulation and mathematical analysis for random packing of repulsive dopant in lattice systems for the purpose of predicting the saturation fraction. The mathematical model, which is based on random graph, successfully reproduced the basic trend of the saturation fraction for a variety of lattice structures. The present analyses can provide new insights into composition design for various kinds of alloys such as multi-principal element alloys.

Economic shocks, food insufficiency and mental health: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

Millions of Americans experienced a sudden loss of income along with hunger early in the COVID-19 outbreak. Using Household Pulse Survey data from April 23, 2020 to March 29, 2021, we find the pandemic significantly impacted both food sufficiency and mental health, with food insufficiency having a larger negative impact on mental health than income loss. We do not find a statistically significant effect of unemployment on mental health. These findings were confirmed in various sensitivity analysis. We also discover heterogeneous effects of food insufficiency, unemployment, and income loss on mental health across different socioeconomic groups. Larger effects of food insufficiency were found in mortgage paying-households, among males, and in non-metro areas, and larger effects of income loss were found in rent paying-households, among females, and in non-metro areas. These results indicate the need for effective and timely policies targeting disadvantaged groups to maintain or improve their mental well-being, as well as food sufficiency, during future economic crises and public health emergencies.

Heavy Chalcogen Elements in OLEDs: Advances of Sulfur and Selenium for Organic Light‐Emitting Materials

ABSTRACT The rapid development of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) has spurred extensive efforts toward the design of high‐performance organic materials. Among various molecular design strategies, the incorporation of heavy chalcogen elements has emerged as an effective approach to regulate excited‐state dynamics and enhance device performance. Owing to their unique electronic configurations, tunable oxidation states, and heavy‐atom effects, sulfur and selenium play crucial roles in modulating emission properties, strengthening spin–orbit coupling, and promoting exciton utilization of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) systems. In recent years, significant progress has been made in integrating these elements into diverse emissive frameworks, including donor–acceptor type TADF architectures, multiple‐resonance TADF systems, and purely organic RTP materials. Beyond emissive materials, sulfur‐containing units have also been explored as components of host materials for phosphorescent OLEDs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in these sulfur‐ and selenium‐based purely organic materials for OLED applications, highlighting the crucial role of chalcogen‐incorporated molecular design strategies in advancing OLED technology.

Efficient multi-party private set union resistant to maximum collusion attacks

Diagnostic potential of total serum ghrelin in autoimmune gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the destruction of gastric parietal cells. The invasive nature of diagnostic procedures and risk of confounding factors hinder the development of reliable diagnostic tools for AIG. Methods We conducted a systematic search of four databases. After assessing the study quality using the ROBINS-E tool, a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Meta-regression and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity and impact of study bias, Results The pooled mean difference in total serum ghrelin (pmol/L) between patients with AIG and healthy controls was −65.28 (95% CI: −178.54, 47.97). Subgroup analysis showed that the mean differences in serum ghrelin for mild, moderate, and severe atrophy were −78.85 (95% CI: −165.17, to 7.48), −91.97 (95% CI: −183.11, to −0.84), and −110.67 (95% CI: −204.77, to −16.56), respectively. The sensitivity analysis confirmed that the exclusion of studies with high-risk bias did not significantly alter the results. Meta-regression indicated that BMI contributed substantially to heterogeneity. Conclusions Although total serum ghrelin levels were not significantly different between patients with AIG and healthy controls, significantly lower levels were observed in patients with moderate-to-severe gastric atrophy. Given the high heterogeneity and limitations of existing studies, the diagnostic utility of serum ghrelin in AIG warrants further investigation.

Genetic diversity and conservation implications for European Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus): Insights from mitochondrial D-loop HVR1

Brief daily functional strength training to improve functional performance in older adults with mobility disability: A randomized trial

Objectives Mobility disability is associated with functional decline in older adults. Resistance training (RT) improves mobility disability, but adherence to national RT guidelines is poor. We evaluated the effects of a 12-week brief, home-based functional RT program, FAST ( Functional Activity Strength Training) -2, on adherence and functional impairment in older, inactive adults ≥ 65 years of age, with pre-existing walking difficulty. Methods Eligible older adults were randomized using stratified assignment based on biological sex and age (65−72 and 73+) to either the FAST-2 intervention involving a 4-minute daily workout of four exercises lasting 30 seconds each or the delayed treatment control condition. Video coaching at baseline and at weeks 2, 4 and 8, provided feedback on exercise form, modifications and progression. Daily email reminders were sent for workout completion, and to report exercise performance and rate perceived exertion. Performance and adherence feedback were emailed biweekly. Functional performance was measured by video using the Five-Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSTS) test, One-Legged Stance Test (OLST) and the 30-second chair stand test at baseline and at weeks 6 and 12. Results Ninety-seven participants were randomized to either the FAST-2 treatment intervention (n = 44) or the delayed treatment control condition (n = 53). The linear mixed-effect model showed the intervention group decreased the FTSTS by 2.3 seconds (95% CI: 0.5–4.1, p = 0.01), increased OLST by 3.6 seconds (95% CI: 0.6–6.5, p = 0.02) and increased the number of chair stands by 4.2 repetitions (95% CI: 2.8–5.7, p < 0.001) more than the control group over 12 weeks. Intervention participants completed the workout 81% of the days. No significant adverse events were reported. Conclusion The 12-week FAST-2 intervention, including only 60-seconds of lower extremity exercises in older individuals with pre-existing walking difficulty, yielded improvement in functional performance. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: ID NCT05697497 Study Details | NCT05697497 | Functional Activity Strength Training | ClinicalTrials.gov

Physicochemical properties of soy protein isolate–beet polysaccharide mixtures and phase inversion of their emulsion composites

Gait adaptations on a treadmill in the moderate exercise intensity domain – Comparison between older adults with and without a history of falls

Objective Older adults face the major risk of falls, potentially resulting in severe functional impairment or death. Many fall scenarios involve components of walking, which is the most common activity in daily life. This study investigated gait adaptations in older adults with and without a history of falls during moderate exercise intensities on a treadmill. The aim was to determine if differences in gait parameters, particularly step length (SL), become more pronounced throughout an interval at moderate exercise intensity, and whether such differences might reflect gait adaptions associated with an elevated fall risk. Methods A total of 87 participants were included, of whom 44 had experienced a fall event within the past 12 months or a severe fall within the past five years that resulted in hospitalization or a fracture. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded on a treadmill during preferred walking speed (PWS), 50% PWS, and at different intervals of a six-minute walking trial at the first ventilatory threshold (VT1), resulting in seven distinct intervals that were selected for analysis under successive exercise conditions. Analyses of variance were conducted to compare spatiotemporal gait parameters between the groups (with/without fall history) and across the seven intervals. Results Individuals with a history of falls showed significantly shorter steps across all intervals compared to those without a fall history (p = 0.007), with the most pronounced differences observed during PWS Recovery (PWS following exertion up to VT1; 5.7 cm) and Start VT1 (first of three consecutive phases of a six-minute walking sequence at VT1; 5.3 cm). On average, they also took wider steps (p = 0.083) across all intervals. There was no interaction effect between interval and group for any of the spatiotemporal gait parameters. Conclusion Community-dwelling, physically fit older adults show differences in step length depending on fall history. Differences were most pronounced at the beginning of VT1 exercise (Start VT1) as well as at PWS following VT1 exertion (PWS Recovery). Step length may therefore represent a situational gait characteristic associated with fall history and elevated fall-related concerns, particularly under moderate exercise conditions. Gait adaptions at moderate intensities, especially VT1, may represent relevant targets for preventive interventions aimed at maintaining mobility and safety in older adults.

Systematic analyses of lipid mobilization by human lipid transfer proteins

Abstract Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) maintain the specialized lipid compositions of organellar membranes 1,2 . In humans, many LTPs are implicated in diseases 3 , but the cargo and auxiliary lipids that facilitate the transfer of the majority of LTPs remain unknown. Here we combined biochemical, lipidomic and computational methods to systematically characterize LTP–lipid complexes 4 and measure how LTP gains of function affect cellular lipidomes. We identified bound lipids for around half of the hundreds of LTPs that we analysed, confirming known ligands and identifying new ones across most LTP families. Gains in LTP function affected the cellular abundance of both their known and newly identified lipid ligands, indicating comparable functional relevance of the two ligand sets. Using structural bioinformatics, we characterized mechanisms that contribute to lipid selectivity and identified preferences based on headgroup or acyl chain. We demonstrate some basic principles of how LTPs mobilize their ligands. They commonly interact with several classes of lipids and exhibit broad but selective preference for particular headgroups and for lipid species with shorter acyl chains that contain one or two unsaturated carbons, suggesting that only subsets of lipid species are efficiently mobilized. The datasets represent a resource for further analysis in different cell types and states, such as those associated with pathologies.

Predictors for pediatric bronchitis obliterans in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with bronchial casts

Thriving in place: Multidimensional neighborhood typologies and cognitive function among U.S. older adults in the Health and Retirement Study

Background Neighborhood physical, social, and service environments are increasingly recognized as important contextual factors related to cognitive health; however, few studies have examined how these features collectively shape cognitive outcomes. This study aimed to classify neighborhood typologies based on a constellation of neighborhood features and to investigate their associations with cognitive function among U.S. older adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 6,480 participants from the 2016 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. To examine contemporaneous associations, neighborhood features were derived from the 2015 National Neighborhood Data Archive, including measures of neighborhood deprivation, service facilities, food access, healthcare facilities, and environmental hazards. Cognitive function was assessed using the 27-point Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). The Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) clustering algorithm was used to classify neighborhood typologies. Multilevel regression models were performed to examine the associations between neighborhood typologies and cognitive function, with individuals as the first level and census tracts as the second level. Results Four neighborhood typologies were identified based on the elbow method and theoretical interpretability: (1) low deprivation, green neighborhood, (2) mid-SES, high hazard neighborhood, (3) high-amenity neighborhood, and (4) disadvantaged neighborhood. Regression results revealed significant disparities in cognitive function across neighborhood typologies. Compared to those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods, older residents in high-amenity neighborhoods characterized by extensive facilities and cognitively stimulating services demonstrated better cognitive function ( β =  3.85 , 95% CI: 1.23–6.47), after adjusting for individual-level characteristics. Conclusions The identified neighborhood typologies reveal an unequal distribution of amenities and hazards, which may help explain considerable inequities in late-life cognitive health. Tailored community initiatives addressing amenity availability and environmental hazards could be pivotal in promoting cognitive health and supporting aging in place.

Correction: TRIP13 alters mitochondrial function and promotes bortezomib resistance in multiple myeloma

Low self-esteem in adolescents with sickle cell disease: Determinants and coping mechanisms; A mixed methods study

Background Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a chronic genetic condition affecting approximately 112 per 100,000 live births globally, with adolescents being particularly vulnerable. Beyond its physical burden, SCD can significantly impact adolescents’ mental health, particularly self-esteem. While positive coping strategies can mitigate these effects, data on self-esteem among adolescents with SCD in Uganda remain limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and coping mechanisms of low self-esteem among adolescents with SCD attending the Sickle Cell Clinic (SCC) at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH). Methods A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted at the SCC of MNRH from January to March 2024. Quantitative data were collected from 356 adolescents. Low self-esteem was defined as a total Rosenberg self-esteem score of less than 15. For analysis of factors associated with low self-esteem, modified Poisson regression with a log link and robust standard errors was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and their 95% CIs. Qualitative data on coping mechanisms were obtained through in-depth interviews with nine adolescents and three key informant interviews with health workers. Thematic analysis was done guided by the THRIVE framework. Results The prevalence of low self-esteem was 21.6% (95% CI: 17.6–26.3%). Lower prevalence of low self-esteem was observed among adolescents not frequently absent from school (aPR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99, P = 0.011) and those without limitations to physical activity (aPR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.98, P = 0.005), while limited social engagement was associated with higher prevalence (aPR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.03–1.31, P = 0.014).”Coping mechanisms reported by adolescents included adherence to medication, healthy eating and hydration, participation in social activities and hobbies, prayer, and peer awareness. Conclusion Adolescents with SCD are at considerable risk of low self-esteem, particularly those with limited physical activity, social involvement, and frequent school absenteeism. Interventions promoting healthy lifestyles, consistent medication use, peer support, and social engagement may help strengthen self-esteem in this population.

Hormone variation in Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) leaves during gall formation by Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Abstract Gall-inducing insects modify plant metabolism to convert host tissue cells into new forms of galls. The black locust gall midge Obolodiplosis robiniae (Haldeman) forms marginal rolling gall on black locust leaves ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.). We investigated the hormonal changes in host plants after infection and gall growth to senescence. A wide range of phytohormones was analysed for the first time in gall tissue. Hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that young gall (YGall) composition corresponds with non-galled leaflets control (NGLC) and non-galled leaflets of galled leaves (NGLG). A second cluster was formed by mature gall (MGall) and senescent gall (SGall). Through all stages of gall formation the level of hormones increased ABA, GA 3 , auxins (IAA and PAA), different types of brassinosteroids, 7-oxalactone (BL, EBL, and HBL), 6-oxo type (CS, ECS, TY, and CT), and 6-deoxo type (6dTY) as well as different types of cytokinins, such as free bases ( c Z, t Z, DHZ, and iP), N -glucosides ( t Z7G, t Z9G, DHZ7G, DHZ9G, and iP7G), O -glucosides ( c ZOG, c ZROG, t ZOG, t ZROG, DHZOG, and DHZOGR), and ribosides ( c ZR, t ZR, iPR, and DHZR), and salicylic acid (SA). There was no reduction in the examined hormones. The senescence galls present the highest fluctuation and we also noticed changes in NGLC and NGLG. We noted the highest levels of HBL and DHZOG and the lowest contents of ABA, auxins, brassinosteroids, cytokinins, GA 3 , and SA. MGall and SGall presented changes in opposite directions. The level of cytokinins in gall tissue was higher than NGLC and NGLG, indicating that infection modulates the levels of these phytohormones in whole compound leaves. DHZOG, t ZROG level increased in NGLG variant suggests that they are crucial after infection. Brassinosteroids (HBL) level decreased during YGall formation according to NGLC. Results of wide hormone profiling suggest that hormonal changes occur in sequence.

Retraction: Upregulation of SATB1 Is Associated with Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness and Disease Progression