Browse Articles

Northwestward shifts in the locations of genesis reduce the lifetime of landfalling tropical cyclones in China

Abstract China is one of the countries most affected by tropical cyclones (TCs) worldwide. However, it remains unclear whether the significant poleward and coastal shifts in global TCs due to climate warming have affected the lifetime of landfalling TCs in China. Result shows that the lifetime of landfalling TCs in China has significantly decreased by 24% over the past 40 years, which is primarily contributed by the minor TCs. The duration in development stage has significantly shortened for both major and minor TCs. The northwestward migration of genesis locations has led to a decrease in duration of minor TCs, while the increase in the intensification rate has contributed to the shorter major TC durations. Further analysis suggests that these changes in TC lifetime and northwestward shifts are associated with a decrease in the Convective Available Potential Energy and westward extension of the subtropical high. The observed increase in rapid intensifications of major TCs is mainly driven by an increase in favourable thermodynamic environments. These findings clarify the connection between large-scale changes in TC genesis locations and regional characteristics of TC activity.

DNA methylation differences stratified by normalized fetal/placental weight ratios suggest neurodevelopmental deficits in neonates with congenital heart disease

Background We lack early biomarkers for predicting neurodevelopment (ND) outcomes in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Placentas of fetuses with CHD have abnormalities, including unbalanced fetal/placental weight ratios (F/P). Although DNA methylation profiles have revealed insights into the maternal-fetal environment (MFE), it is unknown if DNA methylation correlates to normalized F/P weight ratio groups and how these differences relate to ND outcomes. Methods We prospectively recruited a cohort of pregnant women carrying a fetus with CHD. A subset of the cohort had DNA methylation performed on either umbilical cord blood or postnatal blood (45 full-term neonates). We calculated normalized F/P weight ratios, focusing on three normalized F/P ratio groups for analysis. We calculated differential methylation signals in eight ND disabilities-associated gene sets. Normalized F/P ratios were compared to 18-month Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III scores (BSID-III). Results Unbiased gene ontology enrichment analysis of differentially methylated regions revealed enrichment for brain development-related pathways. Although there were no significant differences between normalized F/P weight ratio groups and BSID-III, disease-associated gene set pathway analysis revealed significant methylation differences between the most severely unbalanced F/P weight ratio and normal F/P weight ratio groups. Conclusion Gene ontology enrichment analysis of differential methylation regions revealed significant differences between normalized F/P weight ratio groups in neurogenesis genes. Furthermore, our data identified methylation differences between unbalanced and balanced normalized F/P weight ratio groups in gene pathways associated with ND dysfunction common in the aging CHD population suggesting converging pathways for ND disorders that should be investigated further.

Efficient Kinetic-Resolution Copolymerization of Epoxides and CO₂ Achieved via Computation-Guided Catalyst Design

Fuzzy incidence coloring under structural operations for communication channel allocation

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Hungarian version of the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS): A cross-sectional study

Background There is an increasing need among researchers to explore how emotions are regulated and processed. Mentalized affectivity is a complex cognitive and affective ability to understand thoughts, feelings and intentions of oneself and others. Aims This study proposes a psychometric validation of the Hungarian version of the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS), and measures the three main domains of mentalized emotions: emotion recognition, processing and expression. Materials & methods Participants (N = 316) were recruited using the snowball sampling method via various mailing lists and social networking sites from August 2023 to November 2023. Structural Equation Modeling was used to validate the original factor structure and Principal Component was used for subsequent exploration. We used Spearman’s correlation to measure convergent validity and the Kruskal-Wallis test for correlations with demographics. Results Initial confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis on the 60 items of Greenberg did not show satisfactory outcomes. Subsequently, we checked the 35-item version of the scale: after deleting one item, and using the original three-factor structure, we found that the scale showed great internal consistency and sufficient convergent validity to other measured constructs. Discussion & conclusion The Hungarian 34-item Mentalized Affectivity Scale and its three subscales are suitable for measuring mentalized affectivity.

Medico-legal identification of unidentified bodies and missing persons in Milan and Paris: a comparative institutional study

Reproductive health programs in women with physical disabilities: A scoping review protocol

Introduction Approximately 15% of people with disabilities are women of reproductive age. Women with physical disabilities are neglected in reproductive and sexual health. Complex health conditions, mobility limitations, negative disability stereotypes, and misconceptions about their needs directly and indirectly affect their sexual and reproductive health. Access to appropriate reproductive health care is crucial for empowering these women to manage their reproductive and sexual health challenges effectively. This scoping review aims to identify, explore, and map the existing evidence on reproductive health programs and interventions in women with physical disabilities. Materials and methods This scoping review will be based on Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and the subsequent recommendations of Levac et al. We will search for studies published from January 2006–2024 in English and Persian without restriction by study design in databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Springer, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and websites like the World Health Organization, UNICEF and government sites for policies and reports about reproductive health programs for women with physical disabilities. Two or more reviewers will independently conduct all stages of the study. Data synthesis will utilize a qualitative analysis approach, and this review will be reported using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Conclusion This scoping review synthesizes evidence on reproductive health interventions for women with physical disabilities, including educational and awareness programs, healthcare access initiatives, support groups, and policy interventions. We will explore these interventions across various dimensions of reproductive health. The results of this review will offer a comprehensive overview of available resources and identify critical gaps in reproductive health for this population. To our understanding, this study may be the first scoping review in this field, which could provide valuable guidance to key stakeholders.

Unveiling Phase Transition Dynamics Using Cryogenic Optical Microscopy in a Charge-Transfer Fe₂Co₂ Switchable Molecular Material

A unifying theory of aging and mortality

Abstract In this paper, we advance the network theory of aging and mortality by developing a causal mathematical model for the mortality rate. First, we show that in large networks, where health deficits accumulate at nodes representing health indicators, the modelling of network evolution with Poisson processes is universal and can be derived from fundamental principles. Second, with the help of two simplifying approximations, which we refer to as mean-field assumption and homogeneity assumption, we provide an analytical derivation of Gompertz law under generic and biologically relevant conditions. Third, we identify for which network parameters Gompertz law is accurate, express the parameters in Gompertz law as a function of the network parameters, and illustrate our computations with simulations and analytic approximations. Our paper is the first to offer a full mathematical explanation of Gompertz law and its limitations based on network theory.

Association of 25(OH)D serum level with biological aging: A Cross-Sectional Study of 2007–2016 NHANES surveys

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in various aspects of human body, including aging, but chronological age may not accurately reflect the true biological aging status. Recently, PhenoAge has been developed to estimate an individual’s biological age based on different biological and clinical measures. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between 25(OH)D serum levels and biological aging calculated by PhenoAge Acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) using data from the 2007−2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). 25(OH)D serum levels were negatively associated with PhenoAgeAccel (β = −0.04 standard deviation [SD]; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.08 to 0.00). This negative association was dose-dependent in females (β = −0.07 SD; 95% CI: −0.12 to 0.01), but not in males. Generalized additive models further revealed gender-specific non-linear patterns: a U-shape pattern in males but an L-shaped pattern in females. Using segmented regression to confirm inflection points, we observed that 25(OH)D serum levels were linked to reduced PhenoAgeAccel at levels below 38.2 nmol/L (15.3 ng/mL) in males (β = −0.013 SD; 95% CI: −0.025 to −0.002) and 62.5 nmol/L (25.0 ng/mL) in females (β = −0.007 SD; 95% CI: −0.01 to −0.004,). However, 25(OH)D serum levels above 125 nmol/L showed no association with PhenoAgeAccel in females (β = −0.001 SD; 95% CI: −0.005–0.002), while in males, elevated levels (>91.6 nmol/L) were associated with increased PhenoAgeAccel (β = 0.005 SD; 95% CI: 0.002–0.008). Our findings indicate that vitamin D insufficiency has an inverse link with accelerated biological aging, and high levels of vitamin D in males accelerated biological aging as well, offering valuable insights into the relationship between vitamin D and biological aging.

Accelerating Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia via Metal–Support Interactions in Ni-WS₂ Catalysts

Investigating the effect of screen-printed structured graphite electrodes with low tortuosity for high-capacity and fast-charging lithium-ion batteries

Future geographical distribution of Aedes albopictus in China under climate change scenarios

Amidst the escalating global threat of dengue fever, the distribution of its primary vector, Aedes albopictus, is undergoing significant shifts due to climate change. This study utilized Biomod2 to simulate the distribution changes of Ae. albopictus in China under future climate scenarios, providing critical insights for public health preparedness. Results showed that, the ensemble model achieved an ROC value of 0.968, a TSS value of 0.81, and a KAPPA value of 0.789, indicating high accuracy. Under current climate condition, the highly suitability regions were predominantly in the southern and eastern coastal areas of China. Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan possessed the largest areas of highly suitability, measuring 15.61 × 104 km2, 20.84 × 104 km2 and 11.71 × 104 km2, respectively. Under SSP1–2.6 in the 2050s, highly suitability regions were projected to expand significantly, particularly in central Guangxi, northern Guangdong, and central Fujian. Centroids of the total suitability regions were predicted to shift southeast under SSP1–2.6 and SSP5–8.5, and northeast under SSP2–4.5 and SSP3–7.0, reflecting the dynamic response of Ae. albopictus to climate change. These findings underscore the imperative for climate-adaptive strategies in public health policies to mitigate the risks of dengue fever transmission in China.

Selective Photochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid at Gas–Water Interface of Microbubbles

A latent profile analysis of cancer survivors’ return to work adaptability and the associations between its’ categories and financial toxicity

Blending electronic techniques with traditional teaching methods to enhance chest X-ray interpretation in medical students

Introduction Medical students must possess the skill of interpreting chest X-rays, as it is vital for accurately diagnosing patients and determining the correct treatment methods. However, there is a lack of adequate reporting on satisfactory radiology interpretation skills. This study aims to examine the impact of an electronic educational program on the ability of medical students to interpret chest radiographs. Method The study is a quasi-experimental intervention involving a pre-test and post-test. It was conducted on 4th-year medical students from two academic hospitals in Yazd (from January 20, 2024, to April 20, 2024). The students were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. First, the skill level of the participants in both groups was assessed in chest radiographic interpretation using an electronic test. The training was carried out with two intervention(N = 40) and control groups(N = 38) through a 3-hour workshop held over two consecutive weeks. Following the initial training, the intervention group received an electronic educational package consisting of 59 chest radiographs. 15 chest X-rays and educational slides were sent to the students daily via Google Forms over two weeks. A month later, the student’s skills in interpreting chest X-rays were evaluated in both groups. Results In area of knowledge, the mean pre-test score for the intervention group was 2.7 (± 2.3), which increased to 14.13 (± 2.66) after the intervention. In the control group, the pre-test score rose from 3.26 (± 2.44) to 6.58 (± 3.44). These results indicate a significant increase in the knowledge score for the intervention group when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In the need for a CT scan, the mean score for the intervention group increased significantly from 1.38 (± 1.4) in the pre-test to 9.63 (± 2.82) in the post-test. In contrast, the control group showed an increase from 1.53 (± 1.17) to 4.08(± 2.82). This indicates that the intervention had a significant effect on improving the ability to detect the need for a CT scan (p < 0.001). In the area of self-confidence, the intervention group demonstrated an increase from an average score of 26.83 (±10.23) in the pre-test to 73.9 (±18.38) in the post-test. In contrast, the control group experienced an increase from 30.37 (±11.5) to 46.18 (±18.38). These findings indicate a significant improvement in self-confidence within the intervention group following the implementation of the training program (p < 0.001). Conclusion Both traditional and blended E-learning improved students’ chest x-ray interpretation skills. However, the study found that the group receiving electronic training showed more noticeable positive changes, significantly increasing students’ self-confidence. A combination of E-learning and traditional methods significantly improves chest radiograph interpretation among young students. Early integration of E-learning for CXR interpretation in the educational curriculum is recommended.

PEYOLO a perception efficient network for multiscale surface defects detection

Sport-specific variability in the energy cost of constant speed running: Implications for metabolic power estimations

Introduction Metabolic power is essential for assessing the physical demands of team sports. Accurately determining the energy cost of constant speed running (EC0), is crucial for refining these. EC0 depends on factors like running velocity and V̇O₂max and varies between athlete groups due to training adaptations and sport-specific body characteristics. To ensure accurate energy expenditure, EC0 should be individually determined based on the specific team sport, improving player monitoring, recovery, and load management. Materials and Methods An experimental cohort study collected data from 339 incremental treadmill tests in elite team sports athletes: 11 male handball players, 120 male soccer players, 23 male and 185 female field hockey players. Athletes performed a treadmill protocol to exhaustion while O2-uptake, CO2-output, respiratory exchange ratio and ventilation were measured breath-by-breath. Data processing verified steady-state conditions. Net EC0 was calculated as energy expenditure above rest divided by velocity. Sport, speed, sex and V̇O2max were defined as fixed effect variables. Results Our random intercept and slope model with all predictors performed best. Handball players had the highest EC0 (estimated total mean) with 4.04 J/kg/m (CI95% 3.88, 4.20), field hockey players with 3.95 J/kg/m (CI95% 3.90, 4.00) and soccer players with 3.79 J/kg/m (CI95% 3.73, 3.85). For the whole group, EC0 showed a curvilinear dependence on speed: increasing with speed up to ~3.5 m/s and then remaining relatively constant at higher velocities. However, grouping athletes by similar treadmill performance, EC0 remained constant across speeds. Discussion Our data show multiple predictors must be considered to determine an appropriate EC₀ for each athlete. Although EC₀ remains stable across velocities for individuals, it varies significantly between sports and V̇O₂max levels, highlighting the need for individualized assessment. Calculating EC₀ per athlete may improve energy cost estimations, enhance the metabolic power approach and allow for more accurate analysis of metabolic data based on positional tracking.

Enzymatic Stereodivergent Synthesis of Azaspiro[2.y]alkanes

Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract Aim of the randomized controlled pilot study was to investigate general feasibility in terms of adherence to a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program in participants with persistent symptoms (fatigue, concentration problems, breathing problems or headache) > 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple symptom-related, psychosocial, spiroergometric and body composition parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examination. The intervention group underwent a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program. The control group kept their regular physical activity. Both groups maintained an online training diary. Data was evaluated descriptively using intention-to-treat, per protocol and as-treated analysis. Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention was limited, as a large number of participants in the intervention group did not strictly adhere to the training plan. Therefore, statements about the efficacy were restricted. However, there was some weak indication for efficacy of the intervention to reduce self-rated severity of symptoms and to improve overall wellbeing. In the present study, an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention can be recommended only to a limited extend. The study results can be used to inform future studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of unsupervised aerobic exercise training programs in participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.