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Integrated profiling of adiponectin and cytokine signaling pathways in high-fat diet-induced MASLD reveals early markers of disease progression

Association of leisure time physical activity with gut microbiota composition in early adulthood

Abstract Physical activity is associated with compositional changes in gut microbiota. Studies applying data from general populations exhibiting varying physical activity levels are scarce. This study investigated the associations between leisure time physical activity and gut microbiota composition in a general population of young adults. Faecal samples were analyzed with 16 S rRNA sequencing and leisure time physical activity were assessed in N = 302 (176 females, 126 males) 26-year-old individuals of European descent. Leisure time physical activity was assessed using a self-administrated questionnaire and expressed as metabolic equivalent (MET) h/wk. Participants were defined as inactive (N = 83) and active (N = 219) based on estimation to meet the physical activity guidelines. Diet was assessed using food diaries. First, associations of physical activity and gut microbiota were investigated and then the models were further adjusted for diet (N = 280). While gut microbiota diversity was similar, community composition differed between the active and inactive participants. The association diluted after adjustment for diet. Moreover, 16 genera, e.g., Lactobacillus, Veillonella, and Prevotella were more abundant in the active compared with the inactive participants. After adjustment for diet, these associations, except Barnesiella, were no longer detected, but other genera were found. In conclusion, physical activity in young adults is associated with gut microbiota community composition and an increase in the abundance of genera considered beneficial for overall health. The associations are partly confounded by diet.

Single-Pt-Atom-Decorated TiO₂ Nanorod Arrays for Photoelectrochemical C–H Chlorination

A demonstrative study of a novel approach for spectral based source apportionment of ambient aerosols

Abstract We present an alternative, spectral-based source apportionment model for calculating the mass concentration of wood burning and fossil fuel aerosols in the ambient. The model was applied to data collected from a rural area in Hungary during a 2-month continuous campaign in the winter period. The proposed model is based on the parallel measurement of the size distribution, absorption response of the ambient aerosols, and the thumb-of-rule relation between the elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) of fossil fuel and wood burning aerosols. We have experimentally demonstrated the wavelength dependency of the calculated Absorption Ängström Exponent (AAE) from the measured optical absorption coefficient (OAC) using the filter-accumulated transmission measurement method for the first time. The proposed model is compared with the traditional Aethalometer model applied to the same dataset. For comparison purposes, different but widely accepted approximations are used to determine source-specific AAE data and for the investigation of the effect of AAE on the output of the applied source apportionment models. The output of the applied models resulted in a close match with each other using site and source-specific AAE data.

A randomized controlled trial exploring the effect of placement versus nonplacement of a drainage tube around the cervical anastomosis in McKeown esophagectomy

Operando Two-Dimensional Solid-State NMR Unveils Dual-Template Collaboration and Competition in SAPO-34 Zeolite Crystallization

Monogamy removes constraints on reproductive tissue investment imposed by intense sexual selection

Abstract A key factor influencing the reproductive success and fitness of an individual is the allocation of resources to reproductive tissue. Previous research has documented positive influences of sexual selection on the evolution of male traits such as testes size. However, few studies have focused on whether sexual selection shapes overall reproductive tissue investment patterns, and even fewer have studied it in both males and females. Furthermore, whether the ecological/demographic context modulates these effects is not known. We used experimental evolution on an insect model system to assess the independent and interactive effects of sexual selection intensity (intense [polygamy] vs. relaxed [monogamy]) and metapopulation structure (absent vs. present) on reproductive tissue investment in both sexes. Counterintuitively, we found that both males and females evolving under monogamy had higher relative reproductive tissue investment than individuals evolving under polygamy. We found no independent effect of metapopulation structure or any interactive effect with sexual selection on reproductive tissue investment of either sex. Our findings suggest that trade-offs between pre- and post-copulatory sexual selection may constrain reproductive tissue investment under intense sexual selection, and that selection under monogamy removes this constraint. Generally, our study underscores the complexities underpinning the evolution of reproductive allocation strategies.

Measurements of Local pH Gradients for Electrocatalysts in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction by Electrochemiluminescence

Improvement of vibration and acoustic properties of woven jute/polyester composites by surface modification of fibers with various chemicals

Abstract In response to the growing demand for lightweight and sustainable materials, the integration of natural fibers into polymer matrix composites has become very important. To improve the compatibility between hydrophilic natural fibers and matrices, surface modification has proven to be a crucial step. Therefore, this study advanced this technique by modifying the surfaces of woven jute mats with 1% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), chromium sulphate (Cr2SO4), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The composite, containing 56% by volume of the fibers, was produced by compression moulding. Extensive testing was carried out, including three-point bending, free vibration mode and acoustic analysis. The Brüel and Kjær two-microphone impedance tube with a frequency range of 25–6400 Hz was used. Various properties such as bending strength, vibration behaviour, damping and sound absorption were evaluated. It was comparatively evident that the NaHCO3-treated composite samples exhibited the highest natural frequency of 61.04 Hz and the highest sound absorption coefficient of 0.67 at about 2000 Hz, which was 69% higher than that of the untreated composite samples and about 29–72% higher than that of other treated counterparts. In addition, other test results of the surface modified composites were better than the untreated counterparts. There was good agreement between the experimental data and the results obtained from the theoretical models, which is another significant contribution to the field of composite technology.

Biosourced Functional Hydroxybenzoate-<i>co</i>-Lactide Polymers with Antimicrobial Activity

The relationship between mindfulness, psychological flexibility, and symptom severity in persons with schizophrenia-spectrum-disorders: a cross-sectional study

Abstract The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in enhancing mental well-being and reducing positive, negative, and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) has been increasingly supported by evidence. However, the underlying mechanisms of MBIs require further examination. Psychological flexibility (PF), typically assessed through cognitive fusion, has been associated with clinical change in MBIs. This study employed a cross-sectional design to explore the interplay between mindfulness, PF, and symptom severity in SSD. A total of N = 94 persons with SSD were included in the analysis. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS analysis, with positive, negative, and depressive symptom severity as outcome variables, measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), respectively. The findings indicated that mindfulness was significantly negatively correlated with positive and depressive symptoms and significantly positively correlated with PF. A significant mediating effect of PF was identified in the relationship between mindfulness and both negative and depressive symptoms. This study supports previous research suggesting PF as a possible mechanism of action in MBIs. However, future research utilizing longitudinal designs, more nuanced analyses, and mixed method approaches in assessment tools is warranted.

Flow and heat transfer of Poly Dispersed SiO2 Nanoparticles in Aqueous Glycerol in a Horizontal pipe: Application of ensemble and evolutionary machine learning for model-prediction

Stable nanofluid dispersion with SiO2 particles of 15, 50, and 100 nm is generated in a base liquid composed of water and glycerol in a 7:3 ratio and tested for physical characteristics in the temperature range of 20-100oC. The nanofluid showed excellent stability for over a month. Experiments are undertaken for the flow of nanofluid in a copper pipe and measured for their heat transfer coefficient and flow behavior. The convection heat transfer coefficient increases with the flow Reynolds number in the transition-turbulent flow regime. The experimental results further reveal that the friction factor enhancement with 0.5% concentration has increased by 6% as compared to the base liquid. It was employed for prognostic model development using XGBoost and multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) to model and predict the complex and nonlinear data acquired during experiments. Both techniques provided robust predictions, as witnessed by the statistical evaluation. The R2 statistics of the XGBoost-based model was 0.9899 throughout the model test, while it was lowered to 0.9455 for the MGGP-based model. However, the change was insignificant. The mean squared value was 8.37 for XGBoost, while it increased in the MGGP model to 45.12. Similarly, the mean absolute error (MAE) value was higher (6.623) in the case of MGGP than in XGBoost at 2.733. The statistical evaluation, Taylor diagrams, and violin plots helped determine that XGBoost was superior to MGGP in the present work.

Validity of smartphone sensors to assess selected kinetic and kinematic outcomes during single-leg landing stabilization tasks

Introduction Landing stabilization tasks are a key component of injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. An objective estimation of kinetics and kinematics requires equipment and expertise which are often unavailable outside specialized centres. We investigated whether smartphone sensors, which are widely available to the general population, provide valid estimates of selected body kinematics and kinetics during landing stabilization tasks. Methods Seventy-six asymptomatic participants (35 females) performed a unilateral landing stabilization task on both legs. Ground reaction forces and trunk orientation were collected using a force platform and an inertial measurement unit, respectively. Participants performed the tasks holding a smartphone on their chest, which collected acceleration and orientation data. We established the validity between estimates obtained with smartphone sensors and specialized equipment using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and paired T-test or Wilcoxon test. Results For both legs, agreement was excellent for time of flight (lower bound of the 95% confidence interval of the ICC &gt; 0.94); at least good for early balance (ICC &gt; 0.87), sagittal trunk orientation (ICC &gt; 0.79), and concentric force (ICC &gt; 0.80); and at least moderate for frontal trunk orientation (ICC &gt; 0.58), late balance (ICC &gt; 0.65) and landing impact (ICC &gt; 0.60). Smartphone accelerometers overestimated all measures compared to the force platform (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Smartphone sensors provide measures similar to those obtained using specialized equipment when used to assess selected kinetics and kinematics outcomes during landing stabilization exercises. Time of flight, concentric force, early balance and trunk orientation in the sagittal plane demonstrated at least good agreement, although smartphone sensors systematically overestimated acceleration-derived measures. This study sets the foundations for the use of smartphone sensors as a simple, inexpensive tool to characterize the performance of landing stabilization tasks objectively.

Correlation between varus-type knee osteoarthritis severity and hindfoot alignment: Analysis of radiographs in the long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior view

Background In knee osteoarthritis, the subtalar joint undergoes valgus and varus contractions to compensate for deformities in the knee joint. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the relationship between varus-type knee osteoarthritis severity and hindfoot alignment severity by concurrently assessing varus-type knee osteoarthritis severity and hindfoot alignment using radiographs in the long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior view. Patients and methods A total of 114 patients with knee osteoarthritis graded Kellgren–Lawrence II or higher (128 knees) and 30 healthy controls (31 knees) underwent long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior imaging for 1 year. Four angles were measured on radiographs in the long-leg weight-bearing anteroposterior view: the femorotibial angle; tibial calcaneal angle; tibial anterior surface angle; and talocrural joint angle between the tibial plafond and talar dome on weight-bearing. Group comparisons were conducted for each Kellgren–Lawrence classification, which was used to classify the severity of knee osteoarthritis at each measured angle. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the results. Results The mean tibial calcaneal angles were 9.7°, 11.3°, 8.8°, and 9.8° in controls and in patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grades II, III, and IV, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). The mean femorotibial angles were 175.6°, 176.8°, 180.3°, and 186.2° in controls and in patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grades II, III, and IV, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). On weight-bearing, the tibial anterior surface angle and the talocrural joint angle between the tibial plafond and talar dome varied according to severity level. Conclusion In varus-type knee osteoarthritis cases, defined in accordance with the Kellgren–Lawrence classification, hindfoot alignment leaned toward valgus. As the severity of knee osteoarthritis progressed, the valgus of the hindfoot alignment reduced. While future longitudinal analyses are necessary, these observations indicate both potential compensatory changes and their limitations in varus-type knee osteoarthritis.

Taste cells depend on axon proximity to generate presynaptic sites

The turnover and re-establishment of peripheral taste synapses is vital to maintain connectivity between primary taste receptor cells and the gustatory neurons which relay taste information from the tongue to the brain. Despite the importance of neuron-taste cell reconnection, the mechanisms governing synapse assembly in the taste bud are largely unknown. To determine whether nerve fiber connectivity is an initiating factor for the recruitment of presynaptic machinery in taste receptor cells, we use the expression of CALHM1 and Bassoon to identify presynaptic sites in type II (sweet, umami, bitter) and type III (sour) taste receptor cells, respectively. Under homeostatic conditions, the vast majority (&gt;90%) of presynaptic sites are directly adjacent to nerve fibers (contacted). In the days immediately following gustatory nerve transection and denervation of taste buds, Bassoon and CALHM1 puncta are markedly reduced. This suggests that nerve fiber innervation is crucial for the recruitment and maintenance of presynaptic sites. During nerve fiber regeneration into the taste bud, presynaptic sites begin to replenish but are not as frequently contacted by nerve fibers as intact controls (35–54% compared to &gt;90%). This reveals that taste cells rely on gustatory fiber innervation to organize presynaptic sites. Additionally, our finding that presynaptic sites are not as frequently contacted by regenerating axons suggests a model whereby trophic factors secreted by gustatory nerve fibers prompt taste receptor cells to produce and/or aggregate presynaptic specializations at the cell membrane prior to contact. This, in turn, may guide neurons to form mature synapses. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity within the rapidly changing taste bud environment.

Evaluating sports complex sustainable supply chains: A prospective assessment technique method of moments quantile regression research

The growing emphasis on sustainability in supply chain management has raised critical concerns about its implementation in complex ecosystems such as sports stadiums. This study investigates the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable supply chains within sports complexes, employing the Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) technique to provide a nuanced analysis of key variables influencing sustainability outcomes from 2008 to 2022. By integrating Corporate Environmentalism (CE), Population Density (PD), Economic Complexity Ratio, and Workforce Readiness Ratio with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) differentiation metrics, the research identifies significant conditional and non-linear relationships. Results reveal that CE plays a pivotal role in driving GDP differentiation, particularly in lower quantiles, highlighting the potential of sustainability to contribute to balanced economic growth. Population Density consistently influences sustainability outcomes, underscoring the critical role of demographic factors. Additionally, the study exhibit strong macroeconomic and social implications, emphasizing the importance of inclusive strategies for sustainable development. Notably, higher GDP differentiation quantiles reveal trade-offs between economic and environmental goals, presenting challenges for achieving equilibrium. These findings suggest that policymakers and stakeholders should adopt tailored strategies to balance economic and environmental objectives, fostering sustainable practices in sports stadium ecosystems while mitigating disparities across different economic conditions.

Retraction: Evaluate teaching quality of physical education using a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework

Meso-structural evolution of sandstone under uniaxial loading: A study on microdefect compaction and transgranular crack formation mechanisms

Rock deterioration under uniaxial compression is significantly influenced by changes in meso-structure, which plays a key role in determining the mechanical behavior and stability of rock materials. Understanding how different loading stresses affect the evolution of meso-structure is crucial for assessing rock stability in engineering applications, such as tunneling and landslide prevention. This study investigates the damage mechanisms and meso-structural evolution of sandstone subjected to uniaxial compression at different loading stresses (0, 5, 15, 30, and 40 MPa). Utilizing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and quantitative statistical analysis (e.g., Single-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficients), the study analyzes how different stress levels influence the internal structural changes within the sandstone. The results revel that low loading stresses (5 and 15 MPa) primarily induce microdefect compaction and limited intergranular crack propagation, causing notable changes in failure strain without significant structural damage. In contrast, higher loading stresses (30 and 40 MPa) induce the formation of transgranular cracks, drastically reducing both failure strength and overall structural integrity. Meso-mechanical analysis identifies mineral rotation and crack propagation as critical factors driving these structural transformations. These findings demonstrate that rock deterioration is stress-dependent, with distinct characteristics at low versus high loading conditions. This research enhances the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of rock deterioration, providing valuable insights into rock stability evaluation. The findings are essential for predicting and mitigating geological hazards, offering critical implications for engineering practices aimed at enhancing rock stability and preventing disasters.

Cuproptosis-related gene signatures define the immune microenvironment in diabetic nephropathy

Background Cuproptosis may be a new clue to illustrate the pathogenesis of the disease. There was no study focused on the relationship between the cuproptosis genes and diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study aimed to reveal the relationship between cuproptosis genes and the immune microenvironment in DN and distinguish different phenotypes to describe disease heterogeneity through consensus clustering based on cuproptosis genes. Methods We downloaded RNA sequencing data sets of DN glomerular and normal renal tissue samples (GSE142025, GSE30528, and GSE96804) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DN and control samples were screened. Immune cell subtype infiltration and immune score were figured out via different algorithms. Consensus clustering was performed by Ward’s method to determine different phenotypes of DN. Key genes between phenotypes were identified via a machine-learning algorithm. Logistic regression analysis was applied to establish a nomogram for assessing the disease risk of DN. The role of related genes was verified by cell experiments. Results In DN samples, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A Gene(CDKN2A) were positively correlated to immune score. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NFE2L2), Lipoic Acid Synthetase(LIAS), Lipoyltransferase 1(LIPT1), Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase(DLD), Dihydrolipoamide Branched Chain Transacylase E2(DBT) and Dihydrolipoamide S-Succinyltransferase(DLST) were negatively correlated to immune score. Via Consensus clustering based on cuproptosis genes, the DN samples were divided into cluster C1 and cluster C2. Cluster C1 was characterized by low cuproptosis gene expression, high immune cell subtype infiltration, and high enrichment of immune-related pathways. Cluster C2 was on the contrary. Dicarbonyl/l-xylulose reductase (DCXR) and heat-responsive protein 12 (HRSP12) were key genes related to clinical traits and immune microenvironment, negatively correlated with most immune cell subtypes. The nomogram constructed based on DCXR and HRSP12 showed good efficiency for DN diagnosis. Conclusion Immune microenvironment imbalance and metabolic disorders may lead to the occurrence of DN. Cuproptosis genes, with the ability to regulate the immune microenvironment and metabolism, can be used for disease clustering to describe the heterogeneity and characterize the immune microenvironment. HRSP12 and DCXR, as key genes related to disease phenotypes and immune microenvironment characteristics, were jointly constructed as nomograms for DN diagnosis with high accuracy and reliability. HRSP12 and DCXR may be potential biological markers and renal protective factors.

Evaluating the capacity of large language models to interpret emotions in images

The integration of artificial intelligence, specifically large language models (LLMs), in emotional stimulus selection and validation offers a promising avenue for enhancing emotion comprehension frameworks. Traditional methods in this domain are often labor-intensive and susceptible to biases, highlighting the need for more efficient and scalable alternatives. This study evaluates the capability of GPT-4, in recognizing and rating emotions from visual stimuli, focusing on two primary emotional dimensions: valence (positive, neutral, or negative) and arousal (calm, neutral, or stimulated). By comparing the performance of GPT-4 against human evaluations using the well-established Geneva Affective PicturE Database (GAPED), we aim to assess the model’s efficacy as a tool for automating the selection and validation of emotional elicitation stimuli. Our findings indicate that GPT-4 closely approximates human ratings under zero-shot learning conditions, although it encounters some difficulties in accurately classifying subtler emotional cues. These results underscore the potential of LLMs to streamline the emotional stimulus selection and validation process, thereby reducing the time and labor associated with traditional methods.