Browse Articles

Purple potato extract modulates fat metabolizing genes expression, prevents oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis, and attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in male rats

Objective In this investigation, the significance of purple potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) extract treatment was assessed against oxidative stress and fat metabolizing transcription factors in the liver of high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats. Methods Wistar (male) rats were arranged into several groups and provided with a control and HF diet along with the purple potato extract. Body weights, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin, plasma lipids, and oxidative stress-related indicators were analyzed in plasma and tissue samples. Additionally, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the gene expression for oxidative stress and fat metabolism in the liver. Histological staining was also performed on pancreatic and hepatic tissues. Results Purple potato extract lowered body weights and improved glucose utilization in the OGTT test in HF diet-fed rats. Purple potato extract also suppressed HF-diet-induced oxidative stress in plasma and hepatic tissues. Purple potato extract also restored the Nrf-2 expression in the liver, followed by the improved expression of HO-1, HO-2, and other antioxidant genes in HF diet-fed rats. In addition, genes involved in lipid metabolism were also positively modulated due to purple potato extract treatment. Furthermore, histological examination revealed the reduction of lipid accumulation and amelioration of inflammation due to the consumption of purple potato extract. Conclusion This investigation revealed that antioxidant-rich purple potato extract can modulate the antioxidant and fat metabolizing genes expression, ameliorated oxidative stress and glucose intolerance as well as lowered blood lipids in male rats.

Oviposition behaviour of Rhagoletis completa on dead end host Cydonia oblonga

Abstract Host finding behaviour and host acceptance for oviposition is a rather complex process amongst insects; it is a major decision that will have a direct effect on the performance of offspring. It is not uncommon that herbivorous insects oviposit on unsuitable hosts. The level of insect-host specialisation correlates with the likelihood of mis-oviposition incidence; polyphagous herbivore insect species have a higher chance to lay eggs on unsuitable hosts compared to specialised monophagous ones. Over several seasons, large numbers of walnut husk fly adults were observed on the canopy and fruit of European quince. Males were engaging in behaviours like fighting, courting, mating, and guarding oviposition sites, while females copulated, oviposited, or rested. Oviposition marks were found on quince fruits, with unhatched eggs, chorions, and newly hatched maggots inside. Molecular identification confirmed the species as Rhagoletis completa. To investigate this unusual host interaction, electrophysiological recordings were conducted on the antennae and maxillary palpi of WHF adults using quince and walnut fruit and foliage volatiles. Behavioural experiments also explored any preference for quince. The results showed that WHF adults, especially females, exhibited a positive attraction to quince fruit volatiles, indicating that their peripheral detection of volatiles is not limited to host-specific compounds. Based on these findings, we conclude that WHF adults treated quince as a suitable host for oviposition in a natural condition.

Genre-aware user profiling using duration count matrices: A novel approach to enhancing content recommendation systems

Recommender systems play a vital role in enhancing the user experience and facilitating content discovery on online platforms. However, conventional approaches often struggle to capture users’ evolving preferences over time, leading to suboptimal performance as recommended videos frequently do not align with users’ interests. To address this issue, this study introduces an innovative method that leverages watch-time duration to analyze long-term user behavior and generate personalized recommendations. The proposed Duration Count Matrix (DCM) technique includes two key components: User Profiling (DCM-UP) and User Similarity (DCM-US). DCM-UP constructs dynamic user profiles based on engagement with content, while DCM-US quantifies user similarity through collaborative filtering, enabling the system to predict user-to-user behavior and personalize recommendations. This innovative system, DCM-UP, utilizes matrix-based representations of users and items, dynamically updates profiles, and adapts to changing preferences over time, thus providing a more accurate reflection of user interests. Additionally, DCM-US facilitates the identification of user similarities by analyzing user-item generalizations. Moreover, the effectiveness of the proposed techniques was evaluated on a real-world dataset obtained from JAWWY, the Saudi Telecom Company. The study’s results clearly demonstrated that the DCM approach significantly outperformed existing state-of-the-art methods across various performance metrics, including precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy. This highlights the superiority of the DCM technique in capturing and predicting long-term user behavior for more accurate and personalized recommendations.

Enhancing soil fertility through Biochar using slaughter-house waste as a feedstock

Advantages evaluation of integrating administrative and functional zones based on Island political location potential theory: A case study of the Zhoushan Archipelago New Area in China

Administrative division adjustment is a new reform method and policy tool designed to align with local economic foundations and revitalize the development potential of administrative districts. However, it lacks systematic and quantifiable theories and methods. In response, we propose the Political Location Potential (PLP) model based on production functions, which is specifically applicable to islands. Using the Zhoushan Archipelago New Area as a case study, we analyze the efficiency and mechanisms behind the establishment of China’s first archipelago new area. The PLP model consists of two key components: horizontal production resource allocation capability and vertical administrative management authority. The PLP of Zhoushan City has increased from 0.007 in 2008 to 0.066 in 2022, with a relative potential energy of 2.853, 3.717 and 1.449 during the critical stages of 2010–2014, 2008–2013 and 2013–2018, respectively. Competitive comparative advantage and land-island connectivity capability have significant direct and indirect effects on the PLP of the island, but the impact effect shows a lag effect, with a lag period of 3–5 years. The theory and model of the PLP offer strong explanatory power for the effects of integrating administrative and functional zones, providing a fresh analytical perspective for local administrative division planning.

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on clinical parameters in atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia

Psychometric validation of the Malay CMNI-30: A study among male healthcare professionals in Malaysia

Masculinity norms significantly influence men’s health behaviors and outcomes, yet existing instruments to measure these norms often lack cultural adaptability. This study addresses this gap by validating the Malay version of the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI-30) to assess masculinity norms among Malay men. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 male healthcare professionals in Malaysia. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) revealed that the final model, consisting of 26 items across multiple factors, demonstrated strong fit indices (χ²/df =  1.72, CFI =  0.931, TLI =  0.911, RMSEA =  0.042, SRMR =  0.052). However, certain factors, such as ‘self-reliance’ (Raykov’s rho =  0.270) and ‘violence’ (Raykov’s rho =  0.431), exhibited lower reliability, reflecting cultural nuances in their interpretation. The study concludes that the Malay CMNI-30 is a valid and culturally relevant tool for assessing masculinity norms in this context. Practical applications include using this tool to identify gender-related barriers to health-seeking behaviors and inform gender-sensitive public health interventions. Future research should validate this instrument across diverse populations to enhance its generalizability and utility.

Multiview stereo reconstruction of UAV remote sensing images based on adaptive propagation with multiregional refinement

Active surveillance for Theileria orientalis and the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in three Missouri beef herds

Theileria orientalis is a protozoan hemoparasite of cattle vectored by the rapidly emerging invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis). Theileria-associated bovine anemia (TABA) is easily mistaken for bovine anaplasmosis, which can lead to delayed diagnosis in areas where bovine anaplasmosis is endemic and TABA is newly emerging. Our objective was to surveil for infestation of cattle by H. longicornis and infection with T. orientalis on three Missouri cow-calf operations in counties where H. longicornis is known to be established. A total of 147 apparently healthy adult cows from 3 herds were inspected for ticks. Whole blood was collected for T. orientalis and Anaplasma marginale quantitative PCR and was also used for immediate preparation of blood smears and measurement of packed cell volumes. A total of 527 ticks were collected from the cows and taxonomically identified to the species level. Eighteen H. longicornis, including 9 adult females and 9 nymphs, were collected from 16 cows (Farm A, 2 cows; Farm B, 4 cows; Farm C, 10 cows). Intraerythrocytic T. orientalis organisms were presumptively identified on blood smears from 10 cows. Quantitative PCR screening of blood samples with primers designed to amplify all T. orientalis genotypes detected 11 positive samples (Farm A, 7 cows; Farm B, 3 cows; Farm C, 1 cow). Positive samples were re-tested with probes specific for the Ikeda, Chitose, and Buffeli genotypes, which detected the Chitose genotype in 10 samples and the Ikeda genotype in 1 sample. Detection of T. orientalis with concurrent infestation of cows by H. longicornis within these 3 herds, along with collection of H. longicornis from vegetation on the premises, supports local tick-borne transmission of this emerging pathogen.

Association of the digital clock drawing test with amyloid and tau PET biomarkers in low age risk adults

Correction: A novel SfaNI-like restriction-modification system in Caldicellulosiruptor extents the genetic engineering toolbox for this genus

Impacts of land use and water level fluctuation on soil aggregates and nitrogen and carbon in newly formed reservoir buffer strips

Analyzing anomalous events in passageways with high-frequency ship signals

Passageways are critical gateways in maritime trade, providing efficient routes for global commerce. This means that disruptions such as natural disasters or human error at these crucial points can significantly impact numerous economies across various facets of trade. Thus, real-time monitoring of such events and their impact on different vessel types is crucial for developing timely mitigation strategies, policies, and penalties. This paper proposes a novel framework for analyzing anomalous events in passageways using Automated Information System (AIS). This framework enables monitoring of affected vessels and quantifies the impact in terms of the number of vessels, dwell and idle times, and the emergence of new routes. To demonstrate its potential, we applied the proposed framework to the Suez Canal blockage in March 2021. Results revealed distinct phases during the event, with each phase impacting average dwell times. Additionally, the analysis identified the emergence of passageway event-driven routes utilized by vessels to bypass the blockage. These findings highlight the ability of the proposed framework to capture previously obscured information compared to existing indicators and port analysis methods. To further demonstrate its generalizability, the methodology was also applied to two other passageways: the Bosporus Strait, following the policy implemented in February 2022 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following the disruption caused by the Houthi attacks beginning in the last quarter of 2023.

Feasibility of de-escalating axillary surgery in patients with clinical N2–3, pathological N0 breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Economic freedom index effects on inbound tourism in European countries: A spatial analysis

Despite the significance of economic freedom in tourism dynamics, especially from a spatial standpoint, its nuanced influence remains unexplored mainly in current research. To fill this gap, our study introduces a novel spatial panel data analysis to investigate how various components of the economic freedom index affect tourist arrivals in 41 European countries from 2005 to 2018. By employing this innovative approach, we uncover the complex interdependencies between economic freedom and tourism and highlight the significance of regional economic characteristics on the tourism sector’s health. Our findings reveal that a one percent increase in GDP per capita of neighboring nations corresponds to a 0.4 percent increase in tourist arrivals to the home country. In comparison, a similar rise in neighboring countries’ prices leads to a 0.4 percent decrease in inbound tourists. Most economic freedom variables, including the Business Freedom Index, Investment Freedom Index, Labor Freedom Index, Trade Freedom Index, and Government Integrity Index, demonstrate statistically significant positive effects. However, a one percent increase in the Monetary Freedom Index of neighboring countries results in a 0.747 percent reduction in homebound tourists. Notably, enhancements in the country’s and neighboring countries’ Investment Freedom Index and Government Integrity Index contribute to increased arrivals. This research contributes to the broader understanding of economic policies’ impact on tourism, offering valuable insights for policymakers aiming to leverage economic freedom for tourism development. The application of a spatial panel data approach marks a significant methodological advancement in tourism studies, opening new avenues for analyzing economic influences on tourism at a regional level.

Research on 3D LiDAR outdoor SLAM algorithm based on LiDAR/IMU tight coupling

Associations between objective and self-perceived physical activity and participation in everyday activities in mild stroke survivors

Background and purpose Stroke survivors present limited levels of physical activity (PA) and participation in everyday activities although the specific interaction between PA and participation in these individuals is still uncertain. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between PA and participation in everyday activities among Spanish mild stroke survivors. Methods A total of 130 mild stroke survivors (61.3 ± 12.4 years, 35% female) with preserved walking ability and without cognitive and communication impairments participated in this cross-sectional study involving several rehabilitation centres from Spain. Self-reported levels of PA were reported by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form (IPAQ-SF). Objective PA measures were monitored with the wristband Fitbit Inspire 2, recording the average steps/day and kilocalories/day. Participation and activity satisfaction levels were measured with the Satisfaction with Daily Occupations-Occupational Balance (SDO-OB) and participation retention through Activity Card Sort (ACS). Results ACS total score showed a weak correlation with self-reported PA (rho = 0.324) and moderate correlations with kilocalories/day and average steps/day (rho ≥ 0.581), while stronger correlations were found for the ACS subdomain of instrumental activities (rho ≥ 0.640) compared to the subdomains of leisure activities and social participation (rho ≤ 0.454). SDO-OB participation showed moderate correlations with kilocalories/day, and average steps/day (rho ≥ 0.647), and a weak correlation with self-reported PA (rho = 0.303). Weaker correlations were found for SDO-OB satisfaction with objective PA measures (rho = 0.407) and self-reported PA (rho = 0.254). Relationships between variables were explored by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients. Discussion and conclusions The objective and self-reported measures of PA in mild stroke survivors have a bilateral relationship with their current participation levels and the retained instrumental activities of daily living. However, the weaker correlations with leisure and social participation may suggest that promoting PA alone without integrating it into daily activities relevant to the stroke survivor may be insufficient to achieve comprehensive goals during rehabilitation programs.

Exploring the beneficial effect of gut microbiota metabolites on diabetic nephropathy via network pharmacology study

A lightweight trichosanthes kirilowii maxim detection algorithm in complex mountain environments based on improved YOLOv7-tiny

Detecting Trichosanthes Kirilowii Maxim (Cucurbitaceae) in complex mountain environments is critical for developing automated harvesting systems. However, the environmental characteristics of brightness variation, inter-plant occlusion, and motion-induced blurring during harvesting operations, detection algorithms face excessive parameters and high computational intensity. Accordingly, this study proposes a lightweight T.Kirilowii detection algorithm for complex mountainous environments based on YOLOv7-tiny, named KPD-YOLOv7-GD. Firstly, improve the multi-scale feature layer and reduce the complexity of the model. Secondly, a lightweight convolutional module is introduced to replace the standard convolutions in the Efficient Long-range Aggregation Network (ELAN-A) module, and the channel pruning techniques are applied to further decrease the model’s complexity. Finally, the experiment significantly enhanced the efficiency of feature extraction and the detection accuracy of the model algorithm through the integration of the Dynamic Head (DyHead) module, the Content-Aware Re-Assembly of Features (CARAFE) module, and the incorporation of knowledge distillation techniques. The experimental results showed that the mean average precision of the improved network KPD-YOLOv7-GD reached 93.2%. Benchmarked against mainstream single-stage algorithms (YOLOv3-tiny, YOLOv5s, YOLOv6s, YOLOv7-tiny, and YOLOv8), KPD-YOLOv7-GD demonstrated mean average precision improvements of 4.8%, 0.6%, 3.0%, 0.6%, and 0.2% with corresponding model compression rates of 81.6%, 68.8%, 88.9%, 63.4%, and 27.4%, respectively. Compared with similar studies, KPD-YOLOv7-GD exhibits lower complexity and higher recognition speed accuracy, making it more suitable for resource-constrained T.kirilowii harvesting robots.

Improving the punching capacity of footings using geocell, geogrid and granular soil replacement

Abstract Punching failure in footings occurs in thin pads that is subjected to heavy concentrated loads, such as concrete pads below racks’ supports in heavy storage facilities. Since the punching capacity depends on the stress distribution beneath the footing, it could be enhanced by improving the soil stiffness beneath the footing. This research examines the effects of geocell layers, geogrid layers, and base soil stiffness on the punching capacity of isolated footings. Seven identical footings were subjected to experimental testing until failure, with continuous monitoring of load, settlement, strain in rebars, and contact pressure. The control footing was rested on pure sand; two footings were rested on one and two geogrid layers, two footings were rested on one and two geocell layers and the last two footings were rested on pure crouched stone and mixture of sand and crushed stone. The results indicated that all footings exhibited pure punching failure. In addition, enhancing the base granular soil stiffness through geocell confinement, geogrid reinforcement, or replacement with stiffer soil concentrated contact stress under the load, thereby increasing punching capacity, reducing settlement and increasing the subgrade reaction at the center while decreasing it at the mid-edge and corners. The efficiency of geocell and geogrid layers depends on their proximity to the footing; the closest geocell layer was most efficient, while the closest geogrid layer was least efficient. Implementing geocell layers, geogrid layers, and soil replacement improved punching capacity by 20%, 11%, and 17%; subgrade reaction values at the center by 90%, 65%, and 200%; and reduced settlement at the center by 70%, 75%, and 45%, respectively.