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Evidence for excitonic condensation and superfluidity in black phosphorus
Impact of climate on water status, growth, yield, and phenology of coffee (Coffea arabica) plants in the central region of the state of Veracruz, Mexico
Coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the most widely traded and most consumed agro-products worldwide. Its production is concentrated in tropical regions, and its consumption, in northern countries. Climate variability influences coffee yield and quality, and the distribution of wet and dry periods is closely related to its phenological phases. Recently, the vulnerability of coffee producing regions to changes in climate patterns has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of climatic variables on the water status, vegetative growth, yield, and phenology of coffee plants. The research was carried out in a coffee agroecosystem (Garnica variety) located in the central region of the state of Veracruz, Mexico (19.51998∘ N and 96.94339∘ W; 1320 masl). For three years, the phenology of coffee plants was monitored; plant growth (height, number of leaves) and cherry yield were measured each month during three productive periods. Microclimatic variables (temperature, precipitation, relative air humidity, solar radiation, and wind direction) and water-balance variables (infiltration, rainfall interception, transpiration, soil water storage, crop evapotranspiration [ETo], and reference evapotranspiration [ETc]) were also monitored. The water status of the plants was evaluated based on their water demand, determined as the ETc/ETo ratio. The relationship of microclimatic variables with water status, plant growth, and plant yield was measured by performing correlation statistical tests (Pearson; α=0.05), principal component analyses (PCA), and simple and multiple linear regressions. The results show that the highest water consumption occurred during the flowering (ETc/ETo=1.12), and grain ripening (ETc/ETo=1.15) phenological phases, while the lowest value (ETc/ETo=0.62), indicative of water deficit, was observed at harvest for the period 2018–2019. Precipitation (P) and rainfall infiltration (I) are the variables with the greatest influence on vegetative growth (r2>0.70). A relationship was observed between yield and water and microclimatic variables. However, simple and multiple linear regressions, including PCA, explain less than 45% (p < 0.05) of the variability of yield data. This variability is mainly described by water conditions related to soil water storage (S) and thermal conditions, particularly the minimum temperature (Tmin). Our findings suggest that the water demand of coffee plants changes significantly with the phenological phases of the crop; therefore, changes in the cyclical patterns of climate variation could cause a water deficit in coffee plants, limiting their development, yield, and quality.
Parameters determination methods and project validation of hardening soil model with small strain stiffness based on finite element method
Unlocking the phase evolution of the hidden non-polar to ferroelectric transition in HfO2-based bulk crystals
Factors predicting parenting stress in the autism spectrum disorder context: A network analysis approach
Elevated levels of parenting stress have been reported in parents raising an Autistic child. Previous studies have identified a multitude of predictors of parenting stress, including both child-related and parent-related factors, though findings across studies are not always in agreement. In the present study we investigate the determinants of parenting stress using a Network Analysis approach, which is then used to inform a subsequent structural equation model. New Zealand parents (n = 490) of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provided data on their Autistic child (e.g., ASD core symptoms, problem behaviours) and themselves (i.e., parenting stress). The analysis revealed that both child and parent demographic factors were poor predictors of parenting stress, while the child’s current language and communication ability were correlated with diagnostic age and parenting stress. An earlier diagnostic age, in turn, suggested better behavioural and emotional outcomes for children. Overall, the Network Analysis showed itself to be an informative approach to understanding parenting stress in the ASD context. Findings further advocate for the implementation of ASD-related and language-related interventions as early as possible, and that language delays during early infancy justify prompt clinical assessment.
Early warning signs for tipping points in systems with non-Gaussian $$\alpha$$-stable noise
Abstract Forecasting rapid, non-linear change or so-called tipping points is a major concern in ecology and environmental science. Statistical early warning signs, based on the theory of stochastic dynamical systems, are now regularly applied to observational data streams. However, the reliability of these early warning signs relies on a number of key mathematical assumptions, most notably the presence of Gaussian noise, while many ecological systems exhibit non-Gaussianity. We here show that for systems driven by non-Gaussian, $$\alpha$$ -stable noise, the classical early warning signs of rising variance and autocorrelation are not supported by mathematical theory, and their use poses the danger of spurious, false-positive results. To address this, we provide a generalized approach by introducing the scaling factor $$\gamma _X$$ as an alternative early warning sign. We show that in the case of the linear Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, there exists a direct inverse relationship between $$\gamma _{X}$$ and the bifurcation parameter, telling us that $$\gamma _{X}$$ will increase as we approach the bifurcation. Our numerical simulations confirm theoretical results and show that our findings generalize well to non-linear, non-equilibrium systems often employed in ecological systems. We thus provide a generalized, robust, and broadly applicable statistical early warning sign for systems driven by Gaussian and non-Gaussian $$\alpha$$ -stable noise.
Fe(OTf)3 or Photosensitizer-free blue light activated diazo-thioglycoside donors for Iterative and stereoselective glycosylations
Effects of tape and Kinesiotape on ankle range of motion, Single Leg Drop Jump and balance after running-induced fatigue: a cross-over clinical trial
The prevention and management of injuries in runners is a key area of research in sports medicine. Fatigue during running can lead to biomechanical imbalances and inhibition of stabilizing muscles, increasing the risk of injury. With the ankle being the most commonly injured joint in runners, rigid tape (RT) and Kinesiotape (KT) have been proposed as effective methods to improve joint stability and reduce injury risk. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of a KT and RT and no tape (control group) on lower limb balance, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, and electromyographic (EMG) activation of the pronator and supinator muscles of the ankle during a Single Leg Drop Jump (SLDJ) following a treadmill fatigue protocol. From March 1st until April 10th, 2024, a cross-over clinical trial with three conditions: control group, with a RT, and with KT was conducted with n = 22 well-trained runners aged 29.29 ± 10.98 years. Lower limb stability, ankle dorsiflexion mobility, SLDJ parameters, and electromyographic activation of the ankle muscles (tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), peroneus longus (PL), and medial gastrocnemius (MG)) during a SLDJ were analyzed Pre and Post fatigue protocol, involving a 30-minute run at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed on a treadmill. Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. The RT bandage decreased ankle dorsiflexion ROM compared to both KT bandage and a control group during pre fatigue treadmill protocol measurements in the lunge and Y Balance Tests (specifically in the anterior direction). Group-by-time interaction showed significant differences for the lunge test (p = 0.045), SLDJ height (p = 0.014), flight time (p = 0.019) and ground contact time (p = 0.035). With the RT condition, the runners exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control group during initial landing (p = 0.028), with a lesser decay in activation during take-off (p = 0.016). The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ (p = 0.046). Concerning flight and contact time during the SLDJ, both KT and RT proved beneficial in mitigating fatigue symptoms before and after the treadmill protocol. Regarding the RT bandage’s specific effects on muscle activation, our findings indicate that the RT group exhibited higher peak activation of the EDL muscle compared to the KT and control groups during initial landing, with a lesser decay in activation during take-off. The KT showed a significant increase in the activation of the PL muscle during the first contact phase of the SLDJ. To conclude, our study highlights the potential benefits of both KT and RT in reducing fatigue symptoms during SLDJ. The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000099527) on February 2nd, 2024 (https://anzctr.org.au/).
LncRNA NEAT1 sponges miR-214-3p to promote osteoblast differentiation through regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in aortic valve calcification
Age-related divergence of circulating immune responses in patients with solid tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Abstract Most new cancer diagnoses occur in patients over the age of 65. The composition and function of the immune system changes with age, but how the aged immune system affects responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cancer therapies remains incompletely understood. Here, using multiplex cytokine assay and high-parameter mass cytometry, we analyze prospectively collected blood samples from 104 cancer patients receiving ICIs. We find aged patients ( ≥ 65-years-old; n = 54) derive similar clinical outcomes as younger patients (n = 50). However, aged, compared to young, patients have divergent immune phenotypes at baseline that persist during ICI therapy, including diminished cytokine responses, reduced pools of naïve T cells with increased relative expression of immune checkpoint molecules, and more robust effector T cell expansion in responders compared to non-responders. Our study provides insights into age-stratified mechanisms of ICI effects while also implying the utility of age-tailored immunotherapeutic approaches.
Fetal macrosomia and its associated factors among pregnant women delivered at national referral hospital in Uganda, a case-control study
Background The delivery of macrosomic newborns (newborns>4000gm) is increasing steadily worldwide and yet it is associated with many complications. The risk factors for fetal macrosomia include weight at first antenatal visit, previous delivery of a large newborn, newly diagnosed diabetes in pregnancy, increasing number of deliveries, a male fetus, and many others. There is paucity of data on fetal macrosomia in Uganda and the objective of this study therefore was to determine the risk factors for fetal macrosomia among women who delivered at a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.. Methods An unmatched case-control study was conducted among 177 cases and 354 controls at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires for three months from 8 th February 2021–25 th May 2021. Comparison between the cases and the controls was done using the student t-test for normally distributed continuous data. The Mann Whitney U Test (Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test) was used to compare data that was not normally distributed. Binary logistic regression was used in bivariate and multivariate analysis for factors associated with fetal macrosomia using STATA version 16.0. Results A total of 531 participants were recruited into the study in a ratio of one case to two controls. The mean age for cases was 28.5 ± 5.9 years and 25.9 ± 5.4 years for controls while the mean weight was 78.4 ± 12.4Kgs for cases and 68.2 ± 11.7 Kg for controls. Risk factors for fetal macrosomia included maternal age ≥40 years (aOR = 7.4, [95%CI 1.37–39.44], p value = 0.020), maternal weight ≥80 kg (aOR = 4.0, [95%CI 2.15–7.40], p value <0.001), maternal height ≥160 cm (aOR = 1.6, [95%CI 1.02–2.51], p value = 0.040), being married (aOR = 2.55, [95%CI 1.08–6.06], P value = 0.038), gestation age ≥40 weeks (aOR = 1.8,[95%CI 1.16–2.82], p value = 0.009), previous macrosomia (aOR = 2.2, [95%CI 1.26–3.81], p value = 0.006) and male babies (aOR = 1.78, [95%CI 1.14–2.77], p value = 0.011). Conclusions The main risk factors for fetal macrosomia were higher maternal weight and height, advanced age as well as post-datism, previous delivery of a large newborn, male fetus and being in a marital relationship. A well-designed protocol to identify women with risk factors for fetal macrosomia may help to provided targeted interventions in this group.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by Talaromyces funiculosus for therapeutic applications and safety evaluation
Abstract The study investigated the capacity of the endophytic fungus Talaromyces funiculosus to biosynthesize extracellular AgNPs and assess their safety. The fungus was identified through morphological and phylogenetic analyses. The biosynthesized AgNPs were spherical crystalline, stable (6 months), and mono-dispersed (PDI: 0.007), exhibiting SPR at 422.5 nm, average diameter of 34.32 nm, and Zeta potential of -18.41 mV. The optimal biosynthesis conditions are 1 mM AgNO3, 5 g biomass, pH 5.5, and a reaction temperature of 60 °C. Escherichia coli (bacterial strains) and Candida tropicalis (yeast strains) exhibited the highest susceptibility with inhibition zones of 26.3 mm and 22.3 mm, respectively, at 50 µg/mL of AgNPs, and MICs of 3.7 µg/mL and 6.3 µg/mL, respectively. AgNPs exhibited cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 48.11 ppm for HEK-293 and 35.88 ppm for Hep-G2 cells, showing selective toxicity toward cancer cells. They demonstrated antioxidant activity by increasing GSH (10.29 to 14.76 mmol/g) and reducing MDA (40.57 to 26.28 nmol/ml) at 48.11 ppm. AgNPs also enhanced IL-10 production (96.47 to 177.0 pg/mL) and reduced TNF-α levels (55.77 to 41.06 pg/mL), indicating their anti-inflammatory properties. These results support the safe use of low-dose AgNPs, however, further studies are needed to evaluate AgNPs for clinical uses.
The proprioceptive puzzle: An observational study investigating the effects of cervical proprioceptive errors on quantitative sensory testing and body awareness in young individuals
Objective The present study investigates the effects of cervical proprioceptive errors (CPE) on body awareness and quantitative sensory testing (QST), including the pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation in young individuals. Materials and methods Included in this prospective cross-sectional study were 78 participants who were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of CPE. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the clinical trial number [NCT06559397]. Cervical proprioception was measured using the “head position error test”, body awareness was assessed using the “Body Awareness Questionnaire”, QST was assessed using a mechanical pressure algometer, and conditioned pain modulation was evaluated using cold stimulus. Results The study revealed a significant reduction in body awareness among those with CPE (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of QST, including the pressure pain threshold, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation (p > 0.05). Conclusions CPE can have a significant impact on body awareness, leading to a decrease in the ability to perceive one’s own body. While the present study offers no significant findings related to QST, it provides new insights into the relationship between proprioception, body awareness, and pain processing mechanisms. Clinically, the results suggest the importance of integrating interventions aimed at enhancing body awareness into the treatment protocols of patients with CPE.
New imaging tools reveal live cellular collagen secretion, fibril dynamics and network organisation
Abstract Although light microscopy has been used to examine the early trafficking of collagen within the cell, much of our understanding of the detailed organisation of cell deposited collagen is from static electron microscopy studies. To understand the dynamics of live cell collagen deposition and fibril organisation, we generated a bright photostable mNGCol1α2 fusion protein and employed a range of microscopy techniques to follow its intracellular transport and elucidate extracellular fibril formation. Our findings reveal the dynamics of fibril growth and the dynamic nature of collagen network interactions at the cellular level. Notably we observed molecular events that build network organisation, including fibril bundling, bifurcation, directionality along existing fibrils, and looping/intertwining behaviours. Strikingly, mNGCol1α2 fluorescence intensity maxima can mark a fibril before another growing collagen fibril intersects at this location. Real-time, high-resolution imaging of collagen has enabled fibrillogenesis and organisational dynamics to be visualised together in an actively secreting cellular system. We also show that the N-terminal protease site is not an absolute requirement for collagen fibril incorporation. This approach paves the way for assessing the dynamic organisation and assembly of collagen into the extracellular matrix in skin models and other tissues during health, ageing and disease.
Estimating oxygen uptake in simulated team sports using machine learning models and wearable sensor data: A pilot study
Accurate assessment of training status in team sports is crucial for optimising performance and reducing injury risk. This pilot study investigates the feasibility of using machine learning (ML) models to estimate oxygen uptake (VO2) with wearable sensors during team sports activities. Six healthy male team sports athletes participated in the study. Data were collected using inertial measurement units (IMU), heart rate monitors, and breathing rate sensors during incremental fitness tests. The performance of different ML models, including multiple linear regression (MLR), XGBoost, and deep learning models (LSTM, CNN, MLP), was compared using raw and engineered features from IMU data. Results indicate that while LSTM models with raw IMU data provided the most accurate predictions (RMSE: 4.976, MAE: 3.698 mL⋅kg−1⋅min−1), MLR models remained competitive, especially with engineered features. Multi-sensor configurations, particularly those including sensors on the torso and limbs, enhanced prediction accuracy. The findings demonstrate the potential of ML models to monitor VO2 noninvasively in real-time, offering valuable insights into the internal physiological demand during team sports activities.
Highly efficient adsorption of direct Scarlet dye using guanidinium-based covalent organic polymer
Effects of step width and gait speed on the variability of mediolateral control in the head and trunk during gait
Step width is a parameter that determines the size of the base of support (BOS) during gait. Further, it is related to the control of center of mass (COM) and trunk movements and gait speed. The current study aimed to validate the effect of conditioning using combined step width (narrow and wide) and gait speed (normal [4.5 km/h] and slow [2.2 km/h]) on the segmental control of the head, thorax, and pelvis with respect to the BOS. The behavior of the head, thorax, and pelvis of 17 healthy adult participants were measured during treadmill walking using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. If the step width was narrow, the whole body segment with a high contribution to COM under narrow BOS conditions was more likely to have a high variability. However, the mediolateral direction behavior was small. On the contrary, if the step width was wide, the whole body segment with a high contribution to COM under wide BOS conditions was more likely to have a low variability. Nevertheless, the mediolateral direction behavior was large. Regarding the intersegmental association, particularly if the step width was narrow and the gait speed was normal, the head showed highly controlled movements with minimal displacement and increased fine-tuning. The thorax displayed significant importance in maintaining trunk stability, operating within a larger range of mediolateral displacement compared to the head and pelvis, under three conditions, except if the step width was narrow and the gait speed was normal. The study underscores the significant impact of both step width and gait speed on the control and stability of high-mass body segments during gait. It suggests that narrow step widths necessitate advanced control strategies, while wide step widths promote simpler, compensatory mechanisms, especially relevant in clinical contexts.
A novel decoupled model for water and heat coupling in frozen soil and numerical analysis
Acceptability of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) for HIV prevention among vulnerable populations in India: Findings from a qualitative study
With newer advances in HIV biomedical research, the prevention toolbox is expanding with potential inclusion of long-acting anti-retrovirals, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), and vaccines. While a multitude of prevention options provide diverse choice sets, they may potentially introduce conundrums and trade-offs which influence end-user decisions on acceptability. Thus, to maximize the unique value and uptake of new products, it is critical to understand contextual drivers of choice and relative product positioning. With HIV bNAbs in the pipeline, a qualitative study was conducted to understand end-users’ acceptability. 36 focus-group discussions (n=242) and 57 in-depth interviews were conducted in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, with female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID) and transgender women (TGW) and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). In addition, 15 simulated behavioral experiments (n=94) were conducted to delve deeper into factors influencing decision-making and potential avenues for intention-action gaps to understand preference construction and reversal pathways. Efficacy, frequency of administration and side-effects were the most important attributes driving acceptability. At least 70% to 90% efficacy was preferred. Arm was the most preferred site of administration (familiarity, maximum privacy), whereas buttocks were preferred by some (better pain tolerance, unhampered mobility). One injection every 3–6 months from community-based facilities was most preferred. Most did not favor self-administration (lack of self-efficacy, adverse events) and voiced confidence in community-friendly professionals. Concerns were raised about potential major side-effects such as interactions with co-morbidities, fertility, pregnancy, gender-affirmation therapy, physical appearance. When end-users were presented with hypothetical product profiles, all preferred the non-antiretroviral (non-ARV) based option which had arm as site of injection and administered every three months by healthcare workers. The preference construction journey revealed positive emotions and rational considerations which favoured bNAbs use but they were contrasted with negative emotions and rationale which hindered acceptability, and the users were faced with multiple conundrums. Some of these conundrums gave rise to potential scenarios of preference reversal.