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Critical mobility in policy making for epidemic containment

Deterministic and stochastic effects drive the gut microbial diversity in cucurbit-feeding fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Insect diversity is closely linked to the evolution of phytophagy, with most phytophagous insects showing a strong degree of specialisation for specific host plants. Recent studies suggest that the insect gut microbiome might be crucial in facilitating the dietary (host plant) range. This requires the formation of stable insect-microbiome associations, but it remains largely unclear which processes govern the assembly of insect microbiomes. In this study, we investigated the role of deterministic and stochastic processes in shaping the assembly of the larval microbiome of three tephritid fruit fly species (Dacus bivittatus, D. ciliatus, Zeugodacus cucurbitae). We found that deterministic and stochastic processes play a considerable role in shaping the larval gut microbiome. We also identified 65 microbial ASVs (Amplicon sequence variants) that were associated with these flies, most belonging to the families Enterobacterales, Sphingobacterales, Pseudomonadales and Betaproteobacterales, and speculate about their relationship with cucurbit specialisation. Our data suggest that the larval gut microbiome assembly fits the “microbiome on a leash” model.

Predicting and synthesizing terahertz spoof surface plasmon polariton devices with a convolutional neural network model

Long-term wage inequality in imperial China: From 202 BCE to 1912 CE

This paper attempts to describe and explain the long-term evolution of wage inequality in imperial China, covering over two millennia from the Han dynasty to the Qing dynasty (202 BCE-1912 CE). Based on historical government records of official salaries, commodity prices, and agricultural productivity, we convert various forms of salaries to equivalent rice volumes and comparable salary benchmarks. Wage inequality is measured by salary ratios and (partial) Gini coefficients between official and peasant classes as well as within the official class. The inter-class wage inequality features an “inverted U-u” pattern—first rose before the Tang dynasty and then declined afterwards (the “inverted U” trends) with “inverted u” dynastic cycles. The intra-class wage inequality has a secular decline trend. We propose a unified framework incorporating technological, institutional, political, and social (TIPS) mechanisms to explain both long-term and short-term patterns. It is concluded that the technological mechanism dominated the rise of wage inequality, while the political mechanism (emperor-bureaucracy power tensions) drove the decline.

Intratympanic administration of dexamethasone attenuates radiation induced damage to middle ear mucosa

Time efficiency as a mediator between institutional support and higher education student engagement during e-learning

This study examined the relationship between institutional support and student engagement in e-learning, with time efficiency as a potential mediator among Saudi university students. This study employed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research design. A sample of 752 Saudi university students from different provinces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completed an online questionnaire. The results of the measurement model showed good reliability and validity for all constructs. The results of the structural model and hypothesis testing showed that this study partially supported the hypotheses. Notably, there was a significant positive relationship between student support during e-learning and student engagement. In addition, student support was found to be a predictor of student’s time efficiency (short-term planning, long-term planning, time attitude). Furthermore, the results revealed that long-term planning and time attitude, both components of time efficiency, act as mediators between support provided to students by a higher education (HE) institution during e-learning and their level of engagement. The findings shed light on the underlying mechanisms that explain students’ e-learning engagement.

Research on restraint strategies for rearward-reclined occupants in a frontal rigid barrier crash

Validation of the somatic symptom disorder—B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) in Bangladesh

Background The absence of a reliable and valid Bangla instrument for measuring somatic symptom disorder hinders research and clinical activities in Bangladesh. The present study aimed at translating and validating the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B criteria (SSD-12). Method A cross-sectional design was used with purposively selected clinical (n = 100) and non-clinical (n = 100) samples. The clinical sample was collected from psychiatric departments at three hospitals, while the non-clinical sample was drawn from the local community. Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted on the SSD-12, along with reliability and validity assessments. Results Results indicated satisfactory internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .94, split-half r = .93); criterion-related validity (r = .86, with Morey’s Somatic Complaints Scale); and construct validity (r = .64 with anxiety subscale and r = .57 with depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) of the translated scale. In contrast to the three-factor structure of the original SSD-12, the Bangla version indicated a single-factor structure (accounting for 61.29% of the total variance). This scale also demonstrates its ability to distinguish between clinical and non-clinical participants (t198 = 16.74, p < .01). Conclusion The Bangla translated SSD-12 has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, indicating its suitability for use in Bangladesh. This tool is expected to aid mental health practitioners in their clinical work by providing them with a quick assessment of their patients having somatic complaints.

Impact of psychostimulants on microbiota and short-chain fatty acids alterations in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Unraveling the transcriptomic effects of leucine supplementation on muscle growth and performance in basketball athletes

Leucine has gained recognition as an athletic dietary supplement in recent years due to its various benefits; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 20 basketball players were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Baseline exercise performance—assessed through a 282-foot sprint, free throws, three-point field goals, and self-rated practice assessments—was measured prior to leucine supplementation. Participants were then given a functional drink containing either leucine (50 mg/kg body weight) or a placebo for 28 days. After supplementation, the same exercise performance metrics were reassessed. Following leucine supplementation, biceps brachii muscle tissue from both groups was collected for transcriptome sequencing and qPCR verification. Our results suggested that leucine supplementation significantly improved 282-foot sprint performance, reducing times from 17.4 ± 0.9 to 16.2 ± 0.9 seconds in the leucine group, compared to minimal changes in the control group (from 17.3 ± 0.9 to 17.1 ± 0.8 seconds; P = 0.034). For other exercise performance metrics, no significant differences were observed (P > 0.05); however, trends toward improvement were noted. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3,658 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. These DEGs were enriched in pathways related to immune response (P < 0.0001), positive regulation of cytokine production (P < 0.0001), and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (P < 0.0001), among others. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified a module (turquoise) strongly associated with muscle growth, with DEGs in this module enriched in cytoskeletal pathways in muscle cells. Gene expression changes (α-tubulin, β-tubulin, CK18, CK8, vimentin, cofilin, gelsolin, profilin, MAP1, MAP2, MAP4, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin) were verified by qPCR. In summary, leucine supplementation improved exercise performance, particularly by significantly reducing sprint times and showing trends of improvement in other performance metrics, including three-point field goals, free throws, and self-rated well-being. Identified DEGs enriched in pathways related to immune response, cytokine production, and cell adhesion. WGCNA highlighted a key module associated with muscle growth, enriched in cytoskeletal pathways. qPCR validation confirmed the upregulation of cytoskeleton-related genes, supporting the transcriptomic findings. These results suggest that leucine enhances muscle adaptation by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, providing molecular insights into its role in improving athletic performance.

In vivo and in silico study of europinidin against streptozotocin-isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage via alteration of hs-CRP/CPK-MB/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathways

Multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of the effect of prolonged noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation on posture or gait in vestibulopathy

Objective This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial aimed to evaluate whether prolonged noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation improves body balance in patients with vestibulopathy. Materials and methods This trial was registered in the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center Clinical Trials Information registry (jRCT1080224083). Subjects were 20- to 85-year-old patients who had been unsteady for more than one year and whose symptoms had persisted despite more than six months of rehabilitation. Enrolled subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups; one group received the optimal intensity of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation first and then the placebo 14 days later, the other was evaluated in the reverse order. The primary outcome was the difference of the mean percent change from the baseline in the velocity of center of pressure during 3 h of stimulation between the noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation and placebo periods. This was analyzed with the mixed effects model. Results Forty-two subjects were enrolled. The mean percent change in the velocity during stimulation for 3 h was -9.3% (SD 19.9%) for noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation and -12.6% (SD 15.0%) for placebo. No significant effects of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation over placebo were found for velocity in the least-squares means of the difference [3.1% (95% CI -0.2 to 6.4, p = 0.066)]. Conclusion Prolonged noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation did not significantly improve body balance in patients with poorly-compensated vestibulopathy.

A study on the overall variance and void architecture on MEX-PLA tensile properties through printing parameter optimisation

Abstract This study investigates the influence of printing parameters on the tensile properties and void architecture of poly(lactic) acid (PLA) parts fabricated using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique. Two Taguchi optimisation methods were employed to identify the optimal parameter combinations for maximising tensile performance. The results revealed a positive correlation between tensile performance and nozzle diameter (ND). Notably, the analysis of the coefficient of variance (COV) studies revealed that both tensile strength and modulus exhibited minimal variation within a tight range of 5.5%, suggesting a high degree of process consistency in achieving desired mechanical properties regardless of the chosen parameters within the investigated range. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis was used to quantify void characteristics within the as-printed samples. Micro-CT analysis confirmed the influence of ND and layer thickness (LT) on void architecture. By establishing structure–property relationships, the study revealed that larger NDs paired with finer LTs yielded superior tensile properties due to reduced void content. This work highlights the interplay between printing parameters, void architecture, and the resulting mechanical behaviour of MEX-based PLA parts.

Migratory birds benefit from urban environments in a highly anthropized Neotropical region

Land use change from wildlands to urban and productive environments can dramatically transform ecosystem structure and processes. Despite their structural and functional differences from wildlands, human-modified environments offer unique habitat elements for wildlife. In this study, we examined how migratory birds use urban, productive, and wildland environments of a highly anthropized region of Western Mexico known as “El Bajío”. We used Generalized Linear Models to compare species richness, abundance, and the functional traits of migratory bird assemblages among these three environments. Results revealed differences in species richness, composition, and the functional traits of migratory birds among environments. Regardless of wildlands showing medium to high levels of human disturbance, they presented the highest species richness and abundance of migratory birds, with urban environments presenting the lowest values. Insectivorous and granivorous birds were dominant in the migratory bird assemblages of the three environments. The migratory bird assemblages of productive environments had more grassland granivorous birds. In contrast, insectivorous birds with dense habitat preferences and short culmen lengths dominated the urban bird assemblage. Migratory bird assemblages in productive and urban environments showed similar species richness and abundance of insectivorous birds, but they differ in their composition. Our results reveal that urban trees allowed cities to function as simplified forests, showing that the urban environment has the untapped potential to support complex assemblages of migratory birds. To promote migratory birds in human-modified landscapes, we must maintain complex vegetation areas that allow birds with diverse functional traits to overwinter in urban and productive environments.

Influence of different priming treatments on germination potential and seedling establishment of four important hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars

Factors associated with malnutrition inflammation score among hemodialysis patients: A cross-sectional investigation in tertiary care hospital, Palestine

Malnutrition is a prevalent complication in hemodialysis patients and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with malnutrition among hemodialysis patients including patient’s general characteristics, functional status, and dietary intake. This study involved hemodialysis patients in An-Najah National University Hospital at Nablus/Palestine. An interview-based questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, lifestyle, hemodialysis, medical history, anthropometrics, biochemical indices, dietary data using 3-days diet recall, and functional status. Malnutrition-inflammation score tool (MIS) was used for malnutrition screening of the studied patients. The study involved 188 patients, with a mean age of 57.8±14 years. A total of 28.2% participants are reported malnourished. Malnutrition was significantly associated with being female (p = 0.001), unemployed (p = 0.009), nonsmoker or ex-smoker (p = 0.018). Patients with CVDs (p = 0.006), higher months on dialysis (p = 0.002), lower BMI (p = 0.018), and using catheter for dialysis access are more likely to develop malnutrition (p = 0.018). Furthermore, patients with poor functional status (poor handgrip strength (p<0.001), inability to walk (p<0.001), needing help in daily activity or in transfer (p<0.001)) were significantly associated with malnutrition. Additionally, malnutrition was significantly higher among patients who does not meet their recommended calorie intake (p = 0.008), whose sodium intake within recommendation (p = 0.049), patients with low levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.022), albumin (p<0.001), TIBC (p = 0.002), phosphate (p<0.001), and patients with higher levels of ferritin (p<0.001). Higher months on dialysis (Exp(B) = 1.02), unmet calorie intake (Exp(B) = 4.3), needing help in daily activities (Exp(B) = 0.238), and low albumin level (Exp(B) = 0.048) were the independent predictors of malnutrition. This study highlights the significant association between malnutrition and various demographic, clinical, functional, and dietary factors in hemodialysis patients, revealing the burden of malnutrition during HD. It also necessitates targeted intervention to address these risk factors and improve nutritional status and the overall health outcomes of HD patients.

Moderate stability of risk and ambiguity attitudes across quantitative and qualitative decisions

Exploring effector protein dynamics and natural fungicidal potential in rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most destructive fungal diseases in rice, resulting in major economic losses worldwide. Genetic and genomic studies have identified key genes and proteins, such as AvrPik variants and MAX proteins, that are crucial for the pathogen’s virulence. These effector proteins interact with specific alleles of the Pik gene family on rice chromosome 11, modulating the host’s immune response. In this study, we investigated 35 plant-derived metabolites known for their antifungal properties as potential fungicides against M. oryzae. Using molecular docking, we identified Hecogenin and Cucurbitacin E as strong binders to MAX40 and APIKL2A proteins, which are essential for the fungus’s immune evasion and pathogenicity. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that these compounds form stable, strong interactions with the target proteins, validating their potential as therapeutic agents. Additionally, the compounds were evaluated based on Lipinski’s rule of five and toxicity predictions, indicating their suitability for agricultural use. These results suggest that Hecogenin and Cucurbitacin E could serve as promising lead candidates in the development of novel fungicides for rice blast, offering new strategies for crop protection and sustainable agricultural practices.

Healing progression of tail docking and ear tag wounds in lambs

Real sounds influence postural stability in people with vestibular loss but not in healthy controls

Objective What we hear may influence postural control, particularly in people with vestibular hypofunction. Would hearing a moving subway destabilize people similarly to seeing the train move? We investigated how people with unilateral vestibular hypofunction and healthy controls incorporated broadband and real-recorded sounds with visual load for balance in an immersive contextual scene. Design Participants stood on foam placed on a force-platform, wore the HTC Vive headset, and observed an immersive subway environment. Each 60-second condition repeated twice: static or dynamic visual with no sound or static white noise or real recorded subway station sounds [real] played from headphones. Setting Human motion laboratory. Participants 41 healthy controls (mean age 52 years, range 22–78) and 28 participants with unilateral peripheral vestibular hypofunction (mean age 61.5, 27–82) Main outcome measures We collected center-of-pressure (COP, anterior-posterior, medio-lateral) from the force-platform and head (anterior-posterior, medio-lateral, pitch, yaw, roll) from the headset and quantified root mean square velocity (cm/s or rad/s) Results Adjusting for age, the vestibular group showed significantly more sway than controls on: COP medio-lateral (no sound or real with static or dynamic visual); COP anterior-posterior (only on dynamic visuals in the presence of either sound); head medio-lateral and anterior-posterior (all conditions), head pitch and yaw (only on dynamic visuals in the presence of either sound). A significant increase in sway with sounds was observed for the vestibular group only on dynamic visuals COP anterior-posterior and head yaw (real) and head anterior-posterior and pitch (either sound). Conclusions The addition of auditory stimuli, particularly contextually-accurate sounds, to a challenging, standing balance task in real-life simulation increased sway in people with vestibular hypofunction but not in healthy controls. Trial registration Clinical trial registration This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov at the following link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04479761.