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Revisiting low-frequency ferromagnetic resonance in yttrium iron garnet thin films
Sustainability in construction economics as a barrier to cloud computing adoption in small-scale Building projects
A predictive nomogram based on triglyceride glucose index to body mass index ratio for low appendicular skeletal muscle mass
Loneliness and biomarkers of brain pathology in people with subjective cognitive decline
Abstract Loneliness is a neuropsychiatric symptom that has been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. We aimed to investigate whether depressive symptomatology and biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) are associated with loneliness. Secondly, we aimed to investigate whether loneliness, depressive symptomatology, and biomarkers of AD and CVD are associated with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). We included 215 cognitively unimpaired participants (70 y/o) with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, magnetic resonance imaging, and questionnaires for loneliness, depressive symptomatology, and SCD. For aim 1, our findings showed that CVD and depressive symptomatology were the most relevant measures to discriminate people with loneliness. For aim 2, a random forest classification model showed that loneliness contributed to discriminate individuals with SCD, but logistic regression showed that its partial predictive effect was non-significant when depressive symptomatology and AD biomarkers were included in the models. We conclude that loneliness is associated with SCD, CVD, and depressive symptomatology. Given the complex interplay between loneliness, depressive symptomatology, and SCD, more research is needed to fully clarify the unique role of each neuropsychiatric symptom in relation to biomarkers of brain pathology.
Study on the fracture characteristics of overlying rock strata under different mining face widths
A prospective multicenter phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of silk elastin sponge in patients with skin defects
Thermomechanical analyses and ANN modeling of novel epoxy adhesives with CSR particles and zinc oxide nanoparticles in structural bonding
Level of personality functioning and maladaptive personality traits in relation to depression and anxiety symptoms in middle and older adults
Experiment study on UAV target detection algorithm based on YOLOv8n-ACW
Effect of surface inclination and gluteus maximus activation on lumbar lordosis and footpronation in individuals with low back pain with extension pattern: a preliminary study
The interactive role of odor associations in friendship preferences
Nematicidal and antifeedant activity of ethyl acetate extracts from culture filtrates of Arabidopsis thaliana fungal endophytes
Abstract Endophytic fungi produce a diverse range of bioactive secondary metabolites with potential applications in biopesticide development. This study investigates the nematicidal and antifeedant properties of ethyl acetate extracts from endophytic fungi isolated from wild Arabidopsis thaliana populations in Spain. The extracts were tested against the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne javanica , and two common insect pests, Myzus persicae and Spodoptera littoralis . Nine of the 13 extracts demonstrated significant nematicidal and/or antifeedant activity, indicating their potential as biopesticides. The active extracts were derived from six genera: Alternaria (3 isolates), Dydimella (1), Dothiora (1), Pleiochaeta (1), Penicillium (1), and Fusarium (2). Five extracts exhibited nematicidal activity above 90%, with three reducing the total number of M. javanica second-stage juveniles hatched from egg masses by 22–37%. Four extracts showed strong settling inhibition (> 70%) against M. persicae , and three exhibited feeding inhibition against S. littoralis . Chemical analysis by GC-MS and LC-MS revealed a wide array of unique secondary metabolites in the active extracts, reflecting substantial chemical diversity, regardless of the fungal origin. This study highlights the potential of fungal endophytes from A. thaliana as sources of novel biopesticides, paving the way for future research focused on harnessing these fungi for biopesticide development.
Unveiling the dual impacts of the aesthetic deficiency of foods on consumers’ purchase intentions
Phytoliths of bamboo affect the feeding pattern of Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Multidimensional analysis of anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Abstract To explore the potential classes of anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and analyze their distinct characteristics. Convenience sampling was used to select 211 cases of COPD from 12 hospitals in Hebei Province. The following scales were used: General Information Questionnaire, Anxiety Inventory for Respiratory Disease (AIR), BODE index, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and SF-36 Quality of Life scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted on the anxiety symptoms of the survey subjects, and univariate analysis and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of different profiles. Anxiety symptoms among COPD patients were classified into three types: low-risk anxiety type (57.8%), moderate anxiety-fear type (23.2%), and high anxiety-fear type (19.0%). Ordered multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that the duration of disease, BODE index, MoCA scores, and SF-36 scores were identified as independent risk factors for the potential classes of anxiety symptoms in COPD patients (p < 0.05). There is heterogeneity in anxiety symptoms among COPD patients. Medical staff can provide targeted interventions based on the characteristics and risk factors of different populations to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
Orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength operation at 898 and 904 nm with tunable power ratio in Nd:SA/Nd:LMA crystals
Improved quadratic interpolation optimizer for stochastic short-term hydrothermal scheduling with integration of solar PV and wind power
A deflectable video camera system for laparoscopic surgery based on shape memory alloy actuators
Abstract Laparoscopic instruments are usually not deflectable and therefore have significant usability limitations in minimally invasive surgery. Flexible-tip devices have been introduced, but they are still controlled by manual Bowden cables or conventional motors and are heavy and expensive. An interesting alternative are shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, because they are lightweight, cost-efficient and offer the potential for a universal actuator platform for laparoscopic and other endoscopic instruments. This paper presents a laparoscopic video camera with electronic deflection control via thumb joystick. Its actuator unit consists of four SMA wires, whose special tensioning mechanism ensures both optimal preload and length compensation. The camera is tiltable in two degrees of freedom, enabled by a laser-cut Nitinol joint. Based on three assembled units and an automated measurement system, the functionality of the camera system was characterised. Deflection angles of more than 178° per degree of freedom were achieved. At operating frequencies of up to 0.5 Hz, the units showed suitable deflection behaviour. Each remained operational for more than 1200 actuation cycles or 4.4 h of continuous operation. Furthermore, the influence of continuous temperature stimulation on characteristic device parameters was investigated. This work contributes to demonstrating the feasibility of SMA actuators for the electrical control of flexible-tip laparoscopic instruments. Temperature control in particular is a challenge for future work.