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Machine learning-driven insights into self-healing silicon-based anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Author Correction: In-situ positive electrode-electrolyte interphase construction enables stable Ah-level Zn-MnO2 batteries
Red blood cell distribution width to albumin ratio as a novel predictor for mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: Results from the cohort study of NHANES, 1999–2018
Objectives To investigate the association of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) to albumin ratio (RAR) with mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods We selected 1,652 patients with COPD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018, who were categorized into four groups according to the RAR quartiles. Kaplan-Meier curves, restricted cubic splines and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate the associations between RAR and all-cause mortality and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) mortality in the COPD patients. Subgroup analyses were performed to check the interaction of the different characteristics. Results There were 640 deaths during follow-up, of which, 145 were from CLRD. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated COPD patients with higher RAR had significantly increased all-cause mortality and CLRD mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed HR of Q4 RAR was 2.88 (95% CI 2.18 - 3.81, p < 0.0001) for all cause-mortality and 3.39 (95% CI 1.76 - 6.53, p < 0.001) for CLRD mortality, compared with Q1 RAR. Restricted cubic splines analysis indicated a dose-response between RAR and risk of all-cause and CLRD mortality (p for non-linearity < 0.001). Conclusion RAR had an independent association with all-cause mortality, especially CLRD mortality, in COPD patients. RAR has potential as a novel and promising predictor to identify COPD individuals with high mortality risk.
Integrating digital twins with neural networks for adaptive control of automotive suspension systems
V activated electro-epoxidation catalyst in membrane electrode assembly system for the production of propylene oxide
Association of serum iron status with MASLD and liver fibrosis
Background The MASLD proposal updates and supplements the previous definition of NAFLD, making it more suitable for addressing the current understanding of chronic liver diseases. This study aims to investigate the potential association between serum iron status and the occurrence of MASLD and liver fibrosis. Methods An in-depth analysis was conducted using the 2017–2020 NHANES data. To assess the relationship between serum iron status and the prevalence of MASLD and liver fibrosis, we performed comprehensive data analysis. This approach accounts for multiple variables, enhancing the robustness and reliability of our results by reducing potential confounding factors. Results Our application of linear regression models provided significant insights through a comprehensive data analysis. Elevated serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC showed a distinct positive correlation with CAP, while only serum ferritin was positively correlated with LSM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated levels of serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC were significantly associated with the occurrence of MASLD, whereas only serum ferritin showed a similar association with the occurrence of liver fibrosis. Conclusion This study highlights the significant positive correlation between elevated levels of serum ferritin, TIBC, and UIBC with CAP and the prevalence of MASLD. A similar relationship was observed between serum ferritin with LSM and the prevalence of liver fibrosis.
Impact of work instruction difficulty on cognitive load and operational efficiency
Abstract As industries progress toward integrating more complex technologies within Industry 4.0 frameworks, ensuring work instructions that balance cognitive load and performance is increasingly critical, especially under the human-centric principles of the 5th industrial revolution. Drawing on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), this study compares two instructional methods-visual-based and code-based-to determine whether cognitive overload can be reduced without compromising task outcomes in a controlled, assembly-like scenario derived from industrial tasks. We recruited 30 participants from the academic field (students and researchers), who completed assembly tasks under both visual-based and code-based instructions. Cognitive load was measured objectively by (Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate Variability, and hand motion acceleration) and subjectively through (NASA Task Load Index, short Dundee Stress State Questionnaire). Operational efficiency was assessed via task completion time (TCT), number of task repetitions (NTR), and assembly precision based on the standard deviation. The findings demonstrated that visual-based instructions significantly reduced cognitive load with a $$p-value <0.001$$ . It also showed an improvement in two of the performance metrics during the use of visual-based instructions for the TCT and NTR with $$p-values <0.001$$ . However, although code-based instructions increased cognitive load, they showed better assembly precision with a $$p-value < 0.001$$ . These results suggest that while simple and direct instructions facilitate task execution and reduce cognitive loads, deep thinking approaches may still hold value for tasks requiring high precision.
Intravital imaging of translocated bacteria via fluorogenic labeling of gut microbiota in situ
The translocation of bacteria from intestinal tracts into blood vessels and distal organs plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of numerous severe diseases. Intravital monitoring of bacterial translocation, however, is not yet feasible, which greatly hinders us from comprehending this spatially and temporally dynamic process. Here we report an in vivo fluorogenic labeling method, which enables in situ imaging of mouse gut microbiota and real-time tracking of the translocated bacteria. By mimicking the peptidoglycan stem peptide in bacteria, a tetrapeptide probe composed of alternating D- and L-amino acids and separately equipped with a fluorophore and a quencher on the N- and C-terminal amino acid, is designed. Because of its resistance to host proteases, it can be directly used in gavage and achieves fluorogenic labeling of the microbiota in the gut via the functioning of the L,D-transpeptidases of the labeled bacteria. Using intravital two-photon microscopy, we then successfully visualize the translocation of gut bacteria into the bloodstream and liver in obesity mouse models. This technique can help further exploration into the spatiotemporal activities of gut microbiota in vivo, and be valuable in investigating the less understood pathogenicity of bacterial translocation in many severe diseases.
Free-standing bilayer metasurfaces in the visible
Examining isokinetic knee peak torque and time to peak torque as predictors of vertical jump height in division I men’s basketball players
The vertical jump (VJ) is one of the most important movements for basketball athletes and therefore determining modifiable predictors of the VJ would aid substantially in crafting more effective training regimens. The purpose of this study was to determine if isokinetic quadriceps strength and torque predict VJ height and which characteristics and testing speed is the strongest predictor of VJ height. Fifteen subjects (age: 18.5 ± 1.0 years, height: 195.9 ± 6.9 cm, weight: 96.2 ± 13.7 kg) from a single Division I men’s basketball team were recruited for this study. All participants performed a standing vertical jump with arm-swing to assess their maximum VJ height. Participants also completed an isokinetic knee extension strength protocol that included testing at multiple speeds. Pearson and Spearman tests found no significant correlation between jump height and peak torque at any of the speeds. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between time to peak torque at 300°/s and VJ height (R2 = 0.23, p = 0.04). These findings suggest that in a population of elite basketball players, the knee’s ability to rapidly generate torque likely plays a greater role in VJ performance than its ability to generate high magnitude of torque. This presents a potential benefit of explosive training regimens such as plyometrics for maximization of jump performance.
Kinetics of pIgR and IgM immune responses in snakehead (Channa argus) to inactivated Aeromonas hydrophila via immersion and intraperitoneal injection
Realization of a three-dimensional photonic higher-order topological insulator
Correction: Depression in the COVID-19 endemic era: Analysis of online self-disclosures by young South Koreans
Kinetic and isotherm studies of cr (VI) adsorption from aqueous media by using a synthetic chitosan-allophane nanocomposite
Mechanistic insights into dengue virus inhibition by a clinical trial compound NITD-688
Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), presents a significant public health challenge with limited effective treatments. NITD-688 is a potent panserotype DENV inhibitor currently in Phase II clinical trials. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Here, we present the molecular details of how NITD-688 inhibits DENV. NITD-688 binds directly to the nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) with nanomolar affinities across all four DENV serotypes and specifically disrupts the interaction between NS4B and nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) without significantly changing the interactions between NS4B and other viral or host proteins. NS4B mutations that confer resistance to NITD-688 reduce both NITD-688 binding to NS4B and disruption of the NS4B/NS3 interaction. Specifically, NITD-688 blocks the interaction of NS3 with a cytosolic loop within NS4B. This inhibits the formation of new NS4B/NS3 complexes and disrupts preexisting complexes in vitro and DENV-infected cells, ultimately inhibiting viral replication. Consistent with this mechanism, NITD-688 retains greater potency in cellular assays with delayed treatment compared to JNJ-1802, another NS4B inhibitor that has been studied in Phase II clinical trials. Together, these findings provide critical insights into the mechanism of action of NITD-688, facilitating the development of novel flavivirus NS4B inhibitors and informing future clinical interventions against DENV.
Generation and characterization of neutralizing antibodies against M1R and B6R proteins of monkeypox virus
Extraction of total flavonoids from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai and its antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibition effects
Ultrasound-assisted extraction technology was utilized to extract total flavonoids from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai, and response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction process. The anti-oxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities were evaluated, along with an analysis of the type of inhibition. The results revealed that the optimal extraction conditions for total flavonoids from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai were as follows: an ethanol concentration of 62%, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 15:1 mL/g, an ultrasonic temperature of 68°C, and an ultrasonic time of 40 min, resulting in a total flavonoid extraction rate of 10.18%. Antioxidant assays demonstrated that the Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai extract exhibited significant radical scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals, 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ammonium salt) radicals, and hydroxyl radicals, with IC50 values of 582 µg/mL, 538 µg/mL, and 1709 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, enzyme inhibition assays indicated that the Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai extract possesses notable inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase, with an IC50 value of 2658 µg/mL. This inhibition is mediated through a mixed reversible inhibition mechanism.
USP4 promotes proliferation and metastasis in human lung adenocarcinoma
Discovery and functional characterization of a bombesin-type neuropeptide signaling system in an invertebrate
Neuropeptide signaling systems are key regulators of physiological and behavioral processes in animals. However, the evolutionary history of some neuropeptides originally discovered in vertebrates is unknown. The peptide bombesin (BN) was first isolated from the skin of the toad Bombina bombina and subsequently BN-related neuropeptides have been identified in other chordates, including gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB) in mammals, and a GRP-like peptide in the cephalochordate Branchiostoma japonicum . However, BN-type neuropeptides have hitherto not been identified in any nonchordate animals. Here, we report the discovery and functional characterization of a BN-type neuropeptide signaling system in an echinoderm—the starfish Asterias rubens . BN-type precursor proteins were identified in several echinoderm species based on their amino acid sequences and gene structures, and the mature structure of the A. rubens BN-type neuropeptide ArBN was determined using mass spectrometry. A protein related to vertebrate GRP/NMB-type G protein–coupled receptors was identified experimentally as the receptor for ArBN in A. rubens . Analysis of the distribution of the ArBN precursor in A. rubens using mRNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed a widespread pattern of expression in the central nervous system, digestive system, and locomotory organs. Moreover, effects of ArBN in A. rubens included contraction and retraction of the evertible stomach and inhibition of feeding behavior. Our findings show that the evolutionary history of BN-type neuropeptide signaling can be traced back to the deuterostome common ancestor of echinoderms and chordates. Furthermore, an ancient role of BN-type neuropeptides as regulators of feeding behavior has been revealed.