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Advanced design of 3D knitted padding for wearable cushioning in knee protector

The visuomotor transformations underlying target-directed behavior

The visual system can process diverse stimuli and make the decision to execute appropriate behaviors, but it remains unclear where and how this transformation takes place. Innate visually evoked behaviors such as hunting, freezing, and escape are thought to be deeply conserved, and have been described in a range of species from insects to humans. We found that zebrafish larvae would respond to predator-like visual stimuli with immobility and bradycardia, both hallmarks of freezing, in a head-fixed behavioral paradigm. We then imaged the zebrafish visual system while larvae responded to different visual stimuli with hunting, freezing, and escape behaviors and systematically identified visually driven neurons and behaviorally correlated sensorimotor neurons. Our analyses indicate that within the optic tectum, broadly tuned sensory neurons are functionally correlated with sensorimotor neurons which respond specifically during one behavior, indicating that it contains suitable information for sensorimotor transformation. We also identified sensorimotor neurons in four other areas downstream of the tectum, and these neurons are also specific for one behavior, indicating that the segregation of the pathways continues in other areas. While our findings shed light on how sensorimotor neurons may integrate visual inputs, further investigation will be required to determine how sensorimotor neurons in different regions interact and where the decision to behave is made.

Trends of inequities in healthcare seeking behavior for diarrhea, fever, and ARI symptoms among women in reproductive age groups for their under-five children in Ethiopian: A multilevel Analysis of EDHS Surveys from 2000 to 2016

Background Ethiopia is one of the developing countries with the highest inequity in the healthcare seeking behavior for under-five children. Despite this fact, not much is known about the trend of inequity, in healthcare seeking-behavior for symptoms of diarrhea, fever and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) among under-five children. Objective This study aimed to measure trends of inequity in healthcare seeking -behavior for diarrhea, fever, and ARI symptoms and its determinant factors among under-five children in Ethiopia. Methods Data from 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHSs) were analyzed using the 2019 updated version of the WHO’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT) software. Five equity dimensions were used to disaggregate datasets on healthcare seeking behavior for diarrhea, fever, and ARI symptoms: Based on wealth status, education, place of residence, sex of the child and administrative regions. Second, summary measures such as: equity gaps, equity ratios, population attributable fraction (PAF), population attributable Risk (PAR), absolute concentration index (ACI) and relative concentration index (RCI), was used. The concentration curve and horizontal inequity indices were used to evaluate the wealth-related disparities. To measure the determinants a multilevel logistic regression with 95% confidence interval was employed. Result This study showed remarkable improvement in healthcare seeking behavior for symptoms of diarrhea, fever and ARI among under-five children between 2000 and 2016. The increases are more, from the poorest subgroups compared to the wealthiest. The absolute percentage point changes (or healthcare seeking rate changes) between 2000 and 2016 among the poorest quintile of households are at least twice that of the wealthiest quintile for symptoms of diarrhea. However, significant disparities between the rich and the poor persist for the majority of the indicators examined for the three childhood morbidities. Moreover, horizontal inequity indices and the concentration curve both point out to the existence of pro-rich inequity in healthcare seeking behavior for under five children. In the multilevel analysis various demographic, parental and household characteristic show an association with healthcare seeking behavior for symptoms of diarrhea, fever and ARIs. Conclusion A promising trend is observed in healthcare seeking behavior for diarrhea, fever and ARI symptoms among under-five children. Faster progress in use of healthcare services among the poor than the wealthy in Ethiopia would potentially result in elimination of inequities and rapid improvement in health among the poor. Intervention programs that focused on the underprivileged, while also taking into account the wealthier sub-groups.

Structural changes in vortex vein ampullae in eyes with pachychoroid-spectrum disorder

Neural basis for individual differences in the attention-enhancing effects of methylphenidate

Stimulant drugs that boost dopamine, like methylphenidate (MP), enhance attention and are effective treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Yet there is large individual variation in attentional capacity and response to MP. It is unclear whether this variation is driven by individual differences in relative density of dopamine receptor subtypes, magnitude of dopamine increases induced by MP, or both. Here, we extensively characterized the brain dopamine system with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging (including striatal dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptor availability and MP-induced dopamine increases) and measured attention task-evoked fMRI brain activity in two separate sessions (placebo and 60 mg oral MP; single-blind, counterbalanced) in 37 healthy adults. A network of lateral frontoparietal and visual cortices was sensitive to increasing attentional (and working memory) load, whose activity positively correlated with performance across individuals (partial r = 0.474, P = 0.008; controlling for age). MP-induced change in activity within this network correlated with MP-induced change in performance (partial r = 0.686, P < 0.001). The ratio of D1-to-D2/3 receptors in dorsomedial caudate positively correlated with baseline attentional network activity and negatively correlated with MP-induced changes in activity (all pFWE < 0.02). MP-induced changes in attentional load network activity mediated the association between D1-to-D2/3 ratio and MP-induced improvements in performance (mediation estimate = 23.20 [95%CI: −153.67 −81.79], P = 0.004). MP attention-boosting effects were not linked to the magnitude of striatal dopamine increases, but rather showed dependence on an individual’s baseline receptor density. Individuals with lower D1-to-D2/3 ratios tended to have lower frontoparietal activity during sustained attention and experienced greater improvement in brain function and task performance with MP.

Intraoperative phrenic nerve stimulation to prevent diaphragm fiber weakness during thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery rapidly induces weakness in human diaphragm fibers. The dysfunction is thought to arise from combined effects of the surgical procedures and inactivity. This project tested whether brief bouts of intraoperative hemidiaphragm stimulation would mitigate slow and fast fiber loss of force in the human diaphragm. We reasoned that maintenance of diaphragm activity with brief bouts of intraoperative phrenic stimulation would mitigate diaphragm fiber weakness and myofilament protein derangements caused by thoracic surgery. Nineteen adults (9 females, age 59 ± 12 years) with normal inspiratory strength or spirometry consented to participate. Unilateral phrenic twitch stimulation (twitch duration 1.5 ms, frequency 0.5 Hz, current 2x the motor threshold, max 25 mA) was applied for one minute, every 30 minutes during cardiothoracic surgery. Thirty minutes following the last stimulation bout, biopsies were obtained from the hemidiaphragms for single fiber force mechanics and quantitation of myofilament proteins (abundance and phosphorylation) and compared by a linear mixed model and paired t-test, respectively. Subjects underwent 6 ±  2 hemidiaphragm stimulations at 17 ±  6 mA, during 278 ±  68 minutes of surgery. Longer-duration surgeries were associated with a progressive decline in diaphragm fiber force (p < 0.001). In slow-twitch fibers, phrenic stimulation increased absolute force (+25%, p <  0.0001), cross-sectional area (+16%, p < 0.0001) and specific force (+7%, p < 0.0005). Stimulation did not alter contractile function of fast-twitch fibers, calcium-sensitivity in either fiber type, and abundance and phosphorylation of myofilament proteins. In adults without preoperative weakness or lung dysfunction, unilateral phrenic stimulation mitigated diaphragm slow fiber weakness caused by thoracic surgery, but had no effect on myofilament protein abundance or phosphorylation.

Biomechanical changes in females with poly cystic ovarian syndrome: a case–control study

Abstract Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder that causes an inversion of the normal luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. Females with PCOS also experience chronic inflammation. This hormonal imbalance and persistent inflammation can reduce muscle strength and mass. Consequently, this may affect the lumbopelvic muscles, potentially leading to postural abnormalities and spinal misalignment. The study’s goals were to find out how the biomechanics of women with PCOS differ from those who did not have the condition and to confirm the link between lumbopelvic parameters and the LH/FSH ratio in women with PCOS. The researcher conducted a case–control study on 95 nulliparous females, with 52 having PCOS and classified as a study group and 43 as a control group. The participants ranged in age from 25 to 35 years, and their body mass index ranged from 25 to 29.9 kg/m2. All participants were selected from the gynecological outpatient clinic of Om El-Masryeen Hospital. The researcher used a pelvic inclinometer to evaluate the pelvic inclination angle and an inclinometer to examine the lumbar angle. Additionally, the researcher simultaneously collected blood samples on the third day of the menstrual cycle. Females with PCOS had significantly higher pelvic inclination and lumbar curve angles than controls (p < 0.05). LH/FSH ratio strongly correlated with lumbar angle and pelvic inclination. Females with PCOS had greater pelvic tilting and exaggerated lumbar lordosis than controls. The LH/FSH ratio showed a strong correlation with both the lumbar curve angle and pelvic inclination in PCOS. Clinical trial: The clinical trial number [NCT03740932] with initial release date at 09/17/2024.

The narrow search effect and how broadening search promotes belief updating

Information search platforms, from Google to AI-assisted search engines, have transformed information access but may fail to promote a shared factual foundation. We demonstrate that the combination of users’ prior beliefs influencing their search terms and the narrow scope of search algorithms can limit belief updating from search. We test this “narrow search effect” across 21 studies (14 preregistered) using various topics (e.g., health, financial, societal, political) and platforms (e.g., Google, ChatGPT, AI-powered Bing, our custom-designed search engine and AI chatbot interfaces). We then test user-based and algorithm-based interventions to counter the “narrow search effect” and promote belief updating. Studies 1 to 5 show that users’ prior beliefs influence the direction of the search terms, thereby generating narrow search results that limit belief updating. This effect persists across various domains (e.g., beliefs related to coronavirus, nuclear energy, gas prices, crime rates, bitcoin, caffeine, and general food or beverage health concerns; Studies 1a to 1b, 2a to 2g, 3, 4), platforms (e.g., Google—Studies 1a to 1b, 2a to 2g, 4, 5; ChatGPT, Study 3), and extends to consequential choices (Study 5). Studies 6 and 7 demonstrate the limited efficacy of prompting users to correct for the impact of narrow searches on their beliefs themselves. Using our custom-designed search engine and AI chatbot interfaces, Studies 8 and 9 show that modifying algorithms to provide broader results can encourage belief updating. These findings highlight the need for a behaviorally informed approach to the design of search algorithms.

Selection index for economically important traits in Boer crossbred goats using principal component analysis

The optimal strategy for genetic selection is a selection index based on economic weight; however, in developing countries where economic weight estimation is not always evident and easy for breeders due to a lack of economic data. Thus, this study aimed to construct selection indices for crossbred goats, which could be used as an alternative to economic selection index and to explore the relationship among economically important traits. The data set contained records of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), pre-weaning weight gain (ADG), pre-weaning Kleiber ratio (KR), pre-weaning relative growth rate (RGR), pre-weaning growth efficiency (GE), and pre-weaning survival (RR) of crossbred goats. Genetic parameter estimates were obtained using a single-trait animal model. General linear model, principal component analysis, and cluster procedures of SAS were also used for data analysis. Kid survival was negatively correlated with all investigated traits except BW. Traits such as KR, GE, RGR, WW, and ADG were highly and positively correlated. According to the Kaiser method, two principal components were selected from seven investigated traits. The first principal component (PC1) explained 57.71%, and the second principal component (PC2) explained 14.57% of the estimated breeding value variance, totaling 72.28% of the total genetic additive variance. PC1 explained most of the direct additive genetic variation and correlated with the estimated breeding value of WW, ADG, KR, GE, and RGR, whereas PC2 was correlated with the estimated breeding value of BW and RR. Besides, the cluster analysis categorized seven traits into two major groups. The first group includes BW and RR, whereas traits such as WW, ADG, KR, GE, and RGR were included in the second group. Therefore, two based selection indices, or principal component scores (PCS) were derived. Animals with higher PCS1 could be used to improve WW, ADG, KR, GE, and RGR, whereas animals with higher PCS2 scores could be used to improve BW and pre-weaning survival of crossbred kids. The selection of the most appropriate and specific selection index regarding the two groups of traits is determined by the breeding objectives defined for specific genetic improvement program. These selection indices could be used as an alternative approach when economic weights for traits of interests are not available to construct the economic selection index. However, further works should be done on refining the selection indices and validating them in independent datasets.

Green synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanoparticles from latex of Calatropis procera against dusky cotton bug

Revealing the roles of the solid–electrolyte interphase in designing stable, fast-charging, low-temperature Li-ion batteries

Designing the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) is critical for stable, fast-charging, low-temperature Li-ion batteries. Fostering a “fluorinated interphase,” SEI enriched with LiF, has become a popular design strategy. Although LiF possesses low Li-ion conductivity, many studies have reported favorable battery performance with fluorinated SEIs. Such a contradiction suggests that optimizing SEI must extend beyond chemical composition design to consider spatial distributions of different chemical species. In this work, we demonstrate that the impact of a fluorinated SEI on battery performance should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Sufficiently passivating the anode surface without impeding Li-ion transport is key. We reveal that a fluorinated SEI containing excessive and dense LiF severely impedes Li-ion transport. In contrast, a fluorinated SEI with well-dispersed LiF (i.e., small LiF aggregates well mixed with other SEI components) is advantageous, presumably due to the enhanced Li-ion transport across heterointerfaces between LiF and other SEI components. An electrolyte, 1 M LiPF 6 in 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2MeTHF), yields a fluorinated SEI with dispersed LiF. This electrolyte allows anodes of graphite, μSi/graphite composite, and pure Si to all deliver a stable Coulombic efficiency of 99.9% and excellent rate capability at low temperatures. Pouch cells containing layered cathodes also demonstrate impressive cycling stability over 1,000 cycles and exceptional rate capability down to −20 °C. Through experiments and theoretical modeling, we have identified a balanced SEI-based approach that achieves stable, fast-charging, low-temperature Li-ion batteries.

Characterization of Human Balance through a Reinforcement Learning-based Muscle Controller

Objective characterization of human balance remains a challenge and clinical observation-based balance tests during physical rehabilitation are often affected by subjectivity. On the other hand, computational approaches mostly rely on center of pressure (COP) tracking and inverted pendulum models, which do not capture the multi-joint and muscle contributions to whole-body balance. This study proposes a novel musculoskeletal modeling and control methodology to investigate human balancing capabilities in the center of mass (COM) state space. A musculoskeletal model is integrated with a balance controller trained through reinforcement learning (RL) to explore the limits of dynamic balance during postural sway. The RL framework consists of two interlinked neural networks (balance recovery and muscle coordination) and is trained using Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) under multiple training strategies. By exploring recovery from random initial COM states with a trained controller, a balance region (BR) is obtained that encloses successful state-space trajectories. Comparing BRs obtained from different trained controllers with the analytical postural stability limits of a linear inverted pendulum model, we observe a similar trend in COM balanced states, but reduced recoverable areas. Furthermore, the effects of muscle weakness and neural excitation delay on the BRs are investigated, revealing reduced balancing capability in the COM state space. The novel approach of determining regions of stability through learning muscular balance controllers provides a promising avenue for personalized balance assessments and objective quantification of balance capability in humans with different health conditions.

Prediction of deep remission through serum TNF-α level at 1 year of treatment in pediatric Crohn’s disease

Adaptive ATP-induced molecular condensation in membranized protocells

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been achieved in various cytomimetic (protocell) models, but controlling molecular condensation using noninert crowders to systematically alter protocell function remains challenging. Intracellular ATP levels influence protein–protein interactions, and dysregulation of ATP can alter cellular crowding dynamics, thereby disrupting the normal formation or dissolution of condensates. Here, we develop a membranized protocell model capable of endogenous LLPS and liquid–gel-like phase separation through precise manipulation of intermolecular interactions within semipermeable polysaccharide-based microcapsules (polysaccharidosomes, P-somes), prepared using microtemplate-guided assembly. We demonstrate that intraprotocellular diffusion-mediated LLPS can be extended into the liquid–gel-like domain by the uptake of the biologically active crowder ATP, resulting in a range of modalities dependent on the fine-tuning of molecular condensation. Endogenous enzyme activity in these crowded polysaccharidosomes is enhanced compared to free enzymes in solution, though this enhancement diminishes at higher levels of intraprotocellular condensation. Additionally, increased molecular crowding inhibits intraprotocell DNA strand displacement reactions. Our findings introduce an expedient and optimized approach to the batch construction of membranized protocell models with controllable molecular crowding and functional diversity. Our mix–incubate–wash protocol for inducing endogenous LLPS in membranized protocells offers potential applications in microreactor technology, environmental sensing, and the delivery and sustained release of therapeutics.

Study of the survival of patients with head and neck cancer in relation to Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs)

Distant metastasis in head and neck cancer are one of the first factors contributing to death. Currently, it is difficult to detect them early with our conventional techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography scanner (PET-scanner) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Therefore, it is important to find new markers that can help us in the care of the patient. This study aimed at comparing two methods (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction and CellSearch) to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) as a prognosticator. Results were statistically significant for markers EphB4 (p-value =  0.0003), CEA (p-value =  0.0006), CK 18 (p-value =  0.0011) and Ep-CAM (p-value =  0.0299) and demonstrate that our detection techniques could be used by optimizing our protocol. In addition, results of the rate of CTCs helped identify this as an indicator of a prognosis for the patient. Indeed, the study revealed that most patients in remission exhibited a decrease in post-operative CTCs, whereas patients experiencing relapses demonstrated an increase in CTCs, which was correlated with a poor prognosis.

Antioxidant effects of silver-ceria nanoparticles on the reduction of melanin in amelanotic melanoma cell biology

Magnetic suppression of quantum tunneling: Insights from Fefferman, Shapiro, and Weinstein

Inhibition of PHB1/PHB2 suppresses atherosclerotic plaque formation by interrupting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) and prohibitin 2 (PHB2) are highly conserved proteins belonging to the stomatin-prohibitin flotillin-HflC/K (SPFH) protein superfamily. They are ubiquitously expressed and implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation, migration, and survival. However, the expression and biological functions of PHB1/PHB2 in atherosclerosis (AS) remain unclear. In the present study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect PHB1/PHB2 expression in the serum of patients with hyperlipidemia. The potential effect and mechanism of PHB1/PHB2 in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice were also investigated. shRNA-PHB1 and shRNA-PHB2 lentiviruses were engineered and tail vein-injected into ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet. IL-8, a proatherogenic cytokine, was used as an inducer in vitro. The effects of a PHB1/PHB2 knockdown on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, migration, and autophagy and endothelial cell (EC) adhesion were evaluated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), Transwell migration, Boyden chamber, and monocyte adhesion assays, as well as transmission electron microscopy. Compared with the healthy subjects, PHB1/PHB2 expression was elevated in the serum of patients with hyperlipidemia. Animal experiments showed that downregulation of PHBs reduced the area of atherosclerotic lesions, and the expression of cyclinD1, MMP9, and LC3. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that downregulating PHB1/PHB2 expression under inflammatory stimulation reduced the adhesion, proliferation, migration, and autophagy of ECs and VSMCs by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation. Collectively, our findings showed that PHBs are activly associated with AS progression.

Seepage and stability analysis of fractured soil slope considering permeability anisotropy

Superficial auditory (dis)fluency biases higher-level social judgment

When talking to other people, we naturally form impressions based not only on what they say but also on how they say it—e.g., how confident they sound. In modern life, however, the sounds of voices are often determined not only by intrinsic qualities (such as vocal anatomy) but also by extrinsic properties (such as videoconferencing microphone quality). Here, we show that such superficial auditory properties can have surprisingly deep consequences for higher-level social judgments. Listeners heard short narrated passages (e.g., from job application essays) and then made various judgments about the speakers. Critically, the recordings were modified to simulate different microphone qualities, while carefully equating listeners’ comprehension of the words. Though the manipulations carried no implications about the speakers themselves, common disfluent auditory signals (as in “tinny” speech) led to decreased judgments of intelligence, hireability, credibility, and romantic desirability. These effects were robust across speaker gender and accent, and they occurred for both human and clearly artificial (computer-synthesized) speech. Thus, just as judgments from written text are influenced by factors such as font fluency, judgments from speech are not only based on its content but also biased by the superficial vehicle through which it is delivered. Such effects may become more relevant as daily communication via videoconferencing becomes increasingly widespread.