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The perception of eye contact is associated with men’s need to belong, self-esteem, and loneliness
The present study (N = 367) investigated the association of the cone of direct gaze (CoDG; a range within which slightly averted gaze is accepted as direct gaze) width with the need to belong (NTB) and the possible further influence of NTB on self-esteem and loneliness. Results showed that: (i) men’s CoDG width predicted the NTB, self-esteem, and loneliness; (ii) men’s narrow CoDG predicted high loneliness via a high NTB and low self-esteem; (iii) a narrow CoDG was associated with low self-esteem via high loneliness only in high-NTB men. Among women, the CoDG width was not associated with the NTB, self-esteem, and loneliness. The findings are discussed considering the formation and maintenance of relationships together with gender differences.
Experimental study on failure law of damaged surrounding rock and its anchorage mechanism
Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL)-producing E. coli causing urinary tract infection among pregnant women and pediatric patients in public hospitals in northern Jordan
Background Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) imply the invasion and multiplication of bacteria in the individual’s urinary tract, the incidence of UTI’s is mainly determined by sex and age being the highest in pregnant females. E. coli is the most frequently encountered causative agent of UTI’s and recent data depict an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Objectives This study aims to identify the most common pathogens associated with UTI’s in pregnant women and children and to reveal the resistance patterns, and effective treatments and to detect resistance genes in E. coli. Methods This study was conducted in public-teaching Hospitals in northern Jordan during the period from the 1st of March 2024 to the 5th of April 2024. Urine samples were collected in a sterile urine container or using a special tube for pediatric samples. Each sample was cultivated on MacConkey, blood and mannitol salt agar plates, all plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours and identified using standard microbiological protocols. All isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to confirm all E. coli isolates by the detection of universal stress protein (uspA) gene and to detect ESβL genes TEM, SHV CTX-M. Results Eight bacterial species were identified, 75% (6/8) Gram Negative, 25% (2/8) Gram Positive). Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated species 71.4% (50/70) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 10% (7/70), Enterobacter cloacae 5.7% (4/70, Proteus mirabilis 4.3% (3/70), Enterococcus faecalis 2.9% (3/70), Acinetobacter baumannii 2.9% (3/70), Lelliottia amnigena 1.4% (1/70) and Streptococcus agalactiae 1.4% (1/70). All 50 biochemically confirmed E. coli isolates were also confirmed using uspA gene. Three resistance genes TEM, SHV and CTX-M were detected using polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion E. coli was the most frequently isolated species followed by K. pneumoniae, this result may indicate that K. pneumoniae is becoming increasingly common as an etiological agent of UTI. A high resistance toward Amoxicillin- Clavulanic Acid was found among E. coli isolates, while multiple antibiotic/drug resistance was 62%. These results highlight the need to adhere to the therapeutic guidelines in treating UTI’s and other infections and not overuse antibiotics to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Partial discharge defect recognition method of switchgear based on cloud-edge collaborative deep learning
Development of a health index for stranded marine tetrapods
This study presents the development and validation of a Health Index (HI) to assess the overall health of stranded marine tetrapods (seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals). The HI is based on parameters collected during necropsies and histopathological analyses, including body condition, systemic conditions (macroscopic and by histopathology), cutaneous injuries, organized lesions, parasitosis, lymphoid depletion, and thyroid alterations. The HI was applied to data from 6,332 marine tetrapods stranded along the Brazilian coast. Results showed that the HI effectively differentiated between animals with good, fair, and poor health, as evaluated by independent veterinary assessments. Sea turtles exhibited the lowest average HI, suggesting poorer health conditions compared to seabirds and marine mammals. The HI has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring the health of marine tetrapod populations. Using a quantitative measure of an animal’s health enables the evaluation of spatial and temporal variations in health status and the identification of more subtle impacts on species or populations. Thus, the HI allows for an objective assessment and comparison of wildlife health, supporting conservation efforts and helping to identify potential threats.
People are poorly equipped to detect AI-powered voice clones
Abstract As generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues its ballistic trajectory, everything from text to audio, image, and video generation continues to improve at mimicking human-generated content. Through a series of perceptual studies, we report on the realism of AI-generated voices in terms of identity matching and naturalness. We find human participants cannot consistently identify recordings of AI-generated voices. Specifically, participants perceived the identity of an AI-generated voice to be the same as its real counterpart approximately $$80\%$$ of the time, and correctly identified a voice as AI generated only about $$60\%$$ of the time.
Prevalence and anatomical significance of the persistent median artery: A cadaveric study
Purpose The median artery is the initial, yet transient, vascular supply to the palm originating from the brachial artery during development. This artery generally regresses as radial and ulnar arterial supply become prominent; however, this regression does not always occur. This study seeks to illuminate the prevalence of the persistent median artery in the adult population, as well as describe the vascular consequences secondary to the presence of this artery. Methods Antebrachial and palmar dissections were performed on 56 adult cadavers (112 upper extremities). Prevalence of palmar and antebrachial-type persistent median artery were recorded separately. Arterial diameters of radial and ulnar arteries were measured and statistically examined with and without the co-presence of a persistent median artery. Results A persistent median artery was present in 43% of the upper limbs included in this study. 28% of the population were of the antebrachial-type, while 15% were of the palmar-type. The overall mean arterial diameters of the radial artery were 3.13 mm ( ± 0.57 mm; n = 52) without any persistent median artery present, compared to 3.09 mm ( ± 0.56 mm; n = 34) with persistent median artery co-presence. The mean diameters for the ulnar artery were 2.75 mm ( ± 0.53 mm; n = 53) without co-presence of persistent median artery and 2.86 mm ( ± 0.65 mm; n = 36) with co-presence. Conclusion This and other studies have demonstrated the prevalence of this persisting embryologic artery to be quite high. An understanding of the characteristics and significance of this artery in the adult population is necessary to surgeons operating on the carpal tunnel or distal antebrachium.
Nonlinear relationships between the triglyceride glucose-body mass index and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and elderly women from NHANES (1999–2018)
Abstract This study aims to investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose body mass index (TyG-BMI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged and elderly women, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 1999 to 2018. TyG-BMI was calculated as Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2] × BMI. After applying the sampling weights from NHANES, the study sample of 6,343 participants is representative of approximately 59,174,898 American women. We categorized TyG-BMI into quartiles, using Q3 as the reference group. In the crude model, Q4 exhibited a 40% increased odds of CVD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.79, P = 0.009). In the fully adjusted model, the increased odds of CVD for Q4 relative to Q3 was 39% (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.06–1.82, P = 0.019). Further analysis using restricted cubic splines (RCS) and threshold effect analysis confirmed a nonlinear relationship between them. Below a TyG-BMI threshold of 260, there was no significant association with CVD odds. However, above 260, each 10-unit increase in TyG-BMI was associated with a 2.4% increase in CVD odds in this demographic. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the results.
Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
Potato late-blight disease is as a major constraint to potato production in Kenya. The use of fungicides to control the disease is limited by the practice of delaying application until the symptoms are visible, and inappropriate application rates and methods. Biotech crops, such as 3R-gene potato, are providing sustainable solutions to crop protection challenges in agriculture, but little is known about their social and economic potential in any country. To gain greater insights into the potential of 3R-gene potato in Kenya, this study evaluates the economic benefits of Asante, Shangi, and Tigoni potato varieties, which are resistant to late blight. Data from experts along the potato value chain and secondary sources are analyzed using the economic surplus model and a real options model. First, experts’ opinions revealed that late-blight disease is responsible for 23% of production loss annually, and that 12% of the production costs are due to the use of fungicides to control late blight disease. Secondly, the study results suggest that the release of 3R-gene Shangi would generate the greatest economic benefits of KES 845.9 million (US$ 8.2 million) annually. The expected net benefits of 3R-gene Asante are KES 7.3 million (US$ 0.07 million) annually. 3R-gene Tigoni, with the lowest potential adoption rates, would be expected to realize a negative net of KES of -1.26 million (US$ -0.01 million) annually. Significant potential economic gains, which is expected to increase with better awareness of biotech crops, support the immediate release of 3R-gene Shangi in Kenya.
A computational framework for detecting inter-tissue gene-expression coordination changes with aging
Identification method and application of order parameters for organizational systems considering time-series values: A case study on high-quality development in China’s regional manufacturing industry
The transition from disorder to order in the evolution of organizational systems is driven by the identification of key order parameters, which serve as critical determinants of this shift and the primary forces behind system evolution. Since order parameters capture the dominant state of the system at specific time points, accurately identifying these parameters is essential for tracing the evolutionary trajectory. This study integrates time-series values into the process of order parameter identification and employs the CRITIC method to objectively calculate the weights of these values, thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and effectiveness of the identification process. The results indicate that the identified order parameters accurately reflect the actual evolutionary state of the system. Furthermore, this method efficiently controls order parameters throughout the evolution of the system, providing operational and technical references for subsequent development processes. By focusing on a case study of high-quality development in the manufacturing industry in China, this study validates the practical application of the proposed method and highlights the significance of order parameter identification in enhancing organizational system development.
Perception and communication of relevant colours in paintings by observers with colour vision deficiencies
Promoting Pro-environmental Beliefs and Behaviour: Choose-Your-Own Story Futuristic Climate Game
How can we address climate scepticism and increase public support for ambitious pro-environmental policies? This study investigates the potential of future-oriented perspective taking, using an innovative and futuristic choose-your-own-adventure narrative game. This cutting-edge intervention involves living in the life of a future self and making choices related to hypothetical climate crises. The choose-your-own-adventure game was integrated into online survey experiments in the United Kingdom (N = 1,738) and the United States (N = 1,290). We found that participation in the game elicited strong emotional responses in individuals, making them more empathetic, but also more hopeless and sad. Imagining their future self during the climate game enhanced people’s willingness to engage in future discussions about climate change among the UK respondents. Yet, the intervention did little to transform people’s pro-environmental beliefs, policy support, or willingness to sign a climate petition. Causal mediation analyses reveal that these null effects hide important direct and indirect effects. Empathic concern mediates significant positive indirect effect of climate game on people’s pro-environmental beliefs, but negative indirect effect on willingness to sign the climate petition. Empathy seems to shape environmental beliefs and behaviours in diverse ways, highlighting the complex and nuanced relationship between them. These findings offer important implications for recent research on the role of emotions in climate change communication, environmental psychology, and policymaking. We also present a unique approach to fostering empathy for the environment and future generations through an engaging choose-your-own-adventure game.
Multi-scale modeling and simulation of skeletal muscles with different fatigue degrees based on microphysiology
Exposure to circadian disrupting environment and high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation alter reproductive competence and lipid profiles of liver, mammary, plasma and milk of ICR mice
This study’s objective was to determine the effects of pre-pregnancy obesity induced by a high-fat diet and exposure to circadian-disrupting light-dark phase shifts on birth littler size, pup survival to 24h and growth to lactation day 12, and their relationship to maternal feeding patterns, fecal corticosterone levels, milk composition, and lipid profiles of liver, plasma, mammary gland, and milk. A 2 by 2 factorial designed experiment of female ICR mice assigned to control (CON; 10% fat) or high-fat (HF; 60% fat) and either a 12-hour light-dark (LD) cycle or a chronic jet lag model of 6-hour phase-shifts (PS) in light-dark cycle every 3 days throughout pregnancy and lactation, resulted in 4 treatment groups: CON-LD, CON-PS, HF-LD and HF-PS. HF diet increased maternal pre-pregnancy body weight and elevated milk lactose. Whereas PS reduced milk lactose within the CON diet group, and increased maternal feed intake and fecal corticosterone levels. PS exposure also affected the time of day of birth. Neither PS nor HF affected birth litter size or pup survival. Only diet impacted final litter weight, with HF greater than CON. Among the 1204 lipids detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling, diet altered 67.1% in milk, 58.1% in mammary gland, 27.2% in the liver, and 10.9% in plasma, with HF increasing the carbon length of diacylglycerols in the liver and milk, and carbon length of triacylglycerols in plasma, mammary gland and milk. Although exposure to PS had no overall impact on maternal lipid profiles, interactions (P < 0.05) were found between PS and diets in the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolanine class of lipids. Findings support that high fat diet and exposure to circadian disrupting environments impact maternal feeding behavior and stress responses as well as lipid profiles, which may relate to their negative association with maternal health and offspring development.
A computational approach to understanding the interaction of personality and online product affordances
Experimental study on anti-drift shield curtain device for soybean (Glycine max)-maize (Zeal mays) strip intercropping weed sprayers
Soybean-maize strip intercropping is an important method to increase soybean oil self-sufficiency and promote sustainable agricultural development, which has rapidly developed in China in recent years. However, the herbicides used in the post-emergence weeding stage of soybean and maize can inhibit each other's growth, and herbicide drift can easily lead to crop yield reduction or even death. To reduce the drift risk of soybean-maize strip intercropping sprayers during the post-emergence weed control stage, we explored the efficacy of shield curtain device in reducing drift through wind tunnel and field trials. The study found that when only two sides of shield curtains were used to cover the spray area in the wind tunnel test, the maximum drift rate was 2.18% under the influence of lateral airflow, while drift was more severe under the influence of inter-row airflow with a maximum drift rate of 14.99%. The drift rate far exceeded the threshold causing herbicide damage on soybeans and maize. In the field test, using shield curtains on the front, back, and both sides of the spray area could obtain a maximum spray drift rate of 0.98% and a minimum deposition rate of 57.87%. This approach could reduce the drift rate by more than 88.5% and increase the deposition rate by more than 47.2% compared to not using the shield curtain device. The study can offer valuable reference and data support for the research of anti-drift technology for soybean-maize strip intercropping sprayers and provide ideas for designing shield devices.
Feasibility and case studies on converting small hydropower stations to pumped storage
SMND-309 activates Nrf2 signaling to alleviate acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress
Background Acetaminophen (APAP) can be used for pain relief and fever alleviation, the overdose of which, however, may lead to the accumulation of N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), inducing oxidative stress and liver damage. The natural compound SMND-309 has been shown to have hepatoprotective effects and potential antioxidant activity. However, its ability to alleviate acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury (AILI) has not been elucidated. Objective To explore the protective effect of the natural compound SMND-309 against AILI and the potential mechanism. Methods The AILI model was established using a mouse model and HepG2 cells for pathological evaluation and biochemical assays of mouse liver tissues to assess the level of liver injury. The effects of SMND-309 on cellular ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using DCFH-DA and JC-1 probes. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of Nrf2 signaling pathway and key proteins related to APAP metabolism in the combination of immunohistochemistry of liver tissues, with immunofluorescence assay used to detect whether Nrf2 undergoes nuclear translocation. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation (MD) and biofilm layer interference (BLI) experiments were performed to detect the interaction of SMND-309 with Keap1. Results SMND-309 improved histopathological changes in the liver, decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, as well as attenuated oxidative stress injury and mitochondrial dysfunction in the HepG2 cell line. Further studies revealed that SMND-309 promoted nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and upregulated the expressions of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1). In addition, molecular docking and MD suggested that SMND-309 could bind Keap1 and identified possible binding modes, with BLI experiments confirming that SMND-309 directly interacted with Keap1. Conclusion SMND-309 exerts hepatoprotective effects against AILI in an Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway-dependent manner.