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Predicting real-world navigation performance from a virtual navigation task in older adults

Virtual reality environments presented on tablets and smartphones offer a novel way of measuring navigation skill and predicting real-world navigation problems. The extent to which such virtual tests are effective at predicting navigation in older populations remains unclear. We compared the performance of 20 older participants (54–74 years old) in wayfinding tasks in a real-world environment in London, UK, and in similar tasks designed in a mobile app-based test of navigation (Sea Hero Quest). In a previous study with young participants (18–35 years old), we were able to predict navigation performance in real-world tasks in London and Paris using this mobile app. We find that for the older cohort, virtual navigation performance predicts real-world performance for medium difficulty, but not for the easy or difficult environments. Overall, our study supports the utility of using digital tests of spatial cognition in older age groups, while carefully adapting the task difficulty to the population.

HER2 expression and pathway status in male breast cancer patients: results of an integrated analysis among 6,150 patients

Abstract The role of human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) in male breast cancer (MBC) is poorly defined. A comprehensive description of HER2 status was conducted. A total of 6,015 MBC patients from 45 studies and 135 MBC patients with sequencing data were identified. HER2 positive rates and hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) were combined using Metaprop. The prevalence of HER2 + MBC was 10.0% (95% CI: 8.0-13.0%). Subgroup analyses showed that 7% (95% CI: 2.0-14.0%) had HER2 + protein overexpression. 10% of MBC patients had HER2 + overexpression and/or gene amplification. Asian MBC patients had the highest HER2 + incidence of 17% (95% CI: 12.0-22.0%). The prevalence of HER2 positive MBC fluctuated widely from 2001 to 2015 and then stabilized at 10%. HER2 positivity was significantly correlated with worse OS than negative ones (HR = 1.92, 1.47–2.51). The proportion of HER2 + MBC was inconsistent with the results for the intrinsic HER2-enriched subtype. Altered genes in HER2 + MBC, such as ERBB2, AGO2, RECQL4, and CLTC, were not detected in HER2-MBC. Genomic analysis revealed differences between the patients with HER2 + MBC and those with HER2 + FBC. The percentage of HER2 + MBC was slightly lower than that of women. Multiple approaches may be needed to jointly assess HER2 status in MBC.

The evolution of ASEAN’s language policies: A diachronic analysis of official documents and website

Language policy plays a pivotal role in sustaining language behaviors and transforming language ideologies into practices. While the analysis of language policies in international organizations has received increasing attention, the evolution of language policies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been understudied. Existing research on ASEAN’s language policies has concentrated on its official language, often overlooking the language practices and ideologies embedded within these policies. This study seeks to investigate the evolution of ASEAN’s language policy by examining its official documents and website. We employed the Wayback Machine to trace the development of the ASEAN official website and adopted a corpus-based approach, utilizing tools such as AntConc and Sketch Engine, to analyze the Chairman’s Statements of the ASEAN Summit (CSAS). The study reveals three key insights: 1) The evolution of the ASEAN official website can be categorized into three distinct stages. 2) A consistent use of the collective pronoun “we” in the statements highlights the emphasis on cooperation and progress across economic and political-security domains. 3) The ASEAN community has persistently upheld its values, fostering an ASEAN identity and a genuine ASEAN community throughout its development. This diachronic analysis clarifies the characteristics of ASEAN’s language policy, deepening our understanding of the intricate relationship between language practices and ideology, and their implications for regional cooperation and integration.

Strengthening biopolymer adhesives through ureolysis-induced calcium carbonate precipitation

Abstract Common adhesives for nonstructural applications are manufactured using petrochemicals and synthetic solvents. These adhesives are associated with environmental and health concerns because of their release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Biopolymer adhesives are an attractive alternative because of lower VOC emissions, but their strength is often insufficient. Existing mineral fillers can improve the strength of biopolymer adhesives but require the use of crosslinkers that lower process sustainability. This work introduces a novel approach to strengthen biopolymer adhesives through calcium carbonate biomineralization, which avoids the need for crosslinkers. Biomineral fillers produced by either microbially or enzymatically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP and EICP, respectively) were precipitated within guar gum and soy protein biopolymers. Both, MICP and EICP, increased the strength of the biopolymer adhesives. The strength was further improved by optimizing the concentrations of bacteria, urease enzyme, and calcium. The highest strengths achieved were on par with current commercially available nonstructural adhesives. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using calcium carbonate biomineralization to improve the properties of biopolymer adhesives, which increases their potential viability as more sustainable adhesives.

Genome-wide analysis and characterization of TPD1 family proteins in pearl millet (Cenchrus americanus): Insights into reproductive regulation and phytohormone responses

The Tapetum Determinant 1 (TPD1) family proteins are known to play a crucial role in the regulation of reproduction in plants, including Cenchrus americanus (pearl millet). However, members of TPD1 family proteins have not been fully identified. The current study aims to identify and characterize the TPD1 family proteins in Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone. Seven transmembrane proteins (from 127 to 172 aa) comprising TPD1 domain were identified via genome-wide mining. Analysis of gene expression during developmental stages revealed high expression of four CaTPD1s in reproductive organs. Treatment with phytohormones showed that the expression of CaTPD1s was repressed by hormone treatments except CaTPD1_Ch4.1 and CaTPD1_Ch4.3 which are highly expressed in response to brassinolide and auxin, respectively. Screening of cis-elements in the promoter of CaTPD1s revealed various cis-elements related to phytohormone regulation, wound response, abiotic stress defense, and light response. The phylogenetic tree revealed distinct clustering of CaTPD1_Ch6 and CaTPD1_Ch5 among the other CaTPD1s, which revealed close relationships with the orthologs from Arabidopsis and rice that are known to have a critical role in tapetum development and pollen and ovule production. Hence, this study affirms the role of the CaTPD1s genes in the growth and reproduction during pearl millet developmental stages.

Author Correction: Examining the relationships between patients’ multimorbidity trajectories and prognostic outcomes after the initial hip fracture

Fast surface reconstruction algorithm with adaptive step size

In (Dai et al. 2023), the authors proposed a fast algorithm for surface reconstruction that converges rapidly from point cloud data by alternating Anderson extrapolation with implicit progressive iterative approximation (I-PIA). This algorithm employs a fixed step size during iterations to enhance convergence. To further improve the computational efficiency, an adaptive step size adjustment strategy for surface reconstruction algorithm is investigated. During each iteration, the step size is adaptively chosen based on the current residual—larger residuals may necessitate larger steps, while smaller ones might permit smaller steps. Numerical experiments indicate that, for equivalent reconstruction errors, the adaptive step size algorithm demands substantially fewer iterations and less computation time than the fixed step size approach. These improvements robustly enhance computational performance in surface reconstruction, offering valuable insights for further research and applications.

Green building development utilising modified fired clay bricks and eggshell waste

Abstract The inadequate thermal insulation of the building envelope contributes significantly to the high power consumption of air conditioners in houses. A crucial factor in raising a building’s energy efficiency involves utilizing bricks with high thermal resistance. This issue is accompanied by another critical challenge: recycling and disposing of waste in a way that is both economically and environmentally beneficial, including using it to fuel industrial growth, in order to reduce the harmful effects of waste on the environment as waste generation in our societies grows. To this end, the current study sought to assess whether integrating a specific amount of eggshell waste as CaCO3 filler within bricks consistently produces fired clay bricks with desirable thermal insulation capabilities. By systematically investigating the physicochemical and thermal characteristics of bricks doped with varying eggshell content, this work demonstrates how waste materials can be repurposed to produce sustainable construction materials with superior performance. The results highlight significant improvements in thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and effusivity, alongside favorable changes in porosity, bulk density, and mechanical strength. The XRD analysis revealed that once the firing temperature rises, a high insulation feature arises due to siliceous melt formation. EDX analysis gave important insights into the impact of eggshell dopants on the physicochemical parameters of burnt clay bricks. Compared to pristine brick, CEs7% brick constructed with clay and 7 wt% eggshell exhibited a 38.7% loss on dry shrinkage, an enhancement on average pore size of 78.8%, an apparent porosity of 52.7%, a bulk density of 8.3%, and a compressive strength of 57.5%. The reduced shrinkage enhances stability, while increased pore size and porosity improve thermal insulation, making the bricks more durable and energy-efficient. In this regard, the brick containing 10% eggshell that was fired at 1100°C possessed the greatest drop in heat conductivity (i.e., 50%), thermal diffusivity (30%), and thermal effusivity (30%) as compared to the pure one. Given the aforementioned findings, these additions hold the potential to reduce the energy required for both heating and cooling buildings. This brings us to the conclusion that combining eggshell waste to create calcium silicate makes it feasible to be utilized as a thermal insulation material, paving the way for improved construction materials’ performance and sustainability.

The impact of depression and anxiety disorders on postoperative outcomes for patients having total hip or knee arthroplasty: Protocol of a meta-analytic study from cohort studies

Background and purpose Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are widely performed surgeries for end-stage joint disease, yet the influence of depression and anxiety on postoperative outcomes remains unclear. This study aims to consolidate current evidence on the relationship between preoperative depression and/or anxiety disorders and postoperative outcomes in adult patients undergoing primary THA or TKA. Given the potential for these psychiatric conditions to affect recovery, pain management, and overall satisfaction, the results of this study are crucial to inform targeted perioperative interventions and improve patient-centered care. Methods and analysis We will search PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO from inception to the November 2024, adopting a comprehensive search strategy with no language restrictions. Eligible studies will include cohort studies evaluating adults with a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety before THA or TKA compared to those without such disorders. Inclusion criteria will focus on preoperative psychiatric diagnoses, clearly defined postoperative outcomes (such as complications, functional recovery measures, pain, length of stay, and patient-reported outcomes). Risk of bias assessment will be performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis will be conducted using a random-effects model to calculate pooled risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals for each outcome. Heterogeneity will be quantified with the I2 statistic, and a threshold of I2 > 50% will indicate substantial heterogeneity. Sources of heterogeneity will be explored via subgroup analyses or meta-regression if possible. Potential publication bias will be visually assessed using funnel plots and statistically tested using Egger’s test. Sensitivity analyses will be carried out to evaluate the robustness of the results for each outcome through leave-one-out procedure. Discussion This study will introduce a systematic and rigorous approach to synthesizing evidence from multiple cohorts, providing a comprehensive understanding of the impact of depression and anxiety on THA and TKA outcomes. The findings will guide clinicians in recognizing and managing mental health issues to optimize postoperative recovery and ultimately improve patient satisfaction and quality of life. Study registration Study registration: CRD42024500008.

Comparison of scenarios in the trajectory of body mass index among adolescents monitored in primary health care: the VigiNUTRI Brazil study

Cattle on the rocks: Understanding cattle mobility, diet, and seasonality in the Iberian Peninsula. The Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (Tavertet, Osona)

Reconstructing past herd mobility, reproduction, and diet is crucial for understanding animal management practices among the first sedentary farming communities. It can also shed light on how domestic animals were integrated into the existing exchange networks of goods, products, and raw materials, and how they contributed to broader economic and social changes during the Neolithic. Despite the longstanding importance of cattle (Bos taurus) to herders, the role of cattle in the daily, seasonal, and annual cycle of activities of early farming communities remains relatively poorly understood. This study focuses on the Middle Neolithic site of Cova de les Pixarelles (3942–3632 cal. BCE) one of the few sites in the Iberian Peninsula from this period with a substantial collection of faunal remains. The site is particularly notable for its high proportion of cattle remains. Previous research on the cattle bone assemblage from Cova de les Pixarelles has included comprehensive archaeozoological, palaeopathological, and biomechanical analyses—an innovative, integrative approach in Mediterranean archaeology that offers an exceptional level of biographical detail. This study uses bulk bone collagen carbon (δ13Ccoll) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, and sequential analysis of enamel bioapatite oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13Ccarb) isotopes to further enhance our understanding of animal management practices during the Middle Neolithic, providing new insights on the diet, mobility and reproduction patterns of cattle. Results indicate that the Neolithic communities that used Cova de les Pixarelles managed these animals to obtain optimal pastures, moving them seasonally from lowland areas to higher mountain plateaus and carefully managing their reproduction cycles. We suggest a nuanced herding approach, combining open-range grazing with an ecological division of herds based on age, sex, and reproductive function, and seasonal vertical mobility, contributing to a complex but efficient herding system during the Middle Neolithic.

A quantitative prediction method utilizing whole omics data for biosensing

Data quality in centenarian research: The proxy-centenarian relationship and item nonresponse in the SWISS100 study

Background In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the investigation of very old individuals. However, various challenges arise when collecting data from this age group. Given potential health and cognitive impairments and the difficulty of retrieving accurate self-reported data, involving individuals knowledgeable of the target person as proxy respondents are an invaluable solution. The primary goal of this study is to explore the association between proxy-centenarian relationship and item nonresponse, a pivotal data quality measure. Data and methods We used data from the phone study conducted within SWISS100, a study on centenarians in Switzerland, focusing on a subsample of 94 centenarians and 75 proxy respondents. We compared characteristics of centenarians who provided self-reports with those interviewed through proxy respondents using descriptive analyses, and Firth’s regression models to investigate the association of different types of proxies (children, other relatives, and non-relatives) with item nonresponse. Results We noted differences between centenarians participating themselves in interviews and those represented by proxies, observing higher proportions of men and private home residents in the self-report group. There was a low prevalence of item nonresponse among proxy respondents. Proxy type significantly impacted item nonresponse, particularly with non-relatives showing notably higher unanswered question rates. A robust association between non-relatives as proxies and increased item nonresponse persisted even when controlling for potential confounding factors. Discussion and conclusions This study enhances the understanding of data quality, particularly item nonresponse, and highlights the impact of the proxy-centenarian relationship when studying the oldest-old. The findings stress the importance of carefully choosing proxy respondents, preferably children, to improve data quality and inclusivity for those individuals hard to reach or to interview. Future research should investigate various data quality indicators and rely on larger samples to enhance the representation and methodological rigour in the study of the oldest-old.

The interplay of uncertainty, relevance and learning influences auditory categorization

Optimized PCF architectures for THz detection of aquatic pathogens: Enhancing water quality monitoring

Waterborne bacteria pose a serious hazard to human health, hence a precise detection method is required to identify them. A photonic crystal fiber sensor that takes into account the dangers of aquatic bacteria has been suggested, and its optical characteristics in the THz range have been quantitatively assessed. The PCF sensor was designed and examined as computed in Comsol Multiphysics, a program in which uses the method of “Finite Element Method” (FEM). At 3.2 THz operating frequency, the proposed sensor performs better than the others in all tested cases, with a high sensitivity of 96.78% for Vibrio cholera, 97.54% for E. coli, and 97.40% for Bacillus anthracis. It also has a very low CL of 2.095 × 10−13 dB/cm for Vibrio cholera, 4.411 × 10−11 dB/cm for E. coli, and 1.355 × 10−11 dB/cm for Bacillus anthracis. The existing architecture has the potential to produce the sensor efficiently and scalable, opening the door for commercial applications. The innovation is in the optimization of structural parameters to increase the fiber’s sensitivity to bacterial presence, thereby improving the interaction between terahertz waves and bacterial cells. It targets bacterial macromolecule absorption peaks to increase sensitivity. Localized field augmentation, which concentrates THz vibrations where bacteria interact more, may arise from optimization. By improving scattering, structural alterations can help identify bacteria by their characteristic scattering patterns. These improvements improve the sensor’s trace bacteria detection. These factors increase the sensor’s aquatic germ detection when combined. In aqueous environments, this results in a more precise and efficient detection, which could facilitate the real-time monitoring of bacterial contamination. Public health and water quality control may be significantly affected by these developments.

Piezoelectric biosensor with dissipation monitoring enables the analysis of bacterial lytic agent activity

Abstract Antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus pose a significant threat in healthcare, demanding urgent therapeutic solutions. Combining bacteriophages with conventional antibiotics, an innovative approach termed phage-antibiotic synergy, presents a promising treatment avenue. However, to enable new treatment strategies, there is a pressing need for methods to assess their efficacy reliably and rapidly. Here, we introduce a novel approach for real-time monitoring of pathogen lysis dynamics employing the piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with dissipation (QCM-D) technique. The sensor, a QCM chip modified with the bacterium S. aureus RN4220 ΔtarM, was utilized to monitor the activity of the enzyme lysostaphin and the phage P68 as model lytic agents. Unlike conventional QCM solely measuring resonance frequency changes, our study demonstrates that dissipation monitoring enables differentiation of bacterial growth and lysis caused by cell-attached lytic agents. Compared to reference turbidimetry measurements, our results reveal distinct alterations in the growth curve of the bacteria adhered to the sensor, characterized by a delayed lag phase. Furthermore, the dissipation signal analysis facilitated the precise real-time monitoring of phage-mediated lysis. Finally, the QCM-D biosensor was employed to evaluate the synergistic effect of subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic amoxicillin with the bacteriophage P68, enabling monitoring of the lysis of P68-resistant wild-type strain S. aureus RN4220. Our findings suggest that this synergy also impedes the formation of bacterial aggregates, the precursors of biofilm formation. Overall, this method brings new insights into phage-antibiotic synergy, underpinning it as a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains with broad implications for treatment and prevention.

Depression in adolescence and the understanding of health—A phenomenographic study

Health is multifaceted, with divergent interpretations in diverse cultures and groups of individuals. The ways individuals understand health might aid in developing future interventions. There is scant knowledge on how adolescents with depression conceptualise health. A descriptive qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach was used to describe the different ways adolescents with depression conceptualise health. Interviews were performed with adolescents 13–17 years old (n = 33) who participated in a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of aerobic group exercise versus leisure group activities for adolescents with depression. The results were interpreted into four metaphors to embody the understanding of health as described by adolescents with depression: 1) establishing sound routines by managing everyday life, 2) connecting to others by having access to social resources, 3) managing depression symptoms by having control over the mental illness, and 4) attaining inner drive by experiencing joy in everyday life. The various conceptions of health among adolescents with depression provide valuable insights for enhancing evidence-based treatments with person-centred care. Key aspects include establishing routines, fostering connections, finding strategies for symptom control, and incorporating joy through exercise. Given that adolescents highlighted these aspects as essential to health, future research could explore individualised health promotion, particularly focusing on routine-building, social connections, or finding an inner drive as an add-on to evidence-based treatments for adolescent depression.

Scrutinizing the untapped potential of emerging ABSe3 (A = Ca, Ba; B = Zr, Hf) chalcogenide perovskites solar cells

Abstract ABS3chalcogenide perovskites (CPs) are emerging as promising alternatives to lead halide perovskites due to their unique properties. However, their bandgap exceeds the Shockley-Queisser limit. By substituting S with Se, the bandgap is significantly reduced, shifting it from the visible into the near-infrared region. Hence, we have investigated the potential of Se-based absorbers with device structure FTO/TiO2/ABSe3 (A = Ca, Ba; B = Zr, Hf)/NiO/Au using SCAPS-1D. We analyzed the critical parameters impacting each layer of the solar cell. Notably, we achieved an enhanced light absorption (~ 26.5%) at an optimal absorber thickness (500 nm), intensifying carrier generation. Additionally, we observed an increase in VOC (1.03 V) due to improved quasi-Fermi level splitting and a reduction in energy loss (0.45 V) across all solar cells with an optimal absorber carrier concentration (1016  cm−3). Overall, the optimization resulted in improvements in PCE by the difference of 20.14%, 20.44%, 14.33%, and 14.56% for CaZrSe3, BaZrSe3, CaHfSe3, and BaHfSe3 solar cells, respectively. The maximum PCE of over 30% was attained for both CaZrSe3and BaZrSe3 solar cells, attributed to their narrow bandgap, enhanced light absorption (53.60%), high JSC (29 mA/cm2), and elevated generation rate of 1.19 × 1022 cm−2s−1. Thus, these significant outcomes highlight the potential of these absorbers for fabricating high-efficiency CP solar cells.

Melatonin influence on miRNA expression in sperm, hypothalamus, pre-frontal cortex and cerebellum of Wistar rats

Melatonin is a pineal hormone synthesized exclusively at night, in several organisms. Its action on sperm is of particular interest, since they transfer genetic and epigenetic information to the offspring, including microRNAs, configuring a mechanism of paternal epigenetic inheritance. MicroRNAs are known to participate in a wide variety of mechanisms in basically all cells and tissues, including the brain and the sperm cells, which are known, respectively, to present 70% of all identified microRNAs and to transfer these molecules to the embryo. MicroRNAs from sperm have been associated with modulation of embryonic development and inheritance of psychiatric symptoms, including autism. Given that microRNAs and melatonin are ubiquitous molecules with important roles in the organism, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of specific microRNAs in sperm, brain and cerebellum of pinealectomized rats. For this study, Wistar rats had their pineal gland removed at 60 post-partum. Part of these rats received exogenous melatonin until the day of the euthanasia. The control group did not receive any treatment or manipulation. The sperm, hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum were collected for analysis of microRNA expression by RT-qPCR. The results suggest that melatonin absence caused by pinealectomy increases the expression of the target microRNAs in the sperm. Although the data suggest an alteration (increase or decrease depending on the region and microRNA) of expression levels of some microRNAs in the brain and cerebellum of pinealectomized rats, the differences were not statistically significant. This seems to be a consequence of the intragroup variation. Melatonin administration restored the levels of the target microRNAs in the sperm. Additional studies are needed to understand the impact of the alterations of microRNA expression to the pinealectomized rats as well as to their descendants.

Rural-urban transformation shapes oasis agriculture in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains

Abstract Traditional agricultural activities and rural livelihoods in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains are rapidly changing. This is triggered by increasing rural-urban interactions and new livelihood opportunities in cities. A typical example is the oasis of Tizi N’Oucheg in the country’s High Atlas Mountains, which over centuries was largely self-sufficient in food grain and livestock production. Improved infrastructure and better connections to distant urban centers have caused declining livelihood reliance on agricultural activities and enhanced dependence on remittances and the tourism sector in the region. Based on the case of Tizi N’Oucheg, this study aims at assessing the socio-economic and ecological implications of rural-urban transformation for ancient oasis systems in Morocco. Surveys on agricultural practices, census, and meteorological data were combined with GIS (Geographical Information System) -based analyses to examine land use and cropping pattern changes of 625 fields from 1967 to 2022. For the GIS analyses, historical aerial images, multispectral satellite images, and drone-based surveys were used to generate manually classified agricultural fields and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) time series. Our results show a major decline in cultivated land from 13 ha to 6.8 ha over the past 50 years accompanied by an expansion of modern infrastructure since the 2000s. Land management has shifted from labor-intensive multiple cropping and natural fertilization to monocropping of barley for local livestock feeding and increased application of mineral fertilization. The challenging geography of the oasis increased the hardship of practicing traditional agriculture, and therefore largely determines the response of the community to rural-urban transformation. Our data also highlight the increased financial dependence of rural populations on urban centers and the demise of traditional, sustainable agriculture in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains if policies on agricultural development are not adapted to rural circumstances.