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Emotional distress and affective knowledge representation one year after the COVID-19 outbreak

This study examines whether the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the affectivity of the population extend one year after the outbreak. In an online-mobile session, participants completed surveys (i.e., demographic characteristics, positive-negative affectivity, interoceptive awareness) and a similarity judgment task of triplets of emotional concepts, from which we derived 2D maps of their affective knowledge representation. Compared with pre-pandemic data derived from a comparable population, we report three main findings. First, we observed enhanced negative affectivity during the pandemic, but no changes in positive affectivity levels. Second, increased self-reported interoceptive awareness compared to pre-pandemic data, with greater attention to bodily sensations and adaptive aspects of interoceptive sensitivity. Furthermore, female participants reported higher scores than males on the questionnaire subscales of Emotional Awareness and Attention Regulation. Third, the effect of pandemic-related conditions is also apparent in the mental organization of emotional concepts, especially for female participants (i.e., reduced coherence in the organization of the concepts along the arousal dimension and more misclassification of concepts based on arousal) and participants who did not perform physical activity (a collapse of the arousal dimension). Some of the effects of the pandemic, thus, persist about a year after the outbreak. These results advise providing programs of psychological and emotional assistance throughout the pandemic beyond the outbreak, and that age-dependent gender differences should be accounted for to define tailored interventions. Physical activity might relieve pandemic-related stressors, so it should be promoted during particularly stressful periods for the population.

Strategies to reduce hyperglycemia-related anxiety in elite athletes with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative analysis

Objective Managing blood glucose levels is challenging for elite athletes with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as competition can cause unpredictable fluctuations. While fear of hypoglycemia during physical activity is well documented, research on hyperglycemia-related anxiety (HRA) is limited. HRA refers to the heightened fear that hyperglycemia-related symptoms will impair functioning. This study investigates current strategies employed to mitigate HRA during competition and the development of alternative approaches. Research design and methods Elite athletes with TID, aged >14 who self-reported HRA during competition were recruited. Elite athletes were defined as individuals exercising >10 hours per week whose athletic performance has achieved the highest competition level. 60 to 90-minute virtual semi-structured interviews were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Ten elite athletes with T1D (average age 25 ± 3 years; T1D duration 12 ± 8 years; number of competitions per year 27 ± 19; training time per week 12 ± 6 hours) reported the strategies they currently use to mitigate HRA. These strategies include managing insulin and nutrition intake, embracing social support networks, using technology, practicing relaxation techniques, establishing routines, performing pre-competition aerobic exercise, and maintaining adequate sleep hygiene. Several additional approaches that could be implemented were identified including establishing targeted support networks, developing peer-reviewed resources on HRA, ensuring support teams have sufficient tools, and improving existing technology. Conclusions Elite athletes with T1D use physiological and psychological strategies to mitigate HRA during competition. This finding highlights the need for increased support and education for these athletes, and advancements in technology. A multidisciplinary approach involving healthcare professionals, athletic staff, and peer mentors could help integrate personalized anxiety management and diabetes care strategies into training regimens, enhancing both mental resilience and performance outcomes for athletes with T1D.

Impact of low-carbon economic policies on the corporate environmental responsibility model in China

This study investigates the impact of low-carbon economic policies on Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) in Chinese A-share listed companies, with a particular focus on the role of financing constraints as a mediating factor. Despite a decrease in environmental pollution incidents in 2022, the economic and social impacts of such incidents remain significant, highlighting the need for stronger environmental governance. Building upon previous research, this study utilizes data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges (2010–2020) and employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to assess the effects of low-carbon economic policies introduced in 2016 on CER. The findings reveal that these policies positively influence CER and that financial constraints act as a mediator. The study finds how low-carbon policies indirectly promote environmental commitments by alleviating financial barriers. The research provides valuable insights for policy formulation, advocating for intensified reforms on the financial supply side to foster a sustainable economic framework. Additionally, it underscores the importance of implementing robust low-carbon policies to elevate corporate environmental responsibility. However, the study also notes limitations related to data scope and potential external factors influencing the results. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable development, offering a blueprint for harmonizing economic growth with environmental preservation and informing future research in this area.

Perceptions and practices of imaging personnel and physicians regarding the use of brain MRI for dementia diagnosis in Uganda

Introduction Diagnosing dementia remains challenging in low-income settings due to limited diagnostic options and the absence of definitive biomarkers. The use of brain MRI in the diagnosis of dementia is infrequent in Uganda, and even when it is used, subtle findings like mild regional atrophy are often overlooked, despite being crucial for imaging diagnosis. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and practices of imaging personnel and physicians regarding the use of brain MRI as a diagnostic approach for dementia in Uganda. Methods This was an exploratory qualitative study involving radiologists, technologists, senior house officers and psychiatrists. The participants were 25 in total. Data was collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. Results The study revealed three key themes: Brain MRI Practices for Diagnosing Dementia, Facilitators of Appropriate MRI Use, and Barriers to Appropriate Use of Brain MRI. Sub-themes under these themes included cost considerations, poor and good MRI practices, MRI as a standard operating procedure, positive attitudes towards brain MRI, and barriers such as structural, financial, operational, technical, and patient-related issues. Participants acknowledged the high accuracy and superiority of brain MRI for diagnosing dementia and recognized it as the standard of care. However, its use in Uganda is limited due to high costs, restricted access, mechanical failures, patient claustrophobia, myths and misconceptions, and interpretation difficulties by radiologists and inappropriate protocols by technologists. Conclusion The study identifies barriers to effective brain MRI use for dementia diagnosis in Uganda, including limited training, high costs, and uneven equipment distribution. Despite this, providers are positive about MRI adoption. Enhancing training, awareness, and phased rollouts can improve outcomes. Future research should focus on similar low-resource settings for validation.

Private, non-profit, and plantation: Oil palm smallholders in management-assistance programs vary in socio-demographics, attitudes, and management practices

Smallholder farmers produce over 40% of global palm oil, the world’s most traded and controversial vegetable oil. Awareness of the effects of palm oil production on ecosystems and human communities has increased drastically in recent years, with ever louder calls for the private and public sector to develop programs to support sustainable cultivation by smallholder farmers. To effectively influence smallholder practices and ensure positive social outcomes, such schemes must consider the variety in perspectives of farmers and align with their priorities. We conducted social surveys on smallholder farmers in Indonesia and Malaysia with varying degrees of participation in programs that offer advice and support with plantation management (“management-assistance programs”) led by an industrial palm oil producer in Indonesia and a conservation-focused NGO in Malaysia. We surveyed farmers on their demographics, attitudes, and management decisions. Our analyses act as case studies to investigate the similarities and differences between smallholder palm oil producers involved in different schemes, allowing us to determine the alignment between the intentions of partnership programs and the current realities of smallholder plantations. The relationship between heterogeneity of social factors and management decisions and degree of program involvement differed across different groups and region: Indonesian smallholders most closely partnered with the private sector were the most varied in socio-demographics and attitudes but showed little variation in management inputs, while Malaysian smallholders most closely partnered with an NGO were the most heterogenous across all survey sections. Specifically, Indonesian farmers partnered with the private sector used less herbicide, more fertilizer, and had higher yield and total household income than farmers completely uninvolved with management assistance programs. In Malaysia, farmers partnered with an NGO also had higher yield and fertilizer application than independent farmers, however they used significantly more herbicide and had lower total household income. Our findings demonstrate the wide variety of smallholder farmers in both regions, directly opposing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to sustainability. The wide variety of existing management practices also provides a potentially valuable natural experiment to identify high-yield, environmentally-friendly management approaches. When taken in context, our findings may inform the interventions of management-assistance programs, ensuring they are approaching the most relevant farmer groups in the most effective way.

Pooled PPIseq: Screening the SARS-CoV-2 and human interface with a scalable multiplexed protein-protein interaction assay platform

Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) are a key interface between virus and host, and these interactions are important to both viral reprogramming of the host and to host restriction of viral infection. In particular, viral-host PPI networks can be used to further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tissue specificity, host range, and virulence. At higher scales, viral-host PPI screening could also be used to screen for small-molecule antivirals that interfere with essential viral-host interactions, or to explore how the PPI networks between interacting viral and host genomes co-evolve. Current high-throughput PPI assays have screened entire viral-host PPI networks. However, these studies are time consuming, often require specialized equipment, and are difficult to further scale. Here, we develop methods that make larger-scale viral-host PPI screening more accessible. This approach combines the mDHFR split-tag reporter with the iSeq2 interaction-barcoding system to permit massively-multiplexed PPI quantification by simple pooled engineering of barcoded constructs, integration of these constructs into budding yeast, and fitness measurements by pooled cell competitions and barcode-sequencing. We applied this method to screen for PPIs between SARS-CoV-2 proteins and human proteins, screening in triplicate >180,000 ORF-ORF combinations represented by >1,000,000 barcoded lineages. Our results complement previous screens by identifying 74 putative PPIs, including interactions between ORF7A with the taste receptors TAS2R41 and TAS2R7, and between NSP4 with the transmembrane KDELR2 and KDELR3. We show that this PPI screening method is highly scalable, enabling larger studies aimed at generating a broad understanding of how viral effector proteins converge on cellular targets to effect replication.

Reaching Syrian migrants through Dutch municipal registries for hepatitis B and C point-of-care testing

Undetected chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Syrian migrants are the largest non-European migrant group in the Netherlands with HBV and HCV prevalence rates above 2%. This study aimed to reach Syrian migrants for HBV and HCV testing using point-of-care tests (POCT). A multifaceted strategy was employed to reach Syrian migrants aged ≥16 years from two Dutch municipalities for free-of-charge HBsAg and anti-HCV POCT using finger prick blood at the regional Public Health Service. All were personally invited by the Public Health Service by postal mail, based on municipal registry data. Respondents’ medical history data were analysed descriptively and data on age, sex, and municipality were compared with non-participating invitees, using Pearson’s Chi-square test. Of the study population (N = 832), 32.3% (n = 269) attended the testing. The mean age of participants was 36 years (range 16–70), 59.1% were men, and 66.5% were unemployed. Non-participation was higher in the younger age groups (<30 years) (p < .001). The POCT using finger prick blood was well received. None tested HBsAg or anti-HCV positive. With approximately one-third of participation, this study demonstrated relatively high reach of Syrian migrants for testing, compared to studies with similar recruitment methods. However, while the reach could be considered successful, testing failed to demonstrate new infection in this key population. Thereby, other methods may be preferred to identify new HBV and HCV infections, such as opportunistic testing within existing care processes.

Experiences and perceptions of respectful maternity care among mothers during childbirth in health facilities of Eastern province of Rwanda: An appreciative inquiry

Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of ensuring respectful and dignified childbirth experiences. However, many countries, including Rwanda, have documented negative experiences during childbirth. Identifying best practices can help uncover sustainable solutions for resource-limited settings rather than focusing solely on the challenges and negative aspects. This study aimed to explore and describe how mothers in Rwanda’s Eastern Province perceived and valued their childbirth experiences during their most recent labour and delivery. Methods We conducted a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study. Purposive sampling targeted mothers who reported receiving respectful care during labour and childbirth. We selected 30 mothers from five hospitals in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Data collection involved in-depth interviews (IDIs) following the first four stages of the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) 5D cycle. We employed the thematic analysis and used NVivo 12 to organize codes and develop a codebook. Results Three main themes, each with subthemes, emerged from the analysis. The first theme, appreciated care, included compassionate care and emotional support, autonomy and self-determination, timely care, privacy and confidentiality, and a supportive environment. The second theme perceived respectful care, addressed the meaning of respectful care and the sources of the participants’ satisfaction. The third theme, strategies for improvement, focused on increasing women’s self-control, sustaining providers’ positive behaviours, and fostering caring leadership. Participants described receiving compassionate, empathetic, and dignified care, with timely attention to their needs. They expressed satisfaction with the services provided, noting that healthcare providers were kind, polite, and dedicated, often going beyond their duties. Mothers recommended to be more involved in decision-making, maintaining an optimal environment for childbirth, and enhancing community trust and professionalism in maternity care. They also acknowledged their responsibility to ensure proper birth spacing. Conclusion The aspects of care the participants appreciated could be consistently maintained and promoted. There is a need to build on the progress made in delivering RMC to strengthen community trust and elevate expectations. Given the sensitive nature of RMC, we recommend conducting further studies using the Appreciative Inquiry approach.

Association between maternal mental health and early childhood development, nutrition, and common childhood illnesses in Khwisero subcounty, Kenya

Background Despite the significant public health burden of maternal mental health disorders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), limited data are available on their effects on early childhood development (ECD), nutritional status, and child health in the region. Aims This study investigated the association between maternal mental health and ECD, nutritional status, and common childhood illnesses, while controlling for biological, social, financial, and health-related factors and/or confounders. Method As part of the Innovative Partnership for Universal and Sustainable Healthcare (i-PUSH) program evaluation study, initiated in November 2019, a cohort of low-income rural families, including pregnant women or women of childbearing age with children under five, was recruited for this study. A total of 24 villages were randomly selected from a list of villages near two health facilities. Following a census to identify eligible households, 10 households per village were randomly selected. Data collection included maternal mental health, assessed using Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, ECD, nutritional status (anthropometric measurements), and common childhood illnesses, their symptoms, and healthcare utilization. This study presents a cross-sectional analysis of the data drawn from endline survey of 299 target mothers and 315 children. Results The majority of the mothers were aged between 25 and 34 years. The mean age of children was 3.2 years, with 53% being male. The overall maternal mental health score, as measured by the CES-D scale, was 28. Children of mothers with higher CES-D scores exhibited poorer ECD domains, lower nutritional status indicators, and increased incidence of ill-health in the previous two weeks, in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Individual, parental, and household factors—including maternal age, household wealth index, and decision-making regarding child healthcare—were significantly associated with children’s development, nutrition status, and health outcomes. Conclusion Children of mothers with low mental health scores demonstrated suboptimal developmental outcomes, nutritional status, and overall well-being, particularly for those from impoverished households. These findings suggest that improving the socioeconomic conditions of low-income households is essential for promoting children’s development, nutritional status, and well-being. Longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the impact of maternal mental health on child development, nutrition, and health outcomes, considering additional factors across the maternal, newborn, and child health continuum. Trial registration for the parent and nested study ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04068571), AEA Registry (AEARCTR-0006089) and PACTR (PACTR202204635504887).

The impact of shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic on social support for mental health recovery: A prescribing-oriented qualitative study of patient perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for social connectivity and mental health, especially during mandated shelter-in-place periods. For patients engaged in mental health treatment, the social impact of their shelter-in-place experience remains an area of active investigation. This is particularly relevant in the context of social prescribing, a growing area of clinical intervention where healthcare providers actively refer patients to local social resources or activities to enhance mental health and wellbeing. Here, we investigated patient perspectives on their social supports during shelter-in-place, with an eye toward informing future social prescribing and counseling steps that mental health clinicians can take to foster social resiliency of patients. We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with 12 participants receiving mental health treatment at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Adult Psychiatry clinics. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for themes. The sample consisted of 8 female and 4 male participants between the ages of 21 to 44, who received services including outpatient medication management, outpatient therapy, and/or outpatient group therapy. Analysis revealed two thematic categories that participants identified: (A) Specific ways that shelter-in-place impacted their social experience and (B) specific types of social relationships that participants felt were important to their mental health and wellbeing. In the first category, thematic factors that affected the social experience included (1) COVID-19-related health concerns, (2) participants’ baseline socialization patterns (degree of introversion/extroversion) and (3) the use of online and social media communication channels. For the second category of themes, specific functions of social relationships identified included those centered around (a) instrumental support, (b) emotional support, (c) community connection. Many relationships served more than one function during shelter-in-place, and many participants cited perceived community connection as a particularly important element in their mental health recovery. These themes highlight key contributors to the social experience of the shelter-in-place period for individuals in mental health recovery and inform future ways that clinicians can structure social prescribing practices to better assist the needs of patients.

Applying linear programming in evaluating employees in higher education: A case study

In the past few decades, any type of organization, from factories to government organizations, the banking sector, or educational institutions concentrates on increasing profit margins. To achieve this, one of the key factors is to achieve maximum output with minimum resources (input). Therefore, having an optimal plan to apply the resources has become extremely important for organizations. One of the relevant resources is Human resources. This paper presents a mathematical model as an aid for optimizing human resources in the higher education sector. The model includes seven stages: 1) determining the availability of research and teaching staff, 2) evaluating the research and teaching staff from the perspective of different stakeholders, 3) determining the cost of the availability of research and teaching staff, 4) examining the motivated employees, 5) developing a staff ranking, 6) developing the mathematical model, and 7) implementing the mathematical model.

High-resolution isotope dietary analysis of Mesolithic and Neolithic humans from Franchthi Cave, Greece

Franchthi Cave, in the Greek Peloponnese, is a well-known Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic site, with several human burials. In many parts of Europe there is clear evidence from archaeological and isotopic studies for a diet change between the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. This is especially the case in coastal contexts where there is often a shift from predominantly marine food diets in the Mesolithic to terrestrial (presumably domesticated) foods in the Neolithic. However, at Franchthi Cave previous isotope research did not show changes in diets between these two periods, and also showed relatively little input from marine foods in diets in either time period, despite the coastal location of the site and the presence of marine shellfish and fish, including tuna. High-resolution compound specific amino acid isotope analysis reported here from humans from the Lower Mesolithic and Middle Neolithic periods confirms the previous bulk isotope results in showing little or no consumption of marine foods in either time period. However, it is important to note that our isotopic sample does not come from episodes when tuna is abundant and therefore do not cover the whole range of known diets from the site. Conversely, in our sample there is some evidence of marine food consumption (likely seaweed) by sheep in the Neolithic period. We also report here five direct AMS radiocarbon dates for the five analyzed humans from the site.

Retraction: 17β-estradiol upregulates striatin protein levels via Akt pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Pooled prevalence and subgroup variations of Tetralogy of Fallot among children and adolescents with congenital heart defect in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the critical congenital heart defects needing intervention within the first year of life. Objective This review aims to systematically assess the prevalence of Tetralogy of Fallot among children and adolescents with congenital heart defects in Sub-Saharan Africa from January 2000 to January 2024. Methods All original observational studies focused on children and adolescent population diagnosed with congenital heart defects within Sub-Saharan Africa; reported the primary outcome of interest were included. Prisma guidelines were utilized to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis. Electronic databases including Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Google Scholar, and African Index Medicus were searched. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence of Tetralogy of Fallot. Results Thirty-one studies included encompassing a total of 11,265 participants from 15 Sub-Saharan African countries with representation from Southern (4 studies, 619 participants), Central (5 studies, 2,220 participants), Eastern (11 studies, 3,384 participants), and Western (11 studies, 5,042 participants). Cross-sectional studies comprised (25 studies, 8,909 participants), and cohort design (6 studies, 2,356 participants). The analysis revealed a pooled prevalence of 10% (95% CI: 9%; 12%) with I2 (77%, p-value < 0.01). The subgroup analysis based on geographic regions revealed statistically significant difference. Conclusions and future implications The prevalence of Tetralogy of Fallot observed was found considerably higher compared to global estimate and reports of developed countries. In a subgroup analysis based on the geographic region, a surprisingly high prevalence was reported across all regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The substantial disparities and high prevalence observed underscores the complex interplay of factors influencing occurrence of Tetralogy of Fallot. Identifying the true scope of Tetralogy of Fallot burden may help policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize interventions, optimize resource allocation, and potentially improve its outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A study of association between maternal tetanus toxoid immunization and neonatal mortality in the context of Bangladesh

Background Maternal tetanus toxoid (MTT) vaccination during pregnancy remains an important factor for reducing infant mortality globally, especially in developing nations, including Bangladesh. Despite commendable progress in reducing child mortality through widespread MTT vaccination during pregnancy, the issue still exists. This analysis explores the impact of MTT vaccination on neonatal mortality in Bangladesh and identifies associated factors. Methods This research utilizes data from the 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The dataset consists of 23,402 cases; among them, 587 cases resulted in infant death. The outcome variable was infant mortality, which was binary. The independent variables identified as potential contributors to the cause of death included tetanus toxoid vaccination status, mode of delivery (cesarean section or not), and mother’s education level, among others. The Poisson model was employed to analyze the data. Results The analyses showed that the neonatal mortality rate was 2.51%. Notably, 45.90% of mothers received the MTT vaccination during pregnancy. Among them, 23.07% received a single dose, and 22.82% took adequate doses (receiving more than two doses) and adhered to WHO guidelines. The adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 1.36, which indicates that there was a 36% higher risk of neonatal mortality for those children whose mothers did not take TT (IRR = 1.36, p = 0.081). We also found that women from middle-class households (IRR = 1.58, 95% CI = 0.98, 2.54) and women with higher parity (IRR = 1.96, 95% CI = 0.95, 4.03) also had a higher risk of newborn fatalities. A comparable trend has been observed regarding the correlation between the number of tetanus doses administered and neonatal mortality, where it also emphasizes the importance of receiving adequate doses (a minimum of 2 doses of tetanus vaccine) to mitigate neonatal mortality (adjusted IRR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.29, 1.01) in comparison to no doses received. Conclusion Administering a minimum of one maternal tetanus dose significantly lowers the risk of neonatal mortality. Other than Maternal Tetanus Toxoid vaccination, the analyses underscore various contributors to neonatal mortality, encompassing maternal healthcare, delivery procedures, socio-economic status, and education. Targeted interventions addressing these factors have the potential to efficiently decrease neonatal mortality rates and improve overall maternal and child health.

Kidney and gallbladder stones and the risk of prostate cancer: Results from the EPICAP study

Background Prostate cancer remains the most frequent cancer among men, representing a significant health burden. Despite its high morbidity and mortality rates, the etiology of prostate cancer remains relatively unknown, with only non-modifiable established risk factors. Chronic inflammation has emerged as a potential factor in prostate carcinogenesis. We investigated the role of kidney and gallbladder stones and the risk of prostate cancer. Methods We used data from EPICAP, a population-based case-control study. A total of 819 diagnosed prostate cancer cases and 879 controls were face-to-face interviewed using a standardized questionnaire that collected information on personal medical history, including history of kidney and gallbladder stones. Odds Ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Results Our study revealed intriguing patterns regarding kidney and gallbladder stones in relation to prostate cancer risk. The analysis indicated significant potential associations between kidney stones and the risk of prostate cancer (OR: 1.46 95% CI: 1.13–1.90), particularly in men with a history of kidney infection. Additionally, our data suggested a possible relationship between gallbladder stones and prostate cancer when considering triglyceride (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.99–5.28), although further research is needed for a conclusive understanding. Conclusions Our results suggest an association between calculi and the risk of prostate cancer. Findings from this study underscore the need for a more comprehensive investigation to understand the role of chronic inflammation or metabolism and delineate the mechanisms underlying these potential associations in order to guide the development of targeted preventive strategies for aggressive prostate cancer.

Used economy market insight: Sailboat industry pricing mechanism and regional effects

With the popularity of circular economy around the world, transactions in the second-hand sailboat market are extremely active. Determining pricing strategies and exploring their regional effects is a blank area of existing research and has important practical and statistical significance. Therefore, this article uses the random forest model and XGBoost algorithm to identify core price indicators, and uses an innovative rolling NAR dynamic neural network model to simulate and predict second-hand sailboat price data. On this basis, we also constructed a regional effect multi-level model (RE-MLM) from three levels: geography, economy and country to clarify the impact of geographical areas on sailboat prices. The research results show that, first of all, the price of second-hand sailboats fluctuates greatly, and the predicted value better reflects the overall average price level. Secondly, there are significant regional differences in price levels across regions, economies and ethnic groups. Therefore, the price of second-hand sailboats is affected by many factors and has obvious regional effects. In addition, the model evaluation results show that the model constructed in this study has good accuracy, validity, portability and versatility, and can be extended to price simulation and regional analysis of different markets in different regions.

Metal-organic cage crosslinked nanocomposites with enhanced high-temperature capacitive energy storage performance

Inverse association of oxidative balance score with depression and specific depressive symptoms among cancer population: Insights from the NHANES (2005–2020)

Background The rising prevalence of depression among cancer patients is alarming. This study examines the relationship between the Oxidative Balance Score (OBS)—a composite measure of dietary and lifestyle factors—and depression, including specific depressive symptoms in this population. Methods Data were analyzed from 3,280 adult cancer patients collected in NHANES from 2005–2020. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), where a score of 10 or above indicated depression. Symptoms experienced frequently were classified as specific depressive symptoms. Weighted logistic regression models were utilized to explore the correlation between OBS and depression, along with distinctive depressive symptoms. Results There was a negative correlation between OBS and depression. The highest quartile of OBS (OR 0.313, 95% CI: 0.161–0.609), along with dietary OBS (OR 0.429, 95% CI: 0.234–0.786) and the third quartile of lifestyle OBS (OR 0.404, 95% CI: 0.226–0.722), was associated with reduced depression risk. OBS was correlated with lower risks of all four somatic depressive symptoms and one cognitive symptom. Dietary OBS was associated with fewer risks of three somatic symptoms and one cognitive symptom. Lifestyle OBS showed a negative correlation with two somatic symptoms. Stratified analyses indicated that the inverse relationship between OBS and depression risk was consistent across subgroups, including females and individuals under 65. a nonlinear association was observed between OBS (p = 0.024), dietary OBS (p<0.001), lifestyle OBS (p = 0.021), and depression. Conclusions OBS is inversely related to depression and specific depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Encouraging a diet and lifestyle rich in antioxidants may help reduce the risk of depression in this group.

RIF1 integrates DNA repair and transcriptional requirements during the establishment of humoral immune responses

Abstract The establishment of protective immune responses relies on the ability of terminally differentiated B cells to secrete a broad variety of antigen-specific antibodies with different effector functions. RIF1 is a multifunctional protein that promotes antibody isotype diversification via its DNA end protection activity during class switch recombination. In this study, we showed that RIF1 ablation resulted in increased plasmablast formation ex vivo and enhanced terminal differentiation into plasma cells upon immunization. Mechanistically, this phenotype is independent from RIF1’s role in DNA repair and class switch recombination, and reflects its ability to modulate the transcriptional status of a subset of BLIMP1 target genes. Therefore, here we show that, in addition to promoting antibody diversification, RIF1 fine-tunes the kinetics of late B cell differentiation, thus providing an additional layer of control in the establishment of humoral immunity.