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This essay outlines a participative team formation process for class projects with resources to support instructors in implementing this process. This hybrid process, integrating self-selection and teacher assigned methods, includes four touch points that foster students' awareness of effective team behaviors and the presence (or absence) of these behaviors within themselves and in team members. The awareness can provide students the foundation for developing team skills--beneficial in both team projects and in organizational teams.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with bacteriophage and β-mannanase on health and growth performance in calves. Thirty-six pre-weaning male Holstein calves were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: no supplementation, 0.1% β-mannanase, 0.1% bacteriophage, and both 0.1% bacteriophage and 0.1% β-mannanase supplementation in a starter on a dry matter basis. The experiment lasted from 2 weeks before weaning to 8 weeks after weaning. Twenty-two calves survived to the end of the experiment. No interaction was observed between the two different feed additives. The bacteriophage supplementation tended to increase the odds ratio of survival (p = 0.09). The number of Escherichia coli in feces significantly decreased by bacteriophage supplementation one week after weaning. β-mannanase supplementation increased the concentrate intake (p < 0.01) and tended to increase the final BW (p = 0.08). Analysis of repeated measures indicated β-mannanase supplementation increased weekly body weight gain (p = 0.018). We conclude that bacteriophage supplementation may have a positive effect on calf survival rate, while β-mannanase supplementation may increase the growth rate and starter intake by calves just before and after weaning.

The FCE (field-based chemistry experiment) model was developed to cultivate pre-service science teachers' ability to teach chemistry experiments in secondary classrooms. We describe the process of developing the FCE model and student activities via feedback from experts and analysis of the implemented program. This study evaluated the effectiveness of implementing the FCE model with 58 pre-service science teachers to examine how this model impacts on the role of the instructor and students. Implementation impact was examined by analyzing qualitative data from surveys and observations of student activities. The FCE model minimized the role of the instructor by using flipped learning and cooperative learning, which enabled learners to construct class contents by themselves with topics aligned to the secondary science curriculum. Findings suggest the FCE model supports pre-service science teachers to acquire both knowledge and practical skills related to conducting and teaching experiments. Implications for pre-service science teacher preparation are discussed.

Background: After weaning, nursery pigs have difficulty digesting non-starch polysaccharides in their diets, which can result in growth and health problems. Among non-starch polysaccharides, β-mannan is easily found in various cereal grains that form the basis of livestock diets and interferes the digestion and utilization of nutrients. Supplementation of dietary β-mannanase in nursery diet can alleviate the negative effects on nutrient utilization efficiency caused by β-mannan and improve growth and health of pigs. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, fecal microbiota, and systemic immune responses of weaned pigs. Results: Dietary β-mannanase (MAN) improved average daily gain (P = 0.053), average daily feed intake (P < 0.05), and gain to feed ratio (P = 0.077) of pigs for 3 weeks after weaning and apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein (P = 0.060) and reduced post-weaning diarrhea (P < 0.05). The MAN did not affect the ileal morphology. Pigs fed with MAN had more diverse fecal microbiota based on the results of alpha diversity [the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs; P = 0.061), Shannon (P = 0.071), and Simpson indices (P = 0.078)] and relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes (P = 0.064) and genus Prevotella (P < 0.05) than pigs fed control diet (CON). As a result of beta diversity, fecal microbiota was clustered (P < 0.05) into two distinct groups between dietary treatments. The MAN decreased (P < 0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), the number of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and cortisol of the pigs for 2 weeks after weaning compared with CON. Conclusion: Dietary β-mannanase reduced post-weaning diarrhea of pigs by positively modulating gut microbiota and attenuating systemic immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial dysfunction, which is marked by a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) production or an imbalance in relaxing and contracting factor levels, exacerbates atherosclerosis by promoting the production of cell adhesion molecules and cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri HY7503, a novel probiotic isolated from raw milk, on endothelial dysfunction. Five lactic acid bacterial strains were screened for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endothelium-protective properties; L. reuteri HY7503 had the most potent effect. In a mouse model of angiotensin II-induced endothelial dysfunction, L. reuteri HY7503 reduced vascular thickening (19.78%), increased serum NO levels (226.70%), upregulated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) expression in the aortic tissue, and decreased levels of cell adhesion molecules (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1] and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1]) and serum cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]). In TNF-α-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), L. reuteri HY7503 enhanced NO production and reduced cell adhesion molecule levels. In HUVECs, surface-layer proteins (SLPs) were more effective than extracellular vesicles (exosomes) in increasing NO production and decreasing cell adhesion molecule levels. These findings suggested that L. reuteri HY7503 may serve as a functional probiotic that alleviates endothelial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fully biodegradable, ultra‐sensitive, and soft strain sensor is pivotal for temporary, real‐time monitoring of microdeformations, crucial in disease diagnosis, surgical precision, and prognosis of muscular, and vascular conditions. Nevertheless, the strain sensitivity of previous biodegradable sensors, denoted by gauge factor (GF) up to ≈100, falls short of requirements for complex biomedical monitoring scenarios, specifically monitoring cardio‐cerebrovascular diseases with microscale variations in vascular surface strain. Here, a fully biodegradable, ultra‐sensitive crack‐based flexible strain sensor is introduced achieving GF of 1355 at 1.5% strain through integration of molybdenum (Mo) film, molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) adhesion layer, and polycaprolactone (PCL) substrate. Analysis of crack morphology of biodegradable thin‐film metals, including Mo, tungsten (W), and magnesium (Mg), reveals material‐dependent sensitivity and repeatability of crack‐based strain sensors. The effect of the adhesion layer and polymer substrate is also investigated. Overall morphological studies on the sensor present a comprehensive understanding of metal film cracking behavior and corresponding performance characterization, showing significant potential for highly sensitive sensors. A hybrid membrane composed of candelilla wax (Cw), beeswax (Bw), and polybutylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate (PBAT) is introduced to provide hydrophobic, yet flexible encapsulation. In vivo, short‐term (≈3 days) monitoring of vascular pulsatility underscores the potential of the sensing tool for rapid, accurate, and temporal disease diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD) is caused by a build-up of fat in the liver, inducing local inflammation and fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of probiotic lactic acid-generating bacteria (LAB) derived from a traditional fermented beverage in a mouse model of NAFLD. The LAB isolated from this traditional Korean beverage were screened using the human hepatic cell line HepG2, and Lactocaseibacillus paracasei HY7207 (HY7207), which was the most effective inhibitor of fat accumulation, was selected for further study. HY7207 showed stable productivity in industrial-scale culture. Whole-genome sequencing of HY7207 revealed that the genome was 2.88 Mbp long, with 46.43% GC contents and 2778 predicted protein-coding DNA sequences (CDSs). HY7207 reduced the expression of lipogenesis and hepatic apoptosis-related genes in HepG2 cells treated with palmitic acid. Furthermore, the administration of 109 CFU/kg/day of HY7207 for 8 weeks to mice fed an NAFLD-inducing diet improved their physiologic and serum biochemical parameters and ameliorated their hepatic steatosis. In addition, HY7207 reduced the hepatic expression of genes important for lipogenesis (Srebp1c, Fasn, C/ebpa, Pparg, and Acaca), inflammation (Tnf, Il1b, and Ccl2), and fibrosis (Col1a1, Tgfb1, and Timp1). Finally, HY7207 affected the expression of the apoptosis-related genes Bax (encoding Bcl2 associated X, an apoptosis regulator) and Bcl2 (encoding B-cell lymphoma protein 2) in the liver. These data suggest that HY7207 consumption ameliorates NAFLD in mice through effects on liver steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatic apoptosis. Thus, L. paracasei HY7207 may be suitable for use as a functional food supplement for patients with NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because there is a lack of comparative studies assessing drug-coated balloon (DCB) and drug-eluting stent (DES) outcomes with respect to intraluminal (IL) and subintimal (SI) approaches in femoropopliteal (FP) total occlusive lesions, we compared the outcomes between DCB (including bailout stenting) and DES treatments for this lesion. A total of 487 limbs (434 patients) were divided into the IL (n = 344, DCB: n = 268, DES: n = 76) and SI (n = 143, DCB: n = 83, DES: n = 60) approach groups. The primary outcome was a major adverse limb event (MALE), defined as above-ankle amputation or repeat revascularization of the index limb. Secondary outcomes included clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR), loss of clinical patency, and all-cause death. After adjustment, in each IL and SI approach, the 2-year rates of MALE (p = 0.180 and p = 0.236, respectively), TLR, loss of clinical patency, and all-cause death were similar between the DCB and DES groups. In the DCB and DES groups, both primary and secondary outcomes were similar between the IL and SI approaches. DCB and DES strategies for patients presenting with FP total occlusive lesions demonstrated similar outcomes regardless of the IL or SI approach. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02748226. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of different light qualities, including red, green, blue, purple, and white lights, on the growth, physiological activity, and ornamental characteristics of two Coleus cultivars. Emphasizing the importance of leveraging phenotypic plasticity in plants within controlled environments, using light quality is a practice prevalent in the ornamental industry. The research explores the varied responses of two Coleus cultivars to distinct light spectra. The key findings reveal the efficacy of red light in enhancing shoot and leaf parameters in C. 'Highway Ruby', while red and green light exhibit comparable effects on shoot width and leaf dimensions in C. 'Wizard Jade'. White light-emitting diodes (LEDs), particularly with color temperatures of 4100 K and 6500 K, promote root length growth in the respective cultivars. Moreover, chlorophyll content and remote sensing vegetation indices, including chlorophyll content (SPAD units), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the modified chlorophyll absorption ratio index (MCARI), and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI), along with the chlorophyll fluorescence, were significantly affected by light qualities, with distinct responses observed between the cultivars. In summary, this study highlights the transformative potential of LED technology in optimizing the growth and ornamental quality of foliage plants like Coleus, setting a benchmark for light quality conditions. By leveraging LED technology, producers and nursery growers access enhanced energy efficiency and unparalleled versatility, paving the way for significant advancements in plant growth, color intensity, and two-tone variations. This presents a distinct advantage over conventional production methods, offering a more sustainable and economically viable approach for increased plant reproduction and growth development. Likewise, the specific benefits derived from this study provide invaluable insights, enabling growers to strategically develop ornamental varieties that thrive under optimized light conditions and exhibit heightened visual appeal and market desirability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological evidence suggests that fruit and vegetable intake significantly positively affects cardiovascular health. Since vegetable juice is more accessible than raw vegetables, it attracts attention as a health functional food for circulatory diseases. Therefore, this study measured blood lipids, antioxidants, blood circulation indicators, and changes in the microbiome to confirm the effect of organic vegetable mixed juice (OVJ) on improving blood circulation. This 4-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study involved adult men and women with borderline total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. As a result, blood lipid profile indicators, such as TC, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B, decreased (p < 0.05) in the OVJ group compared with those in the placebo group. Additionally, the antioxidant biomarker superoxide dismutase increased (p < 0.05). In contrast, systolic and diastolic blood viscosities, as blood circulation-related biomarkers, decreased (p < 0.05) in the OVJ group compared with those in the placebo group. After the intervention, a fecal microbiome analysis confirmed differences due to changes in the intestinal microbiome composition between the OVJ and placebo groups. In conclusion, our research results confirmed that consuming OVJ improves blood circulation by affecting the blood lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, and microbiome changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]