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Obesity has become a global public health problem, and its relationship with gastrointestinal diseases has become a major concern. The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel index to assess the distribution and content of visceral fat, and this study aimed to investigate the association between VAI and bowel habits (chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset was used for the cross-sectional survey. Bowel habits and IBD were defined by self-report. Multiple logistic regression models were used to test the linear association of VAI with bowel habits and IBD. Fitted smoothed curves and threshold effects analyses were used to characterize nonlinear relationships. This cross-sectional study included 10,391 adults (≥ 20 years). After adjusting for covariates, there was a significant negative association between VAI and chronic constipation (OR [95% CI]: 0.97 [0.95, 1.00]) but no significant association with IBD (OR [95% CI]: 0.97 [0.87, 1.07]). Additionally, there was a nonlinear association between VAI and chronic diarrhea with a breakpoint of 3.08, with a positive correlation between the two on the left side of the breakpoint and no statistical significance on the right side. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests showed that maintaining sleep health was associated with a low risk of chronic constipation. Elevated VAI levels were negatively associated with chronic constipation, and elevated levels were positively associated with chronic diarrhea at VAI < 3.08. This reminds us that maintaining moderate levels of visceral fat may prevent the onset of chronic constipation and circumvent the risk of chronic diarrhea. Notably, maintaining healthy sleep may play a positive role in reducing chronic constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of accelerated Fe-rich precipitation caused by Ag addition on the refinement of solidified microstructure and the improvement of electrical, mechanical, and magnetic properties of Cu–10Fe alloys was systematically investigated. Firstly, the quadruple refinement of Cu grains, micron-sized primary Fe-rich spheres and dendrites, and nano-sized Fe-rich precipitates in as-cast Cu–10Fe alloys was induced by the accelerated Fe-rich precipitation. Secondly, the saturation magnetization of as-cast Cu–10Fe alloys was improved, which is mainly dominated by the accelerated precipitation of micron-sized Fe-rich spheres and dendrites, rather than that of nano-sized Fe-rich precipitates. Moreover, the yield strength of cold-rolled Cu–10Fe alloys was increased, which can be attributed to the accelerated precipitation of nano-sized Fe-rich phases and their pinning effect on dislocation movement during cold-rolling. In the end, the synergistic enhancement of strength, ductility, and electrical conductivity of aged Cu–10Fe alloys was obtained by Ag addition, which guides the preparation of high-performance Cu–Fe alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a very important issue to reduce computer storage and calculation time for matrix in solving scattering field by making use of geometric and physical symmetric features of a scattering body. A general definition for the symmetric and anti-symmetric structure is given by applying the group theory in, mathematics and a general method for treating the electromagnetic scattering problems with symmetry is proposed. An example for applying the theory mentioned above is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study of the characteristics of electromagnetic (EM) scattering on dielectric fractal surface. How the characteristics can be obtained; Methodology used; Results from the study.

Presents information on the improved least mean square (LMS) adaptive algorithm with varying stepsize, highlighting the problem and formulations of the algorithm. Experiments used to test the validity of the novel method.