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In the Campania region (Southern Italy), in the Matese Mts. (Albian to Turonian/Coniacian) and Caserta district (Albian to Cenomanian), two karst bauxite deposits outcrop, consisting of flat lenses over shallow karst carbonate. Although the mineralogy and geochemistry of Campania bauxite deposits have been widely studied in recent years, new major and trace elements relationships were provided to highlight paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions that occurred during their formation. The purpose of this research is to provide for the first time information on the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions that affected the bauxites of Campania. These deposits formed during different periods since the Matese deposit formed during intense weathering processes with more abundant precipitation while the Caserta district deposit experienced a more long-lasting exposure event. During the formation of the studied bauxites, the drier conditions favored the replacement of kaolinite by boehmite. R-mode factor analysis showed geochemical affinity among Al2O3, TiO2, and Nb. REEs minerals are mainly associated with the bauxite matrix while Zr, Hf, and V were mainly concentrated in detrital minerals during the later stages of bauxitization. Parental affinity indices (Eu/Eu* vs. Sm/Nd; Eu/Eu* vs. TiO2/Al2O3) assessed the origin of the protolith of the Campania bauxites by rejecting the hypothesis of the dissolution of the bedrock carbonate. The results confirmed the eolian transport of parental material with an Upper Continental Crust and an intermediate to mafic magmatic composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the future spatiotemporal distribution of landslide susceptibility in the Chishan river watershed (CRW) in southwestern Taiwan under four future climate change scenarios. On the basis of 10 landslide-related factors, landslide susceptibility models were constructed using the frequency ratio method and logistic regression method, and the model with better performance was selected for subsequent analysis. This study estimated past (2000–2023) and future (2024–2100) daily CRW rainfall values with return periods of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 years. Daily rainfall is expected to increase considerably in the mid-future under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 3-7.0 scenario and in the far future under the SSP 1-2.6, SSP 2-4.5, SSP 3-7.0, and SSP 5-8.5 scenarios. Under these four scenarios, daily rainfall with a return period of 50–100 years in the far future is expected to exceed the daily rainfall in the CRW during Typhoon Morakot (917.8 mm) in 2009. The intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the CRW are expected to increase in the far future under climate change. Finally, areas with high landslide susceptibility are expected to be distributed in the upstream regions of the CRW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the skeletal muscle hypertrophic, architectural, and performance‐related adaptations in response to volume‐matched, total‐body flywheel versus traditional resistance training in a randomized, non‐exercise controlled study in physically active young adults. Thirty‐one healthy young adults (24 ± 3 y) were randomized to 10 weeks of traditional resistance training (TRT; n = 7F/5M), flywheel training (FWRT; n = 7F/4M), or a habitual activity control (CON; n = 5F/3M). Maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT), one repetition‐maximum (1RM) for the free weight squat and bench press, three repetition work maximum (3Wmax) for the flywheel squat and bench press, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance, as well as site‐specific muscle hypertrophy, fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle, were measured. Both TRT and FWRT increased MVIT (p ≤ 0.021) and FFM (p ≤ 0.032) compared to CON. However, TRT promoted superior improvements in free weight squat and bench 1RM (p < 0.001), and FWRT improved flywheel 3Wmax squat and bench (p < 0.001). FWRT increased the FL and cross‐sectional area of the distal VL, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance (p ≤ 0.048), whereas TRT increased the pennation angle and cross‐sectional area of the proximal VL. Therefore, 10 weeks of volume‐matched, total‐body traditional, and flywheel resistance training similarly increased maximal isometric strength and fat‐free mass. However, FWRT promoted unique skeletal muscle architectural adaptations that likely contributed to region‐specific VL hypertrophy and jump performance improvements. Thus, FWRT provides a novel training stimulus that promotes architectural adaptations that support improved athletic performance in a manner that is not provided by traditional resistance exercise training. Highlights: Participants using the flywheel isoinertial training device developed unique skeletal muscle adaptations in the vastus lateralis compared to the traditional resistance training group.The flywheel group also increased both their countermovement jump height and broad jump distance, whereas there were no improvements in the traditional resistance training group.The traditional training group had greater improvements in the free weight back squat and bench press compared to the flywheel group.Both groups improved fat‐free mass and isometric strength to a similar degree compared to the habitually exercising control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gout, an inflammatory arthritis, disproportionately affects the elderly due to hyperuricemia, leading to significant health-related quality of life impairments and escalating healthcare costs. However, a comprehensive global analysis focusing on the elderly population is needed to inform effective interventions. Methods: Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, this study assessed the prevalence, incidence, and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) of gout among individuals aged ≥ 55 years in 204 countries from 1990 to 2021. We also evaluated the impact of high body mass index (BMI) and kidney dysfunction as key risk factors. Results: The study identified 37,230,366 cases of gout globally among the elderly, with an age-standardized prevalence rate of 2505.4 per 100,000 population. There was a notable increase in prevalence with an Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) of 1.08. Similarly, the age-standardized incidence and YLD rates increased, with EAPCs of 0.83 and 1.06, respectively. High-income regions, particularly Australasia and High-income North America, exhibited the highest rates, while Central Latin America and the Caribbean reported the lowest. Males had a higher burden of gout than females. High BMI and kidney dysfunction were significant contributors to YLDs, with their impact more pronounced in regions with higher Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Conclusion: The study found a growing gout burden among the elderly, with substantial regional and gender disparities. It underscores the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, particularly in high SDI regions, to address modifiable risk factors like high BMI and kidney dysfunction and to curb the rising trend of gout prevalence and disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel silicon carbide (Ni-SiC) nanocomposite coatings are extensively used in the engineering field due to their exceptional mechanical characteristics. In this study, pulsed electrodeposition from a nickel Watts bath on a cast iron (CI) cylinder liner produced a Ni-SiC nanocomposite coating. The current study concentrated on multi-objective optimization to maximize microhardness and minimize surface roughness of the composite coating by grey relational analysis (GRA) and the contribution of coating parameters was analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The GRA-ANOVA-ANOVAt shows that the effects of the square term of duty cycle (Y2), the linear term of current density (Z), and the square term of frequency (X2) are most significant and affect the coating characteristics at a 95% confidence level. The inclusion of SiC particles altered the preferred coating crystallographic orientation from (200) to (111). The optimal coating parameters of frequency 100 Hz, duty cycle 80%, and current density 0.5 A/cm2 produced the best mechanical properties for Ni (79.38 wt%), Si (0.76 wt%), and C (19.86 wt%). According to the ANOVA, the linear term of current density (Z) and the quadratic terms of duty cycle (Y2) and frequency (X) have a significant influencing role with contributions of 27.74, 24.18, and 22.90%, respectively. EDX analysis of the Ni-SiC coating showed that carbon is the dominant element, comprising 54.52 wt. % and 19.86 wt. %, followed by nickel and silicon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lattice engineering is reported to enhance Zn2+ storage capability of MnO via anionic doping, which effectively lowers the Zn2+ diffusion barrier and boosts Zn2+ diffusion kinetics. The optimized MnOS0.3@rGO exhibits superior rate capability and reversible capacity of 115.1 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 for 350 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste drilling fluids produced from oil extraction can cause serious harm to the ecological environment; thus, the treatment of waste drilling fluids is urgent and important to ensure the sustainability and development of the oil extraction. In this work, we used the Fenton-like reaction method to degrade waste drilling fluids with SiO2-supported MnO2@Fe2O3 composite material as a catalyst in the presence of H2O2. During the Fenton-like reaction process, the MnO2@Fe2O3 interface exhibits exceptional activity by facilitating the production of ·OH species with high activity and strong oxidizing properties, which degrade the organic substances in the waste drilling fluids into smaller inorganic molecules, thereby reducing its COD value. Compared to the reaction only with H2O2, after reacting with sufficient SiO2-supported MnO2@Fe2O3 catalyst for 4 h at 60 °C in the presence of H2O2, the COD value of the waste drilling fluids is reduced by 36,495 mg L−1, a decrease of more than 95%. This performance is significantly superior to that of the traditional Fenton reagent FeSO4, which reduced the COD by 32,285 mg L−1, a decrease of 84%. This work provides an important composite catalyst, which is practically useful for the treatment of waste drilling fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore community interest in mental health topics during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: We gathered and analysed a large dataset (over 3 billion) of views of 1763 English Wikipedia mental health articles, and their counterparts in nine other language versions of Wikipedia, between the period of January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. Results: The results of this study show that the patterns of Wikipedia searches during the pandemic changed. Interest in articles about insecurities and paraphilias increased. There were more searches for child abuse-related topics. Views for depression decreased. Discussion: We hypothesise that during the lockdown and enforced video communication, people's concern about self-image and privacy arose, and the tendency to follow one's desires online increased. There may be a possible interaction between media coverage and the novelty with the saturation of a given concept in the public discourse. The observations on the online interests of peers may become a sensitive predictor and early sign of arising new phenomena and increase of ongoing public health problems. The results of this study and future in-depth research may contribute to providing preventive programs including screening digital tools, and online apps for early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromagnetic frequency high-energy stir casting process was used to create the high-quality magnesium (Mg) dispersed with varied percentages of nano-sized B4C (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt%). The shape and distribution of Mg with nano B4C were validated by characterization research on nanocomposites utilizing energy-dispersive spectrum, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Thermal and mechanical characteristics such as thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis and tensile strength were explored utilizing acoustic emission. During a tensile test, online monitoring using acoustic emission (AE) demonstrates a reduction in fracture development and propagation. The tensile test result exhibits that, Mg-1.5% B4C nanocomposite has a better tensile strength (σultimate = 125 MPa) than the Mg-0.5% B4C nanocomposite (σultimate = 115 MPa). AE results show that the hit begins at 26 µs for Mg-1.5% B4C nanocomposite, whereas for Mg-0.5% B4C nanocomposite, it begins at 14 µs. Thus, AE results show that an increase in B4C nanoparticles in the composites will prevent hits from occurring. The SEM and atomic force microscopy analyses were performed on the tensile-tested specimens to find the distinguishing characteristics. Owing to the inclusion of the B4C, the Mg-1.5% nano B4C composite has a longer ignition time in the thermogram of TGA and greater tensile strength than the Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious complication in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and prognosis of SJIA-ILD. Methods: A two-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients newly diagnosed with SJIA in China from October 2010 to December 2021. Clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, outcomes, and relapse rates were compared between ILD and non-ILD groups. Results: A total of 176 children with SJIA were included, including 35 in ILD group and 141 in non-ILD group. The median age at onset of SJIA was 5.8 years (range 4.4–9.5) in patients with SJIA-ILD. It exhibited higher incidences of cervical spine (28.6%) and hip involvement (40.0%) in ILD group (P = 0.031 and P = 0.029, respectively). The incidence of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in ILD group reached up to 40%, significantly elevated than that in non-ILD group (P = 0.047). Children with ILD demonstrated a stronger inflammatory response and were more prone to developing lymphopenia (P = 0.009), requiring more combination therapy (P = 0.006) to control disease activity. 54.3% of patients received biologic therapies, with only three patient receiving biologics (one with IL-6 blockade, two with TNF inhibitor) prior to ILD onset and none receiving IL-1 blockade. The median follow-up duration was 6.0 years (range 3.9–9.5). The proportions of patients with SJIA-ILD achieving clinical inactive disease without glucocorticoids within 6 to 12 months of the treatment were significantly lower than control group (45.7% vs. 70.2%, P = 0.006). In ILD group, only 54.3% of patients achieved complete remission, and 17.1% were in a non-remission state, among whom two deaths from respiratory failure. There was no significant difference in disease relapse rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with SJIA-ILD exhibited heightened inflammation, increased hip joint and cervical spine involvement, and were more susceptible to developing lymphopenia and MAS, suggesting a relatively poor prognosis. They required a prolonged time to control inflammation and more aggressive treatment strategies to achieve inactive status. The unsatisfactory rate of complete remission highlighted an urgent need for focused clinical strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear spin isomers of molecules play a pivotal role in our understanding of quantum mechanics and can have significant implications for various fields. In this work, we report the isolation and characterization of stable nuclear spin isomers as well as conformational isomers of a reactive compound, namely carbonyl diisothiocyanate. It can exist as three rotational conformers, two of which, the syn–syn and syn–anti, were observed in a pulsed supersonic jet by chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the 2–12 GHz frequency region. The rotational spectra of two distinct nuclear spin isomers of syn–syn-carbonyl diisothiocyanate, ortho and para, were recorded and analyzed. Experimental molecular rotational parameters for the identified rotational and nuclear spin isomers were determined, including rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. The two nuclear spin isomers are distinguished by unique hyperfine splitting signatures in their rotational spectra as an outcome of their different nuclear spin states. The relative abundances of the two observed conformers in the gas phase were estimated from the intensity of their rotational transitions. Following detection of singly substituted rare isotopologues of the syn–syn conformer, a partial substitution (rs) structure was determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) restricts the efficient activation of immune responses. To restore the surveillance of the immune system for robust activation, vast efforts are devoted to normalizing the TME. Here, a manganese‐doped layered double hydroxide (Mn‐LDH) is developed for potent anti‐tumor immunity by reversing TME. Mn‐LDH is synthesized via a one‐step hydrothermal method. In addition to the inherent proton neutralization capacity of LDH, the introduction of manganese oxide endows LDH with an additional ability to produce oxygen. Mn‐LDH effectively releases Mn2+ and Mg2+ upon exposure to TME with high levels of H+ and H2O2, which activates synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes pathway and maintains the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells respectively, achieving a cascade‐like role in innate and adaptive immunity. The locally administered Mn‐LDH facilitated a "hot" network consisting of mature dendritic cells, M1‐phenotype macrophages, as well as cytotoxic and helper T cells, significantly inhibiting the growth of primary and distal tumors. Moreover, the photothermal conversion capacity of Mn‐LDH sparks more robust therapeutic effects in large established tumor models with a single administration and irradiation. Overall, this study guides the rational design of TME‐modulating immunotherapeutics for robust immune activation, providing a clinical candidate for next‐generation cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) have garnered significant attention owing to their fluorescence properties and biocompatibility, especially red fluorescent CDs for bio-imaging and optoelectronics. However, existing red fluorescent carbon dots exhibit limitations regarding shorter red wavelengths, lower fluorescence intensities, and complex preparation procedures. This paper employed the microwave method to synthesize four water-soluble red fluorescent carbon dots, utilizing p-phenylenediamine and urea as precursors. By doping with manganese and adjusting the precursor concentration, we enhanced the intensity and the wavelength of red fluorescence under 365 nm UV light. The manganese-decorated carbon dots (Mn-CDs) showed a 32 nm redshift compared to the original carbon dots (O-CDs). The manganese-decorated/precursor concentration changed carbon dots (Mn/P-CDs) had four times higher intensity and 677 nm wavelength. The enhancement was mainly due to the increased nitrogen content from manganese addition and the decreased precursor concentration. We also synthesized composite polyfluorescent films with four CDs as pigments, exhibiting excellent transparency, flexibility, and luminescence in various media. Importantly, we demonstrated that their luminescent properties remained intact across multiple media. This study provides a valuable method for high-quality red CDs synthesis and a novel perspective for their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Measures of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition may help identify players who are predisposed to lower limb injuries (LLI) or lower back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine (1) side-to-side asymmetry in college rugby players according to sex and position and (2) whether side-to-side asymmetry is associated with LBP or LLI. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-six rugby players (61% female) underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment for total and regional (appendicular, truncal) outcomes of fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass. A subsample (n = 23) of players had a second dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment 2 months postbaseline. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of position (forward and backs) and sex on body composition asymmetry. Student paired t tests were used to assess side-to-side difference in body composition and compare baseline and follow-up measures. Logistic regression was used to assess possible associations between LLI, LBP, and the degree of side-to-side asymmetry in body composition. Results: Male players had greater asymmetry in arm bone mass compared with female players (P = .026), and trunk fat mass asymmetry was greater in forwards as compared with backs (P = .017). Forwards had significantly greater fat mass (P = .004) and percentage of fat (P = .048) on the right leg compared with the left. Backs had significantly greater bone mass in the right arm compared with the left (P = .015). From baseline to postseason, forwards had a significant increase in side-to-side asymmetry in arm lean mass (P = .006) and a significant decrease in side-to-side asymmetry in leg fat mass (P = .032). In backs, side-to-side asymmetry at baseline compared with postseason was significantly different (P = .011) for trunk fat mass. There were no significant associations between body composition asymmetry, LLI, or LBP by sex or position. Conclusion: Our results revealed the presence of side-to-side asymmetries in body composition in university rugby players between sex and position. The amount of asymmetry, however, was not associated with LBP and LLI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the hydrological response to continuous extreme and asymptotic climate change can improve our ability to cope the intensified water-related problems. Most of the existing literature focused on the runoff response to different climate change patterns, while neglected the impacts by the potential variation in the catchment water storage capacity (CWSC) that plays an important role in the transfer of climate input to the catchment runoff. This study aims to identify the response of the CWSC to the long-term meteorological drought and asymptotic climate change systematically. Firstly, the time-varying parameter is derived to reflect the CWSC periodic/abrupt variations under both drought and non-drought periods. Secondly, the change points and varying patterns of the CWSC are analysed based on the Bayesian change point analysis with multiple evaluation criteria. Finally, multiple catchment properties and climate characteristics are used to explore the possible relationship between these variables and the temporal variation characteristic of the CWSC. The catchments suffered from prolonged meteorological drought in southeast Australia are selected as the case study. Results indicate that: (1) the increase of CWSC amplitude change has been observed in 83/92 catchments during the prolonged drought period and the significant shifts in the mean value of the CWSC are detected in 77/92 catchments; (2) the median response time of CWSC for all 92 catchments with significant changes is 641.3 days; (3) the values of CWSC are changed significantly in the catchments with small area\low elevation\small slope range\large forest coverage and high soil water holding capacity. This study might enhance our understanding to the variations in catchment property under different climate-changing patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) can be classifed as CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the Systemic Immune-Infammation Index (SII) and Pan-Immune-Infammation Value (PIV) levels of patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) along with healthy controls. Methods: The study analyzed 320 patients from 2022 to 2023. Patients were divided into three groups. 110 CRSwNP patients, 110 CRSsNP patients, and 100 healthy individuals were included in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. SII and PIV levels were assessed after CRSwNP or CRSsNP diagnosis. The values of complete blood count, SII, and PIV were compared. Results: The mean SII levels of patients in groups A, B, and C were 685.3 ± 641.3; 1034.18 ± 1083.12; and 532.18 ±310.77, respectively. The mean SII levels were signifcantly higher in group B compared to groups A and C (P=.012 and P=.000). The mean PIV levels of patients in groups A;B and C were 405.31 ± 486.15; 539.08 ± 599.63; and 311.29 ±217.52, respectively. The mean PIV levels were signifcantly higher in group B compared to group C (P=0.001). Results of the ROC analyses for both SII and PIV were statistically signifcant. Patients with an SII cut-of value of 278.6 had a sensitivity of 91% and sensitivity 91%, specifcity of 90%. Patients with a PIV cut-of value of 117.51 had a sensitivity of 92% and sensitivity 92%, specifcity of 90%. Conclusions: SII and PIV, which are important infammatory markers, especially in systemic infammation, were signifcantly elevated in CRSwNP patients compared to CRSsNP patients and healthy controls. This may support the presence of chronic mucosal infammation in CRSwNP patients. However, SII and PIV are indirect markers of infammation, and further studies with larger patient groups are warranted.

Metal oxide crystallites possess characteristic structural motifs, which can act as active centers to direct the activities, selectivities, and sustainabilities of target reactions. In this context, Mn2+–O–V5+ motifs are essential to construct Mn2+/V5+-centered sub-units for manganese vanadate phases (MnXV2OX+5; X = 1–3). Surface Mn2+–O–V5+ motifs are readily fragmented to bear labile oxygens (OL) and Lewis acidic (LA) defects adjacent to oxygen vacancies (OV) functioning as reservoirs of mobile oxygens (OM). The LA defects possess high affinity for O2/H3PO4 poison included in NOX/SO2-containing, wet feed gases. Meanwhile, the LA defects afford PO43− functionalities, whose terminal P5+–O2− bonds act as Brønsted acidic species (BA−–H+) upon protonation. The resulting BA−–H+-rich, fragmented Mn2+–O–V5+ motifs are particularly conducive to activate the selective reduction of NOX (SCR) via the Eley–Rideal (ER) model or the pyrolysis of ammonium (bi-)sulfate (AS/ABS) poisons via the pyrosulfate disintegration model. Marked acceleration of the ER and pyrosulfate fragmentation models hinge on the energy barrier (EBARRIER) reduction/collision frequency elevation/strong hydrophobicity, whose trends versus X anticipated using the local Mn2+–O–V5+ connectivities in the Mn2+-centered sub-units are opposite to those in their V5+-centered counterparts. Nonetheless, the Mn2+/V5+-centered sub-units were verified to impart Mn2+–O–V5+ motifs that were highly associated and similarly contributed to disclosing the trends of the kinetic parameters , hydrophobicity, or amounts/strengths of the BA−–H+/redox sites (OL/OV/OM) versus X, throughout which X = 1–2 were more desired than X = 3 except for the values alongside with a higher hydrophobic surface area provided by X = 1 compared to those provided by X = 2–3. Notably, Sb2O5-promoted Mn1V2O6 subjected to PO43− modification (Mn1–Sb–P) was superior to WO3-promoted V2O5 (commercial control) or SOA2−-modified analogue (Mn1–Sb–S) in achieving higher activities and/or maximum-obtainable performance for the SCR or AS/ABS pyrolysis, as substantiated by controlled or 18O2-labelled runs under kinetic/diffusion-limited domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ant species inhabit closed environments with limited spaces underground, encompassing a potential risk of pathogen reservoir and transmission among colony members. Despite accumulated research on the triggers of endemic outbreaks, the mechanism through which pathogenic microorganisms are introduced into ant colonies from outside the nest remains unclear. Waste materials could be one of the potential sources of pathogens, and we hypothesize that the feces of infected foragers may serve as a route of pathogen infiltration into the nest. In this study, we examined the transmission route and distribution pattern of an entomopathogenic bacterium, Pseudomonas entomophila, and ant behaviors in the nest using Diacamma cf. indicum from Japan. First, through infection experiments, we revealed that infected foragers introduce foreign pathogens into the nest via their feces, and the distribution of introduced pathogens within the nest shows a bias towards the midden room. Subsequently, our behavioral observations showed that reproductive individuals tend to remain in the other nest rooms. Overall, our results suggest that while the feces of infected foragers are potential reservoirs of disease outbreaks within a colony, such a risk might be mitigated by confining feces in a specific room of the ant nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mono- and di-substituted cerium oxide catalysts, viz. Ce0.95Cu0.05O2-δ, Ce0.90Cu0.10O2-δ, Ce0.90 Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ, Ce0.85Cu0.10Mn0.05O2-δ, and Ce0.80Cu0.10Mn0.10O2-δ, were synthesized via a one-step urea-assisted solution combustion method. The elemental composition and textural and structural properties of the catalysts were determined by various physical, electronic, and chemical characterization techniques. Hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction showed that co-doping of copper and manganese ions into the CeO2-δ lattice improved the reducibility of copper. Powder XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, and Raman spectroscopy showed that the catalysts were a singled-phased, solid-solution metal oxide with a cerium oxide cubic fluorite (cerianite) structure, and evidence of oxygen vacancies was observed. Catalytic results in the preferential oxidation of CO in a hydrogen-rich stream showed that complete CO conversion occurred between 150 and 180 °C. Furthermore, at 150 °C, Ce0.90Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ, Ce0.90 Cu0.10O2-δ, and Ce0.85Cu0.10Mn0.05O2-δ catalysts were the most active, achieving complete CO conversion and CO2 selectivity of 81, 79, and 71%, respectively. The catalysts performed moderately in the presence of CO2 and water, with the Ce0.90Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ catalyst giving a CO conversion of 80% in CO2, which decreased to about 60% when water was added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is esteemed for its rich reservoir of health-benefitting phytoconstituents nestled within its seeds. The composition of its seeds can be influenced by factors such as genotype diversity and agricultural practices. Understanding these dynamics is important for maximizing the nutritional and medicinal attributes of the seeds. This study investigated how different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times affect oil yield and phytoconstituents of Nigella seeds in Northern Australia. The aim was to find the optimal combination of these factors to maximize desirable compounds. Our findings revealed variability in oil yield and phytoconstituents among different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times. No single genotype stood out as having elevated levels of all desired compounds. For instance, genotype AVTKS#5 had high total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity, while AVTKS#8 and AVTKS#7 excelled in thymoquinone (TQ) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), respectively. Planting density had a nuanced impact, with no significant effect on oil yield and CUPRAC values, but higher densities decreased TPC, FRAP, and TQ. Interestingly, seeds cultivated at 20 and 30 plants/m2 had higher ratios of MUFAs/SFAs, PUFAs/SFAs, and (MUFAs + PUFAs)/SFAs, indicating the importance of planting density in shaping fatty acid profiles. Sowing times also had a noticeable effect, with late sowing leading to a decrease in oil yield from 19% to 14%. May-sown seeds had higher TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and fatty acid ratios, while TQ levels peaked in June-sown seeds. Our study highlighted positive correlations among TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and TQ, emphasizing their collective contribution to the nutritional and medicinal potency of Nigella seeds. Fatty acids, on the other hand, showed no significant correlation with these parameters, indicating independent regulation. In summary, our comprehensive analysis provides insights into the factors (genotype and agronomic practice) that shape the phytochemical profile of Nigella seeds, and suggests better genotype, planting density, and time of sowing for the cultivation and quality production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological control of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at the micro/nanoscopic scale is critical for optimizing the electrochemical properties of them and their derivatives. In this study, manganese organic phosphate (Mn-MOP) with three distinct two-dimensional (2D) morphologies was synthesized by varying the molar ratio of Mn2+ to phenyl phosphonic acid, and one of the morphologies is a unique palm leaf shape. In addition, a series of 2D Mn-MOP derivatives were obtained by calcination in air at different temperatures. Electrochemical studies showed that 2D Mn-MOP derivative calcined at 550 °C and exhibited a superior specific capacitance of 230.9 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in 3 M KOH electrolyte. The aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor and the constructed flexible solid-state device demonstrated excellent rate performance. This performance reveals the promising application of 2D Mn-MOP materials for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension bridges are the most common type of bridge used to cross the ocean. The cable clamps in suspension bridges clamp the main cables by bolt preload, but the elastic interaction of the bolts reduces the preload, which is detrimental to the force in suspension bridges. However, research on the factors influencing the elastic interaction of cable clamp bolts in suspension bridges is currently limited. This paper aims to explore the law of influence of external factors on the elastic interaction of bolts through a combined approach of theoretical analysis, full-scale experiment, and finite element simulation. The results indicate that the average preload loss was reduced by about 27% when the elastic modulus was increased by about 110%. The average preload loss was reduced by about 45% when the bolt center distance was increased by 75%. The number of bolts has a small effect on the elastic interaction, which can be ignored. When the preload of bolt installation was increased by 133%, the average preload loss was reduced by approximately 125%, which was almost a linear relationship. Tightening the bolt from the center bolt creates greater elastic interaction. The conclusions can provide suggestions for reducing the elastic interaction of bolts in the design and construction of suspension bridge cable clamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their high porosity, open metal sites, and huge surface area, metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are commonly employed in iodine adsorption processes. Bimetallic MOFs have drawn a lot of attention since mono-metal MOFs have been unable to keep up with the demand. Bimetallic MOF materials still have drawbacks, including limited adsorption capacity, extended adsorption time, poor stability, and poor selectivity, despite their positive performance in radioactive iodine capture. It has been therefore difficult to develop adsorbents with quick iodine adsorption rates and high iodine adsorption efficiency. This study investigated the adsorption properties of a series of bimetallic MOF-74 materials (Mn–Co-MOF-74, Mn–Zn-MOF-74, and Mn–Ni-MOF-74) for radioactive iodine, as well as their design and synthesis utilizing the reflux approach. It was discovered that the adsorption performance of Mn–Ni-MOF-74 for radioiodine was superior to that of the other two bimetallic MOF-74 materials. Using the bimetallic Mn–Ni-MOF-74 as a precursor, a variety of bimetallic MOF-74 derived carbon compounds (Mn–Ni-CX) were prepared by high-temperature pyrolysis. Simultaneously, the structure of the material and the iodine adsorption characteristics have been thoroughly studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization significantly influences soil quality and its sustainable use in urban garden maintenance. The widespread application of inorganic fertilizers has raised ecological concerns due to their potential environmental impacts. Organic fertilizers, while beneficial, often have slow effects and are costly. Biofertilizers, with their eco-friendly nature and low carbon footprint, are gaining attention for their multifaceted role in supporting plant growth. Despite the focus on fruit trees, vegetables, and medicinal plants, ornamental plants have been understudied. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel microbial fertilizer, 'natural soil biotin', on Rhododendron plants, specifically the Azalea hybrid 'Carnation'. The study employed a comparative approach to assess the impact of different fertilization strategies on soil properties, microbial diversity, enzyme activity, plant morphology, and physiological parameters. The application of 'natural soil biotin' was compared with the use of inorganic and organic fertilizers. The combined application of 'natural soil biotin' was found to effectively enhance soil properties and mitigate the impact of other fertilizers on soil pH. It also improved the relative abundance of beneficial microbial groups such as Proteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, the mixed application significantly increased the activities of urease and sucrase in Rhododendron plants, which promoted their growth, development, and stress resistance. The results indicate that the mixed application of 'natural soil biotin' with inorganic and organic fertilizers not only improved the soil quality but also enhanced the efficiency of fertilizer utilization. This approach led to increased economic and environmental benefits in Rhododendron cultivation. The findings contribute to the foundation for soil improvement and ecological restoration, suggesting that 'natural soil biotin' could be a promising alternative or supplement to traditional fertilization methods in sustainable landscape architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activation and selective functionalization of inert C(sp3)–H bonds is fundamental for industrial applications and occupies a very important place in industry, but it remains a great challenge in current synthetic chemistry. In this paper, we report an approach for activating reactive tert-butyl peroxyl radicals by modifying Ru–porphyrin into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the activation of inert C(sp3)–H bonds. Under mild conditions, the Ru–porphyrinyl MOF can activate the peroxyl radical, extracting a hydrogen atom from the inert C(sp3)–H bond. Mn2+ paddlewheels with unsaturated coordination sites were introduced into the MOF, and direct oxidative conversion using environmentally friendly oxygen provides a new pathway to activate the inert C(sp3)–H bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress poses a significant obstacle to agricultural productivity, particularly in the case of oilseed crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Selenium (Se) is a fundamental micronutrient that has been recognized for its ability to enhance plant resilience in the face of various environmental stresses. The FH-770 sunflower variety was cultivated in pots subjected to three stress levels (100% FC, 75% FC, and 50% FC) and four Se application rates (0 ppm, 30 ppm, 60 ppm, and 90 ppm). This research aimed to investigate the effect of exogenously applied Se on morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of sunflower to improve the drought tolerance. Foliar Se application significantly lowered H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide; ROS) (20.89%) accumulation that markedly improved glycine betaine (GB) (74.46%) and total soluble protein (Pro) (68.63%), improved the accumulation of ascorbic acid (AA) (25.51%), total phenolics (TP) (39.34%), flavonoids (Flv) (73.16%), and anthocyanin (Ant) (83.73%), and improved the activity of antioxidant system superoxide dismutase (SOD) (157.63%), peroxidase (POD) (100.20%), and catalase (CAT) (49.87%), which ultimately improved sunflower growth by 36.65% during drought stress. Supplemental Se significantly increased shoot Se content (93.86%) and improved calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+) ions in roots by 36.16%, 42.68%, and 63.40%, respectively. Seleniumsupplements at lower concentrations (60 and 90 ppm) promoted the growth, development, and biochemical attributes of sunflowers in controlled and water-deficient circumstances. However, selenium treatment improved photosynthetic efficiency, plant growth, enzymatic activities, osmoregulation, biochemical characteristics, and nutrient balance. The mechanisms and molecular processes through which Se induces these modifications need further investigation to be properly identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine skiing performance depends on several qualities, including lower limb strength, power production and flexibility. However, how these physical skills, as well as their relationship, differ between sexes and evolve in growing skiing athletes is still unclear. We analysed sit-and-reach (SR) and three jump test (height and peak power) scores of over 200 alpine ski racers collected across 15 sports seasons. We stratified data among sex and age categories to assess differences and to interpret the relationships between flexibility and jump performance. The mixed models showed a significant age category and sex effect (p < 0.001) for all the flexibility and jump performance scores, with males having higher jump scores but lower SR scores than females, and all performance scores increasing significantly through the age categories. The regressions between SR and the jump scores performed on the whole database were positively significant for the three jump variations (p < 0.001, R 2 ranging from 8.9% to 15.9%), while when the relationship was reanalysed independently in each age–sex group, only some were significant. Both age and sex influenced the performance in the investigated lower limb power and flexibility qualities, along with their relationship. The presented results suggest that lower limb power and flexibility should be longitudinally assessed, as well as their relationship, for training and testing purposes, considering the sex and growth-related modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of highly dispersed Nia-xMnxAlOy catalysts derived from layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were prepared for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia (NH3-SCR) at low temperature. The physicochemical and catalytic performance of the prepared catalysts with different M2+/M3+molar ratios were systematically investigated by XRD, BET, XPS, TPX (i.e. TPD and TPR) and in situ DRIFTs. Fortunately, Ni4-xMnxAlOy as the optimal catalyst exhibited prominent NH3-SCR performance with NOx conversion greater than 90% at low temperature range of 120~210 °C. Especially, the influence of H2O and SO2 revealed that the catalyst activity could be miraculously promoted by H2O, while deactivated by SO2. The proper M2+/M3+molar ratios not only provided the surface acidic sites, the high Mn4+ content ratio and the adsorbed oxygen of Nia-xMnxAlOy catalysts, but also promoted the transformation of NOx intermediate species to more stable bidentate nitrates. Results of the in situ DRIFTs illustrated that the SCR reaction path of Nia-xMnxAlOy catalysts followed both E-R and L-H mechanisms, and the former played the dominant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-neutron mass yield distribution in the epi-cadmium neutron-induced fission of 233U has been carried out by measuring the cumulative yields of various fission products within the mass ranges of 77 to 117 and 123 to 153 using an off-line gamma-ray spectrometric technique. Independent yields of a few fission products were also measured by using the same technique. Charge distribution correction has been applied on cumulative yields to obtain the post-neutron mass yields. The mass yield distribution parameters such as full-width at tenth-maximum of light and heavy mass wings, the average light mass L> and heavy mass H>, and the average number of neutrons <ν> were obtained. The spectrum average neutron energy is 1.9 MeV. Thus, the role of excitation energy on the nuclear structure effect was examined by comparing the mass yield data in between the epi-cadmium and thermal neutron–induced fission of 233U. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early and accurate identification of predictive biomarkers for antiviral treatment efficacy remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to assess whether the plasma metabolome could reliably predict the success of antiviral therapy in CHB patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis on 56 treatment-naive CHB patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from December 2013 to March 2016. Patients who underwent a 48-week treatment regimen of entecavir (ETV) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) were randomly assigned to either a discovery cohort (n=29) or a validation cohort (n=27). Based on the outcome of the treatment, patients were classified as HBeAg seroconversion group (High responders, Hrp) or the non-remission group (Low responder, Lrp). Our methodology involved an untargeted analysis of the amine/phenol and carboxylic acid submetabolomes in the CHB patients under treatment, utilizing chemical isotope labeling (CIL) techniques with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Several metabolites were identified as having significant diagnostic potential for distinguishing Hrp from Lrp, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) exceeding those typical clinical indicators. Notably, four metabolites, namely 2-methyl-3-ketovaleric acid, 2-ketohexanoic acid, 6-oxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydronicotinic acid, and α-ketoisovaleric acid, demonstrated exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity in both cohorts, nearing 100%. In contrast, the clinical indicators, including HBcAb, log(HBsAg), and HBeAb, demonstrated lower and inconsistent sensitivity and specificity between the discovery and validation cohorts. Using HBcAb as a marker, the sensitivity was 87.5% with 76.9% specificity in the discovery cohort; however, the sensitivity dropped to 46.7% with 91.7% specificity in the validation cohort. Using log(HBsAg), the sensitivity was 84.6% with 69.2% specificity in the discovery cohort, compared to 85.7% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity in the validation cohort. For HBeAb, the separation of Hrp and Lrp had a sensitivity of 87.5% with 69.2% specificity in the discovery cohort, while the validation cohort showed 86.7% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the automotive industry undergoes a phase of rapid transformation driven by technological advancements, the integration of driving simulators stands out as an important tool for research and development. The usage of such simulators offers a controlled environment for studying driver behavior; the alignment of data, however, remains a complex aspect that warrants a thorough investigation. This research investigates driver state classification using a dataset obtained from real-road and simulated conditions, recorded through JINS MEME ES_R smart glasses. The dataset encompasses electrooculography signals, with a focus on standardizing and processing the data for subsequent analysis. For this purpose, we used a recurrent neural network model, which yielded a high accuracy on the testing dataset (86.5%). The findings of this study indicate that the proposed methodology could be used in real scenarios and that it could be used for the development of intelligent transportation systems and driver monitoring technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the inherent intermittency, variability, and randomness, photovoltaic (PV) power generation faces significant challenges in energy grid integration. To address these challenges, current research mainly focuses on developing more efficient energy management systems and prediction technologies. Through optimizing scheduling and integration in PV power generation, the stability and reliability of the power grid can be further improved. In this study, a new prediction model is introduced that combines the strengths of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and attention mechanisms, so we call this algorithm CNN-LSTM-Attention (CLA). In addition, the Crested Porcupine Optimizer (CPO) algorithm is utilized to solve the short-term prediction problem in photovoltaic power generation. This model is abbreviated as CPO-CLA. This is the first time that the CPO algorithm has been introduced into the LSTM algorithm for parameter optimization. To effectively capture univariate and multivariate time series patterns, multiple relevant and target variables prediction patterns (MRTPPs) are employed in the CPO-CLA model. The results show that the CPO-CLA model is superior to traditional methods and recent popular models in terms of prediction accuracy and stability, especially in the 13 h timestep. The integration of attention mechanisms enables the model to adaptively focus on the most relevant historical data for future power prediction. The CPO algorithm further optimizes the LSTM network parameters, which ensures the robust generalization ability of the model. The research results are of great significance for energy generation scheduling and establishing trust in the energy market. Ultimately, it will help integrate renewable energy into the grid more reliably and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As satellite capabilities have evolved and new observation requirements have emerged, satellites have become essential tools in disaster relief, emergency monitoring, and other fields. However, the efficiency of satellite scheduling still needs to be enhanced. Learning and optimization are symmetrical processes of solving problems. Learning problem knowledge could provide efficient optimization strategies for solving problems. A knowledge-guided parallel hybrid local search algorithm (KG-PHLS) is proposed in this paper to solve time-dependent agile Earth observation satellite (AEOS) scheduling problems more efficiently. Firstly, the algorithm uses heuristic algorithms to generate initial solutions. Secondly, a knowledge-based parallel hybrid local search algorithm is employed to solve the problem in parallel. Meanwhile, data mining techniques are used to extract knowledge to guide the construction of new solutions. Finally, the proposed algorithm has demonstrated superior efficiency and computation time through simulations across multiple scenarios. Notably, compared to benchmark algorithms, the algorithm improves overall efficiency by approximately 7.4% and 8.9% in large-scale data scenarios while requiring only about 60.66% and 31.89% of the computation time of classic algorithms. Moreover, the proposed algorithm exhibits scalability to larger problem sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]