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Telecommuting work represents a strategy for managing the growing number of older people in the workforce. This study involved a simulated customer service telecommuting task that used e-mail to answer customer queries about media-related products and company policies. Participants included 27 'younger' older adults (50-65 years) and 25 'older' older adults (66-80 years). The participants performed the task for two 2-hr sessions a day over 4 consecutive days. Although both age groups showed significant improvement across sessions on many of the performance criteria, in general the improvements were more marked for the older age-group participants. However, the participants from both age groups had difficulty meeting some of the task performance requirements. These results are discussed in terms of training strategies for older workers.

High comorbidity rates have been reported in patients with atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, posing a serious risk to the health and well-being of elderly patients. To improve and update clinical practice regarding the joint treatment of these two diseases, the common mechanisms of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis need to be clarified. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), are importance molecules in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including in cardiovascular and orthopedic fields. They have garnered interest as potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies. However, the key miRNAs involved in atherosclerosis and osteoporosis and their precise regulation mechanisms remain unknown. Paeonol (Pae), an active ingredient in Cortex Moutan, has shown promising results in improving both lipid and bone metabolic abnormalities. However, it is uncertain whether this agent can exert a cotherapeutic effect on atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. This study aimed to screen important shared miRNAs in atherosclerotic and osteoporotic complications, and explore the mechanism of the protective effects of Pae against atherosclerosis and osteoporosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE−/− mice. An experimental atherosclerosis and osteoporosis model was established in 40-week-old HFD ApoE−/- mice. Various techniques such as Oil Red O staining, HE staining and micro-CT were used to confirm the co-occurrence of these two diseases and efficacy of Pae in addition to the associated biochemical changes. Bioinformatics was used to screen key miRNAs in the atherosclerosis and osteoporosis model, and gene involvement was assessed through serum analyses, qRT-PCR, and western blot. To investigate the effect of Pae on the modulation of the miR let-7g/HMGA2/CEBPβ pathway, Raw 264.7 cells were cocultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and treated with an miR let-7g mimic/inhibitor. miR let-7g identified using bioinformatics was assessed to evaluate its participation in atherosclerosis-osteoporosis. Experimental analysis showed reduced miR let-7g levels in the atherosclerosis-osteoporosis mice model. Moreover, miR let-7g was required for BMSC - Raw 264.7 cell crosstalk, thereby promoting foam cell formation and adipocyte differentiation. Treatment with Pae significantly reduced plaque accumulation and foam cell number in the aorta while increasing bone density and improving trabecular bone microarchitecture in HFD ApoE−/- mice. Pae also increased the level of miR let-7g in the bloodstream of model mice. In vitro studies, Pae enhanced miR let-7g expression in BMSCs, thereby suppressing the HMGA2/CEBPβ pathway to prevent the formation of foam cells and differentiation of adipocytes induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The study results suggested that miR let-7g participates in atherosclerosis -osteoporosis regulation and that Pae acts as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing atherosclerosis-osteoporosis through regulatory effects on the miR let-7g/HMGA2/CEBPβ pathway to hinder foam cell formation and adipocyte differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-free dielectric capacitors have attracted much attention in pulsed power systems due to their rapid charge/discharge rate. However, their recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) and efficiency (η) still need further improvement to meet the requirements for their application in energy storage devices. In this article, SrTiO3 (ST) and MnO2 were introduced to Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT) to obtain a (1 − x)BCZT-xST solid solution, where morphotropic phase boundary ferroelectric BCZT possesses high polarization, paraelectric ST has a high dielectric breakdown strength (Eb), and the 0.3 mol% MnO2 contributes to the dense and fine-grained microstructure as a sintering aid. A high Eb of 436 kV cm−1, large ferroelectric polarization of 33.0 μC cm−2, and small remnant polarization of 2.1 μC cm−2 were obtained in the 0.3BCZT-0.7ST ceramic. As a result, a large Wrec of 5.36 J cm−3 and a high η of 82.2% were simultaneously achieved. Moreover, the 0.3BCZT-0.7ST ceramic exhibits a large DC discharge energy density of 5.63 J cm−3 and an ultrafast discharge time (t0.9) of 46 ns, and therefore an extremely high power density (PD) of 367.8 MW cm−3 and a large current density (CD) of 1337.6 A cm−2, two essential parameters for practical application in high-power devices. These results highlight the potential applications of the 0.3BCZT-0.7ST ceramic in pulsed power capacitors with high energy storage density and provide a comprehensive guideline for the control of BaTiO3-based dielectric capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nanmushu lead–zinc deposit is located in the northern margin of Yangtze plate, midwest China. Ore bodies are hosted in Sinian carbonate rocks, which is controlled by the Sinian Dengying Formation. Metal mineral includes sphalerite, galena, pyrite, gangue minerals including dolomite, quartz and small amount of barite and calcite. The ores have breccia, veins, disseminated and geode structure. Three stages of hydrothermal mineralization are: an early stage of bitumen (B1) (Stage I), a middle stage of sphalerite–galena (Stage II) and a late stage of bitumen (B2) (Stage III) based on the ore structure, textures, crosscutting relationship and mineral assemblages. The reflectivity and total organic carbon content (TOC) values of natural bitumen, combining crosscutting relationships between the bitumen and various minerals, clarify that the B1 (early-stage bitumen) is closely related to mineralization; the Cambrian Guojiaba Formation provides abundant organic matter for natural bitumen in the Dengying Formation. Four types of FIs were identified: liquid-rich (L0-type), vapor-rich (V-type), single-phase, aqueous (ML-type) and single-phase, pure-gas FIs (MV-type). The ore-forming fluids were characterized by medium-to-low temperature (100–280 °C), medium salinity (2–16 wt% NaCl eq.), a medium density (0.91–1.07 g/cm3), contained CH4 and small amounts of bitumen, H2S. The petrography and microthermometric data indicate that the small scale of fluid boiling is inferred to take place in sphalerite–galena stage. The δD (-113.0% to -41.6%) and δ18OH2O (2.69% to 12.73%) data from stage I to stage III indicate that the ore-forming fluids were derived from basin fluids and in the late stage of hydrothermal mineralization mixed with organic water or meteoric water. The δ13CPDB and δ18OSMOW values of hydrothermal calcite range from –3.1 to –1.6 ‰ and from 15.6 to 18.3 ‰, respectively, and are plotted near the dissolution line of carbonate rock and marine carbonate rock, indicating that the carbon in the ore-forming fluids may have been derived from the dissolution of marine carbonates in the sedimentary rocks. The δ34S values (δ34SPy, δ34SSp and δ34SGa) have a narrow range, inferring a single sulfur source. The δ34SCDT values of sphalerite, galena, and pyrite from hydrothermal ore-forming stage 2 range from 13.7 to 19.4 ‰, average 17.09 ‰, 12 to 16.8 ‰, average 14.61 ‰, 18.6 to 18.8 ‰, average 18.7 ‰, respectively. The barite has obviously different δ34SCDT values, ranging from 31.3 to 33‰, average 32.2 ‰. It is concluded that thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) is the main formation mechanism of reduced sulfur in ore-forming fluids by comprehensive analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have generated a life-extending mutation, yw23, in Caenorhabditis elegans. The mutation is in what appears to be a new aging gene, which we have designated age-2. When homozygous, yw23 produces an increase of mean and maximum life span of about 20% over that of the wild-type strain, N2. Strain HG231 [age-2(yw23)] was obtained by screening for longer life spans among 430 lines of nematodes two generations after exposure to the mutagen ethylmethanesulfonate. Strain HG231 [age-2(yw23)] was obtained after a single out-crossing of HG23 to N2. When compared with N2, HG231 exhibits normal motility, slightly higher swimming rates, reduced fertility (especially at higher temperatures), somewhat longer development times, and a slightly larger size at the time of first egg laying. A Gompertz analysis suggests that HG231 extends life span by reducing the initial mortality rate. In genetic crosses, yw23 complements other known aging mutants in C. elegans genes - age-1, daf-2, spe-26, clk-1, clk-2, clk-3, and gro-1. A double-mutant strain, HG284, combining mutations in age-1 and age-2 lives longer than animals with individual mutations in either age-1 or age-2, and exhibits a longer life span at 25 [degrees] C than at 20 [degrees] C.

[Display omitted] • Low-cost ceramic nanofiber membranes (CNMs) were fabricated with attapulgite (APT). • APT-based CNMs have satisfactory mechanical strength and high water permeability. • Based on the fractal theory, the permeability of APT-based CNMs was analyzed. • A rejection of 96.6 % polymers with a molecule weight of 600 kDa was achieved. Ceramic nanofiber membrane (CNM) based on attapulgite (APT) without any intermediate layer neither any cracks was fabricated by a one-step dip-coating method. The effects of sintering temperature and dip-coating time on the physicochemical properties and performances of prepared CNMs were investigated. The increase of the sintering temperature up to 700 °C reduced the bending strength, porosity and chemical stability of APT-based CNMs. Meanwhile, with the dip-coating time increased, the membrane thickness increased thereafter reduced. The APT-based CNM fabricated at a sintering temperature of 600 °C and with a dip-coating time of 15 s had an average pore size of 20.4 nm, high porosity (above 60 %), good permeability of 118 L/m2 h bar and a rejection of 96.6 % polymers with a molecule weight of 600 kDa. All these properties clearly suggest the practicability of the one-step dip-coating method to prepare ceramic nanofiber membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of ferrite nucleation induced by different oxide particles was studied in this article. The inclusion insertion experiment as a simulated experiment was carried out using different oxide powders on a thermal simulator under certain heat treatment conditions. The main results showed that the chemical influences of oxide particles on ferrite nucleation are difficult to occur under solid-phase transformation conditions. The change of microstructure near the oxide particles may be related to the effect of thermal properties of oxide particles. Heat conduction performance of oxide particles may cause slower heat dissipation around the oxide particles, resulting in the variation of temperature gradient near the oxide particles. This temperature gradient may lead to the increasing diffusion of carbon atoms, which increases the driving force of ferrite nucleation and growth. The effect of thermal properties of oxide particles on ferrite phase transformation seems to provide a new insight for the study of the mechanism of acicular ferrite nucleation induced by inclusions in low carbon steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dongzigou Pb-Zn deposit is located in the south-eastern margin of Yangtze block, Midwest China. Ore bodies are hosted in Sinian carbonate rocks. The main metallic minerals are sphalerite and galena, while the non-metallic minerals are dolomite, barite, and quartz. Three stages of hydrothermal mineralization are an early quartz-pyrite stage (stage I), a middle sphalerite-galena stage (stage II), and a late sphalerite-barite stage (stage III). The main types of fluid inclusions for the Dongzigou deposit are liquid-rich inclusions (L0-type). Laser Raman analysis indicates that the fluid inclusions within the hosted minerals are dominated by H2O. Given the fluid inclusion data, the homogenization temperatures range from 220.0–300.0 °C (stage I), 126.7–243.9 °C (stage II), and 117.0–201.0 °C (stage III), respectively. Fluid salinities range from 3.4–11.8 wt% NaCl eq. (stage I), 3.6–10.7 wt% NaCl eq. (stage II), and 2.0–6.5 wt% NaCl eq. (stage III), respectively. Indicating that the ore-forming fluid of the Dongzigou deposit tends to decrease in salinity and homogenization temperature during the fluid evolution process. The δD (−63.4% to −49.8%) and δ18OH2O (0.6 to 13.7%) data from stage I to stage III which indicate that the ore-forming fluids derived from formation water, and in the late stage of hydrothermal mineralization mixed with meteoric water. The LA-ICPMS results show that sphalerite enriched Cd (1272–3437 ppm), Ge (201–717 ppm), and Ga (0.1–130 ppm), but poor in In (0.01–0.1 ppm). Through comparative studies with the trace elements of sphalerite from different types of Pb-Zn deposits, it is found that the trace element characteristics of the Dongzigou deposit are most similar to the MVT deposits. Overall, the Dongzigou Pb-Zn deposit is an atypical MVT deposit, and the salinity of fluid inclusions is lower than that of typical MVT deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreaticobiliary reflux (PBR) causes chronic inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa and changes in the bile components, which are known to promote gallstone formation. This study aimed to investigate the bile biochemistry changes in gallstone patients with PBR and provide new clues for research on the involvement of PBR in gallstone formation. Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for gallstones between December 2020 and May 2021 were eligible for inclusion. The bile biochemistry (including amylase, lipase, triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acids [FFAs], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and γ-glutamyl transferase [γ-GT]) of the included gallstone patients was analysed to determine correlations with PBR. Results: In this study, 144 gallstone patients who underwent surgery were enrolled. Overall, 15.97 % of the patients had an increased bile amylase level, which was associated with older age and significantly higher bile levels of ALP, lipase, triglyceride, and FFAs. Positive correlations were observed between amylase and lipase, triglyceride, FFAs levels in the gallbladder bile. However, the bile levels of triglyceride, FFAs, and lipase were positively correlated with each other only in the PBR group and showed no significant correlation in the control (N) group. In addition, elevated bile FFAs levels were found to be an independent risk factor for gallbladder wall thickening. Conclusions: In conclusion, PBR-induced increase in FFAs and triglyceride in the gallbladder bile is a cause of gallstone formation, and an increase in bile ALP suggests the presence of cholestasis in PBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION Determining the freshness of chilled pork is of paramount importance to consumers worldwide. Established freshness indicators such as total viable count, total volatile basic nitrogen and pH are destructive and time‐consuming. Color change in chilled pork is also associated with freshness. However, traditional detection methods using handheld colorimeters are expensive, inconvenient and prone to limitations in accuracy. Substantial progress has been made in methods for pork preservation and freshness evaluation. However, traditional methods often necessitate expensive equipment or specialized expertise, restricting their accessibility to general consumers and small‐scale traders. Therefore, developing a user‐friendly, rapid and economical method is of particular importance.This study conducted image analysis of photographs captured by smartphone cameras of chilled pork stored at 4 °C for 7 days. The analysis tracked color changes, which were then used to develop predictive models for freshness indicators. Compared to handheld colorimeters, smartphone image analysis demonstrated superior stability and accuracy in color data acquisition. Machine learning regression models, particularly the random forest and decision tree models, achieved prediction accuracies of more than 80% and 90%, respectively.Our study provides a feasible and practical non‐destructive approach to determining the freshness of chilled pork. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]