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Ordered FePt film is attractive for its very high perpendicular anisotropy. In the present study, we report different texture formation and mechanisms of ordering FePt films on MgO (100) single crystal (A) substrates and MgO (200) polycrystalline film formed on SiO2/Si (B) substrates with and without SiO2 addition. Films with structure of [0.24 nm Pt/0.25 nm Fe/0.21 nm SiO2]15 were deposited on 600°C substrates and subsequently treated by rapid thermal annealing. In the as-deposited state, FePt grain size was smaller and its degree of ordering was lower on substrate (B) than substrate (A) regardless of SiO2 addition. Upon annealing, grain growth was more significant on substrate (A) than on substrate (B), and degree of ordering kept nearly constant. However, in the case of S1O2 addition, upon annealing, grain growth was more significant on substrate (B) than substrate (A), and the ordering parameter increased on both substrates (A) and (B). This indicates ordering reaction is dominated by phase separation of Mg,O or MgO incorporated in FePt grains of the as-deposited states during the short time rapid annealing treatments. Different texture formation and grain size difference in the two different substrates will be discussed together with the mechanism of ordering in FePt films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present CoCrPt-oxide type granular media require Ru intermediate layer (IL) to ensure c-axis alignments of CoCrPt grains and for good magnetic isolation among grains. Double layered Ru IL composed of Ru1 deposited at lower Ar pressure and Ru2 deposited at higher Ar pressure (10 mTorr order) is used more recently. However, thickness of the Ru is presently in the range of 16 nm to 20 nm and reduction of the thickness is important in the view of writability as well as production cost. In the present work, we have introduced (111) textured semi-soft magnetic CoNiPd film of fcc structure to substitute bottom side of Ru IL (Ru1). Instead of the doubled Ru1(10 nm)/Ru2(10 nm) IL structure, CoNiPd(t nm)/Ru2(10 nm) IL structure was studied by varying CoNiPd thickness. When Co16Ni19Pd65 (10 mn)/Ru2 was used as the intermediate layer instead of the conventional Ru1(10 nm)/Ru2(10 nm), CoPt-TiO2 layer showed similar coercivity and average grain size but slightly deteriorated c-axis alignment and wider grain size distribution. With further increase of the CoNiPd thickness, coercivity of the CoPt-TiO2 increased but average grain size and grain size distribution increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase transformations and formation of transparent colourless and coloured glass ceramics in a model magnesium aluminosilicate glass nucleated by ZrO2 and/or doped by NiO or CoO were studied using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), optical and Raman spectroscopy. In the initial glasses Ni(II) and Co(II) ions are predominantly octahedrally coordinated. According to XRD and Raman spectroscopy data, in the course of heat treatment at the nucleation stage, tetragonal ZrO2 nanosized crystals precipitate preceded by the formation of ZrO2 embryos. According to the SAXS data, interference effects caused by the regularity of the ZrO2 distribution in the glassy matrix leads to decreased light scattering and ensures transparency of the glass ceramic materials. At this stage, Ni(II) and Co(II) ions remain in the residual glass phase. After heat treatments at elevated temperatures, Mg-petalite, β-quartz solid solution and spinel precipitate. Absorption spectra of the material change due to Ni (II) and Co(II) ions entering the aluminosilicate crystalline phases. Upon crystallisation of the main phase, a bimodal distribution of ZrO2 crystals develops. Large sized crystals of ZrO2 are irregularly dispersed. Sizes of the ZrO2 nanocrystals estimated by SAXS, XRD analysis and low frequency Raman spectra are in a good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The functional polymorphism (A118G) of the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is thought to have clinical significance in the treatment of alcohol dependence. This study compared Koreans with one or two copies of the A118G polymorphism seeking treatment for alcohol dependence with a group of non-alcohol-dependent controls. METHODS: Patients hospitalized for alcohol dependence (n = 112) and a group of non-alcohol-dependent controls (n = 140) were interviewed on aspects of drinking history and psychiatric history. Patients and controls were excluded if they met criteria for any other major psychiatric disorder. Participants were genotyped at the OPRM1 locus. RESULTS: The allele frequency of the Asp40 allele was 0.397 in the alcohol-dependent group, which is consistent with other literature demonstrating this polymorphism to be common in Asian populations. Within the alcohol-dependent subjects, being homozygous for the Asp40 allele was associated with more days drinking than those heterozygous or homozygous for the Asn40 allele. Differences in the allele frequencies between alcohol-dependent and non-alcohol-dependent controls were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that having one or two copies of the A118G allele is common among Koreans and may be an important genetic factor in the etiology of alcohol dependence and the frequency of alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the array antenna theory, theoretical radiation and near-field characteristics of a uniform rectangular array (URA) for high-gain or wide-beamwidth orbital angular momentum waves have been rigorously studied. Closed-form weighting factors of URA elements are derived based on the Hankel transform proposed for aperture antennas. Simulated radiation patterns and near-field distributions show that a URA configuration is superior to a uniform circular array in terms of antenna gain, beamwidth, and beam-scanning capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare the levels of objectively-measured sedentary behavior in children attending Montessori preschools with those attending traditional preschools. Methods The participants in this study were preschool children aged 4 years old who were enrolled in Montessori and traditional preschools. The preschool children wore ActiGraph accelerometers. Accelerometers were initialized using 15-second intervals and sedentary behavior was defined as Results Children attending Montessori preschools spent less time in sedentary behavior than those attending traditional preschools during the in-school (44.4. min/hr vs. 47.1 min/hr, P = 0.03), after-school (42.8. min/hr vs. 44.7 min/hr, P = 0.04), and total-day (43.7 min/hr vs. 45.5 min/hr, P = 0. 009) periods. School type (Montessori or traditional), preschool setting (private or public), socio-demographic factors (age, gender, and socioeconomic status) were found to be significant predictors of preschoolers’ sedentary behavior. Conclusions Levels of objectively-measured sedentary behavior were significantly lower among children attending Montessori preschools compared to children attending traditional preschools. Future research should examine the specific characteristics of Montessori preschools that predict the lower levels of sedentary behavior among children attending these preschools compared to children attending traditional preschools.

Abstract: The evolution of structure and phase composition of NiO-doped titania-containing magnesium aluminosilicate glasses has been studied using small angle X-ray scattering and X-ray diffraction analysis. After initial heat-treatments, three-phase immiscibility develops resulting in precipitation of two amorphous phases. One of them is enriched in MgO, Al2O3 and TiO2, the other in MgO and Al2O3. Nickel oxide enters both phases, which impedes to crystallization of the magnesium aluminotitanates phase; nickel-containing aluminomagnesium regions become centers of further crystallization of aluminomagnesium spinel. The spinel crystallization temperature, as well as mean sizes decreases with increasing the NiO content in the initial glass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ongoing global threats posed by COVID-19 pandemic, catalyzed by SARS-CoV-2, underscores the pressing need for effective antiviral strategies. The viral non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) significantly influences pathogenicity by impeding host protein expression and enhancing viral RNA translation through its interaction with the stem-loop 1 (SL1) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR). We have developed a novel dual-luciferase reporter assay, designed to investigate the critical Nsp1-SL1 interaction, and identified P23E02 as a potential inhibitor. Our investigation, combining molecular docking studies and alanine mutagenesis, has unveiled that P23E02 disrupts Nsp1-40S ribosomal subunit interaction, liberating translational inhibition and empowering host antiviral responses. P23E02 exhibits antiviral efficacy against various sarbecoviruses, making it a promising candidate for combatting COVID-19 and related diseases. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting the Nsp1/SL1 axis and lays the foundation for innovative antiviral interventions, ultimately fortifying global preparedness against future viral threats., (© 2024 The Author(s). Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: COVID-19 led to social isolation that may have compromised adolescent mental health. This study examined the independent and joint associations of aerobic physical activity (PA) and muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) with mental health problems in adolescents., Methods: Participants were US adolescents who completed the 2015-2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 61,298; 45.7% female). Data were collected between 2015 and 2021 and analyzed in 2023. Outcomes were binary response items asking about feeling sad/hopeless, having difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions, and having a suicidal ideation. Preventive exposure variables were items asking about frequencies of aerobic PA and MSE with responses dichotomized to align with recommendations. Independent and joint associations were examined using robust Poisson regression with covariates selected using double selection lasso. Structural equation models examined the associations treating PA and MSE as continuous predictors and poor mental health as a latent dependent variable., Results: Meeting either recommendation alone associated with a 4-10% lower prevalence of mental health problems (APR = 0.90-0.96, p < 0.05), and meeting both recommendations associated with a 15%-20% lower prevalence of mental health problems (APR = 0.80-0.85, p < 0.001). Although categorical joint associations were stronger in males (p < 0.05), multiplicative interactions were observed in females using continuous variables for PA and MSE (β = -0.09, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Meeting aerobic PA and MSE recommendations associated with lower prevalence of mental health problems. Participation in MSE below recommended levels may be beneficial for females when combined with aerobic PA. Future research should examine these associations by acquiring contextual information and device-based assessments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to determine the dose-response associations between Monitor-Independent Movement Summary (MIMS) units and health-related fitness in youth. The sample comprised US children and adolescents who participated in the 2012 National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS; N = 1158, 48.9% female). Health-related fitness domains were assessed using tests of cardiorespiratory endurance (timed maximal and graded treadmill tests), muscular strength (modified pull-up and grip tests), and muscular endurance (plank test). Movement data were collected using wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers with raw data processed using MIMS and the calculated metrics of average MIMS/day, Peak 60-min MIMS, and Peak 30-min MIMS. Weighted regression models examined linear associations between MIMS metrics and fitness test scores. Nonlinear associations were examined using weighted spline models with knots placed at the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles. Models were adjusted for covariates and fit was examined using the coefficient of determination (R 2 ). The strongest adjusted linear relationships included a positive association between MIMS/day (per every 1000 units) and maximal endurance times (b = 5.5 s, p < 0.001) and between Peak 60-min MIMS (per every 10 units) and estimated aerobic capacity (b = 1.7 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001), modified pull-ups (b = 0.7 reps, p < 0.001), and plank test scores (b = 5.0 s, p < 0.001). Linear spline models had slightly higher R 2 values (R 2 range = 16.9%-74.8%) compared to linear models (R 2 range = 15.0%-74.5%). The relationship between MIMS metrics and fitness test scores was best modeled as piecewise linear functions. Although all MIMS metrics associated with cardiorespiratory endurance, Peak 60-min MIMS showed stronger associations with tests of muscular strength and endurance., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Identify contributors to differences in the muscle size and strength of sedentary and active young and middle-aged adults., Methods: This cross-sectional study included 98 participants aged 20-65 years. Participants were categorized based on age and self-reported physical activity (PA) habits. Participants completed a strength assessment of knee extensors (KEPT), knee flexors (KFPT), plantar flexors (PFPT), and dorsiflexors (DFPT), a 3-day dietary intake log, 7-day accelerometry, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan for muscle cross-sectional area analysis of the right quadriceps (CSAq)., Results: There were significant age and activity-related group effects for relative protein intake (p<0.001), relative energy intake (p=0.04), KEPT (p=0.01), CSAq (p=0.002), PFPT (p=0.004) and DFPT (p=0.003). Moderate, moderate-to-vigorous, and vigorous PA were positively associated with CSAq (R 2 =0.69- 0.71; p<0.05), KEPT (R 2 =0.61-0.63; p<0.05), and PFPT (R 2 =0.31-0.36; p<0.05). Relative protein intake and daily leucine intake were significantly and positively associated with CSAq (R 2 =0.70 and 0.67 respectively; p<0.05), KEPT (R 2 =0.62 and 0.65 respectively; p<0.05), and PFPT (R 2 =0.29 and 0.28 respectively; p<0.05)., Conclusion: Muscle size and strength were lower in middle age relative to younger age, but increased PA, protein intake, and leucine intake was associated with the preservation of muscle size and strength in larger muscle groups of the lower body., (Copyright: © 2022 Hylonome Publications.)

The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of wearable activity trackers alone or in combination with behaviour change strategies for promoting physical activity (PA) among individuals with pre-hypertension or hypertension. A sample of 44 adults (68% female and mean age 55) were randomized to receive either a Fitbit Charge HR 3 alone (FB) or the Fitbit in combination with behaviour change strategies (i.e., goal setting, behaviour goal review, adaptive feedback) delivered by a trained health coach (FB+) for 12 weeks. Moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA), steps, and sedentary time (ST) were assessed using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT. The FB+ group significantly increased PA [+1854 (2518) steps/day, p < .01] and MVPA [+26 (34) mins/day, p < .05], and decreased their ST [-63 (73) mins/day, p < .01]. The FB group significantly increased  MVPA [+11 (16) mins/day, p < .05], and decreased their ST [-87 (117) mins/day, p < .01]. Participants in FB+ had a significantly greater increase in MVPA/day compared to FB only with a between-group effect size of 0.6 (p < .05). Using Fitbit for self-monitoring is effective in increasing PA and reducing ST among pre-hypertensive and hypertensive participants. Additional behaviour change support amplified the intervention effectiveness for promoting MVPA.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases risk for morbidity and premature mortality. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting triglycerides (TG), blood glucose (BG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) are factors for determining MetS. The Simple Method for Quantifying Metabolic Syndrome (siMS) score and risk score estimate risk of MetS. The purpose for this study was to exam the relationship of animal-based (ABP) and plant-based protein (PLP) with MetS as estimated by siMS score and risk score. Physical activty is another important consideration in MetS as it can reduce blood pressure, waist circumference and blood glucose, and affect blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations., Methods: A cross-sectional study examined whether physical activity (PA) level and dietary protein source (i.e., animal- or plant-based) among young (18-24 years) and middle-aged (45-60 years) females were associated with siMS score and siMS risk score. Average time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA; min/wk), steps (steps/day), energy intake (kcal/day), percent dietary protein to total energy intake, ABP and PLP dietary intake, and ABP:PLP ratio (g/day) were included in the analysis. Volunteers were recruited from North Dakota and Minnesota from 2017 to 2019., Results: Eighty-one female participants (mean ± SD; young, n = 38, 20.4 ± 1.7 years, middle-aged, 52.5 ± 4.8 years) were included in the independent t -tests used to examine group differences in age, body mass index, HDL, BG, TG, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, energy intake, energy intake percentage of total carbohydrates, fat, protein, ABP, and PLP, ABP:PLP, siMS score, and siMS risk score. Stepwise linear regressions were used to evaluate whether PA level and dietary protein source were predictors of siMS score and siMS risk score among young and middle-aged adult females. There was an inverse relationship between PLP intake and siMS score. The model explained 6.9% of the variance in siMS risk score (F 1, 80  = 5.93). Plant-based protein intake was inversely related to siMS risk score while light PA was positively associated with siMS risk score. The model explained 16% of the variance in siMS risk score (F 1, 80  = 7.53). Animal-based dietary protein intake did not impact siMS score ( p  = 0.180) and siMS risk score ( p  = 0.283)., Conclusions: Plant-based protein intake was associated with a lower risk of MetS via siMS scores, while ABP was not associated. Given the nature of the cross-sectional design of this study, no causal relationship can be determined, but longitudinal studies or randomized control trials to confirm the results from this study are needed in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2022.)