Search Results (243)

Probiotics have been studied for their potential to treat chronic diseases. This study examined the use of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus BST.L-601 as an anti-diabetic symbiotic with sweet potato for fermentation. The medium supplemented with sweet potato showed increased productivity and enhanced storability. The anti-diabetic effect of fermented BST.L-601 was evaluated using the C2C12 myotube and a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced db/db (Lepr^db/Lepr^db) mouse model. Treatment with heat-killed BST.L-601 increased glucose uptake by 125% and α-glucosidase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity for myotubes. 8 weeks of oral administration of BST.L-601 led to anti-diabetic activities in various biomarkers in the mouse model, including lowered fasting blood glucose by 88% and elevated mRNA expression of glucose metabolism-related factors IRS-1 (510%) and GLUT4 (181%) from skeletal muscle. Moreover, the improvement of induced T2DM in mice was supported by blood serum analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed increased insulin and decreased glucagon secreted from β and α cells in the pancreas islet. Microbiota analysis demonstrated elevated microbiome diversity in mice treated with BST.L-601. Furthermore, the safety and probiotic properties of the strain were confirmed. These results suggest that BST.L-601 fermented with sweet potato could be a functional symbiotic used to improve diabetes, particularly T2DM. Full article

Our aim was to compare certain physiological traits and pregnancy rates in dairy heifers classified by coat color during summer and winter months in a Sonoran Desert region. Sixty Holstein heifers were randomly selected (age and weight of 13.1 ± 0.82 months and 382 ± 5.3 kg) and divided by season (i.e., winter and summer) and hair coat color (i.e., black and white). There were 28 summer heifers (13 black/15 white) and 32 in winter (18 black/14 white). Respiratory frequency (RF) was determined visually, and body surface temperatures (BSTs) of several anatomic regions were collected using thermography at 06:00 and 15:00 h every 3rd day. Furthermore, three blood samples were collected from each heifer in each season to determine hematological profiles and serum analytes (i.e., electrolytes, metabolites, hormones). Reproductive variables were pregnancy rate and services per pregnancy. Ambient temperatures ranged from 25 to 49 °C in summer and 3 to 28 °C in winter. In summer and winter, RF and most BST were higher (p < 0.05) in black heifers in the morning, while only head, right flank, and loin were higher (p < 0.05) in the afternoon. Cortisol and progesterone concentrations were higher (p < 0.01) in summer, while thyroid hormones were higher (p < 0.05) in winter. Glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea, and sodium were higher (p < 0.05) in winter. Reproductive traits were unaffected by season or coat color. Although there were some differences in physiological variables and some biochemical parameters by season and coat color, these alterations were not enough to modify reproductive responses of Holstein heifers. Full article

In this work, Ba_0.6Sr_0.4TiO₃ (BST) films were deposited on Si(100) and Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The effects of TiO₂ buffer layer thickness and preparation temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties of BST films were studied in detail. We intensively investigated the influence of the TiO₂ buffer layer on the microstructure of BST films by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. We found that anatase crystalline TiO₂ buffer layers within 15 nm thicknesses could significantly change the BST films from an irregular orientation to the (111) preferential orientation. The TiO₂ anatase layers could promote the growth of BST film grains for obtaining minimal stress and low lattice distortion, increase the nucleation density, and improve its surface morphology, resulting in higher dielectric constant and resistance voltage, and lower dielectric loss and leakage current density. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and dielectric tunability of the BST devices with 8 nm thick TiO₂ anatase buffer layers at 1 MHz were 856.5, 0.017, and 64.3%, respectively. The achieved high dielectric tunability indicates BST with TiO₂ anatase buffer layers as one of the encouraging candidates for RF and microwave tunable applications at room temperature. Full article

Background: To promote exercise adherence, programs should consider not only functional effects but also a comprehensive affective response. This study analyzed the affective responses and functional performance in an age-based Block Strength Training (BST) for older women. Methods: Twenty-eight community-dwelling and Spanish-speaking older women participated in this study (age 68.39 ± 5.95 years) performed a 12-week age-based BST. Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire Spanish version (PRETIE-Q-Sv) was measured before and after each block four times. Additionally, Feeling Scale (FS) and Rating of Perceived Exertion session (sRPE) were measured. Functional performance was assessed before and after the BST using Timed Up and Go, Two-Minutes Step Test, and Five Times Stand-to-Sit Test. Statistical analyses included Cronbach’s alpha (α), Spearman’s (ρ, rho) and Pearson’s (r) coefficients, repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman, and Paired comparison. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: The PRETIE-Q-Sv showed acceptable internal consistency for both Preference (α = 0.80) and Tolerance (α = 0.78) constructs, with most items showing reliability with their construct scores (ρ ≥ 0.50). Preference remained stable (F (2.39, 64.59) = 2.64, p = 0.070, η²_p = 0.09), and Tolerance increased (F (2.09, 56.35) = 11.84, p < 0.001, η²_p = 0.30)., with overall average scores close to 22. These were not related to FS or sRPE (ρ/r = −0.02 to 0.14). All functional performance tests showed significant improvement after the BST (p < 0.001, d/r_b > 0.80). Conclusions: The PRETIE-Q-Sv adapted well to the language. Preference and Tolerance remained at intermediate levels, with BST programming aligned to individual tendencies and showing no association with FS or sRPE, whereas the increase in Tolerance suggests that BST enhances older women’s ability to persist under uncomfortable effort. Improvements in functional performance support the effectiveness of the BST as a precision exercise dose. Full article

Ba_0.6Sr_0.4TiO₃ (BST) thin films were deposited on ITO substrates via rf magnetron sputtering, followed by structural and morphological characterization using XRD and FE-SEM. Metal–insulator–metal (MIM) RRAM devices were fabricated by depositing Al top electrodes, and their electrical properties were examined through I–V measurements. The optimized BST films deposited at 40% oxygen concentration exhibited stable resistive switching, with an operating voltage of 3 V, an on/off ratio of 1, and a leakage current of 10⁻⁸ A. After rapid thermal annealing at 500 °C, the on/off ratio improved to 2 but leakage increased to 10⁻³ A. Incorporating an electron transport layer (ETL) effectively suppressed the leakage current to 10⁻⁵ A while maintaining the on/off ratio at 2. Moreover, a transition from bipolar to unipolar switching was observed at higher oxygen concentration (60%). These results highlight the role of ETLs in reducing leakage and stabilizing switching characteristics, providing guidance for the development of transparent, low-power, and high-reliability BST-based RRAM devices. This study aims to investigate the role of Ba_0.6Sr_0.4TiO₃ (BST) ferroelectric oxide as a functional switching layer in resistive random-access memory (RRAM) and to evaluate how interface engineering using an electron transport layer (ETL) can improve resistive switching stability, leakage suppression, and device reliability. Full article

In this study, a sliding microfluidic biosensor integrating RPA-SDA cascaded amplification was developed for the rapid, visual detection of Shigella. A novel RPA primer targeting the specific ipaH gene was designed to include a 5′-end G-quadruplex (G4) sequence and the complementary sequence of an Nt.BstNBI endonuclease recognition site. The RPA product templates a subsequent SDA reaction, generating abundant G4 structures that form peroxidase-mimicking DNAzymes with hemin, catalyzing a TMB reaction that produces a distinct blue color for visual readout (on-chip detection at OD₃₇₀, distinct from conventional tube assays at OD₄₅₀). The core on-chip detection process was completed within 13 min (10 min for SDA and 3 min for color development), achieving a limit of detection of 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ ng/μL for Shigella genomic DNA. This timing explicitly excludes the preceding, off-chip steps of nucleic acid extraction and RPA amplification. Validation using spiked lettuce samples confirmed the platform’s high specificity and sensitivity. This work establishes a proof-of-concept for a portable screening tool, highlighting its potential for on-site food safety applications. However, further validation in diverse food matrices and under real-world field conditions is required to fully establish its practical utility. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a significant pathogen of clinical concern that is frequently associated with multidrug resistance, leading to respiratory tract, wound, and hospital-acquired infections. To enable rapid and accurate detection, we developed a fluorescence-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, targeting the PA-specific ecfX gene. Among ten primer sets designed, the optimal set (EC2) was identified, and reaction conditions were optimized (Bst polymerase 320 U/mL, Mg²⁺ 8 mM, dNTP 1.4 mM, inner/outer primer ratio 1:8, 64 °C, 20 min). The assay demonstrated a detection limit that was comparable to a real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunochromatographic assays, but with a markedly reduced turnaround time. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-PA pathogens, and reproducibility tests confirmed high stability. In addition, the reliability of the results was further verified using 60 standard bacterial strains, and the feasibility of the assay was validated with 2 real soil samples and 1 water sample. This LAMP method offers a simple, rapid, and sensitive tool for on-site detection of PA, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics and public health surveillance. Full article

Ni and Ni/basalt (Ni/Bst) coatings prepared by the electrodeposition on Mo substrate were analyzed with the aim of their potential application in forensics. The coatings of Ni and Ni/Bst are produced galvanostatically from the sulfamate electrolyte at different current densities and characterized by scanning electron microscope (morphology), X-ray diffraction (structure) and Vickers microindentation (microhardness). The wettability of Ni and Ni/Bst coatings was also investigated. While morphology and microhardness of the coatings strongly depended on the current density of electrodeposition and the presence of basalt particles in the electrolyte, the effect of basalt addition on structure of the coatings was not observed. The microhardness of Ni coatings was in the (1.6951–5.7246) GPa range, while the addition of basalt particles increased the range to (5.8206–10.7981) GPa. Both Ni and Ni/Bst coatings were hydrophilic, whereas comparison of the coatings obtained at the same current density showed that incorporation of the basalt particles in the coating decreases the degree of hydrophilicity, as observed by the increase in the water contact angle (WCA). The largest WCA, i.e., the smallest hydrophilicity, showed Ni/Bst coating produced at 30 mA cm⁻² (WCA ≈ 75.5°), and was about 46.7% larger than that of Mo substrate (WCA ≈ 51.5°). This coating also showed the best development of latent fingerprints with clearly visible ridge details, indicating that there is strong correlation between fingerprint development and the wettability of the coatings. Full article

Common bacterial blight (CBB) is a significant disease caused by the seed-borne pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap), which devastates global bean production. This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis (Bst26), Lactobacillus plantarum (Lpkb10), their combination (Bst26 + Lpkb10), copper hydroxide (CH), and an untreated control on controlling CBB in three bean cultivars (Göynük, Saltan, and Tezgeldi). Disease incidence (CI), disease severity index (DSI), severity score (SC), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), and disease control (DC), along with agronomic traits such as plant height, number of primary branches, root length, and fresh root weight, were recorded to assess both infection rates and plant health under each treatment. The findings revealed significant differences in DI, DSI, SC, AUDPC, and DC (p ≤ 0.01) among the bean cultivars for CBB. Among the cultivars, the Bst26 treatment and the combination of Bst26 and Lpkb10 showed the highest control effectiveness, with DI values of 33.11% and 33.46% in Saltan, 35.65% and 44.16% in Göynük, and 37.71% and 42.43% in Tezgeldi, respectively, at 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Bst26 alone and in combination with Lpkb10 effectively controlled CBB, with disease reduction of 56.80% and 46.49% in Göynük, 57.08% and 56.62% in Saltan, and 52.18% and 46.19% in Tezgeldi, respectively. Disease progression was highest in the untreated control, with DI ranging from 77.15% to 82.54% across Göynük, Saltan, and Tezgeldi cultivars. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) in plant height, root length, and root weight were observed among treatments and cultivars. Disease parameters were negatively correlated with plant growth traits, and multi-treatment analysis demonstrated that combining bacterial strains effectively reduced disease severity in susceptible cultivars, highlighting their potential for improved CBB management. Full article

Background: The functional capacity of older adults is a critical determinant of autonomy and quality of life, particularly in low-income populations from remote regions with limited access to health services. This study aimed to characterize the functional fitness (FF) of community-dwelling older adults in the interior of Amazonas, Brazil, stratified by sex and age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 807 older adults (471 females), aged ≥ 60 years, from four municipalities in northern Brazil. The FF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), including measures of strength (30-s Chair Stand Test—CST; 30-s Arm Curl Test—ACT), flexibility (Chair Sit and Reach Test-CSAR, Back Scratch Test-BST), balance/agility (8-Foot Up-and-Go Test—FUG), and aerobic endurance (6-min walk test—6MWT). Descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and age- and sex-specific percentiles were calculated. Results: Results indicated a progressive decline in FF with advancing age. Males outperformed females in strength and endurance tests, whereas females exhibited better flexibility. Notable reductions in performance were observed after age 75, particularly in CST, ACT, FUG, and 6MWT. Overall, the functional profiles of this population were below international norms, especially among females and individuals aged ≥ 80. The prevalence of overweight was 39.3%, with socioeconomic vulnerability affecting over 90% of participants. Conclusions: Older adults in low-income, remote Amazonian Brazilian communities demonstrate marked functional decline with ageing, influenced by socioeconomic and environmental constraints. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing accessible, community-based interventions focused on physical activity, strength, mobility, and endurance to support healthy ageing in underserved regions. Full article

Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) results in impaired postural control and walking ability. Visual over-reliance may occur in iSCI individuals to maintain postural control. This can challenge their postural stability in various contexts of daily life activities. The present study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of balance training with intermittent visual deprivation using stroboscopic glasses on postural control and visual reliance during quiet standing in iSCI individuals. Training impact on walking performance was also evaluated. Seven chronic iSCI individuals participated in a 6-week home-based balance training program, three times weekly, using stroboscopic glasses. Postural and walking abilities were assessed pre- and post-training using a bipedal stance test (BST) and 10 m walking test (10 MWT). BST was performed, with open-eyes (OE) and closed-eyes (CE), on a force plate for three 30 s trials. The center of pressure (CoP) variables included were CoP area (A-CoP) and CoP mean velocity (MV-CoP). Romberg ratios (CE/OE) for two CoP variables were calculated. Duration and speed were measured in 10 MWT. Intervention feasibility was assessed using the feasibility and acceptability questionnaire. Data from able-bodied individuals were recorded and used as references of physiological performance. iSCI individuals were significantly less stable and showed visual over-reliance for postural steadiness compared to controls. Also, their walking ability was impaired. All iSCI individuals completed the training (adherence rate: 84%) and rated it highly feasible. A-CoP and MV-CoP significantly reduced after training in CE condition (p = 0.018, respectively) but not in OE condition (p > 0.05). The Romberg ratio of A-CoP was significantly lower (p = 0.018), but the Romberg ratio of MV-CoP was not (p > 0.05). A significant reduction in duration and increase in speed (p = 0.018, respectively) in performing the 10 MWT were observed. Preliminary findings from this explorative study indicated that 6-week home-based balance training with intermittent visual deprivation was feasible, acceptable, and had promising potential benefits in improving postural control with a reduction in visual over-reliance in iSCI individuals. The training enhanced also their walking performance. Full article

Barium strontium titanates (Ba_1−xSr_xTiO₃, BST) with varying barium-to-strontium ratios were synthesized by the solid-state route (SSR) as well as by the sol–gel process (SGP). In the case of the SSR, the strontium amount x was varied from 0.0 to 0.25 in 0.05 steps, due to the enhanced synthetic effort, and in the case of the SGP, x was set only to 0.05, 0.15, and 0.25. The resulting properties after synthesis, calcination, and sintering, like particle size distribution, specific surface area, particle morphology, and crystalline phase were characterized. The expected tetragonal phase, free from any remarkable impurity, was found in all cases, and irrespective of the selected synthesis method. Pressed pellets were used for the measurement of the temperature and frequency-dependent relative permittivity enabling the estimation of the Curie temperatures of all synthesized BSTs. Irrespective of the selected synthesis method, the obtained Curie temperature drops with increasing strontium content to almost identical values, e.g., in the case of x = 0.15, a Curie temperature range 95–105 °C was measured. Thin BST films could be deposited on different substrate materials applying electrophoretic deposition in a good and reliable quality according to the Hamaker equation. The properties of the BSTs obtained by the simpler solid-state route are almost identical to the ones yielded by the more complex sol–gel process. In future, this result allows for a possible wider usage of BST perovskites for ferroelectric and piezoelectric devices due to the easy synthetic access by the solid-state route. Full article

Background: Airborne transmission of bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores poses a major threat in enclosed settings, particularly nursing homes where residents are highly vulnerable. Compressive Heating Air Sterilization Technology (CHAST) applies compressive heating to inactivate microorganisms without reliance on filtration or chemicals. Methods: CHAST efficacy was evaluated in laboratory and deployed for a feasibility and performance validation study of air sterilization in a nursing home environment. Laboratory studies tested prototypes (300–5000 CFM; 220–247 °C) against aerosolized surrogates including Bacillus globigii (Bg), B. stearothermophilus (Bst), B. thuringiensis (Bt), Escherichia coli, and MS2 bacteriophage. Viral inactivation thresholds were further assessed by exposing MS2 to progressively lower treatment temperatures (64.5–143 °C). Feasibility and performance validation evaluation involved continuous operation of two CHAST units in a nursing home, with pre- and post-treatment air samples analyzed for bacterial and fungal burden. Results: Laboratory testing demonstrated consistent microbial inactivation, with most prototypes achieving > 6-log (99.9999%) reductions across bacterial spores, vegetative bacteria, and viruses. A 5000 CFM prototype achieved > 7-log (99.99999%) elimination of B. globigii. MS2 was completely inactivated at 240 °C, with modeling suggesting a threshold for total viral elimination near 170 °C. In the feasibility study, baseline sampling revealed bacterial (35 CFU/m³) and fungal (17 CFU/m³) contamination, dominated by Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. After 72 h of CHAST operation, discharge air contained no detectable viable organisms, and fungal spore counts showed a 93% reduction relative to baseline return air. Units maintained stable operation (464 °F ± 2 °F; 329–335 CFM) throughout deployment. Conclusion: CHAST reproducibly and scalably inactivated airborne bacteria, viruses, and fungi under laboratory and feasibility field studies, supporting its potential as a chemical-free strategy to improve infection control and indoor air quality in healthcare facilities. Full article

Lake sediments are important indicators of human activities and environmental changes, while lakes in northern China receive little attention. Heavy metal elements in core sediments from Bosten Lake (BST) in the arid area, Wuliangsuhai Lake (WLS) in the semi-arid area, and Chagan Lake (CG) in the semi-humid area of northern China, based on the precise dating of ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs, were analyzed to evaluate the characteristics and sources of heavy metal pollution, analyze the influence of different types and intensities of human activities on heavy metals, and predict the development trend of heavy metal content in lake sediments in the future. The content of heavy metals in the sediments of the three lakes has gradually increased over time, with a decreasing trend of CG > WLS > BST, which is in accordance with the intensity of human activities. Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, As, and Pb are greatly influenced by human activities and mainly come from wastewater, waste residue, and waste gas produced by industrial activities, pesticide residues from agricultural activities, and pollution from domestic sewage, while, Cr and Ni come from both natural sources and human activities. Mn and Fe are relatively stable and mainly come from natural sources. The development trend of heavy metal content in the sediments of various lakes in the future is predicted by regression analysis. Fe and As in WLS and Cr, Mn, Ni, and Cu in BST show upward trends, indicating that the influences of industrial activities, agricultural activities, domestic emissions, and air pollutants on heavy metal pollution in lake sediments have a continuous effect. The results can provide a scientific basis for the effective control and environmental governance of heavy metal pollution in lakes. Full article

Precise trajectory prediction in the airspace of a high-density terminal area (TMA) is crucial for Trajectory Based Operations (TBO), but frequent aircraft interactions and maneuvering behaviors can introduce significant uncertainties. Most existing approaches use deterministic deep learning models that lack uncertainty quantification and explicit spatial awareness. To address this gap, we propose the BST-Transformer, a Bayesian spatio-temporal deep learning framework that produces probabilistic multi-step trajectory forecasts and supports probabilistic conflict alerting. The framework first extracts temporal and spatial interaction features via spatio-temporal attention encoders and then uses a Bayesian decoder with variational inference to yield trajectory distributions. Potential conflicts are evaluated by Monte Carlo sampling of the predictive distributions to produce conflict probabilities and alarm decisions. Experiments based on real SSR data from the Guangzhou TMA show that this model performs exceptionally well in improving prediction accuracy by reducing MADE 60.3% relative to a deterministic ST-Transformer with analogous reductions in horizontal and vertical errors (MADHE and MADVE), quantifying uncertainty and significantly enhancing the system’s ability to identify safety risks, and providing strong support for intelligent air traffic management with uncertainty perception capabilities. Full article