Search Results (48,852)

Traditional hydrogel preparation methods typically require multiple steps and certain external stimuli. In this study, rapid and stable gelation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-tannic acid (TA)-based hydrogels was achieved through the regulation of hydrogen bonds. The cross-linking between PVA and TA is triggered by the evaporation of ethanol. Rheological testing and analysis of the liquid-solid transformation process of the hydrogel were performed. The gelation onset time (GOT) could be tuned from 10 s to over 100 s by adjusting the ethanol content and temperature. The addition of polyhydroxyl components (e.g., glycerol) significantly enhances the hydrogel’s water retention capacity (by 858%) and tensile strain rate (by 723%), while concurrently increasing the gelation time. Further studies have shown that the addition of alkaline substances (such as sodium hydroxide) promotes the entanglement of PVA molecular chains, increasing the tensile strength by 23% and the fracture strain by 41.8%. The experimental results indicate that the optimized PVA-TA hydrogels exhibit a high tensile strength (>2 MPa) and excellent tensile properties (~600%). Moreover, the addition of an excess of weakly alkaline substances (such as sodium acetate) reduces the degree of hydrolysis of PVA, enabling the system to form a hydrogel with extrudable characteristics before the ethanol has completely evaporated. This property allows for patterned printing and thus demonstrates the potential of the hydrogel in 3D printing. Overall, this study provides new insights for the application of PVA-TA based hydrogels in the fields of rapid prototyping and strength optimization. Full article

Large soil pores critically influence water and solute transport in soils. The presence of preferential flow paths created by soil macropores can profoundly impact water quality, underscoring the necessity of accurately assessing the characteristics of these macropores. However, it remains unclear whether variations in macropore structure exist between different altitudes and positions of terraced paddy fields. The primary objective of this research was to utilize X-ray computed tomography (CT) and image analysis techniques to characterize the soil pore structure at both the inner field and ridge positions across different altitude levels (high, medium, and low altitude) within terraced paddy fields. The results indicate that there are significant differences in the distribution of large soil pores at different altitudes, with large pores concentrated in the surface layer (0–10 cm) in low-altitude areas, while in high-altitude areas, the distribution of large pores is more uniform. Additionally, as altitude increases, the porosity of large pores shows an increasing trend. The three-dimensional equivalent diameter and large pore volume are primarily characterized by large pores ranging from 1 to 2 mm and 0 to 5 mm³, respectively, with their morphology predominantly appearing spherical or ellipsoidal. The connectivity of large pores in the surface layer of paddy soil is stronger than that in the bunds. However, this connectivity gradually weakens with increasing soil depth. The findings from this study provide valuable quantitative insights into the unique characteristics of soil macropores that vary according to the altitude and position in terraced paddy fields. Moreover, this study emphasizes the necessity for future research that encompasses a broader range of soil types, altitudes, and terraced paddy locations to validate and further explore the identified relationships between altitude and macropore characteristics. Full article

The gut microbiota of macaques, highly homologous to humans in biological characteristics and metabolic functions, serves as an ideal model for studying the mechanisms of human intestinal diseases and therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive characterization of the macaque gut microbiota provides unique insights into human health and disease. This study employs metagenomic sequencing to assess the gut microbiota of wild M. mulatta brevicaudus across various ages, sexes, and physiological states. The results revealed that the dominant bacterial species in various age groups included Segatella copri and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The predominant bacterial species in various sexes included Alistipes senegalensis and Parabacteroides (specifically Parabacteroides merdae, Parabacteroides johnsonii, and Parabacteroides sp. CT06). The dominant species during lactation and non-lactation periods were identified as Alistipes indistinctus and Capnocytophaga haemolytica. Functional analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways such as global and overview maps, carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study enhances our understanding of how age, sex, and physiological states shape the gut microbiota in M. mulatta brevicaudus, offering a foundation for future research on (1) host–microbiome interactions in primate evolution, and (2) translational applications in human health, such as microbiome-based therapies for metabolic or immune-related disorders. Full article

Research on children’s singing development is extensive. Different ages, approaches, and variables have been taken into consideration. However, research on singing with text or a neutral syllable is scarce, and findings are inconclusive. This study investigated the influence of singing with text and a neutral syllable on children’s vocal performance. Children aged 4 to 9 (n = 135) participated in two periods of instruction and assessment. In Period One, Song 1 was taught with text and Song 2 with a neutral syllable, and in Period Two, the text was added to Song 2. In each period, children were individually audio-recorded singing both songs. Three independent raters scored the songs’ vocal performances using two researcher-designed rating scales, one for each song, which included the assessment of tonal and rhythm dimensions. Before data analysis, the validity and reliability of the rating scales used to assess vocal performance were examined and assured. The results revealed that 4-, 5-, and 7-year-olds sang Song 1 significantly better in Period One, and 4- and 5-year-olds sang Song 1 significantly better in Period Two. Thus, singing with text seems to favour younger children’s vocal performance. Findings also revealed that girls scored significantly higher than boys for Song 1 in both periods, but not for Song 2 in Period One. The implications of incorporating songs with text and neutral syllables into music programs, as well as the instruments used to assess vocal performances, are discussed. Full article

The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies is therefore imperative. Using rural areas of Jiangning District, Nanjing as a case study, this research proposes an optimized dual-dimensional coupling assessment framework that integrates ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecological risk probability. The spatiotemporal evolution of LER in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and its key driving factors were further studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and geodetector methods. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land remained dominant, but its proportion decreased by 10.87%, while construction land increased by 26.52%, with minimal changes in other land use types. (2) The total ESV increased by CNY 1.67 × 10⁹, with regulating services accounting for over 82%, among which water bodies contributed the most. (3) LER showed an overall increasing trend, with medium- to highest-risk areas expanding by 55.37%, lowest-risk areas increasing by 10.10%, and lower-risk areas decreasing by 65.48%. (4) Key driving factors include landscape vulnerability, vegetation coverage, and ecological land connectivity, with the influence of distance to road becoming increasingly significant. This study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of LER in typical peri-urban villages. Based on the LERA results, combined with terrain features and ecological pressure intensity, the study area was divided into three ecological management zones: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and ecological enhancement. Corresponding zoning strategies were proposed to guide rural ecological governance and support regional sustainable development. Full article

Background: Low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates like isomaltulose (ISO) are known to enhance incretin release and to improve postprandial glucose control at the following meal (an effect known as second meal effect, or SME), which is particularly beneficial for individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to assess the most effective preprandial interval of ISO- or saccharose (SUC) snacks (1 h vs. 3 h preload) to enhance prandial incretin responses to a subsequent meal. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 15 participants with MetS completed four experimental conditions on four non-consecutive days, combining two preload types (ISO or SUC) and two preload timings (Intervention A: 3 h preload; Intervention B: 1 h preload). Specifically, the four conditions were (1) ISO + Intervention A, (2) SUC + Intervention A, (3) ISO + Intervention B, and (4) SUC + Intervention B. The order of conditions was randomized and separated by a 3–7-day washout period to minimize carryover effects. On each study day, participants consumed two mixed meal tests (MMT-1 and MMT-2) with a standardized preload (50 g ISO or SUC) administered either 3 h or 1 h prior to MMT-2. Blood samples were collected over 9 h at 15 predefined time points for analysis of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and PYY). Results: The unique digestion profile of ISO resulted in a blunted glucose ascent rate (ΔG/Δt: 0.28 vs. 0.53 mmol/L/min for SUC, p < 0.01), paralleled by synonyms PYY elevation over 540 min monitoring, compared with SUC. ISO also led to higher and more sustained GLP-1 and PYY levels, while SUC induced a stronger GIP response. Notably, the timing of ISO consumption significantly influenced PYY secretion, with the 3 h preload showing enhanced PYY responses and a more favorable SME compared to the 1 h preload. Conclusions: ISO, particularly when consumed 3 h before a meal (vs. 1 h), offers significant advantages over SUC by elevating PYY levels, blunting the glucose ascent rate, and sustaining GLP-1 release. This synergy enhances the second meal effect, suggesting ISO’s potential for managing postprandial glycemic excursions in MetS. Full article

Vegetation dynamics are complexly influenced by multiple factors such as climate, human activities, and topography. In recent years, the frequency, intensity, and diversity of human activities have increased, placing substantial pressure on the growth of vegetation. Arid and semi-arid regions are particularly sensitive to climate change, and climate change and large-scale ecological restoration have led to significant changes in the dynamic of dryland vegetation. However, few studies have explored the nonlinear relationships between these factors and vegetation dynamic. In this study, we integrated trend analysis (using the Mann–Kendall test and Theil–Sen estimation) and machine learning algorithms (XGBoost-SHAP model) based on long time-series remote sensing data from 2001 to 2020 to quantify the nonlinear response patterns and threshold effects of bioclimatic variables, topographic features, soil attributes, and anthropogenic factors on vegetation dynamic. The results revealed the following key findings: (1) The kNDVI in the study area showed an overall significant increasing trend (p < 0.01) during the observation period, of which 26.7% of the area showed a significant increase. (2) The water content index (Bio 23, 19.6%), the change in land use (15.2%), multi-year average precipitation (pre, 15.0%), population density (13.2%), and rainfall seasonality (Bio 15, 10.9%) were the key factors driving the dynamic change of vegetation, with the combined contribution of natural factors amounting to 64.3%. (3) Among the topographic factors, altitude had a more significant effect on vegetation dynamics, with higher altitude regions less likely to experience vegetation greening. Both natural and anthropogenic factors exhibited nonlinear responses and interactive effects, contributing to the observed dynamic trends. This study provides valuable insights into the driving mechanisms behind the condition of vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions of China and, by extension, in other arid regions globally. Full article

Digital technologies could facilitate green development by enhancing energy efficiency. However, existing research on coupling coordination between digital infrastructure and green development remains scarce. To fill this research gap, this study analyzes the spatio-temporal variations and barriers of coupling coordination. An evaluation index system is established and then the coupling relationship and the barrier factors between digital infrastructure and green development are analyzed. A provincial analysis is conducted by using data from China. The results in the study indicate (1) coupling coordination between digital infrastructure and green development exhibits a relatively low state, characterized by an overall upward trend; (2) noteworthy disparities are observed in the spatio-temporal pattern of the coupling coordination degree, reflecting the overall evolutionary trend from low to high coupling coordination, along with the characteristics of positive spatial correlation and high spatial concentration; and (3) obstacle factors are analyzed from the aspects of digital infrastructure and green development, emphasizing the construction of mobile phone base stations and investment in pollution control, among other aspects. This study contributes valuable insights for improvement paths for digital infrastructure and green development, offering recommendations for optimizing strategies to promote their coupled development. Full article

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different types of sourdough (I to IV), developed with a specific starter culture (including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Candida famata), on bread fermentation performance and shelf-life. Real-time tracking of multiple parameters (pH, dough rising, ethanol release, and total titratable acidity) was monitored by a smart fermentation oven. The impact of the different treatments on the lactic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol content of the breads were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. In addition, the bio-preservation capacity of the breads contaminated with fungi was analyzed. The results show that liquid sourdough (D3: Type 2) and backslopped sourdough (D4: Type 3) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in dough rise, dough acidification (lower pH, higher titratable acidity), production of organic acids (lactic and acetic), and presented the optimal fermentation quotient. These findings were substantiated by chemometric analysis, which successfully clustered the starters based on performance and revealed a strong positive correlation between acetic acid production and dough-rise, highlighting the superior heterofermentative profile of D3 and D4. These types of sourdough also stood out for their antifungal capacity, preventing the visible growth of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium commune for up to 10 days after inoculation. Full article

Addressing the technical demands for the rapid, precise detection of earthquake-triggered landslides in loess tablelands, this study proposes and validates an innovative methodology integrating enhanced deep learning architectures with large-tile processing strategies, featuring two core advances: (1) a critical enhancement of YOLOv8’s shallow layers via a higher-resolution P2 detection head to boost small-target capture capabilities, and (2) the development of a large-tile segmentation–tile mosaicking workflow to overcome the technical bottlenecks in large-scale high-resolution image processing, ensuring both timeliness and accuracy in loess landslide detection. This study utilized 20 km² of high-precision UAV imagery acquired after the 2023 Gansu Jishishan Ms 6.2 earthquake as foundational data, applying our methodology to achieve the rapid detection and precise segmentation of landslides in the study area. Validation was conducted through a comparative analysis of high-accuracy 3D models and field investigations. (1) The model achieved simultaneous convergence of all four loss functions within a 500-epoch progressive training strategy, with mAP50(M) = 0.747 and mAP50-95(M) = 0.46, thus validating the superior detection and segmentation capabilities for the Jishishan earthquake-triggered loess landslides. (2) The enhanced algorithm detected 417 landslides with 94.1% recognition accuracy. Landslide areas ranged from 7 × 10⁻⁴ km² to 0.217 km² (aggregate area: 1.3 km²), indicating small-scale landslide dominance. (3) Morphological characterization and the spatial distribution analysis revealed near-vertical scarps, diverse morphological configurations, and high spatial density clustering in loess tableland landslides. Full article

Background: Pain is a complex phenomenon characterized by unpleasant experiences with profound heterogeneity influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. According to the National Health Interview Survey, 50.2 million U.S. adults (20.5%) experience pain on most days, with the annual cost of prescription medication for pain reaching approximately USD 17.8 billion. Theranostic pain nanomedicine therefore emerges as an attractive analgesic strategy with the potential for increased efficacy, reduced side-effects, and treatment personalization. Theranostic nanomedicine combines drug delivery and diagnostic features, allowing for real-time monitoring of analgesic efficacy in vivo using molecular imaging. However, clinical translation of these nanomedicines are challenging due to complex manufacturing methodologies, lack of standardized quality control, and potentially high costs. Quality by Design (QbD) can navigate these challenges and lead to the development of an optimal pain nanomedicine. Our lab previously reported a macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that demonstrated analgesic efficacy across multiple rodent pain models in both sexes. Here, we report PFC-free, biphasic nanoemulsions formulated with a biocompatible and non-immunogenic plant-based coconut oil loaded with a COX-2 inhibitor and a clinical-grade, indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye for parenteral theranostic analgesic nanomedicine. Methods: Critical process parameters and material attributes were identified through the FMECA (Failure, Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) method and optimized using a 3 × 2 full-factorial design of experiments. We investigated the impact of the oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) with three different surfactant systems on the colloidal properties of NE. Small-scale (100 mL) batches were manufactured using sonication and microfluidization, and the final formulation was scaled up to 500 mL with microfluidization. The colloidal stability of NE was assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and drug quantification was conducted through reverse-phase HPLC. An in vitro drug release study was conducted using the dialysis bag method, accompanied by HPLC quantification. The formulation was further evaluated for cell viability, cellular uptake, and COX-2 inhibition in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Results: Nanoemulsion droplet size increased with a higher oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) but was no significant impact by the type of surfactant system used. Thermal cycling and serum stability studies confirmed NE colloidal stability upon exposure to high and low temperatures and biological fluids. We also demonstrated the necessity of a solubilizer for long-term fluorescence stability of ICG. The nanoemulsion showed no cellular toxicity and effectively inhibited PGE2 in activated macrophages. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a celecoxib-loaded theranostic platform developed using a plant-derived hydrocarbon oil, applying the QbD approach that demonstrated COX-2 inhibition. Full article

(1) Background: The concentration of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug very often used in bipolar disorder, is most often determined in the blood, with many inconveniences. An alternative may be to use saliva as a diagnostic material for this purpose. The development of a method to determine lamotrigine in saliva as a biological material significantly improves patient comfort during sampling. The developed method uses solid-phase extraction for the isolation of the drug from saliva for the first time. (2) Methods: This study aimed to develop a method to determine lamotrigine in saliva using solid-phase extraction (SPE) for isolation and liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (LC-DAD) for quantitative analysis. (3) Results: The method was validated by determining its linearity in the concentration range 10–2000 ng/mL (R² > 0.99), and the intra- and inter-day precision expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%) did not exceed 15%. (4) Conclusions: The developed method was used to determine the salivary concentration of lamotrigine in patients treated with the studied compound, confirming its usefulness in bipolar disorder (BD). Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health epidemic with rising prevalence within Asian populations, particularly amongst individuals with high visceral adiposity and ectopic organ fat, the so-called Thin-Outside, Fat-Inside phenotype. Metabolomic and microbiome shifts may herald T2D onset, presenting potential biomarkers and mechanistic insight into metabolic dysregulation. However, multi-omics datasets across ethnicities remain limited. Methods: We performed cross-sectional multi-omics analyses on 171 adults (99 Asian Chinese, 72 European Caucasian) from the New Zealand-based TOFI_Asia cohort at 4-years follow-up. Paired plasma and faecal samples were analysed using untargeted metabolomic profiling (polar/lipid fractions) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Sparse multi-block partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis (DIABLO) unveiled signatures associated with ethnicity, glycaemic status, and sex. Results: Ethnicity-based DIABLO modelling achieved a balanced error rate of 0.22, correctly classifying 76.54% of test samples. Polar metabolites had the highest discriminatory power (AUC = 0.96), with trigonelline enriched in European Caucasians and carnitine in Asian Chinese. Lipid profiles highlighted ethnicity-specific signatures: Asian Chinese showed enrichment of polyunsaturated triglycerides (TG.16:0_18:2_22:6, TG.18:1_18:2_22:6) and ether-linked phospholipids, while European Caucasians exhibited higher levels of saturated species (TG.16:0_16:0_14:1, TG.15:0_15:0_17:1). The bacteria Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, and Enterocloster bolteae characterised Asian Chinese participants, while Oscillibacter sp. and Clostridium innocuum characterised European Caucasians. Cross-omic correlations highlighted negative correlations of Phocaeicola vulgatus with amino acids (r = −0.84 to −0.76), while E. ramosum and C. innocuum positively correlated with long-chain triglycerides (r = 0.55–0.62). Conclusions: Ethnicity drove robust multi-omic differentiation, revealing distinctive metabolic and microbial profiles potentially underlying the differential T2D risk between Asian Chinese and European Caucasians. Full article

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess changes in body composition, with a specific focus on fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM), in obese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with once-weekly (OW) subcutaneous (s.c.) semaglutide. Methods: This was a single-center, 12-month, real-world, ambispective study (6-month prospective and 6-month retrospective). Body composition parameters were assessed via segmental multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (SMF-BIA). Results: A total of 117 patients with DM2, with a median age of 56 years, a median HbA1c level of 9.4%, and a median body weight of 102.5 kg, were included in the study. The median body weight, body fat mass, and visceral fat significantly decreased at 6 months, with values of −9.3, −7.5, and −1.8 kg, respectively. There were further reductions from 6 to 12 months, albeit at a slower rate. The median skeletal muscle mass significantly decreased at 6 months (−1.2 kg), although no further significant reductions were observed at 12 months. Conclusions: OW s.c. semaglutide for 12 months significantly improved body composition parameters, mainly at the expense of fat mass loss, with the preservation of skeletal muscle mass. These changes are clinically meaningful, since they impact general metabolic health and are associated with improvements in metabolic control and clinical parameters associated with renal and CV risks, as well as presumable improvements in quality of life. Full article

Academic English support is crucial for English as an Additional Language (EAL) nursing students in English-medium nursing education programmes. However, empirical research on content and language integrated learning (CLIL) within this specific context remains limited. This study, informed by recent advancements in translanguaging and trans-semiotising (TL-TS) theory, investigates the patterns of teacher collaboration in nursing CLIL and its impact when employing a TL-TS pedagogical approach. Analysis of students’ pre- and post-tests and multimodal classroom interactions reveals that effective collaboration between nursing specialists and language experts in CLIL can be fostered by (1) aligning with language education principles through the incorporation of internally persuasive discourse (IPD) about language learning and TL-TS practices; (2) simulating potential professional contingencies and co-developing coping strategies using TL-TS; and (3) elucidating nursing language norms through TL-TS and IPD. We advocate for re-imagination of CLIL in English-medium nursing education through an organistic–procedural TL perspective and highlight its potential to enhance EAL nursing students’ development of language proficiency and professional competencies. Full article