Search Results (240)

Consumer acceptability of whole-muscle and ground beef can largely be dictated by organoleptic properties. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the organoleptic characteristics of ground beef patties manufactured using different forming attachments. Ground beef patties (n = 333/treatment) were randomly allotted to one of four treatments (Cavity, Nozzle, Manual, Guillotine) and subjected to analysis of cooking loss, cooking time, cooked patty shrinkage, internal cooked color, texture profile analysis, Allo–Kramer shear force, and consumer sensory panel. The forming method altered cooking time (p < 0.0001) and cooked patty shrinkage (p < 0.0001) but did not alter cooking loss (p = 0.8116). Instrumental hardness was greatest for beef patties formed using the Cavity method compared to all other forming treatments (p = 0.0002). The forming method did not alter internal cooked color redness (p > 0.5408), yellowness (p > 0.1053) nor red-to-brown (p > 0.4386). Lastly, consumer ratings for tenderness were altered by the forming method (p < 0.0020), but patty forming did not alter (p > 0.05) any other sensory characteristics. Categorizing the changes to the cooked characteristics of ground beef patties altered by forming and manufacturing techniques is important when determining consumer acceptance and quantifying textural differences. Current results indicate that ground beef patties formed using the nozzle method imparted the fewest detrimental changes to physiochemical and sensory traits when compared to all other forming methods. Nozzle-formed patties required the least amount of cooking time, the least instrumental resilience, the least instrumental force to shear, and the greatest perceived tenderness by consumer panelists. Full article

A set S of vertices in a graph G is a total dominating set if every vertex of G is adjacent to (totally dominated by) some vertex of S. The number of vertices in S that totally dominate a vertex v of G is denoted by ${\sigma }_S\left(v\right)$. A total dominating set S is a $pt$-dominating set (or $pt$-dominating set) if ${\sigma }_S\left(u\right)\ne {\sigma }_S\left(v\right)$ for every two adjacent vertices u and v of G. The $pt$-domination number ${\gamma }_{pt}\left(G\right)$ of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a $pt$-dominating set in G. Two well-known classes of highly symmetric graphs are investigated here, namely fans and wheels. For $n\ge 2$, the fan $F_n$ is the join $P_n\vee K_1$ of the path $P_n$ of order n and the complete graph $K_1$ of order 1, while for $n\ge 3$, the wheel $W_n$ is the join $C_n\vee K_1$ of the cycle $C_n$ of order n and $K_1$. For a positive integer t, the general fan $F_{n,t}$ is the graph $P_n\vee {\overline{K}}_t$ and the general wheel $W_{n,t}$ is the graph $C_n\vee {\overline{K}}_t$ where ${\overline{K}}_t$ is the empty graph of order t. All fans, wheels, general fans and general wheels are determined that possess $pt$-dominating sets. Furthermore, $pt$-domination numbers of all these graphs are determined as well. Full article

Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) enables direct measurement of nanoscale conformational dynamics and heterogeneity in biomolecules, but quantitative interpretation of smFRET data critically depends on well-controlled excitation geometry, low background fluorescence, robust calibration, and reproducible data-analysis workflows. Prism-based total internal reflection fluorescence (pTIRF) microscopy provides important advantages for such measurements by physically separating excitation and emission paths and generating a highly confined evanescent field, yet practical guidance for implementing reproducible, quantitative pTIRF systems remains fragmented. Here we present a comprehensive, standardized framework for the design, alignment, calibration, validation, and operation of a prism-based TIRF microscope optimized for single-molecule fluorescence measurements. We describe the complete optical architecture for dual-color excitation and detection, establish alignment invariants that ensure reproducible evanescent excitation and stable donor–acceptor channel registration, and detail surface preparation, flow control, and photostabilization strategies required for reliable long-term imaging. Quantitative benchmarking protocols are introduced to evaluate signal-to-noise ratio, photobleaching kinetics, and spectral crosstalk, providing objective criteria for defining optimal operating conditions and instrument performance limits. Finally, we integrate these experimental procedures with an end-to-end single-molecule data-analysis workflow encompassing channel registration, automated and manual trajectory selection, FRET calculation, and kinetic analysis using hidden Markov modeling. The utility of the platform is demonstrated through smFRET measurements of conformational dynamics in a model nucleic acid system. Together, this work provides a reproducible and accessible methodology for implementing prism-based TIRF microscopy as a robust quantitative platform for single-molecule fluorescence studies across a wide range of biomolecular systems. Full article

Winter cover crops (WCCs) are effective at reducing N losses from temperate agroecosystems. Although extensive research on WCCs has demonstrated numerous benefits, overall adoption rates in the Midwest U.S. remain low. We evaluated an alternative to WCC’s ability to reduce nitrate (NO₃⁻)-N leaching; that is, adding an inexpensive, easy-to-apply, form of labile carbon (C) as a soil amendment intended to immobilize N and mitigate leaching. In the autumn in a typical maize–soybean rotation, we added crude glycerol (a C-rich, biodiesel byproduct) and hypothesized that glycerol carbon (C_glyc) would immobilize N and have no effect on crop growth. More specifically, C_glyc was broadcast applied at three rates (0, 216, and 866 kg C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) and combined factorially with six spring-applied fertilizer N rates (0, 56, 112, 168, 224, and 280 kg N ha⁻¹) at two sites. In response, we measured: soil profile NO₃⁻-N, leached NO₃⁻-N, crop health (via SPAD), yield, and maize agronomic optimum N rate (AONR). C_glyc reduced spring soil profile NO₃⁻-N by 14–24% across site-years, but had highly variable and non-significant effects on NO₃⁻-N leaching. C_glyc had an inconsistent impact on crop SPAD and yield, with C_glyc increasing AONR by ~63 kg N ha⁻¹ (or 31–40%) at one of two sites. Our results show promise for using labile C as a “liquid cover crop” soil amendment. Future studies should explore greater labile C application rates and alternate application timing in order to fine-tune the balance between environmental benefits and crop productivity. Full article

The Andean walnut (Juglans neotropica Diels), locally known as tocte, is a keystone tree species of major socio-ecological importance in South American mountain ecosystems, facing severe anthropogenic pressure associated with genetic erosion, habitat fragmentation, and unregulated selective logging. This article presents a case study applying a qualitative phenomenological approach to examine the power relations and institutional failures shaping the sustainable management of its value chain in Imbabura Province, Ecuador. Drawing on 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews with key actors (including woodcarvers, sawyers, traders, and environmental authorities) conducted between March and September 2025 until theoretical saturation was achieved, and supported by thematic analysis in ATLAS.ti, we identified five thematic categories revealing the tension between cultural valuation and market pressure. The findings confirm the existence of a value paradox, whereby high timber demand paradoxically accelerates resource depletion rather than incentivizing conservation, as premature harvesting of young trees undermines the viability of non-timber forest products such as nuts and accelerates the loss of local genetic resources. We conclude that the long-term conservation of the species requires a transition toward polycentric stewardship, community forestry enterprises, and integrated landscape management in which the standing tree is formally recognized as carrying greater ecological and economic value than harvested timber. Full article

We develop the Sawyer duality principle for non-increasing functions where, in the denominator, the function g is replaced by ${\int }_x^{\infty }{\displaystyle \frac{g\left(t\right)}{t}}dt$. This result complements Stepanov’s result in which g was replaced by ${\displaystyle \frac{1}{x}}{\int }_0^{x}g\left(t\right)dt$. We use our result and obtain Stepanov’s result for non-decreasing functions and similarly use Stepanov’s result in proving our result for non-decreasing functions. These results have also been obtained in ${\mathbb{R}}^n$. Full article

Reducing input costs, especially feed ingredients, remains a priority for production agriculture. Identifying and selecting nutritionally dense ingredients is vital to maximize animal performance. Objectives of the current study were to evaluate the impact of biochar supplementation on goat carcass characteristics and fresh meat quality. Goats (N = 36) were allocated to a diet concentration formulated with or without (Control, Low, Medium, or High g/kg) biochar. After 60 days of feeding, goats were harvested, and carcass measurements were collected. Subprimals from the leg were fabricated into steaks for laboratory analysis of surface color, cook loss, and instrumental tenderness. Biochar supplementation did not alter organ weights (p = 0.0614), dressing percentage (p = 0.8139), loin eye area (p = 0.9570), or tenderness (p = 0.0144). However, marbling scores were lower in goats fed at the medium biochar supplementation rate (p = 0.0114) and high supplementation (p = 0.0102) compared to the control. An interaction between storage day and biochar supplementation was recorded for instrumental surface color lightness (L*; p = 0.0016), redness (a*; p = 0.0547), hue angle (p = 0.0313), and red-to-brown (p = 0.0591). Steaks from the 0.052% supplementation group exhibited greater (p = 0.0003) redness (a*) during a 7-day refrigerated display and increased chroma values (p < 0.0001). Storage duration influenced all color traits, with steak surface discoloration increasing as storage time increased (p < 0.0001). Results conclude that biochar supplementation does not negatively impact all carcass quality or tenderness traits, but may influence fat deposition and improve meat color stability. Full article

Structural racism and discrimination (SRD) is a fundamental cause of health inequities that emerge during adolescence and persist throughout adulthood. This scoping review systematically synthesizes the evidence on policy and community-level interventions designed to disrupt SRD exposure among Black adolescents and mitigate its impact on their health behaviors and outcomes. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched five databases for peer-reviewed intervention studies published through October 2025. Of 3417 abstracts screened, 9 studies met inclusion criteria. We examined the study characteristics, theoretical frameworks, implementation strategies, and effectiveness of interventions targeting three primary mechanisms of SRD exposure for adolescents. The majority focused on neighborhood and social integration interventions, with limited representation of resource-based and school-based approaches. Culturally grounded, community-engaged interventions buffered SRD’s negative effects on mental health, empowered youth as change agents, and removed structural barriers to health-promotive resources. The review identified several gaps in the research, including methodological and theoretical rigor, geographic contexts, and follow-up. Findings underscore the potential of culturally grounded, multilevel interventions to reduce inequities across mental health, physical health, and social outcomes for Black youth. This review highlights the need to expand systems-level interventions that address the root causes of the persistent racial health inequities experienced by Black youth. Full article

In the complex interplay among parasitic wasps, their insect hosts, and pathogenic microbes, the system involving Sclerodermus guani (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) (a parasitoid wasp), Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) (the pine sawyer beetle, its host), and Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) (a fungus) presents a unique scenario where wasp offspring develop within a nearly sealed host gallery. This nursery is vulnerable to fungal invasion, often introduced by the foraging female wasps or M. alternatus itself, creating a three-way interaction where the fungus can infect both M. alternatus and S. guani. To assess how the route and timing of fungal exposure impact the S. guani population, we simulated this system by introducing different concentrations of B. bassiana either directly to the female wasps or to M. alternatus prior to parasitism. We further examined the effect of exposure timing by applying the fungus at different developmental stages of the S. guani offspring. Key population parameters, including the reproductive capacity of female wasps, the survival and developmental fitness of S. guani offspring and the germination period of hyphae, were measured. The results indicated that the most severe damage to populations of S. guani occurs when its host, M. alternatus, is infected by B. bassiana. Among the various developmental stages, S. guani offspring exhibited the greatest vulnerability during mid-to-late larval stages, whereas the egg and pupa within cocoon stages demonstrated a higher tolerance. We conclude that both the pathway and the timing of fungal exposure are critical factors influencing its impact. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the integrated use of biological agents in pest management, informing strategies that mitigate adverse effects on beneficial parasitoid wasps. Full article

Ecological restoration has emerged as a critical tool for addressing ecosystem degradation worldwide. The Stream Quantification Tool (SQT) represents a significant advancement in stream restoration methodology, providing a standardized framework for quantifying stream functions and evaluating project outcomes. We investigated relationships between salamander abundance and physicochemical parameters from the SQT (nitrogen, turbidity, temperature, and composite SQT physicochemical score) across 16 streams in the upstate region of South Carolina. Stream salamanders can be reliable bioindicators due to their philopatric nature, longevity, and stable populations, making them valuable for assessing stream restoration effectiveness. Six salamander species (n = 394 individuals) were identified across 14 streams where salamanders were present. N-mixture models were used to analyze abundance patterns while accounting for imperfect detection. Turbidity was the strongest negative predictor of salamander abundance, followed by nitrogen. Removal of an agriculturally impacted stream with elevated turbidity substantially altered model rankings, making the null model top-ranked, followed by nitrogen, composite physicochemical score, and temperature. These findings demonstrate turbidity’s critical role in salamander abundance. Management practices should prioritize erosion and sediment control solutions for salamander conservation. For SQT biological monitoring, we recommend focusing on turbidity and nitrogen as key parameters affecting salamander abundance in stream assessments. Full article

The Sakhalin pine sawyer, Monochamus saltuarius Gebler, 1830 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a newly discovered insect vector of the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in China. Despite its ecological importance, the detailed morphology of its sensory systems remains largely unexplored. This study presents comprehensive ultrastructural analysis of the compound eyes and stridulatory organs in adult M. saltuarius, with a focus on sexual differences. Our morphometric results revealed pronounced sexual dimorphism: males possessed significantly larger compound eyes in terms of total area and perimeter. Furthermore, all three types of ommatidial facets (hexagonal, pentagonal, and quadrilateral) exhibited significantly greater area, perimeter, and diameter in males. Interestingly, while the total number of ommatidia and the counts within the dorsal and ventral eye regions showed no significant sexual difference, they were strongly positively correlated with body length in both sexes. Regarding the stridulatory organs, key morphological features including the transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, and width of the lateral sulcus of the stridulatory file were also significantly greater in males. In contrast, no sexual dimorphism was detected in the width or density of the stridulatory teeth. These findings collectively indicate a significant investment in sexually dimorphic sensory organs in M. saltuarius, which we hypothesize is closely linked to sex-specific behavioral roles, particularly in active mate searching, courtship displays, and intrasexual competition. This research provides a crucial morphological foundation for understanding the species’ visual and acoustic communication, supporting future work on its sensory ecology and the development of behavior-based control strategies for pine wilt disease. Full article

For more than four decades, the emphasis in the academic study of world religions has been on differences over similarities, and comparative analyses allowing for commonalities have become increasingly rare. This article argues that similarities nonetheless exist and should be studied. After disclaiming the judgment of other scholars that Aldous Huxley attempted to describe the “core” or “essence” of mystical experience, the article continues with a description of Huxley’s unitive mystical experience as simply a thread running across the traditions, evidenced by the fact that it is often found in both the primary and secondary literature of mysticism. The essay then goes on to cite descriptions of unitive experiences in research studies with psychedelics. Given that these experiences regularly occur with psilocybin and other drugs, as studies show, the article argues that the use of psychedelics is currently providing a rich source of experiential reports from which scholars of mysticism may glean insights. Furthermore, based on the views of Huxley, and supported by the reports of Roland Griffiths, Jussi Jylkka, David Yaden, William Richards, Julie Holland and others, the article speculates about the possible benefits of unitive mystical experiences triggered by psychedelics for both the individual and society. Full article

Background: The maintenance of an aseptic barrier between the surgical team and patient aids in the prevents the exposure of the patient to pathogens. Variations in gloving practice may have safety implications due to glove failure. Indicator gloving, where two pairs of different colored gloves are worn, is thought to add protection as it alerts the wearer to a breach. The aim of this systematic review and meta-synthesis was to assess the evidence in the literature on the benefit of indicator systems versus other forms of double gloving on puncture identification during surgery. Methods: A four-arm, parallel, systematic review of the literature was undertaken in accordance with the PRISMA statement using four distinct research questions regarding glove fit, double gloving, indicator gloves, and the association between glove damage and glove change frequency. Searches on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration of Systematic Reviews and Metanalyses, and Google Scholar were performed between 1 May 2022 and 24 January 2023. Studies were assessed for eligibility against pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Risk of bias was determined using multiple assessment tools. Results: This systematic review included 32 studies, 10 of which were high-quality Level IA trials, alongside multiple observational analyses. Across studies, indicator glove systems consistently demonstrated a two- to six-fold higher detection rate of glove perforations compared with standard double-gloving using identical glove colors. The majority of studies confirmed that early perforation identification significantly reduces intraoperative contamination risk and improves maintenance of the aseptic barrier. However, evidence regarding the direct impact on surgical site infections remains limited due to study heterogeneity. Conclusions: The use of an indicator glove provides a two- to six-fold higher rate of glove perforation detection, compared to two standard gloves of the same color, therefore aiding the maintenance of the aseptic barrier between surgical team members and patients. Further research into the impact of double gloving on the incidence of surgical site infections is required. Full article

Dastarcus helophoroides Fairmaire, a parasitic natural enemy widely used in the biological control of Monochamus alternatus Hope, possesses strong abilities to search for hosts and prey. To enhance the biological control efficacy of D. helophoroides against M. alternatus, this study systematically evaluated the effectiveness of enhancing control through methods such as drilling holes in lure logs and introducing D. helophoroides carrying Pyemotes zhonghuajia or Beauveria bassiana under controlled indoor conditions. The results showed that: (1) Releasing D. helophoroides eggs (after 30 days) and releasing adults (after 120 days) were both effective in controlling M. alternatus, with the best control effects achieved when 50 eggs/m and 3 adults/m were released. The release of adults took longer to show effects but had better results than the release of eggs in the later stages. (2) The location and number of holes drilled in lure logs significantly influenced the efficiency of D. helophoroides in searching for and parasitizing M. alternatus, while the diameter of the holes was not significant. Considering the highest control efficacy and minimizing damage to the tree, the optimal conditions were releasing D. helophoroides adults 2 cm above M. alternatus fecal holes, with 0.4 cm in diameter and 2 holes/m release density, which significantly promoted the invasion of D. helophoroides adults into the borer tunnels and increased the M. alternatus mortality rate. (3) Releasing D. helophoroides adults carrying P. zhonghuajia or B. bassiana significantly improves the control efficacy against M. alternatus. The higher the number of D. helophoroides adults released per log segment and the greater the quantity of P. zhonghuajia or B. bassiana that they carry, the higher the mortality rate of M. alternatus. After 60 days of release, the highest mortality rate of M. alternatus was observed in treatments where D. helophoroides (released at densities of 3 adults per meter of log segment) carried P. zhonghuajia (0.6 million/m) or were sprayed with B. bassiana (3 g/m). The synergistic effect of carrying P. zhonghuajia was evident, but the overall control efficacy of spraying B. bassiana was limited. In summary, optimizing drilling techniques and combining biological release strategies under laboratory conditions can significantly enhance the control efficacy against M. alternatus, providing data support for D. helophoroides future application in forest pest control. Full article

Background: Breast cancer polygenic risk scores (PRS) and traditional risk models (e.g., the Gail model [Gail]) are known to contribute largely independent information, but it is unclear how the overlap varies by ancestry, age, disease type (invasive breast cancer, DCIS), and risk threshold. Methods: In a retrospective case–control study, we evaluated risk prediction performance in 180,398 women (161,849 of European ancestry; 18,549 of Asian ancestry). Odds ratios (ORs) from logistic regression models and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were estimated. Results: PRS for invasive disease showed a stronger association in younger (<50 years) women (OR = 2.51, AUC = 0.622) than in women ≥ 50 years (OR = 2.06, AUC = 0.653) of European ancestry. PRS performance in Asians was lower (OR range = 1.62–1.64, AUC = 0.551–0.600). Gail performance was modest across groups and poor in younger Asian women (OR = 0.94–0.99, AUC = 0.523–0.533). Age interactions were observed for both PRS (p < 0.001) and Gail (p < 0.001) in Europeans, whereas in Asians, age interaction was observed only for Gail (invasive: p < 0.001; DCIS: p = 0.002). PRS identified more high-risk individuals than Gail in Asian populations, especially ≥50 years, while Gail identified more in Europeans. Overlap between PRS, Gail, and family history was limited at higher thresholds. Calibration analysis, comparing empirical and model-based ROC curves, showed divergence for both PRS and Gail (p < 0.001), which indicates miscalibration. In Europeans, family history and prior biopsies drove Gail discrimination. In younger Asians, age at first live birth was influential. Conclusions: PRS adds value to risk stratification beyond traditional tools, especially in younger women and Asian ancestry populations. Full article