Search Results (46,837)

Trait-based approaches, particularly those focusing on behavioral traits, have become increasingly important in ecology. However, empirical studies addressing behavioral trait variation in insects remain comparatively scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the behavior of six wild-living ground beetle species for which no behavioral data have previously been reported. Using standardized behavioral measures, we found that in species occurring in their preferred forest habitats, behavioral traits related to activity, exploration, boldness, and risk-taking showed weak or limited temporal consistency. In contrast, in species inhabiting modified forest habitats, behavioral traits exhibited pronounced and repeatable individual differences, were intercorrelated, and formed behavioral syndromes. Moreover, half of the studied species showed sex-specific differences in personality, reflecting drivers related to reproductive roles and investment. Overall, our findings emphasize that animal personality and behavioral syndromes in ground beetles are not universal species-level properties but emerge from the interaction between intrinsic traits, and sex-specific strategies, underscoring the importance of considering ecological context when interpreting individual-level behavioral variation. Full article

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection results in dysregulated inflammatory and coagulation pathways that drive immunothrombosis and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. While individual cytokines and endothelial biomarkers have been associated with disease severity and mortality, the prognostic relevance of combined inflammatory and endothelial signatures remains incompletely characterised. To identify inflammatory cytokines and markers of endothelial activation associated with mortality in patients with severe COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen. This retrospective observational study included 73 consecutive adults admitted to a dedicated supplemental oxygen unit with severe COVID-19. Plasma concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen and propeptide, ADAMTS13 antigen and activity, and ADAMTS13 autoantibodies were measured on admission using ELISA-based assays. Associations with mortality were assessed using non-parametric analyses, age-adjusted logistic regression, multivariable logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Increasing age was independently associated with mortality. After adjustment for age, higher IL-1α concentrations were associated with increased odds of death, whereas a higher IL-6/IL-10 ratio was independently protective. In multivariable models, including non-ratio variables, ADAMTS13 autoantibody levels remained independently associated with mortality. In ratio-based multivariable analysis, both the ADAMTS13 activity/autoantibody ratio and the IL-6/IL-10 ratio were independently protective, while age was no longer significant. IL-10 and ADAMTS13 autoantibodies demonstrated moderate discriminative performance for mortality prediction (AUC ~0.70). A combined biomarker model incorporating IL-1α, IL-8, IL-10, and ADAMTS13 autoantibodies yielded very high predicted mortality probabilities. Our findings highlight IL-1α and ADAMTS13 autoantibodies as independent predictors of mortality in severe COVID-19, reflecting the interplay between inflammatory and endothelial pathways. Biomarker ratios capturing immune and endothelial balance—particularly the ADAMTS13 activity/autoantibody ratio—may enhance risk stratification and support integrated prognostic models. Full article

Thermal control represents one of the most important parameters influencing the safety and reliability of lithium-ion batteries, especially at high rates required for modern electric vehicles. The present paper investigates the thermal and electrothermal performance of a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery pack using a combination of experimental, statistical, and numerical methods. The 8S5P module was assembled and examined under load tests of 200, 400, and 600 W with and without active air-based cooling. The findings indicate that cooling reduced cell surface temperature by up to 10 °C and extended discharge time by 7–16% under various load conditions, emphasizing the effect of thermal management on battery performance and safety. In order to more systematically investigate the impact of ambient temperature and load, a RSM study with a central composite design (CCD; 13 runs) was performed, resulting in two very significant quadratic models (R² > 0.98) for peak temperature and discharge duration prediction. The optimum conditions are estimated at a 200 W load and an ambient temperature of 20 °C. Based on experimentally determined parameters, a finite-element simulation model was established, and its predictions agreed well with the measured results, which verified the analysis. Integrating measurements, statistical modeling, and simulation provides a tri-phase methodology to date for determining and optimizing battery performance under the electrothermal dynamics of varied environments. Full article

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a Garmin device for estimating heart rate, energy expenditure, and step count during incremental treadmill exercise. Eighteen physically active males (n = 12; mean ± SD age = 22.8 ± 4.7 years; body mass = 83.8 ± 13.4 kg) and females (n = 6; 24.2 ± 5.6 years; 65.2 ± 9.6 kg) completed an incremental treadmill test with the Garmin Vivoactive 4 and criterion methods measuring heart rate, energy expenditure, and step count. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and Bland–Altman plots were used to assess accuracy. Acceptable accuracy was defined as MAPE < 5% for heart rate and <10% for energy expenditure and step count. MAPE (±SD) values were 13.0 (±10.1), 19.1 (±15.0), and 4.6 (±5.3)% for heart rate, energy expenditure, and step count, respectively. The Bland–Altman regression analyses illustrated proportional bias was present for heart rate (r = 0.591, p < 0.001) and step count (r = 0.516, p = 0.028), but not energy expenditure (r = 0.351, p = 0.153). These findings indicated that the Garmin Vivoactive 4 provided acceptable accuracy for step count but unacceptable accuracy for heart rate and energy expenditure during incremental treadmill exercise. Full article

Dorsal vein thrombophlebitis, or penile Mondor disease, is a rare benign penile condition presenting with cord-like induration at the dorsum of the penis. This induration is caused by an isolated thrombosis of the dorsal superficial vein of the penis. As symptoms are not typical and many patients are asymptomatic, it is often underdiagnosed. Causes include trauma, infection, sexual activity, genital surgery, and cancer. Differential diagnosis includes Peyronie’s disease and sclerosing lymphangitis, and diagnosis remains crucial as it facilitates the treatment plan and reassures the patient. Treatment consists of conservative measures, such as oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and anticoagulation, and surgical management, with excision of the thrombosed vein. We present a case report of penile Mondor disease following circumcision, with the aim to provide educational ultrasound images of this rare entity. The patient, 32 years old, on the sixth postoperative day, developed a cord-like induration, along with pain, at the dorsum of the penis. Physical examination revealed a cord-like mass on the dorsal aspect of the penis. Penile triplex demonstrated a lack of endoluminal flow signals of the superficial dorsal veins, which were uncompressible. Triplex of the femoral and iliac veins showed no sign of thrombosis. Clinical presentation, along with imaging findings, facilitated the diagnosis of Mondor disease. The patient was treated conservatively with sexual abstinence and NSAIDs, and 6 weeks after the presentation, the patient was asymptomatic, without evidence of the disease in clinical examination. Full article

The patch-clamp technique is widely regarded as the gold standard in cellular electrophysiology and can be applied in several configurations. In the cell-attached (C-A) mode, it enables the recording of single-channel currents, whereas the whole-cell (W-C) mode allows for the measurement of macroscopic currents, representing the collective activity of many channels. When the recording configuration was switched from C-A to W-C on the same cell, the current amplitude increased dramatically, while action currents (ACs) were completely abolished, indicating a profound alteration in the cell’s electrophysiological response under the new setup. In excitable cells, the occurrence of ACs, representing propagated action potentials, can interfere with C-A single-channel recordings. To address this, a high-K⁺ solution is typically applied to the bath to suppress the ACs. The inwardly rectifying K⁺ (Kir), ATP-sensitive K⁺ (K_ATP) and large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channels are crucial members of the K⁺ channel family that facilitate the efflux of K⁺ ions, driven by the K⁺ electrochemical gradient. These channels are primarily distinguished by their rectification properties and gating kinetics. For instance, K_ATP channels exhibit a bursting kinetic pattern with inward rectifying property, while BK_Ca channels display strong outward rectification. Mitoxantrone, which belongs to a class of drugs called anthracenediones, can suppress the activity of Kir channels in differentiated RAW 264.7 cells, with no change in single-channel conductance. The respiratory stimulator GAL-021 acts as a BK_Ca channel inhibitor, and it suppresses channel activity and shifts the activation curve to the right, suggesting a voltage-dependent blockade that stabilizes the channel in a closed state. GAL-021 does not change the single-channel conductance, indicating it is a gating modifier rather than an open-pore blocker. The functional roles of ion channels are fundamentally important. Correspondingly, the field is transitioning to artificial intelligence for automated single-cell patch-clamp experiments, though brain slice recordings still require manual techniques. Full article

Equine alphaherpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a highly contagious virus that can cause the neurological form, equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Understanding transmission-related risk factors is crucial for improving prevention strategies and guiding effective control measures. In this study, we collected data from 63 horses that had previously participated in the February 2022 winter horse show season at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) (26 cases and 37 controls) to identify host and management factors associated with EHV-1 infection and/or EHM development during the February 2022 outbreak at the DIHP in Thermal, California. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression and a random forest model with conditional permutation importance. Greater age was associated with higher odds of becoming a case (OR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.04–1.69, p-value: 0.01). Compared with hunters, jumpers had greater odds of developing EHV-1 and/or EHM (OR = 7.37; 95%CI: 1.57–34.61, p-value: 0.01). Sharing a barn was also strongly associated with EHV-1 and/or EHM case status (OR = 7.37; 95%CI: 1.79–30.29, p-value: <0.01). The machine-learning-based rankings were concordant with the regression estimates. Age, main activity, and sharing a barn were the most influential risk factors associated with elevated odds of developing EHV-1 and/or EHM. These results highlight specific demographic and management-related risk factors that could inform targeted prevention strategies. Full article

People living with and beyond cancer often face ongoing challenges related to nutrition, wellbeing, and long-term health. Many individuals express a need for evidence-based, tailored dietary support, yet practical approaches to sustaining healthy eating behaviours remain limited. Culinary nutrition interventions, which integrate nutrition education with hands-on culinary skills, may help address these needs; however, their effects have not been systematically synthesised. This systematic review evaluates the impact of culinary nutrition interventions, delivered alone or in combination with physical activity or mental health components, on dietary intake, psychosocial and health-related outcomes, anthropometric measures, clinical and metabolic markers, and feasibility among individuals living with or beyond cancer. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies were identified across PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science (last searched in April 2025) and narratively synthesised. A total of 1173 participants were included, with sample sizes ranging from 4 to 190 participants per intervention. Interventions were well received and rated as highly acceptable, with strong engagement and minimal adverse effects. Across studies, statistically significant improvements were reported in dietary intake (7/13 studies), quality of life (4/5), mental health (5/6), self-efficacy (2/3), symptom management (3/4), self-reported cognitive health (1/1), food-related behaviours (2/2), selected anthropometric measures (4/8), and selected metabolic biomarkers (4/6). The evidence suggests that culinary nutrition interventions hold promise as supportive, behaviour-focused strategies aligned with oncology nutrition guidelines and responsive to patient needs. However, due to heterogeneity across interventions and outcomes, and variability in methodological quality as assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, quantification of effects was not possible, limiting interpretation of the evidence. Further high-quality studies using comparable outcome measures and longer-term follow-up are needed to quantify the magnitude of effects, assess their durability over time, and inform the integration of culinary nutrition programmes into cancer care. This systematic review is registered under the PROSPERO ID CRD42024567041 and was funded by the RCSI Research Summer School Fund. Full article

Nest-site selection in birds is a hierarchical process shaped by environmental filters operating across multiple spatial scales. In species that depend on burrows excavated by ecosystem engineers, understanding how these filters interact is essential for effective conservation. We evaluated nest-site selection by the Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) within colonies of the Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) in the southern Chihuahuan Desert using a multiscale analytical framework spanning burrow, site, colony, and landscape levels. During the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons, we located 56 successful nests and paired each with an inactive non-nest burrow within the same colony. Eighteen structural and environmental variables were measured and analyzed using binary logistic regression models, with model selection based on an information-theoretic approach (AICc) and prior screening for predictor collinearity. Nest-site selection was associated with greater internal burrow development and reduced external exposure at the burrow scale, proximity to satellite burrows and low-to-moderate vegetation structure at the site scale, higher densities of active prairie dog burrows at the colony scale, and reduced predation risk and agricultural disturbance at the landscape scale. The integrated multiscale model showed substantially greater support and discriminatory power than single-scale models, indicating that nest-site selection emerges from interactions among spatial scales rather than from isolated factors. These findings support hierarchical habitat-selection theory and underscore the importance of conserving functional Mexican prairie dog colonies and low-disturbance grassland landscapes to maintain suitable breeding habitats for Burrowing owls in the southern Chihuahuan Desert. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of scrotal pain on venous diameter and reflux duration in varicocele, and to assess the predictive value of ultrasonographic findings for varicocele grading. Methods: Fifty-two symptomatic patients with left-sided varicocele, presenting with infertility or scrotal pain, were prospectively evaluated. Grading was based on physical examination. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, venous diameters, and reflux durations were measured using scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) both during active pain and after pain had markedly subsided or resolved. Results: After pain resolution, venous diameters significantly decreased in both resting and Valsalva states (p < 0.001). In grade-specific analysis, this reduction was significant only in grade II varicocele (rest: p = 0.004; Valsalva: p = 0.026). Reflux durations also significantly decreased after pain relief in all varicocele grades, both at rest and during Valsalva (p < 0.001 for all, except G3 Valsalva: p = 0.001). Ultrasonographic parameters during the pain-present state showed better discrimination for detecting grade I varicocele (AUC: 0.88), while the pain-free state provided better diagnostic accuracy for grade III varicocele (AUC: 0.69). Combining measurements from both conditions further improved predictive accuracy, especially for grade III varicocele (AUC: 0.77). Conclusions: Scrotal pain significantly influences scrotal CDUS findings in patients with varicocele, leading to measurable differences in venous diameter and reflux duration between pain-present and pain-free states. Therefore, consideration of symptom status when interpreting scrotal CDUS results may improve diagnostic accuracy and support more informed clinical decision-making. Full article

Underground coal mining leads to surface subsidence and ground deformation, which may affect the accuracy of cadastral data. This study evaluates mining-induced displacement caused by longwall VIII-E-E1 extraction in seam 703/1 and examines its potential impact on the Polish EGiB cadastral register. In 2018–2021, precise GNSS observations were collected on a specially designed geodetic monitoring polygon located in the affected area. These measurements enabled a detailed assessment of surface deformation during and after exploitation. The maximum subsidence was recorded above the extracted longwall and decreased outward, forming a typical post-mining deformation basin. Although boundary-point displacements remained generally within acceptable limits, the cumulative reduction of parcel areas reached about 43 m² in total. Five parcels (0.8% of the dataset) showed area changes exceeding 1 m². The results indicate that a single longwall has a limited effect on cadastral data integrity; however, continued multi-panel mining may lead to progressive boundary shifts, compromising the spatial and legal reliability of cadastral resources. The study confirms the effectiveness of integrated geospatial monitoring in detecting mining-related deformation and highlights the need for continuous control of cadastral datasets, especially in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, where large-scale mining remains active. Full article

This study investigated the impact of pH adjustment and carrier type on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, thermal stability, hygroscopicity, and particle size distribution of spray-dried model solutions and carrot juice formulations. Model systems were created at varying pH levels (3, 4, 6, 8, and 10) using water alone or with carriers such as octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)-modified starch (O), trehalose (T), or a combination (OT in a 1:1 ratio at 9–10%). These systems were compared to carrot juice and formulations of carrot juice that included the same carriers. Spray drying was performed at 160 °C using constant feed flow and atomization conditions. In the liquid samples, we measured pH, dry matter, density, conductivity, and color parameters, while the bioactive compounds were analyzed in carrot juice systems. For the powders, we evaluated the dry matter content, color, particle size distribution, morphology, thermal stability, hygroscopicity, and antioxidant activity. Results showed that in model systems, dry matter, density, and conductivity were more affected by the carrier chemistry than pH. Formulations with OSA had lower pH and higher conductivity due to ionizable groups, while trehalose acted neutrally. OSA-trehalose mixtures yielded the highest solids content and stable properties across pH levels, with particle size (D₅₀ range of 18–21 µm) and morphology of the model powders remaining largely unaffected by pH. In carrot juice formulations, however, particle properties were pH-dependent. Acidic conditions (pH 3–4) led to agglomeration and broader size distributions (indicated by increased span values), while neutral to alkaline conditions produced smaller, more uniform particles with improved thermal stability. Neutral to alkaline conditions favored the formation of smaller, more homogeneous particles and improved thermal resistance. The carotenoid content in carrot juice powders increased from approximately 21–23 mg/100 g dry matter (d.m.) under acidic conditions to about 27–30 mg/100 g d.m. at pH 8–10, which was accompanied by higher ABTS antioxidant activity (around 6–9 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/g d.m.). In contrast, the polyphenol content was highest at low pH levels (approximately 350–420 mg chlorogenic acid (CA)/100 g d.m.), corresponding to elevated DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power, both of which decreased under alkaline conditions. These findings indicate that pH levels and carrier choice significantly affect spray-dried powders. This highlights the importance of validating model system observations in complex food matrices. By adjusting pH and selecting suitable carriers, we can create powders with improved structures, stability, and antioxidant functionality, particularly in foods like carrot juice. Full article

The rise of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens and increased demand for antibiotic alternatives have intensified efforts to find reliable, safe, and effective probiotics. This study reports the isolation, characterization, and assessment of the probiotic potential of five Enterococcus strains isolated from the feces of healthy goats aged 7–9 months raised under conventional management. Following an initial screening of 57 lactic acid bacteria, 5 isolates (Enterococcus faecium, E. hirae, E. faecalis, Enterococcus sp., and Streptococcus lutetiensis) were chosen based on their catalase-negative, non-motile, and non-hemolytic characteristics, in addition to their high tolerance to gastric (pH 2.0) and intestinal (pH 8.0, 0.3–1.5% bile salt) stress. In simulated gastric juice, survival rates reached 89.05% (E5) and 85.03% (E3), while in intestinal juice, survival peaked at 78.01% (E4). All strains thrived in 4% NaCl and maintained at least 8 Log₁₀ CFU/mL after 12 h of exposure to 1.5% porcine bile salt. Cell surface hydrophobicity (0.78–93.85%) and auto-aggregation (23–91%) properties were strain-dependent, but exceeded the thresholds required for efficient gut colonization. Co-aggregation assays demonstrated over 45% binding with E. coli and S. typhimurium, suggesting a strong potential to displace pathogens. Cell-free supernatants created inhibition zones measuring 15.02 mm against E. coli and 11.04 mm against S. flexneri, while maintaining activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Antibiotic testing indicated that all strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and florfenicol. No β-hemolysis or mobile resistance genes were found, supporting the initial safety findings. This study reveals that Enterococcus isolates from goats display a unique combination of gastrointestinal survivability and broad-spectrum antipathogenic activity and, therefore, are promising candidates for the development of next-generation probiotic strains for use in livestock (and, potentially, humans). Further in vivo validation and genome-based safety assessments are warranted. Full article

Falls are a prominent issue in society and the second leading cause of unintentional death globally. Traditional gait analysis is a process that can aid in identifying factors that increase a person’s risk of falling through determining their gait parameters in a controlled environment. Advances in wearable sensor technology and analytical methods such as deep learning can enable remote gait analysis, increasing the quality of the collected data, standardizing the process between centers, and automating aspects of the analysis. Real-world gait analysis requires two problems to be solved: high-accuracy Human Activity Recognition (HAR) and high-accuracy terrain classification. High accuracy HAR has been achieved through the application of powerful novel classification techniques to various HAR datasets; however, terrain classification cannot be approached in this way due to a lack of suitable datasets. In this study, we present the Context-Aware Human Activity Recognition (CAHAR) dataset: the first activity- and terrain-labeled dataset that targets a full range of indoor and outdoor terrains, along with the common gait activities associated with them. Data were captured using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Force-Sensing Resistor (FSR) insoles, color sensors, and LiDARs from 20 healthy participants. With this dataset, researchers can develop new classification models that are capable of both HAR and terrain identification to progress the capabilities of wearable sensors towards remote gait analysis. Full article

HIV neuroinvasion results in neuronal dysregulation and compromised neurocognition. Neuroplasticity measures, such as HIV cognitive rehabilitation, have shown potential for partially reversing cognitive deficits after HIV invasion. Previous functional NIRS (fNIRS) studies have demonstrated that customized attention brain training (ABT) has the potential to alter brain activity in adolescent HIV. Nonetheless, the effects of ABT on brain functional connectivity in adolescent HIV remain unclear. This study investigated behavioral and functional connectivity changes in adolescent HIV amongst participants (n = 26) receiving 12 weeks of ABT compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU) controls. Twenty-six adolescents living with HIV were recruited and randomly assigned to either the ABT group (n = 13) or the TAU group (n = 13). Participants completed NEPSY-II and fNIRS measures before and after the training. Functional connectivity (FC) measures were evaluated using seed-based correlation analysis, located in the central executive network (CEN) and across the hemispheres. No significant behavioral differences were noted on the NEPSY-II and BRIEF scores; however, functional connectivity measures indicated that the ABT group exhibited significantly increased FCs in the left hemisphere (p < 0.05) following brain training. Additionally, thresholding analysis indicated that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may serve as a potential marker for brain training in adolescent neuro-HIV. Full article