Search Results (287)

Since the monotonicity of the best approximant is crucial to establish partial ordering methods, in this paper, we, respectively, characterize the best approximants in Banach function spaces and Lorentz spaces ${\Gamma }_{p,w}$, in which we especially focus on the monotonicity characterizations. We first study monotonicity characterizations of the metric projection operator onto sublattices in general Banach function spaces by the property $H_g$. The sufficient and necessary conditions for monotonicity of the metric projection onto cones and sublattices are then, respectively, established in ${\Gamma }_{p,w}$. The Lorentz spaces ${\Gamma }_{p,w}$ are also shown to be reflexive under the condition $R{B}_p$, which is the basis for the existence of the best approximant. As applications, by establishing the partial ordering methods based on the obtained monotonicity characterizations, the solvability and approximation theorems for best proximity points are deduced without imposing any contractive and compact conditions in ${\Gamma }_{p,w}$. Our results extend and improve many previous results in the field of the approximation and partial ordering theory. Full article

The primary objective of this work is to develop a comprehensive theory of weighted fractional Sobolev spaces within the framework of timescales. To this end, we first introduce a novel class of weighted fractional operators and rigorously define associated weighted integrable spaces on timescales, generalising classical notions to this non-uniform temporal domain. Building upon these foundations, we systematically investigate the fundamental functional-analytic properties of the resulting Sobolev spaces. Specifically, we establish their completeness under appropriate norms, prove reflexivity under appropriate duality pairings, and demonstrate separability under mild conditions on the weight functions. As a pivotal application of our theoretical framework, we derive two robust existence theorems for solutions to the proposed model. These results not only extend classical partial differential equation theory to timescales but also provide a versatile tool for analysing dynamic systems with heterogeneous temporal domains. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aetiology of Bell’s palsy remains unclear and is typically diagnosed by exclusion. This study investigated the potential role of neurotropic viruses and explored the relationship between facial nerve impairment and vestibular dysfunction to improve the understanding of the condition. Methods: Antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were assessed using ELISA. Vestibular function was evaluated through computerised videonystagmography, rotatory chair, and clinical vestibulospinal assessments. Facial nerve lesion localisation was determined by stapedial reflex testing. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 51 patients with Bell’s palsy, 62.7% exhibited vestibular dysfunction, and 70.6% were IgG-positive for at least one neurotropic virus. Vestibular impairment was significantly more common in seropositive patients. Statistically significant associations were observed between vestibular dysfunction and viral IgG seropositivity (p < 0.0001), the severity of vestibular dysfunction and facial paresis (p = 0.0126), and the side of vestibular impairment and the side of facial palsy (p < 0.0001), with 90.6% of cases showing ipsilateral involvement. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that neurotropic viruses may act as a common pathological factor in both Bell’s palsy and associated vestibular dysfunction. Full article

In healthy humans, insulin at physiological concentrations exerts acute vasodilatory actions on both resistance and terminal arterioles, leading, respectively, to increased total blood flow and the microvascular network volume being perfused. The process of increasing capillary network volume is frequently referred to as “capillary recruitment”. Together these two vascular actions of insulin enhance the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and insulin itself to tissues. Both processes are diminished by insulin resistance. Here we examined interactions between insulin’s acute (within 2 h) actions on blood pressure (both central and peripheral) and on capillary recruitment in healthy controls and in four distinct groups of people with heightened cardio-metabolic disease (CMD) risk: individuals with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Insulin increased microvascular blood volume (MBV) more effectively in controls than in each of the four CMD risk groups (p < 0.001). Conversely, insulin lowered both central and peripheral systolic pressure (p < 0.05 or less) in each of the CMD risk groups but not in the controls. The insulin-induced blood pressure decrements were greater in the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obesity groups (p < 0.05 or less) than in the controls. The greater blood pressure declines likely reflect decreased sympathetic baroreceptor reflex tone. These effects on blood pressure combined with the diminished dilation of terminal arterioles due to microvascular insulin resistance in the CMD risk subjects led to decreased distal microvascular perfusion as evidenced by changes in MBV. These findings highlight the complex interplay between insulin’s actions on resistance and terminal arterioles in individuals with a high CMD risk, underscoring the importance of addressing microvascular dysfunction in these conditions. Full article

Physical challenges such as illness, injury, and disability significantly alter women’s relationships with their bodies, disrupting established notions of functionality and self-worth. This study re-examines the Holistic Model of Positive Body Image and Outdoor Physical Activity through secondary analysis focusing on women with illness, injury, and disability. From the original sample of N = 553 female participants, open-ended survey responses were identified from n = 84 participants (15.2%) who self-disclosed as having illness, injury, or disability to examine how outdoor settings facilitate positive body image. Through reflexive thematic analysis, the study revealed three key mechanisms: (1) personalized redefinition of functionality transcending standardized metrics, (2) therapeutic engagement with natural environments fostering embodied acceptance, and (3) cyclical reinforcement between physical capability and psychological wellbeing. The findings confirm the model’s utility while indicating necessary adaptations to address the fluctuating nature of body functionality. The adapted model emphasizes how outdoor recreational activities create contexts for reimagining body-self relationships across the spectrum of physical experiences—from temporary recovery to ongoing adaptation of persistent conditions—with implications for rehabilitation professionals, outdoor educators, and healthcare providers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic drug widely used for acute confusional state, psychotic disorders, agitation, delirium, and aggressive behavior. Methods: The toxicity of haloperidol was studied using zebrafish (ZF) embryos as a model organism. Dechorionated embryos were exposed to various concentrations of haloperidol (0.5–6.0 mg/L). The lethal dose concentration was estimated and was found to be 1.941 mg/L. Results: The impact of haloperidol was dose-dependent and significant from 0.25 mg/L. Haloperidol induced several deformities at sublethal doses, including abnormal somites, yolk sac edema, and skeletal deformities. Haloperidol significantly affected heart rate and blood flow and induced pericardial edema and hyperemia in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its influence on heart development and function. Embryos exposed to haloperidol during their ontogenetic development had smaller body length and eye surface area than non-exposed ones in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: It was found that haloperidol significantly affects the behavior of the experimental organisms in terms of mobility, reflexes to stimuli, and adaptation to dark/light conditions. Full article

Background: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a rare autosomal recessive syndrome caused by loss-of-function mutations in the Neurotrophic Tyrosine Kinase Receptor 1 gene, characterized by recurrent episodes of infections and unexplained fever, anhidrosis, absence of reactions to noxious stimuli, intellectual disability, self-mutilating behaviors, and damage to many body organs, including the eyes. Main text: We systematically searched the Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from their inception until March 2025 for papers describing the clinical manifestations of patients with CIPA. The inclusion criterion was papers reporting ocular manifestations of patients diagnosed with CIPA. We excluded non-English papers or those reporting ocular manifestations of patients diagnosed with syndromes other than CIPA. Also, we excluded review articles, clinical trials, gray literature, or any paper that did not report ocular manifestations of patients with CIPA or that reported patients with previous ocular surgeries. Out of 6243 studies, 28 were included in the final analysis, comprising 118 patients. The mean age was 7.37 years, and males represented 63.5% (n = 75). Of the patients, fifty-six had bilateral ocular manifestations. The most common ocular manifestations were the absence of corneal reflex in 56 patients (47.5%, bilateral in 56), whereas corneal ulcerations were the second most common manifestation in 46 patients (38.98%, bilateral in 8), followed by corneal opacity in 32 patients (27.11%, bilateral in 19). Topical lubricants, topical antibiotics, and lateral tarsorrhaphy were common management modalities for these patients. Absent corneal sensitivity, corneal ulcers, and corneal opacities, among other manifestations, are common ocular presentations in patients with CIPA. Conclusions: Self-mutilation, intellectual disability, decreased lacrimation, and absence of the corneal reflex are factors that may explain the development of these manifestations in CIPA. The early detection of these manifestations can improve patient conditions and prevent further complications, in addition to helping to guide the clinical diagnosis of CIPA in these patients. Full article

Hyperekplexia (OMIM 149400), a sensorimotor syndrome of perinatal clinical relevance, causes newborns to display an energic startle reflex in response to certain trivial stimuli. This condition can be lethal due to apnea episodes. The disease is caused by a blockade of glycinergic neurotransmission. Glycinergic interneurons preserve their identity by the activity of the surface glycine transporter GlyT2, which supplies glycine to presynaptic terminals to maintain glycine content in synaptic vesicles. Loss-of-function mutations in the GlyT2 gene (SLC6A5) cause a presynaptic form of human hyperekplexia. Here, we describe a new GlyT2 variant found in an infantile patient diagnosed with hyperekplexia. A missense mutation in the open reading frame of the GlyT2 gene inherited in homozygosity caused the substitution G449E in a residue highly conserved across the phylogenetic scale. The sequences of the glycine receptor genes GLRA1 and GLRB did not show abnormalities. We expressed the recombinant GlyT2 variant in heterologous cells and analyzed its pathogenic mechanism. The transporter was totally inactive, behaving as a bona fide loss-of-function mutant. Furthermore, the mutation promoted the abnormal insertion of the protein into the membrane, leading to its large incorporation into lipid rafts. However, there was no apparent alteration of wild-type trafficking upon mutant coexpression, as the mutant was prematurely degraded from the endoplasmic reticulum. Rescue with chemical chaperones was not possible for this mutant. Proteomics demonstrated that the expression of the mutant induced the unfolded protein response and interfered with raft-dependent processes. Therefore, the new variant causes a loss of function regarding GlyT2 activity but a gain of function as a cell proteostasis disturber. Full article

Neonatal calves possess an immature and naïve immune system and are reliant on the intake of maternal colostrum for the passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Maternal antibodies delivered to the calf via colostrum, are crucial to prevent calfhood diseases and death. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is a condition in which calves do not acquire enough maternal antibodies, mostly in the form of IgG, due to inadequate colostrum quality or delayed colostrum feeding. The diagnosis and risk factors for FTPI have been widely studied in dairy cattle; however, in beef calves, the research interest in the topic is relatively recent, and the most adequate diagnostic and preventative methods are still in development, making it difficult to define recommendations for the assessment and prevention of FTPI in cow–calf operations. The objective of this scoping review is to identify the published literature on best practices for colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity (TPI) in neonatal beef calves. The literature was searched using three electronic databases (CAB Direct, Scopus, and PubMed) for publications from 2003 to 2025. The search process was performed during the period from May to July 2023, and was repeated in January 2025. All screening processes were performed using Covidence systematic review software (Veritas Health Innovation, Melbourne, Australia). A total of 800 studies were initially identified through database searches. After removing duplicates, 346 studies were screened based on their titles and abstracts, leading to the exclusion of 260 studies. The remaining 86 studies underwent full-text screening, and 58 studies were considered eligible for data extraction. Hand-searching the references from published review papers on the subject yielded an additional five studies, bringing the total to 63 included articles. The prevalence of FTPI has been estimated to be between 5.8% and 34.5% in beef calves. Factors studied related to colostrum management include quality and quantity of colostrum intake, the timing and method of colostrum feeding, and the microbial content of the colostrum. Studies on risk factors related to the calf include the topics calf sex, twin status, calf vigor, weight, month of birth, cortisol and epinephrine concentrations, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to calves after difficult calving. The dam-related risk factors studied include dam body condition score and udder conformation, breed, parity, genetics, prepartum vaccinations and nutrition, calving area and difficulty, and the administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at C-section. Most importantly for beef systems, calves with low vigor and a weak suckling reflex are at high risk for FTPI; therefore, these calves should be given extra attention to ensure an adequate consumption of colostrum. While serum IgG levels of < 8 g/L or < 10 g/L have been suggested as cutoffs for the diagnosis of FTPI, 16 g/L and 24 g/L have emerged as cutoffs for adequate and optimal serum IgG levels in beef calves. Several field-ready diagnostics have been compared in various studies to the reference standards for measuring indicators of TPI in beef calves, where results often differ between models or manufacturers. Therefore, care must be taken when interpreting these results. Full article

Employees’ green voice behavior (GVB), as a specific category of extra-role green behavior, plays a vital role in promoting a firm’s sustainable development. However, its underlying mechanism has not been sufficiently explored. Drawing on social learning theory (SLT), this study proposes a research model that examines the indirect influence of environmentally-specific transformational leadership (ESTFL) on GVB via psychological empowerment (PE) and ecological reflexivity (ER) as well as the moderating role of person-supervisor value congruence (PSVC). To achieve the research goals, we conducted a two-wave online survey via the convenience sampling method to collect data from 530 employees and 106 direct supervisors working in the manufacturing, hospitality and service, energy production, construction, transportation, information and communication, and finance industries in China. Regression analyses and CFA based on SPSS and Mplus were employed to test and validate the research model. Our findings show that PE and ER both partially mediated the positive association between ESTFL and GVB. Moreover, PSVC moderated the mediating effects of ESTFL on GVB via PE and ER. This study advances empirical research regarding how leadership impacts GVB by revealing dual cognitive mechanisms and identifying its boundary condition. It also offers managerial implications for leaders and enterprises in China to promote employees’ GVB and improve sustainable management. Full article

Objective: Given the side effects and reduced efficacy of conventional local anesthetics in inflammatory conditions, there is a compelling need for complementary alternative medicine (CAM), particularly those based on phytochemicals. While a previous study showed that in vivo local injection of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) into the peripheral receptive field suppresses the excitability of rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons in the absence of inflammation, the acute effects of EGCG in vivo, especially on TG neurons under inflammatory conditions, are still unknown. We aimed to determine if acute local EGCG administration into inflamed tissue effectively attenuates the excitability of nociceptive TG neurons evoked by mechanical stimulation. Methods: The escape reflex threshold was measured to assess hyperalgesia caused by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation. To assess neuronal activity, extracellular single-unit recordings were performed on TG neurons in anesthetized CFA-inflamed rats in response to orofacial mechanical stimulation. Results: The mechanical escape threshold was significantly lower in CFA-inflamed rats compared to before CFA injection. EGCG (1–10 mM) reversibly and dose-dependently inhibited the mean firing frequency of TG neurons evoked by both non-noxious and noxious mechanical stimuli (p < 0.05). For comparison, 1% lidocaine (37 mM), a local anesthetic, also caused reversible inhibition of the mean firing frequency in inflamed TG neurons responding to mechanical stimuli. Importantly, 10 mM EGCG produced a significantly greater magnitude of inhibition on TG neuronal discharge frequency than 1% lidocaine (noxious, lidocaine vs. EGCG, 19.7 ± 3.3% vs. 42.3 ± 3.4%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Local injection of EGCG into inflamed tissue effectively suppresses the excitability of nociceptive primary sensory TG neurons, as indicated by these findings. Significantly, locally administered EGCG exerted a more potent local analgesic action compared to conventional voltage-gated sodium channel blockers. This heightened efficacy originates from EGCG’s ability to inhibit both generator potentials and action potentials directly at nociceptive primary nerve terminals. As a result, EGCG stands out as a compelling candidate for novel analgesic development, holding particular relevance for CAM strategies. Full article

Breastfeeding is universally recognized for its extensive health benefits for both infants and mothers. However, for some women, the experience of breastfeeding can be complicated by intense negative emotional and physical reactions, including phenomena such as dysphoric milk ejection reflex and breastfeeding aversion/agitation. This review explores the neuroendocrine underpinnings of these conditions, emphasizing the interplay between oxytocin, prolactin, and dopamine. Oxytocin, traditionally viewed as a hormone promoting bonding and emotional regulation, can paradoxically provoke a stress response in vulnerable individuals. Prolactin, a key hormone for lactation and maternal behaviors, is implicated in stress resilience and mood regulation, but its dysregulation may contribute to depressive states. Dopamine, critical for reward processing and emotional stability, may underlie the acute emotional dysregulation seen in dysphoric milk ejection reflex. Together, disturbances in these neurohormonal systems may explain the aversive emotional experiences during breastfeeding. An improved understanding of these mechanisms offers critical insights into maternal mental health during lactation and underscores the importance of supportive clinical approaches for affected women. Full article

Accurate illuminance measurements are critical in assessing lighting quality during post-occupancy evaluations, and traditional methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming. This pilot study demonstrates an alternative that combines high dynamic range (HDR) imaging with a low-cost proxy-Lambertian surface to transform image luminance into spatial illuminance. Seven readily available materials were screened for luminance uniformity; the specimen with minimal deviation from Lambertian behavior (≈2%) was adopted as the pseudo-Lambertian surface. Calibrated HDR images of a fluorescent-lit university classroom were acquired with a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and processed in Photosphere, after which pixel luminance was converted to illuminance via Lambertian approximation. Predicted illuminance values were benchmarked against spectral illuminance meter readings at 42 locations on horizontal work planes, vertical presentation surfaces, and the circulation floor. The average errors were 5.20% for desks and 6.40% for the whiteboard—well below the 10% acceptance threshold for design validation—while the projector-screen and floor measurements exhibited slightly higher discrepancies of 9.90% and 14.40%, respectively. The proposed workflow significantly reduces the cost, complexity, and duration of lighting assessments, presenting a promising tool for streamlined, accurate post-occupancy evaluations. Future work may focus on refining this approach for diverse lighting conditions and complex material interactions. Full article

This study offers a detailed comparative analysis of the reflexes of Proto-Bantu noun class prefixes within nine Gabonese languages belonging to the B50, B60, and B70 groups of Guthrie’s referential inventory of the Bantu languages. Genealogically speaking, all of them are part of the Kwilu-Ngounie subclade of the Bantu family’s West-Coastal Bantu branch. Starting out from a robust dataset comprising over 4000 lexical items collected through fieldwork and existing descriptions, the Comparative Method is used to distinguish changes in noun class morphology due to regular sound shifts from those emerging from analogical reanalysis and levelling. The comparative study shows a systematic reduction and reorganization of the inherited Proto-Bantu noun class system, notably the loss of classes 12/13 and 19 across all languages, variable retention and loss of classes 7/8 and 11, and complex patterns of reshuffling involving classes 5, 9/10, and 1/2. Key innovations, potentially reinforcing lexicon-based hypotheses of phylogenetic subgrouping within Kwilu-Ngounie, include the development of a class 7 allomorphy conditioned by stem-initial segments in the B50 languages and the emergence of vocalic prefixes restricted to the B60 and B70 languages. Full article

Background: Cough reflex sensitivity during cough challenge testing has been found to be modifiable with distraction in groups of healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine this phenomenon in healthy controls and patients with refractory chronic cough (RCC) to advance our understanding of the role attention plays in cough modulation and shed light on avenues for therapeutic advances for RCC. Methods: Thirteen adults with RCC (mean age = 60, 12 women) and twelve healthy controls (mean age = 60, 11 women) participated in this study. The participants completed cough challenge testing with nebulized capsaicin doses tailored to their individual cough reflex sensitivity under distraction and no-distraction conditions. The distraction condition consisted of cough challenge testing while completing a cognitive (visual memory) task on a tablet. Capsaicin doses included the dose that elicited two coughs (C2), and up to three doubling doses above C2. Capsaicin doses were administered in serial order with a placebo dose randomized into the order to control for an anticipation effect during each condition. For each dose administered, the participants were instructed to cough if they needed to. Cough frequency within 15 s and maximal urge-to-cough with each dose were recorded. The order of conditions (distraction or no distraction) was alternated, and all testing was completed within one session. Results: There were no meaningful differences in the dose–response rate parameters for cough frequency or urge-to-cough, respectively, when comparing the results from the RCC group in the condition without distraction to the condition with distraction (p = 0.647, 95% CI = −2.25, 1.15; p = 0.783, 95% CI = −1.94, 0.84), and to the healthy control group without distraction (p = 0.921, 95% CI = −2.11, 2.73, p = 0.887, 95% CI = −1.40, 0.80), and with distraction (p = 0.970, 95% CI = −2.16, 3.36), p = 0.808, 95% CI = −1.49, 0.89). Conclusions: Distraction with the cognitive task chosen in this study did not influence cough reflex sensitivity in either group, which is contrary to studies on healthy volunteers and anecdotal evidence reported by RCC patients. Attentional resources may not have been sufficiently taxed, or too few capsaicin doses were administered to capture an effect as there was high individual variability in cough frequency and urge-to-cough. Additional research is needed to tailor the difficulty of the cognitive task to each participant and incorporate a real-world distraction scenario that may better reveal how attentional manipulation could be harnessed to optimize the effectiveness of behavioral cough suppression therapy for patients with refractory chronic cough. Full article