Search Results (5,488)

With the progressive release of data from numerous sky surveys, humanity has entered the era of astronomical big data. Multi-wavelength, multi-method research is playing an increasingly crucial role. Binaries account for a substantial fraction of all stellar systems, and research into binaries is of fundamental importance. The low-resolution spectra from Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) suggest that LAMOST J064137.77+045743.8 is a binary consisting of an A7-type subgiant star and a cool red dwarf star. LAMOST J064137.77+045743.8 has not yet been recorded in the SIMBAD astronomical database. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the binary based on multi-wavelength and multi-method research. The spectral analysis suggests that the A7-type subgiant primary star has parameters of $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ ∼ 7500 K and log g ∼ 3.9, and the red dwarf companion star is cool. Additional flux observations in the infrared bands further corroborate the presence of the red dwarf companion, and the near-infrared color index indicates a K4-type red dwarf. Astrometric data from Gaia support the binary speculation with a Renormalized Unit Weight Error metric value of 1.9. The i-band flare detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) photometric observations bolsters the interpretation of the M- or K-type red dwarf companion. Both the radial velocity variations in the H$\alpha$ lines from LAMOST medium-resolution spectra and the light curves from ZTF support the classification of the A7 subgiant as a pulsating star. No clear evidence of binary eclipses was detected in 1789 days of photometric observations from the ZTF. Future asteroseismology studies will enable us to further probe the internal physics of the A7 subgiant primary star. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammation may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, evidence linking early-pregnancy cytokines to subsequent GDM risk remains inconsistent, with most prior research focusing only on CRP, IL6, and TNFα. In this study, we expand on prior work by evaluating a broader range of immune markers and assessing sociodemographic factors as potential moderators. Methods: Data from a prospective U.S. pregnancy cohort (n = 308) were analyzed. Twenty cytokines were quantified in maternal first-trimester plasma using the MILLIPLEX High-Sensitivity Human Cytokine Magnetic Bead Panel. One-hour oral glucose (50 g) tolerance test (OGTT) values assessed at an average gestational age of 27.7 weeks (SD = 2.9) and GDM diagnosis were abstracted from medical records. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between cytokines and 1 h 50 g OGTT levels or GDM diagnosis, adjusting for key sociodemographic factors. Interactions terms were included to evaluate whether sociodemographic factors moderated cytokine–GDM relationships. Results: Sixteen women (5.1%) were diagnosed with GDM. Higher first-trimester high-sensitivity-IL6 levels were significantly associated with increased 1 h 50 g OGTT values (b = 3.76; 95% CI: 0.21, 7.32; p = 0.04) and greater odds of GDM (OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.17, 4.77; p = 0.02). These associations were more pronounced among Non-Hispanic White women compared to Non-Hispanic Black women (p for interaction = 0.03) and potentially those with normal weight or underweight during early pregnancy compared to overweight or obese women (p for interaction = 0.08). Conclusions: Elevated inflammatory markers, particularly high-sensitivity IL6, in early pregnancy are linked to impaired glucose metabolism and increased GDM risk later in pregnancy. These relationships appeared stronger in Non-Hispanic White women and women with normal weight or underweight during early pregnancy, underscoring the potential to develop serology-based early identification and prevention strategies. Full article

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the necessary cause of almost all cervical cancers. HPV vaccination programs have been implemented worldwide, yet real-world evidence on vaccine effectiveness against invasive cervical cancer remains limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using synthetically generated data from a large health provider in Israel, including women who underwent a first Papanicolaou (Pap) test during 2014–2015. Their HPV-vaccination status before an index Pap test was obtained from computerized records. Incident cervical cancer and high-grade cervical pathology (cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] 1–3, and carcinoma in situ) occurrence were examined through 2022. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models and fitted with propensity score weighting. Results: The cohort included 98,102 women, of whom 9198 (9.4%) were vaccinated against HPV before an index Pap test. While HPV-vaccinated women had a higher risk of cervical pathology compared with unvaccinated women, among women vaccinated before age 18, HPV vaccination was associated with a substantially lower, though not statistically significant, risk of cervical cancer (HR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.07–1.20, p = 0.087). Conclusions: In this large cohort, HPV vaccination was correlated with a higher risk of cervical pathology, likely reflecting residual confounding factors from sexual behavior and differential baseline risks of HPV infection. In contrast, vaccination during adolescence showed a marked trend toward a reduced risk of cervical cancer, consistent with international evidence that early vaccination, prior to HPV exposure, is the most effective preventative treatment. Full article

Modern healthcare systems increasingly depend on wearable Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices for the continuous monitoring of patients’ physiological parameters. It remains challenging to differentiate between genuine physiological anomalies, sensor faults, and malicious cyber interference. In this work, we propose a hybrid fusion framework designed to attribute the most plausible source of an anomaly, thereby supporting more reliable clinical decisions. The proposed framework is developed and evaluated using two complementary datasets: CICIoMT2024 for modelling security threats and a large-scale intensive care cohort from MIMIC-IV for analysing key vital signs and bedside interventions. The core of the system combines a supervised XGBoost classifier for attack detection with an unsupervised LSTM autoencoder for identifying physiological and technical deviations. To improve clinical realism and avoid artefacts introduced by quantised or placeholder measurements, the physiological module incorporates quality-aware preprocessing and missingness indicators. The fusion decision policy is calibrated under prudent, safety-oriented constraints to limit false escalation. Rather than relying on fixed fusion weights, we train a lightweight fusion classifier that combines complementary evidence from the security and clinical modules, and we select class-specific probability thresholds on a dedicated calibration split. The security module achieves high cross-validated performance, while the clinical model captures abnormal physiological patterns at scale, including deviations consistent with both acute deterioration and data-quality faults. Explainability is provided through SHAP analysis for the security module and reconstruction-error attribution for physiological anomalies. The integrated fusion framework achieves a final accuracy of 99.76% under prudent calibration and a Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.995, with an average end-to-end inference latency of 84.69 ms (p95 upper bound of 107.30 ms), supporting near real-time execution in edge-oriented settings. While performance is strong, clinical severity labels are operationalised through rule-based proxies, and cross-domain fusion relies on harmonised alignment assumptions. These aspects should be further evaluated using realistic fault traces and prospective IoMT data. Despite these limitations, the proposed framework offers a practical and explainable approach for IoMT-based patient monitoring. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity represent a growing global public health challenge, strongly associated with excess body weight, unhealthy dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. The ketogenic diet (KD), characterized by very low carbohydrate intake, moderate protein intake, and high fat consumption, induces a metabolic state known as ketosis, in which the body switches from glucose to fat as its primary energy source. KD has gained increasing interest as a strategy to improve glycemic control, reduce body weight, and improve lipid profiles in individuals with obesity and T2DM. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the current scientific evidence on the effects of KD on key metabolic parameters, including blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, and body composition. The analysis is based on peer-reviewed articles retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and Scopus with particular emphasis on clinical studies that provide robust evidence on the efficacy and safety of KD in the treatment of metabolic disorders. Full article

Introduction: Gestational hypoxia (GH) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases by inducing oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. This study investigates whether prenatal melatonin can mitigate these effects in guinea pigs. Methods: Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia and treated with melatonin (1 mg/kg/day). Echocardiography, vascular reactivity, and molecular assays were used to assess cardiovascular structure, function, and redox balance in neonates. Results: GH reduced neonatal birth weight and altered left ventricular (LV) development, resulting in increased LV systolic function and aortic blood flow velocity. Melatonin treatment reversed these effects, restoring endothelial-dependent vasodilation and decreasing oxidative stress in the LV and thoracic aorta. Catalase antioxidant enzyme activity was elevated in melatonin-treated hypoxic neonates. Unexpectedly, melatonin treatment altered cardiac structure in normoxic pregnancies, increasing LV length and decreasing LV myocardial nuclei density. Conclusions: Prenatal melatonin partially modulates GH-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, offering potential therapeutic value. However, its effects under normoxic conditions deserve caution, emphasizing the need for targeted use only in pregnancies with evident hypoxic and oxidative stress conditions. Full article

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the result of a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and epigenetic factors. The role of cellular and humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of the disease is well-established. Inflammatory infiltration of T and B lymphocytes is a key feature identified on ultrasound examination. The lack of data on the effect of L-thyroxine (LT-4) doses on the level of anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and the relationship with anthropometric measurements resulted in the desire to fill this niche. Methods: A total of 70 Caucasian patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis within the past two years were examined. The participants were divided into three groups based on their L-thyroxine dosage (≤50, 50–100, >100 μg). Results: The results revealed no correlation between the dosage of L-thyroxine and anthropometric measurements (age, height, body weight, and body fat content). No correlation was identified between the levels of anti-TPO and anti-TG and the dose of L-thyroxine in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Conclusions: The mechanism regulating the levels of anti-TPO and anti-TG appears to be associated with a more advanced thyroid inflammation and disease process. Long-term observation of patients would be advisable. We present evidence of no effect of hormone dose on antibody levels in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Regardless of disease severity, immune regulation remains outside the scope of hormonal regulation. Full article

Background/Objectives. Food insecurity and pediatric obesity have increased concurrently in the U.S., raising questions about the role of Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs (FNAPs) in shaping weight outcomes. This systematic review examined evidence on relationships between FNAP participation and pediatric weight outcomes. Methods. Six databases were searched for U.S.-based, peer-reviewed studies published through July 2024 that assessed FNAP participation and pediatric weight outcomes. Results. Seventy-five studies met the inclusion criteria, and no consistent pattern indicated that any single FNAP or program type (educational setting-based or direct financial support) reliably reduced or increased childhood overweight or obesity risk. Twenty studies found statistically significant beneficial relationships between FNAP participation and pediatric weight outcomes. Most studies reported mixed findings (n = 32), typically varying by subgroup (e.g., age, grade level, gender, race or ethnicity, or program characteristics). Sixteen studies found no relationship between participation and weight. Seven studies found an adverse relationship. Most studies relied on non-randomized quantitative designs and secondary data, and adverse findings were more common in lower quality studies. Among 18 studies that evaluated the effects of policy changes (e.g., the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (2010), 2009 WIC package change), nearly all identified associations between the policy change and weight outcomes, with eight beneficial and nine reporting mixed results. Conclusions. The findings indicate a complex non-causal relationship between FNAP participation and weight that varies across populations, programs, and study designs. Overall, evidence does not support broad adverse weight effects of FNAPs, and policy changes that strengthen nutrition standards may contribute to healthier weight outcomes. These findings have implications for nutrition policy, program design, and future research. Full article

Bump feeding is a nutritional management strategy in swine production that involves increasing feed allowance and/or dietary nutrient density during the final weeks of gestation, usually from day 90 to farrowing, to support rapid fetal growth and prepare sows for lactation. This strategy is widely applied to improve piglet birth weight, neonatal viability, and subsequent reproductive performance. This review synthesizes current evidence on the effects of increased maternal feed intake during late gestation on sow body condition and feeding-related behavioral responses, and farrowing outcomes. Available studies suggest that increasing feed allowance during late gestation can influence litter characteristics, piglet survival at birth, and sow energy reserves, as reflected by changes in backfat thickness (BFT) and body condition score (BCS). The nutritional composition of bump-feeding diets, including dietary energy and amino acid balance, is critically evaluated in relation to pregnancy maintenance, farrowing duration, and early lactation performance. In addition, the roles of parity and feeding behavior during late gestation are examined, with particular emphasis on their associations with sow activity patterns, restlessness around parturition, and farrowing efficiency. Despite these reported effects, findings across studies remain inconsistent, particularly regarding the balance between improved reproductive outcomes and the risk of excessive fat deposition in sows. This review highlights key knowledge gaps and underscores the need for optimized, parity-specific bump-feeding strategies that integrate nutritional management with feeding behavior to enhance farrowing performance, piglet survival, sow welfare, and economic sustainability in modern pig production. Full article

As demand for rare earth elements (REEs) rises and environmental concerns about the extraction of primary resources grow, biological methods for removing these elements have gained significant attention as eco-friendly alternatives. This study assessed the ability of the green macroalga Ulva lactuca to remove europium (Eu) from aqueous solutions, evaluated the cellular partition of this element and investigated the toxicological effects of Eu exposure on its biochemical performance. U. lactuca was exposed to variable concentrations of Eu (ranging from 0.5 to 50 mg/L), and the amount of Eu in both the solution and algal biomass was analyzed after 72 h. The results showed that U. lactuca successfully removed 85 to 95% of Eu at low exposure concentrations (0.5–5.0 mg/L), with removal efficiencies of 75% and 47% at 10 and 50 mg/L, respectively. Europium accumulated in algal biomass in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching up to 22 mg/g dry weight (DW) at 50 mg/L. The distribution of Eu between extracellular and intracellular fractions of U. lactuca demonstrated that at higher concentrations (5.0–50 mg/L), 93–97% of Eu remained bound to the extracellular fraction, whereas intracellular uptake accounted for approximately 20% at the lowest concentration (0.5 mg/L). Biochemical analyses showed significant modulation of antioxidant defenses. Superoxide dismutase activity increased at 10 and 50 mg/L, while catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were enhanced at lower concentrations (0.5–1.0 mg/L) and inhibited at higher exposures. Lipid peroxidation levels remained similar to controls at most concentrations, with no evidence of severe membrane damage except at the highest Eu level. Overall, the results demonstrate that U. lactuca is an efficient and resilient biological system for Eu removal, combining high sorption capacity with controlled biochemical responses. These findings highlight its potential application in environmentally sustainable remediation strategies for REE-contaminated waters, while also providing insights into Eu toxicity and cellular partitioning mechanisms in marine macroalgae. Full article

The increasing complexity of contemporary urban systems necessitates decision-making frameworks capable of systematically integrating multidimensional sustainability considerations into policy evaluation processes. While existing urban sustainability assessment approaches predominantly focus on isolated environmental or socio-economic indicators, they often lack methodological coherence and direct applicability to operational decision-making. This study proposes a multi-layer sustainability indicator framework explicitly designed to support evidence-based urban decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, institutional constraints, and competing policy objectives. The framework integrates environmental, economic, social, and institutional dimensions of sustainability into a structured decision-support architecture. Methodologically, the study employs a two-stage approach combining expert-based weighting techniques (Analytic Hierarchy Process and Best–Worst Method) with multi-criteria decision-making methods (TOPSIS and VIKOR) to evaluate and rank alternative urban policy scenarios. The proposed framework is empirically validated through an urban case study, demonstrating its capacity to translate abstract sustainability indicators into comparable decision outcomes and policy priorities. The results indicate that the integration of multi-layer indicator systems with formal decision-analysis tools enhances transparency, internal consistency, and strategic coherence in urban governance processes. By bridging the gap between sustainability measurement and decision implementation, the study contributes to the advancement of urban governance scholarship and provides a replicable analytical model applicable to cities facing complex sustainability trade-offs. Full article

Background: Paediatric pelvic and acetabular fractures are rare and usually the consequence of high-energy trauma, often associated with life-threatening injuries. The majority are managed non-operatively; however, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is indicated in selected, complex, or displaced, acetabular fractures. The modified Stoppa approach is well established in adults, but has been rarely reported in skeletally immature patients, and evidence guiding surgical approach and fixation in children remains limited. Methods: We report the case of an 11-year-old girl who sustained a transverse acetabular fracture following a high-energy trauma. The fracture was treated with ORIF through a modified Stoppa approach. We also performed a systematic review of the literature, focusing on ORIF of acetabular fractures in children. Results: In our patient, ORIF of the acetabular fracture was performed, achieving an anatomical reduction, 10 days after initial damage-control fixation of a concomitant open tibial plateau fracture. Postoperative management consisted of four weeks of non-weight bearing, followed by progressive weight bearing. At six months, she had returned to full daily activities and sports. The review of the literature identified 16 studies (retrospective series and case reports) describing paediatric acetabular fractures treated with ORIF using plates, screws, or flexible nails. In the literature, good to excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes were reported when anatomical reduction and stable fixation were achieved, although growth disturbance and avascular necrosis were described, particularly in cases with delayed reduction or severe triradiate cartilage injury. Conclusions: Our case illustrates the technical feasibility of the modified Stoppa approach in a skeletally immature patient with a complex acetabular fracture, with excellent mid-term outcome. Although it is not contraindicated in paediatric patients, it should be reserved for treating this type of complex fracture. The available literature supports that satisfactory results are reported after ORIF in children, but the heterogeneity and low level of evidence preclude firm recommendations on the optimal approach. Full article

Cow efficiency is vitally important to beef sustainability, and computer simulation models may be useful tools to identify characteristics of the most efficient cow genotypes for a given production environment. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the Beef Cattle Systems Model could replicate empirical research demonstrating a genotype–nutritional environment interaction for efficiency of feed conversion to calves weaned. Combinations of cow genotypes for lactation potential (8, 10, and 12 kg/d at peak milk) and growth potential (450, 505, and 650 kg mature weight) were simulated across four dry matter intake levels (58, 76, 93, and 111 g/kg BW^0.75). At lower dry matter intakes, cows had lesser body condition scores and weight and longer postpartum intervals, but dry matter intake had minimal influence on pregnancy percentage or calf-weaning weight. These trends match empirical research except for pregnancy percentage, where decreasing dry matter intake had a dramatic effect on pregnancy percentage in high-milking, high-growth-potential genotypes. Efficiency of feed conversion was greatest at low dry matter intake for the model simulation with no evidence of a genotype–dry matter intake interaction, which is in contrast to empirical research demonstrating a genotype–dry matter intake interaction. In conclusion, standard nutrition equations do not replicate the genotype–nutritional environment interaction observed in empirical research studies. Full article

Recent evidence has highlighted the pivotal roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the SIRT1, AMPK, and mTOR signaling pathways in aging and longevity, making them attractive targets for studies of lifespan-extending interventions. We previously demonstrated that 1,1-diethoxyethane (1,1-DEE) could interact with mitochondrial complex I (NADH–ubiquinone oxidoreductase), leading to transient mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production and activation of the AMPK pathway. This study further examined the effects of 1,1-DEE on longevity in model organisms. Treatment with 1,1-DEE decreased senescence in endothelial cell EA.hy926. In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), 1,1-DEE induced a hormetic response and extended the lifespan, whereas its structural isoform, 1,2-diethoxyethane (1,2-DEE), showed no such effect. In rat models, administration of 1,1-DEE markedly improved survival rate, mortality risk, restricted mean survival time (RMST), and median lifespan, associated with an accelerated body weight reduction. Additionally, 1,1-DEE could also enhance learning and memory, as assessed by the Morris water maze test in rats. These findings suggest that 1,1-DEE may serve as a novel small-molecule modulator of mitochondrial function and redox signaling, with potentials for promoting anti-aging and longevity. Full article

Magmatic activity is crucial for identification of the tectonic framework of the ancient oceanic crust. In this study, systematic investigation, including a field survey, zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, and whole-rock geochemical analysis, has been carried out on the intrusive quartz- and granodiorites within the Meso-Tethyan Shiquanhe Ophiolitic Mélange (SQM), Tibet. Zircon U-Pb dating yields the weighted mean ages of 174.7 ± 1.4 Ma (quartz diorite) and 178.9 ± 1.2 Ma (granodiorite), respectively, demonstrating the Early Jurassic formation age. The quartz diorite samples are metaluminous (A/NKC = 0.77–0.95) (molar/Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)), while the granodiorite samples are weakly peraluminous (A/NKC = 0.95–1.21), and both of them exhibit tholeiitic to calc-alkaline geochemical characteristics and can be classified as I-type granites. The right-dipping rare-earth element (REE) patterns, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs: Rb, Ba, Th), and depletion in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs: Nb, Ta, Ti), as well as relatively high (La/Yb)_N ratios, are features compatible with an island arc setting. Combined with previous works, we suggest that the Shiquanhe ophiolitic mélange not only preserves records of mid-late Jurassic island arc magmatic activity but also contains evidence of island arc magmatism from the late Early Jurassic. Full article