Greatest Rate Of Change Research Articles

Variation of leaf turgor and pressure parameters evaluation in drip-irrigated apple canopy

Leaf turgor pressure is a relevant metric for determining plant water content. To diagnose an apple tree water shortage, it is critical to precisely establish the features of leaf turgor pressure change in the canopy. In the current study, we continually monitored the leaf turgor pressure parameter (Pp) at different azimuthal, vertical, and radial locations of the apple canopy based on leaf patch clamp pressure (LPCP) probes. The results demonstrated that the Pp curves on sunny and rainy days were significantly different. A peak occurred on sunny days, during which the turgor pressure remained constant around midday. Under full irrigation, there was a greater change rate and daily maximum of Pp (maxPp) at the east (azimuthal), upper layer (vertical), and distal (radial) positions. While leaf turgor pressure dramatically decreased with incomplete watering, maxPp significantly increased at the central and lower layers of the east canopy, as well as on the proximal and middle of the radial parts. This spatial heterogeneity in canopy leaf turgor pressure was related to the soil water potential, midday leaf water potential, sponge tissue thickness, and canopy solar radiation. Then, the ideal drought stress indicator parameter (maxPp) and canopy turgor monitoring leaf location (the middle position of the eastern canopy central layer's radial branch) were determined by multiparameter assessment. The findings presented above serve as a theoretical foundation for the construction of an intelligent irrigation system based on apple tree water status monitoring.

Longitudinal associations between preschool children’s theory of mind, emotion understanding, and positive peer relationships

The positive links between children’s theory of mind (ToM), emotion understanding, and positive peer relationships are well established. However, the existing literature lacks comprehensive studies investigating the longitudinal interplay between these components in preschool-aged children. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the concurrent and longitudinal associations between young children’s social cognition and their positive peer relationships at three different time points over the course of 7 months. A sample of 211 preschool children (age in months: MT1 = 43.2, SDT1 = 6.6) underwent standardized assessments evaluating their ToM and emotion understanding, while playgroup educators reported on children’s positive peer relationships. Using multivariate latent growth modeling, we expected to find that higher levels of ToM and emotion understanding would be associated with a greater rate of change in positive peer relationships and that higher levels of positive peer relationships would be associated with a higher rate of change in ToM and emotion understanding. Contrary to our expectations, the results did not support the anticipated longitudinal associations. Nevertheless, a noteworthy correlation emerged between children’s emotion understanding and positive peer relationships at T1, in line with previous research and social-constructivist theories.

Direct and interactive effects of attendance rates on growth in language, literacy and mathematics skills for children enrolled in voluntary preschool programs

Attendance plays an important role in student academic success; yet few studies examine associations between preschool attendance rates and academic skills for children enrolled in early childhood programs. To address this gap, this population-based study examined associations between preschool attendance rates and language, literacy and mathematics skill growth for a cohort of four-year-old children (N = 20,414) enrolled in a state-funded public prekindergarten program within an urban county (N = 1,720 classrooms, N = 922 programs). Measures included linked administrative data on preschool attendance and program-administered direct assessments of oral language, literacy, and mathematics. Latent growth curve analysis (LGCA) found that attendance rates were associated with greater rates of change in all academic skills across the preschool year, controlling for child demographic covariates, preschool program provider type, and neighborhood risk. In addition, higher attendance benefited children more who entered preschool with lower initial academic skills as compared to children who entered preschool with higher academic skills. Implications of the findings, including future directions, and application to early childhood education policy and practice are shared.

Millets, dogs, pigs and permanent settlement: productivity transitions in Neolithic northern China

Abstract The transition to sedentary agricultural societies in northern China fuelled considerable demographic growth from 5000 to 2000 BC. In this article, we draw together archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological and bioarchaeological data and explore the relationship between several aspects of this transition, with an emphasis on the millet-farming productivity during the Yangshao period and how it facilitated changes in animal husbandry and consolidation of sedentism. We place the period of domestication (the evolution of non-shattering, initial grain size increase and panicle development) between 8300 and 4300 BC. The domestication and post-domestication of foxtail (Setaria italica) and broomcorn (Panicum miliaceum) millet increased their productivity substantially, with much greater rate of change than for rice (Oryza sativa). However, millets are significantly less productive per hectare than wet rice farming, a point reflected in the greater geographical expanse of northern Neolithic millet cultures (5000–3000 BC) in comparison with their Yangtze rice-growing counterparts. The domestication of pigs in the Yellow River region is evidenced by changes in their morphology after 6000 BC, and a transition to a millet-based diet c. 4500–3500 BC. Genetic data and isotopic data from dogs indicate a similar dietary transition from 6000 to 4000 BC, leading to new starch-consuming dog breeds. Significant population increase associated with agricultural transitions arose predominately from the improvement of these crops and animals following domestication, leading to the formation of the first proto-urban centres and the demic-diffusion of millet agriculture beyond central northern China between 4300–2000 BC.

Spatiotemporal Variability in Rainfall Erosivity and Its Teleconnection with Atmospheric Circulation Indices in China

Rainfall erosivity (RE) is a critical factor influencing soil erosion, and soil erosion is closely related to land ecosystem health and long-term sustainable utilization. To ensure regional stable food supply and ecological balance, it is crucial to study the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of RE. This study focuses on China and its three natural regions using daily precipitation data from 611 stations from 1960 to 2020. The study analyses the spatiotemporal changes in RE. Rainfall events were classified as moderate, large, and heavy based on rainfall intensity. The RE contribution from different rainfall levels to the total RE was analyzed, and the key climatic drivers closely linked to RE were identified using random forest. The results demonstrate that (1) on a national scale, RE shows a significant increasing trend, marked by an 81.67 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/decade. In the subregions, the Eastern Monsoon Region (EMR) and Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Region (QTR) show a significant increasing trend, with a greater change rate in EMR of 108.54 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/decade, and the Northwest Arid Region (NAR) shows a nonsignificant upwards trend. (2) The average RE increases northwest–southeast nationwide, ranging from 60.15 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1 to 31,418.52 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1. The RE contribution generated by different rainfall levels to the total RE exhibits spatial variations. The dominant types show that EMR is influenced by heavy RE, NAR is dominated by large RE, and QTR is affected by moderate RE. (3) The REs are associated with teleconnection indices, but the impact of these indices varies in different regions. The Western Hemisphere Warm Pool has the greatest impact on the EMR, while the North Atlantic Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation are the factors influencing RE in NAR and QTR, respectively. (4) On a national scale, for every 1 mm increase in annual total rainfall, the RE increased by 8.54 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1, a sensitivity of 8.54 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/mm. For the three subregions, there are differences in the sensitivity of RE to changes in annual precipitation. The highest sensitivity is found in EMR, at 8.71 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/mm, which is greater than the sensitivity indices in NAR (6.19 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/mm) and QTR (3.60 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1/mm). This study can provide theoretical references for future regional soil erosion prediction and sustainable agricultural development in China.

Freshwater invertebrate responses to fine sediment stress: A multi-continent perspective.

Excessive fine sediment (particles <2 mm) deposition in freshwater systems is a pervasive stressor worldwide. However, understanding of ecological response to excess fine sediment in river systems at the global scale is limited. Here, we aim to address whether there is a consistent response to increasing levels of deposited fine sediment by freshwater invertebrates across multiple geographic regions (Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the UK). Results indicate ecological responses are not globally consistent and are instead dependent on both the region and the facet of invertebrate diversity considered, that is, taxonomic or functional trait structure. Invertebrate communities of Australia were most sensitive to deposited fine sediment, with the greatest rate of change in communities occurring when fine sediment cover was low (below 25% of the reach). Communities in the UK displayed a greater tolerance with most compositional change occurring between 30% and 60% cover. In both New Zealand and Brazil, which included the most heavily sedimented sampled streams, the communities were more tolerant or demonstrated ambiguous responses, likely due to historic environmental filtering of invertebrate communities. We conclude that ecological responses to fine sediment are not generalisable globally and are dependent on landscape filters with regional context and historic land management playing important roles.

Longitudinal relationships between lifestyle risk factors and neurodevelopment in early adolescence.

The goal of this study is to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between clustered lifestyle risk factors (sleep, physical activity, body mass index [BMI], and screen time) and neurodevelopment over the early adolescent period. Data from the ABCD Study Data Release 3.0 consisted of 11,878 participants (aged 9-10 years) at baseline and 6,571 participants (aged 11-12 years) at 2-year follow-up. The interrelationships between lifestyle risk factors and brain structure were analyzed using bivariate multiple indicator latent change score models. Using confirmatory factor analysis, a single lifestyle risk factor domain (measured by sleep, physical activity, BMI, and screen time) was shown to fit the data well. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, seven brain structure domains were extracted and labeled as temporal-parietal, frontotemporal, occipital, orbitofrontal, temporal, cingulate, parietal, and cuneus domains. All bivariate latent change score models accounted for age, sex at birth, race/ethnicity, parental education, and marital status. Higher lifestyle risk was associated with smaller brain volume at baseline. Higher baseline lifestyle risk was also associated with a greater rate of change (i.e., greater decreases) in brain volume for the temporal-parietal, frontotemporal, orbitofrontal, parietal, and cuneus domains. Effects were not reciprocal; baseline brain volume did not predict changes in lifestyle behaviors over time. These findings are important for understanding the biological mechanisms underpinning health risk factors and can be used to target interventions and improve brain health during this critical developmental phase. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

An individual's skin stiffness predicts their tactile discrimination of compliance.

Individual differences in tactile acuity have been correlated with age, gender and finger size, whereas the role of the skin's stiffness has been underexplored. Using an approach to image the 3-D deformation of the skin surface during contact with transparent elastic objects, we evaluate a cohort of 40 young participants, who present a diverse range of finger size, skin stiffness and fingerprint ridge breadth. The results indicate that skin stiffness generally correlates with finger size, although individuals with relatively softer skin can better discriminate compliant objects. Analysis of contact at the skin surface reveals that softer skin generates more prominent patterns of deformation, in particular greater rates of change in contact area, which correlate with higher rates of perceptual discrimination of compliance, regardless of finger size. Moreover, upon applying hyaluronic acid to soften individuals' skin, we observe immediate, marked and systematic changes in skin deformation and consequent improvements in perceptual acuity in differentiating compliance. Together, the combination of 3-D imaging of the skin surface, biomechanics measurements, multivariate regression and clustering, and psychophysical experiments show that subtle distinctions in skin stiffness modulate the mechanical signalling of touch and shape individual differences in perceptual acuity. KEY POINTS: Although declines in tactile acuity with ageing are a function of multiple factors, for younger people, the current working hypothesis has been that smaller fingers are better at informing perceptual discrimination because of a higher density of neural afferents. To decouple relative impacts on tactile acuity of skin properties of finger size, skin stiffness, and fingerprint ridge breadth, we combined 3-D imaging of skin surface deformation, biomechanical measurements, multivariate regression and clustering, and psychophysics. The results indicate that skin stiffness generally correlates with finger size, although it more robustly correlates with and predicts an individual's perceptual acuity. In particular, more elastic skin generates higher rates of deformation, which correlate with perceptual discrimination, shown most dramatically by softening each participant's skin with hyaluronic acid. In refining the current working hypothesis, we show the skin's stiffness strongly shapes the signalling of touch and modulates individual differences in perceptual acuity.

Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Subsurface Irrigation on Crop Yield and Water Productivity

Problems such as population growth and climate change have led to a reduction in the use of water for irrigated agriculture, constraining the growth of crops. Subsurface irrigation, as a widely used and efficient water-saving irrigation technology, varies in its effect on increasing yields and saving water under different environmental, management, and other conditions. To investigate the effects of subsurface irrigation on yield, water productivity (WP), and irrigation water productivity (IWP) of three typical crops (wheat, maize, and cotton), this paper conducted a meta-analysis of 528 pairs of studies from 64 papers worldwide to quantify the response of crop yield, WP, and IWP to subsurface irrigation. Overall, the yield, WP and IWP increased by 5.96%, 21.62%, and 27.72%, respectively, with subsurface irrigation compared with surface irrigation. Compared with other conditions, the greatest rate of change was observed at around 200–500 m above sea level, 10–15 °C average annual temperature, 1.45–1.55 g/cm3 soil bulk density, alkaline soil, and when the crops were planted with equal row spacing. Meanwhile, the amount of irrigation water, as well as the subsurface pipeline arrangement and burial depth, had significant effects on crop yield, WP, and IWP. The maximum increase in crop yield, WP, and IWP was favored when the irrigation volume of the subsurface irrigation was reduced by 50–100% compared with surface irrigation or when both had the same volume of irrigation but a mild water deficit. In addition, the yield, WP, and IWP were also affected by fertilization factors. The recommended fertilizer application rates were ≤90 kg P ha–1 (phosphorus) and &lt;150 kg N ha–1 (nitrogen). Compared with surface irrigation, subsurface irrigation showed the greatest yield increase when fertilizer was applied in a one-time application, and the WP and IWP increased significantly when the number of fertilizer applications was &lt;3.

Disentangling day–night contributions toward altering atmospheric desiccation strength for US croplands

AbstractVapor pressure deficit (VPD) is the difference between saturation and actual water vapor pressures and is driven by interactions between air temperature and humidity. Globally, VPD observations indicate drying of the atmosphere, while air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) have changed asymmetrically during daytime versus nighttime. However, whether daytime or nighttime T (Tday and Tnight, respectively) and RH (RHday and RHnight, respectively) have been more important to VPD change is unknown, and so is the seasonal variation of this importance. This research determines the relative contribution of Tday, Tnight, RHday, and RHnight to VPD change observed during 1981–2021 across the conterminous United States. Tday contributed 41% to driving a VPD increase of 2.1 standard deviations (SD), followed by contributions of 25%, 22%, and 12% from RHday, RHnight, and Tnight, respectively. Regions with significant VPD increase have seen increase in Tday (by 1 SD) and Tnight (by 0.9 SD) and a decrease in RHday (by 1 SD) and RHnight (by 3.4 SD). Diurnal asymmetry in warming and drying trends was true for most months, with greater rates of change during the nighttime than daytime. Tday was the dominant driver of the annual mean VPD rise for 70% of the counties, followed by RHday (18%), RHnight (11%), and Tnight (1%). We conclude that warming and drying during the days and nights together explain increased VPD across the US croplands and that climate stressors during days and nights should be viewed independently due to their crop‐specific impacts that vary spatially and seasonally.

Poster 318: CHANGE IN POSTERIOR TIBIAL SLOPE FOLLOWING DISPLACED PEDIATRIC TIBIAL TUBERCLE FRACTURES: A POTENTIAL MODEL FOR GROWTH MODULATION IN THE ACL DEFICIENT KNEE

Objectives: Increased posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) increases the risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and ACL graft failure. Proximal tibial slope changing osteotomies are employed in the adult population; growth modulation procedures may present a treatment opportunity in the skeletally immature. This procedure has not been described in the context of ACL injuries, and the rate at which posterior tibial slope could be corrected is unknown. Our purpose was to quantify the rate of change in PTSA following operatively treated displaced tibial tubercle fractures in skeletally immature patients, and to determine how this rate is affected by skeletal age. We hypothesized that there would be a progressive loss of posterior tibial slope after injury, and that rate of change in PTSA would be highest during peak growth velocity Methods: We retrospectively reviewed skeletally immature patients with tibial tubercle fractures treated with ORIF. We measured posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) at ˜3-, 6-, 12-months, and further postoperative time points if available. All subjects had a minimum of 6-months follow up. Bone age at the time of injury was determined. Negative PTSA was indicative of posteriorly directed slope, positive PTSA indicated anterior slope. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate rate of change in PTSA (ΔPTSA) for individual patients and total cohort trend. Patient regression coefficients were averaged into bone age cohorts. The unit of analysis was the knee. Results: Twenty-two patients with 23 knees were included. 86% of patients were male. Average chronologic and bone age was 14 years at time of injury. Average follow-up was 17 months (range 6 to 52 months). Patients had a mean PTSA of -12˚ ± 2.4˚ at the time of injury. The overall mean ΔPTSA for the cohort was 0.30˚ ± 0.31˚ per month (range -0.27˚ to 0.97˚ per month). Linear regression revealed a significant relationship between months post-fixation and PTSA, demonstrating a ΔPTSA of +0.31˚ per month (CI 95% (0.24, 0.38); p&lt;.001) (Figure 1). The highest average ΔPTSA was seen at 14-years (0.58˚ ± 0.44˚ per month). The average overall absolute change in PTSA from injury to final follow-up was +4.1˚ (range -3.4˚ to 21˚) (Figure 2). Conclusions: Our data suggest progressively more anterior slope following ORIF. The greatest rate of change in PTSA corresponded with peak growth velocity. These findings may serve as a model for predicting the effect of anterior proximal tibia epiphysiodesis on tibial slope in ACL surgery.

Structural and vascular changes in glaucoma with single-hemifield defect: predictors of opposite hemifield visual field progression.

To investigate longitudinal changes in optic nerve head (ONH) superficial vessel density (VD), macular VD, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, and their associations with future VF defects in unaffected hemifields of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes with baseline VF defect confined to a single hemifield. This retrospective observational study included 61 POAG eyes with VF defect confined to a single hemifield monitored over a mean follow-up time of 2.7years. Development of VF defect in opposite hemifield was defined based the Early Manifest Glaucoma Trail criteria. Each eye was classified into either "conversion" or "no conversion" groups according to development of VF defect in the unaffected hemifield. The rates of longitudinal changes in VD and structure parameters in each hemiretina were compared between the two groups. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify potential risk factors for VF conversion in the unaffected hemifield. Among 61 eyes, 17 eyes (27.9%) were classified as "conversion" and 44 eyes (72.1%) were classified as "non-conversion" groups. The conversion group exhibited significantly greater rates of both VD and structural changes in both hemiretinas. In Cox proportional hazard model, greater rate of change in GCIPL thickness, ONH superficial VD, and macular VD of both hemiretinas and greater rate of change in RNFL thickness of the unaffected hemiretina were identified as risk factors for VF conversion in the unaffected hemifield. Monitoring progressive changes in VD and structural parameters effectively predict future VF defect in the opposite hemifields of POAG eyes with single-hemifield defects.

Longitudinal CSF biomarker trajectories from middle age to late adulthood

AbstractBackgroundCurrent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker data of preclinical AD are based largely on cross‐sectional studies across the disease spectrum and short‐term longitudinal studies, with most studies conducted among older adults. However, neuropathological studies indicate that AD pathology is present in midlife. To better understand within‐person biomarker trajectories, we examined longitudinal changes in CSF biomarkers, potential modifiers (e.g., demographics, APOE4 genotype), and changes with respect to MCI symptom onset among participants who were primarily middle‐aged and cognitively normal at baseline, and have on average 10.7y of follow‐up (max 23y).MethodCSF was collected from 278 BIOCARD Study participants (M baseline age = 57.5y; Table 1); 94 (33.8%) have since progressed to MCI or dementia. These analyses focused on z‐transformed values of AB42/AB40, p‐tau181, and t‐tau, measured using the Fujirebio Lumipulse G1200 assays.ResultIn longitudinal mixed‐effects models, there were accelerated (quadratic) increases in p‐tau181 and t‐tau over time, and a trend for accelerated (quadratic) decreases in AB42/AB40 (p=0.09). APOE4 carriers had lower levels of AB42/AB40 at baseline and greater rates of change in all biomarkers (Table 2; Figure 1). Older participants had more abnormal baseline biomarker levels and greater rates of change in AB42/AB40 and t‐tau. Biomarker levels and trajectories were unrelated to sex and years of education. In a separate set of models, low baseline AB42/AB40 was associated with increases in p‐tau181 and t‐tau over time, whereas baseline t‐tau and p‐tau181 were not associated with change in AB42/AB40. Finally, compared to those who remained normal, those who progressed to MCI/dementia had more abnormal AB42/AB40, p‐tau181, and t‐tau at baseline, and greater rates of change in t‐tau and p‐tau prior to MCI clinical symptom onset.ConclusionThese results indicate that, in preclinical AD, lower levels of amyloid are associated with increases in p‐tau181 and t‐tau, while accelerations in p‐tau181 and t‐tau are more closely linked to MCI symptom onset. They also suggest earlier and greater rates of pathology accumulation among APOE4 carriers, but that sex and education‐related differences in AD dementia risk are not due to differences in AD biomarker accumulation early in the disease course.

Differences in body mass index trajectories of adolescent psychiatric inpatients by sex, age, diagnosis and medication: an exploratory longitudinal, mixed effects analysis.

Adolescents in secure psychiatric care typically report high obesity rates. However, longitudinal research exploring the rate and extent of change is sparse. This study aimed to analyse sex differences in longitudinal body mass index (BMI) change for adolescents receiving treatment in a secure psychiatric hospital. The sample comprised 670 adolescents in secure psychiatric care. BMI trajectories from admission to 50 months of hospitalisation were produced using sex-stratified multilevel models. Systematic difference in mean BMI trajectories according to age at admission (14, 15, 16, or 17 years), medication (Olanzapine or Sodium Valproate), and primary diagnosis (Psychotic, non-Psychotic or Functional/behavioural disorders) were investigated. Together, males and females experienced a mean BMI increase of 2.22 m/kg2 over the 50-month period. For females, BMI increased from 25.69 m/kg2 to 30.31 m/kg2 , and for males, reduced from 25.01 m/kg2 to 23.95 m/kg2 . From 30 to 50 months, a plateau was observed for females and a reduction in BMI observed for males. Psychotic disorders in males (β 3.87; CI 1.1-6.7) were associated with the greatest rate of BMI change. For medication, Olanzapine in females was associated with the greatest rate of change (β1.78; CI -.89-4.47). This is the first longitudinal study exploring longitudinal BMI change for adolescent inpatients. Results highlight that individual differences in adolescent inpatients result in differing levels of risk to weight gain in secure care. Specifically, males with psychotic disorders and females taking Olanzapine present the greatest risk of weight gain. This has implications for the prioritisation of interventions for those most at risk of weight gain.

1196-P: Sex Difference in the Progression of Metabolic Syndrome Severity from Normoglycemia, Prediabetes, to Diabetes

Aim: Evaluate if cardiovascular (CV) risk factors increase at a greater rate during the prediabetes (preDM) stage rather than the diabetes (DM) stage by sex. Methods: We pooled data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The CV risk outcome was the metabolic syndrome (MetS) severity z-score derived from components of waist circumference, HDL, triglycerides, SBP, and fasting glucose accounting for the weight of each component. The score was calculated for participants at visits 1 to 4 (3-year interval between visits) . We used linear mixed regressions to model the MetS z-score over time in men and women by levels of glucose (normal &amp;lt;100, preDM 100-125, DM ≥126 mg/dL) , adjusting for age, race, education, smoking, medication &amp; cohort. A sex interaction was added to assess if the magnitude of risk factor changes over time differs by sex in each glucose level. Results: Men and women had a greater rate of change in MetS severity during the preDM than the DM stage. Women had a significantly greater increase of MetS severity than men during the preDM stage, while men had a significantly greater increase in the DM stage than women. Conclusion: A more rapid increase in MetS severity occurred in preDM than in DM. Women exhibited a faster increase in MetS severity compared to men during the preDM stage. Greater attention should be given to CV risk in women with preDM. Disclosure Y.Yoshida: None. Z.Chen: n/a. R.L.Baudier: None. M.Krousel-wood: None. A.H.Anderson: None. V.Fonseca: Consultant; Abbott, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Research Support; Fractyl Health, Inc., Jaguar Gene Therapy, Stock/Shareholder; Abbott, Amgen Inc., BRAVO4Health, Mellitus Health. F.Mauvais-jarvis: Consultant; Mithra Pharmaceutical. Funding NIH K12HD043451

Structure design and application of all-fiber-based capacitive sensor

To improve the sensibility and wearing comfortability of capacitive sensors, pillow-like structure fibrous (PSF) dielectric layers were designed and fabricated. The influence of fabric electrodes’ structure on conductive and sensing properties was also studied. Results showed that in the frequency of 400 Hz, PSF sensor with 5 mm dielectric layer and fractal weave 2 as electrodes possessed the best sensitivity of 3.44%/g, while the best sensitivity of PDMS sensors with 2 mm dielectric layer and fractal weave 2 as electrodes was 1.35%/g in the frequency of 10 KHz. The repeatability of both sensors was similar and good enough for the application. The detection test of the bending movement of the finger showed PSF capacitors presented good stability and greater change rate. So PSF sensor showed greater sensitivity, repeatability, similar stability, and predictable better wearing comfortability compared to PDMS sensors. So this paper not only provides a new all-fiber-based sensor for wearing application, but also enriches the fabric structure design of the flexible sensors.

A Pathway-Specific Polygenic Risk Score Is Associated with Tau Pathology and Cognitive Decline.

Tauopathy is a primary neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease with a strong relationship to cognitive impairment. In the brain, tau aggregation is associated with the regulation of tau kinases and the binding ability of tau to microtubules. To explore the potential for using specific polygenic risk scores (PRSs), combining the genetic influences involved in tau-protein kinases and the tau-protein binding pathway, as predictors of tau pathology and cognitive decline in non-demented individuals. We computed a pathway-specific PRS using summary statistics from previous large-scale genome-wide association studies of dementia. We examined whether PRS is related to tau uptake in positron emission tomography (PET), tau levels, and the rate of tau level changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We further assessed whether PRS is associated with memory impairment mediated by CSF tau levels. A higher PRS was related to elevated CSF tau levels and tau-PET uptake at baseline, as well as greater rates of change in CSF tau levels. Moreover, PRS was associated with memory impairment, mediated by increased CSF tau levels. The association between PRS and tau pathology was significant when APOE was excluded, even among females. However, the effect of PRS on cognitive decline appeared to be driven by the inclusion of APOE. The influence of genetic risk in a specific tau-related biological pathway may make an individual more susceptible to tau pathology, resulting in cognitive dysfunction in an early preclinical phase of the disease.

The study of large-scale variability in total water storage within the context of modern satellite gravity missions

The analysis of Earth’s gravity field changes is the one of essential task of physical geodesy. So the knowledge about selected characteristics of gravity field is the basic element of the Earth shape determining process and help to find information about mass redistribution in the Earth system. Since 2002, the gravity field changes have been successfully observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite gravity mission and its continued GRACE-FO (GRACE Follow-On) mission. The results obtained from GRACE/GRACE-FO observations are presented, among other, in form of mascons and they are provid-ed by three processing centers: (1) Center for Space Research (CSR; Austin, United States), (2) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL; Pasadena, United States), and (3) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC; Maryland, United States). In the following study, we used data provided by GSFC in form of the global distribution of Total Water Storage (TWS), which are expressed in terms of Equivalent Water Height (EWH). In our study, we focused on identifying areas with significant changes in TWS. We analysed TWS fluctuations in seasonal short-term changes, i.e., amplitude of annual oscillation (the most pronounced oscillation in the land hydro-sphere) and longterm changes, i.e., trend (a key parameter for climate studies) determined using the Least Squares Method. As a result, we selected 15 areas characterised by extreme TWS changes, i.e., 11 areas for annual amplitude and 4 areas for trend parameter. We obtained seasonal changes greater than 140 mm in areas within the equator (mainly Amazon, Niger, Ganges, Brahmaputra river basin regions) and areas covered by huge ice masses (Alaska, Greenland). The greatest rate of change in water storage at ±70 is observed around West Antarctica, Patagonia or the Caspian Sea. The results also emphasize the significant human impact in continental water masses (e.g. Mexico, Indus and Ganges river basins). Keywords: GRACE, TWS, land hydrology, gravity missions

Impact of a standardised parenteral nutrition protocol: a quality improvement experience from a NICU of a developing country

ObjectiveNutrition societies recommend using standardised parenteral nutrition (SPN) solutions. We designed evidence-based SPN formulations for neonates admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and evaluated their outcomes.DesignThis was a...

Effect of nonvertical ion bombardment due to edge effects on polymer surface morphology evolution and etching uniformity

Maintaining uniform sample etching during a plasma process is a critical requirement for applications in large-scale wafer processing. The interface between the plasma and the sample surface is defined by the plasma sheath, which accelerates ions toward the sample surface. In areas where the plasma sheath is not parallel to the sample surface, such as near the sample edges, the incident ions arrive at shallower, off-normal angles that can result in a greater etch yield relative to other areas of the sample. This phenomenon leads to nonuniform etching, along with characteristic surface morphology evolution. In this work, we utilized a combination of spatial ellipsometry for etching behavior, atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface morphology evolution, and power spectral density (PSD) analysis to quantify the extent and spatial dependence of the nonuniform etching near the sample edges. The spatial ellipsometry indicated that a region extending for about 1000 μm from the sample edge experiences approximately 10%–15% more thickness loss (∼10–15 nm) relative to areas near the center of the sample under the tested processing conditions. Within this area, the greatest rate of change in the sample thickness occurs within 5 Debye lengths or ∼300 μm from the sample edge. Via AFM analysis, we detected the presence of ripple features that are consistent with directional ion impacts caused by deflection of ions from normal incidence on the surface morphology [Merkulov et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 4816 (2002)] AFM scans performed in two different sample orientations confirmed that the ripple features are oriented perpendicular to the direction of incident ions and propagate along the direction of the incident ions. Correspondingly, the magnitude of surface roughness decreases as the distance from the sample edge increases. The ripple features were quantified via PSD analysis, which found the presence of a greater population of long-wavelength roughness closer to the sample edge. The findings of this study provide insight into the influence of the plasma sheath distortions near sample edges on the extent of nonuniform sample etching and characteristic surface morphology evolution in plasma etching applications.