Instrumental Analysis Research Articles

Improving nutritional and sensory properties of rice bran by germination and solid-state fermentation with fungi

Rice bran, a by-product of the rice milling industry, is rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients. However, its utilization in food has been limited due to the presence of unpleasant flavors and anti-nutritional components. The present study investigated the impact of germination and solid-state fermentation with various fungi starters on the nutritional and sensory features of rice bran. The results showed germination can significantly decrease phytic acid content and increase the contents of protein and fibers but had a negligible influence on the sensory characteristics of rice bran. Fungal fermentation demonstrated a notable increase in protein content and effective degradation of insoluble fiber and phytic acid in rice bran. Meanwhile, the sensory characteristics of rice bran after fermentation with different fungal cultures varied according to the instrumental analysis (electronic nose/tongue and GC-IMS) and sensory panelists evaluations. Rice bran fermented with Aspergillus niger, Actinomucor elegans and liquor koji exhibited similar GC-IMS spectra and characteristics of odor. However, A. niger imparted bran a musty smell and A. elegans contributed tastes of bitter and astringency. Mucor racemosus fermentation resulted in the highest score of fruity odor. Additionally, rice bran fermented with soy sauce koji stood out with the highest richness score, distinguishing it from other fermented brans. This research can provide insights into improving nutritional and sensory attributes of rice bran.

A General Strategy for Food Traceability and Authentication Based on Assembly-Tunable Fluorescence Sensor Arrays.

Food traceability and authentication systems play an important role in ensuring food quality and safety. Current techniques mainly rely on direct measurement by instrumental analysis, which is usually designed for one or a group of specific foods, not available for various food categories. To develop a general strategy for food identification and discrimination, a novel method based on fluorescence sensor arrays is proposed, composed of supramolecular assemblies regulated by non-covalent interactions as an information conversion system. The stimuli-responsiveness and tunability of supramolecular assemblies provided an excellent platform for interacting with various molecules in different foods. In this work, five sensor arrays constructed by supramolecular assemblies composed of pyrene derivatives and perylene derivatives are designed and prepared. Assembly behavior and sensing mechanisms are investigated systematically by spectroscopy techniques. The traceability and authentication effects on several kinds of food from different origins or grades are evaluated and verified by linear discriminant analysis (LDA). It is confirmed that the cross-reactive signals from different sensor units encompassing all molecular interactions can generate a unique fingerprint pattern for each food and can be used for traceability and authentication toward universal food categories with 100% accuracy.

Effects of Speech Characteristics on Electroglottographic and Instrumental Acoustic Voice Analysis Metrics in Women With Structural Dysphonia Before and After Treatment.

Literature suggests a dependency of the acoustic metrics, smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), on human voice loudness and fundamental frequency (F0). Even though this has been explained with different oscillatory patterns of the vocal folds, so far, it has not been specifically investigated. In the present work, the influence of three elicitation levels, calibrated sound pressure level (SPL), F0 and vowel on the electroglottographic (EGG) and time-differentiated EGG (dEGG) metrics hybrid open quotient (OQ), dEGG OQ and peak dEGG, as well as on the acoustic metrics CPPS and HNR, was examined, and their suitability for voice assessment was evaluated. In a retrospective study, 29 women with a mean age of 25 years (± 8.9, range: 18-53) diagnosed with structural vocal fold pathologies were examined before and after voice therapy or phonosurgery. Both acoustic and EGG signals were recorded simultaneously during the phonation of the sustained vowels /ɑ/, /i/, and /u/ at three elicited levels of loudness (soft/comfortable/loud) and unconstrained F0 conditions. A linear mixed-model analysis showed a significant effect of elicitation effort levels on peak dEGG, HNR, and CPPS (all p < .01). Calibrated SPL significantly influenced HNR and CPPS (both p < .01). Furthermore, F0 had a significant effect on peak dEGG and CPPS (p < .0001). All metrics showed significant changes with regard to vowel (all p < .05). However, the treatment had no effect on the examined metrics, regardless of the treatment type (surgery vs. voice therapy). The value of the investigated metrics for voice assessment purposes when sampled without sufficient control of SPL and F0 is limited, in that they are significantly influenced by the phonatory context, be it speech or elicited sustained vowels. Future studies should explore the diagnostic value of new data collation approaches such as voice mapping, which take SPL and F0 effects into account.

Insights into copper sensing and tolerance in Pneumocystis species

IntroductionPneumocystis species are pathogenic fungi known to cause pneumonia in immunocompromised mammals. They are obligate to their host, replicate extracellularly in lung alveoli and thrive in the copper-enriched environment of mammalian lungs. In this study, we investigated the proteome of Pneumocystis murina, a model organism that infects mice, in the context of its copper sensing and tolerance.Methods and resultsThe query for copper-associated annotations in FungiDB followed by a manual curation identified only 21 genes in P. murina, significantly fewer compared to other clinically relevant fungal pathogens or phylogenetically similar free-living fungi. We then employed instrumental analyses, including Size-Exclusion Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS), Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC), and Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), to isolate and identify copper-binding proteins from freshly extracted organisms, revealing 29 distinct cuproproteins. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of P. murina exposed to various CuSO4 concentrations at three temporal intervals (0.5, 2, and 5 h) indicated that significant gene expression changes occurred only under the highest CuSO4 concentration probed (100 μM) and the longest exposure duration (5 h). This stimulus led to the upregulation of 43 genes and downregulation of 27 genes compared to untreated controls. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed the expression of four out of eight selected upregulated genes, including three assumed transcription factors (PNEG_01236, PNEG_01675, and PNEG_01730) and a putative copper transporter (PNEG_02609). Notably, the three applied methodologies — homology-based annotation, SEC-ICP-MS/IMAC/LC–MS/MS, and RNA-seq — yielded largely distinct findings, with only four genes (PNEG_02587, PNEG_03319, PNEG_02584, and PNEG_02989) identified by both instrumental methods.DiscussionThe insights contribute to the broader knowledge of Pneumocystis copper homeostasis and provide novel facets of host-pathogen interactions for extracellular pathogens. We suggest that future studies of Pneumocystis pathogenicity and copper stress survival should consider the entire spectrum of identified genes.

Economic effects of a controlled mangrove-to-pond coverage ratio policy on mangrove conservation and shrimp farming: A case study in vietnam using instrumental regression analysis

The mangrove-shrimp farming model in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region was devised to foster mangrove conservation while supporting the livelihoods of small-scale shrimp farmers by allocating them land for both mangrove protection and shrimp farming. However, this model faces challenges as farmers often clear mangrove areas to expand shrimp ponds, seeking greater profits. Based on data collected from structured interviews with shrimp farming households, an Instrumental Variable (IV) regression method is used in this study to examine the economic viability of mangrove-shrimp farming in the Tam Giang Protection Forest of Ca Mau province and predict the impacts of recommended fixed mangrove-to-pond coverage ratios (MPR) on shrimp yield and household income in two different scenarios. Findings reveal that almost half of the surveyed farmers do not meet the recommended MPR, prioritizing pond expansion over mangrove protection, suggesting prevalent noncompliance and ineffective regulatory enforcement. Additionally, the research highlighted the critical role of mangrove-shrimp farming in the livelihoods of these communities, with findings indicating that even minimal increases in pond area can enhance productivity. Conversely, stricter pond coverage regulations could potentially worsen the economic situation for numerous households.

Cryptocurrency blockchain and its carbon footprint: Anticipating future challenges

This study investigates the environmental impact of cryptocurrency blockchain technology, specifically focusing on the adoption of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Utilizing instrumental regression analysis, it examines the consensus mechanisms—Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS)—and their association with carbon footprint. The findings reveal a clear correlation between the adoption of PoW-based cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and carbon emissions. Notably, PoW-based cryptocurrencies generate approximately 0.86 metric tons of carbon emissions per transaction, which is significantly higher than PoS-based transactions like Ethereum. Concerns also arise regarding the sustainability of Bitcoin mining after the fourth halving period and potential shortages in PoW-based mining resources. As mining rewards decrease, the challenge of timely block creation intensifies. By projecting future BTC mining phases, the study anticipates diminishing rewards in each halving period, potentially leaving around 2500 BTC units available for mining by 2120. This suggests that achieving the full 21 million BTC may prove practically unattainable within the current blockchain framework. Furthermore, the research highlights the speculative and risky nature of cryptocurrencies lacking regulatory oversight, which tends to attract irresponsible investors. It stresses the importance of developing a nuanced understanding of the environmental implications of PoW cryptocurrencies and advocating for responsible innovation. Additionally, the study underscores the necessity of considering the monetary policy implications and raising awareness among investors to ensure responsible decision-making.

Impact of Globalization on Women Empowerment in the Presence of Corruption

Impact of Globalization on Women Empowerment in the Presence of Corruption

Mortality of Patients With Sepsis Administered Piperacillin-Tazobactam vs Cefepime

Experimental and observational studies have suggested that empirical treatment for bacterial sepsis with antianaerobic antibiotics (eg, piperacillin-tazobactam) is associated with adverse outcomes compared with anaerobe-sparing antibiotics (eg, cefepime). However, a recent pragmatic clinical trial of piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime showed no difference in short-term outcomes at 14 days. Further studies are needed to help clarify the empirical use of these agents. To examine the use of piperacillin-tazobactam compared with cefepime in 90-day mortality in patients treated empirically for sepsis, using instrumental variable analysis of a 15-month piperacillin-tazobactam shortage. In a retrospective cohort study, hospital admissions at the University of Michigan from July 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, including a piperacillin-tazobactam shortage period from June 12, 2015, to September 18, 2016, were examined. Adult patients with suspected sepsis treated with vancomycin and either piperacillin-tazobactam or cefepime for conditions with presumed equipoise between piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime were included in the study. Data analysis was conducted from December 17, 2022, to April 11, 2023. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included organ failure-free, ventilator-free, and vasopressor-free days. The 15-month piperacillin-tazobactam shortage period was used as an instrumental variable for unmeasured confounding in antibiotic selection. Among 7569 patients (4174 men [55%]; median age, 63 [IQR 52-73] years) with sepsis meeting study eligibility, 4523 were treated with vancomycin and piperacillin-tazobactam and 3046 were treated with vancomycin and cefepime. Of patients who received piperacillin-tazobactam, only 152 (3%) received it during the shortage. Treatment groups did not differ significantly in age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, or time to antibiotic administration. In an instrumental variable analysis, piperacillin-tazobactam was associated with an absolute mortality increase of 5.0% at 90 days (95% CI, 1.9%-8.1%) and 2.1 (95% CI, 1.4-2.7) fewer organ failure-free days, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.57-1.62) fewer ventilator-free days, and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.01-2.01) fewer vasopressor-free days. Among patients with suspected sepsis and no clear indication for antianaerobic coverage, administration of piperacillin-tazobactam was associated with higher mortality and increased duration of organ dysfunction compared with cefepime. These findings suggest that the widespread use of empirical antianaerobic antibiotics in sepsis may be harmful.

Effect of Fiber and Insect Powder Addition on Selected Organoleptic and Nutritional Characteristics of Gluten-Free Bread

A wide range of gluten-free bakery products are already available on the market. However, they often have a low proportion of fiber and inferior sensory properties when compared to classic baked goods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the addition of different types of fiber and insect powder on selected organoleptic and nutritional properties of gluten-free pieces of bread and to reformulate a recipe for gluten-free bread. Twenty experimental samples were prepared with different types and percentages of fiber, either alone or in combination. Sensory analysis, instrumental texture analysis, and chemical analyses, including predicted glycemic index, were carried out. A total of 16 of the 24 fiber-enriched samples received an average or slightly above-average rating. The samples containing the fiber mixture without insect powder and the sample containing 9% flaxseed performed best in the overall evaluation. The combination of different types of plant fibers simultaneously with the incorporation of insect powder in a low concentration appears to be advantageous, both from the viewpoint of sensory acceptability and also from the viewpoint of the potential for increasing the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity. This study lists the sensorially acceptable range of fiber concentrations, which can be a guide for the bakery industry.

Comparative effectiveness of second line oral antidiabetic treatments among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: emulation of a target trial using routinely collected health data

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of three commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic drugs added to metformin for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring second line treatment in routine clinical practice.DesignCohort study...

Analysing multi-class pesticide residues in tilapia fish: development and validation of LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods

ABSTRACT Pesticides are an integral part of increasing food production and have remarkable agricultural benefits such as an increase in crop yield. However, they have been identified as some of the most hazardous substances in food, particularly in fish, posing a risk to both ecosystems and human health. Therefore, this study focuses on the development and optimisation of an analytical technique to detect multiple pesticide residues in fish products. The method involves liquid-liquid extraction, followed by analysis using both liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A total of 411 pesticides were selected (e.g.: insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) and the concentrations of their residues in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were determined. The samples were processed according to the optimised QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method, including extraction and clean-up procedures. Lipid co-extracts were successfully minimised before instrumental analysis using optimised cleanup. Matrix-matched calibrations were performed at two different levels (0.05,0.01 mg/kg) in tilapia fish to compensate for signal enhancement/suppression. The validation procedure was performed to assess accuracy, precision, limit of quantification (LOQ), and uncertainty according to the SANTE guidelines. The LOQs of this method were 0.01 mg/kg for all selected pesticides except Cyazofamid, Dodine, Fenpyrazamine, Methomyl, Oxadiargyl, Parathion ethyl, Parathion methyl, Prothioconazole Desthio, and Tolylfluanid were 0.05 mg/kg. The suggested method was implemented to investigate the levels of pesticide residues in fresh fish samples (n = 15) procured from local markets in Egypt. Only two samples had residues of the targeted analytes. In light of our findings, the devised methodology was effectively utilised for the detecting and measurement of pesticide residues present in fish samples.

Umami taste components in chicken-spices blends and potential effect of aroma on umami taste intensity

In this study, umami taste intensity (UTI) and umami taste components in chicken breast (CB) and chicken-spices blends were characterized using sensory and instrumental analysis. Our main objective was to assess the aroma-umami taste interactions in different food matrices and reconcile the aroma-taste perception to assist future product development. The impact of key aroma, including vegetable-note “2-pentylfuran”, meaty “methional”, green “hexanal”, and spicy-note “estragole and caryophyllene” on UTI was evaluated in monosodium glutamate and chicken extract. We found that spices significantly decreased UTI and umami taste components in CB. Interestingly, the perceptually similar odorants and tastants exhibited the potential to enhance UTI in food matrices. Methional was able to increase the UTI, whereas spicy and green-note components could reduce the UTI significantly. This information would be valuable to food engineers and formulators in aroma selection to control the UTI perceived by consumers, thus, improving the quality and acceptability of the chicken products.

Financing for pandemic preparedness and response measures: a systematic scoping review.

To obtain insights into reducing the shortfall in financing for pandemic preparedness and response measures, and reducing the risk of another pandemic with social and economic costs comparable to those of the coronavirus disease. We conducted a systematic scoping review using the databases ScienceDirect, Scopus, JSTOR, PubMed® and EconLit. We included articles published in any language until 1 August 2023, and excluded grey literature and publications on epidemics. We categorized eligible studies according to the elements of a framework proposed by the World Health Organization Council on the Economy of Health for All: (i)root/structural causes; (ii)social position/foundations; (iii)infrastructure and systems; and (iv)communities, households and individuals. Of the 188 initially identified articles, we included 60 in our review. Most (53/60) were published after 2020, when academic interest had shifted towards global financing mechanisms. Most (37/60) addressed two or more of the council framework elements. The most frequently addressed element was infrastructure and systems (54/60), discussing topics such as health systems, financial markets and innovation ecosystems. The roots/structural causes were discussed in 25 articles; communities, households and individuals in 22 articles; and social positions/foundations in 11. Our review identified three important gaps: a formal definition of pandemic preparedness and response, impeding the accurate quantification of the financing shortfall; research on the extent to which financing for pandemic preparedness and response has been targeted at the most vulnerable households; and an analysis of specific financial instruments and an evaluation of the feasibility of their implementation.

P22. Cost and Utilization Analysis of Operating Room Instruments in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

P22. Cost and Utilization Analysis of Operating Room Instruments in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Association of Medicare Home Health Ratings With Older Adult Fall Injuries: An Instrumental Variables Analysis

ObjectivesTo understand the role of high-quality home health care for fall prevention. DesignA 100% sample of national Medicare claims and home health survey data (2015-2017) were used to assess fall injuries and receipt of a fall risk assessment among recently hospitalized Medicare fee-for-service home health users aged ≥66 years. Subanalyses examined patients by prior fall history status and hospital admission diagnosis type (eg, neurologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, infection, and orthopedic diagnoses). An instrumental variables design addressed potential endogeneity in home health care use by patient fall risk. Setting and ParticipantsHome health agencies and Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. MethodsMultivariate regression and instrumental variables. ResultsAmong 962,610 patients with hospital discharges to home health, being treated by home health agencies with the highest star ratings in a person's zip code was associated with a 1.8–percentage point (ppt) (95% CI: 0.1, 3.5; P = .03) higher likelihood of receipt of fall risk assessment. There was no overall change in 30-day (−0.6 ppt, 95% CI: −1.3, 0.1; P = .09), 15-day (−0.3 ppt, 95% CI: −0.0.8, 0.2; P = .35), or 7-day fall injury risk (−0.2 ppt, 95% CI: −0.5, 0.1; P = .22), but a 1.9-ppt (95% CI: −3.9, −0.02; P = .048) lower 30-day fall injury risk for individuals with a history of falls. Effects were directionally similar by diagnosis type. Conclusions and ImplicationsFall injury risk is reduced at higher-rated home health agencies. Star ratings may be adequate indicators of quality for key outcomes not explicitly measured in the ratings.

ESG Performance, Heterogeneous Creditors, and Bond Financing Costs: Firm-Level Evidence

Exploiting credit spread to measure firm bond financing costs, this study explored the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on bond financing costs from the perspective of heterogeneous creditors. Our results revealed that national interbank bond market and qualified institutional investors are increasingly interested in aligning their capital with ESG-related investment opportunities. Thus, they require a low rate of return from firms with good ESG performance. In contrast, domestic legal and natural persons and ordinary institutional investors are unlikely to accept a low investment return in exchange for the positive impact of ESG. Additional robustness tests confirmed the results, including firm-fixed effects, variable substitution method, supplemental variable method, lagged variable approach, instrumental variable analysis, and propensity score matching. The results of mechanism analysis indicated that the bond cost reduction effect of ESG is achieved by improving firms’ information disclosure quality and reputation. In addition, because of trade-off theory and agency problems, the environmental and social factors of ESG have only a limited impact on bond cost reduction, whereas the governance factor markedly reduces bond costs.

Thermal self-crosslink after etching for regulated preparation of Ti3C2 type MXene membrane and its preliminary gas separation

We present an innovative methodology for the synthesis of MXene membranes through a dual-stage process involving etching and subsequent thermal self-crosslinking. A molar ratio of 1 (Al3+):9 (F−) using HCl/LiF was employed to convert raw Ti3AlC2 (MAX phase) into MXene within 48 h at 40 °C. This procedure predominantly yielded monolayers distinguished by diameters exceeding 500 nm, elevated crystallinity and a high overall yield. Advanced characterization techniques, including FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, AFM, XPS, and FTIR, were utilized. Instrumental analysis confirmed the formation of MXene exhibiting a single-flake morphology with diameters exceeding 500 nm. These monolayers were intact and continuous, with smooth peripheries and a uniform thickness of 2.1 nm. The surfaces were predominantly composed of carbon (C), oxygen (O), and titanium (Ti) atoms, interconnected by chemical bonds such as C–Ti–O, C–Ti–OH, C–C, C–O, and Ti–O. In the subsequent phase, vacuum filtration facilitated the assembly of a self-supporting MXene membrane. Thermal treatment at 170 °C for 30 h resulted in the reinforcement of C–Ti–O bonds within the nanosheets, increasing their prevalence to 43.14 % and 19.47 %, respectively. This thermal regulation reduced the interlayer d-spacing from 4.33 to 3.54 Å, which significantly improved the gas separation efficiency beyond the Knudsen diffusion limit, as demonstrated by the αH2/CF4 value exceeding 23.0.

Extraction Optimization, Structure Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Polysaccharide from Sanghuangporus baumii

Introduction: In this study, we optimized the extraction process, analyzed the structure and assessed the antioxidant activity of Sanghuangporus baumii polysaccharide (SBP). The present results provide important information for the Sanghuangporus baumii polysaccharides in potential natural antioxidant effects. Background: The extraction and structural analysis of polysaccharides from Sanghuangporus has gained significant attention in the fields of chemistry, medicine, and life sciences. There is great significance in maximizing the extraction of polysaccharides from Sanghuangporus and developing their potential products in a scientific and rational manner. Objective: The study was designed to establish an efficient and practical extraction process for SBP, and then investigated the structure and the antioxidant activity. Methods: The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design was used to explore the ultrasound-assisted extraction of SBP, and the structure of SBP was studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and other instrumental analysis methods. The total antioxidant capacity of SBP was studied by the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) method, and the scavenging capacity of ABTS+·, DPPH· and OH· was carried out as the index to investigate its antioxidant activity in vitro. Results: The statistical analysis results showed that the optimal conditions for extracting SBP were an ultrasound time of 20.74 min, ultrasound power of 268.40 W and material-liquid ratio of 1:25.71. Under optimal conditions, the experimental yield of SBP was 3.36 ± 0.01%. The RSM optimization process was applied to the experiment of complex enzyme extraction of SBP, and the yield increased to 4.72 ± 0.03%. Structural analysis showed that SBP mainly consisted of glucose, a small amount of mannose and galactose, and the molecular weight distribution was uneven, mainly concentrating in the three parts of 24.5,6.4,2.5 kDa. Moreover, SBP exhibited dose-dependent and strong reducing power and radical scavenging activity. For DPPH·, ABTS+· and OH· radical scavenging assays, IC50 values were 1.505 ± 0.050 mg/ml, 0.065 ± 0.036 mg/ml and 0.442 ± 0.007 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: In the present study, a β-linked heteroglucan (SBP) was extracted using the optimized process combining enzymes from the fruiting bodies of Sanghuangporus baumii. SBP exhibited effective and dose-dependent antioxidant activities. Our findings were of great value in terms of developing polysaccharides with potential natural antioxidants.

Investigating Microbial Biosignatures in Aeolian Environments Using Micro-X-Ray: Simulation of PIXL Instrument Analyses at Jezero Crater Onboard the Perseverance Mars 2020 Rover.

Assessing the past habitability of Mars and searching for evidence of ancient life at Jezero crater via the Perseverance rover are the key objectives of NASA's Mars 2020 mission. Onboard the rover, PIXL (Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry) is one of the best suited instruments to search for microbial biosignatures due to its ability to characterize chemical composition of fine scale textures in geological targets using a nondestructive technique. PIXL is also the first micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer onboard a Mars rover. Here, we present guidelines for identifying and investigating a microbial biosignature in an aeolian environment using PIXL-analogous micro-XRF (μXRF) analyses. We collected samples from a modern wet aeolian environment at Padre Island, Texas, that contain buried microbial mats, and we analyzed them using μXRF techniques analogous to how PIXL is being operated on Mars. We show via μXRF technique and microscope images the geochemical and textural variations from the surface to ∼40 cm depth. Microbial mats are associated with heavy-mineral lags and show specific textural and geochemical characteristics that make them a distinct biosignature for this environment. Upon burial, they acquire a diffuse texture due to the expansion and contraction of gas-filled voids, and they present a geochemical signature rich in iron and titanium, which is due to the trapping of heavy minerals. We show that these intrinsic characteristics can be detected via μXRF analyses, and that they are distinct from buried abiotic facies such as cross-stratification and adhesion ripple laminations. We also designed and conducted an interactive survey using the Padre Island μXRF data to explore how different users chose to investigate a biosignature-bearing dataset via PIXL-like sampling strategies. We show that investigating biosignatures via PIXL-like analyses is heavily influenced by technical constraints (e.g., the XRF measurement characteristics) and by the variety of approaches chosen by different scientists. Lessons learned for accurately identifying and characterizing this biosignature in the context of rover-mission constraints include defining relative priorities among measurements, favoring a multidisciplinary approach to the decision-making process of XRF measurements selection, and considering abiotic results to support or discard a biosignature interpretation. Our results provide guidelines for PIXL analyses of potential biosignature on Mars.

Establishment and application of perceived age prediction model for the periocular aging research of Chinese Han women.

The assessment of skin aging through skin measurements faces limitations, making perceived age evaluation a more valuable and direct tool for assessing skin aging. Given that the aging process markedly affects the appearance of the eye contour, characterizing the eye region could be beneficial for perceived age assessment. This study aimed to analyze age-correlated changes in the eye contour within the Chinese Han female population and to develop, validate, and apply a multiple linear regression model for predicting perceived age. A naïve panel of 107 Chinese women assessed the perceived ages of 212 Chinese Han women. Instrumental analysis evaluated periorbital parameters, including palpebral fissure width (PFW), palpebral fissure height (PFH), acclivity of palpebral fissure (AX), angle of inner canthal (AEN), and angle of outer canthal (AEX). These parameters were used to construct a multiple linear regression model for predicting the perceived ages of Chinese Han women. A combined treatment using Fotona 4D and an anti-aging eye cream, formulated with plant extracts, peptides, and antioxidants, was conducted to verify the cream's anti-aging efficacy and safety. This eye cream was then tested in a large-scale clinical trial involving 101 participants. The prediction model was employed in this trial to assess the perceived ages of the women after an 8-week application of the eye cream. All parameters were observed to decrease with age. An intergroup comparison indicated that eyelid aging in Chinese Han women accelerates beyond the age of 50. Consequently, a linear regression model was constructed and validated, with the perceived age being calculated as 183.159 - 1.078 * AEN - 4.487 * PFW + 6.061 * PFH - 1.003 * AX - 0.328 * AEX. The anti-aging efficacy and safety of the eye cream were confirmed through combined treatment with Fotona 4D, showing improvements in wrinkles, elasticity, and dark circles under the eyes. In a large-scale clinical evaluation using this eye cream, a perceived age prediction model was applied, suggesting that 8weeks of use made participants appear 2.25 years younger. Our study developed and validated a multiple linear regression model to predict the perceived age of Chinese Han women. This model was successfully utilized in a large-scale clinical evaluation of anti-aging eye cream, revealing that 8weeks of usage made participants appear 2.25 years younger. This method effectively bridges the gap between clinical research and consumer perceptions, explores the complex factors influencing perceived age, and aims to improve anti-aging formulations.