Non-linear Inverse Relationship Research Articles

The association between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and KSD disease: results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018

BackgroundKidney stone disease (KSD) is a widespread problem in urology. But the associations between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), an important indicator for assessing the nutritional status of elderly hospitalized patients, and KSD are understudied.ObjectiveUtilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2007–2018, our study analyzed the correlation between the GNRI and KSD prevalence at cross-sectional level. The aim of the study was to explore the association between GNRI and the prevalence of KSD to identify potential risk factors and inform prevention and management strategies for KSD.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data focusing on 26,803 adults (20–80 years) after screening for complete data. It evaluated GNRI, a formula involving albumin, present, and ideal body weight, stratifying participants into quartiles. The primary outcome was the history of KSD, based on self-reports. Covariates included demographic, health, and lifestyle factors. Statistical analysis employed t-tests, ANOVA, Wilcoxon, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with logistic regression modeling GNRI’s impact on KSD prevalence, assessing odds ratios and potential multicollinearity, and sensitivity analyses excluding individuals with low eGFR and adjusting cycle years.ResultsSignificant disparities are found in GNRI distributions between individuals with and without kidney stones. Higher GNRI levels are more common in kidney stone patients, with 39.249% in the highest quartile versus 33.334% in those without stones. Notably, those in the highest GNRI quartile (Q4) show a lower prevalence of kidney stone disease (KSD) than those in the lowest (Q1), with rates of 11.988% versus 8.631%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Adjusted model results reveal that higher GNRI quartiles (Q3-Q4) correlate with reduced KSD prevalence, with odds ratios of 0.85 (95% CI [0.72, 1.00]) and 0.76 (95% CI [0.65, 0.89]). A nonlinear inverse relationship exists between GNRI levels and KSD prevalence across the population (P < 0.001), confirming that higher GNRI lowers KSD prevalence. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses support these findings.ConclusionThe study underscores a significant, albeit nonlinear, association between elevated GNRI levels and decreased KSD prevalence. This relationship highlights the importance of nutritional assessment and management in KSD prevention strategies.

Ownership structure and capital structure dynamics in South African firms

Background: The ownership structure can impact capital structure decisions as owners are an influential group that govern the financial decisions of firms. Hence, the ownership structure and the categories of its owners have important implications for the capital structure of firms.Aim: This study investigates the linear and non-linear effects of different ownership types (managerial, foreign, institutional, government, and family) on the debt ratios of firms.Setting: This study includes 267 non-financial firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2004 to 2021, accounting for fluctuation in listings during this period.Method: The fixed effects model is used to estimate the impact of ownership structure on capital structure, while the Sasabuchi-Lind-Mehlum test evaluates non-linearity. Additionally, the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test is employed to detect whether endogeneity is present in this study.Results: The findings indicate that government ownership has a positive linear relation with the total debt and long-term debt ratio, while a non-linear inverse U-shaped relationship is found between institutional ownership and long-term debt, with an optimal level of 34.3%.Conclusion: The study concludes that the ownership structure is an important factor driving capital structure decisions, with government and institutional ownership directly impacting the debt ratios of firms.Contribution: This article expands the limited knowledge of the impact of ownership structure on capital structure and is the first to explore non-linear effects in the South African context. The findings offer valuable insights for boards and management that may aid them in strategically configuring ownership structures that optimise their capital structures.

Association between dietary fiber intake and chronic kidney disease in adults with and without hypertension in the United States: a cross-sectional study of NHANES 2009–2020

While previous research has highlighted the potential advantages of increasing dietary fiber intake (DFI) for managing hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is a gap in large-scale empirical studies examining the relationship between DFI and CKD among hypertensive and nonhypertensive cohorts independently. This study involved 22,871 participants sourced from the NHANES database spanning 2009 to 2020, who were divided into hypertensive (n = 9,861) and nonhypertensive (n = 13,010) groups. The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between DFI and CKD prevalence across the sample after adjusting for various covariates (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99, p = 0.001). Within the subset of hypertensive individuals, this inverse association mirrors the findings of the overall sample, indicating that a higher DFI was associated with a reduced occurrence of CKD (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99, p < 0.001). However, this correlation was not detected in the nonhypertensive group (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98–1.01, p = 0.285). The RCS analysis further confirmed a pronounced nonlinear inverse relationship between DFI and CKD prevalence in both the entire cohort and the hypertensive group but not in the nonhypertensive group. Further scrutiny of the hypertensive group revealed that individuals with a higher DFI had 33% lower odds of CKD progression for the moderate risk level and 36% lower odds for the high to very high risk level. Subgroup analyses confirmed the consistency of these relationships across various demographics. In summary, this investigation revealed a significant inverse relationship between DFI and CKD prevalence in US adults with hypertension, a relationship not observed in nonhypertensive individuals.

Numerical Study on the Shear Capacity-Curvature Ductility Relationship of High Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams under Different Failure Modes Using ABAQUS

Studying shear capacity in reinforced concrete beams is vital for structural safety and integrity. Preventing sudden shear failure is essential to avoid catastrophic collapses and ensure reliable construction performance. ABAQUS is vital for the thorough analysis of concrete specimens, offering deeper insights into their behavior under different experimental conditions. This paper explored the correlation between shear capacity and curvature ductility in high-strength reinforced concrete cantilever beams subjected to monotonic loading, involving tests on six cantilever beams with cross sections measuring 200 mm by 300 mm. The study examined how span-to-effective depth ratios ("a/d") and stirrup spacing influence beam behavior at the plastic hinge under various failure modes: flexural, shear, and combined. The specimens were categorized into two groups, with each group comprising 3 beams and 3 values for each variable. In the first test group, as the a/d ratio increased from 750 to 850 and then to 1150 mm, shear capacity increased by 99.3% and 16.3%, while curvature ductility improved by 45.5% and 29.7%. The failure modes included shear, combined, and flexural, indicating a direct yet non-linear relationship between curvature ductility and shear capacity. Increasing stirrup spacing from 100 to 150 and then to 300 resulted in a 37.3% and 59.2% decrease in shear capacity and an 18% and 58.8% reduction in curvature ductility. This demonstrates an inverse non-linear relationship and a shift in failure mode from flexural to combined and then to shear.

Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and erectile dysfunction among American adults: a cross-sectional study

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is closely related to oxidative stress, and antioxidant is a treatment and prevention method for erectile dysfunction. The Compound Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) represents the overall dietary antioxidant intake of the human body. However, the link between CDAI and ED is unclear. The objective of this research was to examine the linkage between CDAI and ED. The research utilized information collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning the years 2001 to 2004. To assess the association between CDAI and ED, the analysis employed weighted multivariate logistic regression along with weighted restricted cubic splines (RCS). Additionally, subgroup interaction analysis was conducted to confirm the findings. In this investigation, 3184 adults from the U.S., all above the age of 20, were part of the study cohort, with 863 of them identified as having ED. Adjustments for potential confounding variables revealed that the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CDAI associating with ED was 0.95 (0.92–0.99; P = 0.01). Besides, compared to the lowest tertile, the highest tertile of CDAI was associated with a lower risk of ED (0.63 [0.46–0.88]; P = 0.01). The application of weighted restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis delineated a nonlinear inverse relationship between CDAI levels and the probability of ED. Subgroup analysis further demonstrated that the association between CDAI and ED remained consistent across subgroups. This cross-sectional analysis revealed a significant correlation, indicating that elevated levels of CDAI are closely linked with a lower likelihood of ED.

Environmental fate and transport of PFAS in wastewater treatment plant effluent discharged to rapid infiltration basins

Fate and transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent discharged to rapid infiltration basins (RIBs) is investigated using data from 26 WWTPs in Michigan, USA. PFAS were found to accumulate in groundwater downgradient from RIBs with median groundwater-effluent enrichment factors for ten commonly detected, terminal-form perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) ranging from 1.3 to 5.2. Maximum contaminant levels for drinking water were exceeded in groundwater at all WWTPs with available PFAS data. Numerical models of unsaturated fluid flow and PFAS transport honoring RIB site properties, such as median vertical separation distance to the water table and a realistic range of area-normalized effluent fluxes, show long-chain PFAS undergo significant delays from air-water interface (AWI) adsorption, requiring up to 15 times longer to reach maximum mass flux to the saturated zone under low-flux conditions, where AWI area is 2.5 times greater. Short-chain PFAS commonly detected in effluent are only minimally affected by AWI adsorption and show little to no attenuation under high-flux conditions. The nonlinear inverse relationship between water content and AWI area highlights the important role of AWI adsorption in modulating unsaturated transport of long-chain PFAS to underlying groundwater due to the broad range of flux rates applied to RIB systems.

J-shaped relationship of serum neurofilament light chain with urinary albumin excretion in US adults: NHANES 2013–2014

Introduction This study focuses on investigating the relationship between serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) among American adults aged 25–75. Methods An analysis was conducted on information gathered from 1741 individuals aged between 25 and 75 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) during the years 2013–2014. Generalized linear models were utilized, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was conducted to assess a non-linear relationship. Results Upon adjusting for multiple variables, a non-linear inverse J-shaped relationship was observed between sNfL and uACR. Compared with individuals in quartile 1 (Q1) of sNfL (2.8–8.3), those with quartile 4 (Q4) (≥19.1) had an adjusted β for uACR of 51.57. Conclusions The study found a J-shaped curve linking sNfL and uACR in American adults, with a turning point around log(sNfL) 2.928 pg/mL.

Association between dietary vitamin E intake and constipation: NHANES 2005-2010.

This investigation aimed to analyze the association between dietary vitamin E intake and constipation prevalence among United States adults. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), this cross-sectional study assessed vitamin E intake through 24-h dietary recall and defined constipation based on the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). Logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin E intake and constipation, with results presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Stratified analyses were conducted based on covariates such as age, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were generated to explore the potential linear or non-linear association. Individuals experiencing constipation exhibited lower vitamin E intake compared to those without constipation. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated a negative correlation between vitamin E intake and constipation risk, even after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Further RCS analysis revealed a statistically significant non-linear inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and constipation risk (p-value for non-linearity = 0.0473). Our findings suggest an independent inverse association between vitamin E intake and constipation prevalence in United States adults. Prospective research is needed to validate these observations.

Refractive Laser Beam Measuring Diffusion Coefficient of Concentrated Battery Electrolytes

A thorough understanding of electrolyte transport properties is crucial in the development of alternative battery technology. As a key parameter, the diffusion coefficient offers important insights into the behavior of electrolytes, especially for fast charge of high-energy batteries. Existing methods of measurement are often limited by redox species or offer questionable accuracy due to side reactions and/or disruption of the diffusion profile. A highly sensitive optical method was developed using a refractive laser beam through triangular diffusion column to measure the diffusion coefficient of concentrated battery electrolytes. The method based on Snell’s law can be applied to all liquid phase electrolytes since the refractive index is concentration dependent for all liquid electrolytes. This universal method relies on the deflection of a refractive laser beam passing through an electrolyte of a minor concentration gradient in a triangular diffusion column (Figure 1). A polarized HeNe laser was arranged to pass the beam through a right-angled triangular quartz precision cell, slightly rotated to the normal. The exact position of the refracted beam was located by a silicon photodiode-based position detector. Deflection calibration curves made simple conversion of beam position to concentration, and during the diffusion of two layered solutions, data points were collected every minute to produce a concentration profile descriptive of the 48-hour diffusion. Diffusion coefficients were calculated using a model based on OSM theory, accounting for multi-component concentrated systems in a restricted diffusion column.1 The measured diffusion coefficients are between 4.12x10-10 m2/s for 0.15 mol/kg ZnSO4 and 0.681x10-10 m2/s for 2.5 mol/kg ZnSO4 at 22.4 °C. The profile of concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients follows a non-linear inverse relationship described by the function D=4.943(1+m)-1.564 (Figure 2).Several other physicochemical properties of the same electrolytes were studied to correlate to the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficients, including refractive index, viscosity, conductivity, and microstructure analysis based on vibrational spectroscopy (Infrared and Raman). High concentration electrolytes with more ion pairs show increased viscosity which ultimately leads to smaller diffusion coefficients. A QCM-I instrument standard flow cell were used to determine the viscosity of ZnSO4 electrolyte and the concentration-dependent viscosity was fitted to the function η=1.06-0.476m+2.13m2-1.01m3+0.204m4. Interionic interactions also led to reduced conductivity at concentrations beyond 1.5mol/kg, despite the increased charge density of concentrated solutions. FT-IR spectrums allowed analyzation of increased charge density, which increased intensity of the O-H stretching peak in concentrated electrolytes, despite the decrease in the ratio of water. Competition between charge density and viscosity continues to challenge the efficiency of concentrated electrolytes.Lastly, we demonstrate the prototype in situ triangular cell to characterize the electrolyte in working batteries. The cell responds to short, low-voltage pulses with beam deflection and relaxation, and offers an opportunity as a novel in situ spectroscopic tool to characterize the battery electrolyte. Acknowledgments This work is supported by a grant from NSF (CBET-2243098).

Higher plant-derived nitrate intake is associated with lower odds of frailty in a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older women

PurposeDietary nitrate intake is inversely related to numerous contributors towards frailty, including cardiovascular disease and poor physical function. Whether these findings extend to frailty remain unknown. We investigated if habitual nitrate intake, derived from plants or animal-based foods, was cross-sectionally associated with frailty in women.MethodsCommunity-dwelling older Australian women (n = 1390, mean age 75.1 ± 2.7 years) completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nitrate concentrations in food were obtained from international nitrate databases. We adopted the Rockwood frailty index (FI) of cumulative deficits comprising 33 variables across multiple health domains (scored 0 to 1), which predicts increased hospitalisation and mortality risk. A FI ≥ 0.25 indicated frailty. Cross-sectional associations between nitrate intake (total plant and animal nitrate, separately) and frailty were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models (including lifestyle factors), as part of restricted cubic splines.ResultsA non-linear inverse relationship was observed between total plant nitrate intake and frailty. Compared to women with the lowest plant nitrate intake (Quartile [Q]1), women with greater intakes in Q2 (OR 0.69 95%CI 0.56–0.84), Q3 (OR 0.67 95%CI 0.50–0.90) and Q4 (OR 0.66 95%CI 0.45–0.98) had lower odds for frailty. A nadir in the inverse association was observed once intakes reached ~ 64 mg/d (median Q2). No relationship was observed between total animal nitrate and frailty.ConclusionCommunity-dwelling older women consuming low amounts of plant-derived nitrate were more likely to present with frailty. Consuming at least one daily serving (~ 75 g) of nitrate-rich green leafy vegetables may be beneficial in preventing frailty.

The impact of investor sentiment on stock liquidity of listed companies in China

Researchers have scrutinized the link between investor sentiment and stock market liquidity globally, yet few have delved into this dynamic in emerging markets, especially China. Utilizing a sample of 1,839 publicly listed companies in China from 2010 to 2019, this study applies firm- and year-fixed-effects models to explore the nexus between investor sentiment and stock illiquidity, employing the Amihud measure for stock illiquidity assessment. The outcomes of these fixed-effect regressions illustrate a significantly positive relationship between investor sentiment and stock liquidity in the Chinese market. The positive link is more evident in scenarios characterized by high firm leverage, rapid revenue growth, larger corporations, greater institutional ownership, higher stock volatility, and lower book-to-market ratios. Intriguingly, this analysis incorporates the quadratic term of investor sentiment to examine the potential for a nonlinear dynamic between stock illiquidity and investor sentiment. The findings elucidate that the effect of investor sentiment on stock liquidity diminishes at elevated levels of sentiment, revealing a nonlinear inverse U-shaped relationship. The positive correlation between investor sentiment and stock liquidity persists across the three divisions of the Chinese Shenzhen Stock Exchange and remains robust using alternative liquidity measures, such as Roll’s impact and zeros impact. Addressing causality concerns, current investor sentiment appears to influence subsequent liquidity levels. These results provide valuable perspectives for policymakers, business executives, and investors in the stock market. Acknowledgment This research was funded by the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province General Program [Y202353438], the Wenzhou Association for Science and Technology—Service and Technology Innovation Program [jczc0254], the Wenzhou-Kean University Student Partnering with Faculty Research Program [WKUSPF2023004], and the Wenzhou-Kean University International Collaborative Research Program [ICRP2023002].

Cooling effects in urban communities: Parsing green spaces and building shadows

The thermal environment in urban communities significantly impacts the comfort and well-being of residents. Reducing the surface temperature in these areas is critical for improving the quality of life of residents and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Various factors, including buildings, roads, and green spaces, can influence the cooling effects in community areas. However, there is currently a lack of research focusing on examining the relationship between the surface temperature and community characteristics in urban settings. In this paper, using highly urbanized Beijing as an example, 1-m spatial resolution imagery (GaoFen-2) was used to extract 241 communities with different vegetation and building characteristics. High-resolution surface temperature data, calculated using the Google Earth Engine (GEE), facilitated the investigation of the cooling efficiency of surfaces in communities. We then evaluated the contributions of the green space ratio, building shadows, and green space pattern to the surface temperature. This study revealed the following: (1) an inverse nonlinear relationship was found between the green space ratio and surface temperature. The cooling efficiency decreased by 2/3 when the green space ratio exceeded 0.43–0.46. (2) The proportions of green spaces and building shadows were the primary drivers of cooling, accounting for more than 85% of the overall cooling effect. (3) In communities with high-rise buildings, the cooling effect of building shadows was greater than that of vegetation patterns. This study could provide a reference for renovating existing communities and planning green spaces in newly developed urban areas.

Association of serum magnesium with metabolic syndrome and the role of chronic kidney disease: A population-based cohort study with Mendelian randomization.

To assess the association of serum magnesium with prevalent and incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components in the general population and to examine any effect modification by chronic kidney disease (CKD) status. We analysed longitudinal data from the population-based KORA F4/FF4 study, including 2996 participants (387 with CKD) for cross-sectional analysis and 1446 participants (88 with CKD) for longitudinal analysis. Associations with MetS, as well as single components of MetS, were assessed by adjusted regression models. Nonlinearity was tested by restricted cubic splines and analyses were stratified by CKD. Causality was evaluated by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Serum magnesium (1 SD) was inversely associated with prevalent MetS (odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83, 0.98). The association was more pronounced in individuals with CKD (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59, 0.94). Among MetS components, serum magnesium was negatively associated with elevated fasting glucose (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.71, 0.88) and, again, this association was more pronounced in individuals with CKD (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53, 0.84). Serum magnesium was not associated with incident MetS or its components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a significant nonlinear inverse relationship of serum magnesium with MetS and elevated fasting glucose. MR analysis suggested an inverse causal effect of serum magnesium on MetS (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85, 0.97). Serum magnesium is associated with prevalent, but not incident MetS, and this effect is stronger in individuals with CKD. MR analysis implies a potential, albeit weak, causal role of magnesium in MetS.

Time-lapse seismic inversion for CO2 saturation with SeisCO2Net: An application to Frio-II site

Seismic monitoring of geological CO2 storage (GCS) involves highly nonlinear seismic inversion and petrophysical inversion, making it challenging to estimate CO2 volume efficiently and detect possible early CO2 leakages. Deep learning (DL) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has shown promise in solving highly nonlinear seismic inversion problems. However, direct estimation of CO2 plume extent/saturation from time-lapse seismic gathers using DL is still underexplored, with no reported field applications to date. The investigation of field data is primarily hindered by scarcity of field data for neural network training. Other obstacles include highly nonlinear seismic-petrophysics inverse relationship, and presence of noise in field seismic data. We introduce SeisCO2Net, a deep CNN that predicts CO2 saturation maps directly from time-lapse full waveform shot gathers. For training, we use site-specific geological information, fluid flow physics, rock physics, and seismic modeling to generate synthetic datasets that closely resemble the CO2 storage site. Synthetic tests show promising results, inspiring us to apply SeisCO2Net's trained weights on field data collected at Frio-II GCS site by leveraging transfer learning principles. As reference, we compare SeisCO2Net's predicted CO2 saturation maps with results obtained from physics-based inversion. Our analyses show both methods display similar CO2 plume shapes, reasonable CO2 plume characteristics, and comparable saturation values. Our results suggest pre-training CNNs on physics-informed synthetic datasets and then applying the learned weights to field data is a viable approach to estimating field CO2 saturation. This method effectively addresses the scarcity of field training data, thus encouraging the feasibility of long-term GCS monitoring.

Dietary vitamin E intake and risk of Parkinson's disease: a cross-sectional study.

Current evidence on the association between dietary vitamin E intake and the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited. The aim of the study was to explore the association of dietary vitamin E intake with PD in the United States among adults over 40 years. We conducted a cross-sectional study with data collected from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2018. A total of the sample of 13,340 participants were included. To identify the different characteristics of the participants, we utilized propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce the effects of selection bias and confounding variables. Weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine the association between dietary vitamin E intake and PD before and after matching. Then, restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to visually describe the possible non-linear relationships. Finally, we employed the subgroup analysis to further investigate the relationship between dietary vitamin E intake and PD. According to the weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, vitamin E intake was inversely associated with the risk of PD before and after matching. The results of RCS analysis revealed no non-linear inverse relationship between vitamin E intake and PD before and after matching. The subgroup analysis showed that age may influence the negative association between vitamin E and PD (P < 0.05 for interaction). Among participants over 40 years of age, vitamin E intake was negatively associated with the risk of PD. Our data may support the supplementation of vitamin E to be used as an intervention strategy for the occurrence of PD.

Association between the cardiometabolic index and osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study of the NHANES.

The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a novel metabolic biomarker, but research on its association with osteporosis (OP) is limited. The objective of this research was to clarify the relationship between CMI and OP in the older adult population of the United States. This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis using NHANES data 2007-2018 with exclusion of 2011-2012 and 2015-2016 cycles. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between CMI and OP prevalence. Restricted cubic spline curve (RCS) and threshold saturation analyses were performed to explore the nonlinear association between CMI and OP prevalence. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and additional analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings. The study included 4,191 participants, revealing that those with OP had significantly lower CMI levels. Logistic regression revealed a strong inverse correlation between Log CMI and OP (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.59-0.88), which persisted after adjusting for covariates. RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear inverse relationship with the critical threshold at CMI = 0.93. Below this threshold, each unit increase in CMI was associated with a 37% reduction in OP prevalence, but changes above this threshold were not significant. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings. Elevated CMI exhibited a robust inverse correlation with the prevalence of OP in the older adult U.S. population. Maintaining a moderate CMI significantly diminishes the risk of developing OP.

Abstract 12377: Differing Response to Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing versus Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization According to Septal Scar Burden Among Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Introduction: Whether left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) have similar benefit compared with biventricular pacing (BVP) for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) with different septal scar burden is still unknown. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that a higher septal scar burden might attenuate the relative benefits of LBBAP versus BVP. Aims: This study aims to assess the effect of the septal scar on the response to LBBAP and BVP for CRT. Methods: We retrospectively included nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients with wide QRS complex and CRT indications who underwent pre-procedure cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) examination and received either BVP or LBBAP. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was analyzed for scar quantification. CRT response was defined as an absolute increase of≥ 5% in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 6 months follow-up. Results: A total of 147 patients were included. Fifty-one patients (34.7%) had LBBAP, and 96 (65.3%) had BVP. As septal LGE extent increased, LVEF improvement at 6-month follow-up gradually decreased in the BVP group whereas dropped sharply in the LBBAP group. The nonlinear inverse relationship between the relative benefit of LBBAP versus BVP for response and septal LGE extent, as well as cut-off points (4.4%, 13.3%) of septal LGE extent, were determined using a restricted cubic spline model. Among patients with low septal scar extent (&lt;4.4%), LBBAP was associated with higher response odds than BVP [Odds Ratio (OR) 3.87,95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99-15.17,p=0.052]. In the medium septal scar extent (4.4%-13.3%) group, response odds did not differ between LBBAP and BVP (OR 2.00,95%CI: 0.41-9.74, p=0.391). Among patients with high septal scar extent (&gt;13.3%), BVP was associated with higher response odds (OR 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03-0.54, p=0.006). Conclusions: Response to LBBAP and BVP among NICM patients might be impacted by septal scar burden.

Inverse J-Shaped Relationship of Dietary Carbohydrate Intake with Serum Klotho in NHANES 2007-2016.

The relationship between dietary carbohydrate intake and serum Klotho levels, an aging biomarker, remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary carbohydrate intake and serum Klotho levels among American adults aged 40-79. We analyzed data from 10,669 adults aged 40-79 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2016. Trained interviewers assessed dietary carbohydrate intake using a 24 h dietary recall. Serum Klotho concentrations were measured using commercially available ELISA kits provided by IBL International, Japan, which served as the study outcome. Generalized linear models were used to assess the relationship between the carbohydrate energy percentage and serum Klotho concentration, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was employed to explore any nonlinear associations. After adjusting for multiple variables, we observed a nonlinear inverse J-shaped relationship (p for non-linearity < 0.001) between the carbohydrate energy percentage and serum Klotho levels. Specifically, the highest serum Klotho levels were associated with a total carbohydrate energy percentage ranging from 48.92% to 56.20% (third quartile). When the carbohydrate energy percentage was evaluated in quartiles, serum Klotho levels decreased by 5.37% (95% CI: -7.43%, -3.26%), 2.70% (95% CI: -4.51%, -0.86%), and 2.76% (95% CI: -4.86%, -0.62%) in the first quartile (<41.46%), second quartile (41.46% to 48.92%), and fourth quartile (≥56.20%), respectively, compared to the third quartile. This relationship was more pronounced in male, non-obese and non-diabetic participants under 60 years of age. A non-linear inverse J-shaped relationship exists among the general U.S. middle-aged and older population between the carbohydrate energy percentage and serum Klotho levels, with the highest levels observed at 48.92% to 56.20% carbohydrate intake.

Alfalfa–organic amendments impact soil carbon sequestration and its lability in reclaimed loess

AbstractSoils derived from loess are fertile but susceptible to accelerated degradation in response to agricultural practices. The objective of our study was to evaluate the long‐term effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) integrated with contrasting organic amendments (29 years) to rejuvenate degraded loess via total soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. The replicated study was conducted in concrete lysimeter plots (2 m long × 1 m wide × 60 cm deep) filled with degraded loess materials followed by planting of alfalfa with cattle manure (60 Mg/ha) or vermicompost (27 Mg/ha) amendments. After 29 years, SOC concentration increased by 5.3–6.2‐fold under alfalfa–organic amendments compared to the control. A similar impact of alfalfa–organic amendments was observed on the humic acid, fulvic acid, and humin concentrations. There was an overestimation of SOC stocks (151 ± 48 kg/ha) when equivalent depth was used compared to equivalent mass of soil. While the SOC sequestration rates were 614 ± 129, 710 ± 69, and 744 ± 161 kg/ha/year at 0–10 cm depth under alfalfa, alfalfa–manure, and alfalfa–vermicompost treatments, respectively, the SOC sequestration rates decreased with depth. Significantly higher values of carbon pool index (CPI) and carbon management index (CMI) under alfalfa–organic amendments justified our results associated with the SOC sequestration; however, the SOC lability (CL) decreased under alfalfa–organic amendments, when compared to the control. A significant nonlinear inverse relationship (R2 = 0.80) between the CPI and CL suggested that SOC sequestration is significantly dependent on its lability or vice versa. Our results suggested that the impact of alfalfa–organic amendments significantly rejuvenated the degraded loess soils via SOC sequestration.

Stock Liquidity and State Ownership: Evidence from the Banking Industry of Selected Asian Emerging Markets

Manuscript type: Research paper Research aims: Liquidity creation is deemed important in the emerging markets banking industry. It turns out to be more challenging when subject to ownership issues, particularly state ownership. The government possesses substantial ownership in many large banks in Asian emerging markets and has a significant effect on firms’ stock liquidity through trading activity. Hence, state ownership is a key determinant of stock liquidity. This paper investigates the effect of state ownership on stock liquidity in Asian emerging markets. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the GMM panel regression model, this study examines a sample of 209 banks in Asian emerging markets including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand from 2009 to 2018. For the robustness test, an alternative liquidity measure is conducted. Research findings: Results show that state ownership is positively related to stock liquidity, implying that the participation of the government provides investors’ confidence and perceives these stocks as value-enhancing stocks. However, this positive effect on stock liquidity turns out to be negative when the state ownership surpassed a certain threshold. Thus, this paper finds a non-linear inverse U-shaped relationship between state ownership and stock liquidity. Further analysis also shows that large banks tend to enjoy greater liquidity compared to smaller banks. Theoretical contribution/Originality: Unlike past studies that focus on other ownership structures, this study focuses on state ownership of large banks in emerging markets. This study contributes by collectively addressing the impact of state ownership on stock liquidity, with a focus on the banking industry in the Asian emerging markets context. Practitioner/Policy implications: The findings of this study can benefit investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to better understand the impact of state ownership on stock liquidity. There are various implications in terms of investment decisions and corporate governance policies pertaining to corporate ownership structure. Research limitation: Future studies may consider conducting sub-samples using a different threshold of state ownership. Besides, this study focuses on the banking sector and hence the results may not be generalised.