Maximum Effect Research Articles

A holistic view of gender traits and personality traits predict human health

Mainstream psychology disassembles human psyche into psychological components (i.e., parts) to predict human health, including internalizing problems (e.g., aggression) and externalizing problems (e.g., depression and loneliness). However, this approach ignores the complexity of the human psyche as a whole. We have devised comprehensive methods for calculating the parts-whole relationships based on holism (N = 5986). In Study 1, masculinity and femininity were identified as risk and protective factors for aggression, respectively. The proportion of masculinity within the whole gender role orientation predicted aggression more strongly than the risk factors alone. In Study 2, both masculinity and femininity acted as protective factors against depression within the whole gender role orientation, with their additive effects, assessed by the relationships between the actual additive effect of the parts and the potential whole maximum effect, being better predictors of depression than either trait alone. In Study 3, neuroticism and openness were identified as risk factors for loneliness, whereas conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness were identified as protective factors. The proportion of these two risk factors within the whole Big Five personality traits provided better predictors of loneliness than each risk factor alone. This study provides new insights into predicting human health from a holistic perspective.

Reliable quality of R-phycoerythrin derived from Portieria hornemannii for effective antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity

The phycobiliprotein is a light-harvesting fluorescent probe; Phycoerythrin is a pigment used in many industrial, and pharmaceutical applications; including fluorescence resonance energy transfer and flow cytometry. The main objective of the current study was purifying the phycoerythrin in Portieria hornemannii. The phycoerythrin pigment was dialyzed commonly using Q sepharose, but it is high cost. However, the alternative method is DEAE-Sephadex is cost-effective, high- yield, pure compound, and has high activity performance. Then the R-Phycoerythrin (R-PE) compound was extracted in 0.02 M of phosphate buffer (pH–7.2). R-PE investigated the FT-IR, HPLC, SDS-PAGE and including physico-chemical properties. Then the purified R-PE compound was evaluated by an antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activity. The R-Phycoerythrin was showing a maximum inhibition effect of high concentration (IC50value 77.98 µg/ml) against the colon cancer HT-29 cell line.

Effect of salinity on growth and biochemical responses of brinjal varieties: implications for salt tolerance and antioxidant mechanisms

Salinity poses significant challenges to agricultural productivity, impacting crops’ growth, morphology and biochemical parameters. A pot experiment of three months was conducted between February to April 2023 in the Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Four brinjal (eggplant) varieties: ICS-BR-1351, HBR-313-D, HBR-314-E, and HBR-334-D were selected and assessed for the effects of salinity on various growth and biochemical attributes. The experiment was completely randomized in design with three replicates each. This study revealed that increased salinity significantly reduced the shoot length, root length, and leaf number across all varieties, with maximum adverse effects observed at a 300mM NaCl concentration. Among the tested varieties, ICS-BR-1351 demonstrated superior performance in most growth parameters, suggesting potential salt tolerance. Biochemically, salinity decreased chlorophyll content across all varieties, with the sharpest decline observed at the highest salt concentration. V4 (HBR-334-D) showed a 57% decrease in chlorophyll followed by V3 (HBR-314-E) at 56%, V2 (HBR-313-D) at 54%, and V1 (ICS-BR-1351) at 33% decrease at maximum salt levels as compared to control. Conversely, carotenoid content increased up to -42.11% in V3 followed by V2 at -81.48%, V4 at -94.11%, and − 233% in V1 at 300mM NaCl stress as compared to respective controls. V3 (HBR-314-E) has the maximum value for carotenoids while V1 has the lowest value for carotenoids as compared to the other three brinjal varieties. In addition to pigments, the study indicated a salinity-induced decrease in total proteins and total soluble sugar, whereas total amino acids and flavonoids increased. Total proteins showed a decrease in V2 (49.46%) followed by V3 (36.44%), V4 (53.42%), and V1 (53.79%) at maximum salt concentration as compared to plants treated with tap water only. Whereas, total soluble sugars showed a decrease of 52.07% in V3, 41.53% in V2, 19.49% in V1, and 18.99% in V4 at the highest salt level. While discussing total amino acid, plants showed a -9.64% increase in V1 as compared to V4 (-31.10%), V2 (-36.62%), and V3 (-22.61%) with high salt levels in comparison with controls. Plant flavonoid content increased in V3 (-15.61%), V2 (-19.03%), V4 (-18.27%) and V1 (-27.85%) at 300mM salt concentration. Notably, salinity elevated the content of anthocyanin, lycopene, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) across all varieties. Antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase also increased under salt stress, suggesting an adaptive response to combat oxidative damage. However, V3 (HBR-314-E) has shown an increase in anthocyanin at -80.00%, lycopene at -24.81%, MDA at -168.04%, hydrogen peroxide at -24.22%, POD at -10.71%, CAT as-36.63 and SOD as -99.14% at 300mM NaCl stress as compared to control and other varieties. The enhanced accumulation of antioxidants and other protective compounds suggests an adaptive mechanism in brinjal to combat salt-induced oxidative stress. The salt tolerance of different brinjal varieties was assessed by principal component analysis (PCA), and the order of salt tolerance was V1 (ICS-BR-1351) > V4 (HBR-334-D), > V2 (HBR-313-D) > V3 (HBR-314-E). Among the varieties studied, ICS-BR-1351 demonstrated resilience against saline conditions, potentially offering a promising candidate for saline-prone agricultural areas.

Character Association and Path Coefficient Analysis to Determine Interrelationships among Grain Yield and its Components in Maize Genotypes (Zea mays L.)

Aim: A study was carried out to evaluate the magnitude of correlation between grain yield and its various contributing characters.
 Methodology: 39 genotypes of maize, comprising 31 hybrids and 8 parents, were assessed using randomized block design with three replications. The data recorded on twelve quantitative characters including days to 50 percent tasseling, days to 50 percent silking, days to maturity, plant height (cm), ear height (cm), ear length (cm), ear diameter (cm), number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, 100 kernel weight, shelling percentage and grain yield per plant.
 Results: The results of this study showed higher genotypic correlation coefficient for all the characters studied compared to the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient. This suggests that, despite the strong inherent association between the traits under study, environments’ influence masked its expression. Ear diameter was found to have a strong and significant positive correlation with grain yield per plant at phenotypic (0.9016) and (0.9540) genotypic level followed by ear length (0.8976, 0.9360), number of kernels per row (0.8905, 0.9247), plant height (0.8399, 0.8697), 100 seed weight (0.8070, 0.8544), ear height (0.7170, 0.7550) and number of kernel rows per ear (0.3240, 0.3901). Days to 50% silking and days to 50% tasselling, however, exhibited significant negative association with grain yield, while days to maturity showed non-significant negative. In path coefficient analysis the maximum positive direct effect on grain yield per plant was found by the ear diameter (0.3505), followed by the 100 seed weight (0.2362), ear length (0.2273), number of kernels per row (0.1827), days to 50% silking (0.1269), and shelling percentage (0.1223).
 Conclusion: The strong correlation of ear diameter, 100 seed weight, ear length and number of kernels per row (0.2971) with grain yield per plant appears to be mostly due to their high direct effects. Therefore, improving yield could be achieved through direct selection for these attributes.

The effect of the relative dose intensity of chemoradiotherapy on the effectiveness of therapy of locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

The purpose of the study. To estimate the number of patients with the preservation of relative dose intensity (RDI) ≥ 80 % of first-line antitumor therapy in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to compare the effectiveness of therapy in groups with optimal and lower RDI.Patients and methods. The study included 30 patients (25 men and 5 women) with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC. The median age was 57 years. The main criterion for inclusion in the study was morphologically verified NSCLC with stage IIIB-IIIC of the disease. All patients underwent simultaneous chemoradiotherapy. According to the histogenesis of the tumor process, patients with a squamous cell variant prevailed.Results. The data obtained from 22 (73.3 %) patients who retained a relative dose intensity of RDI > 80 % demonstrated that given dose intensity is sufficient to achieve a stable antitumor effect. In 8 (26.7 %) cases, however, the RDI was less than 80 %, which affected the effectiveness of the treatment. The median follow-up for overall survival (OS) was 29.2 months, progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.1 months, and local control was 21.9 months. in all patients included in the analysis. The indicators of OS in the second year had an advantage in the group of patients with RDI < 80 % and amounted to 73.3 % compared with 60.5 % in patients with RDI > 80 %. PFS was higher in the group of patients with high dose intensity, in the first year of follow-up it was 75.6 % compared with the group of patients with RDI < 80 % (62.5 %), in the second year of follow-up, PFS was 27.2 % and 20.8 %, respectively. Local control was 90.2 % in the first year in the group of patients with RDI > 80 % and 62.5 % in the group of patients with RDI < 80 %. The second year of follow-up demonstrated the advantage of the group of patients with RDI >80 % in terms of local control and amounted to 48.1 % versus 34.7 %, respectively.Conclusion. The results obtained show that maintaining relative dose intensity at a high level has a positive effect on survival rates and local control of patients with locally advanced unresectable NSCLC. However, there is a cohort of patients who did not receive the planned amount of treatment, due to the high toxicity of simultaneous chemoradiotherapy. It is necessary to develop new approaches to concomitant therapy aimed at reducing the toxicity of the combined treatment and achieving maximum antitumor effect.

Numerical analysis of convective heat loss from a cylindrical–hemispherical receiver using a glass cover and an air curtain

AbstractIt is imperative to mitigate the convective heat loss from the receiver to improve the overall efficiency of the parabolic dish concentrator. In this study, the reductions of convective heat loss from the cylindrical‐hemispherical receiver are numerically analyzed and the model was validated by the experimental data from literature. In the first case, the impact of the glass cover on convective heat loss is examined under conditions of both natural and forced convections at various receiver orientations (γ = 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90°). Numerical results clearly demonstrate that the use of a glass cover significantly reduces the intrusion of surrounding air into the receiver cavity which leads to an enhancement of the stagnation zone inside the cavity and, as a consequence, a noticeable reduction in convective heat loss is observed. To perform analysis of the receiver with glass cover under forced convective condition, the wind velocities over the receiver are considered in the range of 1–6 m/s. The maximum reduction of convective heat loss using the glass cover is achieved to be 58.44% with wind velocity of 5 m/s at γ = 60°. In the second case, the influence of air curtain at the receiver aperture under natural convective heat loss conditions is analyzed. The analysis incorporates three variables: receiver orientation (γ = 0°–60°), nozzle width ( = 0.002–0.004 m), and nozzle outlet velocity ( = 0.5–3.5 m/s). The results show that the air curtain minimizes the outflow of receiver inside air and results in an improvement in the stagnation zone inside the cavity. The maximum effectiveness of the air curtain is found to be 43.2% at nozzle width of = 0.004 m and nozzle velocity of = 1.5 m/s at receiver orientation of 60°. It is also noteworthy that the optimal nozzle velocity decreases with the increase of nozzle widths.

Pain intensity and self-perceived burden mediate the relationship between family functioning and pain catastrophizing in patients with neuropathic pain.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functioning, pain intensity, self-perceived burden, and pain catastrophizing. Moreover, we also wanted to explore the multiple mediating roles of pain intensity and self-perceived burden. From October 2022 to March 2023, 252 Chinese people with neuropathic pain completed face-to-face questionnaires to assess family functioning, pain intensity, self-perceived burden, and pain catastrophizing. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and a structural equation model. The results showed better family functioning was significantly associated with more intense pain, less self-perceived burden, and less pain catastrophizing. Mediation analysis showed that family functioning could indirectly affect pain catastrophizing through pain intensity and self-perceived burden in addition to a direct effect on pain catastrophizing. Moreover, the mediating variable of pain intensity played a masking role. These findings suggest that good family functioning can effectively reduce the self-perceived burden and pain catastrophizing in patients with neuropathic pain. However, family functioning cannot show its maximum effectiveness, and it may be necessary to construct a model of family functioning suitable for patients with neuropathic pain in the future.

Ameliorative effects of Atriplex crassifolia (C.A.Mey) on pain and inflammation through modulation of inflammatory biomarkers and GC-MS-based metabolite profiling.

Atriplex crassifolia (A. crassifolia) is a locally occurring member of Chenopodiaceae family that has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of joint pain and inflammation. The present study was focused to determine the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of the plant. n-hexane (ACNH) and methanol (ACM) extracts of A. crassifolia were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory potential using protein denaturation inhibition assay. In vivo anti-inflammatory potential was determined by oral administration of 250, 500, and 1000mg/kg/day of extracts against carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema models. Inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, NF-kB, IL-4, and IL-6 were estimated in blood samples of animals subjected to formalin model of inflammation. Analgesic activity was determined using acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick assay model. Phytochemical profiling was done by GC-mass spectrophotometer. The results of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity revealed that both ACNH and ACM displayed eminent inhibition of protein denaturation in concentration-dependent manner. In acute in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema model, both extracts reduced inflammation at 5th and 6th hour of study (p < 0.05). A. crassifolia extracts exhibited significant inhibition against formalin-induced inflammation with maximum effect at 1000mg/kg. ACNH and ACM significantly augmented the inflammatory mediators (p < 0.05). Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and NF-kB were reduced, while those of IL-4 and IL-10 were upregulated. ACNH displayed maximum analgesic effect at 1000mg/kg, while ACM showed potent activity at 500 and 1000mg/kg. The extracts restored the CBC, TLC and CRP toward normal. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of compounds like n-hexadecanoic acid, Phytol, (9E,11E)-octadecadienoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester, 1-hexacosene, vitamin E, campesterol, stigmasterol, gamma sitosterol in both extracts. These compounds have been reported to suppress inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines. The current study concludes that A. crassifolia possesses significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential owing to the presence of phytochemicals.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIATION FOR RESOLVING CONFLICTS IN FAMILY LAW

Family law has as main characteristic its connection to the life of individuals, dealing with interpersonal relationships involving affective bonds and generating patrimonial, personal and assistance effects. Its repercussions are repeatedly taken to the judiciary, which is currently very saturated, causing dissatisfaction to the population. The practice of mediation is preliminary to the work of the Judiciary, but some progress, investments and studies are still necessary to ensure its maximum effectiveness. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the importance of the mediation institute as a method of solving family conflicts, highlighting their peculiarities.

Effects of square dance exercise on cognitive function in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment: the mediating role of balance ability and executive function

BackgroundSquare dancing is a kind of aerobic fitness exercise without environmental restrictions that yields many benefits for physical and mental health; this exercise is popular among middle-aged and elderly people in China and in these populations in other countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of square dance exercise on the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to research its mechanisms.MethodsA total of 60 elderly people with MCI (60–69 years old) without square dance experience were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The experimental group participated in square dance exercise for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their original lifestyle habits. One week before and after the intervention period, the overall cognitive function, physical fitness, and executive function of both groups were measured.ResultsAccording to the results, square dance exercise directly improved the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with MCI and indirectly affected overall cognitive function through the mediating effects of balance ability and executive function.ConclusionsSquare dance exercise represents a nonpharmacological intervention for the prevention and treatment of MCI. Importantly, it is best to combine this exercise with other forms of physical exercise and comprehensive treatment programs such as cognitive training, social interaction, and psychological intervention to realize its maximum effect.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis on the effects of maxillary protraction with an individual titanium plate at multiple directions and locations.

: A three-dimensional-printed individual titanium plate was applied for maxillary protraction to eliminate side effects and obtain the maximum skeletal effect. This study aimed to explore the stress distribution characteristics of sutures during maxillary protraction using individual titanium plates in various directions and locations. : A protraction force of 500 g per side was applied at forward and downward angles between 0° and 60° with respect to the Frankfort horizontal plane, after which the titanium plate was moved 2 and 4 mm upward and downward, respectively. Changes in sutures with multiple protraction directions and various miniplate heights were quantified to analyze their impact on the maxillofacial bone. : Protraction angle of 0-30° with respect to the Frankfort horizontal plane exhibited a tendency for counterclockwise rotation in the maxilla. At a 40° protraction angle, translational motion was observed in the maxilla, whereas protraction angles of 50-60° tended to induce clockwise rotation in the maxilla. Enhanced protraction efficiency at the lower edge of the pyriform aperture was associated with increased height of individual titanium plates. : Various protraction directions are suitable for patients with different types of vertical bone surfaces. Furthermore, when the titanium plate was positioned lower, the protraction force exhibited an increase.

Step by Step: Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Children, Young Adults, and Patients with Congenital Heart Disease Using a Simple Standardized Stair Climbing Test.

(1) Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is known to be a prognostic factor regarding long-term morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to develop a standardized Stair Climbing Test (SCT) with a reliable correlation to spiroergometry and the 6MWT which can be used in healthy children as well as patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and a restricted exercise capacity. (2) Methods: A total of 28 healthy participants aged 10-18 years were included. We tested the individuals' CRF by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill, the 6MWT, and a newly developed Stair Climbing Test (SCT). For the SCT, we defined a standardized SCT protocol with a total height of 13.14 m to achieve maximal exercise effects while recording time and vital parameters. To compare the SCT, the 6 Min Walking Test, and CPET, we introduced an SCT-Index that included patient data (weight, height) and time. To assess the SCT's feasibility for clinical practice, we also tested our protocol with five adolescents with complex congenital heart disease (i.e., Fontan circulation). (3) Results: A strong correlation was observed between SCT-Index and O2 pulse (r = 0.921; p < 0.001). In addition, when comparing the time achieved during SCT (tSCT) with VO2max (mL/min/kg) and VO2max (mL/min), strong correlations were found (r = -0.672; p < 0.001 and r = -0.764; p < 0.001). Finally, we determined a very strong correlation between SCT-Index and VO2max (mL/min) (r = 0.927; p = <0.001). When comparing the 6MWD to tSCT, there was a moderate correlation (r = -0.544; p = 0.003). It appears to be feasible in patients with Fontan circulation. (4) Conclusions: We were able to demonstrate that there is a significant correlation between our standardized SCT and treadmill CPET. Therefore, we can say that the SCT can be used as an easy supplement to CPET and in certain contexts, it can also be used as a screening tool when CPET is not available. The advantages would be that the SCT is a simple, quick, cost-effective, and reliable standardized (sub)maximal exercise test to evaluate CRF in healthy children on a routine basis. We can even assume that it can be used in patients with congenital heart disease.

Directions for modifying the artificial bee colony algorithm to optimize control parameters for complex systems

In recent years, bioinspired algorithms based on the use of a population approach and a probabilistic search strategy have become especially popular among researchers involved in multidimensional and multicriteria optimization. Such algorithms are based on the principles of cooperative behavior of a decentralized self-organizing colony of living organisms (bees, ants, birds, etc.) to achieve certain goals (for example, to meet nutritional needs). However, their practical application encounters a number of difficulties leading to a decrease in convergence. This article discusses the possibility of modifying the artificial bee colony algorithm by using a hybridization strategy with various data mining methods. One of these difficulties is the lack of a reasonable approach to determining initial search positions. As a solution, it is proposed to divide the population into clusters, the centers of which will be the initial positions. The need for interaction between individuals makes it advisable to use fuzzy clustering, which allows the formation of intersecting clusters. Another difficulty is associated with the choice of “free” parameters, for which the authors have not developed recommendations for choosing their optimal values. To solve this problem, it is proposed to use the idea of coevolution, which consists in the parallel launch of several interacting subpopulations, for each of which different “settings” are applied. The proposed algorithm is applicable to multidimensional optimization tasks, in which it is necessary to find such a combination of different types of elements belonging to some “large” population that will ensure the achievement of the maximum effect under given restrictions. Examples of such tasks are determining the species and quantitative composition of plants to form the terrestrial ecosystem of a carbon farm or mass recruiting, which consists of selecting a large number of personnel for the same positions.

Modifying effects of green space on the relationships between air pollution and ischemic cerebrovascular event recurrence in Tianjin, China

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore how air pollution and green space influence ICE recurrence and whether they might interact with each other. A case-cross design was used in this study, which was carried out in Tianjin, China. A total of 8306 patients with recurrent ICE were collected from 2019 to 2020. The maximum effects of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO were 1.012 (95%CI: 1.004, 1.019), 1.010 (95%CI: 1.004, 1.016), 1.035 (95%CI: 0.982, 1.091), 1.067 (95%CI: 1.043, 1.091) and 1.012 (95%CI: 1.004, 1.021) , respectively, and the risk was higher in males and in the 50–60 age group. In the stratification of greening, it was found that air pollution except O3 had the highest risk of ICE recurrence for those with lower green space. Our study found that air pollution (except O3) can increase the risk of ICE recurrence, and this risk can be reduced by increasing green space.

Modular design of cyclic peptide – polymer conjugate nanotubes for delivery and tunable release of anti-cancer drug compounds

High aspect-ratio nanomaterials have recently emerged as promising drug delivery vehicles due to evidence of strong cellular association and prolonged in vivo circulation times. Cyclic peptide - polymer conjugate nanotubes are excellent candidates due to their elongated morphology, their supramolecular composition and high degree of pliability due to the versatility in manipulating amino acid sequence and polymer type. In this work, we explore the use of a nanotube structure on which a potent anti-cancer drug, camptothecin, is attached alongside hydrophilic or amphiphilic RAFT polymers, which shield the cargo. We show that subtle modifications to the cleavable linker type and polymer architecture have a dramatic influence over the rate of drug release in biological conditions. In vitro studies revealed that multiple cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models responded effectively to the nanotube treatment, and analogous fluorescently labelled materials revealed key mechanistic information regarding the degree of cellular uptake and intracellular fate. Importantly, the ability to instruct specific drug release profiles indicates a potential for these nanomaterials as vectors which can provide sustained drug concentrations for a maximal therapeutic effect.

Effects of the Earth curvature on Mie-scattering radiances at high solar-sensor geometries based on Monte Carlo simulations.

Given the importance of vector radiative transfer models in ocean color remote sensing and a lack of suitable models capable of analyzing the Earth curvature effects on Mie-scattering radiances, this study presents an enhanced vector radiative transfer model for a spherical shell atmosphere geometry by the Monte Carlo method (MC-SRTM), considering the effects of Earth curvature, different atmospheric conditions, flat sea surface reflectance, polarization, high solar and sensor geometries, altitudes and wavelengths. A Monte Carlo photon transport model was employed to simulate the vector radiative transfer processes and their effects on the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiances. The accuracy of the MC-SRTM was verified by comparing its scalar model outputs from Henyey-Greenstein (HG) phase function with the Kattawar-Adams model results, and the mean relative differences were less than 2.75% and 4.33% for asymmetry factors (g-values) of 0.5 and 0.7, respectively. The vector mode results of MC-SRTM for a spherical shell geometry with the Mie-scattering phase matrix were compared with the PCOART-SA model results (from Polarized Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Radiative Transfer model based on the pseudo-spherical assumption), and the mean relative differences were less than 2.67% when solar zenith angles (SZAs) > 70 ∘ and sensor viewing zenith angles (VZAs) < 60 ∘ for two aerosol models (coastal and tropospheric models). Based on the MC-SRTM, the effects of Earth curvature on TOA radiances at high SZAs and VZAs were analyzed. For pure aerosol atmosphere, the effects of Earth curvature on TOA radiances reached up to 5.36% for SZAs > 70 ∘ and VZAs < 60 ∘ and reduced to less than 2.60% for SZAs < 70 ∘ and VZAs > 60 ∘. The maximum Earth curvature effect of pure aerosol atmosphere was nearly same (10.06%) as that of the ideal molecule atmosphere. The results also showed no statistically significant differences for the aerosol-molecule mixed and pure aerosol atmospheres. Our study demonstrates that there is a need to consider the Earth curvature effects in the atmospheric correction of satellite ocean color data at high solar and sensor geometries.

Assessing Groundwater Resources Vulnerability with the New DRASTIC-LP: A Case Study in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Groundwater vulnerability has gained widespread attention, particularly in Chiang Mai Province, one of Thailand’s fastest-growing cities, which is experiencing rapid development in both economic and social sectors. The expansion of urban communities and the industrial, tourism, and agriculture sectors has resulted in the overutilization of available resources, notably water resources. This overuse, coupled with the adoption of modern technology to boost productivity and meet market demands, has led to an increased reliance on groundwater to supplement surface water sources, providing benefits across all sectors. However, the economic and social growth plays a pivotal role in shaping the diversity of land use, encompassing residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities. These activities, in turn, directly contribute to environmental pollution, particularly in terms of the risk of groundwater contamination in Chiang Mai Province. This study aims to predict the future vulnerabilities of groundwater resources under an ensemble of climate change scenarios and changes in land-use patterns. Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand is one of the fastest-growing cities and therefore is experiencing rapid urbanization, as well as land-use pattern changes, which was important for the case study. The new DRASTIC model, namely the DRASTIC-LP model, combined with GIS-based techniques and overlay techniques, was used to generate the map of groundwater resource vulnerabilities. A point pollution source (P)-related land-use pattern (L) that represents contamination impacts was considered an additional new DRASTIC parameter. The study’s findings reveal the high reliability and maximum effectiveness of the new DRASTIC-LP model in assessing groundwater vulnerability and contamination-risk areas under a climate change scenario (by MIROC-ESM-CHEM model under RCP.8.5 scenario) and land-use pattern changes (by CA_Markov Chian Model) for both the current year (2020) and the next 50-year period (2021–2070). Furthermore, the new DRASTIC-LP model is employed to trace the movement of pollutants from high- to very high-risk areas based on the groundwater vulnerability and contamination-risk maps. The results highlight that waste disposal dumping sites pose a more critical distribution and movement of pollutants when compared to industrial sites. Additionally, unconsolidated aquifers and cracked consolidated rock aquifers show a potentially higher occurrence of pollutant distribution and movement when compared to consolidated aquifers. Consequently, the study’s outcomes are applied to formulate guidelines for the management and control of groundwater resource contamination. These guidelines serve as valuable tools for decision makers, aiding in pollution prevention and the effective management of contamination risks in groundwater resources.

40 Hz light flickering promotes sleep through cortical adenosine signaling

Flickering light stimulation has emerged as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation strategy to alleviate neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the lack of a neurochemical underpinning has hampered its therapeutic development. Here, we demonstrate that light flickering triggered an immediate and sustained increase (up to 3 h after flickering) in extracellular adenosine levels in the primary visual cortex (V1) and other brain regions, as a function of light frequency and intensity, with maximal effects observed at 40 Hz frequency and 4000 lux. We uncovered cortical (glutamatergic and GABAergic) neurons, rather than astrocytes, as the cellular source, the intracellular adenosine generation from AMPK-associated energy metabolism pathways (but not SAM-transmethylation or salvage purine pathways), and adenosine efflux mediated by equilibrative nucleoside transporter-2 (ENT2) as the molecular pathway responsible for extracellular adenosine generation. Importantly, 40 Hz (but not 20 and 80 Hz) light flickering for 30 min enhanced non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) and REM sleep for 2–3 h in mice. This somnogenic effect was abolished by ablation of V1 (but not superior colliculus) neurons and by genetic deletion of the gene encoding ENT2 (but not ENT1), but recaptured by chemogenetic inhibition of V1 neurons and by focal infusion of adenosine into V1 in a dose-dependent manner. Lastly, 40 Hz light flickering for 30 min also promoted sleep in children with insomnia by decreasing sleep onset latency, increasing total sleep time, and reducing waking after sleep onset. Collectively, our findings establish the ENT2-mediated adenosine signaling in V1 as the neurochemical basis for 40 Hz flickering-induced sleep and unravel a novel and non-invasive treatment for insomnia, a condition that affects 20% of the world population.

Immediate and delayed effects of environmental temperature on schizophrenia admissions in Liuzhou, China, 2013-2020: a time series analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the associations between environmental temperature and schizophrenia admissions in Liuzhou, China. A Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to analyze the effects of daily mean temperature on schizophrenia admissions from 2013 to 2020 in Liuzhou. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate possible modifications stratified by gender, marital status, and age. In this study, 10,420 schizophrenia admissions were included. The relative risks of schizophrenia admissions increased as the temperature rose, and the lag effects of high temperature on schizophrenia admissions were observed when the daily mean temperature reached 21.65°C. The largest single effect was observed at lag0, while the largest cumulative effect was observed at lag6. The single effects of high temperatures on schizophrenia admissions were statistically significant in both males and females, but the cumulative effects were statistically significant only in males, with the greatest effect at lag0-7. The single effect of high temperatures on admissions for unmarried schizophrenics was greatest at lag5, while the maximum cumulative effect for unmarried schizophrenia was observed at lag0-7. The single effects of high temperatures on schizophrenia admissions were observed in those aged 0-20, 21-40, and 41-60. The cumulative effects for schizophrenics aged 21-40 were observed from lag0-3 to lag0-7, with the maximum effect at lag0-7. In conclusion, the risk of schizophrenia admissions increased as the environmental temperature increased. The schizophrenics who were unmarried appeared to be more vulnerable to the single and cumulative effects of high temperature.

Hexasodium fytate exposure-response correlations in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of patients on dialysis with cardiovascular calcification.

Background: Patients receiving dialysis have high cardiovascular risk in part due to extensive vascular calcification. In the CaLIPSO study, infusion of hexasodium fytate (SNF472), the hexasodium salt of inositol hexaphosphate, for 52weeks thrice weekly during hemodialysis significantly reduced progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC). This report examines pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) and exposure-efficacy in CaLIPSO. Methods: We measured hexasodium fytate plasma concentrations (PK) by validated liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and hydroxyapatite crystallization in plasma (PD) by validated spectrophotometry. Analyses included patients evaluable for PK, PD, and CAC change (per-protocol analysis). We developed a simple Emax model for maximum concentration (Cmax) and PD effect, and linear and non-linear Emax models for exposure-efficacy among individual average Cmax and absolute and percent changes in CAC score from baseline to week 52. Results: Among evaluable patients receiving placebo (n = 15), 300mg (n = 20), or 600mg (n = 20), average Cmax across visits was not quantifiable (<0.76μM), 15μM, and 46μM, respectively. These results suggest a more-than-proportional increase, without accumulation, with a Cmax ratio of approximately 3 for the doses administered. Average inhibition of hydroxyapatite crystallization was 15%, 61%, and 75%, respectively, and similar across visits. Simple Emax models described 80% maximal effect at exposures >21.9µM and a plateau in exposure-efficacy above the third quartile of Cmax (≥32µM). Conclusion: Hexasodium fytate has exposure-dependent effects on hydroxyapatite crystallization and progression of cardiovascular calcification. Simple Emax models show robust relations among exposure, inhibition of hydroxyapatite crystallization, and change in CAC volume. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; identifier NCT02966028.