Optimal Level Research Articles

Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Cell Death Influenced by Dietary Lipid Levels in a Fresh Teleost

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, affecting physiological and pathological processes. Fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction is a common pathological condition in aquaculture. However, the exact role and mechanism of ferroptosis in its pathogenesis and progression remains unclear. In this study, an experiment was conducted using different dietary lipid levels in the feeding of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) for 11 weeks. The results revealed that the growth performance and whole-body protein content significantly increased with the elevation of dietary lipid levels up to 12%. The activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as the content of GSH (glutathione) in the liver initially increased but later declined as the lipid levels increased; the contents of MDA (malondialdehyde) and GSSG (oxidized glutathione) demonstrated an opposite trend. Moreover, elevating lipid levels in the diet significantly increased liver Fe2+ content, as well as the expressions of TF (Transferrin), TFR (Transferrin receptor), ACSL4 (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4), LPCAT3 (lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3), and LOX12 (Lipoxygenase-12), while decreasing the expressions of GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) and SLC7A11 (Solute carrier family 7 member 11). In conclusion, the optimal lipid level is 12.2%, determined by WG-based linear regression. Excess lipid-level diets can up-regulate the ACSL4/LPCAT3/LOX12 axis, induce hepatic oxidative stress and cell death through a ferroptotic-like program, and decrease growth performance.

Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Cell Death Influenced by Dietary Lipid Levels in a Fresh Teleost

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, affecting physiological and pathological processes. Fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction is a common pathological condition in aquaculture. However, the exact role and mechanism of ferroptosis in its pathogenesis and progression remains unclear. In this study, an experiment was conducted using different dietary lipid levels in the feeding of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) for 11 weeks. The results revealed that the growth performance and whole-body protein content significantly increased with the elevation of dietary lipid levels up to 12%. The activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as the content of GSH (glutathione) in the liver initially increased but later declined as the lipid levels increased; the contents of MDA (malondialdehyde) and GSSG (oxidized glutathione) demonstrated an opposite trend. Moreover, elevating lipid levels in the diet significantly increased liver Fe2+ content, as well as the expressions of TF (Transferrin), TFR (Transferrin receptor), ACSL4 (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4), LPCAT3 (lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3), and LOX12 (Lipoxygenase-12), while decreasing the expressions of GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) and SLC7A11 (Solute carrier family 7 member 11). In conclusion, the optimal lipid level is 12.2%, determined by WG-based linear regression. Excess lipid-level diets can up-regulate the ACSL4/LPCAT3/LOX12 axis, induce hepatic oxidative stress and cell death through a ferroptotic-like program, and decrease growth performance.

Production optimization and antioxidant potential of exopolysaccharide produced by a moderately halophilic bacterium Virgibacillus dokdonensis VITP14

This study aimed to enhance the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production of Virgibacillus dokdonensis VITP14 and explore its antioxidant potential. EPS and biomass production by VITP14 strain were studied under different culture parameters and media compositions using one factor at a time method. Among different nutrient sources, glucose and peptone were identified as suitable carbon and nitrogen sources. Furthermore, the maximum EPS production was observed at 5% of inoculum size, 5 g/L of NaCl, and 96 h of fermentation. Response surface methodology was employed to augment EPS production and investigate the optimal levels of nutrient sources with their interaction. The strain was observed to produce actual maximum EPS of about 26.4 g/L for finalized optimum medium containing glucose 20 g/L, peptone 10 g/L, and NaCl 50 g/L while the predicted maximum EPS was 26.5 g/L. There was a nine fold increase in EPS production after optimization study. Additionally, EPS has exhibited significant scavenging, reducing, and chelating potential (>85%) at their higher concentration. This study imparts valuable insights into optimizing moderately halophilic bacterial EPS production and evaluating its natural antioxidant properties. According to findings, V. dokdonensis VITP14 was a promising isolate that will provide significant benefits to biopolymer producing industries.

Low Back Pain Risk Among Athlete: A Scientometric Study

Low back pain (LBP) emerges as a prevalent concern within the athletic community, characterized by a noteworthy proclivity for recurrence. The repeated occurrence of LBP substantially impedes athletes, adversely affecting their performance and impeding the attainment of optimal levels. As such, it becomes imperative to discern the underlying factors contributing to injuries in the lumbar region. The scientometric analysis will provide a clear pathway for researchers to understand the current state and evolution of the theme research area of low back pain risk among athletes since no scientometric study of the risk of low back pain among athletes has been undertaken until today. Therefore, this research objective was to collect data from the database in order to identify the present trend of low back pain risk, development patterns, and current research. Software that has been utilized for commonness, co-occurrence, clustering, co-citation and analysis of burst was CiteSpace. A scientometric review of studies on athletes' low back pain risk from 2000 to 2023 finds considerable additional studies in the amount of literature, the citation frequency, and the hotspots available. The most influential author is Douglas W. Jackson, the most influential article is Biomechanical measures of neuromuscular control and valgus loading of the knee predict anterior cruciate ligament injury risk in female athletes: a prospective study. Thoraco-lumbar spine is the most common cluster, whereas the most popular keyword is spondylolisthesis. In conclusion, in addition to the thriving field and athletes' risk of low back pain, low back pain is becoming one of the future study topics. Furthermore, many stakeholders must be aware of current trends and advances in the athlete's low back pain risk

The effect of microencapsulation of microbial oil containing CLA by the complex coacervation on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of buttermilk

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is known for their positive impact on reducing various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and blood lipid levels. This study aims to produce enriched buttermilk with stable physicochemical properties via complex coacervation. To address the inherent instability of oils in liquid systems, microcapsules were prepared using sodium alginate and xanthan gum, with optimization achieved through the response surface method (RSM). The buttermilk, enriched at optimal levels of 0 %, 0.04 %, 0.07 %, and 0.1 %, was then incubated at 48 °C for 42 days. Under the optimized conditions, the choice and quantity of gums used for enrichment significantly influenced the properties of the enriched buttermilk. A decrease in pH, along with an increase in acidity, led to enhanced viscosity in the buttermilk. The flow behavior of the buttermilk exhibited pseudoplastic characteristics. Enrichment caused an increase in particle size, with only minimal changes in odor, taste, and color parameters, while the buttermilk remained free from protein agglutinates. Chromatography results showed an increase in unsaturated fatty acids after enrichment. In summary, this study demonstrates the feasibility of producing nutritionally enriched buttermilk with high stability and desirable sensory characteristics. The recommended concentrations for enrichment are 0.04 % and 0.07 %.

Vitamin D: A Key Factor in Prostate Health

This study examines the correlation between vitamin D levels and the severity of symptoms and quality of life in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 125 participants were categorized based on their prostate symptoms (mild, moderate, and severe) and vitamin D levels (deficient, insufficient, and optimal). Among those with mild symptoms (n=60), 37.93% were vitamin D deficient, 44.11% had insufficient vitamin D, and 54.83% had optimal levels. For moderate symptoms (n=55), 44.82% were deficient, 47.05% had insufficient, and 41.93% had optimal vitamin D levels. In severe cases (n=10), 17.04% were deficient, 8.82% had insufficient, and 3.22% had optimal vitamin D levels. Overall, 23.02% of participants were deficient, 27.02% had insufficient, and 49.6% had optimal vitamin D levels. Quality of life assessments revealed that 56.8% of participants reported a good quality of life, with 46.66% of these being vitamin D deficient, 57.57% insufficient, and 61.29% optimal. An indifferent quality of life was noted by 29.6% of participants, with 28.57% deficient, 27.27% insufficient, and 29.03% optimal vitamin D levels. A very poor quality of life was reported by 13.6% of participants, with 21.42% deficient, 15.15% insufficient, and 9.67% optimal vitamin D levels. These results indicate a potential association between higher vitamin D levels and improved prostate symptoms and quality of life in BPH patients. Further research is needed to establish causality and underlying mechanisms.

Optimal demand management of smart energy hybrid system based on multi-objective optimization problem

This paper presents a multi-objective problem for the energy planning of an energy hybrid system. The problem considers three main objectives: minimizing emission pollution and operation cost on the generation side, addressing consumers' dissatisfaction with the electrical demand, and reducing deviation from optimal levels in the 24 hours ahead to flatten demand profiles. To achieve this, a demand flexibility strategy is implemented, involving the optimal shifting of electrical demand using deferrable loads. The proposed approach utilizes the augmented epsilon-constraint method to identify Pareto solutions for the objectives. Additionally, the TOPSIS decision-making technique is employed to select the optimal solution from the set of Pareto solutions. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach are validated through two case studies. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of considering multiple objectives in the energy scheduling of hybrid systems and demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach in achieving a balance between environmental, economic, and consumer satisfaction goals. The use of demand flexibility strategies and multi-objective optimization techniques can significantly improve the operation energy systems, paving the way for more efficient energy management practices. The implementation of demand side management has resulted in a significant reduction of 2.8% and 64.9% in the first and second objectives, respectively, compared to the absence of such management.

Optimizing surface finish in FDM-printed polycarbonate spur gears through abrasive flow finishing: insights from physics and material science perspectives

In recent times, the usage of polymers has experienced notable growth across diverse manufacturing sectors. Polymeric gears, integral to automation, material handling systems, toys, and household appliances, have become ubiquitous. Although additive manufacturing techniques, especially Three-Dimensional (3D) printing, offer versatile applications, they grapple with challenges, notably poor surface finishing attributed to layer accumulation. This work explores the field of abrasive flow machining (AFM) in experimental settings using FDM-printed polymeric gears. The AFM medium concoction involves coal ash powder as the foundational material, EDM oil as the carrier fluid, and the infusion of glycerin as additives. Rigorous investigations were undertaken to pinpoint the optimal viscosity of the AFM medium and refine process parameters with a central focus on enhancing surface quality. A Taguchi L9 Design of Experiment (DOE) was meticulously crafted for parameter optimization using the Minitab statistical software. The investigation established a functional relationship between the output parameter (surface roughness) and key input variables (layer thickness, abrasive percentage, abrasive mesh size, and finishing time). The maximum level of AFM media optimization was attained at 33% abrasive concentration, 220 abrasive mesh size, and 60% liquid synthesizer. Additionally, the results of the investigation showed that a media viscosity of 0.50 Pa-sec, layer thickness of 0.1, and culminating time of 45 min were the optimal values for the most % improvement in surface roughness. The initial surface roughness underwent a profound reduction from 12.30 μm to 0.30 μm, marking an exceptional improvement of 97.56%. This inquiry contributes significant insights into the refinement of AFM parameters for elevating the surface finish of FDM-printed polymeric gears, promising enhanced performance across diverse applications.

Pulsed DPOAEs in serial measurements : Combined analysis paradigm of simultaneously occurring changes in hearing thresholds and DPOAEs.

To date, there is no consensus on how to standardize the assessment of ototoxicity in serial measurements. For the diagnosis of damage to the cochlear amplifier, measurement methods are required that have the highest possible test-retest reliability and validity for detecting persistent damage. Estimated distortion-product thresholds (LEDPT) based on short-pulse distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level maps use individually optimal DPOAE stimulus levels and allow reliable quantitative estimation of cochlea-related hearing loss. Hearing thresholds were estimated objectively using LEDPT and subjectively using modified Békésy tracking audiometry (LTA). Recordings were performed seven times within threemonths at 14frequencies (f2 = 1-14 kHz) in 20ears (PTA4 (0.5-4 kHz) < 20 dB HL). Reconstruction of the DPOAE growth behavior as afunction of the stimulus levels L1, L2 was performed on the basis of 21DPOAE amplitudes. Anumerical fit of anonlinear mathematical function to the three-dimensional DPOAE growth function yielded LEDPT for each stimulus frequency. For the combined analysis, probability distributions of hearing thresholds (LTA, LEDPT), DPOAE levels (LDP), and combinations thereof were determined. LTA and LEDPT each exhibited atest-retest reliability with amedian of absolute differences (AD) of 3.2 dB and 3.3 dB, respectively. Combining LEDPT, LDP, and LTA into asingle parameter yielded asignificantly smaller median AD of 2.0 dB. It is expected that an analysis paradigm based on acombination of LEDPT, suprathreshold LDP, and fine-structure-reduced LTA would achieve higher test performance (sensitivity and specificity), allowing reliable detection of pathological or regenerative changes in the outer hair cells.

P-148 Humid versus dry culture: impact on euploidy, live birth sex ratio and clinical outcomes

Abstract Study question Does humidity have an impact on top-quality blastocyst rate, ploidy, live birth sex ratio and clinical outcomes? Summary answer Humid culture conditions in time-lapse incubators may enhance clinical outcomes, particularly in autologous cycles, without biasing euploidy or newborn sex. What is known already Recent advances in assisted reproductive technology have focused on improving embryo culture conditions and incubators are becoming more sophisticated. Although culture conditions such as oxygen and temperature are well-studied, the optimal humidity level remains uncertain. Dry atmospheres favour higher evaporation of culture media compared to humid conditions, increasing its osmolality. This appears to be detrimental to several animal model embryos: developmental arrest, changes in gene expression and epigenetic alterations in the embryos. Previous studies have shown than incubator humidification improves clinical outcomes and embryonic development. However, other studies showed no significant improvements. Study design, size, duration A single center retrospective study was performed. Data included a total of 793 cycles of IVF/ICSI between January 2019 and May 2023. Participants/materials, setting, methods 793 cycles of IVF/ICSI from 734 patients were studied. Study population was categorized in autologous (n = 544) and egg-donation (n = 249) cycles. A total of 5909 embryos were included in the study. Patients were randomly distributed in two distinct cohorts at the moment of their treatment: dry condition (DC) and humid condition (HC). Blastocyst quality (BR), biochemical pregnancy (BPR), implantation rate (IR), live birth rate (LBR) were studied. Ploidy rate and LB sex ratio was also studied. Main results and the role of chance In egg donation cycles, no differences were observed between HC and DC groups in the rates of top-quality blastocysts (61.5 HC vs 64.4% DC), BPR, (71.1% HC vs 71.2% DC), IR (53.8% HC vs. 59.2% DC) or LBR (51.9% HC vs. 44.8% DC). However, autologous cycles showed an improvement when humid conditions were used. BR and IR were higher in humid conditions (BR: 58.8% HC vs. 55,6% DC, p-value 0.03; IR:57.1% HC vs. 39.7% DC, p-value 0.011)). Humid and dry culture conditions yielded similar rates of BPR (65.0% HC vs 53.0% DC, p-value: 0.11) and live birth rate (44.3% HC vs 34.5% DC, p-value: 0.16). Although there is a tendency towards a 20% of benefit in presence of humidity in both rates, no significance was reached. No differences were found in euploidy between dry and humid groups. When stratifying patients by age, all age groups met the ploidy expected rates in both culture conditions. Humid culture conditions enhance clinical outcomes, particularly in autologous cycles. Donated oocytes may take advantage of their better quality to compensate the detrimental effect of dry ambients. Our study, moreover, demonstrates that humidity does not introduce any bias towards chromosomal alterations or newborn sex. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a retrospective study and should be further confirmed with a prospective randomized study. Sample size should be increased, especially for ploidy Specific humidity values could also be tested. Wider implications of the findings Humid culture conditions may highly improve ART outcomes for particular groups of patients. If tested with stratified groups by age, a specific age group might be especially benefited of humidity, without any bias in sex ratios when best embryo is transferred in fresh cycles. Trial registration number not applicable

A Portable Agriculture Environmental Sensor with a Photovoltaic Power Supply and Dynamic Active Sleep Scheme

A portable environmental sensor for agricultural applications is proposed that addresses key challenges in power supply, data transmission, and monitoring efficiency. The sensor features a photovoltaic power supply and a PID-based dynamic active–sleep scheme for sustainable energy management, maintaining optimal battery levels under varying solar conditions. Its compact, waterproof, and dustproof design (90 mm × 90 mm × 150 mm, 844 g) ensures robust and reliable operation in diverse agricultural environments. High-precision digital sensors monitor temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO2 concentration. Equipped with low-power NB-IoT technology, the sensor supports real-time remote environmental monitoring. Our experimental results show effective continuous operation, accurate environmental measurements, and performance comparable to established data loggers. The advanced power management and precise sensing capabilities make this sensor a competitive solution for improving smart agriculture practices, particularly in resource-limited or off-grid settings.

Effects of lysine and threonine on milk yield, amino acid metabolism, and fecal microbiota of Yili lactating mares.

The nutritional benefits of mare milk are attracting increasing consumer interest. Limited availability due to low yield poses a challenge for widespread adoption. Although lysine and threonine are often used to enhance protein synthesis and muscle mass in horses, their impact on mare milk yield and nutrient composition remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of lysine and threonine supplementation on 24 healthy Yili mares, mares at day 30 of lactation, over a 120-day period. The mares were divided into control and three experimental groups (six mares each) under pure grazing conditions. The control group received no amino acid supplementation, while experimental groups received varying daily doses of lysine and threonine: Group I (40 g lysine + 20 g threonine), Group II (60 g lysine + 40 g threonine), and Group III (80 g lysine + 60 g threonine). Supplementation in Group II notably increased milk yield, while Groups I and II showed higher milk fat percentages, and all experimental groups exhibited improved milk protein percentages. Additionally, blood levels of total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and glucose were reduced. Detailed analyses from Group II at peak lactation (day 60) included targeted metabolomics and microbial sequencing of milk, blood, and fecal samples. Amino acid metabolomics assessed amino acid content in mare milk and serum, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing evaluated rectal microbial composition. The results indicated that lysine and threonine supplementation significantly increased levels of threonine and creatine in the blood, and lysine, threonine, glutamine, and alanine in mare milk. Microbial analysis revealed a higher prevalence of certain bacterial families and genera, including Prevotellaceae, p_251_o5, and Rikenellaceae at the family level, and unclassified_p_251_o5, Prevotellaceae_UCG_001, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group at the genus level. Multi-omics analysis showed positive correlations between specific fecal genera and amino acids in mare milk. For instance, Prevotellaceae_UCG_003, unclassified Bacteroidetes_BS11_gut_group, and Corynebacterium were positively correlated with lysine, while unclassified Prevotellaceae was positively correlated with alanine and threonine, and Unclassified_Bacteroidales_BS11_gut_group was positively correlated with glutamine. In summary, lysine and threonine supplementation in grazing lactating mares enhanced milk production and improved milk protein and fat quality. It is recommended that herders, veterinarians, and technicians consider amino acid content in the diet of lactating mares. The optimal supplementation levels under grazing conditions for Yili horses were determined to be 60 g lysine and 40 g threonine per day. Future research should explore the molecular mechanisms by which these amino acids influence milk protein and lipid synthesis in mare mammary epithelial cells.

Well-being in parents of children with cancer: illness perceptions' mediating role for hope and social support.

Parents of children with cancer may experience enormous physical and emotional pressures. During such times, perception of the situation can be important in mediating the link between one's basic resources (mainly cognitive and social) and the well-being one attains as an emotional and cognitive response. This study aimed to explore the role of illness impact perceptions in mediating the link between hope, social support and subjective well-being in parents of children with cancer. The cross-sectional study included 108 parents of children aged 7-18 diagnosed with cancer at least 6 months prior to the study. The parents completed one questionnaire comprising five instruments: perceived impact of illness, hope, social support, positive and negative affect (the emotional component of well-being) and life satisfaction (the cognitive component of well-being). Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations were conducted for all study variables. SEM analysis was performed to examine the study's theoretical model. The current sample included 108 parents of children with cancer recruited from two pediatric hematology-oncology wards in two different hospitals in central Israel. Most participants were mothers (70.4%), and the mean age was 44.46. The main results indicated that hope and social support correlated negatively with perceptions of the illness' impact. Illness impact perceptions mediated the relations between hope, social support and positive emotions, which means that when the parents perceived their child's illness as less impactful on the family, they experienced higher levels of emotional well-being. A parent with social support resources and higher levels of hope experiences higher levels of positive perceptions regarding their child's illness. Higher levels of positive perceptions allow the parent to express more positive than negative emotions, thus maintaining a more optimal level of subjective emotional well-being. The findings offer implications for healthcare teams to enhance sensitivity to parents' needs and to help parents attain more resources, positive perceptions, and well-being.

Utility of Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale and Amplitude Integrated Electroencephalogram for Detection of Different Levels of Sedation in NICUs

Abstract Background Sedatives are essential drugs in every intensive care unit used to ensure the patient's optimal level of comfort. Avoiding conditions of over and under sedation is a challenge in a neonatal intensive care setting. To date, there are no definitions of optimal levels of sedation in neonates. Testing the hypothesis that if a combined use of Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (N- PASS) and amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) score might be helpful to distinguish different levels of neonatal sedation and therefore useful in titration of the drugs used. Aim of the Work The primary aim of the present study is to assess Neonatal Pain, Agitation and Sedation Scale (N-PASS) and amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in the detection of different levels of neonatal sedation. Patients and Methods This was prospective observational study conducted on 30 full term neonates on mechanical ventilation reciving sedation (midazolam,fentanyl). we divided our patients into two groups (lightly sedated and deeply sedated patients) according to dose of sedation which determined by the expert opinion according to the clinical condition of the patients. all patients were subjected to the following:(demographic data, clinical signs &amp; symptoms, laboratory investigations, N-PASS and aEEG before and after sedation from march 2021 to August 2022 to evaluate N-PASS and aEEG in the detection of different levels of neonatal sedation. Results In our study which was conducted on 30 patients admitted to NICU at Ain shams university hospitals, our patients were of mean gestational age 38.34, all patients presented with respiratory distress, were mechanically ventilated and received sedation (midazolam, fentanyl). we divided our patients into two groups (lightly sedated patients who were 11 patients (36.7%), deeply sedated patients who were 19 patients ( 63.3% ) according to dose of sedation. There was a significant decrease of co2 level in deeply sedated patients, mean co2 after deep sedation 43.36 mmHg while mean co2 after light sedation 51.52 mmHg (p 0.034),and regarding N-PASS significant decrease in N-PASS total score after sedation (p &amp;lt; 0.001 ),and regarding aEEG significant decrease of total burdjalov score after sedation (p &amp;lt; 0.001 ) Conclusion We recommend combining a clinical scoring system such as the N-PASS, with a continuous brain activity monitor such as the aEEG for assessing the level of sedation in neonates.

Cramér-Rao lower bounds on parameter estimation for a circular binary of supermassive black holes in gravitational wave observations using pulsar timing array

Abstract Pulsar timing arrays, as an effective low frequency gravitational source identification tool, show excellent applicability in circular supermassive binary black hole systems. In order to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the array, we introduce the Cramer-Rao lower bound to estimate the detection efficiency of the pulsar timing array. We use CRLB to estimate the parameters of Virgo source under both evolutionary and non-evolving search conditions, as well as full term and Earth term search conditions. The results show that the estimation accuracy of the two parameters is lower in the evolutionary condition than in the non evolving condition because the inclination Angle and the gravitational wave strain participate in the evolving process. Under the condition of Full term and Earth term search, because the Earth term search does not involve pulsar distance, the estimation accuracy of the whole parameter is higher than that of full term search. This results in a significant reduction in the uncertainty of pulsar parameters, enabling more accurate gravitational wave detection. In addition, in the case of relatively dense pulsars, the detection accuracy of gravitational wave &amp;#xD;direction will also be significantly reduced. In general, our method provides a reference for searching the lower limit of parameters under different objective conditions, and helps to evaluate whether the parameter estimation of the gravitational wave detection algorithm &amp;#xD;reaches the optimal level. This provides a theoretical basis for the progress in the field of gravitational waves and the optimization of pulsar timing arrays.

Association between polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression in women with infertility: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Identifying possible influencing factors is crucial for the depression symptoms of women experiencing infertility. This study aims to explore the association between polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the odds of depression symptoms in women experiencing infertility. This is a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). PUFA intake was obtained through a 24-h dietary recall interview. Depression symptoms were defined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) with a score of ≥10 points or as taking antidepressants. The association between PUFA and depression was assessed using a logistic regression model by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was carried out based on menopausal status and female hormone use. There were 725 participants included for analysis. After adjusting the covariables, lower odds of depression symptoms were found in patients with the intake of omega-3 PUFA (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24-0.96) and omega-6 PUFA (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.42) in the second tertile (T2) in comparison to the first tertile (T1). The intake of α-linolenic (ALA) (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-0.97) and linoleic acid (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.14-0.41) in T2 was also found to be related to the reduced odds of depression symptoms in comparison to T1. Our findings suggest a potential association between moderate omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA intake and a reduced risk of depression symptoms in women experiencing infertility. This implies that clinicians might find it useful to consider dietary advice that includes PUFA-rich foods as part of a broader strategy to address mental health in this patient group. However, further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to establish the optimal levels of PUFA intake for mental health benefits.

Measuring Heuristic Accuracy on the Performance of Search Algorithms in Solving 8-Puzzle Problems

The goal of this paper is to examine the effect of heuristic accuracy on the performance of search algorithms in solving 8-puzzle problems. The 8-puzzle is a popular benchmark search problem in Artificial Intelligence, and numerous search strategies have been developed to solve it. This research evaluates the performance of search algorithms using different heuristics to determine the optimal level of heuristic accuracy for solving 8-puzzle problems. Several search algorithms, including uniform cost search and A* search, were implemented and tested using different heuristics. Manhattan and Euclidean distances were chosen as heuristics for A* algorithm. Heuristics play a crucial role in guiding these algorithms towards the solution, and their accuracy can greatly impact the performance of the search. Results revealed that reduction attained in both time and space complexity by A* search with Manhattan heuristic is over 99.1% for the average case, while the reduction in the effective branching factor is over 21.1%. These results from the experiments provide insights into the trade-off between heuristic accuracy and search efficiency, and contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of search algorithms in complex problems

Environmental deterioration, renewable energy, natural resource rents, and schooling in Türkiye: Does the degree of energy transition matter for environmental quality?

Within the literature on energy and environmental economics, it is generally acknowledged that renewable energy can improve environmental quality; however, certain papers suggest that an optimal level of the usage of renewable energy sources may exist. Consequently, the utilization of renewable energy sources can result in environmental degradation up to a certain threshold. Then, environmental quality can be enhanced through the continued application of renewables. This indicates that the link between renewable energy and environmental devastation is inverted U-shaped.This paper presents empirical evidence concerning this possible association between renewable energy and environmental destruction in Türkiye, a country where fossil energy predominates in the energy mix. Additionally, the paper investigates the environmental influences of natural resource rents and schooling. This study utilizes annual data from 1971 to 2020 and implements time series methodologies that rely on the Fourier approximation. The paper thus accounts for an undetermined quantity of structural breaks. The results suggest that an inverted U-shaped link occurs between renewable energy and environmental destruction, signifying renewable energy initially contributes to a diminution in environmental quality before subsequently improving it. Additionally, environmental quality is positively associated with natural resource rents and negatively associated with schooling, according to the findings. Furthermore, the findings reveal that schooling worsens the combined effect of renewable energy on environmental degradation. These conclusions are discussed in the paper.

Experimental and numerical investigation of the incorporation of an air temperature controller for indirect solar dryers

Solar drying systems often face the challenge of overheating due to uncontrolled solar collectors, which can degrade the quality of dried products by destroying enzymes, vitamins, and their chemical composition. To address this issue, we developed and validated a new control system for stabilizing drying air temperature using both experimental and CFD numerical methods. This system not only effectively maintains the desired air temperature but also extends the lifespan of solar collectors by adjusting their exposure during periods of excessive solar radiation. The experimental results demonstrated that without the control system, the air temperature peaked at 72 °C, leading to potential product degradation. In contrast, the control system has succeeded in stabilizing the air temperature at an optimum level. Additionally, the validated CFD model confirmed the effectiveness of this control technique in various climatic conditions, including cold semi-arid, typically Mediterranean, hot semi-arid, and sub-desert conditions. The findings underline the importance and necessity of temperature control in solar drying systems, as well as the effectiveness of the CFD method in predicting system performance. Furthermore, this work significantly enhances the efficiency and applicability of solar drying technology, offering a practical solution for improving product quality and system durability.

Wage bargaining structure and political budget cycles: A policy game approach

Utilizing a panel dataset from OECD countries, this study unveils new evidence suggesting that the centralization of wage bargaining plays a significant role in mitigating Political Budget Cycles. To explain this empirical finding, the paper introduces a political economy model based on a policy game framework, encompassing three key agents: (i) an opportunistic government that decides on the level of budget deficits with the objective of enhancing its reelection prospects, (ii) workers/voters who decide on their sectoral affiliations, and (iii) unions that independently negotiate wages with firms. In this model, the opportunistic government has an incentive to run a budget deficit to favor the median voter, who is affiliated with non-tradable sectors. The mechanism emerges from the impact of debt-financed public spending on relative prices, and consequently, on relative wages between non-tradable and tradable sectors. Wage centralization mitigates the political incentive of opportunistic governments by attenuating the responsiveness of sectoral wages to sectoral prices, thereby pushing down budget deficits towards a socially more optimal level.