Characteristics Of Region Research Articles

Strong Tough Hydrogel with Regional Programmable Mechanical Properties via Universal Physical Directional Anneal‐Casting Strategy for Bioengineering

Engineering tissue‐like hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties and matching water contents is essential for biomimetic organ platforms in both ex vivo and in vivo biomedical applications. Achieving this goal is particularly challenging due to the need for a green, straightforward, and universally applicable approach to mimic various tissues with specific hydrogels. Herein, a universal physical one‐step directional anneal‐casting strategy for anisotropic water evaporation is presented to produce hierarchical anisotropic poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel with tunable Young's modulus (≈0.13–77.2 MPa) in a wide range. As a typical example, the ultimate stress, toughness, fracture energy, and fatigue threshold of strong tough poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels can be up to 31.8 MPa, 45.7 MJ m−3, 568.6 kJ m−2, and 407.8 J m−2 at ≈208% strain with controllable water content (≈20–80%) without compromising their toughness. Integral to our approach is the capability for localized control of mechanical properties within the same hydrogel unit, allowing for distinct functional characteristics in different regions of the hydrogel. Furthermore, the versatility of our strategy extends to various other hydrogel systems, such as polyacrylamide and alginate, broadening its applicability in the fields of bioelectronics and biomedical engineering, including the development of physiological signal acquisition devices and artificial implantable electronic ligaments.

Genomic variation responding to artificial selection on different lines of Pekin duck.

Understanding the genomic variation in Pekin duck under artificial selection is important for improving the utilization of duck genetic resources. Here, the genomic changes in Pekin duck were analyzed by using the genome resequencing data from 96 individual samples, including 2 conservation populations and 4 breeding populations with different breeding backgrounds. The population structure, runs of homozygosity (ROH), effective population number (Ne), and other genetic parameters were analyzed. The breeding populations showed lower genetic diversity compared to the conservation populations. Maple Leaf duck and Cherry Valley duck retained low genetic diversity compared to other breeding populations, with Cherry Valley duck showing the lowest diversity and the highest inbreeding coefficient. This suggested that Cherry Valley and Maple Leaf ducks have undergone intensive selection compared to other breeding populations. By the analysis of runs of homozygosity (ROHs), some genes (e.g., IGF1R) associated with growth traits were identified. By the analysis of the selection signal, strong selection characteristics in certain genomic regions during the breeding of Peking duck across different selected lines were observed. In addition, copy number variations (CNVs) in Pekin duck populations were analyzed. Six regions of interest were identified, containing RPA1, DOT1L, SLC25A42, RALYL, TRPA1, and IGFBP2. Furthermore, the allele frequency distribution of these genes showed significant differences between breeding populations and conservation populations, indicating that these candidate genes could have undergone strong selection pressure during long-term selection for improved production. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the distinct evolutionary processes in Pekin ducks under artificial selection and provide valuable insights for future breeding strategies.

Searching for signatures of Fe II atomic processes in spectra of active galactic nuclei

We use a large sample of Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) spectra in order to investigate which atomic processes are responsible for some observed properties of the Fe II emission lines and how they are connected with macroscopic physical characteristics of AGN emission regions. We especially focus on the violated relative intensities between different optical Fe II lines, whose relative strengths do not follow the expected values according to atomic parameters. We investigated the connection between this effect and the ratio of optical to UV Fe II lines (Fe II_opt/Fe II_UV). We divided the optical Fe II lines into two large line groups: consistent (Fe II_cons), whose relative intensities are in accordance with their atomic properties, and inconsistent (Fe II_incons), whose relative intensities are significantly stronger than theoretically expected. We fitted the spectra with a flexible and complex optical Fe II model, where both consistent and inconsistent Fe II lines were divided into several line groups according to their atomic characteristics and fitted independently in order to obtain more empirical clues about their properties. We focused particularly on understanding the processes that produce strong inconsistent Fe II lines, and therefore, we investigated their correlations with Fe II_cons as well as with UV Fe II lines and some measured spectral parameters. The ratios of Fe II_incons/Fe II_cons and Fe II_opt/Fe II_UV increase as the Eddington ratio increases and as the line widths decrease. It is possible that both ratios are affected by the process of self-absorption of stronger lines, which is responsible for the transmission of energy from the UV to the optical Fe II emission lines and, analogously, from the Fe II_cons to the Fe II_incons lines. In this scenario, the high Eddington ratio causes an increase in the optical depth in Fe II lines, which results in the triggering of the process of self-absorption. Measured average widths for different Fe II line groups indicate the stratification of the optical Fe II emission region. This implies that the observed Fe II spectrum is probably a complex mixture of radiation from emission regions with different physical conditions and distances from the black hole.

The dynamic crosstalk between cytoskeletal filaments regulates the cytoplasmic mechanics across the dorsoventral axis.

The cytoplasm exhibits viscoelastic properties, displaying both solid and liquid-like behavior, and can actively regulate its mechanical attributes. The cytoskeleton is a major regulator among the numerous factors influencing cytoplasmic mechanics. We explore the interdependence of various cytoskeletal filaments and the impact of their density on cytoplasmic viscoelasticity. The heterogeneous distribution of these filaments give rise to polarised mechanical properties of the cytoplasm along the dorsoventral axis. Actin filament disassembly softens the ventral cytoplasm while stiffening the mid-cytoplasm due to increased vimentin filament assembly. Disruption of microtubule (MT) or depletion of vimentin softens both the ventral and mid-cytoplasm. Cytochalasin D (Cyto D) treatment results in localised increase of vimentin assembly in the mid cytoplasm which is dependent on the cytolinker plectin. Nocodazole treatment has a negligible effect on F-actin distribution but significantly alters vimentin's spatial arrangement. We demonstrate that Cyto D treatment upregulates vimentin expression via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated activation of NF-κΒ. This manuscript investigates how different cytoskeletal filaments influence the rheological characteristics of various cytoplasmic regions.

Carbon Emission Status and Regional Differences of China: High-Resolution Estimation of Spatially Explicit Carbon Emissions at the Prefecture Level

There are disagreements regarding the accuracy of estimation and spatial distribution of carbon emissions in China. It is of great significance to estimate a more detailed carbon emission inventory for China and analyze the carbon emission characteristics of different regions. This study comprehensively estimated carbon dioxide and methane emissions (and their spatial distributions) across eight carbon-emitting sectors in 360 prefecture-level cities in China in 2020. The results indicated that total carbon emissions in China amounted to 146.00 × 108 t, with carbon dioxide and methane accounting for 95.87% and 4.13%, respectively. The industrial sector was the main source of carbon emissions, accounting for 75.42% of the total. The North China Plain, the Northeast Plain, and the Sichuan Basin were identified as the carbon emission hotspot areas with the most intensive carbon emission densities. Among the clustered four carbon emission zones based on carbon emission density and economic carbon intensity, the High Carbon Emission Density and High Economic Carbon Intensity zones accounted for 41.73% of total carbon emissions. To achieve carbon neutrality, it is essential to devise emission reduction strategies for specific areas by thoroughly considering spatially explicit variation at the prefecture level, with a focus on primary carbon-emitting cities and sectors.

Fourier synthetic-aperture-based time-resolved terahertz imaging

Terahertz (THz) microscopy has attracted attention owing to distinctive characteristics of the THz frequency region, particularly non-ionizing photon energy, spectral fingerprint, and transparency to most nonpolar materials. Nevertheless, the well-known Rayleigh diffraction limit imposed on THz waves commonly constrains the resultant imaging resolution to values beyond the millimeter scale, consequently limiting the applicability in numerous emerging applications for chemical sensing and complex media imaging. In this theoretical and numerical work, we address this challenge by introducing, to our knowledge, a new imaging approach based on acquiring high-spatial frequencies by adapting the Fourier synthetic aperture approach to the THz spectral range, thus surpassing the diffraction-limited resolution. Our methodology combines multi-angle THz pulsed illumination with time-resolved field measurements, as enabled by the state-of-the-art time-domain spectroscopy technique. We demonstrate the potential of the approach for hyperspectral THz imaging of semi-transparent samples and show that the technique can reconstruct spatial and temporal features of complex inhomogeneous samples with subwavelength resolution.

Evaluation of Underground Cities in Nevşehir and its Surroundings in Terms of Cultural Geography

Underground cities have survived to the present day, shaped by the influence of many cultures. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the underground cities, which have been used by many individuals, societies and groups from ancient times to the present, in terms of cultural geography. The study area determined as Nevşehir and its surroundings effectively reflects the natural and cultural characteristics of the Ancient Cappadocia Region. The main settlements in the study area are Nevşehir Center, Ürgüp, Avanos, Gülşehir, Acıgöl, Derinkuyu districts and Gülağaç and Güzelyurt districts of Aksaray province. In the study area, the northwest of Ürgüp in Nevşehir, the north of Derinkuyu, and the surroundings of Güzelyurt and Gülağaç in Aksaray have been identified as areas where underground cities are concentrated. As a result of literature analysis and observations made in field studies, the human-space relationship in underground cities was analyzed within the framework of concrete cultural elements. The research method that has a fundamental impact on the process of obtaining and analyzing data is field work. The main underground cities observed through field work are Derinkuyu Underground City, Kaymaklı Underground City, Özkonak Underground City, Güzelyurt Underground City and Tatlarin Underground City. These underground cities were examined together with their surroundings; geographical and cultural evaluations were made.

P1203 Spatial mapping and geographic variation of inflammatory bowel disease in Canada: A population-based study using Statistics Canada data

Abstract Background Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) pose significant challenges to patients and healthcare systems, with a rising incidence and prevalence globally1,2. To address the challenges of health resource allocation and understand the geographic distribution of these conditions in Canada, we conducted the spatial mapping of IBD across Canada using national population survey data available from Statistics Canada. Methods We utilized data from the 2009-2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) to identify individuals with CD or UC. Prevalence rates, both crude and adjusted for age and sex, were calculated for each health region in Canada. Spatial dependencies between health regions were estimated using global Moran’s I and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) were used to identify clusters of health region (hot-spots) where the prevalence was significantly higher than in other areas. We further applied spatial simultaneous autoregressive lag models to explore the influence of region-level sociodemographic factors on identified spatial dependencies. Results A total of 492,560 individuals from 2010-2018 CCHS were included, representing 29,846,350 Canadians across 109 health regions. Survey data revealed that 0.38% of Canadians self-reported having CD and 0.47% reported having UC. The majority of respondents reported being urban-residing, middle-aged, and white. Across Canadian provinces, the age and sex-standardized prevalence of IBD ranged from 742 per 100,000 in Quebec to 1267 per 100,000 in Nova Scotia (Figure 1). Spatial analysis identified significant dependencies among health regions, but these spatial associations were explained by the differing distributions of sociodemographic characteristics in each health region (Table 1). Increased health region-level prevalence of CD and UC was associated with a larger proportion of individuals 30+ years, identifying as a female, immigrants, or as white (p<0.05 for each). Conclusion Data from this large, population-based Canadian national survey demonstrated significant geographic variation in the prevalence of CD and UC. However, after adjusting for patient demographic characteristics, the spatial dependency became non-significant. Key characteristics related to urbanization including the age distribution and proportion of immigrants in a health region were associated with increased prevalence rates. These results suggest that differences in CD and UC prevalence between geographic areas are primarily driven by individual demographics rather than differences in characteristics of local healthcare delivery systems and further support the notion that characteristics of urbanization increase the prevalence of IBD in an area1.

A New Regional Background Atmospheric Station in the Yangtze River Delta Region for Carbon Monoxide: Assessment of Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Regional Significance

A new meteorological station (DMS) was established at the Morning Glory summit in Zhejiang Province to provide regional background information on atmospheric composition in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, China. This study investigated the first carbon monoxide (CO) records at DMS from September 2020 to January 2022. The annual average concentration of CO was 233.4 ± 3.8 ppb, which exceeded the measurements recorded at the other Asian background sites. The winter CO concentration remained elevated but peaked in March in the early spring due to the combined effect of regional emissions within the YRD and transportation impacts of North China and Southeast Asia sources. The diurnal cycle had a nocturnal peak and a morning valley but with a distinct afternoon climb, as the metropolis in the YRD contributed to a local concentration enhancement. The back trajectory analysis and the Weighted Potential Sources Contribution Function (WPSCF) maps highlighted emissions from Anhui, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces as significant sources. Due to well-mixed air conditions and fewer anthropogenic influences, DMS records closely aligned with the CO averages derived from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) covering the YRD, confirming its representativeness for regional CO levels. This study underscored DMS as a valuable station for monitoring and understanding CO spatiotemporal characteristics in the YRD region.

Spatially-resolved characterization of the metabolic and N-glycan alterations in colorectal cancer using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its development typically involves complex metabolic reprogramming. By mapping the spatial distributions of metabolites and N-glycans in heterogeneous colorectal cancer tissues, we can elucidate cancer-associated metabolic and N-glycan changes. Herein, we combine mass spectrometry imaging-based metabolomics and N-glycomics to characterize the spatially resolved reprogramming of metabolites and N-glycans in colorectal cancer tissues. The metabolic characteristics of different regions of colorectal cancer were evaluated through the utilization of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. In combination with metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, significant alterations were identified in the fatty acid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism of colorectal cancer. Cancer cell regions exhibited a marked upregulation of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyamines, and histidine. Additionally, we discovered that the high-mannose N-glycans were predominantly distributed in tumor tissue regions, whereas complex N-glycans were more commonly found in the normal tissue regions adjacent to the tumor. Such findings provide new insights into the spatial signatures of metabolites and N-glycans in colorectal cancer, thereby offering a crucial basis for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and potential vulnerabilities that might be targeted for cancer therapy.

Numerical Simulation Study of Electromagnetic Pulse in Low-Altitude Nuclear Explosion Source Regions

A nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) is the fourth effect of a nuclear explosion, characterized by a strong electromagnetic field that can instantly damage electronic devices. To investigate the spatial field value distribution characteristics of the source region of low-altitude NEMPs, this study employed a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method based on a rotating ellipsoidal hyperbolic coordinate system. Due to intense field variations near the explosion center, non-uniform grids were employed for both spatial and temporal steps, and an OpenMP parallel algorithm was utilized to enhance computational efficiency. Analysis focused on the following two scenarios: varying angles at a constant distance and varying distances at a constant angle, considering both transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) waves. The results indicate that the spatial field value distribution characteristics differ between the two wave types. For TM waves, the electric and magnetic fields share the same polarity, but their waveform polarities are opposite above and below the explosion center. A TE wave is exactly the opposite. Compared with a TM wave, a TE wave has stronger peak electromagnetic fields but narrower pulse widths and lower overall energy. This research provides significant support for the development of nuclear explosion detection technology and offers theoretical foundations for the protection of surrounding environmental facilities.

A Hysteresis Model Incorporating Varying Pinching Stiffness and Spread for Enhanced Structural Damage Simulation

The widely used Bouc–Wen–Baber–Noori (BWBN) hysteresis model, although effective in simulating hysteresis behaviors, does not account for variations in the pinching region of hysteretic behaviors. This can negatively impact the accuracy of the BWBN model in simulating structural responses and damage mechanisms in structures such as reinforced concrete (RC) and timber, which exhibit highly pinched hysteresis behavior when damaged by earthquakes. This paper introduces a BWBN model with varying pinching region characteristics (BWBN-VP model) which can degrade pinching stiffness and increase pinching effects under seismic loads. Unlike the original BWBN model using constant pinching stiffness (kp), this modified new model, inspired by real-world structural damage, improves structural damage detection, identifiability, and analysis in real-world scenarios. Model validation uses experimental data from three RC column tests with different failure modes and hysteresis loop shapes, resulting in an ~0.98 correlation coefficient between the experimental and simulated responses. Further validation uses real-world seismic data from a six-story RC building and achieves an average correlation of ~0.97 with a minor 2.5% difference in the peak restoring forces compared to direct measurements. The proposed BWBN-VP model also accurately and realistically captures damage to both the elastic and pinching stiffness values of the building, with an average difference of ~4%. Results confirm that the BWBN-VP model, compared to the original, more accurately predicts hysteretic responses, especially in Shear Failure (SF) modes. Therefore, the BWBN-VP model, superior in simulating highly pinched behaviors in RC and timber structures, would be an advanced tool for resilient seismic design and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM).

Racial, socioeconomic, and payer status disparities in utilization of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in the USA

BackgroundUnicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis associated with lower morbidity compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with isolated unicompartmental knee arthritis. As disparities have been noted broadly in arthroplasty care, it follows that such disparities might be present in the utilization of UKA relative to TKA. This study therefore examined racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and payer status differences in utilization of UKA.MethodsPatients who underwent UKA or TKA between 2016 and 2020 in the National Inpatient Sample were identified. Multivariable Poisson regression models adjusted for hospital geographic region and patient characteristics [age, sex, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI)] were used to examine the effect of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and payer status on incidence rate ratio of UKA relative to TKA.ResultsOf the 8472 UKA patients and 639,937 TKA patients identified between 2016 and 2020, 8027 (94.7%) UKA patients and 606,028 (94.7%) TKA patients met inclusion criteria. Patients who underwent UKA were significantly younger (63.5 ± 10.7 years) than patients who underwent TKA (66.8 ± 9.5 years; p < 0.001) and had significantly lower ECI scores (1.8 ± 1.5) than patients who underwent TKA (2.2 ± 1.6; p < 0.001). Black patients were less likely to undergo UKA relative to TKA compared with white patients [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.64, confidence interval (CI) 0.58–0.71, p < 0.001]. Compared with patients in income quartile 4, patients in income quartiles 1 and 2 underwent UKA at a lower relative rate (IRR 0.85, CI 0.79–0.90, p < 0.001 and IRR 0.87, CI 0.82–0.93, p < 0.001, respectively). Compared with patients with private insurance, patients with Medicare underwent UKA at a lower relative rate (IRR 0.83, CI 0.79–0.88, p < 0.001).ConclusionsBlack patients, lower-income patients, and Medicare-insured patients undergo UKA at a lower relative rate than white, higher-income, and privately insured patients, respectively. Further research may help elucidate reasons for these differences and identify targets for intervention.

Digital Era Dynamics: Uncovering Self-Regulation Patterns in Science Learning Among Border Region Junior High School Students

Purpose of the study: The research objective is to provide essential insights into students' self-regulation characteristics in border regions, which can inform strategic efforts to maintain and improve their capabilities as they navigate the challenges of the digital era. Methodology: This study used quantitative research with descriptive data analysis involving 198 students from three junior high schools in Nunukan Regency. Data was collected using a self-regulation questionnaire with a Likert scale, which measured four indicators: forethought, volitional control, motivation, and self-reflection. The data was then analyzed using score and average calculations to assess the students' self-regulation profile. Main Findings: The study findings reveal that the self-regulation profile of junior high school students in Nunukan Regency is generally in the high category, with an average of 77%. The motivation indicator reached the highest level at 81%, while volitional control was the lowest at 72%. Notably, differences in self-regulation levels were observed across the participating schools and grade levels. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the self-regulation characteristics of students in the border area of Nunukan Regency, which can serve as a basis for developing more effective learning strategies and improving the quality of education in similar contexts. The findings offer valuable insights that can inform the development of targeted interventions and support systems to cater to the specific needs of learners in border regions as they navigate the challenges of the digital era.

Global Health Indicators and Child Mortality Trends: Insights from a Global Panel Data Analysis of 200 Countries.

The aim of this study was to explore how medical resources and vaccine coverage relate to infant mortality rate (IMR) and under-five mortality rate (U-5MR), which are both key national health indicators. This longitudinal study was based on panel data from the national level of 200 countries. Data from 1990 to 2021 were grouped into seven regions based on geographic and epidemiological similarities. Regarding correlation, the high-income region showed a different trend from that shown by other regions. Health expenditure was positively associated with IMR and U-5MR globally. Number of medical doctors per 1,000 people was negatively associated with IMR and U-5MR globally. Hepatitis type B (HBV) and measles, first dose (MCV) were negatively associated with IMR and HBV, MCV, and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin were negatively associated with U-5MR globally. In quadratic regression, the correlation between the number of doctors and mortality stabilizes or plateaus at approximately four individuals. Overall vaccine coverage was positively correlated with mortality up to a certain threshold, beyond which it became negatively correlated. A higher number of doctors was consistently associated with decreased mortality, regardless of location, while other factors varied by region. Our study findings highlight the importance of implementing global strategies that are specific to each region's characteristics to reduce IMR and U-5MR.

Ground Tests on BOLT at Mach 7: Cross-Facility Comparison and Stability Analysis

Transition measurements have been obtained through two experimental campaigns conducted independently by the German Aerospace Center and the French Aerospace Lab with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission on subscale models of the BOLT-1 flight experiment geometry. This paper details a cross-facility comparison of measurements obtained at Mach 7, as well as subsequent computational analysis. Infrared thermography measurements obtained by both campaigns have facilitated a global comparison of the transition front across facilities at analogous conditions, which are found to be in good agreement. High-frequency surface pressure fluctuation data demonstrate significant amplification of instabilities with Mack-mode characteristics in the outboard regions of the acreage. These measurements are compared to stability analyses of varying fidelity. The computational methods employed to characterize the boundary-layer transition phenomena include the traditional line-marching implementation of the parabolized stability equations (PSEs), 2D eigenvalue analysis coupled with PSE. Although the 2D eigenvalue analysis is found to predict instabilities, which correlate in terms of frequency and acreage location to the experimental measurements, the predicted amplification for these instabilities is lower than would typically be expected for transition. Line-marching results for traveling crossflow produce the best match to the experimental transition front, with a consistent transition N factor of approximately 3–3.5.

Analysis of unstable flow characteristics in the blade region of Francis pump-turbine under non-design conditions

Under non-design situations, the Francis pump-turbine, a frequently employed core energy conversion device in pumped storage power plants, plays a significant role in ensuring their stable operation. This article examines the unstable flow inside a Francis pump-turbine using energy gradient theory and numerical computations and model experiments. Research has indicated that forced impacts and flow separation between fluids and blades are significant causes of deteriorating mechanical energy gradients, whereas non-optimal angles between stay and guide vanes can readily cause flow separation. The strong helical flow at the blade inlet is the primary cause of the unstable flow, and the hub and blade outlet are the primary locations for the high shear force work area brought on by large-scale vortex structures, and the middle portion of the impeller blade is where the unstable flow field begins and needs more attention.

Optimal scheduling strategy for electric vehicle charging and discharging in different types of buildings based on vehicle-to-building

The application of vehicle-to-building (V2B) technology to integrate photovoltaic charging stations (PVCS) with smart building microgrids has gradually emerged as a new low-carbon operation model in the electric vehicle (EV) energy supply industry. The disordered integration of a large number of EVs into the power grid has caused numerous safety issues for building microgrids. Considering that buildings suitable for the construction of PVCS are primarily concentrated in residential, office, and commercial areas, this study proposes an optimized scheduling strategy for the charging and discharging of electric vehicles that considers different types of buildings. First, a PV-building-EV integrated system based on V2B is established. Probability distribution models of EV travel characteristics for different regions are obtained through actual data fitting, and unordered charging load curves for each region are derived by incorporating the Monte Carlo sampling method. On this basis, considering the interest of the building microgrids, PVCS operators, and EV users, a multi-objective optimization scheduling model for orderly EV charging and discharging based on V2B is established. Finally, the improved Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II validates the model's effectiveness.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years in rural America, by Census region and select demographic characteristics: 2020.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are a significant public health concern characterized by memory decline that, over time, leads to loss of independence. This study reports ADRD diagnosis rates among Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years in rural America. We conducted a descriptive analysis of Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage enrollees using administrative Medicare data from 2020. Combining data from Medicare FFS and Medicare Advantage produces a more complete and representative sample of older adults than previous studies that used FFS data alone. Nonmetropolitan counties were used to define rural. Rural ADRD diagnosis rates, stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and Census region, were adjusted using the 2000 Census population standard. The study population consisted of 54 million Medicare data Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage enrollees aged ≥ 65; 5.3 million beneficiaries were diagnosed with ADRD, and 16.2% (n = 861,337) of beneficiaries diagnosed with ADRD resided in rural America. The age-adjusted ADRD diagnosis rate was slightly lower in rural America (9.6 per 100 beneficiaries) than in the United States (10.0 per 100 beneficiaries). The South Census region had the highest rural ADRD diagnosis rates. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to address the growing burden of ADRD in rural communities.

Microbial Characteristics and Functions in Coffee Fermentation: A Review

Based on coffee’s unique and fascinating flavor, coffee has become the most popular nonalcoholic drink in the world and is a significant agricultural economic crop in tropical- and subtropical-planted coffee countries and regions. It is also beneficial for human health because of its rich active compounds, such as caffeine, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, tryptophan alkaloids, diterpenes, melanoidins, etc. These compounds often relate to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and antibacterial, anti-diabetic, neuroprotection, and anti-cancer activities. The formation of coffee’s flavor results from various influence factors, including genetics, shade, elevation, post-harvest processing, fermentation, roasted methods, etc. The first stage of coffee production is obtaining green coffee beans through the primary process. Fermentation is critical in the primary process of coffee, which is often related to yeasts, bacteria, and filamentous fungi. Therefore, microorganisms play a key role in coffee fermentation and coffee flavor. To provide an understanding of the role of microorganisms in coffee fermentation, the coffee fermentation overview and microbial characteristics in different coffee primary processing methods and different coffee fermentation regions were reviewed in this paper. Brazil and China are the main study countries in coffee fermentation, which contribute a large number of technologies and methods to improve coffee flavor by fermentation. Different primary processing methods (wet, dry, or semi-dry processing) and coffee producer countries had obvious microbial community characteristics. Moreover, the application of yeast and bacteria for improving coffee flavor by microbial fermentation was also introduced.