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The spin-orbit torque switching of ferrimagnetic Gdx(Fe90Co10)100-x films was studied for both transition metal (TM)-rich and rare earth (RE)-rich configurations. The spin-orbit torque driven magnetization switching follows the same sense in TM-rich and RE-rich samples with respect to the total magnetization, but the sense of the switching is reversed with respect to the TM magnetization. This indicates that the sign of the spin-orbit-torque-driven magnetic switching follows the total magnetization, although transport based techniques such as anomalous Hall effect are only sensitive to the transition metal magnetization. These results provide important insight into the physics of spin angular momentum transfer in materials with antiferromagnetically coupled sublattices.

This article presents a non-linear mathematical model that captures the dynamics of drinking prevalence within a population. The model is analyzed under an optimal control framework, dividing the total population into four compartments: susceptible, heavy drinker, drinker in treatment, and recovered classes. The model’s validity is affirmed through considerations of positivity, boundedness, reproduction number, stability, and sensitivity analysis. Stability theory is employed to explore both local and global stabilities. Sensitivity analysis identifies parameters with a significant impact on the reproduction number (R0{R}_{0}), with maximum sensitivity observed in parameters related to drinking transmission and transitions from heavy drinking to treatment stages. These parameters exhibit sensitivity indices of (0.538,1)\left(0.538,1), indicating that a 10% increase in these parameters would result in a (5.38,1)\left(5.38,1) increase in the threshold quantity. The study introduces an optimal control strategy that involves awareness campaigns and treatment as control variables. These controls aim to minimize the number of heavy drinkers while maximizing the number of recovered individuals. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to solve optimal control problems. Additionally, the research explores various parametric settings for each compartment, enriching the study environment. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is evaluated through rigorous numerical simulations, highlighting its competitive edge. The results, validated using MATLAB simulations, are detailed throughout the article.

This paper presents a new development of an Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for a Hybrid Ground Source Heat Pump (HGSHP). The HGSHP is equipped with a supplementary heat sink composter to process organic solid waste (OSW), utilizing excess hot air from the condensing unit to aerate the compost pile. The Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) was developed using data collected by effective sensors installed in the HGSHP system. The main objective is to control the water flow rate with a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) to improve overall system performance. The dataset for ANFIS has been created and trained using MATLAB® software, then implemented on a Raspberry Pi nano-computer with Python coding. This paper compares the performance of ANFIS with two different cases: ANFIS with Triangular Membership Function (TriMF) and ANFIS with Gaussian Membership Function (GaussMF). After implementing ANFIS with TriMF and GaussMF, the average COP during composter operation and system cooling significantly increased. In contrast, the HGSHP system power consumption is sufficiently reduced in both case studies. Moreover, ANFIS also benefits the composting process, as evidenced by the increase in composter operation time, and vice versa for system cooling time. Ultimately, the implementation of ANFIS can improve the HGSHP system performance in both the TriMF and GaussMF cases, with the TriMF case showing a significant improvement in the HGSHP system performance compared to the GaussMF case.

This article proposes a nonlinear deterministic mathematical model that encapsulates the dynamics of the prevailing degree of corruption in a population. The objectives are attained by exploring the dynamics of the corruption model under fractional-order derivative in the Caputo sense. The outcomes of the research are facilitated by stratifying the population into five compartments: susceptible class, exposed class, corrupted class, recovered class, and honest class. The developed model is validated by proving pivotal delicacies such as positivity, invariant region, basic reproduction number, and stability analysis. The Ulam–Hyers stability technique is used to prove the stable solution. The Adam–Bashforth numerical scheme is employed to estimate the numerical solution. Moreover, the research environment is further enriched by studying each compartment with respect to a wide range of relevant parametric settings. The realizations of this study indicate that susceptible individuals remain subject to being influenced by corrupt individuals. In addition, it is observed that the population of exposed individuals, recovered individuals, and honest individuals asymptotically approach toward the corruption equilibrium point, whereas the magnitudes of susceptible individuals and corrupted individuals decrease asymptotically to the corruption equilibrium state. The compartment dynamics are witnessed to be sensitive for various fractional-orders indicating the utility of the fractional approach. The findings of this study support the fundamental understanding of conceptualizing corruption in accordance with the viral transmission of infectious disease.

Weeds pose a severe threat to wheat productivity in rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS). Mulching residues of allelopathic crops into soil could be one of the viable organic strategies to manage weeds and sustain productivity. A two-year field experiment was conducted to study the effect of residue mulch of allelopathic crops on the weed population in wheat. The study consisted of three allelopathic crop residue mulch (CRM) treatments (wheat, rice and sorghum) each applied at 4 t ha-1 and three nitrogen (N) sources (ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate and urea) each applied at 125 kg N ha-1. Plastic mulch and no mulch were used as controls. Results indicated that all mulches significantly inhibited dry biomass and density of all types of weeds during both growing seasons; however, the highest inhibition of weeds was found with plastic mulch. Among allelopathic mulches, maximum suppression in dry biomass and density of narrow leaved weeds (NLWs), broad leaved weeds (BLWs) and total weeds (TWs) was found in wheat mulch followed by sorghum and rice mulch. Compared with the control (no nitrogen), nitrogen applications generally increased the growth of weeds in terms of thei dry biomass only. The highest grain harvest was recorded in plastic mulch treatments followed by sorghum and wheat mulch. Calcium ammonium nitrate exhibited higher grain yield than other nitrogen sources. A negative correlation was found for grain yield and soil water soluble phenolics with dry biomass and density of weeds. In crux, use of allelopathic CRMs may be a pragmatic approach to manage weeds, improving competitiveness of crop plants with weeds and wheat productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 75-kDa low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has been shown in previous reports to mediate neuronal cell death in vitro and in vivo under certain circumstances. Antisense oligonucleotides directed against p75NTR promote the survival of nerve growth factor-deprived dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons in vitro (Barrett, G.; Bartlett, P., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:6501–6505; 1994) and axotomized dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons in vivo (Cheema, S. S.; Barrett, G. L.; Bartlett, P. F., J. Neurosci. Res. 46:239–245; 1996). In this study we compared the neuroprotective effects of antisense p75NTR oligonucleotides with two neurotrophic factors, namely nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor, on cultured sensory neurons derived from postnatal day 7 and 14 rat dorsal root ganglia. After 3 d in culture, treatment with the neurotrophic factors had significant survival effects on sensory neuron cultures compared to treatment with basal medium (control). However, after 6 and 9 d in culture these rescue effects were not apparent. In contrast, antisense p75NTR oligonucleotides rescued significantly higher numbers of dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons after 6 and 9 d in culture than treatment with neurotrophic factors, sense oligonucleotides, and basal medium. Furthermore, antisense p75NTR oligonucleotides rescued trkA-, B-, and C-expressing neurons, while NGF and leukemia inhibitory factor targeted primarily the trkA-positive neurons. These findings suggest that antisense-based strategies that inhibit gene expression of cytotoxic molecules are more efficient at preventing postnatal sensory neuronal death in vitro than treatment with individual neurotrophic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether the degree of saturation of C-18 fatty acids influenced hepatic cholesterol metabolism in C3H mice. The mice were fed diets containing 20 g/100 g fat, enriched in stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1) or linoleic acid (18:2) with or without 1 g/100 g cholesterol. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was lower in mice fed the 18:0 diet relative to those fed the 18:1- or 18:2-enriched diets (P < 0.05) regardless of dietary cholesterol supplementation. Dietary cholesterol significantly raised hepatic total cholesterol concentration (P < 0.05) in those fed the 18:1- and 18:2-enriched diets, but not in mice fed the 18:0-enriched diet. Dietary cholesterol raised biliary cholesterol concentration (P < 0. 05) in mice fed the 18:1- and 18:2-enriched diets, but not in mice fed the 18:0-enriched diet. The cholesterol saturation index was variably affected by the fat diets. Feeding diets containing cholesterol suppressed the hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity and induced acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) activity compared with feeding diets without cholesterol (P < 0.05), indicating that the liver was exposed to dietary cholesterol. Hepatic ACAT activity was lower in mice fed the 18:0-enriched diet compared with those fed the 18:1- or 18:2-enriched diets (P < 0.05). Addition of cholesterol to the 18:1 diet induced the largest increase of hepatic ACAT activity, and this was associated with the enrichment of VLDL with cholesterol. Varying the degree of saturation of C-18 fatty acids influences the metabolism and disposition of hepatic cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research primarily aims at the in-depth exploration of thermal conductivity dynamics of Graphene-Silver (C-Ag) nano-composites on various parametric fronts. The parametric settings and resultant experimental states are mimicked by the rigorous launch of molecular dynamic (MD) simulations with Green-Kubo multiscale modeling approach. The enumeration of thermal conductivity of C-Ag nano-composites is instigated along with three orientations that is C-Ag (1 0 0), C-Ag (1 1 0) and C-Ag (1 1 1). Further, the conductive subtleties are expounded with respect to numerous factors of practical concerns such as, temperature, length of composite, composite width and number of Ag layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Bio F1B hamster is an inbred hybrid strain that is highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. We previously reported that feeding a high fat fish oil diet to Bio F1B hamster caused severe hyperlipidaemia. In this study we compared the effects of various diets in the Bio F1B hamster and the Golden Syrian hamster, which is an outbred hamster strain to investigate whether genetic background plays an important role in dietary fat mediated regulation of lipoprotein metabolism. We further investigated the mechanisms behind diet-induced hyperlipidaemia in F1B hamster. Methods The Bio F1B and Golden Syrian hamsters, 8 weeks old, were fed high fat diets rich in either monounsaturated fatty acids, an n-6: n-3 ratio of 5 or a fish oil diet for 4 weeks. Animals were fasted overnight and blood and tissue samples were collected. Plasma was fractionated into various lipoprotein fractions and assayed for triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations. Plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was measured using radioisotope method. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity was measured in the liver and intestine. Plasma apolipoproteinB48, -B100 and apolipoprotein E was measured using Western blots. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of diet type and animal strain. Results The fish oil fed F1B hamsters showed milky plasma after a 14-hour fast. Fish oil feeding caused accumulation of apolipoproteinB48 containing lipoprotein particles suggesting hindrance of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein clearance. There was no significant effect of diet or strain on hepatic or intestinal microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity indicating that hyperlipidaemia is not due to an increase in the assembly or secretion of lipoprotein particles. F1B hamsters showed significantly reduced levels of lipoprotein lipase activity, which was inhibited by fish oil feeding. Conclusion Evidence is presented for the first time that alterations in lipoprotein lipase activity and mRNA levels contribute to varied response of these hamsters to dietary fat, highlighting the importance of genetic background in the regulation of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism by dietary fats. Bio F1B hamster may prove to be an important animal model to investigate nutrient mediated regulation of metabolic parameters under lipoprotein lipase deficiency.

Abstract Background Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a major role in regulating the levels of LDL- and HDL-cholesterol. We previously observed a fish-oil-induced elevation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol concentrations and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration in F1B hamsters. The molecular mechanism/s by which fish oil induces hyperlipidaemic effect was investigated in this study. We examined whether the effects of dietary fish oil on plasma lipoprotein concentrations are due to fish-oil-induced alterations in plasma CETP activity. MIX diet, a diet supplemented with a mixture of lard and safflower oil, was used as the control diet. Results We found that fish oil feeding in hamsters reduced CETP mass as well as CETP activity. Increasing the dietary fat level of fish-oil from 5% to 20% (w/w) led to a further decrease in CETP mass. Supplementation with dietary cholesterol increased both CETP mass and CETP activity in fish-oil and MIX-diet fed hamsters. However, there was no correlation between CETP mass as well as CETP activity and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Conclusion These findings suggest that cholesterol ester transfer between HDL and LDL is not likely to play a major role in determining fish-oil-induced changes in LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in F1B hamsters. A possible role of reduced clearance of LDL-particles as well as dietary fat level and dietary cholesterol dependent changes in LDL-lipid composition have been discussed.

The growing field of social neuroscience is reliant on the development of robust, ecologically valid paradigms for simulating social interaction and measuring social cognition in highly controlled laboratory settings. Perspective taking is a key component of social cognition, and accordingly several paradigms aimed at measuring perspective taking exist. A relatively novel paradigm is the ball detection task, in which participants and a virtual agent form independent beliefs about the presence of a target stimulus behind an occluder. Previous studies have shown that incongruent trials (in which the participant's and the agent's beliefs differ) affect participant reaction times and elicit increased neural activity in the so-called mentalizing network. This paradigm has important advantages over previous ones, in that experimental conditions can be fully randomized, and ceiling effects are not found even for adult populations. Here, we combined this paradigm with a stress induction and a nonstressful control task. In an online study, we found no evidence of perspective taking at the behavioral level. Combining the task with functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found no evidence of perspective taking at the behavioral or neural level, even for the control condition. While this paradigm is reliable on its own, implementing it in the context of a task-switching paradigm appears to reduce participants' focus on task-irrelevant perspective taking elements. Our findings highlight the fragility of existing social cognition paradigms and the need for reliable, simple, and ecologically valid measures of perspective taking., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interests., (Copyright © 2024 Cheema et al.)

Background: The primary objective worldwide during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had been controlling disease transmission. However, lockdown measures used to mitigate transmission affected human behavior and altered lifestyles, with a likely impact on chronic non-communicable diseases. More than a year into the pandemic, substantial peer-reviewed literature emerged on altered lifestyles following the varying lockdown measures imposed globally to control the virus spread. We explored the impact of lockdown measures on six lifestyle factors, namely diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, social connectedness, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other harmful substances., Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed and the World Health Organization's global literature database on COVID-19 and retrieved 649 relevant articles for the narrative review. A critical interpretative synthesis of the articles was performed., Results: Most of the articles included in the review identified the negative effect of lockdown measures on each of the lifestyle factors in many parts of the world. Encouraging lifestyle trends were also highlighted in a few articles. Such trends can positively influence the outcome of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes., Conclusions: The lockdown associated with COVID-19 has largely had a negative impact on the lifestyles of individuals and communities across many countries and cultures. However, some individuals and communities also initiated positive lifestyle-related behavioral changes. If the knowledge generated by studying the impact of COVID-19-related lockdowns on the six lifestyle factors is further consolidated, it could improve chronic disease outcomes. This will help better understand lifestyle behaviors amidst crises and assist in redesigning extreme public health measures such as lockdowns.. It is up to governments, communities, and healthcare/academic entities to derive benefit from lessons learned from the pandemic, with the ultimate objective of better educating and promoting healthy lifestyles among communities., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Doraiswamy S et al.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is a significant public health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, being widely prevalent and the main risk factor for cervical cancer. We aimed to assess knowledge and perception towards HPV, acceptability of the HPV vaccine, and HPV vaccination rates among university students in Education City, Doha, Qatar., Methods: This cross-sectional survey utilized proportional quota-sampling, with quotas based on university, sex, and nationality, to recruit students from seven universities between February and September 2022. The English language questionnaire requested socio-demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes about HPV infection and the vaccine. The chi-square test, Student t-test, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were used to assess differences in proportion, mean, and median according to broad HPV knowledge categories., Results: Three hundred and ninety-eight students were recruited (response rate = 82.3%), of whom 251 (63.1%) were female. Mean age was 21.7 years. Eighty-nine (22.4%, 95% CI 18.4-26.8%) students had poor knowledge about HPV, 220 (55.3%, 95% CI 50.2-60.2%) students had some awareness, and 89 (22.4%, 95% CI 18.4-26.8%) students were knowledgeable. Age, nationality, and field of study influenced the students' knowledge about HPV. Only 25 (6.3%) students had previously been vaccinated against HPV. However, 71% of the unvaccinated students reported being willing to get vaccinated if recommended by their healthcare provider., Conclusions: Overall, 77.7% of the student population had some-to-good levels of knowledge about HPV-related infection, cancer, and vaccination. There are gaps in the student population's understanding and knowledge about HPV. Increasing knowledge can be key toward shared decision-making for HPV vaccination among eligible populations. Targeted public health campaigns and integration into childhood vaccination programs should be critical first steps, especially as most of the surveyed students had a positive outlook on getting vaccinated. Healthcare professionals should be incentivized to increase their HPV knowledge and communication skills, while policymakers can work toward easing barriers in integrating HPV vaccinations in the immunization schedule and encouraging overall HPV vaccination uptake., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes circulating triglycerides (TGs), releasing fatty acids (FA) and promoting lipid storage in white adipose tissue (WAT). However, the mechanisms regulating adipose LPL and its relationship with the development of hypertriglyceridemia are largely unknown. WAT from obese humans exhibited high PAR2 expression, which was inversely correlated with the LPL gene. Decreased LPL expression was also inversely correlated with elevated plasma TG levels, suggesting that adipose PAR2 might regulate hypertriglyceridemia by downregulating LPL. In mice, aging and high palmitic acid diet (PD) increased PAR2 expression in WAT, which was associated with a high level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). MIF downregulated LPL expression and activity in adipocytes by binding with CXCR2/4 receptors and inhibiting Akt phosphorylation. In a MIF overexpression model, high-circulating MIF levels suppressed adipose LPL, and this suppression was associated with increased plasma TGs but not FA. Following PD feeding, adipose LPL expression and activity were significantly reduced, and this reduction was reversed in Par2-/- mice. Recombinant MIF infusion restored high plasma MIF levels in Par2-/- mice, and the levels decreased LPL and attenuated adipocyte lipid storage, leading to hypertriglyceridemia. These data collectively suggest that downregulation of adipose LPL by PAR2/MIF may contribute to the development of hypertriglyceridemia.