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Background/Objectives: Although there is a need for evidence-based physical activity programs in rural communities, evaluating such programs is often challenging due to access-related barriers and measurement tools that are not designed for rural contexts. This study aimed to explore and better understand the day-to-day experiences of rural-dwelling children using wrist-worn PA trackers as part of a study to develop a health promotion program. Methods: Ten caregivers and child dyads were enrolled (n = 20). The children wore accelerometers pre- and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews were completed post-intervention and were audio recorded, transcribed, and summary reports were generated based on recurring themes. Results: The children had a mean age of 8.7 (SD = 1.4) years and the majority were male (80%). The caregivers were female, white, and had a mean age of 43.6 (SD = 8.5) years, with an annual income of ≥USD 40,000. Factors contributing to device wear times included low caregiver burden, device functioning as a watch, and device interactivity. The children reported that the devices were acceptable, but may have changed their physical activity behaviors, with children regularly checking their step count. The caregivers preferred devices that monitored the children's activity levels without sharing location data. Conclusions: Identifying acceptable and feasible strategies to measure physical activity is vital to developing effective health promotion efforts. The lessons learned may help develop evaluation plans for implementing rural physical activity programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Resting cells represent a survival strategy employed by diatoms to endure prolonged periods of unfavourable conditions. In the oceans, many diatoms sink at the end of their blooming season and therefore need to endure cold and dark conditions in the deeper layers of the water column. How they survive these conditions is largely unknown.We conducted an integrative analysis encompassing methods from histology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics to reveal the biological mechanism of resting‐cell formation in the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.Resting‐cell formation was triggered by a decrease in light and temperature with subsequent catabolism of storage compounds. Resting cells were characterised by an acidic and viscous cytoplasm and altered morphology of the chloroplast ultrastructure.The formation of resting cells in T. pseudonana is an energy demanding process required for a biophysical alteration of the cytosol and chloroplasts to endure the unfavourable conditions of the deeper ocean as photosynthetic organisms. However, most resting cells (> 90%) germinate upon return to favorable growth conditions. See also the Commentary on this article by von Dassow, 243: 1284–1286. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal water (GW) resources are highly valued as clean, renewable energy sources. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of water chemistry and isotope data from 25 GW samples was conducted to gain insights into the hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanisms of the GW in the northern Jinan region (NJR). Statistical analysis and hydrochemical methods were employed for relevant analysis. The findings reveal that the GW in the NJR exhibits high salinity, with an average total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of 9009.00 mg/L. The major ions identified are Na+ and Cl−, with mean concentrations of 2829.73 mg/L and 4425.77 mg/L, respectively, resulting in a hydrochemical type of Cl−Na. The analysis of δ2H and δ18O isotopes indicates that the GW originates from atmospheric precipitation that undergoes deep cycling and interaction with older groundwater. The composition of 3H suggests that the GW in the NJR is a mixture of waters, while radiocarbon dating (14C) suggests that the recharge of the GW may have occurred in the late Pleistocene era. The GW in the NJR is classified as partially equilibrated waters. The temperature range of geothermal reservoirs is 57.13 to 99.74 °C. The hydrochemical components primarily result from water–rock interactions, including silicate weathering, cation exchange, as well as carbonate weathering and the dissolution of halite and gypsum. Moreover, taking into account the hydrogeological conditions, hydrochemistry, and isotope analysis, a conceptual model of the geothermal reservoir in the NJR was developed. The research findings serve as a valuable reference and foundation for the development and utilization of geothermal resources in the Jinan region. These originate from the Taiyi mountains in the south or the Taihang mountains in the west, and experience deep circulation and long runoff times. This study provides a reference for the sustainable development and utilization of regional geothermal resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UO2-BeO is an important composite nuclear fuel with high thermal conductivity. The impact of grain boundaries between UO2-UO2 and phase boundaries between UO2-BeO on the bubble evolution and the thermal conductivity in nuclear fuels is significant. In this study, we utilize a 3D phase field model to examine the influence of these boundaries on the nucleation and growth of bubbles in a bicrystalline UO2-BeO. Our simulations reveal that the diffusion of vacancies and gas atoms towards the phase boundaries results in bubbles preferentially forming at the phase boundaries. Intergranular bubbles possess an asymmetrical lectical shape due to the long-range diffusion-controlled boundary migration and the different defect production rate on the both sides. Spherical intragranular bubbles appear after the intergranular bubbles with high defects production rates and large grain size. The effective thermal conductivity decreases with the irradiation time and shows three distinct stages for systems that have both inter- and intragranular bubbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a naturally occurring biomaterial with a wide range of potential applications in the food industry because of its exceptional mechanical qualities, unique nanofiber structure, high purity, and outstanding biocompatibility. Beyond its physical attributes, BC has gained interest recently due to research demonstrating its potential health benefits as a functional food ingredient. This article examines the many uses of BC in the food business, with a focus on how it may enhance food texture, operate as a bioactive carrier, and have promise in the packaging sector. Further research was done on the health-promoting properties of BC in functional foods, particularly with regard to its functions as a blood glucose regulator, and gastrointestinal health. This review seeks to bring fresh ideas for the study of bioactive components in the food industry by providing a summary of the existing research and demonstrating the possible role of BC in food. It also suggests future paths for research. [Display omitted] • BC exhibits unique nanofiber structure and biocompatibility, making it ideal for various food industry applications. • BC serves as an efficient carrier for bioactive compounds. • BC's biodegradable and non-toxic nature makes it a promising alternative for environmentally friendly food packaging. • BC has gained interest for its potential health benefits. • This review opens pathways for further exploration of BC's applications in food technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal resources are one of the most valuable resources in renewable energy because of their advantages of green environmental protection, stability, and reliability. Carbonate rock type geothermal reservoirs have great research significance. Carbonate rock type geothermal resources are abundant in the Shandong area. In this paper, we take the carbonate-type geothermal reservoir in the Diaozhen area of Jinan City as the research object, analyze the regional geothermal geological conditions, and identify the geological structure. Through physical logging exploration, hydrochemical analysis, isotope testing, and drilling exploration, we reveal the geothermal genesis mechanism and construct the genetic model of the carbonate geothermal system. The results show that Diaozhen area belongs to a low-temperature geothermal field and weak open karst thermal reservoir and that the reservoir is mainly Ordovician Majiagou group limestone. The thermal insulation caprock is the overlying Quaternary and Neogene strata with a cumulative thickness of 1376 m. The results of geophysical exploration wells and drilling data verify that the Mingshui fracture is seen around 1630-1645m, and the diorite intrusion is seen at 1610m. The Mingshui fracture connects the deep and shallow aquifers and is a geothermal fluid migration channel. The geothermal water in the Diaozhen area is mainly from the recharge of atmospheric precipitation, with a rich ion content and easy enrichment of trace elements. The regional thermal reservoir is mainly recharged by the deep circulation lateral runoff of Ordovician karst water. After long-distance deep circulation migration, groundwater continuously absorbs heat from the surrounding rock and is heated to geothermal raw water in the deep part. Deep geothermal water rises along the water-conducting fracture and mixes with shallow cold water to form shallow, low-temperature geothermal water., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)