Musculoskeletal Failure.

Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia are prevalent musculoskeletal disorders that significantly impact the aging population's health and quality of life. Osteoarthritis, characterized by joint inflammation, leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Osteoporosis, a condition marked by bone density loss, increases fracture susceptibility, especially in postmenopausal women and older adults.

A machine learning approach to investigate the impact of land use land cover (LULC) changes on groundwater quality, health risks and ecological risks through GIS and response surface methodology (RSM).

Groundwater resources are enormously affected by land use land cover (LULC) dynamics caused by increasing urbanisation, agricultural and household discharge as a result of global population growth. This study investigates the impact of decadal LULC changes in groundwater quality, human and ecological health from 2009 to 2021 in a diverse landscape, West Bengal, India. Using groundwater quality data from 479 wells in 2009 and 734 well in 2021, a recently proposed Water Pollution Index (WPI) was computed, and its geospatial distribution by a machine learning-based 'Empirical Bayesian Kriging' (EBK) tool manifested a decline in water quality since the number of excellent water category decreased from 30.

Linien: A versatile, user-friendly, open-source FPGA-based tool for frequency stabilization and spectroscopy parameter optimization.

We present a user-friendly and versatile tool for laser frequency stabilization. Its main focus is spectroscopy locking, but the software is suitable for lock-in techniques in general as well as bare proportional-integral-derivative (PID) operation. Besides allowing for sinusoidal modulation (up to 50 MHz), triangular ramp scanning, in-phase and quadrature demodulation (1-5 f), infinite impulse response, and PID filtering, Linien features two different algorithms for automatic lock point selection; one of them performs time-critical tasks completely on field-programmable gate arrays.

Compact plug and play optical frequency reference device based on Doppler-free spectroscopy of rubidium vapor.

Compactness, robustness and autonomy of optical frequency references are prerequisites for reliable operation in mobile systems, on ground as well as in space. We present a standalone plug and play optical frequency reference device based on frequency modulation spectroscopy of the D2-transition in rubidium at 780 nm. After a single button press the hand-sized laser module, based on the micro-integrated laser-optical bench described in [J.

Modulating the Barrier Function of Human Alveolar Epithelial (hAELVi) Cell Monolayers as a Model of Inflammation.

The incidence of inflammatory lung diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains an important problem, particularly in the present time with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, an adequate test system to monitor the barrier function of the alveolar epithelium during inflammation and for assessing anti-inflammatory drugs is urgently needed. Therefore, we treated human Alveolar Epithelial Lentivirus-immortalised cells (hAELVi cells) with the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (25 ng/ml) and IFN-γ (30 ng/ml), in the presence or absence of hydrocortisone (HC).

Development and evaluation of a quality control system based on transdermal electrical resistance for skin barrier function in vitro.

Background: In vitro skin permeation experiments are highly relevant for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, agricultural developments, and regulatory evaluation. A key requirement is the skin barrier integrity, that is accompanied by an intact stratum corneum (SC) which implements high skin quality. A variety of integrity tests are currently available, for example, measurement of transepidermal water loss, monitoring the permeation of tritiated water and the measurement of transdermal electrical resistance (TER).

Effects of dry or wet conditions during the preweaning phase on subsequent feedlot performance and carcass composition of beef cattle.

Our objective was to determine the effects of dry and wet conditions during the preweaning on subsequent feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of beef cattle. Steers ( = 7,432) and heifers ( = 2,361) finished in 16 feedlots in southwestern Iowa through the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative were used for a retrospective analysis. Cattle originated in the Midwest (Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota) and were born in February, March, or April of 2002 through 2013.

RAPID COMMUNICATION: Impact of contemporary light sources on oxidation of fresh ground beef.

Meat color is considered one of the driving factors in consumer purchasing decisions. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of 2 different lighting sources on color and lipid oxidation of ground beef patties in a controlled environment. USDA Select top rounds ( = 20) were processed to produce ground beef at 2 different fat levels (5 and 25%) and made into patties (113.

Spring response to precipitation events using δ(18)O and δ(2)H in the Tanour catchment, NW Jordan.

The Tanour spring is one of the several karst springs located in the northern part of Jordan. Water samples from the Tanour spring and precipitation were collected in the area of Ajloun in NW Jordan for the analysis of stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes to evaluate the spring response to precipitation events. Rainwater and snow samples were collected from different elevations during winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.

Growth performance and pork fat quality as measured by three methods of pigs fed 20% DDGS and slaughtered using a standard industry split marketing strategy.

A total of 40 pens containing 22 crossbred barrows (initial BW = 43.07 ± 1.61 kg; PIC 1050 × PIC 337 genetics) were housed in a commercial wean to finish facility.

Beef muscle isolation has no detrimental effect on premium ground beef programs.

This experiment evaluated whether isolating certain muscles from the chuck for retail sale and excluding them from ground beef mix changes the number of days that ground chuck is acceptable to consumers. Chucks were harvested from twenty-four beef steers, and were allocated to either traditional or innovative fabrication methods. Resulting ground beef patties were stored in retail simulation conditions for 7days to determine color and oxidative stability.

GRB 130427A: a nearby ordinary monster.

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are an extremely rare outcome of the collapse of massive stars and are typically found in the distant universe. Because of its intrinsic luminosity (L ~ 3 × 10(53) ergs per second) and its relative proximity (z = 0.34), GRB 130427A reached the highest fluence observed in the γ-ray band.

Effect of corn dried distillers grains with solubles, conjugated linoleic acid, and ractopamine (paylean) on growth performance and fat characteristics of late finishing pigs.

An experiment was performed to evaluate effects of dietary ractopamine, CLA, and corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth and carcass and fat quality of finishing pigs. This study was conducted as a split-split plot arrangement in a generalized randomized block design. In total 1,102 crossbred barrows and gilts (initial BW = 100.

The effect of corn distiller's dried grains with solubles, ractopamine, and conjugated linoleic acid on the carcass performance, meat quality, and shelf-life characteristics of fresh pork following three different storage methods.

The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary corn distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth performance, carcass and fat quality, and shelf-life of fresh pork from finishing pigs. Barrows (n=72) were fed one of eight treatments consisting of two diet sources (corn-soy and corn-soy+20% DDGS), two levels of RAC (0 and 7.4ppm), and two levels of CLA (0 and 0.

Fatty acid profiles and iodine value correlations between 4 carcass fat depots from pigs fed varied combinations of ractopamine and energy.

A total of 54 finishing barrows (initial BW = 99.8 ± 5.1 kg; PIC C22 × 337) reared in individual pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels of ractopamine (0 and 7.

Impact of dietary energy level and ractopamine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing pigs.

A total of 54 finishing barrows (initial BW = 99.8 ± 5.1 kg; PIC C22 × 337) reared in individual pens were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with 2 levels of ractopamine (0 and 7.

Immune response and blood chemistry of pigs fed conjugated linoleic acid.

Immune function (response to concanavalin A, cytokine production, and lymphocyte profiles) and blood chemistry variables were measured in growing-finishing pigs (Yorkshire/Landrace/Duroc dam × Hampshire sire) fed varying percentages of CLA (0, 0.12, 0.25, 0.

Impact of a group mind/body intervention on pregnancy rates in IVF patients.

Objective: To determine if women who were randomized to a mind/body program before starting their first IVF cycle would have higher pregnancy rates than control subjects.

Design: Randomized, controlled, prospective study.

Setting: Private academically affiliated infertility center.

The influence of dietary protein on market barrows and gilts supplemented creatine monohydrate in conjunction with a high glycemic carbohydrate.

The objective of the study was to determine if additional dietary protein improves the lean tissue deposition and carcass merit of pigs supplemented creatine monohydrate in combination with a high glycemic carbohydrate (dextrose). Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (91±0.18 kg) were blocked by sex assigned to 1 of 12 pens (4 pigs/pen, 16 pigs/treatment).

Prediction of fat percentage within marbling score on beef longissimus muscle using 3 different fat determination methods.

Consumers are concerned with fat consumption from meat products, and the ability to determine fat has changed with recent technological advances. The objective of this study was to predict fat percentage within marbling scores and compare 3 fat analysis procedures. Steaks (n = 119) were selected by USDA grading system using an E + V Vision Grading camera at a commercial beef plant during 1 d.

Efficacy of a comprehensive program for reducing stress in women: a prospective, randomized trial.

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of a comprehensive stress management program in reducing perceived stress among women who reported moderate-to-high stress levels.

Methods: A total of 562 highly motivated females, aged 25-45, with moderate to high stress levels, were enrolled in a 14-week study. Participants were randomized into one of three groups: Group 1 included Internet-based coaching focusing on behavior modification, daily use of proprietary olfactive-based personal care products, and periodic feedback reports; Group 2 consisted of only online coaching; and Group 3 had no active stress management program.

Cross-cultural differences in infant and toddler sleep.

Background: To characterize cross-cultural sleep patterns and sleep problems in a large sample of children ages birth to 36 months in multiple predominantly-Asian (P-A) and predominantly-Caucasian (P-C) countries.

Methods: Parents of 29,287 infants and toddlers (predominantly-Asian countries/regions: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam; predominantly-Caucasian countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States) completed an internet-based expanded version of the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire.

Results: Overall, children from P-A countries had significantly later bedtimes, shorter total sleep times, increased parental perception of sleep problems, and were more likely to both bed-share and room-share than children from P-C countries, p<.

Infant skin microstructure assessed in vivo differs from adult skin in organization and at the cellular level.

Functional differences between infant and adult skin may be attributed to putative differences in skin microstructure. The purpose of this study was to examine infant skin microstructure in vivo and to compare it with that of adult skin. The lower thigh area of 20 healthy mothers (ages 25-43) and their biological children (ages 3-24 months) was examined using in vivo noninvasive methods including fluorescence spectroscopy, video microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy.