Objectives
The relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive function has been extensively studied, but is usually explored at a single time point. We used repeatedly measured cognitive data to ...examine the relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories over time among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
Design
A nationally representative cohort study.
Setting and Participants
Data were from three waves (2011, 2013 and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 8963 participants with complete baseline data (wave 1) and at least two cognitive function tests (waves 1–3) were enrolled in this study.
Measurements
Sarcopenia was diagnosed at baseline (wave 1). The wave 1–3 data were used to analyze cognitive trajectories over time by constructing a latent class trajectory model (LCTM). Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories.
Results
Among 8693 participants, we identified two trajectories of cognitive function development, including a persistent low trajectory (n= 4856, 55.86%) and a persistent high trajectory (n= 3837, 44.14%). Sarcopenia was associated with persistently low cognitive trajectory of global cognitive (OR: 1.248, 95%CI: 1.046–1.490) after adjustment for other covariates. This association was still observed when stratified by age, gender, educational level, marital status, social activity, smoking status and drinking status. Mediation analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) mediated efficacy accounting for 42.32% of the relationship.
Conclusions
Our study showed two trajectory groups of global cognitive function. Sarcopenia was associated with a persistent low trajectory over time and BMI mediated the relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
Abstract
We report the discovery of the first new pulsar with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), PSR J0036−1033, a long-period (0.9 s) nonrecycled pulsar with a dispersion measure (DM) of 23.1 pc ...cm
−3
. It was found after processing only a small fraction (∼1%) of data from an ongoing all-sky pulsar survey. Follow-up observations have been made with the MWA, the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT), and the Parkes 64 m telescopes, spanning a frequency range from ∼150 MHz to 4 GHz. The pulsar is faint, with an estimated flux density (
S
) of ∼1 mJy at 400 MHz and a spectrum
, where
ν
is frequency. The DM-derived distance implies that it is also a low-luminosity source (∼0.1 mJy kpc
2
at 1400 MHz). The analysis of archival MWA observations reveals that the pulsar’s mean flux density varies by up to a factor of ∼5–6 on timescales of several weeks to months. By combining MWA and uGMRT data, the pulsar position was determined to arcsecond precision. We also report on polarization properties detected in the MWA and Parkes bands. The pulsar’s nondetection in previous pulsar and continuum imaging surveys, the observed high variability, and its detection in a small fraction of the survey data searched to date, all hint at a larger population of pulsars that await discovery in the southern hemisphere, with the MWA and the future low-frequency Square Kilometre Array.
SegNet model is an improved model of Full Convolutional Networks (FCN). Its encoder, i.e. image feature extraction, is still a convolutional neural network (CNN). Aiming at the problem that most ...traditional CNN training uses error back propagation algorithm (BP algorithm), which has slow convergence speed and is easy to fall into local optimum solution, this paper takes SegNet as the research object, and proposes a method of extracting partial weights by using genetic algorithm (GA) to select features of SegNet model, and to alleviate the problem that SegNet is easy to fall into local optimal solution. In the training process of SegNet model, the weight of convolution layer of SegNet model used to extract features is optimized through selection, crossover and mutation of genetic algorithm, and then the improved SegNet semantic model (GA-SegNet model) is obtained by GA. In order to verify the image classification effect of the proposed GA-SegNet model, the same high-resolution remote sensing image data are used for experiments, and the model is compared with maximum likelihood (ML), support vector machine (SVM), traditional CNN and SegNet semantic model without GA improvement. The experimental results show that the proposed GA-SegNet model has the best classification accuracy and effect, which GA overcomes the problem of premature convergence of BP random gradient descent to a certain extent, and improves the classification performance of SegNet semantic model.
•The superhydrophobic PTFE/PVDF surfaces were prepared by a simple one-step abrading method within a few minutes.•The superhydrophobic PTFE/PVDF surfaces showed strong mechanical durability after ...abrasion cycles.•The superhydrophobicity can be repaired by a simple abrading regeneration process within a few minutes when the surface is polluted by dust or organic contaminant.
Superhydrophobic surfaces with both excellent mechanical durability and easy repairability based on polytetrafluoroethylene/polyvinylidene fluoride (PTFE/PVDF) composites were prepared by a facile method. The surface energy of PVDF matrix was lowered by the incorporation of PTFE particles, and the rough micro textures on the surfaces of the composites were created by abrading. A water droplet on the surface exhibited a contact angle of about 163.5°, and a sliding angle lower than 5°. Such superhydrophobic surfaces showed strong mechanical durability because the surfaces were prepared in the way of mechanical abrasion. The scratch tests indicated that the surface micro textures were retained after the abrasion cycles, and the fresh exposed surfaces were still superhydrophobic. More importantly, such superhydrophobicity can be repaired by a simple abrading regeneration process within a few minutes when the surface is polluted by dust or organic contaminant.
The microbial activity in soils was a critical factor governing the degradation of organic micro-pollutants. The present study was conducted to analyze the effects of soil organic matter on the ...development of degradation potentials for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Most of the degradation kinetics for PAHs by the indigenous microorganisms developed in soils can be fitted with the Logistic growth models. The microbial activities were relatively lower in the soils with the lowest and highest organic matter content, which were likely due to the nutrition limit and PAH sequestration. The microbial activities developed in humic acid (HA) were much higher than those developed in humin, which was demonstrated to be able to sequester organic pollutants stronger. The results suggested that the nutrition support and sequestration were the two major mechanisms, that soil organic matter influenced the development of microbial PAHs degradation potentials.
► PAH degradation kinetics obey Logistic model. ► Degradation potentials depend on soil organic carbon content. ► Humin inhibits the development of PAH degradation activity. ► Nutrition support and sequestration regulate microbial degradation capacity.
Soil organic matter regulated PAH degradation potentials through nutrition support and sequestration.
ABSTRACT
The follow-up timing observations were carried out for 24 pulsars discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in Commensal Radio Astronomy FAST Survey. ...We report their phase-connected timing ephemeris, polarization pulse profiles, and Faraday rotation measurements. With their spin periods spanning from 2.995 ms to 4.34 s, their period derivatives were determined to spread between 7.996(8) × 10−21 and 9.83(3) × 10−15 s s−1, which imply that they have characteristic ages from 1.97 × 106 to 5.93 × 109 yr. It is inferred that PSRs J0211+4235 and J0518+2431 are beyond the ‘traditional death line’. PSR J0211+4235 is beyond the ‘death valley’. The death line model of Zhang et al. also cannot explain the radio presence of PSR J0211+4235. This suggests that radiation theory needs to be improved. Besides, ten of the 22 canonical pulsars show nulling phenomena. Moreover, PSR J1617+1123 exhibits variation of emission and J0540+4542 shows subpulse drifting. The DM of five pulsars is larger than the estimated by the YMW16 electron density model, which could suggest that electron density models need updates for higher Galactic latitude regions. PSRs J0447+2447 and J1928−0548 are isolated millisecond pulsars. With their flux densities spanning from 5(1)–553(106) μJy, some of these new pulsars found by FAST are distant, dim, and low-$\dot{E}$ ones and are suitable for testing pulsar emission theories.
1. This study aimed at the effects of a novel Lactobacillus bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) strain and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157: H7 on intestinal flora and growth performance of ...broilers, and the protective effect of L. bulgaricus on broilers in challenged experiment by E. coli O157: H7.
2. In vitro bacteriostatic test showed that the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of L. bulgaricus isolate had an obvious inhibitory effect on E. coli O157: H7.
3. Eighty 1-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned into four treatment groups with four replicates per treatment. All groups received a basal diet in addition to the specific treatments: NC group, gavage with normal saline; In LBP group, gavage with L. bulgaricus isolate (1 × 10
9
CFU/mL) during the whole process and challenged with E. coli O157: H7 (3 × 10
9
CFU/mL); EC group, gavage with E. coli O157: H7 (3 × 10
9
CFU/mL); LB Group, gavage with L. bulgaricus isolate. At the age of 21 d, broilers were weighed and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. Caecum and caecal contents, ileum and faeces samples were taken after slaughter.
4. The challenge of E. coli O157: H7 resulted in an increase in TLR-4, NF-κB and IL-8 mRNA in caecal tissue, a decrease in Villus: crypt ratio in ileum, a decrease in the overall diversity of intestinal microflora and a poor FCR.
5. The L. bulgaricus isolate decreased the mRNA expression of TLR-4, NF-κB and IL-8 induced by E. coli O157: H7, reduced the content of E. coli O157: H7 in the caecum of broilers, increased the villus: crypt ratio, increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and overall diversity of intestinal microflora, and improved FCR.
6. The L. bulgaricus isolate can maintain the intestinal health, improve the growth performance of broilers and reduce the colonisation of E. coli O157:H7 in the caecum.
N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG), an analogue of N-acetylglutamate (NAG), can promote the synthesis of endogenous Arginine (Arg) in mammals, but not well studied in fish. This study was conducted to ...investigate the capacity of Arg endogenous synthesis by NCG, and the effects of various dietary NCG doses on growth performance, hepatic health and underlying nutrient regulation metabolism on ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 signaling pathway in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Four experimental diets were prepared with NCG supplement levels of 0 (N0), 360 (N360), 720 (N720) and 3600 (N3600) mg/kg, in which N360 was at the maximum recommended level authorized by MOA, China in fish feed, and the N720 and N3600 levels were 2 and 10-fold of N360, respectively. Each diet was fed to 6 replicates with 30 Japanese seabass (initial body weight, IBW = 11.67 ± 0.02 g) in each tank. The results showed that the dietary NCG supplementation had no significant effects on the SGR and morphometric parameters of Japanese seabass, but 360–720 mg/kg NCG inclusion promoted PPV, while the 10-fold (3600 mg/kg) overdose of NCG had remarkably negative effects with significantly reduced feed efficiency, PPV and LPV. We found that Japanese seabass can utilize 360–720 mg/kg NCG to synthesis Arg to improve the amino acid metabolism by increasing plasma Arg and up-regulating intestinal ASL gene expression. Increased plasma GST and decreased MDA indicated the improved antioxidant response. Dietary NCG inclusion decreased plasma IgM and down-regulated the mRNA levels of inflammation (TNF-α and IL8), apoptosis (caspase family) and fibrosis (TGF-β1) related genes in the liver. The immunofluorescence examination revealed significantly decreased hepatic apoptosis and necrosis signals in the NCG groups. The ameliorated liver function and histological structure were closely related to the improved lipid metabolism parameters with decreased plasma VLDL and hepatic TG and NEFA accumulation, down-regulated fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and simultaneously increased lipolysis gene mRNA levels, which regulated by inhibiting phosphorylation of ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 signaling pathway. Consuming 3600 mg/kg of dietary NCG is not safe for Japanese seabass culturing with the significantly increased FCR and decreased protein and lipid retention, and reduced plasma ALB. Accordingly, the observed efficacy and safety level of dietary NCG in the diet of Japanese seabass is 720 mg/kg.
Arginine deficiency induces dysfunction of lipid metabolism in liver and highly expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, which induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Dietary NCG alleviates the fatty liver and hepatocyte apoptosis by suppresses ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 protein phosphorylation to inhibiting lipogenesis and up-regulating lipolysis gene expression via promoting endogenous arginine synthesis in Japanese seabass. Display omitted
•Japanese seabass can utilize NCG to synthesis endogenous arginine in vivo.•Dietary NCG attenuated hepatic inflammation and apoptosis of Japanese seabass.•NCG alleviated liver metabolic disease by improving lipid metabolism, which regulated by inhibiting ERK1/2-mTOR-S6K1 pathway;•The observed efficacy and safety level of dietary NCG in the diet of Japanese seabass is 720 mg/kg.•Overdose of dietary NCG (3600 mg/kg) decreased protein and lipid retention and plasma ALB level.
Food images are useful stimuli for the study of cognitive processes as well as eating behavior. To enhance rigor and reproducibility in task-based research, it is advantageous to have stimulus sets ...that are publicly available and well characterized. Food Folio by Columbia Center for Eating Disorders is a publicly available set of 138 images of Western food items. The set was developed for the study of eating disorders, particularly for use in tasks that capture eating behavior characteristic of these illnesses. It contains foods that are typically eaten, as well as those typically avoided, by individuals with eating disorders. Each image has now been rated across 17 different attributes by a large general United States population sample via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (
= 1054). Ratings included subjective attributes (e.g., tastiness, healthiness, and favorable texture) as well as estimates of nutrient content (e.g., fat and carbohydrate). Each participant rated a subset of stimulus set food items (46 foods) on all 17 dimensions. Additional description of the image set is provided in terms of physical image information and accurate nutritional information. Correlations between subjective ratings were calculated and an exploratory factor analysis and exploratory cluster analysis completed. Outcomes of the factor analysis suggested foods may be described along three latent factors of healthiness, tastiness, and umami taste; the cluster analysis highlighted five distinct clusters of foods varying on these same dimensions. Descriptive outcomes indicated that the stimulus set includes a range of foods that vary along multiple dimensions and thus is likely to be useful in addressing various research questions surrounding eating behavior and cognition in healthy populations, as well as in those with eating disorders. The provision of comprehensive descriptive information allows for stimulus selection that is optimized for a given research question and promotes strong inference.
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