With the rise of large-scale genomic studies, large gene lists targeting important diseases are increasingly common. While evaluating each study individually gives valuable insights on specific samples and study designs, the wealth of available evidence in the literature calls for robust and efficient meta-analytic methods. Crucially, the diverse assumptions and experimental protocols underlying different studies require a flexible but rigorous method for aggregation. To address these issues, we propose BiGER, a Bayesian rank aggregation method for the inference of latent global rankings. Unlike existing methods in the field, BiGER accommodates mixed gene lists with top-ranked and top-unranked genes as well as bottom-tied and missing genes, by design. Using a Bayesian hierarchical framework combined with variational inference, BiGER efficiently aggregates large-scale gene lists, consistently achieving state-of-the-art accuracy, while providing valuable insights into source-specific reliability for researchers. Through both simulated and real datasets, we show that BiGER is a useful tool for reliable meta-analysis in genomic studies.
Yam starch accounts for 70-80% of its dry matter, and its physicochemical and technofunctional properties are crucial for its use in the food industry (gelling agent, thickener, and stabilizer). The objective of this study focuses on the physicochemical, pasting and thermal properties of starch extracted from the yam varieties Dioscorea cayenensis, Dioscorea alata, and Dioscorea rotundata. The proximal composition, amylose and amylopectin content, as well as their functional properties (absorption index, solubility, swelling, thermal and pasting behavior, morphology, and color) were analyzed. The results showed that the starch extraction yield varied between varieties, being highest in D. cayenensis with 14.14%. D. alata had the highest starch (82.24%) and amylose (34.69%) content, which gives it greater gel firmness and retrogradation potential, as well as the best techno-functional properties water absorption index (2.46 g/g), water solubility index (1.1%), and swelling power (2.54 g/g). D. cayenensis stands out for its high amylopectin content (69.62%) and brightness (96.89), reflecting greater starch whiteness. D. rotundata has an intermediate balance between amylose and amylopectin, which makes it versatile. The proximal composition and techno-functional properties of yam starch position it as a promising raw material for the food industry, especially in the manufacture of thickeners, gelling agents, and in bakery products, pasta and noodles.
Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of global disability. The efficacy of a non-invasive treatment, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, remains debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate PEMF's effectiveness on KOA, exploring the influence of device parameters. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2015 to 2025. Nine RCTs with a total of 457 patients were included. Primary outcomes were pain (Visual Analog Scale-VAS) and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index-WOMAC). Data were pooled using a random-effects model with subgroup analyses based on PEMF amplitude and frequency. Results: No significant improvement in VAS pain or total WOMAC scores was found at one month. However, time-dependent effects were observed. WOMAC-pain improved significantly at 18-21 days (MD = -1.63, 95% CI: -2.43 to -0.82, I2 = 28%) but not at one month. Conversely, WOMAC-stiffness (MD = -1.11, 95% CI: -1.386 to -0.85, I2 = 0%) and daily activity (MD = -3.39, 95% CI: -4.81 to -1.97, I2 = 0%) improved significantly only at the one-month. Objective functional measures did not improve, and the overall risk of bias across studies was high. The efficacy of PEMF is also influenced by the amplitude and frequency. Conclusions: PEMF efficacy for KOA is nuanced, with benefits dependent on timing and device parameters. High frequency gives fast pain relief; high amplitude builds function. Though statistically significant, these improvements may not reach thresholds for clinical meaningfulness. Significant heterogeneity in treatment protocols is a major barrier to clear conclusions. Standardized, large-scale RCTs are needed to determine optimal parameters and confirm PEMF's clinical role.
While occupational therapists (OTs) promote quality of life through meaningful occupation, little attention has been paid to the role that leisure plays in palliative care. This review aims to explore the perceptions of service users and OTs regarding engagement in leisure activities at the end-of-life. 1. Determine the value of leisure activities for older adults living with cancer on the palliative pathway, 2. To identify interventions to promote occupational engagement. A qualitative systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. The electronic databases namely ASSIA, AMED, CINAHL, Medline, PsycArticles, and PubMed were searched. Qualitative studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included. Two reviewers independently screened the identified articles. The findings were qualitatively synthesised using thematic analysis. We included seven articles with 405 participants. This review demonstrated that leisure could help people in palliative care maintain a sense of identity and normalcy. Leisure also increased happiness and provided relief from pain. Occupational therapy interventions targeting leisure allowed people to maintain a consistent level of engagement. Further empirical research is required to explore palliative patients' perspectives on leisure and to develop specific occupational therapy interventions that enable OTs to facilitate leisure engagement for people in palliative care. Why we conducted this review: • There is little focus on engaging people in leisure when they experience palliative care and there is a big emphasis on managing symptoms of cancer. • More and more people need palliative care due to the increasing ageing population who live longer with debilitating chronic illness. What did We do: • We systematically identified relevant articles and reviewed the literature from the past 14 years to understand the perspectives of older adults receiving palliative care on participating in leisure. What did we find out: • Older adults living with cancer value leisure activities because leisure gives them a greater sense of control over their lives, helps them to maintain a sense of normalcy, provides relief from pain, and increases feelings of happiness. • Occupational therapists have the skills to enable people to participate in leisure by changing the way an activity is done or changing the environment.
The current state of medical practice is going through tremendous and rapid changes. There is an increasing prevalence of burnout among physicians, where they are questioning the value of practicing medicine. There is also a growing frustration among patients over reduced access to physicians, feeling rushed at appointments and generally feeling that they are not being heard. These conditions point to a sense among doctors and patients that the doctor-patient relationship is compromised without a viable pathway to repair this vital connection. In this paper, I want to show how applying philosophy, particularly, Martin Heidegger's discussion of angst and death can help to show a way for doctors to have a deeper ontological understanding of their patients' conditions, which can provide a bridge for doctors to re-establish a deep doctor-patient relationship. I will use vertigo as a paradigm condition of a disorder in which doctors have a poor understanding of their patients' condition. This leads to frustrating interactions with patients and breakdown of the doctor-patient relationship. Ménière's disease is a particular type of vertigo disorder which will serve as the foundation for this study which will examine the severe vertigo attacks and chronic disequilibrium these patients experience through the lens of Heidegger's highly technical phenomenological analysis of angst and death. Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder that causes violent vertigo attacks and hearing loss followed by severe disequilibrium. During the attacks patients are incapacitated by the vertigo, and after the attack subsides, the disequilibrium makes life's normal pursuits meaningless. These patients understand the role of entities in their lives, but entities do not matter to them. Heidegger introduces the concept of for-the-sake-of-which to describe how entities in the world are interrelated with Dasein's purpose of disclosing a world. He provides a sense of for-the-sake-of-which where everyday entities are used to fulfill Dasein's activities which is an existentiell mode of for-the-sake-of-which. His famous example is the hammer in the workshop. He also gives a sense of for-the-sake-of-which where the totality of entities in the world are related to Dasein's ultimate goal of being a discloser of its world. This is Dasein's ultimate for-the-sake-of-which, which is an existential mode. In this paper I show that for-the-sakes-of-which can be thought of as having an existentiell and existential sense, and the existentiell for-the-sakes-of-which can be inauthentic or authentic. I will show how Heidegger's analysis of Dasein can be applied to concrete human existence, using the inner ear disorder, Ménière's Disease as an example. I am suggesting that the disequilibrium from Ménière's disease is a naturalized account of Heideggerian angst and is being-towards-death. I am also suggesting that the Ménière's attack is an experience of existential death because all possibilities and solicitations are impossible. I show that some Ménière's patients are able to take on authentic for-the-sake-of-which by becoming resolute and anticipating death.
Truncated count data are often obtained from field investigations conducted for individuals with some health-related symptoms to discover the possible causes of food-borne outbreaks quickly and accurately. This study shows two robust properties of the truncated negative binomial (TNB) model. First, by characterizing the whole set of models leading to the same likelihood function as the TNB model, we find a practical meaning that the TNB model gives reliable inference for the regression coefficients even zero inflation is allowed, but a careful interpretation of the regression coefficients is needed. Second, the TNB model can be derived from the Poisson distribution with the random intercept following a gamma distribution, however, it is difficult to justify the distribution assumption for the random intercept. We find that the TNB model presents robust inference for the slope parameters against a misspecified random effect distribution. With some analytic justifications, our numerical study shows that the empirical coverage based on the TNB model is close to its nominal level, even when the random effect distribution is misspecified. The TNB model is applied to analyze truncated count data from the food-borne outbreak that occurred in South Korea.
The profunda femoris artery (PFA) is a branch of the femoral artery, and it gives off medial and lateral circumflex arteries. The PFA and its branches are of utmost use in preventing avascular necrosis of the femoral head, during catheterisation, and in reconstructive surgeries. Due to the immense clinical implications associated with this artery, the study assumes great importance. The aim of the study is to highlight the varied anatomy of the PFA and its branches, along with correlating them with clinical implications. The literature was explored using the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. Various terms related to the artery were used for the literature search. The literature revealed that the PFA and its branches vary greatly in various populations. The varied anatomy of this artery is of great use to vascular surgeons, to anatomists, and to oncologists.
Metal-liquid interfaces host partially charged adsorbates whose solvent reorganization and polarization strongly influence electron-transfer kinetics, yet these quantities are difficult to extract from ab initio calculations because strong hybridization broadens and shifts the electronic levels of an adsorbate. Here, we combine the implicit continuum solvation model and explicit atomistic water molecular dynamics, using a combination of machine-learned interatomic potentials trained to density functional theory (DFT) and explicit DFT calculations, to quantify solvation potentials and reorganization energies for a model Agδ+ adsorbate on an Au(111) slab. Continuum solvation model calculations along the adsorption pathway yield bulk-like solvation shifts for fully solvated Ag+ and constrain the solvent polarization potential acting on adsorbed Agδ+ to roughly half this value. To separate nuclear from electronic contributions at finite temperature, we fine-tuned a machine-learned interatomic potential to ab initio molecular dynamics trajectories and generated 200 ps of explicit-water dynamics for both bulk Ag+ and surface Agδ+, with hybrid-functional DFT (HSE06) sampling of instantaneous eigenvalues. Gerischer-Hopfield analysis gives a bulk reorganization energy of near 1.4 eV and a lower bound at ∼30% of this value upon interfacial reorganization. Analysis of the solvation potential, non-vanishing reorganization energy (through tracking adsorbate core-level fluctuations), and persistent dipole polarization upon adsorption suggests that partially solvated surface species can retain an appreciable fraction of bulk-like solvation properties. Altogether, the theoretical findings presented imply that sufficiently resolved spectroscopic probes of core-level fluctuations could be essential to quantifying these properties. This, in turn, could have broad implications for understanding interfacial kinetics within many practical electrochemical systems.
Decisions need evidence, and for healthcare decisions, the evidence decision-makers often want is a systematic review. However, reviews often lack clarity about who is represented within the evidence they synthesize, which limits understanding of how findings apply to diverse populations. PRO EDI was developed to help systematic review authors extract and report equity-related participant data to support greater transparency and more informed judgments about applicability. PRO EDI was developed iteratively between August 2022 and March 2024 and was conceptualized as a way of making it easier to use PROGRESS-Plus, a framework to assess equity in reviews. An initial draft was created and then discussed and revised in collaboration with an international advisory group. A relatively mature version of the tool was then presented to a meeting of the Cochrane Health Equity Thematic Group. The modified version that emerged from that meeting was considered v1 of PRO EDI. PRO EDI has two main components: a participant characteristics table and guidance on how to use the extracted characteristics data within reviews. PRO EDI recommends that six participant characteristics should be extracted for all included studies in a review: age, sex, gender, ethnicity, race and ancestry, socioeconomic status, and location. Other characteristics (e.g., disability) may be important for some reviews. PRO EDI is relevant for all systematic reviews, not just those with an equity focus. The tool has been piloted in several reviews and is publicly available via Trial Forge. PRO EDI gives systematic review authors a consistent way of deciding which participant characteristics to extract from included studies to support equity-related judgments in their results and discussion. It also suggests ways in which those judgments can be presented.
OsH5(SiHPh2)(PiPr3)2 (1) catalyzes the monoalcoholysis of diphenylsilane with a variety of alcohols. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the reactions occur via a highly ordered transition state resulting from the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol to the silane coordinated to the osmium center in an η1-H-SiHPh2 fashion. The alcoholysis or aminolysis of the Si-H bond of 1 with 2-hydroxypyridine or 2-aminopyridine affords OsH3{κ2-Si,N-(SiPh2-E-py)}(PiPr3)2 (E = O (4), NH (5)). Analogously, OsH4(SiH2Ph)2(PiPr3)2 (2) reacts with 2-hydroxypyridine and 2-aminopyridine to give OsH3{κ2-Si,N-(SiPh(Epy)-E-py)}(PiPr3)2 (E = O (6), NH (7)), as a result of the alcoholysis or aminolysis, respectively, of both Si-H bonds of one of the phenylsilyl ligands. Additionally, 1 catalyzes the tandem hydrosilylation/dehydrogenative silylation of salicylaldehydes with diphenylsilane to afford silacycles. DFT calculations suggest that this process happens via an outer-sphere hydrogenation of the aldehyde moiety to give a diol and tetrahydride-silylene OsH4(=SiPh2)(PiPr3)2. Next, the silylative dehydrogenation of the Ph-OH function affords a silyl-O-functionalized pentahydride, which, upon the nucleophilic intramolecular attack of the benzylic OH group, gives the silacycle and intermediate OsH4(η2-H2)(PiPr3)2, which reacts with diphenylsilane, giving H2 and regenerating OsH5(SiHPh2)(PiPr3)2.
The prediction of thermodynamic properties using mathematical and graph-theoretical approaches has secured significant attention in materials science. The current paper is a statistical investigation of the relationship between various topological indices and the heat of formation (HOF) of the Magnesium aluminate [Formula: see text] network. The study fills the current gap in the systematic relationship between graph-theoretical descriptors and thermodynamic stability of structured [Formula: see text] networks. The HOF data is computed using a computational simulation of the related network structures under homogeneous reference conditions whereby consistency is applied in the energy assessment mechanism. Moreover the present study show a statistical insight into how different topological indices express the heat of formation in the Magnesium aluminate [Formula: see text] network. By taking into account various topological indices, we use a power curve-fitting technique to speculate and describe the heat of formation-an major thermodynamic element that directly act on the stability and reactivity of [Formula: see text]. We compute and investigate the Randic index, the Atom-Bond Connectivity (ABC) index, the Geometric-Arithmetic (GA) index, and the Zagreb index based on the chemical graph depiction in case of the HOF data. Results indicate significant predictive efficiency, with the value of R1 having the best fit ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]), followed by [Formula: see text] and GA indices. All other indices have shown to have strong correlations ([Formula: see text]). It is thus evident that power fitting helps in estimating the value of HOF effectively and successfully. We also found some important connections among heat of formation and topological indicators applying the power curve-fitting method. Our outcome gives proof that the curve-fitted model not only provides accurate results of the data points but also assists a good perception of the nature of the chemical interlinking within the [Formula: see text] network.
Stomach contractions are coordinated in part by bioelectric slow waves (SW). Dysfunctional SWs are associated with motility disorders. Electrical pacing is a potential strategy for managing motility disorders but remains poorly understood with inconsistent efficacy. We used a newly-developed optical mapping method to image gastric pacing in 4 pigs (35.0 ± 1.3 kg). The method imaged transmembrane potential, primarily from the circular smooth muscle layer, with high spatiotemporal resolution. We delivered unipolar pacing pulses to the serosal surface or to the luminal side of the circular muscle layer. Pulses were 100 ms in duration with 4 or 8 mA amplitude. Pacing elicited transmembrane potential polarization patterns consistent with bidomain theory: For cathodal pacing, there was an elongated depolarized region (virtual cathode) oriented orthogonally to the smooth muscle fibers and centered on the electrode. It was flanked on either side by hyperpolarized virtual anodes. For anodal pacing, virtual electrode polarity was reversed. Of 175 pulses, 18% induced SWs that activated the entire mapping region. The remaining pulses failed completely (38%) or induced SWs that only partially activated the mapping region (43%). All SWs initiated from virtual cathode sites approximately 1 cm from the pacing electrode and not from the electrode site itself. These results suggest that close to the electrode, pacing pulses inhibited the network of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) that propagates SW. SWs may have initiated when the ICC network was activated by depolarized smooth muscle in the virtual cathodes remote from the electrode. Stomach contractions are triggered by electrical waves that move through the stomach wall. Problems with these waves lead to stomach motility disorders. Electrical pacing is a potential way to improve the stomach's electrical function—just like in the heart—but it does not always work well. We used a new imaging method to see how electrical pulses affect the stomach. We found that pulses create complex patterns where small regions of “depolarized” muscle (more likely to start an electrical wave) are next to regions of “hyperpolarized” muscle (less likely to start a wave). These regions surround the electrode that the pulse came from. When new waves start, they come from the depolarized regions that are about 1 cm from the electrode and not from the electrode itself. These results may explain why the stomach is hard to pace and gives hints into new strategies to improve the stomach's electrical function.
X-linked anhidrotic/hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), also known as Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the abnormal development of ectodermal structures, primarily affecting sweat glands, hair, and teeth. It results from mutations in the Ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene. Clinically, the classic triad of hypohidrosis, hypotrichosis, and hypodontia or anodontia forms the diagnostic hallmark. Herein, we report a case of a 19-year-old male who presented generalized dryness of skin, heat intolerance, and inability to sweat since early childhood. On examination, the patient appeared lean, with a striking facies characterized by frontal bossing, a depressed nasal bridge (saddle nose), prominent lips, and periorbital and peri-oral wrinkling, giving an aged appearance. Oral examination revealed oligodontia, with two conical-shaped maxillary anterior teeth. As genetic testing is not available in Nepal, the diagnosis for this patient relied upon family history, typical clinical features, and supportive ancillary investigations such as orthopantomogram to identify hypodontia, anodontia, and/or iodine starch test to demonstrate the reduced or absent sweat gland function. The management of this patient largely relied on providing symptomatic aid and improving his quality of life via functional restoration. A multidisciplinary team work formed the fundamental basis of management for this patient.
Surgery is an indispensable component of a health system, yet financing its delivery faces significant financing challenges. This study seeks to address the research question: What is the financial contribution of philanthropy to the delivery of surgical care in low and middle-income countries (LMICs)? This study combines a qualitative and a quantitative component to examine the magnitude of philanthropic contributions in surgical care. The qualitative analysis is composed of a narrative review of peer-reviewed and gray literature that was conducted and synthesised through thematic analysis to identify patterns of philanthropic engagement. To quantify philanthropic contributions, a cross-sectional analysis was employed by using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Creditor Reporting System, to identify philanthropic funding for surgical projects between 2014 and 2022. Four thematic domains were identified from the narrative review: (1) an overview of philanthropy, highlighting its role in filling critical funding gaps in financing health systems; (2) the modes of engagement in philanthropic giving, including partnerships with multilateral organisations, corporate social responsibility, domestic philanthropy, crowdfunding and remittances; (3) recipient channels such as non-profit, non-government organisations, faith-based organisations, non-profit private hospitals and academic institutions who more often contribute to surgical service delivery, research and capacity building; (4) facilitators include flexibility and risk tolerance, contrasted by barriers such as weak policy environments and donor dependency. Quantitatively, 10 philanthropic organisations collectively funded a total of $124.8 million to surgical care from 2014 to 2022. East Asia and the Pacific received the largest share totalling $38.02 million (30.5%). Pediatric surgery received the most amount of funding at $49.07 million (39.3%), with 95.3% contributed by the UBS Optimus Foundation. Global surgery remains chronically underfunded despite its substantial burden of disease. Amid shifting financial aid landscapes, renewed philanthropic investment in global surgery is urgent. Philanthropy often focuses resources where perceived need is greatest. Although modest in scale, it has the potential to seed and catalyse surgical systems, advancing the expansion of access to surgical care in LMICs.
This study investigated the community assembly and aroma contribution of Hanseniaspora yeasts during spontaneous fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from four regions (Zhangye, Wuhai, Yinchuan, and Xianyang) in Northwest China. The resulting wines were characterized by distinct profiles of volatile compositions and aroma characteristics. High-throughput sequencing identified Hanseniaspora as the most abundant non-Saccharomyces community during fermentation, while culture-dependent isolation of 138 Hanseniaspora strains showed differential community assembly of H. uvarum, H. opuntiae, H. osmophila, and H. vineae across regions. H. osmophila and H. vineae were notably enriched in high-sugar musts from Zhangye, Wuhai, and Yinchuan with high diurnal temperature range. Such enrichment may induce longer survival of Hanseniaspora community at later fermentation stage, giving wines higher levels of acetate ester and floral aroma. Partial least squares regression of Hanseniaspora species and volatile compounds further suggested the potential impact of H. osmophila on region-driven variation in acetate ester production.
Sirenomelia is a rare congenital condition most notably characterized by a single lower limb. Previous studies have suggested a prevalence of approximately 1 per 100,000 births. However, in Wales 17 cases were recorded between 1998 and 2016, suggesting a higher rate of sirenomelia in this country. This study compared current prevalence of sirenomelia in Wales with European data. This study further reviewed detailed time, place, and person data on sirenomelia cases in Wales to investigate possible causal factors. A retrospective cohort study from birth defect surveillance programs. Individual-level records for all welsh cases were examined for evidence of causal factors. Comparator data from other countries were obtained from EUROCAT (a European network of population-based registries for the epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies). European data from 24 national and regional registries of congenital anomalies included 97 cases of sirenomelia identified across 9.6 million births between 1998 and 2016, giving a prevalence rate of 1 per 100,000 (95% CI 0.83, 1.23). Five regions reported statistically significantly higher rates than that recorded across all registries, while one region reported a significantly lower rate. Small numbers of cases limit definitive statistical interpretation. Analysis of the Wales data did not identify common epidemiological factors between cases. The contemporary prevalence of sirenomelia across Europe is consistent with earlier studies at approximately 1 per 100,000 births (95% CI 0.83, 1.23). However, there is greater variation between regions than would be expected by chance. There remains no definitive evidence for causal environmental factors.
Second-generation immunomodulating drugs for inflammatory dermatoses have expanded over the past decades. Contraindications and special warnings must be considered before starting any treatment, but identifying all relevant safety information can be time-consuming. The objective is to provide an overview of contraindications, special warnings, and boxed warnings with the aim to establish a safety checklist, covering second-generation immunomodulatory therapies. We identified contraindications, special warnings and boxed warnings provided by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, for second-generation immunomodulating drugs approved for inflammatory dermatoses. Both topical and systemic therapies were included. Most drug classes had warnings related to infections. Herpes zoster was listed for anti-CD20, IL-12/23i, INFi, JAKi and TYK2i, where hepatitis reactivation was reported for anti-CD20, TNFi, IL-17i, anti-BAFF, JAKi and TYK2i. Malignancy risk including skin cancer was mentioned for most classes, except IL-23i, IL-17i, IL-13i, IL-4/13i, IL-31i, IL-36i and PDE4i. Other serious warnings included neurological, cardiovascular, thrombotic, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric adverse events. This work provides a simple stepwise approach to managing contraindications and special warnings. Our safety checklist gives clinicians a rapid overview of contraindications, special warnings, and boxed warnings for the available drug classes approved for inflammatory dermatoses.
Therapeutic advances in multiple sclerosis have led to the evolution of criteria used to assess disease activity and progression. The concept of NEDA aims for the complete absence of clinical and radiological activity but is very strict and difficult to sustain. MEDA was proposed as a more realistic goal, allowing minimal disease activity. Disability progression can no longer be assessed using the EDSS alone, leading to the development of composite measures such as NEP and NEPAD. Studies have shown that most disability worsening occurs independently of relapses, giving rise to the key concept of PIRA, and then PIRMA. This silent progression begins early and is driven by neurodegenerative and chronic inflammatory mechanisms. New concepts (SAW) further characterize this slow progression. An integrated framework separating inflammatory activity (NEIDA) from smouldering progression (NESDA) is now proposed to better guide therapeutic strategies.
Poor cardiometabolic health contributes to the leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This study examined the relationship between volunteering and cardiometabolic health among nonsmoking adults through an analysis of the Chicago Department of Public Health's 2023 Healthy Chicago Survey (N = 4872). Cardiometabolic health was assessed through a 3-item summary score related to receiving a diagnosis of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The analysis consisted of a Poisson regression and mediation models that incorporated demographic predictors and assessed mediation of physical activity, vegetable consumption, and belonging (feeling part of the neighborhood), 1 mediator at a time. Results show a significant relationship between volunteering in the past 12 months and cardiometabolic health and evidence that physical activity and belonging mediated this relationship. Urban health departments can promote cardiometabolic health as well as individual-level physical activity and a sense of belonging through assuring opportunities for volunteering.
The construction of a high-quality interface with excellent surface passivation and carrier transport is critical to the device performance of solar cells. Low-dimensional perovskite structures are widely explored for surface passivation due to their effective suppression of interfacial defects and enhanced environmental stability. While terminal molecules for constructing low-dimensional structures provide excellent passivation, they can introduce potential barriers for charge transport if the energy levels are not well-aligned. Herein, a tryptamine molecule is explored as the terminal molecule for the construction of a low-dimensional structure for passivating the buried interface of perovskite solar cells. Based on the inclusion of nitrogen atoms in the aromatic heterocyclic structure, the terminal molecule shows an uplifted HOMO level that aligns well with the perovskite skeleton, giving rise to enhanced orbit coupling. Therefore, this low-dimensional structure enables excellent surface passivation and interfacial carrier transport simultaneously, generating an outstanding open-circuit voltage (VOC) up to 1.266 V and an efficiency of 23.53% for single-junction wide-bandgap (1.68 eV) perovskite solar cells. This improvement enables the fabrication of the perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with an efficiency of 33.22% (32.88% assessed by a third party) and a VOC of 1.987 V. Moreover, the fast carrier transport at the interface suppressed the halide phase segregation, bringing much enhanced operation stability.