Impact of Collared Peccaries Dycotiles tajacu (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) on understory vegetation in the tropical rainforest of the Nogal-La Selva Biological Corridor, Costa Rica / Impacto del pecarí de collar, Dycotiles tajacu (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) en la vegetación del sotobosque del bosque tropical húmedo del Corredor Biológico Local Nogal-La Selva, Costa Rica

Abstract Introduction: Evidence suggests that herbivores, such as peccaries, shape vegetation structure and diversity through predation, trampling, dispersal, and rooting behavior. Objective: To evaluate the impact of peccaries (Dycotiles tajacu) on the understory vegetation of the tropical rainforest in the Nogal-La Selva Local Biological Corridor, Costa Rica, comparing a site with the absence of peccaries to another with the presence of these animals. Methodology: From June to November 2021, 20 experimental exclusions and 20 free access plots, each measuring 2 m2 were used to quantify herbivory, the number of leaf blades, damaged leaves, healthy leaves, sapling height, and fallen biomass at both sites. Results: A higher sapling density was found in the Nogal Reserve, but a lower sapling diversity, while in La Selva there was a higher sapling diversity, but a lower density of seedlings. Herbivory and sapling height in La Selva exceeded those in Nogal. The exclusion of peccaries reduced seedling damage but did not affect the dynamics of fallen biomass. Conclusion: For the design, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of biological corridors, it is crucial to consider plant-animal interactions to enhance the flow of ecological processes through functional and structural connectivity, analyzed from interactions such as those presented in this paper.

Resumen Introducción: Existe evidencia que herbívoros, como los saínos, dan forma a la estructura y diversidad de la vegetación a través del comportamiento de depredación, pisoteo, dispersión y enraizamiento. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de los saínos (Dycotiles tajacu) en la vegetación del sotobosque del bosque tropical húmedo en el Corredor Biológico Local Nogal-La Selva, Costa Rica, en un sitio con ausencia y en otro con presencia de saínos. Métodos: De junio a noviembre de 2021 se utilizaron 20 exclusiones experimentales y 20 parcelas de acceso libre de 2 m2, se cuantifico la herbivoría, número de láminas foliares, hojas dañadas, hojas sanas, altura de brinzales y biomasa caída en ambos sitios. Resultados: Se encontró una mayor densidad de brinzales en Reserva Nogal pero una menor diversidad, contrario en La Selva donde se encontró una mayor diversidad de brinzales, pero una menor densidad de plántulas. La herbivoría y la altura de brinzales en La Selva fue mayor que en Nogal. La exclusión de los saínos disminuyó el daño a las plántulas, pero no afectó la dinámica de la biomasa caída. Conclusión: Es necesario contemplar para el diseño, implementación y evaluación de la efectividad de corredores biológicos, las interacciones planta-animal, para potencializar el flujo de procesos ecológicos mediante la conectividad funcional y estructural, analizada a partir de interacciones como las presentadas en este trabajo.

Axial length association with corneoscleral sagittal height and scleral asymmetry.

PURPOSE: To determine how corneoscleral geometry changes with axial length and to assess the usefulness of including the sagittal configuration of the anterior segment when predicting the axial length. METHODS: An observational study was performed including 96 healthy subjects (96 eyes). Axial length was calculated from optical biometry (IOL Master 500). Corneal curvature and scleral sagittal height parameters at 13, 14 and 15 mm were obtained automatically using corneoscleral topography (eye surface profiler; ESP). In addition, corneal and scleral sagittal heights at numerous locations (21 radii: 0-10 mm from the corneal apex at 12 angles: 0-330°) were calculated using the raw height data extracted from the ESP. The relationships between axial length and the study parameters were analysed using Pearson correlation analysis. The equations for the prediction of axial length were obtained by fitting multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: The temporal-nasal scleral asymmetry at 13-, 14- and 15-mm chord lengths was significantly correlated with axial length (r2 ≤ 0.26; p < 0.001). Significant inverse correlations were found between the temporal scleral sagittal height and axial length (r2 ≤ 0.28; p ≤ 0.02). The nasal scleral sagittal height was not associated with axial length. Three significant multiple linear regression models were fitted based on spherical equivalent, corneal radius and scleral asymmetry at 13 (r2 = 0.79; p < 0.001), 14 (r2 = 0.80; p < 0.001) and 15 (r2 = 0.80; p < 0.001) mm chord lengths. CONCLUSIONS: Larger ocular globes show reduced temporal-nasal scleral asymmetry, mainly due to the lower sagittal height of the temporal sclera. Thus, the geometry of the temporal scleral may be a factor of interest during myopia progression.

Comparison of Direct Intraoral Scan and Traditional Impression for CAD/CAM Mandibular Overdenture Base: RCT on Peri-implant Marginal Bone Changes.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of digital vs traditional impression techniques on peri-implant vertical bone resorption in the creation of mandibular overdenture bases supported by four implants using CAD/CAM technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty edentulous patients were placed in four mandibular implants and randomly divided into groups: (A) the control group (CIG) (n = 10); patients obtained CAD/CAM denture base using conventional impression technique and group (B) the study (DIG) group (n = 10); patients obtained CAD/CAM denture base using digital impression technique. Peri-implant vertical bone height was measured immediately (T0), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months after insertion. Peri-implant vertical bone loss (VBL) was calculated first 6 months (T1), the second 6 months (T2), and 1 year (T3) after insertion. RESULTS: For both groups, the survival rates of inserted implants were 100%. The amount of VBL in the first year in both groups was within normal ranges. In both groups, VBL significantly decreased over time. The control group recorded significantly higher VBL than (DIG) group at T2 (p = 0.006) and at T3 (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Digital intraoral scanning technique may be considered a more beneficial registration method than traditional impression technique for the construction of CAD/CAM 4-implant-assisted overdenture base regarding the preservation of vertical bone levels. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Both digital intraoral scanners and conventional impression techniques can be used for the construction of CAD/CAM-implant-assisted overdenture bases regarding the preservation of peri-implant vertical bone resorption. How to cite this article: Seifeldeen AR, Aboelez MA, Gebreel AA, et al. Comparison of Direct Intraoral Scan and Traditional Impression for CAD/CAM Mandibular Overdenture Base: RCT on Peri-implant Marginal Bone Changes. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(6):527-534.

How global spine sagittal alignment and spinal degeneration affect locomotive syndrome risk in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to delineate the features of the locomotive syndrome (LS) risk stage in the elderly population, encompassing global spine sagittal alignment, visible spinal degenerative changes on plain radiographs, muscle strength, physical capabilities, and low back pain (LBP). METHODS: The study enrolled 232 subjects, evaluated using plain radiographs. The evaluation included measurements of lumbar lordosis (LLA), thoracic kyphosis (TKA), spinal inclination (SIA) angles, and sagittal vertical axis. Assessments included lumbar osteophyte formation (LOF) and lumbar disc height (LDH) to examine spinal degenerative changes. LS evaluation used the locomotive syndrome risk test based on LS risk criteria, classifying participants into no risk, stage 1 LS, and stage 2 LS groups. Using a visual analogue scale (VAS), we investigated the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and assessed physical performances across these groups. RESULTS: There were 132 participants with no LS risk, 71 with stage 1 LS risk, and 29 with stage 2 LS risk. As LS risk increased, LBP prevalence and VAS scores rose, physical abilities, and back muscle strength decreased. TKA showed no variation across groups, while LLA decreased with advancing LS risk stage. Except for L1-L2 and L5-S1, lumbar disc height (LDH) decreased with higher LS risk stages. LOF occurrence increased notably with higher LS risk stages. Spinal inclination angle (SIA) significantly increased with advancing LS risk stages. CONCLUSION: Participants diagnosed with LS exhibited an increased incidence of spinal degeneration, reduced LLA, and global spinal imbalance characterized by anterior spinal inclination.

Different Radiological Indices of Patellar Height Predict Patients' Diverse Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical procedure for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The patellar component plays a crucial role in knee biomechanics and can influence postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between radiological indices of patellar height and patient outcomes following TKA. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent TKA for osteoarthritis. Radiographic measurements of patellar height, including the Insall-Salvati (IS) ratio, modified Blackburne-Peel (mBP) ratio, Caton-Deschamps ratio, and plateau-patellar angle (PPA), were obtained. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12). Patient satisfaction and postoperative complications were also evaluated. Statistical analyses, including correlation analysis and multiple regression models, were performed to determine the association between radiological indices and patient outcomes. Results: The study included 330 cases that met the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed significant correlations between different radiological indices of patellar height and patient outcomes. Lower postoperative PPA was correlated with worse KSS and range of motion scores. A decreased mBP ratio was associated with poorer FJS-12 responses and higher risks of dissatisfaction and patellar clunk or crepitus. Increased IS ratio was linked to a lower likelihood of incidental giving way of the knee. Advanced age was associated with reduced dissatisfaction and incidental giving way probabilities. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that radiological indices of patellar height can predict patient outcomes following TKA. Assessing patellar height using various radiographic measurements provides valuable information for surgical planning and prognostic evaluation. Understanding the impact of patellar height on clinical outcomes can aid in optimizing TKA procedures and improving patient satisfaction. These findings emphasize the importance of considering patellar height as a predictive factor in TKA and highlight its potential role in guiding postoperative management and rehabilitation strategies.

Precision estimation of winter wheat crop height and above-ground biomass using unmanned aerial vehicle imagery and oblique photoghraphy point cloud data.

Introduction: Crop height and above-ground biomass (AGB) serve as crucial indicators for monitoring crop growth and estimating grain yield. Timely and accurate acquisition of wheat crop height and AGB data is paramount for guiding agricultural production. However, traditional data acquisition methods suffer from drawbacks such as time-consuming, laborious and destructive sampling. Methods: The current approach to estimating AGB using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) remote sensing relies solely on spectral data, resulting in low accuracy in estimation. This method fails to address the ill-posed inverse problem of mapping from two-dimensional to three-dimensional and issues related to spectral saturation. To overcome these challenges, RGB and multispectral sensors mounted on UAVs were employed to acquire spectral image data. The five-directional oblique photography technique was utilized to construct the three-dimensional point cloud for extracting crop height. Results and Discussion: This study comparatively analyzed the potential of the mean method and the Accumulated Incremental Height (AIH) method in crop height extraction. Utilizing Vegetation Indices (VIs), AIH and their feature combinations, models including Random Forest Regression (RFR), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Gradient Boosting Regression Trees (GBRT), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Ridge Regression (RR) were constructed to estimate winter wheat AGB. The research results indicated that the AIH method performed well in crop height extraction, with minimal differences between 95% AIH and measured crop height values were observed across various growth stages of wheat, yielding R2 ranging from 0.768 to 0.784. Compared to individual features, the combination of multiple features significantly improved the model's estimate accuracy. The incorporation of AIH features helps alleviate the effects of spectral saturation. Coupling VIs with AIH features, the model's R2 increases from 0.694-0.885 with only VIs features to 0.728-0.925. In comparing the performance of five machine learning algorithms, it was discovered that models constructed based on decision trees were superior to other machine learning algorithms. Among them, the RFR algorithm performed optimally, with R2 ranging from 0.9 to 0.93. Conclusion: In conclusion, leveraging multi-source remote sensing data from UAVs with machine learning algorithms overcomes the limitations of traditional crop monitoring methods, offering a technological reference for precision agriculture management and decision-making.

Anatomical Factors Affecting the Complexity of Maxillary Sinus Augmentation in Saudi Patients: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the anatomical variations of the maxillary sinus and determine the difficulty score of maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) in Saudi patients seeking dental implant rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: CBCT records of dental patients seeking treatment at a University Dental Teaching Hospital between 2019 and 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Measurements were obtained from CBCT images, including membrane thickness, sinus width, buccal bone thickness, presence of maxillary sinus septa, residual alveolar ridge height, angle of the buccolingual sinus wall, and the presence of the alveolar antral artery (AAA). The difficulty score for MSA was determined based on these anatomical factors. RESULTS: A total of 107 maxillary sinuses in 86 subjects were evaluated. The average membrane thickness was 2.23 mm, with males showing significantly higher thickness than females. Sinus septa were found in 54 (50.5%) sinuses, with 18 (17%) of sinuses having interfering septa. Twenty-three (21.5%) sinuses had a residual alveolar ridge height of less than 4 mm. The average angle of the buccolingual sinus wall was 79.39°, indicating a high prevalence of wide-shaped sinuses. The average sinus width was 14.09 mm, with 55 sinuses (51.4%) less than 15 mm. The average buccal bone thickness was 1.07 mm, in 29 (27%) sinuses, the thickness was more than 2 mm. AAA was visualized in 60 (56%) of sinuses, with 45 (42%) of sinuses having AAA interfering with the MSA window. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, most sinuses were classified as simple or moderate difficulty, with higher membrane thickness, presence of septa, and AAA being the significant risk factors for complications. These findings provide valuable insights for implant surgeons in Saudi patients seeking dental implant rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla, enabling them to anticipate and minimize potential complications during MSA procedures.

Association between cardiometabolic index and gestational diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a novel marker of diabetes mellitus. However, few studies have examined its association with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. This study aimed to explore the association between CMI and GDM risk among pregnant women in the United States. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study utilizing data recorded in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 1999 to 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), sensitivity, and subgroup analyses were performed to clarify the relationship between CMI and GDM risk. RESULTS: A total of 710 pregnant women were recruited, among whom 113 were diagnosed with GDM based on established criteria. This population showed a significant association between a higher CMI value and GDM (odds ratio: 1.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.99, P = 0.038). RCS regression analysis identified a linear relationship between CMI and GDM (P-value < 0.001, P-nonlinear = 0.702). Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the validity of this relationship. Subgroup analysis indicated a positive association between CMI and GDM among women who drink or smoke and Mexican Americans. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant positive association between CMI and GDM risk, suggesting that a higher CMI predicts GDM incidence during pregnancy. Further research is required to investigate the CMI index as an early predictor of GDM.

Assessing body composition through anthropometry: Implications for diagnosing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder with profound implications for the reproductive and metabolic health of women. The utilization of anthropometric measures in the diagnosis and management of PCOS has gained increasing attention due to their practicality and predictive capacity for associated conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance. This review rigorously explores the application of various anthropometric indices, including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and advanced metrics such as the body shape index and body roundness index, wrist circumference, neck circumference. These indices offer critical insights into body fat distribution and its association with the metabolic and hormonal perturbations characteristic of PCOS. The review underscores the necessity of addressing obesity, a prevalent comorbidity in PCOS, through lifestyle modifications and personalized therapeutic approaches. By incorporating anthropometric evaluations into routine clinical practice, healthcare professionals can enhance diagnostic precision, optimize treatment strategies, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This integrative approach not only facilitates the management of the metabolic challenges inherent in PCOS but also contributes to the development of more individualized therapeutic interventions, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for women affected by PCOS.

Three-dimensional Assessment of Longitudinal Surgical Outcome in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Modified Rotation Advancement Technique.

BACKGROUND: Optimization of a modified rotation advancement technique is hampered by lack of objective measures to quantify the longitudinal surgical outcome. METHODS: We collected and assessed facial 3D images of 115 consecutive patients who underwent primary repair between 2017 and 2019. Photogrammetry was performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and at a first and second follow-up interval, occurring at an average year of 0.6 and 5.3 years, respectively. 10 additional age-matched noncleft control subjects were also included. RESULTS: Growth lag in cleft side lateral lip and gradual elongation of medial lip height on the cleft side caused continuous deviation of philtrum towards the cleft side. The columellar length on the cleft side continued to grow slower, accompanied by a persistent widening of alar base width on the cleft side, leading to in the gradual deviation of columella towards the cleft side. The pre-operative and post-operative nasolabial asymmetry would increase with greater degree of postoperative deficiencies. Right clefts presented with greater degrees of deficiencies in lateral lip height in preoperative measurement, but this discrepancy of the laterality of clefts was not observed in the two follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: The surgical outcome of this modified rotational advancement technique in unilateral cleft lip primary repair is promising. Growth lag in lateral lip and lateral displacement of alar base cause continuous deviation of philtrum towards the cleft side. Pre-operative severity does predict post-operative outcomes. Laterality of oral clefts does not significantly affect the long-term outcomes of surgery. PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: This surgical technique meets the current trend of cleft lip and palate primary repair and is worth promoting.

Early clinical outcome with lens position adjustment following implantable collamer lens surgery.

AIM: To observe early clinical outcome with lens position adjustment following the implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients were selected for this retrospective study. One eye from each patient received Toric ICL for astigmatism correction, and the other received non-astigmatic ICL surgery using horizontal position. Patients with higher postoperative arch height were selected, and their non-astigmatic eye clinical outcome were observed after ICL surgery at 1wk, 1, and 3mo. The clinical measurements included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive state, corneal endothelium cell count, and arch height. Three months later, the ICL in each patient's non-astigmatic eye was adjusted to the vertical from the horizontal position. The results were compared before and 1wk, 1, and 3mo after adjustment. RESULTS: UCVA and IOP were significantly reduced 1wk after position adjustment compared to 1wk after ICL implantation (P<0.05). The patients demonstrated significantly reduced arch height and corneal endothelium cell count 1wk, 1, and 3mo after adjusting position compared to 1wk, 1, and 3mo after ICL implantation (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in refraction between 1wk, 1, and 3mo after ICL implantation and position adjustment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Early positioning adjustment post-phakic ICL implantation can benefit patients with adjusted arch height or higher IOP. Despite the good clinical effects, the doctors should pay attention to the potential for adverse effects on UCVA and corneal endothelium cells following early position adjustment after posterior chamber phakic ICL implantation.

How forage grain ratoon rice improves the grain yield during the ratoon season.

Introduction: In recent years, with the rapid expansion of ratoon rice production in Hunan, a unique ratoon rice-based production system, forage-grain ratoon rice (FG-RR), has been newly developed. Ratooning rice is a season of rice harvested by utilizing the dormant buds on the rice stubble left after harvesting the first season of rice to sprout and grow. Therefore, the characteristics of stalks themselves are crucial for the production of ratoon rice. The cutting period and higher stubble height directly affect the characteristics of ratoon rice stubbles. Based on this, we conducted the following research. Methods: In 2021 and 2022, field experiments were conducted in central China to study the effects of different cutting periods and stubble height on the regeneration rate and nutrient content of ratoon crops. The treatments included two cutting periods (10 days after heading in the first season and 30 days after heading in the first season, respectively referred to as T10 and T30) and two stubble heights (10 cm and 30 cm, respectively referred to as H10 and H30). Results: Compared with the T30H30 treatment, T10H10 and T10H30 increased grain yield by 48.1%, 41.7%, 73.1%, and 65.2% in the two-year ratoon seasons, while T30H10 reduced grain yield by 30.9% and 19.5% in the two years, respectively. Early cutting increased the panicles, spikelets per panicle, and filled grain rate to varying increase, while higher stubble height increased panicles but decreased spikelet panicle. On the one hand, early cutting and higher stubble height increased the dry and fresh weight, nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs), organic carbon (C), and nitrogen content of rice stalks, thereby improving the regeneration rate of ratoon rice. On the other hand, early cutting and higher stubble height retention increased the accumulation of nitrogen in rice stubble throughout the entire growth period and facilitated the transport of nitrogen to the mature panicles. Discussion: Therefore, appropriate early cutting and higher stubble height retention are the keys to improving the grain yield and stability of ratoon rice.

Assessment of Chronic Malnutrition and Its Correlation With Oral Health Status in Children Aged Three to Six Years in Jabalpur District, India: An Epidemiological Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the correlation of chronic malnutrition with the oral health status of children aged three to six years. METHODS: A total of 400 children were selected and divided into four groups based on z-scores. For evaluation of oral health status, teeth were examined for dental caries using the decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) scores. Salivary samples were collected to measure salivary flow rate (SFR), pH, and salivary buffering capacity (SBC). Teeth were also visualized to detect the presence or absence of enamel hypoplasia. The data obtained was statistically analyzed (p<0.05). RESULTS: A total of 400 children participated and were also categorized into mild, moderate, and severe obesity according to the z-scores. The mean DMFT scores among adequately nourished children were 2.4086; with severely malnourished and severely obese children, the mean values were found to be 1.0652 and 1.4286, respectively. The mean SFR among children with adequate nutrition was 1.0366, and the mean flow rate among children with severe malnutrition and obesity was 0.5348 and 0.4036, respectively. The mean salivary pH among children with adequate nutrition was 7.1295, and the mean values for participants with severe malnutrition and severe obesity were found to be 6.4772 and 7.6521, respectively. The mean SBC among children with adequate nutrition was found to be 4.4861; for severely malnourished children and those with severe obesity, the values were 3.2472 and 2.8332, respectively. There was an absence of enamel hypoplasia in children with adequate nutrition, whereas a total of five participants with severe malnutrition and three children with severe obesity were found to have hypoplastic lesions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition exerts a negative impact on the overall oral health of children. It is critical to diagnose the effects of malnutrition on children's oral environments in order to provide appropriate treatment and enhance their quality of life.

Papain Injection Creates a Nucleotomy-like Cavity for Testing Gels in Intervertebral Discs.

Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, have an increasingly important role in the development of regenerative approaches for the intervertebral disc. Since animal models usually resist biomaterial injection due to high intradiscal pressure, preclinical testing of the biomechanical performance of biomaterials after implantation remains difficult. Papain reduces the intradiscal pressure, creates cavities within the disc, and allows for biomaterial injections. But papain digestion needs time, and cadaver experiments that are limited to 24 h for measuring range of motion (ROM) cannot not be combined with papain digestion just yet. In this study, we successfully demonstrate a new organ culture approach, facilitating papain digestion to create cavities in the disc and the testing of ROM, neutral zone (NZ), and disc height. Papain treatment increased the ROM by up to 109.5%, extended NZ by up to 210.9%, and decreased disc height by 1.96 ± 0.74 mm. A median volume of 0.73 mL hydrogel could be injected after papain treatment, and histology revealed a strong loss of proteoglycans in the remaining nucleus tissue. Papain has the same biomechanical effects as known from nucleotomies or herniations and thus creates a disc model to study such pathologies in vitro. This new model can now be used to test the performance of biomaterials.

Cycling position optimisation - a systematic review of the impact of positional changes on biomechanical and physiological factors in cycling.

Bike positional configuration changes strongly affect cycling performance. While consensus has emerged on saddle height optimisation, there is none for the relationship between other bike positional variables and cycling performance. Accordingly, this systematic review examines the effect of all major positional variables on performance in cycling, assessing differences between cycling disciplines and sex where possible. The systematic review, conducted per PRISMA guidelines, searched databases including Embase, Web of Science, Medline, and CINAHL, screening 16,578 studies. Of these, 47 were fully analysed. Study quality assessment using the NIH tool revealed none rated "good", 5 "fair" and 33 "poor". The analysis involved 724 participants (90 female, 454 male, 180 sex unstated). Studies focused on trunk angle/upper body position, handlebar height, Q factor, foot position, saddle fore-aft/height, seat tube angle and crank length. Participant cycling disciplines were often unspecified and few papers address women cyclists specifically. Key findings were associated with changing saddle height, trunk angle and saddle fore-aft. For trunk angle, accounting for the biomechanical and physiological effects as well as aerodynamic changes is important. Saddle fore-aft affects the hip angle and trunk angle. There are no clear recommendations for crank length, handlebar height, Q factor or cleat position.

High-Performance p-Type Quasi-Ohmic of WSe2 Transistors Using Vanadium-Doped WSe2 as Intermediate Layer Contact.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), such as tungsten diselenide (WSe2), hold immense potential for applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, a significant Schottky barrier height (SBH) at the metal-semiconductor (MS) interface reduces the electronic device performance. Here, we present a unique 2D/2D contact method for minimizing contact resistance and reducing the SBH. This approach utilizes vanadium-doped WSe2 (V-WSe2) as the drain and source contacts. The fabricated transistor exhibited a stable operation with p-type quasi-ohmic contact and a high on/off current ratio surpassing 108 at room temperature, reaching 1011 at 10 K. The device achieved an on-current of 68.87 µA, a high mobility of 103.80 cm2 V-1 s-1, a low contact resistance of 0.92 kΩ, and remarkably low SBH values of 1.51 meV for holes at VGS = -120 V with fixed VDS = 1 V. Furthermore, a Schottky photodiode has been fabricated, utilizing V-WSe2 and Cr as the asymmetric contact platform, showing a responsivity of 116 mA W1-. The findings of this study suggest a simple and efficient method for improving the performance of TMDC-based transistors.

Relationship between Physical Characteristics and Morphological Features of the Articular Radius Surface: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Preoperative planning is important for the osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures. Challenges arise for patients presenting with bilateral wrist injuries or a history of contralateral wrist injuries. In such cases, the estimation of the distal radius morphology and the determination of the plate size from the preoperative physical characteristics could prove beneficial. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the physical characteristics and the morphology of the distal radius articular surface. A total of 79 wrist computed tomography (CT) images (41 women and 38 men) were evaluated. Physical characteristics, such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), were recorded. Three-dimensional CT analysis was performed to investigate the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the distal radius. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationships between height, weight, and BMI and the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the distal radius. A moderate to strong correlation was found in the overall analysis between body height and transverse diameter (r = 0.66). There were also moderate correlations between body height and anteroposterior diameter (r = 0.45) as well as weight and transverse diameter (r = 0.41), both of which were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate a statistically significant correlation between height, weight, and morphology of the distal radius. When analyzed by sex, the correlation between body height and the transverse diameter of the distal radius was found to be relatively strong in women (r = 0.47, p = 0.002), suggesting that it could be a useful indicator for preoperative planning, such as estimating plate size.

Identification of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Plant Height-Associated QTL Using BSA-seq and RNA-seq.

Plant height (PH) is a critical agronomic trait in Brassica napus, significantly impacting yield. Consequently, identifying genes associated with plant height is a pivotal objective in oilseed rape breeding. This study employed a combination of bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) for analysis. A novel quantitative trait locus (QTL), qPH_C02, was identified between 63,989,634 and 64,945,122 bp on chromosome C02, from which eight candidate genes were screened. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed enrichment in peroxisomes, while the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated enrichment in the oxidative phosphorylation (OP) pathway. It is hypothesized that the observed differences in plant height and silique length may be attributed to the regulation of peroxidase activity in the OP pathway, which in turn alters plant energy metabolism and controls nutrient uptake. Subsequently, we will further test this hypothesis. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of the genetic basis for differences in plant height and provide a foundation for the selection and breeding of Brassica napus varieties with desired plant shapes.

Should a single growth standard be used to judge the nutritional status of children under age 5 years globally? No.

Universal growth standards for under-five children, given the worldwide variation in healthy growth and several determinants of anthropometry, are imprecise measures of nutritional status, particularly when used cross-sectionally. In constructing the global-use WHO growth standard, linear growth differences between contributing sites and pooled mean were >0.2 SD in 37% of observations. Systematic reviews confirm even greater variability, notably amplified for weight-for-age and head-circumference-for-age metrics. Unsurprisingly, developed nations had higher, and LMICs lower, growth dimensions. Contextual growth references predict neonatal morbidities, pathological short stature, macrocephaly, cardiometabolic risk factors, and adult noncommunicable diseases better than the WHO standards. Child body composition also varies contextually, with greater adiposity despite comparable weights in South Asian populations. Thus, contextual references, though not the perfect solution, are better suited for everyday practice and nutrition policy. Growth standards should only be used as a screening for clinical judgments aided by precise biomarkers.

[Comparison and application of obesity screening indicators in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years in Hangzhou in 2023].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentile reference values and reference curves of total body fat percentage in children and adolescents by sex and age, and to evaluate the reliability of different anthropometric indicators in screening for obesity in children and adolescents in order to explore the validity and practicality of a large-scale screening tool for childhood obesity and its desirable thresholds. METHODS: A total of 5983 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years from six primary and secondary schools were selected by stratified randomised cluster sampling in Hangzhou City in 2023, and their weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, and the children's total body fat content was measured using the bioelectrical resistance-antibody composition analyser. A generalised additive model(GAMLSS) was used to construct a percentile reference curve for children's body fat percentage, and the performance of each anthropometric measure in correctly classifying children and adolescents as obese was assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves. RESULTS: Over the period 6-18 years, body fat percentage in girls tended to increase with age from year to year, whereas in boys it tended to increase and then decrease. Fat mass index was the main factor contributing to the difference in BMI at the same age and sex(the optimal cutoff values were 26.82 and 24.52, with AUC values of 0.988 and 0.992, respectively), and the contribution of fat mass index was greater in those with a higher BMI. BMI, which had the largest area under the curve for both boys and girls, was the best indicator for assessing obesity in children and adolescents; the waist-to-height ratio(WHtR), with small variability and equally large area under curve values(0.980 for boys and 0.970 for girls), could simultaneously meet the requirements of accuracy and practicality for obesity assessment in mass screening of children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: This study establish the percentile reference value and reference curve of body fat percentage of children and adolescents aged 6-18 years in Hangzhou based on bioelectrical impedance method, and found that WHtR is a simple, effective and practical screening tool for childhood obesity with low variability, which can provide a reference basis for evaluating growth and development and identifying obesity in children aged 6-18 years in this region.