Sex Differences in the Relationship of Muscle Strength, Proprioception, and Postural Stability in Older Adults.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationships among muscle strength, proprioception, and postural stability, as well as sex differences in these relationships.

Methods: A total of 189 older participants were recruited from local communities, and muscle strength, proprioception, the Berg Balance Scale, and the Timed Up and Go test were measured. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the interrelationship between proprioception, muscle strength, and stability, with multiple-group analysis used to explore the sex difference.

A convergence metric for counting statistics in time-resolved small angle neutron scattering.

This work introduces a model-independent, dimensionless metric for predicting optimal measurement duration in time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering using early-time data. Built on a Gaussian process regression framework, the method reconstructs scattering profiles with quantified uncertainty, even from sparse or noisy measurements. Demonstrated on the EQ-SANS instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source, the approach generalizes to general SANS instruments with a two-dimensional detector.

Machine-learning-informed scattering correlation analysis of sheared colloids.

We have carried out theoretical analysis, Monte Carlo simulations and machine-learning analysis to quantify microscopic rearrangements of dilute dispersions of spherical colloidal particles from coherent scattering intensity. Both monodisperse and polydisperse dispersions of colloids were created and underwent a rearrangement consisting of an affine simple shear and non-affine rearrangement using the Monte Carlo method. We calculated the coherent scattering intensity of the dispersions and the correlation function of intensity before and after the rearrangement and generated a large data set of angular correlation functions for varying system parameters, including number density, polydispersity, shear strain and non-affine rearrangement.

Increased incidence of anemia in individuals with impaired fasting glucose: a cohort study.

Aims: Anemia is common in diabetes patients, but its prevalence in pre-diabetes remains under-researched. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the incidence of anemia and potential risk factors in individuals with impaired fasting glucose using health examination data.

Methods: A cohort of 7075 participants, all aged over 18 years and free of anemia at baseline, were included in this study to monitor the incidence of anemia through annual routine health check-ups.

Machine learning-based predictive modeling of depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents.

Background: The aim is to develop prediction models by lifestyles indicators as well as socioeconomic status to predict the risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents, and to rank and explain these predictors.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 32389 school students grade 4-12. A self-rating depression scale was used to define depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 16), and lifestyle survey was used to investigate risk factors of depressive symptoms.

Unlocking hidden information in sparse small-angle neutron scattering measurements.

Hypothesis Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is a powerful technique for studying soft matter systems such as colloids, polymers, and lyotropic phases, providing nanoscale structural insights. However, its effectiveness is limited by low neutron flux, leading to long acquisition times and noisy data. We hypothesize that Bayesian statistical inference using Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) can reconstruct high-fidelity scattering data from sparse measurements by leveraging intensity smoothness and continuity.

Deciphering the Scattering of Mechanically Driven Polymers Using Deep Learning.

We present a deep learning approach for analyzing two-dimensional scattering data of semiflexible polymers under external forces. In our framework, scattering functions are compressed into a three-dimensional latent space using a Variational Autoencoder (VAE), and two converter networks establish a bidirectional mapping between the polymer parameters (bending modulus, stretching force, and steady shear) and the scattering functions. The training data are generated using off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations to avoid the orientational bias inherent in lattice models, ensuring robust sampling of polymer conformations.

Insights into distorted lamellar phases with small-angle scattering and machine learning.

Lamellar phases are essential in various soft matter systems, with topological defects significantly influencing their mechanical properties. In this report, we present a machine-learning approach for quantitatively analyzing the structure and dynamics of distorted lamellar phases using scattering techniques. By leveraging the mathematical framework of Kolmogorov-Arnold networks, we demonstrate that the conformations of these distorted phases - expressed as superpositions of complex waves - can be reconstructed from small-angle scattering intensities.

Scattering-based structural inversion of soft materials via Kolmogorov-Arnold networks.

Small-angle scattering techniques are indispensable tools for probing the structure of soft materials. However, traditional analytical models often face limitations in structural inversion for complex systems, primarily due to the absence of closed-form expressions of scattering functions. To address these challenges, we present a machine learning framework based on the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (KAN) for directly extracting real-space structural information from scattering spectra in reciprocal space.

A discretized representation for Monte Carlo simulation of deformed semiflexible chains.

In this study, we present a novel orientation discretization approach based on the rhombic triacontahedron for Monte Carlo simulations of semiflexible polymer chains, aiming at enhancing structural analysis through rheo-small-angle scattering (rheo-SAS). Our approach provides a more accurate representation of the geometric features of semiflexible chains under deformation, surpassing the capabilities of traditional lattice structures. Validation against the Kratky-Porod chain system demonstrated superior consistency, underscoring its potential to significantly improve the precision of uncovering geometric details from rheo-SAS data.

Off-Lattice Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulations of Mechanically Driven Polymers.

We develop off-lattice simulations of semiflexible polymer chains subjected to applied mechanical forces by using Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Our approach models the polymer as a chain of fixed length bonds, with configurations updated through adaptive nonlocal Monte Carlo moves. This proposed method enables precise calculation of a polymer's response to a wide range of mechanical forces, which traditional on-lattice models cannot achieve.

Prevalence and lifestyle determinants of depressive symptoms among Chinese children and adolescents.

Based on Chinese Students' Fitness Health Examination, this study sought to investigate the relationships between depressive symptoms and family environment, physical activity, dietary habits, sleep and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in 32,389 participants (grades 4-12) using the CES-D. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships between lifestyle determinants and depressive symptoms, and a random forest model was used to rank the importance of those determinants.

Ideal cardiovascular health and risk of death in a large Swedish cohort.

Background: Ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) can be assessed by 7 metrics: smoking, body mass index, physical activity, diet, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes, proposed by the American Heart Association. We examined the association of ideal CVH metrics with risk of all-cause, CVD and non-CVD death in a large cohort.

Methods: A total of 29,557 participants in the Swedish National March Cohort were included in this study.

Development and Validation of a Bayesian Network-Based Model for Predicting Coronary Heart Disease Risk From Electronic Health Records.

Background: Traditional risk evaluation models have been applied to guide public health and clinical practice in various studies. However, the application of existing methods to data sets with missing and censored data, as is often the case in electronic health records, requires additional considerations. We aimed to develop and validate a predictive model that exhibits high performance with data sets that contain missing and censored data.

Incidence density of hyperuricemia and association between metabolism-related predisposing risk factors and serum urate in Chinese adults: a cohort study.

Background: Evidence regarding the association between metabolism-related indicators and serum urate (SU) is limited. We aimed to obtain the incidence density of hyperuricemia and to explore the association between metabolism-related predisposing risk factors and SU.

Methods: A total of 48,979 Chinese adults from the Beijing Physical Examination Center were included in the study.

Chiral fluid membranes with orientational order and multiple edges.

We carry out Monte Carlo simulations on fluid membranes with orientational order and multiple edges in the presence and absence of external forces. The membrane resists bending and has an edge tension, the orientational order couples with the membrane surface normal through a cost for tilting, and there is a chiral liquid crystalline interaction. In the absence of external forces, a membrane initialized as a vesicle will form a disk at low chirality, with the directors forming a smectic-A phase with alignment perpendicular to the membrane surface except near the edge.

Hemodynamic Characteristics of Cardiovascular System in Simulated Zero and Partial Gravities Based on CFD Modeling and Simulation.

Zero and partial gravities (ZPG) increase cardiovascular risk, while the corresponding theoretical foundation remains uncertain. In the article, the ZPG were generated through a rotating frame with two degrees of freedom in combination with the random walk algorithm. A precise 3D geometric configuration of the cardiovascular system was developed, and the laminar flow and solid mechanics were used as governing equations for blood flow and the surrounding tissue in the cardiovascular system.

Correlations of strength, proprioception, and tactile sensation to return-to-sports readiness among patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is the most common surgery for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, and the relationships between patients' return to sports (RTS) readiness and different physical functions are inconclusive among patients with ACLR. This study aimed to investigate the correlations of strength, proprioception, and tactile sensation to the RTS readiness among patients with ACLR. Forty-two participants who received ACLR for at least 6 months were enrolled in this study.

Degradation of cotton stalk lignin by carbon dots loaded copper oxide synergistic emulsion system.

Based on the realization of efficient utilization of cotton stalk lignin, the degradation of cotton stalk lignin by a CDs/CuO synergistic emulsion system was investigated. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with monoclinic crystal structure were prepared and carbon dots (CDs) synthesized by microwave method was combined with CuO. Under visible light, water and n-butanol were used to construct a water-oil (W/O) emulsion reaction system to achieved depolymerisation of lignin into small molecule compounds.

Deformation and orientational order of chiral membranes with free edges.

Motivated by experiments on colloidal membranes composed of chiral rod-like viruses, we use Monte Carlo methods to simulate these systems and determine the phase diagram for the liquid crystalline order of the rods and the membrane shape. We generalize the Lebwohl-Lasher model for a nematic with a chiral coupling to a curved surface with edge tension and a resistance to bending, and include an energy cost for tilting of the rods relative to the local membrane normal. The membrane is represented by a triangular mesh of hard beads joined by bonds, where each bead is decorated by a director.

Shapes of fluid membranes with chiral edges.

We carry out Monte Carlo simulations of a colloidal fluid membrane with a free edge and composed of chiral rodlike viruses. The membrane is modeled by a triangular mesh of beads connected by bonds in which the bonds and beads are free to move at each Monte Carlo step. Since the constituent viruses are experimentally observed to twist only near the membrane edge, we use an effective energy that favors a particular sign of the geodesic torsion of the edge.

Smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, and obesity among middle-aged and older adults in China: cross-sectional findings from the baseline survey of CHARLS 2011-2012.

Background: Prevention and control of cardiometabolic conditions and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China may contribute to sustainable CVD reduction globally, given the fact that one-fifth of the worldwide population is in China. Knowing the distribution of behavioral risk factors (e.g.

Screening of triploid with low-coverage whole-genome sequencing by a single-nucleotide polymorphism-based test in miscarriage tissue.

Purpose: To establish a single-nucleotide polymorphism-based analysis (SBA) method to identify triploidy in the miscarriage tissue by using low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LC-WGS).

Methods: The method was established by fitting a quadratic curve model by counting the distribution of three heterozygous mutation content intervals. The triploid test result was mainly determined by the opening direction and the axis of symmetry of the quadratic curve, and Z test between the same batch samples was also used for auxiliary judgment.