Search Results (293)

Electrochemical energy storage technology, primarily lithium-ion batteries, has been widely applied in large-scale energy storage systems. However, differences in assembly structures, manufacturing processes, and operating environments introduce parameter inconsistencies among cells within a pack, producing complex, high-volume datasets with redundant and fragmented charge–discharge records that hinder efficient and accurate system monitoring. To address this challenge, we propose a hybrid ASW-UKF-TRF framework for the classification and compression of battery data collected from energy storage power stations. First, an adaptive sliding-window Unscented Kalman Filter (ASW-UKF) performs online data cleaning, imputation, and smoothing to ensure temporal consistency and recover missing/corrupted samples. Second, a temporally aware TRF segments the time series and applies an importance-weighted, multi-level compression that formally prioritizes diagnostically relevant features while compressing low-information segments. The novelty of this work lies in combining deployment-oriented engineering robustness with methodological innovation: the ASW-UKF provides context-aware, online consistency restoration, while the TRF compression formalizes diagnostic value in its retention objective. This hybrid design preserves transient fault signatures that are frequently removed by conventional smoothing or generic compressors, while also bounding computational overhead to enable online deployment. Experiments on real operational station data demonstrate classification accuracy above 95% and an overall data volume reduction in more than 60%, indicating that the proposed pipeline achieves substantial gains in monitoring reliability and storage efficiency compared to standard denoising-plus-generic-compression baselines. The result is a practical, scalable workflow that bridges algorithmic advances and engineering requirements for large-scale battery energy storage monitoring. Full article

Lactation is a critical period in which mothers generally increase food intake and metabolism to meet high energy demands. In the present study, we examined the effect of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on lactating striped hamsters. On the day of litter birth, lactating females were assigned into 3 experimental groups that experienced 24-h ad lib feeding (Con), 12-h daytime feeding (DF), or 12-h nighttime feeding (NF). A group of non-lactating females with 24-h feeding (NL) served as an additional control. Our data show that lactating females had increased food intake, oxygen consumption, and small intestine mass but a decreased level of circulating melatonin, compared to the NL females. However, TRF manipulation significantly reduced the mother’s food intake, the pup’s body mass, and survival rate. In addition, TRF had some phase-specific (i.e., DF vs. NF) effects on facilitating body mass loss, decreasing CART, AgRP, and POMC gene expression in the hypothalamus, and increasing abundance in Desulfobacterota and Actinobacteriota in the gut microbiota of lactating females. Together, our data illustrate adaptive changes of lactating hamsters under TRF conditions, and highlight the importance of food access and dietary rhythm regulation in maternal and offspring health, development, and reproductive success. These findings not only expand our understanding of lactation biology and ecological feeding strategies but also highlight the significance of regular dietary patterns for lactating individuals, with particular emphasis on shift workers and other populations with irregular daily schedules. Full article

Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tDRs) are increasingly being recognized as versatile regulators, yet their physiological landscape remains poorly charted. We analyzed tDR expression in seven adult mouse tissues to explore tissue-specific tDR enrichment using a tDR-optimized library preparation methodology. We catalogued 26,901 unique nuclear tDRs (ntDRs) and 5114 mitochondrial tDRs (mtDRs). Clustering analysis segregated the tissues, with the spleen and lungs forming a distinct immune cluster. Tissue-versus-all and pairwise differential analysis showed the spleen harboring unique ntDRs and mtDRs. Tissue-enriched tDRs arose from specific isoacceptor and isodecoder tRNAs, independent of mature tRNA abundance, suggesting selective biogenesis rather than bulk turnover. G-quadruplex prediction revealed a pronounced enrichment of potentially quadruplex-forming ntDRs in the kidneys, heart, and spleen, predominantly derived from i-tRFs and tRF3 fragments, suggesting structure-dependent functions in immune regulation. We also benchmarked our library strategy against the PANDORA-seq method. Despite comparable or lower sequencing depth, our method detected ~3–10-fold more unique ntDRs and we observed a clearer representation of tRF-3 fragments and greater isotype diversity. Our tissue atlas and improved tDR sequencing method reveal extensive tissue-specific heterogeneity in tDR biogenesis, sequencing, and structure, providing a framework for understanding the context-dependent regulatory roles of tDRs. Full article

Social jetlag, the misalignment between internal circadian rhythms and socially imposed schedules, is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence implicates the gut microbiota as a key mediator in this relationship, operating through a microbiota–gut–metabolic axis that influences host metabolism, immune function, and circadian regulation. Mechanistic studies reveal that social jetlag disrupts microbial rhythmicity, reduces short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, impairs intestinal barrier function, and promotes systemic inflammation, which contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction. Clinical and preclinical interventions, including time-restricted feeding (TRF)/time-restricted eating (TRE), probiotics or melatonin supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), demonstrate the potential to restore microbial and metabolic homeostasis by realigning host and microbial rhythms. This review synthesizes mechanistic insights with emerging human and clinical evidence, highlighting the gut microbiota as a novel target for chronotherapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating the metabolic consequences of circadian disruption. Recognizing and treating circadian–microbiome misalignment may provide a clinically actionable pathway to prevent or reverse chronic metabolic diseases in modern populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are small non-coding RNAs increasingly implicated in gene regulation and disease, yet their target specificity and disease relevance remain poorly understood. This is an exploratory study that investigates the phenomenon of identical tRF sequences reported in distinct disease contexts and evaluates the consistency between experimental findings and predictions from both target-based and abundance-based tRF databases. Methods: Five tRFs with identical sequences across at least two peer-reviewed disease studies were selected from a recent systematic review. Their validated targets and disease associations were extracted from the literature. Motifs and predicted targets were cross-referenced using three target-oriented databases: tatDB, tRFTar, and tsRFun. In parallel, the abundance enrichment of cancer-associated tRFs was assessed in OncotRF and MINTbase using TCGA-based abundance data. Results: Among the five tRFs, only LeuAAG-001-N-3p-68-85 showed complete alignment between experimental data and both tatDB and tRFTar predictions. Most of the other four displayed at least partial overlaps in motif/binding regions with some of validated targets. tRF abundance data from MINTbase and OncotRF showed inconsistent enrichment, with only AlaAGC-002-N-3p-58-75 exhibiting concordance with its experimentally validated cancer type. Most functionally relevant tRFs were not strongly represented in abundance-only databases. Conclusions: Given the limited number of tRFs analyzed, this study serves primarily as a pilot analysis designed to generate hypotheses and guide future in-depth research, rather than offering comprehensive conclusions. We did, however, illustrate how the analysis of tRFs can benefit from utilizing currently available databases. Target-based databases more closely reflected experimental evidence for mechanistic details when a tRF or a motif match is found. Yet all database types are incomplete, including the abundance-focused tools, which often fail to capture disease-specific regulatory roles of tRFs. These findings underscore the importance of using integrated data sources for tRF annotation. As a pilot analysis, the study provides insights into how identical tRF sequences might function differently across disease contexts, highlighting areas for further investigation while pointing out the limitations of relying on expression data alone to infer functional relevance. Full article

Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), a subtype of vitamin E, has recently been reported to demonstrate promising neuroprotective properties. However, it remains to be fully determined how it confers protection in the brain. This scoping review aimed to explore and understand the intricate role of TRF in promoting and preserving neuronal well-being. A systematic literature search, based on the framework by Arksey and O’Malley and adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS), using the following phrases and Boolean operators: (“tocotrienol-rich fraction”) AND ((“neuroprotect”) OR (“cognit”) OR (“brain”)). The search yielded a total of 24 eligible articles, shortlisted based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria established at the outset of the study. The findings highlight a diverse array of TRF-related studies, both in vivo and in vitro, that revealed functional mechanisms through which TRF confers neuroprotection. These include, but are not limited to, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via attenuation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and pro-inflammatory mediators; regulation of metabolic pathways; regulation of neuronal genes, proteins, and maintenance of cellular functions; and subsequent improvements in memory and cognitive performance in animal models following TRF treatment. The convergence of these neuroprotective effects suggests that TRF holds potential as a supplement to support healthy ageing or, at the very least, slow neurodegeneration by mitigating pathological changes that often begin insidiously before the onset of symptoms associated with cognitive decline. Full article

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) can improve inflammatory status, but its effects may be dependent on the mode of fasting. Objectives: We performed a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analyses to investigate the effects of different modes of IF on inflammatory markers in adults. Methods: Three database searches were conducted, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to June 2024. The searches used two keyword groups: “intermittent fasting” and “inflammatory markers”. Randomized and non-randomized trials investigating any IF mode on inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and adiponectin, were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random effects models for both analyses. Results: A total of 21 studies (839 participants) were included. Compared with controls, IF reduced TNF-α [SMD: −0.31, p = 0.009], CRP [SMD: −0.19, p = 0.04], and leptin [SMD: −0.57, p = 0.005] but did not significantly affect IL-6 or adiponectin. Among the IF modes, time-restricted feeding (TRF) showed the largest reduction in TNF-α [−0.39, p = 0.001]. TRF had the highest probability ranking for changes in IL-6, TNF-α, leptin, and adiponectin; however, the effects on IL-6 and adiponectin were not statistically significant. The 5:2 diet ranked highest for CRP. Conclusions: IF may be an effective dietary therapy for improving some inflammatory markers, with effects potentially influenced by the mode of IF. TRF had the highest rankings across multiple markers, though the findings were not uniformly significant. Additional longer-term trials are needed to fully elucidate the anti-inflammatory potential of IF. Full article

Nucleolin (NCL), an RNA-binding protein which regulates critical cellular processes, is frequently dysregulated in human cancers, including breast cancer, making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, molecular details of the RNA-NCL interaction have not been investigated yet. A tRNA fragment named tRF3E, displaying tumor suppressor roles in breast cancer, was found to bind NCL with high affinity displacing NCL-controlled transcripts. Here, we investigated the determinants and cooperativity of tRF3E-NCL interaction by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays and in silico docking analysis, using wild-type or mutated tRF3E. We found that NCL, through its RNA-binding domains (RBD1–2 and RBD3–4), binds simultaneously two tRF3E molecules, giving rise to an energetically favored complex. Instead, a mutant form of tRF3E (M19–24), in which the NCL recognition element in position 19–24 has been disrupted, contacts NCL exclusively at RBD3–4, causing the loss of cooperativity among RBDs. Importantly, when expressed in MCF7 breast cancer cells, tRF3E significantly reduced cell proliferation and colony formation, confirming its role as tumor suppressor, but tRF3E functional properties were lost when the 19–24 motif was mutated, suggesting that cooperativity among multiple domains is required for the NCL-mediated tRF3E antitumor function. This study sheds light on the dynamic of RNA-NCL interaction and lays the foundations for using tRF3E as a promising NCL-targeted biodrug candidate. Full article

The Very Long Baseline Interferometry Global Observing System (VGOS), a global network of stations equipped with small-diameter, fast-slewing antennas and broadband receivers, is primarily utilized for geodesy and astrometry. In China, the Shanghai and Urumqi VGOS stations have been developed to perform radio source observation regularly. However, these VGOS stations have not yet been used to observe Earth satellites or deep-space probes. In addition, suitable systems for processing VGOS satellite data are unavailable. In this study, we explored a data processing pipeline and method suitable for VGOS data observed in the dual linear polarization mode and applied to the differential observation of satellites. We present the VGOS observations of the Chang’e 5 lunar orbiter as a pilot experiment for VGOS observations of Earth satellites to verify our processing pipeline. The interferometric fringes were obtained by the cross-correlation of Chang’e 5 lunar orbiter signals. The data analysis yielded a median delay precision of 0.16 ns with 30 s single-channel integration and a baseline closure delay standard deviation of 0.14 ns. The developed data processing pipeline can serve as a foundation for future Earth-orbiting satellite observations, potentially supporting space-tie satellite missions aimed at constructing the terrestrial reference frame (TRF). Full article

Background: Schizotypal traits are considered to be clinical and cognitive features of Schizotypal Disorder in children (SDc). These traits are also seen in children and adolescents with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study examines the influence of schizotypal traits (and their severity) on the capacity of children with ASD to manage emotions, develop relationships with others, and adapt in school and family life. Methods: The Schizotypal traits of 63 children (6–12 years old) with High Functioning ASD were measured by the Melbourne Assessment of Schizotypy in Kids (MASK). Parents and teachers of the participating children completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teachers’ Report Form (TRF) from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results: Overall, the results indicated correlations between the MASK scores and problems recorded by teachers, such as Internalizing problems (i.e., Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn/Depressed, and Other problems score) according to TRF and Inappropriate speech scores, according to teacher’s ABC scales. Schizotypal traits impact the social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children with ASD at home and school environments. Conclusions: The assessment of schizotypal traits in children with ASD provides critical information about a child’s functionality and cognitive development, also leading to the identification of potential cognitive-neuropsychological endophenotypes within ASD with characteristics of both Autism and Schizophrenia spectra. Τhe development of a valid assessment tool is required, as well as the design of targeted interventions to prevent the loss of functionality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Postoperative septic events represent a major paramevter of morbidity and mortality following major abdominal surgery. Early identification and prediction can have a major impact on clinical management, reduction of hospitalization costs, and restriction of irrational use of antibiotics. For this purpose, two novel biomarkers (C-reactive protein to albumin or transferrin ratios, CAR and CTR, respectively) were evaluated. Methods: A combined retrospective and prospective study of 200 patients who underwent elective or emergency open abdominal surgery was performed. Patient demographics, emergency status, type of operation, and white blood cell (WBC) count, serum albumin (ALB), serum transferrin (TRF), and CAR-CTR were evaluated. Multiple-way ANOVA was utilized. Multiparametric and logistic regression analyses were performed for each confounder. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and corresponding diagrams of sensitivity vs 1-specificity were applied for CAR and CTR in postoperative days 2 and 3. Results: WBC number had no predictive significance in septic event identification (p = 0.461), while postoperative CAR, CTR, ALB, TRF, BMI, and emergency status were significantly correlated (p < 0.001). At postoperative day 2, a CTR of 9.48 and a CAR of 4.14 have 75.9% and 70.4% specificity and 86% and 87.7% sensitivity, respectively. At postoperative day 3, a CTR of 8.89 and a CAR of 4.25 have 74.1% and 79.6% specificity and 87.7% and 86% sensitivity, respectively. Conclusions: Early identification of postoperative septic events may significantly facilitate decreasing postoperative morbidity and mortality. Both CAR and CTR displayed significant predictive ability in identifying patients prone to developing postoperative septic events, highlighting their significance in everyday clinical practice. Full article

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and the significant roles they play in several diseases have been described and verified in numerous studies. Transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) are a newly discovered class of small ncRNAs produced by mature or precursor tRNAs. In light of the development of RNA sequencing, evidence has shown that tRFs are widely involved in the generation and progression of diseases through a series of mechanisms, including RNA silencing, translational regulation, epigenetic regulation, reverse-transcriptional regulation, and cellular apoptosis. Several studies have determined that tRFs participate in several cancers in a number of ways. Furthermore, novel tRFs may hold significant potential as both diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in clinical applications. In this review, we discuss the biogenesis and classification of tRFs, illustrate their fundamental functions, and summarize the most recent tRF-related discoveries pertaining to cancer. Full article

In this study, we investigate the impact of rising time on alternating current (AC) stress-induced degradation in amorphous indium–tin–gallium–zinc oxide (a-ITGZO) TFTs through both experiments and simulations. When AC bias stresses with rising and falling times (t_r-f) of 400 ns, 200 ns, and 100 ns were applied to the a-ITGZO TFTs, the threshold voltage (V_TH) shifted positively by 0.97 V, 2.68 V, and 2.83 V, respectively. These experimental results align with a stretched exponential model, which attributes the V_TH to electron trapping in bulk dielectric states or at interface traps. The simulation results further validate the stretched exponential model by illustrating the potential distribution across the dielectric and channel layers as a function of t_r-f and the density of states in the a-ITGZO TFT. Full article

Background/Objectives: N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe), an exercise-induced metabolite, has been shown to reduce food intake, decrease body weight and adiposity, and improve glucose homeostasis without affecting energy expenditure. Until now, Lac-Phe has mainly been investigated in blood plasma, showing its appetite-suppressing effects. Interestingly, these beneficial effects were caused by a temporary increase in Lac-Phe levels after exercise. Second, despite the central role of the central nervous system in the homeostatic control of energy metabolism, little is known about the presence and function of Lac-Phe in the brain. The goal of this study is to investigate how Lac-Phe concentrations in the brain change during the 24 h light/dark cycle. Methods: We conducted an experiment in rats in which time-restricted running was combined with time-restricted feeding (TRF) of a high-calorie diet, after which Lac-Phe levels were measured in the hypothalamus and cortex using stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS. Microglia were isolated from rat brains to study Lac-Phe-related gene expression. Results: We found that Lac-Phe levels changed over time within the 24 h light/dark cycle in the hypothalamus and/or cortex, even without exercise. Our study indicates that brain Lac-Phe is not only induced by exercise but also by high-calorie diet intake independent of exercise. Finally, we showed that microglial cells are cytosolic nonspecific dipeptidase 2 (CNDP2) positive and therefore able to produce Lac-Phe. Hereby, we identified SLC16A1 in microglia as a possible key mediator of Lac-Phe production. Conclusions: We conclude that high-calorie diet consumption induces Lac-Phe changes in the brain in a time-of-day manner independent of exercise. This study provides new knowledge on the presence and production of Lac-Phe in the brain. Further research is needed to elucidate the potential mechanism by which Lac-Phe reduces food intake and body weight by targeting appetite-suppressing neurons. Full article

Daytime-restricted feeding (TRF) exerts outstanding effects on circadian physiology, nutrient utilization, and energy metabolism. Limiting feeding access to two hours during the daytime (12:00–14:00 h) for three weeks promotes food-anticipatory activity (FAA). FAA encompasses not only behaviors related to meal expectations but also includes diurnal fluctuations in liver metabolic responses, including distinct redox handling. Hepatic microarray profiles of genes associated with redox response processes were analyzed at three crucial time points: at the beginning of the light period or before FAA (08:00 h), during the expression of FAA (11:00 h), and after feeding (14:00 h). Data on fasting and nutrient processing were integrated, whereas circadian implications were extrapolated by comparing the TRF transcriptional output with a one-day fasting group. Transcripts of redox reactions, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant defenses, NAD⁺/NADH equilibrium, and glutathione, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), arginine, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) metabolism, were analyzed. Results showed a decline in antioxidant defenses at 08:00 h, followed by a burst of pro-oxidant reactions, preparation of glutathione metabolism factors, and a tendency to decrease H₂O₂ and increase NO and H₂S during the FAA. Most of the findings observed during the FAA were absent in response to one-day fasting. Hence, TRF involves concerted and sequential responses in liver pro-oxidant and antioxidant reactions, facilitating a redox-related circadian control that optimizes the metabolic utilization of nutrients, which differs from a response to a simple fast-feed cycle. Full article