Explore the vast range of titles available.

The diversity of microbial communities on the fingers and in the oral cavity may vary based on the regularity of shared daily routines. Participants who frequented various shared spaces, including daycare centers, offices, senior centers, universities, and mosques, provided oral and finger-swab samples. Samples from individuals who regularly shared spaces showed a high similarity in the diversity of finger microbial communities, highlighting the significant role of environmental exposure. Participants associated with shared spaces had low intra-group variation, indicating consistent microbial exchange. In contrast, oral microbiomes were less affected by regular shared spaces and were more influenced by factors such as diet, hygiene, and demographic characteristics. Participants in the irregularly shared space group showed higher levels of similarity in oral microbiomes, with notable differences in microbial diversity among groups based on their unique cultural, dietary, and hygienic practices. Overall, this study demonstrated that regular interactions within specific environments can significantly shape microbial profiles, particularly on the skin, whereas oral microbiomes are more stable and influenced by broader lifestyle factors.

Obesity results from various factors, such as menopause, age, physical activity, genetics, and environmental factors. Notably, the risk of obesity in women, especially in the context of menopause, has increased with rising life expectancy. Therefore, preventing and treating menopause-related obesity is crucial. Rice bran, the brown outer layer of the rice kernel, is known to contain nutrients and bioactive compounds. Rice bran supplement (RBS), a byproduct of rice polishing, recognizably treats obesity; moreover, it is also known to increase mitochondrial function. To validate the effect of RBS on menopause-induced obesity, we administered RBS to ovariectomized mice as a menopause model. Ultimately, we aimed to evaluate the potential of RBS as an alternative candidate to hormone replacement therapy for treating menopause-induced obesity. RBS treatment significantly reduced body weight by 20% and retroperitoneal fat by 97% compared to the HFD group. Furthermore, mitochondrial enzyme activities as mitochondrial respiratory function in the brain increased on average by 102% compared to the HFD group and by average by 93% compared to the ND group, highlighting the therapeutic efficacy of RBS in ameliorating metabolic complications associated with menopause, without the use of hormone replacement therapy.

Campus trees have significant potential for sequestering carbon in urban environments and improving civic life quality; however, few inventories of university campus trees have been constructed worldwide (excluding North America). This study briefly overviews the current status, challenges, and prospects of inventorying campus trees and provides a case study of a campus tree inventory and carbon assessment through a student participatory program in South Korea. Campus tree maps from 25 universities in eight countries were investigated. A campus tree inventory usually consists of various data on the tree species, dbh, and biomass, and it is often prepared through a capstone or student project in the university. This review identified the following challenges: (1) Few cases have been reported outside North America, (2) publications and data sharing are limited, and (3) participants' experiences have not been evaluated. The case study on inventorying and mapping campus trees was performed by integrating drone‐based orthographic images and field censuses of tree data (species, diameter, GPS coordinates, etc.). A total of 2341 individual trees belonging to 73 species were surveyed over 28.7 ha of green spaces on campus, and various thematic maps were created online. In 2021, the aboveground carbon storage was 263.9 Mg C, and it increased annually by 5.62 Mg C. This study presents the first attempt to evaluate and report a campus tree carbon inventory at an East Asian university. Additional advancements in monitoring techniques and practices for campus trees may contribute to the sustainability of university campuses and local communities.

High-early-strength-concrete (HESC) made of Type III cement reaches approximately 50–70 % of its design compressive strength in a day in ambient conditions. Experimental investigations were made in this study to observe the effects of temperature, curing time and concrete strength on the accelerated development of compressive strength in HESC. A total of 210 HESC cylinders of 100 × 200 mm were tested for different compressive strengths (30, 40 and 50 MPa) and different curing regimes (with maximum temperatures of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C) at different equivalent ages (9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 100 and 168 h). From a series of regression analyses, a generalized rate-constant model was presented for the prediction of the compressive strength of HESC at an early age for its future application in precast prestressed units with savings in steam supply. The average and standard deviation of the ratios of the predictions to the test results were 0.97 and 0.22, respectively.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are novel nanocarbon materials and widely used nanoparticles. They have gradually gained popularity in various fields due to their abundance, inexpensive cost, small size, ease of engineering, and distinct properties. To determine the antibacterial activity of metal-doped CQDs (metal-CQDs) containing Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, and Co, we chose Staphylococcus aureus as a representative Gram-positive strain and Escherichia coli as a representative Gram-negative bacterial strain. Paper disc diffusion tests were conducted for the qualitative results, and a cell growth curve was drawn for quantitative results. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and IC 50 were measured from cell growth curves. As a result, all of the metal-CQDs showed toxicity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, Gram-negative bacteria was vulnerable to metal-CQDs than Gram-positive bacteria. The toxicity differed concerning the type of metal-CQDs; Mn-CQDs exhibited the highest efficacy. Hence, this study suggested that CQDs can be used as new nanoparticles for antibiotics.

This study investigated the effects of environmentally friendly soil amendments—processed red clay (PRC) and rice husk (RH)—on early establishment, growth characteristics, phytochemical accumulation, and soil chemical properties in wild-simulated ginseng (WSG; Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) cultivated under forest conditions. PRC was produced through alkali-assisted thermal processing to improve material homogeneity and enhance plant-available mineral components, particularly silicon. We hypothesized that the combined application of PRC and RH would improve soil chemical conditions and thereby support WSG growth and phytochemical accumulation under low-input cultivation systems. Four treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replicates: non-treated control (NMNF), PRC alone (NMPRC), RH alone (RHNF), and combined PRC and RH (RHPRC). Growth responses were assessed in one-year-old and seven-year-old WSG, including germination rate, seedling vigor index, growth traits, photosynthetic pigment composition, total polyphenol content, ginsenoside profiles, and soil chemical properties. The RHPRC treatment significantly increased germination rate and seedling vigor compared to the non-treated control and showed consistently greater biomass accumulation across cultivation stages. RH application was primarily associated with improved early establishment and increased total polyphenol content, particularly during the early growth stage, whereas PRC application was associated with enhanced root development and age-dependent increases in selected ginsenosides. Soil analyses indicated that PRC application increased available phosphorus and exchangeable cation contents, with the most stable improvements observed under combined PRC and RH treatment. Overall, the results indicate that integrated mineral–organic soil management using PRC and RH can improve soil chemical propertise and support long-term growth and phytochemical accumulation in WSG cultivated under forest conditions. This approach offers a practical, low-input strategy for enhancing the sustainability of WSG cultivation while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Probiotics can be used as a nutritional strategy to improve gut homeostasis. We aimed to evaluate the intestinal microbiota profile of 18 subjects after ingestion of probiotic yogurt powder (PYP) based on enterotype. The subjects were classified into three enterotypes according to their microbial community: Bacteroides (n = 9, type B), Prevotella (n = 3, type P), and Ruminococcus (n = 6, type R). We performed controlled termination in a transient series that included a control period of three weeks before probiotic intake, PYP intake for three weeks, and a three-week washout period. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by sequencing the V3–V4 super variable region of 16S rRNA. Based on the Bristol stool shape scale, abnormal stool shape improved with PYP intake, and bowel movements were activated. The abundance of Faecalibacterium, Eggerthella, and Leuconostoc, which ferment and metabolize glucose, showed a strong correlation with type B Bacteroides, and glucose metabolism improvement was observed in all type B subjects. Alkaline phosphatase was significantly improved only in type B. In addition, the abundance of type B Bacteroides showed a negative correlation with that of Lactobacillus. The abundance of Streptococcus, Agathobacter, and Christensenella, which are involved in lipid metabolism, showed a strong correlation with that of type P Prevotella, and triglyceride metabolism improvement was observed in all type P subjects. The gut microbiota showed only short-term changes after PYP intake and showed resilience by returning to its original state when PYP intake was interrupted. In summary, the different responses to PYP intake may result from the different enterotypes and associated strains; therefore, the probiotic composition should be adjusted based on the individual enterotype.

The growth of the gardening kit market could result in the increased wasting of nursery pots, which are usually made of plastic. Replacing these pots with biodegradable pots made from green waste could have benefits for climate mitigation, the circular economy, and the greenness of gardening. To address this, we introduce a prototype recycled waste leaf litter (RWLL) nursery pot. Via an incubation experiment over 90 d, we examined their biodegradability and effects on microbial enzyme activity and inorganic nitrogen concentration, comparing them with commercially available biodegradable pots, namely peat–paper mixture pots (also known as Jiffypots®) and coco-coir pots. The effects of pot thickness were tested. Based on mass loss during incubation and on soil CO2 efflux, the RWLL pots exhibited excellent biodegradability, regardless of their thickness, with decomposition rates and soil CO2 efflux 1.5–6 times greater than other biodegradable pots. Biodegradability, extracellular enzyme activity, and soil inorganic nitrogen content were not affected by RWLL pot thickness or by the presence or absence of a plant in the soil. Unlike in natural ecosystems, leaf litter is treated as waste in urban green spaces, and its decomposition into soil organic matter is prevented. Creating plant pots from leaf litter enhances soil quality, reduces atmospheric carbon emissions, and satisfies the desire of gardeners for greenness.

Human gut microbiota are involved in different metabolic processes, such as digestion and nutrient synthesis, among others. For the elderly, supplements are a major means of maintaining health and improving intestinal homeostasis. In this study, 51 elderly women were administered MPRO3 (n = 17), a placebo (n = 16), or both (MPRO3: 1 week, placebo: 3 weeks; n = 18) for 4 weeks. The fecal microbiota were analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 super-variable region. The dietary fiber intake increased, and glucose levels decreased with 4-week MPRO3 intake. Reflux, indigestion, and diarrhea syndromes gradually improved with MPRO3 intake, whereas constipation was maintained. The stool shape also improved. Bifidobacterium animalis, B. pseudolongum, Lactobacillus plantarum, and L. paracasei were relatively more abundant after 4 weeks of MPRO3 intake than in those subjects after a 1-week intake. Bifidobacterium and B. longum abundances increased after 1 week of MPRO3 intake but decreased when the intake was discontinued. Among different modules and pathways, all 10 modules analyzed showed a relatively high association with 4-week MPRO3 intake. The mineral absorption pathway and cortisol biosynthesis and secretion pathways correlated with the B. animalis and B. pseudolongum abundances at 4 weeks. Therefore, 4-week MPRO3 intake decreased the fasting blood glucose level and improved intestinal health and metabolism.

The restrained thermal expansion of a pretensioned strand causes thermal prestress loss during steam curing until sufficient bond strength develops. The amount of thermal prestress loss is directly related to the characteristics of the interfacial bond stress–slip relationship at different maturity phases of concrete. For a rational assessment, the bond stress–slip relationship needs to be investigated experimentally at different maturity phases. In this study, a total of 12 pull-out tests were performed using seven-wire strand of 12.7 mm diameter, at different concrete equivalent ages of 7.8, 23.5, 53.8 and 85.2 h. Based on the test results, an empirical model of the bond stress–slip relationship was developed. The model comprised four segments: a curvilinear ascending region, a constant maximum region, a linearly descending region, and a region of constant frictional bond stress. The characteristic values in the model were expressed as functions of equivalent age. The model was able to predict the test results with reasonable accuracy.