Systems Analysis Reveals Ageing-Related Perturbations in Retinoids and Sex Hormones in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD), are complex heterogeneous diseases with highly variable patient responses to treatment. Due to the growing evidence for ageing-related clinical and pathological commonalities between AD and PD, these diseases have recently been studied in tandem. In this study, we analysed transcriptomic data from AD and PD patients, and stratified these patients into three subclasses with distinct gene expression and metabolic profiles. Through integrating transcriptomic data with a genome-scale metabolic model and validating our findings by network exploration and co-analysis using a zebrafish ageing model, we identified retinoids as a key ageing-related feature in all subclasses of AD and PD. We also demonstrated that the dysregulation of androgen metabolism by three different independent mechanisms is a source of heterogeneity in AD and PD. Taken together, our work highlights the need for stratification of AD/PD patients and development of personalised and precision medicine approaches based on the detailed characterisation of these subclasses.

Calendar Ageing Model for Li-Ion Batteries Using Transfer Learning Methods

Getting accurate lifetime predictions for a particular cell chemistry remains a challenging process, largely dependent on time and cost-intensive experimental battery testing. This paper proposes a transfer learning (TL) method to develop LIB ageing models, which allow for the leveraging of experimental laboratory testing data previously obtained for a different cell technology. The TL method is implemented through Neural Networks models, using LiNiMnCoO2/C laboratory ageing data as a baseline model. The obtained TL model achieves an 1.01% overall error for a broad range of operating conditions, using for retraining only two experimental ageing tests of LiFePO4/C cells.

Feature Extraction, Ageing Modelling and Information Analysis of a Large-Scale Battery Ageing Experiment

Large scale testing of newly developed Li-ion cells is associated with high costs for the interested parties, and ideally, testing time should be kept to a minimum. In this work, an ageing model was developed and trained with real data from a large-scale testing experiment in order to answer how much testing time and data would have been really needed to achieve similar model generalisation performance on previously unseen data. A linear regression model was used, and the feature engineering, extraction and selection steps are shown herein, alongside accurate prediction results for the majority of the accelerated ageing experiments. Information analysis was performed to achieve the desired data reduction, obtaining similar model properties with a fifth of the number of cells and half of the testing time. The proposed ageing model uses features commonly found in the literature, and the structure is simple enough for the training to be performed online in an EV. It has good generalisation capabilities. Lastly, the data reduction approach used here is model-independent, allowing a similar methodology to be used with different modelling assumptions.

Undenatured Type II Collagen Relieves Bone Impairment through Improving Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Ageing db/db Mice

Ageing-related bone impairment due to exposure to hyperglycemic environment is scarcely researched. The aim was to confirm the improvement effects of undenatured type II collagen (UC II) on bone impairment in ageing db/db mice, and the ageing model was established by normal feeding for 48-week-old. Then, the ageing db/db mice were randomly assigned to UC II intervention, the ageing model, and the chondroitin sulfate + glucosamine hydrochloride control groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, femoral microarchitecture and biomechanical parameters were observed, biomarkers including bone metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress were measured, and the gastrocnemius function and expressions of interleukin (IL) 1β, receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-κB ligand (RANKL), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were analyzed. The results showed that the mice in the UC II intervention group showed significantly superior bone and gastrocnemius properties than those in the ageing model group, including bone mineral density (287.65 ± 72.77 vs. 186.97 ± 32.2 mg/cm3), gastrocnemius index (0.46 ± 0.07 vs. 0.18 ± 0.01%), muscle fiber diameter (0.0415 ± 0.005 vs. 0.0330 ± 0.002 mm), and cross-sectional area (0.0011 ± 0.00007 vs. 0.00038 ± 0.00004 mm2). The UC II intervention elevated bone mineralization and formation and decreased bone resorption, inflammatory cytokines, and the oxidative stress. In addition, lower protein expression of IL-1β, RANKL, and TRAP in the UC II intervention group was observed. These findings suggested that UC II improved bones impaired by T2DM during ageing, and the likely mechanism was partly due to inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Are Older Adults’ Leisure Patterns Consistent with the Active Ageing Model? The Influence of the Ageist Stereotypes

More and more studies indicate that leisure plays a fundamental role in active ageing. Our study describes the current leisure patterns of older adults, comparing them with other age groups. Consequently, 445 adults, stratified by age (young, middle-aged and older adults), were selected and subsequently administered a set of tests. The results indicate that older people claim having more time for their leisure activities; however, the diversity of activities performed is lower, showing a negative gradient based on age. The leisure patterns of older people reflect a predominance of passive leisure, little cultural leisure time and moderate levels of social and physical leisure activities. Older people’s leisure seems to be influenced by ageist stereotypes and attribution biases. Our findings imply that these results could be used to design and implement programs aimed at promoting leisure styles that contribute to increase active ageing.

Systems analysis reveals ageing-related perturbations in retinoids and sex hormones in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD), are complex heterogeneous diseases with highly variable patient responses to treatment. Due to the growing evidence for ageing-related clinical and pathological commonalities between AD and PD, these diseases have recently been studied in tandem. In this study, we analyse transcriptomic data from AD and PD patients, and stratify these patients into three subclasses with distinct gene expression and metabolic profiles. Through integrating transcriptomic data with a genome-scale metabolic model and validating our findings by network exploration and co-analysis using a zebrafish ageing model, we identify retinoids as a key ageing-related feature in all subclasses of AD and PD. We also demonstrate that the dysregulation of androgen metabolism by three different independent mechanisms is a source of heterogeneity in AD and PD. Taken together, our work highlights the need for stratification of AD/PD patients and development of personalised and precision medicine approaches based on the detailed characterisation of these subclasses.

Experimental Verification of Theoretical Ageing and Service Life Prediction Model for Vacuum Insulation Panels

Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are a kind of the super-insulated materials (SIMs). VIPs are innovative material in various fields like the building sector as it encompasses a higher thermal resistance per unit of thickness compared to conventional insulation. To extensively use VIPs in the building sector, comprehensive performance analysis, and their properties such as thermal conductivity valuations are required to be done under simulated conditions to evaluate its longterm performance. However, different VIPs have varying durability, and as it stands, there is no comprehensive understanding of how all VIPs will behave in real conditions. This research investigates the effect of multiple variables (such as temperature, relative humidity) on VIP service life. The purpose of this research is to validate the theoretical ageing model of VIPs. First, the experimental thermal conductivity results from seven samples of three different VIP categories are collected using a heat flow meter. To measure the accelerated ageing results over 25 years, Arrhenius equation is applied. Next, NRC theoretical model is used to predict the ageing response of the samples. Finally, an analytical method is employed to verify and validate this model based on the collected data. Results shows that effect of ageing and environmental temperature have higher impacts on the performance of fibreglass panels than the fumed silicas. Additionally, the aging effects analysis reveals that microporous silica VIP products would maintain their superior thermal performance over time. Keywords: Vacuum insulation panel, Ageing, Thermal conductivity, accelerated ageing, modelling

Experimental Verification of Theoretical Ageing and Service Life Prediction Model for Vacuum Insulation Panels

Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are a kind of the super-insulated materials (SIMs). VIPs are innovative material in various fields like the building sector as it encompasses a higher thermal resistance per unit of thickness compared to conventional insulation. To extensively use VIPs in the building sector, comprehensive performance analysis, and their properties such as thermal conductivity valuations are required to be done under simulated conditions to evaluate its longterm performance. However, different VIPs have varying durability, and as it stands, there is no comprehensive understanding of how all VIPs will behave in real conditions. This research investigates the effect of multiple variables (such as temperature, relative humidity) on VIP service life. The purpose of this research is to validate the theoretical ageing model of VIPs. First, the experimental thermal conductivity results from seven samples of three different VIP categories are collected using a heat flow meter. To measure the accelerated ageing results over 25 years, Arrhenius equation is applied. Next, NRC theoretical model is used to predict the ageing response of the samples. Finally, an analytical method is employed to verify and validate this model based on the collected data. Results shows that effect of ageing and environmental temperature have higher impacts on the performance of fibreglass panels than the fumed silicas. Additionally, the aging effects analysis reveals that microporous silica VIP products would maintain their superior thermal performance over time. Keywords: Vacuum insulation panel, Ageing, Thermal conductivity, accelerated ageing, modelling

Growing Old in a Transnational Setting: Investigating Perceptions of Ageing and Changing Filial Ties Among Older Indians in Saskatoon

Numerous studies have examined the experience of growing old in a transnational context among Indians. However, in most of these studies, the older adults had immigrated as senior citizens to be with their adult children. Indians who have grown old in transnational settings have not been examined in detail in the gerontological scholarship. Adopting a cross-cultural lens, the present study focusses on perceptions of ageing among older Indians who have grown old in the city of Saskatoon. The study demonstrates how these older Indians refute the Successful Ageing model and accept their physical weaknesses in their course of ageing. Additionally, the study also examines how caregiving arrangements and intergenerational relationships are shaped among these older Indians and their adult children, in a transnational city, such as Saskatoon. Finally, the study highlights how later life gender roles are constructed in a transnational backdrop.