bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Phytochemicals in naturally grown plants, tissue cultured plants and calli of Stevia rebaudiana using HPLC and GC-MS
Authors: Gunasena M.D.K.M. , Senarath W.T.P.S.K.
Published: January 2024

Stevia rebaudiana is a medicinal plant rich in important phytochemicals including steviol glycosides. Its’ leaves are the source of non-caloric sweet steviol glycosides and stevioside is the main type. In this study leaves of naturally grown, tissue cultured plants and callus extracts of S. rebaudiana were analyzed using HPLC and GC-MS to determine the possibility of obtaining stevioside and other important phytochemicals through in vitro technology. Phytochemical extraction was done using methanol, evaporated using a rotary evaporator and re-dissolved in acetonitrile: deionized water (3:7) ratio solvent mixture. Stevioside contents were analyzed using HPLC system with C18 column. Methanolic extracts of naturally grown plants, tissue cultured plants and calli were screened using GC-MS and compared. According to HPLC analysis, leaves of tissue cultured plants contained highest amount of stevioside content (11.462 ± 0.03 mg/mL) followed by naturally grown plants and calli. Twenty seven important phytochemicals were identified by GC-MS analysis and out of those fourteen compounds were found to be common in all three samples. Results revealed that in vitro cultures can be used as the better alternative to overcome limitations in conventional propagation and can be used to obtain stevioside and other important phytochemicals instead of natural plants. GC-MS analysis of Stevia extracts revealed the presence of terpenes, fatty acids, aldehydes with biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflamatory, antioxidant, antimalarial and etc. Bioactivity of those phytochemicals showed the possible use of Stevia extracts in pharmaceutical, food and perfume industries.
Reassess Hospital Costs and Mortality between Myocardial Infarction with and without ST-segment Elevation in a Modern Context
Authors: Ma Honglan , Xu Minmin , Wu Sen , Lu Xing , Cao Jinlong , Cai Tianzhi
Published: January 2024

Background
Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) may have higher hospitalization cost and poorer prognosis than non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This study aimed to investigate the differences in cost and mortality between STEMI and NSTEMI.
Methods
A single center retrospective study was conducted on 1144 patients with 758 STEMI patients and 386 NSTEMI patients from January 1, 2020 to May 30, 2023. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22, and mortality risk factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression.
Results
STEMI patients had higher maximal troponin I(15222.5(27.18,40000.00) vs. 2731.5(10.73,27857.25), p <0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (56(53,59) vs. 57(55,59), p <0.001) compared to NSTEMI patients. The clinical symptoms were mainly persistent or interrupted chest pain/distress either STEMI or NSTEMI patients. While the percentage of persistent chest pain/ chest distress was higher in the STEMI group than in the NSTEMI group (79.68% vs. 54.92%). STEMI patients had a significantly higher risk of combined hypotension than the NSTEMI group (8.97% vs. 3.89%, p = 0.002). And IABP was much more frequently used in STEMI group than in NSTEMI group with statistical difference(2.90% vs. 0.52%, P = 0.015). STEMI patients have higher hospitalization costs (31667(25337.79,39790) vs. 30506.905 (21405.96,40233.75), p = 0.006) and longer hospitalization days (10(8,11) vs. 9(8,11), p = 0.001) compared to NSTEMI patients. Even though STEMI patients had higher mortality at hospital compared to NSTEMI patients, there was no statistical difference (3.56% vs. 2.07%, p = 0.167). Systolic blood pressure and NT-proBNP were risk factors for patient death (OR ≥ 1).
Conclusions
STEMI patients are more likely comorbid cardiogenic shock, heart failure complications with higher hospitalization costs and longer hospitalization days. And relatively more use of acute mechanical circulatory support devices such as IABP.
Trial registration:
The research was retrospectively registered in Chinese clinical trial registry on 22/11/2023(No. ChiCTR2300077885).
Artisanal Mining Triggers Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Ladewig Malte , Masolele Robert , Chervier Colas , Angelsen Arild
Published: January 2024

The discovery of valuable minerals can stimulate migration into remote forest areas like few other events. But despite the widespread practice of artisanal mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, its role in the ongoing deforestation in the Congo Basin has not received adequate attention. We address this research gap by investigating how artisanal mining triggers deforestation in the mineral-abundant eastern provinces of the country. Using quasi-experimental methods and new mining data, our analysis shows the spatio-temporal dynamics of forest loss occurring around artisanal mines. We find elevated deforestation spreading at least 5 km from mines and an additional 4.5 percentage points of initial forest area lost 10 years into mining within the same distance. The triggered forest loss from farming and settlement expansion is 25 times larger than the area directly lost to mining, revealing a much larger role played by artisanal mining in deforestation dynamics than previously assumed.
Wetland soil characteristics influence the kinetics of dissolved organic carbon sorption
Authors: Morrissette Hannah K. , Neale Patrick J. , Megonigal J. Patrick , Tzortziou Maria , Canuel Elizabeth A. , Pinsonneault Andrew J. , Hood Raleigh R.
Published: January 2024

Sorption processes at the soil-water interface are observed to be rapid and dominant pathways of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exchange. However, kinetics data for sorption are sparse, and non-existent for temperate tidal marshes. In this study, sorption rate kinetics experiments were designed to constrain new formulations of a sediment flux model coded to include explicit sorption between soil organic carbon and DOC pools. Batch incubations for marsh soil samples from Taskinas Creek (VA, USA) and Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (MD, USA) were performed anaerobically under four sets of initial conditions: permutations of two salinities (0 psu, 35 psu) and two DOC concentrations (0 mg L-1, 275 mg L-1). Rates were measured at seven time points over 24 hours. These results are the first DOC sorption kinetics data for tidal marsh soils, revealing that 76% of total sorption occurred within 15 minutes. The results also revealed higher capacity for adsorption under high DOC concentrations and salinity, and vice versa, with differences in magnitude between soil types. Numerical models simulating processes from these experiments provided a range of rates by fitting linear first order and non-linear ordinary differential equations to the kinetic change in DOC concentration curves over time. The output suggested that introducing a saturation coefficient improved model fits across all cases. These results provide a deeper understanding of the biogeochemical controls on sorption kinetics and suggest that it is crucial to incorporate sorption processes into sediment flux models to accurately represent DOC fluxes from tidal marshes.
GTalign: High-performance protein structure alignment, superposition, and search
Authors: Margelevicius Mindaugas
Published: January 2024

In response to the challenge posed by vast protein structure repositories, GTalign offers an innovative solution to protein structure alignment and search—an algorithm that achieves optimal superposition at unprecedented speeds. Rigorous evaluation across diverse datasets reveals GTalign as the most accurate among structure aligners while presenting orders of magnitude in speedup at state-of-the-art accuracy.
Postpartum women’s knowledge on pregnancy related danger signs, uterotonics and their perceptions on respectful maternity care in 10 selected counties, Kenya
Authors: Muthamia Michael , Nyaga Freda , Kiio Morris , Nyawira Edith , Muia Christine , Ruto Daisy
Published: January 2024

Post-partum Hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide with 94% of deaths occurring in low resource settings. Awareness on danger signs and expected care may help mothers take early preventive actions during pregnancy. Disrespect and Abuse (D&A) during childbirth is known to contribute to the three delays in maternity care. To create awareness on PPH and danger signs among women, Smiles for Mothers project implemented a package of interventions including dissemination and utilization of client literacy materials, training of community health promoters and strengthening facility health talks. A study to assess postpartum women’s knowledge on pregnancy related danger signs, uterotonics before and after intervention was implemented in 39 health facilities from 10 counties; from July 2021 up to November 2022. For quantitative survey, we interviewed 191 women at baseline and end line; at end line we conducted 20 qualitative interviews. Post-partum women were asked whether they were aware of uterotonics given immediately after delivery; 92 (48.2%) at baseline reported that they were aware compared to 154 (80.6%) (p < 0.001) at end line. The main source of information about uterotonics was healthcare provider during health talk (70.1%) and one on one session (29.9%). At end line, more postpartum women 131 (68.6%), reported that health care provider educated them on how to identify excessive bleeding both at ANC and after delivery compared to baseline 54 (28.3%). The odds of good knowledge of PPH danger signs were four times (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.76, 7.14) and 13 times (AOR = 12.59; 95% CI: 2.78, 57.04) higher among women aged 26–35 years and 36–46 years respectively, compared to those aged 15–25 years. Awareness on uterotonics among postpartum women at baseline was low. Health care providers are a trusted source of health information among women; there is need to provide them with accurate information. Older women had higher odds of good knowledge; therefore, we recommend age specific considerations during health education. Postpartum women who had attended at least 4 ANC visits had higher odds on knowledge of uterotonics. A small proportion of women reported disrespect and abuse. There is need to eliminate D&A.
North Atlantic chlorophyll blooms enhance terrestrial primary productivity over Europe
Authors: Yang Young-Min , Park Jae-Heung , Park Jong-Yeon , An Soon-Il , Kug Jong-Seong , Yeh Sang-Wook , Kwon Eun-Young , Lee June-Yi , Wang Bin , Li Tim
Published: January 2024

The global carbon cycle is strongly influenced by terrestrial productivity and the concentration of plankton in the upper ocean, both of which are sensitive to climate variability1–9. It is therefore plausible that plankton bloom-induced marine heatwaves could modify atmospheric circulation, thereby altering weather and climate patterns over adjacent continents and affecting terrestrial productivity. However, the potential impact of ocean chlorophyll concentration on terrestrial activities and carbon sinks remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the effects of high-latitude North Atlantic chlorophyll blooms on terrestrial productivity and agriculture in Europe, which could contribute to increased carbon sinks. During boreal summer, highs are seen in the North Atlantic Ocean but low in Europe with strong westerlies. When chlorophyll blooms occur, there is an increase in the absorption of shortwave radiation by the ocean surface, leading to further warming of the sea surface temperature (SST). This warming, in turn, intensifies westerly winds that increase moisture transport. The resulting increase in precipitation over Europe accelerates terrestrial productivity by 15–20% during the growing season. Our model results support the significant influence of chlorophyll concentrations over the North Atlantic Ocean on terrestrial productivity in Europe, facilitated by a positive feedback loop involving chlorophyll, SST, atmospheric circulation, and incoming shortwave radiation. Consequently, an increase in future chlorophyll bloom events could enhance the terrestrial ecosystem as a carbon sink, thereby contributing to negative carbon-climate feedback. These results highlight the positive interactions between marine and terrestrial ecosystems and underscore the importance of considering such interactions in future assessments.
Effect of different endometrial preparation protocols on pregnancy outcome of selective blastocyst transplantation
Authors: Yaoia Zhang , Yang Lu , Qiyin Dong
Published: January 2024

Objective
To investigate the effect of endometrial preparation methods prior to elective single blastocysttransfer on pregnancy outcome.
Methods
A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 595 patients who received frozen-thawed embryo transfertreatment from January 2019 to November 2022 in the fertility center of Huzhou Maternity & Child Health Care Hospital, divided into GnRH-a+HRT group(n=213), HRT group(n=149), mNC group(n=233).
Results
The biochemical pregnancy rate and early abortion rate of mNC group were lower than GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (P＞0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate of mNC group was higher than GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (P＞0.05). The live birth rate in mNC group was significantly higher than that in GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (44.2% vs.34.3% vs. 36.2%, P＜0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate of mNC group was higher than GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (P＞0.05). The live birth rate in mNC group was significantly higher than that in GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (50.0% vs.34.6% vs.38.9%, P＜0.05). The early abortion rate in mNC group was significantly lower than that in GnRH-a+HRT group and HRT group (11.0% vs.26.6% vs.12.2%, P＜0.05).
Conclusion
In freeze-thaw eSBT cycles, especially in high-quality blastocyst transfer cycles, mNC has better pregnancy outcomes than GnRH-a+HRT and HRT. In clinical work, the mNC protocol was suggested to be used to elective single blastocyst transfer cycles.
Is there any Relationship between Cam and Pincer Morphologies of Femoroacetabular Impingement and Hip Osteoarthritis and Pain?: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lamo-Espinosa José María , Mariscal Gonzalo , Gómez-Álvarez Jorge , San-Julián Mikel
Published: January 2024

Despite previous studies investigating the association between femoroacetabular (FAI) and hip osteoarthritis, the results have been inconsistent, and the association between FAI and hip pain remains unclear. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis to determine the association between cam and pincer morphologies and the risk of hip osteoarthritis and pain, with potential implications for the management of FAI. We conducted a systematic search of four databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration Library, to screen studies that compared the incidence of hip osteoarthritis and pain outcomes in patients with cam and/or pincer morphology and those without. A meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager version 5.4. We assessed heterogeneity and risk of bias to ensure the validity of the results. Eighteen studies with a pool of 20,316 patients were included. Cam and pincer morphologies were associated with a significant increase in the risk of radiological hip osteoarthritis (OR 2.99, 2.01–4.44). When analyzed separately, cam (OR 3.64, 2.13–6.22) and pincer (OR 2.02, 1.11–3.69) morphologies showed an increased risk of radiological hip osteoarthritis (OR 1.67, 0.85–3.29). However, neither cam nor pincer morphology was associated with increased risk of hip pain. No significant differences were observed between cam morphology and HOOS/HAGOS pain subdomains. We did not find evidence to support the existence of a relationship between cam and Pincer morphology and the presence of pain. The correlation described with the development of osteoarthritis emphasizes the need for conducting longitudinal studies with highly qualified observers.
Deep learning multi-classification heart sound detection method based on high order spectrum and wavelet analysis
Authors: CAI JING
Published: January 2024

Heart sound detection is one of the important methods for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, and the use of computer-aided detection can improve the efficiency and accuracy of detection. In this paper, we propose a new heart sound detection method that combines high-order spectrum, wavelet transform, and deep learning-based convolutional neural networks. Firstly, the high-order spectrum and wavelet analysis method are used to extract the features of heart sound signals, which maps the signal into a high-dimensional space, which can effectively mine the nonlinear characteristics of the signal, and retain the time-frequency information of the heart sound signal for multi-resolution analysis, so it can better capture the different frequency components in the heart sound signal. Then, the two-dimensional transformation of the extracted features was sent to the deep learning convolutional neural network for training and classification. The convolutional neural network based on deep learning combines the convolution operation in space and time, which can better capture the spatial and temporal characteristics of heart sound signals, and has higher accuracy and generalization ability. Experimental results on the public heart sound dataset released by Sejong University in 2018 show that the proposed method can achieve a classification accuracy of up to 99%, which has better performance than traditional methods. Therefore, this method has great application potential and can provide strong support for the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.
Status, influence factor and health risks of heavy metal(loids) in soil: A case study in Jiangmen, China
Authors: Gao le , Xue Ziru , Xia Fu , Wang Zhimin , Liu Qiyuan
Published: January 2024

The heavy metal(loid)s enriched in soil can pose a threat to soil environmental quality and human health. Given the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Great Bay Area (GBA), soil pollution cannot be overlooked. To effectively tackle this problem and ensure precise prevention and control measures, accurate identification of pollution sources becomes indispensable.The present study involved the collection of 118 surface soil samples in Jiangmen city, with a focus on investigating the concentration, spatial distribution characteristics, sources, and health risks of heavy metal(loid)s in the soil. The findings revealed that the average concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Hg exceeded the background values, with particularly elevated levels observed for environmental As concentration. Elevated concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s were prdominantly concentrated in urban areas such as Pengjiang and Jianghai District. The qualitative and quantitative allocation of soil pollution sources identified through the coupling pearson correlation and PMF model, reveal that vehicle and shipping emissions, industrial emission and, parent material and agriculral activities are the primary contributors to soil pollution. Additionally, it is observed that shipping emissions significantly impact the source of soil Pb in Jiangmen. Futhermore, based on ecological risk assessment, the regions of Jianghai and Pengjiang exhibit the highest potential ecological risk with an RI value of 300. Health risks associated with different sources indicate that industrial emissions have the most significant impact on both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults in Jiangmen. This study provides a fundamental reference for heavy metal(loid)s contamination in the soil of Jiangmen City. Considering the future development of the GBA, local management authorities should enhance their focus on long-term pollution resulting from industrial production in Jiangmen and implement targeted control measures based on pollution sources.
Impact of diabetic retinopathy on all-cause and cause-specific mortality in diabetics: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005 to 2008
Authors: Liang Kun , Gui Siyu , Wang Xinchen , Wang Qianqian , Qiao Jianchao , Tao Liming , Liu Heting , Jiang Zhengxuan
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the effect of diabetic retinopathy (DR) status or severity on all-cause and cause-specific mortality among diabetic older adults in the United States using the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) follow-up mortality data.
Methods
The severity of DR was graded according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading scale. Multiple covariate-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models, Fine and Gray competing risk regression models, and propensity score matching (PSM) methods were used to assess the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in diabetic patients. All analyses adopted the weighted data and complex stratified design approach proposed by the NHANES guidelines. Time to death was calculated based on the time between baseline and date of death or December 31, 2019, whichever came first.
Results
Ultimately 1077 participants, representing 3,025,316 US non-hospitalized diabetics, were included in the final analysis. After a median follow-up of 12.24 years (IQR, 11.16–13.49), 379 participants were considered deceased from all-causes, with 43.90% suffering from DR, including mild DR (41.50%), moderate to severe DR (46.77%), and proliferative DR (PDR) (67.21%). Having DR was associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM)-specific mortality, which remained consistent after propensity score matching (PSM). DR grading analysis suggested that the presence of mild, moderate to severe NPDR was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause and CVD-specific mortality, while the presence and severity of any DR was significantly associated with increased DM-specific mortality, with a significant trend test (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
The diagnosis of DR is an independent risk factor for all-cause and CVD mortality in elderly diabetic patients. DR grading may serve as an effective predictive indicator for continuous monitoring of vascular status in diabetics.
Validating brain activity measures as reliable indicators of individual diagnostic group and genetically mediated sub-group membership Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Ethridge Lauren E. , Pedapati Ernest V. , Schmitt Lauren M. , Norris Jordan E. , Auger Emma , De Stefano Lisa A. , Sweeney John A. , Erickson Craig A.
Published: January 2024

Recent failures translating preclinical behavioral treatment effects to positive clinical trial results in humans with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) support refocusing attention on biological pathways and associated measures, such as electroencephalography (EEG), with strong translational potential and small molecule target engagement. This study utilized guided machine learning to test promising translational EEG measures (resting power and auditory chirp oscillatory variables) in a large heterogeneous sample of individuals with FXS to identify best performing EEG variables for reliably separating individuals with FXS, and genetically-mediated subgroups within FXS, from typically developing controls. Best performing variables included resting relative frontal theta power, all combined whole-head resting power bands, posterior peak alpha frequency (PAF), combined PAF across all measured regions, combined theta, alpha, and gamma power during the chirp, and all combined chirp oscillatory variables. Sub-group analyses best discriminated non-mosaic FXS males via whole-head resting relative power (AUC = .9250), even with data reduced to a 20-channel clinical montage. FXS females were nearly perfectly discriminated by combined theta, alpha, and gamma power during the chirp (AUC = .9522). Results support use of resting and auditory oscillatory tasks to reliably identify neural deficit in FXS, and to identify specific translational targets for genetically-mediated sub-groups, supporting potential points for stratification.
Validation Study of the Korean Version of the Meaning in Life Scale for Cancer Survivors
Authors: Kang Namgu , Yun Hae-Yeon , Kim Young Ae , Park Hye Yoon , Kim Jong‐Heun , Kim Sun Mi , Yu Eun-Seung
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Meaning in Life Scale (K-MiLS) among cancer survivors.
Methods
From August 2021 to November 2022, participants were recruited from multiple sites in South Korea. Participants completed related questionnaires, including the K-MiLS, on the web or mobile. Test-retest reliability was assessed between 2 and 4 weeks after the initial assessment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and Pearson’s correlations were used to evaluate the reliability and validity of the K-MiLS. Known-group validity was examined using a t-test or ANOVA. To examine the sociodemographic and disease-related variables correlated with the K-MiLS, a multiple regression analysis was conducted. Regarding concurrent validity, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed.
Results
Three hundred and forty-five patients completed the questionnaires. The results indicated that the K-MiLS has a four-factor structure: Harmony and Peace; Life Perspective, Purpose and Goals; Confusion and Lessened Meaning; and Benefits of Spirituality. Regarding convergent and discriminant validity, K-MiLS was negatively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) while showing a significantly positive correlation with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), and Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the demographic variable influencing K-MiLS was religious affiliation.
Conclusion
The K-MiLS had a multidimensional four-factor structure similar to that of the original version. It is also a reliable and valid measure for assessing cancer survivors’ meaning in life after a cancer diagnosis.
RETRACTED: Geochemistry and Tectonic Evolution of Neoproterozoic Wadi Kid Dokhan volcanics, Southeast Sinai, Egypt
Authors: El-Desoky Hatem M. , El-Awny Hamada , Fahmy Wael , El-Naggar Islam M. , Abdel-Rahman Ahmed M. , Khalil Ahmed E. , Eraky Ahmed
Published: January 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Multiple Sclerosis in Rafsanjan City, Kerman Province, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Rostami Fatemeh , Vakilian Alireza , Esmaeilian Saeid , Jalali Nazanin , Tahernia Hossein
Published: January 2024

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with variable epidemiology and clinical features. This study aimed to examine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of MS in Rafsanjan City, Iran, from 2011 to 2020.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed with MS and registered in the Committee for Diagnosis and Treatment of MS. Data were collected using a revised checklist of demographic and clinical variables. The annual incidence and prevalence of MS were calculated with a 95% confidence interval. Descriptive statistics, t-test, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the data.
Results: Out of 361 eligible cases, 220 patients with MS were enrolled. The mean age was 39.44 ± 9.71 years, with 82.3% females and a female-to-male ratio of 4.64. Most patients lived in urban areas (70.5%) and were housekeepers (55.9%). Most births occurred in spring (30.4%) and summer (35.5%). Only 13.2% had a positive family history of MS, and 2.3% had a smoking history. The most common initial symptoms were sensory (28.6%) and visual (17.7%). The dominant disease course was relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (79.1%), followed by RPMS (10.9%), PPMS (4.5%), SPMS (4.1%), and CIS (1.4%). The disease course was associated with several demographic and clinical variables. The incidence rate was 4.84 per 100,000, and the prevalence rate was 97.68 per 100,000.
Conclusion: MS has a low incidence and prevalence rate in Rafsanjan City. MS mainly affects young urban women who are housekeepers. Sensory and visual impairments are the most frequent initial manifestations, and RRMS is the most common disease course.
Sub-seasonal prediction of the 2016 southern China heatwave: Insights from the dynamical downscaling
Authors: Zhang Tuantuan , Chen Junwen , Yang Song , Li Zhenning , Wang Teng , Zhang Chengyang , Deng Kaiqiang , Dong Shaorou
Published: January 2024

Sub-seasonal prediction of heatwaves remains as a major challenge for climate models. In the summer of 2016, southern China was hit by a prolonged heatwave occurred from 23 July to 1 August, the evolution of which was characterized by two peaks around 25 July and 30 July and a rapid termination after 1 August. The heatwave was intensified with descending motions at the outer edge before landfall and weakened/terminated with the heavy precipitation after landfall of two tropical cyclones (i.e., 1603 Mirinae and 1604 Nida). The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) can only capture the magnitude of the heatwave with initialization on 23 July (0-9 days lead), but shows a misrepresentation of the bimodal evolution and termination of the heatwave due to the absence of the first tropical cyclone (Mirinae) and the weaker-than-observed intensity of the second tropical cyclone (Nida). The NCEP CFSv2 shows failures in the heatwave prediction with longer lead time. On the other hand, noticeable improved skills are found when dynamic downscaling is applied, which can well reproduce the heatwave evolution including the peaks and termination of the heatwave with initialization after 18 July (5-14 days lead) due to its fidelity in predicting the activity of tropical cyclones.
Laboratory Investigation on Thermal Conductivity of Geotextile- Reinforced Soils
Authors: Ghazavi Mahmoud , Ghoreshizadeh Sana
Published: January 2024

The design of thermally active ground structures such as energy geo-structures and shallow and deep geothermal systems requires knowledge of the thermally geological properties of soils and rocks. Soil thermal conductivity is a critical parameter of geological formation for designing geothermal energy foundations. This paper presents the results of thermal conductivity of soil reinforced with geotextile layers with transient method (needle probe test). Effects of different volumes of soil, sand granulation, geotextiles positions and numbers in soil, various densities, and water contents on thermal conductivity were investigated in detail. The results demonstrated that the thermal conductivity varies with the water content, soil density, different granulation, the number of geotextile layers and their positions in the test cylindrical container, and soil volume. It has been found that thermal conductivity with one geotextile layer at 1/3 of the container bottom with coarse-grained soil at the top and fine-grained at the bottom is minimum. In addition, coarser-grained soils encapsulated between geotextile layers have lower thermal conductivity than the similar case when fine-grained soils are used. Moreover, by increasing the soil mass density and decreasing the void ratio, the thermal conductivity of the soil increases.
Nomadic Pastoralism in Western Himalaya: A Journey through History, Politics, Development, and the Fall of Gaddi Pastoralists
Authors: Thakur Som Nath , Kahlon Simrit , Bhutani Smita , Sharma Pooja
Published: January 2024

Nomadic pastoralism is an ancient way of life that has been practised for centuries by various tribes and ethnic groups across the world. It is characterized by the movement of herders and their livestock between different regions in search of fresh pastures, water and other resources. Despite its long-standing history, this way of life is now on the brink of extinction in many parts of the world, facing various challenges including modern politics and infrastructural development. One such group of pastoralists that have been affected by these changes are the Gaddi pastoralists of the western Himalayas. The Gaddi tribe is one of the oldest ethnic groups that have lived in this region for hundreds of years, and they have developed their own distinct culture and traditions. They have played a significant role in sustaining the ecosystem of the region by herding sheep and goats, moving between the high-altitude pastures of the middle Himalayas and the Shiwalik ranges of the lower Himalayas. However, the present dynamics have changed the scenario for the Gaddi pastoralists. The growth of physical infrastructure like dams, canals, and roads, and the expansion of social infrastructure like healthcare, education, and banking, as well as the diversification of employment opportunities in the region, has prompted the Gaddi pastoralists to shift away from their traditional profession. Additionally, the politics of the state has also played a significant role in shaping the fate of the Gaddi pastoralists. The policies of the government, along with the influence of powerful interest groups, have led to the restriction of traditional grazing practices, and the Gaddi pastoralists are now facing challenges in their pursuit of maintaining their traditional ways of life. As a result of these challenges, many Gaddi pastoralists are now shifting towards sedentary occupations, leaving behind their traditional profession. Therefore, this research aims to explore the complex history, politics, development and challenges encountered by the Gaddi pastoralists in the pursuit of maintaining their traditional ways of life in an ever-changing world.
Empowering model repair: A rule-based approach to graph repair without side effects -- Extended Version
Authors: Lauer Alexander , Kosiol Jens , Taentzer Gabriele
Published: January 2024

Working with models can lead to inconsistencies due to erroneous or contradictory actions during concurrent modeling processes. Modern modeling environments typically tolerate inconsistencies and support their detection. However, at a later stage of development, models are expected to be consistent, which means that their inconsistencies should be considered and resolved. The process of resolving model inconsistencies is commonly referred to as model repair. Our approach to model repair is semi-automatic in the sense that the system computes appropriate repair plans and the modeler decides which path to take. The speciality of our approach is that the repair process can register any small improvement in the model. This allows the interaction with the user to be optimized, resulting in an approach with a high level of automation on the one hand and flexible configuration options on the other. The approach is able to provide repair plans that do not have side effects, i.e., the computed repair plans do not inadvertently introduce a new inconsistency of already repaired constraints into the model. Since models often have a graph-like structure, we present our approach to model repair based on graphs. Our approach is completely formal and uses the algebraic graph transformation approach to prove its correctness.
Regional scale landslide risk assessment using field and remote sensing data in a semi-quantitative approach in Chitral, northern Pakistan
Authors: Shah Nisar Ali , Shafique Muhammad , Ishfaq Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Landslides are devastating natural hazards in mountain terrain with significant impacts on the society and economy. The upper Chitral is part of the eastern Hindu Kush ranges and is frequently prone to widespread and damaging landslides, debris flow, and floods. Therefore, it is critical to assess the landslide hazard and their social, economic and environmental impacts, to contribute to disaster risk reduction. This study aims to assess the landslide hazard assessment utilizing the causative and triggering factors and evaluate the physical, social and environmental vulnerability and risk assessment. An extensive field has been conducted to develop a comprehensive landslide inventory and their distribution into different categories. The landslide causative parameters (geological, topographical and anthropogenic) are compared with the landslide inventory using a bivariate statistical model to develop a landslide susceptibility map with an accuracy of 89%. Moreover, building topology data has been acquired for more than 19,000 buildings to evaluate their proneness to landslides. Multi-criteria evaluation techniques have been used to determine the landslide's induced physical, environmental and social vulnerability, which is subsequently integrated with landslide hazard to assess risk. The results show that 28.3% of the total area is highly susceptible to land sliding. Furthermore, the impact of the predicted landslides explicates that 90% of the building/population is living in a very high-risk zone, while the remaining 10% are in a high-risk zone. The study can effectively be used for developing landslide mitigation strategies.
Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes E1205 Genome Harbors Bacterial E3 ubiquitin ligase Homolog: A Bioinformatics Study
Authors: Munsif Kinza , Sufian Muhammad , Rafique Beenish , Khalid Kayinaat
Published: January 2024

Background
Pseudomonas genus is a significant industrial bacteria having wide range of applications. Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes (or P. oleovorans) has applications as bio-implant, bioplastics materials, pharmaceuticals, etc. P. pseudoalcaligenes strain E1205 has a genome size of 5.57 Mb and 5,081 proteins in NCBI database. Its genome harbors many hypothetical proteins and needed to be characterized for their structure and function.
Objectives
Our research was focused on finding unidentified pathogenicity protein in the P. pseudoalcaligenes genome.
Methods
Bioinformatics based methods involved in the identification of HP on the basis of sequence similarity were followed by its gene mapping, prediction of family and domain, protein secondary structure, subcellular localization, and transmembrane helices.
Results
Bacterial E3 ubiquitin ligase family protein (BELs) of P. whenzhouensis (NCBI WP_230925174.1) was the homolog of GIDE (Growth Inhibition and Death E3 Ligase) domain-containing protein, further referred as HP (NCBI WP_119693237.1) of P. oleovorans that shared percent identity of 87.38%. Prediction of secondary structures of both HP and BELs revealed sharing of majority of alpha-helices and beta-sheets, out of which 2 were predicted as transmembrane helices. From CELLO and PSORTb score, it was predicted that the major portion of HP was present in cytoplasm, but still it is considered that HP was membrane-bound.
Conclusion
The HP of P. pseudoalcaligenes was predicted to be functioning as a BEL (pathogenicity element). Such bacteria when introduced into eukaryotic host cells, the HP will likely to imitate the function of host E3 ubiquitin ligases by ubiquitinating and then degrading a set of targeted proteins.
Deciphering taxonomic and functional patterns of microbial communities associated with the tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes)
Authors: Padasas-Adalla Chinee Surita , Ortega Rose Chinly Mae , Dalayap Rodelyn , Martinez Joey Genevieve , Amparado Olive , Moneva Carlo Stephen , Lomelí-Ortega Carlos O. , Tabugo Sharon Rose , Balcázar José Luis
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to explore the microbial diversity and metabolic functions of the skin and gut of the tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes) and their surrounding environment using shotgun metagenomics and bioinformatics. Members belonging to the Pseudomonadota phylum were dominant on the skin, whereas Bacteroidota was dominant in the gut. Bacillota, Actinomycetota, and Planctomycetota were also detected in the seahorse-associated microbiome. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.01) in species diversity between skin and gut microbiomes, with members belonging to the Moraxellaceae family being dominant on the skin and the Bacteroidaceae family in the gut. Moreover, the surrounding environment (water or sediment) did not have a direct effect on the seahorse microbiome composition. Functional annotations highlighted the involvement of the skin microbiome in energy, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, as well as terpenoids and polyketides metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and cellular processes. Additionally, annotations indicated the presence of quorum sensing and intercellular communication. The relative abundance of bacteriocins was similar in both gut and skin, which is significant in shaping microbial communities due to their antimicrobial properties. Overall, the study highlights the importance of seahorse-microbe relationship for their well-being and holds implications for conservation and sustainable aquaculture.
Gastrointestinal symptoms in sepsis shock patients: diastolic arterial pressure matter
Authors: Wang Qianwen , Zhang Ge
Published: January 2024

Background & aims: Diastolic arterial pressure(DAP) plays a key role in splanchnic perfusion during the development of septic shock. In this trial, we aim to investigate the association between diastolic arterial pressure and gastrointestinal symptoms in sepsis shock patients.
Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we extract data from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV by Structured Query Language. Adult patients with sepsis shock were included in the study. We excluded patients with mean arterial pressure(MAP)<65mmHg. Gastrointestinal symptoms were documented every day during the first week after ICU admission.
Results: In total, there were 1990 eligible patients in the cohort. During the first week in intensive care unit, three or more gastrointestinal symptoms occurred in 52.8% of the patients. Patients with DAP>=65mmHg were more likely to have a significantly lower incidence of diarrhea (P=0.000 ) and gastrointestinal bleeding(P=0.002) compared to the other two groups. The multivariable analysis also confirmed that DAP>=65mmHg was a protective factor against developing gastrointestinal symptoms(the odds ratio (OR), 0.749; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.592-0.948; P=0.042).
Conclusions：Gastrointestinal symptoms occur frequently in early ICU days, we provide indirect evidence supporting that a further DAP aim of 65mmHg would alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with septic shock after a MAP of 65mmHg was reached. DAP should be regarded as a potentially significant hemodynamic target for gastrointestinal perfusion.
Neferine inhibits BMECs pyroptosis and maintains blood-brain barrier integrity in ischemic stroke by triggering a cascade reaction of PGC-1α
Authors: Zheng Zijian , Zhu Lizhi , Qiu han , Zheng Wuyinxiao , You Pengtao , Chen Shuhe , Hu Chunling , Huang Junrong , Zhou Yajun
Published: January 2024

Blood-brain barrier disruption is a critical pathological event in the progression of ischemic stroke (IS). Most studies regarding the therapeutic potential of neferine (Nef) on IS have focused on neuroprotective effect. However, whether Nef attenuates BBB disruption during IS is unclear. We here used mice underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in vivo and bEnd.3 cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in vitro to simulate cerebral ischemia. We showed that Nef reduced neurobehavioral dysfunction and protected brain microvascular endothelial cells and BBB integrity. Molecular docking, short interfering (Si) RNA and plasmid transfection results showed us that PGC-1α was the most binding affinity of biological activity protein for Nef. And verification experiments were showed that Nef upregulated PGC-1α expression to reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress and promote TJ proteins expression, further improves the integrity of BBB in mice. Intriguingly, our study showed that neferine is a natural PGC-1α activator and illustrated the mechanism of specific binding site. Furthermore, we have demonstrated Nef reduced mitochondria oxidative damage and ameliorates endothelial inflammation by inhibiting pyroptosis to improve BBB permeability through triggering a cascade reaction of PGC-1α via regulation of PGC-1α/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway to maintain the integrity of BBB in ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Parameter estimation for uncertain differential equations with small dispersion coefficient
Authors: Wei Chao
Published: January 2024

Uncertain differential equations (UDEs) are a type of differential equations driven by Liu processes. Statistical inference is a critical issue in the applications of UDEs and scholars have proposed many methods to estimate the unknown parameters. However, the asymptotic properties of the estimators have been discussed in few literature. This paper is concerned with parameter estimation for UDEs with small dispersion coefficient from discrete observations. The least squares estimator is defined, the consistency and asymptotic distribution of estimator are derived. The uncertain Hyperbolic model is provided as analytic example and some numerical examples are given to illustrate the proposed method.
MSC Classification: 60G52 , 62F12
Compound mortality impacts from extreme temperatures and pandemics
Authors: Lo Y. T. Eunice , Mitchell Dann , Gasparrini Antonio
Published: January 2024

Climate change and coronavirus-type pandemics are both major global health threats. Until now, no study has quantified the compound health consequences of the co-occurrence of these crises. We estimate the mortality attributable to short-term heat and cold events, which dominate the UK health burden from weather hazards, in England and Wales in the period 2020-2022, during which the COVID-19 pandemic peaked in terms of mortality. We show that temperature-related mortality exceeded COVID-19 mortality by 8% in South West England. Combined, extreme temperatures and COVID-19 led to 19 (in North West England) to 24 (in Wales) excess deaths per 100,000 population during heatwaves, and 80 (in Yorkshire and the Humber) to 127 (in East of England) excess deaths per 100,000 population during cold snaps. These numbers are at least ~2 times higher than the previous decade. Society must increase preparedness for compound health crises such as extreme weather coinciding with pandemics.
Effect of Faidherbia albida (Del.) Chev. and Elaeis guineensis (Jacq). on upland rice growth and yield
Authors: CAMARA Boubacar , SAMBOU Antoine , NDIAYE Lemou , DIEDHIOU Mamadou Abdoul Ader , NGOM Daouda
Published: January 2024

This study aims to determine the influence of F. albida and E. guineensis on rice growth and productivity. In fact, the effect of these two woody species on the physiology and yield of upland rice was assessed. Thus, a total of 40 yield squares with 20 in each sampling distance (under and outside the canopy of trees) was installed to evaluate rice performance. In each square, the height of the stems, the number of tillers, the biomass and the yield were evaluated. These data were analyzed using R software version 3.4.2. These analyses showed that the sampling distance and the species had significant influences (p < 0.05) on all the parameters measured, except for tillering and yield, on which the species effect has no influence (p > 0.05). The rice grown under F. albida trees had higher height (105.13 cm) than those in E. guineensis (90.75 cm). Sampling distance had affected significantly the height of rice. Rice grown under canopy had higher height (105.13 cm) than those outside canopies (84.36 cm) of F. albida. For E. guineensis, the height under and outside canopy were 90.75 and 78.42 cm The rice performed better under than outside canopy of these two species, because the conditions for its development were met.