bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The radiocarbon age of soil carbon is a function of vertical transport rates
Authors: Amundson Ronald , Sanderman Jonathan , Yoo Kyungsoo , Chitsaz Maedeh , Abramova Anna , Georgiou Katerina
Published: September 2024

The radiocarbon content of soil organic carbon (C) is largely assumed to be a reflection of the carbon’s reactivity and a metric of its potential response to either warming or CO2 enhanced soil C inputs. Here we show that advective vertical transport of soil C is an important process affecting apparent soil C ages. This then leads to the conclusion that the increase in soil radiocarbon ages with depth significantly reflects the time of vertical transport, and has no immediate bearing on the carbon’s reactivity without the insight provided through a reaction-transport framework. Thus, the increasing radiocarbon ages of C with depth do not directly imply an increase in soil C resistance to warming or other perturbations. Based on theory, and an independent assessment of soil C decomposition rates, the radiocarbon profiles (and content for a given depth) were calculated, based on the shape of the C depth profile, for over 3000 soils in the USA, and were compared to observational results based on measured soil radiocarbon. The first-order coherence between the two entirely differing approaches suggests the fundamental importance of transport, and the implication that soil C is largely equally responsive to environmental change at all depths. This perspective provides insights that can serve to reduce biases in Earth System Model projections of depth-resolved soil C and its radiocarbon content.
Thianthrenium-Enabled Chromium-Catalyzed Deuterated Alkyl Addition to Aldehydes via Photoactive Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex
Authors: Zhao Binlin , Xiao Wenjuan , Tian Youye , Du Liting , Liu Wen , Fang Changping , Ma Mengtao
Published: September 2024

The Nozaki-Hiyama-Kishi (NHK) reaction offers effective and reliable strategies for the preparation of alcohols via carbon-carbon bond formation. Typical methods usually require stoichiometric amount of chromium salts, co-transition metals and auxiliary reagents, which limits practical application in industrial chemistry. In order to mitigate these limitations, substantial efforts have been made to develop chromium-catalytic approaches. However, excess amount of metal reductants or expensive photocatalysts played essential roles during the catalytic cycles. Here, we present a photoactive electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex-induced chromium-catalyzed route accomplishing alkyl addition to aldehydes without the requirement of metal reductants or photocatalysts. Furthermore, based on the pH-dependent site-selective hydrogen isotope exchange (HIE) of alkyl thianthrenium salts, diversities of β-deuterated secondary alcohols could be prepared with high efficiency and excellent deuterium incorporation. Mechanistic studies revealed that the photo-induced intramolecular single electron transfer (SET) of EDA complex happened to provide alkyl radicals that are captured by Cr(II) species to facilitate the subsequent carbon-carbon formation. Meanwhile, the excited Hantzsch ester could act as the terminal reductant for the turnover of the chromium catalyst.
Development of epitope-based vaccine to prevent Marburg virus infection: an in silico approach
Authors: Thorle Shruti Sanjay , Jadhav Mahadev Asaram , Chavan Dipak Pandit , Dhadge Shivani Sunil
Published: September 2024

Marburg virus (MARV) is one of the deadliest zoonotic viruses, causing severe hemorrhagic fever in humans with high mortality rates. The development of an effective vaccine is crucial to prevent potential Marburg virus outbreaks. In this study, an in silico approach was employed to design an epitope-based vaccine to prevent MARV infections. The MARV proteins nominating NP, VP24, VP35, VP30, VP40, GP & Polymerase L was analyzed for antigenicity and non-allergenicity prediction, among these proteins VP30 protein has a 0.5636 (Probable Antigen) score and it was non-allergen. For that reason, VP30 was selected for further in silico analysis. After analysis it is found that the top ranked T–cell (MHC-I) epitopes LSKPPPPPK, ESSPTNHIPR, TQLPSKPHY, SPQDCGSPSL, FEAALWQGW, T-Cell (MHC-II) epitopes IHLDKGGQF, INTMTELHM, VTPTIYHET, YTNYHPRAR, YTGIHLDKG was epitopes & B-Cell epitopes SEIGKLDET, IHLDKGGQF, MNHENLPQDQNGV, PTCNRDHDLDNLTN was found non-toxic and non-allergen. The T-Cell (MHC-I)epitope TQLPSKPHY,T-Cell (MHC-II)epitope YTNYHPRAR & B-Cell epitope SEIGKLDET was found highly antigenic, non-toxic as well as non-allergen and it was selected for molecular docking analysis. The T-Cell (MHC-I) epitope TQLPSKPHY,T-Cell (MHC-II)epitope YTNYHPRAR shows strong structural similarity and potential binding affinity with antibody. The B-Cell epitope SEIGKLDET shows poor affinity towards antibody. In silico analysis indicate that both T-Cell epitopes becomes an effective peptide vaccine to prevent MARV infection. Our findings highlight the promise of in silico vaccine design in accelerating the development of vaccines against MARV, a highly pathogenic virus with no effective cure currently available
Production and evaluation of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of fruit jam from star fruit, hog plum and black plum
Authors: Adindu-Linus Chidiamara Onyinyechi , Linus-Chibuezeh Adindu , Okparaji Adaeze Favour , Onyema Nmesoma Carnelian , Iwe Maduebisis Ofo
Published: September 2024

Tropical fruits such as black plum, star fruit, and hog plum are excellent sources of phytochemicals which are essential for human health but the back drop of these fruits is their perishability, leading to tones of postharvest losses. To address these concerns, these fruits could be utilized in jam processing to further extend their shelf lives. This research work on production and quality evaluation of mixed-fruit jam produced from star fruit, hog plum, and black plum using mixture experimental design of response surface methodology was undertaken to improve the utilization of these underutilized fruits in jam processing. The produced mixed fruit jams were assessed for physicochemical and antioxidant properties using standard methods. Statistical analysis and optimization of mixture variables were carried out using Design-Expert software version 6.0.8 while means were separated using ANOVA and significance accepted for p≤0.05 using Duncan ranged multivariate test using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 22. Result of analysis for physicochemical properties showed that pH of the fruit jams ranged from 3.41 to 4.46, titratable acidity 0.33 to 0.48 %, total solids 44.35 to 75.07 %, while the range of 53.22–74.65°Brix was recorded for total sugar and 19.94 to 25.64 mPas for viscosity. Antioxidant properties of the fruit jams ranged from 310.34 to 471.57 mg/ml for DPPH and ranged from 526.64 to 650.26 mmol.AAE/g for FRAP. The result of mixture variable optimization showed that optimal responses, jam should be produced from fruit combination comprising 8.43 %-star fruit, 91.57 % black plum and 0 % hog plum with 60 % desirability or experimental run comprising 5.08 %-star fruit, 90.39 % hog plum and 4.53 % black plum with 58 % desirability
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BREAST CANCER IN THE ARAB REGION BETWEEN 1999 AND 2024: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Authors:   Preventive Medicine Department, Al-Ahsa Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia., Ahmed Alhuwayji Amnah , Abdulaziz A. Alsedrah Safa ,   Preventive Medicine Department, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Published: September 2024

Breast cancer (BC) poses a significant health challenge in both developed and developing countries, with limited research in the Arab region compared to the West. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive perspective on breast cancer incidence and mortality trends between 1999 and 2024, considering diverse socio-cultural and economic factors.A thorough literature review was conducted using sources such as PubMed, Medline, and recent WHO publications. Findings revealed that the incidence of breast cancer in the Arab world increased gradually during the period studied. However, the incidence of breast cancer among women in the Arab region was lower than the global average, and the mortality rate among women with breast cancer in the Arab region was lower than the global average. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates have increased since 1990.The country-specific data showed that the more developed Arab countries tended to have a higher burden of breast cancer. Factors such as urbanization, increased life expectancy, and adoption of westernized lifestyles have been associated with the observed increase in breast cancer rates. Despite promising breast cancer screening initiatives, most Arab countries lack a structured universal screening program and participation rates are very low.The increasing incidence and burden of BC in the Arab region is remarkable, especially considering the limited resources of developing countries in this region. Appropriate strategies such as expansion of screening programs and careful resource management are needed to effectively manage the burden of BC.
INFECTIOUS ENDOCARDITIS ON MECHANICAL MITRAL PROSTHESIS, SEVERE PRESENTATION AND FAVOURABLE OUTCOME
Authors:   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France., Nacocan Mango MD D. , Nam Le MD V. ,   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France., Abdoul Wahad MD KB. ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., Hamissoumd I. ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., Bucal Nacocan MD D.I. ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., Lutundula MD M. ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., Paulino MD I. ,   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France., MD Fakih ,   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France., MD Ohanian ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., PhD Kheyi ,   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France., PhD Bouzelmat ,   Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Cardiology Centre / Mohamed V University, Rabat., Benyass PhD Aatif ,   Cardiology Department, Centre Hospitalier de Moulins Yzeure - France.
Published: September 2024

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects the hearts inner lining, especially the heart valves. Despite advances in medical diagnosis and treatment, IE continues to pose significant challenges due to its severe complications, including embolic events, abscess formation, valve perforation, and spondylodiscitis. The left-sided heart valves (aortic and mitral) are most commonly affected by this infection. Identifying the portal of entry of the causative pathogen is crucial for effective management of the condition.This case report discusses a patient with Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis, who had mechanical aortic and mitral valve replacements. The infections portal of entry was traced to a digestive adenocarcinoma, which is a rare but notable cause. The case is particularly significant due to the positive outcome achieved through a combination of medical and surgical interventions, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment.
BEYOND DEPRESSION DETECTION: UNVEILING THE COMPLEXITIES OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND MENTAL HEALTH
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science, National Defence Academy, Pune (India)., Ambilwade R.P.
Published: September 2024

The burgeoning influence of social media raises concerns about its potential impact on mental health. Understanding how individuals engage with these platforms and the factors influencing their usage is crucial. This study addresses this gap by examining social media usage patterns and their association with mental well-being. A two-pronged methodological approach is employed. First, a multiple regression analysis explored the influence of various factors, including age, well-being, and distraction, on social media use. Subsequently, K-means clustering was utilized to identify distinct user groups based on their social media usage patterns. The findings revealed distinct usage patterns across different age groups. Notably, distraction emerged as a strong predictor of social media use, while other factors exhibited minimal direct effects. This suggests social media use is a multifaceted behavior influenced by a complex interplay of variables, not solely demographics or mental health states. These insights highlight the need for further research exploring the interactions between these factors and incorporating additional influences such as socioeconomics and digital literacy. A deeper understanding of social media usage patterns can lead to the development of effective interventions to promote responsible use and enhance mental well-being.
FORMULATION OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NEWSTABLE READY TO USE (RTU) INJECTABLE FORMULATION OF ROCURONIUM BROMIDE
Authors: Kumar Ponduri Teja , Siripurapu Kartheek , Jeganathan Balamurgan
Published: September 2024

Commercially available injectable Rocuronium Bromide, a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker intended to store in a refrigerator at 2-8Â°C, requires an additional storage facility. The primary objectives of the present research were to design a stable, Ready to use (RTU) formulation of Rocuronium Bromide (RCB) Injection for Intravenous (IV) administration for storage at room temperature. Beta cyclodextrin (BCD) forms inclusion complexes with RCB. Edetate Disodium (EDTA) helps in achieving within the specification limit of Impurity C (Imp. C), a major metabolite of rocuronium bromide and Assay. Other excipients were selected to achieve a stable injectable formulation and cause less pain at the injection site. The formulation was optimized by Design of experiments (DoE) applying Central Composite Design (CCD) using Design Expert software and established design space where the formulation meets the desired acceptance criteria. The obtained optimized formulation can be terminally sterilized by moist heat and evaluated for thermal stability and robustness. The robustness of the formulation was established through Temperature excursion studies, pH sensitivity, and Oxygen sensitivity studies. Shelf life was estimated for 19 months when stored at 22Â°C which is an improvement to the currently available brands with 2-8Â°C storage. The formulation does not contain acetate buffer, which was identified as the root cause of the pain at the vascular site and may cause less vascular pain at the injection site. The current research work is encouraging in a positive way to achieve the objective of stable Rocuronium bromide injection at ambient conditions to enhance patient compliance.
STUDY OF COMPARISON BETWEEN BUPIVACAINE 0.5% & ROPIVACAINE 0.5%IN ULTRASOUND GUIDED AXILLARY BRACHIAL PLEXUS FOR ELECTIVE UPPER LIMB SURGERIES
Authors: K. Joshi Yatri , J. Shah Rupal
Published: September 2024

Background: This study contains comparison between Bupivacaine 0.5% &Ropivacaine 0.5% in ultrasound guided axillary brachial plexus block in elective upper limb surgeries. It is safer technique compared to GA .Study aims comparison of both local anaesthetic drugs in terms of volume , onset of motor & sensory blockade, duration of motor & sensory blockade & duration of analgesia. Methods: This randomized, controlled, double blinded study at tertiary care center compared effect of bupivacaine 0.5% and ropivacaine 0.5%. Adults meeting specific inclusion criteria were divided in 2 equal groups 30 patients in each. All patients were given USG guided axillary block. Group A received Inj. Bupivacaine 0.5% 2.5-3 mg/kg (20-30 ml) while group B received Inj. Ropivacaine 0.5% 2-3 mg/kg (20-30 ml). Outcome measured included volume of drug, onset of motor & sensory blockade, duration of motor & sensory blockade. Hemodynamic parameters, VAS score, requirement of rescue analgesic (VAS >4) observed during perioperative period at different intervals. Sensory & motor block were assessed by 3-point scale.VAS score is evaluated by asking the patients to describe their pain between 0 to 10. p-value ≤0.05was considered statistically significant. Results: Comparison between both groups showed that onset of motor blockade (11.3 ±1.48 min ) & sensory blockade (7.46 ± 1.40 min ) was slower in group A , whereas onset of motor blockade (6.91± 1.39 min) & sensory blockade (3.13 ± 0.84 min) was faster in group B. While duration of motor blockade (681.16 ± 15.23 min) & sensory blockade (745 ± 25.12 min) was prolonged in group A compared to shorter duration of motor blockade (480.83 ± 31.67 min ) & sensory blockade (550.16 ± 39.62 min ) in group B. Duration of Analgesia was longer in group A(1388.83 ± 162.85 min ) compared with group B (856.16 ± 139.51 min ). Conclusion: Ropivacaine 0.5% is associated with faster recovery of sensory & motor function with better safety profile compared to Bupivacaine 0.5%.
An ensemble approach to downscale climatological variables via screening of clustered ANNs
Authors: Razzaghzadeh Zahra , Nasseri Mohsen , Tabesh Masoud , Masoumi Fariborz
Published: September 2024

The statistical downscaling of global circulation models presents a significant challenge in selecting appropriate input variables from a vast pool of predictors. To address the issue, we developed ensemble approach based on the Combining Multiple Clusters via Similarity Graph (COMUSA), which integrates k-means and self-organizing maps (SOMs) methods with the mutual information (MI)-random sampling approach. This innovative feature extraction technique demonstrated a 21% improvement in the classification efficacy of large-scale climatic variables. When comparing feature extraction methods, the combination of MI-random sampling and ensemble clustering yielded more accurate results than SOM clustering alone. The most efficient artificial neural networks (ANNs)-based downscaling model was employed to project near- and mid-future precipitation and temperature (2025–2035, 2035–2045), revealing varied outcomes under different scenarios (SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5). Under SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5, annual mean precipitation values are projected to decrease by 2–3 and by 4–5%. Also, projected annual mean temperature values indicate an increase in 21-27 and 29-35% under SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Integrating COMUSA ensemble clustering with MI-random sampling enhances the estimation accuracy of the ANN downscaling model, contributing to accurate projections of future precipitation and temperature values.
Integrated approach for flood shelter site selection and emergency response accessibility analysis at the provincial scale: a case study in Henan, China
Authors: Zhonghui Ji , Zheng Hualong , Jiaxuan Zou
Published: September 2024

Emergency response efficiency is affected seriously by shelter location during traffic disruption caused by floods. In this paper, a new framework including the suitability assessment of shelter location and the accessibility analysis of emergency response is proposed. Firstly, an evaluation criteria system from a risk perspective is established to screen candidate shelters. Secondly, candidate shelters’ effective area, capacity, and service radius are combined to determine the suitable shelter locations. Finally, the emergency accessibility of traffic under different rainstorm scenarios is calculated, respectively. The results show that resident emergency congregate shelters are suitable to be built in economically developed and highly densely populated areas around the central part of Henan, and it is mainly to guard against extreme floods caused by heavy rainfall. It should be dominated by emergency evacuation and embarkation shelters to prevent daily floods in the west and southwest. In addition, the reduced accessibility is apparent in the western and southeastern regions owing to road inundation, and occurs in the disaster scenarios of the 20-year return period and more. This study suggests how to select suitable shelters by considering the spatial heterogeneity of the province.
Assessing the impact of Escherichia coli on recreational water safety using quantitative microbial risk assessment
Authors: Delair Zaakirah , Schoeman Michaela , Reyneke Brandon , Singh Atheesha , Barnard Tobias George
Published: September 2024

Recreational water activities have become an integral part of society for entertainment, health, and fitness. The water quality for these activities plays an integral role in the health and safety of the participants. This study aimed to monitor the presence of Escherichia coli in selected recreational water bodies, specifically rowing in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Water samples were collected (upstream, midstream, and downstream) from three recreational water sites, i.e., Klip Rivier, Wemmer Pan, and Germiston Lake, monthly from May to October 2022. The presence of E. coli was determined using the Colilert® Quanti-Tray®/2,000 (IDEXX) assay and ChromoSelect agar. Pathotypes were confirmed using a multiplex PCR. The MPN for E. coli from all the samples exceeded the recommended guidelines of <2,000 microbes/100 mL. Pathogenic E. coli was detected in all three sites, with EPEC, ETEC, EAEC being most prevalent. The E. coli isolates showed 66% ESBL resistance and 94% carbapenemase resistance. Risk assessment showed recreational activities (rowing and swimming) posed a significant health risk as exceeded the annual risk benchmark limit of 1 × 104. The results obtained provide insights into the health risk associated with recreational activities within these water bodies and highlight the need for seasonal monitoring.
Health risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater sources: carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic evaluation
Authors: Kapoor Kshipra , Kumar Shakti , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar , Obaidullah Ahmad J. , Yadav Krishna Kumar
Published: September 2024

Persistent exposure to arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, and selenium in drinking water above permissible levels poses significant health risks, including increased incidences of skin, lung, bladder, and kidney cancers. This study evaluated 34 water samples from Rupnagar district, Punjab, for heavy metal content. Health risks were assessed using hazard quotient (HQ) and chronic daily intake metrics. Aluminium concentrations were highest in Block Nurpur Bedi (36.43 mg/L). Arsenic levels in Ropar and Anandpur Sahib were 0.09 and 0.068 mg/L, respectively. Cadmium was highest in Nurpur Bedi (0.041 mg/L). Morinda had the highest selenium concentration (0.0038 mg/L). Lead was detected across all blocks, peaking in Chamkaur Sahib (2.176 mg/L). The HQ exceeded unity in nearly all areas, indicating significant health risks from aluminium, arsenic, and lead. The hazard index was highest in Nurpur Bedi (2.66) for adults. Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) values indicated a high cancer risk from arsenic, chromium, and lead across all blocks. One-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences among Fe, As, and Al concentrations (p < 0.05). The findings underscore the need for targeted treatment technologies and policies to mitigate heavy metal contamination and its health impacts in Punjab.
A review of the wetland's restoration mechanisms and its economic and social benefits
Authors: Prasanya J. , Kanmani S. , Senthil Kumar P.
Published: September 2024

Our Earth has given many ecosystems that will heal themselves from the degradations. One of those ecosystems is the wetland, which is a precious natural sponge, naturally purifying and replenishing the water, heading off floods, and mainly giving tremendous biodiversity to the flora and fauna. However, human activities are degrading the wetlands and polluting them indiscriminately with solid wastes and domestic and industrial wastewater discharge. With the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, nations around the world have acknowledged the critical benefits of wetland restoration and development. In this review article, we contributed to address the general wetland policies in the world, both nationally (India) and regionally (Tamil Nadu). In this paper, we will be discussing the reviews on the characteristics of wetland ecosystems, indices of biodiversity, risks to the wetland's restoration tactics, its main obstacle, and the financial advantages of wetlands. After clearly analyzing 226 previous research and review articles, a clear coherence between the explored hypothesis of wetland restoration mechanisms and the resulting economic and social benefits was arrived. Our findings indicate that effective restoration not only enhances ecosystem services but also leads to significant economic gains and improved community well-being. This alignment underscores the importance of investing in wetland restoration for sustainable development.
Sodium alginate- and chitosan-based hydrogels with different network charges for selective removal of cationic and anionic dyes from water
Authors: Moharrami Parisa , Hazrati Sajjad , Shakeri Fateh , Motamedi Elaheh , Ariaeenejad Shohreh
Published: September 2024

The grafting of chitosan (CH) and sodium alginate (SA) biopolymers with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and acrylamide (AAm) monomers, combined with graphene oxide (GO), led to the formation of bio-based hydrogels. These hydrogels, named CH -GO -hydrogel (GO/CH-g-poly (AAm-co-GMA)), CH -GO -hydrogel (CH-g-poly (AAm-co-GMA)), SA -GO -hydrogel (GO/SA-g-poly(AAm-co-GMA)), and SA -hydrogel (SA-g-poly(AAm-co-GMA)), were tested as selective dye adsorbents. While the chitosan-based hydrogels exhibited positive zeta potential values ranging from +27.5 to +0.1 mV, alginate-based samples had negative values between −10.4 to −41.7 mV in pH conditions from 3.0 to 9.0. Adding GO nano-fillers reduced the swelling capacity of both hydrogels, with water absorption (WA) values for SA -GO -hydrogel and SA -hydrogel recorded at 10.1 and 22.2 g/g, respectively. The ability of these materials to adsorb dyes, specifically crystal violet (cationic) and Congo red (anionic), was confirmed. Factors such as adsorbent dosage, initial pH, dye concentration, shaking time, and temperature were analyzed to determine dye adsorption capacity. Interestingly, the pristine hydrogels, free of GO, performed better than their nanocomposite counterparts. Adsorption capacities (qm) for crystal violet and Congo red with SA -hydrogel, SA -GO -hydrogel, CH -hydrogel, and CH -GO -hydrogel was 909.1, 714.3, 454.5, and 400.0 mg/g, respectively.
Temporal variability of precipitation and humidity in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India using GIS modelling: a multi decadal study
Authors: Sharma Akriti , Singh Kanwarpreet , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar
Published: September 2024

This study investigates precipitation and specific humidity trends from 1981 to 2023, uncovering significant fluctuations across the Mandi region. Analysis of the data shows a broad range in mean annual rainfall, from 631.26 to 1,174.16 mm, highlighting the region's climatic diversity. A stark contrast in rainfall levels is noted between two periods: 1986 to 1990 saw exceptionally low rainfall (9.53–12.55 mm), while 1981 to 1985 experienced high precipitation (13,220.97–13,951.36 mm). The study identifies a peak in precipitation coverage (66%) from 2016 to 2020, with rainfall volumes reaching 5,993.81–6,357.93 mm, contrasting with the lowest coverage (1%) from 2006 to 2010. Additionally, the research reveals significant variation in specific humidity, with the lowest levels recorded between 2021 and 2023 (6,623.94–7,600.59 g/kg) and the highest between 2016 and 2020 (16,353.74–17,313.94 g/kg). The highest and lowest area-wise percentages of specific humidity were observed between 1991 and 1995 (38%) and 1996 and 2000 (5%), respectively. These findings shed light on the dynamic nature of precipitation and humidity in the region, offering critical insights for understanding local climate patterns and informing sectors dependent on precise climatic data.
Comparative Insights from the EU’s GDPR and China’s PIPL for Advancing Personal Data Protection Legislation
Authors: Bolatbekkyzy Gulbakyt
Published: September 2024

The article outlines the fundamental principles of personal data protection and the legal frameworks that safeguard individuals in the ever-evolving digital world. By examining the regulatory frameworks, strategies, and outcomes of the European Union and China, the study aims to provide insightful lessons and potential best practices that can be adapted to suit specific national contexts. Additionally, it discusses the challenges with interpreting, applying, and enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the EU and the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) of China. Finally, it highlights the features of the PIPL, which is the country's first comprehensive law controlling the protection of personal information comprehensively. The constant comparative method guided the data analysis, which was based on the publications from the official documents of two respective states, which in turn served as the main source to compile the content of the research. It shows the difficulties and shortfalls of both legislations and offers comparative ideas from China's PIPL and the EU's GDPR for advancing personal data protection laws. Concluding remarks highlight the need for continual discussion and revision of legal frameworks to reconcile the benefits of technological advancement with the defense of fundamental rights in digital space.
‘Between the Devil and Deep-Blue Sea’: Comparing the Extraterritorial Application of the ECHR and the ICCPR in the Protection of Migrants at Sea
Authors: Arvanitakis Stefanos
Published: September 2024

The concept of jurisdiction is often said to encapsulate the very essence of human rights “qua normative relationship between rights holders and institutions as dutybearers” (Besson, 2012; 860). Twenty-first century human rights jurisprudence has highlighted one of the most contentious issues in relation to jurisdiction: the limits that human rights place on State behaviour outside national territory. In the context of migration, the extraterritorial application of human rights is a particularly critical concern. Loss of life on the high seas, refoulement at sea, and the striking systematic ineptitude of search and rescue operations by European countries have placed the debate on extraterritoriality at the heart of the human rights discourse on migrants and refugees. This Paper will compare and contrast extraterritoriality at the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Committee (HRCttee), in order to put their jurisprudence into perspective and assess the current state of the law. A functional account of jurisdiction will be supported, whereby the State should protect human rights wherever in the world it operates, and whenever it can reasonably do so. Through a comparative analysis, I will argue that the principles of universality and effectiveness render extraterritorial applicability a necessary doctrine in human rights law. By juxtaposing the ECtHR with the HRCttee, I will illustrate the wide acceptance of extraterritoriality in the migration context, highlight the needs for improvement in future jurisprudence, and justify the functional approach to human rights protection that this Paper advocates.
International Human Rights Law: A Paradigm Embedding Racial Injustice – Is There a Way Out?
Authors: Lister Eve
Published: September 2024

In the wake of Black Lives Matter movement protests in Summer 2020, questions were raised both within and outside of academic circles about the treatment of black and nonwhite people more broadly at the hands of state and global infrastructure. This discussion has long-pervaded critical legal circles, with eminent theorists such as Crenshaw identifying the fundamental inequalities faced by non-white people within the legal system. When considered from a global perspective, the international human rights law (hereafter IHRL) paradigm can be seen as no different. With theorists largely identifying its founding document as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (hereafter UDHR), assertions have been made as to the colonialist, neoliberalist foundations of the paradigm. It is logical to identify these features as inherited in later treaties and the broader human rights paradigm springing therefrom. Said hereditary features in the IHRL paradigm function to subordinate the poorest non-white people globally and within nations: whilst simultaneously protecting rights originating from Western, white, and neoliberal actors. The racial injustice within IHRL will be examined from multi-layered perspectives: first, spotlighting the UDHR as the point at which racial injustice was conceived, analysing its authors, conceptual scope, and form. Then, examining the way racial injustice subsequently germinated: through subsequent development of the system of IHRL – across treaties and regional development and enforcement. In turn, this has led to many non-white people and non-Western nations being unconscious of and distant from their human rights: unaware of their scope and unlikely to assert them. I then turn to human rights consciousness as a means to redesign human rights: arguing this can be achieved by combining human rights education with a specific, public acknowledgement of racial injustice inherent in IHRL paradigm by the UN. Moving towards publicly confronting the institutionalised racism within IHRL would encourage, not dissuade, non-white people to re-design IHRL concepts within their communities. I advocate for historical and institutional accountability as well as transparency, to encourage conceptual collaboration to redesign IHRL within the image and active participation of those its current form undermines.
Investigating the Use of Telemedicine by Health Care Providers to Diagnose and Manage Patients With Musculoskeletal Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vincent Raphaël , Charron Maxime , Lafrance Simon , Cormier Audrey-Anne , Kairy Dahlia , Desmeules François
Published: September 2024

Background

Access to care is a major challenge for patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs). Telemedicine is one of the solutions to improve access to care. However, initial remote diagnosis of MSKDs involves some challenges, such as the impossibility of touching the patient during the physical examination, which makes it more complex to obtain a valid diagnosis. No meta-analysis has been performed to date to synthesize evidence regarding the initial assessment including a physical evaluation using telemedicine to diagnose patients with MSKDs.

Objective

This study aims to appraise the evidence on diagnostic and treatment plan concordance between remote assessment using synchronous or asynchronous forms of telemedicine and usual in-person assessment for the initial evaluation of various MSKDs.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted up to August 2023 using terms related to telemedicine and assessment of MSKDs. Methodological quality of studies was assessed with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Random-effect model meta-analyses were performed. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework was used to synthesize the quality and certainty of the evidence.

Results

A total of 23 concordance studies were eligible and included adult participants (N=1493) with various MSKDs. On the basis of high certainty, pooled κ and prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted κ for the diagnostic concordance between remote and in-person assessments of MSKDs were 0.80 (95% CI 0.72-0.89; 7 studies, 353 patients) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.76-0.89; 6 studies, 306 patients). On the basis of moderate certainty, pooled Gwet AC1 for treatment plan concordance between remote and in-person assessments of MSKDs was 0.90 (95% CI 0.80-0.99; 2 studies, 142 patients).

Conclusions

The diagnostic concordance for MSKDs is good to very good. Treatment plan concordance is probably good to excellent. Studies evaluating the accuracy to detect red and yellow flags as well as the potential increase in associated health care resources use, such as imaging tests, are needed.
Dose-Response Associations of Internet Use Time and Internet Addiction With Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Children and Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Sun Weidi , Luo Zeyu , Liu Yi , Huang Xuanyin , Jiang Denan , Li Shuting , Meng Jia , Gu Fang , Zhang Ronghua , Song Peige
Published: September 2024

Background

Children’s lives are increasingly mediated by digital technologies, yet evidence regarding the associations between internet use and depression is far from comprehensive and remains unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the dose-response association between internet use, including use time and addiction behaviors, and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in Zhejiang Province.

Methods

Data were collected from a school-based health survey China Common Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance Among Students, encompassing 21,336 students in Zhejiang Province. The daily internet use time, internet addiction (IA) behaviors, and depressive symptoms were assessed with questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to explore the associations of internet use time and IA behaviors with depressive symptoms among children and adolescents. Restricted cubic spline curves were used to determine the dose-response associations.

Results

A total of 6225 (29.2%) students had depressive symptoms. Compared to those reporting no internet use, boys using the internet for >2 hours/day (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% CI 1.34‐1.74) and girls using internet for 1.1‐2 hours/day (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.06‐1.39) and >2 hours/day (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.50‐1.93) were at higher risks of depressive symptoms. A significant J-shaped association was identified between internet use time and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents, especially in boys and primary school students (nonlinear P values were .006, .003, and <.001, respectively). Increased IA behaviors were associated with a higher odd of depressive symptoms (1 IA behavior: OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.83‐2.21; 2 IA behaviors: 2.91, 95% CI 2.57‐3.29; and ≥3 IA behaviors: 4.72, 95% CI 4.26‐5.22). A positive nonlinear association between the number of IA behaviors and depressive symptoms was found in total population, girls, and primary school students (nonlinear P values were .02, .002, .007, respectively).

Conclusions

Findings suggested that excessive internet use time and IA behaviors were significantly associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of interventions to regulate and educate about adequate internet use during childhood and adolescence.
A Blended Learning Course on the Diagnostics of Mental Disorders: Multicenter Cluster Randomized Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Bonnin Gabriel , Kröber Svea , Schneider Silvia , Margraf Jürgen , Pflug Verena , Gerlach Alexander L , Slotta Timo , Christiansen Hanna , Albrecht Björn , Chavanon Mira-Lynn , Hirschfeld Gerrit , In-Albon Tina , Thielsch Meinald T , von Brachel Ruth
Published: September 2024

Background

Clinical diagnoses determine if and how therapists treat their patients. As misdiagnoses can have severe adverse effects, disseminating evidence-based diagnostic skills into clinical practice is highly important.

Objective

This study aimed to develop and evaluate a blended learning course in a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Undergraduate psychology students (N=350) enrolled in 18 university courses at 3 universities. The courses were randomly assigned to blended learning or traditional synchronous teaching. The primary outcome was the participants’ performances in a clinical diagnostic interview after the courses. The secondary outcomes were diagnostic knowledge and participants’ reactions to the courses. All outcomes were analyzed on the individual participant level using noninferiority testing.

Results

Compared with the synchronous course (74.6% pass rate), participation in the blended learning course (89% pass rate) increased the likelihood of successfully passing the behavioral test (odds ratio 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-5.13), indicating not only noninferiority but superiority of the blended learning course. Furthermore, superiority of the blended learning over the synchronous course could be found regarding diagnostic knowledge (β=.13, 95% CI 0.01-0.26), course clarity (β=.40, 95% CI 0.27-0.53), course structure (β=.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.32), and informativeness (β=.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.32).

Conclusions

Blended learning can help to improve the diagnostic skills and knowledge of (future) clinicians and thus make an important contribution to improving mental health care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05294094; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05294094
Early Identification of Cognitive Impairment in Community Environments Through Modeling Subtle Inconsistencies in Questionnaire Responses: Machine Learning Model Development and Validation
Authors: Gao Hongxin , Schneider Stefan , Hernandez Raymond , Harris Jenny , Maupin Danny , Junghaenel Doerte U , Kapteyn Arie , Stone Arthur , Zelinski Elizabeth , Meijer Erik , Lee Pey-Jiuan , Orriens Bart , Jin Haomiao
Published: September 2024

Background

The underdiagnosis of cognitive impairment hinders timely intervention of dementia. Health professionals working in the community play a critical role in the early detection of cognitive impairment, yet still face several challenges such as a lack of suitable tools, necessary training, and potential stigmatization.

Objective

This study explored a novel application integrating psychometric methods with data science techniques to model subtle inconsistencies in questionnaire response data for early identification of cognitive impairment in community environments.

Methods

This study analyzed questionnaire response data from participants aged 50 years and older in the Health and Retirement Study (waves 8-9, n=12,942). Predictors included low-quality response indices generated using the graded response model from four brief questionnaires (optimism, hopelessness, purpose in life, and life satisfaction) assessing aspects of overall well-being, a focus of health professionals in communities. The primary and supplemental predicted outcomes were current cognitive impairment derived from a validated criterion and dementia or mortality in the next ten years. Seven predictive models were trained, and the performance of these models was evaluated and compared.

Results

The multilayer perceptron exhibited the best performance in predicting current cognitive impairment. In the selected four questionnaires, the area under curve values for identifying current cognitive impairment ranged from 0.63 to 0.66 and was improved to 0.71 to 0.74 when combining the low-quality response indices with age and gender for prediction. We set the threshold for assessing cognitive impairment risk in the tool based on the ratio of underdiagnosis costs to overdiagnosis costs, and a ratio of 4 was used as the default choice. Furthermore, the tool outperformed the efficiency of age or health-based screening strategies for identifying individuals at high risk for cognitive impairment, particularly in the 50- to 59-year and 60- to 69-year age groups. The tool is available on a portal website for the public to access freely.

Conclusions

We developed a novel prediction tool that integrates psychometric methods with data science to facilitate “passive or backend” cognitive impairment assessments in community settings, aiming to promote early cognitive impairment detection. This tool simplifies the cognitive impairment assessment process, making it more adaptable and reducing burdens. Our approach also presents a new perspective for using questionnaire data: leveraging, rather than dismissing, low-quality data.
Relationships Among eHealth Literacy, Physical Literacy, and Physical Activity in Chinese University Students: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jiang Shan , Ng Johan Y Y , Choi Siu Ming , Ha Amy S
Published: September 2024

Background

eHealth literacy is critical for evaluating abilities in locating, accessing, and applying digital health information to enhance one’s understanding, skills, and attitudes toward a healthy lifestyle. Prior research indicates that enhancing eHealth literacy can improve health behaviors such as physical activity (PA). Physical literacy (PL) refers to the ability to develop sustainable PA habits, taking into account various aspects of an individual. Notably, university students have shown a decline in PA and possess low PL levels. However, the connection between eHealth literacy and PL in this demographic has not been extensively studied, and it remains uncertain whether PA acts as a mediator between eHealth literacy and PL.

Objective

This study examines the extent to which PA mediates the link between eHealth literacy and PL in Chinese university students and explores gender differences in these variables.

Methods

In February 2022, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 1210 students across 3 universities in China. The instruments used were the Perceived PL Instrument, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the eHealth Literacy Scale. Correlations between eHealth literacy, PA, and PL were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple linear regression, while mediation models helped elucidate the interactions among the 3 variables.

Results

The response rate for the study was 92.9% (1124/1210). In the mediation analysis, eHealth literacy showed a significant direct effect on PL, with a coefficient of 0.78 (β .75, SE 0.02; P<.001). Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accounted for 2.16% of the total effect, suggesting that MVPA partially mediates the relationship between eHealth literacy and PL. Additionally, male students outperformed female students in terms of MVPA (t636=4.94; P<.001) and PL (t636=3.18; P<.001), but no significant differences were found in eHealth literacy (t636=1.23; P=.22).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that MVPA serves as a mediator in the link between eHealth literacy and PL among university students. Students with low eHealth literacy or limited PA are less likely to be physically literate. Thus, eHealth literacy plays a crucial role in enhancing PL and PA, especially when interventions targeting PL are implemented. Our results also suggest a need for targeted health education interventions aimed at improving MVPA and PL among female students, while also recognizing that eHealth literacy is comparable across genders at universities.