bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНОГО РОЗВИТКУ АГРОСЕКТОРУ УКРАЇНИ В УМОВАХ ІНТЕГРАЦІЇ ДО ЄС
Authors: Петренко К. В. , Золотоверх Л. В.
Published: May 2024

Дана стаття аналізує трансформацію економічного розвитку агросектору України в контексті інтеграції до Європейського Союзу. Зосереджуючись на взаємозв'язку між інтеграційними процесами та розвитком сільського господарства, стаття висвітлює ключові аспекти трансформації, включаючи зміни в законодавстві, торговельні угоди, стандарти якості та конкурентоспроможність продукції зеленої економіки. Дослідження базується на аналізі актуальних даних та літератури, що дозволяє виявити виклики та можливості, які виникають внаслідок інтеграції до ЄС. Висновки статті спрямовані на розробку стратегій та політик, сприяючи сталому розвитку агросектору України в умовах євроінтеграції.. Автори аналізують ключові виклики та можливості, з якими стикається українське сільське господарство на шляху до євроінтеграції.
How healthy are horticultural plants cultivated in urban gardens in polluted cities? The case of Mexico City
Authors: Alonso Durán Ivonne , Hernández-Álvarez Elizabeth , Morton-Bermea Ofelia , Castro-Larragoitia Javier , Collazo-Ortega Margarita
Published: May 2024

Soil-to-plant metal(loid) accumulation has been highly evaluated recently due to its significant impact on human health. This study reports the concentrations of 15 metal(oid)s in four vegetables (tomato, onion, chili, and lettuce) cultivated in a greenhouse and three shade houses (two roofs of buildings and one in the UNAM Botanical Garden) in four locations in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. In this experiment, the contribution of metals and metalloids due to atmospheric deposition and irrigation may be negligible. Hence, the concentration of metals depends only on transfer from the soil. Soil analysis indicates that only vanadium in one location (a rooftop garden in the municipality of Venustiano Carranza) exceeds the permissible limits according to Mexican regulations. Lettuce shows the highest concentrations and transfer factors for most metals compared to the other vegetables studied. Transfer factors were exceptionally high for Cd (lettuce) and Hg (tomato), presenting values above 1. Concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb were compared with limit values recommended by different international agencies for vegetables. It was observed that, except for As, these values are exceeded in various vegetables harvested in this study. This information must be corroborated with more detailed studies evaluating the chemical species in which those metal(oid)s are present and identify the physical and chemical parameters of the soil that may have interfered with the soil-plant transfer factor.
Análisis experimental de un dispositivo tope de impacto como atenuador de vibraciones en banco experimental
Authors: Baltazar Tadeo Luis Alberto , Cortés García Claudia , Martínez Rayón Eladio
Published: May 2024

En este trabajo se analiza experimentalmente el funcionamiento de un dispositivo tope de impacto como atenuador de vibraciones de un sistema sometido a vibración forzada. Para este propósito, se diseñó y construyó un banco de pruebas experimentales conformado por una viga en voladizo a la cual se montó en su extremo libre un motor con desbalance rotatorio para hacerla vibrar. El dispositivo tope de impacto se colocó en el extremo libre de la viga y recibió la energía cinética de la viga a través de múltiples eventos de impacto, disipando energía de vibración por un mecanismo de fricción. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis con variables tales como fuerza de fricción (gobernada por un tornillo de ajuste en el dispositivo), rigidez de los resortes del prototipo (que actúan como elementos de restitución del elemento móvil del dispositivo) y el claro entre el tope de impacto y la estructura. En el análisis paramétrico, se identificó, de entre las variables propuestas, los parámetros que mejoran la atenuación de vibración en la estructura vibratoria. Como resultado de este estudio, se lograron importantes reducciones de amplitud de vibración, de más del 90 %, por efecto del dispositivo tope de impacto en el sistema vibratorio.
Portosystemic Hepatic Encephalopathy Scores (PHES) differ between Danish and German healthy populations despite their geographical and cultural similarities
Authors: Lauridsen Mette Munk , Grønkjær Lea Ladegaard , Atkins Jeppe Holm , Mikkelsen Stine Ulrik , Svensson Tintin , Kimer Nina , Hecker Hartmut , Berg-Beckhoff Gabriele , Weissenborn Karin , Vilstrup Hendrik
Published: May 2024

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is common in liver cirrhosis and is identified by psychometric tests. The portosystemic hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) is the most widely used and serves as an inter-study comparator. PHES has not been standardised for use in the Danish population, where German normal values have been applied until now based on the notion that the populations are comparable. This study aimed to evaluate if German PHES normal values can be applied in the Danish population and establish Danish normal values if needed.
Methods: 200 Danish and 217 German healthy persons underwent Number Connection Test A and B (NCT), Line Tracing Test (LTT), Digit Symbol Test (DST), and Serial Dotting Test (SDT), and based on performance, PHES was calculated.
Results: German and Danish PHES performance declined with age in all subtests but more rapidly in Danes. Both, German and Danish norms were impacted by gender and education, but to a different extent in the single tests of the test battery. Accordingly, there was a need for specific Danish normal values, which are presented here. Applying the new Danish normal values instead of the German in patients with cirrhosis yielded a lower percentage of out-of-norm performances (58% vs. 66%) and, hence, a lower prevalence of MHE.
Conclusion: Danes and Germans perform differently on PHES, and therefore, normal German values cannot be used in Danish patients. Danish normal values are presented here and yield a lower number of ‘out of norm’ performances.
How short peptides can disassemble ultra-stable tau fibrils extracted from Alzheimer’s disease brain by a strain-relief mechanism
Authors: Eisenberg David , Hou Ke , Ge Peng , Sawaya Michael , Dolinsky Joshua , Yang Yuan , Jiang Yi Xiao , Lutter Liisa , Boyer David , Cheng Xinyi , Pi Justin , Zhang Jeffrey , Lu Jiahui , Yang Shixin , Yu Zhiheng , Feigon Juli
Published: May 2024

Reducing fibrous aggregates of protein tau is a possible strategy for halting progression of Alzheimer's dis-ease (AD). Previously we found that in vitro the D-peptide D-TLKIVWC disassembles tau fibrils from AD brains (AD-tau) into benign segments with no energy source present beyond ambient thermal agitation. This disassembly by a short peptide was unexpected, given that AD-tau is sufficiently stable to withstand disas-sembly in boiling SDS detergent. To consider D peptide-mediated disassembly as a potential therapeutic for AD, it is essential to understand the mechanism and energy source of the disassembly action. We find as-sembly of D-peptides into amyloid-like fibrils is essential for tau fibril disassembly. Cryo-EM and atomic force microscopy reveal that these D-peptide fibrils have a right-handed twist and embrace tau fibrils which have a left-handed twist. In binding to the AD-tau fibril, the oppositely twisted D-peptide fibril produces a strain, which is relieved by the disassembly of both fibrils. This strain-relief mechanism appears to operate in other examples of amyloid fibril disassembly and provides a new direction for the development of first-in-class therapeutics for amyloid diseases.
Development and validation of a multivariable predictive model for Emergency Department Overcrowding based on the National Emergency Department Overcrowding Study (NEDOCS) score
Authors: Giunta Diego Hernán , Thomas Diego Sanchez , Ratti Maria Florencia Grande , Martinez Bernardo Julio
Published: May 2024

Background
Predicting potential overcrowding is a significant tool in efficient emergency department (ED) management. Our aim was to develop and validate overcrowding predictive models using accessible and high quality information.
Methods
Retrospective cohort study of consecutive days in the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires ED from june 2016 to may 2018. We estimated hourly NEDOCS score for the entire period, and defined the outcome as Sustained Critical ED Overcrowding (EDOC) equal to occurrence of 8 or more hours with a NEDOCS score ≥ 180. We generated 3 logistic regression predictive models with different related outcomes: beginning, ending or occurrence of Sustained Critical EDOC. We estimated calibration and discrimination as internal (random validation group and bootstrapping) and external validation (different period and different ED).
Results
The main model included both the beginning and occurrence of NEDOCS, including weather variables, variables related to NEDOCS itself and patient flow variables. The second model considered only the beginning of Sustained Critical EDOC and included variables related to NEDOCS. The last model considered the end of Sustained Critical EDOC and it included variables related to NEDOCS, weather, bed occupancy and management. Discrimination for the main model had an area under the receiver-operator curve of 0.997 (95%CI 0.994–1) in the validation group. Calibration for the model was very high on internal validation and acceptable on external validation.
Conclusion
The Sustained Critical EDOC predictive model includes variables that are easily obtained and can be used for effective resource management in situations of overcrowding.
A randomized controlled trial of a new procedure for the treatment of perianal abscesses, the Trans-intersphincteric Double Seton (TRISDS)
Authors: Zhang Leichang , Yuan Xiao , Shen Pan , Ge Wei , Liao Wu , Wang Chen , Zhang Xiaonan , Li Chaofeng , Li Lu
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel procedure,Trans-intersphincteric Double Seton, for the treatment of perianal abscesses in the sciorectal hiatus.
METHODS
The study population consisted of patients with perianal abscess in the sciorectal space who underwent Trans-intersphincteric Double Seton (TRISDS) and perianal abscess Incision and Drainage (I&D) from September 2020 to September 2023 at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The cure rate, hospitalization time, wound healing time, and Wexner score of anal function were observed in both groups after treatment.
RESULTS
100 patients with perianal abscess received surgical treatment, of which 50 patients (male/female: 41/9, mean age: 32.98 years old) received Trans-intersphincteric Double Seton as the observation group, and the other 50 patients (male/female: 38/12, mean age: 32.76 years old) received Incision and Drainage of perianal abscess as the control group, and the differences in the basic data of the patients of the two groups were not significant in comparison (P>0.05) and they are comparable. The cure rate of the observation group 86%, higher than the control group 42%, (p < 0.05) the difference is statistically significant.hospitalization time of the observation group (7.02 ± 1.63) d is shorter than that of the control group (7.36 ± 1.64) d, the two groups (p > 0.05) are not statistically significant.the healing time of the observation group (33.26 ± 3.81) d is shoeter than that of the control group (37.68 ± 6.24) d, (p < 0.05) the two groups (p < 0.05) are comparable. ) d, (p < 0.05) the difference was statistically significant. Evaluation of anal function: Wexner score comparison between the two groups of patients, no anal incontinence, preoperative and postoperative 42 days comparison (p > 0.05), there is no statistical significance, 21 days after the operation, the observation group (1.82 ± 1.32) is higher than the control group (1.28 ± 1.20), the two groups (p < 0.05),the difference is statistically significant;
CONCLUSION
For the treatment of perianal abscess in the sciorectal space, transsphincteric double-hanging suture does not lead to anal incontinence as does incision and drainage, but transsphincteric double-hanging suture is safer and more effective, with a higher rate of healing, shorter healing time, and good protection of anal function, which is of clinical promotion value.
Location and access to health courses for rural students: An Australian audit
Authors: McKinstry Carol , Quilliam Claire , Crawford Nicole , Thompson Jason , Sizer Stephanie Millns
Published: May 2024

Background:
The undersupply of health professionals in rural areas impacts healthcare access for those living in rural Australia. A strategy to increase the rural health workforce is to recruit and educate rural people. However, long-standing inequities for rural Australians in accessing tertiary education persist. The aim of this study was to audit the 2023 offerings of Australian allied health, nursing, dental and medical university courses to identify geographical availability and those delivered online.
Methods:
A desktop audit of Australian allied health, nursing, dental and medical courses offered in 2023 was undertaken to identify the courses and delivery modes of those courses offered in regional, rural and remote locations. The audit involved searching lists of professionally accredited courses and university websites, which is publicly available information about health courses. Data were tabulated and descriptive statistics used for data analysis.
Results:
There were marked differences in online and rural course offerings across health professions in Modified Monash (MM) Model category 2–7 locations. Nursing/midwifery had the most courses while pharmacy, podiatry, dental and medicine had few offerings and optometry had none. Social work, nursing/midwifery and psychology also had the most online course offerings. Most courses were offered in MM2 and MM3 locations with few offerings in rural or remote areas. The availability of studying part-time was very limited and often this was only for the early years of the course. There were inconsistencies relating to the course information on university websites relating to course delivery mode descriptions.
Conclusions:
There is a lack of rural on-campus or online course offerings for some allied health disciplines, dentistry and medicine. Provision of end-to-end, flexible courses in rural areas or online is needed to reduce access barriers for rural students and to enable sustainable rural health workforce development.
Versatile blood carbon dots functionalized sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol electroblown nanofibers for rapid fabricated innovative active food packaging
Authors: ALP Mehmet Ali , DOĞAN Cemhan , AKGUL Yasin
Published: May 2024

This research used electroblown nanofibers made from a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA), activated by carbon dots obtained from bovine blood (BCDs), to create a new solution for active food packaging. The nanoscale size of BCDs revealed low toxicity on chondrocyte and lung cell types, ensuring safety in biomedical applications. The insertion of BCDs into the nanofiber matrix lowered surface hydrophobicity but strengthened water solubility and mechanical strength. These nanofibers demonstrated exceptional antioxidant activities and exhibited inhibitory effects against both E. coli and S. aureus. Conducting real food trials on chicken fillets disclosed the large reduction in viable bacteria count and lipid oxidation, consequently extending the durability of the product. Noteworthy is the eco-conscious element of these nanofibers; in soil burial experiments, the packing material disintegrated within a mere 57 days, underlining its negligible environmental impact. These environmentally friendly electroblown nanofibers, supplemented with BCDs, represent a viable future for sustainable food packaging. In seamlessly coupling food safety with eco-friendly methods, this methodology offers a comprehensive and practical answer for the packaging industry.
Acromioclavicular Dislocations. A Novel Surgical Technique for biological reconstruction of coraco-claviculer ligaments
Authors: Abdel-AAl Mohamed , Kornah Bahaa ,   (4)	Mohamed . Ibrahim,   (5)	Mohamed Akl,   (6)	Mohammad Soliman, Harby Mohamed , Hassan )Tohamy
Published: May 2024

Background: Acromioclavicular joint represents the link between the clavicle and the scapula, which is responsible for the synchronized dynamics of shoulder girdle. Several surgical tactics for acromioclavicular joint dislocation has been described which aim to restore joint congruity and mechanical stability.
Purpose: of this study was to asses functional, radiological outcomes and complications of coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments reconstruction utilizing a novel technique sacrificing the lateral half of conjoint tendon and passé it through holes in the clavicle.
Patients &Methods: Between July 2017 to December 2020, a prospective case series study was conducted in 3 centers. Institutional review board approval was gained for this technical note and informed consent was obtained from all study participants including 25 patients with types III ,IV and V AC injuries. All patients underwent CC ligament reconstruction by using lateral half of conjoint tendon.
Results: After a mean follow up period of 18±2.3 months patients showed significant improvement between mean preoperative and postoperative pain, ROM, Constant, ASES scores and CC distance difference. The patients were evaluated for pain, range of motion (ROM), radiologic findings (CC distance difference between both sides), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Constant scores. Postoperative complications were recorded and assessment of time of returning to the work was done. The evaluation was done preoperatively and each time of follow up with a minimum period of one year.
Some complications evolved in this series included: superficial wound infection occurred in two cases and fracture clavicle occurred in one case
Conclusion: The described technique is simple, reproducible and is anticipated to reduce the cost of the operative procedure significantly.
Level of evidence/ Level IV case series study
Real-world experience with nucleos (t) ide analogue therapy and patient survival rates in chronic viral hepatitis B Treatment Centers in Asmara, Eritrea: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Solomon Michael Berhe , Ghebremeskel Ghirmay Ghebrekidan , Achila Oliver Okoth , Mebrahtu Aron Rezene , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih , Mesfin Araia Berhane
Published: May 2024

Background
Real-world data on treatment outcomes or the quality of large-scale chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa is extremely difficult to obtain. In this study, our aim was to present data on the clinical characteristics of CHB patients and to evaluate results in patients on nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) in multiple treatment sites in Asmara, Eritrea.
Methodology:
A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted on CHB patients in government-funded follow-up programs in Asmara, Eritrea (period: 2016–2021). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information was collected from patients’ cards using a structured check-list. Relevant parametric and nonparametric statistics were employed to evaluate differences between groups. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) estimates and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore risk factors for lost follow-up (LTFU).
Results
A total of 413 patients with HBV (median age (IQR) at diagnosis: 39 (IQR: 28–50 years, females: 118(28.6%) followed for a total of 22,921 person days of follow-up). Baseline ALT and AST were elevated in 99(31.2%) and 101(32.8%), respectively. Importantly, FIB-4 score and APRI score estimates suggested that prevalence of cirrhosis plus indeterminate and /or cirrhosis possible was 33(14%) + 49(20.8%) and 26(10.6%) + 65(26.4%), respectively. During the follow-up period, 4.6% (95%CI: 2.5–6.6%) died, while 23.9% (95%CI: 19.8–28%) were LTFU. The dominant reasons for treatment eligibility were cirrhosis and elevated HBV-DNA. After 12 weeks of treatment, the overall virologic response (VR) was 50.8% (95%CI: 46.9–74.6). Importantly, VR in TDF vs TDF + LAM were similar, 14/31(45.2%) vs 17/31(54.4%), respectively, p-value = 0.3. However, significant changes in biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, FIB-4, and APRI) were observed in both treatment groups following treatment. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, LTFU was independently associated with baseline serum HBV DNA (IU/mL) (aHR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.04–1.7; p-value = 0.02); Not initiated on NUC (aHR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.1–13.7, p-value = 0.02); and FIB-4 Score (aHR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1-1.1; p-value = 0.01).
Conclusion
This study uncovered multiple system- and patient-centered gaps in the three HBV treatment programs in Asmara, Eritrea. Interventions should target improvements in laboratory infrastructure, adherence to patient monitoring guidelines, HBV literacy, better tracking of patients, and documentation of patients’ information.
Utilizing Motion Direction of Video Capturing Satellites for Complexity Reduction in Video Compressor Block-Matching Techniques
Authors: Bayat Mohammadreza , Rongke Liu , Zarrini Haleh
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to define how to combine satellite motion direction in Video Compressor Block-Matching algorithms. In this study, three objectives were identified: unveiling the existence of the problem by evidence-gathering, proposing a preliminary satellite design for video-capturing missions, and using the motion pattern of a satellite. To satisfy the first research objective, videos of Earth and other celestial bodies were selected, and the validity of this claim was evaluated. The alignment of the direction of satellite motion with the motion vectors can be clearly recognized. In all cases, except for one case, the motion vectors of the selected videos were shown to be more than 80%. Investigations determined that the review of the divisions of the Regions and appropriate selection of the boundaries of the Regions can produce more acceptable results for the video whose dominated motion vectors are divided into two different Regions. To satisfy the second objective, which is defined as creating the necessary changes in the design of satellites that have the mission of capturing videos of the celestial bodies, a conceptual design was presented in which the path of receiving the motion directions from the satellite platform to the payload was specified. Here, two modes were proposed: Normal and Proposed. In future rounds, this information can be used to reduce the amount of motion estimation calculations and complexity.
TNF: Friend or foe in sepsis? A meta-analysis of experimental studies
Authors: Kassasseya Christian , Torsin Iulia , Musset Caroline , Benhamou Marc , Chaudry Irshad , Cavaillon Jean-Marc , Grall Nathalie , Monteiro Renato , Martin Luc de Chaise , Longrois Dan , Montravers Philippe. , de Tymowski Christian
Published: May 2024

Introduction
Experimental studies in animals have yielded conflicting results on the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in sepsis, with some reporting protective effects and others reporting deleterious effects. To determine the factors that explain this discordance, a meta-analysis of the available literature was performed.
Methods
The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The protocol was registered with Prospero (CRD42020167384) prior to data collection. PubMed and Embase were the databases queried. Risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool[1]. All animal studies investigating sepsis-related mortality and modified TNF signaling were considered eligible. The exclusion criteria were: lack of mortality data, 7-day mortality rates below 10% in both wild type and TNF-altered pathway animals, and absence of an English abstract. Protective and deleterious roles were assessed through multivariate analysis using a binary logistic regression model. Mortality data were pooled using a random-role model.
Results
A total of 175 studies were included that comprise a total of 760 experiments involving 19,899 animals. The main species used were mice (77%) and rats (21%). The most common method of TNF pathway modulation was TNF pathway inactivation, achieved using neutralizing antibodies or knock-out mice. TNF pathway inactivation was primarily associated with a deleterious role of TNF, whereas TNF injection was associated with a protective role. Lipopolysaccharide injection was the most used stimulus to establish a sepsis model (42%) and was strongly associated with a deleterious role of TNF. Conversely, live bacterial models, especially the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, pneumonia, meningitis, and gastrointestinal infection, were associated with a protective role. This was particularly evident for Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella. pneumoniae, Salmonella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida spp.
Conclusion:
The role of TNF during infection varies depending on the experimental model used. Models that mimic clinical conditions, based on virulent bacteria that cause high mortality even at low inocula, demonstrated a protective role of TNF. Conversely, models based on LPS or low-pathogenic live bacteria, administered at doses well above physiological thresholds and combined with early antibiotic therapy, were associated with a deleterious role.
24-hour movement behaviors and physical health in preschoolers: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation analysis
Authors: Chang Zhenya , Wang Ling , Wang Shuming
Published: May 2024

Purpose
Explore systematically whether preschool children’s movement behaviors were relevant to physical health, as well as the dose effect between the time change in movement behaviors and physical health.
Method
Preschool children (n = 382) from kindergarten in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province in Central China were recruited, measures included accelerometer-derived 24-hour movement behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], light physical activity [LPA], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], daytime sleep[DSP] and nighttime sleep [NSP]), physical health determined by China’s National Physical health Tests Standards Manual. Compositional data statistics was employed for analysis, with significance set at p < .05.
Results
The isotemporal substitution for preschool children’s other behaviors with MVPA has all played an active role in physical health, with the isotemporal substitution for LPA being the best. When MVPA is fixed, both DSP isotemporal substitutes SB and LPA and NSP isotemporal substitutes LPA have certain health benefits.
Conclusions
Findings reinforce the key role of MVPA for children’s health, however, future educators should attach great importance to behaviors as a whole with constant maintenance and promotion when improving preschool children’s physical health levels, and the most effective approach is by increasing MVPA and lowering LPA.
Triglyceride-glucose index predicts new-onset chronic kidney disease: a 13-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Kangbo , Qi Qi , Li Xinyi , Yue Bocheng , Yang Bo , Tian Liying , Wang Nan , Wu Shouling , Han Quanle
Published: May 2024

Background and purposeThe triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index serves as a convenient surrogate marker for insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is unknown whether TyG index may potentially predict CKD in the general population. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to characterize the role of TyG index in prediction of new-onset CKD in a large community-based prospective cohort study.Methods/patientsThe study encompassed a total of 85,569 individuals from the Kailuan study who free of CKD. A total of 85,569 individuals were categorized into quartiles according to TyG index. The association between TyG index and the risk of CKD were analyzed by multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline analysis.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 13.9 years (interquartile range: 13.55-14.17 years), a total of 7856 (4.05%) incident CKD were recorded. The incidence rate of new-onset CKD increased substantially with the quartiles of TyG index. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that a higher TyG index quartile was associated with an elevated risk of new-onset CKD. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that a high TyG index was significantly associated with the risk of CKD in female, lower BMI (＜28), diabetes patients and smokers. Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear association between the baseline TyG index and the risk of new-onset CKD.Conclusionsa high TyG index is significantly associated with an increased incidence of new-onset CKD in the general population of North China. Monitoring longitudinal trends in TyG index could assist prediction of incident CKD.
The impact of weather anomalies on violence in the subtropics: A cross-national comparison
Authors: Breetzke Gregory , Corcoran Jonathan
Published: May 2024

Cross-national studies examining the relationship between weather and crime are rare. Reasons are manifold but include the differences in countries due to geographical, climatic, and seasonal variations. In contrast in this study we examine the causal impact of temperature and rainfall anomalies on violent crime in two locations located in comparable geographic and climatic zones: Khayelitsha (in South Africa) and Ipswich (in Australia). We use ANOVA and Tukey's tests to identify statistical meaningful differences (if any) in the impact of these weather anomalies on crime alongside the use of visualisations capturing the anomalous weather-violence relationship in these two contexts. Results show some similarities but also notable differences between locations which we attribute to their inherent socio-demographic differences which we expand upon. We conclude by highlighting the benefits of cross-national crime research, and motivate for its increased application in future research of this nature.
Dephosphorylated uncarboxylated Matrix-Gla-Protein and vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension: an immunological connection
Authors: Tobal R. , Potjewijd J. , Vries F. , Doorn D. P.C. , Jaminon A. , Bittner R. , Akbulut C. , Empel V. , Heeringa P. , Damoiseaux J. , Schurgers L. , Paassen P.
Published: May 2024

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. Since dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-Protein (dp-ucMGP) is associated with cardiovascular mortality in systemic sclerosis, a disease associated with PAH, and immune-system involvement in PAH is increasingly recognized, we investigated the relationship between dp-ucMGP, vascular remodeling and soluble immune-checkpoint proteins in PAH. This prospective cohort study included patients with idiopathic (I)PAH, connective tissue disease (CTD)-PAH, chronic thrombo-embolic PH (CTEPH) and CTD patients without PAH. Patients with IPAH and CTD-PAH were stratified by clinical signs of immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). We measured dp-ucMGP plasma levels, soluble immune-checkpoint proteins (sICPs), and vascular smooth muscle cell (iVSMC) calcification. We found elevated dp-ucMGP levels in all PAH subtypes and CTD patients compared to healthy controls. PAH patients showed increased iVSMC calcification, but no direct correlation was found with dp-ucMGP. IMID-PAH patients had higher dp-ucMGP levels than non-IMID PAH patients. dp-ucMGP correlated with several sICPs in both IPAH and CTD patients; multiple sICPs were elevated in IMID PAH patients. High dp-ucMGP levels in IPAH patients were associated with worse survival. Our findings suggest dp-ucMGP as a potential biomarker of immune-mediated vascular remodeling in PAH. Hence, dp-ucMGP, could help identify PAH patients who might benefit from immunosuppressive therapies.
Comparative Efficacy of Citric acid/Tartaric acid/Malic acid Additive based Polyvinyl alcohol-Starch Composite Films
Authors: Das Aritra , Saha Muktashree , Gupta Manish Kumar , Rangan Latha , Uppaluri Ramagopal , Das Chandan
Published: May 2024

In this work, these alternate organic acids are blended into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-Starch (St) polymer composite to increase the cross-linking, plasticizing, and antibacterial capability of the polymer network. The most expensive of these three organic acids is TA, followed by MA and CA. The MA-based PVA composite films outperformed the CA-based PVA compo-site film in terms of absorbency (739.29%), mechanical strength (4.88 MPa), and elasticity (103.68%) among the three alternative organic acid-based PVA composite films. Furthermore, following a 24-hour incubation period, the MA-based films showed the highest proliferative effect of 215.59% for HEK cells. MA has been determined to be the most pertinent organic acid going forward to optimize the physical and biological properties, cost, and composition of the film.
Stress mitigation and phyto-accumulation of iron in different leafy vegetables irrigated with treated municipal solid waste and health risk repercussions in human
Authors: Ashfaq Asma , Khan Zafar Iqbal , Ahmad Kafeel , Shah Anis Ali , Abbas Toqeer , Gatasheh Mansour K. , Shafique Shifa , Riaz Naila
Published: May 2024

Heavy metal pollution of soil is a growing environmental issue due to irrigation with untreated municipal and industrial waste-water, vehicle emissions, and other activities in Pakistan. Agricultural and urban soil, being the prime part of the environment, acts as a chief reservoir or sink of pollutants, including heavy metals, in the food chain. Interest in using urban waste composts as amendments in urban agriculture is growing nowadays. Concerns about the potential transference of pollutants present in urban waste to the food chain are very relevant when they are recycled for food or animal feed production. To carry out the present study, soil and plant samples were collected from the site. Then, to measure the iron (Fe) contents in the edible portion of vegetables along with selected soil physicochemical parameters, wet acid digestion with a nitric acid/perchloric acid mixture was performed. The digested samples and all the supernatants were analyzed for heavy metals using the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). Heavy metal (Fe) shows a significant build-up in the vegetables as when grown on the municipal solid waste amended soil. Various indices such as PLI, BCF, DIM, HRI were calculated, and results showed that PLI was above 1, indicating that metal was causing pollution in selected samples, while the values of BCF, DIM, and HRI were within the permissible range.
Research on microscopic parameter characteristics based on Cambridge-like model
Authors: Yue Feng , Wei Zhenhai , Dong Jianhua , Wang Ying
Published: May 2024

The Cambridge model reveals the basic characteristics of saturated remolded soil and establishes the constitutive equation of soil, which is one of the most important models in soil mechanics. However, the Cambridge model is still a phenomenological macroscopic model, which cannot consider the influence of soil microstructure. In this paper, based on the basic theory of complex material mechanics, a microscopic model of materials is established by point element method, and the governing equations of strain energy density function and state set function of material structure are obtained. Through simplified analysis, an envelope surface equation describing the set of structural states of the material is obtained. It is found that the envelope surface equation is similar to the Cambridge model critical state surface equation. This state envelope surface can not only reflect the similar characteristics of the Cambridge model, but also introduce the microscopic characteristic parameters of materials, so that the Cambridge theory describing the macroscopic properties of materials can be developed into a macro-microscopic method describing the properties of materials at multiple scales. More importantly, the Cambridge model is built based on experiments, and the macromicro equation obtained here is derived from the basic theory of complex material mechanics.
Mortality Risk Associated with Liver Fibrosis in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Surgery: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jamalinia Mohamad , Mirhosseini Seyed Alireza , Ranjbar Maryam , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Hosseinzadeh Ahmad
Published: May 2024

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) poses a significant health risk due to its silent nature and high mortality upon rupture. The Fib-4 index, initially designed for liver fibrosis assessment, presents potential beyond its scope. This study aims to investigate the correlation between FIB-4 and mortality risk, exploring its utility as a risk predictor for enhanced clinical management. This retrospective longitudinal research studied 141 AAA open repair surgery patients (92% male, mean age of 70 years (SD: 11.5)) from October 2016 to September 2021 for a median duration of 35 months of follow up (IQR: 0.7–56.6).All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for each Fib-4 cut-off between 1.5 and 3.25.FIB-4 cut-off range of 2.58–2.74 was associated with higher mortality risk in adjusted HR. Specifically, the HR for patients with a baseline FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.06–3.00). Furthermore, FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 was significantly associated with a baseline aneurysm size ≥ 8cm [OR = 2.67 (95% CI: 1.17–6.09)].FIB-4 was independently associated with a higher mortality risk and higher aneurysm size. These findings suggest that FIB-4 assessment in clinical practice may enhance risk profiling, aiding in more precise stratification and management strategies for AAA patients.
Effectiveness of Diphoterine in the Treatment of Ocular Alkali Burns in Workers in a Brazilian Alumina Refinery
Authors: Farias Roberta Jansen de Mello , Duailibe Jorge Luís , Luz Isaac Ébano Figueiredo
Published: May 2024

Purpose: To assess ocular findings after alkali burns and the effects of diphoterine (Diphoterine®) on the injured eyes of twenty-three workers in a Brazilian alumina refinery.
Participants: Twenty-three of the 1486 workers who had accidental ocular chemical burns were included in this study.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study over twenty-three of the 1486 workers from an Alumina Company who had accidental ocular chemical burns. The workers were frequently trained to immediately rinse thei eyes and skin using diphoterine solutions on the event of exposure to chemical splashes. However, only twenty-two of the twenty-three patients who were exposed in this type of accident, immediately rinsed their eyes and skin with diphoterine solutions after chemical exposure. During ophthalmology consultation, combined corticosteroids and antibiotic eye drops (Moxyfloxacine 0.3% and dexamethasone), preservative-free lubricant eye drops, and 1g daily oral vitamin C were prescribed to all patients. Depending on the presence of de-epithelization and corneal edema, oral doxycycline 100mg twice daily, 1mg/kg oral prednisone, therapeutic contact lenses, and autologous serum eye drops were prescribed.
Main Outcome Measures: visual acuity, degree of inflammation, degree of limbal ischemia and deepithelization
Results
Twenty -two of twenty- three workers who promptly washed their eyes with diphoterine solution had no important permanent sequelae and had considerable recovery of vision. One worker who delayed the initial primary care treatment with diphoterine by almost 15 min had permanent corneal opacity and limbal and scleral ischemia, which required further surgeries to improve visual acuity. Two other workers had Autologous Limbal Transplant (CLAU) for Complete improvement of cornea transparency and its visual acuity.
Conclusions: Diphoterine, when used during the first few seconds after chemical exposure, may reduce the incidence of sequelae of ocular chemical injury. All patients were reconducted to work with restored vision.
Subnormal subgroups of almost locally simple artinian algebras with involutions
Authors: Hue Dau Thi , Khanh Huynh Viet , Hai Bui Xuan
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we investigate subnormal subgroups of the multiplicative group of an almost locally simple artinian algebra with involution. In particular, we show that if either the set of traces or the set of norms of such a subgroup with respect to this involution is central, then the algebra must be either a quaternion division algebra or the matrix ring of degree 2 over a field.
Mathematics Subject Classification: 16K20. 16K40. 16W10. 16R20
Computational Insights into Mechanism and Kinetics of Organic Reactions: Multiscale Modeling of SN2 and Claisen Rearrangements
Authors: Dehabadi Maryam Haji , Saidi Hamid , Zafari Faezeh , Irani Mehdi
Published: May 2024

This study explores the application of quantum mechanical (QM) and multiscale computational methods in elucidating the reaction mechanisms and kinetics of SN2 reactions and the Claisen rearrangement. The aim is to assess the accuracy and efficacy of these methods in predicting experimental outcomes for these organic reactions. By employing various variants of QM/MM, QM1/QM2, and QM1/QM2/MM methodologies, we investigated the mechanisms and kinetics parameters involving methyl iodide with NH2OH and NH2O− for SN2 reactions, as well as the Claisen rearrangement of 8-(vinyloxy)dec-9-enoate. Our results emphasize the importance of explicitly considering solvent effects in the calculations for accurate reproduction of transition state geometry and energetics, particularly evident in SN2 reactions. Multiscale methods, notably QM/MM and QM1/QM2, demonstrated promising performance in predicting activation energies, with some variants showing close agreement with experimental values. Additionally, the study highlights the significant influence of the MM active region size on the accuracy of calculated activation energies. For the Claisen rearrangement, both QM-only and multiscale methods successfully reproduced the proposed reaction mechanism, although discrepancies were observed in the calculated activation free energies. This study underscores the critical role of method selection and setup parameters in computational chemistry studies, with implications for future research aimed at refining computational models to improve predictive capabilities in organic reaction studies. Additionally, a Python code for setting up multiscale calculations with ORCA is introduced, available on GitHub at https://github.com/iranimehdi/pdbtoORCA.
Trends and influencing factors of complementary feeding practices in Niger: An analysis of national surveys from 2000 - 2018
Authors: Shakya Evaniya , Ngoutane Raphia Moluh , Sodjinou Roger , Kaligirwa Christine , Dain Anne-Sophie Le , Garg Aashima , Zagre Noel , Kodish Stephen R. , Na Muzi
Published: May 2024

Background
To examine the trends and influencing factors of complementary feeding (CF) practices among Nigerien children aged 6–23 months between 2000–2018.
Methods
Using the 2000 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 2006 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), 2012 DHS, and 2018 Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) survey, we estimated the trends of four WHO-UNICEF CF indicators: timely introduction of complementary foods (INTRO), minimum meal frequency (MMF), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). The analysis included youngest singleton infants and children aged 6–23 months living with their mothers. We identified risk factors associated with meeting the WHO-UNICEF CF indicators using modified Poisson regression models using DHS 2012.
Results
The proportion of infants and children meeting INTRO (53.7–81.8%), MMF (53.6–78.2%), MDD (9.7–24.1%), and MAD (5.8–13.0%) increased between 2012–2018. In 2012, older children and mothers who listened to the radio had a higher prevalence of meeting MMF, MDD, and MAD. Children of employed mothers had a higher prevalence of meeting INTRO, MDD, and MAD. Child vitamin A supplementation, child iron supplementation, and mothers watching TV were associated with MMF, MDD, and MAD respectively. Poorer wealth quintiles were associated with lower prevalence of meeting MDD and MAD.
Conclusions
The modifiable risk factors of suboptimal CF include child micronutrient supplementation, maternal employment, and household wealth. As CF practices remain inadequate in Niger, emphasis should be given to multisectoral strategies that target these modifiable risk factors.
Acid concentration, low and high valent sulfate anion, and solvent effects on polaronic transitions and conductivity of new poly (ortho-methoxyaniline) nanocomposites
Authors: Modarresi-Alam Ali Reza , Shariati Ilnaz , Khamooshi Ferydoon
Published: May 2024

The aim of this research is to the identification of the changes in anion- and solvent-dependent polaronic transitions and the ratio of acid to monomer during the polymerization of new poly(ortho-methoxyaniline)nanosilica-supported sulfuric acid emeraldine salt1/salt2(POMA-NSSSA-ES1/ES2) nanocomposites. The synthesis is done by doping poly(ortho-methoxyaniline)-emeraldine base(POMA-EB) in the presence of nanosilica-supported sulfuric acid(NSSSA) under solid-state conditions. The structure, size, and morphology of all samples were identified using spectroscopy methods. Effect of acid concentration(0.5, 1.5, and 2.0) and low- and high-valent sulfate anion(H2SO4/HSO4- Vs. HSO4-/SO42-) on polaronic transitions of poly(ortho-methoxyaniline) nanocomposites in different solvents(NMP, MCR, DMSO and MeOH) and conductivity were studied and changes in polaron mutations under changing conditions were analyzed. Changes in polaron mutations under changing conditions were analyzed. Increasing the acid concentration compared to the monomer increases the absorption number in the UV-Vis study along with the red shift and bathochromic effect in low acid concentration and hyperchromic effect in high acid concentration for polaronic transition. The anion effect proved that by increasing the negative charge of the anion (SO42-) due to the limiting potential of the polaron and bipolaron structures, it prevents the creation of delocalized polaron structure with no change in a decrease and limitation of the POMA-NSSSA-ES2 nanocomposite conductivity. Results showed that the average size of nanocomposite particle obtained by this method was a range of 40-50 nm the morphology of nanocomposites was spherical (nanospheres) and POMA-NSSSA nanocomposites are completely in a doped state and the emeraldine salt from of POMA. During this research, for the first time, the polaronic orbital energy level was determined.
The Merrifield-Simmons Index of Two Classes of Silicate Molecular Graphs
Authors: Zhang Hailiang , Liu Lu
Published: May 2024

Graph theory is of great use in modeling chemistry structures. In chemistry and physics, the silicate are the largest, the most interesting and the most completed class of minerals, and are the component of the common rock-forming minerals. The tetrahedron SiO4 is fundamental unit of silicates. The corner vertices are oxygen atoms and the center atom is the silicon atom. In this paper, we compute the Merrifield-Simmons index of two classes of silicate molecular graphs. We also show that these two classed molecular have the same independence entropy. The difference of matching entropy and the independence entropy is (log 2)/3.