This article presents a mathematical model addressing a scenario involving a hybrid nanofluid flow between two infinite parallel plates.One plate remains stationary,while the other moves downward at a squeezing veloci...This article presents a mathematical model addressing a scenario involving a hybrid nanofluid flow between two infinite parallel plates.One plate remains stationary,while the other moves downward at a squeezing velocity.The space between these plates contains a Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium.A mixture of water-based fluid with gold(Au)and silicon dioxide(Si O2)nanoparticles is formulated.In contrast to the conventional Fourier's heat flux equation,this study employs the Cattaneo-Christov heat flux equation.A uniform magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the flow direction,invoking magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)effects.Further,the model accounts for Joule heating,which is the heat generated when an electric current passes through the fluid.The problem is solved via NDSolve in MATHEMATICA.Numerical and statistical analyses are conducted to provide insights into the behavior of the nanomaterials between the parallel plates with respect to the flow,energy transport,and skin friction.The findings of this study have potential applications in enhancing cooling systems and optimizing thermal management strategies.It is observed that the squeezing motion generates additional pressure gradients within the fluid,which enhances the flow rate but reduces the frictional drag.Consequently,the fluid is pushed more vigorously between the plates,increasing the flow velocity.As the fluid experiences higher flow rates due to the increased squeezing effect,it spends less time in the region between the plates.The thermal relaxation,however,abruptly changes the temperature,leading to a decrease in the temperature fluctuations.展开更多
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an ongoing impact on the public’s mental health that requires long-term attention.Exploring the relationship between mental health indicators would aid in iden...BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an ongoing impact on the public’s mental health that requires long-term attention.Exploring the relationship between mental health indicators would aid in identifying solutions to improve public mental health.AIM To investigate the prevalence of anxiety,depression,and insomnia and explore the relationship among neuroticism,cognitive failures,and mental health.METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2023 using an online platform to recruit adult participants.The neuroticism,subjective cognitive function,and mental health of the participants were assessed using the neuroticism subscale of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory Brief Version,cognitive failures questionnaire,generalized anxiety disorder-7,patient health questionnaire-9,and insomnia severity index.Pearson's correlation analysis,independent samples t-tests,one-way analysis of variance,and structural equation model were used to examine the relationship between mental health indicators.RESULTS A total of 1011 valid questionnaires were collected,of which 343 were completed by male(33.93%)respondents and 668 were completed by female(66.07%)respondents.The rates of anxiety,depression,and insomnia were 41.3%,44.6%,and 36.3%,respectively,most cases of which were mild.Among the mental health indicators,there were significant differences by age and between those with siblings and those who were only children.Neuroticism and cognitive failures were significantly positively correlated with mental health indicators.Further moderated mediation analysis showed that cognitive failures mediated the relationship between insomnia and anxiety and between insomnia and depression,with neuroticism moderating the first half of this pathway and the effect being greater in the low-neuroticism group.CONCLUSION Cognitive failures and neuroticism play important roles in mental health.Therefore,enhancing subjective cognitive function and regulating emotional stability may contribute to the improvement of mental health.展开更多
Essex-Lopresti injury is characterized by a radial head fracture accompanied by dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint and rupture of the interosseous membrane(IOM).This type of injury typically results from high-...Essex-Lopresti injury is characterized by a radial head fracture accompanied by dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint and rupture of the interosseous membrane(IOM).This type of injury typically results from high-energy axial forces transmitted through the wrist to the elbow,leading to tears in the IOM,fractures of the radial head,injuries to the distal radioulnar joint,and disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex,ultimately causing axial instability of the radioulnar joint.Due to its complexity,this injury is often overlooked in clinical settings,with a reported misdiagnosis rate as high as 60%.In pediatric cases,the misdiagnosis rate is even higher due to children's limited ability to articulate symptoms,the presence of substantial cartilaginous structures that have not fully ossified,and less typical radiographic findings compared to adults.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the injury mechanism,clinical presentation,diagnosis,and treatment of Essex-Lopresti injuries in children,emphasizing the importance for pediatric orthopedists to recognize and manage this condition accurately to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.展开更多
Habit formation is essential for environmental preservation and sustainability as it promotes consistent,long-term engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.Habitual pro-environmental behaviors contribute to the estab...Habit formation is essential for environmental preservation and sustainability as it promotes consistent,long-term engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.Habitual pro-environmental behaviors contribute to the establishment of social norms,encouraging communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles collectively.As more people integrate environmentally conscious practices into their daily routines,the broader cultural shift toward sustainability becomes more pronounced.This paper explored the experiences of environmental advocates of sustainability,emphasizing habit formation as a fundamental driver of long-term ecological responsibility.Environmental advocates(n=20)from the Visayas,Philippines,were purposively sampled for interviews.Participants expressed a deep personal commitment to sustainability as a lifelong responsibility.Participants actively promoted sustainability through education,advocating for responsible consumption,and participating in community-driven environmental initiatives.When individuals develop habits such as energy conservation,waste reduction,and responsible consumption,these actions become second nature,requiring minimal cognitive effort to sustain over time.This consistency is vital in addressing environmental challenges,as one-time actions are insufficient to create lasting change.Collaborative initiatives,community engagement,and institutional support are essential for achieving lasting environmental impact.Nevertheless,the findings can inform educational programs,policy-making,and community-driven sustainability initiatives,reinforcing the idea that both individual actions and collective efforts are necessary to address environmental challenges effectively.展开更多
In the current research,a thorough examination unfolds concerning the attributes of magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)boundary layer flow and heat transfer inherent to nanoliquids derived from Sisko Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg and TiO_(2)-E...In the current research,a thorough examination unfolds concerning the attributes of magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)boundary layer flow and heat transfer inherent to nanoliquids derived from Sisko Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg and TiO_(2)-Eg compositions.Such nanoliquids are subjected to an extending surface.Consideration is duly given to slip boundary conditions,as well as the effects stemming from variable viscosity and variable thermal conductivity.The analytical approach applied involves the application of suitable similarity transformations.These conversions serve to transform the initial set of complex nonlinear partial differential equations into a more manageable assembly of ordinary differential equations.Through the utilization of the FEM,these reformulated equations are solved,considering the specified boundary conditions.The outcomes attained are graphically depicted by means of plots and tables.These visual aids facilitate a comprehensive exploration of how diverse parameters exert influence over the distributions of velocity,temperature,and concentration.Furthermore,detailed scrutiny is directed towards the fluctuations characterizing pivotal parameters,viz.,Nusselt number,skin-friction coefficient,and Sherwood number.It is identified that the Nusselt number showcases a diminishing trend coinciding with increasing values of the volume fraction parameter(φ).This trend remains consistent regardless of whether the nanoliquid under consideration is Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg or TiO_(2)-Eg based.In contrast,both the skin-friction coefficient and Sherwood number assume lower values as the volume fraction parameter(φ)escalates.This pattern remains congruent across both classifications of nanoliquids.The findings of the study impart valuable insights into the complex interplay governing the characteristics of HMT pertaining to Sisko Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg and TiO_(2)-Eg nanoliquids along an extending surface.展开更多
Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease related to long-lasting and tremendous effects on patient’s health in China, which is generally considered as a huge economic burden not only for patients but also for t...Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease related to long-lasting and tremendous effects on patient’s health in China, which is generally considered as a huge economic burden not only for patients but also for their caregivers and the whole society. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an analysis of cost. Previous cost-of-illness (COI) studies have already provided some useful information on the economic burden that schizophrenia brought to global society, including China. Objectives: This systematic review aims to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the economic burden of schizophrenia in China. Method: A literature review was performed through CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, EMBASE and Medline databases to identify COI studies published between 2010-2024. The primary outcome of this review was societal cost per schizophrenia patient by cost component, including direct medical costs, non-medical costs and indirect medical costs. Results: 14 COI studies in schizophrenia were identified, covering 7 municipalities and 8 provinces of China. The annual societal cost per patient ranged from 10,765 CNY in Zhejiang province to 406,382 CNY in Xuancheng city (Anhui province). The ratio of indirect cost ranged from 66.6% to 96.8%. The main cost drivers were the productivity losses. There was an enormous heterogeneity between societal cost estimations that could be interpreted by the difference in economic state and regional healthcare resource allocation. Conclusions: This review highlights the large economic burden of schizophrenia in varied areas in China. Substantial cost variation was observed both nationwide and globally, which may be caused by the varied economic situation and healthcare policy. Limitation of this review was summarized, which may provide a useful guidance for the future COI studies in China.展开更多
Artemisia annua,known for its malarial properties,has been central to Madagascar's agricultural economy and traditional healing cultures for centuries.As demand for artemisinin-based treatments for malaria has con...Artemisia annua,known for its malarial properties,has been central to Madagascar's agricultural economy and traditional healing cultures for centuries.As demand for artemisinin-based treatments for malaria has continued to grow globally,Madagascar has emerged as a key supplier of Artemisia annua for global pharmaceutical markets,reinforcing the plant’s national significance.This paper explores the growth and evolution of Artemisia annua cultivation in the country,focusing especially on the recent introduction of synthetic artemisinin and the subsequent cultural,economic,and environmental impacts.It examines the challenges faced by Malagasy farmers and local healers with particular focus on issues such as artemisinin resistance,commercial exploitation,and the growing tension between traditional knowledge and modern biotechnology.Ultimately,this paper explores the complexities of balancing economic development,cultural preservation,and global health needs,offering insight into the broader implications for sustainable pharmaceutical sourcing and the future of traditional medicine in an increasingly globalized world.展开更多
BACKGROUND Lenvatinib has become an indispensable part of treatment regimens for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(aHCC).Several recent real-world studies appear to have confirmed this;however,there are ...BACKGROUND Lenvatinib has become an indispensable part of treatment regimens for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(aHCC).Several recent real-world studies appear to have confirmed this;however,there are etiological differences.This necessitates further real-world studies of lenvatinib across diverse populations,such as in China.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in a Chinese HCC patient population under real-world conditions.METHODS This is a retrospective and multiregional study involving patients with aHCC receiving lenvatinib monotherapy.Efficacy was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1.Baseline characteristics and adverse events(AEs)were recorded throughout the entire study.RESULTS In total,54 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib monotherapy were included for final analysis.The objective response rate was 22%(n=12)with a progressionfree survival(PFS)of 168 d;however,AEs occurred in 92.8%of patients.Multivariate analysis showed that the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage[hazard ratio(HR)0.465;95%CI:0.23-0.93;P=0.031],portal vein tumor thrombus(HR 0.38;95%CI:0.15-0.94;P=0.037)and Child-Pugh classifications(HR 0.468;95%CI:and specificity(83.3%)of decreasing serum biomarkers including alphafetoprotein were calculated in order to predict tumor size reduction.Gene sequencing also provided insights into potential gene mutation signatures related to the effect of lenvatinib.CONCLUSION Our findings confirm previous evidence from the phase III REFLECT study.The majority of patients in this Chinese sample were suffering from concomitant hepatitis B virus-related HCC.However,further analysis suggested that baseline characteristics,changes in serum biomarkers and gene sequencing may hold the key for predicting lenvatinib responses.Further large-scale prospective studies that incorporate more basic medical science measures should be conducted.展开更多
Jianglang Mountain is situated at the transitional zone of South China fold-system, Jiangshan-Shaoxing deep fracture zone and Baoan-Xiakou-Zhangcun fracture zone. The forming of the Xiakou basin was attributed to the ...Jianglang Mountain is situated at the transitional zone of South China fold-system, Jiangshan-Shaoxing deep fracture zone and Baoan-Xiakou-Zhangcun fracture zone. The forming of the Xiakou basin was attributed to the pull-apart fault depression by the above fractures in earlier Cretaceous, afterward, series deposits such as Guantou formation （K1g）, Chaochuan formation （K1c） and Fangyan formation （K1f） which belong to Yongkang group, the lower Cretaceous layer accumulated in the Xiakou basin. In late Cretaceous, the above fractures occurred to extrude and the basin began to uplift, meanwhile, amounts of tension fissures and joints were produced since Cenozoic, which accelerated water-dicing into bed-rock. Consequently, landform-building processing： weathering, eroding and collapsing etc. were prevalent as finally to develop the so-called Danxia landform. The Jianglang Mountain landscape zone of the Danxia landform to apply for world natural relics are relying on unique and unparalleled peak, sky-split valley with vivid stones and reviving of platform. What is more, there is significance of study at lithology, stratigraphy and paleo-biology. According to dating for specimen of ophitic vein through-crossing the Yongkang group of Yafeng Peak by K-Ar method, this article revealed the uplift age of red-bed basin to be 77.89±2.6 MaBP （K2） i.e. late Cretaceous, and it is the first chronological datum of Danxia landform research in China.展开更多
The prominent types of Danxia landform in Fangyan include enclosed valleys, mesas, peaks, stone columns and grooves etc. Their spatial combinations have regular configurations along the northwest–southeast direction:...The prominent types of Danxia landform in Fangyan include enclosed valleys, mesas, peaks, stone columns and grooves etc. Their spatial combinations have regular configurations along the northwest–southeast direction: typical grooves and caves are located in the northwestern Wufengshuyuan mainly; abundant fresh collapsed stones may be observed in central Jimingfeng and Taohuafeng; stone drums and stone columns are in the southeastern Shiguliao particularly; enclosed valleys are encircling joints of peaks and plains from three directions east, west, and south. Their spatial combinations reflect that the developments of Danxia landform have undergone stages of geomorphic cyclical erosion in the form of weathering, collapse, transportation, sedimentation and other processes, together with the "sculpture" of external forces mainly as tectonic uplift. The picturesque Danxia landform began its formation at that point. Danxia landform developed mainly in the strata of Fangyan Formation (K1f) caused by the alluvial fan-braided river phase of anterior fan in the late period of the Early Cretaceous. Regular patterns of weathering of stones and features of braided alluvial phase sediments may be verified by the analysis of three groups of experimental data. Danxia landform of Fangyan is a unique representative of the "adolescent" development type in the application of the World Natural Heritages status in China, by virtue of its outstanding universal aesthetic and scientific value.展开更多
Linear and weakly nonlinear analyses are made for the Rayleigh-Benard convection in two-component couple-stress liquids with the Soret effect. Conditions for pitchfork, Hopf, Takens-Bogdanov, and codimension-two bifur...Linear and weakly nonlinear analyses are made for the Rayleigh-Benard convection in two-component couple-stress liquids with the Soret effect. Conditions for pitchfork, Hopf, Takens-Bogdanov, and codimension-two bifurcations are presented. The Lorenz model is used to study the inverted bifurcation. Positive values of the Soret coefficient favor a pitchfork bifurcation, whereas negative values favor a Hopf bifurcation. Takens-Bogdanov and codimension-two bifurcations are not as much influenced by the Soret coefficient as pitchfork and Hopf bifurcations. The influence of the Soret coefficient on the inverted bifurcation is similar to the influence on the pitchfork bifurcation. The in- fluence of other parameters on the aforementioned bifurcations is also similar as reported earlier in the literature. Using the Newell-Whitehead-Segel equation, the condition for occurrence of Eckhaus and zigzag secondary instabilities is obtained. The domain of ap- pearance of Eckhaus and zigzag instabilities expands due to the presence of the Soret coefficient for positive values. The Soret coefficient with negative values enhances heat transport, while positive values diminish it in comparison with heat transport for the case without the Soret effect. The dual nature of other parameters in influencing heat and mass transport is shown by considering positive and negative values of the Soret coefficient.展开更多
The unprecedented healthcare demand due to sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has almost collapsed the health care systems especially in the developing world. Given the disastrous outbreak...The unprecedented healthcare demand due to sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has almost collapsed the health care systems especially in the developing world. Given the disastrous outbreak of COVID-19 second wave in India, the health system of country was virtually at the brink of collapse. Therefore, to identify the factors that resulted into breakdown and the challenges, Indian healthcare system faced during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, this paper analysed the health system challenges in India and the way forward in accordance with the six building blocks of world health organization (WHO). Applying integrated review approach, we found that the factors such as poor infrastructure, inadequate financing, lack of transparency and poor healthcare management resulted into the overstretching of healthcare system in India. Although health system in India faced these challenges from the very beginning, but early lessons from first wave should have been capitalized to avert the much deeper crisis in the second wave of the pandemic. To sum-up given the likely future challenges of pandemic, while healthcare should be prioritized with adequate financing, strong capacity-building measures and integration of public and private sectors in India. Likewise fiscal stimulus, risk assessment, data availability and building of human resources chain are other key factors to be strengthened for mitigating the future healthcare crisis in country.展开更多
The aim of this paper is two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic viscous fluid bounded by infinite sheets to examine the Dufour and Soret effects on the （MHD） steady flow of an electrically conducting An incompressible...The aim of this paper is two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic viscous fluid bounded by infinite sheets to examine the Dufour and Soret effects on the （MHD） steady flow of an electrically conducting An incompressible viscous fluid fills the porous space. The mathematical analysis is performed in the presence of viscous dissipation, Joule heating, and a first-order chemical reaction. With suitable transformations, the governing partial differential equations through momentum, energy, and concentration laws are transformed into ordinary differential equations. The resulting equations are solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. The convergence of the series solutions is ensured. The effects of the emerging parameters, the skin friction coefficient, the Nusselt number, and the Sherwood number are analyzed on the dimensionless velocities, temperature, and concentration fields.展开更多
This study examines the impact of financial development on corporate investment in terms of their influence on financing constraints.This study also tries to find the effect of financial development on the investment-...This study examines the impact of financial development on corporate investment in terms of their influence on financing constraints.This study also tries to find the effect of financial development on the investment-cash flow sensitivity across the size,degree of financial constraints and group affiliation of the firm.This study employs dynamic panel data model or more specifically system generalized method of moments(GMM)estimation technique.The estimation results reveal that cash flow affects the investment decision of the company positively,which implies that Indian firms are financially constrained.Also,we observe that financial development reduces the investment-cash flow sensitivity and the effect of financial development is more prominent for small size and standalone firms.The results are robust across the period and,for both financially constrained and unconstrained firms.This study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the impact of financial development on the role of cash flow in determining investments undertaken by the Indian firms,which is an unexplored issue from an emerging market perspective.展开更多
Increase in population growth and the associated activities have increased the nutrient input to the Lake Victoria through atmosphere and river discharge. Atmospheric input of nutrient is believed to exceed that of ri...Increase in population growth and the associated activities have increased the nutrient input to the Lake Victoria through atmosphere and river discharge. Atmospheric input of nutrient is believed to exceed that of river discharge due to relatively higher contribution of water mass to the Lake from atmosphere. However, precipitation characteristics with respect to nutrients have not been well studied to allow qualification and quantification of atmospheric contribution to the Lake Victoria. This study was conducted to investigate influence of land use activities on spatial and temporal variation of nutrient inputs from atmosphere and to estimate atmospheric loading to the Lake Victoria. The results revealed that there is significant spatial and temporal variation of nutrient deposition in the study area. High concentrations of nutrients were observed during short rains starting from September to December. This was attributed to dissolution of nutrients from soil particals and ash residues due to biomass burning accumulated in the atmosphere during dry season of June to August. Spatial variation of nutrients reflects land use activities. Urban and peri-urban areas showed very high concentration of nitrate nitrogen due to industrial and vehicle emission while rural area showed high concentration of phosphorous species and reduced forms of nitrogen species reflecting agricultural activities and animal keeping. Generally, nutrient deposition load was higher in rural area compared to urban with respective values of 15.5 and 13.9 kg·haˉ1·yˉ1 for total nitrogen and 6.1 and 2.8 kg·haˉ1·yˉ1 for total phosphorous. These results suggest that in order to realize significant reduction of nutrient input to the Lake Victoria, measures should be taken to control agricultural activities through proper land use planning. The measure may be directed to reduce biomass burning, emission from industries and vehicle as well as animal residue.展开更多
This paper discusses the genesis and transference of Traditional Chinese Medicine from China and Asia to Europe.It looks specifically at the ways in which TCM was initially discovered and how it reach medical circles ...This paper discusses the genesis and transference of Traditional Chinese Medicine from China and Asia to Europe.It looks specifically at the ways in which TCM was initially discovered and how it reach medical circles in Europe.It also looks at the reasons why it became popular in the historical context and specifically at the presence of TCM in Britain.Finally,this paper briefly traces the booms and slumps in the popularity of TCM and its place in modern medical practices in the Uk and Europe.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effects of mild hypothermia on cerebral oxygen metabolism and brain injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods: A total of 78 patients with severe craniocerebral injury...Objective: To investigate the effects of mild hypothermia on cerebral oxygen metabolism and brain injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods: A total of 78 patients with severe craniocerebral injury who underwent emergency treatment in Huanggang Central Hospital between September 2015 and May 2017 were selected as the research subjects and divided into control group (n=39) and mild hypothermia group (n=39) by random number table. Control group received clinical standard large trauma craniotomy for severe craniocerebral injury, and mild hypothermia group received routine surgery and postoperative mild hypothermia therapy. The cerebral oxygen metabolism and brain injury in two groups of patients were detected immediately after admission (T0), 1 week after treatment (T1) and 4 weeks after treatment (T2). Results: At T0, there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of cerebral oxygen metabolism indexes, cerebral blood flow parameters and brain injury markers between the two groups. At T1 and T2, PO2 levels in mild hypothermia group were higher than those in control group while Da-jvO2 levels were lower than those in control group;cerebral blood flow parameters Vs and Wv levels were higher than those in control group while PI levels were lower than those in control group;brain injury markers MBP, AQP-4 and S-100B contents were lower than those in control group while BDNF contents were higher than those in control group. Conclusion: Adjuvant mild hypothermia therapy after routine surgery may further reduce the cerebral oxygen metabolism and relieve the brain injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury.展开更多
The magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） flow of the third grade fluid between two permeable disks with heat transfer is investigated. The governing partial differential equa- tions are converted into the ordinary differential...The magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） flow of the third grade fluid between two permeable disks with heat transfer is investigated. The governing partial differential equa- tions are converted into the ordinary differential equations by suitable transformations. The transformed equations are solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. The expressions for square residual errors are defined, and the optimal values of convergence- control parameters are selected. The dimensionless velocity and temperature fields are examined for various dimensionless parameters. The skin friction coefficient and the Nus- selt number are tabulated to analyze the effects of dimensionless parameters.展开更多
The emphasis on the simplification of cognitive and motor tasks by recent results of morphological computation has rendered possible the construction of appropriate“mimetic bodies”able to render accompanied computat...The emphasis on the simplification of cognitive and motor tasks by recent results of morphological computation has rendered possible the construction of appropriate“mimetic bodies”able to render accompanied computations simpler,according to a general appeal to the“simplexity”of animal embodied cognition.A new activity of what we can call“distributed computation”holds the promise of originating a new generation of robots with better adaptability and restricted number of required control parameters.The framework of distributed computation helps us see them in a more naturalized and prudent perspective,avoiding ontological or metaphysical considerations.Despite these progresses,there are still problems regarding the epistemological limitations of computational modeling remain to be solved.展开更多
One of the factors facilitating the expansion and proliferation of wild boar Sus scrofa is the plasticity of its reproductive biology.Nevertheless,the real influence of maternal and environmental factors on number and...One of the factors facilitating the expansion and proliferation of wild boar Sus scrofa is the plasticity of its reproductive biology.Nevertheless,the real influence of maternal and environmental factors on number and sex of the offspring is stll controversial.While the litter size was shown to be related with the maternal condition,the strength of this relation remains to be understood,together with the possible role played by environmental conditions.Analogously,it is unclear whether wild boar females can adjust their offspring sex.We investigated multiple aspects of wild boar maternal investment by means of a 10-year dataset of female reproductive traits and a set of biologically meaningful environmental variables.The maternal condition slightly affected the litter size but not the offspring sex,and environment did not affect the litter size or the offspring sex.Moreover,mothers did not cope with the higher costs entailed by producing sons by placing them in the most advantageous intrauterine position,nor by allocating less resources on daughters.Our set of results showed that the female reproductive investment is quite rigid in comparison with other aspects of wild boar reproductive biology.Wild boar females seem to adopt a typical rstrategy,producing constantly large litters and allocating resources on both sexes regardless of internal and external conditions.Such strategy may be adaptive to cope with environmental unpredictability and an intense human harvest,contributing to explain the extreme success of wild boar within human-dominated landscapes.展开更多
文摘This article presents a mathematical model addressing a scenario involving a hybrid nanofluid flow between two infinite parallel plates.One plate remains stationary,while the other moves downward at a squeezing velocity.The space between these plates contains a Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium.A mixture of water-based fluid with gold(Au)and silicon dioxide(Si O2)nanoparticles is formulated.In contrast to the conventional Fourier's heat flux equation,this study employs the Cattaneo-Christov heat flux equation.A uniform magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the flow direction,invoking magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)effects.Further,the model accounts for Joule heating,which is the heat generated when an electric current passes through the fluid.The problem is solved via NDSolve in MATHEMATICA.Numerical and statistical analyses are conducted to provide insights into the behavior of the nanomaterials between the parallel plates with respect to the flow,energy transport,and skin friction.The findings of this study have potential applications in enhancing cooling systems and optimizing thermal management strategies.It is observed that the squeezing motion generates additional pressure gradients within the fluid,which enhances the flow rate but reduces the frictional drag.Consequently,the fluid is pushed more vigorously between the plates,increasing the flow velocity.As the fluid experiences higher flow rates due to the increased squeezing effect,it spends less time in the region between the plates.The thermal relaxation,however,abruptly changes the temperature,leading to a decrease in the temperature fluctuations.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82271546 and No.82301744The Shanxi Province Science and Technology Innovation Think Tank Construction Research Project,No.KXKT202317+1 种基金Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province,No.202303021222346 and No.202103021223224The Research Foundation of The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University,No.YQ2208.
文摘BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had an ongoing impact on the public’s mental health that requires long-term attention.Exploring the relationship between mental health indicators would aid in identifying solutions to improve public mental health.AIM To investigate the prevalence of anxiety,depression,and insomnia and explore the relationship among neuroticism,cognitive failures,and mental health.METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2023 using an online platform to recruit adult participants.The neuroticism,subjective cognitive function,and mental health of the participants were assessed using the neuroticism subscale of the Chinese Big Five Personality Inventory Brief Version,cognitive failures questionnaire,generalized anxiety disorder-7,patient health questionnaire-9,and insomnia severity index.Pearson's correlation analysis,independent samples t-tests,one-way analysis of variance,and structural equation model were used to examine the relationship between mental health indicators.RESULTS A total of 1011 valid questionnaires were collected,of which 343 were completed by male(33.93%)respondents and 668 were completed by female(66.07%)respondents.The rates of anxiety,depression,and insomnia were 41.3%,44.6%,and 36.3%,respectively,most cases of which were mild.Among the mental health indicators,there were significant differences by age and between those with siblings and those who were only children.Neuroticism and cognitive failures were significantly positively correlated with mental health indicators.Further moderated mediation analysis showed that cognitive failures mediated the relationship between insomnia and anxiety and between insomnia and depression,with neuroticism moderating the first half of this pathway and the effect being greater in the low-neuroticism group.CONCLUSION Cognitive failures and neuroticism play important roles in mental health.Therefore,enhancing subjective cognitive function and regulating emotional stability may contribute to the improvement of mental health.
基金Supported by Science Project of Hunan Provincial Healthy Commission,No.20230844Science Project of Hunan Natural Science Foundation,No.2025JJ81181.
文摘Essex-Lopresti injury is characterized by a radial head fracture accompanied by dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint and rupture of the interosseous membrane(IOM).This type of injury typically results from high-energy axial forces transmitted through the wrist to the elbow,leading to tears in the IOM,fractures of the radial head,injuries to the distal radioulnar joint,and disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex,ultimately causing axial instability of the radioulnar joint.Due to its complexity,this injury is often overlooked in clinical settings,with a reported misdiagnosis rate as high as 60%.In pediatric cases,the misdiagnosis rate is even higher due to children's limited ability to articulate symptoms,the presence of substantial cartilaginous structures that have not fully ossified,and less typical radiographic findings compared to adults.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the injury mechanism,clinical presentation,diagnosis,and treatment of Essex-Lopresti injuries in children,emphasizing the importance for pediatric orthopedists to recognize and manage this condition accurately to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
文摘Habit formation is essential for environmental preservation and sustainability as it promotes consistent,long-term engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.Habitual pro-environmental behaviors contribute to the establishment of social norms,encouraging communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles collectively.As more people integrate environmentally conscious practices into their daily routines,the broader cultural shift toward sustainability becomes more pronounced.This paper explored the experiences of environmental advocates of sustainability,emphasizing habit formation as a fundamental driver of long-term ecological responsibility.Environmental advocates(n=20)from the Visayas,Philippines,were purposively sampled for interviews.Participants expressed a deep personal commitment to sustainability as a lifelong responsibility.Participants actively promoted sustainability through education,advocating for responsible consumption,and participating in community-driven environmental initiatives.When individuals develop habits such as energy conservation,waste reduction,and responsible consumption,these actions become second nature,requiring minimal cognitive effort to sustain over time.This consistency is vital in addressing environmental challenges,as one-time actions are insufficient to create lasting change.Collaborative initiatives,community engagement,and institutional support are essential for achieving lasting environmental impact.Nevertheless,the findings can inform educational programs,policy-making,and community-driven sustainability initiatives,reinforcing the idea that both individual actions and collective efforts are necessary to address environmental challenges effectively.
文摘In the current research,a thorough examination unfolds concerning the attributes of magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)boundary layer flow and heat transfer inherent to nanoliquids derived from Sisko Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg and TiO_(2)-Eg compositions.Such nanoliquids are subjected to an extending surface.Consideration is duly given to slip boundary conditions,as well as the effects stemming from variable viscosity and variable thermal conductivity.The analytical approach applied involves the application of suitable similarity transformations.These conversions serve to transform the initial set of complex nonlinear partial differential equations into a more manageable assembly of ordinary differential equations.Through the utilization of the FEM,these reformulated equations are solved,considering the specified boundary conditions.The outcomes attained are graphically depicted by means of plots and tables.These visual aids facilitate a comprehensive exploration of how diverse parameters exert influence over the distributions of velocity,temperature,and concentration.Furthermore,detailed scrutiny is directed towards the fluctuations characterizing pivotal parameters,viz.,Nusselt number,skin-friction coefficient,and Sherwood number.It is identified that the Nusselt number showcases a diminishing trend coinciding with increasing values of the volume fraction parameter(φ).This trend remains consistent regardless of whether the nanoliquid under consideration is Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg or TiO_(2)-Eg based.In contrast,both the skin-friction coefficient and Sherwood number assume lower values as the volume fraction parameter(φ)escalates.This pattern remains congruent across both classifications of nanoliquids.The findings of the study impart valuable insights into the complex interplay governing the characteristics of HMT pertaining to Sisko Al_(2)O_(3)-Eg and TiO_(2)-Eg nanoliquids along an extending surface.
文摘Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease related to long-lasting and tremendous effects on patient’s health in China, which is generally considered as a huge economic burden not only for patients but also for their caregivers and the whole society. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an analysis of cost. Previous cost-of-illness (COI) studies have already provided some useful information on the economic burden that schizophrenia brought to global society, including China. Objectives: This systematic review aims to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the economic burden of schizophrenia in China. Method: A literature review was performed through CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, EMBASE and Medline databases to identify COI studies published between 2010-2024. The primary outcome of this review was societal cost per schizophrenia patient by cost component, including direct medical costs, non-medical costs and indirect medical costs. Results: 14 COI studies in schizophrenia were identified, covering 7 municipalities and 8 provinces of China. The annual societal cost per patient ranged from 10,765 CNY in Zhejiang province to 406,382 CNY in Xuancheng city (Anhui province). The ratio of indirect cost ranged from 66.6% to 96.8%. The main cost drivers were the productivity losses. There was an enormous heterogeneity between societal cost estimations that could be interpreted by the difference in economic state and regional healthcare resource allocation. Conclusions: This review highlights the large economic burden of schizophrenia in varied areas in China. Substantial cost variation was observed both nationwide and globally, which may be caused by the varied economic situation and healthcare policy. Limitation of this review was summarized, which may provide a useful guidance for the future COI studies in China.
文摘Artemisia annua,known for its malarial properties,has been central to Madagascar's agricultural economy and traditional healing cultures for centuries.As demand for artemisinin-based treatments for malaria has continued to grow globally,Madagascar has emerged as a key supplier of Artemisia annua for global pharmaceutical markets,reinforcing the plant’s national significance.This paper explores the growth and evolution of Artemisia annua cultivation in the country,focusing especially on the recent introduction of synthetic artemisinin and the subsequent cultural,economic,and environmental impacts.It examines the challenges faced by Malagasy farmers and local healers with particular focus on issues such as artemisinin resistance,commercial exploitation,and the growing tension between traditional knowledge and modern biotechnology.Ultimately,this paper explores the complexities of balancing economic development,cultural preservation,and global health needs,offering insight into the broader implications for sustainable pharmaceutical sourcing and the future of traditional medicine in an increasingly globalized world.
基金Supported by the International Science and Technology Cooperation Projects,No.2016YFE0107100the Capital Special Research Project for Health Development,No.2014-2-4012+2 种基金the Beijing Natural Science Foundation,No.L172055 and No.7192158the National Tenthousand Talent Program,the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,No.3332018032and the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Science(CIFMS),No.2017-I2M-4-003 and No.2018-I2M-3-001.
文摘BACKGROUND Lenvatinib has become an indispensable part of treatment regimens for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(aHCC).Several recent real-world studies appear to have confirmed this;however,there are etiological differences.This necessitates further real-world studies of lenvatinib across diverse populations,such as in China.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in a Chinese HCC patient population under real-world conditions.METHODS This is a retrospective and multiregional study involving patients with aHCC receiving lenvatinib monotherapy.Efficacy was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1.Baseline characteristics and adverse events(AEs)were recorded throughout the entire study.RESULTS In total,54 HCC patients treated with lenvatinib monotherapy were included for final analysis.The objective response rate was 22%(n=12)with a progressionfree survival(PFS)of 168 d;however,AEs occurred in 92.8%of patients.Multivariate analysis showed that the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage[hazard ratio(HR)0.465;95%CI:0.23-0.93;P=0.031],portal vein tumor thrombus(HR 0.38;95%CI:0.15-0.94;P=0.037)and Child-Pugh classifications(HR 0.468;95%CI:and specificity(83.3%)of decreasing serum biomarkers including alphafetoprotein were calculated in order to predict tumor size reduction.Gene sequencing also provided insights into potential gene mutation signatures related to the effect of lenvatinib.CONCLUSION Our findings confirm previous evidence from the phase III REFLECT study.The majority of patients in this Chinese sample were suffering from concomitant hepatitis B virus-related HCC.However,further analysis suggested that baseline characteristics,changes in serum biomarkers and gene sequencing may hold the key for predicting lenvatinib responses.Further large-scale prospective studies that incorporate more basic medical science measures should be conducted.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40871014The Open Foundation of the State Key Labo-ratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology from the Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, No.SKLLQG0817+2 种基金The Training Foundation of National Basis of Talents, No.J0630535Foundation of Application of the World Natural Heritage from Zhejiang ProvinceFoundation of Modern Analyses Center of Nanjing University
文摘Jianglang Mountain is situated at the transitional zone of South China fold-system, Jiangshan-Shaoxing deep fracture zone and Baoan-Xiakou-Zhangcun fracture zone. The forming of the Xiakou basin was attributed to the pull-apart fault depression by the above fractures in earlier Cretaceous, afterward, series deposits such as Guantou formation （K1g）, Chaochuan formation （K1c） and Fangyan formation （K1f） which belong to Yongkang group, the lower Cretaceous layer accumulated in the Xiakou basin. In late Cretaceous, the above fractures occurred to extrude and the basin began to uplift, meanwhile, amounts of tension fissures and joints were produced since Cenozoic, which accelerated water-dicing into bed-rock. Consequently, landform-building processing： weathering, eroding and collapsing etc. were prevalent as finally to develop the so-called Danxia landform. The Jianglang Mountain landscape zone of the Danxia landform to apply for world natural relics are relying on unique and unparalleled peak, sky-split valley with vivid stones and reviving of platform. What is more, there is significance of study at lithology, stratigraphy and paleo-biology. According to dating for specimen of ophitic vein through-crossing the Yongkang group of Yafeng Peak by K-Ar method, this article revealed the uplift age of red-bed basin to be 77.89±2.6 MaBP （K2） i.e. late Cretaceous, and it is the first chronological datum of Danxia landform research in China.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40871014The Open Foundation of the State Key Labo-ratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology from the Institute of Earth Environment, CAS, No.SKLLQG0817+1 种基金The Training Foundation of National Basis of Talents, No.J0630535Project of Application World Natural Heritages of Construction Bureau of Zhejiang Province, The Test Foundation of Modern Analyses Center of Nanjing University
文摘The prominent types of Danxia landform in Fangyan include enclosed valleys, mesas, peaks, stone columns and grooves etc. Their spatial combinations have regular configurations along the northwest–southeast direction: typical grooves and caves are located in the northwestern Wufengshuyuan mainly; abundant fresh collapsed stones may be observed in central Jimingfeng and Taohuafeng; stone drums and stone columns are in the southeastern Shiguliao particularly; enclosed valleys are encircling joints of peaks and plains from three directions east, west, and south. Their spatial combinations reflect that the developments of Danxia landform have undergone stages of geomorphic cyclical erosion in the form of weathering, collapse, transportation, sedimentation and other processes, together with the "sculpture" of external forces mainly as tectonic uplift. The picturesque Danxia landform began its formation at that point. Danxia landform developed mainly in the strata of Fangyan Formation (K1f) caused by the alluvial fan-braided river phase of anterior fan in the late period of the Early Cretaceous. Regular patterns of weathering of stones and features of braided alluvial phase sediments may be verified by the analysis of three groups of experimental data. Danxia landform of Fangyan is a unique representative of the "adolescent" development type in the application of the World Natural Heritages status in China, by virtue of its outstanding universal aesthetic and scientific value.
基金the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India for supporting her research work with a Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship
文摘Linear and weakly nonlinear analyses are made for the Rayleigh-Benard convection in two-component couple-stress liquids with the Soret effect. Conditions for pitchfork, Hopf, Takens-Bogdanov, and codimension-two bifurcations are presented. The Lorenz model is used to study the inverted bifurcation. Positive values of the Soret coefficient favor a pitchfork bifurcation, whereas negative values favor a Hopf bifurcation. Takens-Bogdanov and codimension-two bifurcations are not as much influenced by the Soret coefficient as pitchfork and Hopf bifurcations. The influence of the Soret coefficient on the inverted bifurcation is similar to the influence on the pitchfork bifurcation. The in- fluence of other parameters on the aforementioned bifurcations is also similar as reported earlier in the literature. Using the Newell-Whitehead-Segel equation, the condition for occurrence of Eckhaus and zigzag secondary instabilities is obtained. The domain of ap- pearance of Eckhaus and zigzag instabilities expands due to the presence of the Soret coefficient for positive values. The Soret coefficient with negative values enhances heat transport, while positive values diminish it in comparison with heat transport for the case without the Soret effect. The dual nature of other parameters in influencing heat and mass transport is shown by considering positive and negative values of the Soret coefficient.
文摘The unprecedented healthcare demand due to sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has almost collapsed the health care systems especially in the developing world. Given the disastrous outbreak of COVID-19 second wave in India, the health system of country was virtually at the brink of collapse. Therefore, to identify the factors that resulted into breakdown and the challenges, Indian healthcare system faced during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, this paper analysed the health system challenges in India and the way forward in accordance with the six building blocks of world health organization (WHO). Applying integrated review approach, we found that the factors such as poor infrastructure, inadequate financing, lack of transparency and poor healthcare management resulted into the overstretching of healthcare system in India. Although health system in India faced these challenges from the very beginning, but early lessons from first wave should have been capitalized to avert the much deeper crisis in the second wave of the pandemic. To sum-up given the likely future challenges of pandemic, while healthcare should be prioritized with adequate financing, strong capacity-building measures and integration of public and private sectors in India. Likewise fiscal stimulus, risk assessment, data availability and building of human resources chain are other key factors to be strengthened for mitigating the future healthcare crisis in country.
基金Project supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) of King Abdulaziz University of Saudi Arabia (No. HiCi/40-3/1432H)
文摘The aim of this paper is two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic viscous fluid bounded by infinite sheets to examine the Dufour and Soret effects on the （MHD） steady flow of an electrically conducting An incompressible viscous fluid fills the porous space. The mathematical analysis is performed in the presence of viscous dissipation, Joule heating, and a first-order chemical reaction. With suitable transformations, the governing partial differential equations through momentum, energy, and concentration laws are transformed into ordinary differential equations. The resulting equations are solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. The convergence of the series solutions is ensured. The effects of the emerging parameters, the skin friction coefficient, the Nusselt number, and the Sherwood number are analyzed on the dimensionless velocities, temperature, and concentration fields.
文摘This study examines the impact of financial development on corporate investment in terms of their influence on financing constraints.This study also tries to find the effect of financial development on the investment-cash flow sensitivity across the size,degree of financial constraints and group affiliation of the firm.This study employs dynamic panel data model or more specifically system generalized method of moments(GMM)estimation technique.The estimation results reveal that cash flow affects the investment decision of the company positively,which implies that Indian firms are financially constrained.Also,we observe that financial development reduces the investment-cash flow sensitivity and the effect of financial development is more prominent for small size and standalone firms.The results are robust across the period and,for both financially constrained and unconstrained firms.This study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the impact of financial development on the role of cash flow in determining investments undertaken by the Indian firms,which is an unexplored issue from an emerging market perspective.
文摘Increase in population growth and the associated activities have increased the nutrient input to the Lake Victoria through atmosphere and river discharge. Atmospheric input of nutrient is believed to exceed that of river discharge due to relatively higher contribution of water mass to the Lake from atmosphere. However, precipitation characteristics with respect to nutrients have not been well studied to allow qualification and quantification of atmospheric contribution to the Lake Victoria. This study was conducted to investigate influence of land use activities on spatial and temporal variation of nutrient inputs from atmosphere and to estimate atmospheric loading to the Lake Victoria. The results revealed that there is significant spatial and temporal variation of nutrient deposition in the study area. High concentrations of nutrients were observed during short rains starting from September to December. This was attributed to dissolution of nutrients from soil particals and ash residues due to biomass burning accumulated in the atmosphere during dry season of June to August. Spatial variation of nutrients reflects land use activities. Urban and peri-urban areas showed very high concentration of nitrate nitrogen due to industrial and vehicle emission while rural area showed high concentration of phosphorous species and reduced forms of nitrogen species reflecting agricultural activities and animal keeping. Generally, nutrient deposition load was higher in rural area compared to urban with respective values of 15.5 and 13.9 kg·haˉ1·yˉ1 for total nitrogen and 6.1 and 2.8 kg·haˉ1·yˉ1 for total phosphorous. These results suggest that in order to realize significant reduction of nutrient input to the Lake Victoria, measures should be taken to control agricultural activities through proper land use planning. The measure may be directed to reduce biomass burning, emission from industries and vehicle as well as animal residue.
文摘This paper discusses the genesis and transference of Traditional Chinese Medicine from China and Asia to Europe.It looks specifically at the ways in which TCM was initially discovered and how it reach medical circles in Europe.It also looks at the reasons why it became popular in the historical context and specifically at the presence of TCM in Britain.Finally,this paper briefly traces the booms and slumps in the popularity of TCM and its place in modern medical practices in the Uk and Europe.
文摘Objective: To investigate the effects of mild hypothermia on cerebral oxygen metabolism and brain injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury. Methods: A total of 78 patients with severe craniocerebral injury who underwent emergency treatment in Huanggang Central Hospital between September 2015 and May 2017 were selected as the research subjects and divided into control group (n=39) and mild hypothermia group (n=39) by random number table. Control group received clinical standard large trauma craniotomy for severe craniocerebral injury, and mild hypothermia group received routine surgery and postoperative mild hypothermia therapy. The cerebral oxygen metabolism and brain injury in two groups of patients were detected immediately after admission (T0), 1 week after treatment (T1) and 4 weeks after treatment (T2). Results: At T0, there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of cerebral oxygen metabolism indexes, cerebral blood flow parameters and brain injury markers between the two groups. At T1 and T2, PO2 levels in mild hypothermia group were higher than those in control group while Da-jvO2 levels were lower than those in control group;cerebral blood flow parameters Vs and Wv levels were higher than those in control group while PI levels were lower than those in control group;brain injury markers MBP, AQP-4 and S-100B contents were lower than those in control group while BDNF contents were higher than those in control group. Conclusion: Adjuvant mild hypothermia therapy after routine surgery may further reduce the cerebral oxygen metabolism and relieve the brain injury in patients with severe craniocerebral injury.
文摘The magnetohydrodynamic （MHD） flow of the third grade fluid between two permeable disks with heat transfer is investigated. The governing partial differential equa- tions are converted into the ordinary differential equations by suitable transformations. The transformed equations are solved by the homotopy analysis method （HAM）. The expressions for square residual errors are defined, and the optimal values of convergence- control parameters are selected. The dimensionless velocity and temperature fields are examined for various dimensionless parameters. The skin friction coefficient and the Nus- selt number are tabulated to analyze the effects of dimensionless parameters.
文摘The emphasis on the simplification of cognitive and motor tasks by recent results of morphological computation has rendered possible the construction of appropriate“mimetic bodies”able to render accompanied computations simpler,according to a general appeal to the“simplexity”of animal embodied cognition.A new activity of what we can call“distributed computation”holds the promise of originating a new generation of robots with better adaptability and restricted number of required control parameters.The framework of distributed computation helps us see them in a more naturalized and prudent perspective,avoiding ontological or metaphysical considerations.Despite these progresses,there are still problems regarding the epistemological limitations of computational modeling remain to be solved.
基金The Provincial Administration of Arezzo and the Italian Ministry of Education,University and Research(PRIN 2010-2011,20108 TZKHC)financially and logistically supported the research.M.A.was financed by the Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca 2020'of the University of Sassari.
文摘One of the factors facilitating the expansion and proliferation of wild boar Sus scrofa is the plasticity of its reproductive biology.Nevertheless,the real influence of maternal and environmental factors on number and sex of the offspring is stll controversial.While the litter size was shown to be related with the maternal condition,the strength of this relation remains to be understood,together with the possible role played by environmental conditions.Analogously,it is unclear whether wild boar females can adjust their offspring sex.We investigated multiple aspects of wild boar maternal investment by means of a 10-year dataset of female reproductive traits and a set of biologically meaningful environmental variables.The maternal condition slightly affected the litter size but not the offspring sex,and environment did not affect the litter size or the offspring sex.Moreover,mothers did not cope with the higher costs entailed by producing sons by placing them in the most advantageous intrauterine position,nor by allocating less resources on daughters.Our set of results showed that the female reproductive investment is quite rigid in comparison with other aspects of wild boar reproductive biology.Wild boar females seem to adopt a typical rstrategy,producing constantly large litters and allocating resources on both sexes regardless of internal and external conditions.Such strategy may be adaptive to cope with environmental unpredictability and an intense human harvest,contributing to explain the extreme success of wild boar within human-dominated landscapes.
