Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively ...Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively to have reliable data to optimize the urological management of women. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical and descriptive study that was conducted at the CNHU-HKM over a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017 on the epidemiological aspects of female urological diseases from the study of patient records. The variable studied was: the age, the profession, the year of admission, the organ affected, and the type of pathology. The confidentiality of the data has been ensured. Results: Female urological disorders over 10 years accounted for 9.62% of all patients received in Urology Department. The age group greater than 50 years was the most common at 31.34%. Traders and housewives were the most numerous (39.93% and 14.55%). Bladder diseases were the most frequent (51.50), dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas (29.85%). In addition to fistulas, tumoral affections were most prevalent at 27.99% followed by infectious diseases at 8.21%. The lithiasic affections were infrequent at 6.72%. Conclusion: Female urological conditions are infrequent but not negligible, dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas and tumors in the context of developing countries. The specific evaluation of each pathology group can help optimize management.展开更多
Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have ...Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects i...Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects in both clinical and preclinical studies.This comprehensive review aims to consolidate and analyze the existing body of evidence surrounding the immunological impact of black seeds.In this review,we analyze the immunomodulatory potentials of black seeds(N.sativa).For the purpose of finding pertinent publications,the literatures was searched in web-based databases,including Web of Science,Medline/PMC/PubMed,Embase,EBSCO,Google Scholar,Science Direct,and reference lists.Several clinical,in vivo,and in vitro studies have demonstrated that supplementation with black seeds(N.sativa)has potential immunomodulatory activity.Black seeds(N.sativa)may influence immune responses through a variety of mechanisms.By synthesizing and critically assessing the current state of knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of black seeds,this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic uses and future research directions for harnessing the immunological benefits of this natural remedy.展开更多
With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They ...With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They also know why.Pumping out pollutants has transformed our world into a greenhouse;heat from the sun is now trapped by a“dirty”atmosphere.展开更多
Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.Th...Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.These expectations,however,are tempered by the realization of numerous challenges,including imperfections of the lens itself,noise sources,the properties of the imaging target and difficult technical issues.We discuss,in particular,a subject not previously addressed,the impact of temporally varying surface features,notably a variable cloud cover,obscuring the target exoplanet.This has a substantial detrimental effect on image recovery,leading to our cautious assessment of the practical feasibility of using the Sun’s gravitational field as an effective telescope.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s di...Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease(PD)in zebrafish.Methods:In the current study,zebrafish were treated with CBL at doses of 1.25,2.5,and 5 mL/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days.MPTP(20 mg/kg body weight)was administered on alternative days-1st,3rd,5th,and 7th.On day 7,zebrafish were sacrificed,and their brains were isolated for biochemical,neurochemical,histopathological,IHC,and neurotransmitter analysis.Results:The treatment with CBL significantly increased total distance traveled and the number of entries in the top zone,which was impaired by MPTP.CBL treatment significantly restored the level of glutathione,superoxide dismutase,and catalase while reducing malondialdehyde level.It also reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αin the MPTP-induced PD in the zebrafish model.In histopathological evaluation,pyknotic cells and signs of inflammation were significantly reduced in CBL-treated groups.A significant dose-dependent reduction in glutamate,along with elevations in dopamine,gamma-aminobutyric acid,serotonin,and noradrenaline,was observed in zebrafish treated with CBL.An immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that Akt was phosphorylated promptly by CBL,which was downregulated in MPTP-induced PD in zebrafish.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CBL exerts a neuroprotective effect through activation of Akt and may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of this devastating neurological condition.展开更多
In the Internet of Things(IoT)based scenarios,the network may encounter significant issues related to energy and communication as a result of a progressively growing number of terminals.We introduce simultaneous wirel...In the Internet of Things(IoT)based scenarios,the network may encounter significant issues related to energy and communication as a result of a progressively growing number of terminals.We introduce simultaneous wireless power transfer(SWIPT)technology assisted by a reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS)to counteract this challenge.Thus,the network’s flexibility and reliability will be further enhanced.According to this system architecture,the scattering-parameter-based communication model is introduced to disclose hardware features for an energy efficiency(EE)maximization problem.Specifically,the potential unauthorized demodulation is also considered in the problem formulation.To resolve the issue,an alternative strategy is utilized to optimize iteratively the coupled variables.In particular,the block coordinate descent(BCD)approach based on the Sherman-Morrison formula is proposed to solve the RIS subproblem.The numerical results prove the hardware effects cannot be dismissed lightly.Besides,the configuration of the RIS may impact the network performance directly.展开更多
Objectives This study aimed to validate the Russian version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(R-CBI)among nurses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and explored factors contributing to burnout.Methods The original Copenha...Objectives This study aimed to validate the Russian version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(R-CBI)among nurses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and explored factors contributing to burnout.Methods The original Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(CBI)was translated into the R-CBI using a rigorous forward-backward method and reviewed by experts.Between July and November 2022,1,530 nurses were recruited through convenience sampling method from various nursing settings in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to test the scale’s reliability and validity,including confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),internal consistency reliability,and concurrent validity.A linear regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors of burnout.Results The content of the R-CBI is consistent with the original CBI,consisting of 19 items with three dimensions.The Cronbach’sαcoefficient is 0.926 in Kazakhstan and 0.922 in Kyrgyzstan,ranging from 0.830 to 0.898 for three dimensions.The CFA results among nurses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan supported the three-factor structure of R-CBI with good fit indices.Concurrent validity was established through significant correlations(P<0.001)with job satisfaction questionnaire(r=−0.457),Depression Anxiety Stress Scales(r=0.506 in depression,r=0.485 in anxiety,r=0.564 in stress),and WHO-5 Well-Being Index(r=−0.528).The overall burnout level was 36.1±17.6 and 37.5±17.4 in Kazakhstani and Kyrgyzstani nurses,respectively.Significant influencing factors of burnout included gender,age,educational level,and COVID-19 infection history.Conclusions The R-CBI was proved to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing nurses’burnout in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.展开更多
This research examines the impact of sulphate on pore water pressure(PWP)development in cement paste backfill(CPB)containing polycarboxylate ether(PES)superplasticizers under thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical(THMC...This research examines the impact of sulphate on pore water pressure(PWP)development in cement paste backfill(CPB)containing polycarboxylate ether(PES)superplasticizers under thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical(THMC)conditions that imitate actual field curing scenarios.PWP in CPB-PES,with and without sulphate,was assessed under non-isothermal field curing temperatures,varied drainage conditions,and curing stresses using a specially experimental setup.Key findings indicate that PWP behavior in CPB with PES under field conditions diverges markedly from standard laboratory conditions due to the significant effects of field curing temperatures,drainage conditions,and backfill self-weight.The study establishes that high sulphate ion concentrations notably increase initial PWP and slow its dissipation by interfering with the cement hydration process.This interference delays hydration,reduces pore water consumption,and lowers capillary pressure.Moreover,the results show that THMC conditions,especially non-isothermal field temperatures and varied drainage scenarios,considerably accelerate cement hydration compared to standard laboratory conditions,resulting in a more rapid decrease in PWP.Furthermore,improved drainage under THMC conditions mitigates the adverse effects of sulphates by facilitating sulphate ion removal,thus supporting more efficient cement hydration and CPB self-desiccation.The insights gained from this research are essential for understanding PWP behavior in sulphate-bearing CPB-PES in the field,developing predictive THMC models for backfill performance assessment,and enhancing the safety and effectiveness of mining backfills.展开更多
In this paper,we investigate the problem of fast spectrum sharing in vehicle-to-everything com-munication.In order to improve the spectrum effi-ciency of the whole system,the spectrum of vehicle-to-infrastructure link...In this paper,we investigate the problem of fast spectrum sharing in vehicle-to-everything com-munication.In order to improve the spectrum effi-ciency of the whole system,the spectrum of vehicle-to-infrastructure links is reused by vehicle-to-vehicle links.To this end,we model it as a problem of deep reinforcement learning and tackle it with prox-imal policy optimization.A considerable number of interactions are often required for training an agent with good performance,so simulation-based training is commonly used in communication networks.Nev-ertheless,severe performance degradation may occur when the agent is directly deployed in the real world,even though it can perform well on the simulator,due to the reality gap between the simulation and the real environments.To address this issue,we make prelim-inary efforts by proposing an algorithm based on meta reinforcement learning.This algorithm enables the agent to rapidly adapt to a new task with the knowl-edge extracted from similar tasks,leading to fewer in-teractions and less training time.Numerical results show that our method achieves near-optimal perfor-mance and exhibits rapid convergence.展开更多
BACKGROUND Prevalence of the main rheumatic diseases in the Republic of Sakha(Yakutia)[RS(Y)],one of the regions of the Russian Federation,differs from the other regions of the Russian Federation due to its ethnic and...BACKGROUND Prevalence of the main rheumatic diseases in the Republic of Sakha(Yakutia)[RS(Y)],one of the regions of the Russian Federation,differs from the other regions of the Russian Federation due to its ethnic and geographic features.Knowledge regarding the prevalence and structure of juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)allows us to shape the work of the pediatric rheumatology service in the region correctly,and optimize the healthcare system and the need for medica-tions.AIM To describe the epidemiological,demographic,clinical,and laboratory characteristics of children with JIA in the RS(Y)and evaluate the main outcomes.METHODS This retrospective cohort study assessed all the data from the medical histories of the patients(n=225)diagnosed with JIA(2016-2023)in the Cardiorheumatology Department of the M.E.Nikolaev National Center of Medicine.Pearson'sχ²test,Fisher's exact test,Mann–Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses.RESULTS The ethnic prevalence of JIA is higher in Sakha than in Russian children at 110.1 per 100000 children and 69.4 per 100000 children,respectively.The prevalence of JIA among boys and girls in Sakha was similar,unlike in Russians,where the number of girls predominated.The JIA categories were as follows:(1)Systemic arthritis:3.5%;(2)Oligoarthritis(persistent and extended):33.8%;(3)Rheumatoid factor(RF)(+)polyarthritis:0.9%;(4)RF(-)polyarthritis:14.7%;(5)Enthesitis-related arthritis(ERA):44%;and(6)Psoriatic arthritis:3.1%.Prevalence of the ERA category was 4.4 times higher in Sakha children,but the prevalence of systemic arthritis was 2.9 times lower compared to Russians(P=0.0005).The frequency of uveitis was 10.2%,and the frequency of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)B27 was 39.6%in JIA children.Biologic treatment was received by 40.4%of JIA children and 45.3%achieved remission.CONCLUSION Higher JIA prevalence,male and ERA predominance,related to a higher frequency of HLA B27 are typical in RS(Y).These data might improve the pediatric rheumatology health service.展开更多
Accurate estimation of rockfall trajectories is essential for mitigation of rockfall hazards.Nowadays,Doppler radar technologies can measure rockfall trajectories with centimeter resolution.Calibrating a numerical mod...Accurate estimation of rockfall trajectories is essential for mitigation of rockfall hazards.Nowadays,Doppler radar technologies can measure rockfall trajectories with centimeter resolution.Calibrating a numerical model to fit these measured trajectories,i.e.back analysis,often involves manual trial-anderror processes and subjective goodness-of-fit criteria.Here,we propose a framework that uses the chi-square statistic to quantify the misfit between modeled and measured rockfall trajectories.The framework can also quantify the uncertainty bounds on the best-fit model parameters.The approach is validated using field data from an Australian copper mine under two scenarios.(1)We perform an unconstrained back-analysis where the initial position and velocity of the rock,in addition to the coefficients of restitution(COR),are free variables.This scenario yields a normal COR Rn?0.866±0.109 and tangential COR R_(t)=0.29±0.151 with 68%confidence.(2)We perform a constrained back-analysis using predetermined initial position and velocity of the rock,which further constrains Rn to 0.8±0.014 and Rt to 0.39±0.065.Both scenarios show a higher uncertainty in Rt than in Rn.We also demonstrate the adaptability of the back-analysis framework to two-dimensional(2D)rockfall modeling using the same data.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first quantitative goodness-of-fit metric for trajectorybased rockfall back analysis that supports the estimation of inherent uncertainty.The simplicity of the metric lends itself to robust model optimization of rockfall back-analysis and can be adapted to other model assumptions(e.g.rigid-body mechanics)and metrics(e.g.velocity or energy).展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a significant challenge in modern healthcare,with early detection and accurate staging remaining critical priorities for effective intervention.While Deep Learning(DL)approaches have shown p...Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a significant challenge in modern healthcare,with early detection and accurate staging remaining critical priorities for effective intervention.While Deep Learning(DL)approaches have shown promise in AD diagnosis,existing methods often struggle with the issues of precision,interpretability,and class imbalance.This study presents a novel framework that integrates DL with several eXplainable Artificial Intelligence(XAI)techniques,in particular attention mechanisms,Gradient-Weighted Class Activation Mapping(Grad-CAM),and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations(LIME),to improve bothmodel interpretability and feature selection.The study evaluates four different DL architectures(ResMLP,VGG16,Xception,and Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)with attention mechanism)on a balanced dataset of 3714 MRI brain scans from patients aged 70 and older.The proposed CNN with attention model achieved superior performance,demonstrating 99.18%accuracy on the primary dataset and 96.64% accuracy on the ADNI dataset,significantly advancing the state-of-the-art in AD classification.The ability of the framework to provide comprehensive,interpretable results through multiple visualization techniques while maintaining high classification accuracy represents a significant advancement in the computational diagnosis of AD,potentially enabling more accurate and earlier intervention in clinical settings.展开更多
Drainage divide migration refers to the shifting boundaries between adjacent drainage basins over time,driven by processes such as tectonic uplift,differential erosion,stream capture,and lithological variations.This p...Drainage divide migration refers to the shifting boundaries between adjacent drainage basins over time,driven by processes such as tectonic uplift,differential erosion,stream capture,and lithological variations.This phenomenon has a significant impact on water flow patterns and basin extents,serving as an indicator of the landscape's response to active tectonic forces.One of the key drivers of divide migration is asymmetric uplift,which causes divides to shift from areas of lower uplift to regions experiencing higher uplift.Drainage divides are inherently dynamic,evolving over time as drainage networks develop and adjust to changing conditions.This study focuses on the migration of the main drainage divide along Karιncalιda?,located between Bozdo?an and Karacasu.It employs geomorphic analyses using metrics such as the normalized steepness index(ksn),Chi(χ),and Gilbert metrics.The main divide is categorized into four segments(D1–D4),with the Karacasu Fault,situated along the mountain's north-eastern boundary,identified as the primary factor influencing divide dynamics.Secondary factors include the relatively low elevation of Karιncalιda?,uniform lithology,and consistent rainfall patterns across the region.The results indicate that the main divide is currently stable,suggesting a balance between uplift and erosion.However,higherχvalues in the D4 segment suggest that future erosion may dominate,potentially causing the divide to migrate toward the Bozdo?an Basin.These findings highlight the dynamic nature of drainage divides and the complex interplay of tectonic,erosional,and lithological processes that shape their evolution.Continued monitoring and advanced geomorphic analysis are essential for understanding the long-term stability of the divide and its response to future tectonic activity and erosional modifications.展开更多
BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy can reduce the size of gastroesophageal tumors to the extent that they are no longer macroscopically visible.This may increase the risk of microscopic-positive resection margins.One pote...BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy can reduce the size of gastroesophageal tumors to the extent that they are no longer macroscopically visible.This may increase the risk of microscopic-positive resection margins.One potential method to reduce this uncertainty could be the preoperative endoscopic marking of proximal tumor margins with BioXmark®,a novel liquid fiducial marker.This study aimed to report the initial experiences of the first ten patients marked with BioXmark®.AIM To evaluate the visibility of BioXmark®on ultrasound after preoperative marking of the proximal resection line of an esophageal tumor.METHODS The circumference of the esophagus was endoscopically marked preoperatively with a fiducial marker in four quadrants,5 cm proximal to the tumor.During the surgery,the surgeon’s proposed proximal resection line was marked.Next,an ultrasound probe was used to identify the previously placed fiducial markers,and its placement was marked.The difference between the surgeon’s proposed resection line and the fiducial marker was measured intraoperatively and subsequently examined with respect to the resection margin and status.RESULTS BioXmark®was implanted in ten patients,5 cm proximal to the tumor.The surgeon’s proposed resection line was positioned 2-6 cm proximally to the surgical marker line.Technical success of injecting the fiducial marker was achieved in all ten patients.In six patients,the marker was successfully identified intraoperatively on ultrasound.No peri-or postoperative adverse events related to BioXmark®implantation were found.CONCLUSION Excellent technical success with the implantation of the fiducial surgical marker was achieved,but limited intraoperative visibility on ultrasound was achieved.Further studies are required to optimize its clinical application.展开更多
Extreme weather events pose an ever-greater threat to people,infrastructure,and nature.Forest ecosystems are highly sensitive to extreme cold events that can disrupt ecosystem functions,especially in montane regions.I...Extreme weather events pose an ever-greater threat to people,infrastructure,and nature.Forest ecosystems are highly sensitive to extreme cold events that can disrupt ecosystem functions,especially in montane regions.Ice storms can be particularly destructive,with rapid ice accretion causing tree branches to break,even snapping or uprooting entire trees.In March 2022,the Shennongjia forest in central China experienced severe ice storm conditions that severely damaged over 230,300ha.We utilized this opportunity to assess the vulnerability of different tree types(coniferous,deciduous,and evergreen broad-leaved)and stand compositions to damage resulting from ice glaze along an elevation gradient from 1,200 to 2,400m a.s.l.Among the 7,144 trees surveyed,10.1%suffered some extent of damage,which was most prolific in the middle elevation zone.While 96.8%of all damage occurred to deciduous broadleaved trees that dominated the forest community,the most severe damage(uprooting and lower trunk breakage)occurred to coniferous trees.The extent and severity of tree damage were moderated by forest composition,with secondary effects of forest structure and slope.Abiotic factors predominantly affected coniferous trees.We emphasize that more research and monitoring are needed to better understand the full impact of extreme weather events on forests,especially as the frequency and intensity of these events increases due to climate change.展开更多
Background:Preparticipation examinations(PPEs)are unstandardized screening tools routinely used to collect an athlete's baseline health information prior to the start of a new competitive season.However,many PPEs ...Background:Preparticipation examinations(PPEs)are unstandardized screening tools routinely used to collect an athlete's baseline health information prior to the start of a new competitive season.However,many PPEs include minimal and often nonspecific questions related to the health concerns of female athletes.A lack of female athlete specific health questions could result in missed red flags and subsequent injury or illness.As such,the objectives of this scoping review were to(a)determine what female athlete specific health questions currently exist in PPEs in the scientific literature to prevent injury and illness,and(b)map the results against the health domains outlined in the International Olympic Committee(IOC)consensus statement supplement on the female athlete.Methods:We searched Embase,Scopus,CINAHL,Medline Ovid,and SPORTDiscus from inception to December 2022.Any study with female athlete specific health PPE questions or recommendations for questions(i.e.,menstrual health,eating habits,musculoskeletal health,etc.)was included.Three reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts,followed by full text articles for eligibility and data extraction,with conflicts resolved by a third-party reviewer.Extracted data were summarized into 3 determined groupings.Results:Of the 1356 studies screened,41 were included in this study.Forty studies(98%)included questions/recommendations related to menstrual health.Thirty-one studies(76%)had questions/recommendations concerning disordered eating/eating habits.Twenty-four studies(59%)referred to body weight/image,and 16 studies(39%)referred to musculoskeletal health.No studies included questions on all IOC female athlete health domains.Conclusion:There is currently a gap in female athlete specific health content included in PPEs.A more comprehensive,standardized PPE with a focus on inclusion of female athlete specific health questions and considerations should be developed to improve health and optimal participation of female athletes around the world.展开更多
Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of ...Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of the 150 phosphate fertilizers stored at the Institute for Crop and Soil Science in Germany has been conducted,supplemented by previously published data.The elements Cd,Bi,U,Cr,Zn,Tl,As,B,Sb,Ni,and Se are found in higher concentrations in sedimentary derived phosphates compared to igneous derived phosphates.Mineral fertilizers contain more than ten times the amount of U,Cd,B,and As compared to farmyard manure.Principal component analyses(PCA)indicate that U,Cd,Be,and Cr are primarily present in sedimentary derived phosphates and their concentrations are 2 to 10 times higher than those in igneous derived phosphates.Regarding heavy metal contamination,over 1000 potential combinations were identified;36% of these were significant but weak(>0.1).It is estimated that approximately 707 t of uranium enter farmland annually through the application of mineral phosphate fertilizers in European countries.This contribution addresses environmental issues related to the utilization of rock phosphate as well as alternative production methods for cleaner and safer phosphate fertilizers while presenting a roadmap with measures for mitigation.展开更多
文摘Most urological conditions are represented by male disorders. Analyzing certain epidemiological aspects of female urological disorders at the National University Teaching Hospital of Cotnou, will allow us objectively to have reliable data to optimize the urological management of women. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, analytical and descriptive study that was conducted at the CNHU-HKM over a 10-year period from January 2008 to December 2017 on the epidemiological aspects of female urological diseases from the study of patient records. The variable studied was: the age, the profession, the year of admission, the organ affected, and the type of pathology. The confidentiality of the data has been ensured. Results: Female urological disorders over 10 years accounted for 9.62% of all patients received in Urology Department. The age group greater than 50 years was the most common at 31.34%. Traders and housewives were the most numerous (39.93% and 14.55%). Bladder diseases were the most frequent (51.50), dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas (29.85%). In addition to fistulas, tumoral affections were most prevalent at 27.99% followed by infectious diseases at 8.21%. The lithiasic affections were infrequent at 6.72%. Conclusion: Female urological conditions are infrequent but not negligible, dominated by vesico-vaginal fistulas and tumors in the context of developing countries. The specific evaluation of each pathology group can help optimize management.
文摘Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
文摘Humans and other vertebrates are safeguarded from invading pathogenic microbes by the immune system.Black seed,scientifically known as Nigella sativa,has garnered attention for its potential immunomodulatory effects in both clinical and preclinical studies.This comprehensive review aims to consolidate and analyze the existing body of evidence surrounding the immunological impact of black seeds.In this review,we analyze the immunomodulatory potentials of black seeds(N.sativa).For the purpose of finding pertinent publications,the literatures was searched in web-based databases,including Web of Science,Medline/PMC/PubMed,Embase,EBSCO,Google Scholar,Science Direct,and reference lists.Several clinical,in vivo,and in vitro studies have demonstrated that supplementation with black seeds(N.sativa)has potential immunomodulatory activity.Black seeds(N.sativa)may influence immune responses through a variety of mechanisms.By synthesizing and critically assessing the current state of knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of black seeds,this review aims to provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic uses and future research directions for harnessing the immunological benefits of this natural remedy.
文摘With a commitment to reduce emissions,and its investment in green technology bringing down global costs,China is emerging as the leader in fighting climate change.EVERYBODY knows that our world is getting hotter.They also know why.Pumping out pollutants has transformed our world into a greenhouse;heat from the sun is now trapped by a“dirty”atmosphere.
文摘Exoplanet imaging using the solar gravitational lens is an enticing prospect.The fundamental physical properties of the lens,including its angular resolution and light amplification,promise exceptional capabilities.These expectations,however,are tempered by the realization of numerous challenges,including imperfections of the lens itself,noise sources,the properties of the imaging target and difficult technical issues.We discuss,in particular,a subject not previously addressed,the impact of temporally varying surface features,notably a variable cloud cover,obscuring the target exoplanet.This has a substantial detrimental effect on image recovery,leading to our cautious assessment of the practical feasibility of using the Sun’s gravitational field as an effective telescope.
基金funded by ICMR,New Delhi(Grant No.45/29/2022-PHA/BMS).
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of cerebrolysin(CBL)on motor impairment,neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and neurotransmitter profile in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease(PD)in zebrafish.Methods:In the current study,zebrafish were treated with CBL at doses of 1.25,2.5,and 5 mL/kg body weight for 7 consecutive days.MPTP(20 mg/kg body weight)was administered on alternative days-1st,3rd,5th,and 7th.On day 7,zebrafish were sacrificed,and their brains were isolated for biochemical,neurochemical,histopathological,IHC,and neurotransmitter analysis.Results:The treatment with CBL significantly increased total distance traveled and the number of entries in the top zone,which was impaired by MPTP.CBL treatment significantly restored the level of glutathione,superoxide dismutase,and catalase while reducing malondialdehyde level.It also reduced the level of pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin-1β,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-αin the MPTP-induced PD in the zebrafish model.In histopathological evaluation,pyknotic cells and signs of inflammation were significantly reduced in CBL-treated groups.A significant dose-dependent reduction in glutamate,along with elevations in dopamine,gamma-aminobutyric acid,serotonin,and noradrenaline,was observed in zebrafish treated with CBL.An immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that Akt was phosphorylated promptly by CBL,which was downregulated in MPTP-induced PD in zebrafish.Conclusions:These findings suggest that CBL exerts a neuroprotective effect through activation of Akt and may hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of this devastating neurological condition.
文摘In the Internet of Things(IoT)based scenarios,the network may encounter significant issues related to energy and communication as a result of a progressively growing number of terminals.We introduce simultaneous wireless power transfer(SWIPT)technology assisted by a reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS)to counteract this challenge.Thus,the network’s flexibility and reliability will be further enhanced.According to this system architecture,the scattering-parameter-based communication model is introduced to disclose hardware features for an energy efficiency(EE)maximization problem.Specifically,the potential unauthorized demodulation is also considered in the problem formulation.To resolve the issue,an alternative strategy is utilized to optimize iteratively the coupled variables.In particular,the block coordinate descent(BCD)approach based on the Sherman-Morrison formula is proposed to solve the RIS subproblem.The numerical results prove the hardware effects cannot be dismissed lightly.Besides,the configuration of the RIS may impact the network performance directly.
文摘Objectives This study aimed to validate the Russian version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(R-CBI)among nurses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and explored factors contributing to burnout.Methods The original Copenhagen Burnout Inventory(CBI)was translated into the R-CBI using a rigorous forward-backward method and reviewed by experts.Between July and November 2022,1,530 nurses were recruited through convenience sampling method from various nursing settings in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to test the scale’s reliability and validity,including confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),internal consistency reliability,and concurrent validity.A linear regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors of burnout.Results The content of the R-CBI is consistent with the original CBI,consisting of 19 items with three dimensions.The Cronbach’sαcoefficient is 0.926 in Kazakhstan and 0.922 in Kyrgyzstan,ranging from 0.830 to 0.898 for three dimensions.The CFA results among nurses in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan supported the three-factor structure of R-CBI with good fit indices.Concurrent validity was established through significant correlations(P<0.001)with job satisfaction questionnaire(r=−0.457),Depression Anxiety Stress Scales(r=0.506 in depression,r=0.485 in anxiety,r=0.564 in stress),and WHO-5 Well-Being Index(r=−0.528).The overall burnout level was 36.1±17.6 and 37.5±17.4 in Kazakhstani and Kyrgyzstani nurses,respectively.Significant influencing factors of burnout included gender,age,educational level,and COVID-19 infection history.Conclusions The R-CBI was proved to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing nurses’burnout in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
文摘This research examines the impact of sulphate on pore water pressure(PWP)development in cement paste backfill(CPB)containing polycarboxylate ether(PES)superplasticizers under thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical(THMC)conditions that imitate actual field curing scenarios.PWP in CPB-PES,with and without sulphate,was assessed under non-isothermal field curing temperatures,varied drainage conditions,and curing stresses using a specially experimental setup.Key findings indicate that PWP behavior in CPB with PES under field conditions diverges markedly from standard laboratory conditions due to the significant effects of field curing temperatures,drainage conditions,and backfill self-weight.The study establishes that high sulphate ion concentrations notably increase initial PWP and slow its dissipation by interfering with the cement hydration process.This interference delays hydration,reduces pore water consumption,and lowers capillary pressure.Moreover,the results show that THMC conditions,especially non-isothermal field temperatures and varied drainage scenarios,considerably accelerate cement hydration compared to standard laboratory conditions,resulting in a more rapid decrease in PWP.Furthermore,improved drainage under THMC conditions mitigates the adverse effects of sulphates by facilitating sulphate ion removal,thus supporting more efficient cement hydration and CPB self-desiccation.The insights gained from this research are essential for understanding PWP behavior in sulphate-bearing CPB-PES in the field,developing predictive THMC models for backfill performance assessment,and enhancing the safety and effectiveness of mining backfills.
基金L.Liang was supported in part by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province under Grant BK20220810in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62201145 and Grant 62231019S.Jin was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)under Grants 62261160576,62341107,61921004。
文摘In this paper,we investigate the problem of fast spectrum sharing in vehicle-to-everything com-munication.In order to improve the spectrum effi-ciency of the whole system,the spectrum of vehicle-to-infrastructure links is reused by vehicle-to-vehicle links.To this end,we model it as a problem of deep reinforcement learning and tackle it with prox-imal policy optimization.A considerable number of interactions are often required for training an agent with good performance,so simulation-based training is commonly used in communication networks.Nev-ertheless,severe performance degradation may occur when the agent is directly deployed in the real world,even though it can perform well on the simulator,due to the reality gap between the simulation and the real environments.To address this issue,we make prelim-inary efforts by proposing an algorithm based on meta reinforcement learning.This algorithm enables the agent to rapidly adapt to a new task with the knowl-edge extracted from similar tasks,leading to fewer in-teractions and less training time.Numerical results show that our method achieves near-optimal perfor-mance and exhibits rapid convergence.
文摘BACKGROUND Prevalence of the main rheumatic diseases in the Republic of Sakha(Yakutia)[RS(Y)],one of the regions of the Russian Federation,differs from the other regions of the Russian Federation due to its ethnic and geographic features.Knowledge regarding the prevalence and structure of juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA)allows us to shape the work of the pediatric rheumatology service in the region correctly,and optimize the healthcare system and the need for medica-tions.AIM To describe the epidemiological,demographic,clinical,and laboratory characteristics of children with JIA in the RS(Y)and evaluate the main outcomes.METHODS This retrospective cohort study assessed all the data from the medical histories of the patients(n=225)diagnosed with JIA(2016-2023)in the Cardiorheumatology Department of the M.E.Nikolaev National Center of Medicine.Pearson'sχ²test,Fisher's exact test,Mann–Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses.RESULTS The ethnic prevalence of JIA is higher in Sakha than in Russian children at 110.1 per 100000 children and 69.4 per 100000 children,respectively.The prevalence of JIA among boys and girls in Sakha was similar,unlike in Russians,where the number of girls predominated.The JIA categories were as follows:(1)Systemic arthritis:3.5%;(2)Oligoarthritis(persistent and extended):33.8%;(3)Rheumatoid factor(RF)(+)polyarthritis:0.9%;(4)RF(-)polyarthritis:14.7%;(5)Enthesitis-related arthritis(ERA):44%;and(6)Psoriatic arthritis:3.1%.Prevalence of the ERA category was 4.4 times higher in Sakha children,but the prevalence of systemic arthritis was 2.9 times lower compared to Russians(P=0.0005).The frequency of uveitis was 10.2%,and the frequency of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)B27 was 39.6%in JIA children.Biologic treatment was received by 40.4%of JIA children and 45.3%achieved remission.CONCLUSION Higher JIA prevalence,male and ERA predominance,related to a higher frequency of HLA B27 are typical in RS(Y).These data might improve the pediatric rheumatology health service.
基金funding from NSERC Alliance Grant ALLRP 576858e22 in partnership with Rocscience Inc.
文摘Accurate estimation of rockfall trajectories is essential for mitigation of rockfall hazards.Nowadays,Doppler radar technologies can measure rockfall trajectories with centimeter resolution.Calibrating a numerical model to fit these measured trajectories,i.e.back analysis,often involves manual trial-anderror processes and subjective goodness-of-fit criteria.Here,we propose a framework that uses the chi-square statistic to quantify the misfit between modeled and measured rockfall trajectories.The framework can also quantify the uncertainty bounds on the best-fit model parameters.The approach is validated using field data from an Australian copper mine under two scenarios.(1)We perform an unconstrained back-analysis where the initial position and velocity of the rock,in addition to the coefficients of restitution(COR),are free variables.This scenario yields a normal COR Rn?0.866±0.109 and tangential COR R_(t)=0.29±0.151 with 68%confidence.(2)We perform a constrained back-analysis using predetermined initial position and velocity of the rock,which further constrains Rn to 0.8±0.014 and Rt to 0.39±0.065.Both scenarios show a higher uncertainty in Rt than in Rn.We also demonstrate the adaptability of the back-analysis framework to two-dimensional(2D)rockfall modeling using the same data.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first quantitative goodness-of-fit metric for trajectorybased rockfall back analysis that supports the estimation of inherent uncertainty.The simplicity of the metric lends itself to robust model optimization of rockfall back-analysis and can be adapted to other model assumptions(e.g.rigid-body mechanics)and metrics(e.g.velocity or energy).
文摘Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is a significant challenge in modern healthcare,with early detection and accurate staging remaining critical priorities for effective intervention.While Deep Learning(DL)approaches have shown promise in AD diagnosis,existing methods often struggle with the issues of precision,interpretability,and class imbalance.This study presents a novel framework that integrates DL with several eXplainable Artificial Intelligence(XAI)techniques,in particular attention mechanisms,Gradient-Weighted Class Activation Mapping(Grad-CAM),and Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations(LIME),to improve bothmodel interpretability and feature selection.The study evaluates four different DL architectures(ResMLP,VGG16,Xception,and Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)with attention mechanism)on a balanced dataset of 3714 MRI brain scans from patients aged 70 and older.The proposed CNN with attention model achieved superior performance,demonstrating 99.18%accuracy on the primary dataset and 96.64% accuracy on the ADNI dataset,significantly advancing the state-of-the-art in AD classification.The ability of the framework to provide comprehensive,interpretable results through multiple visualization techniques while maintaining high classification accuracy represents a significant advancement in the computational diagnosis of AD,potentially enabling more accurate and earlier intervention in clinical settings.
文摘Drainage divide migration refers to the shifting boundaries between adjacent drainage basins over time,driven by processes such as tectonic uplift,differential erosion,stream capture,and lithological variations.This phenomenon has a significant impact on water flow patterns and basin extents,serving as an indicator of the landscape's response to active tectonic forces.One of the key drivers of divide migration is asymmetric uplift,which causes divides to shift from areas of lower uplift to regions experiencing higher uplift.Drainage divides are inherently dynamic,evolving over time as drainage networks develop and adjust to changing conditions.This study focuses on the migration of the main drainage divide along Karιncalιda?,located between Bozdo?an and Karacasu.It employs geomorphic analyses using metrics such as the normalized steepness index(ksn),Chi(χ),and Gilbert metrics.The main divide is categorized into four segments(D1–D4),with the Karacasu Fault,situated along the mountain's north-eastern boundary,identified as the primary factor influencing divide dynamics.Secondary factors include the relatively low elevation of Karιncalιda?,uniform lithology,and consistent rainfall patterns across the region.The results indicate that the main divide is currently stable,suggesting a balance between uplift and erosion.However,higherχvalues in the D4 segment suggest that future erosion may dominate,potentially causing the divide to migrate toward the Bozdo?an Basin.These findings highlight the dynamic nature of drainage divides and the complex interplay of tectonic,erosional,and lithological processes that shape their evolution.Continued monitoring and advanced geomorphic analysis are essential for understanding the long-term stability of the divide and its response to future tectonic activity and erosional modifications.
基金Supported by Nanovi A/S provided twenty vials of BioXmark®along with financial support for the evaluation of the implementation of the fiducial marker.
文摘BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy can reduce the size of gastroesophageal tumors to the extent that they are no longer macroscopically visible.This may increase the risk of microscopic-positive resection margins.One potential method to reduce this uncertainty could be the preoperative endoscopic marking of proximal tumor margins with BioXmark®,a novel liquid fiducial marker.This study aimed to report the initial experiences of the first ten patients marked with BioXmark®.AIM To evaluate the visibility of BioXmark®on ultrasound after preoperative marking of the proximal resection line of an esophageal tumor.METHODS The circumference of the esophagus was endoscopically marked preoperatively with a fiducial marker in four quadrants,5 cm proximal to the tumor.During the surgery,the surgeon’s proposed proximal resection line was marked.Next,an ultrasound probe was used to identify the previously placed fiducial markers,and its placement was marked.The difference between the surgeon’s proposed resection line and the fiducial marker was measured intraoperatively and subsequently examined with respect to the resection margin and status.RESULTS BioXmark®was implanted in ten patients,5 cm proximal to the tumor.The surgeon’s proposed resection line was positioned 2-6 cm proximally to the surgical marker line.Technical success of injecting the fiducial marker was achieved in all ten patients.In six patients,the marker was successfully identified intraoperatively on ultrasound.No peri-or postoperative adverse events related to BioXmark®implantation were found.CONCLUSION Excellent technical success with the implantation of the fiducial surgical marker was achieved,but limited intraoperative visibility on ultrasound was achieved.Further studies are required to optimize its clinical application.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.31971541 and 32201545).
文摘Extreme weather events pose an ever-greater threat to people,infrastructure,and nature.Forest ecosystems are highly sensitive to extreme cold events that can disrupt ecosystem functions,especially in montane regions.Ice storms can be particularly destructive,with rapid ice accretion causing tree branches to break,even snapping or uprooting entire trees.In March 2022,the Shennongjia forest in central China experienced severe ice storm conditions that severely damaged over 230,300ha.We utilized this opportunity to assess the vulnerability of different tree types(coniferous,deciduous,and evergreen broad-leaved)and stand compositions to damage resulting from ice glaze along an elevation gradient from 1,200 to 2,400m a.s.l.Among the 7,144 trees surveyed,10.1%suffered some extent of damage,which was most prolific in the middle elevation zone.While 96.8%of all damage occurred to deciduous broadleaved trees that dominated the forest community,the most severe damage(uprooting and lower trunk breakage)occurred to coniferous trees.The extent and severity of tree damage were moderated by forest composition,with secondary effects of forest structure and slope.Abiotic factors predominantly affected coniferous trees.We emphasize that more research and monitoring are needed to better understand the full impact of extreme weather events on forests,especially as the frequency and intensity of these events increases due to climate change.
基金supported by the Ontario Women's Health Scholars Postdoctoral awarda Western's Bone&Joint Institute Collaborative Training in Musculoskeletal Heath Program Trainee Award.
文摘Background:Preparticipation examinations(PPEs)are unstandardized screening tools routinely used to collect an athlete's baseline health information prior to the start of a new competitive season.However,many PPEs include minimal and often nonspecific questions related to the health concerns of female athletes.A lack of female athlete specific health questions could result in missed red flags and subsequent injury or illness.As such,the objectives of this scoping review were to(a)determine what female athlete specific health questions currently exist in PPEs in the scientific literature to prevent injury and illness,and(b)map the results against the health domains outlined in the International Olympic Committee(IOC)consensus statement supplement on the female athlete.Methods:We searched Embase,Scopus,CINAHL,Medline Ovid,and SPORTDiscus from inception to December 2022.Any study with female athlete specific health PPE questions or recommendations for questions(i.e.,menstrual health,eating habits,musculoskeletal health,etc.)was included.Three reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts,followed by full text articles for eligibility and data extraction,with conflicts resolved by a third-party reviewer.Extracted data were summarized into 3 determined groupings.Results:Of the 1356 studies screened,41 were included in this study.Forty studies(98%)included questions/recommendations related to menstrual health.Thirty-one studies(76%)had questions/recommendations concerning disordered eating/eating habits.Twenty-four studies(59%)referred to body weight/image,and 16 studies(39%)referred to musculoskeletal health.No studies included questions on all IOC female athlete health domains.Conclusion:There is currently a gap in female athlete specific health content included in PPEs.A more comprehensive,standardized PPE with a focus on inclusion of female athlete specific health questions and considerations should be developed to improve health and optimal participation of female athletes around the world.
基金funded by the Project of Yunnan Province’s Xingdian Talents Support Program(yfgrc202437)the Project of the International Cooperation Science Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(42361144885).
文摘Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of the 150 phosphate fertilizers stored at the Institute for Crop and Soil Science in Germany has been conducted,supplemented by previously published data.The elements Cd,Bi,U,Cr,Zn,Tl,As,B,Sb,Ni,and Se are found in higher concentrations in sedimentary derived phosphates compared to igneous derived phosphates.Mineral fertilizers contain more than ten times the amount of U,Cd,B,and As compared to farmyard manure.Principal component analyses(PCA)indicate that U,Cd,Be,and Cr are primarily present in sedimentary derived phosphates and their concentrations are 2 to 10 times higher than those in igneous derived phosphates.Regarding heavy metal contamination,over 1000 potential combinations were identified;36% of these were significant but weak(>0.1).It is estimated that approximately 707 t of uranium enter farmland annually through the application of mineral phosphate fertilizers in European countries.This contribution addresses environmental issues related to the utilization of rock phosphate as well as alternative production methods for cleaner and safer phosphate fertilizers while presenting a roadmap with measures for mitigation.
