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Author Correction: Gut microbiota strain richness is species specific and affects engraftment
An algorithm for equilibrium problems with mixed-type fixed point constraints
In this paper, we introduce a novel class of nonlinear mappings known as ϑ-strictly asymptotically pseudocontractive-type multivalued mapping (ϑ-SAPM) in a Hilbert space domain. In addition, a new method was initiated, and it was shown that this method converges strongly to the solution set of an equilibrium problem (EP) and the set of common fixed points of two finite families of type-one (ϑ-SAPM) and ϑ-strictly pseudocontractive-type multivalued mapping (ϑ-SPM). Moreover, we showed that the classes of mappings considered are independent and also presented a numerical example to illustrate the implementablity of the suggested method. The results obtained improve, generalize and extend several conclusions reported in literature.
The researchers on a quest to protect the gut from antibiotics
From invention to progress: Energy technology innovation and sustainable development in OECD economies
In the era of Industry 4.0, the advancement in energy technology has taken centre stage to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development. Ever since the adoption of the United Nations SDGs in 2015, different regions and countries have been moving to achieve these targets by implementing various mechanisms. The OECD is one such region where aggressive funding towards equipment with high energy efficiency and the advancement of technologies for producing and consuming renewable energy are provided to advance towards sustainable development. Given the economic significance of the aforementioned countries, this study evaluates the influence of energy technology innovation on sustainable development in OECD countries. Our research focuses on energy technology innovation, which we measure through the energy technology R&D budget. In addition to energy technology innovation, we consider several other control variables such as state fragility index, financial development and foreign direct investment. In order to achieve the aforementioned goal, we utilize advanced econometric modelling methods of the second generation. These techniques encompass a CSD test, unit root tests, cointegration test, and CS-ARDL model. The result from CS-ARDL suggests that energy technology innovation enhances sustainable development in the short and long run. State fragility is shown to influence sustainable development negatively and significantly. The role of financial development as well as foreign direct investment, is found to be favourable for sustainable development. Based on the outcome, it is recommended that countries of this region significantly increase investment in energy technology, enhance financial development and encourage foreign direct investment along with tackling the fragility of these nations to boost sustainable development.
Scientists use AI to design life-like enzymes from scratch
Prevalence of workplace bullying among medical students: A meta-analysis and systematic review protocol
Workplace bullying is a significant issue impacting various professions, including the healthcare sector. This study presents a meta-analysis aimed at assessing the global prevalence of workplace bullying among medical students and identifying potential influencing factors. Previous research suggests that medical students experience higher rates of bullying compared to senior doctors. However, no worldwide meta-analysis has been conducted on this topic. By utilizing a reliable measurement tool, this study will offer a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of workplace bullying among medical students. The findings are intended to inform the development of strategies to address this issue and enhance the well-being and professional development of medical students worldwide.
Identifying the spatiotemporal patterns and natural and socioeconomic influencing factors of PM2.5 and O3 pollution in China
To promote collaborative governance of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, understanding their spatiotemporal patterns and determining factors is crucial to control air pollution in China. Using the ground-monitored data encompassing PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in 2019 across 337 Chinese cities, this study explores the spatiotemporal patterns of PM2.5 and O3 concentrations, and then employed the Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model to examine the socioeconomic and natural factors affecting PM2.5 or O3 concentrations. The results show that PM2.5 and O3 concentrations exhibit distinct monthly U-shaped and inverted U-shaped temporal fluctuation patterns across Chinese cities, respectively. Spatially, both pollutants manifest spatial clustering characteristic and a certain degree of bivariate spatial correlation. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations are predominantly concentrated on north and central China, as well as the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, whereas higher O3 concentrations are distributed widely across north, east, and northwest China. The MGWR model outperforms traditional OLS and global spatial regression models, evidenced by its enhanced goodness-of-fit metrics. Specifically, the R2 values for the PM2.5 and O3 MGWR models are notably high, at 0.842 and 0.861, respectively. Socioeconomic and natural factors are found to have multi-scale spatial effects on PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in China. On average, PM2.5 concentrations show positively correlations with population density, the proportion of the added value of secondary industry in GDP, wind speed, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure, but negatively relationship with per capita GDP, road density, urban greening, air temperature, precipitation, and sunshine duration. In contrast, O3 concentrations are also positively associated with population density, the proportion of the added value of secondary industry in GDP, energy consumption, precipitation, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and sunshine duration, but negatively correlated with per capita GDP, road density, and air temperature. Our findings offer valuable insights to inform the development of comprehensive air pollution management policies in in developing countries.
Vaccine sceptic RFK Jr is now a powerful force in US science: what will he do?
Depression’s double-edged impact on body mass index. A hidden catalyst for non-communicable diseases in South Africa’s aging population in long-term care facilities
Introduction The global population of older people, who have a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, is on an upward trajectory, notably in South Africa. The expansion of this demographic will further strain an already overwhelmed healthcare system, primarily taxed by infectious diseases in younger populations. Physical activity has been shown to effectively reduce risk factors for non-communicable diseases in older people. Objective To investigate the associations between depression, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity and its complex interplay on non-communicable diseases in older people residing in South African long-term care facilities. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study on 396 participants residing in South African rural and urban long-term care facilities to analyse BMI, waist-hip ratio, physical activity and depression levels. The Geriatric Depression Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate depression and physical activity respectively. Results The sample had a mean BMI of 27.53 kg/m2 (95% CI [26.99, 28.07], SD = 5.49), with an obesity prevalence of 31.82%. Additionally, 35.10% of participants exhibited some degree of depressive symptoms. In an ordinal regression model BMI was a significant predictor (B = .10, p = .007) for increases in depression. Conversely in a linear regression model, depression (B = -2.01, p = .004) and physical activity (B = -.001, p = .008) were predictors for decreases in BMI. Conclusion The relationship between depression and BMI in older people is complex, with depression often leading to both weight loss and, conversely, increased BMI contributing to a higher risk of depression. Physical activity serves as a critical intervention, helping to reduce both BMI and depressive symptoms among older people residing in long-term care facilities. This underscores the importance of integrating PA programs into care strategies to improve overall health and well-being in this population.
Quantum-computing technology that makes qubits from atoms wins mega investment
Correction: Predicting sport fish mercury contamination in heavily managed reservoirs: Implications for human and ecological health
Daily briefing: A simple blood test could diagnose pancreatic cancer early
Breaking up clusters of circulating tumour cells to halt cancer spread
Meta-analysis reveals global variations in plant diversity effects on productivity
Hydrochemical evolution and formation mechanism of groundwater affected by human activities in Zhangxuan basin, northwest of Yanshan mountains, China
The Zhangxuan Basin serves as an ecological barrier and water conservation area for Beijing, the capital of China. Clarifying the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater in this region is essential for the effective management of groundwater resources and the protection of ecological security. In this study, based on data regarding chemistry and level of shallow groundwater from 2016 to 2022, hydrogeochemical analysis methods and geostatistical techniques were applied to investigate the hydrochemical evolution and genesis mechanisms of groundwater under the influence of human activities. The results showed that: (1) From 2016 to 2022, the groundwater remained predominantly characterized by Ca2+ and HCO3-, with the primary hydrochemical type unchanged as HCO3-Ca·Mg. (2) From 2016 to 2022, an overall decreasing trend in hydrochemical components was observed, alongside an increase in HCO3-Na type groundwater. Spatially, along the direction of groundwater flow, a general trend of increasing hydrochemical components was noted, with a significant rise in HCO3-Na type groundwater. (3) The spatiotemporal distribution and evolution of hydrochemistry were influenced by water-rock interactions, lithological characteristics, groundwater flow patterns, and human activities. Along the groundwater flow direction, lithological particles became finer, enhancing forward cation exchange and leaching, with the dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals intensifying. In localized areas, the hydrochemical components were influenced by the extraction of groundwater source areas and the discharge of industrial waste.
Biomarkers to predict or measure steroid resistance in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: A systematic review
In this systematic review we have sought to summarise the current knowledge concerning biomarkers that can distinguish between steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Additionally, we aim to select biomarkers that have the best evidence-base and should be prioritised for further research. Pub med and web of science databases were searched using “steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome AND biomarker”. Papers published between 01/01/2012 and 10/05/2022 were included. Papers that did not compare steroid resistant and steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome, did not report sensitivity/specificity or area under curve and reviews/letters were excluded. The selected papers were then assessed for bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. The source of the biomarker, cut off, sensitivity/specificity, area under curve and sample size were all extracted. Quality assessment was performed using the BIOCROSS tool. 17 studies were included, comprising 15 case-control studies and 2 cross-sectional studies. Given the rarity of nephrotic syndrome and difficulty in recruiting large cohorts, case-control studies were accepted despite their limitations. We present a range of candidate biomarkers along with scores relating to the quality of the original publications and the risk of bias to inform future investigations. None of the selected papers stated whether the authors were blinded to the patient’s disease when assessing the index test in the cohort. Highlighting a key problem in the field that needs to be addressed. These candidate biomarkers must now be tested with much larger sample sizes. Using new biobanks such as the one built by the NURTuRE-INS team will be very helpful in this regard.
Are the Trump team’s actions affecting your research? How to contact Nature
Author Correction: Continental influx and pervasive matrilocality in Iron Age Britain
Assessment of heavy metal pollution in sediments from the urban section of Yihe River, Linyi City, China
The Yihe River is the largest mountain torrent river in Shandong Province, which plays an important role in flood control, irrigation and climate regulation. Due to the impacts of the upstream and urban domestic sewage, as well as industrial and agricultural wastewater, the Linyi City section of the Yihe River is expected to have a high risk of metal pollution. Sediments are the main reservoir and potential release source of metals (metalloid) in river systems. Assessment of metals in sediments can identify anthropogenic pollution. In this study, 25 sediment samples were collected from the Linyi City section of the Yihe River and its tributaries, and the concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the concentration of Hg was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The pollution levels were evaluated by determining the contamination factor, pollution load index, geoaccumulation index, potential ecological risk assessment and toxicity risk index. Correlation analysis and absolute principal component-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) were used to conduct source apportionment. Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, As, and Hg were detected in all sediment samples. Overall, the concentration of metals (metalloid) in the sediments of the main stream of the Yihe River is mostly within the environmental background value, and the overall state is from no pollution to slightly polluted, while the tributaries of the Yihe River are in a slightly polluted state. Hg and Cd are the two main metal pollutants in the surface sediments of the study area, with the average content of 1.65 and 1.11 times the background value, respectively. Most areas of the main stream of the Yihe River are free of metal pollution, with low ecological risk and no toxicity risk. The ecological risks in the tributaries (Suhe River, Benghe River, Liuqinghe River) and the river center island (Yihe River North Island) are high and assessed as presenting low toxicity. Source analysis showed that Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and As mainly come from natural sources and agricultural activities, while Cd, Pb, and Hg are mainly the result of transportation and industry. The results help us understand the distribution and pollution of metals (metalloid) in the river sediments, and also provide management support to local environmental management departments and relevant national departments.