Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
A hybrid human fall detection method based on modified YOLOv8s and AlphaPose
The value of increasing sequencing depth for noninvasive prenatal screening for whole chromosomal aneuploidy
First principles design of multifunctional spintronic devices based on super narrow borophene nanoribbons
College students’ entrepreneurship education path and management strategy of start-up enterprises using causal attribution theory
Association between extracellular DNA levels, markers of inflammation and left ventricular mass index in children with chronic kidney disease
Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, but the primary factors triggering this inflammation remain unclear. Extracellular or cell-free DNA (exDNA) originates from virtually all tissues, being released during cell death, and stimulates the innate immune system. Our study was designed as an observational, cross-sectional cohort study of children with CKD (both before and after kidney transplantation) and controls to analyze associations between exDNA, markers of inflammation, and cardiovascular health. Extracellular DNA (total, nuclear, and mitochondrial) was analyzed in plasma using fluorometry and real-time PCR. We found that children with CKD after kidney transplantation had higher concentrations of total and nuclear extracellular DNA (total exDNA and nc_exDNA) in plasma compared to controls. In univariate analysis, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (LL-37), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were positively correlated with total exDNA and nc_exDNA concentrations. Multivariate analysis revealed LVMI as the only independent variable associated with high levels of both total exDNA and nc_exDNA. We believe that our results contribute new knowledge to the pathogenesis of CKD and its complications and may help identify new treatment targets.
The impact of major congenital anomalies on obstetric outcomes in the United Arab Emirates: the Mutaba’ah Study
Machine learning based prediction models for the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with DKA
A comparative petrophysical evaluation of the Abu Roash, Bahariya, and Kharita reservoirs using well-logging data, East El-Fayoum, Egypt
Abstract The exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in the Western Desert require more continuous activities. The Silah is a newly discovered field in this region. Therefore, this study emphasizes the application of petrophysical evaluation to sandstone and carbonate reservoirs from the late and early Cretaceous. These formations are the most potential hydrocarbon reservoirs in the studied area as a part of the western desert. Additionally, this study involves a comparative evaluation of the Abu Roash, Bahariya, and Kharita reservoirs using well-logging data by applying different cross-plots that are used for determining different petrophysical parameters such as shale volume, porosity, fluid saturation, permeability, and net-to-gross ratio. These logs are gamma-ray (GR), calliper, resistivity (RLA5, RLA3, and RXOZ), photoelectric effect (PEFZ), neutron (APLC), and density (RHOZ). These plots agree with the results deduced from the interpretation of lithologic logs. Fourteen hydrocarbon-bearing zones are identified in the Silah field. Only two zones, namely, Zone 2 in Silah-15 and Zone 1 in South Silah-1X, are considered the best for hydrocarbon generation. These zones are characterized by low to moderate shale volume, moderate to high total porosity, good effective porosity, low water saturation, and high net-to-gross ratio. These zones lie in the Abu Roash/F member. These deduced points prove that the Abu Roash/F member can be an abundant hydrocarbon reservoir. This member in the Silah field appears to be a promising hydrocarbon reservoir because it matches the petrophysical parameters of the investigated zones and others in the northwestern Desert. This suggests that there may be reservoir continuity and similarity.
Development of a 3D cephalometric index to grade severity of dentofacial deformity in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Characterization of some selected macroalgae extracts and assessment of their insecticidal and genotoxicity in Culex pipiens L. mosquito larvae
Abstract The continual use of synthetic insecticides to control mosquito larvae has severe implications for human health and the ecosystem, highlighting the need for alternative natural insecticides. Macroalgae may be a good alternative because of their biologically active metabolites with distinctive chemical structures that have been reported for their insecticidal properties. The study aimed to investigate the potential of different extracts from Jania rubens (Linnaeus) J.V.Lamouroux and Colpomenia sinuosa (Mertens ex Roth) Derbès & Solier as genotoxic and larvicidal agents against Culex pipiens Linnaeus larvae. The algae thallus was subjected to extraction using methanol, acetone, and methylene chloride. The phytochemical composition was quantified. The larvicidal activity of the different algae extracts was assessed against the third instar larvae of Culex pipiens. Genotoxic evaluation through comet assays and compound characterization by GC/MS was done. The results demonstrated that J. rubens methylene chloride extract exhibited the highest contents of phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins while C. sinuosa methanol extract demonstrated the highest levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and saponins. The larvicidal activity results revealed that J. rubens methylene chloride extract was the most toxic for C. pipiens larvae with LC50 = 9.30 ppm followed by C. sinuosa acetone extract with LC50 = 82.58 ppm after 72 h of exposure. At 50 and 250 ppm, J. rubens methylene chloride and C. sinuosa acetone extracts maintained 100 and 93.33% larval mortality rates, respectively. Comet assay results demonstrated the genotoxicity of both algae extracts in C. pipiens larvae. This study would be a beginning towards replacing chemical insecticides with algae-based bioinsecticides against C. pipiens mosquitos.
Ultrasound-based abdominal muscles and diaphragm assessment in predicting extubation failure in patients requiring neurointensive care: a single-center observational study
One pot synthesis of poly m-toluidine incorporated silver and silver oxide nanocomposite as a promising electrode for supercapacitor devices
Abstract The design and fabrication of novel electrodes with strong electrochemical responses are crucial in advanced supercapacitor technology. In this study, a poly(m-toluidine)/silver-silver oxide (PMT/Ag-Ag2O) nanocomposite was prepared using the photopolymerization method. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the prepared nanomaterials. The resulting structure of Ag-Ag2O minimizes ion diffusion distances, increases active sites, and accelerates redox reactions. The electrochemical response of PMT and PMT/Ag-Ag2O electrodes was evaluated in three different electrolyte solutions (Na2SO4, H2SO4, and HCl). The specific capacitance of PMT/Ag-Ag2O nanocomposite was found to be higher than that of PMT alone. Among the tested electrolytes, HCl exhibited the highest specific capacitance of 443 F g−1 at a gravimetric current density of 0.4 A g−1, surpassing H2SO4 (104 F g−1) and Na2SO4 (32 F g−1). Also, the PMT/Ag-Ag2O nanocomposite has demonstrated good cycling stability. It exhibited a high specific power density of 156 W Kg−1 and a specific energy density of 1.8 Wh Kg−1. These results highlight the potential of the prepared PMT/Ag-Ag2O nanocomposite as a nanoelectrode material for high-performance supercapacitors.
Systematic identification of the chemical components of leaves and roots of Didymocarpus heucherifolius Hand.-Mazz. based on UHPLC Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS technology coupled with molecular networking strategy
Dengue dynamics, predictions, and future increase under changing monsoon climate in India
Abstract The global burden of dengue disease is escalating under the influence of climate change, with India contributing a third of the total. The non-linearity and regional heterogeneity inherent in the climate-dengue relationship and the lack of consistent data makes it difficult to make useful predictions for effective disease prevention. The current study investigates these non-linear climate-dengue links in Pune, a dengue hotspot region in India with a monsoonal climate and presents a model framework for predicting both the near-term and future dengue mortalities. Dengue mortality and meteorological conditions over a twelve-year period (2004–2015) are analyzed using statistical tools and machine learning methods. Our findings point to a significant influence of temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity on dengue mortality in Pune, at a time-lag of 2–5 months, providing sufficient lead time for an early warning targeted at curbing dengue outbreaks. We find that moderate rains spread over the summer monsoon season lead to an increase in dengue mortality, whereas heavy rains reduce it through the flushing effect, indicating the links between dengue and monsoon intraseasonal variability. Additionally, warm temperatures above 27°C and humidity levels between 60% and 78% elevate the risk of dengue. Based on these weather-dengue associations, we developed a machine-learning model utilizing the random forest regression algorithm. The dengue model yields a skillful forecast, achieving a statistically significant correlation coefficient of r = 0.77 and a relatively low Normalized Root Mean Squared Error score of 0.52 between actual and predicted dengue mortalities, at a lead time of two months. The model finds that the relative contributions of temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity to dengue mortality in Pune are 41%, 39%, and 20%, respectively. We use the dengue model in conjunction with the climate change simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 for the future dengue mortality projections under a global warming scenario. In a changing climate, dengue-related mortality in Pune is projected to rise by 13% in the near future (2021–2040), 23–40% in the mid-century (2041–2060), and 30–112% in the late century (2081–2100) under low-to-high emission pathways in response to the associated increase in temperature and changes in monsoon rainfall patterns.