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Spectrum of urolith composition among a multi-ethnic population at the Aga Khan hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Background Urolithiasis is among the commonest diseases affecting the urinary tract with worldwide prevalence varying from 1%−20%. A urolith refers to a calculus or stone within the urinary tract, knowledge of urolith composition is important in understanding their etiology, treatment and preventing recurrence. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of urolith compositions among patients seen at the Aga Khan Hospital Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Methods This was a hospital based cross-sectional study carried out among patients with urolithiasis treated during a ten-year period from January 2011 to December 2020 whose stones were sent for stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy. Data on age, sex, clinical presentation, mode of diagnosis, mode of extraction and chemical composition was analyzed. Results A total of 168 adult patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 44.7 yrs. (SD 10.99). Males (83.3%) were more affected than females. The majority (58.3%) of stones were found in the ureters. Purely calcium oxalate stones was the predominant composition of urinary tract stones, found in 66.1% of patients, this predominance was observed across both genders and across all age groups and anatomical locations, following calcium oxalate only stones in prevalence were stones with mixed calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (21.4%). Conclusion Stones in our setting were of mixed composition. The most common constituent of stones across all ages, gender and locations was calcium oxalate only stones. Male gender was most predominant and the commonest site of urinary calculi was the ureters.

Specific Ion Properties Induce Spontaneous H₂O₂ Production at the Air–Water Interface

Assessing induced abortion underreporting in restrictive settings using prospective morbidity surveys from Kenya, Liberia, and Sierra Leone

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among reproductive-aged women (15–49 years) in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan district, Nepal

Background Overweight and obesity is a rising public health threat both in developed and developing countries including Nepal. Nepal is undergoing rapid urbanization, accompanied by significant changes in lifestyle, dietary practices, and behavioral patterns. This shift has contributed to a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associated factors among reproductive-aged women of Ratnanagar Municipality (RM), Chitwan. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected wards of Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan district. A multistage sampling method was followed for the selection of participants. Face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM). Descriptive results were presented using the frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was performed using Chi-square and bivariate binary logistic regression. The factors associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. All the tests were performed at a 95% Confidence Interval and variables with p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 318 individuals participated in this study. More than half of the participants (51.6%) were overweight/obese. This study demonstrated that participant’s socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics such as age (AOR = 3.3, CI: 1.5–4.4), ethnicity (AOR = 2.3, CI:1.2–4.3), higher education (AOR = 2.6 CI:1.8–5.8), family type (AOR = 0.4, CI:0.1–0.8) and moderate physical activity (AOR = 3.0, CI: 1.2–7.4) were statistically significant with the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Conclusion This study concludes a significant burden of overweight and obesity (51.6%) among reproductive-aged women, with socio-demographic, lifestyle, and behavioral factors playing a key role. Factors such as age, education, occupation, and physical activity were linked to overweight and obesity. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to combat obesity, emphasizing the importance of behavioral changes, public health awareness, and community-based campaigns to promote healthy eating, and reduced sedentary behavior.

C–H Amination of Arenes and Heteroarenes through a Dearomative (3 + 2) Cycloaddition

Predict the writer’s trait emotional intelligence from reproduced calligraphy

Personality traits and resilience mediated by depressive symptoms in a sample of psychotherapy patients: A cross-sectional study

Introduction Resilience is a concept that has been widely studied in different contexts and is related to adaptation to different stress levels. Although research in psychotherapy has produced vast knowledge about the effectiveness and mechanisms that mediate response, there is still no clarity about the role of resilience in this process, especially research in psychotherapy with patients with severe mental illness. Due to the implications of severe mental illness in different areas of life, in these patients, the capacity for resilience may be impaired, and the mechanisms involved in mediating this process are still not well explained. Objective Verify the associations between personality traits and resilience and their potential confounders (sociodemographic factors, pharmacological treatment, type of psychotherapy, social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms). Assess depressive symptoms as a possible mediator of the relationship between personality traits and resilience. Methods This is a naturalistic cross-sectional study, with 83 participants undergoing psychotherapy from different theoretical lines (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and interpersonal). Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated, as well as resilience (25-item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), anxious symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and Personality traits (Personality Inventory for DSM-5). Results Resilience was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (B = −12.1, p < 0.001). The mediation effect was significant for depressive symptoms (b = −7.21, BCa 95% CI [−12.6, −3.07]). This variable mediated approximately 46% of the relationship between negative affectivity and resilience. Conclusion Resilience was positively associated with antagonism traits and negatively with negative affectivity and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms mediated 46% of the relationship between negative affectivity and resilience. The main findings of this study contribute to a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in resilience, thus influencing the mental health outcomes of patients with severe mental illness.

Effect of a single ultra processed meal on myocardial endothelial function, adenosine mediated effects and cognitive performances

Efficacy of MRI and clinical findings of Lidocaine injection combined with manual therapy in frozen shoulder—A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled trial

Background Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a debilitating condition characterized by progressive pain and restricted range of motion in the glenohumeral joint. A wide range of interventions has been explored for its management, including conservative physiotherapy approaches such as thermotherapy, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercises. Pharmacological interventions, including pain medications, and muscle relaxants are commonly employed to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, intra-articular corticosteroid injections have been shown to provide short-term relief. While each modality offers potential benefits, the optimal treatment strategy remains a subject of ongoing investigation. Purpose The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical and magnetic resonance image (MRI) changes after lidocaine injection with manual therapy in frozen shoulder. Study design/ setting Randomized, single-blinded controlled study conducted at University hospital. Patient sample Sixty eligible participants were divided into an active group (n = 30; Lidocaine injection with active manual therapy) and the placebo group (n = 30; Lidocaine injection with placebo manual therapy) 4 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures The primary outcome was pain intensity, measured with the visual analogue scale and the other outcome measures were range of motion (ROM), functional disability, thickness of corocohumeral ligament (CHL) by MRI, and quality of life which was measured at baseline, after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and at 6 months. Results The VAS score at 4 weeks shows an improvement 2.4 (CI 95% 2.08 to 2.71) in the active group than the placebo group. Similar effects have been noted after 8 weeks 3.0 (CI95% 2.68 to 3.31) and at 6 months 2.5 (CI95% 2.18 to 2.81). Similar statistically significant improvements were found in the ROM (abduction & Lateral rotation), functional disability, thickness of CHL ligament, status and quality of life (p = 0.001). Conclusion Lidocaine injection with active manual therapy consists of scapula mobilization and posterior capsular stretching was superior to placebo group for improving pain, ROM, functional disability, and quality of life in people with frozen shoulder. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov CTRI/2020/04/024853

Roles of Three Conserved Active Site Residues of Cytochrome <i>c</i> Nitrite Reductases During the Early Steps of Nitrite Reduction

An attack detection method based on deep learning for internet of things

User preferences in multi-objective routes: The role of gradient visualization and personality measures

Traditional pedestrian navigation systems typically prioritize the shortest or fastest routes. However, modern urban environments require multi-objective navigation that incorporates factors such as route gradient, familiarity, and individual preferences. This study investigates how presenting gradient information–either in numeric or graphical formats–affects pedestrian route choices, and how individual psychological traits, particularly the Big Five and Sensation Seeking dimensions, influence these decisions. We conducted an online survey with 91 valid participants (from an initial pool of 315), each randomly assigned to one of three groups: Control (no gradient shown), Numeric (textual gradient), or Graphical (altitude charts). Participants selected their preferred route from six route pairs, each differing in slope and distance. These pairs were generated using a multi-objective planning algorithm that optimizes both attributes. Our findings reveal three key insights. First, numeric gradient presentation led to a modest shift away from shortest-route selections (mean: 3.89 versus 4.29 in the control group), particularly for longer cases. Second, graphical gradient representations did not significantly improve decision-making over numeric formats. Third, participants with higher Sensation Seeking scores showed a significantly stronger preference for longer but gentler routes (p &lt; 0.01). These results highlight the role of individual tendencies in route selection, suggesting that personalized navigation systems could be improved by incorporating user-specific psychological profiles.

Highly Conjugated Porphyrin Arrays Enable Optical Resolution of Ferromagnetic and Antiferromagnetic Aligned States of the Triplet Exciton and an Incorporated Stable Radical

Parvovirus B19 NS1 protein induces synovitis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis

Examination of the spatial-temporal variations in terrestrial water reserves and green efficiency of water resources in China’s three northeastern provinces

Using technological advancements and analyzing urban water consumption patterns, this article employs GRACE satellite data and statistical records to conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of water resource utilization efficiency across 34 prefecture-level cities in China’s three northeastern provinces—Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang—over the period spanning from 2003 to 2020. By utilizing the sophisticated Super-SBM model, the study delves into the spatial and temporal variations in terrestrial water reserves and green water usage efficiency. Additionally, the Tobit model is introduced to investigate the influencing factors of water resource utilization efficiency. The primary findings of the study are outlined below: The spatial distribution of terrestrial water resources in the three northeastern provinces reveals a clear north-south gradient, with abundant resources in the northern regions and scarcity in the southern parts. Seasonal fluctuations, albeit present, are relatively modest, with higher water storage levels typically observed in spring and summer, and lower levels in autumn and winter. Regarding the static water use efficiency among the 34 prefecture-level cities, Panjin stands out with the highest efficiency, whereas Qiqihar ranks lowest. Notably, 91.18% of the cities exhibit medium to high efficiency levels, reflecting commendable performance in water utilization throughout the region. Almost half of the cities have experienced an improvement in their water use efficiency compared to the previous year, signaling a gradual enhancement in water utilization capabilities. The average total factor productivity across the three northeastern provinces stands at 1.012, representing an annual growth rate of 1.2%. The efficiency of water resource utilization in these provinces is intricately linked to the technological progress index. To enhance water resource utilization efficiency, it is imperative to introduce advanced technologies, increase research investments, and foster technological advancements.

Mono or Di? A Potential-Controlled Electrochemical Halogenation of Anilines

Binomial order is a speech marker of psychosis and thought disorder

Analysis of multipath effects in global trade networks based on multimodal, high dimensional, heterogeneous transformer architecture: Deconstruction of nonlinear cascade and dynamic chain reaction

This paper proposes a multi-path effect analysis model for major economies in the global trade network based on the MH-DP Transformer architecture. The global trade network comprises interconnected nodes, with interactions among major economies (China, the US, Japan, and Europe) being crucial. A trade network model with four regional nodes and their connections is established to simulate trade flow propagation and capture the nonlinear feedback mechanism through an iterative process. The experimental results demonstrate that trade volume changes exhibit significant nonlinear trends, and mutual influences between economies produce strong cascading effects. For instance, China experiences significant fluctuations when interacting with the US and Europe, while Europe shows strong chain reactions with Japan. The model outperforms other comparative models, achieving the best path prediction accuracy (82.5%) and convergence speed, effectively capturing nonlinear effects. Furthermore, the paper uses 3D charts and heat maps to visualize global trade flow changes, offering a quantitative perspective on understanding the complexity of global trade interactions. The experimental results validate the model’s strong ability to analyze multi-path effects and dynamic chain reactions in global trade networks, providing a powerful tool for future economic policy formulation and interactive prediction in regional economic integration.

Crystallizing the Uncrystallizable: Insights from Extensive Screening of PROTACs

Altered gray matter morphometry in psychogenic erectile dysfunction patients: A Surface-based morphometry study