Browse Articles

Bioinspired Chloride-Assisted Protein Channels: Enhancing Proton Transport for Sustainable Energy Harvesting from Acidic Wastewater

Exploring access to social protection by persons with disabilities in Bangladesh

Background Social protection programs have played a significant role in ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWD) in low- and middle-income countries have access to basic livelihoods. However, there is a lack of research examining the extent of social protection program coverage for PWD and the factors influencing their inclusion. This study aimed to explore the extent of PWD’s inclusion in social protection programs in Bangladesh and the factors influencing their inclusion in these programs. Methods We analyzed data from the 2021 National Household Survey on Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh. The outcome variable considered was PWD’s inclusion in social protection programs (yes, no) to receive support, as well as the timing of inclusion in the social protection program (non-inclusion (0), inclusion within 0–6 months of the survey (1), and inclusion more than 6 months before the survey (2)). Explanatory variables included factors at the individual, household, and community levels. A multilevel multinomial logistic regression model was used to explore the associations between the outcome variable and explanatory variables, with respondents categorized into two groups based on age (children (0 to <18) and adults and older (18–95 years)). Results Data from a total of 4,293 PWD were analyzed, with a mean age of 41.4 years; 59% of the respondents were male. Approximately 37.7% (95% CI, 36.0–39.6) of the total respondents reported inclusion in social protection programs within 0–6 months of the survey, rising to 47.4% (95% CI, 45.6–49.2) for support received more than 6 months before the survey. “Disability allowances (69.0%) were the most common type of social protection program that PWD reported being included in, followed by old age allowances (16.3%) and assistance through the VGD/VGF programs (6.8%). Among children aged <18 years, the likelihood of inclusion in social protection programs was higher for those with multiple disabilities. In contrast, for PWD aged 18 years and older, inclusion in social protection programs was lower among those with mental illness, hearing disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. The likelihood of inclusion in social protection programs was higher for older, unmarried, widowed, divorced, or separated PWD. Conversely, PWD from wealthier households and those residing in the Dhaka division had a lower likelihood of being included in social protection programs. Conclusion The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive and inclusive social protection policies and programs to support the well-being of PWD in Bangladesh. Since disability grants are the primary source of social protection for this group, it is crucial to expand coverage and increase the amount of financial support provided.

Analysis of electric field in inclined dielectric media by heaviside unit-step function

Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Aryl Chlorides with Alkyl Chlorides Using Rotating Magnetic Field and Metal Rods

Temporal and interaction dynamics of dengue cases, entomological and meteorological variables in Melaka, Malaysia: A multivariate time series analysis

The complex interaction between dengue cases, entomological and meteorological variables has posed challenges for decades. Validated and updated evidences are in need for enhancing surveillance and vector control of dengue program. This study explores the relationship between the variables in the long run and short-term dynamic in Melaka, Malaysia. A multivariate time series with the application of Johansen Cointegration Test and Vector Error Correction Model are carried out to validate the interaction among dengue cases, temperature, ovitrap index (OI) and sticky ovitrap index (SOI) data from 2020–2022. Cointegration vector validates existence of long-term relationship of which an inverse interaction between temperature and SOI with cases and a direct relationship of OI with cases. Short-term equilibrium displays a robust causality among variables. Interaction of case with case demonstrates positive coefficients at lags -3, -7, and -8. Interaction of SOI with case shows negative coefficients on SOI variable at lags -3 and -4 and positive coefficient on the case variable at lag -1. OI equation with OI variable shows unique interaction of negative coefficients on OI variable at lags -1, -3, and -4. However, it produced positive coefficient on OI variable at lag -9. Case equation reveals negative coefficient of temperature variable at lag -6. This study implies that the variables are linked in a long-term and stable relationship. In the context of public health, VECM is still a new methodology to capture such dynamicity and causality between the variables. In long term interaction, the study expressed the temporal pattern of dengue transmission, which is persistent, stable, and cyclical in nature. Failure to control epidemics resulting in the progression of succession of dengue cases in short term. The model predicts the utility and efficacy of sticky ovitraps acting as dual role; surveillance and control tool. Hence, there is a much broader scope for future directions in dengue control. The long-term equilibrium indicates the ovitrap index as a reliable predictor of dengue cases. Temperature is an overall excellent estimator of the meteorological parameter that has a direct impact on the development of dengue cases.

Usage of serpentine injector for hydrogen mixing at combustion chamber of scramjet engine via a computational study

Contributory factors to reporting distance as a barrier to health facility visit among reproductive-age Senegalese women: A survival analysis

Background The burden of distance to healthcare facility is a factor of maternal morbidity and mortality in resource-constrained settings. In Senegal, little is known about distance or travel time as a barrier to health facility visit. The objective of this study was to assess distance as a barrier in reaching a health facility and its contributory factors among Senegalese women. Methods The data from 2023 Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS) was used in this study. A total sample of 16,583 women aged 15–49 years was analysed. Kaplan-Meier plot was used to estimate the median time to healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the factors of distance as a barrier in reaching a health facility were examined using multivariable Cox regression and reported as adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with its 95% confidence intervals (CI). The statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05. Results Overall, 35.8% of women reported distance as a barrier to reaching a health facility. The median time to a health facility was 13 minutes. Approximately two-thirds of the women reported walking to the nearest healthcare facility (66.4%), while others used animal-drawn cart (12.5%), motorcycle/scooter (9.3%) and car/truck (7.8%) respectively. Poular, Serer and Mandingue women had 10% (aHR= 0.90; 95% CI: 0.84–0.98), 19% (aHR= 0.81; 95% CI: 0.74–0.90) and 14% (aHR= 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76–0.97) reduction in the risk of reporting distance as a barrier in reaching a health facility, when compared with Wolof women. In addition, women from Dakar, Ziguinchor, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Kaolack, Thiès, Louga, Fatick, Kolda, Matam, Kaffrine, Kedougou and Sedhiou had higher risk of reporting distance as a barrier in reaching a health facility, when compared with women from Diourbel region. Rural women had 36% higher risk of reporting distance as a barrier in reaching a health facility (aHR= 1.36; 95% CI: 1.27–1.44), when compared with their urban counterparts. Conclusion Based on the findings of this study, rural and remote women have distance as a barrier to health facility visit. The travel time to a health facility is a critical indicator of the burden of distance to health facility and can therefore better inform health services planning for people residing in rural and remote locations in Senegal.

Circadian photoreception influences loss aversion

A Multiagent-Driven Robotic AI Chemist Enabling Autonomous Chemical Research On Demand

Establishment of a simple prediction method for DNA melting temperature: high-resolution melting curve analysis of PCR products

High-resolution melting analysis is a technique that leverages the principle that the thermal stability of dsDNA is influenced by its length and base composition. This method generates a melting curve by real-time monitoring of the changes in fluorescence signal as dsDNA melts during the heating process. The melting temperature serves as a fundamental indicator of sample characteristics in HRM analysis. During the initial stages of designing a new HRM experimental system, accurately predicting the Tm position of the established system can significantly enhance research efficiency. Currently, there is a limited number of studies focused on the prediction of Tm values in HRM analysis, with varying levels of predictive accuracy. The nearest-neighbor method model can well reflect the interaction of adjacent base pairs. Therefore, we combined the nearest neighbor method model and applied parameters such as enthalpy change, entropy change, GC content and number of base pairs of the DNA sequence to derive a new empirical formula for predicting Tm values. In this study, five species of seawater diatoms were selected as the research subjects. Four specific primers were employed to amplify the extracted DNA through PCR, and the resulting amplified products underwent HRM analysis and Sanger sequencing. Based on the obtained DNA sequences, we calculated the corresponding GC content, number of base pairs, enthalpy change and entropy change, combined with the Tm value obtained from the experiment. Finally, the following formula for predicting Tm value is obtained: (1) When the GC content is 40%≤GC content≤60%: Tm=ΔH/ΔS–0.27GC%–(150+2n)/n–273.15; (2) When the GC content is <40%: Tm=ΔH/ΔS–GC%/3–(150+2n)/n–273.15. After that, the DNA sequences amplified using two other specific primers were verified, and the predicted Tm values were compared with the measured values. The average error was within 1 °C.The results show that the formula obtained in the study can accurately predict the Tm value, which can be effectively used to identify the species of unknown samples.Therefore, this Tm value prediction method provides new methods and ideas for solving practical problems in multiple related fields.

Case-only analysis in small studies of predictive biomarkers

Abstract Characteristics of tumors and patients can be used as predictive biomarkers to guide treatment choice. Although many potential biomarkers are evaluated each year, only few will eventually be used since evidence is usually based on small studies leading to inconclusive results. Such data are often analyzed with Cox proportional hazards regression using a multiplicative interaction term between biomarker and treatment, with insufficient power and possibly biased results. Instead of analyzing patients who do (cases) and do not experience (non-cases) the survival event of interest, case-only analysis with logistic regression has been proposed, however with unknown small sample properties. We evaluated the performance of case-only analysis with bias-eliminating Firth correction and confidence intervals obtained with a profile likelihood method in a simulation study tailored to breast cancer. Our results show that this approach is generally inferior to the full cohort analysis but has acceptable properties when the marker is protective or null among patients treated with the standard treatment, the event rate is low (e.g., a rare event and a protective marker) and treatment assignment is independent of the marker level (e.g., in randomized studies). In such situations, the case-only design offers substantial cost savings. However, the model is sensitive to these assumptions.

Visible light-mediated dearomative spirocyclization/imination of nonactivated arenes through energy transfer catalysis

Abstract Aromatic compounds serve as key feedstocks in the chemical industry, typically undergoing functionalization or full reduction. However, partial reduction via dearomative sequences remains underexplored despite its potential to rapidly generate complex three-dimensional scaffolds and the existing dearomative strategies often require metal-mediated multistep processes or suffer from limited applicability. Herein, a photocatalytic radical cascade approach enabling dearomative difunctionalization through selective spirocyclization/imination of nonactivated arenes is reported. The method employs bifunctional oxime esters and carbonates to introduce multiple functional groups in a single step, forming spirocyclic motifs and iminyl functionalities via N–O bond cleavage, hydrogen-atom transfer, radical addition, spirocyclization, and radical-radical cross-coupling. The reaction constructs up to four bonds (C−O, C−C, C−N) from simple starting materials. Its broad applicability is demonstrated on various substrates, including pharmaceuticals, and it is compatible with scale-up under flow conditions, offering a streamlined approach to synthesizing highly decorated three-dimensional frameworks.

Association between medication adherence and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with both diabetes and hypertension in primary care settings in Canada: A retrospective cohort study

Objectives The impact of concurrent adherence to antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and statins on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes and intermediate clinical outcomes in people with hypertension and diabetes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between medication adherence and CVD outcomes in such patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed the electronic medical records of 36,211 adults aged 18 or older diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes between January 2008 and June 2016 in Canada. Patients were prescribed antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and statins, with a minimum 1-year follow-up post-diagnosis. Medication adherence was determined by the proportion of days covered (PDC). For monotherapy, a PDC≥80% and <80% was reflected high and low adherence respectively. In multiple medication scenarios, adherence was considered high when each medication was at PDC≥80%; low when any medication fell below 80%. The primary outcome encompassed cardiac events, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Intermediate clinical outcomes included changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC). Cox regression models assessed the association between medication adherence and CVD morbidity, all-cause mortality, and intermediate clinical outcomes. Results High adherence to antidiabetic and statin monotherapy was associated with a lower all-cause mortality risk (aHR=0.67, P=0.001; aHR=0.68, P<0.001, respectively). For patients simultaneously prescribed three medications, higher adherence was linked to significant reductions in DBP (6 months: coefficient −0.52, P=0.01; 12 months: coefficient −0.44, P=0.02; 18 months: coefficient −0.55, P=0.004) and LDL-C (6 months: coefficient −0.04, P=0.02; 12 months: coefficient −0.05, P=0.01; 18 months: coefficient −0.04, P=0.02). Conclusions High adherence to antidiabetic and statin monotherapy correlated with lower all-cause mortality risk and improved intermediate clinical outcomes. However, simultaneous adherence to three medications did not significantly affect CVD outcomes, but influenced intermediate outcomes. Therefore, improving adherence to antihypertensives, antidiabetics, and statins among patients with hypertension and diabetes is important in primary care settings.

Assessing motorcyclist injury severity on curved road segments with temporal dynamics and unobserved heterogeneity

Nanoscale heterophase regulation enables sunlight-like full-spectrum white electroluminescence

Novel empirical models & comparative probabilistic analysis of interconnectedness of volcano eruption & nearby earthquakes

This paper takes a probabilistic approach to validate novel empirical models and the directional distributional similarities of nearby earthquake counts related to a typical volcano with its eruption duration. Considering the datasets on volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, focusing mainly on earthquakes within a 100-kilometer radius and within a three-year time frame of the volcano eruption. An empirical probabilistic models for the same; statistical model validation tests favor the proposed models is proposed. In addition, a novel directional statistical approach to characterize the interconnection and distributional similarities of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes near volcanoes, utilizing the directional nature of the datasets. The project and partition the volcanic eruption and earthquake data to assess its directional distribution is shown. The analysis demonstrated that the data adhered to a Von Mises distribution and unsupervised equal partition revealed for both datasets, highlighting the interconnected nature of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Also, Von Mises-Fisher distribution fit test is applied to this work; the analysis produced partition results that closely aligned with the partitions obtained through the 2D projection. This congruence emphasizes the robustness of the findings in a spherical context. the proposed empirical models and conclusions on distributional similarities may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms connecting these geological phenomena.

A target detection model HR-YOLO for advanced driver assistance systems in foggy conditions

GRA12 is a common virulence factor across Toxoplasma gondii strains and mouse subspecies

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii parasites exhibit extraordinary host promiscuity owing to over 250 putative secreted proteins that disrupt host cell functions, enabling parasite persistence. However, most of the known effector proteins are specific to Toxoplasma genotypes or hosts. To identify virulence factors that function across different parasite isolates and mouse strains that differ in susceptibility to infection, we performed systematic pooled in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 screens targeting the Toxoplasma secretome. We identified several proteins required for infection across parasite strains and mouse species, of which the dense granule protein 12 (GRA12) emerged as the most important effector protein during acute infection. GRA12 deletion in IFNγ-activated macrophages results in collapsed parasitophorous vacuoles and increased host cell necrosis, which is partially rescued by inhibiting early parasite egress. GRA12 orthologues from related coccidian parasites, including Neospora caninum and Hammondia hammondi, complement TgΔGRA12 in vitro, suggesting a common mechanism of protection from immune clearance by their hosts.

Awareness of periodontitis and its relationship with systemic health among undergraduate medical students at a teaching hospital in Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Background Periodontitis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease primarily caused by bacterial plaque, but may be affected by the host immune response, diabetes, inadequate nutrition, smoking and stress. The systemic implications of periodontitis, particularly its associations with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory infections, highlight the importance of medical students acquiring in-depth insight into this condition. This knowledge is essential for promoting both oral and general health in the public. Objective To assess the awareness of periodontitis and its relationship with systemic health among undergraduate medical students at a teaching hospital in Nepal. Materials and methods A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to assess awareness of periodontitis and its relationship with systemic health. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3rd-, 4th-, and final-year medical students and interns at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, from January 2024 to March 2024. The data were analyzed via descriptive statistics in SPSS version 27. Results A total of 218 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 24.03 ± 1.85 years. The majority (76.1%) of the students were male. Approximately 95.9% (209) of the participants had heard of term periodontitis. The majority of participants identified bad breath (83.5%), gum recession (78.4%), bleeding gums (85.3%), and loose teeth (71.1%) as symptoms of periodontitis, with more than 80% correctly recognizing gum recession in all groups except for 3rd-year students (52.8%). The majority of the students were aware of the risk factors associated with periodontitis. Conclusion There was a notable gap in the recognition of symptoms, risk factors, and systemic links related to periodontitis among 3rd year students compared with 4th year, final year students and interns. This highlights the need for improved education on the topic among 3rd and 4th year medical students.

A porous metal–organic framework (Pd-MOF) as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the C–O cross-coupling reactions

Abstract This report outlines the development of a novel and efficient metal–organic framework (MOF) synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction using palladium acetate salt and trimesic acid as the organic ligand. A series of detailed analyses, including FT-IR, XRD, EDS, TEM, XPS, BET, ICP, and SEM, were performed to characterize the resulting MOF. These analyses confirmed the successful integration of Pd within the metal–organic framework structure. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis assessed the porosity of the Pd-T-MOF metal–organic framework. The specific surface area was measured at 206.3 m2/g based on isotherms. Using the BJH method, the total pore volume was calculated as 0.4 cm3/g, with an average pore diameter of 2.8 nm. The catalyst demonstrated exceptional catalytic performance and stability in facilitating the C–O cross-coupling reaction. The proposed protocol offers several advantages, such as catalyst reusability, mild reaction conditions, high product yields ranging from 58 to 98%, and short reaction times between 30 and 120 min. Furthermore, the adaptable nanocatalyst (Pd-T-MOF) can be easily separated from the reaction mixture via centrifugation and reused across four successive cycles with only a slight decrease in efficiency.