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Polymorphisms in Pfkelch13 domains before and after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Southwest Nigeria

Emergence of artemisinin resistance in East Africa has greatly necessitated surveillance of artemisinin resistance in other African countries with great malaria burden. Specific mutations within the β-propeller and BTB/Poz domains of Pfkelch13 gene are validated markers of artemisinin resistance. Sparse information exists on mutations outside these domains that may also contribute to artemisinin resistance. This study evaluated the occurrence and frequency of mutations in all domains of Pfkelch13 gene, and their impact on treatment outcome in Ibadan pre- and post-adoption of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) in Nigeria. Dry blood spots prepared from blood samples obtained from P. falciparum-infected patients during retrospective (2000–2005) and prospective (2021) studies were analysed. Treatment outcomes with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine were evaluated in a cohort of patients from the prospective study during a 42-day follow-up. Nested amplifications of Pfkelch13 gene fragments were done and subjected to Sanger dideoxy sequencing. Mutations were identified by sequence alignment and correlated with treatment outcome parameters including parasite clearance time (PCT) and day 2 parasite reduction ratio (PRRD2) among others. Mean PCT was 2.1 ± 0.6 days (95%CI: 1.97–2.24) while PRRD2 was 4815 with 100% adequate clinical and parasitological response. Altogether, 64 (11 retrospective/53 prospective) samples were successfully sequenced. None of the β-propeller domain mutations validated as artemisinin resistance markers were found within the analysed samples. However, four distinct mutations, K189T (64.2%), K189N (1.9%), R255K (3.8%), and N217H (1.9%) were identified within the N-terminal domain of the prospective samples while the K189T mutation was identified in a retrospective sample obtained in 2003. The K189T and R255K mutations correlated significantly with longer parasite clearance time in treated patients (P < 0.002). There was no evidence of validated molecular marker of artemisinin resistance within the ß-propeller domain of Pfkelch13. However, frequency of K189T mutation and its significant correlation with longer PCT may suggest possibilities of geographical variations in genetic drivers of artemisinin resistance.

Global, regional, and national burdens of alcohol-related cirrhosis among women from 1992 to 2021 and its predictions

When effort pays off: An experimental investigation into action orientation and anxiety as buffering factors between anhedonia and reward motivation

Reward motivation, a construct tied to depression, has been studied using the Effort-Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT). Prior work indicates that anhedonia can reduce reward motivation on the EEfRT, as those with higher levels of anhedonia tend to engage in low reward tasks that require less effort as opposed to expending higher levels of effort to obtain a larger reward. Action orientation has shown to act as a buffer at low levels of anhedonia, but this effect has not been seen at high levels of anhedonia. The current study examined if these findings replicated without a stress manipulation and explored the interaction between anxiety and anhedonia in predicting persistence on the EEfRT using two moderation models. Participants (N =  101) with varying levels of depressive symptoms took part in the study. The first model examined the effects of anhedonia and action orientation on reward motivation. The second model investigated the influence of anhedonia and anxiety on reward motivation. Findings revealed that higher levels of anhedonia were significantly associated with lower reward motivation in both models. Additionally, the interaction between anhedonia and action orientation on reward motivation was significant. Trend analyses revealed that, at low levels of anhedonia, participants generally made more high-effort/high-reward choices or were willing to exude more effort for the possibility of obtaining a greater reward. However, as anhedonia increased, individuals with higher levels of action orientation exhibited greater effort as opposed to those with lower action orientation. The findings indicate that anhedonia has a strong impact on limiting reward motivation. However, high levels of action orientation can mitigate the negative influence of anhedonia on reward motivation.

Time-modulated 1-bit amplitude-coded metasurface for space-frequency beam shaping

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) space-encoded metamaterials enable the progressive development of a multitude of functionalities for controlling electromagnetic (EM) waves. Recently, time-modulated phase-coded metasurfaces have been introduced into 2D metamaterials, allowing for EM wave manipulation across both spatial and frequency domains. This approach is naturally suited to microwave frequency range where the compact phase controlling elements, such as diodes and varactors are readily available. However, as future generation communication systems target frequencies above 100 GHz with a much higher speed and more densification, enhanced solutions utilizing the novel concepts will be inevitable because the metasurface integration with the common active elements is challenging. Here, we propose the space-time 1-bit amplitude-coded metasurfaces instead of phase-coded one to support the complex functionality for the intelligent control of the environment in wireless communication systems. The solution is implemented using graphene-based meta-atom, where 1-bit amplitude-coding is reconfigurable via bias voltage. To validate the effectiveness of this approach for beam shaping, we demonstrate beam steering with low sidelobe patterns by achieving the desired effective amplitude and phase distributions. This proposed method is anticipated to broaden the applications of digital coding metasurfaces, particularly in THz wireless communication systems.

The great divide between employees: Clustering employee “well-being” during a pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic is a textbook case of significant situational stress induced by various disruptions beyond mere health concerns, such as social isolation and financial constraints. For the workforce, it is essential to anticipate how these disruptions may undermine employees’ resilience, to avoid a negative spiral where poor well-being lowers productivity, reduces economic prospects, and continues to increase worker stress. We measure multiple forms of stress and worries as drivers of well-being—health, economic, social, and psychological—encountered by the workforce during the acute period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from 2,780 employees across five European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Overall Concern Score: The overall concern score was 56.8% across four domains: health, economic, social, and psychological. Stressors can be synthesized into five typical groups associated with a variety of mediating factors such as institutional trust, lifestyle, and worker education. The implication is that workers’ well-being is heterogeneous and that human resource practices may need at least a segmented approach to well-being if they wish to create an environment of a resilient and productive workforce.

Impairment of theta oscillations in the hippocampal CA1 region may mediate age-dependent movement alternations in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Drug-induced cytotoxicity prediction in muscle cells, an application of the Cell Painting assay

In silico toxicity prediction offers the chance of reducing or replacing most animal testing through the integration of large experimental assay datasets with the appropriate computational approaches. The use of Cell Painting to detect various phenotypic changes induced by chemicals is emerging as a powerful technique in toxicity prediction. However, most Cell Painting approaches use cancer cells that are less relevant for many toxicological endpoints, which may limit the usefulness of this data. In this study, a myoblast cell line is used to characterize cellular responses to a panel of 30 known myotoxicants. In place of traditional structural descriptors, here each perturbation is described by a fingerprint of calculated properties, deducted from the intensity, shape, or texture of individual cells. We show that these kinds of descriptors convey information to allow the prediction of the cellular viability and fate of cells in myoblasts and differentiated myotubes of the C2C12 cell line, and the clustering of drugs by their cytotoxicity responses.

Comprehensive evaluation of groundwater quality and drought susceptibility in Jazmurian Basin Iran using integrated statistical GIS analysis

Abstract Arid regions face a dual threat of declining groundwater quantity and quality. This study examines these interconnected challenges in the diverse aquifers of Iran’s Jazmurian Basin using GIS and statistics. The study reveals significant spatial variations in salinity, hardness, and sodium content. Of particular concern is the rising electrical conductivity (EC) across most aquifers, especially in the east, which indicates potential water quality degradation. The relationship between groundwater level and salinity is intricate and requires site-specific management. Cluster analysis has identified three distinct groundwater profiles: deep formations that require geological understanding for salinity control, high-quality zones that need recharge protection, and areas that struggle with salinity sources that require identification. Factor analysis identifies salinity and aridity, mineral content related to rock weathering and agriculture, recharge zones requiring protection, and complex interactions between specific ions and groundwater level as key drivers. This study highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive management strategies considering spatial variations, temporal trends, and unique drivers. Targeted interventions, sustainable water use, and effective monitoring programs are essential for safeguarding this vital resource in drought-prone regions. Further research is necessary to refine our understanding of human influences and unique geochemical processes shaping each aquifer system, ultimately enhancing global arid zone groundwater management.

Detecting gender bias in Arabic text through word embeddings

For generations, women have fought to achieve equal rights with those of men. Many historians and social scientists examined this uphill path with a focus on women’s rights and economic status in the West. Other parts of the world, such as the Middle East, remain understudied, with a noticeable shortage in gender-based statistics in the economic arena. According to the sociocognitive theory of critical discourse analysis, social behaviors and norms are reflected by language discourses, which motivates the present study, where we examine gender-based biases in various occupations, as reflected through various textual corpora. Several works in literature have shown that word embedding models can learn biases from the textual data they are trained on, which can propagate societal prejudices that have been implicitly embedded in such text. In our study, we adapt WEAT and Direct Bias quantification tests for Arabic, to examine gender bias with respect to a wide set of occupations as reflected in various Arabic text datasets. These datasets include two Lebanese news archives, Arabic Wikipedia, and electronic newspapers in UAE, Egypt, and Morocco, thus providing different outlooks into female and male engagements in various professions. Our WEAT tests across all datasets indicate that words related to careers, science, and intellectual pursuits are linked to men. In contrast, words related to family and art are associated with women across all datasets. The Direct Bias analysis shows a consistent female gender bias towards professions such as nurse, house cleaner, maid, secretary, and dancer. As the Moroccan News Articles Dataset (MNAD) showed, females were also associated with additional occupations such as researcher, doctor, and professor. Considering that the Arab world remains short on census data exploring gender-based disparities across various professions, our work provides evidence that such stereotypes persist till this day.

Discussion on the change rule of different characteristic parameters with depth in expansion soil graben slopes

Two surveys separated by almost a decade reveal the inexorable decline in sleep time in teens: Results of the National survey of middle and high schools in adolescents on health and substances (EnCLASS 2018), and the evolution since 2010

Purpose We investigated total sleep time (TST) and sleep paradigms during schooldays and leisure days in teenagers, and compared the findings to results from 8 years before. Methods The EnCLASS epidemiological survey is a representative sample of thousands of French middle and high schoolers. Specific sleep questions allowed us to assess TST, sleep debt, too short sleep, and screen use. Sleep debt as was defined as a difference between the total sleep time (TST) during schooldays (TSTS) non-schooldays (weekends or vacations; TSTN) of over 2 hours. Too short sleep was assesses when TSTS was <  7 hours. We detailed results of the 2018 bivariable analysis and adjusted by sex, age, class level, academic delay and socio-economic level, allowing us to compare the 2018 and 2010 results. Results TST decreases constantly from the beginning of middle school (MS) to the end of high school (HS). In 2018, 26.7% of middle and 43.7% of high schoolers were in “sleep debt”. Additionally, 13.8% of middle and 29% of high schoolers reported too short sleep (less than 7 hours) on schooldays (vs. 7.8% in middle and 25.1% in high school in 2010). In 8 years, the TSTS of middle schoolers decreases by an average of 20 minutes of sleep per night on weekdays, dropping from 8 h 35 min to 8 h 14 min. Regarding screens at bedtime, an increase of 36.8 points was observed on schooldays in MS between 6th and 9th grade, with 13.9% more in HS, in 12th grade. This included 40.6% of middle and 60.6% of high schoolers using internet before sleep on schooldays. Conclusion Faced with this trend, teachers and parents need to take preventive action to avoid an inexorable decline in teenagers’ sleep.

Machine learning models for pancreatic cancer diagnosis based on microbiome markers from serum extracellular vesicles

Evaluating the spillover effects of the Sugira Muryango home-visiting intervention on temperament of children aged (0.3–3years) exposed to domestic violence: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Background Domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and violence against children and women adversely affect children’s well-being. The Sugira Muryango Program (SM) in Rwanda, a home-visiting intervention, aimed to to improve caregiving practices and family dynamics, may also have potential indirect effects on children’s temperament. Objectives This study assesses the impact of SM on the temperament of younger children whose families benefited from the intervention, comparing their temperament with those under usual care. Methods This study utilized a spillover effect cohort design, focusing on 247 younger siblings of children enrolled in the Sugira Muryango Program (SM) to assess potential spillover effects of the intervention. The temperament of these siblings was measured using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire–Revised Short Form, which was translated into native language of the respondents. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 29, with the treatment group (SM vs. UC) as the main predictor and temperament as the dependent variable. Results The analysis showed no statistically significant differences in key temperament traits such as surgency, negative emotionality, and orienting capacity between the intervention and control groups. The findings indicated that changes in surgency (B =  1.984, t =  1.183, p =  0.24), negative emotionality (B =  -1.657, t =  -0.915, p =  0.36), and orienting capacity (B =  0.551, t =  0.313, p =  0.75) were not significant. Conclusion The results suggest that SM had limited spillover effects on the temperament traits of younger siblings. Given that the intervention was primarily designed to improve broader family dynamics rather than directly impact child temperament, these findings highlight the importance of focusing on direct intervention strategies aimed explicitly at the target child population. Future research should align with the theory of change by examining caregiver-related outcomes, such as parenting practices and mental health, which may influence child temperament. Additionally, considering potential external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the effectiveness of the intervention.

Synthesis of novel sulphonamide derivatives from tunable quinolines with computational studies

Abstract The synthesis of new quinoline-sulphonamide derivatives was accomplished through a meticulous five-step molecular assembly utilizing Suzuki, acid–amine cross-coupling reactions and N-alkylation. The integrity of each derivative was thoroughly confirmed via comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1H and 13C NMR, DEPT-135, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC NMR and HRMS techniques. Subsequently, the absorbance and emission spectra of the newly synthesized derivatives were thoroughly investigated. Absorbance spectra were determined to be restricted within the range of 337 nm to 341.73 nm, with compound 10j exhibiting the maximum wavelength of 341.73 nm; conversely, emission spectra were uniformly detected within the range of 411.70 nm to 429.90 nm upon excitation at 340 nm, with compound 10f demonstrating the highest wavelength of 429.90 nm. Notably, these fluorophores displayed impressive characteristics, with high intensity and significant molar extinction coefficients; quantum yield ranging from 0.015 to 0.558 along with the highest stokes shifts in 10h compound (0.6237 × 10–4) in acetonitrile solvent. Additionally, compound 10p showed strong binding affinity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties through molecular docking studies and ADMET calculations. The electronic structure of the molecules was elucidated using techniques such as density functional theory (DFT) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) mapping. Additionally, the calculated global reactivity parameters provided valuable insights. Compound 10p exhibited a distinctly low energy gap compared to other compounds, demonstrating its exceptional properties. The comparison between experimental and theoretical UV–vis spectra with major contribution transition in percentage also showcased the remarkable consistency and quality of the synthesized derivatives, highlighting the significant potential of this work in the field of fluorophore and biological application.

Free vibration characteristics of trapezoidal nanoplate rested on viscoelastic substrate with arbitrary boundary conditions using differential quadrature method

This study investigates the free vibration analysis of trapezoidal nanoplate resting on viscoelastic foundation based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) incorporating nonlocal elasticity theory, using differential quadrature (DQ) method. The nanoplate’s governing equations of motion together with various associated boundary conditions have been discretized applying a mapping DQ method in the spatial domain. Then the complex natural frequencies of the trapezoidal nanoplates obtained by solving the eigen value matrix equation. Verification of the study is confirmed by comparing its numerical results with those available in the literature, then parametric study is thoroughly performed. A special attention is drawn to the role of geometrical parameters of nanoplate, stiffness and damping parameters of foundation, nonlocal parameter and boundary condition on natural frequencies characteristics. This research’s results are useful for designing of the nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) efficiently and show the potential application of the system as highly sensitive nano-sensors and resonator in damped medium.

The influence of Bentonite content on the properties of its mixture with Kaolinite

Abstract This study investigates the index properties of artificially prepared mixtures of Bentonite and Kaolinite to simulate different types of fine-grained soils with diverse expansive characteristics, with a particular focus on understanding how various index characteristics influence swelling behavior. A series of controlled laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the specific unit weight, free swell, consistency limits, and compaction parameters. The results show that altering the Bentonite content significantly affects the index properties of the mixtures, which in turn influences their swelling behavior. As the Bentonite content increases, the specific unit weight also increases due to the dense and compact nature of Bentonite. Additionally, the swelling properties of Bentonite cause substantial increases in the free swell and Atterberg limits, highlighting its critical role in controlling swelling potential and plasticity. Conversely, the maximum dry unit weight decreases with increasing Bentonite content due to its high water absorption capacity, which reduces compaction efficiency. These diverse index characteristics, such as free swell, Atterberg limits, and specific unit weight, are found to have a significant impact on the swelling behavior of the mixtures. By adjusting the Bentonite content, these mixtures effectively simulate a range of fine-grained soils with varying swelling potentials. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of soils with expansive properties, offering a foundation for optimizing their use in applications like engineered barriers, liners, and foundations, where controlling swelling and plasticity is essential.

Recycling and remanufacturing or technology upgrading? emission reduction decisions of supply chain under carbon cap-and-trade mechanism

Cap-and-trade mechanism can efficiently reduce carbon emissions, which makes it widely used around the world. This paper builds a Stackelberg game model for a manufacturer-led secondary supply chain and analyzes the best pricing, carbon reduction strategies, and the impacts of each variable on equilibrium results when using two emission reduction methods, recycling & remanufacturing, and technology upgrading under the cap-and-trade mechanism. The relationship between the variables was verified through case studies, and the economic benefits and emission reduction effects of the two emission reduction methods were compared. It is found that manufacturers’ profit in the recycling and remanufacturing mode is higher compared to that of the technology upgrading mode when consumer price sensitivity coefficient is low, but its emission reduction effect is less effective; raising the price of carbon trading can effectively increase the carbon reduction per unit low-carbon products and reduce total carbon emissions under the two modes. The government should boost the price of carbon to promote enterprises to reduce emissions, and it can also guide manufacturers to choose the technology upgrading emission reduction mode through other ways to minimize the total carbon emissions.

Publisher Correction: Long-term survival and undetectable circulating tumor DNA following comprehensive involved site radiotherapy for oligometastases

How adolescent motherhood is perceived and influenced by sociocultural factors: A sociological qualitative study of Sindh province, Pakistan

Background In Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), 21 million adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 years become pregnant each year. Adolescent girls in South Asia have the shortest interval to begin maternity, i.e., within 1–2 years of marriage. There is limited evidence on the associated factors of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in rural areas where socioeconomic indicators about women are weak. This study examined the sociocultural factors intertwined together and gave rise to adolescent motherhood. Methods This exploratory qualitative study was conducted in rural and less privileged areas in Pakistan’s Sindh province. Data was collected from August 05 to September 17, 2023, and 37 young women, who experienced early marriage, adolescent pregnancy and motherhood, were interviewed. The data was translated and transcribed verbatim. Braun & Clark’s six-step data analysis Model was used to create codes, develop themes and generate a report. Results The findings of the study show that child and close kin group marriage, poor socioeconomic conditions and social norms encouraged adolescent motherhood among young women. One’s association with the extended family also increased the likelihood of early maternity because different family members exerted social pressure to become a mother. This made the girls anxious to begin motherhood soon after marriage. However, these young mothers were unaware of adolescent’s motherhood’s social, psychological and physical consequences. They embraced it happily because it was considered a way of strengthening their position in the family. Conclusion This study confirms the negative consequences of adolescent motherhood in terms of school dropout and poor health outcomes. Based on these findings, we suggest addressing poverty and female dropout rates to prevent child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. Health providers must be trained to provide awareness and psychological support to girls experiencing adolescent motherhood. The government must initiate sexual and reproductive health education and engage community heads and religious leaders to educate communities about the social and health consequences of child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and motherhood.