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Correction: Calcium-Activated-Calcineurin Reduces the In Vitro and In Vivo Sensitivity of Fluconazole to Candida albicans via Rta2p
Effect of magnetized water on the fundamental grouting properties of cement grout under varying magnetization conditions
Early neutrophil activation and NETs release in the pristane-induced lupus mice model
Background NETosis is recognized as an important source of autoantigens. Therefore, we hypothesized whether the pristane-induced lupus mice model shows early activation of neutrophils, the presence of low-density granulocytes (LDGs), and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release, which could contribute to the development of a lupus phenotype. Methods Twelve female wild-type Balb/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with pristane (n = 6; pristane group) or saline (n = 6; control group). Five days after the injection, blood, peritoneal lavage, bone marrow, and spleen samples were collected for flow cytometry analyses of activated neutrophils (Ly6G+CD11b+), LDGs (CD15+CD14low), and NETs release (Sytox Green+). Results The pristane-induced mice group had a significantly increased number of blood activated neutrophils and LDGs as well as NETs released by these cells compared to the saline-injected control group and the basal values determined 12 days before the injection. The pristane group also had a significantly increased number of activated neutrophils, LDGs, and NETs released compared to the control group for the peritoneal lavage and bone marrow, except total cell count in spleen. Conclusions We demonstrated early changes in the innate immune response such as an increased number of activated neutrophils and LDGs and mainly increased NETosis in the pristane-induced mice model which may be considered as the primary event triggering lupus development.
Impact of urbanization on antimicrobial resistance in soil microbial communities
Optimizing Kernel Extreme Learning Machine based on a Enhanced Adaptive Whale Optimization Algorithm for classification task
Data classification is an important research direction in machine learning. In order to effectively handle extensive datasets, researchers have introduced diverse classification algorithms. Notably, Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (KELM), as a fast and effective classification method, has received widespread attention. However, traditional KELM algorithms have some problems when dealing with large-scale data, such as the need to adjust hyperparameters, poor interpretability, and low classification accuracy. To address these problems, this paper proposes an Enhanced Adaptive Whale Optimization Algorithm to optimize Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (EAWOA-KELM). Various methods were used to improve WOA. As a first step, a novel adaptive perturbation technique employing T-distribution is proposed to perturb the optimal position and avoid being trapped in a local maximum. Secondly, the WOA’s position update formula was modified by incorporating inertia weight ω and enhancing convergence factor α, thus improving its capability for local search. Furthermore, inspired by the grey wolf optimization algorithm, use 3 excellent particle surround strategies instead of the original random selecting particles. Finally, a novel Levy flight was implemented to promote the diversity of whale distribution. Results from experiments confirm that the enhanced WOA algorithm outperforms the standard WOA algorithm in terms of both fitness value and convergence speed. EAWOA demonstrates superior optimization accuracy compared to WOA across 21 test functions, with a notable edge on certain functions. The application of the upgraded WOA algorithm in KELM significantly improves the accuracy and efficiency of data classification by optimizing hyperparameters. This paper selects 7 datasets for classification experiments. Compared with the KELM optimized by WOA, the EAWOA optimized KELM in this paper has a significant improvement in performance, with a 5%-6% lead on some datasets, indicating the effectiveness of EAWOA-KELM in classification tasks.
Author Correction: Benchmarking of key performance factors in textile industry effluent treatment processes for enhanced environmental remediation
The impact of the centralized volume-based procurement policy on Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing firms’ R&D investment: A difference-in-differences approach
Centralized drug procurement is a common practice worldwide to relieve the healthcare burden and promote high-quality development in the pharmaceutical industry. However, scholars have not yet reached an agreement on whether centralized procurement can facilitate the innovation activities of pharmaceutical firms. China’s centralized volume-based procurement (CVBP) implemented in 2018 provides an ideal quasi-natural experiment to evaluate the effect of centralized procurement on the R&D investment of the firms. Drawing data from listed manufacturing firms in China’s A-share market (2015–2020), the results from a difference-in-differences analysis with different model specifications indicate that the CVBP significantly promotes the pharmaceutical manufacturing firms’ R&D investment. Moreover, the positive effect of the CVBP on R&D investment is stronger in pharmaceutical manufacturing firms with high marketing expenses. A series of robustness tests including the parallel trend test, placebo test, and the PSM-DID analysis show that our findings are solid. This paper advances our understanding of centralized procurement in emerging markets and provides new insights into how governments and pharmaceutical manufacturing firms can strengthen innovation.
Effect of Nb/B addition on the flow behavior and mechanical properties of low-carbon steel using compact strip production
AbstractThis work examines the effects of Nb and Nb-B additives on the high-temperature flow behavior and mechanical properties of low-carbon steel. The base, 0.015% Nb-bearing (15Nb alloy), and 0.015% Nb-30 ppm B-bearing (15Nb30B alloy) low-carbon steels were manufactured at Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Company using the compact strip production line (CSP). The mean flow stress log data from the CSP line was utilized to determine the no-recrystallization temperature. The microstructure and high-temperature flow behavior were studied using thermomechanical controlled processing at different deformation temperatures with a 40% reduction using the Gleeble physical simulator. The phase evolution and precipitation state at various temperatures were studied15Nb30B alloy reveals lower flow stress at high processing temperature in comparison with 15Nb alloy. This is attributed to the early precipitation of BN, which led to restricted Nb-based precipitates. The addition of B to Nb-bearing steel slightly refines the grain size of the as-rolled alloy, which in turn has a beneficial effect on its strength. The research results highlight the industrial benefit of adding boron to Nb-bearing low C-steel in terms of reducing the rolling load and reducing the finishing rolling temperature while maintaining the mechanical properties of the as-rolled strips.
Assessing the drivers of sexual behavior among youth and its social determinants in Nepal
Introduction Sexual behavior among youth is a public health concern, particularly in contexts where cultural norms, socio-economic factors, and access to comprehensive sexual education play pivotal roles. This paper aims to examine the determinants of sexual behavior among Nepali youths. Methods This study analyzed data from 7,122 individuals aged 15–24 years from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022, focusing on a nationally representative sample. This study assessed the prevalence of sexual behaviors, including premarital sex, recent sexual activity, and multiple sexual partners. Determinants examined included socio-demographic characteristics, media use, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the associations between social determinants and sexual behaviors. Results The prevalence of premarital sex among the youth was 10.4%, with 15% of male youths reporting recent sexual activity and 2.8% having sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Variables significantly associated with premarital sex included older age groups (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.98–3.99), male (AOR = 7.87; 95% CI: 5.00–12.39), sales occupations (AOR = 2; 95% CI:1.12–3.57), smoking (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI:1.74–4.23), smokeless tobacco products (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI:1.12–3.34), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI:2–4.41). Variables significantly associated with recent sexual activity included older age groups (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI:1.46, 3.03), being unmarried (AOR = 9.34; 95% CI:5.19–16.82), smoking (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI:1.33–3.05), use of smokeless products (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI:1.98–3.67), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI:1.30–2.82). Youths using smokeless products had higher odds (AOR = 3.33; 95% CI:1.75–6.35) of having multiple sexual partners compared to those youths not using smokeless products. Conclusion Social determinants, along with smoking and alcohol consumption, were associated with sexual behaviors among youth. This study highlights the need for multicomponent health promotion (new public health) interventions which consider multi-level strategies, including culturally tailored sexual health programs, drug use behaviors, healthy lifestyle choices, comprehensive sexual health education for evidence-based interventions.
Estimating pros and cons of statistical downscaling based on EQM bias adjustment as a complementary method to dynamical downscaling
Bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction Drinking contaminated water is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to safe drinking water is limited. Although numerous studies have investigated the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia, their findings have been inconsistent and varied, hindering the implementation of effective water quality monitoring. Moreover, there is a lack of nationwide assessment of the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods An international electronic database, including PubMed, Science Direct, Global Health, CINAHL, African Journals Online, HINARI, and Google Scholar was employed to retrieve the relevant articles. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size, and the Egger regression model was employed using STATA 14 software to assess potential publication bias. Results A total of 26 studies involving 7,962 water samples met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of at least one bacteriological contamination of drinking water was 52.26% (95%CI: 39.09–65.43), with extreme heterogeneity (I2 = 99.7%; p-value < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of total and fecal coliform in drinking water was 49.55% (95% CI: 34.88–64.23) and 44.27% (95%CI: 34.36–54.19), respectively. 14.13% of the water source was at a very high sanitary risk level (unfit for drinking), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94.1%, p< 0.001). The absence of household-level water treatment (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.28–5.32) and drawing water using dipping methods (OR = 4.52; 95%CI: 1.71–7.34) were determinant factors for bacteriological contamination of drinking water. Conclusion We found that the bacteriological quality of drinking water did not comply with the World Health Organization and Ethiopia’s standard guidelines for drinking water, which call for urgent intervention. One out of seven water sources was at a high sanitary risk level, which could increase the risk of infectious disease in the country. The absence of household-level water treatment and drawing water using dipping was a significant factor in the bacteriological quality of drinking water. Based on these findings, the water supply and sewerage authority should prioritize regular monitoring of the bacteriological quality of drinking water.
Long-term impact of tillage on microbial communities of an Eastern European Chernozem
Incorporating earned value management into income statements to improve project management profitability and elevate application in the business and management
Our goal is to improve Project Management (PM) profitability and reduce discrepancies in information among stakeholders, which can result in conflicts. This will be accomplished by incorporating Earned Value Management (EVM) with the Income Statement and incorporating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) with the work breakdown structure (WBS). These incorporations will streamline information sharing between PM, other management professionals, and the stakeholders, ultimately fostering the application of PM within broader business and management contexts. We drew on theories from Project, Operations, Financial Management, Agency Theory, and the Theory of Performance Frontiers. We conducted multiple case studies in a shipbuilding corporation with 25 projects and an aircraft manufacturing corporation with 20 projects. Our analysis involved both qualitative and quantitative methods, ensuring the accuracy and practicality of our hypotheses and instilling confidence in our research findings. This integration addresses the information gap on profitability for non-project management professionals, empowering stakeholders to enhance project performance. This integration benefits the company by allowing the project manager and stakeholders to gain real-time insights into the project’s profitability, which enables continuous optimization of daily EBITDA by improving efficiency and productivity to achieve the project’s profitability target. This study and its innovative findings originate from the author’s unique approach, which is a significant contribution to the field of Project Management. This research focused on project management using EVM in for-profit organizations. Integrating EVM in the income statement also facilitates PM application in other management systems.
Serum miRNA-101 expression signature as non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for Hepatitis C virus—associated hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients
AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally due to HCC late diagnosis and limited treatment options. MiRNAs (miRNAs) emerged as potential biomarkers for various diseases, including HCC. However, the value of miRNA-101 as a serum biomarker for HCV-induced HCC has not been fully investigated. Our study aims to investigate the miRNA-101 differential expression in Egyptian HCV-induced HCC patients’ serum versus HCV liver cirrhosis (LC) as prospective diagnostic biomarkers compared to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Blood samples were collected for clinical chemistry profile, liver function, and serum AFP investigations. The serum miR-101 expression levels were evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in 100 Egyptian subjects: 40 HCV-induced HCC, 40 HCV-induced cirrhosis, and 20 healthy controls. HCC patients showed significantly higher TB, DB, and AFP levels than those cirrhosis and control groups, whereas ALB and Total Protein exhibited significantly reduced levels. AFP sensitivity and specificity in differentiating HCC reported 60 and 67%, respectively, at the cut-off values of 7ng/dl. miR-101 shows fold change upregulation in HCC patients (P < 0.0001) compared to LC and control groups. ROC curve demonstrated miR-101 (AUC) of 0.9556, sensitivity 92.5%, and specificity 97.5%, highlighting the miR-101 diagnostic potential as a biomarker for HCC detection. Elevated miR-101 levels in HCC are significantly correlated with a higher number and larger size of focal lesions, advanced BCLC staging, and Child–Pugh score. These findings highlight the utility of miR-101 as a predictive and diagnostic non-invasive biomarker for HCV-related HCC from cirrhotic populations. More research is warranted to validate the clinical validity of miR-101 and explore underlying mechanisms in HCV-HCC progression.
Disparities in time to treatment initiation of invasive lung cancer among Black and White patients in Tennessee
Background Early initiation of treatment for lung cancer has been shown to improve patient survival. The present study investigates disparities in time to treatment initiation of invasive lung cancer within and between Black and White patients in Tennessee. Methods A population-based registry data of 42,970 individuals (Black = 4,480 and White = 38,490) diagnosed with invasive lung cancer obtained from the Tennessee Cancer Registry, 2005–2015, was analyzed. We conducted bivariate ANOVA tests to examine the difference in time to treatment initiation among independent factors, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to identify independent factors that influence median time to treatment initiation after diagnosis. Results When considering the estimate of the proportion of time to treatment initiation based on the combined influence of all independent factors (sex, age, race, marital, county of residence, health insurance, cancer stage, and surgical treatment), Black patients were generally more at risk of delayed treatment compared to Whites. Black patients aged <45 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.94) and married White patients (aHR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.07–1.18) had the highest increased risk of late treatment among their respective racial subgroups. In the general sample, patients with private health insurance had (aHR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01–1.16) higher risk of late treatment beyond 2.7 weeks compared to self-pay/uninsured patients. This was consistent among both Black and White subsamples. Patients with localized and regional lung cancer stages had a decreased risk of delayed treatment compared to those diagnosed at the distant stage among both Black and White patients. Conclusions Black patients were often at greater risk of late initiation of treatment for invasive lung cancer in Tennessee. Additional research is needed to understand factors influencing time to treatment initiation for Black patients in Tennessee. Further, cancer care resources are needed in Black communities to ensure timely treatment of invasive lung cancer, reduce disparities, and promote equitable care for all cancer patients.
New thiazole derivative as a potential anticancer and topoisomerase II inhibitor
Abstract To shed light on the significance of thiazole derivatives in the advancement of cancer medication and to contribute to therapeutic innovation, we have designed the synthesis and antiproliferative activity investigation of 5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-7-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-thioxo-3,7-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-d] thiazole-6-carbonitrile, the structure of thiazole derivative was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques UV, IR and NMR. The cytotoxic activity (in vitro) of the new hybrid synthesized compound on five human cancer cell lines; human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and epithelioid carcinoma (Hela), and a normal human lung fibroblast (WI-38) was studied using MTT assay. The compound exhibited a strong cytotoxicity effect against HepG-2 and MCF-7. The interaction of the newly synthesized compound with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated at pH 7.2 by using UV–Vis absorption measurements, also, molecular docking was carried out to investigate the DNA binding affinity of the proposed compound with the prospective target, DNA (PDB ID: 1d12). Finally, molecular docking was carried out to examine the binding patterns with the prospective target, DNA-Topo II complex (PDB-code: 3QX3). Results indicated that the investigated compound strongly binds to CT-DNA via intercalative mode, and correlated with those obtained from molecular docking and in agreement with that of in vitro cytotoxicity activity.
Being “resilient” and achieving “resilience”: From governmental discourses to the national research agenda in the contexts of food insecurity and cost of living
The concept of ‘resilience’ is pervasive, permeating academic disciplines and political discourses. This paper considers (i) the construal of ‘resilience’ in the contexts of food insecurity and cost-of-living in governmental discourses in the United Kingdom (UK); (ii) to what extent the political representations are reflected in research funding calls of UK national funding bodies, thus showing possibility of shaping research agendas; and (iii) to what extent official uses of ‘resilience’ reflect lay understandings. We are combining a corpus-based discourse analysis of UK governmental discourses and research funding calls with a study of focus group discussions. Representations of ‘resilience’ are further compared with those available in general English corpora. We are observing a shift in the use of ‘resilience’: from an individual psychological attribute to a primarily socioeconomic and environmental characteristic. Funding calls construe resilience in relation to communities, reflecting economy and environment adaptability, whereas governmental discourses frame references to individuals in terms of ‘vulnerability’. Focus groups reveal divergent conceptions of ‘resilience’, which may lead to potential misunderstandings. While this variety of uses may be productive in political discourses for rhetorical purposes, there is a need for specificity in shaping research and in public-facing communications.
Key features and guidelines for the application of microbial alpha diversity metrics
AbstractStudies of microbial communities vary widely in terms of analysis methods. In this growing field, the wide variety of diversity measures and lack of consistency make it harder to compare different studies. Most existing alpha diversity metrics are inherited from other disciplines and their assumptions are not always directly meaningful or true for microbiome data. Many existing microbiome studies apply one or some alpha diversity metrics with no fundamentals but also an unclear results interpretation. This work focuses on a theoretical, empirical, and comparative analysis of 19 frequently and less-frequently used microbial alpha diversity metrics grouped into 4 proposed categories, including key features of every analyzed metric with their mathematical assumptions, to provide a deeper understanding of the existing metrics and a practical implementation guide for future studies. Key metrics that should be required in microbiome analysis include richness, phylogenetic diversity, entropy, dominance of a few microbes over others, and an estimate of unobserved microbes. Collectively, these metrics contribute to a comprehensive set of analyses characterizing samples, allowing the determination of key aspects that might be otherwise obscured by partial or biased information. These guidelines enable further detailed analysis by each author according to their specific interests and clinical trials. Several practical examples are provided to illustrate how these recommendations improve the quality and depth of information obtained, facilitating better interpretation when working with microbiome data. These guidelines can be applied to both existing and future research studies, enhancing the standardization, consistency, and robustness of the analyses conducted. This approach aims to improve the capture of biological diversity, leading to better interpretations and insights.
Age-related disparities in national maternal mortality trends: A population-based study
Objective An upward trend in maternal age has been observed in the United States (US) over the last twenty years. The study objective was to examine the association of maternal age with maternal mortality in the US and examine temporal trends in mortality by maternal age. Methods A retrospective population-based analysis in the US between 2000–2019 was conducted using records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Mortality Multiple Cause” and “Birth Data” files. Annual incidence and period trends in maternal deaths were calculated using the annual maternal deaths over annual live births across age groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal age and risk of maternal mortality and calculate temporal changes in risk of mortality over the study period. Results Between 2000–2019, 21,241 deaths were observed in women during pregnancy and childbirth for an average incidence of 26.3 maternal deaths/100,000 births (95% CI 21.8–31.2). Of all deaths, 6,870 (32.3%) were in women ≥35 years, while only 15.1% of live births were attributed to women ≥35 years. Compared with women 25–29 years of age, there was a significantly greater risk of maternal mortality among women 35–39 (OR 1.60, 1.53–1.67), 40–44 (3.78, 3.60–3.99), 45–49 (28.49, 26.49–30.65) and 50–54 (343.50, 319.44–369.37). Risk of mortality increased over time, with the greatest rise in women ≥35 years. Conclusion In the US, maternal mortality increased during the past two decades, especially in women ≥35 years. Given these findings, targeted strategies to reduce the increasing maternal mortality should become a priority.