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Spatial–temporal distribution of farmland occupation and compensation and its impact on ecological service value in China from 1990 to 2021
Factors and determinants associated with prevalence of stunting and thinness among adolescents of Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan: A community-based study
Stunting and thinness are significant public health concerns for developing countries, including Pakistan. Previously conducted studies in Tharparkar have focused on stunting, and thinness, in children, and micronutrient deficiency, However, there was a paucity of literature on prevalence rates and risk factors associated with stunting and thinness among adolescents in Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. This study aimed to assess the demographic and dietary factors related to the prevalence of stunting and thinness among adolescents in Tharparkar. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to August 2022. Most populated Union councils of all sub-districts of Tharparkar district were selected for sampling. A multi-stage clustering sampling strategy was used. Healthy adolescents with ages≥10 to ≤19 years were included in the study. Anthropometry was performed using standard methods. Stunting and thinness were defined as per WHO criteria. Dietary assessments were conducted on a weekly recall basis. Mean Frequency and chi-square were computed using SPSS software. The overall mean age of the study participants was 14.11±2.43 years, and the mean weight was 36.842±8.83 kgs. The mean height of the study participants was 149.0151±11.27 centimeters. The mean height for age z score was -1.3094±1.17. The mean body mass index for age z score was -1.5473±1.27. Among 599 participants the overall prevalence of stunting and thinness was 26.7% and 35% respectively. Risk factors such as late adolescence (χ2=10.55 p=0.005), illiteracy, and less education (χ2=8.41 p=0.03), the rural area (χ2=3.92 p=0.04) significantly associated with an increased prevalence of stunting. The risk factors such as male (χ2=13.11 p<0.0001), infrequent consumption of eggs (χ2=5.2 p=0.02), and infrequent consumption of fresh vegetables (χ2=5.2 p=0.02) were associated with an increased prevalence of thinness. This study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive nutritional programs that could focus on vulnerable demographic groups. Interventions should focus on improving dietary intake.
Publisher Correction: Improvement of the quality of heavy crude oil and reducing the concentration of asphaltene hydrocarbons using microwave radiation during acidizing
Positive outcomes among nursing home caregivers in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative interview study
The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented strain on professional caregivers in nursing homes. This study aimed to explore the positive outcomes these caregivers experienced amidst the crisis. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with nurses, medical staff, and support personnel from two nursing homes in Spain between December 2021 and July 2022. Through qualitative content analysis, we uncovered signs of post-traumatic growth, such as enhanced problem-solving and organizational skills. A strong social support network was key to fostering this growth, easing distress, and strengthening team cohesion. Caregivers expressed a deep sense of gratitude and satisfaction in their roles, finding new meaning in their work, which contributed to resilience and a positive outlook despite ongoing challenges. These findings underscore the importance of robust support systems in caregiving environments, which can not only mitigate stress but also promote personal and professional growth. Further research should focus on sustaining these positive adaptations and developing strategies that enhance resilience and well-being for caregivers, ultimately improving care outcomes for older adults in nursing homes.
Bacterial symbiont as game changers for Aphis craccivora Koch’s fitness and survival across distinct climate types
Capacity optimization strategy for gravity energy storage stations considering the impact of new power systems
The integration of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the grid is essential for achieving carbon peaking and neutrality goals. However, the inherent variability and unpredictability of these energy sources pose significant challenges to power system stability. Advanced energy storage systems (ESS) are critical for mitigating these challenges, with gravity energy storage systems (GESS) emerging as a promising solution due to their scalability, economic viability, and environmental benefits. This paper proposes a multi-objective economic capacity optimization model for GESS within a novel power system framework, considering the impacts on power network stability, environmental factors, and economic performance. The model is solved using an enhanced Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (W-GOA) incorporating a whale spiral motion strategy to improve convergence and solution accuracy. Simulations on the IEEE 30-node system demonstrate that GESS reduces peak-to-valley load differences by 36.1% and curtailment rates by 42.3% (wind) and 18.7% (PV), with a 15% lower levelized cost than CAES. The results indicate that GESS effectively mitigates peak load pressures, stabilizes the grid, and provides a cost-effective solution for integrating high shares of renewable energy. This study highlights the potential of GESS as a key component in future low-carbon power systems, offering both technical and economic advantages over traditional energy storage technologies.
Towards a genetic obesity risk score in a single-center study of children and adolescents with obesity
Transcriptomic prediction of breeding values in loblolly pine
Phenotypic variation in forest trees can be partitioned into subsets controlled by genetic variation and by environmental factors, and heritability expressed as the proportion of total phenotypic variation attributed to genetic variation. Applied tree breeding programs can use matrices of relationships, based either on recorded pedigrees in structured breeding populations or on genotypes of molecular genetic markers, to model genetic covariation among related individuals and predict genetic values for individuals for whom no phenotypic measurements are available. This study tests the hypothesis that genetic covariation among individuals of similar genetic value will be reflected in shared patterns of gene expression or shared sequence variation in expressed genes. We collected gene expression data by high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated from pooled seedlings from parents of known genetic value, and compared alternative approaches to data analysis to test this hypothesis. Selection of specific sets of transcripts increased the predictive power of models over that observed using all transcripts or SNPs. Models using information of both transcript levels and SNP variation showed increased predictive accuracy relative to models using only SNPs or transcript levels. Known pedigree relationships are not required for this approach to modeling genetic variation, so it has potential to allow broader application of genetic covariance modeling to natural populations of forest trees.
Heavy metal exposures in aerodigestive clinic cohort of infants with reflux or dysphagia
Abstract Infant cereals (rice/oatmeal), purees, and anti-reflux formulas are often first line treatments for thickening in infants with reflux and oropharyngeal dysphagia. However, there has been growing concern about heavy metal contamination, especially arsenic, in these commonly used thickeners. This is a particular concern in infants who may be more susceptible to heavy metal neurotoxicity. The study aimed to assess whether there are differences in heavy metal levels, particularly arsenic, in infants with reflux or oropharyngeal dysphagia while on different thickeners. We performed a single center study in infants (< 1 year of age) with diagnosis of reflux or oropharyngeal dysphagia who were seen between December 2021–2023. Participants submitted urine samples and completed dietary questionnaires to assess their elemental exposures. The primary outcome of interest was urinary arsenic concentrations, though other elements were also measured. Of the 56 infants, 27 were on gelmix® or purees, 19 were on Enfamil AR and 10 were on infant oatmeal/rice cereal as a thickener. The median total urinary arsenic concentration did not differ between groups (p = 0.086) and levels between groups were well below the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)’s toxicity limits. Infants with higher number of servings of alternative arsenic sources via their solid food were more likely to have higher urinary arsenic level (p = 0.001), suggesting a potential need for the FDA to implement stricter food supply regulations. Only molybdenum had significant difference in levels between thickeners (p = 0.0012). Even in high-risk patients, urinary arsenic concentrations did not differ between thickener groups.
Retraction: Detecting phishing websites using machine learning technique
Implementation of a wireless sensor network for irrigation management in drip irrigation systems
Publisher Correction: On the automated radiosynthesis of pharmaceutical grade [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor, its pre-clinical evaluation, clinical application and radiation dosimetry aspects
A noval RUL prediction method for rolling bearing: TcLstmNet-CBAM
Connected map-induced resource allocation scheme for cognitive radio network quality of service maximization
Abstract Quality of Service (QoS) in cognitive radio networks (CRNs) is achieved through fair resource allocation and scheduling for secondary users regardless of channel capacity through multi-channel communications. Fairness index updates are periodic towards multi-user allocations to meet the QoS demands. In this article, a Connected Resource Map-induced Resource Allocation Scheme (CRM-RAS) is introduced. The proposed scheme identifies radio and user resource availability and constructs an allocation map from the primary users. For a periodic allocation interval, the map’s fairness index is updated through maximum resource utilization and QoS factor. This QoS factor is computed based on low latency and high allocation rates that are directly proportional to the fairness index. The fairness index is verified using distributed federated learning that is active between the primary and secondary user terminals. If the fairness index drops below the actual allocation rate, then the scheduling for resource allocation with concurrency is pursued. Based on the improving fairness index through concurrent scheduling the distributed federated learning encourages consecutive radio resource allocation. Thus the process is repeated until the allocation map is confined to a one-to-one connectivity between the primary and secondary users. The proposed CRM-RAS achieves 8.15% high sum rate and 8.88% less error rate for the maximum SNR.
Wild strawberries on Mars
Prevalence of smoking and smoking cessation and associated factors in diabetes population aged 50 years and over in Europe
How to fix a gut microbiome ravaged by antibiotics
Structural roles and gender disparities in corruption networks
Stress-induced phase separation in plastics drives the release of amorphous polymer micropollutants into water
Abstract Residual stress is an intrinsic property of semicrystalline plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. However, there is no fundamental understanding of the role intrinsic residual stress plays in the generation of plastic pollutants that threaten the environment and human health. Here, we show that the processing-induced compressive residual stress typically found in polypropylene and polyethylene plastics forces internal nano and microscale segregation of low molecular weight (MW) amorphous polymer droplets onto the plastic’s surface. Squeeze flow simulations reveal this stress-driven volumetric flow is consistent with that of a Bingham plastic material, with a temperature-dependent threshold yield stress. We confirm that flow is thermally activated and stress dependent, with a reduced energy barrier at higher compressive stresses. Transfer of surface segregated droplets into water generates amorphous polymer micropollutants (APMPs) that are denatured, with structure and composition different from that of traditional polycrystalline microplastics. Studies with water-containing plastic bottles show that the highly compressed bottle neck and mouth regions are predominantly responsible for the release of APMPs. Our findings reveal a stress-induced mechanism of plastic degradation and underscore the need to modify current plastic processing technologies to reduce residual stress levels and suppress phase separation of low MW APMPs in plastics.