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Verdazyl-Based Radicals for High-Field Dynamic Nuclear Polarization NMR
Retraction: A freight integer linear programming model under fog computing and its application in the optimization of vehicle networking deployment
A supersolid made using photons
De Novo Design of Proteins That Bind Naphthalenediimides, Powerful Photooxidants with Tunable Photophysical Properties
Spatial distribution of mixed milk feeding and its determinants among mothers of infants aged under 6 months in Ethiopia: Spatial and geographical weighted regression analysis
Background Mixed milk feeding is defined as providing formula and/or animal milk along with breast milk to infants under six months old which is prevalent in many countries. However, this practice is generally not recommended as it can reduce the intake of breast milk, depriving the infant of its optimal nutritional and immunological benefits. Unlike formula, breast milk contains complex bioactive constituents that promote intestinal and pancreatic growth and develop mucosal defenses. The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution and predictors of MMF practices in Ethiopia. Methods This study utilized data from the 2019 Mini-Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (MiniEDHS), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted from March to June 2019. The total weighted sample size derived from the data examined in this study amounted to 524 infants. The data analysis used Global Moran’s I for spatial autocorrelation and the Getis-Ord Gi * statistic for local cluster analysis to assess the spatial distribution of mixed milk feeding prevalence across Ethiopia’s administrative regions and cities. Empirical Bayesian Kriging was used for spatial interpolation to estimate mixed milk feeding prevalence in unsampled areas. The analysis utilized a maximum spatial cluster size threshold of 50% of the population to detect clusters of varying sizes. Ordinary least squares regression analysis identified significant spatial predictors. In geographically weighted regression analysis, the effect of predictor variables on the spatial variation of mixed milk feeding was detected using local coefficients. Results The overall weighted prevalence of Mixed Milk Feeding (MMF) in Ethiopia was 10.12% (95% CI: 7.8, 13.01). This prevalence shows significant regional variations across the country emphasizing regional disparities in prevalence and distribution. The Global Moran’s I statistic was 0.14, with a Z-score of 3.18 and a p-value of < 0.001, indicating a significant spatial clustering of MMF prevalence. Hotspots of mixed milk feeding were identified in Somali, Dire Dawa, and Afar, while cold spots were observed in Amhara, Tigray, Benishangul Gumuz, SNNPR, and parts of Oromia. Household wealth (middle wealth index) and lack of baby postnatal checkups emerged as key influencers of mixed milk feeding practices. Conclusion The study found significant regional variations in mixed milk feeding practices in Ethiopia. Households with middle wealth index and baby without postnatal check were significant spatial predictors of mixed milk feeding. To reduce mixed milk feeding prevalence, targeted interventions should engage community leaders, enhance breastfeeding education in maternal health services, and integrate counseling into routine healthcare to support informed maternal choices and improve child health outcomes nationwide.
Rapid Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling of Poly(<i>p</i>-Phenylene Terephthalamide)
Navigating the risks: Stakeholder views on risk-based cervical cancer screening
Background The development of risk-based cancer screening programs requires a paradigm shift in existing practices and healthcare policies. Therefore, it is crucial to not only assess the effectiveness of new technologies and risk prediction models but also to analyze the acceptability of such programs among healthcare stakeholders. This study aims to assess the acceptability of risk-based cervical cancer screening (RB CCS) in Estonia from the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. Methods and materials This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with healthcare policy and service level stakeholders in Estonia. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability guided the interview design, and the findings were charted using framework analysis based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Results 17 interviews were conducted with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, cancer registry representatives, technology specialists, policymakers, and health insurance providers. While stakeholders generally supported the concept and potential benefits of RB CCS, recognizing its capacity to improve screening outcomes and resource allocation, they raised significant concerns about feasibility, complexity, and ethical challenges. Doubts were expressed about the readiness of the healthcare system and population, particularly the current health information system’s capacity to support risk-based approaches. The need for evidence-based and internationally validated screening models, comprehensive public communication, provider training, and collaborative discussions involving all relevant parties, including the public, was emphasized. Conclusion The favorable attitude towards RB CCS among stakeholders provides a strong foundation for advancing its development. However, a comprehensive strategy emphasizing the generation of robust evidence, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, prioritizing patient empowerment, and cultivating a collaborative environment built on trust is crucial.
Synthesis and Stabilization of a Benzene Dianion with a Triplet Ground State and Baird Aromaticity
Antibiotic prescription patterns and associated symptoms in children living with HIV at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital in Ndola, Zambia
Background Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are disproportionately susceptible to bacterial infections. There are a wide range of antibacterial agents available to manage HIV positive children with bacterial infections. However, administration of antibiotics in most children is empirical which could lead to antimicrobial resistance. Objectives This study aimed to determine commonly prescribed antibiotics and associated symptoms in children at Arthur Davison children’s hospital antiretroviral therapy clinic in Ndola, Zambia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that analysed the antibiotic prescribing patterns from routinely collected secondary data at Arthur Davison children’s hospital. Children diagnosed with HIV before the age of 5, actively attending antiretroviral therapy clinic identified by SmartCare software and who had taken antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 months were eligible. Data were collected from files of children who met the eligibility criteria. STATA software version 16 SE (STATA Corp., College Station, Texas, USA) was used for analysis. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at a confidence interval of 95%. Results From a total of 132 children included in the study, 37.9% presented with symptoms with the most common symptoms being cough (70.0%) and diarrhoea (30.0%). A larger proportion of children (62.1%) were on arbacavir/lamivudine/dolutogravr combination of antiretroviral therapy while 8.2% were on the tenoforvir alafenamide/lamivudine/dolutobravir regimen. Children who were on abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir regimen presented with more symptoms (48.8%) compared to those on tenofovir alafenamide/lamivudine/dolutegravir (21.0%) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine/dolutegravir (18.2%) (p = 0.006). Approximately 60.0% of children presenting with symptoms were prescribed antibiotics. Co-trimoxazole was the most commonly (38.0%) prescribed, while erythromycin (2.0%) and Cephalexin (2.0%) were the least. Conclusions Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common presentations suggestive of a suspected infection requiring antibiotic prescription in HIV-positive children on ART. Despite co-trimoxazole being the prophylactic drug among HIV-positive children, it was the most common antibiotic among children presenting with symptoms suggestive of an infection. This calls for the prudent use of co-trimoxazole to avoid its resistance.
Ligand-Enabled Selective Coupling of MIDA Boronates to Dehydroalanine-Containing Peptides and Proteins
A guide, cornerstone, and appetizer: An elicited metaphor analysis of Chinese university students’ perceptions of English language textbooks
Existing research on EFL learners’ attitudes towards English language textbooks primarily investigates metaphors at the level of mental spaces, limiting insights into embodied cognition and experience. This study extends the analysis of metaphors to a more schematic level of domains/frames. We analyzed 163 metaphors from 123 Chinese university students’ perceptions of English language textbooks under the guidance of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the meta-functions of metaphors in language education. Findings reveal textbooks’ three primary roles in learning English as i) a guide in a journey, ii) a cornerstone of a building, and iii) an appetizer in eating. The Chi-Square Test of Independence showed a moderate association between metaphor sources and emotional valence, with nature and container metaphors associated with negative evaluations. The combination of discourse analysis and statistical analysis highlights learners’ physical and emotional engagement with English language textbooks. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Fast and Massive Production of Aramid Nanofibers via Molecule Intercalation
Effect of Yangling inclined trellis tree shape on light interception efficiency, fruit quality, and yield of sweet cherry cv: ‘Jimei’
Different tree shapes (TSs) directly influence canopy structure, light interception, and photosynthetic activity, impacting fruit quality and yield. This study investigated the effects of light interception efficiency (LIE) on the quality and yield of “Jimei” sweet cherry fruits by comparing two tree shapes: the Yangling inclined trellis arm TS (YLL-TS) and the Super slender spindle TS (SSS-TS). Using three-dimensional digitization techniques, we analyzed the growth relationships between branches and leaves, constructed virtual canopy models, and examined branch composition, leaf area, and spatial distribution. The present study indicated varying correlation coefficients for growth relationships between branches and leaves in the two TSs. For YLL-TS, the smallest correlation coefficient was between the length of nutrient-bearing branches and leaf petiole length (r² = 0.206), while the largest was between the length of short fruit-bearing branches and the number of branches and leaves (r² = 0.851). For SSS-TS, the smallest was between the length of medium fruit-bearing branches and leaf petiole length (r² = 0.211), and the largest was between the length of nutrient-bearing branches and leaf area (r² = 0.827). The LIE for YLL-TS (0.53 STAR value) was significantly higher than SSS-TS (0.20 STAR value). Although YLL-TS had fewer branches and leaf area, it showed increases in LIE by 48%, 42%, and 27% for overall canopy, fruit-bearing branches, and nutrient-bearing branches, respectively. The photosynthetic parameters (Pn, Tr, Gs, and Ci) were higher in SSS-TS. YLL-TS exhibited a higher economic yield (4.075 kg/ m2) and is more suitable for dense planting, facilitating widespread cultivation.
Unravelling the influence of mixed layer depth on chlorophyll-a dynamics in the Red Sea
Primary production in highly stratified and oligotrophic tropical seas relies primarily on nutrient injections from a deepened mixed layer. The Red Sea, one of the warmest marine ecosystems on earth, has very few external nutrient sources. The role of mixed layer depth (MLD) on phytoplankton dynamics has predominantly been investigated in the northern part of the basin, yet a comprehensive investigation covering the entire basin is currently lacking. By integrating numerical MLD simulations and ocean colour remote sensing observations, both regionally-tuned to the Red Sea environment, the influence of vertical mixing, proxied by the MLD, on chlorophyll-a concentration (CHL) is investigated at seasonal and interannual scales. Results show that the central basin exhibits weak relationships, possibly linked to the intense mesoscale activity and the resulting horizontal advective fluxes. Remarkably, in the southern basin, even minor MLD variations (3%) seem to have a significant response in CHL (~10%). Until now, phytoplankton biomass in the south was linked to the horizontal intrusion of nutrient-rich waters from the Indian Ocean, while our results also stress the importance of vertical mixing in the redistribution of these fertile deeper layer waters to the surface lit zone. Here, we report the diverse role of deepened mixed layers in shaping CHL concentrations across various provinces in the Red Sea.
Discovery of Cysteine Carboxyalkylations by Real-Time Isotopic Signature Targeted Profiling
Design of a novel tri-axis ZnO nanowires based piezoelectric accelerometer
Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) are pivotal in modern technology, serving as components like accelerometers, gyroscopes, and pressure sensors in various applications. MEMS accelerometers are key components used for measuring motion and vibrations in a wide range of systems. This paper presents the proposed design of a ZnO nanowires-based piezoelectric accelerometer. Owing to the ZnO nanowires’ unique piezoelectric properties, the accelerometer can measure acceleration in three axes. A mathematical model is derived to analyze the behavior of nanowires under applied acceleration. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations were carried out to evaluate the performance of the accelerometer. The key parameters of the accelerometer such as mechanical deformation, stress, voltage, and sensitivity are evaluated while applying a dynamic acceleration of 0.1 g and static acceleration of up to 50 g. The simulation results show a sensitivity of 0.25 V/g for an applied acceleration in the x and y axes (in-plane acceleration) and 1.40 V/g sensitivity was achieved in the z-axis (out-of-plane acceleration). The acceleration analysis reveals that the range and sensitivity of the sensor are high, that it can measure acceleration in three axes, and it also shows a linear behavior under static acceleration. The proposed accelerometer’s tri-axis acceleration sensing and self-powered capability make it an excellent choice for integration in biomedical applications.