Coefficient Analysis Research Articles

The Impact of Servant Leadership on Corporate Social Responsibility: Insights from Egyptian Tourism Organizations

This study examines how servant leadership affects corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and its dimensions (corporate commitment, governance, environmental protection, and social contribution) in the Egyptian tourism industry, focusing on Hilton and Four Seasons. Quantitative research with 386 participants was conducted. Spearman correlation, CFA, path coefficient analysis, model quality of fit, and Fornell-Larcker criterion were used for data analysis. The links between servant leadership and CSR factors were examined using SEM. A positive and significant correlation was found between servant leadership and all CSR aspects. In the Egyptian tourism industry, servant leaders can positively influence an organization's commitment to sustainable and socially responsible business practices by prioritising stakeholder well-being, fostering ethical practices, and promoting a culture of responsibility.

Negative feedback loop in the activation of non-homologous end joining DNA repair pathway in Helicobacter pylori infected patients with gastritis

This study aimed to investigate the activation of error-prone DNA repair pathway in response to Helicobacter pylori infection. Relative changes in the expression levels of genes involved in the non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ) in H. pylori-infected (Cases) and non-infected patients (Controls) with chronic gastritis were measured. A significant increase in the relative expression level of TP53, and significant decrease in the relative transcription of lncRNA LINP1 and XRCC5 were detected in the case group. The transcription of Lig4 and XRCC6 was increased in the case group, which was not statistically significant. The Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient analysis showed a significant positive-correlation between the transcriptional levels of LINP1 and XRCC4/XRCC5/Lig4, and between XRCC5 and TP53/Lig4 both in the case and control groups. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between LinP1 and XRCC6 in the case, and a significant positive correlation between XRCC4 and Lig4, and a negative correlation between TP53 and LinP1/XRCC4/XRCC5 in the control group was detected. Although a relative difference was detected in transcriptional levels of the NHEJ gene mediators, downregulation of LinP1 in H. pylori-infected patients proposed the activation of a negative feedback loop, which may interfere with the NHEJ activity at the early stages of gastritis.

A Crucible of IoT Applications and Services and the Gambia Revenue Generation

The study investigated the relationship between Internet of Things (IoT) applications and services and The Gambia revenue generation, tax evasion and tax compliance respectively. It identified the challenges impeding the adoption and implementation of IoT applications and services in the revenue generation processes by the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA). Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Questionnaire and interview were used to generate the primary data. The study population (2188) comprised senior and mid-tier management personnel from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA), staff members of The Gambia Revenue Authority, and the corporate taxpayers. The sampling approach used in this study was multistage. Personnel from the MoFEA and GRA were purposively selected, while corporate taxpayers were randomly selected. Their populations were then divided into various strata to ensure fair representation. Respondents were randomly picked from each stratum. To ensure an appropriate sample size, 327 individuals were selected. Data obtained were analysed using multiple regression, correlation coefficient, and simple regression analysis. Qualitative analyses were done on the interview responses. The study revealed that connectivity, networking, and data collection improve revenue generation, while increased IoT adoption and higher data utilisation and infrastructure investment reduce tax evasion and boost tax compliance. However, implementation of the IoT has encountered challenges in the form of technological barriers, financial constraints, and skill gaps. In view of these, investment must be made in enhancing connectivity and networking infrastructure, training staff in data analytics and cyber-security to optimise IoT data usage and boost IoT adoption through inducements and awareness programs. The study concluded that IOT applications and services are in the right direction to revolutionise The Gambia revenue generation.

12559 Objective Versus Subjective Measures Of Reproductive Development And Psychological Well-Being In Peri-Menarcheal Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Abstract Disclosure: K.C. McCormick: None. M.E. Lujan: None. J. Chang: None. L. Ipp: None. A. Alladeen: None. H. Lamar: None. J. Mendle: None. H. Vanden Brink: None. Introduction: Risk of psychopathology emerges during the pubertal and peri-menarcheal years; however objective physiological measures of maturation often differ from adolescents’ own reports of their development. Understanding how psychological symptoms emerge in relation to both objective and subjective evaluations of reproductive development can provide critical insights into mental health risk and variability in psychological symptom severity during the pre-menarcheal and early post-menarcheal years. Methods: 52 females 9-15 years old (n=16 pre-menarcheal, n=36 <2 years post-menarche) underwent a non-fasting blood draw for reproductive hormones (estradiol, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)), anthropometry, detailed reproductive and menstrual history, and a series of surveys to evaluate depression (CES-DC), anxiety (MASC), perceptions of pubertal-related change (POPS), and transdiagnostic psychological processes (rumination, emotional clarity) which can contribute to, and are risk factors for, psychopathology. Whether psychological symptoms are associated with objective measures (menarche, gynecological age, reproductive hormone concentrations) versus subjective measures (self-reported tanner stage, severity of dysmenorrhea) were contrasted using t-tests and Pearson Correlation Coefficient analyses (JMP Pro (v17)). Results: The majority of participants (26/36 post-menarcheal and 11/16 pre-menarcheal) exceeded the standard cut-off of 15 for depressive symptoms, consistent with research on mental health symptomatology in this cohort of youth. POPS scores were higher (39±10.9) in post-menarcheal versus pre-menarcheal (31±12.6) adolescents indicating post-menarcheal adolescents reported more puberty-linked change in their lives (Pttest=0.04). Lower emotional clarity was associated with higher AMH concentrations (r= -0.27, p=0.0944). Depressive symptoms tended to be greater (27+14.8) in those with moderate dysmenorrhea versus mild/no dysmenorrhea (19±11.1, Pttest=0.08). Depression (r=0.30, p=0.032) and anxiety symptoms (r=0.32, p=0.027), and rumination (r=0.30, p=0.033) were associated with higher self-reported Tanner scores; POPS was trending (r=0.25, p=0.0776). Neither estradiol nor FSH were associated with any measures of psychological well-being. Conclusion: Both objective measures of reproductive development and adolescent self-reports may help providers assess individual vulnerability to internalizing psychopathology, such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, given population level increases in depressive symptoms in adolescents, researchers should avoid utilizing simple cutoffs for depression and anxiety, which lack specificity and overlook critical variability which can further elucidate mental and physical health dynamics. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Effects of supplemental medusa (Rhopilema esculentum) on intestinal microbiota and metabolites in silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus).

Pampus argenteus demonstrates a preference for Rhopilema esculentum as prey, yet the ramifications of consuming supplemental medusa on fish microbiota and metabolism remain elusive. To elucidate these effects, 300 juvenile fish were divided into two groups: control group (C, given commercial food only) and supplemental medusa (SM) group (given supplemental medusa + commercial feed). After 15 days, fish in the SM group exhibited a significant increase in fatness, the amylase activity in the intestine significantly increased, and the intestinal microvilli were arranged more neatly. The comprehensive approach involving 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and metabolomics was employed, leading to the identification of five genera within the SM group, namely Lactococcus, Cohaesibacter, Maritalea, Sulfitobacter, and Carnobacterium. Functional prediction analysis of the microbiota indicated that the consumption of supplemental medusa facilitated processes such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and amino acid absorption. Metabolomics analysis revealed significant enrichment of 85 differential metabolites, most of them belonging to fatty acids and conjugates. These differential metabolites primarily participated in processes such as amino acid metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and disease. Notably, the consumption of medusa resulted in a significant reduction in nine lysophospholipids associated with cardiovascular disease and inflammation. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis revealed associations between specific microorganisms and metabolites, indicating that Cobetia, Weissella, and Macrococcus exhibited an increased abundance in the SM group, positively correlating with apocynin, 12-Hete, and delta 9-THC-d3. The indicator bacteria Psychrobacter reduced in the SM group, exhibiting a negative correlation with cystathionine (a compound involved in glutathione synthesis). Overall, the supplementation of medusa may confer a beneficial effect on the immunity of the fish. This study contributes to the theoretical framework for fish feed development.

Accuracy of ChatGPT responses on tracheotomy for patient education.

To investigate the accuracy of information provided by ChatGPT-4o to patients about tracheotomy. Twenty common questions of patients about tracheotomy were presented to ChatGPT-4o twice (7-day intervals). The accuracy, clarity, relevance, completeness, referencing, and usefulness of responses were assessed by a board-certified otolaryngologist and a board-certified intensive care unit practitioner with the Quality Analysis of Medical Artificial Intelligence (QAMAI) tool. The interrater reliability and the stability of the ChatGPT-4o responses were evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson correlation analysis. The total scores of QAMAI were 22.85 ± 4.75 for the intensive care practitioner and 21.45 ± 3.95 for the otolaryngologist, which consists of moderate-to-high accuracy. The otolaryngologist and the ICU practitioner reported high ICC (0.807; 95%CI: 0.655-0.911). The highest QAMAI scores have been found for clarity and completeness of explanations. The QAMAI scores for the accuracy of the information and the referencing were the lowest. The information related to the post-laryngectomy tracheostomy remains incomplete or erroneous. ChatGPT-4o did not provide references for their responses. The stability analysis reported high stability in regenerated questions. The accuracy of ChatGPT-4o is moderate-to-high in providing information related to the tracheotomy. However, patients using ChatGPT-4o need to be cautious about the information related to tracheotomy care, steps, and the differences between temporary and permanent tracheotomies.

Multimodal Dataset Construction and Validation for Driving-Related Anger: A Wearable Physiological Conduction and Vehicle Driving Data Approach

Anger impairs a driver’s control and risk assessment abilities, heightening traffic accident risks. Constructing a multimodal dataset during driving tasks is crucial for accurate anger recognition. This study developed a multimodal physiological -vehicle driving dataset (DPV-MFD) based on drivers’ self-reported anger during simulated driving tasks. In Experiment 1, responses from 624 participants to anger-inducing videos and driving scenarios were collected via questionnaires to select appropriate materials. In Experiments 2 and 3, multimodal dynamic data and self-reported SAM emotion ratings were collected during simulated and real-vehicle tasks, capturing physiological and vehicle responses in neutral and anger states. Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis validated the DPV-MFD’s effectiveness and explored the relationships between multimodal data and emotional dimensions. The CNN-LSTM deep learning network was used to assess the emotion recognition performance of the DPV-MFD across different time windows, and its applicability in real-world driving scenarios was validated. Compared to using EEG data alone, integrating multimodal data significantly improved anger recognition accuracy, with accuracy and F1 scores rising by 4.49% and 9.14%, respectively. Additionally, real-vehicle data closely matched simulated data, confirming the dataset’s effectiveness for real-world applications. This research is pivotal for advancing emotion-aware human–machine- interaction and intelligent transportation systems.

Estimation of soil-to-plant transfer factor across six local government areas of Kwara state, Nigeria

Transfer factors (TFs) are among the necessary parameter values for the mathematical modeling of radiological pollution's environmental impact. In this study, 238U, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations and TFs were estimated in 48 soil and plant samples through gamma-ray spectrometry NaI(Tl) in six selected areas of local governments in Kwara State, Nigeria. The findings revealed that the soil and plant samples' 238U and 232Th activity concentrations were within the radiological safety limits. The TFs of soil to plant fell within the worldwide ranges. A set of statistical tests were applied to verify the validity of the data, such as descriptive analysis, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, frequency distribution, and Spearman's correlation. The study reveals a skewed distribution in data. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis indicates a moderately negative correlation between 238U, 232Th, and 40K's activity concentrations and their respective TFs (TFU, TFTh, and TFK). In terms of future research in the study area, it is hoped that the data from this study will contribute to improved scientific knowledge.

Detailed Investigation of Mechanical and Radiation Shielding Efficacy of TeO2-ZnO-Bi2O3-Nb2O5Glasses

This study presents a comprehensive examination of the glass systems consisting of TeO2, ZnO, Bi2O3, and Nb2O5. The objective is to assess their suitability as radiation shielding materials and analyze their mechanical characteristics. Analysis of TZBN1's mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) was conducted using FLUKA modeling and XCOM. The findings indicated that TZBN1 had the highest Mean Absolute Change (MAC) at low energy levels (0.02 MeV), measured 38.547 cm2/g. These findings suggest that TZBN1 has a more favorable photoelectric effect interaction. Over energies beyond 20 MeV, TZBN4 has exceptional performance in comparison to other samples, with a mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) of 0.043996 cm2/g. These findings suggest an improved capacity to provide protection against high-energy photons. The density of the glass substrates is an essential factor, and TZBN4 exhibits a peak density of 6.15 g/cm³. Consequently, it exhibits a reduced gamma-ray transmission factor (TF), thereby underscoring its efficacy in mitigating gamma radiation. Based on the Makishima and Mackenzie model, TZBN1 exhibits the greatest Young's Modulus, measured at around 814.67 kJ/mol per PD. These findings suggest that TZBN1 exhibits the highest level of mechanical strength and stiffness among the glasses examined. In contrast, TZBN4 exhibits the lowest Young's Modulus of 453.47 kJ/mol per PD, making it potentially appropriate for certain applications that need flexibility. The results underscore the importance of glass chemical composition in tailoring materials for radiation protection and mechanical robustness. The glasses composed of TeO2, ZnO, Bi2O3, and Nb2O5, namely TZBN4, are regarded as very promising for applications that need efficient shielding against high-energy photons, while also providing material flexibility and strength. This paper presents a substantial framework for selecting and creating glass materials for the goal of providing safe shielding in the domains of medicine, industry, and nuclear facilities.

A comparative analysis of dissipation coefficients in warm inflation

In the warm inflation scenario, the early cosmic acceleration is driven by the inflaton coupled to thermal fields, decaying into radiation and leaving a hot universe populated by relativistic particles after the end of inflation. The interactionis usually modeled by a dissipation coefficient Υ that contains the microphysics of the model. In this work, we adopt a well-motivated potential V(ϕ)=λ/4ϕ 4 and constrain a variety of Υ parameterizations by using updated Cosmic Microwave Background data from the Planck and BICEP/Keck Array collaborations. We also use a Bayesian statistical criterion to compare the observational viability of these models. Our results show a significant improvement in the constraints over past results reported in the literature and also that some of these warm inflation models can be competitive compared to Starobinsky inflation.

Significance analysis of the attenuation coefficient of vibrations in a boron nitride–carbon nanotube under buckling and fracture: A molecular dynamics study

Boron nitride–carbon nanotubes (BN–CNTs), serving as nanomass sensors, exhibit fatigue characteristics, such as buckling or bond breakage, under impact from measured particles. However, the impact of such damage on the functionality of BN–CNTs remains unclear. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the performance of BN–CNTs mass sensors under impact by C60 particles, focusing on three critical states: buckling, bond breakage, and coexisting buckling and bond breakage. An analysis of the impact stress and mass responsivity shows that damaged beams have a lower mass detection capability than undamaged beams. The results of a paired t-test and an analysis of the decay coefficients and vibration frequencies of damaged nanobeams show that damaged nanobeams have a significantly lower quality factor than undamaged nanobeams. We use an energy equation to analyze the impact process of nanobeams for the first time, revealing that the change in the potential energy of the beam is a crucial influence factor of the beam critical state. This study provides insights into the damage to nanoscale mass sensors caused by impact.

Effect of stannous oxide on the structure and properties of iron phosphate glass

A novel phosphate glass of the P2O5-SnCl2-Fe2O3 system was synthesized using the melt-cooling technique. The effect of substituting SnO for SnCl2 on the properties of the glass was systematically explored. The material was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and a thermal expansion test. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) analysis revealed that the glass transition temperature initially rises and subsequently falls with increasing SnO content. The incorporation of Sn and Fe ions not only reduces the characteristic temperature of the glass but also enhances its chemical stability, presenting significant potential for applications in low-temperature sealing technologies.

Precise Localization of the Central Left Frontal Cortex in Different Canine Skull Types: A Comparative Study of Frameless Neuronavigation and External Measurement Techniques

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain modulation technique, has been explored as an additional treatment option for behaviorally disordered dogs. For optimal effectiveness of the rTMS treatment, accurate coil positioning to the stimulation target is pivotal. Frameless stereotactic neuronavigation for the localization of intracranial regions has been established as a reliable targeting method. However, given the varying skull shape and brain structures among dog breeds, divided into mesocephalic, brachycephalic, and dolichocephalic breeds, localizing the rTMS target area, the central left frontal cortex, can be challenging. Previous neuronavigation studies have only investigated its use in mesocephalic breeds of dogs. Because this neuronavigation is based on expensive high-tesla magnetic resonance imaging data, and anesthesia needed for immobilization, a cheaper and reliable localization alternative to broaden the rTMS use in the veterinary field is needed.The objective of this study was twofold. First, the study aimed to evaluate external localization of the central left frontal cortex within the three skull types (retrospective study 1). Then, this external localization method was compared to the conventional frameless neuronavigation technique to check the consistency, focusing on mesocephalic and dolichocephalic breeds (prospective study 2). Thirty-two brachycephalic, thirty-seven mesocephalic and thirty dolichocephalic dogs were included to evaluate the external localization of the central left frontal cortex by external measurement (retrospective study 1, data obtained from previously performed MRI scans). For the second objective, thirty-eight dogs (35 mesocephalic breeds and 3 dolichocephalic breeds) were recruited to compare the external measurement localization method and the localization by neuronavigation (prospective study 2, data extracted from study 1 and former rTMS studies). The first part of this study showed the central left frontal cortex was externally located approximately two-thirds of the total skull length (sagittal length) in meso- and dolichocephalic dogs, at the center of the skull length in brachycephalic dogs, and 0.65 to 0.70 cm to the left of the cerebral midline for all skull types (retrospective study 1). Using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis, the second part of the study showed high consistency between these two methods, for the length of the skull (0.94), the relative position of the left frontal cortex (0.84), and the distance to the cerebral midline (0.69) in mesocephalic and dolichocephalic breeds (prospective study 2). Our findings suggest that the conventional frameless neuronavigation could be replaced by the external localization method in the mesocephalic and dolichocephalic dog breeds, and therefore ultimately reduce anesthesia time and financial burden when applying non-invasive brain modulation techniques like rTMS. More research needs to be conducted for brachycephalic dogs to validate this method in this specific population of dogs.

Factors Affecting Lecturers’ Digital Competence: A Study at some Universities in the North of Vietnam

In recent years, the decrease in swamp land has been observed in both urban and rural areas. This phenomenon is land hoarding to the deliberate Digital transformation has been deeply penetrating all areas of life, contributing to increasing global labor productivity. The process of digital transformation of education and training in the context of the strong industrial revolution is inevitable. This study aims to show the factors affecting the digital competencies of economics lecturers at universities. The author used SPSS 25.0 software to process and analyze data through a survey of 311 lecturers in economics majors, testing the reliability of the scale using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and exploratory factor analysis. of 5 independent variables with 20 observed variables, and the author also uses regression analysis to test the compatibility between independent factors affecting the dependent factor as well as determine the level of impact of factors and model fit. Research results have shown that it is necessary to build a team of lecturers with digital capabilities that meet standards, which is a key condition to achieve the goal of improving the quality of training and education of Vietnam’s universities.

Investigating the psychological disorder and nutritional disorder during COVID-19 epidemic

BackgroundConsidering the various effects of the corona epidemic on humans, the current study was conducted to investigate adults' nutritional patterns and the psychological status during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and materialsThis cross-sectional analytical study was performed on adults in Iran during the COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 315 participants were examined by the convenience sampling method. To collect data from the standard 21 questionnaire (das) and Eating Attitudes Test - 26 items were used. The data were analysis by SPSS and independent t-test, correlation coefficient, and chi-square analysis of variance at a significance level of less than 0.05. ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 31.93±10.02 years. Based on the findings, 31.1% had some degree of depression, 29.5% had some degree of anxiety, and 31.7% have been affected by varying degrees of stress. Also, 8.7% of the participants had eating disorders. A statistically significant relationship was observed between depression score, anxiety score, stress score as well as an overall score of mental disorders and eating disorders; in such a way that with the increase of each of these cases, the score of eating disorders also increases. ConclusionFollowing the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and its psychological effects, the level of stress and anxiety has increased. Awareness controlled the level of anxiety and stress and prevented its adverse effects on nutrition.

Innovation in Legislation and Its Role in Stimulating the Development of Legal Administration: An Analytical Study in Legal Institutions

The research aims to understand the impact of innovation in legislation on the development of legal management. We depended on 3 dimensions: (Flexibility –Transparency Inclusiveness). A sample such as a hundred employees become drawn, representing 50% of the populace size. A questionnaire become used to acquire the desired information, and the facts were analyzed the usage of SPSS 25 statistical software. The researcher dispensed 160 research bureaucracy and retrieved a 125 questionnaires, representing a reaction charge of 78%. There had been 25 invalid questionnaires for evaluation, accounting for 15.6%. Thus, 100 valid questionnaires had been obtained, forming the studies pattern with a reaction charge of 62.5 %. A set of statistical techniques changed into hired, such as imply calculation, correlation coefficient, and simple regression analysis, further to the use of a five point Likert scale for individual responses inside the sample. The studies concluded with several findings, the most vital of which might be: There is a vast impact of innovation in rules throughout its studied dimensions in stimulating the improvement of legal management. The researcher recommended the need of increasing funding in legislative development by allocating extra financial resources and human capital to enhance the prison infrastructure.

Construct validity of the hand10 questionnaire in patients with hand osteoarthritis

BackgroundThe Hand10 questionnaire is a short, easy-to-understand, visual questionnaire developed for the functional assessment of upper extremity disorders. It consists of visuals of each item as well as facial expressions that reflect the degree of difficulty during the function. It has been stated that the Hand10 questionnaire is suitable for application in the elderly population due to its stated features. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the validity of the Hand10 questionnaire in hand osteoarthritis, the prevalence of which increases with age. MethodsPatients filled the Hand10, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) questionnaires, once. Validity of Hand10 was determined with DASH and AUSCAN questionnaires using Pearson Correlation Coefficient analysis. ResultsSixty patients were enrolled in the study. The Hand10 score of the patients was 45.15±25.81; DASH score was 76.31±26.37, and AUSCAN score was 32.75±15.58. The analysis revealed that Hand10 scores showed a positive correlation with DASH scores at a “very good” level (r=0.71; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.55, 0.82]) and AUSCAN scores at an ”excellent” level (r=0.76; p<0.001; 95% CI [0.63, 0.85]). ConclusionThe Hand10 questionnaire is a valid tool in patients with hand OA. This questionnaire, which consists of ten items and includes pictures that have a positive effect on repeatability, is very practical in evaluating hand function in upper extremity disorders, especially in older age individuals.

Comparison of computer-aided quantitative measurement and physician visual assessment in the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: a vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging study.

Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis is a leading cause of ischemic stroke in China. Accurate assessment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis through imaging techniques is crucial for guiding therapeutic interventions and prognostic stratification. Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VWMRI) has emerged as a reliable method for evaluating intracranial arterial vessels. With the advancement of technology, computer-aided quantitative measurement (CAQM) is increasingly used in imaging assessment. This study aimed to compare physician visual assessment (PVA) with CAQM in the VWMRI evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. This retrospective cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled patients diagnosed with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis through imaging examinations at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from December 2018 to December 2023. Clinical data were collected for analysis. Two radiologists independently and separately conducted CAQM and PVA on the VWMRI images of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients. The imaging features evaluated encompassed stenosis severity, vessel wall remodeling, vessel wall thickening patterns, fibrous cap characteristics, lipid core ratio, and plaque enhancement degree. The study further assessed the discrepancies and concordance between the assessment results obtained from the two methods using paired sample t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Cohen's kappa coefficient analysis. This study enrolled a total of 589 patients. The PVA time was shorter than CAQM (12.02±3.63 vs. 20.48±6.50 min). However, compared with digital subtraction angiography, the CAQM had a better area under the curve (0.88) than the PVA (0.80) in assessing luminal stenosis degree. The proportions of vessel wall remodeling (227/38.5%) and plaque surface irregularity (127/21.6%) evaluated by PVA were both lower than those by CAQM (438/74.4%, 171/29.0%). Meanwhile, no statistically significant differences were found in the patterns of wall thickening (P=0.12/0.39) and the proportion of plaque lipid core (P=0.65 and P=0.27), with good agreement between the two methods (K=0.67/0.85, K=0.97/0.94). While there were no statistical differences in the assessment of plaque enhancement degree in specific arteries (middle cerebral artery and basilar artery) (n=77/36, P=0.08/0.21), an overall statistical difference was observed (n=113, P=0.03). Additionally, there was poor agreement in assessing plaque enhancement degree, with Cohen's kappa values of 0.13 (-0.05 to 0.32) and 0.16 (-0.06 to 0.39). This study revealed disparities between PVA and CAQM in the evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis of VWMRI. CAQM is recommended for assessing stenosis degree, vessel wall remodeling, and fibrous cap characteristics. However, PVA is suggested to assess wall thickening patterns and lipid core ratio to expedite diagnosis. Further research is needed to validate CAQM's superiority in evaluating plaque enhancement degrees.

Genetic variability, trait association and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Genetic variability, trait association and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.)

Four-dimensional automated quantitative echocardiography assessment of right heart remodeling in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) has a pathophysiological connection with right heart remodeling. Given the increasing focus on right atrial remodeling in recent years, a comprehensive study of all aspects of right heart remodeling is crucial for understanding the progression and treatment of FTR. In the scientific literature, there is a lack of comprehensive exploration of right atrial remodeling in patients with FTR, and no reports on the potential correlation between the degree of this remodeling and the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been published. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between right heart parameters measured by four-dimensional (4D) automated quantitative echocardiography and the severity of TR in patients with FTR. In this prospective case-control study, 100 patients diagnosed with FTR by echocardiography at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from February 2022 to March 2023 were prospectively and consecutively selected as the case group, comprising 50 patients with mild FTR and 50 patients with moderate or severe FTR. Additionally, 30 healthy participants served as the control group. Routine echocardiography was employed to obtain two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images, which was followed by 4D automated quantitative echocardiograph assessment. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare differences between groups, Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to discern the relationship between parameters and TR volume, multivariate linear regression was used to identify factors associated with TR volume, and logistic regression was employed to predict the severity of FTR. The case group consisted of 50 patients with mild FTR (26 males, 52%; age range, 31-78 years; mean age ± SD: 58±11.4 years) and 50 patients with moderate-to-severe FTR (21 males, 42%; age range, 29-87 years; mean age ± SD: 60±13.0 years). Additionally, 30 healthy participants (13 males, 43%; age range, 19-81 years; mean age ± SD: 58±13.3 years) constituted the control group. Patients with moderate-to-severe FTR had significant right heart dilatation and functional decline. The TR volume was highly correlated with right atrium minimum volume (RAVmin; r=0.864; P<0.001), and linear regression showed that the RAVmin was independently correlated with the severity of TR in patients (β=0.820; P<0.001). There were several predictive variables that were significantly associated with increased FTR severity, including right atrial reservoir strain [RASr; odds ratio (OR) =0.702; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.575-0.857; P=0.001], right atrial conduit strain (RAScd; OR =1.308; 95% CI: 1.098-1.558; P=0.003), and right atrial reservoir circumferential strain (RASr-c; OR =0.823; 95% CI: 0.684-0.990; P=0.04). 4D automated quantitative echocardiography allows for the dynamic assessment of right heart volume and function. To determine the development of FTR, RA dilation appears to be more significant than right ventricular dilation. The RASr, RAScd, and RASr-c are directly correlated with FTR severity.