Central Zone Research Articles

Analyses of markets and outlet choice of smallholder chickpea producers in the Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

According to scientific literature, the Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) feeds on a wide array of prey species, such as squid, flying fish, carangid and clupeid fishes, and crustaceans such as euphausiids. However, most of this research was conducted near the Galápagos islands. In the present study, we document the consumption of Peruvian Anchoveta (Engraulis ringens), during the industrial purse seine fishing season. The albatrosses taregted these fish when the purse seine was closing, close to the corks in the superficial part of the fishing maneuver. This behaviour was found in Peruvian territorial waters, mainly in the north central zone (07°-14°S) over the continental shelf. This behavior has been continuously recorded since 2015 by the fishing industry (COPEINCA) and by the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE).

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a significant global challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to healthcare services is constrained. Despite substantial efforts to combat HIV, the uptake of screening among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remains sub-optimal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV screening and identify the factors associated with screening uptake among AGYW in Tanzania.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (2022 TDHS). The study population included AGYW aged 15–24 years. The outcome variable was HIV screening. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HIV screening among AGYW.ResultsA total of 5,852 AGYW with a mean age of 19.3 ± 2.8 years were included in the analysis. The prevalence of ever “HIV screening” was 60.2% (95% CI: 58.4–61.9). Factors associated with a higher prevalence of HIV screening included older age 20–24 years (adjusted Prevalence Ratio, aPR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.15), currently or previously in marital union (aPR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.27), history of sexual intercourse (aPR 2.32, 95% CI 2.04–2.63), pregnancy history (aPR 1.43, 95% CI 1.35–1.52), awareness of sexually transmitted infections (aPR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10–1.22), awareness of HIV testing kits (aPR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03–1.13), condom use (aPR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.12), ownership of telephone (aPR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09–1.19 for non-smartphone; aPR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13–1.37 for smartphone), and visiting a healthcare facility in the previous 12 months (aPR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–1.24). Geographical differences showed that women in the Northern and Central zones (aPR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96) had a lower prevalence of HIV screening compared to those in the Eastern zone.ConclusionThe study revealed a sub-optimal prevalence of ever HIV screening among AGYW in Tanzania and was associated with different individual and interpersonal factors. Targeted interventions that address individual and interpersonal factors to improve HIV screening rates among AGYW should be implemented.

The Skoura oasis, located in the Ouarzazate region of southern Morocco, represents a fragile agro-ecosystem increasingly affected by land degradation processes. This study aims to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of desertification in the oasis from 1984 to 2024, in light of climate variability and anthropogenic pressures. An integrated approach combining remote sensing data and environmental indicators is adopted to characterize changes in vegetation and soil conditions. High-resolution satellite imagery from Pléiades 2023 and time series data from the Landsat (5, 7, 8) and Sentinel-2 missions are processed using object-based image analysis and segmentation techniques. Three key indicators are employed: the Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI), surface albedo, and the Sand Fraction Index (SFI). These indicators are integrated to construct a Desertification Monitoring Index (DMI) within the Google Earth Engine platform. Results reveal that in 1984, 24.3% of the oasis area was already classified as highly desertified, particularly in the eastern, southern, and central zones. A slight improvement was ob-served by 1996, with the desertified surface decreasing to 8.6 %. However, a renewed intensification occurred between 1996 and 2010, especially in areas dominated by date palms and olive groves. From 2010 to 2024, desertification progressed further, marked by significant vegetation loss. The findings highlight the persistence and aggravation of land degradation over four decades. The study demonstrates the value of integrated remote sensing approaches for monitoring desertification and supports the need for adaptive strategies to ensure the sustainable management of oasis ecosystems.

The case study Public Space Námestovo provides an expert view on the issue of public spaces in and its hierarchical understanding in relation to further development. Based on extensive analyses, it defines the important location of the main square in central zone, the proposal for its restoration and the optimal connection with the proposed restored structure of its contact public spaces. The concept is supplemented and presents the approach to the design of a selected secondary public space, which draws attention to the need to comprehensively complete the entire analysis of public space in the city and determine the vision of the development of public space in the city as a whole. It is a challenging task, requiring a thorough and creative examination of several intentions in the form of architectural and urban competitions, which will confirm the potential of these areas. An important task in the further development of the city seems to be to deal with a partially free, sparsely built-up area in contact with the embankment of the Orava Reservoir, where an architectural competition has already taken place. The main goal is its continuous connection with the existing, historically established structure of public spaces. We present the difficulty of entering the central zone on examples. They complete the overall picture and open a discussion about the change in the understanding of the transport infrastructure in the city, while presenting the dominance of pedestrian traffic. The task of creating a quality urban space, building its vision and systematically fulfilling it, is professionally demanding and time-consuming, requiring enthusiasm and focused interest of residents and especially the city management.

Characterization is one of the main factors to be considered for the use of any raw material to be industrialized and commercialized, and its quality depends on its origin. The objective of this research was to evaluate the fruit characteristics of promising avocado genotypes in the Dominican Republic, for which two studies were carried out. The first study evaluated the effect of genotype (Popenoe, Criollo, and Hass) and the second evaluated the effect of production area (north, central, and southeast Dominican Republic) on proximal (moisture, protein, lipid, and ash content) and physicochemical (titratable acidity, pH, water activity (aw), and soluble solids) characteristics of avocado pulp. Completely randomized designs with four replicates per study factor were performed. An analysis of variance was carried out, and Tukey's test was applied with a reliability of 95 %. The results show that fat, protein, and pH can vary according to genotype. Criollo avocados had lower fat content (6.40 %) and their protein percentage was statistically similar (p<0.05) to Hass and higher than Popenoe. The pH ranged from 5.96 (Criollo) to 6.98 (Hass). Production areas can influence the protein content, titratable acidity, and water activity (aw) in avocados. Those with the highest protein content are produced in the southeast, while those with the lowest acidity and highest water activity (aw) are produced in the central zone. These results corroborate the need to characterize genotypes and the origin of raw materials for industrialization and commercialization.

To evaluate the long-term structural and functional ocular outcomes in school-aged children with ROP treated by laser photocoagulation, and to compare them with those of term-born controls. This retrospective cohort study included premature children treated with laser photocoagulation for type 1 ROP, leading to regression without progression to advanced stages, and followed up to school age at a single tertiary center. Age- and sex-matched term-born controls were selected. Retinal and choroidal structures were assessed using SS-OCT, and retinal vascular tortuosity was quantified based on fundus photographs obtained during follow-ups conducted between ages 6 and 14 years. Overall, 23 treated ROP children (45 eyes) and 50 term-born controls (100 eyes) were included. Mean age at examination was 8.83 ± 2.53 years for the ROP group and 9.54 ± 1.79 years for controls. Spherical equivalent did not differ significantly between groups (ROP vs. control; -2.05 ± 3.12 vs. -1.55 ± 1.31, p = 0.307) but treated ROP children had significantly lower vision (ROP vs. control; logMAR 0.16 ± 0.13 vs. 0.08 ± 0.12, p < 0.001). Retinal vascular tortuosity was significantly higher in the ROP group (1.163 ± 0.091 vs. 1.073 ± 0.036, p < 0.001), and SS-OCT measurements revealed statistically significant retinal thickening at central foveal and parafoveal regions. No significant choroidal thinning or differences in choroidal vascularity index was observed (p = 0.918 and p = 0.827, respectively). A negative association was observed between gestational age and central foveal thickness (p = 0.048) and between birth weight and retinal vascular tortuosity (p = 0.001). Central foveal thickness negatively correlated with gestational age and tortuosity with BW. Lower vision was significantly associated with increased retinal vascular tortuosity but not with OCT-derived retinal or choroidal metrics. School-aged children treated with laser photocoagulation for ROP showed increased retinal vascular tortuosity and thickness in the central foveal to parafoveal regions, while choroidal thickness and vascularity remained unchanged in the central 1500μm zone on SS-OCT device. These findings suggest localized retinal changes with preserved choroidal integrity.

Temporal variability in environmental influences on silver croaker (Pennahia argentata) life-history traits in the East China Sea.

Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) is a disabling pain condition that typically arises after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Managing its acute and chronic pain remains challenging. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel is involved in neuropathic and inflammatory pain, making it a potential target for CRPS-I treatment. Thus, we evaluate the participation of the TRPV4 channel in nociception and spinal neuroinflammation induced by a preclinical model of CRPS-I. Male mice (C57BL/6) were used for chronic post-ischemia pain (CPIP) induction. Mechanical allodynia, thermal hypersensitivity, and rotarod test were performed before (baseline) and post-induction of CPIP (Days 1, 5, 10, and 15). Open field test was performed on Days 1 and 15, and nest-building behavior was observed on the 15th-16th day after CPIP induction. The antinociceptive effect of the TRPV4 antagonist HC-067047 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was evaluated over 15 days. CPIP-Veh (vehicle) mice exhibited mechanical allodynia and thermal hypersensitivity. HC-067047 repeated treatment reduced nociception from day 5 to 15 post-CPIP induction. In the open field test, CPIP-Veh mice spent less time in the central zone, a parameter reversed by HC-067047 treatment. Additionally, nest-building scores improved with repeated treatment of HC-067047. Elevated levels of putative endogenous TRPV4 ligands, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), were reduced after HC-067047 repeated treatment. CPIP-induced increased gene expression of spinal protease-activated receptor 2 (Par2, a sensitizer of TRPV4), Trpv4, glial fibrillary acidic protein (Gfap, to evaluate astrocyte activation), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2, a biomarker of antioxidant defense). HC-067047 repeated treatment attenuated it, except for Trpv4 levels, which remained unaltered. These results suggest that the TRPV4 channel is likely involved in CRPS-I nociceptive mechanisms in mice.

Net zero and net negative emissions in brazilian biomes by no-till system.

To enhance ecosystem services (ESs) benefits and promote ecological–economic–sociologic sustainability in highly urbanized regions such as the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, it is essential to assess the dynamic changes in ESs within these regions from a functional zoning perspective and to explore the interactions between ESs. This research delved into how ESs change over space and time, using land-use projections for 2035 based on Natural Development (ND), Ecological Protection (EP), Economic Construction (EC) scenarios. This study also took a close look at the interplay of these ESs across BTH and its five distinct functional zones: the Bashang Plateau Ecological Protection Zone (BS), the Northwestern Ecological Conservation Zone (ST), the Central Core Functional Zone (HX), the Southern Functional Expansion Zone (TZ), and the Eastern Coastal Development Zone (BH). We utilize the Multiple Ecosystem Service Landscape Index (MESLI) to assess the capacity to supply multiple ESs. Key results include the following: (1) Projected land-use changes for 2035 scenarios consistently show cropland and grassland declining, while forest and urbanland expand, though the magnitude of change varies by scenario. (2) Habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation displayed a “high northwest–low southeast” gradient, opposite to water yield. The average MESLI value declined in all scenarios relative to 2020, with the highest value under the EP scenario. (3) Synergies prevailed between habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation, while trade-offs occurred with water yield. These relationships varied spatially—for instance, habitat quality and soil conservation were weakly synergistic in the BS but showed weak trade-offs in the HX. These insights can inform management strategies in other rapidly urbanizing regions.

Combustion at the meso-scale is constrained by large surface-to-volume ratios that shorten residence time and intensify wall heat loss. We perform steady, three-dimensional CFD of two asymmetric vortex combustors: Model A (compact) and Model B (larger-volume) over inlet-air mass flow rates m˙ (40–170 mg s−1) and equivalence ratios ϕ (0.7–1.5), using an Eddy-Dissipation closure for turbulence–chemistry interactions. A six-mesh independence study (the best mesh is 113,133 nodes) yields ≤ 1.5% variation in core fields and ~2.6% absolute temperature error at a benchmark station. Results show that swirl-induced CRZ governs mixing and flame anchoring: Model A develops higher swirl envelopes (S up to ~6.5) and strong near-inlet heat-flux density but becomes breakdown-prone at the highest loading; Model B maintains a centered, coherent Central Recirculation Zone (CRZ) with lower uθ (~3.2 m s−1) and S ≈ 1.2–1.6, distributing heat more uniformly downstream. Peak flame temperatures (~2100–2140 K) occur at ϕ ≈ 1.0–1.3, remaining sub-adiabatic due to wall heat loss and dilution. Within this regime and m˙ ≈ 85–130 mg s−1, the system balances intensity against flow coherence, defining a stable, thermally efficient operating window for portable micro-power and thermoelectric applications.

Context . The Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Milky Way exhibits extreme conditions, including high gas densities, elevated temperatures, enhanced cosmic-ray ionization rates, and large-scale dynamics. This makes it a perfect laboratory for astrochemical studies. With large-scale molecular surveys revealing increasing chemical and physical complexity in the CMZ, it is essential to develop robust methods to decode the chemical information embedded in this extreme region. Aims . A key step to interpreting the molecular richness found in the CMZ is building chemical templates tailored to its diverse conditions. In particular, understanding how CMZ environments affect shock and protostellar chemistry is crucial. The combined impact of high ionization, elevated temperatures, and dense gas remains insufficiently explored for observable tracers. Methods . For this study, we utilized UCLCHEM , a gas-grain time-dependent chemical model, to link physical conditions with their corresponding molecular signatures and identify key tracers of temperature, density, ionization, and shock activity. To achieve this, we ran a grid of models of shocks and protostellar objects representative of typical CMZ conditions, focusing on 24 species, including complex organic molecules. Results . Shocked and protostellar environments show distinct evolutionary timescales (≲10 4 vs. ≳10 4 years); 300 K emerges as a key temperature threshold for chemical differentiation. We find that cosmic-ray ionization and temperature are the main drivers of chemical trends. HCO + , H 2 CO, and CH 3 SH trace ionization, while HCO, HCO + , CH 3 SH, CH 3 NCO, and HCOOCH 3 show consistent abundance contrasts between shocks and protostellar regions over similar temperature ranges. Conclusions . We characterized the behavior of 24 species in protostellar and shock-related environments. While our models underpredict some complex organics in shocks, they reproduce observed trends for most species, supporting scenarios involving a need for recurring shocks in Galactic Center clouds and enhanced ionization toward Sgr B2(N2). Future work should assess the role of shock recurrence and metallicity in shaping chemistry.

Implementation of community pharmacy-based testing and treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Nova Scotia (Swab-Rx study).

This study collected 820 topsoil samples from cultivated lands across Ningxia, covering the Yellow River irrigation area, the central arid zone, and the southern mountainous region. The ordinary kriging were spatially interpolated to analyze As, Hg, Cd, Cr, and Pb heavy-metal pollution spatial patterns. Pollution was evaluated using the Nemerow and geoaccumulation (I(geo)) indices, and sources quantified via Pearson correlations, PCA (Principal Component Analysis), and PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization). The results indicated that Hg and Cd posed the highest ecological risks. The overall mean concentrations (mg.kg−1) of Hg, Cd, As, Pb, and Cr were 0.04, 0.27, 9.91,23.81, and 57.34, respectively. Compared with the background values, they were 1.90, 2.41, 0.83, 1.14, 2.74 times higher, respectively. Geospatially, regions with higher pollution probabilities for Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As were concentrated in the northern and central parts of Ningxia, whereas the southern region exhibited lower pollution probabilities. pH significantly influenced the accumulation and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soil. Source apportionment identified three primary contributors: transportation and natural parent materials (As, Pb, Cr), industrial activities (Hg), and agricultural practices (Cd). Hg and Cd were identified as the key risk elements requiring prioritized management. These results enhance understanding of the pollution levers of heavy metals in Ningxia cultivated soils, and also provide foundation for developing more scientific and precise soil risk control policies, offering significant practical value for environmental risk management.

This study analyzed penalty kick performance in elite women’s football, focusing on contextual, situational, and technical factors across the Spanish Liga F and the English Women’s Super League during the 2022/23 to 2024/25 seasons. Using an observational methodology, 240 penalties were systematically coded according to twelve criteria and fifty-five categories. Chi-square goodness-of-fit and independence tests were applied to examine distributions and associations. The overall conversion rate was 80.4%, with 15.4% of attempts saved and 4.2% missed. Home teams achieved significantly higher success than away teams (85.6% vs. 72.7%), while penalties taken when leading were less effective (69.9%) compared with those executed while drawing or losing (&gt;84%). Temporal effects were also observed, with lower effectiveness around halftime (71.8%). Laterality and goalkeeper actions showed no significant influence, although some league-specific tendencies were noted. Shot placement emerged as the strongest determinant of success, with upper and central zones achieving near-perfect results, whereas medium-height shots were least effective. These findings extend existing knowledge by providing the first longitudinal evidence from elite women’s domestic leagues in Spain and England. Practical implications include emphasizing accuracy toward optimal zones, reinforcing psychological preparation when leading, and addressing performance drops during specific match periods.

This study examines the physical capital in rural livelihoods around Loktak Lake, Manipur, India, focusing on infrastructure and producer goods such as, housing, land, tools, water, and energy that sustain livelihoods. The objectives are to evaluate household asset holdings, analyze their distribution across the Northern, Central, and Southern zones of Loktak Lake, and assess their contribution to livelihood security. A household survey across nine villages around Loktak Lake revealed that physical assets, such as tools, livestock, and agricultural and irrigation appliances, are limited, with a median household asset value under 50,000, highlighting income constraints and the role of inadequate physical capital in limiting livelihood security. The study emphasizes land as a crucial asset for diversifying livelihood basket, with communities heavily reliant on the lake’s resources. Despite some improvements such as rural electrification reaching approximately 65% of households, basic needs such as safe water, sanitation, and durable housing remain unmet. The findings underscore the need for targeted policy interventions, which are aligning with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to strengthen physical capital, including government schemes such as rural housing, water supply projects, and asset-building programs. These interventions are crucial for enhancing livelihood resilience and facilitating informed sustainable lake management.

The research focuses on the petrological and geochemical study of the plutonic rocks of the Bertakari-Bnelikhevi area. Samples were taken from both intrusive and sub intrusive bodies and analyzed using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument. The geochemical and petrological analysis of the samples reflects the tectonic-geodynamic history of the region, characterized by the integration of subduction and rift-related processes. The results clearly demonstrate the diversity of the magmatic system, the dynamics of rock genesis, and the potential for mineral resources. The study revealed that the formation of rocks in the region was driven by intense magmatic differentiation, the activity of tectonic zones, and the influence of hydrothermal alterations, which define their geochemical and metallogenic characteristics. The chemical and petrological analysis of the region's plutonic rocks, using Middlemost's TAS classification and other geochemical diagrams, indicates that most of the samples are associated with a subduction zone environment. The distribution of the samples on AFM and Ti-Zr-Sr diagrams demonstrated the dominance of the tholeiitic series, which is related to low-pressure conditions and intensive differentiation. Samples located in the CAB (Calc-Alkaline Basalt) field confirm the active role of subduction processes. Within the CAB field, the high concentration of Zr and low Ti content indicates the significant influence of tectonic zones. Samples located in the MORB (Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) field suggest rift-related processes, characterized by relatively less differentiated chemical compositions of the melt. The Ti/Zr ratio highlights the formation conditions typical of the central rift zones of the oceanic crust, further confirming the tectonic diversity.

Abstract Background Quantitative magnetic resonance T2 mapping is an advanced technique used to evaluate the structural integrity of articular cartilage of joints by measuring T2 relaxation times that reflect water content and collagen fiber organization within the cartilage. Aim This research aimed to investigate the role of T2 mapping in detecting early cartilage degeneration in glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, which may not be apparent on conventional imaging modalities. Methods In this prospective study, 40 patients with diagnosed or suspected glenohumeral osteoarthritis and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. All participants underwent plain X-ray, conventional magnetic resonance imaging and T2 mapping of the shoulder joint. Results Conventional magnetic resonance imaging identified features of glenohumeral osteoarthritis in 72.7% of examined joints. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean T2 values of the articular cartilage across the three evaluated joint zones (humeral, central, and glenoid) between patients and controls ( p = 0.001), as well as between patients with and without osteoarthritis. T2 cutoff values indicative of cartilage damage were identified as &gt; 34.1 ms in the humeral zone, &gt; 32.5 ms in the central zone, and &gt; 32.0 ms in the glenoid zone, with sensitivities ranging from 84 to 100%. T2 mapping demonstrated superior diagnostic performance with a sensitivity of 97.6%, compared to 71.4% for conventional MRI. Conclusion Quantitative magnetic resonance T2 mapping is sensitive for detecting early biochemical alterations in the cartilage of the glenohumeral joint, potentially identifying degeneration before structural abnormalities become evident on conventional imaging.

Modern projection optical systems, such as DUV lithography and high-numerical-aperture objectives, require extremely high surface machining accuracy, making the consideration of mechanical deformations of optical elements particularly critical. This paper presents the results of a computer simulation of the deformation of a 195 mm diameter fused silica biconvex lens under vacuum. The study was performed in CAE (Computer-aided engineering) software suites employing different calculation algorithms. A lens model designed in a CAD (Computer-aided design) system was used. The lens material is fused silica with a Young’s modulus of 72 GPa and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.17. It was established that an operational pressure differential of 15 kPa causes non-uniform deformation of the lens surface, with maximum values ranging from 22.59 to 23.24 nm, depending on the calculation algorithm. The discrepancy between the results was 2.8 %. A linear dependence of deformation on the pressure differential was established: as the pressure differential changes from 0 to 18 kPa, the deformation increases from 0.75 to 27.74 nm. The greatest surface distortion is observed in the central zone of the lens, which is critical for interferometric measurements requiring nanometer-level accuracy. The results underscore the necessity of adjusting vacuum mounting parameters to minimize deformations and improve the quality of optical surface machining.