Central Region Research Articles

Monitoring of pyrethroid resistance in Aedes aegypti: first report of double and triple kdr mutations in Buenos Aires Province

BackgroundDengue is an emerging disease in Argentina due to the colonization of Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector. Buenos Aires Province is the biggest and most populated district in Argentina, suffering dengue outbreaks of growing magnitude. During epidemic periods, pyrethroid insecticides are used in this country to control adult mosquitoes. Pyrethroid resistance in dengue vectors has been reported worldwide, making it necessary to implement resistance management strategies. The voltage-gated sodium channel is the target site of pyrethroids. Mutations in the gene encoding this protein, called kdr mutations, are usually the molecular cause of pyrethroid resistance in insects. In Ae. aegypti from the Americas, three kdr substitutions were described: V410L, V1016I, and F1534C. The diagnostic of kdr mutations is recommended for the early detection of pyrethroid resistance as well as the consequent planning of evidence-based control policies.MethodsWe distributed ovitraps across 16 localities in Buenos Aires Province, collecting 22,123 eggs. A total of 522 mosquitoes were genotyped in positions 1016 and 1534 of voltage-gated channel using multiplex high-resolution melting and/or TaqMan probe methods. A subset of 449 samples was also genotyped by a singleplex high-resolution melting method developed ad hoc and/or Sanger sequencing.ResultsWe have documented, for the first time to our knowledge in the central region of Argentina, the presence of the 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr allele. Additionally, our study reports the first identification of the V410L mutation in central Argentina. These results underscore a growing trend of pyrethroid resistance in Ae. aegypti, fueled by the widespread use of these insecticides.ConclusionsWe detected 1016Ikdr + 1534Ckdr and 410Lkdr mutations in central Argentina for the first time and improved the processivity and accuracy of kdr genotyping methods. The results are both a tool for resistance monitoring and a sign of alarm to direct efforts towards finding sustainable methods for vector control to complement or replace pyrethroids. Joint efforts between academia and authorities to develop and implement public policies for vector control are a productive way to transfer scientific results for their application in public health.Graphical

The molecular and histopathological investigations of TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR4 (rs4986790 and rs4986791) polymorphisms effects on cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a zoonotic and neglected disease, is prevalent in numerous regions, particularly in tropical and sub-tropical countries. In Iran, endemic foci of leishmaniasis exist in specific regions, with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by Leishmania major being common in most rural areas. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immunities, and the investigation of TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR4 (rs4986790 and rs4986791) polymorphisms in parasitic diseases can have significant implications for patient treatment. In the present study, a total of 88 leishmaniasis patients using the patients' lesions from Khuzestan province health-treatment centers, Iran, including 50 cases (56.8%; Central region) and 38 cases (43.2%; Western region) underwent examination between the years 2022 and 2023. Two direct smears from the lesions of each patient were prepared and one of the smears was stained with Giemsa for parasitological examination. Among the 88 patients, the highest frequency was observed in the 21–30 years' age group (35.2%), while the lowest was in the 11–20 years’ age group (10.2%). No statistically significant relationship was found between gender and age (P > 0.05). Following disease confirmation via microscopic examination, TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR4 (rs4986790 and rs4986791) polymorphisms in the patients were assessed using PCR-RFLP. Fragments of 264, 249, and 406 base pairs were successfully amplified, targeting the TLR2 and TLR4 genes, respectively. Out of the 88 leishmaniasis patients, 14 cases (15.9%) exhibited polymorphisms. Notably, all individuals in the polymorphism group carried both the TLR2 rs5743708 homozygous and the TLR4 rs4986791 heterozygous genotype combinations. There were no observations of TLR2 rs5743708 heterozygous, TLR4 rs4986790 heterozygous and homozygous and TLR4 rs4986791 homozygous genotypes within the polymorphism group. Biopsies from lesions for all contributors were prepared for histopathological examination. All patients with polymorphism showed larger lesions than patients without polymorphism (P < 0.05). Histophatological study showed abnormal cases in patients with polymorphism including mild hyperkeratosis, mild acanthosis, focal parakeratosis in the epithelium surface and mild hyperpigmentation of melanocytes in the basal layer. Furthermore, a strong infiltration of immune cells such as PMNs and a small number of lymphocytes was observed in the epidermal region of patients with polymorphisms. There was no statistically significant relationship between age and the quantity of lesions (P > 0.05). Additionally, some regions of the epidermal surface layer displayed pustule formation in patients with polymorphisms. No significant difference was discerned in the dermal layers of patients with polymorphisms compared to other patients. Considering that all patients with polymorphisms concurrently had TLR2 rs5743708 homozygous and TLR4 rs4986791 heterozygous genotype combinations, the anomalies observed in conjunction with histological changes in the skin lesions of patients with CL may plausibly be linked to the polymorphisms. Nonetheless, a more expansive dataset involving a larger population is imperative to comprehensively elucidate the pathogenesis of the Leishmania parasite and the potential impact of TLR2 rs5743708 and TLR4 (rs4986790 and rs4986791) gene polymorphisms in individuals afflicted with CL across diverse geographical locales.

Epidemiological analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 among the population of the Republic of Cameroon using the quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS)

The results of a retrospective epidemiological analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 in the regions of the Republic of Cameroon in dynamics from 2020 to 2023 are presented. It was noted that COVID-19 cases were first reported in the Central Region of Cameroon, and then spread to the remaining 9 administrative regions of the country with an average weekly growth rate of 38.1 ± 18.6% in 2020, 15.3 ± 13.1% in 2021, and 13.4 ± 12.2% in 2022, respectively, however, the incidence rate varied significantly in time and space. Epidemiological analysis made it possible to rank the territory of Cameroon by the magnitude of the incidence rate. The highest rate was recorded in the North region (233.1‰), in the Coastal region (204.9‰) and in the Center region (173.7‰). The regions of Adamawa and the Far North had the lowest incidence rates (25.6‰ and 22.5‰, respectively). The results of a comparative analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 infection by time and territory and factors contributing to the rapid spread of infection are presented. Comparative mapping of reported COVID-19 cases in space and time was performed for the 10 administrative regions of the country using the full version of the QGIS (quantum GIS) LTR program; with the help of which the distribution of cases across the territory and dynamics over time was clearly shown. During the study period, the link between COVID-19 cases reported in Cameroon and neighboring African countries was demonstrated. It has been shown that the distribution of cases in the national territory does not always depend on the population density in administrative areas, but is also associated with other risk factors that may affect the occurrence and spread of COVID-19 cases.

Lag-WALS approach incorporating ENSO-related quantities for altimetric interannual SLA forecasts in the South China Sea

A novel approach using lag weighted-average least squares (Lag-WALS) is proposed to forecast the interannual sea level anomaly (SLA) in the South China Sea (SCS) using lagged equatorial Pacific El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-related quantities. Through empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and wavelet coherence method, we first investigated the relationships between sea surface temperature (SST) and SLA (both steric sea level (SSL) and non-steric sea level (NSSL)) in the equatorial Pacific, and then explored their cross-correlations with the interannual SCS SLA. A robust alignment was found between the first spatiotemporal mode of EOF (i.e. EOF1 and first principal component (PC1)) from SLA/SSL and SST across the equatorial Pacific, both of which exhibited a typical ENSO horseshoe spatial pattern in EOF1. Good consistency between the SCS SLA and the SST/SLA/SSL PC1 was revealed, with the SCS SLA lagging behind the SST, SLA, and SSL by several months at most grid locations. In contrast, the NSSL exhibited large disparities with the SST PC1 or the interannual SCS SLA. The lag-WALS model performed better at the SCS boundaries than in the central region, with an average STD/MAE/Bias (RMSE/MAE/Bias) for internal (external) accuracies of 1.01/0.80/–0.002 cm (1.39/1.13/–0.08 cm), respectively. The altimetric-observed SLA seasonal patterns agreed with the Lag-WALS model-forecasted SLA. A similar situation applies to regionally-averaged SLA time series. These results underscore the ability of the Lag-WALS model to accurately forecast the SCS SLA at the interannual scale, which is crucial for early warning of abnormal sea level changes in the SCS.

The burden and distribution of cystic echinococcosis in Bhutan: a retrospective study.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus s.l. is a neglected zoonosis posing a significant public health challenge. Little is known about human CE in Bhutan. This study was conducted to gain an understanding of the burden, distribution, and potential risk factors of CE in Bhutan. From January 2015 to December 2019 data from Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) and 6 other district-level hospitals were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. DALYs and Poisson regression models were used to estimate the burden and explore the relationship between cases and possible risk factors. A total of 159 cases were recorded. Most cases (145) were admitted to the surgical ward and 14 cases were referred to India. The average annual incidence was 4.4 cases per 100 000 population. The burden of disease was estimated to be approximately 39 DALYs per year for treatment-seeking cases, or possibly 80 DALYs per year including non-treatment seeking cases. This translates to approximately to 5.2 DALYs and 10.2 per 100 000 per year respectively. The commonest sites of infection were the liver (78%) and lungs (13%). Most cases were treated with surgery (>82%), and more than 47% were admitted to the hospital for >4 days. Policy interventions targeting community engagement, awareness, education, high risk occupational groups, females, and those living in the endemic districts of the central and western regions may yield larger gains. More studies and the institution of a surveillance system can help better guide policy interventions.

Research on the impact and mechanism of digital economy on China’s food production capacity

Enhancing and strengthening food production capacity has always been a top priority in agricultural research, serving as a cornerstone for ensuring national food security and stable economic development. This study, based on panel data spanning from 2011 to 2021 across 30 provinces in China, delves into the mechanism through which the digital economy impacts food production capacity. Employing a double fixed effect model, a mediation effect model, and a panel threshold model, we uncover several key findings: The digital economy significantly boosts food production capacity, with robustness tests affirming the reliability of our results. Mechanism analysis reveals that the digital economy enhances food production capacity by elevating total factor productivity and bolstering agricultural resilience. The threshold effect underscores that urbanization levels exhibit a single-threshold impact, wherein the influence of the digital economy on food production capacity intensifies upon crossing this threshold. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the digital economy significantly boosts food production capacity in central and primary grain-producing regions, while its impact is comparatively weaker in the eastern and western regions, as well as in non-primary grain-producing areas. In summary, this research sheds light on the pivotal role of the digital economy in augmenting food production capacity, offering valuable insights into regional variations and thresholds in its impact across China.

Phenolic Acids and Their Relationship to Nutritional and Technological Grain Parameters of Durum Wheat Under Variable Treatment Intensity in Central European Conditions

The objective of this two-year study was primarily the evaluation of the free and the bound forms of phenolic acids and phenolic aldehydes (PAAs) in grains of four selected cultivars of spring durum wheat subjected to three treatment intensities (GD—Green Deal, BT—Basic and IT—Intensive). All treatments included a common basic level and different spring production levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0 kg N in the case of GD; 30 kg N in the case of BT; and 60 kg N in the case of IT). Pesticide applications included herbicides and insecticides in both the BT and IT treatments, which were supplemented by combinations of fungicide and morphoregulator in the IT treatment. The GD treatment included only basic nitrogen, herbicide protection, and the application of a biostimulator (ExelGrow). The spring durum wheat cultivars subjected to testing were cultivated under Central European conditions, specifically in the Czech Republic’s central Bohemian region. UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS was used for the detection and accurate quantification of PAAs. In parallel, 12 other nutritional and basic technological parameters of the cereal were evaluated. Nine bound and seven free forms of PAAs were quantified in the analysed cereal samples. Bound forms of PAAs were dominant, accounting for 99.4% of total PAAs. Considering single PAAs, ferulic acid was the most abundant, accounting for 87% of the total bound PAAs. Interestingly, year and treatment intensity were the key factors in the variability of both free and bound PAAs, but these factors had different effects on bound PAAs. Under low nitrogen conditions, plants responded with an increase in free PAAs in particular, as well as in three bound PAAs. Unfavourable weather conditions, combined with the presence of biotic factors (e.g., Fusarium infections), significantly influenced the increase in both PAA groups, with the exception of free p-coumaric acid. PCA analysis confirmed close relationships between PAAs within both categories (free and bound). Subsequent correlation analysis further revealed that the immunoreactive gluten component (G12) exhibited a high negative correlation with the dominant ferulic acid (r = −0.70) and sinapic acid (r = −0.68). Additionally, moderate negative correlations were observed between four bound phenolic acids and grain hardness (r = −0.48–−0.60).

Adolescent Sleep Quality as Critical Component of Healthy Lifestyle

Background and purpose Adolescence is a critical period for physical, emotional, and cognitive development. High-quality sleep during this phase is essential for healthy growth, emotional well-being, optimal weight, and learning. These factors significantly influence the academic achievements of young people. Purpose: to develop and experimentally justify the methodology of training basketball teams of humanitarian higher educational institutions, taking into account the psychophysiological capabilities of the players. Material and methods The sample consisted of 626 secondary vocational school students aged 17 years from the Central Slovakia region (353 girls and 273 boys). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaires were distributed electronically via Google Forms from October 2023 to March 2024. The results were analyzed with an emphasis on gender differences using the chi-square test (χ2), F-test, and independent t-test at significance levels of p&lt;0.01 and p&lt;0.05, respectively. Results The majority of students, both boys and girls, fell asleep between 11:00 PM and midnight. The average bedtime was 10:54 PM for girls and 10:50 PM for boys, with no significant differences between genders. Significant differences were found in wake-up times, with nearly 40% of girls waking up before 6:00 AM, compared to only 24% of boys (p&lt;0.01). Boys experienced fewer difficulties falling asleep, with 21% falling asleep within 15 minutes (p&lt;0.05). The average sleep duration was 6 hours and 28 minutes for girls and 6 hours and 55 minutes for boys, a statistically significant difference (p&lt;0.01). Sleep efficiency was higher in boys (84.25%) compared to girls (78.75%). Sleep problems, daytime dysfunction, and mood changes were more frequent among girls (p&lt;0.01). Only 28.33% of girls and 39.19% of boys had good sleep quality (p&lt;0.01), while 17.00% of girls and 4.40% of boys exhibited severe sleep disturbances Conclusions Our findings indicate significant gender differences in sleep habits and quality, consistent with existing literature. These results highlight the need for increased attention to sleep issues among adolescents and the implementation of preventive and intervention measures to improve sleep quality, which could have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being.

ATTITUDES AND AWARENESS OF THE POPULATION OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE TOWARDS VACCINATION

In the modern world, vaccination is the most eff ective and evidence- based method of preventing the onset and severity of infectious diseases. Today, the WHO has identifi ed vaccine hesitancy as a global public health threat [25]. The social and cultural background of people infl uences their perception of vaccines, which prompted us to investigate this problem. Aim. To study the infl uence of sociodemographic factors on vaccination attitudes of children and adults in the central and western regions of Ukraine.Materials and methods. A cross- sectional study was conducted, which included a survey of the population of diff erent social status. The study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the bioethics committee. We also analyzed literature data from PubMed, Medscape and CSC. The work was performed within the framework of the research project 0122U000039 «Improvement of methods of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the most common diseases of childhood». No confl icts of interest exist.Research results and discussion. 1000 respondents were interviewed by questionnaire from Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Volyn, Ivano- Frankivsk, Lviv regions. The data obtained indicate that barriers to vaccination are caused by low awareness of vaccination, excessive negative infl uence of opinion leaders, prevalence of myths and falsifi cations about vaccination, lack of health care resources and low supply of recommended vaccines, and forced migration. Low awareness and low vaccination coverage are also associated with low awareness among health workers who do not work directly with vaccines, falsifi cation of vaccination data, and the presence of anti-vaccine health workers. The negative attitude of parents towards vaccination is also very important, as it aff ects their children.Conclusions.1. Fear of side eff ects, long-term complications, and doubts about the quality of vaccines have been identifi ed as factors in vaccine refusal.2. The most common groups of vaccine refusers are the elderly (53.3 %) and men (16.8 %).3. The high cost of vaccines that are not included in the list of mandatory vaccines is one of the reasons for the decrease in vaccination rates.4. Improved communication between the doctor and the patient is one of the factors increasing the vaccination rate among the population.5. Information about the availability of vaccines and places of vaccination, peculiarities of the post-vaccination period and information about the possible consequences of ignoring vaccination should be provided in the media (television, radio), especially among the elderly.

A Matching Policy to Address ESG and Non-ESG Risks Impacted by a Relocation Policy in China’s Chemical Industry

China’s chemical industry has faced severe environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, such as high safety and environmental accidents and risks. To address these issues and promote industrial upgrading, China’s central government has issued a national relocation and improvement policy targeting its chemical industry. However, its countrywide policy implementation may also lead to other ESG risks during the relocation of chemical enterprises, namely industrial transfer. The typical ESG risks that appear to occur in developed eastern region provinces include a one-size-fits-all solution and unemployment, while less developed central and western region provinces may encounter pollution transfer, carbon leakage, environmental injustice, and health disparities. These ESG risks might overlap with other economic and financial (non-ESG) risks, like stranded assets, industry hollowing-out, and debt sustainability issue. These ESG and non-ESG risks could result from potential mismatches between chemical enterprises and chemical parks, categorized as mismatching errors explained by social-ecological systems, behavioral economics, and information economics. To better manage these risks, we propose an ESG matching policy comprising a national standardized ESG scoring and ranking system, a deferred acceptance mechanism, and a score announcement instrument. Such a policy innovation aims at achieving fair and efficient chemical enterprise–chemical park pairs, which would help manage both ESG and non-ESG risks and provide a just transition toolkit for China and other developing countries.

Gene-eral survey to describe genomic education needs in hospital pharmacy departments in the West Midlands and Oxford

Abstract Introduction Genomic medicine is a rapidly developing field and a priority for the NHS to ensure it is embedded into Medicine Service Alliance is that the NHS staff have understanding and confidence to utilise genomics safely and effectively. Pharmacy professionals, as experts in medicines, will lead the implementation and delivery of pharmacogenomics and wider genomic medicine services across all healthcare sectors1. Aim To understand current levels of genomic education across NHS Trust Pharmacy Departments in the Central and South region, and preferences for types of future learning. Methods A MS Forms survey was distributed across the Pharmacy Departments of five NHS Trusts, emailed to all local pharmacy staff via the Education and Training lead pharmacists; all pharmacy staff were eligible to participate, and total numbers of staff were not available. The survey was based on a previously published national survey2, but reduced in content to allow completion within 5 minutes; content was agreed between the genomics specialist pharmacy team at C&amp;S. Ethics approval was not sought as this baseline evaluation formed part of a planned service improvement. Results One hundred and twenty-nine respondents participated in the survey, including pharmacists (62%), pharmacy technicians (29%) and assistant technical officers (5%). Seventy-one out of 127 respondents (56%) had more than 10 years of experience since qualified. Given a scale of ’very low-low-medium -high-very high’, the majority of the 127 respondents (63%) considered their knowledge about Genomic Medicine to be medium or high, and no responder considered themselves to have a very high level of knowledge about Genomic Medicine. Most participants saw the relevance of Genomic Medicine to their professions, particularly in areas like personalised medicine and 82% expressed an interest in learning more about Genomic Medicine and 15% answered ’Maybe’; the cohort had a preference for in-person meetings and seminars (32%), followed by on-line meetings (27%). Discussion / Conclusion Respondents saw the relevance of Genomic Medicine to their professions, and showed a mixture of enthusiasm, curiosity, and uncertainty about Genomic Medicine, with no respondent feeling they had a very high level of knowledge of Genomic Medicine. Most pharmacy staff in the 5 departments surveyed have an interest in furthering their knowledge of Genomic Medicine, with a marked preference for in-person meetings and seminars. Respondents recognised the potential benefits such as personalized medicine, improved treatment outcomes and reduced trial-and-error approaches in medication selection, with expectations that Genomic Medicine will improve patient care and outcomes, reducing adverse events and informing treatment decisions Limitations to this study include an inability to judge response rate due to lack of denominator data, however relatively similar numbers were obtained from each Department, with a good mix of respondent roles. An in-person training event with hybrid online options is being planned as a result of this work.

Analysis of spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of land dividends in China.

This paper explores the classification, formation, measurement, evolution, and influencing factors of land dividends in China.It analyzes the nature of land value dividends and efficiency dividends, examines their spatio-temporal evolution, and investigates influencing factors via a regression model, providing insights for future development. The paper posits that changes in land use patterns primarily contribute to land value dividends, while efficiency dividends stem from improving land use efficiency within existing patterns. Presently, China is transitioning from a phase dominated by land value dividends to one marked by efficiency dividends. In terms of spatio-temporal dynamics, efficiency dividends display a fluctuating upward trajectory, whereas land value dividends and the overall quantity of land dividends demonstrate an initial ascent followed by a gradual decline, with the central region exhibiting the most pronounced changes. The analysis of influencing factors reveals a significant positive correlation between value dividends, the overall quantity of land dividends, and factors such as land transfer and capital investment, while efficiency dividends exhibit a significant positive correlation with urbanization. Consequently, the government should implement measures to sensibly regulate land quantity and layout, promote intensive and efficient land use, activate dormant land resources, and propel the optimization and high-quality development of land dividends.

Implications of temperature-dependent development and survival of Hemipteroseius adleri Costa, 1968 on its distribution in central Europe

Otopheidomenidae include 30 species of parasites of insects. These mites occur in areas with warm and hot climates. The only exception is Hemipteroseius adleri, the distribution of which reaches the central European region, which is characterised by a moderate climate with below-zero temperatures in winter. In Europe, H. adleri only parasitises the red firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus). Field observations indicate that only fertilised females of H. adleri survive winter conditions. The aim of the study therefore was to evaluate the impact of air temperature on the development and survival of H. adleri. A research model was established involving mites parasitising red firebugs in laboratory conditions at 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. After oviposition, no egg development was possible at 15 °C. Egg development began at 20 °C, however the egg-to-adult period lasted for 13 days and larval mortality was significantly higher at this temperature than at 25 and 30 °C. At the latter tem temperatures, mites matured fastest (five and four days, respectively). The net reproductive rate (R0) was 10.8, the mean generation time was (T) 14.4 (SD = 0.273), the intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) was 0.165 (SD = 0.003), and the finite rate of population increase (λ) was 1.12. At 25 °C, H. adleri required 4.2 days to double its population. The results indicate that the thermal conditions prevailing in early spring in central Europe are highly unfavourable for the effective reproduction of H. adleri. The presence of northern populations of this mite is discussed in the context of behavioural thermoregulation mechanisms adapted by its host, P. apterus.

Agroecological assessment of arable soils in the southwestern part of the foreststeppe zone of the forest steppe zone of the Central Black Earth region of Russia

Agroecological assessment of arable soils in the southwestern part of the foreststeppe zone of the forest steppe zone of the Central Black Earth region of Russia

Study on the English Translation of “Xi-style” Speech from the Perspective of Appraisal system --Taking Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the China-Central Asia Summit as an Example

By analyzing the English translation of “Working Together for a China-Central Asia Community with a Shared Future, Featuring Mutual Assistance, Common Development, Universal Security, and Everlasting Friendship” delivered by President Xi Jinping, who presided over the first China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, on May 19, 2023, the article analyze how President Xi's keynote address used the attitude of evaluation theory system to promote China's joining hands with Central Asian countries to build the Belt and Road, and to lead the future in-depth cooperation between China and the Central Asian region.

Effectiveness of shear key on torsional resistance of precast beam: An experimental and numerical investigations

The present study evaluates the behaviour of wet precast beam-to-beam connection under pure torsion through experimental and numerical studies. A wet connection is provided at the central region of the precast beam. Two precast beam elements are connected by welding the overlapped portion of reinforcement bars projecting from each beam element. Furthermore, inward and outward shear keys are provided within the connection region to examine the efficacy of shear keys on the torsional resistance of the precast beam. Also, the behaviour of precast beams with and without shear keys is compared with monolithic beams. Experiments are conducted using a loading frame, designed and fabricated to create a pure torsion effect on the beam specimen under the application of monotonic vertical load. The response of test specimens is evaluated through various parameters such as torque and corresponding twist at different phases of loading, torsional ductility index, crack formation and failure propagation. Experimental studies show that shear keys provided within the connection region effectively contribute to force transfer and enhance torsional resistance of the precast beam by 16 %−24 % as compared to monolithic beam and precast beam without the shear key. A numerical analysis of the precast beam is carried out, and the behaviour of test specimens obtained from experimental studies is compared. The damage pattern and torque-twist behaviour obtained from numerical studies adequately simulate the response of test specimens observed during the experimental study.

Euclid: The rb–M∗ relation as a function of redshiftI. The 5 × 109M⊙ black hole in NGC1272

Core ellipticals, which are massive early-type galaxies with almost constant inner surface brightness profiles, are the result of dry mergers. During these events, a binary black hole (BBH) is formed, destroying the original cuspy central regions of the merging objects and scattering stars that are not on tangential orbits. The size of the emerging core correlates with the mass of the finally merged black hole (BH). Therefore, the determination of the size of the core of massive early-type galaxies provides key insights not only into the mass of the black hole, but also into the origin and evolution of these objects. In this work, we report the first dynamical mass determination of a supermassive black hole (SMBH). To this end, we study the center of NGC 1272 the second most luminous elliptical galaxy in the Perseus cluster, combining the Visible Camera (VIS) photometry coming from the Early Release Observations (EROs) of the Perseus cluster with the Visible Integral-field Replicable Unit Spectrograph (VIRUS) spectroscopic observations at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). The core of NGC 1272 is detected on the VIS image. Its size is $1 or 0.45 which was determined by fitting PSF-convolved core-S\'ersic and Nuker-law functions. We deproject the surface brightness profile of the galaxy finding that the galaxy is axisymmetric and nearly spherical. The two-dimensional stellar kinematics of the galaxy is measured from the VIRUS spectra by deriving optimally regularized non-parametric line-of-sight velocity distributions. Dynamical models of the galaxy are constructed using our axisymmetric and triaxial Schwarzschild codes. We measure a BH mass of $(5 which is in line with the expectation from the BH $--$r_ b $ correlation, but is eight times larger than predicted by the $M_ BH $--sigma correlation (at $1.8 significance). The core size, rather than the velocity dispersion, allows one to select galaxies harboring the most massive BHs. The spatial resolution, wide area coverage, and depth of the (Wide and Deep) surveys allow us to find cores of passive galaxies that are larger than 2 at a redshift of up to 1.

Topography Dominates the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Bulk Density in Typical Arid Zones

Soil bulk density is a crucial indicator for assessing soil matter storage and soil quality. Due to the complexity of sampling soil bulk density, particularly in deeper layers, it is essential to study the spatial distribution patterns of soil bulk density and their influencing factors. To address the gap in large-scale studies of vertical (from surface to deeper layers) and horizontal (across a broad area) variations in soil bulk density in arid regions, this study focuses on Changji Prefecture, located in the central northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and characterized by typical vertical zonation. By integrating classical statistics, geostatistics, and geographic information systems (GISs), this study investigates the spatial distribution patterns and driving factors of soil bulk density. The results indicate that soil bulk density in Changji Prefecture increases with soil depth, with significantly lower values in the surface layer than in deeper layers. Spatially, despite minimal variation in latitude, there is considerable elevation difference within the study area, with the lowest elevations in the central region. Soil bulk density exhibits a spatial distribution pattern of higher values in the northeast (desert areas) and lower values in the southwest (forest areas). The nugget effect in the surface layer (0–20 cm) is substantial at 44.9%, while the deeper layers (20–100 cm) show nugget effects below 25%, suggesting that the influence of both natural and anthropogenic factors on deep soil bulk density is limited and mainly affects the surface layer. Stepwise regression analysis indicates that among topographic factors, slope and elevation are the primary controls of spatial variability in soil bulk density across layers. This research demonstrates that, in arid regions, soil bulk density is influenced primarily by natural factors, with limited impact from human activities. These findings provide valuable data support and theoretical guidance for soil management, agricultural planning, and sustainable ecosystem development in arid regions.

Urban Technology Transfer, Spatial Spillover Effects, and Carbon Emissions in China

Technology transfer is essential for addressing technological disparities in urban areas and reducing carbon emissions. This study analyzes inter-city technology patent transfers and carbon emission data from China (2010–2019) using a spatial Durbin model to assess the effects of technology inflow and outflow on carbon emissions and their spatial spillover effects. Key findings include the following: ① a significant spatial correlation exists between technology inflow, outflow, and carbon emissions, with notable spillover effects; ② both technology inflow and outflow reduce intra-regional carbon emissions, but only outflow significantly reduces inter-regional emissions; ③ regional differences are evident, with the eastern and central regions showing significant reductions due to technology transfers, while the western and northeastern regions do not. In the northeastern region, technology transfer significantly aids neighboring cities in reducing emissions. However, the central region lacks spillover effects from outflow, and technology inflow and outflow in the western region hinder reductions. This paper provides policy recommendations to improve urban technology transfer and carbon emissions mitigation.

Assessing radiation doses and proposing DRLs for nuclear medicine procedures for pediatric and adult patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

BackgroundNuclear medicine diagnostic and treatment procedures represent significant sources of ionizing radiation exposure for both staff and patients. Consequently, assessing and optimizing radiation doses are crucial to minimize potential side effects. AimThis study seeks to evaluate the effective radiation doses associated with common diagnostic and treatment procedures, as well as propose diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), within two nuclear medicine centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. MethodologyData from 445 patients were gathered from two nuclear medicine centers in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. The data were categorized based on the type of nuclear medicine (NM) procedure, the chemical composition of the administered radiopharmaceutical, as well as patient age and weight. Effective radiation doses for prevalent NM procedures were computed, and suggested DRLs were formulated. ResultsEffective radiation doses were analyzed for 16 adult and 2 pediatric NM procedures (divided into 8 groups). The effective radiation doses for adult diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures range from 0.05 mSv (Nanocoloid) to 29 mSv (67Ga-citrate). For pediatric procedures, the doses range from 0.80 mSv (5-year-old undergoing renal DTPA) to 1.6 mSv (1-year-old undergoing renal DMSA). Furthermore, DRL values were determined for both adult and pediatric NM procedures. The study's findings demonstrated a high degree of concordance between effective radiation doses and DRL values, aligning well with previously published research. ConclusionWhile the effective radiation doses outlined in this study were generally within acceptable limits and consistent with prior research findings, optimizing radiation doses remains imperative, particularly for pediatric NM procedures.