Meaningful Comparisons Research Articles

Assessment of Major Livestock Forage Resource and Forage Balance in Kembata Tembaro Zone of southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Kambata tambaro Zone, centeral Ethiopia Region; with the general objective of assessing the livestock forage balance using cross-sectional study design from November 2018 to May 2019. For this study Three districts, namely Doyogana, Tambaro and Hadaro tunto were purposively selected from the study area. A total of six kebeles and 361 respondents were selected by random sampling technique from the study districts. Semi-structured questioners, focusedgroup discussion, key informant interview and personal observation were used for data collection. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS, version 23). Analysis of variance with Tukey test was used for mean comparison of the quantitative variables while chi-square test was employed for significance level of qualitative variables. Accordingly, the overall average landholding per respondent in Kambata tambaro was 1.79ha while the holding in the Hadaro, Tambaro and Doyogana found to be 1.86, 1.67, 1.80ha, respectively. The average livestock holding of a household in the Hadaro, Tambaro and Doyogana was 3.90, 4.06 and 4.56 TLU, respectively, with an overall average of 4.13 TLU. Households in the Doyoganadistricts possessed significantly larger (P<0.05) number of TLU than the households in the other two distircts while no significant difference (P>0.05) was reported amongdistricts in landholding size. The available feed sources ranked by the respondents in decreasing order includs straw, grazing land, hay, green fodder, maize and sorghum stover, bush and forest and concentrate. The overall average utilizable feed DM supply in the study area was estimated to be 4.74 ton with significantly higher (P<0.001) DM supply in the Hadaro (5.75 tons) than in the Tambaro (4.02 tons) and Doyogana (4.34 tons per respondent) areas. However, for year round feeding, the average DM demand of livestock in the Hadaro, Tambaro and Doyogana was 8.89, 9.26 and 10.41 tons per respondent, ..

Developing HPV Vaccination Communication Strategies: Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers Among Healthcare Professionals in Kazakhstan

Background: Cervical cancer, predominantly caused by human papillomavirus, remains a major public health issue globally and in Kazakhstan, where it ranks among the most common cancers in women. A pilot HPV vaccination programme in Kazakhstan was suspended in 2017 due to mass parental refusals, and it is planned to be restarted in the coming years. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, barriers, and sources of information about HPV and the HPV vaccine among healthcare professionals in Kazakhstan. Methods: A cross-sectional study (December 2022–May 2023) involving 1189 healthcare professionals in Kazakhstan used a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, mean knowledge score, between-group comparisons, and binary logistic regression to identify factors linked to higher knowledge and vaccine recommendation. Results: The study found that the average knowledge score for HPV and the HPV vaccine among participants was 11 out of a possible 18. Correct answers to the questionnaire were observed more frequently among physicians than among nurses (p < 0.001). In our study, 72.6% of healthcare professionals expressed a positive intention to recommend the HPV vaccine. The likelihood of recommending the HPV vaccine was significantly higher among those with higher knowledge of HPV and its vaccine (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3–2.5; p < 0.001), those familiar with cervical cancer patients (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.5–2.8; p < 0.001), and those with positive attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine and childhood vaccination (OR 2.3 and 1.5, respectively). Healthcare professionals identified key barriers to HPV vaccination, including public mistrust (49.4%), fear of side effects (45.9%), and insufficient knowledge among healthcare professionals themselves (30.3%). Information from the internet, including articles and journals, was the most commonly used source of information, followed by social media and colleagues. Conclusions: The disparities identified call for a tailored, multifaceted communication strategy that addresses the diverse needs of health professionals to address the differences in awareness between different groups, in order to ensure successful implementation and coverage of HPV vaccination across Kazakhstan.

Gene expression profiling in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gene expression profiling has become a fundamental tool in cancer diagnosis and management. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) is a group of malignant neoplasms originating from the lymphoid tissues, mainly the lymph nodes and the gene expression technique was used to unravel its complexity and aid in clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to find the significance of gene expression profiling focusing on colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as a promising approach in B-NHL diagnosis and their comparison with healthy controls. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current clinical prospective study was mediated from June 1, 2021, to December 30, 2022, of NHL patients in Kurdistan, Iraq. Seventy-three patients were recruited from Nanakali Hospital for Blood Diseases and Cancer, Erbil. The integration of gene expression biomarkers uses quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique to diagnose B-NHL. Specifically, we focused on three key genes MyD88, TNF, and CSF1R whose expression profiles were analyzed in B-NHL patients and controls. We leveraged a dataset to explore gene expression patterns in B-NHL and applied classification algorithms to distinguish between B-NHL patients and controls. RESULTS: The initial results show the overall lower CSF1R expression in B-NHL as compared to the controls and a significant reduction in CSF1R expression in females (≤50 years and >50 years). The result considers lower CSF1R expression in B-NHL males (≤50 years) and higher but not significant in males (>50 years). CONCLUSIONS: These B-NHL-expressed genes may be considered potential diagnostic markers with their meaningful comparisons to control groups, and they could be proposed to guide the management of patients and facilitate their stratification into clinical trials.

Outcomes of Providing Children Aged 7-12 Years With Access to Evidence-Based Anxiety Treatment Via a Standalone Digital Intervention Using Immersive Gaming Technology: Real-World Evaluation.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in childhood, but most children with anxiety disorders do not access evidence-based interventions. The delivery of therapeutic interventions via digital technologies has been proposed to significantly increase timely access to evidence-based treatment. Lumi Nova (BfB Labs Limited) is a digital therapeutic intervention designed to deliver evidence-based anxiety treatment for those aged 7-12 years through a mobile app incorporating immersive gaming technology. We aimed to evaluate the real-world impact of providing access to Lumi Nova through UK National Health Service-funded mental health services. We analyzed precollected anonymized data routinely captured through the implementation of Lumi Nova from children aged 7-12 years, who lived in the United Kingdom and had the opportunity to use the intervention for at least 1 week over an 18-month period. Engagement indices included whether the game key was activated, number of unique sessions, time spent engaging, and number of "challenges" completed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Goal-Based Outcomes measure and Child Outcome Rating Scale. Demographic data were analyzed to assess the health equality implications of Lumi Nova. Of 1029 eligible families invited to use Lumi Nova, 644 (62.5%) activated their game key, of whom 374 (58.1%) completed at least one in-game graded exposure challenge. The median number of unique sessions was 6 (IQR 3-12) and the median time spent engaging with the intervention was 42 (IQR 15-79) minutes. For the subset of young people with paired outcomes, there were statistically significant small to medium improvements in goal-based outcome scores (n=224; t223=5.78, P<.001; d=0.37, 95% CI 0.25-0.52) and Child Outcome Rating Scale scores (n=123; t122=5.10, P<.001; d=0.46, 95% CI 0.27-0.65) between the first and last data points. Two in 5 young people's scores reflected a change that would be considered reliable. Analysis of demographic characteristics tentatively suggested that children from ethnic minority backgrounds and those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods may be less likely to access Lumi Nova, but children from socioeconomically deprived areas were more likely to successfully complete a challenge once they accessed the intervention (P=.02). However, the level of missing data and small number of children in some demographic groups limited meaningful statistical comparisons. This study provides initial evidence that Lumi Nova may be associated with improved outcomes for those aged 7-12 years seeking anxiety treatment in real-world settings. However, the lack of a control comparator group and information about concurrent treatments accessed by the young people, in addition to substantial attrition, limited the analysis that could be conducted and confidence in the conclusions drawn.

Acceptance of insects as food in Germany: risk–benefit perceptions and the role of risk preferences

PurposeWith a growing world population and climate crises, edible insects are a promising alternative to conventional livestock. However, Western consumers are largely opposed to eating insects. The aim of this study is to investigate the acceptance of insects in a German sample with a specific focus on risk–benefit perceptions and risk preferences.Design/methodology/approachData were collected via an online survey (N = 569). Established scales for food neophobia (FN), risk perception, risk preference and acceptance were used. The statistical analyses included mean comparisons regarding acceptance and risk–benefit perceptions of unprocessed and processed insects. We further examined the role of perceived benefits and risks as well as risk preferences as determinants of acceptance via hierarchical multiple regressions.FindingsRespondents indicated lower perceived risks, and higher perceived benefits and thus higher acceptance for processed insect products as compared to whole insects. Risk perception was the strongest predictor of acceptance of unprocessed as well as processed insect food. Respondents who reported to have already eaten insects before exhibited higher risk preferences than those who had not.Originality/valueThis study specifically considered the role of risk preferences, which has been so far largely overlooked in consumer research on insect foods. The findings indicate that acceptance of insect food is mainly driven by risk perception rather than individual risk preferences. However, risk preferences should not be totally overlooked as they seem to play a role especially for unprocessed insects and the decision to try insects for the first time.

Comparing surgical techniques and results of secondary ischemic mitral regurgitation: a state-of-the-art literature review.

Surgery for mitral valve disease is a developing area with a wide range of surgical options. There is growing evidence on the best approach for secondary ischemic mitral regurgitation (SIMR) when the pathology is within the ventricle. The goal of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive comparison of surgical treatments for SIMR. The initial screening process included PubMed, Medline and Embase to identify randomized controlled trials, propensity-matched observational series, meta-analyses and unmatched observational series. The terms used were 'mitral valve disease', 'secondary mitral regurgitation', 'secondary ischemic mitral regurgitation', 'functional mitral regurgitation', 'restrictive mitral annuloplasty', 'subvalvular repair', 'Trans Catheter Edge to Edge Repair and echocardiography coupled with secondary mitral regurgitation', 'secondary ischemic mitral regurgitation', and 'functional mitral regurgitation'. Six strategies have been identified for treating SIMR. These include mitral valve replacement (MVR), restrictive mitral annuloplasty, surgical revascularisation (with and without mitral annuloplasty), subvalvular procedures [papillary muscle (PM) approximation, PM relocation, ring and string procedure], procedures directly targeting the mitral valve (edge-to-edge repair and anterior leaflet enlargement), and transcatheter heart valve therapy. There is a deficiency of robust empirical data to enable meaningful comparisons between MVR, mitral valve repair (including subvalvular repair), and transcatheter mitral valve procedure. This review will definitively analyze the current outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve procedure using the edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique and standard surgical mitral valve procedures in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). In addition, the seminar highlights the role of left ventricular assist devices in managing SIMR. It discusses the advantages and limitations of each intervention. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management strategy for patients with SIMR. Therefore, a multidisciplinary cardiac team should manage patients with secondary MR to ensure the best outcome by matching the ideal intervention with the patient.

Morphometric analysis of the hard palate in sex estimation among koreans using three-dimensional computed tomography

Accurate sex estimation is crucial for comprehensive analysis of the biological profiles of unidentified human skeletal remains. However, there is a notable lack of research specifically addressing the morphometrics of the hard palate. Therefore, this study aimed to derive discriminant equations using the hard palate and assess their applicability for sexing partial skeletal remains in a contemporary Korean population. Statistical analyses were performed for 24 measurements derived from three-dimensional models of the hard palate, generated using computed tomography scans of 301 individuals (156 males, 145 females). Descriptive statistics revealed significant sexual dimorphism in the mean comparison of hard palate sizes between Korean males and females, with males exhibiting larger palates across all measurements (p < 0.05). Discriminant function score equations were generated to aid in sex determination. Univariate analysis yielded an accuracy range of 57.8–75.1%, whereas the stepwise method achieved an accuracy of 80.7% with five selected variables: IF-PNS, GFL-GFR, IF-GFR, Pr-EcL, and Pr-EnR. The results of this metric analysis demonstrate the usefulness of the hard palate for sex estimation in the contemporary Korean population. These findings have potential implications for forensic investigations, archeological studies, and population-specific anatomical research.

Lignocellulosic characterisation of Pinus patula wood from Oaxaca, Mexico

Wood is mainly composed of carbohydrates, lignin, and smaller proportions of extractives and minerals. The products that can be obtained and derived from wood depend directly on its chemical composition. This work aimed to determine the contents of α-cellulose, holocellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and the extractives in ethanol-benzene and ethanol of the wood of six Pinus patula trees. An analysis of variance was performed on the obtained data, followed by a multiple comparison of means (LSD, α = 0.05). The results indicated significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in the chemical compounds among the six trees. On average, P. patula wood contained 67.93% holocellulose, 43.28% α-cellulose, 24.65% hemicellulose, 28.08% lignin, 2.30% ethanol-benzene extractives, 0.32% ethanol extractives, and 2.62% total extractives.

The Utility of PRAME and Ki-67 as Prognostic Markers for Cutaneous Melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma can lead to metastasis, and it is associated with high mortality. Currently, there are no widely accepted immunohistochemistry markers for melanoma prognosis in routine staging. Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is a possible biomarker for prognosis in several noncutaneous neoplasms. Ki-67 is a cell proliferation marker correlated with poor outcomes in many cancers. This study assessed PRAME and Ki-67 as potential prognostic markers for sentinel lymph node outcomes and survival among melanoma patients. This is a retrospective study analyzing cutaneous melanoma cases from a Brazilian cancer center (2005-2021). All cases were tested using immunohistochemistry to evaluate PRAME expression and Ki-67 index. Descriptive analysis, Spearman correlations, means comparison, Kaplan-Meier analysis, χ2, and Cox models were performed. In univariate analysis of 123 cutaneous melanoma cases, high extent (P = 0.0267) and elevated intensity (P = 0.043) of PRAME were associated with decreased overall survival. The Ki-67 index was associated with overall survival (P = 0.05) and sentinel lymph node status (P = 0.0403), with a positive correlation between the markers (P = 0.0004) and between Ki-67 and Breslow thickness (P = 0.0001). However, in multivariate analysis, only Breslow thickness significantly influenced overall survival (P = 0.0003). Then, the present results can suggest that elevated PRAME and Ki-67 expression are associated with poor overall survival in cutaneous melanoma; however, in multivariate analysis, only the Breslow thickness had a significant influence. These findings highlight the potential of PRAME and Ki-67 as prognostic markers, opening frontiers that could improve strategies for treating cutaneous melanoma.

The Impact of Polydimethylsiloxane as a Herbicide Adjuvant for Weed Control in the Lime Citrus × aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle Plot

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) CH3[Si(CH3)2O]nSi(CH3)3 as an adjuvant in bioherbicides and synthetic herbicides (chemicals) for weed (Johnson grass S. halepense and star grass Cynodon sp.) management in the lime plot. A total of 20 treatments were conducted, which included bioherbicides and synthetic herbicides, each with three replications, the dose was 50% more polydimethylsiloxane and 100% according to the product label. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with a factorial arrangement with three factors: A (products) with 10 levels, B (adjuvants) with 2 levels and C (evaluation dates) with 5 levels, each block consisted of an area of 5 m by 4 m. The assessment was carried out periodically, every week (5 evaluations), the scale proposed by EWRS was used. The results were in percentages and a 3-factor factor analysis was performed, where A (products) = 10 levels, B (adjuvants) = 2 levels and C (evaluation dates) = 5 levels, and the mean comparison test with Tukey (&amp;alpha; &amp;le; 0.05), using SAS software. According to the results obtained, a significant difference is only presented between factors A (products) and B (adjuvants) (P &amp;lt; .0001). In factor A, the highest levels in weed control were glyphosate, diuron + carfentrazone and ammonium glufosinate with an average of 80.8, 74.0 and 70.8%, respectively. Regarding the interaction between the factors, only the A*B factors were present (P &amp;lt; .0001), only in the glyphosate, BH2 and diuron were the treatments with the highest interaction when using the 50% dose + polydimethylsiloxane as an adjuvant at a dose of 2 ml per 1 L of water with 76.2, 72.93 and 71.33%, respectively. The date when the treatments had the highest weed control effect was at the second and third week. These results underline the effect of polydimethylsiloxane to optimize the use of herbicides, not only in combination with chemical herbicides, but also with bioherbicides, offering an efficient and economic alternative for weed management (Johnson grass S. halepense and star grass Cynodon sp.).

Concordance Between Actual and Estimated Blood Loss: A Bleeding Calculation Simulation Exercise

Introduction: Historically, visual estimation of blood loss during and after delivery has been the primary method for determining obstetric blood loss. This method is quick, easy, and cost-free, and it allows for the prompt identification of suspected postpartum hemorrhage. However, the majority of clinical studies concur that this method is imprecise and may underestimate the extent of bleeding produced during vaginal delivery. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the concordance between the estimated blood loss observed visually by physicians and residents of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the actual bleeding observed in a simulation exercise, with the aim of calculating the bleeding. terial and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted through the use of a simulation model at the General Hospital of Zone 20 of the IMSS in Puebla. A visual estimation was conducted between physicians and residents using surgical material (compresses and gauze) with a certain amount of blood. The evaluation of the estimate was carried out in three stations with different bleeding levels. The estimation of total bleeding was counted in milliliters using the visual method. A comparison of means was conducted using the ANOVA statistical test to evaluate the bleeding calculation. The relative error was calculated in order to determine the extent of agreement between the estimated and actual blood values for each station. Results: A total of 94 physicians, including residents in training in the specialty of Gynecology and Obstetrics, enrolled in the study. The discrepancy between the actual and estimated blood loss in a simulation exercise among affiliated obstetrician-gynecologists was 65.3%, while in the group of resident physicians it was 145.6%. It was determined that there was an 84% overestimation of bleeding. The relative error percentage for "Scenario A" was 141%, "Scenario C" yielded a result of 85%, and "Scenario B" produced a result of 74%. Conclusion: The agreement between the actual and estimated blood loss performed by obstetrician-gynecologists assigned to a bleeding calculation simulation exercise is slightly superior to that obtained by resident physicians. The lowest percentages of relative error were obtained by fourth- and third-year residents.

Leveraging feminist approaches to care

The work of thinking about, with, and through care is not the prerogative of any single discipline or positionality, as this Special Issue vividly illustrates. Rather, its wide-ranging and enduring force as empirical reality, conceptual approach and political disposition are best grappled with through a multidisciplinary lens, bringing into meaningful conversation and careful comparison different subjects, sites and scales of care. In the process, care emerges as a contested terrain, an object of debate and difference, as well as an ongoing central dimension to life as lived across the realms of the individual to the collective and the institutional. It is thus our hope that the offerings in this Special Issue invite further attention to care's role in shaping social and political life, in Australia and beyond, and for humans and non-humans. We intend for this Issue to stimulate the kinds of coalitional thinking and acting that care demands of scholars across fields and also across differently situated communities of ‘we’.

Use of a Novel Artificial Intelligence Approach for a Faster and More Precise Computerized Facial Evaluation in Aesthetic Dentistry.

AI is based on automated learning algorithms that use large bodies of information (big data). In the field of dentistry, AI allows the analysis of radiographs, intraoral images and other clinical recordings with unprecedented precision and speed. Facial analysis is known for helping dentists and patients achieve a satisfactory result when a restorative treatment must be realized. The objective of this study is to conduct a neural network-based computerized facial analysis using Python programming language in order to valuate its efficacy in facial point detection. The neural network was trained to identify the main facial and dental points: smile line, lips, size and for of the teeth, etc. A facial analysis was carried out using AI. A descriptive analysis was made with calculation of the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the precision and accuracy in each group. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the comparison of means between groups. At the intersecting point between dentistry and technology, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are producing a change in the way modern dentistry is performed. The present study evidenced lesser variability in the execution times of the neural network compared with the DSD system. This indicates that the neural network affords more consistent and predictable results, representing a significant advantage in terms of time and efficacy. The neural network is significantly more efficient and consistent in performing facial analyses than the conventional DSD system. The neural network reduces the time needed to complete the analysis and shows lesser variability in its execution times.

In-plane crushing behavior and energy absorption of CFRP honeycombs with different core topologies

The in-plane crushing behavior and energy absorption performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) honeycombs with different core topologies were experimentally investigated under uniaxial loading conditions. Three types of CFRP honeycomb core topologies (i.e. circular, square and hexagonal) with different cell wall thicknesses and heights were considered in the designs. The honeycomb samples were fabricated by the molding and bonding process, which is widely used in the easy, fast and economical manufacturing of thin-walled honeycomb structures. A total of twenty-seven sample groups were experimentally tested for each loading condition, in which honeycomb samples with different core topologies were designed to have almost the same weights for a meaningful comparison. The experimental results revealed that all honeycomb designs have higher in-plane compression strength in the expansion direction, and hexagonal honeycombs showed the highest strength and energy absorption performance in both directions due to their stable load-carrying capacity and outstanding force efficiency. In particular, the experimental findings showed that the crushing strength and the specific energy absorption of CFRP honeycomb structures can be improved up to 6.1 and 4.2 times, respectively, by properly adjusting the cell wall thickness and height parameters. The results also revealed that the proposed lightweight CFRP honeycombs with the structural densities of 155–283 kg/m3 showed better in-plane crushing performance than many competing cellular topologies.

Development and Psychometric Properties of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Standards Perceived by Workers, Managers, and Executives

Purpose: Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benchmarks, introduced in the early 2000s as a complement to corporate social responsibility (CSR), assess the environmental sustainability, societal impact, and ethical responsibility of organizational operations. Despite the growing importance of ESG and the development of various financial metrics, there remains a shortage of empirically validated scales to measure stakeholders' perceptions of these benchmarks. This study aims to develop and validate the ESG-Perception scale, focusing on internal stakeholders such as employees, managers, and executives. Method: The study sampled employees/workers (N = 300) with a mean age of 42.44 years (SD = 13.18) and managers and executives (N = 302) with a mean age of 37.93 years (SD = 10.38). There were more female employee/worker participants (n = 163, 54.5%) than male participants (n = 136, 45.5%), while there were more male manager and executive participants (n = 163, 54.2%) than female participants (n = 138, 45.8%). The majority of employees/workers identified as White/Caucasian (61%, n = 183), similar to the majority of managers and executives, who identified as White/Caucasian (62.3%, n = 188). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using employee/worker data was conducted to examine the factor structure of ESG-Perception, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models—including single-factor, first-order, and bi-factor models—were used with manager and executive data to validate the scale’s factor structure and dimensionality. Measurement invariance across gender and race was also tested to ensure the equivalence of the factor structure. The study further assessed the scale’s convergent and discriminant validity. Results: The ESG-Perception scale effectively captured internal stakeholders' perceptions of ESG benchmarks. A multidimensional, three-factor structure was identified, which aligned with the data. The factor structure was invariant across gender and race, allowing for comparisons of latent means across these groups. Convergent validity indicated that perceptions of diversity and inclusion, personality, leadership qualities, and styles influenced endorsement of ESG standards. With the exception of the Environmental and Governance constructs in the data for managers and executives, clear discriminant validity was observed for the scale’s constructs, demonstrating their distinct conceptual boundaries. However, the absence of discriminant validity between the Environmental and Governance constructs indicated overlapping conceptual dimensions, which is particularly indicative of industries where governance practices and environmental performance are closely linked. The bifactor models demonstrated both multidimensionality and unidimensionality for the scale. Conclusions: The ESG-Perception scale contributes to the body of knowledge on sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical responsibility. It supports the application of Stakeholder and Upper Echelons theories and provides valuable insights into how internal stakeholders perceive ESG principles. Knowledge derived from its use can enhance ESG advocacy and help organizations develop effective strategies for adopting, implementing, and complying with ESG frameworks. This can promote transparency, sustainability, and improve corporate practices and outcomes. Despite exhibiting both unidimensional and multidimensional characteristics, the choice of whether to treat the scale as unidimensional or multidimensional will depend on the specific research goals and context.

Promising Novel Heterocyclic Drug Candidates: Synthesis, Characterization, DFT Calculations and In Silico Investigations of Anticancer Behaviors

In recent years, the inadequacy and high costs of current cancer treatment drugs have led to an increase in research focused on the design and synthesis of new compounds with potential applications in this field and the evaluation of their anticancer properties using in silico methods. For this purpose, four novel heterocyclic compounds (6–9) were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The DFT approach and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) basis set were used to compare theoretical data with experimental ones and to obtain optimized geometries. It was observed that experimental and theoretical data were in harmony. In silico techniques were used to investigate the potential of synthesized compounds as drug candidates. ADMEt results have shown that all synthesized compounds have Lipinski’s rule of five which has searched criteria in drug candidates. Molecular docking studies were also performed against cancer-related proteins. The highest docking score between 2XIR protein and compound 8 was found to be −11.7 kcal/mol, while the lowest was −8.2 kcal/mol between 1MP8 protein and compound 9. To do meaningful comparisons standard drugs were also used in Molecular Docking studies. It was observed that all synthesized molecules had higher docking scores than standard drugs except ifebemtinib. It can be suggested that based on ADMET and molecular docking studies compound 8 has the potential to be a drug candidate after further investigations such as in vitro, in silico, etc., have been performed in this area.

Open ecosystems restoration: a global review shows biases and mismatches between theory and practice

Ecological restoration aims to recover the structure, biodiversity, and function of degraded ecosystems. However, open ecosystems have been largely overlooked in restoration, and the extent of theory‐based restoration is unclear. We systematically review papers on open ecosystems restoration from 2011 to 2021, examining publication trends with data on restored site age, size, indicators, and assessment frequency. We also explore the relationships between interventions, indicators, and ecological concepts. By analyzing 343 papers, we found that open ecosystems restoration is concentrated in North America and Europe, with nearly 75% of restored areas originating in these continents. Restored areas are small, assessed for a short duration, with a plethora of indicators and no establishment of clear control or reference areas for meaningful comparisons. Common open ecosystems restoration sites interventions involved trees and shrubs management, soil management, seeding, and transfer of plant material as the main interventions. From our analyzed papers, we found that 30% of them mentioned any ecological concepts, with community assembly and succession being the most mentioned ones. Furthermore, our exploratory analysis revealed no relationship between interventions, indicators, and ecological concepts, suggesting a widespread mismatch between theory and practice. As the Decade for Ecosystem Restoration unfolds, we call practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders working on open ecosystems to address challenges and curtail widespread biases. Despite the uniqueness of each restoration project, a clear, well‐planned design encompassing site‐specific variables and solid theoretical bases is expected to enhance restoration outcomes, optimizing costs and biodiversity gains.

Agronomic performance of soybean and its relation with the production environment

The objective of the work is to identify the agronomic performance of soybeans and correlate meteorological attributes with yield components. The study was carried out at the Escola Fazenda of the Regional University of the Northwest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul - UNIJUÍ, located in Augusto Pestana – RS. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, consisting of 10 genotypes and five replications. Descriptive analysis was performed using mean plus standard deviation for variables that presented a coefficient of variation greater than 35%; normality and homogeneity tests were also performed, as well as analysis of variance, Tukey mean comparison tests and linear correlations supported by the t-test. Soybean grain yield is closely linked to meteorological elements, which play a crucial role in the fluctuations and frustrations of soybean agricultural harvests in the municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul. The significant correlations between yield indicate that the water factor is what more affects production. The TMG7362IPRO cultivar had a higher yield with 73 bags per ha-1. -Iin this context, the soybean GMR also influenced yield in relation to climatic relations and had a better positioning.

Determining factors for the selection of soybean cultivars and the cause and effect relationships with grain yield

The objective of the present study was to apply the trail analysis model to extract the cause and effect action on soybean grain yield as a function of agronomic attributes. The present study was developed in the agricultural years of 2023 and 2024. The experimental design used was strips with randomized blocks, consisting of 10 cultivars and five replications. Through the means comparison test, the highest grain yields were observed in the cultivars C 2531 E, BMX Vênus CE, B 5595 CE and NEO581 CE. It was observed that in addition to the higher grain yield, the cultivar C 2531 CE also presented a higher grain weight per plant, despite having the lowest final plant height and productive zone height among the cultivars. As for BMX Vênus CE, it was observed that despite its medium height, it presented a shorter internode length on the main stem, which optimized the number of total nodes on the main stem, in addition to presenting a high grain weight per plant. Cultivar B 5595 CE can be highlighted for its greater final plant height, as well as greater height of the productive zone, promoting a greater number of total nodes on the main stem. Another highlight of this cultivar is the high number of plants per final linear meter, indicating its adaptability in the field. The cultivar NEO581 E, despite having one of the smallest heights among the cultivars, presented one of the highest grain yields, which can be attributed to the stability of the cultivar in the field, as it showed intermediate performance for all agronomic traits.

Robotic kidney transplant has superior outcomes compared to open kidney transplant: results of a propensity match analysis.

Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of robotic kidney transplant (RKT) as a safe alternative to open kidney transplant (OKT). However, significant selection bias in RKT patient selection limits meaningful comparison between the two techniques. This is a single-center retrospective review of a prospectively maintained kidney transplant database (2021-2024). Outcomes after the first 50 "non-selected" RKTs are compared with a contemporary cohort of 100 OKTs after propensity score matching for age, gender, BMI and type of donation (living vs deceased). Data pertinent to recipient demographics, intraoperative parameters, and short-term post-operative outcomes were collected and compared. Both groups were well-matched for recipient age, gender, BMI, and donation type. RKT group had significantly longer total operative time (RKT 258min vs. OKT 183min; p < 0.0001) and warm ischemia time (RKT 37min vs. OKT 31min; p < 0.0001) but significantly less blood loss (OKT 155ml vs. RKT 93ml). Average length of hospital stay for both groups was 5days, with OKT group demonstrating significantly higher rates of post-operative complications (OKT 31% vs. RKT 14%; p = 0.028), return to OR (OKT 15% vs. RKT 2%; p = 0.021), hematoma (OKT 13% vs. RKT 2%; p = 0.0355), and lymphocele (OKT 25% vs. RKT 6%; p = 0.0039). OKT group also had higher 30-day readmission rate (OKT 31% vs. RKT 14%) and post-operative opioid requirement (OKT 93 MME vs. RKT 65; p = 0.0254). There were no differences in rates of wound infection, urine leaks, delayed graft function, acute rejection, graft loss, and patient death between the two groups. RKT is a safe and viable alternative to OKT as a first-choice procedure for all patients with ESRD. RKT offers many advantages over OKT which can lead to its wider adoption in the coming years as the new standard of care for ESRD patients.