Historical Events Research Articles

Atrial fibrillation recurrence in oncocardiological patients treated with catheter ablation. A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background The relationship between oncological events and cardiovascular pathologies is a subject still widely discussed. Certain chemotherapy drugs, including alkylating agents, anthracyclines, taxanes, and topoisomerase II inhibitors have proven to possess arrhythmic and cardiotoxic capabilities. There is enough evidence to suggest an association between oncological events and the appearance of newly onset AF, but there is little to no scientific literature about the management of these patients and the outcome of normal therapeutically procedures. Purpose This study assess if oncocardiological patients with AF should be considered a risk group when planning to undergo catheter ablation for the arrhythmia treatment. Methods The studied population was based on the data recollection from the electrophysiology department and consisted of patients with AF intervened by radiofrequency catheter ablation. All the procedures were conducted between January 1st 2019 and December 31st 2022. Among 138 participants enrolled for this study, 68 of them had either recent history of oncological events (maximum of 5 years cancer-free). The control group had no previous nor active history of cancer. The cohort with the desired exposure (cancer patients) was compared with a cancer-free group. Two primary outcomes were measured: procedure related complications, and first AF recurrence within the first 12 months. Complications were categorized according to two dichotomous variables: the existence of acute complications directly during the procedure or within the first 12 hours after the end of the procedure, and the occurrence of self-limited arrhythmic events during the blanking period. Results When compared as dichotomous variables (yes/no) with Fisher’s exact test, no statistical significance was observed between the studied cohort and control for complications and events during blanking. The proportion of patients free of sustained episodes of AF at 12 months was 52,9% in the oncologic group and 77,9% in the Control group (P = 0.003; RR of 3.14; 95% CI 1.5 - 6.6) for the oncologic group. When not adjusted by any other factor, association with Cancer was shown (HR 2.43; P =0.005; 95% CI 1.3 – 4.4) for recurrence of arrhythmic events. The regression model with Kaplan-Meier method shows the overall 12-month survival in two groups and the difference between the two survival curves was statistically significant (P=0.0016). Conclusion Oncocardiological patients have demonstrated a significantly higher incidence in post-ablational recurrence when compared with a similar cancer-free control group. Results found in acute and chronic procedural complications were similar in both cohorts.

‘Diffuse Support’ and Authoritarian Regime Resilience: Azerbaijanism vis-à-vis Azerbaijan’s Talysh Minority

Abstract This article asks what role does the official national identity discourse play in building authoritarian resilience in Azerbaijan, and how do alternative narratives of particular historical events impact such resilience-building efforts? The discourse of Azerbaijanism is a source of diffuse support legitimizing the authoritarian regime in Azerbaijan. This is largely due to the role played by the ruling family in Azerbaijanism and the emphasis that is placed upon that family’s ability to resolve internal and external threats to the developing nation-state. Alternative narrations of historical memories – such as those regarding the establishment of the Talysh-Mughan (Autonomous) Republic during the summer of 1993 – act as ‘hidden transcripts’ that shed light upon the cracks in the regime’s façade, challenging its claims to historical and other ‘truths’. In so doing, ‘hidden’ alternative transcripts challenge the legitimacy of the governing regime, testing the first of Gerschewski’s (2013) three pillars of authoritarian regime stability (i.e., legitimation, repression, and co-optation).

ЖИЗНЬ ДАЛЬНЕВОСТОЧНОГО СЕЛА 1970–1991 ГОДОВ В ТРУДАХ СОВЕТСКИХ И РОССИЙСКИХ ИССЛЕДОВАТЕЛЕЙ

The purpose of the study is to analyze historical events related to the development of the Far Eastern rural areas in 1970–1991, and the objectives are to identify the stages, patterns and features of the process of scientific study of the rural reality of the Far Eastern Region. In the course of working on the paper, both general scientific and historical methods were used. Research was based on fundamental scientific principles, such as critical interpretation of sources, depoliticization, and historicism. The author analyzes publications related to life, daily life, the financial situation of the rural population, social policy, demographic and migration processes. It is noted that for a long time the evolution of the rural society of the Far East during the periods of “developed” (or “late”) socialism and perestroika was not the focus of attention of researchers who relied on the formational approach that was dominant until the early 1990s. Scientists idealized the state of affairs in rural areas, presenting existing problems and difficulties as temporary phenomena that could be overcome in the foreseeable future. In the post-Soviet period, the study of the life of villagers continued from new methodological positions, in particular, based on the theory of modernization. A surge of interest in regional rural reality occurred at the beginning of the 21st century. Historians have paid attention to issues related to food, the state of housing and household infrastructure, agricultural resettlement, and the subjective perception of life by the villagers themselves. To date, a complex of scientific research on the history of the Far Eastern village has been formed, including papers, monographs and dissertations, but a number of issues remain on the periphery of research interest and require further study.

#2188 Challenges in lipid control in the advanced chronic kidney disease clinic: findings from a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with lipid metabolism disruptions and heightens cardiovascular (CV) risk. International guidelines categorize CKD patients into high CV risk (LDL target < 70 mg/dL and a reduction >50% from baseline) for CKD G3b A1, CKD G3a A2, and CKD G2 A3; and very high CV risk (LDL target < 55 mg/dL and a reduction >50% from baseline) for CKD G4 and G5, CKD G3b A2-3, and those with type 2 diabetes and G3a A2-3, G3b regardless of UACR, or UACR > 300 mg/g regardless of eGFR. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the challenges of achieving LDL targets in advanced CKD patients, focusing on statin use. Method A cross-sectional study enrolled 312 patients with advanced CKD. Collected data included demographics, renal function stage, albuminuria/proteinuria, diabetes, and cardiovascular history. Documented statin use specified type and potency. Statistical analysis employed descriptive measures. Results Of the 312 patients, 207 were males, with a mean age of 69.18 ± 10.26 years, mean eGFR of 27.54 ± 12.22, and LDL of 86.64 ± 32.9. The majority had a history of diabetes (158) and previous cardiovascular disease (100). 69.6% used statins, with atorvastatin being the most common (165), followed by simvastatin (26), pravastatin (11), rosuvastatin (10), and pitavastatin (5). Statin potency varied, with high potency in 49.4%, moderate in 49.2%, and low in 1.4%. Only 19.6% of patients achieved adequate lipid control per guidelines. Conclusion This study underscores the high prevalence of dyslipidemia and the challenges in achieving LDL targets in advanced CKD patients. Despite the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, including a history of cardiovascular events, the majority did not attain adequate lipid control, highlighting the imperative to address therapeutic inertia to prevent LDL detrimental consequences. Specific strategies are warranted, focusing on mitigating statins’ underutilization and low potency. Additionally, consideration of adjunct therapies such as ezetimibe and bempedoic acid is crucial. Exploring novel agents like iPCSK9 or inclisiran emerges as promising avenues for safer and more effective alternatives in this population at high cardiovascular risk.

#3048 Short and long term follow up of living Tunisian kidney donors

Abstract Background and Aims Over the years, concerns have increased about the harmlessness of kidney donation. This is more relevant in an Arab Muslim developing country like Tunisia, where lack of cadaveric donors is continuously leading to an increase in living donor numbers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of nephrectomy as well as medical and surgical outcomes among LKDs, both short and long terms. Method Longitudinal monocentric study, involving a cohort of 106 LKDs in which nephrectomies were performed between November 2007 and April 2015. Donors that attended their follow-up visits after donation as per the European Renal Best Practice group recommendations by the European Renal Disease Association were included.10 Because of the irregularity of visits, we defined visits as follows: M1=from hospital discharge to the 3rd month, M3=from the 3rd month to 6th month, M6=from the 6th month to the 1st year, Y1=from the 1st year to 2nd year, Y2=from the 2nd year to the 4th year, and Y4=4 years and more. At the time of evaluation, we looked for the presence or history of renal events (i.e., elevation of serum creatinine level or proteinuria). We also detected by periodical check- up the presence or history of other physical or biological affections such as the presence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), sugar intolerance, hyperlipidemia, or hyper-uricemia (Table 1). Results 92 donors were included in the follow-up analysis after following exclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of nephrectomy was 42.8 ± 10 years with the sex ratio 0.6. and 27% of our donors were mothers. Twenty-two percent of the donors were obese and 4% were hypertensive. The median initial glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 105 mL/min/1.73 m2. The surgical approach was costal lumbotomy in 96% of cases and laparoscopy for four cases. The kidneys were removed from the left side in 93% of cases. Postoperative mortality was zero and early postoperative morbidity was low. The median duration of hospital stay was nine days. During follow-up, 14% attended all recommended visits. The median follow- up duration was 26 months. After two years post donation, the prevalence of HTN was 28% and obesity was 26%. The prevalence of GFR decline (50–59 mL/min) was 14% using formula by modification of diet in renal disease. None of our donors reached stage 4 or 5 CKD. Twelve had proteinuria and one donor had diabetes, a comparable prevalence of morbidities to the general population Conclusion Our results are strong arguments for harmlessness of renal donation but emphasize the importance of a careful and science-based selection process. Post donation follow-up, seemingly insufficient in our study, is the only guarantor of short- and long-term safety for donors and therefore helps to encourage the act of donating in other potential donors.

#1091 Quantifying the potential contribution of drugs to the occurrence of acute kidney injury in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with CKD have high risk of AKI. Quantifying the contribution of drugs to the occurrence of AKI in this population and assessing its risk factors is important to design preventive interventions. We sought to comprehensively describe drug-related components associated with AKI in patients with CKD. We documented the incidence of drug-related AKI, the proportion of preventable AKI, identified the various drugs potentially associated with it, explored the risk factors, and assessed the one-year incidences of the recurrence of drug-related AKI, kidney failure, and death. Method The CKD-REIN study is a national prospective cohort of 3,033 nephrology outpatients with a confirmed diagnosis of CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²) in France. AKIs and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were prospectively identified from hospital charts, medical records, and patient interviews. Nephrologists used the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria to adjudicate all stages of AKI, and expert pharmacologists used validated tools to adjudicate ADRs (including drug-related AKIs). A drug-related AKI was considered serious when the outcome is death, a life-threatening situation, hospital admission, disability, permanent damage, or another important medical event. We used cause-specific Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the patients’ baseline clinical characteristics associated with the risk of drug-related AKI. Results Over a median [interquartile range] period of 4.9 [3.4-5.1] years, 832 cases of AKI were reported in 639 (21%) of the 3,033 study participants. Over a quarter of the AKI events were drug-related (n = 236, 28%); from those, 47% were hospital- and 53% community-acquired AKI. From the 168 serious drug-related AKI events, 28% were considered preventable or potentially preventable. The three most frequently implicated drug classes were diuretics, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, and contrast agents. At least two concomitant medications were implicated in more than half of the AKIs with a drug-related component, RASis and diuretics, two diuretics, and diuretics and antibiotics were the 3 most frequent associations (Figure). A history of cardiovascular events, and the presence of diabetes, lower levels of hemoglobin and eGFR, poor medication adherence, and ≥5 drugs being taken daily were associated with a greater risk of drug-related AKI. The one-year cumulative incidences of recurrent drug-related AKI, kidney replacement therapy, and death were 7%, 15%, and 11%, respectively, after the first drug-related AKI. Conclusion Drug-related AKI is prevalent among patients with CKD. Further training in drug management for both CKD patients and healthcare professionals involved in their care might mitigate the incidence of drug-related AKI.

#2228 Hypocitraturia is the main factor associated with proteinuria in patients with kidney stones

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with kidney stones (KS) are at increased risk for chronic kidney disease. Research published so far has focused on factors associated with low glomerular filtration rate in KS patients, however, factors associated with proteinuria have not been fully described. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the presence of proteinuria in our cohort of patients with known or presumed calcium KS and to analyze which common clinical and metabolic variables might be associated with proteinuria. Method We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study in patients (pts) treated at our stone clinic at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana in the ten-year period from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2019. We excluded patients who did not have 24-hour proteinuria determined and patients with known urate, struvite or cystine stones. We noted the presence of arterial hypertension (AH), diabetes mellitus, a family history of kidney stones, age, sex, eGFR, body mass index, history of renal colic events and urological procedures for kidney stones, and 24-hour urine measurements (calcium, urate, oxalate, citrate, sodium, and proteinuria). Categorical variables were analyzed with Chi-Square test, normally distributed numerical values with Student's t-test and non-normally distributed with Mann-Whitney U test. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Associations with p-values < 0.1 were included into a binary logistic regression analysis to determine the probability of predicting the presence of 24-hour proteinuria, defined as > 0.25 g/day in our laboratory. Results In the allocated time period 335 pts were examined. After exclusion, 251 pts were included into the analysis (mean age 49.5 ± 14.2 years, 116 (46.2%) males, 135 (53.8%) females). Complete 24-hour urine metabolic analysis was available for 238 pts. Proteinuria was present in 40 pts (15.9%) and was significantly more common in pts with AH compared to normotensive pts (18/77 (23.4%) vs. 22/174 (12.6%), p 0.027) and more common in males compared to females (23/116 (19.8%) vs. 17/135 (12.6%), p 0.083). Numerical variables with a p-value < 0.1 regarding the association with the presence of proteinuria are presented in Table 1. In regression analysis the model significantly predicted the presence of proteinuria (χ2 20.738, p 0.014, R2 0.343) and was able to predict the result overall in 85.2% of cases. Of all the variables included only citrate significantly predicted the presence of proteinuria (OR 1.732; 95% CI 1.009, 2.972; p 0.046). Proteinuria was significantly more common in pts with hypocitraturia (<1.67 mmol/day) compared to pts with normal urinary citrate (29/116 (25%) vs. 9/122 (7.4%), p < 0.001) and in pts with immeasurably low urinary citrate (<0.2 mmol/day) compared to higher citrate (15/27 (55.6%) vs. 23/211 (10.9%), p < 0.001). Conclusion Proteinuria was relatively common in our cohort. The main factor associated with proteinuria was urinary citrate. Proteinuria was significantly more common in pts with hypocitraturia compared to pts with normal urinary citrate and was present in the majority of pts with immeasurably low urinary citrate. Further studies are warranted to clarify the clinical relevance and implications of this findings.

#3094 Prevalence and risk factors for progression and mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health concern worldwide. Prevalence and risk factors for its progression are highly relevant, given that Portugal has the highest incidence and prevalence rates of dialysis in Europe. With this study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 in a tertiary center in Portugal, as well as to evaluate risk factors for progression and mortality. Method We evaluated all patients followed in the Nephrology outpatient clinic at a tertiary center in Portugal during the year 2021, and selected those with CKD stage 4 and stage 5, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using CKD-EPI formula. Primary endpoints were CKD progression or mortality after 1 year of follow-up. Progression was defined as initiating renal replacement therapy (RRT) or transition from stage 4 to stage 5 CKD. Results We evaluated 4381 patients, of which 1083 (24.7%) were included with CKD stage 4 (n = 856) and CKD stage 5 (n = 227). There was a predominance of males (52.7%), with a mean age of 74.6 ± 12.5 years. We observed a high prevalence of hypertension (94%), diabetes mellitus (46.2%), dyslipidemia (81%), heart failure (34%) and past history of major cardiovascular events (21%). At one year follow-up 108 patients died, 116 lost follow-up, and 256 (26.5%) had CKD progression, of which 179 (18.5%) initiated renal replacement therapy. 33.5% of patients initiating dialysis had a definitive access, mostly in stage 5 CKD (40 vs. 25%, p < 0.05). Risk factors for progression (versus stability) in univariate analysis were male gender (64.5 vs. 50.1, p < 0.001), younger age (68 vs. 75 years, p < 0.001) and lower eGFR (16 vs. 22 mL/min). Progression occurred in 51% of stage 5 CKD vs. 26.5% stage 4. Worse laboratory control of anemia, hyperparathyroidism, acidosis, and albuminuria (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio 1242 vs. 302 mg/g, p < 0.01) were identified risk factors for progression. In multivariate analysis, predictors for CKD progression were younger age (OR: 0.97, CI: 0.95-0.99, p = 0.02), male gender (OR: 2.82, CI: 1.43-5.57, p = 0.003), lower eGFR (OR: 0.80, CI: 0.74-0.86, p < 0.001), lower hemoglobin levels (OR: 0.62, CI: 0.48-0.79, p < 0.001), and proteinuria (OR: 1.44, CI: 1.22-1.53, p 0.003). Regarding mortality, no statically significant differences were observed between CKD stage 4 and 5, and in multivariate analysis the only independent risk factors for death were older age and heart failure, which increased 3.4 times mortality risk (OR: 3.40, CI: 1.48-7.83, p = 0.04). Conclusion Our data show a high prevalence of CKD and traditional risk factors, with an annual progression rate of 26.5%. Anemia and proteinuria were identified as modifiable risk factors for progression. In older patients with heart failure, the mortality risk was found to be higher than progression risk, highlighting the importance of cardiovascular protection and consideration of conservative management in this particular subset of patients.

The Carthamus tinctorius L. genome sequence provides insights into synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids

Domesticated safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a widely cultivated edible oil crop. However, despite its economic importance, the genetic basis underlying key traits such as oil content, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and flowering time remains poorly understood. Here, we present the genome assembly for C. tinctorius variety Jihong01, which was obtained by integrating Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and BGI-SEQ500 sequencing results. The assembled genome was 1,061.1 Mb, and consisted of 32,379 protein-coding genes, 97.71% of which were functionally annotated. Safflower had a recent whole genome duplication (WGD) event in evolution history and diverged from sunflower approximately 37.3 million years ago. Through comparative genomic analysis at five seed development stages, we unveiled the pivotal roles of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) and fatty acid desaturase 6 (FAD6) in linoleic acid (LA) biosynthesis. Similarly, the differential gene expression analysis further reinforced the significance of these genes in regulating LA accumulation. Moreover, our investigation of seed fatty acid composition at different seed developmental stages unveiled the crucial roles of FAD2 and FAD6 in LA biosynthesis. These findings offer important insights into enhancing breeding programs for the improvement of quality traits and provide reference resource for further research on the natural properties of safflower.

An integrated spatio-temporal view of riverine biodiversity using environmental DNA metabarcoding

Anthropogenically forced changes in global freshwater biodiversity demand more efficient monitoring approaches. Consequently, environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is enabling ecosystem-scale biodiversity assessment, yet the appropriate spatio-temporal resolution of robust biodiversity assessment remains ambiguous. Here, using intensive, spatio-temporal eDNA sampling across space (five rivers in Europe and North America, with an upper range of 20–35 km between samples), time (19 timepoints between 2017 and 2018) and environmental conditions (river flow, pH, conductivity, temperature and rainfall), we characterise the resolution at which information on diversity across the animal kingdom can be gathered from rivers using eDNA. In space, beta diversity was mainly dictated by turnover, on a scale of tens of kilometres, highlighting that diversity measures are not confounded by eDNA from upstream. Fish communities showed nested assemblages along some rivers, coinciding with habitat use. Across time, seasonal life history events, including salmon and eel migration, were detected. Finally, effects of environmental conditions were taxon-specific, reflecting habitat filtering of communities rather than effects on DNA molecules. We conclude that riverine eDNA metabarcoding can measure biodiversity at spatio-temporal scales relevant to species and community ecology, demonstrating its utility in delivering insights into river community ecology during a time of environmental change.

On the Timing of Marriage and Childbearing: Family Formation Pathways Among Immigrants in Switzerland.

This paper examines childbearing in and outside of marriage as a manifestation of the Second Demographic Transition among immigrant populations in Switzerland. Based on full-population register data, we simultaneously analyse fertility and partnership changes at different stages of the migration process. Results from a multistate event history model show that most of the differences in family formation patterns between migrant groups and natives are in the sequencing of marriage and first birth among childless unmarried women. Out of wedlock family trajectories prove to be a common experience for European migrants, but a sustainable family pathway only among natives, as well as among immigrants from France, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Among married women, it is the risk of a third birth that marks the differences between groups; first and second birth rates are relatively similar across migrant groups. Distinguishing between the transition patterns of newly arrived immigrants and settled immigrants (characterised by various residence durations) support the disruption hypothesis among EU migrants and the interrelated life events hypothesis among non-EU groups. Family size and the partnership context of fertility highlight which family regime prevails in different population subgroups and the role that immigrants play in the Second Demographic Transition and family transformation in Europe.

Field Testing the Family Behavior Support Mobile Application (FBSApp) During a Global Pandemic.

We developed and tested an evidence-based mobile application designed to support families in using functional assessment-based intervention strategies with their young children with disabilities and challenging behaviors in home settings. Five families participated in the study. We utilized a multiple-probe across participants design to examine the effects of the FBSApp on parents' use of intervention strategies and childrens' use of challenging behaviors and replacement behaviors. We adapted our procedures to include individualized coaching to provide meaningful and effective support after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A functional relation was not identified between access to FBSApp and caregiver use of strategies; however, the addition of coaching did lead to increased strategy use for two of four caregivers. A functional relation was identified between the use of the FBSApp plus coaching and CB. Families reported the app and coaching procedures favorably. We found that responsive, family-centered research CAN be conducted in spite of significant history events, and that mobile apps and virtual meeting platforms can be an accessible and efficient method for supporting families. The use of single case design allowed for flexible, yet methodologically sound procedures. More work is needed examining effective and efficient virtual supports for families.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular and Cancer Risk Factors Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Prescribed Janus Kinase Inhibitors and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study was to determine the prevalence of baseline risk factors for cardiovascular outcomes and cancer among commercially-insured patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during their first dispensed treatment for either tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) or JAK inhibitors (JAKi). Patients with RA from August 16, 2019 to March 31, 2022 were identified in the Merative MarketScan Commercial and Medicare databases. The first date that a TNFi or JAKi was dispensed was the index date, and baseline risk factors were assessed among patients continuously eligible for 12 months before the index date. Patients who had the following were stratified into an elevated risk category: age ≥65 years, smoking, or a history of a major adverse cardiovascular event, venous thromboembolism, or cancer. The prevalence of modifiable risk factors was also reported: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. The crude prevalence and prevalence difference (PD) were reported. A total of 12,673 patients (TNFi [n = 7,748; 61%] and JAKi [n = 4,925; 39%]) met inclusion criteria. The prevalence of elevated risk was the same for all patients using TNFi (n = 2,051; 26%) and JAKi (n = 1,262; 26%). Compared with patients having low risk, patients with an elevated risk also had a higher prevalence of at least one primary modifiable risk factor for both patients using JAKi (79% vs 58%; PD 21%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 18%-24%) and TNFi (81% vs 60%; PD 21%, 95% CI 19%-23%). In recent years, JAKi and TNFi were used in similar proportions to treat RA among commercially-insured patients at elevated cardiovascular and cancer risk. Because uncontrolled disease, modifiable comorbidities, and treatment with JAKi are associated with these adverse events, future studies evaluating how practice patterns may be affected by the emergence of safety data will be of value.

Research on Vietnams Demographic Dividend Period

Currently, Vietnam is in a demographic dividend period. After reaching 90 million in 2013, Vietnam's population hit the milestone of 100 million in 2023. Surpassing the mark of nearly a hundred million people represents a significant event in Vietnam's demographic history, positioning Vietnam as the fifteenth most populous country globally and among the top three in Southeast Asia. With a population nearing a hundred million, the duration of Vietnam's demographic dividend period is expected to extend until around 2042. Approximately 67% of Vietnam's population is of working age. The main characteristics of Vietnam's demographic dividend period are its long duration, uneven development, and aging population advancing ahead of modernization. The demographic dividend period not only provides Vietnam with an abundance of human resources for its socio-economic development but also facilitates increased investment in areas such as livelihoods, healthcare, education, and employment. Vietnam should seize the opportunity of the demographic dividend period, pay more attention to and understand population issues, and mitigate the risk of "aging before prosperity."

An Unprecedented Effort After Two Thousand Years

From November 7-10, 1992, the first Ashwamedh Yagya under the Dev Sanskriti Digvijay Campaign of the All World Gayatri Pariwar was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. During that period, the entire November 1992 issue of Akhand Jyoti magazine was dedicated to the 'Ashwamedh Yagya.' This special edition is a book in itself, which clarifies misconceptions from the medieval period based on scriptures and reveals the true purpose and objectives of the Ashwamedh Yagya. An article from this special edition, "An Unprecedented Effort After Two Thousand Years," is being reprinted here. The rise of divinity in humans and the reconstruction of the nation is the core objective of Vedic culture, Indian culture, and Dev culture. This process is accomplished through a successful Ashwamedh. To realize the dream of Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya, the founder of the All World Gayatri Pariwar, of the rise of divinity in humans, the founder of the Gayatri Pariwar, Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma, under her guidance, initiated the Dev Sanskriti Digvijay Ashwamedhik Campaign and resolved to conduct 108 Ashwamedh Mahayagyas. Under this campaign, 47 Ashwamedhs have been completed so far. According to historian Bronske, the Ashwamedh ritual was not a political conquest campaign but a cultural conquest campaign. The purpose of these great Yagyas was to awaken faith in national deities and life values, to teach ways of living. These efforts for cultural unity made the nation strong, capable, and steadfast at the political, geographical, and emotional levels. The Shatapatha Brahmana considers the nation and Ashwamedh to be inseparable. In Indian history, many kings conducted Ashwamedh Yagyas to fulfill the above objectives. Along with the accounts of legendary kings like Rajarshi and the famous devotee Ambarish, Prithu, and others, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, King Yudhishthira, and Janamejaya also conducted Ashwamedh Yagyas. After Janamejaya conducted the Ashwamedh, the tradition of Ashwamedh became disorganized. The consequences of this disorganization appeared as political disintegration, decline in prosperity, and deterioration of life values in the nation. Understanding the seriousness of the situation, General Pushyamitra conducted the Ashwamedh ritual in 185 BC to reorganize the nation's strength. After Pushyamitra, India's strong position continued until Agnimitra and Vasumitra. Later, in the course of time, the links were scattered, which were reorganized through the Ashwamedh effort by Emperor Chandragupta I's son and the second emperor of the Gupta dynasty, Samudragupta. The subsequent Ashwamedhs conducted by later kings were mere symbolic acts. They lacked cultural splendor, emotional breadth, and the ability to impart life wisdom to the masses. The current series of Ashwamedh Mahayagyas by the Gayatri Pariwar can be considered the first real and successful effort since Emperor Samudragupta. Through these Mahayagyas, not only will the historical events of ancient India be repeated, but their positive results will also manifest as the rise of Satyug (Golden Age), prosperity, expansion of knowledge and science, the emergence of a world nation, and the widespread realization of the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).

Folktales of Bihar: A Study of the Animal Characters

Cultural elements in folktales can manifest through idiomatic expressions, metaphors, proverbs, or references to specific historical events or figures. Each of these elements holds significant cultural value, enriching the story and providing insights into the community's collective experiences and values. In India, folktales are cherished by millions for their entertainment and aesthetic value. These tales are typically passed down orally from one generation to the next, and in more recent times, they may also be found in written form. Folktales from different regions reflect the thoughts, traditions, and culture of their people, providing both entertainment and insight into their past and present customs. Bihar is one of the most important states of India, located in the eastern region of the country, and has a rich tradition of folk culture. We often observe the representation of animal characters in folktales. In the context of the folktales of Bihar, we can also observe the depiction of different types of animal beings. The purpose of this study is to analyze how the animals are represented in the context of folktales of Bihar. To undertake this study, we need to utilize the descriptive analysis approach. To undertake this study, we need to utilize the descriptive analysis approach.

The Frozen Conflict in Western Sahara and the Forgotten Question of Sahrawi

Western Sahara’s “frozen conflict” is one of the major and forgotten issues that, so far, the international community could not settle. This article aims to shed light on the historical events and the political responsibilities that led to a protracted stalemate over the Sahrawi question. The paper retraces the historical roots of the claims over the disputed territory by the Polisario Front, as the representative of the Sahrawi people, over the disputed territory, and analyzes their foundations under the light of international law.

A Coordinated Data Analysis of Four Studies Exploring Age Differences in Social Interactions and Loneliness During a Global Pandemic.

Examining loneliness and social isolation during population-wide historical events may shed light on important theoretical questions about age differences, including whether these differences hold across different regions and the timecourse of the unfolding event. We used a systematic, preregistered approach of coordinated data analysis (CDA) of four studies (total N = 1,307; total observations = 18,492) that varied in design (intensive repeated-measures and cross-sectional), region, timing, and timescale during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We harmonized our datasets to a common period within 2020-2021 and created a common set of variables. We used a combination of ordinary least squares regression and multilevel modeling to address the extent to which there was within- and between-person variation in the associations between social isolation and loneliness, and whether these associations varied as a function of age. Within- and between-person effects of social interactions were negatively associated with loneliness in one study; in follow-up sensitivity analyses, these patterns held across early and later pandemic periods. Across all datasets, there was no evidence of age differences in the within-person or between-person associations of social interactions and loneliness. Applying the CDA methodological framework allowed us to detect common and divergent patterns of social interactions and loneliness across samples, ages, regions, periods, and study designs.

Unearthing the legacy of wildfires: post fire pyrogenic carbon and soil carbon persistence across complex Pacific Northwest watersheds

AbstractWildfires have the potential to dramatically alter the carbon (C) storage potential, ecological function, and the fundamental mechanisms that control the C balance of Pacific Northwest (PNW) forested ecosystems. In this study, we explored how wildfire influences processes that control soil C stabilization and the consequent soil C persistence, and the role of previous fire history in determining soil C fire response dynamics. We collected mineral soils at four depth increments from burned (low, moderate, and high soil burn severity classes) and unburned areas and surveyed coarse woody debris (CWD) in sites within the footprint of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and in surrounding Willamette National Forest and the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. We found few changes in overall soil C pools as a function of fire severity; we instead found that unburned sites contained high levels of pyrogenic C (PyC) that were commensurate with PyC concentrations in the high severity burn sites—pointing to the high background rate of fire in these ecosystems. An analysis of historical fire events lends additional support, where increasing fire count is loosely correlated with increasing PyC concentration. An unexpected finding was that PyC concentration was lower in low soil burn severity sites than in control sites, which we attribute to fundamental ecological differences in regions that repeatedly burn at high severity compared with those that burn at low severity. Our CWD analysis showed that high mean fire return interval (decades between fire events) was strongly correlated with low annual CWD accumulation rate; whereas areas that burn frequently had a high annual CWD accumulation rate. Within the first year postfire, trends in soil density fractions demonstrated no significant response to fire for the mineral-associated organic matter pool but slight increases in the particulate pool with increasing soil burn severity—likely a function of increased charcoal additions. Overall, our results suggest that these PNW forest soils display complex responses to wildfire with feedbacks between CWD pools that provide varying fuel loads and a mosaic fire regime across the landscape. Microclimate and historic fire events are likely important determinants of soil C persistence in these systems.

What Were the Influences on These Sogdian Merchants Doing Business in China During China's War with Xiongnu?

This paper investigates the affects to the Sogdian merchants who were doing business in China during Chinas war with the Xiongnu. Several arguments were made in this paper in order to support the points made below, with actual historical events and background, which includes the Yongjia rebellion that happened in the Western Jin Dynasty in China. The Paper also relied heavily on an ancient letter to support its statements, which was written by a Sogdian merchant who used to trade in China in the Western Jin dynasty, got trapped in China and could not leave. The paper proves the security of Sogdian life, property, and trade during the period of the war between China and the Huns.