Index Weight Research Articles

Based on AHP, The Ecological Environment of Fenhe River Basin Is Evaluated

he evaluation of the ecological quality of the Fenhe River Basin is of great significance for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin and Shanxi Province. In this paper, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to evaluate the ecological environment of Fenhe River Basin. Firstly, based on the relevant research literature, the ecological environment evaluation index is determined, and the influencing factors of the evaluation index are determined. Secondly, the weight of different influencing factors is determined based on AHP method, and the weight of evaluation index is obtained. Finally, the ecological environment of Fenhe River Basin in different years was analyzed by weight analysis results and expert scoring method. The results show that the ecological environment evaluation indexes of Fenhe River Basin are : water loss, soil loss, water pollution and vegetation reduction; the influencing factors of the evaluation index are : rainfall factors, soil and water conservation measures, reservoir construction, industrial water use, coal mining, engineering construction, solid waste pollution, urban development, industrial structure change, population change; from 2000 to 2020, the ecological quality of the Fenhe River Basin continued to improve, indicating that the policies and measures adopted for ecological management were effective. The ecological deterioration near the main stream and tributaries of the middle and lower reaches of the Fenhe River is related to the pollution of mine environment and industrial sewage.

Design of Energy Management Strategy for Integrated Energy System Including Multi-Component Electric–Thermal–Hydrogen Energy Storage

To address the challenges of multi-energy coupling decision-making caused by the complex interactions and significant conflicts of interest among multiple entities in integrated energy systems, an energy management strategy for integrated energy systems with electricity, heat, and hydrogen multi-energy storage is proposed. First, based on the coupling relationship of electricity, heat, and hydrogen multi-energy flows, the architecture of the integrated energy system is designed, and the mathematical model of the main components of the system is established. Second, evaluation indexes in three dimensions, including energy storage device life, load satisfaction rate, and new energy utilization rate, are designed to fully characterize the economy, stability, and environmental protection of the system during operation. Then, an improved radar chart model considering multi-evaluation index comprehensive optimization is established, and an adaptability function is constructed based on the sector area and perimeter. Combined with the operation requirements of the electric–thermal–hydrogen integrated energy system, constraint conditions are determined. Finally, the effectiveness and adaptability of the strategy are verified by examples. The proposed strategy can obtain the optimal decision instructions under different operation objectives by changing the weight of evaluation indexes, while avoiding the huge decision space and secondary optimization problems caused by multiple non-inferior solutions in conventional optimization, and has multi-scenario adaptability.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Water-Saving Society Construction in Xinxiang, Henan Province, China

Water is a crucial and fundamental resource. It is well known that agricultural cultivation, industrial production, and human daily life are not possible without water. Efficiently utilizing water resources is of great significance for achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to improve water use efficiency in various industries and promote water-saving development, China has been implementing water-saving society construction since 2002. Henan Province is the main grain-producing area in China, with wheat production accounting for a quarter of the country’s total. As the core area of “Central Plains Agricultural Valley” in Henan Province, Xinxiang City plays an important role in agricultural technology innovation and agricultural production. However, Xinxiang City is facing problems of water scarcity and pollution, which constrain the sustainability of agricultural production. Therefore, building a water-saving society can solve the current water problems faced by Xinxiang City and ensure the sustainable development of the economy and society. This study built an evaluation index system for water-saving society construction in Xinxiang, Henan Province, China. The proposed evaluation index system includes 20 evaluation indices from six aspects—integrated, agricultural water, industrial water, domestic water, water ecology and environment, and water-saving management—and then divides its development level into several stages. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was adopted to calculate the index weight. Then, a comprehensive evaluation model for water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City was established by combining it with grey relative analysis (GRA). The results showed that the overall level of water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City is in the excellent stage, whereas water consumption per CNY 10,000 of GDP, the effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water, the reuse rate of industrial water, and the leakage rate of urban water supply network are all in the good stage. However, the urban recycled water utilization rate is still in the poor stage. These research results can effectively and reasonably reflect the development level of water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City and guide the continued implementation of water-saving society construction. At the same time, the comprehensive evaluation of water-saving society construction helps to formulate and adjust water resource management policies and measures; it also holds significant value for sustainable water management and combating water scarcity.

The impact of a lifestyle promotion program on anthropometric and clinical manifestations in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLifestyle modification can have beneficial effects on improving symptoms of ovary syndrome and anthropometric changes, particularly in obese individuals… However, it is not clear whether these affects in obese adolescents with PCOS are the same as non-PCOS adolescents. We had a study question” Can lifestyle promotion programs, which focus on changing behavioral habits, have an effect on anthropometric parameters and the manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents?”MethodsThis was a cluster randomized trial (CRT) that started from January 2021 and follow-up ended in March 2022. 128 participants included adolescent girls (from 14 to 18 years old). The status of PCOS was determined for the participants, following which both the PCOS-afflicted and non-PCOS cohorts were subjected to randomization to either partake in a lifestyle promotion program or to proceed without it. This program included eight sessions that were designed to be implemented for two months. This intervention provides recommendations for a balanced diet and regular exercise, as well as advice on behavior change for adolescents, including those with PCOS, regardless of their weight. All participants were followed up for 12 months and were evaluated at three time points: baseline, 6 and 12 months. Outcomes included changes in the anthropometric indices (weight, hip and waist circumstance), regularity of menstrual cycle, hirsutism score by the modified-Ferriman-Gallwey scale, acne score by the Investigator’s Global Assessment Scale, hair loss scores by the Sinclair Graphic Instrument and then physical activity by the Caspian tool and dietary intake status by the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for variables with two-time point assessments and generalized estimation equations (GEE) for variables with three time point assessments.ResultsIn the study, the intervention group of girls with PCOS exhibited a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference, with an average decrease of 3.14 kg and 4.68 cm, respectively (P < 0.001), compared to the PCOS control group. Similarly, the non-PCOS intervention group showed a decrease in these factors by 2.60 kg and 4.95 cm (P < 0.001) when compared to the non-PCOS control group. After 12 months of intervention, the odds ratio (OR) for menstrual regularity in the PCOS intervention group increased to 3.30 (95% CI: 2.06, 5.25), and the acne score significantly decreased with an OR of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.70). In contrast, the non-PCOS intervention group experienced an increase in the OR for menstrual regularity to 2.45 (95% CI: 1.33, 4.25) and an improved in acne score with an OR of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.69). No notable differences were observed in the nutritional status among all groups post-intervention. However, a significant increase in physical activity levels, measured in metabolic equivalent minutes per week (met/min/week), was recorded in both intervention groups (p < 0.05).ConclusionManifestations of PCOS in adolescents are improved by a lifestyle promotion program and high schools are considered an appropriate setting to identify those with PCOS and the implementation of a lifestyle modification program. This program was also shown to promote healthy lifestyles for non-PCOS adolescents.Trial registrationTrial registration number: irct.ir number: IRCT20200114046123N1.

Analysis of risk factors faced by Chinese international students based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model

IntroductionChina has contributed the most international students to the global higher-education sector for over a decade. Existing research has indicated various risk factors faced by international students. However, few studies have examined the risks experienced by Chinese international students. Two research questions were investigated in this study: (1) Which risk factor has the greatest impact on Chinese international students when studying abroad? and (2) Which risk factor is most frequently experienced by Chinese international students when studying abroad?MethodTo address these questions, this study proposes a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model for evaluating the risk factors faced by Chinese international students. The model comprises six second-level factors and 22 third-level indicators, which was empirically examined by data collected through 556 questionnaires. The analytical hierarchy process and factor analysis were employed to calculate the index weight of second-level factors and third-level indicators.ResultsThe results reveal that the risk factor, psychological discrepancy, has the greatest impact and is most likely to be experienced by Chinese international students. The paper provides an integrated research perspective to study the risk of international students.DiscussionThe paper discussed the factors that impact the risk faced by Chinese international students. The risk faced by Chinese international students was found to be high. Psychological discrepancy, academic choice, and cross-cultural adaptation were the three risk factors that were most likely to be experienced by Chinese international students. Psychological discrepancy, barriers to study, and unforeseen incidents had the highest impact on total risk. Therefore, attention should be paid to these risk factors to avoid the occurrence of risk and its negative impacts.

Unveiling the optical and molecular characteristics of aging microplastics derived dissolved organic matter transformed by UV/chlor(am)ine oxidation and its potential for disinfection byproducts formation

The investigations into the existence and behavior of microplastics (MPs) in water environment were widely conducted, while the characteristics of dissolved organic matter derived from MPs (MPs-DOM) during advanced oxidation have garnered comparatively little attention. In this study, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) was employed along with multiple statistical analyses to gain a deeper understanding of the conversion of MPs-DOM in UV/chlor(am)ine advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The diverse treatments exhibited varying degrees of augmentation in both aging and fragmentation of MPs with the order of UV/Cl2 > UV > UV/NH2Cl. The fragmentation degree of MPs upon two UV-based AOPs (UV-AOPs) was dependent on their monomer chemical structure. The highest TOC values of three MPs-DOM were observed after UV/Cl2 AOP and the lowest after UV/NH2Cl AOP. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) displayed a greater release of MPs-DOM under varying leaching conditions. UV/Cl₂ AOP favored the reaction with saturated MPs-DOM, while UV/NH₂Cl AOP reduced unsaturated MPs-DOM, alleviating disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formation after chlorination. The precursors generated by UV/Cl₂ AOP owned lower H/C, higher modified aromatic index (AImod), and lower molecular weight (MW) products after chlorination. PVC-DOM with fewer CH₂ groups was more reactive. -H₂O, +O and -CH₂ reactions dominated in PVC-DOM (CHO compounds), while -2H, +O, -CH₂ did in PVC-DOM (CHON compounds). The dominant chlorine addition/substitution reactions occurred in PVC-DOM treated by UV/Cl₂ AOP, identifying 195 Cl-DBPs with 220 precursor-product pairs. Mass difference analyses showed that +2H and +O reactions were the most frequent of the 24 reaction types. Environmental ImplicationMicroplastics derived dissolved organic matters (MPs-DOM) transformed into disinfection byproducts (DBPs) under advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), heightening environmental risks. In this study, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was employed to gain a deeper understanding of MPs-DOM conversion in UV/chlor(am)ine AOPs. MPs fragmentation and fluorescent components varied with monomer chemistry and polymers. UV/Cl₂ AOP reacted with saturated MPs-DOM. UV/NH₂Cl AOP reduced unsaturated MPs-DOM, alleviating DBPs formation. DBPs precursors generated by UV/Cl₂ AOP owned higher modified aromatic index, lower H/C and molecular weight. Unveiling the MPs-DOM transformation during AOPs can mitigate the negative environmental impacts of MPs and their derivatives.

Optimising Growing Media Composition and Seed Selection Strategies For the Conversation of the Endangered Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn.)

Overexploitation and insufficient conservation efforts have classified Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn.), an economically and ecologically significant species, as endangered. This study investigates the effects of seed size and growing media composition on the germination performance and growth of sandalwood seedlings, aiming to optimise seed selection and media composition strategies for its conservation. We employed a completely randomised design (CRD) experiment, which included three seed size categories (small, medium, and control) and three media compositions: soil and sand alone, soil and sand with chicken manure, and soil and sand with cow manure. Results revealed that the combination of medium-sized seeds and chicken manure (A2B1) yielded the highest fresh weight (0.31 g), while small seeds combined with chicken manure (A1B1) achieved the highest germination speed index (0.63%/day), germination value (0.07%/day), and dry weight (0.07 g). We identified chicken manure as the most effective organic amendment, enhancing soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrient availability. In contrast, cow manure exhibited slower nutrient release, and soil and sand alone hindered root development due to compact soil properties. These findings underscore the importance of nutrient-rich organic amendments and optimal seed selection in enhancing sandalwood germination and growth. This study provides actionable insights for sustainable sandalwood cultivation and conservation efforts. Further research should focus on field trials under variable environmental conditions to validate these strategies on a larger scale.

Research on Evaluation System of Medical Imaging Equipment Dynamic Acquisition Technology Based on Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis

To construct an evaluation model system for dynamic data acquisition methods of medical imaging equipment in hospitals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) of the multiple criteria decision analysis method is used to study the model. Through multi-criteria decision analysis, the evaluation index system of dynamic data acquisition technology of medical imaging equipment is constructed from aspects such as the reliability and traceability of data acquisition, the interactivity of the acquisition mode, and the extensibility of application analysis. A hierarchical evaluation model of dynamic acquisition technology for medical imaging equipment is constructed, which includes 5 primary indexes, 14 secondary indexes, and 38 tertiary indexes. We have constructed a qualitative and quantitative evaluation index for the dynamic acquisition technology of medical imaging equipment. The weight of the quantitative index "reliability" is 30%, and the weights of the qualitative indexes "security", "traceability", "interactivity", and "scalability" are 25%, 20%, 15%, and 10% respectively. It can be used to study the methods and technical characteristics of three kinds of dynamic data acquisition of medical equipment and form a technical evaluation scheme for dynamic data acquisition.

Short-Term Weight Loss Outcomes of 104 Mini-Gastric Bypass or One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Operations: Retrospective study.

This study aimed to examine the short-term effects of mini-gastric bypass (MGB) or one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) procedures on weight loss in individuals with obesity. This retrospective study was conducted in Medicano Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, from January 2019 to May 2020. Preoperative body mass index (BMI), age, height and preoperative weight were recorded as baseline measures. Weight-related changes were evaluated during a follow-up phase of 48 weeks. A total of 104 patients with obesity underwent MGB or OAGB surgery. The mean baseline parameters of the subjects before surgery included 1.64 m for height, 122.9 kg for weight and 45.6 kg/m2 for BMI. During the 48-week follow-up period, there was a substantial reduction in mean weight, which dropped from 122.9 kg at baseline to 75.5 kg at week 48. The weight change (in percentage) gradually increased from -11.8% at week 12 to -37.9% at week 48, without statistically significant association with demographic factors or chronic diseases. From week 12 to week 48, the percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) increased substantially from 26.8% to 86.1%. The results of the subgroup analysis indicated that the %EWL was considerably higher among those aged 30 or older at week 36 and singles at week 48. This study's results illustrate the efficacy of MGB or OAGB procedures in significantly reducing weight in the short term. The %EWL increased with the follow-up time and was significantly associated with age and marital status.

New insights into the correlation between bone mineral density and dental caries in NHANES 2011–2016

Objectives: Investigate the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) at various body sites and dental caries. Materials and methods: Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2011 to 2016, the correlation between BMD at various body sites and the DMFS index among 7044 adults aged 20–59 years was analyzed. Multiple linear regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), piecewise linear regression, logistic regression, weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) and mediation effects analysis were integrated to explore the relationship between BMD and dental caries. Results: Under the linear assumption, except for arm BMD, the BMDs of all other sites are negatively correlated with the DMFS index of dental caries. RCS analysis indicates a U-shaped relationship between head BMD and the DMFS index (p for nonlinear < 0.0001). WQS analysis indicates that mixed BMD is significantly negatively correlated with the DMFS index for dental caries (estimate, − 0.023; 95% CI, − 0.025 ~ − 0.020), and head BMD has the most significant impact on the DMFS index (weight = 91.4%). Simple mediation analysis of the effect of dental caries on BMD levels mediated by inflammation levels showed negative results, suggesting that dental caries may not influence BMD through inflammation levels. Conclusion: Monitoring BMD should be combined with appropriate oral healthcare and caries management strategies to effectively address these interconnected health issues, and particular attention should be paid to the monitoring of head BMD.

Machine-Learning-Based Predictive Model for Bothersome Stress Urinary Incontinence Among Parous Women in Southeastern China.

Accurate identification of female populations at high risk for urinary incontinence (UI) and early intervention are potentially effective initiatives to reduce the prevalence of UI. We aimed to apply machine-learning techniques to establish, internally validate, and provide interpretable risk assessment tools. Data from a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of female urinary incontinence conducted in 2022 were used. Sociodemographic and obstetrics-related characteristics, comorbidities, and urinary incontinence questionnaire results were used to develop multiple prediction models. Seventy percent of the individuals in the study cohort were employed in model training, and the remainder were used for internal validation. Model performance was characterized by area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves, as well as Brier scores. The best-performing model was finally selected to develop an online prediction tool. The results showed that bothersome stress urinary incontinence (BSUI) occurred in 9.6% (849 out of 8,830) of parous women. The XGBoost model achieved the best prediction performance (training set: AUC 0.796, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.778-0.815, validation set: AUC 0.720, 95% CI: 0.686-0.754). Additionally, the XGBoost model achieved the lowest (best) Brier score among the models, with sensitivity of 0.657, specificity of 0.690, accuracy of 0.688, positive predictive value of 0.231, and negative predictive value of 0.948. Based on this model, the top five risk factors for the development of BSUI among parous women were ranked as follows: body mass index, age, vaginal delivery, constipation, and maximum fetal birth weight. An online calculator was provided for clinical use. The application of machine-learning algorithms provides an acceptable, though not perfect, prediction of BSUI risk among parous women, requiring further validation and improvement in future research.

Asymmetric effects of planting pattern and density on leaf-height traits of Glycine max and Amaranthus retroflexus

Abstract Environmentally sustainable weed management is crucial to meet the increasing demand for food. Previous studies have demonstrated that improving spatial uniformity and planting density can effectively suppress weeds. However, research on how planting patterns (PPs) affect the functional traits of crops and weeds is limited. In 2019 and 2021, we conducted a field experiment to compare the functional traits and biomass of Glycine max and Amaranthus retroflexus in two PPs—row (R) and equidistant (E)—with varying combinations of G. max and A. retroflexus densities. We found that the EPP amplified the competitive ability of G. max in size-asymmetric competition with A. retroflexus, and this advantage increased alongside higher G. max density, primarily due to functional traits related to light acquisition. In the EPP, G. max established a closed canopy during the early growth stage, reducing light availability to A. retroflexus. This advantage was reflected in higher leaf area index (LAI) and leaf dry weight (LDW) for G. max in the EPP than in the RPP, while A. retroflexus experienced reduced LAI and plant height (PH) due to increased shading in the EPP. Consequently, the EPP enhanced the total biomass and yield of G. max by an average of 40.81% and 37.72%, respectively, while the biomass of A. retroflexus decreased by an average of 34.52% compared to the RPP. These results suggest that adopting an EPP with a high density of G. max, could be an effective strategy for suppressing A. retroflexus and improving crop yield.

Abstract A024: Tissue biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment predicting the development of cachexia in pancreatic cancer patients

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant challenges due to its aggressive nature and the limited efficacy of existing treatments. The complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor cell itself remain poorly understood, particularly in relation to cancer cachexia, which is characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, systemic inflammation, and metabolic disturbances, and has a profound impact on PDAC outcomes. This study investigated the role of the TME in the development of cachexia in PDAC patients, focusing on the potential of cachexia-related proteins as tissue biomarkers in the TME. In this retrospective study, tissue samples from 13 PDAC patients obtained via Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration at the time of diagnosis were analyzed using immunofluorescence staining, supplemented by epidemiological data. The initial classification of cachexia based on epidemiological data, including patients body mass index and three-month weight changes, was further refined through body composition trend analysis during 180 days after the diagnosis with consecutive computed tomography images. These detailed classification criteria allowed for a more realistic classification of cachexia compared to the conventional classification of cachexia based on weight change, resulting in 5 patients being classified as cachexia and 8 as non-cachexia. We selected NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase) as a candidate tissue biomarker, a rate-limiting enzyme crucial in the NAD+ salvage pathway, due to its significant role in cellular metabolism, and the regulation of energy depletion and consumption in muscle cells. We hypothesized that NAMPT is closely linked to the mechanisms of cachexia because NAD+ is essential for muscle regeneration. Additionally, PTHLH (Parathyroid Hormone-Like Hormone), selected as another candidate marker, plays a critical role by being secreted from tumor cells, promoting cancer cell growth and metastasis. The overexpression of PTHLH can lead to malignant hypercalcemia, which may trigger severe systemic inflammatory responses in cancer patients, contributing to the development of cachexia. We utilized the coordinated expression of these two proteins as potential tissue biomarkers predicting cachexia at the time of diagnosis of PDAC. In our study, PTHLH expression was significantly elevated in the cachexia group, while NAMPT expression was higher in the non- cachexia group. Although both markers are known to be overexpressed in most metastatic pancreatic cancers, their correlations vary depending on the presence of cachexia. These findings suggest that even in metastatic pancreatic cancer, these markers can serve as precise biomarker signatures that determine the possibility of developing cachexia. To further validate our findings, we are currently testing a larger validation set (cachectic PDAC patients=100, non-cachectic PDAC patients=100) to determine whether the expression of these two markers can be utilized as biomarkers for the early detection of cachexia. Citation Format: Hyun Jung Kee, Jinhee Lee, Ju Young Bae, Hia Jung, Jeehoon Kim, Galam Leem, Hee Seung Lee, Jeong Youp Park, Seungmin Bang, Seung Woo Park, Moon Jae Chung. Tissue biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment predicting the development of cachexia in pancreatic cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor-body Interactions: The Roles of Micro- and Macroenvironment in Cancer; 2024 Nov 17-20; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(22_Suppl):Abstract nr A024.

A Hybrid Fuzzy Evaluation Method for Quantitative Risk Classification of Barrier Lakes Based on an AHP Method Extended by D Numbers

The risk classification of barrier lakes is the key to conducting emergency treatment in a scientific manner. However, risk classification faces difficulties such as a short time for risk evaluation, complex evaluation indicators, difficulty in obtaining information quickly, and quantifying index weights. Based on this, this paper constructs a quantitative risk classification model for barrier lakes based on D-AHP. On the basis of studies on nearly 100 cases of barrier lakes, an eight-factor evaluation index system and quantitative classification are proposed. The methods of rapid calculation of reservoir capacity curve of barrier lakes and intelligent identification of particles on the surface of barrier bodies were developed, which realized the rapid acquisition of eight-factor evaluation index information in an emergency environment. The D-AHP method dealt with inconsistent weight assignment to evaluation factors by experts, which helped achieve weight quantification of eight factors. The risk assessment on 15 barrier lakes such as Tangjiashan barrier lake shows that the conclusions drawn for the risk classification method proposed in this paper are basically consistent with those of the traditional table-lookup method. However, the table-lookup method ignores cumulative loss impacts on the risk level of barrier lakes and considers the extremely severe loss of barrier lakes as a sufficient condition for the evaluation level to be grade I, and thus a deviation in the evaluation. The risk classification method proposed in this paper is more reasonable and reliable.

Quebec Health-Related Quality-of-Life Population Norms Using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3: Stratification by Sociodemographic Data and Health Problems.

To provide population utility norms from the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) for the province of Quebec, Canada. This study used data from the Care Trajectories Enriched Data (TorSaDE) cohort, which combines data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) and the Quebec Provincial Insurance Board [Régie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ)]. The CCHS is a multiround health-related survey conducted by Statistics Canada since 2007. For each round spanning over 2 years, respondents were randomly selected and completed an online questionnaire. Quebec data for the HUI3 were available in the CCHS for rounds 2007, 2009, and 2013. The RAMQ database is an administrative database that contains information on health care services use and medical diagnostics. HUI3 scores were stratified by sociodemographic variables, as well as by self-reported health problems in the CCHS and by medical diagnostics from the RAMQ. Medical diagnostics were retrieved for the CCHS completion year and the year before and identifiable with the ICD-9 code in the RAMQ database. A total of 55,656 individuals were considered in this analysis. The mean (95% CI) and the median interquartile range of HUI3 were respectively 0.919 (0.918-0.919) and 0.973 (0.905-1) for the entire population. Individuals with lower scores were females, those aged 75 and over, divorced or widowed, unemployed during the last 12 months, less educated, or with a lower annual household income. Individuals born abroad and with normal weight of body mass index had higher utility scores. HUI3 score decreased with the number of diagnosed diseases from 0.946 (0.946-0946) for individuals without diagnosed disease to 0.682 (0.678-0.686) for individuals diagnosed with up to 18 diseases. Regardless of the number of diagnosed diseases in the RAMQ database, individuals who self-reported suffering from a single health problem presented a significantly lower HUI3 ranging from 0.944 (0.943-0.944) for Asthma to 0.789 (0.782-0.796) for Alzheimer compared with 0.956 (0.956-0.957) for individuals with no reported health problems. The same pattern was observed when considering individuals regardless of the diagnosed and self-reported diseases. Utility score norms for HUI3 were produced in the general population of Quebec. Significant differences among various health problems were identified and norms can be used to compare populations in studies that do not have a control group.

Assessing Flood Risks in Coastal Plain Cities of Zhejiang Province, Southeastern China

Constructing a precise and effective evaluation index system is crucial to flood disaster prevention and management in coastal areas. This study takes Lucheng District, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, southeastern China, as a case study and constructs an evaluation index system comprising three criterion levels: disaster-causing factors, disaster-gestation environments, and disaster-bearing bodies. The weights of each evaluation index are determined by combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the entropy method. The fuzzy matter-element model is utilized to assess the flood disaster risk in Lucheng District quantitatively. By calculating the correlation degree of each evaluation index, the comprehensive index of flood disaster risk for each street area is obtained, and the flood disaster risk of each street area is classified according to the risk level classification criteria. Furthermore, the distribution of flood disaster risks in Lucheng District under different daily precipitation conditions is analyzed. The results indicate that: (1) the study area falls into the medium-risk category, with relatively low flood risks; (2) varying precipitation conditions will affect the flood resilience of each street in Lucheng District, Wenzhou City. The flood disaster evaluation index system and calculation framework constructed in this study provide significant guidance for flood risk assessment in coastal plain cities.

Phenotypic Trait Analysis of Tomato (Solanum lysopersicum) Genotypes in Qatar and Indian Agro-climatic Conditions

Background: The study included four genotypes of tomato (EC620378, EC620380, EC620383, EC620534) which were cultivated to find out their similarities and differences based on phenotypic traits when they were grown under different soil zones of Doha (Qatar) and Meerut (India) to find out that which of the genotypes can be cultivated better in Qatar and India. Methods: The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) with two replications. Statistical analysis for variation in quantitative characteristics among genotypes was done by collecting data in 15 qualitative and quantitative traits. Data showed great variation for almost all the traits. The principal component analysis involved plant height and days to marketable maturity as the most discriminating trait that accounted for greater variability in genotypes in both zones, and they should be considered in tomato improvement programs. The correlation analysis showed that fruit yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with number of fruits per plant and fruit width. Present findings suggest that the identified superior genotypes may be utilized by different farms to further improve their breeding and cultivation strategies. Result: In Indian soil zone, genotype EC620534 performed extremely well in terms of maximum yield per plant. Similarly, in Qatar soil zone, EC620534 and EC620380 performed well. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than its corresponding genotypic counterpart (GCV) for all characters studied showing environmental influence. High broad-sense heritability were recorded for days to marketable maturity, fruit shape index and fruit weight in both agro-climatic zones, they were associated with low genetic advance indicating non-additive gene action and environmental influence, hence, heterosis breeding is recommended.

Association of joint exposure to organophosphorus flame retardants and phthalate acid esters with gestational diabetes mellitus: a nested case-control study

BackgroundOrganic phosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) and phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are common endocrine-disrupting chemicals that cause metabolic disorders. This study aimed to assess the association between joint exposure to OPFRs and PAEs during early pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsSeven OPFRs and five PAEs were detected in the urine of 65 GDM patients and 100 controls using gas chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The association of OPFRs and PAEs with GDM was assessed using logistic regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models.ResultsLevels of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), tributyl phosphate (TBP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) increased in the GDM group, and the OPFRs and PAEs, except for BBP and TMCP, were associated with GDM in the logistic regression analysis. In the WQS model, the mixture of OPFRs and PAEs was significantly positively associated with GDM (OR = 3.29, 95%CI = 1.27–8.51, P = 0.014), with TDCPP having the highest WQS index weight. BKMR analysis reinforced these results, showing that the overall association of joint exposure to the OPFRs and PAEs with GDM increased at exposure levels of the 55th to 75th percentiles. Independent exposure to TDCPP (OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.09–1.86, P = 0.011) and TBEP (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.04–1.60, P = 0.023) were associated with an increased risk of GDM.ConclusionsEnvironmental exposure to OPFRs and PAEs is significantly associated with GDM. These findings provide evidence for the adverse effects of exposure to OPFRs and PAEs on the health of pregnant women.

Vitamin D3 requirements and relative bioavailability for starter male White Pekin ducks fed either cholecalciferol or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol

The objectives were to investigate effects of various concentrations of dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on growth performance, VD3 status, calcium (Ca) metabolism, and tibia mineralization of starter male White Pekin ducks, and dietary requirements and relative bioavailability of these two compounds. One-day-old male White Pekin ducks (n = 624) were assigned to 13 dietary treatments, including 6 added VD3 concentrations (100, 200, 400, 800, 1200, and 2000 IU/kg), and 2 vitamin D3 sources (VD3 and 25-OH-D3), plus a negative control (no vitamin D3 supplementation) for 21 days. Each group had 6 replicate pens of 8 birds per pen. At 21 days of age, growth performance, carcass traits, plasma 25-OH-D3 and Ca content, and tibia mineralization were examined. There was a high incidence of leg disease and mortality in ducks fed the control diet; however, those negative effects were avoided by adequate VD3 or 25-OH-D3 supplementation. Ducks in the negative control group had the lowest body weight, average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), breast muscle percentage, plasma 25-OH-D3, plasma Ca, and tibia indices (weight, diameter, ash, density, tibia mineral, strength) (P < 0.05), with all these end points enhanced linearly or quadratically as dietary VD3 or 25-OH-D3 increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at 100 or 200 IU/kg, ducks fed 25-OH-D3 had greater body weight, ADG, ADFI, plasma Ca, plasma 25-OH-D3, tibia weight, tibia diameter, tibia ash than those fed VD3 (P < 0.05), indicating 25-OH-D3 was more effective in stimulating growth, Ca absorption, and tibia mineralization. For growth performance, breast muscle percentage, plasma Ca, and tibial indices of starter male Pekin ducks, the VD3 requirements were 281 to 633 IU/kg, whereas 25-OH-D3 requirements were 119 to 395 IU/kg. Based on slope ratio comparisons from multiple linear regressions of plasma 25-OH-D3, bioavailability of 25-OH-D3 was 186% relative to cholecalciferol.

Association between self-reported weight loss and new long-term care insurance certifications: A 9-year Japanese older adult cohort study.

This cohort study aimed to assess weight loss associated with new long-term care insurance (LTCI) certifications over a 9-year period, accounting for the competing risk of death. We analyzed data from 3749 Japanese individuals aged ≥65 years in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Weight loss was assessed using the Kihon Checklist during the baseline survey. Data regarding LTCI certifications were collected until March 2022. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 9-year LTCI certification because of weight loss, adjusted for confounding factors. To exclude the effect of competing risks, Fine-Gray regression was used to estimate subdistribution HRs. Subgroup analyses were carried out after the examination of potential interactions between subjective cognitive function, body mass index categories and weight loss. The incidence rate of new LTCI certifications was 5.16 per 100 person-years overall - broken down into 7.02 for those with weight loss and 4.97 for those without. The adjusted HR for weight loss to new LTCI certifications was 1.35 (95% CI 1.15-1.59). Considering mortality as a competing risk, the adjusted subdistribution HR was 1.37 (95% CI 1.16-1.61). Conversely, no interaction was observed between weight loss and subjective cognitive function or body mass index categories. Excluding the effect of mortality, weight loss was identified as a risk factor for new LTCI certifications. However, no interaction was observed between weight loss and subjective cognitive function or body mass index categories. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.