Intense Changes Research Articles

Chronic Use Safety of Agomelatine and Combinations: Impact on Hematological, Biochemical, and Histopathological Parameters in Gender-Specified Rats

Introduction: Polypharmacy may lead to changes in the action profile and toxicity of medicines. Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the association of the antidepressant agomelatine (AGO) with losartan (LOS), simvastatin (SIM), and metformin (MET), after subchronic treatment, on hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in Wistar rats. Methods: The animals were randomly divided into ten groups for each sex and treated for 90 days, per os, with saline, AGO, LOS, SIM, MET, or combinations (AGO+LOS, AGO+SIM, AGO+MET, LOS+SIM+MET, and AGO+LOS+SIM+MET). We evaluated hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Regarding hematological alterations, the main changes occurred in the erythrogram. Results: Females in polypharmacy were more prone to develop hematological and biochemical alterations. Hepatic and renal functions were the most affected among biochemical parameters. Agomelatine, in association, increased the risk of histopathological changes in males and females, especially in the liver, kidneys, and spleen. Females presented more intense hepatic histopathological changes when AGO was associated with SIM and MET. Females using MET or AGO+MET were more prone to develop histopathological changes than males. The spleen was significantly affected in females, corroborating erythrogram alterations. Conclusion: Agomelatine in association altered the safety profile of drugs, especially in females, indicating caution in their use in polypharmacy with commonly prescribed drugs.

Impacts of land use changes on water conservation in the Songhuajiang River basin in Northeast China using the SWAT model

The Songhuajiang River basin (SRB) in Northeast China underwent obvious changes in land use in recent years, which might lead to intense changes in basin hydrology and water conservation. Therefore, to evaluate the effects of land use changes on the hydrological cycle and associated water conservation in the SRB, a calibrated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used. The model auto-calibration was conducted using the SWAT-CUP (SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Procedures) tool. Results revealed that calibration of three crop yields of corn (Zea mays L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.), and soybean (Glycine max L.) during the study period (2001–2018) had the Percent BIAS (PBIAS) values of −8.7 %∼3.0 %, 6.2 %∼19.7 %, and −8.7 %∼7.2 %, respectively in 15 zones. Good agreements were obtained for simulated results of streamflow in comparison with measured data from 12 hydrological stations, in which the overall Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values for the calibration (2009–2012) and validation (2013–2015) periods were 0.60 and 0.64, respectively, and the overall PBIAS values were 7.7 % and 15.4 %. For the land use changes, the hydrological cycle of corn to rice (all hydrological variables change by more than 18 %) was more complex and intense than that of corn to soybean (all hydrological variables change not exceed 5 %). According to the simulation results of water conservation, this study found that the implementation of the policy-driven replacement of corn with soybean in the SRB was feasible. As for the economy-driven conversion from corn to rice, it is necessary to consider the substantial impacts on the hydrological cycle and the decline in water conservation. Based on simulation results, it is not recommended that producers in the Western SRB promote corn to rice conversion.

Metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism in the reproductive age. Hormonal profile in different ethnicities women

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MS) with hyperandrogenism comorbidity in women is considered a common concept; however, the contribution of the neuroendocrine regulation system indicators to this in reproductive age remains unclear.The aim. To analyze the activity of neuroendocrine regulation system in women of reproductive age of different ethnic groups with metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism.Materials and methods. The groups of women with MS of Russian (n = 209) and Buryat (n = 84) ethnic groups and a group of women with MS and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of Russian (n = 23) and Buryat (n = 10) ethnic groups were formed.Results. In women of reproductive age of the Russian ethnic group with MS and PCOS the study noted higher levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (p = 0.030), testosterone (Ts) (p = 0.026), free androgen index (FAI) (p < 0.0001), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) (p < 0.0001), and reduced levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (p < 0.0001) in relation to the control; in relation to the group with MS, we discovered increased values of AMH (p < 0.001), Ts (p = 0.030), FAI (p < 0.001), DHEA-S (p < 0.0001), and decreased values of SHBG (p = 0.001). In women of the Buryat ethnic group with MS and PCOS the study recorded increased values of AMH (p = 0.045), Ts (p = 0.002), FAI (p < 0.0001), DHEA-S (p = 0.033), decreased SHBG (p = 0.016) and 17-OH-progesterone (p = 0.027) levels in comparison with the control; in comparison with the group with MS we noted a higher level of DHEA-S (p = 0.006) and a decreased level of SHBG (p = 0.028).Conclusion. Women with metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism showed more intense changes in the neuroendocrine regulation system relative to control values regardless of ethnicity. In Russian women, the combined syndrome (MS with PCOS) was accompanied by a greater number of hormonal changes compared to the monosyndrome (MS) than in Buryat women. The data obtained indicate the need to assess and control the content of these metabolites in women with MS and PCOS, taking into account ethnicity.

Anthropogenic land consolidation intensifies zoonotic host diversity loss and disease transmission in human habitats.

Anthropogenic land-use change is an important driver of global biodiversity loss and threatens public health through biological interactions. Understanding these landscape-ecological effects at local scales will help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by balancing urbanization, biodiversity and the spread of infectious diseases. Here, we address this knowledge gap by analysing a 43-year-long monthly dataset (1980-2022) of synanthropic rodents in Central China during intensive land-use change. We observed a notable increase in the mean patch size, coinciding with a substantial change in rodent community composition and a marked decline in rodent diversity; eight of the nine local rodent species experienced near-extirpation. Our analysis reveals that these irregular species replacements can be attributed to the effect of land consolidation on species competition among rodents, favouring striped field mice, a critical reservoir host of Hantaan virus (HTNV). Consequently, land consolidation has facilitated the proliferation of striped field mice and increased the prevalence of HTNV among them. This study highlights the importance of considering both direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic activities in the management of biodiversity and public health.

Assessing visual performance during intense luminance changes in virtual reality

During indoor-outdoor transitions humans encounter luminance changes beyond the functional range of the photoreceptors, leaving the individual at risk of overlooking harmful low-contrast objects until adaptation processes re-enable optimal vision. To study human visual performance during intense luminance changes, we propose a virtual reality based simulation platform. After linearization of the headset's luminance output, detection times were recorded for ten participants. The small (FWHM = 0.6°) low-contrast stimuli appeared randomly in one of four corners (±10°) after luminance changes of three magnitudes within 1 or 3 s. Significantly decreased detection times were observed for the conditions with simulated self-tinting lenses compared to lenses with fixed transmission rates after luminance decreases. In cases of luminance increases all detection times were similar. In conclusion, the proposed virtual reality simulation platform allows for studying vision during or after steep luminance changes and helps to design technical aids like self-tinting lenses.

Extreme weather impact on carbon-neutral power system operation schemes: A case study of 2060 Sichuan Province

The impact of increasingly frequent and intense climate change events on power supply and consumption has become a concern for many countries. This study evaluated the impact of extreme weather on the power system economy and security by conducting an empirical case study of the Sichuan power network to address uncertainty attributed to different extreme weather events under carbon neutrality scenarios. First, our paper proposed a CNPSSO model of four seasonal typical days by jointly considering the regional hourly disparities of load curves and renewable power output curves. Then, the model creatively introduced the effects of extreme weather on the power supply and demand curves based on various scenario analyses. The most cost-effective output strategy using various generation technologies was provided based on optimization models. Finally, Sichuan Province, a hydropower-dominated province was selected as an empirical case study. The results indicate that extreme weather significantly affects the hourly operational and dispatching schemes of Sichuan's power system. Compared to the "Normal weather scenario”, hydropower's share plummets from 83.3 % to 46.1 %, while pumped storage surges 7.1 billion kWh in summer in extremely hot and dry weather. Imported electricity rises by 24.4 %, 30.5 % and 24.8 % in dry scenario, extremely hot and dry scenario, and extremely cold scenario, respectively. Furthermore, extreme weather increases carbon emissions (mainly from thermal power and imported electricity) and costs. Specifically, when juxtaposed against normal weather, extreme drought, extreme heat drought and extremely cold lead to respective increases in carbon emissions by 32.9 %, 33.5 %, and 12.3 %. Regarding the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), "Extremely dry scenario”, "Extremely hot and dry scenario”, and "Extremely cold scenario” drive up the LCOE by 7.2 %, 9.2 %, and 4.2 %, respectively.

Wake-up with no pain: The Impact of Different Wake-up Ringtones on Awakening Status

The awakening process sets the tone for daily performance. Traditional alarm sounds like radar or sirens, are often abrupt and startling, which can trigger stress response and emotional problems. Existing research that focuses on human physiological indicators during arousal has not reached the impact of wake-up alarms. This study aims to apply photoplethysmographic (PPG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) sensors to meticulously assess the physical and emotional impact triggered by different alarm tones during wake-up process. Those includes human stress responses such as heart rate, EDA, and emotional state. We selected four type of alarm clock sounds, bird singing, ocean sound, radar sound and old telephone. Participants in this study will first put on EDA and PPG sensors before they take a quick sleep. Then, they will be awakened by either natural or harsh wake-up alarms without knowing it in advance. During the experiment, EDA and PPG sensors were used to monitor their physiological states and the data will be analyzed to identify stress patterns and trends. We specially focus on the sudden change when the alarm goes off and the recovery process followed by. The results indicate that participants awaken to harsh alarms had a more intense change in heart rate and emotional stress, while the signal in group of natural sounds was smoother. Our findings provide empirical evidence on the relationship between wake-up alarm sounds and stress responses. There is strong evidence(p-value<0.025) that arousal with more natural sounds causes less heart rate and emotional changes.

The influence of storage conditions on the dynamics of physicochemical markers of champignon (Agaricus bisporus) quality

Agaricus bisporus are the most common cultivated mushrooms. Champignons are a source of chitin, glycogen and minerals, and also have attractive organoleptic properties. Physicochemical and organoleptic characteristics of fresh Agaricus bisporus undergo significant changes during storage due to moisture transpiration, respiration and oxidative processes. The purpose of this work was to study the influence of storage conditions of cultivated champignons with unstained cap epithelium on the dynamics of their physicochemical parameters, as well as its relationship with changes in organoleptic parameters. The mushrooms were stored in refrigerated chambers at a constant temperature of +2 °C and +6 °C in polypropylene trays placed in bags made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) perforated film and polyethylene (PE) film without perforation. Under all storage conditions studied, the nature of the dynamics of physicochemical parameters was close to linear (with the exception of the humidity of fruiting bodies when stored in PE film) — the calculated values of the Pearson correlation coefficient ranged from 0.67 to 0.97. Using two-factor analysis of variance, the influence of both packaging material and storage temperature on the dynamics of soluble solids content and mushroom tissue density was confirmed. When stored in PE film without perforation, a more intense negative dynamics of these criteria was observed compared to storage in perforated BOPP film. The identified difference is explained by the fact that in packaging made of PE film without perforation, conditions for anaerobic respiration were formed by the end of storage — the oxygen content decreased from 20.5% to 1.5–2.5%, which also contributed to the activation of decay processes. With increasing storage temperature, a more intense change in physicochemical parameters was observed, which was associated with an increase in metabolic rate. The relationship between the dynamics of all studied physicochemical quality markers and the dynamics of sensory assessments (with the exception of the marker "content of soluble solids" when stored in a perforated BOPP film at a temperature of 2 °C) has been statistically confirmed. Based on the results of the studies, the applicability of the criteria “humidity of fruiting bodies”, “content of soluble dry substances” and “density of fungal tissue” as markers for assessing the quality of cultivated Agaricus bisporus was confirmed.

Genetic diversity of the fungal community that contributes to the sensory quality of coffee beverage after carbonic maceration and fermentation.

Understanding the effects of microorganisms on coffee fermentation is crucial to ensure sensory quality and food security. The analysis of the dynamics of the microbial community during fermentation can contribute to a better understanding of the beneficial and harmful effects of microorganisms and help select starter cultures to improve coffee quality. Furthermore, the anaerobic environment produced by carbonic maceration of the coffee fruits inhibits aerobic respiratory processes and stimulates fermentative metabolism, modulating the microbial community during coffee fermentation. This study evaluated the effects of carbonic maceration in the fungal community dynamics during the fermentation of Coffea arabica fruits at 18, 28, and 38°C for 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120h. Fungal diversity was accompanied by high-throughput sequencing (NGS) of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region. During the coffee fermentation, the fungal community changed over time, with the most significant changes occurring at 18 and 28°C after 72h. However, at 38°C, there were greater variations in fungal composition and fungal diversity was highest after 120h. The yeast Pichia cephalocereana was predominant in the fermentations. These results indicated that temperature and fermentation conditions influence the fungal community during coffee fermentation. Lower temperatures might favor a more stable microbial environment, while higher temperatures lead to more intense changes. Thus, our data from NGS can help in the identification, isolation, and metabolic characterization of fungi for the fermentation of coffee fruits.

Riverine connectivity modulates elemental fluxes through a 200- year period of intensive anthropic change in the Magdalena River floodplains, Colombia

Tropical floodplain lakes are increasingly impacted by human activities, yet their pathways of spatial and temporal degradation, particularly under varying hydrological connectivity regimes and climate change, remain poorly understood. This study examines surface-sediment samples and 210Pb-dated sediment cores from six floodplain lakes, representing a gradient in hydrological connectivity in the lower Magdalena River Basin, Colombia. We analysed temporal and spatial variations in several sediment biogeochemical indicators: the concentration and flux of nutrients, heavy metals, and organic matter (OM), and redox conditions, flooding and erosion. Multiple factor analysis (MFA) of surface-sediments identified redox conditions, OM, flooding, heavy metals and lake connectivity as the main contributors to spatial variability within- and between-lakes sediments, accounting for 48 % of the total variation. Additionally, no clear distinction was found between littoral and open-water sediment characteristics. Isolated lakes sediments exhibited reductive conditions rich in OM and nutrients, whereas connected lakes sediments showed greater heavy metal enrichment and higher concentrations of coarse river-fed material. Generalised additive models identified significant changes in the biogeochemical indicators since the late 1800s, that accelerated post-1980s. Shifts in OM, erosion, flooding, redox conditions, land-cover change, heavy metals and climate were identified by MFA as the main drivers of change, explaining 60 %-71 % of the variation in the connected lakes and 53 %-72 % in the isolated lakes. Post-1980s, connected lakes transitioned from conditions of higher accumulation of OM and little erosion to higher accumulation of heavy metals and river-fed material. Conversely, isolated lakes, shifted from detrital-heavy metal-rich sediments to OM-, and nutrient-rich, reductive sediments. Sedimentation rates also surged post-1980s, particularly in highly connected lakes, from 0.14 ± 0.07 g cm² yr⁻¹ to 0.5 ± 0.5 g cm² yr⁻¹, with elevated fluxes of metals, OM and nutrients. These changes in sediment biogeochemistry align with deforestation, river regulation and prolonged dry periods, highlighting the complexities behind establishing reliable reference conditions for pollution assessments in large, human-impacted tropical river systems.

Historical and legal aspects of corporate governance in LLCs according to the legislation of Poland and Ukraine

The article provides a detailed examination of the evolution of corporate governance in Ukraine and Poland, focusing on the development of legislation in both countries. The author analyzes the historical development of corporate structures, tracing their evolution from antiquity and the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting key stages and changes in legal norms regulating corporate governance in Poland and Ukraine. The article begins with a review of early forms of corporate structures in ancient civilizations and tracks their development through significant historical periods in Europe. The stages of corporate governance development in Poland and Ukraine during the 19th and 20th centuries are separately examined. In Ukraine, the formation of corporate governance was constrained by the legal norms of the Russian Empire, and only with the transition to a market economy in the 1990s a significant development of corporate forms was noticed, particularly it concerned limited liability companies (LLCs). In contrast, Poland’s development of corporate law was marked by intense changes, especially after the fall of the communist regime and accession to the European Union, which facilitated the eligibility of Polish corporate law according to European standards. The author provides a detailed analysis of the key stages of legal changes in both countries, including the codification of corporate law, adaptation to European norms, and the challenges encountered at each stage. The article also explores the impact of economic and political changes on the development of corporate governance in both countries, emphasizing that although the initial stages of corporate governance development in Ukraine and Poland were somehow similar due to geographical and historical closeness, their further development differed significantly. Poland went through stages of intensive reforming and EU integration, which substantially influenced the modernization of its corporate law. Meanwhile, significant changes in corporate governance in Ukraine began only in the 1990s and continue to modern days, facing certain challenges and obstacles on the way to full integration into European legal standards. The article reveals both common and different features of the evolution of corporate law in these countries. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the impact of historical and political factors on the formation of modern corporate practices and norms in both countries. The author concludes that despite the fact that both countries started moving into corporate governance from similar foundations, their subsequent development was significantly different because of the influence of both internal and external reasons. Poland has managed to successfully adapt its legislation according to European standards, while Ukraine is still in the process of transformation. This highlights the necessity for continued reforms in Ukraine, particularly for integration into the European legal space, which is critical for ensuring the stability and transparency of corporate governance in the country.

Implementation lessons learned from the University of California’s Diabetes Prevention Program Initiative

BackgroundThe University of California’s Diabetes Prevention Program (UC DPP) Initiative was implemented systemwide to address diabetes and obesity risk on all 10 campuses. As little is known about implementing lifestyle change programs in university settings, we examined implementation partners’ (i.e., UC DPP leaders and campus leads) perceptions of factors influencing program success on UC campuses.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with UC DPP leaders and campus leads to examine challenges and opportunities with university-based DPP delivery models. Interviews were recorded, professionally transcribed, and reviewed in detail by the research team. Transcripts were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis (RQA). The study was approved by the UCLA Institutional Review Board. All implementation partners provided verbal informed consent.ResultsTwenty-six implementation partners (8 UC DPP leaders and 18 campus leads) completed interviews in 2021. Seven themes were identified as critical for implementation, including (1) marketing and recruitment (i.e., market and recruit broadly through established channels as well as target at-risk populations); (2) enrollment (i.e., offer the program during convenient times and let participants know what to expect); (3) use an adaptable, evidence-based program; (4) secure funding for the program, participants, lifestyle coaches, and space; (5) hire experienced and dedicated staff and lifestyle coaches; (6) ensure leadership support; and (7) utilize campus linkages and resources. Perceptions of challenges faced with respect to these themes are also described.ConclusionsThis is one of the first studies to examine the challenges and opportunities of delivering an intensive lifestyle change program across 10 university sites. Understanding factors that enhance success of university-based diabetes prevention programs can facilitate UC DPP efforts and help inform delivery strategies of health and wellness programs across other university settings more broadly.

Relato de Experiência: Implementação de Ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional com Estudantes Universitários

The transition to higher education is a phase marked by intense changes in lifestyle, including eating habits. University students' diets are affected by factors such as lack of time, academic pressures, work, and financial issues, often resulting in the choice of quick, ultra-processed foods. Lack of time and stress are aspects that hinder the maintenance of a healthy diet, leading to inadequate eating practices (SANTOS, 2014). Additionally, there is a significant relationship between psychological aspects and eating behavior. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders can directly influence individuals' nutritional status (FRANÇA et al., 2012). Since students face both academic and emotional challenges, the intersection between Nutrition and Psychology becomes an essential tool for promoting healthier eating habits and improving quality of life. This report describes the experience of implementing a Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) program with students from the Psychology course at the University Center of Brasília (UniCEUB), aiming to improve their eating habits and encourage reflection on their food choices. Furthermore, the importance of Health Surveillance in monitoring and promoting food and nutritional security among students will be addressed.

Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Suitable Habitats for Typical Halophytic Vegetation in China Based on Maxent Model and Landscape Ecology Theory

The widespread and complex formation of saline soils in China significantly affects the sustainable development of regional ecosystems. Intense climate changes and regional land use further exacerbate the uncertainties faced by ecosystems in saline areas. Therefore, studying the distribution characteristics of typical halophytic vegetation under the influence of climate change and human activities, and exploring their potential distribution areas, is crucial for maintaining ecological security in saline regions. This study focuses on Tamarix chinensis, Tamarix austromongolica, and Tamarix leptostachya, integrating geographic information systems, remote sensing, species distribution models, and landscape ecological risk (LER) theories and technologies. An optimized MaxEnt model was established using the ENMeval package, incorporating 143, 173, and 213 distribution records and 13 selected environmental variables to simulate the potential suitable habitats of these three Tamarix species. A quantitative assessment of the spatial characteristics and the area of their potential geographical distribution was conducted. Additionally, a landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) of the highly suitable habitats of these three Tamarix species was performed using land use data from 1980 to 2020, and the results of the LERA were quantified using the Landscape Risk Index (LERI). The results showed that the suitable areas of Tamarix chinensis, Tamarix austromongolica, and Tamarix leptostachya were 9.09 × 105 km2, 6.03 × 105 km2, and 5.20 × 105 km2, respectively, and that the highly suitable habitats for the three species were concentrated in flat areas such as plains and basins. Tamarix austromongolica faced increasing ecological risk in 27.22% of its highly suitable habitat, concentrated in the northern region, followed by Tamarix chinensis in 16.70% of its area with increasing ecological risk, concentrated in the western and northern highly suitable habitats; Tamarix chinensis was the least affected, with an increase in ecological risk in only 1.38% of its area. This study provides valuable insights for the protection of halophytic vegetation, represented by Tamarix, in the context of China’s national land development.

Dynamic changes of media prefrontal cortex astrocytic activity in response to negative stimuli in male mice

Astrocytes play significant roles in regulating the central stress response. Chronic stress impairs the structure and function of astrocytes in many brain regions such as media prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in multiple neuropsychiatric conditions, but the astrocytic dynamics on the timescale of behavior remains unclear. Here, we recorded mPFC astrocytic activity in freely behaving mice and found that astrocytes are activated immediately by different aversive stimuli. Astrocyte specific GCaMP6s calcium indicator were virally expressed in mPFC astrocytes and fiber photometry experiments revealed that astrocytes are activated by tail-restraint (TRT), foot shock (FS), open arm exploration, stressor of height, predator odor and social defeat (SD) stress. ΔF/F analyses demonstrated that an unpredictable stimulus such as elevated platform stress (EPS) at the initial encounter induced the most intense and rapid changes in astrocytic calcium activity, while a predictable 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT) stimulus resulted in the weakest response with a longer peak latency. In TRT, FS or SD test, a somatic stimulus led to higher average calcium activity level and faster average peak latency in repeated trails. Similar to TMT stimulus, astrocytic calcium activity in elevated plus maze (EPM) test exhibited a smaller average change in amplitude and the longest peak latency during open arm exploration. Moreover, astrocytic calcium activity exhibited different changes across behavioral states in SD tests. Our findings show that mPFC astrocytes exhibit distinct patterns of calcium activity in response to various negative stimuli, indicating that the dynamic activity of astrocytes may reflect the stress-related behavioral state under different stimulus conditions.

Brilliant blue: The blue rock art of Awunbarna, Northern Territory, Australia

Within the extensively painted rockshelters of Awunbarna (Mt Borradaile) in western Arnhem Land, appears a cluster of paintings that are conspicuous amongst the traditional white, red, yellow, and black figures. Brilliant blue pigment has, for generations, captured the imagination of local Aboriginal community members and visitors, including rock art researchers. This rock art was created using laundry whiteners (such as Reckitt’s Blue) during a period of intense change in the region brought about by European arrival. This paper explores the largest documented cluster of laundry blue rock paintings in northern Australia. We investigate the subject matter, distribution, and manner of use at Awunbarna alongside its broader cultural and artistic context. We find that laundry blue rock art emerges as part of a flurry of innovative rock art being created in this region at the turn of the nineteenth–twentieth century and continuing, in rare instances, until the 1960s. We argue that blue paintings and the Painted Hand Figures represent two relatively short-lived, innovative experimental phases within an art-making tradition with Awunbarna as the epicentre for this rock art movement. Likewise, we suggest a very small number of artists may be responsible for the blue rock art of Awunbarna indicating its use may have been restricted to artists of a certain status.

Exploratory analysis of the variable response to an intensive lifestyle change program for metabolic syndrome

BackgroundSubstantial variability in response to lifestyle interventions has been recognized for many years, and researchers have begun to disentangle sources of error from inherent differences in individual responsiveness. The objective of this secondary analysis of an intensive lifestyle intervention (diet and exercise) for metabolic syndrome (MetS) was to identify potentially important differences among study completers grouped by treatment response as measured by change in a continuous metabolic syndrome score (Gurka/MetS).MethodsAll study completers from a 12-month primary care study were categorized into one of five groups according to change in the Gurka/MetS score. A change of 0.4 in z-score defined clinically relevant change in line with results of previous studies. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine cardiovascular disease risk and individual clinical indicators of MetS over 12 months, looking for differences in response over time by the five groups.ResultsOf 176 participants, 50% (n = 88) had stable scores, 10% (n = 18) had relevant change scores in the first 3 months only and reverted toward baseline, 20% (n = 35) achieved meaningful change over the whole study, 11% (n = 20) had a delayed response at 3–12 months, and 9% (n = 15) demonstrated worsening scores. Significant differential patterns were noted for groups over the duration of the intervention (p < .001). Improvement in diet quality and fitness scores were similar across all groups. Other available variables were tested and did not account for the differences.ConclusionWork is needed to identify key factors that account for differences in responses to lifestyle interventions that can be used to guide treatment decisions for intensive lifestyle interventions for this common condition.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01616563; first registered June 12, 2012.

Analysis of land use changes and soil erosion using the EPM-IntErO model in the Sokobanja Basin, Serbia

Soil erosion, with the progressive loss of fertile topsoil and its negative impact on agricultural productivity, has become a critical global environmental problem. In the second half of the 20th century, many municipalities in Serbia experienced significant changes in land use, vegetation, and environmental conditions. The drive towards industrialization and urbanization aimed to improve the living standards of the population, but as a consequence, it led to substantial depopulation of rural areas and the adoption of inadequate agricultural practices, which, in turn, further intensified soil erosion. This study focuses on the Sokobanjska Moravica River basin (Eastern Serbia), extending to the Bovan Lake Dam and upstream, with a total area of 540.4 km². The basin is situated in a characteristic karst landscape. Changes in erosion intensity and runoff from this basin are analyzed using the Intensity of Erosion and Outflow (IntErO) model, which algorithmically integrates the widely used Erosion Potential Method (EPM) with innovative computational techniques to predict sediment production and runoff from the river basin accurately. This analysis utilizes GIS software and official statistical yearbook data, focusing on the period from the second half of the 20th century, including the analysis of the current state. According to our research, the most intensive changes in land use occurred between 1961 and 1971, marking the beginning of the period of a decline in rural population and, consequently, a decrease in erosion intensity. Key findings indicate that predominant changes in land use and vegetation led to a shift from crop farming to animal husbandry. After 1971, ongoing depopulation, particularly in rural areas, resulted in a gradual and steady decrease in erosion intensity. The primary aim of this study is to support policymakers in developing more effective soil and water conservation regulations. By making recommendations for the protection of vegetation, and thus the soil within this river basin, this research helps ensure their long-term preservation. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of current land use practices and develop strategies to mitigate erosion in the context of changing climate conditions.

Research on Glacier Changes and Their Influencing Factors in the Yigong Zangbo River Basin of the Tibetan Plateau, China, Based on ICESat-2 Data

The intense changes in glaciers in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP) have essential impacts on regional water resource management. In order to study the seasonal fluctuations of glaciers in this region and their relationship with climate change, we focus on the Yigong Zangbo River Basin in the SETP, extract the annual and seasonal variations of glaciers in the basin during 2018–2023, and analyze their spatio-temporal characteristics through the seasonal-trend decomposition using the LOESS (STL) method. Finally, combining the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model and the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) model, we assess the comprehensive impact of meteorological factors such as temperature and snowfall on glacier changes. The results indicate that glaciers in the Yigong Zangbo River Basin experienced remarkable mass loss during 2018–2023, with an average annual melting rate of −0.83 ± 0.12 m w.e.∙yr−1. The glacier mass exhibits marked seasonal fluctuations, with increases in January–March (JFM) and April–June (AMJ) and noticeable melting in July–September (JAS) and October–December (OND). The changes over these four periods are 2.12 ± 0.04 m w.e., 0.93 ± 0.15 m w.e., −1.58 ± 0.19 m w.e., and −1.32 ± 0.17 m w.e., respectively. Temperature has been identified as the primary meteorological driver of glacier changes in the study area, surpassing the impact of snowfall. This study uses advanced altimetry data and meteorological data to monitor and analyze glacier changes, which provides valuable data for cryosphere research and also validates a set of replicable research methods, which provides support for future research in related fields.

Unpacking the stress-satisfaction-Performance triangle in the it workforce

The booming Information Technology (IT) sector has led to high job stress due to intense workloads and technological changes worldwide. Examining the relationship between job stress, satisfaction, and performance is vital for employee well-being and productivity in IT industry. The primary objective of this research was to analyse how job stress and job satisfaction collectively impact job performance in IT sector employees of Delhi-NCR. IT professionals (n=255) working in service-based company from various roles and experience levels were recruited. Participants' perceived levels of job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance using validated scales. Through statistical analyses, it was observed that higher levels of job satisfaction will be associated with lower job stress and enhanced job performance. Conversely, elevated job stress is expected to correlate with decreased job satisfaction and diminished job performance. The demographic and work-related variables of the study added context to these findings by elucidating personal experiences, working conditions, communication, and contextual factors that may moderate these relationships. By exploring the multifaceted connections between job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance, this study provides a valuable insight that can inform evidence-based practices for fostering healthier and more productive work environments in the IT industry.