Negative Changes Research Articles

Climate variability and change in Ecuador: dynamic downscaling of regional projections with RegCM4 and HadGEM2-ES for informed adaptation strategies

Ecuador, a country with distinct coastal (CO), highland (HL), and Amazon (AM) regions that are characterized by unique climatic, ecological, and socio-economic features is highly vulnerable to climate change. This study focuses on these three regions, highlighting their individual importance in the broader context of Ecuador's climate vulnerability. Utilizing dynamically downscaled data from the Regional Climate Model (RCM), we generated precipitation and air temperature projections for the period 2070–2099 under three different climate change scenarios. We indicate projected temperature increases across all three regions: mean temperature increases for the CO, HL and AM regions are of 1.35, 1.55, and 1.21°C, respectively. Each year, the largest temperature increases are predicted for the third quarter (June–August), with the smallest increases predicted for the last quarter (December–February). Precipitation patterns show varied changes, with CO exhibiting a positive mean daily change, in contrast to a mean negative change in the AM region. These region-specific projections underscore the differential impacts of climate change within Ecuador and highlight the necessity for tailored adaptation measures. The study's novel approach, focusing on distinct regional impacts within a single nation, offers valuable insights for policymakers, aiding in the development of effective, region-specific climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. This targeted approach is crucial to address unique challenges faced by different regions, thereby supporting national resilience strategies.

Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation and multimorbidity, and their caregivers: results from the AFFIRMO international online survey

Abstract Introduction Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often have additional concomitant chronic conditions that affect their clinical management and quality of life (QoL). The AFFIRMO study aims to examine ways of optimising care and self-management for AF patients with multimorbidity. Methods An online survey open to AF patients and their caregivers was distributed to five countries (UK, Italy, Denmark, Romania and Spain) between June 2022 and January 2023. QoL among patients was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire, while life changes for caregivers was assessed using the Bakas Caregiving Outcome Scale (BCOS). Results 659 patients (47.2% males, mean age: 70.9 [SD 10.2] years), and 201 caregivers (26.9% males, mean age 58.3 [SD 15.2] years) participated in the survey. Patients reported significant sex differences in health status (Table 1), with men reporting an overall higher QoL, while women reported greater impairment in mobility and usual activities, with higher levels of pain/discomfort. Patients aged >65 years reported greater impairment in QoL compared to the younger ones, with patients from Southern Europe reporting greater impairment in self-care than those from Eastern or Northern Europe. Patients with higher education reported better QoL. Among caregivers (Table 2), men reported less negative life changes compared to women, with the latter also reporting more pain/discomfort. Caregivers aged <65 years reported greater impairment in mobility and usual activities than those aged ≥65 years, and those aged <50 years reported a higher level of anxiety/depression. Caregivers aged <75 years reported greater negative life changes than those aged ≥75 years. Caregivers from Spain reported less negative life changes compared to caregivers from other countries. Caregivers with further education level reported better overall quality of life and greater negative life changes compared to caregivers with lower levels of education. Conclusions The QoL of patients with AF and multimorbidity seems to be compromised especially in females and in the older ones. The caregivers of these patients also experience negative life changes, in particular those with younger age. The results of the AFFIRMO study will help in the development of better clinical and self-management strategies for AF patients with multimorbidity to reduce the negative impact on QoL.Differences in patients' QoLDifferences in caregivers' QoL

Unravelling the Influence of Buddhist Liberal Arts Education on College Students’ Self-Reflection

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the measurable impact of Buddhist liberal arts courses on college students’ ability to engage in self-reflection. This study uses the data gathered to establish, through statistical analysis, any correlations between two variables—Buddhist liberal arts as courses as the independent variable and self-reflection intelligence as the continuous dependent variable. First, the following results of the study show that the mean of the four self-reflection sub-categories for the students who found that the courses were helpful was higher than that of the students who found that they were not helpful: self-awareness (4.10 ± 0.49 > 3.90 ± 0.87), self-design (3.84 ± 0.66 > 3.40 ± 0.97), self-regulation (4.01 ± 0.04 > 3.48 ± 0.18), and self-examination (4.21 ± 0.03 > 3.94 ± 0.15), respectively. Second, the mean of the four self-reflection sub-categories for students who experienced a positive change of their perception in the courses was higher than that of students who experienced a negative change, as follows: self-awareness (4.08 ± 0.50 > 3.75 ± 0.82), self-design (3.84 ± 0.68 > 3.51 ± 0.93), self-regulation (4.00 ± 0.59 > 3.56 ± 0.67), and self-examination (4.17 ± 0.49 > 4.04 ± 0.73), respectively. This study illuminates the role of Buddhist-related liberal arts courses in higher education, specifically in fostering students’ self-reflection skills. It offers valuable insights into educational practices aimed at enhancing self-reflection levels.

Modulating effect of the divergent and rotational wind induced by mesoscale sea surface temperature perturbations in the Kuroshio Extension

AbstractMesoscale wind stress perturbations induced by sea surface temperature (SST) perturbations have a feedback effect on the ocean by influencing air–sea heat and momentum fluxes. Unlike the thermal feedback mechanism, which is well understood, the momentum feedback still needs to be studied, especially the respective roles of divergent and rotational wind components. In this study, momentum feedback was examined using an ocean model and an empirical equation, which solved wind stress field perturbations from their divergence and curl estimated from time‐evolving downwind and crosswind SST gradients. Through several numerical experiments, it was found that both the divergent and rotational wind can induce positive and negative temperature changes at varying regions and depths. This modulating effect is weak, with a maximum SST change of about 0.4°C on average, but it can reach the deep ocean beyond 1000 m.

#1588 Modifiable factors associated with fatigue and prolonged recovery time in hemodialysis patients: a French multicenter observational study

Abstract Background and Aims Fatigue and dialysis recovery time (DRT) are two important patient-reported outcomes that highly affect the well-being of patients on hemodialysis. The DOPPS working group showed that prolonged DRT increases mortality. Therefore, this study aims to assess all modifiable dialysis-related factors, associated with DRT and fatigue, that could be addressed in future clinical trials. Method This is a French multicenter observational study that included all patients ≥ 18 years, on chronic hemodialysis for >3 months, who consented to participate during December 2023. Patients with cognitive problems, active cancer and admitted to hospital were excluded. The study got the approval of the local ethics committee. DRT was assessed six times by asking at each session for two non-consecutive weeks: "How long did it take you to recover from your last dialysis session?" Fatigue was assessed by using the French validated SONG-HD fatigue scale that includes three questions: in the last week, "did you feel tired?", "did you lack energy?", "did fatigue limit your usual activities?". Logistic regression analysis assessed the association between DRT>12 hours and fatigue score ≥4 with all demographic and dialysis-related factors. A sub-analysis of DRT-related factors was performed for very elderly ≥ 85 years. Results A total of 536 patients and 2967 sessions were analyzed. Mean age was 68.1 ± 14.3 years with 10.4% above 85 years; 60.9% were males, median dialysis vintage was 41 (22.5, 80) months, 33.2% had diabetes, 46.3% had cardiovascular (CV) disease, 5.2% were on nocturnal hemodialysis, 14.4% had a catheter and 63.3% were on HDF. Median dialysate sodium was 138 (136, 140) with a minimum of 130 to a maximum of 142. Median DRT was 140 (45, 440) minutes with 42.7% of patients recovering in <2 hours, 16.2% in 120-360 minutes, 26.1% in 361-720 minutes and 14.9% >12 hours. The mean SONG-HD fatigue score was 3.1 ± 2.3 with 18% having no fatigue and 37.7% having a score ≥4. DRT and fatigue score were significantly associated (P < 0.001). Factors significantly associated with DRT>12 hours are summarized in Table 1: sex, diabetes, CV disease, BMI, ultrafiltration rate/Kg/hour, duration of session, blood flow, Kt/V, blood pressure, membrane type and all routine blood tests were not associated with DRT whereas intradialytic change in natremia was significantly associated with recovery time (Fig. 1). In multivariable regression analysis, factors associated with a fatigue score ≥4 included females (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.51; P = 0.003), and lower hemoglobin (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.99; P = 0.003). In the subgroup of patients ≥85 years, HDF was associated with prolonged DRT (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.04, 17.03; P = 0.045) and lower hemoglobin was associated with fatigue (OR = 0.51; 95% CI :0.28, 0.93; P = 0.029). Conclusion DRT and fatigue are significantly associated however modifiable factors associated with prolonged DRT are not exactly similar to those associated with fatigue. A negative intra-dialytic change in natremia and low frequency of dialysis are two major factors associated with longer DRT, with HDF significantly associated with longer recovery in very elderly patients, whereas the modifiable independent factor associated with fatigue is the hemoglobin level.

#3029 Vitamin D-binding protein: a candidate biomarker for CKD progression

Abstract Background and Aims The toxic effects of filtered proteins on the tubules cause a more rapid progression of disease in individuals with higher levels of proteinuria, suggesting the presence of “high-risk candidate” proteins that could contribute to CKD progression. In our previous cross-sectional proteomic study, vitamin D-binding protein (VTDB) showed a significant association with kidney function. However, its persistent expression as a urinary protein in CKD patients remains unknown. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the persistent expression of VTDB in CKD patients and healthy controls during the follow-up period. Method The urinary proteomics was investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in 18 follow-up CKD patients with stages 1-3 and 15 follow-up healthy individuals. Data analysis was performed by Mascot-SwissProt and STATA software. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze results and the relationship between baseline characteristics and proteomic profile. Exponentially Modified Protein Abundance Index (emPAI) was used to estimate peptide count of proteins. Results The participant's baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1. The median (IQR) follow-up time for all participants was 368 (250-472) days. A statistically significant difference was found in the initial emPAI of VTDB between the HC and CKD groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the follow-up emPAI of VTDB between the two groups. Notably, emPAI values of VTDP decreased over the follow-up period compared to the initial values. Correlation analysis (Table 2) showed that the elevated levels of urinary VTDB emPAI are associated with decreased levels of initial and follow-up eGFR. A higher negative percentage change (a decline in eGFR over time) was also associated with elevated levels of VTDB protein over the follow-up period. Also, urinary VTDP protein has demonstrated a significant positive correlation with 24 h proteinuria. Conclusion In this proteomics study cohort, we observed persistent expression of urinary VTDB protein during the follow-up period in CKD patients compared to healthy controls. Additionally, a statistically significant negative correlation between VTDB protein and eGFR was observed. These findings need further validation using different measurement tools for urinary VTDB assessments and in a larger cohort of CKD patients. Declaration We have no conflict of interest to disclose.

A social network analysis approach to assess COVID19-related disruption to substance use treatment and informal social interactions among people who use drugs in Scotland.

To assess the extent of Coronavirus-related disruption to health and social care treatment and social interactions among people with lived or living experience of substance use in Scotland, and explore potential reasons for variations in disruption. Cross sectional mixed methods interview, incorporating a social network 'egonet interview' approach asking about whether participants had interactions with a range of substance use, health, social care or third sector organisations, or informal social interactions. Five Alcohol and Drug Partnership Areas in Scotland. 57 (42% women) participants were involved in the study, on average 42 years old. Five-point Likert scale reporting whether interactions with a range of services and people had gotten much better, better, no different (or no change), worse, or much worse since COVID19 and lockdown. Ratings were nested within participants (Individuals provided multiple ratings) and some ratings were also nested within treatment service (services received multiple ratings). The nested structure was accounted for using cross classified ordinal logistic multilevel models. While the overall average suggested only a slight negative change in interactions (mean rating 2.93), there were substantial variations according to type of interaction, and between individuals. Reported change was more often negative for mental health services (Adjusted OR = 0.93 95% CI 0.17,0.90), and positive for pharmacies (3.03 95% CI 1.36, 5.93). The models found between-participant variation of around 10%, and negligible between-service variation of around 1% in ratings. Ratings didn't vary by individual age or gender but there was variation between areas. Substance use treatment service adaptations due to COVID19 lockdown led to both positive and negative service user experiences. Social network methods provide an effective way to describe complex system-wide interaction patterns, and to measure variations at the individual, service, and area level.

Antibiotics alter development and gene expression in the model cnidarian Nematostella vectensis.

Antibiotics are commonly used for controlling microbial growth in diseased organisms. However, antibiotic treatments during early developmental stages can have negative impacts on development and physiology that could offset the positive effects of reducing or eliminating pathogens. Similarly, antibiotics can shift the microbial community due to differential effectiveness on resistant and susceptible bacteria. Though antibiotic application does not typically result in mortality of marine invertebrates, little is known about the developmental and transcriptional effects. These sublethal effects could reduce the fitness of the host organism and lead to negative changes after removal of the antibiotics. Here, we quantify the impact of antibiotic treatment on development, gene expression, and the culturable bacterial community of a model cnidarian, Nematostella vectensis. Ampicillin, streptomycin, rifampicin, and neomycin were compared individually at two concentrations, 50 and 200 µg mL-1, and in combination at 50 µg mL-1 each, to assess their impact on N. vectensis. First, we determined the impact antibiotics have on larval development. Next Amplicon 16S rDNA gene sequencing was used to compare the culturable bacteria that persist after antibiotic treatment to determine how these treatments may differentially select against the native microbiome. Lastly, we determined how acute (3-day) and chronic (8-day) antibiotic treatments impact gene expression of adult anemones. Under most exposures, the time of larval settlement extended as the concentration of antibiotics increased and had the longest delay of 3 days in the combination treatment. Culturable bacteria persisted through a majority of exposures where we identified 359 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The largest proportion of bacteria belonged to Gammaproteobacteria, and the most common ASVs were identified as Microbacterium and Vibrio. The acute antibiotic exposure resulted in differential expression of genes related to epigenetic mechanisms and neural processes, while constant application resulted in upregulation of chaperones and downregulation of mitochondrial genes when compared to controls. Gene Ontology analyses identified overall depletion of terms related to development and metabolism in both antibiotic treatments. Antibiotics resulted in a significant increase to settlement time of N. vectensis larvae. Culturable bacterial species after antibiotic treatments were taxonomically diverse. Additionally, the transcriptional effects of antibiotics, and after their removal result in significant differences in gene expression that may impact the physiology of the anemone, which may include removal of bacterial signaling on anemone gene expression. Our research suggests that impacts of antibiotics beyond the reduction of bacteria may be important to consider when they are applied to aquatic invertebrates including reef building corals.

Charge transfer dynamics in graphene quantum dot-porphyrin derivative nanohybrids appraised via experimental and theoretical calculations

This article is designed to unveil the electronic and spectroscopic property changes of electron withdrawing/releasing group substituted porphyrins, in porphyrin-graphene quantum dot nanohybrids via experimental and computational calculations. Herein, amino, methyl, fluoro & nitro derivatives of meso substituted Tetraphenylporphyrin referred as TAPP, TMPP, TFPP & TNPP respectively, are synthesized from the corresponding benzaldehydes. Charge transfer dynamics of their nanohybrid systems with graphene quantum dots are investigated by electronic spectroscopy, steady state fluorescence and lifetime decay analysis. Negative Gibb's free energy change and dynamic quenching constants stipulate a photoinduced electron transfer with dynamic quenching mechanism within the nanohybrids under scrutiny. Further the computational calculations with the aid of optimized geometries, scatter plots and energy decomposition analysis reflect the same experimental observations. Both experimental and computational studies show that the electron withdrawing group substituted porphyrins have higher interaction with GQD than the electron releasing group substituted porphyrins.

Changes in Resources and Volunteering: A Longitudinal Study of Active Engagement Among Older Europeans.

Volunteering is an important dimension of successful aging. Although prior studies have found that personal resources such as health and financial situations are associated with volunteering, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between resource changes and volunteering. Here, we investigated whether changes in individuals' resources were associated with volunteer engagement among older Europeans. Using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, collected in five waves between 2011 and 2020 across 19 countries (57,410 observations from 17,498 individuals aged 50 and above), we employed asymmetric fixed-effect ordinal regression models to investigate whether positive or negative resource changes were associated with the frequency of volunteering over time. We used three resource indicators: health, financial condition, and time availability (measured by engagement in paid work, grandparenting, and family care). Health deterioration and worsening financial condition were associated with a decreased frequency of volunteering. A transition out of weekly paid work and beginning to provide weekly grandchild care were both associated with an increased frequency of volunteering. We did not detect any further significant effects of resource changes on volunteering. Our study revealed asymmetrical associations between changes in resources and volunteering, providing new insights into their interplay. The results deepen our understanding of successful aging by emphasizing the need to consider the dynamics of all resources that either facilitate or hinder active engagements among older adults.

Hypogonadism as a consequence of craniopharyngioma in female patients: comparison of childhood and adult onset and effects of estrogen replacement therapy.

(1) to compare clinical, biochemical features in female patients with hypoestrogenism due to childhood- and adult-onset CP; (2) to reveal effects of estrogen replacement therapy in female patients with childhood-onset CP. Thirty-seven women that received specific treatment for CP in the period from 1980 to 2019 were recruited: 21 with childhood-onset and 16 with adult-onset CP. Clinical and hormonal characteristics were evaluated. Seventeen-beta-estradiol 2 mg and dydrogesterone 10 mg in sequential regiment was used in 18 childhood-onset cases. Mean follow-up was 31 months. Amenorrheic women with childhood- and adult-onset CP presented with the same complaints except for lack of genital hair and breast hypoplasia, which were common in patients with childhood-onset CP. BMI was lower in childhood-onset CP group, as was the proportion of overweight patients. They had more favorable lipid profile. The levels of estradiol, testosterone and DHEA-S were low and did not differ. Uterine and ovary volumes were reduced in all patients, but the decline was noticeable in the childhood-onset group. Mineral bone density of lumbar vertebrae was diminished in childhood-onset group. Estrogen therapy in these patients led to clinical improvement: increase in BMD in lumbar spine without negative changes in BMI and/or lipid profile. Study showed that women with childhood-onset CP had less negative metabolic changes. However, they have more pronounced breast and uterus hypoplasia and lower BMD in lumbar spine. The estrogen replacement therapy led to clinical improvement and BMD increase in lumbar spine without increase of BMI and/or lipid profile changes.

Эффекты воздействий радиочастотных электромагнитных полей на нервную систему. Эксперименты in vitro (обзор)

The effects of mobile communications on the population, primarily on children and adolescents as the cohort most vulnerable to any environmental factors, dictates the need for a thorough investigation into the impact of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on the central nervous system (CNS) as the main target of their action. In this regard, the analysis of experimental data as an indirect assessment of possible negative changes in the body of young animals under the influence of RF EMF, including 5G and Wi-Fi, is highly relevant. We performed a systematization of experimental data, which will be presented in two parts: in vitro and in vivo experiments. This article introduces materials indicating both diversity of approaches to studying the effects of RF EMF on the central nervous system and difficulties of systematizing the results of the experiments. The analysis of literature data showed that, despite the numerous studies into the effects of RF EMF in vitro, CNS cell cultures are used rather rarely. However, this paper examines in detail the results of in vitro experiments: changes in the action potential, morphological changes in cells and the myelin sheath, and changes in the permeability of the blood–brain barrier (using cultures of only nerve cells). It was established that, despite some inconsistency in the results obtained, most studies indicate a negative effect of RF EMF on CNS cells. The morphological and histological changes in CNS structures under the influence of RF EMF will be presented in the next part of the review.

COLD INHIBITION OF BIOACTIVITY OF PROBIOTIC MYCOBACTERIA AND AEROCOCCI IN THE MICROBIOME

The organism of farm animals is constantly under the influence of various factors of the external environment, and one of the negative factors of violation of the technology of keeping and creation of unsatisfactory conditions of existence with deterioration of well-being is cold injury. Mostly it manifests itself as a permanent effect of positive temperatures well below the physiological norm or periodic fluctuations of an uncomfortable temperature. Such a stress factor of low intensity, but permanent over a long period of time, causes negative pathophysiological changes in the macroorganism with the development of immune-depression, metabolic syndrome, perversions of the qualitative composition of the microbiome and, as a result, disruption of native physiological processes of stimulation of cellular mechanisms of nonspecific innate immunity, induced by immune-biological mechanisms of the functioning of neutrophil granulocytes. The negative effect of low-intensity permanent cold stress was studied on a model object - murchakаs, which were kept for two weeks at a temperature of 4-6 °C under conditions of light and movement restriction. Before the start of the experiment, initial microbiological studies of the microbiome of the large intestine were conducted using generally accepted methods. Resident indigenous probiotic prokaryotes - M. vaccae & A. viridans, which possessed typical species characteristics, were isolated. Pathogenic variants of enterobacteria were not isolated, isolated cultures of E. coli were apathogenic and belonged to the usual normal flora. A two-week cold injury resulted in the disappearance of the indigenous probiotic microbiota M. vaccae & A. viridans, which are indicator prokaryotes of the physiological well-being of the macroorganism, from the microbiome. At the same time, the number of potentially pathogenic enteral microorganisms, coccal and rod-shaped, increased. This was correlated with a decrease in the phagocytic activity of native neutrophil granulocytes and their preformed filamentous spatial nucleoprotective mesh structures, which inhibit the de-fragmentary function in relation to genetically non-syngenic objects.

Costs of forced retirement: Measuring the effect of lost work opportunity on health.

Unemployment is a known health stressor that also increases early retirements. This study addresses mixed literature on retiree health and under-reporting of forced retirement to better identify potential health impacts of lost work opportunity. A Lost-work Opportunity Score (LOS) was created using variables from the Health and Retirement Study assessing unemployment, forced retirement, and earlier-than-planned retirement for 2,576 respondents. Reliability and unidimensionality of the score with multivariate regression analyses examined health impacts controlling for demographics and prior health status. The LOS possessed unidimensionality with a Cronbach's Alpha of a = 0.76 while predicting self-reported health declines (LOS = 2; β = .381, OR = 1.464, p < .05) and depression increase (LOS = 2; β = .417, OR = 1.517, p < .05). LOS predicts 46% increased odds of negative self-reported health change after retirement associated with 2 LOS events, with implications to support aging workers.

Ranking genotype, environment, management effects on the optimum nitrogen rate for maize: A cropping system modeling analysis

AbstractRanking the contribution of genotype, environment, and management (G × E × M) on maize's economic optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate (EONR) variability could improve understanding and predictability of EONR. We performed a simulation experiment using the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator model with the objectives to (1) rank the effects of 24 individual G × E × M factors on the magnitude and interannual variability of the EONR across the US Midwest and (2) investigate the impact of G × M factors on the EONR variability under present and future climate scenarios. Results indicate that genetics (27%), management (31%), and environmental conditions (41%) each influence the EONR variability. Within these broad categories, the top three individual factors impacting the EONR were interannual weather variability, crop radiation use efficiency, and the soil inorganic N carryover from the previous year. The G × E × M factors influenced the yield response to N fertilizer in different ways. Soil‐related factors (e.g., organic matter and residual nitrate) influenced grain yields at the low N rates, while management factors (e.g., planting date and density) influenced yield at all N rates. Combining increases in plant density and changes in genetics synergistically increased the EONR by 15% from baseline. Future climate scenarios without adaptation decreased the EONR and yield loss, but crop adaptation was buffered against the negative climate change impacts. We concluded that 59% of the annual EONR variability is manageable (due to genetics and management) and that G × M factors could buffer climate change's negative effects on crop production. Present results can inform experimental research on N fertilizer and N rate decisions.

A Descriptive Study to Determine Anxiety and Depression Among Hospitalized Elderly Undergoing Abdominal Surgery Admitted in Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh

Background: Hospitalized elderly people suffer from psychological distress due to negative changes in their lives. Hospitalization is stressful for elderly people, as they undergo various surgical and medical procedures. Mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can be seen as major risk factors among the hospitalized geriatric population. Hence, the need was felt to undertake a study to determine anxiety and depression among hospitalized elderly. Objective: To determine anxiety and depression among hospitalized elderly undergoing abdominal surgery at the Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on 60 hospitalized elderly patients. The sample was determined using the purposive sampling technique. The data was collected by interviewing patients as per the interview schedule comprising socio-demographic variables, clinical profile, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety Scale. Results: The study found that 31.7% of participants had mild anxiety, 46.7% had moderate anxiety, and 21.7% had severe anxiety. All study participants had mild depression. The present study found a significant relationship between anxiety and depression ( r = 0.348, p = .01). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among hospitalized elderly undergoing abdominal surgery. The presence of psychiatric distress can worsen physical illness and lead to slow recovery. So appropriate mental health interventions must be planned for their management.

Sleep Disruption Persists and Relates to Memory Disability After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study of Adults in the Chronic Phase of Injury.

To examine sleep disruption in chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) across 3 aims: (1) to examine differences in self-reported sleep disruption between adults with and without a chronic history of TBI; (2) to query reported changes in sleep after TBI; and (3) to explore the relationship between self-reported sleep disruption and memory failures in daily life. Community-dwelling participants completed self-report sleep and memory surveys as part of their participation in a larger patient registry. This study included 258 participants, and half (n=129) of them have a chronic history of moderate-severe TBI (mean time since injury is 5.1 [SD 6.5] years). We report descriptive statistics from this matched cross-sectional study on sleep in the chronic phase of injury. We also used planned Wilcoxon ranked-sum tests and exploratory correlations to examine the relationships of sleep disruption with TBI diagnosis, injury chronicity, and memory. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep disruption and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to measure daytime sleepiness. Participants answered questions about postinjury sleep and responded to the Everyday Memory Questionnaire as a measure of memory failures in daily life. Individuals with TBI had significantly higher rates of sleep disruption than those without TBI, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index but not on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep disruption in TBI manifested more in sleep quality than quantity. Half of the participants with TBI reported a negative change in sleep postinjury. In an exploratory analysis, sleep disruption was related to memory failure in daily life in the TBI sample. Sleep disruption persists long after TBI but may be under-recognized in people with chronic TBI. Given that sleep is critical for memory and rehabilitation outcomes well into the chronic phase of injury, steps to improve the identification and management of sleep disruption are needed. Key words:chronic, memory, sleep, traumatic brain injury.

Asymmetric relationship between competitive industrial performance, renewable energy, industrialization, and carbon footprint: Does artificial intelligence matter for environmental sustainability?

Developing nations have emerged as integral contributors to the global economy since the beginning of the 21st century. Their swift economic expansion and associated activities lead to a rise in carbon footprint. Keeping this in view, unlike previous studies, this study unfolds the asymmetric repercussions of competitive industrial performance and renewable energy within the context of the industrialization era in seven Asian developing countries from 1990 to 2020. The panel NARDL and asymmetric panel causality methodologies have been applied for the purpose of nonlinear analysis. According to the results, the advantageous influence of competitive industrial performance is considerably more pronounced than that of industrialization. The coefficient magnitude associated with the negative shock demonstrates a significantly substantial value in comparison to the positive shock concerning the influence of competitive industrial performance on carbon footprint. Both positive and negative changes in competitive industrial performance mitigate carbon footprint. Renewable energy generates favorable consequences by promoting environmental quality via a reduction in carbon footprint. Across various emerging economies in Asia, the rapid rise of industrialization is linked to the deterioration of environmental quality. Finally, artificial intelligence and natural resource rents decrease carbon footprints while information and communication technology intensifies environmental concerns. The research emphasizes the critical nature of integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and technological industrial competitiveness in order to adequately tackle the carbon footprint in Asian developing countries.

Strain‐Tolerant Nanocomposite Conductors with Engineered Bicontinuous Phase System by Additive Liquid/Solid Assembly

AbstractIntrinsically stretchable conductors are vital components in next‐generation flexible electronics. However, solid conductive networks are generally vulnerable to external deformations due to their incompatible mechanical properties with the highly elastic substrates or matrixes. It is still challenging to achieve precisely controlled conductive structure with stable electromechanical performances. Herein, a nanocomposite conductor with 3D engineered bicontinuous phase system is developed, which is constructed by alternately arranged robust solid‐phase and conductive liquid‐phase via additive liquid/solid assembly. The proper rheological properties and extraordinary structural compatibility of the liquid‐phase prompt the formation of bridged structure within the 3D periodic solid‐phase main skeleton, giving rise to stable and even strain‐enhanced electrical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties under external deformation. A negative resistance change of −37% along with unabated EMI shielding effectiveness and mechanical properties are obtained at 100% strain, showing negligible performance degradation even after 10,000 cycles of rigorous stretching and releasing. A strain‐tolerant pressure‐sensing device is further demonstrated using the liquid/solid nanocomposite structure, delivering a unique function of precisely recognizing the local pressure at large tensile loading interference. This work provides a new paradigm for the manufacturing of nanocomposites with desired functionalities using the adequate nanofiller reserve toward practical strain‐tolerant applications.

Early growth performance in the Murciano-Granadina goats: insights from genetic and phenotypic analyses

Abstract This study investigates the genetic and phenotypic aspects of early growth performance in the Murciano-Granadina goat breed, using data collected between 2016 and 2022 from a private dairy farm in Ghale-Ganj city, located in the southern area of Kerman province, Iran. Pedigree and data information were collected on several early body weight traits, including birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily gain (ADG), Kleiber ratio (KR) and growth efficiency from birth to weaning (GE). Nine univariate animal models included direct additive genetic effects and different combinations of maternal effects were compared by using Akaike information criterion (AIC). Among the tested models, the best genetic analysis model for BW, included direct additive, maternal additive, maternal permanent and maternal temporary environmental effects. The best model for ADG, KR and GE included direct additive, maternal permanent and litter effects. For WW, the best model was determined to be one that included direct additive and maternal additive genetic effects. The estimated direct heritabilities were low values of 0.04, 0.07, 0.08, 0.05 and 0.07 for BW, ADG, KR, GE and WW, respectively. The estimates of genetic correlations among the studied traits were positive and low to high in magnitude which ranged from 0.11 for BW-KR to 0.91 for BW-GE. The phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.03 for KR-WW to 0.87 for ADG-KR. The positive correlations observed among the studied growth traits of the Murciano-Granadina goat breed indicate no negative genetic or phenotypic changes associated with selection for these traits.