Nonparametric Statistical Methods Research Articles

Exploring the impact of online and offline teaching methods on the cognitive abilities of medical students: a comparative study

BackgroundOnline education has become increasingly popular, but research on the effectiveness of different teaching models in developing cognitive skills is limited. This study investigated the relationship between different teaching models (online and offline) and the development of cognitive skills in clinical medicine students.MethodsSurvey data were collected from 2018 entry students who participated in online teaching and 2019 entry students in offline teaching at Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University. National Quality Open Courses (NQROC) were provided to both groups of students. The study examined the total score of physiology final exam, score of each type of question, and NQROC learning engagement in different score segments under the two teaching models. Non-parametric statistical methods were utilized to analyze the total score of physiology final exam, score of each type of question, and the NQROC learning engagement. Spearman’s rank correlation was utilized to analyze the relationship between the score of physiology final exam and the students’ NQROC learning engagement.ResultsThe study found no statistically significant difference in the total score, short-answer questions (SAQs) score, and case study questions (CSQs) score between online and offline teaching models. However, the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) score was higher in the online teaching model (Z=-4.249, P < 0.001), suggesting that online teaching may be an effective way to improve lower-order cognitive skills among students. In contrast, low-achieving students had higher total scores (Z=-3.223, P = 0.001) and scores in both MCQs (Z=-6.263, P < 0.001) and CSQs (Z=-6.877, P < 0.001) in the online teaching model. High-achieving students in the online teaching model had higher total scores (Z=-3.001, P = 0.003) and MCQs scores (Z=-5.706, P < 0.001) but lower scores in CSQs (Z=-2.775, P = 0.006). Furthermore, students’ NQROC learning engagement was greater in the online teaching model.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggested that online teaching was not statistically significantly different from offline in cognitive domains and was more desirable than offline in strengthening lower-order cognitive skills. However, it was important to note that offline teaching may be more effective in reinforcing higher-order cognitive skills among high-achieving students. In conclusion, this study provided important insights into the effectiveness of different teaching models in developing cognitive skills among medical students and highlighted the potential benefits of online teaching in enhancing students’ lower-order cognitive skills.

A retrospective cohort study of differential attainment, COVID and Chaos: taking the difference out of a terrible trinity.

This study aimed to evaluate Core Surgical Training (CST) differential attainment related to COVID-19, gender, and ethnicity. The hypothesis was that COVID-19 adversely influenced CST outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of 271 anonymised CST records was undertaken at a UK Statutory Education Body. Primary effect measures were: Annual Review of Competency Progression Outcome (ARCPO), Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination pass, and Higher Surgical Training National Training Number (NTN) appointment. Data was collected prospectively at ARCP and analysed with non-parametric statistical methods in SPSS®. CSTs numbering 138 completed training pre- and 133 peri-COVID. ARCPO 1,2&6 were 71.9% pre- vs. 74.4% peri-COVID (P=0.844). MRCS pass rates were 69.6% pre- versus 71.1% peri-COVID (P=0.968) but NTN appointment rates diminished (pre- 47.4% vs. peri- 36.9%, P=0.324); none of the above varied by gender or ethnicity. Multivariable analyses by three models revealed: ARCPO was associated with gender (m: f 1:0.87, OR 0.53, P=0.043) and CST theme (Plastics vs. General OR 16.82, P=0.007); MRCS pass with theme (Plastics vs. General OR 8.97, P=0.004); NTN with the Improving Surgical Training run-through program (OR 5.00, P<0.001). Program retention improved peri-COVID (OR 0.20, P=0.014) with pan University Hospital rotations performing better than Mixed or District General-only rotations (OR 6.63, P=0.018). Differential attainment profiles varied 17-fold, yet COVID-19 did not influence ARCPO or MRCS pass rates. NTN appointment fell by one fifth peri-COVID, but overall training outcome metrics remained robust despite the existential threat.

Multi-scale adaptive multivariate state estimation fault detection enhancement for time-varying industrial system based on multi-output Gaussian process autoregression

Most chemical processes are time-varying and nonlinear due to load changes, product demand transitions or other causes, causing unsatisfactory performance of conventional non-parametric multivariate statistical fault detection method. In this work, a probabilistic multivariate state estimation fault detection method based on multi-output Gaussian process autoregression is first developed to overcome the linear limitation and noise information ignorance of multivariate state estimation technology-based fault detection methods. In multi-output Gaussian process regression framework, the Leave-One-Sample-Out strategy is developed to construct the dataset by leaving each historical sample from the memory matrix out as one training output in turn while regarding the corresponding remaining historical samples as one training input. Then, we design the multi-output Gaussian process autoregression model to estimate the current state of the system. Utilizing the estimation covariance information, a probabilistic index based on multivariate Kullback-Leibler divergence is developed for fault detection. Moreover, a multi-scale adaptive fault detection enhancement based on discrete multi-objective Archimedes optimization and just-in-time learning is further proposed to handle the time-varying problem. In this scheme, the memory matrix is batch-adaptively updated at monthly intervals based on discrete multi-objective Archimedes optimization to handle the slow change of system characteristics caused by equipment degradation. On the other hand, to cope with the rapid change of system characteristics caused by operation transition, the just-in-time learning is employed to select samples from the memory matrix that best match to the current system state for sample-adaptive updating. Finally, two industrial cases are used to verify the performance of the proposed method.

Hospital Cost of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Determinants in a Multicenter Study From Iran.

Background: In the current era of monitoring healthcare costs for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there has been a shift in the pattern of such costs. In this cross-sectional study conducted in three hospitals in Iran from 2015 to 2021, we aimed to assess the in-hospital costs of IBD and identify predictors of higher total hospital costs in hospitalized patients with IBD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at three hospitals in Iran. For the purpose of this study, we collected demographic and clinical information, as well as cost data for patients with IBD. Two non-parametric statistical procedures, classification and regression trees (CARTs) and quantile regression forests (QRFs), were employed to identify the main factors related to hospital costs of IBD, which served as the dependent variable in our analysis. Results: During 7 years, 930 admissions occurred in these three hospitals. 22.3% of patients (138 of 619) were readmitted, and 306 (49.4%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 33 (SD=18.9) years. A total of 454 patients (73.3%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), and 165 patients (26.7%) had Crohn's disease (CD). Hotelling and medication costs accounted for the largest share of the total hospital costs, with percentages of 30.61% and 23.40%, respectively. Length of stay (LOS) was found to be the most important variable related to hospital costs of IBD in both QRF and CART models, followed by age and year of hospital admission in QRF. Additionally, in the CART model, hospital type and year of hospital admission were also significant predictors of hospital costs for patients with IBD. Conclusion: The present study showed that LOS, age, year of admission, and the hospital where the patient is admitted are all important factors that determine hospital costs for patients with IBD. Patients admitted for 20.5 days or longer had the highest hospital costs. These findings can be used as thresholds for future DRG policies.

Impact of Rythu Bharosa Kendra’s as Perceived by the Farmers

Rythu Barosa Kendras (RBKs) in Andhra Pradesh aim to support farmers by providing various services and resources. Their impact on farmers' perception and utilisation has become crucial for the agricultural landscape. This study investigates the RBK services' impact using non-parametric statistical methods. The services of the RBK’s were finalised using face validity and multi-stage sampling techniques were employed to select a representative sample of 60 farmers. Results indicate that variables like caste and annual income were significant at 1 % whereas education, occupation, land holding and the source of information was significant at 5 %, influencing the perception of services. However, none of the variables under study affect service utilisation. Identified constraints include non-availability of seeds, fertilizers, green manure, fodder crop seeds, and micronutrients at RBK. Lack of credit-based input supply, farm machinery, equipment, tarpaulin, and cold storage/godowns, along with insufficient staff and marketing facilities, also hinder performance. The study highlights the valuable role of AEOs in shaping farmers' perceptions about agricultural services through the provision of information and knowledge. However, this perception did not directly lead to increased service utilization. Policymakers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector should focus on strengthening the AEOs' role and improving the accessibility of agricultural services to enhance productivity and development in the State.

The Effect of Acupressure Therapy on Reducing Blood Pressure in Hypertension Patients in the Work Area of the Muntok Health Center in 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving acupressure therapy on reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients in the Working Area of the Muntok Health Center in 2022. This research method used a Pre-Experimental with a One Group Pretest-Posttest design. The sample used in this study were 14 people. The results of this study revealed that there was an effect of acupressure therapy on reducing blood pressure using non-parametric statistical methods and using the Wilcoxon test obtained a value of p = 0.001 (p &lt;0.05) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, before and after acupressure therapy with an average systolic pretest blood pressure 150.71 and 127.14, while posttest diastolic 90.36 and 80.71. The conclusion of this study is that acupressure therapy is an alternative therapy that can treat patients with hypertension.

A new integral enthesial-comorbididity index of psoriatic arthritis activity

To develop an integral index of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) activity. 117 patients with PsA (M/F - 63/54) were included. Patients' age 44±11 years, psoriasis (Ps) duration - 213±153 months, PsA duration - 73.4±78.5 months. Patients underwent standard clinical examination of PsA activity: tender (out of 68) and swollen (out of 66) joint counts (TJC, SJC), LEI, tenderness of the plantar fascia (PF), skin lesion severity (BSA), presence of nail Ps, body mass index (BMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), DAPSA, FACIT-F. Parametric and nonparametric statistic methods, correlation and ROC analysis were used. Mean DAPSA was 38±21, TJC - 14.2±10.6, SJC - 10.6±8.3, ESR - 30.5±29.5 mm/h, CRP - 23.3±29 mg/l, LEI - 1.2±1.5, FACIT-F - 32±11, BMI - 27.4±6.2 kg/m2. The following significant positive correlations were revealed: between DAPSA and BMI, patients' age, ESR, PsA and Ps duration, TJC, SJC, LEI, presence of PF enthesitis, skin lesion severity, presence of nail Ps. A negative correlation between FACIT-F and male sex was found. Based on the predictive model of parameters, the Entesial-Comorbid Index of PsA (ECIPsA) was created: 3.81×LEI+13.72×PF+0.54×Age-0.25×FACIT-F+7.36×BSA+7.94×PsA duration+5.5×Nail Ps+0.32×BMI-3.52, namely LEI - Leeds Enthesial Index; PF - pain in the PF; patient's age; FACIT-F - fatigue scale; BSA<3%=0, ≥3%=1; PsA duration≤2 years=0, >2 years=1; presence of nail Ps=1, absence=0; ECIPsA≥28 corresponds with high PsA activity according to DAPSA≥28. ROC analysis of sensitivity and specificity of the prognostic model demonstrated high correctness of the index: the area under the ROC curve was 0.768, 95% confidence interval (0.624-0.913). The new PsA activity index corresponds to the existing ones and takes into consideration the clinical heterogeneity and comorbidity of the disease.

Analysis of students’ perceptions on the Freedom of Learning - Independent Campus (MBKM) program at Chemistry study program of Ma Chung University

Considering that Indonesian education has gone through such a long journey from 1922 to 2022 now, it is necessary to have an educational program that is able to meet the demands of workers' needs in this era of globalization. In the end, the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology designed an education policy system in the realm of higher education, namely "Freedom of Learning - Independent Campus", as an accurate strategy for optimizing academics in today's Indonesia. In this study, a survey was aimed at 40 undergraduate students of the Chemistry Study Program at Ma Chung University. Data analysis were made by quantitative approach of the nine questions succcessfully answered by students who filled out questionnaires in the online multiple choice questionnaire with a dependency test by nonparametric statistical methods. As a result, the majority of students of the Chemistry Study Program were quite enthusiastic about this new educational policy, although it was necessary to optimize all internal strategies of the study program curriculum, so that it could be in accordance with the activities designed in the "Freedom of Learning - Independent Campus" Program.

Tick-borne infections in the south of Russia: modern epidemiological situation, new approach to create “forecasting” and “explaining” morbidity models (in astrakhan rickettsiosis fever and crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever)

The article presents a description of the current tick-borne infection epidemiological situation in the south of Russia from the years 2013 to 2022, proposes a new approach to develop forecasting models for morbidity dynamics of Astrakhan rickettsial fever (ARF) and Crimean hemorrhagic fever (СCHF) in the Astrakhan region and presents data assessing 2022 explaining models for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region. Materials and methods. A comprehensive research was performed using epidemiological analysis and non-parametric statistical methods. The data assessing tick-borne infections epidemic process manifestations were retrieved from ARF and CCHF morbidity databases (developed as a project) and documents of infectious disease focus epidemiological examination provided by the departments of Rospotrebnadzor in the subjects of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. Morbidity models were developed using the Bayes theorem and Walds sequential statistical analysis, with a preliminary calculation of indicators informativeness by the Kullback method. The values of climatic factors from the database of the Center for Collective Use IKI-monitoring of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences were used. Results. The results of the study indicate persistence of serious epidemiological situation regarding rickettsiosis of the tick-borne spotted fever group, Q fever, tick-borne borreliosis and CCHF in the south of Russia. Almost all tick-borne infections nosological forms in children under 14 years (including young children and infants) were widely involved in the epidemic process, which belong to patients at risk for a complicated disease course due to complicated diagnostics and treatment. The annual registration of tick-borne infections cases in the resort areas, with the subsequent occurrence of imported cases in other, including non-endemic regions poses a serious problem. The proposed forecasting models allow to predict the CСHF and ARF morbidity for each administrative district of the Astrakhan region with up to 91.7% accuracy. The explaining models CСHF accuracy for the Stavropol Territory and Astrakhan Region, when tested in 2022, was 88.5 and 83.3%, respectively, for ARF 91.7%. Conclusions. The further continuation of forecasting and explaining models verification for planning preventive measures and propose similar steps for tick-borne borreliosis and Q fever to epidemiological tick-borne infections to stabilize situation in the south of Russia.

Risk factors of local recurrence and distant metastasis and manifestations of toxicity during chemoradiation treatment of cervical cancer patients

Relevance. Cervical cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide, despite declining mortality rates due to large-scale screening programs and increased use of the human papillomavirus vaccine in Western countries. Although chemoradiotherapy has been recognized as the standard therapy for patients with locally advanced carcinoma, one-third of patients experience recurrence, and the effect of its treatment is far from satisfactory. In addition, factors affecting prognosis for patients with cervical cancer remain controversial. In connection with the above, research devoted to the analysis of the long-term clinical consequences of cervical cancer treatment and the search for prognostic factors remains extremely relevant.&#x0D; The purpose of the work is to determine the risk factors of local and distant metastasis and manifestations of toxicity during chemoradiation treatment of cervical cancer patients.&#x0D; Materials and methods. Paper case histories of non-operated patients with locally disseminated сervical cancer (stages 2B–4А) who underwent special treatment in the clinic of the institute in the period 1999–2020 were selected from the archive of the State Organization «Grigoriev Institute for Medical Radiology and Oncology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine» for inclusion in the electronic database. The selection criterion was either a follow-up period of more than 1 year, or a tracked recurrence of the disease within a period of up to 1 year. The end of observation was considered either the death of the patient, or the appearance of oncological consequences of the disease, or withdrawal from observation for unknown reasons (censored observations). The WizWhy package of the Data Mining category was used to conduct the research and propose hypotheses, followed by hypothesis testing by non-parametric statistical methods using the STATISTICA and SPSS general-purpose software package. Non-parametric methods were used – Pearson’s chi-squared test and the Mann–Whitney U-test.&#x0D; Results and discussion. A number of parameters and factors that have predictive properties regarding the risk of the appearance of oncological consequences of treatment in the future have been identified. The main immediate and remote consequences of chemoradiation treatment of patients and remote somatic consequences of combined treatment were analyzed.&#x0D; Conclusions. Catamnetic data of «processed» case histories, provided they are processed by appropriate mathematical methods, are a potential source for obtaining new non-obvious knowledge. In particular, the correct analytical approach to the processing of formalized medical history data made it possible to find a number of risk factors for local and distant metastasis and manifestations of toxicity during chemoradiation treatment of non-operated patients with locally disseminated cervical cancer, which creates the basis for the development of proposals for adjusting antitumor therapy and individualized patient support.

#6332 INFLUENCE OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON THE INCREASE IN CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND THE RISK OF KIDNEY DAMAGE IN COMORBIDITY OF HYPERTENSION AND COPD

Abstract Background and Aims It is widely known that obesity is a modulated additional factor in increasing cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension. Since the number of patients with comorbidity of arterial hypertension and COPD is increasing, the question of the relationship between nutritional status and cardiovascular risk remains relevant. Purpose of the study: to determine the role of nutritional status indicators in the formation of cardiovascular risk in patients with comorbidity of hypertension and COPD. Method 101 patients were included in a cross-sectional study: 32 patients with comorbidity of hypertension and COPD (Gr I), 43 patients with hypertension (Gr II), and 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Gr III). Exclusion criteria: informed consent of the patient to processing of personal data, Hypertension stage II, 1-3 degree, COPD A - C clinical groups(stable phase), age≥40 years. Exclusion criteria: age≥80 years, myocardial infarction and cerebral circulatory disorders, kidney diseases (polycystosis, developmental abnormalities, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis), diabetes mellitus, cancer, GFR &amp;lt; 30 ml/min. Patients underwent general clinical examination, determined nutritional status by anthropometric study and bioimpedancemetry, assessed the renal function by laboratory examination of blood. Methods of parametric and nonparametric statistics were used. Results A high cardiovascular risk in Gr I was in 22 (68,8%) patients, in Gr II - in 27 (62,9%) patients and in Gr III - in 10 (38,5%) patients. GFR in Gr I was 67,5 (57,0;77,0) ml/min, in Gr II -70.6 (57.0; 83.0) ml/min, and in Gr III - 82.5 (70.0;89.0) ml/min (p = 0.02). BMI in Gr I was 30.2 (26.5;35.0) kg/m2, in GrII - 29.7 (26.3;33.9) kg/m2, in GrIII - 26.8 (24.6;29.6) kg/m2. Percentage of adipose tissue in Gr I was 35.1 (30.0;41.7), in Gr II-38.2 (32.4;42.1) and in Gr III - 27.7 (21.0;34.1) (p = 0.01). The total muscle tissue in Gr I was 28,6 (24,6;30,6)%, in Gr II - 28,5 (25,0;31,2)%, in Gr III - 32,1 (27,8;35,3)%(p = 0.1), visceral fat in Gr I was 11,0 (8,0;14,0)%, in Gr II- 11,0 (9,0;15,0) %, in Gr III- 9,0 (6,0;13,0) %(p = 0.1); sarcopenia index in Gr I was 77,8(61,6;86,2), in Gr II- 77,8(66,1;101,8), in Gr III- 90,6(86,0;98,6)(p = 0,1). In Gr I, correlations were found: negative between GFR and high cardiovascular risk (R = -0.6), positive - between sarcopenia index, visceral fat and high cardiovascular risk (R = 0.5; 0.6), negative - between the amount of muscle tissue and high cardiovascular risk in patients (R = -0.5) (p&amp;lt;0,05). Conclusion In patients with a comorbidity of hypertension and COPD, along with an increase in the amount of adipose tissue and visceral fat, the amount of muscle tissue decreases, which leads to sarcopenic obesity. Sarcopenic obesity is associated with high cardiovascular risk and worsening of renal function, which also leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.

Characterization of SHH, SOX3, WNT3A and WNT9B Proteins in Human Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip and Palate Tissue

Orofacial clefts have been associated with specific cleft candidate genes which encode regulatory proteins required for orofacial region development. Cleft candidate genes encode proteins involved with the cleft morphopathogenesis process, but their exact interactions and roles are relatively unclear in human cleft tissue. This study evaluates the presence and correlations of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), SRY-Box Transcription Factor 3 (SOX3), Wingless-type Family Member 3A (WNT3A) and 9B (WNT9B) protein containing cells in different cleft tissue. Non-syndromic cleft-affected tissue was subdivided into three groups—unilateral cleft lip (UCL) (n = 36), bilateral cleft lip (BCL) (n = 13), cleft palate (CP) (n = 26). Control tissue was obtained from five individuals. Immunohistochemistry was implemented. The semi-quantitative method was used. Non-parametric statistical methods were applied. A significant decrease in SHH was found in BCL and CP tissue. SOX3, WNT3A and WNT9B had a significant decrease in all clefts. Statistically significant correlations were found. The significant decrease in SHH could be associated with BCL and CP pathogenesis. SOX3, WNT3A and WNT9B could have morphopathogenetic involvement in UCL, BCL, and CP. Similar correlations imply the presence of similar pathogenetic mechanisms in different cleft variations.

What is a capable guardian to older fraud victims? Comparison of younger and older victims' characteristics of online fraud utilizing routine activity theory.

The paper compares victim group characteristics: we test routine activities theory to compare the differences in online fraud vulnerabilities of victims aged 18-54 and victims of 55 and above. A representative sample of US citizens 18 and above was collected in October 2020. Victims under 55 encompassed 35.3% (n = 915), victims 55 and above 12.9% (n = 334) of the total sample (n = 2,589). We utilized non-parametric statistical methods for testing whether older and younger victims' characteristics can be derived from the same independent variables. Computer time, computer familiarity, and technical guardians determine online victimization in older individuals, similarly to younger age groups. However, older victims differ in characteristics from younger victims. Seniors were less likely to apply technical guardians such as camera cover, identity theft monitoring, and credit card freeze, even after experiencing online scams. Being a single parent was a protective factor for older individuals, but having a full-time job made older individuals more prone to experience online fraud victimization compared to being retired. In addition, older victims were less likely to report scams than younger ones. Although this research found significant differences between older and younger fraud victims' characteristics, target suitability and capable guardianship must be further investigated and conceptualized when applying routine activities theory for online fraud against older people.

Pengaruh Himbauan Pajak, Pemeriksaan Pajak dan Penagihan Pajak Terhadap Tingkat Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak dalam Pelunasan Pajak Penghasilan Badan

That the government's policy in increasing domestic revenue for financing development and public services from the tax sector, among others, is through changing the official assessment levy system to a self-assessment, namely by giving trust to taxpayers to calculate, deposit and self-report taxes owed in accordance with tax regulations. through the submission of an annual notification letter. Annual notification letter is a means for taxpayers to report all business activities of taxpayers during a certain period. As a consequence, the Directorate General of Taxes is obliged to provide services, supervision, guidance and law enforcement, among others through the issuance of tax appeals, tax audit processes and tax collection actions. This study uses quantitative research through a survey method based on a Likert scale by distributing questionnaires to respondents as many as 28 statements. The population used is corporate taxpayers who pay corporate income tax at the office, totaling 104 taxpayers as a sample of all registered taxpayers. Because this research method is parametric statistics, while the research questionnaire made using a Likert scale which is an ordinal scale and is usually used in non-parametric statistical methods, before processing the data obtained is first converted from ordinal data to interval data using the Method of Succesive Interval ( MSI). Data processing was carried out using the IBM SPSS version 26 application. The results showed that partial tax appeals have a positive effect on taxpayer compliance, partial tax audits have a positive effect on taxpayer compliance, partial tax collections have a positive effect on taxpayer compliance and tax appeals, joint tax audits and tax collections, they have a positive influence on taxpayer compliance in the payment of Corporate Income Tax at the Palembang Intermediate Tax Service Office.

DO COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSION WORSE OR BETTER IN WOMEN OR MEN: ARE COMPARISONS REALISTIC?

Objective: More evidence confirms that cognitive disorders (CD) in hypertension (H) are early signs of cerebral blood flow deregulation and often occur before other target organs are affected. Therefore, assessment and monitoring of cognitive functions in H should be a criterion for the effectiveness of treatment and prognosis of the course of the disease. Design and method: The study results are based on the data of a comprehensive examination of 185 working patients with controlled H stage II with SCORE risk of CVD &lt;5 %. According to the neuropsychological testing on MMSE and MoCA scales, 157 people with various severity CD were found. There were 87 (55.4 %) women and 70 (44.6 %) men among them, and the average age was 52.3 (8.2) years; the average duration of H was 10 (8 - 12 years). The comparison and control groups were adequate for the purpose. The standard methods of parametric and non-parametric statistics processed the obtained data. Results: Significant differences were noted in the parameters of the daily profile of blood pressure (VAR SBP, VAR DBP), both during day and night, in patients with H and CD of both genders due to ambulatory monitoring of BP. According to the data of the correlation analysis, a significant direct correlation of average strength was established between the day and night variability of SBP and DBP and the development of CD in patients with H, regardless of the gender of the patients: with VAR SBP during the day - r = 0.573, with VAR SBP at night - r = 0.614, with VAR DBP during the day - r = 0.426, with VAR DBP at night - r = 0.453. Conclusions: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for the development and progression of CD in both genders. No objective reason to discuss whose gender cognitive functions are worse or better. It is also essential to pay attention to the high autonomic index and variability of blood pressure ambulatory monitored day and night due to the increased risk of development and progression of CD.

Soil centipedes (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha) in the Val Camonica forests (Southern Alps): species composition and richness.

Soil centipedes (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha) are a widespread group of predators in the forest soils of the European Alps. While in the eastern and western parts of the Southern Prealps, larger efforts were devoted to sample and study the geophilomorph fauna, little is known about species richness and composition of geophilomorph communities in the central part of Southern Prealps. In this work, five sites located in the Val Camonica were surveyed by hand searching, between November 2021 and July 2022 and their species richness was estimated applying non-parametrical statistical methods (Chao-1 and Abundance-based Coverage Estimator) to account for incomplete detection. A total of 18 species were found amongst the five sites. A maximum of 12 species were recorded in each single site, while estimates suggest that another 1-3 species were likely undetected. Species composition were found highly variable also between sites with similar species richness.

Using the method of molecular genetic typing to determine variants of the weak antigen D in the diagnosis of Rh-affiliation

Background. Determination of Rh-affiliation is mandatory for donors and recipients, surgical patients, pregnant women, etc. There are variants of the D antigen that are difficult to identify by serological methods, for example, a weak D antigen.&#x0D; Aim. Determination of Rh-affiliation using genotyping in difficult cases, when the use of serological methods does not allow obtaining a reliable result.&#x0D; Material and methods. We studied blood samples from donors (n=18), pregnant women (n=17) and patients with hematological diseases (n=15): 22 men and 28 women, median age 36 years (25 to 54 years). Serologically, antigen D was determined by gel technology in ID-cards and in an indirect antiglobulin test with anti-D-IgG reagent. Weak D antigen variants were diagnosed and phenotype determined using polymerase chain reaction with allele-specific primers. For significance of differences in the frequency of types of weak antigen D, a nonparametric statistical method using a two-tailed Fisher's exact test was used. Differences were considered statistically significant at p 0.05.&#x0D; Results. The use of genotyping made it possible to detect the presence of a weak antigen D in 41 samples. Its specificity was represented by the following types: 1; 1.1; 2; 3. Other types of weak antigen D [4; 4.0; 4.1; 4.2 (DAR); 5; 11; 14; 15; 17] were absent. The study of the phenotype of erythrocyte antigens of the Rhesus system using genotyping revealed the predominance of the Ccee phenotype in people with a weak D antigen. Significant differences in the frequency of types of this antigen were revealed.&#x0D; Conclusion. The use of molecular genetic typing made it possible to determine the types of the weak antigen D and to accurately determine the Rh-affiliation of the subjects.

Accelerated Restoration of Vegetation in Wuwei in the Arid Region of Northwestern China since 2000 Driven by the Interaction between Climate and Human Beings

The Wuwei area in the arid region of northwestern China is impacted by the harsh natural environment and human activities, and the problem of ecological degradation is severe there. In order to ensure the sustainable development of the regional social economy, it is necessary to monitor the changes in vegetation in Wuwei and its corresponding nonlinear relationships with climate change and human activities. In this study, the inter-annual and spatial–temporal evolution characteristics of vegetation in Wuwei from 1982 to 2015 have been analyzed based on non-parametric statistical methods. The analysis revealed that the areas of vegetation restoration and degradation accounted for 77 and 23% of the total area of the research area, respectively. From 1982 to 1999, vegetation degradation became extremely serious (14.4%) and was primarily concentrated in Gulang County and the high-altitude areas in the southwest. Since the ecological restoration project was implemented in 2000, there have been prominent results in vegetation restoration. The geographically and temporally weighted regression model shows that each climate factor has contributed to the vegetation restoration in the Wuwei area during the last 34 years, with their contributions ranked as precipitation (71.2%), PET (43.9%), solar radiation (34.8%), temperature (33.1%), and wind speed (31%). An analysis of the land-use data with 30 m resolution performed in this study revealed that the conversion area among land cover from 1985 to 2015 accounts for 14.9% of the total area. In it, the conversion area from non-ecological land to ecological land accounts for 5.7% of the total area. The farmland, grassland, and woodland areas have increased by 20.1, 20.6, and 8.5%, respectively, indicating that human activities such as agricultural intensification and ecological restoration projects have played a crucial role in vegetation restoration.

Effect of senile asthenia syndrome on cardiovascular mortality within 12 months in patients over 70 years of age with myocardial infarction

Aim. This study aims to investigate the effect of senile asthenia syndrome (SAS) on the cardiovascular mortality risk within 12 months in patients over 70 years of age with myocardial infarction.Material and methods. We performed a retrospective study of 92 patients over 70 years of age with myocardial infarction, who agreed to participate. To detect senile asthenia syndrome, we used the questionnaire "Age is not a hindrance". We estimated the anamnestic data, and also laboratory and instrumental parameters. The follow-up period was 12 months. As an end-point, the onset of an adverse event — cardiovascular death was chosen. Statistical nonparametric methods, ROC analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p&lt;0,05) were used.Results. In 12 months, 19 patients (20,65%) met the end-point. The median (25%; 75%-quartile) of the numbers of points according to the questionnaire "Age is not a hindrance" was significantly higher in the group of dead patients than in the group without adverse outcomes — 4 (3; 5) and 2 (1; 4) points (p&lt;0,001). When gaining 3 or more points according to the questionnaire "Age is not a hindrance", risk ratio of cardiovascular death within 12 months was 1,72; 95% confidence interval: 1,28-2,30 (p=0,001). In conduction of ROC analysis to predict adverse outcome when gaining 3 or more points according to the questionnaire "Age is not a hindrance", the area under the curve (AUC) was 0,78 (p&lt;0,001), sensitivity — 89%, specificity — 60%.Conclusion. The risk of cardiovascular death within 12 months after myocardial infarction in patients over 70 years of age with SAS increases by 72%. The inclusion of the results from the questionnaire "Age is not a hindrance" into prognostic models, and the SAS estimation in this cohort of patients will improve the risk stratification.

An early screening model of pulse detection technology for hepatic steatosis

BackgroundThe increasing prevalence of hepatic steatosis presents a considerable challenge to public health. There is a critical need for the development of novel preventive and screening strategies for this condition. This study evaluated the potential applications of wrist pulse detection technology for the early detection of liver diseases. The pulse time-domain features of a medical exam population with and without hepatic steatosis were assessed to develop a screening model for this disease. MethodsParticipants were consecutively recruited from March 2021 to March 2022 in the medical examination centers of the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine and the Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Clinical data from 255 participants, including general information (sex, age, and body mass index), and data related to glucose and blood lipids (fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels) were collected. Wrist pulse signals were acquired using a pulse detection device, and the pulse time-domain features, including t1, t4, t5, T, w1, w2, h2/h1, h3/h1, and h5/h1 were extracted. Participants were assigned to hepatic steatosis and non-hepatic steatosis groups according to their abdominal ultrasound examination results. Their clinical data and pulse time-domain features were compared using chi-square and parametric or non-parametric statistical methods. Three datasets were used to construct screening models for hepatic steatosis based on the random forest algorithm. The datasets for modeling were defined as Dataset 1, containing blood glucose and lipid data and general information; Dataset 2, containing time-domain features and general information; Dataset 3, containing time-domain features, blood glucose and lipid data, and general information. The evaluation metrics, accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were compared for each model. ResultsThe time-domain features of the two groups differed significantly. The t1, t4, t5, T, h2/h1, h3/h1, w1, and w2 features were higher in the hepatic steatosis group than in the non-hepatic steatosis group (P < 0.05), while the h5/h1 features were lower in the hepatic steatosis group than in the non-hepatic steatosis group (P < 0.05). The screening models for hepatic steatosis based on both time-domain features and blood glucose and lipid data outperformed those based on time-domain features or blood markers alone. The accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC of the combined model were 81.18%, 80.56%, 76.32%, 79%, and 87.79%, respectively. These proportions were 1.57%, 1.86%, 1.76%, 2%, and 3.54% higher, respectively, than those of the model based on time-domain features alone and 3.14%, 4.2%, 2.64%, 4%, and 6.47% higher, respectively, than those of the model based on blood glucose and lipid alone. ConclusionThe early screening model for hepatic steatosis using datasets that included pulse time-domain features achieved better performance. The findings suggest that pulse detection technology could be used to inform the development of a mobile medical device or remote home monitoring system to test for hepatitis steatosis.