Potential Rise Research Articles

Multi-epoch jet outbursts in Abell 496: Synchrotron ageing and buoyant X-ray cavities draped by warm gas filaments

The galaxy cluster Abell 496 has been extensively studied in the past for the clear sloshing motion of its hot intracluster medium (ICM) on large scales, but the interplay between the central radio galaxy and the surrounding cluster atmosphere is mostly unexplored. We present a dedicated radio, X-ray, and optical study of Abell 496 with the aim being to investigate this connection. We use deep radio images obtained with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 150, 330, and 617 MHz, the Very Large Array (VLA) at 1.4 and 4.8 GHz, and the VLA Low Band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) at 340 MHz, with angular resolutions ranging from $0.^ prime 5$ to $25^ prime $. Additionally, we use archival Chandra and Very Large Telescope (VLT) MUSE observations. The radio images reveal three distinct periods of jet activity: an ongoing episode on subkiloparsec scales with an inverted radio spectrum; an older episode that produced lobes on scales of $ kpc, which now have a steep spectral index ($ and an black even older episode that produced lobes on scales of $ kpc with an ultrasteep spectrum ($ Archival Chandra X-ray observations show that the older and oldest episodes excavated two generations of cavities in the hot gas of the cluster. The outermost X-ray cavity has a clear mushroom-head shape, likely caused by its buoyant rise in the cluster's potential. Cooling of the hot gas is ongoing in the innermost 20 kpc, where warm, Halpha -bright filaments are visible in VLT-MUSE data. The Halpha -filaments are stretched toward the mushroom-head cavity, which may have stimulated ICM cooling in its wake. We conclude by discussing our nondetection of a radio mini-halo in this vigorously sloshing but low-mass galaxy cluster.

Tracking the Spread of Pollen on Social Media Using Pollen-Related Messages From Twitter: Retrospective Analysis.

Allergy disorders caused by biological particles, such as the proteins in some airborne pollen grains, are currently considered one of the most common chronic diseases, and European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology forecasts indicate that within 15 years 50% of Europeans will have some kind of allergy as a consequence of urbanization, industrialization, pollution, and climate change. The aim of this study was to monitor and analyze the dissemination of information about pollen symptoms from December 2006 to January 2022. By conducting a comprehensive evaluation of public comments and trends on Twitter, the research sought to provide valuable insights into the impact of pollen on sensitive individuals, ultimately enhancing our understanding of how pollen-related information spreads and its implications for public health awareness. Using a blend of large language models, dimensionality reduction, unsupervised clustering, and term frequency-inverse document frequency, alongside visual representations such as word clouds and semantic interaction graphs, our study analyzed Twitter data to uncover insights on respiratory allergies. This concise methodology enabled the extraction of significant themes and patterns, offering a deep dive into public knowledge and discussions surrounding respiratory allergies on Twitter. The months between March and August had the highest volume of messages. The percentage of patient tweets appeared to increase notably during the later years, and there was also a potential increase in the prevalence of symptoms, mainly in the morning hours, indicating a potential rise in pollen allergies and related discussions on social media. While pollen allergy is a global issue, specific sociocultural, political, and economic contexts mean that patients experience symptomatology at a localized level, needing appropriate localized responses. The interpretation of tweet information represents a valuable tool to take preventive measures to mitigate the impact of pollen allergy on sensitive patients to achieve equity in living conditions and enhance access to health information and services.

Projecting the impact of COVID-19 on education and intergenerational mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa

AbstractUsing microsimulations, we project the effect of instructional losses caused by COVID-19 on secondary school completion rates and intergenerational mobility of education in eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. On average, secondary school completion rates could decrease by 12 percentage points overall and by 16 points for children with low-educated parents. Interestingly, in most countries the gender gap diminishes because, for men, the projected decrease in secondary school completion is higher. A small additional impact on girls’ education due to the potential rise in teenage pregnancy is observed in some countries. Intergenerational mobility of education in the eight Sub-Saharan countries in our sample is expected to decrease, on average, by 10%.

Neuropsychiatric adverse events in tenofovir disoproxil fumarate- and tenofovir alafenamide-based HIV therapy and prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tenofovir is integral to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, but its neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs) have not been systematically investigated. This systematic review aims to characterize common NPAEs during tenofovir-based ART and PrEP and to assess tenofovir's specific role in their emergence. Four literature databases and three trial registries were searched up to December 31, 2023, for randomized controlled trials reporting NPAEs in treatment-naïve adults receiving tenofovir-based ART or PrEP. Meta-analyses compared tenofovir (with/without emtricitabine) to placebo and tenofovir alafenamide- to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based regimens. Sixty-nine trials (62 on ART, 7 on PrEP) with 29 340 patients on tenofovir-based therapies revealed headache, dizziness, insomnia, and depression as common NPAEs, especially in HIV studies. Meta-analyses of tenofovir (with/without emtricitabine) versus placebo only indicated an increased risk of dizziness (OR 1.32; CI 1.09-1.59; P = 0.004). Comparisons between tenofovir alafenamide and disoproxil fumarate did not reveal significant differences in NPAE risks, although sensitivity analyses suggested a higher risk of headache with tenofovir alafenamide in HIV studies (OR 1.24; CI 1.01-1.52; P = 0.04). Common NPAEs in tenofovir-based HIV multi-drug regimens highlight the need to screen HIV patients for neuropsychiatric complications. The lack of effect of tenofovir compared to placebo for most analyzable NPAEs suggests that tenofovir itself is mostly safe regarding NPAEs. However, a possible increase in dizziness risk with tenofovir, and a potential rise in headache risk with tenofovir alafenamide- compared to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based regimens in HIV therapy, merit further investigation.

Changes in the epidemiology of pediatric brain abscesses pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic: a single-center study

BackgroundAn increased incidence of brain abscesses was observed post-COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the epidemiology of brain abscesses. This study aimed to investigate changes in the epidemiology of brain abscesses pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA retrospective study of demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of patients with brain abscesses in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from 2015–2023 was performed.ResultsA total of 34 patients were admitted to the hospital during the study. The post-COVID-19 cohort had an average of 5.5 cases/year, which is a 129.2% increase compared to the pre-COVID-19 cohort's average of 2.4 cases/year. Additionally, the rates of fever upon admission (86.36% vs 50%, p = 0.04) and experiencing high-grade fever within 6 weeks before admission (40.91% vs 8.33%, p = 0.044) were significantly increased. A potential rise in the rate of intensive care unit admission was observed (36.36% vs 8.33%, p = 0.113). The average value of globulin in the post-COVID cohort was significantly higher compared to the pre-COVID cohort (31.60 ± 5.97 vs 25.50 ± 5.08, p = 0.009). Streptococcal infections were the predominant cause of brain abscesses in both cohorts (40% vs 43.75%, p = 0.57).ConclusionsThere was a significant increase in the number of brain abscess patients after the COVID-19 pandemic. This underscores the importance of children receiving the streptococcal vaccine.

Effects of Thinning Practices on Soil Properties and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Natural Pure Oriental Beech Forests

Thinning intensities in Fagus orientalis Lipsky. stands may influence the soil properties, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi symbiosis, and their interaction through soil quality enhancement. We aimed to investigate the impact of four thinning intensities—control (no thinning); moderate (15%), moderately intense (35%), and intense thinning (55%)—implemented five years ago in pure oriental beech forests. In this context, the percentage indicates the proportion of trees removed by each thinning intensity, based on the total number of trees before thinning. Our focus encompassed soil physical–chemical properties, AM fungi community composition, and root colonization. At the intense thinning sites, the soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium, AMF spore density, and root colonization increased by 209.7, 88.9, 115.8, 404.9, and 448.5%, respectively, when compared to the control sites. This suggests a potential rise in AMF spore density and root colonization—a vital aspect for natural regeneration. These findings highlight the importance of considering management practices in forest systems that can enhance the root system in a sustainable manner to improve plant performance, soil fertility, and symbiosis with AM fungi.

A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Relationship between Work-Related, Lifestyle Factors and Non-Specific Neck and Shoulder Pain in a Southeast Asian Population.

Non-specific neck and shoulder pain (NSNSP) is prevalent among working adults. The increased use of electronic devices and prevalence of remote working and study following the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns about the potential rise in such conditions. This study aims to investigate the associations between work-related, lifestyle factors and NSNSP in the adult Southeast Asian Singaporean population. An online survey was administered electronically to Singaporeans aged 21 and above. Demographic data, NSNSP prevalence, computer and smartphone usage durations, sleep patterns, and exercise frequency were captured after obtaining informed consent (SIT institutional review board approval #2023014). A total of 302 validated responses were recorded, including 212 suffering from NSNSP versus 90 in the comparison group. The NSNSP group showed significantly longer smartphone usage (5.37 ± 3.50 h/day) compared to the comparison group (4.46 ± 3.36 h/day, p = 0.04). Furthermore, the NSNSP group had lower exercise frequency (2.10 ± 1.74 days/week vs. 2.93 ± 2.21 days/week, p < 0.01) and shorter weekly exercise duration (2.69 ± 3.05 h/week vs. 4.11 ± 4.15 h/week, p < 0.01). The average NSNSP severity in this group was 34.9 ± 19.96 out of 100, correlating significantly with age (r = 0.201, p < 0.01) and BMI (r = 0.27, p < 0.01). This preliminary cross-sectional study examines characteristics of adult Southeast Asians with NSNSP post-COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate significantly longer smartphone use and less exercise in NSNSP respondents, with both age and body mass index (BMI) demonstrating significant correlations with NSNSP severity.

Long-Term Management of Post-Stroke Spasticity with Botulinum Toxin: A Retrospective Study.

Stroke-induced spasticity is a prevalent condition affecting stroke survivors, significantly impacting their quality of life. Botulinum Toxin A injections are widely used for its management, yet the long-term effects and optimal management strategies remain uncertain. This retrospective study analyzed medical records of 95 chronic stroke patients undergoing long-term BoNT-A treatment for spasticity. Demographic data, treatment duration, dosage variability, and dropout rates were assessed over a period ranging from 2 to 14 years. The study revealed a notable extension of the interval between BoNT-A injections throughout the treatment duration. Dropout rates peaked during the initial 5 years of treatment, perhaps due to perceived treatment ineffectiveness. Additionally, a trend of escalating dosage was observed across all groups, indicating a potential rise in the severity of spasticity or changes in treatment response over time. BoNT-A injections emerged as the predominant treatment choice for managing post-stroke spasticity. The delayed initiation of BoNT-A treatment underscores the need for heightened awareness among healthcare providers to recognize and manage spasticity promptly post-stroke. Patients' expectations and treatment goals should be clearly defined to optimize treatment adherence, while the observed escalation in dosage and treatment intervals emphasizes the dynamic nature of spasticity and underscores the importance of monitoring long-term treatment outcomes.

Computer-aided discovery of novel SmDHODH inhibitors for schistosomiasis therapy: Ligand-based drug design, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations, drug-likeness, and ADMET studies.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is a tropical parasitic disease resulting from flatworms of the Schistosoma genus. This often overlooked disease has significant impacts in affected regions, causing enduring morbidity, hindering child development, reducing productivity, and creating economic burdens. Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the only treatment option for schistosomiasis. Given the potential rise of drug resistance and the limited treatment choices available, there is a need to develop more effective inhibitors for this neglected tropical disease (NTD). In view of this, quantitative structure-activity relationship studies (QSAR), molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, drug-likeness, and ADMET predictions were applied to 31 inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (SmDHODH). The designed QSAR model demonstrated robust statistical parameters including an R2 of 0.911, R2adj of 0.890, Q2cv of 0.686, R2pred of 0.807, and cR2p of 0.825, confirming its robustness. Compound 26, identified as the most active derivative, emerged as a lead candidate for new potential inhibitors through ligand-based drug design. Subsequently, 12 novel compounds (26A-26L) were designed with enhanced inhibition activity and binding affinity. Molecular docking studies revealed strong and stable interactions, including hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, between the designed compounds and the target receptor. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 nanoseconds and MM-PBSA free binding energy (ΔGbind) calculations validated the stability of the two best-designed molecules (26A and 26L). Furthermore, drug-likeness and ADMET prediction analyses affirmed the potential of these designed compounds, suggesting their promise as innovative agents for treating schistosomiasis.

Current and potential materials for the low-carbon cement production: Life cycle assessment perspective

Given the carbon-intensive nature of cement production, conducting a comprehensive environmental evaluation using life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling is paramount to achieving eco-friendly cement standards. This study meticulously compiles and evaluates LCA findings from diverse analyses of current and potential supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) within the blended cement sector. It underscores the impact of the functional unit (FU) within the LCA approach, supply chain considerations, and technical and regulatory factors on the sustainability of blended cement mixtures. Most of LCAs studied herein show that integrating SCMs into the cement matrix typically reduces land use, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby lowering the global warming potential (GWP) of ordinary portland cement (OPC) samples from 831 to 980 kg of CO2-eq to 768-481 kg of CO2-eq per ton of cement. However, in some instances, environmental indicators like abiotic depletion potential-elements (ADP-E) and human toxicity potential (HTP) rise due to increased mining, electricity, and transportation demand for SCMs. Regarding the environmental potential of alkali-activated cementitious materials and low-carbon clinker formulations, we found that limitations arise in fully replacing OPC due to global raw material availability constraints, rendering them economically unfavorable and impeding their widespread adoption. Among the SCMs examined in this study, clays, which are more widely available compared to industrially sourced materials like fly ash, slag, and silica fume, exhibited a more favorable environmental profile when evaluated using a mass-based FU. Incorporating compressive strength into the FU resulted in greater environmental benefits from high-strength blendedcement composites. However, this approach might lead to inaccurate results because higher strength does not always correspond to a lower environmental impact. Thus, establishing a FU that accurately reflects the environmental impact of blended cement and its composites (e.g., concrete and mortar) is crucial. Despite the potential of various pozzolanic materials to reduce clinker content in cement mixtures, their wide utilization remains restricted due to the absence of widescale market-based initiatives, green procurement strategies, and effective policy measures, which hampers their industrial and public acceptance. Consequently, governmental support is essential for developing and integrating sustainable cement solutions.

The Impact of Promotion, Product Quality, and Trust toward Online Impulsive Buying Decisions: The Mediating Role of Flow Experience

Online purchasing has experienced significant growth, with approximately 40 percent of total online purchases classified as impulsive. However, there is a gap between the potential rise in online purchases and the proportion of impulsive purchases, which remains at 40 percent. To address this gap and boost short-term sales for producers, this study aims to evaluate the impact of promotion, product quality, and trust on online impulsive buying decisions, considering the role of flow experience as an intervening variable. The research employs a descriptive quantitative method, collecting data through questionnaires using a Likert scale. The study was conducted in the D.K.I Jakarta area, involving 246 respondents. Data analysis was performed using path analysis to examine the relationships between the independent variables (promotion, product quality, and trust), the intervening variable (flow experience), and the dependent variable (online impulsive buying decisions). The findings reveal that promotion has a positive and significant influence on online impulsive buying decisions. Moreover, promotion significantly impacts flow experience, which in turn mediates the effect of promotion on online impulsive buying decisions. On the contrary, product quality and trust do not significantly affect either online impulsive buying decisions or flow experience. This suggests that promotional activities are crucial for enhancing impulsive purchases online, while product quality and trust play a lesser role in this context.

Beating around the bush over knowledge sabotage: the fatal flaw in increasing digital innovation ecosystem performance through innovation capability under technological turbulence

PurposeThe objective of this article is to analyze the mediating role of innovation capability—both radical and incremental—between technological turbulence and digital innovation ecosystem performance, considering the impact of cross-organizational knowledge sabotage. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding digitization, the high failure rate (80%) of digital transformation projects has received limited attention. This alarming statistic indicates a potential rise in opportunistic behaviors within organizations. We hypothesize that employees seeking to reduce the risk of being displaced by digital technologies, may not only hide knowledge, as previously observed, but also engage in knowledge sabotage by disseminating inaccurate information during the co-creation of digital innovations within the digital innovation ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed structural equation modeling to examine moderated mediation using survey data collected from 148 firms, mainly from sectors of high to medium levels of digital intensity.FindingsThe most significant finding indicates that cross-organizational knowledge sabotage considerably reduces the only mediating effect, namely that of incremental innovation capability.Originality/valueOur study presents a novel perspective by investigating the phenomenon of cross-organizational knowledge sabotage. Unlike prior research, which primarily identified the existence of knowledge hiding, our findings suggest that employees are not only willing to withhold information but also to disseminate inaccurate information to external partners. Consequently, our research extends the boundaries of the existing knowledge field by demonstrating that cross-organizational knowledge sabotage has repercussions that extend beyond intra-organizational impacts, as previously recognized. It also adversely affects the outcomes of collaborative work within the digital innovation ecosystem.

On singularity and the Stoics: why Stoicism offers a valuable approach to navigating the risks of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AbstractThe potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence technologies have sparked a wide-ranging debate in both academic and public circles. On one hand, there is an urgent call to address the immediate and avoidable challenges associated with these tools, such as accountability, privacy, bias, understandability, and transparency; on the other hand, prominent figures like Geoffrey Hinton and Elon Musk have voiced concerns over the potential rise of Super Artificial Intelligence, whose singularity could pose an existential threat to humanity. Coordinating the efforts of thousands of decentralized entities to prevent such a hypothetical event may seem insurmountable in our intricate and multipolar world. Thus, drawing from both perspectives, this work suggests employing the tools and framework of Stoic philosophy, particularly the concept of the dichotomy of control—focusing on what is within our power. This Stoic principle offers a practical and epistemological approach to managing the complexities of AI, and it encourages individuals to organize their efforts around what they can influence while adapting to the constraints of external factors. Within this framework, the essay found that Stoic wisdom is essential for assessing risks, courage is necessary to face contemporary challenges, and temperance and tranquility are indispensable; and these lessons can inform ongoing public and academic discourse, aiding in the development of more effective policy proposals for aligning Narrow AI and General AI with human values.

Co-hydrothermal carbonization of waste biomass and phosphate rock: promoted carbon sequestration and enhanced phosphorus bioavailability

Co-hydrothermal carbonization (co-HTC) of phosphorus rock (PR) and corn straw (CS) was investigated to prepare hydrochar-based materials as soil conditioners, focusing on the morphological transformation and solid–liquid migration of carbon and phosphorus. Various analytical methods, including elemental analysis, chemical quantification, FT-IR, XRD, 3D-EEM, TG, and XANES, were used to understand the synergistic interactions of PR and CS during co-HTC and determine the properties of the resultant products. The results indicated the acidic solution and humic acid-like substances produced by HTC of CS reduced the crystallinity of the PR and served as the activating agent for PR, allowing the PR to be easily dissolved and reconstituted, producing calcium carbonate and apatite-like materials, and the formation of C–O–PO3, C–PO3, C=O, and O=C–O chemical bonds. At 220 °C, adding 5% PR significantly promoted a 10.3% rise in the yield of CS hydrochar, a 4.3% rise in carbon recovery of CS, and a 4.8% rise in carbon sequestration potential of CS. The formation of Ca–P was notably promoted and the content of AP in co-HTC hydrochar was up to 89.9%, with 39% Hydro-P and 33% CaHPO4. In the case of artificial humic acid (HAa), its content was also remarkably increased by 5.9% in the hydrochar by co-HTC. In addition, the hydrochar produced by co-HTC of CS and PR was composed of carbon with an increased aromatic degree, rich organic matter, and biologically effective mineral nutrient elements and exhibited high stability. The present study provided a promising approach for value-added utilization of waste biomass and low-grade PR towards soil application.Graphical

Modeling Investigation of Potential Sea Level Rise Effect on Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport in Hyères Bay, France

Modeling Investigation of Potential Sea Level Rise Effect on Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport in Hyères Bay, France

Mechanical and physicochemical characteristics of sub-millimeter and macrobubbles: Insights from AFM analysis, zeta potential measurements and rise velocity

This study presents the change in mechanical and physicochemical behaviour of macrobubbles and sub-millimeter bubbles with respect to pH. While macrobubbles conventionally range from 100 μm to 2 mm in diameter, this study focuses on the comparatively less-explored sub-millimeter bubble range, centered around a median diameter of 500 μm. The difference in sub-millimeter bubbles (500 μm) compared to their larger counterparts (1100 μm) within macrobubble size range were evidenced through atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, zeta potential measurements, and rise velocity experiments. The adhesion force and energy between bubbles and the silicon nitride cantilever tip showed a decreasing trend with increasing pH, notably diminishing by about 50% beyond pH 9. Although no significant differences were statistically revealed between the two bubble sizes at lower pH, the adhesion force and energy were consistently smaller for macrobubble compared to sub-millimeter bubble at higher pH beyond pH 9. This finding suggests that the electrical double layer (EDL) interactions are influenced by the specific surface area, particularly in the alkaline region. Zeta potential measurements exhibited a cubic trend, with an isoelectric point at pH 3.5 and a minimum zeta potential at pH 11. The study also depicted a similar trend in the rise velocity of bubbles, suggesting a direct relationship between bubble stiffness and its rise velocity. Therefore, changes in pH affected the bubbles' properties, while on the other hand, certain physicochemical properties are also influenced by bubble sizes.

Tracking KP.2 SARS-CoV-2 Variant in India and the Clinical Profile of KP.2 Cases in Maharashtra, India.

Following the emergence of the JN.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, variants with key mutations in the spike protein, such as L455F, F456L, and R346T, were identified. In early January 2024, the KP.2 (JN.1.11.1.2) variant was first identified in clinical samples. Its increasing global prevalence has raised concerns over its transmission and clinical impact. The study investigates KP.2*'s (*indicates KP.2 and all its sub-lineages) spread and clinical severity in Maharashtra. This study involved 5,173 Indian SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences with collection dates between November 1, 2023 and June 24, 2024. Lineage analysis of sequences was performed using Nextclade software (version 3.8.0). Telephonic interviews were conducted to confirm the demographic details and obtain clinical information on the KP.2* cases. The obtained data were recorded and analyzed using Microsoft® Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). Among the 5,173 sequences analyzed, JN.1* appeared as the predominant lineage (65.96%, 3412/5173), followed by KP.2* (7.83%, 405/5173) and KP.1* (3.27%, 169/5173). In India, KP.2* was first detected on December 2, 2023, in Odisha. The majority of KP.2* sequences were from Maharashtra (248/405, 61.23%), followed by West Bengal (38/405, 9.38%), Gujarat (27/405, 6.67%), and Rajasthan (24/405, 5.93%). Maharashtra reported its first KP.2* sequences on January 24, 2024. The clinical study included 160 cases of the KP.2* variant from Maharashtra. Of these, 95.63% (153/160) presented with mild symptoms, such as fever (108/160, 67.50%), cold (87/160, 54.38%), cough (80/160, 50%), sore throat (44/160, 27.5%), body ache (43/160, 26.88%), and fatigue (42/160, 26.25%). About 33.13% (53/160) of the cases required institutional quarantine or hospitalization, with the rest managed at home. Among those hospitalized, 50.94% (27/53) received conservative treatment, while 49.06% (26/53) needed supplemental oxygen, steroids, or antiviral therapy. Regarding the vaccination status, 89.38% (143/160) of the cases had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, whereas 10% (16/160) were unvaccinated, with the majority of the unvaccinated being children aged zero to nine years (7/16, 43.75%). The overall recovery rate for KP.2* cases was 99.38% (159/160), with only 0.62% (1/160) succumbing to the disease. The KP.2 variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in India and Maharashtra. Despite the affected individuals experiencing mild symptoms, studies have shown lower neutralization titers and high infectivity due to FLiRT mutations, suggesting KP.2's potential rise to global dominance.

The Influence of Stakeholder Interests on Safety Outcome Reporting in Psychedelic Research and Implications for Science Communication.

Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances which produce complex and subjective changes to consciousness and carry unique safety considerations. There is a growing body of work investigating the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment alongside increasing socio-cultural and political acceptance. This rapid evolution has prompted corporations to fund psychedelic clinical trials, leading to a potential rise in conflicts of interest in relevant studies and publications. However, the body of evidence for the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric illnesses is early. There is concern regarding the introduction of bias in psychedelic clinical trials and the selective reporting of results amidst and beyond corporate involvement. At a crucial time in psychedelic drug reform, this paper explores the safety concerns associated with psychedelics, the potential influences of financial stakeholders on safety outcome reporting and the importance of balanced science communication in maintaining public health and safety.

Climatic teleconnection of the future trend of meteorological, GRACE-DSI, and vegetation-conditioned-based drought analysis in the Ganga Basin

ABSTRACT This study assesses drought in the Ganga River Basin using standard precipitation index (SPI), Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Drought Severity Index (GRACE-DSI), and vegetation condition index (VCI) via geographic information system (GIS) and non-parametric tests. Future SPI trends show increasing drought severity from 1986 to 2020. GRACE-DSI analysis (2002–2020) indicates a potential rise in drought conditions. VCI computations reveal vegetation health dynamics. Findings suggest an impending severe drought in the Ganga Basin, necessitating urgent water resource management. Drought causes are linked to precipitation changes and resource over-exploitation in changing climate conditions. The study emphasizes implementing measures like water conservation, sustainable land use, and groundwater recharge strategies to mitigate drought impacts.

Comparison over Time of Adverse Drug Reactions in Diabetes Patients Treated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors.

The prescription of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been increasing due to their additional benefits, including weight loss, cardioprotection and renoprotection. Accordingly, there are concerns about the potential rise in severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs), such as urinary tract infections, diabetic ketoacidosis, volume depletion, and hypoglycemia. The Society has announced recommendations on the proper use of SGLT2 inhibitors. We aimed to elucidate the recent occurrence of severe ADRs which need discontinuation of SGLT2 inhibitors or hospitalization. In this retrospective cohort study, we identified 391 diabetic patients who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors upon admission to our hospital between April 2017 and March 2023. Of these, 68 patients who discontinued SGLT2 inhibitors for reasons other than ADRs were excluded. Patients were classified into the 2017 group and the 2020 group based on the treatment period of SGLT2 inhibitors, and the occurrence of ADRs and patient backgrounds were compared between the two groups. A total of 323 eligible patients were identified. Discontinuations of SGLT2 inhibitors decreased in the 2020 group (p < 0.05). However, discontinuations due to frailty increased (p < 0.05). Hospitalization due to ADRs, specifically those due to urinary tract infections, diabetic ketoacidosis, or volume depletion, did not specifically decrease (p = 0.273). This study indicated that there has been some improvement in the awareness of the proper use of SGLT2 inhibitors and there is still a need to continue enlightenment activities.