Regression Coefficients Research Articles

Risk and mediation analyses of hemoglobin glycation index and survival prognosis in patients with sepsis.

An increasing number of studies have reported the close relation of the hemoglobin glycation index (HGI) with metabolism, inflammation, and disease prognosis. However, the prognostic relationship between the HGI and patients with sepsis remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the association between the HGI and all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis using data from the MIMIC-IV database. In this study, 2605 patients with sepsis were retrospectively analyzed. The linear regression equation was established by incorporating glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose levels. Subsequently, the HGI was calculated based on the difference between the predicted and observed HbA1c levels. Furthermore, the HGI was divided into the following three groups using X-tile software: Q1 (HGI ≤ - 0.50%), Q2 (- 0.49% ≤ HGI ≤ 1.18%), and Q3 (HGI ≥ 1.19%). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were further plotted to analyze the differences in 28-day and 365-day mortality among patients with sepsis patients in these HGI groups. Multivariate corrected Cox proportional risk model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used. Lastly, mediation analysis was performed to assess the factors through which HGI affects sepsis prognosis. This study included 2605 patients with sepsis, and the 28-day and 365-day mortality rates were 19.7% and 38.9%, respectively. The Q3 group had the highest mortality risk at 28days (HR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.89-3.44, p < 0.001) and 365days (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.29-1.97, p < 0.001). In the fully adjusted multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, patients in the Q3 group still displayed the highest mortality rates at 28days (HR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.45-2.80, p < 0.001) and 365days (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08-1.56, p < 0.001). The RCS analysis revealed that HGI was positively associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Finally, the mediation effect analysis demonstrated that the HGI might influence patient survival prognosis via multiple indicators related to the SOFA and SAPS II scores. There was a significant association between HGI and all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis, and patients with higher HGI values had a higher risk of death. Therefore, HGI can be used as a potential indicator to assess the prognostic risk of death in patients with sepsis.

Determination of heavy metal concentration in African pike (Hepsetus odoe) from Alape River, Southwestern Nigeria

Aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria face significant environmental challenges because of anthropogenic activities, resulting in heavy metal contamination. Fish body weight and length and heavy metal concentrations in African pike (Hepsetus odoe) from Alape River, Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria, were investigated. Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) concentrations were measured in the gills, intestines, and trunks of the fish over six months (i.e., from May 2022 to October 2022) using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific’s 210VGP). Significant variations in heavy metal concentrations were observed across different months and organs. The order of concentrations for the six months, from highest to lowest, was Fe (2.26 mg/kg) > Ni (0.37 mg/kg) > Cu (0.23 mg/kg) > Mn (0.27 mg/kg) > Pb (0.05 mg/kg) > Cd (0.01 mg/kg). Higher concentrations were generally observed in the gills and intestines in May and June, whereas elevated levels were observed in the gills in September and October. These concentrations were compared with the maximum permissible limits established by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization for fish consumption, and all measured heavy metal concentrations were determined to be below the permissible limits. Body weight ranged from 172 to 362 g, and length ranged from 15.7 cm to 23.5 cm. The regression coefficient (b) ranged from − 0.134 to 0.204, indicating a relatively weak length–weight relationship. The condition factor (K) exhibited variations in the overall health and well-being of the fish. Based on these findings, the consumption of African pike from the Alape River is currently considered safe for humans, regardless of fish size, with all of the heavy metal concentrations within the permissible limits. However, continuous monitoring is crucial to ensure the ongoing safety of aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Do Surgeons Experience Moral Dissonance When There Is Misalignment Between Evidence and Action? A Survey and Scenario-based Study.

Moral dissonance is the psychological discomfort associated with a mismatch between our moral values and potentially immoral actions. For instance, to limit moral dissonance, surgeons must develop a rationale that the potential for benefit from performing surgery is meaningfully greater than the inherent harm of surgery. Moral dissonance can also occur when a patient or one's surgeon peers encourage surgery for a given problem, even when the evidence suggests limited or no benefit over other options. Clinicians may not realize the degree to which moral dissonance can be a source of diminished joy in practice. Uncovering potential sources of moral dissonance can help inform efforts to help clinicians enjoy their work. In a scenario-based experiment performed in an online survey format, we exposed musculoskeletal specialists to various types of patient and practice stressors to measure their association with moral dissonance and asked: (1) What factors are associated with the level of pressure surgeons feel to act contrary to the best evidence? (2) What factors are associated with the likelihood of offering surgery? We performed a scenario-based experiment by inviting members of the Science of Variation Group (SOVG; an international collaborative of musculoskeletal surgeons that studies variation in care) to complete an online survey with randomized elements. The use of experimental techniques such as randomization to measure factors associated with specific ratings makes participation rate less important than diversity of opinion within the sample. A total of 114 SOVG musculoskeletal surgeons participated, which represents the typical number of participants from a total of about 200 who tend to participate in at least one experiment per year. Among the 114 participants, 94% (107) were men, 49% (56) practiced in the United States, and 82% (94) supervised trainees. Participants viewed 12 scenarios of upper extremity fractures for which surgery is optional (discretionary) based on consensus and current best evidence. In addition to a representative age, the scenario included randomized patient and practice factors that we posit could be sources of moral distress based on author consensus. Patient factors included potential sources of pressure (such as "The patient is convinced they want a specific treatment and will go to a different surgeon if they don't get it") or experiences of collaboration (such as "The patient is collaborative and involved in decisions"). Practice factors included circumstances of financial or reputational pressure (such as "The practice is putting pressure on you to generate more revenue") and factors of limited pressure (such as "Your income is not tied to revenue"). For each scenario, the participant was asked to rate both of the following statements on a scale from 0 to 100 anchored with "I don't feel it at all" at 0, "I feel it moderately" at 50, and "I feel it strongly" at 100: (1) pressure to act contrary to best evidence and (2) likelihood of offering surgery. Additional explanatory variables included surgeon factors: gender, years in practice, region, subspecialty, supervision of trainees, and practice setting (academic/nonacademic). We sought factors associated with pressure to act contrary to evidence and likelihood of offering surgery, accounting for potential confounding variables in multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models. Accounting for potential confounding variables, greater pressure to act contrary to best evidence was moderately associated with greater patient despair (regression coefficient [RC] 6 [95% confidence interval 2 to 9]; p = 0.001) and stronger patient preference (RC 4 [95% CI 0 to 8]; p = 0.03). Lower pressure to act contrary to evidence was moderately associated with surgeon income independent of revenue (RC -6 [95% CI -9 to -4]; p < 0.001) and no financial benefit to operative treatment (RC -6 [95% CI -8 to -3]; p < 0.001). Marketing concerns were the only factor associated with greater likelihood of offering surgery (RC 6 [95% CI 0 to 11]; p = 0.04). In this scenario-based survey experiment, patient distress and strong preferences and surgeon financial incentives were associated with greater surgeon feelings of moral dissonance when considering discretionary fracture surgery. To support enjoyment of the practice of musculoskeletal surgery, we recommend that surgeons, surgery practices, and surgery professional associations be intentional in both anticipating and developing strategies to ameliorate potential sources of moral dissonance in daily practice.

Clinical and pathological significance of Orai1 channel expression in human diabetic nephropathy.

Targeted therapies for diabetic nephropathy (DN) are lacking, partly due to their irreversible nature. The role of Orai1, a store-operated Ca2+ channel, in DN remains debated, with conflicting evidence on its effect on proteinuria in animal models. We aimed to elucidate the functional relevance of Orai1 expression for clinicopathological parameters in patients with DN. In this study, we included 93 patients diagnosed with DN between 2009 and 2019. Immunohistochemical staining for Orai1 was performed on paraffin-embedded kidney sections. The significance of Orai1 expression in human DN was assessed by examining its correlation with DN's pathological and clinical parameters using Pearson's correlation coefficient and univariate logistic regression. Orai1 was significantly overexpressed in DN patients compared to control. A strong correlation was observed between increased Orai1 expression and higher Renal Pathology Society DN classification, enhanced interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy scores. Positive correlations with serum creatinine levels and prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria category were noted but the estimated GFR was inversely related to Orai1 expression. Orai1's association with advanced CKD stages persisted even after adjusting for confounding variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Orai1 expression is closely associated with histological and clinical severities of DN, suggesting its potential as a predictive biomarker for disease progression and prognosis. These findings provide new perspectives on therapeutic interventions targeting Orai1 in DN.

Nurses’ perceptions of patient handoffs and predictors of patient handoff perceptions in tertiary care hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo study nurses’ perceptions of patient handoffs in tertiary care hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia, and to identify predictors of these perceptions.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThree tertiary care hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia, February–March 2023.ParticipantsThe...

Socioeconomic impacts on Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) farming in Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, Mexico

O Objective: To analyze the socioeconomic impacts on Valencia orange farming in Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology: A study was carried out using semi-structured surveys applied to a sample of 40 Valencia orange producers during the 2023 agricultural cycle. Convenience sampling was carried out, considering demographic, agronomic, socioeconomic and environmental variables. The methodology included the analysis of production costs, profits and profitability. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationships between the variables, using the statistical SPSS software version 29.0. The variables considered were profitability of the crop (dependent variable), and the independent variables: sowing density, age of the crop, yield, and production cost. Results: The coefficients of regression show a direct relationship with the dependent variable, which is why the model as a whole is useful to explain the variability in the profitability of the Valencia orange crop. Conclusions: The current production model highlights key challenges and opportunities for the producers. It is considered that the socioeconomic, agronomic, commercial and environmental variables drive the sustainability and competitiveness of the crop in the region.

Development, Optimization, and Validation of an in vitro Cell-Based Bioassay to Determine the Biological Activity of Teriparatide (PTH1–34)

AbstractThis study aimed to establish an efficient in vitro cell-based assay to measure the activity of teriparatide (PTH1–34). In this study, a rat osteosarcoma cell line (UMR-106) was treated with various concentrations of PTH1–34, and the biological activity of PTH1–34 was determined by quantitatively measuring intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels using a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. A four-parameter fitting analysis was used to calculate the relative potency of the samples. The experimental conditions were optimized. The method's specificity, relative accuracy, precision, and linearity were validated. Our data suggested that this method had good specificity, a relative bias of relative accuracy ranging from −0.8 to 1.4%, a correlation coefficient for the linear regression equation of 0.9953, a geometric coefficient of variation for intermediate precision ranges from 2.0 to 3.5%, and a linear range of 50 to 150%. This method significantly improves the quality control and release inspection efficiency of PTH1–34 and may be further developed and validated as an alternative to the existing United States Pharmacopeia and European Pharmacopoeia inclusion methods. This method also provides a platform for the high-throughput screening of PTH1–34 analogs.

Association between exposure to air pollution and arterial stiffness in participants with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

To assess the association of air pollution exposure at different time scales with arterial stiffness in participants with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We measured participants' arterial stiffness with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) from October 2016 to January 2020. Concentrations of air pollutants including fine particles < 2.5μm aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), inhalable particles < 10μm aerodynamic diameter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) measured by fixed ambient air monitoring stations were collected for short- (7-day) and long-term (365-day) exposure assessment. We used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) to analyze and further explored the modification effects between ASCVD and air pollutants. Seven hundred sixty-five participants were finally included and four hunderd sixty (60.1%) participants had a history of ASCVD. Based on the partial regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) calculated from GEEs using linear regression, each 10μg/m3 increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was associated with 31.85cm/s (95% CI, 17.97 to 45.73) and 35.93cm/s (95% CI, 21.01to50.84) increase in baPWV. There was no association between short-term exposure to air pollution and arterial stiffness. Although no significant interaction effect was observed between air pollution and ASCVD, baPWV showed a greater increment in the subgroup without ASCVD. Long-term exposure to air pollution is closely associated with higher arterial stiffness in participants with and without ASCVD. Reducing air pollution exposure is essential in the primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD.

Fast Minimum Error Entropy for Linear Regression

The minimum error entropy (MEE) criterion finds extensive utility across diverse applications, particularly in contexts characterized by non-Gaussian noise. However, its computational demands are notable, and are primarily attributable to the double summation operation involved in calculating the probability density function (PDF) of the error. To address this, our study introduces a novel approach, termed the fast minimum error entropy (FMEE) algorithm, aimed at mitigating computational complexity through the utilization of polynomial expansions of the error PDF. Initially, the PDF approximation of a random variable is derived via the Gram–Charlier expansion. Subsequently, we proceed to ascertain and streamline the entropy of the random variable. Following this, the error entropy inherent to the linear regression model is delineated and expressed as a function of the regression coefficient vector. Lastly, leveraging the gradient descent algorithm, we compute the regression coefficient vector corresponding to the minimum error entropy. Theoretical scrutiny reveals that the time complexity of FMEE stands at O(n), in stark contrast to the O(n2) complexity associated with MEE. Experimentally, our findings underscore the remarkable efficiency gains afforded by FMEE, with time consumption registering less than 1‰ of that observed with MEE. Encouragingly, this efficiency leap is achieved without compromising accuracy, as evidenced by negligible differentials observed between the accuracies of FMEE and MEE. Furthermore, comprehensive regression experiments on real-world electric datasets in northwest China demonstrate that our FMEE outperforms baseline methods by a clear margin.

Pro-environmental behavior: the relationship with information literacy self-efficacy, climate knowledge and climate anxiety among students in Ghana

Abstract As environmental concerns escalate globally, understanding pro-environmental behavior is important. Using a cross-sectional survey of 265 university students from Accra, Ghana, the study hypothesized that pro-environmental behavior is related to climate change knowledge, information literacy self-efficacy and climate change anxiety. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and simple linear regression were used to test the hypothesis. Findings suggest that climate change knowledge was positively related to information literacy self-efficacy and climate change anxiety. Climate change knowledge and information literacy self-efficacy also positively predicted pro-environmental behavior. Findings imply that students should be trained to improve their climate change knowledge and acquire information literacy skills. Training these skills can contribute to the development of responsible environmental behavior in society.

Quantitative Analysis of Pb in Soil Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Based on Signal Enhancement of Conductive Materials

Studying efficient and accurate soil heavy-metal detection technology is of great significance to establishing a modern system for monitoring soil pollution, early warning and risk assessment, which contributes to the continuous improvement of soil quality and the assurance of food safety. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is considered to be an emerging and effective tool for heavy-metal detection, compared with traditional detection technologies. Limited by the soil matrix effect, the LIBS signal of target elements for soil heavy-metal detection is prone to interference, thereby compromising the accuracy of quantitative detection. Thus, a series of signal-enhancement methods are investigated. This study aims to explore the effect of conductive materials of NaCl and graphite on the quantitative detection of lead (Pb) in soil using LIBS, seeking to find a reliable signal-enhancement method of LIBS for the determination of soil heavy-metal elements. The impact of the addition amount of NaCl and graphite on spectral intensity and parameters, including the signal-to-background ratio (SBR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and relative standard deviation (RSD), were investigated, and the mechanism of signal enhancement by NaCl and graphite based on the analysis of the three-dimensional profile data of ablation craters and plasma parameters (plasmatemperature and electron density) were explored. Univariate and multivariate quantitative analysis models including partial least-squares regression (PLSR), least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM), and extreme learning machine (ELM) were developed for the quantitative detection of Pb in soil with the optimal amount of NaCl and graphite, and the performance of the models was further compared. The PLSR model with the optimal amount of graphite obtained the best prediction performance, with an Rp that reached 0.994. In addition, among the three spectral lines of Pb, the univariate model of Pb I 405.78 nm showed the best prediction performance, with an Rp of 0.984 and the lowest LOD of 26.142 mg/kg. The overall results indicated that the LIBS signal-enhancement method based on conductive materials combined with appropriate chemometric methods could be a potential tool for the accurate quantitative detection of Pb in soil and could provide a reference for environmental monitoring.

Factors Related to The Active Aging Concept and Functional Capacity in The Thai Elderly

Objective: This study aimed to examine factors related to the active aging concept and functional capacity in elderly Thais. Material and Methods: The study population was 253 elderly people aged 60 years and over. The tools used for data collection were a standardized active aging concept questionnaire, which had an index of item objective congruence (IOC) of 0.938. The descriptive statistics used percentages, means, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics were calculated through stepwise multivariate linear regression to investigate the factors that impacted the functional abilities associated with active aging. Results: The results showed that functional capacity had a low to moderately positive correlated significance with mean a correlation with the willingness of the elderly people to follow or practice the active aging concept, the health service system and environmental and lifestyle factors had a moderately positive effect; and behavior had a low positive correlated significance with practice the active aging. The regression coefficients of the health service system factors and environmental and lifestyle factors had a positive relationship to the practice of active aging. Conclusion: In summary, the health service system and environmental and lifestyle factors had a positive relationship with the practice of active aging. Relevant agencies can use this as basic information for planning and promoting the development of increased functional capacity for the elderly.

An Investigation into Social Media Utilisation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and its Effect on Business Performance: A Case Study of Kabwata Township, Lusaka

This study investigated the impact of social media on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Kabwata Township, focusing on the types of social media used, its impact on brand visibility, customer acquisition, and the influence of social media marketing strategies on sales revenue and profitability. A mixed methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to provide a comprehensive understanding of SMEs' social media practices. The study targeted SMEs actively using social media in Kabwata. 100% response rate was achieved from a sample of 133 SMEs for quantitative data and additional insights from 20 SMEs for qualitative data. The results indicated that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and LinkedIn significantly enhanced brand visibility and customer engagement. However, the choice of platform alone did not predict success; strategic implementation was crucial. Significant correlations and regression coefficients demonstrated the positive impact of social media marketing on SME success, though with a modest effect on sales revenue. Recommendations emphasized aligning social media activities with business objectives to maximize benefits.

School-based cannabis prevention: Results of a cluster-randomised trial

Acluster-randomised trial was conducted in five German federal states to evaluate the results of a school-based cannabis prevention unit. A total of 55 schools were randomly assigned to the intervention group, i.e. participation in a two-hour cannabis prevention workshop conducted by drug prevention specialists in grades 8 and 9, or to a control group with a waiting list. The knowledge, attitudes, intentions and behaviour of the young people in relation to cannabis were measured at the start of the study and six months later. 2,669 pupils(50.8% girls, average age=14.12 years) made up the sample. Effects of the intervention on the students' knowledge (adjusted regression coefficient=0.26 [0.15-0.38], p<0.001) and on the expected negative consequences of cannabis use in adolescents (adjusted regression coefficient=0.15 [0.04-0.25], p=0.006) were found. Both increased significantly more in the intervention group compared to the control group. There were no effects on other attitude-related variables, intentions or behaviour. A very short school-based workshop for grade 8 and 9 students improved their knowledge of and critical attitudes towards cannabis use, but had no effect on their future intentions and cannabis use.

Effect of RE-O/C catalyst on the hydrolysis kinetics and catalytic mechanism of MgH2

The reaction between MgH2 and water produces a significant amount of hydrogen gas, which is beneficial for the development of hydrogen energy in fuel cells. However, the slow hydrogen production rate and the formation of a dense Mg(OH)2 layer limit its application. In this study, MgH2 was doped with 2 wt%, 4 wt%, and 8 wt% of RE-O/C (RE-O = La2O3, CeO2, Pr6O11) catalysts through ball milling technology, and hydrolysis experiments were conducted. The hydrolysis kinetics and activation energy were analyzed using Avrami-Erofeev and Arrhenius equations for linear fitting. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were employed to analyze the hydrolysis mechanism and the effect of the catalysts on particle surfaces. Notably, the addition of 4 wt% RE-O/C exhibited the best improvement in the hydrolysis performance of MgH2. At high temperatures, the maximum hydrogen production rates for MgH2+4La2O3/C, MgH2+4CeO2/C, and MgH2+4Pr6O11/C are 32.05, 30.92, and 29 mL·g−1·s−1, respectively, with maximum hydrogen capacities of 1996, 2140, and 2000 mL·g−1, and activation energies of 21.8, 24.8, and 21.3 kJ·mol−1, respectively. The MgH2+RE-O/C composites studied overcame the key issues of MgH2 hydrolysis, presenting a promising strategy for hydrogen production.

Spectrophotometric-Based Sensor for the Detection of Multiple Fertilizer Solutions

The online detection of fertilizer solution information is a crucial link in the implementation of intelligent and precise variable fertilization techniques. However, achieving simultaneous rapid online detection of multiple fertilizer components is still challenging. Therefore, a rapid detection method based on spectrophotometry for qualitative and quantitative identification of four fertilizers (typical N, P, and K fertilizers: KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, KH2PO4, and K2SO4) was proposed in this work. Full-scan absorption spectra of fertilizer solutions at varying concentrations were obtained using a UV–visible/near-infrared spectrophotometer. By assessing the linear fit between fertilizer concentration and absorbance at each wavelength within the characteristic band, the characteristic wavelengths for KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, KH2PO4, and K2SO4 were identified as 214 nm, 410 nm, 712 nm, and 1708 nm, respectively. The identification method of fertilizer type and the prediction model of concentration were constructed based on characteristic wavelength and the Lambert–Beer law. Based on the above analysis, a four-channel photoelectric sensor was designed with four LEDs emitting wavelengths closely matched to characteristic wavelengths for fertilizer detection. A detection strategy of “qualitative analysis followed by quantitative detection” was proposed to realize the online detection of four fertilizer types and their concentrations. Evaluation of the sensor’s performance showed its high stability, with an accuracy of 81.5% in recognizing fertilizer types. Furthermore, the relative error of the sensor detection was substantially less than ±15% for the fertilizer concentrations not exceeding 80 mg/L. These results confirm the capability of the sensor to meet the practical requirements for online detection of four fertilizer types and concentrations in the field of agricultural engineering.

The Spatiotemporal Matching Relationship between Metro Networks and Urban Population from an Evolutionary Perspective: Passive Adaptation or Active Guidance?

With the operation of the first route in Xi’an City, the matching relationship between the metro networks and the urban population is a root factor affecting the utilization of rail transit facilities. The mismatch between the metro networks and the urban population has led to an imbalance between the supply and demand for rail transport, resulting in wasted urban infrastructure. Based on this issue, the research objective is to focus on the spatiotemporal variations of the matching relationship. Firstly, the topological network model abstractly extracted metro spatial distribution features, and the spatial autocorrelation model was adopted to identify the evolution characteristics of the metro networks and urban population. Secondly, this paper adopted a time-lagged regression model to demonstrate the action relationship from 2011 to 2021. Then, the compositive coordination index was utilized to assess the variation of the global matching relationship. Finally, the paper explored spatial heterogeneity through the coupling coherence degree attached to grid cells. The research results indicate that the Moran’s I value of metro elements decreased from 0.782 to 0.510 with the further complexity of topological networks, while the population was consistently high in spatial dependence with a Moran’s I value of around 0.75 during the decade. Based on the regression coefficients and significance, this paper verified the hypothesis that the metro networks and urban population had a positive time-lagged feedback effect in urban development. From 2011 to 2021, the compositive coordination index symbolizing the global matching relationship increased from 0.29 to 0.90, but the coupling coherence degree shows significant spatial heterogeneity in different grid units. Differentiated spatial planning strategies were proposed for varied areas to efficiently utilize rail transit, which may provide a reference for other cities with the same reality problem.

Clinical features and prognostic model for viral encephalitis after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The objective of this study was to identify independent prognostic factors of viral encephalitis (VE) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and establish a prognostic model to identify post-transplant VE patients with a greater likelihood of mortality. Among 5380 patients in our centre from 2014 to 2022, 211 patients who developed VE after allo-HSCT were reviewed in this retrospective study. Prognostic factors were selected, and a prognostic model was constructed using Cox regression analysis. The model was subsequently validated and estimated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), a calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA). Glasgow Coma Scale score <9, lesions >3 lobes on magnetic resonance imaging and severe thrombocytopenia were identified as independent prognostic risk factors for VE patients who underwent allo-HSCT. The prognostic model GTM (GTM is an abbreviation for a model composed of three risk factors: GCS score <9, severe thrombocytopenia [platelet count <20 000 per microliter], and lesions >3 lobes on MRI) was established according to the regression coefficients. The validated internal AUC was 0.862 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.773-0.950), and the external AUC was 0.815 (95% CI, 0.708-0.922), indicating strong discriminatory ability. Furthermore, we constructed calibration plots that demonstrated good consistency between the predicted outcomes and the observed outcomes. DCA exhibited high accuracy in this system, leading to potential benefits for patients.

Fabrication and characterization of biodegradable hydrogel beads of guar gum for the removal of chlorpyrifos pesticide from water

A new guar gum hydrogel beads were fabricated by dropping method from an aqueous solution of guar gum (GG) using ammonium persulphate and polyethylene glycol as initiator and crosslinker respectively, for the adsorption of chlorpyrifos (CP) from water. The semi-crystalline nature of the synthesized beads was confirmed by FESEM analysis. The TGA studies implied that the beads were thermally stable up to 600 °C. The maximum swelling ratio of 1400 gg−1 was attained at pH 9.2 and 80 min. The evidence of a strong absorption band was found in FTIR spectrum at 584 cm−1 due to -P=S of the adsorbed pesticide CP. The maximum adsorption of CP was found to be 220.97 mgg−1. The adsorption followed pseudo second-order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm with regression coefficients 0.9998 and 0.9938 which followed the chemisorption process. It is due to the hydrolysis of CP at pH 9.2 to yield 3,5,6-trichloropyridinol which in turn reacts with the carboxylic group present in GG giving -N-C=O linkage. A -ΔG indicates that the process is spontaneous and involves chemisorption which is thermodynamically and kinetically favorable and a -ΔH value (−10.37 kJ/mol) suggests that the adsorption is exothermic.

Multi-modal evaluation of respiratory diaphragm motion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using MRI series and CT images.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airflow limitation and breathing difficulty, is usually caused by prolonged inhalation of toxic substances or long-term smoking habits. Some abnormal features of COPD can be observed using medical imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to conduct a multi-modal analysis of COPD, focusing on assessing respiratory diaphragm motion using MRI series in conjunction with low attenuation volume (LAV) data derived from CT images. This study utilized MRI series from 10 normal subjects and 24 COPD patients, along with thoracic CT images from the same patients. Diaphragm profiles in the sagittal thoracic MRI series were extracted using field segmentation, and diaphragm motion trajectories were generated from estimated diaphragm displacements via registration. Re-sliced sagittal CT images were used to calculate regional LAVs for four distinct lung regions. The similarities among diaphragm motion trajectories at various positions were assessed, and their correlations with regional LAVs were analyzed. Compared with the normal subjects, patients with COPD typically exhibited fewer similarities in diaphragm motion, as indicated by the mean normalized correlation coefficient of the vertical motion component (0.96 for normal subjects vs. 0.76 for severity COPD patients). This reduction was significantly correlated with the LAV% in the two lower lung regions with a regression coefficient of 0.81. Our proposed evaluation method may assist in the diagnosis and therapy planning for patients with COPD.