Term Effects Research Articles

A mini-review on influence of physical exercise in remodeling the immune mechanism

Exercising on a regular basis has been associated with delay in onset of many lifestyle disorders and chronic conditions. Different types of exercise have varied effects on our innate immune cells, both positively and negatively. Low-intensity exercises like yoga or brisk walking, medium-intensity exercises like swimming or cycling, and long-term high-intensity exercises like playing sports like volleyball or working out in the gym are some examples. The immune system's function is impacted differently by exercise training depending on the type, duration, intensity, and other factors. Exercise training is a double-edged sword that helps the body's immune system by changing the immune cells' post-exercise reaction mechanisms. Regular physical exercise is one of the lifestyle adjustments aimed at minimizing morbidity and mortality associated with contemporary illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Regular leisure exercise training is regarded to be beneficial, but extreme exercise, such as that performed by professional athletes, is thought to have possibly detrimental consequences. This review summarizes current information in the field of exercise-associated alterations of infection susceptibility and indicates knowledge gaps for further investigation. It highlights that long term effects of physical activity shows a positive association with longevity and exercise.

Oral flecainide therapy and myocardial pacing: preliminary data from a prospective multicenter registry

Abstract Background Antiarrhythmic drugs, class I are widely used for prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence. However, previous studies found that these drugs could affect pacing thresholds among pacemaker recipients. Aim of the study: evaluate short -term effect on myocardial pacing following therapy with oral flecainide (200 mg/daily). Methods 45 consecutive pacemaker recipients were prospectively enrolled in a multicenter registry. These patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, a dual chamber pacemaker with symptomatic sustained high-rate atrial fibrillation episodes and stable output atrial and ventricular thresholds. Patients were followed with ambulatory and/or remote monitoring. Results mean age was 74±1 years, 48% pts were male and AF burden was 8±16%. Pacemaker implantation was performed 3.9±0.3 year before study enrollment. Three (6%) out of 45 patients were excluded due to drug sided effects including dyspnea (n=1), diplopia (n=1) and toxicity during acute renal insufficiency (n=1). Flecainide treatment was associated with a significant reduction of atrial fibrillation burden (from 8±16% to 5±12%, p<0.01). At 30 days follow-up since Flecainide starting therapy both atrial and ventricular sensing significantly decreased (3.6 ± 2.2 vs 3.4 ± 2.1mV p=0.01; 12.5±6.6 vs 11.8±6.3 mV p=0.01), while there was a slight increase of both atrial and ventricular capture thresholds (0.77±0.61V@0.4ms vs 0.80±0.42V@0.4ms p=0.01; 0.80±0.53V @0.4ms vs 0.83±0.33V @0.4ms p=0.01). No patient required pacemaker parameters reprogramming. Conclusions oral flecainide therapy among pacemaker recipients at 30 days follow-up seems to be safe and do not affect device function. Further studies with additional follow-up data are warranted.

MAJOR FEATURES OF MANAGING SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION IN CRISIS CONDITIONS

The global crises that the Russian economy has to face contribute not only to the destruction of traditional trade, economic and logistics ties, but also to improving the quality of state strategic management. The macroeconomic situation develops in such a way that centralized planning and regulation of socio-economic processes becomes a tangible advantage and can produce high effect both in the long term and in tactical perspective. The advantages will be given to those subjects of the Russian Federation whose management will be carried out on the basis of a system of balanced measures to support reproductive processes, a reasonable redistribution of financial, economic and human resources and comprehensive programs aimed at overcoming interrelated constraints. The article presents an overview of scientific and theoretical approaches to managing socio-economic development of regions, taking into account spatial and territorial features of the organization of economic activity and current global trends. The trends of socio-economic development of the Sverdlovsk region and the peculiarities of regional management in conditions of increasing crisis pressure are considered. The purpose of the article is to develop an algorithm for crisis management of the region, taking into account the state and prospects of economic development. The authors argue that governance in the region is characterized by specific characteristics, the main task of which is to ensure stable socio-economic development, regardless of the influence of negative factors of an economic, political or social nature using effective tools that proactively affect problems and constraints. The authors determine the necessity to identify the factors contributing to the development of crisis situation in the region, which will significantly improve the quality of program development according to industry and subject criteria. The analysis of socioeconomic indicators of the region's development allowed us to draw conclusions concerning the effectiveness of targeted support by industry and subject criteria, which is currently widely used in Russia.

Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave® L-Theanine Supplementation for 28Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Prolonged periods of stress may lead to negative health consequences. AlphaWave® L-Theanine was safe and efficacious during an acute stress challenge. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating the longer term effects of L-theanine supplementation on stress are warranted. Thirty healthy adults (18-65years) with moderate stress were randomized to AlphaWave® L-Theanine (400mg L-theanine/day) or placebo (n = 15/group) for 28days. Stress was assessed by salivary cortisol, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21; sleep was assessed by the Healthy People Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy device; cognition was assessed by Computerized Mental Performance Assessment System; mood was assessed by Profile of Mood States. All outcomes were measured at baseline, Days 14 and 28. Safety included vital signs, clinical chemistry, haematology and adverse events (AEs). All AEs were resolved by the end of the study period or upon subsequent follow up, and out of range laboratory values and changes in vital signs were deemed not clinically relevant following AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation. Participants supplemented with AlphaWave® L-Theanine had decreases of 12.92% (p = 0.051) and 17.98% (p = 0.04) in PSS scores after 14 and 28days, respectively, while those on placebo had respective decreases of 9.74% (p = 0.061) and 17.88% (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between groups for change in salivary cortisol. The AlphaWave® L-Theanine group demonstrated decreased time asleep after 28days and significantly reduced light sleep after 14 and 28days compared to placebo (p ≤ 0.040). The AlphaWave® L-Theanine group significantly improved by 21.79% and 21.33% in Stroop test correct reaction time after 14 and 28days, respectively, while those on placebo improved after 28days only (p = 0.005). AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation for 28days was safe and significantly decreased perceived stress significantly decreased perceived stress and light sleep, improved sleep quality and enhanced cognitive attention in the studied population. Larger, randomized controlled trials with longer duration of AlphaWave® L-Theanine supplementation are warranted to reduce inter-individual variability and the potential placebo effect. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05808595.

Predicting the short and long term effects of food price inflation, armed conflicts, and climate variability on global acute malnutrition in Somalia

BackgroundMalnutrition poses a substantial challenge in Somalia, impacting approximately 1.8 million children. This critical issue is exacerbated by a multifaceted interplay of factors. Consequently, this study seeks to examine the long-term and short-term effects of armed conflicts, food price inflation, and climate variability on global acute malnutrition in Somalia.MethodsThe study utilized secondary data spanning from January 2015 to December 2022, sourced from relevant databases. Two distinct analytical approaches were employed to comprehensively investigate the dynamics of global acute malnutrition in Somalia. Firstly, dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) simulations were applied, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the short and long-term effects of armed conflicts, food price inflation, and climate variability on malnutrition. Additionally, the study employed kernel-based regularized least squares, a sophisticated statistical technique, to further enhance the robustness of the findings. The analysis was conducted using STATA version 17.ResultsIn the short run, armed conflicts and food price inflation exhibit positive associations with global acute malnutrition, particularly in conflict-prone areas and during inflationary periods. Moreover, climatic variables, specifically temperature and rainfall, demonstrate positive associations. It is important to note that temperature lacks a statistically significant relationship with global acute malnutrition in the short run. In the long run, armed conflicts and food price inflation maintain persistent impacts on global acute malnutrition, as confirmed by the dynamic ARDL simulations model. Furthermore, both temperature and rainfall continue to show positive associations with global acute malnutrition, but it is worth noting that temperature still exhibits a non-significant relationship. The results from kernel-based regularized least squares were consistent, further enhancing the robustness of the findings.ConclusionsIncreased armed conflicts, food price inflation, temperature, and rainfall were associated with increased global acute malnutrition. Strategies such as stabilizing conflict-prone regions, diplomatic interventions, and peace-building initiatives are crucial, along with measures to control food price inflation. Implementing climate adaptation strategies is vital to counter temperature changes and fluctuating rainfall patterns, emphasizing the need for resilience-building. Policymakers and humanitarian organizations can leverage these insights to design targeted interventions, focusing on conflict resolution, food security, and climate resilience to enhance Somalia's overall nutritional well-being.

МОДЕЛІ БІЗНЕСУ УКРАЇНСЬКИХ ОЩАДНИХ БАНКІВ

In the banking system, savings banks represent a special component, as they form their resource base mainly due to the accumulation of population savings. Problem Statement. Ukrainian savings banks are a factor in ensuring financial stability, but at the same time they are vulnerable to depositors’ panic in conditions of systemic stresses. Therefore, the analysis of their activities is important for understanding the prospects of the banking system. Savings banks in Ukraine differ significantly in scale and level of business technology. Leading savings banks are planned by the state for privatization, so they are designed to improve their investment attractiveness, at the same time, the status of state ownership gives such banks additional advantages in the market. The purpose is a comparative analysis of the business models of savings banks in Ukraine and the behavior of such banks on the market. Methods. The authors used the methods of comparative analysis, logical generalization, analysis and synthesis. Results. In Ukraine, savings banks are divided by origin into two categories ( state and private capital), and by a business model into those, focused on lending to business clients and those with a balanced composition of the loan portfolio. The monopoly of the state bank was broken by the entry of banks with private capital to the market. Savings banks are identified based on the ratio of funds raised by individuals to the total amount of balances on customer accounts. A blueprint of two business models for the savings bank segment was built, the structure of assets and liabilities, the development of the branch network and market positions in terms of deposits were compared. The analysis of the efficiency of a sample of savings banks was carried out and compared with the indicators of the banking system (profitability, return on operating expenses, profitability of the loan portfolio, cost of funds of individuals, the branching of branch network), as well as the impact of the business model on the investment attractiveness of banks was assessed, the volumes of savings and allocation of funds in loans to individuals were compared. Conclusions. The research made it possible to identify a specific group of banks with heterogeneous business models: firstly, banks that use public funds mainly to finance business clients, secondly, banks that have a relatively balanced credit portfolio for individuals and legal entities. The segment of Ukrainian savings banks is clearly dominated by two large state-owned banks, and given the state of war and citizens' trust in the state itself, there is no reason to expect a change in leaders. Digitization of products and processes will allow savings banks to compensate for the reduction of the branch network, but other banks also take advantage of this opportunity. and return on investment in technological innovation projects will bring effect in the medium term. To a large extent, the amount of savings accumulated by banks depends on two factors - customer trust and assessment of service quality. Savings bank managers should pay primary attention to this. Excessively high dependence of banks on the funds of individuals can be considered as a disadvantage, rather than as an advantage, if a bank itself works inefficiently.

LIPID–LOWERING THERAPY WITH PCSK9 INHIBITORS: FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA VS GENERAL POPULATION OUTCOMES

Abstract Background Dyslipidemic patients, particularly those with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), are at increased risk of cardiovascular events and require beginning a full treatment. This study aims to compare the long–term effects of PCSK9i treatment in FH and non–FH dyslipidemic patients. Methods The study enrolled 381 dyslipidemic patients receiving PCSK9 inhibitors in our dyslipidemia outpatient clinic. FH was defined in accordance with the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Criteria. The clinical data were collected in both groups and lipid profiles were monitored at 6, 12, and 36 months. Results In patients with FH baseline total cholesterol was significantly higher(260±54.8 mg/dL vs 212±51.3 mg/dL p < 0.001) as well as LDL cholesterol (181.4±51.7 mg/dL vs 137±45.1 mg/dL p < 0.001). A lipid reduction was observed in both groups at 6 months (LDL 69±41 mg/dL vs 62±37 mg/dL p = 0.20) at 12 (LDL 66±41 mg/dL vs 66±40 mg/dL p = 0.96) and 36 months (LDL 73±45 mg/dL vs 72±35 mg/dL p = 0.92). Conclusions PCSK9i treatment is highly effective in reducing LDL–C levels in both FH and non–FH dyslipidemic patients. The Achievement of similar LDL–C levels between these two groups in long–term follow–up could suggest that PCSK9i therapy is equally efficacious in both populations despite different dyslipidemia settings.

Prevention of sickness absence through early identification and rehabilitation of at-risk patients with musculoskeletal disorders (PREVSAM): short term effects of a randomised controlled trial in primary care

Purpose To evaluate short-term effects of the PREVention of Sickness Absence for Musculoskeletal disorders (PREVSAM) model on sickness absence and patient-reported health outcomes. Methods Patients with musculoskeletal disorders were randomised to rehabilitation according to PREVSAM or treatment as usual (TAU) in primary care. Sickness absence and patient-reported health outcomes were evaluated after three months in 254 participants. Results The proportion of participants remaining in full- or part-time work were 86% in PREVSAM vs 78% in TAU (p = 0.097). The PREVSAM group had approximately four fewer sickness benefit days during three months from baseline (p range 0.078–0.126). No statistically significant difference was found in self-reported sickness absence days (PREVSAM 12.4 vs TAU 14.5; p = 0.634), nor were statistically significant differences between groups found in patient-reported health outcomes. Both groups showed significant improvements from baseline to three months, except for self-efficacy, and only the PREVSAM group showed significantly reduced depression symptoms. Conclusions The findings suggest that for sickness absence, the PREVSAM model may have an advantage over TAU, although the difference did not reach statistical significance at the p < 0.05 level, and similar positive effects on patient-reported health outcomes were found in both groups. Long-term effects must be evaluated before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Volatility Spillover Benefits of the Hang Seng Index and Shanghai Composite Index: A Vector Autoregressive (VAR) Model and Granger Causality Test Analysis

This study aims to explore the volatility spillover benefits between two major stock markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai, namely the Hang Seng Index and the Shanghai Composite Index. Empirical analysis is conducted using a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model and Granger causality test based on daily return data from 2013 to 2023. The research finds a significant volatility interaction between the Hang Seng Index and the Shanghai Composite Index, which is more pronounced during periods of global economic instability. Impulse response analysis reveals that positive shocks in Hang Seng Index lead to increased volatility in the short term for the Shanghai Composite Index but gradually weaken to a weak negative effect in the long term. Conversely, positive shocks in the Shanghai Composite Index have a short-term inhibitory effect on the Hang Seng Index but transform into a weak promoting effect in the long term. These findings have important implications for investors and policymakers in risk management, forecasting future stock market trends, and capital allocation.

PSV-4 Exposure to prenatal tributyrin improved pre-weaning growth performance and reduced fat deposition in the muscle of market age pigs

Abstract Organic acids, including short chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, and tricarboxylic acid, are used as alternatives to antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion in livestock species. Butyric acid has been used extensively for its various functions in intestinal health and barrier function, as well as its actions as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Many of the issues relating to using butyric acid as a feed supplement are overcome by utilizing tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug. Dietary supplementation of TB to sows during gestation was able to improve pre-weaning litter performance. Sows (n = 52, 42 gestational days) were randomly assigned to either a control diet or control diet supplemented with 2% TB. All diets were made isocaloric with the addition of oil and wheat flour. Dietary treatments continued until 112 d of gestation. After farrowing, piglet growth performance was monitored. Once offspring reached 6 mo of age, 30 gilts from the most median performing litters were identified for tissue collection and evaluation of meat characteristics. Sows that received tributyrin during gestation tended to have greater total litter weights at birth (P &amp;lt; 0.1); however, average individual birthweights were not statistically different between control and TB litters. The TB piglets tended to be heavier at weaning (P &amp;lt; 0.1). Pre-weaning average daily gains were higher in piglets exposed to prenatal TB (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Body weights and hot carcass weights did not differ significantly in gilts at market age. There was, however, a trend of increased dressing percentage from TB treated offspring, accompanied by significantly reduced back fat at the 10th rib (P &amp;lt; 0.1 and P &amp;lt; 0.05 respectively). These data suggest that TB supplementation results in both temporary and permanent improvements to growth and development. This study provides further evidence that prenatal TB can have long term effects on muscle growth and meat quality. Further studies are needed to ultimately determine whether prenatal or postnatal supplementation is ideal for improving long-term growth performance.

The Impact of Monetary Policy and Macroeconomic Indicators on the Current Account in Developing ASEAN

The current account balance is a component of the balance of payments, in which a surplus or deficit is a form of a country’s external balance or imbalance. Since the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries, especially developing countries, have experienced external imbalances, which is related to a continuous pattern of transactions with the rest of the world. Developing countries in the ASEAN region are often vulnerable to experiencing external imbalances which are reflected in their current account balance, which every year the country continues to fluctuate and tends to decrease until it experiences a current account deficit. This research was conducted to analyze the impact of monetary policy and macroeconomic indicators on the current account situation of developing countries in the ASEAN region during the 15 year period of 2007–2021. The Current Account Balance as the dependent variable and the independent variable uses Interest Rates in explaining monetary policy and macroeconomic variables including Exchange Rate, Inflation, Gross Domestic Product, Foreign Direct Investment, and Trade Openness. This study analyzes long-term and short-term effects using the VECM panel model. The results show that Interest Rates in the short term has no effect, but in the longer term has a significant negative effect. The Exchange Rate in the short term and long term have a significant positive effect. Inflation and GDP have no effect in the short term but have a significant negative effect in the long term. FDI has a significant positive effect in the short term and the long term. And finally, Trade Openness in the short term has a significant positive and in the long term has a significant negative effect. Keywords: current account balance, interest rate, macroeconomic, VECM panel

Analysis of Finance--Growth Nexus in Developing Economies: Does the Quality of Leadership and Technology Matter?

This article investigates the effects of national leadership and telecommunication technology on the finance–growth nexus using balanced panel data from 50 developing countries for the 1997–2017. The study employs a set of nonstationary panel data approaches to investigate the long-run relationships between the variables of interest. The findings show that there is a long-term relationship between the variables wherein financial development, telecommunication technology, and quality of national leadership were found to have significant positive impact on economic growth in developing countries. This implies that financial development, telecommunication technology, and the quality of national leadership are important factors for promoting growth. Moreover, the results suggest that the effects of financial development on economic growth is contingent on the quality of national leadership and the sophistication of telecommunication technology in developing countries. The interaction term and marginal effects computed are positive and significant at all levels of telecommunication technology as well as on the quality of national leadership. This means that both the quality of national leadership and telecommunication technology have large direct and indirect positive impacts on economic growth in developing countries, and that financial development contributes more significantly and robustly to economic growth when telecommunication technology is sophisticated and national leadership is of high quality. Keywords: economic growth, financial development, ICT, panel data

Can heavy metal pollution stress reduce microbial carbon-use efficiencies?

The fate of soil organic matter (OM) is determined by its microbial use for growth or respiration. Many environmental factors influence microbial OM use, including the presence of contaminants and toxins in the environment, such as heavy metals. We evaluated short- and long-term responses of microbial processes to metal contamination by estimating biomass concentrations and growth rates of bacteria and fungi, respiration, and the resulting microbial carbon-use efficiencies (CUE), and microbial turnover times. We sampled O-horizon from a gradient in boreal forest soils exposed to long-term heavy metal contamination arising from industrial point source since the 1930s to assess long term effects on soil microorganisms. To estimate microbial responses to short-term metal exposure, additions of Cu were used. Bacterial growth rates and respiration rates decreased in response to long-term metal contamination, while fungal growth rates were unaffected, without changes in CUEs. Bacterial biomass concentrations were independent of soil metal concentrations while fungal and total biomass decreased. Thus, turnover times for bacteria were slowed while fungal turnover times were accelerated by metal pollution. Bacterial growth was inhibited and fungal growth stimulated by experimental Cu additions, with bigger effect sizes in contaminated sites. We interpreted the low rates of growth but high biomass in collected soil samples to indicate that the fungal community included a large mycorrhizal fraction. Although Cu additions decreased the overall microbial OM-use (i.e., the sum of fungal and bacterial growth and total respiration), they also increased the CUE. In conclusion, fungal OM-use was less sensitive than bacterial to metal pollution and the CUE was unaffected. Microbial decomposer communities in contaminated soils were also able to maintain higher CUE when challenged with new metal additions. Our results imply that microbial communities align their trait compositions to environmental challenges, and that this can mitigate the reduction in microbial carbon-use efficiencies that often is expected to occur from environmental stress.

The urgent need to reduce phosphorus discharges for sustainable mangrove wetland management

Phosphorus affects microbial metabolic activity, nitrogen and carbon cycling in mangrove sediment, but its influence on carbon stability and greenhouse gases emission remains unclear. This study compared greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, and CH4) emissions from mangrove sediment receiving wastewater containing various phosphorus concentrations, and evaluated its long term effect on sediment carbon flux when phosphorus pollution is eliminated. Significant increases in greenhouse gases flux and decrease of total organic carbon and readily oxidizable organic carbon in the sediment were observed after phosphorus discharge. Specifically, the N2O flux was reduced significantly at high phosphorus levels while the CO2 flux and the microbial biomass organic carbon was increased. The copy numbers of ammonia oxidation (AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA) gene, denitrification (narG, nirK) gene and methanogenesis (mcrA) gene increased with the increasing phosphorus concentration. During the wastewater discharge period for 70 days, the global warming potential of sediment flux at high phosphorus discharge condition was more than 4 times that of the control group, and the loss of total organic carbon and readily oxidizable organic carbon was 4.66 % and 7.1 %, respectively. During the remediation period (71–101 days), the greenhouse gases flux decreased rapidly, ends up with a similar level of the control group. Our results indicate that using mangrove wetland for pollution minimization in the coastal aquaculture industry could increase greenhouse gases emisison significantly, it is therefore essential to reduce phosphorus discharges from various anthropogenic activities, and local authorities must set up more stringent discharge standards in the future.

Exposure to Prenatal Tributyrin Improved Pre-Weaning Growth Performance and Reduced Fat Deposition in the Muscle of Market Age Pigs

Organic acids, including short chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, and tricarboxylic acid, are used as alternatives to antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion in livestock species. Butyric acid has been used extensively for its various functions in intestinal health and barrier function, as well as its actions as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Many of the issues related to using butyric acid as a feed supplement are overcome by utilizing tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug. Dietary supplementation of TB to sows during gestation was able to improve pre-weaning litter performance. Sows (n=52, 42 gestational days) were randomly assigned to either a control diet or control diet supplemented with 2% TB. All diets were made isocaloric with the addition of oil and wheat flour. Dietary treatments continued until 112 days of gestation. After farrowing, piglet growth performance was monitored. Once offspring reached 6 months of age, 30 gilts from the most median performing litters were identified for tissue collection and evaluation of meat characteristics. Sows that received tributyrin during gestation tended to have higher total litter weights at birth (P value &lt; 0.1), however, average individual birthweights were not statistically different between control and TB litters. TB piglets tended to be heavier at weaning (P value &lt; 0.1). Pre-weaning average daily gains were higher in piglets exposed to prenatal TB (P value &lt; 0.01). Live weights and hot carcass weights did not differ significantly in gilts at market age. There was, however, a trend of increased dressing percentage from TB treated offspring, accompanied by significantly reduced back fat at the 10th rib (P value &lt; 0.1 and P value &lt; 0.05 respectively). This data suggests that TB supplementation results in both temporary and permanent improvements to growth and development. This study provides further evidence that prenatal TB can have long term effects on muscle growth and meat quality. Further studies are needed to ultimately determine whether prenatal or postnatal supplementation is ideal for improving long-term growth performance. USDA Grant Funded. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Analysis of nonlinear wave propagation within architected materials consisting of nonlinear Timoshenko beam structural elements

In the present work, a full nonlinear Timoshenko beam employing nonlinear shape functions is developed. The extended Hamilton principle is employed for deriving the differential equations of motion and the associated boundary conditions. The general form of the boundary conditions is then utilized to determine the static solution of the beam motion. Using this solution for the deformation and rotation of the beam, the nonlinear shape functions of the beam are identified, which leads to the linear and nonlinear mass and stiffness matrices of the Timoshenko beam element. The nonlinear dispersion diagram incorporating the non-linear corrections is obtained using the Linstedt-Poincaré perturbation method. An analysis of the effect of internal transverse shear and bending on the nonlinear dispersion characteristics of wave propagation in two-dimensional periodic network materials made of nonlinear Timoshenko beams is done. The formulated theory shows that the percentage of correction factor of the nonlinear kinematics versus the linear dynamical behavior is inversely proportional to the frequency amplitude. The shear and extension modes are shown to have the higher effect in the non-linear correction term in comparison to the flexural mode.

Bioclimatic and remote sensing factors are better key indicators than local topography and soil: Vegetation composition variability in forests of Pakistan's Spin Ghar Mountain range

The composition, structure and distribution of vegetation are influenced by diverse environmental factors. Such research inquiries provide the initial data for future conservation and management efforts. The study area of North Waziristan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan comprises diverse forests of the Spin Ghar Mountain Range (at the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan), and a highly remote, mountainous, and unexplored region. There was little information on the complex relationships that existed between the study area's ambient environment and vegetation. This study hypothesized that the varying environmental complexity in the study area and vegetation variety may be significantly correlated, and the ranking of leading influencing factors might enhance our ecological understanding. A total of 61 study sites comprising 183 transects (50 m each) were randomly selected to record the vegetation-environment data from January-2018 to December-2020 (3 years). Monte Carlo permutation testing, hierarchical clustering of study samples, indicator species analysis, and ordination were applied to assess the sampling data. The results indicated that there were a total of 391 vascular plant species which were further classified into seven significantly different (p < 0.05) plant assemblages, each comprising of a distinct species makeup. A variety of different environmental variables (topographic (06), bioclimatic (19), edaphic (09), remote sensing, and anthropogenic predictors (16)) were considered. Simple term effects testing results depicted the significant (p(adj) < 0.05) role of 39 variables initially, whereas, conditional term effects testing (with variance inflation factor (VIF) threshold value of < 10, and forward selecting variables that provided the most unique information) results highlighted the prominent role of eight (08) contributors. The results of the latter analysis ranked the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (Bio10) as the most influencing factor, followed by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), longitude, continuous heat insulation load index (CHILI), precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18), global human modification of the terrestrial systems (gHM), organic carbon density (OCD), and annual precipitation (Bio12). This study concluded that the vegetation variability in the study area was significantly correlated with the prevailing environment, and considered bioclimatic and remote sensing factors were better key indicators for any vegetation distribution when the study was conducted on a large spatial scale. Based on these results, the anticipated future variations in climate, particularly global warming, lengthy drought spells, and population explosion might remarkably lead to decline in local plant species richness and distribution. For the study area to guard its priceless biodiversity for future generations, careful and prompt conservation and management planning are required.

Incidence of ocular pathology following bariatric surgery for with morbid obesity across a large United States National Database.

Bariatric surgery, as indicated for treatment of morbid obesity, has been studied in association with short term effects on ocular pathology. However, effects of surgery on postoperative disease incidence is largely unknown. In this retrospective cohort study, the TriNetX United States Collaborative Network national database, was queried for patients with an ICD-10 code for morbid obesity and a procedural code for bariatric surgery. Patients were propensity score matched across baseline demographics at the time of surgery and compared to those presenting with an ICD10 code for morbid obesity with no records of a procedural code for bariatric surgery, identifying 42,408 patients per cohort. New diagnoses or procedural codes found after the surgical index date for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, low vision, and blindness along with pertinent treatment metrics were monitored. Bariatric surgery was found to be associated with reduced future risk of diabetic retinopathy (RR: 0.283; 95% CI: 0.252-0.319), macular edema (RR: 0.224; 95% CI: 0.170-0.297), vitreous hemorrhage (RR: 0.459; 95% CI: 0.323-0.653), ocular hypertension (RR: 0.387; 95% CI: 0.387-0.487), glaucoma (RR: 0.360; 95% CI: 0.326-0.399), use of ocular pressure lowering medications (RR: 0.565; 95% CI: 0.496-0.644), age-related macular degeneration (RR: 0.628; 95% CI: 0.447-0.882), cataract surgery (RR: 0.524; 95% CI: 0.448-0.612), and low vision and blindness (RR: 0.328; 95% CI: 0.294-0.365) compared to patients not surgically managed. The present analysis comprising a large US cohort of patients suggests that bariatric surgery is associated with a decreased risk of future ocular morbidity and mortality.

Indications and determinants of caesarean section in Al Batool teaching hospital

Background: C-section (caesarean section) is a lifesaving procedure when certain complications arise during pregnancy and labor. however, it’s a major surgery and associated with immediate maternal and perinatal risks and may have implications for future pregnancies as well as long term effects. Objective: To describe indications and determinants of caesarean section in Al Batool teaching hospital in Diyala during the study period. Patients and Methods: Across sectional study conducted among women admitted to Al Batool teaching hospital and delivered by C-section from first of October 2022 to 15th of march 2023. Results: A total of 150 women underwent C-section enrolled in this study during the study period, age of participants ranged from 19-35. out of them, 88(59%) sections were elective and 62(41%) sections were emergent. commonest indication for emergency C-section was fetal distress (62%) and commonest indication for elective C-section was previous cesarean (33%). Conclusion: Parity, residence, education, and antenatal care visits were significant determinants for C-section. previous C-section, maternal request and malpresentation were commonest indications for such procedure. Keywords: C-section, Al Batool teaching hospital, malpresentation.

Indications and determinants of caesarean section in Al Batool teaching hospital

Background: C-section (caesarean section) is a lifesaving procedure when certain complications arise during pregnancy and labor. however, it’s a major surgery and associated with immediate maternal and perinatal risks and may have implications for future pregnancies as well as long term effects. Objective: To describe indications and determinants of caesarean section in Al Batool teaching hospital in Diyala during the study period. Patients and Methods: Across sectional study conducted among women admitted to Al Batool teaching hospital and delivered by C-section from first of October 2022 to 15th of march 2023. Results: A total of 150 women underwent C-section enrolled in this study during the study period, age of participants ranged from 19-35. out of them, 88(59%) sections were elective and 62(41%) sections were emergent. commonest indication for emergency C-section was fetal distress (62%) and commonest indication for elective C-section was previous cesarean (33%). Conclusion: Parity, residence, education, and antenatal care visits were significant determinants for C-section. previous C-section, maternal request and malpresentation were commonest indications for such procedure.