Dyslipidemia in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in a Rural Community in Ganadougou, Mali: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dyslipidemia is a disorder where abnormally lipid concentrations circulate in the bloodstream. The disorder is common in type 2 diabetics (T2D) and is linked with T2D comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia in T2D is typically characterized by elevated plasma triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. There is a significant gap in the literature regarding dyslipidemia in rural parts of Africa, where lipid profiles may not be captured through routine surveillance. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and demo-graphic profile of dyslipidemia in T2D in the rural community of Ganadougou, Mali. We performed a cross-sectional study of 104 subjects with T2D in Ganadougou between November 2021 and March 2022. Demographic and lipid profiles were collected through cross-sectional surveys and serological analyses. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in T2D patients was 87.5% (91/104), which did not differ by sex (P = .368). High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was the most common lipid abnormality (78.9%, [82/104]). Dyslipidemia was associated with age and hypertension status (P = .013 and.036, respectively). High total and high LDL-C parameters were significantly associated with hypertension (P = .029 and .006, respectively). In low-resource settings such as rural Mali, there is a critical need to improve infrastructure for routine dyslipidemia screening to guide its prevention and intervention approaches. The high rates of dyslipidemia observed in Gandadougou, consistent with concomitant increases in cardiovascular diseases in Africa suggest that lipid profile assessments should be incorporated into routine medical care for T2D patients in African rural settings.

Patterns of Infertility and Abortion in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility and abortion are significant reproductive health concerns globally, impacting individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. In Saudi Arabia, cultural, social, and religious factors influence perceptions and management of these issues, necessitating research to understand the patterns and associated factors. Study Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the patterns of infertility and abortion among 458 women in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic profiles, reproductive histories, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methodology: Participants were recruited from healthcare facilities, and data on age, BMI, reproductive history, medical conditions, assisted reproduction methods, and lifestyle behaviors were collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to examine associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were aged 30 - 39 years (47.4%), with 76.9% experiencing secondary infertility. Among those with offspring (76.9%), 31% reported using assisted reproduction methods, primarily ovarian stimulators (54.2%). Abortion history was reported by 39.5% of participants. Significant associations were found between age and infertility type (X2 = 5.8, p = 0.054), having offspring and infertility type (X2 = 458.0, p = 0.001), menstrual irregularity and infertility type (X2 = 11.4, p = 0.001), and abortion history and delayed fertility (X2 = 10.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study reveals significant associations between demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors with infertility patterns and abortion history among Saudi women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing medical conditions, age-related factors, and access to reproductive healthcare services.

State-selective charge exchange cross sections in collisions of highly-charged sulfur ions with helium and molecular hydrogen

The state-selective cross section data are useful for understanding and modeling the x-ray emission in celestial observations.In the present work,using the cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy,for the first time we investigated the state-selective single electron capture processes for S^(q+)–He and H_(2)(q=11–15)collision systems at an impact energy of q×20 keV and obtained the relative state-selective cross sections.The results indicate that only a few principal quantum states of the projectile energy level are populated in a single electron capture process.In particular,the increase of the projectile charge state leads to the population of the states with higher principal quantum numbers.It is also shown that the experimental averaged n-shell populations are reproduced well by the over-barrier model.The database is openly available in Science Data Bank at 10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00091.

Absolute partial and total ionization cross sections of carbon monoxide with electron collision from 350 eV to 8000 eV

The absolute partial and total cross sections for electron impact ionization of carbon monoxide are reported for electron energies from 350 eV to 8000 eV.The product ions(CO^(+),C^(+),O^(+),CO^(2+),C^(2+),and O^(2+))are measured by employing an ion imaging mass spectrometer and two ion-pair dissociation channels(C^(+)+O^(+)and C^(2+)+O^(+))are identified.The absolute cross sections for producing individual ions and their total,as well as for the ion-pair dissociation channels are obtained by normalizing the data of CO^(+)to that of Ar^(+)from CO-Ar mixture target with a fixed 1:1 ratio.The overall errors are evaluated by considering various kinds of uncertainties.A comprehensive comparison is made with the available data,which shows a good agreement with each other over the energy ranges that are overlapped.This work presents new cross-section data with electron energies above 1000 eV.

Measurement of the neutron-induced total cross sections of ^(nat)Pb from 0.3 eV to 20 MeV on the Back-n at CSNS

The neutron-induced total cross sections of natural lead have been measured in a wide energy range(0.3 eV-20 MeV)on the back-streaming white neutron beamline(Back-n)at the China Spallation Neutron Source.Neutron energy was determined by the neutron total cross-section spectrometer using the time-of-flight technique.A fast multi-cell fission chamber was used as the neutron detector,and a 10-mm-thick high-purity natural lead sample was employed for the neutron transmission measurements.The on-beam background was determined using Co,In,Ag,and Cd filters.The excitation function of ^(nat)Pb(n,tot)reaction below 20 MeV was calculated using the TALYS-1.96 nuclear-reaction modeling program.The present results were compared with previous results,the evaluated data available in the five major evaluated nuclear data libraries(i.e.,ENDF/B-VIII.0,JEFF-3.3,JENDL-5,CENDL-3.2,and BROND-3.1),and the theoretical calculation curve.Good agreement was found between the new results and those of previous experiments and with the theoretical curves in the corresponding region.This measurement obtained the neutron total cross section of natural lead with good accuracy over a wide energy range and added experimental data in the resonance energy range.This provides more reliable experimental data for nuclear engineering design and nuclear data evaluation of lead.

Oscillatory Dynamics of a Spherical Solid in a Liquid in an Axisymmetric Variable Cross Section Channel

The dynamics of a solid spherical body in an oscillating liquid flow in a vertical axisymmetric channel of variable cross section is experimentally studied.It is shown that the oscillating liquid leads to the generation of intense averaged flows in each of the channel segments.The intensity and direction of these flows depend on the dimensionless oscillating frequency.In the region of studied frequencies,the dynamics of the considered body is examined when the primary vortices emerging in the flow occupy the whole region in each segment.For a fixed frequency,an increase in the oscillation amplitude leads to a phase-inclusion holding effect,i.e.,the body occupies a quasi-stationary position in one of the cells of the vertical channel,while oscillating around its average position.It is also shown that the oscillating motion of a liquid column generates an averaged force acting on the body,the magnitude of which depends on the properties of the body and its position in the channel.The quasi-stationary position is determined by the relative density and size of the body,as well as the dimensionless frequency.The behavior of the body as a function of the amplitude and frequency of fluid oscillation and relative size is discussed in detail.Such findings may be used in the future to control the position of a phase inclusion and/or to strengthen mass transfer effects in a channel of variable cross section by means of fluid oscillations.

Cross section determination of^(27)Al(n,2n)^(26)Al reaction induced by 14-MeV neutrons uniting with D-T neutron activation and AMS techniques

Aluminum is the primary structural material in nuclear engineering,and its cross section induced by 14-MeV neutrons is of great significance.To address the issue of insufficient accuracy for the^(27)Al(n,2n)^(26)Al reaction cross section,the activation method and accelerator mass spectrometry(AMS)technique were used to determine the^(27)Al(n,2n)^(26)Al cross section,which could be used as a D-T plasma ion temperature monitor in fusion reactors.At the China Academy of Engineering Physics,neutron activation was performed using a K-400 neutron generator produced by the T(d,n)4He reaction.The^(26)Al∕^(27)Al isotope ratios were measured using the newly installed GYIG 1 MV AMS at the Institute of Geochemistry,Chinese Academy of Sciences.The neutron flux was monitored by measuring the activity of 92mNb produced by the 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb reaction.The measured results were compared with available data in the experimental nuclear reaction database,and the measured values showed a reasonable degree of consistency with partially available literature data.The newly acquired cross-sectional data at 12 neutron energy points through systematic measurements clarified the divergence,which has two different growth trends from the existing experimental values.The obtained results are also compared with the corresponding evaluated database,and the newly calculated excitation functions with TALYS−1.95 and EMPIRE−3.2 codes,the agreement with CENDL−3.2,TENDL-2021 and EMPIRE−3.2 results are generally acceptable.A substantial improvement in the knowledge of the^(27)Al(n,2n)^(26)Al reaction excitation function was obtained in the present work,which will lay the foundation for the diagnosis of the fusion ion temperature,testing of the nuclear physics model,evaluation of nuclear data,etc.

A Study on Multivariable Interactions Concerning Radar Cross Section Reduction through Geometric Attributes

This resolution 5 (25−1 factorial) study aimed to ascertain an understanding of the interactions between different geometries on the resulting Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a target. The results of the study are in line with the general understanding of the impact different geometries have on RCS but show that geometries can also influence the variance of measured RCS, and typical attributes that reduce RCS increase the variance of the measured RCS. Notably, an increased angle between the front face of a plate and the direction of the radar signal decreased RCS but increased the variance of the RCS measured.

First Born Double Differential Cross-Section for Ionization of H (3d) by Incident Electron Impact

Double differential cross section (DDCS) of First-Born approximation is calcu-lated for the ionization of metastable 3d-state hydrogen atoms by electron impact energy at 150 eV and 250 eV. A multiple scattering theory is applied in the present study. The present results are compared with the other related the-oretical results for the ionization of hydrogen atoms from different metastable states and ground-state experimental results. The findings demonstrate a strong qualitative agreement with the existing results. The obtained results have an extensive scope for further study of such an ionization process.

A Study on Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism and the Requirement of Thromboprophylaxis in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period in a Tertiary Care Centre in South Asian Country: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Thrombosis is a major cause of maternal death worldwide. During pregnancy, the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases fourfold to five-fold and contributes towards maternal morbidity and mortality. Sri Lanka does not have a proper assessment tool to detect and manage it in the antenatal care. Objectives: To identify risks factors for VTE among pregnant mothers, postpartum mothers according to RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians) risk categorization and to assess the requirement of thromboprophylaxis. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at the antenatal clinics and obstetrics and gynaecology wards (ward 2, 5, 8) of De Soysa Hospital for Women in 2021. Obstetric thromboprophylaxis risk assessment tool recommended by the RCOG was used for the risk assessment of pregnant mothers during the antenatal and postpartum period. Results: In antenatal period, obesity (BMI > 35), age more than 35 years and parity more than 3 were the commonest risk factors. Out of 404 mothers, 67.33% did not have any risk factors. Among others, 18.56%, 0.40%, 2.72%, 0.99% had a score of 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Patients with intermediate (0.99%) and high risk (2.72%) were commenced on thromboprophylaxis from 28 weeks. The low-risk category was not started on any treatment (28.96%, n = 97). Approximately 96% of mothers did not require any thromboprophylaxis during antenatal period. Another 404 postnatal mothers were recruited for the study group. Elective caesarean section and caesarean section during labour were the main risks identified other than pre-existing antenatal risks. 39.95 % of mothers did not have any risk factors and 37.22% of mothers had a score of 1. Conclusions: VTE risk assessment tool can be implemented at national level to detect patients at risk of VTE and improve maternal care.

The Frequency of the v-AKT Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homologue 1 Gene Amplification among Sudanese Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Protein kinase B (AKT/PKB) family is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer (OC). To the greatest of our knowledge, there is a lack of published reports about the amplification of the genes belonging to the AKT family among Sudanese women with OC. The present study was conducted to detect the AKT1 gene amplification and its association with tumour types, grades, and ages among Sudanese women with OC, bearing in mind the ethnic variation. Methods: This institution-based study included 79 cases of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (OC) at Omdurman Maternity Hospital in the period 2013-2018. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were used to extract RNA. AKT1 gene amplification was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The mean age (±SD) of included women was 49.29 (±13.612). The amplification of AKT1 gene was observed in 18/79 (22.8%) of OC women, with a high frequency in women with undifferentiated 1/2 (50%), clear cell 2/6 (33.3%), mucinous 3/11 (27.3%), endometrioid 3/17 (17.6%), and serous carcinomas 5/30 OC (16.7%). High frequency was seen in women with low (26.3%;n = 10/28) rather than in higher (19.5%;n = 8/33) grade carcinoma, and in older (25.8%;n = 8/23) rather than younger (18.2%;n = 2/9) women. No significant association between AKT1 gene amplification and tumour types, grades, and ages of women was observed (Fisher’s Exact test: p = 0.405, 0.593 and 0.851, respectively). Conclusion: AKT1 gene amplification arises in around one-fifth of Sudanese women with ovarian cancer (OC). It is seen more in undifferentiated, clear cell, and mucinous tumours types, and more frequently in low tumour grade and older women, but not to a statistically significant level. These outcomes sustenance previous studies suggesting that activated AKT genes have a vital role in OC progression and may offer a plan for targeted therapy and prognostic evaluation.

Lung Function Impairment among Gasoline Attendants: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Occupational health is an important consideration, especially for people that work in an environment with pollutants. Gasoline attendants are individuals that work in filling stations. They are constantly exposed to gasoline fumes and automobile engine products from vehicle exhaust. This increases the risk of acute and chronic respiratory diseases and carcinogenesis among them. The risk of health complications tends to increase with the duration of exposure. The study aimed to determine the proportion of gasoline attendants with lung function impairment. Methods and Materials: Two hundred and eight eligible participants were recruited for this study. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in Esan West local government area of Edo state, Nigeria. The study was carried out for a period of six months from December 2015 to May 2016. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, work history, mode of exposure and duration of exposure to petrol fumes. Lung function was assessed using a DTspiro spirometer (Model POP 10. Serial no 110843-005);also the anthropometric parameters of the respondent were measured. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20.0. Frequency and percentages were used to present categorical data. The mean and standard deviation of continuous variables were calculated and compared using the student’s t-test. The criteria of significant association were assumed for a p-value less than 0.05. Results: A total of one hundred and forty petrol pump attendants and one hundred and forty controls participated in this study. The mean age for petrol pump attendants was 24 ± 3.1 years and 23 ± 2.8 years for the control group. There were no significant differences in the gender distribution and anthropometric parameters as observed in this study. The lung impairment pattern observed in this study was obstructive in twelve (8.6%) gasoline pump attendants and restrictive pattern in thirty-nine (27.9%) gasoline pump attendants, while only four (2.9%) had an obstructive pattern and twelve (8.6%) had a restrictive pattern of lung impairment among the control group. This implies that a restrictive pattern was predominant. This study also observed that there was an increase in the number of gasoline pump attendants with declined lung function compared to the control group. Conclusion: Restrictive pattern of lung impairment was more predominant than the obstructive pattern among gasoline pump attendants. As a result, public health interventions should be instituted among these individuals, especially in developing countries.

Lung Function Impairment among Gasoline Attendants: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Occupational health is an important consideration, especially for people that work in an environment with pollutants. Gasoline attendants are individuals that work in filling stations. They are constantly exposed to gasoline fumes and automobile engine products from vehicle exhaust. This increases the risk of acute and chronic respiratory diseases and carcinogenesis among them. The risk of health complications tends to increase with the duration of exposure. The study aimed to determine the proportion of gasoline attendants with lung function impairment. Methods and Materials: Two hundred and eight eligible participants were recruited for this study. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in Esan West local government area of Edo state, Nigeria. The study was carried out for a period of six months from December 2015 to May 2016. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, work history, mode of exposure and duration of exposure to petrol fumes. Lung function was assessed using a DTspiro spirometer (Model POP 10. Serial no 110843-005);also the anthropometric parameters of the respondent were measured. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20.0. Frequency and percentages were used to present categorical data. The mean and standard deviation of continuous variables were calculated and compared using the student’s t-test. The criteria of significant association were assumed for a p-value less than 0.05. Results: A total of one hundred and forty petrol pump attendants and one hundred and forty controls participated in this study. The mean age for petrol pump attendants was 24 ± 3.1 years and 23 ± 2.8 years for the control group. There were no significant differences in the gender distribution and anthropometric parameters as observed in this study. The lung impairment pattern observed in this study was obstructive in twelve (8.6%) gasoline pump attendants and restrictive pattern in thirty-nine (27.9%) gasoline pump attendants, while only four (2.9%) had an obstructive pattern and twelve (8.6%) had a restrictive pattern of lung impairment among the control group. This implies that a restrictive pattern was predominant. This study also observed that there was an increase in the number of gasoline pump attendants with declined lung function compared to the control group. Conclusion: Restrictive pattern of lung impairment was more predominant than the obstructive pattern among gasoline pump attendants. As a result, public health interventions should be instituted among these individuals, especially in developing countries.

Theoretical Studies on Photoionization Cross Sections of Solid Gold

Accurate expression for photoabsorption (photoionization) cross sections of high density system proposed recently is used to study the photoionization of solid gold. The results show that the present theoretical photoianization cross sections have good agreement both in structure and in magnitude with the experimental results of gold crystal. The studies also indicate that both the real part epsilon' and the imaginary part epsilon' of the complex dielectric constant epsilon and the dielectric influence function of a nonideal system have rich structures in low energy side with a range about 50 eV, and suggest that the influence of particle interactions of surrounding particles with the photoionized particle on the photoionization cross sections can be easily investigated using the dielectric influence function. The electron overlap effects are suggested to be implemented in the future studies to improve the accuracy of theoretical photoionization cross sections of a solid system.

State-to-state integral cross sections and rate constants for the N^(+)(3P)+HD→NH^(+)/ND^(+)+D/H reaction:Accurate quantum dynamics studies

The reactive collisions of nitrogen ion with hydrogen and its isotopic variations have great significance in the field of astrophysics.Herein,the state-to-state quantum time-dependent wave packet calculations of N^(+)(3P)+HD→NH^(+)/ND^(+)+D/H reaction are carried out based on the recently developed potential energy surface[Phys.Chem.Chem.Phys.2122203(2019)].The integral cross sections(ICSs)and rate coefficients of both channels are precisely determined at the state-to-state level.The results of total ICSs and rate coefficients present a dramatic preference on the ND+product over the NH^(+)product,conforming to the long-lived complex-forming mechanism.Product state-resolved ICSs indicate that both the product molecules are difficult to excite to higher vibrational states,and the ND^(+)product has a hotter rotational state distribution.Moreover,the integral cross sections and rate coefficients are precisely determined at the state-to-state level and insights are provided about the differences between the two channels.The present results would provide an important reference for the further experimental studies at the finer level for this interstellar chemical reaction.The datasets presented in this paper,including the ICSs and rate coefficients of the two products for the title reaction,are openly available at https://www.doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.j00113.00034.

Theoretical studies on the photoionization cross-sections of solid silver

An alternative expression for photoionization cross-section of atoms or molecules and a dielectric influence function （DIF） in a high-density system proposed recently are used to study the photoionization cross-sections of solid silver. It is suggested that a density turning point （DTP） of a photoionized system may be viewed as the critical point where the photoionization properties of atoms in a real system may have a notable change. The results show that the present theoretical photoionization cross-sections are in good agreement with the experimental results of a silver crystal both in structure and in magnitude.

Reaction cross section studies of ^(12)C using the modified Glauber model in conjunction with nonlinear relativistic mean-field theory

We studied the structure of 12 C through the modified Glauber model using the density distributions calculated by the relativistic mean field theory. The experimental reaction cross sections of 12 C + 12 C were analyzed within the MOL by a χ 2 -fitting procedure. The effects of the nuclear deformation on the reaction cross sections are studied. The reliable structure of 12 C is deduced. The studies show that the conjunction of these two models will be a more effective tool to study the properties of nuclei.

Measurement of Br(n,γ)cross sections up to stellar s-process temperatures at the CSNS Back‑n

The neutron capture cross sections(n,γ)of bromine were obtained using the time-of-flight technique at the Back-n facility of the China Spallation Neutron Source.Promptγ-rays originating from neutron-induced capture events were detected using four C_(6)D_(6) detectors.The pulse-height weighting technique and double-bunch unfolding method based on Bayesian theory were used in the data analysis.Background deductions,normalization,and corrections were carefully considered to obtain reliable measurement results.The multilevel R-matrix Bayesian code SAMMY was used to extract the resonance parameters in the resolved resonance region(RRR).The average cross sections in the unresolved resonance region(URR)were obtained from 10 to 400 keV.The experimental results were compared with data from several evaluated libraries and previous experi-ments in the RRR and URR.The TALYS code was used to describe the average cross sections in the URR.The astrophysical Maxwell average cross sections(MACSs)of ^(79,81)Br from kT=5 to 100 keV were calculated over a sufficiently wide range of neutron energies.At a thermal energy of kT=30 keV,the MACS value for ^(79)Br 682±68 mb was in good agreement with the KADoNiS v1.0 recommended value.By contrast,the value of 293±29 mb for ^(81)Br was substantially higher than that of the evaluated database and the KADoNiS v1.0 recommended value.

Progress of photonuclear cross sections for medical radioisotope production at the SLEGS energy domain

Photonuclear reactions using a laser Compton scattering(LCS)gamma source provide a new method for producing radioisotopes for medical applications.Compared with the conventional method,this method has the advantages of a high specific activity and less heat.Initiated by the Shanghai Laser Electron Gamma Source(SLEGS),we conducted a survey of potential photonuclear reactions,(γ,n),(γ,p),and(γ,γ')whose cross sections can be measured at SLEGS by summarising the experimental progress.In general,the data are rare and occasionally inconsistent.Therefore,theoretical calculations are often used to evaluate the production of medical radioisotopes.Subsequently,we verified the model uncertainties of the widely used reaction code TALYS-1.96,using the experimental data of the^(100)Mo(γ,n)^(99)Mo,^(65)Cu(γ,n)^(64)Cu,and^(68)Zn(γ,p)^(67)Cu reactions.

Measurement of the ^(232)Th(n,f)cross section in the 1-200 MeV range at the CSNS Back-n

The ^(232)Th(n,f)cross section is very important in basic nuclear physics and applications based on the Th/U fuel cycle.Using the time-of-flight method and a multi-cell fast-fission ionization chamber,a novel measurement of the^(232)Th(n,f)cross sec-tion relative to^(235)U in the 1–200 MeV range was performed at the China Spallation Neutron Source Back-n white neutron source(Back-n).The fission event-neutron energy spectra of^(232)Th and^(235)U fission cells were measured in the single-bunch mode.Corrected 232Th/235U fission cross-sectional ratios were obtained,and the measurement uncertainties were 2.5–3.7%for energies in the 2–20 MeV range and 3.6–6.2%for energies in the 20–200 MeV range.The^(232)Th(n,f)cross section was obtained by introducing the standard cross section of^(235)U(n,f).The results were compared with those of previous theoreti-cal calculations,measurements,and evaluations.The measured 232Th fission cross section agreed with the main evaluation results in terms of the experimental uncertainty,and 232Th fission resonances were observed in the 1–3 MeV range.The present results provide^(232)Th(n,f)cross-sectional data for the evaluation and design of Th/U cycle nuclear systems.