Arterial Hypertension-Related Factors within Custodial Settings of Southern Benin in 2023

Introduction: Hypertension, a non-communicable disease, is a major public health threat worldwide, accounting for a high level of morbidity and mortality. Although it has been extensively published among the general population, further research is needed to understand the reality of hypertension within the custodial setting. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with arterial hypertension in custodial settings in southern Benin in 2023. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study held in prisons in southern Benin from March to April 2023, involving inmates selected by two-stage random sampling. In the first stage, four prisons out of the six in the southern region of Benin were selected by simple random sampling. In the second stage, the prisoners were selected by systematic random sampling, with the sampling frame being the numbered list of eligible prisoners in each prison selected. Data collected by observation and questionnaire survey were analyzed using Stata 11 software. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Overweight was defined by a body mass index (weight/height2 (kg/m2) ≥ 25. Factors associated with hypertension were identified by multiple logistic regression, at a 5% threshold of significance. Results: Altogether 336 inmates aged 37.55 ± 1.72 years were surveyed. The prevalence of hypertension in custodial settings in southern Benin in 2023 was 31.32% (95% CI [17.06;52.57]). Associated factors were inmate age (ORa = 3.36 95% CI: [1.94;5.85]) and abnormal waist circumference (ORa = 2.61 95% CI [1.27;5.40]). Conclusion: The prevalence of arterial hypertension in prisons of southern Benin (31.32%) is high when compared with the national average (25.9% (22.5-29.3)). The ministries of the Interior and Health need to collaborate to involve inmates in preventive strategies for non-communicable diseases, including hypertension.

Prospective randomized study to evaluate and compare the post-procedural sexual function in patients undergoing semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones in three different operating room settings

Objective:To evaluate and compare the effect of semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy on post-procedural sexual function with three different operating room settings.Methods:In this prospective randomized study,consecutive sexually active patients with normal pre-operative sexual function undergoing uncomplicated semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones were randomized into three groups,with three different operating room settings.Procedure-related anxiety and sexual function were assessed pre-operatively using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale and Brief Sexual Function Inventory(in males)and Female Sexual Function Index-6(in females),respectively.All the participants were stented following the procedure,and the stent was removed after 3 weeks.Post-procedural sexual function and general discomfort were assessed and compared between three groups at 1 week,3 weeks,and 12 weeks.The effect of surgery-related anxiety,preoperative sexual function,age,and general discomfort(including stent-related discomfort)on post-procedural sexual function were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Totally,327 eligible patients were randomized into three groups.The group of patients who underwent the procedural with a screen separating the operating area from the patient vision,while the patient could watch the endoscopy through a separate monitor,had better post-procedural sexual function compared to those who had total vision of the operating area as well as to those whose eyes were blocked.This difference was statistically significant.This post-procedural reduction in sexual function could not be attributed to in situ stent alone.Conclusions:Our study showed that semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy can have significant negative effect on sexual function,which can be reduced with proper preoperative counseling and an ideal operating room settings.

Phase-Based Optical Flow Method with Optimized Parameter Settings for Enhancing Displacement Measurement Adaptability

To enhance the applicability and measurement accuracy of phase-based optical flow method using complex steerable pyramids in structural displacement measurement engineering applications, an improved method of optimizing parameter settings is proposed. The optimized parameters include the best measurement points of the Region of Interest (ROI) and the levels of pyramid filters. Additionally, to address the issue of updating reference frames in practical applications due to the difficulty in estimating the maximum effective measurement value, a mechanism for dynamically updating reference frames is introduced. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to representative image gradient-based displacement measurement methods, the proposed method exhibits higher measurement accuracy in engineering applications. This provides reliable data support for structural damage identification research based on vibration signals and is expected to broaden the engineering application prospects for structural health monitoring.

The Application of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Educational Settings

Hierarchy of Needs,one of the most influential motivation theories,was developed by Abraham Maslow in 1940-50's USA.Hi erarchy of Needs theory has great significance in understanding human motivation,management training and personal development.The purpose of this paper is to investigate briefly the application of the theory to educational settings so as to guide a more effective education.

Metallogenesis related to Mesozoic Granitoids in the Nanling Range, South China and Their Geodynamic Settings

Affected by the compressive stress from the South-Central （Indo-China） Peninsula, the Indosinian orogenesis, characterized by collision, thrust and uplifting, took place inside the South China Plate during 250-230 Ma. The ages of the Indosinian granitoids in the Nanling Range and vicinity areas are mostly 240-205 Ma, indicating that they were emplaced in both late collision and post-collision geodynamic environments. No important granite-related metallogenesis occurred in this duration. A post-orogenic setting started at the beginning of the Yanshanian Period, which controlled large-scale granitic magmatism and related metallogenesis. This paper makes the first attempt to divide the Yanshanian Period into three sub-periods, i.e. the early, middle and late Yanshanian Periods, based mainly on the features of magmatism, especially granitoids and related metallogenesis and their geodynamic environments. The magmatic association of the Early Yanshanian （about 185-170 Ma） comprises four categories of magmatism, i.e. basalt, bimodal volcanics, A-type granite and intraplate high-K calc-alkaline （HKCA） magmatism, which indicates an extension-thinning of lithosphere and upwelling of mantle material to a relative small and local extent. Pb-Zn, Cu and Au mineralizations associated with HKCA magmatism represents the first high tide of Mesozoic metallogenesis in the Nanling Range area. During the middle Yanshanian, the lithosphere was subjected to more extensive and intensive extending and thinning, and hence mantle upwelling and basaltic magma underplating caused a great amount of crust remelting granitoids. This period can be further divided into two stages. The first stage （170-150 Ma） is represented by large-scale emplacement of crust remelting granites with local tungsten mineralization at its end. The second stage （150-140 Ma） is the most important time of large-scale mineralizations of non-ferrous and rare metals, e.g. W, Sn, Nb-Ta, Bi, Mo, Be, in the Nanling Range area. The late Yanshanian （140-65 Ma） was generally characterized by full extension and breakup of the lithosphere of South China. However, owing to the influence of the Pacific Plate movement, the eastern part of South China was predominated by subduction-related compression, which resulted in magmatism of calc-alkaline and shoshonite series and related metallogeneses of Au, Ag, Pb-Zn, Cu and （Mo, Sn）, followed by extension in its late stage. In the Nanling Range area, the late Yanshanian magmatism was represented by granitic volcanic-intrusive complexes and mafic dikes, which are genetically related to volcanic-type uranium and porphyry tin deposits, and the mobilization-mineralization of uranium from pre-existing Indosinian granites.

Decision Making Algorithmic Approaches Based on Parameterization of Neutrosophic Set under Hypersoft Set Environment with Fuzzy, Intuitionistic Fuzzy and Neutrosophic Settings

Hypersoft set is an extension of soft set as it further partitions each attribute into its corresponding attribute-valued set.This structure is more flexible and useful as it addresses the limitation of soft set for dealing with the scenarios having disjoint attribute-valued sets corresponding to distinct attributes.The main purpose of this study is to make the existing literature regarding neutrosophic parameterized soft set in line with the need of multi-attribute approximate function.Firstly,we conceptualize the neutrosophic parameterized hypersoft sets under the settings of fuzzy set,intuitionistic fuzzy set and neutrosophic set along with some of their elementary properties and set theoretic operations.Secondly,we propose decision-making-based algorithms with the help of these theories.Moreover,illustrative examples are presented which depict the structural validity for successful application to the problems involving vagueness and uncertainties.Lastly,the generalization of the proposed structure is discussed.

Dynamic Settings and Interactions between Basin Subsidence and Orogeny in Zhoukou Depression and Dabie Orogenic Belt

This paper presents a study of the geo dynamic setting and the relation between orogenic uplift and basin subsidence in the inland Zhoukou depression and Dabie orogenic belt. Since the Mesozoic the evolution of Zhoukou depression can be divided into three stages: (1) foreland basin, (2) transitional stage, (3) fault depression. Formation and variations of basin were not only related to the orogenesis, but also consistent with the orogenic uplift.

Cooperative Learning in Mediterranean European Cultural Settings:Taking Classroom Teaching in UMA as an Example

This paper provides an exploration of cooperative learning(CL) in a Mediterranean European cultural setting, taking classroom teaching in the University of Málaga(UMA) as an example. An important part of the paper is on the definitions of CL, second language acquisition(SLA) and relative literature by scholars or educators home and abroad, such as historical and contemporary views of CL, its development and application in a variety of classrooms, esp. in multi-lingual settings, in UMA. It also puts much emphasis on sociocultural aspects of CL. Besides, this paper compares the application of CL with that in SWUST,one public university in Southwest China. In views of current problems and awkward situations in the application of CL, the paper argues that the qualified teachers and quality monitoring systems are the two major decisive factors that affect the achievement of CL in Spanish institutions. This paper also analyzes the main characteristics of the classroom teaching in Mediterranean European Cultural Settings. Thus, the paper suggests that CL may be one of the most efficient approaches to improving the quality of education in UMA. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations and suggestions that Spanish institutions train more wellqualified teachers to meet the increasing demand of CL approach in multi-contextual or multi-lingual settings.

VR环境下SET GO教学法的构建及在耳鼻喉临床教学的应用

SET GO教学法也称为应诊录像教学法,就是在教学过程中,通过观察操作者的视频录像,进行教学的教学法。由于耳、鼻、喉的结构复杂,内部空间狭小,增加了视频录制的难度。在此背景下,吉林药学院附属医院将VR技术融入SET GO教学法中,借助VR技术录制成三维视频,使录制的视频清晰度更高,为SET GO教学法的实施提供了可行性。具体的教学环节分为前期教学、VR模拟操作及录制、VR录像加工、See和Else教学环节、Think教学环节、Goals和Offers教学环节等。通过以上环节的有序实施,提高了耳鼻喉科的临床教学效果。如在视频录制质量评价和SET GO教学效果评价方面,学生各项指标评价的良好率均在90%以上。建议进一步推广和应用。

Chronology,Geochemistry and Tectonic Settings of the Hadamiao Granodiorite on the Northern Margin of the North China Platform

The Hadamiao granodiorite,located on the northern margin of the North China platform and acting as the country rock of gold deposits in the Hadamiao region,was formed in the same age and similar tectonic settings with the Hadamiao gold deposit and the large-scale Bilihe gold deposit in the same area.By using the LA-ICP-MS method,the U-Pb age obtained is 267±1.3 Ma,which represents the crystallized age of the granodiorite,and that of the xenolithic zircon is 442.8±5 Ma. Base on the main elements,it exhibits the features of calc-alkaline to high-potassium calc-alkaline series,low silicon,and quasi-aluminous I-type granites,and with high magnesium（Mg~#=0.45-0.57） and high sodium contents（Na_2O/K_2O=0.98-2.29）.The SREE values（81.6-110.15 ppm） are relatively low,the fractionations between LREE and HREE are obvious,showing a right-inclined dispersion in the REE distribution diagram.Compared with the primitive mantle,the rock is relatively rich in LREE（La and Ce）,LILE（K,Sr,and Th）,and intensively depleted in HFSE（Ti,P,Nb and Ta）.The ratios of Sr/Y and（La/Yb）_N and the contents of Rb,Nb and Y are relatively low,the Sr values are high （436.35-567.26 ppm）,and the Yb contents of most samples are low（1.25-1.8）,which indicate the features of typical continental margin arc and adakitic rocks.According to the values ofε_（Nd）（t）（-2.4 to ＋0.2） and I_（Sr）（0.7028-0.7083）,and variations of the La/Sm ratios,the Hadamiao granodiorite was formed from mixing of the thickened molten lower crust and the mantle wedge substances.The rock was related to the southward subduction and accretion of the Paleo-Asia Ocean in the Late Paleozoic, being Late Paleozoic magma of the continental margin arc formed on the basement of the Early Paleozoic accretion complexes,and showing a trend of turning into adakitic rocks,which indicates their great metallogenic（Au） potential.

Delivering substance use prevention interventions for adolescents in educational settings:A scoping review

Currently,a proportion of adolescents use alcohol,tobacco,and illicit drugs,which inevitably harms their health and academic progress.Adolescence is a peak period for substance use initiation and a critical time for preventing substance use problems.Various entities,such as families,schools,and communities,have implemented a variety of interventions to alleviate adolescent substance use problems,and schools play a unique role.To explore the types,characteristics,and effectiveness of substance use interventions in educational settings for adolescents,we conducted a scoping review and identified 32 studies after screening.We divided the 32 studies according to intervention type,including curriculum interventions focusing on cognitive-behavioral skill enhancement,exercise interventions,peer interventions and family-school cooperation,and electronic interventions.Except for the mixed results on electronic interventions,the results showed that the other interventions were beneficial to different extents in alleviating adolescent substance use problems.In addition,we analyzed and summarized the advantages and challenges of intervening in adolescent substance use in educational settings.Schools can use equipment and human resources to provide adolescents with various types of intervention measures,but they also face challenges such as stigmatization,ineffective coordination among multiple resources,and poor implementation effects.In the future,school-based intervention measures can fully utilize big data and artificial intelligence technology and collaborate with families and communities to intervene appropriately while paying attention to the comorbidity risks of substance use disorders and psychological health issues.

The Geology and Tectonic Settings of China's Mineral Deposits by Franco Pirajno

China is the third largest country in the world, with a land area of about 9.6 million km2. It is endowed with abundant mineral resources, and the metal mining activity can be traced back to ca. 8000 years ago. However, due to language barrier, little has been known about the geology and tectonics to the outside world until 1980s. In the last three decades, a great deal of knowledge has been gained, enhanced by a vigorous cooperation between Chinese and Western geologists. Research papers about geological, geochemical, and geochronological features of mineral deposits of China are widely published and cited in international journals. A comprehen- sive and comprehensible English literature that summarises the features of mineral deposits in China, however, is still lacking.

Geodynamic Development of Eurasian Active Margin during Closing of Thetys Ocean, Depending on the Scale of Mantle-Crustal Sources Influence at Pre- and Post-collision Settings, Controlled by Geological and Geochemical Indicators

Phanerozoic geodynamic evolution development of Tethys Ocean,its collision and closing,revealed at the Eurasian active margin in pre-and post-collision stages during convergence of Afro-Arabian and Eurasian continents.Subduction of oceanic slab under continental margin revealed in steady state subduction and steepening of subducting slab provoked the incursion of mantle diapir.The steady state subduction is related with island arc setting whereas steepening provoked incursion of mantle diaper interarc-backarc and minor ocean settings.They are controlled by geological indicators—volcagenic,petrochemical,geochemical,tectonic and metallogenic.Each of them is determined by scale of mantle-crustal influence,controlled by intensity and level of mantle diapir incursion in the crust rising from interarc-backarc to minor oceanic setting.The island arc setting is characterized by blocking,which as others by extension of rifting(interarc-backarc)caused spreading out from zone of volcanic activity and mineralization sialic crusts,whereas minor ocean setting caused by spreading out from zone of volcanic activity and mineralization sialic and basaltic crusts.So mantle crustal influence rising from island arc to minor ocean settings controlled type of volcanism and mineralization in pre-collision development.At the closing of ocean occurred the precollision setting which is transferred in post-collision revealed in orogenesis.It is divided in two stages.The first initial stage occurred in penetration hot fluids from the mantle in sialic crust smelted from in granitoid melt and leached the gold and trace melts Sb,W,Mg and Hg from sialic crust.The latter are geochemical indicators of post-collision setting.The second final stage revealed in shoshonite-basalt volcanism activity occurred with penetrated mantle material into deep volcanic chambers and characterized with increasing of mantle influence than initial stage of post-collision activity.

On the Construction of Multidimensional Language Settings for EFL Students

This paper discusses the construction of multidimensional language settings for EFL students.Various settings can beconstructed to provide students enough linguistic input to ensure that they learn English better.

Task sharing in psychotherapy as a viable global mental health approach in resource-poor countries and also in high-resource settings

A global disparity exists between the burden of mental ill-health and the resources available to address this issue.Common mental disorders,such as mild-to-moderate depression,anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder,are associated with a significant decline in health and functioning and contribute significantly to the overall burden of disease.In view of a shortage of mental health professionals in most low-and middle-income countries,task sharing(task shifting)can make an important contribution to improving access to mental health services.Task sharing involves non-specialists in the delivery of health care.The use of lay health workers is premised on the assumption that the shorter training required for non professionals will allow an increase in the provision of required care without the need for an increase in resources and will strengthen and scale-up sustainable health systems.The need for low-tech support in the management of conunon mental disorders is widespread,and the core resource is humans trained to identify and treat those requiring mental health care.There is a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of task sharing in psychotherapy,and talk therapies,e.g.cognitive behavioral therapy,can easily be delegated to non-specialists,including non-specialist health workers,peer helpers and lay people.A(cost-)effective model of mental health care in low-resource settings as well as in high-income countries may include the medical school-based training of some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in the treatment of referred patients with serious mental illness.These professional mental health specialists would also be trainers and supervisors of non-specialist health workers who would identify common mental health disorders and provide psychotherapy to people with these conditions in a community-based setting.Community-based generalism including task sharing rather than centralized specialism may be capable of preventing and treating many common mental disorders with minor financial expenditure.

Obstacles in employing evidence-based practice by nurses in their clinical settings: a descriptive study

Objective: The challenge of employing evidence-based practice (EBP) is multifarious and varied. Nursing interventions supported by research evidence have been exposed to progress positive patient outcomes, while its implementation is faced with various obstacles. This study aimed to identify obstacles in employing EBP by nurses in their clinical settings. Methods: This descriptive design study was conducted at Benha University Hospital with a convenient sample of 154 nurses. Two tools were utilized: (Ⅰ) sociodemographic data sheet, which included sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, and (Ⅱ) interview scale, which contained two parts: (1) obstacles scale, which contained obstacles that impede nurses from the utilization of EBP, and (2) questions to rank the three greatest obstacles in employing EBP by nurses. Results: The greatest EBP obstacle ranked by nurses was the organizational limitations (90.9%), followed by research quality (86.9%) and research accessibility (51.0%), while individual characteristics (35.9%) were ranked as the least obstacle. There was a significant statistical correlation between organizational limitations, research quality as well accessibility-related obstacles and nurses' age, level of education, as well their years of work experience (P<0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study showed series of obstacles in employing EBP by nurses in their clinical settings, stressing the call for expansion of nurses' capabilities related to EBP utilization in patients' care.

An approach to optimize the settings of actuated signals

Traffic-actuated signal employs relatively complex control logic to regulate traffic flow. Introduction of control variables into the traffic-actuated system contributes to system operational flexibility and complexity, and also complicates the system with uncertainties. The paper proposes two tentative methods to optimize the actuated signal parameters： basic requirements of controller parameters and analytical model, and macroscopic computer simulation. It is concluded that when the actuated signal operates within the volume/capacity range of 0.4 to 0.6, it will create the most significant benefits; the research suggests that minimum green time in the main street shall be set long enough to meet the required demand, preferably at the 60% of the main street capacity. In order to ensure less control delay in a semi-actuated intersection, relatively small values of vehicle extension （e.g., 2.5 s） and maximum green time are recommended to be assigned to the less important street.

Intensive TB Case Finding in Unsafe Settings: Testing an Outreach Peer Education Intervention for Increased TB Case Detection among Displaced Populations and Host Communities in South-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the high-burden TB countries in the world. The most affected provinces were North and South Kivu where displacements of the population favor transmission of infections. Delays in diagnosis are often causes for excessive mortality among TB patients. Aim of the Study: The study aimed to test an intervention designed to increase detection of TB cases in internally displaced persons and their host communities in South Kivu province. Methods: The project used a quasi-experimental method, with prospective data collection every six months. Two peri-urban districts were selected and designated as intervention and control districts respectively. Twenty peer educators were selected among prospective TB suspects who sought care in health facilities. The peer educators were trained and encouraged to actively influence, identify and refer potential TB suspects to health centers. The data on new TB suspects seen and cases diagnosed in both districts were collected and compared over two and a half years period. Results: This pilot study has demonstrated that the intervention has had some positive effects on both the number of persons suspected with TB who were diagnosed using either microscopy or clinical assessment. Even in terms of case detection, the study demonstrated that the number of cases detected in the intervention district was at least twice the number of cases detected in the control district. Conclusion: Nonprofessional educators can influence TB case detection even in unstable settings, but their effectiveness is dependent on the security situation. National TB control programs need to adapt community mobilization strategies to local developments even in unsafe settings.

The Settings of A Sunrise on the Veld 《草原日出》中的场景描写

A Sunrise on the Veld is written by British writer Doris Lessing.The settings play an important rolein this “silent” story.This paper tries to explore the uses of settings in the short story from two aspects:the setting in the boy’s house and the dying process of the buck in order to reveal their contribution to thetheme.

A New Adaptive Technique for Enhancement of Zone-2 Settings of Distance Relay

This paper presents a technique that increases the second-zone coverage of distance relays without causing overreach problems. The technique is based on the impedance seen by distance relays when faults are simulated on the reach of zone-1 relays. The approach checks the relay operation for the maximum as well as the minimum generation outputs of the power system. The proposed technique can be used for different reach setting for zone-1. Results show that it is possible to increase the coverage provided by zone-2 distance relays without causing coordination problems with the primary relays that protect the lines emanating from the remote bus. The proposed method is modified for use in an adaptive protection system. It is shown that further improvements can be achieved when settings are calculated using the proposed method and the prevailing system conditions. The proposed method and its adaptive version were applied to a part of the Power system. The simulation of the system is done by using PSCAD-EMTDC software. The simulated results are observed and compared with the conventional and proposed technique.