Spatio-Temporal Trend and Geographic Disparity of Infertility Prevalence in Burkina Faso, 2011 to 2020

Background: Infertility affected 10% to 25% of couples globally, and about half of the infertility cases were reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Infertility poses significant social, cultural, and health challenges, particularly for women who often face stigmatization. However, comprehensive and nationally representative data, including prevalence, temporal trends, and risk factors, are lacking, prompting a study in Burkina Faso to address the need for informed policies and programs in infertility care and management. Objectives: This study aims to better understand the spatiotemporal trend of infertility prevalence in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This is a retrospective population-based study of women infertility from healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso, during January 2011 to December 2020. We calculated the prevalence rates of infertility and two disparity measures, and examined the spatiotemporal trend of infertility. Results: Over the 10-year period (2011 to 2020), 143,421 infertility cases were recorded in Burkina Faso healthcare facilities, resulting of a mean prevalence rate of 3.61‰ among childbearing age women and 17.87‰ among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues (except contraception). The findings revealed a significant increase of infertility, with the prevalence rate varied from 2.75‰ in 2011 to 4.62‰ in 2020 among childbearing age women and from 13.38‰ in 2011 to 26.28‰ in 2020 among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues, corresponding to an estimate annual percentage change of 8.31% and 9.80% respectively. There were significant temporal and geographic variations in the prevalence of infertility. While relative geographic disparity decreased, absolute geographic disparity showed an increasing trend over time. Conclusion: The study highlights an increasing trend of infertility prevalence and significant geographic variation in Burkina Faso, underscoring the urgent necessity for etiologic research on risk factors, psychosocial implications, and economic consequences to inform effective interventions and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of infertility.

Comprehensive and personalized approach is a critical area for developing remote cardiac rehabilitation programs

In the evolving landscape of cardiac rehabilitation(CR),adopting digital technologies,including synchronous/real-time digital interventions and smart applications,has emerged as a transformative approach.These technologies offer realtime health data access,continuous vital sign monitoring,and personalized educational enhanced patient self-management and engagement.Despite their potential benefits,challenges and limitations exist,necessitating careful consideration.Synchronous/real-time digital CR involves remote,two-way audiovisual communication,addressing issues of accessibility and promoting home-based interventions.Smart applications extend beyond traditional healthcare,providing real-time health data and fostering patient empowerment.Wearable devices and mobile apps enable continuous monitoring,tracking of rehabilitation outcomes,and facilitate lifestyle modifications crucial for cardiac health maintenance.As digital CR progresses,ensuring patient access,equitable implementation,and addressing the digital divide becomes paramount.Artificial intelligence holds promise in the early detection of cardiac events and tailoring patient-specific CR programs.However,challenges such as digital literacy,data privacy,and security must be addressed to ensure inclusive implementation.Moreover,the shift toward digital CR raises concerns about cost,safety,and potential depersonalization of therapeutic relationships.A transformative shift towards technologically enabled CR necessitates further research,focusing not only on technological advancements but also on customization to meet diverse patient needs.Overcoming challenges related to cost,safety,data security,and potential depersonalization is crucial for the widespread adoption of digital CR.Future studies should explore integrating moral values into digital therapeutic relationships and ensure that digital CR is accessible,equitable,and seamlessly integrated into routine cardiac care.Theoretical frameworks that accommodate the dynamic quality of real-time monitoring and feedback feature of digital CR interventions should be considered to guide intervention development.

Citrine Wagtail migration on the Indo-European flyway:a first geolocator track reveals alternative migration route and endurance flights to cross ecological barriers

Most long-distance migrating passerines that breed in Europe spend their winters in Africa,with only a few species migrating eastward to spend the non-breeding period in South Asia.The use of the Indo-European flyway is rare and has been poorly studied so far.However,it is extremely interesting as within that system we are currently witnessing a recent range expansion of European breeding long distance migrants and thus the lengthening of migration routes.It may therefore conceal a unique migratory strategies and behaviour that can help us to understand the underlying factors and mechanisms determining the evolution of migration routes,strategies and breeding range extinction.Based on light-level geolocator we reveal a first track of the Citrine Wagtail(Motacilla citreola)migration,providing insight into the migration pattern,timing and behaviour of the species that recently has extended its migration routes.Unexpectedly,the studied individual did not retrace a recent range expansion that runs north and east from the Caspian Sea but followed a migration route running south form the Caspian sea,suggesting possible presence of an alternative species range expansion.The overall migration distance between the breeding site in Poland and the non-breeding site in Pakistan was about 10,420 km and included two endurance movement phases(920 and 2240 km)covering 30%of the whole journey length,with an average movement speed of 574 km/day.We explain this migration behaviour as an adaptation for crossing the ecological barriers imposed by arid environments.

Multiple Response Optimization of High Temperature, Low Time Aqueous Extraction Process of Phenolic Compounds from Grape Byproducts

In this study phenolic compounds extraction from grape byproducts was conducted using pure water as a solvent. High temperatures and low time incubation periods were used in the aim of reducing the cost of the process and heightening the phenolic compounds yield. Response surface methodology (RSM) was realized to study the effect of time and temperature on crushed and uncrushed grape pomace. The phenolic content was evaluated considering the quantity (total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (FC), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) and tannins (TC)), and quality (antiradical activity (AA) and antioxidant capacity (AC)) of the extracts. High temperature low time extraction design used in this study was compared to the extraction process at moderate temperatures with relatively long periods of time. This was proved to ameliorate the quantitative extraction of phenolic compounds from grape pomace without affecting their bioactivity. Moreover, multiple response optimization showed the optimal extraction parameters to be 81?C and 140 minutes for the unmilled pomace samples, and 88?C and 5 minutes for the milled. TPC, FC, TMA, TC, AA and AC are almost the same for both optimums. Thus the possibility of replacing the milling process by the extraction time prolongation (for the unmilled pomace) of 135 minutes seems to be very plausible. HPLC analysis showed different quantity and diversity of extracted phenolics for the optimums. However this difference did not significantly affect the overall activity, showing that PC in the different extracts act in complete synergy all together leading to important biological properties. The obtained results using the extraction strategy adopted in this work could lead to several industrial applications.

Extraction of Total Phenolic Compounds, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins and Tannins from Grape Byproducts by Response Surface Methodology. Influence of Solid-Liquid Ratio, Particle Size, Time, Temperature and Solvent Mixtures on the Optimization Process

The current work concerns the optimization process of phenolic compounds solid liquid extraction from grape byproducts at high temperatures and short incubation times. The effect of five experimental parameters (solidliquid ratio, particle size, time, temperature and solvent mixture) mostly believed to affect the extraction process was undertaken. A first response surface methodology experimental design was used to optimize the solid-liquid ratio and milling time parameters. A second design was used for the optimization of the quantitative and qualitative parameters. The quantitative parameters studied are: total phenolic compounds, flavonoid content, total monomeric anthocyanin composition and tannin concentration. The qualitative parameters analyzed are: antiradical activity and antioxidant capacity. The second design was based on the use of time, temperature and solvent mixture as optimization parameters. The assays were first conducted separately revealing the best experimental conditions for the maximization of each response variable alone. A simultaneous response surface methodology of all the responses taken together was then conducted, showing the optimal extraction conditions to be: 93 minutes at 94?C and in 66% ethanol/water solvent. The maximal response values obtained for each parameter are: Total Phenolic Compounds yield (5.5 g GAE/100g DM), Flavonoid Content (5.4 g GAE/100g DM), Total Monomeric Anthocyanin yield (70.3 mg/100g DM), Tannin Concentration (12.3 g/L), Antiradical Activity (67.3%) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (393 mgAAE/L). All of the optimal values were acquired at 3 mL/g solid-liquid ratio and 6.8 min milling time. The obtained extracts could be used as natural bioactive compounds in several industrial applications.

Fractal analysis of retinal vasculature in normal subjects on ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography

AIM: To evaluate the fractal feature of the retinal vasculature of normal eyes on a stereographic projected and montaged ultra-wide field(UWF) fluorescein angiography(FA).METHODS: Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study. Totally 59 eyes of 31 normal subjects were imaged using the Optos 200 Tx. Images obtained at different gaze angles stereographically projected and montaged. The early-phase UWF FA frames were processed to segment the retinal vasculature and the results were exported as binary masks. The fractal dimension(FD) was calculated using the box-counting method.RESULTS: The global FD for the entire retina was 1.6±0.04, with no difference between males and females(1.59±0.04 vs 1.61±0.04, P=0.084) or between right and left eyes(1.6±0.04 vs 1.6±0.05, P=0.61). FD was nonuniformly distributed among four quadrants(P<0.001) and decreased as the distance from the fovea increased(P<0.001). A negative association was observed between FD and age(R=-0.37, P=0.006), and this relationship was observed in the posterior and mid-peripheral retina(P<0.05) but absent in far-periphery(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Fractal geometry is non-uniformly distributed across the retina in normal eyes and decreases from the fovea to the far-periphery. Subjects with an older age tend to have a smaller FD, however, the FD in the farperiphery does not appear to be influenced by age.

A Comparative Study on Antiradical and Antimicrobial Properties of Red Grapes Extracts Obtained from Different <i>Vitis vinifera</i>Varieties

The present work is devoted to the study of antiradical and antimicrobial activities of phenolic compounds extracted from different grapevine varieties grown in the Bekaa plane-Lebanon. The amount of phenolic compounds in selected grape extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method. Phenolic composition was specified by high performance liquid chromatography. Free radical scavenging activity was examined by using the (2,2’-diphenyl-1-picrylhy-drazyl) DPPH assay. The potential antimicrobial activity was studied using a new quantitative method developed during this work. This activity was tested against several microbial pathogens, including a Gram-positive strain (Listeria monocytogenes), two Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli and Salmonella arizonae) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans). According to the results of the present screening study, a great variability in the composition of phenolic com-pounds in red grape extracts was detected. All phenolic compounds extracts, demonstrated important scavenging properties and antimicrobial effect against bacterial and fungal strains. Yet, a different response degree was noticed depending on the tested microorganism and the phenolic composition of grape extracts. Antimicrobial activity was more effective against Gram-positive than Gram-negative and yeast strains. Furthermore, our results highlighted a significant role of synergistic effect between various phenolic compounds in the free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activities.

On non-singular GRADELA crack fields

A brief account is provided on crack-tip solutions that have recently been published in the literature by employing the so-called GRADELA model and its variants. The GRADELA model is a simple gradient elasticity theory involving one internal length in addition to the two Lame＇ constants, in an effort to eliminate elastic singularities and discontinuities and to interpret elastic size effects. The non-singular strains and non-singular （but sometimes singular or even hypersingular） stresses derived this way under different boundary conditions differ from each other and their physical meaning in not clear. This is discussed which focus on the form and physical meaning of non-singular solutions for crack-tip stresses and strains that are possible to obtain within the GRADELA model and its extensions.

Long-term monitoring data reveal effects of age,population density,and environmental aspects on hatching success of Common Cranes(Grus grus)

Facing climate and land use change,a species’ability to successfully adapt to changing environments is crucial for its survival.Extensive drainage and intensification of agriculture and forestry set wetlands and associated species at risk of population declines.The population of Common Cranes(Grus grus)has experienced considerable fluctuations over the last century.Despite increasing population numbers,hatching success seemed to have decreased over the last years.The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing hatching success and nest survival of Common Cranes based on analyses of long-term individual-based monitoring data from northeastern Germany and evaluate the species ability to adapt to changing environments.Hatching success decreased over the course of the study period from 0.75 to 0.55.Surprisingly,nest survival and hatching success did not vary across different nesting habitats,whereas factors such as female age,timing of nest initiation and breeding pair density were found to have significant effects on hatching success.Older females showed higher hatching success,even though the proportion of unhatched eggs was highest in females aged 20 years or older.Early nest initiation had a positive effect on hatching success.Water levels are more favorable early in the nesting season,whereas increasing evaporation with time causes water levels to decrease,granting easier access for predators.Independently of female age,hatching success decreased with increasing numbers of breeding pairs within a 2-km radius around a nesting site.High population densities intensify competition for resources and promote intraspecific interactions,affecting reproductive outcome negatively.This study gives first insights into mechanisms behind population regulation in Common Cranes,highlighting the importance of population dynamics and individual features.We suggest to further investigate density dependent effects including landscape and habitat features as well as reproductive success in terms of chick survival,since successfully raising juveniles is crucial for a species survival.

Estimate the Emergence of Pectinophora gossypiella Saunders, （Lepidoptera： Gelechiidae） with Degree Days in the Region of Thessaly, Greece

The pink bollworm （Pectinophora gossypiella）, is one of the most damaging pests_of cotton growing in the region of Thessaly in Greece. The time of exit of the adults in spring is an important factor that affects the infestation index in the crop during the summer. Mathematical models by Sevacherian ＆ El-Zik, and Huber, which were implemented in California, were used in this study to determine the beginning, the peak of the adults output and the end of them during the summer. A data comparison between California and region of Thessaly were applied since California and Thessaly are on the same latitude with similar meteorological conditions. The results showed that the emergence occurs when the insect completes 259 DD according to the method described by Sevacherian ＆ EI-Zik, while according to the method described by Huber 430-454 DD are needed. It was observed that either according to the method described by Sevacherian and El-Zik or according to the method described by Huber, the values （DD） showed that the appearance of adults varies between -262 DD to 59 DD and -872 DD to 115 DD respectively.

An Environment Friendly, Low-Cost Extraction Process of Phenolic Compounds from Grape Byproducts. Optimization by Multi-Response Surface Methodology

Due to their beneficial effects on human health, phenolic compounds are increasingly attracting the attention of scientists and researchers all over the world. The main interest is in the extraction process of those natural plant-originated compounds from fruits, vegetables and plant wastes, namely grape wastes, in which phenolic compounds are the most abundant secondary metabolites. This waste exploitation not only re-assimilates those byproducts into the food cycle, but also avoids major environmental problems. Herein, the optimization of the phenolic compounds concentration and free radical scavenging activity from Cabernet Sauvignon grape byproducts was conducted, using multi-response surface methodology. A conventional solid-liquid extraction process was performed with pure water as a solvent to study the effects of both time and temperature on the procedure. The maximal phenolic compounds concentration (878.9 mg/L) was reached at 47℃ after 30 hours while the optimal free radical scavenging activity (41.15%) was obtained at 30℃ after 20 hours. A multi-response surface methodology compromised between the quantity and the quality of the extracted phenolics, and the parameters maximizing both responses were obtained at 37℃ and 28 hours. This low-cost and energy saving process provides an excellent tool for further industrial applications.

Complete active–passive photonic integration based on GaN-on-silicon platform

Suitable optoelectronic integration platforms enable the realization of numerous application systems at the chip scale and are highly anticipated in the rapidly growing market.We report a GaN-on-silicon-based photonic integration platform and demonstrate a photonic integrated chip comprising a light source,modulator,photodiode(PD),waveguide,and Y-branch splitter based on this platform.The light source,modulator,and PD adopt the same multiple quantum wells(MQWs)diode structure without encountering incompatibility problems faced in other photonic integration approaches.The waveguide-structure MQW electro-absorption modulator has obvious indirect light modulation capability,and its absorption coefficient changes with the applied bias voltage.The results successfully validate the data transmission and processing using near-ultraviolet light with peak emission wavelength of 386 nm.The proposed complete active–passive approach that has simple fabrication and low cost provides new prospects for next-generation photonic integration.

Electrocardiographic characteristics of pediatric and adolescent football players

Electrocardiographic characteristics of children and adolescents present differences compared to adults.The aim of our work was to study electrocardiograms(ECGs)of football male players from childhood to late adolescence and examine if the ECG parameters are influenced by systematic exercise.One thousand fifty-four football players participated and formed four groups.Group A included 89 players aged 5–7 years,group B 353 players aged 8–11 years,group C consisted of 355 football players 12-15 yearsold and group D of 257 players with 16–18 years of age.All participants underwent preparticipation screening,including 12-lead surface ECG.Heart rate(HR),PR,RR,QRS,QT,QTc intervals,QT dispersion(QTdisp)and QRS axis were calculated.All ECGs were evaluated according to the current preparticipation cardiac screening guidelines,that refer to athletes aged 12–35 years and do not include pediatric players.Eleven percent of the participants presented an ECG finding.Group D obtained the lowest values of HR,QTc and the highest of PR,RR,QRS,QT intervals and QTdisp,whereas no differences in QRS axis were reported.Incomplete Right Bandle Branch Block(RBBB)was the most frequent ECG peculiarity,detected in 7.3%of the participants.Years of training were statistically significantly correlated to HR,PR,RR,QRS and QT intervals.In conclusion,guidelines for ECG interpretation of athletes in childhood,early and late adolescence are needed.

Artin局部主理想环上多项式理想的Grbner基的标准型

本文给出 Ａｒｔｉｎ局部主理想环上单变元多项式理想的极小Grbner基的标准型．证明 Ｎｅｃｈａｅｖ提出的标准生成系（ＣＧＳ）恰是极小 Ｇｒｏｂｎｅｒ基．将标准型用于分析环上线性码．

Climate and anthropogenic drivers of changes in abundance of C4 annuals and perennials in grasslands on the Mongolian Plateau

Background:C4 plants have increased substantially during the past several decades in the grasslands of the Mongolian Plateau due to regional warming.Here,we explore how the patterns of abundances of C4 annuals and C4 perennials change over space and time.Methods:A total of 280 sites with C4 plants were surveyed in four types of grasslands in 9 years.The relative biomasses of C4 plants(PC4),C4 annuals(PA4),and C4 perennials(PP4)were calculated.Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the drivers of changes in PA4 and PP4.Results:At the regional scale,PA4 on average was 11%(±19%,SD)and PP4 was 13%(±19%,SD).Spatially,C4 annuals dominated the C4 communities within an east–west belt region along 44°N and tended to spread toward northern latitudes(about 0.5°)and higher altitudes in the east mountainous areas.The abundance of C4 annuals decreased,while that of C4 perennials increased.The patterns of C4 annuals and C4 perennials were mainly controlled by temperature,growing season precipitation,and dynamics between the two life forms.Conclusions:C4 annuals exhibited competitive advantages in normal and wet years,while C4 perennials had competitive advantages in dry years.Grazing as a main human disturbance increased C4 annuals,but had no significant effect on C4 perennials.

Kinematic Analysis of Leaf Growth in Grasses:A Comment on Spatial and Temporal Quantitative Analysis of Cell Division and Elongation Rate in Growing Wheat Leaves under Saline Conditions

Hu and Schmidhalter （2008） conducted a study with wheat seedlings growing in saline and non-stressed （control） conditions with the aim of identifying and quantifying the cellular basis for the reduction in leaf growth. We applaud their goals as salinity is an important issue for plant ecology and food production; however, we have concerns about the methodology used and the subsequent conclusJons that are drawn.

Metavalent bonding impacts charge carrier transport across grain boundaries

Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the charge carrier scattering at grain boundaries is crucial to design thermoelectrics and other electronic materials.Yet,this is a very challenging task due to the complex characteristics of grain boundaries and the resulting difficulties in correlating grain boundary structures to local properties.Recent advances in characterizing charge transport across grain boundaries are reviewed,demonstrating how the microstructure,composition,chemical bonding and electrical properties of the same individual grain boundary can be correlated.A much higher potential barrier height is observed in high-angle grain boundaries.This can be ascribed to the larger number density of deep trapping states caused by the local collapse of metavalent bonding.A novel approach to study the influence of the local chemical bonding mechanism around defects on the resulting local properties is thus developed.The results provide insights into the tailoring of electronic properties of metavalently bonded compounds by engineering the characteristics of grain boundaries.

Fatal accident due to anti-personnel ARGES EMO1 rifle grenade explosion

During the process of unsealing an old ammunition box in order to destroy it, a 42-year-old ammunition technician was fatally injured due to an anti-personnel ARGES EM01-type rifle grenade detonation. The explosion took place in the victim＇s hands, in point-blank range. This report aimed to show the anatomical position, the severity and the dispersion extent of the multiple injuries in the human body due to the detonation, and draw firm conclusions regarding the position of the human body and the circumstances prevailing at the moment of the explosion.

Effects of plant intraspecific variation on the prediction of C_(3)/C_(4)vegetation ratio from carbon isotope composition of topsoil organic matter across grasslands

Aims Understanding the patterns and drivers of carbon isotope discrimination(13Δ)in C_(3)and C_(4)functional groups is critical for predicting C_(3)/C_(4)vegetation ratio from the isotopic composition of soil organic matter.In this study,we aimed to evaluate how intraspecific variation will modify functional group-level 13Δvalues and the associated prediction of C_(3)/C_(4)vegetation ratio.Methods We investigated 13Δof 726 individual plants(96 species;C_(3)and C_(4)functional groups)and topsoil organic matter in 26 grassland communities along an aridity gradient in northern China.The fraction of C_(4)contribution was calculated with mixing models that considered:(i)both intra-and interspecific effects on the 13Δvalues of C_(3)and C_(4)functional groups;(ii)only interspecific effects;or(iii)none of these effects.Important Findings We found divergent responses of plant 13Δat the intraspecific level to the changes of aridity across the gradient.The 13Δof both C_(3)and C_(4)functional groups was negatively correlated with an aridity index,with higher sensitivity for C_(3)than for C_(4)functional groups.Intraspecific 13Δvariation played a key role in driving the total 13Δvariations of C_(3)plants.Overlooking such intraspecific effect in mixing models led to a greatly increased fraction of C_(4)contribution to soil organic carbon.A correction for the effects of intraspecific variation is therefore essential for correctly inferring C_(3)/C_(4)vegetation ratio in the past.Our findings provide basic information for the reconstruction of past vegetation change from bulk materials in arid and semiarid biomes.