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Abstract Alterations in subcortical brain regions are linked to motor and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, associations between clinical expression and regional morphological abnormalities of the basal ganglia, thalamus, amygdala and hippocampus are not well established. We analyzed 3D T1-weighted brain MRI and clinical data from 2525 individuals with PD and 1326 controls from 22 global sources in the ENIGMA-PD consortium. We investigated disease effects using mass univariate and multivariate models on the medial thickness of 27,120 vertices of seven bilateral subcortical structures. Shape differences were observed across all Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages, as well as correlations with motor and cognitive symptoms. Notably, we observed incrementally thinner putamen from HY1, caudate nucleus and amygdala from HY2, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and thalamus from HY3, and globus pallidus from HY4–5. Subregions of the thalami were thicker in HY1 and HY2. Largely congruent patterns were associated with a longer time since diagnosis and worse motor symptoms and cognitive performance. Multivariate regression revealed patterns predictive of disease stage. These cross-sectional findings provide new insights into PD subcortical degeneration by demonstrating patterns of disease stage-specific morphology, largely consistent with ongoing degeneration.

Abstract The progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with microstructural alterations in neural pathways, contributing to both motor and cognitive decline. However, conflicting findings have emerged due to the use of heterogeneous methods in small studies. Here we performed a large diffusion MRI study in PD, integrating data from 17 cohorts worldwide, to identify stage-specific profiles of white matter differences. Diffusion-weighted MRI data from 1654 participants diagnosed with PD (age: 20–89 years; 33% female) and 885 controls (age: 19–84 years; 47% female) were analyzed using the ENIGMA-DTI protocol to evaluate white matter microstructure. Skeletonized maps of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were compared across Hoehn and Yahr (HY) disease groups and controls to reveal the profile of white matter alterations at different stages. We found an enhanced, more widespread pattern of microstructural alterations with each stage of PD, with eventually lower FA and higher MD in almost all regions of interest: Cohen’s d effect sizes reached d = −1.01 for FA differences in the fornix at PD HY Stage 4/5. The early PD signature in HY stage 1 included higher FA and lower MD across the entire white matter skeleton, in a direction opposite to that typical of other neurodegenerative diseases. FA and MD were associated with motor and non-motor clinical dysfunction. While overridden by degenerative changes in the later stages of PD, early PD is associated with paradoxically higher FA and lower MD in PD, consistent with early compensatory changes associated with the disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ultrasonic treatment time (5–30 min) on the structural characteristics, antioxidant, α-amylase inhibitory, and prebiotic properties of pomegranate peel pectin (PPP). The extracted PPP was rich in galacturonic acid (64.27 %) and exhibited a high degree of esterification (DE, 61.7 %), with an average molecular weight (Mw) of 135.6 kDa. The Mw, particle size, and DE of ultrasonic-treated PPPs (U-PPPs) significantly decreased compared to the PPP. FTIR analysis revealed that the intensity of the peak at ∼1730–1720 cm−1 weakened with prolonged treatment time. The total phenol content, antioxidant activity, and α-amylase inhibition of U-PPPs were enhanced compared to PPP. Both PPP and U-PPP treated for 30 min promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus casei, with U-PPP-30 showing a greater preference over PPP and inulin. In conclusion, ultrasonic treatment represents a promising approach to depolymerization aimed at enhancing the biological activities of pectin.

Background: The literature on gun violence is broad and variable, describing multiple legislation types and outcomes in observational studies. Our objective was to document the extent and nature of evidence on the impact of firearm legislation on mortality from firearm violence. Methods: A scoping review was conducted under PRISMA-ScR guidance. A comprehensive peer-reviewed search strategy was executed in several electronic databases from inception to March 2024. Grey literature was searched for unpublished sources. Data were extracted on study design, country, population, type of legislation, and overall study conclusions on legislation impact on mortality from suicide, homicide, femicide, and domestic violence. Critical appraisal for a sample of articles with the same study design (ecological studies) was conducted for quality assessment. Findings: 5057 titles and abstracts and 651 full-text articles were reviewed. Following full-text review and grey literature search, 202 articles satisfied our eligibility criteria. Federal legislation was identified from all included countries, while state-specific laws were only reported in studies from the U.S. Numerous legislative approaches were identified including preventative, prohibitive, and more tailored strategies focused on identifying high risk individuals. Law types had various effects on rates of firearm homicide, suicide, and femicide. Lack of robust design, uneven implementation, and poor evaluation of legislation may contribute to these differences. Interpretation: We found that national, restrictive laws reduce population-level firearm mortality. These findings can inform policy makers, public health researchers, and governments when designing and implementing legislation to reduce injury and death from firearms. Funding: Funding is provided by the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Evidence Alliance and in part by St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto. Scoping review registration:: Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/sf38n.

In this study, we report a facile hydrothermal synthesis of strontium-doped SnS nanoflowers that were used as a catalyst for the degradation of antibiotic molecules in water. The prepared sample was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The photocatalytic ability of the strontium-doped SnS nanoflowers was evaluated by studying the degradation of metronidazole in an aqueous solution under photocatalytic conditions. The degradation study was conducted for a reaction period of 300 min at neutral pH, and it was found that the degradation of metronidazole reached 91%, indicating the excellent photocatalytic performance of the catalyst. The influence of experimental parameters such as catalyst dosage, initial metronidazole concentration, initial reaction pH, and light source nature was optimized with respect to metronidazole degradation over time. The reusability of the strontium-doped SnS nanoflowers catalyst was investigated, and its photocatalytic efficiency remained unchanged even after four cycles of use. HIGHLIGHTS Sr-doped SnS is synthesized by the hydrothermal process.; Sr-doped SnS nanoflowers were selected to remove dyes from water.; The removal percentage of Sr-doped SnS could reach 91%.; The reusability of our catalyst Sr-doped SnS was also explored.;

One of the ports most affected by the phenomenon of silting in Algeria is the port of Cap Djinet. In order to consider the monitoring of this port over a period of 8 years between 2015 and 2023, the twin Sentinel-2 A/B satellites were used. After image pre-processing, the bathymetry was estimated using the algorithm developed by Stumpf and extraction of the coastline was conducted using the normalized difference water index (NWDI). As part of this work, four bathymetric surveys were conducted in situ in four different periods, the results of which then correlated with those of the Stumpf model applied to satellite images. The results of the regression analysis are consistent and show good correlation coefficients (R2) between 0.67 and 0.80 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) values between 0.87 m and 1.32 m, except for images captured under turbid water conditions. The maximum accretion surface is 2.12 ha to the north of the port, estimated for the period from 2018 to 2019, and 1.78 ha to the south for 2015 to 2016. The maximum erosion surface is 2.37 ha to the north of the port for the period from 2017 to 2018 and 1.16 ha to the south from 2017 to 2018. Therefore, the amplitude of accretion and erosion is greater to the north of the port than to the south. The present study demonstrates the ability of Sentinel-2 satellites to monitor silting and coastline changes in the vicinity of this port, which could help to address the effects of climate change and human activities in order to protect the marine ecosystem.

Attempting to reduce issues with dumping and water pollution, bio-based membrane material (MB1000), based on bentonite was elaborated for application in tangential ultrafiltration. For this, morphological properties, textural properties, and chemical structure of the elaborated membrane material were established using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses. Water permeability, chemical resistance, as well as point of zero charge of the membrane material were also investigated. The studied membrane material has a mesoporous structure, with a pore size of 7.20 nm and a water permeability of 318.06 L/h.m2.bar. The effect of transmembrane material pressure, pH solution, and concentration on Orange G (OG) and Rhodamine B (RB) dye rejection efficiency was examined and hence optimized. Besides, a mixture of RB and OG dyes was tested for membrane material ultrafiltration in a simultaneous system (RB/OG). Remarkably, an enhancement of the rejection results was noticed for the two dyes (ROG = 94.33%, RRB = 89.38%) resulting from a synergic effect of hydrogen bonding as well as electrostatic interactions generated from functional groups of the molecules dyes. HIGHLIGHTS Elaboration of low-cost and soft bio-based membrane using natural clay.; Membrane ultrafiltration of Orange G (OG) and Rhodamine B (RB).; Membrane ultrafiltration of OG/RB blend.; Synergy in the ultrafiltration of the blend OG/RB and.; Improvement of the rejection percent of OG and RB in the blend compared to the single systems.;

This research purposes to know the results of the Supreme Court's decision on fake news by implementing linguistic forensic and critical discourse analysis based on Fairclough's 1995 grand theory approach. Some categories of analysis include representation, relations, identity, and sociocultural practices. Individual who break the law by spreading fake news may imprisonment. This is in accordance with the rules stated in Article 45A paragraph (2) of law number 19 of 2016, which amends law number 11 of 2008.The research method used is descriptive qualitative by collecting and analyzing data from defendants who are proven to have committed acts of insult and hatred of Ethnic Religion and Intergroup. The results of data analysis are in the form of representation of news information, power relations contained in it, the identity of the defendant formed, and the sociocultural practices that arise. Sociocultural practices that occur in this context, such as discrimination, controversy, and manipulation of information. The results of this study can become a foundation to sensitize the public about the dangers of fake news, encourage changes in creating truth in media practices, and increase defendants' awareness of the importance of justice in the criminal justice system.

Abstract This study focuses on the Gulf of Arzew in Oran, an important area of the Algerian economy and the first Algerian port in terms of hydrocarbon exports. Oil spills in this area represent a severe risk that can disrupt the marine and coastal ecosystem. Therefore, the aim is to estimate marine waters’ vulnerability to oil pollution, which has become a significant problem worldwide. Predictive simulations of oil slick drift, which may occur in the coastal area of Arzew in Oran, northwest Algeria, were carried out to study, prevent and map the spread of an oil spill in the context of a hypothetical oil spill. For this purpose, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s general operational oil modeling environment and the Automated Data Inquiry for Oil Spills were also used. The results show that approximately 29.7 km of shoreline could potentially be impacted by oil during the winter season, with an evaporation rate of more than 74.6% of the spilled amount. In addition, the simulation results indicate that the area could be affected in distinct ways depending on the season, with completely different oil slick trajectories. It is important to note that no oil slick modeling work has been done in this area to date, although oil spills represent a serious risk that can disrupt coastal resources such as fisheries, tourism, aquatic life, and shoreline physical resources. The mapping results propose a new transposable approach to coastal risk and could serve as a decision-making tool.

Natural risks comprise a whole range of disasters and dangers, requiring comprehensive management through advanced assessment, forecasting, and warning systems. Our specific focus is on landslides in difficult terrains. The evaluation of landslide risks employs sophisticated multicriteria models, such as the weighted sum GIS approach, which integrates qualitative parameters. Despite the challenges posed by the rugged terrain in Northern Algeria, it is paradoxically home to a dense population attracted by valuable hydro-agricultural resources. The goal of our research is to study landslide risks in these areas, particularly in the Mila region, with the aim of constructing a mathematical model that integrates both hazard and vulnerability considerations. This complex process identifies threats and their determining factors, including geomorphology and socio-economic conditions. We developed two algorithms, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), to prioritize criteria and sub-criteria by assigning weights to them, aiming to find the optimal solution. By integrating multi-source data, including satellite images and in situ measurements, into a GIS and applying the two algorithms, we successfully generated landslide susceptibility maps. The FAHP method demonstrated a higher capacity to manage uncertainty and specialist assessment errors. Finally, a comparison between the developed risk map and the observed risk inventory map revealed a strong correlation between the thematic datasets.

A two-level full factorial design with interactions was effectively used to screen for parameters impacting the degradation of Direct Red 89 (DR89) by thermally activated persulfate. Four variables were identified as critical: reaction temperature, persulfate concentration, initial pH of medium, and initial DR89 concentration. The goodness of fit of the reduced model was tested by generating plots of descriptive statistic, residuals versus predicted responses, normal probability versus residuals, and observed versus predicted values, as well as examining the analysis of variance table. The observed and the predicted response values of the reduced model exhibited a good correlation, with [Please download the PDF to view the mathematical expression], and p of 0.990, 0.983, 0.968, and 0.000, respectively. To determine optimal operating parameters, the desirability function was utilized, and it was determined to be 0.988 with a predicted response of 99.89% for an initial DR89 concentration of 51.96 mg/L, a persulfate concentration of 12 mmol/L, a reaction temperature of 60 [degrees]C, and a pH of 3. Key words: degradation, persulfate, Direct Red 89, thermal activation, sulfate radicals, full factorial design, 1. Introduction Environmental pollution is one of the most urgent problems of the modern world. Different industries such as textiles, paper and pulp mills, cosmetics, distilleries, and tanneries produce highly [...]