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Abstract Background Macrosomia is a forgotten health problem that directly or indirectly affects maternal and neonatal health outcomes. There is a lack of evidence on the factors that affect macrosomia in eastern Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the determinants of macrosomia among newborns delivered in Jigjiga City, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based case-control study was conducted among 82 cases and 164 controls in Jigjiga City from June 25 to August 24, 2023. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the determinants of macrosomia. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the strength of the association, and the statistical significance was declared at a p-value

The introduction of noble metal nanoparticles in solar cells has been proven to enhance the performance of perovskite solar cells. In this study, silver-modified photoanodes were utilized to improve the performance of perovskite solar cells through successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) procedures. Due to the surface plasmon resonance effect, the light trapping capacity of the device was enhanced with superior photovoltaic properties. The plasmonic effects of the introduced silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were explored using SEM, XRD, UV-visible absorption spectrophotometer and solar simulator. The SEM results show compact morphologies and shinning surfaces indicating the presence of AgNPs. The XRD result shows a good crystal phase. The UV-vis results show enhanced optical absorption with AgNPs incorporation. The photovoltaic characteristics of the fabricated PSCs are: (i) pristine device; Jsc of 6.440 mA/cm2, Voc. of 0.948 V, FF of 0.642 and PCE of 3.917%, (ii) device with 1 SILAR of AgNPs; Jsc of 014.426 mA/cm2, Voc. of 0.949 V, FF of 0.642 and PCE of 8.795%, and (iii) device with 2 SILAR of AgNPs; Jsc of 10.815 mA/cm2, Voc of 0.917 V, FF of 0.558 and PCE of 5.536%. The device with the best performance is made of 1 SILAR cycle of AgNPs which shows an enhancement of ~2.245 times in PCE, ~2.240 times in Jsc and ~1.001 times in Voc over the reference device. The results in this study have unlocked the beneficial role of AgNPs and further contribute to understanding surface plasmon effect due to AgNPs introduction.

A one-dimensional computational model has been developed that can be used to identify operating conditions for the cathode side of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell such that both the inlet and outlet relative humidity is equal to 100%. By balancing the calculated pressure drop along the cathode side flow channel with the change in molar composition, inlet conditions for the cathode side can be identified with the goal of avoiding channel flooding. The channel length, height, width and the land-to-channel width ratio are input parameters for the model so that it might be used to dimension the cathode flow field. The model can be used to calculate the limiting current density, and we are presenting unprecedented high values as a result of the high pressure drop along the flow channels. Such high current densities can ultimately result in a fuel cell power density beyond the typical value of 1.0–2.0 W/cm2 for automotive fuel cells.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the basic profile of the Miyagi Prefecture part of a repeated center-based survey during the second period of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-Based Cohort Study (TMM CommCohort Study), as well as the participants’ characteristics based on their participation type in the baseline survey. Methods: The second period survey, conducted from June 2017 to March 2021, included participants of the TMM CommCohort Study (May 2013 to March 2016). In addition to the questionnaire, blood, urine, and physiological function tests were performed during the second period survey. There were three main ways of participation in the baseline survey: Type 1, Type 1 additional, or Type 2 survey. The second period survey was conducted in the same manner as the Type 2 survey, which was based on the community support center (CSC). Results: In Miyagi Prefecture, 29,383 (57.7%) of 50,967 participants participated in the second period survey. The participation rate among individuals who had visited the CSC was approximately 80%. Although some factors differed depending on the participation type in the baseline survey, the second period survey respondents in the Type 1 and Type 2 survey groups at baseline had similar traits. Conclusion: The second period survey of the TMM CommCohort Study provided detailed follow-up information. Following up on the health conditions of the participants will clarify the long-term effects of disasters and contribute to personalized prevention.

Abstract An earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.5 (Mw) struck the northern Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, at 16:10 local time on January 1, 2024. This earthquake triggered a tsunami that propagated along the coastline of Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata Prefectures facing the Sea of Japan and significantly damaged coastal communities and infrastructure. Approximately 70 researchers from 23 universities or other institutes throughout Japan formed a joint research group to conduct a post-tsunami survey along a 340 km stretch of the coast. Based on the watermarks and traces of the tsunami, the inundation and run-up heights were surveyed using total stations, automatic optical levels, laser range finders, and a real-time kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The tidal correction was adjusted using astronomical tidal tables. In total, 303 survey records have been compiled, generating the NP2024TS (Noto Peninsula 2024 Tsunami Survey) dataset. This dataset provides comprehensive information on the inundation and run-up heights of the tsunami, which is useful for understanding tsunami characteristics and validating numerical tsunami models.

Abstract A moment magnitude (M w) 7.5 earthquake occurred on January 1, 2024, at the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula, Central Japan, triggering a large tsunami. Seismological and geodetic observations revealed the rupture of mapped submarine active faults. While proximal segment ruptures have been well resolved by previous research, far offshore segments have posed challenges for onshore-based inversions. This emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive study on the fault through tsunami modeling. Here, we aimed to examine tsunami propagation and inundation using four different fault models to identify the general characteristics of the tsunami source and evaluate the complexities of earthquake- and submarine landslide-induced tsunamis. We identified the simultaneous rupture of two active fault systems as the most suitable model for explaining observed tsunami height and inundation; however, some inconsistencies with observations remained. The propagation process did not follow a concentric pattern but aligned with bathymetric heterogeneity. The findings also suggested potential amplification effects responsible for the devastation of the coast of Iida Bay and indicated a possible submarine landslide in southern Toyama Bay. The findings of the present work could benefit the exploration of a more realistic tsunami source model, considering the differences between observations and simulations. Such efforts, in collaboration with paleotsunami research, can contribute to the improved assessment of hazards from submarine active faults.

Enhancing tribological performance through nanostructure control is crucial for saving energy and improving wear resistance for diverse applications. We introduce a new electrochemical approach that integrates aluminum (Al) anodization, tin alternating current (AC) electrodeposition, and anodic MoS2 electrosynthesis for fabricating nanostructured Al2O3/Sn(S)MoS2 composite films on AlSiCu casting alloys. Our unique process uses Sn‐modified MoS2 deposition to form robust solid lubricant MoS2–SnS electrodeposits within the nanochannels and microsized voids/defects of anodic alumina matrix films on the base materials, resulting in a bilayered Al2O3/SnSMoS2 and MoS2–SnS–Sn composite film. The AC‐deposited Sn enhances conductivity in the anodic alumina matrix film, acts as catalytic nuclei for Sn@SnS@MoS2 core‐shell nanoparticles and a dense top layer, and serves as a reductant for the direct synthesis of hybrid solid lubricant MoS2–SnS from MoS3 by anodic electrolysis of MoS42− ions. The resulting nanocomposite film provides a two‐fold increase in lubricity (friction coefficient (COF) μ = 0.14 ⇒ 0.07) and a ten‐fold improvement in wear resistance (COF μ

Abstract Periampullary cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, ampullary-, cholangio-, and duodenal carcinoma, are frequently diagnosed in an advanced stage and are associated with poor overall survival. They are difficult to differentiate from each other and challenging to distinguish from benign periampullary disease preoperatively. To improve the preoperative diagnostics of periampullary neoplasms, clinical or biological markers are warranted. In this study, 28 blood plasma amino acids and derivatives from preoperative patients with benign (N = 45) and malignant (N = 72) periampullary disease were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Principal component analysis and consensus clustering both separated the patients with cancer and the patients with benign disease. Glutamic acid had significantly higher plasma expression and 15 other metabolites significantly lower plasma expression in patients with malignant disease compared with patients having benign disease. Phenylalanine was the only metabolite associated with improved overall survival (HR = 0.50, CI 0.30–0.83, P

Perovskite photovoltaics is one of the fastest growing research field in materials science. The effect of caffeine in the absorber structure of the PSCs was studied systematically in this study. Caffeine was added at different concentration ratio of 0.3 ml (S1), 0.6 ml (S2), 0.9 ml (S3) and 1.2 ml (S4) while the PSCs without caffeine content is denoted as C. The as-prepared PSCs were characterized via SEM, UV-vis, Profiler and J-V analysis techniques. The SEM results shows a nucleated orientation with average diameter of 185.16±0.2 µm. Optical analysis shows a red shift within the visible light spectrum, indicated a more visible lights are being absorbed, thus, a potential photoanode for perovskite solar cells applications. The profiler results shows the as-prepared nanomaterials is within the range of ⁓40 nm. The electrical performance of PSCs, caffeine NPs was observed to have enhanced the PSCs by improving Jsc, Voc, FF and PCE of the fabricated devices. The highest performing PSCs was observed in device S1 with PCE of 9.57%, Jsc of 15.71 mAcm-2, Voc 0.94 and FF 0.65, which shows ~1.57 times improvement in PCE over the control device (C). The addition of caffeine NPs increased the rate of exciton generation and the probability of exciton dissociation, enhancing charge separation, reducing the recombination rate as well as facilitating carrier transport in the device. Thus, in this study, device S1 showed an improved PCE of 9.57%.

What does it mean when pharmaceuticals are called ‘biologics’? This article follows a pregnant person who has been hospitalised on a Norwegian rheumatology ward after being taken off her monoclonal antibody (mab) medication. She is painfully trapped in a crisis that is medical and existential, but also epistemological. Weighing the debilitating consequences of her disease against concerns about pharmaceutical risks for herself and her unborn child, she creates and adapts her own knowledge of mabs as ‘biologics’. Far from being passively receptive, she thus becomes part of a complex project of semantics where analogies and oppositions of biologic and chemical, natural and man-made, health and unhealth work to render some knowledge plausible and some implausible. Placing the individual and the pharmaceutical label at the centre of this semantic economy, the article suggests that pharmaceutical labels play an important albeit unacknowledged role in the making of pharmaceuticals as safe and efficacious.

In this policy research, we examine the effects of the new fiscal regime [the signing of the new Finance Act 2023, the setup of a tax reform committee, and the removal of fuel subsidy] on the Nigerian economy and its implication for fiscal and monetary policy coordination in Nigeria. We explore these by estimating a macro-econometric model, which comprises a fiscal rule, monetary policy rule, and a Phillips curve relation to simulate the impacts of the regime on fiscal, macro and monetary fundamentals in Nigeria. We find in the model estimation that (a) lower public debts can be achieved faster through a reduction in expenditure than by an increase in revenue, (b) inflation in Nigeria is driven by demand and supply-side factors, (c) the monetary policy instrument does not possess stabilizing power over the economy. The forecasting analyses show that the contractionary fiscal regime that raises the revenue by about 75 per cent will instantaneously clear out the fiscal deficit and lead to significant reductions in public debts but at the cost of higher inflation. We suggest sufficiently reducing the monetary policy rate to the optimal value obtained from the structural model, and coordination of demand management and supply-side policies by both the monetary and fiscal policy authorities in Nigeria.

Photovoltaic (PV) output forecasting often uses meteorological and historical PV data, including cloud imagery and weather conditions. Access to such data can be limited for numerous dispersed PVs, particularly in remote areas, making accurate forecasting challenging. Recent advancements in distributed PVs and communication technologies, such as smart meters, have facilitated the collection of time-series data from numerous dispersed PV installations. This development has spurred research into new forecasting models that utilize these data to forecast the PV output across multiple locations. One notable technique is the optical flow algorithm, which estimates and forecasts PV power generation transitions by converting PV power generation data from various locations into images. This study introduces a hybrid model that combines optical flow with machine learning using historical PV generation, time, and location data from multiple installations. The proposed model has an 18.4% improvement in the mean absolute error (MAE) over traditional models that depend on weather data. It also exhibits a 5.8% improvement in MAE and a 10.8% improvement in the continuous ranking probability score compared to the optical flow alone.

Abstract Background Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicines containing ephedra may be used to treat colds during pregnancy. There are reports that ephedrine, a component of ephedra, has a risk of teratogenicity; however, the evidence remains equivocal. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) associated with exposure to Kampo medicines containing ephedra during the first trimester of pregnancy using the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study (TMM BirThree Cohort Study). Methods To 23,730 mother–infant pairs who participated in the TMM BirThree Cohort Study from July 2013 to March 2017, questionnaires in early and middle pregnancy were distributed approximately at weeks 12 and 26 of pregnancy, respectively. Infants' risk of MCMs in women who used Kampo medicines containing ephedra or acetaminophen during the first trimester was assessed, and the odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Results Among 20,879 women, acetaminophen and Kampo medicines containing ephedra were used in 665 (3.19%) and 376 (1.80%) women, respectively, in the first trimester. Among the infants born to the mothers who used acetaminophen or Kampo medicine containing ephedra during the first trimester, 11 (1.65%) and 8 (2.13%), respectively, had overall MCMs. OR of overall MCMs was higher in women who used Kampo medicines containing ephedra than in those who used acetaminophen in the first trimester (adjusted OR, 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CIs), 0.57–3.71); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions In this study, there was no statistically significant association between the use of Kampo medicines containing ephedra during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of MCMs. Although some point estimates of ORs exceeded 1.00, the absolute magnitude of any increased risks would be low.

Although hormone therapy is definitely beneficial for patients with prostate cancer, a decrease in bone mineral density and an increased risk of fracture have been noted as adverse events. Improving bone metabolism in these patients is especially important in an aging society. We herein report the results of two studies: the first examined the effect of low serum testosterone levels on bone mineral density in a large number of Japanese men; the second study investigated the effect of a 12-month formulation of zoledronic acid injection for multiple years in prostate cancer patients with castration levels of serum testosterone due to androgen deprivation therapy. The first study included 1112 patients with late-onset hypogonadism. A multiple regression analysis that included factors that were significant in the simple regression analysis showed that only age (p < 0.001) and testosterone (p = 0.013) were significantly associated with bone mineral density. A significant relationship between serum testosterone and bone mineral density was also found in an age-adjusted regression analysis (p = 0.008) and a trend analysis (Ptrend = 0.001). The second study included 12 prostate cancer patients with castration levels of serum testosterone due to androgen deprivation therapy, and who had received a 12-month formulation of zoledronic acid injection for multiple years. A trend analysis clearly showed that bone mineral density tended to increase year by year during the 4-year observation period (Ptrend < 0.001). In addition, we found no treatment-related adverse events in patients who received long-acting zoledronic acid. Thus, we conclude that men with lower serum testosterone levels are likely to have reduced bone mineral density and wish to emphasize that bone mineral density can be increased in prostate cancer patients by the continuous administration of long-acting zoledronic acid at 12-month intervals, even when their serum testosterone levels are below castration level.

Background: Globally, digital skills are a crucial aspect of education that schools should develop systematically. Research on digital skills tends to be measured using self-reports, performance tests or interventions. There is less knowledge about student and teacher uptake of technology in school, making it important to investigate the actual use of technology and digital skills in authentic classroom settings. Objectives: This study contributes unique baseline data concerning students' use of technology and digital skills across mandatory English courses in real classroom settings in secondary schools in Norway over time. Methods: The study adapted a national framework for digital skills into an observation protocol. With it, this study analysed videos from 60 naturally occurring English lessons in 13 English classes at seven lower secondary schools over two school years (grades 9 and 10), following 186 students (aged 13-15) and 10 teachers. Results and Conclusions: Students used digital skills critical for education in half of the video-recorded English lessons, with more digital skill use at some schools over time. The main finding across classrooms and school years regards students' use of basic, not advanced, digital skills. Takeaways: Although teachers provide opportunities for students to use digital skills in school, more advanced skills are needed. This work calls for continued use of video recordings to provide systematic comparisons of potential shifts in students' digital skills in real English secondary classroom settings over time.

Background: Unsafe abortion is a serious reproductive health problem in developing countries including Ethiopia. The attitude of healthcare providers toward abortion is one of contributing factors to unsafe abortion. This study aimed to determine the pooled effect of healthcare workers’ attitudes toward safe abortion care and its determinants factors in Ethiopia. Methods: Search engines such as Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and CAB Abstracts were used to find published studies where as Google and Google Scholar were used to find unpublished research. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. The analysis was performed using STATA 14 and the random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratios of medical professionals’ attitudes regarding safe abortion services. Study heterogeneity was assessed by using I 2 and P -values. To evaluate the stability of pooled values to outliers and publication bias, respectively, sensitivity analysis and funnel plot were also performed. Results: A total of 15 published and unpublished articles with a sample size of 4060 were incorporated in this Review. The overall pooled prevalence of this study was 56% (95% CI: 45-67). Sex of participants (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.57, 3.58), having training (AOR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.58, 5.17), Professional type (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.46), and knowledge of abortion law (AOR:2.26; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.46) were the determinants factors that significantly associated with health care workers’ attitude toward safe abortion care. Sensitivity analysis shows that the pooled odds ratios were consistently stable throughout all meta-analyses, and the funnel plot shows no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: Half of health care providers sampled among the pooled studies have favorable attitudes toward abortion services in Ethiopia; which could hamper women’s access to safe abortion care. Sex, training, type of profession, and knowing abortion law were determinants of health care workers’ attitudes toward safe abortion services. Stakeholders should emphasize improving the attitude of healthcare workers toward safe abortion care which has a vital role in reducing maternal mortality. Moreover, working on modifiable factors like training, assigning personnel whose professions align with the service, and updating care providers about abortion law is also the essential key point to improve their intentions to deliver the services.

Background: Multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in genes related to the flavoprotein complex. Dysfunction of the complex leads to impaired fatty acid oxidation and ketone body production which can cause hypoketotic hypoglycemia with prolonged fasting. Patients with fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs) such as MADD are treated primarily with a dietary regimen consisting of high-carbohydrate foods and avoidance of prolonged fasting. However, information on the long-term sequelae associated with this diet have not been accumulated. In general, high-carbohydrate diets can induce diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), although few patients with both MADD and T2DM have been reported. Case: We present the case of a 32-year-old man with MADD who was on a high-carbohydrate diet for >30 years and exhibited symptoms resembling diabetic ketoacidosis. He presented with polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss with a decrease in body mass index from 31 to 25 kg/m2 over 2 months. Laboratory tests revealed a HbA1c level of 13.9%; however, the patient did not show metabolic acidosis but only mild ketosis. Discussion/conclusion: This report emphasizes the potential association between long-term adherence to high-carbohydrate dietary therapy and T2DM development. Moreover, this case underscores the difficulty of detecting diabetic ketosis in patients with FAODs such as MADD due to their inability to produce ketone bodies. These findings warrant further research of the long-term complications associated with this diet as well as warning of the potential progression of diabetes in patients with FAODs such as MADD.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. More than half of patients with HCC present with advanced stage, and highly active systemic therapies are crucial for improving outcomes. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies have emerged as novel therapy options for advanced HCC. Only one third of patients achieve an objective response with ICI-based therapies due to primary resistance or acquired resistance. The liver tumor microenvironment is naturally immunosuppressive, and specific mutations in cell signaling pathways allow the tumor to evade the immune response. Next, gene sequencing of the tumor tissue or circulating tumor DNA may delineate resistance mechanisms to ICI-based therapy and provide a rationale for novel combination therapies. In this review, we discuss the results of key clinical trials that have led to approval of ICI-based therapy options in advanced HCC and summarize the ongoing clinical trials. We review resistance mechanisms to ICIs and discuss how immunotherapies may be optimized based on the emerging research of tumor biomarkers and genomic alterations.

Abstract Aim Patient transfer from intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards is a routine part of hospital care. However, if the transfer is not optimal, it can result in increased readmissions to the ICU, increased stress and discomfort for the patient and, thus, a threat to patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore how general ward nurses experience patient safety during patient transfers from ICUs to general wards. Design A qualitative design based on a phenomenological approach was used. Methods Two focus group interviews were conducted with a total of eight nurses from a medical ward and a surgical ward at one hospital in Norway. The data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results The nurses' experiences of patient safety during patient transfer had four themes: (1) the importance of preparedness; (2) the importance of the handover of information; (3) stress and a lack of resources and (4) a feeling of two different worlds. Conclusion In order to promote patient safety, the informants highlighted the importance of being well prepared for transfer, and to have optimal handover of information. Stress, lack of resources and a feeling of two different worlds may pose threats to patient safety. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care We suggest several intervention studies testing the effect of intervention improving patient safety during the transfer process are designed, and that increased knowledge in this area is used to develop local practice recommendations. Patient or Public Contribution The participants of this study were nurses and this contribution has been explained in the Data collection section. There was no patient contribution in this study.