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• The prevalence of PAD was low in HIV patients on cART treatment compared to treatment-naïve HIV patients and non-HIV controls. • HIV patients with low CD4+ cell count, those on tenofovir-based and efavirenz-based treatment had a high likelihood of having PAD. • Metabolic syndrome mediates the relationship between cART-treatment and PAD. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in HIV patients and can be diagnosed noninvasively using the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The burden of PAD has not been investigated in Ghanaian HIV patients. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with PAD in HIV patients at a periurban hospital in Ghana. In a case-control design, ABI was measured in 158 cART-treated HIV patients, 150 cART-naïve HIV patients and 156 non-HIV controls with no clinical symptoms of CVDs. PAD was defined as ABI ≤ 0.9. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure plasma levels of glucose, lipid profile, and CD4+ lymphocytes. The prevalence of PAD was 13.9% among cART-treated HIV patients, 21.3% among cART-naïve HIV patients, and 15.4% among non-HIV controls. Patients with PAD had increased odds of having low CD4+ cell counts [OR (95% CI) = 3.68 (1.41–12.85)]. In cART-treated HIV patients, those on TDF-based [5.76 (1.1–30.01), p = 0.038] and EFV-based [9.28 (1.51–57.12), p = 0.016] regimens had increased odds of having PAD. In our study population, there was no difference in the prevalence of PAD between cART-treated HIV patients compared to cART-naïve HIV patients or non-HIV controls. Having a low CD4 cell count and being on TDF- or EFV-based regimens were associated with an increased likelihood of having PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the rising importance of energy transition in the environmental sustainability discussion, it is imperative to understand the roles of sustainable energy innovations and financialization to reach informed inferences for policy formulation. We examined the environmental quality performance in Sub-Sahara Africa using the case of the resource-rich Ghanaian state vis-à-vis the possible moderating influence of green innovations and financial development. The empirical analysis encompassed various estimation issues, including structural breaks, heteroscedasticity, and normality in data structure. We simulated with the dynamic autoregressive-distributed lag technique and confirmed that financialization, resource rents, and economic growth are significant positive determinants of pollutant emissions. However, green innovations decrease the rate of pollution in the nation. Moreover, the interaction between green innovations and financial development improves ecological quality, while that between natural resources and financial development spurs pollution in the ecosystem. Furthermore, causal connections in the series indicated unidirectional causalities from green innovations, financialization, natural resource rents, and economic growth to pollutant emissions. However, the interactive terms between green innovations and financial development and between natural resource rents and financial development are bi-directionally related to ecological pollution. Hence, the study essentially suggests that the net-zero emission agenda of the Paris Accord is achievable from higher investments in green innovations while harnessing the benefits of international financial flows to boost the sustainability capacity of the Sub-Saharan Ghanian economy. [Display omitted] • Moderating aspects of green innovations and financialization in environmental quality examined. • Green innovations significantly abate pollution while financialization is detrimental. • Interactive influence of innovations and financial development abates ecological depletion. • Policy frameworks for net-zero emission are achievable from green innovation perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of clean cooking technologies in many developing countries ensures environmental quality and improved well-being through reduction in indoor air pollution. This study examines the adoption of cooking fuel technologies and its effect on health outcomes using panel data from two districts in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The inverse probability weighting regression adjustment (IPWRA) approach was used to examine the effect of cooking fuel technologies on health outcomes. The empirical results show that factors such as tenancy, kitchen design, assets, gender, education, access to internet and tarred roads influence the adoption of cooking fuel technologies, including clean cooking fuels. The study finds that clean cooking fuels decrease female illness incidence but not male illness incidence, with large improvement for adults. The findings suggest that policies and programs aimed at promoting clean cooking fuel technologies can significantly improve well-being of females in developing countries. • Doubly robust estimators were used to examine the impact of cooking fuel technologies on health outcomes. • The wealthier households are more likely to use clean cooking fuel technologies. • Household head's level of education increases the adoption of clean cooking fuel technologies. • Clean cooking fuels decrease female illness incidence but not male illness incidence, with large improvement for adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries, as one of the energy storage devices, has attracted much attention due to its remarkable characteristics. However, they pose safety challenges because of their liquid electrolytes. Solid electrolytes are one of the key candidates to tackle the safety issues in Li-ion batteries. As a solid electrolyte, garnet-type Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 is a promising candidate with its high stability against lithium metal and wide electrochemical window among its counterparts. But, the ionic conductivity is yet to be compared with liquid electrolytes. Hence, doping is still the common strategy to adjust the ionic conductivities. Despite the fact that doping with various elements is well-documented, Lanthanide group element doping is not thoroughly investigated. This research is to study the synthesis of garnet-type Li 7 La 3-x M x Zr 2 O 12 (M = Sm, Dy, Er, Yb; x = 0.0–1.0) novel compositions to enlighten the effect of lanthanide group element doping as a function of ionic radius. Results showed that increasing dopant ionic radius improves densification, diminishes Li-ion conduction and, except Yb case, expands the lattice. However, impurity phases formed when the solubility limit is reached, has overall a positive impact on Li-ion conduction. The highest ionic conductivity (0.15 mS/cm) and lowest activation energy (0.18 eV) without impurity phases were obtained from Yb doped LLZO. It was also found that the presence of LiDyO 2 improves the ionic conductivity to 0.16 mS/cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fasciola hepatica TGF-like molecule (Fh TLM) fails to provoke Foxp3+ CD4 T-cells. • CD4 T-cells exposed to Fh TLM display heightened chemokine secretion. • Fh TLM-elicited granulocytes do not promote parasite development. The trematode parasite Fasciola hepatica causes chronic infection in hosts, enabled by an immunosuppressed environment. Both host and parasite factors are known to contribute to this suggesting that avoidance of immunopathology is beneficial to both parties. We have previously characterised a parasite transforming growth factor (TGF)-like molecule, FhTLM, that interacts with host macrophages to prevent antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). FhTLM is one of many described helminth TGF homologues and multiple helminths are now known to utilise host immune responses as developmental cues. To test whether, or how, F. hepatica uses FhTLM to manipulate host immunity, we initially examined its effects on the CD4 T-cell phenotype. Despite inducing IL-10, there was no induction of FoxP3 within the CD4 T-cell compartment. In addition to inducing IL-10, a wide range of chemokines were elicited from both CD4 T-cells and macrophages. However, no growth or survival advantage was conferred on F. hepatica in our co-culture system when CD4 T-cells, macrophages, or eosinophils were tested. Finally, using RNA interference we were able to verify a host-independent role for FhTLM in parasite growth. Despite the similarities of FhTLM with other described helminth TGF homologues, here we demonstrate species-specific divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producing cross-laminated timber (CLT) has opened a new market for the lumber industry in North America, while few hardwood species have been studied in the U.S. for CLT production. Combining hardwood species in mixed hardwood CLT or in hybrid CLT can be a solution to boost the market of the undervalued hardwoods. However, the knowledge gap on bonding hardwoods needs to be filled to provide evidence of feasibility. This study focused on the face bonding properties of the cross laminations made of seven hardwood species and two softwood species from the Great Lakes region using two commercial structural adhesives, the phenol resorcinol adhesive (the Resorcinol) and the melamine urea formaldehyde adhesive (the Melamine). A total of 45 combinations of the selected species were studied for the bonding strength (shear under compression) and the percentage of wood failure. For single species samples, the bond strength was positively related to the specific gravity of wood and the bond strength of hardwoods was 33% and 82% stronger than that of softwoods bonded with the Resorcinol and the Melamine respectively. The mixed hardwoods showed higher bonding strength (the Melamine: 5.45 MPa, the Resorcinol: 5.28 MPa) than mixed softwoods (the Melamine: 2.8 MPa and the Resorcinol: 2.7 MPa). Among the Resorcinol bonded mixed combinations, 54% had a percentage of wood failure less than 80%, while the Melamine bonded had only 4 out of 22 which had a percentage of wood failure less than 80%. The overall bonding strength of the hybrid combinations was 5% weaker than that of the mixed hardwoods. All hybrid combinations bonded with the Melamine met the 80% wood failure criterium, but some bonded with the Resorcinol had a percentage of wood failure less than 80%. Anatomical features, especially pore distribution, played a key role in the bonding performance. However, the Melamine adhesive consistently achieved over 80% wood failure across all pore distribution types. • Stronger bonds correlated with denser wood and less percentage of wood failure in high-density diffuse-porous wood. • Using high-density ring-porous wood in cross-lamination can boost bonding performance. • Ring-porous wood excel in cross-lamination bonding properties over diffuse-porous wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanistic and kinetics studies of the gas phase reactions of dimethyl sulfone (DMS(O) 2 ; CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 3) mediated by hydroxyl radical (OH), chlorine atom (Cl) and nitrate radical (NO 3) have been extensively investigated using quantum chemistry calculations along with kinetic modeling. The reaction of DMS(O) 2 + OH/ Cl/NO 3 can in principle undergo abstraction and substitution pathways. The results revealed the dominant path to be abstraction of an H-atom from the methyl group of DMS(O) 2 by OH, Cl and NO 3 , with barriers of 2.1, 4.2, and 9.8 kcal mol−1 respectively relative to their starting reactants, to produce CH 2 S(O) 2 CH 3. The barrier heights for the substitution paths involved in the DMS(O) 2 + OH, DMS(O) 2 + Cl and DMS(O) 2 + NO 3 reactions were found to be very high (>30 kcal mol−1) and therefore inaccessible under tropospheric conditions. The rate coefficients for all possible H-atom abstractions associated with the DMS(O) 2 + OH, DMS(O) 2 + Cl and DMS(O) 2 + NO 3 reactions were calculated using Master equation solver for multi-energy well reactions (MESMER) code in the temperature range of 200–320 K and 1 atm. The overall rate coefficients for the reaction of DMS(O) 2 initiated by OH radical, Cl atom and NO 3 radical at 298 K and 1 atm were estimated to be 4.6 × 10−13, 9.1 × 10−14 and 3.7 × 10−15 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The atmospheric lifetime of DMS(O) 2 with respect to its reactions with OH, Cl and NO 3 was also estimated. The major product CH 2 S(O) 2 CH 3 further reacts with ground state molecular oxygen (3O 2) to form the CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 2 OO adduct. Computational methods also showed that the rate of unimolecular isomerization of the CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 2 OO adduct is slow compared to its reactions with NO and hydroperoxyl (HO 2) radical. Ultimately, the CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 2 OO adduct leads to formation of formic acid, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, methanol, carbon dioxide, sulfene, and OH radical as final products under high NO and HO 2 radical atmospheric conditions. [Display omitted] • Detailed theoretical mechanistic and kinetic study of CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 3 + OH/ Cl/NO 3 • Energetics and kinetics report of CH 3 S(O) 2 C H 2 + 3O 2 reaction • Computed rate coefficients agree well with known experimental values. • CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 3 oxidation results in formation of multiple greenhouse gases. • CH 3 S(O) 2 CH 3 oxidation products may contribute to global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the changing bio-climate may impact regional malaria transmission, results may be conflicting. We, therefore, examined spatiotemporal hotspots and risk factors for malaria prevalence. Land surface temperature (LST), elevation (GDEM), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) were obtained from the USGS portal. Mean air temperature and monthly mean rainfall amount were acquired from WorldClim, whereas stream density and distance from streams were computed from stream networks acquired from Diva GIS. Also, malaria cases were obtained from the DHIMS-2. We used the Getis-Ord G* statistic for hotspot analysis, while the seasonal bio-climatic impacts were analyzed using GWR. The spatial cluster of malaria prevalence has increased with time (Z = 1.853; p = 0.06 in 2012 to Z = 8.921; p < 0.001 in 2021). In the wet season, elevation (β = 0.176; se = 0.0057), rainfall (β = 0.022; se = 0.0083), EVI (β = 0.451; se = 0.0095), and streams density (β = 0.002; se = 0.0057) were positively associated with malaria. LST (β = −0.224; se = 0.008), distance from streams (β = −0.169; se = 0.007), and mean temperature (β = −0.006; se = 0.0071) were inversely related. For the dry season, elevation (β = −0.204; se = 0.0078), EVI (β = −0.331; se = 0.0068), rainfall (β = −0.121; se = 0.0059), mean temperature (β = −0.561; se = 0.0083), distance from the stream (β = −0.374; se = 0.0045), and LST (β = −0.472; se = 0.039) were inversely related to malaria. Our study provides two sets of information; malaria hotspots and seasonally adjusted environmental risk factors. These findings may be useful for policing. • Land surface temperature, and mean air temperature were negatively associated with malaria prevalence regardless of season. • Enhanced vegetation index and rainfall were negatively association with malaria in dry season, and positive in wet season. • There have been spatiotemporal changes in clustering of malaria prevalence across Ashanti region between 2012 and 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract The structure elucidation study sheds light on interpretation of the 11B and 1H NMR spectra of m -carborane derivatives. The work presented here also sheds light on the structural determination by 2-D NMR spectroscopy of amino acids that are associated with carborane and its derivatives, which has not been reported before. Abstract Carbon-bearing boron hydrides, also known as carboranes, are polyhedral clusters composed of hydrogen, boron, and carbon and are closely related to boranes. Because of their esthetically pleasing symmetry as well as unusual chemical properties, carboranes have attracted immense interest. Studies over the past 40 years have revealed them to have chemical features that make them useful in a number of specialized applications such as conducting organic polymers, nuclear waste remediation, and as liquid crystalline materials. It has also been shown that carboranes can be used as boron delivery agents for boron neutron capture therapy against cancer. While a number of strides have been made in synthesizing these molecules, their characterization by NMR spectroscopy is challenging due to boron–boron and boron–hydrogen coupling. This gives rise to broad and unresolved peaks and makes peak assignment difficult and often based on best guesses. NMR structural characterization studies of carborane compounds are sparse, dated, and often performed at low resolution. This report provides a detailed structural characterization of an m -carborane derivative, featuring high-resolution multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (2-D 1H–1H, 2-D 11B–11B, 2-D 11B–1H, and 2-D 13C–1H). The asymmetry of the carborane cluster (a consequence of substitution at one of the two cluster carbons) adds a dimension of complexity to the spectra, whose peaks could be assigned nevertheless due to their high resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Interpretation of geochemical data based primarily on elemental concentrations often lead to ambiguous results due to multiple potential sources including mineral weathering, atmospheric input, biological cycling, mineral precipitation and exchange processes. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio is however not fractionated by these processes. In this study, Sr isotope (87Sr/86Sr) ratios have been coupled with chemical data of Sr and Rb-bearing minerals, tailings and leachates (water-soluble) to gain insight into the geochemical processes occurring within the Yxsjöberg Cu-W mine tailings, Sweden. The tailings have been exposed to oxidizing conditions resulting in three geochemical zones namely (i) oxidized, (ii) transition and (iii) unoxidized zones. Leachates from the oxidized zone are acidic (pH = 3.6–4.5) and contain elevated concentrations of metals (e.g. Fe, Cu and Zn) and SO 4. The low pH has also led to subsequent weathering of most silicates, releasing Al, Ca, Mg and Na into solution. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio in the tailings ranges from 0.84787 to 1.26640 in the oxidized zone, 0.92660–1.06788 in the transition zone, whilst the unoxidized zone has values between 0.76452 and 1.05169. For the leachates, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio ranges from 2.44479 to 5.87552 in the oxidized zone, 1.37404–1.68844 in the transition zone and 1.03697–2.16340 in the unoxidized zone. Mixing (between mineral weathering and atmospheric sources) was identified as the major process regulating the Sr composition of the tailings and leachates. The highly radiogenic signatures of the leachates in the oxidized zone suggests weathering of biotite, K-feldspar and muscovite. Despite the very radiogenic signatures in the oxidized zone, increments in Ca/K ratios, Be, Ce, Tl, Al, Fe and SO 4 concentrations in the water-soluble phase were recorded in its lower parts which suggests the dissolution of amphibole, pyroxene, plagioclase, fluorite, gypsum, Al and Fe –(oxy) hydroxides as well as cation exchange by clay minerals. Presence of clay minerals has led to the partial retainment of radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr resulting in increased 87Sr/86Sr in the solid tailings material at these depths. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the water-soluble phase in the transition zone is similar to that of helvine and could indicate its dissolution. In the upper part of the unoxidized zone, the 87Sr/86Sr ratios and trends of Be, Ca, SO 4 , Tl and Zn in the water-soluble phase suggest the dissolution of gypsum which precipitated from a leachate with the isotopic signature of helvine. In the lower part of the unoxidized zone, elevated concentrations of W were recorded suggesting scheelite weathering. But the 87Sr/86Sr ratios are higher than that expected from dissolution of scheelite and indicates additional processes. Possible sources include biotite weathering and groundwater. This study reveals that when interpreting geochemical processes in mine waste environments, 87Sr/86Sr should be considered in addition to chemical constituents, as this isotopic tracer offers better insights into discriminating between different solute sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helminths parasites undergo developmental changes and migration within their definitive host, in addition to establishing chronic infection. Essential to this is the evasion of host immune responses; the canonical Th2 response is effective at removing parasites resident in the intestine. Conversely, helminths also promote the development of antigen-specific anergy and regulation. This often limits pathology but allows parasite survival, parasite effectors mediating this are the subject of intense study. They may be useful as future vaccine targets or xenogenic therapeutics. Fasciola hepatica possesses a family of TGF-like molecules of which one member, FhTLM, is capable of promoting intrinsic and extrinsic effects. Here we review the extrinsic effects of FhTLM on the host macrophage and its consequences for protective immunity. This review also discusses the specificities of FhTLM in light a very recent description of a nematode TGF-β mimic and the effects of endogenous TGF-β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degrowth approach posits the idea that sustainable development and economic expansion are mutually exclusive. Conversely, it is believed that international trade within a complex economic system can help distribute green products to simultaneously ensure economic expansion and sustainable development. For this reason, the dynamic ARDL simulations technique was adopted to analyze the German economy's data from 2000 to 2020 toward determining the specific and interactive ecological implications of international green openness and economic complexity in Europe's largest economy. We discovered that green openness and economic complexity each have desirable impacts on ecofootprint, and their interaction further confirms a strong ecological-enhancing synergistic effect. The presence of the EKC phenomenon was also upheld from the analysis while clean energy exerts a positive impact on Germany's environmental quality level. The study further posits that a faster shift into the manufacture of technology-intensive and environmentally friendly products is possible for nations that invest in strengthening their internal technological skills to curb ecological harm. It is therefore advocated that even if the manufacturing of green items is not optimally done domestically, the special opportunities presented by international trade in the distribution of green products should always be leveraged to foster environmental sustainability. • Synergistic roles of Green Openness and Economic Complexity assessed in Germany's environmental context. • The dynamic ARDL simulations technique was adopted in analysis. • Green openness & economic complexity show desirable impacts on the German's ecological footprint. • Interaction of openness and complexity shows a strong synergistic environmental effect. • Clean energy exerts a desirable impact on environment and the EKC conjecture re-affirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach to timing recovery and adaptation that significantly lowers the complexity multilevel wireline receiver is presented in this article. The approach consists of the utilization of the data slicers intended for speculative level detection to extract a digital representation of the input signal, without any constraints on the inter-symbol interference. This digitized input signal is then used in place of the typical error information for timing recovery and coefficient adaptation. The slicer re-use results in more than 50% complexity (power and area) reduction regardless of the modulation order. MATLAB and schematic simulation results are included to show the efficacy of the proposed error extraction approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise aids glycemic control and the prevention of diabetes-related complications. However, exercise beyond an individual's pulmonary functional capacity may be detrimental. To date, little is known about the relationship between pulmonary function and exercise capacity in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated the relationship between pulmonary function and exercise capacity in T2D. Spirometry and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were conducted for 263 systematically sampled adults with T2D without primary heart/lung disease. The primary measure of exercise capacity was the 6-min walk distance (6MWD); impaired exercise capacity was defined as 6MWD<400 m. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between spirometric measures and exercise capacity with adjustments for age, sex, height, body mass index, diabetes duration, glycated hemoglobin concentration, smoking, suboptimum blood pressure control, and total cholesterol concentration. Compared with individuals with normal spirometry, those with pulmonary restriction/obstruction had significantly lower 6MWD (404.67 m vs. 451.70),p < 0.001). The proportion of individuals with impaired exercise capacity was higher in individuals with impaired pulmonary function compared with those with normal pulmonary function (39.8% vs. 20.7%,p = 0.001). In the unadjusted models, decreasing Z-score FEV 1 [odds ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval (1.07–1.83),p = 0.013] and Z-score FVC [1.37 (1.06–1.76),0.016], but not Z-score FEV 1 /FVC ratio [1.00 (0.78–1.27),0.972] were significantly associated with impaired exercise capacity. In the fully adjusted model, the strength of association remained statistically significant for Z-score FEV 1 [1.60 (1.06–2.41),0.025] but not Z-score FVC [1.48 (0.98–2.23),0.065]. Our study shows inverse associations between FEV 1 and impaired exercise capacity in T2D, Future research could characterize optimal exercise levels based on a patient's FEV 1. • Impaired exercise capacity was commoner in patients with type 2 diabetes with lung dysfunction than without lung dysfunction. • Lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s was positively associated with impaired exercise capacity. • The conventional cardiovascular and respiratory risk factors did not explain the observed associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature abounds on prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria and urban areas of Oyo state but none in Oke-Ogun geopolitical zone, which constitutes 10 local governments of the 33 in Oyo state, despite the fact that they have high genetic and environmental predisposition to developing high blood pressure. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and associated risk factors among indigenes of Oke-ogun, Oyo state. A total of 10,000 respondents were recruited using proportionate sampling techniques. Hypertension was defined according to Joint National Committee-8 criteria. The fasting plasma glucose of the respondents were classified as normal (≤6 mmol/L), prediabetes (6.1–6.9 mmol/L), and diabetes (≥7 mmol/L). Body mass index was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m 2 ) and classified as malnutrition/underweight (<16–18.49), normal (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9), and obese (30–≥40). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests at P < .05. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 138 ± 27.81 and 86.13 ± 14.39 respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 38.5%. 64.1% were diabetics. 63.4% had no formal education. Majority (82.95%) earned less than N18,000 ($59) per month. 43.3% had family history of hypertension. There is high prevalence of hypertension among the people of Oke-ogun, in Oyo state. Their low socioeconomic status, low educational background, malnutrition, and genetic predisposition were identified risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]