Unlocking seismic slope stability for risk assessment.

Slope instability represents a substantial secondary hazard post-earthquake, leading to considerable socio-economic losses from the destruction of structures, infrastructure, and human lives. This study addresses the urgent need for precise evaluation of seismic slope stability, a subject that has gained significant attention in earthquake engineering over the past decade. A theoretical framework is proposed that utilizes an improved Sarma method, estimating seismic forces and safety factors based on limit equilibrium theory.

Synthesis and characterization of etherified cationic starch flocculant derived from Manihot esculenta peel with varying degrees of substitution.

Cationic Manihot esculenta (ME) peel starch was synthesized through etherification method using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) as cationizing monomer. The optimization of the main factors influencing the degree of substitution (DS) was conducted using central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM). The factors assessed include CHPTAC concentration, catalyst sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration, and reaction time.

Cancer Burden and Attributable Risk Factors of Cancers in China: Epidemiological Insights and Comparisons With India.

Background: Cancer is a major health concern in China. Understanding the epidemiology of cancer can guide the development of effective prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the cancer burden, time trends, and attributable risk factors of cancers in China and compare them with those in India.

Statistical properties of auditory behaviour outcome measures for children with hearing loss: a scoping review.

Introduction: Various evaluation tools have been developed to track the growth of auditory-related behaviours of children with hearing loss during intervention. However, the reliability and validity of currently available outcome measures remain uncertain due to the lack of information on their psychometric properties. A lack of reliable outcome measures may jeopardise intervention quality and affect these children's listening skills progression.

The tympanic region of the skull in extant pinnipeds: A pilot study of auditory morphological disparity using linear morphometric principal component analysis.

Pinnipeds are unique semiaquatic taxa possessing adaptations to hear efficiently both in water and on land. Research over the past century is extremely limited on the auditory apparatus morphology of pinnipeds, which include the Families Phocidae (true seals), Otariidae (sea lions/fur seals), and Odobenidae (walruses). Our extensive literature review revealed inaccurate terminology of this region, with details corresponding only to terrestrial taxa, and a severe lack of information due to very few current studies.

Calibrating different sounds for sound therapy: A general guide.

Introduction: Sound therapy is one of the complementary or alternative interventions for various populations. The intensity of the sounds for sound therapy needs to be properly calibrated to ensure their accuracy and effectiveness. This paper aims to provide a general guideline for calibrating sound files using free software, specifically Audacity®.

Climate change, tsunami and biodiversity endangered at the South China Sea, past, current and prediction models for the future: A comprehensive study.

In this study, the climate change, tsunami and biodiversity for 336 km coastline endangered at the South China Sea was investigated with the review for the past, current and prediction models for the future. The hydraulic study of the coastal area was conducted using a well-established 2D numerical model suite Delft3D. The study revealed that the generated earthquakes at the convergence zone in the last century are small (M7.

Effect of the roselle ( L.) calyces drink on the physiological parameters of healthy adult subjects.

The calyx of roselle ( L.) has been the focus of attention of several studies, and although earlier studies on this plant showed it to possess antilipidemic and antidiabetic activities, none of these studies have assessed the effects of this plant on the physiological parameters of healthy subjects. The present study determined the effects of roselle calyx beverages on blood pressure, abdominal circumference, body mass index (BMI), hematological and urinary parameters, and the lipid profile of healthy subjects.

Psychometric properties of the Malay inventory for the perception of Muslims with hearing impairment.

Objective: The aims of this study are to measure the psychometric properties of the newly developed preliminary version of hearing impairment inventory for religious duties for Muslim adults, i.e., the Inventori Persepsi Bagi Muslim Yang Memiliki Masalah Pendengaran (IPM3P), and to produce a final version of IPM3P.

An Updated Review on the Relationship of Depressive Symptoms in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder occurring across all age groups, gender, and is multifactorial. The episodic decrease in airflow during sleep results in hypoxia and hypercapnia over time, resulting in morning headache, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, and polycythemia. Fragmentation of sleep at night-time cause daytime somnolence, fatigue, memory problems, and mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety.

Characteristics of Calls to a COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline in the First Wave of the Pandemic in New York.

This report describes the development, implementation and outcomes of a "COVID-19 Anxiety Hotline," designed to address the community's mental health crisis provoked by the coronavirus pandemic. The service was specifically designed using survey data regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its staff and community members. Callers had around-the-clock direct access to mental healthcare providers at no cost.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be predicted in hospitalized blunt trauma patients using a simple screening tool.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has debilitating psychiatric and medical consequences. The purpose of this study was to identify whether PTSD diagnosis and PTSD symptom scale score (PTSD severity) could be predicted by assessing peritraumatic experiences using a single question or screening tools at different time points in patients hospitalized after admission to the hospital after significant physical trauma, but with stable vitals (level II trauma).

Methods: Patients completed the 'initial question' and the National Stressful Events Survey Acute Stress Disorder Scale (NSESSS) at 3 days to 5 days after trauma (NSESSS-1).

Development of hearing impairment inventory for religious duties of Muslim adult.

Objective: This study is a preliminary work to develop a Malay version questionnaire named 'Inventori Persepsi bagi Muslim yang Memiliki Masalah Pendengaran (IPM3P)' to assess the perception on Islamic understanding and practice among Muslim adults with hearing impairment.

Methods: The scale development involved three phases: i) generation of domains based on the literature, ii) generation of sub-domains based on literature review and Islamic panel survey, and iii) generation of items.

Results: Preliminary version of IPM3P consists of 59 items was produced, representing three domains: Obligation (18 items), Practice (21 items), and Difficulty (20 items), and seven sub-domains ('Ibadah', 'Aqidah', 'Muamalat', 'Tasawwuf', 'Akhlak','Da'wah', and 'Sirah').

Cannabinoid Receptors and Their Relationship With Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review.

The burden of chronic pain has affected many individuals leading to distress and discomfort, alongside numerous side effects with conventional therapeutic approaches. Cannabinoid receptors are naturally found in the human body and have long been an interest in antinociception. These include CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are promising candidates for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain.

Examining the effects of green revolution led agricultural expansion on net ecosystem service values in India using multiple valuation approaches.

Ecosystem Services (ESs) are bundles of natural processes and functions that are essential for human well-being, subsistence, and livelihoods. The 'Green Revolution' (GR) has substantial impact on the agricultural landscape and ESs in India. However, the effects of GR on ESs have not been adequately documented and analyzed.

Does an Incidental Meckel's Diverticulum Warrant Resection?

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common gastrointestinal malformation. The management of symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum has been undecidedly resection; however, the management of incidental Meckel's diverticulum has been fraught in comparison. As a systematic literature review, PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and MEDLINE were used.

Cross-cultural translation and validation of the Malay version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Parent Rating Scale of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders symptoms among Malaysian probands: A preliminary study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Parent Rating Scale of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) symptoms (M-SNAP-IV). For this purpose, the SNAP-IV scale was translated into the Malay language and was pilot-tested on 91 parents of children aged 8 to 11 years (ADHD [n = 36] and non-ADHD children [n = 55]). The findings depicted that the M-SNAP-IV has excellent content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.

Therapeutic anti-cancer activity of antibodies targeting sulfhydryl bond constrained epitopes on unglycosylated RON receptor tyrosine kinase.

Recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and its ligand, serum macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP), are well-established oncogenic drivers for tumorigenesis and metastasis. RON is often found to be alternatively spliced resulting in various isoforms that are constitutively active. RON is therefore an attractive target for cancer therapeutics, including small molecular inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.

Senescence is delayed by selenium in oilseed rape plants.

Leaf senescence is a genetically programmed process that can also be induced by nitrogen (N) deficiency. Although selenium (Se) delays leaf senescence, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. To explore the mechanisms of Se-mediated delay of leaf senescence, we studied the biochemical and molecular events that occur during developmental and N deficiency-induced senescence.

Hindbrain neurovascular anatomy of adult goldfish (Carassius auratus).

The goldfish hindbrain develops from a segmented (rhombomeric) neuroepithelial scaffold, similar to other vertebrates. Motor, reticular and other neuronal groups develop in specific segmental locations within this rhombomeric framework. Teleosts are unique in possessing a segmental series of unpaired, midline central arteries that extend from the basilar artery and penetrate the pial midline of each hindbrain rhombomere (r).

The effects of mis-centering on radiation dose during CT head examination: A phantom study.

There are several factors that may contribute to the increase in radiation dose of CT including the use of unoptimized protocols and improper scanning technique. In this study, we aim to determine significant impact on radiation dose as a result of mis-centering during CT head examination. The scanning was performed by using Toshiba Aquilion 64 slices multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanner and dose were measured by using calibrated ionization chamber.

A novel computer-based simulated learning environment in audiology with learning assistance: Preliminary findings.

Introduction: This paper describes the development and the evaluation of a new Two-dimensional (2D) computer-based (CB) Simulated Learning Environment (SLE) software for routine audiology tests that comes with learning assistance for audiology students. The aim of the study was to serve as preliminary evaluation on the effectiveness of the new 2D CB SLE audiology software among audiology students.

Materials And Methods: The development process of the new 2D CB SLE includes, (i) the identification of common errors made by students in the audiology clinic, (ii) the development of five case simulations that include four routine audiology tests incorporating learning assistance derived from the errors commonly made by audiology students and, (iii) the development of 2D CB SLE from a technical perspective.

The Influence of Feedback in the Simulated Patient Case-History Training among Audiology Students at the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Background And Objectives: There is a scant evidence on the use of simulations in audiology (especially in Malaysia) for case-history taking, although this technique is widely used for training medical and nursing students. Feedback is one of the important components in simulations training; however, it is unknown if feedback by instructors could influence the simulated patient (SP) training outcome for case-history taking among audiology students. Aim of the present study is to determine whether the SP training with feedback in addition to the standard role-play and seminar training is an effective learning tool for audiology case-history taking.

Translation, Adaptation and Cross-Cultural Validation of Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult in Malay Language.

Background And Objectives: Sine a self-reported questionnaire for hearing-impaired listeners is not available by Malay language yet, it is important to develop or translate any available existing questionnaires. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult (HHIA) to be used by the audiologist among the hearing-impaired population in Malaysia.

Subjects And Methods: The HHIAs was translated to Malay language using forward-backward translation techniques by four-panellists (two for each level).