Current management strategies for groin hernias in women are frequently based on data from male-dominated studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates clinical outcomes, complication rates, and recurrence risk specifically in female patients to provide evidence-based surgical recommendations. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase was performed according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies reporting operative or conservative management of inguinal (IH) or femoral hernias (FH) in adult women were included. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using a random-effects model to pool outcomes including recurrence, mortality, and the need for bowel resection. Thirty-four studies comprising 107,422 IH and 18,550 FH cases were analyzed. No studies evaluated a “watch-and-wait” strategy in women. Elective surgery was associated with a low mortality rate (0.2
In this study, three TiO2-based thin film samples were fabricated, and their thickness-dependent optical properties and crystal structures were systematically investigated. The films, with thicknesses of 72 nm, 125 nm, and 283 nm, were deposited onto Si(111) substrates using the DC magnetron sputtering technique. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the TiO2 thin films were comprehensively characterized using a combination of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. XRD analysis confirmed that the films predominantly crystallized in the anatase phase with a high degree of crystallinity, while SEM images revealed smooth surface morphologies with a low density of structural defects. Raman spectroscopic results demonstrated the strong influence of film thickness and substrate effects on the optical and structural characteristics of the films. In particular, the increased intensity and narrowing of anataserelated phonon modes with increasing thickness indicated a progressive enhancement of crystalline ordering. FTIR spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry were employed to determine the optical band gap (Eg) values for each film thickness. For the 72 nm thick film, the optical band gap was estimated to be Eg approximate to 3.8-2.84 eV. At this low thickness, the substrate contribution remains significant, and the presence of mixed interfacial phases is evident. The 125 nm thick film exhibited an apparent band gap of Eg approximate to 4.13 eV. At this intermediate thickness, incomplete surface coverage and residual substrate influence result in an upward shift of the interband transition features. In contrast, the 283 nm thick film showed a band gap in the range of Eg approximate to 3.1-3.3 eV, which is consistent with the intrinsic optical properties of anatase TiO2. At this thickness, the film fully covers the substrate, effectively suppressing substrate-related optical contributions. These results confirm that the TiO2 thin films produced in this study exhibit high structural and optical quality, making them promising candidates for applications in photocatalytic and optoelectronic devices. Overall, the findings highlight that precise control of film thickness and thermal treatment parameters is crucial for optimizing the optical and photocatalytic performance of TiO2-based thin films.
The genus Gagea exhibits high morphological diversity and complex taxonomy. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships and morphological differentiation within Gagea using ITS sequences from 32 species across 9 sections. Bayesian analysis revealed 3 main clades, partially congruent with morphological traits. Our results highlight both the value of molecular data for species delimitation and the need for taxonomic revision due to cases of morphological convergence and incongruence. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of evolutionary patterns in Gagea.
This study examines the impact of financial inclusion (FIC) on poverty reduction across selected Asian economies over the period 2000–2023. It highlights the importance of broader access to financial services in lowering poverty levels and employs the Cross-Sectional Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) methodology. This technique is particularly suitable for addressing cross-sectional dependence, capturing both short- and long-term dynamics, and mitigating potential endogeneity concerns. The empirical findings indicate a significant inverse relationship between FIC and poverty, suggesting that greater financial access contributes to reduced poverty rates in the region. This effect can be explained through several mechanisms: enhanced FIC allows individuals to better manage financial risks, invest in critical human capital such as education and health, and engage in entrepreneurial activities. Inclusive financial systems strengthen economic resilience and provide marginalized populations with opportunities to accumulate savings, access credit, and acquire financial literacy. The results underscore the need for policymakers to focus on expanding financial service outreach to underserved groups, thereby promoting poverty alleviation (PVT) and fostering economic growth. The study contributes to the literature by applying the CS-ARDL framework to the financial inclusion–poverty nexus in Asian economies, uncovering heterogeneous effects between East and South Asia, and estimating an 18.7
Cousinia (Asteraceae: Cardueae) represents one of the most species-rich genera within the Irano-Turanian floristic region, yet interspecific relationships remain incompletely resolved. Here, nine chloroplast genomes from species endemic to the Pamir-Alay mountain system were newly sequenced and analyzed in combination with previously published complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) data. The assembled cp genomes were highly uniform in size (approximately 152 kb), displayed the quadripartite organization of angiosperm chloroplasts, and possessed a GC content of 37.7%. Gene composition was largely conserved, with 131 annotated genes identified in most taxa. Examination of synonymous codon usage across 16 cp genomes revealed a consistent bias toward A/T-ending codons. Sliding-window analysis demonstrated generally low nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0-0.00918), although several divergence hotspots were detected, primarily within the large and small single-copy regions. Eleven categories of simple sequence repeats were identified, with A/T-rich mononucleotide motifs predominating. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on cp genomes data did not consistently recover morphologically defined sections as monophyletic, whereas the nrDNA dataset provided improved resolution of sectional delimitations. Comparative analysis of anther appendage morphology recognized nine structural groups and showed partial congruence with molecular evidence. Together, these findings highlight incongruence between chloroplast and nuclear signals and indicate that certain infrageneric classifications within Cousinia warrant re-evaluation.
