Cytokine and AMH profiling were done in prepubertal Murrah buffalo heifers post-progesterone supplementation and co-synchronization protocol. Cytokines: IFNγ, IL6, IL1, IL13, TNFα, and TGFβ, and, AMH, Progesterone and Estrogen hormone estimations were done. Ovarian follicular pattern and fertility outcome were recorded. Eighteen prepubertal heifers, 15-17 months of age, 250-300 kg BWt were randomly divided into 3 groups, Group1: n=6, supplemented with altrenogest 0.044mg/kg/day/heifer orally for 14 days along with Co-synch programme; Group2: n=6, administered CIDR for 14 days and co-synch programme, Group3: n=6, received co-synch programme. Ultrasonography was done to ovarian follicle status on respective days of sampling. Pregnancy diagnosis was done around 45 and 60 post-AI. Estradiol 17-β level remained constant in altrenogest group, CIDR implanted and Control groups during the Progesterone treatment and Co-synch treatment. Estradiol levels during Co-synch were significantly less on day 9 of Co-synch (14.41 ± 1.97 pg/mL) than day 0 and on day7 in pre pubertal buffalo heifers in altrenogest group. However, no significance was observed in other groups. Progesterone levels in buffalo heifers subjected to synchronisation protocols varied significantly (P< 0.05) on day 7 of P4 treatment between altrenogest supplemented and CIDR implanted groups, as well as, Co-synch groups. Supplementation of altrenogest showed a significant (P= 0.043) increase in Progesterone levels by day 14 of altrenogest treatment. Progesterone varied significantly in all Groups on day 9 of co synch protocol [ Group 1 (P= 0.02), Group 2 (P= 0.041) and Group 3 (P= 0.007)]. Cytokine IFN-γ showed high correlation with progesterone, indicating the role of IFN-γ in puberty in buffalo heifers (r= 0.626, P< 0.01). AMH had a significant positive correlation supplemented with altrenogest with IFN-γ (r= 0.673, P< 0.01) and TGF-β (r= 0.463, P< 0.01), whereas, with TNF-α it was a negatively correlated (r= -0.34, P< 0.05). Based on Karl Pearson correlation coefficients, IL-13 and TGF-β could be considered as markers for puberty in buffalo heifers.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in the human population in December 2019 and spread worldwide within a few short months. Much of the public health focus for preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 has been on individual and collective behaviors, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and hygiene. Yet it is equally important to recognize that these behaviors and health outcomes occur within broader social and environmental contexts. Factors within local communities, regional policy, race, history, personal beliefs, and natural- and built environmental characteristics affect underlying population health and the spread of disease. For example, COVID-19 has renewed attention to secure water and sanitation services and their importance in protecting human health. Many remote Alaskan communities are particularly vulnerable because of inadequate water and sanitation systems. In this paper, we describe how inadequate water and sewer services may place the inhabitants of remote Alaskan communities at higher risk of COVID spread. We argue that insufficient water security and inadequate sewer systems, along with household overcrowding, multigenerational residences, limited transportation options, limited medical facilities, and higher prevalence of chronic diseases could lead to a greater potential of COVID-19 transmission and to more severe disease outcomes in these communities.

Sustainability experienced significant global momentum in recent decades. The emergence of the sustainability movement in the Financial Sector was prompted by the increasing global climate change resulting from environmental deterioration. Primarily associated with the Financial Sector, it has increasingly been recognised that Financial Institutions are significant contributors to global climate change, both via direct and indirect means. This has resulted in a heightened emphasis and demand from stakeholders for the implementation of Sustainability Principles on a worldwide scale. This study presents a methodology that utilises the various dimensions of Sustainable Finance through the concept of Triple Bottom Line to determine the factors influencing the Sustainability Performance of Financial Institutions. The suggested approach is grounded and supported by the current body of literature. The study presents a hypothesis to investigate the correlation between factors of Green Finance Practices and Sustainability Performance of Banking Sector. The suggested framework can be utilised by regulatory bodies and individual financial institution of a country to identify the elements that influence the Sustainability Performance of Banking Sector.

In this research work, we describe the preparation process, characterization, and photo-physical studies of an ionic liquid (IL) based semiconductor Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized by an economical wet chemical precipitation method. For the first time, an IL was synthesized with the help of a chemical reaction between triethylamine (TEA) and bromoacetic acid (BAA). A polyamide dye was prepared by a reaction between two monomers, ethylenediamine (EDA) and trimesoylchloride (TMC), under room temperature conditions. The polyamide dye was capped on ZnO nanoparticles, and the final product was divided into three different samples, A, B, and C, according to level of concentrations of IL and Polyamide dye. These samples were characterized with X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) spectra, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), and Fluorescence spectroscopies. The formation of polyamide linkages in the ionic liquid has been confirmed by a spectroscopic method using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The capping of polyamide dye molecules on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles revealed two things: (i) improved UV absorption spectra and (ii) enhanced luminescence in the photoluminescence spectra. Hence, during investigations, broad absorption bands were observed at peaks 263 nm, 278 nm, and 276 nm respectively for samples A, B, and C. Further, IL was used as an electrolyte or redox mediator and polyamide as a dye material in the fabrication of ZnO Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). The samples A, B, and C were used in the fabrication of photo-anode assemblies for ZnO DSSCs. The ZnO DSSCs were tested under strong simulated light at Air Mass (AM) 1.5 solar irradiations. The observed photovoltaic results shown that solar cell SCB generated a maximum power conversion efficiency (η) of 5.65%, higher than the power conversion efficiencies of solar cells SCA (3.99%) and SCC (4.46%) respectively. The Incident Photon to Current Conversion Efficiency (IPCE) spectra values of ZnO DSSCs shown a significant improvement in the incident photon to current conversion efficiency of solar cell SCB (IPCE=61%) as compared to SCC (enhanced by 6%) and SCA (enhanced by 4%). Such solar cell assemblies can be suitable for green and clean energy applications.

Background: Appendicitis is a common cause of emergency department visits and appendectomies in the US, with 250,000 appendectomies performed annually. Current diagnostic methods, such as clinical findings, lead to inaccuracies and missed diagnoses, increasing morbidity and mortality. The only solution is surgery, but current hematological tests are not reliable and may lead to unnecessary surgery if the underlying etiology is self-limiting or requires medical treatment. This study explores the role of MRI as a diagnostic modality that can replace US/CT and supplement traditional clinical diagnostic signs while avoiding ionizing radiation and intravenous contrast medium. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine the accuracy of MRI as a diagnostic modality in diagnosing appendicitis, addressing concerns about diagnostic modalities and their adverse effects, and addressing the necessity and success of relevant interventions. Methods: Medical literature was comprehensively searched and reviewed without restrictions to particular study designs, or publication dates using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases for all relevant literature formulated in English. The extraction of necessary data proceeded after specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Meta Analysis was performed for 5206 patients, with 35 RCTs being selected. Analysis was done using the QualSyst tool, wherein two writers independently assessed the caliber of each study as well as the use of the Cochrane tool for bias risk apprehension. The statistical software packages RevMan (Review Manager, version 5.3), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20), and Excel in Stata 14 were used to perform the statistical analyses along with other analytical software. Results: MRI had an overall sensitivity of over 95%, an overall specificity of 94.2% with a PPV of 0.875 in comparison to CT scan in the diagnosis and intervention regarding appendicitis. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that MRI is a reasonable alternative to CT for the diagnosis of appendicitis in hospitals with appropriate access to this technology for reasons about accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility as well as addressing safety concerns.

Sample size using prevalence has been one of the most important medical research methodologies and has been used in original articles more often than any other statistical tool available. The simple formula consists of variables interdependent and it is as important to understand how they influence each other as it is to learn to use the formula to calculate the sample size. With the choice of different amounts of precision and levels of confidence available to a medical researcher, it should be of paramount importance to understand what a slight change in choosing the parameter would mean at the end of the research. Understanding of different Z values, Levels of precision, and ranging Prevalence is required to understand the effect on the sample size and subsequently on the research. Topological representation using parameter ranges can be used to demonstrate this relationship.

Background/objectives: The health benefits of resistant starch are well known, but there have not been many studies available documenting the effect of basmati rice products containg resistant starch upon blood glucose level and lipid profile in vivo efficacy. Methods: Common cooking methods were used to prepare basmati rice products including two boiling methods viz. boiling 1 (boiling by absorption), boiling 2 (boiling in extra amount of water), frying and pressure cooking. The cooked rice were held at various temperatures and times: it was made fresh (T1), kept at room temperature (20–22°C) for 24 h (T2), kept at 4°C for 24 h (T3), and then reheated after being kept at 4°C for 24 h(T4). Next, the products' proximate composition, total dietary fibre (soluble and insoluble), resistant starch (RS), and In vitro starch digestion rate (rapidly and slowly digested starch) were examined. The effect of RS on blood glucose and lipid profile were measured in humans and rats. Histopathological study of liver and pancreas in rats were also observed. Results: The basmati rice prepared by boiling 1 and stored with T3 was found more effective to control blood glucose and lipid profile. Similarly in rats, the blood glucose level, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL were reduced about 29.7, 37.9, 31.3 and 30.5% respectively, after consumption of basmsti rice prepared by boiling 1 and stored at T3. Conclusion: Rice products stored at 4⁰C have a high amount of resistant starh, insoluble dietary fibre, slowly digestible starch and low glycemic index. Thus helps to inhibit glycogen and lipid synthesis.

This article presents a narrative review of neonatal and paediatric complications in post-dated pregnancy and covers scientific views on the aetiology, pathology, risk factors, symptoms and complications of post-dated pregnancy. A pregnancy extending beyond 42 weeks of gestation is termed as a post term pregnancy. There are multiple complications that can occur in the perinatal period, some of the most common ones are stillbirth, asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, fetal distress syndrome, etc which are found to be greater in post-dated pregnancy and hence ultimately leads to increased mortality and morbidity of the new born. Studies have shown that post-term pregnancy also causes increased risk of developing behavioural and emotional problems in children of paediatric age group. It is surprising not much importance has been given to the maternal and neonatal consequences of post- term pregnancies. It is not well understood why some women experience post-dated pregnancies. It is found that factors such as hormones and genetic build up, are responsible for causing post-term pregnancy in an obese female. The treatment and management of a post-term pregnancy still poses a challenge to clinicians in determining the right choice and right time for a particular intervention so that both mother and fetus can be prevented from having complications.

During the conceptual and preliminary design stage of a ship, designers need to ensure that the selected principal dimensions and parameters are good enough to deliver a stable ship (statically and dynamically) besides deadweight and speed. To support this, the initial intact stability of the proposed ship is required to be calculated, and in doing so, the lightship weight and its detailed breakdown are necessary to be known. After hull steel weight, machinery weight, mainly, marine propulsion and power generation machinery, play a vital role in the lightship weight estimate of a ship due to its robustness. The correct estimation of respective weights improves the accuracy of calculating a ship's initial stability typically to be designed and built. Hence, it would be advantageous for the designer to convince the ship owner. A total of 3006 marine propulsion (main marine diesel) engines and 348 power generation (auxiliary marine diesel) engines/generators of various power output (generators output for auxiliary engines), engine RPM and cylinder number of different engine makers are collected. These are analyzed and presented in both tabular and graphical forms to demonstrate the possible relationship between marine propulsion engine weight and power generation engine weight, and their respective power output, RPM, cylinder number, power-RPM ratio and power-RPM ratio per cylinder.In this article, the authors have attempted to investigate the behavior of marine propulsion engine weight and power generation engine/generator weight regarding engine power output, generator power output, engine RPM and cylinder number (independent variables). Further attempts have been made to identify those independent variables that influence the weight of the marine propulsion engine and power generation engine/generator (dependent variables), and their interrelationships. A mathematical model has thus been developed and proposed, as a guiding tool, for the designer to estimate the weight of main and auxiliary engines more accurately during the conceptual and preliminary design stage.

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one of the recommended treatments to achieve oncological outcomes in localized prostate cancer. However, radical prostatectomy is a major abdominopelvic surgery. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known complication associated with surgical procedures including RP. There is a lack of consensus regarding VTE prophylaxis in urological procedures. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate different aspects of VTE in post-Radical Prostatectomy patients. A comprehensive literature search was performed, and relevant data were extracted. The primary aim was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis (wherever possible) of VTE occurrence in post-RP patients in relation to surgical approach, pelvic lymph node dissection, and type of prophylaxis (mechanical or combined prophylaxis). The secondary aim was to investigate- the incidence and other risk factors of VTE in post-RP patients. A total of 16 studies were included for quantitative analysis. Statistical methods for analysis included the DerSimonian-Laird random effects. We were able to conclude that the overall incidence of VTE in post-radical prostatectomy is 1% and minimally invasive procedures (MIS), including laparoscopic as well as robotic procedures for radical prostatectomy and RP without pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) are associated with less risk of developing VTE. Additional pharmacological prophylaxis to mechanical methods may not be necessary in all cases and should be considered in high-risk patients only.

Monitoring of clients living with HIV encompasses a specific array of activities that routinely check on various aspects of ART following its initiation depending on the availability of resources in that particular state, among other factors as per guidelines from the World Health Organisation. This is a significant practice as it promotes positive health outcomes for patients and efficient utilisation of ART regimens to reduce resistance to the medication – hence it is a measure to guard avoidable costs. It also forms a basis on which decisions are made from. It can be done clinically by assessing for signs e.g., skin rash and symptoms e.g., nausea and vomiting, checking vital organ function and measuring weights across all populations, or can be also be done by assessing specimens for their respective viral loads, white blood cell count, pregnancy status or other infections such as hepatitis B. There have not been any special indications required for one to be eligible for monitoring during ART in developing countries; all qualify for routine monitoring even though some may be more frequent than others in cases of comorbidities such as renal failure where medications can be attributed to exacerbating the condition.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, the term coined for a subtype of nephritic syndrome, is characterized by a state of acute loss of renal function, along with those components of renal damage on urinalysis, over a relatively short period (a few weeks or months). It is the aftermath of an acute, severe glomerular injury. RPGN, famously known as Crescentic glomerulonephritis (cGN) is not a single disease entity but a pattern that can occur in a variety of glomerular diseases caused by different pathologic lesions leading to the development of necrosis in the glomerular capillaries seen in both, systemic and kidney-restricted diseases. While still little is known about the exact etiologic cause behind the primary injury to the capillary wall leading to the development of the condition, many mechanisms are put forth to describe the pathogenesis leading to the progression. Immunopathologic studies have demonstrated that rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis can result from glomerular antibody deposition, can be immune complex-mediated, or from some as yet undefined mechanism that doesn’t involve glomerular antibody deposition. The condition is often severe with poor prognosis as it develops so rapidly and with extensive glomerular involvement, the damage is almost irreversible. Many elements can be associated with the occurrence and progression of the disease but it often involves a disruptive immune response one way or the other. RPGN’s morphological hallmark, the extensive extra-capillary cellular proliferation into the bowman’s space, commonly known as crescent formation which is often observed by electron microscopic view of the tissue biopsy, is considered one of the great diagnostic approaches for the detection of the disease. Also, the severity of the disease is related to the nature and type of immunologic process causing the disease and (in part) to the degree of crescent formation, that can only be observed by histopathological studies. This activity attempts to explain the etiology and pathogenesis involved in the development leading to the rapid progression of the disease.

Osteoporotic vertebral fracture is the most common fracture from osteoporosis, and are largely undiagnosed due to the mostly asymptomatic nature of the condition. It increases the risk of subsequent fractures and contributes to societal burden. Risk factors for osteoporotic fractures are found in the WHO fracture risk assessment model and used as a tool for monitoring bone health. Vertebral fractures are diagnosed from anteroposterior and lateral spine radiographs and are confirmed with an approximate loss of 20% vertebral height as compared to adjacent vertebrae. One of the most used grading for vertebral fractures is the SQ grading. Mild vertebral fractures could easily be misdiagnosed due to some peculiarities of the vertebral column. CT scan is useful for planning surgical intervention while an MRI scan can provide information about the recency of the fracture and rule out cancer-related fractures. Management depends on the severity of the fracture which could range from conservative management to surgical vertebral augmentation and decompression. Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis in acute and long-term management of fractures. Osteoimmunological therapies such as denosumab and romosozumab are new therapeutic interventions for osteoporosis while there are many other potential treatment options. Precision medicine provides an individualized treatment approach while regenerative medicine utilizes mesenchymal stem cells for fracture repair.

Cosmetic surgery is the subfield of plastic surgery that enhances appearance mainly for aesthetic reasons. Currently, cosmetic surgery interventions are highly considered appealing and popular all around the world. Several factors have contributed in this rapidly evolving field such as scientific and economic development, breaking down barriers and cultural norms, globalization, social media and mental disorders. Nowadays, the morality of cosmetic surgery is facing many dilemmas due to its benefits and drawbacks. It is proven that the advantages of cosmetic surgery include improved body confidence, mental health, and function. Additionally, aesthetic corrections can upscale the quality of life and create career opportunities for special targeted groups. Also, cosmetic surgery has a major impact in gender affirmation procedures. Although, herein we also describe the disadvantages of this widely developing field such as minor and major medical complications, potential postoperative risks and addiction in plastic surgeries associated with damaging economic issues. Lack in self-confidence, altered mental health status and ethical crisis consist another negative aspects of aesthetic surgery’s impact.

SUDEP is a sudden death in a person with epilepsy, without evidence of a seizure before death. While its cause is still unclear, various factors have been linked to seizure onset and cardiopulmonary function. Studies have shown that although 91.3% of epilepsy patients want information on premature death, only 31% of them receive it. The numbers emphasize the need for open and sensitive communication by medical professionals. It is important to choose the appropriate moment for the conversation, avoiding periods of stress and ensuring emotional stability in the patient, as well as clear, appropriate and easy to comprehend information about SUDEP. To facilitate this, knowing the patient's level of knowledge is essential. Education on the warning signs of seizures and SUDEP can help take precautions and can decrease the incidence of the phenomenon itself. Effective epilepsy care requires a comprehensive plan, including medication adherence and lifestyle changes. Regular communication and collaboration between the patient, caregiver and health professionals are essential for the effective management of epilepsy, so just as epilepsy has a fluid, changeable course of disease and follow-up appointments are very important, the topic of SUDEP is not a one-time conversation either.

Drydocking a ship is essential to the routine maintenance process during its service/operational life. During the drydocking time, various surveys/inspections are carried out per requirements of the classification society, flag administration, and statutory bodies, particularly the underwater items. For shipyards, optimum utilization of drydock capacity (deadweight) is the most considered factor to optimize the physical performance indicators like drydock occupancy rate, capacity utilization rate, and drydock utilization. However, in real life, even after mobilizing all available resources to achieve the optimum usage rate, the overall physical performance could be higher or lower or not up to the expectation. The average size (deadweight) of ships calling to the drydock is observed to be far below the expected capacity, resulting in under-utilization of installed capacity. However, although the drydock occupancy rate is satisfactory, even 100%. For a substantial amount of time, the drydock has been under-utilized in terms of capacity utilization and drydock utilization rate. Drydocking activities of ships in two (2) drydocks of a shipyard are collected and analyzed. Various physical performance indicators (PPIs) are calculated. They are diagnosed year-wise and presented in tabular and graphical form to demonstrate their behavior over the operating period. Authors have investigated the behavior of the above-mentioned physical performance indicators to justify, technically, the selection of capacity of a drydock. A further attempt has been made to propose some recommendations and guidelines from technical viewpoints for the selection criteria of a drydock capacity based on available resources.

Diagnosing skin lesions can be a challenging task. Dermatologic lesions are hard to differentiate especially for an untrained eye. However, carefully analyzing every aspect of the lesion can help clinicians reach an accurate diagnosis. If diagnosed correctly with the naked eye, many lesions can be treated without the need for further histopathology or investigations. Those aspects include morphology, color, distribution, configuration and arrangement, texture and consistency, and any evolutions or changes within the lesion. Clinicians must also contextualize those lesions into the patient’s history and overall systemic symptoms and signs. Risk factors should be taken into consideration and whether there are evolutionary changes in the lesions. Clinicians should also look for patterns as they might be the key to diagnosis. If definitive diagnosis is still not reached, biopsy, dermatoscopy, cultures, skin scrapings, patch testing, blood tests, and imaging studies may be necessary for confirmation. Integrating these methods with clinical judgment and patient history significantly enhances the accuracy of diagnosis in dermatology. Treatment for dermatologic lesions varies depending on the underlying cause.

Distinguishing the level of pathology in the lungs through the sound of a cough is a complicated process that includes many factors. This paper explores the challenges of diagnosing lung pathology based solely on cough sounds. It emphasizes that while cough type can offer initial clues, it is just one piece of a complex diagnostic puzzle. For example, the differentiation of dry, productive, barking, hacking, and wheezing coughs provides initial insights into potential pathologies, which can range from respiratory infections to chronic diseases. The examination of cough characteristics, such as frequency, strength, and persistence, aids in identifying the severity of underlying conditions. Moreover, associated respiratory and systemic symptoms further contribute to the diagnostic landscape, with manifestations such as dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain, and hemoptysis offering valuable clinical information. Diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies and laboratory analyses, play a pivotal role in confirming diagnoses. However, challenges in diagnosis based solely on cough sounds require a more holistic approach, taking into consideration the complexity of lung pathologies. The paper concludes that accurately diagnosing lung pathologies based on cough sounds alone is difficult and requires careful consideration of multiple factors and stresses on contextualizing cough characteristics with other clinical features and diagnostic tests for an accurate assessment and comprehensive treatment planning.

Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a treatment modality based on the use of high energy rays or radioactive substances, to damage tumoral cells and halt their growth and division. It is an effective tool for treating cancer of different kinds for more than 100 years with remarkable outcomes for cancer patients. This technique is characterised by notable technological innovations and methodologies, enhanced precision and effectiveness. Initially, precision and efficacy of radiotherapy are improved by technological advancements, such as the development of linear accelerators and brachytherapy. As a result, Radiotherapy has transformed the prognosis for cancer patients enhancing survival rates and improving quality of life. Also, it offers targeted and personalized treatment with advancements in imaging techniques such as Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and innovations like Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Adaptive Radiotherapy (ART) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Additionally, techniques like proton therapy result in reduced side effects and collateral damage. Although, among the challenges and future perspectives we note the issue of affordability and accessibility. Ongoing research into immunotherapy and nanotechnology and their synergy with radiation therapy shows potential for further improving treatment outcomes. In conclusion, the evolution of radiotherapy has been a transformative journey, reshaping the prognosis and outcomes for cancer patients.

Background: COVID-19, a member of corona virus family is spreading its tentacles across the world due to lack of drugs at present. Associated with its infection are cough, fever and respiratory problems causes more than 15% mortality worldwide. It is caused by a positive, single stranded RNA virus from the enveloped coronaviruse family. However, the main viral proteinase (Mpro/3CLpro) has recently been regarded as a suitable target for drug design against SARS infection due to its vital role in polyproteins processing necessary for coronavirus reproduction.Objectives: The present in silico study was designed to evaluate the effect of Eucalyptol (1,8 cineole), a essential oil component from eucalyptus oil, on Mpro by docking study.Methods: In the present study, molecular docking studies were conducted by using 1-click dock and swiss dock tools. Protein interaction mode was calculated by Protein Interactions Calculator.Results: The calculated parameters such as RMSD, binding energy, and binding site similarity indicated effective binding of eucalyptol to COVID-19 proteinase. Active site prediction further validated the role of active site residues in ligand binding. PIC results indicated that, Mpro/eucalyptol complexes forms hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bond interactions and strong ionic interactions.Conclusions: Therefore, eucalyptol may represent potential treatment potential to act as COVID-19 Mpro inhibitor. However, further research is necessary to investigate their potential medicinal use.

Still’s disease, also known as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder with a triad of fever, salmon pink rash, and inflammatory polyarthritis. Its diagnosis is quite challenging due to the lack of specific symptoms and overlap with many other rheumatological and autoimmune disorders. However, recent studies have shown that high serum ferritin levels can act as a biomarker for this disease. Ferritin is an intracellular iron storage protein that acts as a pro-inflammatory reactant. There are various explanations indicating the presence of higher ferritin levels in Still's disease. High ferritin tells us about disease severity, and prognosis and can also predict life-threatening complications that can be easily prevented and thus it helps in reducing mortality associated with Still's disease. However, there are certain limitations to the use of ferritin as the only diagnostic marker for Still's disease. Overcoming those limitations can take the diagnosis of Still's disease to a higher level.

Measuring the impact of land use regulation on the land market involves identifying and classifying relevant impact factors related to the land market. The objective of this study was to identify land market impact factors in the context of the introduction of land use regulation in Nepal. A desktop review was carried out to identify preliminary set of impact factors, which were reclassified through intuitive analysis based on the degree of thematic closeness. Perspective-based impact factors were identified through the qualitative analysis of primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with the Nepalese land market stakeholders. These independently derived impact factors were compared with the desktop literature review impact factors resulting in fourteen land market impact factors across four dimensions, including transaction cost, valuation, mortgage availability, taxation, and compensation across the economic dimension; lot size, subdivision restrictions, and coordination across the institutional dimension; awareness, expectation and proximity across the social dimension; and risk reduction, quality of residential land, and suitability of zoning classification across the environmental dimension. There was significant overlap and commonality across factors identified from both the literature review and semi-structured interviews. The land market impact factors determined in the study may be adapted and generalized across other countries and could be utilized to better understand the impacts of land policy decisions on urban planning and development. Further research is recommended on the process to operationalize the use of these factors to quantify the impact of land use regulation on different land markets.

Brown-Séquard Syndrome (BSS) is a rare spinal cord injury characterized by asymmetrical motor and sensory dysfunction. Trauma to the spinal cord, particularly the hemi section, is the primary cause. Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. Treatment focuses on stabilization, rehabilitation, and potential emerging therapies. This article provides a comprehensive overview of BSS, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Epilepsy, a disorder of unprovoked recurring seizures, continues to be seen as a growing medical concern worldwide. It represents the most common, non-communicable brain disorder, affecting persons of all ages. Every year over five million persons are formally diagnosed with epilepsy when seeking medical care. Often diagnosed as a young child, most persons can live a seizure-free life once there is an early diagnosis, proper patient education, and keen clinical management. However, the reoccurrence of status epilepticus, a neurological emergency, can be linked to untreated underlying causes and lead to serious morbidity and even early mortality if not properly managed. The prognosis is heavily reliant on the discovery of the underlying cause. Epilepsy, in recent times, provides a terminology for ease of identification of the associated clinical symptomology. Epilepsy, an umbrella term, can manifest differently as either idiopathic, symptomatic, or cryptogenic. However, distinguishing epilepsy from other seizure mimics is critical to preventing complications. Epilepsy research, like many other neurological symptoms, is limited in low-resource areas. Therefore, through greater awareness of epilepsy and public education campaigns, better health outcomes can be achieved. There is huge utility in clear communication of medical information among healthcare providers as well as in optimizing treatment plans.

Head trauma or any traumatic injury can cause damage to parts of the brain. The most important part regulating the body are the hormones and the two centers of brain which are main ones for this regulation are the most prone to getting injured. The hypothalamus and pituitary regulate a lot many functions and the loss of these organs can cause Adrenal Insufficiency, SIADH, Diabetes Insipidus, and many more.

Individuals with BPD grapple with unstable relationships, marked by extreme emotional swings and interpersonal conflicts. Emotional instability, a distorted self-image, and impulsivity further complicate matters, often leading to self-harm and suicide attempts as desperate coping mechanisms. Genetics and adverse childhood experiences contribute to BPD's development, shaping brain function and emotional regulation. Diagnosis involves meticulous assessments, paving the way for personalized treatments like dialectical behavior therapy and, in severe cases, hospitalization. Early intervention, professional support, and societal understanding are pivotal for positive outcomes, and challenging mental health stigma.

This paper presents a novel approach to designing beam codebooks for downlink multiuser hybrid multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, leveraging multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). The primary objective is to develop an environment-specific beam codebook composed of non-interfering beams, learned by cooperative agents within the MARL framework. Machine learning (ML) based beam codebook design for downlink communications have been based on channel state information (CSI) feedback or only reference signal received power (RSRP) consisting of an offline training and user clustering phase. In massive MIMO, the full CSI feedback data is of large size and is resource-intensive to process, making it challenging to implement efficiently. RSRP alone for a stand-alone base station is not a good marker of the position of a receiver. Hence, in this work, uplink CSI estimated at the base station along with feedback of RSRP and binary acknowledgment of the accuracy of received data is utilized to design the beamforming codebook at the base station. Simulations using sub-array antenna and ray-tracing channel demonstrate the proposed system’s ability to learn topography-aware beam codebook for arbitrary beams serving multiple user groups simultaneously. The proposed method extends beyond mono-lobe and fixed beam architectures by dynamically adapting arbitrary shaped beams to avoid inter-beam interference, enhancing overall system performance. This work leverages MARL’s potential in creating efficient beam codebooks for hybrid MIMO systems, paving the way for enhanced multiuser communication in future wireless networks.

Mesothelioma of the peritoneum is the second most prevalent type. The peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdomen and abdominal organs, is affected in this type of cancer. A common risk factor is exposure to asbestos. There isn’t a cure, but surgery, chemotherapy, and palliative care can improve your prognosis and quality of life. Here we present a case of a 47-year-old female with peritoneal mesothelioma.

Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is characterized by a hyperglycaemic state associated with chorea/ballism, and/or striatal hyper density on computed tomography, or hyperintensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. To date, there have been only a few case series reported in the literature on this topic. We present an acute case of DS which delineates the clinical presentation, imaging and instrumental examinations, typical radiological findings, and therapeutic approach of this condition. The purpose of this case report is to to remind clinicians to consider DS when poor-controlled diabetic patients present with symptoms such as altered sensorium, sudden-onset choreiform and ballistic movements.

BackgroundHeart failure is a life-threatening disease affecting millions worldwide. Tolvaptan is the first FDA-approved orally active nonpeptide vasopressin 2 receptor antagonist to be used in hypervolemic hyponatremia, heart failure, cirrhosis, etc. In clinical trials, tolvaptan impacts short-term in increasing water excretion, and restoring Na+ and dyspnoea. Aims & ObjectivesThe objective is to analyze the outcomes of tolvaptan in existing cases of heart failure. MethodologyWe conducted a database search of the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and RCTs till 1st September 2019 were included following PRISMA guidelines after being matched with inclusion and exclusion criteria. 21 RCTs were included with 7,357 patients receiving tolvaptan and 7,273 patients being the control group. We used the MESH strings such as 'tolvaptan', 'vasopressin V2 receptor blocker', 'acute heart failure', and 'acute decompensated heart failure'. ResultsMeta-analysis showed that Tolvaptan was associated with a significant reduction in edema (RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.019-1.081, p=0.001) and significant body weight reduction (Control-SMD = -0.489, 95% CI =-0.637 to -0.342, p<0.001)&(Placebo-SMD = -0.425, 95% CI = -0.425 to -0.382, p<0.001) It shows significant decrease in serum sodium levels (SMD = 0.678, 95% CI = 0.609 to 0.748, p<0.001). There was no significant decrease in all-cause mortality (Control-RR = 0.855, 95% CI 0.470 to 1.555, p=0.607)(Placebo-RR= 0.972, 95% CI = 0.879-1.074, p=0.575). Results for Worsening renal function in heart failure (Placebo-RR = 0.798 95% CI 0.619 to 1.028, p=0.081)(Control-RR = 1.349, 95% CI=0.927-1.964, p=0.118). ConclusionAlthough tolvaptan may significantly reduce edema, congestive symptoms and decreased body weight, it has no impact on all-cause mortality and worsening renal function in heart failure.

Rhombencephalosynapsis (RES) is a rare, congenital developmental disorder of the central nervous system. Even after many years of its identification, the etiology and pathogenesis of RES remain unclear. It occurs in combination with many syndromes and thus has overlapping symptoms. The clinical presentation of this disorder varies depending on the severity of the maldevelopment of vermis. Here, we present a case of a 60-year-old Indian female diagnosed with Rhombencephalosynapsis. Clinical and MRI characteristics of RES along with treatment options have been discussed.

Presenting a case report about a 14-year-old female patient presenting with a history of weakness in all four limbs since the age of 5. The patient has a history of difficulty in walking, wearing footwear, climbing stairs, and performing fine motor tasks. During the neurological examination showed mild spasticity, muscle weakness, areflexia, ill-sustained clonus, and sensory deficits. Radiological examination, including a contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain was done which showed findings that are consistent with Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, also known as Van der Knaap disease.

CLIPPERS which stand for Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. The aetiology of CLIPPERS remains unclear, although its pathogenesis shows immune-mediated processes. The diagnosis of CLIPPERS is challenging without a specific biomarker hence, it is important to consider if both the clinical and radiological features are consistent with the diagnosis, or rather any other disease that mimics CLIPPERS. The Authors present a case of a 40-year-old Female patient diagnosed with CLIPPERS syndrome in India. Differential diagnosis, clinical and MRI characteristics of CLIPPERS syndrome, and treatment approaches are discussed.

Presenting a case report about an occurrence of duodeno-duodenal intussusception in a 17-year-old female patient. Intussusception is typically observed in children. The patient has a history of recurrent pain and vomiting for four days. During the examination tenderness in the epigastric area worsened when the legs were elevated. An initial X-ray of the abdomen was done and the findings were normal. Subsequent ultrasound and abdominal CECT scans of the abdomen revealed intussusception involving the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th part of the duodenum ampulla of Vater and pancreas without any identifiable cause for this condition. There was no abnormal thickening of the wall. This case shows how using radiological imaging and surgical management helps to prevent severe complications in cases like duodeno-duodenal intussusception in adults.

The importance of a properly regulated immune response has been explored through various research-oriented methods. It has proved that having an effective and well-regulated immune response helps prevent many minors and serious diseases. Any kind of dysregulation in the working of the immune system may lead to severe consequences. An autoimmune disorder is one such consequence in which the component of the immune system starts targeting self-cells of the body, treating them as self-antigen producing autoantibodies and immune complexes resulting from the failure of immune responses both at a central and peripheral level. Currently, many autoimmune disorders are prevailing across the world, and new diseases need attention.In this review, we have written about the functions of T cell, LncRNAs and also some interactions between the LncRNAs and miRNAs in the pathogenesis of Multiple sclerosis (MS), Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Type 1 diabetes (T1D), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To find the functions of these autoimmune disorders we have done intensive literature search during this we also found that GAS5 and MALAT are common in MS, SLE, T1D, RA. And finally, we have also mentioned the therapeutic drugs which neutralizes the different cluster of differentiation (CDs) and also suppresses the T cell differentiation in MS, SLE and RA. For T1D therapeutic strategies and various types of insulin are mentioned.

Chest trauma is a critical medical condition that encompasses a range of injuries and can result from various causes. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial in managing chest trauma patients and radiology plays a pivotal role in this aspect. Imaging modalities in chest trauma aid in precise diagnosis and treatment planning. Especially, X-rays remain the initial imaging modality of choice due to their accessibility, speed, and ability to detect acute life-threatening conditions. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan offers detailed cross-sectional images allowing for comprehensive evaluation of chest trauma and surgical planning when necessary. Ultrasound (US) is increasingly valuable tool due to its portability and real-time imaging capabilities, aiding in rapid assessment at the bedside. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is less commonly used due to time constraints and limited availability. Radiological imaging serves various purposes in the diagnosis and management of chest trauma such as early detection and triage, characterization and severity assessment, surgical planning, follow-up and monitoring of chest trauma. Reduction of radiation exposure, advancements in imaging technology (dual-energy CT, contrast-enhanced imaging) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms are crucial challenges and deserve attention. A multidisciplinary approach integrating radiological expertise remains fundamental in ensuring optimal outcomes for patients with chest trauma.

Schizoaffective disorder and its classification have always been a topic of discrepancy among researchers. The overlapping presentations of schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disorder makes it difficult to classify and diagnose. This study is a narrative review of literatures and genetic and epidemiological research evidences, done to determine the similarities and differences between schizoaffective and psychotic bipolar disorder. Beginning from the introduction of schizoaffective disorder as "schizoaffective psychosis" by Kasanin in 1933, various researchers have proposed different views regarding the diagnosis and classifications for schizoaffective disorder. DSM-III considered schizoaffective disorder as a diagnosis of exclusion as it fails to fit the definite diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia, major affective disorders, or schizophreniform disorder. DSM-V updated the criteria of schizoaffective disorder and stated it as a life time illness rather than being an episodic disorder as in DSM-IV and hence is more reliable. However, some studies show that schizoaffective disorder patients are more like schizophrenia than mood disorder. It still remains unclear whether schizoaffective disorder is a heterogenous disease, a form of schizophrenia, a form of mood disorder or a midpoint in the continuation spectrum of schizophrenia and psychotic bipolar disease.

Offshore vessels (OVs) often requires precise station-keeping and some vessels, for example, vessel involves in geotechnical drilling generally use Spread Mooring (SM) or Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems. Most of these vessels are equipped with both systems to cover all ranges of water depths. However, determining which systems to use for a particular operational scenario depends on many factors and requires significant balancing in terms of cost-benefit. Therefore, this research aims to develop a platform that will determine the cost factors for both the SM and DP station keeping systems. Operational information and cost data are collected for several field operations, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is trained using those data samples. After that, the trained ANN is used to predict the components of cost for any given environmental situation, fieldwork duration and water depth. Later, the total cost is investigated against water depth for both DP and SM systems to determine the most cost-effective option. The results are validated using two operational scenarios for a specific geotechnical vessel. This decision-making algorithm can be further developed by adding up more operational data for various vessels and can be applied in the development of sustainable decision-making business models for OVs operators.

Background: Thyroid nodules are common, affecting nearly 65% of the general population. While they are widespread, it's crucial to recognize that the majority of these nodules are not cancerous and can be effectively managed through careful monitoring. Thyroid ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate thyroid nodules owing to its low cost, wide availability and technical ease of application. In sonography, it's crucial to assess characteristics and vascular flow. Yet, conventional color and power Doppler ultrasound may not always effectively capture small vessels and low velocities due to their limitations. Superior Microvascular Imaging can display the blood flow of small vessels and low-velocity blood flow, which is difficult to visualize with conventional Doppler ultrasound. Meanwhile other thyroid scans, that utilize either [99mTc] pertechnetate or (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose, can categorize nodules as hyperactive ('hot'), exhibiting normal activity ('warm'), or having reduced/no activity ('cold'). Thus, the main goal of screening and tracking thyroid nodules is to improve the management of potentially worrisome thyroid malignancies. Methodology: The study was conducted within the structural framework of a network meta-analysis, with the index tests being - SMI, Radionuclide Scanning and Color Doppler, and the general link between them being the reference gold standard. The data collection involved searching for all pertinent literature using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library databases. The essential data was extracted following the application of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.This meta-analysis included 7 RCTs with 1,152 patients for Radionuclide Scanning, 10 RCTs with 1,847 patients for SMI and 8 RCTs with 4,480 patients for Color Doppler. They were analyzed using the QualSyst tool and the risk of bias was evaluated by using QUADAS-2 analysis.The statistical software packages MetaDiSc 1.4, RevMan (Review Manager, version 5.3), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20) and Excel in Stata 14 were used to perform the statistical analyses. Result: According to the findings, the sensitivity for Radionuclide Scanning is calculated as 0.79 (range: 0.76 to 0.81) and specificity as 0.55 (range: 0.50 to 0.60) with a 95% confidence interval. The overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for Radionuclide Scanning Is 10.54.Additionally, with a 95% confidence interval, SMI exhibits a sensitivity of 0.82 (with a range of 0.79 to 0.84) and a specificity of 0.86 (with a range of 0.84 to 0.88), while the overall DOR is approximately 25.73. Color Doppler demonstrates a calculated sensitivity of 0.71 (ranging from 0.69 to 0.74) and specificity of 0.81 (ranging from 0.79 to 0.83) with a 95% confidence interval, while its DOR is 13.48.Conclusion: As evidenced by this meta-analysis, blood flow dependent imaging techniques are superior in their abilities to be used as diagnostic tests, especially in conjunction with their use in detecting thyroid nodules. This study offers a starting point for delving deeper into the utilization of Radionuclide Imaging, Superior Microvascular Imaging and Color Doppler in diagnosing thyroid nodules in a clinical setting. Key Words: - Thyroid Nodule, Radionuclide Scanning, Superior Microvascular Imaging, Color Doppler Diagnosis, Sensitivity, Specificity, Diagnostic imaging

DIPA-CRISPR is a revolutionary gene editing technology that has set new benchmarks in precision and efficacy. It builds upon the CRISPR-Cas9 system, introducing unparalleled specificity and minimizing unintended effects. Its potential applications in addressing complex genetic disorders offer hope for more effective disease management. The integration of DIPA-CRISPR into gene therapy research signifies a monumental leap forward in medical science and biotechnology. This article explores the DIPA-CRISPR methodology, its core principles, and recent technological strides in refining the technique. It highlights the implications of these developments on the treatment of genetic conditions and discusses future prospects and innovations within the field. The transformative potential of DIPA-CRISPR in disease management and the broader spectrum of genetic engineering is underscored, heralding a new age of medical and scientific discovery. The emphasis on addressing both technical and ethical challenges underscores the complexity and responsibility that accompanies such powerful technological advancements. The future prospects of DIPA-CRISPR, from pest management to combating global infectious diseases and transforming oncology, underscore the need for continued innovation coupled with rigorous ethical oversight.

Introduction:ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) help in detecting early ischemic changes in stroke patients. This scoring system helps in predicting the stroke outcome, treatment options like thrombolysis and prognosis. It is a 10-point scaling system based on anatomical regions supplied by the middle cerebral artery and each point is subtracted for areas with ischemic changes. Aims and objectives:To study the effectiveness of the ASPECTS scoring in the assessment of the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation stroke. Materials and methods:A retrospective study was performed on stroke patients referred to our institute for an NCCT scan. 40 stroke patients with a mean age of 59+/-3 years were selected and patients with intracranial hemorrhage or hemorrhagic transformation of infarct were excluded. Scans were performed on a 128-slice multidetector CT PHILIPS Perspective scanner. The ASPECTS score was determined using standardised axial CT cuts. Result: In this case series study of 40 patients, a total of 28 patients (70%) had a score of 7 or more and these patients had better prognoses with proper treatment and follow-up.The remaining 12 patients (30%) had a score of less than 7 and even with treatment and sequential follow-up, they had no neurological recovery. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that the ASPECTS can be used as a tool for predicting treatment outcomes in stroke patients. A score of 7 or more is associated with a good prognosis.

This report elucidates a case of papillary carcinoma of the Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in a 19-year-old female. The swelling at presentation was suprahyoid, fixed and non-mobile with deglutition or tongue protrusion. Papillary carcinoma was diagnosed post-op through histopathological examination and a follow-up total thyroidectomy was planned. As the origin of TGDC papillary carcinoma is highly debated, no evidence-based guidelines yet exist as to the best line of treatment, however, Sistrunk’s procedure followed by total/near total thyroidectomy is widely considered the standard management practice in such cases.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive neurological complication that affects the central nervous system. It occurs as a late complication of the measles infection the young children and adolescents who are commonly affected present with personality changes and neurological deficits. The diagnosis can be done via clinical features, electroencephalography, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. At present, there is no cure for SSPE. The immunisation against measles is the main strategy in preventing this condition. Here, we present a case of a 22-year-old Indian male diagnosed with Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Presenting a rare case of adult-onset mature cystic teratoma of the spinal cord in the thoracolumbar spinal cord in a 54-year-old male whose chief complaint was lower back pain radiating to both legs while other findings were normal. X-ray images of the thoracolumbar spine showed early degenerative changes and unfused posterior elements noted in lower sacral vertebral levels. Magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine showed a well-defined non-enhancing intramedullary altered intensity lesion noted at the level of conus at the L1-L2 vertebral level. The resected tumour was histopathologically diagnosed as a mature cystic teratoma. The patient's symptoms improved following the surgery.

Diastematomyelia, also known as split cord syndrome, is a congenital disorder of the spinal cord. As the name suggests, the spinal cord is split into two resulting in neurological complaints associated with cutaneous symptoms. Although the diagnosis can be done clinically, for disease confirmation, various radiological investigations are used for the diagnosis of this condition. Here, we present a case of a 54-year-old Indian female diagnosed with diastematomyelia. The clinical features, diagnostic modalities, treatment options and prognosis of this condition have been discussed.

A rare neurological condition known as Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is characterized by cerebral hemiatrophy, facial asymmetry, contralateral motor impairment, and seizures. Cerebral hypoplasia, ventriculomegaly, paranasal sinus hyper-pneumatization, and compensatory osseous expansion are classic imaging findings. The relationship between clinical and neuroimaging findings provides the basis for the diagnosis of DDMS. DDMS is treated with anticonvulsant medication and physical therapy. This is the case of a 26-year-old male, with a known case of cerebral palsy and on antiepileptics for 15 years, who presented with complaints of generalized weakness, vomiting, difficulty walking, recurrent convulsions, and a recent episode of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Neuroimaging revealed findings significant of Dyke Davidoff Masson Syndrome. Understanding its imaging and clinical characteristics facilitates prompt and precise diagnosis, permitting appropriate management.

Borreliosis is a widely spreading bacterial infection caused by corkscrew-shaped spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted via the bite of an infected tick. The disease manifests in three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late stages. Clinical symptoms range from non-specific erythema migrans, fever, fatigue, etc. to system-specific features like carditis, peripheral nerve palsy, etc. The diagnosis mainly relies on clinical findings and serologic testing is done for disease confirmation. The treatment of Lyme disease is an antibiotic with doxycycline as the primary choice. Prophylactic doxycycline is given under specific criteria. Here, we describe a case of a 64-year-old Indian male diagnosed with Lyme disease.

Pneumatosis intestinalis is the presence of air within the two layers of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in the small and large intestines. This accumulation of gas can cause thicker walls of the intestines in X-ray or CT scans. Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) Thrombosis occurs due to the formation of blood clots within the SMA. As it supplies from the ampulla in the second part of the duodenum to the splenic flexure of the large intestine its thrombosis can cause ischemia in any part depending upon its branch. A 67-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with the complaint of generalized abdominal pain for 5 days along with fever, nausea, vomiting, obstipation, and postprandial fullness. On further investigation with the help of an MDCT scan and X-ray, proximal jejunal loops showed circumferential air within the walls giving the diagnosis of Pneumatosis Intestinalis along with Superior Mesenteric Artery Thrombosis causing jejunal infarct.

Balo’s concentric sclerosis is a rare disease and a subtype of multiple sclerosis. A 38-year-old male patient presented to the hospital with the complaint of numbness in the left-sided upper and lower limb, slurring of speech and left-sided headache for 15 days. Further investigation was done and in ECG ‘Delta wave’ was identified along with tachycardia. Diagnosis of Wolff Parkinson White syndrome was made. The patient’s MRI Brain has shown a non-enhancing intra-axial altered signal intensity lesion at the callose-septal interface adjacent to both lateral ventricles, which was identified as Balo’s concentric sclerosis.

Headache is considered to be one of the most common causes of medical treatment and evaluation worldwide in both acute and outpatient settings. It is the most common neurological symptom seen worldwide affecting all genders, ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic levels. It’s impact is noted in educational decline in school-aged children and decreased productivity through sick leave in adults. Its overall burden is well documented in well-resourced countries but limited data is seen low resourced countries. While many underlying causes bring about secondary headaches, primary headaches and more specifically migraines have been more widely explored. Migraines have a distinct criterion that is inclusive of one day duration (4 hours to 7 days, unilateral distribution, nausea and vomiting and disability as a few examples. However, migraines can vary and proper documentation through a migraine diary can help to guide treatment. Management of migraines can vary. Lifestyle modification is a key factor in the overall prevention and reduction of triggers in migraines. In addition to this, pharmacotherapy can be given in a tier-based approach based on overall severity and frequency of the migraine. Interventions have progressed from botox injection and have seen the advent of new medications such as nasal sprays to novel formulations of pre-existing drug formulations. Nonetheless, there is great room for further studies of headaches and migraines. Research specifically in low-resource countries can prove to beneficial.

Introduction: Biliary Atresia (BA) is a common cause of neonatal cholestatic jaundice which, if recognized and treated early, can be life-saving for the infant. If the liver biopsy suggests the presence of BA, exploratory laparotomy is then carried out to confirm the diagnosis, along with the Kasai procedure to provide drainage to the bile secreted by the liver. The purpose of this study is to get a deep dive into all the various imaging modalities that can diagnose BA more effectively and with absolute certitude, thus helping prevent several children from a grave prognosis.Methodology: For the collection of the data, a search was done by two individuals using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases for all relevant literature. Each qualifying paper was evaluated independently by two reviewers. Each article was analyzed for the number of patients, their age, procedure modality, complexity of ethology, and incidence of the pre-decided complications. The statistical software packages RevMan (Review Manager, version 5.3), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20), Google Sheets, and Excel in Stata 14 were used to perform the statistical analyses. The data was obtained and entered into analytic software.Results: A total of 39 studies with 3,679 subjects were selected for the study, out of which 7 studies showed sensitivity above or equal to 95%, and an astounding 14 studies showed specificity above 95%. The value of True Positive (TP) was 1280, that of True Negative (TN) was 1817, that of False Positive (FP) was 239, and that of False Negative (FN) was 343. With a confidence interval of 95%, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The sensitivity of Ultrasonography for Biliary Atresia is 0.79, with a CI of 95% in a range of 0.77 to 0.81. The specificity of Ultrasonography for Biliary Atresia is 0.88, with a CI of 95% in a range of 0.87 to 0.90. Conclusion: Even though several radiological techniques at present help to detect BA, USG of the abdomen proves to be an effective diagnostic and a modest screening test for the detection of BA.

To be used in cutting-edge green and other technologies, rare earth elements (REEs) are in great demand. Rare earth elements (REEs) include the following elements: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; additionally, they include Sc. Computers, laptops, TVs, generators, DVD players, cell phones, refrigerators, and other electronic equipment that are usually thrown away by their original owners because of their limited lifespan are examples of outdated or end-of-life electronics that make up e-waste. At the moment, these metals are essential to many contemporary devices, from LED light bulbs and wind turbines to cell phones and televisions. The development of new, cutting-edge technologies, especially in the field of electronics, depends on the availability of rare earth elements (REEs), sometimes referred to as the "vitamins" of modern industry. Since e-waste frequently has high concentrations of rare earth elements and is handled in hazardous ways, e-waste may be a significant contributor to the contamination of rare earth elements. Apart from their detrimental effects on the environment, these wastes also result in the loss of precious materials and rare earth elements such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium, and rare earth, among other things. Every year, 50 million tonnes of e-waste are created globally. An enormous amount of e-waste is wasted since only 20% of it is handled correctly worldwide. There have been numerous reports on the recovery and separation of rare earth elements (REEs) from e-waste using various techniques, such as the hydrometallurgical process, siderophores, pyrometallurgical process, bioleaching, and biosorption. According to reports, the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) from clean technologies is expected to reach 51.9 thousand metric tons (kt) of REO in 2030. Nd and Dy, on the other hand, make up 75% and 9% of the world's REE deposits, respectively. REE levels in aquatic settings are rising, particularly in urban areas, in tandem with the growing demand for high-tech applications. Urban wastewater from open sewers and the entrance of a wastewater treatment facility in Cotonou, Benin, was collected, and its rare earth element (REE) contamination was evaluated.

BACKGROUNDBrain death in most countries requires supplementation of clinical diagnosis with ancillary tests such as EEG, cerebral angiography, or radionuclide imaging. Transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) is one such non-invasive, real-time, bedside test that sidesteps the logistic hurdles associated with some of the tests mentioned above. OBJECTIVETo substantiate the utility of TCD as a reliable ancillary test to diagnose brain death with more certainty and reliability.METHODOLOGYMeta-analysis was performed with the use of statistical and analytical software to obtain data and estimate Sensitivity, Specificity, positive predictive value(PPV), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and relative risk with 95 percent confidence intervals to examine critical clinical outcomes(CI).RESULTSInitial dataset of 31 studies of which 16 studies, with a total of 1317 patients was used considering the reliability of the data. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of TCD were 0.91 (95% CI range: 0.89-0.93) and 0.99 (95% CI range: 0.97-0.99) respectively. The summary of the ROC curve showed an area under the curve of 0.9750 and an overall diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 323.26 with the Younden Index being 0.9. Summary of Fagan plot analysis of all studies showed a prior probability of 63% (1.7); a Positive Likelihood Ratio of 56, a post-test probability of 99% (96); a Negative likelihood ratio of 0.09, and a post-test probability of 13% (0.2).CONCLUSIONOur study emphasizes that clinical diagnosis is sufficiently adequate to declare a patient cerebrally dead. However, for ambiguous cases, TCD is a practical and fast method showing close correspondence to angiography and is superior to other bedside tests like EEG.

A multisystem chronic autoimmune disorder, Sjogren syndrome, is characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates in the exocrine glands. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia are the two pathognomic findings in Sjogren syndrome. Here, we present a case of a 30-year-oldan old Indian woman presenting with primary Sjogren syndrome. The clinical features, diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and management of complications have been discussed.

Artery of Percheron Infarct (AOP) is a rare congenital anatomical vascular variant supplying the paramedian thalamus and the rostral midbrain. It arises from either proximal segment of the posterior cerebral artery (P1). The symptoms of an AOP infarction might vary, although they typically manifest as memory loss, altered mental status, and supranuclear vertical gaze palsy. Most of the time, the initial CT scan fails to diagnose the AOP infarct. Most of these diagnoses are made when ischemic stroke patients are not eligible for thrombolytic therapy. We report a case of a 40-year-old female with a history of well-managed hypertension, who presented in the ER with chief complaints of altered behavior, altered gaze palsy, and drowsiness. Initially, the CT scan did not show pathological changes. The diagnosis was made the next hospital day by MRI. Our case presents an unusual presentation and the lack of evidence of AOP infarction on a CT scan does not exclude its diagnosis. An infarcted Percheron artery requires a thorough clinical and radiological examination.

Presenting a case report on the occurrence of IgA nephropathy with hepatitis B infection in a 32-year-old male patient with main complaints of generalized weakness, easy fatigue, and bilateral swelling of the lower extremities. IgA nephropathy (IgAN), or Berger’s disease, is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. It is characterized by the formation of IgA1-containing circulating immune complexes and their deposition in the glomerular mesangium. Its etiology remains multifactorial and often idiopathic. IgA nephropathy alone does not have an infectious etiology; instead, it usually develops in conjunction with an infectious condition that triggers a dysregulated immune response. There is no proof that any particular infectious agent is the secondary cause of IgA nephropathy. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an infectious agent associated with renal complications, including IgA nephropathy. Symptoms include gross haematuria and mild proteinuria indicative of renal involvement. Laboratory investigations and serological tests are followed by imaging studies such as ultrasound and renal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The challenges encountered during the diagnostic process included overlapping symptoms and limitations of available diagnostic tests, highlighting the need for comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary management approaches in similar cases. This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing both conditions simultaneously to prevent long-term complications such as end-stage renal disease.

Betadine (Providone-Iodine) solution is a topically applied antiseptic, which has been used for wound care and surgery for decades for the prevention and treatment of skin and wound infections. However, several studies have documented the ineffectiveness of Betadine solution. Other topical antimicrobial dressings, including those that contain silver, have been used in the management of infected wounds. The present study was undertaken to determine if the combination of 5% Betadine solutions and silver colloidal gel (Ag-gel), is more effective than the individual materials in inhibiting the growth of both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. These determinations were carried out by both the colony forming unit (CFU) assay, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Ag-gel showed complete inhibition on all the bacteria, except Klebsiella pneumoniae CI strain while 5% Betadine concentrations did not completely kill any of the tested bacteria. However, K. pneumoniae was completely eliminated in the presence of the combination of 5% Betadine solution plus Ag-gel. Confocal laser microscopy confirmed the CFU results. Thus this study demonstrated that while the individual treatments are not effective in killing all the bacteria tested, the combination of 5% Betadine solution and Ag-gel completely kill all bacteria tested, including K. penumoniae CI.

Systemic amyloidosis is a multisystem illness characterized by fibrillary protein deposition, which causes dysfunction in the afflicted organ systems. Its diagnosis is frequently delayed since the disease's symptoms are unpredictable and non-specific. Its two main variants are light chain (AL) amyloidosis and transthyretin-related ATTR amyloidosis, which has both a sporadic (wildtype, ATTRwt) and hereditary (mutated, ATTRv) subtype. We discuss a case of Amyloidosis emerging in the kidneys and heart as a result of chronic inflammation caused by failure to treat TB, as well as its typical radiological characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging and instrumental evaluations, and therapeutic plan. This case report serves as a good reminder to medical personnel to ensure thorough patient follow-up in order to avoid extremely unusual and late complications resulting from treatment default.

Background: Stoma closure is a widely performed surgical procedure, with 6295 undertaken in England in 2018 alone. This procedure is associated with significant complications; incisional hernias are the most severe, occurring in 30% of patients. Complications place considerable financial burden on the NHS; hernia costs are estimated at GBP 114 million annually. As recent evidence (ROCSS, 2020) found that prophylactic meshes significantly reduce rates of incisional hernias following stoma closure surgery, an evaluation of this intervention vs. standard procedure is essential. Methods: A cost-utility analysis (CUA) was conducted using data from the ROCSS prospective multi-centre trial, which followed 790 patients, randomly assigned to mesh closure (n=394) and standard closure (n=396). Quality of life was assessed using mean EQ-5D-5L scores from the trial, and costs in GBP using UK-based sources over a 2-year time horizon. Results: The CUA yielded an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of GBP 128,356.25 per QALY. Additionally, two univariate sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the model. Conclusion: The results demonstrate an increased benefit with mesh prophylaxis, but at an increased cost. Although the intervention is cost-ineffective and greater than the ICER threshold of GBP 30,000/QALY (NICE), further investigation into mesh prophylaxis for at risk population groups is needed.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is one of the most frequent maternally inherited mitochondrial disorders.MELAS syndrome is a multi-organ disease that presents with a wide range of symptoms, such as dementia, epilepsy, lactic acidemia, myopathy, hearing loss, stroke-like episodes, diabetes, short stature, and myopathy. MELAS primarily affects tissue with high energy demands such as the brain, muscles, and heart. With 65–76% of affected people presenting at or before the age of 20, childhood is the typical age of onset. Genetic testing, imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and other techniques, tests of blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid in addition to muscle biopsy (if necessary) may be used to diagnose MELAS syndrome. Management of MELAS remains largely supportive, focusing on symptom alleviation and metabolic stabilization. The long-term prognosis of MELAS is variable, influenced by factors such as age of onset, severity of symptoms, and presence of comorbidities. While some patients experience a relatively stable course with intermittent exacerbations, others may exhibit progressive neurological deterioration and multiorgan involvement. Early recognition, prompt intervention, and close monitoring are essential for optimizing outcomes and mitigating complications.Presenting here a case report of an occurrence of MELAS in a 31-year old male patient with chief complaints of perspiration, uneasiness and weight loss with increase in appetite and past history of bilateral hearing loss and vision loss in left eye.

Genetic variability in rice breeding program plays the very crucial role. It provides outstanding pool of superior alleles governing better agronomic and quality characters through association mapping. For the understanding of population structure and genetic relationship among the different rice lines is indispensable prior to setting of correlation among dynamic alleles and traits. In the present investigation, genetic diversity and population structure of 116 rice accessions by using 64 polymorphic SSR markers was targeted for the evaluation of the genetic relatedness and diversity. Genotyping assessment based on SSR markers revealed a total of 225 alleles, with an average PIC value of 0.755. The germplasm lines were classified into three distinct subgroups through population structure analysis, utilizing both model and distance-based approaches. AMOVA analysis showed that 11% of the total variation could be attributed to differences between groups, while the remaining 89% of the variation was likely due to differences within groups. The study suggests that the population structure and genetic relatedness should be considered when working with the core collection of 116 rice germplasm lines for association mapping, aiming to establish marker-trait associations.

An HFMD outbreak spread over the city of Hải Phòng from Summer 2011 to Autumn 2012. This epidemic was chosen because it was the very first HFMD epidemic in North Vietnam, eliminating thus interferences with previous outbreaks. This epidemic displayed 3 separate waves. A complete dataset was collected for more than 9500 patients during this period, which enabled us to analyze this epidemic at different scales. Access to the healthcare system was crucial during this period, with a reorganization of the system in February-March 2012. An analysis at commune level enables us to track the epidemic along certain communication routes. The three-waves structure reveals a wide disparity at district level. We develop a mathematical model showing high accuracy at the adjustment of data for both the total number of cases and for the number of cases per week. As a consequence, the model was able to accurately determine the dates of beginning and end of each wave and to show that they overlapped. Using mathematical functions associated with this model, it was possible to calculate the probability for a patient to belong to a specific wave.

In 2011-2012, Northern Vietnam suffered its first large scale hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) epidemic. Two sets of official guidelines were issued during the outbreak to handle the HFMD crisis. The city of Hai Phong was therefore used as a model to analyze the impact of the guidelines release. 9621 HFMD cases were reported in Hai Phong city from April 2011 to December 2012. Three distinct waves of HFMD occurred. Enterovirus A71 and Coxackievirus A16 were successively associated to the epidemics. Two periods, before and after guidelines realease, could be distinguished which were characterized by different patient patterns Time to admission and severity changed notably. Guideline publication help the health system refocusing on the 0.5-3 years age group with highest incidence of the disease. The three waves showed different special distribution but main routes of infection were rivers and local secondary roads most likely through local trade and occupational movements of people.

The evaluation of Eco-Environmental Quality (EEQ) is important to maintain the quality of ecology and is crucial for the protection of the environment and promote sustainable development. In the past 30 years, Rupandehi district has gone into rapid urbanization and population growth due to the migration of people causing drastic changes in Land use. This study takes Rupandehi district as a study area and analyses the land use change dynamics and its impact on the ecological environment from 1993 to 2023. The study utilizes the cloud computing capability of Google Earth Engine (GEE) to extract multiple indices using Landsat remote sensing data. We also applied the Thresholding approach to various spectral indices to extract land use information in GEE. The Remote Sensing Ecological Indices (RSEI) was constructed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to monitor the ecological quality and the effect of Land Use Land Cover (LULC) change on the quality of ecology was analysed. The result shows that the overall ecological quality of the Rupandehi district is good ranging from 0.59 in 1993 to 0.67 in 2023 with a significant impact of land use change. The eco-environmental quality of the study area is deteriorating because of a sharp increase in built-up areas and deforestation as well as the loss of agricultural land. Meanwhile, the spatial and temporal distribution of land use change collides with the change in the ecological quality of the study area. This study provides an accurate and rapid assessment of ecological quality and monitors the impact of land use change on it providing a scientific basis for researchers, government, and others to preserve the ecology and promote sustainable and eco-friendly development.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a polygenic metabolic disease described by hyperglycemia, which is caused by insulin resistance or reduced insulin secretion. Interaction between various genetic variants and environmental factors triggers T2DM. The main aim of this study was to find the risk associated with genetic variant (rs5210) of KCNJ11gene in the development of T2D in Indian Population. A total number of 300 cases of T2D and 100 control samples were studied to find the polymorphism in KCNJ11 through PCR-RFLP. The genotype and allele frequencies in T2DM cases were significantly different from the control population. We found a significant association of KCNJ11 (rs5210) gene polymorphism with T2DM in North Indian patients indicating the role of this variant in developing risk for T2DM.

Background: The secretion of alarmin cytokines by epithelial cells, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25, and IL-33, heralds the onset of the inflammatory cascade and immune effector infiltration in asthma. However, alarmin cytokine expression in the upper airways in asthma remains largely unknown. Methods: We recruited 40 participants with asthma who were categorized into four severity groups as per the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) classifications (10 in each group of GINA-1/2, -3, -4, and -5). Cells were derived from buccal, nasal and throat brushings, and intracellular alarmin cytokine expression (TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33) was assessed in cytokeratin 8+ (Ck8+) epithelial cells immediately after collection using flow cytometry with fluorescence minus one (FMO) controls. We assessed differences in alarmin cytokine expressions across asthma severity using quantile regression adjusted for age and sex. Results: Of all patients, 24 (60%) were females with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 41 (16) years. TSLP levels in Ck8+ epithelial cells in nasal samples of GINA-5 patients were significantly (p=0.03) higher than other GINA groups after adjusting for age and sex but did not differ between patients with and without nasal comorbidities. However, we did not find any significant changes in TSLP levels in Ck8+ epithelial cells in buccal and throat samples across GINA groups. IL-25 or IL-33 (obtained from nasal, buccal, and throat epithelial cell samples) were not significantly different across GINA groups. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates for the first time that Ck8+ nasal epithelial cells from GINA-5 asthmatics express elevated levels of TSLP.

Background: Early diagnosis of postoperative complications is an urgent task, allowing timely prescribing of appropriate therapy and reducing the cost of patient treatment. Prognostic models based on various data could help in the early diagnosis of postoperative complications after cardiac surgery. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine whether an integrated approach based on clinical data along with metabolites and biomarkers had greater predictive value than the models built on less data. Methods: The study included patients (n=62) admitted for planned cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass), who were retrospectively divided into two groups depending on the presence (n=26) or absence (n=36) of postoperative complications of all types. Clinical and laboratory data on the first day after surgery were analyzed. Additionally, patients' blood samples were collected before and on the first day after surgery to determine biomarkers (interleukin-6, procalcitonin, NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity troponin T) and metabolites (8 aromatic and 2 dicarboxylic acids were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Results: Patients before surgery, compared with healthy donors, differed in the concentration of metabolites (p &lt; 0.05), and had concentrations of a number of biomarkers exceeding the corresponding reference values. Multivariate PLS-DA models, predicting the presence or absence of postoperative complications, were built using clinical data (ROC-AUC=0.71), concentrations of metabolites and biomarkers (ROC-AUC=0.60), and the entire data set (ROC-AUC=0.75). For comparison we built univariate models using the EuroScore2 (ROC-AUC=0.59) and SOFA (ROC-AUC=0.76) scales; concentrations of lactate (ROC-AUC=0.71), the dynamic changes of 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (ROC-AUC=0.69), and the sum of three sepsis-associated metabolites (ROC-AUC=0.70). The proposed complex model using entire data set was comparable to the SOFA scale, which confirms the expediency of searching for new predictive models based on a variety of factors.

Milk serves as a crucial source of natural bioactive compounds essential for human nutrition and health. The gastrointestinal digestion of milk proteins releases various biologically active peptides that positively impact human health and enhance physiological performance. With the growing production of cheese, Greek yogurt, and other dairy products, the volume of unutilized acid whey is significantly increasing. Acid whey, containing almost all whey proteins and approximately one-quarter of casein, presents a valuable raw material for generating peptides with potential health benefits. These peptides exhibit properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, opioid, mineral-binding, and growth-stimulating activities, contributing to improved human immunity and the treatment of chronic diseases. Enzymatic hydrolysis of milk proteins has been developed as a method to produce these peptides, facilitating their use in food fortification. To incorporate whey into functional beverages, it undergoes fermentation by lactic acid bacteria with proteolytic activity. To specifically enrich these beverages with peptides exhibiting targeted bioactivities, it is essential to select lactic acid bacteria strains possessing the requisite protease profiles. Additionally, the sensory properties of the final product can be enhanced using starter cultures with diverse metabolic capabilities, even in the absence of added flavoring agents. Given the imperative to develop waste-free technologies and enhance the profitability of the dairy industry, there is a growing need to efficiently utilize and transform acid whey into a broad spectrum of valuable products and food additives. This approach is justified not only by the nutritional benefits of the bioactive components in whey but also by the commercial potential of safe and health-enhancing products.

The paper focuses on the application of a multilevel, integrative and territorial approach to the protection of cultural heritage through planning instruments in Serbia. It points out the problems of the sectoral approach and discusses international recommendations that can be integrated into the planning methodology. The case study is the area of Djerdap National Park, which has an already established international and national importance. The research suggests that the cultural heritage in the area, with the exception of the Roman limes, is still recognized at the level of individual localities. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning all levels of governance to safeguard the whole spatial entity rather than focusing solely on its particular areas. The interna-tional and national importance of the planning area contributes to the strengthening of awareness of heritage and its institutional protection. However, the vitality of the area, which is key to its sustainable development, comes from the local level. Planning documents contribute to the inte-gration of local values and local communities into development programs and projects.

In order to shorten the detection time and improve the average precision on embedded devices, A lightweight and high accuracy model is proposed for passion fruit in complex environments (backlight, occlusion, overlap, sunny, cloudy, rainy). Firstly, replacing the backbone network of YOLOv5 with a lightweight GhostNet model reduces the number of parameters and computation while improving detection speed. Secondly, a new feature branch is added to the GhostNet network, and the feature fusion layer in the neck network is reconstructed to effectively combine the lower-level and higher-level features, which not only improves the accuracy of the model but also maintains its lightweight. Finally, the knowledge distillation methods are used to transfer the knowledge from the more capable teacher model to the less capable student model, which significantly improving the detection accuracy. The improved model is denoted as G-YOLO-NK. The average accuracy of the G-YOLO-NK network is 96.00%, which is 1.00% higher than the original YOLOv5s model. Furthermore, the improved model size is 7.14MB, reduced to half of the original model, and the real-time detection frame rate is 11.25 FPS on the Jetson Nano. Compared to the state-of-the-art model, the proposed model outperforms them in terms of average precision and detection performance. The present work provides an effective model for real-time detection of passion fruits in complex orchard scenes, which can provide valuable technical support for the development of orchard picking robots and greatly improve the intelligence level of orchards.

The impact of interaction SS with MJO on rainfall along Java Island to East Nusa Tenggara has been studied using daily rainfall observation data from 2140 weather observation stations, which are also equipped with GSMaP, OLR, and ERA5 data. There were 61 SS events found, 17 during active MJO and 44 in inactive MJO. Rainfall increases more in the western study area when the active MJO and more in the eastern study area when the inactive MJO is due to SS. SS reduces rainfall in the Jakarta region, regardless of the activity or inactivity of the MJO. SS causes extreme rainfall to only occur in a small part of certain areas, so it tends to significantly reduce the possibility of extreme rainfall. In the southern part of the IMC, SS predominates over MJO in supporting increased water vapor transport. Large-scale synoptic circulations like the monsoon, SS, and MJO can interact with local land-sea wind circulation to produce spatiotemporal variability in rainfall on Java Island. Rainfall mostly increases in the afternoon and decreases in the morning when SS occurs, whether there is MJO or not. Convective instability analysis indicates that SS increases precipitation, most likely by lowering CIN and raising VIMFC.

The Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) scanner is an easy and portable Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) data acquisition device. Its main output is a 3D point cloud covering the scanned scene. Regarding the importance of accuracy in the survey domain, this paper aims to assess the accuracy of two SLAM scanners: the NavVis VLX and the BLK2GO Scanner. This assessment is conducted for both outdoor and indoor environments. In this context, two types of reference data are used: the Total Station (TS) and the static scanner Z+F Imager 5016. To carry out the assessment, four comparisons are tested: cloud to cloud, cloud to mesh, mesh to mesh, and edge detection board assessment. However, the results of the assessments confirm that the accuracy of indoor SLAM scanner measurements (5 mm) is greater than that of outdoor ones (between 10 mm and 60 mm). Moreover, the comparison of cloud to cloud provides the best accuracy regarding direct accuracy measurement without manipulations. Finally, based on the high accuracy, scanning speed, flexibility, and the accuracy differences between tested cases, it is confirmed that SLAM scanners are effective tools for data acquisition.

In recent years, electroencephalogram (EEG) emotion recognition has emerged as a research hotspot in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Despite advancements in EEG-based emotion recognition, room for enhancing performance persists due to EEG signal redundancy and limitations in feature extraction, leading to inefficient models and emotional information loss. To fully utilize EEG's emotional information and improve recognition accuracy while reducing computational costs, this paper proposes a Convolutional-Recurrent Hybrid Network with a dual-stream adaptive approach and an attention mechanism (CSA-SA-CRTNN). Firstly, the model utilizes a CSAM module to assign corresponding weights to EEG channels. Then, an adaptive dual-stream convolutional-recurrent network (SA-CRNN and MHSA-CRNN) is applied to extract local spatial-temporal features. After that, the extracted local features are concatenated and fed into a temporal convolutional network with a multi-head self-attention mechanism (MHSA-TCN) to capture global information. Finally, the extracted EEG information is used for emotion classification. We conducted binary and ternary classification experiments on the DEAP dataset, achieving 99.26% and 99.15% accuracy for arousal and valence in binary classification, and 97.69% and 98.05% in ternary classification, surpassing relevant algorithms. Additionally, the model's efficiency is significantly higher than other models, achieving better accuracy with lower resource consumption.

Glycosidic linkage analysis was conducted on the unfractionated polysaccharides in the alcohol-insoluble residues (AIRs) prepared from six red seaweeds (Gracilariopsis sp., Prionitis sp., Mastocarpus papillatus, Callophyllis sp., Mazzaella splendens, and Palmaria palmata) using GC-MS/FID analysis of partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs). The cell walls of P. palmata primarily contained mixed-linkage xylans and small amounts of sulfated galactans and cellulose. In contrast, the unfractionated polysaccharides of the other five species were rich in galactans displaying diverse 3,6-anhydro-galactose and galactose linkages with varied sulfation patterns. Different levels of cellulose were also observed. This glycosidic linkage method offers advantages for cellulose analysis over traditional monosaccharide analysis that is known for underrepresenting glucose in crystalline cellulose. Relative linkage compositions calculated from GC-MS and GC-FID measurements showed that anhydro sugar linkages generated more response in the latter detection method. This improved linkage workflow presents a useful tool for studying polysaccharide structural variations across red seaweed species. Furthermore, for the first time, relative linkage compositions from GC-MS and GC-FID measurements, along with normalized FID and total ion current (TIC) chromatograms without peak assignments, were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) as a proof-of-concept demonstration of the technique's potential to differentiate various red seaweed species.

Background: Educating college students about the importance of good sleep habits could lead to the adoption of healthier sleep routines, including sufficient sleep duration and sleep quality. The current pre-post study examines the impact of completing a sleep education program called “Sleep 101” on (1) sleep hygiene practices, (2) sleep quality, and (3) weekday and weekend sleep behaviors among college students. “Sleep 101” is an interactive online course developed to educate college students about the importance of sleep by addressing basic sleep physiology, the impact of sleep on mood, academic and physical performance, the interactions between sleep and various substances, and common sleep disorders. Methods: 338 college students were recruited from a midsized public university in the US and invited to participate in “Sleep 101”, of which 25 participants completed the baseline and post-intervention questionnaire. The Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) was utilized to evaluate sleep hygiene practices, while standard questions were employed to assess weekday and weekend sleep behaviors and overall sleep quality. Results: Those who completed the study demonstrated a significant increase in weekday sleep duration and were less likely to engage in negative prior bedtime activities. In addition, 40% of those who completed baseline and post-intervention assessments noticed improvements in their sleep quality. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a brief online program is beneficial in improving sleep behaviors among college and could be a scalable approach to addressing current sleep issues and preventing future sleep problems in college students.

The profile of secondary metabolites occurring in apple cuticular layer is not only characteristic for particular apple cultivar, but also dynamically reflects various external factors in growing environment. In this study, the possibility to authenticate apple samples based on analysis of their cuticular layer extracts was investigated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) was employed for obtaining metabolomic fingerprints. In total, 274 authentic apple samples, four cultivars harvested within the seasons 2020 to 2022 in the Czech Republic and Poland were analysed. The generated complex data processed by univariate and multivariate statistical methods enabled to build classification models for discrimination of apple cultivars as well as their geographical origin. The models showed very good performance in differentiation of Czech and Polish samples for three of four cultivars: ‘Gala’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Idared’, moreover, the validity of the models was verified over harvest seasons. The diagnostic markers, besides metabolites of triterpene biosynthetic pathway, mainly represented wax esters. ‘Jonagold’, which is known to be susceptible to mutations, was the only cultivar for which the unambiguous classification of geographical origin was not possible.

Superior fiber quality is one of the most important objectives in cotton breeding. To detect the genetic basis underlying fiber quality, an F2 population containing 413 plants was constructed by crossing Jifeng 914 and Jifeng 173, both of which have superior fiber quality, with Jifeng 173 being better. Five fiber quality traits were investigated in the F2, F2:3, F2:4, and F2:5 populations. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was conducted based on a high-density genetic map containing 11,488 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and spanning 4,202.12 cM in length. Transgressive segregation patterns and complex correlations in the five tested traits were observed. A total of 108 QTLs were found, including 27 for fiber length (FL), 16 for fiber strength (FS), 24 for micronaire (MC), 17 for fiber uniformity (FU), and 24 for fiber elongation rate (FE). Chromosome A7 contained 12 QTL, ranking the first. No QTL was found on chromosome D1 and D11. Each QTL contributed 1.98%–21.45% to the phenotypic variation (PV), including 13 major effect QTLs that contributed more than 10% toward PV. Two QTLs could be repeatedly detected in three populations, including qFL-D3-2 in F2, F2:4, and F2:5 with 9.18%–21.45% of PV, qFS-A11-1 in F2:3, F2:4 and F2:5 with 6.05%–10.41% of PV. Another seven stable QTLs could be detected in two populations, including four major effect QTLs: qFL-A12-3, qFS-D10-2, qMC-D6-2, and qMC-D8-1. Fourteen QTL-overlapping regions were found, which might explain the complex correlations among the five phenotypic traits. Four regions on chromosome A11, D3, D6, and D10 covered by both stable and major effect QTLs are promising for further fine mapping. The genomic regions of the two QTLs detected in three populations and the four major effect QTLs contain 810 genes. Gene functional analysis revealed that the annotated genes are mainly involved in protein binding and metabolic pathways. Fifteen candidate genes in the qFL-D3-2 region are highly expressed in fiber or ovules during fiber initiation, elongation, secondary cell wall thickening, or maturation stages. qRT-PCR revealed that Ghir_D03G005440.1 and Ghir_D03G011310.1 may play a role in promoting fiber initiation, Ghir_D03G006470.1 may be beneficial for promoting fiber elongation. This study provides more information for revealing the molecular genetic basis underlying cotton fiber quality.

Currently there are fewer depth models applied to pepper picking detection, while the existing generalized neural networks have problems such as large model parameters, long training time, and low model accuracy.In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a Yolo-chili target detection algorithm for chili pepper detection. First, the classical target detection algorithm yolov5 is used as a benchmark model, and an adaptive spatial feature pyramid structure combining the attention mechanism and the idea of multi-scale prediction is introduced to improve the model's detection effect on occluded peppers and small target peppers. Secondly, a three-channel attention mechanism module is introduced to improve the algorithm's long-distance recognition ability and reduce the interference of redundant testers. Finally, the quantized pruning method is used to reduce the model parameters and realize the lightweight processing of the model. Applying the method to the homemade chili pepper dataset, the AP value of chili pepper reaches 93.11%; the accuracy rate is 93.51% and the recall rate is 92.55%.The experimental results show that yolo-chili is able to achieve accurate and real-time pepper detection under complex orchards.

The temporary immersion system bioreactor named GreenTray®[2], [3]presents advantages over the existing ones. Firstly, there is no need to use forceps to move the shoots or plantlets in or out of the recipient, neither the use of scalpel to divide them. Secondly, the basis of the shoot can remain in the GreenTray® and can sprout again in several cycles of growth. These two characteristics reduce the costs in the process of micropropagation. Besides, shoots or plantlets development is enhanced by the aeration of the recipient, thus enriching with CO2 the recipient atmosphere. The chapter describes and provides images and values of interest in (1) the micropropagation process of some commercial Prunus or Pyrus rootstocks; (2) the plantlet growth under autotrophic conditions; and (2) the inoculation of plants with pathogens that reproduce in vitro the symptoms observed in vivo, using the GreenTray® bioreactor.

Aiming at the problems of inaccurate segmentation of long object and information loss of small object in real-time semantic segmentation algorithm, this paper proposes a lightweight multi-branch real-time semantic segmentation network based on BiseNetV2. The new auxiliary branch makes full use of spatial details and context information to cover the long object in the field of view. Meanwhile, in order to ensure the inference speed of the model, the asymmetric convolution is used in each stage of the auxiliary branch to design a structure with low computational complexity. In the multi-branch fusion stage, the alignment and fusion module is designed to provide guidance information for deep and shallow feature mapping, so as to make up for the problem of feature misalignment in the fusion of information at different scales, and thus reduce the loss of small target information. In order to further improve the model’s awareness of key information, a global context module is designed to capture the most important features in the input data. The proposed network uses NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU experiment, on the road street view data set Cityscapes and CamVid average occurring simultaneously ratio reached 77.1% and 78.4% respectively, with running speed of 127 frames/s respectively and 112 frames/s. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve real-time segmentation and improve the accuracy significantly, showing good semantic segmentation performance

Excess nitrogen in agricultural drainage poses a serious threat to the water quality safety of the Yellow River basin. Utilizing aquatic plants to modify the rhizosphere microbial community structure and facilitate nitrogen transformation is a crucial strategy for mitigating regional water eutrophication. Our results revealed that the denitrification rate (DR), dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium rate (DNRAR) and nitrogen fixation rate (NFR) of rhizosphere sediments exhibited a significant increase in artificially cultivated ditch. Compared with those in natural ditches, the richness of the bacterial community and the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Firmicutes, Anaeromyxobacter and Geobacter, which are involved mainly in the nitrogen cycle, in the rhizosphere sediments of artificially cultivated ditch were significantly greater due to improvements in environmental conditions. In artificially cultivated ditch, the dominant functional genes affecting DRNARs in the rhizosphere sediments of P. australis were nrfC and nrfA, while DRs were driven mainly by norB and napA, which were influenced by the nitrogen and carbon levels; and the dominant functional genes affecting NFRs in the rhizosphere sediments of T. orientalis were nifD, nifK and nifH. Our results provide a scientific basis for the use of aquatic plants for mitigating excess nitrogen levels in agricultural drainage.

Strawberry root rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora is one of the main diseases of strawberry and significantly impacts the yield and quality of strawberry fruit. There are now no effective control techniques available except for fungicide sprays, which may directly impact consumers. Biological control is becoming an alternative method for the control of plant diseases to replace or decrease the application of traditional synthetic chemical fungicides. Trichoderma is widely used as a biological agent for controlling strawberry root rot. In order to provide resources for screening the highly effective biocontrol fungus for controlling strawberry root rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora, the biocontrol mechanism,the control effects of Trichoderma asperellum CMT10 against strawberry root rot and growth-promoting effects on strawberry seedlings were investigated by plate culture, microscopy observation and root drenching methods.The results showed that CMT10 had obvious competitive, antibiotic and hyperparasitism effects on Neopestalotiopsis clavispora CMGF3. The CMT10 could quickly occupy nutritional space, and the inhibition rates of CMT10 against CMGF3 in confrontation culture on 7 d was 65.49%. The inhibition rates of volatile metabolite and fermentation metabolite produced by CMT10 against CMGF3 were 79.67% and 69.84%, respectively. The mycelium of strain CMT10 can act as hyperparasites by making contacting, winding and penetrating hyphae of CMGF3. Pot experiment showed that the biocontrol efficacy of CMT10 on strawberry root rot caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora was 63.00%. CMT10 had obvious promotion effect on strawberry growth, the plant height, root length, total fresh weight, root fresh weight, stem fresh weight and root dry weight, with the promotion rates were 20.09%, 22.39%, 87.11%, 101.58%, 79.82% and 72.33%, respectively. Overall, this study showed the ability of Trichoderma asperellum CMT10 to control strawberry root rot and their potential to develop as novel biocontrol agents to replace chemical fungicides for eco-friendly, sustainable agriculture.

In this paper we study a class of impulsive delayed neural networks with parameter uncertainties and reaction-diffusion terms. Using the properties of M-matrices and some inequality techniques, some sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the global exponential stability of the given system. The results obtained are presented by simple algebraic inequalities, which are certainly more concise than previous methods. Finally, the validity and usefulness of our results are illustrated by arithmetic examples.

Pyrops candelaria is one of the common pests of fruit trees, but the research on the pathogenic microorganisms it may carry is very limited. Therefore, it is essential to reveal the pathogenic microbes it carries and their potential hazards. This study found a new virus from the transcriptome of P. candelaria, which was first reported in P. candelaria and named as PyCaV (Pyrops candelaria associated virus). RACE and bioinformatics assay revealed that the full-length of PyCaV is 10855 bp with the polyA tail, containing a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polyprotein consisting of 3171 amino acid (aa). The virus has a typical Iflavirus structure, including two rhv domains, a RNA helicase domain (HEL), a 3C cysteine protease domain (Pro), and a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (RdRp). Further phylogenetic analysis revealed that this virus belongs to family Iflaviridae and sequence alignements analysis suggedted PyCaV is new member in unassigned genus of family Iflaviridae. Further in-depth analysis of virus-infection-part showed that PyCaV is distributing in the whole longan lanternfly, including its head, chest, and abdomen, but more PyCaV was identified in the chest. The distribution of PyCaV in different parts of P. candelaria was further explored, which showed that more PyCaV were detected in its piercing-sucking mouthparts and chest viscera. Statistical analysis showed that the PyCaV infection was affected by time and locations.

Apis mellifera, especially weak ones, are highly vulnerable to Carpoglyphus lactis mites, which can rapidly infest and consume stored pollen, leading to weakened colonies and potentially colony collapse. This study aimed to ascertain and investigate the prevalence of this mite in honeybee colonies across 9 provinces in the Republic of Korea (ROK). A total of 615 honeybee colonies were collected, from 66 apiaries during the spring and 58 apiaries during the summer of 2023. A 1,242 bp segment of the the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction method. The detection levels of C. lactis in the honeybees were compared between winter and summer. Based on the COI sequence analysis, the nucleotide sequence similarity of C. lactis mites isolated in the ROK with those from China (NC048990.1) was found to be 99.5%, and with those from the United Kingdom (KY922482.1) was 99.3%. This study is the first report of C. lactis in Korean apiaries. The findings in this study demonstrate a significantly higher detection rate in winter, which is 4.1 times greater than that in summer (p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, the results underscore the usefulness of molecular diagnostic techniques for detecting C. lactis mites.

With the burgeoning growth of online retail, the issue of counterfeit products has become a significant threat to both consumer trust and brand integrity, posing challenges to sustainable market practices. Online retail platforms are promoted to redesign their channel structures and enhance brand traceability to tackle counterfeits using blockchain technology. To investigate the interactions between blockchain technology and the channel structures of online retail platforms, we design a game theory model incorporating a manufacturer with(out) blockchain participation selling products via an online retail platform that operates an agency channel and/or a reselling channel. We show that the critical trade-off of blockchain participation comprises the brand assurance effect of the blockchain, the channel competition intensification effect, and the blockchain adoption cost. The platform is capable of strategically designing the channel structure to encourage (while discouraging) blockchain participation by the manufacturer. Our analysis highlights the complementarity between blockchain participation and the channel structure. Furthermore, the effect of the consumer’s belief in the reselling channel, the commission fee in the agency channel, and the substitutability between channels are investigated in depth. The research provides valuable insights for online retail platforms and policymakers seeking to foster a sustainable and trustworthy e-commerce ecosystem.

In this paper, we extend the KdVSKR equations in (1+1)-dimension and (2+1)-dimension to fractional KdVSKR equations with modified Riemann-Liouville derivative. The (2+1)-dimensional KdVSKR equation, which is a recent extension of (1+1)-dimensional KdVSKR equation, can model the resonances of solitons in shallow water. By means of the Hirota bilinear method, finite symmetry group method and consistent Riccati expansion method, many new interaction solutions have been derived. Soliton-cnoidal interaction solution of the (1+1)-dimensional fractional KdVSKR equation has been derived for the first time. For the (2+1)-dimensional frac-tional KdVSKR equation, two-wave interaction solutions and three-wave interaction solutions, including dark-soliton-sine interaction solution, bright-soliton-elliptic interaction solution, and lump-hyperbolic-sine interaction solution, have been derived. Impact of the fractional order on the shapes of these solutions has been illustrated by figures. Three-wave interaction solutions of fractional systems have not been reported in the existing references. The research idea in this paper can be applied to other fractional differential equations.

COX II containing a dual core CuA active site is one of the three core subunits of mitochondrial Cco, which plays a significant role in the physiological process. In this report, the full-length cDNA of COXⅡ gene was cloned from Sitophilus zeamais, which had an ORF of 684 bp encoding 227 amino acids residues. The predicted COXⅡ protein had a molecular mass of 26.2 kDa with pI value of 6.37, and multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Sitophilus zeamais COXⅡ had high sequence identity 78.51% with the COXⅡ of other insect species, especially similarity to sitophilus oryzae. This gene was subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a, and induced by IPTG in E.coli Transetta (DE3) expression system. Finally the COXⅡ with 6-His tag was purified using affinity chromatography with Ni²⁺-NTA agarose. WB showed the recombinant COXⅡ was about 44 kD, and the concentration of fusion protein was 50μg/mL. UV-spectrophotometer and infrared spectrometer analysis showed that recombinant COXⅡ could catalyze the oxidation of substrate Cytc, and influenced by AITC. It was found that AITC could form a hydrophobic region with COXⅡ protein via molecular docking, besides, a sulfur atom of AITC structure could form a length of 2.9 Å hydrogen bond with Leu-31. These results will provide valuable information for elucidating the role of COXⅡ in Sitophilus zeamais responses to AITC, meanwhile, it will helpful to carry out a point mutation in AITC binding sites for the future research.

The properties of the annual, semiannual and triennial oscillations (AO, SAO and TO) in the middle atmosphere have been investigated using the TIMED/SABER temperature data. The Lomb-Scargle and wavelet spectra were used to determine the dominant oscillations in the background temperature field. The AO is prominent at the mid-latitudes. The AO amplitudes present an asymmetry between the two Hemispheres, being larger in the mesosphere than in the stratosphere. The SAO dominates the tropical regions, with three amplitude maxima at altitudes of 45, 75, and 85 km. The SAOs in the upper mesosphere (75 km) are out of phase with those in the mesopause (85 km) in the tropical regions, which can generate an enhancement of 11 K at each equinox, contributing to the lower mesospheric inversion layer. The TO is significant in the tropical region, with amplitude being maximum at 35, 45 and 85 km. Result shows that there may be potential interaction by the TO with SAO at 85km at the equator. The relation between ENSO and TO has also been discussed. The ENSO signal may modulate the amplitude of the TO, mainly in the lower stratosphere. The real origin of the TO may lie in the wave-mean-flow interaction.

As the world population grows, fulfilling the need for biomaterials in the healthcare system becomes increasingly important. Biomaterials, which include metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, play an important role in the creation of medical devices that improve people's lives. The European Society for Biomaterials described biomaterials as non-biological materials used in medical devices to interact with biological systems. This definition has developed to encompass materials that treat, assess, or replace tissues or bodily functions. Biocompatibility, as defined by the FDA, is a key feature of biomaterials, as is the requirement to fulfil design requirements such as mechanical performance, geometry, and electrical control. Over the last decade, advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering have boosted biomaterials' usage in medical applications dramatically. Despite its promise, scientists, engineers, and physicians continue to face significant challenges due to the complexity of biomaterials. Biomaterials have various benefits, including biodegradability, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, making them extremely useful for replacing, sustaining, or improving biological activities in damaged tissues. They are used in a wide range of applications, including tissue engineering implants, human tissue healing and regeneration, medication delivery systems, and biosensors. This study gives insights into the fundamental characteristics, case studies, and ethical issues associated with the usage and use of biomaterials, further examining their potential and significance in healthcare and medicine.

The paper describes the new method for image compression based on coordinated group signal transformation. The algorithm is a type of difference coding. Coordinated processing significantly simplifies the difference signal conversion scheme using a single group codec for all signals. The described method considers color channels as correlated signals of a multi-channel communication system. The specifics of the processed data required modification of the coordinated group processing algorithm. First, we changed how to calculate the difference signals to prevent data loss. Secondly, the group codec was supplemented with a neural network to improve the quality of reconstructed images. We considered the following types of neural networks: fully connected, recurrent, convolution, and convolution in the Fourier space. Based on the simulation results, it is best to use fully connected neural networks if the goal is to minimize processing delay time. These networks have a response time of 13 ms. On the other hand, if the priority is to improve quality in cases where delays are not critical, then convolution neural networks in the Fourier space should be used. These networks have a response time of 140 ms and are of significant interest.

In electromagnetic ultrasonic testing, it is difficult to recognize small-size bottom cracks by time of flight (ToF), and the lift-off fluctuation of the probe affects the accuracy and consistency of the inspection results. In order to overcome the difficulty, a novel EMAT (electromagnetic acoustic transducer)-PEC (pulse eddy current) composite sensor is designed. We use amplitude of bottom echo recorded by EMAT to identify the tiny bottom crack as well as the amplitude of PEC signals picked up by the integrated symmetric coils to measure the average lift-off of the probe in real time. Firstly, the effects of lift-off and bottom cracks on amplitude of bottom echo are distinguished combining the theoretical analysis and finite element method (FEM). And then an amplitude correction method based on the fusion of EMAT and PEC signals is proposed to reduce the impact of lift-off on the defect signal. The experimental results demonstrate that the designed composite sensor can effectively detect the bottom crack as small as 0.1mm* 0.3mm. The signal fusion method can accurately correct the amplitude of defect signal and the relative error is less than ±8%.

The studied solar pot is a recent invention, which gained a utility model protection in 2021 from the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office under patent number 5489. The device is made for environmentally friendly cooking or heating (by utilizing solar energy) of foods and liquids. Its structure is similar to a double pipe heat exchanger, it has an outer mantle and an inner cooking tank. The goals of the paper are proposing a new physically-based mathematical model describing the solar pot and carrying out computer experiments with it, assembling an experimental system of the pot connected with a solar collector and performing measurements on it. Based on the results, the solar pot can successfully be used for cooking or sterilizing foods or liquids during the studied time period, in Hungary.

The research reported on this paper was aimed at improving the overall efficiency of a PDO certified artisanal cheese production process. Being a PDO certified foodstuff by the EU, it is considered to have properties and qualities determined by the geographical environment in which is made, with its production taking place in a specific and determined geographical location, in this case the Serra da Estrela region. In that sense, the authors conducted a mapping according to a systemic perspective of the processes involved in the context of manufacturing and distribution of certified Serra da Estrela cheese. Numerous methods were used throughout the process, such as a systemic design analysis, and techniques derived from ethnographic methods, which led to the collection of data in the field and consequently provided the immersion of the researcher in genuine work situations. Critical points were identified and emphasized in the systemic map with the purpose of encouraging initiatives to address and overcome the gaps and inefficiencies detected. The systemic design analysis triggered the development of design work. Observations following an ethnographic approach identified ergonomic risks in cheese making during the process of cutting excess chips, fostering the emergence of musculoskeletal disorders at the wrist. A tool that fits best to the task at hand was developed. A prototype of the new tool enabled collecting feedback from use in the work context, in order to inform product development. The domains of agricultural production and microbiology, considering the specific microorganisms developed trough the ripening process of the cheese, turned out to be aspects of high importance for the issue under focus, contributing to a broader understanding of the ripening process and its risks, simultaneously improving the efficiency and success of cheese production. If it were not for the systemic analysis, which served as a link between the boundaries of distinct domains such as the risk of microorganism contamination, ergonomics, energy efficiency, legislation and regulation policies, transportation challenges and economic viability, approached throughout the research. Simultaneously creating bridges between them, the various problems might not have been detected in the first place, as they are usually addressed in specialized disciplines, predetermined by the restrictions of each specific area of knowledge. As a consequence of the development of this research, which was based on an analysis that sought to establish possible connections between various disciplines and tried to constantly maintain a holistic perspective, making new connections and observing the issues from a new angle, apart from the already established methodologies. All this allowed to lay out the seeds for the development of a plan to tackle the critical points identified by the systemic analysis reported in this paper.

Abstract: Transcription factors are crucial pre-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that can modulate the expression of downstream genes by binding to their promoter regions. DOF (DNA binding with One Finger) proteins are a unique class of transcription factors with extensive roles in plant growth and development. Our previous research indicated a decrease in iron content in chlorotic bamboo leaves. However, to our knowledge, genes related to iron metabolism pathways in bamboo species have not yet been studied. Therefore, in the current study, we identified iron metabolism-related (IMR) genes in bamboo and determined the transcription factors that significantly influence them. Among these, DOFs were found to have widespread effects and potentially significant impacts on their expression. We identified specific DOF members in Dendrocalamus latiflorus with binding abilities through homology with Arabidopsis DOF proteins, and established connections between some of these members and IMR genes using RNA-seq data. Additionally, molecular docking confirmed the binding interactions between these DlDOFs and the DOF binding sites in the promoter regions of IMR genes. The co-expression relationship between the two gene sets was further validated using q-PCR experiments. This study paves the way for research into iron metabolism pathways in bamboo and lays the foundation for understanding the role of DOF transcription factors in D. latiflorus.

This paper is focused on typical rural settlements in the Stara Planina Mountain area in Serbia. They are distinguished by their authenticity, identity and character, and they have still not been destroyed by inappropriate development as is the case in some other mountain areas in Serbia, where the effects of urbanization, globalization and homogenization are obvious. Consequently, there is a need to prevent these effects in mountain areas where there is a threat of disbalance between development and the inherited natural and cultural values. The paper starts from several important concepts that relate contemporary approaches to cultural heritage preservation, place morphology and planning future development. The concept definitions from recent documents from related fields are used. These concepts are then applied to the area of Stara Planina Mountain and its rural settlements. The necessity for an integrative approach to planning this area with significant natural and anthropogenic potential is pointed out, including its integration into international programs of sustainable development.

The wetlands in northeastern Bangladesh are home to some of the most prolific and valuable ecosystems on the planet, offering a wide range of benefits to both the local and wider communities. A limited number of research on this topic have been carried out in various wetlands in coastal hilsa, but none have been located in the northeastern region of Bangladesh. Thus, the goal of this study was to better understand the most commercially relevant species (anadromous hilsa) in northeastern Bangladesh as well as to assess the wetland ecosystem services more thoroughly with the contribution of their fish genetic resources. In addition to laboratory studies, fieldwork was done in the fishing settlements along the Surma River, Hakaluki Haor, and Tanguar Haor. The study classified 77 fish species into 21 subcategories of ecosystem services, of which 56% were not threatened, 17% were vulnerable, and 10% were highly endangered. The species Hilsa was found to be the most economically significant, accounting for 1% of the GDP overall. The study determined if the hilsa stock of the examined wetlands maintains a single or several subpopulations in comparison to other parts of the country when they migrate from saline water to northeastern Bangladesh (freshwater). But when compared to other groups, the FST score was between 0.000 to 0.017, indicating that the populations are identical and that there is genetic material sharing between them. Additionally, these statistics imply that the Sylhet haor and adjacent river systems contain a single stock of Hilsa fish. Nevertheless, a number of stresses and risks, including overexploitation, illicit and destructive fishing, siltation, and natural disasters like flash floods, have been linked to changes in the supply of hilsa and other ecosystem services. This study also emphasizes the necessity of policy attention and research to address the concerns.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to be a global threat due to its ability to evolve and generate new subvariants, leading to new waves of infection. Additionally, other coronaviruses like Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV, formerly known as hCoV-EMC) which first emerged in 2012, persists and continues to present a threat of severe illness to humans. The continued identification of novel coronaviruses, coupled with the potential for genetic recombination between different strains, raises the possibility of new coronavirus clades of global concern emerging. As a result, there is a pressing need for pan-CoV therapeutic drugs and vaccines. After extensive optimization of an HCV protease inhibitor screening hit, a novel 3CLPro inhibitor (MK-7845) was discovered and subsequently profiled. MK-7845 exhibited nanomolar in vitro potency with broad spectrum activity against a panel of clinical SARS-CoV-2 subvariants and MERS-CoV. Furthermore, when administered orally, MK-7845 demonstrated a notable reduction of viral burdens by &gt;6 log orders in the lungs of transgenic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 (K18-hACE2 mice) and MERS-CoV (K18-hDDP4 mice).

The main purpose of this study is the determination of the optimal data acquisition and processing parameters of electric and seismic tomographic techniques, for the investigation of complex geological environments. Two different study areas, in central-east Peloponnese and SW Attica were selected, where a detailed geological mapping and surface geophysical survey were carried out. The applied geophysical survey included the application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction tomography (SRT). The geoelectrical measurements were acquired with different arrays and electrode configurations. Moreover, various types of seismic sources were used at seventeen shot locations along the seismic arrays. For the processing of geoelectrical data, clustered datasets were created increasing the depth of investigation and the discriminatory capability. The seismic data processing included: (a) creation of synthetic models and seismic records to determine the effectiveness and capabilities of the technique, (b) spectral analysis of the seismic records to determine the optimal seismic source type and (c) inversion of the field data to create representative subsurface velocity models. The results of the two techniques successfully delineated the complex subsurface structure that characterizes these two geological environments. The application of the ERT combined with the SRT, are the two dominant, high-resolution techniques for the elucidation of complex subsurface structures.

Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao, L.) represents an important market that gained relevance and became an esteemed commodity thanks to cocoa powder, chocolate, and other related products. This work has analyzed 59 cocoa powder samples from the European market. Three distinct subgroups were identified: organic or conventional, alkalized or not alkalized, and raw or roasted processing. The impact of the technological process was evaluated on the pH, color, and compositional traits, as content of biogenic amines and salsolinol. The phenolic fraction was also investigated trough both common and emerging methods. Results depict that the influence of the agronomical practices (organic/conventional) did not affect significatively (p&lt;0.05) the composition of cocoa powders; similarly, the roasting process was not discriminative for the compounds traced. On the other hand, the alkalinization process greatly impacted on color, and pH, no matter of cocoa provenience, obtention, or other processes, also resulting reducing the phenolic fraction of treated samples. Principal components analysis confirmed that the alkali process acts on pH, color, and phenolic composition, but not on other bioactives molecules (BAs and salsolinol). All samples resulted safe while alkalized powders have a great reduction in beneficial biocompounds. A novel strategy could be to emphasize non-alkalized powders in the label, to meet the demand for more beneficial products.