Search Results (6,590)

The cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera latipons) is becoming an economically important species in global cereal production as it is being identified in many new cereal cultivated areas and causes significant losses. Consequently, understanding its biology becomes crucial for researchers in identifying its vulnerabilities and implementing effective control measures. In the current study, different morphological and biochemical changes of H. latipons cysts containing eggs with infective juveniles from a barley field in Jordan were studied during the summer of 2021, at two sample dates. The first, at the harvest of the cereal crop (June 2021), when the infective second-stage juveniles (J2s) were initiating diapause, and the second, before planting the sequent cereal crop (late October 2021), when the J2s were ending diapause. The studied population was characterized morphologically and molecularly, showing 98.4% molecular similarity to both JOD from Jordan and Syrian “300” isolates of H. latipons. The obtained results and observations revealed that there were dramatic changes in all the investigated features of the cysts and eggs they contained. Morphological changes such as cyst color, sub-crystalline layer, and thickness of the rigid eggshell wall were observed. A slight change in the emergence time of J2s from cysts was observed without any difference in the number of emerged J2s. The results of biochemical changes showed that the total contents of carbohydrates, glycogen, trehalose, glycerol, and protein were higher in cysts collected in October when compared to those cysts collected in June. The SDS-PAGE pattern indicated the presence of a protein with the size of ca. 100 kDa in both sampling dates, whereas another protein (ca. 20 kDa) was present only in the cysts of October. Furthermore, the expression of trehalase (tre) gene was detected only in H. latipons collected in October. The outcomes of this study provide new helpful information that elucidates diapause in H. latipons and may be used for the implementation of new management strategies of cyst nematodes. Full article

Intra-articular corticosteroids are a popular treatment choice for joint-associated pain and inflammation in horses despite recent work on the metabolic effects of these drugs. The goal of this project was to compare metabolic effects between intra-articular (IA) triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and an autologous protein solution (APS). Five mixed-breed geldings (4–9 years) were utilized for this project. Three identical and consecutive 28-day treatment blocks were used, with metacarpophalangeal IA treatments consisting of equal volumes of saline, a commercially available APS, or 9 mg of TA. Regular plasma and serum samples were collected for ACTH, cortisol, glucose, insulin, and thyroid hormone analysis, in addition to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and oral sugar tests (OSTs). Significant treatment effects of IA TA were present at 48 h post-injection in both the TRH and the OST. There was also significant suppression by IA TA of baseline ACTH and cortisol between 2 h and 96 h post-treatment, hyperglycemia between 12 h and 48 h, and hyperinsulinemia at 32 h post-treatment. There were no treatment effects with respect to any measured thyroid hormones, nor were there any significant treatment effects of APS noted. Results suggest at least 2 days and up to 7 days should elapse between a single 9 mg IA TA treatment and OST and/or TRH testing. This study found that TA exhibits significant effects on ACTH, cortisol, glucose, and insulin, while the APS does not. Full article

Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a greater risk of seeking emergency department (ED) services during behavioral crises, such as acute aggression, suicidal or homicidal ideation, self-injury, or other types of challenging behavior (e.g., pica, dangerous behaviors). Research demonstrates children and adolescents with ASD often return to the ED due to challenging behavior, suggesting that gaps in care exist (e.g., follow-up appointments, referrals). However, the current knowledge basis is largely based on data from other countries. Given the unique landscape of healthcare in the United States, it is prudent to elucidate characteristics of children and adolescents with ASD who are seeking emergency care due to challenging behavior, as well as systems-level factors that both contribute to our understanding of challenging behavior and ASD in ED settings. In this study, we focus on frequency and characteristics of children and adolescents with ASD presenting to the ED with challenging behavior over the course of a 6-year period in the Midwest region of the United States. Clinical implications for ED staff are discussed. Full article

In this paper, taking into account the intriguing recent results of Rabotnov functions, Poisson functions, Bessel functions and Wright functions, we consider a new comprehensive subclass ${\mathcal{O}}_{\mu }({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2,{\Delta }_3,{\Delta }_4)$ of univalent functions defined in the unit disk $\Lambda =\{\tau \in \mathbb{C}:\left|\tau \right|<1\}$. More specifically, we investigate some sufficient conditions for Rabotnov functions, Poisson functions, Bessel functions and Wright functions to be in this subclass. Some corollaries of our main results are given. The novelty and the advantage of this research could inspire researchers of further studies to find new sufficient conditions to be in the subclass ${\mathcal{O}}_{\mu }({\Delta }_1,{\Delta }_2,{\Delta }_3,{\Delta }_4)$ not only for the aforementioned special functions but for different types of special functions, especially for hypergeometric functions, Dini functions, Sturve functions and others. Full article

This article contributes to the existing literature by modeling and automating the learning process from previous aviation construction projects (ACPs) using artificial intelligence tools, where it will be easier to characterize aviation construction projects and identify the specifications of different aspects of the projects throughout their entire life cycle. An artificial intelligence (AI) framework is proposed for the categorization of aviation construction projects using different machine-learning (ML) methods with a focus on the UAE as a source of data. Airport construction projects have been seen to share a good deal of similar attributes, which should simplify the decision-making process regarding layouts, design, equipment, labor, budget, complexity, etc. However, the gap in reality is that the huge and scattered sources of data, project specifications, characteristics, and the knowledge from past projects are not utilized in an automated way that could simplify the navigation through projects for better future decision-making. The utilization of AI/ML tools is expected to be useful here in order to reduce the revisions of design and construction rework by classifying the projects and the elements that managers need to consider. The planning, design, and construction of new projects can be improved by identifying the attributes of past projects and categorizing them according to similarities, differences, and complexities. Specifically speaking, a framework of hierarchical clustering and neural networks is integrated together to form the classification model. Upon implementing hierarchical classification and neural networks, it was found that neural networks could demonstrate remarkable classification results; the error in classification was minimal in most of the cases. The advantage of such classification is to help decision-makers utilize best practice from the groups of previous projects, which were classified using both hierarchical and neural networks models. With this classification, rework can be minimized, overhead costs may be reduced, and past best practices can be utilized. Full article

The media plays a crucial role in framing and representing humanitarian crises, significantly influencing public opinion. The representation of these crises in the media directly impacts the dissemination of information to the global public. One prominent international crisis is the plight of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, which dates back to the 1970s. News about the Rohingya refugees has been a major humanitarian topic on the global stage. The findings of this study reveal that Rohingya refugees are predominantly represented negatively in popular media platforms in India. Negative framing, including dehumanization and misrepresentation, is often employed in political discourse and developments. The portrayal of Rohingya refugees in Indian media frequently resorts to one-dimensional and stereotypical depictions. The frequent occurrence of dehumanization and misrepresentation, identifiable through the use of language and selective reporting practices, indicates a strong alignment of most Indian mainstream media with the government’s position. However, it is noteworthy that some platforms maintain a critical perspective. The portrayal of Rohingya refugees in India’s mainstream news outlet’s online platforms, such as Hindustan Times Online, NDTV Online, The Times of India Online, and India Today Online, reveals a complex landscape with varying narratives and governmental alignments. Full article

In China, many Internet financial platforms (IFPs) are grappling with sustainability challenges due to elevated default rates, which have triggered widespread investor anxiety. To evaluate the sustainability practices of these platforms, we propose a reputation evaluation model designed to rank IFPs based on their sustainability. The economic sustainability of an IFP is decomposed into three components: scale strength, capital liquidity, and sustainable operating capability. Through an analysis of the correlation relationships between various indicators, we have identified nine significant indicators. Mathematical models are established to quantify these nine indicator variables. Subsequently, the score values of each indicator are integrated to establish a reputation evaluation model utilizing the weighted geometric mean method. Furthermore, the reputation evaluation values for 18 Chinese IFPs were calculated using the developed model, and the sustainability of the platforms was ranked according to the reputation evaluation value. A comparative analysis was also conducted between the sustainable rankings proposed in this study and the development rankings of the “Home of Online Loans” (HOL). The results reveal that our model effectively considers both the current operational strength and the sustainable development capability of the platform. It successfully identifies platforms with poor sustainability, assisting investors in making more informed decisions. Simultaneously, this study identifies key indicators influencing the sustainability of IFPs, providing valuable insights for managers seeking to enhance the sustainable operational levels of their platforms. Full article

The high-strain direct testing method is a novel technique for dynamic testing of pile bearing capacity, developed as an improvement to the traditional high-strain method. While its theoretical feasibility has been demonstrated through numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, its effectiveness in practical engineering applications remains uncertain. This paper discusses the foundational theory of the high-strain direct testing method, highlighting its clear calculation principles, straightforward process, and advantage of not requiring iterative fitting. The bridge project in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, serves as a case study. An instrumentation layout for concrete-filled piles was designed based on the principles of the high-strain direct testing method, and data processing and analysis programs were developed using Python. Fifteen test piles were selected for field application of the high-strain direct testing method, with detailed analysis conducted on the results from four test piles. The test results were consistent with the soil layer distribution characteristics beneath the four piers of the bridge, validating the feasibility of this method in actual engineering practice. Subsequent static load tests on these four test piles allowed for a comparison with the high-strain direct testing method results, confirming the accuracy and reliability of the high-strain direct testing method for determining the bearing capacity of single piles. Furthermore, this paper identifies sources of error in the application of this method and proposes corresponding improvement measures. As this method directly derives results from instrumented measurements, it is theoretically applicable to piles of any cross-sectional shape and material, provided that enough measurement lines can be successfully arranged along the pile shaft. This capability allows for the real-time estimation of the ultimate bearing capacity during pile driving, thereby enhancing the universality of the high-strain direct dynamic testing method beyond traditional techniques. Full article

This study examines the semantic variation in fruit and vegetable classifier usage in Amman, Jordan, employing a cognitive sociolinguistic approach. The semantic variation revolves around using idiomatic classifiers, such as raːs basˤal (“head of onion”), in contrast to neutral classifiers, i.e., ħabbet basˤal (“a piece of onion”) or numerals, such as basˤalteːn (“two onions”). This study focuses on classifiers used with fruits and vegetables, which are particularly relevant due to their physical shapes often prompting metaphorical classifiers and their tendency to take Arabic collective forms that are grammatically singular but semantically plural, complicating the issue of counting and potentially leading to the innovation of novel classifiers. The sample comprised 50 individuals from Amman, stratified based on their gender, age, and education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal a statistically significant inclination among older, male, and less formally educated speakers towards favoring idiomatic classifiers over the neutral options. This preference suggests that the choice between idiomatic and neutral classifiers may be influenced by social factors. We categorized the metaphors underlying the idiomatic classifiers as entrenched, conventionalized, and transparent, based on Müller (2009). The context of conventional metaphors demonstrates that the source domains of these metaphors could be active for a speaker at a specific moment but may not be active for another speaker at another moment, proposing that metaphoricity is not only a property of a linguistic item but also the cognitive achievement of a certain speaker. The preference for idiomatic classifiers, we argue, may be associated with notions of lower refinement, traditionalism, or reduced prestige. Full article

Shifts from deep to moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) in aortic arch surgery necessitate an examination of their differential impacts on neurocognitive functions, especially structured verbal memory, given its significance for patient recovery and quality of life. This study evaluates and synthesizes evidence on the effects of deep (≤20.0 °C), low-moderate (20.1–24.0 °C), and high-moderate (24.1–28.0 °C) hypothermic temperatures on structured verbal memory preservation and overall cognitive health in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery. We evaluated the latest literature from major medical databases such as PubMed and Scopus, focusing on research from 2020 to 2024, to gather comprehensive insights into the current landscape of temperature management during HCA. This comparative analysis highlights the viability of moderate hypothermia (20.1–28.0 °C), supported by recent trials and observational studies, as a method to achieve comparable neuroprotection with fewer complications than traditional deep hypothermia. Notably, low-moderate and high-moderate temperatures have been shown to support substantial survival rates, with impacts on structured verbal memory preservation that necessitate careful selection based on individual surgical risks and patient profiles. The findings advocate for a nuanced approach to selecting hypothermic protocols in aortic arch surgeries, emphasizing the importance of tailoring temperature management to optimize neurocognitive outcomes and patient recovery. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by providing evidence-based recommendations for temperature ranges during HCA, calling for ongoing updates to clinical guidelines and further research to refine these recommendations. The implications of temperature on survival rates, complications, and success rates underpin the necessity for evolving cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and cerebral perfusion strategies to enhance patient outcomes in complex cardiovascular procedures. Full article

The regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system is limited, and peripheral nerve injuries often result in incomplete healing and poor outcomes even after repair. Transection injuries that induce a nerve gap necessitate microsurgical intervention; however, even the current gold standard of repair, autologous nerve graft, frequently results in poor functional recovery. Several interventions have been developed to augment the surgical repair of peripheral nerves, and the application of functional biomaterials, local delivery of bioactive substances, electrical stimulation, and allografts are among the most promising approaches to enhance innate healing across a nerve gap. Biocompatible polymers with optimized degradation rates, topographic features, and other functions provided by their composition have been incorporated into novel nerve conduits (NCs). Many of these allow for the delivery of drugs, neurotrophic factors, and whole cells locally to nerve repair sites, mitigating adverse effects that limit their systemic use. The electrical stimulation of repaired nerves in the perioperative period has shown benefits to healing and recovery in human trials, and novel biomaterials to enhance these effects show promise in preclinical models. The use of acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) circumvents the morbidity of donor nerve harvest necessitated by the use of autografts, and improvements in tissue-processing techniques may allow for more readily available and cost-effective options. Each of these interventions aid in neural regeneration after repair when applied independently, and their differing forms, benefits, and methods of application present ample opportunity for synergistic effects when applied in combination. Full article

This study focused on synthesizing a cellulose-based hydrogel nanocomposite as a green hydrogel by adding a microcrystalline cellulose (MC) solution to carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na) with citric acid as a cross-linker. Y₂O₃ nanoparticles were incorporated during hydrogel preparation in different ratios (0.00% (0 mmol), 0.03% (0.017 mmol), 0.07% (0.04 mmol) and 0.10% (0.44 mmol)). FTIR analysis confirmed the cross-linking reaction, while XRD analysis revealed the hydrogels’ amorphous nature and identified sodium citrate crystals formed from the reaction between citric acid and CMC-Na. The swelling test in deionized water (pH 6.5) at 25 °C showed a maximum swelling percentage of 150% after 24 h in the highest nanoparticle ratio. The resulting cellulose hydrogels were flexible and exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The synthesized cellulose-based hydrogel nanocomposites are eco-friendly and suitable for medical applications. Full article

Pseudomonas jordanii strain G34 is a moderately halophilic endophytic bacterium isolated from the root tissue of durum wheat plants growing in the saline environment of the Jordan Valley’s Ghor Sweimeh region. Microscopic and biochemical analyses of P. jordanii strain G34 revealed that it is a Gram-negative, non-motile rod. It also exhibits capsule formation, catalase and oxidase positive reactions, indole positivity, citrate utilization, and non-glucose fermenting capability. Pseudomonas jordanii strain G34 showed growth-promoting effects on durum wheat seedlings grown under severe salinity stress conditions up to a 200 mM NaCl concentration. The draft genome of P. jordanii strain G34 comprises 5,142,528 base pairs (bp) and possesses a G + C content of 64.0%. It contains 57 RNA coding genes and is predicted to encode a total of 4675 protein-coding genes. Putative genes linked to various aspects of the bacterial endophyte lifestyle were identified including ion transport, motility, secretion, adhesion, delivery systems, and plant cell wall modification. Performing a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis identified P. jordanii as a new species, with its closest relative being P. argentinensis LMG 22563, sharing only around 40.2% digital DNA-DNA hybridization identity. Pseudomonas jordanii strain G34 holds great potential for future use as a biofertilizer in saline environments. Full article

Fluctuations in oil prices substantially impact both the real economy and international financial markets. Despite extensive studies on oil market dynamics and overnight momentum, a comprehensive understanding of the link between oil price changes and energy market momentum, as well as their broader influence on global financial markets, remains elusive. This study delves into the intricate mechanics of overnight momentum transmission within financial markets, focusing on its origin in oil price fluctuations and its overarching impact on market dynamics. Employing the quantile VAR method, we analyze daily market data from 3 January 2014 to 17 January 2024. This study emphasizes the significance of overnight momentum on the transmission of volatility, particularly in the tails of the distribution, and highlights the necessity for efficient strategies to govern financial stability. The shale oil revolution, COVID-19, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the Israel–Hamas conflict have significantly impacted the interconnectivity of financial markets on a global scale. It is crucial for policymakers to give priority to the monitoring of the energy market to reduce risks and improve the resilience of the system. Full article

In this paper, we introduce a novel optimization algorithm called the OX optimizer, inspired by oxen animals, which are characterized by their great strength. The OX optimizer is designed to address the challenges posed by complex, high-dimensional optimization problems. The design of the OX optimizer embodies a fundamental symmetry between global and local search processes. This symmetry ensures a balanced and effective exploration of the solution space, highlighting the algorithm’s innovative contribution to the field of optimization. The OX optimizer has been evaluated on CEC2022 and CEC2017 IEEE competition benchmark functions. The results demonstrate the OX optimizer’s superior performance in terms of convergence speed and solution quality compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms. The algorithm’s robustness and adaptability to various problem landscapes highlight its potential as a powerful tool for solving diverse optimization tasks. Detailed analysis of convergence curves, search history distributions, and sensitivity heatmaps further support these findings. Furthermore, the OX optimizer has been applied to optimize support vector machines (SVMs), emphasizing parameter selection and feature optimization. We tested it on the NSL-KDD dataset to evaluate its efficacy in an intrusion detection system. The results demonstrate that the OX optimizer significantly enhances SVM performance, facilitating effective exploration of the parameter space. Full article