bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi and Self-supervised Learning for Multi-label Classification for an Underwater Inspection Imagery Application
Authors: Pereira Amanda Lucas , Kohler Manoela , Castro Jose David Bermudez , Pacheco Marco Aurélio Cavalcanti
Published: May 2023

Underwater inspections are crucial for the preventive maintenance of offshore equipment from the oil and gas industry. However, the entire inspection process is costly, subjective and time-consuming. Traditionally, specialists assess equipment conditions through image and sensor data collected by underwater vehicles that travel to the seabed. Since this data can present a wide range of events, an inspection can yield a considerable amount of data. Despite being a tedious task, this data is undoubtedly domain-specific, requiring a group of highly specialized professionals to correctly scrutinize it. In this scenario, we propose using image classification models to help specialists find event(s) of interest. However, there are challenges inherent to the underwater inspection image classification problem, such as: high cost and scarcity of balanced labeled data, presence of label noise, high intra-class variance and characteristics of underwater images such as turbidity and uneven lightning conditions. Therefore, traditional supervised models might not fulfill the task. We undertake this problem with the methods DINO (Self-DIstillation with NO labels, self-supervised) and a new proposed method mPAWS, a multi-label version of PAWS (Predicting View Assignments With Support Samples, semi-supervised). The results obtained show the benefits of using such models for the application, achieving an improvement of $2.7\%$ when compared to current state-of-the-art supervised models. Such models can perform real-time inference, which can help accelerate the tasks of the underwater vehicle, making the work of the specialists more time-efficient.
Fungal keratitis caused by Colletotrichum truncatum: a rare case report
Authors: Liu Jianmei , Yang Baorui , Wu Guangjuan , Ye Mei , Li Yan , Dai Min , Wang Zi , Hu Ying , Deng Deyao , Yuan Wenli
Published: May 2023

Fungal keratitis, caused by pathogenic fungi, features slow progressions, a long course of the disease, and a high rate of causing blindness. More than 70 cases of fungal infections have been known to cause keratitis. We report a case of fungal keratitis caused by a rare species implicated, named Colletotrichum truncatum, which belongs to Colletotrichum spp. The patient had been treated with corneal ulcer debridement combined with antifungal agents. His condition improved and the prognosis was good.
Effect of Vehicle External Acceleration Signal Lights on Pedestrian-Vehicle Interaction
Authors: wenjun Pan , LI Feng , Xiang Jiali
Published: May 2023

The number of casualties resulting from collisions between pedestrians and motor vehicles continues to rise. A significant factor is the misunderstanding of vehicle behavior intentions by pedestrians. This is especially true with the continuous development of vehicle automation technology, which has reduced direct interaction between drivers and the outside world. Therefore, accurate communication of vehicle behavior intentions is becoming increasingly important. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of external vehicle acceleration signal lights on the interaction experience between pedestrians and vehicles. The differences between the use and nonuse of acceleration signal lights are compared through real-world scenario simulations and video simulations. The results show that acceleration signal lights help pedestrians understand vehicle behavior intentions more quickly and make safer crossing decisions as well as improving their perception of safety when crossing the street and their trust in vehicle behavior.
RETRACTED: The Context-based approach of Slot Label Creation and Slot Filling for Interactive Systems
Authors: Magoo Chandni , Singh Manjeet
Published: May 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Ancient allopatry and ecological divergence act together to promote plant diversity in mountainous regions: evidence from comparative phylogeography of two genera in the Sino-Himalayan region
Authors: Peng Junchu , Ma Xiangguang , Sun Hang
Published: May 2023

Background: How geographical isolation and ecological divergence act together to promote plant diversity in mountainous regions remains largely unknown. In this study, we chose two small genera distributed in the Sino-Himalayan region, Megacodonand Beesia, which both exhibit a fragmented distribution pattern and are found across a wide range of altitudes. By summarizing their common patterns of speciation and/or divergence processes, we aim to understand how environmental changes accelerated lineage diversification in the Sino-Himalayan region through ancient allopatry and ecological divergence.
Results: Using ddRAD-seq, chloroplast genome sequences, and specific molecular markers, we studied the phylogenetic relationships, population structure, and historical biogeography of Beesia and Megacodon. Both genera began to diverge from the late Miocene onwards, with ancient allopatry at lower altitudes formed narrow-range species or relict populations. Mantel tests between genetic distance and climatic, elevational, or geographic distance revealed an isolation-by-distance pattern in Beesia and Megacodon stylophorus. Megacodon showed two clades occupying entirely different altitudinal ranges, whereas Beesia calthifoliaexhibited a genetic divergence pattern along an altitude gradient. To investigate adaptive divergence along an altitudinal gradient, we used morphological measurements and found different elevational groups in Beesia calthifolia had distinct leaf shapes.
Conclusions: The regional disjunctions of plant groups in the Sino-Himalayan region are drastic and closely related to several biogeographic boundaries. As a consequence of major geological and climate change, ecological divergence when different altitudes are colonized often happens simultaneously within plant groups. Although the relative contributions of geographical isolation and parapatric ecological divergence are different among different plant taxa, a combined effect of these two factors is a common phenomenon in the process of heterogenization of the Sino-Himalayan region.
Does the Severity of Untreated Dental Caries of Preschool Children Influence the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life?
Authors: Alanzi Abrar , Husain Fatemah , Husain Hissah , Hanif Asma , Baskaradoss Jagan
Published: May 2023

Aim To assess the impact of untreated dental caries and its severity on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Kuwaiti preschool children and their caregivers.Methods Participants were 4- and 5-year-old kindergarten children attending preselected public schools from one of the Governorates in Kuwait. Early childhood caries (ECC) was evaluated by clinical examinations and presented using decayed, missed, filled teeth/surface (dmft/dmfs). The clinical consequences of untreated dental caries were assessed using the pufa (pulp, ulcers, fistula, abscess) index for primary teeth. A structured questionnaire obtained demographic information of children and their caregivers. OHRQoL was assessed using the Arabic version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (A-ECOHIS).Results Among the 334 participants, 171 were kindergarten level-1 (KG1), and 163 were level-2 (KG2). The overall prevalence of dental caries was 78.9% for KG1 children and 67.4% for KG2 children. Decayed teeth were the main component for both dmft (84%) and dmfs (68%). The total mean (SD) pufa score was 0.54 (1.5), and about 19.2% of participants had at least one tooth with pufa > 0. A total of 207 A-ECOHIS were completed. The family impact score was significantly higher for children with a dmft score of 1 or more (p = 0.023). Child impact section scores were significantly higher with the increasing degrees of untreated caries (dt) (p = 0.004). The child and family impact sections had significant scores for children with one or more PUFA or discolored anterior teeth (p < 0.001).Conclusion The severity of untreated dental caries and caries experience had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of Kuwaiti prescool children and their families. Using the pufa index had provided additional information about the effect of the caries severity on the OHRQoL than assessing the caries experience alone.
RETRACTED: A Heuristic Hybrid Instance Reduction Approach Based on Adaptive Relative Distance and k-means clustering
Authors: Li Junnan , Liu Shuang
Published: May 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The effect of periodic resistance training on obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Li Sumei , Yuan Shouping , Zhang Jintian , Xu Feipeng , Zhu Feng
Published: May 2023

Objective To observe the effect of intervention of periodic resistance training on obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Methods A total of 60 obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy were randomized into resistance training group and aerobic exercise group (30 patients each group) for observing the changes of blood glucose, body weight, blood lipid, insulin resistance, serum creatinine, urinary microalbumin, urinary albumin excretion rate calculated by urinary creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate after 12 weeks of intervention, and relevant significance as well. The number of patients with hypoglycemia during the intervention was also recorded.
ResultsAfter 12 weeks of intervention, the weight, BMI, Waist, TG, TC, LDL, HDL, FBG, FINS, HbA1c and urinary albumin excretion rate were decreased and glomerular filtration rate was increased in both groups (P < 0.05), but the effect was more significant in the resistance training group.
Conclusion For obese patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy, periodic resistance training can not only control their body weight, blood glucose and blood lipid, but also improve their urinary albumin excretion rate, glomerular filtration rate, and kidney damage.
Targeting MDM2-p53 Axis Through Drug Repurposing for Cancer Therapy: a Multidisciplinary Approach
Authors: GHAFOOR Naeem ABDUL , YILDIZ Aysegul
Published: May 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify potential small molecule inhibitors from a pool of FDA approved drugs that holds a potency against MDM2 and investigate their potential use as a modulator of MDM2-p53 axis to activate the p53 pathwayin vitrofor further use in drug repurposing studies.MethodsIn this study, machine learning-based approach to establish a quantitative structure-activity relationship model for predicting the potentialin vitroefficacy of small molecules as MDM2 inhibitors. The developed model was used to screen 5883 FDA-approved drugs, resulting in the identification of promising hits that were subsequently evaluated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Promising hits were further investigated for their cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative propertiesin vitrovia MTT assay on glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cell lines. The expression ofBAX,CDKN1A, andDDB2, three p53-regulated genes were investigated in drug treated cell lines to confirm the activation of the p53 in the former cell lines.ResultsTwo antihistamine drugs, cetirizine (CZ) and rupatadine (RP), exhibited particularly favorable results in the initialin silicoanalyses. Both compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on the former cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR revealed CZ-treated but not RP-treated cell lines to upregulate the expression of p53-regulated genes.ConclusionThese findings suggest that CZ activates the p53 pathway by inhibiting MDM2. Our results provide compelling preclinical evidence supporting the potential use of CZ as a modulator of the MDM2-p53 axis and its plausible repurposing for cancer treatment.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of bird management techniques used in aerodromes
Authors: Portela Diana Guimarães , Weber Marcelo Moraes
Published: May 2023

Aeronautical accidents caused by collisions with birds have grown dramatically in recent decades. To minimize these effects, aerodrome managers may adopt several bird management techniques in order to keep them away from the airport environment. However, the efficiency of these techniques is still unclear. Therefore, here we evaluated the effectiveness of the main bird management techniques applied in aerodromes and compared their efficiency in decreasing bird abundance through a meta-analysis. Using a systematic review, we selected 24 papers on bird management in aerodromes (airfields and airports) and 15 papers provided 43 effect sizes needed for a meta-analysis. We found 13 techniques applied to bird management in aerodromes. The most applied technique was the control of grass height followed by falconry, dog patrol and use of effigies, respectively. At general, management techniques were not efficient in reducing bird abundance in aerodromes. However, individual bird management techniques were efficient. Falconry was the most effective method to disperse birds, followed by effigies and control of grass height, respectively. Techniques using noise and dog patrol were not effective. Despite that no technique alone is able to completely eliminate the risk of collisions between birds and aircrafts, their use associated with knowledge of habitat use for the target species may significantly reduce the risk of accidents. We also stress that it is necessary to design studies with robust methodology and clarity in the data to assist in decision making by aerodrome operators.
Characterization and properties of a new insensitive explosive co-crystal composed of trinitrotoluene and pyrene
Authors: Sen Nilgun , Aslan Nazife , Yuksel Bayram , Teciman Irem
Published: May 2023

A new energetic co-crystal of trinitrotoluene (TNT) and pyrene (PYRN) with a 1:1 molar ratio was prepared by a slow solvent evaporation technique. Co-crystal physicochemical properties have also been examined using optical microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results of single-crystal X-ray diffraction and non-covalent interaction calculations showed that non-covalent interactions (donor-acceptor π-π interaction) govern the structures of the TNT: PYRN co-crystal. The experimental and theoretical outcomes supported each other in the study. Thermal stability, impact sensitivity, and detonation performance of the co-crystal were investigated. DSC measurement indicates that the co-crystal has a melting point of 167°C and a decomposition temperature of 293°C, indicating outstanding thermal stability. The co-crystal was found to be less impact-sensitive than TNT using the BAM fall hammer instrument. Furthermore, the calculated detonation velocity and detonation pressure of the co-crystal are 5.29 km. s−1 and 8.48 G Pa, respectively. As an outcome, the TNT: PYRN co-crystal may be a promising intermediate energy explosive with low sensitivity and, as such, may be a desirable explosive alternative in the future instead of TNT for low-vulnerability formulations.
Total intravenous anesthesia shortens hospital stay after lung resection surgery: A propensity score matching study.
Authors: Hsu Fu-Kai , Cheng Hung-Wei , Teng Wei-Nung , Hsu Po-Kuei , Hsu Han-Shui , Chang Wen-Kuei , Ting Chien‑Kun
Published: May 2023

Background There is no consensus regarding the superiority of volatile or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in reducing the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after lung resection surgery (LRS). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TIVA and volatile anesthesia on the incidence of PPCs in patients who underwent LRS. We hypothesized that TIVA is associated with a lower incidence of PPCs than volatile anesthesia.Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LRS at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. The patients’ charts were reviewed and data on patient characteristics, perioperative features, and postoperative outcomes were extracted and analyzed. The patients were categorized into TIVA and volatile anesthesia groups and their clinical data were compared. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce potential selection bias. The primary outcome was the difference between the incidence of PPCs in the volatile anesthesia and TIVA groups, whereas the secondary outcomes were the differences in the incidences of other postoperative events, such as length of hospital stay (LOS) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), between the two groups.Results A total of 396 patients each were included in the TIVA and volatile anesthesia groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PPCs between the volatile anesthetic and TIVA groups. The TIVA group had a shorter LOS (p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of PONV than the volatile anesthesia group (4.5% in the TIVA group vs. 8.8% in the volatile anesthesia group; p = 0.016). However, there were no significant differences in reintubation, 30-day readmission, and reoperation rates between the two groups.Conclusions There is no significant difference between the incidence of PPCs in patients who underwent LRS under TIVA and that in patients who underwent LRS under volatile anesthesia. However, TIVA may be a better choice for maintenance of anesthesia in patients undergoing LRS.
In silico bioprospecting of receptors associated with the mechanism of action of Rondonin, an antifungal peptide from spider Acanthoscurria rondoniae hemolymph
Authors: Seif Elias Jorge Muniz , Icimoto Marcelo Yudi , Junior Pedro Ismael da Silva
Published: May 2023

Multiresistant fungal species are associated with the development of diseases. Thus, there is a need to develop more efficient drugs for the treatment of these etiological agents. Rondonin is a peptide isolated from the hemolymph of spiders Acanthoscurria rondoniae. Previous studies showed that this peptide presented antifungal activity against Candida sp. and Trichosporon sp. strains, acting in genetic material. However, the molecular targets involved in your biological activity have not yet been described. To determine possible targets involved in the biological activity of Rondonin using bioinformatics tools. The PharmMapper server was used to search microorganism targets for Rondonin. The PatchDock server was used to perform molecular docking. UCSF Chimera software was used to evaluate these intermolecular interactions. In addition, the I-TASSER server was used to predict the target ligand sites. In the end, all predictions were contrasted with the sites previously described in the literature. Rondonin was consistent with the ligand sites of the following targets: outer membrane proteins F (id:1MPF) and A (id:1QJP), responsible for allowing the passage of small molecules through the plasmatic membrane, subunit of the flavoprotein fumarate reductase (id:1D4E), responsible for the metabolism of nitrogenous bases, and ATP-dependent Holliday DNA helicase junction (id:1IN4), associated with histone proteins that fold the genetic material. These interactions corroborate previous in vitro studies on Rondonin, which acts on fungal genetic material without plasmatic membrane rupture. Therefore, the bioprospecting methods used in this research were considered satisfactory since they showed agreement with previous results obtained in vitro.
Do methodological differences in experiments with stream shredders imply variability in outputs? A microcosm approach
Authors: Firmino Viviane Caetano , Brasil Leandro Schlemmer , Juen Leandro , Hamada Neusa , Martins Renato Tavares
Published: May 2023

Experiments are useful scientific tools for testing hypotheses by manipulating variables of interest while controlling for other factors that can bias or confuse the results and their interpretation. However, to ensure accuracy and reproducibility, experiments must have transparent and repeatable methodologies. We experimentally tested the effect of different methodological approaches in microcosm experiments on the consumption and survival of shredders. We found that the shredder species, the presence or absence of the case in the shredders, and the use or non-use of air-pumps in the microcosms did not affect the shredder performance (i.e., consumption and survival). Furthermore, the type of water (stream or bottled) did not affect shredder performance. On the other hand, the amount of light had a negative effect on shredder performance, with constant light (i.e., 24 hours) reducing shredder consumption and survival. Our results highlight the importance of transparent and repeatable methodologies in experiments. Different methodological approaches in microcosm experiments can influence the results and their interpretation. This finding is especially worrying when we measure gains and losses in ecosystem functions by recreating natural conditions in the laboratory, where factors that are not of interest may affect or interact with the results. In addition, our findings offer valuable insights that can help researchers design experiments with shredders from neotropical streams.
Promoting degradation of polyamide-microplastic fibers using hydroxy radical
Authors: Meboso Taichi , Takatsuji Yoshiyuki , Takamura Eiichiro , Haruyama Tetsuya , Sakamoto Hiroaki
Published: May 2023

Microplastic fibers (MPFs) generated by washing textile products made of synthetic fibers cannot be removed at sewage treatment plants and are released into rivers and oceans. In this study, we proposed using hydroxy radical (•OH) to degrade MPF. •OH exhibits high-performance oxidizing ability in water, allowing MPFs to be degraded in an aqueous environment. Herein, we investigated the degradation of polyamide 6/6 (PA6/6), as a common MPF. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed that the signal of amide bonds (-CONH-) were reduced and new signal of carboxyl groups (-COOH) were formed in the sample after degradation. In addition, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed that several short-chain amide compounds were released into the degraded solution. These results suggest that the amide bonds in the PA6/6 molecular structure are cleaved by the •OH, thereby accelerating the degradation of PA6/6. The proposed degradation method achieved a much faster degradation rate than other methods using microorganisms, and is expected to be a novel MPF degradation method.
Multiphase and multiparameter MRI-based radiomics for prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Huang Hongyan , Han Lujun , Guo Jianbo , Zhang Yanyu , Lin Shiwei , Chen Shengli , Lin Xiaoshan , Cheng Caixue , Guo Zheng , Qiu Yingwei
Published: May 2023

Background: To develop and validate radiomic models for prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) using both pre-NAT and post-NAT multiparameter magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).
Methods: In this multicenter study, a total of 563 patients were included from two independent centers. 453 patients from center 1 were split into training and testing cohorts, the remaining 110 from center 2 served as an external validation cohort. Pre-NAT and post-NAT mpMRI was collected for feature extraction. The radiomic models were constructed using machine learning from a training cohort. The accuracy of the models was verified in a testing cohort and an independent external validation cohort. Model performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.
Results: The model constructed with pre-NAT mpMRI had favorable accuracy for prediction of non-response to NAT in the training cohort (AUC = 0.84), testing cohort (AUC = 0.81), and external validation cohort (AUC = 0.79), which outperformed single-sequence MRI. The model constructed with both pre-NAT and post-NAT mpMRI had powerful diagnostic value for pathologic complete response (pCR) in the training cohort (AUC = 0.86), testing cohort (AUC = 0.87), and external validation cohort (AUC = 0.87), which outperformed single-phase mpMRI and MR tumor regression grade for identification of pCR.
Conclusions: Models constructed with multiphase and multiparameter MRI were able to predict tumor response to NAT with high accuracy and robustness, which may assist in individualized management of LARC.
Real Time Sign Language Recognition
Authors: Varshney Pankaj Kumar , Kumar Gaurav , Kumar Shrawan , Thakur Bharti , Saini Plakshi , Mahajan Vanshika
Published: May 2023

Speaking with someone who have hearing loss may be quite challenging. Systems that can recognize different signs and alert regular people are thus required. Recognition of sign language is a big development in assisting deaf-mute persons. With the exception of J and Z, which require motion detection for recognition, the objective of this study is to create a model based on neural networks for precise and user-friendly sign language identification that can identify finger spelling-based hand gestures representing the ASL alphabets.
Isolation of extracellular vesicles from pine (Pinus sp.) leaves and roots
Authors: Kunene Sithembile , Steenkamp Emma , Motaung Thabiso
Published: May 2023

Plants release extracellular vesicles (EVs) for various reasons, such as unconventional protein secretion, RNA transport, and defence against pathogens. However, very little is known about plant EV biosynthesis and diverse and bioactive luminal contents, including how they alter recipient cell biology and function. To study EVs, researchers often isolate them from apoplastic wash or juice fluids using various methods. A method is needed to isolate EVs from non-model plants with tougher leaves such as species in the Pinus genus. Because of their spindly and sharp shape, pines have strong acicular-shaped leaves that are commonly called needles. Unlike all other taproots, pine seedlings grow into a primary root first, which gives rise to lateral roots later. There are also various dimensions and shapes of pine needles, but they are relatively strong compared to the leaves of other plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, where most EV studies have been concentrated. Extracting EVs from a juice fluid is highly effective for plants with tougher leaves because it ensures that the cells have been broken down and the vesicles are present. Given these reasons, we describe our method for the isolation and purification of EVs from needles and roots of different pine species. A detailed protocol is provided that can guide the collection of juice fluid from pine needles and roots in a clean and efficient manner. A number of other plant species with similar morphologies can greatly benefit from the use of this protocol.
Basic protocol 1: Isolation of extracellular vesicles from juice fluid of pine leaves and roots
Basic protocol 2: Isolation of pine extracellular vesicles from juice fluid using size exclusion chromatography
Association of insecticide resistance profiles in Anopheles gambiae s.l. with agricultural practices in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Kouadio France Paraudie A. , Wipf Nadja C. , Sika Angèle N. , Fodjo Behi K. , Sadia Christabelle G. , Vontas John , Mavridis Konstantinos , Müller Pie , Mouhamadou Chouaïbou S.
Published: May 2023

Background Insecticide-based malaria vector control is increasingly undermined due to the development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Insecticide resistance may partially be related to the use of pesticides in agriculture, while the level and mechanisms of resistance might differ between agricultural practices. The current study aimed to assess whether phenotypic insecticide resistance and associated molecular resistance mechanisms in Anopheles gambiae s.l. differ between agricultural practices.Methods We collected Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in six sites with three different agricultural practices, including rice, vegetable and cocoa cultivation. We then exposed the emerging adult females to discriminating concentrations of bendiocarb (0.1%), deltamethrin (0.05%), DDT (4%) and malathion (5%) using the standard World Health Organization insecticide susceptibility test. To investigate underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance, we used multiplex TaqMan qPCR assays. We determined the frequency of target-site mutations, including Vgsc-L995F/S and Vgsc-N1570Y, and Ace1-G280S. In addition, we measured the expression levels of genes previously associated with insecticide resistance in An. gambiae s.l., including the cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases CYP4G16, CYP6M2, CYP6P1, CYP6P3, CYP6P4, CYP6Z1 and CYP9K1, and the glutathione S-transferase GSTe2.Results The An. gambiae s.l. populations from all six agricultural sites were resistant to bendiocarb, deltamethrin and DDT, while the populations from the two vegetable cultivation sites were additionally resistant to malathion. Most tested mosquitoes carried at least one mutant Vgsc-L995F allele that is associated with pyrethroid and DDT resistance. In the cocoa cultivation sites, we observed the highest 995F frequencies (80–87%), including a majority of homozygous mutants and several in co-occurrence with the Vgsc-N1570Y mutation. We detected the Ace1 mutation most frequently in vegetable growing sites (51–60%), at moderate frequency in rice (20%-22%) and rarely in cocoa growing sites (3–4%). In contrast, CYP6M2, CYP6P3, CYP6P4, CYP6Z1 and CYP9K1, previously associated with metabolic insecticide resistance, showed highest expression levels in the populations from rice growing sites compared to the susceptible Kisumu reference strain.Conclusion In our study we observed intriguing associations between the type of agricultural practices and certain insecticide resistance profiles in the malaria vector An. gambiae s.l. which might arise from the use of pesticides deployed for protecting crops.
Variation in the influence of concerns about contraceptive-induced fertility impairment on hormonal contraceptive use by parity and residence; evidence from PMA Ethiopia 2020 cross- sectional survey
Authors: Zimmerman Linnea A. , Karp Celia , Shiferaw Solomon , Seme Assefa , Bell Suzanne O.
Published: May 2023

Background Fear of contraceptive-induced fertility impairment is a major deterrent to contraceptive use, however, few studies have explored whether and how this fear varies by life course or residence.
Objectives We use cross-sectional nationally representative data from the 2020 PMA Ethiopia survey to describe patterns of concerns about contraceptive-induced infertility, assess the relationship between these concerns and current contraceptive use and assess whether these relationships vary by parity and residence.
Methods We use descriptive statistics among a sample of 7,491 women, age 15-49, to assess agreement with the statement “If I use family planning, I may have trouble getting pregnant next time I want to”, a proxy for concerns about contraceptive-induced fertility impairment. We use multilevel hierarchical models to assess how agreement is associated with the use of a hormonal method of contraception among 3,882 sexually active, fecund women who wish to prevent pregnancy. We include interaction terms for parity and residence.
Results About six in ten women disagreed (42.3%) or strongly disagreed (20.7%) with the statement. Relative to women who strongly disagreed, women who disagreed and women who agreed had significantly lower odds of using a hormonal method of contraception (aOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.97 and 0.46, 95% CI: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.30-0.70). This effect was strongest among high parity women (aOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-0.95). Greater agreement with the statement at the community-level use was associated with a reduction in the odds of using hormonal contraception, but only among rural women.
Discussion While the majority of women in Ethiopia either disagree or strongly disagree that use of hormonal contraception may influence fertility, efforts to address this concern, particularly amongst high-parity women and in rural communities, through the provision of comprehensive counseling and through community education or other mass media campaigns are necessary. Incorporation of comprehensive counseling, particularly as a part of postpartum care, is an opportunity to address concerns about contraceptive-induced infertility.
Mechanical Properties Assessment of Indigenous Timber Wood Species in Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Adibe Chinaza Samuel , Edum Ngozi Peace , Nwankwo Emmanuel Chibuike
Published: May 2023

We examined the mechanical properties of four native wood species in southeastern Nigeria, including Alstonia congensis, Ceiba pentandra, Milicia excelsa, and Terminalia superba. The samples were milled and trimmed to standard sizes and subjected to a three-point bending test. The mechanical properties modulus of rupture (MOR) and compression parallel to grain were tested using the Universal Testing Machine, with machine no: 0500-10080. We computed the force at the point of failure, modulus of elasticity and compression parallel to the grain. Here show that the samples from the selected indigenous timber species had significant variations in the mechanical properties, with the highest MOR being 94.185N/mm2, MOE 3553.098N/mm2 and compressive strength being 54.224N/mm2. The flexural and compression strength of Terminalia superba wood material was significantly higher relative to Milicia excelsa, Alstonia congensis and Ceiba pentandra. Our findings provide valuable information on the mechanical properties of these species sourced from southeastern Nigeria, which can be used to assess their suitability for a variety of applications.
Mitochondrial genomic investigation reveals a clear association between species and genotypes of Lucilia and geographic origin in Australia
Authors: Kapoor Shilpa , Young Neil D. , Yang Ying Ting , Batterham Philip , Gasser Robin B. , Bowles Vernon M. , Anstead Clare A. , Perry Trent
Published: May 2023

Background Lucilia cuprina and L. sericata (family Calliphoridae) are globally significant ectoparasites of sheep. Current literature suggests that only one of these blowfly subspecies, L. cuprina dorsalis, is a primary parasite causing myiasis (flystrike) in sheep in Australia. These species and subspecies are difficult to distinguish using morphological features. Hence, being able to accurately identify blowflies is critical for diagnosis and for understanding their relationships with their hosts and environment.Methods In this study, adult blowflies (5 pools of 17 flies; n = 85) were collected from five locations in different states [New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC) and Western Australia (WA)] of Australia and their mitochondrial (mt) genomes were assembled.Results Each mt genome assembled was ~ 15 kb in size and encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and a control region. The Lucilia species mt genomes were conserved in structure and the genes retained the same order and direction. The overall nucleotide composition was heavily biased towards As and Ts − 77.7% of the whole genomes. Pairwise nucleotide diversity suggested divergence between L. cuprina cuprina, L. c. dorsalis and L. sericata. Comparative analyses of these mt genomes with published data demonstrated that the blowflies collected from sheep farm in TAS clustered within a clade with L. sericata. The flies collected from an urban location in QLD were more closely related to L. sericata and represented the subspecies L. c. cuprina, whereas the flies collected from sheep farms in NSW, VIC and WA represented the subspecies L. c. dorsalis.Conclusions Phylogenetic analyses of the mt genomes representing Lucilia from the five geographic locations in Australia supported the previously demonstrated paraphyly of L. cuprina with respect to L. sericata and revealed that L. c. cuprina is distinct from L. c. dorsalis, and that L. c. cuprina is more closely related to L. sericata than L. c. dorsalis. The mt genomes reported here provide an important molecular resource to develop tools for species- and subspecies-level identification of Lucilia from different geographical regions across Australia.
Evaluation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Approach in Damascus (Al-Mujtahid) Hospital
Authors: Sulaiman Seham , Hamdan Ahmed Al - , Ali Mohammad AL -
Published: May 2023

Background AML can be diagnosed based on a sample of peripheral blood or bone marrow. In this article we will discuss the role of bone marrow assessment and peripheral blood monitoring in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). For patients with circulating blast, it is reasonable to conduct the necessary studies for diagnosis and risk classification, including multifactorial flow cytometry, genetics Cellular, and molecular analysis on a peripheral blood sample. A 'pure day 14' assay is used to document cell deficiency in response to chemotherapy, but it is unclear whether this assessment is necessary as it often does not influence immediate management. Current recovery response assessments to assess remission and measure residual disease are based on bone marrow biopsy. Peripheral blood assessment may be sufficient to monitor relapse, but the sensitivity of the bone marrow test in some cases is higher. While bone marrow assessment can certainly be avoided in certain cases, this cumbersome and uncomfortable procedure currently remains the de facto standard for assessing response.Methods A retrospective study targeting 50 patients attending Al-Mujtahid Hospital in Damascus according to certain acceptance and exclusion criteria.Results Our study explored many aspects and factors related to leukemia, as it included two samples of 50 people, the largest proportion of them were males, and the largest proportion of the participants were between the ages of 65 − 20, and also the majority of the participants were non-smokers and non-alcoholic, moving to talk about antecedents, there was a percentage Few suffer from diabetes and arterial hypertension, while not all of the participants suffer from other tumors, as our knowledge has proven a relationship between age and remission, between smoking and AFP, and between insensitivity and complete inactivity.Conclusion We recommend conducting periodic analyzes and not neglecting any general symptom of lack of weight, appetite or heat, as it was the most common among patients. We also recommend the need to stay away from smoking and alcohol. For patients, we recommend the necessity of conducting periodic analyzes in order to monitor complete and partial complacency. We also note the need to monitor minimal residual disease. The remainder because of its importance in the recurrence of the disease
Ultrahigh-modulation-efficiency graphene-silicon micro-ring modulator
Authors: Kong Deming , Liu Yong , Ding Yunhong , Hu Hao , Luan Chao
Published: May 2023

Electro-optic (E/O) modulators are crucial for optical communication but face a trade-off between modulation bandwidth and efficiency. A small footprint could reduce the capacitance and increase the bandwidth. However, this usually results in low modulation efficiency. We address this trade-off by embedding a partially overlapped double-layer graphene on a silicon slot waveguide into an integrated micro-ring modulator. The modulator achieves a modulation bandwidth exceeding 40 GHz with an ultrahigh modulation efficiency of 10.99 V-1µm-1, which is an order of magnitude higher than state-of-the-art E/O modulators. We also demonstrate high reproducibility of the graphene modulator. The compact, highly efficient, and highly reproducible graphene E/O modulator has the potential to enable large-scale graphene photonic integrated circuits, facilitating a broad range of applications such as optical interconnects, optical neural networks, and programmable photonic circuits.
Can suffixal augmentation express approximation? The case of evaluative nouns
Authors: Stosic Dejan , Amiot Dany
Published: May 2023

The paper focuses on the relationships between so-called diminutive/augmentative morphology and approximation. As this topic is very broad, only the denominal nouns are studied in this article. Our study, based on data from French and Serbian, has a twofold aim: to answer the question asked in the title of this article and, the answer being negative, try to understand why only diminutive suffixes, and not augmentative ones, can express approximation. This should also allow us to understand the specificity of diminutive approximation. Firstly, we show that even though both types of evaluatives express non-conformity with respect to a norm, in the case of diminution the norm is not reached, whereas augmentation entails that the norm is not only reached but is exceeded. This suggests that approximation is fundamentally associated with a certain degree of deficiency, which is consistent with the literature on this topic. Secondly, we demonstrate that the main peculiarity of diminutive approximation is that it is measurative in nature as it is underlined by the orientational metaphor up/down and based on a set of gradable semantic dimensions such as small/big, few/much. This is not the case of other morphological devices that trigger approximative meanings (e.g., pseudo-, -oïde), whose role is to provide a global evaluation of the matching between a given referent and core members of the category expressed by the base.
The emergence of approximative values in the Italian prefixes semi- and para-
Authors: Micheli Maria Silvia
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the diachrony of two neoclassical prefixes in Italian, namely semi- (from Latin sēmi- ‘half’) and para- (from Ancient Greek parà close to’), based on data extracted from corpora. The diachronic analysis reveals that until the 20th century, both the prefixes semi- and para- were mostly used in scientific terminology, where they conveyed their original meanings: degree and spatial proximity respectively. A cursory synchronic analysis based on data extracted from two newspaper corpora shows that in the last decades, semi- and para- have been productively used to express evaluative values (i.e., attenuation and approximation). The present study enriches the literature on the sources of approximating morphological markers and the relationship between attenuation and approximation, considered here as two distinct values placed along a continuum.
The approximative derivation in Kambaata (Cushitic)
Authors: Treis Yvonne
Published: May 2023

Kambaata, a Cushitic language of Ethiopia, has a productive, word-class changing approximation derivation. The process marked by the suffix -lab takes adjectival, nominal and verbal roots as inputs and generates approximatives that belong to the adjective word class, whose members are characterised by their agreement behaviour in the NP. The meaning of the Kambaata approximatives is dependent on the word class of its input. Deadjectival approximatives express a vague, attenuated degree of a property, deverbal forms convey similarity or near-identity in manner, while denominal forms express similarity in nature or function and create ad hoc categories. The sub-meanings are subsumable under an overarching meaning of approximation, understood as deviation from a prototypical realisation. The source of the -lab suffix is a verb ‘resemble’. From a Cushitic perspective, the Kambaata approximative derivation is unique of its kind. No related language is known to have approximative morphology.
Approximation and comparison in word-formation: The case of denominal adjectives in Dutch, German, and English
Authors: Hüning Matthias , Schlücker Barbara
Published: May 2023

The paper presents a corpus-based comparative study of denominal adjectives in Dutch, German, and English. It aims at clarifying the notion of approximation. More specifically, it focuses on investigating the relation between approximation and comparison as semantic categories in word-formation. Drawing on equivalent patterns, we study both the relation between comparative and approximative readings in various word-formation patterns (derivation and compounding) in Dutch, German, and English as well as the respective differences between the languages. We specifically focus on suffixes and other right head constituents (in particular Dutch -achtig, German -artig and -ähnlich, and English -like), thereby addressing the question whether word class changing morphology is at all suitable for expressing approximation. We conclude that the patterns investigated in our study may have approximative readings but are not approximative in the strict sense.
Endocardite infecciosa de válvula tricúspide com êmbolos pulmonares sépticos: relato de caso
Authors: Alves Rezende Luis Guilherme Rosifini , Geleilete Tufik Jose Magalhães , Carvalho Marcelo Ticianelli de , Rezende Thalyta Valle de , Castro Nathalia Antonio Monteiro de , Barcelos Beatriz Cruz , Montanher Ingrid Silva , Daniel Rosemary Aparecida Furlan
Published: May 2023

A Endocardite Infecciosa é uma doença cuja concepção diagnóstica e detecção de agentes causadores vem sofrendo grandes modificações desde a sua descoberta. A despeito dos avanços tecnológicos, marcadamente os ecocardiógrafos, o diagnóstico de pacientes com Endocardite Infecciosa continua sendo um desafio, com grande dificuldade para suspeição clínica. Com altos índices epidemiológicos de morbimortalidade e tratamento clínico ou cirúrgico, encontra no diagnóstico precoce o ponto chave para o sucesso do tratamento. Os autores relatam neste artigo um caso de Endocardite Infecciosa em paciente usuário de drogas ilícitas injetáveis e sem história pregressa de doença cardiovascular, que evoluiu com embolia pulmonar séptica. O ECO apontou alteração sugestiva de vegetação em valva tricúspide. A TC-Tórax apresentou nódulos pulmonares difusos com aspecto de partes moles (êmbolos sépticos). O Hemograma apontou cultura positiva para S. aureus sensível à Oxacilina. Foi iniciada conduta incluindo medidas gerais e associação de oxacilina e gentamicina. O paciente não apresentou melhora dos parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e radiológicos e novas culturas foram feitas, demonstrando S. aureusmultiresistente sendo iniciado Piperacilina-Tazobactam e culminando no tratamento cirúrgico com substituição biológica da valva tricúspide. Os autores concluem que o diagnóstico e tratamento precoces são determinantes para a evolução favorável da Endocardite Infecciosa.Descritores: Endocardite; Diagnóstico; Terapêutica.
A CASE OF CHOLECYSTITIS FISTULA LEADING TO A SUBCAPSULAR BILOMA
Authors:   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Mohamed Ismail Halfi , Houss Salma EL ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Kaouthar Baati ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Badr Rabai ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Oumaima Benhadi ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Fatima Zahra Laamrani ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco., Laila Jroundi ,   Department of Emergency Radiology, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco.
Published: May 2023

The term biloma refers to an encapsulated and well-circumscribed collection of bile in the abdomen. It can be inside or outside the biliary system, spontaneous, iatrogenic or due to an abdominal trauma. Usually, a combination of patients medical history, symptoms and imaging modalities help establish the diagnosis at ease. We herein present a rare case of a hepatic subcapsular biloma formed by a fistula formed on an inflamed gallbladder wall depicted on CT images. The aim of this report is to report the odd condition in which the biloma was formed.