bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Nerve Agent Metabolites in Plasma and Urine by 31P NMR Spectroscopy
Authors:   Scientist ‘E’, Directorate of International Cooperation, DRDO, New Delhi, 110011, India., Sharma Mamta
Published: January 2024

A simple robust 31P nuclear systems based NMR method is presented for the detection of alkyl methylphosphonic acids; metabolites of three organophosphorus nerve agents (GB or Sarin, GD or Soman, and GF or Cyclosarin) in the biological spiked samples of plasma and urine. The method gives linear response (correlation coefficients ~0.89) over the concentration range 10 μg/ml to 300 μg/ml in urine and plasma considering phosphorus nucleus. The quality control data demonstrated accurate identification of biomarkers of nerve agents at low concentration. NMR based method provides direct analysis of Biological samples without any sample pretreatment or sample preparation and sample tempering.
Utilizing Toxidromal Approach in Managing Series of Botanically Related Medicolegal Emergencies
Authors:   Associate Consultant, Emergency and Trauma care, Medanta-The Medicity, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India., Verma Vivekanshu
Published: January 2024

As with many other medicolegal dilemma in poisoning, in which whom to blame for the toxic exposure, and who should be punished. Since after the decriminalization of suicidal attempt under section 309 IPC, victim himself can’t be held responsible for the harm caused to him/her by self. But abatement of suicide is still a crime, so if someone harasses another person physically or mentally or psychologically, and the victim consumes some toxic plant product under stress, than it becomes a medicolegal case to be reported to police, to protect the victim and restrain the accused for causing further harm. Bedside care of patients with toxic plant exposures should be managed primarily based on their clinical manifestations and responses to therapy and only secondarily on the basis of the toxin to which they are presumably exposed. The dictum has been and remains “Treat the patient, not the poison”. But don’t ignore the poison. We report few interesting cases reported in our ER: self-intoxication during voluntary ingestion of nutmeg-myristicinas aphrodisiac, self-overdose of Calotropis seeds as purgative by young female, Homicidal Atropa seeds toxicity in a child, Areca Nut aspiration by male Gutkha chewer, Opium intoxication in youth, Oriental Starfruit causing nephrotoxicity, Bottle gourd juice causing UGI Bleed, Cannabis abuse simulating Acute coronary syndrome. Toxidromal Approach simplified theapproach to differential diagnosis and emergency management of symptomatology and aetiology of intoxication, thus saving lives and improving quality of acute care.
Characteristics of Homicide followed by Suicide Incidence of our Experience
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Sciences, MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sangareddy 502294, Telangana, India., Sagar P Vijaya
Published: January 2024

Background: Homicide-suicides are a distinct group of violent deaths that separate them from murders and suicides. Although such incidents are uncommon, they have devastating effects on families and societies, and typically attract a lot of mainstream media coverage. Aims: present study aims to incidents of homicide followed by suicides that occurred within our experience. Materials and methods: The observational data obtained from records of post mortem from the department of Forensic from 2017 to 2019. Results: Out of the total 82 cases of homicides there were 11 cases murder–suicides involving 11 victims and 5 assailants. It is about 13.4% of all homicides and 3.4% of 2384 medico legal autopsies conducted during the period. female victims were distributed in a wide range of age . Most commonly involved age group ranges between 0-14 years and 15-24 years with4 cases (36.4%), married subjects 6 cases (54%) of rural areas with five cases (63.7%). Drowning or burns was the method of choice in murder–suicide deaths. Most of the cases have a relationship to perpetrator is spouse , boyfriend or girlfriend 5 cases(45.5%) and most of the patients have mental illness in study of 6 cases 54.5%. Conclusions: A risk assessment should include determining the chance of involvement not only in suicide and homicide, but also in murder-suicide as a perpetrator or a victim.
Comparative Analysis of Human Hair Medulla Types among The Ashanti and Dagomba Ethnic Group of Ghana
Authors:   Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 233, Ghana., Dodzi Buame Erasmus , P Dzogbefia Victoria ,   Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 233, Ghana.
Published: January 2024

Hair is an important piece of evidence in forensic investigations. Analysis of the morphological features (medulla) of hair has been reported since the early 1800’s. However, many questions still remain unanswered especially as to, how local populations could be analysed and separated from each other based on the morphology (medulla) of their hair. In the Present Study medulla types of hair have been examined among the Ashanti and Dagomba, two important populations of Ghana by using the Comparison and Compound microscope together with Computer imaging. Statistical analysis has been performed on the data to determine the variability and relationships between the two populations. Medulla have been found to be absent in 51.5% of the Ashanti population examined while among the Dagomba it has been observed to be 33%. The difference between the two populations for their medulla types have been found to be statistically insignificant.
Toxic Calendar for Predicting Toxicity, To Prepare Emergency Medical Services in Preventing Toxic Disasters: An Indian Society of Toxicology Initiative
Authors:   Associate Consultant, Department of Emergency and Trauma Care, Medanta: The Medicity, Gurugram 122001, Haryana,, Verma Vivekanshu , Vasudev Pillai Vijay ,   Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Poison Control Centre, Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India., . Remya ,   Senior Resident,  Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Poison Control Centre, Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India., . Nirmal
Published: January 2024

It’s popular Myth among medical professionals that All Poisonings are unpredictable, unpreventable and unsalvageable. But the Fact is we can predict the Seasons of Poisons, Environmental hazards, Toxic Disasters. And prepare our Emergency Medical Services for better management by stocking the relevant antidotes, thus preventing mortality and morbidity by public awareness prior to the season of poisons. And based on Toxic Calendar, we can Promote Safety Precautions for safely storing Household Poisons, Toxins, and Chemicals.
Fatality Due to Acetaminophen-Ibuprofen Poisoning: A Rare Occurrence
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India 110029, Yadav Abhishek Yadav
Published: January 2024

Over-The-Counter (OTC) analgesics are very commonly used in our country and sometimes taken without the doctor’s prescription. Though generally these medicines are considered safe, but they can produce complications when taken in excess doses. The authors report a case of an adolescent girl who consumed acetaminophen-ibuprofen combination pills present in her home for headache, which proved fatal. The authors aim to highlight and increase awareness about the hidden dangers in careless and unsupervised use of these medicines. The possibility of death with overdose of even commonly prescribed drugs should be understood, studied well and should be taught to patients to keep such medications away from their children. Accessibility and availability of OTC drugs should be restricted in accordance with the recommended daily usage.
Atypical Firearm Wounds, One Projectile Leading to Multiple Injuries: Correct Interpretation and Correlation
Authors:   Associate Professor,  Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India., Yadav Abhishek , Vignesh Raj K Karthi ,   Senior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India., Singh Sukhdeep ,   Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India., Kumath Manish ,   Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
Published: January 2024

In the practice of Forensic medicine, firearm injuries cases pose a challenge, particularly those caused during the police/armed forces action also known as ‘Encounter’. Autopsy reports play a very important role in recreation/ reconstruction of the event and are an important evidence for review by other agencies. The track of the wounds, direction of firing, site of entry and exit wounds along with other internal injuries are used to authenticate and verify the version of police officers. Authors have observed that in certain cases of death consequent to firearm injury, sometimes atypical wounds are found which may be difficult to interpret at the time of performing autopsy. A meticulous postmortem examination coupled with cautious analysis and interpretation of injuries has to be done before furnishing a Medico legal opinion in such cases. The authors report such a case in which an atypical firearm wound was found in a police encounter case. The case is being reported only for academic purposes to highlight the importance of correct interpretation in such atypical wounds by a meticulous autopsy examination so as to prevent any further doubts in their correlation with sequence of events. Modern radiological techniques like Digital X-ray and PM MSCT should be used in firearm cases to enhance the objectivity and credibility of postmortem findings. Keywords: Firearm injuries; Encounter Deaths; Gunshot Wounds; Post Mortem Multi slice Computed Tomography.
Post Mortem Examination of COVID-19 Deceased and Collection Preservation of Specimens
Authors:   Assistant Professor, SAGE University Bhopal Madhya Pradesh 462022,, Chaudhary Rinkal , Dhingra Vinod ,   Senior scientific officer RFSL Gwalior Madhya Pradesh, 474011,, Juglan Sarthak ,   HOD, forensic medicine, GRMC Gwalior Madhya Pradesh 474001, India.
Published: January 2024

Forensic autopsy plays a crucial role in death investigations. It deals with the identification of cause, manner and time since death of deceased for the judgement by criminal justice system. A thorough examination frequently leads to the efficacious of an autopsy. It initiates with the external examination of the body and further proceeds according to the history of deceased. The postmortem examination of a deceased who is expected to have a serious infectious disease that can be transmitted during autopsy called infectious autopsy. So, medical experts need to take more precautions while performing autopsies on infectious bodies. Disease could be spread in many numerous ways. Some diseases are commonly transmitted during autopsy i.e. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis infections. The risk is at increasing level for obtaining these types of postmortem infections especially in the cases where the death cause is unidentified. The use of standard precautions during an autopsy can minimize the risk of the transmission of infections. The present article highlights the risk of contagious diseases during autopsy and preservation of artefacts of deceased suffering of highly infectious disease COVID -19.
BANK INDONESIA’S ROLE IN ERADICATING CORRUPTION: ADOPTING THE WORLD BANK INITIATIVES
Authors: Natamiharja Rudi , Sabatira Febryani , Davey Orima Melati , Khanza Yuga Narazua
Published: January 2024

Bank Indonesia as the primary agent for maintaining state financial stability plays an essential role in combatting corruption through preventive and repressive measures. However, considering the poor state of corruption management, Indonesia requires a more strategic and measurable framework. In this case, The World Bank Group (WBG) has numerous methods for combatting corruption through structured initiatives. The overall goal of the programs is to achieve a high level of transparency as the central bank’s fundamental premise in dealing with corruption. Thus, by adopting the WBG guidelines and initiatives, Indonesia can gradually scale up its corruption eradication efforts. This study will further highlight three areas, namely: (i) the World Bank alternatives for controlling corruption; (ii) the role of Bank Indonesia in eradicating corruption; and (iii) adoption of the World Bank’s alternatives in strengthening Bank Indonesia’s efforts to eradicate corruption. The study uses normative legal research using a regulatory approach with secondary data collection. The results of the study show that Bank Indonesia has thoroughly adopted the World Bank’s initiatives. Nevertheless, BI still needs to optimise technology-based public transparency, enhance public involvement, and strengthen supervision of sectoral-based corruption risk in the future.
In-Silico prediction and profiling of novel non-coding miRNAs and their target proteins in muskmelon (Cucumis melo)
Authors: Ghaffar Abdul
Published: January 2024

MicroRNAs are small non coding regulatory RNAs that regulate gene expression after transcription by suppressing translation or degrading mRNA. MiRNAs play an important role in the regulatory systems such as biological processes in plants. By investigating miRNAs in muskmelon, the current study will focus on miRNA prediction, expression, and characterisation. The Cucumis melo ESTs were used in the current investigation to identify 22 novel miRNAs with MFE values ranging from -10.7 to -49.13 kcal/mole. The newly predicted C. melo miRNAs have the greatest number of target genes using psRNA-Target tool connected with GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis. As a result, a total of roughly 78 targets were predicted in response to abiotic and biotic stress. In addition, miR157 has been found to target the receptor, cell signalling, gene expression and transcriptional activation. Consequently, cme-miR2657 targets high mobility group protein while miR2657 and miR5215 participate in positive control of gene silencing post-transcriptionally via RNA for plant hormones.
Nutritional value of carob (Ceratonica siliqua) pods from different growing sites for sheep
Authors: Kurt Özer
Published: January 2024

The current experiment aimed to determine the effects of the growing site on the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of carob pods. Carob pods from ten different trees were hand harvested from seven different growing sites namely; Silifke, Akdeniz, Tarsus, Aydincik, Taşucu, Toroslar and Gülnar in Mersin, Turkey in 2019 and oven dried at 50°C for three days. After drying, the carob pods were ground through a 1 mm-wide sieve for analysis and in vitro gas production (GP) testing. The growing site had a significant effect on the chemical composition, GP, and digestion values of carob pods. The crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), ether extracts (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and condensed tannin (CT) contents of carob pods ranged from 2.49 to 3.51%, 5.58 to 9.14%, 2.88 to 3.38%, 17.67 to 28.03%, 11.17 to 17.94%, and 1.98 to 5.05%, respectively. The GP, methane (CH4 (mL), percentage of CH4, metabolizable energy (ME), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) ranged from 95.66 to 123.0 mL g-1 DM, 16.23 to 20.12 mL g-1 DM, 15.69 to 16.96%, 8.24 to 9.72 MJ kg-1 DM, and 54.53 to 63.40%, respectively. The GP, CH4 production, and ME contents of carob pods obtained from Silifke, Akdeniz, Tarsus, and Tasucu were significantly higher than those from the other growing sites, whereas the OMD of carob pods from Silifke and Tarsus was significantly higher than that from the other sites. The true digestible substrate (TDS), microbial protein yield (MPY), efficiency of microbial protein yield (EMPY), and true substrate digestibility (TSD) of carob pods ranged from 319.54 to 469.62 mg, 109.07 to 207.09 mg, 32.34 to 44.10%, and 68.43 to 96.11%, respectively. The TDS, MPY, EMPY, and TSD of carob pods from Tasucu were significantly higher than those from the other sites. The current study revealed valuable insight regarding the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of carob pods grown at different sites. Carop pods can be used in sheep diets to meet the energy requirement of mature sheep for maintenance and lactation whereas protein supplementation is essential when incorporating carob pods into the diets of lactating sheep to fulfill their dietary requirements.
Estimation of genetic diversity among faba bean accessions based on agro-morphological characters using multivariate analysis technique
Authors: Alghamdi Salem
Published: January 2024

Faba bean is an important grain legume crop in the world. Use of plant genetic breeding resources can help develop high yield and stress tolerant plant genotypes. In this study, genetic diversity of 144 faba bean accessions, collected from different parts of the world growing under Saudi Arabian conditions, was evaluated based on agro morphological basis. A wide range of variability was recorded for all the qualitative characters except growth habit (determinate 1.3% indeterminate 98.7%) and pod shattering (non-shattering 99.4%; shattering 0.6%). A high level of diversity was recorded in the qualitative characteristics including leaflet size, stipule spot pigmentation, flower ground color, intensity of streak, wing petal colors, pod colors, pod angle, hilum color, pod shattering, ground color of testa and seed shape in the tested faba bean accessions. The principal component analysis results showed that highest (95.32%) diversity came from three principal components, and dendrogram results divided faba bean into 8 distinct groups based on their origin. The cluster study of the tested faba beans accessions was based on the origin as well as on the genetic history. The extent of variability and diversity in the tested faba bean accessions indicate their potential for use in the faba bean breeding program.
Bioassay for evaluating the resistance level of dusky cotton bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa against insecticides sprayed on cotton crop
Authors: Akhtar Sohail
Published: January 2024

Dusky cotton bug (DCB), Oxycarenus hyalinipennis, a serious economic sucking insect pest of cotton, is a cosmopolitan polyphagous pest with the potency to develop resistance against insecticides. The resistance was evaluated against insecticides of different chemical nature against DCB population from three cotton fields i.e., unsprayed population (Un-sp), field exposed to sucking sprays (SSp) and field exposed to bollworms sprays (BSp) using semi-opened bolls dip method.The DCB population showed differential range of resistance level against tested insecticides. These RR ratios were among susceptibility (1 fold) and tolerance to low resistance (2–10 fold) for all tested insecticides except for deltamethrin with moderate resistance (11–30 fold) for the populations of both sprayed fields. In the order of resistance for the SSp population, deltamethrin (24.4 fold) was followed by imidacloprid (6.4 fold), profenofos (4.0 fold), cypermethrin (3.2), endosulfan (2.8 fold), chlorfenapyr (2.7 fold) and chlothianidin (2.5 fold). For BSp population, RR ratios from high to low were: deltamethrin (21.2 fold) followed by imidacloprid (4.9 fold), chlothianidin (3.7 fold), cypermethrin (2.8 fold), endosulfan (2.7 fold), triazophos (2.4 fold) and profenofos (2.2 fold). Acephate was highly effective with least LC50 followed by spinosad and dimethoate, whereas, lambdacyhalothrin was least effective. Relative toxicity (RT) order from high to low for SSp population was acephate (1.00) followed by spinosad (1.33), chlorfenapyr (2.69), acetamiprid (2.77) and dimethoate (2.85). For BSp population, RT were sequenced as acephate (1.00) followed by spinosad (1.46), chlorfenapyr (1.67) and dimethoate (3.32). In control unsprayed population, RT were in order as acephate < deltamethrin < spinosad < chlorfenapyr (1.0, 1.20, 1.28 and 1.58, respectively). Lambdacyhalothrin was the least toxic against DCB population of all tested fields. From results, it can be suggested that regular insecticide resistance monitoring is crucial to avoid incidence(s) in O. hyalinipennis, and to adopt the rotational application of appropriate insecticides.
Investigating the contribution of different characteristics in the olive oil prices in the Saudi market: An Hedonic price analysis
Authors: Alnafissa Mohamad A.
Published: January 2024

This study was conducted with the objective to estimate the implicit values for various olive oil attributes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A hedonic price model was applied to examine 558 olive oil samples taken from nine hypermarkets with different olive oil brands. The attributes under consideration include the package size, extra virgin label, level of acidity, organic certification, purity, country of origin, place of retail market, and packaging type. Results show agreement between signs and magnitudes for the implicit values for the most attributes. The significant attributes of olive oil identified in this study are package size, level of acidity, and variables describing the country of origin, place of retail market, and packaging type. The results reveal a negative relationship between (i) the price and the size of container and (ii) the price and the level of acidity for olive oil. Furthermore, olive oil products with organic and pure label have a higher price compared to those without them. The country of origin and the type of packaging may also influence the olive oil price
Assessing the potential of Sentinel-2 imagery and NDVI thresholds for the development of crop phenology: A case study of Sahiwal District
Authors: Shoaib Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Crop mapping and its health monitoring are of key importance for a country like Pakistan where a considerable share of the GDP originates from agricultural production. Currently, extensive capital and human resource are utilized to record the crop types and monitor crop health due to variations in crop pattern and intercropping practices being observed in many parts of the country. Satellite Remote Sensing, however, can be utilized very efficiently to identify crop types and estimate acreage by using unique phenological cycles derived from NDVI thresholds. In this research, we proposed a semi-automated, efficient and cost-effective state-of-the-art technique for crop classification using satellite remote sensing datasets and GIS techniques to replace outdated conventional survey-based crop estimations procedures. This research was conducted in Sahiwal district, Pakistan to categorise several crop types using two major inputs: satellite (Sentinel-2, 10m) imagery and local crop calendar. The research adopted a semi-automatic approach to find the main crops of Rabi (winter) and Kharif (summer) using orthorectified and atmospherically corrected Level-1C images to extract phenological information based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The complete phenological life cycle of crops including sowing, growing, and harvesting stages were deeply analyzed with the help of crop calendar and NDVI profiles. Then this information passed through iterative selforganizing (ISO Data Model) of unsupervised classification technique in the form of temporal stacked images. The NDVI profiles of each crop were synchronized with the crop calendar of the study area to develop the crop categorization procedure. The results were validated with the statistics of the agriculture department Lahore and field samples gave about 85% and 88% accuracy for Rabi and Kharif cropping seasons respectively. It is concluded from the research that the tested methodology is capable of providing a fast, cost-efficient, and reliable solution for crop mapping instead of conventional survey-based crop area assessment techniques (conventional Girdawri) which requires a vast number of resources and time, and it can be replicated in different areas with minor changes
Fabrication of pH-responsive dextran- modified polylactic acid core-shell microparticles for antidiabetic drug delivery.
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Bansal Smriti , Singh Ankita , Poddar Deepak , Sarkar Anjana
Published: January 2024

Glipizide, a low-cost antidiabetic drug, known for its fast-acting nature and reduced risk of hypoglycemia. However, its usage is limited by its short acting nature and non-selectivity. In our study we demonstrate modified dextran coated glipizide loaded PLA (Polylactic acid) microspheres capable of targeted drug release at intestinal region. These particles show improved mucoadhesion in presence of glycidyltrimethyl ammonium chloride modified dextran (GT-dextran) as an outer coating. To achieve this glipizide encapsulated PLA, microspheres of size 27.09 ± 6.55 µm were fabricated using emulsion solvent evaporation followed by GT-dextran surface coating using dipping method. NMR, FT-IR, FESEM, TGA, and Zeta Potential confirmed the presence of GT-dextran coating on the surface of PLA particles. Controlled release of glipizide from the PLA matrix was achieved for the fabricated polymer particles. GT-dextran coating increases the size of the GI-PLA particles by 14.01 % with size 17.17 ±1.33 µm, along with 57.47 ± 2.7% encapsulation efficiency. The release behavior was assessed at three different pH, demonstrating slow release at of 8.76 ± 0.93 % low pH (1.5) and fast release of 92.4 ± 7.32 % at pH 7.2. The desired controlled release profile was achieved, with 68.45 ± 11.01% at pH 9.2 over a time of 48-hours. The fabricated pH-responsive core-shell type microspheres exhibit great potential as a targeted and controlled drug delivery system for antidiabetic therapy.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO): a protocol for an interdisciplinary research initiative and web-based dashboard for mapping enteric infectious diseases and their risk factors and interventions in LMICs
Authors: Colston Josh M. , Chernyavskiy Pavel , Gardner Lauren , Nong Malena , Fang Bin , Houpt Eric , Swarup Samarth , Badr Hamada , Zaitchik Benjamin , Lakshmi Venkataraman , Kosek Margaret
Published: January 2024

Background: Diarrhea remains a leading cause of childhood illness throughout the world that is increasing due to climate change and is caused by various species of ecologically sensitive pathogens. The emerging Planetary Health movement emphasizes the interdependence of human health with natural systems, and much of its focus has been on infectious diseases and their interactions with environmental and human processes. Meanwhile, the era of big data has engendered a public appetite for interactive web-based dashboards for infectious diseases. However, enteric infectious diseases have been largely overlooked by these developments.
Methods: The Planetary Child Health and Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is a new initiative that builds on existing partnerships between epidemiologists, climatologists, bioinformaticians, and hydrologists as well as investigators in numerous low- and middle-income countries. Its objective is to provide the research and stakeholder community with an evidence base for the geographical targeting of enteropathogen-specific child health interventions such as novel vaccines. The initiative will produce, curate, and disseminate spatial data products relating to the distribution of enteric pathogens and their environmental and sociodemographic determinants.
Discussion: As climate change accelerates there is an urgent need for etiology-specific estimates of diarrheal disease burden at high spatiotemporal resolution. Plan-EO aims to address key challenges and knowledge gaps by making rigorously obtained, generalizable disease burden estimates freely available and accessible to the research and stakeholder communities. Pre-processed environmental and EO-derived spatial data products will be housed, continually updated, and made publicly available to the research and stakeholder communities both within the webpage itself and for download. These inputs can then be used to identify and target priority populations living in transmission hotspots and for decision-making, scenario-planning, and disease burden projection.
Study registration: PROSPERO protocol #CRD42023384709
Fully 3D Printed Biodegradable, Wireless, and Smart Bioimplants with Voxelated Semiconductor
Authors: Kang Seung-Kyun , Lee Ju-Yong , Jeon Jooik , Park Joo-Hyeon , Kang Se-Hun , Park Yea-seol , Chae Min-Sung , Han Jieun , Kim Kyung-Sub , Lee Jae-Hwan , Choi Sung-Geun , Park Sun-Young , Kim Young-Seo , Kim Yoon-Nam , Lee Seung Min , Choi Myung-Kyun , Moon Jun Min , Kim Joon-Woo , Seol Seung Kwon , Kim Jeonghyun , Koo Jahyun , Kim Ju-Young , Kim Woo-Byoung , Lee Kang-Sik , Hyun Jung Keun
Published: January 2024

2D lithography based rigid main body with lead or structurally deformable thin-film-electronics face challenges in advanced implantable devices applications for variable target organs or tissues with complex architectures and 3D tubular morphology. 3D electronic printing emerges as a promising avenue, allowing adaptable, tailored designs for individuals within 3D structural supports. This study developed 3D-printable biodegradable electronic inks capable of printing conductor, dielectric, semiconductor, and frame materials and enabling multi-material integration for essential circuit elements within the single printing system. Notably, the direct stacking of semiconductors as building blocks was possible by room temperature conductivity enhancement and energy alignment strategy. Also the ink is composed of a thermoplastic homogeneous matrix for seamless integration. Based on the study, the ability to print solely functional electronic devices while integrating all-in-one process was verified by demonstrating the in vivo operability of tube-shaped wireless stimulators and their therapeutic efficacy in nerve recovery. The devices were lead-free, customizable to the target tissue, and remotely controlled with uniform pulses. Further advancements are proposed for 3D embedding, free-surface printing, and diverse sensor applications, highlighting the potential of 3D-printing in advancing implantable electronics.
A numerical model of microplastic transport for fluvial systems in the land-sea continuum
Authors: Armitage John Joseph , Rohais Sébastien
Published: January 2024

Rivers are the primary pathway of microplastic pollution from source to the eventual sink in the marine environment. However, like sediments, microplastic will become trapped within the fluvial system as it makes its way from source-to-sink. There is therefore the potential that rivers are an important reservoir of microplastic pollution globally. To explore the transport of microplastic through the fluvial system we develop a reduced complexity model of microplastic erosion, transport, and deposition that builds on methods developed for the transport of sediment. We apply this model to the river Têt, where there has been punctual monitoring of the flux of microplastic at the outlet. We find that the reduced complexity model captures the observed quantity of microplastic under reasonable assumptions of the relationship between microplastic sources and population density. The model that best matches observed fluxes of microplastic at the outlet of the Têt river requires between 1 and 10 ppm volume concentration of microplasitc per 200×200 m in the top half a meter of soil. This concentration of microplastic then travels within the river network with a settling velocity of between 10-4 and 10-6 m/sec. The model results imply that a large proportion of microplastic will become entrained within the sediments along the fluvial system. This model is a first step in assessing where to sample for microplastic pollution within river networks and points to regions susceptible to microplastic pollution.
Envirotyping within a multi-environment trial allowed identifying genetic determinants of winter oilseed rape yield plasticity
Authors: CORLOUER Erwan , SAUVAGE Christopher , LEVEUGLE Magalie , NESI Nathalie , Laperche Anne
Published: January 2024

A main challenge for rapeseed consists in maintaining seed yield while adapting to climate changes and contributing to environmental-friendly cropping systems. Breeding for plasticity and cultivar adaptation is one of the keys to meet this challenge. Genetic diversity for plasticity is the expression of Genotype x environment interaction. Therefore, we propose to identify the genetic determinant of seed yield G×E interaction for winter oilseed rape using GWAS coupled with a multi-environmental trial and to interpret them in the light of environmental characteristics. Thanks to a comprehensive characterization of a multi-environmental trial using 79 indicators, 4 contrasting envirotypes were defined and used to identify interactive and stable seed yield (SY) QTL. A total of four QTL were detected for SY, among which, QA09 and QC09a, were stable (detected at the multi-environmental trial scale or for different envirotypes and environments); and one, QA07a, was specifically detected into the most stressed envirotype. The analysis of the molecular diversity at QA07a showed a lack of genetic diversity within modern lines compared to older cultivars bred before the selection for low glucosinolate content. The results were discussed in comparison to other studies and methods as well as in the context of breeding programs.
Marker-Assisted Introgression of the ‘Co14’ Gene to Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaries L.) against Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum)
Authors: Ebrahim Muhammed Sitote , Bisetegn Kassahun Bantte , RezeneTedla Yayis
Published: January 2024

Bean anthracnose is one of the major constraints on the production of common bean plants in Ethiopia. This study aimed to introgress the Co14 R gene and creates parental bean cultivars with desirable traits as potential sources of resistance genes in breeding programs. Marker-assisted backcross breeding was used to introgress the Co14 R gene tagged with the CV542014 marker from the donor parent (KT-RWA77) to the recurrent parent (KT-IBMV4). Progenies in each generation were selected using a sequence tag site marker (CV542014). An experiment was conducted using parental lines, eight BC2F2 isolines, and two released varieties along with three anthracnose races (2047, 1716, and 2342) for phenotypic evaluation of isolines against anthracnose pathogens. The experiment was conducted using a factorial completely randomized design (CRD). The collected data were analysed using SAS 9.3 software. After genotypic selection, five BC2F2 plants were identified as introgressing lines for the anthracnose R gene from crosses between KT-IBMV4 and KT-RWA77 via marker-assisted selection. The results indicated that the anthracnose R gene (Co14) was successfully introgressed and traced with MAS. Again, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) among the BC2F2 lines, races, and their interactions. Among the lines, four BC2F2 lines (Plant-3, Plant-5, Plant-9, and Plant-15) exhibited the lowest mean severity of the three tested races compared with the other lines. The BC2F2 lines, specifically plant-3 and plant-15, were selected for resistance to anthracnose and for the presence of the Co14 marker. The two BC2F2 lines Plant-3 and Plant-15 could be recommended as sources of resistance to anthracnose disease. However, the remaining two BC2F2 lines, viz. Plant-5 and Plant-9 had resistance reactions to anthracnose disease and were recommended for production after verification where anthracnose disease is widely distributed. Generally, the identified lines are used as parental materials for the next backcrossing program.
Population Knowledge and Perceived Risks on Heart Disease Among Cameroonians’ Adults in Yaounde
Authors: Arnaud Kouomogne Nteungue Boris , Im Hyea Bin , Alphonse Acho , Myriam Ambomo Sylvie , Oyono Yannick , Brecht Bertolt , Ndougou Dieudonnée Reine , Nteungue Bertolt Brecht Kouam , Han Doong Woon , Tandi Tinyami Erick
Published: January 2024

Background
Cardiovascular disease is a major leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and Cameroon. This burden is rooted by major modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that have not been intensively investigated among these populations. This study aimed to determine the levels of knowledge and awareness of heart disease amongst adults within the capital city of Cameroon.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by administering a semi-structured questionnaire among 468 Cameroonian aged 25–64 years. egression models were used to identify significant predictors of respondent’s knowledge and awareness, perceived risk and self-efficacy to heart disease.
Results
38.5% (180 out of 468) of respondents had a good level of knowledge on heart disease. High blood pressure, stress, smoking, being overweight, lack of physical exercise, alcohol, family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and aging were identified as risk factors. Respondents were aware of heart disease 378(81%), reported having two or more risk factors 345(74%), perceived themselves at high risk to heart disease 339(72.4%) and had a high efficacy to reduce their risk of heart disease 397(86%). Male gender (OR 1.4: 1.01–2, p = 0.032), being aware of heart disease (OR 1.62: 1–2.5, p = 0.032), college education (OR 2.7: 1.5–6.2, p = 0.021), high perceived susceptibility (OR 1.7: 1.2–2.7, p = 0.018) and having no risk factors (OR 2.7: 1.3–5.6, p = 0.01) predicted good knowledge of heart disease.
Conclusion
Educational programs aiming at increasing the awareness and translating knowledge into effective actions among populations should be empowered and strengthened based on the influencing predictors.
One Case of Direct Evidence’s peripheral ulcerative keratitis with Tuberculosis
Authors: Gong Yajie , Huang keke , Huang Jun , Wang Shuang
Published: January 2024

Compared with intraocular tuberculosis (TB), ocular tuberculosis (OTB) with ocular surface involvement is rare. Corneal involvement in OTB can be characterized by interstitial keratitis or peripheral ulcer-ative keratitis(PUK). We report a case of PUK with direct basis as the sign of tuberculosis. The corneal ulcer scraping was performed and mycobacterium TB DNA polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was positive.After a month of oral anti tuberculosis treatment, the corneal ulcer was completely controlled.
Research on metal flow line control and mechanical anisotropy of M50 steel eccentric ball bearing ring
Authors: Jiang Hongwei , Shi Huinan , Yu Guangning , Wang Huimin , Shan Debin , Zong Yingying
Published: January 2024

In this work, considering the metal flow lines distribution of the machined parts, a kind of eccentric ball bearing ring with metal flow lines distribution according to its contour was obtained via a high height diameter ratio bar and insufficient lubrication. Furthermore, the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of bearing rings after spheroidizing annealing and quenched-tempered treatment was analyzed and compared using metallographic microscope and electron microscopy. Results show that the spheroidized annealed and quenched-tempered process cannot play a role in the refinement and dissolution of the primary carbides. The metal flow line was the main reason for the obvious mechanical anisotropy. In three related directions, the mechanical properties of the axial and circumferential directions (along the metal flow lines) are significantly better than those of the radial direction. The rapid propagation of microcracks along a carbide band is the reason for the poor mechanical properties when loading perpendicular to the metal flow line. The radial specimen after quenching and tempering exhibits a brittle fracture mode. but the axial and radial specimens exhibit quasi cleavage fracture mode.
Impact of macronutrients intake on glycemic homeostasis of preterm infants : evidence from continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Guiducci Silvia , Res Giulia , Bonadies Luca , Savio Federica , Brigadoi Sabrina , Priante Elena , Trevisanuto Daniele , Baraldi Eugenio , Galderisi Alfonso
Published: January 2024

Background
Nutritional intake could influence blood glucose profile during early life of preterm infants. We investigated the impact of macronutrient’s intake, on glycemic homeostasis using continuous glucose monitoring(CGM).
Methods
We analyzed macronutrients intake in infants born ≤ 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and/or with birth weight ≤ 1500g enrolled. CGM was started within 48 hours of birth and maintained for 5 days. Hypoglycemia was defined as sensor glucose < 4mmol/L, hyperglycemia > 8 mmol/L.
Results
Data from 30 participants were included[age 29.9weeks(29.1; 31.2), birthweight 1230.5g(1040.0; 1458.6)]. A reduced time in hypoglycemia was associated to higher amino acids intake(p = 0.011) while increased exposure to hyperglycemia was observed in presence of higher lipids intake(p = 0.031). The birthweight was the strongest determinant of neonatal glucose profile with an inverse relationship between the time spent in hyperglycemia and birthweight (p = 0.007).
Conclusions
CGM allowed, for the first time, to describe the relationship between macronutrient’s intake and glycemic homeostasis in preterm infants.
Superior Performance of Artificial Intelligence Models in English Compared to Arabic in Infectious Disease Queries
Authors: Sallam Malik , Al-Mahzoum Kholoud , Alshuaib Omaima , Alhajri Hawajer , Alotaibi Fatmah , Alkhurainej Dalal , Al-Balwah Mohammad Yahya , Barakat Muna , Egger Jan
Published: January 2024

Background
Assessment of artificial intelligence (AI)-based models across languages is crucial to ensure equitable access and accuracy of information in multilingual contexts. This study aimed to compare AI model efficiency in English and Arabic for infectious disease queries.
Methods
The study employed the METRICS checklist for the design and reporting of AI-based studies in healthcare. The AI models tested included ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, Bing, and Bard. The queries comprised 15 questions on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, COVID-19, and influenza. The AI-generated content was assessed by two bilingual experts using the validated CLEAR tool.
Results
In comparing AI models' performance in English and Arabic for infectious disease queries, variability was noted. English queries showed consistently superior performance, with Bard leading, followed by Bing, ChatGPT-4, and ChatGPT-3.5 (P = .012). The same trend was observed in Arabic, albeit without statistical significance (P = .082). Stratified analysis revealed higher scores for English in most CLEAR components, notably in completeness, accuracy, appropriateness, and relevance, especially with ChatGPT-3.5 and Bard. Across the five infectious disease topics, English outperformed Arabic, except for flu queries in Bing and Bard. The four AI models' performance in English was rated as “excellent”, significantly outperforming their “above-average” Arabic counterparts (P = .002).
Conclusions
Disparity in AI model performance was noticed between English and Arabic in response to infectious disease queries. This language variation can negatively impact the quality of health content delivered by AI models among native speakers of Arabic. This issue is recommended to be addressed by AI developers, with the ultimate goal of enhancing health outcomes.
Do study habits affect our academic achievement? Multi-centric cross-sectional study
Authors: M.Bakre Hatem , Abdelmgied M. A.
Published: January 2024

Aim:
Medicine has a huge data to be consumed and a long road to be taken until graduation, so medical students need the fastest and most effective study routine to save a lot of time and get higher grades. Studying the pattern which medical students with high academic achievement follow, will provide recommendations for other students to follow. We looked for an association between study habits and skills with academic achievement in medical school.
Subject and Methods:
A questionnaire was distributed online platforms targeting medical students at Aswan university and Assuit university. A total 382 students were targeted for the questionnaire from the 1st to 6th academic years.
Results:
There was a significant difference regarding total domain score between students with excellence grade and others with lower grade (M=121.5691, SD=18.88244);p=.001.
Conclusion:
The study found an association between study habits and academic achievement. Training programs can be established based on results of questionnaires like this one.
Assessment of relational empathy with simulated patients: adaptation and validation of a new instrument
Authors: Brotons Pedro , Virumbrales Montserrat , Castellvi Pere , Martinez Xavier , Diaz Sandra , Balaguer Albert
Published: January 2024

Background: Empathy is a crucial competence in the doctor-patient relationship that can be trained to enhance health outcomes. The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure assists patients in evaluating empathy of health care professionals. While the CARE measure has received extensive validation for application in primary and specialty care in diverse languages, no version has been adapted and validated for use in simulation contexts. This study aimed at adapting and validating a CARE measure for simulated patients (Sp-SIMCARE).
Methods: The contextual adaptation to simulation contexts was completed in four phases by a panel of five experts, in collaboration with five simulated patients to ensure clarity, relevance, and equivalence in language and content: 1) preparation of a preliminary contextual adaptation proposal; 2) first version drafting; 3) pilot evaluation of the first version with simulated patients; and 4) review and refinement of the Sp-SIMCARE final version. The validation of the new measure was conducted on typical primary care scenarios with simulated patients evaluating performance of undergraduate medical students at the International University of Catalunya (Barcelona, ​​Spain). Simulated patients adopted four prototypical primary care patient roles: a) acute; b) chronic; c) with a high functional component; and d) difficult to deal with. The newly developed scale underwent analysis for convergent validity, acceptability and face validity, homogeneity, and internal reliability.
Results: The adaptation process ensured that the content of the Sp-SIMCARE scale was unambiguous, relevant, and presented in a comprehensive manner, with uniform meanings for all users. Validation was performed via 270 interviews involving 95 students (mean age, 23 years; 62.2% females). The final version demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity (Spearman's rho coefficient of 0.730; p < 0.001), high acceptability and face validity (proportion of ‘Does not apply’ responses/missing values at 1.96%), and strong homogeneity (corrected item-total correlations in the range 0.705 to 0.865), and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.960).
Conclusions: The Sp-SIMCARE measure proved to be psychometrically valid and reliable for simulated patients to evaluate undergraduate medical students. The use of this tool could potentially assist in the design and implementation of interventions aimed at fostering empathy in future doctors throughout their training.