bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of limb saving in diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Din Nizamud , Kanwal Shaista , Aamir Azizul Hasan , Ghaffar Tahir
Published: June 2024

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the various factors which could serve as predictor of saving of lower limb from amputation in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).
Method: This three-year retrospective study was conducted in the Diabetes and Endocrinology Unit of Hayatabad Medical complex Peshawar, Pakistan. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological information of the diabetic patients with DFU admitted between January 2020 to December 2022 was retrieved from the hospital files. Information regarding initial and final decision regarding amputation and the outcome of the ulcer was also recorded.
Results: A total of 502 patients of diabetes mellitus (DM) with DFU were included in the study, of whom there were 279 (55.6%) males and 223 (44.4%) females. The mean age of the study population, mean duration of DM and mean HbA1c were 55.2 ± 9.8 years, 13.7 ± 6.7 years and 11.2 ± 2.4 %, respectively. Patients who had an amputation of their lower limbs had an increased age (p= 0.034), raised total leucocyte count (TLC) (p= <0.001), higher HbA1c (p= 0.025), had osteomyelitis (p= <0.001), and had a higher-grade ulcer (p= <0.001). On binary logistic regression analysis, ulcer grade (OR=7.4, p= <0.001), osteomyelitis (OR=11.8, p= <0.001), and initial decision of no amputation at the time of admission (OR=33.6, p=<0.001) were independently associated with the lower limb salvage.
Conclusion: DFU which were of grade I to II, had no evidence of osteomyelitis and for which an initial decision was of no amputation were more likely to be salvaged.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.7.9182
How to cite this: Din N, Kanwal S, Aamir AH, Ghaffar T. Predictors of limb saving in diabetic foot ulcer. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.7.9182
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Accuracy of nurse-based Cipto Triage Method in the emergency department
Authors: Habib Hadiki , Prabowo Yogi , Sulistio Septo , Albar Imamul Aziz , Mulyana Radi Muharris , Nurlaelah Siti , Desviati Eva , Setiani Erni , Arifin Arifin , Matondang Erni Siska Sarifah , Rasmawati Rasmawati , Arlando Choga Ilham , Sumaryanto Sumaryanto , Sutoyo Tommi Juliandi , Lutfi Fery , Fatriani Fatriani , Kusuma Endar
Published: June 2024

Background The Cipto Triage Method (CTM) is a method developed in Indonesia for assessing the clinical acuity of emergency department patients. To evaluate the accuracy of the CTM, this study compared triage decisions using the CTM performed by nurses to the triage decisions performed by emergency medical officers (EMO). Methods This cross-sectional diagnostic study was performed in a single-centre referral hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Adult patients who attended the emergency department (ED) met the inclusion criteria. Trauma cases, pregnancy, and psychiatric disorders were excluded. All eligible patients underwent triage assessment based on CTM by a triage nurse and were then referred to the ED treatment zone for triage assessment performed by an EMO. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratio were calculated. Results Between April and July 2022, 902 participants were randomly selected. The overall accuracy of the triage assessment of the index test was 84.7%, and the PPV of resuscitation and urgent triage was very good (90.5% and 84.5%, respectively). In the non-urgent category, the PPV was acceptable (72%), but the NPV was very good (92.2%). Conclusions Nurse-based triage assessment using CTM in the ED had very good accuracy in determining clinical acuity.
Recent advances in the design of SERS substrates and sensing systems for (bio)sensing applications: Systems from single cell to single molecule detection
Authors: Tadi Sai Ratnakar , Shenoy Ashwini G , Bharadwaj Anirudh , C S Sreelakshmi , Mukhopadhyay Chiranjay , Sadani Kapil , Nag Pooja
Published: June 2024

The Raman effect originates from spontaneous inelastic scattering of photons by matter. These photons provide a characteristic fingerprint of this matter, and are extensively utilized for chemical and biological sensing. The probability of generation, and hence the detection of these Raman scattered photons, is very low; hence, it is difficult to use this directly for sensing in complex matrices. To amplify this signal, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been extensively investigated and has emerged as a powerful analytical tool for sensing diverse analytes, including ions, small molecules, inorganics, organics, radionucleotides, and cells. Plasmonic nanoparticles, called hotspots, exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This amplifies the Raman signal and may offer up to a 1010-fold SERS signal enhancement. The development of SERS active substrates requires further consideration and optimization of several critical features such as surface periodicity, hotspot density, mitigation of sample or surface autofluorescence, tuning of surface hydrophilicities, use of specific (bio) recognition elements with suitable linkers and bioconjugation chemistries, and use of appropriate optics to obtain relevant sensing outcomes in terms of sensitivity, cross-sensitivity, limit of detection, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), stability, shelf-life, and disposability. This article details the optimization of the aforementioned considerations in the use of disposable materials such as commercial grades of paper, textiles, glasses, polymers, and some specific substrates such as blue-ray digital versatile discs (DVDs) for use as SERS-active substrates for point-of-use (POU) sensing applications. The advancements in these technologies have been reviewed and critiqued for analyte detection in resource-limited settings, highlighting the prospects of applications ranging from single-molecule to single-cell detection.
Case Report - Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo due to inner ear hemorrhage
Authors: Mezri Sameh , Selmi Mariem , Bessioud Selma
Published: June 2024

Sudden deafness is a common cause of emergency consultation in otology. Usually, despite investigations, no etiology is known. Intracochlear hemorrhage is a rare cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and may be associated with various labyrinthine disorders. In such cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the clef of the diagnosis. We report the case of a 70-year-old patient who was referred to our department for sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Otoscopic and neurological examinations were normal, and pure-tone audiometry revealed left profound sensorineural hearing loss. Videonystagmography (VNG) revealed left vestibular deficit. MRI demonstrated a high signal intensity inside the cochlea on unenhanced T1-weighted images, and no other abnormalities were found; in particular, no enhancement after intravenous administration of gadolinium. No etiology was identified. Vertigo disappeared rapidly with corticosteroid treatment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but hearing did not improve. Intra-labyrinthine hemorrhage causing SSNHL is rare, and the hearing prognosis is poor.
Positionality statements in science
Authors: Karhulahti Veli-Matti
Published: June 2024

The goal of this essay is to clarify positionality as an epistemological scientific concept and address related misunderstandings to help researchers assess whether statements thereof contribute to their work. Positionality statements can be useful for various research designs across scientific fields, when they are used knowingly.
AI feedback: Moving beyond the hype to integrating it into a coherent feedback pedagogy
Authors: Tay Hui Yong
Published: June 2024

Background The advent of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has brought about more platforms to give automated instantaneous feedback to student writing. This paper reports on the use of one such platform in an after-school tuition program offered to students from financially disadvantaged families. Methods This two-year case study sought to examine the impact of this intervention on 21 students (aged 13-14). These participants, from different schools, were enrolled in the programme that aimed to improve their English language skills with weekly 2-hour sessions. These sessions incorporated the use of an AI-based application (Scribo) that can quickly analyse submitted work for technical aspects such as grammar, word choice, and punctuation. This article reports findings from interviews with both students and their tutors. The qualitative data were analysed using Bandura’s model of triadic reciprocality comprising environmental, personal and behavioural factors. Results and conclusion The findings showed how students generally perceived AI-generated feedback (AIF) positively. However, the positive effects on their will and skill to improve their work is also largely due to the overall classroom routines adopted. The paper discusses theoretical, policy and pedagogical implications of using AIF in mainstream K12 classrooms which adopt such platforms too.
The genome sequence of a hoverfly, Orthonevra nobilis (Fallén 1817)
Authors: Falk Steven , Woodcock Katie J ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: June 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Orthonevra nobilis (hoverfly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syrphidae). The genome sequence is 512.0 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 5 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.05 kilobases in length.
The genome sequence of an anthomyiid fly, Pegoplata infirma (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae)
Authors: Falk Steven , Brighton Philip ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: June 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pegoplata infirma (anthomyiid fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Anthomyiidae). The genome sequence is 1384.4 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 7 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.15 kilobases in length.
La regulación jurídica de la investigación biomédica aplicada al ser humano: entre lo posible y lo incongruente.
Authors: Sánchez Patrón José Manuel
Published: June 2024

La presente contribución examina la normativa internacional y la española en relación con la investigación biomédica, prestando especial atención a la investigación en el ámbito de la genética del ser humano. Con ello se pretende deducir los principios y reglas que regulan este tipo de investigaciones centrándose en el análisis de la coherencia entre la normativa internacional y española, así como los desafíos que plantean a dichos principios y reglas los nuevos descubrimientos que se están produciendo en esta área del conocimiento científico.
Resource Redeployment and the Pursuit of the New Best Use: Economic Logic and Organizational Challenges
Authors: Levinthal Daniel A. , Wu Brian
Published: June 2024

Shifting economic circumstances may suggest some degree of resource redeployment of capacity-constrained capabilities. However, a separate question remains as to how corporate actors operate within the space of this economic logic. While prior literature on diversification has tended to highlight the fungibility of resources as a basis for their redeployment, we point to an additional consideration of the complementarity of resources that makes allocation within the firm attractive, what we term a “new best use.” Further, we point to a potential tension as the economic logic suggested by this property of complementarity, and more generally interdependence with the firm’s other resources and activities, may make assessing what constitutes what we term the “new best use” of a resource challenging. The latent fungibility of a resource may differ from the range of reliable assessment of relative value creation. The allocation of resources and capabilities across a firm of any scale or scope is generally guided by the organizational and task structure of the enterprise. Building on these arguments, we consider two classes of factors that might impact the realization of the latent opportunities of resource redeployment. One is the “pipes” of organizational structures and grouping of business units and allocation of decision rights of specific managers to those units, and the other is the “prisms” of the various metrics of performance and value creation that may make resource use across different domains of the business more or less comparable.
Digital holographic microscope for high spatial and temporal resolution in situ observation of dynamic phenomena of metals
Authors: Guevara Jose Albert , Sekido Kenji , Inoue Junya
Published: June 2024

A digital holographic microscope (DHM) was developed for the purpose of
simultaneous observation and measurement of surface relief formation
during deformation and phase transformation of steels. It was designed
to accommodate the sample mounting component of a custom tensile
tester. The Gabor wavelet transform method was used in the image
reconstruction. To verify performance, the DHM was used to observe and
measure height of slip bands formed during the monotonic loading 316L
stainless steel. Data obtained has high temporal resolution (limited
only by the camera’s frame rate capability) with lateral resolution
approaching the diffraction limit. The results clearly show the
evolving microstructures with height information available within each
captured image.
Adaptive optical third-harmonic generation microscopy for in vivo imaging of tissues
Authors: Rodríguez Cristina , Pan Daisong , Natan Ryan G. , Mohr Manuel A. , Miao Max , Chen Xiaoke , Northen Trent R. , Vogel John P. , Ji Na
Published: June 2024

Third-harmonic generation microscopy is a powerful label-free nonlinear imaging technique, providing essential information about structural characteristics of cells and tissues without requiring external labelling agents. In this work, we integrated a recently developed compact adaptive optics module into a third-harmonic generation microscope, to measure and correct for optical aberrations in complex tissues. Taking advantage of the high sensitivity of the third-harmonic generation process to material interfaces and thin membranes, along with the 1,300-nm excitation wavelength used here, our adaptive optical third-harmonic generation microscope enabled high-resolution in vivo imaging within highly scattering biological model systems. Examples include imaging of myelinated axons and vascular structures within the mouse spinal cord and deep cortical layers of the mouse brain, along with imaging of key anatomical features in the roots of the model plant Brachypodium distachyon. In all instances, aberration correction led to enhancements in image quality.
Semiclassical spectra of the single- and two-photon Tavis-Cummings models
Authors: Beloiarov V. A. , Valtierra I. F. , Klimov A. B.
Published: June 2024

We obtain explicit analytical expressions for the energy spectra of the resonant single- and two-photon Tavis-Cummings models in the asymptotic limit of a large number of atoms, A≫1, and a large number of total excitations, N≫1. We show that both the spectral singularities in the regime N/A∼1 and the equidistant spectra in the regime N/A≫1 can be accurately described in the semiclassical framework.
Analytical and numerical study of light-induced optical microcavity generation by half-cycle light pulses in the resonant medium
Authors: Arkhipov Rostislav , Pakhomov Anton , Diachkova Olga , Arkhipov Mikhail , Rosanov Nikolay
Published: June 2024

An optical Bragg-like microcavity can be formed when extremely short light pulses interacting coherently with the medium collide in the resonant medium. Here we present an analytical approach, based on the approximate solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, that reveals both the cavity formation and its control by the half-cycle pulses colliding in the medium. This approach allows the calculation of cavity properties in the weak-field regime without the need for complex numerical simulations. Beyond the approximate analytical solutions, our analytical results are confirmed by numerical simulations of the Maxwell-Bloch equations. Grating formation is also studied in the strong-field regime, where collisions of self-induced transparency half-cycle pulses occur. The results presented here reveal, to our knowledge, a new type of spatio-temporal photonic crystal in the form of micro-cavities in a simple atomic medium. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of attosecond optical switching in a simple atomic medium with half-cycle pulses.
Examining factors associated with mental health stigma and attitudes toward help-seeking among international college students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Knettel Brandon A. , Ganapathy Pranav , Rougier-Chapman Conner
Published: June 2024

International students in the United States (U.S.) are at increased risk for mental health challenges, but less likely than their U.S.-born peers to seek professional mental health support. We administered an online survey to 132 international students enrolled at 14 U.S. colleges and universities to explore whether demographics, time in the U.S., religiosity, prior contact with people experiencing mental illness, individualism, and collectivism were associated with stigmatizing attitudes and mental health help-seeking. Only increased contact with mental illness was significantly associated with lower mental health stigma in this sample. Identifying as a woman, having more prior contact with mental illness, and collectivism were associated with positive attitudes toward help-seeking, while individualism was associated with negative attitudes toward help-seeking. Interventions that normalize and destigmatize mental health challenges should be adapted to reflect the unique experiences of international students, and new interventions may seek to highlight the value of increased contact and collectivistic attitudes in facilitating mental health help-seeking.
Dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in hamsters and novel association with progressive motor dysfunction
Authors: Langston Harry , Fortes Francisco Amanda , Doidge Ciaran , Roberts Chrissy H. , Khan Archie A. , Jayawardhana Shiromani , Taylor Martin C. , Kelly John M. , Lewis Michael D.
Published: June 2024

Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Clinical outcomes range from long-term asymptomatic carriage to cardiac, digestive, neurological and composite presentations that can be fatal in both acute and chronic stages of the disease. Studies of T. cruzi in animal models, principally mice, have informed our understanding of the biological basis of this variability and its relationship to infection and host response dynamics. Hamsters have higher translational value for many human infectious diseases, but they have not been well developed as models of Chagas disease. We transposed a real-time bioluminescence imaging system for T. cruzi infection from mice into female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). This enabled us to study chronic tissue pathology in the context of spatiotemporal infection dynamics. Acute infections were widely disseminated, whereas chronic infections were almost entirely restricted to the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Neither cardiac nor digestive tract disease were reproducible features of the model. Skeletal muscle had only sporadic parasitism in the chronic phase, but nevertheless displayed significant inflammation and fibrosis, features also seen in mouse models. Whereas mice had normal locomotion, all chronically infected hamsters developed hindlimb muscle hypertonia and a gait dysfunction resembling spastic diplegia. With further development, this model may therefore prove valuable in studies of peripheral nervous system involvement in Chagas disease.
Advancements in intrusion detection: A lightweight hybrid RNN-RF model
Authors: Khan Nasrullah , Mohmand Muhammad Ismail , Rehman Sadaqat ur , Ullah Zia , Khan Zahid , Boulila Wadii
Published: June 2024

Computer networks face vulnerability to numerous attacks, which pose significant threats to our data security and the freedom of communication. This paper introduces a novel intrusion detection technique that diverges from traditional methods by leveraging Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) for both data preprocessing and feature extraction. The proposed process is based on the following steps: (1) training the data using RNNs, (2) extracting features from their hidden layers, and (3) applying various classification algorithms. This methodology offers significant advantages and greatly differs from existing intrusion detection practices. The effectiveness of our method is demonstrated through trials on the Network Security Laboratory (NSL) and Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) 2017 datasets, where the application of RNNs for intrusion detection shows substantial practical implications. Specifically, we achieved accuracy scores of 99.6% with Decision Tree, Random Forest, and CatBoost classifiers on the NSL dataset, and 99.8% and 99.9%, respectively, on the CIC 2017 dataset. By reversing the conventional sequence of training data with RNNs and then extracting features before applying classification algorithms, our approach provides a major shift in intrusion detection methodologies. This modification in the pipeline underscores the benefits of utilizing RNNs for feature extraction and data preprocessing, meeting the critical need to safeguard data security and communication freedom against ever-evolving network threats.
Examining infantile facial features and their influence on caretaking behaviors in free-ranging Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)
Authors: Minami Toshiki , Furuichi Takeshi
Published: June 2024

Facial features of immature individuals play a pivotal role in eliciting caretaking behaviors in humans. It has been posited that non-human animals share particular infantile facial features with humans, which can elicit caregivers’ attention and caretaking behaviors. Nevertheless, the empirical examination of this hypothesis is extremely limited. In this study, we investigated infantile facial features in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), their developmental processes, and their correlation with caretaking and infant behaviors, based on 470 facial photographs from one free-ranging group. We measured the size of facial parts and evaluated these features using non-contact procedures with the animals. The results indicated that, although some partial species differences were observed, the infantile facial features in Japanese macaques were broadly consistent with those previously observed in humans and great apes. Furthermore, half of the infant subjects displayed non-linear developmental trajectories of infantile faces, similar to those suggested in humans. However, unlike previous studies in humans, infantile faces were not significantly associated with maternal or non-maternal caretaking behaviors, nor were their developmental changes correlated with infant behavioral development. These findings indicate that while many aspects of infantile facial features are shared among particular primates, humans may have evolved a uniquely elevated preference for selecting such features among the primate lineage.
Exploring oculomotor functions in a pilot study with healthy controls: Insights from eye-tracking and fMRI
Authors: Lunkova Ekaterina , McCabe Sarah , Chen Jen-Kai , Saluja Rajeet Singh , Ptito Alain
Published: June 2024

Eye-tracking techniques have gained widespread application in various fields including research on the visual system, neurosciences, psychology, and human-computer interaction, with emerging clinical implications. In this preliminary phase of our study, we introduce a pilot test of innovative virtual reality technology designed for tracking head and eye movements among healthy individuals. This tool was developed to assess the presence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), given the frequent association of oculomotor function deficits with such injuries. Alongside eye-tracking, we also integrated fMRI due to the complementary nature of these techniques, offering insights into both neural activation patterns and behavioural responses, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of oculomotor function. We used fMRI with tasks evaluating oculomotor functions: Smooth Pursuit (SP), Saccades, Anti-Saccades, and Optokinetic Nystagmus (OKN). Prior to the scanning, the testing with a system of VR goggles with integrated eye and head tracking was used where subjects performed the same tasks as those used in fMRI. 31 healthy adult controls (HCs) were tested with the purpose of identifying brain regions associated with these tasks and collecting preliminary norms for later comparison with concussed subjects. HCs’ fMRI results showed following peak activation regions: SP–cuneus, superior parietal lobule, paracentral lobule, inferior parietal lobule (IPL), cerebellartonsil (CT); Saccades–middle frontal gyrus (MFG), postcentral gyrus, medial frontal gyrus; Anti-saccades—precuneus, IPL, MFG; OKN—middle temporal gyrus, ACC, postcentral gyrus, MFG, CT. These results demonstrated brain regions associated with the performance on oculomotor tasks in healthy controls and most of the highlighted areas are corresponding with those affected in concussion. This suggests that the involvement of brain areas susceptible to mTBI in implementing oculomotor evaluation, taken together with commonly reported oculomotor difficulties post-concussion, may lead to finding objective biomarkers using eye-tracking tasks.
Exploring barriers to care home research recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic: The influence of social media recruitment posts and public sentiment
Authors: Schoultz Mariyana , Mcgrogan Claire , Carolan Clare , Macaden Leah , Beattie Michelle
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Recruitment of care home staff to research studies is recognised as challenging. This was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated negative media portrayal of care home workers. Social media use has surged since the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns, offering a plausible approach to understanding the barriers to care home research recruitment and gaining insight into public perceptions of care home workers.

Aim

To utilise comments from two Facebook recruitment posts to: 1) gain an understanding of potential barriers to recruitment of healthcare workers (HCWs) in UK care homes, and 2) explore public sentiment towards care home research and care homes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analysed comments from two Facebook posts (available June-October 2021) advertising a separate study on psychological support for care staff during the pandemic. This study was situated within a larger investigation into the mental health and wellbeing of care home staff and employed both qualitative analysis and quantitative methods (word count and correlations between words used and between posts).

Results

Three themes were identified from the qualitative analysis: support, mistrust and blame. There was a greater use of words associated with support and negative emotive words in post 2. Post 2 comments featured significantly more choice words and first-person singular pronouns than post 1 which indicated a resentful sentiment from those who advocate freedom of choice and control. Discussion of mistrust towards researchers was most prominent in post 1 indicating the importance of relationship building between researchers and HCWs in UK care homes. With attribution to blame, there was a larger range of negative emotion words than positive emotion words.

Discussion and conclusion

Taken together our findings offer novel insights into why recruitment to care home research during the pandemic including the use of social media might be problematic. Social media is a useful tool for recruitment but should not be considered as a one-time input. Researchers should pro-actively engage with the study population from the start using co-design with resident and public groups to support recruitment and ensure these populations are accurately represented within research.
Impact of economic indicators on rice production: A machine learning approach in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kularathne Sherin , Rathnayake Namal , Herath Madhawa , Rathnayake Upaka , Hoshino Yukinobu
Published: June 2024

Rice is a crucial crop in Sri Lanka, influencing both its agricultural and economic landscapes. This study delves into the complex interplay between economic indicators and rice production, aiming to uncover correlations and build prediction models using machine learning techniques. The dataset, spanning from 1960 to 2020, includes key economic variables such as GDP, inflation rate, manufacturing output, population, population growth rate, imports, arable land area, military expenditure, and rice production. The study’s findings reveal the significant influence of economic factors on rice production in Sri Lanka. Machine learning models, including Linear Regression, Support Vector Machines, Ensemble methods, and Gaussian Process Regression, demonstrate strong predictive accuracy in forecasting rice production based on economic indicators. These results underscore the importance of economic indicators in shaping rice production outcomes and highlight the potential of machine learning in predicting agricultural trends. The study suggests avenues for future research, such as exploring regional variations and refining models based on ongoing data collection.
The bilevel chamber revealed differential involvement of vasopressin and oxytocin receptors in female mouse sexual behavior
Authors: Hayashi Himeka , Shimizu Kie , Nakamura Kazuaki , Nishimori Katsuhiko , Kondo Yasuhiko
Published: June 2024

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are well-known as neuropeptides that regulate various social behaviors in mammals. However, little is known about their role in mouse female sexual behavior. Thus, we investigated the role of AVP (v1a and v1b) and OT receptors on female sexual behavior. First, we devised a new apparatus, the bilevel chamber, to accurately observe female mouse sexual behavior. This apparatus allowed for a more precisely measurement of lordosis as receptivity and rejection-like behavior (newly defined in this study), a reversed expression of proceptivity. To address our research question, we evaluated female sexual behavior in mice lacking v1a (aKO), v1b (bKO), both v1a and v1b (dKO), and OT (OTRKO) receptors. aKO females showed decreased rejection-like behavior but a normal level of lordosis, whereas bKO females showed almost no lordosis and no change in rejection-like behavior. In addition, dKO females showed normal lordosis levels, suggesting that the v1b receptor promotes lordosis, but not necessarily, while the v1a receptor latently suppresses it. In contrast, although OTRKO did not influence lordosis, it significantly increased rejection-like behavior. In summary, the present results demonstrated that the v1a receptor inhibits proceptivity and receptivity, whereas the v1b and OT receptors facilitate receptivity and proceptivity, respectively.
The effect of multi-component exercise on cognition function in patients with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Zhiyuan , Liu Hualei , Yan Min , Zeng Haiqing , Hu Yiping , Tian Xuewen , Mao Dewei
Published: June 2024

Background

This meta-analysis investigated the influence of exercise on cognitive function in people living with diabetes.

Methods

Stringent criteria for literature inclusion and exclusion were defined. Searches were conducted across four English databases to gather randomized controlled trials investigating exercise interventions for cognitive function in people living with diabetes. Outcome indicators from 1193 subjects across 12 articles were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

Exercise intervention demonstrated the ability to mitigate cognitive decline in people living with diabetes, with a combined effect size (standardized mean difference) of 0.91, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.54, P < 0.00001. The intervention effect showed significant modulation by intervention content (I2 = 95%), intervention duration (I2 = 95%), intervention frequency (I2 = 95%), and intervention cycle (I2 = 96%). Among these factors, multi-component exercise, sessions >40 minutes, exercise frequency >4 times per week, and sustained exercise for >6 months were paramount, all with P < 0.05.

Conclusion

Exercise intervention emerges as a viable strategy for delaying cognitive decline in people living with diabetes. Its efficacy is subject to modulation by various variables. Optimal intervention includes multi-component exercise, individual sessions lasting 40–60 minutes, exercising >4 times a week, and continuous exercise for over 6 months.
Numerical investigation of two-dimensional fuzzy fractional heat problem with an external source variable
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Alotaibi Saad H. , Alotaibi Fawziah M. , Alsayaad Yahya
Published: June 2024

This study suggests a strategy for calculating the fuzzy analytical solutions to a two-dimensional fuzzy fractional-order heat problem including a diffusion variable connected externally. We propose Sawi residual power series scheme (SRPSS) which is the amalgamation of Sawi transform and residual power series scheme under the Caputo fractional differential operator. We demonstrate three different examples to derive the fuzzy fractional series solution which is characterized by its rapid convergence and easy finding of the unknown coefficients using the concept of limit at infinity. The most significant aspect of this scheme is that it derives the results without time effort compared with the traditional residual power series approach. Our findings confirm that the SRPSS is a robust and valuable method for approximating the solution of fuzzy fractional problems. Furthermore, we provide 2D and 3D symbolic representations to present the physical behavior of fuzzy fractional problems under the lower and upper bounded solutions.
Influence of selected non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals on antibiotic resistance gene transfer in Escherichia coli
Authors: Mohamed Doaa Safwat , Abd El-Baky Rehab Mahmoud , El-Mokhtar Mohamed Ahmed , Ghanem Sahar K. , Yahia Ramadan , Alqahtani Alaa M. , Abourehab Mohammed A. S. , Ahmed Eman Farouk
Published: June 2024

Background

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer rapidly among bacterial species all over the world contributing to the aggravation of antibiotic resistance crisis. Antibiotics at sub-inhibitory concentration induce horizontal gene transfer (HRT) between bacteria, especially through conjugation. The role of common non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals in the market in disseminating antibiotic resistance is not well studied.

Objectives

In this work, we indicated the effect of some commonly used non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals including antiemetic (metoclopramide HCl) and antispasmodics (hyoscine butyl bromide and tiemonium methyl sulfate) on the plasmid-mediated conjugal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between pathogenic E. coli in the gastric intestinal tract (GIT).

Methods

Broth microdilution assay was used to test the antibacterial activity of the tested non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals. A conjugation mating system was applied in presence of the studied non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals to test their effect on conjugal transfer frequency. Plasmid extraction and PCR were performed to confirm the conjugation process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used for imaging the effect of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals on bacterial cells.

Results

No antibacterial activity was reported for the used non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals. Plasmid-mediated conjugal transfer between isolates was induced by metoclopramide HCl but suppressed by hyoscine butyl bromide. Tiemonium methylsulfate slightly promoted conjugal transfer. Aggregation between cells and periplasmic bridges was clear in the case of metoclopramide HCl while in presence of hyoscine butyl bromide little affinity was observed.

Conclusion

This study indicates the contribution of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals to the dissemination and evolution of antibiotic resistance at the community level. Metoclopramide HCl showed an important role in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Comparison of the precursor, amino acid oxidation, and end-product methods for the evaluation of protein turnover in senior dogs
Authors: Pacheco Letícia G. , Goloni Camila , Di Santo Ludmilla G. , Scarpim Lucas B. , Eugênio Débora A. , de Castro Ariel , Costa Vladimir E. , Carciofi Aulus C.
Published: June 2024

Stable isotope methods have been used to study protein metabolism in humans; however, there application in dogs has not been frequently explored. The present study compared the methods of precursor (13C-Leucine), end-products (15N-Glycine), and amino acid oxidation (13C-Phenylalanine) to determine the whole-body protein turnover rate in senior dogs. Six dogs (12.7 ± 2.6 years age, 13.6 ± 0.6 kg bodyweight) received a dry food diet for maintenance and were subjected to all the above-mentioned methods in succession. To establish 13C and 15N kinetics, according to different methodologies blood plasma, urine, and expired air were collected using a specifically designed mask. The volume of CO2 was determined using respirometry. The study included four methods viz. 13C-Leucine, 13C-Phenylalanine evaluated with expired air, 13C-Phenylalanine evaluated with urine, and 15N-Glycine, with six dogs (repetitions) per method. Data was subjected to variance analysis and means were compared using the Tukey test (P<0.05). In addition, the agreement between the methods was evaluated using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman statistics. Protein synthesis (3.39 ± 0.33 g.kg-0,75. d-1), breakdown (3.26 ± 0.18 g.kg-0.75.d-1), and flux estimations were similar among the four methods of study (P>0.05). However, only 13C-Leucine and 13C-Phenylalanine (expired air) presented an elevated Pearson correlation and concordance. This suggested that caution should be applied while comparing the results with the other methodologies.
Does behavior mediate the effect of weather on SARS-CoV-2 transmission? evidence from cell-phone data
Authors: Grover Elise N. , Buchwald Andrea G. , Ghosh Debashis , Carlton Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2024

There is growing evidence that weather alters SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but it remains unclear what drives the phenomenon. One prevailing hypothesis is that people spend more time indoors in cooler weather, leading to increased spread of SARS-CoV-2 related to time spent in confined spaces and close contact with others. However, the evidence in support of that hypothesis is limited and, at times, conflicting. We use a mediation framework, and combine daily weather, COVID-19 hospital surveillance, cellphone-based mobility data and building footprints to estimate the relationship between daily indoor and outdoor weather conditions, mobility, and COVID-19 hospitalizations. We quantify the direct health impacts of weather on COVID-19 hospitalizations and the indirect effects of weather via time spent indoors away-from-home on COVID-19 hospitalizations within five Colorado counties between March 4th2020 and January 31st2021. We also evaluated the evidence for seasonal effect modification by comparing the results of all-season (using season as a covariate) to season-stratified models. Four weather conditions were associated with both time spent indoors away-from-home and 12-day lagged COVID-19 hospital admissions in one or more season: high minimum temperature (all-season), low maximum temperature (spring), low minimum absolute humidity (winter), and high solar radiation (all-season & winter). In our mediation analyses, we found evidence that changes in 12-day lagged hospital admissions were primarily via the direct effects of weather conditions, rather than via indirect effects by which weather changes time spent indoors away-from-home. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that weather impacted SARS-CoV-2 transmission via changes in mobility patterns during the first year of the pandemic. Rather, weather appears to have impacted SARS-CoV-2 transmission primarily via mechanisms other than human movement. We recommend further analysis of this phenomenon to determine whether these findings generalize to current SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, as well as other seasonal respiratory pathogens.
Things to keep in mind when selecting physical assessments in youth soccer: Correlations between test performances, interlimb asymmetries, and effects of maturation
Authors: Robles-Palazón Francisco Javier , McMahon John J. , Ayala Francisco , Comfort Paul
Published: June 2024

A range of field-based tests have been proposed for inclusion in physical performance assessment batteries. However, there are obvious time and human resources constraints in applied settings. The knowledge of potential relationships between tests on performance, asymmetries, as well as maturation-induced changes, may help select the most informative and least time-consuming testing battery. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine correlations in performance between different field-based tests, in interlimb asymmetry between those unilateral tests, and between asymmetry scores and test performances, and (2) to determine the influence of players’ maturity status on test performances and asymmetries. A total of 309 male youth soccer players completed a nine-test battery including y-balance test, drop vertical jump, countermovement jump, single leg countermovement jump, standing long jump, single leg hop for distance, Illinois agility test, 10 m sprint, and 20 m sprint. The results revealed moderate-to-very large relationships between jump, sprint, and agility performances (r = 0.43–0.94), but weak-to-moderate correlations between these tests and balance scores (r ≤ 0.38). No relevant relationship (r ≤ 0.32) for asymmetries detected through different unilateral tests was found, nor between asymmetries and performance scores (r < 0.29). While maturity status clearly influenced players’ performance, a limited impact on asymmetries was evident. Despite the mentioned relationships, the low shared variance between tests indicates that they should not be used interchangeably, and coaches should select those with the greatest specificity for the sport. Asymmetries do not influence performance, but their prevalence and unchanging nature with maturation can be seen as an opportunity for the identification of highly asymmetrical players and the application of interventions to improve the weaker limb, irrespective of the athlete’s stage of development. To this end, the single leg countermovement jump might be viewed as an appropriate test in male youth soccer.
Climate-adaptive strategies for enhancing agricultural resilience in southeastern coastal Bangladesh: Insights from farmers and stakeholders
Authors: Mamun Md. Abdullah Al , Li Jianfeng , Cui Aihong , Chowdhury Raihana , Hossain Md. Lokman
Published: June 2024

Climate change impacts crop production worldwide, and coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to its adverse effects. Given the projected rise in temperature and shifting precipitation patterns, it is crucial to examine the current challenges faced by farmers in coastal Bangladesh. Using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), we assessed the perceptions and experiences of farmers and stakeholders regarding the existing agricultural practices, the challenges they face in crop cultivation, and the adoption of climate-adaptive practices in 2 sub-districts in the southeastern coastal region of Bangladesh. Moreover, using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Standardized Terrestrial Water Storage Index (STI), we assessed the frequency and intensity of different climatic conditions in these two sub-districts. Results show that 100% of the respondents reported an increase in dry climatic conditions, the occurrence of untimely precipitation, and a decline in irrigation water during the cropping season. All the respondents in the FGDs expressed a loss of crop production because of these climate-induced disturbances. Despite these challenges, farmers have been implementing several climate-adaptive practices. Among the 9 mentioned climate-adaptive practices, 50% of FGD respondents utilize organic fertilizers, 42% cultivate heat- and drought-resilient crop varieties, use improved irrigation and harvest rainwater, and 25% cultivate integrated crops. The results of quantitative analysis of 3- and 6-month SPEI and STI values show that this region experienced frequent and intense dry climatic conditions during the growing-season, which supports the farmers’ and stakeholders’ concern about the increasing occurrence of droughts during crop growing periods. The results suggest that despite adopting climate-resilient practices under increasing growing-season droughts, farmers require support from the government and NGOs in capacity-building training and input support (e.g., stress-resilient seeds). This study holds practical implications for government, NGOs, and policymakers for ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity in the coastal region of Bangladesh.
Geospatial analysis for strategic wildlife disease surveillance: African swine fever in South Korea (2019–2021)
Authors: Ito Satoshi , Bosch Jaime , Aguilar-Vega Cecilia , Jeong Hyunkyu , Sánchez-Vizcaíno Jose Manuel
Published: June 2024

Since the confirmation of African swine fever (ASF) in South Korea in 2019, its spread, predominantly in wild boars, has been a significant concern. A key factor in this situation is the lack of identification of risk factors by surveillance bias. The unique orography, characterized by high mountains, complicates search efforts, leading to overlooked or delayed case detection and posing risks to the swine industry. Additionally, shared rivers with neighboring country present a continual threat of virus entry. This study employs geospatial analysis and statistical methods to 1) identify areas at high risk of ASF occurrence but possibly under-surveilled, and 2) indicate strategic surveillance points for monitoring the risk of ASF virus entry through water bodies and basin influences. Pearson’s rho test indicated that elevation (rho = -0.908, p-value < 0.001) and distance from roads (rho = -0.979, p-value < 0.001) may have a significant impact on limiting surveillance activities. A map of potential under-surveilled areas was created considering these results and was validated by a chi-square goodness-of-fit test (X-square = 208.03, df = 1, p-value < 0.001). The strong negative correlation (rho = -0.997, p-value <0.001) between ASF-positive wild boars and distance from water sources emphasizes that areas surrounding rivers are one of the priority areas for monitoring. The subsequent hydrological analyses provided important points for monitoring the risk of virus entry via water from the neighboring country. This research aims to facilitate early detection and prevent further spread of ASF.