bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beta blockers are a heterogeneous class: Pharmacologic criteria for the selection
Authors: Koraćević Goran
Published: September 2022

Beta blockers (BB) are one of the essential and irreplaceable parts of modern cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. For decades, the indications for these drugs have been almost exclusively stated for BB as a class. This is not adequate, if we consider how big the inter-individual differences exist within the BB class. Namely, the differences are sometimes diametrically different, and very important; for example, some BBs reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death and some of them do not; some BB prolong life in heart failure with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction, while for others this has not been proven; stroke and minute volume are reduced by most BB, but not all, etc. The same multi-decade flaw applies to contraindications, which are also listed for the entire BB group, instead of every BB individually. An adequate illustration is COPD, which is contraindication for nonselective BB, but not for highly cardioselective ones, such as nebivolol and bisoprolol. The vasodilating property and cardioselectivity are crucial to obtain fewer side effects, which increases the regularity of taking the therapy, and thus provides a proven benefit in several life-threatening diseases. Therefore, by reducing the number and severity of side effects, vasodilatory and cardioselective BB also reduce the risk of sudden discontinuation of BB (BB rebound phenomenon). It is defined as a worsening of the clinical condition and/or findings within a few hours or days discontinuation of taking BB, to the extent that the situation becomes worse than before starting BB therapy. Hydrophilicity/lipophilicity and duration of effect of BB are also important determinants. There is no, the best BB for all patients, but, based on the criteria mentioned in the paper the optimal one can be chosen for a specific patient at a given time.
Methodological support for educators with "symbol pedagogy"
Authors: Hevesi Tímea
Published: September 2022

Our knowledge of social interactions, learning motivation and, increasingly, well-being is integrating into today's emerging pedagogical paradigm. We aim to outline a pedagogical model that can help educators in the integration of children with atypical behavior by developing their social well-being. We further aim to use the results of our research to formulate recommendations for professionals (e.g. kindergarten teachers, developmental teachers) on the integration of children with atypical behavior into peer groups. In this interdisciplinary work, we introduce a possible method of inclusion, and outline a pedagogical model which we have named symbol pedagogy. We present exploratory research during which a pedagogical experiment was carried out. The participants in our research were children showing behavioral patterns indicating autism, who found it difficult to integrate with their peers due to their behavioral oddities. The results of our exploratory research indicate that the application of our pedagogical model can help the work of educators who work with children showing behavioral patterns indicating autism, and that the application of symbol pedagogy can contribute to the social well-being of these children.
Management of waste biomass from food industry: Potential application of peach shells for waste water treatment
Authors: Marković Smilja , Tomašević Vladimir
Published: September 2022

As available at lowor zero-cost, agricultural and food industry waste biomass has great potential to be used for wastewater treatment. It has been shown that, with minimum of chemical or mechanical pre-treatment, waste biomass has great adsorption capacity for different heavy metals, organic and biological pollutants from both drinking and wastewater. Since biomass is a renewable resource that is generated daily as waste and requires storage, its inclusion in sustainable development and the circular economy would have multiple benefits for society as a whole. The use of waste biomass for wastewater treatment would have a positive environmental, energy and economic impact on a country's welfare, especially developing ones.
On the minimum second Zagreb index of trees with small parameters
Authors: Borovićanin B. , Zogić E.
Published: September 2022

The second Zagreb index M 2 is one of the oldest vertex-degree-based molecular structure descriptors, introduced in the 1970s. Recently, there has been a great interest in studying extremal graphs that minimize (or maximize) second Zagreb index in different classes of graphs. In this paper, lower bounds on the second Zagreb index of trees with given small parameters such as diameter, matching number and domination number are determined and the extremal trees are characterized, as well.
Sombor index of Kragujevac trees
Authors: Gutman Ivan , Kulli Veerabhadrappa , Redžepović Izudin
Published: September 2022

The paper is concerned with the Sombor index (SO) of Kragujevac trees (Kg). A slightly more general definition of Kg is offered. SO is a recently introduced degree-based topological index. A general combinatorial expression for SO(Kg) is established. The species with minimum and maximum SO(Kg)-values are determined.
Recognition and detection with deep learning methods
Authors: Eskicioğlu Ömer , Dolićanin Edin , Işık Ali , Rifai Kuçi
Published: September 2022

The method of recognizing traffic signs through image processing has increased in popularity along with advanced driver assistance systems. Drivers may have difficulty reading and detecting traffic signs due to fatigue, weather conditions and speed while driving. In our study, traffic signs rectangular, square, circle and so on. Regardless of the type of different plates seen in the country, even if the correct detection is aimed. By sending the model as a parameter while training, the only thing that needs to be done within the scope of adding a new plate is to retrain our model. Before starting learning, the image was enhanced to improve the performance of the algorithm by using the Contrast Restricted Adaptive Histogram Equation (CLAHE) method in data processing. In our study, results were obtained with 2 deep learning models unlike classical CNN architecture. VGG-16 and Xception deep learning models were compared with each other. SGD and Adam optimization methods were tried for both models and the optimum method was found for our study. Our study has reached an accuracy value of up to 98.38%. The speed performance of our method is sufficient to enable a real-time system implementation in the future. In order to understand the results of our experimental tests in the system to be used, it has been turned into a return parameter and the driver can be integrated with the vehicle regardless of the screen and used with voice assistant or small structures to be added independently of the vehicle.
Limitation of the autonomy of will in the right to the disposal of an unwritten mortgage and reservation of the priority order for a new mortgage
Authors: Jeremić Marina
Published: September 2022

By the law which defines the process of the registration in the real estate cadaster coming into force, apart from the category of the submitting entities, the rule to initiate and conduct the procedure ex officio is implemented. By this legal solution, the registration of rights is implemented automatically, without any impact on persons in whose favor the rights are registered, as well as on other interested parties, by which the freedom of execution and protection of civil subjective rights of parties is limited. The registration of rights ex officio, with the participation of the submitting entity, has reflected on the regulations of the law which defines mortgage, which has led to the limitations of subjective rights in case of registration of deletion of mortgage. The paper is specifically focused on the limitation of the autonomy of will of the owner of real estate in case of exercising the rights to the disposal of the unwritten mortgage, as well as the right on the reservation of the priority order for the new mortgage. In that sense, the paper will indicate the need for legal definition of the possibility to register the deletion of mortgage upon the request of the party.
Legal framework for municipal waste landfills in the European Union
Authors: Bugarski Tatjana , Tubić Bojan , Pisarić Milana
Published: September 2022

Inadequate disposal of waste in landfills produces harmful effects on the environment and human health. In order to prevent or reduce them to a minimum, states devise alternative approaches to waste management and / or prescribe technical requirements for landfilling. In the European Union the Landfill Directive has been adopted, which aims to ensure the gradual reduction of amount of waste disposed in landfills, especially those suitable for recycling or other disposal operations, as well as to provide for measures, procedures and guidelines to prevent or minimize the adverse effects of landfills on the environment, by stipulating strict operational and technical requirements for waste and landfills. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the content of the Directive and its application, with special reference to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union in proceedings against Member States that have not complied with the obligations set out in this Directive.
Controversies in the legal regulation of same-sex couples in the Republic of Serbia in light of international law and comparative law
Authors: Simović Darko , Jović-Prlainović Olga
Published: September 2022

Marriage and familiy are institutions which are continually evolving. Social reality points to the fact that the traditional concept of marriage does not have the capacity to recognize the full complexity of interpersonal relationships. Hence the aspiration for marriage to be equalized with common law marriages, including long term unions between individuals of the same sex. The European Court of Human Rights has greatly contributed to the improvement of the legal position of same-sex partners. To date, the European Court has not equalized same-sex unions with marriage, however it has foreseen that same-sex couples have to be legally recognized so that their relationship would be protected. Member states are not obliged to recognize same-sex marriages, however they have an obligation to institutionalize same-sex unions, for the purpose of protecting the rights and interests of those individuals who are part of them. The intent is to legally regulate personal and the property rights of same-sex couples, in accordance with the obligations of the Republic of Serbia which emanate from the application of the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the overall impression is that the Draft Law on Same-Sex Unions does not contain consistent and well thought out solutions. Analyzed from the aspect of family law, there are significant criticisms with respect to the currently proposed draft law, particularly with regards to the exercising of parental rights. Although the Draft Law does not foresee the possibility of adopting children, the question is raised as to the basis on which a partner of the child's parent obtains authorities vested by way of parental rights. A belief remains that due to the far-reaching consequences, the process of legally regulating same-sex unions must evolve with great care, especially as this remains an extremely controversial topic in Serbian society.
Abuse of dominant position by margin squeeze in competition law of the European Union
Authors: Fišer-Šobot Sandra
Published: September 2022

Margin squeeze occurs when vertically integrated undertaking, which is dominant on the upstream market, charges a price for the product on the upstream market which, compared to the price it charges on the downstream market, does not allow even an equally efficient competitor to trade profitably in the downstream market on a lasting basis. The subject of the analysis in the paper is the abuse of a dominant position by margin squeeze in the competition law of the European Union. The author will present and analyze relevant competition rules in the European Union, the practice of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Commission, as well as views expressed in the doctrine, in order to answer whether margin squeeze is an independent type of abuse of dominant position and what conditions are relevant for legal analysis of margin squeeze.
Tax reliefs for residential property occupied by the payers of the property tax
Authors: Cvjetković-Ivetić Cvjetana , Milošević Goran , Baturan Luka
Published: September 2022

In this paper the authors deal with the tax reliefs provided for residential property occupied by the payers of the property tax. The authors will try to answer whether and what type of tax reliefs are given to this category of property in comparative tax law. The special attention will be devoted to the critical analysis of tax credits provided for residential property in Serbian tax law.
Investigative diversion in the Hungarian Criminal Procedure system
Authors: Čvorović Dragana
Published: September 2022

The Act XC of 2017 on Criminal Procedure, which entered into force on 01 July 2018, contains significant reforms regarding investigation in criminal proceedings in Hungary. The legislation is a bold undertaking to improve the efficiency of criminal proceedings by reinterpreting the relationship between prosecution and the investigative authority, vertically separating investigations, and integrating diversionary possibilities into analyzes. It aims to overcome the weaknesses of the current system by clearly defining the procedures of responsibility for investigations and by dealing with the more uncomplicated "trivial" cases at the discovery stage. In the paper, the author provides an overview of the provisions of the Hungarian Criminal Procedural Act that are closely related to investigations, with a particular emphasis on the possibilities of diversion and the open questions that arise in this context and that are left to case law to elaborate.
Modernization of the Prum framework for data exchange
Authors: Bugarski Tatjana , Pisarić Milana
Published: September 2022

In order to improve cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States, a mechanism for the exchange of data for the needs of criminal proceedings has been developed at the level of the European Union. Among the elements of that mechanism are the instruments created by the Prum decisions from 2008. The implementation of these decisions has removed barriers to the cross-border movement of certain categories of information, by allowing the competent authorities of one Member State to allow the competent authorities of another Member State to access and search certain databases. Although the Prum Framework is considered a successful instrument of police co-operation, several significant obstacles have been identified over time that hinder the timely and unhindered exchange of data and thus affect the efficiency of investigations. The paper discusses the necessity and direction of the revision of the Prum framework in order to modernize the instruments of data exchange.
A Profile of Students Who Reported Mask Mandates Violate Civil Liberties during COVID-19
Authors: Zullig Keith J. , Gardner Madelin
Published: September 2022

Objectives: In this paper, we explore differences in demographics, mask wearing attitudes and behaviors, and vaccination perceptions among students who reported that mask mandates violate their civil liberties compared to those who did not. Methods: Participants completed
an online survey in April 2021 (N=619). Results: Students who reported that mask mandates violate their civil liberties were more likely to identify as male, report good health, attend in-person classes, and less likely to report being vaccinated (p<.05). These students were also
more likely to endorse not wearing masks because masks make it difficult to breathe, provide a false sense of security, and because they value their independence; in addition, they were more likely to endorse not being vaccinated because they are at low perceived risk for infection, because
of the unknown side effects of vaccines, and because vaccines were rushed into production (p<.05). Whereas students who reported that mask mandates violate their civil liberties were about 5.2 times more likely (p<.0001) to report being unvaccinated, vaccine status was only modestly
positively correlated (r=.36, p<.0001). Conclusions: Although students who reported mask mandates violate their civil liberties were also more likely to be unvaccinated, these individuals are not necessarily the same, suggesting different public health messaging may be required to
increase both mask use and vaccine uptake.
Evaluation of DAD_ETABS procedure and software for the design of high-rise steel buildings for wind
Authors: Sisson Sophie , Mashnad Mehedy , Yeo DongHun
Published: September 2022

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed advanced Database-Assisted Design (DAD) procedures for the design of structural members subjected to direction-dependent wind loads. Recently, a DAD_ETABS procedure that uses the ETABS software was developed with a view to facilitating the use of the DAD approach in structural engineering practice. DAD_ETABS is a powerful software package enabling DAD's unique safety and economy features to be part of general structural design practice. The purpose of this report is to review the main features of the DAD_ETABS structural design procedure and software and assess them from the point of view of its potential use in structural engineering design practice. The report presents a review of the procedure and the results of testing the performance of the DAD_ETABS software by performing an independent structural design of an example high-rise steel building. An assessment of the software and its potential for routine use in structural engineering design practice is then presented, followed by a set of recommendations on future work aimed at enhancing the software's capabilities as a widely used practical design tool.
Linking rattiness, geography and environmental degradation to spillover Leptospira infections in marginalised urban settings: An eco-epidemiological community-based cohort study in Brazil
Authors: Eyre Max T , Souza Fábio N , Carvalho-Pereira Ticiana SA , Nery Nivison , de Oliveira Daiana , Cruz Jaqueline S , Sacramento Gielson A , Khalil Hussein , Wunder Elsio A , Hacker Kathryn P , Hagan José E , Childs James E , Reis Mitermayer G , Begon Mike , Diggle Peter J , Ko Albert I , Giorgi Emanuele , Costa Federico
Published: September 2022

Background:

Zoonotic spillover from animal reservoirs is responsible for a significant global public health burden, but the processes that promote spillover events are poorly understood in complex urban settings. Endemic transmission of Leptospira, the agent of leptospirosis, in marginalised urban communities occurs through human exposure to an environment contaminated by bacteria shed in the urine of the rat reservoir. However, it is unclear to what extent transmission is driven by variation in the distribution of rats or by the dispersal of bacteria in rainwater runoff and overflow from open sewer systems.

Methods:

We conducted an eco-epidemiological study in a high-risk community in Salvador, Brazil, by prospectively following a cohort of 1401 residents to ascertain serological evidence for leptospiral infections. A concurrent rat ecology study was used to collect information on the fine-scale spatial distribution of ‘rattiness’, our proxy for rat abundance and exposure of interest. We developed and applied a novel geostatistical framework for joint spatial modelling of multiple indices of disease reservoir abundance and human infection risk.

Results:

The estimated infection rate was 51.4 (95%CI 40.4, 64.2) infections per 1000 follow-up events. Infection risk increased with age until 30 years of age and was associated with male gender. Rattiness was positively associated with infection risk for residents across the entire study area, but this effect was stronger in higher elevation areas (OR 3.27 95% CI 1.68, 19.07) than in lower elevation areas (OR 1.14 95% CI 1.05, 1.53).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that, while frequent flooding events may disperse bacteria in regions of low elevation, environmental risk in higher elevation areas is more localised and directly driven by the distribution of local rat populations. The modelling framework developed may have broad applications in delineating complex animal-environment-human interactions during zoonotic spillover and identifying opportunities for public health intervention.

Funding:

This work was supported by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Brazilian Ministry of Health, the National Institutes of Health of the United States (grant numbers F31 AI114245, R01 AI052473, U01 AI088752, R01 TW009504 and R25 TW009338); the Wellcome Trust (102330/Z/13/Z), and by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB/JCB0020/2016). MTE was supported by a Medical Research UK doctorate studentship. FBS participated in this study under a FAPESB doctorate scholarship.
Sociosexual behavior requires both activating and repressive roles of Tfap2e/AP-2ε in vomeronasal sensory neurons
Authors: Lin Jennifer M , Mitchell Tyler A , Rothstein Megan , Pehl Alison , Taroc Ed Zandro M , Katreddi Raghu R , Parra Katherine E , Zuloaga Damian G , Simoes-Costa Marcos , Forni Paolo Emanuele
Published: September 2022

Neuronal identity dictates the position in an epithelium, and the ability to detect, process, and transmit specific signals to specified targets. Transcription factors (TFs) determine cellular identity via direct modulation of genetic transcription and recruiting chromatin modifiers. However, our understanding of the mechanisms that define neuronal identity and their magnitude remain a critical barrier to elucidate the etiology of congenital and neurodegenerative disorders. The rodent vomeronasal organ provides a unique system to examine in detail the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation and maturation of chemosensory neurons. Here, we demonstrated that the identity of postmitotic/maturing vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs), and vomeronasal-dependent behaviors can be reprogrammed through the rescue of Tfap2e/AP-2ε expression in the Tfap2eNull mice, and partially reprogrammed by inducing ectopic Tfap2e expression in mature apical VSNs. We suggest that the TF Tfap2e can reprogram VSNs bypassing cellular plasticity restrictions, and that it directly controls the expression of batteries of vomeronasal genes.
Neural signatures of auditory hypersensitivity following acoustic trauma
Authors: McGill Matthew , Hight Ariel E , Watanabe Yurika L , Parthasarathy Aravindakshan , Cai Dongqin , Clayton Kameron , Hancock Kenneth E , Takesian Anne , Kujawa Sharon G , Polley Daniel B
Published: September 2022

Neurons in sensory cortex exhibit a remarkable capacity to maintain stable firing rates despite large fluctuations in afferent activity levels. However, sudden peripheral deafferentation in adulthood can trigger an excessive, non-homeostatic cortical compensatory response that may underlie perceptual disorders including sensory hypersensitivity, phantom limb pain, and tinnitus. Here, we show that mice with noise-induced damage of the high-frequency cochlear base were behaviorally hypersensitive to spared mid-frequency tones and to direct optogenetic stimulation of auditory thalamocortical neurons. Chronic two-photon calcium imaging from ACtx pyramidal neurons (PyrNs) revealed an initial stage of spatially diffuse hyperactivity, hyper-correlation, and auditory hyperresponsivity that consolidated around deafferented map regions three or more days after acoustic trauma. Deafferented PyrN ensembles also displayed hypersensitive decoding of spared mid-frequency tones that mirrored behavioral hypersensitivity, suggesting that non-homeostatic regulation of cortical sound intensity coding following sensorineural loss may be an underlying source of auditory hypersensitivity. Excess cortical response gain after acoustic trauma was expressed heterogeneously among individual PyrNs, yet 40% of this variability could be accounted for by each cell’s baseline response properties prior to acoustic trauma. PyrNs with initially high spontaneous activity and gradual monotonic intensity growth functions were more likely to exhibit non-homeostatic excess gain after acoustic trauma. This suggests that while cortical gain changes are triggered by reduced bottom-up afferent input, their subsequent stabilization is also shaped by their local circuit milieu, where indicators of reduced inhibition can presage pathological hyperactivity following sensorineural hearing loss.
Automated prioritizing heuristics for parallel task graph scheduling in heterogeneous computing
Authors: Flint Clément , Paillat Ludovic , Bramas Bérenger
Published: September 2022

High-performance computing (HPC) relies increasingly on heterogeneous hardware and especially on the combination of central and graphical processing units. The task-based method has demonstrated promising potential for parallelizing applications on such computing nodes. With this approach, the scheduling strategy becomes a critical layer that describes where and when the ready-tasks should be executed among the processing units. In this study, we describe a heuristic-based approach that assigns priorities to each task type. We rely on a fitness score for each task/worker combination for generating priorities and use these for configuring the Heteroprio scheduler automatically within the StarPU runtime system. We evaluate our method’s theoretical performance on emulated executions and its real-case performance on multiple different HPC applications. We show that our approach is usually equivalent or faster than expert-defined priorities.
The effect of enhanced variability after performance stabilization through constant practice
Authors: Ruano Carmen , Caballero Carla , Moreno Francisco J.
Published: September 2022

There is a controversy about the benefits of variable practice on motor learning. This study aimed to analyze the effect of variable practice after the learner stabilized their performance. Thirty-two healthy adults performed a computer-simulated discrete accuracy task in which they had to release a virtual ball to try to hit a target. After a pre-test, the participants were distributed into three training groups: constant practice, variable practice and a group that started practicing in constant conditions, and when their performance stabilized, changed to variable practice. The participants performed 44 sets of 10 repetitions of the task. A post-test and two retention tests were carried out. Variable practice did not show a significant improvement compared to constant practice. Variable practice did not show higher benefits even when performance was stabilized through constant practice, but its effects seem to be modulated by the initial variability of the learners.
Effects of L-carnitine supplementation for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mohd Shukri Mohd Falihin , Norhayati Mohd Noor , Badrin Salziyan , Abdul Kadir Azidah
Published: September 2022

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in reproductive age women and is characterized by hyperandrogenic anovulation and oligo-amenorrhea, which leads to infertility. Anovulation in PCOS is associated with low follicle-stimulating hormone levels and the arrest of antral follicle development in the final stages of maturation. L-carnitine (LC) plays a role in fatty acid metabolism, which is found to be lacking in PCOS patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of LC supplementation for patients with PCOS.

Methods

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychological Information Database (PsycINFO), and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for all randomized control trials, comparing LC alone or in combination with other standard treatments for the treatment of PCOS from inception till June 2021. We independently screened titles and abstracts to identify available trials, and complete texts of the trials were checked for eligibility. Data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias from the included trials were independently extracted by the authors. The estimation of risk ratios and mean differences with a 95 percent confidence interval (CI) was performed using a random-effects model.

Results

Nine studies with 995 participants were included in this review. Five comparison groups were involved. In one comparison group, LC reduced the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (mean differences (MD) −5.10, 95% CI [−6.25 to −3.95]; P = 0.00001), serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (MD −25.00, 95% CI [−27.93 to −22.07]; P = 0.00001), serum total cholesterol (MD −21.00, 95% CI [−24.14 to −17.86]; P = 0.00001), and serum triglyceride (TG) (MD −9.00, 95% CI [−11.46 to −6.54]; P = 0.00001) with moderate certainty of evidence. Another comparison group demonstrated that LC lowers the LDL (MD −12.00, 95% CI [−15.80 to −8.20]; P = 0.00001), serum total cholesterol (MD −24.00, 95% CI [−27.61 to −20.39]; P = 0.00001), and serum TG (MD −19.00, 95% CI [−22.79 to −15.21]; P = 0.00001) with moderate certainty of evidence.

Conclusion

There was low to moderate certainty of evidence that LC improves Body Mass Index (BMI) and serum LDL, TG, and total cholesterol levels in women with PCOS.
Understanding the distribution and fine-scale habitat selection of mesocarnivores along a habitat quality gradient in western Himalaya
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Meghna , Burton A. Cole , Gupta Sandeep Kumar , Krishnamurthy Ramesh
Published: September 2022

Background: Human activities have resulted in a rapid increase of modified habitats in proximity to wildlife habitats in the Himalaya. However, it is crucial to understand the extent to which human habitat modification affects wildlife. Mesocarnivores generally possess broader niches than large carnivores and adapt quickly to human activities. Here, we use a case study in the western Himalaya to test the hypothesis that human disturbance influenced mesocarnivore habitat use.

Methods: We used camera trapping and mitochondrial DNA-based species identification from faecal samples to obtain mesocarnivore detections. We then compared the responses of mesocarnivores between an anthropogenic site and a less disturbed park along a contiguous gradient in habitat quality. The non-linear pattern in species-specific habitat selection and factors responsible for space usage around villages was captured using hierarchical generalized additive modelling (HGAM) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination.

Results: Wildlife occurrences along the gradient varied by species. Leopard cat and red fox were the only terrestrial mesocarnivores that occurred in both anthropogenic site and park. We found a shift in habitat selection from less disturbed habitat in the park to disturbed habitat in anthropogenic site for the species detected in both the habitat types. For instance, red fox showed habitat selection towards high terrain ruggedness (0.5 to 0.7 TRI) and low NDVI (−0.05 to 0.2) in the park but no such specific selection in anthropogenic site. Further, leopard cat showed habitat selection towards moderate slope (20°) and medium NDVI (0.5) in park but no prominent habitat selections in anthropogenic site. The results revealed their constrained behaviour which was further supported by the intensive site usage close to houses, agricultural fields and human trails in villages.

Conclusions: Our results indicate shifts in habitat selection and intensive site usage by mesocarnivores in the human-modified habitat. In future, this suggests the possibility of conflict and disease spread affecting both the people and wildlife. Therefore, this study highlights the requisite to test the wildlife responses to rapidly growing human expansions in modified habitats to understand the extent of impact. The management strategies need to have an integrated focus for further expansions of modified habitat and garbage disposal strategies, especially in the human-wildlife interface area.
Sex differences in peripheral monoamine transmitter and related hormone levels in chronic stress mice with a depression-like phenotype
Authors: Chen Yitian , Cai Weijia , Li Canye , Su Zuanjun , Guo Zhijun , Li Zhuman , Wang Chen , Xu Feng
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds

Chronic stress could induce depression-like phenotype in animal models. Previous data showed that sex differences exist after chronic stress model establishment, however, the detailed information about the difference of blood biochemical indexes is not clear. In this study, we aim to supply comparison of monoamine transmitters and related hormone markers in serum between male and female depressed mice, and in order to better understand the sex difference in transmitters and hormone levels in depression occurrence and development.

Methods

Sixty C57BL/6 mice (both male and female) were divided into two groups by gender. Same gender mice were then divided randomly into the non-treated control group and chronic stress group which was exposed to 8 weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Depression-like behavior was assessed with open-field test and sucrose preference test. Blood sample was collected and monoamine transmitter and related hormone in serum were measured by ELISA.

Results

The depression-like phenotype mice model was established successfully after 8 weeks of chronic stress. The locomotion activity scores in male stressed mice declined more than that in female stressed mice, while the exploratory behavior scores in female stressed mice declined more than that in male stressed mice. Compared to non-treated control group mice, mice in the chronic stress group in response to stress showed greater declines in monoamine transmitters (5-HT, dopamine, norepinephrine) and sex hormones (androgen, estrogen, oxytocin and prolactin), while stress hormones (adrenaline, corticosterone and ACTH) were significantly increased. The decrease of norepinephrine, androgen and estrogen in female stressed mice was greater than in male stressed mice, whereas the 5-HT and oxytocin in male stressed mice decreased more than in female stressed mice, and the corticosterone in male stressed mice increased more than in female stressed mice.

Conclusion

Sex differences of monoamine transmitter and related hormone levels in serum occurred in chronic stress induced depression-like phenotype mice model. It may provide a useful reference to guide precise antidepressant treatment in different gender population in clinical care.
Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy following Intraperitoneal Magnesium Sulphate: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jijo Jose , Rashmi Ravindran , Fijul Komu
Published: September 2022

Introdution: Postoperative pain and discomfort after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is partly because of distension, tearing, separation of parietal peritoneum and surgical manipulation. Intraperitoneal administration of Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4 ) is thought to desensitise the after effects of pneumoperitoneum in addition to providing analgesia. Aim: To analyse the effect of intraperitoneal magnesium sulphate on postoperative analgesia and occurrence of shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective cohort study which was conducted at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, from February 2019 to December 2020, included 60 adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia were selected and they were divided into two groups, group M and group N. Patients in group M received 30 mg/kg MgSO4 which was instilled into the gallbladder bed intraperitoneally by the surgeon after resection of gallbladder and patients who did not receive MgSO4 were included in group N. Postoperative pain was assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and VAS score> 3 was managed with Intravenous (IV) paracetamol 15 mg/kg. If pain was not relieved by this, IV tramadol 50 mg was supplemented. Time to first rescue analgesic, the total analgesic requirement and the incidence of shoulder pain in 24 hours were noted. Haemodynamics, recovery profile, incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV), any adverse events were also noted and analysed. Results: Mean pain scores (VAS) were significantly lower in group M and time to first analgesic requirement was longer in group M (4.23±2.31 hours) compared with group N (1.07±0.67 hours), PONV was significantly higher in group N. Sedation scores were significantly high in group M and there were no significant differences in haemodynamic and recovery profile and incidence of shoulder pain in both the groups. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal instillation of MgSO4 provides effective postoperative analgesia and reduces nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any significant side-effects.
Cartilage Graft in Myringoplasty: What Are the Factors Influencing Hearing Gain?
Authors: Kolsi Naourez , Bouaziz Nawress , Ferjaoui Mahdi , Harrathi Khaled , Bouatay Rachida , Koubaa Jamel
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: We present the anatomical and functional results on the use of cartilage in myringoplasty and use the data to analyze the factors influencing hearing gain. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study included 161 cases of cartilage myringoplasties collected over an 11-year period (2010-2020). Of the 161 cases, the etiology of the tympanic perforations was simple chronic otitis media in 154 (95.65%) ears and traumatic in 7 (4.35%) ears. The mean preoperative Rinne was 26.20±7.05 dB. The most commonly used approach was retroauricular, and the common graft material was tragal or conqual cartilage. Results: After the follow-up period (mean:15 months), the anatomical success rate was 93.2%; there were nine cases of reperforation, of which three were reoperated with a good final result. The hearing success rate (residual Rinne ≤20 dB) was 91.9% with an average gain of 11.48±8.62 dB. The only factor significantly influencing the anatomical outcome was the history of chronic rhinosinusitis. In univariate studies, several factors influencing the functional result were revealed; the only one retained after elimination of bias was the anatomical result. Conclusions: We recommend cartilage as the material of choice for myringoplasties as it has been shown to be resistant to predictive factors of failure after tympanic repair surgery. We recommend the adequate management of all chronic rhinosinusitis before performing myringoplasty.
Level of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Contamination in Braised Fish Marketed and Consumed in Eight Communes in the District of Abidjan, Côte D'ivoire
Authors: Coulibaly Adama , Dagnogo Komissiri , Kallo Vessaly , Doumbia Mariam , Dongo Amy Carine , Biego Godi Henri Marius , Dembele Ardjouma
Published: September 2022

Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate the exposure of consumers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to estimate the health risk related to the consumption of braised fish from eight (8) communes of the District of Abidjan in order to contribute to the protection of these consumers.

Study Design: This experimental study consisted in sampling fish cooked with charcoal embers in the collective catering circuit, followed by the determination of PAHs and the estimation of health risks.

Place and Duration of Study: The braised fish samples were collected in the Autonomous District of Abidjan and analyses were performed at the Central Laboratory of Agrochemistry and Ecotoxicology between January and March 2015.

Methodology: PAHs were extracted and purified on a Bond Eut C18 cartridge and then determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) according to ISO 15753.

Results: All the eight (8) PAH molecules investigated were found in varying concentrations and numbers in the braised fish depending on their origin. Concentrations range from 0.013 \(\mu\)g/kg to 1.246 \(\mu\)g/kg for individual molecules and from 0.670 \(\mu\)g/kg to 3.271 \(\mu\)g/kg for total PAHs (TPAHs) regardless of the municipality and PAH molecule. In addition, 0-25% of the samples are non-compliant with the standard for PAHs and 0-13% for TPAHs. Also, braised fish collected in the communes of Marcory and Plateau contain eight (8) molecules while variable numbers of molecules are found in those from other communes. Thus, seven (7) molecules were found in four communes (Abobo, Cocody, Koumassi, Port-Bouet) and six (6) molecules in two communes (Treichville, Yopougon). However, all hazard quotients (0.00000-0.00041) are less than 1 regardless of the municipality and PAH molecule.

Conclusion: These results are essential to improve the safety of braised fish made available to consumers of differents communes of the District of Abidjan. These results recommend the consideration of other sources of PAH in the diet although the hazard quotients are less than 1 because PAH molecules have a cumulative power in the body.
Evaluation of the Dietary Profile of Basketball Players in the Senior First Division Teams of Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Diallo K. , Sess-Tchotch D. A. , Yépié A. H. , Kouadjo A. R. , K. N’guessan , Anin L. O. A. A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Diet plays a fundamental role in the performance of athletes in general and basketball players in particular. For a better understanding of the nutrition of the athlete, this work aimed to evaluate the diet of Ivorian female basketball players in pre-competitive periods.

Methodology: A retrospective frequency questionnaire survey was conducted from December 6, 2020 to the end of February 2021, on 86 female basketball players in the senior categories (17-35 years) playing in the first division. The collection of socio-demographic, anthropometric and dietary data before the competition was obtained for each team.

Results: The study showed that 38.38% of the female basketball players had no side activities while 61.62% had a side activity. In general, 84.88% of the players had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) compared to 06.98% overweight and 2.33% obese. The energy requirements of the women's teams were between 2427 and 2810 Kcal. The overall amount of energy consumed at breakfast in the pre-competitive period was below the required standards, while the amount of energy consumed at lunch and dinner was above the required standards for the players.

Conclusion: In sum, the senior female basketball players of Côte d'Ivoire have a poor dietary profile. Nutritional interventions would be preferable for them in order to improve their nutritional knowledge on the one hand, and the distribution of caloric foods consumed during their different daily meals on the other hand, and to meet their energy needs.
Effect of Microclimate Modulation on the Growth and Yield of Straw Mushroom as a Intercrop in Maize Field during Summer
Authors: Reddy Devanakonda Venkata Sai Chakradhar , Dheebakaran Ga , Thiribhuvanamala G. , Sathyamoorthy N. K. , Ramanathan S. P. , Kokilavani S.
Published: September 2022

A field experiment was carried out during the summer season to study the effect of microclimate modification on growth and yield of paddy straw mushroom under outdoor cultivation as maize intercrop. A Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments comprising the combination of spacing (60 x 25 cm, 45 x 25 cm, paired row 45/75 x 25 cm, and paired row 30/60 x 25 cm) and mulching (with or without application), in three replications was used for this study. The study concluded that maximum average yield was obtained in normal spacing 45x25 cm coupled with mulching (578 g bed-1) with high biological efficiency of 19.3 per cent. The results inferred that both the afternoon (14.22 hours) microclimate variables viz., temperature (low) and relative humidity (high) had played major role for higher yield and Biological Efficiency (BE) of paddy straw mushroom as maize intercrop. Normal row spacing (45 x 25 cm) with or without mulch and paired row spacing (30/60 x 25 cm) with mulch provided favourable microclimate during summer for faster growth, higher yield and biological efficiency for paddy straw mushroom intercropped maize which in turn might be adopted by the farmers for the outdoor cultivation of paddy straw mushroom.
Growth, Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Affected by Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels through Fertigation
Authors: Malam K. V. , Solanki R. M.
Published: September 2022

An experiment entitled “Growth, yield and water use efficiency of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] affected by drip irrigation and nitrogen levels through fertigation” was carried out on clayey and slightly alkaline soil during rabi season of 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the Instructional Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications. There were nine treatment combinations. The main plot treatments viz; (I1) drip irrigation at 0.6 PEF, (I2) drip irrigation at 0.8 PEF and (I3) drip irrigation at 1.0 PEF; and sub plot consist of three nitrogen fertigation levels viz; (N1) 75% RDN through fertigation, (N2) 100% RDN through fertigation and (N3) 125% RDN through fertigation (RDF for sweet sorghum is 90-40-40 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1). The results revealed that drip irrigation scheduling at 1.0 PEF enhance consumptive use of water and nitrogen use efficiency which ultimately resulted in higher grain and fodder yields of sweet sorghum. The results indicated that 125% RDN through fertigation significantly increased water use efficiency, which eventually recorded higher grain and fodder yields of sweet sorghum. Based on the results of two years experimentation, it can be concluded that for getting higher grain and fodder yields, sweet sorghum should be applied two common surface irrigation each of 50 mm depth followed by scheduling drip irrigation at 0.8 PEF (operating pressure: 1.2 kg cm-2 and lateral spacing: 120 cm) at alternate day and crop should be fertilized with 100% RDN through drip fertigation out of which, 50% RDN as basal and remaining 50% RDN in five equal splits at 10 days interval through fertigation started from 35 DAS.
Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Yield Contributing Traits and Quality Attributes of Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) cv. MGH-4
Authors: Wamiq Mohd , Kumar Deepak , Gangwar Vishal , Singh Navdeep , Veersain . , Gaur Manish , Prasad V. M.
Published: September 2022

An experiment entitled "Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and fruit quality of Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) cv. MGH-4" was conducted at Horticulture Research Field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) during 2019. Plant Growth regulators are regarded as one of the most important treatments, used nowadays in agriculture, which in most cases modify the plant yield contributing traits and quality attributes. The experimental trial consisted two plant growth regulators having different concentration NAA (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 ppm) and GA3 (30,40, 50, 60 and 70 ppm). Water was used as a control. The application of plant growth regulators significantly affects the vegetative as well as reproductive attributes of the crop. Application of plant growth regulators at the 2-4 leaf stage was found to be the most productive in terms of growth attributes of bottle gourd. The application of plant growth regulators has a major influence on both the reproductive and vegetative traits of the crop. The fruit yield per hectare (58.45 t/h), fruit diameter (23.89 cm), weight (1.273 kg), TSS (17.89 °Brix), vitamin C content (10.77 mg/100gm), and seed pulp ratio (9.16) were all determined to be best when 40 ppm GA3 was applied at the 2-4 leaf stage.