FL Values Research Articles

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Lao ethnic group in Central Laos

Results from an ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by Lao ethnic group between 2021 and 2023 identifying the medicinal plants use of 76 species 68 genera 43 families. The primary emphasis of the study was on the medicinal plants, we tested the differences between informant knowledge and informant age using linear regression. The most important medicinal plant species, including Blumea balsamifera, Chromolaena odorata, Smilax glabra, and Zingiber montanum (all with a Use Value of 1.00), were followed by Phyllanthus emblica (0.95) and Cucumis sativus (0.88). Remarkably, 65 plant species achieved the highest Fidelity Level with a 100% FL value. Within ailment categories, Respiratory system symptoms garnered the highest Informant Agreement Ratio value of 1.00. The Jaccard’s Similarity Index ranged from 0.0581 to 0.2690, with the highest JI observed between cultivated and market plants. The UPGMA cluster analysis indicated that wild plants exhibited lower similarity to the other areas. There were no significant differences in the number of plants known among different informants based on their age. In this research, we found that two plant species, Solanum lasiocarpum (used for nourishing the body) and Morinda coreia (employed in treating amenorrhea), have never been reported for their medicinal use before. These findings underscore the risk of traditional knowledge erosion, driven by the absence of written documentation and the influence of modern medical practices. The data obtained from this study is of immense value in formulating conservation strategies that can benefit both the Bolikhamxay province and the nation as a whole.

Study of medicinal plants used in ethnoveterinary medical system in riverine areas of Punjab, Pakistan

BackgroundThe use of medicinal plants to treat various veterinary illnesses has been practiced for millennia in many civilizations. Punjab is home to a diverse ethnic community, the majority of whom work in dairy farming, agriculture, and allied professions and have indigenous practices of treating animal illnesses using native flora. This study was designed to (1) document and preserve information about the applications of medicinal plant species in ethnoveterinary remedies among inhabitants of Punjab, Pakistan, and (2) identify popular plants for disease treatment by quantitative analysis of the obtained data and to assess the pharmacological relevance of these species.MethodsTo collect data from informants (N = 279), questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used. The ethnoveterinary data were analyzed using principal component analysis, relative frequency citation, fidelity level, relative popularity level, and rank order priority.ResultsA total of 114 plant species utilized in the ethnoveterinary medicinal system were found, which were divided into 56 families and used to treat 16 different illnesses. The Poaceae family, with 16 species, was the most common in the region. The most commonly employed growth form in herbal preparation was herb (49%). The most used part in ethnoveterinary remedies was leaves (35%), while powder was the most commonly used way for preparing ethnoveterinary remedies (51 applications). According to principal component analysis, the most typically used species in the research region were grasses. Five grasses (Arundo donax, Desmostachya bipinnata, Eleusine indica, Hordeum vulgare, and Pennisetum glaucum) showed a 100% FL value when used to treat diuretics, helminthiasis, digestive problems, fever, cough, worm infestation, indigestion, galactagogue, oral infections, and genital prolapse. The maximum value of disease cured level (DCL%) was recorded at 87.6% for endo- and ecto-parasitic ailments in the study area.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that medicinal plants play an important part in satisfying farmers’ animal healthcare demands, making it a feasible practice. The study also provides a wealth of knowledge regarding ethnoveterinary methods for further planning and application, providing an option for farmers who cannot afford allopathic therapy.

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and ethnomedicinal use of plants in the Tropical Rift Valley of Ethiopia

IntroductionA wide range of floral resources are used in Ethiopia for primary healthcare. Unfortunately, due to inadequate documentation and the fact that they were verbally passed down from one generation to the next, these indigenous medicinal practices are being forgotten. The study's goal was to identify and record indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge of plant usage in the Abala Abaya District of Wolaita, Ethiopia. MethodsThe collection of ethnobotanical data used a cross-sectional research design involving focus group discussions and semistructured questionnaires between January 2021 and April 2022. From each selected kebele (ward; smallest administrative unit), 50 informants (a total of 200) were selected as representative sample using a systematic random sampling technique. ResultsMore than 50 different human and animal illnesses have been documented to be treated by seventy-two species of plants grouped in thirty-two families. The most abundant families were Poaceae and Asteraceae (8 taxa in each). The two most often used plant parts were leaf (29%) and herbs (54%), respectively. Oral administration was the most typical mode of delivery (75%). For treating stomachache in the category of gastrointestinal illnesses, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel got the greatest fidelity level scores (FL = 100%). ConclusionsIn Abala Abaya District, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in both humans and animals. This study, therefore, might be a baseline piece of information for further botanical related studies in the region. Plants with the highest FL values are highly recommended for novel drug discovery.

Improved versions of crow search algorithm for solving global numerical optimization problems

Over recent decades, research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has developed a broad range of approaches and methods that can be utilized or adapted to address complex optimization problems. As real-world problems get increasingly complicated, this requires an effective optimization method. Various meta-heuristic algorithms have been developed and applied in the optimization domain. This paper used and ameliorated a promising meta-heuristic approach named Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) to address numerical optimization problems. Although CSA can efficiently optimize many problems, it needs more searchability and early convergence. Its positioning updating process was improved by supporting two adaptive parameters: flight length (fl) and awareness probability (AP) to tackle these curbs. This is to manage the exploration and exploitation conducts of CSA in the search space. This process takes advantage of the randomization of crows in CSA and the adoption of well-known growth functions. These functions were recognized as exponential, power, and S-shaped functions to develop three different improved versions of CSA, referred to as Exponential CSA (ECSA), Power CSA (PCSA), and S-shaped CSA (SCSA). In each of these variants, two different functions were used to amend the values of fl and AP. A new dominant parameter was added to the positioning updating process of these algorithms to enhance exploration and exploitation behaviors further. The reliability of the proposed algorithms was evaluated on 67 benchmark functions, and their performance was quantified using relevant assessment criteria. The functionality of these algorithms was illustrated by tackling four engineering design problems. A comparative study was made to explore the efficacy of the proposed algorithms over the standard one and other methods. Overall results showed that ECSA, PCSA, and SCSA have convincing merits with superior performance compared to the others.

The Utilization Of Wild Animals As A Source Of Protein By The Tehit Knasaimos Ethnic Group In Saifi District, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province

The purpose of this research is to uncover the types of wild animals that serve as a source of animal protein for the Tehit Knasaimos ethnic group in Saifi District, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province. The descriptive method with survey techniques was used for this study. Data analysis was conducted using the UVs, ICF, and FL formulas. It was revealed that the utilization of wild animals as a source of animal protein is intended for self-consumption (subsistence), sale, traditional ceremonies, and religious events. The hunted wild animal species by the Tehit Knasaimos ethnic group amounted to 19 species, consisting of mammals (7 species), birds (5 species), reptiles (2 species), fish (1 species), and crustaceans (3 species). Wild boar (Sus scrofa) and dusky pademelon (Thylogale brunii) are the most extensively utilized wild animal species in the Tehit Knasaimos community (UVs = 0.22 - 0.61). The FL values in the four utilization categories by the Tehit Knasaimos ethnic group reveal that the most preferred wild animal species are wild boar (52.9% - 61.1%) and dusky pademelon (58.8% - 61.1%). The greater melampitta (Talegala jobiensis) is most preferred for ceremonial purposes (52.9%). The informants' information homogeneity is high to very high for self-consumption/subsistence utilization (ICF = 0.88 - 0.95), traditional purposes (ICF = 0.80 - 0.87), sale (ICF = 0.73 - 0.86), and religious purposes (ICF = 0.79 - 0.84). The long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijnii) is an endemic New Guinea species that is protected due to its declining population in the wild.

Fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime measurements of various carbon dots as a function of pH

Measurement and monitoring of pH are essential in both the industry and academia. It is therefore important to continue developing novel, low-cost pH sensors that provide increased accuracy over long periods of time. Particularly promising are sensors based on materials that show pH-dependent fluorescence intensity (FI) and lifetime (FL). Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging as promising candidates because of their low cost, ease of manufacturing, low toxicity, and negligible photobleaching. However, little has been done to quantify the FI and FL values of CDs. Here we report the characterisation of the pH-dependent FI and FL of four novel solvothermal synthesised CDs. The fifth CD is used as a reference sample and was synthesised following a published synthesis. The precursors for the CDs include disperse blue 1 dye, phloroglucinol, m-phenylenediamine (m-PD), N, and N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The average diameter size of the CDs ranges from 1.5 to 15 nm. An excitation wavelength of 452 nm with a bandwidth of 45 nm was used to quantify the fluorescence in the pH range 5–9. Three CDs show a decreasing trend in FI with pH, while two CDs show an increasing trend. None of the CDs shows strong FL dependence. The FL changes around 0.5 ± 0.2 ns across the tested pH range. We suggest that the differences in the fluorescence trends can be attributed to the precursors chosen for synthesising the CDs.

Utilization of Plants as Food Source: A Study in Sungai Bakah Village, Melawi Regency

Nature has a high potential for biological natural resources that humans, including plants as food, can utilize. This study aims to analyze the types of plants as a source of food used by the people of Sungai Bakah Village, Pinoh Selatan District, Melawi Regency. This study used a survey method. Respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique were interviewed to obtain data on the utilization of plants used as food ingredients. The data obtained is then analyzed using use value and fidelity level. The results showed that all respondents interviewed (131 respondents) used plants as a food source. A total of 84 types of plants were used, with fruit as the part that was most used (49.44%). Vegetables and fruits are the most widely used forms of utilization. Plants with the highest UV values ​​came from starch (Gymnopetalum cocinense), rice (Oryza sativa), chilies (Capsicum frutescens L.), and bamboo shoots (Dendrocalamus asper) with a value of 1. 84 plants species had the highest FL values ​​(100), most of which comes from the category of utilization as fruits.

Ethno-pharmacological Evaluation of Plants Resources of District Malakand, Pakistan

Background. The present study was conducted to assess the ethno-pharmacological practices of medicinal plants by the local tribes of District Malakand, Pakistan. The people of the area are mostly poor and rely on local medicinal plants for their basic primary health care needs. During the survey it was perceived that the area is under extreme threat of overgrazing, deforestation and agricultural land expansion and needs urgent and proper ecological management to protect the important medicinal flora for future generations. Methods. The current Ethno-pharmacological study consists of frequent field visits and interviews with 200 local informers of the study area having different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. The information was collected from the indigenous people through interviews and semi- structured questionnaires .The data collected were analyzed with the help of quantitative indices such as Informant consensus factor (Fic) and Fidelity Level (FL%). The plants collected were identified with the help of flora of Pakistan and online plant databases. Results. A total of 130 medicinal plants belonging to 112 genera and 55 families were documented during this survey. The results showed that the plants collected during the survey were predominantly herbs (51%) followed by trees (27%), shrubs (19%) and climbers only (03%). The plants collected were mostly from Ruderal habitat (40%), followed by arable (36%), woodland (18%) and wetland (06%). On the basis of habit the plants collected were mostly Perennials (58%), followed by Annuals (39%) and Biennials only (03%). The majority of the plants used in the preparation of crude drugs were whole plant (33%), followed by leaves (25%), fruits (08%), roots (06%), shoots, flowers, barks, seeds (05%), gum and latex (03%) and bulb (02%) respectively. The highest Fic. values were recorded for cardiovascular and hypertensive diseases (1.0) followed by sore throat and narcotic diseases (0.80). The most important and extensively used species were Allium sativum L., Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Brown and Mentha spicata L. each with 100% FL value. This study showed that the area is gorgeous and rich in medicinal flora. The botanical name, local name, family name, flowering season, part used, and ethno-pharmacological uses of local medicinal plants were documented. Conclusion: During this survey it was observed that the research area District Malakand, Pakistan is rich in medicinal flora and most of the indigenous people are poor and depend on medicinal plants for their basic primary health care needs. The survey showed that medicinal plants were mostly used by the local people to cure of gastrointestinal, skin, mouth, genital, urinary, cold, cough and joint diseases. The study will provide a baseline for further ethno-botanical, ethno-medicinal, phytochemical and antimicrobial studies. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Ethno-pharmacological uses, Gastrointestinal diseases, Malakand, Pakistan.

Effect of combined use of sodium hyaluronate and rhEGF on xerophthalmia in the elderly after cataract surgery

Purpose: To determine the effect of combined use of sodium hyaluronate and recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on xerophthalmia in elderly patients after cataract surgery, as well as levels of serum inflammatory factors.
 Methods: A total of 84 elderly patients diagnosed with xerophthalmia after phacoemulsification were retrospectively studied. The patients comprised two groups: control group consisting of 40 patients given basic therapy using anti-inflammatory drugs and sodium hyaluronate eye drops (1 drop 3 times a day), and combination group (n = 44) who additionally received rhEGF. The expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in tears were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After 4 weeks of treatment, clinical efficacy was assessed.
 Results: There was significantly higher clinical efficacy in the combination group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The values of tear break-up time (BUT) and Schirmer test (Sit) in both groups increased significantly with time, while fluorescein corneal staining (FL), symptom score, and expression levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and TNF-α significantly decreased (p < 0.05). At 2 weeks and 4 weeks of therapy, the combination group had higher values of BUT and Sit than the control group (p < 0.01). However, FL value, symptom score, and levels of IL-6, hs-CRP and TNF-α were significantly lower in the combination group than in the control group (p < 0.01).
 Conclusion: Sodium hyaluronate, in combination with rhEGF, improves treatment efficacy in elderly xerophthalmia patients after operation, reduces inflammatory reactions, and enhances disease alleviation. However, a multi-center prospective study will be required to validate the findings of this study.

Effect of sintering procedures on optical properties, chemical composition, and grain size of monolithic zirconia ceramic at different thicknesses after hydrothermal aging: An in vitro study.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the optical properties, chemical composition, and grain size (GS) of monolithic zirconia (MZ) ceramic at different thicknesses sintered using different procedures after hydrothermal aging. An in vitro study. Forty MZ discs (0.5-mm thickness [Group-0.5] and 1-mm thickness [Group-1]; 12 mm diameter) were milled and divided according to standard (Group-ST) and speed (Group-SP) sintering procedures. All specimens were hydrothermally aged at 134°C after sintering. Translucency (TP), opalescence (OP), and fluorescence (ΔEabFNx01-FL) parameters were calculated using the color coordinates (LFNx01, aFNx01, bFNx01, respectively) of the discs. The chemical composition and the GS of the specimens were characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and a scanning electron microscopy, respectively. TPs and ΔEabFNx01-FLs were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests while a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for OPs. Group-1 showed significantly lower TP than Group-0.5 (P < 0.001) but a significantly higher OP (P = 0.014). Group-SP showed significantly higher OP (P = 0.00003) and ΔEabFNx01-FL (P = 0.0026) values than Group-ST without considering the thickness. Group-SP (0.29 ± 0.119 μm) had a smaller GS than Group-ST (0.306 ± 0.142 μm). Compared to Group-ST, Group-SP had a lower percentage of Y2O3 and a higher percentage of Al2O3. The effect of the sintering procedure on TP and OP of MZ was not perceived by the naked eye. The speed sintering procedure may increase Δ EFNx01ab-FL of MZ to higher values than natural teeth when compared with standard sintering. The speed sintering may cause minor changes in GS and the chemical composition of MZ.

Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in the Management of COVID-19 in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Coronaviruses are infectious respiratory tract illnesses, but they can also affect the digestive tract and infect both humans and animals. The new coronavirus results in complicated health problems all over the world. The most urgent concern of all researchers around the world has been the treatment of the virus. The following study aimed to use quantitative ethnobotany to help scientist in addressing the deadly virus. Expert sampling method was adopted with the aid of an in-depth interview guide. Thirty-nine respondents were interviewed. Eighty-one medicinal plant species from 35 families were documented. Males 25 (64.1%) constitute the greater percentage of the total respondents. Majority of the respondents had formal education. Eighty-one medicinal plant species from 35 families were documented. Leaves are the most utilized 25.8 followed by seed 17.7 and fruits 12.1%, respectively. Relative frequency of citation ranged from 0.5 to 0.9, whereas the FL value ranged from 0.4 to 0.85, revealing how effective the documented plant species are in the management of COVID-19 in the region. A greater amount of research into documented medicinal plants is warranted because of the high likelihood that they contain many active ingredients.

Utilization pattern of forest resources: Evidence from the fringe villages of Manas National Park, Northeast India

The present study based in the Manas National Park (MNP), explored the different resource utilization pattern by the ethnic communities, namely, Bodo of Kochubil (KB), Assamese of Borpothar (BP), Nepali of Kahitama (KT), Adivashi of Barangabari (BB), and Bengali of Bishnupur (BN) village. Mixed method of data collection includes structured and semi-structured questionnaires, addressing to the respondents with face-to-face interview was conducted. Among the resources, fuelwood is found to be the most important resource in all the study villages. Out of 110 species (belonging to 60 families), herb comprises the most used life-form, while leaves are widely used plant parts. Bodo (27%) people were widely using the forest resources compared to Assamese (25%), Nepali (17%), Adivashi (18%) and Bengali (13%). Among ethnobotanical indices, highest FL value reported for Azadirachta indica (85.9%), while Dillenia indica (73.02%)showed highest PR value.

Sex Moderated Mediation of the Musculoskeletal Fitness in Relationship between High-Intensive Interval Training Performing during Physical Education Classes and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Boys and Girls.

High-intensive interval training (HIIT) is indicated as a means of improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and musculoskeletal fitness (MSF). The relationship between CRF and MSF was examined too. Little is known about gaining CRF from HIIT independence of MSF in adolescents. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating whether MSF mediated the relationship between HIIT and CRF and whether sex moderate this relation. The study sample included 122 individuals (45 boys, 77 girls) 16.12 ± 0.38 years of secondary school age. Participants were assigned to the HIIT intervention or control groups. The intervention lasted 14 minutes during one physical education lesson per week for ten weeks. Outcome and potential mediator were residual changes calculated from pre- and postintervention results of MSF components: handgrip (HG), sit-ups (ABS), sit-and-reach (FL), vertical jump (VJ), and Harvard step-test representing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). MSF index (MSFI) was calculated as a construct, agglomerating all MSF, and tested its usefulness. HIIT significantly impacted CRF in boys and girls (B = 2.32, p = 0.032; B = 2.28, p = 0.005, respectively). The impact of the HIIT program on the ABS and FL was observed only in girls. The moderation effect of sex was confirmed. Significant effect of HIIT on CRF decreased (Bdirect < Btotal) and was no significant after including FL (B = 1.46, p = 0.62)—complete mediation, but no ABS (B = 2.97, p = 0.001)—partial mediation. CRF was mediated by changes in ABS (B = 2.28, p < 0.001) and FL (4.18, p < 0.001). MSFI was not mediating; its usefulness was limited. HIIT is an effective tool in the development of CRF in both sexes. MSF played a limited role in the relationship between HIIT and CRF. It suggested different mechanisms in both sexes: girls who performed better to the HIIT had better values of FL and ABS, but not boys. HIIT intervention involved modifications in ABS or FL, which also influenced the increase of CRF.

General and Exact Inbreeding Coefficient of Maize Synthetics Derived from Three-Way Line Hybrids

Synthetic varieties (SVs) are populations generated by randomly mating their parents. They are a good alternative for low-input farmers who grow onions, maize, and other allogamous crops since the seed produced by a SV does not change from one generation to the next. Although SV progenitors are commonly pure lines, in this case a synthetic (SynTC) whose parents are t three-way line crosses, a very common type of maize hybrid grown in Mexico, is studied. The aim was to develop a general and exact equation for the inbreeding coefficient of a SynTC SynTC because of its relationship with the mean of economically important traits. This objective arose due to the need for a more advanced study in terms of determining whether SynTC can be applied specifically and accurately for any number of parents (t), plants per parent (m) and inbreeding coefficient (IC) of the initial lines (FL). A formula for the IC of the SynTC was derived that, given any values of FL (0 ≤ FL ≤ 1) and t, is specific for any value of m, not just for “large” numbers associated with the context in which the Hardy-Weinberg law is stated. It was found that SynTC is very sensitive to changes in m when m is not greater than eight, after which it tends to stabilize very quickly. In summary, unlike previously derived formulas, SynTC is exact for any values of t, m and FL.

The ethnomedicinal plants used for human ailments at Mojana Wodera District, central Ethiopia

Abstract. Abebe M. 2021. The ethnomedicinal plants used for human ailments at Mojana Wodera District, central Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 22: 4676-4686. An ethnobotanical study was carried out from March 2020 to February 2021 in selected sites of Mojana Wodera District to assess, identifying, and document medicinal plants to treat human ailments. Purposely and volunteer sampling techniques were applied to select 73 practitioners. Of those, 10 practitioners were key informants. Data was collected from informants using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and walk-in-the-word. The collected data were entered into an excel spreadsheet for statistical analysis. ANOVA and t-test were applied to compare the knowledge of the informants in different groups. ICF and FL values were calculated to identify the most common human ailments and heal the potential of medicinal plants. The result showed that a higher average (p&lt; 0.05) was recorded for crucial informants, illiterate and higher aged group. Still, there was a significant difference between male and female informants (p=0.032) on knowledge of medicinal plants. A total of 45 medicinal plant species (41 genera and 27 families) were identified to treat 35 types of ailments. From this total, 15.6% were endemic for Ethiopia. Family Euphorbiaceae was dominant (11.1%) for this study. In the finding, the leaf was the most widely plant part which is used to prepare remedies (29.79%), followed by root (28.72%), and the most popular remedy preparation was pounding (31.18%). A higher ICF value (0.78) was recorded for dermatological category ailments, and the highest FL (94.12%) occurred for Laggera tomentosa, which was under the therapeutic category of the throat and respiratory.

Influence of silver nanoparticles on the spectral-luminescent and lasing properties of merocyanine dyes solutions

The effect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) on spectral-luminescent and generation properties of ethanol solutions of vinylogous series neutral merocyanine dye has been studied. Adding silver NPs to dye solutions has led to a growth of optical density D and fluorescence intensity I FL of the dye molecules. With lengthening of a polymethine chain the silver NPs’ effect on the D and I IFL values has been increasing. Whilst, a spectral overlap between the silver NPs and merocyanines has been decreasing. It is argued that the effect of the silver NPs on optical properties of the dye solutions may be related to the growth in the value of electron dipole moment of ground-to-the first excited state transition at the lengthened polymethine chain. The dye fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes in the presence of silver NPs have been measured. Adding the silver NPs to the merocyanine ethanol solutions has led to the reduced dye stimulated emission generation threshold (P TR). A decrease in the value P TR corresponds to the changes observed for the D, I FL values and dye luminescence quantum yields.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants against Cancer in Southeastern Morocco

Darâa-Tafilalet is considered as one of the charming Moroccan areas concerning the knowledge connected to the traditional use of plants for a therapeutic purpose. This work aims to collect, analyze and evaluate the ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal plants used in the management of diverse forms of cancer in the Darâa-Tafilalet region. The total number of informants interviewed in this study was 1026 (944 were ordinary local inhabitants and 82 were herbalists). Information was obtained by means of structured and semi-structured interviews with local people. Then, data obtained from interviewees were analyzed by calculating some relative cultural importance (RCI) indices (UV, FUV, ROP and FL). Principal component analysis (PCA) was also involved in this study for comparing some characteristics of species. 101 plants used in folk medicine and belonging to 47 families were identified in this study. The highest UV was attributed to Suaeda vermiculata (0.06897); while, the optimal FUV has been given to Ranunculaceae (0.05956). Concerning the FL values, Nigella sativa, Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Calotropis procera, Foeniculum vulgare and Olea europaea were classified in first with a value cited 100% all for general cancer; whereas Nigella sativa had the highest ROP value (86%). The present enquiry highlighted interesting botanical and cultural findings related to the anticancer ethnomedical knowledge adapted by the local population of Darâa-Tafilalet. However, several experimental and fieldwork studies are needed to give more validity and reliability to such investigation.

Estimation of Liquid Fraction of Wet Snow by Using 2-D Video Disdrometer and S-Band Weather Radar

Wet snow may cause significant damage to humans and property, and thus, it is necessary to estimate the corresponding liquid fraction (FL). Consequently, the FL of wet snow was estimated using a novel technique; specifically, the particle shape irregularity (Ir) was estimated through the particle coordinate information obtained using 2-D video disdrometer (2DVD) measurements. Moreover, the possibility of quantitively estimating FL via Ir, based on the temperature (T), was examined. Eight snowfall cases from 2014 to 2016 were observed through a 2DVD installed in Jincheon, South Korea, to analyze the dominant properties of physical variables of snowflakes (i.e., the terminal velocity (VT), particle density (ρs), Ir, and FL) and the corresponding relationships according to the T ranges (−4.5 &lt; T (°C) &lt; 2.5) in which wet snow can occur. It was clarified that the volume-equivalent particle diameter (D)–FL and D–Ir relationships depended on T, and a relationship existed between Ir and FL. The analysis results were verified using the Yong-In Testbed (YIT) S-band weather radar and T-matrix scattering simulation. The D–FL relationship was implemented in the scattering simulation, and the results indicated that the simulated reflectivity (ZS) was highly correlated with the observed reflectivity (ZO) under all T classes. These features can provide a basis for radar analysis and quantitative snowfall estimation for wet snow with various FL values.

Traditional knowledge of wild medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Garam Chashma valley, district Chitral, Pakistan

Garam Chashma valley is a mountainous valley situated in the Hindukush mountain range in Pakistan. This area is blessed with rich and diverse medicinal flora extensively utilized by the local community to cure health issues. The present article aims to explore and document the indigenous traditional knowledge about wild plants and their curative properties. This survey was carried out during April 2018 to September 2019. Data was collected from 153 indigenous people through semi structure questionnaire, group discussion, field survey and formal talks with elder people. Quantitative analysis of recorded data was obtained by applying quantitative indices like Frequency of Citation (FC) Use Reports (UR), Family Use Value (FUV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Value (UV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). About 83 plant taxa belonging to 36 different families were recorded for the treatment of 95 different disorders grouped into sixteen disease categories. Herbs were the most leading plant habit (81.9%) and dried plant material (51.8%) usually preferred for therapeutics uses. Among families Asteraceae (16.86%) was recorded as major taxon with highest number of species followed by Lamiaceae (12.06%). Leaves 33% were recorded most abundantly used plant part followed by flowers (17%). Regarding to formulations, decoction (39.3%) and powder (17.1%) were recorded most frequent mode of preparation while oral intake (78%) was most preferred administration route. About (40%) plants species were utilized to treat Gastrointestinal diseases (GIT) disorders. Informant consensus revealed that Gastrointestinal disorders and Dermatological disorders were top ranked ailments categories with 0.94 consensus. The current study imparted that medicinal plants are still used by the indigenous communities of Garam Chashma valley, district lower Chitral, Pakistan. Thus, this investigation provides basis for the conservation of medicinal flora in the area. Medicinal plants (MPs) having high value of FC, RFC, UV, FUV, FL and ICF should be further study for phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology to evaluate novel active ingredients for new drugs discovery.

Fetal Macrosomia: Ultrasonographic Parameters and Associated Risk Factors in Pregnancies with and without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Fetal macrosomia is a clinical condition that significantly affects maternal and fetal health. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency and the associated risk factors of fetal macrosomia in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Materials and Methods: Our study was carried out by retrospectively examining the records of pregnant women who delivered babies with birth weights of ≥4000 g, after the 37th gestational week in the Gynecology Department of Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2020. Pregnant women were divided into 2 groups as those did not receive (Group 1, n:311) and did (Group 2, n:98) the diagnosis of GDM during their pregnancy. Results: Frequencies of preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, and shoulder dystocia were statistically significantly higher in the GDM(+) group relative to the GDM(-) group (p=0.007, p=0.006, and p=0.004, respectively). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were formed to determine cut-off values for age, parity, BPD, FL, and AC. Age (>35 years), FL (≤77 mm), AC (>356 mm), polyhydramnios, and shoulder dystocia were determined as effective factors on fetal macrosomia (p=0.0001, p=0.025, p=0.023, p=0.045, and p=0.009, respectively). Conclusion: Polyhydramnios, shoulder dystocia, preeclampsia, and an increase in AC but a decrease in BPD and FL values are more common in macrosomia associated with GDM compared to the non-GDM patient group.