Days Of Interval Research Articles

Length of stay following elective craniotomy for tumor resection in children and young adults: a retrospective case series.

Length of stay (LOS) is a critical metric of healthcare delivery. Prolonged LOS is associated with a heightened risk of adverse complications. We aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of LOS, specifically identifying variables associated with extended LOS (eLOS), in children and young adults following elective craniotomy for tumor resection. All elective craniotomies for tumor resection performed at our tertiary care children's hospital from January 2010 to December 2022 were included for review, excluding patients > 21 years of age. Demographic, clinical, and procedural variables for each craniotomy were collected. LOS was defined as the interval in days from index surgery to discharge. eLOS was defined as greater than 7 days. 1,276 patients underwent a total of 1,497 elective craniotomies for tumor resection. The median age was 9.45 years old, with the most common age group being > 10 years (45.6%). Most patients had supratentorial tumors (63.4%) and underwent de novo surgery (60.7%). Patients with an eLOS experienced longer ICU admissions, longer surgical times, and were younger. Variables found to be significantly associated with eLOS were posterior fossa resection (OR = 2.45), de novo craniotomy (OR = 0.49), prior shunt or ETV (OR = 1.80), tumor type (craniopharyngioma (OR = 3.74) and medulloblastoma (OR = 0.51)), and the presence of at least one postoperative event (POE) (OR = 29.85). This is the largest study evaluating factors (patient, tumor, surgical) associated with eLOS after elective craniotomy for tumor resection in children and young adults. The findings of this clinical study are important for preoperative counseling, neurosurgical team preparedness, and healthcare delivery optimization.

Liver Vein Deprivation versus Portal Vein Embolization: Retrospective Review of Safety and Effectiveness

PurposeTo compare the safety and effectiveness of liver vein deprivation (LVD) and portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients scheduled to undergo liver resection. Materials and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 59 patients who underwent either PVE (n = 28) or LVD (n = 31) in preparation for liver resection. The primary outcome was percent change in future liver remnant volume (FLRV). The secondary endpoints were degree of hypertrophy (DH) and kinetic growth rate (KGR). ResultsLow baseline FLRV and time interval in days between the procedure and follow-up imaging (Ti) positively impacted the primary and secondary endpoints in both groups. Percent change in FLRV was higher in the LVD group (52.8% ± 5.3) than in the PVE group (22.3% ± 3.0, P < .001). DH was also higher in the LVD group (15.4% ± 1.7) than in the PVE group (6.4% ± 0.9, P < .001). KGR did not differ significantly between groups (LVD, 0.54%/d ± 0.06; PVE, 0.35%/d ± 0.1; P = .239). When patients with a baseline standardized FLRV of >35% were excluded from the analysis, the LVD group demonstrated higher values than the PVE group in KGR (0.57%/d ± 0.06 vs 0.29%/d ± 0.05, P < .001), percent change in FLRV (64.2% ± 6.0 vs 25.9% ± 4.3, P < .001), and DH (15.4% ± 1.4 vs 6.6% ± 1.0, P < .001). No adverse events were noted in either group. ConclusionsLVD appears to be safe and may be superior to PVE in inducing hypertrophy of future liver remnant in patients scheduled to undergo surgical resection.

Microorganisms Associated with Tomato (Lycopersicum Esculentum) Rot and Effect of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) Extract in Rot Control in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is a vital agricultural crop globally, yet it is significantly affected by various microbial pathogens leading to post-harvest rot, which threatens food security and economic stability. This study aimed to identify the microorganisms associated with tomato rot in Makurdi Metropolis and evaluate the efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) extract as a biocontrol agent. A total of 60 tomato fruits were sampled from the five major markets within the Makurdi metropolis. They were cultured on Nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, Potato Dextrose agar, Mannitol salt agar, and Eosin Methylene blue agar. The organisms identified were Klebsiella sp, Salmonella sp, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter sp, Shigella sp, Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Escherichia coli, Rhizopus sp, Mucor sp, Aspergillus sp, and Fusarium sp. Neem extract was used for susceptibility tests on the bacterial isolates at 10%, 50%, and 100% concentration, and it was found most effective on some bacterial isolates at higher concentrations of 100% with wider zones of inhibitions. Vegetative growth of the fungi on neem extract decreased with increase in concentrations. This finding proved the potentiality of plant extracts for controlling the fungal rot of tomato fruit. A pathogenicity test was conducted with readings taken at intervals of days and it was noticed that the microbial isolates were actually the cause of tomato rot. This study underscores the importance of identifying microbial threats to tomato crops and highlights neem extract as a promising natural alternative for managing tomato rot, promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Makurdi Metropolis and Nigeria at large.

Expression patterns of interleukin-6 and microRNA-146A during orthodontic relapse in a rat model.

In this study, we established an experimental rat model to simulate orthodontic tooth movement relapse and a human periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLScs) model. Our aim was to explore the relationship between microRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression in periodontal tissue, the inflammatory factor interleukin-6 (IL-6), and orthodontic relapse subsequent to mechanical intervention. In the animal experiment, a total of 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to either the control group (n=6) or the model group (n=24). In the model group, the orthodontic appliance was removed 14 days after force application. Gingival crevicular fluid (GcF) and periodontal tissue samples were collected at intervals of days 0, 7, 14, and 21 following removal of the orthodontic appliance to assess alterations in miR-146a and IL-6 expressions. In the in vitro cell culture study, human premolar tooth tissue was isolated 24 hours following the addition of the transfection reagent to harvest PDLScs. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to evaluate the expression levels of the miRNA-146a gene, while Western blot analysis was utilized to assess the production of the IL-6 protein. As a result in comparison to the control group, the protein expression of IL-6 notably escalated to its peak value in the model-day 7 group (p<0.05). Subsequently, although experiencing a slight decline, the IL-6 expression in the model-day 14 group remained significantly elevated compared to control group (p<0.05). In the model-day 21 group, the protein expression of IL-6 approached that of the control group, with no significant difference observed (p>0.05). conversely, in relation to the control group, the gene expression of miR-146a drastically decreased to its lowest point in the model-day 7 group (p<0.05). While exhibiting a slight increase, the miR-146a expression in the model-day 14 group remained significantly diminished compared to control group (p<0.05). Following the identification of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLcs) through immunofluorescence in the in vitro study, a subsequent experiment was conducted to specifically inhibit miR-146a expression. In comparison to the control group, the protein expression of IL-6 demonstrated a significant increase in the anti-miRNA oligodeoxyribonucleotide (AMO) group, where miR-146a expression was effectively suppressed (p<0.05). Throughout the process of orthodontic tooth movement relapse in rats, there was a notable reduction in the gene expression of miR-146a, accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of IL-6.

Comparison of Day-Specific Serum LH, Estradiol, and Progesterone with MiraTM Monitor Urinary LH, Estrone-3-glucuronide, and Pregnanediol-3-glucuronide Levels in Ovulatory Cycles.

Background and Objectives: Fertility tracking apps and devices are now currently available, but urinary hormone levels lack accuracy and sensitivity in timing the start of the 6-day fertile window and the precise 24 h interval of transition from ovulation to the luteal phase. We hypothesized the serum hormones estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) might be better biomarkers for these major ovulatory cycle events, using appropriate mathematical tools. Materials and Methods: Four women provided daily blood samples for serum E2, P, and LH (luteinizing hormone) levels throughout their entire ovulatory cycles, which were indexed to the first day of dominant follicle (DF) collapse (defined as Day 0) determined by transvaginal sonography; therefore, ovulation occurred in the 24 h interval of Day -1 (last day of maximum diameter DF) to Day 0. For comparison, a MiraTM fertility monitor was used to measure daily morning urinary LH (ULH), estrone-3-glucuronide (E3G), and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide (PDG) levels in three of these cycles. Results: There were more fluctuations in the MiraTM hormone levels compared to the serum levels. Previously described methods, the Fertility Indicator Equation (FIE) and Area Under the Curve (AUC) algorithm, were tested for identifying the start of the fertile window and the ovulation/luteal transition point using the day-specific hormone levels. The FIE with E2 levels predicted the start of the 6-day fertile window on Day -7 (two cycles) and Day -5 (two cycles), whereas no identifying signal was found with E3G. However, both pairs of (E2, P) and (E3G, PDG) levels with the AUC algorithm signaled the Day -1 to Day 0 ovulation/luteal transition interval in all cycles. Conclusions: serum E2 and (E2, P) were better biomarkers for signaling the start of the 6-day fertile window, but both MiraTM and serum hormone levels were successful in timing the [Day -1, Day 0] ovulatory/luteal transition interval. These results can presently be applied to urinary hormone monitors for fertility tracking and have implications for the direction of future fertility tracking technology.

Patient-Reported Outcomes After Periodontal Surgical Procedures.

Background Patient satisfaction is the primary focus of the healthcare system. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are standardized and valid measures obtained directly from the patients and are used to assess and compare the efficacy of healthcare services. This can help improve the service provided by the healthcare system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess PROMs during the first week post-surgery across different periodontal surgical procedures and explore their correlation with surgical duration. Furthermore, the study sought to evaluate the occurrence of postoperative complications. Methodology A total of 30 healthy patients with no systemic history, requiring periodontal surgical procedures such as crown lengthening (CLP), open flap debridement (OFD), and soft tissue grafting (STG) were included in the study. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was utilized for gathering PROMs concerning bleeding, swelling, bruising, and pain at intervals of days zero, three, five, and seven after the surgical procedure. Results On the surgical day and over seven days, VAS scores were the lowest for CLP and highest for STG procedures. This result is in accordance with the duration required for surgery. VAS scores for OFD were intermediate. Prevalence of 20% soft tissue graft dehiscence and 40% tenderness on palpation was observed. Swelling and bleeding were noticed in 10% and 20% of OFD cases. Conclusions One week post-surgically, the mean VAS scores were minimum for CLP, whereas maximum for STG procedures. As CLP and OFD require less duration compared to STG, duration plays a significant role in post-surgical outcomes. Prevalence of the post-surgical complications is also related to the duration of the surgery.

Quantifying regional rainfall dynamics in southern India: Unravelling monsoon characteristics and intense precipitation using satellite and observed data records

Rainfall patterns are unpredictable, which has implications for planning irrigation systems, constructing farm ponds and drainage systems, and conserving water and soil. The research findings have been compiled over 36 years, utilizing gridded daily precipitation data from the IMD and PWD (1984–2019). This study investigates the frequency of consecutive rainy days, the yearly rainfall pattern and the precipitation threshold value that triggers the flood. The Mann-Kendall approach is used to analyze trends in the statistical application XLSTAT. According to the trend analysis, rainfall and wet days during the Northeastern Monsoon (NEM) throughout the year show significant and nonsignificant increasing trends at most stations. Statistical or empirical approaches can be used to establish the threshold value of precipitation that causes a flood by examining historical flood episodes and the precipitation that occurred. The Gumbel extreme value distribution method was used to determine the recurrence intervals of days 1, 2, 3, and 4 that are consecutive and equal to or above 5 days. The study's findings will show that rainfall patterns can be used to forecast floods and estimate their return and recurrence intervals. As a result, implementing this research with these precipitation threshold values could help with flood warning systems and the infrastructure required for emergency responses to flooding disasters.

Twice-Weekly Versus Once-Weekly Membrane Sweeping in the Prevention of Post-Term Pregnancy: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Membrane sweeping is considered a simple and effective method for initiating spontaneous onset of labor. Despite the widely accepted membrane sweeping use to prevent post-term birth, the optimal frequency has not been estimated. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of twice-weekly versus once-weekly membrane sweeping in post-term pregnancy prevention. Four different databases were searched for available clinical trials from inception to October 2022. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared twice-weekly membrane sweeping in intervention group versus once-weekly membrane sweeping in control group among pregnant women with singleton pregnancy at ≥ 39 gestational weeks. Our primary outcomes were the rate of spontaneous onset of labor and the requirement for formal methods of labor induction. Our secondary outcomes were sweeping to delivery interval in days, gestational age at delivery in weeks, Bishop score at admission, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes. Three RCTs (596 patients) were included. Twice-weekly membrane sweeping was associated with significant increase in the rate of spontaneous onset of labor and significant decline in labor induction rate in comparison with once-weekly group. Duration from sweeping to delivery was significantly shorter among the twice-weekly group (p<0.001). Furthermore, gestational age at delivery was significantly earlier in the twice-weekly group. A significantly higher Bishop score at admission was observed in the twice-weekly group (p=0.02). There were no significant differences across both groups in chorioamnionitis and premature rupture of membranes. In conclusion, twice-weekly membrane sweeping is more effective in preventing post-maturity pregnancy than once-weekly sweeping without added adverse events.

Estimation of bloodstain deposition time within a 24-h day-night cycle with rhythmic mRNA based on a machine learning algorithm

Estimating the time that bloodstains are left at a crime scene can provide invaluable evidence for law enforcement investigations, including determining the time of the crime, linking the perpetrator to the crime scene, narrowing the pool of possible suspects, and verifying witness statements. There have been some attempts to estimate the time since deposition of bloodstains, i.e., how much time has passed since the bloodstain was left at a crime scene. However, most studies focus on the time interval of days. As far as we know, previous study have been conducted to estimate the deposition time of blood within a 24-h day-night cycle. To date, there is a lack of studies on whether rhythmic mRNA of blood is suitable for bloodstain samples. In this study, we estimated the bloodstain deposition time within a 24-h day-night cycle based on the expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Bloodstain samples were prepared from eight individuals at eight time points under real and uncontrolled conditions. Four mRNAs expressed rhythmically and were used to construct a regression model using the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm, resulting in a mean absolute error of 3.92 h. Overall, using the rhythmic mRNAs, a machine learning model was developed which has allowed us to predict the deposition time of bloodstains within the 24-h day-night cycle in East Asian populations. This study demonstrates that mRNA biomarkers can be used to estimate the bloodstain deposition time within a 24-h period. Furthermore, rhythmic mRNA biomarkers provide a potential method and perspective for estimating the deposition time of forensic traces in forensic investigation. Case samples in forensic analysis are usually limited or degraded, so the stability and sensitivity of rhythmic biomarkers need to be further investigated.

Effectiveness of levocetirizine in treating allergic rhinitis while retaining work efficiency

The manifestation and severity of Allergic rhinitis symptoms show diurnal variation which negatively impacts the patient’s quality of life, day-to-day activities, and productivity at the workplace. The symptoms worsen at night or early morning and therefore administration of levocetirizine towards evening may be more acceptable. Consequently, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of evening Levocetirizine administration on 24-hour symptom control, Physical and mental health, and daytime somnolence in patients with allergic rhinitis the study was a prospective, open-labeled, single-arm, two-center, observational study among patients with allergic rhinitis. Levocetirizine was prescribed as 5 mg or 10 mg once a day evening oral dose for at least 7 days before sleep. The 24-hour total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) for self-reported signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis were recorded. Additionally, study evaluations included the SF-12 scale (Quality of Life), Stanford Sleepiness Scale (degree of sleepiness), and work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) questionnaires. These evaluations were performed at baseline (Day 0) and at scheduled intervals of Day 1 (24-hour), Day 3, and Day 7. Results demonstrated that evening administration of Levocetirizine facilitates 24-hour symptom control while having no significant effect on daytime somnolence, daily activities, and the work productivity of patients.

Can ventricular 3D ultrasound of neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus inform on the need for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt?

Some neonates born prematurely with intraventricular hemorrhage develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and require lifelong treatment to divert the flow of CSF. Early prediction of the eventual need for a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is difficult, and early discussions with families are based on statistics and the grade of hemorrhage. The authors hypothesize that change in ventricular volume during ventricular taps that is measured with repeated 3D ultrasound (3D US) imaging of the lateral ventricles could be used to assess the risk of the future requirement of a VPS. A total of 92 neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage who were treated in the NICU were recruited between April 2012 and November 2019. Only patients who required ventricular taps (VTs) were included in this study, resulting in the analysis of 19 patients with a total of 61 VTs. Among them, 14 patients were treated with a VPS, and in 5 patients the hydrocephalus resolved spontaneously. Parameters studied were total ventricular volume measured with 3D US, ventricular volume change after VT, the ratio between volume reduction and tap amount, the difference between tap amount and volume reduction after tap, the average tap amount, the average number of days between taps, pre-tap head circumference, and reduction in head circumference after tap. Statistically significant differences were found in ventricular volume reduction after tap (p = 0.007), the ratio between volume reduction and tap amount (p = 0.03), the difference between tap amount and volume reduction after tap (p = 0.05), and the interval of days between taps (p = 0.0115). Measuring with 3D US before and after VT can be a useful tool for quantifying ventricular volume. The findings in this study showed that neonates who experience a large reduction of ventricular volume after VT are more likely to be treated with a shunt than are neonates who experience a small reduction.

OPtimal TIming of antenatal COrticosteroid administration in pregnancies complicated by early-onset fetal growth REstriction (OPTICORE): study protocol of a multicentre, retrospective cohort study

IntroductionEarly-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) requires timely, often preterm, delivery to prevent fetal hypoxia causing stillbirth or neurologic impairment. Antenatal corticosteroids (CCS) administration reduces neonatal morbidity and mortality following preterm...

Dissipation kinetics, risk assessment, and waiting period of spiromesifen on chili fruits using gas chromatography-electron capture detector.

A supervised field trial was designed in Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to assess the dissipation and persistence of spiromesifen in chili fruits. Spiromesifen (22.9% suspension concentrate) was sprayed two times at an interval of 10 days at the recommended dose (96 g. a.i. ha-1 ) and double the recommended dose (192 g. a.i. ha-1 ) with four replications. Sampling was done according to the planned interval of days after the second spray. Extraction and cleanup were performed using the modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and the spiromesifen residue was analyzed by GC-electron capture detector and confirmation performed using GC-MS. The average initial deposit of spiromesifen was 1.207 mg kg-1 and 1.948 mg kg-1 at the recommended and double the recommended dose, respectively. The half-life values of spiromesifen ranged between 2.7 and 3.2 days at the recommended and double the recommended dose. The safe waiting period was calculated for the respective doses and it was concluded that an average of 7 days is safe for picking. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) have set the maximum residue limit of 0.1 mg kg-1 for spiromesifen in green chili. The theoretical maximum residue contribution value of spiromesifen was lower than the maximum permissible intake at both the applications on the 0th day. Hence, there will be no adverse effects on human health after consumption of green chilies.

Analysis of wound healing time and wound-free period in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia treated with and without revascularization.

The traditionally reported outcomes for patients with ischemic wounds have centered on amputation-free survival. However, that discounts the importance of other patient-centered outcomes such as the wound healing time (WHT) and wound-free period (WFP). We evaluated the long-term wound outcomes of patients treated for chronic limb-threatening ischemia at our institution. From 2014 to 2017, we identified all patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and ischemic wounds using symptomatic and hemodynamic criteria. The primary data included the wound size, wound location, WIfI (wound, ischemia, foot infection) grade, WHT, WFP, minor and major amputation, and death. Wounds were not considered healed if the patient had required a major amputation or had died before wound healing. The WHT was calculated as the interval in days between the diagnosis and determination of a healed wound. The WFP was calculated as the interval in days between a healed wound and wound recurrence, major amputation, death, or the end of the study period. A comparison of the wound healing parameters stratified by revascularization status was performed using the Student t test. A generalized linear model adjusted for age, sex, initial wound size, and WIfI grade was used to evaluate the risk of wound healing with and without revascularization. A total of 256 patients had presented with 372 wounds. Of the 256 patients, 48% had undergone revascularization. During the study period, 97 minor amputations and 100 major amputations had been required, and 132 patients had died. The average wound size was 13.9± 52.0cm2; however, for the 155 wounds that had healed, the average size was only 4.0± 9.6cm2(P= .002). No differences were found in the wound size when stratified by revascularization status (P= .727). Adjusted for the initial wound size, the risk of wound healing was not different when stratified by revascularization (risk ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.87; P= .354). For those whose wounds had healed, the average WHT and WFP were 173± 169days and 775± 317days, respectively. The WHT was not faster for the revascularized group (155days vs 188days; P= .221). When stratified by revascularization status, the rate of wound recurrence was 4.6 vs 8.9 wounds per 100 person-years for the revascularized and nonrevascularized groups, respectively (P= .125). In our study, we found that, except for patients who presented with severe ischemia, revascularization was not associated with improved rates of wound healing. Among the wounds that healed, regardless of the initial ischemia grade, revascularization was not associated with a faster WHT or longer WFPs.

Delay to Treatment Initiation among Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Kenya

Drug-resistant tuberculosis surveillance attempts to detect and treat drug-resistant tuberculosis as early as possible in order to avoid transmission, illness, and mortality among people who are afflicted. In Kenya, the delay in starting RR TB treatment has not been established, and its relationship to treatment outcomes is unknown. To investigate the relationship between delayed RR TB therapy commencement and treatment results in Kenyan patients enrolled between January 2010 and June 2013. A retrospective cohort review of 208 randomly chosen RR TB patients treated between January 2010 and June 2013 was conducted. Delay was defined as the interval in days between sample collection and treatment beginning that was on the right side of the median. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the delay in starting RR TB treatment and treatment outcomes, as well as the factors related with the delay. The male to female ratio in the 208 cases was 1.7:1. The youngest and oldest were 2 and 66 years old, respectively. The average age at registration was 34.48 years old [95% CI 32.7,36.3] and the average weight was 50kg [95% CI: 47.73,50.94]. 26.92% (56) were HIV +, and 95% (53) were on ART. 64% Culture and traditional DST were used to diagnose 65% of the patients, while GeneXpert was used to diagnose 35%. The average time to therapy (delay) was 99 days, with a range of 0 to 599 days. The treatment was 82% successful (59% cured, 23% completed). Unfavorable outcomes accounted for 18% of all outcomes. As indicated by X2 = (0.1858), p =0.666, which is more than 0.05, there was no significant difference between delayed and undelayed treatment outcomes. Male patients were 0.03048 times more likely to have an unfavorable outcome than female patients, and patients from the North Eastern region were 23.46 times more likely to have an unfavorable outcome than patients from the Central region.&nbsp; According to a single study, using culture and DST for RR TB diagnosis was substantially linked with delaying treatment beginning and starting treatment in the second quarter of the year (P of 0.000 and 0.005 respectively). Delay in starting treatment is not connected with treatment results in RR TB patients. When compared to culture and DST, GeneXpert considerably lowers time to therapy initiation. Early diagnostic and treatment efforts should be increased to prevent TB transmission and morbidity. Keywords: Delay to treatment, Rifampicin, Resistant, Tuberculosis, Patients

Enzymatic fingerprinting reveals specific xyloglucan and pectin signatures in the cell wall purified with primary plasmodesmata.

Plasmodesmata (PD) pores connect neighbouring plant cells and enable direct transport across the cell wall. Understanding the molecular composition of these structures is essential to address their formation and later dynamic regulation. Here we provide a biochemical characterisation of the cell wall co-purified with primary PD of Arabidopsis thaliana cell cultures. To achieve this result we combined subcellular fractionation, polysaccharide analyses and enzymatic fingerprinting approaches. Relative to the rest of the cell wall, specific patterns were observed in the PD fraction. Most xyloglucans, although possibly not abundant as a group, were fucosylated. Homogalacturonans displayed short methylated stretches while rhamnogalacturonan I species were remarkably abundant. Full rhamnogalacturonan II forms, highly methyl-acetylated, were also present. We additionally showed that these domains, compared to the broad wall, are less affected by wall modifying activities during a time interval of days. Overall, the protocol and the data presented here open new opportunities for the study of wall polysaccharides associated with PD.

Is accuracy of estimated fetal weight improved by better image quality scores?

To assess in a group of ultrasound operators of various levels of experience the predictive value of systematic quality scoring to assess estimated fetal weight (EFW) validity. Screenshots, sonographer experience, and neonate birth weight were collected for 131 ultrasound examinations in the 7 days before birth. The difference (EFW error) between projected birth weight (EFW + [30 g × interval in days to birth]) and actual birth weight was then assessed (absolute value). Three senior sonographers rated all the screenshots (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 16-point score for image quality) and interobserver reproducibility was assessed concomitantly. The impact of the score on EFW accuracy was then assessed (univariate analysis). Receiver operating characteristic curves allowed us to assess the score's positive predictive value (PPV) for accurate EFW. Mean birth weight was 2998 ± 954 g and mean EFW error was 8.6% ± 7.1%. Both the sonographer's experience and score significantly impacted the EFW error (P< 0.05). The PPVs of systematic image scores for identifying an EFW error greater than 10% and greater than 15% were appropriate for clinical use (areas under the curve 0.61 and 0.70, respectively). Score reproducibility was modest. Low image scores and limited ultrasound expertise are associated with an increased risk of inaccurate EFW.

The lower shoreface of the Dutch coast – An overview

The lower shoreface, defined here as between about 8 and 20 m water depth, forms the transition between the inner shelf and upper shoreface. Knowledge of lower shoreface hydro- and morphodynamics is essential for coastal management and maintenance.The shoreface of the Dutch coast is a complex area. It is partly determined by its evolution in the past, whereas present-day processes are influencing or even changing it. The present situation and large-scale anthropogenic supply of sediment will determine its future development.The shoreface morphology varies along the Dutch coast, depending on the coastal slope and superposition of ridges (central Holland coast) and ebb-tidal deltas (Delta area, Wadden Sea). The architecture of the shoreface-connected ridges off the central Holland coast indicates that they are still active today. The development of most ebb-tidal deltas along the Dutch coast is largely influenced by interventions in the tidal inlets and tidal basins.The Kustgenese 2.0 Lower Shoreface project comprised both field data collection in 2017 and 2018 and numerical modelling. Field data was collected in study areas at Ameland Inlet, Terschelling and Noordwijk. Sediment cores and multibeam sonar surveys provided information on the Holocene deposits, geomorphology and sediments. Instrumented frames placed at the seabed collected a wealth of process data.The variation in shoreface composition and morphology is larger than anticipated previously. In general, the lower part of the shoreface consists of older Holocene deposits overlain by an active sand layer that responds to variations in tidal, wave and wind conditions. The deposits at the lower shoreface of Terschelling were comparable to the ebb-delta channel deposits at the ebb-delta front at Ameland Inlet. At Noordwijk, deposits of the Late-Holocene prograded barrier shoreface overlie those of back-barrier tidal channels and river channels. The large-scale morphology of the lower shoreface seems rather stable. Decadal time series show an erosional trend. Small-scale bedforms can change over an interval of days to weeks.The multibeam surveys revealed unexpected details such as geology-based shoreface irregularities between −12m and −18m that probably act as conduits for downslope currents and sand transport. After a high-energy wave event, more erosional features were discovered that suggest seaward sand transport.Measured orbital velocities at the seabed at 14–16 m depth reached 1.5 m per second under high-wave events. This caused high sediment mobility under sheet-flow conditions with abundant sediment suspension. It is not clear what this means for the net sand transport at the lower shoreface.The modelled alongshore-directed sand transport is much larger than the cross-shore transport. The largest transports at the 20m depth contour occurs along the northern part of the Holland coast. Here, transport is parallel to the coast or directed to deeper water. Transports at 20 m depth along the other parts of the coast are directed to shallower water.The modelled total landward sand transport over the −20m contour is c. 4 million m3 per year and c. 7 million m3 per year over the −16m contour. This suggests a yearly erosion of c. 4 million m3 in-between, in case of no alongshore transport gradients.The results of the sand transport calculations imply a net landward sediment transfer that needs to be further tested against the morphological changes in the shoreface.

Modelling of wastewater treatment, microalgae growth and harvesting by flocculation inside photo bioreactor using machine learning technique

Biological wastewater treatment with the use of algae-bacteria consortia for the uptake of nutrient and recovery of resource is considered as the ‘paradigm shift’ from the process of mainstream wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) so as to mitigate the pollution and thus promoting the circular economy. In this regard, the application of machine learning algorithms (MLAs) was found to be effectual and beneficial for the prediction of uncertain performances in the process of treatment and it shows a satisfactory result for the effective optimization, monitoring, uncertainty prediction and so on in the environment systems. The proposed approach aims at modelling the treatment of wastewater, growth of micro algae and flocculation harvesting at the photobioreactor (PBR) along with the utilization of machine learning techniques. Initially, the raw data from the PBR was taken and is pre-processed using z-score normalization technique followed by extraction and selection of features that are more appropriate. The Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model is built along with the modified Fuzzy C-Means algorithm (MFCM) so as to cluster the huge amount of data. ANFIS is employed for the estimation of controller output parameters and for controlling the temperature inside the reactor. The output controller parameter performance can be enhanced by the use of optimization approach. The discrete Multilayer perceptron (DMLP) with the hyper tuning parameters of Iterative Levi’s Flight Dependent Cuckoo search optimization algorithm (ILF-CSO) is employed for the prediction purpose of attained cultivation growth rate and the pH of treated wastewater. The optimization technique based on machine learning model in turn offers the best possible solution needed for the estimation of output parameters. Thus, the removal rate of effluent T-N concentrations from the wastewater treatment is predicted with some intervals of day. At last, the performance is estimated in terms of growth rate, temperature variations, biomass, nitrate and phosphate concentrations, and error rates (RMSE, APE), and determination coefficient (R2). The attained outcome shows that the presented model is effectual and has the potential to apply for controlling and predicting the biological wastewater treatment plants.

Efficacy of Bio-agents and Neem Oil against Alternaria porri (Ellis) in Onion (Allium cepa L.)

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the important cultivated vegetable crops and can be grown in temperate, tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is the important vegetable and spice crop and known as “Queen of the kitchen”. Area, Production and Productivity on onion in India (2020-21) was 16.54 million ha, 26.92 million Tones and 19.40 t/ha. There are many diseases and pests affecting onion. Among the diseases, majorly purple blotch, downy mildew, Stemphylium blight and basal rot attacks the onion and among the pests, onion thrips, red spider mite, onion fly attacks the onion. Among them, purple blotch of onion is one of the most severe diseases, which is caused by Alternaria porri which causes heavy losses in the onion. The treatments viz., Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and neem oil were tested under field conditions against Alternaria porri during Zaid for their efficacy against the growth and disease parameters and an untreated plot will serve as control. At desired interval of days (45,60,75 DAT) readings were taken for growth parameters and disease intensity. Based on single trail, it was observed that among all treatments, seedling treatment with Trichoderma viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens + neem oil @ 5% showed the most significant results with maximum growth parameters and minimum disease intensity results followed by Trichoderma viride + Bacillus subtilis + neem oil @ 5% and the minimum growth parameters and maximum disease intensity was shown in untreated (control) plot.