Month Of October Research Articles

Ophthalmic Surgeries at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital from the Perspectives of Undergraduate Medical Education

BackgroundAn appraisal of the profile of ophthalmic surgeries performed at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECHTH), Ogbomosho, Nigeria over a seven-year period with a view to harnessing their potentials for maximising ophthalmic experiences of medical students. MethodsA retrospective review of ophthalmic surgery records over a seven-year period (2013 – 2019) at LAUTECHTH. ResultsThere were 386 eye surgeries, mean ophthalmic surgeries: 4 - 5/month or 55/year. Most (329, 85.2%) surgeries were performed on individuals aged at least 45 (range 10 - 95) years with slight male dominance (1.1:1). The most common indication for surgery was cataract (307, 79.6%). Most surgeries were elective (362, 93.8%) and performed under local anaesthesia (367, 95.1%). Despite the highest number of surgeries being performed in the months of April and September; and lowest during the months of May and October; there was fair distribution across and over the years. Small incision cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens implant (307, 79.6%) was the most common surgery followed by pterygium excision with adjuvant therapy (37, 9.6%). ConclusionThe study showed a broad spectrum of eye surgeries, including cataract and pterygium, performed at the teaching hospital, encompassing common conditions that lead to visual impairment or blindness. This exposure provides valuable training opportunities for undergraduate medical students to become physicians especially those aspiring to become ophthalmologists. However, there is a need to increase the overall volume of eye surgeries to enhance the learning experience and potentially influence career choices.

Welfare and performance benefits of shade provision during summer for feedlot cattle in a temperate climatic zone.

There is increasing interest from cattle lot-feeders in the use of shade to mitigate the effects of a potential heat stress event, though it is unclear whether the reported benefits of shade in previous studies conducted in more high-risk heat stress zones are pertinent in cooler temperate zones. The objectives of this study were to measure the welfare and performance benefits of shade provision for lot-fed cattle at a commercial feedlot located in a mild heat-stress risk zone in Western Australia. Six blocks of black Angus (Bos taurus) steers were inducted into the feedlot over six time-windows across a southern hemisphere summer, with 80 cattle per block housed in a partially shaded pen (providing 3.125 m2 of shade per animal) and 80 in an unshaded pen. Parameters assessed in 960 cattle over the first 70 days in the feedlot included weight gain, feed intake, and physiological and behavioral indices of overall health and welfare. Over the months of October through to May in which the experiment was conducted, shaded cattle demonstrated a modest 0.13kg overall increase in average daily gain across the 70-day feedlot period (P = 0.13). There was no difference in dry matter intake between any block or treatment. The physiological and behavioral markers of health and welfare revealed that, even during to hottest times of the experiment, the cattle were quite able to thermoregulate, via increased panting and seeking shade (if available), to maintain physiological homeostasis. In addition, we measured the effect of heat stress and shade provision on the affective state of the cattle. Qualitative behavioral assessment was used to indicate that the cattle in the 'no stress' temperature humidity index (THI) category and the shaded cattle in the 'moderate stress' THI category displayed the most positive demeanor (P < 0.05), being described as more 'settled and sociable', while the unshaded cattle in the 'moderate stress' THI category and all cattle in the 'severe stress' THI category were described as more 'agitated/anxious' (P < 0.05). Overall, the findings from the present study suggest that there are definite welfare and modest performance benefits associated with providing cattle with shade in summer in a feedlot situated in a temperate climatic zone.

Epidemiological Aspects of Renal Disorders in Dogs at South-Saurastra Region of Gujarat- A Prospective Study

Background: Kidney plays a major role in eliminating metabolic wastes from body, in maintaining acid-base balance and production of hormones. Due to their anatomic and physiologic features, kidneys are most susceptible to toxicity and ischemia. No study has been carried out to assess the renal disorders in dog in this region. Hence, the epidemiological study was carried out to record renal disorders in dogs at Junagadh. Methods: The assessment of the incidence of renal disorders in dogs was performed in the hospital cases presented at Veterinary Clinical Complex, COVSAH, KU from September 2022 to August 2023. A total of 2850 caseloads of dogs with different ailments were screened, out of which 170 dogs were diagnosed as renal disorders based on clinical presentation, hematology, serum biochemistry, urine analysis and nephrosonography. Result: The overall incidence of renal disorders in dogs was 5.96%. The higher occurrence of renal disorders was noted in age group of 6-8 years (9.62%) and males (6.61%). The dog breeds that were found higher incidence were Labrador retriever (9.68%) followed by German shepherd (7.24%). Month and Season wise higher incidence was recorded in the month of October (10%) of monsoon (7.61%) season. The highest recorded incidence of renal disorder was nephritis and renal failure (AKI/CKD) (each 35.88%).

Isolation and Diagnosis of Dermatophytes of the Hand Tinea and Sensitivity Study to the Antifungals Griseofulvin

The study was conducted during the month of October 2022 until April 2023, with the aim of isolating and diagnosing the fungi that cause skin diseases from patients visiting the dermatology consultation affiliated with Salah al-Din General Hospital who were diagnosed as infected by dermatologists for the period from 1/6/2022 to 1/ 12/2023 For both sexes, aged between 10 and 60 years, by taking skin samples from the area of infection after wiping them with cotton saturated with 70% alcohol for the purpose of sterilization to get rid of any contaminants. Which was diagnosed clinically by a dermatologist in the dermatology consultation at Salah al-Din General Hospital and outpatient clinics. To evaluate the effectiveness of anti-griseofulvin in inhibiting the isolated fungi, the percentage of dermatophyte infections recorded by positive direct microscopic examination was only (88) patients, representing (88%) of the total number of patients. While the number of negative cases by negative direct microscopic examination was (59), or (59%). As for positive laboratory culture results, there were (79) patients, in the rate of (79%). While the number of negative cases by laboratory culture was (21), in the rate of (21%). The fungal genera that cause skin infections, such as Trychophyton and Microsporum, were isolated, with the genus Trichophyton being the most frequent, with 76 isolates belonging to several species, such as T. mentagrophytes, with a number of 29 isolates, then the fungus T. rubrum, with a number of isolates of 22, then the fungus T. terreste, with a number of isolates of 15, and then fungus T. schoenleinii, with a number of 10 isolates, while only three isolates of the M. canis type were recorded in the genus Microsporum. The results of the susceptibility test of the isolated fungi to Griseofulvin showed that the fungus T. mentagrophytes is more sensitive to the antichrysofulvin, as the average diameter of inhibition reached 32 mm compared to the control, followed by T. rubrum, which had an average diameter of inhibition of 16 mm compared to the control.

Altimeter-derived poleward Lagrangian pathways in the California Current System: Part 1

We use altimeter-derived geostrophic velocities, with and without the addition of surface Ekman transports, to create trajectories for virtual parcels in the California Current System (CCS). The goal is to investigate the poleward transport of passive water parcels in the surface 50–100 m of the nominally equatorward system. Motivation for the study is provided by observations of anomalous biomass of copepods with warm water affinities along the Newport Hydrographic Line off central Oregon (44.7°N) during El Niño years, as well as during and following the 2014–2016 marine heat wave. By backward tracking virtual parcels from 44.7°N, we find that the most distant source of passive water parcels in the upper ocean during a one-year period of travel is from within the Southern California Bight (SCB), north of 30°N. To make that journey, parcels use the Inshore Countercurrent off southern and central California during summer–winter and the Davidson Current off northern California and Oregon during autumn–winter. The inclusion of small-scale eddy diffusion usually increases the number of parcels that reach more northern latitudes, while the inclusion of Ekman velocities more often reduces those numbers. Even so, parcels can travel from the SCB to central Oregon in either the Ekman layer or beneath it in the geostrophic flow. Using backward tracking, we find that parcels arrive at 44.7°N most often in winter–spring, least often in autumn. They arrive from within the large-cape region off northern California (41°–42°N) during all years and all months, from just south of the large-cape region (38°–39°N) during most years but seldom in autumn, from south of Monterey Bay along central California (36°N) and within the SCB (34.5°N) during a third (or less) of the years and only in winter-spring. The shortest average transit times are found in winter: for parcels reaching 44.7°N in February, the average transit time is 2 months for parcels coming from 41°–42°N, 4 months for parcels coming from 38°–39°N, and 5–6 months or more for parcels coming from south of 36°N. Transit times increase as the arrival time progresses from winter to autumn. The longest average transit times are for parcels reaching central Oregon in autumn (9–12 months in October for parcels coming from south of 39°N). This makes the journey a multi-generational task for the copepods. Interannual variability in the observed southern copepod species biomass off central Oregon correlates highly with years when more virtual parcels from the south reach central and northern Oregon, providing increased confidence in the results found with the altimeter-derived parcel trajectories.

Numerical investigations on seasonal variation of waves in the Cat Ba – Ha Long coastal area (Vietnam) in 2021

The Delft3D model, equipped with a high-resolution grid, was employed to simulate wave conditions in the Cat Ba-Ha Long coastal area by combining hydrodynamic and wave modules. The model was calibrated and validated using the measurement data at Hon Dau station, and demonstrated a good match between the data and simulation results (NSE = 0.55–0.69). In 2021, the simulation results revealed that wind waves are the primary type of waves in the Cat Ba-Ha Long coastal area. The lowest monthly-averaged wave heights were found in the January-February period (about 0.4 m), followed by a gradual increase, reaching its peak in the May-June period (1.18 m), and subsequent fluctuations throughout the rest. Wave heights ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 m were frequently observed in the majority of months, including January, February, March, April, July, November, and December. The wave heights ranging 0.6–0.8 m are primarily recorded during the months of August and October. The occurrence of high-altitude waves of 1.0–2.0 m in height was predominantly seen during the months of May and June. The areas with elevated wave heights (>1 m) are primarily located in the southern part of Cat Ba and the southeast of Ha Long, accounting for around 30 % of the region. The areas characterized by gentle undulations are primarily concentrated in Ha Long Bay, where wave heights range from 0.2 to 0.6 m, accounting for 70 % of the region. The variations in wave height primarily result from the southern region of Cat Ba and the southeastern area of Ha Long Bay, which are more exposed and less influenced by the topography, hence facilitating the development of wind waves. Simultaneously, the Ha Long area is encircled by small islands, characterized by shallow depths, with waves that are diffused in direction and exhibit modest heights. In this area, the dominant wave directions are south-southeast (32.9 %) and east (29.7 %).

Efectividad de nirsevimab en la prevención de los ingresos por bronquiolitis por virus respiratorio sincitial en lactantes

Introduction. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants. This season, a long half-life monoclonal antibody (Nirsevimab) is available to prevent this disease for all infants born from 1 April-30 September to 2023 and all those born during RSV season (October2023- March 2024). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the implementation of this antibody on RSV admissions in a tertiary hospital. Material and methods. Observational, retrospective and analytical study. All patients &lt;6 months in October admitted for bronchiolitis at 2 time points were included: T1 or Pre-nirsevimab time: 1 September 2015-30 September 2023 and T2 or Nirsevimab time: 1 October-31 December 2023. Total admissions due to any cause of infants &lt;6 months in the same period were used as the reference population. To assess the impact of the implementation of nirsevimab, we calculated the reduction in the percentage of admissions due to RSV with respect to total admissions in both periods, and also in the 2023-2024 season we calculated the double negative test to calculate the effectiveness of the intervention (1-Odds ratio) x 100. Results. In infants under 6 months of age, we found significant differences in the number of admissions for RSV bronchiolitis between the last season and the previous 7 seasons [574/1195 (48%) vs 6/138 (4.3%); p&lt;0.01, RPI: 91%). In the 2023/2024 season, the effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing admission for RSV bronchiolitis in children under 6 months of age was 85% (CI 95%: 32-97%). Conclusions. The implementation of nirsevimab has had an important impact on the number of hospital admissions for RSV bronchiolitis. There were no differences in the severity of bronchiolitis

Assessment of auditory hypersensitivity in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: integrative review

Introduction: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder may present impairments in communication, behavior, social interaction and changes in sensory processing with atypical responses to information from the senses, such as auditory hypersensitivity. Objective: to describe the methods of evaluating auditory hypersensitivity used in babies, children and/or adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, through an integrative review. Data Synthesis: The study was carried out with the PVO strategy, in the months of October and November 2023, with the search key: “Infant” OR “Child” OR “Adolescent” AND “Autism Spectrum Disorder” AND “Hyperacusis” OR “ Hyperacuses” OR "Hearing” in 11 databases. Results: 7,071 studies were identified, after reading titles and abstracts, 59 were selected, 30 of which were duplicates and 29 were read in full. In the end, 10 articles were included. The majority of studies carried out audiological exams followed by a questionnaire, with the Sensory Profile questionnaire being the most common and the Otoacoustic Emissions, Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential and Immittance Tests being the most common. The sounds that cause the most discomfort are: sounds of strong intensity in general, such as, vacuum cleaner and hairdryer. The most common emotional reaction was crying and physical reactions, covering the ears and running away. Conclusion: It was noticed that the majority of studies reported in this review demonstrate that for the investigation of auditory hypersensitivity, it can be both questionnaires and hearing exams were used in children and adolescents with auditory hypersensitivity, making it necessary to carry out more studies on the subject to standardize an assessment for auditory hypersensitivity.

Aptitude for Research Among Medical Students in India: Identifying the Challenges.

Introduction Understanding the reasons behind the undervaluation of research among undergraduate medical students in India is crucial for advancing medical knowledge. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the knowledge, interest, and barriers faced by 606 Indian medical students through an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. Aims To identify the knowledge of research and the challenges faced by medical students to pursue research in their undergraduate education. Methods and material This was a prospective observational study carried out over a period of one month in October 2022. Study approval was taken from the Genebandhu Independent Ethics Committee (Reference Number- ECG004/2022). The responses obtained from the questionnaire were recorded in Google Sheets and transferred to Microsoft Excel (Redmond, WA, USA). Results Among the participants, 46.53% were male and 53.47% were female, primarily from the first (11.39%) and second (9.90%) years of their medical education. Notably, the majority had undertaken United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) (54.95%), followed by National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate) (NEET-PG) (34.65%) and Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) (7.92%). The study revealed that 78.22% considered research pivotal to their academic trajectory, with a mean age of 23.14 years (SD=2.82) and an average research knowledge score of 2.75 (SD=1.31). The type of postgraduate exam significantly influenced enthusiasm for research activities (p<0.001), with higher enthusiasm among those preparing for exams abroad. Nonetheless, the type of medical college did not significantly affect interest in research activities (p=0.4879). Conclusion Addressing the undervaluation of research among undergraduate medical students in India is imperative. The curriculum should integrate robust support mechanisms to nurture research skills, emphasizing its importance for future medical practitioners. This could involve seminars, courses, and interactive sessions aimed at fostering research acumen among students.

Calm Before the Storm?

Atlantic hurricane season poses an annual threat to the billions of dollars of oil and gas hardware pumping hydrocarbons from the depths of the US Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The region’s offshore production amounts to about 1.8 million B/D—roughly 14% of the total crude output in the US, according to the US Energy Information Administration, so any disruption is felt by oil markets across the globe. Prior to the 2024 hurricane season, forecasters pegged this year as primed to be particularly intense. Colorado State University (CSU), known for its storm prognostication, estimated that the basin would experience 23 named storms, with a dozen of those becoming hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and six of those strengthening to major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher). Similarly, AccuWeather meteorologists expect between 20 and 25 named storms with a possibility of 30 or more. As the season enters its busy period, the basin has only experienced five named storms to date; however, many forecasters are sticking to their initial forecasts and continue to warn of an intense September/October period. “The months of September and October should be very active across the Atlantic,” said AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva. “We continue to remain very concerned about rapid intensification. Sea-surface temperatures and ocean heat content are near record levels across most of the Atlantic basin. This can act like jet fuel for tropical systems. We also continue to believe that La Niña will emerge sometime in November. When water temperatures near the equator of the eastern Pacific Ocean are lower than the long-term historical averages for an extended period, La Niña is declared. Although this is a phenomenon in the Pacific, it has ramifications for weather patterns over the Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, La Niña can reduce the wind shear across the basin. When wind shear is lower, it makes it easier for tropical systems to take shape and strengthen.” The GOM has experienced one disruption in 2024 courtesy of Hurricane Beryl. Once a Category 5 storm (winds 155 mph and higher)—and the earliest-forming Category 5 storm on record—Beryl weakened as it crossed the southern Yucatán. The storm regained Category 1 strength as it crossed the far western offshore oil patch enroute to landfall near Matagorda Bay, Texas. Shell shut in production at its Perdido spar because of the storm as well as evacuated personnel from it and its Whale facility. Chevron moved all non-essential personnel off its Anchor floating production unit, which was undergoing commissioning at the time. The last major storm to cut a path straight through the heart of the US offshore oil patch was 2021’s Hurricane Ida. Ida tore through the region as a Category 4 storm before slamming into the Louisiana coast near Port Fourchon packing 150 mph winds on 29 August. The storm prompted the shut in of almost 100% of the Gulf’s oil and gas production and caused extensive damage to major hubs in the region, including the Shell-operated West Delta Block 143 complex. The facilities, which serve as the transfer station for production from Shell’s robust Mars corridor, were off line for several months.

Effects of social and environmental restrictions, and changes in alcohol availability in adolescents' binge drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the evolution of binge drinking since the pre-pandemic period, and throughout the pandemic period with the application and lifting of the restrictions in adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old in school in Central Catalonia. Quasi-experimental time series study with two samples of adolescents. The first sample (1st wave of survey, pre-pandemic period) was obtained between the months of September 2019 to March 2020 (n = 6621) and the second sample (2nd wave of survey, pandemic period) between the months of October 2021 and March 2022 (n = 7576). The dependent variable was monthly binge drinking. The main independent variable was the period of data collection (1st and 2nd wave), and gender and grade were also included. Twenty-one time slices were performed by fortnight and the binge drinking prevalence of the previous month was extracted in each of them. Interrupted time series analysis was performed and Poisson regression models with robust variance were estimated. The data indicated a significant increase in the prevalence of binge drinking in certain periods in girls [easing of measures in October, aPR: 2.25 (1.03-4.89); and total lifting of restrictions in February, aPR: 3.29 (1.57-6.89)] and a reduction in consumption in periods of tightening of restrictions. After the upturn before the return to the pre-pandemic situation binge drinking followed a decreasing trend in both sexes [aPR boys: 0.73 (95%CI: 0.66-0.81); aPR girls: 0.78 (95%CI: 0.71-0.86)]. Periods of community interventions aimed at protecting people's health have had an impact on other health behaviors or aspects of health such as binge drinking, and differentially across groups and communities.

Remote Sensing Analysis of Smog-Inducing Aerosol Optical Depth: An Integrated Approach for Air Pollution Mitigation

Aerosol aggravation poses a significant challenge in the administrative Lahore Division of Punjab, Pakistan and contributes greatly to the persistent issue of smog. Since 2017, the division has experienced recurrent episodes of smog pollution, most notably in the months of October and November. In the present study, aerosol optical depth (AOD) has been analyzed alongside three metrological parameters: temperature, humidity and rainfall. These were tracked in October and November of 2018, 2020, and 2022 using remote sensing data and satellite imaging. Additionally, anthropogenic emissions data from automobile exhaust, industries and stubble burning were derived from secondary sources. Ultimately, the study helped piece together the complex environmental picture in Lahore Division in October and November. The results showed that AOD levels not only increased during this time, they were significantly influenced by a full range of metrological variables such as low temperature, high relative humidity, lack of rainfall and emissions from a variety of human activities. It was found that trucks, tractors and buses were among the worst contributors, alongside industry and stubble burning. Therefore, the present study suggests multi sectoral plans to mitigate aerosol levels and combat the smog menace, promoting environmental sustainability in the Lahore Division. A full set of recommendation is included, divided into three categories: industry, transport and agriculture. These are focused on technology, control systems, disposal, incentives, green solutions and more. At all levels, commitment, collaboration, and coordination are absolutely vital.

First report of Trypoxylon clavicerum (Crabronidae: Hymenoptera) from the Indian subcontinent: its nesting behaviour and prey preference

Abstract A study was conducted to document the nesting behaviour and prey composition of a crabronid wasp, Trypoxylon sp. The wasp was molecularly characterised as T. clavicerum (NCBI Accession No. OQ913679.1). Nest acceptance rate was significantly higher in the reeds of Ipomea carnea (79.20%) and bamboo (84.80%). The mean number of brood cells (4.40 ± 0.89 cells/nest) and vestibular cells (1.06 cells/nest) built by the wasp was significantly higher in the reeds of I. carnea. Brood parasitisation by the nest parasite Amobia sp. was significantly higher in nests built by the wasp in paper straws (58.57%) compared to the nests built in the reeds of bamboo (23.33%). The mean durations of the egg, larval and pupal stages of T. clavicerum were 2.60 ± 0.55, 6.01 ± 0.71 and 4.80 ± 0.84 days. The number of nests recovered was observed to be the highest during the months of August (3.66 ± 1.53 nests), September (5.00 ± 4.36 nests), October (8.67 ± 2.89 nests) and November (6.00 ± 2.10 nests). The major species of spider from the occupied nests belonged to two families, viz. Salticidae (81%) and Oxyopidae (19%). During the nesting period the adult wasp provisioned a greater number of spiderlings (3.25 to 3.60 spiderlings/cell) than adult spiders (1.20 to 1.60 adult spiders/cell) to her brood. The time taken to complete a single nest provisioned with adult spiders and spiderlings (13.20 ± 6.83 hr/single nest) was significantly less than for the nests provisioned with adult spiders (46.80 ± 14.80 hr/single nest) only. This study is the first ever report of nesting behaviour and prey composition of the spider-hunting wasp T. clavicerum from India.

El Fenómeno del Niño y la prevalencia de enfermedades infecciosas: revisión

Climate changes caused by the El Niño oscillation southern (ENSO) significantly influence human diseases, because they are related to anomalies in precipitation or periods of drought. The aims of this paper are: to evaluate the anomalies of the average sea surface temperature, to calculate the average sea surface temperature of the Niño and Niño 1+2 regions, to contextualize infectious pathologies according to their classification: viral, bacterial, parasitic and caused by fungi in the geographical areas or countries of the Region where they have been studied in the historical context (1982-1983; 1997-1998 and 2016-2017) periods of the ENSO considered strong. A bibliographic, descriptive, documentary, retrospective and cross-sectional review was carried out during the months of October 2023 to March 2024. Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) are higher than average, observed throughout the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with anomalies being greater in the central and central-eastern Pacific. For ENSO 2023-2024, in the Niño 4 region the last calculated values of the Niño index remained at a temperature of +1.4 °C, in the Niño 3,4 region it was +1.9, in the Niño -3 region it was +2.0 °C while in the Niño-1+2 regions it weakened to +1.0 °C. The highest incidence and prevalence of ENSO infection (1997-1998) in Ecuador stands out, accounting for an increase in 13 infectious pathologies. Attention must be paid and the links between the environment and the risk of infection must be better understood.

Optimising eDNA analysis for urban otter monitoring: seasonal patterns, detection strategies and prey availability

Significant advancements in environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis technology have led to its widespread adoption for species monitoring. However, the low DNA concentration in eDNA often raises concerns about PCR bias, which is a primary issue in enhancing the reliability of eDNA survey results. This study aims to identify the suitable eDNA analysis method and detection strategy for obtaining the presence data of Eurasian otters in an urban stream and to investigate the seasonal distribution patterns of Eurasian otters and their potential prey species. The eDNA survey revealed the presence of six out of the 13 mammal species recorded in fieldwork and literature reviews, including Canis lupus, Felis silvestris and Mustela sibirica. Notably, Eurasian otters were not detected in the eDNA metabarcoding conducted in April and October, despite traditional surveys confirming their presence. In contrast, qPCR assays successfully amplified Eurasian otters from the same samples that were analysed using metabarcoding. When evaluating detection criteria, based on the number of positive samples in repetitions, Eurasian otters were detected at 42.9% to 85.7% of the sampling sites in April and at all sampling sites in October. This suggests a higher detection probability of Eurasian otters in October, indicating a potential expansion of their home range during that season compared to April. Metabarcoding results revealed similar findings regarding fish species as traditional surveys, with Cyprinidae accounting for the largest proportion of fish species at the family level (April, 54.57%; October, 43.58%), followed by Gobiidae (April, 16.90%; October, 22.88%). At the species level, P. parva was the dominant fish species in Saetgang, constituting 5.68% and 6.35% of relative abundance in April and October, respectively. This implies that Eurasian otters as opportunistic predators, may increasingly take advantage of the availability of species within the family Cyprinidae, notably Pseudorasbora parva, as a food source within the study area during the months of April and October. This study highlights that qPCR is the more effective approach in urban areas to offer insights into otters’ distribution patterns, while metabarcoding is useful to provide the properties of the biological environment. Furthermore, this study indicated that it is necessary to determine the suitable eDNA analysis methods depending on the research purpose to obtain detection results effectively.

Relationship between academic burnout, self-care, and self-medication among Costa Rican university students in health-related sciences

Introduction: burnout is a problem affecting Health Sciences students, potentially leading to an increased tendency towards self-medication. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the relationship between these two variables and self-care. Objective: to determine the relationship between self-care, burnout, and self-medication in university students majoring in Health related Sciences. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling via virtual means throughout the entire month of October 2023, creating a database for this purpose. The study population consisted of university students enrolled in health-related sciences in Costa Rica. A sample of 361 participants was obtained from both a public and a private university, with ages ranging from 18 to 46 years (M= 23.61, SD= 5.30). The questionnaire was composed of the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale (α=.89), the Maslach Academic Burnout Inventory (α between .82 and .88) and a set of sociodemographic questions. Results: self-care showed negative correlations with exhaustion, cynicism, and the frequency of self-medication, while displaying positive associations with academic efficacy and age. Additionally, progressing within the curriculum and living alone or with housemates were linked to higher levels of exhaustion compared to those living with a partner or nuclear family. Conclusions: higher levels of self-care in health-related students were associated with lower levels of academic burnout and a reduced frequency of self-medication. Moreover, students living with close individuals exhibited significantly lower levels of exhaustion.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Two Endangered Fishes of the Jequitinhonha River Basin

Objective: Investigate the capture of Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum in the Jequitinhonha River basin to contribute to the knowledge of these endemic and endangered species. Theoretical Framework: Based on concepts of ecology and conservation of aquatic species, highlighting the importance of preserving natural habitats for maintaining biodiversity. Theories on the relationship between climatic events and fish capture patterns are also explored. Method: Monthly collections of the species from 2011 to 2015, focusing on the months of October to February. Data collection included the capture of live specimens, which were sent for macro and microscopic analysis at the Machado Mineiro Environmental Station. The relationship between rainy days and reservoir levels with the number of species captured was statistically analyzed. Results and Discussion: Both Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum were mainly captured during periods of rain and reservoir filling. There was a significant relationship between capture and rainy days for both species, with p&lt;0.003 for Steindachneridion amblyurum and p&lt;0.002 for Brycon devillei. The discussion contextualizes these findings in light of the theoretical framework, considering the ecological implications. Research Implications: Monitoring the reservoir during rainy days for the conservation of these species. Theoretically, the study highlights the importance of environmental factors in the capture of endangered aquatic species. Originality/Value: Contributes to the literature by providing unprecedented data on Brycon devillei and Steindachneridion amblyurum. The research offers valuable insights for the conservation of endemic fish in impacted habitats.

Graph Theory to Map Nursing Knowledge of Diagnosis and Interventions in Women's Health.

Apply Graph Theory to analyze and map knowledge about nursing diagnoses and interventions, based on records of consultations carried out by nurses, in women's health, in primary health care. Secondary data from a cross-sectional study were used. Records of nursing consultations carried out during the month of October 2016, in 21 health units, in a Brazilian municipality were analyzed. Network analysis was carried out using Graphs from 61 nursing consultations. 175 diagnoses were recorded, an average of three per consultation; and 380 interventions, an average of six per consultation. In the analysis, four diagnostic and four intervention network groupings were identified. The mapping allowed reflection on phenomena of interest to Nursing and fostering critical thinking in decision making. The findings are useful for teaching and training nurses, as well as strengthening the use of standardized language systems.

Spawning migration and habitat characteristics of Labeobarbus species in the Gumara River and its tributaries, Lake Tana subbasin, Ethiopia

Information on the spawning migration and habitat use of migratory fish is critical to protect and restore threatened or endangered populations. Twenty-two individuals of three species, namely Labeobarbus platydorsus, L. megastoma, and L. truttiformis, were implanted with radio tags to study their spawning migration in the Gumara River and its tributaries between July and October of 2018 to 2021. Fourteen individuals were found at least twice throughout their migration, eleven moved upstream up to 41.0 and 44.4 river kilometers (rkm), and three were tracked when moving downstream. The upstream spawning movement of the tagged fish lasted 9 to 27 days, and their ground speeds ranged from 0.07 to 1.50 km h-1. The habitat use of untagged Labeobarbus specimens in the spawning sites was also assessed using fyke nets, cast net fishing, and data from fishermen’s catches. Labeobarbus truttiformis mainly exploited the Kizen tributary stream with gravel substrates and less turbid water for spawning. Several small-sized individuals of L. megastoma spawned in the Wonzuma and Dukalit tributaries. By contrast, larger-sized specimens of L. platydorsus and L. megastoma spawned in the main river channel at the riffles and the gravel/pebble size substrate. Destructive fishing using gillnet dragging, filtering, and damming/fencing has recently intensified at the spawning areas (~ 41.0 rkm to 45.0 rkm), which likely affects spawning populations. Therefore, we recommend that fishing in the main river channel and tributaries must be banned during the months of August, September, and October to safeguard and conserve the threatened Labeobarbus species.

Confrontation between modelled solar integrated observables and direct observations

Context. Stellar variability strongly impacts the search for low-mass exoplanets with radial velocity techniques. Two types of planet-free time series can be used to quantify this impact: models and direct solar observations after a subtraction of the Solar System planetary contribution. Making a comparison among these approaches is necessary to improve the models, which can then be used for blind tests across a broad range of conditions. Aims. Our objective is therefore to validate the amplitude of the convective blueshift in plages used in our previous works, particularly in blind tests, with HARPS-N solar data. Methods. We applied our model to the structures observed at the time of HARPS-N observations and established a direct comparison between the radial velocity time series. To complete our diagnosis, we also studied the observed radial velocities separately for each diffraction order derived from the individual cross-correlation functions, as well as our line-by-line radial velocities. Results. We find that our previous model had been underestimating the amplitude of the convective blueshift inhibition by a factor of about 2. A direct estimation of the convective blueshift in the spectra, which is shown to be correlated with the plage filling factor, allows us to explain the difference with previous estimations obtained with MDI/SOHO Dopplergrams, based on the specific properties of the Ni line used in this mission. In addition, we identified several instrumental systematics, in particular, the presence of a 2 m s−1 peak-to-peak signal with a period of about 200 days in radial velocity and bisector. This signal could be due to periodic detector warmups, a systematic dependence of the long-term trend on wavelength that is possibly related to the variability of the continuum over time, and/or an offset in radial velocity after the interruption of several months in October 2017. Conclusions. A large amplitude in the convective blueshift inhibition of (360 ms−1, namely twice more than in our previous works) must be used when building synthetic times series for blind tests. The presence of instrumental systematics should also be taken into account when using sophisticated methods based on line properties to mitigate stellar activity when searching for very weak signals.