Location Of Region Research Articles

Analyzing Multi-Generational Gathering and Dispersion to and from Ten 19th-Century American Cities

Genealogy, with its tying of people to places, allows for the study of migration over multiple generations. In this paper we use family history data from FamilySearch.org to analyze the migration of the ancestors of those born between 1865 and 1875 in ten United States cities followed by the migration of descendants of people born in the same city during that same decade. Other work has followed the ancestors for multiple generations, and we have added in an examination of the migration of descendants from city origins. We calculate a number of statistics and indices and use maps to illustrate the main spatial themes of these migrations and how they vary among the cities. We find that cities have their own unique mixes of migrants that lead to differences in how often the generations were stable in a community; that descendants of those born in our study cities tended to stay close to the city for some time; that the ancestors of migration funneling into a city were more spread out than the descendants of those born in the city; that migration generally proceeded from east to west from the great-great-grandparents to the children, but that the center of migration was more random for the descendants; and that the distance of migration between ancestral generations was highly affected by the share of European ancestors and the regional location of the city. The value of this approach is that genealogical migration research can examine a large number of historical migration questions within one unified framework, which has not been carried out in other studies.

Detection of Helmet Violations among Electric Bicycle Riders Through Multi-Network

The use of helmets plays a crucial role in mitigating head injuries resulting from traffic accidents. However, manual supervision of helmet usage is both costly and prone to missing target objects. With the advancement of technology and widespread use of surveillance cameras, it has become technically feasible to automatically detect riders’ helmet wearing based on roadside videos. This capability holds significant potential in effectively guiding riders to wear helmets and enhancing driving safety. This paper presents a multi-network-based approach for automated detection of helmet wearing among electric bicycle riders. The object detection model is employed to detect electric bicycles and helmets. Additionally, the overall approach utilizes a human pose estimator to detect keypoints of human skeletons for selecting the region of interest (RoI) corresponding to the head region location. We propose location rules to extract the rider region within the electric bicycle box for distinguishing riders and locate the head region based on human skeleton keypoints for helmet wearing matching. The mean average precision (mAP) of the detection model trained on public datasets reaches 91.8%. To evaluate matching accuracy, we randomly selected 150 correctly detected images from the open-sourced two-wheeler helmet dataset (TWHD), achieving a matching accuracy of 95.6%. The detection model is trained and tested on public datasets which effectively facilitates the processes of data collection and annotation. Based on multi-network information fusion, we can accurately detect helmet violations among electric bicycle riders in multi-person interaction scenarios.

Digital Access to Asia: An Analysis of the Coverage of Digital Asia Collections in Australian University Libraries

ABSTRACT Asia collections in Australian university libraries play a crucial role in supporting the teaching and research of Asian Studies and languages, as well as fostering a deeper understanding of Asia. Given Australia’s strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region, the study of Asia is of significant practical and national importance; however, it has faced a decline marked by the closure of Asian studies programs and reductions in resources. Initially developed in response to increased university investment in Asian area studies and language teaching, these collections have transitioned from print to digital formats, incorporating diverse materials related to Asia’s history, culture, languages, and societies. The article builds on the seminal appraisal by Bishop and Weller (1970), which highlighted the challenges of developing Asia collections due to limited access to print resources from regions with underdeveloped publishing industries. This paper analyses the current status of Asia-related collections in digital format, complementing existing literature focused primarily on print collections. It highlights innovations in information access through vendor subscription-based databases, which have transformed academic libraries’ ability to acquire materials. The study reveals trends in the growth of digital resources and examines the strengths and gaps in the coverage of Asia materials within contemporary academic libraries.

How does digital transformation affect innovation quality?

In the digital era, digital transformation is disrupting traditional business models and innovation activities. Numerous firms have expedited their endeavors in digital transformation to augment their manufacturing capabilities, operational efficiency, and competitive standing. Despite the increasing scholarly attention on the pivotal role of digital transformation in economic progress, there exists a paucity of research delving into the intricate nexus between digital transformation and innovation quality. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between digital transformation and innovation quality. Leveraging annual report data and patent information from Chinese listed companies spanning from 2012 to 2021, we have identified that digital transformation significantly enhances innovation quality. Interestingly, upon further investigation into the relationship between the five sub-dimensions of digital transformation (artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, big data, and digital technology applications) and innovation quality, positive and significant correlations were observed with artificial intelligence, cloud computing, big data, and digital technology applications, while blockchain did not exhibit a significant impact. Furthermore, the study reveals that the impact of digital transformation on innovation quality varies depending on property rights and regional location. Specifically, this promotional effect is significant only in non-state-owned enterprises and in the central and eastern regions. Overall, this paper enriches the research on digital transformation and innovation quality, providing valuable insights to promote the advancement of digital transformation levels for better serving the high-quality development of the real economy.

A New Brain Network Construction Paradigm for Brain Disorder via Diffusion-Based Graph Contrastive Learning.

Brain network analysis plays an increasingly important role in studying brain function and the exploring of disease mechanisms. However, existing brain network construction tools have some limitations, including dependency on empirical users, weak consistency in repeated experiments and time-consuming processes. In this work, a diffusion-based brain network pipeline, DGCL is designed for end-to-end construction of brain networks. Initially, the brain region-aware module (BRAM) precisely determines the spatial locations of brain regions by the diffusion process, avoiding subjective parameter selection. Subsequently, DGCL employs graph contrastive learning to optimize brain connections by eliminating individual differences in redundant connections unrelated to diseases, thereby enhancing the consistency of brain networks within the same group. Finally, the node-graph contrastive loss and classification loss jointly constrain the learning process of the model to obtain the reconstructed brain network, which is then used to analyze important brain connections. Validation on two datasets, ADNI and ABIDE, demonstrates that DGCL surpasses traditional methods and other deep learning models in predicting disease development stages. Significantly, the proposed model improves the efficiency and generalization of brain network construction. In summary, the proposed DGCL can be served as a universal brain network construction scheme, which can effectively identify important brain connections through generative paradigms and has the potential to provide disease interpretability support for neuroscience research.

Juno Observations Set New Constraints on the Electrodynamic Interaction Between Io and Jupiter.

Juno's highly elliptical polar orbits provide unprecedented in-situ observations of the electrodynamic interaction between Jupiter and its volcanic moon Io. These observations occur in regions never sampled before both near Io's orbit and near Jupiter's ionosphere and at distances between the two. Magnetic field data obtained during multiple traversals of magnetic field lines mapping to Io's orbit reveal remarkably rich and complex magnetic signatures near flux tubes connected to Io's orbital position. Here we present a methodology to model the distribution of currents along Io's flux tube (IFT) and Alfvén wings in such a way as to match the magnetic field signature observed during Juno's traversals of the IFT and Alfvén wings downstream of Io. We obtain the location, size and morphology of the current-carrying region as well as the distribution of currents within the IFT and Alfvén wings. The observed field-aligned currents exhibit strong filamentation, with upward and downward currents splitting into secondary cells rather than forming uniform structures. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between total field-aligned current intensity, particle energy flux, and Poynting flux, indicating efficient energy transfer and coupling in the Jupiter-Io system. Using all of Juno's traversals up to perijove (PJ) pass 42, we estimate the strength of the interaction with regards to distance along Io's extended tail, Io's position in the plasma torus and the magnetic field intensity at the footprint in Jupiter's ionosphere, illuminating the interaction of Jovian magnetospheric plasma with Io and setting important constraints in the Io-Jupiter interaction.

Constraining the Location of the γ-Ray Emission Region in Radio-loud AGN 3C 380

A detailed broadband spectral and temporal study of a radio-loud active galactic nucleus, 3C 380, is carried out using 14.5 yr of Fermi-LAT data, available Swift observations, and data from other observatories, including AstroSat (2020 August). The source exhibited a GeV outburst on 2020 September 5. Given the sparsity of Swift observations, no useful correlations could be established between γ-ray, X-ray, and UV/optical bands. The source is also a part of the Monitoring of Jets in Active Galactic Nuclei with VLBA Experiments survey and has been monitored at 15 GHz for over a decade. The correlation studies show that radio emission lags γ-rays by ∼150 days. We constrain the location of γ-ray emission by the core shift measurements from the literature and the observed time delays. Using this localization, we constructed and modeled the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) of the source during its high γ-ray activity states and for the long-term averaged state. The SEDs during the high γ-ray activity states are modeled with two zones: one corresponding to the “steady” or the emission from the source averaged over more than a decade and another corresponding to the “flare” emission. We conclude that the high-energy emission originates within the parsec-scale jet, and moving shocks in the region drive the observed γ-flux variations.

Emergence of Nigrospora Leaf Blight as Major Biotic Stress in South Eastern Coastal Region of India

Background: Nigrospora is one of the diversified pathogens with wide host range. Endophytic nature of Nigrospora oryzae has been reported previously. Daily variations in the climate led to the emergence of virulent infections from previously expressed weak ones. Nigrospora oryzae infestation comes as a major biotic stress under this present investigation. Methods: A study was conducted to examine the variability of Nigrospora oryzae by collecting isolates from various locations in the south coastal region of Odisha. The level of virulence was assessed and analyzed between 2021 and 2023 to anticipate the emergence and progression of disease. The pathogen was identified using molecular techniques through ITS-r DNA sequencing method. Result: Disease incidence was observed as a critical blast-like appearance, but greater in size, distinguishing it from blast. In the experiment, incomplete filling of grains was highest in MTU-7029 (39.73 plant-1) followed by Niranjana and Gobindobhog; disease incidence was recorded to be highest in Niranjana (60.03%) followed by MTU-7029 and Barsha; and grain yield plant-1 was observed to be highly affected in Gobindobhog (14.58 g plant-1 followed by MTU-7029 and Niranjana. Molecular confirmation was established by ITS-rDNA sequencing, resulted sequence NO 9 (528 bp)- OP592217 and NO 15 (519 bp)- OP592218, exactly matches gene bank accession numbers- MH748173 (India) and ON514037 (India) of Nigrospora database, with 99% accuracy.

Diversity and prevalence of Leucocytozoon in black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Thailand.

Leucocytozoonosis, a parasitic disease of birds, is caused by haemosporidian protozoan parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon, which infect diverse avian species, including poultry. These parasites are transmitted by several black fly species, but knowledge of the factors determining the diversity and prevalence in these vectors, which is crucial for fully understanding disease epidemiology, is largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated factors associated with the prevalence and diversity of Leucocytozoon species in black flies from Thailand. Adults of two black fly taxa (Simulium asakoae Takaoka and Davies complex and S. khelangense Takaoka, Srisuka and Saeung) were collected using sweep nets at nine locations in northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. Specimens were identified morphologically and the results corroborated by DNA barcoding. Molecular methods using specific primers for amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) gene of Leucocytozoon were used to detect the parasite in black flies. Species and lineages of Leucocytozoon were determined using the MalAvi database of malaria parasites and related haemosporidians in avian hosts. Regression analysis was used to examine relationships between Leucocytozoon diversity and prevalence, black fly abundance and habitat characteristics. A total of 11,718 adult black flies were collected, of which 4367 were members of the S. asakoae complex and 7351 were S. khelangense. For molecular detection of Leucocytozoon, we randomly selected 300 individual female black flies of the S. asakoae complex and 850 females of S. khelangense pooled into groups of five individuals (= 170 pools). A total of 34 of the 300 specimens of the S. asakoae complex and 118 of the 170 pools of S. khelangense were positive for Leucocytozoon. Fifty-four lineages (haplotypes) were identified, all of which belonged to those reported in domestic chickens, Gallus gallus, with one exception that was identified in S. khelangense and found to be closely related to the Leucocytozoon lineages reported in owls; this is the first record of the latter lineage in Asian black flies. Among these haplotypes, nine and 45 were exclusively found in the S. asakoae complex and S. khelangense, respectively. No lineage was shared between these black fly taxa. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed significant Leucocytozoon lineage composition between the two black flies. Phylogenetic analysis found that Leucocytozoon lineages in the S. asakoae complex and S. khelangense are largely isolated, agreeing with the ANOSIM result. The overall prevalence of Leucocytozoon in the S. asakoae complex was 11.3% and ranged from 9% to 13% in each collection. Leucocytozoon prevalence in S. khelangense was 21%, varying from 13% to 37% in each collection. The Shannon H' index indicated greater Leucocytozoon diversity in S. khelangense (H' = 3.044) than in the S. asakoae complex (H' = 1.920). Regression analysis revealed that Leucocytozoon diversity was positively related to black fly abundance and negatively related to maximum air temperature. The results of this study show that the prevalence and diversity of Leucocytozoon lineages in the S. asakoae complex and S. khelangense from Thailand were associated with the abundance of these black flies and with air temperature. The Leucocytozoon lineages identified also showed some degree of black fly taxon specificity, possibly related to different abundance peaks of these vectors. The environmental conditions that favor the development of black flies are possibly a driver of Leucocytozoon prevalence, diversity and vector-parasite co-evolution.

Development of a Baltimore (MD) population of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared at several temperatures and estimations of developmental limits and thresholds.

Developmental data for necrophagous Diptera are frequently used in medico-legal investigations to estimate portions of the postmortem interval and interpret periods of insect activity. These applications require baseline developmental data for local populations from geographic locations of interest. For the widely distributed blow fly Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), detailed developmental data does not exist for many locations in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. This study examined development of C. vicina collected from a large, metropolitan city (Baltimore) in Maryland utilizing 11 ambient temperatures. The developmental threshold and thermal range of growth and tolerance were also estimated, as well as critical thermal minima and maxima based on thermal injury. For this population, linear growth was observed between 10°C and 25°C, whereas flies failed to complete development at temperatures below 7°C or above 28°C. Growth at low temperatures was not curvilinear, which contrasts with other developmental studies using C. vicina and other calliphorids. The lower developmental threshold was estimated to be 5.9°C and corresponds closely with experimental observations. The implications of these result in reference to phenotypic plasticity in populations of C. vicina and applications in forensic entomology are discussed.

Mortality of very low birth weight infants by neonatal intensive care unit workload and regional group status.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) continue to face high mortality risk influenced by the care quality of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Under-standing the impact of workload and regional differences on these rates is crucial for improving outcomes. This study aimed to assess how the structural and staffing attributes of NICUs influence the mortality rates of VLBWIs, emphasizing the significance of the availability of medical personnel and the regional distribution of care facilities. Data from 69 Korean NICUs collected by the Korean Neonatal Network between January 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The NICUs were classified by various parameters: capacity (small, medium, large), nurse-to-bed ratio (1-4), and regional location (A, B, C). Pediatrician staffing was also analyzed and NICUs categorized by beds per pediatrician into low (≤10), medium (11-15), and high (≥16). The NICUs were classified by mortality rates into high-performance (1st and 2nd quartiles) and low-performance (3rd and 4th quartiles). Demographic, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to explore the association between NICU characteristics and mortality rates. This study included 4,745 VLBWIs (mean gestational age, 28.4 weeks; mean birth weight, 1,088 g; 55.4% male) and found significant variations in survival rates across NICUs linked to performance and staffing levels. High-performing NICUs, often with lower bed-to-staff ratios and advanced care levels, had higher survival rates. Notably, NICUs with 2 rather than 1 neonatologist were associated with reduced mortality rates. The study also underscored regional disparities, with NICUs in certain areas showing less favorable survival rates. Adequate NICU staffing and proper facility location are key to lowering the number of VLBWI deaths. Enhancing staffing and regional healthcare equity is crucial for improving the survival of this population.

Fostering Early English Education in Saudi Arabia: A Pathway to Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in Education

English language education has become increasingly vital in non-English-speaking countries, driven by globalization and the demands of the international economy. In Saudi Arabia, enhancing English proficiency is one of the most important aspects of educational reform emphasized by Vision 2030. This study examines the perceptions of 420 kindergarten and elementary school teachers, Saudi Arabia, regarding early English education for young learners aged 4 to 8. Using a structured questionnaire, the study reveals strong support among teachers for early English instruction, with 77% agreeing that every child should master at least one foreign language. Additionally, 86% of respondents believe that English should be introduced in primary school to establish a solid foundation for language mastery. Multiple regression analysis identified significant predictors of teacher support, such as teaching experience, educational qualifications, and regional location. Teachers with more experience and higher qualifications were more supportive of early English education, with greater support seen in urbanized areas. The findings also highlight the significance of English proficiency in the context of economic globalization. A total of 88% of teachers recognize that English is necessary for global communication and competitiveness. The study concludes that teacher perceptions align with the goals of Vision 2030, highlighting the strategic importance of early English education in Saudi Arabia's educational reforms. It further highlights the need for ongoing professional development for teachers and increased parental involvement to ensure the positive implementation of early English programs. These insights are critical for informing educational policies and practices that support Saudi Arabia's broader socio-economic objectives.

PCDP-CRLPPM: a classified regional location privacy-protection model based on personalized clustering with differential privacy in data management

Abstract Location data management plays a crucial role in facilitating data collection and supporting location-based services. However, the escalating volume of transportation big data has given rise to increased concerns regarding privacy and security issues in data management, potentially posing threats to the lives and property of users. At present, there are two possible attacks in data management, namely Reverse-clustering Inference Attack and Mobile-spatiotemporal Feature Inference Attack. Additionally, the dynamic allocation of privacy budgets emerges as an NP-hard problem. To protect data privacy and maintain utility in data management, a novel protection model for location privacy information in data management, Classified Regional Location Privacy-Protection Model based on Personalized Clustering with Differential Privacy (PCDP-CRLPPM), is proposed. Firstly, a twice-clustering algorithm combined with gridding is proposed, which divides continuous locations into different clusters based on the different privacy protection needs of different users. Subsequently, these clusters are categorized into different spatiotemporal feature regions. Then, a Sensitive-priority algorithm is proposed to allocate privacy budgets adaptively for each region. Finally, a Regional-fuzzy algorithm is presented to introduce Laplacian noise into the centroids of the regions, thereby safeguarding users’ location privacy. The experimental results demonstrate that, compared to other models, PCDP-CRLPPM exhibits superior resistance against two specific attack models and achieves high levels of data utility while preserving privacy effectively.

The potential of autonomous delivery services to increase fast food consumption.

Technological innovations in the online food delivery sector include the use of autonomous delivery vehicles. The aim of the present study was to investigate consumers' intentions to use these services once they are widely available and their motivations for using them to access unhealthy food. Online survey including a vignette describing a future world where autonomous food deliveries are in common use in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Australia. 1078 Australians aged 18 years and older, nationally representative by sex, age, and location (metropolitan versus non-metropolitan residence). Around half of the sample reported intending to use an autonomous food delivery service at least once per week for fast food (53%) and/or healthy pre-prepared food (50%). Almost two-thirds (60%) intended using autonomous vehicle deliveries to receive groceries. Around one in five (17%) anticipated an increase in their fast food intake as a result of access to autonomous delivery services compared to one in two (46%) expecting others' total fast food intake to increase. The most common reason provided for using autonomous food deliveries was increased convenience. More frequent current fast food ordering, higher socioeconomic status, younger age, and regional location were significantly associated with an anticipated increase in fast food consumption. The emergence of autonomous food delivery systems may bring both benefits and adverse consequences that in combination are likely to constitute a substantial regulatory challenge. Proactive efforts will be required to avoid negative public health nutrition outcomes of this transport evolution.

Disentangling the gender-differentiated determinants of home-based self-employment choices in Nigeria

Abstract Understanding gender disparities in home-based self-employment (HBS) and their links to homeownership and socioeconomic factors is crucial for advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. This study uses data from the 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16, and 2018/19 waves of the Nigerian General Household Survey (GHS). It employs random effect probit regression, the LASSO method for identifying predictors, and the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition technique to analyse gender differences in nonlinear binary outcomes. The results show that female business owners are more likely to engage in HBS compared to males, highlighting the importance of gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work (SDG 8). While male entrepreneurs are mainly driven by profit, females prioritise balancing paid and unpaid work, reflecting motivations beyond profit within heterodox economics. Significant gender-differentiated impacts are observed in relation to monthly rent, post-secondary education, dwelling space, energy, and regional locations. Notably, the presence of children significantly increases female involvement in HBS, a trend not seen among males. Marriage also influences female participation, suggesting that marital circumstances and economic benefits play a role. These findings highlight the need for policies addressing gender-specific constraints, challenging traditional gender roles, and promoting inclusive human development within the SDG framework.

It “bendy dis one”: recognising and building upon Australian Aboriginal students’ linguistic repertoires as educational resources

There is a considerable body of research documenting the languages First Nations children bring to school. However, despite language being a key factor impacting on educational outcomes, there is little research focussing on the students’ language use within schools outside specific learning contexts. Therefore, in this study we sought to explore the language resources used by Australian Aboriginal children at school, particularly those underexamined cohorts living in regional and remote locations. We examined how they used language in the classroom and in the playground, and with different audiences (e.g. peers vs teachers). Naturalistic language data were collected in seven schools located in different settings within Western Australia. 230 children and their teachers were recorded. The data show these students draw on their full linguistic repertoire when at school – moving between lighter or heavier varieties of Australian Aboriginal English (AAE), their traditional languages (e.g. Martu and Kija), SAE, as well as Kriol (an Australian creole) in some remote locations. We also found they adjusted their language choices according to the audience and content of their discussions and they utilised processes of translanguaging as part of these school interactions.

Emerging threat of artemisinin partial resistance markers (pfk13 mutations) in Plasmodium falciparum parasite populations in multiple geographical locations in high transmission regions of Uganda

BackgroundArtemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently recommended for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. However, the emergence and spread of partial artemisinin resistance threatens their effectiveness for malaria treatment in sub-Saharan Africa where the burden of malaria is highest. Early detection and reporting of validated molecular markers (pfk13 mutations) in Plasmodium falciparum is useful for tracking the emergence and spread of partial artemisinin resistance to inform containment efforts.MethodsGenomic surveillance was conducted at 50 surveillance sites across four regions of Uganda in Karamoja, Lango, Acholi and West Nile from June 2021 to August 2023. Symptomatic malaria suspected patients were recruited and screened for presence of parasites. In addition, dried blood spots (DBS) were collected for parasite genomic analysis with PCR and sequencing. Out of 563 available dried blood spots (DBS), a random subset of 240 P. falciparum mono-infections, confirmed by a multiplex PCR were selected and used for detecting the pfk13 mutations by Sanger sequencing using Big Dye Terminator method. Regional variations in the proportions of pfk13 mutations were assessed using the chi square or Fisher’s exact tests while Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare absolute parasite DNA levels between wild type and mutant parasites.ResultsOverall, 238/240 samples (99.2%) contained sufficient DNA and were successfully sequenced. Three mutations were identified within the sequenced samples; pfk13 C469Y in 32/238 (13.5%) samples, pfk13 A675V in 14/238 (5.9%) and pfk13 S522C in (1/238 (0.42%) samples across the four surveyed regions. The prevalence of pfk13 C469Y mutation was significantly higher in Karamoja region (23.3%) compared to other regions, P = 0.007. The majority of parasite isolates circulating in West Nile are of wild type (98.3), P = 0.002. Relative parasite DNA quantity did not differ in samples carrying the wild type, C469Y and A675V alleles (Kruskal–Wallis test, P = 0.6373).ConclusionDetection of validated molecular markers of artemisinin partial resistance in multiple geographical locations in this setting provides additional evidence of emerging threat of artemisinin partial resistance in Uganda. In view of these findings, periodic genomic surveillance is recommended to detect and monitor levels of pfk13 mutations in other regions in parallel with TES to assess potential implication on delayed parasite clearance and associated treatment failure in this setting. Future studies should consider identification of potential drivers of artemisinin partial resistance in the different malaria transmission settings in Uganda.

Uncovering the rich amphibian fauna of two semideciduous forest fragments in southwestern Bahia, Brazil.

Fauna inventories reduce biodiversity knowledge gaps by providing comprehensive data on species distribution, richness, and abundance. Furthermore, they identify undocumented species and enhance understanding of ecosystem dynamics and conservation needs. The richness and abundance of amphibian species were studied in two Semideciduous Seasonal Forest areas in the municipalities of Potiraguá (Serra Azul) and Itarantim (Serra do Mandim) in southwestern Bahia, Brazil. Active visual and acoustic surveys were conducted in 24 forest interior transects, two stream transects, and two permanent ponds investigated in the study area. Opportunistic encounters during team movements were also recorded. The richness was 46 amphibian species distributed in 14 families and 26 genera. Approximately half of the species were shared between the two areas, while 11 species were exclusive to Serra Azul and another nine were found only in Serra do Mandim. Cluster analysis for 42 locations in Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, and Cerrado, in a presence/absence matrix with 216 species, revealed that the composition of the amphibians found in Serra do Mandim and Serra Azul is similar to other sampled locations in the northeastern region of Minas Gerais, close to the study site, which are considered transitional between the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga. Our results demonstrate that the remaining forest fragments in the region, although small and isolated, still sustain a high richness of amphibians with species restricted to the Atlantic Forest and Bahia, such as Bahiusbilineatus, Ololygonstrigilata, Aplastodiscusweygoldti and Vitreoranaeurygnatha, and others considered typical of the Caatinga, such as Leptodactylustroglodytes and Physalaemuscicada. Additionally, we sampled potential new species, filled occurrence gaps, and expanded the geographical range of Pseudisfusca.

Expectations for gynaecological cancer nursing guidance development: A qualitative exploration: Part 1 – Creating foundational support

PurposeNurses are acknowledged as essential in the delivery of best practice gynaecological cancer care however previous studies have identified challenges in these nursing roles. Recommendations include the development of nursing guidance focused on supporting people with a gynaecological cancer. This study aimed to explore perceptions and expectations for the development of a gynaecological cancer nursing guidance resource in Australia and investigate preferred design and content inclusion. This paper presents the findings on expectations for the resource purpose. MethodsUtilising an exploratory qualitative descriptive design, 20 nurses and seven people with lived experience of gynaecological cancer participated in focus groups or interviews following a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts underwent inductive content analysis. ResultsAll 27 participants identified as female, lived in one of 5 Australian states, included representation from regional locations (n=9, 33%), and mostly identified as Australian or mixed Australian ethnicity (n=25, 93%). The major theme, “Foundational support resource for nurses”, described how participants require a resource to support the delivery of gynaecological cancer nursing care. Participants articulated their goals for the resource through four subthemes: reducing variation in care; acknowledging diversity in nursing roles; addressing barriers; supporting development. ConclusionThe development of a guidance resource for gynaecological cancer nursing is supported by Australian gynaecological cancer nurses and people with cancer lived experience. It is expected its implementation will assist to improve cancer outcomes, equitable access to quality care and support the development and sustainability of the gynaecological cancer nursing workforce.

Osteogenic sarcomas in two fish species giant sea catfish (Arius thalassinus), and Delagoa threadfin bream (Nemipterus bipunctatu) caught from Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Gulf

During routine veterinary inspection of fish from fishing boats, fish auction yards, and fish landing stations, as well as the large fish market for detection of fish diseases, abnormalities and/or overgrowth in body surfaces and evaluation of hygienic conditions and fish quality at El-Jubail Province, Saudi Arabia., external neoplastic overgrowths were observed in two fish species, giant sea catfish (Arius thalassinus) and Delagoa threadfin bream (Nemipterus bipunctatu). In both fishes, the neoplasms appeared as bony masses, and it was hard in its consistency. In the giant sea catfish (Arius thalassinus), the tumor appeared as three multifocal hard swellings at different locations (in the head region, at the dorsal fin, and near the caudal fin). The tumor mass in the head region of this fish was observed at the base of the right angle of the lower jaw, and it was hard, bony, nodular to round, and of 0.7 cm in diameter. The second one was observed at the dorsal fin and appeared as a small oval to rod hard mass of 0.5 cm in diameter, while the third mass appeared as a large and irregular wart-shaped bony swelling, about 3 cm in diameter, that extended laterally on the left aspect of the caudal peduncle near the caudal fin. In radiographic examination, the neoplasm appeared small, round to large, irregular, dense bony overgrowth with variable sizes. In histopathological examination, evidences of fibro-osteosarcoma associated with prominent multiple rounded eosinophilic apoptotic bodies in the neoplastic bony trabeculae were observed. On the other side, the Delagoa threadfin bream (Nemipterus bipunctatus) showed only one yellowish to reddish, pedunculated, irregular, and very hard swelling at the base of the median site of the dorsal fin, and it was firmly connected to the spine of the dorsal fin; it was about 1 cm high with a wide base of 0.5 cm. In histopathological examination, the bony neoplastic masses in this fish appeared with massive edematous fibrous connective tissue and newly formed blood capillaries; abnormal mitosis, hemorrhages, and hemosiderin pigment deposition in the central and peripheral parts of the neoplasm were observed. New bone formation was confirmed using histochemical staining. Our results indicated that these two species are vulnerable to fibro-osteosarcoma. Further environmental investigations as well as immunohistochemical and molecular studies are required to indicate the potential impact of the environmental pollution on the incidence of the neoplasms in this locality and to correlate the cellular evidence of the neoplasms to a specific fish species.