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Dynamic urban land surface monitoring in developing countries using remote sensing and machine learning: real-time investigational approach

Clinico-epidemiological insights and treatment practices of bovine lumpy skin disease in Bangladesh

Background Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging viral disease of cattle in Bangladesh, first reported in 2019. Given the critical role of veterinarians in disease detection, management, and control, it is essential to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the clinical and epidemiological aspects of LSD and its treatment strategies. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among early-career veterinarians using a cluster random sampling technique to assess epidemiological insights and clinical practices regarding the LSD outbreak in the field. Results All veterinary practitioners were aware of LSD, and 83.67% had previously managed LSD cases. Approximately 92% of cases of LSD are diagnosed clinically, primarily by observing circumscribed skin nodules, either alone or with other characteristic lesions. Nearly 69% considered clinical signs alone sufficient for diagnosis, although 73.62% reported diagnostic confusion with other diseases, including cowpox (29%) and papillomatosis (21%). Various treatment strategies were reported, with 43.22% of veterinarians supporting the use of antibiotics, and 60.5% using antibiotics in combination with other drugs. Notably, 62.06% recognized the potential for antibiotic resistance due to frequent use during LSD treatment. While 55.78% observed no drug-related side effects, 81.16% acknowledged occasional adverse effects. Regarding epidemiological perceptions, 85.56% believed that LSD affects cattle of all ages, 94.67% associated it with both sexes, and 67.03% reported no breed predisposition. Most (75.28%) linked disease occurrence to the hot and humid season. Perceived modes of transmission included mechanical transmission by arthropod vectors (33.69%), direct contact (22.19%), and a combination of both (16.84%). Conclusion Bangladeshi veterinarians demonstrated sound knowledge, positive attitudes, and practical experience with LSD that aligns with current global scientific understanding. However, gaps remain in differential diagnosis and antimicrobial stewardship, warranting targeted training and policy interventions to address these needs.

Improved workflow for Single-Channel Seismic surveys in offshore wind farm site assessments: a case study from Fangchenggang, Guangxi

Editorial Note: Damage and failure of underground subway stations under different soil constraint conditions

Deep learning-based hybrid analysis for axonal regeneration and myelination in rat sciatic nerve

Joint modelling of PSA dynamics and prostate cancer risks: A population-based study in men without prior prostate cancer

While the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a widely used prostate cancer screening tool, its application remains controversial. Opportunistic PSA testing generates complex data in which testing intensities, PSA levels, and prostate cancer diagnosis are interdependent. Conventional analyses rarely model these processes jointly. The objective of this study was to develop a population-based joint model to analyse PSA dynamics, retesting patterns, and prostate cancer risk. We used the Stockholm Prostate Cancer Diagnostics Register to identify 506,761 men with at least one PSA test between 2003 and 2020. We fitted a joint model linking three components: a linear mixed-effects submodel for PSA over age, and two proportional hazards submodels for time to next PSA test and time to prostate cancer diagnosis. PSA increased nonlinearly with age, with substantial between-person heterogeneity and increasing unexplained variation with increasing age. Estimates from models fitted to each time-to-event process separately were attenuated relative to the joint model: hazard ratios per doubling of PSA were 1.61 (95% CI: 1.59-1.62; P < .001) versus 2.01 (95% CI: 1.99-2.02; P < .001) for prostate cancer diagnosis, respectively, and 1.068 (95% CI: 1.066-1.070; P < .001) versus 1.163 (95% CI: 1.161-1.165; P < .001) for retesting, respectively. This pattern is consistent with informative observation bias: men with higher PSA values are tested more frequently, so that part of the association between PSA and the event is absorbed by the unmodelled observation mechanism when the processes are analysed separately. Jointly modelling PSA, testing intensity, and diagnosis through shared random effects accounts for this dependence. As a limitation, the study is primarily limited by its observational nature and a lack of data on non-cancer factors that can elevate PSA, such as urinary tract infections or lower urinary tract symptoms. In conclusion, jointly modelling PSA dynamics and testing behaviour corrects for the informative observation bias inherent in opportunistic testing. This approach yields more accurate population estimates compared to traditional isolated models. Our findings suggest that PSA dynamics may be clinically informative and that screening models should jointly incorporate testing history and PSA trajectories to improve precision.

Graphene-based flexible antenna for wearable and biomedical devices

Abstract Flexible antenna design is described in this study, prototyping of a flexible graphene-based antenna for data transmission from wearable arm and abdomen imaging equipment over a 5G network. The antenna uses an 18-μm-thick graphene thin sheet for the conductive and ground radiating patch. The proposed design operates in the from 25.2–40.2 GHz frequency band and it based on the radiation patch fractal structure which allowed for adequate antenna flexibility. The invention is appropriate for wearable applications because the patch was constructed on a flexible polyamide substrate that was 1.575 mm thick. In terms of the radiation pattern, gain, and antenna reflection coefficient, the proposed design is studied and analyzed. Additionally, a time-domain signal analysis between two antennas as transmitter and receiver was carried out to mimic wearable device real-time communication. A 3D modeling and analysis of a flexible 5G antenna for communication in the arm to assess its basic electromagnetic properties is introduced. Also the design was used with abdomen in order to replicate actual biological settings, detect and track tumor growth and dissemination throughout the body. The simulation results showed that the antenna shows simulated sensitivity to tumor-induced dielectric changes, particularly in its advanced stages.

Field evaluation of spring wheat genotypes reveals differential resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici in Ethiopia

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Zymoseptoria tritici , is a major disease of spring wheat in Ethiopia and worldwide. This study evaluated 45 spring wheat genotypes for adult plant resistance under natural infection at Holetta Agricultural Research Center during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Disease was assessed using two methods: (i) visual estimation of disease severity (DS) as the percentage of leaf area with necrotic lesions bearing pycnidia; and (ii) pycnidial density within lesions scored on a 0–5 scale to classify resistance levels. Combined analysis of variance across years showed significant effects (P ≤ 0.01) of year, genotype, and genotype × year interaction. Genotype accounted for 42.81% of the total variance in mean disease severity (from early grain filling to 70% flag leaf infection with pycnidia-bearing necrosis) and 42.3% of the variance in AUDPC. Mean severity ranged from 46.46% to 73.49% in 2022 and 8.73% to 71.71% in 2023, while pycnidial density ranged from 2.23% to 35.7% and 1.21% to 45.47% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Four reaction classes were identified: resistant (24.4% and 25.2%), moderately resistant (30.4% and 24.4%), moderately susceptible (22.2% and 20.7%), and susceptible (22.96% and 29.63%) in 2022 and 2023, respectively. ‘Catbird’ was the most susceptible cultivar, whereas ‘Gondo’ was the most resistant. Cluster analysis grouped the cultivars into eight clusters based on STB severity and AUDPC, including two clusters (six genotypes) with resistant responses. These clusters did not include the differential lines used to characterize Z. tritici races, suggesting that the underlying resistance genes require further molecular characterization. The resistant genotypes (Blouk #1, 6B662, Coulter, Erik, Gondo, and ETW17–115) were effective against pathotypes virulent to major Stb genes present in Veranopolis ( Stb2 , Stb6 ), Shafir ( Stb6 ), and Estanzuela Federal ( Stb7 ). Disease severity and AUDPC were negatively correlated with plant height, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of seeds per spike, thousand kernel weights, and grain yield. Correspondence and principal component analyses identified three major groups among the 45 genotypes: resistant, high-yield potential, and susceptible. The resistant genotypes identified here provide valuable material for breeding programs targeting improved resistance to Z. tritici .

Radiomics-based machine learning for splenic injury diagnosis using computed tomography (CT) images

Sepsis neonatorum: Bacterial profile, antimicrobial resistance patterns, among neonates and associated factors, Dilla University Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia, with special reference to WHO prioritized pathogens

Background Sepsis neonatorum (neonatal sepsis) constitutes severe, life-threatening infections, frequently necessitating intensive care unit admissions, and is a leading indication for antibiotic prescription in neonatal clinical practices. In Ethiopia, neonatal sepsis is quite rampant, and the widespread empirical therapy results in several interrelated challenges, such as incorrect or misuse of antibiotics, bacterial virulence, and aggravation of drug resistance and treatment failures. Aims This study was done to assess the culture-positive sepsis, antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among neonates attending Dilla University Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2023 among 280 neonates suspected of sepsis using systematic random sampling. Data and venous blood samples were collected and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. SPSS and logistic regression were used for analysis, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The overall culture-positive prevalence (n = 88) of neonatal sepsis was 31.4% (95% CI: 25.7, 36.8). Neonatal sepsis was predominantly caused by Escherichia coli (n = 27, 30.7%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 18, 20.5%). Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were extremely resistant (80–100%) to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime. Overall, 70.2% of the isolates were multi-drug resistant, including more than a quarter of isolates that were WHO prioritized, viz., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended-spectrum β-lactamase bacteria. Isolates exceeding one-fourth of the entire bacteria studied demonstrated resistance to both the first- and second-line regimens. Residence in rural areas [AOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.22–5.84 ( p  < 0.05)], mode of delivery by Caesarean section [AOR: 3.23; 95% CI: 1.04–9.46 ( p  < 0.002)], lengthy hospital stays [AOR: 4.65; 95% CI: 1.55–13.9 ( p  < 0.001)], prolonged labour [AOR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.32–8.56 ( p  < 0.05)], and preterm premature rupture of membrane [AOR: 5.23; 95% CI: 4.11–9.49 ( p  < 0.001)] were statistically associated with the outcome. Conclusions A substantial prevalence of culture-confirmed cases of neonatal sepsis was identified, in comparison to other regions of the country. Alarmingly, bacterial isolates demonstrated considerable resistance to the first-and second-line regimens. Regular monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns and timely implementation of enhanced infection prevention strategies are the need of the hour.

Precursor characteristics of rock bursts in chain pillars based on microseismic monitoring

HIV-1 Nef inhibits the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by inducing proteasomal degradation of STAT1

Type I interferon (IFN-I) is critical for controlling viral infections through the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which drives the transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) with diverse antiviral functions. Despite its importance, the effectiveness of IFN-I treatment against HIV-1 is limited. The HIV-1 accessory protein Nef is highly expressed early during infection and is detectable in the serum of HIV-1-infected individuals. Furthermore, Nef is a key factor in viral pathogenesis and disease progression, that has been shown to antagonize specific ISG products via post-translational mechanisms. To investigate if Nef plays a broader effect in antiviral responses, we used a T cell line constitutively expressing Nef and analyzed the JAK/STAT pathway activation after IFN stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that Nef interferes with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by selectively depleting STAT1 in T cells. This Nef-mediated depletion depends on Nef myristylation and proteasomal activity but not on lysosomal activity. In contrast, the levels of STAT2, an interaction partner of STAT1, as well as the phosphorylation of upstream kinases JAK1 and TYK2, remain unaffected by Nef. Importantly, the depletion of STAT1 in Nef-expressing T cells compromises the induction of antiviral ISGs by IFN-α. These findings reveal a novel role for Nef in T cells, suggesting a mechanism through which HIV-1 evades IFN-α-induced antiviral responses, potentially contributing to viral immune evasion.

Spatially dependent optical behavior of a quantum dot molecule system

Impact of vagus nerve cross-sectional area on electrocardiogram parameters in community-dwelling older adults: The YAHABA study

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the association between vagus nerve cross-sectional area (VN-CSA) using carotid ultrasonography and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in community-dwelling older adults, thereby clarifying the influence of VN-CSA on cardiac electrical activity. Methods A cross-sectional study examining the association between VN-CSA and ECG parameters. We prospectively enrolled participants aged ≥65 years who underwent both 12-lead ECG and carotid ultrasonography from the 2023 survey of a community-based cohort study (YAHABA study). The VN-CSA was measured offline at the thyroid level using carotid ultrasonography with a 3–8 MHz linear probe. Participants were divided into tertiles of each side; right tertile (RT)1 (<1.0 mm), RT2 (1.0–1.1 mm), and RT3 (>1.1 mm 2 ). and left tertile (LT)1 (<0.9 mm 2 ), LT2 (0.9–1.0 mm 2 ), and LT3 (>1.0 mm 2 ). ECG parameters were compared among the three groups on each of the left and right sides. Furthermore, linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association between left and right VN-CSA and ECG parameters. Results Finally, 183 participants enrolled in this study. In the analysis of covariance in multiple comparisons among tertiles of each side, RT1 had a higher heart rate (p = 0.021), a shorter R–R interval (p = 0.037), and a higher P-wave amplitude (p = 0.008) than RT2, while no significant differences were observed between RT1 and RT3. No significant associations were observed for the left VN-CSA. In the linear regression analyses, significant associations were observed between the left VN-CSA and QRS duration (p = 0.038), while there was no significant association between the right VN-CSA and ECG parameters. Conclusion The size of the vagus nerves had different effects on cardiac electrical activity in the left and right sides. The right VN-CSA may be associated with the electrical activity of the sinus node and atria, while the left VN-CSA may be associated with the electrical activity of the ventricles.

A novel semi-supervised strip steel surface defect classification model based on CycleGAN and ResNet-50

Green spot in ‘WA 38’: Growth dynamics, vascular integrity and architecture, and a hypothetical mechanism

‘WA 38’ is a cross of ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Honeycrisp’. It is susceptible to the surface disorder known as green spot (GS), which reduces its marketability. This study aimed to characterize fruit growth in ‘WA 38’, ‘Enterprise’, and ‘Honeycrisp’ and explore potential links to vascular integrity. Among the three cultivars, ‘WA 38’ exhibited the most rapid fruit growth, followed by ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Honeycrisp’. While fruit diameter was similar across cultivars, ‘WA 38’ apples were significantly longer. Allometric analysis revealed hyperallometric growth in the height of the calyx lobes and pedicel end region relative to diameter in all cultivars. Conversely, core height growth was hypoallometric. ‘WA 38’ showed faster calyx lobe elongation than either parent cultivar. However, in the pedicel end region, ‘Honeycrisp’ exhibited faster growth than ‘WA 38’. The positions of the vascular bundles were unusual across the three cultivars. Petal bundles were more peripheral than sepal bundles in ‘WA 38’, followed by ‘Enterprise’ and ‘Honeycrisp’. Acid fuchsin feeding pedicels of immature ‘WA 38’ fruit stained sepal and petal bundles and a dense network of minor veins. In mature fruit, staining was limited to petal and sepal bundles near the seed cavity. More petal bundles were stained in immature fruit than mature fruit, while sepal bundle staining remained constant. Notably, rupture of petal bundles occurred near the seed cavity. Green spot disorder did not consistently affect the calcium-to-dry-mass ratio. The xylem of ‘WA 38’ becomes dysfunctional, probably because of hyperallometric growth in height at the pedicel end and the unusual peripheral position of petal bundles. Although the total Ca/dry mass ratio of ‘WA 38’ appears sufficiently high, imbalances will likely arise between different Ca pools within the fruit.

Perceived knowledge, attitudes and practices of Parkinson’s disease patients and their families regarding exercise rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey across 27 provinces in China

Utilization of cell-penetrating peptide adaptors to enhance delivery of variably charged protein cargos

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can deliver biomacromolecular cargos into cells, potentially enabling a new mode of intracellular drug delivery. However, a major problem with CPP-mediated delivery is entrapment of CPPs within endosomes as covalent linkages ensure CPPs and cargos share common fates. We previously developed a CPP-adaptor system based on reversible, calcium-dependent cargo binding that produces cargo release from adaptors as complexes dissociate following internalization and Ca 2+ efflux from early endosomes. Having employed CPP-adaptors with an array of protein cargos of differing charges, it became apparent that positively charged cargos often appeared to dominate internalization and that association with the adaptor had little effect. To systematically address the effects of cargo charge and CPP function, we tested the ability of several adaptors to increase internalization of a set of adaptor binding GFP cargos having charges of +9, + 15, + 20, + 25 and +36. Intrinsic internalization of these cargos reproduced reported patterns showing that positive charge increases internalization. Interestingly, labeling these cargos with a chemical fluorophore revealed that GFP fluorescence grossly underestimated total internalization as shown by the fluor. Internalization was charge and concentration dependent with more positive cargos showing apparent saturation of internalization at 100–400 nM, well below the concentrations at which covalently linked CPP-cargos are commonly dosed. We tested the ability of 5 adaptors to internalize these cargos. Our prototype adaptor, TAT-CaM, was completely ineffective with the + 9 cargo, but internalized moderately charged cargos extremely efficiently at concentrations far below the µM range. A derivative adaptor, TAT-LAH4-CaM, was highly effective with all cargos and produced similar maximal internalization at 100–400 nM. However, two adaptors specifically designed with increased positive charge inhibited internalization of the most positive cargos. One of these, GFP-CaM, based on the supercharged GFP with net charge of +36, did increase internalization of the least positive cargos, demonstrating an adaptor with high affinity for the cell surface can increase internalization of a neutral cargo at very low concentration. The common maximal level of intrinsic GFP cargo internalization correlated with surface loading of these cargos, suggesting a limit to the beneficial effects of increased plasma membrane association. However, TAT-CaM further increased internalization above intrinsic levels via an apparently distinct mechanism. In this limited study of the interaction of cargo charge and adaptor efficacy, we found diverse behaviors that hint at the power and flexibility possible with adaptor/cargo internalization.

Psychological aspects of taxation in Morocco

Abstract The current study explored the psychological aspects of taxation in Morocco. In this sense, we aimed to analyze the Moroccan taxpayer beliefs and feelings, in addition to drawing a broad psychological view of the trade-off between the Moroccans and the tax policy. For this reason, we adopted a descriptive method that consisted of collecting data from a sample of adult Moroccans that consisted of 100 participants, aged between 20 and more 40 years, using a qualitative procedure in which the above sample responded to a short questionnaire that consisted of 4 questions that targeted psychological fiscal representations and feelings. After analyzing the collected data, it appears that there are different representations and feelings towards tax and tax policy. Mainly, there is a tendency to consider tax as a public interest, which is at the same time characterized by unfairness. We concluded that the Moroccans like other nations, share the same representations and feelings about tax and tax policy.

Real-world evidence of physical activity practices and policies in Greater London primary schools: A cross-sectional survey

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends six domains for a whole-school approach to promote physical activity (PA) levels. This approach aims to help children achieve 30 of the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Evidence on PA practice and policy in school settings is limited, particularly in urban areas with high deprivation, where children’s PA levels are lowest. Methods We developed a 20-item survey based on the WHO domains and distributed it to 1826 state-funded primary schools in all 32 Greater London boroughs between 6 November 2023 and 31 December 2024. We extracted survey items relating to each domain and calculated the percentage of schools reporting each practice. Results Our sample of 185 schools (10.1%) included at least one school from each borough and was broadly representative of school populations in Greater London, except that responding schools were more likely to have fewer pupils eligible for free school meals. Most schools (68.5%) reported implementing at least one practice aligned with each of the six WHO domains. Specifically, 98.4% reported providing curricular physical education (Domain 1), 78.9% had an active travel plan (Domain 2), 98.4% offered PA opportunities before/after school (Domain 3), 92.4% provided opportunities for PA during breaks (Domain 4), 81.7% incorporated PA into lessons (Domain 5), and 81.5% reported supporting the inclusion of pupils with additional needs in PA opportunities (Domain 6). However, implementation within domains varied; for example, only 53.5% met the nationally recommended two hours of physical education per week, with similarly low levels for before‑school PA provision and active travel initiatives. Conclusion Most primary schools in this large, multi-ethnic urban sample reported school policies and practices aligned with WHO domains, suggesting that a whole-school approach to creating an active school environment is feasible to implement. However, we identified areas for improvement within domains, and alignment alone may be insufficient to meaningfully increase children’s PA levels. This study provides a foundation for future research linking active school environments with children’s PA and mental health, thereby informing efforts to increase MVPA and promote equitable outcomes.