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Wake up call for AI: computer-vision research increasingly used for surveillance

Seeding amplification assay with Universal Control Fluid: Standardized detection of α-synucleinopathies

Seeding amplification assays, specifically the Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion method (RT-QuIC), have shown great diagnostic potential for α-synucleinopathies. Numerous research groups have demonstrated the method’s high sensitivity and specificity using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and various RT-QuIC workflows. However, establishing a uniform and stably performing RT-QuIC protocol remains challenging. To address this, we established an RT-QuIC protocol with a Universal Control Fluid (UCF), which is simple to adopt, performs stably, and allows uniform preparation of both sample and control reactions. Firstly, we adapted and established a published 48-hour RT-QuIC protocol, including the in-house production of recombinant α-synuclein (rec α-syn), and evaluated its sensitivity and specificity through a blinded screening of an 81 CSF sample cohort consisting of Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Alzheimer’s disease, motor neuron disease, multiple system atrophy, unidentified neurodegenerative diseases, and healthy controls. Additionally, we tested all CSF samples in three volumes to determine which volume provides the best diagnostic accuracy. The established RT-QuIC performs nearly equally well with 7 µL and 15 µL added CSF, resulting in 94% and 94.5% diagnostic accuracy, respectively. Secondly, we developed a UCF solution and tested its performance with the established RT-QuIC protocol. Results indicate that UCF, used in defined volume and concentration, standardizes the preparation of both sample and control reactions without compromising the assay’s diagnostic accuracy and provides a stabilizing environment for the reactions, ensuring higher reproducibility. The established RT-QuIC protocol for pathologic α-synuclein detection in PD and DLB CSF samples is highly sensitive (92–96%) and specific (93–96%). Therefore, it is important that its adoption in clinical laboratories is uncomplicated and uniform. RT-QuIC with UCF simplifies, standardizes, and stabilizes the assay’s performance and, thus, could be recommended as a standard protocol for accurate detection of α-synucleinopathies.

Utilization of affordable nanocomposites with outstanding antimicrobial activity in waterborne coatings

Abstract This study aimed to explore the development of eco-friendly antimicrobial coatings by combining antimicrobial nanocomposites with waterborne resins. Novel nanocomposites, such as nano-ZnO/silica fume and nano-CuO/silica fume, were synthesized using the solution combustion method, along with pure nano-ZnO and nano-CuO. The nanocomposites consist of a thin layer of nanometal oxide on silica fume, aiming to enhance antimicrobial activity. These nanocomposites were incorporated into acrylic waterborne resin at two concentrations (0.4 and 0.8 wt%) to provide cost-effective alternatives to imported and expensive antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, and Candida albicans using disc diffusion and shake flask methods. Besides, the mechanical and physical properties of the coatings were compared to the properties of a commercial coating. The findings showed that the commercial coating offered inhibition zones ranging from 16 to 21 mm. While the disc containing 0.8% nano-ZnO/silica fume offered the greatest antimicrobial activity, with inhibitory zones ranging from 17 to 26.6 mm. Additionally, the results demonstrated that discs containing nano-ZnO were better than discs containing nano-CuO. The mechanical properties indicated that the hardness of coatings with either nano-ZnO or nano-CuO is similar to the commercial coatings in group I. However, coatings with nano-ZnO/silica fume and nano-CuO/silica fume exhibited slightly higher hardness. In group II, higher ratios of nano-ZnO, nano-CuO, and their silica fume composites significantly increase hardness compared to the commercial coatings, attributed to the formation of a more compact film. Moreover, the results showed that coatings with a high ratio of pigments (0.8%) adhered better than those with 0.4% of pigments.

Stress and resilience of nursing students in clinical training during political violence: A palestinian perspective

Introduction Nursing is one of the most demanding undergraduate degrees because students must master rigorous theory while simultaneously developing hands-on clinical skills. In conflict zones, political violence magnifies these challenges during clinical training. Objective To quantify perceived stress and resilience among Palestinian nursing students during political violence and examine their relationship and demographic associations. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 310 students completed validated Arabic versions of the 29-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Completion time averaged 10–15 minutes total. Analyses included Pearson correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results Mean stress was high (81.1 ± 7.3) based on established PSS cutoffs, while resilience was moderate (28.0 ± 1.8) according to CD-RISC-10 norms. A moderate positive correlation linked stress and resilience (r = 0.314, 95% CI [0.182, 0.442], p < 0.001). Male students reported higher stress than females (t(308) = 2.20, p = 0.030, Cohen’s d = 0.25). Conclusion Findings underscore the significant stress burden of political violence on nursing students and signal the need for targeted interventions that address both stress levels and the complex bidirectional relationship with resilience, tailored to demographic risk factors.

A PatchTST-GRU based heterogeneous seq2seq model with numerical weather prediction refinement for multi-step wind power forecasting

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Peruvian patients with mpox: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Mpox has become a public health problem due to its rapid evolution and clinical variability. In Latin America, Peru ranks fifth in terms of the number of cases. The main objective of this study is to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Peruvian patients diagnosed with mpox, providing a detailed view of the situation of this affected population. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on mpox in Peru was carried out using ten databases and search tools (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library, Scielo, Dimensions, and Epistemonikos) until August 22, 2024. The MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms used in the search were “mpox” and “Peru”, combined with the logical operators AND and OR. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) assessment tool, and pooled estimates were generated using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Statistical analysis was performed in R version 4.2.3, and the study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024582854). Results A total of 150 articles were evaluated, of which 9 studies were included: four retrospective observational studies, four case series, and one case report, covering a total of 3960 Peruvian patients with mpox. The quality of the studies was moderate. The combined results show that 97% (95% CI: 96–98%; 3804 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 24%, p = 0.27) of the patients were male, 63% (95% CI: 57–68%; 2366 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 66%, p = 0.03) had HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and 91% (95% CI: 83–97%; 2019 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 90%, p < 0.01) of these were receiving antiretroviral therapy. In addition, 61% (95% CI: 46–75%; 2295 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 95%, p < 0.01) identified as homosexual, and 17% (95% CI: 09–26%; 702 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 91%, p < 0.01) had a history of syphilis. The most common clinical manifestations were skin lesions (88%; 95% CI: 79–94%; 3114 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 92%, p < 0.01), lymphadenopathy (83%; 95% CI: 25–100%; 3623 participants; 2 studies; I2 = 100%, p < 0.01), anogenital rash (72%; 95% CI: 65–79%; 2657 participants; 3 studies; I2 = 74%, p = 0.02), fever (67%; 95% CI: 59–76%; 2587 participants; 4 studies; I2 = 86%, p < 0.01), and headache (52%; 95% CI: 47–57%; 1962 participants; 3 studies; I2 = 60%, p = 0.08). Conclusion This systematic review provides a detailed overview on the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Peruvian patients with mpox, highlighting a high prevalence in men and a remarkable association with HIV coinfection. The data highlight the vulnerability of the affected population and the importance of a multidisciplinary medical approach, with emphasis on early diagnosis of the most common symptoms. The findings support the implementation of prevention strategies tailored to the most vulnerable populations, especially those with HIV coinfection, and the conduct of longitudinal studies to better understand the disease.

Integrated experimental and computational analysis reveals amoxicillin binding dynamics to PBP1a in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a significant global health challenge due to acquired resistance mechanisms, primarily involving penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. This study explores the potential of amoxicillin-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles (Amox-MNPs) as a means to overcome resistance by targeting the alternative essential protein, PBP1a. Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core-shell MNPs were synthesized via controlled co-precipitation followed by a silica coating using the Stöber method, and subsequently conjugated with amoxicillin. Physicochemical characterization confirmed nanoparticle formation and successful conjugation. In vitro antibacterial assays against S. aureus ATCC 43,300 (MRSA) revealed that Amox-MNPs exhibited a mean inhibition zone diameter of 26.0 ± 0.82 mm, approximately double that of free amoxicillin (13.5 ± 1.12 mm) at equivalent concentrations (p < 0.05), indicating significantly enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Integrated computational modeling, including molecular docking and dynamics simulations, elucidated the favorable binding (−8.64 kcal/mol docking score;−32.65 kcal/mol MM-PBSA energy) and stable interaction dynamics between amoxicillin and PBP1a, identifying key stabilizing residues. These findings highlight the potential of MNP-mediated delivery to enhance amoxicillin’s efficacy against MRSA by targeting PBP1a, offering a promising preclinical strategy requiring further validation in animal models for combating resistant bacterial infections.

Evaluation of agricultural products e-commerce logistics service capabilities in Heilongjiang Province based on entropy weight TOPSIS method

This study aims to evaluate the current status and relative advantages of the logistics service capabilities of agricultural products e-commerce in Heilongjiang Province, identify its development shortcomings and propose optimization paths. In the context of the rapid development of agricultural products e-commerce, logistics service capabilities have become a key factor affecting regional agricultural competitiveness and e-commerce efficiency. However, current related studies mostly focus on the macro level and lack a systematic evaluation of regional and long-term dynamics. To fill this research gap, this paper constructs a logistics service capability evaluation index system covering four dimensions: logistics foundation, operational efficiency, service quality and information level, which is refined into 12 third-level indicators. Using the entropy weight-TOPSIS method, this paper conducts longitudinal trend analysis and horizontal regional comparison based on the time series data of Heilongjiang Province from 2013 to 2022 and the cross-sectional data of 31 provinces and cities across the country in 2022. The study found that the logistics service capabilities of agricultural products e-commerce in Heilongjiang Province have shown a steady upward trend, especially in regional linkage and cold chain system construction. However, compared with developed regions in the country, there are still obvious gaps in infrastructure, digital management and terminal distribution efficiency. The main constraints include insufficient cold chain coverage, unreasonable layout of urban and rural logistics networks, and low technical integration. The findings of this study reveal the key bottlenecks in improving regional e-commerce logistics service capabilities, and put forward policy recommendations for strengthening the cold chain logistics system, optimizing urban and rural logistics layout, and promoting digital transformation. The study not only provides a theoretical basis and practical guide for improving the efficiency of agricultural product e-commerce logistics in Heilongjiang Province, but also provides experience for other major agricultural production areas to explore high-quality development paths, which has important practical significance and policy value.

Presence of viable gram-positive bacteria in blood of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is not affected by treatment

Abstract In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the pathogenetic process is characterized by dysbiosis, increased permeability, translocation, and immune activation. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of viable bacteria in the blood of patients with IBD and to correlate the findings with clinical characteristics. The study included 28 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) (median age 38 years, 50% female, biological treatment in 71%) and 19 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (median age 45 years, 33% female, biological treatment in 84%). Identification of viable bacteria in the blood was evaluated by optimized cultivation and Sanger sequencing and for quantification real-time PCR was performed. Viable Gram-positive bacteria were detected in 34 IBD patients (72.3%). There were no associations between the presence of bacteria and gender, antibiotic treatment, intake of alcohol, use of PPI, steroids, or biological treatment. The number of bacterial copies was correlated with higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.013). In ¾ of the patients, viable bacteria were identified in the blood despite treatment with biologicals, which indicates a vast barrier defect. This observation also indicates that the disease is still active. To obtain a true deep mucosal healing an intact barrier function is required.

Gender differentials in cricket farming and its impact on household food security levels in East Africa

Crickets, as one of the edible insects, represent a promising alternative for enhancing food security through direct human consumption or as livestock feed. This study investigated the impact of cricket farming on household food security in Kenya and Uganda, focusing on a sample of 187 cricket farmers and 457 non-farmers. Utilizing the Food Insecurity Experience Scale and the Food Consumption Score, the research assesses dimensions of food access, stability, utilization, and availability. An endogenous switching regression model was employed to analyze the influence of gender of cricket farming decision-makers and participation in cricket farming on food security outcomes. For male decision-makers, key determinants for adoption included awareness, the availability of processing technology, ready markets, and perceived risks. Female decision-makers were more significantly influenced by awareness, training opportunities, perceived benefits, and social norms. Female decision-makers who engaged in cricket farming (Y1 = 1.756) exhibited a higher levels of household food security compared to non-adopters (Y0 = 1.567), yielding a significant positive treatment effect (ATT = 0.188). In contrast, male adopters experienced a slight decrease in food security, reflecting a negative effect (ATT = −0.516). This study highlights the importance of gender differences in food security outcomes and informs policy initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable food security through cricket farming. Targeted training is recommended to enhance female farmers’ skills and improve productivity as a proxy for food security. Interventions should promote group association and establish aggregation centers at the policy level to enhance access to resources and market linkages for male farmers.

Assessing the spatiotemporal distribution of bufonid herpesvirus 1 (BfHV1) in Europe

Abstract Adverting biodiversity loss is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. The ongoing amphibian extinction crisis is the result of a multitude of factors, with emerging infectious diseases having played a key role. While extensive contributions have been made to study chytrid fungi and ranaviruses in the last two decades, other amphibian pathogens have remained largely unstudied. Here, we evaluated the spatiotemporal distribution of Bufonid herpesvirus 1 (BfHV1) in Europe, a pathogen capable infecting true toads (family Bufonidae). Using molecular detection and histology, we identified seven new BfHV1 positive sites in Germany and a first record for Luxembourg. Phylogenetic analysis of samples from these sites revealed a monophyletic cluster with the known BfHV1 reference sequences. Through additional systematic examination of photographic records from citizen scientists, we identified 229 BfHV1 cases (62 positive, 167 suspicious) in the genus Bufo (B. bufo, B. spinosus), with suspicious cases being widespread across Europe and dating back until at least 2007. As such, this first continental assessment suggests that BfHV1 has been rather overlooked than being recently emerging. Yet, in view of increasing observations of population declines in bufonids across Europe, additional research is warranted to assess its effects on amphibian populations.

How could local environmental innovations become a national policy?—A qualitative comparative study on the factors influencing the diffusion of bottom-up environmental policy innovations

Innovation diffusion in China’s local environmental governance occurs both horizontally and vertically from the bottom up. This process is critical to improving environmental policies and advancing our understanding of how local innovations spread. To explore this phenomenon, the study applies fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to 17 environmental cases. It examines five key factors: central agenda setting, recognition by central government departments, focal events, policy innovation costs and difficulties, and diffusion among local governments. The findings indicate that national policy integration is driven by five distinct pathways, rather than by any single factor. These pathways fall into three broader models: Central Guidance, Drive by Centre and Society, and Local Autonomy. This study introduces a new analytical framework to explain the vertical diffusion of local environmental innovations within China’s governance structure. It deepens our understanding of innovation diffusion in local governance and provides practical guidance for both central and local governments. Additionally, it lays a foundation for future research on environmental policy diffusion.

Performance of theodolites versus drones in land-based studies of marine mammals

Abstract Theodolites and drones are key instruments for observing small whales in coastal areas. This study compared their performance while observing the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the western Baltic Sea. The methods were used simultaneously providing information on location, behaviour and group size during a field campaign in 2022. Theodolite observers were able to detect surfacing positions during 80.5% of porpoise sightings while a drone collected data during 50.7% of total sightings detected by plain eye. The drone footage quality was poor during 47.3% of these sightings. An in-depth analysis of 75:36 h of good quality footage resulted in 16:55 h (22.4%) of cetacean appearance. The determination of group size was significantly more precise using drone footage while the theodolite was more accurate in determining the start/end of a sighting. The accuracy of locations was modelled using the distance (Dt-d) between recorded theodolite and drone coordinates of the same surfacing porpoise. Dt-d varied significantly based on the point quality. Sea state and porpoise to theodolite observer distance did not influence Dt-d. Both methods complement each other and should ideally be used simultaneously to obtain both accurate and detailed information on harbour porpoises and other marine mammals during land-based observation studies.

Economic assessment of potential changes to essential medicines for diabetes in Uganda

Background The World Health Organization suggests selecting essential medicines based on availability, accessibility, affordability, cost-effectiveness, and safety and efficacy. We examined Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (OHAs) for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Essential Medicines and Health Supplies List for Uganda (EMHSLU), assessed all criteria, and proposed alternative medicines to improve cost-savings and health outcomes. Methods We conducted a literature review followed by budget impact analysis (BIA) to evaluate potential cost-savings from refining EMHSLU. In our literature review, we identified metrics for measuring availability, accessibility, and affordability of medicines and evaluated evidence on cost-effectiveness, safety, and efficacy of OHAs. According to the country context and available data, we used applicable methods to analyze five classes of OHAs available in Uganda. Since the government covers essential medicines in the public sector based on BIA, we assessed affordability for the government by examining potential savings in two scenarios (#1: shifts within the EMHSLU; #2: use of non-EMHSLU drugs). Results OHAs added to the EMHSLU 2023 are less available and accessible compared to OHAs in EMHSLU 2016. BIA scenario 1 revealed that the complete replacement of glimepiride 2 mg and gliclazide 80 mg with glibenclamide 5 mg could save the government up to USD 2.65 million per year. Additionally, scenario 2 showed that full replacement of dapagliflozin 10 mg and glimepiride 4 mg instead of their lower doses can save up to United States Dollar (USD) 230,000 and USD 600,000 per year, respectively. A review and adaptation of a published cost-effectiveness analysis highlights that sitagliptin is a cost-effective OHA in Uganda with an estimated Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio of $6,132/Quality-Adjusted LifeYear. Conclusion The findings suggest several potential type 2 diabetes oral medication substitutions which would reduce costs.

Echocardiography and cardiorespiratory changes post ketofol or atracurium/ketofol on acepromazine-methadone premedicated dogs

Abstract Cardiovascular failure has been recognized as the predominant cause of perioperative mortality in small animals, particularly dogs. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding intravenous atracurium to a ketofol infusion during anesthesia in dogs. Thirty male mongrel dogs were premedicated with an intramuscular injection containing 0.02 mg/kg of acepromazine and 0.2 mg/kg of methadone. Thirty minutes later, the dogs were equally and randomly divided into two groups (n = 15): the Ketofol Group (KFG), in which anesthesia was induced using IV administration of 0.5 ml/kg of ketofol, and the atracurium/ketofol Group (AKFG), in which anesthesia was induced using IV administration of 0.25 mg/kg of atracurium with 0.5 ml/kg of ketofol. Following intubation, anesthesia was maintained by a variable intravenous infusion at 0.2 ml/kg/min in KFG or a combination of 0.01 mg/kg/min atracurium and 0.2 ml/kg/min ketofol in AKFG. Respiratory frequency (fR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (EtCO2), rectal temperature (RT), the quality of induction, intubation, recovery period, ejection fraction percentage (EF%), fractional shortening percentage (FS%), and stroke volume (SV) were recorded. The ketofol doses were significantly lower, P ≤ 0.01, in the AKFG group (4.2 ± 0.44 mg/kg) than in the KFG group (2.27 ± 0.6 mg/kg). There were statistically significant increases in RR, HR, MAP, EtCO2, and echocardiography parameters in the AKFG group compared to the KFG group. Additionally, the AKFG group exhibited a significant reduction in induction, intubation, and recovery scores compared to the KFG group. Adding atracurium to ketofol during dog anesthesia positively impacts the hemodynamic and cardiac parameters and improves the quality of induction, intubation, and recovery.

Personalized machine learning models for noninvasive hypoglycemia detection in people with type 1 diabetes using a smartwatch: Insights into feature importance during waking and sleeping times

Hypoglycemia is a major challenge for people with diabetes. Therefore, glycemic monitoring is an important aspect of diabetes management. However, current methods such as finger pricking and continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) are invasive, and hypoglycemia has still been shown to occur despite advancements in CGMS. Consequently, a growing body of research has been directed toward noninvasive hypoglycemia detection, relying on data from medical devices and wearables that can record physiological changes elicited by hypoglycemia. Consumer-grade wearables such as smartwatches remain an attractive yet underexplored candidate for such applications. Therefore, we explored the potential of a consumer-grade wearable for hypoglycemia prediction and investigated differing feature importance during waking and sleeping times. Smartwatch data from 18 adults with type 1 diabetes was collected, preprocessed, and imputed. Machine learning (ML) models were built using a tree-based ensemble algorithm to detect hypoglycemic events registered by CGMS. Models were built in a personalized manner using the same participant’s data for training and testing, with separate modeling for daytime and nighttime. The relative importance of input features on model decisions was analyzed using SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations). Seventeen personalized models were built with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) score of 0.74 ± 0.08. Average specificity and sensitivity were 0.76 ± 0.18 and 0.71 ± 0.15, respectively. Time-of-day, activity, and cardiac features showed comparable importance in daytime models (29.9%, 28.5%, and 24%, respectively), while in nighttime models, cardiac features demonstrated the highest importance (42.2%) followed by time-of-day features (37.5%) and respiratory features (15.2%). In summary, we demonstrate the potential of consumer-grade wearables in noninvasive hypoglycemia detection. By additionally considering different physiological states (waking and sleeping) during modeling, our results offer further insights into differences in relative feature importance influencing the model’s decision, guiding future research in this area.

Influence of polarization angle on LIPSS formation and ablation efficiency in direct laser interference patterning of metals

Abstract This study explores the influence of the polarization angle on the formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) during Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) and its impact on ablation efficiency in stainless steel and aluminum 2024 substrates. Two pulse durations, 12 ps and 70 ps, with a laser wavelength of 1064 nm, are employed at varying accumulated fluences to evaluate their effects on the surface structuring process. The results demonstrate that the Low Spatial Frequency LIPSS (LSFL) orientation with respect to the line-like structures produced by two-beam DLIP is strongly influenced by the polarization angle and the alignment of DLIP features. In addition, the spatial period of LSFL in stainless steel remained relatively stable regardless of the polarization angle (~ 900–1000 nm), whereas in aluminum 2024, it exhibited significant variation, decreasing from approximately 920 nm to 506 nm as the LSFL rotated. The polarization angle also affected the reached structure depth at constant irradiation conditions, particularly in stainless steel, where greater depths were achieved when the LSFL aligned perpendicularly to DLIP lines (over 50% variation). These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing laser-based surface processing techniques for metallic substrates.

Exploring the Early Neolithic in the Arabian Gulf: A newly discovered 8,400–year-old stone-built architecture on Ghagha Island, United Arab Emirates

The site of GHG0088, with its two successive main phases of occupation, provides crucial data for re-evaluating our understanding of the Early Neolithic period (c. 6600–5400 cal. BCE) in the Arabian Gulf. The initial phase is marked by durable stone-built structures and evidence of domestic activities and funerary practices, presumably reflecting a settled lifestyle. The material culture includes a lithic industry, tools crafted from marine shells, and plaster vessels indicative of early pyrotechnological skills, while the absence of pottery challenges traditional views of Neolithic material assemblages in the Arabian Peninsula. Analysis of faunal remains indicates a subsistence strategy heavily reliant on marine resources, particularly fish, highlighting the exploitation of the neighbouring sea. While there is no evidence of agriculture or animal herding during that period, the rich coastal ecosystems likely ensured food security, reducing the need for residential mobility. The architectural remnants reveal patterns of continuity and adaptation across both phases. A significant layer of accumulated aeolian sand suggests a period of abandonment, potentially linked to the 8.2 ka BP climatic event. The subsequent reoccupation involved the adaptive reuse of the collapsed structures, transforming them into a temporary shelter for fishers, as suggested by numerous stone weights found. Additionally, the presence of shell beads underscores a renewed significance of marine resources during this second phase of occupation and suggests participation in extensive long-distance trade networks. These findings provide valuable new perspectives on the early stages of the Neolithic period in the Arabian Gulf. Comparisons with other contemporary sites offer a foundation for redefining the Early Arabian Neolithic and its timeline in this region.

The impact of dietary neem leaf on the growth and biochemical traits of rabbits

Abstract Neem is a plant used both as food and in traditional medicine. Its many active components, such as Carotenoids, Saponins, Triterpenoids and Nimbidin, may render it a beneficial feed additive for rabbits. Healthy weaned rabbits from breed V-line (VL) were selected to examine the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) on growth performance, carcass traits, morphology, and blood parameters responses. Thirty-two V-line rabbits (45 days old) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8 per group): a control group (G1) receiving a basal diet, and three treatment groups (G2, G3, G4) receiving the basal diet supplemented with 5%, 10%, and 15% neem leaf powder, respectively. Neem leaf supplementation had no significant effect on the rabbits’ growth performance, live body weight, carcass weight, lungs and abdominal fat, dressing percentage and liver. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intestine length in G4. Nevertheless, the cecum considerably shrank (P < 0.05) in G3 and G4, which might have a more negative impact on growth performance. Certain biochemical measures (albumin, globulin, triglycerides, LDL, total protein, cholesterol, glucose, AST, and ALT) did not exhibit significant variations. However, a significant (P < 0.01) drop in blood urea occurred after the higher concentration. A significant (P < 0.05) rise in HDL after neem supplementation. Histologically, the liver showed signs of hepatotoxicity in the group supplemented with neem leaves, such as abnormal hepatocytes’ nuclear membranes, pyknotic nuclei, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. Additionally, the portal and central veins were congested, and a greater number of Kupffer cells were seen. In conclusion, the findings suggest that dietary neem leaf supplementation may have adverse effects on rabbit health and performance, particularly at higher concentrations.

Trends in immobilization following fracture surgery of the wrist and hand in Sweden: A 16-Year Analysis from 2008 to 2023

Introduction Hand and wrist fractures are common orthopaedic injuries, with varied postoperative management strategies. Cast immobilization, traditionally used to ensure fracture stability, is increasingly debated in favour of early mobilization. However, significant regional differences persist. The aim of this study is to analyse regional, age, and sex differences in post-operative cast immobilization rates for hand and wrist fractures in Sweden between 2008 and 2023. Methods This observational, population-based study utilized data from the Swedish National Patient Register, analysing post-operative cast immobilization rates among individuals aged 15 and older. Trends and disparities were examined over time by region, gender, and age group. Results The study found a significant increase in cast immobilization rates across Sweden, with notable differences based on sex and region. By 2023, immobilization rates for men had increased from 46% to 86%, while rates for women increased from 34% to 69%. Conclusion The findings indicate a nationwide trend towards increased immobilization rates, highlighting gender- and region-based disparities. These differences underscore the need for standardized, evidence-based guidelines to ensure equitable and effective patient care across Sweden.