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Introduction: Anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality are the most common mental health issues in post-acute Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) syndrome. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) were overburdened and unable to focus on their own health issues. Previous epidemic diseases, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, also accompanied psychiatric issues in HCPs. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to identify the symptoms of COVID19 that continue to affect HCPs and their associations with fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and activity levels, in order to provide better care and treatment for them. Aim: To analyse the impact of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome on the mental health of HCPs and compare the results with non COVID-19 infected participants. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PGIMS, Rohtak in Haryana, India from October 2021 to September 2022. A total of 280 participants between 25-45 years of age, including doctors, nurses, and dentists involved in direct COVID-19 patient care, were included in the survey. They were divided equally into a non COVID-19 infected group and a post-acute COVID-19 syndrome group, with atleast three months having passed since infection. The survey included scales addressing anxiety, depression, and sleep quality, including the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The mean scores were compared between both groups using an Independent sample t-test. Results: The data of 240 participants were analysed and compared between both groups. The mean age was 32.41 years in the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome group and 31.24 years in the non COVID-19 infected group. The post-acute COVID-19 syndrome group consisted of a large proportion of doctors (60, 42.9%) and nurses (53, 37.9%), whereas the non COVID-19 infected group included doctors (47, 33.5%) and nurses (56, 40%). The results showed statistically significant differences for anxiety (p-value=0.001) and sleep quality (p-value =0.001), while no significant differences were found for depression (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: Anxiety and poorer sleep quality occur in healthcare workers suffering from post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Creating multidisciplinary rehabilitation health teams in hospitals with clinician psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses, and psychiatrists is essential to address mental health issues in the post-COVID-19 population.

Decameter hectometric (DH; 1–14 MHz) type IV radio bursts are produced by flare-accelerated electrons trapped in postflare loops or the moving magnetic structures associated with the coronal mass ejections (CMEs). From a space weather perspective, it is important to systematically compile these bursts, explore their spectrotemporal characteristics, and study the associated CMEs. We present a comprehensive catalog of DH type IV bursts observed by the Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation instruments on board the Wind and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory spacecraft covering the period of white-light CME observations by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory mission between 1996 November and 2023 May. The catalog has 139 bursts, of which 73% are associated with a fast (>900 km s ^−1 ) and wide (>60°) CME, with a mean CME speed of 1301 km s ^−1 . All DH type IV bursts are white-light CME-associated, with 78% of the events associated with halo CMEs. The CME source latitudes are within ±45°. Seventy-seven events had multiple-vantage-point observations from different spacecraft, letting us explore the impact of the line of sight on the dynamic spectra. For 48 of the 77 events, there were good data from at least two spacecraft. We find that, unless occulted by nearby plasma structures, a type IV burst is best viewed when observed within a ±60° line of sight. Also, bursts with a duration above 120 minutes have source longitudes within ±60°. Our inferences confirm the inherent directivity in the type IV emission. Additionally, the catalog forms a Sun-as-a-star DH type IV burst database.

Small molecules in the rhizosphere regulate interactions between plants and other organisms. Here the authors show that an ascaroside pheromone secreted by plant-parasitic nematodes is converted by host plant peroxisomal β-oxidation into shorter side-chained ascarosides that repel nematodes.

Background and Aims: Intraperitoneal instillation of local anaesthetics has been shown to minimise post-operative pain after laparoscopic surgery. This study was aimed to evaluate the post-operative effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine with and without tramadol in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Eighty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised into two groups. Group R received 0.5% ropivacaine 18 mL with normal saline (NS) 2 mL and Group RT received 0.5% ropivacaine 18 mL with tramadol (100 mg, 2 mL) at the end of surgery intraperitoneally through the port. The pain score was monitored using a numerical rating scale (NRS) every 30 min till 4 h post-operatively and then at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. The primary objective of the study was to compare the severity of pain between the groups. The secondary objectives were to compare the total dose of rescue analgesic and the time to first rescue analgesia between the groups Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for the social sciences. Chi-square test and Mann Whitney U test were used for analysis. Results: The pain score in Group RT was significantly lower than Group R at 2.5 h to 24 h (P = 0.005). Only 42.5% in Group RT demanded rescue analgesia as compared to 75% in Group R (P = 0.003). Total analgesic consumption of fentanyl was also reduced in the tramadol group (785 μg vs 1800 μg). No significant adverse effects were found. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal instillation of ropivacaine with tramadol reduces the post-operative pain and analgesic requirement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy as compared to ropivacaine alone.

The Zeeman effect has been routinely used to image and quantify the solar photospheric magnetic field (B). Such a direct measuring technique is not yet available for the corona (Lin et al. 2004). Since almost all transient nonthermal radio emissions from the corona are either partially or fully circularly polarized, observing their polarization signatures over broad frequency ranges would be of help to estimate B as a function of heliocentric height. This article aims to describe the design and development of a Cross-polarized Log-Periodic Dipole Antenna (CLPDA), an integral part of a radio spectro-polarimeter, which works in the 50–500 MHz frequency-range and to explain the tests that were carried out to characterize it. The above frequency range corresponds to a heliocentric height range ≈1.03 < r < 2.5 R _⊙ ( R _⊙ = photospheric radius ), wherein the numerous coronal nonthermal transients associated with space-weather effects are observed to originate. The CLPDA is used to determine the strength and sense of polarization of the received radio signal. The uncertainty involved in the determination depends on the polarization-isolation (PI) between the two orthogonal components of a CLPDA. Some of the recent advancements made in the antenna design concepts at high frequencies (∼GHz) were adopted to reduce the PI at low frequencies (∼MHz). Throughout the above frequency range, the CLPDA has a gain, return loss, and PI of ≈6.6 dBi, ≲−10 dB, and ≲−27 dB, respectively. The average PI of the CLPDA varies from −30 to −24 dB over an azimuthal angle range 0° to ±45° within which the observations are performed regularly.

We report spectral and polarimeter observations of two weak, low-frequency (≈85–60 MHz) solar coronal type II radio bursts that occurred on 2020 May 29 within a time interval ≈2 minutes. The bursts had fine structures, and were due to harmonic plasma emission. Our analysis indicates that the magnetohydrodynamic shocks responsible for the first and second type II bursts were generated by the leading edge (LE) of an extreme-ultraviolet flux rope/coronal mass ejection (CME) and interaction of its flank with a neighboring coronal structure, respectively. The CME deflected from the radial direction by ≈25° during propagation in the near-Sun corona. The estimated power spectral density and magnetic field strength ( B ) near the location of the first burst at heliocentric distance r ≈ 1.35 R _⊙ are ≈2 × 10 ^−3 W ^2 m and ≈1.8 G, respectively. The corresponding values for the second burst at the same r are ≈10 ^−3 W ^2 m and ≈0.9 G. The significant spatial scales of the coronal turbulence at the location of the two type II bursts are ≈62–1 Mm. Our conclusions from the present work are that the turbulence and magnetic field strength in the coronal region near the CME LE are higher compared to the corresponding values close to its flank. The derived estimates of the two parameters correspond to the same r for both the CME LE and its flank, with a delay of ≈2 minutes for the latter.

Introduction: Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is one of the critical complications which can occur in patients subsequent to surgeries. The patients in Surgical Intensive Care Units (SICU) have increased propensity to have DVT due to prolonged immobilisation, invasive interventions and other risk factors. It is important to prevent DVT as this can lead to catastrophic Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and balance the risk of haemorrhages due to pharmacotherapy. Aim: To observe the DVT prophylaxis methods and to compare the incidence of DVT in the different methods used in SICU. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective cross-sectional study in which 62 patients, aged between 18-70 years admitted in SICU for more than or equal to two days, were included in the study. Patients on drugs affecting cardiovascular system and having significant co-morbidities and coagulation abnormalities, that can impact the occurrence of DVT, were excluded. All patients were followed-up till 28 days or ICU discharge, whichever was later. Patients were evaluated for type of prophylaxis for DVT that included any of mechanical interventions {such as stockings or Sequential Compression Devices (SCD)} or pharmacotherapy (Low molecular weight heparin or Unfractionated heparin) or a combination of both. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student’s t-test and Chi-square test. Results: Thirty (48.39%) patients were given both mechanical and pharmacotherapy, 12 (19.35%) had used only mechanical interventions and 20 (32.26%) had used pharmacotherapy alone for DVT prophylaxis. The overall incidence of DVT was 3.33% (one patient) for patients receiving both mechanical and pharmacotherapy whereas it was 10% (two) for those receiving pharmacotherapy alone and 16.67% (two) for those using mechanical intervention alone. Incidence of haemorrhage was highest in pharmacotherapy alone {three patients (15%)}. The overall dose of drugs used as pharmacotherapy was the least in those receiving dual interventions compared to that of patients receiving pharmacotherapy alone. Conclusion: Pharmacotherapy and pressure stockings together are an ideal therapy for DVT prophylaxis.

This study aimed to develop magnetic Fe3O4/sugarcane bagasse activated carbon composite for the adsorption of arsenic (III) from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared from sugarcane bagasse by chemical activation using H3PO4 as an activating agent at 400 °C. To enhance adsorption capacity for arsenic, the resultant AC was composited with Fe3O4 particles by facile one-pot hydrothermal treatment. This method involves mixing the AC with aqueous solution of iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and ethanol. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted for the adsorption of As (III) onto the composite. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on the arsenic adsorption were studied. The result showed that the composite could remove the arsenic from the water far more effectively than the plain AC. The highest percentage of arsenic removal was found at pH at 8, adsorbent dose of 1.8 g/L, and contact time of 60 min. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm was used to analyze the equilibrium experimental data. Langmuir model showed the best fit compared to the Freundlich model with a maximal capacity of 6.69 mg/g. These findings indicated that magnetic Fe3O4/sugarcane bagasse AC composite could be potentially applied for adsorptive removal of arsenic (III) from aqueous solutions.

Early motor and sensory developmental delays precede Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and may serve as early indicators of ASD. The literature on sensorimotor development in animal models is sparse, male centered, and has mixed findings. We characterized early development in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD and found sex-specific developmental delays in VPA rats. We created a developmental composite score combining 15 test readouts, yielding a reliable gestalt measure spanning physical, sensory, and motor development, that effectively discriminated between VPA and control groups. Considering the heterogeneity in ASD phenotype, the developmental composite offers a robust metric that can enable comparison across different animal models of ASD and can serve as an outcome measure for early intervention studies.

This review provides insights into the current research on pyrolytic bio-oil obtained from different feedstock regarding upgrading techniques and applications such as energy, fuels, chemicals, and carbon materials. Raw bio-oil is not appropriate for transportation and ignition due to undesired properties; therefore, several challenges have been reported regarding its suitable market application. For liquid biofuel production, thermochemical pathways, particularly hydrogenation and deoxygenation, must be carried out, and for chemical production, liquid solvents are mostly used via physical separation. The main issues related to downstream processes with environmental and economic assessment are also covered. The analysis indicates that the major bottlenecks for commercial applications of upgraded bio-oil are the initial stage (upgrading techniques), high production costs, and pilot scale production. Finally, future directions are addressed for the improvement of bio-oil upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention is foundational to efficient perception and optimal goal driven behavior. Intact attentional processing is crucial for the development of social and communication skills. Deficits in attention are therefore likely contributors to the core pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Clinical evidence in ASD is suggestive of impairments in attention and its control, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We examined sustained, spatially divided attention in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). As compared to controls, male and female VPA rats had progressively lower accuracy and higher omissions with increasing attentional demands during 5-CSRTT training, and showed further performance decrements when subjected to parametric task manipulations. It is noteworthy that although VPA exposure induced attentional deficits in both sexes, there were task parameter specific sex differences. Importantly, we did not find evidence of impulsivity or motivational deficits in VPA rats but we did find reduced social preference, as well as sensorimotor deficits that suggest pre-attentional information processing impairments. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining attentional functions in a VPA model. Our work underscores the need for studying both sexes in ASD animal models and validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for mechanistic understanding of aberrant attentional functions and for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1929-1944. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary We studied rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), an established rodent model of autism. Both male and female VPA rats had a range of attentional impairments with sex-specific characteristics. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. Our work validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets for improving attentional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a solar coronal split-band type II radio burst that was observed on 2016 March 16 with the Gauribidanur Radio Spectro-Polarimeter in the frequency range ≈90–50 MHz, and the Gauribidanur RadioheliograPH at two discrete frequencies, viz. 80 and 53.3 MHz. Observations around the same epoch in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and white light show that the above burst was associated with a flux-rope structure and a coronal mass ejection (CME), respectively. The combined height–time plot generated using EUV, radio, and white-light data suggests that the different observed features (i.e., the flux rope, type II burst, and the CME) are all closely associated. We constructed an empirical model for the coronal electron density distribution (Ne(r), where r is the heliocentric distance) from the above set of observations themselves and used it to estimate the coronal magnetic field strength (B) over the range of r values in which the respective events were observed. The B values are consistent with each other. They vary as B(r) = 2.61 × r−2.21 G in the range r ≈ 1.1–2.2R⊙. As far as we know, similar direct estimates of B in the near-Sun corona without assuming a model for Ne(r), and by combining cotemporal set of observations in two different regions (radio and white-light) of the electromagnetic spectrum, have rarely been reported. Further, the present work is a novel attempt where the characteristics of a propagating EUV flux-rope structure, considered to be the signature of a CME close to the Sun, have been used to estimate B(r) in the corresponding distance range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report observations of the high frequency type II radio burst (≈430–30 MHz) that occurred in the solar corona on 2015 November 4. The drift rate of the burst, estimated close to the start frequency of its fundamental component (≈215 MHz), is unusually high (≈2 MHz s−1). Our analysis shows that the estimated speed of the magnetohydrodynamic shock driver of the burst varies with time. The peak speed and acceleration are very large, and , respectively. There is spatio-temporal correlation between the type II burst and the associated coronal mass ejection (CME) in the whitelight and extreme-ultraviolet images. The time profile of the shock speed and the light curve of the associated soft X-ray flare correlate well. These results indicate that in the present case, (i) the magnetohydrodynamic shock responsible for the high frequency coronal type II burst is driven by the CME and (ii) the time profile of the type II burst shock speed represents the near-Sun kinematics of the CME. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention is foundational to efficient perception and optimal goal driven behavior. Intact attentional processing is crucial for the development of social and communication skills. Deficits in attention are therefore likely contributors to the core pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Clinical evidence in ASD is suggestive of impairments in attention and its control, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We examined sustained, spatially divided attention in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). As compared to controls, male and female VPA rats had progressively lower accuracy and higher omissions with increasing attentional demands during 5-CSRTT training, and showed further performance decrements when subjected to parametric task manipulations. It is noteworthy that although VPA exposure induced attentional deficits in both sexes, there were task parameter specific sex differences. Importantly, we did not find evidence of impulsivity or motivational deficits in VPA rats but we did find reduced social preference, as well as sensorimotor deficits that suggest pre-attentional information processing impairments. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study examining attentional functions in a VPA model. Our work underscores the need for studying both sexes in ASD animal models and validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for mechanistic understanding of aberrant attentional functions and for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1929-1944. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Lay Summary: We studied rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid (VPA), an established rodent model of autism. Both male and female VPA rats had a range of attentional impairments with sex-specific characteristics. Importantly, with fixed rules, graded difficulty levels, and more time, VPA rats could be successfully trained on the attentional task. Our work validates the use of the VPA model in the quest for evaluating suitable therapeutic targets for improving attentional performance., (© 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)