Search

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented number of people to be isolated and this negatively impacted on manifestations of various anxiety and depressive symptoms. Our study determined the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and the associated sociodemographic and clinical factors among discharged COVID-19 patients in North-Central, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and sixteen discharged COVID-19 patients were assessed in a cross-sectional study during the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in Jos, North-Central, Nigeria. The age, gender, educational level, length of stay in isolation, and presence of symptoms of COVID-19 were assessed with a semi-structured questionnaire designed by the authors. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 was used to assess for the symptoms of anxiety and depression among participants. Results: The mean age was 38.7 ± 14.6 years. More men (59%) were assessed with 67.2% of the participants “ever married,” and 43% had tertiary education. Voluntary admission was 62% and about 14% had symptoms of COVID-19. Forty-three percent had stayed for more than 10 days. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was 17.2% and 9.5%, respectively, with 10.3% having combined symptoms. No significant association between the various sociodemographic and clinical factors, with symptoms of anxiety, except for the female gender which was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (P = 0.026). Conclusion: Isolation and COVID-19 impact on the manifestation of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Screening for anxiety and depressive symptoms should be integrated into the comprehensive psychological management of patients, especially for epidemic-prone diseases like COVID-19 that are associated with stigma.

Introduction: Lockdown during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation were discovered to have a negative psychological influence on the general population’s mental health and wellbeing. Aim: This study aims to Trace and compares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in terms of psychological well-being (PWB), distress and family functioning during the first and second wave. Materials and Methods: A convenient purposive sampling method was used to conduct an online survey during the first COVID wave (May 2020–July 2020) in India, and the same demographic group was re-contacted (March 2021–May 2021) during the second wave. The institute ethical committee was consulted in advance for approval, and participants’ digital consent was obtained. The first and second waves of the COVID-19 epidemic in India were evaluated using the PWB scale, the depression anxiety stress scale 21, and the brief family relationship scale. Results: Among all individuals, there was a 25.4%, 39.3%, and 30% prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively in our study. Participant’s well-being and family relationships were negatively impacted by anxiety and depression. Older participants reported more favorable relationships and higher levels of well-being than younger participants did. Women scored significantly lower on psychological well-being measures and much higher on stress, anxiety, and depression measures than men. Conclusion: The first wave, which has contributed to a significant increase in psychiatric morbidity, affected the general population at a moderate intensity. The present study’s findings may be useful for developing policies, intervention programs, and offering psychosocial help to the community.

Abstract Circulating tumour cells (CTCs), derived from primary tumours, play a pivotal role in cancer metastasis by migrating into the peripheral bloodstream. These cells are paramount in clinical research, serving as early diagnostic markers for metastatic cancer. Analysing CTC counts and their biomarker characteristics can provide invaluable insights into tumour identification, profiling, and metastatic capabilities. However, the rarity and diverse nature of CTCs in the bloodstream present significant challenges to their isolation and detection, especially in the initial stages of metastasis. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of innovative CTC separation and detection methods. This review focuses on applying nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and microfluidic platforms to simplify the isolation and detection of CTCs. The infusion of nanotechnology in this field marks a crucial turning point, enabling the necessary progress to advance CTC research.

Various microorganisms can grow in egg-based food products, and yeast is among the microorganisms that thrive in egg products. Yeasts naturally produce large enzymes by breaking down organic materials during growth. Yeast has a great biotechnological potential owing to its extracellular enzymatic activity. Therefore, it is important to study yeast species, especially those from food sources and the environment. Protease production and activity are affected by various factors such as temperature, time, and pH. In this study, 47 yeast isolates were identified and purified from traditionally processed Indonesian duck eggs via repeated sub-culturing and quadrant streaking. Screening of the yeast isolates on skim milk agar medium showed that 23 isolates exerted proteolytic activity, whereas the remaining 25 did not. Yeast isolates with proteolytic capabilities belonged to the Saccharomyces, Pichia, and Candida genera. The highest protease activities were observed in isolates TA-17 and TPi-08, with activity values of 0.618 and 0.098 U/mL, respectively.

In this study, five isolates of Rhizobium bacteria were isolated from root nodules of different leguminous plants as follows: Ensifer meliloti EW7 from Medicago sativa L., Ensifer fredii bv. fredii EW33 from Vigna unguiculata L., R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli EW15 from Phaseolus vulgaris L., R. leguminosarium bv. trifolii EW19 from Trifolium alexandrium L. and R. legumiosarium bv. viciae EW30 from viciae faba L., which were collected from different cultural areas in Nineveh, Governorate-Iraq. Then pure Rhizobium colonies were obtained, and their agronomic and biochemical characteristics were studied. These isolates were a rod-shaped and negative Gram-stain. Whereas positive for TSI, BTB, CUT, Kovak’s test, urase test, and for the methyl red and Voges-Proskauer tests. All of the rhizobial isolates showed positive results for the catalase test and for motility when tested on TY semi-solid medium. Tolerance of local Rhizobium isolates was tested against four heavy metal salts as follows: Pb(CH3COO)2, Nicl2, CdCl2, and CoCl2. The isolates showed a varied response to tolerance or resistance to heavy metal salts. The highest mean of inhibition zone reached 21mm in isolate Ensifer fredii bv. fredii EW33 against heavy metal CdCl2. Whereas the isolate R. legumiosarium bv. viciae, EW30 showed less affects which mean of inhibition zone was 9 mm only with 5000 concentration of heavy metal CoCl2.

Future space exploration missions will expose astronauts to various stressors, making the early detection of mental stress crucial for prolonged missions. Our study proposes using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) combined with multiple machine learning models to assess the level of mental stress. Objective: The objective is to identify and quantify stress levels during 240 days confinement scenario. In this study, we utilize a diverse set of stress indicators including salivary alpha amylase (sAA) levels, reaction time (RT) to stimuli, accuracy of target detection, and power spectral density (PSD), in conjunction with functional connectivity networks (FCN). We estimate the PSD using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the FCN using partial directed coherence. Results: Our findings reveal several intriguing insights. The sAA levels increased from the first 30 days in confinement to the culmination of the lengthy 240-day mission, suggesting a cumulative impact of stress. Conversely, RT and the accuracy of target detection exhibit significant fluctuations over the course of the mission. The power spectral density shows a significant increase with time-in-mission across all participants in most of the frontal area. The FCN shows a significant decrease in most of the right frontal areas. Five different machine learning classifiers are employed to differentiate between two levels of stress resulting in impressive classification accuracy rates: 96.44% with-nearest neighbor (KNN), 95.52% with linear discriminant analysis (LDA), 88.71% with Naïve Bayes (NB), 87.41 with decision trees (DT) and 96.48% with Support Vector Machine (SVM). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) with multiple machine learning models to accurately assess and quantify mental stress levels during prolonged space missions, providing a promising approach for early stress detection in astronauts.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles are the most abundant vesicles in the circulation, rich in bioactive molecules, genetic material, proteins and other information molecules, involved in cellular communication and material exchange, not only has good procoagulant activity, but also has the promotion of tissue repair and regeneration, and has a wide range of applications in regenerative medicine. OBJECTIVE: To elaborate the secretion mechanism of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, their application in regenerative medicine, and limiting factors for clinical transformation, and to provide some theoretical support for the clinical translation of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles. METHODS: A computerized search of the PubMed database from January 2005 to August 2023 was applied to articles relating to platelet-derived extracellular vesicles with the search terms “platelet-derived, platelet-rich plasma, extracellular vesicles, isolated, microvesicles exosomes, applications”. A total of 62 articles that met the subject criteria were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Activated platelet-derived extracellular vesicles produce two types of vesicles, platelet-derived microparticles, whose secretion may be associated with the asymmetry of the actin cytoskeleton, and platelet-derived exosomes, which may be associated with the regulation of H+ -ATPase. (2) Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles are potential effectors of platelet concentrates and platelets themselves, and may intervene in tissue regeneration by promoting angiogenesis, influencing cellular behavior, promoting coagulation and hemostasis, and exerting inflammatory effects. (3) Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles have been reported preclinically in the field of regenerative medicine such as tissue injury, muscle regeneration, cartilage regeneration, and osteoarthritis, and clinical trial data are available as potential therapeutic approaches for wound healing. However, factors such as isolation methods, sample sources, and the types of activators limit the clinical translation of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles into the field of regenerative medicine. (4) In the future, platelet-derived extracellular vesicles may become a cell-free alternative to platelet-rich plasma in regenerative medicine, but the clinical translation of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles needs to actively search for specific markers to differentiate platelet-derived microparticles from plateletderived exosomes. The mechanism of activator-stimulated platelet-derived extracellular vesicle production, as well as the optimal method of platelet-derived extracellular vesicle collection, the optimal method of storage, the shelf life of the platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, the recommended dosage of plateletderived extracellular vesicles for clinical application, and the optimal clinical indications need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play an important part in the post‐harvest fermentation of coffee. This study applied lab‐scale fermentation to commercial green coffee beans using dry coffee pulp as the substrate, with the aim of modifying coffee‐bean flavor. In addition to spontaneous fermentation, yeast and LAB isolated from coffee beans and dried coffee pulp were added during fermentation. Results: Co‐inoculation of yeast and LAB showed a significant effect on the chlorogenic acid content after between 24 and 72 h of fermentation. Acetic, citric, malic, lactic, and quinic acids were shown to be affected significantly (P < 0.05) by fermentation and inoculation. Gas chromatography detected that esters, alcohols, aldehydes, furans, and pyrazines were the primary compounds in the coffee beans. Certain volatile groups were present in greater concentrations and broader varieties within the inoculated beans. The highest cupping scores were given to beans that had been co‐inoculated with yeast and LAB. Conclusion: Overall, the use of yeasts and LAB starters showed potential to create coffee beverages with desirable characteristics by standardized fermentation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A circular ring structure monopolar printed antenna for Doppler and automotive radar systems (24 GHz) is designed with a size of 1.4λ0 × 1.4λ0 × 0.095λ0 mm3 observing |S11|> −20 dB, B.W. of 1.8 GHz and a peak gain of 5.1 dBi. This antenna upgraded initially into 2 × 1 and finally 4 × 1 array, having resonant frequencies at 24 GHz and 28 GHz, respectively. A peak gain of 7.12 and 7.16 dBi through 2 × 1 and 9 and 8.65 dBi through 4 × 1 array is observed at respective operating frequencies. Finally, the 4 × 1 array antenna with the tapered feed of size 4.4λ0 × 2.2λ0 × 0.095λ0 mm3 having |S11|≤ 40 dB at ISM-III (24 GHz) and |S11|≤ −30 dB at 5G (28 GHz) with B.W. of 0.77 GHz and 5.1 GHz, respectively, is proposed, qualifying the obtained measured results. Isolation between each antenna element for the 4 × 1 array is ≤ −20 dB with a maximum value of −65 dB. The ECC observed between antenna elements is less than 0.045 and DG is 10. An equivalent circuit is also evaluated for the proposed antenna. The quantification results present that the developed array antenna has excellent performance over the dual band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the performance of a low-profile 8 × 8 multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) antenna with zero ground clearance, designed using an intelligent antenna recommender system. A dissimilar antenna pair is employed to achieve multi-band resonance and enhance isolation for sub-6G mobile communication. The primary antenna is a loop antenna resonating at n77, n79, and n46 bands, designed with the aid of a model developed using a support vector machine (SVM). The auxiliary antenna is a modified monopole resonating at n78 and n79 bands to minimize the antenna footprint on mobile devices. An eight-antenna MIMO array is fabricated, and measured results demonstrate that the proposed antenna has a reflection coefficient of less than − 10 dB at 3.5, 3.7, 4.5, and 5.2 GHz, with diversity gain and isolation greater than 9 dBi and 15 dB, respectively. SAR analysis conducted on a human head model shows a maximum SAR value of less than 1.6 W/kg at all sub-6G bands, compliant with FCC standards. The proposed MIMO antenna offers a viable solution, even when integrated with a battery and display, without occupying internal space within a mobile phone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the general properties of power dividers, in particular matching and isolation. This original works relates to three different divider structures based on the circular-shaped resonator. These prototypes resemble the Wilkinson power divider due to their geometric configuration. These power dividers provide very good isolation between their output ports of −51.26 dB. In fact, the originality of these new structures stems from the idea of minimizing the size of this classic power divider. The required design parameters for the three proposed dividers came from a simulation study using the Ansoft HFSS tool in addition to a design theory. The experimental prototypes are well presented and operate at 2.4 GHz. They demonstrate excellent performance in adaptation, which refers to impedance matching, ensuring consistent impedance at the component terminations. Additionally, they exhibit low insertion losses and high isolation at 2.4 GHz. The measurement results agree well with those of the simulation. The benefits demonstrated by this study are significant, justifying the preference for these components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Endophytic fungi (EF) reside within plants without causing harm and provide benefits such as enhancing nutrients and producing bioactive compounds, which improve the medicinal properties of host plants. Selecting plants with established medicinal properties for studying EF is important, as it allows a deeper understanding of their influence. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the impact of EF after inoculating the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens, specifically focusing on their role in enhancing medicinal properties. Results In the current study, the impact of two EF i.e., Irpex lenis and Schizophyllum commune isolated from A. bracteosa was observed on plant Perilla frutescens leaves after inoculation. Plants were divided into four groups i.e., group A: the control group, group B: inoculated with I. lenis; group C: inoculated with S. commune and group D: inoculated with both the EF. Inoculation impact of I. lenis showed an increase in the concentration of chlorophyll a (5.32 mg/g), chlorophyll b (4.46 mg/g), total chlorophyll content (9.78 mg/g), protein (68.517 ± 0.77 mg/g), carbohydrates (137.886 ± 13.71 mg/g), and crude fiber (3.333 ± 0.37%). Furthermore, the plants inoculated with I. lenis showed the highest concentrations of P (14605 mg/kg), Mg (4964.320 mg/kg), Ca (27389.400 mg/kg), and Mn (86.883 mg/kg). The results of the phytochemical analysis also indicated an increased content of total flavonoids (2.347 mg/g), phenols (3.086 mg/g), tannins (3.902 mg/g), and alkaloids (1.037 mg/g) in the leaf extract of P. frutescens inoculated with I. lenis. Thus, overall the best results of inoculation were observed in Group B i.e. inoculated with I. lenis. GC-MS analysis of methanol leaf extract showed ten bioactive constituents, including 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester as major constituents found in all the groups of P. frutescens leaves. The phenol (gallic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin) were also observed to increase after inoculation by HPTLC analysis. The enhancement in the phytochemical content was co-related with improved anti-oxidant potential which was analyzed by DPPH (% Inhibition: 83.45 µg/ml) and FRAP (2.980 µM Fe (II) equivalent) assay as compared with the control group. Conclusion Inoculation with I. lenis significantly enhances the uptake of nutritional constituents, phytochemicals, and antioxidant properties in P. frutescens, suggesting its potential to boost the therapeutic properties of host plants. Graphical Abstract

The fall army worm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest which causes damage to commercially important cultivated crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, cotton and also different vegetable crops. Carboxyl esterases (CarE, EC.3.1.1.1) or esterases are enzymes in the carboxyl / cholinesterase gene family that catalyze the hydrolysis of carboxyl esters. The carboxylesterases enzyme are the detoxification enzymes in FAW. Therefore, the inhibition of carboxylesterases from FAW would help in pest management. In this scenario, Isolation, purification and inhibition studies were carried out on the midgut carboxylesterase enzyme of FAW. Through a combination of steps including centrifugation, ammonium sulfate gradient precipitation, DEAE-Cellulose ion exchange chromatography, the enzyme was purified from fifth instar larvae of FAW. The final purified carboxylesterase after ion exchange chromatography had a specific activity of 7282.22 units / mg protein, 5.6 – fold of crude homogenate, and a yield of 25%. The purity of esterase was established by PAGE and SDS-PAGE. The SDS-PAGE revealed a molecular weight of approximately 45kDa to 66kDa. Our studies on the purified midgut carboxylesterase showed complete inhibition by organophosphorous inhibitor (10-4 M). The enzyme was also inhibited by 1x concentration of Lizol (disinfectant) and by different natural extracts (1x) as well.

Natural products and their structural analogs are the main sources of pharmacotherapy. Various Aglaia species have been investigated since the 1960s for their phytochemical constituents and biological properties. This research focuses on isolating the terpenoid group from Aglaia shawiana, to provide a basis for further research to identify lead compounds for drug development. The hexane extract of Aglaia shawiana leaves was isolated using vacuum liquid chromatography and gravity column chromatography, employing solvents with varying polarities. The isolation process yielded two compounds: compound 1 and compound 2. A total of 15 mg of a pure isolate was obtained for compound 1, and 4.5 mg for compound 2. Their structures were characterized using 1D NMR (¹H, 13C, DEPT 135) and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY) and by comparing them with previously reported spectral data. It was concluded that compound 1 has the molecular formula C30H50O3, is a triterpenoid type cycloartane, and is named cycloartan-3β,29-diol-24-one, while compound 2 has the molecular formula C30H52O, is a steroid compound, and is named 23a-homostigmast-5en-3β-ol. These compounds were discovered for the first time in this species.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) is an omega-3 fatty acid with beneficial effects for human health. In view of its increasing demand, DHA traditionally produced by marine fisheries will be insufficient, and an alternative sustainable source is urgently required. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of four novel microalgae strains, PLU-A, B, C and D, with a high DHA content of up to 45% from decayed mangrove samples collected from a coastal area in Singapore. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these isolates were clustered with Schizochytrium sp. TK6 (OK244290.1) and were identified as Schizochytrium sp. strains. A medium optimization with Schizochytrium sp. PLU-D found a glucose-to-yeast extract ratio of 4:1 to be optimal for high biomass and lipid accumulation of up to 70% in shake flasks. In fed-batch fermentation scale-up with the Schizochytrium sp. PLU-D strain, this translates to 175 g/L dry biomass, 94 g/L lipid and 36.2 g/L DHA. Accordingly, the DHA titer obtained is superior to most of the scale-up production reported thus far, while the DHA content is comparable to two other commercially available DHA algae oils. These results suggest that Schizochytrium sp. PLU-D has high potential to be applied for the sustainable production of DHA.

Abstract Backgorund In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the field of research into the isolation and characterization of probiotics in the prevention of diseases and the need to maintain the continuity of healthy microbiota. Therefore, the aim of this study is to isolate and identify bacteria found in maternal colostrum, breast milk, adult and infant feces, analyze possible probiotic potential, and reveal the developmental kinetics of selected strains. Results We isolated 40 bacterial species from 4 different sources and identified 19 bacteria in the form of bacilli through molecular biology and carried out studies with 11 of them. Five of the selected strains showed the better results considering bile salt resistance and ability to survive at different pH and antimicrobial effect. When the adhesion capacity in cell culture is examined, the better 2 strains are; Lactobacillus pontis ZZ6780 and Lactobacillus reuteri NBC2680 were selected and the growth kinetics of these strains were demonstrated at the 3 L bioreactor scale. Finally, the growth kinetics of selected strains were determined and the maximum specific growth rate of selected Lactobacillus pontis ZZ6780 and Lactobacillus reuteri NBC2680 was calculated as 0.412 h− 1 and 0.481 h− 1, respectively. In addition, the dry cell matter amounts were found to be and 4.45 g/L and 5.23 g/L, respectively. Conclusion This study established the groundwork for the selection of safety probiotics for the development and application of LAB. It is thought that the two strains obtained as a result of this study can be considered as potential probiotic strains in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Background and Aim: No study has successfully isolated parvovirus in Vietnam. This study aimed to isolate and characterize parvovirus strains indigenous in Vietnam for vaccine development against porcine parvovirus (PPV). Materials and Methods: We collected serum and stillbirth samples from six provinces in Vietnam, and PPV-positive samples were identified using a polymerase chain reaction. Parvovirus isolation was attempted using the PK-15 cells maintained in a minimum essential medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics (Penicillin-streptomycin). The cells were incubated at 37°C with 5% CO2. Virulence experiments were conducted on white primiparous sows to evaluate the virulence of the PPV strain through hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers and fetus lesions. Results: We analyzed 360 serum and 32 stillbirth (liver and lungs) samples, revealing that 32/392 (8.2% ) of them were PPV-positive, all belonging to PPV1. Thirty-two PPV-positive samples were successfully isolated, with 100% identity as VP2 sequences. The phylogenetic tree revealed a close relationship with the Kresse strain (isolated from Canada in 1996) and the PPV1-0225-L-SD strain (isolated from China in 2022). Two PPV isolates (VC5 from Dongnai and TX7 from Thanhhoa) that exhibited high 50% tissue culture infectious dose titers were selected for the virulence experiment. On day 21, after injection, the HI antibody titers ranged from 10log2 to 12log2. On day 90, 71%–80% of fetuses were mummified. Conclusion: This study showed that the PPV infection rate in Vietnam was 8.2%. Thirty-two isolates belonged to PPV1. Two PPV strains, VC5 and TX7, were determined to be highly virulent by the results of HI titers after injection into gilts. VC5 and TX7 were determined to be good candidates for further research on PPV vaccines.

Exosomes are nanoparticles that can be secreted by almost all cells into the extracellular space and carry active substances such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins and can participate in intercellular signaling. Exosomes are consequently used as a natural medicinal ingredient and can also play a role as carriers of biomarkers and drugs. The heterogeneous nature of exosomes suggests that they have considerable potential for diagnosing and treating multiple diseases. However, standardized methods for exosome isolation are still lacking to ensure the yield, purity, and quality of exosomes, which consequently limits their applications. Therefore, isolation methods that produce exosomes with a high yield, purity, and stability and are supported by standardized characterization techniques need to be further developed. In 2018, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles released guidelines for the isolation and characterization standards of exosomes, and in this review, we have prepared a comprehensive discussion based on these guidelines that describes the biogenesis of exosomes and the principles, advantages, disadvantages, and application prospects of their isolation techniques to provide basic information for the study of exosomes.

Isolation of essential oil using microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MAHD) method could enhance the yield compared to steam-distillation or conventional hydro-distillation methods. This study explored the isolation of essential oil from Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus L.) using the MAHD method with several parameters, such as solid-to-liquid ratio, power of the microwave, and extraction time. The essential oils produced were evaluated based on yield, density, refractive index, and composition. The result showed that the density of the essential oil product was in the range of 0.866–0.902 g/mL, while the refractive index was in the range of 1.470–1.475, which met the ISO standard. Chemical compounds were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. It was found that the total amount of citronellal, citronellol, and geraniol in the product obtained by MAHD is higher than the one from conventional methods. This study aims to identify the most efficient operating conditions to maximize yield while analyzing energy consumption to determine the most cost-effective conditions.

The proposed research presents a two-port compact Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna for Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) applications. The designed antenna has two identical radiators and has an overall dimension of 20 × 44.1 × 1.6mm3 on a FR4 substrate. The designed antenna is fed by a 50-microstrip line. Extended F-shaped stubs are introduced in the shared ground plane of the proposed antenna to produce high isolation between the MIMO antenna elements. Extended F-shaped stubs are introduced in the ground plane to produce multiple resonance and high isolation between the radiating elements. The antenna offers good impedance matching in the UWB band. The proposed antenna has lower isolation < -25 dB and Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) < 0.015 from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. Antenna parameters are evaluated in term of return loss, ECC, Diversity Gain (DG), gain, Total active reflection coefficient (TRAC) radiation pattern and isolation. The proposed antenna is tested and fabricated. However, obtained results are good agreement which make suitable for UWB wearable applications.

Introduction: The WHO has now declared COVID-19 as endemic and it may be prudent to identify high-risk patients requiring reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). During the pandemic, RT-PCR testing and reporting were running around-the-clock. We attempted to validate this scoring system and predict high probable in the obstetric subpopulation based on a modified early warning scoring system (EWSS) score. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from case sheets of pregnant women who were admitted to the obstetrics and gynecology department, according to the EWSS protocol. All the criteria mentioned in the EWSS score were tabulated in an Excel sheet. A modified list of signs, symptoms, and investigations was correlated with RT-PCR. This model obtained was validated with appropriate statistical tests. Patients who had undergone lower-segment cesarean section had hypertension (HTN), and diabetes as comorbidities and were included in the scoring system. Results: The odds ratio of the patient being positive was 3.56 with diabetes mellitus and 0.93 with HTN, most presented with minor symptoms such as expectoration, sore throat, dyspnea, and anosmia and these had odds ratio of 7.03, 12.68, 4.24, and 2.45, respectively, but the confidence interval was very wide. In laboratory investigations, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) elevations were found commonly and the odds ratio was 16.09 and 8.78, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that if a pregnant woman presents with a sore throat, expectoration, dyspnea, or anosmia and presents with raised CRP and LDH with diabetes as a comorbidity there is a very high probability that the patient may have COVID-19 and needs to be tested or isolated.

Objectives. This study aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the intricate facets of loneliness to acquire a deeper comprehension of this emotional state. It also aims to identify psychological and therapeutic interventions that can significantly improve the overall well-being of elderly individuals. Given that loneliness has a significant detrimental effect on the physical and mental health, as well as the lifespan of seniors, it is a significant public health concern. Material and methods. This paper aims to comprehensively analyze loneliness by examining it from psychosocial and phenomenological perspectives. Through this exploration, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of this complex experience and its impact on individuals. Our findings may reveal new insights into addressing the challenges of loneliness and harnessing its potential for growth and transformation. Results. The experience of loneliness is multifaceted and intricate, lacking a universally accepted language to articulate it. Understanding the roots of loneliness is crucial to effectively preventing and intervening. Because people of different ages tend to experience loneliness in various ways, this study set out to identify the unique characteristics of each age group that put people at risk of or provide protection from experiencing loneliness. Conclusions. Loneliness is a growing concern among professionals, political authorities, and society due to its negative impact on individual and social health, the population's well-being, and its support networks. The issue of loneliness among older adults is complex and requires further investigation. We can better understand this issue and develop effective global interventions by exploring it. Given the widespread prevalence of loneliness among seniors, additional research is urgently needed to better comprehend how older adults interpret and experience this phenomenon.

Ultraviolet mutagenesis is a safe and efficient method to induce mutations in laver. It has the advantages of non-pollution, high efficiency, easy operation, and low cost. It has been primarily used for mutagenesis of the filament, protoplast, or blade of cultivated Pyropia species, but is rarely used to induce genetic mutants from germinating conchospore. The germination period of conchospores is the period of meiosis in Pyropia haitanensis. The four progeny cells of germinating conchospores are linearly arranged forming a meiotic tetrad. The tetrad cells that undergo genetic recombination can determine the developmental pattern and segregation of traits in the thallus. In this study, short-wave ultraviolet (UV-C) irradiation with different doses (50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 J/m2) was used to induce color mutants during the germination of conchospores in P. haitanensis. The results showed that low-dose irradiation (50 J/m2) promoted the germination of conchospores, while irradiation doses above 100 J/m2 inhibited the germination and growth of tetrad germlings. Therefore, low-doses of UV-C irradiation were used in the production to promote the germination of conchospores and improve the production efficiency of laver. In the dose range of 50–400 J/m2, the frequency of color chimeras increased with increasing irradiation intensity. When the dose was 300 J/m2 and 400 J/m2, and the pigmentation mutation rate was 15.22% and 17.18%, respectively, and the death rate of conchospores was 51.70% and 61.00%, respectively. In the dose range of 50–500 J/m2, with the increase in UV-C irradiation dose, the proportion of 2-color sectored chimera showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing, and the proportion of 3- and 4-color sectored chimera showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Among them, the regenerated color chimeras that appear were generally 2- and 3-color sectored chimera, yet the proportion of 4-color sectored chimera was the least. When the irradiation intensity reached 500 J/m2, the majority of the conchospores died, and the death rate was 83.98%, and the frequency of color mutants was significantly lower than that of 300 J/m2 and 400 J/m2 dose groups. These results indicate that the mutagenesis effect was the best when the dose was 300 or 400 J/m2, which was convenient to obtain abundant genetic recombination and genetic variation in progeny cells. In addition, UV-C irradiation also had a significant effect on the early development of conchospores and phenotypes of pigmentation mutant arranged in tetrad germlings, which was mainly manifested in the large number of color-sectored blades developed from the irradiated conchospores. Simultaneously, UV-C irradiation retarded the development of cells at the top of conchospore germlings, inhibited the development of cells at the middle base toward the poles, and increased the lateral development, resulting in the decrease in blade aspect ratios. Somatic cell germlings with single colored pigmentation were also isolated from color sectored chimeras by enzymatic hydrolysis. The color species of the five monochromatic mutants obtained were basically consistent with the pigment variant sectors observed on color-sectored thallus, indicating that the obtained color mutants were derived from a single mutant cell on the maternal color-sectored thallus. In conclusion, UV-C irradiations can effectively mutate the conchospores of P. haitanensis, and appropriate irradiation doses (300 or 400 J/m2) can obtain a certain number of color-sectored thallus. This study provides a novel pathway for the preparation of artificial color mutants and mutation breeding in P. haitanensis.

Akanthomyces dipterigenus is a species of entomopathogenic fungus (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) that has undergone several reclassifications in recent decades. While it has been utilized for biological control, information on its distribution and ecology remains limited. Furthermore, this species has only recently been reported in continental European countries. Our research provides the first report of A. dipterigenus in the Iberian Peninsula. Fungal isolation was achieved via a modified baiting technique featuring Rhopalosiphum padi aphids. Results suggest that the isolation methodologies and ecological traits of the fungus may either aid or hinder its detection. Additional research is necessary to assess its distribution throughout the Peninsula and neighbouring European countries, and to examine its potential as a biological control agent.

Pseudorabies virus is a major pathogen in the pig industry, causing substantial economic losses. The emergence of pseudorabies virus variant strains in China has led to extensive spread, raising concerns about their potential impact. However, the differences in pathogenicity between the classical strains and the variant strains of genotype II are not well understood. In this study, we isolated three pseudorabies virus strains to evaluate their replication characteristics and to examine the differences in virulence genes among various subgenotypes strains. Additionally, a piglet infection model was utilized to investigate the clinical features of infection, tissue tropism, and the inflammatory responses induced by these strains. Our results showed that the genotype II variant strains (MS, XJ, LS, and CZ) had significantly larger plaque sizes and higher replication capacities than the genotype II classical strain Fa. The animal experiments revealed significant differences in pathogenicity among the pseudorabies virus subgenotype strains, with the variant strains showing higher mortality rates, more severe clinical symptoms, increased nasal virus shedding, and a more robust inflammatory response compared to the genotype II classical strain. There were also notable differences in tissue tropism among the strains. In terms of tissue viral loads, the genotype II variant strains did not exhibit a significant advantage over the genotype I classical strain. Furthermore, our findings indicate that antibodies against the genotype II classical strains have a reduced neutralizing capacity against the genotype II variant strains. On the other hand, antibodies against the genotype II variant strains displayed similar neutralizing abilities against both classical and variant strains. Overall, these findings offer important insights into the distinctions among pseudorabies virus subgenotypes and their implications for the clinical control of pseudorabies virus infections in pig farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was to isolate and identify the dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the silage of Cyperus esculentus L., so as to provide favourable LAB resources for improving the silage quality of Cyperus esculentus L. Eight LAB strains were finally isolated and identified by microbial culture and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The eight isolated LAB strains were used for the silage test of Cyperus esculentus L, and the nutritional components were measured at 3, 7, 15, 30, 60 days of the silage process. The results showed that H1 and H7 were Lactobacillus plantarum, M7, M13 and M15 were Pediococcus acidilactici, M1 and M11 were Enterococcus faecalis, and R12 was Weissella paramesenteroides. Except for Pediococcus acidilactici, which could not grow at pH value of 3, the other three strains all exhibited strong acid and salt tolerance, had a broad temperature adaptation range, and feature a variety of fermentable carbon sources. The silage of Cyperus esculentus L. made with the eight isolated strains of LAB had a high crude protein content, and low levels of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, which had good nutritional quality. The study indicates that the study can provide strain resources for the preparation of Cyperus esculentus L. silage additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the onset of COVID-19, many Local Government Areas (LGAs) indicated they were struggling to communicate effectively with multilingual migrant communities. Communities were isolated from vital LGA support due to factors including the digital divide, barriers to language access, and top-down communication strategies. The pandemic also provided insights into the ways migrant communities mitigate hardship by engaging in placemaking and place-shaping, using existing networks and resources to provide vital support during crisis, which requires significant invisible labour. In this article, we present three case studies from a larger community-based project which began in early 2020 with an LGA in Western Australia. We use case narratives to illustrate and analyse three common actions migrant women used to engage their communities prior to, and during, COVID-19 recovery. These simple, yet profound actions, which include visiting communities, acknowledging challenges, and identifying opportunities further evidence the ways community leaders facilitate culturally sustaining placemaking, even during crisis; they underscore the intense emotional, cultural, and linguistic labour required to enact support in contexts where resources are inaccessible or misaligned with community stories. We argue it is only in partnership with communities that LGAs can learn to address some of the long-standing issues COVID-19 highlights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strict patient isolation in hospital is associated with adverse health outcomes. However, there is a lack of high‐quality evidence for effective interventions to improve safety and quality of care for these patients. Aims: To identify patient reported areas for improvement in the care of patients in hospital isolation and to determine the feasibility of collecting patient reported outcomes using validated tools. Methods: Design: An exploratory mixed methods study. Setting: A major metropolitan teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Patients in hospital isolation for transmissible infections. Data collection: Data were collected by (1) phone interviews with patients in isolation and (2) seven validated measurement tools to assess cognition, loneliness, nutritional status, quality of life, anxiety and depression and physical activity. Data were collected between September and December 2021. Data analysis: Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively including participant characteristics and outcome data. Results: Participants identified areas for improvement including activities to decrease boredom, more contact with staff to mitigate loneliness and increase comfort care, and formalised communication about clinical treatment and discharge plan. Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were happier to be alone. There were operational challenges within the health service including delays and miscommunication. Only 70% of the participants completed all questionnaires. Conclusion: This study identified areas for improvement in care of patients in isolation and demonstrated that collecting patient reported outcomes using validated tools was feasible. The results of this research will inform development of an intervention to manage adverse effects. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Patients in hospital isolation require additional consideration to ensure that their needs are met to avoid adverse outcomes. The patient experience and comfort can be negatively affected when fundamental care is lacking. Reporting Method (EQUATOR): EQUATOR guidelines for Mixed Methods Reporting in Rehabilitation & Health Sciences (MMR‐RHS). Patient or Public Contribution: Thirteen patients in hospital isolation agreed to participate in this study, sharing their experiences through interviews and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultConclusionAddressing the retention challenges faced by non-metropolitan speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is crucial for achieving health services equity in Australia. This study assesses the applicability of previous literature findings to the current context of Australian SLPs. Furthermore, identifying specific factors influencing the retention of SLPs in outer regional, remote, and very remote areas of Australia.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 SLPs, who have been employed in non-metropolitan areas of Australia within the last 5 years. The collected data underwent online screening, with the interviews transcribed and analysed using content analysis techniques.Retention rates of non-metropolitan SLPs in Australia were categorised into three themes: professional, personal, and latent. The professional category included professional support, professional development, premature responsibilities, generalist skills, and funding. The personal category included community, family/relationships, burnout, and social justice. The latent themes included finances, management, and faith.Retention rates of non-metropolitan SLPs in Australia are influenced by both protective factors and risk factors. Three recommendations to improve community access and reduce the current equity gap are outlined, namely: (a) tailored/bespoke professional education to maintain/enhance the clinical competence required, (b) prioritise community immersion and improve mentoring, and (c) strategies and policies to support SLPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Forestry and land-use change are leading causes of habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation worldwide. The boreal forest biome is no exception, and only a small proportion of this forest type remains intact. Since forestry will remain a major land-use in this region, measures must be taken to ensure forest dependent biodiversity. Stand level features and structures promoting conservation relevant species have received much attention, but the landscape level perspective is often missing. Hence, we review the literature that has related fragmentation in the surrounding landscape to occurrence of threatened, declining, red-listed, rare, or deadwood dependent species as well as those considered to be indicator, flagship, umbrella, and/or keystone species in a given boreal forest stand. Methods: A comprehensive search string was developed, benchmarked, and adapted for four bibliographic databases, two search engines, and 37 specialist websites. The online evidence synthesis tool Cadima was used for screening of both abstracts and full texts. All articles meeting the inclusion criteria were subject to study validity assessment and included in a narrative table. Studies reporting means and variance were included in quantitative meta-analysis when more than 3 comparable studies were available. Results: The searches resulted in 20 890 unique articles that were reduced to 172 studies from 153 articles. These studies related stand level presence, abundance, species richness, and/or composition of conservation relevant species to landscape factors such as: categorical fragmentation intensity (higher vs. lower), amount of habitat or non-habitat, distance to habitat, and/or habitat configuration, on scales ranging from tens to tens of thousands of ha. Forty-three studies were suitable for meta-analysis. These showed a significant negative effect of fragmentation on both presence and abundance of conservation relevant species, as well as a near significant trend for species richness. This was particularly clear when fragmentation was measured as distance to surrounding habitat for presence, and as habitat amount for abundance. The organism groups with the strongest support for a negative effect of fragmentation were wood fungi and birds. Conclusion: As hypothesised, there is strong support for negative effects of fragmentation in boreal forest. These results emphasize the negative consequences of the intensive forestry and associated landscape transformation that has been the norm for the last century. We argue that this should have direct implications for policy makers to shift towards including a landscape perspective in all planning of harvesting, preserving, and restoring forest. In addition, we found that research effort has been very uneven between organism groups, that studies on landscape change over time were rare, and that many studies have not quantified the difference in fragmentation intensity among landscapes making it difficult to quantify the extent of the negative effect. One way forward would be to revisit the studies included here in to incorporate change over time, as well as a true quantification of landscape fragmentation. By doing so, the scale of the negative effects would be much better analysed, which would greatly assist conservation practitioners all throughout the boreal forest biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endophytic fungi (EF) reside within plants without causing harm and provide benefits such as enhancing nutrients and producing bioactive compounds, which improve the medicinal properties of host plants. Selecting plants with established medicinal properties for studying EF is important, as it allows a deeper understanding of their influence. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the impact of EF after inoculating the medicinal plant Perilla frutescens, specifically focusing on their role in enhancing medicinal properties. Results: In the current study, the impact of two EF i.e., Irpex lenis and Schizophyllum commune isolated from A. bracteosa was observed on plant Perilla frutescens leaves after inoculation. Plants were divided into four groups i.e., group A: the control group, group B: inoculated with I. lenis; group C: inoculated with S. commune and group D: inoculated with both the EF. Inoculation impact of I. lenis showed an increase in the concentration of chlorophyll a (5.32 mg/g), chlorophyll b (4.46 mg/g), total chlorophyll content (9.78 mg/g), protein (68.517 ± 0.77 mg/g), carbohydrates (137.886 ± 13.71 mg/g), and crude fiber (3.333 ± 0.37%). Furthermore, the plants inoculated with I. lenis showed the highest concentrations of P (14605 mg/kg), Mg (4964.320 mg/kg), Ca (27389.400 mg/kg), and Mn (86.883 mg/kg). The results of the phytochemical analysis also indicated an increased content of total flavonoids (2.347 mg/g), phenols (3.086 mg/g), tannins (3.902 mg/g), and alkaloids (1.037 mg/g) in the leaf extract of P. frutescens inoculated with I. lenis. Thus, overall the best results of inoculation were observed in Group B i.e. inoculated with I. lenis. GC-MS analysis of methanol leaf extract showed ten bioactive constituents, including 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester as major constituents found in all the groups of P. frutescens leaves. The phenol (gallic acid) and flavonoids (rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin) were also observed to increase after inoculation by HPTLC analysis. The enhancement in the phytochemical content was co-related with improved anti-oxidant potential which was analyzed by DPPH (% Inhibition: 83.45 µg/ml) and FRAP (2.980 µM Fe (II) equivalent) assay as compared with the control group. Conclusion: Inoculation with I. lenis significantly enhances the uptake of nutritional constituents, phytochemicals, and antioxidant properties in P. frutescens, suggesting its potential to boost the therapeutic properties of host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practices of care of extinct animal specimens and other materials in natural history museums are many and varied. This article focuses upon two extinct animal examples from the Berlin Museum of Natural History (MfN), the quagga and the thylacine, to present critiques of historical care and argue for Indigenous led alternatives. These critiques and arguments are organized via the organizing headings of isolation, preservation and revolution. While the dark histories of museums as active purchasers and collectors of ancestral remains and creators of markets for scarce forms of life are sometimes acknowledged, it is not a history that has been critically connected to normative practices of ‘isolation’ and ‘preservation’. Indeed, such practices are often heedless of the ongoing demand to recognize Indigenous continuities and are unresponsive to calls for relations that figure the museum ‘materials’ as simultaneously understood as colonial/scientific events and entities that are lively and capable of producing diverse effects. Such understandings emerge from engagement with diverse critiques including those arising from Indigenous writings. One pathway to reimagine the museum and practice an aware care may be to consider the simultaneous times at play within such institutions and the decolonizing possibilities of organizing practices beyond a single linear time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), crucial mediators of cell‐to‐cell communication, hold significant diagnostic potential due to their ability to concentrate protein biomarkers in bodily fluids. However, challenges in isolating EVs from biological specimens hinder their widespread use. The preferred strategy involves direct analysis, integrating isolation and analysis solutions, with immunoaffinity methods currently dominating. Yet, the heterogeneous nature of EVs poses challenges, as proposed markers may not be as universally present as thought, raising concerns about biomarker screening reliability. This issue extends to EV‐mimics, where conventional methods may lack applicability. Addressing these challenges, the study reports on Membrane Sensing Peptides (MSP) as pan‐vesicular affinity ligands for both EVs and their non‐canonical analogs, streamlining capture and phenotyping through Single Molecule Array (SiMoA). MSP ligands enable direct analysis of circulating EVs, eliminating the need for prior isolation. Demonstrating clinical translation, MSP technology detects an EV‐associated epitope signature in serum and plasma, distinguishing myocardial infarction from stable angina. Additionally, MSP allow analysis of tetraspanin‐lacking Red Blood Cell‐derived EVs, overcoming limitations associated with antibody‐based methods. Overall, the work underlines the value of MSP as complementary tools to antibodies, advancing EV analysis for clinical diagnostics and beyond, and marking the first‐ever peptide‐based application in SiMoA technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momilactones are defined as every lactone derived from rice husk. To date, these compounds can only be naturally found in rice (Oryza lineage) and moss (Pseudoleskeella papillosa and Hypnum plumaeforme). Their basic structure refers to the (9β-H)-pimarane skeleton bearing a γ-butyrolactone. In this review, the beneficial properties of momilactones, especially momilactones A (MA) and B (MB), including allelopathy, antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-chronic diseases, anti-inflammation, and anticancer, are highlighted. Additionally, the signaling roles of momilactones in the response of host plants against environmental stresses are discussed, raising the question of whether momilactones act as novel phytohormones that require further comprehensive clarification. In another aspect, we come up with promising approaches to the future exploitation of these valuable compounds based on the current knowledge of their bioactivity mechanisms, biosynthetic pathways, and isolation protocols. However, momilactone biosynthetic processes remain elusive. Moreover, challenges in researching these compounds are mainly due to difficulties in isolation procedures and the lack of commercial sources, which have been least improved over the last half-century. Accordingly, we propose promising strategies to address these present problems and promote the effectiveness of further research, including: i) to improve the efficiency of momilactone extraction and isolation from plant sources; ii) to increase momilactone production applying synthetic models; iii) to generate crops that accumulate greater momilactone contents through genetic engineering approaches; iv) to discover new applications that combine momilactones with other prospective substances for enhancing targeted biological properties and preventing undesirable impacts; and v) to employ smart farming for optimizing the application of momilactones, monitoring their levels, and promoting sustainable agriculture. This paper may provide valuable insights for future strategies, focusing on the exploitation of momilactones for human health-beneficial purposes and the development of green agriculture aligned with sustainable development targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The richness of Brazilian biodiversity translates into a valuable collection of molecules with biological properties that range from ecological functions to pharmacological properties. For over 25 years, the Nucleus of Bioassays, Biosynthesis, and Ecophysiology of Natural Products (NuBBE) has conducted extensive investigations into the chemical entities of numerous plant and microorganism species, resulting in the discovery of over a thousand natural compounds spanning various chemical classes (such as shikimate derivatives, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and peptides). The research goals within the natural products field encompass phytochemical studies, investigations of endophytic fungi and marine organisms, biosynthetic studies, medicinal chemistry, and the development of innovative methodologies. This comprehensive review article aims to offer valuable insights into the multifaceted research endeavors conducted in NuBBE. In this way, accomplishments, perspectives, and opportunities for advancing natural products research in Brazil are highlighted, seeking to inspire and motivate other research groups in the field of natural products-especially those located in emerging countries with rich biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Design Methods Results Conclusions Impact Reporting Method No Patient or Public Contribution Trial and Protocol Registration Statistical Analysis To evaluate the impact of spatial separation on patient flow in the emergency department.This was a retrospective, time‐and‐motion analysis conducted from 15 to 22 August, 2022 at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During this duration, spatial separation was implemented in critical and semi‐critical zones to separate patients with symptoms of respiratory infections into respiratory area, and patients without into non‐respiratory area. This study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.Patients triaged to critical and semi‐critical zones were included in this study. Timestamps of patient processes in emergency department until patient departure were documented.The emergency department length‐of‐stay was longer in respiratory area compared to non‐respiratory area; 527 min (381–698) versus 390 min (285–595) in critical zone and 477 min (312–739) versus 393 min (264–595) in semi‐critical zone. In critical zone, time intervals of critical flow processes and compliance to hospital benchmarks were similar in both areas. More patients in respiratory area were managed within the arrival‐to‐contact ≤30 min benchmark and more patients in non‐respiratory area had emergency department length‐of‐stay ≤8 h.The implementation of spatial separation in infection control should address decision‐to‐departure delays to minimise emergency department length of stay. The study evaluated the impact of spatial separation on patient flow in the emergency department. Emergency department length‐of‐stay was significantly prolonged in the respiratory area. Hospital administrators and policymakers can optimise infection control protocols measures in emergency departments, balancing infection control measures with efficient patient care delivery. STROBE guidelines.None.The study obtained ethics approval from the institution's Medical Ethics Committee (MREC ID NO: 20221113–11727).The author has checked and make sure our submission has conformed to the Journal's statistical guideline. There is a statistician on the author team (Noor Azhar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to improve the diversity parameters and isolation of a four-port Multiple-Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna configured as 4 × 1 for the 5G-NR FR-1 N78/77/48 band. The 4-port MIMO design entails the incorporation of dual sets of monopole antennas. Each pair of monopoles in this configuration arranges the second monopole to mirror the first one within its set. The MIMO antenna design incorporates Rogers RO3003 substrates with a ϵr of 3.2. The antenna size is compact, with dimensions of 34 × 129.5 × 1.6 mm3. The design of the four-port MIMO antenna introduced parasitic decoupling elements between the antennas, a defected ground structure (a T-shaped stub), and the incorporation of a grounding branch on the ground plane. These measures effectively mitigate the coupling between the antennas. The antenna functions within the frequency range of 2.25 GHz to 4.25 GHz, offering a bandwidth of 2 GHz with a peak gain of 4.0 dBi at 3.52 GHz. The diversity performance of the suggested MIMO antenna is evaluated using the parameters TARC, E.C.C., D.G., CCD/CCL, and M.E.G. The values obtained are as follows: starting from −15 dB, 0.0408, 9.989 dB, 0.08 bits/s/Hz, and 0.48 dB, respectively. According to both simulated and measured data, the MIMO antenna system design presents good isolation capabilities, excellent diversity performance, and robust impedance matching. This can be a good option for FR-1 5G-NR N78/77/48 band communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A miniature Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Ultrawideband (UWB) antenna with C-band notch is recommended for wireless communications. The radiator is etched on an economical FR4 substrate and is 40 × 21 mm2 in size. The antenna is comprised of a circularly notched rectangular patch embedded with an ellipse and is fed by a 50-Ω microstrip line. To reduce mutual coupling by < −18 dB throughout the whole operational bandwidth of 2.94–11.61 GHz without employing any coupling device, the two radiators are positioned side-by-side with a separation of 0.03 λ0 (λ0 is the wavelength at the lower cutoff frequency of 2.94 GHz). A U-type slit is cut into the patch to produce the band-notch at C-band across 3.63–4.15 GHz. Results from simulation and experiment concludes that the suggested radiator has a wide impedance bandwidth (S11< – 10 dB) and strong mutual coupling (S21 < −18 dB) between 2.94 and 11.61 GHz. Except at the notch frequency of 4 GHz, where the gain is −3.21 dBi, the peak gain and peak radiation efficiency are both 4.21 dBi and more than 82%, respectively. The measured envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of 0.002, peak diversity gain (DG) of 9.999 dB, and mean effective gain (MEG) of less than −3 dB over operating band, along with the omnidirectional characteristics of the radiator, prove its suitability for use in wireless systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gram-positive enterococciare opportunistic and resistant to many antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Enterococcus spp. in our community and whether these isolates are resistant to the macrolides class of antibiotics. Fifty isolates from 112 clinical samples were recognized as Enterococcus spp. and confirmed using Vitek-2 system. The current study found that 50/112 (44.6%) represented the total isolates, 38/50 (76%) of which were Enterococcus faecalis, while 12/50 (24%) were Enterococcus faecium, twenty (40%) isolates from root canals and 30 (60%) isolates from urine were isolated. The sensitivity of the enterococcal isolates to various macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin) antibiotics was determined by using the disk diffusion approach. Later, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for erythromycin and the most resistant drug among this group were investigated using the agar dilution technique. And then molecular detection for mef gene was done using two specific primers via PCR technique. The current findings revealed high resistance rates to macrolide antibiotics which were reported in 21/50 (42%) of total isolates and at significant levels of MIC values for most isolates (57%). And as for the PCR results, it was negative for mef gene in all tested isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a general expectation that urban populations will be fragmented and the movement of individuals will be restricted leading to low effective population sizes, low genetic diversity, higher inbreeding, and higher differentiation than populations living in more continuous habitat. In this study, we compare the genetic diversity and differentiation of Texas horned lizards that are found in four small towns (Kenedy, Karnes City, Rockdale, and Smithville) in Texas and at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma to populations that occur in 16 natural areas and to an introduced population in South Carolina. We also present more detailed spatial genetic data and home range data for several of the towns. Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) living in small towns have lower genetic diversity, higher differentiation, and smaller effective population sizes than populations located in more natural areas. There was evidence for human‐mediated movement of lizards into town; however, it has not been enough to counteract the effects of drift. Home range size is smaller in town than in more natural areas. Genetic patterns suggest dispersal occurs over short distances and is inhibited across areas with a high percent of impervious surface and major roads. These data suggest that effective planning to maintain suitable habitat and corridors to facilitate movement is critical to maintaining small terrestrial species like the Texas horned lizard and must be integrated into the early stages of urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human organism is affected by multiple stressors every single day, especially during extremely demanding activities. It needs a method to regulate itself better. One of the stressors that is affecting humans is social isolation. The state of prolonged isolation happens during space missions. In this study, 40 analog astronauts attended a two-week-long mission. The experimental group had EEG neurofeedback training intervention performed on a daily basis, while the control group remained isolated without neurofeedback. The results let us take this non-invasive intervention under consideration, while debating the methods to lower the physiological stress reaction in humans that are exposed to extremely hard circumstances. Although not statistically significant, the trends observed give us direction towards other research to confirm EEG neurofeedback as a method to lower cell stress response levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moment when a person's actual relationships fall short of desired relationships is commonly identified as the etiological moment of chronic loneliness, which can lead to physical and psychological effects like depression, worse recovery from illness and increased mortality. But, this etiology fails to explain the nature and severe impact of loneliness. Here, we use philosophical analysis and neuroscience to show that human beings develop and maintain our world-picture (our sense of what is true, important, and good) through joint attention and action, motivated by friendship, in the Aristotelian sense of "other selves" who share a sense of the true and the good, and desire the good for each other as much as for themselves. The true etiological event of loneliness is the moment one's world-picture becomes unshared. The pathogenesis is a resultant decay of our world-picture, with brain and behavior changes following as sequelae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying isolated populations is a key step towards enacting effective conservation management. European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) from Oosterschelde in the Netherlands are subject to fishery pressure and have previously been reported as genetically differentiated. They are also putatively of transplanted origin and have subsequently endured recent bottlenecking and environmental change. We assessed Oosterschelde lobsters to evaluate their demographic independence and appraise potential founder effects and evolutionary responses to isolation. Using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, we genotyped 6185 single nucleotide polymorphisms across 188 individuals from 27 sites across the Atlantic range of H. gammarus to investigate population genetic diversity, structure, and potential adaptation. Our results show that Oosterschelde lobsters are genetically divergent from other stocks. We evidence extensive differentiation via both neutral and outlier loci, indicative of strong biophysical and demographic isolation, and detect signatures of reduced genetic diversity that may reflect weak founder effects or subsequent population contractions. Among outlier loci, we identify candidates for range-wide local adaptation via variants in genes of important biological functionality and link a private allele of Oosterschelde to a locus potentially conveying adaptive tolerance to environmental hypoxia. Given our findings, we advise proactive monitoring of Oosterschelde lobsters to explore whether existing management measures effectively conserve this discrete, self-recruiting population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study evaluated the effects of a health package (HP) of a light intensity individualised exercise program and advice on anxiety management and nutrition, on the physical and mental health of people with or without COVID-19, who were quarantined in hotels used as Special Health Accommodation and admitted to the Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital, Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic. After initial screening and consenting, participants completed three surveys: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale; Brief Fatigue Inventory; and the European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions 5-Levels, and were provided with the HP for the duration of their quarantine. The three surveys and a participant reported experience measure were completed prior to discharge. The HP for people in quarantine demonstrated stability of health outcomes and reduction in fatigue. Most participants reported that the HP helped them cope with isolation. Provision of a HP during quarantine could be useful to support physical and mental health. What is known about the topic? Quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic could negatively impact physical and mental health. What does this paper add? A health package of light intensity exercise, advice on anxiety management and nutritional information demonstrated maintenance of physical and mental health and reduced fatigue in people with and without mild COVID-19 in hotel quarantine. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners should consider providing a health package of exercise, anxiety management and nutritional information to help people in quarantine to cope with the physical and mental isolation. Adequate staffing is required to enable implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new decoupling element technology is used to create a tiny circular patch mutiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna measuring 20 × 25 × 1.6 mm3. A simple split‐ring resonator (SRR) metamaterial design with adjustable inner ring inductance and capacitance allows MIMO antennas to operate across several frequency bands. Tunable‐split ring resonators (T‐SRRs) are small and improve antenna element isolation. The proposed MIMO system provides isolation larger than 20 dB from 5.93 to 12.63 GHz. It is useful for radar applications since it includes the C‐band upper link (5.925–6.425 GHz) and the X‐band (8–12 GHz). With good tuning and network structure decoupling, antennas can operate in dual bands with isolation levels below −15 dB. Over 85% radiation efficiency and 72% miniaturization were achieved in the proposed MIMO antenna. The antenna has good radiation and diversity performance, including an envelope correlation coefficient < 0.1 and a diversity gain of 9.98 dB. These qualities make it suitable for advanced technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthol is a major N-alkylamide constituent of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen with diverse pharmacological properties. We recently showed the applicability of NADES (natural deep eutectic solvents) for the green extraction of spilanthol. However, the purification of targets from NADES poses a challenging step due to their non-volatility. A simple green method to retrieve spilanthol with minimal instrumental effort was devised, fractioning NADES (choline chloride/methylurea, choline chloride/1,2-propanediol, choline chloride/citric acid) and dry ethanolic extracts by SPE on C18 material, eluting merely with ethanolic solutions. The relative distribution of spilanthol and organic adulteration in SPE fractions were detected by HPLC-DAD, followed by scale-up, quantification and purity determination in an NMR-based approach. Isocratic elution with 52% ethanol (v/v) proved suitable in all experiments. The three purest 10 mL fractions combined yielded 12.21 mg spilanthol at 71.65% purity from NADES extract ChCl/P (choline chloride/1,2-propanediol, molar ratio 1:2, +20% m/m water). Ethanolic extract samples showed purities ranging from 77.27 to 80.27% in combined raw fractions. For all samples, purity increased by removing non-soluble substances from organic solutions. Pooled NADES extract fractions showed 89.71% in final samples, ethanolic extracts 87.25 to 91.93%. The highest purities of individual fractions per extract were 89.23 to 94.15%. This cheap and simple purification process is promising to acquire spilanthol for research purposes or as a sample preparation step before HPLC on a semi-preparative to preparative scale, as the substance is highly priced and scarcely available on the market. Organic solvents can be reused, and preliminary scale-up possibilities are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]