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Unsettled, dubious Oecetis tripunctata taxa are studied applying the principles and practices of fine phenomics relying on the ventral profile of the gonopods and the lateral profile of the phallic organ. The distribution of Oecetis tripunctata (Fabricius, 1793) is restricted to the Palaearctic Faunal Region. 14 new species were described from the Oriental Faunal Region: Oecetis anhua s. nov., O. baneswara sp. nov., O. baoloca sp. nov., O. bhubaneswa sp. nov., O. dagna sp. nov., O. dhaulia sp. nov., O. gujara sp. nov., O. halonga sp. nov., O. hoabinha sp. nov., O. kamba sp. nov., O. orissa sp. nov., O. peraka sp. nov., O. prenna sp. nov., O. sabarma sp. nov. and one species Oecetis lata Johanson, Pham, Malm & Sjöberg, 2020 was recorded from Vietnam. 2 new species were described from Australasian Faunal Region: O. kokopa sp. nov., O. parom sp. nov. as new records of the Oecetis tripunctata species group. 10 new species were described from the Afrotropical Faunal Region, including mailand Africa and Madagascar: O. anka sp. nov., O. banda sp. nov., O. bua sp. nov., O. conga sp. nov., O. congana sp. nov., O. ghana sp. nov., O. manta sp. nov., O. maroa sp. nov., O. volta sp. nov., O. zoa sp. nov., and one species Oecetis kagerana Kimmins, 1956 was recorded from Ghana, as well as O. maculipennis Ulmer, 1922 was placed to the Oecetis tripunctata species group. This replacement has necessitated revising and renaming the Oecetis maculipennis species group describing 2 new species: O. kimminsiana sp. nov. and O. nkwanta sp. nov. Oecetis maculipennis species group was renamed as Oecetis kimminsiana species group.

To categorize the temporal progression of subchondral bone alterations induced by compromising meniscus integrity in mouse and rat models of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Scoping review of investigations reporting subchondral bone changes with appropriate negative controls in the different mouse and rat models of OA induced by compromising meniscus integrity. The available literature provides appropriate temporal detail on subchondral changes in these models, covering the entire spectrum of OA with an emphasis on early and mid-term time points. Microstructural changes of the subarticular spongiosa are comprehensively described; those of the subchondral bone plate are not. In mouse models, global subchondral bone alterations are unidirectional, involving an advancing sclerosis of the trabecular structure over time. In rats, biphasic subchondral bone alterations begin with an osteopenic degeneration and loss of subchondral trabeculae, progressing to a late sclerosis of the entire subchondral bone. Rat models, independently from the applied technique, relatively faithfully mirror the early bone loss detected in larger animals, and the late subchondral bone sclerosis observed in human advanced OA. Mice and rats allow us to study the microstructural consequences of compromising meniscus integrity at high temporal detail. Thickening of the subchondral bone plate, an early loss of thinner subarticular trabecular elements, followed by a subsequent sclerosis of the entire subchondral bone are all important and reliable hallmarks that occur in parallel with the advancing articular cartilage degeneration. Thoughtful decisions on the study design, laterality, selection of controls and volumes of interest are crucial to obtain meaningful data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become increasingly popular in recent years and are applied in various fields, from commercial and scientific to military and humanitarian operations. However, their usage presents many challenges, including limited resources, scalability issues, insecure communication, and inefficient solutions. We developed a secure and scalable registration protocol to address these issues using LoRa technology. Our solution involves the usage of the physical unclonable function (PUF) and blockchain technology for key exchange. PUF also ensures security against physical tampering, and blockchain is applied to share the symmetric key among the base stations. After the registration, the later communication messages are encrypted with AES-GCM to provide authentication and confidentiality between the parties. We conducted a security analysis of the registration protocol using the ProVerif tool, and our solution meets the security requirements, including the mutual authentication of entities, key freshness, key secrecy and also key confirmation properties. Besides the Proverif-based analysis, an informal security analysis is also provided that shows that the registration is protected against a variety of well-known active and passive security attacks. As drone resources are limited, we also prepared a proof of concept to test our solution under real-life conditions, focusing on efficiency and lightweight operations.

There is currently a lack of instrumentation with sufficient technical quality focused on the implementation of classroom formative assessment at a grain-size appropriate for the provision of feedback to teachers and program developers. This paper details the development of a validity argument for the High-Impact Classroom Assessment Practices observation protocol (HI-CAP), and examines how to begin evaluating one inference in the interpretative argument. We present a conceptual framework for the HI-CAP and then articulate the interpretive argument. Finally we present evidence to evaluate one part of this argument, the scoring inference, using independent ratings of lessons from pairs of observers across 65 lessons in ninth-grade ELA and mathematics which suggest modest evidence for appropriateness, consistency, and preliminary evidence supporting the scoring model. We conclude with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of the current protocol and training procedures and implications for developing a validity argument for other similar protocols.

Abstract Adolescent development is not only shaped by the mere passing of time and accumulating experience, but it also depends on pubertal timing and the cascade of maturational processes orchestrated by gonadal hormones. Although individual variability in puberty onset confounds adolescent studies, it has not been efficiently controlled for. Here we introduce ultrasonic bone age assessment to estimate biological maturity and disentangle the independent effects of chronological and biological age on adolescent cognitive abilities. Comparing cognitive performance of female participants with different skeletal maturity we uncover the impact of biological age on both IQ and specific abilities. We find that biological age has a selective effect on abilities: more mature individuals within the same age group have higher working memory capacity and processing speed, while those with higher chronological age have better verbal abilities, independently of their maturity. Based on our findings, bone age is a promising biomarker of adolescent maturity.

Summary: Microglial cells were eliminated from the brain with sustained 3–4 weeks long inhibition of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor by Pexidartinib 3397 (PLX3397). The prepartum treated mice mothers did not feed their pups after parturition. The pups of mothers treated orally only in the postpartum period starting immediately after parturition showed reduced body weight by 15.5 ± 0.22 postnatal days as the treatment progressed without the mothers showing altered caring behaviors. The apparent weight gain of foster pups during a suckling bout was reduced in mother mice fed by PLX3397-containing diet and also in rat dams following sustained intracerebroventricular infusion of PLX3397 in a separate experiment suggesting that lactation was affected by the reduced number of microglia. Prolactin secretion and signaling were markedly reduced in PLX3397-treated mothers. The results suggest that microglial cells are required for prolactin secretion and lactation whereas maternal motivation may not be directly affected by microglia.

5G mobile communication technology is anticipated to merge with many other sectors, spurring innovation and creating substantial ripple effects. Despite the significance of this advancement, current research provides limited knowledge of users' behavioral reactions to the affordances, values, and trust generated from 5G technology. To investigate this relationship, this study used the Stimulus-response theory and the consumption values theory. The empirical data was gathered from 373 consumers in China using a survey method. To validate the model’s suggested relationships, the author utilized the partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. The finding designates that the affordances and purchase intention relationship was mediated by consumption values and trust. Given the significance of 5G technology and its potential, this study investigates what drives and deters consumers from obtaining 5G technology. Original findings insights on the role of affordances in developing marketing strategies and increasing consumer intentions to purchase 5G technology products.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies are transformative fintech breakthroughs that infiltrate the financial sector; however, they have many drawbacks and limits. Consumers have shown an insufficient level of acceptance of these innovations. This paper elucidates the main reasons for the effective growth of a cryptocurrency from user behavior. The objective is to determine what factors influence consumers’ intentions to engage in blockchain-based cryptocurrency dealings. Considering the complexity of emerging technologies, this paper applied an integration model which assumes various external elements such as financial literacy, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, awareness, trust, design, and social influence. Smart PLS3 has been used. The most critical determinant of a cryptocurrency’s growth is “design.” On the other hand, “design” affects effort expectancy positively, and social influence affects trust. Awareness, performance expectancy, financial literacy, and effort expectancy significantly affect intentions to use cryptocurrency. It’s worth mentioning that it is the first research to examine Pakistani customers’ perceptions of Bitcoin and their ability to partake. As a result, it is intended to serve as a base for potential research in this area.

Purpose: The aim of this article is to establish a comprehensive contouring guideline for treatment planning using only magnetic resonance images through an up-to-date set of organs at risk (OARs), recommended organ boundaries, and relevant suggestions for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based delineation of OARs in the head and neck (H&N) region. Methods and Materials: After a detailed review of the literature, MRI data were collected from the H&N region of healthy volunteers. OARs were delineated in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes on T2-weighted sequences. Every contour defined was revised by 4 radiation oncologists and subsequently by 2 independent senior experts (H&N radiation oncologist and radiologist). After revision, the final structures were presented to the consortium partners. Results: A definitive consensus was reached after multi-institutional review. On that basis, we provided a detailed anatomic and functional description and specific MRI characteristics of the OARs. Conclusions: In the era of precision radiation therapy, the need for well-built, straightforward contouring guidelines is on the rise. Precise, uniform, delineation-based, automated OAR segmentation on MRI may lead to increased accuracy in terms of organ boundaries and analysis of dose-dependent sequelae for an adequate definition of normal tissue complication probability.

Lynch syndrome (LS), also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC) is a common genetic predisposition to cancer due to germline mutations in genes affecting DNA mismatch repair. Due to mismatch repair deficiency, developing tumors are characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI-H), high frequency of expressed neoantigens and good clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Granzyme B (GrB) is the most abundant serine protease in the granules of cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells, mediating anti-tumor immunity. However, recent results confirm a diverse range of physiological functions of GrB including that in extracellular matrix remodelling, inflammation and fibrosis. In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether a frequent genetic variation of GZMB, the gene encoding GrB, constituted by three missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2236338, rs11539752 and rs8192917) has any association with cancer risk in individuals with LS. In silico analysis and genotype calls from whole exome sequencing data in the Hungarian population confirmed that these SNPs are closely linked. Genotyping results of rs8192917 on a cohort of 145 individuals with LS demonstrated an association of the CC genotype with lower cancer risk. In silico prediction proposed likely GrB cleavage sites in a high proportion of shared neontigens in MSI-H tumors. Our results propose the CC genotype of rs8192917 as a potential disease-modifying genetic factor in LS.

Abstract Understanding the physical mechanism of ground deformation at a volcano supports the use of deformation data as a monitoring tool. An inverse correlation was observed between eruption frequency and ground deformation of Sakurajima volcano from November 2018 to April 2021. Over the same period, the mass density of magma in the conduit was monitored via muography. Mass density increased during inflation, when eruption frequency was low, and decreased during deflation, when eruption frequency was high. Periods of low eruption frequency are associated with the formation of a dense plug in the conduit, which we infer caused the inflation of the edifice by trapping pressurized magmatic gas. Conversely, periods of high eruption frequency are associated with the absence of the plug, which we infer allows gas to escape, leading to deflation. Muography thus reveals the in‐conduit physical mechanism for the observed correlation, with implications for interpretation of deformation at other volcanoes.

Differences in institutions have garnered much attention in recent years as one of the primary reasons for long-term economic performance, and a vast corpus of theoretical and empirical research demonstrates that financial development can have a substantial impact on economic and financial performance. In fast-growing emerging markets, the demand for financial services has considerably increased, which amplified the need for an efficient regulatory framework to deal with the sensitive nature of financial activities. Surprisingly, the existing literature on the impact of institutions and finance is focused on developed economies, while emerging markets are rarely focused on. Since emerging markets are becoming increasingly important as a result of the swift evolution of institutional and financial transformation, it is crucial to examine how the growth of financial markets reacts to institutional quality. This study investigates the role of institutions in promoting finance in emerging economies using the balanced panel dataset of 21 emerging market. Given the endogenous relationship between institutions and finance, the paper applies a two-stage least squares estimator to test the settler mortality hypothesis in this context. Aligned with theoretical intuition, the empirical result shows that settler mortality is a relevant instrument to institutions. Furthermore, the study performs robustness, using framework that deals with heterogeneity, and cross-section dependence. This empirical effort validates La Porta's Law and Finance Hypothesis in the context of emerging markets. The results of the study are found robust across the variety of alternative measures of institutions and finance, and standard error correction specifications. Therefore, the study offers useful insight into policy implications.

The COVID-19 epidemic is the most significant global health disaster of this century and the greatest challenge to humanity since World War II. One of the most important research issues is to determine the effectiveness of measures implemented worldwide to control the spread of the corona virus. A dynamic simulated Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach was adopted to analyze the policy response to COVID-19 in the ASEAN region using data from February 1, 2020, to November 8, 2021. The results of unit root concluded that the dependent variable is integrated of order one while the independent variables are stationarized at the level or first difference, and the use of a dynamic simulated ARDL technique is appropriate for this paper. The outcomes of the dynamic simulated ARDL model explored that government economic support and debt/contract relief for poor families is substantially important in the fight against COVID-19. The study also explored that closing schools and workplaces, restrictions on gatherings, cancellation of public events, stay at home, closing public transport, restrictions on domestic and international travel are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Finally, this study explored that public awareness campaigns, testing policy and social distancing significantly decrease the spread of COVID-19. Policy implications such as economic support from the government to help poor families, closing schools and public gatherings during the pandemic, public awareness among the masses, and testing policies must be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, the reduction in mortality shows that immunization could be a possible new strategy to combat COVID-19, but the factors responsible for the acceptability of the vaccine must be addressed immediately through public health policies.

We describe convergent evidence from transcriptomics, morphology, and physiology for a specialized GABAergic neuron subtype in human cortex. Using unbiased single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we identify ten GABAergic interneuron subtypes with combinatorial gene signatures in human cortical layer 1 and characterize a group of human interneurons with anatomical features never described in rodents, having large 'rosehip'-like axonal boutons and compact arborization. These rosehip cells show an immunohistochemical profile (GAD1+CCK+, CNR1-SST-CALB2-PVALB-) matching a single transcriptomically defined cell type whose specific molecular marker signature is not seen in mouse cortex. Rosehip cells in layer 1 make homotypic gap junctions, predominantly target apical dendritic shafts of layer 3 pyramidal neurons, and inhibit backpropagating pyramidal action potentials in microdomains of the dendritic tuft. These cells are therefore positioned for potent local control of distal dendritic computation in cortical pyramidal neurons.

“Mürcüs is Mine!” Róbert Lénárd: „Impish Stories” [Pajzán históriák] (Tanyaszínház [Hamlet’s Theater], 2014) The population of the Hungarians in Vojvodina is drastically declining. In order to stop this process, in 2013 the Hungarian National Council (Magyar Nemzeti Tanács) developed a strategy called the Population Action Plan (Népesedési Akcióterv), which offered solutions to the Hungarian-speaking, fertile population of the province. A year later, the Hamlet’s Theater’s (Tanyaszínház) company under the direction of Róbert Lénárd examined the biopolitical aspects of the action plan and made a memorable performance using several erotic folk tales from Vojvodina.

The presented article deals with the description of the socialization of basic school pupils, i.e. pupils in younger and middle school age, who fulfill the compulsory school attendance in the form of individual education (homeschooling) in the context of the legislation of the Czech Republic. In the context of fulfilling the article aim, we formulated three research questions, which were evaluated using quantitative research in the form of a questionnaire survey. The research confirmed that parents of homeschoolers significantly support their children in participating in organized leisure activities and are actively involved in mediating their child's contact with other children. In the comparison of the examined groups there were no significant differences in how the children perceive their friends, what their favorite activities are or how much time they spend with them. The difference was more noticeable in the parental approach in education, when setting some rules. This article can outline areas that can be further explored in more detail and compared in context. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SPER-12 Full Text: PDF

The pandemic has significantly affected international tourism and in order to reach the level of travel recorded in 2019, a series of measures and strategies are needed that take into account the new perspective of tourists on travel. In this context, the primary purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the effect that COVID-19 has on travel activity preferences, subdividing the young tourists, and most important, how their travel behaviors changed following the pandemic. A questionnaire-based survey has been conducted on consumers of tourist services aged 18-29 years of various nationalities. The key topics investigated were the travel motivations, the criteria according to which they choose the destinations, the type of tourist destination chosen, the average length of stay and activities they prefer to do while traveling. It was analyzed if these preferences changed during the pandemics and among Romanian and foreign young tourists. As young tourists represent a significant segment of international tourism, it was considered that is important for the managers to know how consumers’ behaviors and preferences changed, so they can adapt to them in an effort to reach the pre-pandemic levels of activity. Article history: Received 26 August 2022; Revised 15 September 2022; Accepted 23 September 2022; Available online 25 October 2022; Available print 25 November 2022. JEL Classification: Z30, L83

A legjobb-rosszabb skálázás (BWS) az adatgyűjtés egyik módszere és/vagy annak elmélete, hogy a válaszadók miként adják meg a lista első és legrosszabb rangsorolását. Cikkemben azt vizsgálom meg, hogy mi az a best-worst scaling (BWS), milyen területeken használják előszeretettel, illetve mi maga a módszer. Ezután rátérek a BWS metódusára, ezen belül is megvizsgálom elemét: a BWS objektum esetet (1. eset), a BWS profil esetet (2. eset) és BWS többprofil esetet (3. eset). Részletezem a BWS használatát a marketingkutatásban, ezután pedig összehasonlítom a Likert-skálás módszert és a BWS-t. Konklúzióimat cikkem végén összegzem.

The extracts of whole plants or specific organs from different plant species are gaining increasing attention for their phytotherapy applications. Accordingly, we prepared standardized gemmotherapy extracts (GTEs) from young shoots/buds of olive (Olea europaea), sweet almond (Prunus amygdalus), and black mulberry (Morus nigra), and analyzed the corresponding phytonutrient profiles. We identified 42, 103, and 109 phytonutrients in the olive, almond, and black mulberry GTEs, respectively, containing amino acids, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, iridoids, carboxylic acids, lignans, terpenoids, and others. In order to assess the physiological effects generated by the GTEs, we developed a translational nutrition model based on Drosophila melanogaster and Cyprinus carpio. The results indicate that GTEs could influence, to a variable extent, viability and ATP synthesis, even though both are dependent on the specific carbohydrate load of the applied diet and the amino acid and polyphenol pools provided by the GTEs. It seems, therefore, likely that the complex chemical composition of the GTEs offers nutritional properties that cannot be separated from the health-promoting mechanisms that ultimately increase viability and survival. Such an approach sets the paves the way for the nutritional genomic descriptions regarding GTE-associated health-promoting effects.

The Special Issue “Duckweed: Research Meets Applications” of the journal Plants (ISSN 2223-7747) presents a comprehensive update of the current progress in the field [...]

Here, we present the findings of an investigation involving two male siblings with juvenile total tooth loss, early-onset chronic leg ulcers, and autoimmune thyroiditis, as well as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with associated pulmonary emphysema in one and diabetes mellitus in the other. The clinical picture and lupus anticoagulant, cryoglobulin, and cold agglutinin positivity suggested the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. Flow cytometry analysis showed immunophenotypes consistent with immune dysregulation: a low number of naive T cells, elevated CD4+ T cell counts, and decreased CD8+ T-cell counts were detected, and more than half of the T-helper population was activated. Considering the siblings’ almost identical clinical phenotype, the genetic alteration was suspected in the background of the immunodeficiency. Whole exome sequencing identified a previously not described hemizygous nonsense variant (c.650G>A, p.W217X) within exon 6 of the moesin (MSN) gene localized on chromosome X, resulting in significantly decreased MSN mRNA expression compared to healthy controls. We present a putative new autoimmune phenotype of Immunodeficiency 50 (MIM300988) characterized by antiphospholipid syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, leg ulcers, and juvenile tooth loss, associated with W217X mutation of the MSN gene.