57 research outputs found
Investigation of the impact of a wireless Fog Warning System with respect to road traffic on a highway
No full textSudden visibility reductions on highways due to foggy weather conditions often lead to a drastic increase in car crash risks. Indeed, fog formation distorts drivers' perception and judgment of inter-vehicular distances, vehicles' speeds, and braking distances. In order to support drivers in dealing with the impact of fog, various on-board warning systems are being deployed today. Despite their added value, these systems are still in need of efficient solutions supporting smooth vehicle's acceleration/deceleration profiles. This is to avoid sudden braking (hence, higher car crash risks) incurred by sensor technologies restricted to line of sight measurements. To meet this goal, we advocate in this paper a Wireless Fog Warning System (WFWS) where cooperative awareness messages are disseminated and used for calculating acceleration/deceleration activities. Without loss of generality, we build on IEEE 802.11p WLAN as a basis technology. Using simulations on the open-source vehicular network simulation framework Veins, we demonstrate both the potential of such a system for increasing safety and smoothing traffic flow-as well as of computer simulation as a means of its evaluation.Outay, F (reprint author), Zayed Univ, Dubai, U Arab Emirates.
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The use of alemtuzumab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: the Gulf perspective
No full textOver the past decade, the development of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) has been responsible for more effective management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, the gaps in optimal care for this complex disease remain. Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada (R)) is a highly efficacious DMT that shows better patient outcomes and therapeutic benefits, but its use is under-recognized in the Gulf region. Experts in the care of multiple sclerosis shared their opinions based on study data and daily clinical experience in identifying the appropriate patient profile suitable for alemtuzumab's therapeutic benefits. Age, disease activity and severity, disability status, physician experience, and economic condition are some of the key indicators for alemtuzumab use.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The meeting of the expert group was organized and funded by Sanofi Genzyme. A medical writer (Haniya Dawn Panizales, Ogilvy Health and Wellness) provided medical writing assistance. All authors edited the manuscript for intellectual content and approved the final version. The final responsibility for the content lies with the authors.Alroughani, R (corresponding author), Al Amiri Hosp, Dept Med, Div Neurol, Kuwait, Kuwait.
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Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith
No full text<p>Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith, 1858</p> <p>(Figs 1-6, 11)</p> <p>Polyrhachis cyaniventris Smith, F. 1858: 70, pl. IV, fig. 47 (description of worker, Philippines).</p> <p>Polyrhachis cyaneus Mayr, 1862: 684-685, tab. XIX, fig. 6 (description of worker; distribution: Luzon: Manila). Syn. by Roger 1863.</p> <p>Polyrhachis cyaniventris: Roger 1863: 9 (synonymy). Forel 1910: 128 (description of gyne; distribution: Luzon: Rizal, Mindoro: Mt. Halcon). Bibby 1947: 78 (distribution: Calicaon Island south of Samar).</p> <p>Polyrhacis [sic] cyaniventris: Ashmead 1904: 10 (distribution: Luzon: Manila).</p> <p>Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris: Viehmeyer 1916: 288 (distribution: Luzon: Mt. Banahaw). Emery 1925: 201 (catalogue, species group). Stitz 1925: 135 (distribution: Luzon: Limay). Baltazar 1966: 276 (catalogue, references). Dorow 1995: 33 (listed).</p> <p>Type material examined: Holotype of P. cyanea (worker) labelled "Manilla" [Luzon: Manila], "Wthm.", "Polyrhach.\ cyaneus M. \ det. G. Mayr.", " Polyrhachis cyanus Mayr." (NHMW). In addition, we have seen photographs of the holotype of P. cyaniventris (in BMNH) and can confirm species identity.</p> <p>Additional material examined: Luzon Isl.: Zambales Prov. [erroneously labelled "Bataan"]: Olongapo, Subic Bay, 30.XI.1993, leg. H. Zettel (# 37a), 1 worker (CZW). Laguna Prov.: Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, 13.- 18.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#1), 1 worker (CZW), 500-1144 m, 14.XI.1993, leg. H. Zettel (#21a), 1 worker (CZW), 300-500 m, 8.-9.II.1996, leg. H. Zettel (#74), 1 worker (CZW); Laguna, Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, Mud Springs, 1.XI.1996, leg. H. Zettel (#88a), 1 dealate gyne (NHMW), 13.-14.I.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#174), 1 worker (CZW); Los Banos, Mt. Makiling, Rain Forest Park, 14.II.1999, leg. S. Schodl (5): 1 worker (NHMW). Quezon Prov.: Atimonan, Quezon National Park, Old Zigzag Road, 24.-30.III.1998, leg. H. Zettel (# 165), 16 workers (CZW, CSW, NHMW, UPLB, USC-EC), 14.III.1999, leg. F. Seyfert (#27), 1 worker (NHMW), 16.III.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#202), 1 worker (CZW), 6.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#253), 2 workers (CZW), 30.-31.I.2001, leg. H. Zettel (#262), 1 worker (CZW), 27.-28.I.2002, leg. H. Zettel (#300), 1 worker (CZW). Camarines Norte Prov.: SW Daet, San Vicente, Fabrica, Mananap, 6.II.2001, leg. H. Zettel, E. S. & L. S. Vichozo (#264), 1 worker, 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 17.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel, C. V. Pangantihon & L. S. Vichozo (#348), 1 worker, 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 3.III.2004, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P52), 8 workers, 3 dealate gynes (CZW, NHMW); Labo, Tulay na Lupa, Mt. Labo - Mt. Bayabas area, 17.-18.III.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (#382), 2 workers, 4 dealate gynes (CZW, CSW, NHMW); S Daet, Bicol NP, Basud, Nalisan, 7.II.2001, leg. H. Zettel (#274), 1 worker (CZW), 26.II.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (# 376), 1 worker, 2 dealate gynes (CZW, NHMW), 13.-14.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel, L. S. Vichozo & C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW), 1.III.2005, leg. H. Zettel (#419), 2 workers, 13.III.2006, leg. H. Zettel, R. Gille & L. S. Vichozo (#446), 1 worker (CZW). Camarines Sur Prov.: Alanao, Bahi River, 100 m, 14.XI.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#205), 1 worker (CZW), 10.III.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#245), 3 workers (CZW), 7.III.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#243), 1 worker (CZW), 1.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#251), 3 workers (CZW, UPLB), 10.II.2002, leg. H. Zettel (#307), 1 worker (CZW), 11.II.2003, leg. H. Zettel (#337)", 1 worker (CZW), 25.- 27.II.2008, leg. H. Zettel (#510), 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Bicol NP, 30.III.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW), 29.X.2005, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P192), 1 worker (CZW), leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P318), 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Looban, 25.II.2004, leg. H. Zettel & C. V. Pangantihon (#375), 4 workers (CZW, NHMW); Lupi, Sooc, Telecom - Sipocot, Tikman, 22.II.2004, leg. C. V. Pangantihon (#P42+43), 1 worker (CZW); Sipocot, Villazar, 27.III.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon, 1 worker (CZW); Lupi, Sooc, Lucbanan, 25.II.2003, leg. C. V. Pangantihon & L. S. Vichozo, 1 worker (CZW); 20 km E Naga, 5 km E Carolina, Malabsay Falls, 20.XI.1999, leg. H. Zettel (208), 1 worker (CZW); 18 km E Naga, Panicuason, 500- 550m, 6.III.2003, Narra plantation with Abaca understory, leg. D. General & al. (ABT-1, CZI), 1 dealate gyne (NHMW). Catanduanes Isl.: Catanduanes Prov.: W Virac, Magnesia, near sea shore, 8.III.1999, leg. H. Zettel (#197), 14 workers (NHMW, CZW), 8.III.1999, leg. F. Seyfert (#22), 1 worker (NHMW), 13.IV.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#255), 3 workers (CZW). Mindoro Isl.: Mindoro Oriental Prov.: SW Calapan, Baco, Hidden Paradise, 20.-21.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#16), 2 workers (CZW); 28 km S Calapan, Balete, 100 - 700 m, 27.- 29.XI.1992, leg. H. Zettel (#18), 7 workers (CZW, UPLB, QMBA). Samar Isl.: Northern Samar Prov.: San Joaquin, Lologayan Falls, 4.-6.III.2003, leg. H. Zettel (#345), 1 dealate gyne (CZW), 1.-5.III.2004, leg. H. Zettel (#377), 4 workers, 1 dealate gyne (CZW). Leyte Isl.: Leyte Prov.: N Tacloban, Babatngon, Busay Falls, 28.I.2000, leg. H. Zettel (#220), 1 worker (CZW), leg. S. Schodl (#1), 1 worker (NHMW); N Baybay, Mt. Pangasugan, 50-250 m, along Lago-Lago River, 1.II.2000, leg. S. Schodl (#5), 4 workers (NHMW). Philippines, no further locality data: 13.II.1914, leg. Moser, 2 workers, 1 gyne (MCZL); 4.III.1914, leg. Moser, 1 worker (MCZL); "In Baum" [in tree], 4.III.[19] 14, 1 worker (MCZL); 13.II1914, leg. Moser, 4 workers (MCZL).</p> <p>Description of worker: Measurements: Holotype of P. cyanea (worker): TL 9.5 mm, HW 2.08 mm, HL 2.48 mm, CI 84, SL 2.99 mm, SI 144, PSPD 2.63 mm, PPL 1.04 mm, PPW 1.48 mm, PPI 142, PTW 2.55 mm, MTL 2.95 mm. Additional workers (n = 10): TL 7.9-8.9-10.1 mm, HW 1.70-2.01-2.30 mm, HL 2.06-2.36-2.70 mm, CI 79-85-97, SL 2.58-2.88-3.23 mm, SI 132-144-155, PSPD 2.05-2.58-3.13 mm, PPL 0.80-0.98-1.15 mm, PPW 1.05-1.33-1.55 mm, PPI 127-137-151, PTW 2.03-2.37-2.88 mm, MTL 2.55-2.90-3.25 mm.</p> <p>Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster with dark bluish shimmer. Antennae and legs black, except femora bluish; in some specimens tibiae partially reddish brown.</p> <p>Head sides and dorsum with distinct longitudinal striation overlaying microsculpture, venter with 9-12-15 setae. Vertex with 2-13-20 setae. Frons with 6-9-11 setae, median furrow indistinct. Genae with 0-6-12 setae. Clypeus on disk with 4-13-20 setae.</p> <p>Dorsal face of mesosoma with 3-36-60 setae, in addition to microsculpture with longitudinal rugae. Pronotal spines gracile and, in cross-section, rather flat (if compared with P pirata sp. n.), their bases not or indistinctly raised over anterior pronotal disk (Figs 2, 3). Propodeum with dorsal and posterior face separated by almost straight ridge (Figs 3, 4). Sides of mesosoma, in addition to microsculpture, overlaid by longitudinal rugae, on propodeum dorsal of stigma slightly coarser (Fig 2). Femora with 4-13-20 setae, tibiae with 0-1-5 setae.</p> <p>Gaster with isodiametric reticulum overlaid with fine striation (Fig 2); tergite 1 with 4-25-40 setae, tergite 2 with 12-15-20 setae, following tergites and all sternites with numerous setae increasing in length towards apex of abdomen.</p> <p>Description of gyne: Measurements (n = 10): TL 9.4-10.5-10.9 mm, HW 2.00-2.13-2.25 mm, HL 2.38-2.61-2.73 mm, CI 79-82-89, SL 2.76-2.98-3.16 mm, SI 131-140-145, PSPD 2.36-2.62-2.88 mm, PPL 0.75-0.89-1.00 mm, PPW 1.38-1.53-1.65 mm, PPI 152-172-189, PTW 1.98-2.29-2.45 mm, MTL 2.95-3.09-3.23 mm.</p> <p>Microsculpture on pronotum overlaid with fine striation, on propodeum overlaid with distinctly coarser striation than on pronotum. Gaster punctate, with very fine overlaying striation (Fig 6).</p> <p>Chaetotaxy: on disk of clypeus 6-13-16, on frons 7-12-14, on vertex 15-20-28, on venter of head 10-13-19, on genae 2-8-14 setae. On dorsum of mesosoma 47-62-72 setae. On femora 12-21-36, on tibiae 1-8-17 setae. On tergite 1 30-41-55, on tergite 2 19- 25-40 setae.</p> <p>Notes: Although P. cyaniventris is clearly more pilose than P. pirata sp. n., pilosity appears strongly variable. It is suspected that this is caused by partially rubbed off setae. Therefore, pilosity is expressed as minimum-average-maximum values to provide a more comprehensive picture.</p> <p>Distribution: Central and Southern Luzon, Catanduanes, Mindoro, Samar, Leyte (Fig 11).</p> <p>Biology: Habitats range from degraded primary dipterocarp forests to secondary forests and even extensively used coconut groves with rich undergrowth in lowlands and low montane regions. The second author frequently collected workers and gynes during daytime foraging on leaves and twigs of small trees and bushes, rarely on the ground, but did not encounter nest sites. Gary Alpert (in litt.) found nests occupying cavities in branches, both on the ground and in low vegetation; one nest had approximately 100 individuals and a single queen.</p>Published as part of <i>Sorger, D. M. & Zettel, H., 2009, Polyrhachis (Myrma) cyaniventris F. Smith, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and a related new ant species from the Philippines., pp. 27-37 in Zootaxa 2174</i> on pages 30-3
Genus <i>Acanthella</i>—A Wealthy Treasure: Secondary Metabolites, Synthesis, Biosynthesis, and Bioactivities
No full textMarine sponges are multicellular and primitive animals that potentially represent a wealthy source of novel drugs. The genus Acanthella (family Axinellidae) is renowned to produce various metabolites with various structural characteristics and bioactivities, including nitrogen-containing terpenoids, alkaloids, and sterols. The current work provides an up-to-date literature survey and comprehensive insight into the reported metabolites from the members of this genus, as well as their sources, biosynthesis, syntheses, and biological activities whenever available. In the current work, 226 metabolites have been discussed based on published data from the period from 1974 to the beginning of 2023 with 90 references
Author Correction: COVID-19 infection segmentation using hybrid deep learning and image processing techniques
No full textDesigned electrochemical sensor based on metallocene modified conducting polymer composite for effective determination of tramadol in real samples
Get PDFA novel composite for the electrochemical sensing of tramadol (Tr) was developed by the inclusion of metallocene mediator between two layers of conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymer, in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); (P/mediator/P…SDS). Three charge transfer mediators were evaluated: ferrocene carboxylic acid (FC1), ferrocene (FC2) and cobaltocene (CC) for Tr electrocatalytic oxidation. FC1-charge mediator showed relatively higher current response that was assisted by the electronic conduction of the polymer film. Moreover, SDS presented a great impact, resulting in the enhancement of the preconcentration/accumulation of Tr ions at the interface leading to faster electron transfer. In addition, the practical application of the proposed FC1 composite for the determination of Tr in real urine and serum samples was successfully achieved with adequate recovery results. Very low detection limits of 18.6 nM and 16 nM in the linear dynamic ranges of 7 M to 300 M and 5 M to 280 M, respectively, were obtained at the proposed sensor. Furthermore, the simultaneous determination of of Tr with common interfering species; paracetamol (PAPA), morphine (MO), dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) proved excellent with good resolution and large potential peaks separation. The excellent characteristics of the proposed composite such as high reproducibility, good sensitivity, selectivity, anti-interference ability and good stability enhanced its application for determination of other narcotics drugs.The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Short Form of the Physical Self Inventory (PSI-S)
No full textboughattas, wissal/0000-0002-6495-743X; Asci, Hulya/0000-0002-6650-6931The study examined the cross-cultural validity of the short form of the Physical Self-Inventory (PSI-S) among samples of adolescents speaking French, Dutch, Turkish, Italian, and Arab. A total of 4,867 adolescents (1,173 Belgian Flemish, 598 French, 1,222 Italian, 643 Turkish, 646 Kuwaiti, and 585 Tunisian) completed the original PSI-S version, and a revised version including a positively worded reformulation of the 3 negatively worded PSI-S items. The results supported the factor validity and reliability of revised PSI-S version across all cultural groups, and its superiority when compared to the original version. Compared with confirmatory factor analyses, relying on an exploratory structural equation modeling measurement model resulted in superior solution, and in more cleanly differentiated factors. PSI-S responses proved to be fully invariant across cultural groups, and presented no evidence of differential item functioning as a function of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and sport involvement. However, the results revealed meaningful mean level differences as a function of gender, age, sport involvement, and BMI that were mostly consistent with the results from previous studies.Australian Research CouncilAustralian Research Council [DP140101559]Preparation of this article was supported in part by a grant from the Australian Research Council (DP140101559). This article was prepared in part while the first author was a visiting scholar at the Universita degli Studi di Cagliari (Italy). The authors want to thank Samar Feghali for significant help in the development of the Arab version of the PSI-S
Analysis of information use in agricultural science PhD theses at Central University of Venezuela
Get PDFPurpose – To analyze information use in agricultural science PhD theses submitted between 1986 and 2002 in the Faculty of Agronomy, Central University of Venezuela (UCV).
Design/methodology/approach – The source of information was the UCV Faculty of Agronomy, Library's database, “Tesis”. The unidimensional production and use indicators analyzed included: scientific production, reference density, self-citations, document contemporaneousness and type of documents cited, reference scattering and accessibility of the journals cited.
Findings – The analysis of the data obtained from 4,646 bibliographic references in 42 agricultural science PhD theses provides insight into information use in a Venezuelan agricultural science community. The mean number of references per thesis found was 113?±?21. The number of women earning a PhD in agriculture was observed to grow. The percentage of self-citations varied widely. The half-life was 11 years and the Price's Index 22 per cent. According to the distribution by document type, most of the publications cited were articles in journals, while references to technical standards and internet publications were rare. UCV Faculty of Agronomy PhD students tended to seek information primarily in the Anglo Saxon literature. The Celestino Bonfanti Library periodicals section met a high proportion (92 per cent) of the demand for journals located in the first and second concentration-scattering zones.
Originality/value – This is the only paper on the evaluation of PhD theses in Venezuela. The findings will be useful for education planners in Venezuela and other developing countries.Publicad
Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) biometrics and condition
Get PDFThe compiled data for this study represents the first Atlantic and Mediterranean-wide effort to pool all available biometric data for Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) with the collaboration of many countries and scientific groups. Biometric relationships were based on an extensive sampling (over 140,000 fish sampled), covering most of the fishing areas for this species in the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to evaluate the representativeness of sampling and explore the most adequate procedure to fit the weight-length relationship (WLR). The selected model for the WLRs by stock included standardized data series (common measurement types) weighted by the inverse variability. There was little difference between annual stock-specific round weight-straight fork length relationships, with an overall difference of 6% in weight. The predicted weight by month was estimated as an additional component in the exponent of the weight-length function. The analyses of monthly variations of fish condition by stock, maturity state and geographic area reflect annual cycles of spawning and feeding behavior. We update and improve upon the biometric relationships for bluefin currently used by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, by incorporating substantially larger datasets than ever previously compiled, providing complete documentation of sources and employing robust statistical fitting. WLRs and other tuna from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Detection of Nonsynonymous Single Variants in Human HLA-DRB1 Exon 2 Associated with Renal Transplant Rejection
No full textBackground: HLA-DRB1 is the most polymorphic gene in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, and exon 2 is critical because it encodes antigen-binding sites. This study aimed to detect functional or marker genetic variants of HLA-DRB1 exon 2 in renal transplant recipients (acceptance and rejection) using Sanger sequencing. Methods: This hospital-based case-control study collected samples from two hospitals over seven months. The 60 participants were equally divided into three groups: rejection, acceptance, and control. The target regions were amplified and sequenced by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Several bioinformatics tools have been used to assess the impact of non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) on protein function and structure. The sequences data that support the findings of this study with accession numbers (OQ747803-OQ747862) are available in National Center for Biotechnology Information (GenBank database). Results: Seven SNVs were identified, two of which were novel (chr6(GRCh38.p12): 32584356C>A (K41N) and 32584113C>A (R122R)). Three of the seven SNVs were non-synonymous and found in the rejection group (chr6(GRCh38.p12): 32584356C>A (K41N), 32584304A>G (Y59H), and 32584152T>A (R109S)). The nsSNVs had varying effects on protein function, structure, and physicochemical parameters and could play a role in renal transplant rejection. The chr6(GRCh38.p12):32584152T>A variant showed the greatest impact. This is because of its conserved nature, main domain location, and pathogenic effects on protein structure, function, and stability. Finally, no significant markers were identified in the acceptance samples. Conclusion: Pathogenic variants can affect intramolecular/intermolecular interactions of amino acid residues, protein function/structure, and disease risk. HLA typing based on functional SNVs could be a comprehensive, accurate, and low-cost method for covering all HLA genes while shedding light on previously unknown causes in many graft rejection cases
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