The gut microbiome plays an important role in the physical and mental wellbeing of animals. This depends on several factors like diet, host physiology, age, gender, lifestyle and habitat. We studied the gut microbiome of endangered Asian elephant Elephas maximus indicus in two diverse habitats, namely captivity and wild. A total of 22 phylum lodging 97 orders and 208 families have been identified using 16S rRNA sequencing in which 90% of them belong to Phylum Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Among them, a 2-fold increase of Phylum Verrucomicrobia in captive elephants than the wild counterparts suggest humanising of the elephant’s gut microbiome in captivity. On the other hand, a 10-fold decrease in the relative abundance of the Family Planococcaceae in captive elephants implies stress due to isolation in captivity. Elusimicrobia, Lentisphaerae, and Spirochaetes found exclusively in captives were previously reported to be pathogenic and are an indication of anthropogenic contamination in captive elephant’s gut microbiome. Since the elephants in captivity have an increased chance of contact with humans, it may lead to a radical shift in quantitative and qualitative gut microbiome composition in captive elephants. Interestingly, the gut microbiome of wild samples was more even and stable compared to captive elephants. Altogether, this study reports the massive variation present in the gut microbiome diversity between captive and wild elephants. Besides, this also emphasizes the necessity of further studies on the gut microbiome of elephants based on the dietary variation that may be helpful for the conservation of these endangered mega gardeners.

Inorganic routes for the production of methanol are not new and the same procedure of converting carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide and hydrogen to methanol is followed in this work as has been reported in literature previously. The novelty of this work lies in the procurement process for carbon dioxide and hydrogen whereby newer raw materials like limestone, orthophosphoric acid metallic zinc and hydrochloric acid has been utilized producing the carbon dioxide and hydrogen streams. Another innovation is the separation of the reaction producing carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide from the main methanol synthesis reaction scheme where the two reactions are carried out in different chambers at two different temperatures and pressures. The results of the simulation work show that both the quantity and quality of the methanol produced is a strong function of the temperature of the first reaction and the temperature as well as the pressure of the second reaction.

Molten ash slagging moving bed gasification technology is significant for lump coal utilization. Mathematical modeling is essential for a comprehensive understanding of transport and reaction phenomena in a gasifier. In this work, a model based on the impact of bed characteristics was proposed, encompassing: (i) particle fragmentation and agglomeration varied the particle size and bed voidage, (ii) gas channeling weakened the gas-solid heat transfer efficiency and variation of the gas phase temperature, and (iii) molten ash covering coal surface attenuated the gas-solid reaction rate. A good agreement was found between the simulation results of the proposed model and industrial data. Finally, the effects of the operating and model parameters were studied. The results indicated that the steam flow rate had a significant influence on the product gas composition, and the temperatures of gas and solid phases were sensitive to the gas channeling factor.

Background: Antipsychotics are the mainstay in management of several mental health disorders. Antipsychotic induced weight gain is a predominant side effects seen in most patients. Objective: This investigation evaluated the interventions employed in addressing olanzapine induced weight gain in patients with severe mental disorders receiving treatment in a tertiary psychiatric setting. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Data was collected from medical records of patients initiated on Olanzapine and reviewed using World Health Organization and American Society of Health System Pharmacist guidelines on drug evaluation to assess compliance with National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence and British Association of Psychopharmacology guidelines on management of antipsychotic induced weight gain. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. Results: A total of 188 patients participated in the study. Less than half of the participants (n=57, 30.3%) experienced significant weight gain from the use of olanzapine, and interventions were recommended for 10 (18%) participants. Non-pharmacological interventions and modification in pharmacotherapy were initiated in 4 (40%) patients who received interventions. Adjunctive therapy with metformin was initiated in 1 (10%) patient. Cognitive behavioural therapy was not offered to any patient on account of weight gain. Interventions were administered promptly in 5 (50%) patients. Conclusion: Inadequate management of antipsychotic induced weight gain was evident. A multidisciplinary approach must be employed to ensure optimized management of antipsychotic induced weight gain. Keywords: Antipsychotic, Weight gain, Olanzapine, Intervention, Mental disorder

Aims: The objectives of this study were to determine the population pharmacokinetics (PK) model of polymyxin B in critically ill patients with or without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support that investigated the influence of ECMO on PK variability and to identify an optimal dosing strategy. Methods: Forty-four critically ill patients were enrolled, including eight patients with ECMO support. Eight serial serum samples were collected from each patient at steady state. The population PK was determined using NONMEM and Monte Carlo simulation was performed to evaluate the exposures of different dosing regimens. Results: The PK analyses included 342 steady-state concentrations and a two-compartment model was optimal for polymyxin B PK data modelling. In the final model, creatinine clearance (CLCR) was the significant covariate on CL (typical value 1.27 L/h; between-subject variability 15.1%) and ECMO did not show a significant impact on the polymyxin B PK. Additionally, we found that the PK parameter estimates of patients with and without ECMO support were mostly similar. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, the dose escalation of polymyxin B in patients with increased CLCR improved the probability of achieving required exposure. For patients with CLCR≤120 mL/min, a dosage regimen of 100mg every 12h may represent the optimal regimen at an MIC of 1 mg/L. Conclusion: The impact of ECMO on the polymyxin B PK is likely to be minimal. Our study showed a potential relationship between CLCR and polymyxin B CL, and the dose of polymyxin B should be adjusted in patients with increased CLCR.

Neonatal aortic arch thrombosis is a rare event. The clinical entity of aortic arch thrombosis mimics CoA or IAA. Accurate imaging assists in precise diagnosis. We report a case of a neonate with aortic arch thrombosis diagnosed through echocardiography.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a special subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Pathology diagnosis is the gold standard, but due to lack of specific pathological characteristics, diagnosis is challenging. This study had shown that combining immunohistochemistry and gene rearrangement can increase the diagnostic accuracy.

Background and Purpose. Clinical studies on the effectiveness of Baclofen in alcohol use disorder (AUD) yielded mixed results possibly because of differential effects of the enantiomers and sex-related differences. Here we examined the effect of the different enantiomers on ethanol intake and on evoked dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), in both male and female Long Evans rats. Experimental Approach. Fifteen rats from each sex were trained to chronically self-administer 20% ethanol solution in daily 15min sessions and were treated with the different enantiomers (RS(±), R(+) and S(-)). Key Results. RS(±)-Baclofen and R(+)-Baclofen reduced ethanol intake in both males and females but more females were non-responders or less sensitive to the treatment. S(-)-Baclofen did not have any effect on average but in some individuals, especially in the females, increased ethanol intake by at least 100%. There were no sex-differences in Baclofen pharmacokinetic but a strong negative correlation was found in females with a paradoxical effect of increased ethanol intake with higher blood Baclofen concentration. The R(+) and RS(±) enantiomers decreased dopamine release in both sexes and this effect was attenuated after chronic ethanol intake. Dopamine release was increased by S(-)-Baclofen specifically in females after chronic ethanol intake. Conclusion and implications. Our results demonstrate a sex-dependent effect of the different enantiomers of Baclofen and the increase of ethanol intake in females may be related to an increasing effect on dopamine release. Our results should warrant future clinical studies on AUD pharmacotherapy that will deeply analyze sex difference.

A linearly implicit difference scheme for the space fractional coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equation is proposed. The resulting coefficient matrix of the discretized linear system consists of the sum of a complex scaled identity and a symmetric positive definite, diagonal-plus-Toeplitz, matrix. An efficient block Gauss-Seidel overrelaxation method (BGSOR) method has been established to solve the discretized linear system. It is worth noting that the proposed method solves the linear equations without the need to any system solution, which is beneficial for reducing computational cost and memory requirements. Theoretical analysis implies that the BGSOR method is convergent under a suitable condition. Moreover, an appropriate approach to compute the optimal parameter in the BGSOR method is exploited. Finally, the theoretical analysis is validated by some numerical experiments.

Rationale, aims and objectives: Observational movement analysis (OMA) is an integral component of neurological physiotherapy assessment, therefore understanding its related clinical reasoning is an important aspect of clinical practice. Limited knowledge exists on how these skills are developed. Exploring the clinical reasoning associated with OMA in student and expert physiotherapists will inform the development of these critical skills in physiotherapy curricula. The purpose of this research study was to explore OMA and its associated clinical reasoning in student and expert neurological physiotherapists, and to compare and contrast the two groups. Methods: A qualitative interpretive descriptive approach was implemented, using semi-structured online interviews and stimulated recall using eye-gaze behaviour following viewing of a video of a person with stroke performing sit-to-stand. A purposive sampling strategy was used. Interview transcriptions provided the raw data, which was analyzed inductively and independently by two groups of researchers. Results: Five first-year student physiotherapists enrolled in a physiotherapy master’s program and five experienced physiotherapists working clinically in the field of neurorehabilitation with 8-17 years of experience participated voluntarily. Three consistent themes developed from both groups: (I) systematic approach; (II) knowledge; (III) movement performance. Students utilized hypothetico-deductive clinical reasoning while experts combined forward reasoning and reflection-in-action. Conclusion: This study provides insight on the clinical reasoning underlying expert and student OMA. Early clinical exposure incorporating reflective activities will facilitate contextualizing and synthesizing multiple aspects of the clinical presentation. This encourages students to utilize various perspectives of movement, such that the concept of ‘movement diagnoses’ can be facilitated during OMA skill development. Additionally, fostering a philosophy of ‘continuing professional development’ during entry-to-practice physiotherapy programs will promote a lifetime learning approach to physiotherapy practice, essential for optimal patient care. Further investigation is warranted on how forward reasoning can be fostered during OMA in entry-to-practice physiotherapy programs.

We work in the physical model of hydrogen-like atoms and use the wave functions provided by solutions of the Schrödinger equation with Coulomb potential. For the hydrogen spectra, we develop a theoretical-spectroscopy method to identify the significant quantum states with the highest probability of transition. We exemplify this method for the α, β, γ Lyman transitions, namely for a fixed principal quantum number n less than 5, and find (2 1 0), (3 2 0), (4 3 0) as significant quantum states. Besides this, we obtain other various results: the numerical tables for the radial distributions and the electron density functions, and some observables like θ nodal angles, nodal surfaces, along with the ordered sequences of the average-radii of the sub-shells for a fixed n, such as: 18a0 =〈r〉4f < 〈r〉4d < 〈r〉4p <〈r〉4s = 24a0 (for the shell n = 4 and a0 - the first Bohr radius). Afterwards, we build the scientific 3D-visualization of the orbitals shapes and describe them via the nodal values for θ angles.

Physiological constraints related to atmospheric temperature pose a limit to body size in endothermic animals. This relationship has been summarized by two classical principles of biogeography: Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules. Body size may also constrain other phenotypic traits important in ecology, evolution and behaviour, and such effects have seldom been investigated at a continental scale. Through a multilevel-modelling approach, we demonstrate that continent-wide morphology of related African barbets follows predictions of both ecogeographic rules, and that body size mirrors variation in song pitch, an acoustic trait important in species recognition and sexual selection. Bergmann’s rule effects on song dwarf those of acoustic adaptation at a continental scale. Our findings suggest that macroecological patterns of body size can influence phenotypic traits important in ecology and evolution, and provide a baseline for further studies on the effects of environmental change on bird song.

As one of the commonest diseases, respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the major causes of high morbidity and mortality among children, especially recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs). RRTIs can lead to prolong the recovery period, increase the cost and induce complications. 15-lipoxygenases (15-LOXs) have two isoenzymes: type 1 and type 2 (15-LOX-1, 15-LOX-2), which has been proved to be key mediators in inflammatory diseases. In this study, we analyzed the expression of 15-lipoxygenase isoenzymes and inflammatory cytokines in children with RRTIs, to determine their roles in active inflammation.

A model has been proposed to design a sustainable climate for the planet Earth by the activation of the hidden power of dark energy (D_e), and antimatter (A_m) of the Earth. Here, the activation of dark energy (D_e) of the Earth considering its quantum electrodynamics (QED) function is being analyzed to break the atmospheric CO2 naturally. Subsequently, the activation of antimatter (A_m) considering nano-point defect of the electromagnetic field of Earth has been analyzed to transform activated antimatter (A_m) into cool-state energy, here denoted as, Hossain Cool-Energy (HcE¯) to cool the Earth naturally. Subsequently, this HcE¯ energy is also being further remodeled to convert it into the thermo-state energy, named as the Hossain Thermal-Energy (HtE¯) by the implementation of Higgs-Bosons (H → γγ¯) electro-magnetic fields to heat the Earth, respectively. The activation of dark energy (D_e) suggested that it has the excellent hypercharge striking electron force to break the CO2 naturally to convert it into C and O2. Subsequently, the generation of HcE¯ from the (A_m) and then transform it into HtE¯ is being tested by a series of computational modeling which reveals that the activation of the (A_m) and its transformation into HcE¯ and HtE¯ are very much doable in anywhere on this planet that certainly can cool and heat the Earth naturally to secure a sustainable climate condition for the Earth.

The key macro properties of high explosives including sensitivity to shock, the possibility of initiation, and the subsequent chemical reaction are known to be controlled by processes occurring at their microstructure level. However, there is the lack of an easy, effective and accurate method to quantify the microstructure, termed as fabric, of high explosives despite an abundance of evidence regarding its importance. This study proposes a rotational Haar wavelet transform (RHWT) method to characterize the fabric of high explosives from two-dimensional images, yielding key fabric parameters including rose diagram, fabric direction, degree of fabric anisotropy. The fabric tensor commonly used in numerical simulations and constitutive models can also be determined by RHWT. The RHWT was implemented on microscopic images of six high explosives captured by various imaging techniques including by scanning electrical microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and micro X-ray computed tomography. Despite of these variables, the proposed RHWT successfully identifies fabric in these images, demonstrating robustness and validity of RHWT.

DNA recombination repair systems are essential for organisms to maintain genomic stability. The genus Corynebacterium includes not only known pathogenic bacteria, such as Corynebacterium diphtheriae, but also industrially important production bacteria, such as Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum). However, little is known about the DNA recombination repair mechanism in C. glutamicum. Therefore, exploring the DNA repair mechanism of C. glutamicum will not only deepen our understanding of the DNA repair process of this species, but also guide us to target the treatment of diseases associated with recombination defects, such as cancer. In this paper, we firstly review the classical proteins RecBCD and AddAB involved in DNA recombination repair, secondly focus on the novel helical nuclease AdnAB found in the genus Mycobacterium, and finally review the recent research progress of DNA recombination repair system in the genus Corynebacterium represented by C. glutamicum.

Rationale and aims Shared decision-making is an approach whereby clinicians and patients make decisions together using the best available evidence. The most common cancers studied in relation to shared decision-making are breast and prostate. However, little is known about shared decision-making in patients with pancreatic cancer. We aimed to identify the determinants that influence pancreatic cancer patients in making treatment decisions during shared decision-making. Methods This qualitative study was carried out at a pancreatic outpatient clinic in an University Medical Center in the Netherlands. We reviewed the literature, observed patients in their option and decision talks, and interviewed healthcare professionals and patients. We used directed content analysis for the literature review, interview and observational data. To categorise the data, we used Bandura’s Social Cognitive theory. Results Related to Bandura’s categories, we identified six subcategories: information provided by healthcare professionals, the patient’s participation role, emotions due to the diagnosis, the relationship between the healthcare professional and the patient, patient characteristics and social support. The important determinants that influenced patients’ treatment decisions were a poor recall of information due to the emotions associated with diagnosis (e.g., completely shaken, fear) and the patient’s participation role preference (mostly collaborative). Most patients preferred to discuss their treatment options and the potential consequences for their daily life with healthcare professionals. In addition, the determinants ‘a well-informed patient’, ‘a trusting relationship between the healthcare professional and the patient’ and ‘time out’ were preconditions for enabling patients to take part in shared decision-making. Patient characteristics and social support had less of an influence on patient’s treatment decisions. Conclusions Better information recall, a trusting relationship with healthcare professionals, and a time out period for the consideration of treatment options are important determinants that influence patients in their treatment decisions and their preferred participation role during shared decision-making.

Carbon supported metal catalysts have received considerable interest due to their widespread applications in heterogeneous catalysis. However, the controllable synthesis of carbon support with defined morphology and composition still represents great challenging. Herein, we reported the synthesis of a well-defined hierarchically nanosized H-ZrO2/NC (nitrogen-doped carbon) network via inheritable carbonization strategy. When immobilizing the palladium clusters into the support, the N-doped sites and oxygen vacancy of the carbon composite can effectively stabilize and activate Pd through strong host-guest interaction which was also confirmed by DFT calculations. Moreover, the hierarchically nanosized network can contribute to the exposure of active sites and facilitate the mass transfer during the catalytic process. As a result, benefiting from the hierarchical structure, composition and hydrolytic nature, Pd@H-ZrO2/NC exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability towards the hydrogenation of furfural in mild reaction conditions, as well as good universality toward the hydrogenation of a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract Objectives: To investigate the hearing outcomes of speech perception ability and spatial release from masking (SRM) in paediatric single-sided deafness (SSD) patients aided with a non-invasive bone conduction hearing aid (BCD). Design: Speech perception tests were performed using the Chinese Mandarin Speech Test Materials. Setting: The experiment was conducted in a sound-attenuated audiometric booth. Participants: Seven school-aged children with SSD and a group of seven age-related normal hearing (NH) children as a comparison group were included. Main outcome measures: Speech perception in quiet was measured using the speech discrimination score (SDS, in %). Speech perception in noise was tested with the speech reception threshold (SRT, in dB signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]). SRM was calculated as the difference in SRT between when the masking of SSN was Co-located and when it was spatially separated from the target speech signals. Results: The results confirmed that children with normal bilateral hearing experienced greater speech perception ability and SRM than those with SSD. BCDs remarkably improved speech perception ability in quiet and noise for those with SSD, but there was no statistical improvement of SRM after short-term use. For NH school-aged children, SRM continued to change with age. Conclusion: The outcomes demonstrated substantial benefits in speech perception ability for SSD patients aided with BCDs. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to explore whether SRM can be improved by hearing adaptation.

Objectives In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of physical disorders, to examine hospitalization rates and the causes of hospitalization during the period of pregnancy, basing our conclusions on observational studies carried out in Turkey. Search strategy The literature search for the study was performed in April 2021 on the PubMed, EBSCO, OVID, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Clinics of Turkey-Turkey Reference Series, TR Series and Higher Council of Education-National Thesis Centre electronic data bases. Results Nineteen articles were included in this meta-analysis, amounting to a total volume of 159,022 samples. The studies contained data on 14 different physical health problems that developed during pregnancy. Based on the data, we observed that authors of the meta-analyses estimated a prevalence of 16% for urinary infection, 10% for preterm labour, 7.8% for gestational diabetes, 8.7% for premature rupture of membranes, 4% for hyperemesis gravidarum, 2.8% for preeclampsia, 2.7% for gestational hypertension, 0.3% for HELLP syndrome, 0.1% for eclampsia, 6.6% for threat of miscarriage, 3.8% for miscarriage, 1.2% for a history of bleeding in the third trimester, 0.4% for placental abruption, and 0.3% for placenta previa. None of the studies contained any report on hospitalization rates and the causes of hospitalization during pregnancy. Conclusion We obtained results in this systematic review that pointed to evidence that some preventable physical disorders and some that would necessitate hospitalization during pregnancy were prevalent, but no data could be reached on hospitalization rates and the causes of hospitalization.

Mixotrophs, which combine photosynthesis and heterotrophy to gain energy, play an important role global biogeochemical cycles. Metabolic theory predicts that mixotrophs will become more heterotrophic with rising temperatures, potentially creating a positive feedback loop that accelerates carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere. Studies testing this theory have focused on phenotypically plastic (short-term) thermal responses of mixotrophs. However, as small organisms with short generation times and large population sizes, mixotrophs may rapidly evolve in response to climate change. Here we present data from a 3-year experiment quantifying the evolutionary response of two mixotrophic nanoflagellates to temperature. We found evidence for adaptive evolution (increasing growth rates) in the obligately mixotrophic strain, but not in the facultative mixotroph, though all lineages evolved greater carbon use efficiency. Generally, mixotrophs evolved reduced photosynthesis and higher grazing with increased temperatures, suggesting that evolution may act to exacerbate mixotrophs’ effects on global carbon cycling.

Plant derived volatiles mediate interactions between plants, their pathogenic viruses, and vectors responsible for viral transmission. These volatile-dependent mechanisms have not been demonstrated belowground, despite soil organisms being some of the most devastating agricultural pests. Here we identify a critical component of the signal used by the plant virus, Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) to attract its soil nematode vector. A significant modification in infected plants was enhanced 2-ethyl-1-hexanol production. Both nematode chemotaxis and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol production correlated strongly with plant viral load. Addition of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol to uninfected plants made them significantly more attractive to nematodes than untreated counterparts. Removal of TRV RNA-2 genes significantly reduced production of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and nematode attraction. This work demonstrates, for the first time, that TRV-driven alterations in root volatile emissions leads to increased chemotaxis of the virus’s nematode vector, a finding with implications for sustainable management of both soil nematodes and viral pathogens in agricultural systems.

The heart’s involvement by melanoma is not common on presentation, and it goes even unrevealed in some patients. Glancy et al. reviewed autopsies in 70 patients with melanoma and demonstrated that cardiac metastases occurred in up to 65% [1]. In general, cardiac metastasis is unusual and has been described in <10% of melanoma cases [2]. The reason that cardiac metastasis is not common is that most patients lack cardiac symptoms. Very few patients like our patient present with cardiac symptoms that reveal the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma.

The paper has developed an efficient and accurate Chebyshev wavelet-based numerical method (CWNM) for solving singular perturbed nonlinear Benjamin–Bona–Mahony equation. The key idea of the CWNM is based on the expansion of unknown function into a series of the basis of shifted Chebyshev wavelets; that is, it reduces the underlying problem to a system of algebraic equations. The proposed method is straightforward and accurate with a small computational cost. We have proved that the proposed method is convergent, and CWNM is very high estimation accuracy. The numerical results are more precise than other existing methods available in the literature and very close to exact solutions. Finally, we have shown that the proposed method’s CPU time is compared with the CPU time taken by other existing methods.