Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become indispensable in search and r operations during emergencies such as natural disasters and maritime accidents, owing to their extended visual range and operational flexibility. However, images of ground targets captured by UAVs often suffer from false detections and missed detections due to suboptimal image quality and target occlusion. While improving target detection algorithms is a common solution, this paper emphasizes the influence of UAV flight trajectories on detection accuracy. Specifically, it addresses the trade-off between achieving a wide field of view at high altitudes and obtaining high-resolution images at low altitudes. By analyzing image data collected through circular and oblique descending trajectories, we investigate the effects of flight altitude and viewing angles on detection accuracy and develop a mathematical model to describe the distribution of detection accuracy. To mitigate the probabilities of false negatives and false positives during detection, we propose an optimized flight trajectory planning method termed the V-Circular. This approach involves the UAV descending obliquely toward a potential target, conducting circular flights at the lowest altitude to capture high-quality images from multiple viewing angles, and then ascending obliquely to rejoin its original path. The V-Circular method not only enhances image quality and detection accuracy but also improves recognition rate stability. Simulation results reveal that, compared to conventional flight paths, the V-Circular significantly increases target detection accuracy, shortens search and rescue time, and optimizes UAV energy efficiency. These advantages are particularly pronounced in missions demanding high precision. Consequently, the V-Circular presents an innovative solution for enhancing UAV search-and-rescue performance in complex environments.

Background: Even though advanced technologies for interventional coronary reperfusion after myocardial infarction have been developed, reperfusion leads to various forms of cell death and thus worsens cardiac functions. Ferroptosis, a novel regulated cell death characterized by iron overload and reactive oxygen species(ROS) accumulation, involved in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. However, the role of ferroptosis in ischemia phase and reperfusion phase remains unclear, and key regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis still need further exploration in the context of myocardial I/R injury. Methods: Myocardial I/R injury database GSE160516 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) obtained from the FerrDb database ([https://www.zhounan.org/ferrdb](https://www.zhounan.org/ferrdb)) were used to screen differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes(DEFRGs). To identify crucial hub gene involved in cardiomyocyte ferroptosis, LASSO regression and SVM-RFE Algorithms were used. Venous blood samples were collected from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients on the first day after admission and within 48 h after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to explore CD44 expression and its correlation with prognostic indicators. Moreover, a AC16 cardiomyocyte oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was performed to verify the expression of CD44 and the role of ferroptosis in ischemia phase and reperfusion phase. Loss -of-function approaches was conducted to understand the role of CD44 in ferroptosis and explore the mechanisms in myocardial I/R injury. Result: Trough integrated bioinformatics analysis, CD44 was identified as the hub gene of ferroptosis, and significantly upregulated in myocardial I/R injury. In AC16 OGD/R model, the mRNA and protein levels of CD44 were significantly upregulated during the reoxygenation phase, but not the hypoxia phase. AMI patients of post-PCI had higher serum CD44 expression compared to those who did not undergo percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) and healthy individuals. Serum CD44 levels of post-PCI was closely correlated with adverse prognostic indicators of MI. In additional, we found that reoxygenation further induce the development of ferroptosis. Knockdown of CD44 markedly aggravate cardiomyocyte injury and induced ferroptosis by CD44/SLC7A11 axis. Conclusion: Our results uncover the cardioprotective role of CD44 by attenuating hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced ferroptosis and injury. Targeting CD44-intiated signaling may serve as a promising therapeutic target for myocardial I/R injury.

BACKGROUND Left atrial appendage (LAA) triggers play a crucial role in atrial fibrillation (AF) and can be effectively treated through complete LAA isolation. However, the current literature presents conflicting findings regarding the risks of LAA thrombus and thromboembolism after this procedure. Some researchers argue that the loss of contractility may lead to blood flow stasis, thereby increasing the risk of thrombus formation and thromboembolism in AF patients. In contrast, other clinical studies indicate that LAA isolation does not raise the risk of thrombus formation. OBJECTIVES The authors sought to perform a meta-analysis of controlled studies assessing the risk of LAA thrombus and thromboembolism in patients with AF undergoing isolation of the LAA. METHODS A systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase was conducted for clinical studies published up to December 6, 2024, assessing the relationship between LAA isolation and thrombus formation. The primary endpoint was LAA thrombus formation or embolic events. The association between LAA isolation and thrombus formation was estimated using random-effects modeling. The risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated using the DerSimonian and Laird method. RESULTS The study included five clinical studies with a total of 3,976 patients, of whom 851underwent LAA isolation. The analysis revealed that LAA isolation was associated with a significantly increased risk of LAA thrombus formation or transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke compared to those who did not undergo LAA isolation (RR 6.05, 95% CI 2.85–12.85; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 49%). The increased risk was particularly evident in prospective studies (RR 8.75, 95% CI 3.73–20.53; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 0%) and in studies with a follow-up period longer than two years (RR 7.39, 95% CI 4.4–12.41; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 15%). When focusing on well anticoagulated subjects, the major conclusion remained unchanged (RR 18.80, 95% CI 5.37–65.82; P < 0.0001; I 2 = 0%). Following LAA isolation, there was a significant decline in LAA flow velocity (SMD: -0.70; 95% CI: -1.33—0.07; p = 0.03; I 2 = 91%). In contrast, a significant increase in the degree of smoke in the LAA was observed (SMD: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.23–2.43; p = 0.02; I 2 = 95%) compared to preoperative function. CONCLUDE LAA isolation was associated with a significantly increased risk of LAA thrombus formation or thromboembolic events compared to those who did not undergo LAA isolation, even with ongoing anticoagulant therapy. More randomized trials are needed to explore safer ablation strategies that minimize the risk of thromboembolism after LAA isolation.

An improved Kalman filter (KF) method based on Nelder-Mead (NM) optimization is proposed to address the issues of slow convergence speed of KF, unstable state estimation, and challenging commencing parameter selection for model parameters in non-smooth environments. First of all, by employing the NM technique to determine the optimal covariance matrix initially value based on the smoothness indicators and root-mean-square error (RMSE), the convergence speed and stability of the KF are enhanced. Following that, a smoothing gain approach using historical information suppresses the problem of Kalman acquire fluctuation due to catastrophic noise, improving the stability and smoothness of state estimation. Last but not least, in order to boost the robustness, stability, and filtering influence of the KF model, decrease the filter noise sensitivity, and tackle the matrix inversion challenge, the attenuation factor and regularization term have been included to the updating process. The results of the experiments demonstrate that this paper’s method has excellent estimation accuracy and improves the filtering accuracy of straight and curved walking data by 44.6% and 85.5%, respectively, when compared to the existing filtering methods. When the GPS data is missing, the filtering accuracy of straight and curved walking data is improved by 80.6% and 81.1%, respectively. The technique presented in this paper eliminates the challenge of nonlinear models’ performance degradation when working with linear systems by significantly increasing the traditional KF’s convergence speed, stability, and robustness in complex dynamic environments. It additionally obviously improves the accuracy of navigation data for both linear as well as nonlinear systems.

Abstract Understanding primate ecology requires studying population dynamics and estimating their density. Baseline information on the number of animals that can be observed has been provided by studies of primate populations. However, olive baboons (Papio anubis) are not routinely counted in the Chato Natural Forest. The aim of this study was to determine the population size of olive baboon in a natural Chato forest. The population structure of the identified olive baboon groups was established via the total count method. Data were collected from January 2022 to October 2022. The chi-square test was used to compare the number of olive baboons counted between the wet and dry seasons. To compute the variation among different age groups and sex ratios, an olive Baboon student’s paired t test was used. Tables and graphs were used to present the results. To distinguish between each unique group of olive baboons during both the wet and dry seasons, eleven different sleeping cliffs were discovered in the Chato Natural Forest. These eleven counting locations differed significantly from one another in counting the population. The results revealed that throughout the dry and wet seasons, 787 and 857 olive baboons, respectively, were counted. The population density of Anubis baboons during the wet and dry seasons was 32.9 and 30.2 Anubis baboons per km2, respectively. For the development of conservation measures, estimating the population density of olive baboons in and around the Chato Natural Forest was crucial

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection at early in life might impair epithelial barrier which can increase the risk of developing asthma in adulthood. However, whether and how RSV and RSV-induced IL-33 contribute to the procedure are still unclear. Methods In vivo, 7-day-old C57BL/6 mice were infected pernasally with RSV, then viral replication, lung inflammation and barrier integrity evaluated at various time points. In vitro, human epithelial cells were infected with RSV in the presence or absence of IL-33, and changes in the expression and localization of apical junction complex proteins (AJC) evaluated by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The involvement of components of the IL-33/ST2/MyD88 axis were verified by blockade of endogenous IL-33 signaling and inhibition of MyD88. Results Exposure of neonates to RSV infection resulted in impairment of the airways epithelial barrier, as shown by reduced expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin) and adherent junctions (E-cadherin) in the lung tissues, effects which were significantly abrogated in St2 -/- mice compared with normal controls but exacerbated by topical application of exogenous IL-33, which also activated MyD88-mediated NF-κB signaling. In vitro, knockdown of St2 by siRNA transfection or MyD88 inhibition partially restored the expression of E-cadherin, ZO-1 and Occludin in RSV-infected epithelial cells. Conclusion RSV infection of neonatal airways induces substantial release of IL-33 by epithelial cells, which in turn results in reduced expression and localization of AJC proteins by activation of the MyD88-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway, which may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention in RSV-mediated lung diseases.

A document by Moein Azimi. Click on the document to view its contents.

As the adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs) accelerates, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly critical. This paper examines the cybersecurity risks associated with AVs, explores the implications of potential threats, and discusses strategies to mitigate these risks. By analyzing current vulnerabilities and assessing regulatory frameworks, we highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety and security of autonomous transportation systems.

Introduction”AI is not intelligent”—this is not a clickbait! In the 21st century, artificial intelligence has become almost synonymous with Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs), often regarded as the core of AI. However, it is essential to ask: what exactly is artificial intelligence?Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to perform tasks such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding (Stryker & Kavlakoglu, 2024; AWS, n.d). Over the years, AI has been defined in various ways. John McCarthy in 1956 described it as ”the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs,” (Kersting, 2018) while Alan Turing in the 1950s introduced the ”Turing Test” to measure AI’s ability to mimic human behavior (Mirror, 2023). Russell and Norvig (2021) further classified AI based on whether systems think like humans, act like humans, think rationally, or act rationally.AI has evolved through several phases, from symbolic reasoning in the 1950s to data-driven approaches in the 1990s and the deep learning revolution of the 2010s (DataCamp, 2023; Oracle, 2020; Sestili). Today, AI applications such as speech recognition, personlised systems, and autonomous systems have transformed industries (Siemens, 2024; Rumyleyet al ., 2023; Casaca & Miguel, 2024; Brainvire, 2025). However, misconceptions about AI’s capabilities persist, often fuelled by media hype and industry marketing (Cocato, 2025; Sharps, 2024; SAP, 2024; Stryker & Kavlakoglu, 2024, Yadav, 2024; Firstpost, 2024). Many believe AI possesses superhuman intelligence, creativity, and emotional understanding (Marwala, 2024; Hermann, 2021; Nikolopoulou, 2023; Joyceet al ., 2024). In reality, AI excels in narrow, well-defined tasks but lacks general adaptability, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence (Glover, 2022; Lumenalta, 2024; Brookhouse, 2023). The portrayal of AI as an autonomous, self-learning entity capable of independent decision-making is misleading. AI systems rely on algorithms and large datasets, requiring human intervention for training and fine-tuning (Marusarz, 2022; Pardo, 2022; IBM, 2021). While AI enhances productivity and innovation, it should be viewed as a tool that complements human capabilities rather than replaces them.AI is simply a computer that operates on the principle of “garbage in… garbage out” and the overreliance on AI without recognizing its limitations can lead to unintended consequences, such as biased decision-making, ethical concerns, and security vulnerabilities. Hence, this paper critically examines the common misconceptions surrounding AI, exploring its actual capabilities, limitations, and the ethical considerations necessary for responsible AI adoption.

As the landscape of space exploration and satellite technology continues to evolve, the corresponding rise in cybersecurity threats poses significant risks to critical infrastructures. This paper examines the unique vulnerabilities present in space-based systems, particularly in satellite communications, and proposes strategies to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By exploring the specific challenges faced in the domain of space systems, this research aims to provide a comprehensive framework for safeguarding these essential assets against emerging threats.

This research examines the factors contributing to the decline of socio-cultural spaces and their architectural impact in Okrika communities, Rivers State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing primary data from field surveys and secondary data from academic literature, government reports, and other relevant publications. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 147 participants from the community. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis, were applied to analyze the data and test the research hypothesis.The results indicate that modernization and Westernization are the leading causes of the reduction in socio-cultural spaces, with 37% of respondents identifying these factors as primary contributors. Additionally, 29% of respondents noted a combination of displacement, environmental degradation, socio-economic challenges, and modernization as influencing the decline. Environmental degradation and land displacement were found to significantly impact the preservation of these spaces, with many participants emphasizing the need for urgent action to address these issues. Socio-economic factors were also noted as contributing, though to a lesser extent. The study further revealed that the effects of modernization and Westernization are seen as particularly harmful to the socio-cultural landscape, with a majority of respondents acknowledging their negative impact. Hypothesis testing showed that environmental degradation and modernization were significant predictors of the decline, explaining 21.8% of the variance in the reduction of socio-cultural spaces. These findings highlight the necessity for a balanced approach that combines cultural preservation with sustainable development to protect Okrika’s socio-cultural heritage.Keywords: Assessment, Socio-Cultural Spaces Diminishing and Architectural Impact

Previous literature shows that there are many cases where pilomatrixoma can be misdiagnosed. Despite this it was a diagnostic pitfall for us. More such cases of diagnostic errors if reported can improve the management of such patient in the clinical practice. Do not cut rationale: The point being harped upon is that in cases of a diagnostic dilemma think before your cut. Benign entities like pilomatrixoma if misdiagnosed can lead to mutilating procedures. This is especially true for cosmetically sensitive areas which might affect the psychosocial wellbeing. Have a life boat: When in doubt always plan ahead before cutting, infra-auricular flap is a robust option for ear lobule reconstruction as in this case. We recommend it to be considered in the armamentarium for pediatric cases. Having pilomatrixoma as a differential diagnosis for tumors for ear lobule which might mimic adenexal tumors/ round cell tumors. MDT approach: Managing pilomatrixoma effectively requires a multidisciplinary team, including otorhinolaryngologists, pathologists, and dermatologists. Such cases must be referred to the specialists(otolaryngologist) as in this case for management.

A document by Sachin. Click on the document to view its contents.

The effects of migration have been widely studied, yet most research focuses on immigrant integration rather than the host society's expectations. Understanding how migration impacts the host ingroup, particularly university students, is crucial for developing effective social welfare policies. This study, using a social identity perspective, examined how xenophobia indirectly affects life satisfaction through future anxiety. Data from 608 university students revealed that while xenophobia does not directly impact life satisfaction, it decreases life satisfaction by increasing future anxiety, which, in turn, negatively affects well-being. These findings highlight the importance of addressing xenophobia to reduce future anxiety and enhance students' life satisfaction. University students, as future leaders, play a pivotal role in fostering inclusive and cohesive societies. Collaborative efforts between researchers and policymakers are essential to better understand these dynamics and develop targeted interventions that promote psychological well-being and social harmony among young adults in educational settings.

Grade Level: 6th GradeSubject Areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)Time: 50 minutesLesson Title: Climate Change: Impacts and Solutions for the Future in Las VegasObjectiveStudents will explore the impacts of climate change on Las Vegas and design innovative solutions to address one specific issue caused by climate change, using the engineering design process.Standards Alignment

The decline of wild bee populations poses a serious threat to biodiversity and agricultural productivity, prompting urgent conservation efforts. Floral resources, particularly floral strips and semi-natural areas, are frequently promoted as interventions to support wild bees in agricultural landscapes. However, their relative effectiveness remains uncertain. To address this gap, we incorporated a meta-analysis approach to compare the impact of floral strips and semi-natural areas on wild bee abundance and species richness. Our results indicate that floral strips significantly enhance both metrics, whereas semi-natural areas show no consistent effect. These findings suggest that floral strips offer a targeted and effective conservation strategy for wild bees. While semi-natural areas provide broader ecological benefits, their role in directly increasing wild bee populations appears limited. Future conservation strategies should prioritize floral strip implementation while considering complementary habitat features to support wild bee diversity and pollination services in agricultural systems.

This paper introduces a logical framework which reflects the contextuality and uncertainty of measurements in a semi-realistic way. By using an infinite tower of lightcones as a model of this system, we are able to prove new results about measuring devices and rigorously define the notion of a "good measuring device." This framework builds upon previous works by physically interpreting the logic presented here and extending it to a generalized twodimensional conformal field theory.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common occurrence in patients with heart failure (HF), and its role in disease progression has gained attention in recent years. While TR can worsen the clinical outcomes in HF patients, its impact on gender, racial and socioeconomic factors remains largely unexplored. With growing evidence supporting the role of percutaneous interventions for the treatment of significant TR, understanding these disparities is more crucial than ever. Methods: Data was extracted from the National Inpatient and National Readmission 2016 - 2020 Databases. We used ICD-10 code I50 to identify the patients primarily admitted for HF and subdivided the cohort into two groups based on presence or absence of TR. We performed multivariable Logistic regression analysis to determine odds of in-hospital mortality and multivariable Cox regression analysis to assess 30- and 90-day hospital readmission in HF patients with and without TR. All the analyses were adjusted for age, gender, insurance status, Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) and hospital characteristics. STATA 16 software was used for analysis. Results: There was no difference in in-hospital mortality among HF patients with and without TR (OR: 1.04, 95% CI 0.94 – 1.16, p = 0.442) except in certain subgroups of HF patients. HF patients with TR were 6% more likely to have HF-specific readmission in 30-days (HR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.00 – 1.13, p = 0.044) and 9% more likely to have HF-specific readmission in 90-days (HR: 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 – 1.15, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis revealed significant gender, racial and socioeconomic disparities in in-hospital mortality and readmission outcomes of HF patients with TR compared to those without TR. Conclusion: In our population-based survey analysis, we observed significant gender, racial and socioeconomic disparities in clinical outcomes of HF patients with TR compared to those without TR.

The complexity of the health sector in terms of underfunding and human resource shortages called for the establishment of several programs. One of the crucial programs established was the Primary Health Services Development Program (2007–2017), aimed at strengthening the accessibility of quality primary health services in all Tanzanian regions at the district level. The main objective of the study is to measure the impact of the Primary Health Services Development Program (PHSDP) on maternal and child health. Using Tanzania National Panel Surveys (waves 1 and 3), the study employed descriptive statistics as well as the difference-in-difference method in the analysis. Results indicated that the program’s implementation increased the likelihood of pregnant women delivering their children in a health facility and being attended by skilled personnel during giving birth by 43% and 53%, respectively, compared to if the program was not implemented. Moreover, the probability of a child’s health improvement increases by 82% when mothers use a bed net during pregnancy and after birth. The study also finds that it takes time for the impact of the program to be realized because, at the initial stage of the program’s implementation, people hesitate to attend health facilities due to misinformation in the health market and cultural beliefs about the new health information. We recommend that it is essential to analyze the quality of care in these facilities and whether the increase is uniformly distributed across different regions and socio-economic groups. Moreover, there is a need for sustained efforts in training healthcare workers and increasing community awareness about the benefits of skilled birth attendance.

Centaurea L. is one of the largest genera within the Asteraceae family globally, encompassing approximately 400 to 700 species. This genus presents significant taxonomic challenges. The Iranian flora region comprises 28 sections and 89 species, of which 74 species are native to Iran. Recent studies have introduced several new species. The primary objective of this research was to investigate micro-morphological traits for the identification and differentiation of 16 Centaurea species. Micromorphological studies on plants allow for micro-meter level analysis of leaves, tissues, seeds, etc., using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study, 18 micromorphological traits of the leaf abaxial epidermis, pappus, and achene were examined. The results indicated that among all measured traits, the leaf abaxial epidermis type (ETL), the number of pappus secondary bristles (NFP), abaxial wax density (WDL), pappus width (WOP), and seed surface texture (SST) had the greatest impact on species differentiation. The presence of glandular trichomes (SGL), glandular trichomes diameter (AGL), glandular trichomes density (DGL), achene hairs (ACH), and pappus twist (PAT) were also influential in species discrimination. A principal component analysis (PCA) graph confirmed the effectiveness of these micro-morphological traits in species differentiation.

A document by Eman Hammouri. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Olfa Jomaa. Click on the document to view its contents.

Background: Urine mast cell mediator levels have found significant clinical utility in supporting the diagnosis of various allergic disorders in the adult population. There are few studies on the range of these mediator levels in the children and its clinical utility. Objectives: We determined the range of the urine mast cell mediator levels in children. Methods: Pediatric allergy and community-based pediatric clinics including children with and without an allergic disorder, respectively, served as the source of the study. Baseline urine mast cell mediator levels were obtained for all children. Demographics, atopic disorders, clinical symptoms and response to medication were documented. Results: Urine 2,3-Dinor-11Beta-Prostaglandin F2 Alpha (BPG) values were significantly higher in children with an underlying allergic disorder when compared to those without. Stratification based on age, sex and allergic disorder was performed in patients with an allergic disorder. Urine Leukotriene E 4 (LTE 4 ) and n-Methylhistamine (NMH) were significantly correlated with age (Spearman’s rho -0.4874 and -0.6902 respectively). With every year of age, the level of the urine NMH decreased by 18 units and urine LTE 4 by 3 units approximately. Urine LTE 4 and NMH levels were significantly higher in males when compared to females. Urine BPG levels were not significantly affected by age or sex. Conclusion: Distribution of urine mast cell mediator levels are slightly different from the values derived from studies in the adult population. Urine mast cell mediators may provide clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of allergic disorders. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate clinical utility.

Microorganisms often form biofilms—structured communities of microbial aggregates encased in self-produced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). These biofilms enable adherence to surfaces and enhance microbial survival and interaction. Several plant-associated fungi, including Fusarium verticillioides, a mycotoxigenic fungus associated with maize, are known to create biofilms, necessitating research into their role in fungal persistence and disease development. This study aimed to investigate the biofilm formation capability of F. verticillioides under laboratory conditions. Our results indicated that stationary phase cultures developed a biofilm-like pellicle characterised by a cloudy, thin slime composed of hyphal aggregates. Microscopic analysis revealed a heterogeneous structure of dense, entangled hyphae alongside quantifiable EPS and extracellular DNA (eDNA) levels. The biofilms also exhibited responsiveness to factors such as pH and temperature, emphasizing their ecological relevance. Furthermore, we assessed the role of eDNA in maintaining biofilm structure through DNase treatment, which proved marginally effective in mature biofilms. This suggests complex interactions between eDNA and constituents in the EPS during maturation. The analysis of the