Traffic flow analysis is essential to develop smart urban mobility solutions. Although numerous tools have been proposed, they employ only a small number of parameters. To overcome this limitation, ...an edge computing solution is proposed based on nine traffic parameters, namely, vehicle count, direction, speed, and type, flow, peak hour factor, density, time headway, and distance headway. The proposed low-cost solution is easy to deploy and maintain. The sensor node is comprised of a Raspberry Pi 4, Pi camera, Intel Movidius Neural Compute Stick 2, Xiaomi MI Power Bank, and Zong 4G Bolt+. Pre-trained models from the OpenVINO Toolkit are employed for vehicle detection and classification, and a centroid tracking algorithm is used to estimate vehicle speed. The measured traffic parameters are transmitted to the ThingSpeak cloud platform via 4G. The proposed solution was field-tested for one week (7 h/day), with approximately 10,000 vehicles per day. The count, classification, and speed accuracies obtained were 79.8%, 93.2%, and 82.9%, respectively. The sensor node can operate for approximately 8 h with a 10,000 mAh power bank and the required data bandwidth is 1.5 MB/h. The proposed edge computing solution overcomes the limitations of existing traffic monitoring systems and can work in hostile environments.
Rate coefficients are directly determined for the reactions of the Criegee intermediates (CI) CH2OO and CH3CHOO with the two simplest carboxylic acids, formic acid (HCOOH) and acetic acid (CH3COOH), ...employing two complementary techniques: multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry and cavity‐enhanced broadband ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy. The measured rate coefficients are in excess of 1×10−10 cm3 s−1, several orders of magnitude larger than those suggested from many previous alkene ozonolysis experiments and assumed in atmospheric modeling studies. These results suggest that the reaction with carboxylic acids is a substantially more important loss process for CIs than is presently assumed. Implementing these rate coefficients in global atmospheric models shows that reactions between CI and organic acids make a substantial contribution to removal of these acids in terrestrial equatorial areas and in other regions where high CI concentrations occur such as high northern latitudes, and implies that sources of acids in these areas are larger than previously recognized.
Gas‐phase reactions: Direct measurements reveal that rate coefficients for reactions of Criegee intermediates with carboxylic acids are substantially larger than previously assumed. Using these new values, modeling suggests that these reactions can be major sinks both for Criegee intermediates and carboxylic acids in the atmosphere.
The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus associated with bovine mastitis to selected antibiotics and plant extracts. In the current ...study, 140 milk samples were collected from cows and buffaloes. Among the 140 samples, 93 samples were positive for sub-clinical mastitis based on the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Out of the total positive samples, 45 were confirmed for S. aureus on a Mannitol salt agar media. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that 44.82% of the isolates were resistant to cefoxitin (oxacillin) confirming methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with a higher percentage (51.61%) in the buffalo than in the cow samples. Furthermore, the PCR assay confirmed the presence of the mecA gene in all the MRSA isolates. Among the seven tested antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim showed high efficacy (71.1%) against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolates (MSSA). Oxytetracycline and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim showed 20% efficacy against MRSA followed by enrofloxacin (10%). On the other hand, the tested samples from Pistacia chinensis revealed that the ethyl acetate extract of bark showed a maximum zone of inhibition of 21.3 mm against MSSA and MRSA isolates at 3 000 μg/disc. Moreover, the methanol extract of Cotoneaster microphyllus formed a 12.3 mm and 9.1 mm zone of inhibition against the MSSA and MRSA isolates, respectively.
Sierra Leone in West Africa is in a Lassa fever-hyperendemic region that also includes Guinea and Liberia. Each year, suspected Lassa fever cases result in submission of ≈500-700 samples to the ...Kenema Government Hospital Lassa Diagnostic Laboratory in eastern Sierra Leone. Generally only 30%-40% of samples tested are positive for Lassa virus (LASV) antigen and/or LASV-specific IgM; thus, 60%-70% of these patients have acute diseases of unknown origin. To investigate what other arthropod-borne and hemorrhagic fever viral diseases might cause serious illness in this region and mimic Lassa fever, we tested patient serum samples that were negative for malaria parasites and LASV. Using IgM-capture ELISAs, we evaluated samples for antibodies to arthropod-borne and other hemorrhagic fever viruses. Approximately 25% of LASV-negative patients had IgM to dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, chikungunya, Ebola, and Marburg viruses but not to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In critically ill adults with delirium, biomarkers of systemic inflammation, astrocyte activation, neuroprotection, and systemic inflammation measured at one week of critical illness may be ...associated with mortality.
Prospective observational study.
Intensive care unit (ICU).
178 ICU patients with delirium, alive and remaining in ICU at one week.
None.
Blood samples collected for a pair of previously published, negative, clinical trials were utilized. Samples were collected at study enrollment/ICU admission (Day 1 sample) and one week later (Day 8 sample), and analyzed for interleukins (IL)-6, 8, 10, Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF), S100 Binding Protein (S100B), Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-A) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Delirium, delirium severity, and coma were assessed twice daily using Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU), CAM-ICU-7, and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS), respectively. Mortality was assessed until discharge using the electronic medical record. Logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, severity of illness, comorbidities, sepsis, and randomization status, were used to assess the relationship among biomarkers and mortality. Higher IL-10 quartiles at day 8 were associated with increased odds of hospital mortality (IL-10: OR 2.00 95%CI: 1.1-3.65, p = 0.023). There was a significant interaction between day 1 and day 8 biomarker quartiles only for IL-6. Patients with IL-6 values in the first three quartiles on admission to the ICU that transitioned to higher IL-6 quartiles at day 8 had increased probability of hospital mortality.
In this hypothesis-generating study, higher IL-6 and IL-10 quartiles at one week, and increase in IL-6 from day 1 to day 8 were associated with increased hospital mortality. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the mechanisms for these observations.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A method for the in-line measurement of raw milk composition is beneficial for the dairy industry as it allows processors to make timely decisions, i.e., standardization, prior to the milk entering a ...process. It facilitates more enhanced operational control and offers the potential for improved process efficiencies. One such technology of potential commercial value is Raman spectroscopy due to its ability to measure macromolecules in an aqueous environment and compatibility with in-line measurements. This study investigated the suitability of Raman spectroscopy to measure macro components (fat, protein, and lactose) in raw milk. 80 raw milk samples were analysed using a Raman spectroscopy instrument coupled with an optical fibre probe. Variations in process variables such as temperature and the effect of agitation on Raman spectral features (intensity, shape, and wavelength shift) were considered prior to model development. Due to the overlapping response of fat, protein, and lactose in the Raman spectrum of raw milk, multivariate regression models were developed for their quantification. The developed partial least squares (PLS) regression models predicted the percentage of fat, protein, and lactose in raw milk with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.15, 0.11 and 0.04, coefficient of determination for prediction (R2p) 0.96, 0.89 and 0.89, and the ratio of prediction error to deviation (RPD) of 8.16, 3.16, and 2.89.
•Variations in temperatures can affect the Raman spectrum of raw milk.•Agitation of milk samples improves the reproducibility of the Raman spectrum.•Raman spectrum of raw milk is saturated with the response of fat molecules.•A linear model can be used to predict fat content.•Multivariate analysis can be used for the quantification of milk macro-components.
Summary
Neutrophils sense microbes and host inflammatory mediators, and traffic to sites of infection where they direct a broad armamentarium of antimicrobial products against pathogens. Neutrophils ...are also activated by damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are products of cellular injury that stimulate the innate immune system through pathways that are similar to those activated by microbes. Neutrophils and platelets become activated by injury, and cluster and cross‐signal to each other with the cumulative effect of driving antimicrobial defense and hemostasis. In addition, neutrophil extracellular traps are extracellular chromatin and granular constituents that are generated in response to microbial and damage motifs and are pro‐thrombotic and injurious. Although neutrophils can worsen tissue injury, neutrophils may also have a role in facilitating wound repair following injury. A central theme of this review relates to how critical functions of neutrophils that evolved to respond to infection and damage modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) in ways that can promote or limit tumor progression. Neutrophils are reprogrammed by the TME, and, in turn, can cross‐signal to tumor cells and reshape the immune landscape of tumors. Importantly, promising new therapeutic strategies have been developed to target neutrophil recruitment and function to make cancer immunotherapy more effective.
OBJECT.: While the use of endoscopic approaches has become increasingly accepted in the resection of pituitary adenomas, limited evidence exists regarding the success of this technique for patients ...with large and giant pituitary adenomas. This study reviews the outcomes of a large cohort of patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery at the authors' institution and focuses on identifying factors that can predict extent of resection and hence aid in developing guidelines and indications for the use of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery versus open craniotomy approaches to large and giant pituitary adenomas.
The authors reviewed 487 patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal resection of sellar masses. From this group, 73 consecutive patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas (defined as maximum diameter ≥ 3 cm and tumor volume ≥ 10 cm(3)) who underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery between January 1, 2006, and June 6, 2012, were included in the study. Clinical presentation, radiological studies, laboratory investigations, tumor pathology data, clinical outcomes, extent of resection measured by volumetric analysis, and complications were analyzed.
The mean preoperative tumor diameter in this series was 4.1 cm and the volume was 18 cm(3). The average resection rate was 82.9%, corresponding with a mean residual volume of 3 cm(3). Gross-total resection was achieved in 16 patients (24%), near-total in 11 (17%), subtotal in 24 (36%), and partial in 15 (23%). Seventy-three percent of patients experienced improvement in visual acuity, while 24% were unchanged. Visual fields were improved in 61.8% and unchanged in 5.5%. Overall, 27 patients (37%) experienced a total of 32 complications. The most common complications were sinusitis (14%) and CSF leak (10%). Six patients underwent subsequent radiation therapy because of aggressive tumor histopathology. No deaths occurred in this cohort of patients. Statistically significant predictors of extent of resection included highest Knosp grade (p = 0.001), preoperative tumor volume (p = 0.025), preoperative maximum tumor diameter (p = 0.002), hemorrhagic component (p = 0.027), posterior extension (p = 0.001), and sphenoid sinus invasion (p = 0.005).
Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery is an effective treatment method for patients with large and giant pituitary adenomas, which results in high (> 80%) rates of resection and improvement in visual function. It is not associated with high rates of major complications and is safe when performed by experienced surgeons. The preoperative Knosp grade, tumor volume, tumor diameter, hemorrhagic components on MRI, posterior extension, and sphenoid sinus invasion may allow a prediction of extent of resection and in these patients a staged operation may be required to maximize extent of resection.
Tyrosinase is a multi-copper enzyme widely distributed in different organisms, including plants & mammals, etc., which is responsible for pigmentations, undesired browning of fruits and vegetables. ...This is the key enzyme in the melanogenesis in human and molting process of insects. Therefore the inhibitors of the enzyme may lead to novel skin whitening agents, anti-browning substances or compounds for insect control. A large numbers of moderate to potent tyrosinase inhibitors have been reported during the last decade. From our group, we reported a number of potent inhibitors from synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural origins. The compounds are from several chemical classes, like phenolics, terpenes, steroids, chalcones, flavonoids, alkaloids, long-chain fatty acids, coumarins, sildenafil analogs, bipiperidines, biscoumarins, oxadiazole, tetraketones, etc. More recently, the crystal structure of mushroom and couple of other tyrosinases has been published and more recently the crystal structure of mushroom tyrosinase complexes with a highly potent inhibitor tropolone has been reported. Yet there is a lack of information of inhibitor-tyrosinase intermolecular interactions. To overcome such issues, some researchers started utilizing in silico tools, like molecular docking simulations, for such purposes. There are also few papers published about the successful utilization of computational tools like QSAR-based and ligand-based virtual screening to identify novel and potent inhibitors of the enzyme. In our group, we are using all possible computational tools, like ligand-based as well structure-based approaches, to identify new inhibitors. In this review, some of such examples are briefly described.
PDF
