Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image recognition, have emerged as a promising modality with the capability to visually differentiate between mosquito species. Here we present the first performance metrics of IDX, Vectech’s system for AI mosquito identification, as part of Maryland’s mosquito control program in the USA. Specimens were collected over fourteen weeks from twelve CDC gravid trap collection sites, identified morphologically by an entomologist, and imaged using the IDX system. By comparing entomologist identification to the algorithm output by IDX, we are able to calculate the accuracy of the system across species. Over the study period, 2,591 specimens were collected and imaged representing 14 species, 10 of which were available in the identification algorithm on the device during the study period. The micro average accuracy was 94.9%. Of these 10 species, 7 species consisted of less than 30 samples. The macro average accuracy when including these species was 79%, while the macro average when excluding these species was 93%. In the next iteration of this technology, Vectech is translating the vector identification capabilities of IDX into systems capable of processing greater numbers of specimens at large public health facilities, and remote sensing systems that will allow public health organizations to monitor vector abundance and diversity from the office. These advances demonstrate the utility of artificial intelligence in entomology and its potential to support vector surveillance and control programs around the world.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 μM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 μM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.

Glutamate-mediated oxidative stress causes neuronal cell death by increasing intracellular Ca2+ uptake, reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) to the nucleus. In the current study, we demonstrated that corydaline exerts potent neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Treatment with 5 mmol/L glutamate increased cellular Ca2+ influx, ROS generation, MAPK activation, and AIF translocation. In contrast, corydaline treatment decreased cellular Ca2+ influx and ROS generation. Western blot analysis revealed that glutamate-mediated MAPK activation was attenuated by corydaline treatment. We further demonstrated that corydaline treatment inhibited the glutamate-mediated translocation of AIF to the nucleus. We propose that corydaline is a promising lead structure for the development of safe and effective neuroprotectants.

The secondary growth model for Salmonella was developed based on the artificial neural network (ANN) with data collected from ComBase and FoodData Central. In addition to the existing secondary model variables (temperature, pH, Na+, and water contents), more input variables (sugar, carbohydrate, lipid, and protein contents) were considered. The output variables were microbial growth parameters (lag phase duration [l] and maximum growth rate [mmax]). A commercial ANN program (NeuralWorks Predict) was utilized with training at 80%, validation at 10%, and test data at 10%. ANN models were created using all data and cleansed data. Using the cleansed data, the training/testing root mean square error (RMSE) for mmax improved from 0.14/0.16 to 0.11/0.14, whereas the RMSE for l was still not acceptable, from 11.94/33.03 to 7.09/4.18. The l data were divided into two ranges with high and low goodness of fit, whereas the ANN model for each field was built, resulting in an optimally low RMSE.

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection which primarily transmitted to humans through scratches, bites, or licks from infected cats. Even though CSD is generally a mild condition, atypical symptoms may appear and must be distinguished from other diseases. We encountered a 57-year-old woman who presented with intermittent pain in the right upper quadrant and epigastric part of the abdomen, and had lost 11 kg within a few months. She never had a cat and did not recall being scratched by a cat. Radiologic examinations strongly suggest a malignant bile duct tumor, thus liver resection was done. However, the result of histopathology was a CSD. At follow-up, the patient was stable and also showed improvement in her general condition. Hence, proper preoperative examinations of the patients are crucial in order to avoid excessive or inadequate treatment.

The nanostructured dysprosium oxide ( Dy2O3) was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and incorporated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) using the ultrasonication method. The resultant product is denoted as Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite which was further used for electrochemical sensing of riboflavin (RF). The physicochemical properties of Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite were examined using several characterization techniques. The obtained results exhibit the nanocomposite formation with the preferred elemental compositions, functional groups, crystalline phase and desired surface morphology. The electrocatalytic performance of Dy2O3/ g-C3N4 nanocomposite was scrutinized with a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques with the conventional three-electrode system. The modified electrode distributes more active surface area suggesting high electrocatalytic activity for the RF detection with two linear ranges (0.001–40 μM and 40–150 μM), a low detection limit of 48 nM and sound sensitivity (2.5261 μA μM−1 cm− 2). Further, the designed sensor possesses high selectivity, excellent stability, repeatability and reproducibility. Finally, the fabricated sensor was successfully estimated for the detection of RF in actual food sample analysis using honey and milk with better recovery.

Seawater evaporation and purification powered by solar energy are considered as a promising approach to alleviate the global freshwater crisis, and the development of photothermal materials with high efficiency is imminent. In this study, cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/Ni chain (CMN) aerogels were successfully synthesized by electrostatic force and hydrogen bond interaction force. CMN10 achieved a favorable evaporation rate as high as 1.85 kg m− 2 h− 1 in pure water, and the corresponding evaporation efficiency could be up to 96.04%. Even if it is applied to seawater with multiple interference factors, its evaporation rate can still be 1.81 kg m− 2 h− 1. The superior seawater evaporation activity origins from the promoted separation of photoexcited charges and photothermal conversion by the synergy of Ni chain and MXene, as well as the water transport channel supported by the 3D structure frame of CNF. Most importantly, CMN aerogel can maintain water vapor evaporation rates above 1.73 kg m− 2 h− 1 under extreme conditions such as acidic (pH 2) and alkaline (pH 12) conditions. In addition, various major ions, heavy metals and organic pollutants in seawater can be rejected by CMN10 during desalination, and the rejection rates can reach more than 99.69%, ensuring the purity of water resources after treatment. This work shows the great potential of CMN aerogel as a high-efficiency solar evaporator and low-cost photothermal conversion material. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/MXene/Ni chain (CMN) aerogels demonstrated high evaporation of water from sea water.

Organic wastewater causes serious environmental pollution, and catalytic oxidation is promising technique for wastewater treatment. Developing green and effective catalysts is currently challenging. In this work, green synthesis of nano zerovalent iron loaded onto porous biochar derived from popcorn is conducted, and catalytic oxidation of Rhodamine B (RhB) is evaluated in the presence of H2O2. Effect of process factors is examined on catalytic performance for RhB removal. The mechanism of RhB removal is discussed by characterizations (Fourier transform infrared spectra and Raman) and UV–vis spectra. RhB removal is improved with high catalyst dosage, low initial RhB concentration, and high reaction temperature, while it is slightly influenced by carbonization temperature of biochar, H2O2 dosage and pH value. Under conditions of BC-250 1.0 g/L, H2O2 0.01 mol/L, pH 6.1, and temperature 30 °C, the removal rate of RhB is 92.27% at 50 min. Pseudo first-order kinetics is used to fitting experimental data, and the activation energy for RhB removal in BC-250/H2O2 system is 39 kJ/mol. RhB removal in BC-250/H2O2 system can be attributed to adsorption effect and catalytic oxidation with the dominant role of hydroxyl radical. This work gives insights into catalytic oxidation of organic wastewater using green catalyst.

This study aims to distinguish between various Ethiopian durum wheat varieties based on their genetic identity using chemical and morphological characterization of seeds. Combinatorial employment of five chemical tests on seeds showed marked qualitative variation among the test varieties, with high discriminatory potential noted for the standard phenol test, followed by the modified phenol and iodide tests. The modified phenol test was instrumental in further discriminating between the varieties that were not identified using the standard phenol test. Unlike the iodide and phenol tests, the NaOH and KOH tests did not show significant variation among the varieties. These results underscore the efficacy of phenol and iodide tests in differentiating between durum wheat varieties. Although the morphological traits were advantageous in seed characterization, they lacked discriminatory power compared with that of the chemical tests. This study concludes that a single test is inadequate for varietal discrimination; rather, a combination of chemical tests can augment the discriminatory potential.

프리지아 ‘Ruby Star’는 농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원 에서 보라색 홑꽃 ‘Avilla’와 흰색 반겹꽃 ‘Medeo’를 2012년 교배하여 얻은 종자로부터 2006년 향이 좋고 개화기가 빠른 적색 홑꽃 계통을 선발하여 품종으로 개발되었다. 2014년부 터 2017년까지 생육·개화 특성검정 및 육성계통평가회의 기 호도 평가를 거쳐 선발되었으며 2018년 직무육성품종심의회 를 통해 ‘Ruby Star’로 명명되어 2021년 신품종으로 등록되 었다. ‘Ruby Star’는 빨간색(RHS, R45A) 홑꽃인 절화용 프리 지아 품종으로 개화소요일수가 118.0일이며 초장이 120.5cm 로 대조품종 ‘Rapid Red’보다 약 28.7cm 더 길다. 주당 분 지수는 5.8개로 대조품종에 비해 수확량이 많고 첫번째 분지 의 길이가 32.0cm, 두께가 3.02mm로 절화 특성이 우수하 다. ‘Ruby Star’의 소화수 및 소화폭은 각각 14.8개, 6.3cm 로 소화수가 많은 중대형화이다. 절화수명은 약 8.4일이며 주 당 자구수는 3.8개, 평균 자구중은 2.9g이다. 전자코를 이용 한 PCA 분석 결과 PC1과 PC2의 설명력은 각각 97.9%, 1.8%로 전체 변이의 99.7%를 반영했으며 ‘Ruby Star’와 대 조품종 ‘Rapid Red’는 서로 다른 향기 패턴을 보였다. Radar plot 결과 총 6개의 MOS 센서에서 ‘Ruby Star’의 센서 반응 이 ‘Rapid Red’보다 강하게 나타나 ‘Ruby Star’의 향기가 더 강한 것으로 나타났다.

농촌진흥청 국립원예특작과학원에서는 2021년 분홍색계 소 형 호접란 ‘Arihong’을 육성하였다. 2014년 밝은 분홍색 소형 품종 Phalaenopsis ‘Wedding’와 백색 바탕에 분홍빛을 가지는 소형종 P. ‘[{KT1398-1×(KM-6)-4}×Chiangbeauty-88]-23’ 를 모본과 부본으로 교배하였다. 2018년 실생 120개체 중 잎자세, 화색, 화형, 꽃대수 등 특성이 우수한 ‘14104-1’ 개체를 선발하여 기내 화경배양을 통해 증식하였다. 2018년부터 2021년에까지 1차, 2차특성검정을 통해 품종의 안정성과 균일성을 확인한 후 ‘Arihong’로 명명하였다. 이 품종은 백색(WG155B) 바탕에 중앙 에는 보라빛 분홍색(PVG80B)을 띄며, 진한 자주색(PG78A) 순판 을 가지는 것이 특징이다. 꽃대가 2대씩 발생하고 꽃대 길이는 평균 42.1cm 소형 분화로 적절한 크기를 가지고 있다. 평피기 형태의 꽃은 길이와 폭이 각각 5.1, 5.7cm이며, 분지가 발생하여 1개의 꽃대에 13.0개의 소화가 착생한다. ‘Arihong’의 잎은 수평으로 자라며 길이와 폭이 각각 13.0cm, 4.9cm였다. 또한 초세가 우수하고 생육 속도가 빨라 엽수 확보가 용이한 특성을 보였다.

경상남도농업기술원 화훼연구소에서 2021년 화색이 연황 색이며 화심이 녹색인 미니 절화용 거베라 품종 ‘크림쿠키’ (Cream Cookie)를 육성하였다. ‘크림쿠키’ 품종은 2014년 황색 미니 ‘Sun City’를 모본으로, 백색 미니 ‘Blandy’를 부 본으로 인공교배를 실시하여 육성된 품종이다. 2021년까지 생육 및 개화 특성검정과 기호도 조사를 실시하였으며 ‘크림 쿠키’의 생육 및 개화특성을 대조품종인 ‘Sun City’와 비교하 였다. ‘크림쿠키’는 연황색(RHS 4C) 꽃잎과 녹색 화심을 가진 반겹꽃 거베라 품종이다. 화폭이 7.1cm인 작은 꽃이며, 화경 장은 58.9cm였다. 화경 직경은 상부 0.4cm, 하부 0.7cm 였 다. 외부설상화의 길이는 2.8cm이며 폭은 0.8cm였다. 개화 소요일수는 65.7일로 ‘Sun City’에 비하여 18.8일 빨랐으며, 첫 개화시 엽수는 22.4매였다. 연간 주당 절화수량은 102.3 본으로 ‘Sun City’의 82.0본에 비하여 20.3본이 많았다. 절 화수명은 17.8일로 ‘Sun City’보다 4.1일 더 길었다. ‘크림쿠 키’는 화폭이 7.1cm의 미니 품종으로 연간 주당 100본 이상 절화 생산이 가능하다. 또한 수확 후 꽃 캡 씌우기, 꽃목 보강 등 추가적인 작업을 생략할 수 있어 생산비 절감이 가능하므 로 농가보급 확대가 기대된다.

Abstract Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effect of cataracts on quality of life in adults over 40 years of age using raw data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2016-2018). Methods : We analyzed the relationship between gender, age, depression, and illness-related quality of life among 4,394 adults aged 40 years and older who responded to a diagnosis of cataract in the 7th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). Dichotomized variables were analyzed using the chi-square test (X2). Relationships between cataract, depression, and quality of life sub-variables were analyzed using logistic regression, adjusting for the effects of age and gender. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. Results : In the logistic regression analysis results corrected for age and gender, cataracts were significantly related to cataracts in terms of motor ability (walking activity), pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression. In terms of restrictions on motor ability (walking activity), cataract disease patients were 1.37 times (95% CI: 1.14-1.65), pain and discomfort were 1.3 times (95% CI: 1.11-1.51), and anxiety and depressive symptoms were 1.38 times (95% CI: 1.10-3.75) at increased risk, confirming that cataracts significantly lowered the quality of life of the subjects. However, in terms of self-care (bath or dressing) and daily life, after correcting age and gender, a significant relationship with cataracts could not be confirmed. Conclusion : It was confirmed that cataracts affect exercise ability, pain/comfort, anxiety/ depression, etc., which can also reduce the quality of life.

The economy of Tanzania relies on agriculture as the main economic activity, because agriculture provides both food and income to the population of the country, especially the rural households. Improvement of market access to crops also increases the productivity. Therefore, in this study, descriptive statistics and statistical analysis of the probit model were used to analyze the factors that determine the market accessibility of small-scale farmers in Chemba, Tanzania. Cross-sectional data collected by the systematic sampling method for 200 corn peasants in Chemba, Tanzania were used. As a result of probit regression analysis, it was found that access to improved seeds and technology had a positive statistically significant effect on the accessibility to the market, while the age of the head of the household, production cost, distance to the market, and household size had a negative statistically significant effect. Therefore, in this study, policy establishment and implementation are recommended. A policy needs to be considered to reduce the transaction costs that eventually allows the farmers to increase the accessibility to markets, enables small-scale farmers to participate in cooperatives, lowers input costs and provides educational programs on quality products to increase their competitiveness in the marketplace.

본 연구에서는 쑥에서 서식하는 Pleotrichophorus pseudoglandulosus (Palmer, 1952) 를 처음으로 보고한다. 무시성충에 대한 형태학적 정보, 기주식물, 분포지역, 한국에 분포하는 Pleotrichophorus 속 종들에 대한 분류키를 제공한다.

Background: Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive source for veterinary regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug development. Here we used vitamin C (Vc) to improve the reprogramming efficiency of canine iPSCs, and its functions in the reprogramming process were elucidated. Methods: Retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc (OSKM), and GFP was employed to induce reprogramming in canine fetal fibroblasts. Following transduction, the culture medium was subsequently replaced with ESC medium containing Vc to determine the effect on reprogramming activity. Results: The number of AP-positive iPSC colonies dramatically increased in culture conditions supplemented with Vc. Vc enhanced the efficacy of retrovirus transduction, which appears to be correlated with enhanced cell proliferation capacity. To confirm the characteristics of the Vc-treated iPSCs, the cells were cultured to passage 5, and pluripotency markers including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Tra-1-60 were observed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of endogenous pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog, Rex1, and telomerase) were also verified by PCR. The complete silencing of exogenously transduced human OSKM factors was observed exclusively in canine iPSCs treated with Vc. Canine iPSCs treated with Vc are capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro and have spontaneously differentiated into three germ layers. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize a straightforward method for enhancing the efficiency of canine iPSC generation and provide insight into the Vc effect on the reprogramming process.

This paper attempts to show that the word sì 巳(祀) used after the negative wù 勿 or wú 毋 functions as a “Vintransitive” (all the abbreviations and references used in this paper are given at the end of Part I). As such, it forms a VP, 勿/毋V1V2, where V2 is always one of the six “Type-A ritual Vs”—one being dăo 禱 ‘to pray’, the rest given in the paper. The semantic relationship between V1 (巳/祀) and V2 is closely examined. There are also inscriptions in which V1 is used before yú 于, a “multidirectional” preposition. This is labelled as “Nloc in the sense of ‘in, at’ (not ‘to, for’)” in the construction given in the title. The paper accounts for its motive principle. The paper argues that 巳/祀 is a Vaction meaning “conduct sì-providential ritual”. It was done at a place to seek divine direction and guidance from the deity or Power believed to have dwelt in situ. Originally presented in Takashima (2009a), this paper delves further into linguistic, philological, and cultural aspects of the 巳-ritual couched in the VP, 勿/毋V1(=巳/祀)V2. A major reason for its use is to contrast the 巳-ritual with other rituals and sacrifices. The details will be explained with examples. Part I covers “Examination I: Zhū Shēngyù’s Questions and Zhāng Yùjīn’s Interpretation”. The paper answers the former and evaluates the latter. Part II begins with “Examination II: Qiú Xīguī’s Interpretation” and ends with the conclusions of the entire paper.