Emerging vistas of Remote Sensing Tools in Pollination Studies

With the growth of information and technology across the globe, remote sensing applications find a place in the ecological studies of pollinators. The utilization of remote sensing tools in understanding the ecosystem services rendered by the bee pollinators is reviewed here. We discussed how radar and radio telemetry techniques helps to track individual bees, their foraging behaviour and density in relation to altered phenology of flowering crops in a landscape. Role of satellite imagery tools in studying characterizing a landscape affected by anthropogenic factors was discussed.  Monitoring invasive bee species that cause a threat to native bee fauna was explored. We explained the utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles to map the floral resource that influence the density and incidence of pollinators. Remote sensing tools used to measure sequence of pollination events was discussed

MRI paraspinous skeletal muscle enhancement: A potential imaging biomarker for assessing clinical liver cirrhosis severity

Purpose To evaluate for correlation between MRI paraspinous muscle (PSM) enhancement and clinical measures of cirrhosis severity (CMCS) utilizing established imaging biomarkers of sarcopenia as comparison. Materials and methods Retrospective evaluation of 224 patients (mean age 59.6± 9.7 years, 135 males and 89 females) with liver cirrhosis who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI between August 2021 and August 2022 was performed. Assessed variables included: body mass index (BMI), varices and ascites present on imaging (VPI and API), albumin, total bilirubin (Tbili), international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine, MELD score, as well as history of paracentesis (PH), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and variceal bleed (VBH). These variables were compared to PSM skeletal muscle index (SMI), PSM signal fat fractions (sFF), and PSM contrast enhancement fraction (CEFR) calculated on arterial (CEFR-ART), portal venous (CEFR-PV), and delayed (CEFR-DEL) phases collected on MRI. Results Patients with MELD>17, PH, and VPI had lower PSM CEFR-ART (0.06vs. 0.11, p = 0.01; 0.07vs. 0.11, p = 0.01; and 0.09vs. 0.13, p = 0.03, respectively). PSM CEFR-ART correlated negatively with MELD. Patients with MELD>17 and PH had lower PSM CEFR-PV (0.16vs. 0.23, p = 0.02; 0.18 vs. 0.23, p = 0.01, respectively). PSM CEFR-PV correlated positively with albumin and negatively with Tbili, INR, and MELD. PSM CEFR-DEL correlated negatively with Tbili and MELD. Patients with API, PH, and VBH had lower PSM SMI (4.68vs. 5.59, p<0.001; 4.37vs. 5.48, p<0.001; 4.78vs. 5.35, p = 0.04, respectively). PSM SMI correlated negatively with Tbili and positively with BMI. PSM sFF correlated positively with BMI, PSM CEFR-PV, and PSM CEFR-DEL. Conclusion PSM CEFR is significantly reduced on MRI in patients with clinical manifestations of severe liver cirrhosis. Further investigation into PSM CEFR’s usefulness as an imaging biomarker for evaluating liver disease severity is warranted

Conserved determinants of lentiviral genome dimerization

Abstract Background Retroviruses selectively package two copies of their unspliced genomes by what appears to be a dimerization-dependent RNA packaging mechanism. Dimerization of human immunodeficiency virus Type-1 (HIV-1) genomes is initiated by “kissing” interactions between GC-rich palindromic loop residues of a conserved hairpin (DIS), and is indirectly promoted by long-range base pairing between residues overlapping the gag start codon (AUG) and an upstream Unique 5′ element (U5). The DIS and U5:AUG structures are phylogenetically conserved among divergent retroviruses, suggesting conserved functions. However, some studies suggest that the DIS of HIV-2 does not participate in dimerization, and that U5:AUG pairing inhibits, rather than promotes, genome dimerization. We prepared RNAs corresponding to native and mutant forms of the 5′ leaders of HIV-1 (NL4-3 strain), HIV-2 (ROD strain), and two divergent strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV; cpz-TAN1 and -US strains), and probed for potential roles of the DIS and U5:AUG base pairing on intrinsic and NC-dependent dimerization by mutagenesis, gel electrophoresis, and NMR spectroscopy. Results Dimeric forms of the native HIV-2 and SIV leaders were only detectable using running buffers that contained Mg2+, indicating that these dimers are more labile than that of the HIV-1 leader. Mutations designed to promote U5:AUG base pairing promoted dimerization of the HIV-2 and SIV RNAs, whereas mutations that prevented U5:AUG pairing inhibited dimerization. Chimeric HIV-2 and SIV leader RNAs containing the dimer-promoting loop of HIV-1 (DIS) exhibited HIV-1 leader-like dimerization properties, whereas an HIV-1NL4-3 mutant containing the SIVcpzTAN1 DIS loop behaved like the SIVcpzTAN1 leader. The cognate NC proteins exhibited varying abilities to promote dimerization of the retroviral leader RNAs, but none were able to convert labile dimers to non-labile dimers. Conclusions The finding that U5:AUG formation promotes dimerization of the full-length HIV-1, HIV-2, SIVcpzUS, and SIVcpzTAN1 5′ leaders suggests that these retroviruses utilize a common RNA structural switch mechanism to modulate function. Differences in native and NC-dependent dimerization propensity and lability are due to variations in the compositions of the DIS loop residues rather than other sequences within the leader RNAs. Although NC is a well-known RNA chaperone, its role in dimerization has the hallmarks of a classical riboswitch.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113284/1/12977_2015_Article_209.pd

Emerging vistas of Remote Sensing Tools in Pollination Studies

With the growth of information and technology across the globe, remote sensing applications find a place in the ecological studies of pollinators. The utilization of remote sensing tools in understanding the ecosystem services rendered by the bee pollinators is reviewed here. We discussed how radar and radio telemetry techniques helps to track individual bees, their foraging behaviour and density in relation to altered phenology of flowering crops in a landscape. Role of satellite imagery tools in studying characterizing a landscape affected by anthropogenic factors was discussed.  Monitoring invasive bee species that cause a threat to native bee fauna was explored. We explained the utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles to map the floral resource that influence the density and incidence of pollinators. Remote sensing tools used to measure sequence of pollination events was discussed.</jats:p

Prototyping a piping inspection robot using a BeagleBone black board

International audienceAs a part of a project with AREVA, an inspection robot for 50-94 mm diameter range pipelines have been developed. By using leg mechanisms, DC motors, spindle drive, and control boards, the robot accomplishes the locomotion of a caterpillar. Two algorithms can be classified for the control of this robot via Displacement control algorithm and Force control algorithm. The former deals with the estimation of the position of a robot inside a known environment and it requires sensors for identifying position as well as for initiation procedures. In the case of force control, the algorithm is highly suitable for a robot that moves inside an unknown or closed environment. Using a BeagleBone (BB) black board, the force control algorithm is developed for the inspection robot under study. As the robot works inside pipelines of unknown diameters, the reconfigurable pins of BB black are employed to apply a voltage in order to achieve the desired clamping force for having contact with pipeline walls. By setting threshold limits, the voltage and current supply to the motors can be cutoff at the end of clamping or retraction operations. With the help of ADC, the output voltage can be displayed to the user on a computer. For smooth functioning of the robot, the parameters of the motor such as the maximum velocity, direction of rotation and nominal current are calibrated prior to the start of experiments. The output voltage and currents of the motors are generated and plotted for a locomotion cycle of the robot inside a 74 mm diameter straight pipeline.Dans le cadre d'un projet avec AREVA, un robot d'inspection de canalisation de 50 à 94 mm de diamètre a été développé. En utilisant des pattes, des moteurs à courant continu, des vis-écrous et des cartes électroniques, le robot imite la locomotion d'une chenille. Deux algorithmes peuvent être utilisés pour le contrôle de ce robot: le contrôle en position ou le contrôle en effort. Le premier est utilisé pour l'estimation de la position d'un robot lorsque l'environnement est connu mais nécessite des codeurs pour identifier la position des pattes. Dans le cas du contrôle en effort, l'algorithme permet au robot de se déplacer dans un environnement inconnu. En utilisant une carte électronique BeagleBone (BB) black, un algorithme de contrôle en effort est développé pour ce robot d'inspection. Comme le robot travaille à l'intérieur de tuyaux de diamètres inconnus, les sorties PWM de la BB black sont utilisées pour générer la tension nécessaire qui permettant le clampage du robot. En fixant ces seuils, la tension et le courant dans les moteurs peuvent être évalués pour détecter la fin des mouvements de clampage ou de repliement. Avec l'aide des ADC, la tension de sortie est affichée à l'utilisateur sur un ordinateur. Pour le bon fonctionnement du robot, les paramètres du moteur tels que la vitesse maximale, le sens de rotation et le courant nominal sont étalonnés au début des expériences. La tension de sortie et les courants consommés sont générés et tracés pour un cycle de locomotion du robot dans un tuyau droit de 74 mm de diamètre

Prototyping a piping inspection robot using a BeagleBone black board

International audienceAs a part of a project with AREVA, an inspection robot for 50-94 mm diameter range pipelines have been developed. By using leg mechanisms, DC motors, spindle drive, and control boards, the robot accomplishes the locomotion of a caterpillar. Two algorithms can be classified for the control of this robot via Displacement control algorithm and Force control algorithm. The former deals with the estimation of the position of a robot inside a known environment and it requires sensors for identifying position as well as for initiation procedures. In the case of force control, the algorithm is highly suitable for a robot that moves inside an unknown or closed environment. Using a BeagleBone (BB) black board, the force control algorithm is developed for the inspection robot under study. As the robot works inside pipelines of unknown diameters, the reconfigurable pins of BB black are employed to apply a voltage in order to achieve the desired clamping force for having contact with pipeline walls. By setting threshold limits, the voltage and current supply to the motors can be cutoff at the end of clamping or retraction operations. With the help of ADC, the output voltage can be displayed to the user on a computer. For smooth functioning of the robot, the parameters of the motor such as the maximum velocity, direction of rotation and nominal current are calibrated prior to the start of experiments. The output voltage and currents of the motors are generated and plotted for a locomotion cycle of the robot inside a 74 mm diameter straight pipeline.Dans le cadre d'un projet avec AREVA, un robot d'inspection de canalisation de 50 à 94 mm de diamètre a été développé. En utilisant des pattes, des moteurs à courant continu, des vis-écrous et des cartes électroniques, le robot imite la locomotion d'une chenille. Deux algorithmes peuvent être utilisés pour le contrôle de ce robot: le contrôle en position ou le contrôle en effort. Le premier est utilisé pour l'estimation de la position d'un robot lorsque l'environnement est connu mais nécessite des codeurs pour identifier la position des pattes. Dans le cas du contrôle en effort, l'algorithme permet au robot de se déplacer dans un environnement inconnu. En utilisant une carte électronique BeagleBone (BB) black, un algorithme de contrôle en effort est développé pour ce robot d'inspection. Comme le robot travaille à l'intérieur de tuyaux de diamètres inconnus, les sorties PWM de la BB black sont utilisées pour générer la tension nécessaire qui permettant le clampage du robot. En fixant ces seuils, la tension et le courant dans les moteurs peuvent être évalués pour détecter la fin des mouvements de clampage ou de repliement. Avec l'aide des ADC, la tension de sortie est affichée à l'utilisateur sur un ordinateur. Pour le bon fonctionnement du robot, les paramètres du moteur tels que la vitesse maximale, le sens de rotation et le courant nominal sont étalonnés au début des expériences. La tension de sortie et les courants consommés sont générés et tracés pour un cycle de locomotion du robot dans un tuyau droit de 74 mm de diamètre

CRITIC&ndash;EDAS Approach for Evaluating Mechanical Properties of Flax/Vetiver/MFF Hybrid Composites

This study investigates the mechanical properties and optimization of hybrid composites composed of flax, vetiver, and mahogany fruit fillers (MFFs) using epoxy resin as the matrix material. Nine distinct composite configurations were fabricated using different MFF concentrations (0, 5, and 10 wt.%) to evaluate their influence on tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance. The MFF was subjected to alkali treatment and characterized using FTIR, XRD, and particle size analysis to enhance its compatibility with the polymer matrix. Vetiver and flax fibers also underwent alkali treatment to improve interfacial bonding. The composite fabrication process followed the Taguchi L9 orthogonal array to optimize the design. Mechanical testing revealed that the incorporation of MFF significantly improved the overall performance, with FVM9 (10 wt.% MFF) exhibiting the highest tensile strength (56.32 MPa), flexural strength (89.65 MPa), and impact resistance (10.46 kJ/m2). The CRITIC&ndash;EDAS method was employed to rank the composite configurations, and FVM9 was identified as the optimal configuration. Comparisons with alternative MCDM methods (WASPAS, COPRAS, TOPSIS, and VIKOR) validated the reliability of the rankings, and FVM9 consistently performed the best. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of the CRITIC&ndash;EDAS approach, as the rankings remained stable despite variations in the criterion weights. The synergistic effect of flax, vetiver, and MFF, along with improved interfacial bonding, contributed to the superior mechanical properties of the hybrid composites. These findings highlight the potential of FVM composites as sustainable, high-performance materials for various industrial applications in the automotive, construction, and aerospace sectors

Chemotherapy for Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Associated Infections Over Two Decades in India: Timeline and Impact on Outcome

Abstract Background: Infection and relapse constitute the two main challenges in the management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children. Real-world data in children treated in low-and-middle income countries are sparse as the cost of supportive care is high. Patients and Methods: We present data on children up to 18 years of age undergoing chemotherapy for AML as per UKMRC AML protocol from 2002 to June 2019 and pattern of sepsis. Results: The incidence of culture-positive sepsis was similar pre- and post-2012 (52.6% vs. 72.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most common organism. There was a significant increase in carbapenem resistance post 2012 (14% vs. 67%, P = 0.032). Sepsis-related induction mortality has remained at 6.2% despite an increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections over two decades. The overall survival was 53% (n=48), with a plateau in the survival curve after 24 months, relapse being the most common cause of death (69%). Conclusions: Sepsis-related induction mortality can be maintained at less than 10% in children undergoing chemotherapy for AML, despite increasing drug-resistant bacteremia, with adequate supportive care and trained personnel including pediatric intensivists and nurses.</jats:p