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A 27-year-old female, single, post-graduate student in engineering presented with worsening low mood for the past two months. She also complained of diminished interest in her studies, poor concentration in class, reduced appetite, poor sleep and lethargy. She sought treatment at the primary care clinic and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). She was prescribed with an antidepressant and advised to attend regular follow-ups. However, she defaulted treatment and was lost to follow-up. She presented six months later, just before her end of semester examinations. This time, she was accompanied by a friend who was concerned about her irritability and argumentative tendencies over the last week. She was more vocal, talkative and brimming with overconfidence. Her friend also noticed that she slept very little, but appeared overly energetic.

In this review paper, we present a thorough investigation into the role of pavement technologies in advancing urban sustainability. Our analysis traverses the historical evolution of these technologies, meticulously evaluating their socio-economic and environmental impacts, with a particular emphasis on their role in mitigating the urban heat island effect. The evaluation of pavement types and variables influencing pavement performance to be used in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to choose the optimal pavement application are at the heart of our research. Which serves to assess a spectrum of pavement options, revealing insights into the most effective and sustainable practices. By highlighting both the existing challenges and potential innovative solutions within the field, this paper aims to offer a directional compass for future urban planning and infrastructural advancements. This review not only synthesizes the current state of knowledge but also aims to chart a course for future exploration, emphasizing the critical need for innovative and environmentally sensitive pavement technologies in the creation of resilient and sustainable urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grain harvest in corn is measurable and controlled polygenically. Therefore, effective yield enhancement and concurrent modification of yield-related genes are imperative. Six newly composite corn lines were characterized and their morpho-agronomic variability was evaluated. The expression level of two yield-related genes (Sh2 and Bt2b) and their relationship with morpho-agronomic characters were considered using quantitative real-time PCR (qRTPCR). The outcomes of the principal component analysis showed that 2 components with Eigen values larger than one explained 86.62 percent of the total variability. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variance (PCV and GCV, respectively) were recorded for grain yield per plant. The greatest phenotypic and genotypic correlation of grain yield per plant was noted with 1000-kernel weight (0.84 and 0.98, respectively). Kernel number showed the highest genetic advance (1990.12%) and heritability (75.27%). Kernel number and its 1000 weights were positively correlated with grain yield per plant. The Sh2 and Bt2b genes presented upregulated expressions in leaf and endosperm tissues which was significantly and positively related to the grain yield and its primary components. It was observed that by altering the expression level of Sh2 and Bt2b genes via hybridization in the composite corn lines, yield enhancement and improvement in genetic parameters of yield components occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is frequently seen as an invasive cutaneous tumour that can be fatal in animals. In this case series, the clinical management of histopathologically diagnosis of SCC in three different individuals of African pygmy hedgehogs is described. In two of the cases presented, the tumours were presented as an oral mass on the gingiva, which were ulcerative and septic. Lumpectomy was performed in both cases and histopathology revealed encapsulated mass composed of neoplastic cells showing squamous differentiation arranged in islands with presence of keratin pearls, intercellular bridges and frequent mitotic figures which are typical features of squamous cell carcinoma. Following lumpectomy, the two hedgehogs were discharged but were later found to developed ocular lesion and anorexia before they were found dead. In the third case, SCC was diagnosed on the phalanges of the 3rd and 4th digits and surgical resection was successfully performed in this case and post-surgical complications were not recorded. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumours in African pygmy hedgehogs. In this case series, three cases of SCC were diagnosed using histopathology which two of the cases had predilections in the oral cavity while the third one only involved the digits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: crossbreeding; gene modification; maize yield; ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase EN crossbreeding gene modification maize yield ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase INTRODUCTION Maize is among the most important crops as its kernels afford huge amounts of starch content, a carbohydrate derived from variable proportions of amylopectin and amylose polymers. DISCUSSION This study clarifies the expression levels of shrunken-2 (Sh2) and brittle-2 (Bt2) genes that encode the large and small subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in the leaf and endosperm tissue of UM corn advance lines, respectively. The results indicate that these two subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) were upregulated in the leaf and endosperm tissue of composite corn lines rather than their parental lines, whereas the gene-specific primer for Bt2a could not amplify the genomic DNA of these corn lines. "Two paralogous genes encoding small subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in maize, Bt2 and L2, replace the single alternatively spliced gene found in other cereal species.". [Extracted from the article]

IntroductionWe examined the contribution of community health workers as frontline responders for the community-based surveillance in Somalia during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic for detection of COVID-19 cases and identification of contacts.MethodsWe retrieved COVID-19 surveillance data from 16 March 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the health ministry’s central database. These data were collected through community health workers, health facilities or at the points of entry. We compared the number of suspected COVID-19 cases detected by the three surveillance systems and the proportion that tested positive using the chi-squared test. We used logistic regression analysis to assess association between COVID-19 infection and selected variables.ResultsDuring the study period, 154,004 suspected cases of COVID-19 were detected and tested, of which 10,182 (6.6%) were positive. Of the notified cases, 32.7% were identified through the community-based surveillance system, 54.0% through the facility-based surveillance system, and 13.2% at points of entry. The positivity rate of cases detected by the community health workers was higher than that among those detected at health facilities (8.6% versus 6.4%; p

Years ago, in the dying days of our relationship, my boyfriend remarked: 'I think it's wrong you earn more money than I do.' I was floored. He consulted for $50 [...]

The reproductive characteristics of Vatica yeechongii (Dipterocarpaceae), a critically endangered species, were investigated. Vatica yeechongii is a subcanopy dipterocarp species that flowers and fruits annually and some trees are capable of flowering twice a year. The species is outcrossing and self-incompatible. The study showed that apomixis did not occur in V. yeechongii and thus, pollination is required to produce fruits. The creamy white and strongly sweet-scented flower attracted insects and offered pollen as reward. Insects from the family Apidae carried abundant pollen on their hairy abdomen and legs, and were shown to be effective pollinators. Thrips were the most abundant visitors, but they were poor pollen-carriers and probably ineffective as pollinators. Pollen grains of V. yeechongii were viable almost for two days. Information regarding flowering phenology, floral biology and breeding system were used to propose appropriate conservation prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in pregnancy globally responsible for nearly 120 000 maternal deaths per year and a fifth of maternal mortality. Over 46% of pregnant women in Africa and 62% of pregnant women in Kenya are anaemic. Anaemia has severe economic and health consequences. Daily iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) is an efficacious strategy recommended in pregnancy to reduce the risk of anaemia and improve maternal and neonatal survival. However, most pregnant women do not consume IFAS as recommended. Limited knowledge on IFAS, its benefits and its connection with anaemia, and mitigation of its side effects lead to poor consumption. The main objective of this trial is to determine the effectiveness of public health education on uptake of antenatal IFAS.Methods and analysis A stepped wedge cluster randomised trial with antenatal clinics as units of randomisation. Twelve clusters will be randomised to receive the intervention and levels of IFAS uptake compared with preintervention period. The 9-month trial will enrol 1205 pregnant women. The primary outcome will be the proportion of pregnant women effectively taking up IFAS measured through self-reports, residual pill count and inspection of pill reminder cards. Routine clinical data on haemoglobin counts and fetal growth monitoring will also be used. Descriptive and bivariate analysis will be conducted in Stata using Pearson’s χ2 test for association, and multivariate logistic regression to identify determinants of uptake. The potential public health benefits will be estimated using the number needed to treat and the preventable fraction.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted by Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (PKU/2443/11575). The research permit is obtained from Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI/P/22/16168). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and public health conferences.Trial registration number PACTR202202775997127.

The control of cost and time in construction projects is one of the most important issues in construction since the emergence of the construction industry. A successful project should meet not only quality output standards, but also time and budget objectives. The management and control of cost and time in construction is fundamental in every project. An effective cost and time management and control technique for construction projects is important in managing risk of cost overrun and delay in completion of projects. Construction projects are becoming more complex as they now involve many stakeholders from different disciplines. The emergence of Building Information Model (BIM), an alternative technology is believed to solve issues related to project cost and time control as it efficiently increases collaboration between stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to review and summarise the causes of delay and cost overrun in construction industries, which are the main causes of disputes and abandonment of projects in the industry. It was found that delays and cost overrun eat deep into the industry and leave the construction industry with a bad image for decades even with rapid advancement in technology. The review of the applications of BIM showed that most of the applications are geared towards minimising construction cost and time spent on projects. This means that the use of BIM in the management of construction projects has great impact on project cost and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]