Updated molecular phylogenetic data for Opisthorchis spp. (Trematoda: Opisthorchioidea) from ducks in Vietnam

Background: An opisthorchiid liver fluke was recently reported from ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) in Binh Dinh Province of Central Vietnam, and referred to as "Opisthorchis viverrini-like". This species uses common cyprinoid fishes as second intermediate hosts as does Opisthorchis viverrini, with which it is sympatric in this province. In this study, we refer to the liver fluke from ducks as "Opisthorchis sp. BD2013", and provide new sequence data from the mitochondrial (mt) genome and the nuclear ribosomal transcription unit. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to clarify the basal taxonomic position of this species from ducks within the genus Opisthorchis (Digenea: Opisthorchiidae). Methods: Adults and eggs of liver flukes were collected from ducks, metacercariae from fishes (Puntius brevis, Rasbora aurotaenia, Esomus metallicus) and cercariae from snails (Bithynia funiculata) in different localities in Binh Dinh Province. From four developmental life stage samples (adults, eggs, metacercariae and cercariae), the complete cytochrome b (cob), nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes, and near-complete 18S and partial 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences were obtained by PCR-coupled sequencing. The alignments of nucleotide sequences of concatenated cob + nad1 + cox1, and of concatenated 18S + 28S were separately subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Homologous sequences from other trematode species were included in each alignment. Results: Phylogenetic trees were inferred from concatenated (cob + nad1 + cox1) nucleotide sequences and combined 18S + 28S nucleotide sequences of five Opisthorchis sp. BD2013 samples and additional reference taxa. Both trees demonstrated the anticipated clustering of taxa within the superfamily Opisthorchioidea, the paraphyly of the genus Opisthorchis and the sister-species relationship of Opisthorchis sp. BD2013 with O. viverrini. Conclusions: While it is likely that Opisthorchis sp. BD2013 is distinct from O. viverrini, it is clearly a sister taxon of O. viverrini within the limited number of Opisthorchis species for which appropriate sequence data are available. The new sequences provided here will assist the diagnosis and the taxonomic clarification of the opisthorchiid species

Adaptive fuzzy-neural network effectively disturbance compensate in sliding mode control for dual arm robot

In this study, an Adaptive Backstepping Sliding Mode Controller (ABSMC) is introduced based on the Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network and a fuzzy logic modifier. The proposed method is used to control a Dual-Arm Robot (DAR) – a nonlinear structure with unstable parameters and external disturbances. The control aims to track the motion trajectory of both arms in the flat surface coordinate within a short time, maintaining stability, and ensuring that the tracking error converges in finite time, especially when influenced by unforeseen external disturbances. The nonlinear Backstepping Sliding Mode Control (BSMC) is effective in trajectory tracking control; however, undesired phenomena may occur if there are uncertain disturbances affecting the system or model parameters change. It is proposed to use a neural network to estimate a nonlinear function to handle unknown uncertainties of the system. The neural network parameters can be adaptively adjusted to optimal values through adaptation rules derived from Lyapunov's theorem. Additionally, fuzzy logic theory is also employed to adjust the controller parameters to accommodate changes or unexpected impacts. The performance of the Fuzzy Neural Network Backstepping Sliding Mode Control (FNN-BSMC) is evaluated through simulation results using Matlab/Simulink software. Two simulation cases are conducted: the first case assumes stable model parameters without uncertain disturbances affecting the joints, while the second case considers a model with changing parameters and disturbances. Simulation results demonstrate the effective adaptability of the proposed method when the system model is affected by various types of uncertainties from the environmen

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-[3-(4-hy-droxy-phen-yl)-4,5-di-hydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]-2-meth-oxy-phenol monohydrate.

In the title pyrazoline derivative, C16H16N2O3·H2O, the pyrazoline ring has an envelope conformation with the substituted sp 2 C atom on the flap. The pyrazoline ring makes angles of 86.73 (12) and 13.44 (12)° with the tris-ubstituted and disubstituted benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecules are connected into chains running in the b-axis direction by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonding. Parallel chains inter-act through N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking of the tris-ubstituted phenyl rings. The major contribution to the surface contacts are H⋯H contacts (44.3%) as concluded from a Hirshfeld surface analysis

Heartworm adulticide treatment: a tropical perspective

Dirofilaria immitis (the canine heartworm) is widespread in the tropics, with prevalence surpassing 30% in high-risk areas. In addition to the suitable climatic conditions that favour mosquito abundance and filarial larva development, there is low compliance with the recommended year-round use of preventives in these transmission hotspots. This represents a major concern, considering that melarsomine (first-line heartworm adulticide) is unavailable in several tropical countries, resulting in the so-called slow-kill protocol being the only available adulticide treatment option. In this article, the members of TroCCAP (Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites) review the current distribution of heartworm in the tropics and the availability of melarsomine, and discuss alternatives for the management of heartworm infections in dogs

The ASIASAFE road safety handbook: the best practices in traffic safety between Europe – Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam

This handbook on Road Traffic Safety, titled "The ASIASAFE Road Safety Handbook: The Best Practices in Traffic Safety between Europe – Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam," is a collaborative effort involving nine universities across Asia and Europe. It represents over three years of intensive research, discussions, and consultations with relevant agencies in participating countries. The six Asian universities involved are the Malaysia University of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaya (Malaysia), Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Muhammadiyah (Indonesia), and Nguyen Tat Thanh University, University of Transport and Communications (Vietnam). The three European universities are Linkoping University (Sweden), University of Porto (Portugal), and University of Rome "Tor Vergata" (Italy). While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information provided in this handbook, it is essential to acknowledge that each country has its own unique conditions and circumstances concerning road traffic safety. Therefore, the content of this handbook should be adopted and adapted according to the specific situations and needs of individual countries. Readers are advised to exercise caution and discretion in implementing the recommendations and strategies outlined in this handbook, considering the local context and consulting with relevant authorities and experts as needed. The authors and contributing institutions do not accept any responsibility for the consequences of actions taken based on the information provided in this handbook

Heartworm adulticide treatment : a tropical perspective

The American Heartworm Society for organizing and sponsoring the article collection dedicated to the 2022 American Heartworm Society Triennial Symposium.Dirofilaria immitis (the canine heartworm) is widespread in the tropics, with prevalence surpassing 30% in high-risk areas. In addition to the suitable climatic conditions that favour mosquito abundance and filarial larva development, there is low compliance with the recommended year-round use of preventives in these transmission hotspots. This represents a major concern, considering that melarsomine (first-line heartworm adulticide) is unavailable in several tropical countries, resulting in the so-called slow-kill protocol being the only available adulticide treatment option. In this article, the members of TroCCAP (Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites) review the current distribution of heartworm in the tropics and the availability of melarsomine, and discuss alternatives for the management of heartworm infections in dogs.https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/am2024Veterinary Tropical DiseasesSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-13:Climate actio

Safety and efficacy of fluoxetine on functional outcome after acute stroke (AFFINITY): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Trials of fluoxetine for recovery after stroke report conflicting results. The Assessment oF FluoxetINe In sTroke recoverY (AFFINITY) trial aimed to show if daily oral fluoxetine for 6 months after stroke improves functional outcome in an ethnically diverse population. Methods AFFINITY was a randomised, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done in 43 hospital stroke units in Australia (n=29), New Zealand (four), and Vietnam (ten). Eligible patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of acute stroke in the previous 2–15 days, brain imaging consistent with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, and a persisting neurological deficit that produced a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 1 or more. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 via a web-based system using a minimisation algorithm to once daily, oral fluoxetine 20 mg capsules or matching placebo for 6 months. Patients, carers, investigators, and outcome assessors were masked to the treatment allocation. The primary outcome was functional status, measured by the mRS, at 6 months. The primary analysis was an ordinal logistic regression of the mRS at 6 months, adjusted for minimisation variables. Primary and safety analyses were done according to the patient's treatment allocation. The trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12611000774921. Findings Between Jan 11, 2013, and June 30, 2019, 1280 patients were recruited in Australia (n=532), New Zealand (n=42), and Vietnam (n=706), of whom 642 were randomly assigned to fluoxetine and 638 were randomly assigned to placebo. Mean duration of trial treatment was 167 days (SD 48·1). At 6 months, mRS data were available in 624 (97%) patients in the fluoxetine group and 632 (99%) in the placebo group. The distribution of mRS categories was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (adjusted common odds ratio 0·94, 95% CI 0·76–1·15; p=0·53). Compared with patients in the placebo group, patients in the fluoxetine group had more falls (20 [3%] vs seven [1%]; p=0·018), bone fractures (19 [3%] vs six [1%]; p=0·014), and epileptic seizures (ten [2%] vs two [<1%]; p=0·038) at 6 months. Interpretation Oral fluoxetine 20 mg daily for 6 months after acute stroke did not improve functional outcome and increased the risk of falls, bone fractures, and epileptic seizures. These results do not support the use of fluoxetine to improve functional outcome after stroke

An economic analysis of big data in the European health insurance industry

Objectives The main objective of this study was to identify the intersection between Big Data and the health insurance industry under the influence of GDPR. More specifically, the thesis aims to explore the benefits of Big Data technology in the health insurance industry and how the European data protection law challenges this practice. Summary Based on the content analysis of success stories from insurance companies who apply Big Data technology and GDPR policy papers, the thesis has found the main benefits that insurers can acquire from Big Data and the challenges created by GDPR. From these findings, recommendations for companies in question are proposed and further implications for international business are also discussed. Conclusions Big Data has been approved as an effective tool in improving efficiency for various industries including the insurance sector. As part of the industry, health insurers also benefit from the technology yet they still encounter certain challenges regarding the GDPR rules on personal data privacy and security. It is recommended that insurance companies should be customer-oriented, incorporate GDPR in early stages of development, and maintain effective communication within the organization