Effects of nitrite and pH on a tropical fish fry, puntius gonionotus (Bleeker)

The effects of short term and long term exposure of a tropical fish fry, Barbodes gonionotus (Bleeher), to pH and nitrite separately and in combination, were evaluated using static and flow-through bioassays respectively. The 96-hour LC50 values of pH and nitrate were 4.9 and 7.91 mg/l N02-N -respectively. However the 96-hour LC50 of pH was higher (5.4 pH unit) in the presence of nitrite 5.00 mg/l N02-N) than that without nitrite. At pH 5.00,100% mortality was found at 4.00 mg/l N02-N concentration after 48-hour exposure. Under long-term exposure, the growth rates of the fish fry decreased with increased nitrite concentrations. Fish fry grown at 2.00 mg/l N02-N had significantly lower growth rate (P < 0.05) than the control, but had a significantly higher rate (P < 0.05) than in the 4.00 mg/l N02-N (PH 7.33-7.56). One hundred per cent mortality occurred within 30 days at pH 5.00 - 7.00 when the fish were exposed to 4.00 mg/l N02-N concentration at the same time. The study demonstrated that the effects of combined pH and nitrite on the survival and growth rates of the fish fry were more serious than the effects of each factor separately

Cost-Efficient Light-Weight YOLO V5_s for Whole Fetus Detection in Early-Stage Ultrasound Scans

Routine medical Ultrasound (US) scans are recommended for expectant mothers to monitor the health and growth of the fetus. However, expectant mothers in rural areas of developing and underdeveloped countries face difficulties in receiving timely scans due to a lack of expertise and facilities. Consequently, maternal and fetal deaths occur at higher rates in these countries, especially in the first trimester. Novel concepts such as Virtual Doctors, Hospital to Home, self- scans and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) may address the aforementioned problem effectively. Therefore, computational-efficient algorithms which support low-end smart devices should be introduced to assist expectant mothers in rural areas to provide comfortable and timely fetal scans. In light of the above, this paper discusses computationally efficient YOLO V5_s for fetal detection in first-trimester ultrasound images using a highly diverse dataset including abnormal and multiple pregnancies. The implemented model was compared with five benchmark detection models, namely, ResNet-50 and MobileNet-based faster R-CNN, YOLO-n, YOLO-m and YOLO-l. YOLO was comparatively better than faster R-CNN. Even though YOLO-n is the most computationally inexpensive model, its mAP is 0.709, which is comparatively low, hence cannot be applied to the clinical set-up. YOLO-l model has the best performance with F-1 score and mAP of 0.978 and 0.751, respectively. However, YOLO-s has also achieved a F-1 score of 0.979 with a mAP 0.734. Therefore, a subjective test was conducted to verify using YOLO-s in the clinical set-up with five experts in the field with more than five years of experience. The subjective analysis test, assessed through Fleiss Kappa, suggests substantial agreement beyond chance (κ = 0.69), while the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) indicates modest reliability (ICC = 0.7). The findings endorse the application of YOLO-s for real-time detection of whole fetuses in the first trimester with reduced computational complexity with further validation

Identifying False Content and Hate Speech in Sinhala YouTube Videos by Analyzing the Audio

YouTube faces a global crisis with the dissemination of false information and hate speech. To counter these issues, YouTube has implemented strict rules against uploading content that includes false information or promotes hate speech. While numerous studies have been conducted to reduce offensive English-language content, there's a significant lack of research on Sinhala content. This study aims to address the aforementioned gap by proposing a solution to minimize the spread of violence and misinformation in Sinhala YouTube videos. The approach involves developing a rating system that assesses whether a video contains false information by comparing the title and description with the audio content and evaluating whether the video includes hate speech. The methodology encompasses several steps, including audio extraction using the Pytube library, audio transcription via the fine-tuned Whisper model, hate speech detection employing the distilroberta-base model and a text classification LSTM model, and text summarization through the fine-tuned BART-Large- XSUM model. Notably, the Whisper model achieved a 48.99\% word error rate, while the distilroberta-base model demonstrated an F1 score of 0.856 and a recall value of 0.861 in comparison to the LSTM model, which exhibited signs of overfitting

Challenges in Tea Plantation-Based Small Community Water Safety Plan Implementation – A Sri Lankan Experience

This paper presents the challenges and scientific approach adopted to overcome those challenges for Rural WSP (RWSP) implementation for the water supply schemes (WSS) in the Sri Lankan Tea Plantation sector. Factors positively and negatively impacting WSP implementation were identified through a SWOT analysis. Pooled response of the Likert scale survey of WSP team members to evaluate the impact of each contributing factor. A Spearman correlation was conducted to evaluate the correlations. Survey results confirmed that top management engagement, availability of financial resources, organizational structure, clustered community, government regulations, quality certifications, and similar cultural practices positively impact the success of WSP implementation. Poor community awareness, learning culture, communication barriers, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, inadequate stakeholder relationships, inadequate resources, skills, and lack of accountability were the factors hindering the WSP implementation. Correlation analysis showed specific relationships namely, lack of accountability with inadequate resources and skills, availability of financial support with inadequate resources and skills, and lack of awareness with a lack of resources and skills. Converting the negative factors to positive ones will make the WSP application successful in another similar plantation-based WSS. The major lesson from this intrinsic research study is that socioeconomic and cultural factors in the tea plantation are equally important as the typical technical aspects of the WSP

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STEM BIOMASS AND VOLUME OF Pinus caribaea IN THE YAGIRALA FOREST RESERVE

The biomass is an important measurement in commercial forestry maintained to producepulp, paper, chips, fuel wood products etc. The estimation of the biomass of the tree is notan easy task and few studies were carried out so far.The present study was conducted in the 25 years old Pinus caribaea plantation in YagiralaForest Reserve, which is in the low country wet zone. According to the geographicaldifferences in the plantation, i.e., valley, slopes and ridge, stratified random sampling wascarried out and two 0.05 ha circular plots were established in each stratum. Altogether 6plots were used for the data collection.The diameter at breast height (dbh), total height were measured for all the trees in theseplots and after dividing the tree stem into several sections, the length and end and middiameters of each section was measured using the Spiegel relaskop.The volume of the stem was estimated by calculating section volumes. Smalian's andNewton's formula were used to estimate the section volumes except for the final section atthe top, which was assumed as a cone. In order to save time, one plot was measured forNewton's formula and the rest was measured for Smalian's formula. Then a relationshipwas build to estimate Newton's volume (Ne) using Smalian's volume (Sm) as theexplanatory variable (equation I). The R2value was 99.9%.Ne = 0.976 * Sm (1)Biomass of the tree was estimated by extracting core samples at the breast height and midheight of the tree. The density of the core samples were estimated using oven dry weightand the green volume of the core samples. When tested, there was no significant differenceof the density along the stem. Therefore stem biomass was estimated using the density atthe breast height, and the total stem volume. Also there was no significant densitydifferences between three sites.The regression analysis was used with the pooled data to find out the relationship betweenthe stem biomass (W) and the volume (V). Using variable of stem volume and the biomassand its tranformations developed the several models. The best model was selected bychecking the R2 value, standard residual distribution, modelling efficiency and bias. Thebest rclationshin for the hiOI1l;]SS :l1lrl YOIIl"lr ,,·:1&lt; lhr rnll:l1;nn ') whir]' h·w 02 .... 1.. " n

CONSTRUCTION OF A PRECISE GROWTH MODEL TO PREDICT THE NDIVIDUAL STEM VOLUME OF Alstonia macrophylla WALL. EX G. DON

In order to reduce the pressure on existing Natural Forests in Sri Lanka,Forest Department promoted growing timber species as plantations and inhome gardens. Among the suggested species Alstonia macrophylla(Hawarinuga) has recently become popular due to its fast growth rate, ease ofestablishment and timber value. There are about 1913 ha extent of Alstoniamacrophylla plantations at the end of the year 1998 maintained by the ForestDepartment of Sri Lanka. However, this figure must be higher than thatbecause many other private organizations are establishing Alstoniamacrophylla plantations in the wet zone in large scale. This species is alsogrown in home gardens, alleys and borders as non-blocks (non-plantations).However, at present there is no method at present for estimating the stemvolume of this species, which is considered as the most important variable incommercial forestry. Therefore a mathematical model was constructed in thisstudy to predict the individual stem volume of Alstonia macrophylla treesgrown in plantations.Since Alstonia macrophylla is widely found in wet zone of Sri Lanka, studysites were selected from Galle (two even-aged plantations from Pituwala andWattehena Beats) districts. The ages of these plantations were 19 and 16respectively. Ten 0.02 ha circular plots with slope correction were randomlylaid out for each plantation, in order to measure the necessary parametersfrom the individual trees. Diameter at breast height (dbh), total height andheight to the crown base of all the trees inside the plots were measured.Newton's formula was used in this research because it is the most accuratemethod. In order to calculate the volume using the Newton's formula, thestem of each tree was hypothetically divided into 4 -5 sections. Then thebottom, mid and top diameters and section lengths were measured usingSpeigal Relascope and Blume Leiss Altimeter respectively. The final sectionof the tree was assumed as a cone and only the bottom diameter and heightwere used in that particular section. The total volume of each section wasestimated by adding the section volumes calculated using Newton's formulato the volume of the final section.First a theoretical model structure was developed using the relationship ofform factor with volume, height and area at the base. Regression analysis wasused to fit the data into the model. Untransformed as well as transformedcombinations of all variables were tested. In this procedure the combinedvariable (basal area * tree height) was always kept as the first explanatoryvariable. After trying with many combinations of selected variables withvolume, final model was selected using its compatibility with the real world,R2 values, and residual distributions, model bias value and modelingefficiency. The selected models at the preliminary stage indicated very highperformance and insignificant bias. In order to select a final one, the abovemodels were validated with a new set of data. The final selected model in thisstudy to predict the individual stem volume with insignificant bias ofAlstonia macrophylla is; --.jv= 0.659 log BA *Ht + 0.00404 ...fer h

Quantifying the Tolerability of Antipsychotic Treatment-Related Side Effects in Schizophrenia: A Survey Study of Patients and Caregiver Proxies

Melissa Culhane Maravic,1 Kelly Birch,1 Anh Thy H Nguyen,1 Alicia Subasinghe,2 Elizabeth Stafford,3 Christopher Zacker2 1Precision AQ, New York, NY, USA; 2Cerevel Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA; 3National Alliance on Mental Illness, Arlington, VA, USACorrespondence: Melissa Culhane Maravic, Precision AQ, 133 Federal Street, Boston, MA, 02110, USA, Email [email protected]: Antipsychotic medications are considered the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia. However, these medications are associated with a wide range of side effects, which may be tolerated differently by patients, and may impact initiation and continuation of treatment.Purpose: This study aimed to assess the tolerability of antipsychotic medication side effects for patients with schizophrenia and understand how side effects may impact decisions to initiate and remain in treatment.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 people living with schizophrenia and 100 caregiver proxies for those with severe disease presentation. The survey utilized the Maximum Difference Scaling (MaxDiff) approach to quantify preferences and a direct elicitation survey to rank specific side effects. Descriptive analysis and statistical analyses were conducted to address the study objectives.Results: Results indicated that extrapyramidal side effects such as pseudoparkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia, as well as feeling detached and memory and cognitive issues were ranked as the least tolerable. In contrast, side effects such as reduced interest in/enjoyment of sex, feeling tired or drowsy, and dry mouth were perceived as more tolerable. Caregivers’ perspectives closely aligned with the care recipients’ rankings, with an additional particular concern for high blood sugar that may lead to diabetes. Side effects such as pseudoparkinsonism, memory and cognitive problems, and weight gain were associated with unwillingness to initiate or continue an effective antipsychotic medication.Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of considering side effect profiles when selecting and discussing treatment options with patients. Side effects can potentially impact patients’ willingness to start or switch medications, therefore, prescribing decisions should take into consideration patients’ tolerance for potential adverse effects. Engaging patients and caregivers in treatment decisions can enhance shared decision-making and treatment satisfaction. Healthcare providers should consider these findings when prescribing antipsychotic medications to people living with schizophrenia.Plain Language Summary: Schizophrenia is a disease that disrupts a person’s thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Individuals living with schizophrenia generally require continuous psychiatric care, drug treatment, and other support services throughout their lives. Antipsychotic medications can help reduce symptoms of psychosis and psychiatric hospitalizations and can improve daily functioning. However, antipsychotics have a wide range of side effects, which makes regularly taking the medication less desirable. This study found that medications used for schizophrenia are highly bothersome, and people who take these medications may view side effects as a barrier to staying consistent with treatment. Side effects like having symptoms that imitate Parkinson’s disease, problems with feeling detached from one’s surroundings, problems with memory and cognition, and significant weight gain are of most concern to people living with schizophrenia. New antipsychotic treatments with minimal side effects would likely be well received by patients and may increase consistent treatment.Keywords: MaxDiff, direct elicitation, caregiving, treatment tolerability, treatment initiation, quantifying preference

PREDICTION OF INDIVIDUAL TREE DIAMETERS OF Pinus nigra var. maritima (Ait.) Melville (CORSICAN PINE)

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Toward Quantification of Hypoxia Using Fluorinated EuII/III-Containing Ratiometric Probes

Hypoxia is a prognostic biomarker of rapidly growing cancers, where the extent of hypoxia is an indication of tumor progression and prognosis; therefore, hypoxia is also used for staging while performing chemo- and radiotherapeutics for cancer. Contrast-enhanced MRI using EuII-based contrast agents is a noninvasive method that can be used to map hypoxic tumors, but quantification of hypoxia using these agents is challenging due to the dependence of signal on the concentration of both oxygen and EuII. Here, we report a ratiometric method to eliminate concentration dependence of contrast enhancement of hypoxia using fluorinated EuII/III-containing probes. We studied three different EuII/III couples of complexes containing 4, 12, or 24 fluorine atoms to balance fluorine signal-to-noise ratio with aqueous solubility. The ratio between the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) and 19F signal of solutions containing different ratios of EuII- and EuIII-containing complexes was plotted against the percentage of EuII-containing complexes in solution. We denote the slope of the resulting curves as hypoxia indices because they can be used to quantify signal enhancement from Eu, that is related to oxygen concentration, without knowledge of the absolute concentration of Eu. This mapping of hypoxia was demonstrated in vivo in an orthotopic syngeneic tumor model. Our studies significantly contribute toward improving the ability to radiographically map and quantify hypoxia in real time, which is critical to the study of cancer and a wide range of diseases