bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric sequelae after SARS-Cov-2 infection: trajectory, predictors and associations in a longitudinal Australian cohort
Authors: Dodd Seetal , Mohebbi Mohammedreza , O’Donohue Josie , Matthews Gail , Darley David R. , Berk Michael
Published: September 2023

A relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and psychiatric symptoms has been identified but is still being fully investigated. Neuropsychiatric sequalae have been reported for several infectious agents and are not unexpected for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study follows for 12 months a sample (N = 144) of people who have had a confirmed infection of SARS-CoV-2. Medical and neuropsychiatric data and biological specimens are collected at 6 study visits. The 34-item SPHERE questionnaire, the Depression in the Medically Ill instrument, the EQ-5D-5L quality of life instrument and the visual analogue scale of fatigue were administered at multiple timepoints and associations with measures of illness and inflammatory biomarkers were investigated using the generalised estimating equation. Associations between inflammatory biomarkers and mental health measures of various effect sizes were identified. A robust inverse association was found between mental health outcomes and long covid status, but not between mental health outcomes and covid illness severity. This study suggests that long covid may be the strongest predictor of neuropsychiatric symptoms amongst people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2.
The Pluralization of Scripture in Early American Protestantism: Competing Bible Translations and the Debate over Universal Salvation, ca. 1700–1780
Authors: Stievermann Jan , Pietrenka Benjamin
Published: September 2023

ABSRACT

This article addresses a pervasive historiographic assumption about the supremacy of the King James Bible in British North America by proposing that a process we call the “pluralization of Scriptures” forced colonial Protestants to square their belief in “the Bible” with the undeniable reality of many “bibles.” While the KJV remained dominant among anglophone Protestant populations, by the early eighteenth century some heirs of New England Puritanism were challenging its adequacy and pushing for improved translations of key passages, as members of the clerical intelligentsia became immersed in cutting-edge textual and historical scholarship. Also, during the eighteenth century, non-English cultures of biblicism with their own religious print markets formed in the middle colonies, most importantly among diasporic communities of German Protestants, who brought the Luther Bible to America, and diverse “heterodox” Bibles associated with radical Pietist groups. This essay contends that, well before the American Revolution, the advent of Higher Criticism in American seminaries, and the first wave of English-language Bible production in the early republic, Scripture had ceased to be a static, monolithic entity. A considerable number of alternative translations and commentary traditions in a variety of different languages came to co-exist and, at some points, also interact with each other. Moreover, we argue that competing translations, even of passages speaking to core Christian doctrines, were inextricably bound up with some of the most significant controversies among colonial Protestants, such as the debate over the doctrine of universal salvation, our main case study.
Multi-cell trap developments towards the accumulation and confinement of large quantities of positrons
Authors: Singer M. , Danielson J.R. , König S. , Pedersen T. Sunn , Schweikhard L. , Stenson E.V.
Published: September 2023

The multi-cell Penning–Malmberg trap concept has been proposed as a way to accumulate and confine unprecedented numbers of antiparticles, an attractive but challenging goal. We report on the commissioning and first results (using electron plasmas) of the World's second prototype of such a trap, which builds and improves on the findings of its predecessor. Reliable alignment of both ‘master’ and ‘storage’ cells with the axial magnetic field has enabled confinement of plasmas, without use of the ‘rotating wall’ (RW) compression technique, for over an hour in the master cell and tens of seconds in the storage cells. In the master cell, attachment to background neutrals is found to be the main source of charge loss, with an overall charge-confinement time of 8.6 h. Transfer to on-axis and off-axis storage cells has been demonstrated, with an off-axis transfer rate of$50\,\%$of the initial particles, and confinement times in the storage cells in the tens of seconds (again, without RW compression). This, in turn, has enabled the first simultaneous plasma confinement in two off-axis cells, a milestone for the multi-cell trap concept.
Impact of neutrals on the plasma screening length
Authors: Davletov A.E. , Yerimbetova L.T. , Mukhametkarimov Ye.S. , Kissan A.
Published: September 2023

In the classical treatment the screening phenomenon of electric fields in a plasma is solely caused by charged particles, i.e. electrons and ions. In contrast, the present consideration focuses on the role of neutrals in a situation when the correlations between the charged and neutral components of the plasma medium turn rather significant. The consideration is entirely based on the renormalization procedure for interparticle interactions, which takes into account collective events in the generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equation relating the true microscopic potentials with their effective macroscopic counterparts. A meaningful approach is proposed to analytically derive the screening length from an appropriate assumption on the asymptotic behaviour of the macroscopic potential at large interparticle separations. It is clearly demonstrated that the neutral component really affects the screening length when the plasma reaches states corresponding to warm dense matter conditions. It is also shown that, at certain critical values of the plasma parameters, the character of the screening changes from exponential to oscillatory decay.
Documenting the microbiome diversity and distribution in selected fleas from South Africa with an emphasis on the cat flea, Ctenocephalides f. felis.
Authors: Matthee Conrad A. , Bierman Anandi , Krasnov Boris R. , Matthee Sonja , van der Mescht Luther
Published: September 2023

The factors that influence parasite associated bacterial microbial diversity and the geographic distributions of bacteria are not fully understood. In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the bacterial diversity of Ctenocephalides fleas and host species and the external environment, we conducted a metagenetic analysis of 107 flea samples collected from 8 distinct sampling sites in South Africa. Pooled DNA samples mostly comprising of 2 or 3 individuals sampled from the same host, and belonging to the same genetic cluster, were sequenced using the Ion PGM™ Hi-Q™ Kit and the Ion 316™ Chip v2. Differences were detected in the microbiome compositions between Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides connatus. Although based on a small sample, C. connatus occurring on wildlife harboured a higher bacterial richness when compared to C. felis on domestic animals. Intraspecific differences in the microbial OTU diversity were detected within C. f. felis that occurred on domestic cats and dogs. Different genetic lineages of C. f. felis were similar in microbial compositions but some differences exist in the presence or absence of rare bacteria. Rickettsia and Bartonella OTU's identified in South African cat fleas differ from those identified in the USA and Australia. Intraspecific microbial compositions also differ across geographic sampling sites. Generalized dissimilarity modelling showed that temperature and humidity are potentially important environmental factors explaining the pattern obtained.
A revitalized biopsychosocial model: core theory, research paradigms, and clinical implications
Authors: Bolton Derek
Published: September 2023

The biopsychosocial model (BPSM) was proposed by George Engel in 1977 as an improvement to the biomedical model (BMM), to take account of psychological and social as well as biological factors relevant to health and disease. Since then the BPSM has had a mixed reputation, as the overarching framework for psychiatry, perhaps for medicine generally, while also being criticized for being theoretically and empirically vacuous. Over the past few decades, substantial evidence has accumulated supporting the BPSM but its theory remains less clear. The first part of this paper reviews recent well-known, general theories in the relevant sciences that can provide a theoretical framework of the model, constituting a revitalized BPSM capable of theorizing causal interactions within and between biological, psychological, and social domains. Fundamental concepts in this new framework include causation as regulation and dysfunction as dysregulation. Associated research paradigms are outlined in Part 2. Research in psychological therapies and social epidemiology are major examples of programs that have produced results anomalous for the BMM and consistent with the BPSM. Theorized models of causal mechanisms enrich empirical data and two biopsychosocial examples are models of chronic stress and pain perception. Clinical implications are reviewed in Part 3. The BPSM accommodates psychological and social as well as biological treatment effects evident in the clinical trials literature. Personal, interpersonal, and institutional aspects of clinical care are out of the scope of the BMM, assigned to the art of healthcare rather than the science, but can be accommodated and theorized in the BPSM.
Decrease of left ventricular function measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography based on systemic lupus erythematosus severity in children
Authors: Rustam Masita I. , Ghrahani Reni , Hakim Dzulfikar D.L. , Kuswiyanto Rahmat B. , Dewi Mia M. , Rahayuningsih Sri E.
Published: September 2023

Introduction:

Systemic lupus erythematosus in children generally manifests more severely with a more aggressive disease course. Cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus often does not show specific signs and symptoms, but speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect cardiac dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the differences in left ventricular function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography in children with various severity of systemic lupus erythematosus activity.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of 49 children diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus are currently undergoing outpatient or inpatient care at Dr Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, from May 2023 to June 2023. Disease activity was assessed by Mexican Version of the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI) with a score of 2–5 classified as mild activity, 6–9 as moderate, and ≥10 as severe. Each subject underwent conventional echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography with a Philips EPIQ machine performed by a Pediatric Cardiologist Consultant 10 days after inclusion.

Results:

Fifteen (30.6%) subjects had mild disease activity, and 34 (69.4%) subjects had moderate disease activity. Most subjects (81.96%) were female with an average age of 15 years. The mean ejection fraction and fractional shortening as well as the median E/A ratio in the mild and moderate disease activity groups were not significantly different (65.76 versus 67.38%, 35.73 versus 37.11%, 1.6 versus 1.5%, respectively, p > 0.005). The global longitudinal strain in the moderate activity group was reduced more significantly than in the mild activity group (−16.58 versus −19.65, p = 0.008).

Conclusion:

Left ventricular function as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography was lower in children with moderate systemic lupus erythematosus activity than those with mild disease activity.
Utility of a pharmacist-managed Anticoagulation Program in patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: O’Neil Meredith J. , Garr BreAnn N. , Faircloth Jenna M. , Ciambarella Julie A. , Lubert Adam M. , Nelson Nicole L. , Cooper David S.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Warfarin remains the preferred anticoagulant for many patients with CHD. The complexity of management led our centre to shift from a nurse-physician-managed model with many providers to a pharmacist-managed model with a centralized anticoagulation team. We aim to describe the patient cohort managed by our Anticoagulation Program and evaluate the impact of implementation of this consistent, pharmacist-managed model on time in therapeutic range, an evidence-based marker for clinical outcomes.

Methods:

A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the transition to a pharmacist-managed model to improve anticoagulation management at a tertiary pediatric heart centre. The percent time in therapeutic range for a cohort managed by both models was compared using a paired t-test. Patient characteristics and time in therapeutic range of the program were also described.

Results:

After implementing the pharmacist-managed model, the time in therapeutic range for a cohort of 58 patients increased from 65.7 to 80.2% (p < .001), and our Anticoagulation Program consistently maintained this improvement from 2013 to 2022. The cohort of patients managed by the Anticoagulation Program in 2022 included 119 patients with a median age of 24 years (range 19 months–69 years) with the most common indication for warfarin being mechanical valve replacement (n = 81, 68%).

Conclusions:

Through a practice change incorporating a collaborative, centralized, pharmacist-managed model, this cohort of CHD patients on warfarin had a fifteen percent increase in time in therapeutic range, which was sustained for nine years.
Rights, Abstraction, and Correlativity
Authors: Jonker Julian David
Published: September 2023

I survey several counterexamples (by Raz and MacCormick) to Hohfeld's conjecture that a claim-right is correlative to a directed duty and (by Cornell and Frick) to Bentham's suggestion that a claim-right is correlative to a wronging. We can vindicate these claims of correlativity if we acknowledge that entitlements like claim-rights and directed duties admit of degrees of abstraction: that they may be general rather than specific, unspecified rather than specified, or indefinite rather than definite. I provide an error theory consisting in linguistic and practical reasons for why we articulate normative incidents in ways that threaten correlativity. And I deny that abstraction imposes a heavy metaphysical cost on rights theory, though I leave open whether abstraction excludes certain explanatory accounts of rights such as the interest theory or will theory.
Ethics of Climate Change
Authors: Barnard Helen
Published: September 2023

What should we do about climate change? This article examines the ethical problems that arise from climate change, and considers our obligations and responsibilities to one another, other species and the planet because of global warming.
Why Monarchy Should Be Abolished
Authors: Kyriacou Christos
Published: September 2023

Monarchy is a form of government that, roughly, dictates that the right to rule is inherited by birth by a single ruler. But monarchy (absolute or constitutional) breaches fundamental moral principles that undergird representative democracy, such as basic moral equality, dignity and desert. Simply put, the monarchs (and their family) are treated as morally superior to ordinary citizens and as a result ordinary citizens are treated in an unfair and undignified manner. For example, monarchs are respected, enjoy dignity, income, opportunity, public office and exalted social status just because of their inherited office, which is due to the mere historical accident of family lineage. Hence, we have good moral reason to abolish monarchy. Finally, I briefly reply to the pragmatic argument for constitutional monarchy, namely, the argument that monarchy can be allowed to play a largely ceremonial role in the context of democracy because it is beneficial for the function of society. As I argue, societies run by presidential democracies can function equally well and, what is more, no matter what the pragmatic reasons for constitutional monarchy are, we still have stronger moral reasons against it. Therefore, it should be abolished.
Jordan Peterson's Confusion over Religious Symbolism: A Lesson from Cain and Abel
Authors: Nickel Ken
Published: September 2023

Jordan Peterson is a darling among conservatives and religious people alike. In defending religious belief as the only bulwark against a return to the dark ages, it becomes obvious that Peterson himself doesn't believe in what he preaches. People, he insists, should believe in the archetypal symbolism that is only revealed through a close reading of the Bible. If atheists would only read scripture with more sophistication they wouldn't so embarrassingly reject religion, and simultaneously threaten the very foundations of Western Civilization. It turns out that it's Peterson who comprehensively ignores symbolism. A simple Sunday school lesson shows this.
Introducing Derrida
Authors: Salmon Peter
Published: September 2023

Jacques Derrida is one of the most controversial philosophers of the twentieth century, who is hailed by his followers as a genius, derided by his detractors as a charlatan. His work continues to be a source of often inordinate praise and blame. How does Derrida provoke such violent reactions? What is ‘deconstruction’, his most famous technique? And is there something in his work that can be useful to even the most hostile of his critics?
Selection of inbreds with better combining ability is instrumental in developing CMS-based heterotic hybrids in tropical carrot (Daucus carota L.)
Authors: Janani R. , Sureja Amish K. , Dey Shyam S. , Krishnan S. Gopala , Bhardwaj Rakesh , Rudra Shalini G. , Tomar Bhoopal S.
Published: September 2023

Carrot is an important vegetable crop worldwide valued for its fleshy edible roots of varied colours. Owing to its highly cross-pollinated nature and small flower size, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is being utilized for hybrid development. Among different types of male sterility, petaloid CMS is widely used for hybrid carrot breeding globally. This study aimed to develop selection criteria for parents in developing heterotic F1 hybrids using CMS lines. A large number of agro-morphological traits and Simple Sequence Repeats (genomic-SSRs) were used to assess the diversity among parental lines. We developed 60 F1 hybrids by crossing four petaloid CMS lines and 15 testers in line × tester mating design and evaluated them in replicated randomized block design trial for four vegetative and 11 economic traits. The mean squares of all the traits in line × tester interactions were significant. The estimates of genetic components of variance indicated predominance of non-additive gene action except for root maturity, root length and core diameter. The hybrids with highest per se performance also had significant positive specific combining ability effects. The root yield and root weight showed highest heterosis percentage (33%). The best performing heterotic hybrids were DCatH-5392, DCatH-700 and DCatH-9892. Correlation between genetic distance and relative heterosis of economic traits indicated no significant association and thus genetic distance could not be used to predict heterosis. As most of the yield-related traits were controlled by non-additive gene action, heterosis breeding could be potentially used along with combining ability analysis to reduce time in selection of best parents and crosses in tropical carrot.
Optimizing Carbonate Classification on Mars
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: September 2023

Combining data from several of the Perseverance rover’s spectroscopic sensors offers a more accurate means to classify carbonate minerals that may hold hints of ancient life.
A pilot study to examine the association between COX-2 rs5275 polymorphism and the response to repetitive transcranial stimulation in schizophrenia
Authors: Wang Pingping , Guan Xiaoni , Su Xiuru , Wu Fengchun , Xiu Meihong
Published: September 2023

High frequency (HF)-rTMS has been shown to improve cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). This study aimed to investigate whether COX-2 rs5275 variants were associated with cognitive improvements following rTMS treatment in patients with SCZ. Forty-eight hospitalized patients with SCZ were assigned to the neuronavigation HF-rTMS group and 28 patients to the sham group over left DLPFC for 1 month. Cognitive function was evaluated using the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) at weeks 0 and 4. COX-2 rs5275 polymorphism was genotyped by a technician. At baseline, C allele carriers showed better cognitive performance relative to patients with TT homozygote. Additionally, C allele carriers had greater improvement in memory from the follow-up to baseline following rTMS stimulation, while patients with the TT genotype showed no significant improvement in memory index. More importantly, we found that COX-2 rs5275 was correlated with the response to rTMS after controlling for the covariates. This study data indicate that COX-2 rs5275 was associated with improvements in immediate memory after HF-rTMS treatment in patients with SCZ. rTMS shows an effect on memory only in C allele carriers, but not in those with the TT genotype.
Geo-environmental factors and the effectiveness of mulberry leaf extract in managing malaria
Authors: Pradhan Sayantan , Hore Samrat , Roy Stabak , Manna Simi , Dam Paulami , Mondal Rittick , Ghati Amit , Biswas Trishanjan , Shaw Subhajit , Sharma Supriya , Singh Waikhom Somraj , Maji Suman Kumar , Roy Sankarsan , Basu Aparajita , Pandey Kailash C. , Samanta Soumadri , Vashisht Kapil , Dolai Tuphan Kanti , Kundu Pratip Kumar , Mitra Saptarshi , Biswas Debasish , Sadat Abdul , Shokriyan Masuma , Maity Amit Bikram , Mandal Amit Kumar , İnce İkbal Agah
Published: September 2023

Malaria prevalence has become medically important and a socioeconomic impediment for the endemic regions, including Purulia, West Bengal. Geo-environmental variables, humidity, altitude, and land use patterns are responsible for malaria. For surveillance of the endemic nature of Purulia’s blocks, statistical and spatiotemporal factors analysis have been done here. Also, a novel approach for the Pf malaria treatment using methanolic leaf extract of Morus alba S1 has significantly reduced the parasite load. The EC50 value (1.852) of the methanolic extract of M. alba S1 with P. falciparum 3D7 strain is close to the EC50 value (0.998) of the standard drug chloroquine with the same chloroquine-sensitive strain. Further studies with an in-silico model have shown successful interaction between DHFR and the phytochemicals. Both 1-octadecyne and oxirane interacted favourably, which was depicted through GC–MS analysis. The predicted binary logistic regression model will help the policy makers for epidemiological surveillance in malaria-prone areas worldwide when substantial climate variables create a circumstance favourable for malaria. From the in vitro and in silico studies, it can be concluded that the methanolic extract of M. alba S1 leaves were proven to have promising antiplasmodial activity. Thus, there is a scope for policy-driven approach for discovering and developing these lead compounds and undermining the rising resistance to the frontline anti-malarial drugs in the world.
Maternal body mass index is not associated with assisted reproductive technology outcomes
Authors: Kidera Nobuyuki , Ishikawa Tomonori , Kawamura Toshihiro , Miyasaka Naoyuki
Published: September 2023

The effects of body mass index (BMI) on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes such as ovarian dysfunction, poor ovum quality, and endometrial dysfunction have been studied; however, many aspects remain controversial. Therefore, we retrospectively investigated the relationship between BMI and ART outcomes. For 14,605 oocyte retrieval cycles at our hospital between January 2016 and December 2020, BMI was divided into five groups (< 18.5, 18.5–20.0, 20.0–22.5, 22.5–25.0, ≥ 25 kg/m2) and measured before oocyte retrieval. The normal fertilization and high-grade blastocyst rates were compared. In addition, in the 7,122 frozen-thawed embryo transfers (FET) with highest-grade embryos, the clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates were investigated in the five BMI groups. Multiple regression analysis on normal fertilization and high-grade blastocyst rates revealed no statistically significant differences. Furthermore, after propensity score matching on FET, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates in the BMI groups. BMI is a risk factor for complications during pregnancy; however, it does not affect ART outcomes. Therefore, we believe weight guidance should be provided to women with obesity at the start of infertility treatment, but treatment should not be delayed.
Exposure profiles in pregnant women from a birth cohort in a highly contaminated area of southern Italy
Authors: Drago Gaspare , Ruggieri Silvia , Sprovieri Mario , Rizzo Giulia , Colombo Paolo , Giosuè Cristina , Quinci Enza , Traina Anna , Gastaldelli Amalia , Cibella Fabio , Panunzi Simona
Published: September 2023

Protecting the health of pregnant women from environmental stressors is crucial for reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. In industrially contaminated sites, this action is particularly challenging due to the heterogeneous pollutant mixtures in environmental matrices. The aim of this study was to evaluate distribution patterns of mercury, hexachlorobenzene and polychlorobiphenyls in the serum of 161 pregnant women recruited in the framework of the Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes (NEHO) cohort and living both inside and outside the National Priority Contaminated Site (NPCS) of Priolo. Food macro-categories were determined, and serum levels of contaminants were used to perform k-means cluster analysis and identify the role of food in pollutant transfer from the environment. Two groups of mothers with high and low measured pollutant levels were distinguished. Concentrations in mothers in the high-exposure cluster were at least twofold for all the evaluated pollutants (p < 0.0001) and included mothers living inside and outside NPCS, with a predominance of individuals from the NPCS (p = 0.045). Fish consumption was higher in the high-exposure cluster (p = 0.019). These findings suggest a link between contamination of environmental matrices such as sediment with maternal exposure, through the intake of local food. Such consideration appears poorly investigated in the context of contaminated sites.
Analysis of cnidarian Gcm suggests a neuronal origin of glial EAAT1 function
Authors: Sheloukhova Larisa , Watanabe Hiroshi
Published: September 2023

In bilaterian central nervous systems, coordination of neurotransmission by glial cells enables highly sophisticated neural functions. The diversity of transcription factors (TFs) involved in gliogenesis suggests multiple evolutionary origins of various glial cell types of bilaterians. Many of these TFs including the glial cells missing (Gcm) are also present in genomes of Cnidaria, the closest outgroup to Bilateria, but their function remains to be elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the function of Gcm, a multifunctional TF involved in development of glial and non-glial cell types, in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nematostella Gcm altered expression of cell adhesion proteins, glutamate and GABA transporters, ion channels, metabolic enzymes, and zinc finger and Ets-related TFs. NvGcm and mRNAs of downstream genes are expressed in broad neural cell clusters. However, immunostaining of a NvGcm target protein, the glutamate transporter, NvEAAT1, visualized a novel class of cells with flat cell bodies and no clear processes. Together with the finding of unique morphological features of NvEAAT1-functioning cells, these data suggest that extracellular glutamate metabolism, one of major glial functions, is deployed downstream of Gcm in specific neural cell types in Cnidaria.
Future changes in atmospheric synoptic variability slow down ocean circulation and decrease primary productivity in the tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Duteil Olaf , Park Wonsun
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the impact of future changes in atmospheric synoptic variability (ASV) on ocean properties and biogeochemical cycles in the tropical Pacific Ocean using coupled and forced atmosphere–ocean model experiments. Future climate projections show an annual mean decrease in ASV in subtropical gyres and an increase in the tropical band. Maintaining ASV to current values lead to a deepening of the mixed layer in subtropical regions and a shalllowing at the equator associated with a sea surface temperature decrease. The changes in ASV impact the large-scale ocean circulation and the strength of the subtropical and tropical cells, which constrain the equatorial water upwelling and the tropical net primary productivity. Ultimately, this study highlights the significance of ASV in understanding the impacts of climate change on ocean dynamics and biogeochemical processes, as half of the primary productivity decline due to climate change is caused by changes of ASV in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Structural and functional analyses of Burkholderia pseudomallei BPSL1038 reveal a Cas-2/VapD nuclease sub-family
Authors: Shaibullah Sofiyah , Shuhaimi Nurshahirah , Ker De-Sheng , Mohd-Sharif Nurhikmah , Ho Kok Lian , Teh Aik-Hong , Waterman Jitka , Tang Thean-Hock , Wong Rui-Rui , Nathan Sheila , Mohamed Rahmah , Ng Min Jia , Fung Shin-Yee , Jonet Mohd Anuar , Firdaus-Raih Mohd , Ng Chyan Leong
Published: September 2023

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a highly versatile pathogen with ~25% of its genome annotated to encode hypothetical proteins. One such hypothetical protein, BPSL1038, is conserved across seven bacterial genera and 654 Burkholderia spp. Here, we present a 1.55 Å resolution crystal structure of BPSL1038. The overall structure folded into a modified βαββαβα ferredoxin fold similar to known Cas2 nucleases. The Cas2 equivalent catalytic aspartate (D11) pairs are conserved in BPSL1038 although B. pseudomallei has no known CRISPR associated system. Functional analysis revealed that BPSL1038 is a nuclease with endonuclease activity towards double-stranded DNA. The DNase activity is divalent ion independent and optimum at pH 6. The concentration of monovalent ions (Na+ and K+) is crucial for nuclease activity. An active site with a unique D11(X20)SST motif was identified and proposed for BPSL1038 and its orthologs. Structure modelling indicates the catalytic role of the D11(X20)SST motif and that the arginine residues R10 and R30 may interact with the nucleic acid backbone. The structural similarity of BPSL1038 to Cas2 proteins suggests that BPSL1038 may represent a sub-family of nucleases that share a common ancestor with Cas2.
Polymer Precursors and Preceramics from Geothermal Silica: A Novel Route to Mullite
Authors: Kemmitt Tim , Milestone Neil B.
Published: September 2023

A mixture of sodium hydroxide,boehmite Rotokawa geothermal silica was dissolved in alkaline glycol in aration Na:A1:Si of 4:3:1, to from a mixture of silico- and alumino-glycolates. Thermolysis of the vacuum dries product, resulted in a mixed oxide which began to crystallise a carnegieite-like phase above 500°C. This material reacted with SO2/moist air 400°C,to form sodium sulphate as the only srystalline phase. This was then washed out to leave a homogeneous amorphous aluminosilicate. Mullite began to srystallise on heating above 1000°C,recognisable bt its distinctive XRD pattern.
A New Positive Optical Resist for Bilayer Resist Systems
Authors: Schué F. , Sagnes R. , Giral L. , Montiginoul C.
Published: September 2023

Thi s paper describes a positive resist formulation [PSi] containing silylated polystyrene polymer, made photosensitive at 436 nm wavelength, by means of an onium salt sensitizer and a dye photosensitizer. This resist system is highly resistant to etching in an oxygen plasma and could be integrated into a bilayer resist process as a thin imaging layer coated on a thick hard baked novolac resist layer. Its behaviour as a photosensitive resist at ’A = 436 nm and as a positive deep uv resist at ’A = 257 nm have been evaluated. The schematic function of the resist and its lithographic properties are given in this publication. These preliminary results favour their application as bi layer resist systems.
Performance of second generation ICP-TOFMS for (multi-)isotope ratio analysis: a case study on B, Sr and Pb and their isotope fractionation behavior during the measurements
Authors: Retzmann Anika , Faßbender Sebastian , Rosner Martin , von der Au Marcus , Vogl Jochen
Published: September 2023

The second generation ICP-TOFMS is subject to IIF that does not follow the known mass dependent fractionation laws and is possibly caused by non-mass dependent fractionation and/or multiple fractionation processes with varying contributions.
Influence of chemical effects on Al high-resolution Kα X-ray spectra in proton and alpha particle induced X-ray spectra
Authors: Fazinić Stjepko , Mihalić Iva Božičević , Mioković Anja , Ramos Mauricio Rodriguez , Petric Marko
Published: September 2023

Kα X-ray emission induced by 2 MeV H and 3 MeV He ions in thick Al metal, Al2O3, Al2S3, AlN, and AlPO4 was measured using a wavelength-dispersive spectrometer with a flat diffraction crystal to study the chemical sensitivity of related X-ray spectra.
Ultralow thermal conductivity and anharmonic rattling in two-dimensional CrSX (X = Cl, Br, I) monolayers
Authors: Xuan Xiaowei , Yang Zhaoyu , Du Rui , Zhao Yimeng , Yan Yuli , Liu Chang , Li Hang , Zhang Guangbiao
Published: September 2023

X atoms act as generalized rattlers in the direction perpendicular to the Cr–X–Cr plane leading to an extremely low lattice thermal conductivity for CrSX monolayers.
Solvent based dissolution–precipitation of waste polyethylene terephthalate: economic and environmental performance metrics
Authors: Chaudhari Utkarsh S. , Kulas Daniel G. , Peralta Alejandra , Hossain Tasmin , Johnson Anne T. , Hartley Damon S. , Handler Robert M. , Reck Barbara K. , Thompson Vicki S. , Watkins David W. , Shonnard David R.
Published: September 2023

Evaluating six economic and two environmental performance metrics for recycling of waste PET via solvent-based dissolution–precipitation processes.
Plausible association of distant late M dwarfs with low-frequency radio emission
Authors: Gloudemans A. J. , Callingham J. R. , Duncan K. J. , Saxena A. , Harikane Y. , Hill G. J. , Zeimann G. R. , Röttgering H. J. A. , Hardcastle M. J. , Pineda J. S. , Shimwell T. W. , Smith D. J. B. , Wagenveld J. D.
Published: September 2023

We present the serendipitous discovery of eight distant (> 50 pc) late M dwarfs with plausible associated radio emission at 144 MHz. The M-dwarf nature of our sources has been confirmed with optical spectroscopy performed using HET/LRS2 and Subaru/FOCAS, and their radio flux densities are within the range of 0.5−1.0 mJy at 144 MHz. Considering the radio-optical source separation and source densities of the parent catalogues, we suggest that it is statistically probable that the M dwarfs are associated with the radio emission. However, it remains plausible that for some of the sources the radio emission originates from an optically faint and red galaxy hiding behind the M dwarf. The isotropic radio luminosities (∼1017 − 18 erg s−1 Hz−1) of the M dwarfs suggest that if the association is real, the radio emission is likely driven by a coherent emission process produced via plasma or electron-cyclotron maser instability processes, which is potentially caused by binary interaction. Long-term monitoring in the radio and high-resolution radio follow-up observations are necessary to search for any variability and pinpoint the radio emission to determine whether our tentative conclusion that these ultracool dwarfs are radio emitting is correct. If the low-frequency radio emission is conclusively associated with the M dwarfs, this would reveal a new population of optically faint and distant (> 50 pc) radio-emitting M dwarfs.
Rational measures of agromelioration on grey soils
Authors: Daurenbek Nurman M. , Tagaev Asanbai M. , Akshalov Kanat A. , Kostakov Amandyk K. , Makhmadjanov Sabir P. , Mambetov Kumushbek B.
Published: September 2023

In the conditions of grey soils in the south of Kazakhstan, the soil is degraded due to irrational use of irrigated land and non-compliance with agro-reclamation works in its order, as well as excessive irrigation of medium-saline soil, it negatively affects crop yields. In addition, on medium-saline soils, winter plowing is carried out only to a shallow depth of 30-32 cm. Mainly on grey soils, with timely and intensive soil treatment, it is preferable, since the degree of bulk mass of gray soils in a stable indicator is 1.28-1.30 g/cm3. If agrotechnological measures are carried out incorrectly, i.e. it affects the increase in soil density and its salinization, which negatively affects the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. In conditions of decreasing soil fertility, scientists of our scientific institution have carried out experimental work to identify the effects of effective agro-reclamation measures on irrigated saline lands, based on the rational use of irrigated agriculture in the south of Kazakhstan. The first issue that hinders the development of agricultural crops and the regulation of the condition of the rooting layer of plants in the soil is soil salinization and measures to combat them, since this issue is very relevant in conditions of increasing irrigated agriculture intensity.
Soil protection technologies on medium saline irrigated lands
Authors: Tagaev Asanbai M. , Daurenbek Nurman M. , Akshalov Kanat A. , Kostakov Amandyk K. , Makhmadjanov Sabir P.
Published: September 2023

Factor that hinders cotton growth and development, deep rooting of plants, are soil salinization. Currently, intensive measures to combat soil salinization are a very important issue in the field of agriculture. Soils are one of the priceless natural resources that plays an important role in the agricultural production of food in the region. The role of soils is also important in water storing and filtering and increasing resistance to floods and droughts. Stabilization of the food security of the region and increase in crop yields, which mainly depends on the soil, therefore intensive tillage and increasing the content of essential nutrients in the soil is an urgent problem today. Currently, technologies and methods of sustainable and effective intensification of production systems in the direction of increasing production capacity have been developed and are gradually being implemented into production. One of such approaches is soil-protective and resource-saving agriculture. Therefore, in the direction of increasing the production capacity, on the experimental basis of the Agricultural Experimental Station of Cotton and Melon Growing, scientific research was conducted to reduce the content of harmful salts and increase the content of nutrients in the soil.
Criteria of ecological plasticity, stability, and adaptability of potato varieties based on yield
Authors: Rozentsvet Olga , Bogdanova Elena , Bakunov Alexey , Rubtsov Sergey , Nesterov Viktor
Published: September 2023

The influence of the physiological and biochemical parameters of the leaves of 12 potato varieties on the formation, plasticity, and stability of the potato crop has been studied. The experiments were carried out on the territory of the Samara Research Institute of Agriculture – branch of the SamSRC RAS (53°03’ N, 49°25’ E) in the period 2019-2022. Average potato yields varied in the range of 14.2-25.7 t/ha. The highest yield was the first planting year. With an increase in the duration of reproduction, yield losses ranged from 25 to 50% due to a decrease in the mass of tubers. The coefficient of variation in yield varied in the range of 24-60% depending on the genotype. Criteria of ecological plasticity and stability of potato of different genetic origin are such indicators as leaf dryness or its hydration, the content of phenolic compounds in the leaves, the content of lipid oxidation products, and the state of the membranes. The amplitudes of variation of leaf indicators can serve as a measure of plasticity. Adaptive capacity is related to the content of proline, the ratio of membrane lipids and proteins, and the number of stomata.
Improving the conditioned qualities of sunflower seeds by pre-sowing treatment with a pulsed electric field
Authors: Aksenov M.P. , Petrov N.Yu. , Belyaev A.I. , Petrov Yu.N.
Published: September 2023

The article reflects the results of scientific studies of responsiveness to germination and germination energy of sunflower hybrid seeds to the electrophysical effect of a pulsed electric field with different intensity and exposure time. Seeds of sunflower hybrids NK Neoma and ES Petunia were taken for research. During the experiments, pulse field intensity of 2, 4, 8, 10 kV/cm, pulse duration of 40 microseconds, electric field exposure time of 15, 30, 60, 90, 105 seconds were taken. Optimal modes for processing sunflower seeds with a pulsed electric field have been experimentally established to increase the conditioned qualities – seed treatment for 90 seconds at a field intensity of 6 kV/cm or treatment at a field intensity of 8 kV/cm for 60 seconds.
Decomposition of thiamethoxam in its combined use with hydroxycinnamic acids on potato and currant
Authors: Antonenko V.V. , Dovgilevich A.V. , Zubkov A.V. , Mamonov A.G. , Polikarpov A.S. , Savushkin Yu.N.
Published: September 2023

The experiments were conducted in the city of Moscow, on the territory of the Educational, Scientific, and Production Center named after V. I. Edelstein “Michurinsky Garden” FSBEI HE “RSAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev” and Field experimental station in the period 2021-2022 on the black currant and potato plantings. Laboratory analysis of plant material samples for the study of the content of residual amounts and determination of the dynamics of pesticides destruction was carried out in the Educational, Scientific, and Consulting Center “Agroecology of pesticides and agrochemicals”. The following preparations were used in the tests: insecticide − Actara, VDG (250 g/kg of thiamethoxam) and growth regulator − Zircon, R (0.1 g/l of hydroxycinnamic acids). In the conditions of the experiments, a separate application of the preparation Actara, VDG and its combined use with the preparation Zircon, R to establish the level of residual amounts of the insecticide Actara, VDG active substance, sampling was carried out within 21 days from the moment of spraying on all experiment options. The selected samples were analyzed under laboratory conditions using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. As a result of the study, it was found that the use of Actar, VDG together with the preparation Zircon, R on black currant plantings caused an acceleration of the destruction of the insecticide active substance in the leaves. Nevertheless, the combined use of the studied preparations did not reduce the level of thiamethoxam intake in the forming black currant berries. The use of the preparation Actara, VDG together with the double use of the growth regulator Zircon, R on potato plantings led to accelerated decay of thiamethoxam in the tops and less of its accumulation in tubers.
The probability of cultivation of citrus crops on the territory of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus
Authors: Avdeev Sergey M. , Belolubtsev Alexander I.
Published: September 2023

According to the result of analysis of 30-year series of agro-climatic data, it shown that south part (Sochi region) of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus is the most suitable area on the coast for citrus fruits cultivation. Central part of coast has almost optimal agroclimatic indicators and corresponds to all demands and limiting factors of citrus, except for rear short frosts, but without extra loss in crop yields. Northwest part of the Black Sea coast (Anapa region) correspond to the citrus fruits cultivation in terms of heat supply, but inferior in terms of water supply, soils, and criterion of frost susceptibility of the territory. As a result, the cultivation of citrus crops in this area is quite risky, since involves large losses in harvest without appropriate adaptive agrotechnical activities.
The logistics component of the geographic reference of the formed promising crop rotations
Authors: Budzko Vladimir , Medennikov Viktor , Keyer Petr
Published: September 2023

Developed countries are actively implementing the digital transformation of the real economy with the transition to an information management system with rational integration of data into a single structured space with new opportunities for obtaining information support for decision-making. Integration mechanisms of technologies for the formation of optimal crop rotations and logistics technologies, reflecting in recent years two of the main principles of the digital economy of countries, are discussed. Science-based crop rotations determine the technological processes in agriculture and must be informationally and algorithmically integrated. However, their effective application requires the creation of optimization models associated with optimizing digital logistics technologies that combine all factors of crop rotation formation. The relevance of logistics optimization is determined by the need to reduce the huge costs for it in Russia (about 20% of the country’s GDP). The article presents a mathematical model for the formation of optimal crop rotations, which makes it possible to georeferencing the obtained promising crop rotations, considering logistics.
Agroecological assessment of new promising potato varieties in the conditions of the Moscow region
Authors: Shitikova A.V. , Zarenkova N.V. , Savoskina O.A. , Zapivalov S.A. , Povarnitsyna A.V.
Published: September 2023

The article presents the results of research on the basis of which the most productive high-yielding potato varieties have been identified, the genetic potential of which can be realized when cultivated in the conditions of the Moscow region. In the conditions of field experiment, an agroecological assessment of new promising potato varieties of Russian and foreign breeding was carried out. The tasting evaluation of varieties under VNIIKH methodology according to a set of assessments showed that the varieties had the highest taste qualities: Nadezhda, Severnoye Siyanie, and Vector, while the Nadezhda variety received the highest score (53.4). Potato yield on average for two years was largely determined by the climatic provision of vegetation conditions and variety adaptive ability to adapt to changing conditions: for the Pamyati Lorkha variety, conditions were favorable in the formation of yield at the level of 39 t/ha, while there was an increase in the total yield structure of the proportion of seed (50-80 g) tubers, during tuber formation of the Kumach variety humidification conditions were unfavorable, which was reflected in the formation of the yield subsequently at the level of 23.2 t/ha, while an increase in the proportion of tubers of non-commercial fraction was noted.